Disclaimer: I own nothing and that is all.
A/N: This is my first Vampire Diaries fic so…be gentle. For now this will be a one shot fic. It is all human and AU begins as a Stefan/Elena fic but will be a Damon/Elena fic so if you don't like either one of these pairing I suggest not reading. Yes I know it's all over the place and a hot mess and the characters may be OC but I think you will like it.
From The Damage…
Elena walked into the small two bedroom apartment that she and her fiancé Stefan Salvatore shared together. She placed her keys and bags on the table and went to check the answering machine.
"Don't forget four o'clock you me and Bonnie are dress shopping and I am not taking no for an answer. You're getting married in two weeks and there is no way I am going to look like a hobo at your wedding." Elena laughs as she presses the delete button. You would think that this was her wedding the way she sounded on the phone. She lets the machine play through the rest of the messages as she grabs a glass of wine. Knowing that if she was going dress shopping with Caroline and Bonnie she was going to need it.
"Stefan got some bad news something came up and I won't be able to attend you and Elena's wedding." Elena drops her glass of wine as the voice of Damon Salvatore rings through the apartment.
One month earlier….
"Ok…so far we have Caroline, Bonnie, Jenna, Jeremy, and Alaric are coming. Have you heard anything from your mom?" Elena asks as she reads off the names that have RSVP'D to the wedding. Stefan whose mind was clearly not on wedding plans at the moment. "Hey…you ok?" Elena asked noticing how distracted he was.
"Huh…oh…umm…yea…mom said she is coming but…she wants to come up early to help with the wedding. I told her that I would talk to you." He says absent mindedly.
"Stefan what's up I know something's wrong. You've been pretty caught up in your thoughts so want to tell me what's going on?" Elena says as she puts the notebook up and places her hands on his.
"Damon." Was all that he managed to get out.
"No…no…I told you that there was no way he was going to be any part of our wedding and that meant as a guest." She could feel her defenses go up at the mere mention of the man that broke her heart so many years ago.
"I thought this was our wedding and we both got a say in who comes?" He tells her in frustration.
"Of course honey we both have a say but…Damon no…not going to happen. How would you like it if I invited Katherine?" She sees his expression change and she knows she said the wrong thing.
"Elena he is my brother damn it! Katherine is welcome to come unlike you I can be an adult and let go of the past." He spats at her as he gets up. He knew this was going to cause a fight and he really wasn't in the mood.
"Stefan I know he's your brother. But…he's also selfish…reckless…and impulsive. I can't believe after what he did to me you would even consider inviting him." Elena's explains. Stefan grabs the stack of envelopes on the table and opens the door. He needed to get out before he said something stupid. "Where are you going?" Elena gets up.
"You know what have it your way if you don't want Damon there then fine we won't invite him. Now if you'll excuse me I have to mail out the rest of these invitations." He says walking out the door.
Elena quickly turns the machine off knowing that if she listened to his voice any longer the memories she had kept buried deep in her mind would come crashing through. "Shit." She says noticing the red wine that is now on the floor. She grabs a towel and begins to clean it up as Stefan walks in the door.
"Hey…everything ok?" He asked noticing the broken glass on the floor.
"Ya…it kind of slipped out of my hand. There's a message for you on the machine. I have to meet Bonnie and Car at the bridal shop." She says quickly wiping her hands on her jeans and heading out the door. She wasn't ready to confront him just yet.
Stefan shakes his head and walks over to the machine and plays the messages. When he hears Damon's voice it all makes sense to him.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
At the bridal shop Bonnie, Caroline and Elena are looking at dresses.
"How about this one?" Caroline asks holding up a soft pink strapless dress.
"Ya…sure." Elena says mindlessly flipping through the dresses. She couldn't believe that Stefan went behind her back and invited Damon.
"Elena that's what you've said about the last five dresses we've looked at." Caroline sighs and puts the dress back on the rack.
"You ok. Elena you seem distracted." Bonnie asks wondering what was going on with her friend.
"I'm fine." Elena says continuing through the racks.
"That's it." Caroline says grabbing Elena by the arm. "Sit." She says pointing at the couch. "So…want to tell us what's going on or do we have to guess." Caroline says in her usual tone with her hands on her hip. While Bonnie gives her a concerned look.
"Stefan invited Damon." She mumbles as both Caroline and Bonnie's mouths drop.
"He what?!" Caroline shrieks.
"I thought you two agreed with everything that had happened he wasn't allowed to come." Bonnie asked confused.
"Well…I guess he changed his mind." Elena says as she shrugs her shoulders.
"So…what are you going to do?" Bonnie asked sincerely.
"It doesn't matter he's not coming anyway." She says dismissively.
"So…you're not mad about this in anyway?" Caroline asks.
"Car…I just found out today from Damon himself. I haven't even had time to process any of it." She explains as Caroline gets wide eyed.
"Wait you spoke to Damon!" Caroline says in shock.
"No…he left a message on our machine saying he wasn't coming." She tells them not really wanting to talk anymore about it.
"Does Stefan know that you know?" Bonnie asks.
"I'm sure he will after he listens to the machine." She tells them.
"I can't believe he would do this knowing what happened between you and Damon." Caroline dramatically says.
"Car…he's Stefan's brother. And ya I'm pissed as hell he went behind my back but…he's not coming so it doesn't matter." She tells them as she gets up shaking the feeling that someone is watching her.
"Where are you going? We still have to find a dress." Caroline says noticing Elena getting up.
"Look…whatever dress you pick will be fine. I just need to get some air." She says still shaking the feeling that someone is watching her.
"Well…I guess we get to pick out Elena's dress." She says throwing up her hands in frustration as she turns to Bonnie.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As Elena dug around her bag for her keys she did not notice the person she had ran into. "So…" she started to say but…stopped when she saw who it was. "Stefan…what do you want?" She said trying not to let her anger get the best of her.
"Can we talk?" It was meant as a simple statement. But…for Elena it just pissed her off even more.
"About what the fact that you lied to me or that I had to find out from your brother?" She spats at him as she walks away.
"Elena!" He says running after her. He knew she was pissed but…he knew they needed to talk this out. "Please…stop…so...we…can…talk about this." He tells her trying to catch his breath.
"Fine…I'm listening." She stops and turns towards him.
"Look…I know you're pissed and you have every right to be pissed at me. But…Damon is MY brother and he has a right to be at our wedding." Stefan tries to explain but…judging by her expression he knows it's not going to work.
"We've gone over this a thousand times Stefan….I know he is your brother but…I can't believe after everything he did to me you still would even call him your brother yet…alone invite him to our wedding which is for friends and family which to me he is neither." She knows this was the wrong thing to say but…its how she felt.
"And when we get married whether you like it or not he will be yours." He says moving closer.
"Kind of hard to marry someone you can't trust." And with that she walked away leaving a stunned Stefan standing there.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Elena decided to stop at the local bar to grab a drink hoping to take the edge off the day's events.
"What can I get ya love?" Klaus the ever so obnoxious bartender asked as she took a seat at the bar.
"Jack and Coke but no Coke." She says sighing as she dumps her bag in the stool next to her.
"That bad of a day love?" He asked pouring her the shot.
"You have no idea." She says throwing the shot back. She pushes the empty glass at him as he pours her another shot.
"Care to chat about it?" He says handing her another shot.
"Not really." She shakes her head. "All I want to do is forget about today." She says motioning for another shot.
"Really…I figured for a girl who is about to get married would be happy." He says to her in is usual sarcastic tone.
"Oh…that is not happening." She says shaking her head. As he raises an eyebrow at her.
"You and Stefan aren't getting married?" She hears a familiar voice from behind say. It was the voice that not that long ago gave her comfort. It was the voice that sent chills down her spine every time she heard it. It was also the voice that for the past few months that hung over her and Stefan. It was the voice she thought she'd never hear again that was until…earlier. Elena grabs the bottle from Klaus who gives her a knowing look. She takes a deep breath preparing herself for the person behind her. She closed her eyes hoping that it was just another one trick her mind was playing on her seeing as her mind had been doing a lot of that lately. When she opened her eyes she was met with those ocean blue eyes that she could easily get lost in. She took a deep breath in hailing is intoxicating scent. She couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or his scent but she found herself losing balance quickly as she steadied herself against the chair.
"I…I…have to go." She says not before falling into his nicely chiseled chest.
"Oh…no…no…you're not going anywhere." Damon tells her as he places her back in her chair.
"Ok…what the hell are you doing here anyway?" She spats at him as she takes a swig from the bottle as Klaus just stands there trying not to laugh.
"Ok…I think it's time you switch to coffee." He takes the bottle from her and hands it to Klaus. "Bourbon straight no ice." He says to Klaus who just nods.
"Hey why do I have to have coffee and you get Bourbon?" She says slurring her words.
"Well…dear that's because I can handle my booze." He so annoyingly points out to her.
"Whatever…and if you are going to drink then so am I." He almost forgot how stubborn she could be.
"Fine have it your way." He pushes the glass over to her. "Happy." She gives him a smile and downs the Bourbon she closes her eyes and lets the warmth take over her. She wanted so badly to tell him to go to hell but…she didn't want to fight anymore. And besides if he wasn't going to bring up the past then neither was she.
"So…you and Stefan…" Damon starts to say but is quickly cut off by Elena.
"I am not talking about Stefan to you of all people." And there went the whole civilized plan she was trying.
"Fine." He holds his hands up. They were having a half way decent time so he just let it go. They sit there in silence and drink their drinks.
"What time is it?" Elena asks.
"It's seven fifteen." Damon tells her.
"Shit." She grabs her bag and grabs her wallet when she notices the ten missed calls. Eight from Stefan and two from Caroline she throws her phone back in her bag. While the wedding wasn't officially off she still had to deal with Mama Salvatore. "I have to go." She says as she stumbles over her chair.
"Whoa…hold it there you are not driving anywhere." Damon tells her as he catches her.
"I didn't drive I walked." She spats as she starts to feel some of the anger she has been trying very hard to control.
"Even better I will drive you." He tells her as he takes her hand. This sends a surge of electricity throughout her body.
"Don't touch me." She says through gritted teeth as she yanks her hand away.
"Well…you're in no condition to walk by yourself and I think my brother would kill me if I let you walk alone so you leave me no choice." He picks her up and throws her over his shoulders and walks out of the bar.
"Put me down!" She screams as she punches his back.
"Damn woman I forgot how hard you punch." He says wincing in pain. He knew this was the quite possibly the dumbest thing to do. But…he knew Stefan would be pissed if he found out Elena walked home drunk. "Get in." He says placing her back on the ground and opening the car door.
"No." She says with her arms crossed. He loved how sexy she was when she was being stubborn.
"Ok…you have two options one we get into the car and I take you home to Stefan where you belong or…we can stand her and hash out the past. Your choice." He watches her face as she contemplates his demand.
"Fine." She gets in the car and slams the door. Deciding that this was the better option.
"Figures." He mumbles under his breath as he gets in the car. Elena is staring out the window. "So…back to the question I asked earlier." He knows he is treading on thin ice but…for some odd reason he had to know what was so bad to cause her to call off the wedding.
"And…I told you I was not going to talk to you about it." There was the snarky Elena he had grown to love.
"Why not it's better than sitting here in silence." He tells her.
"You...that's why." She mumbles. When he hears this he quickly pulls the car over.
"Get out." He says opening the door.
"Damon…I really don't have time for this. I'm supposed to be at the apartment to meet your mother. I am sure Stefan is wondering where I am." She says clearly annoyed by his sudden need to stop the car. Damon begins to pace around trying to figure out how he is the reason she wasn't marrying Stefan.
"Forget Stefan and well…ma…she will be fine. We have a bigger issue to resolve." He tells her running his hands through his hair in frustration.
"And…that is what?" She asked as she gets out of the car. Damon takes a deep breath preparing him for what he is about to say.
"You said I am the reason why you are not marrying Stefan. Care to explain how me… who might I mention has tried his damnedest to stay away per your wishes for the last few years is the reason why you're not marrying my brother?" Damon says as he finally stops pacing and turns to face her.
"Because he went behind my back and invited you to MY wedding. Even though I had told him that I didn't want you there." She yells at him. Damon feels his heart sink at her words.
"Let's go." He says grabbing her arm and taking her back to the care. He didn't want to hear anymore.
"No…you want to hash out the last five years let's do it so I can finally move on." She releases her arm from his grip. She wasn't going to let him off that easily if he wanted to talk then that's what they were going to do.
"You really think that's going to solve anything?" He asked not sure of where this was going but…if she wanted to talk then by all means he wasn't going to stop her.
"I'm sorry." While there may have been some other things he wanted to say. It was the only words he could form.
"Sorry." She scoffs. "You're sorry that is all you have to say. You leave me on our wedding day no note…no explanation…nothing just poof gone. Leaving Caroline and Stefan to pick up the broken pieces of my shattered heart. I deserve better than that so you can take your I'm sorry and stick it up your ass." She spats at him as the tears freely fall from her face. Unleashing all the hurt and anger she had suppressed for so long.
"Fine…fine…I get it." He tells her knowing that she really did deserve better than that.
"What was I not pretty enough? Good enough? Were you bored? Was it all a game? I don't understand what I did that was so horrible that you just up and left." Elena says through blurred eyes. She knew that she was rambling but it was like the damn had broke and everything came flooding back. Damon carefully moves closer. He wanted so badly to pull her close to him and tell her everything would be ok but…he knew that would be a dangerous move and they would be right back at square one.
"You were good enough…" He begins as he ever so carefully moves his hand towards her face cupping her chin and tilting it up. She closes her eyes taking in the feel of his touch. "Look at me Elena…you are beautiful…smart…sexy if I had to describe the perfect woman it would be you." Damon wipes a stray tear from her check. "The truth is I was scared out of my mind. All my life I grew up thinking I was damaged and unfixable hell…my own mother abandoned me what mother does that? But…then I met you and you showed me that I was fixable and that I was worthy of love. I wanted it all with you the big house…white picket fence…kids…all of it I couldn't wait to grow old with you. But…when it came down to it I let my fears ruin the best thing that ever happened to me. If I could go back and change things I would in a heartbeat." He says never taking his eyes off her. Elena takes a deep breath taking in is words as they both stand there inches apart eyes locked on each other.
"Damon…" Was all she could say before they were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She looks down at her phone. "It's Stefan I should…" She points as she starts to walk off.
"I'll be in the car." He says clearing is throat. Damn it he thought as he walked back to the car. Elena takes a deep breath to regain her composure as she answers the phone.
"Stefan hey." She says her voice a bit raspy.
"I know you're pissed at me and have every right to be but…where are you I have been trying to call you for over an hour." She can sense the panic in his voice.
"I went for a drink and lost track of time sorry." She tells him it really wasn't a lie she did lose track of time.
"Well ma is here and she's asking all these questions about the wedding and I have no clue of what to tell her is there even still a wedding?" He says the last part softly which meant mama Salvatore must be in earshot.
"Stefan I don't want to talk about it right now. Just keep her distracted and I will handle it when I get home." She tells him. Not really sure of what she was going to do.
"I know I messed up and I truly am sorry. I just really wanted Damon there." She knew he was sorry and he didn't mean anything by her but…it still pissed her off. Shit she thought how was she going to explain Damon bringing her home.
"Stefan…there's something I need to tell you." She figures she might as well tell him about Damon.
"OK." He says.
"I'm with Damon." She simply states and waits for his reaction.
"Damon…as in my brother Damon?" He asked confused as to why she was with Damon.
"That would be the one." She says sarcastically.
"The same Damon that you blew up at me because I wanted him at our wedding? The same one that I quote you once told me could rot in hell?" She knew this wasn't going to go well.
"Once again you are correct. I ran into him at Lucky's and I had a bit too much to drink and he offered to drive me home." Ok…so that wasn't exactly how it went but…she figured she would work out the details later.
"Well…at least you two are being civil I hope." He says figuring they can talk about this later.
"You could say that." She says looking over at Damon who is standing by the car not taking his eyes off her.
"Just hurry up. I don't know how much longer I can stall her." He says changing the subject.
"Fine." She sighs.
"I love you." Stefan says.
"I love you too." Elena says not taking her eyes off Damon. Elena places the phone back in her pocket and heads towards the car.
"So…what did little brother have to say?" Knowing that she had told Stefan that she was with him.
"Well…he said at least we were being civil to each other." She says getting in the car.
"So…what now?" He asked.
"Looks like you are taking me to my apartment so I can figure out how to deal with your mother." She says giving him a smile.
"So…you're going through with the wedding?" It was the million dollar question that hung over their heads.
"I don't know Damon." She shakes her head.
"So…he fucks up one time and that's it you're done with him?" Damon points out to her as he starts the car.
"It's not that simple Damon." She says.
"Sounds to me like it is. I must've fucked up a thousand times and you forgave me." He points out to her.
"And look where that got us." She says. Knowing he was right she forgave him every time he broke her heart. Even when he left her at the alter she may have hated him but she forgave him. So…why was it different with Stefan?
"Point taken." He decides to drop the subject knowing if they continued on like this; words were going to be said that couldn't be taken back. Elena leans back in the seat and props her feet on the dash. She closes her eyes hoping the music will drown out the thoughts racing through her mind.
This Romeo is bleeding'
But you can't see his blood
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up
Damon had made a good point if she could forgive him why not Stefan. What Damon did was way worse. Did she not love Stefan? Of course she did. She wouldn't be marrying him if she didn't.
It's been raining' since you left me
Now I'm drowning' in the flood
You see I've always been a fighter
But without you I'll give up….
Did she still love Damon? That was a loaded question in her mind because of course she loved him he was her first true love and well…you know what they say about first love? She glanced over at Damon whose eyes were focused on the road. She wondered what was going through his head. There were so many questions that remained unanswered. She shook her head and turned towards the window.
I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be
I guess I'm not that good anymore
But that's just me
Damon's mind was racing about a hundred miles an hour when he stopped at Lucky's he had no idea that he'd run into Elena the woman that stole his heart from the moment he set eyes on her. The woman who knew just how to wreck his world with just one look. The same woman who's heart he broke all those years. The same one that is sitting just inches from him the same one who is marrying his brother.
I will love you baby
Always
And I'll be there forever and a day
Always
He tried to keep his focus on the road but…as each word of the song rang out in the car. He found it harder and harder to pull this car over and tell her just exactly how he felt. He tried earlier but…she wasn't in the right state of mind. Even if he said what he was feeling he couldn't because of Stefan.
Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
Some that made us laugh, some made us cry
One that made you have to say goodbye
Stefan was pretty much the only family he's had since his mother abandoned him and Lilly took him in. He knew if the roles were reversed he'd be pissed. So instead of being the selfish ass he's been known to be he had to step back and let her make the choice. As much as that sucked it was the right thing to do.
What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair
Touch your lips and hold you near
When you say your prayers understand
I've made mistakes, I'm just a man
Elena continued to stare out the window her thoughts drifting from Damon to Stefan back to Damon. Elena steals another glance at Damon wondering if he meant what he said earlier and why he didn't just tell her the truth. She can see he is lost in thought and wonders if he's thinking the same thing.
When he holds you close, he pulls you near
When he says the words you've been needing' to hear
I wish I was him with these words of mine
To say to you till the end of time
Damon having enough of the radio reaches over and to turn it off.
That I will love you baby
Always
And I'll be there forever and a day
Always
"Don't." She says her voice cracking as their hands gently brush against each other. "I like this song." She gives him a week smile. And he simply smiles as he mindlessly rubs his thumb on the back of her hand.
If you told me to cry for you, I could
If you told me to die for you, I would
Take a look at my face
There's no price I won't pay
To say these words to you
Elena closed her eyes and continues to let her mind get lost in the song. She knows that this is wrong but…right now she didn't care.
Well, there ain't no luck in these loaded dice
But baby, if you give me just one more try
We can pack up our old dreams, and our old lives,
We'll find a place, where the sun still shines
"Do you ever think about what might have been?" Elena asked not really sure why maybe it was the song or Damon just showing up like he did.
"You mean if I hadn't left?" Of course he did there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't think about what might have been.
"Ya." She says tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Elena I know if I hadn't let my fears get the best of me we wouldn't be here right now." He says as they pull up to the apartment.
"Thank you." She gives him a small smile. She starts to get out of the car when he stops her.
"Where does this leave us?" He asked deciding that now was just as good of a time as any.
"Friends." She simply states. They still had a long way to go but…it was all that she could offer at this point.
"I can handle that." He says giving her a smile. If friendship was all that she could give him then he was ok with that.
"You coming with?" She asks turning to him as she walks up the steps. He stands there wondering if he should. He knew Stefan was probably not too happy with him for keeping Elena out for so long.
"Sure…Stefan could probably use some help with ma. If she is anything like she was for our wedding…." Damon stopped himself after seeing the look that Elena had in her eyes.
"Sorry…bad analogy won't happen again." He says jokingly.
"Good." She says as he reaches for her hand. "Friends don't hold each other's hands." She warns.
"Right." He chuckles as he places his hands in his pockets.
Thank you all for stopping by and reading this. I hope you enjoyed it. As always leave a review.