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Chapter 6

Charlie and Damon didn't speak during the car ride back to the boarding house.

He pulled up, turning off the engine and headlights, leaving them alone in the dark silent night.

They sat that way for several moments before he spoke. "Just tell me what's wrong, please its killing me. And please don't say you're worried about Gilbert, he'll get over you."

"Why didn't you tell me there are witches in town? I ran into Bonnie Bennett in the bathroom and guess what like everyone else in this town she hates you," she said irately.

A slight smile curved on his mouth. "Not witches, just witch, Bonnie's grandmother died a few months back. And news flash everyone hates me, even you do."

"You're right I do." She sighed deeply. "I don't want to be mad at you, Damon, but all I want is the truth," she said crossing her arms but she let the bitter tone loosen slightly from her voice.

"Why do you need to know so badly, Charlie? What difference will it make?"

"I don't know, I just... you're right, even if I did know, how could I judge you after all the things I've done, I'm not perfect, I'm a vampire too."

"Charlie, you may be a vampire but you're nothing like me."

"Damon, when my mom died, I thought that was it, I had nothing left, I didn't think I'd get through it and yes the emptiness inside is still there, part of it after 250 years still for my dad, but the ache, the pain, it doesn't seem half as bad when I'm with you, I need you, Damon," she whispered.

She unlatched her seat belt and bent across the gearstick, finding his mouth in the darkness.

He kissed her back pulling her on to his lap and wrapping his arms around her holding her close.

He put his hands under her shirt loosening her bra.

"Not now, Damon," she said pushing off his lap and sitting back in her own chair.

"Way to ruin the moment, woman."

"I ruined the moment? I'm upset and emotional, I just wanted you to comfort me and all you can think about is sex, sex, sex."

"And that's a bad thing? And since when do you say no?" he said raising his eyebrows smugly.

"Is that all I am to you? Is that all you think of me?"

"What, it's not my fault you're hot, you make me want you and I own you," he said with a smirk.

Charlie was suddenly out of the car and heading down the path back towards the road.

Damon was instantly beside her. He grabbed her arm pulling her to a stop. "Come on I was joking."

"I don't care, I don't want to listen to you anymore, just stop it, let go of me, I need to be away from you," she shouted as she fought against his grip.

"Where are you going?"

"Anyplace you're not." She suddenly pushed him back knocking him to the ground and ran so fast she became nothing but a blur in the dark night.

Charlie knocked on Jeremy's door fighting back her tears. She knew Elena was still out with Stefan as her car was gone.

A few seconds later she heard footsteps and Jenna opened the front door.

"Charlie," she said surprised. "It's late, what are you doing here?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I just need to talk to Jeremy," Charlie said trying to hold back her tears.

"He's in bed, and I don't think you should be talking to him." She paused a second. "Actually, I don't want you seeing him."

"It's fine, Jenna," Jeremy said from the top of the stairs. "Let her in."

Jenna grumbled but moved a side letting Charlie past.

Jeremy ran down the stairs and wrapped his arms around her. "What's up? Are you okay?" he asked rubbing her back soothingly.

Charlie pulled out of his arms. "Just Damon. Can we talk... in private," she said throwing a quick glance at Jenna.

"Yeah, sure."

"Well, dating Damon you were only asking for trouble but I am sorry he upset you. He was too old for you and he shouldn't have taken advantage of you even if he has known you a lot of years," Jenna said crossing her arms.

"I know," Charlie said weakly.

Jeremy took Charlie's hand and headed towards the living room. "Go back to bed, Jenna, we'll be fine," he shouted down the corridor.

They sat on the couch in silence. Jeremy was the first to speak.

"Um, I'm sorry I was so harsh with you earlier..."

"No, Jeremy, you have every right to be annoyed, it's me who should be apologising, and I'm so sorry Damon spoke to you that way."

"Don't worry about it, that's nothing, he's already killed me once and he's threatened me so many times I've lost count..."

Charlie cut him off. "Wait a second; did you just say he killed you?"

"Um... yeah, I did. Crap. You didn't know did you?"

"No, I didn't... how could he have killed you... I mean, you're human, you're not a vampire?" Charlie asked both annoyed and confused.

"With this," he said showing her the ring on his finger.

Charlie took his hand examining the ring. "Is this really what I think it is? Katherine spoke about these, rings which have the power to protect a mortal from any supernatural being or occurrence?"

"Yeah, it is."

"How do you have one?"

"Um, my family was one of the founding families from 1864; they've always hated the vampires. My ancestor was a crazy guy, believed in some weird stuff, wanted you all dead, guess this thing has just been passed down."

"Yeah, I remember him, Jonathan Gilbert, he had a thing for Pearl," she laughed lightly.

"Yeah, Anna told me." Charlie saw the sadness flash across his face.

"You really liked her didn't you?" Charlie said, placing her hand over his. He nodded and squeezed her hand.

"I want you to know Anna and Pearl were nothing like Katherine. Anna was my best friend and I loved them both. We were all controlled by Katherine."

"I know, I hate Katherine too, after the things she's done to Elena, to Stefan, to Caroline and to so many people I care about."

"When I left Damon I didn't get to say goodbye to Anna or Pearl, I just left Mystic Falls without a word, I didn't want to be hurt anymore. So, I knew nothing about Damon and Stefan being turned, or about what Katherine had done. Anna found me in the early 1900s, she told me everything, I couldn't believe that Katherine had betrayed so many of our friends... putting them in that tomb... That stupid tomb... Damon wanted her back, after almost 150 years he still tried to save her... But me, no, he didn't think for once there could be a possibility that I was a vampire. Surely once he was turned all the things he didn't understand about me before should have made sense..."

"I'm sorry, but Damon is an ass, he doesn't think, he doesn't care," Jeremy said bitterly.

"I know I should hate him but I don't... yet, I don't think I love him anymore. He's changed, Jer, and I know it's hard to believe but he used to be the most caring and gentle man I have ever known."

"Yeah, I do find that hard to believe," he said rolling his eyes. "Yet, he does care for Stefan and Elena. And I know he felt bad after he killed me, he just loses it sometimes. Lets his killing instincts take over."

"But he killed you, Jer, if you didn't have that ring, you would be dead right now... actually, why did he kill you?"

"Um, it was the day Katherine came back, she told him she'd never loved him, so, drunk he tried to get Elena to confess her love for him but she told him the same thing, she loves Stefan. I came into the room to see what was going on and he took his anger out on me, one second he had me pinned against the wall and suddenly everything went black."

Charlie had her hands across her mouth, shaking her head in disbelieve. "God, Jeremy, I'm so sorry, I knew he's killed and hurt people but to kill you, now I know why so many people in this town hate him... that Alaric guy, why does he hate him?"

"God, where to start, Damon turned Alaric's wife Isobel... and she is Elena's birth mother..."

"What? Why would he do that? I could never turn anyone... Wait... that means Elena is not your sister?" she asked confused.

"Um... she's my cousin; her birth dad is my uncle..."

"Alaric or John the vampire hater?"

"Alaric is not my uncle, but creepy John is and Elena's father. But I will never be like him..."

"No offence but your family is twisted," she laughed despite herself.

"Yeah, I know," he laughed lightly.

They sat in silence for a few moments before Charlie spoke.

"Just tell me," she breathed.

"Tell you what?" he asked cautiously.

"Everything Damon has done."

"Um, well, you know about the tomb, Isobel, him killing me... um, do you really want to know, Charlie?"

"Yes, I need to know," she whispered.

"When Damon first came to town, he killed a few humans, um, he turned a girl... Vicki... who I really cared about but she almost killed me and Elena so Stefan had to stake her... and he killed a vampire named Lexi to cover his own tracks... she was a old friend of Stefan's..."

Charlie was now breathing in and out heavily. Her arms clutching her chest. "I... I knew Lexi, her boyfriend turned for her... and that poor girl Vicki, I remember reading a story in the newspaper about her... it was his fault... every animal attack I read about was his fault..."

The tears were running heavily down her cheeks. Jeremy pulled her close, holding her against his chest. "I'm so sorry I told you, I'm so sorry you're hurting," he breathed, gently rubbing her back.

"Don't be, I wanted to know," she sobbed into his shoulder. "I needed to know the truth."

Charlie pulled out of his arms. "Can I sleep here tonight, I can't... I can't face him."

"Yeah, no problem."

Charlie lay down on the couch, tears still falling down her face.

Jeremy stood up. "I'll get you a blanket..."

"No, just stay with me, I don't want to be alone."

He lay down wrapping his arms around her.

"Thank you, for being so kind to me," she breathed through her tears.

"I told you, I want to, I have never met anyone like you, Charlie," he said, stroking her hair soothingly.

More tears stung her eyes, she closed them tight, and slowly fell unconscious, and remembering the day Damon had said the same thing to her.

Mystic Falls, 1861

Charlotte and her mother had been at the Salvatore home for almost four months. Her mother was now a valued member of the town and was respected in the high class society world. All the men adored her, and all the woman wanted to be her... her long dark curls, her dark eyes to match, for a 40 year old woman she was beautiful but little did everyone know she'd been 40 for 100 years.

However, Charlie didn't want every man's approval... to be adored by everyone... she only wanted one man in particular... Damon Salvatore.

She knew he liked her and as much as she wanted him, she couldn't... she couldn't be with him. She'd been avoiding him and she didn't know how much longer she could keep this up.

She sat curled up on the couch in her dark bedroom. She didn't know what time it was but she wasn't tired. She shouldn't have fed so late in the evening.

She leaned her head back against the cushions and closed her eyes. She saw his face... his sexy smile... his amazing blue eyes... she smiled to herself... she was in love with this human boy.

She suddenly heard a door open and close down the hall and seconds later silent steps descending towards her room.

She quickly ran across her room and into bed. She tried to ignore the light knocking on the door but it was hard, she knew it was him and she wanted to see him.

He gently opened her door. "Charlotte?" he whispered. "I really need to talk to you, are you awake?"

Charlotte sighed deeply but she got out of bed and walked over to the door. "Yeah, I'm awake, come in, Damon."

Charlotte crossed the room and sat back on the couch. Damon followed, his eyes looking her up and down before he sat beside her.

"What, Damon? Have you never seen a woman before?" she joked as his eyes were still looking over her.

"Sorry," he said embarrassed, quickly turning away from her.

She gently touched his face turning him back towards her. "I was joking, Damon," she laughed lightly.

He took a strand of her long red hair and put it behind her ear. "It's you... Charlotte... I can't stop thinking about you... you've been ignoring me and I can't take it anymore. Why did you stop talking to me?"

"I've told you, Damon, things would never work between us... I'm not right for you."

"Why? Tell me why things wouldn't work? I told you, I want to be with you, I have never met anyone like you, Charlotte."

She sighed. "They just wouldn't, Damon. She stood up. "I think you should leave."

"I'm not going anywhere until you give me a reason, Charlotte."

Damon walked towards her making her back away until she hit the wall. Why did she let this human have so much control over her, she could easily push him back?

He pinned her against the wall his hands holding her in place and leaning his face closer to hers. "Tell me you don't feel this connection between us, tell me you don't want to kiss me, if you do then I'll leave."

She couldn't. He inched closer until she felt his soft lips touching her own. Charlotte found herself kissing him back. She'd wanted to do this for so long. Their lips moved against one another, his kisses more amazing than any man she'd kissed before. He pulled off his shirt and she ran her hands across his muscled chest. He then loosened her night gown letting it fall around her waist. He kissed down her exposed neck. He lifted her up and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist.

His lips found hers again kissing her harder as his hands caressed her. She tangled her hands in his hair pulling him closer, Charlotte couldn't deny the feelings she had for him. She really liked him, no, she loved him... he was kind and gentle... he made her laugh and he was the most beautiful man she'd ever known.

He held her tightly against him as he started to carry her across the room. He put her gently on her bed and climbed on top of her.

Their kisses were now rough both wanting each other.

Damon pulled back looking directly at her. "Are you sure about this?" he asked his eyes full of both desire and concern.

"No, I'm not sure, Damon, but yes, I want to do this... I think I'm in love with you, Damon Salvatore."

His eyes widened but a smirk covered his lips. "I think I'm in love with you too, Charlotte Dubois." He kissed her lightly on the lips before softly kissing his way down to her neck and shoulders.

His lips hovered just below her ear. "I don't think I'm in love with you, Charlotte... I am in love with you..."

Present Day

Charlie didn't know how long she'd been there but she woke beside a still sleeping Jeremy. She slowly and quietly sat up manoeuvring herself around him.

She leaned forward covering her face with her hands. Damon wasn't that Damon anymore. Yet, she couldn't stop thinking about him. God, for 150 years he'd had so much control over her... it was time to change that.

Suddenly, someone started banging violently on the front door. Charlie was instantly on her feet and Jeremy jumped up in shock, he looked around confused and disoriented.

"What's going on?" he asked as he quickly got up beside her.

"Don't worry; I think I know who it is?" Charlie said annoyed.

"Damon," Jeremy grumbled.

Jenna ran down the stairs and went straight to the door. "Who's there, what are you doing banging on my door at 3 in the morning?" she demanded.

"It's Damon; I know Charlie is in there, open the door."

"No way am I opening this door when you're angry like that, Damon, Charlie is staying here tonight, and I think you should leave her alone."

"Charlie, I'm sorry," he shouted through the door. "I don't mean to hurt you. I'm an idiot."

"Go away, Damon, leave the poor girl alone," Jenna said.

Charlie was now at the door beside Jenna. "Thank you so much, Jenna, for looking out for me and letting me stay here but he's Damon, he'll not go away until I talk to him," she laughed despite herself.

Jenna sighed but moved so Charlie could open the door. She stepped outside. Jenna smiled weakly before shutting Charlie and Damon out into the dark night.

She walked straight passed him. She knew he was following her. She thought about running but there was no point he would only catch up to her.

He grabbed her arm spinning her around to face him. "Charlotte, I'm a jerk..."

"Yes, you are." She pulled from his grip and continued down the path.

He was suddenly in front of her blocking her way. "You've forgiven me before, surely you can again," he said with a slight smirk.

"Can I really?" she mocked. "The thing is, I don't even know you anymore, Damon, I mean, we're both different people now, it doesn't matter if you're human or a vampire, I was right all those years ago, we will never work."

She stepped around him but he grabbed her small wrist. "That's not what you were saying when we slept together... numerous times..."

"Let go of me," she said fighting his grip. "And that's all our relationship is to you... sex."

"No, but that is top of the list," he said smugly.

"I hate you," she spat. "And I know everything."

"Good, there is a fine line between love and hate."

"Didn't you hear me, I know everything?"

"What? Gilbert told you all my dirty little secrets? Bet he's loving playing your knight in shining armour," he scoffed.

"Jeremy is a good person, he has been nothing but nice to me."

Damon snorted.

"What you've done is more than dirty little secrets, Damon... all those animal attacks... it was obvious they were done by a vampire... but you... I would never have guessed you. That girl, Vicki, why would you turn someone, condemn them to this hell? And poor Lexi and her boyfriend... he loved her so much, he gave up his human life for her. How could you do all that Damon?"

"'cause I'm a vampire, Charlie, I'm a dick, okay. I was angry... bored... just plain stupid. I know I'm not perfect, I still drink the human stuff, I like to mess with people and I hate when people piss me off but being back in Mystic Falls has changed me."

"Being a vampire doesn't mean you have to be that way, we're basically just people in different circumstances. We still have as much misery as humans, maybe even more. So, we have these powers but they're not worth it, this extended life, eternity of pain, loss and the cravings... the constant need to kill. I'm not perfect, Damon, but I don't hurt people the way you do. Have you really changed?"

He didn't answer.

"I came back here, to find Katherine and end her for what she's done to me and my family. That's what I'm going to do, I didn't come back to fall in love with you again, Damon. We're going to make a plan, and when Katherine is rotting in hell, I'm gonna leave and start a life free of everything to do with Mystic Falls. Including you..." she walked away and this time he didn't stop her.

Are you Charlie and Damon or Charlie and Jeremy? Will she ever forgive him?