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Last time: Elena was too busy fuelling her anger at Damon to remember that Stefan was still in the room. She was glaring out the window towards the woods where Damon had presumably gone, sending all her hate his way. When she actually remembered that Stefan was in the room, she turned her head back towards the table quickly, expecting to see him still sitting quietly, but instead she found herself inches away from a broad chest. She held in her terror at his nearness as she continued her glance up to his face only to find it smiling wickedly.

"Hello Elena"

Now: Her heart was racing with fear as the man she loved stood inches away from her. All the possibilities of what could happen and all the ways he could hurt or kill her ran through her mind, taking mere seconds. Her heart was beating fast and she knew Stefan could hear it, could sense her terror and yet he did nothing but stand there, staring at her. She realized he was waiting for a response other than fear. Preferably words instead of a scream, she presumed.

"Hey Stefan," Elena managed to stammer awkwardly, not looking him in the eye. She was playing with the bottom of her shirt, a pathetic attempt to calm her nerves.

Without warning, he pulled her in close for an embrace. "I've missed you Elena and I am so sorry for how I was acting before. I am all better now and I never wanted to put you through that," he spoke quietly into her ear in his Stefan-like manner. Almost as if he spoke it too loud she would break. Each word was slow and deliberate, almost as if rehearsed. The thought made Elena tense up with the possibilities of what that would implicate. If Stefan noticed, he gave no sign, but instead continued on with his apology speech. "And I just want you to know that I forgive you for locking me in that dungeon and for giving me your blood that caused this whole big mess."

Elena could have sworn that the last bit was said with a sarcastic edge that sounded unnatural coming from Stefan. It was almost bitter and wistful at the same time as well. The words themselves angered her. She was saving his life when she fed him her blood and she was saving the lives of countless others when she helped to lock him up! How dare he think that he had anything to forgive? He should be on his knees begging for her forgiveness! Elena wanted to scream and yell at him for being so, so, so… stupid! But she didn't. She kept her mouth shut and just shoved everything under the surface, being the good girlfriend. Stefan has been through a lot, she told herself. He is just trying to get back tomorrow and soon he will realize that he has nothing to forgive but he himself has to be forgiven. Instead of saying what she truly wanted, all she said was "I've missed you too Stefan," and wrapped her arms around him as well.

"Hey, I have an idea to celebrate my being out. I am going to take you out for breakfast. How does that sound?" He spoke cheerfully. He spoke quite un-Stefan like. And it worried her. What ever happened to brooding tortured Stefan?

Elena pushed her growing unease aside. After all, what should she be concerned about? Stefan is back and he seems to be happy. Nothing is wrong with that she told her self. But no matter how hard she tried to deny all her doubts, they kept creeping back up.

"If you are sure that it is a good idea, I can't see anything wrong with it," Elena answered a little shaky. "How will you do with all those people around?"

"Well, I have already had some blood that Damon got me, and yes, before you ask it did come from something cute and cuddly." He spoke as if it were a joke. Again, causing Elena's unease to resurface. Stefan noticed a change in her face. Noticed a tinge of her doubt but mistook it for worry that he was not ready to be out. "If it makes you feel better, I can go on a quick hunt now before we leave." He added almost too quickly, like he wanted to get out of the house fast for something.

"Oh, alright, that is okay by me I guess. I will be here when you get back," she said with a smile that felt like a lie to her lips. Stefan leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. She felt herself cringe inwardly at the contact. But Stefan had vanished too quickly to see her reaction. Why was he in such a hurry, she thought to herself. Perhaps being near her was difficult, have blood and all.

When Stefan came to the edge of the forest he normally hunted in, he stopped. Using his heightened senses he scanned the area for any sign of Damon, or other living being… with blood. Noises to the left drew his attention. There was a woman on the road about a hundred yards away jogging by her self. She should know that jogging alone can be dangerous, very dangerous. There could be big baddies lurking about. Like him. Maybe he could show her why it wasn't very safe. An evil conniving grin spread across his face at the thought. His throat ached in anticipation. No thought or emotion or person was even remotely relevant at the moment. He felt to guilt or sorrow for the life he was about to take. He ran full speed until he was able to fall into pace behind her silently. His predator's instincts taking place as he stalked her down the road.

When she reached a place that no surrounding houses could see, he made his move. Closing the remaining space quickly, he attacked. She had no time to scream before his fangs pierced the skin of her neck. The blood pooled into him mouth, filling him with warmth and power, sedating his hunger. Within a matter of moments, Stefan had drained her dry. He didn't even bother to try and hide the body; it was a pretty secluded road anyways, not many people went down it.

As his eyes returned to normal, he wiped the blood from his face. His brother was such an idiot. A small chuckle escaped him as he thought of the fact that Damon had released him after falling for his act. Oh poor me. I don't want to drink anything. I just want it to end. I don't think I can continue after all that I have done. Damon, the older, "smarter" brother had been fooled. And now Stefan was free and ready to embrace the side of himself that he kept hidden and caged up. He was ready to be a true vampire, he thought as he headed back the Boarding House.