Dear Readers!

Thank you for such beautiful response on the first installment. DE fandom, you're amazing! Here's the second installment. I hope everyone enjoys it like the first one.

Love,

May

WARNING: Graphic violence and sex scenes.

Song Credit: Best of 2011, Anthem Lights. (Just The Way You Are / For The First Time / Someone Like You / Superbass / Jealousy")


Chapter 2: Somebody to love

Elena walked around the warmly lit patio, steaming, bubbling and surrounded by tropical plants and flowers that spilled over into the water. She had just spent her evening in the spa, ignoring the calls from Damon and work. She had too much on her mind to deal with them.

Fifteen weeks ago, when she bailed Damon out for the mission, she had never thought there would come a day when she would be caught between her duty and her heart.

Week 6

"Did you kiss me last night?" She wanted to ask him but she couldn't. She was confused. Was it even real? Had she dreamt all that?

Her eyes, her eyes

Make the stars look like they're not shinin'

Her hair, her hair

Falls perfectly

Strands of her soft hair fell on her face while she kneaded the dough. She tried to swipe it aside, out of her eyes but as she did, some of the flour got stuck on her face. In an attempt to clean it, she tried to rub it but instead spread it more.

She heard him chuckle. He was leaning against the corner, eyes amused, a very light shadow of a smile playing on her lips.

She ignored him, working on the dough.

"The book says we have to put eggs now," He reminded her.

"No, we don't. We put it after we mix in cinnamon and apples." She commented.

"But the book,"

"Who is the chef here, Damon? It's me. I do the cooking here." She said sharply, turning to him.

"You're not a chef, you only started cooking when I came here, and God knows how hard it was for my stomach to put up with your not so good cooking skills." He replied, standing next to her.

"Not so good?" She rose a brow.

"I'm sorry. I used the wrong adjective. What I meant to say was, that you have terrible cooking skills." His expressions were serious but she knew he was joking only to get a rise out of her.

Her mouth fell open before she clamped it shut. "You're such an ungrateful jerk, do you know how hard it is to cook? I come home after a long day from work to cook for you, I've been watching food networks, I have been slaving two hours on this apple pie that you told me was your favorite but you-," She kept on ranting for a while as she worked.

He appreciated that a lot, the way she would pick the smallest points from their therapy session and would give him a small part of the paradise he dreamt about, once upon a time.

She turned to the boiler, turning off the knob, while she talked non-stop about all sort of things. As she talked, she gave him one of her breathtaking smiles that made his heart race and his knees go weak. To him, whenever she smiled, it was like the whole world lit up. He yearned to touch her, to take in some of the light she shone into the world.

Unknowingly, he reached for face and swiped her hair to a side, tucking it behind her hair. She looked at him, inquiringly.

"If you're done with my hair, Mr. OCD, can you move to a side, I need the oven." She said gesturing him to move to a side.

"You're gonna touch the pie… with these hands." He said, making a face.

"Excuse me,"

"I mean you just… you haven't cleaned them after you-,"

"Oh my God. Damon, for the sake of everything that's holy, will you let me do my work without interrupting me every ten seconds, Mr. Control Freak?" She squeaked.

"I'm very easy going as long as you're doing exactly what I want!" He countered.

"I'm sorry, I didn't order a glass of your opinion." She replied.

"Well, too bad, you're taking it anyway." He replied, folding his arms on his chest.

"How incredibly rude of you! I mean, I slave all day-,"

"Two hours," He interrupted.

"Whatever, I work for hours to make yummy stuff for you-,"

"Yummy?" He gave a sarcastic chuckle. "Prison food was better. You make me miss prison."

She narrowed her eyes, pouting before turning away. She turned to the tap and washed her hands, mumbling something under breath.

"What?" He said, standing in front of her, blocking her way.

"I'm not talking to you," She said, childishly. "You're very mean." She added as she advanced to the oven. Like children, they fought over the smallest things but they made up just as quick.

He rolled his eyes, "Stop overreacting, you know I was just kidding,"

"You don't appreciate me, you think my food is trash, my efforts are trash," She said in a sad tone, with a dramatic sigh. He always enjoyed her antics. Sometimes she would act so mature, and sometimes she would act so childish. He loved every side of her.

While she put the pie in the oven, she waited for him to come to her and make up for the 'mean comments' like he always did. Somehow, he could never stand it when she was upset with him.

"I never said that your cooking is trash," He said, standing in front of her. She moved past him, not answering.

"That's what you actually meant when you said that you miss the prison cook."

"I rather eat your undercooked chicken parmesan than a five-star main course," He said, holding her arm. "Not because I have no other alternative," He said quickly before she could speak, "but because anything you cook for me, exclusively, is... you don't understand how much it…," It was always hard for him to express his feelings. He had just started to feel. Every emotion seemed overwhelming.

He took a deep breath, looking at anything but her, "I don't remember the last time someone cared for me the way you do. I don't remember the last time anyone had asked me what I wanted. I don't remember the last time someone did something for me. I don't know why you're… struggling so much with a broken man. I don't understand why would you work so hard to make me happy because I have nothing to give you back." She could see the insecurities flash on his face, the look of a broken scared man underneath the tough guy act.

"All I know is that… I finally feel alive. I like it when you cook just for me. I like it when we watch movies together long into the nights, when you shop for me, when you arrange picnics for us, I like it when you remember my likes and my dislikes, when you take care of me, it makes me feel special. And no one has ever made me feel like that." He said, running his hand through his hair nervously.

She inched closer, cupping both his cheeks. He looked up, finally locking eyes with her, his eyes glittered with vulnerability. "Get used to it." She said softly as if she was telling him a secret. She was about to move away, when he held her wrists, holding her still. She read the yearning on his face. It was clear as daylight that he wanted her. He was going to kiss her.

He was her patient. This wasn't appropriate in every way. But she couldn't find it in herself to stop him. She realized that she didn't want to stop him, she felt something for him, something other than sympathy, something raw and strong, a strange pull, a mad attraction… a feeling so overwhelming that it shook her.

Just then the oven beeped, snapping them out of their moment.

"My pie," She said with a nervous grin as she moved past him nervously but as she did, her arm touched the flour bowl and fell down with a loud crash, spilling its contents everywhere.

She closed her eyes, waiting for him to hiss at her being so careless, but instead she heard him laugh. Her eyes widened. She had caught smiling a couple of times but this was the first time she had witnessed his laughter.

"You're a havoc machine, do you know that?" He said, moving closer to her. "Look how much flour you are wearing," He teased.

She dipped her hand in the flour and flicked it at him. "Elena!"

"We are even," She said with a giggle.

His expressions were grim, telling her that he didn't like her joke. Her laughter died, noticing his serious face. She remembered that he'd beaten a prisoner up for sitting on his bed, what if he hurt her too? She couldn't even blame him for that because she knew about his mental condition and yet she tiptoed over that line. Before she could apologize, he grabbed her about the waist and pulled her close, his breath hot on her face. He reached into the flour bag, pulled out a handful and threw it on her. "Now, we're even."

..

..

Week 8

Sometimes, the therapy backfired. Sometimes when she tried to get him to talk about his past, he would turn cold on her, brush her away, or find excuses to leave.

She would then find him in the corner of his room, biting on his nails. He didn't understand why they had to talk about his past if she really wanted him to move on. Shouldn't he just forget it and turn the page over that bad chapter of his life. But one evening, he finally opened up.

Elena was busy with her work while he was making them dinner, his usual healthy meal, when he noticed her pressing her hand against her neck, over and over again, as if it ached.

"I think you should call it a night."

She smiled, her eyes still on the screen, "A little sore shoulder never killed anybody, I am fine. I have to study these reports for Care's meeting tomorrow."

Elena Gilbert, always the martyr. He shook his head before turning the stove off and grabbed some herbal oil, "I can help."

She looked at him as if she was impressed, "Someone's considerate today."

He shrugged as he sat behind her softly swiping her long soft hair to a side, "Don't worry, I am not the neck snapping type."

She sighed, why did he have to say that. His references to his occupation bothered her.

Slowly, he slid down a side of her shirt, her olive tan soft skin just begging to be kissed.

She smelled of peaches, and her skin was soft as petals. She groaned in pain when he pressed his fingers against a spot. Her pain was his pain. When she hurt, he felt it. He never wanted to see the look of pain on her face again.

Sometimes he felt so overprotective of her. He just wanted to hide her away, so no one would ever harm her because he was so afraid of losing her. He'd witnessed cruelty, he had seen how horrible the world could turn out to be. He'd done terrible things. Things that would make her skin crawl. She wasn't made for a world like that.

The touch of his fingertips was a very pleasant sensation. She lifted her chin. He massaged her shoulders and the sides of her neck, which were very tense. She wriggled behind her back for the laces of her bodice and pulled them loose, draping the dress top loosely over her shoulders.

"God, your hands are magic,"

He pushed into pressure points skillfully, and she couldn't help but release a soft moan at the resulting ache and then release. "You lead quite an intense life. It wouldn't kill you to take a break,"

"Hmm." She said, "God, it feels so good. Can you stay here and do this forever?" She moaned, closing her eyes in content.

A light smile played on his lips at her request. 'That's the plan.' He thought. Once he'd been given a clean chit, he would end the alliance of godfather and leave his world behind for good. But he was still uncertain about his decision. Was he being rational? Could he really have a shot at a new happy life?

"Work is so tiring these days. Dad had been asking me to spend this Thanksgiving with him. But I can't possibly take a leave, especially when work is piling up. It's a good thing he understands my reasons. He understands that I have to stay away from the Fam to get what I want." She was always so talkative but he enjoyed her endlessly long stories.

He pursed his lips, "What exactly do you want?"

She sighed dramatically, turning to him. She held his hand and motioned him to sit next to her. " What do I want? I want to be the most accurate and highly preferred psychiatrist the world has ever known, then I will set up a trust fund for a hospital, where I'll treat hopeless cases, and give them an attempt to new, a happier, life. Then after that, I'll buy a little house in the countryside, where I'd go on weekends with my family."

He tilted his head to get a better look at her eyes that shone with life, "family?"

She nodded. "Yes, me, the love of my life and our two kids, a dog too maybe or a cat, I don't care I just want a family. My mom died when I was only six. But I have a memory of her. A month ago, before she died, my dad bought her, her dream house. It's a cozy little farmhouse, out of the town, near a lake. I fell in love with the sight when I first saw it. In evenings, we would all go out, sit by the lake to watch the sunset. My dad would sit with mom on the swing on the porch and Jer and I would play near the lake." She said, lost in a world, years and years ago.

"My father loved my mother so much, that after she died he could never move on. We've never gone back to that farmhouse. But someday I want to go there," She paused, "With the love of my life and our two little ones. I want to sit on that swing with him and watch the sunset. That's… that's what I want."

The way she talked about the lakeside made it seem like it was a magical place. If only he could give her what she wanted. If only he could share that dream with her. He realized he never wanted something more than be a part of her life. He reached his hand to her, slowly caressing the backside of it. "I hope you get to live it." He said with a smile, a smile that wasn't smug or evil, not sarcastic just plain sweet, at that moment she thought he was really beautiful, ocean blue eyes of the color of the lake she loved, sweet face, a battered soul.

She cupped a side of his face in her completely non-psychiatrist moment, "Tell me your most favorite memory." The depth of her eyes hypnotized him. He felt she could see right through him and into his soul. "I… I don't remember, I have never had time to think,"

She moved closer. To understand the havoc that went through his mind, she needed a better look at his past. To make him feel, she needed to remind him how it felt to be human. "Well think now." She shrugged.

He bit on his nails, something he did whenever he was nervous. She held his hand down, motioning her head in a no. He nodded, clenching and unclenching his fists. "Mama was reading me a storybook by the fireplace, we were very happy, father was home, he was making us dinner, I was seven then, I guess." She swore she saw some life in his eyes, they glistened and took on a faraway look.

"It sounds peaceful. Only child?" she sounded interested.

"And spoilt." He said as if he was still living the memory. Though she didn't know him and his past, she knew something bad had happened to him, something that snatched his humanity and made him the cruel man he was a couple of months ago, "I am sorry, you lost them. "

His expressions changed, he was taken by slight surprise, no one had ever read him like that, no one could, no one wanted to. No one knew his parents, no one ever talked about them, no one was sorry that they were not with him now.

"No one has ever said that to me ever. No one cared before,"

"I do,"

"Why?"

"Because I know what you're."

He narrowed his eyes, "What?"

"A human. You may have shut down your humanity but I know it's still there. Deep down, you feel when you do wrong to others, when you hurt others. They're heavy, aren't they? They weigh you down, and every new sin adds weight to the load. You use anger like a drug to change how you feel. And when you can't find a way to cope with the guilt you shut it down completely," She said softly.

"I did everything to survive. I had no other way," He replied. She could sense remorse in his tone.

"But look where it led you. You're all alone. Is that how you plan to live your life forever?" His face was plain, void of all emotions, he loved her but he still didn't want to go weak. She got closer, more close, "You can build a wall around you just like you did but it's going to get lonely, you need to let someone in, if you don't want to be alone forever."

"I know you don't. No one would want a life like that. You've been improving. You have stopped threatening people. You aren't perfect—nobody is. You still get angry once in a while. After all, you're human! But you have stopped doing the things you used to do. You have learned how to manage your anger and you have started to feel. Remorse is the first step to redemption. Your guilt will build you into a better person. A second chance at life-,"

"Remorse…," he chuckled, humorlessly. "If I tell you the things that I did… to survive, there is no room for a second chance. I… I am a beast, an animal, worse than an animal. I don't deserve a chance. The only price for my sins is death,"

"And that's where you're wrong." She said, shaking her head. "Death is just an easy way out. For a change, try to live. Make up for your sins by becoming a better person. Contribute to the good of the world. I told you before and I'll tell you again, there's hope as long as there's life." She placed her hand on his heart, "As long as your heart beats, you have a chance, an option." She was subtly hinting him to help the FBI reach the godfather and she knew he understood. She waited for him to talk but when he didn't, she sighed a heavy sigh. She wasn't going to give up.

"I'll give you time to think it over," she said.

Leaning close, she kissed his cheek lightly. "Goodnight."

..

..

Week 10

Girl, you got my heartbeat runnin' away

Beating like a drum and it's coming your way

Can't you hear that boom, badoom, boom, boom, badoom,

Boom, bass

"Okay, this is so silly, Elena. We're not children anymore." He said as he reached for her hand. She had blindfolded him and then led him to a room.

"What kind of weird kink is this?" He said, "Are you we recreating any scene from that favorite movie of yours. Gray fifty shades?"

"How vile of you! Of course not," She said, her tone filled with shock. "And it's fifty shades of gray,"

"My favorite movie so far,"

"Yeah, I know, you've mentioned that a hundred times since last night," She rolled her eyes, "Come here," She said. "Now, take off the blindfold when I say so," She said as she pulled her hand out of his grasp and tip-toed to stand in front of the dining table.

"Now."

He took it off hurriedly, curious.

The table was a sight to behold. She had prepared a cake that was a work of art. Tiny pink and blue flowers decorated the outer edges of the white frosting. 'Happy Birthday' was written in flourishing script across the top of the cake.

"It's not my birthday." He said, looking up.

"Yeah, I know. I remember you said a week ago that you didn't know your birthday at all. That gave us benefit out doubt. Now, we can pick any day to celebrate your birthday," She said, cheerfully. "I thought and thought, and decided why not celebrate it today. We have the cake, we have booze and...," She stopped, turning to the stereo, "Music,"

He chuckled, running his fingers through his hair.

"Are these thirty-two candles? I'm not that old." He complained. "I demand you remove five of them,"

"Or what?"

"Or I refuse to cut the cake,"

"Okay, okay," She said as she plucked out a few candles and put them to a side.

"You didn't make the cake right?" He said in a mock horror expression.

"You're so mean to me," She pouted. "And yes, I did make the cake but I took help from a friend."

She sat down and lighted a match, applying its flame to the bottom of the candle. In the flickering candlelight, her skin gleamed like pearls. He wanted to get his hands on her. He'd been obsessing over her. He was madly in love but he never told her that.

He wanted her around all the time. He didn't know why but whenever she was around him, he had the will to live. She always lights up his dark world, she gave him hope. She offered him affection and care, something he had always secretly wanted.

It came to the point that whenever she left for work, he counted minutes before she would be back. They spent nights in the family room, talking long into the night or watch a movie, while she cuddled next to him. They were getting closer, with every passing day. The defined boundaries between them were disappearing with each passing second.

He sat on the chair, right in front of her, they were separated by the table and the cake between them.

"Now make a wish and blow the candles out."

"You want me to make a wish?" He said in an amused tone.

"It's tradition, Damon!" She said, pouting.

"Okay, I'll make a wish." He said as he closed his eyes. He wished for her. He wished that someday, she'll be his forever and that they'll be together forever. He wished for a forever with her. He wished for a happily ever after.

Through the faint light of the flickering candles, she gazed at him. He looked so young, so shy, so innocent, so vulnerable. She couldn't help but feel protective of him. Just yesterday, Alaric has warned her that time allotted to the mission was drawing closer to end and she still hasn't convinced him to help and confess his sins.

She didn't know why but she didn't want to. She knew that as soon as he confessed, they would take him away forever. They'll never keep their part of the bargain. She had to find a way to save him. She had to make sure that her officials offer him a chance to a new life in exchange for his help. Was it selfish? Maybe. But she didn't want to see him back in the dark cells or end up on the electirc chair.

He opened his eyes, her smiling face and her sparkling beautiful eyes made his heart skip a beat.

"What did you wish for?" She asked, curiously.

"You,"

"What?" She inquired.

"I can't tell you,"

"Why not?"

"Surely you know that a wish can't come true if you tell someone."

She laughed. "I thought only children believed in that."

Now he looked at her with nearly the same intensity that he had looked at the candles. "I suppose there is still a child living within me."

She nodded with a chuckle.

They cut the first piece together. He fed the first piece to her.

"You've got a little..." his voice trailed off as he reached out and wiped the icing away with the pad of his thumb and sucked it clean.

She felt her breath get caught at the gesture. Nervously, she scooped a bit of the frosting from the sides with her finger. "Is this fluffy enough?" Instead of slipping the frosting off, he took hold of her wrist and lifted her hand to his lips. Opening his mouth, he wrapped his tongue around the offering and drew the frosting as well as her finger inside the warmth of his mouth.

Under his gaze, her eyes deepened and her breathing increased. Then as quickly as it began, he pulled her free from his lips.

Feeling jumpy like never before, she rambled on about whatever came to her mind and he listened to her very patiently, all his attention focused on her words, her every gesture.

Later, she put on music and demanded him to dance with her. He told her that he had no idea how to.

She held his arm and tugged him to the center of the room. She made him put his one hand on her waist and inched closer, his other hand clasped in hers, their fingers intervened. With a confident smile, she began to nudge him this way and that. She led him in the high spirited reel; before he knew it, his feet were moving along in the steps. In moments, he was laughing along with her, the clumsiness gone.

"You're a good dancer."

By the third dance, they were much closer. He could tell she was relaxing and by the fifth dance, they were molded. She felt the pressure of his hand on her back. She laid her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and began holding him tight behind his neck. Later, his hand would move up to her shoulder then down to her waist, holding her in a tight embrace. He allowed her to move away, in a dance move and then she leaned back in his arms, willfully, unrestrainedly surrendering herself to him.

She didn't remember who started the kiss. All she remembered was how good it felt when she attached her mouth to his, her lips heated, her tongue probing. The wet fire between her legs was agony. His arms tightened around her. She tasted a mixture of honey and spearmint. He didn't court her with sweet, tender kisses; he devastated her with his hunger. He groaned as he devoured her mouth like a starving man. He was starved, for her! His soul found a resting place within her. Oh, how he loved her. He trembled as he drank from her lips. He was never going to lose her.

Then she felt the ground give way beneath her feet. He took her to his room and placed her on the bed.

He undressed her carefully as if he were unwrapping a gift, looking upon her as if seeing her for the first time, kissing every part of her skin as it was revealed to him in the dim light. Tender kisses that soothed, becoming knowing kisses that roused. He wanted every part of her, as he wanted her to have every part of him.

He kissed every inch of her face—her eyebrows and her nose, her cheeks and the corner of her mouth—with a thorough desperation as if he could not get enough of her taste. She kissed him back, loving the taste of bourbon in his mouth, savoring the texture of his skin.

She flipped them over, he felt her lips move down his throat to his chest. She traced patterns on his chest with her tongue. Her hands slowed near his pelvic bones, and she seemed to squeeze him gently as he felt her soft full lips kissing his body. She sensuously kissed his thighs, his stomach, all the while teasing him. She rose after about a minute, leaving him ravenous with lust now.

He flipped her on her back, covering her body with his. His eyes met hers, asking for her permission to make her his. She nodded, eagerly.

He entered her with excruciating slowness until their bodies were one; then, together, they began to move—still slowly, reveling in each sweet sensation. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling.

"No. Keep your eyes open. I want to see your beautiful eyes the entire time," He demanded.

She nodded with a moan, trying to comply but the pleasure was too much.

He mewled and protested when she closed her eyes again, she giggled and gave in to his request.

He shifted once more and plunged inside her, burying himself to the hilt. Her back arched again, her muscles clenching around his swollen cock, teasing, massaging, coaxing. He eased out of her, slowly, then plunged forward again. Again, faster. Elena blindly grabbed for him, her hands closing over his shoulders and holding tight. He plunged into her over and over.

She flipped him to his back, straddled him, then lowered herself on his hard length, throwing back her head and body in wild abandon as she ran her hands over his chest. He was thick and hard and made her whole again.

"Baby, you're… you're so fucking beautiful." He grunted.

She rode him to her heart's content until she quivered, crying out his name as the sheer bliss of being with him carried her through the storm. Damon met her explosive climax with a grinding of his hips and triggered his own release, the two of them floating to the stars together.

She fell atop of him, tired. He held her tightly against his chest and they fell asleep in each other arms.

..

..

Week 12

This was wrong on so many levels. She was sleeping with her patient. She could get fired for this. Her license would be canceled and her future destroyed. But she couldn't stop herself the minute he gazed into her eyes.

But their 'relationship' helped in his treatment because now he'd opened himself completely to her. He told her the most vulnerable details about himself before he joined the Mafioso. One night, tangled in each other arms, he told her about his family.

He told her that he had a perfect family. He was the only child. They were happy. But then one day his uncle showed up out of nowhere and requested his father to help him hide away from some very dangerous people. They offered him to stay at their house. At night, some strange men broke into their house and demanded his parents to tell them about Zach's whereabouts. When his father refused, they shot him and his mother.

He had witnessed the scene from the closet where his mother had hidden him before the armed men broke in.

She asked him about what happened next but he told her that was a story for another day. Since she didn't want to overwhelm him so she left it at that and didn't insist for more.

They haven't defined what they were but in a way, they were together. Every evening when she returned home, he prepared dinner for them. They would eat together, joke around, laugh, play, make love. Finally, he wasn't the reserved and quiet man anymore.

After years, he was happy, living the life he has always dreamt of. And he wanted to live this life forever. He had planned it all, he would get a clean chit, leave his world behind, get a job and ask her out properly. He would marry her, have children with her and live a happily ever after with her.

"Damon," she said, pulling his attention from the TV to her.

He looked at her, inquiringly. He still didn't speak much, he was never talkative, but he liked to listen to her talk all day long. "A friend of mine is moving into the neighborhood tomorrow. Will you mind helping us set up stuff?"

This was a test. She wanted to see if he was comfortable enough to interact with other people?

He bit his lip, thinking for a moment before he nodded.

She smiled, warmly. The treatment was working. She was finally breaking his shell. She was steps away from success.

..

..

Jealousy

It's plain to see

I love you so much

It's killin' me, baby

When she showed him affection to win his trust and to show him how it felt to live a normal life and how it felt to be loved, she never thought her technique would backfire on her. He was addicted to her and she realized it when it was too late.

Admitting, she was attracted to him just as much, she felt a pull to him like she never felt to anyone. She wanted to protect him from the harms of the world and maybe that's why she wasn't too eager for the mission statement anymore. She had requested Alaric for a bargain with higher officials. She wanted their statement that they would give him permeant bail once he decides to help.

Alaric told her that it was impossible and that she shouldn't be sympathetic to a murderer. She should focus on the mission rather than work on silly ideas.

"He wasn't normal back then but he's improving now." Elena said, "I have been examining him. He's more open to people. He'd overcome his social barriers. He's safe to be around. I don't remember the last time he threatened me, in fact, he's so sweet to me, he's always helping around the house and-,"

"Looks like you've charmed him more than we wanted you too,"

"Ric, that's bullshit." Elena hissed. "I have promised him a new life and I'll give him that,"

"He's a murderer,"

"He was." Elena said, "He's changed now. He feels remorse for what he did. He wants redemption,"

"Then why hasn't he agreed to help us find the godfather yet,"

"I am working on that. Don't worry, he'll agree. He'll do anything for me," Elena bit her tongue at the slip. Alaric rose his brows. "Elena… no, he's mental. I don't want him too attached to you. You know how patients get when the doctors are too friendly. I don't want him to fall in love with you or something. He's already unstable. An emotion as strong as love will make him even more difficult than he already is,"

"Ric, loving someone isn't a crime,"

"No, Elena, I suggest you stay away from him now. Don't fuck with his mind. Focus on the mission."

Elena shook her head, she argued with Ric."But he's improving. Ric, he's a normal man now, trust me. He deserves a chance to a normal life," She insisted over and over again until Alaric finally submitted and told her that he'll think about it. Although he still thought that a broken man like Damon could never actually be fixed. He was a criminal and he would stay a criminal forever.

Elena, however, held her ground and took his case to the higher authorities. She had a strong case in a sense because she insisted that he had committed crimes when he was mentally unstable because of some horrid accidents in his past and now that he was stable he shouldn't be punished for the crimes that he did when he was ill.

But fate took a twist and she found herself lost. Caroline and Ric were right all along. He was never truly stable. He'd only improved because he yearned for her affection and love, the affection that she gave him whenever he showed the slightest progress.

She realized that when her best friend from college moved into the neighborhood. She and Damon were on the couch, his head was in her lap, while she ran her fingers through his hair, he was sleeping while she read a book. The knock on the door startled them.

He moved to the pillow from her lap, while she got up and rushed to the door. His ears picked up the sound of giggles and an over-excited male voice.

She stepped into the living room with a blonde, green-eyed, handsome man.

"Who's that? I think I have seen him somewhere," The man whispered in her ear as they drew closer.

"That's my… patient," She said, a tidbit nervous. "Damon,"

"Patient, at home?" The blonde man rose a brow.

"Let it go, Stef,"

"Letting go,"

"Damon, this is Stefan, my best friend and my crime partner, we've known each other since school," She talked so sweetly about him, it burned him from within. He didn't know what was wrong with him. But he didn't like Stefan at all.

He didn't greet Stefan. His eyes were as cold and emotionless as they were when she had met him the first time in prison.

"Damon promised to help us set up your stuff," Elena tried to fill the awkward silence.

"Oh. Good. But before that, do you have anything to eat because I'm super hungry."

"Damon is actually making a pie for me,"

"Yums. I'm in. Later, we're going to the mall anyway." Stefan said.

Damon bit his cheek as he watched Stefan take off his shoes and throw them in a corner.

Elena's eyes widened, she hurried to pick them up and put them in the shoe corner. "You're such a pig, Stef. Why can't you be less of caveman?"

His eyes narrowed, then he shrugged. "You love me anyway, besides, don't you have a thing for sweaty dirty guys,"

Elena gasped.

"College days," Stefan murmured as he ruffled her hair. "Stop!" She swat his arm away but he laughed and continued messing her hair.

In his head, Damon had killed Stefan the second he touched the girl Damon loved. He couldn't explain the anger he felt. It was maddening. Was this what people called 'jealousy'? Was he jealous that Elena wasn't giving him her full attention and affection?

The oven beeped, giving him an excuse to leave the room and think about the mad rage that was eating his heart from within. What was happening?

He opened the oven and took out the dish without wearing a glove.

"Fuck, he burned his hand," Stefan said, turning Elena's attention to him.

Her eyes widened, she rushed to him. "Oh my God, Damon! What the hell?"

She studied his burn. The blisters looked pretty bad.

There was a genuine pained expression on her face, she looked up at him, "Does it hurt?" She didn't wait for him to answer, "Stef, get the first aid box, it's in the left cabinet of my bedroom." She ordered.

"Okay, baby." He said, turning to her to comply to her order.

"Why is he calling you that?" Damon asked her. She was busy looking at his hand so she never paid attention to his grim expressions while he inquired.

"Out of habit? Tell me does it hurt?"

"No, it doesn't."

"The burns look really bad," She said, slowly touching the blistered skin.

Just then Stefan returned with the first aid box, "Here you go, baby," She grabbed the tube away from him, twisted it open, and began smoothing ointment over the burn. "You're going to be fine." She murmured as she slowly applied it.

"Hmm. Someone is a little too anxious, no?" Stefan joked. She knew he was talking about her worrying over Damon's injury.

"Stef, he's hurt,"

"So am I. I mean I never got such care from my doct-,"

"Stef, stop." She rolled her eyes, annoyed, "Is it okay now?" She turned her attention back to Damon.

He nodded, "it's fine."

Her eyes locked with his, for the first time sensing a hint of coldness in his voice. That was strange, he was behaving differently than he did when he was with her alone. What happened?

"Well, at least, pie." Stefan interrupted their moment.

..

..

She noticed that Damon didn't participate in conversations at all. He'd taken a corner of the house and kept to himself. She didn't understand why. When she invited Stefan, she thought Damon would get along with him fairly well, because Stefan was a really pleasant guy. But like a spoiled child, he didn't even bother to answer Stefan when Stefan addressed him, directly.

Elena asked him to join them in the kitchen but Damon refused bluntly and sat alone in the family room. "You still don't know how to cook, fatty, do you?" Stefan teased her.

"I do. And FYI, Damon says I make the best pasta." She said proudly.

"You've probably killed his taste buds,"

She gave him a mock glare.

"Now, behold, watch me make the best spaghetti ever," He said as he unfolded the packet.

While he worked, Elena pinched his cheek.

"Baby, don't." Stefan warned, but she laughed it off

She pulled at his cheek again.

"Okay, that's it," He placed the packet to a side. Elena squeaked in mock fear and ran. He chased after her. She ran to Damon, hiding behind him. "Save me,"

Stefan stood in front of them, arms folded. "You're not getting away with this, fatty."

"But my knight will save me, won't you?" She looked at him with such intensity, Damon couldn't help but nod. He gave Stefan a glare as if challenging him to step closer.

"Haha, okay. I'm only letting you go because I can't tackle this big guy," Stefan retreated, giving her a mock glare.

..

..

Damon hated every second of Stefan's presence. To him, Stefan was a threat, trying to take away the one person he loved more than anything in the world. Up till now, he'd clearly showed Elena with his behavior that he didn't approve of Stefan's presence.

She didn't understand his reasons. She had examined him in past months and he'd fairly improved. She had almost deemed him safe to be around public, but now she realized that her conclusions were wrong. He wasn't ready at all. He was still dangerously unstable, hanging barely by a thread. He'd promised her that he was going to mend his ways, as long as she was with him. She realized that she was the only reason why he wanted to leave his world behind, attain redemption and start a new life.

After helping Stefan up with his house, Stefan suggested they watch a movie. Damon wasn't in the mood but when she insisted, he couldn't refuse. The alternative was to sit alone in the house and wait for her return. He didn't want that. So he accepted Stefan's offer.

Stefan picked a horror movie despite Elena's protest. Damon told him too that Elena couldn't watch a horror movie and that it gave her nightmares.

"She's always been very dramatic. She'll be fine." Stefan said as he put on the movie.

Elena found herself sandwiched between both men, sitting on the couch.

Damon didn't approve of it. He didn't understand why Stefan was forcing Elena to do something that she clearly didn't want. She shouldn't watch things like that. She was too pure for it. Even the slight raise of music or a surprise 'Boom' would make her whimper, shout and hold his or Stefan's hand.

Stefan didn't comfort her, instead, he scared her more. He would scare her more by pinching her off-guard or shouting 'Boos' in her ear when she least expected it. Each time she whimpered in fear, it reminded Damon of his victims, the way they would whimper in fear and beg him for their lives before he ended their lives.

His mind clouded with pictures of Elena begging for her life or whimpering in fear. He flinched, just at the thought.

"Boo." Stefan scared her again.

"Don't!" she yelped.

Damon had never wanted to kill someone so ruthlessly like he did now. Unknowingly Stefan was waking the monster that he was, the monster in him that enjoyed the kill.

A horrifying scene came on the screen. She closed her eyes in fear.

Watching her fear filled face, Damon tugged her to him, "Come here," He wrapped his arms around her, as she buried her face in his chest.

The ghost in the movie plunged a knife into the chest of its victim. Damon's eyes fell on the whimpering girl in his arms. She was hiding her face in his jacket, mumbling incoherent words. Would she react the same if he told her that he'd done it several times to his victims too? Would she be scared of him too? Did she remember that she was snuggling with a contract killer, a murderer with no emotions and remorse at all until he met her.

"Fatty, that's cheating. You promised you'll watch the movie," Stefan tried to pull her away from his hold, insisting she watches the movie.

But before he could pull her away, Damon held his arm, mouthing 'Stop.'

Stefan frowned but nodded.

..

..

"Elena and I dated for three years back in college. We broke up because she wanted to stay here and I had to move to the other part of the country," Stefan told him while they were setting up his home cinema. "But now I'm back and I plan to ask her out," He added.

Damon knew it. He knew something was up. He had never appreciated Stefan and Elena's friendship. Though he'd never told that to Elena upfront, he had shown her his discomfort in every way.

"So, if you've having nasty thoughts about my girl-,"

"Stefan J Williams, Age 27, hometown Texas. Your parents still live there, don't they? In that small cottage near the museum?"

"How the fuck… how on earth do you-," He stopped and his eyes widened as a memory flashed before him, "I remember you now, you're… you're that contract killer. They talked about you in news… you're… him."

"I don't want you here, Stefan, I suggest you leave now, if you know what's good for you and your family." He said it casually but Stefan felt his skin crawl

"Or I'll stalk you down kill you and everyone you've ever met."

..

..

Week 14

Once Stefan left, Damon acted normal again. Like nothing has ever happened. But the irregular pattern in his behavior bothered her. And the fact that, Stefan has just disappeared with no explanation whatsoever bothered her too.

Then one day, Caroline called her. She asked her to come to her house immediately.

"It's Care," She said, trying to free herself from his arms but he held her close to his chest. "She says it's emergency."

"Fashion emergency again," He murmured in sleep.

"Probably,"

"I'll only let you go, if you make out with me," He said with a playful smirk. He leaned closer, covering her mouth with his. The instant their lips met, her insides fluttered. She slipped an arm around his waist while she pressed her lips against his. With a moan, she met his tongue with hers. They made out for what seemed like hours, before she finally pushed him off her, giggling and went to shower.

..

..

"You're living with a murderer, are you insane?" Caroline growled. Stefan was sitting by her, arms folded on his chest.

"Care,"

"I don't care if it's a mission," Caroline hissed. "He is unstable and he needs to be put down. You need to report that to Ric this instant."

"He's… he's trying to improve. He's struggling very much. We have hour-long sessions and I have seen him-,"

"He threatened to kill Stefan," Caroline didn't let her finish.

Elena explained that he wasn't very comfortable around people yet. He only threatened people but, he was harmless. He wouldn't hurt anyone.

"Look, I understand your sympathy for him." Caroline said, "You have spent time with him, you have a better understanding of him but he's a murderer. The crimes that he did won't go away just because he decided he'll mend his ways and to be honest, I don't think he's stable to be around normal people. He's still ill and frankly speaking you're making it much worst. You have gotten him addicted to you. First, he killed for money, and now he'll kill for your love."

"Care, that's ridiculous,"

"He still needs intense therapy and he needs to be locked up, away from everyone and you. Especially you."

"No. I won't allow that." Elena said, getting up, "He deserves to live his life just like everyone else. And he's stable now. I assure you of that."

"Really?" Caroline questioned. "Then tell him, the board is thinking to move him from your house to somewhere else. Tell him your session with him will end next week. Let's see how you react."

"He'll be fine,"

"No, he won't. You'll see that you've made him emotionally dependent on you. You've made him more dangerous than he was,"

..

..

He was working in the kitchen, quietly working on their dinner, cleaning after himself as soon as he was finished.

"Damon, come'ere," She said, smiling, gesturing him to come closer. He did as she asked.

"I have a news for you," she said taking a deep breath.

"Good or bad."

"Umm, both,"

"Aha,"

"The board has decided that our session will end this week. They'll be moving you to the headquarters for a three-month session with another doctor and then after your examination, you'll be a free man,"

"Three months," His heart sank.

"Yes,"

"And… what about you? Where will you be?"

"I'll be assigned my next case, naturally."

"Case? I'm just a case to you," He hissed.

"Damon?" She said, surprised by his reaction.

"And the moments that we had? Every touch, every kiss, was that all a part of therapy?"

"No. Of course, not." She replied, worriedly. "Every moment we shared means more to me than anything in the world." She confessed.

Her words warmed his heart. He sighed a sigh of relief. He wasn't just her patient. He meant something to her. But what?

"We will meet after I'm free?"

"Maybe,"

"Maybe?" He questioned, eyes narrowed.

"Damon, you know about my job." She said, nervously, "It depends on…,"

Now, that he thought about it, he didn't think he was okay with her job either. She could really get hurt with the kind of lunatics that lived in the place she worked.

"I'm not going." He bluntly refused.

"What?"

"I'm staying with you. We'll be together. Forever,"

"Forever?" She questioned. "But… I don't think that's possible. The FBI-,"

"I'll not let anyone come between us, Elena." His eyes gleamed dangerously when he said that.

"Is that what you told to Stefan too?" She inquired.

"Why? Did he say something? Because if he did-,"

"I know what happened between you two, Damon. How could you? After all I did,"

"Elena, let me tell you a story." He said, with a sigh, as if he was talking to a child, he made her sit down and calmed her, holding her hands, playing with her fingers, "Before I worked for Augustine, I worked for Antonio, The Godfather of Mala del Brenta. I was his most trusted man. One time, we kidnapped a governor and demanded his family for ransom. Naturally, they did as told. While we collected the sum, I noticed an old family heirloom, my mother's ring. I requested Antonio to give it to me, he told me that I should know my place. You know what I did to him, I killed him in cold blood. I plunged my blade into him, ten times."

He saw the color drain from her face, "No one knows that, except you. The gang thought he was killed by the police." He paused, "Now, I'm sure Stefan is smart. He wouldn't make the mistake Antonio did."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then I'll kill him." He said with such coldness that a shiver ran down her spine.

She hissed, pushing him away, "Everyone is right. I can never fix you. You're a monster."

"Elena," His eyes widened, a look of despair crossed his face.

"No, stay away from me,"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"Yes, you shouldn't." She growled.

"I don't know why I said it. I just… I can't bear the thought of you with him or you with anyone. But I'm sorry, I will never say that again. I promise I won't hurt anyone." He pleaded, inching closer to her.

This time she allowed him.

"I love you Elena, I can't live without you. Please don't ever leave me." He added, cupping her face.

"You… you love me?"

"Why is it so surprising that I fell in love with you? You are made to love," He said, caressing her face with the pad of his thumb. "And, I know you don't like it when I talk like I did just now, but I promise to behave. I promise to keep myself in control. Just… be with me, forever."

..

..

She had never realized that how dangerous he could be. He was always soft with her though, he never harmed or threatened her ever. But now she knew he wasn't stable. His behavior was calm as long as she stayed close to him. Caroline was right. He killed for money before but now he'll kill for her. And she knew it wasn't right.

Yet, she couldn't find it in herself to give up on him. If her love was what kept him sane than she'll give it to him. She had also fallen for him. Their love was messy, complicated but it was real. She had decided that she'll fix him, she'll heal his battered soul, no matter how long it takes.

She had reported to Alaric today that he was okay now. He was mentally healthy. She never told him that he had confessed to her about his crimes. She was afraid that they will take him away if she did.

Alaric asked if he agreed to help find the Godfather but Elena shook her head. Just then Damon called again.

"Work on it, Elena. We need his help. We don't have time anymore."

"I will. I promise that by tomorrow this time he'll be willing to help. But in exchange I want-," She said.

"I know. The board has conditions but they've agreed."

"Really?" Elena asked, surprised.

"Yes,"There was something off about Alaric's tone.

They talked for a bit more about the contract and then she hung up. She felt heaviness in her chest, as if a stone was lodged in it. She started the car and drove home. Something was not right. She could feel it.

He greeted her at the door with a kiss and welcomed her inside, a thousand questions on his lips. Why was she late? Why didn't she answer his calls? Why did she look upset?

She told him, she was fine. They snuggled on the couch for a while and made out. Then he suggested they go out for dinner since he'd prepared for dinner tonight. He'd been too busy worrying about why she hadn't answered his calls.

She nodded in agreement, lost in another world. Today, she had decided she'll tell him the truth about the nature of the mission and how she had fallen in love with him over time. Then she'll ask him to help track down the godfather. Because that was the only way they could be together forever.

She decided she'll tell him everything after dinner.

They drove to their favorite diner. Surprisingly today, it wasn't full at all. He ordered the usual.

He played with her fingers as they waited for their food. She was lost in her thoughts while he looked out the window. A slight smile curved his lips when he noticed a small family outside the neighboring diner. The mom was holding the daughter, paying the bill while the dad chased after the two-year-old son who'd suddenly decided to run after the ice-cream truck.

"Look," He turned Elena's attention to them. She snapped out of her thoughts, looking at where he pointed and then smiled.

"Kids," She shook her head.

"Devil spawns," He commented with a chuckle. He noticed she wasn't talkative much today, which was quite unusual. She was so talkative, so full of life, that it was unnatural of her to not talk.

He tried to get her talking, asking about any of her childhood stories. He knew she loved to tell. Most of them were fake, he figured, but as long as she talked he enjoyed her lies. "Let's leave the past to past," She said, not in a mood to talk.

"Well, then, let's talk about our future," He said, intervening her fingers with his.

"What about it?"

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" He inquired.

"Easy. With you," She answered, not taking a moment to think.

He smiled, his eyes downcast, and then looked up, "A little details."

"We'll discuss that… later,"

"Why not now?"

She didn't reply.

"I thought you wanted the whole deal. A wedding. Two kids and-," The way he said it, made her realize that he wanted it too. Just as bad as he did.

But she couldn't promise him anything. Not when everything was so uncertain.

"Yeah, I do… someday," She replied, nervously.

"Will you ever marry me?" He inquired holding both of her hands.

She felt her breath get caught at his question. But before she could reply, his eyes narrowed, a frown covered his face.

"Damon, I-,"

"Shush." He said, suddenly serious, his eyes cold.

A loud bang startled her. He jumped to her side, making her hide under the table. A series of gunshots followed.

"What's happening?"

"It's Augustine's men." He answered. "They've been sent by him to kill me," He said as he helped her up. They ran out of the diner to the parking. He pushed her against the wall, covering her body with his, shielding her. She heard gunshots everywhere.

"Listen to me, Elena, I'll hold them up. Go back to car and hide there. I'll follow you in a while,"

"No. No. I won't. I'm not leaving you." She whimpered. What if he died in his attempt to keep her safe? She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't imagine life without him.

He insisted she go but she refused bluntly. Finally, he gave in. With much struggle, they finally made it to the car. He took the driving seat while she sat on the passenger seat. He drove the car fast onto the road leading out of the town.

"Where are we going?" she demanded.

"Leaving." He said determinedly.

"What?"

"We're leaving this town forever,"

"What? No. We can't do that."

"We have to, if we want to survive." He said, "They've seen you with me. I know they've been keeping an eye on us for a while. They'll hurt you if we stay. I will never allow that. We'll run away far away from here, they'll never find us."

"Damon. Stop. No, we can't." She demanded, attempting to pull the breaks.

"What the fuck, Elena? Stop."

"I'm not leaving. Pull over, now."

On her demand, he stopped the car. He turned to her holding her hand. "Elena, we don't have any other way," His tone was so desperate, she almost surrendered. "They've seen you with me. They know you're important to me. They know you're my life. They know you're my weakness and they'll exploit it. I can't lose you, Elena. I won't let them hurt you,"

"You won't lose me," She pulled him to her, hugging him, running her fingers through his hair.

They stayed like that for a while. Then he finally pulled back.

"We've no option but to leave, Elena. Please try to understand."

"There is an option." She cupped his face.

"What?" He inquired eagerly.

"Come to our side," She suggested.

"What?"

"Damon, you wanted redemption, didn't you? A chance to new life? Well, here's your chance. You can confess. Help the FBI track down the godfather and the mob."

"Elena, that's—,"

"I promise you that you won't be alone. Alaric and I'll fight for you. If you help us, I promise you that we'll give you a clear record, and a permeant bail. You won't be accounted for what you did in the past." She said softly as she looked into his eyes. "You'll be free and then we can be together,"

It would be risky. He knew that. He could lose his freedom and life if this turned out to be a scam but he trusted her blindly. "Okay, I'll do it for you," He said. "I'll accept all my crimes and I'll help the FBI find the Godfather. I'll do it. Only for you."

..

..

"Alaric, this isn't fair," Elena argued. She was in a very heated argument with him. Damon's confession had shaken the headquarter. But unlike they promised, they had transferred Damon to the Enhanced Interrogation Room and had forbidden her to meet him.

"Elena, don't you think you're a little too sympathetic to a killer," He hissed.

"Alaric, when I called you that Damon has agreed to help on conditions, you promised that you'll fight for him if he helped us. You agreed to all his conditions."

"He has confessed that he killed seventy-two people," Alaric replied. "I have no sympathy for a monster like him. I support the board's decision. After he discloses the godfather's location, we'll transfer him to area 24. He'll go through a quick trial and then to a place he rightfully deserves."

"But that's cheating. You promised him a chance to mend his ways, you promised him a new life in exchange for his help."

"He's still mentally unstable, Elena. He is not safe to the public. And don't you dare deny it. I know that he threatened your friend."

"How the hell…," she paused, "Caroline,"

"Tell me, Elena, why are you so concerned about him? What's going on between you two?" He inquired.

Elena didn't answer, looking away nervously.

"Tell me," He said, "I'm your friend, Elena. Your teacher. You can trust me."

"I love him." She replied. "He loves me too. Madly. Deeply. Irrecoverably."

His eyes widened. It took him seconds to connect dots. "Are you insane? Oh God, that's why he'd been asking for you. Goodness, Elena. You could… you could get fired. You have been sleeping with a mentally unstable criminal… Do you have any idea what you've done? That's it. I'm taking you off this case. You're no longer his doctor and you're no longer allowed to visit or talk to him."

"Ric, please,"

"And if you try to interfere, I'll have you fired."

"Ric."

"You're dismissed, Miss Gilbert."

..

..

So don't forget me, I beg

I'll remember you said

Sometimes it lasts in love

but sometimes it hurts instead

Damon had confessed to his crimes but he had hold off his information about Augustine. He wanted to meet Elena before he disclosed the information. But they told him that she wasn't around. He knew something was up. She wouldn't leave him here just like that.

He told them that he will not tell anything until he sees Elena. They tried to convince him otherwise but he didn't budge. That's when officer Shane ordered him to be taken to the Enhanced Interrogation room. They suspended him up upside down and beat him ruthlessly. They starved him and kept him in a small dark cell for days.

Every part of his body hurt but he didn't speak a word.

"He still hasn't said anything," One of the officers asked.

"No, sir. We've tried everything but he still insists that he will only talk after he talks to doctor Gilbert?"

"Oh he does," The man, officer Shane said, sinking to his knees next to him. "It's amazing how love can make one so weak? Look at you, you're pathetic." The man hissed.

Damon looked up, but never answered. "I must admit; Doctor Gilbert kept her word. When she took the mission, I thought she didn't have it in her but wow. I mean, she promised she'll make you confess and she did."

"Mission? What mission?"

"Oh, you don't know? Miss Gilbert said that traditional torture wouldn't work on you. She believed that a little show of affection and manipulation of love would do the trick and she was right." He laughed.

Damon couldn't believe it. His heart felt as if it were breaking into a million tiny pieces that could never be put together.

"You think she loved you, didn't you? Why on earth would a girl like her fall for a loser like you?"

To Damon, life felt meaningless. A series of memories flashed before his eyes, his memories of Elena. The memories he cherished more than life. Everything was a lie. Every touch, every kiss, every confession of love and each promise of forever. All lies.

"Now that that's out of the way let's talk about the godfather? I wanted to ask-," But before he could finish Damon grabbed him by the neck and snapped it in a quick move.

..

..

The news was all over the tv. The gang members of Cosa Nostra had attacked the headquarters and broke him out. It was considered that someone from inside had helped him break out.

Alaric, Elena, and the other officers were investigated thoroughly.

The FBI searched for him everywhere for months but all in vain. Secretly, Elena was happy that he escaped. For months, she waited for him to get in contact with her but he never did. It was like he never existed.

Sometimes, she missed him a lot. Her life had stopped the day he was arrested and taken away from her. Some days she wished she had accepted his offer and escaped with him. But it was too late now.

She realized that she had lost the man she loved, probably forever. All she could do was sit on her bed and cry herself to sleep.

..

..

So I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over

Five years later

Damon had never thought he would ever return to the town again, the town he hated and loved. Five years ago, after the woman he loved more than anything or anyone in the world, deceived him, he had sworn he would never return to this town again.

She had defiled his love and trampled his heart to dust. She pretended to fix him when she actually planned to wreck him like no one other.

Now, he was cold and unfeeling, even more than he had been before. More dangerous. More ruthless. Merciless.

He could've gone back and taken his revenge on her. But he couldn't. He couldn't ever hurt her no matter how much she had destroyed him. So, he purposely kept himself busy in work. He never tried to know how she was doing or where she was now? He knew that if he saw her, he would break all over again.

"Focus," He told himself. He shouldn't think about her. He was on duty. He had been assigned a very important contract. He had to kidnap the mayor's fiancé. He had to keep her locked up until the mayor accepted Augustine's demands and then he had to kill her.

Since this was a very important task, Augustine had assigned him this himself.

He'd send his partner a month ago to get all details about the future Mrs. Lockwood. He drove to the address that his partner sent him.

It was a small lake house outside the town.

He parked the car a mile away from the house so that the sound of the car wouldn't alert her. Then he took out his gun from his bag and made his way, quietly to the house.

He peeked through the window to have a better look at who was in the house. Was she alone? Or did she have company? No, she was all alone, standing in the kitchen, cooking for herself.

She hummed a familiar tone. Everything about her seemed familiar.

And then he froze.

Just then she turned. The girl he loved to bits. The manifestation of his most beautiful dreams.

Elena Gilbert.

He had never seen her look more beautiful. Her hair was loose and falling down her back in shiny curls. Her skin vibrant and glowing. And her eyes. Her beautiful brown eyes made his heart skip a beat. He pulled back from the window, standing against the wooden wall, breathing heavily. It was really her. It was his Elena.

Then suddenly a thought came in his mind. What was she doing here? Was she… was she Lockwood's fiancé? He felt his insides turn cold and blood rush to his face.

Motionless as stone, he stood against the wall and slowly sunk to his knees. She had moved on. Did she even remember him anymore? He felt his heart break all over again.

After he had left, he had missed her every second of every day. It hurt so much to live without her. He'd died every day after he found out that he'd been a victim of her cruel deception. But it looked like, she was doing fine. Better. She had found herself a man that she loved and was going to marry.

Someone else was going to get everything he yearned for.

How dare she? He thought. How dare she make him fall in love with her and then leave him to wither in pain and torment? He'd show her the consequences of messing with him. He'd take his revenge. And after all, a job was a job.

Taking a deep breath, he picked up his gun and stood up. He walked up to the main door. He knew she kept the spare keys in the flower pot. And just like he guessed he found one.

He picked it up and unlocked the door, slowly sneaking in. He pulled out his handkerchief, pouring a liquid onto it.

He sneaked up behind her.

Just then she turned. Her eyes widened in surprise but before she could say anything, he pushed the cotton hankie against her nose. She struggled to breathe and fight but then slowly she stopped and fell unconscious in his arms.

Slowly, he laid her down on the floor, looking at her as if he was looking at her the first time. He caressed her face with the back of his fingers. Was her skin always so soft? Did she always look so innocent? He gazed at her for a long time. Should he let her go? He couldn't possibly hurt her. He wouldn't. He would refuse to Augustine that he couldn't do the job.

A thought came to his mind. If he refuses to do the job, Augustine would hire someone else. And that particular someone else would kill her without a second thought.

No. No. He wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't breathe in a world she didn't exist.

He would take her away. Yes, that was his only choice. He picked her up in his arms and walked out of the house.

..

..

So, now only one installment left. Do review? Let me know what you liked, what was shocking, and what do you think of this relationship between Damon and Elena. I'll be waiting for your thoughts.

I hope you enjoyed your read.

Thank you to each one of you for always being so supportive. You're an amazing group of people and I'm proud to be a part of such wonderful and supportive fandom.

Be safe!

Review?