Chapter 15

Two days later.

Stefan had done what Caroline asked him to do; he had called Elena. Of course she had only been too happy to reconcile with him. Things went back to normal, but at the same time his feelings only proved that something had changed. The love that he had once felt for her seemed old, ancient even. Like she was already a distant memory, a fond memory but none the less a memory. Something that had happened and was now left in the past. Pretending that they were once what they were was like living up to a charade that he could no longer do.

Elena had always made him smile but now when she cracked a joke or did something endearing, he was forced to put on a smile. A smile that pained him every time his lips moved to accommodate the look. It was all he was doing, just pretending because he couldn't envision anything else. It was wrong that he wanted her still, two days had passed, the ripper hadn't resurfaced once – in fact he was feeling like himself again. However it didn't stop him thinking about her, wondering why they couldn't just be normal and be friends again? What was preventing them from doing that? More than anything he wanted to know what was stopping them from being together – not together as a couple but as friends. Why did this thing feel convinced that there had to be more between them?

His thoughts were scrambled in his head. Trying to put everything back together wouldn't solve anything if it was just going to fall apart again.

Stefan had taken Elena to the Mystic fall's annual founder's market day. Every year the townsfolk would gather up items that they were interested in selling, take them to the square, and they would either sell their items or do a trade. The pair were walking hand in hand, Elena was cooing and aweing at the various items, while Stefan showed little to no interest in the things around him. In the past he had loved the market day – it was how he and Damon used to spend their weekends. Searching for items that could provide them with entertainment – in fact that was how Damon had acquired his very special original football ball. Stefan could still remember that time – when he and Damon weren't constantly at each other's throats.

"I'm so glad you decided to change your mind, about us." Elena spoke suddenly, breaking the silence that had engulfed them since he had picked her up that morning.

Stefan shrugged his shoulders and put on another classic fake smile.

"I figured we needed to get back to where we were before." He lied smoothly.

Elena's face blossomed into a huge smile, as she swung his hand with hers in obvious delight.

"We'll be stronger this time. I promise."

"We will be." He agreed even though he highly doubted it.

Elena's face fell however, she knew that she had to broach this particular question to Stefan.

"So, Damon stopped by last night. He told me about his plan with Katherine." She said cautiously, watching Stefan's face the entire time.

Stefan could feel her eyes on his profile. He wasn't surprised to hear that Damon had approached her with the plan, but judging by her posture and her obvious attempt to try and hide it – he knew that she agreed with Damon.

"You agree with him." Stefan said simply. No point beating around the bush.

"Well Klaus found out that I was alive, despite your efforts to keep him away. Nothing's going to stop him now from building his army. There has to be away to get rid of him and perhaps Katherine might be able to help. Everyone is pulling in to try and stop him. Bonnie even said she will try contacting the witches again to see if they have any advice."

Stefan frowned.

"I understand that but this is Katherine we're talking about. She's been on the run from him her whole life. She can easily turn on us and tell Klaus what were up to if it will buy her, her freedom. We're nothing but pawns in her game." Stefan said angrily.

While his feelings had changed towards,Elena, it didn't stop him from feeling remorse for the situation that she was in. If he had been more convincing enough she would have had the chance to live a normal life. But that hadn't happened and now not only was she in danger, but everyone around them was in danger. Even Caroline.

"I trust Damon will smooth out the rough edges when it comes to Katherine." Elena said stiffly.

"You trust Damon's judgment but you don't trust me?" Stefan said angrily.

Stefan stopped walking and pulled his hand out of Elena's. Elena stared at him with big puppy brown eyes. Eyes that he would have done anything for but right at this very moment he wanted to slap them out of her skull.

"It's not like that, Stefan." Elena whispered, aware that a few people were glancing in their direction.

"Then what is it like? Damon thinks for Damon, you know this!" He said, voice raised.

"That's not true. He worried about you this last summer and he still worries about you."

Stefan scoffed.

"Oh I see what's going on. You think that because of everything that's happened, I'm damaged goods and what I say is irrelevant."

"Stefan, listen to yourself!? You're on the edge. You're angry and you aren't in the right state of mind to be worrying about this all." Elena said, anger now building up within her.

"Of course I'm angry, Elena. Things have changed and I need to change too, but I'm being forced to do things that I don't want to."

Like being with you he wanted to add. Elena crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him numbly.

"Whatthings, Stefan? You don't want to be here? You wish your humanity had stayed off? Which is it?"

"Never mine. There's no point arguing over this."

"Yes there is. What is it? What is troubling you, Stefan?" Elena asked as she gripped both of his hands together.

"I did something terrible but I enjoyed it. Every time I do it, I feel lighter. Like nothing can stop me. I feel alive." He admitted.

"You've done it more than once?" Elena asked.

"Yes. I want it more than anything else in the world."

He wanted Caroline.

"Blood is always going to be like that. It's an addiction for you." Elena sighed.

"Yeah. Blood." He thought she was talking about blood that was the last thing on his mind.

"I want to help but at the same time I'm putting everyone in danger by being here. Damon suggested that we move out of town for a while. The witches can find us a safe house of sorts."

"Who's us?" Stefan asked.

"You,Damon,Bonnie, Jeremy and Caroline." Elena answered.

Stefan froze at the mention of her name. His heart lifted.

"Caroline?" He asked, just to make sure that he hadn't imagined anything.

"Damon said it was important. She needs to be with to help you." Elena said, completely oblivious to Stefan's positive reaction.

"I see." He said. Perhaps Damon's plan wasn't so bad after all.

"Can we just go back to how things were? I want us to be in that place again." Elena said pleadingly.

Stefan glanced down at her.

"I do too." He lied.

Before Elena could reply, a voice interrupted them.

"Hey guys. Glad to see all is right in the world" Tyler said from behind them.

Stefan and Elena both turned, Stefan's stomach dropped when he saw Caroline beside Tyler. His arm wrapped possessively around her. Caroline smile faltered slightly when she saw the pair, the hairs on her arms rose when she looked at Stefan, who was now looking at her with longing eyes.

Caroline gulped. Maybe today was a bad day to go shopping.

An: Told you they wouldn't be separated for long hehehe. I just felt that I had to do this scene between Elena and Stefan to show that their relationship dynamic has changed, also because I'm so anti where season 5 is going – which is basically hinting that Stefan and Elena will always be attracted to each other and be destined to be together; which I don't agree with, I just don't think there's anything between them and it's been like that since Season 3 – their epic love has fizzled out.

Lol sorry about the rant but I'm not a Stelena shipper and will never be one! I really hope Season 5 changes and they go their separate ways and hey a little bit of Steroline flirting wouldn't hurt hehehe. Anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter and that you'll be on the edge of your seat for next week to find out what happens. Enjoy the rest of your week and I hope you all have a pleasant weekend.