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Damon sighed as he watched Elena through her bedroom window. She was so innocent and beautiful, but also held a fiery passion that he admired the most. Elena was the only human immersed in the supernatural battle to end all battles, and yet she held her own. Damon's dead heart broke for her, she should have been living a carefree human life. But she was in too deep, and her carefree moments were few and far between. Damon smiled as he pictured one of her carefree moments. She was the most beautiful when a smile graced her lips. Damon was determined to make her smile a bit more often.

Elena felt a presence, a presence she could know anywhere and slowly began to awake. She wasn't sure what was more weird, the fact that Damon was looking through her window, or that she knew it was Damon without even looking.

Damon's thoughts were interrupted as Elena stirred from her slumber. He hoped she wouldn't notice him, he could never tell what kind of reaction he would get from her. Elena didn't like being babysat all the time and wasn't scared to say it…or yell it at Damon.

"You may be a vampire but you aren't that sneaky Damon," Elena grumbled from her bed.

Damon knew his cover was blown so he might as well talk to her.

"What exactly were you doing outside my window creeping around?" Elena questioned indignantly. She was tired of being watched all the time, she never felt alone anymore.

Smirking Damon replied, "Oh you know the usual, prowling the night for innocents to drain, stealing candy from babies…" watching you sleep, Damon added silently in his head.

"Damon, I know you were checking on me, and for the last time, it isn't necessary. I can take care of myself, just like I have been for my entire life until you guys showed up!" Elena said, and added an eye roll for dramatic effect.

Damon knew exactly who 'you guys' were. Him and his baby brother, Elena may love him but she didn't like having her freedom taking away.

"Excuse me Elena but I'm sure you did a great job taking care of yourself for the first 16 years of your life, but there wasn't an Original vampire trying to sacrifice you and kill everyone you love was there? Do you think I want to spend my nights watching teenage girls sleep? I thought I would at least get to see you change or something but noooo nothing. I sit here all night just listening to you snore!"

"I'm sorry Damon… I know you give up a lot of free time trying to protect me, but I just get so sick of feeling like a little girl. You don't have to stay here, I promise I will Stefan everyone that you stay and guard me every night."

"Stefan? You think I'm doing this for Stefan, he doesn't even know I am here! In fact you probably shouldn't tell Stefan, he might get the wrong idea about my motives. And watching you may be cramping my style but I'm not going let a blood thirsty vampire come in and drain you dry." "Besides," Damon whispered to himself, "if anyone is going to have a taste it is going to be me."

Elena involuntarily shivered at his last words, she could barely hear them but they had affected her none the less. In addition to the shivers, she was thinking about how odd it was that Stefan didn't know about Damon's night watch. Although having Damon creeping around may have been annoying, she appreciated his concern. …Shouldn't her boyfriend be the one who checked on her every night?

Damon broke into her thoughts, "So are you going to keep up this inner monologue or can I come in?"

Elena waved him in without looking up. Feeling strangely content with Damon by her side, a small smile ghosted Elena's lips.

"So Elena, I've been keeping watch for a week now and haven't gotten to see any action. No pillow fight slumber parties, gossip, or even a glimpse of you in your underwear. What gives?"

"Damon! A girl's bedroom isn't quite as exciting as you would think. Sorry but there is no action here, maybe before…everything… there was excitement but not anymore."

Damon loved Elena, whether or not she was exciting. But he was sure they would have gotten along great before her world was turned upside down and her parents died. Mostly thought, Damon knew that Elena missed her fun self.

"You need to have some fun Elena. I know times are tough, really tough, but you are going to turn into Stefan with all of this brooding you are doing. Come on, let's do something fun!"

"Oh no Damon, the last time I went out of town with you to 'do something fun' we almost got killed!" she huffed.

"Yeah yeah… but except for the whole 'almost getting killed' part, we had a good time! I promise I will be on my best behavior. You really need to get out more," Damon pleaded.

It was unclear who was more shocked with her reluctant, put positive response. "Alright, I'll go, but no funny business. And we have to stay in the state of Virginia!"

"I can accept those terms. Tomorrow night, same time, same place. I will pick you up." A smirk graced his features and Damon was almost…almost giddy with excitement.

"Now that this is settled, I need to get some sleep. You know where the exit is," she said as she pulled the blanked up to her nose.

Damon appeared to leave, but lingered outside the window until she was fast asleep. Sneaking back in, Damon winced as the window clicked shut. He was sure he wouldn't get such a welcoming response if Elena caught him in her room again.

Damon thought she had woken up as he heard her whisper his name. However, he knew she was sleeping when he heard how tender his name sounded on her lips. She never sounded like that when she was awake.

Damon sat on the edge of the bed until the sun peaked up over the horizon. He softly kissed her forehead and left. Her alarm went off just as her window latched.

I am new at this so feedback is much appreciated! : )