This chapter was another uphill battle because lets face it: it was kind of a Delena episode. Especially the part where Elena says: "Then we'll let him go." When I first heard that sentence I was like: EXCUSE ME? HELL TO THE NO! Anyway I did my best as usual. I hope you like it. PLEASE REVIEW I BEG YOU.

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Elena POV:

I was furious, but I didn't know how to express it. I had to express it to Stefan. He was the one to blame. How could he do it? He wanted Klaus dead more than any of us and he saved him. Klaus could have been gone. I open the door of the boarding house hoping to find Stefan so I can yell at him even though he wouldn't care. I had to let him know how I felt. I ran straight up to his room but it was empty so I went to the living room. The only person there was Damon, maybe he knew. So I walked in and asked him:

"How did this happen?"

"We thought of everything Elena. Klaus having hybrids, Mikael turning on us. We brought in Katherine so you wouldn't be in danger. Anything that could have gone wrong we were prepared."

He was right. We had a back-up plan for our back-up plan. We had everything covered.

"I don't understand. Stefan wanted Klaus dead, more than anything. That's what we were counting on."

Saying that out loud hurt more than I thought it would have. I wanted Stefan to want me more than anything. Damon doesn't say anything back so I say:

"Maybe he had a good reason to stop Mikael?"

"Oh he did."

We both turn around to the unknown voice. There, in the doorway, is Katherine. She is smiling at us with a smug smile that I would love to smack off. Before I get a chance to ask her what she's doing here Damon does.

"What the hell are you doing here Katherine. We don't need another reason to be grumpy."

"That's not very nice of you Damon, but then again you're not. I just came here to tell you the truth behind Stefan's deed. I think you'll find it quite reasonable."

"How on earth would we find it reasonable. Klaus could have been dead. Isn't that what you wanted for the past 500 years?"

I just look at their conversation, not feeling the need to talk to Katherine.

"I want him dead yes and Stefan wants him dead too, but you see Stefan doesn't want you dead."

She points at Damon. He gives her a confused look and says:

"What do you mean?"

"You see, Klaus asked Stefan to protect him, and if Stefan did so then Klaus would free him from his compulsion. Stefan denied that offer."

"But he still protected him."

"Will you let me finish my story? Thank you. Anyways, I overheard Klaus compelling one of his hybrids to kill you the second Klaus is dead. First thing I did was go to Stefan and well….You know how the fairytale ends."

I can feel my heartbeat speed up. Stefan did it to protect Damon, not Klaus. Wait a minute.

"You said that if Stefan protected Klaus that he would free him. Did he?"

"Thank god he did. I missed my Stefan. And could you calm yourself? You're speeding heartbeat is making me hungry."

I turn to look at Damon who also has a look of surprise on his face. He looks over to me and whispers:

"We didn't lose him."

"Katherine where is Stefan now?"

"Last time I saw him he was in the woods somewhere. No if you'll excuse me, I have to go. Wouldn't want Klaus to kill me now do we?"

And just like that she's gone.

"Damon we have to go find him."

"No, Elena. I have to go find him. If you come along you'll just slow me down. I'll find him and bring him home. You don't leave this house unless it's because you want to go to your house. Copy that?"

I roll my eyes, but nonetheless nod my head.

He is gone before I can utter another word.

I stop at the doorway of Stefan's room. I take one deep breath and walk in. As I walk in I look around to take everything in. It's been a long time since I've been in here, not since Stefan returned home. I was too scared that I would find him in here. I slowly walk up to his bookcase and look at all his diaries. I must have read them all by now. I remember reading his latest. The one in which I appear. It made me feel happy when I read it. Something I haven't been in a while now. I go this closet and grab out a shirt and a pair of sweatpants. It's cold and I don't think Stefan would like it if I walked around in his room in only his t-shirt and my underwear. I've done it before, but we were together back then. I wonder if him being free from his compulsion means that we are back together? Do I want to be back together? Of course I do. Does he want to be back together? That's an entire different story.

I put my clothes in the laundry basket and go for the bed. As I lay my head down on the pillow I can feel sleep coming over me. Today it's taking its toll on me. I have to stay awake for Stefan. But I can't help it. Slowly I fall into my Stefan-filled dream.

I wake up in a dark room. Shouldn't it be light in the room. It was day right? I look at the window and see the reason why it's so dark. The curtains are closed, but I didn't close them did I? I turn to lay on my other side when I see a figure sitting next to the bed on a chair. I blink a few times to get used to the darkness and see the broad shoulders and hair of Stefan. I look at his face and see that he has his eyes closed. He's sleeping. He looks so peaceful. No pain across his face, no guilt. Just Stefan. I keep staring at him when his voice breaks the silence:

" You're staring."

I can't help but smile at the memory when he said those exact same words.

"I'm gazing."

He slowly opens his eyes and looks at me. He goes to sit up but groans as he grabs his back. How long has he been sitting/sleeping on that chair? Why was he sleeping on a chair?

" Why were you sleeping on a chair?"

He looks at me with a look that says because-you-were-sleeping-on-the bed. So I say:

"I wouldn't have mind."

"I just thought that you might want some space."

I shake my head and pat the empty space next to me, hoping he'd understand. And he does. He stands up and lies next to me on his side. We are no facing each other.

"I'm sorry I messed up your plan, yesterday."

"It's okay. Katherine told us."

"I know she did. I told her not to."

"What? Why wouldn't you want us to know? We would have understand, Stefan. If this was another trick of you to have me hate you it didn't work. I forgive you."

"No, Elena. You don't understand. I don't deserve to be forgiven. I don't deserve to feel, but most of all…I don't deserve you and your love."

I look into his eyes and put one of my hands on his cheek.

"Stefan don't talk like that. If anyone deserves to be forgiven it's you. And if anyone deserves to be loved it's you. You have been through so much and I hate that you had to do it on your own. But I'm here now. Let me help you, please Stefan."

"Why?"

"Because I miss you and I want you and I need you. And because I love you."

I lean in closer and put my lips on his. It's a slow and gentle kiss. Perfect for the moment. We break apart and he whispers.

"I love you too, Elena."

I give him a smile and lean in once again.

A/N: Okay so it's been forever since I updated and I'm sorry for that. I truly am. I TOTALLY backed out on my word. I'm like Klaus. Wait did he ever backed down o his word? I don't know. I REALLY REALLY AM SORRY. FORGIVE ME, because right now… you're all I've got( LAST EPISODE ANYONE?) . And if you have suggestions for episode 10 The New Deal, please do share.

Xx