Chapter 2

"Oh, stop brooding, Stefan. Honestly, I thought a cheerleader would put some pep in your step. A few weeks in, Klaus was getting a little sick of Stefan's continued moodiness and starting to rethink his decision to reincarnate The Ripper. As a henchmen, he certainly did the damage the job required. But as a traveling companion- Klaus sometimes wished he could compel a personality into him.

"I'm bored enough to stake myself. I thought when you said you wanted The Ripper back, you were actually going to give me something worthwhile to occupy my time with. Not these errand boy tasks. That cheerleader didn't even scream she was so brainless. I need a challenge!"

"A challenge, you say? There is something I could use your assistance with. But I wouldn't want to offend your ahem, moral code."

"I'm listening, but don't waste my time Klaus."

"It's…not possible, is it Elena?"

"I don't know what's possible anymore. How do you feel?"

"Sore. And incredibly vulnerable. I feel like I should buy a fire arm or something to protect myself with. It's a dangerous world out there. And hungry…I think I'm going to make some pasta. And lamb kebobs. Ha, who knew I would take up eating animals. That's really more Stefan's thing."

And Damon did feel weird. But more than anything, he felt hopeful. For the first time in a long time, he had a future to plan for. A life to live out. Even if this chance was going to get taken from him- like so many times in the past, Damon would at least make the most of it.

Elena smiled softly as she watched Damon move through the kitchen. Whoever Damon finally chose to settle down with - if he ever did make that choice - would be a lucky woman. 2 homemade pizzas and a chocolate soufflé later, Damon realized he was alone in the kitchen. For the first time since waking up human, he realized he was giving up things he had grown accustomed to in his two hundred years as a vampire. Things such as supernatural speed and strength and, more importantly at the moment, supernatural hearing. He quietly crept through the house looking for Elena when he finally found the brunette curled up on the window seat of the library. All he could think of were Romeo's famous words as he watched Elena gently wipe a tear from her cheek. His heart broke. But he knew the reason behind her tears, and it broke again.

Even if he couldn't be the one, he still needed to be the one who made her happy. "Lena, Stefan is a big vampire. Klaus has no reason to be killing him. This isn't Nancy Grace, the first 24 hours aren't critical in THIS missing person's case. We'll find him. We just need a plan for when we do."

Elena continued staring out at the trees, "I just can't believe he would give himself over like that. He's spent so long running away from that life, and it was so easy for him to just to give up. I thought I was enough, for him, to choose this life.

Damon sighed, he couldn't believe he was trying to convince Elena to stay with his brother. "He did it, because he had to. He saw an opportunity to save me, to save you. And he took it. Just like I did."

"Damon…"

"I have some stuff to do. I'll see you later." Damon said turning and walked out the door.