A/N: So this is another Delena story. Yes, they are human, but in a very interesting setting where they will be challenged, emotionally and physically. Eventually, it will bring them closer together than they ever expected and nothing will ever be the same again. Hearts will be broken, enemies will be made, but most importantly love will prevail.
*I don't own anything from Vampire Diaries!
Anyways enjoy & hope you like it. Yes there will be smut on this story, I just can't get enough ;)
The Departure
"If you really loved me, you would let me go...I'm sorry."
With one last kiss they parted.
Tears streamed down his golden skin as he watched her board the plane.
Her lashes fluttered open, exhausted and sad chocolate brown irises peaking from underneath.
A vast blanket of darkness with little pocket holes of translucent light poking through while the thick sheet of water fell from the heavens: That's the first thing Elena Gilbert woke up to see.
The plane rattled and shook as a new gust of wind swirled around it, threatening to suck it into the vortex of chaos that awaited at the bottom.
"Ugh. How long until we land?" Elena rubbed the sleep of her eyes as she stretched languidly. She was used to these kind of storms and she had travelled uneventful rides only with minimal turbulence - nothing ever escalated to something serious - so she grew desensitized to the frequent shaking of the plane.
When no one answered her, she looked around to find that the married couple next to her were fast asleep leaning on each other, a serene smile tugging at their faces.
Feeling a strange ache at the sight, Elena quickly adverted her eyes toward the stormy sky outside her window panel. Finding comfort in the distorted lights of the twinkling stars above breaking through the raindrops and gray fog, she sighed recalling the events that led her to where she was now.
Just like the current weather, Elena felt a turmoil of emotions swirling within her, threatening to drag her to the deepest of hells if she didn't fight back and resist.
Just 2 weeks ago she was back home; her life was all rainbows and unicorns with a pinch of sugary goodness. She had the perfect friends, job, house, and not to mention the perfect boyfriend. Honestly, she couldn't ask - much less - wish for more.
However, the almighty gods must have decided she was not worthy of such a perfect life, for they had sent her the worst challenge yet. She could either stay in Italy and continue her "too good to be true" existence or leave to the States where they needed her assistance in the Cancer Research Program. She didn't want to leave, particularly because a month ago she had just landed a job in one of the most prestigious hospitals in Italy.
But, being a highly admonished doctor with a very firm belief in being righteous, she couldn't even consider rejecting the opportunity to save millions of lives just so she could enjoy hers. It didn't mean she actually looked forward to leaving all the luxuries and acquaintances she had worked so hard to gain, but her morals screamed at her to pick the selfless choice.
After all what kind of person would risk millions of lives just so they could continue living theirs?
A cold hearted arrogant ass, that's who! And that person was Damon Salvatore: Her boyfriend's brother had rejected the offer and so in turn they had turned to the second most qualified scientist in Italy, herself.
Okay maybe she did blame him and held some grudge against him for ruining her chance at a happily ever after, but she also hated him for being able to so easily ignore such a heavy responsibility. How did he do it, did he have no soul? She refused to believe that he did it for some noble reason, though she couldn't see what could be more important than taking part in a study to possibly save the lives of millions of people.
Simply put, Elena abhorred him.
Sure she had never spoken to him over the course of her relationship with Stefan - which was a mere 3 months - but from what she had picked up...he was not a caring loving person. He was the polar opposite: selfish and cruel. For the life of her, she just couldn't figure out how he was related to Stefan.
He had allegedly fired a nurse because she rejected his advances, a major blow to his ego and not to mention his pride. From Caroline's gossip, Damon was a playboy and it apparently wouldn't be surprising that he would want to sleep with his employees. After all, nobody would dare fire Damon Salvatore: the most talented and powerful doctor in Italy. Pft! Stupid honoraries!
And that's not the worst.
Just days before her departure, she had heard from Stefan that Damon had flat out told a 5 year old girl that she would "Die in 2 months" and had walked off without so much as a glance back. Stefan had been there and watched in horror as the little girl and her parents broke down in heart wrenching wails. Thankfully, being the caring loving person and doctor, Stefan managed to console the family by offering some hope through a series of treatment that might prolong her life substantially.
And that's what Elena loved about him, he was such a kind hearted sweet person, just what she needed. It made her feel in control and safe, she knew he would be a perfect husband if she would to ever marry him. But now...she wouldn't even get to make that decision since she was forced to leave. Stefan had wanted to follow her and come with her, but she couldn't take away his happiness too. She had told him that the hospital would need him now that she would be gone.
He had left with a devastated face, but had agreed since she had told him that it would make her happy if he did.
"If that's what you want...but I will ALWAYS wait for you." He had said.
Stefan had promised that he would wait for her until she came back. Elena had held back her tears, trying to be strong for both of them and had only been able to offer him a weak smile as she affirmed that she would indeed be back.
And it was true, she would be back.
It was just a matter of time.
She would e-mail, call, and text Stefan until her return. She just hoped this long distance relationship would work, but if it didn't she knew Stefan would come after her. She just knew he would because their love is too strong and he would not let it die. Not even Damon would come between them like he had done with Stefan's previous relationship with Katherine. Had she mentioned how much she disliked Damon?
Then again, she should be grateful to him since it brought Stefan to her.
Still, Elena was thankful she didn't work in the same floor as Damon or she would have beaten him 'til she was forced to be ripped apart from his mangled and bloodied body. Elena could not stand such behavior and if just hearing what he did made her blood boil, imagine actually witnessing it.
Too bad she didn't know how he looked like, she would have liked to picture his face twisted in agony as she beat him.
Damon didn't live with Stefan and even though she worked in the same building as him, he worked during different shifts and on different floors. Yet, not seeing him was also partially her fault since she tried to avoid him at all cost possible, specially since Stefan warned her to stay away from him.
But that was hard to do considering she had no clue who to avoid if she didn't know how he looked like in the first place. Stefan had assured her that as long as she didn't go to Damon's floor, he would not encounter him.
But, now? Now there was no need to avoid him because she would be far far away, safe from his seductions. Its not that she would fall for it, but...she didn't like to be played with specially for some brotherly vengeance.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" The elderly woman looked at her alarmed as she clutched her arm tightly. Elena quirked an eyebrow, startled from being brought out of her musings and confused as to why the woman was so distressed.
"Huh? What are you-" Her speech was interrupted when the oxygen masks dropped from the compartment above her head. A voice boomed through the speakers as nervous chatter and a few shrieks where heard throughout the plane.
"Please remain calm, we will have an emergency landing in a few minutes near the coast of Portugal."
The Captain's notice seemed to have the desired effect since people quieted down and settled back into their seats. Just then flight attendants emerged and instructed people to put the masks on since people might become dizzy from the change in pressure during the what was to be a rough landing and to buckle up to remain safe as they prepared to land.
Elena had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she had failed to notice how the plane's lights flickered on and off, how the bags that had once been behind closed lids above their head now littered the floor, how her seat partners had woken up and now wore worried expressions, and most of all how a violent ray cracked the sky illuminating the now heavily damaged wing.
Not knowing if it was her heart that made that loud thumping sound or the wind howling outside, Elena tried to remain cool and in control. The captain had said they would prepare for an emergency landing but as she peered down through the narrow opening, through the thick fog and rain she only saw endless deep blue glittering under the flashes of lighting. There was no land to be found.
Trying to remain logical, Elena reasoned that they would not see land until they were near, after all she couldn't quite see ahead much less through these horrible conditions. Besides she knew that airplanes could glide to a safe landing within 100 miles even if all engines failed - which by the way was highly unlikely.
"And please wear you life jackets..." The flight attendant with the name tag Lucy, added as an afterthought, but immediately regret doing so judging from her cringe. She realized her mistake too late when people began to murmur uncertainly, wondering why they would need to wear their water life vests.
"A-as an airbag!...just in case the landing gets rough. It would provide some cushion to protect your body." The other flight attendant suggested with a confident calm voice, offering reassuring smiles before walking back to their area.
"Something is not right." Elena murmured to herself as she gazed at the two flight attendants making their way back with tense and rigid shoulders, holding hands, tears streaming down just before they disappeared behind the curtains that led to their small cabin.
Maybe they were just as scared as the rest, but seeing no land near in sight and hearing the warning to wear their life jackets made her heart speed up the blood pumping process. Elena knew they were hiding something and she knew that if things were worse than they let on, they would not tell the rest in order to keep order...and that's exactly what happened here. Her gut clenched unpleasantly at the implications. They could be heading to certain doom and they wouldn't even know it, much less expect it.
She glanced at the couple next to her, they were holding each other caressing their arms in order to calm themselves, but their bodies trembled with fear. Elena could only watch them, she couldn't offer them words of consolation or reassurance since she herself needed them.
"We're going to crash, I know it." Elena heard a man whisper behind her. She knew he probably was just voicing his thoughts out, but unknowingly he had confirmed her suspicious.
Her body was now humming with life, adrenaline coursing through her body as her head whipped around frantically searching for possible exits or a way to save herself. For once in her life, she wanted to be selfish and live! She wanted to return to the safety of her home with her family and her boyfriend as they sat comfortably in the cozy couch drinking hot cocoa near the fire place.
She closed her eyes trying to picture the scene before her. Stefan's boyish features illuminated by the soft orange glow of the flames, his loving green eyes, his arms cradling her as she leaned into his chest while she enjoyed the flickering of the dancing flames and the rhythmic beat of his heart. However, Elena was violently jerked out of her daydream when the plane jerked to the left as a particularly strong gust struck its right side.
Suddenly the plane was engulfed in darkness only to have the red-tinted emergency lights turn on, probably the planes APU had kicked in. The whole cabin now glowed red, giving the area a haunting atmosphere.
And just moments after the back up generator had restored the light, Elena knew that the airplane was losing power fast. Sort of a habit by now, Elena gazed outside again and noticed that the gray fog wasn't fog, but volcanic ash. Ash? But how?
Elena widened her eyes in realization.
Since the captain had announced that they would make a crash landing on the coast of Portugal, that only meant that the captain had either flown too close to the volcanic ash cloud from the eruption of Iceland's volcano - Eyjafjallajoekull - or the cloud had moved towards them during the flight. And now they were trapped in a volcanic ash cloud with a thunderstorm to top it! How was that even possible?
But Elena had come to terms with destiny, obviously it was her time to die and all this had happened for a reason.
Everything seemed to slow down as if she was in a matrix movie - it may sound ridiculous but it did.
From her right side, a bright orange glare burst into existence as the airplane's right engines flamed out, sparks and flames illuminating the window with its orange red rays, like watching a sun rise amidst the rain and lighting. The roar of the other 2 engines soon died down as the crew attempted to restart them to prevent them from flaming out.
Elena sat frozen, clutching her seat, digging her nails in vain against the metal arm rest as she watched everything with stark clarity despite the dim light.
Even though the plane's kinetic energy and inertia were supposed to keep the plane from falling despite its engines being busted, the structural damage from the tornado - like winds, the disruptions of avionics due to the lightning, and the interference of the heavy gray ash fog must have been too much for the aircraft and the pilot. It was just a matter of time before they crashed into the water wall that awaited them below.
The plane now was tilting towards the right from the heavy turbulence created by the strong winds, which probably were the cause of moving the ash cloud towards them in the first place. Elena looked outside once again searching for any signs of land, but she saw that they were still surrounded by blue, except they were much much closer to it now, 600 feet at most.
Fluctuating with each burst of wind that hit it, the plane suddenly began a rapid decent toward the ocean, everybody was momentarily suspended in the air before their stomachs dropped and churned at the sudden motion. Opening her mouth in a silent scream, Elena struggled to make her throat and gut unclench to no avail.
She reached for the oxygen mask, fastening it to her face, taking in deep breaths to control her burning lungs as they worked overtime, rapidly expanding and contracting trying to take in as much oxygen as possible to keep up with her racing heart.
A single tear escaped her eye as she realized that she - Elena Gilbert - was going to die. She would never see her parents, Jeremy, Bonnie, Caroline, and Stefan. Yet, surprisingly, the last person she thought about was Damon. She never saw his face, but in that moment she wished she had so she could curse him and damn him for killing her. Elena swore she would haunt him for this.
With that, she closed her eyes and resigned herself to her fate. She drowned out the horrified faces yelling and sobbing as they clung for dear life, the thunder and rain roaring just as loudly as the tortured screams of people who knew death was facing them - who knew that they would never see their loved ones.
Then her head and body jerked forward only to be slammed back into the seat mere seconds later as if a car had crushed her whole frame, breaking her ribs - the sickening crunch resounding in her ears.
A bright flash of white behind her eyelids and then darkness.
The sound of windows shattering, pieces piercing her skin everywhere as the water pushed through and rushed in rapidly. With glass covering her face, blood everywhere soaking her body and the rest of the seat, Elena realized she was heavily injured but - nonetheless - still alive!
Her whole body felt lightweight, her hands already working frantically to unclasp her seat belt. Climbing over the bodies of the once serene sleeping couple whose bodies now laid in awkward angles to never wake again, Elena rushed to get out before the plane submerged.
Elena could barely make out a couple of others limping to the emergency exit in the hazy darkness. She reached it first, trying to pry it open, but she was too weak despite the adrenaline rushing through her veins pushing her to her limits.
Soon, however, she felt other people pushing and trying to open it and in a matter of seconds it was open, the frigid ocean slamming them back as it continued to engulf the plane. They only had seconds to escape before the whole aircraft went under water to settle at the bottom of the sea where the trapped souls would remain and lurk in the darkness until they were found.
Elena climbed out, but the pull of the plane almost dragged her down, she kicked and slapped her arms desperately to try and cling to life, she fought fiercely until she broke free from the plane's gravity.
She coughed as the inhaled water was purged out from her lungs, threading the water as the rain pattered on the navy floor,the lightning brightening the night. In that split second, Elena saw a long piece of wood from a vanity - that had probably belonged to the luggage of a once live person - wafting towards her. She didn't hesitate to reach for it, clinging to it, her lower body the only part now in the water.
She had escaped a brutal plane crash, but now she had to survive the freezing raging ocean until she reached land or someone rescued her. However, she couldn't fight the drowsiness that overcame her body as the adrenaline wore off since she - for the moment - was out of immediate danger.
It was then that the full brunt of the events hit her with almost the same magnitude as when the plane crash landed on the ocean. Exhaustion made itself present - forcing Elena's body to drift into blissful unconsciousness.
The last thing she remembered were the gasps of air from the survivors now on the surface and the gentle pattering of the rain as the storm appeared to die down, making the sea unnaturally calm.
"I can't believe she's really gone."
Stefan stared at the grey wall in front of him, heart heavy with sadness.
"Stefan, she said she would be back. All you have to do is wait for her." Caroline said with a roll of her eyes. Honestly, she had enough of his moping and brooding. Sure she understood how it felt to lose a loved one. Matt had broken up with her and left to Russia to study 2 years ago. At least Elena hadn't broken up with Stefan.
"Yeah, but I miss her already and she just left a few hours ago. They must in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean by now." With a sigh Stefan made his way to his living room to watch t.v, to get his mind off Elena.
Caroline followed him , intent on helping him through this. She knew he needed a friend right now.
It had taken her a year to get over Matt , with the help of Bonnie and Elena of course.
"You know, maybe you should start dating again." Caroline offered playfully, trying to lift up the mood.
Stefan turned to look at Caroline, mouth agape, eyes wide.
"You-wha-what are you-huh?" Stefan stammered dumbfounded.
She couldn't contain her laughter, his face was priceless. She saw him visibly relax and even smile.
He let out a chuckle before shaking his head in disbelief.
"You should have seen the look on your face!" Caroline grinned triumphantly.
However their moment was interrupted when Bonnie burst into the living room looking like she just had seen Damon been nice to someone.
"Bonnie! Are you okay?" Stefan rushed to her side, looking for any signs of physical damage. When he found none, he met her eyes questioning.
"I-Ele...ne-news. Turn on the news!" Bonnie exclaimed frustrated at her on stuttering.
"What? Why?" Stefan asked feeling a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach.
"What channel?" Caroline was already taking immediate action looking rather confused but determined to find out why Bonnie had gotten so scared over some news. What, was the town suddenly invaded by vampires? Ha! As if.
"I don't know. I-I just had a dream and it was about Elena. She was on the plane and then she just disappeared from her seat like air, only a puddle of blood left behind." Bonnie explained with a far away look as if experiencing the dream herself.
"Wait. Let me get this straight." Caroline started with an incredulous glance at Bonnie and then at Stefan. "You are scared about Elena suddenly vanishing into thin air and leaving blood while on a plane and you are looking for news about that." Caroline finished with an amused chuckle at the end.
"Seriously Bonn, I thought Stefan was feeling horrible about Elena's departure, but you take the cake!" With a shake of her head, her curls bouncing lightly, she flipped the tv channel to a news station to confirm her ridiculousness.
Bonnie glared at her. She knew it sounded stupid when Caroline put it that way, but from previous experiences her dreams had been right. A month ago she had dreamt that she had found a heart shaped locket opened in her hands only to be taken away by a human shaped light. It turned out that a week later, she had finally discovered what that meant when she met Lucas: she opened her heart up to him and in turn he stole it, now they were happily dating. And this dream about Elena said that Elena was in danger, terrible probably fatal danger.
"I know how it sounds, but when have my dreams been wrong?" Bonnie challenged with a confident smirk and tilt of her chin. Caroline opened her mouth to retort, but Stefan took a step forwards, reminding them that he was still present in the room.
"Guys. We all miss Elena..." He paused looking between them for confirmation and he got it when they both looked apologetic and slightly ashamed, "...and we need to understand that our grief will affect us one way or another. I get depressed, Bonnie has nightmares, and Caroline tries to ignore it. Its who we are and we are trying to cope with it." Stefan finalized with a slightly awed expression.
He couldn't believe he had admitted to sulking, he hadn't meant to be so blunt about the situation, he just hoped he hadn't insulted anyone. He looked at them and they both had only acceptance in their slightly watery eyes.
"You're right, I try to suppress it because its easier not to feel. Its like I turn a switch on and all the emotions I don't want to feel go away." Caroline explained looking quizzically at them, conveying her silent question.
"We get it." Stefan and Bonnie said in unison.
"But, still. I think my dream was a warning. Despite how much I miss Elena, my dreams have never been wrong."Bonnie stated with utter conviction.
As if a sign to prove she was right, she flipped to the latest news on Action News. And by magic there it was.
"This is Andie Star reporting live from Florence, Italy. We have Breaking News. Near the Açores Islands of Portugal, the United Airlines Flight 175 heading from Florence,Italy to Mystic Falls,Virginia, suddenly lost contact with the main tower when that volcanic ash cloud that had erupted just days before from Iceland's volcano engulfed the aircraft along with a heavy thunderstorm. It is unknown if the plane has crashed, but we have information that indicates that the plane has over an hour without any signs of communication." The woman with dirty blonde reported.
Everyone stood watching in stunned silence, the shock evident on their now unresponsive faces.
"No..." Stefan let out a devastated whisper that seemed to cut through the thick silence like a heavy axe. Tears spilling from his eyes, his world crashing down onto him as his knees buckled and fell to the ground. His forearms trembling as he pushed against the ground to stop from falling further.
"That can't be true...Maybe their radio broke or something! Besides that Andie Star is clearly an airhead, the only reason she got the job is because she just has over inflated balloons for boobs. That news station is as reliable as Fox News." Caroline's frantic ramble and hopeful eyes searched for reassurance in the faces of Bonnie or Stefan's defeated form.
When none acknowledged what she had said, she went and turned the tv off which continued to give the same information just in different words.
"NOTHING is determined yet! For all we know it could just have been an error, and even if it wasn't, Elena doesn't give up easily, you underestimate her will to live. She promised she would be back. C'mon guys stop being so pessimistic, Elena might need us right now, we need to believe in her!" That seemes to struck a cord in Stefan since he stopped trembling as he silently grieved and stood up with fire blazing in his eyes, his jaw clenched in an attempt to control himself.
"You're right. Elena did promise she would be back and she never breaks her promises."
Bonnie looked a shade of green as she still stared straight through the tv and into her own fantasy world where she could already see Elena's torn and lifeless body floating on the ocean or worse yet, submerged along with the plane at the bottom of the sea where they would never be found. She wanted to cry, but water didn't want to spill from her eyes, stubbornly telling her she needed to be strong for all of them, including Elena.
"We will find her and drag her from the pits of hells if its necessary. Elena will be back with us, she will."
Dead or Alive. The unspoken words left hanging in the atmosphere but clearly everyone had heard them since their expressions darkened.
With that said, Bonnie glared at nothing in particular. Sometimes she wished that all the medicine she made with herbs would somehow be useful perform some sort of spell to locate Elena.
"Whats with everyone's gloomy faces?" Entered Jeremy with a goofy smile on his lips, a DVD of Hangover clutched in his hand.
Everyone went ridgid. Glancing at each other to decide who would break the news to him, Bonnie sighed.
"Jeremy take a seat."
Before they told him, Stefan walked out of his apartment with long rushed strides, heading anywhere. He couldn't take being coped up in that confined space. They had planned a movie night to lighten up the mood after Elena's departure, but now that would not be possible.
Intent on giving Damon hell for what happened to Elena, he decided to give him a call. It was supposed to be Damon on the plane, NOT Elena. Its all Damon's fault. Everything bad that happens is because of Damon, he always destroys anything good in his life. He knew that the reason Damon had rejected such an opportunity was because Damon knew that if he did, they would offer it to Elena who would never reject it, in turn taking her away from him.
Oh, he would pay.
So warm and peaceful.
Swoosh.
The tranquil sound of water lapping at the sand invaded his senses and beyond the gentle song of the breeze - the bubbles fizzing ever so quietly as the water retreated could be heard, the salty smell nearly palpable on his tongue.
He clenched his hands experimentally, the elusive material below him slipping through his fingers, just like he had from death.
Just then, the events flooded back like a tsunami - in rapid successions that seemed to overlap to form one giant memory that threaten to drown him under the brutality of it all. His eyes snapped open in alarm, only to be blinded by the intense yellow rays that moments ago seemed to only be a caress.
He attempted to sit up, not quite believing he had survived such a deadly experience, but his body had other plans when it refused to do so. Realizing that his shirt wasn't soaked in water, but in blood, he struggled to get a closer look at his injury. Digging his left elbow into the creamy beige sand, he tore the remnants - of his once white shirt- off him. Panting from the physical exertion, he cast his narrowed eyes downward. A nasty looking crimson line ran diagonally from his left sternum to his right Epigastrium - or in simple terms; from his left chest bone to the top right region of his abdomen.
With a relieved sigh, he plopped back down onto the sand. Disinfecting it with the available water and herbs around in the island would do the trick. It seemed that other than the shallow cut, his sore muscles were just recovering from the impact of hitting the water with such force.
Why had he even accepted going to the damn Cancer Research Program, look what it got him into? Oh, right. Because he actually gave a damn about other people contrary to what his brother and the rest of this forsaken earth thought.
At first he had rejected the offer, not wanting to leave his brother alone. He was all Stefan had left, his big brother. He knew Stefan hated him, hated his cold behavior. But deep down within his own frozen heart, it still beat slowly and softly but nonetheless it beat - only for his baby brother and for the countless of people who relied on him to save their lives.
Of course that's not medically possible, his heart would beat even if his brother died or if the rest of the world did too - but that's beside the point. All that mattered is that he still held a shred of humanity in him - Katherine hadn't destroyed him completely like she assumed. He was stronger than that, he always got back up.
Anyways, back to why he accepted the offer at the end.
After he found out that Stefan was serious with an Elena chick - whose name was the only information he had about her- he became aware that Stefan wouldn't need him anymore. That and he was already feeling guilty about rejecting the chance to possibly solve the cure for cancer, saving thousands of lives.
If he truly didn't really care about anyone, why would he had become a doctor in the first place? No, not for just the money, the power, or the countless of admirers. No. To feel like he actually had a purpose here: to help, to cure, to experience the helplessness of not being able to save everyone, to remind himself that he is not a God, he is just human. And humans make mistakes, humans hurt, humans grieve, humans feel.
After all, we are made of flesh and bones - we aren't indestructible or perfect or apathetic monsters, no matter how much we try to pretend we are.
Only if Stefan would realize that his monster of a brother still cared and was capable of greatness. But instead, all he had done was let another person down. He had disappointed his father and now he had done the same thing with Stefan. All he ever wanted was to be accepted for who he was.
It was hard to live up to expectations, to try to be someone you're not, someone you used to be. He just couldn't be the same innocent naive loving person he had been before his mother's death - before all the rejection and betrayals, but he would try again. For Stefan and for his own sake. Trying to be the better man for a woman would be a waste of time. He had given up on love since Katherine, so giving his heart away to another woman seemed plain stupid - it would only be shoved back into his chest piece by shattered piece.
This was a wake up call for him and if he made it out alive from this isolated remote place, he would openly share his feelings instead of trying to suppress them deep within him.
Easier said than done. But...
It was time to flip the switch off. He would let himself feel. Even if it meant just feeling hurt and sorrow. He would at least feel like he was living. All this time, he had done nothing but be a living dead person - a walking corpse. And he had nearly died - permanetly.
Snapping out of his thinking and soul searching, he sluggishly rolled to his side and sat up. Glancing around, he noticed the crystal clear liquid shimmering underneath the bright burning star above him. He was surrounded by lush green palm trees and a series of plants and flowers decorating the edge where sand met pure brown earth.
But most of all, he saw debris adorning the undisturbed sand. From the corner of his eye, he saw a large object. No. An animal - a homosapien - a human body - a woman possibly deceased?
With a grunt of discomfort, he managed to get his legs to work again as they trembled under him with each step he took towards the unnaturally still body.
As he got closer he noticed the once undecipherable rising and falling of her chest as she laid there unconscious.
Just a few more steps and he would get a clear view of her face.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
Kneeling down to remove the messy chestnut curls from her face, he let out a hushed gasp of horror.
Her face was covered in blood, tiny cuts invading every pore like a chaotic spider web. Checking her pulse he confirmed that she was indeed still alive. Getting into Doctor mode, he began to check her whole body for any other injuries. But first he would have to remove her deflated life vest and the rest of her clothes, of course undergarments could be kept unless it was necessary to remove. He wouldn't want an angry,confused, and possibly traumatized victim to wake up to see that a random man was touching her and staring at her without any clothes on, now would he?
Smirking at the thought, he began to peel of the tattered and stiff clothes - most likely due to the dried blood - from her fragile form.
Immediately he knew she had her ribs broken. The dark bruising all over her costal gave it away. Deciding to act quickly before she awoke and felt the sharp pain, he took the shredded clothes and torn them into makeshift bandages.
He took them and washed them in the ocean, effectively getting rid of the dried blood. Using his own shirt, he cleaned it first before soaking it with water, he carried it back to use as a sponge to clean her body. It wasn't clean of bacteria, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.
As he finished rinsing the persistent crusty blood that clung to her body, he noticed how truly beautiful she was. Her skin was olive with golden highlights that gave her body an angelic glow, her small yet defined face was framed by a halo of long curly tresses. Her shapely legs were miles long, her narrow shoulders sharply contrasting with her feminine curves that were her hips.
For a moment he thought he had died and gone to heaven - an angel greeting him.
But the stinging pain on his chest and the injuries that marred her delicate body proved that he remained in the world of the living and that she was no angel- but a badly wounded human.
With a sigh he lifted and cradled her body in a sitting position - hoping he wouldn't disturb her deep sleep - he began to carefully wrap the makeshift bandages around her torso as tight as possible to maintain the ribs from shifting around when she woke and tried to move.
When he finished, he moved her to the shade next to a large boulder as he went to bathe in the ocean. He would explore the island once he was got rid of all the grime that stuck to his skin.
She was back in the safety of Stefan's arms, feeling him hold her, feeling the tenderness and the care that emitted from his embrace, hearing the steady beat of his heart, feeling the firm muscles rippling from every slight movement. Except it was more intense than she ever remembered it been, goosebumps covered her body when she felt his body make contact with hers. Still, the soothing and protective effect it had on her was still there: the ache in her abdomen disappeared, breathing was easier, all because he had held her. As simple as that.
But then he was gone. Cold seeped through into her muscles, she heard the barely audible footsteps fading away and just like that she was no longer in front of the fireplace in Stefan's apartments but in an unknown deserted area judging from the lack of noise.
Whimpering as she tried to lift her heavy eyelids, she attempted to twist into a sitting position only to cry out in pain. Thankfully her eyes had shot open at the shock. Now more carefully sitting up with the aid of her elbows, she saw why she could breathe easier now. But she didn't remember wrapping her ribs, nor removing her clothes. Had she been delirious and did not remember any of it?
Elena looked up, scanning the area for anyone else who might have been responsible for this. The sea was just a touch away. The vast turquoise waters extending endlessly and pieces of wood, shoes, metal scraps, and a suitcase were the only things present. Wait...a suitcase? Clothes! She could find clothes there.
Suddenly realizing the joy that overcame her for simply finding a basic necessity, she understood her situation. She was lost and injured in an island after surviving through a fatal plane crash and an icy ocean trip. Strangely she didn't panic, instead she remained cold and calculating like she did during an emergency in the hospital. What good came from useless flailing and dramatic screeches while trying to find help? The best way to ensure one's survival was to stay cool and aloof while analyzing the scenario and finding a logical solution.
So she did.
First thing to do was at least find clothes to shield herself from possible cool climate during the night. Sure right now was probably a pleasant 75 degrees, but for how long? Then she would need to find shelter and food. Looking for help would have to wait, she needed a place to rest first.
Slowly crawling towards the suitcase that the sea had washed up, she froze mere inches from it.
Finally noticing a moving figure in the water to her left - that had once been obstructed by the large rock that she had been resting on - her mouth parted in awe.
She was transfixed, was he a hallucination?
Just 3 feet from her stood the most beautiful being she had ever laid eyes upon - well maybe except for Stefan.
His eyes were closed, dark thick lashes brushing against his naturally peachy cheekbones. His straight nose led to perfectly formed lips which were slightly parted as he obliviously continued his task. His sharp prominent jaw, accompanied with his acute dark eyebrows gave him a mysterious regal appearance yet elegant all the same. The luxurious dark locks sticking to his forehead emphasized his already pale olive skin extending all over his body as it glowed under the sun. The water droplets that slid slowly from his head down to his body highlighted his divinely chiseled figure.
The muscles in his whole body rippled with each movement in unison with the water - like some type of water god. His biceps became prominent every time he rubbed his body as he methodically yet strangely sensously bathed. Its then that she saw the faint yet recent cut on his lean sculpted body, but it only added to his allure rather than diminish it. He only wore some black boxers that rode very low on his hips, revealing a tantalizing view of the thin trail of hair starting just below his navel leading down to his most private part that would be visible if his trunks just slid slightly down his slim hips, showing more of what that exquisite v-shape led to.
Elena snapped out of her reverie when his actions suddenly ceased and his body became tense, alert - breaking the illusion...he was real! Not wanting to make eye contact, too embarrassed at being caught, she busied herself with trying to pry open the suitcase as if she hadn't even noticed him at all.
Damon sighed feeling the refreshing water seep into his body. Feeling less like a vampire who had just finished his meal and more like a person after cleaning the blood from his form, he opened his eyes to make his way out and thats when he saw her.
She had been staring at him, practically drooling. Damon smirked as he realized that she liked what she saw. Then again so did he.
She was on all fours in just lingerie, a perfect view of her breasts practically slipping out of the damaged and loose bra she wore, her derriere jutting out as she reached for the suitcase, her cheeks dusted with a light pink as she blushed, her lower lip between her teeth while she jumbled with opening the suitcase.
Simply gorgeous, if not erotic.
Not wanting to make things awkward, he decided to not question her about her ogling. He didn't want to have the only other human in this island to become his enemy, specially if she was such a beauty.
"How are you doing?" He drawled casually.
Big chocolate doe like eyes turned up to look at him, startled at having heard him speak out, before settling on her hands just a split second later. Confusion flashed across her features before they slackened in comprehension.
"Oh. It was you? I mean...you did this." Elena said as she waved at the cloths wrapped around her torso.
Damon looked quizzical as he cautiously walked towards her - not wanting to scare her. But, she didn't seem disturbed, angry, or scared of finding out that a total stranger - a man no less- had undressed her and touched her body.
"Yeah. I found you and you were injured so I figured..." He trailed off with a shrug.
With a small smile tugging at her lips, she thanked him before gesturing towards the suitcase, "Can you-I...I can't open it..." Elena finished lamely, turning a darker shade of pink as he crouched down to retrieve the object from the sand.
Just now she noticed their proximity, not quite being able to meet his eyes just yet. She had tried, but watching him gracefully walk towards her only to settle his nude torso in front of her, stirred more than medical interest. Specially when she heard his deep sultry voice come out of such kissable lips. He was just a breaths away, the salty water on his body could practically be licked off, only if she just leaned in and-
"Done!" A triumphant grin spread across Damon's face as he handed Elena back the suitcase.
It was a good thing he hand learned to pick locks in his younger more rebellious days.
"So are you going to introduce yourself or just stare at the suitcase?" Damon shifted his weight awkwardly after she just stared at the suitcase in front of her, not registering when it had been opened.
His amused tone catching her attention, Elena suddenly wanted to see if he was smiling. With that, she slowly lifted her head to look at him.
Damon gasped, unprepared for the shivers that rolled down his spine - not entirely because of the chilly breeze that swept through.
Damon had not seen such vivid and warm chocolate brown eyes before, so round and innocent. Yet despite enveloping him in all their sweetness, they seemed to make him light headed as he fell deeper into them. Just like rich dark chocolate - simply intoxicating.
Elena froze for the second time since she met him, his eyes were two orbs which had stolen and purified the crystalline azure water behind him and sealed it behind his eyelids to form his irises. Yet they seemed to drag her into him like the pull of the ocean's tide, wanting to drown her - surround her - in the purest of blues to never escape again. Hypnotized by the soothing effect it created - basking in the serenity of them - her whole body tingled the longer she maintained their connection, just like a brush from a sea urchin while an underwater voyage.
Yeah, definitively the most ethereal being she has ever laid eyes upon - not even Stefan could rival such surreal handsomeness.
"I'm Elena. Nice to meet you" She managed to strangle out in a hoarse voice, politely extending a hand as she straightened out in a kneeling position - unable to stand as she was still weak. Her head still light headed from her momentary submergence into his twin pools, her breath slightly ragged trying to make up for the lack of oxygen during those delightful seconds.
"Damon. It's a pleasure meeting you, Elena." Damon smoothly retorted as he leaned down to kiss the top of her hand.
Elena looked at her hand as his lips lightly brushed against it in an old aristocratic fashion before retreating and offering her a friendly smile.
She flicked her gaze up to him, his hand holding hers a second longer than necessary before letting go. His long elegant fingers brushing the underside of her palm, leaving her skin buzzing.
Damon? Isn't that Stefan's brother? Nah! It couldn't be. He refused to take the job, that's why they had asked her instead. Besides, this Damon held no physical resemblance to Stefan whatsoever.
Damon had a refined quality : his sophisticated facial features and the way he held himself - back erect and with an air of confidence - told that he was in no way insecure and probably descended from a wealthy family. Yet, his charming playful eyes dissipated his overwhelming dominant aura, making him seem approachable and implied that even though he was deemed superior he didn't let it get to his head - he knew what he was worth.
"Well, judging from your shallow breaths and the dazed look on your face, your ribs must be causing you a great deal of pain. Besides your body is still not to its 100 % Why don't we find a place for you to rest, hm?" Damon offered as he gallantly extended his hand to help her stand up - his eyes etched with worry.
Misunderstanding her body's reactions to his presence as discomfort, Elena let him believe his diagnosis and took his outstretched hand. In return, he pulled her weight up, pressing her against his side as support.
Elena gasped, the skin on skin contact a chemical reaction that sent sparks crackling all around them - a tingling sensation.
"You okay?" Furrowed eyebrows and apologetic blue eyes turned to look at her.
"Yeah, just feeling wobbly on my feet." Elena whispered breathlessly.
With a firm nod, Damon swept her up onto his arms despite Elena's high pitched squeak, "Better?"
Elena sputtered, trying to form a coherent protest, the intimate position too much for her in their current state of undress.
Damon merely stared straight into her eyes, no flirty or lingering gazes on her body. Immediately, Elena stilled and realized he was only trying to help. Feeling foolish she meekly responded with a yes, her eyes unable to meet his yet again.
Becoming self conscious she moved her hands pressed against his pectorals and slipped them around his neck, holding on to him.
Damon tried to control himself. He hadn't thought of how good her soft skin would feel pressed against his own feverish flesh, but when he heard her gasp in what he thought was pain and heard her admission at feeling too weak, the doctor in him had only wanted to help her.
But now he had her too close: her arms wrapped around his neck, her smooth thighs resting on his hands, her chest rubbing ever so slightly against his own with every step he took, and her breath fanning over his cheek. His semi-hardened cock begging to feel her round globes as they dangled just inches above his waist. The man in him couldn't ignore the physical attraction he felt towards her.
Holding back a groan as he peered down at her body, her hard nipples poking through the thin material, his strides became more hurried - desperate to get rid of the temptation. She was injured for god sake!
Setting her down on the same shady spot next to the boulder, he turned around wordlessly to retrieve the suitcase left behind.
Beep Bop Bap. The caller you are trying to reach is currently unavailable, please try your call again.
Stefan cursed, throwing the phone on the passenger seat in frustration.
This was the 40th something time he had tried to call, but Damon would not pick up. He had been relentlessly trying to call him since yesterday night until today. It was barely 8 a.m. but he knew that if Damon had been out partying, then he would be back by now. It still amazed him how Damon could find time to fool around and still excel in his job.
But at least there was an upside to this. If Damon was passed out on his couch or anywhere else in his penthouse with a hangover, then it would be just that more satisfying to yell at him knowing his head would feel like it would explode.
The cellphone ringing brought him out of his day dreaming. His grin vanished instantly and picked the cellphone up.
"Do you know how many times I have called you? Where have you been for the past day, you better not be-"
"You called me?" A very amused yet slightly surprised voice interrupted Stefan's angry ramble.
"Wha-who is this?" Confused, Stefan looked at his cell's screen to check who was calling, but it marked it as Unknown.
"My, my. 5 months is all it takes for you to forget the woman who rocked your world." She replied in disappointment and hurt. "You wound me."
Stefan was a click away from hanging up, a scowl marring his face at the what seemed to be a very bad prank call. But he froze, realization dawning on his features. Only two people talked with such heavy sarcasm and arrogance, and since one was currently MIA and male, he knew who this was.
"Katherine..." Was his breathy whisper. Not quite believing it yet.
"Two plus two!" Katherine mock congratulated.
"Came crawling back I see. Hate to break it to you, but I won't be needing your services anymore." He bit out, fully intending on hurting that air of superiority in which she carried herself about.
"Well, I do see you got yourself a new pet. Elena is it? I have to hand it you, she could be my twin." She replied smoothly, without missing a beat.
Stefan became angrier, not wanting to discuss their past or Elena. He was not emotionally ready for that, Katherine's betrayal still stung.
"Why did you call?" He wanted to finish this quickly, having more important matters to worry about.
Why had she decided to call after all this time, specially after she went through all the trouble of changing her number, address, and avoiding him in the hospital. Stefan just couldn't comprehend her at all, it was like a playing chess whenever Katherine appeared in his life - each move was to be carefully thought out before executing it otherwise it would mean your downfall. He - of all - knew that.
Katherine decided to answer him, despite knowing he was deflecting. She didn't want to make him hang up and block her calls, though there were other ways to reach him.
"I heard about the plane incident and I wanted to pay my condolences." She drawled.
Stefan's scowl deepen. How dare she have the gall to call just to rub in that he would never be happy? An angry retort was ready to slip out of his lips when he heard her struggle for words before speaking again but in a much softer tone.
"As hard as it is to believe, I know how hard it is to lose someone you love dearly..." She trailed of in the softest of whispers.
Stefan's eyebrows shot up in skepticism, not quite knowing what to believe. She sounded sincere and as if she spoke from experience, but he knew just how good of an actress she could be.
"Thank you, but Elena is not one to give up on life so easily. Even if the plane crashed she would have found a way to survive. She would fight for her life, for what we have: Pure Love."
Katherine's ear perked up on that. She hadn't know that the second most qualified doctor in Italy was Elena and it did not please her. After all, she had been in the industry far longer than Elena had. But now with her gone, that meant she would take her place and work right alongside with Stefan. Perfect.
"Well as much as you proclaim your undeniable love for the rebound look-alike, I was not referring to her."
Ignoring her insult, he was now more curious, he wanted to know who she spoke of.
"Then who?" Stefan asked between gritted teeth, hating the fact that he bit right into her bait.
"Hmmm, nope. It doesn't work that way. First answer this: You see, in all your jealousy and righteous act, did you fail to realize the lenghts your brother would go through just so you could be happy?"
Stefan could already see Katherine shift her eyes to the right as she strained the word, before focusing straight ahead as if he stood right in front of her, glaring at him.
Katherine didn't know what overcame her, but she felt the need to defend Damon.
Initially the weakness and fragility inside Damon was what had attracted her to him. It made her feel powerful when she could protect him and be able to ease some of his pain away. But after a while, she was getting too attached and Katherine Pierce did not do 'attached'.
Last time she opened up her heart, it had turned out she was just being used to get hands on the Petrova Inheritance. And although she never loved Damon romantically, she grew to care for him deeply and apparently she still did if her outburst was any indication.
"What are you talking about. What does Damon have to do with any of this?"
Stefan's head pounded, talking with Katherine was becoming more and more confusing.
"Damon was offered the job ergo..." She let the sentence hang, her implication ringing loudly in Stefan's mind.
"He refused the job. And do you know why my 'caring big brother' did that?" Stefan paused for the sake of dramatic effect.
"Because he knew Elena would be asked and she would not refuse. He knew that and so it was his plan to make me miserable, by taking her away too."
Stefan finished, feeling self satisfaction believing he had caught Katherine in her own little charade.
Katherine didn't miss the bitterness when he spoke of Elena also being snatched away, a clear reference to their past relationship, but she was more amused at how she had driven a permanent wedge between the brothers. It was a feat not anyone could accomplish. Don't get her wrong, sure she cared about them, but she thrived in having them wrapped around her finger. More power to her.
"At first, yes - he refused. But after a moments consideration and realizing that you no longer wanted nor needed his protection, he decided to start fresh in a far away country were both you and him could be happy, away from each other."
Katherine knew Damon, she could read him like a book. She knew how much he loved his brother, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. So, she already knew why he would have taken this job in the States, leaving his only family behind. He had a bigger martyr complex than Stefan, Damon was always one step ahead of him when it came to sacrificing himself for somebody he loved.
"No. Even if what you said was true. He would've only accepted since he knew Elena had also agreed, that would give him a chance to enact his revenge by seducing her and making her betray me."
Stefan refused to believe Katherine's words. Damon had showed him that he was not capable of caring, much less loving - not anymore.
"Believe what you want Stefan, but let me ask you this: does Damon even know who Elena is, what she looks like?"
Katherine asked in an exasperated tone. Talking and trying to reason with Stefan when he was acting like an insecure 17 year old was extremely tiring and frustrating.
"What game are you playing Katherine?"
"Better figure it out by Monday, I wouldn't want my new assistant to go and screw up just because he is distracted, now would I?"
With that she hung up, Stefan was left dumbfounded by the new information. Not only had she said Damon had also left, but that she would be taking Elena's place instead of himself. Now he would be forced to work with her, seeing that Elena's recommendation had not convinced his boss that he was ready for a promotion.
Brooding forehead and all, Stefan accelerated towards Damon's place. There was only one way to find out if what Katherine had said was true. And if it turned out it was, he wasn't sure what would be his reaction.
"How's Jeremy doing?"
Caroline walked into the place. They were in Jeremy's apartment since after they told him the news, Bonnie felt that they should show their support.
"He's still sleeping." Bonnie replied tiredly as she turned to greet Caroline, her appearance haggard yet tense.
Caroline could tell Bonnie was trying to play 'mother hen' again by acting strong, trying to take everything on by herself even though she suffered. It was admirable but kind of annoying.
"You do know that you have friends who are actually capable of helping right?"
Bonnie looked up at Caroline who was standing in front of her, arms crossed and challenging eyes.
"I know." Was her 'as a matter of fact' response.
"Don't be a smartass, you know exactly what I meant." Caroline seethed.
With a sigh, Bonnie looked down trying to form a coherent answer.
"Its not that Caroline. I just- I know I can do this by myself and there's no need to burden others." Bonnie assured with a firm nod, eyes determined.
"That's the problem! You NEVER take into consideration how others would feel. Its always 'its for your own good' or 'its for the best' but we want to help, we're your friends Bonnie. And when you decide to do things by yourself, saying you don't need our help, it hurts. Not just because we feel useless, but because we know that you will be the one who takes the toll. Its unfair to you and to us." Caroline blurted out in her overly dramatic fashion, her frame shaking from the exertion and frustration.
Bonnie stared wide eyed, flabbergasted. She didn't know why Caroline exploded in front of her. One moment they were speaking about Jeremy's well being and the next Caroline was yelling at her for being selfish and inconsiderate.
"You try too hard to be righteous - to be the hero - its not wonder why you and Elena are best friends." Caroline added in a lighter tone.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I thought you guys would be grateful in the end." Bonnie answered after the long stretched silence.
"We are Bonn, except in the end more people end up hurt. Always."
"Whats going on?"
Blond curls and brunette strands swirled in the air as they turned to the voice in the hallway.
"Jeremy, are you okay?" Bonnie rushed to his side, alarmed at the clammy and pale skin that shrouded him.
"Yeah, I heard yelling and I came to check." He answered, his eyes narrowing as he glanced between the two girls - sensing the tense atmosphere.
"That was me, sorry." Caroline apologized with a sheepish smile.
"But! I brought you you're favorite breakfast from Coco's! C'mon dig in." She handed him the plastic bag with a grin.
"Thanks, but have there been any news about the- about Elena."
Not missing the flash of hurt behind his brown eyes, Bonnie decided it was best not to tell him the truth for now - not until he ate, it was for the best...
"No, there wasn't-"
"Bonnie." Caroline warned.
Realzing she had done just what Caroline had specifically told her not to do, Bonnie sighed in defeat.
"I'll tell you..." Caroline shot her an approving smile, "while you eat." Bonnie added stubbornly - he eyes glinting. Caroline simply rolled her eyes.
Jeremy was about to protest, but sensing that this was the best deal he relented. Seriously, having Bonnie here was like having Elena and he suspected that Elena had picked up her stubborn and judge-y streak from her. But he hoped that stubbornness would will Elena to fight for her life wherever she was. With that he strode over to his kitchen table.
Sensing two pairs of eyes on him, he took a large bite of his chocolate chip pancakes, making sure to make a show of swallowing it. Turning droopy eyes - of boredom not exhaustion - he glared at both of them.
"Happy? Now tell me." He demanded.
Caroline and Bonnie exchanged glances before looking back at Jeremy's determined face.
"The plane crashed and so far there has been no reports of survivors..." Caroline finished with a whisper, but she gave him a straight forward answer, not wanting to agitate him more by beating around the bush.
The changes were immediate, Jeremy's face turned a sickening gray color - his fork clattering onto the floor.
"But a search party is already on there way to search the sea and the nearby Islands!" Bonnie stepped forward, her tone urgent, trying to prevent him from going into shock. She turned to glare at Caroline, she knew telling him was a bad idea.
Jeremy released the breath he had been holding back.
"Then, there's still hope."
A/N: Dun! Dun! What will happen next! Will anyone find D & E? What will Stefan do once realizes Damon was also on the plane? How will Damon and Elena survive? Were there any more survivors? And whats in the suitcase? Why did Katherine really call?
Well here is my very unrealistic weather conditions and airplane crash :( It was so hard to try and describe realistic conditions were an airplane would actually crash, the cases are very RARE, but I found out that because of volcanic ash the aircraft has a higher chance of crashing. And a volcanic ash cloud and rain with lighting is probably not even possible, but hey this is fiction so I can make it so! ;P
Please tell me if it was confusing, too rushed, etc? I like constructive criticism so I can improve next time :)
Reviews make me happy :)