^^Keeping Your Faith That Is Gone^^

AN: So it's been nearly a year since I updated, and I'm very sorry about that. I realize no one may read this, but I really hope you do and that you enjoy it. And if you do, please write a review. I may update some other fic soon. Thank you.

9. Say What You Need To Say

"Elena." Elena heard Stefan say her name and it was just about the best sound in the world. Full of bells and a sound that she had missed so, so much in their month apart. A tear filled her eye and she wanted nothing more than for him to just hold her, now and forever. "Did you rest alright?"

"Yeah, Stefan, I did." Elena didn't try and even move, because it still hurt to do so and she was a bit woozy. Because of this wooziness she wasn't positive if what she was feeling was all because she missed Stefan or because a part of it may be linked to her self inflicted injury. "I'm not entirely sure what to say." She said after a moment.

She watched as Stefan nodded and exhaled, "I know what you mean."

She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of his hand on her face. She knew the question she wanted to ask but it was just so incredibly hard to voice, and she was so very afraid of the answer he would have for her. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear it. But Elena had always, above all else, been brave and true to herself and everyone. So she decided to take the chance of getting hurt once again when she asked, "Stefan, why did you leave? I know what happened, but why didn't you try something else, anything else to stay?"

With that, she opened her eyes and listened. Listened for the first time in a month to what someone was really saying, because she knew that he would listen to her.