In Season 1 Episode 21 Blood Brothers, what if Stefan had thrown his ring in the lake as Elena was walking away and burnt to nothing that morning.
Elena walked in the boarding house door at seven-thirty, Saturday morning.
"Is Stefan here? ", asked Elena.
"No he didn't come home last night, I figured he was spending time with you. ", said Damon coming into her vision from the kitchen.
"What? Wait Stefan didn't come home last night? Damon he was near the lake in the forest, I gave him his ring but I don't know if he put it on... ", in an instant Damon was in front of her.
"You didn't see him put it on? Damn it, Stefan! ", exclaimed Damon, punching the wall making a hole in the wall.
"Wait, hang on a second... you don't think that... ", said Elena, drifting off.
Damon looked at her with a sad smile, "Yeah. I do. "
Elena could feel her eyes getting wet and immediately she was crying, finding herself being surrounded by Damon's arms.
"I can't believe this! ", exclaimed Elena.
"I know, I know. ", said Damon.
"Damon, what happens now? ", asked Elena.
Damon sighed and rubbed his forehead, "I don't know. "
"I think I need to sleep... ", said Elena.
"Alright, go sleep, whatever happens next happens. ", said Damon.
Elena ran her hand through her hair and said, "Is this really happening. "
Damon just gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes.