Chapter 3

"I am not afraid to cry every once in awhile even though goin' on with you gone still upsets me. There are days every now and again I pretend I'm okay. But that's not what gets me. What hurts the most is being so close and havin' so much to say. And watching you walk away. And never knowing what could've been. And not seeing that lovin' you was what I was trying to do." – What Hurts the Most (Rascal Flatts)

Everything was quiet as Summer expertly climbed down the tree outside her second story bedroom window. After years of making a quick getaway out her window at night she had grown more adapted at it. Half the time she didn't even know why she bothered using the window in the first place. She could just as easily use the front door—her parents weren't even home—she couldn't remember the last time they were home long enough besides for a couple hours of sleep. Even when they were business was the only thing in their minds. Yet, Summer found something oddly cathartic about sneaking out of the empty house through the window. It was as if it was a way for her to work out her frustrations against her parents, an act of unnoticed defiance. Dropping from the lowest branch to land smoothly on the ground Summer was sauntering down the street with no particular destination in mind.

The velvet night sky shed a veil of darkness over the town the only light being from the jeweled silver stars and the moon glowing above. The dark didn't faze her in the least as she walked. Her mind was at ease with what could be lurking in the darkness, it had become so long ago when she'd begun to learn of everything from her grandmother. She'd known it since she'd first discovered that she herself was different, that she possessed powers of her own. It wasn't difficult to easily understand things that were-different, when you yourself were as well.

Rather than be bother by the darker side of the night Summer found it calming. Night was when she felt less restless. She felt able to breathe when surrounded by the cool night air, when she was able to look up into the infinite sky and stars. Perhaps she saw it as an escape from her stifling life with her absent parents and her difficult making friends. While she accepted what she was it made making and trusting friends a difficulty. It was hard getting close to people when they didn't know what she was, when they couldn't understand. Yet, she couldn't tell just anyone. She had to be able to trust them with everything—a quality difficult to find in her case.

So she often found herself wandering the streets at night to calm herself from everything. How was she to know that that one night would turn her whole world upside down?

There was a gentle breeze that teased the strands of her short blond hair and flowed gently through the trees creating a melody from the movement of the leaves. Most nights she would find such things calming but not tonight. That particular night Summer did not find much calm in her nightly walk. Instead she found her mind wandering, too caught up in her problems to even appreciate the clear night sky. She just continued to walk down the deserted street her feet knowing where to go without her needing to pay much attention. Suddenly she stopped just as the wind suddenly died away the sounds it had made by flowing through the leafy green branches of the nearby trees disappearing leaving the night in complete silence. In the silence Summer stood listening, sensing for anything out of the ordinary and ready for anything that might happen. There was something. Her senses had felt it for the briefest flicker of time before it had disappeared.

Moments later her senses once again zeroed in on something and she wasted no time. Summer's movements were practiced and fast as she swung around her hand coming up automatically defend herself physically or magically if needed. Yet, she came to a halt mid motion her outstretched arm frozen suspended before her as she looked up into arguably one of the most handsome faces she'd ever seen, complete with a pair of the most intense blue eyes. Not to mention the fact that whoever he was he was even smirking down at her. The smirk, his eyes, the light shadow of stubble at his strong jaw and messy black hair and leather jacket practically screamed out the impression of bad boy.

"It's not safe to be wandering around at night you know?" he smirked casually as if she hadn't been moments away from attacking him, as if he found something entertaining. The sarcasm only solidified Summer's impression of bad boy. "Are you going to put that down?" he asked his blue eyes glancing down at her extended arm and fist.

It amazed her that he'd been able to get so close without her noticing sooner. Normally she would've known much faster as her senses were normally more in tuned with her surroundings. If she hadn't felt him sooner her magic obviously didn't see him as a threat. With that thought in mind Summer relaxed letting her arm drop back to her side. For a moment the man's face showed a glimpse of surprise, his eyebrows rising as if surprised that she'd actually relaxed herself in front of him.

Summer wasn't a fool. She knew very well what he was but she trusted the magic in her to tell her that he could be trusted. If not he would already be dead.

"I know what you are," she clarified doing her best not to stare at him although it was exceedingly hard. His roguishly charming smirk not helping matters much.

"I doubt that," he replied his smirk curling his lips even more but truly doubtful of her words.

"Oh really?" she grinned finding his words a challenge. "Vampire," Summer stated simply watching his reaction to the statement.

Whether he found it surprising that she knew what he truly was or not she couldn't tell. All he did was continue to stare at her with his icy blue eyes and smirk. Why was he looking at her like that?

"Is there a reason why a vampire is following me around?" she asked becoming slightly annoyed with his constant smirk and the casual manner in which he stood before her as if they were old friend.

The pause that followed was brief but Summer noticed it. Despite his facial expression not outwardly changing she could see it in his eyes that he was carefully thinking through his answer before replying.

"A little fun," he answered his smirk never fading.

He was lying, Summer could see it in his eyes but she didn't say.

"right," she laughed turning to walk back down the street.

Rather than leave as she had first thought he would seeing that she didn't plan on doing anything about him he began to follower her. For a long time nothing was said between them he only walked closely behind her nearly at her heels. Normally she wouldn't be bothered by the situation but there was something about this particular guy that she just couldn't ignore as easily as she would have liked to.

"Is there a reason you're following me?" Summer questioned not bothering to hide the twinge of annoyance there.

"Fun," was all he answered.

The answer shot a new wave of irritation through her

"You know sarcasm doesn't make a good first impression," she growled glaring up at him.

He only smiled wider as he slowly bent down the movement catching Summer off guard as he drew closer until he could whisper in her ear.

"Who said I was trying to make a good impression?" he asked his warm breath tickling her ear sending shock waves traveling up and down her body and nearly sending her brain into overdrive.

Intent on getting a less than sarcastic answer out of him Summer went into action her movements quick and practiced. Drawing on her skill built on years of training she grabbed him and in a few smooth movements had his back on the ground coming down on top of him to use her own weight against his chest to hold him down. Leaning over him she smiled as she saw the shock briefly flash through his eyes by the sudden change of situation.

"That was unexpected," he grumbled gruffly as he caught his breath after the sudden harsh landing that had knocked the wind out of him.

"What do you want?" Summer asked her tone demanding an answer.

She was surprised he made no move to extract himself from her hold. She knew he could easily do so. Yet, he stayed silent and unmoving beneath her as he looked up into her smoky blue eyes. Once again he seemed to be thinking of his answer carefully.

"Curiosity," he finally answered.

Summer stared down at him in surprise at seeing the total truth of his answer in his intensely blue eyes. It hadn't been the sort of answer she'd expected. There was nothing she could think to say in reply. All she could do was stare down at him in silence, taking in his features.

He really was darkly handsome…

As if realizing what she was doing Summer released him, practically jumping back to her feet away from him. From where she stood Summer watched as he swiftly got back onto his feet looking completely unfazed. How did he manage to stay so calm? It was annoying—even more so when her heart was beating frantically beneath her chest happy the night hid the embarrassed flush that she was certain stained her cheeks.

"The names Damon," he spoke silkily as he dusted himself off with ease his Then from across the distance his eyes locked with hers and in the blink of an eye he was standing directly in front of her the space she'd put between them almost nonexistent. "Nice to meet you."

He was skilled to have gotten so close before she could even realize his intention to move. If she were to attack him as an enemy she wasn't so sure she'd be able to win or not. Her skills and magic such as they were would do little good against a vampire who could fight back on even ground. It was more than obvious that he was very comfortable as a vampire, in tune with his abilities and well practiced in using them.

Summer knew he was doing it on purpose in the attempt to make her uncomfortable, to get a reaction from her. The truth was, he was succeeding at it. Damon was too close for comfort. The arrogant bastard knew exactly what he was doing. However, she found his sarcastic arrogance to be strangely charming.

Yet, there was more than that to him. Summer could sense a great deal of darkness within him. It was like an aura blanketing him but there was more—she could feel light through the cracks. There was an unmistakable light within him as well. To most it was invisible, hidden by the dark but she could feel it there lurking beneath the surface, waiting to show. Damon was indeed intriguing—in many ways.

What was even more intriguing was that Summer couldn't discern his true intentions for approaching her.

"Summer," she introduced herself calmly. "Summer Hathaway."

"Shouldn't little girls be safe inside so late at night? Didn't your parents ever tell you that some pretty shady people wander around at night?" Damon spoke in a dramatic manner the sarcasm think in every word.

Damon chuckled when he noticed the fire that suddenly lit up in Summer's eyes at his remark.

"I am sixteen! I can take care of myself," she asserted vehemently stepping forward to glare directly up at him.

"Oh really?" Damon grinned beginning to circle Summer, looking her up and down carefully as if studying her.

Summer moved with him, slowly following him in a slow circle to keep him in her sight at all times. However, in a moment he was gone leaving her blinking in surprise. She didn't allow herself to marvel long but even the few brief seconds were too long. Before she could make a movement Summer felt Damon standing flush against her back his strong leather clad arms wrapped around her body to hold her immobile. One of his hands was at her throat ready to break her neck or hold her to feed with ease if it had been his intention to do so.

Damn… she was off that night. It was the only excuse Summer could think to give herself. It would be too mortifying to admit that she was distracted by Damon. Irritated that he'd gotten one up on her she moved to counter grabbing his arms from around her, however, her actions faltered when a few movements from Damon result in the completely opposite effected she'd intended. Instead Summer found herself spinning around to stand directly in front of Damon, chest to chest. The only space between them being their tangled arms between them with one of Damon's hands locked securely around both of her's at the wrist.

Despite momentarily being struck dumb by the situation Summer knew she was blushing after registering how close she and Damon were standing. Standing so close to Damon she realized for the first time how tall he actually was compared to her as she just barely meant the line of his shoulders. Summer didn't know how long they stood like that. All she was aware of was of how close they were and the loud beating of her heart pounding in her ears. When Damon only continued to hold her in place she finally risked a glance up at him.

When she looked up she found Damon's ice blue eyes watching her intently. The silence continued until Damon finally broke it.

"Why don't you care about what I am? Killing you would be so simple."

The added effect of his deep voice with being so close to him finally had Summer snapping out of her trance. Pulling away from him Damon released her yet she didn't move far. As she worked to regain some control to calm her heart Summer's eyes never left his. He was looking at her as if there was something he was looking for. She didn't know what that was but his beautiful eyes seemed to speak volumes to her. It was difficult for the eyes to lie.

"You're not going to hurt me," she answered sincerely. "I can tell. It's difficult for the eyes to lie—I don't see any reason for me to be scared of you in yours."

Silence and an impassive face was her only answer.

Flashing a genuine smile Summer decided that it would be best to head back home. Her nerves had suffered enough for one night. And so she turned and began to trek back down the street toward home leaving a starring Damon alone. As she walked away Summer couldn't help but hope that she'd be able to see him again someday, although she doubted that she would. That night she happily dreamed of Damon.

Never would she have thought that the very next day Damon would show up at her front door. At first Summer wasn't sure what to be more shocked about, the fact that it was Damon who'd she never thought she'd see again or that a vampire was walking around in broad daylight.

Damon obviously entertained by her reaction of wide eyed shock his eyes glittered with humor.

"Can I come in?" he asked pointedly.

Shaking herself from the shock Summer moved aside and without hesitation invited Damon inside. Damon stepped inside the moment that the words fell from her lips and without waiting for her immediately made his way further inside the house.

"You're parents aren't around?" Damon asked glancing around the empty house.

"My parents are much for being around," she answered evenly.

Damon didn't say anything more just continued to wander the house with Summer hustling after him. She may have invited him in but she remained weary—and curious. By the time that Summer caught up with Damon he was in the living room as he flopped down onto the couch resting his feet uncaringly on the coffee table before him.

"Make yourself at home," Summer huffed irritably.

She moved to take the recliner on the other end of the couch but her path was blocked by Damon's unmoving legs that rest on top of the coffee table. Annoyed she glared down at him in silent threat for him to move only to receive a smirk and nonchalant shrug in return but his legs remained where they were. Barely containing a shriek of annoyance Summer stepped over his raised legs instead. Taking her seat she looked back over to see Damon smiling charmingly as he leaned back casually with his arms folded behind his head.

"Very mature," Summer chastised with a roll of her eyes unable to stop her own smirk from curling the corners of her lips.

"You'll get used to it," Damon countered easily.

"You got some explaining to do," Summer informed him intent on understanding how he'd been able to walk around in the daylight—also she wasn't averse to getting to know him better.

At the time Summer hadn't guessed that that one conversation would evolve into something much more—much deeper, at least it had for her.

A year later Summer sat strumming the strings of her guitar humming a tune that had been playing her head for the last few days. It was growing late and Damon would be there soon. As the thought of Damon came to mind Summer absentmindedly touched the smooth silver knots of the locket she wore around her neck. In the months since Damon had first given her the pendent, explaining to her what was inside and its purpose she hadn't taken it off once. However, while Damon told her he'd given it to her for 'protective' purposes she didn't wear it for that. It had been a gift, for her it meant something.

A lot had happened in the last year. She'd spent so much time with Damon, that when they weren't together it felt odd. In the last year they'd grown close—become friends. In that time Summer had begun to feel so much that she never thought she'd feel, especially for someone like Damon. He was sarcastic, arrogant and a vampire. Sometimes she thought him to be rather hopeless, but secretly she thought his antics and sarcasm were rather charming, even if they annoyed the hell out of her. He was far from perfect but it was for that reason she felt closer to him. She still felt deeply for him despite everything he'd told her. There was little she didn't know about his past, including the darker sides of it. She knew of Katharine and how he'd become a vampire. She knew about his brother Stefan and how they'd had a falling out, over Katharine.

In the same way that he'd revealed to her everything she had done the same. The light she'd sensed beneath his darkness letting her believe she could—her heart told her she could trust him. After that they'd only seemed to grow closer, there had been few days they hadn't meant up. Even if it was to do nothing they would sit together, talk or he'd even listen to her play and write her music. For two people who were nothing less than complicated everything seemed—simple. There was a connection that she felt with him that she'd never felt with anyone else. And when she looked into his eyes there were times when she swore she saw that he felt it too. How was she suppose to know if he actually did? She wanted to be sure that the overwhelming emotions that had built up in her heart over the past year were not felt by her alone. She wanted him to know—everything.

Smiling to herself Summer's hand dropped away from the necklace hanging around her neck just as Damon stepped in nonchalantly through the door as if he owned the house. Summer didn't even bother to get up only moved over where she sat on the bed to give him room to sit beside her. Once he laid down across the bed with his legs hanging over the edge at the knee Summer made her move. Gently she laid her guitar on the floor beside her bed nearly dropping it in her nervousness. Taking a deep calming breath, not that it helped in the least.

"Damon," she squeaked cursing her nerves for making her sound like an idiot. Clearing her voice nervously she continued seeing that she'd gotten his attention as if blue eyes zeroed in on her from where he laid across the bed. Pulling herself closer to his side she looked down at him admiring his handsome features. "I wanted to tell you something," she began.

Before Summer could say anything Damon was sitting up straight forcing her to once again have to tilt her head back in order to look into his eyes. She didn't miss that in an instant his whole demeanor had changed. Even the look in his eye was different, clear. Was it possible that he felt the same? Looking into his eyes Summer thought it possible.

"I know that you might not think of me in the same way," she continued finding her voice once more. "But I thought you should know that you're really important to me. This last year has been more than I could ever hope for. I just-," Summer's ramblings were suddenly cut short as she saw the sudden change in Damon's eyes.

Everything she'd thought she'd seen was still there but now it was different. The intense blue color of Damon's eyes had darkened with an intense heat. Just having him look at her like that nearly had Summer melting. She may have even done so if not for Damon's arms suddenly looking around her waist pulling her flush against his chest. A surprised squeak was all she managed before his lips came crashing down on hers in a soul searing kiss. At first the kiss was intense and passionate but little by little the kiss gentled and slowed, filled with emotion. If not for the very real feeling of his lips against her's Summer would've suspected that her imagination had gotten out of control. No, it was very real.

He's a good kisser, her mind wandered in bliss.

It was as if Summer had no control over her body because before she knew it she was flinging her arms around him pulling him closer if it was possible. In the next moment clothes were being pulled from bodies and thrown forgotten to the bedroom floor. Her whirlwind thoughts and the shivers of mixed joy and pleasure running pleasantly up and down confirmed that. There was so much overpowering emotion whirling through her that there was no longer any chance to control it. Everything, all worry just faded away. As far as Summer was concerned there was only Damon and herself…

Summer awoke by slow degrees stretching her worn muscles with a groan of satisfaction. Before she even opened her eyes she knew that Damon was no longer laying beside her. Curious she glanced around the room her eyes quickly finding Damon who was sitting on the edge of the bed. He'd dressed himself when he'd awoke—sort of. He hadn't bothered with a shirt wearing only his jeans that rode low on his hips left partially unbuttoned looking very much as if they'd been pulled on as little more than an afterthought. Regardless of everything they'd done the night before, after all the intensity and emotion Summer couldn't help but blush at the appealing sight. He was beautiful in every way in her eyes no matter how dark. His light eyes had shone so brightly during the night it had been impossible to look away from him and for the first time she'd been able to feel his muscles rippling beneath his skin. Summer had been more than pleasantly surprised upon discovering that she'd been right to think he was lean and muscular beneath his clothes.

Summer sat up using the sheet that remained crumpled on the bed to cover herself but didn't move from her spot, content just to watch him. However, she soon began to grow restless, weary of his silence. She doubted he hadn't yet realized she was awake. It seemed as if Damon was deep in thought about something and it saddened her to see him look so upset when she felt so light and happy. Just when she was ready to ask him what was wrong he suddenly spoke.

"Summer, there's something I need to tell you."

Guilt. Guilt and darkness. It was what she saw in his eyes now as his light and her dark eyes locked from across the bed. The light she often seen was overcome by them. Worry washed over her in an instant. This was not what she wanted! What did he have to be guilty about? What did he need to tell her? How bad was it? Her mind became lost in the storm of darkening thoughts. While the storm raged on within her mind and heart Summer remained silent waiting for Damon to continue.

"Remember when you told me about you being a witch?" he asked his tone deep and serious. All Summer could do was nod solemnly in answer. "Even before than I knew about it. I knew about everything."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Summer questioned demandingly.

"I tracked you down on purpose," he clarified his icy tone matching the hardness in his eyes.

"Why?" she asked gravely fearful of the answer she was about to receive.

"I need you to do me a favor," he paused for a moment as if trying to think of the best way to continue. "The spell locking Katharine in the tomb…"

Damon never got the chance to finish the question he'd been about to ask. Summer didn't need to hear anymore than what he'd gotten out before her hand was flying out. A moment later the sound of her hand meeting Damon's jaw echoed throughout the silent room.

Her heart was shattered into so many pieces Summer believed them to have become dust. Nothing could have prepared her for this. She hadn't considered it—hadn't believe it possible. Hurt, sorrow and betrayal was all she knew in that moment. The joy, happiness and love she'd been enveloped in only minutes ago was gone and it was never coming back. How could she have been so wrong about Damon? How had he been able to fool her for so long? How could she not have considered the possibility. It seemed so obvious now. Perhaps she wasn't able to see as well as she had thought. There was no light, only darkness in him.

"Get out," she told him icily straining to remain controlled, she refused to burst into tears in front of him. He didn't deserve her tears.

Damon didn't move right away all he did was sit there watching her. He didn't even try to defend himself, he only sat in silence. Why was he looking at her like that? Summer couldn't concentrate on all that she seen flashing in his eyes, she didn't need to. He'd done enough that was all she needed to know. When he didn't move to leave right away as she asked Summer felt the wall she'd erected against the flood of tears and sorrow began to crack.

"Get out!" she sneered desperately feeling the tears begin to sting her eyes.

Damon stared at her his face impassive his eyes whirling with emotion before becoming cold. Without a word he got to his feet and without sparing Summer another look disappeared out the door. As she watched him leave Summer bite back the voice inside herself that wanted to call out and stop him—but the part of herself that wanted him to chose her himself was stronger. Suddenly the dam broke and there was nothing that she could do to stop the wave of tears that flowed or the heavy heartbroken sobs that filled the room.

In the five years that had passed the emotions that created turmoil in her heart hadn't faded in the least. But she had ignored them and was fine with doing so. She'd been so wrong about Damon once. Summer was certain she could find the will within herself to deal with him on a 'somewhat' friendly base but she refused to let her head and heart get away with her again. She only hoped that she would be able to do what she promised herself.

It was how it had to be—and it was Damon's fault.