love me, hate me, go ahead and do both [stefan]

[Stefan Salvatore]

Stefan walked into his home and dumped his backpack onto a couch. He'd pick it up later. He didn't really feel like putting it in his room at the moment. So the backpack was regulated to the couch for the moment. Not that he really cared. His mind was racing too much. Katherine had returned---had tried to pretend to be Elena---and she was playing games again. But why? Not that she ever needed a reason. It was Katherine after all. All she lived for was playing head games. Stefan hated it when people messed with his head. He had ever since he was thirteen. But that had been when he was human. He was a vampire now and no one messed with his head. He didn't let them. It was a promise that he had made to himself after he had turned and escaped his father: no one would ever mess with him like that ever again. He'd rather die first.

He then shook the thoughts off as he continued walking about the house. For once it was quiet, which meant that Damon was probably off somewhere either making a meal of someone or getting drunk. Which, okay, not nice, but that was what his older brother was known for these days. And it was all his fault. If he had never forced Damon into turning, he'd probably be at peace now. His brother could never have that because of him. I can't believe I was so selfish, he thought to himself. Just because he hadn't wanted to be alone...he had turned his brother's life into Hell. And the only one who really deserved that was him. Not Damon. Damon had been the innocent one in everything. It had been Stefan who ruined it all.

He was so intent on these thoughts that he almost missed the sound of soft footsteps on the carpet in the next room. Almost, but not quite.
"Who's here?" he demanded. He knew it wasn't Damon as the strides didn't match his brother's tread and he was in no mood for games. It had been a long day and honestly, he just wanted to relax before tackling his homework...as mundane as it sounded.

[Stefan Salvatore]

After his question, he had almost expected it to be Vicki or maybe Anna. But no, the voice that answered him wasn't either of the girls. It was Katherine. She had made a joke about saying "Marco" and he rolled his eyes even though his Sire couldn't see it. Katherine. He really didn't want to deal with her, but she was here and there was nothing he could do about it, thanks to Damon. If Damon hadn't killed Zach, they wouldn't be having this problem of Katherine just showing up in their home. But that was over and done with. Unfortunately, Katherine was an on-going problem. Well, there was no sense in keeping her waiting. It would just make her mad. And if Katherine was mad, she'd probably take it out on Elena...which wasn't what he wanted to have happen at all.

When he finally found the other vampire, she was in the foyer and he resisted the urge to sigh...not that he actually needed the breath.
"What are you doing here, Katherine? And don't say it's to see me. We both know that's a lie. You want something," he said harshly. He may have decided to not keep her waiting, but it didn't mean that he was going to be polite to her. She didn't deserve it. Besides, it wasn't like he was expecting the truth from her. Knowing his Sire, she'd probably give him some b.s. about wanting to see him or missing him, and then when that didn't work, she'd go into her threats against Elena. But if she even touched even one hair on his girlfriend's head, he would rip her heart out, even if she was older. He wouldn't let that stop him.

He then walked past Katherine, heading for the cabinet that held his own stash of liquor. He opened the cabinet, got a bottle of Whiskey, and a glass and poured the beverage into the glass. If they were going to talk, he definitely was going to need some liquid courage. Then, he let out an inaudible scoff. This was pathetic. He was a hundred and sixty-one year old vampire and yet he needed a buzz to talk to the woman that had sired him. That was wonderful. Taking a drink, he turned around and waited for Katherine to start talking, curious despite himself as to what she could possibly want to say to him.

[Stefan Salvatore]

Stefan rolled his eyes as Katherine responded that she wanted him, slyly adding that he hadn't said he couldn't say that. Of course she would fine a loophole. It was what she did best.
"And what makes you think the feeling's mutual? If you're looking to get laid, go to Damon. I'm sure he'd be ecstatic," he told her and then gulped down the whiskey before pouring himself another glass. He so didn't want to get involved with this type of a conversation. But he wasn't going to admit that to her. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction. His eyes flickered as she looked him over and he could feel his fingers tightening on the glass. However, he caught himself and inhaled and exhaled sharply. She was just trying to get a rise out of him. He couldn't let on that she was getting to him. But for a moment, he had almost imagined that they were back in eighteen-sixty-four and he was enamored with her. At the thought, he let out a scoff. That had been his mistake. He had been looking for a way to escape his father's attention and he had thought that courting Katherine was the way to do it. However, all that had accomplished was earning a different monster in his bed.

His thoughts were abruptly cut off as the girl spoke, telling him that he didn't have to act like he was and that he was glad to see her, and that she had been on his mind ever since they had been separated.
"Actually, I hardly ever think of you at all," Stefan corrected. "And when I do, it's only with loathing. Whatever feelings I had for you as a human are gone," he finished before taking another gulp and placing the glass on a table. Screw this, he thought to himself and then raised the bottle to his lips. This conversation was starting to bring up things that were best forgotten and he didn't like it one little bit.

Then Katherine asked him why he had come back to Mystic Falls as it couldn't have been for Elena as they hadn't even met and Stefan rolled his eyes as she blinked at him innocently.
"Cut the crap. Your little innocent act doesn't work on me," he told her and then shifted as she once more looked him over. "And as for why I came back, that's none of your business," he continued. The truth was, he had come back because he had missed the town even though he had visited sporadically over the years. He couldn't explain it---he had just had the urge to come home. Meeting Elena had just been a plus. But of course his sire would think he had come home hoping to find her. That was her whole personality: she thought that the entire world revolved around her and as long as she used her compulsion on people, it did. However, he was no longer fooled by her. He saw her for the monster that she truly was...

[Stefan Salvatore]

Stefan rolled his eyes as Katherine contradicted him, saying that loathing could disguise a painful love that as in a person's heart and that she doubted that the love they had shared was gone forever.
"You've got the painful part right," he snapped. Really? She was going to insist on her delusion that he was still in love with her? Man, she's completely lost it, he thought to himself. "We didn't have a love, Katherine. I was just one of your toys, just like Damon was," he responded sharply before taking another drink. At this rate, the bottle would be gone in no time and he'd need another. But maybe that was her plan: rile him up, get him drunk, and then make a move. He wouldn't put it past her. Katherine was a master at getting things that she wanted. Well, she wasn't going to get him. Not this time. Not ever again...

His eyes flashed at her comment about Elena. How dare she? If she even looked at Elena wrong, he'd destroy her!
"You think I'm dating Elena because I missed you? You're the one who's wrong, Katherine. I'm dating Elena because she's warm, sweet, selfless, and kind, unlike you. And I wouldn't be one to talk about fashion with the trash you wear," he sneered. Wow. Was he actually acting this way? He usually had better control of his emotions than this. But it would appear that his Sire was bringing out the worst in him. Seeing the old picture of her, Stefan stiffened as Katherine said that she was obviously still on his mind, asking why she hadn't burned the picture or ripped it into little bits and then went on to say that she had hated the picture at first but that he had seen it and had made her like it again, adding that that they had had a lot of good memories and that they could have more. Within seconds, Stefan had advanced on Katherine who placed her glass on the table.
"I kept this to remind myself not to get involved with another monster," he snapped as he reached for the picture to yank it out of her hands. "They may be good memories for you, but not for me," he added in the same tone. She had compelled him to keep their relationship a secret from Damon and it was because of that compulsion that he had obeyed her. She had known what she was doing was wrong, which was why she had told him to keep quiet. Quiet. He had always been told to keep quiet, to not tell Damon...

He forced these thoughts away with a vengeance. He was not going there! He had kept those memories locked away in the back of his mind for a hundred sixty-two years and he wasn't going to let them crop back up. Instead, he focused on Katherine who insisted that they'd have more memories and then asked if he minded if she took a tour around the boarding house, giggling like she had used to when she was playing games with him. Using his vampire speed, he headed for the top of the stairs, hoping to pass her.
"You're not welcome here. Go away," he growled, letting his true features come out. If she didn't leave voluntarily, he would make her leave. He wasn't quite sure how he'd accomplish it, but he didn't want her in his home any longer than necessary.

[Stefan Salvatore]

She was playing games again. Not that it surprised him. She thought that she could use her charm to get her way. And she had charm, there was no denying that. But it was a front. It just hid the manipulative bitch that she was. She didn't care about anyone or anything. She had played him and Damon against one another, causing a rift between them---a rift that to this day, Stefan desperately wished that he repair. But he couldn't. Damon hated him and would always hate him. And it was all because of the woman who was now standing before him. How could I have ever loved her? he wondered. Oh, right. It was the compulsion. His love for her hadn't been real. It had just been a game to her. Just like everything else. She thought people were her toys to be used and discarded. Well, he was no one's toy! Especially not hers...

Stefan stared at Katherine through narrowed eyes as she gave him a satisfied expression as he blocked her path, commenting on his actions, calling them pushy, dominating, and hardcore, saying that she liked it as it was new for him.
"Don't flirt with me, Katherine. It doesn't work. I'm not Damon. I haven't been obsessing over you for a hundred forty-five years," he told her. As she stepped closer, he took an involuntary step back and gave a warning growl. She then told him that he could try to make her leave---that she'd give him that chance. She'd give him the chance? Was she serious? He didn't want her in his home or his life and she needed to leave...now!

He watched as she tilted her head as if she was studying him---sizing him up like a piece of meat and the younger vampire felt a wave of anger starting to course through him. He had never liked it when he was looked at like that! It made him feel like he was on display, which he certainly wasn't. When she said that she knew he'd catch her again, it was like something snapped inside of him and he lunged towards her, hoping to knock her down the stairs. He no longer cared if she staked him. He just wanted her to shut up. He had to make her stop talking like she knew him. She didn't know him at all...

[Stefan Salvatore]

Stefan rolled his eyes as Katherine reminded him that he had used to love it when she flirted with him, going on to add that she hadn't asked Damon to become obsessed with her. Okay, that last part was fair enough. But had she really been surprised? Damon had loved her so much as a human and he had been devastated at her "death", so of course he would try to free her.
"He loved you. And you played him. You could've had something real with him. But you were too stupid to see it," he spat out. Well, it was more that she had decided to play with them, but that wound had been opened up enough as it was. Because she was right. He had liked it when she had flirted with him. She had been exciting, interesting...everything that he had thought he wanted. But he had been wrong. He had been dead wrong and now all he felt for her was hate for the way she had used him and Damon, pitting them against one another, for making him keep their relationship a secret...He felt the anger welling inside him and he wanted to explode.

Then he was seeing red and charging at her even as he felt his features change into his true face. But before Stefan knew what was happening, Katherine had grabbed his arm, twisted it behind him, causing it to snap and then tossed him down the stairs. He let out a grunt when he hit the ground and his features returned to normal. Damn, that had hurt! What had he been thinking? He knew he wasn't strong enough to take her. Heck, not even Damon was strong enough to do that. Still wincing in some pain as he climbed to his feet, he moved his arm until it was back into proper place and let out another grunt of pain, not wanting to give Katherine the satisfaction of seeing him in pain, even though he knew it was too late. Man, what had he been thinking? Oh, right. He wasn't. He had just been trying to shut her up. Well, they both could see how that had worked out.

His eyes flashed as she mock-pouted, scolding him for making her throw him down the stairs. Like he cared what she thought? Okay yeah, charging her had been a bad idea, but he had just wanted her to shut up. He still wanted her to shut up. He then took an involuntary step back as she went on to say that he fought with her because he knew that what she was saying was true even if he didn't want to admit it yet as he would eventually. No, I'm fighting with you because you're a psychotic bitch who's trying to kill my girlfriend, he thought to himself. But he wasn't going to say that out loud. Nope. He wasn't that stupid, despite the fact that he had just tried to bull rush a vampire that was significantly stronger than him. When she said that he was cute when he was angry, going as far to call him "Love" and ask if he needed to be punished again, he growled balled up a fist.
"Touch me and I swear I will kill you," he threatened. Not that he had any idea how he would do it, but make no mistake, he would find a way...

Note: Music listened to while working on the response: Snow White Queen. It just fits the thread.

[Elena Gilbert]

Elena laid in her bed, finally sound asleep. But quickly sprung forward with her heart racing. She had a dream that was all too real. Katherine had killed her and Stefan. Elena woke up right before she snapped her neck. Elena looked around her room, breathing heavily as she shook her head. "Just a dream Elena...just a dream" She had to tell herself before taking a deep breath and running both hands through her hair. She sighed as she got herself out of bed. It was a Saturday and she didn't have to be at school. Her and Stefan made plans last night to get lunch at the Grill today. She turned on her shower and undressed herself as she got in and let the warm water hit her small body. She closed her eyes feeling more relaxed as the water hit every muscle. She relaxed in the shower and then got out and got dressed. She then opened Jeremy's door to find him not in there. "Jeremy?" She called out with no reply. She shrugged it off figuring he was probably out with Anna or something.

Elena dried her hair and put on her shoes as she headed out the door. She got in her car and drove to the grill to meet Stefan there. Elena ordered a water for herself and Stefan. She waited there for what felt like forever and looked at the clock. About 30-45 minutes had gone by and no sign of Stefan and he hasn't called. Elena tried not to think too much about her dream but she couldn't help it. She left a few dollars on the table as a tip and a "sorry for wasting your time". She got back in her car and drove to the Salvatore Boarding house. Elena walked up to the steps and stopped in her tracks as she saw the door half open. She had no idea what she was walking into but she knew one thing, if Stefan was hurt or needed help, she had to help him.

Elena pushed the door open slowly as she entered the house. "Stefan?" She called out nervously and turned her head to see him on the ground and grunting in pain. "Stefan! What happened?" She said running over to him to help him up but then looked up and saw Katherine. "Katherine happened" She thought to herself. Elena stood up quickly, taking some steps back. Stefan was a vampire and could handle his own. She could do anything to him and he'd be okay, besides driving a stake through his heart. Elena on the other hand, was human, and was hurt easily. Elena took a deep breath in and cocked her head to the side. "Katherine.." She said as she exhaled and trailed off, observing her twin.

ATTIRE

[/color] what are you wearing?? CREDIT SAM !? of Confronting the Faceless. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS brick by boring brick - paramore NOTES notes here WORD COUNT how many words?? [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Stefan Salvatore]

As he was getting up, Katherine told him that in a few seconds, he was going to wish he hadn't said what he had and his brows furrowed in confusion. What did she mean by that? Then he heard familiar footsteps approaching, and if he could've gone pale, he would've. Elena was here. She was here...and so was Katherine. This was bad. This was very bad. There was no telling what Katherine would try to do. He turned to Elena as she came over and helped him to his feet, asking what had happened. Oh, nothing except for me stupidly thinking I can take on a vampire who's hopped up on human blood, he thought to himself. However, he wasn't about to admit that out loud. Katherine would get great satisfaction out of that and he wasn't going to give her that.
"You need to get out of here," he told her with a groan as she turned and noticed Katherine for the first time. He was in no shape to protect her if his Sire tried anything. Please, Elena, go. I don't know if I can protect you, he thought to himself. Katherine was strong. Stronger than Damon, and most definitely stronger than him.

Almost as if to prove his point, in an instant, Katherine was in front of Elena, hands on her throat, telling her that she was her to tell him that he was going to reconsider the way he had just treated her. Stefan let out another growl as he zoomed towards them.
"Let her go," he growled, as he went to put his hands on Katherine's wrist in an effort to loosen her grip on Elena's neck. Come on, Stefan! Think! he thought to himself. He knew exactly what Katherine was capable of and he couldn't let anything happen to Elena.

[Elena Gilbert]

Elena couldn't believe how much Katherine looked like her..or really, how much Elena looked like Katherine since she was the eldest. The resemblance was terrifying. Elena didn't understand a lot of things, and this, was one. Stefan had explained it to her and Damon as well but there was still so much mystery behind it. Elena stepped back some as she looked Katherine up and down, taking in the exact replica. Then before she knew it, she was against a wall with her throat being held. Elena looked at her as she coughed a little. She didn't know what had been going on before she got there but whatever it was, she knew it wasn't good. Just judging alone by Katherine's temper and Stefan being on the floor. Elena knew exactly why now that he said she needed to get out of there. Temper's were flaring. Stefan always expressed to her how much he hated Katherine and Elena was sure that only upset Katherine. Elena closed her eyes as she fought for breath as she then saw Stefan lunge towards them.

She saw his hands go on Katherine's wrist as Elena started losing more and more air and so with instinct she put one hand on Katherine's shoulder and the other grabbing her arm to try and push her back. Elena struggled to push her back. She knew that wouldn't work. Elena was the only human here. She was a human, trying to push back an old, immortal vampire. Her odds weren't looking good. She tightened her grip around Katherine's arm as she lost more and more air. She closed her eyes for a minute as she struggled for breath and then opened them. "What do you want?" Elena asked her in a low, raspy, soft voice that was the result of not breathing well. "Why are you here?" She asked.

ATTIRE

[/color] what are you wearing?? CREDIT SAM !? of Confronting the Faceless. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS brick by boring brick - paramore NOTES notes here WORD COUNT how many words?? [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Stefan Salvatore]

Stefan wasn't sure what to do. He knew that Elena was in danger of passing out and Katherine would kill her if she really wanted to. She was ruthless and heartless---only two of the reasons that he hated her. In fact, those were part of the main reasons he hated her. But he couldn't dwell on that right now. He had to focus on getting Katherine's attention---as well as her hands---off of Elena. The older vampire glanced at him, saying that it was a nice try, adding that she didn't feel like letting Elena go and that she could snap her neck like a twig and that it would all be over. At this, he let out another growl, wishing for the first time in a long time that he was still on human blood. Because if he had been, they wouldn't even be in this situation. He'd be able to pull Katherine off of Elena and drive a stake through her heart.

He then turned his attention to Elena who had managed to ask Katherine what she wanted. Not that he really cared about what his Sire wanted. He just wanted her to release her death grip on his girlfriend. He then rolled his eyes as the other vampire stated that her doppelganger was asking all the wrong questions.
"Fine, here's a question: why come here now?" he asked, curious despite himself. Besides, maybe the question would catch her off-guard enough that she would release her hold. It wasn't likely, but it was worth a shot.

Then his eyes flashed as she told him that he looked hot when he growled and that he should do it more often.
"I told you: I'm not Damon," he said sharply. He didn't want to think about her being attracted to him. It was all just a lie anyway. He had been nothing more than a toy to her. When she went on to say that she wasn't satisfied and that she would get wanted and that she didn't want him seeing Elena anymore, he glared at her. "Head games and demands. Great. That's all you're good for, isn't it?" he spat out. He was starting to feel like he was a human again with his father laying down the ground rules for how he expected him to act out in public. Stefan mentally shook this thought away. This was a whole different ball game, though the intent was the same: he was being told what to do and what the consequences would be if he didn't comply.

Stefan then let out another growl as Katherine said that she could easily kill Elena and then asked him if he preferred him to do it now or later, squeezing Elena's throat for emphasis.
"You said you came back for me---that you loved me. If that was true, you wouldn't do this, you wouldn't hurt me like this. Katherine, please...don't," he said, hating how his voice sounded. He was begging and they all knew it. But it was Elena...and he'd do anything for her...

[Elena Gilbert]

This was all too weird for Elena. First her parents die, then she finds out she's adopted, then finds out she's a Doppleganger to a Katherine Pierce whom her boyfriend dated for quite some time, or was compelled to date, either way, it was a lot for Elena to take in. Elena wasn't a jealous girl. She wasn't a jealous girlfriend either. But when it came to Katherine, she didn't like the bitch one bit and didn't trust her. She trusted Stefan but not her. She didn't know what she would try and she didn't really know exactly what she was capable of and to what extent. Katherine then threatened to snap Elena's neck and have it all be over. "it's not like he'd go running back to you after everything you've done to him" She said wit ha few coughs in between, fighting for air.

Elena's breath started getting heavy as she lost more and more and started getting loud as she painfully drew in each one. She watched as Katherine turned her attention to Stefan and said how hot he was. Elena had to agree, but she was the only one who got to say that about her own boyfriend. Elena squinted her eyes at her. "538 years you've lived...You'd think you would have found a new hobby besides stalking ex boyfriends" She said as she started moving her hands onto Katherine's one hand that was choking her and started trying to fight every finger individually for a release.

Elena watched the exchange between the two as Katherine gave Stefan the option of killing Elena now or later. As she did her grip got so tight Elena couldn't breathe and the sound she made proved that as she fought for some air. But after time she released the hard grip and said "or later". Elena's eyes shifted over to Stefan, unable to move her head as she watched him plead for her. Whatever Katherine was up to or had up her sleeve Elena didn't like it. Not one bit. She didn't like that she wasn't the only one vying for her boyfriends affection. Katherine wanted them to break up but Elena knew better and Katherine should know better also. She wouldn't win this one. Elena and Stefan's love was too strong and can overcome anything and they've proven that time and time again. They loved each other too much to just give up and they wouldn't. Elena moved her eyes back to Katherine. "What do you want with me?" She asked her as her hands were still on katherine's fighting for her air back.

ATTIRE

[/color] what are you wearing?? CREDIT SAM !? of Confronting the Faceless. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS brick by boring brick - paramore NOTES notes here WORD COUNT how many words?? [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Stefan Salvatore]

Stefan gritted his teeth as Katherine replied that it would always be him, just as she had told Damon.
"I don't feel that way for you anymore, Katherine. I'm sorry," he responded. Actually, he wasn't sorry at all, but he was trying to play nice so that she'd let his girlfriend go. Because that was the most important thing: Elena's safety. And he'd do anything to achieve this: even pretend to still be in love with Katherine if he had to...which, you know, hopefully, he wouldn't. Because let's face it, she had turned into a raging psychotic loony.

When the older vampire told him to stop glaring because it caused wrinkles, Stefan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Since when did a vampire ever have to worry about wrinkles? Well, let's see...uh---never? They were ageless, stuck at the age they were before they were turned, which for him, kinda sucked since he was perpetually underage and with Katherine back in town, he had a feeling that he'd be wanting a drink more and more. And since he looked like he was seventeen, the only way he could get a drink was if he compelled someone, but since he lived on animal blood, his powers weren't as strong and there was no way to tell if a compulsion would take or for how long. When Katherine refocused her attention on Elena, Stefan once more tried to pry her hands away from his girlfriend's throat, though he knew any effort on his part would be useless. Katherine was too strong. However, it would appear that she wasn't going to kill her...for now...

At Katherine's accusation, Stefan couldn't help the scoff that escaped his lips. Elena was selfish? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Well you know, if Elena was actually selfish like Katherine claimed. But she wasn't. In fact, Elena was the most selfless person he knew. It was Katherine who was selfish. And domineering. But again, that was a wound that didn't need to be opened. He listened as his Sire corrected him, saying that there was no past tense with her feelings for him.
"And that's how you plan to prove that you love me? By killing my girlfriend?" he challenged. Okay, yeah, probably not the best way to respond, but maybe it'd give her something to think about. Or not. His sire just plunged on ahead, repeating her earlier statement that she didn't want him and Elena together, saying that she'd kill all of Elena's friends while she watched. Before he could say or do anything, Katherine lifted Elena up and tossed her aside. Within seconds, the male vampire was at his girlfriend's side, perusing her body to make sure she wasn't too injured.
"You all right?" he asked softly, not really caring if Katherine heard.

His train of thought was interrupted as the other vampire stated that she'd let them ponder her words awhile and that she'd be watching them as she had made herself clear. At her statement that they'd see each other again, he growled once more but then turned away as the other vampire ran out.
"Are you okay?" he asked again as he went to take her in his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He had come so close to losing her. He hadn't been able to protect her because he wasn't strong enough. If Katherine had killed her, it would've been all his fault.

[Elena Gilbert]

Elena looked over at Stefan with her eyes as he apologized for not loving her anymore. She knew what he was doing and she knew he wasn't sorry. He couldn't stand Katherine. but right now, Katherine was in control. She was stronger and madder. She could easily kill Elena right now so if she said blink, Elena would blink. Then, Katherine kept talking and Elena ignored her until she felt the grip on her neck turn into a death grip and Elena couldn't get any air. She turned pale as she started choking, then katherine threw her across the room. She said that it was "love and not loved" She had to know that Stefan didn't really love her anymore. He even questioned his love for her back then, if it was real because she kept compelling him. Elena hit the wall then the ground as she immediately grabbed her own neck, taking deep breaths to make up for what she lost. She looked at her shaking hand that was a bright red color from no air and saw it slowly turning normal again.

Elena felt Stefan by her side in seconds but just focused on breathing as she took deep breaths. Then she looked up as she heard Katherine threaten Elena's whole family and all her friends. Elena put a hand on the ground to hold herself up as she felt faint but then felt Stefan's arms go around her and he let herself fall into his arms, knowing he was there to catch her and hold her.

Elena watched as Katherine fled the scene after telling Stefan they'd meet again. Elena kept staring at the door as tears dropped from her face and she tried to choke them back, but a few escaped her eyes. She heard Stefan ask if she was alright and she slowly shook her head no. She wouldn't be able to handle it if something happened to her family or friends. Any of them. Elena loved them all too much. But she also loved Stefan too much and wouldn't let him go. She heard him apologizing as she blinked hard, letting more tears leave her face as she kept her eyes closed and cried. She moved her hand up to the collar of Stefan's shirt and grabbed it, letting her head fall softly against his chest as he held her.

Elena thought about Katherine's threats and opened her eyes looking at Stefan. "Do you...do you think she's serious?" She asked him then bit her bottom lip fighting back more tears as she shook her head and put it back on his chest. "What are we going to do?" She asked in a raspy voice as she closed her eyes again, fighting the tears.

ATTIRE

[/color] what are you wearing?? CREDIT SAM !? of Confronting the Faceless. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS brick by boring brick - paramore NOTES notes here WORD COUNT how many words?? [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Stefan Salvatore]

As soon as he asked his girlfriend if she was all right, he knew it was the stupidest thing he had ever asked. Of course she wasn't all right! She had nearly been killed by his psychotic bitch of a Sire. And she was still having trouble breathing, he could hear it. Heck, you didn't have to be a vampire to tell that. But there wasn't anything else he could do against her. He wasn't strong enough. His diet didn't allow him to be as strong as other vampires.

Crying. She was crying. And it was his fault. If he had been at full strength, Katherine wouldn't have been able to hurt Elena this much. He had been frantic when Katherine had tried to kill her and he honestly didn't know what he would've done if she had succeeded. No, I can't think like that. She's alive. She's alive, she's here, he thought to himself. When she asked him if he thought the vampire was serious, his eyes clouded worriedly.
"Yeah, she's serious. She never jokes about anything," he replied, as he went to gently pull her even closer to him. He then shook his head as she asked him what they were going to do. "I don't know," he replied, his eyes shining with his own pain. He had come so close to losing her. He couldn't let it happen again. That's it. I have to drink human blood. That's all there is to it, he thought to himself. He knew the risks, but he'd have to take the chance. He couldn't let anything happen to her. He had to be strong enough to protect her. And the bunny diet just didn't cut it. Nope. He was going to have to switch up his diet. But who would help him? Who would make sure that he didn't go over the edge?