The Grill: Bonnie encourages Caroline to chug her coffee and sober up, but Caroline's wallowing in the fact that she's just not Elena, no matter how hard she tries. Of course the problem is that she tries too hard, which scares off friends and beaux alike -- all of whom naturally flock to Elena. When Bonnie reminds Caroline that it's not a competition, Caroline waits a beat, and then says, "Yeah. It is."

Hospital: Matt keeps vigil over his sister Vicki's bedside, because nobody in this town has parents, apparently. She stirs and wakes, but when she tries to speak, Matt tells her not to try and assures her she's okay. Vicki won't be silenced. Voice hoarse, she rasps, "Vampire!" Matt's blue eyes grow to twice their size. COMMERCIAL!

Dueling DIARY-Ahhh Montage! Elena sits at her window seat, bemoaning the fact that she can't smile her way through things. Meanwhile, at Mossy Manse, Stefan rues the wrench that's been thrown into his plan to forget the past and start a life with someone new. Their words overlap and we go from cheese to Kraft Macaroni And... Jenna looks in on Jeremy, who is staring at a picture of his parents, and Elena and Stefan continue their litany, but I can't listen anymore. At The Grill, Bonnie leaves Caroline at their booth, and who should be looking over at her but Damon. OH MY WORD. What's wrong with Ian Somerhalder in this shot? I think it's the hair and the awkward angle, but Scott says he looks like he's had some (bad) work done. Either way? Do not ruin the pretty, people! Caroline turns on the charm and smiles at him. Damon cocks his head and smiles back in a way that makes him look more like a pedophile than anyone you'll see on your local police department's list. Back at the Gilbert's, Elena's still blathering to her diary about being ready for the good, so that when it comes, you can "invite it in." Ouch. There's more, but I'll spare you. The important thing is, just as she looks out her window, Stefan materializes. She rushes to her front door to meet him. He knows it's late, but he just needs to know if she's okay. Elena sighs that that's all anyone ever wants to know about her -- if she'll be okay. Stefan says, "What do you tell them?" Looking down, Elena says she tells them she'll be fine. When Stefan asks if she ever means it, Elena says, "Ask me tomorrow." She holds his gaze. "It's warmer in the house. We can talk. Backing up a few steps, Elena asks, "Would you like to come in?" Now that's the kind of invite Stefan needs. He smiles and nods. "Yes." He enters, and Elena shuts the door behind him. Don't worry. After all these years, I'm sure Willow has put the de-invite spell up on the web. She's a geek like that.