Author's note: Wow, it's been a while since I've posted anything here. I'm currently between deadlines, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in this holiday event again this year. I believe this story will be comprised of 4 (rather short) chapters. I hope you enjoy it.

Happy holidays!

Written as part of the Damon and Elena Holiday Exchange 2013

Prompt: Elena and Damon are celebrities (co-stars, singer/songwriters who've collaborated, people of note who have worked together in some capacity) who despise each other behind-the-scenes, for whatever reason (that's up to you). They're forced by their respective management teams to volunteer together in a homeless shelter during the holiday season for publicity, and every eye will be upon them, media and fan alike, so they have to convince the world they're the best of friends, maybe more... until the façade becomes reality for the both of them.

Rating: Teen


Elena Gilbert carefully tucked her shoulder-length hair beneath her baseball cap as she waited for the seatbelt sign to click off overhead. She clutched her carry-on bag in her lap, ready to make a quick escape. At least three people in the first-class cabin had recognized her. She was certain of it. She'd know the signs of fans trying to be discreet while snapping a photo David would later show her on Twitter. Blending in was infinitely easier when her hair was longer, now it seemed to be intent on sneaking out from beneath whatever hat she chose to wear. Once she could get away with flying with no makeup and in whatever she'd been wearing while desperately rushing to pack her hotel room.

Not anymore. Flying required full make-up, designer clothes, and the ability to move with the speed of light.

The flight attendant approached the cabin door, and Elena was ready. It wasn't that she disliked her fans, but stopping for a single photograph could quickly result in what David liked to call a situation. As the first hint of winter-cold air rushed into the cabin, Elena stood and ducked out from her seat.

"Thank you for flying with us Miss Gilbert." The sandy-haired attendant had been overly helpful, but by standing and blocking the rest of the passengers, the young man won Elena's eternal favor.

"Thank you," Elena paused to read the golden nametag, "Nick. You've been great."

"Just doing my job." Apparently his job included physically blocking anyone else from exiting until Elena was several feet up the jetway. She'd have to call the airline to compliment him later today. After spending what seemed like half her life on one plane or another, she knew employees like Nick were few and far between.

But he couldn't stall the rest of the passengers forever. She hurried through the hallway, relieved to see a rather sparse crowd at the airport. Taking the redeye had its benefits. She almost made it through the baggage claim before she was stopped.

"Excuse me, can I get your autograph?" A soft voice accompanied a light tugging on Elena's sweater. Someone from the plane was walking faster than she was. Damn these heels. It was so much easier when she could just wear tennis shoes and yoga pants.

"Of course." Elena turned to find a young girl who couldn't have been older than 10. These were the fans she didn't mind stopping for, since she knew that most of their autographs would actually be going home with the recipient instead of trying to be sold online somewhere. "Do you want a picture too?"

"Do you mind?" An older woman cringed through her excitement.

"Not at all." Elena slid her ball cap off as she knelt down next to the girl. Her smile widened as she caught sight of a face she didn't expect to see—not at this time of the morning.

"Thank you." The little girl and her mother waved as they walked away.

"You're welcome." Elena stood and glanced over her shoulder, hoping the rest of the passengers wouldn't take her stopping to take one photo as an invitation. Later this week, they could get as many pictures as they'd like, but right now, she was tired, hungry and anxious to see familiar faces she'd been separated from for far too long.

"Ric!" She ran toward her uncle, shaking her head. "I told you I could take a cab."

"Do you honestly think Jenna would agree with that?" He wrapped her in a hug, his unshaven cheeks knocking her cap to the ground.

"I never would have scheduled myself to land this early if I thought she would have made you come pick me up."

Ric shook his head and laughed. Faint webs of lines crinkling at the corner of his eyes were the only hints of the passing of time since she'd met him. After the stress of the last few years, she was surprised his hair wasn't gray. "Really, don't worry about it. Brenna woke us up before 5. Something about her Elena coming to visit."

Excited whispers behind her prompted Elena to start moving.

"Wait, don't we need to get the rest of your bags?" After years of knowing Elena, he'd learned that she didn't exactly know the definition of traveling light.

Elena cringed. "Apparently they decided they weren't ready to leave Paris yet. Someone from the airline's going to be delivering them tomorrow." A hesitant look fell over her face. "I gave them your address. I hope that's okay."

Alaric took Elena's single bag from her and hoisted it onto his shoulder. "You know you're always welcome, but you might be more comfortable in a hotel."

"You've got to be kidding." Elena raised an eyebrow and waited as the automatic door hissed open. "It's been almost a year since I slept somewhere that wasn't a hotel."

"As long as you're sure." Alaric inclined his head in the direction of his SUV.

"I'm sure."

"So, were you planning on going straight to the hospital?"

"Can we run by your house first? I've been in these clothes since yesterday. I'd really love a shower and maybe a nap."

"Sounds like a plan." Alaric opened the door for Elena before tossing her bag into the seat behind her. He circled the car and hopped into the driver's seat. "You have no idea how much this trip means to Jenna."

After turning to study the traffic behind him, he put the car in gear and began backing out of the parking space. "Carol Lockwood has been a little possessive of the Children's Hospital fundraiser. Jenna was lucky that Carol finally let her schedule the celebrity guest." He winked in Elena's direction. "Guess it didn't hurt that we have a celebrity in the family."

Elena sighed and pulled the hat off her head, running her fingers through the still-surprisingly short, dark locks. She waved off the comment about her celebrity status and closed her eyes. "No star stuff. When I'm here, I'm just Elena."

"Just Elena. Check." But she wasn't listening any longer. She was already pushed back in her seat with her eyelids tightly closed. He studied the dark circles beneath Elena's eyes, hoping most of the fatigue was due to the 24 hours she'd spent flying, but knowing that much of it was likely due to the insane production schedule she'd been subjected to while filming. He'd only heard bits and pieces of her conversations with Jenna, but he'd heard enough to know that Jenna was more than a little concerned about her niece.


"Elena."

"Elena."

It only took twenty minutes to get to the house from the airport. He was amazed how quickly she'd fallen asleep. Alaric reached over and gave his niece a gentle shake. "Elena."

"Sorry." Elena blinked in response. "Didn't know I fell asleep. There was a baby in first class." She offered as a way of explanation before she stretched and looked out the front window. A wide smile broke over her face. It had been far too long since she'd crossed the familiar front porch. "It's good to finally have an excuse to come home."

"You're always welcome here."

She turned and reached behind her, taking hold of her bag. "Try telling that to David."

"He makes you work too hard." Alaric chided, stepping out of the car.

"It's kind of part of the business." Elena followed Alaric up the stairs. "I've gotta work while people want me."

"I guess." Alaric unlocked the door and waited for Elena to cross the threshold.

A ball of black fur bounded toward her. If either of the girls were still asleep, they weren't any longer. Elena braced herself against the excited greeting from the Chocolate Labrador. "Roxie. Roxie. Yes, it's good to see you too."

"Elena!" Jenna followed right behind the dog, tossing a rubber frog distract the excited pet. "It's so good to see you." She reached out to wrap her niece in a hug but was interrupted by a chorus of squeals and giggles.

"Laina! Laina! Laina!"

"It's Elena." Brenna corrected her little sister.

"She can call me whatever she wants." Elena bent down and scooped her youngest almost-niece into her arms. "You've gotten so big!" She was more thankful than ever for the ability to Facetime, but it couldn't compare with actually seeing the little girls in person.

"Off…off…off." Jenna shooed her older daughter away while taking Delaney out of Elena's arms. "When's the last time you slept?"

"Does Ric's car count?"

"No." Jenna nodded up the stairs, sounding more like a mother than she ever did when Elena and Jeremy were in her care. Of course, she'd had five years of practice now. "The press conference isn't till 2. You can sleep till one…"

"Um, maybe noon. Getting camera-ready takes time."

"Alright." Jenna straightened the lace on Delaney's nightgown. "That gives you almost six hours. Take advantage of it."

Jenna didn't have to tell her twice. Elena tossed her bag in its traditional place on her window seat and collapsed on the bed, falling asleep instantly, not even giving the upcoming press conference a second thought.


"The press conference is today. The breakfast with Santa is on Saturday, and the parade is Sunday?" Elena waited for Jenna's nod of agreement with each item she checked off on her phone's calendar.

"Then the toy drop-off is next Wednesday. And we wrap up the two weeks with the candlelight ball on the 22nd." Jenna provided the rest of the itinerary.

"I'd forgotten what it's like to live here. Do you ever sleep?"

"After Christmas." Jenna laughed, but then her face took on a serious note. "Seriously, Elena, I can't thank you enough for doing this. I know…with your schedule…"

"No. It's nothing." Elena reached out and patted the back of Jenna's hand, watching as the once-familiar sights of her hometown rushed past. Maybe she should have told Jenna to wake her up at eleven. "The children's hospital means a lot to all the family. I wanted to help."

They peeled into the parking lot just as Carol Lockwood shut the door of her gold-trimmed Lexus. She had her phone pressed to her ear, and she was talking almost loud enough for Elena to hear her across the expansive space.

"If we hurry, she won't know we're late." Jenna pointed toward the side entrance to the hospital, and Elena jogged alongside, laughing conspiratorially.

Elena pointed to her left as the door closed softly behind them. "This way." She'd spent enough time in this hospital. She could make her way down the corridors in her sleep.

Just before arriving in the conference room scheduled to be used for the press conference, Elena ducked into the bathroom to check her appearance. Hair curled just right…check. Christmas red lipstick…check. Dress smoothed…check. She took a breath to get into dealing-with-the-press-mode and rejoined Jenna.

"Elena." The gleeful expression was gone from Jenna's face. She reached out to take hold of Elena's arm, but it was too late. "I didn't know. Carol just told me."

Elena had already stepped around the corner. Blue eyes locked with brown. Elena froze mid-step. "Oh no. This is not happening. Not a chance."