Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: Ok, so many months ago, I was inspired by TVD to write several short stories, but I never thought I'd be writing fanfiction again. So here is one of my stories, which I have now rewritten. It's a dark-ish AU/AH story and there is some abuse, so you've been warned. Stefan is way out of character. Enjoy!

A STRANGER IN MY HOME

"Hey, Elena, come here for a bit," the broad-shouldered man on the living room couch called out.

"What is it?"Elena Gilbert came out of the kitchen with a quizzical look on her face.

"Sit down," he said and patted the seat next to him. She obeyed and her brown doe eyes fixated on his green ones. "We're going to have a house guest for a couple of days," he said.

"Who?" Elena knew better than to question why he had invited someone without checking with her first.

"My brother Damon. See, he just got out, and he needs a place to crash."

"What was he in for?" Elena asked carefully. It came as no surprise that Stefan's brother was an ex-con, even though Stefan had never mentioned even having a brother before.

"Never you mind," Stefan said, a warning tone in his voice.

"I'll set up the guest room," Elena said and rose from the couch. Stefan slapped her backside and leaned back in the couch, guzzling his third beer this morning.

Elena's mind wandered as she made up the bed in the guest room. Why was she still with Stefan? They had been high school sweethearts and when he had popped the question at graduation, she had been thrilled. The aunt who had raised her since her parents had died in a car crash was pleased to see her go. And Stefan Salvatore had been every mother-in-law's dream. Athletic, good-looking, smart. Yes, Stefan Salvatore was going places. And he was going to take Elena with him. And that was exactly what happened. Stefan took them all the way to the next county. He finished his first year of college with getting kicked out. It all went downhill from there. He was still good-looking, though. And he knew how to clean up nice for special occasions. Which is why no-one would ever expect him to be a drunk and a wife-beater (well, fiancé-beater, because years after asking her to marry him, he still hadn't made good on his promises). And so all Elena ever heard was how lucky she was to be engaged to such a charming young man. What hurt the most, though, were the incessant queries regarding whether there would be any children soon. Elena had been pregnant two times, but Stefan's beatings had effectively terminated both pregnancies. Now, the scar tissue on her uterus prevented her from conceiving. Stefan blamed her, of course.

"Elena!" the roaring from the living room broke into her thoughts and she hurried out of the guest room. "Someone is at the door!"

Elena went to open. Outside stood a slim, dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes and a smirk on his face.

"Yes?" Elena blinked, suddenly acutely aware that she was wearing a washed-out denim frock and that her long brown hair was messy. It didn't seem to matter to the stranger, though, because he looked at her as if she had just stepped out of the shower.

"I'm Damon. Stefan's brother."

"Damon!" Stefan's voice came from behind her, booming, as he came to the door and embraced the man in the doorway. "You'll have to excuse my girlfriend – she has no manners. Come in, come in," he said and ushered Damon inside, past Elena and into the living room. "Want a beer?" he offered and before Damon could answer, he called out, "Elena! Bring us a six-pack!"

The two brothers stayed up late, drinking and talking. Elena went to bed early, hoping she would fall asleep before Stefan decided to hit the sack. Her nerves wouldn't let her, though, and when the bedroom door opened, she lay as still as she could, hoping he would pass out before noticing she was even there. She wasn't so lucky.

When she heard Stefan's snoring, Elena carefully slipped out of bed and put on her bathrobe, pulling it tight around her slender body, and snuck out to the kitchen. She was just pouring herself a cup of tea when she heard footsteps approaching. She froze, afraid to breathe as it would expose her. She hadn't turned the lights on, she knew her kitchen well and the moonlight shining in through the window was enough for her to see clearly. But the hallway was dark, and out of the darkness now emerged a figure.

"I hope I didn't scare you," Damon's smooth voice said as he approached her. "Stefan said I should make myself at home, so I was just getting something to drink."

"No, it's fine. I couldn't sleep. I was just getting myself a cup of tea. Would you like some?"

"If it's no trouble," he replied.

"No trouble at all. Have a seat," she gestured towards the little table by the window. Elena felt oddly comfortable around this man. For some reason, she looked into his eyes. The moonlight reflected itself in them, making them look like – well, moonlight reflecting in a lake. She couldn't look away, mesmerized. A coughing sound snapped her back to reality. What if Stefan woke up and she wasn't there? Fear filled her body and obviously travelled to her eyes, because Damon looked at her with concern in his midnight-blue eyes.

"Are you ok?"

"What? Oh, yes, sorry. I just thought I heard… never mind. How was your tea?"

"Delicious."

"Oh, good," she said nervously.

"Go ahead and ask," he said calmly, with his eyes fixed on her.

"Ask what?"

"Why I was in jail."

"That's none of my business."

"But this is your house too, right? Don't you deserve to know who's sleeping in the room next to yours?"

"I don't even know the man sleeping next to me," she said under her breath. Then, realizing he might have heard her, said in a clear voice, shrugging, "Do you ever really know a person?"

"So this is where you ran off to," Stefan's voice came from the doorway. Elena rose immediately, putting away her cup and hurrying into his arms. He kissed her possessively, clearly making a point, then gestured for her to go back to bed. Without a second glance at Damon, she hurried off.

"Thank you for the tea, Elena," Damon called out after her.

Stefan fumed. "You're here for five minutes and you're making a play for my girlfriend?"

"I was not! But maybe I should."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"She deserves better than you, Stefan. I'm here for five minutes and I can see that. I'll just have to help her realize that herself."

"You stay the hell away from Elena, you hear me?" Stefan grabbed his brother's shirt and snarled. Damon shoved him away and straightened his shirt.

"I'm stronger than you. I wouldn't try that again."

"You are no longer welcome in my home."

"Too bad, because I'm staying. Good night, brother." Damon said and patted his shoulder before walking back to the guest room.

Would you like to see me continue this story? I know Stefan is completely out of character, but I'm thinking it's the drinking that changed him, much like the human blood changed Stefan in the show. Elena may also be out of character, but it's because the Petrova fire inside her has been put out by years of emotional and physical abuse. I'm hoping that Damon can bring that fire back, and maybe even turn Stefan around. If anyone would like to read more, let me know and I'll keep writing : )