Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries or these characters. I just write this story with Peachie X.

Sorry for took us so long to update. We are close to the end though. I want to thank you for your amazing reviews. I am grateful to each and everyone of you. Thanks


Damon watched Elena as she slept curled into his side on the couch. She looked so beautiful and peaceful, he couldn't stop himself from tracing the sides of her face lightly with his finger tips. He still wasn't able to relax after what happened earlier that night. She had surprised him at first, but now all he could feel was happiness and a sense of responsibility. The same responsibility she seemed to bring out in him months ago. He would make sure that no one would ever hurt her. Damon knew that he was the one that Elena relied on to make everything okay and he would try to find a way to get them out of this mess. She didn't have to say anything else. He didn't need a declaration of love from her. He saw everything he needed to, portrayed through her crying eyes when she broke down. He knew she was struggling with her feelings, just as he had been struggling all of this time.

Damon was interrupted from his thoughts when he sensed Stefan nearby, coming home from his hunt. He couldn't care if Stefan found Elena in his embrace, a part of him wanted to be able to revel in his younger brother's jealous feelings. With one last lingering glance at her face he smirked, he wouldn't stay here and let Stefan find them. That would hurt Elena and despite his bitter feelings towards his brother he wouldn't do that to her. This wasn't the right time and Elena was definitely not ready to deal with everything. With a sigh he got up, gently, trying not to disturb his princess and disappeared before his brother walked into the room.

Stefan entered the living area and spotted Elena peacefully asleep on the couch. He pulled the quilt from the chair and laid it gently over her. His hands lightly traced her face, unknowingly repeating the actions of his brother just moments before. Stefan watched her intently for a moment, trying to memorize everything about how she looked in this moment. He knew things were changing between them, no matter how hard he tried to deny it. So for now, he would bask in her beauty while she was still his. With one last lingering glance he turned to make his way to his bedroom.

Elena woke to find herself still on the couch. With her eyes still closed she knew he was gone. She took a deep breath through her nose, the smell of him lingered. It brought a smile to her face as she thought about the night before. His comfort seemed to make the difference in her mind, she knew something had to give in this twisted triangle she found herself in. She just wasn't sure what that would be.

She sat up slowly, her eyes adjusting to the gray lighting that filled the room indicating that the sun had only just begun to rise which meant she was only sleeping for a few hours. She briefly wondered if Damon had gone back upstairs to Meredith, she shook her head. Today was a day for decisions that needed to be made, she didn't need anything adding to the already stressful topic she was facing.

Elena ran her hands through her hair and splashed some water on her face after taking care of her morning duties. She head to the kitchen to grab her overnight back that had been forgotten last night since she never had made it upstairs to Stefan's room, for which she was grateful. She picked up her things hoping to leave the boarding house before running into anyone when she heard a throat clear behind her.

"Good morning Elena"
Elena turned around and saw Meredith leaning against the door fame. She had her arms crossed tightly against her chest, smiling brightly. She was half naked, wearing only a long button up black shirt that obviously belonged to Damon. Elena felt her heart skip a beat. "Good morning." She replied trying to force a smile.

"Did you sleep well?" Meredith asked walking closer to Elena, as if she were a lioness stalking her prey.
"Fine." Elena stated as she turned to leave. "I really have to go. We'll catch up later" She added and started to walk out of the kitchen but Meredith's voice stopped her.

"Oh, please stay for a while. I am dying to share with you last night's details." Her voice was soft, filled with fake excitement.
Elena took a deep breath to try and remain calm. She wasn't sure if she had the courage to have another encounter with her ex-best friend. "I really have to go Meredith. Maybe another time." She said trying her chance at complete avoidance.

"Really? Because I'm dying to share everything with my best friend. I want to tell you all about it. How he kissed me. How his hands felt exploring my body." She smiled and closed her eyes "He was amazing. He has such fire. Like I always dreamed he would be." Elena felt uncomfortable. She knew that Damon didn't sleep with Meredith. She knew he would never lie to her, so she couldn't understand why Meredith was lying like this. "Well, I am really happy for you." She said coldly. "Now, I really have to go." She turned around again but Meredith's voice halted her once more. This time her tone was different, suddenly cruel and bitter "Maybe you don't care, because you already know what happened Elena. Isn't that right?"
Elena felt a chill travel down her back. Her throat suddenly dry and restricting. She faced the girl slowly and quickly gathered the strength to meet Meredith's eyes waiting for her to continue "You know what happened because as I was upstairs in Damon's room, he was down here with you. With my... best friend" She mocked. Elena kept silent and that seemed to push Meredith over her limit. "What the hell Elena? You have nothing to say for yourself?" She raised her voice, taking a step closer to her. "What are you trying to do? Why don't you just leave us alone?"
Elena took a deep breath. Determination took over her. She had decided that the truth should come out. No more hiding. "Because you were right Mer. There is something more between Damon and I. I'm sorry." She said softly yet defiantly. She watched Meredith's face widen with shock. Elena didn't wait for a reply to her statement. She turned around and walked out of the kitchen, leaving her friend speechless.


Elena decided to walk home from the boarding house to clear her head. She stopped at the end of the driveway of the boarding house and stretched her arms above her head and took a deep breath. She forced her mind to clear as she took in the smell of the crisp early morning air, the coolness soothing the ache in her chest. She ran her hands through her hair and started walking, taking her time. The thoughts that usually overwhelmed her seemed to come to her easily. It was as if admitting her feelings for Damon gave her the freedom to think honestly about him, a luxury she barely afforded herself before.

She loved Stefan, any girl would love Stefan, it was easy. A small smile played at her lips as thoughts of his smile and laugh filled her mind. He was always trying to do the right thing, always protecting. Even when she hated what he was doing, she knew he was only doing what he thought was right. She couldn't fault him for that. She felt safe with Stefan, both from fantastical creatures that lurked in the dark. 'Literally.' She chuckled. And from the emotional damage that can be a result of giving your heart away to the wrong person. But with his constant struggle to do what's right, Elena found herself with holding parts of herself from him, for fear it would be less then his ideal. With that thought her mind shifted to Damon.

The older brother was almost the complete opposite of Stefan, almost. Like Stefan she felt safe with him sometimes almost more so then the other brother. Damon would give his life for hers, something she would never wish, but was true all the same. Damon would go to the ends of the earth just to make her smile. He had opened up to her more so then he had with anyone. 'Even Katherine.' She thought to herself. Her eyes focused on the headstones in front of her where she found herself after being lost to her thoughts and her own little world. Elena knelt down and traced the outline of her parent's names before pressing both palms flat against the grave. She allowed herself to slip into a seated position, the morning dew clinging to her skin through her jeans.

Damon had to pretend with Katherine, to bend to her will to gain her affections. In a darker sense, his situation with Katherine was much like her relationship with Stefan. Stefan would never cheat on her, his intentions were pure but he could never love all of her, he would never accept all of her without trying to change her in the name of morality. 'Saint Stefan' Elena laughed softly understanding Damon's nickname for his brother just a little bit more.

Elena accepted Damon, all of him, just as he did for her. Things about the other annoyed them to no end, sure, but they would never ask for change. She knew he had a dark side, she also knew how to help him see his light during those times.

Her parent's names blurred in her vision as tears rolled down her face. She didn't want to hurt anyone, neither of them deserved it. She cried for the loss of her best friend, wondering how she could have let this happen. She couldn't bring herself to regret Meredith's relationship with Damon because it helped her see what she so stubbornly ignored for far too long. In a way she had given up so much for the brothers, both of them, for different reasons but she didn't regret anything. Not in the slightest. Calm washed over her as she made the hardest and yet simplest decision of her young life.

She made her way back to her house, quietly walking up to her room. The house was still as her family slept soundly. Elena stripped out of her clothes in the bathroom and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water ease the last remaining tension she felt. As she got dressed her eyes landed on a photo of her and Stefan that was propped up on her mirror. She picked the photo up gingerly rubbing her fingers softly over Stefan's face as her eyes brimmed with tears again. Still clutching the photo she picked up her phone and sent a quick text. She sat on the edge of her bed, eyes still glued to the photo, she was amazed at how happy she looked. She always thought her and Stefan were forever, little did she know then, a dark prince would sweep in and change her world in monumental ways.


Damon was sitting in the study with his classic accessory of a glass of scotch in his hand. He had heard Elena leave, he also heard what she said to Meredith. He couldn't help but fear that Elena left to try and avoid the situation they were in. 'Yet another triangle.' Damon glared at nothing specific as he downed the rest of his drink. He didn't return to his bedroom after leaving Elena coming to the end of his need for another's company he waited for Meredith to seek him out. Moments later, she found him.

"There you are. You never came back to bed." Meredith walked into the study hesitantly. Her eyes were filled with worry, Damon couldn't bring himself to care. He was slightly bothered that she was affected by the drama that surrounded him but only because Elena lost another friend because of him. He was certain there was not going to be a happy ending in the two girl's friendship. Damon sighed and leaned his head back in the desk chair, reclining slightly as he closed his eyes. "No, I didn't." He finally replied.

He opened his eyes and rolled his head in the direction of Meredith as she stepped towards him, her hand outstretched as she reached for him. A smile grazing her lips, a mischievous glint in her eyes "We could finish what we started earlier, if you're up for it." Her hand landed on Damon's shoulder. He fought to not wrench his arm out of her grasp, instead he arched his eye brow setting his face with his signature smirk. "Honey, I'm always up for it. Right now though, I'm not up for you."

Meredith took a step back her mouth agape at Damon's cold tone, his blue eyes were darker then normal almost looking black. "What did I do?" Meredith demanded. Damon stood up and turned his back on her. "You know what this is, don't act surprised. You are someone for fun and right now, I'm not up for fun... with you." Meredith's eyes narrowed at his back. "Whatever, I don't know why you're being like this. I've done nothing wrong." Damon laughed at her insinuation. He knew she had witnessed him laying with Elena last night as he heard her accusations to Elena earlier. "Yes you have." His tone lacking the humor of his previous action. He turned to her becoming amused as she stood there with her arms crossed tapping her foot at him. "Well?" Meredith asked exasperated. "What have I done so wrong that you're being so mean?" Suddenly Damon was in her face his eyes traveling over her making her feel exposed and self conscious. "Honey, I'm not being mean. I am mean. I thought you were smart enough to know that by now. Although my good looks do usually over shadow all those supposed flaws, especially to girls like you." He smirked as her courage she found to face him waned. "As for what you did wrong.." He continued. "You haven't left yet."

Meredith's face contorted with rage and she walked towards Damon and poked her finger against his chest. "Listen here, I don't know what your problem is today. I'll forgive you and chalk it up to you just trying to push me away because what I said last night scared you. I'll see you later." She turned on her heel and left Damon standing their bewildered. 'That girl is completely insane and delusional.' He shook his head and poured himself another drink.

Meredith ran out of the boarding house, her body shaking in rage as she jumped into her car and squealed out of the driveway. 'I'm going to end this thing between them once and for all.' She growled as she headed to Elena's house.


Elena's eyes were closed as tears silently fell down her face landing on the photo she was still clutching. She felt a breeze from her window and hands suddenly cupped her face. She opened her eyes to Stefan kneeling in front of her his green eyes looking worriedly at her brushing her tears away. "What's wrong? I came as soon as I got your text." Elena smiled at him and took his hand into hers. "We need to talk." Stefan lowered his head with a sharp intake of breath "OK." He responded sadly. Elena pulled him up and gestured for him to sit next to her on the bed.

"Stefan, I don't even know where to begin. I just need to say I'm so sorry." Her tears came harder now and her chest clenched as she withheld her sobs. "I knew this was coming Elena." Stefan wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head reassuringly. "You did?" She squeaked out. "Yes, we haven't been the same for awhile now. You are not happy when you are with me, not like you used to be." Stefan's voice was soothing and understanding causing Elena to release her sobs. "Stefan I'm so sorry, you don't deserve to be hurt. You are an amazing man, one of the best people I know." She turned her head to look at him. "But we..we're just not right for each other. There is more to this then you think. It isn't all about Damon." Stefan's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of his brother. He stood up, sighing as he turned his back to her. Elena stood behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I need to be myself Stefan, with you I feel like I'm always needing to change. I'm constantly trying to change who I am so I feel like I deserve the pedestal you put me on. I know that sounds silly, I know most girls would love having a boyfriend who did that for her. But me? I just want to be real and accepting of who I am." Stefan nodded and turned to face her cupping his hands around her face once more. "Damon does that for you and you do that for him. I've known this for sometime, despite how much I love you and wanted to tear you away from him and run far away never looking back, I always respected the humanity you've brought out in my brother." He lightly kissed her cheek, feeling the moisture of her tears against his lips. "I don't like it, I'll always love you. I know you know that. I understand though. I just want you to be happy, no matter what it takes." He smiled weakly at her.

"I'm not running to Damon's arms, that wouldn't be right. Not to you or to me. I want you to know that." Elena's brown eyes were red from crying. Stefan hated seeing her like this, even though he was the one being dumped he'd have gladly done anything to make her smile at that point. He kissed her tentatively on the lips, she pushed herself towards him making their last kiss count.

"Thank you for respectively taking some time after us before going to Damon. We both know you'll end up there. I want you to know, although it will be hard for me, I'm OK with it. I still want you in my life, no matter how." Elena's emotions broke at his words as she fell into his chest sobbing, clutching his shirt. Stefan wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair as she apologized over and over, he would just shush her. They stood like that for a long while enjoying the last moments together as a couple.

Elena for a moment was wishing she could just choose Stefan, it would be easy, he was so easy to love. Her fleeting thought was overwhelmed by her resolve, she needed more, she needed Damon. With one last kiss to her temple he backed away from her. "I'm going to go, I'll see you. If you need anything Elena, you can always come to me." He squeezed her hand and quickly disappeared from her room. Elena slumped down on her bed, her chest wracking with hard sobs. She was mourning the loss of the relationship with her first real love. It hurt more then she had anticipated, she knew this was the right thing to do. She still felt overwhelmed by the guilt and fear of living with out Stefan guiding her. She knew they'd always be close, it might take time but she would make sure she would be a better friend to him then she was a girlfriend.

Elena's eyes fluttered closed. Her lack of sleep and burden of such strong emotions forced her body to succumb to sleep. About fifteen minutes later she was woken up by her bedroom door slamming. She opened her eyes to a furious Meredith standing before her.


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