AN: Short, but I just needed to write this. This is what came into my mind at the end of 3x18 & I couldn't get it to go away... Enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES !

"You really scared me today. You wouldn't have survived if you went up against Klaus on your own; you know that right?"

It's been bothering her. She knows that Stefan wants Klaus dead – it's about the only thing he seems to care about lately – but tonight, tonight was too much. He's been rash and angry since everything with Klaus started but he's never been stupid. He's always had a plan.

Stefan nods his head, "I know,"

He doesn't sound concerned. The resolution in his voice scares her.

"Stefan-"

"I didn't care, Elena," he cuts her off; "I still don't care."

"You don't..." Her voice trails off. What is she supposed to say to that? She knew he was bad but she never thought for a second that he was this bad. Stefan doesn't want to live!

"Then why, Stefan!" She demands angrily. Because that's what she is. She's angry. Everything they've been though and he would just let himself die. Just like that! "Why not go through with it? Why not kill Klaus?"

"I couldn't risk it Elena!" He shouts. He stands then and paces away from her. At least he's showing some emotion now, she thinks.

"What, Stefan? Couldn't risk what?"

Stefan scrubs his hands down his face and lets out a puff of air. He's unsettled, anxious even. "I couldn't risk that my bloodline comes from Klaus."

It makes sense. If Klaus created Stefan's bloodline then he would die along with him. At least, it would make sense if Stefan actually cared about his life.

Her brow furrows in confusion. "But, you just said-"

"Damon, Elena!" he turns to face her then and she can see the anxiety on his face. There's something there in his eyes but she can't place it. His voice softens, "Damon's bloodline is my bloodline. If Klaus had started it then it wouldn't have just meant my death, but Damon's."

"Damon..." She says slowly.

Stefan nods. "I wasn't about to risk killing Damon just to get revenge on Klaus."

It shouldn't hurt to hear that. She should be happy that there is something in Stefan that still cares. But it does and she's not. Stefan left her, bit her, rejected her... He got his free will back and he still didn't come back to her. He made her think he'd drive her off the Wickery Bridge. All in the name of revenge. But not Damon. No matter how much he pretended not to care, he always pulled back when Damon was in danger... It hurt.

"So what now, Stefan?" She asks quietly.

He shrugs. "We find out if Klaus started mine and Damon's bloodline."

"And if he did?" her voice is sharper than she means it to be, but she's still reeling from her realization.

Stefan sighs. "Then I let it go,"

Elena nods. She's fighting back tears so without another word she turns and leaves. She feels awful for feeling hurt. Damon is Stefan's brother. He should care about him. She just never considered what would happen when it came down to her or Damon... She was right months ago when she told Damon that Stefan would come back not because he loved her, but because he loved Damon.

Stefan may not want to live right now. But he would... he'd live for Damon.

Review and let me know what you thought please : )