maryland | sometimes good intentions don't come across so well

[healthinsurance]

It was a simple mission. With Klaus and the other Originals gone, Matt and Caroline could retrieve his friend and her ex from the wilderness of the Appalachian mountains. Matt had never been a vampire nor a hybrid, so he didn't know if Tyler could feel a sire bond being broken. But, Tyler was still radio silent and there was no way of reaching him. Sheriff Forbes pulled a string or two and Caroline and Matt had gotten a GPS location for Tyler's cell phone. The only choice that had to be made was whose vehicle would be taken. But, Matt had his two-seater truck so that was a no-brainer.

He hadn't spent any time with Caroline since her birthday surprise and even that hadn't ended well. First Stefan had knocked him out and then he had to bring Caroline back to her house after Tyler had bitten her. Why was he surprised. Nothing in Mystic Falls went off without hitch, why would a birthday in a graveyard?

Matt had offered to drive but this was Caroline and Caroline's car. This meant two things: she drove and she picked the music. He kept his mouth shut as Taylor Swift sat on repeat. At least she didn't just do one song. Maybe once they grabbed Tyler, they'd get a say.

Majority ruled?

Matt couldn't help his mixed feelings for his old friend but, he had to keep reminding himself that Tyler had been sired. All of a sudden, thanks to a spell he still didn't quite understand, (he'd been left out of that plan) that wasn't true any more. Maybe, thanks to that, he could get his friend back. And as a good will gesture, he was going to be accompany Caroline. He'd invited Elena but she was busy. Something about Mr. Saltzman. She said she'd fill him in later. No Elena usually meant no Jeremy (because he knew she'd kill him for taking Jeremy out of state) but that didn't matter because Jeremy was in Denver. That was weird. And it wasn't like they were going to invite a Salvatore.

So, it was just them, the road, and GPS coordinates.

Comments

[vampireboulevard]

Majority so didn't rule. So long as she was driving, the music was in her control, and there's nothing Matt could do about it. She may eventually show mercy, because once Tyler got into the car there's bound to be complaining, but until then, Matt is just going to have to suffer.

Too bad.

She hums along to the music, keeping her eyes on the road and maybe going a little bit faster than she probably should, but vampire reflexes. She can totally avoid accidents like a pro.

"So. We should drive a couple more hours, and then we should probably get you dinner."

[healthinsurance]

Matt has suffered worse, Caroline. He dated you. But, good to know that eventually, solidarity would prevail. Until then, he could live. Matt Donovan is a patient man, Caroline.

He will not hum along with her, however.

He also should have had breakfast.

He nods, keeping in mind that they can't miss this opportunity. He doesn't want them to get there only to find no Tyler.

"We should find fast food. We can drive-thru. Keep making good time." The faster they go - seriously, Caroline there are speed limits - the faster they can get to Tyler. They can still stop, but eating in the car will take less time. Maybe Caroline has rules about eating in her car. He never drove in her car. He'd always been the one to drive in the relationship.

[vampireboulevard]

Hey. Hey. Caroline Forbes is one of the greatest things to ever happen to you, Matt Donavan. Dating her was a pinnacle achievement. A footstep on the road to greatness. Don't bad mouth her.

She also does have rules about eating in the car, like she does about everything else in her life. "You get ketchup on my seats? You're cleaning them with a toothbrush."

[healthinsurance]

He would never! Only the narration bad mouthed her. And really only ironically. Through humor! Look, he was and is proud to be your ex boyfriend. You really changed him for the better. So, be proud, Caroline.

"Fine, we can go in," he says, looking ahead of them. "But, I don't want us to take too long. We have this lead on Tyler and if we miss him, Care..." It sucks to think that Tyler's out there purposefully inflicting pain on himself. He has no idea that the storm has passed. That Caroline, everyone is safe.

[vampireboulevard]

"If I remember correctly, you inhale hamburgers like they're the last hamburgers left on Earth and you've been starving in a desert. I don't think time? Will be an issue."

Though he had a point about missing Tyler. She drums her fingers against the steering wheel for a moment before catching the sign for an upcoming rest stop.

"I have to get gas anyway. So you eat, I will gas up and call Tyler to see if I can get a hold of him."

[healthinsurance]

Ouch.

He's not an animal, Caroline. He is a growing boy. And maybe make it a hamburger and fries.

He brightens at this idea. This beats everything. This way, they won't stop later. They'll drive straight through and get there before or maybe just after sundown.

"Good idea." Maybe this time, Tyler will answer Caroline's call. "Did you two decide to ignore each other's calls? Or is this just him beating himself up for biting you? Because Klaus made him do that. That wasn't his choice, right?"

Sure, he wasn't happy with Tyler but he understood the circumstances. They sucked. His friends need to stop leaving. First Jeremy. Now Tyler. If he has any say in it, he's getting one of them back.

[vampireboulevard]

"No, it wasn't. And ... he's not avoiding my calls. I just think he doesn't want the distraction. But if he's not distracted, then that's good, because it means he's more likely to stay in one place."

She really needs him to stay in one place. She needs Tyler to be there when they get there so she can tell him the good news and they can have hot, ridiculous hybrid on vampire sex and never have to worry about that stupid sire bond again.

... Maybe they should get separate rooms before they head back to Mystic Falls. For Matt's sake.

"Hopefully he's okay."

[healthinsurance]

"Is it going right to voicemail or does it ring first?" One of course means that his phone is off, the other that it's sitting off to the side and vibrating away. "Maybe leave a message, tell him not to go anywhere tonight."

For Matt's sake, he would really appreciate that. Also, he kind of hates his life a little more. Damn it, why couldn't Jeremy be here and not Denver. He really needs more guy friends.

"He is." Matt has to tell himself. If he tells himself then he won't worry. All he'll do is think back to when they were younger. He and Tyler were best friends. Dicks, some of the time, but still friends.

[vampireboulevard]

She nods as she hits the off ramp, pulling up in front of the rest stop Burger King, before bringing the car to a stop. She knows he's right. Tyler is probably fine, and she's just worrying for nothing, but she's Caroline Forbes. Sometimes there's nothing she can do but worry.

"I will. You eat. I'll call."

[braveandstupid]

Once she's settled in the car with her food, she pulls out her phone and pulls out Damon's number. She hesitates, just for a moment before she hits send, wondering if she should maybe call Stefan first. But given the state that Stefan is in at the moment, Damon might actually be the saner choice.

Thoughts she never thought she'd have.

She hits send then places the phone to her ear, waiting patiently for him to pick up.

[takescredit]

While Elena tries to stay calm, Damon is calm. He's spent more of the morning on the other side of a jail cell. Good ol' Ric has gotten himself into trouble and Damon is there on the other side to take his jabs. As far as he's concerned, this little problem is child's play compared to the Originals existing. And in one fell swoop, the Mikaelson's are out of their hair. To say Damon is in a cheerful mood - it might actually be an understatement.

Hearing his phone ring, Damon fishes it out of his pocket and brings it to his ear.

"Elena," he says, not greeting her properly.

"That's Elena?" Alaric asks from the other side of the cell. Damon ignores his question because the answer is extremely obvious.

"Let me guess, the food is ready and you're on your way back and before you ask, no headway here besides all signs pointing to Ric being very prejudiced to our fair town's council." Which is pretty much the opposite of headway. What can he say? Meredith Fell just might be a problem.

He does have his own ideas, however. He has research to do.

[braveandstupid]

"No. I mean, I am on my way back but there's new people in town."

It's sad that a town this small is absolutely terrified of new people arriving but really, when have new people in town ever been a good thing for Mystic Falls.

"They were at the Grill. Two women, one blond, one red head. I got a bad feeling, Damon."

[takescredit]

"New people?" he asks, frowning. Alaric makes a face but Damon ignores him again. He'll fill him in after the conversation. As for the new people themselves, you're right Elena. New people arriving in town means bad news. Actually, old friends arriving in town also means bad news. Arrivals of any kind usually mean death and destruction is on the horizon. Not. Cool.

And to think Damon was in a good mood.

"A redhead, you say..." he says, thinking about his next move. "What were they doing at the Grill?"

[braveandstupid]

"From the looks of it? Eating." There's a small edge of a smirk to her voice as she starts the car. "But they seemed to be pretty friendly with that new bartender, Anna."

[takescredit]

"And we know what that means," he says, turning back to face Alaric who's all but waiting with baited breath. He has things to do. If only Alaric weren't in jail. "Are they still there?"

[braveandstupid]

"Yep. Looks like they were having lunch."

[takescredit]

He has plans today.

"Send Betty and Archie, see what she can hear," he says, wondering if he's gone a little too far with the nicknames. That, and he has no clue that Matt and Caroline are out of town. He'd send Stefan but he's not doing too hot and not admitting it. Stefan would be best in the boarding house at this point. "I have a little hunch I have to follow."

[takescredit]

Of course just when they need all hands on deck Caroline Forbes and Matt Donovan leave to pick up Tyler Lockwood. Of course that happens. Yes, Tyler was probably putting himself through hours of pain and torture for no reason whatsoever, so it'd be good for him to stop that. But, today? Alaric winds up in jail and they just thought today'd be a great day for a road trip?

But, fine, that's fine. Damon will regroup.

But, Damon has to be at the Grill. And he has ideas. He needs to find the old journals. Suddenly, he has a lot to do. He can't do it all. And he doesn't know how long he'll take at the Grill. And Alaric is still in jail.

If Meredith isn't lying and Alaric really attacked her...

He lets Alaric know Elena is on her way. He has to go and Ric understands. Plus, he'll have an Elena to occupy him. What's better than that? He also knows Damon can't stay and wasn't planning on it. Can't they have a break? Some respite? First the Original family, and now somebody is playing vampire slayer and targeting the town council.

Top it off with Anna and her out-of-towner's and this was shaping up to be a busy day.

Not only is it time for his daily check-in with his brother, but, he now has to relay his plan and send Stefan in the right direction. He's walking down the steps of the police station as he dials his brother's number and brings his phone to his ear.

[somanyadjectives]

Stefan is still reeling from his life taking a sudden, unscheduled detour. He had been so focused on getting rid of Klaus, that he hadn't considered the fact that Esther not only would do the job for him, but that the idea of killing Klaus when he's human wouldn't be as satisfying. Add to the fact that his relationship with Elena is in shambles, he doesn't know what to do with himself.

He's sprawled out on his couch when Damon calls, and he reaches over to hit send and bring the phone to his ear.

"You don't have to check on me, Damon."

[takescredit]

"Oh, little brother, would that I could." And he'd remark about eating someone, but this is Damon and he did that before leaving this morning. He makes his way down the street towards town square. "But, that's only half why I'm calling. Guess where I'm going."

[somanyadjectives]

"Let me think. You left to go check on Alaric, so I'm assuming that he's been released and you're going to the Grill to celebrate, or he's still locked up, and you're going to the Grill to drown your sorrows."

[takescredit]

Wow. You think so highly of him. Why did he even call you again? Oh, right, he can't be everywhere at once. You're also not funny, Stefan.

"Close. Ric's still behind bars and I am going to the Grill but not to celebrate. Or, to drown in alcohol and feelings. Elena alerted me to some fresh meat. It seems our friendly neighborhood bartender has some new friends in town. They triggered Elena's spidey sense. So, I'm going to go check that out. Now, for the reason I called you. Does this remind you of anything? The killings. The council..."

[somanyadjectives]

It takes him a minute. As much as Stefan tends to dwell in the past he doesn't actually think bout it as much as he should. But eventually, he manages to put two and two together.

"Zachariah."

[takescredit]

"And not just him. He wasn't the only member killed at the time," he says, jogging his brother's memory. "I was going to spend the day digging into the past but now I have to take care of Elena's latest hunch. You think you can rope in Sabrina the Teenage Witch for a research session? She reads, right? We have a few of those journals. It wouldn't hurt to look back." Oh, right, he should probably tell Stefan... "Oh, yeah and Caroline and Matt left town last minute to pick up Tyler Lockwood. So, that's a thing that happened."

[somanyadjectives]

Stefan didn't really care so much about Matt and Caroline. They were going to do what they were going to do. He takes a breath before nodding.

"I'll call Bonnie. And I'll go over to Elena's, see if the Gilbert journals are around."