The One That Didn't Get Away, Chapter Six
Disclaimer: I do not own anything you may recognize. Any relation to my version of the characters and real life persons is purely coincidental. There is no copyright infringement intended.
Elena followed Damon into the kitchen, finding he had already made himself at home. He had sat himself on a stool and was currently pulling out his wine. He grinned at her as she entered the room. "Thought you had gotten lost."
Letting out a fake laugh she leaned against the counter next to Jenna. "Like you earlier?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Touché" He smirked, his eyes lingering on her a second longer before turning away. "Voilà." He displayed the wine as if he was an expert. "The best wine you have ever tasted."
Jenna pushed herself off the counter and scowled. "So you mean I didn't have to rush out and buy wine after all?"
Damon shrugged handing the wine to Alaric who had wondered over to see what he had brought. "I do have good taste." He grinned loftily and Elena refrained the urge to throw something at him. He was always so damn proud of himself, he just needed knocking down a peg. "Trust me."
"I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you." Alaric took the bottle from Damon, eyeing the label. "Though I admit, you always did have a good eye for wine."
Damon grinned. "I know."
Elena rolled her eyes, throwing a irritated glance towards Ric for inflating Damon's ego more. She opened her mouth to refuse Damon's wine and try to persuade Alaric to open Jenna's but before she could get a word out the back door opened and Jeremy fell through, Anna once again nowhere to be seen. "Foods here." He was panting, flustered and Elena decided she didn't want to know what he had been doing when he had disappeared from the car with Anna.
She scrunched up her nose at the thought, noticing from the corner of her eye that Damon looked amused. "Where is it then?" He raised an eyebrow.
Jeremy barely even glanced at him. "Anna's paying for it. Poor guy was standing on the door step looking confused. I have no idea how long he was there."
"Not long. I was there only five minutes ago." Elena reassured her brother.
Jeremy nodded, seeming to calm down a little. He threw another glance towards Damon. "When'd you get here?" Elena wondered if he had only just realized he was here, and if so, how did he not notice the all clad in black practically a stranger sitting at the island in the middle of their kitchen.
"Five minutes ago." Damon smirked, shooting a pointed glance at Elena.
She ignored it and focused on Anna as she entered behind Jeremy, she was carrying a paper bag which held their Chinese takeout. Her stomach rumbled loudly and she blushed. The room looked at her and she veiled herself with her long hair, turning to face the cupboard and reaching to pull down six plates. When she turned around everyone was still staring at her, she scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. "So, are we eating?"
Alaric was the first to snap out of it, nodding and taking the plates from her. "Yeah. Anna put the bag on the table." He moved to place the plates around the table and Jenna opened a draw to find the knives and forks. Alaric shoved Damon's elbows off the table from where he had been leaning and placed a plate in front of him. Once he had moved away Damon dived for the bag on the table, fishing through for something he wanted. "There's two of everything. We didn't know what you liked." Alaric shrugged.
Pulling out a container of what looked like rice Damon grinned up at Alaric. "I'm not fussy."
"No your not." Elena muttered spitefully.
"You say something Firecracker?" Damon raised an eyebrow suggestively.
She shook her head and glowered. "Nope."
Everyone stood watching Damon feed himself and immediately realizing they were still standing, jumped to the table. Elena included. She groaned as she was the last one to get a place and the only empty place was next to Damon. She swore her family did it on purpose and she shook her head, dejectedly sliding onto the seat beside Damon, shooting a wary glance in his direction. He seemed to busy in his food to pay her attention. Jenna handed her the container with her meal and she smiled in thanks.
After five minutes of silence of only the quiet chewing of food and the clock ticking on the wall, Elena looked up from her plate. She briefly met Jenna's eyes across the table before her aunt turned her head back to her food. Jeremy smiled awkwardly at her before stuffing another mouthful into his mouth. Anna was completely ignoring everything, her attention solely on her food. The tips of her ears slightly tinged red. Damon swallowed his food and looked at her. He raised a brow, gesturing his head in a barely noticeable movement at the rest of the table before pulling a face and shrugging: should we say something?
Elena blinked, realizing she was on the same wave length as Damon. What the hell? She panicked and quickly thought about ways to excuse herself from the table. Could she go to the loo? Or pretend she felt sick? She doubted Jenna or Ric would believe her. Her silent mention of Alaric seemed to catch his attention as he looked up at the table and cleared his throat. "This weather is ridiculous." Elena cracked a smile at Alaric's attempt to break the awkward tension.
"What's the weather like in LA Damon?" Jenna piped up, obviously she thought by including Damon in the conversation the tension would break.
Elena shuffled awkwardly in her seat so she could see Damon's reaction; it was worth the uncomfortable position so she could watch Damon squirm. Unfortunately he seemed unfazed, she wondered if anything affected him. "Same old."
The conversation lapsed back into silence, Alaric's attempt at a conversation had failed and everyone had gone back to staring at their food. Elena squirmed on her seat, feeling more uncomfortable now than she did before. "Um, I just remembered I promised I'd call Caroline." Elena quickly excused herself from the table. She moved to stand up when a hand wrapped around her wrist under the table and out of the eyesight of everyone else. She jumped at the sudden contact. Damon had an eyebrow raised and an expression she could only describe as half disbelieving half amused. She mentally hit herself, way to look suspicious, he knew she had fallen out with Caroline. She narrowed her eyes at him and with the smallest movement possible she wrenched her arm away. Quickly standing up and leaving the room, she shook and rubbed her arm to get rid of the goosebumps that had risen. Again, what the hell was wrong with her?
Her stomach sank as she thought of her closest friends. Caroline was right, she should have told them. She patted her pocket and groaned when she came up empty. She had left it upstairs. Heading for the stairs she heard a brief bout of laughter from the kitchen and wondered what had made them laugh. She wondered if they all had felt awkward because she was in the room, after-all it was her who had the problem with Damon.
She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, glancing at the kitchen before shaking her head and walking up the stairs. Her bedroom was above the kitchen so Elena could hear the low murmuring coming from below her. Picking her phone up from the bed she scrolled through her contacts, her finger hanging over the dial button. She had to apologize. She pressed dial and held the phone up to her ear, the phone rung three, four, five times before going to voice-mail, Caroline's chirpy upbeat voice a stark contrast to how her friend was really feeling: 'Hi! This is Caroline! Leave me a message and I promise I will get back to you. Thanks, byeee!'
Elena swallowed when the beep sounded, should she leave a message? She found herself talking before she had really made a decision. "Hey Caroline. It's me, Elena." She let out a little hopeless laugh. "But you already know that. I should have told you about Damon, I didn't know what to do. Damon Salvatore, your obsession and the person I hate and I suddenly find out he's coming to Mystic Falls. I was panicked, stressed, I still am. I feel like everything has been turned upside down and I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." Elena took a deep breath. "Please ring me back, still love you Care." She hung up and dropped the phone on the bed, running a hand through her hair.
She sank down on the edge of her bed and stared at her phone. She would bet herself money that Bonnie was with Caroline tonight, so if she rang her she would get the same result. Listening to the quiet laughter downstairs grow louder as her family moved into the living room she found herself wanting to rejoin them. She felt like an outsider, her family felt more uncomfortable in her presence than Damons. What had she come too? Hiding away in her room?
Downstairs Jenna was still feeling on edge. After Elena had run off Damon had lightened the room with some stupid joke about her running away and it seemed to break the ice. She glanced at Damon who was currently talking on his phone to some friend in LA and was facing away from them all. She glared at his back, if he was a part of their family she would tell him not to be so rude. Jenna felt an hand on her arm and a worried Alaric looking at her, she smiled guiltily and shook her head. She wouldn't get involved. She knew Damon was only really here on business.
Jeremy and Anna were in their own worlds, Anna engrossed by something on her cell and Jeremy flicking through the TV channels. Anna was seated on the sofa, her legs stretched out and Jeremy was sitting on the floor leaning against the couch. Jenna frowned at them, why weren't they together?
There was a light cough from behind them. Jenna and Alaric being the nearest to the stairs were the only ones that heard. Elena stood near the bottom step, her hair was pulled into a messy pony tail and she was biting her lip. Jenna smiled at her and waved to the space in front of the fire. Elena glanced at Damon who was still talking on the phone and warily stepped onto the ground floor, moving towards the chair nearest the fire.
"Hey 'Lena." Jeremy looked up and smiled at his sister as she moved in front of him.
Elena smiled back, shaking her head, she had decided upstairs that she wasn't going to let Damon ruin her time with her family. She should be with them, not hiding away. She smiled hesitantly back at her brother. "Hi." She perched herself down on the edge of the seat. "You okay?"
Jeremy nodded. "Yeah. How's Caroline?"
Elena frowned. "Wha-" her eyes widened, oh right, she left to call Caroline. She mentally slapped herself. "Oh she's fine."
Her brother nodded again and smiled awkwardly. "Good."
She knew her brother was using small talk to try and dispel the tension and appreciated it, however it didn't make her feel any less awkward. How had this caused so many problems for her family? She grimaced, watching as Jeremy was flicking through the channels, even her brother felt awkward when he was in the same room as her and Damon. She hated the thought, but she would have to act more civilized towards Damon when around her family. Maybe then their holiday wouldn't be a total failure as it seemed to be heading that way.
"Elenaaa." Damon grinned as he tucked his phone into his pocket. "Welcome back to the party."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah." She glanced around the room, Jeremy was still fixed on the TV, Anna still on her phone, and Alaric was whispering something to Jenna before they both glanced over at Elena. "Some party." She raised her eyebrows.
He shrugged, wagging his eyebrows roguishly as he rounded the couch. "We could always make it a party." He winked.
"Yuck." Elena pulled a dramatic scrunched up face. "You're disgusting Salvatore."
"Salvatore?" Damon's infamous smirk was back. He sat himself down in front of the fire cross-legged, holding his hands out to the flames. "What have I done to deserve a nickname?"
"Nothing." She repressed a smug grin. "It's just better than Damon."
Damon rose an eyebrow and raised his voice in mock offence."You don't like my name now?"
"Salvatore suits you better." She shrugged.
"Ooh, was that a compliment Firecracker?" Damon smirked in amusement.
"Nope." She popped the P and matched his smirk. "Just a statement of fact." She grinned. "Salvatore."
Damon opened his mouth, probably to retort with some snarky remark but Alaric spoke before he could say anything. "You find the camping store alright Damon?"
Damon sent a secret smirk Elena's way, she didn't bother justifying it with an answer and simply rolled her eyes. "I did. Brought myself a brand spanking new two person tent." At Alaric's raised eyebrow he grinned and shrugged innocently. "I have a lot of luggage."
"I'm sure." Alaric muttered to himself.
"You could share with Caroline." Elena offered, maybe it would help Caroline forgive her, it was worth a try.
Damon raised an eyebrow, slowly turning to face Elena. "You trying to sell me off to Fan Barbie?" There was a glint in his eyes that told Elena that he knew what she was trying to do.
"Fan Barbie?" Elena shook her head. Damon certainly had a way with words. "We're supposed to be sharing but after today I doubt Caroline wants too." She shrugged.
"I have a better solution." Damon smirked suggestively. "You come bunk with me." He waggled his eyebrows. "I think Caroline needs some cool down time. She'd be better off on her own."
Elena looked down, avoiding Damon's eyes and repressing a sudden blush. "Cool down time? I'm the one who needs cool down time, spending all this time with you takes its toll."
"Elena. Am I making you hot under the collar?" Damon teased, his lips curving into an ambiguous smile.
"No!" Elena blurted. She cringed, even she knew she had said that too fast. "Your just so-" She scrambled around her head to find her usual sarcastic retort.
"You've fallen out with Caroline?"
Elena blinked as Jenna's voice cut through her scattering thoughts. "Huh? Um-"
Jenna shook her head. She had no idea having Damon around would affect her niece this much. If she didn't know how much this vacation meant to Elena she would have seriously considered calling off the whole thing. "Are you and Caroline okay?"
Elena sighed, should she tell Jenna about Caroline? She inwardly cringed, she didn't know. "Caroline's fine, don't worry." From the corner of her eye she saw Damon raise an eyebrow before turning away so no one saw his movement. She momentarily wondered why he wasn't outing her before pushing the thought away. "We just had a little misunderstanding." She smiled what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
Jenna nodded, she clearly didn't believe it but didn't call her out on it. "I'm here if you need to talk."
Elena smiled at her aunt. "I know." Her aunt was always there for her, and she would never be able to thank her enough. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?" If they left early evening like they usually did then she would have time to talk to Caroline and Bonnie. She hoped they were still coming because she needed her friends, they were a good distraction for Damon. That and she loved them, obviously.
"Late evening. Same time as always." Alaric smiled and turned to look at Damon. "You should call Klaus and the others before we leave, there's rarely signal out in the forest."
Damon nodded, his attention once again solely on the flames. Elena wondered what he was thinking, she hoped he was contemplating backing out. He didn't want to come anyway, and he was just a burden on their vacation. Well, that was what she was telling herself.
"Klaus? Klaus Mikaelson?" Jeremy had dropped his fake interest in the TV and was now staring at Damon, his eyes wider than Elena had ever seen them. "As in the Shadow Hunters?"
Elena frowned at her brother, turning to look at Damon. "Shadow Hunters?"
Jeremy rolled his eyes and Elena knew he was inwardly sighing in annoyance at Elena's ignorance. "The rock band, they were around years ago. Damon used to be lead singer, Klaus Mikaelson was their lead guitar." He grinned at Damon. "They were awesome!"
"We were the biggest rock band around when I was in college." Elena was shocked by the openness of Damon's expression and his unguarded crooked smile. "It was the best time of my life." She had no doubts that he was telling the truth. Alaric was right, he really did love singing.
"That's what you're here for, isn't it?" Jeremy pinned his eyes on Alaric. "Alaric was your band manager back in college?" Elena watched as her brother fit the pieces together. "You want to restart your band?" His eyebrows had climbed halfway up his forehead.
Damon glanced at Ric. Elena watched as they locked eyes and Alaric sent one quick direct nod. "Suppose cats out the bag. We're planning a live tour with new songs." He shrugged. "We're hoping for an album release."
"And you want Alaric to manage you again?"
Damon nodded at Jeremy. "But you have to keep it quiet." He locked eyes with her before moving on to Anna who was now watching him. She looked away and back at her phone. "No one can know why I'm really here."
"Conspiracy theory." Jeremy smirked.
Damon tilted his head before shooting Jeremy his own answering smirk. "Touché."
The rest of the night was pretty much uneventful. Damon left about half an hour later, he said it was because he needed to pack but Elena wasn't convinced. She wasn't going to think about what he was doing for the rest of the night, it sent shudders through her spine. She couldn't think of anything worse. Alaric and Jenna retired to bed about an hour after he left and in the end it was just Jeremy, Anna and herself left watching some cheesy procedural cop show.
Anna groaned. "I'm so bored."
Both siblings ignored her, Anna had been on her cell most of the night and had barely communicated with anyone. Jeremy sighed and Elena pretended to be interested in the TV show. "Go upstairs, I'll be up after this." Jeremy shrugged. Anna stayed the night whenever Jeremy let her, her mother not being around meant she searched for company. Unfortunately the Gilbert household seemed to be the place of her choosing.
"Come with me." Elena strategically ignored Anna's seductive smile aimed at her brother. She corrected herself, that was something she didn't want to think about more than Damon's entertaining evening. "I'll make it worthwhile." She placed her hand on Jeremy's shoulder and squeezed.
Elena wasn't sure if she imagined Jeremy tense or not. She knew he was having relationship problems with Anna, and that he had a growing crush on Bonnie, but she didn't know how badly it was affecting him.
"I should probably-" Jeremy stood up and Elena knew what he was saying. Probably the only way she will stop complaining. "Night 'Lena."
Elena waited till the two were upstairs and out of ear-shot before sighing loudly in exasperation. They had to leave tomorrow and she still hadn't packed, the weather was ridiculous and now Damon was joining them. She needed a minute to think. Heck, she needed the week to think. The characters on TV were rabbiting in the background and she irritably scooped up the remote, turning off the television and sending the room into silence.
She stared at the blank TV screen. She would have to pack tomorrow, which would mean less time for her to talk to Caroline and Bonnie. The ticking clock drew her attention and her eyes latched onto the time, it was 10.30pm and if she was going to pack and talk to her friends tomorrow before they set off she would have to get up early. Climbing to her feet, she was heading for the stairs when her cell vibrated in her pocket.
She pulled it out, unlocked her phone and sighed in relief. Caroline had text her back. She clicked open the message, it was short but her friend had still replied. We need to talk. - C. She pressed reply and was in the middle of replying when her phone buzzed again; another message from Caroline: ...love you too. X. Elena found herself smiling, there was a good chance she could make it up to one of her closest friends before they left tomorrow.
She deleted the start of her message and re-typed: Come round mine at one, you can help me pack. :) xx.
It didn't take her long before her phone buzzed again: Kay x
Elena pocketed her cell as she reached her room, she pulled off her top and threw herself onto her bed. She pushed off her jeans and climbed under her duvet. She was to hot to change into her nightwear. Reaching over and turning off her light, she was out before she had time to close her curtains.
Morning found Elena standing in her kitchen munching on a piece of toast. She had three hours to start packing, and if Caroline kept to her word and popped round it would give her more time. But for now all she was worried about was food, she woke up starving and was already three quarters of the way through her second piece of toast.
"Morning." Alaric wondered into the kitchen, Jenna following close behind. "Coffee?" He looked over Elena's shoulder at the coffee machine.
Elena sighed and nudged the coffee pot with her finger. "It's taking forever."
Jenna chuckled at the irritable look on Elena's face and the disappointed one on her husbands. "You two and coffee. I would bet with anyone willing to bet against me that you are both addicted."
"No-one would dare to bet against you." Ric wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her cheek.
Elena grinned impishly. "'Cause you'd eat them alive if you lost." She laughed at the dirty look her aunt sent her.
"For that-" Jenna slipped out of Ric's arms and pushed Elena out of the way before grabbing the coffee pot just as it finished boiling. "-the coffees now mine."
"How-?"
"How does she do that?" Jeremy walked into the kitchen. "Every time." He shook his head, amused and grabbed the pot from Jenna before she had time to reply. "And now it's mine." He grinned.
"What is this, musical coffee pot?" Elena raised her eyebrows before snatching the pot from her brother and clutching it to her chest. "Mine." She pointedly turned her back on everyone and grabbed an empty mug from the side. "I got up early, I need to pack, therefore I deserve the coffee."
"Fine." Jeremy huffed. "I get the next one." He slumped down onto a seat and watched his sister rummage around the draws for sugar. "Top cupboard."
Elena reached for the sugar and shot a smile towards her brother. "Thanks. Jenna-" She shot a mock annoyed glare in her aunts direction, "keeps moving it."
Jenna pulled an offended face. "I'm trying to keep you all healthy." She rolled her eyes.
"Because we're sweet enough already?" Alaric asked.
"Oh no." Jenna smiled sweetly. "Because you're all getting fat." She patted Ric's stomach.
Alaric frowned and ran his hands over his own chest and stomach. "I am not."
"Hmm." Jenna locked her arms around her husband's neck and leaned up, lightly passing her lips over his. He leaned forwards to deepen the kiss and she pulled back. "Got you." She laughed and pulled herself from Alaric's arms, running from the room.
"Oh, that is so not fair." Alaric growled before taking off after his wife.
Elena watched their two supposed role models run around their house like teenagers and laughed. "They're like kids." She shook her head. "Loved up teenagers."
Jeremy scrunched up his face. "What does that make us? The parents?"
Elena shuddered. "God no." She took a sip from her coffee and peeked at her brother over the rim. "We're more the best friends who try to keep the misbehaving miscreants under order."
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "Miscreants?"
She shrugged. "All I could think of."
"I'm sure." Jeremy grinned. There was a beat of comfortable silence in which Elena took full advantage of by greedily sipping her coffee. "So you haven't packed?" At her shaken head he pulled a thoughtful expression. "What happened to the organised Elena who packed months before we went on vacation?"
Elena narrowed her eyes at her brothers teasing smile. "That happened once! And you know it was because I got the dates muddled up."
Jeremy laughed. "Sure sure."
Elena turned around and refilled the coffee pot for her brother. "Here. Drink up, and leave me alone." She smirked, dropped her now empty mug in the sink and left the room.
"Elena!"
"Yeah?" She turned towards her aunts voice and locked eyes with Caroline who was standing in the open doorway. "You're early."
"If you want me to-" Caroline hovered in the door uncertainly and pointed backwards with her thumb.
Elena shook her head. "It's fine, I was just about to start packing." She gestured inside. "Come help me."
Jenna shut the door behind Caroline and smiled carefully at the two girls. "Have fun." She watched as the two friends headed upstairs without another word, Caroline a step of two behind than she usually was. Something was definitely up with the two of them and she hoped they made it up before this evening.
Elena opened her bedroom door and Caroline sat warily on the edge of her bed. She walked to her cupboard and pushed her clothes aside so she could reach her large duffel bag hidden at the back. With her back facing Caroline she let her forced smile drop, this was going to be one of the hardest conversations she had ever had. "Care-"
"Save it." Caroline interrupted. "I know you're sorry, but that doesn't change the fact that-"
"-I lied to you." Elena sighed. "And I get how that hurt you, I do. Now please let me explain." She paused, waiting for her friend to argue or interrupt again but there was only silence. She turned around, her duffel bag in her hand. Caroline was eyeing her carefully and after a brief moment of silence she waved for her to continue. Elena released a slow breath and threw her duffel on her bed, before sitting next to her friend. "I was scared. I was stuck in a situation where I knew you loved Damon and I should tell you but on the other hand... you know how I feel about him."
"You still had a right to tell us Elena." Caroline sighed, her voice was a little softer but Elena she still had a long way to go to get forgiveness.
She nodded. "I know I should have told you, but I just- I didn't want to think about it, about him. I just wanted to talk to my friends. But I knew if I told you about Damon all I would be substituted to would be an evening of gossip, and I couldn't deal with that."
"Elena-"
She held a hand up. "No, it was wrong, stupid and selfish of me. I know how much you and Bonnie love him and I should have thought about your feelings over my personal ones."
"Elena-"
Elena grimaced. "Just take into consideration what I've said, please-"
"Elena!" Caroline grabbed her hands and Elena looked down at them confused. "Just listen." Caroline hissed. Elena nodded. "I understand. I do." She sighed and smiled, Elena knew it was half forced but it still helped her relax a little. At least her friend was trying. "You shouldn't have had to avoid telling us because you wanted your friends." She shook her head. "Friends should come before celebrities. I didn't know how much this could affect our friendship. I'm sorry."
Elena nodded weakly at her friend and smiled slightly. "I'm sorry too."
Caroline tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and tilted her head. "Truce?"
"Truce." She smiled and pulled Caroline in for a hug.
They pulled back and looked at each other. Elena knew there was a long way to go before they were 100% again, but at least they were on their way to fixing it. "Help me pack?"
Caroline beamed. "Gladly."
Three hours later, Elena was fed up packing and definitely fed up of small talk. "Done!" She announced as she forced the zip closed on her duffel. "I can't believe you made me bring so much."
Caroline widened her eyes and gasped. "You need the clothes!"
"I can't wear the same thing twice?" Elena pulled the bag off her bed and dumped it on a chair.
Caroline shook head head. "No. definitely not."
Elena withheld a smile. If the small talk had done anything this last three hours it was ease the tension between them a little. "How many bags are you bringing?" She raised an eyebrow.
"One." Caroline huffed and placed her hands on her hips. Her expression wavered at Elena's raised disbelieving eyebrows and her hands fell from her hips to dangle by her sides. "And I used a quarter of Bon's space, plus an extra backpack."
Elena laughed. "You may have to ditch the backpack." She shoved her duffel off the chair, it fell to the floor with a loud thump. "Remember how you struggled last year?"
Caroline narrowed her eyes for a second before sighing and slumping onto her bed. "I know. But I can't survive without all my clothes."
They locked eyes and Elena puckered her lips in thought. "How many evening dresses did you pack?"
"Four." Caroline glanced up at her friend. "Why?"
She shook her head. "Ditch two. You know you can wash your clothes."
"It's a two mile walk to the main camping area!"
Elena shrugged. "We like seclusion." They had always camped away from the main area, it was peaceful. Her mother said it was the best way to get back to nature, away from the influence of others. In some ways she agreed, but she also did find it annoying that they had to walk on average about an hour to get there. It also sucked that she knew if it was just her, Jenna, Alaric and Jeremy it would take them 40 minutes. The others weren't used to the walking. "That's why we go once a week."
Caroline pouted. "Sucks."
She chuckled. "I know." She resisted the urge to pat her friend on the head, they still weren't 100% and she didn't know if she would get away with such a move. "Has to be done though."
"I know I know." Caroline sighed, standing up and stretching. "Suppose I'll have to go sort out my clothes." She frowned at the floor before looking back at Elena. "Glad we made a truce." She smiled slightly. "Love you 'Lena."
Elena smiled. "Love you too Care. Find your own way out?"
Caroline nodded. "Always do." She maneuvered herself around the bed, the scattered clothes on the floor and moved the duffel blocking the door with her foot. "Jesus 'Lena. You need to keep your room in better order." She winked before disappearing out the door.
Elena dejectedly looked at the piles of rejected clothing on the floor, from underwear to sportswear, clothes Caroline had wanted her to bring which she found unsuitable for the terrain they were in. "I hate you." She glared at the offending clothes, she would swear that they were sitting on her floor with satisfied grins. She tied her hair up which was already sticking to her neck despite her window being wide open and sighed before digging into the hours work which lay before her.
An hour later Elena slumped back against her bed and closed her eyes in relief. She was free, she didn't have to wash her car any more because it was with the repair garage. She pushed the thought of the cost away, she was still hoping someone could change Damon's mind on the insurance. Though she doubted it.
"Elena?" Jenna knocked twice lightly on the door.
Elena pushed herself up into a sitting position. "Yeah?"
The door opened and Jenna peeked her head around. "You finished packing?"
Her duffel bag was still by the door and her room was spotless, Elena had no excuse to get around whatever favor her aunt was going to ask of her. "Yeah. What can I do for you Jenna?"
Jenna smiled sheepishly and pushed the door open wider. "How did you guess?" She licked her lips when Elena raised an eyebrow. "I haven't finished packing. Could you help Alaric with the car? Jeremy's at the Grill and I swear he's avoiding answering his phone."
"Sure." Elena smiled and shrugged, she knew Jeremy probably was avoiding answering his phone. He knew how disorganized and last minute Jenna was. "Nothing else to do."
Jenna grinned in relief. "Thank you." She left before Elena could say anything else.
The smile dropped from her face and she groaned. She was exhausted, yet she couldn't seem to catch a brake. Wiping a hand over her forehead and shaking her hand, she scrambled to her knees and pushed herself onto her feet. She heaved her duffel over her shoulder and headed downstairs to the car. She knew she would have to clean Ric's car, and help load it. Which was probably another two hours work.
Alaric was leaning over the open bonnet when she approached. She had ditched her duffel in the hall when she had left the house and was now wishing she had put on a crop top as she stepped into the late afternoon sun. "Hey Ric."
"Ow." Alaric complained as he stood up abruptly and banged his head. He was wincing in pain and rubbing his forehead as he turned to face her. "Hi Elena."
"Hi." She refrained from laughing and deducted that was probably a very good idea when Alaric narrowed his eyes at her smile. "Shall I clean the car?"
Alaric nodded. "Only the outside needs doing. I cleaned the inside this morning to save time." Elena nodded and inwardly rejoiced, less work!
"Sure. I'll go get a bucket." She disappeared back into the house in search of a bucket. She walked into the kitchen to find a bucket already filled and a sponge by the side. She smiled at her aunts actions and tucked the sponge under her arm before carefully picking up the bucket and maneuvering her way back outside.
She stepped back into the heat and grimaced, seriously considering throwing the water over herself. This weather was absolutely stupid, she had no idea how she was going to last the next three weeks without spending the whole time in her bikini, but she doubted that would do her many favors in the Damon area. She placed the bucket on the ground and ran back inside to grab her IPod which was left on the side. She plugged in her earphones and turned her music up so she couldn't hear anything else. "Let's see how fast I can do this." She spoke to herself.
Half an hour later she was leaning over the hood of Alaric's car scrubbing at one stubborn piece of dirt when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She sighed, dropped the sponge on the bonnet and rubbed her hands dry on her shorts. Her phone buzzed again and she muttered to herself irritably before pulling her phone from her pocket. She frowned at the unknown number and opened the message. Behind you.
She tilted her head and read the message again, what? She looked at the second message from the same number. You're looking very perky in those short shorts. ;). - D.
Her frowned deepened as her mind connected the text to the only person she knew who's name began with D who would have the audacity to send a message like that. "Damon?" She mumbled to herself and felt her phone vibrate again. The one and only. Turn around.
She spun around to face shockingly blue eyes and a far to tempting smirk, one which was far to close for comfort. She stumbled back a step, eyes wide, swallowed and yanked out her earphones. "What-" she cleared her throat, "what are you doing here?"
His smirk grew. "Scared you."
She rolled her eyes. "No you didn't."
"Whatever you say Firecracker." He chuckled. He had arrived about two minutes earlier to find Elena, bent over Alaric's car, her hair pulled back into a ponytail revealing the long expanse of her neck. Her top clung to her like a second skin, he wasn't sure if it was the water she was using or sweat from the exercise. He grinned to himself at the tantalizing visage of Elena who had not noticed him arrive, he pulled his phone from his pocket telling himself the urge was to tempting to resist.
"Where's Ric?" Elena glanced around at the empty space and raised her eyebrows at Damon as if it was his fault.
He shrugged. "You were alone when I got here."
She bit her lip and checked the time on her cell. Ric had probably gone to fetch his and Jenna's bags, it was quickly gaining on early evening. Which was probably why Damon was here. She looked down the road, Caroline and Bonnie should be arriving soon, she was catching a ride with them 'cause her car was out of play. "Everyone's inside."
He nodded, watching her drop the sponge back into the bucket and resume attacking the dirt that obviously wouldn't come off. "I'd rather stay here and watch you."
Elena didn't need to look at him to know he was smirking, his voice said it all, slightly seductive and half amused. He was playing with her. "I'm sure." She shook her head and refocused on her task, she didn't have long before everyone arrived and they would be setting off.
Damon watched her scrub the dirt. She had no idea how her working on that one spot was turning him on, he wanted nothing more than to spin her round and pin her against the car. He repressed the urge, knowing she wouldn't appreciate it, he didn't have a big enough affect yet. "Here-" he reached for the sponge, "you're doing it wrong."
She pulled back as he reached for her and glared at him. "I am not!"
He rolled his eyes. "You've been at that for a good ten minutes, I can tell. There's a knack to stubborn dirt." He once again reached for the sponge. "Let me show you." He wrapped his hand around hers and this time she let him.
Elena held back her shudder his simple touch was creating. She decided that he must have some chemical in him that attracted members of the opposite sex, she resented him yet he still affected her. She mentally slapped herself, she had to get herself under control. However all her thoughts flew out the window when Damon moved up behind her, pressing himself against her. "What-?"
She felt him sigh against her back and resented how it made her insides clench. "Relax. Let me show you."
She forced herself to relax her muscles and in turn her hand. Damon lifted her hand slightly from the car and squeezed the sponge. Water ran over their hands and onto the dirt on the car, Damon held it their for a second longer before lowering their hands back to the car and rubbed at the dirt softly. She watched, fascinated at their hand movements. She felt Damon shift behind her and bit her lip, knowing it was affecting him too. She swallowed.
When the dirt was gone and the car was left completely clean, Damon didn't let go of her hand. Elena closed her eyes and held her breath for a second, her eyes snapping open when she heard a car approach. She knew the sound of that car. She sharply pulled away from Damon and shoved him back with her body. "Let go of me." She snapped.
He retreated pretty quickly, confused. "Sorry." He clearly wasn't and Elena wasn't going to call him out on it when her friends were here. "I'll go find Alaric." He disappeared pretty quickly and Elena was left standing alone, for a moment feeling slightly rejected before she shook the thought away. What?
"Elena!" Caroline skipped over to her and pulled her in for a hug. "I managed to get rid of the backpack." She beamed before it morphed into a more guilty smile. "I'm still taking up a quarter of Bon's duffel though."
"It's a start." Elena laughed at her friend and turned to face Bonnie. "Hi."
Bonnie smiled. "Hi."
"We okay?" She tilted her head at her friend.
Her other closest friend nodded and reached forwards, pulling Elena in for a hug. "We are."
Elena pulled away and grinned at her two best friends, she knew recovering her friendship with both of them would take different methods but she had three weeks to make everything up to them. "Come in. We're leaving in about half an hour. You can properly meet Damon."
Caroline paused in her walk, glancing wide eyed at the door and then at Elena. "He's inside?"
Rolling her eyes and grabbing her friends hand she pulled her towards the house. "Yes. Come on silly." Caroline let herself be tugged along and into the house. "Caroline and Bonnie are here!" She called.
"In the kitchen." Jenna called back, and Elena heard the back door close. She guessed that was Jeremy and Anna arriving.
They walked past the stairs as Alaric wondered down them, his and Jenna's bag in either hand. "Hi girls." He grinned as he passed them. "Just packing the car. Go see Jenna she's seeing to dinner."
The kitchen was the busiest Elena had seen it in ages. Damon was leaning against a cupboard, a beer in hand, Jeremy and Anna were leaning against the closed door and Jenna was rushing around throwing food into a picnic basket. Damon looked up as they walked in and smirked at them. "I offered to help." He shrugged. "She refused."
Elena smirked back. "You'll have to learn not to get in Jenna's way when it comes to picnics. She can't cook, but she's a whiz at cold food."
Damon pulled a face. "She's missing out on my amazing culinary skills."
Elena refrained from rolling her eyes, reminding herself she had made a truce.
"You can cook?" Caroline stared at Damon.
The man in question tilted his head at the wide eyed blond. "I can indeed Blondie."
"Blondie?" Caroline was still standing in the doorway, Bonnie had smiled shyly at Damon before quickly passing him to Jeremy and Anna and was now engaged in quiet conversation. Elena was pretending to be busy with packing the sandwiches, she so wasn't listening.
"You're blond, bouncy and perky." He smirked. "Blondie. Nice to meet you properly. I'm Damon." He chuckled. "Take it you're a fan?"
Caroline nodded, her eyes bright and her lips in a wide smile. "Hi Damon."
He nodding before gesturing at Caroline's hair. "Cute waves."
Elena imagined what would happen if she accidentally dropped the open water bottle onto Caroline's feet. Whoa, she stopped herself. What the hell? She did not think that, not at all, she pushed the thought away and looked up, forcing a smile at the two. It was vital they got along, right? That way Damon's attention was off her. Still she still couldn't completely push the water bottle to the back of her mind as she glanced at Caroline's blush. This was so wrong. "Excuse me." She muttered to the room and immediately made to leave.
She didn't get far before a slowly becoming familiar hand wrapped around her wrist. Damon was staring at her with an expression, if it was in anyone's else's eyes, she would say was concern. But Damon worried? Never. She sighed, this time forcing herself to roll her eyes. "I'm fine." He clearly didn't believe her but he dropped her wrist and turned his attention back to Caroline.
Pushing past Caroline in the doorway as politely as she could in the mood she was in, she ran into the living room and flopped onto the couch, throwing a hand over her face. What was happening to her? She groaned, no wonder Damon was able to bed so many women. He had this affect on her and she hated his personality, to those who liked him or were indifferent... how in the world would they cope? She shook the thought away.
"Elena? We're leaving." Jenna shook her arm softly, maybe thinking she was asleep.
"Hmm?" Elena moved her arm from her face, glancing at the clock and jumping onto her feet so fast she nearly head butted Jenna. She had been here for twenty minutes already? "Time to go?"
Jenna nodded, regarding her carefully. "Are you okay?"
She brushed her aunts concern away. "Yeah. Time flies, you know?"
"I do." Jenna smiled carefully. "Bonnie said Tyler's meeting us at halfway point." She threw over her shoulder as she walked towards the front door.
Halfway point. That was what they referred to as the gas station which was nearly deadly halfway to their destination; the locked warehouse for their vehicles. The warehouse had been in their family for ages, their mother had owned it and now it was Elena and Jeremy's. It was the perfect place to lock up their cars – and this case one motorcycle – for safety. The gas station to which Jenna was referring was where they replenished their supplies. It was quite the hike to their camping spot and they were always to tired to hike an extra two miles to the main area to restock. She blinked as she realized she hadn't answered her aunt. "'Kay." She already knew she was speaking to an empty room but she still felt as if she had to say something.
Elena heaved her duffel over her shoulder and walked to Caroline's car. The boot was standing open and her two friends were already seated, Bonnie in shotgun. She sighed, she had missed her chance to sit in the front. She flung her bag into the boot and slammed the lid shut. She opened the back door and clambered in. "Hi."
Her two friends smiled at her. "You ready?" Bonnie raised an eyebrow, and Elena knew she wasn't talking about the camping trip as one Damon Salvatore started up his bike. He glanced over at the three of them and saluted before putting his helmet on.
Elena sighed, locking eyes with her most observant friend as her other most bubbly and overly-excited friend started up the car, backing out into the driveway. "We'll see." She muttered to herself as they set off down the road in convoy. It was going to be a long hour drive to midway point.
A.N/ I took a day of college to complete this - you are all lucky it's only summer term so we're not really doing much. :D. And it is now 2.35am, my back hurts and I'm so tired it's unbelievable! BUT I managed to upload this chapter, so I'm satisfied. I hope you all are too. (Joke...)
Oh the SPN quote from the last chap was: 'What did I do to deserve you?' 'Nothing. I just have low standards.' - it was between Dean and his dream perfect girlfriend (can't remember her name) in season 2, What Is And What Should Never Be - when they were at his mother's birthday meal in some fancy restaurant. :D - I was listening to it in the background while writing the chapter.
This is not beta'd so any grammar or spelling mistakes are all mine... you see any major ones tell me and I will correct it! Thanks!
Hope you enjoyed :D. Drop a line and tell me if you did - love to hear your thoughts.
-N x