I groaned as my phone rang loudly the next morning, and when I rolled over to reach for it, I fell onto the ground. Grabbing my phone, I answered it, "Hello?" After hearing Elena and Caroline complaining in the background, I slid into the hall.

"How was the slumber party?" My super-hot vampire boyfriend asked. "Good, much needed. When can you and I have one?" I replied, and he hummed on the other line, "That can be arranged." "Okay, now, today. Take me far far away." I responded in a cheesy voice.

"Even with everything that's going on?" He questioned, and I nodded my head, "Because of everything that's going on." "And you're sure this has nothing to do with dodging your father who just got into town?" He taunted me, and I answered, "This has everything to do with that. But, I do need to take Elijah on the tour of the town, I promised him I would before the tea party this afternoon."

I heard Stefan make a cry of protest, but I just shushed him, "Hey Mister! Do you want to have a nice romantic weekend or not?" Stefan sighed and gave in, "In that case where would you like to go?" I smiled, knowing I got my way.

I quickly made my way to my house, showered, changed, and curled my hair. Hearing the doorbell ring, I answered the door and smiled at Elijah. "Hello Erin." He greeted me, and I welcomed him, "Hey Elijah. You can come in, I just need to grab the lists and some of the archives and then we can go." I grabbed a bag full of papers and swung it around my back, but when I bent down to retrieve a box, I pair of hands beat me to it.

"It would be terribly rude of me not to help you with these. You have been a wonderful host, after all." Elijah stated, and I thanked him. We put everything in the back of his car and left for the property lines. "I am actually very excited for this. My mom was really the only one in town that was as interested in history as I am." I told him, and he gave me an amused smile.

"Well, I would be honored to talk about history with you." Elijah politely replied, and I smiled as I pointed out the lines. "The old Fell property actually starts just beyond that fence." "Ah, the Fells. One of the Founding Families." He spoke, and I asked, "Why do you say it like that?"

"My research showed me that this area was actually settled almost two full centuries earlier. There was a migration of townspeople from the Northeast, Salem to be precise." "Salem, Massachusetts, as in the Witch Trials?" I asked him, my interest piquing.

"Which means the everlotting Founding Families didn't actually found anything." He explained, and I replied, "I take offense to that as a member of a Founding Family myself. And do you mean you found this information from research or personal experience." Elijah smirked at that and stated, "You really are smarter than everyone thinks you are."

I blushed at that and changed the subject as I joked, "You know, it was probably the men who made a big deal about being Founders back in 1860. Men are very territorial." Elijah looked at something behind me as he agreed, "Yes we are."

Looking over, I spotted Alaric coming towards us. "Um, Elijah, this is Jenna's boyfriend, Alaric Saltzman." I introduced them confusedly. "Yeah, Jenna told me you were walking Elijah through the old property lines. I thought I'd tag along, you know being a history buff and all. Where to next?"

"I'm pretty curious about the freed slave property owners. Some say the descendants of the slaves were the true keepers of American history." Elijah spoke, and I nodded, touched Elijah's arm briefly and said, "I only brought the property lines, but I have the list in the car. Ric, do you mind helping me with those?"

Alaric followed me to the car, and I snapped, "What are you doing here? And don't give me that stupid, 'I'm a history buff' crap!" Alaric struggled for a bit before I gasped and asked, "Are you babysitting me?" When he said nothing, I questioned him, "Did Stefan put you up to this?"

He shook his head and stated, "Damon." I raised my eyebrows at that and asked, "Why?" Before Alaric could say anything else, Elijah walked next to me, "Alaric Saltzman, you're one of those people on Erin's list of loved ones to protect." Alaric nodded and I got the list out of the car. "Okay, none of this, let's go look at some freed slaves!" I tried to diffuse the tension, but I could tell Alaric was uncomfortable while Elijah smirked.

About an hour and a half later, Alaric, Damon, and Andie crowded in a booth at the Grill. "So, other than a lecture on the history of Mystic Falls that I'm sure Erin gave you, anything out of Elijah?" Damon asked, and Alaric sighed, "No, it was boring. Though, Erin thinks he's charming."

"Of course she does, she always thinks the bad ones are good. You sound a bit protective. Doesn't he sound protective?" Damon spoke to Andie who replied, "You kinda do." "Maybe we shouldn't talk about this here." Ric suggested, and Damon turned to Andie and kissed her after saying, "Andie's been compelled not to divulge my secret's out."

"This is too weird." Ric muttered, and then I walked into the Grill with Jenna and Elijah by my side. Jenna was going to escort Elijah to the tea party while I leave with Stefan. "Hey look, there's Erin with her new charming Original boyfriend." Damon uttered bitterly and then called us over.

I groaned as Jenna happily walked over to all of them. "I heard you two had quite the meeting of historical minds this morning." He said to us, and I agreed, "Yeah, I guess you could say that. Although, Ric did bail after about 10 minutes." Alaric shrugged after receiving the cold shoulder from Jenna, "You seriously know too much about this town. I'm not even sure how that much information fits into your brain, but it's pretty intimidating."

"As long as you know who's the superior intellect." I muttered under my breath, and I heard Damon and Elijah both chuckle at that. "Well, Erin has been an incredible hostess. I couldn't have had anyone better for the job." Elijah spoke, and I smiled at that as Jenna complained, "I wish I went, but I can really only stand Erin for a few minutes when she gets in her history mode. She's like Miranda that way."

Elijah then touched my shoulder comfortingly, knowing that I was sensitive about my parents. Damon and Alaric both gave heavy glares at the Original. I smiled at them all, except for Andie and Damon, as I said, "I'm sorry, guys, but I have to get going. I'll see you later, and have fun at the tea party!"

"Ready for our romantic weekend?" Stefan asked me, and I told, "Beyond ready. Now, let's go before John shows up and pretends to be a concerned father." Just as Stefan opened the front door, I got a text from Caroline. "Please tell me there's nothing wrong." Stefan muttered, and I gave him a thumbs up when Caroline texted back, Have fun!

"Nothing's wrong, it's just Caroline. Let's go." I spoke, and Stefan shut the door behind us.

I had a moment as we pulled up to the Lake House. "You alright?" Stefan asked, and he put his hand on my leg. I nodded and told him, "I'm good, I just haven't been back here since before." Stefan picked up on what I was talking about and he apologized, "Oh my God, Erin, listen just say the word, and we can get back on that highway and we can go anywhere you want."

I smiled and shook my head, "I've always loved it here, and I want it to stay that way. I was just having a moment." Stefan nodded and I opened the door of the car. I sighed as I walked into the house, memories coming back to me. I looked back and found Stefan standing at the door, "You don't have to wait out there, I'm fine."

"Oh, that's great because I'm stuck." He admitted, and I realized, "Oh my god, you can't get in." "It's not going to be a very romantic weekend unless you invite me inside." Stefan joked, and I revealed, "Stefan, I can't. When my parents died, they left this place to John Gilbert, he's the only one who can invite you in. I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

"You're kidding me, right?" He asked, shocked, and I dropped the act and smirked, "Stefan Salvatore, I hereby invite you into this home." My boyfriend shook his head and picked me up, "You are such a liar." I laughed as he kissed me. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he put me down on the counter, our lips still locked.

After our makeout session, I let Stefan unpack and made my way out to the dock. I was nice and snug with my blanket around me as I looked out to the water. I heard footsteps behind me, and Stefan's voice asked, "Having another moment?" I felt him wrap his arms around me and kiss my cheek. I smiled and told, "I broke my arm when Elena pushed me and Jeremy off the dock. Elena and I were seven, he was six. My dad taught me to fish right off the edge of there." I pointed to the edge of the dock.

"So many memories, do you ever think about us? What our future will be like? Our memories?" I asked him softly, my voice just louder than a whisper. "I think there are a lot of conversations to be had about our future, of the kind of life we could have together." "Well, there's a box we shouldn't open." I snuggled into him.

"We can open it, whenever you're ready." Stefan said, and I admitted, "No, I'd rather just be here, now." "You know, this is a future memory." He said, and I shuddered as he spoke against my hair, "It's where your boyfriend whispered to you that he loved you." Our hands interlocked as he whispered, "I love you."

He kissed my cheek, and I knew that I would remember that moment for the rest of my life.

Stefan and I stood side by side, chopping vegetables for dinner. I paused for a brief moment and sipped a glass of wine, "My dad did all of the cooking too." "And your mom?" Stefan asked, and I replied and pointed to the couch, "She sat right there and watched. She couldn't cook along with Jeremy and Elena."

"I, on the other hand, am a wonderful cook." I spoke and fed him a pepper. He winked at me, and I shook my head as I beamed. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the fire, "The fire's going out." "Oh yeah, I'll get more wood." Stefan said, but I stopped him, "No, I got it."

"No, no, it's cold outside." Stefan disagreed, but I argued playfully, "So I'll get a jacket." I strolled into one of the bedrooms and noticed it was my parents. Looking around distractedly, I picked up my mom's perfume and smelled it. "My mom's perfume. Jenna was supposed to pack all this up, but she kept putting it off. I don't blame her."

I opened the closet and threw Stefan a jacket. "Here, bundle up. It was my great grandad's, and you look very hot in it." I complimented him. "I look hot in your dead great grandad's jacket." He stated, and I added, "Beyond hot." Stefan then came up to me and started kissing me. I did not protest as we backed into the closet, but I was confused when he stopped and started knocking on the wall.

"What?" "It's hollowed." He answered and then started taking pieces of wood from the wall. Behind everything, there was a door, "What is it?" I asked him, and he responded, "It's a really good hiding place." He then threw the knob to the side and busted the door open.

Stefan then reached in and turned on a light to reveal loads of weapons hung on the wall. "Oh my god." I muttered. Stefan got out of the way so I could search the closet. I found a load of books in a box, "The Jonathan Gilbert journals. Jeremy had the one, but John said that there were others. His whole life's in here." I informed him, and he spoke, "I'll go get the firewood, I'll give you a moment."

I grabbed a handful of wooden bullets and inspected them, they seemed almost new.

Stefan lay on the ground of the shed in excruciating pain. "Don't move." Tyler ordered him, and Stefan pleaded, "Just help me get the bullet out, it punctured my heart. I need to get it out, I'm not gonna fight you." "I don't think so." Tyler rejected his pleas.

"Tyler, why are you doing this?" Stefan asked, panting. "I can't let you break the curse." Tyler stated, and Stefan put the pieces together, "You know about the curse." "You lied, you're liars, all of you, even Erin." He accused. "No, Tyler I swear to you. We don't wanna break the curse, Tyler, we don't wanna do that."

"Oh yeah? But I do." Tyler said before shooting Stefan in the leg, causing him to cry out. He then continued, "I can't be like this forever." "Tyler, I'm just trying to save Erin." Stefan said, trying to reach out to him, "Erin will be fine." This made Stefan snap his head towards the werewolf, "You don't know. They didn't tell you that part did they? Who are the liars now?" "Tell me what?"

Stefan said slowly, "In order to break the curse, Erin has to die." This made Tyler lower the gun and start worrying for his best friend in the house.

I shivered and pulled at my sweatshirt as I called out, "Are you growing the trees out there?" I was greeted with silence, which sent a cold chill down my spine. Something's not right. I looked around, trying to find the source of my uneasiness.

I called out Stefan's name, and again there was no answer. Arming myself with the knife from the kitchen, I walked hesitantly outside. "Stefan, what are you doing out there?" I was then grabbed from behind, but I stabbed them. Noticing that it was Brady, my torturer from a last night's events, I locked the door and sprinted inside the house.

Running upstairs, I heard the crash of the front door. "I can smell you." He taunted me, and tears came into my eyes as I thought of how his voice scared me. I took off my sweatshirt and placed it on the bed as I snuck into the other bedroom. When his back was turned, I silently slipped down the stairs.

I slammed the door so he would think I left, but I actually ran into the closet of weapons. I covered my mouth to hush my breathing as I clutched onto the weapon. He opened the closet, and I knew my opportunity came. I slammed the stake into his back and ran away with the knife in my grip.

Sprinting out the door, I heard Brady follow me. All of a sudden, the footsteps stopped, and I turned around and saw Brady's heart in my boyfriend's hand. I dropped the knife and ran into Stefan's arms, "It's okay, you're okay." He cooed, and we embraced each other until I noticed a figure, "Tyler?"

Tyler, the shell of my best friend, admitted, "I didn't know what they were going to do to you. I didn't, I just- I don't wanna be like this anymore." I untangled myself from my current boyfriend and came face to face with my ex. "I'm sorry, Erin." He apologized, and I hugged him, "It's okay."

Later, Stefan was on the phone when I walked into the living room. He hung up and turned to me, "That was Damon, we need to talk." I was confused and questioned, "What is it?" "He learned that Elijah's planning for you to die in the sacrifice ritual." I looked down when he said that, the guilt setting in.

"I know the deal I made, Stef. Elijah's very careful with his words; he promised to protect my friends, he never said a word about me." I informed him, and I knew he would be mad. "Wait, you knew that you weren't gonna survive this?" He asked, hurt was evident on his face.

"If it comes down to the people that I love getting killed or me, I know what my choice is gonna be." I spoke softly, and Stefan replied, "Erin, how could you stand out there earlier with me when I told you I loved you? Talking about making plans for the future when you don't even expect to have one." "I'm sorry, Stefan. I'm just trying to keep everyone I love safe, I'm trying to keep you safe." I argued.

"No, what you're doing is being a martyr." He told, and I defended myself, "How is that any different than when you say you would die to keep me safe?" "Because I've already lived! 162 years I have lived and you've barely begun, and now you wanna let yourself be killed? That's not heroic, that's tragic." Stefan then walked away from me, and I just felt lost.

So...how did everyone like the chapter? Stefan finally told Erin that he loved her! There was no Elena in that chapter, but we did get a brief mention of her throwing J and E off the dock! I know that everyone wants me to kill Elena off, but sorry guys, she will be staying for a while. I was also wondering if you would like me to go back to doing scenes without Erin in them. I got pretty lazy with this chapter, but I really wanted to get the tour scene with Erin in because Elijah is so awesome and funny in that scene! Like? Hate? Love? Please review and tell me who you want Erin to be sired to and choose in the S3 finale! That really is the tricky part I'm trying to work out right now, but there is no doubt in my mind that whatever happens, it will be great!

xx smkbaby123