They continued to stare at each other, silently exchanging all of the questions flooding their minds since Katherine's departure.
Damon was the first to break their eye contact as he got out of his bed and crossed the room to grab his jacket.
"What are you doing?" Elena asked as Damon shrugged his jacket on his shoulders.
"I'm going to find Stefan. Find out what the hell is going on." He walked past her to make his way out of his room.
"Damon…"
Damon stopped in the doorway and turned to look at her.
Elena paused. She didn't know what she was going to say. She hadn't thought that far.
She had to say something. His anxious eyes were burning through her, waiting for what she had to say.
"I'm coming with you."
"No, Elena. You're not," he replied instantly.
His dictating response sparked Elena's anger.
"Yes I am!"
"No. You're not." Damon's eyes glinted with the irritation that was also beginning to rise in him. He set his jaw and stared directly into her eyes. "I need you to stay
here. In your house. Where it's safe."
"Oh really?" Elena asked sarcastically. "If it's so safe, then why was Katherine able to get in without my invitation?"
Damon opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.
Elena smiled, satisfied. She could tell that threw him.
He stopped and considered this new complicating development. She was right. Damn it.
He furrowed his brow as he tried to come up with the best plan of action.
Elena just stood there watching him, and waited for his answer.
He stared back into her eyes again.
"Alright, you can come…"
Elena exhaled, relieved, and nodded. She started toward the door, but Damon blocked her way.
"… but for once- you have to listen to me. You've taken too many risks on your own in the past, and I can't let that happen this time."
She opened her mouth to argue.
"Please, Elena."
She stopped.
He had completely dropped his dominating exterior and only spoke from his most vulnerable core- completely exposed to her, pleading with her. He wasn't telling, he was asking. She couldn't bring herself to argue with that. Not this time.
She dropped her eyes and nodded. She looked back up at him. She found his eyes still upon her, searching her face for confirmation to the promise.
"I will," she said straightly.
Their gaze lingered, then Damon walked out into the hall.
Elena hesitated, then followed him.