Chapter 16-18

So..." Damon trails off.

"Yeah." Stefan returns.

"Do you believe her?" Damon's asks still processing everything she said.

"About which part?"

"I don't know. Everything? Knowing the future and past? Wanting to help me? Breaking out Enzo? Do you believe her?"

"I don't know. El is not what I thought, but I think we can trust her. If we couldn't, she wouldn't have told you about Enzo or talked to us at all." Stefan tells him.

"She's got fire, that's for sure. She kinda reminds me of Katherine, resembles aside."

Damon says with a thoughtful expression.

"No, she's not like Katherine. She doesn't play games." Stefan says.

"Speaking of, do you want to talk about what she told you?" Stefan asks cautiously.

"Nope." Damon replies getting up and walking out the door.

The next day Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, and Vicki are handing out pamphlets about the nights comet, while talking about the green eyed Salvatore.

"So, he hasn't called?" Bonnie asks Elena.

"Nope. Not even a text. I mean, I totally understand, I dropped a pretty major bomb on him. I just... I don't know." Elena says while shaking head.

"Well, I do. You like him. You want to be his friend and now you're afraid he'll reject you." Caroline tells Elena sympathetically.

"I see the doctor's in." Vicki tease as Caroline sticks her tongue out at her and Bonnie and Elena smile.

"But she totally right. Don't worry El, he'll come around. I think he likes you too. And before you say it, not because the doppelganger thing. Because it's you.

"Vic's right, Ellie. He seems really happy to be around you. I think it makes him feel human or something." Bonnie assures her friend.

"Maybe." Elena whispers unconvinced.

Later that night, the whole gang is sitting at a picnic table and lighting their candles, when Stefan walks up to them.

"Hey." Stefan says to the group with a small nod while looking at Elena who turn around at his voice.

Afrer the group greets him, Elena says "Hey."

With a smile while gesturing her head to walk with her.

"So-" Elena interrupts Stefan.

"Is this goodbye? Because if it is, I understand. I mean, it's not everyday a girl tells you she knows the future and your past. I will still help you and Damon with whatever you need."

"El, stop." Stefan stops Elena's rambling with a smile.

"This isn't goodbye. I would still like to know more, but this doesn't change anything. I like you. And your friends."

"So, you still want to be friends?" When he nods she continues.

"Wow! I was not expecting that. I was sure you would ghost.

"Ghost?" Stefan asks confused.

Elena smiles, like she always does when someone catches her using future slang.

"It means, disappearing. It doesn't matter. You're not gonna disappear. Do you want to go to grab some dinner with us? Of the human variety." Elena teases him.

"Sure." Stefan answers with a snort and a smile.

Later that night, the group was integrating Stefan while sitting in booth at The Grill.

"So Stefan, what's it's like being a vampire?" Tyler asks bluntly.

"Umm... alright. I guess? I mean, it's different for everyone." Stefan says while looking over at Elena.

"Don't worry, I didn't tell them anything that wasn't important. They only know about Kat. Nothing personal." Elena whispers to Stefan while he smiles relieved.

"You don't have to tell anyone anything. It's your business, they won't push." She assures him.

"Thank you." He whispers back sincerely.

"What's it like to be compelled?" Caroline asks.

"Uh, weird. You are completely aware unless compelled not to be. If someone compels you to not be scared, you still know you should be, your just not." Stefan tells her, speaking from experience.

"What's it like to drink blood?" Jeremy asks.

Stefan clears his throat.

"Sorry, are we making you uncomfortable? We can stop." Vicki tells him.

"No its just, I never met anyone, especially a whole group, who wasn't supernatural be so... open?" Stefan says more like a question.

"Well, El told us about everything a few months ago. I guess we just got used to it." Matt says.

"Also me and Tyler are supernatural." Bonnie tells him not going into specifics.

"And you guys trust me? To not like... eat you?" Stefan asks confused.

They all bust out laughing.

"Yes Stefan, we trust you to not eat us. And not just because of the whole bambi thing. El trust you. That's all we need to know. She very protective and if she thought you would ever hurt us, you would already be dead." Jeremy tells him.

Stefan breathes out, not sure why he feels so relieved they trust him.

"So back to the questions. What's it like to no longer be held back by the law or human morals?" Caroline asks not realizing how heavy that was.

"Jesus." Elena mutters as Stefan just looked stunned.

"Um... uh, well... I, it can... uh-"

Elena interrupts Stefan's stuttering.

"You know what? Let's save the more philosophical questions for another time."

The group laughs unaware they're being watched.

Across the restaurant Damon listens in angry and intrigued. Angry that his brother seems so happy and intrigued by the little group who seem to put all their faith in the Katherine lookalike.

Damon is dragged out of thoughts when he over hears a two girls talking.

"God, would you look at that? Less than a week and the new kid is already following Elena around like a lost puppy. Is it not enough to have the team captain and the quarterback?" One of the girls seethes looking at Elena.

"I don't know, she seems nice. Grace told me that one time in the locker rooms after cheer practice the other girls stole her clothes during her shower and when they laughed at her while she cried, Elena came in, looked between them, walked up to the girl who took her clothes and punched her right in the face. And while the girl was on the ground holding her broken nose, she walked to her locker, pulled out some clothes, handed them to her, winked, and left. That's so cool!" The other girl defended Elena to her friend.

"Whatever, she thinks she so mysterious and cool. I was there, her nose was not even broken. You know she's never talks to anyone outside of her friend group. That's weird. And who spends that much time with their little brother." The girl was going to continue when she caught sight of Damon.

She blushed as Damon tipped his drink to her. She smiled her best flirty smile and he smirked.

Stefan walks Elena home while they watch the comet above them.

"Can I ask you a question?" Stefan asks her hesitantly.

"Of course. What's up?" She replies.

"Why do you want to help me and my brother? Why do you care?"

Elena smiles a small smile and responds.

"I guess I always had a soft spot for the infamous Salvatore brothers. When I saw your past's and future's I couldn't help but feel bad. You guys were so close before Kat got in between you."

"Oh, so you pity us." Stefan says jokingly.

"You know, that always catches me off guard. In the timeline I saw, you were always so serious and broody. But this time, you keep making jokes and playing around. I like it." Elena tells him with a smile.

"You kinda make me feel like I do around Lexi. You know Lexi, right?" When Elena nods Stefan continues.

"Can you tell me somthing else about the other timeline? Were we friends?"

"Um, you and OG Elena had an epic romance. Before you showed up Elena was depressed and putting on a smile because she thought it would be easier on everyone else. When she met you, her smile was genuine for the first time in months. She fell madly in love with you." Elena tells him, recalling her knowledge that always manages to stay at the front of her mind.

"Why do you call her "OG Elena?" Do you really not think of her as you?"

"She's not me, Stefan. We're too different. I'm different." Elena says looking down.

I'm different. Stefan thinks as he looks at her. He knows what she's not saying. She's different. A different Elena. An Elena who's most genuine smile goes to her little brother. An Elena who isn't depressed and just putting on brave face. An Elena who won't fall madly in love with him.

Stefan should feel worse about that. He should be heartbroken. The girl that he saved, watched, and stayed in the town he died in for, just told him she won't ever have feeling for him. But he's not.

Stefan feels a little like he just missed out on something great, but his worlds not ending.

I'm different.

The Stefan from a few days ago who was absolutely entranced by the mysterious girl who just happened to look like his first epic love. He would be shattered that this wonderful girl who put a sign in her window, that is just now making sense, eliminated all possibility of a relationship with him. He'd be angry that he let himself fall for someone just to lose them.

But he's not. I'm different. He thinks. And he his. He's not the guy who felt the need to be mysterious and closed off to intrigue her. He's not the guy who kept fighting himself about staying, about putting her in danger. He's not the guy who wants to be dragged by the pull he feels towards her.

He's different.

He's different with her. She doesn't make him feel like Katherine did. Like your biggest fear is falling but if she's at the bottom you would gladly jump with a running start. And she doesn't make him feel like Lexi either, it's closer but not exactly. With Lexi he wants to be better. She pushes him to be better while having the most fun of his life. But with Ellie, it's like he doesn't have to be anyone else. Doesn't have to hide or pretend that's he's not a monster. Because with her he doesn't feel like one. With her, he feels like no matter what he does she will always support him.

It should freak him out that he is relying on someone he just met so much, but it doesn't. Because he knows, with every part of him, she will be there for him. And he's okay with that, while a Stefan from a few days ago would be freaking out.

Shes different. And that's okay, because he's different too.

--Ch 17

After Bonnie and Elena get out of Bonnie's car they walk towards the school.

"So, what happened last night? Are you and Stefan good?" Bonnie asks Elena.

"Yeah, we're great, actually. We talked about the other timeline." Elena replies.

"Oh, did you tell him how you had an epic romance then fell in love with his brother." Bonnie says laughing a little.

"Yes to the romance, no to the brother. We didn't really get into it. I didn't even get to tell him about the pull thing."

"I'm glad, Ellie. You seem happy around him. Speak of the saint." Bonnie says as Stefan walks up to them.

"Hello Ellie, Bonnie." Stefan greets with a nod.

"Hey, Stefan." Bonnie and Elena reply.

"It's nice to see you Stefan, but I gotta go find Caroline. See you guys later." Bonnie says politely backing away.

"Bye, Bon Bon." Elena says as Stefan smiles at her.

"I still cannot believe your friends are so okay with me being a vampire." Stefan says whispering the last part.

"Well, my friends are very understanding people, Steffy. Which is why you should get to know them. You free tonight?"

"Yes." Stefan answers.

"Good. Tonight. My place." Elena demands.

"Okay, that could be fun." Stefan smiles.

"One condition though. You have to teach me to make Italian. And don't deny you can. I know everything." Elena teases him.

"Sure, what time?" Stefan laughs.

"Whenever you want. I'll go grocery shopping after school." Elena says getting excited.

Stefan was about to respond when he hears Tyler shout.

"Yo, Stefan."

Stefan turns around and catches the ball as Matt and Tyler run up to them.

"That was so awsome!" Matt exclaims.

"For real, you should join the team. Having a vampire would be so cool." Tyler says as Matt nods along.

"We would really suck less. Or more, I guess. Cause... you know... you're a vampire." Matt tries to joke.

"Yes Matty, I think he gets it." Elena says as they laugh.

"But really, you should. I think it would be fun and I could cheer for you guys."

"I'll think about it." Stefan says as they all walk through the halls.

In class, walking to her seat Elena sees Bonnie doodling numbers in her notebook and mutters

"Uh-oh."

Matt and Elena are ignoring Tanner as they whisper to Stefan.

"Come on, you would be great. Could be fun." Matt says.

"Yeah, Stef this is your first time to finally enjoy highschool without trying to hide your secret. Live a little." Elena tries to convince him.

"Miss Gilbert?" Tanner asks Elena.

"Hmm?" Elena replies absentmindedly.

"Pearl Harbor?"

"Tanner, why do you do this to yourself?" Elena says faking concern while the class laughs.

"December 7, 1941." Stefan supplies for her with a smile.

"Thank you, Miss Gilbert." Tanner jokes and the class reluctantly laughs.

"Anytime."

"Very well. The fall of the Berlin wall."

"1989. I'm good with dates, sir."

"Are you? How good? Keep it to the year. Civil Rights Act." Tanner challenges Stefan.

"1964."

"John F. Kennedy assassination."

"1963."

"Martin Luther King."

"'68."

"Lincoln."

"1865."

"Roe vs. Wade."

"1973."

"Brown vs. Board."

"1954."

"The battle of Gettysburg."

"1863."

"Korean war."

"1950 to 1953."

"Ha! It ended in '52." Tanner shouts smugly.

"Uh, actually, sir, it was '53."

"Look it up, somebody. Quickly." Tanner demands impatiently.

"It was 19...53." A random student says as the class cheers.

Elena mouths "Show off." To Stefan as he smile at her.

As the group sits outside having lunch they try to convince Stefan to join the team.

"Oh my God! Yes! You would be so great! This will be so much fun!" Caroline shouts excitedly when Matt tells the group he's trying to convince him.

"See, I told you, everyone thinks you would have fun." Elena nudges Stefan.

"Yeah man, and you could get to know us better." Tyler tries to appeal to his sainthood.

"What are we talking about?" Jeremy asks as he walks up to the picnic table.

"There's my baby brother!" Elena shouts as she runs to him and hugs him.

The group smiles at Jeremy lifting her up.

"We're trying to convince Stefan to join the football team." Vicki says.

"Oh, that could be fun. If you don't want to play you can sit on the bleachers with me and Vic." Jeremy tells him.

"Thanks." Stefan nods at Jeremy.

"Well I think he should enjoy this time. I also think he should graduate and go to college with us, but whatever." Elena mumbles the last part as they laughs at Elena's plan making.

"Okay, I'll do it. But isn't Tanner the coach? He's not exactly my biggest fan." Stefan tells them.

"Oh, Don't worry, Ty's the captain. He'll back you. Right Ty?" Bonnie asks Tyler.

"Of course." Tyler smiles at Stefan.

"Now that, that's settled. Should we let Tanner die? Yes or no?" Elena says casually as the group stays silent.

"I feel like the fact that none of us said no immediately, makes us terrible people." Matt says.

They all shrug.

"How do you know that's going to happen, El? Did it happen in the OG timeline?" Bonnie asks.

"Yes and you, actually. I thought It wouldn't happen because I changed some stuff but your doodles of numbers, shows it might still happen." Elena tells them.

"Oh! That's why I'm so obsessed with those numbers." Bonnie realizes.

"We should just let whatever happens happen. So what are we doing tonight? I got the night off." Vicki tells them.

"Dinner. Our place. Stefan's gonna teach me to make real Italian." Elena says motioning between her and Jeremy.

"Yum. Can't wait." Caroline says.

At cheer practice Caroline is seething.

"How dare she? She knows what time practice is. If she dosen't show up in the next 10 minutes she is off the squad."

"Who, Care Bear?" Elena asks her cautiously.

"Rachel! The red hed. She has been hounding me non-stop about different drills and placement since the season started and now she doesn't even show. What the hell?!" Caroline freaks as a blue Camaro pulls up with a red head and Damon Salvatore inside.

"Holy hell." Bonnie mutters checking Damon out.

The red head gets out of the car and walks over to Caroline.

"I'm so sorry I was late Caroline. I was busy." She says walking past them.

"Who is that?" Caroline asks also checking him out.

"Damon Salvatore." Elena says through gritted teeth walking over to him.

"Hello there El-" Elena interrupts his greeting.

"I wasn't aware you have a death wish Damon. I can help you out with that.

If you did what I think you did, I will show you things worse than death." Elena says clenching her fists while glaring at him.

"Woah, hold on there, El."

"Did I say you could speak?" Elena asks contemplating prying the ring off his cold dead hand.

"I only fed on her." Damon defends.

"Prove it." Elena says not calming down.

"Look, Ellie. I can promise you, I'm not that kind of monster." Damon says with a genuine look on his face.

Elena looks into his eyes.

"Give me your word Damon. And just know that if I find out you're lying to me, your end will be spectacular." Elena threatens borrowing lines from her favorite original.

"I give you my word, Elena." Damon says looking into her eyes.

"Fine, I believe you. This time. But, leave her alone Damon, you don't need a spy."

"She's not a spy." Damon interrupts.

Elena glares at him and he hold his hands up.

"You don't need a spy because me, Stef, and my friends are having dinner at my place tonight and your invited, sans the cheerleader." She tells him emphasis on Stefan's name.

Damon looks surprised at the invitation, but agrees.

When Damon drives away and Elena walks back to her friends they start questioning her.

"That's Damon?" Elena nods at Bonnie question.

"Wow. I thought Stefan was hot, but that man is walking sex." Caroline says flustered.

"I couldn't agree more. But please be careful. His humanity's not fully on and he's still totally obsessed with Kitty Kat. You can look just don't touch." Elena tells them.

When cheer practice is over the girls walk over to the football field where Jeremy and Vicki are seated on the bleachers.

They started cheering for their boys.

Stefan walks into his room to see Damon sitting down reading his journal.

"How were tryouts? Did you make the team?" Damon taunts.

"Very Emerson, the way you reveal your soul with so many-" Stefan snatches his journal out of his brothers hands.

"Adjectives."

"What are you doing here?" Stefan asks Damon.

"I've come to apologize. I've been doing some thinking, some soul searching, and...I want us to start over. We need to put the past behind us. You're my little brother, and if you want to live a normal, happy human life, then I want that for you. Maybe I can do it, too. That I can learn to be a non-living living person. Maybe there's hope for both of us." Damon tries to keep a straight face but breaks and laughs in Stefan's face.

"You know, it doesn't have to be this way, Damon." Stefan tries to reason.

"Of course it doesn't. I saw Ellie today, BTW. That means "by the way." She was at cheerleading practice. She looked so perky in her little short shorts." Stefan steps closer to Damon.

"Simmer down, she approached me. She threatened slash invited me to dinner tonight. Feisty one, that girl. Speaking of, I gotta go get ready. Wanna make a good first impression. See you tonight, brother." Damon says with a smirk.

In Elena's kitchen Stefan is trying to teach Elena how to make tomato sauce while her friends stand around the island making fun of her inability to pay attention.

"El, it's not that hard. Just put the onion in the pot." Tyler says while trying not to laugh.

"The whole onion? That's doesn't seem right." Elena mutters.

They all laugh while Stefan tries his hardest to not kick her out of the kitchen.

"No, Ellie. Not the whole onion. He said dice it." Caroline says.

"Right." Elena sighs "How do you dice an onion?"

"That's it. Give me the knife." Stefan says while taking the knife out of her hand and setting it down.

"Now, sit here. Do. Not. Touch. Anything." Stefan stresses while holding her hands and leading her to a kitchen stool.

They all laugh as Elena makes faces to the back or his head.

"Where'd you learn to cook like this Stefan?" Bonnie asks him.

"Italy. I spent some time there with Lexi for a little while." Stefan tells them.

"Lexi? That's your best friend right?" Jeremy asks.

"Yeah we've known each other since 1864." Stefan says with a faraway look.

"Wow. That's crazy. I can't imagine knowing someone that long and still liking them." Vicki says.

"Well you better, if I find a way to make us all immortal you gonna know me that long." Elena mutters and only Stefan hears her clearly.

"What?" Stefan asks.

"Nothing." Elena says sending him a smirk.

"Don't mind her. She's always muttering "immortal" "Malachai" "squirrel rebellion" she's crazy is what I'm trying to say." Matt says as they all laugh.

"What's Lexi like? She must be pretty amazing if you still want to be around after all this time." Caroline asks Stefan as he smiles at the thought of her.

"She's the best friend I've ever had. Throughout the years whenever I need her she was there as soon as possible." Stefan was interrupted my the door bell.

"Ooh, that must be Damon." Elena says while walking to the door, not noticing Stefan's jaw clench at his brother's name.

"Hello there, Ocean Eyes." Elena says with a smile after opening the door.

"Hello, Ellie. I brought dessert." Damon says with a smirk while holding up a pie.

"Classy. Come on in" Elena says stepping aside, letting him in.

"You really invited me in? I can't decide if that's brave or stupid." Damon says while looking around.

"Can't it be both?" Elena says teasingly.

"Hmm, maybe. You have a beautiful home." Damon says a little sincerely.

"Thank you, I had nothing to do with it. Come on, everyone's in the kitchen. Stefan's making Italian."

After walking in the kitchen everyone greets Damon while he looks a bit surprised.

"Damon these are my friends, Caroline, Tyler, Matt, Bonnie, Vicki, and my adorable baby brother Jeremy." Elena introduces them.

"Guys, this is Damon salvatore, eternal stud and Stefan's big bro."

"Damon" Stefan says tightly.

"Uh uh, none of that. Right now we are just friends hanging out, none of which have eternal misery pacts. Okay?" Elena tells while Stefan nods his head.

"Okay. Damon, have a seat. Food almost done." Stefan turns back to the stove.

"Don't mind if I do, Stef." Damon says sitting down.

"So Damon, did you hear? Stefan joined the football team." Caroline says not grasping how much Damon despises Stefan.

"Is that so? Well that's great. You know I always tell him he should engage more. You can't just sit there and wait for life to come to you. You have to go get it." Damon says obviously trying to mess with Stefan.

"Damon, cut the shit." Elena says shortly.

"I don't-" Elena interrupts him.

"Take a night off, alright. Please. Just relax, no one here cares about your diabolical plans." Damon surrenders his hands.

"Anyway, dick move with the crow, Damon." Bonnie says seriously while looking him in the eye.

Bonnie puts her hand on her heart dramatically.

"Do you know how many bird related accidents happen in this town?" She finishes jokingly while everyone laughs.

"My apologies, won't happen again." Damon says with a genuine smile.

"So, we don't really care what you do. But could you not kill any football players. We suck enough as it is." Tyler says to Damon seriously as they all laugh.

"Speaking of Damon's homicidal tendencies, have you thought about what you're going to say to Enzo?" Elena asks while everyone but the vampires and Jeremy look confused.

"I have. I'm gonna hide It from him. It can't be that hard, it happen so long ago." Damon shrugs.

"Wait, who's Enzo?" Matt asks while the rest nod their heads.

"Damon's best friend." Jeremy tells them while Damon looks at him confused.

"Remy knows everything I do." Elena whispers so only the salvatores can hear.

"He's currently locked up being experimented on slash tortured." Elena tells them.

"That's horrible, we have to help him!" Caroline exclaims while everyone smiles at her good nature.

"We will, I have a plan." When they all keep looking at her she explains further.

"He's locked up by a group called Augustine at Whitmore college. They fancy themselves revolutionaries. They genuinely think they're helping people. My dad used to be apart of it." Elena says looking over at Jermey.

When she told him about their father's extracurricular activities, he was very upset. But he looks fine hearing it now.

"So I called the head researcher Dr. Maxfield, and told him that i found some of my dad's research and was interested in "helping people" just like my dad, one day.

We made an appointment to meet and discuss all they do.

Stef and Day are gonna come with me, get invited in and then we are gonna sneak back in to save little Enzo." Elena finishes.

"Can I come?" Jeremy asks.

"No, too dangerous. Enzo starving, he hasn't drank from the vain in forever." Elena tells him sternly.

"What about you?" Vicki asks concerned.

"Stefan can protect me, Damon will be preoccupied crying with his bestie. Plus, I can fight." Elena says while Damon rolls his eyes.

"Rem, I don't like controlling or telling you what to do, but please don't push this." Elena says quietly to her brother while he nods.

"And Damon, seriously? Don't lie to him. Secrets always come out and it will hurt more if he forgives you first them finds out. Let him know everything, then let him forgive you. It might take sometime, but I promise you, you are the most important person to him." Elena tells him.

"I'll think about it." Damon says in a noncommittal tone.

"Wait, what do you have to apologize for?" Bonnie asks.

"I may have...um-" Elena interrupts him.

"He killed the love of Enzo's life." She states bluntly.

"Huh, well that's not great." Tyler says.

"Well, when you rescue him. We will throw him a party and make him feel at home." Caroline says.

"That's really nice of you, Caroline." Stefan tells her.

"She's just wants to throw a party." Vicki says with a laugh as Caroline shrugs.

"But for real. We will be there for him." Bonnie says while everyone agrees.

Damon looked grateful at the teens then to Stefan who shrugged and smiled looking at Elena.

Ch 18

When Stefan, Matt, and Tyler walk up to Elena in their uniforms Elena wolf whistles and says.

"Looking mighty fine there, boys. Especially you, Salvatore." Elena winks and Stefan looks down with a smile.

Matt and Tyler both throw an arm over her shoulder.

"Why thank you, little lady." Tyler says in a southern accent.

"You look beautiful, Lena." Matt says sweetly.

"I always look beautiful, but thank you, Matty." Elena smiles at him.

"You ready for your first game?" Elena asks Stefan.

"You know, weirdly I'm kinda nervous." Stefan says as they laugh.

"Dude, you're like 100. Haven't you played thousands of times?" Tyler asks.

"I know, I know." Stefan nods.

"Whatever man, you'll do great. Just try not to hurt anyone." Matt says gently.

"I'm gonna go find the girls before Care sends out a search party. Love you guys, see you in a little bit." Elena says running away after kissing them on the cheek.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait. Let's be honest here. In the past, we used to let other teams come into our town and roll right over us!" Tanner shouts into a mic while everyone boos.

"But that is about to change." Everyone cheers.

"We've got some great new talent tonight starting on the offense, and I'm gonna tell you right now, it has been a long time since I have seen a kid like this with hands like these. Let's give it up for Stefan Salvatore!" Everyone cheers as Matt and Tyler laugh and pat him on the back.

Elena's standing by her car, waiting for Damon to show up, when he appears behind her.

"Hello, Ocean Eyes." Elena says before turning around.

"Ellie. How'd you know it was me?" He asks teasingly.

"I know everything." Elena jokes.

"I also know what might happen tonight." Elena says getting more serious.

"And what might that be?" Damon says pretending to not be interested.

"It doesn't matter. Just know, whatever happens, none of us will hold it against you." She's tells him walking away as he grabs her arm.

"Why are you helping me, Elena?" Damon asks seriously.

"One, don't call me Elena, it's weird. Two, because I care what happens, Damon." Elena says as Damon scrunches his nose hearing her say his name instead of a nickname.

"I have to get back to the girls. Have a good night, Ocean Eyes." Elena corrects herself noticing the face when she said his name.

"Night, El." Elena hears walking away.

Walking towards the locker rooms Matt and Tyler stop infront of Stefan.

"Hey man, we just wanted to say that we're happy you're playing. And we're glad we became you're friend." Matt says.

Noticing Stefan confused face Tyler starts.

"El may have dropped some not so subtle threats if we didn't make you feel welcome around us." Tyler admits.

Stefan laughs and they join.

"Sounds like El. But you don't have to. I do feel welcome and I'm happy to be on the team." Stefan says genuinely.

"She seems happier, you know. She's been doing surprisingly well since her parents died, but when you showed up she's been more herself." Tyler tells him as he smiles.

"El's great, she makes me feel like I can be myself." Stefan trails off embarrassed he shared so much as they laugh.

"It's okay, Stefan. El does that. We'll meet you inside, alright?" Matt says as Stefan nods.

Stefan starts to walk towards the building when he hears clapping.

"Isn't that nice? Stefan joins a team, makes some friends. It's all so, "rah, rah, go team, yeah!" Damon mocks.

"Not tonight. I'm done with you." Stefan says waking away.

"No, come on. I mean it. I'm happy you finally made some friends. It's too bad they're human. We all know how you get." Damon says with fake sigh.

"What are you-"

"Or me, for that matter. What are you gonna do if I just... snap?" Damon asks while snapping his fingers.

"No. You're not gonna hurt them, Damon." Stefan says sternly.

"No?" Damon asks surprised.

"Because, there is a part of you that likes them. Maybe even cares. I was worried that you had no humanity left inside of you, that you may have actually become the monster that you pretend to be."

"Who's pretending." Damon deflects.

"Then kill me."

"Well, I'm...I'm tempted."

"No, you're not. You've had lifetimes to do it, and yet, here I am. I'm still alive. And there you are. You're still haunting me. After 145 years. Katherine left. And you hate me because you loved her, and you torture me because you still do. And that, my brother, is your humanity." Stefan tries to appeal to his humanity.

"Salvatore! What the hell? We've got a game to play!" Tanner comes in to view and yells.

"If that's my humanity...then what's this?" Damon asks speeding over to Tanner and ripping his throat out.

"No!" Stefan yells.

"Anyone, anytime, any place." Damon says with blood on his face.

Bonnie gets a weird feeling and grabs Caroline and Elena's arms.

"Bonnie! What are you doing?" Caroline ask while being dragged along.

"Honey bee, what's wrong?" Elena asks but Bonnie can't seem to hear her.

Bonnie stops and looks around realizing where she's at.

"Oh my god." Bonnie whispers when she sees tanners body.

"Holy crap!" Caroline exclaims.

"Guys, everything's fine. Just don't look." Elena says to them as they bury their faces in her hair.

"Was this Damon?" Bonnie asks quietly.

"Yeah." Elena says gently.

"Let's go get help." Elena says leading then away.

"El, I'm so sorry. I taunted him. I thought I could make him see he still has his humanity." Stefan apologized while Elena comforts him.

"No, Stef it's not your fault. He's not your responsibility. Just, please don't give up on him. He still needs you. Okay?" Elena begs.

"Okay." Stefan nods.

Elena is sitting up in bed waiting to see if Damon shows up this time when he appears I front of her.

"I figured you know I'd come. Um... look-" Elena cuts him off.

"It's okay." Elena pats the bed and he sits down next to her.

"Tell me about katherine." Elena changes the subject and he looks surprised.

"I thought you knew everything." Damon teases quietly.

"I know big stuff, but I never saw when or how you fell for her."

"Well, when I first saw her I thought she was the most beautiful girl I ever saw."

"Aw, thanks." Elena teases and he snorts and shakes his head.

"But I don't think I fell for her until I saw she wasn't what she looked like. Everyone assumed, because of her big doe eyes and innocent smile that she was a sweet girl. But I could see beneath it, it was all an act. Of course at first I didn't know how big an act."

As Damon continues telling her stories she never heard about the infamous Katherine Pierce, Elena could barely stay awake.

"I can't bring myself to believe she left. She has to be in the tomb. Because if she left I spent the last 145 years waiting for a girl who doesn't love me and I don't think I can handle that." Damon trails off quietly.

"I promise we will open the tomb, but in the the mean time, please don't push Stefan away. I know you hate him for making you turn, but he was only 17 and he didn't want to lose his big brother. He still loves you. I promise." Elena mumbles to a stunned Damon before falling asleep.

"Goodnight, Ellie." Damon whispers as he traces her cheek with his thumb.

"Night, Day." Elena snuggles into his chest.