Thank you all for your reviews. They force me to squeeze my brain to come up wiht a new and improved chapter. I just want to say that I thought about this and wrote the biggest part even before the season finale was released, and I was surprised to see the end.

No more babbling then. Enjoy.

As usual, I own no0thing from the the show... I wish I had though.

"You keep with that bad habit of staring at a sleeping person," said Stefan without opening his eyes. He was feeling Elena's stare in his face.

"I don't do it always and certainly not to everybody. And FYI it's called gazing," she defended back but she was smiling and he knew it.

"So you say, but it's still a bad habit, and still creepy."

"No, it isn't. It's romantic."

"Hmm... I think I'm having a dejá vu here." He heard her laugh.

"It's been a while since the last time I saw you sleep like this." She kissed him and they rolled in bed and he let her win the top. She kept staring at him.

"Now you are giving me the creeps."

"I am not the blood thirsty creature."

"Ouch!" he said while faking a heartbreak but grabbed her head with his hands and kissed her long and passionately. Elena rested her head in his chest and hugged him. It was the best place to be ever: a refugee where his arms and his body were her own walls against the evilness and unhappiness in the world.

"I wish we could stay here, away from everything."

"I wish that too, but we know it's not possible. You would never abandon your family, your friends and I would not leave my brother."

"I just want a day for us," she said in a whisper as if it were a wish blown to the wind.

"That I can give you." She looked up to him. "How about spending the day together? Just the two of us. We don't have a deadline to get back to Mystic Falls."

"I'd love to," she said smiling. "And my suggestion is to stay in this comfy and remote motel."

"Maybe but..."

"What's your special proposal?"

"I don't have any... yet, just enjoying the way back home together. We can stop anywhere you want: there's no rush. I only need you in this trip."

"I'm liking the idea so far."

"Then we better start making some good use of the day." Stefan brushed her lips with his own. "Time to get up."

Elena tried to protest but she was obviously faking so Stefan fussed her over a little bit more. She would go anywhere with him. Now her life seemed more complete to her again, though she could never be entirely happy after all the bad things that had happened, after all the death and grieve among her family and friends. But Stefan made that burden a whole lot easier, made her forget all the sad moments, and specially he made her forget that one day they might—probably in a few years—not be together. He will not get old but she had made her choice.

A sort of lazy Elena started to get dressed to get out of there. She went to the car to wait for him and after some minutes they were on the road again. Happy with her life again she only could not stop thinking that a road trip was what it would take to find their ways back together. So, the trip was spent in a haze of happiness, smiles, and hands holding. They stopped for eating at mid-noon and so Elena could stretch her legs. They found a beautiful place in the middle of the road with a big tree and Stefan parked the car there. The sun was about to set and a mix of colors was seen in the horizon surrounded by the green of the woods and plants. Elena got out and breathed in the pureness in the air, the peace, the view. She heard him standing next to her side in the front part of the car. It was so quiet, and peaceful.

"This is beautiful. It reminds me of that place you took me when we thought I was going to die and come back as a vampire," she said without looking at him, still enchanted by the sight in front of her.

"I remember."

"Have you thought again about me as a vampire?"

"After all I put you through, I had no right to even consider it." Silence. "Have you?"

"Not really. I can only think about that when I'm with you, because I'd be more than happy to spend a lifetime by your side. But it'd be selfish of me leaving Jeremy like that, after everything that has happened with vampires... me turning into one..."

"I know he would respect your decision."

"But probably would never want to see me again. And I can't loose my brother. I've lost too many people already."

"That's not the real reason, is it?"

"You know the truth, Stefan: I never wanted to be vampire, not back then, not now."

"And I'll do everything in my power to help you keep it that way."

"I hope that it doesn't mean to push me away again."

"I've learned not to. I can't fight what I feel for you. I won't do it anymore."

She smiled to herself and to him and stroked his cheek, tracing every part of his face. Then she kissed him. Slowly, softly. Her eyes shut closed and when she opened them he was staring at her. His eyes all focused in hers, with the same pale green she fell in love with. She loves his eyes, his lips, and even those veins that move under his skin every time he vamps out. That was another part of him, a part he was not proud of, but that made him the person she loved so much.

"I am sorry, Elena" he said still staring at her and caressing her hair.

"For what?"

"For everything I did: for threatening you, biting you, leaving you... everything. I am so sorry."

"I know you are. But you are here now, that's what matters. You won't need thirty years to pull yourself together."

"Thanks to you. For not giving up on me."

"Well, you just don't abandon the people you love even in their most darkest moments."

"You know, after what happened in the bridge... I realized that I had finally hit bottom. That was one thing that I never thought I will ever do. I said to myself that I did not want to be that person, that blood or my desire of getting even was not enough to turn me into that kind of person."

"So... you were lying at your house? I thought that... "

"Yes, I was lying," he answered with a sad smile. "I didn't know what else I could do to keep you away, thinking that you'd be safer. I was only ripping my own heart to shreds with that and yours at the same time."

"You did break it, but you also brought it back to life." She had to ask, she's been thinking about that for a while now. "Does that mean that you are not drinking human... not on people?"

"As Damon would say: that's what blood bags are for. But the key to all is control."

"Right." She kept thinking for a minute or so before continuing. "I... I have this feeling that... it's not a feeling actually, it's a fact: if I don't turn into a vampire, that means that... at some point along the way... I'll be forced to let you go. You and me, we'll both be forced to move on."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

"No, Stefan, I want to talk it out now. There's a bad history with our 'laters'. These past months were terrible and trying to get you back was one of the most difficult things, and I want you to know this: I love you, I will always love you, it doesn't matter how old I am, how many people I meet or fall in love with later in my life. You will always be my one true love."

"I'm so... honored." He cupped her face. A face he will never forget. "I love you too. And I'm going to love you day in and day out for the rest of my life."

"Even if I get grumpy and bossy?"

"It won't matter how old you get, how many wrinkles you have in your face or body, how gray your hair is or how bad tempered you become: you will be always be beautiful in my eyes."

"Well, that's a relieve though I intend to age pretty well, Mr Salvatore."

"I am sure that's how it will be."

Stefan pulled her closer and held her. He did not want to go deep into the conversation. There were many things he used to wonder about in his relationship with her, so many doubts, so many fears, but he wouldn't share them with Elena because he was sure she also had them. Maybe this is not the best timing, he used to think every time he decided to talk about it. And then things got pretty messy and ugly: Klaus wanted to sacrifice her, Damon fed her his blood, he gave himself over to Klaus to save his brother's life, and stepped into one of his darkest phases as a Ripper, one he would prefer to forget because he hurt her. He suffered for having pushed her away again after he forced his humanity back in and it wasn't easy, but at least he had the certainty that she was not going to get hurt this time, because not being around him was safer for her.

But now, Elena had accepted him again and the wondering started to be the same. Will she turn into a vampire to be with me forever? Will she keep thinking about staying human? Either way he knew that he'll help her and make sure she lives her life. But it has always been her choice. And she had already decided. Though it hurts knowing that he will lose her in a couple of years, or in 60 years, it would hurt even more making her live a life she didn't want. He has always respected her decisions, and that was not going to change now.

They watched the sunset together, holding hands, all cuddled, just enjoying each other's company. Because they both knew that sooner or later they will be back in town and something new would come up. It was never that easy, but the moment was there to take it, to live it. When Elena was ready they went back to the road. Fears or not they will face what future holds for them, but at least now they were together again.

It was pretty dark and probably too late when they get to Mystic Falls. Elena's house was obscure and they got inside. Elena checked her phone—which battery had died during the trip—and saw three messages from Caroline and called her back before she started to freak out, and then Jeremy to let him know they were both home. Stefan decided to stay with her in the house for a little longer. The whole coming back together process was not unexpected, and the whole Damon thing. Now, being in her house, as her boyfriend again... it was weird. He followed her into her bedroom.

"What happened to the necklace you gave me that turned out to be Rebekah's?" she asked after a while. She turned around and saw him standing in the threshold. "I am pretty sure I don't have to invite you in, am I?"

"No, it's just that..." He took a deep breath. "It's been a while."

"Well, you can come in if you want," she said smiling and he stepped into the bedroom and she got closer and kissed him. "Much better now."

Suddenly the bell rang and they both looked at each other with the same face: wondering who would be if they have just arrived in town. Stefan tried to get the door but Elena went ahead. They both went downstairs and when the door swung opened there was Elena's reflection in the porch.

"Katherine," Stefan breathed.

"Hi. You can't say I haven't improved my manners. Doorbell and all. God, it is so not nice to be back in this town!" said the vampire and went inside the house without giving Elena a chance to stop her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"You should know. That blond friend of yours has been asking questions about me and my family. I am not so happy about it."

"Who? Caroline?" asked Elena still confused and watching both of their faces.

"Yes, dear. Caroline. He didn't tell you, did he? I thought you were the all tell happy couple. Right. I forgot that Klaus broke you apart. Maybe I can be here to pick up your pieces," she said smiling and winked her eye at Stefan.

"What are you doing here, Katherine?

"Ohh... The same boring question."

"Well, if you don't want to be asked the same 'boring' question, you better answer then. What the hell are you doing here?" asked Elena who was quite unpleasant about it all.

"Okay. I might have found a way to kill Klaus."

"What? How?"

"I wasn't exactly on vacations, you know?" said the sassy vamp looking at Stefan. "It wouldn't be complete vacations without you, Stef."

"Just quit it, will you? What's that about you finding a way to kill Klaus?"

"I did some dig up here, and there. Had to flight back to Europe, it's lovely this time of the year but it could be dangerous for me there. But... I still managed to find out what I wanted."

"And...?"

"You are not expecting me to tell you just like that. We'll do this my way. You Salvatores always mess things up."

"Then, why is it that you are here?" Stefan asked a little bit annoyed now. "Unless... you can't do it all by yourself... You need help... Elena's help."

"So smart, see? That's one of the reasons why I fell for you too."

"Why would I want to help you?" Elena asked.

"Because you are not that stupid and you want Klaus as dead as I do. I want to stop running and hiding. It's been a hell of a century for that. And you can stop being the blood bag with legs. It's a win win."

There was a rush of air and in seconds Stefan was in front of Katherine's face. He spoke slowly and threatening. He was so getting tired of her appearances and the problems she always created. Katherine was not intimated, not the least, amused will be the perfect description of her face.

"Why do you need Elena's help?"

"Let her go, Stefan. She is lying. That's all she does."

"If I had known that this is what it would take to have you right here, so close, I would have lied a long time ago," she said and touched his face. He grabbed her hand and sent her flying over the couch, Katherine stood up fast and pushed him to the wall while she pressed down his throat and smiled.

"Stop it!" Elena cried out.

"This is no way to treat a lady. Not the one who is going to help you save your precious Elena," said Katherine so close to Stefan's face.

"Talk now, or leave" was all the answer she got.

"Okay, I was getting tired of this game anyway." She let him go and she went to sit. "A human doppelganger's blood helped Klaus to become a hybrid, right?"

"Please just say something we don't know."

"The combination of two doppelganger's blood can be equally lethal to him."

"What?"

"I wasn't supposed to meet you, Elena. I turned into a vampire: that wasn't part of the plan, so I've lived more years than I was supposed to. A doppelganger will never meet her double, as I never met Tatia, but that failed with us. So, as the curse says that her blood will help him turn into a hybrid, it also says that the blood of both doubles from the Petrova line will kill him once he's a hybrid."

"Where did you learn that?"

"I told you: research."

"Are you here then to ask me for my blood?"

"Actually, it's more than that, dear." She then crossed her legs while playing with her curly hair. "Witches and their tricky little spells. We need a couple of things like that necklace, the one from the original witch who was the one who made the original curse, and some vervain and wolfsbane. And of course, a witch to do the spell. Your friend Bonnie would do."

"Ah..." Elena remembered that her things with Bonnie where not exactly in the best place to ask her to do this.

"Ah what?" said Katherine who thought that such a phrase sounded not good.

"We'll get it. All of it. And still... you haven't said how much of her blood you'll need." Stefan was next to Elena now.

"Not much. But that's not really the point. Here, let me rephrase it: a doppelganger vampire blood combination would be lethal to him." Stefan blanched when he understood the meaning of Katherine's words.

"Vampire … blood ... do you mean that I...?" Elena asked trying to figure out what she just had said.

"Yes. You have to die. And not just die, but come back as a vampire. How bad do you want Klaus to disappear now?"

Oh...oh...

A big question on the air. Yes, I love Katherine, that's why I brought her back.

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