Chapter 1

Damon sat by the fireplace in a large armchair, staring into the fire while the glass in his hand filled with vodka clinks loudly as his hands shake. Centuries ago to this day he had first laid eyes on Katherine Pierce, the girl he had thought he once loved, the girl he thought loved him back, only him, but as always he learned he can only trust one person in the world, himself. Though at times he doubted he could even trust himself, not knowing when his uncontrollably temper would be unleashed, unsure if he could refuse himself to fall into temptation, especially when temptation meant fulfilling his hunger, his undeniable need.

A knock on the door, brought him back to reality back to the 21st century. At first he ignored it, wanting to be left alone to drown his sorrows in the half a bottle of alcohol he had remaining but he could sense the person at the other side of the door, their anxiety mixed in with the purity of their aura.

He walked slowly to the door, downing his drink before opening the oak doors of the Boarding House. She stood there innocently, and as always her beauty made his non-beating heart flutter, her golden hair falling down near her waist, her blue eyes were always shining like the untainted excitement of a young person, not weighed down with overbearing worries, which always confused him because she knew what he was, what he did and what he could do, yet she didn't run or even flinch in the slightest. Maybe because she knew the power she had over him that she was the one person that he couldn't bring himself to force into an unending eternity, no matter how much he wanted her blood he needed her much more.

"Why are you in Stefan's house?" Elena asks, looking disapprovingly down at the empty glass in his hand, knowing it wasn't the first one he had finished today, and most definitely wouldn't be the last.

Her eyes move from his drink to his shirtless body, only wearing a pair of black jogging bottoms, she looked up to see his black eyes staring at her, making her blush and look at the ground, embarrassed to be caught admiring his muscled body.

"Yes I'm fine thanks and yourself?" he smiles sarcastically.

"Sorry, but I really don't have time, is Stefan in?" she asks peering over his shoulder.

"He's out hunting bunnies or some other small woodland creatures, why don't you join me for a drink while you wait?" Damon raises his eyebrows opening the door wider to allow her in, as Elena squirms under his gaze.

She looks down at her watch, her eyebrows furrowing as she considers it, before shaking her head "No thanks, I'm not thirsty"

"Ok, then at least come in" he smiles predatorily at her as she walks past him into the living room, sitting down on a black leather loveseat as she watches him fill his glass again.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" she asks looking at his glass that is now filled to the brim, as he sits beside her.

"You're lucky I like you" he states, leaning back.

"Yeah and whys that?"

"If I didn't you could say goodbye to that pretty little neck of yours" he smirks, sitting his drink on the glass coffee table.

She rolls her eyes, raising her hands in surrender, "Fine drink whatever you want it's not like it will damage your liver" she admits, looking at her watch again, frowning.

"Am I boring you?" he asks nodding towards her watch.

"No, it's just" she pauses wondering if she should bother telling him something he wouldn't care less about.

"Yes?" he purred.

"Stefan said to come over so he could help me cram for my history final tomorrow" she said, her eyes staring at the wall, not trying to show how hurt she was that Stefan forgot.

"Hmm, that isn't like St Stefan to break promises, or is it?" he silently cursed himself for making her frown deepen, "I could help you though" he hastily adds, her sad expression replaces by one of shock.

"You would help me?" she asks incredulously.

"I was always better at history than Stefan anyway" he shrugs trying to act nonchalant, "While he was hiding in the shadows loathing himself, I was out making history"

"I have to learn a lot though" she says doubtfully, eyeing up the half full bottle of vodka Damon would probably rather finish than help her study.

Damon's mouth pulled up on one side in a smirk, "If you take the vervain Stefan give you out of your pocket, I could just read it to you, 'Influence' you to remember"

Elena bite her lip, weighing her options, saying as Stefan might not be back until late, and she really did need the help, "Isn't that cheating?"

"Rules are made to be broken" he tempted, raising his eyebrows.

She reached into her pocket, watching his smirk turn into a smile, she hands Damon the vervain, handing over her trust, and possibly even her self control…