"You have to choose, Mel," Damon spoke as if it was the simplest thing in the world, "either Stefan or me." 

That was the toughest choice she could ever have in her life. It was as if to choose between one's heart and soul. "I...I need you both," tears had started to trickle down her eyes, "I'll choose you both." 

Damon shook his head, "pity it's not gonna happen. Me or Stefan. If you go with him I'm perfectly fine with it. Because I'm used to Saint Stefan stealing everything from my life." 

Stefan fired up, "I never stole anything from you, Damon." 

He laughed, "want me to count now, do you? You took over the whole of our father's assets, he always held you in esteem, because of you I was insulted in front of everyone, mother died because of you and you simply took every single person I loved or cared about away from me! Even Katherine loves you! Just because you're the good guy? A saint? Because of you everyone thought of me as the bad guy!" 

Melanie held up her hands, "stop it, will you? I... I'm sick of you both accusing one another. I can't bear to hear any more nonsense from you guys." 

Damon glanced at her tear stained face for a moment then spoke, "fine. No more nonsense. I'm going out for a drink since its so suffocating in here. When I return Stefan must be gone. If I see him ever again I'll personally see to it that he suffers. And as for you, Melanie, you will have to pick one from us. Whatever decision you take, I'll be fine with it." 

And with that he vanished. She yelled after him, "how can you just walk away like it's the easiest thing in the world?" 

It was then she broke down crying. Stefan tried to console her. She hugged him tightly as if afraid to lose him, "I'm sorry, Stef. I'm so sorry." 

He knew what she was going to say next, "you're choosing Damon, aren't you?" 

She shook her head, "no. I don't want to choose. I want this to be a dream. I don't want it all to be real. Its so difficult for me. I love you, Stefan, and I love Damon too. How in the world can he be so cruel to force me into picking one from you both? I don't know what to do. I just don't..." 

He tried to give her the only comfort he could, "you're very sensible, Mel. I know you'll take the right decision." 

She was weighing out her options but it only complicated things more for her. After a pause she asked, "Stefan, if I chose you what would be Damon's reaction?" 

He thought for a while, "if you chose me he'd definitely hate me more than ever. He'd shut off his humanity and become a monster. It has happened before and trust me it wasn't very pleasant. Damon has been through a lot of hurt than you could possibly imagine. If you left him too then he'd shatter. You know what, I'm not defying him or myself, but its the truth that you were the only person who saved him from drowning, who gave him some hope to live again and view things with a fresh outlook. Deep inside he's torn and he has just put up this mean guy facade to hide his inner pain." 

She sighed, "and if I chose Damon what would you do?" 

He smiled sadly, "I'd just leave then I guess." 

She asked, "you won't shut off your humanity or whatever it is?" 

He shook his head, "I'm not Damon, Mel. I've my ways which are different from his. I usually keep to myself. I don't always fit in. But that's it, I guess. I won't react harshly, I promise." 

She nodded, "you know how hard it is for me, don't you? I'll have to choose Damon because I can't let him become a monster. I can't let him hate you and I just can't let him destroy everything." 

He gently patted her head, "I understand." 

She mumbled, "I love you a lot, Stef, please don't forget it ever." 

She looked up at his face to be met with a warm smile as he wrapped his arms around her frail body holding her close, "I know, little sister. And even if I'm gone I'll always be with you. Whenever you need me or whenever anything bad happens just give me a call and I'll be there for you." He noted down his cell number and gave it to her. 

"I'll miss you. I'll be so sad without you, Stefan," she managed yo give him a watery smile even though her eyes were tearful. 

"You won't be sad forever, trust me," he whispered back. He hugged her affectionately for the last time before he stepped out of the house and vanished. Perhaps forever.