Chapter 9: I Need A Hero

"I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life." –Bonnie Tyler

Elena heard Stefan's bedroom door open and the faint glow of the morning sunlight flood through the room as she slowly opened her tired eyes. She rolled onto her side and watched as Stefan kicked off his boots and then made his way closer to the bed. It was nearly five in the morning and this was the first she had seen of him since the morning before. His hunting trips had become longer and longer ever since he had returned, but on a morning like today, the length of his absence was the last thing on her mind. The bed shifted as Stefan climbed under the thick covers and moved closer to Elena. He laid his head down on his pillow and smiled as he looked into her chocolate brown eyes.

"Good morning." He said softly. Elena smiled slightly as she looked into his piercing green eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Good morning." She repeated as she tried to think of the words that she had been fighting with herself to say ever since she had returned to his bed nearly an hour before.

"Why aren't you asleep? It's still a little early for you to be awake isn't it?" Stefan asked as he smiled and moved a piece of her hair from her face. Elena nodded and closed her eyes for a moment.

"I couldn't sleep. I think we need to talk Stefan." Elena said softly as she opened her eyes and stared at the man next to her once again. Stefan settled against his pillow.

"I think you are right." He said slowly. Elena froze for a moment. Fear moved through her body as she wondered exactly what he thought they needed to talk about.

"Really?" Elena asked as she studied his expression, looking for clues to what was on his mind. Stefan nodded and let out a deep breath as he rolled onto his back.

"I know that lately I haven't been around much, Elena. I leave you alone, I disappear and I don't give you the attention that I did before everything happened this summer." He started as he turned his head and looked at her. Elena felt a mixture between guilt and sadness begin to flood through her body.

"Stefan, really it's…" She interrupted, but Stefan just shook his head.

"No, Elena. You need to hear this. It was hard coming back here. Klaus gave me back a life that used to control my entire existence and I got very used to living like that again. Once he released me it was hard to go from something that free and overindulgent to a life where I put myself back on a leash and kept myself under control. It's hard to be around everyone that I used to love because it just reminds me of what I almost gave up when I left and living on the animal blood again is just a lot harder than I thought it would be. That is why I hunt for so long, I feed much more than I used to and I know that I shouldn't but it's the only way that I can keep myself under control. I'm afraid that if I let myself get hungry I am going to make a mistake again and that it's going to cost me everything… cost me you." He whispered as looked at her with fear in his eyes. Elena let out a ragged breath as she felt tears threaten to erupt inside her.

"Stefan, I didn't know." She muttered softly. Stefan nodded as he rolled back onto his side toward her and took her hand in his.

"I know, and that's my fault. I should've told you rather than pulling away. I was afraid to let you see that I was struggling. I didn't want you to worry, but I noticed you have been pulling away lately and I just don't want to lose you. When I saw you at the party the other night and saw that freedom and happiness in your eyes, I knew that I wanted to be a part of that again. I want to try Elena, tell me that I'm not too late." He whispered in desperation. Elena felt her body begin to shake as she felt sadness wash over her. She had been an idiot. Stefan had been distant and instead of trying to figure out what it was that caused it, she had simply assumed it was her and instead of helping him, she had only tried to help herself. She had been unsatisfied with their love life, so instead of explaining that to him she had went and explained it to his brother. She had pulled herself from him and not even thought twice. She had been angry with him for putting distance between them, when in reality she had put far more between them then he ever had. Elena let out a ragged breath and as the guilt overtook her she slowly shook her head.

"No, you aren't too late Stefan." She whispered as tears rolled down her cheek. Stefan smiled as he reached out and touched her face.

"Thank you Elena. I love you so much." He whispered as he ran his fingers over her lips. Elena nodded.

"I love you too." She whispered and even though she knew that her words were the truth, she knew that the love she felt for him was now very different from what he felt for her.

Stefan stayed with Elena the entire day. He didn't hunt, he didn't disappear and he didn't make up an excuse to let one of her friends sweep her away. He lay with her in bed until she was finally ready to get up, he sat with her at the kitchen table while she ate her breakfast and then he wrapped his arms around her and held her as they watched TV on the large sofa in the living room of his home. All of the newfound affection and attention was exactly what Elena had wanted for months and a week ago her world would have felt complete once again. But, it was not a week ago and she could not change what had happened over the past couple of days. With every move that Stefan made she felt her body fight against him. She wanted to run, she wanted to hide and she wanted to do anything to remove his hands from her skin. His touch felt suffocating, his breath was unnerving and his kiss still felt empty and void of true emotion.

By the time the afternoon came around, Elena finally peeled her body away from Stefan's and convinced him she needed to take a shower and get herself ready. He had suggested that he come with her, but she had explained that she needed to wash her hair and that she would be done quickly anyway. He finally accepted her excuse and let her make her way back up the long staircase. When Elena reached the top of the stairs she didn't even register where she was going before she realized she was standing in front of Damon's door. She hadn't heard or seen him all day and she wasn't sure if he was gone or simply still sleeping. Slowly, she let her head fall against the door and pressed her hand against the cool oak that the night before had terrified her. She wanted to go to him and ask him how to make any of this better, but she knew she couldn't.

Elena almost turned to leave when she suddenly felt a rush of electric currents behind her body. She closed her eyes as she felt the hard contours of the body she had longed for all day, firmly press against her back. Slowly, she felt strong hands move down the length of her arms and then intertwine with the hands that still pressed against the smooth bedroom door. Elena let out a ragged breath as she felt the body behind her mold to hers and soft breath cascade down her shoulder.

"You shouldn't be here." Damon whispered softly against her hair. Elena nodded and swallowed hard as she felt fire begin to rush through her veins once again.

"I know, I just wanted to see you." She whispered desperately. Damon rubbed his thumb over the soft skin of Elena's hand.

"I hear things are better between you and my brother." He said softly as she felt his hand tighten on hers.

"You heard?" She asked quietly. She heard a soft laugh escape Damon's lips.

"Yes I did. I suppose I should say I am happy for you." He seethed quietly.

"You don't understand." Elena mumbled as she ran her fingers over his, the feeling of his skin underneath hers overwhelmed her with memories of the night before.

"I understand Elena, trust me of all the people in the world that would understand something like this, it's me." He whispered as he started to move his hands from hers. Elena tightened her grip.

"No, please." She begged quietly as she tried to hold him against her. Damon froze and let out a sigh and finally untangled one of his hands from hers. He gently turned her chin back toward him and finally his icy blue eyes met hers for the first time since the night before.

"I promised you after last night I wouldn't touch you again like this. I don't want to break my promise Elena, if anything I would like to at least remain a man of my word." He said as he slowly untangled the rest of his body from hers and stepped back. Elena shook her head and moved toward him.

"You said you wouldn't touch me again until I asked Damon." She corrected as her chocolate brown eyes burned into his blue ones. Damon smiled slightly as he turned his door knob.

"Well Elena, you never asked." He said and paused for moment as his eyes challenged hers. Elena stood frozen as she watched him wait for her to respond. After a moment he nodded and then slowly made his way into his bedroom and closed his door between them. He had given her the chance and she had blown it. She had wanted the feel of his hands on her more than she wanted air at that moment, but fear and guilt regarding the man that waited for her down stairs had once again caused her to make a decision that she regretted.

Once night fell over Mystic Falls, Elena found herself standing in the Boarding House kitchen chopping lettuce as she prepared her portion of the night's dinner. Stefan had invited Caroline and Bonnie over for dinner as a peace offering for his recent behavior and he had also generously volunteered Damon to cook while Elena tried to contribute by at least making something edible. Damon had cooked a large traditional Italian dinner with everything from pasta to garlic bread and the entire house soon smelled of fresh tomatoes and mouthwatering Italian seasonings. Stefan had cleaned up the house and set the table and before Elena realized it, it was nearing eight o'clock. Moments later she heard the doorbell ring.

"Got it!" Stefan yelled as she heard the front door open. In an instant, Caroline's bubbly voice filled the house as she began to explain her terrifying car ride with Bonnie through another of Mystic Falls' infamous thunder storms. Elena heard Stefan laugh as their voices got closer and suddenly Caroline's voice filled the kitchen as well.

"Well something smells good in here. Elena, I didn't know you could cook." Caroline said with a smile as she gave Elena a kiss on the cheek. Elena smiled, but before she cook speak Damon sauntered into the kitchen.

"She can't. That's why I'm here." He said with a smirk. Caroline smiled sarcastically.

"She can too; it's just an acquired taste. Anyway, where's the liquor? Bonnie is outside still talking to Jeremy on the phone and after sitting next to her in that storm, I need a drink." She said with a huff as she looked around. Stefan laughed.

"Follow me." He said as he motioned toward the parlor and in a flash they were gone.

Elena felt the overwhelming sensation of Damon's body behind her as he checked the sauce that simmered on the stove, but she tried to ignore it the best she could. She knew that if she focused on the fact that they were alone, she would lose it and that was the last thing she needed right now. What had happened was over and she needed to accept that. Stefan needed her, he needed her to be there for him and after everything they had went through that summer she at least owed him her support as he readjusted back to the life he once knew.

In only took only a second of being lost in her thoughts for Elena to forget what she was doing and make a mistake that any other day she would have never made. She felt a sharp pain slice through her hand and in an instant she felt herself stop breathing. She looked down and saw the large gash in her hand that knife had freshly left behind and watched as blood began to spill down her trembling skin. Elena looked around frantically for a towel, but the only one she could see sat next to the stove right beside Damon's hand. She took in a deep breath and tried to focus. Everything was going to be fine, sure she was bleeding in a house full of vampires, but it was going to be fine. She could do this.

"Damon, um can you pass me the towel please?" She asked nervously as she slid her hand behind her back and turned slightly toward him. Damon nodded and turned around with the towel in his hand. He moved to throw it to her and then his body froze. She saw him inhale slightly and his eyes widen as he instinctively licked his lips.

"What happened?" He asked, his voice was serious and full of concern. Elena shook her head.

"I just need the towel, I'm fine Damon." She whispered as she pressed herself against the counter. Damon moved slowly toward her.

"You cut your hand, you are bleeding." He said softly as she saw his breathing pick up slightly. Elena nodded and smiled nervously.

"I am fine Damon; I just need you to be quiet. Stefan can't see this. You know he can't handle it. Why don't you go in the living room with him and Caroline and I will clean it up. No one has to know this happened." She said as calmly as she could. Damon shook his head as he moved slightly toward her.

"Let me help you Elena, it's bleeding a lot, it could be deep. Let me look at it." He whispered. Elena shook her head.

"Damon, no, it's fine." She argued as she felt her hand begin to throb against the counter. Damon stared at her and met her eyes, but he did not move.

"After everything that has happened Elena, you honestly think that I am going to attack you after you cut your hand? You said last night you trusted me, do you still?" He asked softly. Elena swallowed and saw the soft expression on his face. She felt the pain surge through her hand and slowly nodded. Damon began to move toward her, when they heard footsteps in the doorway.

"Salad ready, Ele…?" Stefan's voice filled the kitchen, but as quickly as it came it disappeared. Elena turned quickly and saw Stefan's face as he took in a deep breath. Stefan looked past Damon as if he wasn't there and straight at Elena. He met her eyes and then suddenly looked down to the white tiled floor where a small puddle of crimson blood now formed. Elena put up her other hand and stared at Stefan cautiously.

"Stefan, just go back into the living room. Everything is fine, I just had an accident." She said softly, but sternly as she watched his face harden and his jaw clench. Stefan stepped forward.

"It's deep, you hit a vein." He said thickly as if he was speaking of something erotic. Damon turned as he heard the tone in his brother's voice and gritted his teeth.

"Stefan, please go outside. I will take care of Elena, you go take a breath, find a bunny, do anything, just get out of the kitchen." Damon said sternly. Stefan shook his head.

"I'm fine, I just want to make sure she is alright, it's so much blood. So much…" He said as he swallowed hard. Elena pressed herself against the counter and felt fear wash over her. Damon stepped in front of her body protectively and locked eyes with his brother.

"Don't be stupid, Stefan. Go outside." He warned and Elena watched as Damon's stance tensed as he clenched his fists at his sides.

"I don't take orders from you Damon, please move." He said between clenched teeth. Damon tightened his jaw and raised his head slightly.

"Blondie! Kitchen!" He yelled tensely, but never took his eyes off of his brother. In a second Caroline was in the doorway and she gasped as she saw the scene that lay out in front of her in the kitchen.

"Oh my God." She said as she froze in her place.

"Caroline, take my brother outside. Now." He said harshly. Caroline nodded as she quickly tore her eyes from the sight of blood that now pooled behind Elena.

Caroline wrapped her fingers around Stefan's shoulder and pulled him back slightly. He fought against her at first, but she whispered something in his ear that was too low for Elena to hear and then after a moment Stefan finally stepped back and let Caroline lead him out of the kitchen and then out the front door. Damon stood still in his place for a moment as if he was waiting for his brother to burst through the door once again. Finally, he relaxed and then turned around.

"Sit down; we need to do this quick." He said quickly as he moved toward one of the cupboards by the sink. Elena nodded and quickly moved to one of the kitchen chairs. Damon pulled antiseptic and bandages from the cupboard and then quickly moved back to where Elena sat. He knelt down and pulled her hand from her side. He slipped his fingers inside her hand and opened her clenched fist. Crimson blood covered the entire inside of her palm and a fresh gash extended from the base of her thumb almost entirely across the length of her hand. Damon swallowed hard as he ran his tongue over his bottom lip.

"I don't think you need stitches, we just need to clean it and bandage it up so that it starts to heal." He said in a strained voice as he reached for the towel. Elena nodded as she watched Damon's careful movements.

"You don't have to do this Damon. I can take care of it." She whispered. Damon shook his head.

"I'm stronger than you give me credit for Elena. I have been around your blood many times and while it is delicious…" He struggled as he swallowed again and closed his eyes. Elena could tell he was remembering the taste of her from the night before and if this had been any other situation, she would have gladly offered her hand to him to ease the pain she saw move through him.

"Knowing you are in pain is much more difficult." He whispered. Elena watched him as he poured antiseptic on the towel and began cleaning her hand. Elena winced as the alcohol burned her cut, but she tried to keep her whining to a minimum considering the circumstances.

"You OK? He asked softly without looking up.

"Yeah, I'm good." She whispered. Damon nodded and then set the bloody towel back on the table. He picked up white gauze and slowly wrapped it around her hand. He made it tight to stop any more blood and then slowly stood.

"All better." He said with a forced smile as brought his shaking bloodied hands to his sides. Elena stood and moved closer to Damon.

"Thank you, Damon." She whispered as she stared into his beautiful blue eyes. Damon nodded.

"I'm here when you're scared Elena, I told you that last night and I meant it beyond those walls. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, especially not my brother." He whispered. Elena nodded as she remembered his words as they mixed with Caroline's words of caution about how only Stefan could offer her love beyond the bedroom. Elena reached over and slid her hand into Damon's bloodied one and intertwined their fingers.

"Damon, I…" She started, but then suddenly she heard the front door burst open. They both quickly turned and saw Caroline standing in the doorway with a frantic look on her face.

"We have a problem. Stefan ran off and I don't think he went into the woods." She said quickly as she stared between Damon and Elena. Damon let out a sigh as he gritted his teeth and quickly dropped Elena's hand.

"Let's go, we need to find him before he finds anyone else." He said quickly and grabbed his jacket off the chair and moved in a flash behind Caroline. Elena followed quickly behind him and prayed that they would find Stefan before everything they had worked so hard for went up in flames.

Please read and review! OMG, does this story actually have a plot? LOL. Let me know what you all think. Do not worry I will not give you too much plot without smut, but I want to make sure there is at least a little balance. Please read and review and let me know what you think. I appreciate all the comments and reviews and your feedback. Thanks for reading, Nikki Click the button