Hey people! New chapter! I have mono so you can expect frequent updates -.- anywho I hope you enjoy it! I have the next eight chapters planned out and things are going to start picking up veeeeery soon

Damon found Elena curled into a ball, sobbing against his dresser.

"Hey! Hey what's wrong?" he sat down next to her, pulling her into his arms like a child. He pushed her hair away from her face and cradled her chin, gazing into her eyes "It's okay. Hey I've got you. What's wrong Elena?" he seemed so sincere.

"Stefan was here," she managed to choke out. Damon's face hardened, his eyes took on a protectives that almost frightened her.

"Did he hurt you? Where is he."

Before she knew what was happening she was on his bed and he was pulling on his signature leather jacket.

"Damon-" she said wiping her eyes, embarrassed.

"I swear to god I'll stake him myself, I'll-"

"Damon! He just came to say goodbye. I'm fine." she got up and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. "See? Fine."

"Then what? Did you find Stefan's hair gel? It can be upsetting I know." he replied smirking, all seriousness gone. It was as if she pulled the plug and all the anger drained out of him. Elena laughed weakly and realized she was still holding his face. She abruptly removed her hands, her gaze escaping to the floor and her socks. Damon's socks.

"Oh sorry I didn't have any clothes- what?" she asked exasperated. He was smirking quizzically.

"You just raided my drawers? Who does that?"

"I think we're a little past embarrassment Damon," she rolled her eyes. "Nice Calvin Klein's by the way," she smirked as she headed downstairs to get the door.

"Oh and who's shampoo was in your shower? It was sort of.. girly," she said wrinkling her nose

"That would be because it is indeed for girls. Many girls," he wink-smirked and slid past her to get the door.

"Huh..." she said and followed suit.

Bonnie was the first to arrive. Without saying a word after the door was opened barged into Elena's arms. Elena slumped into her, grateful for the much needed embrace of a friend. Bonnie pulled away, still holding on to her upper arms.

"Hey how are you holding up?" she asked showing genuine concern. Elena shrugged sadly and hugged her again.

Caroline and Matt were the next to arrive. They walked hand in hand, leaning against each other as if they couldn't be close enough. They were followed by Alaric and Jeremy. Everyone was bewildered at first to see Matt but Caroline quickly explained that he accepted that not all vampires were evil. Same with Sheriff Forbes.

"Well that's great Car. I'm glad everything's working out for you," Bonnie smiled at her.

Elena looked around at her strange family. The talented witch, the sweet blonde vampire and her boyfriend, Mystic Fall's resident vampire hunter, the haunted brother, and the sarcastic vampire who she couldn't decide how she felt about. It was odd seeing them all chatting away happily together, sitting in the foyer of the Salvatore house.

Once everyone had been brought up to date (which took quite awhile with Matt around), they decided to wait out the whole Stefan situation until further notice. There was really nothing that could be done at the moment. Elena and Damon had voted on looking for him but eventually decided that it would be safer if they all stayed put for the time being. Elena however wasn't so sure that Damon was a 'stay put' kind of person...

I won't withhold chapters if I don't get reviews but they sure do motivate me! : thanks a million for reading

Sophie