Only In Dreams

Summary: Bonnie believes there is only one way to get rid of Damon. But when he finds himself swapped into Stefan's body, he can only think of Elena. But with her now in his arms, what will he do? Follows cannon. Damon/Elena

Pairing: Damon/Elena and established Elena/Stefan

Note: Continues the story cannon from the TV show, after the final episode (22)

Chapter One: Bonnie's Promise

Bonnie

Following the death of her uncle, Elena's word had been turned upside down once again. She had been made an orphan twice over, and although she had not loved John Gilbert, she had felt the loss of him as only Elena with her kind heart could. Bonnie could see how the event had affected her best friend. She did not need Elena to tell her, that she was still haunted by the sight of the blood covered kitchen and her uncle's body lying motionless on the floor.

Bonnie knew Elena was not coping, despite what she might want the world to believe. Not only had she had to cope with a murder committed within her own home, but her brother Jeremy had gone missing on the same night.

The worry over her brother now far outweighed any fear Elena might have had for her own safety. Bonnie did not want to add to her pressures by reminding her that as part of a founding family, she was still obviously under attack.

Elena's aunt Jenna had also been beside herself with worry over her nephew. The police had been searching for days. But as there had been no sign of a struggle or an attack anywhere else in the Gilbert house, therefore they had concluded that the murder of John Gilbert and the disappearance of Jeremy Gilbert were two unfortunate, but separate circumstances.

So Elena had been walking about in a daze ever since, going to school, going home, or staying at Bonnie's. If Bonnie could have forgiven Stefan Salvatore for his role in her grandmother's death she might have seen how his constant presence around Elena was a healing one. However to Bonnie she saw him as always pulling her friend back into the dark underworld of Mystic Falls, never letting her escape, never letting her heal.

All of this had happened because of the Salvatore brothers. Everything bad that had happened here had occurred because of them. No, perhaps that wasn't correct. It was because of Damon. He was alive right now because of Elena, but could the same be said for her? Elena had befriended him, and now was damaged, maybe beyond repair. He had made her a target. He'd even probably caused Jeremy's disappearance after playing with him also.

If Bonnie could not get rid of both Salvatore brothers, she would take the lesser evil and rid the town of the most dangerous. Damon Salvatore must leave, or take his chances against her.

Elena

Elena was staring out of the window, wondering how she was going to make it to the end of the day. All she could think about was Jeremy and where he might have gone. Was he OK? Was he even still alive? Stefan said that he could no longer sense him in the town, and she knew he had been looking for him. She didn't know if Damon was helping him, she had not seen him since the fire. Although Stefan assured her that he was not hurt, Elena would of liked to have seen for herself. But even if she had done nothing in the days that had followed, she seemed to have no time to go to the boarding house, nor the energy.

She felt Bonnie looking at her, and tried to smile at her as she turned her attention back to the classroom. They were supposed to be copying down the homework for the weekend, but Elena just stared straight ahead. She could ask Bonnie for it later, as right now her hands couldn't move even if she wanted them to. A few minutes later and she found herself in the corridor, her folder hugged to her chest and Bonnie guiding her out of the way of the crowds.

"You should go home Elena," she said concerned.

"No, I'm fine," Elena insisted. "Stefan is going to meet us at lunch."

And that was that. Elena struggled through the next class until lunch, when she found Stefan sitting with Caroline and Matt under a tree. It looked as though they were having a picnic of some kind, and she almost felt as if she shouldn't interrupt, as she was sure to bring her unhappy mood to them and make things awkward. But Bonnie was still steering her where she liked, and Elena couldn't think of an excuse, and before she knew it she was sitting down next to Stefan and he had kissed her cheek.

"Elena," Caroline said in her usual sunny and bossy disposition. "Hungry?"

Elena wondered what was going on. They hardly ever ate outside, and if they did it was on the benches by the cafeteria. She wasn't sure what the occasion was, but was glad of the opportunity to distract herself for a while.

"Starving," Elena said, trying to keep a smile on her face and not spoil the effort Caroline had gone to. She wondered whether this was the blonde girl's attempt at cheering her up, since there didn't seem to be any other reason for all the fuss.

Elena thought Caroline would know everything that had happened from her mother, even though Elena and Caroline had not spoken since Founder's day last week. Then again everyone knew what had happened by now.

Mostly Caroline, who chattered about nonsense, aided by Bonnie, Matt and occasionally Stefan, carried the conversation. Elena was glad that no one really expected any more from her than the odd comment, 'hmm' and nods and shakes of the head. She happily continued to eat, thinking that this was a much nicer way to spend lunch break than in the noisy cafeteria. A moment later her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of car's engine, growing louder in the car park behind them before coming to an abrupt stop.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Caroline muttered rolling her eyes towards Bonnie.

Elena turned her head to look over her shoulder, and then quickly looked away. Damon was now walking towards them, the sunglasses on his face giving him his usual cocky appearance. Elena didn't know why she suddenly felt nervous. Maybe it was because he was likely to get a frosty greeting from most of the party. But then she knew that wouldn't bother him, so why should it bother her? Maybe it was just because she had not seen him since Bonnie had saved his life.

He looked just the same … just as …Elena blushed.

"This is a private party," Caroline said coldly before Damon could even greet them.

"Don't panic blondie," he said with a smirk. "I'm not here for you."

"Well, good," Caroline said indignant, her mind working furiously for an insult to throw at him. "Then you can go back the way you came."

Damon ignored her, and reached down to grab Elena's arm. To her surprise Elena found herself behind hauled upwards, her feet scrambling underneath her to keep her from falling backwards.

"Elena we need to talk," he said not giving her a chance to refuse. Now on her feet, Elena shot Stefan a 'what the heck?' questioning look and followed where Damon led her.

Elena heard Caroline huffing and complaining behind her.

"He is so annoying. Is he even allowed on the campus? If comes here again I'm going to complain. Why doesn't Elena just tell him where to go?"

They walked until they could no longer hear Caroline complaining. But knowing that Stefan would still be able to hear everything that was said made Elena feel less worried. Caroline was right, Damon shouldn't be here. So why was he?

She had not had a chance to consider Isobel's words, that she had unintentionally caused both Salvatore brothers to fall for her. At least she had only thought about it in terms of what it meant for her and Stefan. She had not thought of Damon. She had not allowed herself. If she didn't confront it, then it wasn't really real. All that mattered was her and Stefan….

She knew Damon could be inconsiderate sometimes, and downright rude to most people, but dragging her to her feet in front of her friends was going a bit too far. Not only that but his grasp on her arm was starting to really hurt.

"What do you want Damon?" Elena asked somewhat harshly. She tired to pull her arm out of his hold, aware that everyone would be watching her.

Damon was forcing her to stand very close to him, and she wasn't comfortable about that. She could see her own face in his glasses, her pale skin, and her dark hair.

"Stop struggling Elena, anyone would think you wanted to get away from me," Damon said pulling her even closer. He took off his glasses and looked at her with his blue eyes. They strayed down to her necklace, her bare throat and then back to her face, the smirk that made Elena feel unnerved was back on his face.

"Stop it Damon," Elena whispered, her voice disappearing as he continued to look at her intently. He made her shiver and gave her goose bumps despite the warm day. "You have to stop doing this."

"Are you trying to play me Elena?" he asked, still his smirk in place, an eyebrow raised in the look that meant trouble.

Many times Elena had rolled her eyes at his manners which the other women of Mystic Falls seemed to have trouble resisting. She wondered how well she would fare without the vervain necklace. But Damon had given up a long time ago in trying to compel her, it was clear he no longer had any interest in her if he had to control her mind.

Beyond the arrogance, the flirty looks and the teasing, could he really be in love with her? Elena couldn't tell.

"You kissed me outside of your house Elena," Damon said quietly, behind the gritted teeth of a smile. He didn't want Stefan overhearing this, but if Elena was going to play dumb, he had no choice but to remind her. "So don't come over all coy now."

Elena looked up at him with a surprised expression, and he could see the innocence in her face. No traces of guilt. No regrets.

"No I didn't Damon," she replied carefully, her eyes desperately searching his face for some clue to this madness. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't do this to me Elena," he said, his mocking voice back when he thought she was playing a game with him. "Stefan can't hear you," he added in a close whisper.

Elena decided to wait out Damon's smirk. He couldn't keep looking at her like that forever. Eventually he would have to stop teasing her and come to terms with the fact that his little fantasy wasn't real and that Elena was not going to play.

Damon's face took on a mock seriousness as he continued to study Elena's face. He took a step back and let go of her arm.

"Are you OK?" Elena asked. She was starting to get concerned now. Had Damon lost his mind in the fire? As the blood rushed back into her arm, Elena realised how tightly he had been holding on to her, and now that he wasn't she could feel his fingerprints still ghosting across her skin. She was going to bruise there.

After a few more minutes of Damon's intense searching of her face, Elena began to feel awkward under his gaze again. Then his expression changed and suddenly Elena felt afraid. When Stefan touched her back, she jumped and looked at him guiltily.

"What is wrong?" Stefan asked, his arm possessively around Elena, shielding her from whatever his brother had come to find her for. He did not know what they had been talking about, but he had not enjoyed watching them.

Damon was discomposed. He ran his hands through his hair, then down his face. As he uncovered his mouth he spoke.

"Katherine," he said after a pause. "It was Katherine, Stefan, she's here in Mystic Falls."