Author's Note: Here is an actual story this time! Though one shots are short and sweet stories and really have no continuous story, I wanted to try a Vampire Diaries piece. I've really come to love this show and will still enjoy writing random one shots but we'll see how this goes.

Prologue

Nobody said that a relationship of this kind would have been easy; he knew that. Working so hard to save the one you wanted to wrap into your arms for the rest of your life was hard enough as it was, but for him it was an even greater task. Stefan Salvatore knew that holding onto a relationship with a mortal while his own life wouldn't cease in many years - if ever - was, from a logical perspective: pointless. As the years aged the features on her face he had known to love would become less soft and the chocolate brown locks would have been replaced with lighter strands of grey. He would remain youthful, his face not bearing any wrinkles like hers. But for Stefan, it would always be Elena and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

If anyone could have warned him sooner, that the time he were to share with her would have been cut shorter than the grey strands and wrinkles, he still wouldn't have been prepared for this moment. Even with his undead heart standing still in his chest, he couldn't help the churning and the breaking sensation that overwhelmed his insides as his eyes shot widely but painfully on the still girl spread out lifelessly on the hospital bed. The monitors next to her signaled loud alarms as her vital signs came to a slow before an entire stop. His green eyes continued to express their shock as he tried to comprehend what was happening or why. He stood next to the bed in an instant, his hands falling to her sides and gently allowing himself to shake her lightly.

"Elena," he responded almost entirely unaware that his throat was even capable of producing any sound. As she failed to respond to him, he leaned in closer to her while his green orbs began to fill with hot tears that would eventually spill onto his cheeks. "Elena!" He repeat, and while he knew she had already passed before him, he wasn't going to accept that just yet.

The machines still sounding loudly from her side, he wasted no time to peek his head out the door frame of her enclosed room. The white walls of the hospital seemed to almost taunt him, the hallways seeming to be more narrow than he remembered them to be as his eyes searched for anyone to help her. "Somebody! Please!" Stefan shouted, his eyes peering back at her before he hesitated to dart out the door, tears coming easier to him as the vampire tried to find a doctor for Elena Gilbert, the love of his life.

Not knowing how much longer she had to survive in the current state she was in, Stefan grabbed the first person he saw, entirely unaware of who it could have been. Racing back to the room with them at his side, his eyes finally fixated on the person in question, "Please, help her!" He demanded.

Spinning on his heel, the older brother faced Stefan, his dark features not twisting into any comforting appearance as he peered back at the torn guy. A smug smirk filled his lips, no emotion or response to Elena's withering life in his face. His eyes almost flashed contently, and all he could do was laugh lightly. "She's beyond saving, Stefan. Just face it already." Damon insisted, shrugging his shoulders after he spoke.

Word count: 564