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Damon followed the three of them into the parlor where Elijah was fawning over Elena. He had already assured her she had done much too much and he would fetch her something to drink. Stefan laughed at Elena's facial expression when Elijah got her situated and sat down next to her, claiming her entire attention. Damon stood inside the doorway and watched with a frown as Elena's blush remained.

"So Stefan tells me you're working on your thesis. I hope we aren't keeping you from anything," Elijah said in soft tones. They were meant to seduce, enchant, and conquer. Damon watched Elena's eyes dart to her lap before her stuttering reply.

"N...no...of course not," she said. Stefan smiled as he handed Damon his glass of scotch. "I've wanted to take a break and the perfect solution is a holiday with family."

"What a respectable idea," he replied. He reached into his pocket and removed a small box. "It is customary in my family to present the hostess with a gift upon arrival. While I had expected to meet Stefan's mother, I hope my gift won't disappoint."

"Idiot," Damon whispered. Stefan shot him a dark look and Damon flipped him off. How dare Stefan bring some suave, wealthy bachelor to their home. Elena couldn't find any man like that in Mystic Falls and in the back of his mind; Damon understood this was his first true challenge. What if Elijah stole her away and she left? What if she found someone else to take care of her? What would that mean for Damon?

"Oh my, I...these are beautiful Elijah," Elena whispered. Damon's internal conflicts disappeared as he tried to see what Elijah had given her. The golden pearls slid from the satiny box into her hands and she lifted them under the light. Damon's mouth dropped open as he saw the light reflect off of the golden pearls. They were an expensive gift and he had never given anyone anything so fine.

"I only give the best and my family has a lovely villa on the beaches. I saw that necklace my last time there and I knew it would make the perfect gift for a lovely lady. Let me help you," he nearly purred as he took the necklace and clasped it around her neck. His fingers lingered on her collarbone and Damon's hand clenched breaking the glass.

"Oh God Damon!" Elena cried as she flew across the room to lift his hand in hers. She rubbed her fingers over his hand to make sure he wasn't cut from the broken glass. He watched her bowed head as she rubbed his skin softly. "I'll get a dustpan for the glass. Was there a crack in it?"

"There was a crack in something," Stefan murmured as he moved to an armchair. Damon glared at him as Elena continued to fret. She slid past him and he heard her rustling in the hall closet for the dustpan. Damon's eyes met Elijah's and he saw the man smirk lightly. Damon watched as Elena rushed in and immediately fell to her knees to pick up the broken glass.

"Elena, let me help," he murmured as he slid to the floor. His hand closed over hers and she looked at it strangely. Damon was acting strange and she wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Usually he would just bully Stefan into handling it but here he was doing it himself. His eyes met hers and her hand slipped on the broken glass.

"Ow!" she squealed when the glass punctured her finger. Damon immediately had it in his hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her finger as she gasped softly. It was one thing he could win in a battle against another man. He knew how to make Elena swoon. What he couldn't figure out was why he wanted to make her swoon.

"Stefan, go get a bandage," Damon said with authority. Stefan coughed as he put his glass down harshly and walked briskly out of the room. Elena's eyes were on Damon and his were on her hands. Elijah was forgotten for the moment and Damon was lost in thought.

"Damon, I'm okay," Elena whispered to him. His fingers traced up her arm to find the small bruise on the top of her breast from his insistent kisses. He rubbed a finger over it gently and she breathed out a soft moan. He caught himself from his distracted thoughts, helping her to her feet and leading her to his favorite chair.

Stefan returned and handed him the bandage and Damon spent the next minute applying it to the cut. Stefan turned the leftover glass and began to clean it up while Elijah looked on. Elena smiled once the bandage was applied and then made a move to return to the kitchen.

"Dinner will be ready soon and I don't want it to burn," she said simply. Damon watched her leave before turning back to Elijah. Elijah looked at him as though taking measure and then smiled a little.

"So dear man did my act work?" he said to Stefan. Stefan laughed gently and moved to clap him on the back.

"You were brilliant Eli. You totally had them fooled," Stefan said simply. He took great pleasure in Damon's look of utter confusion. Damon stared at them blankly as Elijah started to laugh.

"Would anyone care to tell me what the hell all of this was?" Damon seethed. Stefan started laughing again at Damon's agitation.

"Oh don't act so put out big brother. I called in a favor to Eli and he was totally behind this. Why do you look so damned surprised?" Stefan said once he realized Damon wasn't smiling. "No seriously, why are you acting like you don't know about all this?"

"About all what?" Damon said furiously. He didn't like what was going on here and he didn't like the feeling. He reached for the bottle of scotch and poured himself a shot, downing it in one gulp.

"Didn't you talk to Caroline or Bonnie since Tuesday?" Stefan asked.

"Oh dear Stefan. It seems they didn't fill him in on the plan. It's such a shame your brother is so smitten with her. If you should decide to swing the other way, I'd be delighted to show you a good time," Elijah said suggestively. Damon sputtered at the meaning behind his words.

"In case you are unclear, Eli is gay and doing us a great favor by coming here for the holidays," Stefan explained.

"Oh it's no problem since I have little family left. It will be nice to have a traditional holiday," Elijah replied.

"I still don't understand what you two are talking about and I would appreciate an explanation," Damon said carefully. Stefan immediately realized they should just spit it out since Damon was dangerously close to having one of his temper tantrums. Stefan hadn't been witness to one in years since Elena usually calmed him before he erupted but Stefan knew she was busy at the moment.

"Caroline called me on Tuesday and explained about William and your quick exit from your last date. We decided enough was enough so we developed a plan," Stefan began.

"What kind of plan?"

"A plan to get Elena to fall into your arms and never want to leave," Elijah added.

"What?" Damon nearly yelled. Elena called in but Stefan shut her down quickly. Damon looked sheepish and Elijah smiled broadly.

"Don't try to deny it Damon. You've been in love with Elena since you were eight and you two are still dancing around each other. Seriously when was the last time you had an actual relationship that lasted more than one roll between the sheets?" Stefan asked. Damon glanced to the fireplace and thought of Elena's soft cries as he moved within her.

"Elena..." he whispered.

"Exactly. You two have been sleeping together for years and then dating other people. It's absolutely ridiculous. Mom wants a house full of grandchildren and neither of you are getting younger," Stefan said simply.

"Wait Mom?" Damon asked.

"The pearls are from her by the way. She thought it would be better if Eli gave them so you would be able to appeal to Elena's simple loves. She thought you would win her with a little less money and a little more love but then you know Mom, she's such a romantic," Stefan replied.

"So the plan Stefan. Lovely Lena will be back soon and we want Damon to be aware at this point, yes?" Elijah asked.

"Oh right, sorry. So basically Eli is going to seduce Elena and then you sweep her off her feet when Eli fucks it up. It will be simple. He'll stand her up or get sick so he can't take her places. Whatever comes up, you know. By Christmas time Elena will be yours and you guys can be perfectly happy," Stefan explained.

"That sounds completely stupid," Damon replied.

"Damon, get your head out of your ass and realize Elena is the one. We've been waiting for years for you to realize it but you two are too damn stubborn so we're going to help you along. Eli agreed to help out and Caroline and Bonnie are in on it," Stefan replied.

"Well I'm not going along with it," Damon said firmly. This was absolutely stupid and he wasn't about to mess with a perfectly good relationship.

"Well then Elena will be miserable when she's stood up. You wouldn't want to hurt Elena would you?" Stefan asked. Damon's eyes met his and Damon realized he was stuck. Four people could manage to make Elena's holiday miserable if they wanted and he would of course step in.

"What are you boys talking about?" Elena asked as she entered the room. She moved to stand near Damon and he watched her as she slid down to sit on the arm of his chair. Her hair was pulled back and she looked beautiful. He watched her and felt that stab of emotion inside and knew he was going to go along with this if only to see her smile.

"Eli wants to go ice skating since he hasn't been in so long," Stefan explained with a smile. Damon froze in his seat and watched them start putting their plans in motion. Elena loved ice skating and Damon hadn't gone with her in so long. It had been a special trip they shared ever since she was little. Ice skating reminded her of her parents and Damon always made sure she went around this time.

"Oh I love ice skating," Elena replied with a smile. "How about Sunday? I have plans tomorrow and Saturday but Sunday is wide open. There's this rink nearby and I would love to go"

Damon listened partially as they made plans but he was too busy thinking about this hare-brained scheme between just about everyone they knew. Why did they think he would want to have Elena fall in love with him? He was perfectly happy in their friendship, wasn't he? Of course he was. He had Elena in his life and could spend as much time as he wanted with her. They would sleep together when they felt like it with no pressure for anything else.

But if he was so happy then why did he want to take part in these crazy shenanigans? Elena's hand closed over his arm softly as she chattered on about the last time they went skating, her cheeks rosy from excitement. He smiled at her enthusiasm and realized maybe, just maybe he would give this a shot.

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Elena had been awake for hours and Damon had been there all night, holding her through the nightmares. Elena was a strong woman and she seldom needed a lot of comfort but on one day a year she had terrible nightmares. The events that led to her permanent stay with the Salvatores only seemed to become unbearable around the time they visited the cemetery.

She had gone to bed early while Stefan and Elijah were trying to beat each other at some sort of soccer video game. Damon had lingered near her bedroom door knowing it was only a matter of time before she cried out. He slid under her quilts and pulled her close, allowing her to bury her face in his t-shirt. She sobbed for long moments and he held her, whispering nonsensical things in her ear to soothe her.

"You're cold Elena, ice cold. There's no heat," he whispered. His arms were wrapped around her shoulders as he continued telling her how cold she was. He pulled the quilt from her as her cries softened. He knew she was remembering the fire and the smell of gasoline mixed with blood. She was terrified of fire and he understood the fear so he turned her bedside fan on and waited for her body to cool.

"No heat...no heat," she whispered as she began to shiver. He rolled her onto her back and covered her mouth with his. He could taste the salt of her tears but she threw herself against him, her nails scratching his shoulders. He pulled back from her and held her gaze. She was watching him quietly but she managed a small smile.

"Should I get a batch of Chocolate Walnut cookies?" He asked. He made them only on special occasions and he had spent the day whipping up a batch for tonight. She nodded slightly and he left her embrace, racing past Stefan's room and down the steps. Elijah was sitting at the island with a cup of tea. He watched Damon grab a container of cookies and the pot of tea which had been brewed thirty minutes earlier.

Damon said nothing to him as he rushed back up the stairs to Elena's room. He closed the door knowing Stefan would be aware of this in the morning. It would be more fuel to their plan but he couldn't care.

Elena looked small in the large bed. She looked like a child in the white sheets, hair shielding her face as she stared at her quilt. He placed the pot of tea and the cups on the nearby desk and pulled a cookie out of the container. She bit into it quickly and he joined her against the pillows and bit into his own.

"I don't know why it affects me like this. It's been 17 years and tonight it feels like it happened last night," she said. He wrapped an arm around her and sighed. Some nights they talked and others they just lay there together. Tonight would be spent talking and he wasn't quite sure which outcome he preferred.

"It happened an hour ago Elena. It's not ridiculous to think it would affect you now even after 17 years. Maybe you should talk about it?" He asked. Even after all this time she never talked about that night with him. His parents had her see a therapist when she was six after the nights of constant nightmares. It seemed to help but she never spoke of it.

"Yes. I think...I think it's time. I can always trust you and I should have told you about that night," she began. He pulled her into his arms and she settled against him. He liked feeling her there and he knew he could protect her from those nightmares when she was like this with him.

"What do you remember?" he asked softly. She was silent for a long time and he noticed she had closed her eyes. He brushed some hair out of her face and waited patiently for her to begin.

"It had been raining for days I think. We had been coming home from a Lockwood Party for the historical society or at least that's what I found out later. I just remember the lights. They were snowflakes and Mom promised to buy them for next Christmas. It was late and I remember staying up past my bedtime since Dad was busy talking to Carol Lockwood about setting aside some of the woods for permanent open space."

"I remember that party," he interjected. He remembered a little girl pushing Stefan in a puddle of mud when he stole her teddy bear. He also remembered watching the little girl give some of the ducks some extra bread from the party. He had followed her all night until she caught him, introducing herself with a flourish. Miss Elena Gilbert commanded respect from him and he had bowed like his mother had taught him, kissing her hand gently.

He remembered the blush on her cheeks at his attention. He was already popular with the girls in town but he hadn't met Elena before. He remembered his parents had been good friends with the Gilberts but the children were rarely invited to the parties. From the moment he saw her, Elena had captivated him.

"You gave me your cookie that night when I found out the last one had been taken," she replied. He didn't like the look of sadness on her face. Even now he would do anything to make her smile and that night had bonded them together. He remembered her arriving five days later clutching that teddy bear in her arms. After Stefan's display of rudeness, she had taken Damon's hand and asked him for a cookie.

Everyone had frozen but Damon had taken her hand and led her to the kitchen. Three cookies later and his parents explained about Elena's parents and how she would be living with them now. Elena had been quiet but her one hand held Damon's throughout the entire conversation.

"We left late and started driving home. Mom was singing along with some song and Dad was smiling while I started falling asleep. I remember the rain had stopped but my Mom told my dad to slow down. She thought the road was a little slippery and I guess she was right," Elena explained.

"What happened next?" Damon asked. He knew how her story ended but he'd never heard her side before. He felt a stray tear fall on his chest and he stroked her back thoughtfully. She murmured an apology but he waved it off.

"Mom screamed when a rabbit ran into the road. Dad swerved the car and we broke through the guardrail of Wickery Bridge. I think I hit my head so I don't remember what happened exactly. When I woke up the car was on fire and there was so much blood. I knew Dad was dead but Mom was crying softly. The seat belt cut into me and I couldn't get out of it. There was so much smoke and it was too hot," she said softly. He shhed her tears and she quieted again.

"Mom stopped crying after awhile and I knew she was gone. I think I sat there in the fire and smoke for hours and then I woke up in the hospital. Jenna was there but she was only 12 and Uncle John couldn't be reached so they brought me here. Your parents came to get me and then I remembered you. I knew things would be better with you," she said simply. She looked up at him and smiled. She cuddled closer and pressed a kiss to his neck.

"I made you feel better?" He asked.

"Yes. I just knew everything would be okay as long as you were there. You were so nice to me and you made me feel safe. I knew I could trust you," she answered. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. He rarely left her side after that day. School was torture when she was at home and he nearly dropped out of college when weeks went by without seeing her. He sighed when he realized he had reason to listen to Stefan and Elijah. Maybe he did want her in his arms every night.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"You," he replied without thinking. She giggled a little and he handed her another cookie. She sat up in bed and he slid up against the pillows as she nibbled on it. He grabbed the cups and poured some fresh tea for her and she took the cup with a smile. Once a year they used her mother's tea set and every year she acted surprised when he brought them out.

"So enough depressing things tonight. How about we watch a movie or something?" she asked.

"You're not tired?"

"I don't think I'll sleep tonight," she replied. He knew they would watch a movie and finish the cookies. Then she would slide up over him and they would have sex but tonight she would be in control. She rarely took control in bed but on this night she would perch on his hips and she would stare at him with fiery eyes as he rocked her hips to his. It had been like this since their first time five years ago on this anniversary of her parents' deaths.

Hours later when she rocked her hips for the first time, he would remember that night in his dorm room. He would remember the flush in her cheeks as she smiled at him. He would remember whispered words of comfort and he would remember the feeling of her waking up in his arms after her first time. He didn't know then it would be the start of something amazing.

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Elena glanced around the ice rink for the thirtieth time and sighed loudly. Where was Eli and why wasn't he here yet? She understood they were coming from two different locations since Stefan had taken Eli on a tour but he was late by thirty-five minutes! Didn't he know not to stand a girl up?

She had put on her skates finally but she hadn't left the bench. She was a bit tired after last night but Damon had made her breakfast before stumbling to his room to sleep. She felt bad about keeping him all night but he never complained. She traced a spot on her scarf which covered the evidence of Damon's kisses. He always loved leaving a mark on her as if claiming her. She wasn't foolish enough to believe he meant anything by it since he never expressed any desire to make their relationship any more serious. It had bothered her after their first night but after not seeing him for a few weeks the feelings had dissipated. Their relationship was just fine the way it was.

"Don't look sad." Her eyes darted up to meet Damon's ice-blue eyes. He was smiling broadly as he slid to the bench beside her. She watched him silently as he pulled out his own skates and began to lace them up. His skates were always pristine, pure black with shiny silver blades. She glanced down at hers, scuffed and not nearly so shiny.

"You know I'd buy you new ones if you'd let me," he said with a smile. She grinned but knew she'd keep turning him down. He bought these skates and she loved them since they were her first owned pair. He stood up on the mat and offered her his gloved hand.

"I thought I was meeting Eli..." she said as she took his hand. He smiled boyishly and she felt charmed. He pulled her forward until they were nearly on the ice. He glided onto the ice slowly and waited for her to follow.

"You were but apparently they were detained. You left your phone at home so I couldn't call you and I didn't like you sitting down here waiting for a long time. You love skating and it's our thing anyway. No Elijah allowed," he said firmly as he spun her around. She giggled loudly as he circled her with a predatory look in his eyes.

"Damon, what are you doing?" she asked. He let out a little growl and pulled her against him, their bodies melding together.

"I'm going to chase you and if I win you'll let me buy you something expensive for Christmas," he replied. She hated expensive gifts and for some reason he loved buying her completely unnecessary gifts that cost ridiculous amounts of money.

"And if I win?" She asked seductively. He shuddered a little from her tone and she knew she had him right where she wanted.

"I'll let Caroline throw a party at the House," he said with an eye-roll. Caroline had been begging to throw some huge New Year's party at the Salvatore home for years but Damon always refused. He hated the noise and mess of one of Caroline's epic parties.

"She'll be so happy! So how long do I have to run?"

"Five minutes. I'll even give you a head-start," he purred near her ear. He felt her skin flush and smiled. Best to get her wobbly before chasing her since she had no intention of letting her win. He had the perfect gift in mind and he was always victorious.

"Okay. When should I start?" She asked.

He smiled, pecked her on the cheek and whispered, "Right now." She took off from him and he smiled. The chase was on and he suddenly realized he was finally ready to chase her.

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Wow was this done faster than I expected! I know I'm glossing over some stories but this is my little Christmas fluff piece. Some characters won't appear. For the record, Stefan and Eli are not together. Steffy is straight..

Tune in soon for chapter 4!

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