Chapter 1: Stefan

She ran around the apartment in panic. Why did she have nothing ready? Was she that stupid and clueless? It wasn't like this was her first trip away. She knows how much organisation it takes to be able to get out of the door on time. Running her fingers through her hair, she let out a groan as she finished her coffee and tossed the cup into the sink, not in much of a fuss about breaking it since she was running behind schedule. Running to the bathroom, she grabbed her toothbrush, brushing her teeth quickly and rinsed her mouth out as she went into her room. God, she still had to get dressed and she only had a couple of hours until she had to be at the airport for her flight.

Looking through her draws for her clothes that she had set to wear, she stopped when she came across her memory draw. Letting out a breath, she picked
up the photo's, looking at them as she skimmed her thumb over Stefan's face. Boy, did she miss him. Taking the box in her hands, she opened it as she stared at the engagement ring. Where did it all go wrong? Shaking her head. Never mind, she was going to win him back.

Hearing a knock at the door, she ran over, lifting the envelope off of the counter as she opened the door, coming to face with who she knew was Damon Salvatore's assistant. Here on time to pick up the tickets, meaning he was nearly ready to leave, NEARLY ready to meet her at the airport. God, she wondered what he looked like? Why do they not put pictures with escort services? All she knew is that he was good at his job. Shaking her head, she smiled as she gave the tickets over. The guy nodded with a grin and turned on his heel, making his way back down the corridor. Slamming the door closed with her foot, she ran into her room, knowing she still had to get dressed.

Letting out a breath, she looked around 1st class and tried not to scream. She was nervous as hell. Why did she do this again? Oh that's right, because her best friend in the whole wide world dropped the bomb on her that she was getting married and that she had happened to invite Stefan too. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back. This would all be okay. She would make Stefan jealous, he would see what he is missing and then they could live happily ever after. As cliche as that sounds.

"Miss Gilbert?" Opening her eyes quickly, she let out a breath as she seen a guy, holding out a glass of wine.
"Oh, thank you so much." Straightening up, she took the glass, crossing her legs as she took a sip and looked out the window. Was she on the edge of a heart attack?

"And you must be Elena Gilbert." Hearing the voice, she felt her stomach do a somersault as she stood up and slowly turned around, holding back a gasp.
"You...you're Damon Salvatore?" Elena questioned, trying not to dribble. WOAH. That was not what she had been expecting.
"You seem surprised." Damon replied with a smirk, his blue eyes glazing in amusement as a light blush covered her cheeks.

"Sorry. I'm just...up, down, right, left at the moment." She explained, sipping the wine as he ushered her back down to her seat and took a place opposite her.
"What's the worry about? You love this guy right? He loves you?" He asked, thanking the hostess as she gave him a glass of wine too.
"Uh, ye...yeah. I think so. Yeah, of course." She answered with a nod as he laughed.
"Then you have nothing to worry about. He will see you again and you will both fall in love and live happily ever after." He smirked, shrugging with a light eye roll.

Elena bit her lip with a soft smile as she tried not to look him over or lick her lips. He was so attractive. She had to spend three weeks with him? Fine by her, a month would be better, but she didn't think Caroline would like her over staying her welcome. UH cut it out Elena, you love Stefan. BLUE EYES, BLUE EYES, BLUE EYES, STEFAN!

"You...seem like you deal with all this...relationship crap a lot?" Elena asked curiously as he turned his attention back to her.
"It's one of the tops on my list. Relationships are just doomed to fail these days." Damon replied honestly as he shrugged and sipped his wine.
"You say that like EVERY relationship is doomed to fail?" Frowning, she watched as he shrugged and made a face, looking around the plane.

"I don't have big...high hopes on ever lasting relationships." He explained as she nodded slowly, understanding what he meant.
"Well...thank you anyway, for agreeing to this. I'm sure you had other appealing offers." Elena spoke softly, swirling her wine around the glass.
"That's what I was thinking, but this offer is looking more and more appealing." Damon told her with a smirk as she looked up, shock in her eyes.

Was he flirting with her? This hot god was actually flirting with her. A blush reached her cheeks as the intercom came on, the captain announcing that they were ready for take off and to make sure everyone had their seat-belts on. Licking her lips, she tightened the seat-belt and let out a breath. Boy did she hate flying. She couldn't swim and she was a single 23 year old. What a way to die, going out with a "bang." Finishing her wine, she placed the glass into the holder and laced her fingers together, thinking positive thoughts. What was the changes that the plane would crash anyway? It was like 10% of 90 right? But then again, that 10% could be her. She went wide-eyed, thinking about it and looked up when she heard a husky chuckle and seen Damon grinning at her.

"Nervous flyer huh?" He sipped at his wine, enjoying the taste as the cool liquid slid down his throat.
"What gave me away?" She laughed softly, the edgeness still there.
"I've seen my fair share. Don't worry, you'll be fine." His blue eyes shined with honesty as she looked out of the window. Funnily enough, she relaxed a hell of a lot.

This was it. She would see him for the first time in 3 years. Letting out a breath, she drummed her hands on her thighs. What was she going to do? Knowing her, she would buckle at the sight of him. That would just get him going for sure. Closing her eyes, she inhaled as tried to calm herself when she was hit with a hint of spice and soap. Mmhm. Did that smell appealing or what?

"You're going to be okay. That's what I'm here for." Damon spoke softly, sensing how nervous she was.
"My family are-" Letting out a sigh, she shrugged, "Kinda...different."
"That wouldn't be the first time I have heard that. So, what's our story, mmhm? Always the best part for me." He smirked, looking over at her.

"Uhm...uhm-" Lifting her eyebrows, she panicked. She hadn't even thought of their back story, how did they meet? Were they in love? Oh dear god.
"You haven't got one?" Laughing, he hung his arm on the back of the seats in the cab, "Want me to come up with one?"
"Do your worst." The brunette smiled softly, feeling calmer. He had that effect on her.

"Well...me and you met two years ago, we had an incident with a coffee mishap. I couldn't leave without getting your number. After that day, we were inseparable."

"Oh." Elena replied intrigued, wanting to hear more, "And are we in love?"
"Crazy...insanely...in love." He whispered, leaning close, his breath against her ear as she closed her eyes in instinct.
"Wo...w... g...good." Clearing her throat, she blushed, looking at him and nodded, trying to clear her mind of any thoughts due to the blue-eyed god next to her.
"So, what do you think?" Damon raised an eyebrow, grinning, knowing exactly what she thought of his idea.
"E...xcellent." Elena told him with a quick nod, sighing in relief when she seen the house, "Oh look at that! Were here!"

The cab came to a stop as they stopped in front of a house, also known as a mansion. It was a beautiful white with the exterior decorated. It was very modern, looked like it had been touched up recently. There was beautiful gardens beyond that were behind it and a beautiful fountain. It was like a Cinderella palace in real form.

"Well this is it. Caroline's place. She's basically like...my family. My parents live just down the road, so we will probably stay with them." Elena told Damon, getting out.
"Elena, relax. Just flow with it." Getting out after her, he grabbed the bags and bit his lip, "Where do you want these?"
"We can put them in the cloak room. Pick them up when we're leaving." Brushing herself down, she caught him looking her over and blushed.

"Okay, after you then Miss." Smiling, he watched as she gave him a nod and walked inside, looking around the lobby, "Cloak room?"
"Ah." She walked into the back, taking her coat off and hung it up as Damon walked in after her, putting the cases down.

Looking through her purse, Elena let out a breath as she found the item she was looking for a tugged out the brown envelope, holding it out for Damon as he gave her a look of confusion. Licking her lips, she closed her purse up as fixed herself as Damon waited patiently.

"Your $600. I'll give you the rest when I get to the bank." Elena told him as he took it, tucking it into his dress jacket, "You're not going to count it?"
"I do trust you Elena." Damon told her, his eyes sincere and his smile soft as she was taken back. He did? Why?
"Oh." Swallowing, she shook her head, "Let's go shall we?"

Taking her hand, he tugged her close as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her out into the lobby again causing her heart to race. How could she concentrate when he was THIS close to her? Uh, Elena, here for STEFAN. STEFAN. Shaking her head, she smiled softly when he led her into the party room, a crowd of people gathering. Biting her lip, she seen Caroline and what appears to be her husband, kissing her cheek and whispering words in her ears as she laughed. Smiling softly, her eyes caught hold of her mother and father who were up at the microphone, about to give a speech. Oh...wonderful.

"Hello everybody!" Miranda smiled big, looking around, "Thank you for coming today to celebrate Klaus and Caroline's wedding. We're thrilled that you are all here."
"Your mom?" Damon whispered in her ear, a shock running through her when she felt his lips brush her lobe.
"Uh huh. My mom." She whispered back in response.
"We are so happy to be here today. This is a great celebration. If only my daughter's latest marriage had went through." She laughed, shaking her head.
"Oh god." Elena covered her face with her hand, embarrassed. Dig her a hole now.

Elena felt her hand being taken and looked up, seeing Damon had placed a glass filled with a dark liquid in her hand and smiled softly as she gave him a grateful smile and took a gulp, feeling the burn at the back of her throat as she inhaled, trying to calm herself. Now her mother was insulting her in front of everyone, just perfect. Could it get any worse? Licking her lips, she looked around all of a sudden, hearing the noise of a piano as if someone dragged their fingers across all the notes, cutting her mothers speech.

"Oh right...so to the bride and groom." Miranda smiled, raising her glass as everyone else did, taking a sip of their drink, Elena being the only one to knock hers back.
"Another?" Damon whispered in her ear as she looked at him, smiling softly.
"You're not my slave, ya know?" She told him as his eyes shined in amusement.
"But I'm your escort." Winking at her, he took her glass, walking off towards the bar as she let out a sigh that she'd been holding and headed out of the room, just needing to get some air.

"Elena!" Caroline beamed, running over as she pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her.
"Hey car!" The brunette laughed, hugging her back as she seen Klaus walking towards them, a smile on his face as Caroline pulled back.
"Lena, this is my soon to be husband Klaus. Who will officially belong to me in three weeks."

"Ah and you to me love." Klaus grinned, looking at Elena, "Pleasure to meet you, I've heard so much."
"Hope they're not all bad."
"No, not at all."

Klaus pulled Caroline to him, kissing her as he dipped her towards the ground, the blonde letting out a shriek of surprise as they both laughed together and kissed. Elena smiled softly, feeling a tug at her heart-strings. She wanted that. Why couldn't she have that? Was she not lovable enough? Was she not worthy of that love?

"Elena." Her eyes widened slightly as she turned on her spot and looked to who had called her name.
"Stefan."

A/N: Hey everyone, ANOTHER new story, I know :S I need to give it a break haha :P Next chapter up will be Psychic, as I said I'm rewriting from scratch. Let me know

your thoughts on this story :)

Shauna
xx