It was reckless, being out this late, with no protection but sleep eluded Elena once again. Which is how she found herself standing outside The Boarding House, leaning against her car staring up at the ancient building. She wanted to go in, have Stefan wrap his strong arms around her and tell her, even if it was a lie that it would be alright. He was good at that. But they weren't together anymore and a part of her wanted to be strong without him, to prove that she could be.

She heard a noise, the sound of a branch snapping. Instinctively Elena froze, the grip on her keys tightening defensively, not that it would help if it had been an Original come to kill her at last. Instead it was Damon who stepped out from beneath the shadows, the moonlight making his dark features even more ominous. Before she could exhale the breath she'd been holding Damon was in front of her, his head tilted, expression unreadable.

"You scared me." She admitted.

His face remained emotionless as he peered at her in the dark. The moonlight was behind him, casting him into darkness. Finally, he stirred to life, his voice low and even. "It's late. You need to get inside."

He turned back towards the house, expecting her to either follow or get back in her car. Not wanting to be alone, Elena followed. She hadn't seen him since Rose had showed up two days ago. He'd been keeping his distance, running around, chasing leads with Rose. Once, she had gone looking for Damon in his room, finding a sleeping Rose instead. The older vampire had been wearing one of Damon's dark shirts, a naked leg sticking out from beneath tangled sheets. Damon had not been there.

She wondered if they would find a half naked Rose waiting for them when they entered the house. Elena was relieved to see the foyer and living room were empty.

"Drink?" Damon offered, holding out a glass of bourbon to her. She shook her head. He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

He took a seat in front the fireplace, content to watch the flames consume the pieces of wood in there. Silently, she took a seat next to him. Close, but not close should one shift they would touch.

He shook the glass in his hand, the ice clinking against the glass. Elena watched the flames' reflection dance across the glass in his hand. Remembering what it was she had searched him out for the other day she broke the silence. "Were supposed to do something the other day?"

"No." His eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Why?"

"I-," She started, suddenly unsure. It was probably nothing but the thought had been nagging at her for a few days now. "I don't know. It just feels like I'm forgetting something. You ever feel that way? Like you know it's something you should know but the memory is just out of reach?"

"Afraid not. I haven't had the luxury to be forgetful lately." Emotion had flickered across his face so suddenly Elena thought she had imagined it.

She knew it was her burden that he carried. He couldn't forget because it could mean life or death for her and their friends. Watching him now, seeing the lines that creased his forehead as he sat, lost in his own thoughts it was hard to hate him. Because he could have ran, flipped that infamous switch he loved talking about, and forgotten about all of them. He could have left her to die plenty of times already.

Yet here he sat, willing to protect her, his brother, her friends, a town. All of which had hurt him as badly as he had hurt them once. She could remember Isobel's words to this day.

Because he's in love with you.

And for the briefest of seconds Elena allowed herself to wonder if that could be true. If Damon Salvatore, the vampire who claimed to have no heart, could love her?

She placed a hand on his knee. Startled at her touch he glanced down, his icy blue eyes lingering on her touch. What was she doing? They didn't touch like this. At least not any more, not since he had snapped her brother's neck. She was supposed to hate him now.

"I'm sorry." She said softly. He swallowed, looking up, meeting her gaze.

"For what?"

"I'm sorry that you're putting your life at risk every day for me. It's not just my family at risk, it's yours too."

Damon closed his eyes, her gentle words washing over him. Boldly he lifted his free hand, placing it over hers. "You are my family Elena."

His words warmed her, the look in his eyes killing whatever hate she had left for him in her. This Damon was her friend and despite what he had done, she trusted him, more than she would ever admit.

Damon rose, releasing her hand, the lack of contact leaving him cold. He went to the bar to refill his drink. "I could see how you'd prefer my company but Saint Stefan will have heard us by now." He took a sip of Bourbon.

She smiled at the familiar smirk curving his lips. "You wish."

"You should know better than to tempt a vampire Elena. We're not known for our self control." His smirk widened, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively. The feeling she was forgetting something rose in her suddenly again.

Before she left, she asked again. "You sure there's not- I mean," She stopped, laughing at her own ridiculousness. It was just one of those weeks she decided. "Never mind. Goodnight Damon."

"Goodnight Elena."