Elena Gilbert sat curled upon the window seat in her room, her diary opened across her knees, pen poised to write, her forehead wrinkled in consternation.

"Dear Diary,

I am worried about Stefan. I feel him pulling away from me and I don't know how to stop it. He is deeply remorseful of his actions of the past few days, and I've done my best to assure him that he did no real harm to anyone; but he won't let up on himself. He wields self-recrimination and shame in almost the same manner that he does his vampire powers. I think that he has hated what he is for so long that he truly believes that there is nothing good within him, but I know different. He is kind, good, loving, and honorable. I wish he could truly see himself the way that I see him. My life held no meaning before Stefan came into it and regardless of the obvious perils which have existed since he came to Mystic Falls, I wouldn't change anything. I love him, and I'm going to use my love to chisel away the suit of armor surrounding his heart until he realizes once and for all just how good he really is."