(Elena's memory)
They had found Damon in front of the mansion. He was placing the last of his bags into the trunk. After seeing this, she had stormed into the living room, visibly upset, because Damon had told them he was leaving.
She thought about all he had done for her. Finding her the beautiful dress, shoes, jewelry for her first feed lesson at a club. Her trial-and-errors in learning his feeding technique. His rescue when she lost control with Marco. The near disaster to his convertible. And, the first successful feed in the alley. Simultaneously, she recalled how increasingly distant he had become with her. Bonnie had finally explained, that this had been brought on by the spell, as well as the brother's agreement.
The front door swung open & he made his presence known.
"I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye." he smirked, walking towards her & plopping down on the couch.
"So, Damon," turning to look at him, "you had Bonnie spell you, yet you're still leaving Mystic Falls."
"Still?" he peered at her. "Well, since you obviously know about Stefan & my agreement. Then yes, I am 'still' leaving Mystic Falls."
"You said you would never leave me again," she paused, "you promised!"
"Elena," he sighed, "that, was when my brother was all Rippered out. He had abandoned you." Standing up, he strolled over to pour himself a drink. "Now, he's back (and) in control."
"So, the promise was a lie?" she asked sarcastically.
"Well," taking a swig of bourbon, "not entirely."
She glared at him demanding an explanation.
"Stefan was lost," he sat back down next to her. "Now, he's Klaus-free & back on track."
"And?" she snapped.
"And, you're a vampire. Not so vulnerable. You have Stefan. And everyone's favorite, not mine, Vampire-Barbie. Plus, little Witchie-poo."
Looking at her face, which was not accepting his explanation, he frowned, "I can mention more."
Snapping at him, "And the spell, Damon. If you're leaving, why be spelled?"
He gave her a blank stare, "spell?" Taking his last swig of liquor, he got up to leave.
Elena got up after him, demanding from behind as she followed, "Damon! The spell?"
"What spell?" he questioned honestly, turning to face her as he got to the door.
"You'll be fine," feeling a slight draw to her, but, just as fast as it came, it went, "bye, Elena."
As he reached for the doorknob, Elena pulled his arm turning him completely around. He gave her a wondering look.
With both hands she took his face, looking into his eyes, then down to his lips. Softly, she pressed her lips against his in a sweet kiss.
She let go, leaving him startled. A vague feeling in his heart.
He looked at her puzzled. Witnessing a single tear roll down her cheek, not understanding why, this sight affected him.
He wiped the tear away & gazed at her. It had a tinge of confusion as to why, he was looking at her that way.
He hugged her quickly, and she started to put her arms around him, but, he pulled away, offering just a small smile as he started towards the door.
"Elena," the voice said with concern, taking her out of her reverie.
Stefan walked over & sat next to her. "You're thinking about him."
She turned to him, "why would both of you agree to something like that?"
He sighed, "we thought it was the best alternative."
She got up to refill the glass with more bourbon. Avoiding his eyes, she quickly sat back down, this time a little more space between them.
She could feel him looking at her. Turning to face him, "Stefan...I want to be honest with you," she tried to explain, but, he told her he already knew.
They sat in silence,watching as the log continued to burn it's embers.
She finished her drink & got up to get some more.
"Elena," he asked again, "you still haven't told me about the spell & Damon. "
This made her a little agitated. From where she stood, she tilted the glass, guzzling the fluid. She refilled the glass, but, didn't turn to go back to the sofa.
"Elena," he said with concern.
"I'm fine!" she snarled at him, taking a large swig from her glass.
Flying off the sofa, "No, you're not." He grabbed her arm, "Tell me," his eyes full of distress.
Gulping down the liquor, she responded, "He should be here with us."
She was avoiding the question. He could see the liquor had taken effect. She had drank way too much & fast. He got up & strolled over to her. She looked up at him, then closed her eyes. He embraced her, holding her firmly as he guided her to her bedroom. She did not resist. He helped her into bed. Sitting down, he watched the sleeping Elena. Gently, bending over, he kissed her forehead.
Shutting off the light he closed the door & walked down the hall. He stopped in front of Damon's bedroom.
He entered the large room, noting how immaculate it was, everything in it's place. He noticed the closet door was open, revealing how empty it was of his personal belongings.
As he stood at the entrance of his brother's room, he recalled the last day he'd seen his brother.
Damon had emerged from the house & cheerily said, "See you around baby bro!"
As he went around to the drivers side, Stefan yelled out, "All squared away?"
Damon exhaled slightly, "Yes Stefan, we're 'squared away'"
"Where are you going?" Stefan asked.
As Damon jumped into the Camaro, he answered, "Wherever the road leads me, brother."
"when will you be back?" Stefan demanded.
Not answering the question, Damon smirked, "I'll keep in touch."
Stefan watched as the Camaro hit the road. Not taking his eyes off the vehicle till it was just a speck in the distance.
A sudden thump brought Stefan back to the present. It came from the bedroom. He rushed in to find the window open & Elena gone.
He groaned with discontent, knowing she'd probably gone vein hunting.
He walked to the liquor cabinet & poured himself a drink. Swallowing the amber fluid he sat down in front of the immense fireplace. Watching & hearing the embers crack away from the log.
Picking up his cell phone he dialed Caroline.
"Mr Salvatore," Caroline answered.
"She escaped," Stefan informed her.
"Do you know where to?" Caroline inquired.
"No, but she is not in her right state of mind. She drank a lot tonight," he announced.
"Let's look for her," Caroline offered.
"Thank you," he sighed. "Look i'll check on the neighboring houses, if you could check the grill & that area."
"Matt's working, I can text him to see if he's seen her," she offered.
"Yeah, that would be good, the more people the better." he stated.
Elena sneaking out of the house, had been liberating. The adrenaline coarsed through her veins, as she thought, "I can do this. I just have to remember everything Damon taught me!" She was still a little tipsy, but the effect was starting to wear off, sparking her blood appetite.
She knew once Stefan discovered she was gone, he would be out looking for her.
She chose a place, he would least likely look for her.
Arriving at the library just a little before closing, she immediately got a book out & pretended to be interested in it. Accessing her possible preys, she came to a decision who would be filling her thirst. She watched her intended. A girl, who must have been from the college, as Elena did not recognize her from school. She was a little shorter than Elena, with a slender build. The girl proceeded to place all her books, pencils into her backpack. There were other students, but, she didn't exchange any goodbyes with them. Elena was please as she thought, the girl was alone. As she passed the front counter, where Elena was checking out her book, the girl made eye-contact with her. Elena smiled & the girl smiled back. Grabbing the book, Elena followed the girl. She headed towards the parking lot, where Elena called out to her, "Hey, did you drop this?" The girl turned around, but before she could even ask what it was, Elena compelled her to follow her. They reached a darker part of the parking lot & Elena proceeded to tell her, "Be very quiet. I won't hurt you." Elena then proceeded to bite into the girls carotid artery. Elena became enthralled, forgetting what Damon had taught her about listening for the heartbeat. "Hey, none of that, here!" a security guard shouted at them. Elena let go, as the guard came closer, seeing the blood on the girls neck & Elena's lips, he shouted, "What the hell are you doing to her?" She proceeded to compel him, "Leave now, forget you saw this!" The guard turned around & left. She looked into the girl's eyes, "go home, forget this happened." Elena, took a deep breath. She almost lost control again. Had it not been for the guard, she would have probably killed her.
Fighting it for a long time, till she could not contain herself, Elena started to cry. Why did Damon leave her like this?