Disclaimer : I do not own the Vampire Diaries or any and all of the characters and settings used.
Author's Note : This is my second story. Post 3x07. Enjoy reading. Reviews, suggestions and comments are very much appreciated.
THE PERFECT CHOICE
By Veronica Bali
Chapter 1 : Sweet Remorse
I knew it was one of those situations I just had to avoid.
I tightened my grip on the ledge, too scared that I might fall off balance from the absorbing gaze Damon gave me. Heat washed over me and my heart worked in quick beats. His dark hair and chiseled features made me stare at him without blinking. But it was his eyes that caught me off guard, the icy blue color you could just never forget. He moved towards me, closing the last inch that separated us, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. He placed one of his hands onto the back of my neck, the other traveled up my spine, sending shivers through my body.
"Now is your only chance to leave, Elena," Damon warned me. Though it sounded more of a tease than a heads-up.
I think I should probably go, I wanted to say it. I wanted to run and hide. But instead, I stood there like a curious little girl wanting to see what would happen next.
Slowly, he bent his head and eased his searching lips over mine. His mouth caught my top lip, then my lower one. I put my fists between us, my arms clutched over my chest. I couldn't make myself push him away, but neither could I let him hold me completely. Everytime I thought the kiss might stop, it went on longer and deeper. And it felt good. I have to admit that it did. I never thought kissing Damon would be such a sweet remorse. He was too gentle that I had to open my eyes and make sure it was really him. It surprised me that Damon, who seemed to always have the upper hand, was fighting for control and self-restraint.
I was sure he didn't want to push me. But deep inside, I knew he wanted to take all of me.
Two days ago
"Ric deciphered the rest of it. So apparently, the Original Mother's name is Esther, and his husband is Mikael," I said, holding the phone closer to my ear.
"Mikael?" A pause, "Mikael as in big bad scary vampire hunter?" Damon asked.
"Yup. Oh, and another name came up –" I added, "I think it was Pam? Pamela? I'll check with Ric to see – " Even before I could finish, the dial tone rung in my ears. Damon hung up on me. It was never him to just hang up, not without leaving any annoying or sarcastic remark. But I decided to let it go since I realized he had been on my head constantly the past days. And being too worried about him scared me, with what everyone around me had been saying, I don't quite know what to think of it anymore. I decided to drop by the Salvatore house. I poured myself a cup of coffee, and hurriedly drank in swigs. I swung my bag over my shoulder and was about to leave when Alaric came down the stairs.
"I take it you already told Damon about the Vikings?" he asked and walked towards the kitchen counter.
I nodded. "Hey Ric –" maybe it was too early to comment on it, but I couldn't stop myself, "I'm glad you and Damon are okay again."
Ric let out a sigh, and twitched his lip as if saying he did not have much choice in the matter. Except I knew exactly what it was like to be Damon's friend. He just grows on you, whether or not you want him to.
"You're going to the Salvatore's?"
"Stefan's still locked up and Damon's well, Damon. Gonna go check on him," I said, seeing the confusion in Ric's eyes. It was my guess that Ric was not sure which brother I was going to check on, hence the reaction. But the last thing I could do is blame him. Coz when I start to think about it, even I am not sure myself.
I swung the door open, it was unlocked. "Damon?" I called out. No answer. I walked to the house's parlor, and no one was there. I have to admit that sometimes, the house still scares me. After all, it's still a vampire's house. Nervous and hesitating, I searched the house, but to no luck, no one was there. I headed to the jail cell, and carefully peeped through, Stefan was still there. It made me feel guilty that I let out a sigh of relief.
I let myself in, and a pang of pain struck my heart. He was still, bloodied and exhausted. I moved closer to him, wary of what he would do, and then I brushed his shoulder with what courage I had left.
I cringed a little when he started moving, letting his head up to look at me.
"Elena?" He asked trying to clearly look at who was standing in front of him, "Elena. Elena, please let me out. Please." He continually pleaded, and left my heart breaking by the second. I started feeling small sobs work its way to me. I took a deep breath, and planted a calm face over my pain.
"I'm sorry Stefan, but you need to do this," I cupped his face, "You just need to fight Stefan."
I turned my back and headed to the door. I knew that if I stayed there, I would believe him. I would untie him, and I would regret it the minute after. I was almost to the door when I noticed him making random remarks under his breath that I didn't bother to listen to. I unfastened the door when suddenly he yelled in an angry rush, "I will kill you Elena the next chance I get to if you don't let me out of here!"
It's not Stefan, Elena. I repeatedly convinced myself. As if I did not have enough pain to deal with, I did not move, my feet firmly glued on the ground. I looked at him whose eyes were widened in fury. He abruptly let out a laugh, it was like he was changing personalities.
"Wait till you hear this," he mocked in satisfaction, "Damon is on his way to Kansas, to rekindle an old flame."
I closed the door behind me, and ran to my car. I just could not bear seeing Stefan anymore, something evil was inside him, something that scared me. Rekindle an old flame? He was lying. He had to be lying.
There was no way Damon left everything just to see an old lover. I wanted to succumb to my convincing thoughts.
But to no reason, I picked up my phone and dialed Damon's number. If only I had known calling him was the last thing I should have done.