Standing in the living room of the Salvatore mansion, Elena realized that life as a vampire was becoming increasingly easy. She was finally getting the hang of drinking human blood. Sure, she sometimes dabbled in animal blood; she didn't fully like the idea of drinking blood from humans, even if it was from blood bags. Better yet, she had the intoxicatingly handsome Damon Salvatore at her side. He showed her that being a vampire doesn't always mean that you have to spend the rest of eternity in misery; he showed her how to actually live, even more so than when she was human. Elena Gilbert reveled in her luxurious life with Damon. He was her guardian, her savior, her everything. Though at times she missed her human life, she was happy with where she was now. Stefan still lingered in her mind though. Vaguely she remembered his face, twisted in hideous anger, and his hands curled around her throat, while he viciously kicked her in an uncontrollable rage. Shuddering at the thought, she saw Damon's glass of bourbon on the table and grabbed it. She consumed the alcohol tipping her head back, sighing contentedly. As a human, she never would have touched alcohol, but as a vampire? Well, Damon showed her how wasn't always dangerous, and how it took away some of her pain. She missed Damon now, he was away on the hunt for some human blood. He had been gone for at least three days , and she had to admit it scared her to be without Damon. Deciding that she needed company, she called Caroline and Bonnie, to invite them to the Grill. Caroline picked up almost immediately. Elena smiled as she heard her friend's perky voice on the phone. "Elena? Have you finally decided to come and play outside?" Laughing at her comment, Elena spoke softly, "Yeah, Care. I wanted to know if you wanted to meet up at the Grill. I'm going to call Bonnie too." A squeal of excitement escaped from Caroline's end and she anxiously replied, 'Yes, yes, YESS! Let me just pick out some other shoes and I am good to go! Grill in 30 minutes, Bye-eee!" Elena shook her head, amused, as Caroline hung up abruptly. Now it was time to call Bonnie. Her phone rang three times before Bonnie picked up. "Hey, Elena. I finally get to hear from you. What's up, girl?" Elena's smile grew wider as she heard her other best friend's voice. "Heya Bon, I was wondering if you wanted to meet up at the Grill. Caroline's coming too." Bonnie waited a few beats before answering. "Yeah, totally! I thought you were calling because you wanted me to pass your boredom until Damon comes home," She teased. Elena laughed, the sound ringing harmoniously throughout the house. "No, you're way too awesome for that, witchy-poo. How about we meet up in thirty minutes?" Bonnie, hearing her nickname snorted sarcastically. "Yeah, of course, Mrs. Salvatore. I just need to freshen up, because I look like the walking dead." Elena made a pfft sound and pouted. "Sure, Bonnie. But I always thought you looked pretty, without any effort." Elena rolled her eyes at Bonnie's giggling and hung up. She got up and walked to the closet, trying to decide what she should wear. Her gaze suddenly fell on a short indigo dress, with gold lace sewn into the bottom. Damon had bought her this as their one month anniversary gift. It was stunning, and on her, the dress was exquisite. A pang of remorse thudded in her chest as she realized he wouldn't be the first one to see her in this dress. She pushed the thought away abruptly, and walked swiftly to the bathroom. After removing her pyjamas, she slid the dress over her head and put it on. The indigo fabric clung to her every curve, and complimented her dark features. She looked magical. Glancing at the clock, Elena saw it was 4:15. She had fifteen minutes to get to the grill. She slipped on some black heels and grabbed her purse, rushing urgently out of her room and down the stairs. About to get to the door, she glanced up and her heart stopped in terror. Chills ran down her back as she heard the emotionless voice of the person she never wanted to see again utter, "Hey, honey. I'm home." Elena saw a blur of movement, and then her world went black.

Stefan Salvatore stood over the unconscious body of his former love. She looked so innocent, so beautiful, like she was sleeping. He saw Damon's ring around her finger and he growled angrily. Elena wasn't going to be Damon's anymore. She was going to be his.

Elena woke suddenly, feeling fingers caressing her cheek. She smiled softly thinking it was Damon, but her eyes widened in terror as she saw it wasn't Damon, it was Stefan. Backing away from him, Elena whimpered. Stefan didn't hesitate and was at her in a flash, gripping her wrist tightly and dragged her to his room. Elena sobbed, praying that somebody, anybody, would come and save her. She felt herself collide with something soft, and realized she was on Stefan's bed. She was too weak and young of a vampire to fight him off; she was basically her human self. Looking up at him, she begged him with her eyes and willed herself to finally speak. "S-Stefan, please don't d-do this. It doesn't have to be this way. I'm sorry that I hurt you, but I love Damon, and I-I don't want to be with you. Please, just let me go. Please, Stefan?" Tears escaped from her chocolate eyes and her lip quivered in fear. Stefan looked down at her, torn. He wanted to make her suffer, hell, he wanted to make Damon suffer for taking Elena away from him. But deep down, he knew he wouldn't be able to cause Elena anymore pain. 'But I would for Damon,' He thought angrily. With that, he drove his teeth into Elena's neck without warning and relished in her sweet blood. Elena's sobs turned into screams and she thrashed wildly beneath him. He didn't hear her cries and pleas, too absorbed into his bloodlust, and only then did he stop when he felt her go still beneath him. He looked down to her face, her eyes wide open in shock and pain, her beautiful mouth agape. Stefan gasped in horror, thinking that he annihilated her, and leapt up from the bed. Then he heard her soft, but present breathing. He rushed to her side and cradled her head in his hands. "Elena, love, I'm so so sorry…I didn't mean to! I just lost control and I was so angry..you have to understand.." He pleaded urgently. Elena just stared up at him, soundlessly, a single tear trailing down her frail cheek. He tried to grab her into a hug, but with all the strength she could muster, Elena shrugged away from him and curled into a ball. Stefan's heart broke once more as he heard the single word he despised, "Leave." Stefan broke out into his own silent tears as he gazed at the girl he had broken, again, and left. He, was utterly and unmistakably a monster.

Elena cautiously climbed out of the bed moments later, and limped to Damon's room. His aroma surrounded her as she fell onto his bed. She pulled the velvety black covers over her, letting the warmth consume her, and she fell into a deep sleep. Soon after she awoke to the sound of Katy Perry's Hot'N'Cold playing; her ringtone. Sighing, she weakly reached over to the nightstand , picking up her phone, glancing at the Caller I.D. Caroline. She answered as she slowly put the phone to her ear, "Hey, Care…" she offered softly, her voice hoarse. Anger immediately faded away from Carolines breath as she heard her best friends tone. "Elena, what's wrong? Are you okay? I was going to yell at you, but never mind, Bonnie and I are coming over." With that, Caroline hung up and Elena dropped her head back onto the pillow in defeat. That's when she remembered the blood. It was still seeping slowly from her neck, and it was a dull throb. Elena groaned because when Caroline and Bonnie got there, Elena was going to be in big trouble.