The Gilbert sisters are at Alaric's apartment with him. Elena is hitting a punching bag, letting her frustration out as her older sister watches, leaning against the wall with Ric supervising.

"So what's got you all worked up?".

"I didn't really sleep last night".

"Yeah, me neither. Probably something to do with dying".

"You okay?" Laura says, concerned as she looks at the man.

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm fine. I think the ring, however, is running low on batteries".

Elena nods as she punches "Yeah that's another reason why Jeremy has to get out of town. If those rings have a shelf life, he is not protected, neither are you". She then puts all her strength into a punch.

"Nice nice, you're getting stronger".

"I'm just channeling frustration. I need coffee".

"Already done" The eldest Gilbert smiles, handing her a coffee that she just made. Elena takes off her gloves, taking the coffee and sipping from it.

"Seems Damon's compulsion worked, Jeremy was packing when I left the house, going on about his new school in Denver".

"I'm still not sure about sending him away. I mean he deserves to have a opinion or choice on what he wants or needs" Laura says, her sister frowns.

"It's the best for him" The doppelgänger turns to Ric "Have you talked to Damon today?".

"No. Why?".

"No reason" Elena takes a drink from her coffee, looking guilty, making her sister raise her eyebrows but receives 'I don't want to talk about it' look.

-

As the day goes on, Laura arrives at a council meeting at the founders hall, Ric and Damon are there as well. The two men are discussing things as Laura listens, looking around the places and sending smiles to some of the other founding family people.

"I thought Stefan saved your life".

"He did".

"And now he is willing to risk it just to see how far he can push Klaus?"

"It seems so".

"So is his humanity on or off?".

"I think there is another option at play, a dimmer switch, which is a huge problem"

"Is that even possible?" Laura asks earning a shrug from the eldest Salvatore.

"Why is it a problem?".

"Because I can't predict how far he is willing to go until someone gets killed":

"So suddenly you care who lives or dies?".

"I have a small list".

"Consisting of Stefan and Elena?" The brunette quips with a small smirk.

"Talk about a humanity dimmer switch",

"Screw you!".

"Hey! Damon be nice" The eldest Gilbert reprimands, slightly glaring at him.

"Can't a Council meeting ever just be a Council meeting?" Ric sighs, looking around at the place, a sign reads 'Wickery Bridge Restoration Fundraiser'.

The three walk across the room, looking at a model of the restoration project which shows the Wickery Bridge.

"That's the bridge where your parents died in the car accident".

"Yes" Laura says, weakly.

"Something is up with. Elena. Something more than usual. You know what it is?".

Laura listens in closely, curious for his answer and why she was acting weird this morning while she was using the punching bag, more frustrated than she has been before.

"Well I'm sure it starts with a 'Stef' and ends with an 'an'. I'm gonna get a drink, write a check and then we're out?". Damon walks away as some woman takes his place, she gazes at Alaric with curiosity. "Alaric Saltzman, miracle patient!".

"Dr. Fell" Ric motions next to him "This is Laura Gilbert".

"Hi, nice to meet you" The brunette Gilbert says, grinning at Meredith.

The woman smiles back before turning to Ric "I'm glad to see you're still alive. A part of me thought you would have dropped dead in your sleep!".

"Well I guess I have nine lives".

"Not a bad thing to have in a town with a vampire problem". Both their eyes widen at the woman standing in front of them.

"Sorry? Are you on the Founders' Council?".

"I'm a Fell, I come from a long line of founders, may they rest in peace. I hate that bridge. My senior prom date dumped me on this bridge".

"Oh yeah? Did you throw him over?". Laura smiles to herself at these two as Ric tries to flirt with the woman.

"No but I should have. I've been holding a grudge ever since. Where did your friend go? I'm supposed to hit him up for some money for the fundraiser".

"Well, you should, he is loaded".

"He's in good company. Some British guy just pledged to match every dollar we raise!".

"What do you mean, a British guy?".

The eldest Gilbert sighs, her brown eyes searching the room until they land on a smirking blue eyed hybrid.

...

Closing the door to the bathroom, Laura watches as Stefan walks upstairs holding a knife with his brother following without a knife soon after. She slowly and carefully makes her way up, staying behind to listen to what is happening. Something or someone is slammed into a wall.

"What are you doing?".

"What are you doing? No dead hybrids at the Founders' party!".

"No I told Klaus to get his hybrids out of town, he didn't listen so I'm gonna say it louder".

"You don't think there's ten more where that came from? And if you kill them, Klaus won't make 20 more? Have you forgotten about Elena's part in all of this? Or do you not care if she is a human blood bag for the rest of her life?".

"Protecting Elena is your problem now. See I'm not compelled by Klaus to do that anymore".

"Don't give me that no-humanity crap, you can't just flip your switch! Your switch is fried Stefan, just like your brain! You wanna take Klaus? You wanna beat the villain? You've gotta be smarter".

"To beat the villain, Damon, you have to be the better villain".

Laura swiftly walks away, saying goodbye to some people before going home. Once she arrives home, she makes herself a cup of tea. Letting the water boil, picking out a tea bag that she likes and pouring the water into a cup.

A jingle of keys catches her attention so she strolls over to the door, overhearing a conversation.

"You can't kiss me again".

"I know".

"I can't. It's not right".

"It's right. Just not right now. Good night".

"Good night Damon".

Elena unlocks the door, opening it and stepping inside to see her sister with a shocked expression. "Damon kissed you?".

"Uh yeah. Can we not talk about this right now. Tonight's been awful and I just want to sleep"

"Okay" Laura smiles, wrapping her arms around the younger girl and hugging her tightly. "Good night Elena".

"Night Laura".

-

"Aw Jer" Laura says, a few tears escaping from her eyes as she hugs her brother goodbye. Elena just said her goodbyes and managed to not cry but her eyes show sadness.

"I will be back sometime and I will call and text you. Maybe you could visit?".

"I will, I love you!" Jeremy smiles, putting his bag on and walking out of the door where he sees Bonnie running up.

"Good you haven't left yet".

"What are you doing here?".

"I came to say goodbye".

The two hug and then he grabs the rest of his stuff, glancing back at Elena, Laura and Bonnie. Jeremy gives them all a smile before walking away.