Caroline took deep breaths as she grabbed the glass full of blood Damon handed her. Alethea bounded through the door with Stefan at her heels, an annoyed look etched on his face.

     "What happened to her?" Alethea asked as she took a seat next to the trembling blonde.

     Damon crosses his arms as he leaned against the back of the couch and gestured towards Stefan, "go ahead, tell them. You're gonna love this."

     "I saw Jasmine today."

     Alethea looked alert as she straightened her back, "what?"

     "Where?" Stefan took a step forward, eager.

     Caroline fidgeted with the glass before raising her eyes to him, "at the Grill. I just stopped by to gawk and quasi-stalk Matt."

     Caroline enters the Grill with a small nervous smile playing at her lips. She watches as Matt gathers plates and wipes down tables. He stops for a moment as he notices her in his peripheral vision.

     "Do you need a table?" His tone was a bit annoyed as he saw his ex.

     Caroline's eyes widened a bit as she shook her head lightly, "no, I'm not staying. I just need to use the little girl's room."

     Damon pinched the bridge of his nose as Caroline became enraptured in her own story telling, "skip the teen drama and get to it."

     Caroline sighed, "then I had to pretend to use the bathroom even though I didn't really have to go because I'm a doofus."

     Caroline opened the bathroom door and mentally scolded herself. She looked around in annoyance before going straight for the sink to wash her hands. She didn't hear her footsteps so she was quite startled when she saw someone suddenly appear behind her in the mirror.

     "Jasmine."

     Jasmine leaned back onto the door as she smirked at Caroline, "sounds like Matt wasn't too happy to see you. Things didn't end well?"

     Caroline's expression dropped for a second before scoffing and grabbing a couple of napkins to dry her hands, "do you even care?"

     Jasmine blocks her path as Caroline attempted to speed out of the room, "I care just a smidge. And it's only because I feel the need to tell you that Matt is going to the masquerade ball with me."

     "What? Why do you even care about some dance?"

     "I don't but I knew it would bother you and I'm short of entertainment while I wait for tonight." Jasmine walked around Caroline to fix herself up in front of the mirror.

     Caroline looked at her in curiosity, "what's tonight?"

     "Plan B. Oh, hey I need you to deliver a message for me."

     Stefan was now sitting beside Caroline and leaning forward, "what was the message?"

     Jasmine turned around so that she could make sure Caroline heard every word, "tell Damon and Stefan that they can try all they want to stop me, but to remember that they've made a life in this town... and I won't hesitate to rip it to shreds."

     Damon downed a glass of bourbon as he gestured toward Caroline again, "tell them what else she said."

     Caroline has a hand on the door knob when Jasmine spoke out again, "even if you don't have a date, you should still come to the masquerade tonight. I have a feeling it'll be quite entertaining."

     They were silent for a moment before they were taken out of their thoughts as Alethea stood up, "she's planning something at the masquerade."

     Stefan nodded his head as he looked to his brother, "we need to be there."

     Damon furrowed his eyebrows, "why do it at the masquerade though?"

     "I don't know but I have a feeling that it may involve Matt."

     Caroline's eyes widened in concern as she glanced between the Salvatore brothers, "do you think she's going to hurt him?"

     Damon thought it over before slowly shaking his head though a bit unsure, "she's a psychopath but for some reason she has a soft spot for the quarterback."

     "But she turned off her humanity switch, who knows what she'll do to him? She saw Jenna as a good friend but still compelled her to hurt herself." Stefan stated then placed a reassuring hand on Caroline's shoulder, "we'll make sure nothing happens to Matt."

     Alethea paced in front of them, wringing her hands together. She's barely getting along with the group and she wasn't sure what she was about to say would help it at all.

     "I know you guys might not want to hear this but can you at least consider it?"

     Damon rolled his eyes at the red head, "I know what you're going to say and the answer is you're out of your mind, newbie."

     Caroline caught on to what Alethea was suggesting and looked at Damon quizzically, "why? Jasmine has killed who knows how many people already and now she's planning to use Matt for whatever evil scheme she's come up with."

     Stefan stood from his spot, not believing they were even discussing it, "we're not doing it, Caroline."

     "You were willing to do it to Katherine."

     There was a pause as the brothers processed her words. In their eyes, Jasmine was nothing like Katherine, someone who caused nothing but misery in their lives.

     "Katherine is an evil bitch who deserves it." Damon spat out, "she rampaged into town and—"

     "Did exactly what Jasmine is doing! The only difference is that you're more mad at Katherine because she broke your heart." Alethea looked between the brothers in disbelief, "Jasmine is proving to be a bigger threat than Katherine, who has gone off the grid if you haven't noticed."

     "No." Stefan's glare was sharp enough to have Alethea take a step back.

     Alethea looked to Caroline, who was silent but was the only one to consider it, "we have to kill her. Tonight."

——

     Jasmine heaved a breath as she closed her bedroom door with her foot as her hands were full of bags. She set them down and began rummaging through when she sees the bed dip beside her. She turned her head to see Kol looking at her in amusement then returned to pulling clothes out of bags.

     "You're really going through with this?"

     Jasmine stopped to look at him, "don't get cold feet on me now."

     Kol rolled his eyes at her tone, "of course not. I'm just making sure you're not getting cold feet. We've waited a long time for this, there's no turning back now. Not even if you feel guilt about hurting them."

     Jasmine's lips curved up slightly as she heard his voice harden when he mentioned the Salvatores, "I know, Kol. Believe me, I know. This is going to work, I promise. No matter which way we do it it'll have the same end results–" She lifted up two dresses from the bed and admired them, "destroying half of Niklaus."

     Kol smirked as the thought settled beautifully inside his mind. Years of wanting to hurt the hybrid and, though he would have preferred his method, he was finally going to be part of taking the one thing Niklaus longed for the most. His werewolf side.

     Jasmine snapped him back as she gestured to the dresses, "which one would look better on me?"

     Kol didn't even glance at the dresses before staring lovingly at her, "you'd look absolutely breathtaking in either, darling."

     "That didn't help me whatsoever."

     Kol laughed wholeheartedly before standing up to get a better view of the laid out dresses. He placed a finger to his chin, pretending to think about it even though his mind was set once he saw the colors. He finally pointed to one before smiling at her.

     "The red one. You always did look mesmerizing in the color."

     Jasmine nodded her head then grabbed the red dress and hung it up carefully beside the mirror, "red it is."

     "It's a shame I can't be your date for the night."

     Jasmine sighed and turned around to look at him, "that's not going to stop you from tagging along, is it? Figment of my imagination or not, you were always by my side."

     "I'll be there."

——

     Two hours later at the Salvatore house, a knock was heard at the door. Caroline announced she was going to get it and opened the door to reveal Bonnie.

     "Hey, come on in."

     Bonnie entered the house and looked around the house, confused, "I got your message."

     Stefan then appeared and saw the witch causing an annoyed glare directed at Alethea who was preoccupied with Alaric, "this really isn't necessary."

     Bonnie then took notice of the weapons that were laying on the table in front of Alaric, "okay, what's going on?"

     Alethea piped in as Jeremy joined her, "we're gonna kill Jasmine."

     Stefan held his hand out, slightly, "debatable."

     "Please explain." The most Bonnie was expecting when Caroline asked for her help was a small spell. She didn't expect to suddenly be roped in to kill Jasmine.

     "Alethea thinks that we should kill Jasmine. Why we should take her idea into consideration is beyond me." He sarcastically smiled at Alethea as she glared at him.

     They were all drawn to Alaric as he spoke out, "now this one works with compressed air. The trigger mechanism is up here. I have two of these in different sizes." He looked at Jeremy as he continued, "for you, I recommend this. It fits nicely under the jacket sleeve. You use the trigger when you're ready."

     He maneuvered his hand to demonstrate how to go for the kill. Jeremy took the device and looked it over with awe. Stefan and Damon looked at each other, realizing that maybe they have been underestimating the history teacher.

     Alaric notices their stares and shrugs, "you wanted me to show you how to kill a vampire."

     Still not wanting to even talk about going through with it, Stefan threw his hands upwards in frustration, "can we please just talk about this?"

     Alaric's forehead brooded as he stared at Stefan, "Alethea's right, Stefan. Jasmine has to die."

     Stefan looked at his brother desperately, "Damon, please say something."

     Damon didn't look at him. He thought it over and over again trying to find a reason to go through with it when one popped up. In the form of Elena Gilbert. Jasmine had told them she had plans for the doppelgänger and he was too invested already in Elena to let anything happen to her.

     "...she's dangerous, Stef."

     Stefan looked at his brother incredulous. He shook his head in denial as his anger rose causing him to raise his voice, "I can't believe you. After everything she's done for us—for you! She has one bad year and you're ready to kill her! What? Are you going to do the same to me? You didn't even seem to consider the thought back when I was ripping throats out all through Monterrey!"

     "This is–it's different."

     "Why? Because Elena's involved? I love her, too , Damon. I know the danger she faces but I am not ready to turn on Jasmine." He looked around at everyone staring at him before looking at his brother again, "if you're gonna do this, then count me out."

     Damon stared at the place where Stefan stood before sighing and dragging his hand down his face. He went back to observing the weapons when Bonnie cleared her throat.

     "You can't kill her."

     They all glanced at her, ready to listen to someone else argue their point. Damon tossed the weapon in his hand across the table, tired, before looking at her, "what are you talking about?"

     Bonnie sighed as she looked at him impatiently, "The coven's plan? Does that ring any bells?" She continued on when no one made a movement of knowing what she's talking about, "Francis' plan is already set in motion. He created a magical emotional link between you all the day Jasmine lashed out. If you kill her, you'll all die."

——

     Kol watched as Jasmine cleaned her face for the third time, not liking how her makeup was turning out. He would've called out that she didn't need makeup to look beautiful but he didn't want to hear another lecture about how she's not wearing makeup to feel pretty–because she's well aware of how beautiful she is–and to stop assuming she's doing it for that matter because she's wearing it to tie her outfit together—"and also because I bloody feel like putting it on, now leave me alone."

     He smiled slightly when she let out a noise of approval at her reflection once she got her eyeliner the way she wanted.

     "When did you figure out that I was a figment of your imagination?"

    Jasmine didn't stop her attempt to replicate the makeup on her other eye as she answered him, "a minute or so after I saw you. I knew that if it were truly you then your siblings wouldn't have exactly been inconspicuous." She put down the eyeliner as she looked at him, "I just went along with it because I've missed you so much."

     She didn't realize how long it'd been since she saw him even though some days felt like an eternity. Jasmine was ecstatic to see him that day but it quickly deflated when she realized the truth–he wasn't truly there, but that didn't stop her from convincing herself that this would have to do until she had the real Kol back in her arms.

     "Thea was right, I have lost my mind." She went back to applying her makeup, "but maybe I should see it as a clarity of mind instead. I've been so wrapped up in wanting to be better for the Salvatores that I didn't see the opportunity right in front of me."

     "And what would that be?"

     "I know where the doppelgänger is, the one thing Niklaus needed besides the moonstone. And once Katerina strolled into town I was reminded of something I told your brother when he daggered you in 1914." She looked at Kol for her next words, her voice dripping with venom, "he's going to finally regret the way he treated us both."

——

     Bonnie stood in front of everyone as they all made themselves comfortable in the living room, "Francis was very adamant about emphasizing that particular part of his plan. When Jasmine gave into her vampire tendencies, it sent a blast through the town, linking any vampire within town limits to her."

     Stefan, who now rejoined the group since Caroline went to go tell him that killing Jasmine wasn't an option, looked at his brother and remembered what they had briefly spoken about the day before at the party set up, "but if it's an emotional tether the it won't work because Jasmine flipped her humanity switch."

     Shaking her head immediately, Bonnie explained, "she couldn't have. Francis made sure she wouldn't have the option to turn it off when he cast the spell."

     "With the rush of new emotions, it's possible that maybe her switch is glitching? And she doesn't know what she's feeling so she's resulted into thinking she doesn't feel anything at all." Damon piped in and looked at Bonnie for confirmation.

     Caroline scrunched her face for a second as she began thinking, "wait if we're connected to her emotionally only then how does that necessarily mean that we'll die if she does?"

     Bonnie opened her mouth to explain but then closed it as she looked at them sheepishly, "that he didn't explain. He said knowing how it worked was a secret and to take his word for it."

     Alethea scoffed as her boot slightly kicked the table, "the guy could be bluffing."

     Caroline looked at all the vampires in the room before looking at her best friend in slight fear, "but what if he's not? Are we really going to risk that?"

     Stefan stood and shook his head, "no, we're not." He held his hand up when he saw Alethea beginning to retort, "we're not discussing it anymore, Alethea. Caroline is right, we shouldn't be risking the lives of everyone just to kill one vampire."

     He walked out of the room and headed upstairs, everyone took the hint that it was time to disband and head home to get ready. Alethea lingered outside for a moment, agitation eating away at her. She looked at her watch, noting the time, before heading home and plotting on her own.

——

     A couple of hours later, Jasmine found herself walking up the steps to the Lockwood Mansion and toward Matt, who was patiently waiting for her to arrive. She smiled wide when she saw him notice her, his mouth slightly opening before quickly closing.

     "You look... wow."

     She let out a laugh as she placed her mask on, "thank you and you look extremely dashing in your suit."

     Matt smiled warmly at her and ignored the redness that suddenly filled his cheeks. He held his arm out and Jasmine slipped hers in.

     "I apologize for making us late, by the way. I had remembered that I needed to move something into a more appropriate place."

     Matt simply dismissed her apology, reassuring her that it wasn't a big deal. They walked up the steps to the house and Jasmine once more spoke out, "thank you... for accompanying me."

     "Thank you for asking me to come." Matt smiled at her as they made their way into the home.

     Jasmine glanced behind themselves and lightly smiled at the man she was discreetly directing her statement to before she returned her attention to Matt.

     "I'm always here for you, darling." Kol whispered behind her.

     Jasmine and Matt were immediately approached by Matt's friends. They complimented the pair and dove into the discussion of the party being a bit boring since there seemed to be more adults than teens. As Jasmine let them ramble on, her mind focused on everything being set for tonight. If all goes according to plan, then she should all the items she needed by the end of the night.

      On the other side of the room, Alethea stood with her needy compelled date as she kept an eye on the raven haired siphoner. Her eyes were narrowed and she was quickly becoming the topic of conversation as people stared at her and wondered what she was doing. Caroline heard the small whispers and quickly walked up beside Alethea with a forced smile.

     "Didn't Stefan say to back off?"
     Alethea snorted into her drink before looking at her, "and since when have I ever listened to the likes of Stefan Salvatore?"

     Caroline looked agitated but softened her expression. She knew all about wanting revenge as it hadn't left the back of her mind ever since she found out she was killed by Katherine. Alethea was hurt that Jasmine, someone she's been wanting to reform a friendship with, attacked her and was not a bit remorseful about it. Sure she may be going as far as wanting to kill her, but maybe Caroline didn't know the full extent of Alethea's anger.

     Trying her hand again at getting Alethea to back off, Caroline took on a more comforting tone, "Stefan just wants to make sure we live, okay? So can you please let go of your small vendetta until we figure out what to do about this stupid link?"

     Caroline really did think she got through to her and who could blame her when Alethea gave her a very believable smile. Which was soon turned into a scowl. Alethea downed the rest of her drink and pushed it into Caroline's startled hands, "I don't have to listen to the likes of you either. Jasmine will meet her demise tonight even if it means I die alongside her."

     She walked off with her date following after her. Caroline sighed as she knew she had to go find Stefan.Turning on her spot so that she could note where Jasmine was, Caroline's eyes widened as she noticed that Jasmine wasn't where she was previously. In fact, she wasn't even in sight anymore.

----

     Entering a study at the end of the hall, Tyler beckoned his friend inside as Matt had convinced him they needed somewhere where they could drink without the hovering eyes. Aimee and Sarah looked around the room as they moved to the music echoing throughout the house.

     Suddenly feeling queasy about drinking in his late father's office, Tyler called out, "we're really not supposed to be in here."

     Jasmine watched as Matt moved towards Tyler and pulled a bottle of alcohol out of his jacket, "yeah, I know but we really need to turn this party up. Another shot?"

     That seemed to pique the human girls' interest as they stopped dancing to head towards them. Aimee leaned forward and settled beside Tyler, "hey, I want a shot."

     "Me too and then we have to dance." Sarah added as the drinks were passed around and Aimee readily agreed.

     Matt looked over to Jasmine only to see her looking very disinterested in the whole scene in front of her. He knew his friends weren't the kind of people she associated with especially since she seemed to be best friends with the Salvatores, but he had hoped that she would at least enjoy herself. Even with his mind determined to get Tyler drunk, Matt still had the nagging feeling to make sure Jasmine was having fun.

     "What about you, Jasmine?"

     Jasmine looked over to Matt and gave him a small smile, "I'm good, thank you. You guys knock yourselves out." She moved from his side to observe the rest of the room.

      "You know, usually it's me corrupting you. I like this." Tyler said to Matt as he gestured for them all to drink up.

     Once satisfied, the group begins to head out the door. Matt waits for Jasmine with his arm out and she links her arm with his with a smile. The pair spoke about the music and then Matt reassured her that he was an excellent dancer as the group went straight outside to mingle on the dance floor.

——

     Damon and Stefan head outside with drinks in their hands and their eyes scoping the area. Caroline was quick to let them know of Alethea's plans but they were short on knowing her whereabouts. They've checked the upstairs and downstairs area before they thought their best bet was to check the outside.

     "Do you see her?"

     Stefan shook his head, "nope." He looked over at his brother accusingly thinking he had been part of Alethea's plan all along, "I thought we agreed we wouldn't try anything."

     Damon looked over at him with annoyance, knowing what he was thinking, before replying, "well, technically, you demanded it."

     "So you're saying we should go through with it?"

     "I'm not saying that either." Damon didn't have time to back up his statement as he saw a flash of red hair moving throughout the dance floor, "there she is."

     Drinking the last remnants of his drink, Stefan patted his brother on his back ready to go confront the red head, "let's go."

     They moved swiftly through the dancing bodies, careful to avoid attention. Caroline made her way towards them and followed after them. Once they reached the side of the dance floor farthest from the mansion, they caught Alethea's arm. People around them saw and were contemplating intervening especially since Alethea tried to push them away.

     Stefan quickly brought her close to him then grabbed her hand and placed his hand on her waist. Damon followed lead as he did the same to a surprised Caroline. The spectators resumed their dancing, deciding to put some distance between themselves and the teenagers.

     The two pairs dance for a couple of seconds to satisfy the delayed peering. Caroline nudged Damon causing him to look to where she was looking. With their enhanced vision, he was easily able to spot Jasmine laughing as Matt danced erratically to the soft melody of the piano. He returned his gaze to the blonde who was staring daggers at the pair.

     "What does he even see in her? Besides you know the shallow reasons."

     Did Damon anticipate his night being spent listening to Caroline's insecurity problems? No, he obviously did not. But here he was and there was no form of escape since he needed to be with his brother.

     "Not the time for your teenage drama, Blondie." He glanced at her fallen expression then looked away, "She probably compelled him anyway so don't take it personally."

     Even if he was stuck there and didn't particularly like Caroline, it didn't mean he liked seeing her look upset—especially since people would think he was the cause of her crestfallen expression.

     Caroline looked over at him in slight shock over his sudden comforting words, but it soon formed into a small smile. Before she could thank him, Stefan spoke out to Alethea.

     "What do you think you're doing?"

     "Finishing what I started." She tried to pull her hand free but Stefan only tightened his grip even more, breaking some fingers.

     "I remember you vaguely, you know. Not your face but rather who you are—Jasmine told me all about you." With a menacing glare, he leaned his head closer to hers to whisper,  "You may walk around like you're as strong as Jasmine, but that doesn't mean you are. You've only been a vampire since 1937 so that means I have a good seventy three years on you."

     "Which also means we're stronger than you."

     Alethea broke her gaze from Stefan to sarcastically look at Damon, "yeah, I gathered that myself."

     Stefan averted her attention back onto him as he glanced at Jasmine, who now had three people laughing loudly around her, "we're not killing her. It's too risky."

     Even though she was a bit frightened at how terrifying Stefan could be, she gave him a mockingly sad pout, "what? Don't tell me you're afraid to meet your maker? Haven't you been on this earth long enough?"

     "We're not the only ones who will die, Alethea. Caroline still has her life to live and I'm not going to let you take her chance away from her." If he saw Caroline's eyes fill with being grateful, he surely ignored it.

     "Look, I understand you care for your friends, but we have to look at the bigger picture here. It's either we go through with this plan or she finds out and slaughters the whole town."

     Alethea felt like a broken record as she tried to get them to see sense. How many times did Jasmine have to hurt someone for them to see that she's a danger?

     "We're not asking, newbie. Stand down." Damon now stopped dancing—it was more like swaying—to stare her down.

     Angered by the team up, Alethea suddenly turned on them, "and I'm not asking for permission." She lifted her knee swiftly delivering a blow to Stefan's nether regions and sped away as he bent over in pain.

     Damon goes to assist his brother and Caroline covered her mouth to muffle her spurt of giggles. Stefan's face glowered as he prepared to go after the stubborn vampire. He was interrupted though when someone behind them cleared their throat.

     Simultaneously turning around they saw a very amused Jasmine standing with her hands folded in front of her.

     "Sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if you wanted to dance?"

     Damon looked to his brother before stepping forward with his hand held out to her. Jasmine simply shook her head.

     "I didn't mean you."

     Stefan copied Damon's actions only to be shot down as well.

     "Not you either, handsome. Caroline?"

     The three of them looked surprised as Jasmine held her hand out toward Caroline. The blonde looked between the brothers before looking at Jasmine patiently waiting for her answer.

     "M-me?"

     Jasmine nodded, "it's a request, so you can decline if you want."

     Damon grew tired of the silence so he shot a look at Caroline and smiled at Jasmine, "she'd love to."

     Jasmine lowered her hand and threw an annoyed look at Damon, "I'm sorry but I'm sure that Caroline has a mind and voice of her own."

     Knowing this was another chance for information, Caroline sighed and stepped forward, "why not?"

     Jasmine held out her hand and Caroline hesitantly took it. As she led her away from the Salvatores and towards the side of the dance floor facing the forest, Jasmine muttered a spell, "garder les oreilles errantes loin d'ici."

     Forgetting momentarily who she was with, Caroline stared at Jasmine curiously, "did you just say a spell in French?"

     Jasmine smiled as she placed one hand on the blonde's waist and the other holding hers, "yes, spells come in a variety of languages."

     "What kind of spell did you cast?"

     "Just a simple privacy spell. I didn't want the Salvatores listening in. Why don't I get straight to the point?"

     Looking at their surroundings, Caroline was brought back to the situation at hand. With a stoic expression as she attempted to appear disinterested, Caroline muttered, "that's probably for the best."

     "What are you guys up to?"

     Looking away, Caroline stuttered out, "I don't know what you mean."

     Knowing that wasn't the case, Jasmine continued on, "Stefan doesn't like coming to these things unless it's either for me, another girl, or because he has a mission. I didn't invite him and I don't see Elena anywhere so that leaves reason three."

     Remembering how she had gotten under her skin by announcing she was attending the masquerade with Matt, Caroline decided to use the same tactic, "actually, it's reason two. He's here with me."

     The momentary silence was interrupted by Jasmine's abrupt laughter. She shook her head slightly when she noticed Caroline's glare, "sorry I don't mean to be rude, but Stefan doesn't care enough for you to get out of isolation and accompany you to a dance."

     "Yes he does. You're just jealous." Caroline smirked but she grew defensive as Jasmine just couldn't believe that Stefan would actually care for her--that it was laughable.

     Jasmine let out another laugh as she egged Caroline's defensive nature, "and you're delusional. What makes you think that Stefan would ever do the things he does with Elena for you? I know you've had a little crush on him since he arrived, you're not exactly subtle, but he'll never feel for you the way he feels for Elena—the girl who not only he's in love with but shares the face of the girl he first fell in love with."

     Without thinking and fueled by anger, Caroline blurted out, "he might not like me at all romantically but he cares enough about me to stop Alethea from killing you so that I can live."

     Jasmine's smirk deepened at her outburst. She knew Caroline was driven by emotion but she had doubts that she'd be so open considering her loyalty was to Stefan. Jasmine was glad she was wrong.

     "So that's what you're up to? You're planning to kill me?"

     Caroline looked like a deer in headlights as she shook her head gently in denial, "what—no! Crap. How did you do that? Did you just do what Alethea does to you? Get into my mind?"

     "I don't have that skill set, so no I didn't. New vampires are very easily manipulated especially the ones that are very in tune with their emotions. I could feel the anger radiating off of you so I fueled it by hitting a nerve."

     Caroline cast her gaze to the side. She was ashamed with herself for revealing Alethea's plan—something Stefan didn't want to happen. It was just another reminder that she lets her emotions get the best of her. When she spoke again, her voice was timid and small.

     "That wasn't fair."

     Shrugging of the sudden feeling of disappointment off of herself, Jasmine retorted with a quick "life isn't fair."

     They continued swaying even though they both wanted to be as far away from the other. Jasmine looked at Caroline and the feeling of disappointment and regret filled her, which confused the siphoned considering she hadn't felt anything since she turned it off.

     Getting her attention, Jasmine decided to break the silence, "Before we part, can I ask you another question?"

     "You're going to ask either way." Her tone hardened which caused Jasmine's feelings to depart from her.

     "Apart from her killing you, why are you afraid of Katherine?"

     "Because she's scary and manipulative." Her answer was quick, not a thought into it.

     Jasmine tilted her head in confusion before saying, "well, you don't have to worry about her anymore."

    "What?" A million questions swirled around Caroline's head and before she could ask a single one, Aimee Bradley showed up.

     "Hey Jasmine, I can't find Matt. Oh wow Caroline you look gorge!"

     Caroline smiled wide and looked down at her own outfit before giving her thanks. With the presence of Aimee and her mentioning Matt, it suddenly put Jasmine back into plan mode. If the Salvatores were attempting to stop Alethea then Jasmine needed to make sure it stayed that way.

    Jasmine looked down to Aimee's neck and clicked her tongue, "oh no, Aimee, your necklace is all tangled up. Let me fix it."

     Jasmine drops Caroline's hand and makes her way behind Aimee who smiles at Jasmine's kindness. As the siphoner pretended to fix the necklace, her eyes went back to Caroline to continue speaking to her.

      "Tell Stefan that it's wise he continue ignoring Alethea because otherwise I'll just—"

     Aimee Bradley's head snapped to the side, the sound echoing in their small privacy bubble. Her body fell limp and Jasmine nudged her forward so that she'd land in Caroline's arms.

     "Oh my god. Oh, my god." Caroline's eyes widened as she stared at her now dead classmate. Sure the girl was annoying at times but that didn't mean Caroline wanted her dead. She was sure if the shock wasn't keeping her from doing so, Caroline would've puked.

     Jasmine smiled quickly, "thank you for the dance. It was lovely."

     Jasmine muttered the counter spell to drop the privacy spell and left Caroline to deal with Aimee's corpse.

----

      As soon as Jasmine left, the Salvatore brothers approached Caroline, who was sobbing, and got the body out of public view. It was a never ending cycle, thought Stefan. Jasmine would do something, they tried to stop her, and Jasmine would retaliate, leaving someone hurt or dead. Stefan just wanted the cycle to stop. He wanted his best friend to get her head back on straight so that they can quickly be on the mend.

     As they were comforting Caroline, they were shocked when Elena suddenly appeared. She claimed that Alaric told them Alethea's plan and that she was there to help. Stefan had walked away with Aimee's body in his arms, not wanting to see Elena as she looked eager to help. It was Damon that had to tell her that she wasted a trip because even if they wanted to kill her, the link would be a problem.

     As soon as Stefan returned, Damon pulled his brother into the Lockwood house after he demanded Jeremy to keep his sister out of trouble. Standing near the hallway and away from prying ears and eyes, Damon asked what happened.

     "I put the body in the trunk for now."

     Damon nodded and looked at his brother in concern as Stefan seemed beyond stressed, "we'll dump her when we get back."

     Running a hand down his face then placing his hands on his hips, Stefan lowered his head, "this is exactly what I didn't want, Damon."

     "Stefan, its collateral damage."

     "Right, which is why we need to find Alethea and put a stop to her."

     Damon hummed in agreement as he grew frustrated with the situation himself, "I know. We'll look around the house and maybe we can have Bonnie help us." He furrowed his eyebrows as Stefan looked at him incredulously, "What?"

     Stefan shook his head and shrugged, a sight edge to his tone, "nothing, it's just this afternoon you were so hell bent on killing Jasmine and now it's like if the thought never even crossed your mind."

     Rolling his eyes and giving his brother a wicked smile, Damon tried to explain his reasoning, "you know when they say that love blinds you—"

     Stefan looked away from him as he suppressed a groan. Out of all the reasons that Stefan could think of for Damon to change his mind... him loving his ex girlfriend didn't make the list.

     "I don't want to particularly talk about your feelings for—"

     Damon continued on as he hadn't even spoken, "I'm in that situation constantly nowadays and you were right earlier. This is just another one of Jasmine's bad years and she's had plenty of great ones that shouldn't be dismissed."
     "Thank you."

     "She's my best friend, too, Stefan. I just have to remind myself of that every now and then."

     As their little heart to heart finished, Stefan noticed something move from his peripheral vision. Alethea moved swiftly from the end of the hall to the top of the stairs. Stefan immediately began going after her as he called to Damon, "text Bonnie and tell her to meet us upstairs. Alethea!"

     Alethea doesn't stop until she enters a room on the far side of the house, "not now, Stefan." She glanced at her wrist, noting the time. Her finger tapped her watch as she looked around the room impatiently, "I don't have time."

     "What are you waiting for, huh?" Stefan looked at her confused as he saw that no one else was in the room.

     Alethea turned to face him and nodded behind him, "for her. I didn't think you'd come."

    Stefan turned around to see who she was addressing. Jasmine stood outside the room hesitantly before she walked in, throwing a curious smile to Stefan, "how could I not? You threatened to kill the Salvatores if I didn't meet you."

     Alethea let out a scoff. If what the brothers said was true then Jasmine wouldn't have bothered to have showed up, so that meant Francis' link was real, "are you here to stop me or to have a front row seat?"

     Not wanting to let her know she cared, Jasmine plopped herself on the nearby couch and gave her a smirk, "well, I only see one Salvatore."

     "The better one is here, don't worry." Damon gave Jasmine a wide smile as he walked into the room and stood beside Stefan.

    "I believe me, I wasn't worried a smidge."

     Damon shook his head playfully and brought his index and thumb together slowly indicating that she worried a bit. Jasmine rolled her eyes at the gesture before turning her attention to Alethea.

     Stefan turned to Alethea with a never ending glare, "so now you're threatening us?"

     "Yeah, I am." Alethea kept her gaze on Jasmine as she spoke to Stefan with her fists clenched. If she was going to lure Jasmine to her death, what better way than to threaten her two favorite people?

     "Hate to break it to you but there's three—" Damon spoke before he was interrupted by Jasmine saying there was only two of them. He looked at her incredulously, "so you're gonna let her kill us?"

     Jasmine simply shrugged. If she was being honest, she was counting on her magic to save them at the last minute—but she wouldn't tell them that.

     "Why should I? What was it that Katherine always said when sugar coating murder? Better you than me."

     Bringing the attention back to her, Alethea pulled out one of Alaric's weapons—a crossbow that shot out wooden stakes, "the only person who's dying tonight is you, Jasmine."

     Jasmine looked at the weapon that was held shakenly in her hands and laughed as she stood, "oh please, you seem to forget that not only am I more powerful than you, but I also taught you everything you know." Seeing as Alethea didn't pose any real threat, Jasmine began walking to the exit only to be stopped by a barrier. She was surely getting tired of barrier spells.

  Before she could ask if Bonnie had a hand in this, a Bennett appeared but not the one she was thinking of. Lucy Bennett stood confidently outside the room with a small teasing smile playing at her lips.

     "I never said I was going to take you down alone." Alethea called out from behind Jasmine.

     Swiftly turning around to reprimand Alethea, Jasmine was suddenly shot in the back by Lucy with darts filled with magic muting herbs and pure vervain causing her to stumble and fall forward. Stefan and Damon yelled out, moving forward to help Jasmine when Alethea pointed the crossbow right at Jasmine's heart.

     "Turns out Lucy Bennett here doesn't like it when a distant relative is threatened so we teamed up together." Having the upper hand now, Alethea held her crossbow more confidently and spoke to Lucy, "You can go now. I'll take it from here."

     Lucy didn't take another second to linger as she quickly bounded down the steps. She stopped for a moment as she came face to face with Bonnie who was on her way to help the Salvatores.

     Back in the room, Alethea took advantage of the fact that Jasmine was now magic less and vampire abilities proof to shoot the wooden stake into her shoulder then another two in her abdomen. Jasmine yells out in anger and pain, too weak to fight back.

     Jasmine's breathing accelerated as the blood began pooling on the floor as she was unable to heal quickly. The Salvatores stood rigid but began advancing forward when Alethea dropped her weapon but still advanced toward the wounded vampire with a stake in her hand. Alethea was quick to intercept Damon as he came up beside her by swinging her arm around and hitting him on the side of his head.

     As Damon stumbled backwards, Stefan sped up to the red head to grab her in a choke hold only to be thrown backwards. He groaned as his body fell in a heap against the wall. Stefan's vision blurred momentarily and all he could focus on was Jasmine letting out a yelp when Alethea's foot came in contact with her head. If he didn't stop Alethea, then he was sure she was going to kill her. So with a new found strength, Stefan sped toward Alethea and grabbed the hand that was making its way towards Jasmine's heart.

     Damon was about to intercept and help Stefan when he saw Bonnie appear outside the door. Lifting himself up, he walked towards her as fast as he could and heaved out, "can you lift the barrier spell?"

     Eyes wide watching Alethea and Stefan fighting again, she nodded, "I can try."

     Damon looked over when he hears bones crunch and watches in time to see Alethea's fist connect with Stefan's nose. He sped forward and grabbed her shoulders as Stefan placed his hands on her neck intending to snap it. They struggled as Alethea thrashed and clawed at them.

     Jeremy quickly bounded up the stairs and stood beside Bonnie causing her to look around in panic, "where's Elena?"

     Jeremy gave her a reassuring smile, "don't worry, Matt took her home a couple minutes ago."

     Alethea suddenly began toning down her defense and allowed the Salvatores to pin her aggressively to the ground, "alright, alright! I'll stop!"

     Gathering the little strength she had, Jasmine pulled out the stakes imbedded inside her and shakily stands up and looks at the Salvatores, "you can let go now. Once she's surrendered, Thea always keeps to her word."

     Stefan looked hesitantly at his brother before they both nodded. Pushing her shoulder against the floor, Damon stood up with Stefan.

     "The spell's broken. You're all free to go." Bonnie didn't say another word as she gestured for Jeremy to follow her downstairs and away from the vampires.

     Exhausted and out of breath, Damon pointed towards Jasmine, "we're keeping a closer eye on you. Whenever you think you're alone, think again because we'll be there. No more killing, no more nothing. If you're gonna stay in this town then it's gonna be on our terms."

     Jasmine let out a mock laugh, "oh please."

     With one last hardened glance toward Jasmine, the Salvatore brothers decided to leave as well leaving Alethea alone with Jasmine.

     The silence was deafening as Alethea waited for Jasmine to say something, anything. Jasmine didn't look at her as she reached around her back to take out the darts.

     "I feel a congratulations is in order." Jasmine said as she turned to smirk at Alethea, "That was quite the performance you did there—very convincing. I particularly liked the way you made it seem like you were unstoppable."

     Glaring at the siphoner, Alethea spat out, "now what?"

     "As we discussed this morning—"

     Alethea scoffed and interrupted her, "you threatened my sister's grandchildren. I don't really think that qualifies as a discussion."

     Continuing on as if she didn't speak at all, Jasmine gathered herself, "your part is done so you are free to head home."

     "Give me your word."

     Jasmine sighed heavily before nodding, "I will not harm a hair on your family's head nor on yours—" Alethea loudly let out a breath of relief, "as long as you comply."

     If Alethea could wipe the smirk off Jasmine's face, she would have, but she accepted the deal without a word. She would rather be Jasmine's puppet than put her family at risk.

     Seeing as they were done, Jasmine began to walk out before she remembered another detail from tonight. She turned to face Alethea once more, "earlier this evening, Caroline said something along the lines that if I died, then she would die, too. What did she mean?"

     Following her new deal, Alethea begrudgingly replies, "do you remember that group of people we met when I first got here? The one with the guy who took your precious bracelet?" Waiting for Jasmine's confirmation, she continued, "They're a coven and one with a vendetta against you. They linked you to every vampire species in Mystic Falls, so if you die..."

     "So does everyone else..." with the new information, Jasmine decided it would be good to use it against anyone who retaliated against her, "let me know what else you find out from that, will you?"

     Alethea nodded, not like she had a choice. She was tired of the night's events and hoped it was enough for Jasmine for the time being. Before she was out in the clear, she heard Jasmine speed back into the room. Alethea groaned in pain when a stake was forced into her abdomen and then twisted.

     "That's for staking me more than necessary. Goodbye!"

     Alethea groaned in pain as she watched Jasmine finally leave for good, "I should've used actual magical muting herbs and vervain."

----

     Once Jasmine was out of the Lockwood Mansion, she sped towards the woods and making sure no one was following her. Silently making her way further and deeper into the woods, she heard the crunching of leaves beside her. She didn't pay him any mind knowing he wasn't actually making any noise.

     "Your plan ran smoothly tonight. No one suspected a thing." Kol commented as he walked alongside her for the next half hour.

     Jasmine shot him a smile and jokingly muttered, "did you doubt me?"

     "Not you, your two puppets."

     "Well, no need to worry about that anymore. " she replied with a smile when they finally arrived to their destination.

     A small rundown house came into view as well as a familiar truck. Jasmine ran her fingers gently along the exterior of the truck as she walked passed it and towards the base of the house. Hidden between two broken down pillars was a door that led down to a beautiful but abandoned underground shelter that was more like an underground grand house.

     Jasmine smiled wide when she reached the living area and saw four figures on the couches. One of them stands up and walks up to Jasmine robotically. The siphoner smiles fondly as she sees Matt Donovan standing before her.

     "You did a very great job, Matt. Thank you for getting them both here." She gently lay her hand against his cheek as she compelled him, "Now forget any of this ever happened. Go home and get a well needed long night's rest."

     Following her instructions, Matt walked up the steps and headed to his truck. He turned on the engine and drove to the main road where he came to. He looked around confused, not knowing where he was at and how it got even more dark than it was.

     Jasmine looks back to the the remaining three figures who began groaning, finally waking up from being dosed with several sedatives. They looked around the house before their eyes landed on the victorious vampire.

     "You must be confused so let me explain, shall we?"

     The figures looked at each other and confusion seemed to become a permanent setting on their faces.

     "So where shall I begin?"

     Jasmine was ecstatic that everything was falling into place especially more so as she looked to the slightly scared faces of Katherine Pierce, Elena Gilbert, and Tyler Lockwood. All she needed was the desperate dormant hybrid and Jasmine would become a very happy person.

——

happy birthday jesshdez1128 :)