Author's Note: Thank you to everyone for all the reviews and response!
After Stefan had come to his depressing conclusion about Damon, he came to a new goal: Stay out of his brother's way; just as he had requested.
Stefan no longer lingered in the house past hours, longing for just a chat with the older vampire. Instead he tried to go back to his old schedule of school, Elena, and the as-polite-as-they-would-ever-get conversations with Damon whenever their paths crossed.
Damon, for the most part, seemed back to his normal goofy self and acted almost as if the whole "fight" had never happened. Perhaps he really doesn't hate me, Stefan pondered after seeing Damon and noticing no horrible glare in his eyes. However, all it took was for Stefan to remember the hate he saw reflected back at him from that night, and he would immediately shut down those thoughts and try to stick to his plan. Although it pained Stefan terribly to think of how much his brother had truly come to hate him, he supposed he had to stop being so selfish and take some responsibility.
After all, who was it that forced their own desires and hopes onto someone who just saw it as a fate worse than hell? Me, Stefan thought bitterly. It was me who was the bad brother all along. I forced Damon to turn when all he wanted was to just die peacefully after all the pain I caused him with Katherine. How couldn't he hate me?
Stefan's dark thoughts stuck with him and for the first time in a long time he considered shutting off his emotions, just to end the pain. It was almost as if he had lost Damon again after he had had so much hope that his brother had been returning; not just with his humanity, but with his love for Stefan. His love for his once beloved baby brother. But Stefan couldn't do that, he would stick it out and try to focus on his life in Mystic Falls and Elena. He had to. It was the only way he would survive without returning to his dark past.
"Stefan…what's wrong? You've been looking so sad for the past few days." Elena and Stefan were in the cafeteria at School, sitting alone at a table outside. Bonnie and Caroline were still getting their lunch so the couple had some time to themselves before the rest of the group came. Elena swept a hand through her hair as she looked worriedly at Stefan. He had been acting very forced in the last couple of days - as if he was really happy, when Elena saw past his mask and noticed a raw pain that he couldn't hide from her.
Stefan looked up from his tray where he had been mindlessly moving his food around on his plate and looking very lost in thought. "Nothing, Elena. It's just..some issues at home, that's all," Stefan gave her a small smile. "Please, don't take it too seriously - you know how I am. I'm Mr. Broody; forehead lines and all," Stefan attempted to appear indifferent to the situation and Elena just gave him a look.
"Of course I know you. I know that you let things bottle up inside until you take drastic measures to relieve the pain.." Elena trailed off, thinking of just a couple months ago when Stefan had attempted to end his life because of the pain he had been over the dark parts of his past. Elena never wanted to think of that time again, but if bringing it up would help Stefan confide in her, all the better to avoid a similar situation.
Stefan winced at that and nodded to himself. He realized that he had to be more honest with Elena and try not to keep too many of his issues to himself now that he knew it would only end up hurting her as well.
"It's Damon," Elena raised her eyebrows but looked more concerned than taken aback. "He's made it very clear to me that he wants nothing to do with me and, well," Stefan fumbled, looking down and avoiding Elena's eyes, feeling self-conscious. "Well, I guess I just had this stupid notion that maybe Damon wanted to repair our relationship more or something." Stefan eyes got a pained look to them.
Elena brought her hand up to Stefan's face and softly stroked it. "Oh Stefan." She sighed. "It's not stupid or anything. I know how you and Damon try to act like you both care nothing for each other, but even after just knowing you both for months I can tell how farther from the truth that could be."
Stefan reached up to pull her hand from his face and settled his emotions back in place. "Look, Elena, just don't. My issues with Damon I'd just rather not discuss right now." Elena gave him a slightly hurt look to which Stefan softened his gaze. "I'm sorry, Elena, it's just I'd rather not have you worry about this. It's nothing huge or anything; just the usual Stefan and Damon mess. I'm sorry that I have been a little down lately, but I really am going to try to make an effort to appear more-happy," Stefan gave a small laugh at his odd finish.
Elena laughed a little too. "I really do believe that Damon doesn't hate you Stefan." Elena looked like she wanted to say more, but at Stefan's sad look of doubt and hurt again decided to leave it alone. Right now, she would focus on keeping Stefan's mind on other things and getting him to smile more than he had been lately.
The loud noise of intense knocking could be heard coming from the front door. Stefan was in the kitchen nursing a hot mug of animal blood he had just warmed up in the microwave. He furrowed his brow at who could be at the door and set his mug down on the counter, quickly running to the door.
"Hey Stefan," Bonnie was at the door smiling brightly with Elena in tow looking slightly anxious. Bonnie had her schoolbag with her and some books that Stefan suspected held information involving magic in them.
"Um, hey Bonnie. Why don't you guys come in?" Stefan gestured the two girls inside, gave Elena a kiss, and allowed them to get settled on the couch as he went to grab his mug of blood.
What could this be about?
As he entered the living room he noticed that Bonnie had already placed candles on the floor and had opened several books and was on her way to grabbing different types of ingredients from her bag. Elena looked on, seeming too exhausted to stop the other girl, and watched Bonnie's almost frantic motions.
"Bonnie, what exactly is going on?" Stefan went over to where Elena was standing watching Bonnie worriedly.
Bonnie looked up from her position on the floor where she was staring intently at a certain page in a book. "Oh! Stefan, it's wonderful!," Bonnie exclaimed happily, "I'm almost positive I've found something we can fight Klaus with!"
Stefan groaned inwardly. He knew he should have been paying attention to Bonnie more closely. Of course she hadn't given up worrying about Klaus and focusing all her efforts on her witch duties. She had just been trying to give off the appearance that she had abandoned all thoughts of Klaus to get Elena and Stefan off her back. Obviously it had worked.
Elena seemed to think the same thing as she shared a look with him. "Look, Bonnie. I thought we had a talk about this. I don't want anyone to worry themselves to death over Klaus. We still don't even know if he exists. We shouldn't waste all our energy over this." Stefan said.
Bonnie stood up and walked over to the pair and stared at the young vampire with a determined look. "Listen Stefan. I will not waste my time not working on my powers and learning very valuable spells that could help us in the future. And if Klaus does exist, I will be ready and be able to protect Elena."
Elena started to speak up at this but Stefan beat her to it. "I agree; I want to be just as prepared as you do to any threats we might have that could try to hurt Elena. I just don't want you guys to waste away your lives at this." Stefan spoke the last part softly, letting some of his guilt seep through.
Elena spoke up. "Stefan no one blames you, and yes, I know that's exactly what you were thinking," Bonnie nodded at this, "I didn't want Bonnie to go into overdrive either because I think all this fuss is probably over nothing."
Bonnie looked upset at this and started arguing, "Yeah, until it's your life on the line! It's best to be prepared and whether or not you guys believe me, I would be trying to learn as much about my heritage as possible, even if we didn't have any possible threats." Stefan and Elena nodded in consent at this. They knew how dedicated Bonnie had become to being a witch.
"It's just, I've found this great spell that I think could really come in handy against an enemy and I would really love to try it." Bonnie looked on hopefully.
Stefan noticed that Elena still looked a little worried but also found himself thinking it really was best to be prepared. "Alright. Let's hear about this spell."
Damon found himself, as usual, in the Mystic Grill at the bar after another council meeting. The silly humans all trusted him all so much that Damon wondered how they had ever managed to capture any vampires in the first place. He smirked to himself as he thought of how well he had become the town's hero - at least somewhat in Sheriff Forbes' eyes.
As he downed another drink he figured he should probably head back to the house. His little brother would no doubt be back from school now and he had a nagging feeling he should check up on him. His brother had been extra broody these last few days and he had to wonder if it really came back to his late night conversation with Stefan. Had my words affected him that much? He had to know that I was probably somewhat drunk, Damon pondered. When he had woke up the next morning, he had completely forgotten the whole incident. Then it had all come rushing back to him when he had seen Stefan later in the day and noticed the immediate hurt in his eyes and then the guarded/indifferent expression as he quickly brushed past Damon. Most of his words and anger at Stefan had been the alcohol and his usual jackass self but he was really surprised at how Stefan seemed so deeply affected by them.
He had thought for sure that the younger vampire had wanted nothing to do with him. After making Stefan's life over the years less than pleasant for sure, he was almost certain Stefan dreaded every moment he would pop up in his brother's life. And at first, Stefan definitely seemed intent on getting Damon to leave. However, he knew now that Stefan no longer minded that Damon had decided to stay in Mystic Falls since he had grown fond on the town and its residents. Damon still thought that just meant that Stefan was no longer set on getting him to leave but would keep a close eye on him. Which, when he remembered back to those nights, had thought Stefan was doing. Trying to figure out what "Master Plan" Damon had next up his sleeve.
Why would he be so ..upset about what I said though? It couldn't possibly be because he wasn't trying to check up on me…could it? Damon shrugged his head to rid his mind of these thoughts.
Well, best go and see that he hasn't burned the place down any way, Damon thought as he made his way to his car outside and quickly sped off to the house.
Everything was in place. The curtains had been drawn and the candles had been lit - forming a circle around the area where the couches had been removed. Stefan now stood in the center of those candles, looking slightly nervous but determined to help Bonnie if this would eventually save Elena from any future threats. After Bonnie had carefully explained that this spell worked only on vampires, she claimed she would obviously need a vampire to test it on, hence where Stefan came in.
Before Elena could shout out why Bonnie was willing to try out a malicious spell on her boyfriend, Bonnie clarified how the spell worked.
"Relax Elena. Deep breaths.," Elena sent her a look of annoyance, "Obviously this is just a trial run. This type of spell comes from a book with two sets of spells. One, is the real spell and can cause actual damage. The other is intended just for this type of purpose - a trial run of sorts. You see, the original spell calls for the vampire to be made vulnerable - and thus killable." Elena winced as she looked over at Stefan. "However, the trial spell will just render the subject slightly dizzy and cause the flames to ignite until they turn a bluish color. This indicates that I have done the spell correctly and yadda yadda yadda, but cause no actual harm to the subject," Bonnie trailed off with a smile.
Elena looked doubtful. "Since when do witch spells come with trial runs? Where did you get this book anyway?"
Bonnie looked slightly offended. "From a very reliable source," Elena continued to look doubtful. Bonnie sniffed, "A fellow witch if you must know. And she has been practicing magic for a long while now - practically her whole life. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Stefan will be completely fine. And besides, it's not like I can ask Damon."
Stefan noticed that Elena was still very wary of this whole "trial spell" and made his way towards where Elena was standing, taking her hand. "Don't worry Elena. I want to do this. I trust Bonnie, and if Klaus ever does come along, this just gives us another advantage." Bonnie smiled at this and nodded her agreement.
Elena looked at Stefan and nodded. "Alright. If it puts you two at ease. But after this, will you please chill it on the magic and actually want to spend time with me once and awhile?" Elena pouted to Bonnie, feeling slightly miffed about Bonnie acting as though she willingly wanted to spend time with Elena.
"Elena, you know I want to spend time with you - I just want to protect you as well." Bonnie said. Elena feeling touched by her best friend nodded, "I know," she gave a small smile. Bonnie nodded back and returned her focus to the task at hand.
"Alright. Stefan, I need you to stand back in the center please. Now, I'm going to say the spell and just try to remain as calm as you can." Stefan moved towards the center and nodded back at Bonnie.
As Bonnie began chanting Stefan allowed his eyes to close in an effort to get more relaxed. As Bonnie's voice grew in volume and determination, the young vampire could feel a strong stirring of power being directed towards him and even felt the slight heat of the candles as he imagined the flames growing in size. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. Stefan felt a slight wind beginning to flow through the room as Bonnie repeated her chants and started to feel the dizzying affects Bonnie had mentioned.
Suddenly, a strong power slammed into him and straight into his heart. Stefan gave a cry of surprise as the pain grew in intensity as Bonnie's voice did in volume. The heat from the candles seemed to swirl around him and odd colors seemed to be surrounding him and encasing and enclosing in on him; causing the pain that was shot through his heart to become even more painful.
Stefan could distinctly hear the shouts of panic Elena was making as she realized things were going terribly wrong. As the pain, voices, colors, and power grew and grew, Stefan felt pure agony as his legs folded in and he fell to the floor in with another strangled cry.
What's happening! Oh God, please let it end…please…pl-please, no more, no more, Stefan thought desperately. And as the pain seemed like it would never end and the flames and colors kept binding him, suffocating him, killing him, his thoughts became less and less consistent until only one word remained constant.
Damon, please, help…please Damon…..Damon…..Damon.
As Elena screamed at Bonnie to stop the spell after hearing Stefan's horrible cry of pain, and the odd colors obscured him from view, all the candles suddenly blew out, the wind was no more, and everything was silent.
Author's Note: Whew! So we finally got to the spell of the story. What do you think Bonnie's spell did to Stefan? Will Damon make it back in time? Take a guess and please leave a review! Thanks :)