Demetrius (AKA: Father) POV:

I heard Stefan and quietly shut the door behind him. I sighed tiredly and slumped back into my seat. It was times like these that I was glad it was so plush and comfy. I really needed to relax right about now. It had been way to long of a day for any kind of living thing- human or vampire. There was nothing better sounding than a nice trip to my bed and putting this day behind me. Yet, alas, I had to wait until the school closed up… which was about two hours from now.

I sighed again and got up from my chair in a sift movement, albeit reluctantly. If I still had a decent amount of time left, might as well spend it outside of my office. I decided to take a nice, overdue stroll through the school. With all of the students gone, it was bound to be a relaxing walk and it would surely give me the well deserved opportunity to clear my mind.

My thoughts almost immediately drifted back to Damon and our argument that took place minutes earlier. What had made him so protective of the young Bonnie? I know I assigned him the job of protecting her, but I never expected him to take it so- what's the word?- seriously. All he was required to do was to protect her from the other vampires in the school. My oldest son wasn't asked to be her bodyguard 24/7. So, what was making him go crazy when it came to hanging out with a werewolf who happened to be her friend?

Of course, I knew I was just asking myself questions that I already knew the answer to. Damon was in love. Whether or not he was willing to admit this to himself, anyone could tell just how protective he was of the young redhead. Always wanting to keep her out of the way of the things that may cause her harm. It was obvious.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets and headed around the hallways. When did life start becoming so complicated?


Stefan POV:

As soon as I walked out of Father's office, I headed back to my school dorm room. It was times like these I was glad Damon and I no longer shared rooms. That had ended back when I was an eight year old human. But, as vampires, I really didn't feel like having him reading my thoughts… or vice versa. One could only imagine the violent nature his mind took on when he was angry. To put it simply, it would be something that would make even the most cold hearted killers cringe.

I was almost to my dorm when I bumped into someone that I instantly recognized as Rose.

"Oops!!" she exclaimed," I'm so sorry, Stefan! I didn't see you there and I-"

I cut off her rant but putting my finger to her lips. Those smooth, full pink lips…

"It's fine," I replied, "I know you did not mean it! And besides, I wasn't looking where I was going either." It was so hard to concentrate on speaking when I was staring at a beauty like Rose. Her beautiful smile was my only response.

"if you don't mind my asking; why were you in the building anyway? School closed a a few hours ago. I would've though you had headed home," I continued.

"I-Well-I…," she stammered back, obviously caught off guard, "The home life doesn't exactly suit me. I-uh- I had to get away from my folks for a little while, you know?"

I smiled, "That's understandable. My father is the headmaster. So, not only do I have to see him in school, but I have to see him when it ends, too."

"that must stink!" she exclaimed while laughing, "I couldn't deal with that!! Seeing my parents 24/7 would drive me nuts!! Not to mention the blood craze is ridiculous!!"

"Your parents are uncontrolled vampires?" I asked, completely confused and curious.

"Oh, no!! I meant for me! Mi genitori e umano(1). My parents are human. Did you like how I used Italian there? I've been studying!" she replied happily.

"You're a vampire with human parents?? How long have you been an immortal, anyway?" I questioned once again.

"Not that long, actually. Five years at the most," she responded nonchalantly.

My eyes widened. It was amazing how much I didn't know about Rose. I had known this girl for over three years and I didn't even know her parents were human.

"One last question and then I'm done. Is that why you had to get away from home? Because your parents blood was making you thirsty?" I asked softly, not wanting to insult her.

"Well, yeah," Rose responded, just as soft, "I mean, I'm still young. It's hard to have to deal with humans in this school. And then when I come home, I have to smell the blood of two more. Mom and dad are never happy that I have to leave so suddenly, but they understand why I've got to do it."

I nodded, understandingly. I remember how hard it was to deal with blood after I was changed. Of course, that was over five hundred years ago. I've had plenty of practice since then.

"Well, what do you say we get out of here? The tension right now is enough to be cut with a folded napkin!! And, frankly, bad tension isn't good for your health!!" Rose suggested, laughing.

"Yes, we should! I don't want that pretty face of yours to suffer!! Come, take my hand fair maiden!!" I responded, laughing so hard that it was difficult to stand up and actually hold my hand out to her. Rose was also laughing to the extreme. She could barely reach up and grab my hand. When she actually stood up, tears were falling down her face. Who knew I was so funny…

The two of us walked outside, hand in hand. I smiled wide. Her warm fingers hugging mine felt so wonderful. And so right.

AN: OH!! Stefan's in l-o-v-e!! What did you guys think of this chapter?? Let us know in a review!!!

(1) This means my parents are human in case you didn't understand. The reason Rose is talking in Italian because she wants to impress Steffie-poo!!