Hello! Right so I own nothing I'm just borrowing!

Frame of reference: This story is a bit of an amalgamation of the book at the TV show. If I had to pick one it falls more in line with the TV show. Though this is set after this second , just to save any potential confusion any thing in italics is some ones internal thoughts, at this point the story is from Elena's POV so it's her thoughts.

Also the title of the story, Ménage à trois, in the way I'm using it has to do with the literal french "household of three", not the sexual connotation attached to the term.

Happy reading!

Elena wasn't sure exactly when she had made up her mind, all she knew was now she knew what she wanted; she smiled to herself and stretched before snuggling back into the blanket wrapped around her. The boarding house was silent and dark, save for the snap and crack of the fire in front of here in the living room. She took a sip of the amber liquid at the bottom of the glass. It burned in a pleasant way as she rolled it over her tongue before swallowing. It wasn t her first choice of drink, but it was the only one that was close at hand. She was feeling too lazy and caught up in her thoughts to make the trip to the kitchen for what ever she might find there.

As her eyes roamed the dark panelled room, its shelves full of books and other knick knacks, she recalled the various fights and conversations that had all lead to this point in time. Some where in the house a grandfather clock chimed once, reminding her how late it was. She had told Stefan she d follow him up to his room in a few minutes; that was when the clock had chimed out that it was ten. She knew that he knew she had a lot on her mind and Elena was grateful that he had not come looking for her. She half smiled taking another sip, part of why I love him. It had been a difficult month for both of them.

Thanks to a bizarre twist of fate a gift that had been for Stefan, had been found and opened by his brother Damon. Once open it changed all their lives. Damon, who had always revelled in the power and darkness that created who he was as a vampire, suddenly found him self undeniably human. Stefan who wished for nothing more than to be able to be with her, found himself robbed of that by the one person who, not only didn t want it but was also his brother. The yelling and the fights had been terrible, some times it seemed like the house itself had been shaking. She shivered drawing the blanket around her. It was a deep blue cashmere thing, which made her feel like she was wrapped in a cloud. She stood and walked over to the fire and pushed back the logs and set up the screen to keep any sparks from leaving the hearth. As she turned back to the couch she glanced down at the blanket draped around her, could be a cape or a cloak too. This drew a genuine smile that reached her eyes. She picked up her glass and retuned it to the decanter filled side table, not bothering to finish it off. It had filled its role as a distraction, a reflex, while she thought.

As quietly as she could she unlocked the French doors that lead to the back patio, she was surprised and thankful to find that it was well oiled, opening with a soft swish as it brushed the thick carpet beneath her feet. The tile was cool and the air crisp as she stepped out closing the door behind her, shuffling over to the stone wall that edged the patio. She sat, her thoughts turning to what breakfast would be. Stefan had tried and failed to ply Damon out of his depression and anger. Elena had tried too, before both brothers in their own ways showed their disapproval. She snickered to herself over that memory; even in the midst of all of the month s turmoil they still had a few things in common, and neither had changed that much. She on the other hand had. The hoot of an owl yanked her from her thoughts, suddenly tired Elena headed inside, locking the door behind her before climbing the steps to Stefan's room.

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I've tried to keep everyone in character, though I've probably slipped up. In any case let me know what you guys think! The next chapter is written and I'll put it up in a bit, though sooner if there seems to be an interest =)