*Thanks to all who have stuck through this story so far. I would just like to let you know that this is ultimately a delena fanfiction. I just couldn't think of any realistic way to get him seriously involved again. So if you're a delena fan stay with me.

Damon served her drink, then himself and collapsed on the couch. Elena joined him by lying down and spreading her legs across his lap. They simply sat there watching the flames flicker in their own unique dance.

Damon took a sip of his bourbon and swallowed the seductively delicious fire. He patted Elena's leg and her head whipped around to look at him.

"Do you even know how you're going to do this?"

She shook her head and gulped down the alcohol. "No fucking idea. What am I supposed to do if I love you both?"

"Listen Elena. I know for sure that you're a better person than Katherine ever was. You possess many strong qualities that emanate from you but you also have weaknesses; and those weaknesses were Katherine's strengths. I don't think you're going to be able to have us both along for the ride. You'll be too distressed all the time about how we're doing and not focusing on the real problem at hand."

"So what do you suggest I do?"

"Let one of us leave for a little while. Let both of us have a chance to be by ourselves with you. Try and have a real relationship, you know? Since you chose Stefan originally, I'm going to go on a vacation to Paris. I promise to call you at least once a week but simply to see how you are doing, or to see if you need a friend."

"No, Damon. I really like the concept of your idea but I don't like how you plan to execute it."

"Well, what would you like to do?" Damon asked.

"Have Stefan go on vacation. I want to try this with you first."

"Why me?"

"Because even though Stefan has changed some since we were last involved with each other, I have had a lasting relationship with him. I never really gave you that opportunity ever. So, if we add up the past, it's technically your turn."

Damon chuckled breathily and brought his face inches from Elena's. "That suits me fine," he said, his breath tickling her face, "But who wants to tell Stefan?"

Elena ducked under a pillow and shook her head at rapid speed. "Your idea. You tell him."

Damon placed his hand on her leg, and arched his fingers in a way that made his hand appear to be a five-legged spider. He crawled his fingers slowly up her leg and to her stomach and tickled her. Her laugh echoed throughout the room and she was desperately trying to wriggle away and curl into a ball but eventually became paralyzed in a fit of laughter.

"Stop!" she whimpered, out of breath. "Please!"

Damon ceased tickling her and stood up. "I'll tell him. That was just your payment. When would you like him to leave?"

"Tomorrow, I guess. It'd be good to figure this out as soon as possible. I hate dragging you both behind me."

"This should be fun."

Elena half-smiled and sent Damon on his way upstairs. Damon sauntered over to Stefan's bedroom and cracked the door open just wide enough to stick his head inside.

"Hello in there! Where's Gollum?"

Stefan groaned and ripped himself away from his bed. "What the hell do you want?"

"I'm messenger for Elena, brother. She seemed to think you'd have a fit and didn't want to come herself."

"I probably will with the day I've had so far."

Damon sighed and decided it was better now rather than later. "She wants you to go on vacation for a while. Like around a month."

"And you'll be staying here I suppose?"

"Yeah," Damon murmured slowly trying to gauge his brother's reaction. Stefan just rolled over and gazed solemnly out the window. "Hey, look at it this way. You'll be gone a month, just a small glitch in the otherwise fairytale relationship, and she'll send me away because I'm so hopelessly irritating and you and her will be together forever."

"I though you weren't going to screw this relationship up."

"Just trying to be optimistic Stef...I'll do my best for you."

"No you won't."

"Ah...pessimist Stefan. Where have you been the past couple of years? I missed you."

"Just get out. I'll leave in the morning."

Damon nodded and before leaving turned to Stefan once more and said, "Brother, don't stay away too long. I'm not sure she can make it without you and I'm sure I can't."

The next morning, Stefan piled some stuff into his car, shut the trunk and walked across the driveway right back to the house. Elena was silhouetted against the doorway, her arms crossed, and her jacket just barely clinging to her shoulders. Stefan stared deep into her brown eyes, his facial expression equivalent to that of a puppy's. Elena lifted up onto her tiptoes and wrapped her lanky arms around his neck.

"I love you, Stefan."

"As I love you."

And then he ran to his car, hopped in the driver's seat, and was gone before Elena could even wave goodbye.

"He's hurt you know." Elena turned to find Damon just a hairs breadth behind her. "I know," she whispered. "But I have to let one of you go."

Damon tugged Elena's hand out from under her arm and gave it a quick kiss before wrapping it in his own. "Why don't you come on inside and not worry about it. No barriers between us, remember?"

"Yeah, all walls down. I remember. Lead on, Damon." And instead of pulling her hand forcefully away she gripped his tighter.