At the station, Liz reads Matt and Elena the riot act for breaking into Meredith's place. She knows about the letter from the coroner's office, which corrects M.E. Brian's time of death. Liz says Meredith brought it to her hours ago and apologized for accusing an innocent man. Matt asks why Meredith would have a copy hidden in her closet. Liz says she can't ask that, because they broke into her home. That's ridiculous. I mean, they broke in, but that's their crime. They're not cops, so there's not a warrant issue for them. Meredith is the one who called the cops and allowed them to enter her apartment. Liz could certainly at least ask about the copy. She goes on about how far she's had to go to protect them and sends them home. She says Alaric will be released as soon as the letter is authenticated.

Rebekah and Damon follow Stefan outside and manipulate him into drinking from a live, compelled woman. Once Stefan is feeding, Damon sends Rebekah on her merry way and then prevents Stefan from killing their victim. Damon bites into his own wrist to feed the woman his blood and heal her. Just then, Elena and Matt -- on their way home from the Sheriff's office -- happen upon the grisly scene. To up the drama, this happens before Stefan can pull himself together and wipe the blood off his mouth. Matt leads a horrified Elena home. Damon winces as Elena leaves and tells his brother, "So, that's gonna take a little time." Stefan storms off. Damon, you really should have started him out with a blood bag in the privacy of your own home. Work your way up to living "donors."

Over at Gilbert Gables, Elena and Matt have tea, sympathy and a lovely heart to heart, during which she confesses that part of her love for Stefan is predicated on the fact that he wasn't going to up and die on her, like her parents did. As for her feelings about Damon -- well he snuck in there somehow and got under her skin and she just can't shake him. Matt all but flat-out admits he still can't shake his feelings for Elena either. Kids, elope and never ever return to this evil, evil town. Seriously. Go have pretty babies. Klaus will keep you and yours safe. Run. Run away! They don't listen. Instead, Matt gives Elena the Samantha Gilbert journal. He pocketed it while Meredith and the deputy were questioning Elena. Matt says, "Sometimes it pays to be the only normal one in a town of vampires -- practically invisible." There's an edge to his voice and for but a moment, my friend Erin's delusions that Matt is the serial killer -- flood my brain. I take a good, long look at his Pudding Pop face and shake off the nasty insinuations. Alaric arrives home. Elena gives him a big hug. The camera focuses on his pressing his hand to the small of her back, but I think it's just so we get a shot of the protect-o ring.