I could barely make it through the school day. Thoughts of the night before kept center stage in my mind blocking out everything else around me. There was so much on my mind but through it all there was something ultimately bothering me that I just couldn't put my finger on. Ever since I had uncovered the truth about what Damon had said to me, there had been a certain unsettled feeling sticking stubbornly to the back of my mind. It felt in someways like guilt, worry and frustration. But that wasn't all and I just couldn't see the whole picture. I couldn't believe I had come so close to kissing him the night before. But if it was guilt, or sympathy that was causing me to do those kinds of things I was going to have to let it go fast. Because doing things like that would only make matters worse for Damon, and I couldn't take the chance of hurting Stefan.

What seemed to bother me most of all, wasn't that he said he was letting go...but that it bothered me to begin with. But I had to put it aside because there more important matters at hand, like the moonstone. As the last bell rang I bolted to my car dodging Bonnie who had been giving me questioning stares all day and Caroline who had been requesting that we hang out soon. Finally safe inside my car I laid my head on the steering wheel trying to gather my thoughts and get them back on track. Finally I cranked my car and headed for the boarding house to make sure everything was still under control, too see if they had gotten the moonstone and see if Damon had ratted me out about my contribution to Katherine the night before.

Tyler & Caroline

"Caroline!." Tyler called jogging up to where she was standing out by the parking lot.

"Oh hey, Tyler." She smiled, happy to see him.

"We need to talk." He said, shortly.

"Whats wrong?" she asked, growing alarmed by the look on his face.

"A lot." He snapped. "Now I need some serious explaining." Tyler ordered, looking around the campus to make sure no one was listening in. He pulled the book bag he was carrying higher upon his shoulder.

About what Tyler?" Caroline asked innocently, although her fear was growing even more.

"About this." He said, he took out the book and jerked the journal entry out

about Damon and Stefan. "So either you had no clue or, you've been hiding something from me." Tyler said jabbing his finger at the page, watching Caroline's expression reach real trepidation.

"Okay Tyler, I can explain.." She began, trying to make it sound a lot simpler.

"I was afraid of that." Tyler said lightly.

"Tyler." Caroline pouted, hoping he would let her talk him down.

"You know I actually thought you were worth knowing for once. I thought I could trust you.

You were the only person I had to turn to and this is what its come to now, I'm back to no one. He said storming off.

"Hey, what's going on?" Stefan asked walking up behind Caroline.

BONNIE

She stood outside by her car on her tippy toes looking out across the parking lot for Elena's car.

she sheltered her face from the sun with her hand glinting past the dark block top of the lot. But Elena had gone. Then out in the distance she saw Jeremy walking for his car. His dark hair shown in the sun as he scooped it back with his hand before throwing his books into the his car. He turned suddenly spotting Bonnie looking at him. He smiled lightly and nodded once. She smiled back. Struck strongly by his unfailing good looks and charm. Then suddenly her view was obstructed when Luka stepped in front of her.

"Hey Bonnie, umm, my dad wanted to know if you'd like to come to my house

for dinner tonight. It's not a date, but its a start." He smiled.

"So your dad wants a date with me or you?" Bonnie smiled sarcastically.

"I'd love it if you would come he answered smiling back.

She looked past him noticing Jeremy was already gone.

"Okay I'll be there she smiled.

ELENA

I made it to the Boarding House and I heard raised voices before I even made it through the door. So I stepped in quietly standing right inside and I strained to hear what was being said.

"If Katherine has decided she's not giving up the moonstone then that's just what she's going to stick to." Damon said.

"You didn't even try!" Rose snapped back.

"And...repeat last statement here." Damon said sarcastically.

"Damon, what exactly was Elena up to last night? Rose asked, the sound of anger in her voice coming through strong.

"You know teenagers these days." Damon said flippantly. "Always looking for a thrill." I could hear the smile in his voice. I smiled as well.

"Fine...if your not even going to try to be serious then forget it." Rose hissed.

Before I knew it Rose rounded the corner. She paused for moment glaring at me in surprise, making me stir uncomfortably. Then she walked past me and through the front door.

I walked into the living room finding Damon lounged more then relaxed on the couch looking a little worn.

"What's going on?" I asked.

I saw a quick smile appear and disappear just as quickly on his face.

"Well Elena, I've been busy covering your tracks for the last several hours. What's going on with you?" He asked.

"Damon." I began walking closer to him. "I really appreciate your discretion." I said.

"Hey, don't be to quick to send out a thank you card yet Elena. You need to tell me what's going on." He said...his sarcasm beginning to fade out and seriousness stepping in.

I sighed. "I told Katherine no matter what, to keep the moonstone with her and I'd give her blood in exchange." I explain.

I saw his face perk in slight surprise and maybe even a little anger.

He got up slowly and walked over to me.

"Well, between your mobster agreements with Katherine and your little Indiana Jones stunt last night, my patience is growing a little thin." He said with blatant hostility and pure annoyance. Usually I felt angry when he acted this way but for some reason I just felt more embarrassed suddenly and maybe even shy. Like a scolded five year old girl. I looked up at his face, his blue eye's glaring at me in frustration. How could he still look so beautiful?

"Elena, we need to take the spell off of the moonstone...so why are you stopping us?" He asked slowly, trying to use patience.

"Because I don't want it out of that tomb, Damon." I said growing slightly angry myself, my fist balled up on either side of me. "That way nobody will have it and nobody will get hurt." I explained.

"Expect for you." He said dangerously cold. "But...you know that..don't you?" He asked. "You just want to protect everyone else and then you take the fall." He said as if he was realizing all of this for the first time.

"If that's what it comes down to." I answered shrugging.

"Oh great, another episode of self sacrifice. You and Stefan make me nauseous.." He snapped.

He was now standing with is face inches from mine. I could feel the heat of anger radiating off of him.

"So what! Because I'd rather put myself out there to protect all the one's I care about!" I asked , not even knowing why I was trying to sway him.

A new burning intensity came over his face. His eyes bore heavily into mine.

"Elena...I'm doing everything I can to protect you." Suddenly his eyes were released with anger and grew soft...kind...loving. His fingers met my face and he ran them gently across my cheek.

"Please...just let me. " He almost whispered.

My breath was lost, my heart was stammering. I went from anger to a new feeling. It was warm as it washed over me, I was angry..I was frustrated...something had to be done to stop this...there was something I needed but I ...I

That's when I realized that I had met my lips to his, kissing him deeper then I had ever kissed anyone. I felt is hands rest lightly behind my neck and I grasped at his shirt pulling him closer. He slid his hands down to the middle of my back and he met me more violently with his kiss. Weakness took over me and I could do nothing but hang in his arms, and feel him close to me. Then I felt him grasp the back of my shirt and then in a mere second he pulled me back off. I stumbled a couple of steps away from him as a devastating, choking feeling came over me as I saw his face.

He looked stung with pain. His face twisted looking at me like I had not just kissed him but instead, it was as if I had stabbed him in the heart.

"Why are you doing this to me?" He choked.

Sorry for the short chapter, super busy but I didn't want to leave you hanging. Reviews :)