Setting: The Salvatore Residence

Characters: Damon and Stefan Salvatore

This takes place after 2x16 of the Vampire Diaries. I do not own any of the characters at all.

"You need to take her." Stefan urged his brother, begging him.

Damon Salvatore would never have minded taking Elena Gilbert somewhere on his own under normal circumstances. However, at the time circumstances were far from 'normal.' The first Original vampire was coming into town looking for Elena and most likely wouldn't mind causing a little (lot) trouble to get to her. Stefan believed that it would be best if Elena was got out of Mystic Falls for a while. For her own safety and for the ones she wanted to protect. Damon was all for that but what caught him off guard was when Stefan suggested he take her instead of him.

"You're stronger than I am—you're more capable of keeping her safe." His brother continued.

"Which is exactly why I should stay here. You can't handle fighting Klaus." Damon knew that he wasn't exactly a great match for the strongest vampire alive either, but he truly believed that he might be able to hold him off longer than Stefan could. They needed to do what was best to keep Elena and everyone else safe.

"If I go with her, it'll be too predictable, Damon. You could take her away—anywhere. But don't tell anyone where. Don't tell me where either." If Elijah was able to compel another vampire, he was sure Klaus could do it too. It would be harder for them to be found if no one truly knew where they were. "Klaus will most likely know all of us. He would know you, too but he would expect me to be with Elena. It'll throw him off a little." Stefan explained.

"What if getting thrown off means he'll kill a few people in town? We don't know how this guy works, Stefan." Damon reminded him stubbornly, leaning against the wall.

"Damon, please." Stefan begged, his eyes narrowing. "We need to do everything in our power to keep Elena safe."

That's what it all came down to. That's always what it came down to. Damon would die for her and somehow, Stefan could see that.

There was a long silence with Damon staring back at his brother indecisively.

"Fine." Damon agreed with a sigh, breaking the pause and the tenseness that had come into the room.

"Thank you." Stefan looked relieved.

"I don't think Elena's going to be very happy about this, though." Damon smirked.