Authors Note: Since this is mainly the story seen from Damon's eyes I did a quick recap of the pilot but this one will mainly deal with 1x02 considering this is when he speaks to Elena for the first/second time.

Chapter 2: Close Encounters (1x02)

August 2009

Elena ever since that night in May he had barely spared her a thought because he knew it would be dangerous territory because sparing a thought meant caring and caring led to feeling and there was only one woman who deserved that.

Katherine, it had now been four months which meant the arrival of the comet was coming. All Damon had to do was pick up a few more things on the way including a Bennett Witch but that would be easy because he already had one in mind. Four months Damon had kept himself out of the radar but last night the game had changed because Damon felt it had been high time to reveal himself to a certain family member. Thinking back to it now he can't help but chuckle because his entrance had been quite the dramatic one.

"Damon"

Showtime the inner voice announces as Damon now appears on the balcony outside of Stefan's room. Amusement in his expression at the look of disbelief mirroring in his younger brothers eyes "hello brother" he coolly greets.

"The crows a bit much don't you think?"

Oh don't be jealous that you don't possess the same parlor tricks like I do the crow now perched on the baloney as it caws as if answering Stefan. "Wait till you see what I can do with the fog."

"When did you get here?" ah of course Stefan would jump right to the twenty questions. Never one to beat around the bush.

Moving away from his spot as he walks around the room, no destination in mind just knowing it would further irritate Stefan with how comfortable he seemed to be. "Well I couldn't miss your first day of school" arm now casually braced against the bookcase "your hairs different I like it."

"It's been fifteen years Damon."

Oh he knew how long it had been and he remembered the last conversation the two had shared which had caused even more of a rift between the two of them. Back in 1994 Damon had decided to turn over a new leaf after being trapped in his personal hell he had decided to let bygones be bygones and fix the broken relationship between him and his brother which had caused him to return back to Mystic Falls. Unlike Stefan though Damon was a real vampire, a predator who enjoyed to feed but did it right. Stefan however was what he deemed a 'faux vampire' because his feeding habits consisted of Bambi and the rest of his forest friends.

It had taken convincing on Damon's part but finally Stefan had agreed to give him a second chance and that meant Damon behaving. Sadly though predator came first before human which caused him to feed on the house guests in turn causing Stefan to snap his neck and take of his daylight ring which trapped him from getting out.

Yes there were monstrous sides of Damon but he still had carried that human side and that side of him had wanted to genuinely spend time with his brother. Get the hell out of dodge, road trip together and learn to be brothers again but Stefan wouldn't have it.

You don't have to try Damon. All you have to do is exist because no matter what I do or where I go you will be with me forever trying to destroy every single thing that I build. I wanted it to be different. You just keep failing.

Rejection had never sat well with Damon especially from those he loved which is why it hadn't been all surprising when later that day Stefan had found countless bodies surrounding Damon including him feeding on Zach's pregnant wife Gail. Recalling how he had been at his most ruthless, blood dripping down his chin, sadistic look reflecting in his eyes and then just for the hell of it to really rub it in he had snapped Gail's neck.

An eternity of misery brother, just like the promise.

Back in 1864 after he had refused to transition Stefan had refused to accept it practically force feeding him blood and letting eternity enter his life. Knowing that he'd have to live forever and not giving Stefan what he wanted he had promised him an eternity of misery but over the years Damon had been willing to put the past and promise behind them until 1994.

Now here he stood fifteen years later ready to deliver just that and from the dead bodies he had been leaving the plan was already in motion. "Thank god I couldn't take another day of the nineties. That horrible grudge look" flinching in disgust "did not suit you…..remember Stefan" his tone almost taunting "it's important to stay away from the fads."

"Why are you here?"

Not missing the demanding tone in Stefan's voice only adding to Damon's enjoyment as he continues to prowl around the bedroom "I miss my little brother." Lie, such a lie maybe once upon a time the statement would have been true but Stefan had changed that.

"You hate small towns, it's boring, there's nothing for you to do" he counters.

True, usually true but things changed now Mystic Falls can be my playground. I can already see you've built a life here and since you are so convinced that I only destroy everything it's only fair I keep to that role. "I've managed to keep myself busy" he cryptically states with a sideways smirk.

"You know you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you."

Well at least I didn't rip off her head he wants to toss back but instead he bites his tongue. Oh Stefan, poor oblivious Stefan that bunny blood must kill brain cells. "Ah" now casually leaning against the dresser, flicking his cobalt hues back to Stefan "that can be a problem for you" he supplies with his trademark smirk. Damon knew how to feed, he knew how to stay out of the radar but Stefan was new to town, already an air of mystery to him and if any suspicions would arise it would be against him.

"Why are you here now?"

Eyeing Stefan for a brief moment "I could ask you the same question" pushing himself from his spot. Keeping his eyes intently trained on his brother as he slowly approaches him "however I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up all in one little word" pausing for a second as her name slips past his lips.

"Elena"

"Elena"

The sound of a heartbeat had caught his attention knowing that it wasn't Zach considering he had been doing his best to avoid his uncle. The title itself was odd to hear seeing as though Damon was up many years in age against Zach and yet he obviously had the better and more youthful looks. The sound of a car door shutting had been enough to cause Damon to rise from his spot off the couch and peek through the window just in time to catch sight of Elena leisurely heading up towards the front door.

Trying to ignore the thrill that shoots through him knowing she'd be within his reach again. This is just what I had been trying to avoid thinking back to when he had seen her again at the cemetery. Thankfully though thanks to his fog it had cloaked him from being seen she wouldn't have recognized you anyway he reminds himself.

Thinking back to the cemetery making him recall how she had been there not just there to visit but more so to find a sense of belonging that's my parents those words seeming to haunt him each time he remembered she had lost them.

Widows and those who grieved were always an easy snack because most of the times they had wandered through the cemetery alone. Once again though Elena hadn't been on his meal card because just like before he had been curious about her causing him to lurk as he watched her instantly noticing how different she now was.

Why had he cared so much he wasn't entirely sure but something had caused him to step forward, watching and somewhat smirking at the interaction she was having with his trusty crow Merlo.

Okay, hi bird

Since Damon had regularly fed on human blood he had picked up a couple of parlor tricks over the years and one of those being able to control his pet crow which resulted in Damon making him answer her back with a simple caw.

That's not creepy or anything

Not to be rude Damon but it's kind of creepy that you're out here in the middle of nowhere

Flashing back to their brief encounter on the road that had left a lasting impression on him, deciding to up the scales he introduces his next parlor trick. Watching as a fog solely surrounds her, spotting how confused she suddenly looks before suddenly turning her attention back to the crow shoo-ing it away. A sideways smirk playing at his lips at her thinking she had scared the crow away only to turn back with him now perched on an angel wing cawing at her this is what creepy is.

Just as predicted he watches as she hastily gathers her things and hurriedly makes her exit. Usually this was the part were Damon would reveal himself to his victim but instead he remained hidden by the fog. Seeing her almost out of the cemetery he glances from behind the angel he had ironically been standing beside to catch one last glimpse of her.

The sound of the bell ringing causing Damon to snap from his thoughts and vanish from sight deciding to have a little fun because vampires played with their food Elena shouldn't be an exception he kept telling himself. This time the door knocker is heard flashing forward so that he can stand behind it, skillfully prying it open which is why on the third knock the door creaks open all on its own. Hidden now from her view but making her out perfectly he notices her hesitation before finally taking a step inside and leaving the front door open just a bit.

"Stefan?"

Why did he feel annoyance and dare he say a hint of no….no…no forcing that thought down as he watches her slip further into the house, now crossing the threshold.

"Stefan?"

Well she was persistent he'd give her that. Now seeing her marveling at the Boarding House in awe, catching her spotting Stefan's backpack making her assume he must be here somewhere. Using the perks of being a vampire Damon flashes past her opening the front door wide open now. Doing just as he predicted he watches as she whips her head around confused to find it fully open, making her way to the door and as she does this Damon manipulates his crow to shoot right past her, cawing as it flies right inside.

Deciding that now was the time to make him known to her and no longer able to fight off the fact that he wants to speak to her he flashes behind her.

The crow scaring the hell out of her, doing his part causing her to jump back, turn around to look where the crow had disappeared off to only to bump right into Damon who of course had invaded any kind of space between them. A slight smile now displayed on his lips as he cocks his head curiously to the side looking at her.

Just as beautiful as I remembered

"I'm sorry for barging in the door was" watching as she turns around, confusion etched on her expression thanks to him. Turning her attention back to him, sentence trailed off "open" she finishes.

I'm Elena

"You must be Elena. I'm Damon. Stefan's brother."

"He didn't tell me he had a brother."

Just like he didn't tell you that you bear a striking resemblance to our ex biting that comment back even though he still finds himself annoyed trying to figure out what Stefan's plan is in this. "Well Stefan's not one to brag" there's also the fact that he probably wouldn't want to bring up the fact that I destroy everything I touch. "Please come" gesturing Elena into the parlor room "I'm sure Stefan will be along any second" he explains as he leads Elena into the room.

"Wow" watching as she looks at the room in wonder "this is your living room?"

Following her gaze as he scans the room, nodding his head "living room, parlor, Sotheby's auction" flicking his attention towards Elena and smirking slightly. "It's a little kitschy for my taste" he finally concludes.

"I see why my brother's so smitten" feeling disgust by the statement because he knew the reason for being so drawn to her was because she had Katherine's face. "It's about time. I never thought he would get over the last one" time to plant the seed "nearly destroyed him."

Bingo catching the confusion on Elena's gorgeous yet curious features "the last one?"

"Yeah Katherine his girlfriend" arching his brow, now turning fully so that he can look at her as she shakes her head suddenly looking very uncomfortable. Of course Stefan wouldn't bring Katherine up he knew that but now that Elena knew well "oh you two haven't had the awkward ex's conversation yet" withholding the smirk that wanted to form.

"Nope" she answers quickly displaying how uncomfortable she suddenly was.

"Opps" his tone anything but apologetic "well I'm sure it will come up now" you're welcome baby bro. "Or maybe" lips pursed together "he didn't want to tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound." Wanting to get those wheels in her now paranoid head turning "we all know how those relationships end."

"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end."

Got into a fight with my boyfriend

Life, future he's got it all mapped out

Well her relationship with who he now guessed was her ex had been doomed and now from the looks of it Stefan was next in line. I wanted her to find passion, adventure and even a little danger and instead she finds my brother….I tell her I want her to get everything she's looking for and she comes here looking for Stefan.

Though he warns himself not to he does it anyway wondering what would have happened if he hadn't compelled that night away from her. If she was seeing him for the second time would her reaction be good or bad?

Playing the what if game is never good he reminds himself as he tilts his head to the side "I'm a fatalist" brow raised as he says the word fatalist and sending her a sly smirk. Attuned hearing picking up on the sound of another person entering the house but instead of turning his attention to look he keeps his gaze locked on Elena "hello Stefan" he drawls out.

Elena turning somewhat startled by Stefan's appearance as he stands where she was, her gaze on Stefan while Damon's attention remains on her continuing to watch her.

"Elena I didn't know you were coming over"

Ugh even his voice alone is full of brooding now turning his attention over to his brother feeling the irritation running through him.

"I know I should have called" she begins to explain but is cut off by Damon.

Yes called because my dear brother doesn't want you meeting his big bad vampire brother and probably because he's full of secrets what a great way to start off a relationship based on lies. "Oh don't be silly you're welcome anytime" moving so that he can stand beside Elena, smugness clear in his expression "isn't she Stefan?" The question going unanswered as Stefan remains mute yes this is a clear catch a brooding mime wanting to lighten the mood he casts his attention back over to Elena "you know I should break out the family photo albums or some home movies" he suggests. Pleased to have Elena's attention back on him "but I have to warn you" flicking his gaze back to Stefan for a moment before continuing "he wasn't always such a looker." The statement alone draws a small smile from Elena trying to ignore the temptation to say something else to make her smile again because something tells him she hasn't been doing much of that.

"Thank you for stopping by Elena nice to see you"

Stefan subtle hint for her to leave being enough for her to sense the tension in the room between the two brothers "yeah I" trailing off "I should probably go."

To Damon's surprise he's met with her meeting his gaze once more "it was nice to meet you Damon" two meetings I must say I favor the first. Turning his attention fully to her, blue meeting brown as he studies her and even though her eyes hold warmth he can see the sadness and loss hidden beneath it. This time however he decides to change their departure instead of simply letting her walk off "great meeting you too Elena" reaching for her hand and maybe he was doing it to piss off Stefan or he wanted the excuse to touch her. Either way he lifts her hand to his lips, pressing a chaste kiss against her hand all the while keeping his gaze locked on her.

Goodnight Elena

For the second time Damon found himself watching as she once again disappeared from his life. This time would be different because he knew he'd be seeing her again making him feel something that had been unfamiliar to him in over a century, hope…