One way Stelena could have been endgame. Takes place in season 4 finale.
Damon had just finished his "I'm selfish" rant and Elena stood waiting for him to catch his breath.
"Damon." He looked up.
"I'm so sorry," she said with her voice barely above a whisper.
His expression fell and his shoulders sagged.
"No-," he whispered as he moved to leave the room.
"Damon, stop! You need to hear this!" She yelled.
Her eyes were lit up with a firey passion. Her hair was tangled and she had blood on the side of her face.
"I love you."
He stood waiting.
"But I'm not in love with you."
"Elena, please," he croaked. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Damon." Her voice cracked. "I was sired to you. It was my life mission to make you happy. I didn't actually fall in love with you!" She finished with an ironic laugh.
"Did you seriously believe that I could fall in love while being sired?" She sobbed.
"You know what, Elena? I did believe that. Everyone said that the sire bond couldn't create feelings."
He took one last look at her.
"Apparently they were wrong."
He sped away from the house in less than a second.
Elena broke down on the floor in a pile of her own tears. She was quickly picked up by a pair of arms.
She looked up and saw Stefen's face. While he looked concerned she couldn't help but notice the slight tension that his body lacked.
"Stefen, I'm so sorry."
"It seems that all I've been doing lately is apologizing but it's true. I've put you through hell and back. The worst part is I've had no control of it."
"Hey, it's alright-" he started comforting her with.
"No. It's not. I'll never be able to stop apologizing and thanking you."
"Apologizing for breaking your heart." She took and deep breath.
"And thanking you, for never giving up hope that I loved you."
He pushed his lips towards hers and took her in a heated kiss.