New Beginnings
There was silence, just silence in Damon's bedroom after Katherine left. Yes, she'd brought him the cure. Surprising, wasn't it? But, he had better issues at hand to think about.
No. 1 being Elena, as always. Had she just kissed him or was he dreaming? And, if what Katherine had just told them was true, his brother had just "sacrificed" himself to save him! That meant…what? He was so confused. He didn't know how to react. How could Stefan just "sacrifice" himself to Klaus? What did that even mean? And what would happen to Elena now? Boy, his life was badly screwed up. He was ready to die peacefully a few mins ago because the love of his life had forgiven him for all his wrongs and unbelievably, kissed him. He couldn't forget that feeling. He had got all he could ever ask for from her. And now, he was alive again. No technically, he was still dead. But, vampire-alive again, whatever that meant. Sadly, his fate just didn't like the whole "peaceful" idea.
Damon looked at Elena. She was just staring at the floor. He didn't know what to say or do. Was he supposed to sympathize with her considering the whole "Stefan" problem? But, she hated people doing that, caring for her. She was always so ready to give herself up to save her loved ones.
Well, he had to say something because he could see the pain in her eyes. He understood. Pain was…His thing! And he was sure she was about to break down. She'd been through enough. Jenna's death… John's sacrifice to save her... Now, her boyfriend just leaving! Yeah, well, he was to blame for that. Had he not been bitten by a werewolf, this situation wouldn't have come up.
Why, why did he always have to mess things up?
He had to comfort her somehow. He couldn't bear seeing that grieved look on her face. She looked stunned. She hadn't even moved an inch after hearing the news.
He finally got up with some effort. He was still very weak because of his recent brush with "death". He started walking towards Elena, still thinking about what he would say to her. When he was just a few inches away from her, she finally looked up. He saw the tears forming in her eyes. He felt as if someone had put a stake through his heart. He wanted to say the right thing, but, what was it...he had no clue.
He stepped forward, looked into those eyes and just pulled her into an embrace. She didn't resist. She let him hold her because she didn't have the strength to even stand anymore. It felt like the right thing to do for now because she knew he felt the same grief. She knew he must be thinking about Stefan too. But, more than anything else, she knew Damon would do something, anything to make her feel better. She knew she was the one he loved and he wanted to comfort her somehow. She did need that, didn't she? And he was the only one he could comfort her. No one could understand what she was going through better than him because he himself had lost so many people he loved. Hadn't the same thing happened to her in these last few days? She'd practically lost everyone. All of them. Now, Stefan too.
She didn't know what Katherine meant when she said that Stefan had given himself up to Klaus, but she knew it couldn't mean anything good. Because this was Klaus-the sole reason behind all that was going on in her life. All she wanted right now was for Damon to just keep holding her. She felt safe in his arms for some reason.
Jeremy thought it was a dream. No, actually, nightmare. He could see Anna and Vicki even though they were supposed to be dead! What was happening to him? And why in the world was it happening to him?
Wait! Hadn't Emily told Bonnie there would be "consequences" of her bringing him back to life? Was this the consequence? Could he see dead people now because he had been one of them for the briefest moment?
Before he could think anymore, Vicki called out to him. "Hi Jeremy!" This was definitely a nightmare. "So, how've you been? With Bonnie now, aren't you? Jer, I thought you wanted a life with me! What happened? You forgot me just because I died?" There was something wicked about Vicki's expression. Something way off. Anna called him now. "Jeremy! You've been busy. I see Bonnie has been using some of her witchcraft to get herself a lover. And look who's the lucky guy…her best friend's "kid" brother."
"Go away both of you! You are dead! And don't you dare say a word about Bonnie! She has nothing to do with this!" he screamed desperately as he watched them smile. "Now Jer, you don't believe that, do you?" Vicki asked him with that evil smile on her face. She was enjoying this-watching him suffer. "We'll be right here Jeremy. We're not going anywhere. We'll see you again, soon!" Anna told him with a smirk.
Then suddenly they were not there anymore. They just disappeared. Jeremy instantly knew something was wrong, really wrong. He had to tell Bonnie. Yes, that would be the first thing he would do the next day. Meanwhile, his body needed rest. He knew he was very tired after the whole ordeal. He went back to his room and tried to shut away what had just happened. He was sure he was in for nightmares.
Caroline woke up surprised. What was she doing at the Lockwood house?
Then, she remembered everything from last night. What a nightmare! Suddenly, she looked around, sensing someone near her. She got ready to attack but saw Tyler coming out of the kitchen. She breathed a sigh of relief. God, she was so tired of this constant having-to-protect-yourself scenario she'd gotten into by becoming a vampire. She had to thank the Bitch for that. Caroline really hoped Katherine was dead.
Tyler came towards her with a mug of coffee in hand, "Here, you look like you need it", he said giving her the mug. She was puzzled that she had slept. It wasn't the 'natural' vampire thing to do. "Care, I'm really sorry about everything... leaving without informing you, not being a good friend, and not being here when you needed me the most. I feel awful. But, I promise, I won't ever leave you on your own again. I'm here now. And will be till you send me away", he grinned.
She liked the way that smile played on his face. She knew he meant all that he just said. He'd been through enough. He had been betrayed by so many people, her included. She regretted not telling him the truth back then, but, that was all settled now.
She laughed, "Well, seems like you got your brains right back. Yes, you better stay right here-where your mother needs you… I need you", she said reluctantly.
He was looking at her, seeing the emotions playing on her face. He knew there was something between them, something which was hard to define, but…it was there. Some connection they had even though they were supposed to be enemies by nature.
Tyler knew he loved Caroline. He had realized that and it was one of the reasons he had left town-because he also knew she loved Matt and couldn't bear to see her with someone else. Now, seeing how hesitant he was in accepting they shared something, he realized how much he'd hurt her by leaving without telling her. He saw that fear in her eyes, fear of saying something she shouldn't and losing him again. He hated himself for making her feel this way.
He found himself moving up to her and pulling her towards him. He felt himself hug her. He knew they both needed that. "Care, I mean it. I'm not going to leave you again, ever. Okay?", he tried to reassure her.
"Hmmm... ", was all she could manage saying. She just wanted him to continue holding her, comforting her. She knew she had some feelings for Tyler, but right now was no time to think about that. She had to get over Matt first. She knew it was going to be very hard, but she had Tyler, as a friend, with her for now.
"Let's get you home. Okay? You can get refreshed and then we'll go meet the others to check on them", Tyler finally said.
She nodded and let him lead her to the car.
Damon knew he was very weak right now. He needed blood. And standing this close to Elena could be very dangerous. But she needed him!
He didn't want to hurt her. He was losing his control by the min. He suddenly pushed her away. "Go Elena. Just go away from me right now. I don't want to hurt you."
Elena looked at him, hurt at first. Then she understood why he was saying this. She saw his veins becoming prominent on his face. He needed blood! How could she be so stupid? She knew he was weak after the whole incident and all she had been thinking about was herself and her pain. How selfish could she be! "Damon, just take my blood. You need it."
He turned away from her. "No Elena. I won't. I will never forgive myself if something happens to you because of me. Just go, get out of here." It was getting hard for him to hold on to his control. He had to get away from Elena.
"Damon, look at me.", she turned him to face her. "I trust you, Damon. I know…I know for sure that you'll never hurt me. You need the blood Damon. Just take it." She saw his resolve fluctuating. She had to act. She looked around, found a piece of wood and cut her wrist. "Here Damon, take this. I trust you."
He smelled her blood. The sweet smell of her blood!
It completely controlled his mind. He looked at her. She encouraged him. Finally, his control shattered. He took her wrist and started drinking her blood.
Elena could feel the pain instantly. She felt the blood draining from her body. She had to bear it, for Damon.
Damon was lost in the world of lust. Never before had he tasted such blood. He just couldn't stop. He was finally feeling "alive" again. Somewhere in his mind, he remembered this was Elena.
ELENA! He had to stop. He was going to kill her if he didn't. But the taste…
NO! YOU LOVE HER! He reminded himself. He suddenly pulled back…his eyes getting back to normal.
Elena fainted in his arms.
