(Stefan) For over a century, I have lived in secret until now.
I know the risk, but I have to know her.
As a founding family member, I find it's my duty
to report some very distressing news.
-He's a Gilbert? -Elena's uncle.
Mayor Lockwood, is it? My name is Pearl.
-Hi. -This is my daughter, Anna.
Maybe there is such a thing as vampires. They're just different
from the way we always thought they were.
(gasps)
You got a problem with blood, Anna?
The coroner's office has officially ruled Vicki Donovan's death a drug overdose.
-You don't think it was an overdose. -Just let it go. Okay?
Is there something you're not telling me?
Take my wrist. You need more blood.
I have this hunger inside of me that I've never...
I've never felt before in my entire life.
I don't want you to see me like this.
I don't want you to know that this side of me exists.
Nice car.
Well, it was a waste to leave it sitting in the garage.
I didn't know you were coming back today.
You know, I woke up this morning and I was feeling great,
and I figured it was time for me to get back into things.
Does that mean you're okay now?
-With all the cravings? -Yeah, I mean, the worst part is over.
So now all I wanna do is just spend as much time with you as possible.
I'm okay with that.
Hey, thank you.
For helping me get through the rough patch.
You're welcome.
-We're gonna be late. -Okay. You know what?
I'll catch up. I'm gonna grab my stuff.
-I'll be right behind you. -Okay.
There was a disturbance at the hospital blood bank last night.
Some of the supply was compromised.
Compromised. You mean, stolen?
We almost missed it. The inventory records were altered.
When the manager was questioned, he had no recollection of changing them.
Meaning the vampire who stole the blood used mind control
-to hide the theft. -I know what you meant.
John alerted us to recent discrepancies at other hospital blood banks
-in the county. -How lucky for us we have John.
(Forbes) We're stepping up security, giving the guards vervain
to prevent this from happening again.
Might I offer a suggestion? Why don't Damon and I put our heads together?
We could track down whoever's doing this.
Truthfully, I could use the extra hands. Is that something you'd be willing to do?
-Of course. I mean, if it will help. -(John) I think we'll make a good team.
Don't you, Damon?
John, whatever I can do to keep this town safe.
Even if it means spending time with you.
(Alaric) Okay.
This week, we're gonna set aside our curriculum
for a lesson in local history as we approach Founder's Day.
Apparently, the community leaders feel that's more important than World War II.
But, hey, what do I know?
Sorry I'm late.
(Alaric) Looks like we'll be at full occupancy.
Welcome home, Bonnie.
Right, Founder's Day.
What does it mean to have a Founder's Day?
Well, if you turn your attention to this exquisite diorama over here...
that I spent all night painstakingly...
(doorbell rings)
I suppose I should be grateful. You learned to use the bell.
-I am here on behalf of my mother. -On behalf of or in spite of?
(Anna) I'm sorry about what the other vampires did to Stefan.
Abducting him, torturing him. It wasn't supposed to go like that.
You were playing house with half of a tomb of really pissed-off vampires.
-What did you think was gonna happen? -My mom is devastated.
They tried to overthrow her.
-Why isn't she here tell me this? -She doesn't really do apologies.
Well, that's a coincidence. I don't do forgiveness, so run along.
If you're gonna continue playing house with your 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 a week.
-Then it's the others. -The others are gone.
-Well, where did they go? -They weren't cut out for this town.
After what happened with your brother, my mom kicked them out and they took off.
It's just us and Harper now.
Bonnie.
-Hey. -Hey.
I tried to grab you after class, but you had already taken off.
-How are you? How's your family? -We're dealing. It's been hard.
Everyone here really missed you.
Yeah, I had so much to deal with after Grams's funeral.
And after you told me the tomb spell failed,
I just didn't really wanna come back.
I hope that you understand why I called.
I wanted you to know before you came home.
I understand why. I just shouldn't know.
-I know it's been really hard. -(Caroline) Bonnie.
Bonnie, thank God you're home.
I know we talked every day, but I missed you.
-How are you doing? -Better. It's better, you know?
Glad to be back. And I'm trying to keep myself busy.
Well, I can help with that. Major wardrobe confab needed, ASAP.
You need to help me pick the perfect dress for the Founder's Court.
The Founder's Court? Did I miss something?
The Founder's Court. You know, Miss Mystic Falls.
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.
Yeah.
So are you dropping out, then?
I can't.
No?
Her mom is the one who wanted her to enter.
How was school?
Fine.
Yeah? Same old, same old?
Nothing new? No stories to bring home?
You're making small talk, why?
You seem chipper lately. Less doom and gloom.
Little more pep in your step.
And you think it's because I drank human blood again.
I mean, I don't wanna brag, but I would definitely take responsibility
for this new and improved you.
Right. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm clean.
Yeah, not possible.
Not only is it possible, but it is quite true.
Stefan, let's be serious for a second.
You've spent the last century and a half being a poster child for Prozac.
And now you expect me to believe this new you
has nothing to do with human blood. Nothing.
I'm clean.
You're lying.
Believe what you want.
I'm sorry for the short notice.
I didn't know the contest was coming up, or that I would be in it.
(Stefan) I'll be happy to escort you.
My mom was really into this Founder's Day stuff.
She was even Miss Mystic in her day.
I kind of wanted do it for her.
Well, it'll be great. We'll have fun.
Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.
-I love you. -I love you too.
(Damon) Well, well.
He's a liar and a thief.
So when were you gonna share?
Go ahead. Help yourself.
No, I'm talking about the fact that you're a closet blood junkie.
So I'm drinking blood again.
You're the one that shoved it on me. What's your problem?
-I have it under control. -Under control?
You robbed a hospital.
So, what's your point?
Fine. Whatever, man. Drink up.
Just remember, we're trying to keep a low profile.
Why don't you walk up to Sheriff Forbes, ask her to tap a vein?
Have my actions negatively impacted you?
I can't imagine what that must feel like.
Yeah. What does Elena think about the new you?
Nothing's changed. I'm still the same person.
-Clearly. -Elena doesn't need to know anything.
You've been off the human stuff for years, Stefan.
-If you're having trouble-- -I'm not.
Who do you think you're talking to? I know what it's like.
Jekyll and Hyde feeling. That switch. Sometimes it goes off, you snap.
Right now is not a good time for me to be worried about you snapping.
-I know that it pains you to see this. -Mmm.
But I'm fine. Okay? I'm fine.
So please do me a favor...
and back off.
This year's queen will have the special honor of taking center stage
at the 150th Founder's Day Gala.
Before we crown our winner, we'd like to get to know a bit more about you.
I'm on the MF beautification committee, I volunteer at the center's soup kitchen.
I recognize that I haven't been as involved this year as I used to be.
I implemented this year's Go Green Campaign.
I've been distracted and I let a lot of things slide.
I don't think it's wrong to win twice in a row.
I was surprised to have been selected
since I'm not from the founding families.
I'm aware of what an honor this is. I want you to know I take it seriously.
Worked with the recycling program, in charge of the Yearly Raffle.
My DUI made my service mandatory. Doesn't mean I was any less committed.
This was really important to my mother.
She believed in community, family, honor and loyalty.
It's a legacy she left for me.
(doorbell rings)
-Hey, partner. -What do you want?
You haven't returned any of my calls.
Most people would take that as a hint.
Where do we start looking for vampires?
Why the act, John? You obviously don't care about catching vampires.
-You're here talking to me. -Actually, I care very much.
What did Isobel say about that? I mean, considering that she is one.
-Isobel and I share a mutual interest. -Mmm.
The original Johnathan Gilbert had an invention that was stolen by a vampire.
That vampire was then burned alive in Fell's Church, or so Johnathan thought.
-And the invention was lost forever. -Mmm.
But then the vampires weren't killed, were they?
They were trapped.
And now they're free, thanks to you, which means the invention is retrievable.
-Well, what is it? -The thing that matters is I want it back.
And you're going to help me if you want your secret safe.
I mean, why bring me into it, John?
I don't know what you're talking about, who has it.
Oh, come on, Damon. You were around back then.
You know who these people are, what they look like.
He was friendly with a woman who turned out to be a vampire.
Her name was Pearl.
Does that ring a bell?
I'm not playing anymore.
Get out. Get out.
-I beg your pardon. -I only entertained this whole
blackmail scheme of yours 'cause I thought you could lead me to Katherine.
But see, now I know you have no idea where Katherine is, because if you did
you would know that Katherine and Pearl were best friends.
See, you don't know everything, do you, John?
I'll tell the entire Council what you are.
Go for it. I'll kill every last one, and then I'll sever your hand,
pull your ring off, and I'll kill you too.
Do you understand that?
(Carol) Honor your partner.
Let's focus. Right hand around.
("Blue Danube" playing on stereo)
Flirt with your eyes.
(Elena giggling)
Left hand around.
-This is ridiculous. -(Carol) Both hands.
You're only saying that 'cause you don't know how to do it.
Sorry only one of us was around when the dance was invented.
-Ouch. -Whoa! Ha-ha-ha!
No, no, no. There's no touching during this part.
It's about the simple intimacy of the near-touch.
-Very nice, Amber. -Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood.
If you ask me, the near-touch is overrated.
-You seem to be in a good mood. -Is that a bad thing?
Would you prefer me brooding and tortured?
-Hey, I'm not complaining. -Oh, no touching.
(Caroline) The Fell cousins don't have a shot.
And Amber Bradley is only on the court
so the pageant doesn't look like it's founding families only, which it is.
So that leaves Elena.
And she totally has the sympathy vote since her parents died.
-How can I compete with that? -Very nice.
-Very sensitive. -Oh, I'm sorry.
This must sound really unimportant in light of everything.
It's okay. I get it. You wanna win.
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.
And I actually deserve this.
(Elena) Bonnie. Hey.
Hey, how are you?
I begged Bonnie to fill in for Matt. He had to work today.
Bonnie, do you have a minute?
We only have 30 minutes for rehearsal.
It'll only take a minute.
Please.
-You have to tell me what's wrong. -It's not worth talking about.
What do you mean, not worth it?
You've barely said 10 words to me and you won't even look at Stefan.
Is that what it is? Is it Stefan?
Listen.
Elena, I can't just pretend like everything is okay.
Everything my grams did was to protect us from those vampires in the tomb.
And now they're out, which means she died for nothing.
I'm so sorry, Bonnie.
-What can I do to make it better? -That's just it.
There's nothing you can do.
I blame him, Elena. Him and Damon.
And I'm not gonna put you in a situation where you have to choose sides.
I'm just having a hard time with it.
Okay?
(player 1) Pass it.
Stay on your man!
(player 2) Good defense.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, dude, are you okay? You're bleeding.
(player 3) Yeah, I'm all right. It's just a little blood.
It's cool.
(grunts)
Argh! Stefan.
-Are you okay? -Yes. I'm sorry.
(coughs)
I was just...
I was feeling a little sick. I'm fine.
(knocking at door)
-Hey, I heard you're driving. -Hi. Yeah, I am.
Let me get that for you.
-Thanks. -Yeah.
Um... How, uh...
How is Stefan?
-What do you mean? -You know, he seems on edge.
He went through a lot.
He was in bad shape for a while, but he's bouncing back now.
Alaric? Hey, buddy.
-What are you doing here? -Well, I'm the chauffeur.
I thought I was driving.
No need. We're going with Ric.
-(Elena) Are we ready? -Mmm-hm. Jeremy can ride with you.
In the running for Miss Mystic Falls?
Sometimes you have to wear uncomfortable heels to blend in.
I remember this event from 1864.
I was supposed to enter before everything happened.
Ah. Nostalgia's a bitch.
If you're just gonna mock me, can you move along, please?
John Gilbert thinks your mom stole an artifact
from Johnathan senior senior back in 1864.
What are you, his errand boy?
I don't know what it is, but I don't want him to have it.
I could ask her.
But you've made it pretty clear that you don't trust us. So why should I bother?
Because you wanna stay in Mystic Falls. John Gilbert's making that impossible.
Find out where it is. He leaves, you can buy a welcome mat.
Thanks for helping me.
Don't thank me until you're sure your hair isn't gonna burn off.
You know, I remember when my mom and I were first applying for this.
-She was so excited. -So were you, if I recall.
I was. She just made it sound like so much fun.
A lot's changed since then.
I hate to break it to you, but it's a bit late for cold feet.
I don't have cold feet. I just...
I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here.
I'll tell you one thing. Your hair would have a better chance if she was.
(Elena chuckles)
Okay. I should go put my dress on.
Be careful with that thing. Don't hurt anybody.
(John) You look miserable.
(Jeremy chuckles)
Are there really a whole month of these events that I'm supposed to show up at?
You can fight it if you want, but it's part of being a Gilbert.
Yeah. You mentioned you know a lot about the family.
You know anything about our ancestor, Johnathan Gilbert?
Prolific writer, crazy inventor. Why do you ask?
Well, I read his journal.
Is that right?
Yeah. I actually found it in all Dad's stuff.
Well, that's surprising. Most of them are locked away.
-There's more of them? -Johnathan Gilbert journaled his life.
Right down to the bitter, insane, drunken end.
-The guy had a lot of demons. -And did you read them?
I've browsed. Yeah.
What did you think about what he wrote?
Crazy ramblings of a madman, of course.
She's very pretty.
Yeah. Yeah, she's a friend of mine. Excuse me.
(Amber breathes deeply then chuckles)
Are you okay, Amber?
I hate being the center of attention.
I get panic attacks.
Do you need some privacy so you can change?
Actually, I'm just gonna go get some air.
Hey.
-You can't be back here. -We need to talk.
Does it have to be right now?
Normally I would have a different outlook on what I'm about to tell you,
but since it could really inconvenience me, I'll squeal.
What are you talking about?
Stefan's still drinking human blood.
-What? -Yeah.
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.
I know he's been a little edgy, but he said that was normal.
He has a fridge full of stolen blood-bank contraband in the house.
Oh, my God.
He has no idea what normal is. His entire existence isn't normal.
Normal to a vampire is drinking human blood.
He spent this time fighting it, when he should've been learning to control it.
And now it's controlling him instead.
I can't believe this. I mean, it's Stefan we're talking about here.
Stefan on human blood, Elena. He'll do anything, he'll say anything
because he's not gonna wanna stop.
Trust me.
(Jeremy) Anna.
What is it?
-Oh, come on. Don't be like that. -Why not?
You were basically using me to turn you into a vampire
-so you could be with someone else. -I wasn't using you.
Really? Then how would you like to define it?
I don't think it's any worse than becoming friends
so you could give your mother my blood.
How do you know that?
It's not important.
Seriously, Jeremy.
-What do you know? -Everything.
I know everything.
This is all my fault. I'm the one who fed him the blood in the first place.
Uh...
What's going on in here?
I'm just filling Elena in on your extracurricular activities.
-What are you talking about? -I know about the blood, Stefan.
I'm gonna... I'll be downstairs drinking.
(chuckles)
I was gonna tell you.
When?
I'm fine.
The blood, it doesn't change anything.
It's changing you.
Why? Because I kept it a secret from you?
Come on, Elena, look.
Given the way that you're reacting now, can you really blame me for doing that?
Are you hearing yourself right now?
You've been stealing blood and lying.
And you say that everything's fine? Everything is not fine, Stefan.
So you and Damon have everything figured out.
It's not about Damon. It's about what's happening to you.
I know and I'm telling you that I'm fine.
I'm fine.
Please, come on. Elena, I thought you...
I thought you believed in me.
(knocking at door)
Elena, let's go. The lineup's starting.
-I just, I need a minute. -You're not even dressed yet.
Escorts wait downstairs, Stefan.
(panting and grunting)
Oh, God. I'm sorry.
(Richard) Miss Tina Fell
escorted by Bartholomew Whitmore.
(guests applauding)
Has anyone seen Amber?
Do you see Stefan down there?
Nope. Just my boring fill-in escort.
-What happened to Matt? -They wouldn't let him out of work.
-What happened to Stefan? -I don't know.
He just disappeared somewhere. I don't know.
What am I doing?
I never should've gone through with this.
-What do you mean? -I need to find Stefan.
This isn't me. I'm not this person anymore.
No, no, no. No way. No.
You had your chance to drop out.
And believe me, I was all for it.
Because there is no way that I can beat you.
Elena, you're doing this because it was important to your mom.
(Richard) Miss Caroline Forbes and her escort, Jeffrey Lockwood Hamilton.
(guests applauding)
Elena, you're next.
(sighs)
-You're missing Elena's introduction. -(Jeremy) I don't care.
So she has no idea you read her journal?
She keeps things from me, I'm gonna keep things from her.
What are you gonna do now?
Now that you know everything that she's been hiding from you.
I don't know.
There's a part of me that's so angry.
I mean, she covered up what happened to Vicki
and erased my memory...
but there's also this other part of me that's glad.
I...
I don't wanna remember Vicki like that.
As a monster?
No, as someone who wanted to hurt me.
When I met you...
you were just a part of my plan to get my mother back.
But then things changed.
All the time we spent together.
I would never do anything to hurt you.
Not now. You know that, right?
Yeah, I know that.
-Where are we going? -I don't know.
I'm in the ceremony.
Not now you're not.
You're standing in the parking lot with me.
(Amber) I'm in the parking lot with you.
I'm sorry.
I'm not very good to be around right now. I'm a little bit on edge.
I've been drinking the human stuff, and it's really screwing with my head.
She knows now.
She wasn't supposed to find out. I didn't want her to. Now everything's ruined.
You seem sad.
(chuckles)
I'm not sad.
I'm freaking hungry.
(Richard) Miss Elena Gilbert,
...escorted by Mr. Stefan Salvatore.
(guests applauding)
(whispering) Where's Stefan?
(whispering) I don't know.
-What is she doing with Damon? -I have no idea.
-What are we gonna do? -Right now,
we just have to get through this.
(romantic music playing)
I don't hurt people. I don't do that. I'm the good brother.
Do you wanna hurt me?
I want to kill you.
I wanna rip into your skin.
And I wanna feed on your blood.
Under your skin.
Pulsating, flowing.
Your carotid artery right there.
If you puncture this just right, you can control the flow.
It takes practice...
but it doesn't have to make a mess. You don't have to waste any.
What's stopping you?
If I do this...
if I give in, there's no going back.
Then don't.
I just want one taste.
That's all I need. I just want one taste.
One taste.
(guests applauding)
(whispers) Where's Amber?
(whispers) I don't know.
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.
(all applauding)
So without further ado, it is my honor
to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes.
(guests applauding and cheering)
Congratulations.
I actually won.
(John) There's blood on the glass.
Get me Damon Salvatore.
(Stefan) I can't do this.
(Stefan grunting)
-What's the matter? -I can't do this.
(Amber) It's okay.
It doesn't hurt that much. Just not so hard next time.
Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God. I can't stop.
Why aren't you afraid of me, huh?
You told me not to be.
What's your name?
Amber.
Listen to me, Amber.
I need you to be afraid of me.
I need you to run like hell. Do you understand me?
Run. Run. Now.
(Amber whimpering)
What is it? Did you find him?
There were signs of a struggle in the bathroom.
There was blood.
-And that Amber girl is missing. -Oh, my God.
No, he wouldn't hurt her. He won't.
Let's just find him, okay? Let's get your coat. Come on.
(panting and whimpering)
(Amber screams)
-You said to run. -I changed my mind.
(Amber screaming)
Stefan!
(Damon) Stefan.
Come on. Get control. Come on.
It's okay. Come on.
Breathe through it, man.
(both grunting)
Stefan, stop it.
(groaning)
It's okay.
Stefan.
She doesn't remember what happened.
It's a good thing the girls got here. when they did. She lost a lot of blood.
You didn't see anything?
No, we just found her and then called Damon.
-Is she gonna be okay? -It looks like it, yeah.
You girls get back to the party. Damon and I can take it from here.
-Yeah. -Okay.
-They didn't see the bite mark? -No. I got here before they got close.
There was too much blood. They couldn't see it clearly.
-Bonnie, can we talk about this? -There's nothing to talk about.
Bonnie, please.
I told you I wasn't gonna make you choose.
But I need to make the choice for myself.
Please just leave me alone.
-Jer, you ready? -Just a sec.
Who's that girl with Jeremy?
His friend Anna.
-(John) What's her story? -(Jenna) Why so nosy?
I'm just curious. He really seems to like her.
She's new in town, I think.
She and her mom, Pearl.
The family you're so rudely trying to prevent from buying Grayson's building.
Her mother's name is Pearl?
Yes. So?
I believe I already know all about her.
Oh, good. There you are. Jenna wanted me to get the car.
What happened?
-All right, now this is getting weird. -We're here to talk.
Not in the mood. Today has been a no-good, very bad day.
Annabelle tells me you're looking for something I took from Johnathan Gilbert.
I'm listening.
-What is it? -(Pearl) Johnathan was passionate
about his inventions. He confided in me
that he had created a detection device
meant to track down the town's vampire element.
That was the pocket watch.
(Pearl) That's what it turned out to be, yes.
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,
its dial pointed at me.
-So, what is this? -(Pearl) I have no idea.
But now it's yours.
-What's the catch? -There is no catch.
My daughter wants to stay here.
I wanna stay here.
You refuse to trust us, and for good reason.
Consider this an apology.
(Stefan) You shouldn't be here.
I know.
Now you know.
That wasn't you.
Oh, it was absolutely me.
A monster, a predator. It's who I am, Elena.
That's what the blood makes you.
The blood brings out what's inside of me.
And if you think any differently, then you're an idiot.
I know this isn't you, Stefan.
I wanted to drain every ounce of blood from that girl's body.
-No. -It's who I am, Elena.
No, you can't scare me off.
-Why would you risk it? Why come here? -Because I did this.
This is my fault. I made you drink the blood.
All you did was expose me to who I really am.
-This isn't you. -Stop saying that!
Don't get any closer.
-I'm gonna let this happen to you. -Stop.
I'm not gonna give up on you. I believe in you.
Stop! Stop!
I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
(Stefan sobs)
-I don't know what's happening to me. -It's okay, Stefan. Shh.
It's okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Are you sure you wanna do this?
I'm sure.
There's no guarantee this is gonna work.
It has to.
Coming?
I'm gonna stay here.
(theme music playing) his is gonna work.