Jasmine walked the silent streets of Mystic Falls. Not a soul was in sight in the middle of the night. It was as if the residents could sense the danger that lurked in the shadows.

     She stopped in the middle of the town square, taking in her surroundings. She knew tonight's actions would raise questions and caution within the Salvatores and Elena. She prolonged the confrontation as long as she could, not wanting to see Stefan's expression.

     Everything she tried to suppress flowed out of her in a single instant, with a single thought. She still had her humanity switch on, her feeling of remorse was evidence enough, but there was no doubt that from now on... nothing would be the same.

▪▪▪▪

     Stefan and Damon Salvatore wandered the streets after dropping Elena off at her house. The older brother was angry at himself for dismissing Jasmine's episodes and not taking them seriously. The younger brother ran his hand through his hair several times, blaming himself for being so consumed in someone that he didn't notice Jasmine's struggles.

     They stopped walking when they noticed a figure several feet in front of them. Slowly approaching her, the brothers looked at each other as they raised their makeshift stakes in the air. They weren't going to kill her, they would die themselves before having her die by their hand, but simply weaken her, so they could lock her up.

     Without looking at them, Jasmine smirked, "you don't really think you can hurt me with those, do you?"

     "You need help, Jasmine."

     Smiling wide, she turned to face the distraught vampire brothers, "I don't need help, Stefan. This is who I am."

     "I'm sorry I didn't pry more when you said you were fine, Jas--" Damon was cut off by a confused and furious Stefan, who sped towards him.

     "You knew this was happening?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

     Grimacing, Damon pried Stefan's hands off of him, "not the time, brother."

     Stefan's anger towards his brother was momentarily pushed aside as he looked at his best friend. The girl who was always there for him, even when she was battling her own demons, since before he had even turned, hell, since before he had his heart broken by a girl named Valerie. But right now, that girl was broken, but covered it with pride and stubborness to deflect the fact that she desperately wanted help.

     "Please, Jasmine. Remember that promise we made? Back in 1862?"

     "Of course I remember, Stefan." Her eyes glanced downward, remembering the night when she could say she was truly happy for the first time in centuries.

     Mystic Falls, 1862

     "Come now, Stefan! I'm sure a snail would be faster than you!" Jasmine laughed as she raced ahead of him. She headed into the woods, going straight towards a clearing that they both adored to spend time in.
    
     "Wait for me!" Stefan stumbled against the branches on the ground as he tried to catch up to the girl he called his best friend. They both laughed as they stood in the middle of the clearing.

     Jasmine giggled as she sat down and pulled Stefan down with her. They lay on the grass and gazed at the shining stars, both mentally trying to remember as many of the constellations that shone.

     The seven hundred year old vampire sighed as she felt his warmth radiate beside her. She didn't know it, but Stefan, in this moment, knew he wouldn't ever meet someone as unforgettable as Jasmine.

     He shifted, a bit nervously, closer to her and turned his head to look at her while she continued to smile up at the star filled sky.

     "Jasmine, can I ask you something?"

     She looked at him and sent him a small smile, "anything you wish."

     "Can we make a promise?" He fiddled with his fingers as he awaited her response.

     Humming, she sat up and encouraged him to do the same, "I suppose that can be arranged. What have you got in mind?"

     "Promise we will always be there for each other. To always be best friends."

     Jasmine's smile brightened up causing Stefan's heart to jump a little, "and how long would this promise last?"

     "Forever."

     The seriousness in his voice and his facial expression made hers falter, knowing 'forever' was possible for her, but not him, "forever is a long time, Stefan."

     Shifting closer to her, he grabbed her hand and with a small frown, his gaze never wavered from hers, "it will still not be enough time. I want us to be in each other's lives forever, Jasmine. I cannot imagine my life without you anymore. Promise me this."

     "Okay. I promise. Always and forever, Stefan."

     Mystic Falls, Present Day    

     "Always and forever. That's what you told me, what you promised me. So, please, let me be there for you. Let me help get you back to normal, back to the girl we love."

     She was helpless against Stefan, she knew that much, but not so much to his last couple words. 'Back to normal, back to the girl we love' as if she wasn't wanted this way. Her eyes narrowed and she held out her hand.

     "Motus."

     In one motion, the Salvatore brothers were held up in the air. Their faces were various expressions that ranged from panic to disbelief. Groaning, Damon looked at Stefan, shaking his head.

     "Next time, let me do the talking."

     Jasmine let out a cold laugh as she looked between the brothers, "see, I almost caved in. You were so close until the end."

     She sauntered towards them while lowering them down until she was only a couple feet away.

     "I don't want to change who I am. I like myself like this. Either accept it or stay out of my way."

      Jasmine began walking away from the sullen Salvatores, but not before facing them again, "and if you do attempt to pull something like this again, I won't hesitate to slaughter this whole town."

     With a smile and a wave, she disappeared into the night, looking for her next meal while her whistling echoed throughout the town.