AN: Welcome back!

I have to say a huge thanks to everyone! I never expected this story to blow up like it did. I'm honestly starting to really love my writing and my stories and I'm happy to hear that you all do as well! Thank you for all the reviews, favs and follows. I'm just happy your enjoying! I know that this is a sensitive topic (rape, addiction) but like I have always said, sometimes in real life, it happens! And, I'm happy to hear that you loved Emily/Elena scenes, especially when she was a baby. I had fun writing that one.

I do not condone nor like rape, abuse, addiction in any way. I advise everyone to stay away from it (drugs) because it will end up bad and you will destroy your life and do not trust everyone! Always watch your back and protect yourself and your family. You never know when this could happen (rape).

Lol, your gonna hate Damon when he comes in! It's just for a little while though.

Go check out my amazing beta: Salvatoreboys4ever! She had helped through a lot of things while writing and even proofread all of these chapters even before I posted the first one.

Warning: mentions of rape, alcohol abuse, addiction, Katherine Pierce

Enjoy!

"...And all the lovin' that I've been givin' goes unnoticed. It's just floating in the air. Lookie there. Are you aware? You're my lifeline and your tryna kill me...I don't care about the lights or the beams. Spend my life in the dark for the sake of you and me...'Cause you, you, you, you and me could move a mountain. You, you, you, you and me could calm a war down...You, you, you, you and me could stop this love drought" -Beyoncé, Love Drought

"Alright. I found a job, one I think you would like. But, I think it would be temporarily like in case you wanted to get a degree or something unless you already have one.." Bonnie started as she sat on the couch as Elena closed the door.

"No, Bonnie. I don't have a degree at the moment but I do plan on getting one" Elena smiled as Emily rushed into the room.

"Bonnie!" Emily yelled, running to the woman hugging Bonnie's legs, digging her head in her thigh. Elena smiled and shook her head at Emily as she let go of Bonnie and came back over to her and sat in Elena's lap.

"What do you plan on getting a degree on?" Bonnie asked.

"Writing so I think that would-be literature" Elena replied. "So, what's the job?" Elena asked, running her fingers through Emily's still slightly wet hair from the bath she took.

"I was searching up jobs nearby and one popped up. I mean it's a little farther out but it's high paying. It will help you and Emily"

Elena nodded. "Okay, what is the job?"

"You would be a P.A. for this guy. I mean being a P.A. isn't all that great as some people might think but you get to stay on your feet, just take calls and get your boss coffee that sounds like easy street to me" Bonnie smiled. "But..." She bit her lip, hesitant to utter her next words.

"What?" Elena raised an eyebrow at her expression.

"It's in Mystic Falls" The four words made Elena freeze in her tracks. Her fingers that combed through Emily's hair suddenly stopped. The town name sent shivers of fear, down her spine. She had already closed off Mystic Falls. She didn't ever plan on returning.

"Bonnie..." Elena breathed. "I don't know what your doing-"

"I'm not doing anything, honestly. I was just searching around about jobs around our area and it popped up and I didn't notice that it said Mystic Falls until I had already red everything. I mean I didn't plan on saying anything but when I say it pays nicely, I'm not over exaggerating. I mean I understand with everything that happened, you don't want to return but I'm guessing that money isn't going to last much longer, Elena. With rent, electric, gas money, food..."

Elena sighed, knowing Bonnie was right. There wasn't much money left. She needed to get a job soon, a very paying job. But, anything other than Mystic Falls.

"I...I can't Bonnie. I don't plan on ever returning. It's too hard. I just can't" Elena repeated, trying to cower away in fear at the things she did and didn't do.

"Elena, I'm just going to be straight up honest with you. You need to think about you and Emily. You need to think about the money"

Elena sighed at her words but refused to admit she was right. "How much are they paying anyway? And, who am I even going to work for?"

"The guy's name is Mason Lockwood and you're going to be getting 200 an hour Elena" Bonnie widened her eyes. "That's a lot"

Elena raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Wow. I'll admit. That is good paying job but I still don't know. Thinking about returning makes me scared and think that an angry mob is going to be awaiting me when I arrive" Elena laughed nervously at the thought before petting Emily's head as she just sat and listened to the women talking.

"Nah" Bonnie waved her hand at her words in a joking matter. "They've probably already forgot about it by now" Elena shook her head.

"Somehow I doubt it" She mumbled. Emily suddenly perked up and turned to her mother.

"What's Mytic Fall mommy?"

"It's my hometown, baby"

"Oh" Emily said and leaned her back against Elena's chest. Her hair started to dry and came out in straight, tangled clumps.

"Baby, go get mommy your brush so I can brush your hair" Emily nodded and ran into her room. Elena turned to Bonnie, sighing for what it felt like the millionth time.

"I'm not sure, Bonnie. I honestly tried to forgot about my hometown and everyone in it"

"But, that's obviously not working" Bonnie raised an eyebrow, hinting at her red eyes that she always wakes up with. Today, however, she didn't. "You felt a lot better after talking about it, didn't you? You didn't have the urge to cry so much. It felt good letting it out didn't it, Elena?"

Elena's lips slightly curved upwards and she nodded. It didn't feel as good as she thought it would as first but as Emily curled up next to her the night before, her chest felt lighter, her mind open. Her daughter was safe and sound asleep next to her and she finally let out the secrets that slowly threatened her mental health. It wasn't an instant reaction but it definitely felt better. When she woke up, it seemed as though the world was clearer, brighter and for the first time in years she didn't go to sleep sad.

"Yeah. I didn't feel it help at first but when I went to sleep, I didn't have the weight sitting on my chest like I did before. I felt happier. I'm glad I talked about it"

"I know" Bonnie said as Emily ran back into the room, the brush held high in her hands in triumph.

"I found it mommy!" Emily stated proudly, sitting back into Elena's lap.

"Good job, baby" Elena took the brush from her hands and lightly ran it through the dark black strands, trying to distract herself from Bonnie's hard stare, clearly waiting for an answer. It was clear she wouldn't be letting this go anytime soon.

"Are you really going to cower away from a better life for you and Emily? I never pegged you for the coward type, Elena" Bonnie shook her head and decided to let it go. For a moment, Elena felt something inside of her shift. She had turned into quite the bit of a cowards since leaving Mystic Falls but what really matter was Emily. Was she really able to pass up such a high paying opportunity because she was scared of how the people of the town would react? Emily deserved the best and that is what she was going to get.

"Wait, Bonnie" Elena started as she continued to brush her daughter's hair. "Fine. Tell me more about it. I doubt I'm gonna get it anyway. I don't have any experience with any companies or business and when I say I have zero, I really mean I have zero"

"Well, let me read more into it" Bonnie pulled her phone back out and started staring at it for a minute.

"Where did you even find that add?"

"I just pulled up Google and typed in 'jobs near me' and that was one of the ones that popped up"

"Don't you think that's a little weird, Bonnie?" Elena asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Not weirder than going on Craigslist and finding random jobs and potentially meet a serial killer" Elena nodded in agreement. There were some pretty crazy and creepy people on Craigslist.

"It says...No experience needed. P.A. needed ASAP. That is all it said besides the pay and who you would be working for"

Elena raised her eyebrows in suspicion. "Don't you think that's a little too coincidental? 'No experine needed'?"

"Elena, your being paranoid. So, since you think it's a little 'too coincidental', why don't you tell me what you think is going on"

"Mommy, will you braid my hair?" Emily suddenly spoke up. Elena nodded and took the brush away from her hair and started braiding her raven black hair.

"What I think Bonnie is, someone is, maybe Damon, is trying to lure me out and get me to come back to Mystic Falls. I just find it too coincidental that this pops up right around the time my money gets low"

"Do you honestly believe Damon would do that? Was he like that?" Bonnie asked.

"I don't know..." She sighed. "I mean I stole money from them. Who knows what's happened. I'm pretty sure that Damon and his family hate me so I don't think it would far-fetched if that was happening"

"No...Elena, you're not understanding what I'm saying. I want you to tell me if Damon is the type of person that would do this out? I mean his character. What was he like? Did he show off things like this? Spite? Anger? Revenge? Did he like those things?"

Elena immediately shook her head no. "No. Damon was a sweetheart. He just stayed defensive in fear someone would hurt him. He was nice, handsome, caring and just sweet. At least to me. He was my big teddy bear..."

"I love you" Damon whispered, pulling Elena onto his chest. She smiled into his chest as he rubbed his hands over her naked back. He continued to whisper in her ear, making her blush and smile widen.

Happiness seemed elusive for Elena, at least in the days after her parents died. Everything inside hurt and Jeremy completely pulled away from her, saddening her further and everyone smiled and laughed with ease. They hugged hello and again for goodbye. They talked excitedly about movies and new lovers. They drank good wine and had an interesting hobby. Why not her? She enjoyed a joke and the corners of her mouth didn't twitch but when her eyes landed on Damon, nothing had ever been so intriguing, so handsome. Everything seemed to change when he was around. Her mood would instantly brighten and she could forget about anything that was troubling her, whether it be a test, project or even helping Jeremy. The two months with him seemed unrealistic, the kind of love that only existed in movies.

Elena sat back and let the happiness soak right into her bones. She wanted the feeling to still be there when she was old. She closed her eyes and savored the moment, but never released her grip on Damon's arm as she buried her face into his neck. For the first time in what felt like forever her body and mind relaxed. In that moment, there were no expectations upon her, no deadlines and no schedules to meet. The happiness is infectious. It starts as a tingle in her fingers and toes, much like the feeling she has when anxious, but instead of worrisome it's warm. She felt it pass through her like a warm ocean wave, washing away the stress of her day to leave her refreshed inside. As the feeling fades, she savored the memory of its gentle touch from Damon's fingers. They started at the bottom of her back to her neck and finally stopping on her cheek, leaving a trail of fire on her skin wherever he touched. Damon's finger tips are electric, they must be, for wherever they touched her skin tingles in a frenzy of static.

"I love you" Damon repeated, kissing Elena's forehead. Before she could utter a word back, he tilted his head and kissed her lips. The feeling was blissful. The moment was quiet. Elena pulled away after a moment and lightly smacked his chest, pouting.

"What was that for? Why did you stop?" He complained like a child.

"Because you didn't let me say it back" Elena responded, pulling away from his body as he moaned as the loss of contact.

"Quit pouting" She scolded as she sat in front of him, holding the chest over her chest as he scanned over her hand holding up his red satin sheet over her bare olive skin.

"I don't know why you put a sheet over your breasts. I've seen and touched every past of them" She didn't' know if it was the way he said it so casually or the fact his silk voice lit her body on fire but they sent a rush of lust down her body and between her legs, making her face turn red.

"Damon, shut up! Besides, that's not the point"

"Don't act like you don't like it..." He trailed off, licking his lips and tried to grab the sheet out of her hand but failed when Elena smacked his hand away. "You loved my hands over you not even an hour ago" Her blush grew further but rolled her eyes at him. "Besides, what is the point?"

"The point is, you never let me get a chance to say it back-"

"I need to hear it, Elena. Just being with you is more than enough for me. You don't have to say it back anytime soon, and I don't want it to feel like I'm trying to push you into saying it" He smirked. "I didn't have to force you into bed with me..." He wiggled his eyebrows, suggestively as she gasped and smacked his arm. He held his hands up in surrender. "Alright! Alright! I give up!"

She rolled her eyes again. "I know you're not trying to force me into saying it. I want too. This is how I really feel" Damon watched as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, a movement that he classified she did when nervous. She was honestly so beautiful. Some people may argue that there are always prettier women, nicer women and they can argue as much as they want because Elena wasn't any more perfect for him than she could get. The innocence he once saw when they met came out stronger when she saw a puppy or baby, that made her smile grow wider that he could do nothing but watch in complete awe. That same innocence that disappeared in the bedroom, that he couldn't love more, and she completely trusted him with anything. Her complete trust with anything they did or anything he wanted, which only made his heart swell bigger. Her fire that matched his like, her anger was something to fear away from but also made you want to pet her, even when her anger rose so high that it made her face red, even from the smallest of things like an argument with Jeremy, that he couldn't call anything but beautiful. Her lip rolled between her teeth as she took a breath. Elena grabbed his hand and held it in hers, her small, soft palm warming his.

"Damon Salvatore, I love you like you're the last of my kind. It is as if you speak the same language as I, even though no other is available. To be around you is like finally not being alone - as if all my life I've been isolated, in a windowless room, in a door less room... and then suddenly you walked in as if strolling over a summer meadow and brought me back to life. So, my love, know this - while I breathe I am yours in mind, body and soul forever" Damon opened his mouth but Elena put a finger over his mouth, the other hand still holding up the sheet. "Wait, I'm not done" She licked her lips. "We jumped into this relationship head first and I was worried about that because I didn't want to rush anything but every day that I've spent with you, and don't call me cheesy for this either, makes the painful parts from losing my parents to Jeremy a lot easier. I can forget about everything when were together and it makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. I am so completely in love with you, Damon Salvatore and I will love you until the day I die"

How she loved those days when they just laid on his bed late at night talking, laughed and made silly jokes. Those were the days, and she enjoyed every minute of it. Damon was her lifeline, her savior, her everything. No matter the distance, her attraction and love remained consistent. Now and then. He could be at the ends of the Earth and still would still feel pulled towards him. There was always something about them that matched, each half loving the other fully that a life alone, without each other, would be meaningless. She had it all, and know she could never return to that because of her actions. Right when she was about to let go of the dwindling ray of hope that flickered dangerously inside her, the blanket of blackness was replaced by bursts of light that pierced through the darkness. It was like the heavens had given Elena another chance to live her life right, and her heart soared, mending itself once more. She was saved...by Emily. Waves of happiness and relief washed over her, and she felt it soak right into her bones as she looked at the blanket of dark hair that sat in front of her.

No matter how sad she felt, Emily could change that in a split second. Elena finished braiding her hair and kissed the top of Emily's head.

"I would like to think Damon wouldn't do that but hate could make you do things you normally wouldn't do. I hope not and a childish part of me wants to believe that me and Damon will just go back to the way it was before but that's stupid. I did things, unforgivable things to some people and I know that Damon hates me now, so I don't know Bonnie, I don't know" Elena finished as Emily perked up further at the name. The name from yesterday.

"Mommy..." Emily turned as she played with the brush, nervously. "Can I please see my daddy? Please?"

Elena didn't say a word. The guilt, the pain all crept in at once from the broken look in her daughter's face of not having a father.

"You can't baby, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Elena cried for what felt like the millionth time that day. She had never noticed the toll it's took on Emily as well not having her father around. She needs both of her parents, not just one. Emily frowned sadly before her lip started quivering, sadly. She started softly crying, mumbling about wanting her father as Elena held her, kissing her head. She couldn't do much more. Of course, she wanted Emily to have her father but at the moment, she didn't understand why he couldn't be here. Bonnie watched from the other side of the couch frowning at the dark-haired girls before sighing as Elena gently rocked Emily as she cried.

"How is everything?" Bonnie asked as Emily held her brown teddy bear in her hands, looking around at the new area.

"Good. I finally got everything moved in. This is a nice little apartment. There's only a little bit of money left because I had to pay before we moved in but since I got the job with Mason, everything seems fine" Elena responded, opening another box.

"How are you, Bon?"

"I mean, I'm fine, it's only been a week since you all left and I do miss you two but I know that this is good for you and Emily so it makes me feel better. Hell, maybe one day I'll move out here with you and we can be roommates" Bonnie laughed.

Elena smiled. "That's sounds like a good idea! We should totally do that!" All three of the girls laughed as Emily yelled. "Totally!" Copying her mother.

"Bonnie, can we go out for ice cream now? You promise me we would when you came. Can we go now?" Emily asked after they stopped laughing.

Bonnie looked to Elena, silently asking. "Of course, go on. Have fun"

"You're not going with us, mommy?" Emily asked pouting.

Elena shook her head as Emily put her teddy bear down on top of one of the boxes, still on Bonnie's hip. "No baby, mommy is going to keep unpacking and later once you get home, we can decorate your room. How does that sound?"

Emily's face instantly brightened, like a lightbulb. "Yay! I can decorate my room! Thank you, mommy!" Bonnie sat Emily sat as she ran over to Elena, hugging her legs. Elena bent down, hugging Emily tight her straight hair tickling her nose.

"Your welcome, baby. Now go with Bonnie and get your ice cream" Emily nodded and ran back to Bonnie, grabbing her hand.

"Are you sure you're comfortable with this?" Bonnie asked. Elena knew what she meant. Was she comfortable with her friend taking her daughter out in a town she ran from and not with her? What if they ran into Kai? Elena started breathing heavily after the thought crossed her mind.

"Emily, we should do this another day, sweetie. Mommy doesn't want you to go out with her" Bonnie said to the child after reading Elena's face. The moment Emily's face dropped, Elena's mind changed in a split second.

"No, I'm comfortable with it. You all can go" She lied. She most definitely not comfortable with Emily going somewhere without her and she was not comfortable with her rapist that could snatch her daughter, still running around town, if he was but she didn't say any of that. She instead, plastered a fake smile on her face and kept nodding.

"Are you sure? We can always do this another time?" Bonnie asked for one last confirmation.

"I'm sure. Go" Elena said as Bonnie nodded hesitantly.

"Okay" She turned, Emily's hand still in hers. "Let's go, sweetie" They started walking to the door as Emily stopped after a moment and turned back to Elena.

"Bye, mommy!" She waved with her free hand.

"Bye, baby. Be safe you two!"

"We will. I would never let anything happen to her, Elena, I promsie. I'll protect her with my life" Bonnie vowed before they left the apartment. Elena let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and continued, unpacking. She pulled her hair into a messy bun that had a few strands of her chocolate brown hair stick out from the back.

As she sat plates in the wood cabinet, there was a knock at the door. She whipped her head around at the sound, freezing on the spot. It drained all hope, from within her, replacing them with a feeling of despair, hopelessness and most of all...fear, all from a hard knock. She didn't know who was on the other side of the door but she was scared to find out. It choked the breath from her lungs and left her body dry heaving, as she stared at the wood. She licked her lips and subconsciously raised her fingers to her mouth, nervous and scared, slightly biting into her skin around her fingernail.

She could stay right there and act like no one was home. She could peak through the window to see. She could open the door like a woman and face whoever knocked. Maybe it was just a random person, hell, maybe someone was looking for directions but she quickly shook her head. People in Mystic Falls don't just ask for directions, it's a small town, everybody knows where everything is. No, someone purposely came here and as she creeped closer to the door, a suddenly wave of courage flashed through her body, despite her fear and without thinking, she threw the door open.

"Damon,"

AN: How did you all like chapter 3? For the warnings, Katherine is ugh (you'll find out later who she is) and alcohol abuse is for Damon. He drunk to take away the pain and the addiction is Jeremy. I just wanted to clear that up in case anyone is confused.

Just in case anyone is confused, Craigslist is a website where you can find small, quick jobs for a little bit of cash and sell, trade or buy things but some of the complete weirdest people are on that site. My dad and stepmom uses that thing all the time for small jobs and I'm glad I don't go over there anymore because who knows, they could meet a murderer and I'm honestly disgusted at the thought.

P.S. I use to get so jealous of other authors like: deepwater1978, Mariah April May and scarlett2112 because they post many stories at once and are so good at it and I use to be extremely jealous of them and it would cause me to get into a weird depression but I've realized something. We're all different. I've finally learned that I'm not the type of author that posts many stories at once. I like to go one at a time and I don't have a problem with that anymore like I use too and I feel so much happier that I've excepted my writing because I use to hate it but I love it now. BTW, everyone needs to check out those authors and my beta: Salvatoreboys4ever because ALL of their stories are amazing and they are Delena.

And, yes, there was a time jump but it was only a week and i didn't show the things that happened because they were unnecessary. Basically, all that happened is they started moving because despite the fact that Elena is scared to go back home, she knows she needs the money for her daughter. And, yes, Elena went for the interview already and got the job but that's not important so I didn't include it.

Delena next chapter...angry Delena? Sad Delena? Hurt? You'll see. Next chapter update in 2 days. Bye!