Because I took a long hiatus while finishing up the other two stories, I wanted to post another chapter to say thank you for being so patient with me. I appreciate your support more than you know. And yes, this will post regularly.
I can promise that the plot to this story is very different from other DE stories that start out with the two of them hating each other.
And for those of you upset with Elena for Andie, the two of them also share a history. Andie is not without fault.
Damon:
Clearly Elena still harbors a lot of animosity towards me. Even with Andie inebriated, for whatever reason, I find myself wanting to go with her. When I stand up, she drapes my arm around her neck and practically leads me outside. I didn't even bother to look for Elena because I knew she's had a scowl on that pretty face of hers. Once Andie and I are outside, I remove my arm and lead her to my car. As soon as she's inside, I ask for her address. As soon as she tells me where to go, I put the car in gear and start to drive.
"Are things always so contentious between you and Elena?"
"Not always. She has a long memory if you know what I mean," Andie adds, looking at me a little too flirtatiously.
"I know that, Andie, but I'd like to think I've grown up since then. But I have to give her credit, Elena knows just which buttons to push," I mention, chuckling a little inappropriately.
"That she does,' Andie agrees, her eyes focused on Damon. I can see her eyeing me with my peripheral vision. A short time later, I pull into the parking lot. Blowing out a breath, I park the car and walk her to her apartment. As soon as she is safely inside, I tell her goodnight then start to walk back to my car.
"I thought you would stay?"
"No, Andie. I'm really not interested in starting a relationship with anyone. I have too much on my plate right now." And besides it would be her that I'm imagining while burying myself inside of you.
"Who said anything about a relationship? I'm only talking sex."
"I'm not interested, Andie. Good night," I tell her then walk away, startling slightly when I hear her door slam shut. When I get back to my car, I turn on the ignition and drive around for a little while before turning around to go back home. As soon as I get home, I run into the house relaxing a little when I find dad and grandpa in front of the TV.
"Damon, what's the matter? You look a little frantic."
Relaxing visibly, I drop onto the couch next to him. After taking a deep breath, I explain that I worry about him.
"I know you do. But you have a life too, Damon. I don't want you to feel that you need to be at my beckon call."
"Dad, don't start. I came back here because I wanted to. I know that you and grandpa have it covered but, dad, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you and I was a thousand miles away."
"I don't want you to think like that. There is nothing that you could've done. I'm getting the best care that I can. If I'm meant to get a new heart, I'll get one. If not, I've had a great life, son."
"Don't," I utter, shaking my head.
"How about we change the subject? How did your meeting with Brady go?"
"It was interesting. He told me about the Bradley guy that went missing along with an unsolved murder, a girl named Rose and then someone named Will Turner."
"Ah yes, I remember them well. I helped to investigate the Bradley case. That's been about two years ago, I think. All the evidence pointed towards Amber having committed suicide. She and Ben were very close. Although their parents had resigned themselves to her suicide, Ben could never quite accept it. And then one day, he was just gone."
"Do you know anything about the girl, Rose? Apparently she was pregnant and fairly new to the vicinity?"
"Nothing more than what's in her file. Did he give you some things to look over?"
"Do you want to look at them? Maybe the details will refresh your memory a bit?"
"It's possible. Did you see Elena today?" Grandpa asks, joining our conversation.
"I did, grandpa. Elena really doesn't like me very much."
"Why is that?"
"I was an ass to her when we were growing up. She had braces and glasses and short hair. She looked nothing like she does now," I add, staring off into space for a moment.
"Elena is a lovely young lady. Have you been as ass, your word, not mine, since you got home?"
"I may have said a couple of things but she started it."
"Damon?!" he adds, raising an eyebrow.
"Come on, grandpa. I tried but she's either unwilling or unable to forget the past."
"Perhaps if you turn on the Salvatore charm, she'll change her opinion. I love Lena a lot and I won't allow either of you to put a damper on that. Are we clear, young man?"
"Aye, aye, grandpa," I add, giving him a mock salute since he was a navy man in his youth. After watching TV with them for a bit, I excuse myself to go to my bedroom. Tired, I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower. While washing myself, I can't help but think of her as I take the washcloth between my legs.
The first thing I do the next morning after getting to the office is open up my messenger bag to take out the files that Brady gave me to look over and decide which case that I want to examine first. All three of them are intriguing and then there's Brady's mention of rumored vampires that were said to inhabit Mystic Falls back in the days of the war between the states. Apparently they roamed the battlefield, sucking the life's blood out of the dead and nearly dying. I can't believe how gullible people were back in the time of the Civil War. Needing another cup of coffee, I get up to walk to the coffee machine, startling when I hear a door slam and an irate Elena pushing past everyone and everything in her path. With my mouth agape, I watch as Kol follows behind. Finally catching up to her, he latches an arm around her elbow before pulling her into the conference room and shutting the door.
Shrugging my shoulders, I start to pour my coffee. Hearing Elijah's office door open again, I look up to see him standing there, beckoning for me to join him.
Putting my hand on my chest, I mouth, 'me?'.
Nodding, I take a breath and my coffee cup and walk into his office.
"What's with her?" I ask, sitting down in front of his desk.
"I told her that she would be working on your show with you. She was none too pleased as you no doubt guessed."
"Yeah, that wasn't too hard to pick up on, Elijah," I laugh, shaking at my head at the irony of it all.
"She'll come around, Damon. Above all else, Elena is a professional and she will behave as such. She's just a little put out that I'm assigning her to work with you for the time being."
"Is she going to anchor the evening news?"
"For now, yes. Once your show takes off, depending on your ratings, of course, I'll decide if I'm going to assign her to you full time."
"Yeah, that'll work well," I mumble under my breath just before bringing my coffee cup to my lips.
"What did you say?"
"Not a thing, Elijah. Do you mind if I go back to my office now?"
"No, your first show is going to air in three weeks. I want you to start interviewing and getting ready for it by next Monday. Are we clear?"
"Yep," I reply, popping the p.
And then he dismisses me so I get up and walk back to my office. Unable to help myself, I happen a glance at Elena and if looks could kill, I'd be not just six feet under, I'd be about sixty feet under. Again because I just can't help myself, I give her a smirk and waggle of my eyebrows before disappearing behind my office door.
As I read through Will Turner's file, I call Brady to ask if any forensic evidence was found at the scene of his burnt out vehicle. He tells me that there was a lone shoe and a burnt necklace. They only identified the car as his through the VIN number. As I go through page after page of Will's file, I pick up my drink to take another swallow of coffee. Finding it empty, I drop my chin to my chest in frustration for a moment before getting up to go to refill it. When I glance over at Elena again, our eyes meet for a millisecond before she averts hers. Sighing, I make a new pot of coffee.
As soon as it finishes brewing I fill my cup. And when I turn around to go back to my office, I walk smack dab into Kol spilling my coffee all over my expensive John Varvatos shirt. Staring down at my front, I only look up when I hear him snigger and Elena's chortle in the background. Spinning around I glare at her and then stalk back into my office. Furious, I take off my shirt and slip into a tee shirt, I happen to have in the bottom drawer of my desk. A guy never knows when he might have hot desktop sex. It's good to be prepared for such things.
"Come in," I growl when I hear a knock on my door.
"What do you want, Kol?" I ask, rounding on him while straightening the hem on my tee shirt.
Barely able to contain himself, he tries to apologize through his raucous laughter.
"Really, Kol? You call this an apology? You can't even quit laughing long enough to get out the words."
"Elena made me come in. You have to admit, it was funny. Come on, Damon, where's your sense of humor?"
"It went bye, bye right along with my spendy Varvatos shirt."
"Fine, if you want to be such a stodgy fellow, far be it from me to try to get a laugh out of you. Bye, Damon, tootle," he says, before walking out, leaving me alone to sulk.
"Tootle?' I say aloud, shaking my head an the inanity of it all. When my cellphone rings, I pick it up and answer.
"Damon, what's shaking?"
"Not a lot, Ric?"
"I'm inviting you over for dinner tonight with me and Jenna. Lena and James will be there too. I also invited your dad. He does have portable oxygen, right?"
"Yeah he does. It'll be good for him to get out of the house. He's always had a soft spot for Jenna. What time?"
"Is six okay with you?"
"Sounds good. I'll see you then. Bye now," I tell him then click it off and set it down. Dropping back into my chair, I scoot my chair back far enough to rest my feet on the desk top, pick up Will's file and start to read, immersing myself in every detail no matter how insignificant it may appear and his disappearance.
"Come on in, Damon. How are you, Joe?" Ric asks, reaching out to shake my dad's hand. As much as he hates it, I make him take a wheelchair because with his heart so damaged, it's taxing for him to engage in too much physical activity. He walks around our house but I still insist that we take the wheelchair with us. Despite hating it, he does use it around the house sometimes too.
"Joe, how are you?" Jenna asks, running to the door to wrap my dad in a hug. When dad worked as a detective for the MFPD, Jenna was his secretary. They've been thick as thieves since then. Jenna stops over at our house often to check in on him. For that, I'll always be grateful to her. Grandpa drove himself, said he was going to pick up Lena so they could have a little alone time before joining the rest of us. Who knew my gramps was such a ladies man?
Once we're in the house, I wheel dad into the living room, a little surprised to see Elena and Kol here. I wonder if they're a thing? Why else would they be so touchy, feely all the time? Even though I have no right, I feel a hint of jealousy, especially when she stands up and oh my her svelte legs go on forever and her dress enhances her hips and she's showing just enough cleavage without looking slutty. Lord, I would love to for her wrap those shapely legs around my waist while I pound into her.
"Damon?"
"Sorry, I must've been daydreaming. What were you saying, Ric?"
"I asked if you wanted something to drink?"
"I'm driving so I'll have a diet coke if you have one."
"Sure, have a seat." Afterwards he asks dad the same thing but dad only asks for a glass of water. He's not allowed to drink caffeine with his heart as it is. After helping my dad into a chair, I take a seat beside him on the couch. When Elena walks back into the room, she makes a point of stopping to say a few words to my dad.
"How are you, Mr. Salvatore?"
"I'm about as good as can be expected, Elena. I just have to take it one day at a time."
"I guess that's all any of us can do. I suppose you're happy to have this one back?" she asks, using her thumb to point at me.
"I am, Elena. With Katherine and Jeff in New York, I'm very grateful to have him here although Jenna has always made time to take me to my doctor appointments when Jim can't."
"Well, between you and me, I think she'd trade Ric for you at the drop of hat," she teases, giving him a wink.
"I doubt that, Elena but thanks for making an old man smile."
"You're not old, Mr. Salvatore, you're just seasoned."
"I like the sound of that. Here's to seasoned citizens," he says, clinking his water bottle with her glass. After squeezing his arm, she ignores me and then sits down beside Kol again.
"So.. Damon, did you take your shirt to the cleaner?" Kol asks, a chortle leaving his lips again.
"Yes, Kol, I did. I'll be sure to have them send the bill to you at the station."
"No problem. It was worth it to see the look on your face, man. You wanted to murder me."
"I did indeed, Kol. Can we drop it now?"
"Sure," he starts to say, our attention interrupted by the sound of a doorbell. Next thing I know grandpa and Lena are walking in hand in hand. I don't know, one just doesn't think of his grandpa having a relationship with another woman. It's just weird but I can't say anything because I can't remember the last time I saw him this happy. The next thing I know we're being led to the dining room table. Once I take a seat and drinks are passed around, Ric and Jenna stand up.
"We have an announcement to make," Ric says, squeezing Jenna's hand while looking at her lovingly.
"Well..., don't just keep us hanging here...," Elena says, raising her brows in frustration with her aunt.
"Chill, Elena," her grandma says to her which causes a giggle to escape from my own lips. After giving me the evil eye, she drops her head with renewed frustration.
"We're going to have a baby," Jenna squeals and wraps her arms around Ric's neck. He encircles his around her waist and pulls her flush against him.
"Congratulations," I blurt out. Standing up, I shake Ric's hand and give Jenna a hug of my own, followed by Lena and Elena too. Pulling away from Ric, she gives my dad a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. I smile when I overhear her telling him that if it's a boy, his middle name is going to be Joseph.
By the time we're done eating, I can see that dad is tiring, his eyelids dropping closed for longer and longer each time he blinks. Despite his insistence that he'd like to stay, I know that he needs to take his medication and go to bed. He hates being so dependent but unless and until he gets a new heart, it's going to have to be like this. Once I help him into his wheelchair, I push him outside. As soon as he's in the passenger seat, I fold up his chair and stow it in my trunk. I run back into the house tell Jenna and Ric thank you for the evening and congratulations once more. After telling everyone goodnight, I share a quick look with Elena before going back outside. Every time I look at her, I feel myself getting sucked into those soulful brown eyes of hers. I really do hope that the two of us can somehow reach a ceasefire since we'll be working so closely together for the foreseeable future.
Just as I'm about to slide behind the wheel, Grandpa approaches, telling me that he'll be home after he drops Lena off. Nodding, I get in the car and drive home. By the time we get there, dad is sound asleep. As soon as I stop the car, I jump out, pull the wheelchair out of the trunk and push it around to the passenger side.
Leaning in, I whisper, "Dad."
"Wha.. what?" he asks, lurching upright, scaring me when he puts his hand on his chest.
"Dad, are you okay? Do we need to go to the hospital?"
"No, I just need my medicine."
"Okay." So I help him into his chair, immediately pushing him into the kitchen so he can take his pills and then go to bed. Once he's settled in, I crawl in myself. Turning on Netflix, I push play for 'Unsolved Mysteries' to watch the format of the show. Dad mentioned to me that it was on the air starting in the late 80's. It had a long run from what dad told me. Since it sounds like what my show will involve, I thought it would be a good idea to watch a few episodes. Involved in shows, I don't even realize how late it is till I need to use the bathroom. Glancing at the clock, I see that's after one in the morning. And because I have to get up early to take dad to a doctor's appointment, I better get some shut eye. After doing my business, I crawl under the covers, turn out the light and close my eyes, falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Thank you so much, Eva. You're the absolute best there is. Love you to the moon and back.
And a huge thanks to all of you for the reviews and your support. It means more to me than I can say. I'm simply awed by it all.
Chapter title: 'I Hate Everything About You' by Three Days Grace.
I did post the first chapter of 'Seven Year Ache'. It's set in Pearl Harbor in the months after 'the date which will live in infamy'. I would love for you to give it a look. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. I updated 'Nothing Left to Fear' a couple of days ago and I will try to post part 2 of 'The Dating Game' tomorrow morning before I leave for work.
My friend, Mara aka AnglcDmn1986, asked me to tell you that her original stories that started out as DE stories here are on Amazon. 'Cheap Guitars' is free right now. Her author name is Mara A. Miller.
Please remember to click the review button.
And as always, please be safe and I hope you all have a wonderful day. I apologize for any errors, I have to hurry to put my uniform on and go to work. Bye, bye.