Guess Stefan made Damon payback for the burn last episode this episode. He sure knows where to hit him and the previous conversation where Elena told him to not let Damon make anything stupid (which was really her telling him to make sure Damon didn't do anything to rescue her from Elijah) probably led to his "I have her respect" remark. The funny thing is, I seriously expected him to say "I have her love" or simply "I have her". But when he says "I have her respect" it really sounds more like a contest he is in with his brother than being about a fight for Elena. I think it was a remark about suggesting he is "superior" as opposed to really being about Elena, you know, which was interesting...