A/n: Follow me on twitter for updates on the story and to share in the Stelena/Dobsley love – mgiclimgntn

Stefan slouched against the wall outside of the women's locker room, waiting for Elena. The door creaked and he turned at the sound. Elena walked out dressed in a pair of dark leggings and a baggy sweatshirt. Her long, dark hair hung loose around her face, still slightly damp from the pool. The scuff of her Birkenstocks echoed along the hall as she walked towards him. Stefan pushed himself off the wall, hands in his pockets.

Elena smiled at him. "Looks like you did have dry clothes after all."

Stefan glared at Elena playfully. "Only because I was still dressed in my running clothes. You, missy," he pointed an accusatory finger at Elena, "are lucky that I had spare jeans and a t-shirt or else you would have been dining on your own." He was totally lying. Nothing could stop him for spending time with Elena.

"I said I was sorry, Stefan. In my defense, you had a great time in the pool." She reached out for his wrists, pulling his hands out of is pockets and winding their fingers together.

Stefan laughed. "I did. Now, Miss. Elena, are you hungry?"

Elena dramatically fell against Stefan and looked up at him, "Starving, please, kind sir, feed me?"

Stefan laughed at her theatrics, "I promised you dinner after practice, didn't I?" She nodded. "Alright, let's go." He wrapped an arm around Elena. "Wait." He dropped his arm.

Elena looked at Stefan, confused. "What?" She adjusted the strap of her swim bag.

"Please allow me to carry your bag." Elena gave Stefan a bewildered look. "I know that you are perfectly capable of carrying your bag but I am a bit old fashioned. Please." Elena smiled at Stefan as she slid the straps off her arms and handed the bag to Stefan. He slung the bag over one shoulder and wrapped his arm around Elena again. "Now we may proceed. ONWARD." Stefan began to march down the hall, swimming his arm as if he were a solider. Elena laughed and allowed herself to be towed along towards the doors.

"So, Stefan. There is something I want to ask you about, but I'm not sure if we are at that stage of our relationship yet." Elena played with her food as she spoke.

Stefan set his fork down and he leaned closer to Elena. "Elena, you can ask me anything you want. Always."

Elena nodded. She set her fork down and nervously smiled at Stefan, he reached across the table for her hands. Elena took a breath and exhaled. "Why don't you talk about your parents?" When Stefan didn't answer Elena rushed to add; "You totally don't have to tell me, I know it's none of my business. I just…." She trailed off, she was afraid she had offended Stefan.

"It's okay, Elena. I just don't talk about it much, but…. I think I need to. It's something that I want you to know. I…" He stopped.

Elena squeezed his hands reassuringly. "Take your time, Stefan. There is no rush."

Stefan nodded. He released one of Elena's hands and scrubbed his face. "How much do you know about me?"

Elena shrugged. "Not much besides what you told me and your career. You were always very private around the media."

"Well, I guess I'm glad. Glad that total strangers don't know my life story. But, Elena, you're not a stranger anymore and this is something I want to share, it's just pain full. So bear with me." She nodded.

"When I was 17, the summer after my first Olympics, my mom was diagnosed with a rare form of Thyroid Cancer. She fought pretty hard, but she died when I was 19, just after I finished my freshman year at the U. After that, my dad kinda fell apart. It was like he didn't know how to live without her. And then, just before the opening ceremonies of my second Olympics my dad..." Stefan stopped, fighting tears. Elena raised a hand to caress his cheek. Stefan reached up and held her hand against his face.

"My dad died the night before I was supposed to walk in China. Suicide. His note said that he loved Damon and I but that he just didn't know how to live in world that my mom wasn't in."

Stefan was crying now, tears spilling down his face. Elena wiped his tears with the pads of her thumbs. "Stefan I am so sorry. That's awful." Elena slid out of the booth and moved around the table. She sat next to Stefan, holding him against her in an effort to comfort him.

Stefan allowed himself to cry just a bit longer. "Thanks, Elena. It means a lot to me that you listened to this."

Elena shook her head. "Stefan, it means more than you know to me that you shared this to me. I can tell this wasn't easy for you and I want you to know that I am here for you. No matter what. Okay?" Stefan nodded. "Alright, that's enough gloom for one night. What do you say we get out of here?"

Stefan smiled. "What about your food? Aren't you hungry?"

"I'm fine, Stefan. Let's go do something fun." Elena dragged Stefan out of the booth behind her; Stefan barely had time to drop some bills on the table to pay before he was pulled out of the restaurant.

"Elena, this was a great idea. Thank you." Stefan smiled at Elena as they walked hand in hand along the storefronts. He passed Elena the smoothie they had been sharing.

"Well, you seemed like you need it. Whenever I get down, I get myself a berry smoothie and walk down here. It clears my head." She squeezed Stefan's hand as she tossed the empty drink into a garbage can.

"I did need this. Thank you for knowing that." He smiled down at Elena. "It is really beautiful in this part of town."
Elena looked around them. "Yeah, I wish Care and I could afford to live around here but it's too expensive."

"Well, maybe one day you will be able to."

"Maybe."

"So, speaking of living arrangements. I am so tired of living out of a suitcase in hotel. Tomorrow is Saturday and I was planning on going apartment hunting. Elena, would you go with me? After practice, of course." Stefan stopped walking to look Elena in the eye.

She looked up at him, obviously surprised at his question. "You would want me to go with you?"
" Of course, I know we haven't been together that long but it's something I want to share with you and, if you want, I want it to be a place you feel comfortable spending the night in eventually." Stefan held his breath when he finished, hoping Elena would not be upset by his proposition.

Elena smiled shyly at Stefan. I would love to go apartment hunting with you." She reached up on her toes to place a gentle kiss on his mouth. "And I am sure I would be comfortable there. You would be there."

"Great." Stefan pulled Elena into his side as they began to walk again. "Gosh, it will be so nice not to sleep in a hotel bed anymore. Something about them just isn't the same, you know?" He looked down at Elena. She nodded.

"Stefan, if it's okay with you... you can spend the night at my place. If you want. I promise I don't have a hotel bed."

"Are you sure, we haven't..." He trailed off, looking into her eyes for any sign of discomfort or uncertainty.

Elena's only response was to grab Stefan's collar and pull him down to her lips. The kiss was filled with heat and passion. Stefan felt himself melting into Elena was he wound his arms around her body. He felt Elena's hands traveling up to his hair, running through it before she gripped it in order to pull him closer. Their lips parted, just for a moment. "I'm sure, Stefan."

Elena traced the tattoo on Stefan's right shoulder as they lay in Elena's room "Stefan, what does your tattoo mean?"

"It's a rose."

She rolled her eyes. "I know that, I'm just curious about the back story. You didn't have this when you were competing."
She felt Stefan shift underneath her. "I got it after I shredded my shoulder. Did you ever hear about that?" She shook her head as he began to run his fingers through her hair.
" No, you just kinda disappeared from the swimming scene."
" Well, I had a lot of rotator cuff injuries when I was a teenager. I actually had surgery when I was 18. I was pain free for a long time, until just before my last Olympics. It started to hurt again in June but I was so focused on London that I just ignored it. I managed to make it through the Games but, it hurt like hell, Elena. Turns out I had a minor tear around where I had surgery that grew into a huge problem. The massive amount of yards I was putting in before the Olympics irritated my shoulder and the tear just opened up more. By the time I went to the doctor, he told me that it could be fixed, but I was done competing at that level. My shoulder couldn't take that kind of abuse again."

"Oh, Stefan I am so sorry. That's terrible."
Stefan shrugged. "It is what it is. I choose to think about how I had three very successful Olympics and a great career. But, sometimes it is hard. That's why I have the rose. To remind me that even though an ugly injury ended my career, it was a beautiful career and I should be grateful." He looked down at Elena as he gently stroked her hair. Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked back. "What?"
"That's... it's beautiful, Stefan. I really admire you for how you choose to look at that. I don't know that I would have been able to handle it as well as you have."
"I don't think I really had a choice. It is what it is, ya know? But enough of all this sad and dreary talk. You have practice tomorrow. Get some sleep." He kissed the top of her head.

"Good night, Stefan." Stefan felt Elena snuggle down, closer into his side. He pulled the covers tighter around them with one hand as he turned the lights off with the other.

"Good night, Elena."

"Great work today, ladies. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I will see you all bright and early on Monday." Klaus nodded at the girls as he finished speaking. Elena climbed down from the bleachers, catching Stefan's eye. She smiled at him, excited for their afternoon plans.

"Stefan, can I talk to you for a minute?" Elena looked over at Alana. She was standing right next to Stefan with her hand on his arm in an overly familiar gesture, batting her eyelashes at him. Talk to him more like try to get in his pants. Stefan glanced at Elena, sorrow in his eyes and his feeling of helplessness evident.

"Sure, Alana. But, can you make it quick? I have to be somewhere." Elena felt herself smile. That's right, Alana. Stefan and I are going apartment hunting, because we are DATING. Try that on for size.

"She always was a flirty one." Elena turned to see Klaus standing next to her, hands in his pockets.

"Excuse me?" She tried to feign indifference at his comment.

"Don't play dumb with me, Elena. I may be Stefan's boss but I am also his best friend. I know about you two." Elena opened her mouth in an effort to explain. "Don't worry, Love. I'm not here to chastise you. I know what happened with Matt will not happen again. I just wanted to talk to you about Stefan."

"What about Stefan?"

"I love him very much, as a brother, and I don't want to see him get hurt. That being said, I don't think you have any intentions of hurting him so I shall forego the threats and move forward. You make Stefan happy, I can tell that for the little interaction I have seen of you two. I assume he makes you happy as well?" Elena nodded. "Excellent. Then I only have one more thing to say and it is more of a request. Please try to keep your relationship as low profile as possible around the girls. I don't want this to affect the team."

"Of course, Klaus. Stefan and I weren't planning on making our relationship public knowledge. You have nothing to worry about. And, thanks, Klaus. I'm really glad that he has you in his life." Klaus nodded in acknowledgement. Elena threw a longing glance at Stefan. She had been looking forward to apartment hunting with him all morning and now Alana was holding them up. She studied Stefan as he before Alana. His legs were spread slightly and his arms were crossed over his chest. His body was angled slightly away from Alana and towards Elena. Stefan caught Elena watching him. He rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her. Elena giggled, glad Alana hadn't noticed that Stefan was not paying attention to her. Stefan winked at her before looking back at Alana.

"That look. I've seen it before. Love, do you love Stefan.? Elena was started from her Stefan trance by Klaus's words.

"What? Why would you ask that?" Do I love Stefan? Elena thought for a quick second, her mind racing over her short time with Stefan. Their connection was something she had never experience in her twenty-one years of life. Being with Stefan made her happier than she could remember being in a long time. Yes. She decided. She loved Stefan.

"Because I can see the way that you look at each other. And because deep down I am a romantic and closet fan girl." They laughed at his last statement. "I really just want Stefan to be happy and loved."

"Well, not to worry, Klaus. I do love Stefan, only don't say anything about it because I legit just figured it out."
"You're secret is safe with me, Love."

Elena glanced back over to Stefan; he was still talking Alana. The look on his face was comical. "I'm gonna go rescue Stefan somehow." She turned to walk away from Klaus.

Klaus reached out and grabbed Elena's arm. "Allow me, it would make more sense if I interrupted." Elena nodded her thanks. Klaus began to move towards Stefan. "Oh, and, Elena? If you're going to be in Stefan's life on a personal level, call me Nik. I hate Klaus."

Elena smiled. "You got it, Nik."

Nik walked over to Stefan. "Alana, shouldn't you be recovering? I need to talk to Stefan. Coach business." Alana's face fell at the curt dismissal.

"Sure, Klaus. See you Monday. Bye, Stefan." She winked at Stefan as she left.

Stefan waited until Alana walked into the locker room before he spoke. The pool was empty except for himself, Nik, and Elena. "Oh my god. She is annoying as hell." He looked at Elena. "Sorry I couldn't get out of it."
Elena smiled at Stefan. "It's okay. I know you wouldn't do anything. What did she want?"

Stefan reached for Elena, wrapping her in a hug. He let go quickly. "You're all wet!"

Nik laughed. "She just got out of the pool, mate. No shit." The three of them shared a laugh. "Now, my dear friend, stop avoiding the lovely Elena's question."

Stefan sighed. "She was trying to get me to ask her out on a date. She kept asking about what I was doing in my spare time and if I wanted company and all this other shit. To be honest, I tuned her out. Thank you, Nik, for saving me, by the way. I still hadn't figured out how to turn her down. A battle for another day."

Elena groaned. "Great. My number one rival is also after my boyfriend. My lucky day."

"Don't worry, Love, I will come up with some diabolical rule that prevents any girl on the team from beginning a relationship with a coach."
Stefan and Elena looked at Nik, evidently confused. Nik snapped is fingers. "How does this sound? 'It has come to my attention that some of you may be interested in pursuing a relationship with a member of the coaching staff. I regret to inform you that I must create a rule strictly forbidding any member of this team to establish a relationship with a coach from here on out.' What do ya think."
"Uh, Nik. How does that help...oh...from the moment you make the announcement. And Stefan and I are already in an established relationship. That is a brilliant!" Elena looked at Stefan. His face was a glow with excitement at the solution to their budding problem.

"Genius, Nik. I love you so much right now." Nik waved a hand.

"Don't get all emotional on me now. It is purely selfish." Stefan chuckled at his friend's joke.

"But really, thanks." Nik nodded.

"You're welcome. Now, I am dead tired and I want to go home. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your weekend." He turned from the couple, walking out the doors.
"And then there were two." Elena looked at Stefan.

"Was that an attempt to break any awkwardness, Mr. Salvatore?" She smiled.

"Me, awkward?" Stefan gave her an over exaggerated pained expression. "Never."

"Stefan, this view is amazing. Come look." Stefan joined Elena at the window overlooking the Historical District of Charlottesville. The view was breathtaking. "Isn't it pretty?"

"Very." Stefan laughed to himself.

Elena glanced at him. "You okay there, babe?"

Stefan laughed to himself again. "I was just laughing at the cheesy line opportunity."

"Huh?"

"I so could have said that it wasn't as pretty as you, which is true, but I didn't want to be 'that guy'."

"Oh, I am glad you didn't say that because it totally would have ruined the moment. Now, back to the apartment. Do you like it?"
Stefan nodded. "I really do. I can actually see myself living here. It is close to the pool but far enough away that I don't feel like I'm stuck there. Plus, and this is my number one, I'm not far from you." He pulled Elena into his side, placing a gentle kiss on her head.

"Aw, that's probably the cutest thing anyone has said to me. You are definitely earning yourself brownie points, Salvatore."
Stefan smiled and his eyes lit up with happiness. "I live to please you, Miss. Gilbert."
"So, you're gonna buy it?"
Stefan looked into Elena's eyes. For a moment he lost himself in warm, dark depths of her eyes. "Yeah. This is gonna be my home."
Elena gazed back, mesmerized by Stefan's green eyes all over again. "Good. I like this as my home away from home. Can I help you decorate?"

"No, I don't allow anyone to have input on my home décor." Elena slapped Stefan's chest. "Kidding. I would love you to help me decorate. That way it won't be so much my home as our home."

"I love it." Elena smiled up at Stefan as he leaned down to capture her lips in a slow and sensual kiss.

He moved back, creating the tiniest amount of space between their mouths. "Elena, I think I'm falling in love with you."

He felt Elena's breath fanning across his lips as he waited for her response. "Good, because I'm already in love with you."

A/N: They said it! Wow, this chapter is really long compared to my others. Sorry not sorry. It just started flowing and I really like where it went. What do you think?
S/O to TVDVampire and BePassionate24 for encouraging me and putting up with my random DM's. Thank you so much for all your help! I would not have done this without you two. If you haven't read their stuff you need to.

Oh, and can you just hear Joseph Morgan and his beautiful voice delivering the Klaus lines?