I feel someone shaking me and gently calling my name but for the life of me I cannot remember where I am and what had happened. All I know is that my head is pounding away like a jackhammer it hurts that much, I open one eye slowly squinting against the bright light then the other. There is dust and debris of rubble littered all around me like a vision from a war movie, except it isn't this is real - two walls where the windows once stood were gone lying in a crumbled heap, looking upwards I see bits of dangling wires, pipes and other instruments poking through the large gap in the ceiling with the lights flicking ominously.

Hearing my name again I turn my head slowly towards his voice and I finally remember everything, the earthquake, the fear and him.. "Damon? My head hurts."

His hands are gently stroking my hair with a concerned look playing across his handsome face. "Thank Christ I was worried you would never open your eyes. You have a nasty cut on your temple, other than that how are you feeling?"

I stretch my arms out before me testing them, nope nothing broken and ditto with my legs, I say a silent prayer of thanks that I am indeed alive and well. Our eyes meet and I recall in vivid detail exactly what we were doing before all this destruction occurred. What is he thinking and feeling, is he a little embarrassed like me? I'm not normally the type to behave in that manner but when facing life and death it could make you do some crazy shit. I decide to keep it professional, hell he has probably forgotten all about it by now. "We need to go and help the others I only hope the rest of the hospital is still standing."

He frowns, "Only if you are up to it, then let's go." I nod and he takes my hand guiding me along safely. He thumps his free hand down on the desk on the way out, "This old chunk of wood saved our lives, I am personally going to thank the hospital office manager for fitting out such reputable life lasting furniture."

We venture out into the ward, still standing relatively intact except for a few shelves and cabinets thrown around with their contents sprawled down both sides of the corridors. I spy Caroline busy fielding staff and worried parents hovering around her at the nurses' station. Hurrying towards her she sees me sighing in relief, "Elena, thank god you are ok!"

She looks frazzled it's usually not her style because she's notorious for being calm and collected, so I know something is up. She has a young son who is babysat by her mom while she's at work and her husband Niklaus Mikaelson a police offer who would surely be in amongst the thick of things today. I give her an encouraging smile, "Oh Care? Is everything alright, is your family safe?"

Her eyes cloud over, "I spoke with Mom, they are both safe. I'm just worried about Klaus, I haven't heard from him." She picked up one of the phone lines ringing, putting them through to the relevant person.

"I'm sure he will be fine, don't think the worst ok? Are all our patients safe and accounted for?" The pounding of my heart rises with the fear of the unknown on what her answer maybe.

"I'm happy to say Doctor Gilbert yes they are all safe and well, as are the staff. Our ward is one of the lucky ones."

The tension evaporates from my shoulders, I no longer need to hold my breath wondering if our little patients we try so damn hard to save have perished. I sense Damon standing beside me, Caroline smiles at him, "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes, you made it through unscathed seriously not even a scratch or a cut unbelievable. What are you made out of, steel?"

Damon flexes his arm, "No but I do have these, they have got to count for something don't they?"

My face turns beet red I quickly turn away so neither of them notice, I know all too well because I had my hands all over his perfectly muscled body only a short time ago.

Caroline scrunches her face, "Well superhero can you please go and help in emergency, the place is overflowing to the brim." She looks at me, "You too Elena, they need every medical personnel available down there."

Damon and I head for the emergency department taking the stairs, I am lost in my own little world worried about what we might have to face, whatever happens when a disaster like this strikes is always hard to manage. I knew I would have to make a few calls back home and tell everyone I'm ok, I could already envisage my cell bombarded with frantic calls and voice message banks. Damon hasn't said much either, maybe we are in shock or something after all we had both just escaped death. His dark hair has bits of dust through it, the black pants and shirt looking a little worse for wear and glancing down at my own attire they have definitely seen better days.

We reach the final landing where I misstep awkwardly losing my footing and bump into him, his arm catches me breaking my fall and I'm safe in his strong arms once again. "Sorry, I didn't watch where I was going." I sneak a glance at him only to see a small smile forming at the corner of his lips.

He replies huskily, "You know we should really stop meeting like this. I think you could class it as being an occupational health and safety hazard."

I let out a nervous laugh, he has that right he's definitely becoming a hazard to me and my beating heart. Whatever this is with him felt real there is no denying it. Our eyes are locked on each other and I feel myself being drawn into his fathomless blue eyes. I avert my gaze, "They need us people are waiting to be helped."

He immediately drops his arms, "You know Elena at some point you and I are going to be having that discussion." He bangs the door open, leaving me there and heading towards the ER.


Caroline was right the ER was in disarray, people were lined up all the way around on the lower floors with the beds filling up every inch of available spare space. We made our way towards the triage office, flashing our badges they let us through showing us where we could change into our hospital garb. I am sent off first to have the cut on my head dealt with, Damon sent to one section and I to another, I am relieved because I didn't have to see him and deal with the underlying tension our little liaison had caused.

Today I meet some amazing people from of all walks of life telling me their tales of survival, like the one woman on her way to work driving along on the highway when the road collapsed taking her down with it. She had a dislocated shoulder and a black eye from the force of the airbag impacting, it was a miracle from all accounts she should be dead. The guy out for breakfast in his local neighbourhood cafe – sipping his tea when everything went down like a deck of cards, he suffered 2 broken legs, a concussion and a broken nose, he was lucky the other patrons were not. I was in awe of these people who lived to tell the tale because obviously it just wasn't their time to go.

One of my assigned patients has fractured ribs I am busy bandaging him when the curtain next to me pulls open and the paramedics are lifting a body down onto the bed. I turned to ask what the status is and find Stefan standing there, he gives me a huge smile wrapping me up in a warm hug. "Elena you ok? It is a disaster, they are talking an 8.5" His eyes worried noticing the plaster on my head.

"I have heard that, that's why I'm down here to help out. I still I'm in a bit of shock it's happened you know but I'm fine really." I haven't seen him for quite awhile asking, "How have you been Stefan?"

His partner pokes his head around the corner and it is a face I know well, Enzo - we used to double date with him and his ever changing girlfriends. I always wondered if he might find the one and settle down or happily continue playing the field. "Stefan we have to go mate, I just received 4 more jobs through." He sees me, "Oh hey Elena."

"Enzo. Please take care of each other out there, Stefan I will speak to you soon ok?" I give him a final hug and brush past him.

I finally locate the medical supply room in search for more bits and pieces I think I may need when the door opens behind me, breaking the silence I hear a deep voice say in amusement, "You are making quite a mess in here Dr. Gilbert and please don't expect me to help you clean any of it up."

My heart starts to flutter as I continue looking through the shelves totally forgetting what I am searching for. Why does he have to be in here now? I can't function when he is around, the door shuts behind him and we are alone together again. "I think I have everything I need and it was already like this before I got here, so thank you." I finally turn around and he is busy looking for the items he requires.

"You know I think everyone is doing well working as one big team, amazing how the human spirit works in the times of need." He glances towards me with a smile.

My head is screaming for me to leave now but my heart says no. Giuseppe's words are coming to me thick and fast live every day like it may be your last. I stare at him in wonder he just comes from out of nowhere with the power to turn me into a mountain of mush. His hand reaches for my head touching it gently, "Are you feeling ok? It has been a long day down here, have you had a break?"

I am lost staring into his eyes like a magnetising force and so hopelessly drawn to. His fingers stroke my cheeks softly, my lips part involuntarily I want him to kiss me again. His finger traces over my lips he whispers, "Elena." His lips are soft and gentle against mine with no urgency this time round, I revel in the feelings he arouses in me making me feel truly alive. His arms are wound tightly against me and mine freely around his neck, the sound of voices outside the door startled us, we both jump apart guiltily and I'm left trying to compose myself with the noises drifting further away.

My heart is racing and I'm feeling all confused but I decide to be brave and put it out there, "Damon? I don't understand any of this but I or we can't ignore it. Do you know what I mean, it's not just me is it?"

He nods in understanding, "Elena, believe me I know exactly what you mean." He gathers the supplies in his arms, "After we are done here, I want to take you to get a bite to eat." He grins, "and no I don't mean in the hospital cafeteria."

"Ok but just so you know McDonald's doesn't count either right?" I remove myself leaving him in there with his laughter echoing down the corridor.


It's been a long day with the end in sight, I'm standing at the nurses' station completing my last lot of paperwork, when Dr. Alaric Saltzman walks past. I know his face from the awards he has won, Dr. Saltzman is one of the best heart surgeons in the world. There is an old joke around here amongst us ladies that if there was one man who you could trust inexplicably with your heart - it was him, he was top of the tops.

"Dr Gilbert, I want to thank you for sparing your time down here. We appreciate the extra help."

This doctor who is world renowned is telling me he appreciates my help, unbelievable coming from someone whom I looked up to and aspired to become. I find him to be just as personable in real life to that of seeing him on the TV and hearing the snippets of gossip about him. Modestly I reply, "Thank you and I'm glad I could be of some service."

Ric laughs feeling a playful punch in the arm he says, "Damon buddy! You are here too?"

They exchange a few words when one of the nurses interrupts them, "Excuse me, Dr Salvatore you have a message. Can you please call your wife."

The word reverberates around in my head surely she has it wrong and didn't just say wife? Dread begins to fill me, he quickly glances my way and I know my hearing isn't wrong he needs to call his wife. Keeping myself together I say my goodbyes and turn away quickly heading for the nearest exits.

Damon is not far behind me, "Elena stop. I need to talk with you."

I ignore him and keep walking until he catches up with me blocking my path, I try going around him but he won't let me. "I need to leave now so please get out of my way."

He stops me by the arm, "In a minute, can you just hear me out first and let me explain? It isn't what you think."

Shaking him off I say, "What is there to explain? You don't owe me anything. You should call your wife, Doctor Salvatore." I push past him bursting into the decimated streets of LA.