Stefan rested his eyes, but was still aware of what was going on around him. There had been moments throughout the night when Laura had seemed agitated, though she hadn't woken up. He had whispered soothing words to calm her through her dreaming. It seemed to help.

He heard the soft mumblings again and opened his bleary eyes. He stood up and walked over to the bed. He couldn't distinguish any words, but was relieved to see that she seemed to be having a pleasant dream this time.

Laura's eyes fluttered open at that moment, an indistinguishable look forming on her face as she saw him. "Hello."

Stefan backed away, giving her some space. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"I could ask you the same thing," she noted, seeing his tired appearance.

"I do not require much sleep," he explained.

"I think I had strange dreams," Laura frowned. "But I don't remember much." Her face softened as a snippet of a dream came back to her.

"Do you want to want to talk about it?" Stefan offered.

There was silence. The moments passed and Stefan took her answer to be no, so he headed towards the door to give her privacy.

"I loved someone, once."
Stefan turned and walked back, sitting in what was getting to be his usual place.

Laura spoke slowly, because of what she about to tell him, and to keep her strength. "His name was Scotty Baldwin." Her tears began to fall. It had been a long time since she'd said his name out loud. "He was so good to me, stuck by me even when I screwed up." There was a faint smile in her voice, as she lost herself in the bittersweet memories of that first love.

It faded. "He was murdered," she said in a low voice. Stefan said nothing, so she continued. "He was shot, during a mugging. Or at least that's what we all thought. I was a wreck. I started going to bars and drinking until I could almost numb the pain."

"That's understandable," Stefan said, thinking he should say something.

"But I never slept with anyone," Laura said defensively. "I was faithful to him, always"

She stopped, and Stefan saw that her breathing was becoming labored; she had to be in pain. "You should rest now," he urged gently. "We can talk more later, once you're well again."

Laura shook her head, and continued talking, almost feeling as though she were in confession. "And then one night, after I'd been drinking... this man, he grabbed me."

Stefan felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"He had been watching me for a long time, he said. He just had to get rid -- get rid of my 'bodyguard'." Her face crumpled in sorrow and guilt. "Scotty would be alive if it weren't for me."

"No. No, Laura," Stefan said, his voice quiet, but strong. "It wasn't your fault."

"And after I testified, my parents thought it'd be best if I took a vacation in Europe with my little sister. I was too tired to argue. I just didn't care. That's when I met Stavros. I knew I couldn't really love him, but he seemed nice. And it'd get me away from everything I knew." Her laugh was hollow. "Another mistake, big surprise."

Her head shot up, concerned that Stefan might misunderstand her words. "But my baby wasn't a mistake. I wanted my baby, more than anything. It didn't matter if Stavros was the father, it would be my child. I -- I think Scotty would have wanted that for me."

"I'm sure you're right."

They stared at each other in silence.

"I never told anyone that story," Laura said softly, mostly to herself.

No longer needing to unburden herself, she was reminded of her fragile state, not being able to keep ignoring the pain. She looked at the glass of water and pill that Stefan had left by the bed, untouched from the day before. She reached over to take them, but was instantly sorry as her already worn-out body protested to the quick movement.

"I'll get that," Stefan said. He placed the pill in her open mouth, and helped her drink from the glass.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."