[Stefan sets his jaw because he can only imagine how many people said that about him once upon a time. That Stefan or another member of their group would have to be sacrificed for the greater good.]
That's not on you. His lying to you is not your fault. You did what you had to do to do your job.
[And honestly, he finds it reassuring. That she can look past the person involved and look to the greater good. Especially with his history. Not that he's looking to die, but sometimes he does have to be stopped.]
And I know that's not easy on you. It wouldn't be easy on anyone.
Yeah, but if he hadn't, if he had given me Willow's real message, what if - ( she shakes her head, leaning it down against his shoulder. ) I'd still be the high school. My mom would still give the big speech and he'd still break up with me. In the sewer of all places. ( she looks up at him. ) Not that I'm trying to make it sound like I miss a life with Angel or what could have been with Angel. I was in college after that and, well, you know a lot of my sordid ( read: depressive ) history. It's just - days like today make me think. And normally, I like thinking, I'm thinko-gal. But, sometimes, if I could just turn my brain off. Five minutes, that's all I ask.
[Stefan flashes her a smirk as he pulls her closer.]
I may have some suggestions on that front. I think I've become quite the expert at distracting Buffy Summers.
[Especially since he's signing up to do so for the rest of his life. But he also recognizes that after doing a bunch of murder may not have either of them in the mood.]
But maybe we get some sleep first. It's been a long night.
( Buffy doesn't get nearly enough sleep when Stefan's phone rings again. She groans as he shifts and answers it. She hears in Stefan's tone the seriousness of the call and she rolls over, looking at his back as he talks. Something tells her this is a get up and go conversation. )
[He hangs up the phone and scrubs his hands over his face, taking a breath as he tries to steel himself for what's coming next. He really didn't want to deal with Kai today, but apparently he doesn't have a choice.]
They're Gemini. The girls are also Gemini. There was a scary 22nd birthday thing they avoided because Lizzie went grr argh. They are siphons, so they don't have their own magic. Is Jo in Williamsburg?
Jo is in Williamsburg, and this is not about the girls.
[Thankfully.]
The scary twenty-second birthday thing is called the Merge, where twins of the Gemini Coven basically have a magical power struggle and one twin absorbs the other. Jo went through this later in life, because of reasons, but the brother that she merged with is named Kai. And he's a murderous sociopath who really hurt Bonnie and is the one who cursed Elena with the sleeping beauty curse.
And now, for some reason, he seems to be back, but is claiming he means no harm, which both Ric and Jo do not trust, so they want me to head dive him and see if he's actually telling the truth because I'm the nearest trustworthy vampire who also won't just immediately kill Kai before we know what's going on.
I just want you to know how hard that was to follow, vagueness aside. But, Elena trusts you and trusts what you have to say. She knows if you think it's important, it is.
( Which really counts for something. )
But, for the record, if you want to talk through it beforehand or even after, I give pretty good advice. When I know what I'm giving advice about. Just putting it out there.
Then do your best to convince her to contact her ex who is also your brother.
( She makes a face. )
You know what I mean. And aren't we also under the gun with Kai? Let's get to chopping. Or, step to - chop. I don't know the saying, but we need to go. So, Elena's room?
They pack their things, get ready, and head back to find Elena's room to check-in before they go.
Elena, after speaking with Bonnie and getting some rest, is taking some time to catch up with her boyfriend. It's been three weeks since they've actually been together in person, and she is taking advantage. In fact, she's very grateful that he came to her rescue and is in the process of conveying that when a knock sounds on the door.
She sighs, before whispering:]
Maybe if we're very quiet, they'll think we're still sleeping and go away.
[Unfortunately, the person they're dealing with is a vampire. "Not likely," Stefan responds through the door, and Elena's face goes flat.]
( Dean and Elena are entangled - and clothed - just laying there together, but he waits, too. He holds her close, as if they're hiding before hearing Stefan's voice. He gives her a look. Stefan's not going to leave. He lifts an arm that was draped over her and is ready to shift away. She can open the door, or he can. He'll take her lead. )
We're in a little bit of a hurry, and it really is important, Elena. We'll be quick. I think. Quickish.
[Elena huffs, before pulling away from Dean - reluctantly - and heading towards the door. She pulls it open and greets Buffy with a cordial smile, because this is not her fault.]
Hi, Buffy.
[Then her face goes flat again as she turns to Stefan.]
If this is about Kai, Bonnie already called me.
["It's not."]
If this is about Damon, again -
[Stefan holds up a hand, because he knows where this is going. "It is, but it's not. I called him, he knows about Matt. But did he call you?"
Elena sighs heavily, before nodding.]
He left a voicemail, I haven't listened to it or called him back yet.
[Stefan nods. "Call him, Elena." She looks like she doesn't want to do this and he just pushes through. "I know how you left things, and I understand why you don't want to, but what he has to tell you, you really need to know. So call him back."
Elena's brow furrows, but she can tell that Stefan is being serious and not just trying to pass something off on her, so she nods.]
Be careful with Kai.
[He nods and gives her arm a squeeze. "I will."
And with that he and Buffy will head out to join the Kai thread after Jo is done on the phone, while Elena closes the door behind her and slumps back against the door.]
Do you ever wish that life will just leave you alone for five minutes?
[She sighs, scrubbing her hand over her face as she takes the phone.]
Message first, then we'll see if I need to call him.
[Stefan seems to think she does - and he's right. Damon's message is just specific enough to intrigue but also just vague enough that she can't gather his meaning. She moves to sit on the edge of the bed, weighing her options before placing the call - but she hits the speaker button, just in case.
Whatever Damon has to say, she has no reason to think that Dean can't hear it. And when Damon does answer, she says as much:]
( Damon anticipates this call all night. His son helps with the dishes and Colm and Stephanie watch something on TV or listen to something, he doesn't know, he's a little out of it and into the bottle he's brought.
Later, he does take them to his real apartment. He's Damon, so he has several bedrooms and a balcony. On the way, he does grab them toiletries they'll need and makes shopping plans for the next day, but it does all hinge on Elena, and what she says. He assures them she'll believe him, but it's going to be complicated, and no, they're not on great terms now. Not because of uncle Matt or, yes, she has a boyfriend, but because of him. He's been working on it.
Once they're settled, he sits on his balcony over the French quarter and listens to the traffic and tourists below.
And then he gets a call. )
... With?
("Dean," he says, before making a face. Why does it matter who she's with. )
Well, like everyone else, I read Matt Donovan's back and I didn't think he'd want to be on speakerphone with me, which isn't why I'm calling. Look, there's no good way to say this, but, we have a son named Gray and a daughter named Stephanie and they're here in this city. In my apartment. They found me at a bar and Stephanie went off on me for ...personal reasons. They are why Lindsay said things were more... sideways. Because, they're ours but it's -- what are they calling it. Multiverse shit.
[Elena.exe has stopped working. In fact, Elena may be fully blue screening right now, because nothing Damon has just said actually makes sense. Kids? Their kids?
She turns to face Dean, trying to gauge from his face if he also heard what she just heard, and eventually she knows she needs to break the silence so just says:]
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everyonelives2025-10-11 07:15 am
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That's not on you. His lying to you is not your fault. You did what you had to do to do your job.
[And honestly, he finds it reassuring. That she can look past the person involved and look to the greater good. Especially with his history. Not that he's looking to die, but sometimes he does have to be stopped.]
And I know that's not easy on you. It wouldn't be easy on anyone.
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[Stefan flashes her a smirk as he pulls her closer.]
I may have some suggestions on that front. I think I've become quite the expert at distracting Buffy Summers.
[Especially since he's signing up to do so for the rest of his life. But he also recognizes that after doing a bunch of murder may not have either of them in the mood.]
But maybe we get some sleep first. It's been a long night.
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( Buffy's orders. )
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[He leans in to kiss her, as they shift to settle in to sleep.]
Sleep well. We have nowhere else to be.
[ ... Little do they know.]
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I have to go to Williamsburg.
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( She shifts, sitting up before sliding closer and resting a chin on his shoulder. )
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If only.
[He then shakes his head.]
Have we talked much about Jo Laughlin's coven?
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( Is Stefan going to be channeled? )
Or, is this about the girls?
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[Thankfully.]
The scary twenty-second birthday thing is called the Merge, where twins of the Gemini Coven basically have a magical power struggle and one twin absorbs the other. Jo went through this later in life, because of reasons, but the brother that she merged with is named Kai. And he's a murderous sociopath who really hurt Bonnie and is the one who cursed Elena with the sleeping beauty curse.
And now, for some reason, he seems to be back, but is claiming he means no harm, which both Ric and Jo do not trust, so they want me to head dive him and see if he's actually telling the truth because I'm the nearest trustworthy vampire who also won't just immediately kill Kai before we know what's going on.
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( She slides away and out from under the covers, grabbing a sweater, getting dressed. )
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[And then he remembers the conversation he had with his brother last night and sighs.]
I should also check in with Elena before we leave.
[He needs to make sure she talked to Damon. For her, not Damon.]
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( Whatever he needs. But, she reads into something. )
We shouldn't be worried she's not okay, right? This is just a, hey, making sure you're getting your eight hours?
( Or, however many )
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[Which he doesn't want to put it out loud because it doesn't make any sense.]
She needs to talk to him, and I don't know if she will unless someone pushes. Which I know isn't fair, but ... she needs to know.
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( Which really counts for something. )
But, for the record, if you want to talk through it beforehand or even after, I give pretty good advice. When I know what I'm giving advice about. Just putting it out there.
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[If she's already incredulous, he doesn't know if she'll be able to talk to Damon.]
It's ... possibly crazier than all the recent resurrections we've been dealing with. She needs to hash this out with Damon, not me.
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( She makes a face. )
You know what I mean. And aren't we also under the gun with Kai? Let's get to chopping. Or, step to - chop. I don't know the saying, but we need to go. So, Elena's room?
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They pack their things, get ready, and head back to find Elena's room to check-in before they go.
Elena, after speaking with Bonnie and getting some rest, is taking some time to catch up with her boyfriend. It's been three weeks since they've actually been together in person, and she is taking advantage. In fact, she's very grateful that he came to her rescue and is in the process of conveying that when a knock sounds on the door.
She sighs, before whispering:]
Maybe if we're very quiet, they'll think we're still sleeping and go away.
[Unfortunately, the person they're dealing with is a vampire. "Not likely," Stefan responds through the door, and Elena's face goes flat.]
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We're in a little bit of a hurry, and it really is important, Elena. We'll be quick. I think. Quickish.
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Hi, Buffy.
[Then her face goes flat again as she turns to Stefan.]
If this is about Kai, Bonnie already called me.
["It's not."]
If this is about Damon, again -
[Stefan holds up a hand, because he knows where this is going. "It is, but it's not. I called him, he knows about Matt. But did he call you?"
Elena sighs heavily, before nodding.]
He left a voicemail, I haven't listened to it or called him back yet.
[Stefan nods. "Call him, Elena." She looks like she doesn't want to do this and he just pushes through. "I know how you left things, and I understand why you don't want to, but what he has to tell you, you really need to know. So call him back."
Elena's brow furrows, but she can tell that Stefan is being serious and not just trying to pass something off on her, so she nods.]
Be careful with Kai.
[He nods and gives her arm a squeeze. "I will."
And with that he and Buffy will head out to join the Kai thread after Jo is done on the phone, while Elena closes the door behind her and slumps back against the door.]
Do you ever wish that life will just leave you alone for five minutes?
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I wish people would stop moving your around the board like a freakin chess piece. I thought you ended things on bad terms.
( Not that he doesn't understand, that, sometimes, it's necessary to reconnect. )
Feels like he sent his brother to do his dirty work.
( He does slide out of the bed and unplug Elena's phone from the charger to hand it to her. )
You want to listen to his message or rip off the bandaid? Or, say fuck it altogether cause you don't owe him anything?
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Message first, then we'll see if I need to call him.
[Stefan seems to think she does - and he's right. Damon's message is just specific enough to intrigue but also just vague enough that she can't gather his meaning. She moves to sit on the edge of the bed, weighing her options before placing the call - but she hits the speaker button, just in case.
Whatever Damon has to say, she has no reason to think that Dean can't hear it. And when Damon does answer, she says as much:]
Hey, Damon. You're on speaker.
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Later, he does take them to his real apartment. He's Damon, so he has several bedrooms and a balcony. On the way, he does grab them toiletries they'll need and makes shopping plans for the next day, but it does all hinge on Elena, and what she says. He assures them she'll believe him, but it's going to be complicated, and no, they're not on great terms now. Not because of uncle Matt or, yes, she has a boyfriend, but because of him. He's been working on it.
Once they're settled, he sits on his balcony over the French quarter and listens to the traffic and tourists below.
And then he gets a call. )
... With?
( "Dean," he says, before making a face. Why does it matter who she's with. )
Well, like everyone else, I read Matt Donovan's back and I didn't think he'd want to be on speakerphone with me, which isn't why I'm calling. Look, there's no good way to say this, but, we have a son named Gray and a daughter named Stephanie and they're here in this city. In my apartment. They found me at a bar and Stephanie went off on me for ...personal reasons. They are why Lindsay said things were more... sideways. Because, they're ours but it's -- what are they calling it. Multiverse shit.
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She turns to face Dean, trying to gauge from his face if he also heard what she just heard, and eventually she knows she needs to break the silence so just says:]
What.
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