MPOV

I woke up and saw Stefan staring thoughtfully at me. I guess he was just worrying about yesterday, but I don't want to bring the subject up. Is just unnecessary.

" -Good morning love." I said smiling.

"-ready for another day at school." He asked laughing.

"- when I woke up like this it's obvious that I'm not ready for school, but I have to go to my human routine." I sighed.

"-Ouch… That hurt! Human routine? What you don't like to spend your time with a monster?" he asked acting offended.

"- I like the human routine because the monster is coming with me too." I kissed him swiftly and got up. "For your knowledge I prefer monsters instead of humans." I added laughing.

"-Including monsters like Damon." He said frowning.

"- Stefan don't start again. Damon said he'll be good. That he'll prove he can change, so cut him a slack, and don't start fighting again." I said with a little more force than necessary but it pissed me of seeing them fighting. Damon deserves his chance, even if he was an asshole.

"- I see you've become his protector already." He said reproachful.

"-Understand me Stefan. I don't want to be Katherine. I don't want to be a reason for you to fight so I'm doing my best here to change both of your lives. I don't protect anyone. And you are acting like this because you are jealous, and there is no point in this. You know I love you more than anything and I don't want to get in a fight with you…" I let out a stream of babbling that I couldn't believe I was capable of. It all look like a sermon.

"-I know Mel, but…" Stefan started saying but I cut him of.

"- But nothing. I didn't give you any reason for you to be jealous. You are just being utterly absurd!" I finished sighing. He came and hugged me.

"- I know you love me, is just that I don't want to leave you. I can't even think of that! Forgive me. I'll promise I'll behave, and I won't reproach you anything from now on." He said tormented.

I know it must be hard for him to accept his brother now, the one who has been his enemy for many years, and I also know, that my being between them doesn't help the situation, especially if I like Damon too. I have to be sincere with myself. Yesterday when he looked me in the eyes I felt something strange. A new feeling building up inside me and maybe that is what I brought up my confidence in him. But I also have to be careful from now on. Like I said I don't want to repeat the history, and it won't be any good, if I start to like Damon too. I'll tell him that we can be friends if he changes, but still he will have to keep a distance, so there won't be any trouble. I just hope he will agree with this.

"-don't worry. Let's forget our little argument and go and eat because I'm starving." I smiled and kissed him, but the door bell rang and we broke off.

"-Are you expecting someone this early?" Stefan asked looking suspiciously at me.

"-I have no idea who that could be. I truly don't know who it is." I said and took my bathrobe and went downstairs with Stefan coming behind me. When I opened the door and saw who it was, I wanted to die. There on my threshold was Damon smiling hugely at us.

"-Good morning Melinda." He said kissing me on the cheek and added: "You smell real nice in the morning, and oh, Hello to you too brother." He finished and stepped in. I could see Stefan was very angry and I was beginning to regret the chance I gave Damon. This was much more worse than before between the three of us.

"- What are you doing here Damon?" I asked taking Stefan's hand. He was tense and I knew that in this moment he wanted to rip Damon's throat. Oh God, into what I got myself involved!

"-I just come to have breakfast with the two of you, like a family." He said only looking at me and smiled ignoring Stefan completely.

"-and since when Damon, do you care about family?" Stefan asked.

"-Since I decided to change, to be another person, dear Stefan. Or what, don't you think I am capable of being good?" he said provoking Stefan.

"- you have never been good, and I don't think you will start being now." Stefan growled at Damon.

"- Stefan, please…"I said taking his face in my hands and made him look into my eyes. I pleaded him with my look and he sighed, then I turned to Damon. "Damon we are happy that you have decided to join us, and I hope that your words are true, I mean when you say you want to change." I said trying to ease the tension.

"-My words are true to the core."

I knew he was acting. The smile on his lips told me so. He was enjoying seeing Stefan like that, but still… something told me to trust him, to accept him, something much stronger than my mind. I hate the role I had, because it had its risks and the main risk was for me to fall in love with Damon too. That can never happen.

"-Ok, then lets all have breakfast like a happy family." I said smiling, pulling Stefan after me to the kitchen.

All the time during the breakfast, Damon told jokes and stories about him and Stefan from when they were kids. We were laughing and enjoying the moment. At first Stefan was a little cautious, but soon he got into the happy mood. I felt so good seeing them like this. I bet they didn't sat and laughed like this since a long time. All my earlier regrets disappeared, and I was glad I mingled in their problems. The image of the two of them sitting together and laughing is priceless. Now my only hope is that this will last for a long time from now on.

SPOV

When I saw Damon again this morning I was angry again, especially when I saw that he kissed Mel. I couldn't believe his courage to do this, I was ready to fight with him, but Mel pleaded me with her eyes not to do so. I calmed myself down, and got on with Melinda's plan. If she trusted him, then I'll try to trust him too. He deserves a chance, and I don't regret giving it to him, I just hope so. We sat and remembered our stunts, and all the things we did when we were kids and we didn't had a reason to fight. I never laughed like this with him in decades. I truly enjoyed our new relationship. It was like we were brothers again, and nothing happened between us. Mel was right: It was worth trying.

DPOV

I fooled both of them. I have them where I wanted. Now all I have to do is to be this new good and nice Damon for a little while. Only this way I can get Melinda to switch sides, and to get revenged on Stefan. But I also have to admit that I enjoyed our little bonding moment. It was nice to have my brother back, even for a moment, but this won't melt my already dead heart. I won't forgive him ever… I felt too much pain to leave all the things behind. Nothing would erase all the sorrow and loneliness I've been through."

MPOV

Two weeks have passed since that day we all got together like friends, and I love Stefan more than ever, but now I have beside him, a best friend: Damon. I even talk to him things that I don't want to tell Stefan… I don't know why, but Damon gives me the feeling that I could put even my life and Stefan's in his hands, and he'll protect them no matter what. It's not only me. Stefan too enjoys his brother's company and I can see in his mood that he is happy to have him back. Who would've thought that the three of us will become inseparable?

Even my family looks at the three of us as a package, because Stefan and Damon spend most of their time at my house. In the beginning my mom didn't like this, but Damon won her with his charm, and I even think she likes him more than Stefan. Thankfully Stefan isn't jealous because he knows that I only love him and no one else, and he also starts to trust his brother again.

And I have another reason to be happy… next week is my birthday. I'll be 20. It won't be a big party, just a home celebration with family and friends. Ok… there are like 30 people, but still, it's a small party, and thankfully my mom is taking care of it. All I have to do is to sit and enjoy.

SPOV

Next week is Mel's 20th birthday and I want to give her a special gift. More exactly an engagement ring but for that, I'll have to go to a special store in Italy, and I'll be away for a week. Not that I like this, but I have to. Now I have to find Damon and tell him I'll go in a trip. For my luck he was downstairs.

"-Hey Damon. How come you are still home at this hour? What, have you ran out of girls to suck on?"

"- something like that. Maybe I'll try on your girl."

"-Nice joke… Look, I have to leave for a week. I have some business to tend, but I'll be back for Mel's birthday. So please try not to destroy the town while I'm gone."

"- Wow! That's strange… you leaving me all alone, without parental supervision. Are you on drugs?" he asked mocking me.

"-No Damon. I'm just giving you a little more credit, as a reward for your lately behavior."

"-I'm flattered little brother. Should I cry now, or save my tears until your return?"

I sighed and waved. "Bye Damon. Take care of Melinda while I'm gone."

"-Sure do, Stefan."

A few weeks ago I wouldn't have done that, but now I trust him again. I can see a real change in him, and I believe this is thanks to Melinda, because she believed in him, and gave him a little affection.

Talking of Melinda, I should call her and tell her about my trip to Italy without spoiling my surprise. I wouldn't go so far away if I hadn't to. There in Italy, more specifically in Verona, there is a store that belonged to my family for generations. There are being made the fairest handmade and personalized jewelries from all around the world.

DPOV

That really took me by surprise. I never thought I truly gained my brother's trust. I always thought he is keeping an eye on my every move, but now… hell, I'm wordless.

But enough on this subject. I think I'll go to see Mel and keep her entertained.

I took my leather jacket of the couch and headed to the door, but when I opened it , I was shocked.

"- what's the matter Damon? Aren't you pleased to see me?" Bob asked, stepping in.

"-What are you doing here?" I asked tensed.

"- I come to see the Salvatore brothers, but it seems that Stefan's just left. Such a pity."

"-I am asking you nicely… what do you want?" I asked putting my back towards the door, prepared to make a run if necessary.

"- are you afraid Damon?" he said laughing and continued: "You should be!" he said jumping at me, pinning me to the wall, with his hands on my throat. "do you thought I have forgotten what you did to me? You killed the only one that I loved, without remorse right in front of me. Yeah you didn't knew I was watching… I swore then that you'll pay for it with your life." He said releasing me and finished: "But not now. You still have a little more to live."

"-That little bitch deserved it. She didn't love you. She was just using you, but in fact she couldn't love any of us. She tried to kill me so I killed her first. She hated vampires… she was a hunter and deep down you know it." I tried to say catching my breath.

"-Don't infuriate me Damon. I know that's not true. You are only saying that, just to excuse yourself from what you did. But calm down…I'll leave you alone…for a while." He finished and disappeared back from where he came.

Great. Exactly what I needed. A furious vampire because I killed his human bitch girlfriend. Life becomes more and more exciting… But I can't pretend that nothing's wrong, because Bob is not to be messed with, and I'll have to be very careful from now on, even though he told me he'll leave me alone for a while. Still I don't want him to mess around with my life.

When I was feeling happy, he had to come and ruin my mood, but still, I'll pay my sweet Mel a visit. I don't think her mother will disapprove despite the late hour. I already won her over.

MPOV

It's already night, and I'm bored. I would like Stefan to be here with me now, but my mom and her rules… Ugh… So I'm stuck here in my room with nothing to do, just my homework. The phone rang just in time to save me from the suffering.

"-hello sweetheart." Stefan's voice rose from the phone.

"- Stefan… I was just thinking about you, about how I would like to have you here with me."

"- Sounds good… maybe I'll climb through your window and pay you a visit."

"-I'm ok with that." I'm pretty sure my mom won't notice a thing.

"-actually I called you to tell you that I'll be gone for a week in a business trip."

"-Business trip? You? Don't make me laugh. So what? Now teenage vampires have businesses to attend?" I asked laughing.

"-Ok, you caught me. I'm going to Italy to see my other girlfriend."

"-Hmm… so you are cheating on me? Now, serious… where are you going?"

"-To Italy, but I can't say more. You will find out at your birthday party."

"-are you sure you have to go for so long? I'll miss you like hell."

"-I know, I'll miss you too, but it's something important, trust me."

I hated already 'this business' because it kept him away from me.

"- Mel, you have a visitor." my mom yelled from downstairs.

"-Stefan, I have to hang up. It seems I have a visitor. I don't know who the hell makes visits at this hour?" I said annoyed,

"- I already know who it is. I bet is Damon. He said he'll keep an eye on you. Ok then… Good night love. See you in a week."

"-Please don't forget to call me Stefan. I love you. I said and hung up.

At least if my visitor was Damon, I didn't have to act anymore. I can't believe what my mom allows him to do. It's 11 o'clock and he is welcomed to chat with me. Praises to his irresistible charm.

When I got downstairs, Damon was waiting for me, with a huge smile and shiny big eyes. It made me want to punch myself for gawking at him.

"-Hello Mel." He said coming to me and kissing me on the cheek.

"-Hi Damon, what a surprise for you to stop over." I said grinning at him.

"-Well, Stefan is gone for a while, and I just came to fill in for him." Damon said wrapping his arm around my waist. My mom began to cough. Ugh… I'm going to kill him.

"- Damon let's go to the living room and watch a movie before you say more stupidities. Oh and mom, make us some popcorn. That will keep his mouth busy." I said releasing myself from his hold, and went to the couch. "You know Damon, sometimes I feel like killing you."

"-Thanks. I know how much you love me." he said sitting on the couch, I sat beside him.

"-So what kind of movie do you prefer?"

"-what about Pride and Prejudice. It's a good one, and enough of cheesy for you."

"-Ok." I said getting up to find the movie. "You know, you are so predictable. Stefan already knew you were here. He knows you too much better…or maybe not. If he knew about what you said about filling in, I think you'll be in trouble." I put the movie on and went to sit back on the couch, and my mom brought us the popcorn.

"-but isn't that what I am doing now? Sitting here, just the two of us, on the couch in the dark, watching a movie, cuddling…" he finished wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"-Damon…" I said with a frustrating look.

"-Ok, ok." he said sitting back to normal. "I was just kidding. Geesh, I thought you will be more fun, but you are acting like a married women already."

"-You're close… so where did Stefan go?"

"-I don't know, and I don't really care. He is always the mysterious one. That's why girls love him. Hmm… I wonder about something…" he said looking thoughtfully at me.

"-what about? I hope not eating me." I laughed.

"-Ha, ha, ha, funny… no, I just wondered if you had met me first, would you have fallen in love with me?" his question took me by surprise.

"- I don't really know. Maybe yes, maybe no, there's no way to find out, or point right now. What do you say about changing the subject? It makes me uncomfortable." To tell the truth, probably I would have love him, because I even like him now, and I love Stefan, but still…when Damon touches me, I feel strange confusing things that I try to ignore. Like I said, I don't want history to repeat itself.

"-Ok. Have I told you that Stefan ran away when he was a child?" he asked laughing.

"-No really?" I asked happy that he didn't pressed the subject anymore.

"-Well he was about five, and he was upset that our dad, didn't get him a pony, so he put some of his clothes in a sack, and ran off, and hid with the pigs. My parents went crazy, and looked everywhere for him, but it took them two days to find him. OMG Mel, you should have seen him. You didn't knew which was Stefan, and which the pig. Of course he won himself a severe punishment, but the image of seeing him like that was worthwhile. He was such a fool kid, not that now he isn't." he finished laughing.

I couldn't help myself, picturing Stefan like a pig. I felt pity for him.

"-Excuse me but I think is already late, and Melinda should go to sleep because she has school tomorrow." my mom said clearing her voice.

"-Ok, I'll leave. It was nice seeing you Mel. Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow for school?" Damon asked politely.

"-Thanks. I could use a ride. Thanks for coming." I said and watched him going out the door. I enjoyed his company as much as Stefan's.

"-Melinda, I would like to talk to you a little." My mom said very serious.

"-what's wrong mom?" I asked confused not liking my mother's look.

"-What are you doing with these two?" she asked gesturing to the door. "Don't you think I didn't noticed. All day long Stefan, and when it's not Stefan is Damon. What game are you playing?"

"-Mom I don't know what you mean. Stefan is my boyfriend and Damon is my best friend."

"-well it doesn't seem that way. You love Stefan, but Damon too. The passion, the electricity between you two can be felt in the air around you."

"-It's not like that. He is just a good friend, and believe me I won't make the mistake to love and seduce them both. I just brought them together for god's sake, and I won't be the reason for them to fight again!"

"-If you say so, I believe you, but be careful not to deceive yourself. That's all I had to say. Only you will decide what to do with your love…"she said walking upstairs to her room.

She isn't right. I'm not playing with them. Damon knows that the one I love is Stefan, but still… he did asked me something odd tonight. No, I'm not deceiving him, nor me. I'm not deceiving anyone. I don't care what others believe, but I know what I'm doing. I'm not Katherine, nor I'll be. That's for sure.