CHAPTER 1

Damon could hear her coming up the drive in her car. He could smell her blood pulsating through her veins. How he wished he could tear into her delicate, olive skin, and drink until he passed out like Stefan used to. He realized his sharp teeth were growing under the thoughts of blood. "No!" He admonished himself aloud, and his face changed back to normal. Just then, there was a knock on the door. He stood, smoothing himself out, then calmly approached the door. He opened the large wooden door to see her standing there. "Elena," He said with a smile, "how nice to see you." She pushed past him, "Where's Stefan?" "He's out- he had to go hunt a poor innocent bunny," Damon smirked. "At least he doesn't hunt poor, innocent people," She remarked, narrowing her eyes at him. His smirk faded into a hard line. "What do you want?" He asked, turning away to the tray of his favorite scotch. "I wanted to talk to Stefan," She answered, emphasizing certain words. "Well, I'm here. So, let it out. I'm sure you've been planning your rampage against me to say to Stefan all day," He turned around, his crystal glass filled with Scotch in his hand. "Damon, you can't stay here," She told him. "And why not?" He smirked lazily at her. "You kill people! Too many people!" She explained desperately to him. "I'm a vampire, Elena. It's what I do," He shrugged, and took a sip of his cool drink. "Why can't you be like Stefan? Drink animal blood!" She questioned him. "Be like Stefan? The weakling. The most sorry excuse for a vampire I've ever seen. The one who allows others to get in his head. To over power him. I bet if I tried to drive a stake through his heart right now, I would succeed. Then, it'd be just you and me," He stepped up in front of her where their clothes were brushing. She breathed out heavily for a moment, then said, "You can't compel me. Stefan gave me vervain." "You mean this?" He held up the lapis lazuli blue charm bracelet. She looked astonished, and said, "Please give it back." "Hmm," He thought, smirking, "I think I'll keep it for a while. Just so I can make you cooperate." "Damon, don't please," She begged, backing away from him. He followed her, and soon, her back had hit the wall and he was up against her again. He turned on the compulsion, "You will forget all about Stefan. All the memories with him, will be replaced by me. You love me- not him. You hate him." She had gone still, and said, "I Love you. I hate Stefan." "He stepped back, "Perfect." He grinned. Now he could get back at his brother, and get the girl. But something inside him was tugging at his dead heart. Why did he do that? He couldn't be selfish with her- he knew. But he just had to know love for once in his years. He stared down at the look alike of Katherine- his former love. "I love you," She said with her dazzling smile. "I love you too," He smiled back, and they both leaned- feeling their lips meet.