Elena drove around for a while before finally deciding to head out to the lake house. This was not what she had in mind for today. All she wanted to do was relax and recover from her night out. Moving into the lake house with Stefan was a nightmare. She was really starting to resent her mother as of lately. Why couldn't she just take her side for once? Elena needed her more than ever to help her and yet here she was turning her life upside down.

Elena stared at the lake house for a while studying the house she vacationed in with her family growing up. This place was full of so many memories and now they would be full of times she'd rather not remember. Stefan had yet to arrive and she was grateful at least she could unpack in peace. Elena thought about calling Jenna to see if she could just move in with her but she was sure her mom had already eliminated that choice for her. Bonnie wasn't an option because she didn't want her to know yet that she was living with Stefan. Maybe in a couple of days she could talk her parents out of this madness. Her mother was really losing her mind these days. Maybe she just needed some time to cool off from everything and get back to normal herself. Grabbing her things she headed inside the house embracing the peace and quiet.

"Damon!" Stefan yelled banging on the house door. He was supposed to head to the lake house hours ago but he had decided to do other things instead hoping Damon would change his mind. "Open the damn door!" He beat on it louder and if they had neighbors he was sure they would call the cops with how long this has been going on.

"What in the hell!" Katherine yelled as she swung the door open.

Stefan glared at her as he tried to step inside but she moved to block him. "Katherine get out of my way." Stefan said through gritted teeth. "I'm not in the mood for your games today."

"If I remember correctly this is no longer your home."

"If you think for one second that you will ever have the chance to claim my home as your own you are sadly mistaken!" Stefan said as he grabbed her by her shoulders picking her up and moving her out of his way. "This house is more of Elena's than it is yours." He yelled out as he walked into the house. "Damon!" Stefan yelled again walking into the den to see Damon sitting in front of the fire place with a drink in his hand. "You've been sitting here this whole time?" Stefan bellowed out as he stood in front of his brother to block his view of the flames.

"This isn't easy on me either little brother." Damon said meeting his eyes. "But it's what has to be done."

"Kicking me out is what's best?" Stefan raised his voice.

Damon closed his eyes and shook his head. "You don't see it do you?"

"See what? What am I supposed to see in this?"

Damon stood up to look Stefan in the eyes. "That's what you have to figure out on your own. I can't make you see it Stefan." With that Damon retreated towards his bedroom.

"Really Damon that's all you have to say?" Stefan hollered after left the house slamming the door behind him. He couldn't believe his brother.

Arriving at the lake house he noticed that Elena was already there. He really hoped that she was asleep already or in her bedroom. He wasn't in the mood to deal with her. He was exhausted. Grabbing his things he headed to the door fishing out his keys since the door was locked. With annoyance he entered the house taking in his surroundings. It's not like it was his first time here because in fact he had spent a many of summer days here with Elena. He just never thought he would be living here with her. There were a few lights on and no sight of Elena which was a good thing. He needed to get some rest before school in the morning.

Stefan found his way up the stairs and to an empty bedroom that usually he and Jeremy shared when he visited the family at the lake house. There was a light coming from underneath the door of what Stefan knew to be Elena's room. She must have left the lamp on or she was still awake. Stefan figured she may be writing or reading if she was still awake. He didn't want to bother her so he retreated back to his room to get settled in.

Elena heard Stefan coming up the stairs. She stopped writing in her journal afraid that he might hear her. She didn't want him to come into her room. She wasn't ready to talk to him tonight. Elena listened carefully as he stopped in the doorway and she was sure he was looking right at her door. She didn't know why she just didn't take the master bedroom, maybe this room felt more like home to her. Finally she heard his door shut indicating that he was not going to bother her. Eventually she went back to writing in her journal.

The next morning Elena woke up to her phone ringing. It was Bonnie calling to see if she needed a ride to school. Elena had to make up some lame excuse about why she didn't. Why she kept lying to her friends was beyond her knowledge. They would be the only ones to understand and sympathize with her. Elena was just scared though, she was scared of what they would think and scared that Matt would find out. She wasn't ready to lose him. With a heavy heart she got up and began to shower. Today would be another day of lies for her and Stefan. She wondered if it would ever end.

Stefan woke up not long after Elena showered leaving the bathroom open to him. It was odd to say the least that they were sharing a bathroom considering there was a master bathroom where she could get ready to leave Stefan his own bathroom. He was too tired at the moment to bring it up so he decided to wait until a better time. Hopefully she would agree that they needed as much space as possible to make this work. Elena was gone and out of the house before Stefan even emerged from the bathroom. He had suspected her to avoid him at all cost he just didn't think she would avoid barely getting ready for school just because of him. Much of the same thing went on the first week they were living together. Neither would say a word to each other, Stefan barely saw Elena between his football practice and her after school activities. She usually stayed out late with Matt or he stayed out late with Lexi and Tyler. No one had questioned their odd behavior just summing it up to the fact that they were finally letting things go from what Matt found out on the trip. Matt was thankful that Elena was spending more time with him although he did seem to notice she was a bit different. Stefan had also been unusually distant with him as well

After a week Stefan and Elena were finally adjusting to the living together thing. They gave each other space when needed and always made sure they were rarely in the house together. Elena had not spoken to her parents as Stefan had ignored Damon relentlessly. Both were still angry at their guardians. It was Sunday around noon and Stefan had just rolled out of bed and headed down stairs in search of something to eat. Usually he would just head to town and grab something but he was too tired today. When he entered the kitchen Elena was sitting at the bar eating a bowl of cereal. Stefan didn't acknowledge her as normal. He grabbed the box of cereal and poured him a bowl before opening the fridge in search of the milk. Moving a few items around in the empty fridge he noticed there was no milk.

Elena watched him as she shoveled another bite into her mouth. She knew what he was looking for and she knew he wasn't going to find any. The last bit of milk was in her bowl that she was now eating.

"You've got to be kidding me." He grumbled. There was nothing in the fridge to begin with anyways and now they were out of milk. "I just bought milk last week." He said slamming the door shut. It was true neither of them may have bought groceries but Stefan loved his milk so he always bought milk. What he didn't know was Elena had used his said milk every morning for breakfast. He turned to face Elena who now had an innocent look on her face. "Elena." He said with a tired voice. Apparently he had stayed out late last night.

"Sorry." She shrugged taking another bite. "It was in the fridge."

"It wasn't yours!" He yelled.

"It was in the fridge!" She defended herself.

"I bought it!"

"It was in the fridge!" Elena declared again. Of course she knew it wasn't hers but she didn't really have the money to be going and buying groceries nor did she really have the experience of it.

"Elena I have been more than patient with you lately but that milk was mine and you knew it." Stefan placed his hands on the bar looking directly at her as she took another bite of her cereal just to piss him off.

"I'm sorry I thought this was our house." She smirked sending him over the edge.

"You're not funny."

"Wasn't trying to be." She shrugged taking another bite.

Stefan was fuming watching her.

"Go buy some more." She said like it was as simple as that. They both knew going to buy more would take more time than what either would like to spend for a milk run.

"I bought it so I wouldn't have this problem." He shook his head. "Go buy your own damn milk next time."

Elena rolled her eyes and took her last bite before getting up to put her dish in the sink.

"There is nothing to eat here and I'm hungry." He sighed sitting down at the table and holding his head in his hands. "I just want my milk."

Elena kind of felt bad for stealing his milk knowing he would be upset about it now. She knew there was nothing left for them to eat. They had burned through everything possible that was there from cereal to noodles. They were in need of some serious groceries but Elena didn't have any money and she refused to ask her parents for anything.

"We need food." He said looking up at her with a serious look. Elena nodded agreeing with him. "How much money do you have?" He asked. Elena shrugged. She didn't have enough to be spending on food. "Okay, well do you think if I gave you money that you could go buy us some stuff?"

"Yeah sure." She replied. The last thing she wanted to be doing is buying groceries for them but it wasn't like they had a choice.

Stefan walked up to his room and grabbed his wallet before heading back downstairs to hear Elena on the phone to what it sounded like Matt. She was making plans with him to meet up around three.

"Here." Stefan handed her his card. "My pin is 8332." He wrote it down on a piece of paper.

"Anything special you want?"

"Milk and if you could buy some stuff for real meals."

"Chicken?" She asked and Stefan nodded. Elena didn't have the first clue really abouT shopping and how to shop for food. It was always something her mom took care of.

"Maybe some fruit?" Stefan asked her and Elena nodded. "I don't care how much you spend just bring back whatever you can. Buy whatever you need." He waved as he headed to the living room to watch TV.

Elena returned that night with a car load of groceries. She had spent probably too much but Stefan had told her to buy whatever and well she did. Whatever looked good she bought.

"Where the hell have you been?" Stefan asked when Elena walked through the door with a hand full of bags.

"The store." Elena said like he should have known.

"You've been gone since 1 and it is now 9! I've been starving and you had my card all day!"

"I'm sorry but I had other things to do!" She snapped at him.

"What like Matt?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "What's it like lying to him?"

"You tell me?" Elena said before walking back outside to grab more groceries. Stefan followed her actions and began to help.

"Have you talked to the school yet about your name change?" Stefan asked forgetting about their earlier argument. Elena shook her head as she unloaded more. Stefan was sure that she bought for an army. He was almost afraid to know how much it all cost. "You have to tell them soon Elena."

"How do I tell them?" Elena asked as she began putting things up where they belonged.

"I don't know." Stefan shrugged. "I'll do it for you."

"No." She quickly told him.

"I can do it."

"Whatever, how much did all this shit cost anyways?"

"$500." Elena said as smile came to her lips as Stefan's jaw dropped.

"This cost that?" He pointed at all the bags.

"Hey groceries aren't cheap." Elena laughed at his priceless face. "You wanted food love."

"Damn women." He mumbled.

"Excuse me?"

Stefan began to dig out the contents to make himself a sandwich. "So I was thinking that you should start using the master bathroom. I need my space just as much as you do."

Elena raised an eyebrow at him. "It's my bathroom. I shouldn't have to move all my things."

"Oh I'm sorry it's your house and I'm just living here." Stefan threw his hands up in the air. This whole living situation was ridiculous.

"If you don't like it leave." Elena was really wishing that he would just leave and go live with Lexi or someone.

Stefan laughed at her comment. "You damn well know if I could then I would! My own brother kicked me out. He took my keys Elena. If I had some place else to go I would but its obvious that we both don't, so here we are. Why don't we agree to disagree for the most part."

"I know." She sighed. She was frustrated with this not just at him. "I'll think about moving my things. It's just weird with it being my parents bathroom and all."

Stefan nodded showing that he understood. "I just think it will be less stressful to not be sharing a bathroom."

"I said I'd think about it." Elena walked out of the room tossing his card on the table as she walked up to her room. Stefan shook his head in frustration. The woman would be the death of him.

The next morning Stefan woke up in a hurry because he was running late already. He jumped in the shower in a rush. Quickly he found out there was no hot water. Turning the knobs he tried to adjust it but there was nothing. After his shower Stefan was in a foul mood.

"Morning." Elena smiled happily at him as she sipped her cup of coffee.

"What are you so happy about?" Stefan grumbled out. He had just taken a freezing cold shower. He didn't have time for her chipper attitude so early in the morning.

"I'm happy about it being one less day that I have to be married to you." Elena grinned as he poured himself a glass of milk.

"Don't act like you are totally hating this." He smirked back at her.

"I'm not particularly enjoying this." She pointed out. "We'll be late if we don't leave now." Elena said looking at the clock.

At school Elena, Bonnie and Caroline were sitting together at lunch waiting for the rest of their friends to join them.

"So Elena I was thinking we could go to your house after school and practice our cheer routine." Caroline stated like it was nothing new. Which it wasn't because usually if they couldn't use the gym they would go to their house with no questions asked.

"Um...can we just go to your place or Bonnie's this time?" Elena asked nervously.

Caroline looked at her confused. "You know my backyard isn't big enough and besides we always go to your place. Your mom makes the best snacks and Bonnie's place is too far out." Caroline smiled and Bonnie nodded in agreement.

Elena was panicking on the inside. They couldn't go to her house. She didn't live there anymore. Bonnie noticed how tense Elena was getting over this. She wasn't sure why it was such a problem. They always hung out at Elena's.

"What's up guys?" Lexi asked coming to sit down with Stefan in tow. He sat down beside Caroline and began to eat his lunch not paying attention to the girl's conversation.

"Practice at Elena's this afternoon." Caroline told Lexi with a smile ignoring Elena's request to have practice somewhere else.

Lexi looked at Elena raising her eyebrow in question silently asking her how that was going to happen. Stefan actually looked up with amusement wondering how she would get out of this one. Stefan was waiting for Elena to object and make up some excuse about why they couldn't but she was at a loss.

"Elena didn't you say your parent's were getting some landscaping done?" Lexi asked.

Elena looked at her confused until Stefan kicked her foot under the table making her nod her head in agreement. "Yeah mom wants to get her flower beds and stuff down and dad's trimming the trees." Elena lied yet again to her best friends.

Stefan wasn't planning on Lexi saving her so soon but he was thankful none the less because at that moment Matt and Tyler joined them.

"I guess practice is cancelled." Caroline said with frustration.

"So Elena I rented a couple of movies to watch tonight." Matt smiled brightly at her. "My mom is back in town and is driving me insane."

Elena smiled at him nervously wondering how she was going to get out of this one. "Don't you have practice this afternoon?"

"Coach gave us the night off." Stefan grinned at her. He was enjoying this too much today.

"Why would he do that?" Elena asked.

"Something about a wedding and a gift." Stefan winked making Elena choke on her drink she was taking a sip of.

"What?" She choked out as Matt patted her back as she recovered. He didn't have a clue what Stefan was talking about.

Bonnie was watching the three closely to see how far Stefan was willing to take this in front of Matt. Caroline was confused about what in the world the problem was and how she didn't know about a wedding in town. Tyler was trying not to laugh at Elena and Lexi was trying to come up with a plan to save her friends before Stefan sunk them.

"Who's getting married?" Caroline asked with curiosity.

"No one." Elena snapped a little to fiesty.

"But Stefan just said..."

"It's the coaches nieces daughter's wedding." Lexi said.

"No I don't think so." Stefan said shaking his head as Lexi reached across the table and slapped him upside his head.

"That's what you just told me idiot."Lexi warned him not to argue with her.

"Okay okay." Stefan held his hands up in defense. "He said he had to go buy her a gift this afternoon with his wife so he gave us the afternoon off."

"So a movie tonight?" Matt asked Elena again.

"Tonight's not a good night for me." Elena lied again.

"We're going shopping." Bonnie said. "Sorry girl's night." She saved her friend. Elena was hiding something again and Bonnie wanted to know what it was.

"Thanks for the invite." Caroline said.

"You can come Care." Bonnie smiled. They all needed some girl time anyways.

Elena didn't have the heart to tell her friends she didn't have any money to go shopping but she could use the time away from Stefan.

After school the girls were all walking from shop to shop trying to make the most of their evening. Bonnie was silently observing her friend trying to figure out what it was that was going on.

"You should get that." Caroline commented to the dress Elena was holding in her hands. "Matt would go crazy if you wore that on a date."

Elena smiled knowing that it would drive Matt crazy. "It really would."

"Get it." Bonnie shrugged. Elena was about as bad as Caroline when it came to shopping.

Elena looked at the price tag and grimaced. She couldn't afford it now. Not after her trip to Vegas and the new ring she bought for Stefan. "I can't." She whispered.

"Why not?" Caroline asked. "It was so made for you."

"I can't afford it right now." Elena told them. "Not after our trip to California." That wasn't a complete lie."

"I'm sure your mom and dad wouldn't mind you using your emergency only card." Caroline laughed. It wouldn't have been the first time Elena had used it for something new.

"I can't." Elena sighed setting the dress down. "Dad turned the card off after I bought those pair of shoes for California. Can we just go I'm not really in the mood to shop anymore."

Caroline and Bonnie both looked at her a little worried. Since when does Elena Gilbert not want to shop?

"Are you sick?" Caroline asked reaching out to feel her forehead. "You're not hot."

Elena laughed a bit at her friend's concern. "I'm fine. I just don't want to shop if I can't buy anything."

"You have a point." Bonnie told her. "Care buy your million items you don't need and we'll head out. I have a paper to write for English anyways."

"It's not due until like next week." Caroline informed her.

"It's due this Friday." Bonnie informed her laughing as Caroline and Elena's eyes both went wide. "This is why you guys need a planner."

"Just great." Elena said shaking her head.

Elena was exhausted from the afternoon of shopping with her friends and she was more than ready to just relax the rest of the night. She knew she needed to be starting her paper for class but she figured another night wouldn't kill her. Pulling up to the lake house Elena noticed Lexi's car. She had wondered how long it would take Lexi to finally come join them. Wherever Stefan was Lexi wasn't far behind. They truly were best friends, Elena would say that Lexi was the sister Stefan never got the chance to have.

"Hey there wifey." Stefan smiled brightly at Elena when she walked into the kitchen to see him cooking.

"Don't start with me." She warned him dropping her purse on the counter. She was curious about what he was cooking because it smelt delicious. He hadn't cooked since they moved in.

"Hey I hope you don't mind me coming over. My parents left a note saying they would be gone for a couple of days."

"It's fine." Elena smiled at her. "You should have come shopping with us today."

"I promised Stefan here I'd spend some quality time with him since he's missed me so much. But what did you get?" Lexi asked.

Elena shook her head. "I didn't."

"You not get something?" Stefan asked with a loud laugh which earned him a go to hell look that Elena had mastered just for him.

"I didn't have the money after I bought that pretty little ring that you never wear." Elena shot back at him. Stefan looked down at his hand and admired the ink on his finger that was uncovered.

"Speaking of rings where is mine?" He asked. "I feel naked without it." He said wiggling his fingers.

"Somewhere in my room I don't know." Elena shrugged. She knew exactly where the ring was but she knew Stefan would throw a fit.

"You don't know where it is?" Stefan stopped chopping the vegetables gripping the knife a little tighter. "That's a very old ring Elena. Do you have any idea..."

Elena rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "Shut up Stefan you know I'd never lose that thing."

He sighed shaking his head mumbling something under his breath.

"Hey how come you never let me wear that thing?" Lexi asked him ."You always cried like a little girl if I tried to get it off your finger."

Elena laughed at her comment and Stefan's face he made. "I did not cry." He corrected. "Elena's different." He smiled.

"How so?" Lexi really wanted to know this answer.

"Simple she puts out and you don't." He dodged a flying object that Elena threw at his head while laughing.

"You are disgusting!" Elena yelled at him as she headed to go to her room.

"Go find my ring sweetheart before I start charging you!" Stefan yelled at her only to see her flip him the bird.

"So I take it things are going well here." Lexi laughed

"That's the most we've talked since we've been here." Stefan said as he went about preparing the rest of their meal. "She usually is at Matt's or in her room."

"That's awkward."

"It's alright. But she did drink all my milk the other day and I about had a heart attack."

Lexi laughed at him. "You and your damn milk."

"It makes me strong." He said flexing his muscles.

"You mind if I go talk to her while you finish up in here?" Lexi wasn't even sure why she was asking but it was just kind of weird now because she felt as if she was having to pick a side.

Stefan shook his head. "Na go. I think she needs someone now who she can talk to about this. I think she's taking it pretty hard not talking to her parents."

"How about you? How are you taking it?"

"I'm alright. I mean I miss Damon but I don't miss the devil living with him."

"She's not that bad." Lexi said while Stefan gave her a look. "Okay she is that bad."

"Go talk to her." Stefan said nodding his head in her direction.

Lexi knocked on Elena's door before entering. It was completely different from her room at her parent's house. This room was empty feeling.

"Elena?" Lexi called out to her.

"Not now Lex." Elena said shaking her head. Lexi walked in closing the door to see Elena was sitting on the ground leaned up against her bed. Lexi walked over and sat beside her.

"You wanna talk about it?" Lexi asked. "I know I'm not Bonnie or Caroline and we may not be as close as we used to but I'm always here for you. I can only imagine how hard this if for you and Stefan."

"I couldn't buy a dress I wanted today." Elena said staring at the wall in front of her.

"That bothers you?"

Elena nodded her head. "I spent all my money in Vegas on Stefan that night. I'm broke now because I bought him some stupid ring that has no meaning. I saw this dress today and it was just begging me to buy it you know?" Lexi nodded. "Caroline and Bonnie both that I was crazy when I turned it down. They are starting to question me as of lately and all I can think to do is keep lying to them. Do you have any idea how hard it is to lie to everyone around you?" Elena was on the verge of tears. "Bonnie knows I married Stefan but she thinks we are getting it annulled. Caroline has no clue. I just don't know how much longer I can do this."

"You can't hide this forever." Lexi quietly told her. "I know you want to pretend like this never happened but you and Stefan can't keep this up."

"I know."

"Matt won't hate you."

"I think he will."

"Do you love him?"

"Of course I love him!" Elena raised her voice. "Matt doesn't deserve any of this."

"I think it's time we all come clean. No one has to know the dirty details of it."

"I can't. Not yet." Elena cried wiping at her eyes to fight the tears. "I just want everything to go back to normal. I couldn't even have a movie night with my boyfriend. I'm living with Stefan Salvatore."

"He's not all that bad." Lexi told her. "He's better than being alone."

Elena nodded. "You know you are welcome here anytime Lexi. I'd never keep you two apart."

"I know I am. I just don't want to overstep any boundaries with you. I know how hard this is already on you and Stefan and I can be a bit overbearing at times. Just ask your sister."

Elena laughed. She knew how much they got on Katherine's nerves. "She deserves the misery."

"You and Stefan have that one thing in common."

"What?"

"Your enjoyment of Katherine's misery." Lexi laughed with her.

"They didn't always hate each other." Elena reminded her.

"Stefan tolerated her for you." Lexi said.

"Yeah and you see how that back fired on me didn't you?"

"Things are not always as they seem."

"What are you talking about?"

"Have you ever really talked to him about everything?"

"It's not even worth it. What's done is done and I can't forgive that."

"Just don't give up on him."

"I'm with Matt."

"Doesn't mean you can't still be his friend. You know this whole living together thing wouldn't be so bad if the two of you got along."

"Hell would have to freeze over before that happened."

"You two cease to amaze me so I won't be surprised when hell does freeze over." Lexi teased.

Elena shook her head standing up. She went through a couple of drawers in her desk before pulling out Stefan's ring. She slipped it on and admired it for a moment before tossing it to Lexi.

"Don't tell him it's here." Elena grinned as Lexi's eyes lit up slipping the ring on herself.

"It's so damn big." She held excitement in her voice. "Stefan never lets me wear this thing. Damon is just as uptight about his too." Lexi told her. "How long do you plan on keeping this thing from him?"

"Until he stops being an ass."

"Looks like you'll have it forever then." Both girls laughed as they went about talking about school and other things to keep Elena's mind off of everything else. It was nice to have a normal moment with Lexi. She didn't have to hide anything with her or pretend that she was okay.

"Hey I think I have a solution to your money problem but you can't tell Stefan I gave it to you." Lexi slipped the ring off and handed it to Elena to put up. Neither girl ever wanted to be responsible for losing that thing.

"What's that?"

"You're a Salvatore now so you can open up a joint banking account with Stefan." Lexi smiled mischievously. She knew Stefan would croak if he found out what Lexi was saying.

"He'd kill me."

"Elena you're married what's his is technically yours."

Elena thought about what Lexi was saying. She was right. Stefan's money was her money now even though she didn't want it. But she was broke and she didn't have a job. She didn't want to talk to her parents about borrowing money at this point. It seemed to her that her only option was to embrace the Salvatore name for the time being. Stefan had come and knocked on the door informing them that dinner was now ready.

"Hey Lexi." Elena called to her before Lexi reached her door. Lexi stopped turning to look at her. "Thanks for just talking to me."

Lexi smiled happily. "Anytime."