That week went very quickly. Elena was still trying to avoid Stefan but it was no use. They had to see each other at school, but either Caroline or Bonnie somehow managed to switch places with Elena in class whenever possible. She was beyond grateful for it since Stefan was constantly pleading with them to get Elena to talk to him before the ball and was constantly apologizing to them. Caroline was the first to cave and talked to Stefan during classes, but Bonnie constantly gave him the silent treatment. Caroline was never one to mad at anyone so she felt guilty for giving him the silent treatment. Even Matt, Jeremy and Tyler were mad at him for hurting Elena. They all thought Elena and Stefan would get together and never thought Stefan could be so much of a dick! Throughout the week Stefan really had to gain people's trust back and eventually won Matt and Tyler back on his side, but with Jeremy being Elena's brother it proved more difficult. He just hoped that with the ball coming up he could win her back.

The fundraiser ball at the Lockwood mansion was exquisite. Everyone had gone all out for it. The males were in dress shirts and dinner jackets while the women were in stunning floor-length ball gowns. The hall was decorated with black drapes covered in lights and the doors were open showing the clear moon-lit night. Stefan stared at his watch. 8.45pm. Another 15 minutes and Elena will show up. Hoping that she had decided to turn up early like she usually does, he looked around the room. No sign of her at all. He turned towards the bar, ordered another drink and turned back around to find a pair of eyes lock onto his.

Standing in a black sleek ball gown, Elena walked past the entrance of the Lockwood mansion. Stefan smiled. She looked stunning. It was the most beautiful he had ever seen her, if that possible, but then his smile faded. She was not alone. Elena had her arm linked with Damon's and a hard smile approached on Stefan's face. He didn't like seeing the two together arm in arm but he calmed himself down. He did not want to cause a scene tonight. Turning around to order Elena's favourite drink he walked over to the pair. They exchanged pleasantries and Stefan gave Elena her drink. Damon excused himself and walked off to give them both some privacy.

"So... you and Damon huh?" Stefan asked breaking the silence that followed Damon leaving.

"Me and Damon... He offered to take me this evening since I didn't want to go alone." She answered. Stefan just shrugged. He wanted to be the one linking arms with Elena, not his brother.

"I missed you" Stefan blurted out. He did not want to ruin the moment but something stopped him. Elena smiled. "I missed you too" She answered. She had missed her best friend's company, but the week of not talking to each other had given her the time to think that she needed.

"Elena... I'm so sorry. I was such an idiot for doing that to you. I don't expect you to forgive me but is there anything I can do to change that?" He blabbed.

Elena just stared at him dumbfounded that the subject had changed so quickly. Stefan glared at her back desperately trying to find any idea of what she as thinking. Music suddenly started to play and Damon appeared by Elena's side.

"Everything alright, brother?" Damon asked knowing full well what they were discussing. Damon reached out his hand to shake Stefan's and Stefan returned the shake and nodded. Nothing had been resolved but he was still grateful that Elena was talking to him.

"Come on Stefan I want to dance" Stefan heard from the corner of his ear. Elena and Damon just stared at who Stefan was standing next to. Stefan turned to look at Katherine and smiled. "Sure" he answered never one to turn down a lady's request and turning to look at Elena, he took Katherine's hand to walk towards the dance floor. Something inside Elena pulled. She hated dancing with anyone but Stefan and she wanted to be the one to dance with him right now, not Katherine. Why is Katherine with him? Did he invite her as his date? She turned to look at Damon. "I want to dance. Join me?" She asked holding out her hand. Damon just smiled. "Fine. But I promise I won't kiss you this time." He said with a smile while Elena's expression just froze. Was he really going to bring that up now? "...The plan did not work anyway." He muttered under his breathe. They had just started to dance by this point, to which Elena gave him a quizzical look. "I... knew that you two liked each other...and I thought dancing with you would make Stefan realise that he liked you and should do something about it." He said defending himself leaving out the kiss. Elena just nodded her head in thanks. While they were dancing, Elena kept glancing over to look at Stefan and Katherine dancing. Quite a few times, Elena and Stefan's glances locked and each time Elena's heart jumped. Why was she so affected by a man who had hurt her so much in the space of one night?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I see my plan is working" Katherine said with a grin on her face.

"What are you on about?" Stefan asked looking down at her.

"Isn't it obvious Stefan? I'm trying to get her jealous so she will talk to you and will be more than likely to forgive you. It's obvious you two want each other. All you have done is stare at each other while we are dancing. It's sweet and all, don't get me wrong, but you two seriously need to talk. Whenever you and Elena fought she always forgave you quickly. She never left you hanging because she loves you." Katherine answered. Stefan smiled back at Katherine

"Thank you Katherine, but why are you helping me out?" Stefan asked.

"Can't I help out an old friend? Don't get me wrong I was planning on seeing if you wanted to give us another shot but... I can tell you clearly like her Stefan so why would I try anything else with you?" Katherine answered. This threw Stefan back. "You know Katherine, you are not as bad as people think you are. I appreciate it."

"Hey, what are friends for" She answered with a smile "So is she looking at you still" Stefan nodded "I think it is time for you two to talk. Go outside and she will follow. You two will get your time alone there. Just remember that I care about you Stefan and... you're welcome" Stefan smiled at Katherine, gave her a peck on the cheek as a thank you and went outside looking towards Elena to make sure that she saw him leave. Standing outside in the cold air, Stefan finally had some time to breathe and take everything in. On cue, Stefan heard the sound of high heels walking slowly out of the room. Stefan laughed to himself. Katherine was right again! He really needed to do something to thank her one of these days.

"Stefan" He heard Elena say from behind him. He turned around to see Elena standing behind him. He had to smile. He could not help it around her. "Elena." He said nodding his head to her. "You look stunning." Elena smiled and thanked him. "I think we need to talk Stefan. It's not right for me to keep ignoring you because otherwise this won't get resolved."

"You're right. Like I said before Elena I can not be more sorry for what happened. I can not believe I did that to you. You were lying there and you looked so beautiful. All I wanted to do was wrap myself around you and yet inside I was worried you would wake, say it was a mistake and walk off. I have no justification for running because it was not the right thing to do. I should have stayed and let you tell me how you felt..." Stefan rambled.

"Stefan... I know that you are sorry for what happened, but what you did was horrible and humiliating! I can not forgive something like this easily. If we decided eventually to give us another try, let alone be friends anymore, how do I know that you are not going to run off like you did before? I can't open myself up to that again. I never thought you would be the one to break my heart... and yet somehow you have managed it. You know me more than anyone else Stefan! How could you! When you ran and realised what you did was wrong, why didn't you come back? Why did it take you coming over to my house hours after you left to try and settle things?" she argued walking towards him. Stefan just stared at her letting her say her piece knowing full well that he deserved all of it. "Stefan... right now if I could turn back the clock and not sleep with you, I would. Having sex with you has only made things complicated between us. But... there is nothing I can do. It's happened and that can't be changed."

Staring into his deep blue eyes, locked onto his gaze Elena continued after a long pause. "Surprisingly... I don't hate you. Im mad at you but I'm more hurt. I know you and I don't think you would have done it on purpose. But... it does not mean that I forgive you. You left me in bed after we slept together for the first time. We were both eachothers firsts and it's meant to be a moment you never forget. I think we need to go back to the way things were before anything else happens. I really like you Stefan but...I need to be able to trust you again."

Stefan nodded in agreement. "I understand. I will do whatever it takes for you to trust me again. I have always liked you Elena, I mean, you're smart, you're beautiful, you are the most caring person I have ever met and how I feel about you has never changed. I can not lose you from my life and if it means I have to be your personal slave driving you back and forth all day, buying you your favourite treats and movies because you want them for the next few month then I will do that. I will even sit through all of the Sex and The City with you to make it up to you!" Stefan said making Elena laugh at how silly his suggestion sounded because he already did that for her. A few days before all of this happened, he turned up with her favourite movie and large tub of ben and jerry's ice cream and oreos for her just because he could! To Elena Stefan was the best friend she could ever have... since what happened she was not so sure. But Stefan sighed like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He was so glad that Elena was speaking to him and yes she was understandably mad at him and that it would take time, but he somewhat had his best friend back.

"It's nice to hear you laugh again" he said

"It's nice that you can still make me laugh Stefan... and I don't think the personal slave thing is necessary" she joked back nudging him. Stefan looked back towards the party. "Did you want to dance?" he offered. He knew he had a long way to go with Elena, but he would start with making tonight a good night for her.