Elena and Stefan spent the afternoon talking about Damon's injury with the surgeon who performed surgery on him. To everyone's relief no vital arteries had been severed and as long as he didn't succumb to infection Damon would make a full recovery.

It was almost 8pm before Damon stirred. Elena was sitting in the chair beside his bed, his hand still in hers; she was drifting off to sleep. Stefan stood at the corner of the room looking out the blinds. Elena fought to keep her eyes open as the drowsiness crashed through her body; she was just about to give in to sleep when she felt Damon's fingers close lightly around hers.

"Damon." Elena said jumping up from her chair. "Damon, can you hear me?"

Stefan turned around to face them, his face anxious.

Elena's stomach flipped, she leaned over his body and brushed her other hand over his face.

She heart lifted when his eyes fluttered open for a few seconds but they closed as quickly as they opened.

"Damon, you've had me so worried." Elena said quietly

His head rolled slightly to the side and his lips parted a little.

Her ears strained to hear as he tried to speak.

"Where's…" he mumbled drowsily, Elena leaned even closer listening hard. She brushed his hair from his face.

"…S…tef. Stefan." Damon finally managed to croak

Elena pulled back and looked around. Stefan was rooted to the spot, his eyes filled with tears. Elena beckoned for him to come over. Slowly Stefan walked over and took her place. Elena moved to where Stefan had been standing.

"I'm here." Stefan said thickly

Damon's fingers slowly gripped his younger brother's wrist, his eyes strained to open again.

"I…wasn't leaving…you." Damon mumbled

Stefan's breathing was heavy and Elena suddenly felt like she was intruding on something private, she walked to the window, turning her back on them and looked out at the night sky.

"You're all that I've got Damon." Stefan said, his voice close to breaking point "I thought I was going to lose you too. I can't…please."

Elena's heart was suddenly heavy again. She'd forgotten that they were alone, no parents or family to speak of. Her watering eyes fixed on the glowing moon as she heard their exchange of words.

"Shh." Damon breathed "I'm sorry, Stef. So sorry."

"You're going to be alright aren't you?" Stefan asked in a desperate voice

"Course." Damon's voice replied weakly "Just…need to rest."

There was silence for a few moments apart from a light sniffling sound coming from Stefan. Elena eventually turned around and saw Damon was asleep again. She walked quietly to Stefan and rubbed his back.

"I have to go home and collect my Daughter, but I'll be right back. You need to get some sleep." She said gently

"I'll try." Stefan said "Don't know if I'll be able to relax though."

Elena looked sadly at him. Stefan was well built, a serious athlete. He was good looking and smart but at that moment he looked like a lost child. Elena realised that she didn't really know much about Stefan at all. She remembered that Damon had once said they only got together at holidays because Stefan was away at collage. It saddened her to realise that they both must have been very lonely.

"Is there anything I can get you, Stefan?" Elena asked

"No. I think I'm okay." Stefan replied as he pulled his hood up and settled down into the chair.

"Okay, well I'll be back as soon as I can." Elena promised. "I hope that you'll stay with us while Damon recuperates… It is almost the Christmas holidays…"

Stefan smiled weakly "Thank you."

"Try and rest." Elena repeated. Stefan nodded. She leaned over Damon and kissed his lips softly.

"I love you." She whispered quietly into his ear before she slipped out the door.