19. Miss Mystic Falls

"There was a disturbance at the hospital blood bag last night, some of the supply was compromised" Liz informed the twins.

"Compromised, you mean, stolen?" Damon asked.

Liz nodded, "We almost missed it, the inventory records were altered, but when the night manager was questioned, he had no recollection of changing them".

"Meaning the vampire who stole the blood used mind control to hide the theft" John informed.

"We know" Brayden snapped, "We're not idiots, John".

"We wouldn't have noticed, had John not alerted us to recent discrepancies at other hospital blood banks in the county" Liz said.

"How lucky for us we have John" Damon said sarcastically.

"We're stepping up security at the hospital, giving the guards vervain to prevent this from happening again" Liz informed.

"Sherriff, might I offer a suggestion? Why don't Damon, Brayden and I put our heads together?" John informed, "We could track down whoever's doing this".

"Truthfully, I could use extra hands, is that something you two would be willing to do?" Liz asked the brothers.

"Actually--".

"Well, of course, I mean, if it will help" Damon interrupted Brayden, knowing his brother would say no.

"I think we'll make a good team" John said, "Don't you, Brayden?".

Brayden glanced at Damon, who was giving him a warning look, telling him not to say anything infront of Liz, Brayden sighed, "I don't like you John, there's something very off about you, but for the sake of this town, I will team up with you".

John smirked at Brayden, while he simply glared at him.

***

"Ugh, what do you want?" Brayden asked, opening his front door and seeing Anna standing there, his mood already foul after dealing with John.

"I am here on behalf of my mother" Anna replied.

"Not interested" Brayden said, closing the door on Anna's face.

"Seriously?" Damon asked his brother, "You could have at least asked her what she wanted".

"Oh I'm sorry, how bad of me not to entrain the women whose been stalking us" Brayden replied, as the doorbell rang again.

Damon rolled his eyes, and opened the door again, "What do you want?".

"I'm sorry about what the other vampires did to Stefan" Anna replied, entering the house.

"Who said you could enter my house?" Brayden asked.

"Brayden" Damon warned.

"Unbelievable" Brayden mumbled, pouring himself a drink.

"Abducting, torturing him, it wasn't supposed to go down like that" Anna defended.

"You were playing house with half of a tomb of really pissed-off vampires" Damon snapped, "What did you think was gonna happen?".

"My mom is devastated" Anna replied.

"Don't care" Brayden snapped.

"They tried to overthrow her, Brayden" Anna snapped back.

"Then maybe she shouldn't have tried to control pissed off vampires" Brayden said, "She tried to tell vampires who were trapped in a tomb for over a century to listen to her, to be under her command, how did she think they were gonna react?".

"She was trying to help them" Anna snapped, glaring at Brayden.

"No, she was trying to control them, like she tried to control us" Brayden snapped.

"Why isn't she here anyways?" Damon asked interrupting two.

"She doesn't really do apologies" Anna replied.

"And clearly neither do you, cause I've still not heard a sorry" Brayden said.

"Just run along Anna" Damon said, "And if you're gonna continue playing house with your little vampire pets you might wanna stop robbing the blood bank dry, because they're on to it".

"I haven't been to the local blood bank in at least a week" Anna said confused.

"You haven't, doesn't mean the others haven't either" Brayden said.

"The other ones are gone, Brayden" Anna informed.

"Well, where did they go?" Damon asked.

"They weren't cut out for this town" Anna replied, "After what happened with your brother, my mom kicked them out and they took off, it's just us and Harper now".

"Oh boy" Brayden whispered, realising who has been stealing the bloodbags.

***

"Bonnie" Caroline said, running over to the Bennett witch, and hugging her, "Bonnie, thank god you're home, I tried calling you but you never answered, I missed you, how are you doing?".

"Better, it's better, you know" Bonnie said, "Glad to be back, and I'm trying to keep myself busy".

"Well, I can help with that, Major wardrobe confab needed, ASAP" Caroline said, "You need to help me pick the perfect dress for the Founder's Court".

"The Founder's Court?" Elena asked confused, "Did I miss something?".

"The Founder's Court, you know, Miss Mystic Falls" Caroline replied, "They announced it today, and you and I are both on it".

"Oh, my god, we signed up for that so long ago, I completely forgot" Elena said.

"So are you dropping out, then?" Caroline asked.

"I can't" Elena replied.

"No?" Caroline asked.

"Her mom is the one who wanted her to enter" Bonnie replied.

"Right" Caroline whispered.

***

Stefan entered the house, and immediately both his brothers cornered him.

"How was school?" Damon asked.

"Fine" Stefan replied.

"Yeah? Same old, same old?" Damon asked, "Nothing new? No stories to bring home?".

"You're making small talk, why?" Stefan asked confused.

"You seem chipper lately, less doom and gloom" Damon observed, "Little more pep in your step".

"And you both think it's because I drank human blood again" Stefan realised.

"Did you?" Brayden asked.

"No Brayden" Stefan snapped, "I hate to burst both your bubbles, but I'm clean".

"Just like that?" Brayden asked, not believing his brother.

"Just like that" Stefan replied.

"Yeah, not possible" Damon said.

"Not only is it possible, but it is quite true" Stefan said.

"Come on Stefan, you haven't touched human blood in nearly fifty years" Brayden said, "And right now, the person I'm looking at, doesn't seem like the buzzkill Stefan I know and hate".

Stefan shrugged, "I'm clean".

"You're lying" Damon said.

"Believe what you two want" Stefan said, walking away from the twins.

***

"Caroline Forbes's boyfriend speaking" Brayden answered his phone.

Caroline chuckled, "I have a question to ask you, and I know it's kind of a short notice so I will totally get it if you say no".

"Ask the question princess" Brayden said.

"So they just announced the Miss Mystic Falls, a competition that is very important to me, I really want to win it" Caroline informed, "And for the competition I need a escort who will dance with me, and I was wondering if you would be my escort?".

Brayden smiled, "I would love to".

"Really?" Caroline asked.

"Really princess" Brayden replied.

"Thank you!" Caroline said, jumping up and down, "You have no idea how much this means to me".

"Anything for you princess" Brayden said, just as Damon entered his room.

"So I'll see you at school for rehearsal?" Caroline asked.

"See you there" Brayden said, "Love you".

"Love you too" Caroline said, hanging up.

"What happened?" Brayden asked, seeing Damon's worried face.

"Stefan has the stolen blood bags stored in our basement refrigerator" Damon replied.

"So it was him?" Brayden asked, Damon nodded.

"He's off the rails, whether he wants to admit it or not" Damon replied.

"We have to help him Damon" Brayden said.

"I know Brayden, but the question is how?" Damon asked.

Brayden sighed, "I have no idea" he whispered.

***

"This year's queen will have the special honor of taking center stage at the 150th Founder's Day Gala" Carol Lockwood informed Caroline, "Before we crown our winner, we'd like to get to know a bit more about each of you".

"I'm on the MF beautification committee, I volunteer at the Rex center's soup kitchen" Caroline listed, "I implemented this year's Go Green Campaign at school, worked with the county's recycling program, and was in charge of the Policeman's Yearly Raffle".

Carol looked at Caroline, an impressed expression on her face.

***

Brayden and Damon were drinking in the living room, when someone rang their doorbell, the twins exchanged a confused look, and Damon stood up to answer the door.

"Hey, partner" John greeted.

"What do you want?" Damon asked.

"You or your bother haven't returned any of my calls" John replied, entering the house.

"That's cause we don't like you" Brayden snapped, glaring at John.

"Where do we start looking for vampires?" John asked, looking around the house.

"Why the act, John?" Damon asked, "I mean you obviously don't care about catching vampires, you're here talking to me and my brother".

"Actually, I care very much" John replied.

"What did Isobel say about that?" Damon asked, "I mean, considering that she is one".

"Isobel and I share a mutual interest" John said.

"Of course you do" Brayden mumbled, downing his drink.

"The original Johnathan Gilbert had an invention that was stolen by a vampire" John informed, "That vampires was then burned alive in Fell's church, or so Johnathan thought, and the invention was lost forever".

"Get to the point or get out" Brayden snapped, his patience running out.

"The point is Brayden, that the vampires weren't killed, were they?" John asked, "They were trapped".

"Yes they were John, great observation" Brayden said sarcastically.

"And now they're free, thanks to you two, which means the invention is retrievable" John said.

"Well, what is it?" Damon asked curiously.

"The only thing that matters is I want it back" John replied, "And you two are going to help me if you want your secret safe".

"The last time someone told me what I do, I shoved my hand into her daughter's chest, I wonder what I will do to you?" Brayden asked, making John look at him in uncertainty.

"I mean, why bring us into it, John?" Damon asked confused, "I mean, we don't know what you're talking about, much less who has it".

"Oh, come on, Damon, you and Brayden were around back then" John replied, "You two know who these people are, what they look like, he was friendly with a women who turned out to be a vampire, her name was Pearl, does that ring a bell?".

"Pearl dated a Gilbert?" Brayden asked shocked, "You would think she'd have some taste".

Damon glared at John, "We're not playing anymore, get out".

"I beg your pardon" John said confused.

Suddenly, Brayden speeded over to John, he twisted his arm and took the ring off of his finger, "You see how easy it is for me to take this stupid ring off of your finger?" Brayden asked, shoving John to the floor, while playing with the ring, "The only reason me and my brother entertained this whole blackmail thing was because my brother thought you could lead him to Katherine, but turns out, you have no idea where Katherine is, because if you did, then you would have known that Pearl was Kaitlynn and Katherine's best friend".

"I'll tell the entire Council what you two are" John threatened, standing up.

Brayden chuckled, "Go ahead, we will kill every single one of them, including you, I wonder if you will come back without this little ring on your finger, should we try it?", John looked at Brayden in slight fear, Brayden threw the ring at John's forehead, "Relax John, as long as you be our little pet, we won't kill you, but try to outsmart us, then you will have a massive problem, now, I'm guessing you will see yourself out? I have a girl I have to get to".

Before John could say anything, Brayden speeded out the boarding house, leaving behind an furious John and smirking Damon.

***

"The Fell cousins don't have a shot" Caroline told Brayden, as they walked in the school corridor, going to the cafeteria where they are supposed to rehearse for the dance, "And Amber Bradley is only on the court so the pageant doesn't look like it's founding families only, which of course it is, so that leaves Elena, and she totally has the sympathy vote since her parents vote, how can I compete with that?".

"You really want to win, don't you?" Brayden asked, lacing his fingers with Caroline's.

Caroline nodded, "My grandmother was Miss Mystic and both of my aunts, my mom is the only one who didn't get the gene, and I want this" she said, "And I actually deserve this".

"Yes you do" Brayden said, making Caroline face him, "You're going to win this Caroline, I believe in you, and if in some weird and horrible reality, you don't, you will still be a princess to me, that has to count for something, right?".

Caroline smiled and wrapped his arms around Brayden's waist, "It counts for everything" she whispered, "And I'm sorry for rambling so much to you, it's just I'm taking my frustration of something else out on something else".

"Why are you frustrated?" Brayden asked confused.

"Well, when you're getting ready for Miss Mystic, your parent or guardian usually helps you get ready, but mom can't do that do due to her being on duty" Caroline replied, "So I will be the only who will have no one helping her get ready, and that sucks".

"I can help" Brayden said, kissing the top of Caroline's head.

Caroline chuckled, breaking the hug, she looked at Brayden, "You can't see me before they call my name".

"Is that a challenge princess?" Brayden asked.

Caroline smiled, "Maybe".

Brayden smiled, "Well then, I will be seeing you before I escort you to have magical dance with me".

"Magical?" Caroline asked, as the couple started walking again.

"Yeap" Brayden replied, "A princess like you deserves her very own magical fairytale dance".

"I can't wait" Caroline whispered.

"Me neither" Brayden said, as the two entered the cafeteria, where Brayden saw Elena and Stefan.

"I thought you said he was having trouble controlling his bloodlust" Caroline said, looking at Stefan, "He looks fine to me".

"Trust me princess, Stefan is anything but fine" Brayden said, worry shown clearly on his face.

"Brayden, Caroline" Carol greeted, "Join the line up, we're about to start rehearsal".

Brayden and Caroline nodded, and they both went and stood next to Stefan and Elena.

"Hey" Elena greeted.

"Hey" Caroline said, while Brayden ignored her and focused on Caroline.

"Honor your partner" Carol said.

Brayden and Caroline stepped a bit closer and bowed down slightly, Brayden winking at Caroline, making her laugh.

"Let's focus, right hand around" Carol instructed, "Flirt with your eyes".

Brayden and Caroline lifted their right hand up, "So, what exactly do I get if I help you win this competition?" Brayden asked.

"You want something?" Caroline asked, as they started walking in a circle.

"Of course I do princess, I do nothing for free" Brayden replied.

"Left hand around" Carol instructed, as both Brayden and Carol lifted their left hands up.

"What do you want?" Caroline asked, as they started walking in a circle again.

"Make a list with me" Brayden replied.

"A list?" Caroline asked confused.

"Yeah, a list of things you and I have to do together before this year ends" Brayden replied.

"Are you being serious?" Caroline asked, shocked.

"Have I ever lied to you, princess?" Brayden asked, grabbing Caroline's wrist, spinning her around and then dipping her down, "First thing on the list, sex in my car" he whispered, into Caroline's ear, making her laugh.

"You don't have a car" Caroline reminded.

"Oh, no, no, no" Carol told Brayden and Caroline, "There's no touching during this part, it's about the simple intimacy of the near-touch".

"Sorry, she couldn't help herself" Brayden said, helping Caroline stand, "Don't touch me princess".

"Seriously?" Caroline asked amused.

"Seriously" Brayden teased, "You heard Mrs. Lockwood, I know you can't help yourself but have a little control".

"Right" Caroline said, laughing, "I don't have control, are you sure you're not confusing me with you?".

"No, I'm pretty sure, you're the one who has no control" Brayden teased, as they lifted both their hands up and started walking in a circle.

"Liar" Caroline whispered, "And back to the first thing you want to write on our list, you don't have a car".

"I don't?" Brayden asked.

"Do you?" Caroline asked shocked, she turned to Stefan, who was looking at the couple in amusement, "Does he?".

"He does" Stefan replied, "Audi R8".

Caroline looked at Brayden in shock, "How come I never knew about this?".

"Because it was in the workshop" Brayden replied, "I'm getting it back tomorrow".

"Do I get to see it?" Caroline asked excitedly.

"Of course, who else am I suppose to show it to?" Brayden asked.

"Caroline, do you even know what a Audi R8 is?" Elena asked, causing Caroline to frown.

"I--".

"Clearly she does Elena" Brayden snapped, "And why don't you mind your own business, and not stick your nose into ours".

"I was just asking Brayden" Elena defended, "Why are you getting so triggered?".

"Elena, stop" Stefan warned, shocking Elena, "Stop provoking him".

Brayden and Caroline looked at each other in shock, really not excepting Stefan to tell Elena off for Brayden.

***

After the dance rehearsal was finally done, Brayden, Caroline, Stefan and Elena stood by the side, Brayden telling Caroline he wanted to make sure Stefan was okay.

"Bonnie, hey" Elena greeted, as Bonnie entered the cafeteria.

"Hey, how are you?" Stefan asked.

Bonnie looked at Caroline and Elena, then at Brayden and Stefan, Brayden sighed he was excepting this.

"Brother, I'm going to get Caroline some food, come with me" Brayden said.

"Why?" Stefan asked confused.

"Get a hint Stefan" Brayden whispered, gesturing between the girls.

Stefan, finally realising that Bonnie felt awkward in their presence, nodded and left with his brother.

"So" Brayden started, "Why did you snap at Elena?".

Stefan sighed, "She was provoking you for no reason

"Since when do you care about me and Damon?" Brayden asked confused.

"I don't care about Damon" Stefan replied, "But you have been trying to help me, I can see it,  I know it will take time Brayden, but if you can try to be better so can I, first step in trying to be a better brother, is not letting my girlfriend make my brother angry".

Brayden smiled, he patted Stefan's shoulder, "We're a long way from being proper brothers Stefan, but this is a start".

Stefan gave Brayden a small smile.

***

^ Brayden's Look For Miss Mystic Falls ^

Damon and Brayden entered the Founder's Hall, where the Miss Mystic Falls competition was being held.

"For the hundredth time Brayden, I didn't copy you" Damon snapped.

"We're literally wearing the same suit" Brayden snapped, grabbing a glass of champagne, "And I would rather poke my eyeballs out then copy you, so clearly you copied me".

"Look around you Brayden, everyone is wearing a black suit and tie" Damon said.

Brayden looked around and realised Damon was right, "I hate everyone" he said.

"Trust me, I know" Damon said, just as his eyes landed on Anna, "Look whose here".

"You think she knows about the invention John wants?" Brayden asked.

"Her mother stole it, she has to know" Damon replied, as the twins started walking towards Anna, "In the running for Miss Mystic Falls?".

"Sometimes you have to wear uncomfortable heels to blend in" Anna replied, "I remember this event from 1864, I was supposed to enter before everything happened".

"If it's any consolation, you wouldn't have won" Brayden said.

"If you're just gonna mock me, can you move along, please?" Anna snapped.

"John Gilbert thinks your mom stole an artifact from Johnathan senior senior back in 1864" Damon informed.

"What are you two, his errand boys?" Anna asked.

"We don't do anyone's errands, you should know that" Brayden replied, making Anna glare at him.

"We don't know what it is, but we don't want him to have it" Damon said.

"I could ask her" Anna said, "But you've made it pretty clear that you don't trust us, so why should I even bother?".

"Because you idiotic person, John Gilbert knows everything, including about the tomb vampires" Brayden replied, "You want to live here, that won't be possible if John gets what he wants".

"Find out where it is, he leave, you can buy a welcome mat" Damon said, as Brayden's eyes landed on Liz.

"Where are you going?" Damon asked confused, seeing Brayden walk away.

"Making my girl happy" Brayden replied.

"Brayden, hey" Liz greeted, seeing the middle Salvatore walking over to her.

"Liz, I have a favor to ask you" Brayden said, confusing Liz.

***

Elena was getting ready with the help of Jenna, when she saw Brayden enter the room.

"Brayden" Elena said, standing up and walking over to the vampire, "You're not supposed to be here".

"I'm not here for you" Brayden said, his eyes landing on Caroline, "Princess!".

"Brayden?" Caroline asked confused, walking over to the duo, "What are you doing here?".

"Here to complete a challenge, and to bring you someone" Brayden replied.

"What?" Caroline asked.

Brayden moved out of the way, and let Liz enter the room.

"Mom?" Caroline asked confused.

"Brayden told me how much you wanted me to be here with you" Liz replied, "Why didn't you tell me Caroline?".

"You were busy with work" Caroline mumbled, tears welling in her eyes.

"I will always make time for you Caroline" Liz said.

"Really?" Caroline asked.

"Really" Liz replied, hugging her daughter.

"Thank you" Caroline mouthed to Brayden.

"You're welcome" Brayden mouthed back.

***

"Brayden!" Elena called out, following the middle Salvatore out.

Brayden sighed, "What do you want Elena?".

"That was really nice of you, bringing Sheriff Forbes to Caroline" Elena said, giving Brayden a small smile.

"I'd do anything to make her happy, Elena" Brayden said.

"She's very lucky" Elena said, confusing Brayden.

Before Brayden could call Elena out on her weird behavior, Damon interrupted the two.

"Brayden" Damon said, looking between the two in confusion.

"You can't be here" Elena told Damon.

"We need to talk" Damon told Elena.

"About what?" Brayden asked confused.

"Normally I would have a completely different outlook on what I'm about to tell you but since it could really inconvenience me, I'll squeal" Damon told Elena, ignoring Brayden.

"Damon, no" Brayden said, realising what Damon was about to tell Elena.

"Stefan's her boyfriend, she can help him" Damon said.

"No, she will make it worse, you know that" Brayden snapped.

"What's going on?" Elena asked confused.

"Stefan's still drinking human blood" Damon replied.

"Damon!" Brayden said, angry with his brother's behavior.

"What?" Elena asked confused.

"A month ago, I would've rejoiced, but with the Council back on the alert it is not a good time for Stefan to fly off the handle" Damon replied.

"I know he'd been a little edgy, but he said that was normal" Elena said.

"He has a fridge full of stolen blood-bank contraband in the house" Damon informed.

"What do you think she's going to do?" Brayden snapped, "She's the most judgmental person ever, you really think she's going to help our brother?!".

"Guys, what's going on?" Caroline asked, stepping outside of the room and seeing a furious Brayden, she quickly closed the door, so no one else saw the brothers and their argument.

"She can help him Brayden, Stefan loves her, he will listen to her" Damon replied, ignoring Caroline.

"She's not Fae!" Brayden snapped.

Damon grabbed Brayden's collars, "Don't mention her!".

Brayden shoved Damon away from him, "Why?" he asked, "Because you know I'm right, just cause Fae managed to control Stefan's bloodlust, doesn't mean Elena will be able to that, Elena's going to make it worse, she doesn't get it, Fae did, so stop confusing them Damon!".

"Whose Fae?" Elena asked confused.

"Just shut up!" Brayden snapped, causing Elena to flinch, "Mark my words Elena, if your judgement causes my brother to spiral, then you're going face me, and trust me, you don't want to do that, and you", Brayden turned to Damon, "You better hope you're right, cause if Stefan gives more into his hunger and becomes you know what, that will be on you Damon".

Before anyone could say anything else, Brayden walked away, "What did you do?" Caroline asked Damon.

Before Damon could reply, Stefan came over to the group, "What's going on?".

"I know about the blood Stefan" Elena snapped.

Damon looked between Elena and Stefan, Elena's tone made Damon realise that Brayden was right, Damon did confuse Elena with Fae, Elena wasn't Fae, she wasn't going to understand what Stefan was going through, Damon looked at Caroline, who was already looking him, with a knowing look, the look on Damon's face told Caroline that he realised that he made a huge mistake.

***

"Miss Tina Fell escorted by Bartholomew Whitmore" Mayor Lockwood announced.

"Has anyone seen Amber?" Carol asked looking around for the missing participate.

"Do you see Stefan down there?" Elena asked Caroline.

"Nope" Caroline replied, "I only see Brayden, what happened to Stefan?".

"I don't know" Elena replied, looking guilty, "He just disappeared somewhere, I don't know".

"Brayden was right, wasn't he?" Caroline realised, "Instead of understanding what Stefan's going through, you judged him, didn't you?".

"That's cause I don't understand Caroline" Elena snapped.

"Then that's the problem Elena" Caroline snapped back, surprising Elena, "You don't understand Stefan, yet you want to be in a relationship with him? What kind of sense does that make?".

"I don't need you to tell me about my relationship" Elena said.

"Clearly you do" Caroline said, "Relationships are about communication and understanding, something you and Stefan clearly don't have".

"Miss Caroline Forbes and her escort, Brayden Salvatore" Mayor Lockwood announced, interrupting Elena and Caroline's argument.

After sparing Elena one last glance, Caroline made her way downstairs.

Brayden stood on the bottom of the stairs, watching Caroline descend down, once Brayden looked at Caroline, he couldn't stop looking, to him she really looked like a real life princess.

"You stayed" Caroline whispered.

"Did you doubt me?" Brayden asked, grabbing Caroline's hand and leading her outside.

"I just thought you would have gone to find Stefan" Caroline replied.

"Damon's on that" Brayden assured, as they joined the line up.

A few seconds later, Elena also came, but instead of being escorted by Stefan, she was being escorted by Matt, who filled in when he realised Stefan had ditched Elena.

"You ready?" Brayden asked, bowing down.

"Ready" Caroline whispered.

Brayden and Caroline lifted their right hand up and started walking in a circle, all while their eyes not leaving each other, they both then lifted their left hand and repeated the same step, after returning to their positions, Brayden and Caroline lifted both their hands up and once again walked in a circle.

Brayden then wrapped his arm around Caroline's waist, while she placed a hand on his shoulder, her other hand intertwined with Brayden's, who led her with each beat of the song, his eyes not leaving Caroline's for even a second.

***

"Before I crown the winner, I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community" Mayor Lockwood said, making everyone clap, "So without further ado, it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes".

"I actually won" Caroline whispered shocked, her eyes landed in the audience, looking for a certain someone, who she found standing next to her mother, both of them having huge smiles on their faces.

"Go Caroline!" Brayden yelled, making Caroline laugh.

Caroline stepped forward and let Mayor Lockwood put the Miss Mystic Falls stash around her.

***

"You won!" Brayden said, hugging Caroline.

"I won!" Caroline yelled happily, hugging Brayden back.

"I told you that you will win, next time don't doubt me" Brayden said, breaking the hug.

"Never ever" Caroline promised.

"Brayden" Damon said, walking over to the couple.

"What happened?" Elena asked, also walking over to them, "Did you find Stefan?".

"Are you sure you care?" Brayden snapped.

"Of course I care" Elena snapped back.

"If you cared you wouldn't have caused him to spiral, him missing is your fault, if he hurts anyone Elena, that will also be on you" Brayden said, shocking Elena.

"Could you two stop for a second" Damon snapped, "And just listen to me, there were signs of a struggle in the upstairs bathroom, there was blood, and that Amber girl is missing".

"Oh, my god" Elena whispered shocked, "No, he wouldn't hurt her, he won't".

"You realise, this is your fault as well, right?" Brayden asked Damon, ignoring Elena.

"I know Brayden, trust me, I know" Damon replied, equally as worried as Brayden.

"Guys, we need to find Stefan" Caroline said.

Brayden nodded, "Let's go".

Brayden grabbed Caroline's hand and walked out, Damon and Elena quickly following, unknown to them a curious Bonnie also followed them out, wanting to know what was going on.

***

"Stefan!" Elena yelled, as the group ran and saw Stefan feeding on Amber.

"Stefan" Brayden called out.

Stefan dropped Amber to the ground, he looked at the group, a guilty expression on his face.

"Come on, get control, come on" Damon said, as he and Brayden stepped infront of Caroline and Elena.

"It's okay Stefan, you're okay" Brayden said.

"Breathe through it, man" Damon said, slowly walking towards Stefan.

Stefan grabbed Damon and pushed him into the tree.

"Stefan!" Brayden yelled, shoving Stefan to the tree and holding him in place, "Get in control Stefan!".

"Get off of me!" Stefan yelled, trying to push Brayden off of him but failing.

"You can't push me away Stefan, listen to me, get in control!" Brayden yelled, holding Stefan against the tree.

Stefan looked at Brayden, then at Damon, who had stood up and was looking at both his brothers, suddenly Stefan started yelling in pain, clutching his head, he fell to the floor.

"Bonnie, stop" Damon demanded, seeing Bonnie using her magic on Stefan, who had managed to get in control with his brother's help.

Realising Bonnie wasn't going to stop, Brayden speeded over to her, and shoved her to the ground, "Don't hurt my brother!" he yelled.

Bonnie stood up and was about to give Brayden an aneurysm, when Caroline stood between the two, "Bonnie stop!" Caroline yelled, "You're making things worse, Brayden had gotten Stefan in control, there was no need for you to use your magic on him, and now don't you dare use your magic to hurt Brayden, or I swear to god I will forget I ever considered you my friend".

Both Elena and Bonnie looked at Caroline in shock, not excepting such words from her.

"Stefan" Brayden whispered, turning back to his brother.

"It's okay" Damon told his youngest brother.

"Stefan, you're fine" Brayden assured.

Stefan looked between his brothers, tears in eyes, and without saying anything to them, he speeded away.

***

"She doesn't remember what happened" Liz told the brothers, not knowing that Brayden compelled her to forget everything.

"It's a good thing the girls got here, she lost a lot of blood" Damon said.

"You didn't see anything?" Liz asked the three girls.

Elena and Caroline looked at Bonnie, scared that she was going to tell the truth, but she simply shook her head.

"No, we just found her and then called Brayden" Elena said.

"Mom, is Amber going to be alright?" Caroline asked.

"It looks like it, yeah" Liz assured, "Why don't you girls get back to the party, Damon, Brayden and I can take it from here".

Caroline looked at Brayden, who was already looking at her, "Go" he mouthed.

Caroline nodded and followed Bonnie and Caroline back inside.

"They didn't see the bite mark?" Liz asked, worried her daughter might have seen something she couldn't explain to her.

"No, we got here before any of them could get close to her" Brayden replied.

"There was too much blood, they couldn't see it clearly" Damon said.

***

"Bonnie, can we talk about this?" Elena asked.

"There's nothing to talk about" Bonnie replied.

"Bonnie, please" Elena pleaded.

"I told you both I wasn't gonna make any of you choose" Bonnie snapped, "But I need to make the choice for myself, please just leave me alone, both of you".

"You know, it's funny" Caroline said, "You and Elena both think that I judge people easily, but here we are, I'm the only one whose trying to understand what Stefan's going through, what Damon and Brayden went through, while you both are standing there and doing nothing but judging".

"Are you serious Caroline?" Bonnie snapped, "My Grams died because of your boyfriend!".

"No Bonnie!" Caroline yelled, surprising the two girls, who were not used to Caroline yelling at them, "Your Grams died because you decided to listen to Elena! Brayden and Damon never came to your Grams to ask for help, you and Elena convinced her, Brayden already had a witch who was willing to help him, so stop blaming him for your best friend's mistakes".

"Caroline, how can you say that?" Elena asked shocked.

"How can I say anything Elena?!" Caroline yelled, "I'm tired of staying quiet, I'm tired of seeing you and Bonnie blame the guy I love for everything bad that happens in both of your lives, Bonnie, you want me to stay away from you? Fine, I will, but make sure you don't come near me either".

Caroline walked back into the Founder's hall to grab her clothes and go to the boarding house to check on the brothers.

***

"All right, now this is getting weird" Damon said, as he and Brayden walked towards their front door, only to see Anna standing there.

"We're here to talk" Anna informed, as Pearl showed up.

"Right now, you don't want to threaten me, I am really not in the mood" Brayden warned.

"Annabelle tells me you two are looking for something I took from Johnathan Gilbert" Pearl said.

"We're listening" Damon said, suddenly interested.

Pearl walked over to Brayden and handed him the invention, "What is this exactly?" Brayden asked confused.

"Johnathan was passionate about his inventions, he confided in me that he had created a detection device meant to track the town's vampire element" Pearl replied.

"That was the pocket watch" Damon said confused.

"That's what it turned out to be, yes" Pearl said, "But that's not what I stole, I discovered my mistake when I saw the watch in Johnathan's hand, the night they took us, it's dial pointed at me".

"Again, what is this exactly?" Brayden asked, inspecting the small invention.

"I have no idea" Pearl replied, "But now it's yours".

"What's the catch?" Damon asked.

"There is no catch" Pearl assured, "My daughter wants to stay here, I wanna stay here, you two refuse to trust us, and for good reason, consider this an apology".

Both Brayden and Damon said nothing, they looked at each other then back at Pearl and Anna, and simply nodded.

***

Stefan entered his room, he took off his suit jacket and shirt and threw it on to the floor, he went towards his cupboard, he took out a book, opening the first page, he saw a photo of him, Brayden and Damon with a girl.

Stefan grabbed the photo and sat on the bed, "I need you" Stefan whispered, looking at the photo for the first time since she left, "I can't do this without you, please come back, please Fae, come back".

"Stefan" Elena said, slowly entering the room, and getting confused seeing Stefan talking to a photo.

"Go away" Stefan said, not looking up from the photo.

"We need to talk" Elena said.

Stefan finally looked up at Elena, "Now you know" he said.

"That wasn't you" Elena said.

"Oh, it was absolutely me" Stefan snapped, "That person you saw Elena, is a part of me, it's another side of me, and if you can't accept that, then you need to leave, I'm a monster, a predator, it's who I am, Elena, and you're not her, you will never accept me for who I am".

"That wasn't you Stefan" Elena snapped, "That's what the blood makes you".

"The blood brings out what's inside of me" Stefan snapped, "And if you think any differently, then you're an idiot".

"I know this isn't you, Stefan" Elena said.

"You don't know me!" Stefan yelled, "I wanted to drain every ounce of blood from that girl's body".

"No" Elena said, shaking her head.

"It's who I am, Elena" Stefan snapped, angry that Elena wouldn't get it.

"No, you can't scare me off" Elena said, "You didn't drain the girl Stefan, you stopped, meaning deep down you didn't want to kill her".

"No!" Stefan yelled, "I wanted to kill her, but I didn't want to disappoint Fae!".

"Whose Fae?" Elena asked, "Why do you keep saying her name?".

"Because I need her Elena!" Stefan yelled, scaring Elena, "She is the only one who can help me, and she isn't here!".

"I can help you" Elena said.

"No, you can't" Stefan said, shaking his head, "Leave, I don't want you here", Stefan looked behind Elena to see both his brothers along with Caroline enter his room, all of them confused seeing Elena in Stefan's room, "She's not here" Stefan whispered, "Fae's not here".

"But we are" Brayden said, stepping forward, "We're here, your brothers, let us help you".

"No" Stefan said, shaking his head, "You can't help us, I need her, I need Fae, please Brayden, tell her to come back, tell her to come back to me!".

"Stefan!" Damon yelled, making Stefan face him, "We don't know where Fae is, if we knew we would bring her to you in a heartbreak, but we don't, right now, me and Brayden are here, we are here for you".

"You will help me?" Stefan asked.

"Of course we will" Brayden replied.

Stefan nodded, "Help me, please help me, I don't want to be this".

Brayden nodded, "I know Stef, I know" he said, hugging his brother, Brayden looked at Damon and nodded, and before Stefan could realise, Damon had used the vervain dart on him.

"Are you two sure this is going to work?" Caroline asked, looking at Stefan's unconscious body in sympathy,

"The only way we can get the old brooding Stefan back is by letting all the human blood in his system pass out" Damon said.

"This has to Caroline" Brayden said, "It has to".

***

"Where's Stefan?" Elena asked, as the brothers came back into the living room.

"In the cellar downstairs" Damon replied, as Brayden poured himself a drink.

"Whose Fae?" Elena asked the twins, "Why did Stefan keep mentioning her?".

"Fae Bennett" Brayden whispered, "She is Stefan's true love, she is the women who taught us three to be brothers, she is the women who understood Stefan, she never judged me him, never asked him to change, if she decides to come back Elena, then Stefan would go back to her in a heartbeat".

"Stefan never mentioned her before" Elena said, confused.

"Maybe cause he doesn't trust you" Damon said, shocking Elena.

"Now, get out of my house Elena" Brayden demanded.

"I'm not leaving Stefan" Elena said.

"Now you care about him?" Brayden asked.

"I've always cared about him" Elena replied.

"Really?" Brayden asked, "Is that why because of you, my brother lost himself tonight? Damon told you, because he thought you would help our brother, but you made it so much worse for him, you have no idea what his going through, you refuse to accept this part of him, you guilt trap him by saying, it's my fault, I made you drink blood, adding to the immense guilt he already has, and to top of all this, you look at him with judgement in your eyes, that he can clearly see Elena!".

"I never--".

"You never meant to hurt Stefan?" Brayden asked, "Well guess what, you did, so before I hurt you, get the hell out of my house!".

"You should go" Damon said, "Now".

Elena sighed, "Fine", she turned to Caroline, "I'll drop you home".

"No" Brayden said, holding Caroline's hand, "She's staying, you're leaving".

Elena looked between Brayden and Caroline, and after a moment walked away.

"I'm sorry" Damon whispered, guilt in his voice, "I never thought this would happen".

"I know" Brayden whispered.

"His going to be okay" Caroline assured the two worried brothers.

"We hope so" Brayden said.

"He has you two" Caroline said, "With your support, he will be perfectly okay in a few days".

"Fingers crossed" Damon said, downing his drink.

***

Presenting 1x19 of The Vampire Diaries . . .

How was the chapter?

Thoughts on Brayden and Damon not entertaining John's blackmail?

Thoughts on Brayden bring Liz to help Caroline in getting ready for Miss Mystic Falls?

Thoughts on Caroline's argument with Bonnie and Elena?

Thoughts on Fae being a Bennett? Also, if you guys want to know who I imagine as Fae, then it's Zendaya 😊