AN: I forgot to mention earlier, the chapter titles are taken from song lyrics. I'll mention each song in my author's note in the bottom from now on. For Chapter One: Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine and for Chapter Two: Sun - Daphne Loves Derby

I was smiling as I walked into work that morning. Today was a new day, bringing a new Elena. After Damon left for work, I poured myself some coffee and thought over my life. I had a good paying job that I hated, lots of acquaintances, no good girl friends, and a best friend that I was completely and utterly in love with. Not looking so good. I need a plan, a good one. I need real friends, and I need to have Damon all to myself.

Stepping onto Klaus's private floor from the elevator, I caught sight of a bright blonde head facing the back of the receptionist's desk. Suddenly the head bent down, looking for something on the floor. I walked to the desk and waited for a moment, hoping that the girl would hear my heels clacking on the hardwood floor. Obviously, she didn't. The girl kept her head down and hummed one of those heinous songs that played on pop radio stations. She sat up quickly with a file in her hands, and took a double take when she saw me standing on the other side of the desk.

I stretched out my hand. "Hi, I'm..."

"Elena Gilbert, I know!" she interrupted. She ran around and gave me a strong hug. I was a bit taken aback, but I returned the hug just as warmly. Giving random strangers hugs is something that New Elena would do, I decided. The girl pulled back. "You're Klaus's P.A."

She stretched out her hand, "Caroline Forbes. I'm filling in while your other receptionist is on maternity leave." She smiled brightly, "I have a feeling that we're going to be great friends!"

Caroline was a little forward, but I loved her boldness, who else would assume friendship after exchanging a few words?

"I hope we will!" I said, returning her smile. "But for now, I have to go be a personal slave." I joked, heading to the door that contained my office, and consequentially Klaus's.

I turned back to Caroline, who looked a little sad to lose soeone to talk to, "But hey, do you want to grab some lunch during your break?"

Her smile returned instantly, lighting up her sunny face. The girl was obviously a people person. "Of course! I'm actually glad you asked", she whispered conspiratorially. "I don't know much about this area."

"Well. We can change that!" I said, heading through the door.

"Thanks Elena! You're a great friend!" Caroline called.

A friend, that's nice. I haven't had a friend besides Damon in ages, since high school at least. And those girls weren't even friends, more like acquaintances. Most girls who have guy best friends need girl friends to do nails and ogle boys with, but not me. Damon was all that I needed, is all that I need.

New Elena will have tons of friends, guys and girls. She'll spend her nights having fun, rather than watching Grey's Anatomy reruns. I smiled to myself, quite content with my new decision. My mother always told me that when life gets monotonous, it's time to make a change. And my life was getting boring, work, food and sleep and lusting after Damon.

I walked through the double glass doors inscribed with "Klaus Mikelson, C.E.O.", and headed straight to my desk. The one thing that made work bearable was the office that I worked in. Two of the walls were made of windows and the white furniture made the room light and airy. Also, the walls of Klaus's office were soundproof, so I didn't have to hear his drunken sexual encounters a few feet away. I settled into my desk and fired up my computer, straightening up my space as I did so.

As soon as the network was accessible, I reviewed all of Klaus's engagements and commitments. He had a meeting today with the three other leading accounting firms in the country, Salvatore, Perretti & Brooks, and Lockwood. Yes, Salvatore, as in Damon Salvatore. He worked as one of the Vice President of the company, under the C.E.O., his father, Giuseppe. Damon hated his job, but he stuck with it, hoping that he could do something to make his father proud.

The four companies were rivals in the business sense, all competing for the celebrities and stock holders in the country, but they liked to keep up appearances, throwing seasonal fundraisers for local and national charities, held mainly to stay close to their enemies, each other. These top companies took turns throwing these events and put up a united front to help whichever cause they had chosen. The next party would be held in a month, hosted by Klaus, so naturally, I had to do all the work. I had already organized the venue, the catering and the decorations, and had sent out the invitations months ago. The only immediate thing left to do was to call the C.E.O.s and their immediate staff to invite them. They all knew about it, they just expected a formal call, hopefully from a young female. Picking up the phone, I decided to get the worst over first. I dialed the number of Giuseppe's office and let the phone ring, taking deep breaths.

I heard the tell-tale click, "Hello, you've reached the office of Giuseppe Salvatore, C.E.O. of Salvatore Accounting. How may I help you today?" A young woman answered.

"Hello, this is Elena Gilbert with The Mikelson Company. I have a personal invitation for Giuseppe Salvatore?"

"Oh, for the ball? I'll put you through." I listened as the line clicked over, and waited for the beast to pick up the phone.

"Giuseppe Salvatore." He grumbled. I could see him, sitting at his desk, all grey hair and designer suits.

"Hello Mr. Salvatore, this is Elena Gilbert." I said, in the nicest and most professional voice I could muster.

"Oh. It's you." He said with disdain. I could kill that man, he could speak however he wanted to me, but he used the same voice with his own son, treating him like a piece of trash, and that made me mad.

"Yes, Mr. Salvatore. It's me, Elena. It would be my pleasure to inform you…"

"Are you sleeping with my son?" he interrupted brashly. What? Before I had the chance to answer, he spoke again. "Because I want you to stop. My son needs to grow up and become a man, and associating with the likes of you is just bringing him down. He needs a real woman, not a childhood tramp. You are not the woman for him, he deserves much better." What?

Okay, first of all, I was a little flattered that he would think I was sleeping with Damon. I wish I was sleeping with Damon. But to say that Damon is not enough? That is absolutely not true. Damon is the best man that I have ever met. He is sweet and kind, caring, sexy, protective, hardworking, brilliant, tender, and masculine and anything else that a woman could wish for. I felt a tear well in my eye as I listened to Giuseppe put down not only me, but his own son as well. Giuseppe has hated me since I was a little girl, always treating me the same as Damon, like garbage. It was mere coincidence that I got a job at The Mikelson Company, Giuseppe's main rival. I took another breath. I just need to finish this call before I dissolve in tears.

"Mr. Salvatore, Mr. Mikelson would like to invite you and your immediate family to attend a fundraiser held for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, this Saturday at 8 o'clock PM."

When he didn't say anything, I asked, "Will Mr. Mikelson be able to expect you there?"

I sincerely hoped that he couldn't hear the tears in my voice. But then I resolved myself again, New Elena isn't afraid of anybody, let alone a grumpy old man with a habit of throwing out insults.

Giuseppe hadn't said anything. "Mr. Salvatore?" I asked.

"Yes, Yes. I'll be there."

"Very good," I said, with a new confidence in my voice. I am above the great Giuseppe Salvatore. "I will inform Mr. Mikelson of your attendance."

"Well thank you very much, Elena." He sneered, drawing my name out. "And stay away from Damon. You're the whore that ruined his potential in the first place; try not to make him even more of a failure than he is now."

This was my cue to ignore his words, and hang up. But that's what Old Elena would do. New Elena on the other hand…

I spoke surely and clearly into the phone. "On the contrary, Giuseppe," I said, imitating the way he'd said my name earlier, "I will not stay away from Damon. He is my closest friend, and a few vulgar words from his father will not send me running scared with my tail between my legs. Also, I don't appreciate being called a "whore" and a "tramp", nor do I appreciate the assumption that I am sleeping with your son. Damon and I have a bond that surpasses a quick fuck. I will tell Mr. Mikelson of your attendance, please, try your best not to squash the dreams of a small child, as you are prone to do, today. Thank you."

I threw the phone back on the hook and started to laugh in relief. I laughed so hard, I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. I just told off Giuseppe Salvatore! I said the word fuck!

I couldn't keep my laughter in; it was taking over and shaking every inch of my body. I loved being New Elena! This was me! I felt so free! After years of letting Damon's dad trample over us both, I had finally stood up for myself. I kept laughing, and I didn't even know why. I heard a knock at the door. I attempted to compose myself and let out a quick, "Come in," before chortling again.

A wide eyed Caroline entered the room, "You okay in here Elena?"

At the look on her face, I burst into laughter all over again. She must have heard me and thought someone was dying in here. The poor girl, on her first day too. I laughed even harder at the thought of Caroline walking in to the sight of me attempting to murder a baby bunny with a spork. Where did that even come from? A baby bunny? A spork? Oh, God. I'm really losing it! I sat up straight in my office chair, smoothed my hair and my shirt, and ran my fingers under my eyes making sure my makeup hadn't smeared.

"Hello Caroline. Did you need something?" I asked with a laughing smile.

She laughed herself. "What's got you so worked up in here?"

"Nothing really. I think I just needed a laugh." I smiled again. I realized that I haven't smiled so much in ages. My smiles are usually reserved for Damon, and not some blonde, bubbly receptionist I had known for less than an hour. I like being New Elena.

"Well, okay. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." She turned to leave, but I called her back.

"Wait, Caroline. Would you mind calling Lockwood Inc. and inviting their C.E.O. to the seasonal fundraiser? I've gotten a little behind; I have to run a million errands for Klaus before lunch. Do you have time?"

"Of course," she answered with a smile. God, her smiling must be rubbing off on me! "As long as were still on for lunch?"

"Definitely, I'll meet you at your desk at eleven?"

"Perfect!" She left my office, letting the door swing behind her.

When I make these calls, I always like to save the best for last. I abandoned Salvatore Accounting for a while, and called Perretti & Brooks, inviting both C.E.O.s and their families to the fundraiser. Since Caroline was taking care of the Lockwoods, I returned to the Giuseppe's company. I called James Vance, the man that shared Damon's title of Vice President. After inviting him, I finally got to call Damon. I used his private office line, instead of going through his receptionist.

"Damon Salvatore." He answered.

"Well, hello Mistah Salvahtore. How may I help you today?" I asked cheekily.

"My dear, there are many ways you can help me. I have been feeling rather lonely…my body is just begging for the touch of a woman…" He answered, staying with our little game.

I started laughing, "Hey Damon."

"Hey you, why are you calling at this fine hour?

"I'm actually calling for work." I cleared my throat theatrically. "Mr. Damon Salvatore, Mr. Mikelson would like to cordially invite you to a fundraiser he is holding this Saturday night at 8 PM sharp," I said with all the dramatics I could muster.

Sounding like the perfect southern gentlemen, he responded immediately, laying the accent on thickly. "Why, lil' old me? I would be honored!"

"Well now that that's settled. I have a story to tell you."

"Ooh, I love stories!" He said, laughing. All this laughing and smiling is going to be the death of me.

"Okay. So I had to call your dad to invite him to this fundraiser as well. And after I ask him, he acts just like himself, he asked if we were sleeping together, and when I said no, he told me to stay away from you, because I'm the one ruining you. Then he called you a failure, and me a whore and a tramp. I was just so…"

He interrupted me. "Wait! What did he call you?"

He was already in protective mode, trying save me from the wrath of his father.

"Damon it's okay. It's okay!" I said, trying to placate him. "Anyway, I was so fed up with him, so I let him have it! I told him that he couldn't scare me away from you, because we were best friends and that I didn't appreciate him calling me names. And then I hung up!" I said triumphantly. I was extremely proud of my bravery, and Damon was too.

"You did what? Are you serious? Oh my god! Lena! You stood up to my father! I'm so proud of you!" He exclaimed.

I giggled. "Me too, I was just going to hang up and let him win, but then I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine."

"You're the best Lena. This deserves a celebration. Are you doing anything tonight?"

I knew my answer immediately. One, it's not like I ever had plans and two, if I did, I would drop them the second Damon called.

"Nope, I'm free." I said, hoping I'd made it sound like I had to think about it.

"Good, I'll pick you up at seven. Wear something nice." I could hear him smiling into the phone as he spoke.

After hanging up the phone, I ran errands for Klaus, picking up his dry cleaning, and checking on some last minute fundraiser things. It was only ten thirty as I made my way back to the office, and I'd already had one of the best days of my life. I'd decided to change my ways, made a new friend, stood up to a bully, and made a date with Damon. Well not a date-date, just like a friend-date. You know what I mean. I blew back into the office.

"I'll be ready in two minutes Caroline!" I yelled, as I breezed back into my office. I closed the door and whirled around, surprised to find Klaus sitting at my desk. I put my bags down and approached my desk. I don't have the best relationship with my boss, and honestly, he kind of scares me a little bit.

"You okay?" I asked cautiously.

"Yes, Elena, I'm fine." He rolled his eyes. "I actually just wanted to see what you thought of the new receptionist girl."

"She seems really nice. I'm going to show her around during lunch in a few minutes."

"Could you do your boss a favor and drop in some good words about me?" He asked, toying with a stack of papers on my desk, and moving them all out of order.

"Klaus, I'm sick of doing all of your dirty work for you. If you want her, you can talk to her yourself." I advanced towards my desk.

He got up, "Oh, Elena. I'll have Caroline whether she wants it or not. But a few words from a friend about my skills in bed could only help." He said as he walked back to his office doors.

"It's not like I would know about those skills Klaus." I said rolling my eyes.

"Don't worry my sweet, you will."

As he closed the door behind him, I shivered involuntarily. You will? What was that supposed to mean? And the way he talked about Caroline. Whether she wants it or not? Klaus has a creepy side to him, but I've never been the one it's been directed too.

I took Caroline to a small Greek restaurant near our office. I came here frequently on my lunch breaks alone. I'd made friends with most of the staff, especially one of the waiters that was always on duty when I came in. His name was Liam, and he was cute, but he was nothing compared to Damon. I led Caroline to my normal table, and let Liam take our drinks.

Caroline squealed the second he left. "Oh my god! He totally likes you Elena!"

"Who, Liam? No way, Caroline, were just friends." I shrugged it off, and looked at my menu, even though I order the same exact thing every time I came here.

"Well, maybe that's how you feel. But he looks at you like you're a goddess or something!"

"You're reading too far into it Care! Anyway, how's your first day going?" I liked how easy I felt with Caroline, we were already on nickname basis for gods sakes! Well, I am for her. She tried to call me 'Lena, and I stopped her right away. Only Damon can call me that.

We chatted about our days, and she told me about the call she made to Tyler Lockwood, the C.E.O. of Lockwood Incorporated. She gushed about how she actually got to talk to him, after she had idolized him for years. I kept up with her excited conversation, even joining in. I liked this girl, she was exuberant and loud, and probably certifiably crazy, but she had a heart of gold, and she seemed to know a ton about men. After she finished fangirling about Tyler Lockwood, she asked me the question. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

I averted my eyes, "No I don't."

"But you have somebody in mind, don't you?" She asked. What? I stayed silent.

"Tell me about him." Caroline took another bite of her salad waiting for me to answer her. I'd never really had a relationship like this before, a friendship. Old Elena would hole up inside rather than tell anyone about her unrequited love, but New Elena takes chances. I took a deep breath, I'd never told anyone about Damon before. Damon was the closest friend I had. I barely had any other friends, just people I said hey to in the hallway. It might be nice to get all my feelings out in the open. I took another breath.

"Okay, okay. I do have somebody in mind."

Caroline smiled at my confession. "So, what's his name?"

"Damon."

Caroline brightened even more. "So tell me the whole story!"

"I've known him my whole life; we grew up next to each other. We were best friends and inseparable. The second I started seeing that boys didn't have cooties, I fell in love with him and I've been in love with him ever since. I just…I don't even have any words to describe how I feel!" It felt so freeing, talking about him, how I secretly felt about him. So I just kept going. "The problem is that were still best friends. And he knows nothing; he just thinks that that's all we are. But here I am, wanting to jump his bones! He's so perfect! He's sweet, and amazing, and so goddamn sexy. Whenever he touches me, my skin explodes. Honestly, all I want is to marry him, become Mrs. Salvatore and have his babies."

Caroline choked on her water. "Wait! Wait! Salvatore? As in Damon Salvatore? Vice Pres. at Salvatore Accounting? The sexiest man to ever walk the face of the earth? That Damon Salvatore?" She was beaming now.

"Caroline! Shh!" I stage whispered, trying to quiet her down.

She conspiratorially whispered to me. "He doesn't know?"

"Of course not! You said so yourself! He's gorgeous and I'm just…me."

"Elena, are you serious? I've known you for half a day and I already know how great you are. Not to mention beautiful! Get yourself together girl, you could totally get this man to fall in love with you!"

"Really?" I asked.

"Really."

"Well, I have a secret. We're going out tonight." At the look on Caroline's face, I clarified. "No, not like that. Just a best friends thing."

"Well what're you going to wear?" She asked.

"He said to wear something nice, so probably some dark jeans and a sweater…"

"Are you kidding me?" Caroline squealed. "You want him to fall in love with you right?"

"More than anything."

"Then you can't wear jeans!" she said, exasperated. "Do you have a Little Black Dress?"

"Yeah, I've got one."

Caroline was already in planning mode. "Well, wear that. What heels do you have? Any colored ones?"

"I have some that are light blue"

"Okay, good. You're going to knock him dead! You'll be so gorgeous; he won't be able to keep his hands off of you!"

"I hope so. Thanks for your help Care."

"Don't worry about it. After tonight we'll talk about the next step."

The next step? I really liked this girl.

I had another errand to run for Klaus, so Caroline went back to work alone. It felt good to have someone to talk to, especially about Damon. I love being New Elena. I should stop calling myself that. I'm just Elena, but I've gotten better. Elena 2.0. I love the new me and the new me is going to take Caroline's advice. Damon will fall in love with me, and we'll live happily ever after like we were always supposed to. Hopefully.

AN: So this is chapter three. I know there hasn't been much Delena yet, but that will change when they go on their celebration "date". Any ideas about where they should go etc.? I would love to hear them! Thanks for reading. Review? xxx

Song: Taking My Heart By Storm - Matthew McGinn