Previously on The Vampire Diaries:

LANA'S POV

I was at the door when I had a genius idea. I turned and ran up the stairs towards Sophie and Damon's room. I crashed through the door and Sophie jolted awake.

"Are you nude?" I asked quickly as she raced to tuck the covers around herself.

"Get out," she snapped.

"No I have a great idea, this will take like two seconds of your time."
"Fine."
"I need a coming out party!"

LANA'S POV

"Lady you just woke me up I need more of an explanation."

"No one but the Salvatore and Mikaelsen families knows about me. I think we need to invite the girls here for a celebration."
"What kind of celebration?" she asked a little more interested now.

"Okay we have been here for months and we haven't gotten to go to any cool historical events and wear the awesome dresses and I'm bitter about that. So I want to throw an afternoon tea party and make everyone dress up and have a bunch of fun."

"Why do we need to do it here?"
"Does anyone want to go to mine and Klaus' house?"

"Good point. So what era are you thinking?"
"Civil War."
"Dude can we have those little finger sandwiches and play croquet."
"Yeah buddy, genius idea. Okay I'm going to go home and start looking for dresses and I should be able to organize this for the weekend if everything goes according to plan. Text me Caroline, Elena's and Bonnie's addresses, should I invite Rebekah?"

Sophie pondered for a minute, "I would, she's your family and has a right to be there. Oh man I can't wait to make Damon dress up in a suit."

"Nope, no boys allowed."

Sophie's face fell slightly, "Come on Stefan would want to be there for you and I'll even give Klaus a pass for the day."
I shook my head, "No it needs to just be us ladies. We aren't going to even tell the boys what we're doing."
"So you want to use the boarding house but not tell the actual owners what you are doing." Sophie said with disbelief.

"Pretty much. Don't worry I'll ask Stefan and he'll go for it. He's a little testy with me right now but he'll get over it and give this the okay," I said confidently as I breezed out of Sophie's room and down the hall. I knocked once and gave Stefan a minute and then opened the door to his room.

"Knocking that's something you've never done before…what do you want Lana?"

"To talk to you," I said as I stretched out on the couch beside him.

"About what?"
"A little of this, a little of that."
Stefan nodded and I took that as a go ahead.

"Okay Stefan just because I don't want to take part in your 'diet' doesn't mean you get to shut me out."
"It's just hard to be around a new vampire who has trouble controlling themselves it makes me lose control faster."
"Stefan I don't care what your reasons are, you are still my best guy friend and I adore you too much to let this come between us. I'll be pissed if I live forever and you are mad at me and don't want to be my friend. So on that note, we shall just let bygones be bygones and we will keep our dietary habits to ourselves."

Stefan sighed and looked away from me, "I still don't know if that's enough…maybe we should take a break."

I felt sick to my stomach at his words.
"Stefan are you breaking up with me?" I asked feeling tears rising to the surface.

"We were never together Lana," Stefan said reasonably.

"Is this because of Elena, I know she hates me and you love her and want her back," I brushed the tears away.

"No it has nothing to do with Elena. I just think you and I need some space. I have to get myself under control and so do you. Together we'll just be dangerous for each other."

I loved Stefan, not the way I loved Klaus but still the thought of him not wanting to be my friend anymore was awful.

"You are a jerk Stefan and you always run out on people when they need you the most. I stuck with you through all the shit you pulled this summer and I may have gotten mad and needed a day or two to get over it but I never did anything this shitty to you," I said anger starting to mount.

"Lana I just want what's best for you. Do you think I really want to lose you as my friend, you're pretty much the only one I have."
"No you want what's easier. Make it look like you're being all self-sacrificing even though this is just clearing the way back to Elena. She never wanted us to be friends and if you want her back I need to go but you don't have the balls to say it."

"It's not like that at all," Stefan replied.

"That's exactly what it's like. Is Elena even worth it Stefan? If Elena was such a catch why would she want you to throw away your best friend?"
"Elena has never asked me to stay away from you," Stefan said harshly

"No it's just something you know will make her happy even if it makes you miserable. Do you know what Stefan, for as mean and awful as Klaus can be and even though I know he isn't crazy about us being friends he hasn't asked me once to quit seeing you."
"That's different."
"No it's not but if that's what you need to tell yourself then fine! It was nice knowing you Stefan, have a good life," I yelled before storming out of his room.

I raced to my car and clambered in quickly. I sped out of the driveway outraged. I was furious with Stefan. I understood that Elena was the love of his life but to just be tossed directly under the bus after everything he had done to me. I turned on my music and cranked the volume drowning out all the other noise. I got home and stomped into the house. I could hear Klaus painting and I didn't want to bother him because he would always get grumpy if I interrupted his creative time. I grabbed a blood bag from the kitchen and went to the patio and sat down on an oversized lounge chair. I was so mad and I hated Stefan more than anyone on the planet. I was crying and trying not to cry at the same time so I was just making grotesque sounds and cussing every time I pictured Stefan's face.

"What happened today love?" Klaus asked as he sat down at the end of my chair.

"Stefan's being a dick."

Klaus frowned, "If he wants to get judgemental about you killing that guy just remind him that he has almost two hundred years under his belt and still decapitates all of his victims."

"It's not about that, I didn't even tell him that part."
"So what is it?"
I looked at Klaus, I knew he probably could care less if me and Stefan were fighting but was just trying to be supportive.

"It doesn't even matter," I sighed

"I beg to differ. Tell me what he said to you…do you want me to kill him?" Klaus asked with a wry smile.

"Don't kill him, just hurt him enough that he limps away from you," I replied bitterly.

"Well if I have to go and be all vengeful I should probably know why."

"Stefan doesn't want to be friends with me anymore," I choked out.

"Did he say why?"
"Elena hates me, and he loves her so he doesn't want me around anymore."
"Did he really say that?"
"No he said we should stay away from each other because we are both too out of control and would only bring out the worst in each other."
The tears started up again. I was devastated, my heart felt like a piece had been ripped out. I knew this was mostly due to the heightened feelings I now had but that still didn't make it hurt any less.

"I can't stop crying," I pouted. "Stupid vampire emotions!"

"Love, Stefan is a fool. He will miss out not you," Klaus said as he shuffled me over and lay down next to me.

I rested my head against his chest and his fingers trailed through my hair. I snuggled in closer draping my leg across him. I heard my cell phone going off and I assumed it was Sophie but I didn't really want to talk. Klaus grabbed my phone and tried handing it to me but I waved it away.

"It's Stefan," he said.

"I have nothing else to say to him," I muttered.

Klaus set my phone down on the ground and it rang until it flipped to the message mode. It started ringing again.

"Are you going to just ignore him?" Klaus asked.

I nodded. He smiled at me then answered my phone.

"Can I help you with something Stefan?" Klaus asked. I focused my listening so I could hear Stefan's replies.

"I need to talk to Lana."

"I'm afraid she's a little busy right now. Can I take a message?"

"Put Lana on the phone," Stefan demanded.

"Now why would I do that Stefan?"
"Damn it Klaus I need to talk to her."
"I think she's a little upset with you, maybe you should think before you speak."

"Lana I know you're listening in," Stefan said loudly.

Klaus smirked at me.

"We need to talk so come here tomorrow when you're ready to talk to me," Stefan finished.

"I hope this isn't your way of apologizing, it's rather feeble," Klaus commented before hanging up on him.

Now I was madder than anything else. Stefan assumed I would always come racing back to save him and that I would put up with anything he dished out. Maybe that was true when I was human but now that I was scattered and trying to adjust I couldn't take on all of his problems too, especially after he said we were no longer friends.

I closed my eyes and blocked out any thoughts of Stefan and soon I fell asleep. When I woke up I was alone outside but I had a blanket on me. I sat up and ran my hands through my hair a few times. I pondered what I wanted to do next. I walked inside and made some lemonade and found my copy of Jane Eyre then went back outside. I got caught up in my book and didn't look up again until the sun was almost completely gone. I stretched and stood up I was still feeling mopey and depressed and I needed a fail safe way of cheering me up. I went in search of Klaus while thinking tawdry thoughts. I was almost at my destination when I heard a knock on the front door. I turned and headed towards it. I knew it was Stefan before I even got there. I pulled open the door and he was standing there looking forlorn and bashful at the same time.

"What do you want?" I asked coolly, sounding totally disinterested. Remain aloof Lana, I coached myself.

"Can I come in?" he replied.

"Sorry I have plans for the evening," I answered while thinking of Klaus and the things I was going to do to him, a small smile appeared on my face.

I went to close the door but Stefan blocked me.

"Lana I'm sorry about earlier."
"And when did you change your tune? Was it when you called Elena and she still didn't want you back?"

Stefan looked angry for a minute, "I haven't talked to Elena today."

"So what changed your mind?"

"I thought you would have a better chance if we weren't friends."

I used my vampire speed to reach out and slap him. My palm connected with his cheek and it stung considerably. I had never been one for slapping I was more of a punch happy kind of girl but I felt like a slap was more poetic in this moment.

Stefan looked at me stunned.

"Don't you dare put this on me Stefan! Don't for a second think that it justifies what you did. Take some fucking responsibility for your actions. You said you didn't want to be friends anymore Stefan and now you are making it my fault when I had nothing to do with it. You just thought me being gone would clear your path to Elena. Do you really think I'm the problem with you two? Elena hates me, but it was you who made her believe you could be her knight in shining armour to save her from the world. You should have been honest with her and told her some of your problems. That's why she's pissed Stefan because you were fake and then you treated her like crap which includes threatening to drive her off the bridge where her parents died," I was yelling by the end of my speech and Stefan was standing there taking everything I dished out.

"I'm sorry Lana," he muttered quietly.

"If you want a chance to make this right you need to be honest why did you say you didn't want to be friends and don't try to feed me lines again."

Stefan shuffled uncomfortably, "It was because of Elena…she thinks that you're the reason I left and acted like I did and I've tried telling her that it wasn't you but she's stubborn and I thought if I quit seeing you she would see that I was more like my old self."

I stared at him for a long time.

"I get it if you want some time but I really am sorry and I want to be friends with you. And I didn't talk to Elena at all today I came here because I wanted to."

I sighed, "Stefan if you want to make things right I want your house this Saturday. You don't get to ask questions not to me or Sophie or anyone else who finds out what's going on. I just want you and Damon gone for the day. From around nine in the morning until five."

"What?" he looked confused.

"No questions, it's a yes or no answer and you and Damon both need to be gone. Don't look so worried I won't burn the place down but me and Sophie need the house."

I knew I would wind up forgiving him so I figured now was the time to barter for something I wanted.

"Okay," Stefan said still looking concerned.

"I'm not going to do anything bad…just awesome," I assured him.

Stefan gave me a small smile, "So are we okay?"

"I don't know Stefan."
He nodded like he understood but his expression betrayed his confusion.

"I love you Stefan, and you know I'm there for you all the time but I never know if you're there for me. I know you love me and you want what's best for me and stuff and you've helped me through some major emotional crises but the biggest hurdle we've faced together is me changing and you were going to bail on me."

Stefan looked pained and I knew I had already started to forgive him. Damn his beautiful green eyes, they always got to me.

"What am I going to do with you," I said as I pulled him into a hug. He held on to me as if I was going to disappear on him if he loosened his grip.

I kissed his cheek and pulled away, "Stefan have you told anyone about me becoming a vampire?"

"No."
"Good keep it that way. Don't make a peep about it to anyone. I want to tell people," I said firmly.

He nodded once.

"Now go home and I'll see you in a couple of days. Just make sure you and Damon are out of the house on Saturday."

Stefan walked off and I shut the door and went in search of Klaus. I tried to be stealthy so I could see the new picture he was working on for me. I crept around the corner and peeked into the empty studio he was staring right at me.

"How did you hear me coming, I was like a ninja," I complained.

"Lana if you're not being noisy I'm instantly suspicious," he replied.

"One day I'll sneak up on you and then look out boy," I threatened.

Klaus laughed, "That won't ever happen love."

I stood staring at the empty easel, wondering what had been there before I turned up, "So I need some favours from you."

"What kind of favours?"

"Not big ones, just some minor compulsion on a few select groups. I'd do it but I can't be seen yet."

"You know I don't do anything for free," he said evenly.

"I'm certain we can come to some sort of arrangement."

He raised an eyebrow, "Fine I want you to do something for me."

"And what would you like Mr. Mikaelsen?" I asked coyly.

"Why do you always forgive Stefan?" he said taking me by surprise.

"Wow, we were on completely different pages, I was assuming you were bartering for a sexual favor."

Klaus shrugged, "I don't think I need to barter for those."

I knew if I wasn't a vampire I would be blushing because it was true he didn't need to.

"So tell me, why do you always forgive Stefan?"
"He needs me to."

"Sounds sort of vague."

"Well I don't believe love is unconditional and that eventually you do need to give up on some relationships I like to think that the ones I've walked away from I exhausted every single option in making it work so I don't have any regrets when I look back."

"That still doesn't tell me why you forgive Stefan every time he screws up," Klaus interjected.

"Because friends are supposed to forgive each other. Me and Sophie have fought almost constantly since this summer but that doesn't change the fact that she's my best friend and probably knows me better than anyone…even you."

"Still I don't see how you hand him unlimited chances no matter how many times he hurts you," Klaus said.

"You don't see it because when someone disappoints you, you lash out in anger."

Klaus folded his arms across his chest and looked unimpressed that suddenly we were talking about him.

"Admit that's what you do. You hate when people disappoint you and when they do you get upset and people wind up dead or locked in coffins for years."

Klaus started to frown.

"When people disappoint me I scream and rant and then get over it because at the end of the day I would rather have those people in my life then go it alone. So that's why I forgive him…and you for that matter. I'd rather be with you than sitting on my own pouting about how you murdered me."

"Murder is such an ugly word, if you do pick a word I prefer perfected," Klaus smiled.

"You say tomato I say tomata."

"Do you love Stefan?"

"Of course I do," I replied quickly.

Klaus' face went blank.

"Wait, what kind of love are you talking about?" I asked.

"Are you in love with Stefan?"
"No, are you?"
"What kind of question is that?"

"I don't know I was sort of wondering the same thing. Just so you know I am in love with someone," I moved closer to Klaus and I let my hands run across his shoulders. "He's sexy," my hands moved down his back and then around to his chest, "smart," Klaus leaned into me and I started placing small kisses on his neck, "some might consider him dangerous," my hands moved down his chest then proceeded lower stopping just above the edge of his pants, "adores me to no end," Klaus started kissing my neck and pulling me closer to him, "Has a vast array of knowledge on multiple subjects…Elijah really is perfect." I whispered into Klaus' ear.

Klaus pulled back instantly, "Elijah?"

"Can you fault a girl for falling for his nice guy charms?"

Klaus rolled his eyes, "You really know how to kill a mood."

I shrugged, "It's pretty much what I excel at. Well I have a few other skills," I admitted.

"Like what?" Klaus asked. I walked away from him pulling off my shirt and throwing it on the floor.

"Follow me and we'll find out together," I replied.

SOPHIE'S POV

Lady we need to plan. Come to my humble abode at your earliest convenience so we can discuss my party.

It was the third text Lana had sent to me in the last five minutes. I was still lounging in bed with Damon and didn't have any inclination to move or answer her. I heard my phone ding again.

"What is with her today? She is being unusually pesky," Damon commented as he kissed me again.

"She wants my help with something awesome," I replied with a broad smile.

"Is this about her taking over our house for a day?"

"Possibly."

Damon's phone started ringing, he rolled away to grab it and I scoped out the view and he caught me watching him as he answered it he flashed me a bedroom grin.

"What do you want Lana?" he asked.

He put it on speaker phone.

"Well Damon I will tell you what I want…I want you to quit using your sexy man powers on my best friend so she can get out of bed and come and join me on an epic excursion that is top secret."

"We aren't in bed," I lied.

"Yes you are."
"How could you possibly know that?" Damon said.

"I'm standing outside your window," she laughed maniacally

"What the fuck!" I said as I pulled the covers over me and looked outside.

"Did both of you look?" Lana asked.

"No," I lied and she started laughing again. "Can you just leave us alone for a while, I will come see you when I have some time," I huffed.

"Fine but you need to be here within two hours or I am coming to get you or I will make sure your dress is ugly," she trilled as she hung up.

"What a weirdo," I sighed.

"What dress?" Damon asked.

"Nothing it's for the thing we're doing on Saturday."
"Are you going to tell me what will be happening?"

"Lana and I are going to turn your kitchen into a meth lab."

"Well good luck with that. I didn't realize that required dresses," he replied with a smile as he leaned into kiss me again.

Eventually I managed to escape the potent sexuality that Damon oozed and got in the shower and ran to the kitchen for a quick bowl of cereal.

"Hey Stefan," I said coldly, pursing my lips.

"I took your advice yesterday," he said quietly.

"You mean the advice I gave you after you pissed Lana off again."
"Yes that advice."

"And how did that go?"
I didn't have vampire hearing but even I heard them fighting yesterday. So as soon as Lana was gone and Stefan had a few minutes to calm down I pretty much kicked in his door and laid down the law.

He had been surprised to see me looking mad but really the fool should have expected it. He was sitting on his couch scribbling in his journal in a fury.

"What the fuck Stefan!" I yelled.

He turned his green eyes to me and I could see he was trying to be scary and intimidating. He was failing though.

"Why? Why would you tell her you don't want to be her friend?"

"Stay out of it Sophie it has nothing to do with you," he snapped.

"It has everything to do with me. Lana is my best friend and she has had a really stressful few days and then you unload this bull shit on her. Do you have a brain in that giant melon attached to your neck or is it only for decorative purposes!"
"Leave Sophie," he said as he stood up.

I marched over to him.

"Stefan, you need to get over yourself. If Elena doesn't want you anymore then get over it don't place the blame on Lana."
"Lana and I aren't good for each other anymore," he said spouting the same crap he had tried giving to Lana

"When you were having trouble controlling yourself she never ran out on you. She hasn't even screwed up once and you are already claiming she's trouble for you. Elena is not with you because of you not because you're friends with Lana."

"You don't seriously believe that Lana hasn't killed someone yet…do you?"

"Even if she killed them she probably didn't rip their heads off," I snapped at him.

There was an intense silence and I started to wonder if I had gone too far. No he deserved it.

"Lana and I are just going in opposite directions."
"No Stefan, cutting Lana out won't make you more appealing to Elena in fact it will just prove to her that you're exactly who she thinks you've become because the old Stefan would never have abandoned his friend like this over something so selfish."

He crossed his arms and glared at me.

"Take my advice Stefan. Go talk to Lana tonight and apologize and be honest with her. She will know if you're lying so don't fuck around. You have done some really awful things to her but this is the one thing that will push her away from you if you don't make amends quickly your chance will be gone and she won't even hate you she'll just shut you out and treat you like a stranger."

I finished my spiel and gave him one more warning look and then walked away.

"So are you and Lana friends again?" I asked as I started eating my Lucky Charms.

"I think so."
"Now just go a few weeks without screwing up and everything will go back to normal soon."

"What is she planning for Saturday?"

"None of your business."
Stefan studied me for a minute and then got up and walked away grabbing his back pack and heading for school.

I went and found Damon who was lurking around like usual.

"I love it when you get bossy with other people, it's so sexy to see you take charge," Damon said as I walked over to him.

"Your brother can be such a dumb ass," I muttered darkly.

"Are you going to see Lana?"
"Yes, we have things to do," I said happily.

"Can I even get a hint on what you two are up to?"
"It's something for Lana."

"Birthday?" he guessed.

I shook my head.

"Funeral?" he tried again.

"Nope. But don't mention the idea of a funeral or Lana will plan some weird morbid shit and expect you to cry over a coffin or something stupid along those lines," I said as I kissed him and walked away.

I got in my car and it didn't take long before I was approaching Lana's. She swung the door open as I approached.

"About time woman," she cried.

"Sorry I can't just appear before you at a moment's notice," I grumbled.

"Come with me if you want to live," Lana instructed as she raced up the stairs.

"Where are Klaus and Rebekah?" I asked as I followed her.

"Klaus is off doing Klaus stuff and Rebekah's at school."

"So what was the big emergency?"
"I found a woman who will make dresses for us; we just need to pick colours, cuts, details and accessories."

"Shut up!"

I followed Lana into a spare room and saw an old lady with swaths of fabric and a book of pictures for us to go through.

"Have you invited anyone yet?" I asked as I started flipping through the book.

"Rebekah took the invitations to school today," Lana said happily. "And I told Stefan not to blab about me being a vampire so no one knows and Klaus has compelled me a serving staff and people to go set up take down anything we want to include in our day of frivolity."
"So you told Klaus what you're doing?"

"Nope, he just did me a favour, the only other person who knows is Rebekah because she was on the list and even though she doesn't particularly like any of the other girls she agreed to come and spend the day among us peasants."

"So are you and her getting along better?" I asked.

"Sort of…some days we do so it's a start, but I know she's in my corner since I'm pretty much a member of the Mikaelsen family."

"Are you and Klaus ever going to make it official?" I asked as I flipped through images of sumptuous gowns.

Lana chuckled, "Probably not. He asked me once and I said no but it was more of desperation move than anything else."
"When did he ask you?" I was shocked she had never mentioned this before.

"This summer after our fight, he wanted to prove how important I was so he thought marriage would lure me back to him."
I nodded, "Little did he know all he probably had to do was get naked and he could win you over in an instant."

Lana burst out laughing, "Let's keep that between us. I don't need him to know my weakness."

We spent the day flipping through books and planning the party. Lana had instructed the girls who got invitations to text her when they knew if they wanted to come or not.

"What will you do if none of them want to go?" I asked.

"I will spend the day with my best friend wearing lavish dresses acting like a goof," she replied airily.

I saw a copy of the invitations and they were really nice, clearly Lana splurged on the expensive paper.

"That's the mock up," Lana said quickly.

I saw my name on it.

I flipped it open, it was rather plain on the inside with just a small note about being at the Boarding House by nine a.m. on Saturday and that clothing, food, and all amenities will be provided by the host. It had no description on what the gathering was about.

"So what do you think the girls reactions will be like when they find out about you?" I asked Lana as she browsed through the fabric.

"I think they'll be surprised but if Bonnie tries to use her witch aneurysm powers please slap her for me."
"Don't worry I'll have your back," I replied. "So why did you have Klaus compel people? Can't you do that?"

"I assume I can. I haven't actually tried but I want my coming out party to be a surprise and if someone saw me in town there goes the surprise."

We picked our dresses and accessories and the old lady who Lana said was named Lydia took our measurements. We had her mock up a few more dresses for the other girls. Lana and got into the spirit of things making them as authentic as possible even down to the bloomers and petticoats.

Lydia finished taking our notes and promised to have them done by Friday night. Lana smiled at her and when I saw the stack of cash she passed to her even my mouth dropped open.

"How much did you pay her?" I asked as Lydia quickly left as if afraid Lana might ask for the money back.

"I don't know exactly but upwards of ten."

"Thousand?" I asked

She nodded, "She's doing me a huge favour by getting these dresses done so quickly and with the amount of costume stuff that goes on around here I want that woman to adore me."

We walked down stairs to the kitchen and Lana started making Kraft Dinner.

"So are you and Stefan friends again?" I asked hesitantly.

Lana nodded, "He just gives me those sad, I'm tortured, eyes and I can't help but let it go."

We sat down and started eating. It felt a little strange to be comfortable in a place that housed a psycho murderer that was over a thousand years old but I realized that I had somehow over time gotten used to Klaus. I didn't doubt that he cared about Lana but still I wasn't his biggest fan. We finished eating and Lana looked at me and looked worried.

"What is it?" I asked.

"If I tell you something…can you not get upset until I'm done talking?"

I nodded,

Lana shifted around nervously, "I just feel like you need to know this because to keep it from you isn't fair."

"Lana just spit it out, I won't be upset," I said. I knew this had to be bad; Lana wasn't one to beat around the bush.

"The day Klaus and I went hunting together I killed a man," she said it so quietly I almost didn't hear her.