Fire in the Water (Book 1)

Medicine

Somewhat later

Jeremy arrived at the airport and Elijah sent someone to pick him up. It was awkward for him as well as the other Mystic Falls Scooby gang that all of a sudden, an Original was obliging them. Still, that was now it and they were all very well aware that it all had to do with Elena. 

At the Gilbert house, Stefan moped around as the brunette finally fell asleep. He hated being useless. But what had him more iritable was the fact that Elijah turned the tables on them and started calling the shots. Seeing Elena cosing up to him as he carried her out of the hospital made his blood boil. He wanted to get Damon out of the cellar and conspire against the Original. Then he looked at her, he knew that she would be again so disappointed in him if he  tried anything. 

She was slipping away from him a long time ago, but now it felt like that it would be for good. She had a  strange understanding with the Original, and he found it demoralizing. The fact that she didn't want him dead and  regretting that she signed his death spoke volumes.

"Stefan-?"- Elena said faintly as she woke up. 

He moved like a lightning to her side and asked-

"What do you need?" 

"Tell me- is Matt- gone?" 

"I don't know. I tried to call Caroline, but she isn't answering. But if he was gone, she would have told us!" 

"I know- it's mad- I wanted to do so many different things" - Elena said gulping faintly.

"Come on. You will- I am sure Elijah will find some cure" 

"I want to say something" the doppelganger said with a rasp in her voice. Stefan hushed her a bit telling her not to strain herself and gave her some water, helping her take a few slurps with a straw. 

 "I am dying, right?! But it's ok" 

"Elena, please"

" I have to, Stefan, I have to get it all out-all of it. There's been crazy few months-  and I,"a cough stopped her. Stefan helped her take some more water. As she rested her head back on the pillow, she continued -"didn't know what I really wanted-  and it's lie. I knew. I've known it for a while now -and it's not been easy. It's not been right, but I know"

"Please- don't do this-you need to keep all the strength that you've got" the vampire  pleaded with her. 

"I talked to Damon, on the phone when we were driving out of Mystic Falls and- I had to choose, so- I told him that I picked you" 

"Elena" 

"But, Stefan - I'm sorry- I am really sorry- I didn't want to choose or pick- because" 

"You've already loved someone else!" Stefan now said finishing the sentence for her in a way. 

Elena looked at the Salvatore astound that he would say that. 

"I know, Elena- it's him" 

They exchanged looks that confirmed the vampire's suspicions he had from the moment he saw Elena and Elijah looking at one another as they were at the table not long ago negotiating over giving Klaus' body over to the Original They had that understanding he had seen with people who could read eachother's souls.  

"I am in love with Elijah!" Elena uttered. "You don't deserve this-but I just had to make it clear. Not that it matters anymore." 

"You had to be honest! I get it - to yourself, too," 

"I am sorry" 

"No, don't be. It was clear - after the Ball very much so" 

Elena inhaled sharply. "Stefan-"