2.
"So what are you doing tonight Candice?" Damon asked her flashing a smile.
Candice shrugged, "What ever your doing." She smiled an innocent smile.
"Well I'm planning on going home..." He said leaning towards her, "Maybe watch a movie, sit by the fire?"
"Sounds perfect!" Candice said grabbing her coat and purse.
Damon stood up from his bar stool facing Alaric. "You know I like this one." He whispered. Alaric whispered back, "Damon, this is dangerous. Do not go turning another poor innocent by-stander she —"
Damon interrupted him, "One," he held up a finger, "No one is completely innocent. Two," he held up another finger, "She came over to me... and three, I'm not dangerous." Damon half heartedly laughed, then shrugged. "Well I guess that depends on how far we go back in my past..." He mumbled to himself.
"I'm ready when you are." Candice said cheerfully stopping at Damon's side.
"Wonderful." Damon held out his right arm for her to take.
"You are such a gentleman." She commented, still stuck in the 1800's I suppose, was what she really wanted to say.
"Well, Damon I'll talk to you tomorrow. Have a nice night Candice." Alaric said waving them off.
Walking past the pool table Damon side glanced at Elena, seeing her stare he smirked to himself.
Oh how fun this will be.
-Later that night -
"Wow. This is your house?" Candice shut the car door starring in awe at the old style mansion.
Damon came over to her side. "Yup, just me and my little brother. Come on."
Candice held back slipping a necklace from her purse over her head. Then she hurriedly followed Damon.
Now we'll see if she is a Vampire or some innocent by-stander. He thought.
Walking up to the door he took out his keys unlocking it. Gently he pushed the door open then stepped out of the way.
She stood on the 'Welcome' mat peering in. A long hall with a few lamps lay ahead. Candice looked over at Damon.
He did a slight bow having his right arm behind his back while his left arm lay face up in the direction of the door.
Damon spoke no words, I didn't invite her in. So if she stands there then I'll have to stake her, and ask questions later. His small voice in his head beamed.
Instead Candice smiled walking in without hesitating.
Once in the hall she circled herself, "Whoa, how cool is this place?"
Damon stalked past her angered that she was 'normal' into a parlor/living room. A man size fireplace was the first thing her eyes were drawn to.
"Not really when you've lived here all your life." He said pouring himself yet another drink, though he paused. Ouch, I have to be more careful, that almost slipped.
"That can't be too long, your like what twenty four?" She asked taking a seat on the three person cream colored couch.
After pouring his drink he walked over to her, "Well duh!" both laughed together while watching the fire burn.
Time passed, both still sat on the couch watching the dancing flames. Her head rested on his shoulder as Damon's lingering eyes happened to notice Candice's necklace.
"Very, pretty necklace." He mumbled taking the light green stone in his hand.
Candice sat up looking at Damon's hand that held her stone. "Yeah it was one of my great grand fathers. It's actually a very rare an expensive stone."
Damon's blue eyes stared hard at it as if remembering something, "You know I think I have seen this before a long time a–" his voice was interrupted by laughter in the hall.
Stefan and Elena were home.
Both walked in, Stefan had a arm around her shoulders holding her close as they walked in.
"Look whose home." Damon said turning side ways on the couch. "Candice, Stefan. Stefan, Candice. And that is Elena."
"Thanks Damon." Elena said moving uncomfortably. "Well it's getting late come on Stefan." She said taking his hand and leading him down the hall.
"Elena is very pretty. But doesn't seem to like me..." Candice said still looking at the doorway where there had stood.
Damon cupped her chin in his hand turning her head toward him, "Your prettier than she'll ever be." He whispered leaning in towards her face.
She closed her eyes and felt his cold lips lightly brush hers. Candice wanted to draw back away from his cold hand that was on her neck.
Damon sat back a little starring her in the eyes. Trying to compel her, "You would like to spend the night."
It should have been more a question than a demand, if she did not play along with the whole 'I'm compelled' act then Damon would realize something was wrong.
"Damon, would you mind if I stay the night?" Candice asked, repeating what he had just said.
"I'd love that!"
Together they sat awhile longer by the crackling fire, enjoying each others silent company.