"You two know each other?" The blonde said shocked and the brunette looked from him, to Elena, to Katherine.

"Ex-fiancée." The two girl's mouths dropped open and they stared at Elena accusingly. He glared at Katherine. Why did she have to be everywhere? Couldn't she have a life somewhere else. She glared back at him. In theory, she had the right to be mad at him. He'd called off their engagement and was with another girl less than a month later but in reality he knew she wouldn't be hurt by Elena. She was possessive. She didn't like to share. She would be angry that he had moved on from her.

"We should, uh, get going. Right Bon? You, uh, you coming Kat?" The blonde was clearly uncomfortable and Katherine was always one for uncomfortable situations.

"Sure Care, let me just talk to your lovely friend for a minute." The blonde- Caroline?- looked uncomfortable and so did the brunette who he assumed was Bonnie.

He saw Elena roll her eyes. She was tough, she had faced down his father and now was facing down his ex-fiancée within hours of each other. That duo would make stronger men turn tail and flee.

Caroline and Bonnie walked out the apartment and he was sure they positioned themselves outside, ears pressed against the door listening.

He followed their lead. He walked into the kitchen again and pressed his ear against the door. He knew Katherine would talk loudly and make a scene. They were a personal favourite of hers.

"So, Elena." She spoke Elena's name in such a patronizing way it made him want to rip her head off. "Let me get this straight. Stay away from him. That man in there is-"

"Before you say the words 'He's mine."- Think carefully. Is he actually? No. Of course he's not, he's a human being, Katherine." He chuckled as he heard Elena mimic Katherine in the way her name was spoken.

"He is mine, and I don't share very well." She was trying to be threatening but it came across possessive and jealous. He heard Elena laugh.

"I'll keep that in mind, but it you don't mind." She spoke brightly before lowering her voice and tone "Get out of here. You can't come into my apartment and tell me to stay away from people who are no longer a part of your life." He heard the door click shut and he opened the kitchen door to see Elena standing with a proud smirk on her face.

He launched himself at her, picking her up and spinning her round, much like he'd done the night they met. She laughed uncontrollably until he put her down, collapsing onto of her on the sofa.

"Elena, you are so fucking amazing. You really put that bitch in her place!" This girl really was amazing. She had made him feel more in a few hours of meeting than Katherine had done within a year of engagement.

Her eyes lifted, vulnerability shining through.

"'Lena?" What had upset her so much? Had he missed something?

"So you don't have feelings for her anymore?" She asked it in such a small voice that he almost laughed. "When Giuseppe spoke to me earlier he said you would get back together. He made it sound like a dead cert!" This time he did laugh.

"Brown eyes, you honestly believed that?" She looked away, clearly embarrassed. "You've made me feel more since I've met you than Katherine made me feel the whole time we were together." Her eyes brightened. She was so fucking beautiful it kinda made my chest hurt.

"I never loved her and I never thought I would love anybody, but here I am, and let me tell you, I'm falling for you, brown eyes. I'm falling for you hard." She didn't answer him, she didn't need to. She answered him with a kiss so full of passion he almost exploded. Every kiss they had shared up until now had been nothing compared to this. This was what he lived for. This was what he had been waiting for. This was pure, raw passion, so full of fire it almost consumed him.

He felt her pull away, her eyes sad.

"He convinced you before, Damon. He could convinced you again."

He ground his teeth together. How could his father have so much control over his life? He was a grown man for god's sake!

"Elena. He blackmailed me. He's good at twisting his words to make you believe anything."

Another thought struck him.

"Brown eyes, please don't believe everything he tells you. It's most likely lies." He chuckled ruefully. She smiled softly but he knew she wasn't convinced. "Look, it's my mum's birthday soon. She's always been one for parties. Come with me. She loves you. You should have heard her at the coffee shop. She'd never let me hear the end of it if you weren't there." He winked.

"That really a great idea? Only two out of four people in your family like me y'know." She winked at him. He was glad she was relaxing again.

"Yeah, the two most important people obviously!" She elbowed him so he picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. "How soon?"

He looked at her innocently. "Friday, maybe?" He lifted an eyebrow at her indignant squeal. Yes, it was Wednesday right now. And?

He heard her growl in what he thought was a very sexy way.

"Put me down." She left a pause between each word so he, being Damon Salvatore simply smirked.

"Nope." popping the 'p' loudly and obnoxiously.

"Oh?" she had an evil edge to her voice. "So you won't want to come shopping and help me choose a dress?" He smirked. She thought this would make him put her down?

"No? Shame, maybe Caroline will help me. I always need someone to help me with the zips." she trailed off at the end but he got the message. He quickly put her down and smirked at her innocently.

She took his hand and dragged him out the door.

"Elena, you complete bullshitter. You don't need help with zips and you know it!"

She smirked. So maybe she didn't need help with zips. So, shoot her.

"Shut up, Damon!" then she strolled out the changing room, winking as his jaw dropped.

She twirled. "Whatcha think?" He simply stared at her.

"I think I won't be letting you out of my sight. No way in hell is another guy getting you." He was being serious too. She laughed and slipped on some heels and grabbed a clutch. She struck a pose, enjoying his eyes widen.

"If you don't buy that I may just sit here and cry." He smirked slightly. She could tell her was joking. Just.

"Cry? Damon Salvatore cries?" She walked back into the changing room and changed into her regular clothes. Dark wash skinny jeans, grey military boots, and an oversized cream cardigan.

"Too right he cries. Especially when his girl doesn't buy a dress which she looks fucking sensational in." Again, he was being serious.

"Your girl, huh? I like it, I'm your property." She was kidding of course, but it was still nice all the same.

She walked out holding the dress, shoes and bag which he promptly snatched from her and raced towards the till.

"Hey!" he winked at her before handing the clothes to the cashier. She made it to them just in time to hear part of the conversation.

"-and risk letting her not buy this? No freaking way." The old lady at the till laughed and smiled at her

"Dear, you've caught yourself someone special." Damon smirked and looked pleased with himself. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She felt a kiss on top of her head and she grinned happily.

"Oh I know." then she elbowed him as she knew he'd be wearing a smug smile on his face right now. The lady handed a bag to her and smiled at them.

"Thank you!" She said brightly before leading the way out off the shop.

They walked in comfortable silence before she said something.

"She was right you know." he looked at her faintly puzzled.

"You're definitely special, and most definitely caught."

"Ah, brown eyes, I'm happy being caught by you."

Woooo, one more ready to upload after this chapter is up. What do you think so far?

-Ex