(For The Love of a Salvatore)

Down by Jason Walker

http://www.youtube.com/embed/JwhTMClm2A0

Soft rock music and the smell of the grilled food filled the local restaurant and bar where Elena found herself trying to hide away from her problems. Her leather bound journal laid open on table as she scratched her thoughts down on paper. Every feeling and thought that popped into her mind she wrote down. This was the only way she was going to be able to release the pressure of confusion as she debated whom her feelings belonged to.

The vibration of her phone from her purse buzzed and she withdrew it to find a text message from Damon. She had been ignoring him all morning since the day before. She wasn’t ready to face him. Her talk with Caroline did help a little, but now she was trying to distance herself from Damon and Stefan. She needed room to breath and to think. With them smothering her constantly no wonder she was in a mess.

“Hello, Elena.” His voice once soothed her, but now it left her on edge. He held his hands behind his back and he slightly bowed down to her with a snarky grin.

Elena drew in a sharp breath as he caught her off guard. He stood motionless at the end of the table. “Can’t you go sit somewhere else and stalk me Stefan?”

“I much rather do it close than from a distance and I’m not stalking you, I’m protecting you.” He shook his head.

“And how many times do I have to tell you I don’t need your protection,” Elena barked.

“I’ve lost count,” Stefan said and took the seat across from her. “You’re writing in your journal again?”

“Yes.” Elena snatched it and closed it before he could read what she had written. Anger was bubbling inside of her as he stared at her with pleasure. Whether she still truly wanted to be with him or not, she was starting to become extremely annoyed by him. “Stefan, can you please just leave me alone? I’m not going anywhere.”

“Elena, you know I can’t do that.” His voice was firm and he pierced his lips together.

“Right,” She rolled her eyes and shoved her journal in her purse. Taking a peek down at her phone, she saw she had a missed call from Damon now. She pushed it down ignoring it and threw her bag over her shoulder. “Well, I have to use the bathroom. I don’t think you can go there.”

Sliding out of the booth, she set her foot down wrong causing her leg to buckle and she felt her body being flung to the ground. However, it never hit the ground. As she looked up she saw Stefan holding on to her, catching her from her fall. His eyes were mesmerizing and she was forgetting to breathe. Those strong arms that once held her close for real protection and not some compelled protection sent a shock through her veins. Just for that second Elena felt the old Stefan and the light inside of her that burned bright for him light. He was still there even if he was fighting it and couldn’t control it.

Come on, Stefan. Please just turn it off and come back to me, Elena thought and she raised her body up letting him release his hold on her.

“You okay?” Stefan asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She spoke in a near whisper as she gazed at him. “You caught me?”

His mouth opened as he was about to speak, but it was cut off as the dark silhouette of Damon lurked behind him. Her eyes caught his and he looked hurt. She should have figured he would have come looking for her even if she kept dodging his calls.

“Damon.” Stefan stated and turned around.

“Stefan.” He mimicked his tone. “Take a break from your Klaus orders. I need to speak with Elena.”

“Don’t be silly, Damon. You know I am not going to do that.” Stefan said. “Whatever you have to say to Elena you can say with me here.”

“Actually,” Damon took a step forward making sure to close in the gap between them as he spoke. “I don’t. I don’t take orders from you or anyone else. Elena doesn’t need you creeping her out.”

“Stop!” Elena yelled. “Do you both hear yourself? You’re supposed to be brothers…family.”

“Sorry, Elena I just don’t like to be told what to do.” Damon growled still staring at his brother. “But you do? Don’t you Stefan. You liked to be pushed around by big bad daddy Klaus.”

If there weren’t other people in the restaurant, there would have been a brotherly brawl about to erupt. This was exactly what she was trying to avoid. The stress of being around both of them was awful. Stefan was annoying and frustrating because she still felt for him. His compelled self was obnoxious and yet, a small bit of the old him was there. And then there was Damon. He was her partner in crime at times and even more frustrating than Stefan. His tendency to be cruel was something she had a hard time looking past because she saw the good side of him and that was why she had feelings for him too.

“I’m leaving.” She sighed, but was caught by Stefan’s muscular arm that wouldn’t let her go. “Stefan!”

“Where are you going?” He asked and they both finally had their eyes upon her.

“Why should I tell you? Either of you?” Her tone was filled with anger. “You’ll find me anyways.”

Tugging her arm away, he let go and she nearly ran out of the place. Once outside, she did run. She ran as fast as she could home and almost made it before she grew tired and out of breath. She bent over as she caught her breath and held onto her knees. How had she reached this point in her life? How had she found herself in the middle of the mix? How had she let heart belong to more than one person? The chilling thought of Katherine raced through her head. She would never be Katherine no matter how much she looked like her. No matter if they were related, she would never do what she did to the Salvatore brothers. However, Elena felt sickened by the thought of understanding what Katherine put them through because truthfully she felt like she was letting herself do the same.

Author Note: I am going to try to post songs along with the chapters to help set the mood. Enjoy!