"Saving each other"
By
Aranna Undomiel
AN: The idea for this story somehow came to me and my muse wouldn't back down until it was written. And because my muse can be really scary when she wants something…well as you can see, I wrote it ;)
I'm a huge fan of the Alaric/Damon semi-friendship they developed as "Team Badass" on the show, but I think there is way too little to read about that here. Same goes for Damon-hurt, so I hope this story will fill that void a bit.
It's set in season 2, around the time where Isobel has shown up on Jenna's doorstep, but before she dies…So that makes its timing between 2x16 and 2x17.
Not beta-ed, so all mistakes are my own.
Hope you all enjoy!
After another long night of too little Jenna to keep him company and too much whiskey and Damon, Alaric opened the front door of the Grill, shivering as the humid warmth of the bar was replaced by the cold air of the spring night. It had been two weeks since Isobel had shown up rather unexpectedly on Elena's doorstep, which, unfortunately for him, was exactly the same as Jenna's. Jenna hadn't spoken a single word to him after that, sending him such deadly glares whenever he happened to cross paths with her, that he almost felt scared about having given his Ring back to John. Not that he could blame her for hating him, though, after all he was the one who vowed that Isobel was dead a few hours before she showed up in Mystic Falls...
He groaned as his right hand brushed across a parked car, bringing it up to his eyes, squinting to survey the damage done to it this time. Damon had picked up the annoying habit of showing up every night, no matter where Alaric was at that moment. He'd compel the bartender into pouring him free whiskey's at the bar or he'd plunder the teacher's own supplies, all the while throwing a steady stream of taunts and insults Alaric's way, smiling that infuriating smile. This would continue through the night until he snapped and either physically threw the vampire out of his house or punched him in the face at the bar, like he had done a few minutes ago, before leaving the bar, studiously ignoring the laughter drifting after him.
Alaric shook his head in resignation. He actually felt better after releasing his pent-up anger at the whole Isobel/Jenna situation on the vampire each night and, god have mercy; he even started to look forward to the company. Not that he'd ever tell the already too cocky for his own good vampire that. Sighing, he wiped a hand across his tired face... He was so doomed...
A soft rustling sound shook him out of his musings, trained senses kicking in as he quickly scanned his surroundings. The yellow glow of the streetlights washed over the dozens of cars parked in front of the Grill, creating deep pockets of black shadows. The sound having come from his right, Alaric stealthily moved in that direction. "I swear Damon" he muttered under his breath, knowing the vampire would be able to hear him just fine, if it was him. "If this is your idea of being funny, you're so going to get yours tonight!" Quietly circling the back of the car, his heart rate sped up as a black shape flew out from underneath it, hissing as it ran past him, its tail swishing...
Breathing out slowly, Alaric chuckled to himself Paranoid much? All this hanging around with vampires is going to give me a heart attack some day!
As he started to step out between the two parked cars another shadow pulled out from behind the car to his right, slamming into his side, sending him toppling over the hood of the car on his left, before landing in a heap in front of it. Standing up as quickly as he could, his attacker turned out to be faster and he was thrown into the windshield. Pain shot up along his spine as the window cracked and the car's alarm started blaring. As the shadowy figure pulled him back off and punched him in the gut, he couldn't help the grunt of pain that escaped him. As he fought to get his breath, his anger grew. Come on man, you hunt vampires for a living and now you can't take this one human? You really can't hold your liquor can you? The thought, the voice sounding strangely Damon-like, brought him back to focus, as he dodged the next blow aimed at his ribs and he gave the man-in-black a shove. As his assailant stumbled backwards, Alaric took on a defensive stance and quietly waited for his opponent to attack again. The man seemed to hesitate a bit, before lunging at Alaric, fists flying. Alaric easily blocked or dodged the punches; there was no real skill in the man's fighting style, just a lot of strength. Throwing in a couple of punches of his own for good measure, he was pleased to hear the man grunt in pain. A wildly slung out fist caught him slightly by surprise again though and he barely managed to move his head out of its path, which unfortunately brought him directly in contact with the fist coming in from the other side. Stumbling to the side dazed; a rain of fists and feet came falling down on him, many connecting with his body. Fear started to slowly form in the pit of his stomach, as a thought formed in his head: He's not going to stop until I'm dead...
Another blow to the jaw snapped his head to the side, gaze flying across the parked cars and over another shadowy form...
Blocking a kick, he dealt out one of his own, connecting with the left knee of his attacker. The cry of pain, followed by the stumbling backwards, gave Alaric the opportunity to look back at where he thought he had seen the second person. Hidden in the shadows, the figure took a step forward, lounging casually against the wailing car, the blinking orange lights reflected in icy-blue eyes, illuminating a familiar grin, before the figure melted back into the surrounding darkness...
Just great! Alaric mused. Off course HE has to be there when I get my ass kicked, so he can save the day or just laugh at me in the end. Well screw him, I don't need to be rescued and I certainly don't want to hand him another thing he can gloat about!
Nearly growling, Alaric lunged forward at his opponent, anger fueling him as nearly every attack broke through the man's defenses, until he finally managed to deliver the final blow to the head that sent his attacker falling into unconsciousness.
Grunting and panting, he wiped a hand across his face, stretching to relieve his aching muscles. He briskly started walking towards the end of the parking lot, turning his back on both men-in-black; hoping for once things would end right here...
But no such luck again it seemed, after only a couple of yards he was halted in his steps by the soft sound of clapping. Knowing he really shouldn't, he turned around after all, there would be no escaping the inevitable. He watched as Damon pushed himself out of the shadows and strolled towards him, still applauding mockingly. Stopping in front of him, the vampire dropped on his knees drama-queen style, raising his clasped hands up above his bowed head. "Oh mighty warrior, savior of us all, we are so lucky to have you here in Mystic Falls. Where would we have been without your unmatched expertise...?"
Alaric simply turned away again, mumbling something not so nice under his breath. A small rush of wind and a prickling sensation at the back of his neck informed him that the vampire was standing very close behind him, but he kept up his pace. "Tsk tsk, is that the way you talk to the person essential to your victory?" "What?!" Alaric spun back around to face Damon, who merely lifted an eyebrow in reaction. "Essential to my victory...?!" he stuttered angrily. "You did nothing, except hanging around and watching from the side!" The vampire smirked and raised a finger. "Ah yes, I was watching and what I saw was you getting your ass handed to you by sleepy head over there. It was only after you saw me that you became victorious. Hence: essential..."
Alaric blinked, speechless, looking at the vampire, whose smirk only grew, blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight. Deciding to further ignore Damon, he turned on his heels and stalked away, sparing no glance behind him anymore.
"Ahw, come on Ric" The vampire said in a mock-whining voice, as he quickened his pace to catch up to him, "don't be such a..."
Whatever he wasn't supposed to be according to Damon, he would never know, for the vampire suddenly slammed into his right side, shoving him aside. Before he could process what was happening, a searing pain exploded in his head. He collapsed to the ground and as the world started to go dark around him, he heard Damon cursing very colorfully. Not long after, two strong arms hauled him upright and just before loosing consciousness he felt himself being carried away...
TBC...
Chapter 2 is already written, just a few minor tweaks and it'll be ready for posting next week.
Please review to let me know what you think of this.