Okay, I'm a bad updater, especially when it comes to this story, and I seriously apologize for that.

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Stefan woke up the next morning, stunned that someone was in bed with him. It took him a second to realize and remember who it was and why. He lowered his eyes to study her face, and smiled to himself.

She was a vision of perfection with her blonde hair encircling her head like a sun on his pillow, and her golden lashes resting on her cheeks. His heart ached inside for he wanted nothing more than to be with her in this bed for the rest of eternity, but somehow he knew it was impossible.

"It's too early for you to brood." She replied, opening her eyes to find him staring at her with sad eyes.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes as he studied her. "I'm not brooding." He replied, shaking his head.

She scoffed, and shook her head. "Yes, you are." She replied, moving to sit up to look down at him with her blonde hair falling down her shoulders. "You are thinking that this won't last, because of the danger that is ahead." She replied, watching his jaw clench solidifying her statement.

"Rebekah," He began, but she shook her head.

"Stefan, we've been over this." She began, placing her fingers over his lips. "I want to be here with you. I want to stand by your side no matter what." She stated, firmly.

He sighed, and grasped her fingers as he kissed them, softly. "You are so stubborn, like your brothers." He remarked, watching her smile.

"The only one, who is remotely stubborn like me, is Nik, and that's saying something." She stated, nodding her head.

He smiled, and chuckled, shaking his head. He knew exactly what she was saying for Niklaus was the most stubborn man he had ever met. "Caroline puts up with him." He replied, stroking her fingers absently with his right hand.

She smiled and bowed her head. "She loves him, and besides she is just as stubborn as he is." She remarked, shrugging her shoulders.

He chuckled, and searched her face. "Rebekah," He whispered, lifting his right hand to her face, and softly caressed it, as he brought her head down to kiss her lips.

Rebekah felt her world brighten as his lips touched hers, and everything seemed to ease in her world. Her mouth opened, and accepted his tongue inside her mouth as the kiss deepened. She felt him gently roll them over until she was on her back, and his was on top of her, caressing her face with his right hand, while his lips devoured hers.

Slowly, he pulled up, taking her lips with him until they were finally separated, and softly looked down into her eyes.

"You won't lose me, Stefan." Rebekah whispered, stroking his face, as she read the despair etching in his eyes.

Stefan sighed, and lowered his head to where their foreheads were touching. "I hope not." He whispered, feeling her arms encircle his body, and held onto him.

"I promise." She whispered, kissing his cheek, softly, before dragging her lips back towards his mouth, and kissed him until they were breathless and shaking with desire and love.

Though they had not voiced their feeling aloud, they both knew that what they were feeling was the best kind.

A few hours later, Stefan pounded metal in the forge, his mind drifting back to that morning when he awoke with her in his arms. It had been a perfect morning. Waking up, kissing her, hearing her moan underneath him as he sucked on her neck. He lowered his hammer, and closed his eyes as he envisioned what she would be like when he finally made love to her.

He shook his head, and tried to erase the vision of her writhing in pleasure beneath him. Her blonde hair encircling her head like a halo, and her blue eyes filled with so much desire and love.

He groaned, as the instant pleasure took hold of him, and he gripped the hammer tightly in his hand. Work, work, he had to work.

A flash appeared in his mind, showing him her screaming his name, running her perfect nails down his bare back, giving him pain and pleasure.

He let the hammer fall, as he gripped the anvil, not caring that it was hot. It cooled to his touch, and he let out a moan as he bit his bottom lip. He had to focus.

"Stefan,"

He opened his eyes, and glowered at his brother. "What do you want, Damon?" He asked, roughly.

Damon moved his eyes down his brother's body, and smirked. "I came to see how things were doing, and from the looks of it, I'd say…" He trailed off, wiggling his eyebrows.

Stefan growled, and shoved away from the anvil. "There's nothing new." He stated, extending his hand, and the hammer floated to his hand.

Damon smirked, and approached him. "I'd say something is, and I'll bet, she has blonde hair and blue eyes." He replied, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling.

Stefan groaned, and her face appeared in his mind once again. "I've given her a chance, but I don't think…"

"Don't, Stefan," Damon scolded. "You love Rebekah, and she loves you. That's enough to defeat any obstacle." He stated, strongly.

Stefan turned to look at his brother, and sighed. "What if I'm endangering her by giving in, Damon?" He asked, shaking his head. "I can't lose her."

Damon sighed, and approached his brother. "Life is not without a risk, Stefan, neither is love." He replied, placing his hands on his brother's shoulders.

Stefan sighed, and closed his eyes. He stepped back, and moved to sit down in his armored throne, while Damon leaned back against the large stool in front of the throne, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're right; I love her, but Silas…" Stefan began, closing his eyes, tightly.

Damon sighed, and bowed his head. "Do you remember what the Bennetts said?" He asked, after a moment. "Love will give you strength." He added, before Stefan could answer, though he saw his brother tense at the words.

Stefan's jaw clenched and he closed his eyes shut. "You sound like Klaus." He muttered, turning his head away.

Damon grimaced, and shuddered. "Oh, great, now I've got to wash my mouth out." He stated, shaking his shoulders.

Stefan smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes, or change his stance.

Damon approached him, and stopped within a few feet of him, and glowered at him. "I'll say this, baby brother," He began, firmly. "She's good for you, and if you let her, she will stay by your side through everything."

Stefan bowed his head. He didn't tell his brother that Rebekah had said as much to him, and so did Klaus. He didn't say that he had already given in, and had accepted that Rebekah was not going anywhere, at least for now.

Damon read his brother's body language, and sighed. He knew his brother, despite saying he was giving love a chance, was still scared of losing it. He knew Stefan blamed himself and the Bennetts for their mother's death, and it still haunted him. He closed his eyes. He still envisioned his mother at times, and though he missed her, he knew it had to be.

He had accepted it a long time ago.

"I know that this fight is yours, and possibly Rebekah's, but I want you to know, that I have your back, Stefan." Damon replied, softly.

Stefan lifted his gaze to his brother, and smiled faintly. "Thank you." He replied, after a moment.

Damon nodded, and backed up. "Now, I'd love to stay and chat with you, brooding brother, but I have a hot date tonight." He remarked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Stefan smirked, and shook his head. "Just don't drown this one." He replied, remembering the woman Damon had nearly killed because she had made him angry.

Damon shrugged, and smirked. "I won't make promises on that." He retorted, before disappearing from the room.

Stefan sighed, and shook his head. He leaned his head back against the back of his throne. He felt a hand trace his face, and he opened his eyes to find Rebekah sitting on the armrest of the metal throne with a smile on her face. "Rebekah," He whispered, holding her eyes.

She shrugged, and leaned down. "I got finished with my business early, and I decided to come and see you." She replied, brushing her lips over his cheek.

He smiled, and touched her face with his right hand. "I'm glad you did." He whispered, bringing her lips to his for a tender kiss.

She smiled, and moved to sit in his lap. She settled gently in his lap, and wrapped her left arm around his neck as her right lay on his chest. "I heard Damon leave." She replied, after a moment.

Stefan nodded, reluctantly, and sighed. "He just came by to be a big brother." He remarked, roughly.

"He loves you, Stefan." She responded, softly.

He nodded, and smiled up at her. "I know." He replied, threading his right hand through her hair.

She leaned into his hand, and sighed. "I hate to leave, but Caroline invited me for lunch." She whispered, with a groan.

He smiled, and pulled her face down to kiss her lips, softly. "Will you return?" He asked, softly, watching her beam.

"You couldn't keep me away." She whispered, kissing his lips, deepening the kiss after a moment. "I should go." She whispered, against his lips.

He nodded, but his lips had other ideas, as they traced down her throat, lightly nibbling with his teeth. His blood burned as she moaned, and clutched at him.

"Stefan…" She moaned, feeling his right hand move from her hair down her throat to the small straps of her dress.

He traced the straps, and felt her shiver in his lap as his fingers brushed over her skin. He lifted his eyes, and found her watching him.

Rebekah felt her heart pound in her chest, and desire filled her body. She lifted her right hand, and stroked his face. Moving her left hand, she unsnapped the straps, and let the dress fall to her waist.

His eyes widened as he saw her breasts for the first time. He swallowed, hard, and she felt his body reacting to the sight.

She smiled, and stroked his face, giving him the incentive he needed as his right hand moved down to stroke the sides of her breasts, causing her to shiver, and bite her bottom lip. He watched her as his hand traced her breast, and tugged at her nipples until she moaned, and threw her head back.

She was on fire, and it made it so much more of a turn on knowing it was the God of Fire that was giving her this. He certainly lived up to his name.

Stefan felt his mouth water, and he couldn't hold back. Bending his head, he took her right breast in his mouth, while his right hand stayed on her left.

She moaned, and arched her back, slowly rocking her hips against his as he devoured her breasts. He sucked her breast, nibbling her nipple, but instead of it hurting, she felt nothing but pleasure and fire.

He pulled back, and lifted his gaze to hers, as his right hand tugged on her left breast. "Gods, you are sweet as nectar." He whispered, as she opened her eyes to gaze at him with desire flashing in her eyes.

She bit her bottom lip, and pushed his vest away from his chest, and leaned forward. Brushing her breasts over his chest was the icing on an already steaming cake. She moaned, and felt him shiver against her, as he let out a low growl.

"At this rate, I won't be leaving." She whispered, rubbing her breasts over his chest.

Stefan moaned, held her close to him, his hips having a mind of their own as they thrusted upward, causing her to moan. "I don't want you too." He muttered, through his clenched jaw.

She moved her lips over his throat, and up until she reached his mouth, and kissed him until they both shook with passion. "I better…" She began, against his lips.

He nodded, but held her tight.

She giggled, and finally pulled back, as her blonde hair fell down her shoulders, gently covering the tops of her breasts. She touched his face, and shivered as his right hand, caressed her breasts once again. "Stefan…" She moaned, her eyes closing, slightly in a daze, vaguely realizing that he was smiling.

"You're going to leave. I'm giving you something to remember." He whispered, kissing her neck before devouring her breasts once again.

She shook with passion and desire as he pulled back, and waved his hand over her, causing her dress to fasten as it was before.

Her chest lifted, as her heart pounded in her chest, and her eyes glazed over. "That's not fair." She whispered, her voice shaking.

He smirked, and leaned forward. "Yes, it is." He replied, kissing her lips, quickly before moving to stand up.

She sighed, and rubbed her hands over her face, pushing her hair back as she did so. She smiled at him, and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. "You're going to regret that." She whispered, stepping back.

Stefan swallowed, hard, and gazed at her. "I imagine, I will." He replied, softly, nervously.

She smiled, and blew him a kiss, before disappearing from his forge, leaving him catching his breath.

~XXX~

Rebekah walked towards the palace of the Underworld, and sighed as she entered through the willow doors.

"Rebekah!" Caroline greeted, rushing towards her sister-in-law for a great hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you came." She replied, happily.

Rebekah smiled, and nodded. "Yeah, so am I." She replied, wrapping her arm around Caroline's waist.

They chatted all the way to the tables, which were on the outside of the palace in the gardens. They sat down, and Caroline smiled sweetly at Anna, and nodded.

"Thank you, Anna." She replied, softly.

Anna nodded, and walked away from the two women.

"How's Lucinda doing?" Rebekah asked, as Caroline smiled.

"She's good, great, actually. Klaus is watching her." Caroline answered, smiling brightly.

Rebekah smiled, and nodded. "That's great." She whispered, pushing a few pieces of food around her plate.

Caroline placed her fork down on her plate, and leaned back. "What's on your mind?" She asked, firmly.

Rebekah shook her head, but stopped, and sighed. "I just…" She paused, and leaned back. "How did you convince my brother to let you stand by him?" She asked, after a moment.

Caroline smiled, and bowed her head. "It wasn't easy." She answered, carefully. "I told him that we were one, and that he couldn't do it by himself, no matter how much he thought he could." She continued, softly. "Some battles can't be fought alone. They have to be fought with something stronger." She added, leaning forward. "Of course, I was taken away from him." She finished, softly, her eyes holding a sad expression.

"Stefan can't fight Silas alone." Rebekah stated, shaking her head.

Caroline smiled. "Then tell him that." She remarked, nodding. "Sometimes men need a knock on the head to agree with the woman they love, or at least that's what Klaus says at times." She added, shrugging her shoulders.

Rebekah smiled, and nodded, slowly. "I love him, Caroline." She said, confessing her feelings out loud.

Caroline nodded, and reached forward. "Then tell him." She returned, smiling. "Love is the only force stronger than strongest evil." She added, lowly.

Rebekah nodded, and sighed. "Thank you, Caroline." She replied, squeezing Caroline's hand, gently.

Caroline nodded. "You're welcome." She returned, softly.

Rebekah smiled, and bowed her head. She had to tell him. She had to tell him everything, and she knew. That wouldn't be easy.

~XXX~

Stefan entered the temple, and sighed as he saw the person he wanted to see sitting on her throne.

"Stefan, to what do I owe this visit?" Bonnie asked, tenderly.

Stefan frowned, and approached her with the limp becoming more pronounced. "I've come on behalf of my heart, Oracle." He stated, roughly.

Bonnie sighed, and nodded. "I know." She replied, bowing her head. "You want to know if allowing Rebekah in your heart is going to affect Silas coming after you." She added, after a moment, slowly rising from her throne.

Stefan nodded his head, and sighed. "Yes," He answered, after a moment.

She bowed her head, and let out a small breathe. "It will, but in the most amazing way possible." She replied, lifting her eyes to his. "She is your strength, Stefan, and with her, you will have unimaginable strength, if you chose." She added, softly, yet firmly. "It's always been your choice." She stated, firmly.

Stefan sighed, and closed her eyes. "I can't put her in danger." He stated, sadly, shaking his head.

"Rebekah is stronger than you think, Stefan." Bonnie stated, nodding her head, approaching him. "Besides, she will always be in danger, as far as Silas is concerned." She added, her voice becoming distant.

Stefan stiffened, and glared at her. "What?" He stated, roughly.

Bonnie's eyes began to hold a distant look, and turned slightly white. "Silas wants her, and he will fight for her." She began, her words hollow and distant. "He will win if you give in, and do not accept what must be." She continued, the fire from the torches around the room brightening and growing. "You must accept it all, or risk losing everything, including the love of the one who can make you whole." She added, her eyes drifting close as her body began to shake.

"What does that mean, Bonnie?" He asked, stepping forward.

"Ste…" She whispered, before her knees weakened, and began to fall, only to be caught in the arms of Kol.

Stefan reached for her, but Kol shook his head.

"Prophesy takes a toll on her." Kol remarked, holding her gently in his arms, as Bonnie succumbed to darkness.

Stefan wondered how Kol knew about Bonnie's danger, but didn't dwell on it, as he searched Bonnie's face. "Will she be alright?" He asked, with concern.

Kol nodded, and lifted her in his arms. "She will be after a rest." He answered, his eyes lingering on her face.

Stefan noticed the look in Kol's eyes, and bit back a remark as he bowed his head. "What did she mean before she passed out?" He asked, as Kol carried Bonnie towards the small couch next to the wall, and laid her down.

"She meant that Silas wants my sister as his mate." Kol began, with a resigned sigh, before turning his head to look at Stefan. "And he will stop at nothing to get her."

~XXX~

The door to the bedroom opened, and she lifted her head, and smiled, as she stood up from the bed.

Stefan stilled in the doorway, and his eyes moved over her body where her nightgown clung to her in all the right places.

The bodice cut down, showing off the tops of her breasts. Her blonde hair dropped down in waves down her chest. She was beautiful, and breathtaking.

"You can't do this by yourself, Stefan." She stated, moving her hands, nervously in front of her. "Whatever or whenever Silas comes," She began, moving closer just a step. "I want you to know, that I will stay by your side, because I…" She paused, when he rushed towards her, and crashed his lips on hers with his right hand threading through her hair.

He pulled back, and their breathes mingled as they panted. "I want you by my side too, Rebekah." He replied, in a husky tone.

Rebekah beamed as his lips came down on hers once again, sealing the blossoming love they were both feeling, but hadn't voiced it…yet.

Please be kind!

I hope to get back on track with my updates, but I'm not going to promise anything.

Next Chapter: Silas becomes stronger, and Stefan notices the difference. Bonnie and Kol have a brief moment. Rebekah stands by Stefan.

Until Next Time...