Stefan cupped Elena's cheek gently. "What's wrong?" he said, concerned by whatever it was he saw in her eyes. Elena had thought she was hiding her fear pretty well, but Stefan had always been able to see through her masks. She was glad they were finally alone. She didn't want the others to know, not yet. They weren't determined to protect Damon, not like she and Stefan were.
"A Principal Guardian came to me today and made me take the Guardian oath," she told him. "She gave me my first task."
For a moment, Stefan's face lightened. "But that's wonderful news," he said. "Now you'll be able to access more Power to fight Klaus, won't you?"
Elena shook her head. "My task isn't to kill Klaus," she told him simply. "They want me to kill Damon."
Stefan, eyes wide with shock, stepped back, his hand dropping from Elena's cheek.
"I'm not going to do it," she said. "You know that. But we have to figure out how to get around this. If I just refuse to do it, they'll" - her mouth went dry - "banish me to the Celestial Court. I won't be on Earth anymore."
"No." Stefan's arms were around her again, holding her close. "Never."
Elena pressed her face against his neck. "I can't do it," she whispered. "The Guardian told me that Damon was killing again, and I still can't bring myself to hurt him."
She felt Stefan stiffen at the news, but when she looked up his eyes were steady. "Elena, I love my brother. But if Damon's murdering innocent people, we have to stop him. No matter what the cost."
"I can't kill Damon," Elena said again. "The Guardians already took away two people I love, and I won't let them take away any more. We have to find another way."
"What if Damon changes?" Stefan asked. "If he's not a threat to humans, will the Guardians change their minds?"
Elena shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "But Damon won't listen to us; he's completely shut down. Maybe if we tell him that the Guardians want him dead?"
Stefan's lip quirked into a rueful almost-smile, just for a moment. "Maybe," he said. "Or maybe he'll double his attacks just to defy them. Damon would laugh at the devil if he felt like it."
Elena nodded. It was true, and she knew Stefan was sharing both the affection and the despair Damon inspired in her.
"Maybe Andres will have an idea," Stefan suggested. "He knows a lot more about Guardian business than we do. But are you sure we can trust him?"
"Of course we can," Elena said automatically. Andres was good - she knew that without question. And he had fought beside them against Klaus.
Gripping Elena's shoulder tightly, Stefan looked into her eyes again, his face grim. "I know we can trust Andres to do what's right," he said. "But can we trust him to save a vampire - a violent vampire? I don't even know if that's the right thing."
Elena swallowed. "I think I can trust Andres to back me up," she said carefully, "even against the Guardians. He believes in me." She hoped desperately that this was true.
Stefan gave her a sad smile. "Then tomorrow we talk to Andres," he said. He pulled her into an embrace and stroked a hand through her hair. "Tonight, though, let's take some time and be together, you and me," he said, his voice rough. There was a long silence as Elena just let Stefan hold her.
"I want Damon to live," Stefan finally said. "I want him to change. But if it comes down to a choice between him and you, I have to choose you. There's no world for me without you, Elena. I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself this time."
Elena didn't answer, refused to make any promises she might not be able to keep. She hoped the love flowing between them would be enough, for now.
The next morning, Elena and Stefan sat with James and Andres in James's small, sunny kitchen. All four of them had cups of coffee and bagels in front of them, and Stefan stirred his coffee without sipping it, just to keep his hands busy. He didn't eat or drink much, but it made people more comfortable if they thought he did. It was a cheerful morning scene, except for the look of complete confusion on James's face.
"I don't understand," he said, looking from Elena to Stefan in bewilderment. "Why are you trying to save a vampire?"
Elena opened her mouth, then closed it and thought for a moment. "He's Stefan's brother," she said flatly after a moment. "And we love him."
James shot Stefan a scandalized look, and Stefan tried to remember if James had any idea that Stefan was also a vampire. He didn't think so, actually.
Elena went on. "Damon's fought at our side and saved a lot of people," she said. "We need to give him a chance to get better. We can't just forget all the good he's done."
Andres nodded. "You're reluctant to kill him when there might be some other way to control his missteps."
James shook his head. "I'm not sure I'd call eating people 'missteps,'" he said. "I'm sorry, Elena. I don't think I can help you." Stefan tensed, feeling the coffee spoon bend in his hand.
"We'll fix him," Elena said. Her chin was out determinedly. "He won't be a danger to anyone."
Andres sighed and laid his hands flat on the table, all traces of humor gone from his face. "You took an oath," he said quietly. "The Guardians believe in rules, and, as you've agreed to their rules, you must fulfill your task or suffer the consequences. Even if you accept your removal to the Celestial Court, the task will simply pass to another Earthly Guardian." He grimaced, and Stefan's heart sank. Andres was telling them that he might be the next one assigned to kill Damon. If Elena somehow got out of the job, they'd be fighting Andres.