LETTERS TO STEFAN
Rated: K+ for now.
Beta: D.B. Rose
Disclaimer: Dearest Julie Plec and L.J. Smith, I hope you enjoy owning your characters. Cause I sure as hell don't! Love, Me.
*Note: The story takes place after Elena has been turned, so clearly Alaric is dead. Klaus...well, you'll see.
Paris, France. 2012.
The cushioned window seat of the hotel room was definitely not as comforting as the one in her own bedroom back at Mystic Falls. But then, her bedroom didn't have a spectacularly breath-taking view of the Eiffel Tower, nor did it look down at all of the posh fashionistas sauntering through Paris, mingling with the pretentious tourists who thought that looked so very French but in reality, just stood out like a sore thumb.
Sure, the Eiffel Tower was beautiful. The light show at night was dazzling, but it got tiresome after a while. Elena Gilbert was more focused on the people. She'd sit and watch them for hours, trying to figure out just how they lived their lives 24 stories down on the ground. Occasionally, she'd walk out onto the balcony and watch from there, taking in everything with her newly strengthened senses. The scents of cigarette smoke, espresso, and pastries. The beautiful slurs of French conversations and vendors. She'd never really been one to people-watch but being a vampire kind of drew you to them that way. Being away from home made her lonely, too. She looked to the crowds for solace in her seclusion.
Mystic Falls would be better off without her there, for a while. All of the supernatural incidents and all of the deaths were a result of the invisible target forever implanted into her back. Every situation was just a new reason or way to kill her. The town was safer if she was gone. But she missed her friends. She really missed Jeremy. The only person she had now was Elijah Mikaelson. And as accommodating as he was, he didn't fill the void in her heart.
He agreed to help her learn to be a vampire on one finite condition – that Bonnie help to get Klaus back. After the mayhem that erupted from Klaus possessing Tyler's body, Bonnie decided it was the least – and last – she could do. She disappeared from town before Elijah and Elena had left. Klaus's return wasn't as catastrophic since his hybrid blood supply had been cut short. Instead he focused his time on Caroline, and it eventually paid off.
Here she sat, Elena Gilbert, vampire. Never in her life would she have imagined it. But she probably should have expected it. She glanced around the hotel room, still marveling that she was really in Paris, and really in this expensive hotel room. The bed was enormous with 1000-thread count sheets, all crème colored, and more pillows than she knew what to do with. There was real gold etched into the designs on the walls. Definitely compulsion, at its finest. The floral notebook in her lap stared up at her, the words on the pages penned neatly in cursive. She had read it over one last time before sending it out...
Dear Stefan,
I know this isn't very modern, considering technology has given us emailing and cell phones. But I guess I just feel more comfortable writing an actual letter. Reminds me of writing in my diary.
I'm sorry I left the way I did. I just couldn't stay in Mystic Falls. After being turned, it didn't feel right to stay and put all of the people I've known my whole life in danger. Not while I'm still learning how to feed. I'm sure I'll come back one day once I get this new me under control.
The one thing I want you to understand is that it is NOT your fault that I became a vampire. No one could have guessed what Meredith would do. Or Rebekah, for that matter... I know that you wanted to save me, but I couldn't let Matt die. He didn't deserve to, especially when he was just trying to save me. He's a good guy. And me? Well, I've been on death's list pretty much since the name Klaus was spoken. Maybe it just finally caught up to me.
Elijah and I are in Paris, at the moment. (I know he said we'd go far from home where no one knew me, but Paris? I guess 'far' is an understatement.) It's great. We stay at a hotel that's right across from the Eiffel Tower and the barista at the café downstairs has been teaching me French. She's the only nice person I've met in France. I have a sneaking suspicion that Elijah may have compelled her, though.
I know, you're not thrilled with Elijah being the one to show me the ropes, but you have to understand. You and Damon care too much about me. I don't want any bias. And...well... you both have your tendencies to fall off the wagon from time to time. No offense. But Elijah's been a great mentor, so far. I haven't had to kill a single human yet, thank god, but I'm still having a hard time curbing my hunger. I finally get it, Stefan.
I get to see a lot of Caroline. She and Klaus come and visit any time they're in France. Now that I understand how it was when Caroline was first turned, we've gotten a lot closer.
Damon's come to see me once or twice. I have to say, I was surprised he came all the way out here. But it's nowhere near the same. Ever since that night when I told him I was driving back to you, he's been different. I guess he can't bring himself to forgive me. I don't think he's really faced the loss of Ric, either. I hope he'll be okay.
Please tell Jeremy I miss him and I love him. I can't imagine he's doing too well. First Jenna, then Ric, now me. Just let him know it's not forever. Just for now.
I miss you, Stefan.
Love,
Elena