FIVE YEARS EARLIER
"Damon! Let go of me! Let go of me!" Elena screeched as Damon held her wrists tightly. He would not let her in that tomb. "Let go of me! Please," Elena pleaded, close to tears. She had to get in there! Just to make sure Stefan was safe…she had to, but Damon wouldn't let her! Damon reluctantly released his grip on Elena. As long as she stayed on the outside, he would be fine.
Immediately after Elena wrenched herself from Damon's grip, she shrieked, "Stefan!" It had been a few weeks since he'd been trapped in there, and Elena was tired of worrying…she had to see him.
When there was no response, she screamed his name again. Damon tensed as he saw the looming figure in the darkness…and it most definitely was not his baby brother. He had to restrain himself to keep from growling in fury…Katherine was the definition of bitch, but this was an all time low. And all he could do was watch.
"Well, if he's too much of a coward to come and talk, I'll be glad to have a little chat with you two," a voice identical to Elena's spoke up. Elena immediately froze. Katherine, her who knows how many greats grandmother, walked into the light of the moon.
She was as beautiful as always, identical to Elena.
But she was stark naked.
Elena's breath hitched in her throat as incoherent thoughts flew across her mind. What does this mean? was the only thing that Elena completely thought.
Damon knew his suspicions were correct; Katherine had proved it. He wasn't sure exactly what he had heard going on in the back of the tomb, but he knew now. Even though only a few months ago, he would have been so lovesick to see his past lover standing there like that, but every part of him seethed with hate. She had messed with Elena, and that snatched away any leftover feelings he had for her. It took all he had to keep from lunging at her and ripping her heart out.
Elena stared at Katherine as she smiled evilly and victoriously at her. "Oh, I know what you're thinking. You think I'm playing some sick joke on you, right? Well, Damon, you of all people know I'm many things, but I don't joke. I lie, yes, but joke? No."
Damon bared his teeth, "Don't you dare speak to me."
"And you'll do what? Nothing, that's what, and you know it. I wouldn't even be wasting my time with you two right now, but I felt it would be for Elena's benefit if the truth came out."
"I don't believe you," Elena forced out.
"And why would you? You know I'm a lying, diabolical, conniving bitch; you have every reason to think I'm lying," she said. "But, you could always come in and ask lover boy yourself. But be quick about it. I was busy when you two rudely interrupted." She said as she raised an eyebrow at Damon, knowing it would piss him off.
Elena made her way to the tomb entrance, but Damon flashed to her side and grabbed her arm before she had a chance to enter. "Don't you dare," he snarled, frightening Elena. Normally Damon would threat in the worst possible way, but threats were honestly less terrifying than that.
"Damon, I have to know," she said, a tear trailing her cheek.
"Elena, no," Damon whispered, his eyes were agonized.
But then, of course, Katherine had to butt in. "Or, you could just ask Damon…I'm sure he heard everything since he's so big and bad." Elena's eyes flew to Damon's unbelievably blue ones.
"Is…is it…true?" she asked timidly.
Damon closed his eyes and took an intake of breath. Elena was making him soft. He couldn't stand to see her hurt. And…as unbelievable as it was, Damon had never lied to her. "Yes," he said with clenched teeth.
Elena gasped quietly. She couldn't believe it but…she did. It felt like someone punched her in the stomach and knocked the breath out of her and she couldn't get it back. She shakily put her hand over her mouth to keep her from sobbing and ran up the old stone stairs and to her car.
Damon shook his head in disgust. His heart, though cold, practically lurched out of his chest when he saw Elena's heartbroken but still beautiful face. He felt his face turn into an unemotional cold mask as he turned to Katherine, who was leaning up against the tomb wall.
"Katherine?"
She raised an eyebrow, "Yes, Damon?"
"Go to Hell," he snarled before racing to Elena.
