hey it's good to be back home again

[somanyadjectives]

[It's been a while since Stefan has been back in Mystic Falls, but he wasn't going to miss the twins graduation. He knew that coming home was going to be complicated. He was bringing his girlfriend to meet people. He was bracing himself for Damon's judgement about him dating a vampire slayer the entire ride from the airport.

What he hadn't expected, was getting ambushed at a gas station while filling up his car by a hunter.

According to Damon, there haven't been hunters in Mystic Falls in years. They knew that the school would be a beacon, but they also took precautions for that to protect the kids. Most hunters understood that they were trying to reduce deaths, rather than concentrate them. This isn't to say that Mystic Falls is perfect, but they're doing better than they used to.

Stefan doesn't kill him. He's caught off guard enough that he doesn't immediately go for the kill, and Buffy catches the hunter off guard enough that the guy decides to retreat and regroup rather than push his luck against a slayer and a vampire. This isn't, unfortunately, before he manages to plug Stefan with a few wooden bullets. And those hurt like a mother.]

Gotta love coming home.

[He groans as he sinks back against the car, trying to keep an eye on their surroundings, before glancing down at the bleeding holes in his shirt.]

I liked this shirt.

Comments

[unforgivably]

( "He means me,", Katherine says, crossing her eyes. The last thing she wants to see is Elena's dull life here, but, she also knows she's the best bet if someone tries to get the drop on them.

"Sam. Would you like to come with me tomorrow to Elena's?"

Buffy would point out that Elena doesn't know this plan but her glass is looking better than all of this. )

Persuade him? With what?

[braveandstupid]

My radical compassion powers.

[Look who's joined the party. She's coming up the stairs with Dean probably not far behind her.]

Which didn't work. He's pretty heavily indoctrinated. Why are we sending Sam and Katherine to my house?

["We think someone might be watching your place."

Elena groans.]

No. I'm not staying here in this mad house.

[unforgivably]

( Dean flanks her, just in case, gives her a head start and makes sure that hunter is good and ziptied tight. )

Then you're staying at Caroline's, or Bonnie's.

( Back him up, brother.

"Maybe they think I'd be better at defending myself if they make a real move. And Sam's one hell of a shot, right?" Man, he is tall.

"Maybe," Buffy asks. "We let Elena decide. But, for what it's worth. They're right. It's not safe to be home right now. Damon has, like, seven bedrooms. We could even leave three between you and anyone else?" )

[braveandstupid]

[Stefan's face is sympathetic, but it's pretty clear he agrees with Damon. Elena glances between the two of them and gestures to the hunter behind her.]

Dean could sleep in my guest room? Then I wouldn't be alone and you'd have one less person in your house.

[Why is that an option? Maybe she's just desperate to not feel like she's reliving high school. Also she can defend herself just fine, Katherine.]

[cholesterol]

( He inhales, exchanging a look with his brother. )

If she has a couch, Sam will crash there, I'll take the guest room and you can get your good night's sleep.

( Which he knows, right now, is all relative. )

But you pack a bag tomorrow morning. If Sam's right, all eyes are on you right now because all eyes are on - us? ( He looks back at Sam, again. ) You think they clocked her at the gas station or the bar?

( And them?

Damon's not thrilled Elena's on anyone's radar. )

We drive you over, in one car. And one of us goes to the hospital with you for your shift. Maybe, we can get the drop on whoever is surveilling her. Add to our collection. A vampire should stay behind.

( "I open tomorrow." )

[braveandstupid]

And I close at the hospital.

[She doesn't like the modified plan, but if it means she gets to sleep in her own bed tonight, then she'll live. She also doesn't think that she can have people stalking her at the hospital, but whatever. Fine. Maybe they'll get something out of the hunter tomorrow and this will all be over.

She gives Sam a sympathetic look because well ...]

My couch isn't that big. Are you sure you're going to be comfortable?

[Sam makes a face. "I'll make it work."

Elena takes a deep breath and nods.]

Then we'll pick up Care and Ryan from the airport on the way and drop them off. We can fill her in while we do.

[Stefan raises his glass. "Then I guess I'm on hunter duty."]

[cholesterol]

I'll take the couch, then. Sam get's the guest room.

( Dean interrupts. Sam's slept on worse, it's true. But, he's not about to give Sam an uncomfortable night's sleep.

(He also knows he and Sam will hardly sleep. Once Elena goes down, they'll work on a schedule.)

"And I'll stay with you, then," Buffy says. "Except, I told the girls..."

"I'll stay," Katherine says. "I'll stay here with Stefan. I speak hunter. Damian can tag along with you tomorrow. With one person in the waiting room drawing attention, two of you could flush out whoever has their eye on my descendant."

A plan comes together, but from all different voices. )

Whoever Care and Ryan are, we'll pick em up. You'll all be cozy in the backseat.

[braveandstupid]

Great. So is there anything else we need to cover tonight, or are we all on the same page?

[Because it really has been a long day and she just wants to crash into bed.

Stefan nods. "I'm good. Damon?"]

[unforgivably]

This all works for me.

( This way he has three less guests. But he's still stuck with Katherine. And the way she talks. 'My descendant.' Yeah, yeah. )

Everybody, to your corners. And, Elena. Get some sleep.

[braveandstupid]

[And with a small salute she will gesture for the Winchester boys to follow her and off they will go to make an airport run before heading off to Elena's apartment.]