Chapter 2: Special Bond
The fire crackled and hissed, igniting the flames as they created a luminous light throughout the room. The little girl sat huddled on the corner of the couch, staring at the mug of hot chocolate which was resting on the coffee table. Tear stains and dry mud marked her face, blood on her hands and knees from the falling. Shivering, she hugged herself, her clothes still damp from the storm.
"Hey," Damon walked in, bending down in front of her, "how are you feeling?"
Moving her gaze from the streaming cup, she turned her attention to her savior, his blue eyes once again mesmerizing her as she looked away again, her attention drawing back to the mug sitting on the table.
"Its okay. Nobody is going to hurt you. You're safe here."
"I'm lost." She whimpered, tears reaching her eyes once again.
"Don't cry please," He sighed, stroking her hair, "What happened, hmm?"
"Lots of men. After us; me, mommy and daddy," Swallowing, she sniffed, "Danger. They told me to run."
Tears poured down her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling as she closed her eyes, hugging her legs closer to her.
"Have mommy and daddy gone to heaven like Jeremy?"
He shook his head slowly, "What's your surname sweetheart?"
"G...Gilbert." She whispered.
"Gilbert," He sighed, rubbing his face, "Dammit."
"I'm so lost." She sobbed, bowing her head.
"Hey," Getting up, he lifted her into his arms, rocking her, "Shhh."
"I'm sc...scared." She held onto him, burying her face into his neck.
"You have no reason to be, I'm going to take care of you." He told her.
"Just you?" She lifted her head, tears on her cheeks, chin and lips.
"Do you see anyone else?" He asked with a soft smile.
"N...no." She answered after looking around, her eyes wide.
"You are safe with me." Damon watched her, a grin on his face as he wiped her tears away.
"P...Promise?" She asked, staring up at him, uncertainty in her eyes.
"I promise you Elena. Come on, I think you could use some rest."
Holding her close, he kissed the top of her head and moved up the stairs at vampire speed, going into one of the guest rooms as he placed her down onto the bed. Staring up at him, she gave him a shy smile.
"Your not a human Da...Da...Da...Damey."
"No, I'm not sweetheart," He laughed, showing his fangs and tipped her chin, "Vampire."
"Vampire?" She giggled cutely, "Vampires are real?"
"Real as fairies." He kissed her forehead, unbuckling her polished black shoes, which were ruined from dirt.
"Me see mommy and daddy again?" She looked up at him innocently.
"One day, hmm?" Lifting her, he lay her down, her head on the pillow.
"Bear," She murmured sadly and felt her neck, "necklace gone."
"Shh, just sleep, okay?" He stroked her hair, bending beside the bed at her eye level.
"You stay?" Elena closed her eyes, tiredness sweeping her body.
"Always." He smiled weakly.
Falling asleep within seconds, she snored softly as he got up, covering her over with the blankets. Walking into his room, he searched his trunk for the box and made his way back to the guest room. Watching Elena sleep, he moved over, taking the necklace out of the box carefully as he smiled. Forever his mothers it would be. Leaning down, he placed it around her neck and clipped it, fixing her hair. It would keep her from harm. Kissing her head, he walked out, closing the door quietly.
He had a lot to get his head around. Was he going to bring her up? Did he want to? Licking his lips, he moved down the stairs quickly, rubbing his hand down his neck. He had a lot to get. Clothes, food and...toys? Shaking his head, he sighed. First off, he had a bear and necklace to find.
Staring into the fire, he smiled, draining the bourbon from the tumbler. He would always remember that day as if it were yesterday. The day trouble walked into his life. Grinning, he shook his head, debating on whether or not to pour out another drink. Stretching, he looked over as he heard his phone buzz into action.
"Hello?"
"Hey Damon, it's Matt." He spoke timidly, almost nervous.
"What has she done?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow as he stared into the fire.
"She's high off her head. I don't know what she's had."
"Aren't you the bartender?" Rolling his eyes, he placed down the glass, "I'm on my way."
Hanging up, he pulled on his jacket and shook his head. She was going to be the death of him and she knew it.
Stepping inside, he was hit with a buzzing atmosphere. Everyone was going wild. Elena had been out 4 hours earlier. Was it like this then? Shaking his head, he inhaled and looked around, catching the scent of jasmine. Pushing through the booze riddled teenagers, he swept the crowd, his eyes finding her straight away. He watched as 'Blondie' as he liked to call her, led her over to the bathrooms as she staggered. Shaking his head, he moved through, heading to the bathrooms himself.
"Elena, just stick your fingers down your throat. It will make you feel better."
After hearing that, he clenched his jaw, storming down the small corridor as he pushed the door open, seeing Caroline and Bonnie in sight as they looked up in surprise.
"Elena!" He called out, glaring at the two.
"D...Damon." She groaned as he moved into the cubicle quickly, bending down beside her.
Leaning against him, she closed her eyes as he held her close, stroking her hair back. He nodded at Caroline and Bonnie with a death glare as they went running out of the bathroom.
"Did you make yourself sick?" Damon questioned, his eyes a stormy blue as he tipped her chin up.
"N...No. I hate being sick." She whispered, clinging to him.
"Good girl."
He stood up, lifting her into his arms as she buried her face into his neck, inhaling his cologne. Holding her close, he held her bag loosely on his fingers as he walked out of the bathrooms, heading out of the backdoor.
"Why didn't you call me?" He questioned as he advanced the steps.
"Care told me not to." The brunette spoke lightly.
"Well in future, don't listen to her. Would you listen if she told you to jump off of a bridge? Would you?"
Walking over towards the camaro, he pulled the passenger door open as he placed her in, being careful.
"With drink in me? I would be under a LOT of influence." She laughed, looking up at him.
"That makes me feel 100% better, thanks for that." He did her seat-belt, closing the door as he moved around to his side.
Kicking the door shut quietly, he dropped his keys into the bowl and held Elena close, dropping her bag beside the table as he made his way upstairs. Stirring in his arms, she fisted his jacket in her hands, holding him close as she inhaled, making a sigh of content. Smiling, he got to the landing and went to go to the guest room.
"Damon?" Elena opened her eyes, fluttering her eyelashes as he stared down at her.
"Your home sweetheart, just bringing you to your room." He told her, kissing her head.
"I wanna stay with you." She whispered, staring up at him as he bit his lip, nodding.
"Okay." He turned in direction, heading towards her room as he gripped her thigh, moving into his room.
"I'm sorry." She murmured as he kicked the door shut and walked over, placing her down on the silk sheets.
"Why?" He stroked her hair back from her face and took her heels off, placing them by the bed.
"For getting drunk, being irresponsible. I should have called." Elena admitted, blinking.
"It's alright. I just...don't want a repeat of what happened last time and neither do you."
Looking through his closet, he grabbed out a pair of black silk pyjama bottoms and the shirt for it as he walked back over, placing it down and watched her. Letting out a breath, he kissed her cheek, nuzzling his nose against her jaw.
"Come on, up. Get changed. I'm gonna get a flannel."
He moved from the bedroom, walking into the bathroom as he grabbed a flannel and rubbed soap on it, smiling when he heard the moans and groans coming from the bedroom. Everybody loves their drink at the time. Squeezing the access water from it, he walked back into the bedroom as Elena finished buttoning up the top, hiding the tanned skin beneath it as he smiled, going over.
"Get that make up off you." He sat her on the bed, bending in front of her and wipes it over her face gently.
"Mmh." She relaxed, exhaling as he took the eyeshadow and mascara off.
"Better. The natural you. I don't know why you cover yourself, you don't need it." He told her.
"Makes me feel good." She answered shyly as he smiled, shaking his head.
"Same old Gilbert." Rising to his feet, he went back into the bathroom, tossing the cloth into the sink. He'd sort it out later.
Walking back in, he watched as Elena climbed under the silk sheets and wrapped her arms around the pillow possessively as she inhaled, a smile growing on her face as she closed her eyes. Smiling, he walked over, turning the light off. Lucky for him, he could see in the dark. Putting on the table lamp instead, he lay on the bed next to her, just watching her.
"You'll stay?" She opened her eyes, the doe eyes reminding him of the day he found her. Innocence.
"Always." He whispered, laying his head on the pillow next to her as she smiled, closing her eyes again.
A relationship like they had, could never be broken. Even if someone wanted to walk in and tear it apart. Only one person would be stupid enough to do that. Someone that didn't know what they had, which was a special bond and no one could break it.
A/N: Hey everyone, since I was getting such good feeback, I thought I'd bring out another for you :D
Enjoy! :D
Shauna
xx
