A/N: Hey All! So, here's CH.10! Hope you guys like it. The action is building up and in the next chapter I'll be doing a little fast forward (a few days/weeks later or so) just to get it moving along more. :)

Thanks for reading & Enjoy!

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CHAPTER TEN-The Thin Line Between Us-

Stefan stood with Elena and Caroline by Katherine's hospital room, listening as Damon scolded her like a small child about the drugs, the secrets that she was keeping and the fact that she was off the case for now, until they could figure out if they even wanted her back in or not. It was up to the department as far as they were concerned and it wasn't going to be a simple decision to make.

"What other things are you lying about Katherine! Damn it! How could you have taken the drugs. You've known for the last two weeks that we need to get a cover set up, that you and Elena would be working together...Now, because of you being irresponsible, they had to bring in someone else!" He shouted, fury in his voice as he heard her gasp.

"What! They brought in someone new? Why would the department do that, Oh come on Damon! I took one shot of cocaine because..I-" She began to say, watching as Damon got up from the chair he was sitting in and nearly hissed at her.

"Because you, what? Wanted to make me worried about you..because you wanted attention! Katherine, if you were pissed off at me you could have gone on a damn walk or something! Not, snorted or whatever the hell way it was that you did the damn drugs! The drugs that we needed to seize over to the damn Police Department that we work for! You know, I'm done, with you for the moment. Have a safe flight back to the rehab clinic. I guess I'll be seeing you when you return!" Damon told her, almost slamming the door behind him as they heard Katherine's soft cries escape her throat and watched as Damon stormed off in the other direction of the hospital, not saying a word as he just nodded at Stefan and walked away.

"What are we going to do now?" Caroline asked, sitting down and taking a coffee cup from Stefan's hands as she frowned up at him, this whole drama between their two informants was going to bring this operation down way before it even got underway.

"So, she obviously hates the idea that I'm here...It kind of makes me want to go and introduce myself..Is she really an ex-user?" Caroline asked, watching as Elena gave her an appalled look.

"Well, Stefan was thinking that you and I should go over our plans for what we're going to do once we get the night club ready and then, we need to make up your cover story. What are you going to be...For example, I'm the owner...and-" Elena began to say as Caroline cut her off.

"Ha, I don't need to run it by you, Elena. I've read all about the club and your cover. Besides, I'm going in as one of the waitresses...I'll have a wire so whatever goes on..It'll be recorded, you seem to be forgetting that I have a lot more experience than you at this thing...I'm the undercover cop in this situation and you're just an informant that we need to make sure, doesn't get herself killed...so, you might as well just follow my lead." Caroline told her, sipping on her coffee and running her hands through her hair as she watched Elena huff out an annoyed breath, this under cover waitress idea was going to be way more fun for Caroline, then she had ever thought it could be.

"She hates me...right?" Elena asked Stefan, using the excuse to talk to him in private as Caroline strolled the halls of the hospital for some cafeteria food was genius. Up until the point that he smiled at her and laughed.

"She doesn't hate you! Elena, she just doesn't know you like I do. In Caroline's eyes, everyone in this profession is a criminal and she treats them all like one until she warms up to you. Just give her time...you'll see working with her won't be that bad." Stefan told her, pulling her into his arms as he heard her exhale a breath..."I'm the undercover cop in this situation and you're just an informant that we need to make sure, doesn't get herself killed...so, you might as well just follow my lead." Elena mocked her words under her breath as she held onto Stefan's shoulders, burying her head into the curve of his neck.

"Fine, I guess you're right. I'll give her a chance. Let's just hope that neither of us want to kill each other as much as I think Katherine would love to kill her at the moment for taking her spot on the team with us." Elena told him, feeling as he inhaled deeply and sighed.

"Elena, I.." Stefan began to say as the buzzing in his jacket pocket picked up and he released her from his grip, pulling out his cell phone as he answered it without even looking at who it could be.

"You have no idea how long I've been calling around for your number Mr. Murphy. You truly are a hard man to find. But, a popular one at that. Aaron told me about your little meeting and I was hoping that you and I could have a chat of our own...Just the two of us...you know, drinking beers, chatting about the bar. The fact that your gorgeous girlfriend is wearing that amazing black dress that curves her hips and makes her look so damn irresistible...opps, did I say too much?" He told him. Stefan could hear the taunting in his voice as he laughed.

"How did you find me? Where are you, let's meet now. Just you and me. No one else." Stefan demanded, grabbing Elena's hand into his and pulling her closer to him as she gave him a confused look. She watched as Stefan gripped her tighter and looked around the small park area that they had gone to, outside of the hospital grounds.

"Now, Mr. Murphy... That's for me to know and for you to find out..No need to get all protective of your girlfriend..it's not her that I want, I want you, Stefan...we have a lot of things to discuss and I'm sure that once I get you hooked on what I'm selling, you'll never be the same again..." He said, an icy laugh escaping his lips as he watched Stefan from his black Lincoln town car that was parked in the parking lot, across from the hospital grounds as he rolled down the window and waved his hand out.

Stefan looked all around the park until he saw a black car parked illegally sideways in the parking lot, a man's hand sticking out from it and waving at him.

Elena watched as Stefan let go of her hand, running his hands through his dark brown hair as he hung up the cell phone and gave her a knowing look. "What's going on..who was that?" Elena asked, curiosity and fear in her voice as she watched Stefan's green eyes dart from her and back to the man that had now stepped out of his car, leaning against the driver's side.

"Listen to me, go back inside that hospital. Stay with Caroline and do not leave her side under any circumstances. This is very important, Elena..do you understand me?" Stefan told her, holding her face gently in his hands as he brushed her cheeks with his thumbs, following her confused gaze that was locked on his eyes.

"Stefan please..tell me what's going on." She begged, wrapping her arms around him as he kissed her lips softly, silencing her pleas. "I promise you that once I figure out what he wants, then we'll talk. I don't know how long I'll be. But, I love you and I'll be home tonight sometime. Okay?" He told her once more, kissing her lips again and then letting go of her.

Stefan turned to leave as Elena shouted at him. "Stefan, Please! Who is that and what does he want with you?" Elena tried again, pleading in her tone as she rested her hands at her sides and watched him walk away from her.

"It's Alaric. I don't know what he wants. But, I do know that he and I need to talk." Stefan told her over his shoulder as he stopped for a moment, catching one more glimpse of her before he walked into what he knew was probably going to be a trap, once again thrown into the game of cat and mouse but with a much more dangerous villain.

A/N: Uh oh...What does Alaric want with Stefan and why did Stefan tell Elena that no matter what she had to stick by Caroline's side...? Hm...

-Until Next Time- ;)