Grill; Exterior: Bonnie's waiting outside when Stefan exits. I really have a hard time buying that he doesn't see Elena home. I mean, I know she doesn't want him hovering and protecting her all the time, but on a night like this, it's just difficult for me to swallow. Anyhow, Bonnie tells Stefan that Elena's her best friend and, because Elena loves him, Bonnie couldn't let him or Damon die in that fire. Stefan's grateful and hopes she knows that. Bonnie nods. "I do. But I hope you know things have to change. Damon has to change." Stefan agrees. "We both want the same thing." Bonnie scoffs, because he doesn't quite get where she's coming from, or how fast she's traveling. "We both want to protect the people we care about. The difference is -- for you -- Damon is one of them. You saw what I was able to do, tonight. I know who I am now. And if Damon spills so much as one drop of innocent blood? I'll take him down. Even if I have to take you with him." Stefan knows she means business, because she's so like him -- scary and deadly serious. He neither tries to change her mind nor buckles under the weight of her threats. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Bonnie stands her ground. "Let's hope it doesn't." She leaves him there and sashays off into the night. Awesome.

Sidebar: You know what would be a neat twist? If Stefan's jealousy grows such that instead of deciding to protect Damon from Bonnie, he chooses to side with her. But I'm overcome with my shameful desire for the triangle right now, in anticipation of this next scene, which really turns out to be a diamond instead, so let's get to it.

Gilbert Gables; Exterior: As Elena climbs her front porch steps, she meets up with Damon, who's just heading out of the house. Elena eyes him and asks, "What are you doing here?" Damon: "A failed and feeble attempt at doing the right thing." Elena: "Which was..." Damon smiles and shakes his head as he says it's not important. "Let me take this for you." He removes her heavy gown and other things from her arms, and places them on a chair (or table, or something -- who cares) so they can talk. Elena follows him and thanks him. Damon: "You know, I came to this town wanting to destroy it. Tonight, I found myself wanting to protect it. How does that happen? I'm not a hero, Elena. I don't do good. It's not in me." Elena: "Maybe it is." He shakes her off and gives her a crooked smile. "Nah. No, that's reserved for my brother, and you, and Bonnie. Even though she has every reason to hate me -- she still helped Stefan save me." Elena asks why he sounds so surprised. Damon: "'Cause she did it for you." He closes the distance between them. "Which means that somewhere along the way, you decided that I was worth saving." His voice cracks at that last bit. And then: "I wanted to... thank you... for that." Elena: "You're welcome." Damon looks at her like he hasn't seen her in years and moves in to kiss her. On the cheek. Oh, that's so sweet. I'm melting. Crap. I'm such a sucker.