Chapter Seven

Clutching his teeth together as he faced the impact of hitting the tree, Stefan barely managed not to yell out at the bone jarring sensation. On instinct, he pushed Damon off of himself and vamped out.

Elena backed away from the two of them, fear building within her as she saw Stefan's veins around Stefan's eyes stick out and his fangs emerge. Her hands found their way into fists as adrenaline rushed into her and she readied herself to run, if need be.

Damon let himself be pushed back before he advanced forward again, " What did you do brother?"

Stefan shook his head and growled under his breath. Damon doesn't understand, he thought, he's been turned against you. Hatred for Klaus once again rose within him as he thought, Klaus made him hate you. This is Klaus's fault. He made your brother hate you, and made your girlfriend turn away from you. The voice of Stefan's thought continued to whisper this to him as he glared at his brother, before finally spitting out, "I didn't do anything to her."

"And why don't I seem to believe that?" Damon asked, sending him a questioning glare.

"He didn't do anything to me, Damon." Elena finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, her expression guarded as she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to hide her feelings from the world. Trap all the emotions inside herself. It's better if no one knows how I feel about everything, she thought to herself, I can't burden them with it all.

Damon glanced between the two, extremely confused, but also so very worried about Elena. He'd never seen her this upset, except when she thought Bonnie was dead. But there was one difference, because when she thought Bonnie was dead she'd cried freely and openly and let them all know how she felt. Damon had never seen her so battered but unwilling to show it all.

After a minute, he nodded slowly, believing Elena on the fact that Stefan hadn't physically harmed her. But emotionally, it was as obvious as day that he had. But he couldn't do anything about that, really, besides try and help her. He needed to know what was wrong. He needed to try and help her. It was the only thing he wanted at that given moment and time. "C'mon, Elena, I'll take you home."

Elena thought about that for a moment, about going home, about having Damon take her away from this person she still loved that had caused her so much pain. And then she shook her head. "No…Stefan…You have to give back the coffins. Please."

"I can't." Stefan automatically said.

"Elena." Damon said, "He isn't going to give them up. Not tonight, at least." He had to find a way to get her to leave before he accidentally gave something away that would reveal to her that he was working with Stefan.

"But…" She trailed off, realizing that Damon was right. Stefan wasn't going to give in that night. She had to accept that, for one night at least. Besides, she knew that she was too emotionally shattered to try and persuade Stefan anymore that night. "Fine, lets go, Damon."

Damon nodded, "See ya, brother."

And then he and Elena walked off into the night, while Stefan melted into the shadows of the old witch house.

AN: Okay, I attempted to make that chapter a little longer! Anyways, hope you all enjoy it! :D Review please!

LOTS OF LOVE 3