Hello everyone! I'm back with a new Delena story. My other story was not going in the direction I had hoped it to, and I'm hoping you will bear with me and hopefully enjoy this new direction. This idea came to me when I was re-watching season 2 for the millionth time, and I had to start writing immediately. Please let me know in the comments any ideas you think you would like me to work into the story. I always appreciate feedback of any kind and I want to thank you all for reading. Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or any of its plots or characters.

Damon's POV

Today was the worst day ever. Klaus and his merry band of witches gathered everything they needed to break the curse that binds his werewolf side, including Elena. Everything was set to go, the douchebag even had a back up wolf and a back up vampire; that is, until I intervened. Being the all-knowing, diabolical person that I am, I intuited that Klaus would have numerous back up plans to ensure that his curse could be broken. So, when I heard that Carol Lockwood 'fell', I decided to pay her a visit. After some simple compulsion, she explained what happened to me and that is when I knew. He wanted to lure Tyler and his bitchy wolf-girl mentor back into town. Of course, his plan worked, but I caught Tyler in the hospital and with Bonnie's help, got Tyler and Jules out of here as fast as possible. Bonnie may have been in hiding, but a simple cloaking spell was all we needed to escape the hospital and get Jules and Tyler on a plane and out of town. The witches happily obliged and Bonnie was able to channel them and provide us with invisibility.

Caroline was with Bonnie and Jeremy in the witches' house as a precaution. We couldn't risk Caroline being taken for the sacrifice, and besides, Bonnie wanted the company of her friend. I knew that I was a dead man when I chose to see this plan through, no question. But better I die than her. Elena did everything that she thought was right in her heart, but I knew that if I intervened, she would have the life that she wants and deserves. She loves my brother, and I know it will always be my brother. But I couldn't think of a better reason to die. I love Elena with every fiber of my being, and I had to do this for her. My baby bro may not have been able to do this, but I could. 152 years is a long time to live compared to Elena's miniscule 18. She's way too caring and maternal to not want children, and a life, and a family. By doing this, she can have what she wants. I love her so much that I was willing to do what it took to make damn sure that she got it.

Elena changed me in ways I never thought possible. When I first came back to Mystic Falls, all I cared about was getting that tomb open and running off into the sunset with Katherine, far away from here and away from Stefan. But, after meeting Elena on the street that first night and getting to know her afterward, I found that she was enchanting. Something about her made me want to feel again, to repress my vampire nature. She cares so much about the people in her life that it felt like a gift to be one of them. It took some time, but she and I built a bond and even though things went awry at times and Katherine royally fucked me up, she stood by me as my friend. I thought that all hope was lost though, when I snapped Jeremy's neck. Nothing could have ruined our friendship faster than murdering the most near and dear person to Elena's heart. Somehow, she began to look past it, and that's when I knew it for sure. She's the one. The one I have needed in my long, miserable life this entire time.

After Klaus moved back to his body and confronted me at the Grill, I, in all my Damon nature decided to be an ass and piss off the oldest Original in the worst way. I rubbed it in his face that I foiled his little plan and that I wasn't the least bit sorry.

Earlier today…

Ric and I were having a drink at the Grill, discussing what I did to keep Klaus from successfully breaking his curse, ultimately sacrificing the woman I love with the burning of a thousand suns.

"Gentleman, why so glum?" My head shot up instantly and I turned to match the face to voice. After eyeing him narrowly I realize it's Klaus.

"Klaus, I presume?" I took another swig of bourbon, savoring the flavor.

"In the flesh." This dickhead eyed me up and down and smiled, making me want to rip his fucking heart out of his chest.

"I just wanted to come by and give you a piece of advice."

"Do tell." I downed the rest of my bourbon and signaled for the bartender, tapping next to my glass once she looked over at me.

"Well, Damon, this is warning to not do anything stupid. The ritual happens tonight, and If you'd like to live to see another day, then I'd suggest you don't do anything to screw it up." The smugness of his tone was enough to make me explode.

"Too late for that, pal. I already ruined your little plan. You won't be completing jack shit tonight!" If looks could kill, even this dumb ass Original would have died from the way I looked at him.

Before I knew what was happening, Klaus and I were outside in the alleyway beside the Grill. He had me pinned against the cold brick wall and I could hear Ric trying to bust through the man door next to us with all of his might. "Damon! Damon!" Ric's yelling and pushing raged on.

"Don't worry Mate, my little witch friend made sure nobody could exit so I can deal with you." He practically spat on me.

"Honestly, Klaus, I can't believe that you didn't see this comin'. I mean, sure, Stefan is the one she's with… But you had to know that I'm in love with her too and just as much of or even more of a risk to your little plan." I couldn't help the smirk that had quickly spread across my face, my eyes filled with sarcasm.

"Well then, it's your funeral." He plunged his hand into my chest cavity and squeezed my heart so painfully, then ripped it out of my chest…

Poof! Lights out. Or so I thought… I woke up and realized that I was stuck here on the gloomy and infamous other side, forced to watch everyone without being seen or heard. All alone and tortured by solitude. Forced to worry that Klaus will retaliate and try to take Elena or kill people. This is the part of my plan that I didn't really take into consideration. Bonnie said she could keep Elena safe when we spoke, so I'm trusting her. The witch would die before she'd let anything happen to Elena.

The first place I went was to the Boarding house to see her beautiful face. After all of this, I needed to see for myself that she was okay. When I got there, I was surprised by what I saw.

The dark, blood red couch on the left side of the living room is where she laid. The fire from the fireplace slightly illuminating her tear-stricken face, her head graced one of the throw pillows while her nose was pressed to my shirt. Where was Stefan? Elena was curled into the fetal position, clutching onto my favorite black John Varvatos shirt for dear life and sobbing. Her long dark hair was covering the part of her face not covered by my shirt, and she was still wearing her usual long sleeve and jeans. All I wanted to do was soothe her pain… lightly run my finger down her cheek to let her know that I was there and tuck her hair behind her ear; Maybe even place a soft kiss on her forehead. Stefan appeared from behind me as he rushed through the front door at vamp speed, zooming through me to get to her.

"Hey, hey... Elena, shhhhh," Stefan scooped her up into his arms and kissed her head.

"Why would he do this Stefan? I had a plan! Elijah was going to kill Klaus, and I was going to take the elixir and then all of this would've been over!" She pushed Stefan's arm and proceeded to free herself from Stefan's embrace and stand in front of him.

"Why wouldn't you stop him, Stefan?" She glared at him with dark, bloodshot eyes. She knows that Stefan wouldn't have been able to stop me, even if he had tried. She is just taking her anger towards me out on him.

"Elena, I didn't know what he was going to do… If I had any idea that he would, I would have locked him up or vervained him or even helped him to prevent this! He knew you had a plan, and I was sure he was going to let you see it through.."

To my surprise, Stefan was visibly upset when he spoke about me. He turned away from her, his hand clenched into fists and he placed them on top of his head with force, closing his eyes and letting out a sigh. A tear slid down his face, which he promptly wiped away before turning back to face her.

"Come on, Stefan! You know him better than anyone! He's your brother! I know you two haven't always gotten along, but you had to know that he was up to something!" Elena began to raise her voice, anger evident in her features as she stepped closer to him and balled up her fists.

"Okay, I had suspicion. I figured he was up to something because after Ric came by and told us that the sacrifice was happening, Damon was gone. He just vanished without a word, and that's when I knew. I knew that he was going to ruin Klaus's plan and I didn't even try to stop him. It was too late, and I would never have gotten to him in time. I love you, Elena, and so did he. You deserve to live whatever life it is that you want, and Damon's plan made sure that you could." Stefan's eyes were pleading, his hands stretched in front of him as to hold her. Ouch, Stef. Thought I was the brother who didn't care. I didn't even get a phone call from him to try and stop me.

"You bastard!" Elena drew back and slapped Stefan so hard you could have probably heard it throughout the entire boarding house. I have to admit, seeing her slap Stefan across the face, especially over me, was a great feeling. Although, I hate seeing how hurt she is because of what I did. She ran to her SUV and fumbled with her keys, though once inside, she tore out of the driveway like a bat out of Hell. Stefan fell to his knees and began to cry, though I'm not sure if it was because of Elena, my death, or both. I decided I'd check in on him later.

Needing to make sure that Elena got home safely and was okay, I made my way to her house. Not even a full day and I realized that life on the other side is literal Hell on earth. To be able to see the one you love most in the world and not be able to touch them, to soothe them, to take away every ounce of pain is absolute torture. I found Elena lying on her bed, my shirt still in one hand, as she clutched her diary in the other. I sit down on the bed, though she doesn't know I'm there and tell her that I love her so, so much.

Miraculously, like she sensed my presence her head snapped up from her fluffy, goose-down pillow, and she moved to sit up. "Damon? Damon, can you hear me?" her cries were tearing apart my insides. Of course I hear you, silly girl. Not that she would know. "Damon, if you're there, just know that Bonnie and I are going to figure out a way to bring you back… What you did for me... all of the things I wish I could have said while you were still here… you can't be gone. We will figure this out, I promise you!" Tears once again filled those gorgeous chocolate brown eyes, the pain that consumed her face made my black heart ache. She threw her diary across her bedroom and it landed on the corner of the little nook where she normally writes with a thud, then fell to the floor. She pulled out her phone a sent a text to Bonnie to meet up in the morning. She placed the phone on her nightstand and proceeded to bury her beautiful head into her pillow, pulling my shirt up to her nose.

It pains me so much to see her that way. Part of me feels like an asshole for doing this to her; For taking away another person that she cares about. But me dying was the best option. It was better than all of her friends and potentially all of her remaining family dying. Had that happened, I'm sure that Elena would have grown to resent both Stefan and me. We would be walking, talking reminders of the worst day of her life, not to mention the mental and emotional toll it would have taken on her mind by losing them. Better to do the right thing, for her.

So, here I am watching Elena as she flops around restlessly underneath her giant white comforter, trying to stop crying and get comfortable. I wish there was a way to let her know that I'm here and that I will be here to watch over her. She's finally settling into her soft cotton sheets when I see her eyelids start to close and sleep fighting to take over. I can't try to find peace until I know she will be okay.

"I miss you, Damon…" comes out as a soft whimper as a final tear streams down her olive cheek and she drifts off to sleep.

I miss you too, Elena...

A/N: If you read this far, I just want to say thank you so much for reading and that I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story. I really like this particular time in Damon and Elena's relationship (end of season 2 and beginning of season 3) because she was really starting to understand how much he loved her, and they started getting so close. Anyways, thanks again and please review! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Love, T.