Authors's Note: Hi guys, you have no idea how sorry I am that this chapter took so long. School has started and its a super major year for me. I have a major national exam in 10 months that basically determines the rest of my life. I will keep trying to write but I need your feedback. Do you want me to post shorter chapters but more frequently or longer chapters but less frequently? I don't want to end the story.

Chapter 13

Elena's Point Of View

Damon and I spent the night cuddled up against each other on the double bed. We had come to an agreement that we would take it slow. At least until we told Stefan about us.

The next morning, Damon made pancakes for the both of us and after breakfast, we each had a shower and then started our trip back home. We were mostly silent in the car. I knew Damon was thinking the same thing I was. How were we going to tell Stefan?

We entered Mystic Falls at about lunch time and by then, we had decided to tell Stefan before the day was done.

"You want to have lunch at the Grill?" Damon asked.

"Yeah. Sure. Why not."

We parked the car, and went in. The Mystic Grill was as crowded as usual. The first thing I did was to search out the wait staff to make sure that either Matt or Jeremy were not working today. The next thing I did, was to search the tables to make sure nobody I knew was here.

"Oh would you calm down Elena. It's not a crime to have lunch with me." He chided as he led me towards a table and pulled out the chair for me.

I laughed nervously as I sat down. We ordered and then we sat in silence for a while. Damon was determined to make me talk thought.

"What's wrong Elena? Just yesterday you were so happy. I was so happy. We had a great time together. What happened?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired Damon. It was a long journey home."

After a few more failed attempts at starting conversation with me, Damon gave up and we finished our meals in silence. After lunch, he dropped me off at home.

"Are you sure you're okay Elena?" Damon asked just before I left his car.

"Yes. I'm fine." I said tightly.

"Do you regret yesterday?"

"We didn't do anything yesterday Damon."

"No. But we did go away together."

"Yeah. For a day. Its nothing Damon. I'm fine." I persistently insisted before getting out and slamming the door behind me.

I could feel his eyes on me as I walked to my door and unlocked it. I stepped into my house and I heard him press down on the gas pedal and speed off. I just caught a glimpse of his car as it sped out of sight. I sighed and angrily tossed my bag forcefully to the floor. I began to cry and I sank to the floor. I was so confused. Yesterday with Damon had been great. I know I had told myself to stop denying my feelings for him but when Damon told me that we couldn't sleep together till we told Stefan about us, I realized something. I realized how horrible I was being to Stefan. I still cared for Stefan even though we were not together anymore. How could I rub our breakup in his face by going away with Damon and going on this whirlwind relationship? It would kill him if he knew what we did yesterday. And it would kill him even more if he found out from anyone but me. I was so afraid that if he found out about Damon and I, he might leave me for good.

"Elena?" I heard suddenly. I jumped up. I was too preoccupied in my own problems that I had forgotten about Jeremy.

"Jeremy! I'm sorry." I said quickly as I used my sleeve to wipe my tears away.

"What happened? Are you okay? Did Damon hurt you?" He asked urgently as he cleared the distance between us in two steps.

"No. No I'm okay Jer. It's okay. Don't worry."

"Where were you yesterday? I was worried. You weren't answering any texts or calls."

"No where. I'm sorry I didn't...I should have been more responsible. I'll make it up to you. I promise."I said as I tried to hug him. However he took hold of my arm to keep me at a distance.

"Elena, I was ready to call a search party. Stefan, Caroline and I were looking everywhere for you till Stefan realized that Damon's car was gone. He figured that you would be with him. Of course that wasn't very comforting but we couldn't do anything could we? You could have at least answered your phone Elena!"

I could see it in Jeremy's red eyes that he had not gotten much sleep. The realization of the damage my day of escape had done to the people I loved back home hit me.

"I'm so sorry Jeremy. I really am. I don't know what else to say."

"I can't lose anybody else. You're all I've got Elena." Jeremy said softly.

"I know. I shouldn't have been so careless. It won't happen again. I promise." I Sid earnestly as I pulled him into a hug.

This time, he did not resist me. I pulled away and he smiled at me. I was forgiven.

"I need to call Caroline and see Stefan. Will you be okay here?"

"Yeah. Go ahead. I'll be fine."

"Thanks Jer. See you later." I said. I grabbed my bag from where I had thrown it on the floor and went out to my car. On the way to the Salvatore house, I called Caroline.

"Elena! Finally! Where the hell have you been?! Are you okay?!" Caroline shrieked in my ear the second she picked up.

"Caroline, I'm fine. Jeremy told me about yesterday and I'm so sorry. I was with Damon. We went to the lake house for a day out. We...we decided to ignore the world for a day. You can't imagine how sorry I am."

I heard her sigh into the phone. "While I approve of Damon, I think you should be more responsible."

"I know. I was stupid. I'm sorry."

I heard her sigh again. "Okay I guess. So, what happened yesterday?" She asked as she completely switched from being condescending to my hyper best friend.

I told her everything that had happened and told her about how I felt after the trip. By the time I finished recounting what had happened, I was at Stefan and Damon's house.

"Listen Caroline, I have to go. I'm here already." I said apologetically.

"Okay. But for now, you should know that I'm on your side no matter who you choose. Of course I prefer Damon and after what Stefan did I don't think you should forgive him but of course, you have the future to think about so yeah." She rambled on quickly.

"Okay okay Caroline. I got it. I'll talk to you later." I said with a smile.

We hung up and I sat in the car and waited for a few minutes before I stepped out. I would have to face Stefan now. I sincerely hoped that Damon was not at home. I walked out to the front door, took a deep breath and rang the bell. Stefan answered after a few moments.

"Elena?"

"Hi." I said nervously. "Can I come in?"

He seemed surprised but stepped back to let me in anyway.

"Listen, I need to talk to you." I started.

"I figured as much. I'm guessing Jeremy told you about what happened yesterday?"

"Yeah he did and I'm so sorry. What I did was stupid and reckless and impulsive."

"You knew you were safe with him so you decided to take a break from the world. There's nothing wrong with that. We used to do that too remember?" He said as he looked sadly at me.

"Stefan..."

"No. I'm not here to make you feel guilty or upset. Come." He said as he took my hand and pulled me down next to him on the couch. "A week before your birthday, Damon and I were talking and he told me that you have a fear of losing me. That I might leave and never come back. Is that true?"

"Well, I guess but" I answered hesitantly. Stefan interrupted me however.

"Elena that would never happen. I would only go if you told me to." He said earnestly.

"How can I believe that? You've been shunned ever since Damon came back!"

"They will forgive me. In time, they will. I mean, you managed to get past this right?"

"Yeah..."

"And you and Damon. I'm not happy with you two. I'm jealous. I'll admit it. But it was my fault. I pretty much pushed you two together. I have to accept my mistakes and I will. But I don't want you to feel like you need to go behind my back and sneak around to be with him. I want you to be happy Elena. That's all I want."

There were tears in my eyes. "I can't do that. I can't do that to you." I whispered.

"I'm not holding you back. We are over. I understand that. And if you are going to move on, well good for you. Just know that no matter what, I will always be at the sidelines for you. I will always be your friend and I'm not going anywhere." Stefan promised.

"So you're okay with Damon and I?" I asked carefully.

He coughed out a bitter, humorless laugh. "Of course not. But what can I do? What right do I have to do anything? I lost you. I lost you the moment I told you Damon was dead. It's my fault and I will deal with the consequences. But I don't want you to suffer and be robbed of your happiness."

"Thank you." I whispered as I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him hard.

"I love you Elena. I always will." He whispered back.

I paused for a moment before I said quietly back, "I love you too."