Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me, and neither does this show or the books it's based on.

Reining In Damon

Chapter 1

Punish Me

By UnicornFilly

Damon couldn't stand the thought of losing Elena forever. What was wrong with him? She loved Stefan for pity's sake. They'd wouldn't ever be anything more than friends, and that could be difficult to live with.

But the thought of losing her completely, even if he never had more than her friendship, made his heart clench in agony.

He had to fix this somehow. No matter what it took.

Considering the conversation they had last night, Elena was very surprised to find Damon sitting on her bed when she walked into her room the next evening.

"We need to talk." He looked very serious and uncomfortable, which wasn't like him, but Elena was too irritated to care.

"I thought we said all we needed to last night."

Damon waved that away. "Blah, blah, blah, you hate me, I lost you forever, yada yada."

Elena glared at him. "This isn't funny Damon."

"I know it's not." He bit his lip for a moment. "I don't know why, Elena, but I really don't want to lose you."

"That's not your choice to make. I really think you should leave Damon."

"Wait, Elena just hear me out, please? Then if you still want me to go I will."

Elena knew she should probably make him go, but the pleading look he gave her made her waver. Finally she sat down beside him with a sigh. "Fine. I'll give you a few minutes. That's it."

Damon seemed to gather his thoughts for a moment. "I know I've done some horrible, unforgivable things, I want to change, I do, but I need... your help."

"Why my help? Why not someone else?"

"Who else is there? Stefan and I are at each others throats half the time. Bonnie doesn't like me. Caroline hates me, with good reason but still... It has to be you Elena."

She scowled. "Exactly what do you want me to do Damon?"

"Rein me in. Be my conscience. Tell me when I'm about to do something evil or stupid. Elena you make me want to be... more human. You make me want to be a better person."

Elena looked into his eyes, surprised to see that he was serious. "Why me?"

"Because you're the most caring person I've ever met, and if you give up on me, if you really think there's no hope for me, then I really am damned, and I might as well go into the sun and take my ring off."

"Don't say that!" Her eyes grew wide. For some reason the thought of him dying hurt her, even if she was supposed to hate him.

Damon smiled slightly. "You're supposed to hate me but you don't want me dead. How's that work?"

Elena glared at him again. "You're not funny."

"Oh I think I am, but that's besides the point. Look, I know you're not going to be able to forgive me easily for killing Jeremy, even if he did come back, so I have a suggestion."

She looked at him suspiciously. "What?"

He looked her directly in the eyes, wanting her to see that he really meant what he said.

"Punish me."

To Be Continued...