**A couple people were surprised by how easily Elena let Damon back into hers and Clarrisa's lives. You're about to understand, but she needs his help, so she couldn't push him away.**

Elena waited until the house was completely empty before she left her room. She went to the attic and pulled out Clarrisa's luggage, and headed to the girls room.

Elena packed all of Clare's clothes, her new dress up things, and her favorite blanket into the suitcase. A smaller bag held all the girls toiletries and two small stuffed animals, a purple unicorn and the white teddy bear Damon had given Elena for her 16th birthday. Finally Elena took the Luis Vuitton backpack went to her own room. Into the bag went two-thousand dollars, the diamond locket, and pictures. Pictures of Damon and Elena, of Clarrisa and Elena, of Ric and Gracie, Caroline and Klaus, and absolutely none of Elijah. Then went in the letter Elena had written to Clare.

Elena took a shower and pulled her hair into the tight it's-all-about-business bun she wore it in sometimes. Then dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white blouse and black pumps.

After putting all the luggage in her car she drove to the Salvatore boarding house. She saw Damon's car there and smiled, pulling a bobby pin out of her hair she picked the lock exactly like he had taught her all those years ago and popped his trunk. The suitcase and bag went into the trunk, but the backpack and Clarrisa's booster seat went into the backseat. After re-locking the car Elena entered the house.

"Elena!" Marie Salvatore cried out. "What happened to you darling?" Elena just grimaced and followed Damon's mom into the living room.

Damon was watching his father chase Clarrisa around the room, but he looked over and saw Elena standing at the doorway and he got up. Walking towards her he began to assess the damage done to her face.

Tears welled in her eyes and she spoke, "Damon, I need your help."

"Follow me Elena." She followed him to his room, and smiled when she entered. She had slept in here many times without him.

"It smells like you in here." Damon observed, noticing her things scattered around the room.

"I had needed a place to stay a few time..." Her voice trailed off and she began to cry hysterically.

"Elena, whatever it is, it's going to be okay. What can I do?" Damon's voice shook with worry.

"You have to listen to me Damon. You have to do what I ask..."

Elena looked up into his eyes, shame covering her face for what she was about to ask him.

"Take Clarrisa. Take her and leave...

LISTEN TO ME! Take her to wherever you live. She can't stay with me. I can't keep lying to her. Elijah is not safe for her to be around." Elena choked out through her tears.

"Elena! Just leave him! Leave him and I'll take you and Clarrisa with me. He'll never find us!" Damon's eyes filled with tears as Elena shook her head fervently.

"I can't leave him. He knows things that will ruin me. But even worst they'll ruin her. Clare is my everything. Take her, protect her, don't let anything happen. All her things are already in your car. I'm going to go say goodbye to her now...okay?"

Elena dried her tears and forced a fake smile onto her face. Then the two walked back down the stairs to find their daughter. They positioned themselves in the shadows so that the girl would not see her mother's injuries. After watching Clare tackle her grandfather to the ground while she giggled they called her to them.

"Clarrisa, I need to talk to you." Elena called out. The girl ran to her mother, smiling. Elena scooped her up in a big hug.

"Clare, you're gonna go stay with Damon for a little while. Okay? You can call me every single day, but I want you guys to spend sometime together." Elena smiled reassuringly. "It will be like a big sleepover and Damon's house!"

Clarrisa smiled and cheered. "We has to have pancakes doe. Theys my favit!" The girl hugged her mom and ran back to her grandpa.

Damon walked Elena to her car, and hugged her. They stood there not moving, with him holding her in his arms for a long time.

"I didn't mean any of those things Elena." Damon whispered into her hair. "I was young and stupid. I was terrified of being a dad. My own dad hated me, and I didn't know what to do. I freaked out. I'm so sorry."

Elena's grip tightened on Damon. "I know. I know. It hurt, and I was angry for a long time, but we were so young. There were times when I blamed her for you leaving. It's okay. I forgive you." Elena stood up on her tip-toes and pressed her lips to his. Their kiss was urgent, as if they were saying goodbye for good, and they broke apart quickly.

"I love you Elena!" Damon whispered as her released her. He took his jacket off and pressed it into her arms. She took it and put it on.

"And I love you Damon Salvatore." Elena whispered back.

Then she drove away. Not knowing when or if she would ever see her daughter or the man who stole her heart ever again.

**so This chapter is sad, tell me what you think though! Plz R&R!**