Things were starting to fall into place for Elena. Damon and her had been living in Chicago now for a good six months, and everything felt normal again. He had taken her back to Mystic Falls only twice since they had left. Once was strictly for Aunt Jenna, to make her believe that Elena's life really was going okay, and she wasn't just running to the city in denial. The other was to "celebrate" her family's former life. It was Aunt Jenna's version of a funeral complete with ceremony, guests, and a lot of pictures. It was a good way to put a close to the events. Even though she yearned to stay a couple of days, Damon assured her they couldn't. Enzo and Katherine were bound to be lurking around somewhere, possibly still looking for her. For now, the best thing to do would be to stay in Chicago as much as possible.
Elena secured a job down at Tonics as a waitress. Her and Mary had become close friends despite the fact that the little red head never seemed to stop talking. Damon had tried talking her out of working and just lazing around with him most days, but Elena had refused. Whether it was due to the fact of boredom, or she was just to proud spend the "Salvatore Reserve." She liked being a waitress. Tonics was a perfect little spot to work. It was never too crowded, and everyone there was relatively friendly. All she really had to do was be nice to the customers and deliver food. Simple enough. Elena refrained from working night shift, though, there was no telling who or what would be wondering into the restaurant after the sun had set. It was better to be safe than sorry.
While Elena worked, Damon could usually be found at Sal's, a hole in the wall bar a few blocks off of South Main. He was consistent at least. By four o'clock every afternoon he would be at Tonics in one of the front booths waiting for Elena to get off and walk her back to their place. They had a nice routine. Everything for Elena right now was easy and predictable. Then again, that's just what she finally needed.
It was nearing the end of her shift and Elena's eyes were starting to get heavy. A yawn escaped her as she tossed her half apron onto a hook in the back kitchen. Her messy pony tail hung much lower now than when she had started this morning. As she pushed open the swinging double doors she could see Damon get up from his usual spot and walk towards her. He wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead.
"Bye 'Lena! See you in the morning," Mary called out to her.
Elena waved to her and turned toward the front door. Her and Damon walked close together as they headed towards their apartment building. The sun was still high in the sky, but she felt like it could've been midnight by how tired she was.
"You look sleepy. Did you actually have to work today," Damon smirked at her.
"I work every day. Some days are just more draining than others," Elena replied.
Damon took her hand and lead her across the street and into their building. When they finally reached their door Damon opened it quickly. Elena walked in and collapsed down onto the sofa. She dug her face into one of the blue throw pillows.
"Poor thing, want me to run us a bath," Damon teased.
"That sounds perfect," Elena said still not looking up from the pillow.
She could hear him walk down the hallway. After a couple of minutes water was beating down against the porcelain tub. Hearing this gave her the motivation to pull herself from the couch and join Damon in the bathroom. He had already stripped out of his black v-neck shirt and was working on his jeans. Elena smiled as she took him in.
"You're blushing," he smiled at her.
"You just look too good," Elena giggled.
"Not to argue with you Ms. Gilbert, but I always look good," Damon was very cocky.
"But, to be fair, you look very good yourself. Especially when your clothes come off," he added.
Elena smiled and rolled her eyes. She peeled out of her blue, tight fitting t-shirt and tossed it in the clothes hamper by the door. She smelled like french fries and grease. She could only imagine how attractive that must be. Damon had already gotten into the bath tub. Steam was rising steadily from the water. Globs of bubbles peeked out over the edge. She finished getting undressed and slipped in with him. Her long hair fell down her shoulders as she pulled out the stretched out elastic band. She leaned against Damon's chest.
Damon smiled his crooked smile.
"You're too cute," he whispered to her.
Elena grinned and rested her head back against his shoulder. Damon wrapped his arms around her waist and laced their fingers together. They soaked there together until the bubbles had died away. Damon's phone started buzzing frantically on the granite counter top. He grumbled a bit but reluctantly got up and out of the warm water. He wrapped a stark white towel around his mid section and reached for his phone. Once he saw the name on his screen Damon excused himself to the bedroom.
"Hello little witch," Damon said begrudgingly.
"Damon, there's a whole list of people I'd rather be talking to right now, but it's about Stefan. He's turned it off again," Bonnie was frantic.
"I am aware. That is not my problem . Seeing how he happens to be your best friend that seems to be your problem. I have my own things I'm taking care of right now," he smirked.
"It's your brother we are talking about, so yes he is your problem too. Just because you've gone all soft with some girl doesn't mean she's the only thing in the world. Stefan will piss the wrong person off here soon, and if you don't want him to end up dead you better get him to turn it back on," Bonnie was raging.
"One, nobody is going to kill Stefan except for me. Two, you're all buddy buddy with him why don't you get him to turn it back on. I don't want to be the one coaching him through his self guilting phase. I've got more things to worry about than his humanity," Damon hissed.
Elena walked through the doorway, her towel draping dangerously low on her body. She smiled seductively at Damon.
"Damon can you just help me with this one thing. I will take care of him, but you're the only one he cares enough about to flip that switch. Now when-," Bonnie was cut off mid-sentence.
Damon tossed his phone to the floor and quickly took Elena into his arms. He trailed kisses up her neck and along her jaw line. Elena braced herself against the doorway. She giggled as he ran his hand up along her bare leg. Damon's phone vibrated against the wooden floor. He just let it ring out. He guided Elena's mouth to his and kissed her deeply. The phone started up, but again he ignored it. He wrapped his hands around both of her thighs and hoisted her legs up and around his waist. The towel still covered a majority of Elena's body, but Damon was intent on fixing that.
The phone sprang to life again. Damon pulled back and grumbled loudly. Elena pulled his face back to hers, but the kiss didn't last as long as she had hoped. He pulled back again and lowered her back down to the floor. Damon snatched up his phone and answered it.
"What do you want," he growled.
"I told you, Damon. This is important. Get your ass back here and help me get Stefan," Bonnie yelled.
"Who is it," Elena laid in bed and mouthed to him.
"I was in the middle of something, but your bitching has ruined it now. I'll be there tomorrow. Now leave me alone. "
Damon hung up the phone, flicked off the bedroom lights, and climbed into bed next to Elena. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest.
"Now where were we," he buried his face into her neck.
"Who was that," Elena asked.
"Nobody important. Just an old, annoying friend that needs my help with something," Damon replied.
"So what does that mean? Where are you going?"
"Elena, honey, don't worry about it. It's really nothing, but I'll have to take a little trip back to Mystic Falls tomorrow. I normally wouldn't think it's worth it, but Stefan needs my help."
"Then I'm coming with you," she stated.
"No, it's not safe there for you. Plus, this is way over your head. It's best for you to just wait here and do your things like normal."
"It won't be normal. I don't want to stay here by myself. You never know what could happen while you're gone," Elena tried tugging at his heart strings, or better yet, his paranoia.
"I know you'll be fine Elena. It will only take a few days and then I'll be back here with you. Please just trust me on this."
Elena didn't answer him. She melted into his chest and closed her eyes. Of course she would be worried sick about him until he returned, but she couldn't fight him on this. She flipped herself around to face him and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"I love you," she whispered.
Damon's eyes were still closed, but a small smile escaped him as she snuggled into him.
