At night, when he is finally allowed some sleep, Stefan closes his eyes and remembers Elena.

He never truly sleeps, so caught up in his memories of the girl he left behind—the girl who won't give up on him—that he cannot let go, even to sleep.

He remembers her smile, and the sound of her laugh; and he wishes he'd heard it more in those last months. He regretfully also remembers her crying during what was almost her last day alive, he remembers that more clearly than the sound of her laugh.

He focuses on the beginning, to the time when his biggest concern was his brother, back when they were happy. He focuses so hard he nearly forgets where he is, who he's with, and what he's done.

Stefan opens his eyes in the morning and the first thing he does is remember Elena's words. She loves him. He holds on to that.

He'll be okay.