Sorry for the delay!

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"Oh God!" she groaned loudly. He was right there, his body pressed tightly against hers. Sweat poured from their bodies as he thrust them forward until finally they heard the bed hit the wall.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked softly.

"No. I just knew this is what we needed," she replied. He laughed against her bare shoulder and let his hand slide down to her hip. She giggled when he edged them forward again. Her fingers slide down the headboard. Her nails scraped the hardwood and he watched them slide across the well-worn surface.

His shirt lay on the floor next to him and he relished the feel of her bare skin against his. Her skin was much cooler than his and she slid against him gently. He paused in their movements to help her maintain her balance. Her legs were tensed as she tried to keep herself upright. Somehow she had managed to stay in her stocking feet.

"So are you going to move?" She asked huskily. He kissed her neck gently before pulling back. She relaxed a little and to make her pay he fell forward again. His weight caused her to fall flat on the bed and she bounced lightly. He smiled proudly against the back of her head as he lay there, keeping her still.

"Is this better?"

"No. You're heavy...get off!" she said.

"I could get off..." Damon whispered near her ear. She giggled but he rolled off her, tucking her against him when he rolled onto his back. She rested against him, her hair sticking to his sweaty chest. He reached to the side and lifted the dangling earring from the bed and laid it by her eyes. "Next time don't lose your earrings under the massive bed frame okay?"

"Oh you loved it. You haven't had sex in a few weeks and I could see you salivating earlier," she replied.

"What can I say...I like your ass," he said. "I mean its utter perfection with lush curves. How could anyone not love it?"

"You are the only man I know who can wax poetry about my ass," she said while giggling.

"I better be the only man waxing poetry about your ass. No one else does it right."

"That's what she said," Elena said as she sat up.

"Really Elena? Really! That line was good when you were a teenager," he replied, "You know what? No! It sucked then too. That should be wiped from everyone's phrase book."

"You and your pet peeves," she said softly. "Hey weren't you on your way out?"

"I was," he explained, "but I changed my mind. Did you come up with a menu for Thanksgiving yet?"

"Pretty much" She sighed. It was her year to prepare their feast and she knew he was itching to shoo her out of the kitchen. It was the one holiday he didn't have to host luxurious parties. She looked up at him and noticed the relaxation that was clear across his features.

"Can't I just take this year?" he said as he reached up to run his finger down her back.

"Um no. I have some new recipes and you've talked me out of my last Thanksgiving dinner," she said softly. That had been the year Matty had dumped her and she wasn't really in the mood for the holidays.

"But...you'll ruin the turkey," he whined.

"You're so kind. Now I need to get to Caroline's so you will need to let me up," she said as she struggled against his arm. He didn't let her go so easily and she finally blew strands of hair from her face before resuming her struggles. He chuckled as she fought against him, her legs sliding against his delightfully until she decided to wait for his hold to loosen. He did eventually and she slid to her feet, glancing down at the man in her bed. He really did look like he belonged there but then he was the only man who got to sleep in her bed.

Her memories drifted back to the first time he'd slept in her bed when she was only five. She had been crying for hours it seemed and suddenly the dark haired boy was holding her. She had squeaked loudly but then she realized it was only Damon Salvatore, her new family's eldest son. He had cuddled up close to her and she had fallen asleep in his arms, and even now he would come to her when she felt sad or lonely and curl up with her.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked her. He made a picture with one blue eye open and the other closed, his mouth locked in that infernal smirk of his.

"The first time you were in my bed," she replied.

"I couldn't stand your crying. You were so small and helpless and Stefan wasn't helping matters by pushing you in the mud and taunting you...little fucker," he answered as he sat up to watch her slide her shoes on.

"Well Stefan's always been a little rough around the edges," she said. "He got a lot better but you can't really fault a five year old can you?"

"I guess not and I know Mom and Dad thought you guys would be inseparable but..."

"We became inseparable," she said with a smile. It was true after all. Damon and Elena had become instant friends and he was often overprotective of her during their childhoods. Every girl in town knew wherever Damon Salvatore went, little Elena Gilbert wouldn't be too far behind. It was the same for the guys who sought Elena's attention. The only difference lay with the dark-haired man running off the majority of the men for their impure thoughts.

"I picked up some flowers yesterday. I figure we can visit your parents' graves on Friday," he said as he placed Mr. Snuggles in the center of her bed.

"Black Friday. Caroline is dragging me out to all the stores so I'm thinking Saturday if that's cool?"

"Yeah, no problem," he replied as he headed for the door. "I think Steffy's coming home this year."

"Really? He hasn't been home in two years," she trailed off, "Well at least we'll have enough food." She grabbed her purse and headed down the steps with Damon less than two steps behind.

"I know but he was talking about coming home for two weeks. Apparently he had a nasty break-up or something," he said as he helped her into her coat. She nodded appropriately as he told her about his last girlfriend, Lexi and their inevitable break-up. She had clearly outgrown Stefan's childish behavior and he was simply reeling from her departure. She would be expected to coddle him if Damon and Stefan's parents flew in.

She hadn't seen Giuseppe and Celia in nearly a year once they decided to take a European vacation. She hadn't told them a vacation wasn't a year-long affair but merely a break. Damon took it as a blessing since he could live how he wished in his home for the time being. Once they returned it would be difficult to have women over or to hold his usual parties.

While Damon loved his freedom in dating, Elena loved her own societally. She knew the moment they got home, she would be forced into doing some silly council event and most likely be forced to attend with someone she disliked. Celia had a knack for matching her with eligible founding family bachelors but often they were eligible for a reason. There couldn't be many left in town but Celia always managed to find someone. Oddly enough she never paired Elena with either of the Salvatore boys.

Damon escorted her to her car and kissed her cheek, an absolutely normal occurrence in their relationship. She smiled as he slipped a fifty into her hand and asked her to pick up dinner. It was a pretense but he always liked to make sure she had cash on hand if she needed it. She had always laughed at this but one time her car had broken down and the tow required a cash payment. She was happy to have Damon's money then.

"I'll see you later Damon," she said as she pulled the door shut. He waved as she backed down the driveway waiting until she was out of sight. Then he sighed heavily and headed towards his own car. Dear old William would be getting a visit that was for sure.

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"So what happened?" Caroline asked Elena as she shimmied into a silver dress. Bonnie was watching with utter disinterest as she sipped her coffee. Elena was looking at a long blue gown longingly, her fingers sliding over the material. Unfortunately she couldn't afford a new dress for the Christmas party that was sure to happen. She sighed as she thought of the older red one in her closet.

"What?" She asked as she turned away from the gown.

"What happened with William?" Caroline said with an eye roll. She had been hiding something all day and all Bonnie and Elena wanted to do was drag it out of her but she was commanding the conversation.

"He wanted me to put out and I refused," she explained softly. She knew the inevitable questioning would start up and sure enough they were both firing off their questions.

"How long has it been?"

"Maybe you're too picky! What did he do?" They exclaimed in unison. Elena sighed again and moved to the loveseat in the dressing area. She pulled her hair over her shoulder and began to play with the long strands.

"He wasn't the one," she replied.

"Elena how many times do we have to tell you, he doesn't have to be the one? Sometimes a girl just needs sex," Caroline said.

"I can get sex when I want it but I don't want to add that to a new relationship," she answered. Everyone knew who she meant. If she needed sex, Damon would be there. They had only been together a few times but it was a way they both got what they wanted. Elena didn't need a messy relationship right now and Damon made her feel safe and protected. Not to mention he was a tiger in bed. He could do things to her she couldn't even have begun to imagine. That was beside the point though.

"Elena it's so unhealthy," Bonnie said. Everyone knew about her tense relationship with the elder Salvatore brother but she kept her mouth shut in deference to Elena. "What happens when he meets someone or you do? Will you two give up on that for an occasional orgasm?"

"Bonnie!" Elena exclaimed.

"For the record Bon, it's more like orgasms," Caroline added, "Elena claims he has the stamina of a stallion and the skills to make it an unforgettable night. God I wish when I dated him in high school I had put out..."

"Um...that's not the point. Elena you deserve so much better!" Bonnie said.

"I like my relationship with Damon. I'm not ready for a serious relationship and what we have is just fine. I don't have to deal with all the complications of a serious relationship and Damon is perfectly happy with the arrangement," Elena replied.

The conversation ended quickly but Elena missed the look Bonnie shot her. Bonnie knew Elena had given her heart to the dark-haired boy the moment he crawled into her bed all those years ago. They were just too stupid to realize it

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"So explain why I can't help again?" Damon whined from his perch at the kitchen island. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

"Because this is my year," she said simply. He pouted at her backside as she went back to peeling potatoes. He had begged and pleaded but she wouldn't let him near her turkey and he was going through withdrawal. His fingers traced designs on the counter as he thought back to the previous night.

She had come home with no shopping bags but she had brought home a pizza. He knew she was messing with him since he didn't believe in take-out pizza. It simply wasn't as good as his homemade pizza with fresh tomatoes and handmade dough. He obliged her and ate a few pieces but he grimaced the whole time. She had been quiet and he wasn't sure what had happened.

"Are you alright?" he had asked softly. She glanced up at him as if surprised to see him sitting there. She had been a million miles away and he didn't quite like it. He didn't like it when she was so deep in thought because she got those little wrinkles between her eyes. His fingers darted out to smooth the lines.

"Yeah I...I um...it's nothing," she said softly. He watched her quietly as she nibbled on her slice of pizza and noticed the change in her. Her body was humming with anxiety and he realized she was aroused. Her body quivered as he reached out to trail one finger down her arm. She reared back suddenly but he grabbed her and hauled her into his arms.

"Wh...what are you doing?" she whispered as he slid over her body. His hands rested on her hips but she could already feel gentle, feather-like touches on her skin.

"Taking care of you," he said as his lips swooped down to taste her neck. She moaned softly at the contact, her fingers fisting in his hair. His lips were insistent on her skin seeking out every sensitive spot until she was clawing at him. He could read her like a book and he knew ice cream and talking wouldn't ease this ache he felt for her.

"You need this," he whispered 'I need this' he thought.

"Yes," she responded. He seemed to know when her desire for intimacy made an appearance, as rare as it was, and he always responded with what she needed. She didn't know how to ask him and he understood their relationship wasn't always conventional. Most would not sleep with their best friend to help them feel better but then sometimes he found himself when he was with her.

"Long or short?" he murmured against her ear. She was lost in the sensation of his fingers sliding up under her shirt, brushing aside her front-clasped bra until they could seek the hardened peaks. She cried out harshly as his fingers pinched the little rosy buds and he chuckled lightly. He would tease her body into submission tonight, coaxing sounds from her until she was mindless.

"Short, definitely short," she had moaned. He smiled broadly as he kissed her thoroughly, his hand sliding up to cradle her neck. Her leg curled over his hip as he kissed her softly, losing himself in their kiss. He made a move to lift her and she pulled back. "No, here. Right here," she demanded.

He could never really understand these feelings that coursed through him when she was in bed with him. He had slept with other women in his years but nothing ever felt like this. With other women it was sex, clear and simple. With Elena he had to push her to her limits. He had to see how far he could take her until she was limp in his arms, her body exhausted.

In the morning he would wake up before her and watch her sleep deeply. He would look at the marks he left on her skin from their passion and feel a sense of accomplishment. She was a woman who could wear him out, who could give as good as she got and it left him with a sense of fulfillment.

It was when he was buried inside her body, he felt the change. Something had changed since the last time he had her. Maybe it was a look in her eyes or maybe it was something in his own soul. He couldn't put his finger on it but he knew something was irrevocably changed. It would be later when he would question the feeling.

That night he had her before the fireplace and once she fell back against the pillows he had covered her with blankets. He slid against her until her body was settled against him and he fell into a deep sleep. Their morning had been quiet as he made her breakfast and then she started on Thanksgiving dinner. He had felt something but the only thing he knew was something had changed last night. He couldn't help but wonder if it would change their lives whatever it was.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked as she slid into the seat next to his. He considered her, unsure what to say.

"Last night," he finally responded. She looked surprised but she smiled softly. He watched her carefully as she pushed some hair behind her ear and he smiled as she reached out to smooth his own bedhead.

"Thank you. It was amazing as usual and I seem to remember screaming a few times," she said blushing. He grinned broadly and leaned forward to kiss her ear.

"Trust me you were screaming," he whispered. She shuddered at his tone and he chuckled again. She had been screaming towards the end and that had only driven him farther. He loved the sounds she made in his arms and he was going to get every last sound until she fell asleep sated.

"How do you always know?"

"After the first time I just knew when you needed comfort and a hug wouldn't do," he replied simply. He felt the conversation heading for some sort of mental breakthrough and he just couldn't bear the thought of it. He responded the only way he knew how. "Although with my sexy body, a hug is never enough."

"Silly!" she said as she pushed against his shoulder. She giggled as she stood to return to her prep work. His smile remained for a few seconds and then dropped. What had changed? Why was last night so different and why did he want to lock the doors and hide away with her forever? How had one night of sex changed things?

He watched her for hours moving around the kitchen, prepping this and cutting that as he considered things. She was chattering endlessly, her excitement seeping through to him as he watched her. He couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm as she finally put the last pot on the stove. Minutes later he was in the dining room, setting the table for four. Stefan had informed them he was bringing a guest and while Elena was hesitant to let in a new girlfriend so quickly, she was a proper hostess. Damon could only imagine the girl Stefan would have found a week after breaking-up with Lexi.

"I wonder what's keeping him," Elena asked as she slid a few glasses onto the table. Damon shook his head before reaching out to tuck her tag back in her shirt. She mumbled a thank you before moving to look out the parlor windows. Damon was only a few steps behind her when she squealed loudly and raced out the door. He saw the car coming up the driveway and followed her closely. Stefan hadn't been home in a long time.

"Stefan!" Elena called as she flew into his arms. Damon watched her from the porch, leaning against one of the pillars. He held his ground but he didn't like the dark feeling of jealousy when she wrapped her arms around Stefan. What the hell happened last night?

"Hey Tweets!" He replied. Damon cringed at the old nickname. Elena loved Tweety Bird and Stefan never let it go. "How are you doing?"

"We're so glad you're home!" she said loudly. They spoke in soft tones for a few moments before they all turned to the opening car door. Elena was curious and moved around the car, no doubt waiting for some young woman to step out.

It came to some surprise when a young man stepped out and brushed the wrinkles from his coat. He glanced to Stefan before turning to Elena. He was impeccably dressed and Damon recognized the designer clothes hanging from his slim frame. He came from old money obviously. He smiled broadly and approached her. Damon saw red a moment later when the man bent down to kiss Elena's hand softly.

"Charmed Miss Gilbert. My name is Elijah and Stefan has told me such wonderful things about you," he said with a clipped accent. Damon watched the blush spread across her cheeks and he let out a low growl. Elijah's eyes met his and Damon saw the challenge in them. Damon smiled. He had never lost a challenge but he felt another one of those aches in his soul. This one might give him a run for his money.

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It took me about three weeks to finally find this chapter acceptable. My plans include one chapter a week through Christmas since this has become my Christmas fanfic this year. I'm still not amazingly wowed by this chapter but I wanted to progress it a bit. BTW, Damon and Elena sleep together as often as they feel like it but it usually doesn't change a thing in their relationship. This time Damon's a bit affected. Sorry for any typos but I'm trying really hard to get this out as quickly as possible!

Next update: Thanksgiving, Elena's parents, and Damon seeks some advice.

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