PARA PROMPT. THE SIRE BOND IS BROKEN. YOU STILL LOVE DAMON. YOU MEET UP WITH STEFAN TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT. WHETHER OR NOT YOUR FEELINGS FOR STEFAN CAME BACK IS UP TO YOU.

Elena paced around the room, waiting for Stefan to descend the stairs. She'd asked to talk to him after the sire bond had been broken…but he was taking his sweet time. Was he knowingly keeping her waiting? She just wanted to get this over with...she hated it. When he finally entered the parlor, Elena sighed in relief. "So…the bond is broken?" he asked, cutting right to the chase. He leaned against the door as Elena nodded. "Stefan…sit. Please?" she asked, sitting down on the couch and touching the cushion beside her. Stefan sighed and leaned back, his head against the doorway. "You are still in love with Damon." he said, turning to walk away. "Stefan! Wait!" she said, jumping up and running after him. She grabbed his arm, stopping him. "I want to talk about this, dammit!" she said, tears rimming her eyes. Stefan spun around. "What is there to talk about, Elena?! You broke the sire bond. You can make your own choices…and you are STILL choosing my brother." he said, backing her into the wall with every word. "Stefan…I want to be right about this. I don't want to hurt you...again." "Then don't be with my brother." he growled. Elena sighed, looking down. "I can't do that, Stefan. I love him." she said. Stefan gripped her shoulders, pulling her away from the wall and slamming her back into it. "Then get the hell out." he said, letting go of her. "Stefan!" she sighed as he stormed off.

Elena sighed and moved to grab her bag, but suddenly, he spun around, re-entering the room. "You know…I thought…just maybe when you woke up, you would at least be upset. I didn't blame you before because you were sired. I thought when you broke the bond, you would feel bad about all of it. " "I do!" "—But you are still the same selfish bitch who screwed my brother a week after we broke up…with NO regard for my feelings. Go away, Elena. Be with Damon. Do whatever the hell you want. I'm done." he said, walking way.

Elena drove home and went up to her room, tears streaming down her face. She walked into the bathroom, trying to stop her crying. She knew she'd made the right choice this time. There wasn't a doubt in her mind. But she felt awful for hurting Stefan. Turning to get a tissue, she felt Damon's arms wrap around her. She'd been so preoccupied, she hadn't heard him climb through the window. She turned in his arms and sobbed into his chest. "Ssssh…." he soothed, stroking her hair. "I'm guessing he didn't take it well?" he asked. She shook her head. "I'm sorry. It'll be okay. He'll come around…just give him some time." he said. Elena nodded into his chest and he leaned down, tilting up her chin."Hey you." he said. "I love you." he smiled. Elena mustered up a smile for him. "I love you too, Damon." she managed to smile through her tears. "That's my girl." he said. "Let's get some sleep."