Chapter 1: We Need to Talk

The weather was chaotic, the rain heavy and cold as the stormed picked up, growing by the second. New York was being hit with severe weather warnings and taking precautions. It was early morning, the streets practically deserted. Street lamps still lit the sky as the city was in a pit of darkness. The city that never sleeps was in a current shut down. Everyone was staying inside, or even in their beds, not wanting to face the storm. The only time they would leave is for work, only to rush back when they were finished. The rain turned into hail stones, hitting the windows with force. The brunette lay awake, her eyes glued to the window as she watched the storm play out before her eyes. Hearing thunder, she pulled the covers closer and swallowed. She hated thunder, she hated the weather and the danger that it could bring. The only one who understood that was him.

It had been a month since she seen the face of Damon Salvatore. A month since she'd been to work as his P.A and a month since she'd heard from Stefan. The day that she walked out on Damon was the day that she brought a new phone with a new number as she hid her old phone in the bottom of her wardrobe. She thought it would be best to save her from the temptation of looking at it every 5 seconds. It also saved her from being contacted by Stefan. It was for the best and she knew it.

Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the plain white ceiling and sighed as she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Would no one just leave her in peace to think? The door opened as Caroline stepped inside and closed the door over behind her. Sitting on the bed, she looked at Elena and frowned, letting out a puff of air.

"Are you EVER going to move from this bed?" The Caroline questioned, frustration in her voice.
"Its only 7." She replied, staring at the ceiling.
"It's actually 9.30." Caroline corrected, giving her friend a look.
"What's the difference these days?" She frowned, pushing herself up against the headboard.
"About 2 hours, or if we're being specific right now, 2 and a half."

"Caroline, what do you want?" Elena raised her eyebrows, wanting to go back to sleep.
"You are miserable! You've been like this for the ENTIRE month!"
"Pfft, I am completely fine. Never been happier actually."
"That is bullshit Elena, even for you."
"You did come in here for a reason right?" Elena sighed, licking her lips.

"You know Damon still has NO P.A right? Not even a new one to replace you" Caroline questioned her.
"Why would I care?"
"It means that he doesn't want to replace YOU!."
"No-"
"He has the deal going on with London at the moment. He needs a P.A's help, he needs YOU!"
"Caroline, anything between Damon and I is over."
"No it isn't!"
"He is not my problem anymore. I'm free to do what I want!"
"No, you know what your problem is? You've been looking for a bloody excuse to run since the beginning!"

"What? Caroline-"
"No! Do NOT try to deny it, alright!? You were hoping it were true about him being involved with murdering that girl so you could run! After finding out that he wasn't and that you were falling hopelessly in love with the most perfect guy, you panicked! You are always scared of getting hurt, so you give up before anything has a chance to happen!"

"I-" The brunette swallowed, tears glazing her chocolate eyes.
"You are getting out of this bed and going to work. NOW!"

Caroline gave her a stern look as she took a deep breath and dragged herself out of the comforts of her bed, heading into the bathroom. Caroline smiled in relief, walking out as she dialed a number and started biting her nails nervously. After the third ring, they answered.

"Hello?"
"It's done. Don't make me regret this."
"Thank you Caroline. Really, thank you. You won't regret it." Damon responded sincerely.
"I better not." She warned him, hanging up as she rubbed her forehead, "God, I hope this works out."

Elena stepped into the building, wiping herself down as the storm had messed with her appearance. Looking around, she felt knots in her stomach as memories came flying at her. The lobby was busy, everyone in their dresses or their suits & ties. Going over to the elevator, she smiled at the guard as he nodded and she scanned herself through, stepping into the elevator. Hitting the button, she closed her eyes as it began moving. This was it. Looking into the small mirror, she fixed up her make-up and made sure there were no smudges. The elevator came to a stop as she took a deep breath and stepped out, looking around. Down the hall, she seen Damon at Nancy's desk talking to her. Biting her lip, her heart skipped a beat as she looked him over in his grey suit. He looked good, really good. He looked so handsome and perfect, why why why?

Suddenly, he looked her way, stopping mid-talk, his focus on her as her breath caught in her throat. She was back in the danger zone and knew if she didn't get this done and get out as quick as she could, she would be falling harder. Working up the courage, she started walking, walking towards the man that at times made her forget her own name. As she reached Damon, she gave him a weary smile, nerves pooling her stomach as a small smile reached his lips.

"Mr Salvatore." Elena spoke, holding her hand out to shake.
"Miss Gilbert." Damon took her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles.

Biting her lip, Elena stared into his eyes, the blue orbs looking different than usual. Dull and lifeless. As their eyes met, she could have swore that she seen a twinkle appear, which gave her an immense amount of butterflies in her stomach. Nancy looked between them, a smile pulling at her lips as she cleared her throat causing the two of them to jump apart.

"I heard you're in a struggle. I'm only here to help and then I'm gone."
"Come."

Damon placed his hand on her lower back, sparks shooting through her body as he brought her into his office and closed the door behind him. Looking around the office, she took a deep breath as memories hit her again. Dropping her bag down onto the couch, she turned to him, watching as he was studying her cautiously.

"I can't believe you're really here. I left you messages, probably over 30 voice mails."
"Damon, I am just here to help you, alright?"
"Elena-"
"Show me what you have so far." Elena cut him off, rubbing her neck.
"Right." Copying her action, he rubbed his neck and took place at his computer as he got the files up for her.

Sipping from her glass of water, the brunette stood at the window, surveying the world in front of her. The storm had calmed down slightly, the dark clouds still covering the sky. The tide was picking up, which was never a good sign, especially since the weather scared her more than Damon, shocking, truly shocking. It was a day full of surprises, that was for sure. She couldn't believe how strong she was being around Damon. Hearing the door, she looked over her shoulder as she seen Damon walk in, talking to someone on the phone.

"No, that's fantastic, really. Thank you. Alright, bye then." He hung up, looking over at her.
"So?" Elena bit her lip, raising an eyebrow, trying to ignore the energy between them.
"The deal is on. I'll be going to London next week to complete all the arrangements."
"That's good. We're all sorted here then." Finished her water, she placed the glass down on the table.
"Lena-" Damon stepped towards her.
"Don't...please." She moved back, swallowing as she avoided his gaze.

Moving over to her, he placed his hands on her waist and pulled her against him as her eyes shot up to meet his, vulnerable and scared. Stroking his thumb along her cheek, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers as she melted against him and sighed into the kiss, rising up to meet him. Pressing her up against the glass, he skimmed his lips down her neck as she moaned and closed her eyes in delight, her heart racing as all her thoughts turned blurry. Running her hand into his hair, she pulled at his lock of hair, drawing a moan out of him. Pulling back, Damon stared down at her as they were both trying to catch their breath.

"Elena, I lo-"

The sound of a shrilling phone cut him off as Elena looked up at him and rushed over to her bag, rummaging through it as she tried to search for the loud device. Grabbing hold of it, she took a deep breath and brought it to her ear as she answered.

"Hello?"
"Elena, hey. It's me, I'm glad I caught you."
"Hey Jer, everything alright?" Elena sat on the couch, biting her lip as Damon watched her, different emotions in his eyes.
"Uhm, I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Well, talk away."
"Uh, I was hoping we could do this in person?"

"Jeremy, just tell me." Elena frowned, watching Damon pulling at his tie.
"I'm, uh, thinking about moving?"
"What? Uh, what?" She raised an eyebrow, not taking it in.
"Look, it is a VERY long story right now."
"Ha, no! Get your ass down to my office right now!"
"Since when were you back at the office?"
"10 minutes Jeremy, I mean it." She hung up, moaning as she dropped her phone back into her bag.

"Everything alright?" Damon tilted his head, running his tongue along his bottom lip.
"No. What was that? Never mind...Damon-"
"No. Elena, there is something between us and as much as YOU try to ignore it, you can't. You are going to have to face the fact that you are in love with me!"

They stared at each other as Elena swallowed the lump in her throat, not knowing what to say as her heart began racing again. The door opened as they both broke out of their trance and looked over to the door to see Bonnie entering the room. Damon went wide-eyed as Elena had a look of surprise on her face.

"Bonnie." Damon muttered.
"Damon, Elena, we need to talk."

A/N: Hey everyone! I hope this was good! Fingers crossed! :D Let me know whatcha think! Thank you! :) Getting Over You is out next :)

Shauna

xxx