DISCLAIMER:The characters aren't mine. Everything belongs to The Vampire Diaries and Julie Plec. But the story's mine.

D/E

Elena looked around. She was tired of doing this every single day. This was the fourth time she was picking Jeremy up from the bar in guess how many days? Four! It was like routine now. She ate dinner, saw some movie or show, caught up with Caroline and Bonnie who talked about their day and then she waited for Jeremy's call. He usually called after midnight and before two. Always asking for the same thing. Today was no different. Jeremy had called at half past one, pissed drunk and very contrite:

"Helloooo?

Elena can you please pick me up from The Grill? I am a little drunk. I promise I won't drink from today.

I p-promise.

You knoooow you are the most amazing person in this country, hell this world. Please El?"

And like every single time since the past 3 months she got up, dressed herself and drove down to The Grill. As she got there she saw something was different. Jeremy wasn't at the bar nursing a glass of water and really bad breath. He was splayed out on the sidewalk, barely awake and he seemed to be hurt. She panicked, barely parked the car and jumped out, quickly sitting by Jeremy's side and when she saw he him taking in shallow, pained breaths she felt herself going numb and looked around for help. She couldn't pick him up on his own and he was in no state to stand. She carefully turned him around and felt her stomach drop and her heart clench. His lip was bleeding and his left cheek was smashed in. There was light bruising around his neck and she gasped as she realized they were finger imprints. She felt fear well up and clamp itself. She couldn't move. She was shaken out of her daze when she heard Jeremy splutter. She cursed herself for losing focus, Jeremy needed help!

She ran inside, The Grill was almost empty except for a waitress she didn't immediately recognize, she had never been in the grill so late and looked around frantically for someone else.

She sighed with relief when she saw Sheriff Forbes, she looked tired as she sipped coffee. She was close to Elena and treated her like a daughter. Elena quickly turned towards her and was about to call out to her when she stopped. What if Jeremy was in trouble? What if it was something that would get him into trouble with the police? Elena stood there for a minute unable to decide what to do.

She shook her head. Jeremy was lying outside badly hurt and here she was making stupid decisions. She hurried back outside and kneeled beside her brother.

"Jeremy! Jeremy!" She softly but urgently muttered.

"Jer, you need to open you eyes Jer. Help me here Jer. We can get through this. I am going to take you to the hospital and it's going to be fine."

Hearing her say hospital, Jeremy stirred and painfully gurgled.

"Not the hospital, no no no"

So she was right. There was something Jeremy wanted to hide. She felt anger and hurt and desperation bubble inside her. What had he done now? She pressed down all her feeling and reinforced a false sense of calmness.

"Alright Jer, home it is. Let's get you home. The car's right here."

She slid her hand beneath his shoulder and then heard someone snicker. She looked up. There was a dark shadow leaning against her car just outside the area illuminated by the streetlight, almost as if it was planned. She hesitated. Something was very wrong. She shook off the feeling and strengthening her voice said,

"You can either help or leave."

Her voice wavered and it came out sounding more like a plea than a demand. When the shadow didn't budge she went back to Jeremy, this stranger was wasting her time and her brother needed help. Who could it be anyway? The town was small. It would be someone she knew, she could deal with them later. She propped Jeremy up with her hands and was about to push him up with all her might when the shadow said,

"Who made you the man of the family? Oh but you poor little thing, what can you do, brother's too busy getting drunk. Someone has to step up right?"

His voice was cold and full of contempt. She glanced at him sharply and before she could stop herself, she hissed,

"Oh and you are such a man right? So helpful and so chivalrous"

The man snickered again and it infuriated her. What was happening tonight? She didn't know who he was or what he was doing there. But she couldn't think about that. She had almost gotten Jeremy on his feet and slid herself beneath his arm, supporting him and making sure he didn't fall. She took two steps towards her car and stopped to take a breath. Before she knew what was happening the man who had been standing there moved. She thought he was going to help him and opened her mouth to thank him when he opened the door of her car and slid in. She stood there frozen with Jeremy unconscious under her arm. He turned the key. Damn! She had left it in the ignition in her hurry to tend to Jeremy.

And just as he was about to shut the door, he looked at her and carefully whispered,

"Oh El El El!" His voice was menacing.

Nobody called her that except Jeremy. She felt fear curl inside her.

"Take Jeremy home safely and make sure he gets better soon."

Had this man done this to Jeremy? And if yes, why? Her brain scrambled up questions she was too scared to answer.

"Also tell him I took the car and remind him that he owes me something else, you." And just as he shut the door, she saw the deepest, bluest, scariest eyes she had ever seen. And before she could even gasp the man reversed her car and drove away.

D/E

Guys I am writing a story for the first time. I would be so grateful if you review. Would be totally appreciated and I would send you cookies if I could. Also I need Beta readers. If anyone would like to volunteer, please? Thank you so much for reading.