The last time we checked Elena and Damon did not smooch under the mistletoe because Kai had slugged Elena.
Kai divulges as to why he kidnapped Elena, but he also says he's been practicing magic on a store manager. The only problem is Kai just forced a heart attack on the manager and induced the thrashing upon him. Kai's brilliance of the cloaking spell means he could hide anyone, like Elena, and anything, like the body of the bloodied manager on the table in front of Elena. Cue the gasp.
Meanwhile, Stefan wakes up to his house bustling with guests overstaying their welcome. Jeremy walks through without refilling the coffee pot and Alaric tries to help Jo hone in on her magic before she merges.
At the hospital, Damon updates Sheriff Forbes on what has been happening before Caroline comes into the room with a smoothie to help her mother get better from cancer. While Caroline seems to think that vampire blood could stop cancer, Damon does not seem to think so.
However, at Caroline's home Stefan has made upgrades to the Forbes' living room, so that the Sheriff could rest comfortably.
Caroline, on the other hand, feels she needs to get a second opinion from Duke University, so she's on the road. Sheriff Forbes suggests that Stefan accompany Caroline on the car ride.
Elsewhere, Kai has chained Elena to the hallway at the high school. The psychopath tortures Elena by turning her insides into acid...again.
When Kai burns off Elena's daylight ring, Elena tries to escape and cleverly uses herself to burn Kai. Buying time, Elena manages to call Damon before she runs away from Kai.
“Bingo,” says Kai once he magically snaps Elena's head.
At Duke, Caroline heads to the oncology building, while Stefan chooses to stay for a friend's art exhibit. Stefan looks fondly at his “friend” before Enzo appears.
Caroline finds out more bad news as the doctor at Duke tells her there's no feasible medical solution that would aid in her mother's health.
Back at the high school, Kai captures Elena again, but Elena soon discovers that Kai truly cares for no one but himself.
Outside the school, Damon and Liv arrive to unveil the cloaking spell only to be interrupted by Luke, who takes Liv away.
Damon calls Alaric for help with Jo in the background. Jo volunteers to help Damon with the spell. When Jo enters the high school with Damon, they are faced to face with Kai only for him to pass them like they're invisible.
That doesn't last long as Damon and Jo find Elena, but can they get out of the school unseen by Kai?
Check out this promo for next week's episode of the show!
Tune into The Vampire Diaries on The CW at 8 p.m. on Thursdays.