It was the night of the dance and Elena was nervously getting ready in her room. Stefan had left the lake house that morning promising to return in time to pick her up. Jenna and Miranda had come over earlier in the day to help Elena get ready. They didn't want to miss this moment for the world.

"Miranda you should have seen how Stefan asked her to the dance." Jenna laughed sipping a glass of wine while they touched up Elena's hair downstairs waiting for Stefan's arrival.

"I heard the boy was half naked." Miranda raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

Elena laughed rolling her eyes. "Stefan said that he knew I wouldn't be able to say no if he didn't have any clothes on."

"The boy was right." Jenna said smiling.

Stefan was standing in front of his mirror in his old bedroom adjusting his tie.

"Nervous?" Damon asked stepping into the room.

"I can't seem to get this right." Stefan said shaking his head.

"Let me see." Damon turned Stefan around so he could fix his tie. "There."

Stefan looked at his reflection in the mirror happy with he results. "Thanks." Stefan looked at his phone to see the time. "I need to head out or I'll be late."

"The limo just pulled up." Damon assured him. "I paid him for the night so go have fun."

"Thanks Damon." Stefan smiled. "Did Katherine get the corsage?"

"Right here." Katherine said smiling as she came into the room holding them.

"Thanks Katherine." Stefan said sincerely.

Stefan waved to Damon and Katherine before he got into the back of the limo and headed for Elena. Reaching the lake house he took a deep breath and headed for their front door. On the other side of the door stood his whole world and he was more than nervous to make tonight right. Stefan knocked twice on the door before Elena swung it upon leaving him breathless.

"Elena." He said softly looking her over. "You look...wow." He laughed quietly. "Beautiful." He looked into her eyes.

"Thank you." Elena smiled at him as she stepped aside to let him in.

"Stefan you look dashing." Miranda smiled at him.

"Thank you." Stefan said nodding. "Hi Jenna."

"Hey stud." Jenna winked.

Stefan and Elena took a few photos together and Stefan slipped on her corsage as she pined his flower to him. Miranda and Jenna were all smiles seeing the kids out.

"Hey Jenna make sure you and mom actually leave before we get home." Elena reminded her.

"Oh really now?" Jenna asked.

"We are married after all." Elena teased them.

"As you wish." Jenna smiled.

"I hope you're hungry." Stefan told her as they headed into town.

"I could use something to eat." Elena nodded. "This thing is nice."

"Damon made sure we got the best one available. I'm pretty sure Caroline is going to kick my ass when we get there because Damon stole this one right under their nose."

"Remind me to steer clear of her tonight." Elena joked. Stefan took Elena to a nice dinner where they talked and laughed. Elena couldn't of pictured a better time in her head with him. Stefan had really gone above and beyond to score them reservations at the restaurant outside of town. They arrived at the school and Stefan was smiling happily from ear to ear at Elena. He helped her from the limo as Elena nervously got out and began the walk up towards the entrance. As soon as they walked through the door everyone's eyes turned towards them. Stefan felt Elena's grip on his arm tighten. He looked at her with a reassuring smile as he continued his walk to find their friends. He knew this was a big moment for Elena. The last time they walked through those doors they were in much of the same form but neither was smiling and by the end of the night Stefan was chasing her out of the gym.

"Elena you look stunning!" Caroline gushed looking Elena up and down.

"Absolutely hot!" Bonnie grinned making Elena laugh.

"I told her the same thing." Stefan winked at Elena helping her into a chair beside Bonnie. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Is the punch spiked?" Elena teased.

"It just was." Tyler smiled walking up flashing her a glimpse of his flask.

"Then I'll take some." She told Stefan.

"Watch my date." Stefan said to his friends. "I don't need anyone trying to steal her away before we dance!"

"Dance?" Bonnie asked elbowing Elena playfully.

"He's full of surprises." Elena smiled as her eyes followed Stefan across the room. He was filling up two glasses of punch while a few people tried to talk to him and he kindly carried on a small conversation but she could tell he was trying to hurry back. Stefan arrived back shortly with her drink while he stood beside her and talked with Tyler about what they were planning for the break. Elena had tuned them out when they started talking about weight lifting. Soon enough Stefan was dragging Elena off to the dance floor to give everyone a mouthful to talk about. He was his usual charming self surprising her in his amazing dance moves that he had yet to own up to how he learned them. Elena was laughing and smiling with him which was a good sign. She was happy and in turn that made Stefan happy. Matt had showed up in the middle of it all and kept his peace with Stefan and Elena. It didn't stop him from pouting about it and pounding the punch. Stefan tried to keep a close eye on him just in case anything popped off. But it seemed that Matt was going to be pleasant tonight. Elena had become tense when Matt showed up but he greeted her with a kind smile and commented her on her dress. Stefan was weary of him worried that he would start a fight. It was the last thing any of them needed tonight. It was the first time in a long time that everyone was actually together and enjoying themselves. Towards the end of the night everyone gathered around as it was time to announce who would be winning King and Queen of the winter formal. Elena was standing beside Bonnie and Caroline with Stefan behind her. A teacher stood on the stage to announce the winners and the first name he called was Matt's and it was no surprise to any of them. Matt was a sweetheart and everyone loved the guy.

Matt looked around not quite sure he heard the guy right but Tyler slapped him on the back giving him a friendly shove towards the stage making Matt stumble a bit as he pushed through the crowd of students. Matt's group of friends clapped happily for him as he accepted his crown with a bright smile. Next they awaited anxiously for the queen to be announced.

"So this year we had a really close tie between some of our favorite Mystic Falls girls!" The teacher said earning a yell from them all. "As much as I would like to announce them all queens we can only have one for the night sadly! But I know you all will be happy to welcome your new Winter Queen Elena Salvatore!" He yelled excitedly and people started cheering and clapping the moment they heard the name and Elena started her walk towards the stage but she froze when she heard the whispers and when the last name set in.

"Did that man say Elena Salvatore?" A girl said to her friend as she walked by.

"I think he did." Another said.

"What in the hell is going on here?"

"Did those two really get married?"

"Poor Matt!"

"I knew she was still sleeping with him!"

"This is gonna be so good!"

Elena felt Caroline and Bonnie walk on each side of her to help push her to keep walking to accept her crown. "It's okay." Bonnie whispered.

"Damage control." Caroline assured her as Elena climbed the stairs. She accepted her crown from a very embarrassed teacher who looked mortified. Elena smiled weakly at her student body and her eyes landed on Stefan. She wanted to yell and scream at him. Some how this had to be his fault. There had to be a reason why this was happening tonight. But the look in his eyes told her he had no clue why or how this happened. The fight in her was lost and all she wanted to do was run to him and go home. Matt stood and watched the interaction between Elena and Stefan and something clicked.

"It's true." Matt whispered almost so softly Elena didn't hear. He looked at Bonnie and Caroline who were trying to brainstorm a way to fix this situation. Stefan looked guilty and Elena looked defeated. "You married him didn't you?" Matt asked her causing Elena to turn towards him.

"Matt." She shook her head.

"Vegas." He shook his head as if all the pieces were falling into place. "The disappearance. The awkward tension. You two becoming close again. It's true isn't it?" He asked her. "You married Stefan."

Elena was at a loss for words. Matt's face turned from sad to angry as he threw down his crown and stepped down from the stage and headed straight for Stefan. Stefan was still frozen to his place when Matt made it to him and punch him square in the jaw. Stefan was jolted back from it stumbling back into a few people.

"You son of a bitch!" Matt yelled at him as he swung for him connecting his his cheek once more.

Stefan felt the blood as he wiped his face. "Matt stop this." Stefan pleaded. "You're drunk. Let's talk this out." Stefan held his hands up in defense.

"No! I'm done talking! You were my best friend! How could you! I loved her!" Matt yelled as he reached for him again but Stefan was quick to move this time and blocked his punch.

"Mat man stop please." Stefan begged him. "Not here. You can kick my ass but just not here."

"Enough." Ric said standing between the two. "Tyler get Matt out of here and home safe." Ric ordered and Tyler quickly moved to get Matt out of the gym not believing himself what just went down. "Stefan go find Elena." Ric said looking around for Elena who was now missing.

Stefan nodded and went off to look for her. Outside he found that the limo was gone. He panicked as he wondered where she could of gone. He tried her cell phone but she wasn't answering. Not knowing what to do he called Damon to come get him.

"Where do you think she is?" Damon asked as he drove Stefan back to his car.

Stefan shook his head as he nervously played with his phone. "I have no clue. We were fine. Tonight was going great until something stupid happened."

"You stupid?" Damon scoffed.

"Shut up." Stefan warned him. "Has Katherine heard from her?"

"No." Damon assured him. "Look I'm sure she is just trying to clear her head. Tonight was a major outing for the two of you. That teacher introduced her as Mrs. Salvatore and Matt confirmed it by making a scene like the dumbass he is. Which brings me to the next thing, why the hell didn't you lay his ass out?"

Stefan shrugged. "I just didn't want to make things worse. Elena doesn't like it when I fight."

"Trying to be the better man and win some brownie points. Good, you're going to need them." Damon laughed. " They rode in silence until Damon dropped Stefan off assuring him he'd keep a look out for Elena and call him as soon as he heard something. Stefan was about to hop into his car when his phone rang.

"Katherine what do you want?" Stefan sighed.

"She's here." Katherine quietly whispered into the phone. "She just showed up."

"Keep her there." Stefan said. "I'll be there in just a minute."

Stefan raced to his car and drove as fast as he could to the boarding house. True to Katherine's word Elena was there. He had passed the limo on the way down the driveway. Damon had yet to arrive back to the house. Stefan walked inside and began to search for Elena.

"She's in your old room." Katherine said coming to meet him in the foyer. Stefan felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"Is she okay?" He asked.

"She's just in shock of it all." Katherine said. "Stefan you have to tell her."

"Katherine now is not the time." He sighed as he began to walk away but Katherine was quick to grab his elbow to stop him. He looked angry with her touching him so she quickly let him go.

"Stefan she loves you. I see that now."

"I can't hurt her."

"We already have. Well you." Katherine shook her head trying to find the right words. "Look I'm saying quit playing the hero in this and tell her the damn truth about that night. It wasn't your fault."

"What about what happens after she finds out it was all a lie and we broke up for no reason?"

"I don't know." Katherine shrugged. "But she deserves the truth and she deserves to hear it from you. If you two can make it through all this crazy bullshit then surely you can survive one more thing."

"I won't do that to her again. I won't make her feel anymore pain from that night. It's better to bury the hatchet and let it be. She's better now and we are better. We moved past it."

"Stefan..."

"No." He hissed at her. "No. I will not make her relive that night again just to clear your conscience. Now drop it and don't ever bring it up again. She's happy. You have a relationship with your sister so be happy." With that said Stefan walked away and up to his old room. Elena was standing there silently waiting for him.

"I don't know why I came here." Elena shrugged when he closed the door.

"It's okay." He said softly. "I just needed to see for myself that you were okay."

"You told the school about my name change didn't you?" Elena asked tossing her crown on his bed.

"It was before we made peace with each other. I didn't even remember I did it." Stefan wasn't proud of his actions. "I will fix it."

Elena shook her head and sat on his bed. "It's done with now. Everyone knows."

Stefan cautiously sat down beside her making sure to give her enough space. He looked at her wondering how he had ever gotten so lucky to have someone like her in his life. "You never got your dance." He said as he stood up and turned on his record player that played some old classic tune she didn't know the name of. Stefan held his hand out to her. "Would you like to dance Mrs. Salvatore?"

Elena looked at him not sure if she should or not but eventually she took his hand as he helped her to stand and brought her to the middle of his room. Stefan easily slid into a rhythm and guided Elena all throughout the little space that they had. She rested her head against his chest as he pulled her a little closer. Too soon the song ended and Stefan stopped their movements and Elena looked up at him. "Did it hurt?" She whispered reaching up to gentle touch the small bruise on his face.

"Not as much as losing you." He replied honestly.

"I'm right here."

Stefan's hand clasped over the one on his face and he brought it to his lips gently kissing it. Elena stared into his green eyes getting lost in the beauty that Stefan Salvatore was. This man before he was beautiful inside and out and she had lost sight of who he was for a while now. She refused to believe there was an ounce of good left in him. People make mistakes. She was one of those people. She gave up on him. She gave up on their love. Elena was mad at herself for wasting so much time. She wanted to make things right but she didn't know how to go about it. Stefan was careful not to move too fast in fear that she might get scared and close herself off to him. He needed to feel this connection with her. Elena's eyes searched his looking for a sign to turn away but Stefan held steady and strong in front of her not wavering. Slowly she stood on her toes letting her eyes fall shut and naturally Stefan's did the same. What felt like minutes passed before her lips softly brushed against his. Stefan let her make the moves this time. When Elena's lips opened against his Stefan lost all control and met her lips in a fierce kiss. Elena didn't object but instead met him with just as much passion. Her hands snaked up around his neck to pull him closer to her. Stefan's hands fell to her waist to balance them because he was sure his knees were growing weak in this moment. Elena was his one weakness in life and right now she was proving that control over him. Stefan smiled she finally broke the kiss for much needed air.

"Wow." She said more so to herself than to him.

Stefan tried to hide his laugh but he couldn't but Elena just looked at him with a smile to herself. "Screw it." Stefan said as he crashed his lips against hers again making Elena laugh against his lips but she was soon quieted when she responded to him. After a while the two found themselves on Stefan's bed wrapped up in each other enjoying the simplicity of just kissing. It was something neither of them had done in such a long time. Elene was memorizing the shape of his lips while Stefan was exploring every bit of her collarbone and up. Before long the two fell asleep with Elena's head on Stefan chest and his arms wrapped around her. There was so much to talk about but tonight wasn't the night. They needed this more than anything. Tonight they needed to just accept everything for what it was and deal with the real world come Monday morning at school.

Stefan woke up sometime in the early hours of the morning. He immediately felt the absence of the girl who fell asleep in his arms. He sat up to find Elena was immersed in reading something at his desk. She hadn't even heard him stir. Stefan rubbed his tired eyes trying to adjust to the light of the room.

"Elena what are you doing?" Stefan called out to her.

Elena jumped at the sound of his voice. "You lied." Elena said shaking her head looking up at him. Stefan took notice of her tear stained cheeks. somewhere between waking up and just now she had changed out of her dress and into some of his old sweats. Stefan assumed she probably woke up out of discomfort or the need to go to the bathroom.

"What are you talking about?" Stefan asked once again as he stood up to walk to her.

"I overheard you and Katherine tonight." Elena's voice cracked and Stefan's face dropped. Elena held up Stefan's journal and he recognized which one it was. "You know I wasn't even going to invade your privacy but something told me to do it."

"You know." Stefan said quietly.

"I know." Elena cried.

Stefan was at his house getting ready for another Saturday night with his friends. It had been a long and grueling week at school with finals approaching and everyone getting ready for the winter formal. Elena had been busy all week and tonight they had agreed she would meet him at his house and they would head to the party together. Stefan was more than ready to kick back and relax with his friends. He needed the time with his girlfriend too. Stefan was about to exit his room and run downstairs to raid the liquor cabinet to steal a bottle for the party but he stopped when he heard Damon and Katherine arguing. They had been doing it a lot as of lately. Damon had actually broken up with Katherine this past week. Stefan wanted to say he was happy because it meant less fighting from the two but in reality it made things worse. The two would get drunk and both meet back here to argue some more. It usually ended up with Katherine staying the night but Stefan had gotten used to their crazy relationship.

Picking up his phone he called Elena.

"Hey boyfriend." Elena answered happily.

"Hey. Not trying to rush you or anything but it seems to me like Katherine found out about Damon's date from last night."

"Oh no." Elena sighed. "I'll be over there soon. Caroline asked me if I could run by The Grill and pick up Matt for her. You don't mind?"

Stefan laughed. "Of course I don't mind. Matt's harmless. It's Tyler I'd be worried about." Stefan teased her. "Just be safe driving."

"I'll be coming to the rescue shortly. Just finishing up my hair."

"Oh the beloved hair."

"Shut it mister. You are the one with perfect hair."

"I'll be waiting."

"I love you."

"I love you more Elena." Stefan said with a smile ending the call. Peeking his head out the door of his room he didn't hear anymore yelling so he thought it was safe to exit the safety of his room. Stefan found a bottle of vodka for the girls and bourbon for him and Lexi.

He was busy texting Lexi something stupid about stealing Damon's bourbon when he heard a crash from Damon's room. Stefan sent the text and headed up the stairs to see if everything he was okay. He was sure that they had both left with how quiet things were. When he heard another crash he raced into Damon's room to find Katherine loosely wrapped in a towel holding her hand. Stefan took in the sight of broken picture frames of what he assumed were of her and Damon broken on the floor.

"Katherine are you okay?" Stefan asked not wanting to startle her.

"He is sleeping with someone else." Katherine said in an icy tone. "I gave him everything and this is how he repays me."

Stefan noticed the slur in her voice but chose to ignore her drunken state. Damon had been quite the ass to Katherine all for nothing. "Is you hand okay?" Stefan decided to ignore the statement about Damon.

Katherine looked down at her hand and let it go where Stefan could see the blood. She laughed drunkenly and reached for the glass what Stefan was sure was full of her favorite cocktail. Taking a drink he watched the blood run down.

"You're bleeding Kat." He said walking over to her to try and reach for her glass because she had had enough. Katherine just shoved him back with her hand getting blood all over his shirt. "Let me see it." Stefan said.

"Just go away." Katherine mumbled.

"I can't." He sighed. "I need to see how deep it is."

"Why do you care so much?" Katherine asked him honestly with a broken voice.

"You're Elena's sister."

"Right. That's all I'll ever be. Just Elena's sister. I forgot she's the good one."

Stefan shook his head at her fighting hard not to roll his eyes. "You are more than just Elena's sister and you know that." Stefan grabbed her hand this time successfully. He used the bottom of his shirt to dry up some of the blood so he could get a better look. "It's not too deep." He said thankfully. "Now come on. I'll bandage you up."

"I hate him." Katherine said when Stefan was cleaning her cut.

"No you don't."

"Yes I do." Katherine promised him. "Why couldn't he be more like you?"

Stefan let go of her hand when he realized where this conversation was headed. He didn't like it at all. "Elena will be here soon and I need to change shirts. Sober up Katherine. You're better than he is."

Stefan was in his room shirtless looking in his closet for another shirt to wear for the night. He was pretty upset Katherine had gotten blood on his shirt to begin with. Stefan sent a text to Damon to let him know Katherine was drunk and being destructive and that he should stop being such a dick and come home to her. Stefan tossed his phone back on his bed and thumbed through his closet. Before he could decide he felt a pair of arms wrap around him.

"Katherine stop." Stefan said turning around trying to pull away from her.

"Why does she get the good brother too?" Katherine asked. "I'm worthy of you Stefan and I know you're attracted to me too."

Stefan shook his head. "Katherine you have to stop." Stefan pleaded slipping from her grasp. "Please stop."

Katherine took a step back realizing what she just did. "Shit Stefan I'm sorry." She ran her fingers through her messy hair. "I'm so stupid." She muttered. "What the hell." She cried sitting on the edge of his bed. "Stefan what is wrong with me?"

Stefan felt sorry for Katherine. He didn't know exactly what to say or do. "Damon's an ass." He told her sitting down beside her hoping to give her some comfort. "He is a fool if he lets you go."

"Am I not good enough? Pretty enough for him? Stefan what am I missing her?"

Stefan felt his heart drop at her insecurities. Katherine was never one to show she was insecure to anyone but yet here she was crying over his asshole of a brother. Stefan hated what Damon was doing to her. She deserved more. Feeling obligated as Elena's boyfriend Stefan wanted to comfort her. He felt it was part his job to make Elena's sister feel better about all of this. It would surely make Elena happy to know he was helping out.

"Katherine you are beautiful." Stefan kindly told her as she looked up at him tears rolling down her face bottom lip quivering. Stefan noticed just how different the almost identical sisters were in this moment. Stefan studied her face almost intrigued with their differences.

Katherine though was not in a clear state of mind and misunderstood his lingering stare. She didn't see that he wasn't longing staring into her eyes like she may of imagined in her mind because she needed to feel wanted. She needed to make Damon regret hurting her in such a way. She needed to feel and here Stefan was being the perfect guy that he was. Katherine almost felt jealous of Elena for getting the better brother. She wondered how she had let Stefan slip past her all these years. Katherine did the unthinkable in her stupor and grabbed Stefan's face crashing her lips against his.

"What in the hell is going on?" Elena yelled as she walked in to Stefan's room to see Katherine and Stefan in a lip lock.

"Stefan what the hell!" Katherine said shoving Stefan forcefully. Elena looked between the two taking in the scene and could see only guilt written on Stefan's face before she ran out of the house with Stefan chasing after her.

"She kissed you." Elena cried covering her mouth to try and stop the loud cry she was sure that would come. This was all too much for her to take in. Stefan had been telling the truth all along that it wasn't what she thought it was. Elena let it sink in what he had done for her and Katherine. How he had sacrificed their love for their sisterhood. Elena shook her head not wanting to believe Katherine let him do such a thing.

"Elena I'm so sorry." Stefan said as he walked closer to the desk but Elena began to throw his journal at him and then anything on the desk that she could find.

"You lied to me!" Elena yelled. "You let me be with Matt!" Stefan dodged a paperweight before he reached her trying to grab her but Elena only began to resist him hitting his chest as she cried. "You made me hate you!"

"I'm sorry." Stefan cried as she grabbed his white button up in her fingers as she sobbed. "I'm sorry." He continued to repeat over and over until she calmed down. Stefan kissed the top of her head repeatedly trying to soothe her. He never intended for her to find out like this. He never intended for her to find out at all what had really happened that night. He didn't have the heart to tear the sisters apart. Stefan picked Elena up and carried her back to his bed laying her down. "I promise I never meant for any of it to happen." He said as he lied down beside her facing her.

"You took the blame for something that wasn't even your fault." Elena said with disbelief. "Stefan how could you?" She said shoving him but Stefan let her push him. It wasn't like she could hurt him. "You had to watch me be with Matt." She closed her eyes tightly hating herself for not listening to him.

"Elena it's not your fault." He touched her face to make her open her eyes to look at him. "Nothing would have changed my mind. It was easier for you to hate me."

"How could you let this happen to us?"

"Can you imagine a world without Katherine as your best friend?"

"She is not my friend!" Elena spat out.

"Don't say that." Stefan begged her.

"She stabbed me in the back and then for a year now has watched us suffer! She has listened to me cry over you and she sat there and talked so much crap about you."

"Look at me." Stefan said cupping her face in his hand. "It's all over now. The truth is on the table. I'm still here and so are you. I love you Elena and I will always love you. I did what I had to do to protect you. I will always protect you even if it means that you hate me at the end of the day. Forgive me." He pleaded. "Please forgive me." He begged her.

"Does Damon know?" Elena asked.

Stefan shook his head. "It saved their relationship. Turns out Damon wasn't sleeping with anyone else he was just in a bad place but me kissing Katherine opened his eyes to how much of an asshole he was being if Katherine was turning to me for a shoulder to cry on."

"So you let Damon be angry with you while you lied to me to save my relationship with my sister? How does that make sense?"

Stefan sighed sitting up in the bed. "It was better for you to hate me than for you to hate her."

Elena sat up to now standing from the bed. "It wasn't your decision to make." Elena grabbed a blanket from his bed along with a pillow and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Stefan groaned.

"Away from you." She said but Stefan was quick to stop her taking the pillow and blanket from her.

"I'll go. You stay. In the morning you can take my car back to the house."

"Fine." Elena huffed.

Stefan leaned in and kissed her cheek. Stefan opened the door to leave when he heard her voice.

"Stefan I love you too. I'm just mad at you." Stefan looked over his shoulder to see her defeated face. "It wasn't your choice to make. I'm mad at the both of you but I love you regardless. I just need some time to clear my head."

"Take all the time you need." he smiled at her leaving her to process the last year. They both needed a moment to think about everything. Each had made their own mistakes but somehow they were still standing strong and together at the end of it all. Neither could explain the craziness of how it happened. Elena knew one thing though that she was in love with Stefan still but she was angry with him for taking the blame for Katherine's drunken mistake. He was playing hero to her and she for once didn't want him saving her. She wanted him to save them not her relationship with Katherine. They were horrible to each other after the break up. Elena hated the way she had spoken to Stefan and she hated herself even more now for all the things she had done to him to get even with him. It was inexcusable but for some unknown reason to her he was still hanging around. Stefan stayed close by her even when she was at her worst. All the nights she had told him she hated him he continued to come back for more. She didn't understand any of it. But she knew that they had a lot of issues to work out with one another. She had a lot of apologizing to do and she had a sister she needed to have a talk with before anything else happened.