Chapter Four

Elena began to shake. She grabbed her phone from her bedside table and quickly called Stefan. He picked up on the second ring and sleepily asked her what was wrong. She mumbled incoherently and he hung up.

A few seconds later he appeared in her room; his eyes concerned.

"Elena? What's wrong?" He whispered.

She grabbed her jacket.

"We have to go. Katherine has Jeremy and Jenna; we need to find them." She choked.

Stefan grabbed her arm.

"Whoa, whoa what do you mean Katherine has them, how do you know?" he asked.

Elena swallowed thickly.

"Katherine came here, she told me that if I didn't find them by morning…" She broke off as tears leaked down her cheek.

Stefan pulled her into a hug a softly stroked her hair.

"Are you ok? Did she hurt you?" He asked.

She struggled out of his embrace.

"We have to go." She yelled. "We don't have time for this Stefan, we need to find them right now!"

Stefan frowned.

"This could be a trap Elena." He cautioned.

She groaned in frustration.

"I don't care, we need to help Jenna and Jeremy." She said.

Stefan shook his head.

"It's too dangerous for you. You stay here and I'll go look for them." He decided.

Elena stared at him as though he had three heads.

"You cannot be serious." She yelled. "They're my only family Stefan, I have to help them."

"My decision is final Elena." Stefan said firmly. "I'll call Ric to come and make sure you don't try to follow me."

Elena gawked at him through her tears.

"You can't do this. You can't stop me from saving my family."

"Elena, your safety is my number one priority. I will find Jenna and Jeremy but not until I know you are safe." He said stiffly.

Elena shook her head slowly.

"Damon would have understood." She said suddenly. "He would never have done this to me."

Stefan looked like he had been slapped.

"You can be mad at me Elena, but I am not going to let you get hurt." He said, pulling out his phone. He called Ric and asked him to come over and stay with Elena.

She sat glowering at him from her bed. She had thought about making a dash for it but knew that she didn't stand a chance.

Ric arrived and asked what all the commotion was. Elena wiped at her tear-stained cheeks and told him about Katherine's visit.

He looked uncomfortable with the idea of keeping Elena in the house; he could see that her helping would be a benefit. Especially when Jenna's life was at risk, but Stefan had insisted. Saying that he would find them himself.

Elena tried to reason with him but Ric didn't want to be responsible for an eighteen year olds death, so eventually he agreed.

As Stefan turned to leave the house, Elena called his name. He half turned and looked at her.

She held his gaze with steady eyes. Her heart broke a little as she spoke.

"If any harm comes to them…I will never forgive you." She said calmly.

He stared at her silently for a moment before stiffly nodding his head and leaving.

Ric watched Elena, an unrecognizable look on his face as he took in the interaction.

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek as she realized that she was being serious. She would blame him. Maybe she was being selfish, he was after all just trying to protect her, but her family was her responsibility. If she wanted to risk her life for them it wasn't his call to make.

Elena sat stiffly on the couch in her living room, watching as the sky lightened. She was snuggled in one of Jeremy's hoodies, her eyes fixed on the window.

When the sun peaked out from behind its cover and shone its golden rays across her face, Elena began to cry. Ric came and sat next to her, awkwardly rubbing her back while he too panicked inside at the thought of them never returning.

It was nearly noon by the time Stefan arrived.

He entered the room and looked at them silently. Elena and Ric hadn't moved from their positions on the couch. Elena looked up at him through her tear-soaked lashes and prayed that Jenna and Jeremy would walk through the door behind him. They didn't.

She stared at him coldly and as he looked at her his face twisted in pain and remorse.

"Elena…I'm so sorry, I found them…but I was too late." He whispered.

She nodded. Fighting the break down that was creeping up on her, she rose steadily from the couch.

"Get out." She said, her voice surprisingly strong.

Stefan stared at her, his brow furrowing in pain.

"Elena…" He began.

She shook her head and cut him off.

"I don't ever want to see you again Stefan. You or…Damon."

She was fighting the lump in her throat, willing herself to be strong enough to do this. She had thought she loved these brothers. They had come into her world like a whirlwind and turned it upside down. They had made her smile again, and given her adventures and kindness and what she had obviously misinterpreted as love. Well, she could see that Stefan did love her, it was written in his eyes, but sometimes that wasn't enough, when respect and equality weren't part of the deal.

The thought of a life without them was a daunting prospect but she shook her fear away. Damon had already gone, and she had survived that one. She could survive the second one. She knew she would never be able to look Stefan in the eyes knowing that her family was dead because of him. Maybe she was being unfair, she didn't know, she didn't care. She just knew what she had to do.

"Now get the hell out of my house." She finished. Spitting the words, her tone cold and unwavering.

Stefan's face crumpled as he looked at her but he nodded.

"I'm so sorry Elena." He whispered as he turned to leave.

She watched as he opened the door and disappeared. Then she broke. She fell to the floor as gut-wrenching sobs overwhelmed her. Ric ran to her side, tears staining his own cheeks as he tried to comfort her. She lay on the floor and cried; her chest heaving as horrific pain consumed her.