AN: Hey readers!
In advance I'd like to say that not everything is as it seems. Damon isn't the antichrist and Katherine isn't an angel but wait and see.
I hope you enjoy and remember: Reviews are love!
~ Ria

Disclaimer:
All characters belong to their rightful owner. I'm just messing around with their lives.
Though I'd like to own some mysterious dark-haired guy named Damon Salvatore!

CHAPTER TWO
The ice inside your soul
– Christina Perri / Jar of Hearts –

SEPTEMBER 5, 2009

First of all, she saw the pain and suddenly her fear disappeared. Earlier she had felt with Katherine, felt her suffering like a sister in mind. Now she was lost in the dark abyss of Damon's torments. She was lost in the mesmerizing storm of his azure eyes. She recognised how much Katherine's words had hurt him and at the same moment Elena wondered why: Katherine had only stated the truth about his failures and named and shamed him therefor. Before she had the chance to finish this thought, the rage manifested itself. It swallowed the pain, blazed away like fire in his eyes and Elena instantly got goose bumps over her arms. She knew she should be afraid because it would be the logical response to a hostile expression like this. Still, she couldn't prevent a hint of sympathy in her gaze when she backed off again. But for every step she did Damon came two steps closer and her sympathy seemed to stir up his anger.

»Who the hell,« he growled hotheaded, »do you think you are, little Gilbert-girl?«

Damon cornered Elena without her noticing. The dark-haired girl collided with a trunk while taking her next step backwards and a low groan escaped her in consequence of the unwanted crash. She turned her gaze to the man in front of her and couldn't forbear that the blazing wrath in his eyes made him look diabolically handsome. The Salvatore-gene of an impressive appearance had not passed by Damon. Rather it had manifested itself in its perfection. Elena pushed this thought terrified to the back of her mind and was almost disgusted with herself. How was it anyway possible for her to think in such a moment that Damon was even rudimentarily attractive to her? He had broken Katherine's heart. He had forced her to give up her devotion and relationship. He had hurt her—both mentally and physically by his way to prevent her escaping—and if she could read one thing between the lines of the words of her cousin then that wasn't the first time he did this. He wasn't a good man. Damon wasn't a good person. She should be fucking scared of him. And then her fear came suddenly back.

»Lurking around the woods and spy upon people. Is your oh so wonderful relationship with my brother so damn boring that you have to lech over the suffering of others?« Damon snorted angrily and disgusted, his voice dripping with venom. »Does Saint Stefan really have so little to offer?«

Elena's newfound fear and the spark of sympathy abruptly turned into outrage as Damon involved his brother and therefore her boyfriend into the subject. The dark-haired girl pushed herself off the trunk. She stood straight, focused her cloudy gaze on him and gathered all her courage.

»If I were you, I'd take back what you just said,« she spoke slowly, trying hard to keep her voice calm and distant, but in reality her words sounded squeezed. The thoughts rushed through her head. Katherine was right: He liked to inflict pain on others. She couldn't understand his spitefulness. Elena wasn't aware of anything she had done that would justify a temperamental outburst like this. Yes, she had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and yes, she had seen a confrontation she would rather not have watched but for heaven's sake—they were in the middle of a party even though a few metres away from the main action. Anyone could have walked in Katherine's and Damon's fight. Anyone! However, she had walked in and the man in front of her used this as an opportunity to wreak his hatred.

»And when I won't take it back?« Damon laughed mockingly. And then what? He was clearly superior as he stood in front of her like a predator on the hunt. And Elena was his prey. She had not the slightest chance to escape neither him nor his rage. And the hopelessness of her situation made her reckless. Unlike Katherine she had nothing to lose: no friendship, no relationship, no love. A confrontation with Damon wouldn't destroy anything because there was nothing except the mutual disgust.

»I'm not threatening you,« Elena explained, knowing deep inside that this would only rile him further up. »I will not even tell you what I think of you because you don't deserve this. You deserve nothing. Katherine gave you everything—« Elena didn't think the mention of her cousin could be the final straw, »—and you destroyed it. Destroyed everything.« Her voice broke as the scope of her message became clear to her and her eyes widened. But Damon laughed, although the noises which rose his throat were by no means beautiful. It was a disastrous laugh, a sinister almost cruel one. One that showed her clearly that her words meant utterly nothing to him.

»What do you know about Katherine and me, little Gilbert-girl?« Damon spat, »You don't know me nor do you know Katherine. If you had only a hazy notion, you would have been over the hills and far away, seeking for safe-hold and comfort in Stefan's arms.«

»Keep Stefan out of this. He has nothing to do with the whole thing,« Elena hit back, trying to come to her boyfriend's defence.

»He doesn't? Are you positive about that, little Gilbert-girl?« A dubious twinkle appeared in Damon's azure eyes which made Elena insecure beyond compare. Suddenly he took a step back and gave her space to breathe, to think. She was confused.

»What are you trying to imply here, Damon?« The words left her mouth more hastily and uncertain than she wished and they made him laugh at her. »Stefan didn't do anything to you—he's not even here. He would never stoop to your level. He's a good man. Stefan actually cares about the feelings of other people.« He frowned as if he thought about answering her at all.

»The truth, Elena. The all-encompassing truth. No more and no less.«

The girl swallowed and her eyes widened.

»I don't like to repeat myself but you know nothing. Not even about my little brother. But perhaps that is it what make you seem so attractive to him—« he raised his hand slowly and his thumb whisked almost tenderly over Elena's cheek and stopped at her lower lip, which was now trembling. The dark-haired girl tried with all might not to flinch, not to let him win. But the anxiety in her eyes was now clearly visible. The dilated pupils replaced the dark chocolate brown almost entirely. »—your naiveté, the innocence and your pure heart. Your desire for bringing out the good in all men.« His eyes were lingering on her lips which his thumb caressed gently.

»This was exactly what he needed after Kat. But I don't understand how to appreciate someone like you, if you have already tasted our marvelous Katherine.«

Elena gasped for air and at the same moment Damon's fingers left her face. Something clenched her heart tightly and squeezed without mercy. It took her ability to breathe. Damon gave her a wicked and smug smirk. The storm in his blue eyes had calmed down and Elena could only see those terrible depths of deadness as if he had pushed a button to suppress all his feelings and the sight corrupted her breathlessness. With a last icy glance, Damon turned and disappeared into the forest without saying another word. He left her alone with her doubts, with her thoughts. He had reached his goals. And Elena sank to the ground, hysterically fighting for air and trembling like an aspen leaf. Monster. On the verge of tears, she put her head back and tried to stop them from falling. But the water continued to rise. It left steadily the harbor of her eyes, ran down on the sides of her face. She blinked and tried to stop the sobbing which wanted to escape from the depths of her throat. Elena threw her hands up in front of her face and bit hard into the base of her thumb until she tasted blood so she didn't make any noise. What had she done to him? What had Stefan done to him?

A few minutes later, Elena had composed herself so far that she could try to digest Damon's words. But every time she wanted to channel her thoughts in this direction the breathlessness came back and a hot gut feeling emerged. Finally, the dark-haired girl pulled herself up on the trunk and abutted against it as weak as a kitten. What's happened here? She tried to calm herself and her nerves down by taking deep breathes and exhale them afterwards. She seemed to achieve success at least. But she didn't know what to think. Damon's statements had been to disturbing, too hurtful. She doubted the truth in his words. She knew Stefan and she knew he was a sincere man. The accusations of his brother could never be true. This was all Damon: a wounded man who was obsessed about making others suffer.

It took another ten minutes for Elena to be able to leave this place where she originally wanted to find peace. Her heartstrings were still agitated and upset but she couldn't stay away longer without attracting the attention of Bonnie and Caroline by her absence. Back at the party, Elena edged herself through the crowd to the bar and allowed herself a beer. She already tried to erase the traces of her tears but a brunette girl eyed her with irritation.

»Did you cry?« She asked gently.

Elena pointed at herself and smiled. Then she shook her head and said, »No, but some crap from the trees got into my eyes when they were shaken earlier.« The lie passed her lips to easy and she was ashamed.

»Oh—« the girl laughed, »—yes, that happens sometimes. Certainly it was Tyler. He went wild today.« She rolled her eyes amused and came nearer towards Elena. »Wait, I have a mirror with me.« She rummaged briefly through her purse before pulling out a pocket mirror and a handkerchief. The girl handed both items to Elena who immediately began to remove the rest of her dissolved make-up. Fortunately, the damage was minimal and after cleansing her face nothing would indicate that she had cried.

»I'm Jules, by the way—« The brunette said when Elena passed the mirror back to her and flashed her a grateful smile, »—Tyler's cousin.«

An honest and pleased smile spread to Elena's lips. »I'm Elena—glad to meet you and thanks again for your help. But, I didn't know Tyler had a cousin?«

Jules shrugged, smiled wryly and crooked her head. »Our fathers are on bad terms but my dad obviously recognised that the family is somehow important after the death of my mum. That's why I'm here.«

»I'm sorry for your loss,« Elena said while lowering her eyes but Jules just smiled and shrugged again.

»We were not really close. You don't have to—«

»Elena!« Caroline's all-too-familiar voice drowned the scene at that moment and with Bonnie in tow she headed her way to her friend. Elena threw an apologising glance at Jules but she only chuckled.

»We've been looking for you, Elena. Wheeere were you?« The voice of the wasted Caroline was reproachful. Her lips were pursed and she looked at her with puppy-eyes. Elena couldn't help but laughed and Bonnie murmured a soft ›sorry‹ towards Jules.

»Care, how many drinks did you have?« Elena giggled, happy with the distraction from her thoughts, even if the distraction came in form of the bubbly and obviously offended Caroline.

»Nothing much. Don't be such a buzzkill, Gilbert. A couple of beers and a little bit of vodka. Well, maybe not just a little bit,« the blonde replied sulky but with a chuckle and her chin feisty jutting out. Her face brightened in seconds when she recognised Jules next to Elena. Before anybody could react she flung her arms spirited around Jules neck and squeaked, »Jules! I'm so glad to see you!« The girl caught her in her arms for a moment before shoving her gently but certain off.

»For Chrissake Caroline!« Jules laughed, »You're as vibrant as ever. Even in your somewhat deranged condition.«

»Can anybody enlighten me?« Bonnie smiled but she obviously felt ignored and couldn't understand the joy of reunion.

»Jules meet Booonnie. Bonnie meet Juuules.« Caroline seized the opportunity and waved her hands around in the girl's faces. This, and Care's bright ›Oops‹ as she staggered, made Elena laugh. She turned to Bonnie and explained while Jules tried to steady the wasted Caroline, »Jules is Tyler's cousin.«

»Ah!« Bonnie nodded understandingly. »That explains the enthusiasm with wich Care hogs her.« Elena smiled in acknowledgment and turned her ganze towards the other two girls.

»Well then, are you doing okay?«

»I neeever felt better!« Caroline squealed but the reproachful look from before had returned to her eyes. »But you missed all the fun, Elena. Wheeere were you? It's not very nice to leave your friends alone,« the blonde pouted and staggered slightly. Jules, however, had a firm grip on her.

»But honestly Elena,« Bonnie said, »where on earth were you? You were untraceable!«

Elena shrugged, an apologetic smile on her lips.

»I was everywhere and nowhere … I was looking for Jeremy but nobody saw him. Obviously he never made an appearance at the party.« She frowned. There was no need to tell her friends—and Jules— about the confrontation with Damon. She couldn't even explain it to herself. How should she put into words what had happened? And if she was honest with herself, she didn't want to think about it any more and push the encounter to the back of her mind; including Damon's accusations against Stefan and her emotional breakdown afterwards. It embarrassed her and the whole story were by no means fodder for party-conversation. Had she not sworn earlier today that nothing would ruin her evening? But it was about Caroline and her opinions and how she always seemed to rub those in her face.

»Forget about Jeremy!« Caroline demanded insensitive and somehow without the drunken sing-song. »We are here to have fun. If your little brother wants to have fun elsewhere, it is his decision and also his problem. Not yours.«

»Caroline!« Bonnie shouted indignant, giving her a warning look. But the bubbly blonde just rolled her eyes on Bonnie and nagged, »Well, it's true. She's not his mother …« She addressed Caroline, her tone almost insulting, »Get the hang of your maternal instinct, Elena. You knew how to have fun. But Stefan's broody manner probably rubbed off on you.«

»Caroline, it's enough!« Jules intercalated calmly, the blonde-haired girl still gently embracing to save her from falling. »You're drunk and you don't know what you're saying!«

»I may have drank too much but I know very well what I'm saying!« Caroline raised her voice which suddenly sounded sober and flashed at Elena, »It's true. Ever since you've been with Stefan I saw your changes. You're no longer the high spirited, adventurous, volatile and feisty Elena which I love so much. People can hardly have fun with you, because the only things you care about are responsibility and your ›planning for the future‹.« To illustrate her words, Caroline painted quotation marks into the air and rolled her eyes annoyed.

»I don't have to listen to this,« Elena said defensively. The queasy feeling in her stomach was tighter then before and lump in her throat was noticeable. She struggled to keep her composure and don't scream at her friend or to break out in tears or even both. But Caroline just went on and on. She didn't think about relinquishing her plan. She knew she would feel bad tomorrow because of the way she talked to her best friend … no, probably she would feel bad in about ten minutes, but someone had to take this cheerless task and talk some sense into her. The blonde shook vehemently Jules' arms off, ignored Bonnie's pleading glances and took a step towards Elena. Hard blue-green eyes met wounded chocolate-brown ones and Caroline flinched but didn't think about giving up.

»Stefan isn't doing you good. You refuse to see it, damn it. You changed your entire personality for one single man who has not even earned you!« Caroline tried to bring Elena her point to mind as she suddenly heard a noise behind her like someone's clearing his throat and she frightened. The blonde turned around slowly, liftet her gaze with pursed lips, resigned and tried to look as innocent as possible.

»Stefan!« An uncertain smile appeared on her lips as Elena edged herself past her and staggered into the inviting arms of her boyfriend. Caroline slouched her shoulders powerless und exhaled noisy. She wouldn't give up. There had to be a way to convince Elena that she was making a mistake. That she wouldn't be happy with a life just to live up to wishes and expectations of Stefan. So Caroline didn't back off or tried to take the previously spoken words back. The damage was caused.

»Always the knight in shining armor,« she said snappy before she caught sight of Elena and began to chew on her lower lip, despite her inner fortitude.

»Elena, I …«

»Don't waste your breath, Caroline. You said enough …« The dark-haired girl spoke softly as Stefan circled her waist and tightened his hold on her. He was here. He was there for her. Stefan made everything better—even if Caroline disagreed. The lump in her throat disappeared instantly and she felt safe in his arms. Elena looked up and flashed him a small, grateful smile which caused his forest-green eyes to light up lovingly. He pressed a soft kiss on her crown before he stared at the three girls standing in front of him. He addressed Jules with and friendly and peaceful smile, »I think we don't know each other yet. I'm Stefan Salvatore, Elena's boyfriend.«

Cocky but not unfriendly—rather amused—Jules replied, »The knight in shining amor. I thought so. I'm Jules. Jules Lockwood, Tyler's cousin.«

»Glad to meet you, Jules. Even if the situation is not quite as good as it might have been.« A small side glance at Caroline followed though Stefan punished her with disregard and Jules chuckled softly.

»Bonnie—also nice to see you!«

»Likewise, Stefan.«

»I hope you don't mind if I abduct Elena for the rest of the evening?«

Before anybody could answer, Caroline snorted loudly, arms akimbo and fixed her gaze on the pair with eyes brimmed over with frustration. »I'm not sorry!« She huffed loudly and grasped Bonnie's and Jules' lower arms firmly, pulling them both relentlessly away from Stefan and Elena.

The dark-haired girl leaned distressed against Stefan, hid her face on his chest and sighed sadly. Could today be worse?

»I'm sorry you had to see this.«

»I thought it was better already?«

She looked up and swallowed before she shrugged uncertainly and crooked her head.

»Mostly. But today—well, you heard her.« Another sigh escaped her. Stefan raised his hands and gripped her face gently as Elena shrank back unintentionally and remembered that Damon had already touched these places today.

»I … I'm so sorry.« Her voice trembled and for the second time in a very short time, her eyes blurred.

»Sh, Elena. Don't allow her words to hurt you so much. You know, what she said isn't true,« Stefan said soothingly to the dark-haired girl, pulling her to his chest again, embracing her body with one arm and squeezed her thoughtful. Meanwhile, his second hand stroked slowly and comforting through her dark-brown hair and he tried to caress her worries away. Elena needed a few minutes to calm down and she fiercely blinked her tears away. Her hands clung tightly to Stefan's T-shirt and as his caress stopped she looked up, her eyes blearily. His sympathetic smile relaxed the girl.

»I love you,« she whispered softly, knowing that Stefan had heard her.