CHAPTER 1

The night air was warm, the sky clear enough to see the stars. Searching for the brightest circle of light, Elena closed her eyes tight and made a wish. She would start out small of course, wish for an entire day without death and destruction, she thought. In the hopes, that one-day her wish would come true and she could be at peace.

As a child, Elena never wished for a new set of rollerblades, or fought for the wishbone at Thanksgiving. Now she had witnessed the unthinkable, and had come face-to-face with what lurked in the woods at night.

Strolling up the cobble stone driveway of the Salvatore boarding house, Elena admired its aging wooden frame, the only constant over the years. She had visited the boarding house many times, but never saw its beauty. Her dress from the Founder's Day parade weighing heavily on her arm, Elena quietly slipped through the front door.

The house was eerily quiet, which Elena had grown accustomed too. Tossing her bag on the leather couch, she jogged up stairs to Stefan's bedroom.

"Stefan." Elena peeked around the door, as Stefan stoked the fire.

"Hey. I didn't even hear you come in."

"I hate to admit it, but I think that the whole vampire-lurking thing is rubbing off." Elena grinned, laying her dress over the chair, feeling Stefan's hand on the small of her back.

"It is one the more better traits. In fact, it maybe the only one."

Elena wrapped her arms around Stefan's shoulders, "I take it we are alone tonight."

"I believe we are." Stefan smirked, "Damon ran off after the fire, haven't seen him since."

Elena felt the warmth of the fire as the golden flames dancing along her face. "That was my fault. I may have said something that he didn't agree with."

"Whatever you said must have upset him."

Slipping off her jacket, Elena tossed it on the bed. "Well...after what Isobel said..." Elena muttered as Stefan crossed his arms, "I told him not to make me regret being his friend, for trusting in him and I meant it."

As Stefan turned towards the fire, Elena played nervously with her fingers. "But you know what; let's not talk about this now, okay?"

"No." Stefan eyed the fire, "I think we should talk about it."

Resting her chin on Stefan's shoulder, she ran her fingers through his hair. "Not tonight, okay. I'm sorry that I brought it up."

"No, it's good that you did." Stefan uttered, stepping past her once more.

"Stefan." Elena sighed, as he sat on the bed.

"Katherine was Damon's obsession for centuries." Stefan began, as Elena listened intently, "He fought for her, he killed for her. There is nothing he wouldn't do for Katherine. You seen for yourself…how hard tried to get Katherine from the tomb."

"Well, he loves her." Elena sat beside him, "All he wants is to have her back, and I don't think that's so bad."

"It is bad." Stefan jumped up, "Katherine is gone. She doesn't want anything to do with Damon. A part of Damon realizes that, whether he wants to admit it or not."

"But in a way, that's a good thing Stefan. He might get on with his life and get out of Mystic Falls. Which would be the best for everyone, if you ask me?"

"No Elena, it's not." Stefan swung around, "Damon won't leave Mystic Falls. He will just replace his obsession of Katherine…with you. Don't you see that?"

"I'm not Katherine."

Stefan looked down, "You're right Elena. You may look the same, sound the same, but you are not Katherine. You are so much better. Damon sees that in you, he trusts you he-he loves you."

"But you're forgetting something." Elena whispered, held his cheek, "I love you. Why don't you believe me when I tell you that?"

"It's not that I don't believe you Elena." He held onto her hips, "But I know my brother. He won't stop until he---."

"Enough. No more." Elena pressing her finger to his lips, "We are going to take a break from all this tonight. No more talk about death, peril or betrayal, okay?"

"Elena you know that ---."

"Stefan." She snapped playfully at him, "All I ask is for a one, normal night with my boyfriend is that too much to ask?"

"I guess..." He inched closer to her, "But this isn't over." He uttered as their lips touched sending rush of warmth throughout her body.

"But it is. Because I say it is."She mumbled, tossing his shirt across the room.

Running her hands along his chest, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. "A little demanding aren't we." He smirked, tugging her t-shirt over her head, revealing her black bra beneath.

"You sound surprised." She smiled sweetly as him as he laid her onto the bed. Biting her lip, she eyed him as he left a trail of kisses along her chest sending a chill throughout her body.

Hovering over her, she caressed his cheek, his blue eyes full of mystery. Her lips pressed passionately against his, Stefan savored the warmth of her petite body against his, the closest to heaven he would ever be.

"You're so beautiful…I can't get enough of you" He breathed, intertwining his fingers with hers. Dragging her fingers along his shoulders, her lips parted, as her body throbbed. Straddling him, her necklace dangling before them, she nibbled lightly on his lip as his hands followed her curves. Making her way down his chest, his fingers lost in her long auburn hair, he closed his eyes.

Rolling over, he held her close, their legs tangled beneath the covers. Running her fingers through his hair, she let out a soft moan as she arched her back. Feeling light kisses along her neck, she closed her eyes once more, as he took her in.