After a fun night of playing games and riding rides on the boardwalk, Stefan and Elena retired to their hotel rooms. The next day, after packing all of their things up, Elena and Stefan were headed to the New Jersey airport to catch their flight back to California, neither of them really wanting to leave the beach. Elena told her friends that she had flown down with that she would be riding and flying back to California with her boyfriend. Elena was both excited and nervous, and as she and Stefan got on the plane, she held Stefan's hand tightly. Stefan squeezed Elena's hand in return, comforting her. Stefan hated flying himself, and knew of Elena's anxiety about flying. She had told him it when they first met.

As the plane lifted off, Stefan saw Elena play with her necklace, a sign he took as nervousness.

"Just think, in 6 hours we will be in Malibu, walking the beach once more. Then Wednesday, our final half of the semester starts. I have a house that's not far from the college, about a block or so away, so that's where I'm headed after we meet my brother. He invited us over for dinner." Stefan reassured Elena, who smiled gratefully at him.

"That sounds wonderful, and I can't wait to see your home, and meet your brother."

Stefan had learned the night before that Elena was already half way through her first semester at college, and that this would be the end of her first year. Stefan couldn't believe he hadn't seen her around campus before, but then again, he hadn't really been looking for a girlfriend. He had gotten out of a very abusive relationship before leaving for three months, and he prayed to god that his ex wouldn't try to do anything to break him and Elena up, though, being the sneaky and bewitching woman Caroline Forbes was, he was sure they would both have to deal with her until graduation.

XXXXX 6 HOURS LATER XXXXXX

Stretching his legs and smiling as the warm California sun heated his face, Stefan was glad to be back on solid ground, and so was Elena. Both of them had fallen asleep sometime after takeoff, and now were waiting for Stefan's brother Damon to pick them up. Stefan's car wouldn't be arriving back in state for a few more days. Stefan had had to have it brought back by truck, as much as it killed him to do so.

Stefan grins when he see's his brother approaching. Damon was dressed in Cargo shorts and a black t-shirt, sunglasses covering his undoubtedly tired eyes.

"I thought your flight was going to be late." Damon comments, giving his brother a hug once he reached them. Stefan hugs his brother in return.

"I'm glad it wasn't. You know I hate flying." Stefan smiled. Beside him, Elena blushed, hiding behind her hair and sunglasses. Stefan squeezed her hand. "Damon, I'd like you to meet my friend and now girlfriend, Elena Gilbert."

Elena smiled, holding out her hand. Damon took her outstretched hand and shook it, grinning. "Damon Salvatore. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here."

"What are you going to college for, Elena?"

"I'm going to major in book keeping and office management, with a minor in marine studies, that's why I came out to California."

Damon smiled as he and Elena began talking about her studies. Stefan smiled. He could tell Elena had been nervous about meeting his brother, but seeing them hit it off made his heart soar. The three of them walked to Damon's truck, then Damon drove them back to his place, where the three of them ate Damon's famous summer seafood jumble; which included fish, shrimp, clams, crab legs, and home-made seasoned french fries. After dinner, Damon drove Stefan and Elena to Stefan's house, where he and Elena sat and talked about their up and coming classes, dangling their feet in Stefan's pool. They had made plan's to go to the beach once more before classes started Tuesday. Stefan walked Elena back to her dorm at around 11pm, not wanting her to walk alone and try to carry all her things from vacation.

"Thank you for walking me home, Stefan. It was really sweet of you. I had an amazing time today, and I loved meeting your brother. We're meeting at your place at ten right?" Elena asks Stefan giving him a soft, but deep kiss.

Stefan kissed Elena back, his heart soaring in his chest. "It was my pleasure, and yeah, ten." He smiled. "Sweet dreams. I'll text you when I wake up." Stefan gave Elena another kiss, not wanting to leave but knowing he had to. Elena kissed him back and smiled.

"Sweet dreams Stefan. I'll be waiting for your text."

Stefan grinned and lingered, waiting for Elena to get inside before walking the short block back to his own home. After locking up and unpacking his phone charger and laptop, Stefan crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep, his thoughts of Elena. He had fallen hard for this girl, and he prayed that she would stick around for a very long time.