The season finale was perfect. I don't think there is a way to make it better. I came up with an alternate way. I hope you like it!

Elena,

I wrote this letter as an insurance plan if this whole werewolf venom pans out the way it's suppose to. I probably have less than ten minutes to write this. Ric just won't leave me alone. Obsessed alcoholic. Kidding. Him being back here even if it's only for a little is one of the best things anyone can give me. The other is for you to be human. Live that life you wanted Elena. Go to college, find a husband, have kids, and hell buy yourself a dog. Or cat. Which ever you prefer. I want you to know that the night we had together was the happiest I've been in a really long time. I never meant to take advantage of you with the sire bond. I should have knew something was up with you choosing to be with me over Stefan. But I love you, Elena. I can't be selfish with you even though every bone in my body tells me to. I'm leaving. I don't want you to have to deal with saying goodbye to me again. Stay with Stefan he will keep you safe. Just do me one favor. When your sad, remember me. Remember how much of a dick I am. That should make you smile. I always loved your smile. You don't deserve to be sad.

I better go. Never know when a ghost will pop up. Don't cry either. Just think I'll get to keep Ric company for eternity now. (I can't think of a better way to spend my real dead life.) Don't ever show this to anyone. It's sappy as hell. Who wants to go out a wimp?

P.S.) If i can find Jeremy I'll keep an eye on him for you.

I love you.

Damon

She knew he was dying but they also had a way to fix it. Now reality is dawning on her. He's leaving to die alone. He's not going to take the cure. He's given up. Damon Salvatore doesn't give up. He risked everything to help find that cure. He knew there was a chance she would hate him, that maybe her love wasn't real. He did it for her. Because he couldn't be selfish with her. And how she hurt him, God, she was awful to him. Everything Damon has done has been for love. She thought she knew it a long time ago, but really she didn't. What he has done for her is love, and she can't tell him that it wasn't all in vein because she loves him. All consuming, tremendously, one human life isn't long enough, wants forever loves him. She can't let him die. She finally understands why he forced his blood on her. He just couldn't let her die.

"Ric!" She uses her vamp speed to get down stairs.

"What's wrong?"

"Where is Damon? We have the cure. He can take it. He will live."

"Elena he didn't want it. He wants you to have it."

"Ric where is he?"

"I don't know Elena. Caroline called him." She barely lets him finish his sentence before she is pulling him with her out the door.

"Let's go. We're going to see Caroline. He's going to take this cure. I don't care if I have to force it down his throat. He can't die."

"Elena-"

"Don't. I have lost everyone. I can't lose him too. I won't survive it."

"Does he know?"

"Know what?"

"That you love him."

"Obviously not." She hands the letter to Ric and sees his face fall. He didn't know Damon was going to leave.

Elena makes it to Carolines in record time. She's out of the car and pounding on the door before Ric even closes the car door to follow her.

"Caroline! Open this door right now!"

"Jesus Elena. What's wrong?"

"Where is Damon?" She pushes past her friend and starts to look around the house for him. He was weak before he couldn't make it too far. She had just seen him under an hour ago.

"He left."

"Why? Why didn't you call me? What did you need him for? He's dying and I have the cure. He doesn't even know I love him. I have to tell him. He can't die. I know you hate him but Care-"

Caroline's hand is covers Elena's mouth and telling her to take a breath.

"Are you calm?" Elena nods her head."Good. Sit down and I'll tell you what happened."

"Okay."

"I called Damon because Klaus made it back into town. He gave me the his blood. Three vials. Insurance, ya know? So I called Damon. I may hate him Elena but I know you don't and I know that him dying would devastate you. So he came over and downed one of the vials.."

"So he's okay?"

"He's okay." Caroline tells Elena and she finally feels like it's going to be okay.

"Where did he go?"

"I don't know. He just asked me to give you this." Caroline hands her a folded piece of notebook paper with a sad smile.

Elena,

Another note. Damn, aren't you lucky? I never write. Ever. To anyone. So I'm not dying, and now you don't want the cure. You are so stubborn. Here's the bottom line. I know you wanted to hurt me when you told me we weren't real, but maybe we weren't. I just didn't want to believe it. the real dilemma here is I love you, and you are my brothers girl. Always have been. I'm not going to make you choose again. Just be happy. Tell Ric I'm going to miss him. Oh and remember me sometimes?

Damon

"Where is he Caroline?"

"I don't know Elena. He thanked me and just asked me to give you the note."

"He's gone Ric." Time freezes for Elena.

This time Ric doesn't take the letter Elena tries to hand him. He just takes her into his arms. He wishes there was some way he could help her. Even if he were back on the other side all he could do is watch over Damon. There is no way to tell her where he is. The only thing he can do is get Jeremy now. He picks Elena up and carries her to her car. He takes her back to the one place he knows she needs to be. Damon's room. She isn't hysterical, but the tears seem to be endlessly pouring down her face. She doesn't bother to wipe them. She just stares into nothingness.

Ric wants to cry for her. Damon is a jackass. Trying to be noble isn't his thing. So what the hell was he thinking? He finally could have had the girl. Right now he has to go into 'Team Badass' mode and come up with a plan. He needs to get a hold of Jeremy and fill him in on what happened. He has to find Bonnie, see if she can give them more time, and find out if tracking Damon is possible.

And in the back of his mind he's wishing that this plan included his best friend and wasn't about him.