A/N The Vampire Diaries Settings and Characters all belong to LJ Smith and the CW. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2018 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

"I gave you today just like you asked. And I understand that you would never do anything to hurt me, and I promise I will keep your secret, but…I need some time. I think to really think things through and decided if I can continue my life like this or not. I'm sorry."

Stefan sighed forcing back tears but nodded. "I understand. I really am sorry."

"I know. It's not your fault."

Lexi and Stefan left without another word. Elena closed the door and leaned against it crying. She honestly didn't know what she was going to do.

The next couple days were spent searching for Vicki, it was harder than they thought but eventually they found her and brought her back to the house.

They let her call Matt and tell him she was safe but that was it.

"I don't understand why I have to stay cooped up here. Why can't I just go home?" Vicky wined again.

"Because you're changing ,Vicky, and it's not something you want to do alone."

"Trust me, doing this on your own is the worst way to get through it." Lexi said gently.

She felt bad for this girl. Lexi knew deep down she was scared and was using her anger to mask it.

"There's nothing about that Logan guy I killed in here. Not a word. Someone's covering it up." He fiddled with the Gilbert pocket watch compass.

"What is that?" Vicky asked ignoring everything Lexi and Stefan were trying to teach her.

"This is a very special, very old compass. What was Logan Fell doing with it? Aren't you curious?" he asked Stefan.

"Well , if you're so worried that somebody's onto you, why don't you just leave town, Damon?" Stefan answered. Oh if only it were that easy.

"We should be all worried." Damon said annoyed.

Vicky spoke up stopping their banter "Hey, um, I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"

Stefan got up and went to desk and grabbed a small cup filled with something and handed it to her. "Here."

Vicky looked inside the cup and smelled it. "What is it?"

"It's what you're craving."

"It will help cure your hunger." Lexi explained further. "Drink it and you won't be hungry anymore."

Damon chuckled. "Don't lie to the girl. It's so not what you're craving, but it'll do in a pinch, right , Stef?"

"What is it?" Vicky asked again.

"Yeah, what is it? Is it a skunk? Saint Bernard? Bambi?" Damon mocked.

Vicky looked to Lexi a small look of worry crossed her face. Lexi shook her head. "Ignore him, just try it. Trust me, it's ok."

Vicky still looked hesitant.

"Go on. Give it a try." Stefan encouraged her.

"She's new. She needs people blood. She can't sustain on that stuff." Damon said as she took a sip.

"Yeah, why can't I have people blood?"

"Because it's wrong to pray on innocent people, Vicky." Stefan answered getting annoyed with Damon undermining everything he and Lexi said.

"You don't have to kill to feed. Just find someone really tasty and then erase their memory after wards. It's so easy."

"No, no ,no. There's no guarantee that you can control yourself, okay? It takes years to learn that. You could easily kill somebody, and then you have to carry that with you for the rest of your life, which, if I haven't made clear, is eternity."

"Don't listen to him. He walks on a moral plane way out of our eye line. I say snatch, eat, erase." Damon smirked.

Stefan sighed. "Hey, look at me. We choose our own path. Our values and our actions , they define who we are."

"Okay, count deepak. I am out of here." Damon said finally leaving the room.

"Can I have some more?" Lexi asked.

Stefan left the room leaving the two girls alone.

"Look, Vicky, we aren't trying to hurt you or be mean to you. We only want to help you." Lexi said. "If you don't want the animal blood we can try something else but do not listen to Damon his morals are very messed up and he doesn't care about people. You remember how he treated you as a human?"

Vicky nodded trying not to show how much she was hurt by it.

"He does that to every girl he meets. It's not right and it's not fair, would you want to do that to someone else? Make them feel the way you feel now?"

Vicky shook her head looking into her empty cup.

"Then let us help you, don't listen to Damon, just listen to Stefan and I."

"Ok." Vicky muttered softly.

There was just something about Lexi that made Vicky want to trust her.

They were both quiet for a minute when they heard Elena downstairs asking about Vicky.

"Now that smells good." Vicky smiled.

Lexi shook her head. "Oh no, don't even think about it."

"But she smells good. I want it."

"Vicky, it's not an it, that good thing you smell is Elena Gilbert, you hurt her Stefan is going to kill you."

"I can't help it!"

"Yes, you can. You have to. It's all part of being a vampire. You need to learn to control this."

Vicky growled angrily.

"Come on, let's go down and see Stefan. Maybe seeing Elena will help you realize she's your friend and don't want to kill her."

They both walked down the stairs.

"What's going on?" Lexi asked.

"Elena just wanted to check on Vicky." Stefan answered.

"That's sweet of you, Elena. Would you like to stay? We're just teaching Vicky about vampires, you might learn from it too if you'd like." Lexi said with a smile.

Elena nodded.

They went into the dining room and sat around the table. Stefan left the room and returned a few minutes later with coffee. "Coffee is our friend. It's the caffeine. It circulates through our veins, and it warms our body so we're not cold to the touch."

"Well, what if I want to drink human blood?" Vicky asked. "Elena smells really good enough to eat."

"You're going to have to learn to live with that urge and fight it on a daily basis one day at time." Stefan said ignoring her last comment.

"Oh my gosh!" Vicky groaned. "Don't start with that whole 12 steps thing. School counselor has been down that road, and it doesn't work for me."

"But it can work. It's your choice ,Vicky." Stefan said strongly.

"So you've never tasted human blood?"

Elena looked to Stefan curiously, wondering the same thing.

"Not in a long time." Stefan answered smoothly.

"How long?" Vicky pushed.

"Years and years. I'm not proud of my past behavior." Stefan said looking to Lexi.

"What Stefan did in the past doesn't have anything to do with the man he is today." Lexi said more to Elena than Vicky.

Elena got quiet after that.

"Does this sketchy feelings ever go away? It's like I have a massive hangover. This daylight thing is annoying. I need more blood. Where's your bathroom ? I have to pee. Why do I have to pee? I thought I was dead." Vicky said ignoring Lexi's last comment.

She got up and walked away. Stefan sighed. "I'm going to , uh...I'm going to get her some more. All right. I'll be quick."

He was gone and Elena sighed. She knew she still loved him and wanted to be with him more than anything, but could she really be with him without knowing about his past?

Lexi rubbed her back. "You'll figure it out. I promise." She whispered softly.

Elena just nodded so Lexi knew she heard. Vicky came back in and sat down. "False alarm. My body's feeling really funky. It's a good funk , but it's weird."

She took out her phone and started to text someone.

"Who are you calling?" Elena asked.

"Jeremy."

"Vicky, you can't see Jeremy anymore."

Oh come on don't you start too. I'm going to see whoever I want to see."

"Even though you could hurt him?"

"I would never hurt Jeremy."

"I know you think that but I can't take the risk. You're going to have to let Jeremy go now."

"Oh really? An how long have you been preparing a "you're not good enough" speech? I'm presuming it predates the whole vampire thing."

Elena sighed. This wasn't going the way she planned. "All I am saying is Jeremy is not getting involved in any of this. I mean it, Vicky."

"Or what?" In a flash Vicky had Elena pinned to the wall by her throat lifting her off the ground. "Let's get one thing straight, you perky little brat. You had my brother whipped for 15 years. 15 years and then you dumped him. When I look at you that is all I see, just so you know. And I'm going see Jeremy whenever I want to see Jeremy, because I have some fun new toys to play with and I won't think twice about ripping your little head off. You got it?"

Lexi pulled Vicky off Elena and shoved her back into the chair, holding her there as she struggled to get free. Threatening Elena was the last straw for her.

"I tried to be nice, I tried to be your friend first but you're making it very hard!" Lexi growled. "Do you care about, Matt at all? Do you want to leave him all alone? Do you want to hurt him more than he always does hurt?"

"Let me go!" Vicky growled.

Lexi growled and finally snapped. "VIKCY DO YOU WANT TO DIE!"

Vicky froze and stopped struggling. "What?"

"If you don't stop and you don't change your attitude and fast you're going to be killed and that will hurt Matt worse than any broken heart he got from Elena. You're the only family he has left. If you die he'll have no one, do you want that for him? Do you want to leave him all alone?"

"No." Vicky muttered.

"What did you say?"

"I SAID NO!"

"Then you need to stop trying to rebel and let Stefan and I help you. Stay away from Elena and stay away from Jeremy, other wise you're going be killed and Matt will be all alone!" Lexi told her sternly.

Vicky nodded and Lexi let her go. She turned back to Elena who was on the ground panting for air. She went over and knelt down beside her. "You ok?" she asked.

Elena just nodded.

Stefan walked in and rushed to Elena. "What happen?"

"Vicky…" she choked out.

"It's ok, Stefan. I handled it. Vicky has agreed to let us help her."

"For Matt's sake I'll do anything." Vicky nodded. "I'm sorry, Elena."

Elena just nodded again. She was shaken up by the attack but also how Lexi had gotten Vicky to agree so easily like that. Could she do the same to Jeremy? Maybe she could help Jeremy too.

"I think she may be in shock." Lexi said.

"I'll take her outside." Stefan said.

He gently lifted her off the floor and led her outside.

"I'm ok, Stefan. Just shocked." She said softly finally finding her voice.

"She's on edge."

"It's ok, I understand. I'm going to go me being here is only making things worse, but thank you for letting me stay. It really helped me figure out things that I needed to." With that she walked away.

Stefan sighed and went back inside.

"Ok, so you're sure you are ok with this?" Lexi asked Vicky.

Vicky nodded. "I'll do whatever you ask and whatever you tell me, all I ask is that I get a chance to say goodbye to Jeremy and Matt."

"Ok, you understand it will be supervised and you'll need to get Elena's permission to go near Jeremy but you will be allowed to say goodbye."

Vicky nodded. "I understand."

"What's going on?" Stefan asked.

"Vicky and I have been talking, she says that being here will be too hard for her. Matt and Jeremy and everyone is looking for her and worrying about her. She can't handle that and focus on her vampire training. SO I'm taking her out of town." Lexi explained.

"What? You're leaving?" Stefan gasped.

"Just for a little while until Vicky can control herself better and we don't have to worry about her hurting anyone."

Stefan sighed. He hated being away from Lexi, she was like his big sister and he needed her. "I understand. Where will you go?"

"We're going up to Ohio. I know of someone there who can help us."

Stefan nodded knowing who she was talking about. "Just be safe."

"I will."

"When do you leave?"

"Vicky wants to say goodbye to her Matt and Jeremy. She's going to tell them she's going away for treatment and can't do it here."

"Is she going to compel them?" Stefan asked.

Lexi nodded. "If they can't accept her choice to leave she'll have to."

Stefan nodded. "Why don't you two go headed over to see Matt, I'll go talk to Elena see if I can get her to agree to let Jeremy see Vicky one last time."

"Thank you, Stefan." Vicky said.

Stefan smiled softly and nodded. They all left quickly.

He arrived at Elena's house and knocked at the door. Elena answered. Her neck was a little red from Vicky's attack. "Stefan, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you, can I come in?"

"Yeah, come in."

Stefan went inside and they sat down at the kitchen table.

"Is Jeremy home?" Stefan asked.

"Up in his room, why?"

"Lexi has convinced Vicky to get some real help. In order for that to happen she has to leave town. Vicky has agreed to go and get help for the sake of her brother but all she's asking for in return is to say goodbye to Matt and Jeremy."

Elena opened her mouth to protest. But Stefan continued. "Lexi and I and you are going to be there to supervise. She just wants to say goodbye."

Elena sighed and nodded. If the roles were reversed and Jeremy was the one who had to leave, she'd allow him to say goodbye to Vicky, so she nodded. "Ok, she can see him. Just give me some time to explain it to him so he knows."

"Of course, I'll let you know when Vicky is here."

Elena nodded and went upstairs. Stefan sighed. This wasn't going to be an easy goodbye for either of them.

After a few minutes Elena and Jeremy both came down the stairs. Jeremy looked sad.

"Jeremy has agreed." Elena said. "He just wants to do what's best for her."

Stefan nodded. "You're doing the right thing, Jer. I'm proud of you."

Jeremy just nodded.

Elena took him in the kitchen.

There was a knock at the door and Stefan answered it.

"She has agreed." Stefan nodded.

"Elena needs to invite her inside first."

Stefan nodded.

"Elena, can you come here a minute?"

Elena came out and over to them. "Vicky, Lexi, please come inside."

Vicky and Lexi went into the house, everyone went into the kitchen.

"Vicky!" Jeremy said. He ran to hug her but Vicky stopped him. "No, please, not to close."

Jeremy sighed but nodded. "Are you ok?"

"I will be. I just really need to do this. If not for me than for Matt. I can't leave him alone."

Jeremy sighed and nodded. "I understand. How long will you be gone?"

Vicky shrugged.

"Will you be able to keep in touch?"

Vicky looked to Lexi who nodded. Vicky looked back to Jeremy and nodded.

"I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too. But I'll be back, take care of yourself, ok?" Vicky said.

Jeremy nodded. "I will."

"Good, thank you."

"Can I give you a hug?"

Vicky nodded and the two shared a hug. Tears filled both their eyes. Vicky pulled back and quickly ran out.

"Lexi, take care of her." Jeremy begged.

"I will. I promise."

Jeremy couldn't hold back the tears anymore and she rushed upstairs as they poured down his cheeks.

"Can you help him?" Elena begged.

"The only way is to compel him." Lexi said. "I can compel him to know Vicky is leaving to get help. She'll be home in a few months and in the mean time he needs to focus on his school work and living his life being happy. He won't look for her or worry about her. He can miss her but he'll also know it's for the best."

Elena nodded. "Do it, please."

Lexi nodded and went upstairs after him.

Elena sighed and looked to Stefan. Tears filled her own eyes.

"Hey, Elena, what's wrong?" Stefan asked taking her into his arms.

"I promised my parents I'd take care of Jeremy. I feel like I'm failing them."

"No, no you're not failing them, Elena. You're doing everything in your power to protect him. Your parents would be very proud."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know I'm proud of you for the way you protect Jeremy, I'm sure they are too."

Elena nodded and looked up at him. "Thanks."

"I'm just being honest." He used his thumb to wipe away her tears.

They both slowly leaned in and before they knew it their lips were touching. Stefan pulled away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"Don't be. I'm not." Elena smiled.

"Wait, does that mean?"

Elena nodded. "I thought being involved with vampires was going to put my life and my families life in danger, but it's only making their lives better. You're helping Jeremy and Vicky and as a result helping Matt and Me."

Stefan smiled. "So you're taking me back?"

Elena nodded.

"YES!" Stefan lifted Elena off the ground and spun her around making her squeal in giggles.

Lexi came back downstairs and smiled.

"Something good just happen?"

"Elena decided I wasn't such a bad guy after all." Stefan said with a smirk as he continued to spin Elena as she squealed with giggle.

Lexi chuckled. "She won't feel that way if you make her throw up."

Stefan smiled and set back down on her feet. He held her close until the dizziness wore off.

"How is Jeremy?" Elena asked.

"Better, he said he felt tired and was going to bed early."

Elena nodded. "Thank you."

"Any time. Now I've got to get going. We can only travel at night because Vicky doesn't have a daylight ring yet."

"Be careful, Lex." Stefan said.

"I will, and you behave yourself." Lexi said sternly.

"I will."

They shared a hug and in a flash Lexi was gone. Stefan inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath. Elena rubbed his back. "She'll be back."

"I know, I'm just going to miss her."

"Me too, but she'll be back. In the mean time I can keep you company."

Stefan smiled as they shared another kiss. They were together again and this time nothing was going to break them apart. In fact, with both Jeremy and Vicky getting help, life was about to get a whole lot better.

A/N What do you think? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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