Chapter 1: Safe and Sound

Staring at the ceiling, her face was blank, tears brimming the edges of her eyes as Stefan thrust into her again and again. Digging her nails into his back, she forced a moan as he continued his gentle pace. What was wrong with her? She was never like this with him. He was perfect and she didn't have the heart for him anymore. Blinking back tears, she faked a smile when he pulled back to look into her eyes and gave her a soft gentle kiss. She could tell when he was getting close because his thrusts were faster. This is the bit she hated. Having to fake it. She deserved more than this. She wanted eternal love with the mysterious vampire and now she doesn't know what she wants. She was feeling suffocated.

"Elena..." Stefan moaned into her ear, his breath against her neck.
"Stefan..." She moaned out, feeling sick as she closed her eyes tightly.

Groaning out, he came violently, collapsing against her, his face buried into her neck as she pressed her hands against his back, really wanting to dig her nails in and claw at his skin. Why was she feeling like this? She should NOT be feeling this way about the love of her life. Just knowing there was a part of him inside her; it made her sick.

Pulling out of her, he kissed her gently and smiled as he rolled away to his side of the bed, falling straight into a deep sleep as exhaustion overtook him. Tears gathered in her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling, her breath caught in her throat. What was wrong with her? Really? This seemed to be the same routine every night lately.

Pushing herself up, she held the covers to her chest, a quiet sob leaving her. Was she worried about Stefan hearing? No. He never heard her and if he did, he was ignoring her. She just wanted to go home and take a long hot shower. Fixing the covers back, she pulled on her sweats and tank top, pulling her hair into a messy bun. She just needed to go far, his room was killing her. She knew everything was downstairs, her bag, coat and uggs. Walking out of his room, she closed the door quickly and quietly. She could usually last the whole night, but tonight, it seemed to have gotten worse.

Making her way downstairs, another sob slipped from her as she rubbed a hand over her face, trying to calm herself down. She needed to stop getting worked up, it wasn't doing her any good. She just...really felt suffocated like someone was pressing against her chest and she couldn't breathe properly. Is this what a panic attack felt like? The room was spinning as she shook her head. Going to the door, she leaned down grabbing one of her uggs.

"Elena?" Jumping in alarm, she looked up, her brown meeting blue.
"D...Damon, I didn't see you there." Wiping at her tears quickly, she pulled on her uggs in a hurry, falling slightly as she balanced herself against the door.

Ignoring the look of confusion on his face, she fixed them on properly and pulled her coat on as quick as she could, the pressure getting too much on her chest as the tears began building up in her eyes again. Hearing tumbler's knocking together, she heard his footsteps getting closer to her.

"Hey, talk to me. Why are you leaving in the middle of the night?"
"Just need to go home Damon." She answered, her voice sounding breathless.
"No. Nu uh, you're not going anywhere until you talk to me."
"Damon, please..." Swallowing, she rubbed at her chest.

Taking her hand, he pulled her close to him and draped an arm around her shoulder as he led her to the couch and pushed her down with a gentle touch as he sat opposite on the coffee table. Pressing her hand against her forehead, she took a shaky breath. A tear broke out as she wiped it, sniffing.

"Hey hey," Reaching forward, he frowned, "What's got you so upset?"
"N...nothing." She whispered hoarsely, "I just want to go."
"Don't lie to me. I heard you and Stefan...ya know, not that I was listening like and then...you're suddenly down here, trying to sneak out in tears?"

Shaking her head, she let out a sob and covered her face over with her hands as he moved beside her quickly and cradled her against him. Frowning, he rubbed her back comfortingly and looked up, listening for any signs that Stefan was awake. That was all he needed. Looking back down at the brunette, he took her hands from her face, being gentle.

"You can talk to me sweetheart." He whispered in hush tones.
"I can't do it anymore Damon."
"Do what?" Stroking his knuckles against her cheek, he felt the new wet streaks as she leaned into him, feeling comfort. That was a good sign.

"Th...the whole charade with Stefan." She told him, sniffing.
"Has he done something to you?" He questioned, worry and confusion in his eyes.
"No." She whispered, rubbing at her chest again.

"What's the matter then?" He took her hand, rubbing his fingers into her palm gently.
"I just, I can't breathe. I'm feeling so suffocated being here Damon," She swallowed, more tears falling, "I just want to go home and take a long hot shower and go to bed for school tomorrow."

Damon watched her, furrowing his eyebrows. If there was something going on, she wasn't going to tell him...not tonight anyway. Getting up, he grabbed his keys and slipped on his leather jacket as he held his hand out.

"Come on then." He wiggled the car keys at her as she smiled weakly.
"Are you sure? I'm okay with walking."
"I'd rather know you're in safe hands with a vampire you trust, besides it's way too cold out there. You'll catch your death. To think I'd even let you walk home in the dark anyway, you hurt my feelings Gilbert."

The brunette cracked a smile at him as he winked and held out his hand for her again. Laughing a little, she placed her hand in his, ignoring the sparks that flew through her hands and up to her brain, signalling for her to try and stay calm. Lifting her bag, she followed him outside and to the camaro.

Pulling up into the driveway slowly, Damon looked up at the house to see Jeremy's light on and laughed as she looked over at him, confusion in her chocolate eyes as he shook his head and ushered up towards his bedroom window, causing her to look aswell.

"Is he still seeing the friendly ghosts?"
"If that explains him talking to himself, I'll deal with it."
"Yeah," He smiled, "Are you going to be alright?"
"I'll be okay," Smiling up at him, she squeezed his hand, "Thank you Damon."
"Anytime Elena." He gave her a nod, flexing his fingers around the stick.

"Just...do me a favor?"
"As long as it's doable." He answered with a smirk.
"Just tell Stefan I was feeling sick and went home?"
"The top of my 'to do' list."

Laughing softly, she grabbed her bag and got out of the car as she rushed up the path and to the door, the wind catching her causing her to shiver. It had to be in the minus regions. Opening it, she turned around to Damon and waved with a soft smile as she walked inside the house.

Damon watched with a smile as he seen her bedroom light coming on a few minutes later, along with the bathroom one. She was inside, safe and sound. That's all that mattered. He just wondered what was going on with her and Stefan. Shaking his head, he reversed out of the drive and drove off into the night.

A/N: Two stories in one day!? SPEECHLESS lol :D Let me know what you think :P

Shauna
xxx