She stretched, wincing at the bright light filtering into her bedroom. She rolled over like she did every morning and looked at the pictures around the room.

The majority were of her and Damon and it hurt her a little more each day to look at these pictures and remember the times when he had still been here.

She rolled out of bed. He could be dead for all she knew. He'd disappeared for four years, probably wouldn't be back.

Her best friend had upped and left, leaving her only a note which she hadn't had the heart to read.

It wasn't until he was gone that she realised how much she'd miss him if he left.

They'd been best friends since she was four and he was eight, then when she was eighteen he had disappeared. She'd found a note addressed to her but never read it.

She looked over at it now. After four years why couldn't she find the will power to read it?

She already knew the answer, she was scared.

She grabbed the letter determinedly and ripped it open, her heart thudding as her eyes scanned the lines of his memorable print.

Elena,

I'm leaving. Yes, I know you're mad and this was why I left you this. If I told you in person you'd never let me leave.

I suppose there's no easy way to tell you I'm leaving and may never come back but I need to. The army was a hard decision to make – mostly because of you.

You know me, I don't do emotions. I leave that to my brother – he's confessed his love for you enough times. Maybe it's my turn.

You're my best friend first and the girl I like second but if I'm leaving then yeah, you should know.

It's gonna be pretty damn awkward if you call but I hope to fucking god that you do.

I know you're majorly pissed at me – and I know you're scary when you're pissed – but if you do eventually read this, even if it's in two, three years time. Call me.

Damon

Then he'd left a phone number.

Shit.

There wasn't even a moments hesitation before she grabbed her phone and dialled the number. She didn't care how fucking mad she was at him, she needed to know if he wasn't okay.


He groaned and cursed silently to himself. Why had he come back here? He'd left a note for her for god's sake. A note letting her know that he was disappearing for four years and mat never return. A note not even leaving a phone number. H'd poured his heart out into that note – he didn't do well with spoken emotions then he'd left it on the dresser in her room. He left a fucking note.

Se probably hadn't even read it. It was probably still sitting on her dresser, her name written quickly in his noticeable handwriting.

She'd be fucking pissed. He ran his fingers through his hair as he pulled up outside the all too familiar house. How did he even know she still lived here? He didn't.

He figured he'd seek out Bonnie – Caroline would have left this town the second she left high school – she would know where to find Elena.

He turned off the engine and stepped out the car and slammed the door shut. He'd literally just landed a few hours ago. He'd hired a car and driven straight here.

He walked up the path, his heart thudding in anticipation. He lifted his hand to knock lightly on the door hit phone started buzzing in his pocket.

He pulled it out, glad for the delay and glanced at the number. Unknown. He sat down heavily on the steps of the porch and answered it suspiciously.

"Hello?"

All he heard was silence on the other end of the line.

"Hello-o-o?"

He heard a choking sob on the other end of the phone and his heart froze.

"Damon?"

His suspicions were confirmed. Here he was, standing on the porch of his best friend's house after four years and then she decides to call him.

"Elena?"

He could almost see her smile as laughter erupted through the phone.

"For god's sake Damon! Where the hell are you?"

"Yeah. This is slightly awkward." He rummaged around in his pocket for the key he'd always carried to her house. He'd had it since he was nineteen and she had one for his house.

He hung up the phone as he edged the door open.

He could hear Elena's muffled cry of outrage. He raced up the stairs but hesitated before her bedroom door. He could hear her incoherent cursing and smiled.

She was already mad at him, why not make it more?

He burst into the room and roared loudly, successfully terrifying her. Elena screamed before turning around and looking at him, shock clear on her face.

Sadly, it was not quite the reaction he was expecting.

She flung herself into his arms and hugged him so tightly he half expected to choke.

It all went downhill form there.

"You dick!" She punched his stomach. "You left! For four years! With nothing but a fucking note which I just read today!" She accentuated each phrase with a punch to his arm.

He grabbed her wrists and held them against him so she was unable to move. She glared at him, clearly angry but tears leaked down her cheeks.

"I didn't know if you were coming back."

His heart broke at her voice. He realised her wrists and cupped her face with his hands.

"Neither did I."

Her stubbornness evaporated and she fell forward into his arms.

"Hey, hey. It's okay." He rubbed her back slowly.

"You're in an army uniform." It wasn't a question but he answered anyway.

"Yeah. Four year contact. I got back today."

She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide in surprise.

"Today? You got back today and the first this you do it come see me?"

He prodded her in the ribs and gave her a look which she smiled brightly at.

"I missed you, Damon."

His heart melted. He thought his feelings for her had been buried deep but now, in this single moment, they all came rushing back to the surface.

He placed a soft kiss to the top of her head and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you too. Elena So much."


"You haven't changed a bit. Unfortunately." She smiled at her childish best friend. "You're what, twenty-six?" She shook her head and laid it against his shoulder. She was happy, curled up against his body, he back pressed against his chest with his arms around her.

"Ah, but you love me like this." He held out his little finger. "Forever, remember?" She smiled at the memory and linked her little finger with his.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Forever."

She looked deep into his eyes. They hadn't changed at all, they were still a deep gorgeous blue. She could kiss him.

She shook herself mentally. No! He was her best friend. Her exceptionally hot best friend, but still.

He leaned his forehead against hers. She wasn't the only one feeling this strange connection then. It had always been there but they'd got used to it. Good at ignoring it.

Now, after four years apart it was stronger. Much stronger.

The door swung open but she didn't glance at who walked in. She knew it would either be Klaus or one of his idiotic friends.

"ELENA. WHAT THE FUCK?"

Klaus then. She sighed. She was only with this dick because she couldn't break up with him after he'd saved her brother and Klaus knew it. He held it over her, but that didn't stop him cheating and it didn't stop her doing whatever the hell she wanted.

"Who the fuck is this, Elena?"

She saw Damon's eyes harden as he stood and faced down Klaus.

She hadn't realised how strong he looked. He'd always been tall but now he looked like nothing could tear him down.

"Her best friend. Who the hell are you?" She tensed. She didn't want Damon to know Klaus was her 'boyfriend'

"Her boyfriend. Now fuck off." Klaus' voice was hard. She hated him treating her like a possession but there wasn't much she could do.

Damon stepped up to Klaus, completely ready to fight him. It wasn't like he hadn't done it before. In high school all the guys who'd been interested in her had been scared off by her big tough best friend and all the girls interested in him were sent packing by glares from her.

Looking back, had her and Damon ever been more? She supposed they had. Everyone had thought they were a couple unless they knew better. It wasn't like they hadn't kissed. Well, she'd been completely wasted and so had he but she remembered it even if he didn't. She hadn't brought it up but she probably should have.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, "You're not my boyfriend, and I'm not your girlfriend." She grabbed Damon's hand and pulled him out the door.

She stormed towards her car and got in, waiting for Damon to join her.

"Do you care to fucking explain, Gilbert? I leave and you immediately get yourself messed up in some shit."

She sighed at his protective nature but smiled as he buried his face in his hands.

He got out the car and walked around to open her door for her.

"Out." She got out confused. "I'm driving."

She smiled. Damon was always insistent he was the better driver. She didn't have the heart to argue so she slid into the passenger seat.

"You better fucking start explain." She sighed. Netter get this over with.


He was confused. Elena had never been one to let a guy walk all over her and she certainly wasn't letting this Klaus guy control her but she stayed with him.

Hell, he'd never understand this girl's brain. He shouldn't have left. He ground his teeth together as he drove towards the Grill.

He stopped the car and looked at Elena, who looked at him apologetically.

He wrapped and arm around her shoulder and smiled as hers wound it's way around his waist. He led them into the Grill, taking in the shocked faces.

"Shit. I forgot I haven't been seen in four years and now I'm walking into the Grill, in an army uniform with my arm around you." he muttered under his breath and he went to move his arm.

"Don't you dare. Might as well reinforce the old rumour eh?" She smirked and rose his eyebrows. She hadn't changed one bit.

They sat down in silence. She better start talking. How could she let some guy treat her like that? He still had his gun. He would shoot the bastard if he ever hurt her.

Elena looked at him defiantly. Did she have to be so stubborn? God, this girl would be the death of him. If anything she'd got hotter over the past four years. Could he spent the foreseeable future pretending not to feel anything? No.

"As I said before, you better start explaining, Gilbert."


A/N: What you guys think? I would have preferred it to be longer but this chapter seemed to need to stand alone without it being messed up with Elena's explanation. Next chapter might include flashbacks to their friendship before Damon left. If you have any requests or ideas please, let me know! That would be great!

Hope you all think this is okay!

-E x