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.

The next morning Elena woke up with a blood curling screaming. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as sweat poured down her forehead.

"Elena, Baby, it's ok. It was just a nightmare. Shhh, I'm right here. You're safe." Stefan soothed.

Elena cried and fell into his arms shaking.

"Baby, it's all right. Shhh, shhh." He cooed rubbing her back.

"Oh Stefan, it was awful."

"It wasn't real, Baby. It wasn't real."

Elena nodded and sat up and used the back of her hand to wipe her eyes.

"What was your dream about?" Stefan cooed.

"The crash, but it was different."

"How?"

"It was my parents death, but that vampire was still in the middle of the road and he still came after us. My parents were alive until he…he killed them, right in front of me." Elena choked out.

"Oh, Sweetie. It was just an awful nightmare. You're parents are safely in a better place."

Elena nodded and snuggled back into his chest. "Stefan, who was that man in the road?"

"I don't know. Do you remember anything else about him?"

"I wish. I never really saw his face. He was wearing a hoodie. All I can remember is that there was these black boots coming towards me. Do you think he'll come back for me? What if he goes after Jenna or…or Jeremy?"

"Don't worry. I brought some vervain for you and Jenna. I also made this bracelet for Jeremy, few extra necklaces for friends. You can put it in jewelry, or you can even put it in food or drink, but as long as it's in you or on you, a vampire cannot control you."

"Wow. There is so much to remember."

"I know, but there's another vampire in town. So until we find out who it is and what he wants, we have to be careful."

Elena just nodded and inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. Stefan hugged her and rocked her gently. He knew her nightmares had shaken her up. But she'd get through it.

After school was over Stefan came back with Elena to her house. He knew she wasn't ready to face Jenna alone. So they both just went home snuggled on her bed. Stefan sat up with his back to the head board and Elena sat in between his legs with her back to him as she rested against his chest his arm wrapped around her waist.

"Have you told Jeremy?" Stefan asked stroking her hair.

"No. I haven't told anyone." Elena told him.

"Ok that's your choice. There is no pressure to tell anyone."

Elena reached up to take his hand to stop him from stroking her hair and turned to face him. "You won't tell anyone, will you? What about, Lexi? Will she tell?"

"No, nobody is going to tell anyone. It's your information and you will tell who you want when you want. They won't hear it from Lexi or I."

Elena nodded and turned back around allowing him to stroke her hair again. The silence was broken by Elena's stomach growling.

"Wow, someone has a monster in their stomach." Stefan teased and tickled her.

She giggled and pushed him away. "Jeremy ordered a pizza, it should be here soon."

Like clockwork they heard Jeremy yell up "Elena, I need money!"

"See. Be right back."

She climbed off the bed and headed down to pay. Stefan just sighed. He didn't know how to help her through this.

After a few slices of pizza the couple continued to cuddle on their bed.

"Are we staying like this all day?" Stefan asked.

"Yes, if you don't mind. I just...after everything that happen yesterday. I just want to spend today snuggling with you."

"Hmmm, spending the entire day snuggling with my favorite girl or go home and be bored...that's a tough choice." he teased lightly and gently tickling her sides making her giggle and squirm. "Of course it's ok with me, Angel. I'd love to spend the entire week snuggling in this bed with you if we could."

Elena giggled and shook her head. "I don't know about a week but a day should be good."

Stefan nodded and pulled her closer. They spent the entire day snuggling and cuddling each other.

At school the next day Elena gave Caroline the vervain necklace to keep her protected.

"It's so pretty. Thank you! It'll go with, like, everything. What's the occasion?" Caroline gushed as they sat down at a table and started their lunch.

"No occasion. Just a little friend gift."

"Lesbian friend necklace? because we're freaky like that?"

Elena giggled at her and shook her head. "Your friendship is important to me."

"Why are you being so mushy?" Caroline wondered.

"Because you've been avoiding me, and I wanted you to know that whatever is going on with you and Matt, it's ok."

"I was going to talk to you about that... I was...but there's just not much to say. We've hung out a couple times. That's it, but... I just feel like we've passed as friends. This is weird. I shouldn't be talking to you about this. It's weird. It's weird, right?" Caroline rambled trying to avoid the awkwardness.

"It's a little weird, but, If it's what you and Matt want, then it's not about me." Elena told her honestly. Plus she loved Stefan, nothing was going to change that.

"But it's all about you. Matt's not over you, and we all know it."

Ok now it just got awkward. But she had to be honest. "I'm with Stefan now. Matt understands that. He knows he has to move on."

The rest of lunch was quiet but not awkward. Elena was glad Caroline was now protected. Damon couldn't hurt her anymore and that's what she cared about most. Now to get one to Bonnie. Lucky enough they were meeting for dinner tonight. On the down side to that...no cuddle time with Stefan.

When Stefan got home from school he had the biggest smile on his face. Lexi saw this and smiled. "Someone is in a good mood."

"I can't help it, Lexi. Everything is actually perfect for a change. Elena knows everything, we have no more secrets. Damon has been...behaving. Life is perfect. I'm happy."

"Good. I like when you're happy. After everything you've been through, you deserve all the happiness in the world."

"I couldn't have done it without you, Lexi. You helped me and saved my life in more ways than one."

"I just gave you a small push. You did the rest."

"Either way, thank you."

Lexi shook her head. "You don't need to thank me. But anyway, where is Elena?"

"Having dinner with Bonnie. She's telling Bonnie about the adoption. What about Kevin?"

"Um...eating dinner." Lexi said carefully.

"Speaking of which I'm going to hunt for a bit. It's been a few days and I'm starving."

"Go. I'll be here when you get back."

Stefan nodded and headed out.

He arrived back home about an hour and half later. He took a shower and got cleaned up. He was just about to sit down and write in his diary when he cell phone rang. He smiled when he saw the caller ID. "Hey Baby, how was dinner with Bonnie?"

"Stefan?" a frantic voice cried. "He's after me. I don't know how he found me, but he was at the Grill. I think he's trying to kill me!"

"Ok, ok, Elena breathe and try to calm down. Come to my house it's closer. We can talk more then. Just get here."

"Ok." she whimpered.

"Stay on the phone with me until you get here."

"Ok." she whimpered again.

Stefan stayed on the phone with her until he heard her pulling into the driveway.

He arrived at the door the same time she did. She was shaking and breathing hard. Her heart was racing. Stefan took her right into his arms holding her close and rubbing her back. "I've got you. You're safe, shhh you're ok. You're ok." He soothed her.

They stood there for a few minute, Stefan just calming her down. She wasn't physically hurt but that didn't mean she wasn't shaken up. Once she was calmed down they moved to the living room to sit down and talk about what happen.

"Why me? What does he want with me, a-and if he's trying to kill me, then why call first?" She vented fearfully. "Is this revenge for hitting him with my car? Is he that angry he wants to kill me? It's not like I actually killed him. He's fine!"

"It's because we're predators, Elena. We hunt. We stalk. It's often as exciting as the kill."

Elena just sighed. She didn't like that answer either. Stefan sat on the foot stool in front of her and handed her what used to be Jeremy's pocket watch. "I want you to take this."

"This is Jeremy's pocket watch, how did you get it?"

"I took it from Damon, who took it from Logan, who must have taken it from you."

"What happened to it?"

"Well, it's not just a watch. It's a sort of compass, But it points to vampires."

Stefan gave the compass a shake and the arrow spun for a few second before stopping and landing on him.

"Why did my father have it?" Elena asked closing it and pulling it closer to her.

"Gilberts were one of the founding families, and back in 1864, they were among those who sought to eradicate the vampires. The compass was used to find us."

"Did you know them?"

Stefan nodded. "Yes. I want you to keep this. That way, you'll know if you're ever in danger."

Elena nodded and they leaned in to share a kiss.

Once Elena was calmed back down. She headed back home. She felt safer now that she had the compass.

That next night Elena was excited for the dance. But there was still one thing in the back of her mind that she had to do before she could really enjoy her night with Stefan. She walked down to the kitchen for a quick snack. Jenna was already dressed in her 50s outfit. "I spoke to the insurance company your care is totaled. You just keep using mine."

Elena just nodded. Things have been very awkward between them since their fight and Elena hated it. "So you're coming to the dance?"

"Alaric asked me to chaperone." She said with a small smile.

Finally Elena couldn't take it anymore. She turned to Jenna and asked "Why didn't you tell me, Jenna?"

She sighed. "Your mom was going to do it eventually. I never thought I'd have to."

"If my mom was still alive today, and I asked her I know she'd tell me the truth."

"You're dad was going to leave the Office late one night, when this girl showed up. She was sixteen, a run away, and…about to give birth. He helped her deliver the baby and gave her a place to stay but a few days later she disappeared. Then there you were. Your mom and dad were trying so hard to have a baby and it just wasn't happening. All Miranda ever wanted was to be a Mom."

"But why were their names on my birth certificate?"

"Your dad was a doctor Elena, he took care of it. They didn't want to lose you so they kept it quiet, told a little people as possible and if anyone wanted proof they had documentation."

"What else do you know about the girl?"

"Just her name…Isabelle."

Elena sighed and nodded. "Thank you."

"Is Stefan picking you up?"

"Yeah, I still need to get ready."

"Ok, I'll meet you there."

They shared a gentle hug and Jenna left. Elena went back up to her room to get ready.

Stefan was soo excited to take Elena to the dance. He couldn't wait. Lexi had helped him get ready. He had a small talk with Damon and he was on his way.

When he arrived the front door was wide open. Elena was standing there with the compass in one hand and her cell phone in the other. She had just hung up the phone when, to both of their surprises, a vampire dropped from the ceiling and grabbed Elena by the shoulders. He tried to eat her.

"ELENA!" Stefan screamed.

He threw the vampire off her and he ran out of the door. He looked to Elena who was slowly getting up from the floor. He pulled her up into his arms. "You're ok, you're ok." He told her as she clung to him for dear life. She was panting hard and her heart was racing. This was her first encounter with a real dangerous vampire. He knew she was scared. He kept one arm wrapped protectively and tightly around her and called Damon, Lexi, and Lee. They came over as soon aa possible.

Elena and Stefan sat on the couch. Elena was cuddled close to Stefan still shaky from her attack.

"How'd he'd get inside?" Damon asked.

"He was invited in." Elena choked out.

"Yes, obviously, but why would you invite him inside?"

"He pretended to be the pizza guy, last night." Stefan answered for her.

"He gets points for that." Damon said.

"You're not helping." Lexi said.

"Please don't fight." Elena begged slowly calming down again.

"She has a point. You two fighting isn't going to get us anywhere." Lee said.

"So what do we do?" Elena asked softly.

"Well until we get him this house isn't safe for anyone who lives here." Damon said.

"So we go get him tonight." Lee said.

"How?" Stefan asked.

"Take Elena to the dance, see who shows up." Lee said.

"No. We are not using her as bait!" Stefan growled.

"She's not bait. We will all be there to protect her." Lexi said. "But this vampire won't know that until its too late."

Stefan sighed and looked to Elena. "It's up to you."

"Um..."

"Just remember he has been invited in" Damon told her.

"I'll do it. Damon is right. I need to protect Jenna and Jeremy." Elena nodded.

Stefan sighed. "Are you sure?"

"I'll be with the four of you. I'll be safe."

Still Stefan sighed but nodded.

Everyone agreed to a plan and left the house.

They walked into the room and Elena couldn't help but flinch back. There were so many people she didn't know in that room. Anyone of them could have been the vampire in a disguise

Stefan took her hand and squeezed it before taking it up to his lips kissing her knuckles. She felt another hand rubbing her back and knew it was Lexi. She felt a lot safer and relaxed.

"Damon, Lee, and I will go portal the place. Lexi can you stay with her?" Stefan said.

"Of course, just be careful you two." Lexi said looking to Stefan and Lee. "Especially you, when was he last time you hunted?" she asked Stefan.

"This morning. I'm perfectly full. I'll be fine." He kissed Elena on the forehead and walked away. Lee kissed Lexi and followed Stefan. Damon gave his famous smirk to them both and walked away. Lexi gave Elena a comforting smile and led her over to the punch bowl table. "You ok?" Lexi asked.

"Ok." She answered with a shrug. "I'll feel better after this guy is gone."

"He will be soon. Just hang in there."

Elena nodded. "Um…will you uh…will you stay with me?"

"Of course, I'm not leaving you alone until I know it's safe."

"Thank you."

Lexi just smiled. Caroline and Bonnie walked over to them.

"Hey." Elena greeted friendly. "Having fun?"

"No, but this outfit took me two hours, I'm at least staying half that."

"You look amazing Caroline." Lexi told her.

"Thanks!" she squealed.

"What's Damon doing here?" Bonnie asked annoyance clear in her voice.

"I invited him, I promise he'll behave." Elena answered.

"What is this a threesome, you and the Salvatore brothers?" Caroline asked.

"Ewww no! He's Stefan's brother, if I want to be with Stefan I need to learn to get along with his brother. It's not like I can kill him." Elena said.

"There's a thought." Bonnie said.

"I'll help." Caroline said as they tapped their drinks together in a cheers.

Elena smiled and shook her head at her friends. Bonnie and Caroline then saw Stefan sneaking up behind Elena. He put his finger to his lips telling them not to say a word. They both gave a small nod and looked back to Elena.

Elena was about to say something when she felt someone pokes her sides. She squealed and jumped a foot in the air. She spun around and smacked Stefan on the chest. "Not funny! You know I'm ticklish."

He chuckled. "Sorry, Angel, I found a snack table. You hungry?"

"Yes. Let's go." He took her hand and led her away.

Lexi was dragged away by Lee as they went to dance.

Elena giggled at jokes Stefan made as they both ate a few snacks watching their friends and others dance. Once they were finished they were going to dance when they saw Damon walk over to Caroline and Bonnie. He said something and they walked away. Elena and Stefan went over to him. "What did you say to them?" she asked a little more over protectively than she had meant.

"I was perfectly polite. Would you like to dance, Elena."

"I would love to." She smirked. She turned to look at Stefan. "May I have this dance?"

They both smiled and headed onto the dance floor leaving Damon standing there alone.

Lexi and Lee walked over and danced closer to them.

"Do you see him anywhere?" Stefan asked Elena as they danced.

"Not unless he has a pompadour."

Stefan chuckled. "Well that was not one of the better fashion trends."

"Come on. I'm sure you looked great back then. Are there pictures?" Elena asked looking to Lexi.

"No. Burned, buried." Stefan answered.

"Oh I think I might be able to find a couple." Lexi teased.

"Yes!" Elena cheered, giggling with Stefan groaned.

"Seriously, what was it like, the fifties? In my mind, I have this picture of somewhere between American bandstand, Grease. It's all varsity sweaters and milkshakes." Elena asked.

"Well, that and, you know, McCarthyism and segregation and nuclear arms race."

"Ok, but there were poodle skirts." Elena asked once more.

"There were poodle skirts." Stefan nodded then spun her around pulling her back into him making her giggle. She had relaxed drastically since they arrived.

"You're so teaching me how to do the hand jive." Elena begged.

"No. That's not going to happen." Stefan shook his head.

She whined but giggled softly.

"He was never good at it anyway, Elena. Trust me. I've seen him do it. He's horrible." Lexi told her.

Elena giggled again and looked to Stefan. They continued to dance and laugh and talk, forgetting all about the vampire.

After dancing for another half hour Elena sighed. "Maybe he's not going to show up."

"You mean we did all that dancing for nothing?"

"Oh the horror." Elena teased as they both giggled.

"I'm really sorry about all this." Stefan sighed.

"It's my choice, I decided to be here I don't want to hear you apologizing anymore." She said poking him in the ribs. Just then the music changed to something faster and more upbeat. Elena smiled and started to dance.

"Teach me how it's done in the fifties?" she said.

"Uh No." Stefan said shaking her head.

"Come on, one move?"Elena begged.

Stefan shook his head. She nodded, but he shook his head again. Elena sighed and went to walk away…suddenly Stefan grabbed her by the arm, pulled her back, spun her around, grabbed her by the waist and lifted up. Then he dropped her to the right, and the same to the left. He set her back on the ground and kissed her hard and passionately on the lips and pulled away. "Now you remember that because it's never going to happen again."

Elena giggled and they shared a kiss again.

After a few more songs and dancing they decided to take a break and get some punch. Stefan tried some first to make sure it hadn't been spiked, but then she and Stefan had a glass and watched Damon dance.

That ended with a few giggles. "You really can't take him anywhere, can you?" Elena giggled.

"Uh…No." Stefan answered.

Elena giggled once more and looked back to where Damon once was. She saw someone else and paled. Her whole body drained of her natural color and she gulped. She started shaking. "Ste-Stefan…"

"Elena…" He was cut off.

"Back corner."

Stefan looked and saw a made dressed in a dark sweater with a cap and hood to cover his face, definitely not a pompadour. Lexi had overheard and came over with Lee and Damon. "You three go I'll stay with Elena." Lexi ordered.

Stefan didn't waste a minute to argue he and the others went after the guy as she started to walk away and get lost in the crowd.

Lexi looked to Elena. "You ok?"

"No."

"Just take a deep breath. You're safe."

"Stefan is still on animal blood."

"Lee and Damon will keep him safe. Damon may be a jerk a lot of the time but he loves his brother and he'll never let anything happen to him."

Elena just whimpered softly. Suddenly her cell phone rang. She answered it quickly.

"Hello, Elena."

Elena froze when she heard the vampires voice on the other end.

"Here's what you're going to do. There is an exit door behind you, just walk through it."

"No." Elena said strongly.

"Ok, fine with me, but then your brother dies."

Elena spun to where her brother was getting a cup of punch and the vampire was right next to him.

"Don't you dare touch him."

"Then start walking."

Elena turned to look at the exit and back. When she looked back Lexi was already standing by Jeremy, making casual conversation but protecting him at the same time.

Elena's phone vibrated and checked it to see a text from Damon. "Lead him to the lunch room. We will be there waiting, but lead him in there."

Elena gulped and looked to Lexi. She was looking at her phone too and guessed it was from Stefan. She nodded at Elena. Elena inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. She quickly made her way out the door. The vampire followed.

There was a huge fight and Elena fought back the best she could. Just when she thought he was going to kill her the guys and Lexi showed up ready to protect her. It was scary for her to see Damon and Stefan interrogating this vampire. Lexi must have picked up on that because she went over to Elena and gave her hand a squeeze.

According to this vampire he knew Katherine and that's why he was even after her in the first place. He gave Damon information on how to get in the tomb. Then he wouldn't give out anymore information so Stefan staked in.

It was a hard thing to watch. She had to look away a few times. But she was honestly glad this guy was gone and unable to hurt her anymore. Still she was in shock she stared at the dead body. She felt Stefan wrap his arm around her and pull her into his chest.

"She's shaking." Lexi pointed out. "Want me to take her home?"

Stefan felt her fingers grip his shirt tighter and he smiled softly rubbing her back. "Yeah, please. I'll be there shortly, just need to take care of this and talk to Damon. I'll be there soon."

Lexi went over to Elena and gently touched her back. "Shhh, you're ok. Come on, Sweetie. Let's get you home."

Hesitantly Elena pulled away from Stefan and allowed Lexi to take her back home.

Elena was quiet. Lexi couldn't get her to speak a word. She knew it was just the shock of everything happening. But she did wonder if this was going to change things between her and Stefan, now that she had seen him kill someone.

Stefan wasn't gone too much longer before he walked into the door and joined them in the kitchen. Elena was sitting on the couch. The second she saw Stefan her eyes lit up and it was like switch. She jumped off the couch and ran into his arms hugging him tightly. "I missed you." She said.

"I missed you too. Are you ok?"

She nodded. He kissed the top of her head and turned to Lexi who was making her some hot tea.

"Is she ok?"

"She's in shock, but I'm sure she'll be fine. I'll give you some time alone."

Lexi left the room. Stefan led Elena back over to the couch and sat her down and resumed Lexi spot making her tea. Again he had to ask "Are you ok?" Finally he got an honest answer.

"Is it weird if I say yes?"

"Is it true?"

"At first it was scary and I was upset, but now I... I feel kind of exhilarated."

"It's the adrenaline. You'll crash soon enough."

He finished making her tea and brought it over to her and handed her the mug while sitting next to her.

"Yeah, I guess. I fought back tonight. It felt good."

"I wish you didn't have to fight at all."

"Still..." She took a sip of her tea and smiled softly. He always made the best tea. Lexi came back into the room and took a seat on the chair. That's when Stefan sighed. "I have to tell the two of you something and I don't know how you're going to feel."

Elena instantly tensed and got a worried look on her face. Lexi just looked confused.

"I told Damon that I'd help him get into that tomb to get Katherine back. But it was a lie. I let him believe that he could trust me."

"Well, then why would you be worried about telling me?"

"Because he can be very persuasive, and you two have bonded lately."

"That doesn't mean I trust him."

"I don't want to be his enemy, Elena, but I can't let him do it."

"Then don't, and I'll help you, whatever it takes. Ok?"

"Ok. Come here."

Elena moved and snuggled into his arms. He just held her and looked to Lexi.

"You're doing the right thing, Stefan. That tomb can't be opened. It's too dangerous."

Stefan nodded.

"I'll help you too. Just tell me what to do."

"Thanks Lexi."

Even with all the extra help Stefan had a bad feeling that this was all going to end in disaster. But why? What could possibly go wrong?

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

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