Hi Readers! I appreciate you taking the time to read this story.

My first "M", and the story will definitely earn that rating.

Since it's a first, I really would be grateful for a brief review- a little comment, question, or suggestion?

I hope you enjoy! It's been a blast to write.

Everlasting Love

Each week brought more problems, more black holes for Elena to lose herself in. It would be so easy to take that route, to stop fighting and just let go. Allow the problems that haunted her dreams and chased her during the day consume her. It would certainly save a lot of time and effort.

Only, that was not Elena. She was a fighter, and she was passionate. Even so, there were days when after a dreaded phone call, or a setback, she would consider throwing it all to hell.

After a half bottle of wine, she drunkenly mused how he would never let her give up. He was the one who thought how to fight for what she loved. In turn, she was the same time to him. They refused to allow one another to succumb to the various demons that plagued their lives without mercy.

There was no her without him. There was no him without her.

"Whoa." Elena steadied herself as she hopped off a barstool, instantly regretting the amount of alcohol she had consumed. Elena couldn't blame her sweet aunt for needing some space. Every time there were talks of agreements, only to be shattered, Jenna had to experience the painful loss of her sister and brother-in-law all over again.

She had to watch her favorite niece fall to pieces, but only briefly.

He always came to rescue Elena. Jenna had a feeling he always would. Jenna had also gotten used to Elena going radio silent, secluded in a luxury penthouse for days. She didn't even bother asking anymore.

Elena returned the favor. She kept him afloat when everyone else around him would have let him sink, though many people felt he was invulnerable- indestructible.

It was how they operated.

Two damaged souls, trying to heal, trying to survive their daily battles.

After a disappointing and draining day, filled with angry lawyers and decisive offers, Elena would collapse on the couch, struggling to find her phone, mumbling to Jenna, "Call him…please? I can't dial…he'll be worried…" and she would curl up in a ball waiting for him.

Elena jumped as her phone rang, shaking her out the past. She glanced at the number and frowned. Why would he be calling from the main office?

"Hey," she breathed. The mere thought of knowing he was on the other line was already drying her tears.

"Uh, Elena? Hi," Elena froze. This was definitely not him. Definitely not Damon. "This is Andrew, I work with Damon?"

For Damon, Elena wanted to correct. Damon would.

Obviously, Andrew knew who she was. She was a near constant presence at Damon's business empire, not to mention that fact articles were being printed about her and her nasty situation almost every day, claiming to know the inner of secrets of the family war Elena had found herself in. Though Elena did not socialize regularly with his various employees, she would often accompany Damon for drinks or on business dinners to advice or help him out.

"Yes, of course. Hi Andrew. Can I help you? If you're looking for Damon, I don't know where he is right now…" She hoped she wasn't slurring her words. Speaking of Damon, the only thought on her mind was that she needed to track him down and fill him in on her dramatic day.

"No, no that's not what I was calling about," he spoke quickly, "You see, there's this auction tonight and I was wondering if you would like to come with me? It's being thrown by the client we just closed a deal on with last week. The one you helped Damon with, it's only fitting."

Elena blushed on the other side of the line. No one was supposed to know that! "Oh… Andrew," she paused, taking in a breath. What the hell? She thought. "Sure. I'll meet you there, okay?"

"That's great, Elena. Looking forward to it."

Elena pondered this warily. The only thing he was getting tonight was a couple of laughs and some conversation.

She looked down at her phone weakly, wondering why she hadn't heard from Damon all day. Usually he would have called by now.

She hailed a taxi and wobbled into her chic apartment, groaning, knowing that if she hadn't have been drunk, she would have never agreed to this. She looked through her enormous closet, gazing at the various dresses, and how each one had a specific memory attached to it.

Some were her mother's, though Elena had had them slightly tweaked and modified to fit the times. All designer, all gorgeous, yet now, dressing up for these social events was dreaded.

Whereas once, she had ruled among the socialites, now she was forever tainted by the tragic deaths of his parents six years ago, right before she left for college. Her parent's deaths had left a gaping hole in the socialite community.

Once, they had been at the top, along with the Salvatore's, their closest business partners and friends. Now, the questions surrounding their private plane accident, the money, it was all too much. She was expected to rise up and take their place. But at twenty-five, she wasn't ready or willing.

She decided on a simple, yet timelessly elegant dark navy dress that fit her like a glove. After finally choosing her favorite pair of black pumps, and doing her hair and makeup to perfection, she checked the time on her phone.

When she entered the luxury hotel, Andrew came out of nowhere, much to her horror and was looking every bit like the slimy grease ball she knew he was. He had dirty blond hair, slicked back with more product than she used on her own hair, and was staring at her right now as if she were prey for a predator.

He obviously underestimated Damon. Or was stupid enough to challenge him.

They entered the ballroom where the auction would be held, after Elena checked her coat. Andrew nonchalantly placed his hand on her lower back, guiding her to a table in the front row. Her heart stopped.

Damon was here?

As if on cue, the head of raven black hair turned and met her eyes. He had his usual "business cocky face", as Elena called it, but he dropped it for a minute, taking in her appearance, and then narrowing his eyes at man who stood behind her. She gave him a brief smile, knowing that he knew her well enough to see that wasn't happy about this either.

Four spots remained at the table.

Andrew pointed to the seat farthest from Damon, trying to be clever. "Why don't you sit there?"

"I'd rather not, actually, there's a better view, here," she pointed to the chair directly next to Damon and slid into the seat, glaring at Damon's amused expression at her schooling Andrew. "But you feel free to!"

There was a better view, just not of the stage. A better view of him.

Damon chuckled at Elena's feistiness, and to Andrew's horror gave him the 'what are you going to do?' shrug.

Andrew stood still for a moment, looking like he a lot more to say, and then remembered he was dealing with his powerful boss and his boss' best friend. He sat next to Elena and reached out his hand to shake Damon's. Elena wondered if Damon was going to behave or not.

If they were still in high school, Damon probably would have already socked Andrew.

Much to her amusement, Damon set down his wineglass and shook Andrew's hand, putting in a bit more effort than necessary. The veins in his hands bulged out. Damon maintained the "everything is great" smile that had made him so successful, even though Elena picked up on several things that gave away his true emotions.

The way his left eyebrow narrowed. How he bared all of his teeth to Andrew, as if proving his alpha male status, which was obvious anyways.

How his left arm remained clenched in his lap, desperately wanted to whisk her out of this hazardous environment.

Damon knew how impatient she was- wanting to tell him everything that he had missed and catch up. The problem was that too many greedy ears were at their table, and already knowing the close relationship between the two, they were paying extra attention to pick up any gossip.

He poured on the charm during dinner, as a couple of powerful clients were also seated at their table, all familiar faces to Elena with stories she knew by heart. The first course finally arrived, and Elena grimaced, noticing that Andrew had already had three glasses of wine. She was in for an interesting night.

"Andrew, please." Elena removed his wandering hand, slightly appalled, and instinctively shifted closer to Damon. Her elbow brushed his right arm. She knew he was listening. She knew him well enough to know that if Andrew bothered her one more time that Damon would snap on him without any regret.

She cared for him too much to let him lose himself like that- surrounded by the elite of the business world. "I'm going to go make a phone call before the next course arrives," Elena stood, charming everyone with her grace and beauty.

Right as she turned, Damon slipped her the purse carrying her phone, giving Elena a half-smile. "Might need this."

On her way to the bathrooms, Elena glanced at the main lobby. Photographers and journalists swarmed in and out, poised and ready to capture images.

Elena ran into the bathroom, and placed her head on the cool granite counter top. She heard heavy footsteps behind her, and then the sound of the door being swung open.

He was making sure she was okay.

"Damon, I'm so sorry, I was angry and drunk when he called, I don't know why I said yes…and now I see he only brought me as some kind of a prize to taunt you with. Bringing your best friend as his date, he's a pig." She brought her hands to her flushed cheeks, trying to calm down.

"Elena." His voice was smooth and full of concern. His eyes filled with unspoken adoration, but he stayed an arm length away. "I assumed you would be staying at your place or coming over to mine later to talk. I heard it was a rough day," he frowned, "I meant to call…I've been keeping an eye on it."

"Why didn't you?" She looked at him anxiously. "Is everything okay?"

Damon shook his head, and felt her forehead. "We can talk about it later tonight. I don't want you to worry. Here," he held out Tylenol and winked. "For your headache. I promise you, he'll behave the rest of dinner." He held out his arm, reassuring her that nothing bad would happen.

As the night wore on, tensions decreased as the amount of alcohol consumed increased. Soon enough, faint music drifted from the dance floor.

By this point, Andrew had given up on pursuing Elena. Several of the older clients smiled at the two young people immersed in a little world privy to only each other.

"Who are those girls?" Elena pointed to a group of voluptuous blondes. "Associates? Or the hot secretaries here with bosses old enough to be their grandfathers?"

Damon chuckled. "Escorts Elena." She watched in horror as one sauntered up to Damon and pulled out a card.

Damon ginned devilishly, "I don't know Elena what do you think?" He wrapped an arm around her.

Elena played along and glared at the escort, who ran off quickly, looking embarrassed.

"We've still got it Elena!" Damon nudged her.

More people trickled onto the dance floor. Elena and Damon were the only two left at the table, not that they minded.

"I can't compete with that," Elena joked in Damon's ear, not bothering to hide what she really saying, which was her relief that Andrew's attentions had been redirected to a leggy blonde.

Damon turned his head, still furious- but tired, and gave her a funny look. "You give all the girls a run for their money. Haven't you noticed everyone watching you? You always capture everyone's attention." He looked as if he hadn't meant to say so much. "And some hearts," he smirked, gesturing to Andrew spinning form.

"In his dreams, Damon."

"Want to dance?" Damon held out his hand, feeling extra-empowered.

Elena nearly swooned on the spot. "Why not? It's our tradition after all, isn't Mr. Salvatore?"

"Damn right. What are you looking at?"

"They've got a lot of security in here," she mused.

His hold increased ever so slightly. "Elena…the deals we make, the people we talk to- this business, there's a dangerous side to it. Crowded events make great opportunities for some bad shit to go down. Please tell me you're not leaving with that bastard, right?"

"Yuck. Absolutely not. Why, what did you have in mind?"

"Want to ditch this thing early?" He sighed. Elena noted how tired he looked.

"My head is pounding," she admitted, "I'm up for it."

Damon nodded. "I want to hear what happened today. When does Jenna get back?"

Elena frowned. "She was really upset Damon. She didn't even leave a note. Look, I don't want to cause you a problem, us two slipping out of this early, photographers and journalists making some wild story…I just don't want your dad mad at you if this turns into bad press with my situation and all."

"Elena, I don't give a damn what my father thinks. Let them write their stories and take their pictures." He opened the door for her, and they slipped into the lobby.

"It's raining…I'll race you to the limo," she teased.

Elena slid off her shoes and held them in her hands, prepared to win.

Damon grinned and stepped forward, invading her personal space.

What was he doing?

"Need a hand with that?" Damn his cocky smile. "I'm told I have great biceps. Why run when I can do this?"

Before she could answer, Damon swept her off the ground, holding her securely in his arms. Photographers went crazy, snapping pictures left and right. There was a stretch of about fifteen feet of concrete that was uncovered by the roof. Damon sprinted down the stairs and through the heavy rain and cameras flashes.

Through the rain Elena laughed, not squirming a bit. They both reflected on the same thing- how natural this felt. Water was everywhere, but all she could feel was his strong arms under her back and legs. He set her down briefly to open the limo door, and took a minute to look at her disheveled appearance.

Disheveled was the wrong term, because she looked like a goddess. She gave him a shy smile, still laughing at what had just done.

He opened the door quickly and helped her in. Elena let out a laugh as he tried to shake the water out of his hair.

"What's so funny?" He threw his jacket onto the floor, knocking on the panel to let the driver know it was okay to go.

Elena reclined on the spacious seat in the limo. "I'm just reminiscing. Remember? My sophomore year, the first time Stefan brought a girl up to his room? The water…the tree!"

Damon's eyes lit up, and he roared with laughter. "You somehow convinced me to climb up that tree with you so that we could get to his baloney and see what was going on."

"I'm still convinced you knew it was going to storm."

Elena looked at him with mock suspicion, remembering their exact conversation on that day.

"Elena it doesn't take a genius to realize that dark clouds mean bad weather. But you were on a mission. I really had no choice in the matter."

"Yeah, well, it didn't work out so well. We were stuck in that tree-"

"And you were terrified we were going to get hit by lighting! Stefan didn't have a damn clue what was happening outside his window." Damon shook his head. "I was a gentleman though; I jumped down first so I could catch you."

Elena rolled her eyes. "And I guess my wearing a skirt had no impact on that noble decision?"

Damon smirked. "You weren't having it. You made me face away until you hit the ground. Karma's a bitch though. You got a nice mouthful of dirt."

"You had to bring that up?"

"Of course."

Damon handed her a plush towel to help dry her soaked body.

"Oh spare me Elena, you know you're welcome anytime. Besides, I missed having you stay over. It actually does get pretty lonely sometimes here, would you believe that?"

His dry tone had her smiling. She dropped her heels by the front door and Damon took her purse from her, and set it down next to several framed pictures.

Elena felt emotional as she studied one picture closely. They couldn't have been older than seventeen. She remembered where they were when it was taken. It was summer, and all of their parents had whisked them away to the south, away from the hectic city.

Matt was on one end, preppy and smiling. He had one arm around Caroline's waist. Caroline had her sunglasses edged far down her nose like she was modeling. To her left, Tyler was grinning and had his face close to Caroline's, mimicking her expression.

Elena moved down the line and stared at herself. She looked so happy, standing there with her best friends. Tyler had a hand on her lower back, but she focused in on the person next to her. Elena in the picture was hip to hip with a very handsome looking Damon. One of her hands could be seen around his other shoulder, and his hand was tangled in her hair. This had obviously been taken mid laugh. Then again, they were always laughing. On Damon's other side, Stefan was grinning at something Jeremy had said.

"It's one of my favorites." Damon's had walked up behind her.

"Mine too. Everyone smiling- together."

"Thanks for helping me tonight Elena, really."

Damon turned to go grab what he needed her to look at and then changed his mind. He looked at her very seriously.

"You're sure you didn't want to go home with Andrew?"

"Damon!" Elena blushed from both his crudeness and her anger regarding what he was implying.

"I would never! Now quit being an ass and go get those papers before I change my mind," Elena warned, even though she was smiling.

Right as he disappeared from her sight, she heard him speak.

They always battled over who got the last word.

"You won't!"