This chapter may be a little graphic- I don't know- just warning.

I hope you like it, please R and R, and thanks again for the comments and follows!

It means the world

I had picked up the droopy, near-dead Elena in my arms, and dread filled me…and this time it wasn't a little or a smidge- it was even worse than when you turned your humanity back on for the first time after a year long ripper stage.

I felt gutted, as if someone had ripped me apart and was feasting on my insides, and I was forced to watch. I was already thinking in the back of my mind whether or not we would hold a funeral for Elena.

What would I say? Would I even give her one?

Of course! I told myself irritably. You were so fucking sure it was your abomination that did this to her.

Well hardy-haha- now it's your problem. If you did knock her up- her death is on. Your. Hands. Bastard.

Well, fuck. Mystic Falls was never even a place I intended to stay, and it was all fun and games until I met her- the doppelganger who went from my whining human, to my whining-human-friend-, to my best friend and then my only friend.

And what? Now she was my beloved. My beloved dead best friend? No. I would have that. No.

I didn't even feel myself ripping through the earth like it was tissue paper- I was at Mystic Fall Emergency within about ten seconds and it felt like ten long years.

I didn't speak. I was arrogant Damon. The person I was supposed to be. Emotionless. Blank. Impassive.

But, even as I set my jaw and narrowed hard eyes on Fell, the minute I saw her, my whole resolve tumbled.

"I need you to help me." I said very firmly, very carefully.

I didn't have to explain anything, it was as if I was compelling her, but I knew the doctor wore a vervain locket nestled secretly underneath her crisp work blouse with a stethoscope hanging around her neck.

She didn't hesitate; she called on a team of doctors- I had supposed they had known Elena since she just a little thumb-sucking baby- and they helped her onto the bed.

"I'll do what I can." The last word caught in her throat. The brunette was sure she could only do what she could.

In other words, I shouldn't hold my breath for a miracle.

Fuck it. I was going to pray to the Gods for Mercy. I would fall onto my knees and beg that he not take away the one thing besides my brother that I cared about.

Or, so help me, it was over for me.

Apart from Stefan…I really had no one.

Elena had reminded me life was pure…and good…but unfortunately, people like her- who were just that found out life was cruel, vindictive and unfair with a capital 'U'.

Maybe she thought bringing this baby into the world was her hope, her one symbol of everlasting love?

God. Why am I sitting here babbling mindlessly in my own head? This wasn't Oprah for God's sake.

I buried my head in my hands and then rubbed my temples, it didn't help, but at least I could pretend it was possible to act human, and try to clear my head- I only had one shred of sanity left, and it was fading fast.

Stefan was behind- as usual- I know it had only been what? Three Minutes- but, hell, three minutes I had sat here waiting for him and the blood-sucker.

I had to come up with a name for the wrinkled demon-child responsible for Elena almost demise.

She couldn't be a blood-sucker, she was partly human.

She was an ugly thing, pink and red and a little scrunched up face with wide eyes. But, somehow a place in my heart- if it still existed- metaphorically speaking- was opening up for her.

She was the light. She was part of Elena. My beloved.

I would have to protect her- God help me- another person I needed to protect…

I hadn't wanted this, but now seeing that strangely shaped head and squishy looking body made me realise I had to fight for her.

Stefan's mouth was in a thin line- his half smile- the one that said 'I'm-worried-but-I'm-not-going-to-show-it' face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I demanded my brother.

He looked cold suddenly, detached from me, like he was more superior.

That… made me laugh. Of course, I would have to internally laugh later because I didn't show emotion- particularly happiness- and now especially was not a time to be happy.

Stefan held the baby- mine- close to his chest and crouched down. He looked into my eyes with such sincerity, and his tone was low- threatening- almost warning me.

"Let me make one thing clear," He said softly, his voice bordering on alpha-male meets defensive boyfriend- in this case ex. "I love this child as my own. And if you're not going to be there for Elena," He stressed the 'a' of her name before taking in a breath. He had surety.

"Then I will."

It was a threat hidden by just a different choice of words. My brother wasn't as colourful as I.

"In other words," I drawled my tone matching his. "Protect my spawn like the white-oak-stake, or I'll stab you with it." I clarified.

"You can bet your life on that," Stefan warned in a growl, but still almost a whisper. "That is a promise, Damon."

"Yeah, yeah, Stefan." I said dismissively. "Protect the children, provide shelter- all that jazz." I meant to say crap, but Stefan was hinting something…

Those crystal green eyes I knew- or I thought I knew so well glistening with a knowing of something I didn't…

His dark, bushy, but still-weirdly- shaped eyebrows drew together in a questioning frown.

"What makes you think it's yours, Damon?" He said softly.

He wasn't being menacing, but he was testing me. I was sure.

I glared at him and stood my ground.

"Well…" I began in a mock-confident-tone. "When a man and a woman-"

"The truth, Damon." Stefan interrupted his voice icy.

I sighed.

Truthfully, Elena hadn't said a word about the paternity. I was sure she was mine- my little blood sucker made look like a shrivelled up piece of butcher meat right now- but once she was cleaned up, her eyes would open and they'd surely look like mine- right?

My brother was waiting, and I pondered; had Elena subliminally said during her contractions 'you're the father'? Maybe she said with her eyes, but I remember the look of desperation when she called my name.

I delivered her child. Not Stefan.

It was no longer always Stefan.

Stefan had killed our former lover- I couldn't believe it- I mean there was no use crying over 'stabbed sluts' but as manipulative and vindictive as Katherine was, was death right for her?

I thought of all the horrible things I experience being a vampire- lust- greed- hunger for blood.

I remembered Elena opening up wide and the blood being there for the taking- save and deliver a human or drink from the most intimate- no matter how disturbing- place.

I was a vampire. Vampires didn't have rules of when they drunk or where.

I could have violated Elena in the most horrible way possible, but I didn't. I had control.

It couldn't be Stefan now, the only logical thing that made sense was the name she screamed in agony.

Damon.

TBC

Thoughts please?

What is your take on protective Damon and Stefan challenging his motives and feelings towards the unknown paternity?