Elaina Gilbert. It was a disappointingly small name for such a harmonious beauty as she was. She sat next to his form on the bed, her father leering from the door. "I'm the one who found you . . ." she mused. He heard the splashing of a bowl and glanced down, noticing for the first time the wash cloth and warm water she cradled in her lap. She dabbed the cloth in the water and tapped it to his dirty face. "You seemed lost. Do you know where you are? Your name?"

He was silent. All he could register was the part of him wanting to rid this young woman of her innocence battling the part of him who wanted to shred her throat. "Ste-fan?" he sounded out. It seemed like a question.

"Stefan." She smiled, continuing cleaning his face. "What brings you to Mystic Falls?" she asked. He didn't know why he did it, but in lieu of responding, he simply reached up to stroke her cheek. She inhaled sharply but didn't withdraw from his touch. "You are very beautiful, Elena Gilbert." A pale pink rose to her cheeks and his unbeating heart swelled.

"Young man, my daughter isn't here to make you a lay-" he stepped forward.

"Father!" Elena scolded him, but her father continued.

"Keep your hands off of her."

Stefan let his thumb caress the soft chin before dropping his hand. "My apologies sir. I had no intention of defiling your daughter. I was just commenting on her lovely features-"

"Well keep your comments to yourself." He turned and walked away.

Elena strained the towel again, rubbing it along his jaw. "You'll have to excuse father. I'm his only child and since mother passed he's been far more protective of me."

"And as he should be." Stefan breathed. "A beauty as rare and pure as you should be protected." He caught her hand as it came to his cheek again. "But your father doesn't need to be the one who takes the job."

She ducked her head and giggled. "Mr. Stefan, you say such things. Quite the charmer, I'm sure you've always been." She stood to leave with the bowl.

"Elena, I heard you and your father talking about, was it vampires? Have there been attacks in the area?" He knew what he was doing. He was fishing. Elena nodded, but seemed unfazed. "You aren't scared?"

She smiled, "Unlike my father and the rest of the towns' men, I have better things to occupy my time than chasing monsters." Stefan smiled after her as she left.

This was really ass but I needed to update :\ - IDEAS NEEDED!