"Where did you go?"

Stefan looked up to find Elena standing in the doorway. She had come from a walk in the woods. And alone, she had finally allowed her mind to wander—to think about the last few years—to ask questions. It filled her with nerves but it was liberating. She wanted to know. When she came into the mansion, she saw Stefan quietly reading a book in the living room. She walked in slowly and took a seat opposite of him. She stared at him for a long moment, not knowing where to begin.

"When you…when you left. Where did you go?"

Stefan stared into the fireplace, his eyes vacant for a moment before turning back to her.

"Elena…there is something I need to say, first."

Elena grabbed a blanket that was draped over the back of the chair that she was in. She wrapped it over her legs and nodded, looking down.

"Okay…"

"I'm sorry." Silence filled the room.

Elena looked up as he continued, his gaze far away.

"I'm so sorry. For that night. I was crazy. I wish I could articulate it so you could understand…"

"Stefan?"

He looked up and into her eyes.

"Im a vampire now," she said softly. "I understand."

Stefan nodded.

"After that night in the basement…just being around you would have been dangerous. Your blood…I've never tasted anything like it before. It was like a drug. But I also became so…self aware. What I found was that I was a monster. And so I ran. The Salvatores are from Italy. My parents were born there. I guess I just ran to something that felt familiar. Something that felt…right. And when I stepped off the plane…just smelling the air and being away from everything. It felt right. I found a monastery not far from Tuscany. And I committed myself to penance and prayer. Elena, nothing is more liberating than letting your sin wash off of you. Of accepting a higher power."

"So you believe in God again?"

"Again," he asked. "I don't know if I ever stopped. I don't know the purpose of vampires. I don't know why God allowed it to happen. But I know he had to have allowed this. Nothing happens without his knowing. I don't know why this is my destiny. But I know I was turned for a reason more than just Katherine's thirst. There is a reason I was created. Just like there is a reason I am here…"

He trailed off, his eyes stared into her. There was a darkness, an intensity that was unsettling to her. It was almost like he was trying to steal her soul. She looked away, her rubbing absently at the back of her neck.

"And you came back because of me?"

"It's always been you."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I had felt it for months I just…I tried to ignore it. I tried to forget you. But I felt it. I feel it. Don't you?"

"The only thing she feels is awkward."

Elena and Stefan turned suddenly to see Damon descending the stairs.

Damon turned to Elena. His eyes were bland but Elena had come to realize that it was a cloak. She could feel his anger. She stood then and went walked towards Damon. She clasped his hand in hers.

"Where have you been," she breathed, trying to change the subject.

"Out."

Damon's eyes looked curiously at Stefan. He turned back to Elena.

"I'd like a moment alone with my brother. Go upstairs and wait for me."

Elena looked from Damon to Stefan.

"Okay." She walked slowly upstairs, hoping to catch a shred of the conversation before she had gone.

Damon noticed her deliberate slow step and turned, watching her go up the stairs. God, she was beautiful. For a moment his heart swelled and when he realized it, he recoiled. He waited until she was out of earshot before he wandered into the living room. He sat where Elena was sitting and crossed his legs.

Stefan sat calmly, his arm lounging on the armrest while the other toyed the fringe on the pillow beside him. He looked up at Damon.

"You wanted a moment so…what do you want?"

"I'm not quite sure," Damon remarked, cocking his head to the side, studying his brother.

"I don't know what that is supposed to mean."

"It's not important. Look. We need to get one thing straight. The only reason you are here is because I need someone to guard Elena while I figure out what is going on in Mystic Falls. While I'm trying to save her from…whatever is out there that wants to hurt her. I didn't let you stay here for you to try and woo her with your word vomit."

"That's not what I'm doing."

"Really? I just feel it. Don't you? Is that the best you have? Please stop, I'm getting second hand embarrassment. Have a little pride. You've lost."

Damon stood and turned towards the stairs

"You have no idea what we have."

Damon turned back to Stefan suddenly. He grabbed Stefan's collar into his fist and brought his face inches from his. His eyes were twin flames of blue fire. He calmed quickly and laughed, releasing his grip and moving away.

"I don't care what you had. Make no mistake. If you touch her, I'll kill you."

"No you won't."

Damon stopped in his tracks and turned towards Stefan.

"What?"

Meanwhie upstairs, Elena sat at her vanity, staring into the mirror. She placed her palms over her eyes. The friction was too much to bear. Being pushed and pulled into two different directions made her head spin.

"Finally, someone knows how I feel."

Elena froze for a long moment, her palms still over her eyes. A chill slide up her spine and poured ice into her veins. That voice. Her voice. Please be a dream. She removed her hands slowly from her lids, her eyes downcast. She could see the silhouette of the woman behind her. So many scenarios ran through her head as she looked into the reflection and stared into the eyes of Katherine.