Chapter Nine:

Stefan quickly rushed on. "Sorry, you gave me a fright! I thought you'd left, because I was going to go into the kitchen" He gestured vaguely to the kitchen. "And I heard someone with Damon and it could have been anyone, right? You know, my brother has some seriously weird friends, his only friends...Oh, not you, of course! I'm sure you're very normal. I meant in the past..." He realised he was babbling and trailed off with a nervous laugh.

She was still staring at him with narrowed eyes. Were they red? He couldn't tell, but he was sure they were supposed to be hazel. Contacts?

And what was that smell? He should really get Damon to tell her to change her perfume. He was surprised Damon didn't react to it.

Finally, Mitsao drew herself to her full height. Wow, she was big. Not big as in fat, but very tall and strong. He wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of her.

Which was precisely why he was trying to get out of it.

"I'm inclined to think you were eavesdropping."

Stefan blinked. "Sorry?"

"Oh, I'd just watch your step. I mean," a high tinkling laugh "You might not have your brother around for very long. I suggest you start looking after yourself."

Stefan frowned. He was about to demand what she was going on about when her eyes sort of...flashed and he had the sensation of weakness. Grabbing the wall to steady himself, he looked up.

Mitsao was gone.

All thoughts of Elena forgotten, he rushed up the stairs to his room. Grabbing his phone, he dialled Damon's number.

After the first ring, he picked up "Hey. What's wrong Stefan?" His voice had a hint of worry. Had it only been 10 minutes ago when they'd been in the kitchen?

"It's Mi-" What was he going to tell Damon? "It's Mitsao. She's crazy, there's something not right about her"?

He opened his mouth. "Where are you? I need to tell you something urgently."

Before Damon could answer, he heard an all too familiar laugh in the background. Stefan filled with dread.

He heard Damon answering an unheard question, and it was as if he held the phone away.

"It's only my brother... I don't actually know, but I'm concerned, he seems...I'm sorry baby, wait a sec please?"

Damon's voice was suddenly clear again, and his tone sounded irritated "Look Stefan, I don't know what's up with you, or what's so urgent you can't wait til I get home, but I need to go."

"No Damon, wait -" Too late, Stefan realised his brother had hung up.

Furious with himself, he flung his phone across the room, hearing a satisfying crack as it hit the opposite wall.

Why didn't I stop Mitsao from leaving? He shouldn't have felt intimidated!

"Oh, I'd watch your step." What was that supposed to mean?

He also remembered feeling dizzy after her eyes flashed... But Stefan stopped himself there. Eyes flashing? Yeah, with anger... It was stupid to think that she had anything to do with him being weak.

While he was brooding, he remembered what he'd called her. Mitsy.

Maybe she had only been hurt about the name and said those things out of anger? After all, it was kind of private...

Stefan was instantly happier with that thought. She wasn't actually threatening him, she was just annoyed that he'd heard their conversation.

With a feeling close to elation, he felt suddenly tired. Laying down on his bed, he closed his eyes. Just a little rest...

A while later, he opened his eyes and realised with a jolt that he'd fallen asleep. He looked at the time and sprang off the bed.

All sense of elation gone, he raced downstairs, only pausing to put his shoes on and grab his keys, then slid into his car and hurtled away.

Five hours late wasn't too late, was it? He hoped Elena didn't tear her hair out.