Chapter 9

Over the next few months Stefan practically followed Elena everywhere, trying to do anything and everything for her. At some points it was kind of annoying, but to Elena it was nice to have Stefan's company again. She was still mad at him for what he did, but everytime she got close to shouting at him if he got too close to her, he would do something for her to apologise. He always knew how to cheer her up and that, in Stefan's mind, was his advantage to winning her over. As the weeks went by, things started to calm down between the pair of them. It was almost like the 'Bender Weekend' never happened and they were almost back to their friend status again. Even Bonnie and Caroline calmed down to Stefan's presence - not fully but slightly.

Every evening Stefan would come over to Elena's house to watch and movie and sit and talk with her until the early hours like they always used to. It was nice for some normalcy after the events of the 'Bender Weekend', but something had changed between them both. Stefan still respected her boundaries like always, but Elena could not help but feel more connected to Stefan. Whether it was because she had feelings for him, or that she found Stefan so adorable that he was trying to make it up to her as much as he could, but she felt more... comfortable. Maybe the fact that they had sex together broke the tension that was between them in the first place but neither of them were sure. Every now and then Elena thought about the kisses and the amazing night that they spent together before it all went wrong. To her it was the best night she had ever had and, being that they were both each other's first's, it was extremely special to Elena. She thought about the way he held her, how he kissed her in the right places, how he made sure it did not hurt her, how it was...perfect.

"Anything good going on up there?" Stefan asked breaking Elena's thoughts. Elena was forcing Stefan to watch the first Sex and The City movie with her. He had said that he would and knowing Stefan he would hold up to his promises. But after that thought about the night they slept together, Elena looked at Stefan and shook her head. He looked back to watch the movie but Elena kept staring at Stefan. She could not believe how amazing he had been for the last few months. How attentive he had been, how sorry he truly was for what happened and how he promised her every night that he would do anything to make her happy...and he did make her happy no matter what he did.

Staring at him, she took in all of his features. His soft hair, his chiselled chin... his mouth. Oh those things she would like to do to that mouth. She thought back to the night they slept together and with a smile remembered all of the places where his lips had been and where she would like them again. She could not help it, she was still attracted to him and missed being close to him, so she shuffled from the other side of the sofa to where Stefan was sitting and leaned her head onto his shoulder. She let out a long sigh and relaxed. "Nothing special" she replied. His shoulder was so comfortable she could sleep like this. She physically felt Stefan's breath hitch when she first made contact. It was the first time they had touched in months and he was so grateful for it. Stefan was dying to have any form of physical contact with Elena. He missed hugging her and her lying on him. He missed the smell of her strawberry shampoo on his shoulder and the fact that he would happily let her lie there for hours on end and just watch her when she slept. He didn't think Elena ever finished watching a movie when she laid on his shoulder, but he never minded. He would wait until she woke up if it meant he got to say goodbye to her.

Thinking that it was now or never, Stefan asked cheekily "Does this mean I am in your good graces now?"

"You're getting there Stef." Elena answered making Stefan smile. Cautiously he moved his arm and carefully placed it around her shoulders. This seemed to be alright territory for Elena because she did not make any effort to move.

"You know, I still don't get why everyone is all for this Mr. Big guy. He seems like a right douche bag for all of the things he has done to that girl." Stefan moaned. This was way too girly for him but if Elena wanted to watch it then it made him happy...that and the sex scenes but he wasn't going to tell Elena that.

"You have to see beneath all that he has done. Carrie and Mr Big are soul mates. They are meant to be because they suit each other perfectly. Despite all that Mr Big has done to Carrie, she still loves him and wants him in her life." She commented looking up to meet Stefan's gaze.

"Do you think me and you could ever be like that?" Stefan knew that asking that would probably be a big mistake because it could cause a massive row meaning he would have to forgo another 2 months of watching girly movies and going shopping with Elena for more unnecessary clothes. None the less he waited for her answer

"Maybe." Elena surprisingly said. She smiled when she felt Stefan's heart skip a beat underneath his shirt. He was expecting her to say no, but the truth was that she did think about her and Stefan like that despite what happened. She knew that he would never have done it on purpose, he made that clear to her enough times throughout the previous months, but if they both wanted this to work, they would have to go slow so Elena could build Stefan's trust again.

Looking back up at Stefan, she noticed that he was still looking straight at her. Their eyes locked and minutes passed before anything was said. Elena's cheeks began to flush as she felt the tension between the two of them. She was taking all of him in. His eyes,his nose, his cheeks bones...his mouth. 'Kiss him' her mind was screaming at her, but the angel on her shoulder was conflicted saying 'It's too soon. You have almost forgiven him, but you need to trust him again'. She started to notice her breathing getting longer and deeper. She was almost slowly panting but she did not care. She did not want to move from that moment at all. Stefan's face starting moving slowly towards Elena's, but she felt a buzz in her pocket. Moving away from her spot on Stefan, they both sighed as Elena read out the text that was sent to her.

Hey E, I'm organising a party tomorrow, be there, my place 9pm C x

Knowing full well how Caroline's parties usually go, both Elena and Stefan were not happy about this. Elena turned to look at Stefan. "Looks like there is a party this weekend" she said sarcastically.

"You do know that you don't have to go right?" Stefan answered. Elena gave him the 'were you born five minutes ago?' look

"Oh come on Stefan you know this. You know that Caroline would literally be hunting me down if I don't go!" Nodding in agreement, Stefan smiled. "So does that mean that we do what we always do and get hideously drunk and sit on the sofa talking all night?" Elena had to laugh. It was their ritual. They both would sit on the sofa and do shots and talk, until Elena decided it was time to dance and then fall asleep on the sofa. Nothing ever changed. Elena nodded to which Stefan smiled. He needed a drink after the last couple of months. "So when am I picking you up?" He asked settling himself back onto the couch. He guessed that he would take her like always. "Be at mine for 8, then we are not late" She answered lying back on him.

A few hours later, Stefan had to go. It was early in the morning and Elena had already been shouted at by Jeremy to keep the noise down. She walked him to the door to say goodbye. "Thank you for tonight Elena. I had a great time as always" he said never forgetting his manners. "You are most definately welcome Stefan" Elena answered back with a mock curtsey. They both laughed and gave each other a hug. As soon as they touched, Elena's skin felt like it was on fire. The sensation was back from earlier before Caroline text them. They stood there hugging for a bit before moving back to look at each other. Feeling a rush run down her spine, Elena's cheeks flushed. She had not felt like this in a while. They both stood there with smiles on their faces with their eyes locked as if they were having their own conversation. Nothing was said for a few minutes before Stefan broke the silence. "I'll...err...come round tomorrow at 8 to pick you up." He said continuing to smile. He loved it when she blushed. "Sure... I'll see you tomorrow Stefan...night" After watching Stefan walk away, she shut the door and felt herself take a long breath. Why did Stefan have this effect on her? Taking herself up to bed, she had a stern talking with herself. She was NOT going to reenact the Bender Weekend, she was NOT going to do anything with Stefan, she WAS going to let herself have a good time with her best friends and that was it...nothing more. She fell asleep that night saying her mantra over and over again.

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"So what is actually happening now with you and Stefan?" Elena heard from over the table. She was pretty much lost in her own world when her best friends brought her back to the now. She was just thinking about last night... the almost kiss... Stefan's face so close to hers... how they had briefly touched on the subject of 'them'. Focusing her eyes she looked straight ahead. "Sorry what was that?" she asked

"Oh Elena, you have got it bad! I asked what is actually going on with you and Stefan now? I know that of course there was the whole ordeal after the Bender Weekend, but now you guys are spending more time together, if that was actually possible for you two, and now you guys seem more... closer." Caroline stated

Elena had to think about her answer carefully. "You know what Car, I really don't know. I mean, we hang out more than we used to because Stefan is trying to make it up to me for what he did. That's quite normal when you try to make it up to someone." It was true. Yes she was spending more time with Stefan but nothing was going on with them... except last night.

"Oh come on Elena 'fess up! Surely something is going on between you two! Clearly he still likes you otherwise he would not be coming to the party tonight with you AND he would not watch all of the Sex and The City episodes with you! Guys hate those sort of programmes! I tried to convince Tyler and Matt once when they can over... not a hope in hell! Even making the point there will be sex scenes in it... still would not buy it." Elena had to laugh at the thought of Tyler and Matt being forced to watch Sex and The City with Caroline. "My point is... there must be something going on. I mean, what happened last night?"

"We just sat down and watched a movie"

"Did you cuddle?" Elena nodded

"What happened then?" She answered with a large grin on her face. She had to smile along with this. Caroline always liked the idea of her and Stefan getting together.

"Then... he asked whether one day we could be like Carrie and Mr Big...and I said maybe" she answered with a large grin.

"Wait hold on what! He asked you whether there was a future for you two? That is so sweet! Elena you are so lucky! At least you didn't shoot him down and say no." Caroline said. "I have to ask... if you and Stefan had not hooked up, would that answer have been a yes?"

Elena looked stunned. She really did not know what the answer would be. Then she thought about how her and Stefan were before everything happened. She was so happy just being with her best male friend. She did want things to work with Stefan so she slowly answered "I would like to think I would have said yes to it"

"Aaah! I knew you would have! Please tell you are planning on doing something about this!"

"I don't know Caroline..."

"Oh don't be so negative. Come on! You like him, he clearly adores you! Why don't you two just let it happen! It's going to anyway so you might as well get a heads start! It's not like you are still mad at him about what happened. Yeah you are hurt and that is understandable. You told me earlier that you wanted to trust him again right?..." Elena nodded "Well then... just go for it! This is Stefan we are talking about here. Not some guy you have just met. You have known him your whole life and you have always trusted him. That trust is still there Elena otherwise you would be staying away from him permanently!" Elena continued to stare at Caroline thinking. What Caroline said was true but at the same time was she letting Stefan off by letting him get that close to her so soon? Maybe she could mediate it? Stefan would respect the boundaries anyway...Elena's thoughts stopped there. She had to stop thinking like it is a possibility! Glancing down at her watch she gasped "Oh my God I only have 4 hours until Stefan comes over. I need to go Caroline. Thanks for meeting with me. Really needed the girl talk." Elena said quickly.

Caroline hugged her and whispered into her ear "No problem. Remember good guys like Stefan don't come along much. He really likes you... give him a chance. I know he hurt you and you don't want to set yourself up to be hurt again but... you can't miss out on this opportunity." Nodding Elena separated from Caroline, said goodbye and walked off home to get ready.

A/N - should elena be forgiving Stefan only after a few months, is what Caroline saying wrong and Elena should not be giving Stefan another chance? What would you want to happen in the next few chapters? (Not scrounging for ideas - got a whole story panned out) Please let me know!