This evening at the pub is much more relaxed than I assumed it would be. Then again, I'm a lot more relaxed than I've been in a while. Unwinding on my road trip has brought about some kind of inner peace. It's great to have Klaus here. That summer in Chicago was incredible. I'd never tell Elena how much I wanted to go away to school and take over the Windy City with my newest comrade. I've never really had a close guy friend since my brother. Maybe I have problems trusting my gender. But my friendship with Klaus is completely different. We didn't really care how different we were because we were both looking for one thing: excitement. And we found it on that campus: one of the wildest summers of my life. But I don't plan on being that crazy college-bound moron I played for that brief week now that I've returned with said friend in tow.

My thoughts turn to Elena. I haven't been pining over her for the past month. I really took the time to figure out who I am, rather than who she is. I'm assuming her relationship with Damon has progressed, as I see him eyeing the two of us from the corner of the bar. Of course she brought him. I'm not angry, though. If it's meant to be, then it will be. That's all I can think of for now.

"So, Klaus accompanied me around the Midwest. Jeremy's list of 'leads' were basically towns he'd heard Rick speak of before. They didn't 'lead' anywhere. The whole thing would've been pointless if I didn't end up having such a great time," I finish.

"We didn't get a chance to visit the Big Apple, unfortunately. You see, love, he decided it was imperative that we return to Briarview, Georgia. You've put quite the damper on our road trip," Klaus fusses to Elena.

"I'm sorry to hear that, but I didn't ask him to come back," Elena retorts.

"Did you want me to?" I inquire.

I don't want to seem overly eager about knowing if she thought of me, but I am curious. Did she even care if I returned or not? She has my brother, but I'm sure their relationship hasn't fully bloomed yet. Elena has enough sense and morals to take things slow with Damon, for my sake and for her own.

"I did," she replies with a shy smile.

"This is a lovely scene, but there's a dance floor full of feathers and zoot suits. Shall we?" Klaus questions as he takes Elena's hand.

I grasp the other and we walk towards the dance floor. As we tread into the crowd, Klaus flees from her side and searches for a viable partner. It's plain to see that his eyes are set on Caroline Forbes. You'd think Klaus was a bit deeper than that. However, Caroline can be more than meets the eye. Maybe he sees that at first glance.

Elena and I are left, hand in hand, in the middle of a crowded dance floor. We exchange anxious grins as both of our hands interlock. We do a series of swing steps and end, exhaustedly, in a close, slow embrace. We sway back and forth. I'm not sure of the time or place anymore. This moment seems to linger on forever, and that's fine with me. All of our problems just don't matter at the moment. We're having fun. It's a rare event.

I glance across the room towards the bar. Damon's there downing his fourth glass. I wonder why she'd leave him alone all night.

"So, Damon's here," I suggest.

"I was afraid this would be awkward, so I invited him along."

"How've things been between you two?" I hesitantly question.

"Stefan, do you really want to know that?"

"Might as well ask."

"Damon and I are friends. Until today, I hadn't seen him since the funeral."

"He was there?"

"He caught a ride with Rick while hitchhiking. That's how he found out Rick never left town."

Damon hitchhiked across town in a hospital gown to be there for Elena. It's hard to top that.

"That's pretty brave."

"And pretty reckless."

Recklessness isn't bad, though. It's spontaneous, romantic, and exciting. We all need to be a little reckless sometimes.

I dramatically dip Elena and slowly ease her back up. She gazes deep into my eyes. Those brown doe eyes make me melt no matter what front I'm putting up.

"I missed you," I admit.

"I know. I missed you too. I can't thank you enough for what you've done."

"I told you in the letters. It's you and me. Always."

She nods, still seeming uncertain.

"I know. And Stefan, you know I love you, but I can't be what you need me to be right now."

As I assumed, Elena still needs time. And that's just fine. When she comes back to me, I want her to be sure. I want us to be stronger than ever, and that can't happen unless she becomes certain of her love for me.

"I need you to relax and have a little fun. I think you can do that," I whisper.

"That I can do," she purrs as her head rests on my neck.

We've got time, and, for now, I've got patience.

Elena and I sway back and forth. Across the floor, I see Klaus intrude upon Tyler and Caroline's waltz. Tyler is visibly angered by Klaus' forward gesture. Caroline eyes him suspiciously, but with curiosity. Consistent with his character, Klaus kisses Caroline's hand and retreats, leaving her wanting more. She eyes him from her position. Well played, Klaus.

As the song comes to a close, Elena raises her head and opens her eyes. She smiles at me in a way an old friend does when she hasn't seen you in a while. It's brilliant. I grin back as I feel a hand upon my shoulder. I turn only to discover the presence of my brother.

"May I cut in?"

Damon and Elena have been dancing for a few minutes. When we danced, I held her like a delicate flower. Damon, however, holds her too close for comfort and eyes her like a slab of meat he's about to devour. Well, Elena's a big girl. She knows what she's getting herself into.

In an attempt to smooth over my companion's ruffled feathers, I walk over to Caroline and Tyler.

"I see you've met my friend Klaus."

"Quite the charmer," Caroline responds.

Tyler rolls his eyes and tightens his grip on Caroline's arm.

"Who does he think he is? I was standing right there when he asked Caroline to dance."

"Don't worry. I'm sure he'll ask you next time," I joke.

Tyler is not amused, so I excuse Klaus' actions.

"He's just accustomed to a different way of doing things. Don't take offense."

A few minutes pass and I'm growing restless.

"Caroline?" I question as I hold out my arm.

"I'd love to," she replies.

We interlock arms and immerse ourselves in the sinful delight of the big band tunes. The prohibition era is one of my favorites. I've always been a sucker for the 1920s. Why hadn't I come to this event before?

I feel eyes burning into my back as I turn. These red, scorching eyes belong to Klaus. He's already possessive of Caroline. Minutes later, he interrupts.

"Stefan, we need to go move my things into my new apartment. Sorry to intrude, love, but we've got a busy night ahead of us," he says to both Caroline and me.

"So you're moving to Briarview?" She questions.

"Well of course. There may be more to this town than I previously thought," he says with a smirk.

And maybe there is more to this town than Elena Gilbert. Only time will tell.