Set after Season 2's events. Stefan has joined Kalus, Aunt Jenna is dead, and the rest are left to pick up the pieces of their broken lives.

Fearless

Chapter 1

Elena knelt down and set a single red rose on the grave of the second person she loved dearly that had died this year. Her mascara tinged tears rolled silently down her pale cheeks as she ran her fingertips over the gold embellished writing of the gravestone.

'Here Lies Stefan Salvatore. A beloved brother and friend. May he finally find his eternal peace'

She looked up as the light flooded down, through the leaves of the great oak tree, on the grave at the back of the Salvatore's boarding house. She heard Caroline's short, sharp sobs as Tyler held her up. Stefan had always been there for Caroline. He supported her, he helped her become who she was now. Without him, she would have had a wooden stake through her heart and be long gone by now. He was the older brother she had always wanted.

Bonnie tightened her grip on Jeremy's hand as they stood beside Tyler and Caroline. She leaned over and set a rose down beside Elena's rose and watched as Caroline did the same. Stefan was the good guy in Bonnie's eyes, and always would be. His actions in his last months were not his choice and he did not deserve to die. He made Bonnie realise that not all vampires were bad. Some were good. He was good.

Damon watched as his brother's friends grieved over his grave. What were they to him now ? They weren't his friends, yet here they were, supporting him, not that he needed it. He kept his fists in tight balls in his pockets, his eyes now leaving Stefan's gravestone. He may not have spent many years with him, but he always knew his little brother was around during their long existence. Now he was gone forever. He took a deep breath and looked down at the girl in front of him. The girl he loved, and who had once loved his brother. Her small frame was weighed down with grief for her former love, and he wanted to just hold her, but not now. Now wasn't the time.

Elena stood slowly, her legs finally finding the strength to hold her up. Stefan's passing had rocked her harder than she thought it would. She had lost him a long time ago but losing him one final time broke her heart. He was her first real love. He would always have a place in her heart and she knew she could never forget him, even after all the devastating things he did while under Klaus' control. She quickly ran her finger under her eyes to wipe away the wetness beneath them and took a deep, calming breath. Damon's eyes locked with her's as she turned to face him and the silent conversation they had in that brief moment let Elena know he was there for her. A grateful smile spread across her face and she looked over at her close friends.

'Stefan wouldn't want us to be sad. He wouldn't want us to party either but he would want us to be happy' she smiled.

'Yeah, I'd be the one who'd want you to party' Damon smirked but the smirk disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Elena put her hand comfortingly on his shoulder and as his eyes met hers, a small smile grew on his gorgeous face.

They followed behind the others as they walked around to the front of the boarding house.

'Thank you' Damon whispered to Elena as the others walked to their rides home.

Elena looked up at him, a little surprised. 'You don't have to thank me, I wanted to be here'

'I don't mean for just today, I mean for being here since he died' Damon swallowed.

Elena stood silent for a moment as she realised how badly Stefan's death was affecting Damon. There were less cocky remarks made and a glass full of bourbon has always in his hand, yet he wasn't partying or bringing home girls. Most nights he would sit in the boarding house with Elena while she stayed there to keep an eye on him. Some nights they'd talk, while he drank, others they would read or watch TV or just sit silently enjoying each other's company but of course they both knew there was an attraction between them that drew them together. It was a need to be close.

Damon nodded to the others then turned sharply and strode into the house, leaving Elena to say the goodbyes. He shrugged of his suit jacket and threw it across the living room onto the couch. He looked around, everything that reminded him of Stefan caught his eye. A strong urge to destroy bubbled up inside him so he snatched his bottle of bourbon and filled a glass. He set the bottle down, then gripping the side of the table, he downed the drink in one go. He stood like that as he waited for the urge to suppress but it wasn't going quick enough, so he grabbed the bottle again and took a swig from it, forgetting about the glass. Today wasn't his day.

'Damon, are you alright?' Elena's soft voice filled the silent room. She stood in the doorway and waited for him to turn around to face her but he didn't.

'What do you want me to say Elena? Yes I've never been better because I've finally got rid of my annoying little brother who I have spent over a century with? Is that it?' He turned quickly and answered her sharply.

'You're not the only one who has lost him Damon. You're not the only one who is hurting' Elena said just as sharply.

'And it's my fault he went to Klaus in the first place. If I hadn't let that stupid mutt bite me he would never have given himself over. Now is that what you want to hear Elena ? I blame myself! Now can you please leave me alone' He turned his back to her again and took another swig from the bottle.

Elena walked over to him quickly, grabbed his shoulder and with all her might, turned him to face her.

'Stefan's death is not your fault! Do you hear me? It's not your fault. He chose to help you and he knew what Klaus would want in return. Klaus killed Stefan. He's the cause of his death, not you' her eyes never left his as she spoke in hope he'd listen. His gaze never left her either but then he turned and pulled away from her, grabbing his jacket as he walked out of the living room then the house.

Elena sighed heavily and leaned forward against the table. She glanced over at the half empty bottle of bourbon then turned her head away in disgust. She hated Damon's methods of coping but then again, if he was open with his emotions, he wouldn't be Damon.

Damon downed his fifth drink and signalled for the barman in The Grill to bring him another.

'Don't you think you've had enough?' A familiar voice asked him.

'Nice of you to show your face at the Stefan's funeral, Ric' Damon spat and paid the barman for the drink.

'You know I couldn't go Damon, no need to be bitter. So why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home?' Alaric asked and signalled to the barman for a drink.

'Wanted some peace and quiet. Looks like I can't get it here either' Damon sighed letting his frustration be known as he swirled his drink in the glass.

'Can't get it here either? What's that supposed to mean? Is Elena at yours?'

'Yep' Damon replied, popping the 'p'.

'And what's the problem with that? It's Elena?' Alaric turned so his body faced his sort-of-friend.

'Well aren't you Mr Questionnaire tonight. If I answer right do I get a prize? Hmm I'll go for answer B, Elena is being Elena' Damon replied sarcastically and took a gulp of his drink.

'Oh. I see'

'And the crowd goes wild! Now where's my prize? Oh just make it another one of these'.

'Damon as hard as it for you, you need to stop pushing people away. Especially Elena. She just wants to help you' Alaric turned to face the bar again and took a sip from his drink.

Damon stared into space for a moment then pushed the remainder of his drink over to Alaric and walked out of the Grill.

Alaric watched him go then shaking his head finished of his own drink and Damon's.

Damon opened the door to the boarding house and closed it behind him. He shrugged off his jacket and hung it up on the rail as the final effects of the alcohol faded. He walked quietly into the living room and froze from surprise seeing Elena's sleeping body on the couch. He walked over to her silently and noticed how red her eyes were from tears she had shed. He frowned and carefully slid his arms under her, trying his best not to wake her. Elena stirred but was too exhausted to wake fully as Damon held her carefully in his arms. He stood like that for a moment, just gazing down at her sleeping. He sighed quietly and turned carrying her out of the room and up the stairs, carefully and slowly. He didn't bring her into Stefan's room instead he brought her into his own. He knew she wouldn't want to wake up in Stefan's room as she hadn't been in there in months. His room was more familiar to her then the guest room so he carefully pulled back the covers and set her down in the bed. Elena lay sleeping peacefully as he pulled the blanket over her then he sat on the edge of the bed beside her, just watching her even breathing and peaceful face. He stayed there for a couple more minutes then he stood up slowly and left his room, closing the door softly behind him.

Elena stretched in her sleep waking her up slowly. Her eyes fluttered up and she jumped in surprise noticing her surroundings. She looked around Damon's room wondering how she'd gotten there. She remembered settling on the couch for the night but she didn't remember coming up here. Maybe she had sleepwalked? She pushed back the covers, slightly relieved to see she was fully clothed, and climbed out of Damon's huge bed, looking around for any sign of him. She opened his door and walked out into the hallway then down the stairs. The boarding house was silent as she stepped into the living room.

'Damon, are you here?' Elena called.

'Right here' He replied making Elena scream in fright as he appeared right behind her.

'Well good morning to you too Miss Gilbert. Breakfast?' He smiled holding out a plate of toast.

'Damon, you scared me and did you actually make breakfast?' She looked at him confused and surprised.

'If you don't want some that's fine by me' He smirked and picked up a slice of toast and took a bite from it, holding it in his mouth.

Elena grabbed the plate of him and watched him as he fell backwards down onto an armchair and finished eating the slice of toast. Damon grabbed the glass full of blood from the coffee table and drank it hungrily.

'You seem much better today' Elena noted as she ate a slice of toast.

'The wonders of life in a glass to keep me perky' He smirked and raised the empty, blood stained glass to her.

'Where did you go last night?' She asked as she sat down on the couch.

'Just around. Met Ric. Had a drink. Came home.' He shrugged examining the glass as if he could get it to magically refill with blood.

'So you were with Ric? He got home okay then?'

'It would appear so. So shouldn't you be at school?' he looked over at her noticing she was still in yesterday's clothes.

'They're not expecting me back until next week. I think I'll go home and shower' she said slowly, noticing the way he was looking at her.

He stood up and stretched. 'I'll give you a ride home'. She stood up as well and they walked out of the boarding house to Damon's parked car.

They sat in silence for the short journey and as Damon pulled up outside the Gilbert's house Elena slowly pulled off her seatbelt and turned to look at him.

'How long do you think we have until Klaus is back in Mystic Falls?' she asked.

'Knowing Klaus, probably sooner rather than later so we need to think of a plan fast' Damon said gripping the steering wheel.

'I wish life could just be normal, with no ancient vampires out to use me as a blood donor, no pain, no suffering, nobody being killed...' She sighed and opened the door to climb out.

'Elena wait' Damon said quickly and reached over to grab her arm. 'It will soon, I promise. Klaus will die'.

Elena nodded once and smiled a small smile before climbing out and closing the car door. She walked up to the house, climbing the few steps onto the porch and pulled her keys out from the purse. As she unlocked the door, she paused and looked back over her shoulder at Damon, who smirked at her before pulling away.

'Tyler, Tyler stop! Tyler!' Caroline gasped and pushed Tyler away.

'What?' He laughed looking at her surprised.

'Just not today alright!' She said quickly and gathered up her things and left the Lockwood's living room.

Tyler groaned loudly and jumped up following her quickly. 'Car, what's gotten into you? Since when did you start turning down sex?'

'Excuse me!' Caroline turned around quickly on the spot and glared fiercely at him. 'Im not some whore!'

'Caroline, I didn't mean it like that!' Tyler begged. 'Don't go'

Before he could even finish his sentence, the front door was slammed in his face as Caroline stormed out.

'Everything alright Tyler?' Carol Lockwood asked as she strutted down the stairs.

'Not now Mom'.

Caroline groaned out loud, remembering that she hadn't driven here herself. She knew she'd be quicker running but it just seemed like too much effort to her today. She composed herself quickly and strolled down the driveway and out onto the main road leading back to the town centre. She walked slowly, her mind sometimes wandering to thoughts and memories of Stefan. She missed her brother/mentor. She rolled her eyes in frustration thinking of how Tyler wanted to leave Stefan's memorial service just to get home to bed with her. She scoffed disgustedly and kept walking, a little faster than before. She stopped halfway across Wickery Bridge seeing a figure standing on the bridge, facing her. She froze on the spot and gasped silently.

'Klaus'

'Miss Forbes. Now what would a young vampire like yourself be doing out so late at night on your own?' His strong English accent filling the air around them.

'What do you want Klaus?' Her agitation clearly evident in her tone.

'Oh that's simple. You'

Chapter One complete :)

I hope you enjoyed it and will review for me, Chapter Two coming soon...