To The Fictionist: For some reason I can't PM you because apparently you 'disabled the feature'. O.o I didn't even know you could do that. Unless you did it on purpose because you found out I was a creepy stalker weirdo xP

To Phoebegirl319: Is it alright if I mention you - and answer any questions you have here instead of PMing you? It's so much easier :D You spelt her name perfectly, and you'll just have to carry on reading to find out! ;)

Oh and I was rereading previous chapters and realised that Elena has become a bit of (okay a lot of...) a meanie but there's a reason I promise! You may find out later ;) ANYWAY, back to the story:

Chapter Eight:

Stefan woke up the next morning to a persistent buzzing on his bedside table.

Turning his head, he saw that it was his phone and, picking it up, found that he probably should have been up by 7am. Well, that was when his 10 missed calls had started anyway.

Sitting up, he answered. "Hey Elena... Yep, I'm fine. It was quite boring actually... Nope, all the girls were crazy. Definitely not my type - blood type anyway hehe... That was a joke! Elena, it was a-... No, I admit it wasn't very-... I'll see you tonight okay?... Or in an hour is fine. Sure...Bye, love."

Stefan didn't understand why Elena had become so agitated recently. She used to never be mad at someone unless they had done something seriously bad and he didn't think going to a random nightclub was 'bad' bad. He was determined to find out what it was.

He was so determined that when he heard voices in the kitchen, he didn't stop to think who Damon could be talking to. He was nearly out the door when he heard his name.

Retracing his steps, he stood silently outside the semi-ajar door and listened.

"Can't you stop talking about Stefan for one minute?" Mitsao? What! Why was she here? Hell, how did she even know where they lived?

"Mitsy..." Stefan stifled a laugh at the nickname. Damon's voice was strange though, almost like a boy who'd been told off. "It was his first time there. I should have been curious about how it went. I was curious, but all I could think about was..." He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. Stefan knew instantly what Damon would have said.

And he didn't like it - That surprised him. Why should I have a say in Damon's friends? Or girlfriends? Damon sure didn't have one in Stefan's.

Realising all he could hear was soft noises, he was about to leave when Damon spoke again "So that's why I need to go see him now -"

"DAMON!" Stefan flinched at Mitsao's tone. It was harsh! Damon wouldn't stand to be talked to like that, Stefan was certain.

So why did he have the feeling that Mitsao was gaining the upperhand?

He resisted the urge to poke his head round the door, but tiptoed closer. Mitsao was whispering nonsensical things which Stefan suspected he didn't really want to hear.

Wishing he could just leave, but knowing he wouldn't, Stefan waited.

Finally, he heard Mitsao say "You're coming tonight." It wasn't really a question. "You know where to find me."

"Of course I am. Bye sweetheart."

Waiting to hear the door from the kitchen (leading outside) close, Stefan went inside.

Damon was lounging against the table, staring at a card he held in his hands. He looked up when Stefan approached. Instantly, the card was nowhere in sight.

"Oh hey, little bro. Had a good sleep?"

Stefan nodded, noticing a smear of red across Damon's right cheek.

Before Damon could continue Stefan asked "So was that...um, Mitsao?"

His brother's head shot up at that. For some reason, Stefan felt a twinge of anxiety at his expression. It was so...peaceful. Like he'd finally found his reason to live. For so long his features were mostly always hidden behind a mask, the sudden change didn't make Stefan as pleased as he should have been. Just...worried.

Damon looked like he had trouble finding the right words "I...love her, Stefan. She makes me...so happy...so complete."

But... What could Stefan reply to that? "I thought you were happy having me for company?" No. That was selfish. He was being mean. Taking a deep breath, with his gaze fixed to the floor, he said the words:

"If she makes you happy, I'm happy, brother. Just...don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Damon burst out laughing. It was so unexpected, Stefan's eyes shot up. So much for peaceful, now he was back to sarcastic amusement.

"Right. We're having a nice love chat and you come out with that? Remind me never to approach you for advice."

Still shaking his head he walked through the door leading outside, called "See you later. I recommend you start doing things I would do." and laughed.

Grimacing, Stefan was about to follow, but stopped. Where was Damon going? To Mitsao's? Sighing, he turned around.

Belatedly he realised he was supposed to be going to Elena's. Damn. He was late. Elena was going to scream.

Well, hopefully not literally. Though he wouldn't be surprised.

Grabbing his keys, he rushed back into the hallway, took one look at the figure in front of him, and did a double take.

"MITSY?"

CRAP. Did he just...Did he just call her...Mitsy?

The look on her face confirmed it.

Oh hell, way to go Stefan.