[Elena knows the reason why Stefan lied. Or at least the reason he believes and provided her with. It's... It's just not as clear to Elena whether or not it's actually true. Was he honestly trying to protect her or himself? Since she doesn't have a clear answer, she doesn't answer that question. It's probably not the best thing to leave so ambiguous to Caesar because he doesn't really know Stefan. Or at least not the Stefan that loved Elena for so long. It's hard to say how many of those rules apply to the Stefan that's here and now anyway.]

[But she doesn't want to give Caesar answers she can't really be certain of how true it is. And she hates how much doubt she has to carry about that as well, but it's what Stefan's given her as unfortunate as it is.]

I'm breaking the rules here telling you, but... [Elena draws a steadying breath.] The Stefan I know, the guy I loved, he'd want someone else to know.

[Someone who could handle it.]

Stefan's a vampire. He's older than me by well over one hundred years, but he doesn't have the same amount of control I do. Stefan's what's known as a ripper where I'm from. Rippers are vampires that lose control so much they end up tearing heads off their victims. It's not something he enjoys doing later, but in the moment Stefan's just focused on feeding even with his humanity on.

He doesn't crave blood like he would normally right now. He's craving tea instead. I think that's just because he doesn't remember it. But the second he does, it'll come back just like his tattoo.

I don't know how he's going to control it this time and I don't know how to tell him about it. He's not... [Elena shakes her head a little.] I don't know if he's gotten the emotional intensity yet, but vampires feel everything a lot more than humans do. Stefan Salvatore is used to living with the guilt of what he's done. He can handle it.

Stefan Alesci isn't and I don't know if he can.