AN: Thank you for all of you that reviewed and/or are following this story. If I haven't replied to you yet is because I am a bit blue and hate to spread it around. If you haven't reviewed this story yet (or even if you have), please do. It helps me know if I am doing a good job and helps others to know that it is worth reading it. xoxo

Footsteps echoed on the stairs of the boarding house.

"Morning brother" – Damon quipped from where he sat in front of the fire place –"Going out to terrorize the animal population?"

Stefan stopped and turned around to glare at his brother's back.

"Very funny Damon."- Stefan replied running a nervous hand through his hair as he made his way to face Damon –"Actually… I was going to check on Elena."

"Hmpft." – Damon mumbled as he took another gulp of his drink. With concern Stefan noticed how bedraggled his brother looked.

"Miss Gilbert was very clear that she will call us when she wants to see us." – Damon said dejectedly – "It's a little late for you to start going against her wishes now."- he said bitterly not quite having forgiven Stefan for letting Elena drown.

"I know…" – Stefan replied trying to ignore the jab –"But it has been too long…and I was just going to spy on her." – Stefan said in a similar dejected tone.

Damon's eyes rose to look at his brother, incredulity coloring his words.

"The girl is a vampire now baby brother." – Damon replied taking a long sip of his drink –"There is no more sneaking around her."

"I… I need to know how she is doing Damon…" – Stefan practically whimpered.

Damon took a deep a breath, hating himself for always giving into Stefan and Elena's pleadings. He stared straight ahead as, without moving a muscle, he started.

"She is fine. Today she tried Tumper for breakfast but didn't like it. Then she rearranged Jenna's room into a writing studio in the morning. She had O neg for lunch which she prefers to AB positive. She spent the afternoon in the Grill shadowing Matt to make sure he is ok. Matt is still riddled with guilt. She then cleaned her room of all the furniture, put the photos away, repainted the walls a dark burgundy and got rid of that awful horse picture. Tomorrow she plans on buying new furniture for her room."

Stefan stood looking at his brother with his jaw hanging open.

"It is not polite to gawk Stefan." – Damon pointed out abrasively.

Stefan closed his mouth shut and gulped with difficulty.

"And…and you know this h-how?!"- he asked.

"Vampire Barbie has been keeping me updated since day one." – Damon said without moving his stare from the fire place.

"And you didn't think to share?!"- Stefan asked affronted, his frown deepening.

"You didn't ask." – Damon replied as if it was nothing –"You should know better than to think I would not keep an eye on her."

"Yeah…I should." – Stefan said defeated and sat on the sofa by his brother – "What are we to do Damon? Should we leave? Should we disappear and leave her in peace?"

"You can go if you like Stefan. I am not going anywhere." – Damon said sulkily.

"Maybe it's for the best Damon?"- Stefan asked pensively.

"Maybe… but that's the difference between you and me Stefan." – Damon turned to look at his brother –"I am not free to go. Wherever she is there I must be…" – he turned his stare to the fireplace –"Even if it is on the fringes looking at her from afar."

"You really got it bad, don't you brother?" – Stefan looked at Damon worriedly.

"Ye-p" – he said popping the "p" – "I guess you could say that."– Damon acknowledged as he got up and disappeared upstairs to his room to call Caroline –"Good day Stefan."

"And to you brother."

AN: R&R xoxo