The doorbell rang. Elena hurried to answer it, smoothing back her hair and straightening her top she pulled open the large oak door. Bonnie stood behind it.

"Bonnie! Come in, come in! I've missed you so much."

Bonnie grinned and pulled her friend into a hug.

"So, how are you, and how are things with Matt?" Elena asked smirking. She gestured for Bonnie to follow her as she started towards the kitchen. Bonnie sat down in a chair and sighed.

"It's great sometimes, but other times I think my Powers overwhelm him, frighten him. Ya know?"

Elena nodded. "Don't worry I'm sure it'll work out."

She walked over to a cabinet, pulling down two cups. Setting them down on the countertop, she paused. "Bonnie?"

"Mmm?"

"Where's Stefan?"

She'd been so caught up in seeing Bonnie again she'd forgotten he hadn't come in.

"Oh, he's coming soon. He went to, err….eat." She replied sheepishly.

"Ah, Okay. You want some coffee?" Elena asked, gesturing to the cups.

"Sure. Why not."

Moments later the coffee was done. Sitting at the table Elena smiled at Bonnie. "Spoken to Meredith?"

"Not recently, last I heard she was with Alaric someplace."

Bonnie grinned. "Those two make such an odd pair. Half the time they're in love the other half they're just bickering. It's comical."

Elena agreed, smiling. It was true.

"How's Margaret and Aunt Judith?" Elena voice threatened to waver but she cleared her throat and regained her composure.

"They're good. Oh Elena, Margaret has grown so much and Robert and your Aunt get along nicely. It's so good that Margaret has a father figure. She misses you terribly, Elena."

"I know, I know. I can't go back there Bonnie. She'll just have to think I'm gone. It's the way it has to be. Maybe when she's a lot older."

Bonnie sighed.

The next thing out of Bonnie's mouth was startling. She spoke softly when she said, "Elena, has Damon made himself seen? I mean we haven't seen him since that night in the clearing."

Elena shifted uncomfortably in her chair and there was a moment of silence as she stared into her coffee. "Well, no actually."

"Oh. It's strange but I think I miss having him around with his sarcastic remarks. He always made things interesting."

"Yeah, know what you mean."

"You of all people should know." Bonnie mumbled, winking.

Elena swatted at her friend. "Shush."

"Do you love him Elena?"

Where the hell is she getting all these questions? Elena wondered. Stefan was right, Bonnie always just said whatever came to her mind. "Why do you ask?"

Bonnie simply shrugged. "Curiosity."

"Curiosity killed the cat." Elena mentioned. "But anyway in answer to that…." Elena hesitated. "Yes I do."

"Like Stefan?"

This time it was Elena who shrugged. "I suppose. It's hard to explain. Stefan in my husband, he's my life. Damon, well he's not my husband but I love him all the same. I know, and it's a scary thought and an odd one, but I know that if Stefan hadn't been in my life I would have gladly gone with Damon."

"Elena! You make it seem like Stefan's an inconvenience."

"That's not how I meant it to come out. I'm trying my best. To put it simply, Stefan is my world; we're meant for each other like a ring for a finger. Interlocking pieces at the soul. Where as I can't help myself from loving Damon and I know he loves me. I saw it in his eyes the other…." Elena caught herself and hastily tried to cover it up. "…. When I was dying in Katherine's crypt. He cried Bonnie. He cried for me."

"Damon crying?"

"Yes, he kept telling me to hold on, that he'd take me home. Oh Bonnie, I'd never thought there was a side like that in Damon. He's always got that mask on of pure control and no emotions. He wants you to think he doesn't care. But deep down, he does."

"More then you could guess. We saw that with Stefan the night in the clearing."

Before Elena or Bonnie could say anything more the front door opened and Stefan walked in. Elena got up quickly and ran over to him. "Stefan!" He put his arms around her and brought his lips to hers.

"Missed you."

"I missed you too. Hey, you didn't tell me you were bringing Bonnie."

"I wanted to surprise you. You were surprised right?"

"Yup. C'mon into the kitchen."

"Sorry I didn't come in with Bonnie. I was-"

"I know, Bonnie told me." Elena cut in.

Stefan sat down with the girls. "So what did you do while I was away?"

"Not much." Elena said bluntly, her stomach twisting not liking where the conversation was going. "So. Where's Bonnie gonna stay?" Elena asked quickly.

"She can use the spare bed if she likes."

"Oh, the couch would be fine. I don't sleep well sometimes, I'd probably wake you two up and, well you deserve privacy…." Bonnie replied.

"Nonsense, Bonnie." Elena told her friend. "You're welcome to anything while you're here."

"Really, Elena, I'd feel much better if I could just use the couch," She said.

Elena sighed. "All right. Anyway, do you want anything to eat?"

Bonnie shook her head of red curls. "Nah."

Stefan then said in exaggerated courteousness, "Pardon me, ladies, I'm going to take a shower." He grinned.

"Okay." Elena said, and blew him a kiss.

Stefan wandered upstairs.

"Oh Elena," Bonnie said dreamily, "You're so lucky to have him. He loves you so much, not to mention he's damn gorgeous. When he looks at me I could melt."

Elena felt a pang in her stomach at the mention of love. She pushed it aside before she could get too upset.

"I know. And he's all mine. _Every night_." Elena laughed teasingly.

"Can't I take a peek?" Bonnie asked. "Please, I'd give him back, I just wanna go upstairs and look in while he's—"

"Nope." Elena said grinning.

"Aw, you're no fun. Know that?"

Elena winked at Bonnie as she dissolved into a fit of laughter. She then proceeded to get up to put her cup in the sink.

"Come on, let's find something on TV. I need some fun."

Bonnie got up and with Elena, walked into the living room.