A/N This story has not been beta, decided to bite the FF bullet and post this story before I lost my nerve. (Sorry in advance for the many mistakes..) This is my first FF ever but I have enjoying reading many of the stories posted on here the last couple of months

Pain, deep, dark pain that was all she could feel. It radiated out of her body. She couldn't pinpoint the place it started it just seemed to go on and on and on.

Her eyes blinked closed and darkness over took her vision.

This must be the end…..

In the distance she could hear a voice calling her, pleading with her.

"Elena!" a voice yelled.

But then there was silence, beautiful silence and the pain was gone. "Finally," was her last thought?

48 hours earlier….

Elena woke feeling refreshed for the first time in months. Today was the day they would bring Stefan home. This horrible nightmare would finally be behind them and Klaus would be history. That thought alone was enough to bring a smile to face.

This summer had been the longest in her life. Together, Elena and Damon had tracked Stefan and Klaus over a good chunk of North America.

Their rather long road trip had led them to New York, down through Las Vegas, over to the west coast and finally north to Canada. Elena had lost count of small towns they had searched and they were always a day or even a week late. Stefan and Klaus had spent the last three months always one step ahead of them. They were always able to move on just in time. She grew more and more frustrated as time passed.

She had been on the verge of asking Damon to take her home when they finally got the break that brought them to Vancouver. If she couldn't convince Stefan to come home, Elena was no longer willing to try. She had given him the summer, putting all of her energy, her sole and even her heart on the line to try and bring him home. But at some point she needed to let him go and return to Mystic Falls.

In the beginning she had hoped that their love would be enough to bring him back, but the trail of bodies they had followed across the country had planted seeds of doubt in her mind.

Elena gave her head a good shake to clear away her thoughts. Today she needed to be positive and focused. There was no room for doubt today.

She glanced over at the other queen size bed to see that Damon was still sleeping. Their room was a standard mid-priced motel room on the edge of the city near the airport. Damon had slept on his side facing the opposite wall but she could tell by the steady rise and fall of the blankets he was still out.

Elena gathered her toiletries bag and a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom to shower.

The hot water soon loosened her achy muscles and fully woke her body. Mindful that Damon would want to shower too Elena didn't linger beneath the spray. She quickly washed her hair and shaved her legs before turning the taps off and grabbing a tower.

When she entered the main area of their hotel room Damon's bed was empty, with a quick glance around Elena confirmed that she was alone in their room.

She dumped her stuff in her bag and went about getting ready for the day. Elena didn't hear the door open as Damon returned. But she did smell the coffee he waved under her nose.

"For you my lady," Damon droled as he presented her with a tall coffee cup.

One sniff confirmed that he had brought her a vanilla latte, her favorite drink.

"Thanks, Damon. You didn't have to do that; regular coffee would have been fine."

"Oh but Elena, today is anything but a regular day," he smirked and added "today is the day you get your heart's desire."

Elena flushed before meeting Damon's eyes. She wanted to tell him the truth…that she was unsure of her heart's desire that at this point she was here because she felt she owed Stefan but the words never came. She simply tipped her cup in his direction, in a gesture of thanks, before taking her first sip.

Smooth vanilla flavored coffee floated across her tongue, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the simple pleasure of a really good cup of coffee.

Damon unable to watch Elena enjoy her coffee anymore without kissing her moved quickly to the bathroom to shower. As he pushed open the door he held his breath knowing what was coming. Even after 3 months of shared hotel rooms her honey and lavender shampoo did crazy things to his heart rate, even his breathing was affect. He quietly closed the door and took a deep satisfying breath. The effect on his body was instant. After a few shaky breaths he was able to contain his reaction enough to strip off his clothes and climb into the shower. Vivid pictures of Elena showering clouded his mind as cold water blasted his body.

Damon had been unable to have a hot shower since June. His need to be with her grew with every waking minute they spent together. Now that they were sleeping in the same room, it had become unbearable. So cold showers it so. They did little to dampen his desire but at least they kept him sane enough to find his brother.

He returned to the main room fully clothed in a black t-shirt and jeans. His dirty thoughts pushed to the back of his mind and ready to search for his brother.

Elena sat preached on the end of her bed typing away on her laptop.

Without looking up from the screen she said "Just checking in with Jeremy, everything is good back home. He and Bonnie went by the boarding house yesterday and all is good there."

"Tell witchy I say hi." Damon said sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"Come on Damon, can't you be a little nice to her? She has been a big help with summer, without her guiding us we would still be in Virginia wondering around in circles."

"It's not that I don't like her, we just don't see eye to eye"

Elena closed her laptop and stored it in her messenger bag and sat down next to Damon. "Now what? Do we have a plan?"

"Well…I figured we would find some place safe for you to hang out and I would go do some recon."

"Like hell. Have the last 3 months taught you nothing? You can't leave me behind, I can be helpful….remember that time in Vegas?"

"Oh yeah…wasn't that like the 3rd time you almost got yourself killed? Really? You use that as your example. That guy was totally seconds away from sucking you dry," Damon shivered unintentionally. Of all the examples to use Elena picks the one that nearly stopped her heart and took his forever.

Elena and he had tracked Klaus to a club off the strip. Elena was simply supposed to entice one of the customers into the back room where Damon would take over questioning. However the guy decided to have a snack instead. If Damon hadn't joined them when he did Elena would have been dinner. He shuddered at the thought.

"I had things under control, I was about to kick him in the nuts and run."

"Oh that makes me feel so much better, you had a plan? He was a vampire, there was no escaping him." Damon tried to reason with her.

"Whatever, I got away in the end. It's fine, but really I can help. There's no need to stash me somewhere while you go and have all the fun."

Damon looked at her defeated, knowing he wouldn't win this argument. "Elena, please just this once. I need you to play tourist and get a feel for the city. I really have no clue what the vampire population is like here, for all we know they could be CRAZY! I need to check it out first, alone, to make sure they aren't like rabid or anything"

Elena huffed and rolled her eyes, "Fine, I'll check out a couple of hot spots and do some digging. But tonight when you go out I am coming with you."

"Fine, agreed. By tonight I'll hopefully have a location for us search and I'll need some bait." Damon replied before moving across the room out of Elena's range. He knew she hated to be called bait. But let's face it she is human and in a blood bar she would totally be bait.

If Stefan or Klaus were within a 1 km radius of the bar they should be able to smell her blood once their plan was set in motion. Elena's blood called to both of them, Stephen because of his feelings for her however buried they were and Klaus because he needed his doppelganger safe.

"Haha," Elena managed a little laugh at Damon's attempt at humor, "So not funny Damon."

Elena gathered up her bag and sweater and headed towards the door. Glancing back over her shoulder she saw Damon about to talk, "Before you start….yes I will check in every hour, call not text and I'll try and stay out of trouble"

Damon smiled at her, "At least once an hour," he smirked at her, "just be careful, we didn't come this far to get you hurt now." He pulled out his wallet and handed her his Amex card, "Mind picking up some supplies while you are out?"

Elena reached for the card," Depends what supplies you mean."

"Well I'm sure you will want to eat at some point, we can't have you wasting away to nothing can we? And after the last club I think you need a new dress, make it something black and sexy this time."

"Damon, really? You want me to get a new dress? How will that help?"

"Please just buy a new dress and make sure its short, you have sexy legs," he replied trying to keep the wanting out of his voice. True be told he just wanted to distract her from what could possible happen this evening.

"Whatever," she said as she slammed the door behind her.

Sometimes that man was so frustrating.

Elena looped her messenger bag over her shoulder and headed down to street level from their 2nd floor room. She had to admit that what she had seen of the city so far was impressive. Huge coastal mountains framed the north end of the city. A slight ocean breeze kept the heat from being overwhelming. But so far it was the people that had made the biggest impression on her, everyone was so friendly. Everyone smiled and nodded hello as they pasted on the street, it was like visiting a small town not a city of over a million people.

She decided her best bet was to duck into the lobby and get directions for some of the tourist areas.

A short train ride later found Elena downtown in an area called Yale town. Cute little shops and cafes lined the street. The foot traffic seemed to be mostly mid-20s to 30's. Elena felt a little under dressed in jeans and t-shirt but no one seemed to take notice of her. She wondered a couple of blocks before she found a café that would meet her needs.

After ordering an iced coffee from the barista Elena grabbed an empty table near the window and set up her laptop. She quickly connected to the free WIFI and started to search the net for places Stefan and Klaus might hide out.

2 iced coffees later and 3 phone calls to Damon netted her nothing but a slight headache. Is there was a vampire scene here she wasn't having any luck finding it on the net. However from what she could tell there was a very active night life here, there were lots of clubs and discos to choose from. She had somewhat pinpointed an area that they should start with.

Finally just after lunch Elena packed up her laptop and decided to move on, Damon's Amex was burning a hole in her pocket. It felt like ages since she had treated herself to something nice. Given Damon's cocky attitude this morning Elena felt the need to teach him a little lesson. First one being never give a girl your black Amex without giving her a spending limit.

Elena asked one of the café staff for directions to a place to go shopping and was told to head for Robson St. A short bus ride later she found herself in an upscale shop area. The perfect place to give Damon's Amex a good work out. She ducked into the first shop that looked like her style. A short trip around the store produced 3 dresses she wanted to try on. One was a typical little black dress, one was a strapless fitted red number and the third one was backless number that looked a bit too small.

A very well dressed young woman in her 30's showed Elena to a dressing room at the back of the store. "Please let me know if you need anything else, a different size, shoes or accessories."

"Uh, Thanks," Elena replied as she slid the curtain closed.

Dress number one was a no go; it was too plain and did nothing to flaunt her figure. The strapless red dress had possibilities, it make her feel like vixen. The third dress made her breathless. It hugged her in all the right places.

Elena wondered out into the sales room looking for the sales lady, "Excuse me but do you have some shoes that would work with this one," she said gesturing down the dress.

"Wow, it's like that dress was made for you," the sales lady said looking up from the stack of clothes she had been refolding. "We have a very nice pair of Jimmy Choos that would look amazing on you, one moment and I'll grab them."

The sales lady joined her in the back a few moments later carrying a shoe box, "Here you go try these and let me know what you think."

Elena carefully slipped on the shoes and stood in front of the mirror, the shoes definitely completed the outfit. She looked like a sexy dark angel. Damon would definitely approve Elena thought as she slipped back into her own clothes.

Deciding Damon could buy her 2 dresses as well as the shoes she headed out front to pay. The sales lady looked a little surprised to see her lay both dresses on the counter.

"Couldn't decide between the 2?"

"Nope, but who cares, my boyfriend is treating me," Elena lied as she handed over the black Amex card.

The lady looked a little jealous as she rang up the sale. She managed to plaster a fake smile on her face as she handed Elena the sales slip to sign. She gasped slightly before signing her name to the four thousand dollar purchase.

Deciding she had done enough damage with her one purchase Elena headed out of the store in search of grocery store.

Noting the time of her phone she hit speed dial 2 and waited for Damon to answer.

"You're late," he answer the phone sounding slight annoyed.

"But still totally alive," Elena answered sweetly. She found it very cute that he sounded annoyed and concerned.

"You know better, ALWAYS be on time or I won't let you out of my sight ever." He yelled into the phone.

"Damon chill, you will be happy to know I took your advice and bought a new dress, you will totally approve because I look fabulous" Elena added trying to distract Damon from her tardiness.

"Fabulous, uh…You'll show me later?" He practical purred into the phone.

"Just don't get mad when you get the bill," Elena joked.

"Me? Mad? Never, how much damage could you've done in an hour?"

Elena continued to walk down the street as she answered, "Well you might be surprised. I didn't realize so little fabric could cost so much."

Damon chuckled into the phone, "I'm sure it will totally be worthwhile."

"Did you want anything from the store?"

"Really? Did we forget I'm a vampire?" Damon whispered into the phone.

"No I didn't forget, maybe you need other stuff, you know, like shampoo."

Damon chuckled into the phone once again, "Well now that you mention it I could use some body wash and razors. I still need to look my best in case I find a nice Canadian girl."

"Ok I'll see what I can find; I know what brands you like. So I should be back at the hotel in an hour, will I see you there?"

"Perhaps"

Elena quickly disconnected her phone and headed into the grocery store she had found. She grabbed some fruit and veggies to snack on as well as stuff Damon needed. After going through the checkout she headed back out into the northern sun to look for a bus stop to get back to the hotel.

A short 20 minutes later she was back at the hotel lounging on her bed watching a movie and eating some grapes. Damon was still nowhere to be found but Elena wasn't overly concerned. If anyone could take care of themselves it's Damon.

Part way through the movie Elena's phone chirp indicating a text message, she reached over and fumbled through her purse in search of her phone.

It was a text from Bonnie *It's me, can you Skype?

She punched in a quick reply * in 5, gotta get my laptop out

Elena grabbed her laptop out of her bag and started to boot it up. She quickly connected to WIFI and open up Skype.

"What's the rush?" Elena asked Bonnie when she appeared on her computer screen.

"Elena, I think we found a spell that might help when you find Stefan"

"Really?"

"Yup, in one of my gram's old books, it's like a detox or cleanse."

"Meaning what," ask Elena unsure for what Bonnie was saying.

"Well if we do the spell right, he wouldn't crave human blood and it should break his compulsion."

"Should or will Bonnie?"

"Should Elena, it's not a perfect fit, but I think it is our best chance."

"Well Damon isn't here right now, I'll let him know that you have come up with something and see what he thinks." Elena looked sadly at Bonnie through the monitor, "It should be his choice, Stefan's his brother."

Bonnie smiled and nodded, "Well Jer is here I should go….talk soon and stay safe.

"You too," Elena replied closing her laptop.

Elena picked up her phone and hit speed dial 2, "Where are you? We need to talk…"

"Well, hello to you too sweetie. I'm on way back now."

"You need to hurry, I was just talking to Bonnie and I think we have a plan." Before Elena could close her phone the door to their hotel room opened and Damon breezed in.

"Honey I'm home." Damon sang out as he entered their room.

Elena filled Damon in on what Bonnie had found out and watched as a variety of emotions play across his face. Damon was never one to show too much emotion, it was fascinating to watch happiness, joy and a bit of sadness cross his face as he processed what potentially bring his brother back to him but more so re-unite Elena and Stephen.

He sat down the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

"Well…what do you think, is it worth the risk?" Elena asked as she joined Damon on his bed.

"It might be? " Damon said standing up and heading for the bottle of Bourbon he had left on the dresser. He poured himself a healthy glass before sitting back down with Elena. Elena reached for the glass and gulped half the glass before Damon had even settled back on the bed.

"Hey, get your own drink." Damon smirked excepting his now half full glass back.

Elena coughed as the amber liquid smoothly slid down her throat. "I only wanted a sip. Besides I need to go get ready"

Damon watched as Elena grabbed her dress bag, shoe box and cosmetic bag and headed for the bathroom.

Once she had the door closed Elena hung the dress up on the back of the door, took a deep breath and got to work. First she re-straighten her hair and fasten it in a low ponytail. She added a couple of bobby pins to hold her bangs in place. Next Elena applied some eye shadow and kohl to her eyes and touched up her mascara. Finally in came time to pull on her dress. She stripped out of her clothes and pulled on a small barely there pair of panties before pulling her dress on and adding her new Jimmy Choos. The overall look was breath taking; she looked like a million bucks.

Elena took a couple deep breaths and opened the bathroom door. Damon glanced up from the TV, his jaw dropped and his eyes sparkled. His eyes travelled from her toes all the way up her body, Elena could feel his eyes touched every part of her body, her cheeks flushed at the appreciation she saw in his eyes. Feeling bold she turned her body keeping her eyes focused on his face. She knew the exact second he saw the back of her dress, or more accurately the lack of back. He blinked a couple of times in rapid succession and his jaw open and closed several times as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

With vampire speed Damon was up and standing facing her back. He gently brought his hand up and caressed her back. Tingles broke up wherever skin touched skin, goose bumps appeared over Elena arms. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax into his touch.

"Elena," Damon whispered huskily, "That dress should be illegal…."

"Well, I'm glad you approve," Elena replied slowly turning her body to face him.

"Approve?" Damon questioned in a hushed tone, "I don't think you should be allowed out tonight."

"Why," Elena asked coyly looking at Damon all doe eyed, "You will protect me, right?"

"With my life and you know it. The problem is I don't want to share you in that dress with anyone."

Elena chuckled, "Well too bad, we need to do this, now, before I lose my nerve."

"Elena…" Damon started, "We don't have to do this if you don't want too. We can find another way."

"No!" Elena stated forcefully, "I need to do this for Stefan….I need to fix what I broken."

"Fine," Damon said, "but if you take so much as an extra step away from me tonight I'll throw over my shoulder and bring you back to Mystic Falls." He continued to hold her gaze, searching for the unspoken truth. He knew deep down that there was more to this crusade then Elena was letting on. Something had changed between Stefan and Elena but she wasn't ready to admit to it yet. Damon was trying so hard not to fuck up anything but still be there for her, it was literally killing him to watch her suffer with the guilt.

Elena held his gaze, hoping that her confidence was shining through more so than the fear that was eating her alive. What if they couldn't help him? She needed the old Stefan back; she needed to confess her sins. She wanted to tell him the truth. She had fallen for his brother while his back was turn.

Damon was the first to break their stare by reaching down to grab Elena's short leather bomber jacket. He held in open for her as she slid her arms in. She turned slightly planting a chaste kiss on his check.

"Thank-you…."she whispered against his check, "For everything."

"You're more than welcome" Damon replied turning his head just slightly so their lips were aligned.

All they had to do was lean in, just a little and their lips would touch. A moment passed…

She made the decision for both of them; Elena could no longer deny what she craved. She closed the distance between them touching her lips to Damon's. Her eyes closed on contact. The tensions of the day lifted. She was home, this is where she belonged. His lips moved over hers with a hunger and excitement she had never felt from Stefan. She answered with her own hunger, their lips parted, and their tongues slowly and teasingly met. A burning fire erupted within them. This was a kiss worthy of all the denied longing and pent up emotions from the last couple of months. Elena wrapped her arms around Damon pulling their bodies together. Damon snaked his arms underneath her jacket lightly trailing his fingers up and down her newly heated skin. A shiver traveled through Elena's body as heat spread outward from her core.

This must be heaven she thought as they continued exploring each other's mouths. Fireworks were exploded in her brain trying to process all the sensations her body was creating as it reacted to Damon's touch. She could tell he was affected just as strongly as her; the proof was straining against the front of his jeans. His fingers bravely continued to explore her body, his hands skirted over her hips and cross her belly. The thin silk of her dress left little to the imagination. Damon could feel the heat and softness of her skin.

Damon pulled back, staring at her as if seeing her for the first time. Neither of them said anything for several moments. They just stared at each other's lust filled eyes.

"We better go…" Damon managed to say, "But know this isn't over, not by a long shot." He kissed her once more on the lips as a promise.

Still reeling from the after effects of their kiss, Elena simply nodded, unable to speak. All she wanted was to sink onto the bed and continue what they had just started but they needed to leave. The only reason she got her legs to move was his promise that this was just the beginning.

The drive to the bar was made in mostly silence. Both Elena and Damon continued to steal glances at one another. Elena shyly as she tried to process what they had just done while Damon was looking for signs for guilt. Here they were searching for his brother and he was making out like a teenager with his girlfriend. That was like rule number one in the code of brotherhood, girlfriends of a brother are off limits.

Damon didn't feel guilty but he knew Elena would. That was part of the reason that he had fallen in love with her in the first place. Her compassion and ability to forgive were amazing. He would never regret anything where Elena was concerned. Damon knew that their time together could be limited so he chose to savior each moment, each kiss like it was the last.

They managed to find a parking spot right out front. Before Elena was even able to get her seatbelt off Damon was around her side of the car opening her door for her. He offered her his arm as they headed into bar/club.

A larger neon sign over the door didn't give the nature of the bar away. It simply stated Carmichael's. But Elena knew better. This was a blood bar frequented by the local vampire population. If you wanted a fresh warm drink from a willing participate this is where you came.

The décor was similar to the last dozen or so bars they had tried in other cities. A good sized place with tables surrounding a dance floor, there was next to no light aside from a single candle on each table and some overhead lights at the bar. The music was pounding; you could feel it vibrating in the floor. There was a full service bar along the back wall which is where Damon was headed now, dragging Elena with him.

He walked right up to the bar, leaned over the counter and called out to the bartender, "Bourdon, double, neat"

The bartender placed a glass in front of Damon and started to pour, "You know we have much better things to drink here then this crap," she said giving Damon a knowing smile.

"So I've heard. My brother Stefan recommended the place."

"Ah Stefan, he's a good kid," she said with a knowing smile.

"We were supposed to meet here tonight, have you seen him yet?"

"He was here last night, still a bit early for him," she replied.

Damon glanced at Elena, handing her his drink, "Drink up, you'll need it."

Elena took the drink and wondered over to an empty table. She placed her jacket over the back of the chair and took a seat. Damon's bourbon slid down her throat warming her from the inside out. Nothing like a little liquid courage, which is she was in desperate need of right now.

Damon who had remained at the bar continued to chat up the bartender all the while still watching Elena from the corner of his eye. His eyes narrowed as another guy approached her. He had watched nearly every male vampire check her out as they entered, and he had even seen several sniff the air as she walked by.

"Hey sweetheart," the stranger greeted Elena, "Care to dance?"

"Um…..no thanks, I don't think my boyfriend would be ok with that," she replied pointing to Damon at the bar.

"Come on now, it's just a dance," he said as he reached down for her arm to pull her up.

In a flash Damon was beside him, "Pretty sure the lady said no thank-you jack ass." He pulled the strangers arm away from Elena. His eyes flashed red as he stared the stranger down. Damon placed his body between them, "Stay the hell away from her, she's mine," he snapped baring his fangs.

The stranger raised his hands in surrender and started to back away. "Sorry man, didn't know she was taken….she just smells so good….." The stranger had the good sense to look afraid as Damon hissed at him.

Damon turned to Elena, "Let's dance."

Elena allowed Damon move her towards the dance floor; he pulled her into his arms and started to slowly sway to the music.

Damon brought his lips to her ear and softly whispered against her hair, "Sorry about that, I won't leave you alone again. Apparently you attract all kinds of bad ass vampires; you must be some kind of magnet."

Elena chuckled before turning her mouth to Damon's ear. She gently nipped his ear before whispering in his ear, "No worries, I trust you…."

Damon's body stilled the second Elena teeth closed down on his ear. He definitely liked this new Elena. Her confidence seemed to be in fine form tonight. Unable to help himself he brought his lips down on hers, crushing his against her softer lips. A small moan escaped Elena's mouth, allowing Damon the chance to deepen the kiss. After a few moments Elena pulled back her chest heaving from lack of oxygen.

"Wow," she whispered against his lips.

"Wow is right," Damon whispered back leaning his forehead against hers. He was beginning to think that no other women would ever satisfy or come close to satisfying him the way she could. She had just created a new standard from 2 passion filled kisses, heck they hadn't even had sex yet but he knew there would never be anyone else for him except her.

As the song faded to a finish Damon lead Elena back to their table, "I'm going to grab another round, I think both of us could use a drink now."

Elena watched as he walked to the bar, ordered drinks and returned to her. She seemed unable to keep her eyes off of him. Her heart was still pounding from the aftershocks of kissing Damon. Each time is seemed to get more intense and needy. She needed him. It was that simple, she needed him in a way she had never wanted before. He made her feel things she craved. That had never happened with Stefan. What she felt for Stefan wasn't even a tenth of what Damon made her feel.

He slid into the seat opposite Elena and pushed her drink across to her. She downed the double shot in one gulp, looking up at him as the amber liquid burned her throat and heated her belly.

"You know good bourbon should be sipped, not chugged"

"I don't care at this point; I just want to be drunk enough for this plan to work." Elena coughed out as she raised her hand for the bartender, signaling that she wanted another.

"Bring the bottle," Damon called out over his shoulder to the bartender.

After downing a couple more shots Elena pulled Damon back onto the dance floor, "Let's do this."

"Elena, are you sure? After this there is no turning back…" Damon asked.

"For heaven sakes let's just do it and get in over with. We've never made it this far before, we know he is in the area. It's time to flush him out. Please Damon I need to do this, I trust you."

Damon took one last look in her eyes before pulling her close. He molded his body to hers, relishing the warmth and smell of her.

He kissed her first on the lips tasting the bourbon she had just drunk. Then he moved onto her chin, he planted a tail of kisses down her neck until his tongue ran over the one spot he was so sure he would never get to touch.

Elena hands gripped the back of his shirt tightly waiting for the pain. She held her breath in anticipation.

But nothing happened…..

She pulled back to look at Damon, her eyes questioning him.

Damon nervously smiled at her," Ease up. I can't do this if you are tense; it will hurt a lot more then is needs too."

He watched as she visibly tried to relax. Damon could feel the tension in her body. He leaned forward planting another kiss on her lips. He fingers drawing lazy patterns on her back; he slowly eased his fingertips under the edge of the fabric on her dress so he could caress the skin of her sides.

She giggled against him as he found a particularly ticklish spot. She grip loosen on his shirt and he could feel her melt more into him. Damon kissed his way across her check to her ear gently nipping on her lobe as she had done earlier to him. He felt a quiver of pleasure run through her body and knew it was now or never.

Damon brought his mouth down to base of her neck and carefully sank his fangs into her neck. Elena stilled against him, gasped in surprise. Her body weight sagged against him. Damon quickly moved his arms to support her.

The small taste he had gotten from breaking her skin lingered on his tongue, demanding he start to drink, but somehow he managed to hold off give Elena a moment to adjust.

Elena moved arms around to his front and placed her hands on his chest as if to push him away. "Damon…please…."she begged breathlessly. She slipped her fingers through the buttons on his shirt.

"Drink," she whispered, as she caressed the bare skin of his chest.

Damon tried to start slowly, but her blood tasted like heaven. He greedily sucked against her skin pulling blood from her body. A moan escaped her lips.

Her warm fingers seemed to be everywhere. Damon felt a couple of the button give way allowing her great access to his chest. Elena scrapped her nail across his chest before tweaking one of his nipples between her fingers. She tugged on it gently before giving his other nipple the same treatment. Elena felt a grumble of pleasure against her neck as Damon continued to suck.

Elena had never felt anything like this. It was so erotic, like she couldn't get close enough to him. There was no pain only pleasure snaking through her body.

Heat continued to build in her core, she desperately wanted friction but Damon held her immobile as he continued to drink from her. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore her body found its release. Pleasure floated through her body in waves, her heart rate skyrocketed pumping her blood faster and faster.

Damon could taste her release in her blood, he desperately wanted to keep feeding but he heard the change in her heart beat and knew he needed to stop now. Using all of his self-control he pulled his fangs from the delicate skin on her neck.

Elena kept her eyes downcast as Damon pulled away from her. She was ashamed at her body's response to him.

"Elena…" Damon whispered pulling her chin up with his finger so she was looking at him, "there is nothing to be ashamed of, that was so beyond hot."

Elena blinked a couple of times, "I wasn't expecting that at all. I really thought it was going to hurt like hell." She blushed and ran her fingers over the puncture site, an involuntarily shiver run through her body.

"It was different for me too," Damon whispered as he did up the buttons of his shirt.

"How?" She questioned.

"Well, for one your blood is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted. Sweet and warm, and then it changed….It was stronger. That's the only word that comes close but it's not enough." Damon watched her react to his words; her cheeks once again became rosy.

Elena turned head to watch the rest of the bar. She needed to break the lust filled gaze that Damon was watching her with. She knew he wanted her, she could feel his need pressed up against her body.

They both pulled back from each other, unsure of what to do now.

"I guess we wait to see if they're going to show…" Elena asked, still watching the rest of the bar. "I don't see them yet…"

"Me either, we could wait awhile…..if not you want to try again tomorrow? Damon asked as he led her back to their table and waiting bottle of bourbon.

He poured them each a much needed shot. Elena threw hers back quickly and requested another.

"We could wait a bit, but I'm kind of tired."

Damon poured himself another shot, "Kay, maybe 20 minutes? After that I'll take you back to the hotel."

The 20 minutes dragged on, both sat watching the door waiting for Stephen and Elijah to arrive.

It soon became apparent that they weren't going to show. Elena was getting antsier by the minute.

Damon deciding to call it a night headed up to the bar to pay their tab.

Elena slip on her jacket and joined Damon at the bar just as he was slipping his wallet back into his jacket pocket. They walked out together and silently got into the car. It took only a few minutes for the motion of the car to put Elena to sleep.

Damon spent most of the drive lost in thought. He had never experience anything like that. The taste of her blood was beautiful. He could still taste the overwhelming sweetness on his tongue, the couple shots of bourbon and 3 of Tequila did nothing to erase her from his tongue. It was a miracle that he was able to stop. Now that he had had a taste he wanted more, truth be told he had wanted more for a long time now. He wanted her, plain and simple. He would always want her. He meant what he said six months ago when he told Stefan he would always pick her over anyone else. Damon was just now seeing how deep those feelings went. He was willing to give up his happiness if being with Stefan was what she truly wanted.

He could see the cracks though. Damon knew what something was up. Somewhere in their journey to save Stefan things had changed. Elena was no longer putting her heart into it. She was here to save Stefan but not for herself but for him. Damon couldn't quite figure out why they were still here but until she said stop he would stay with her and protect her.

Damon parked the car in front of the motel, without waking Elena; he lifted her out of the car and carried her bridal style up to their room. He maneuvered her carefully through the door and gently lay her down on his bed. He carefully slipped her out of her jacket and unbuckled her strappy high heels.

She rolled over onto her side and curled into a ball, her lips smiling in her sleep. Damon brushed a couple strands of her hair off of her face before readying himself for bed.

Normally he slept nude but for this trip he made peace with having to wear pajama pants. After rooting around in his duffle bag he came across a clean pair of black cotton drawstring pants, using his vampire speed and he quickly changed from his street clothes to his PJs, quietly cursing the need for them at all. It had literally taken a full month to get use to sleeping in them.

After a quick trip to the bathroom Damon crawled under the quilt and molded his body to Elena's. Her exposed back was nice and warm, against his shirtless chest. He looped his arm around her waist pulling her tight to his body.

Sleep evaded Damon. All he could think about was Elena. Her hair smelt like honey and lavender and tickled his nose every time she moved in her sleep. The sound of her breathing and her pumping heart were like the world's best symphony, which he could literally listen to for eternity. But the biggest problem was the fact she keep shifting in her sleep. First her legs aligned with his, and then she rolled more on her front. Each time she shifted her dress crept higher up her body slowly exposing a tiny pair of lace panties. They looked so hot against her skin, it took all of Damon's willpower not to reach down and touch her.

Unable to take it anymore, he pulled his hand from her waist and let his fingers slowly caress her side, playing with the edge of her dress. When she didn't wake he became bolder and slipped them under the side of her dress. Slowly his fingers crept around to her soft mounds, his greedy fingers searching out her nipples. He was happy to find them hard and waiting for him. Damon rolled her hard nipple slowly back and forth between two of his fingers feeling it harden even more.

Elena moaned softly in her sleep, arching her back out seeking more.

Damon watched as Elena slowly woke a smile on her lips. Her eyes blinked open, taking in her surroundings. Her gaze settled on Damon, her beautiful brown eyes cloudy with lust. She reached up, pulling his face to her for a passion filled kiss. Sparks ignited; waves of longing travelled the length of her body.

Elena pulled back and looked into Damon's eyes. All she saw was love and longing…

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