SIX

I didn't move as I started to regain consciousness. I could feel the room spinning despite the fact that my eyes were closed. I could hear someone moving in the next room and the smell of blood filled my nose. I opened my eyes slowly and looked around the room. It was unfamiliar and I was slightly afraid. My hand moved up to rub my temple from the pounding headache and my heart nearly stopped as I saw Stefan's ring on my finger. A strangled cry escaped my lips as I stared at my hand in horror; the images of the attack playing fresh in my mind. "Elena?" Damon called as he stepped into the room.

"What the hell?" I asked, holding up my hand, still sitting because I didn't trust my legs to hold me up.

"I think it speaks for itself, don't you?"

"This isn't funny," I said as he leaned against the door frame with a smirk of satisfaction on his face.

"I think it's hysterical," he said in a flat voice. His eyes flashed at my reaction. "What, forever isn't good enough without Stefan?"

"Damon..." I whispered and tried to hold back tears.

His movements were deafening to my ears and his cologne stung my nose. "Don't worry, you're still human," he said as he plopped down on the bed next to me. He tilted my chin so that he could see my throat.

"Then why am I wearing this?"

"You called me and then I heard nothing on the other end. When I got to your house, you were almost completely drained of blood. I brought you back here after I saved you and when I was sure you were stable I went back to your house and cleaned up your room. You've been out ever since."

"What time is it?" I asked, my stomach churning.

"Almost midnight. You've only been out for a few hours. Not days."

I breathed a small sigh of relief that was short lived as I realized I was supposed to meet my friends at the Grill. "Oh God, Jenna-"

"I called her and told her you were here with Stefan. She mentioned the Grill and I told her you skipped it. Your friends, however, did not call."

My eyes widened as I thought of exactly how he had "saved" me. "Damon...what exactly did you do to save me?" I asked slowly.

He narrowed his eyes. "You really have to ask?"

"I just want you to confirm it."

"I gave you my blood. That is why you're wearing the ring. The amount I had to replace is going to make all of your senses heightened almost to my level and you're going to be sensitive to the sun," he said and leaned back on his elbows.

"Thank you," I said and smiled inside at the surprise on his face.

"Well, well. This is new."

"You saved me. Because of you I'm alive. I don't see why I would be angry at you. I would have done the same for you."

He looked away from me and stood up. "How many vampires have been invited in to your house?"

"Two," I said, looking anywhere but him. I couldn't stop fidgeting and got to my feet where I could pace the room. "Is it supposed to feel like this?"

"Like you could run a marathon? Jump off a bridge? Have a wild, one night stand?" he asked with an arched brow.

"Yes, yes, and no," I answered. "And to answer your unspoken question, I don't think it was Stefan. I heard someone talking before I passed out, but they sounded far away the voice was distorted. I don't know who it was."

"Elena," he chided. "It couldn't have been anyone but Stefan and you know it. It is a good thing though."

"How is being attacked by my boyfriend a good thing?"

He looked a little tiffed by my choice of words. "At least we know he's still in town."

"I don't think-"

"I can smell him. His scent was all over your room when I walked in."

I stared at him and then looked down. "He's been in there before."

"Yes, but it was a fresh scent," he replied.

"For all you know, he could have wanted to talk."

He shook his head. "We both know that if he wanted to talk, he would have announced his presence."

I sighed and balled my fists. "Fine. Maybe it was Stefan. Look, can we not talk about this right now?"

"What would you like to talk about then; the weather; how you kissed me the other night; life in general?" he asked nonchalantly.

He was trying to catch me off guard; and he succeeded. I tried to answer him, but couldn't. "I didn't-"

"You most certainly did. I distinctly remember you throwing yourself at me."

"I didn't mean to and it won't happen again," I said and pushed past him.

"I don't blame you. I truly am irresistible," he teased as I walked down the stairs and to the front door. As I reached for the handle, he was there, preventing me from leaving. He lightly tipped my chin up. "I was kidding," he said, but there was something in his eyes that I had never seen before and it made me nervous. "Besides, you can't go home. I won't let you."

"I have to go there eventually. I can't not go home."

"You need to rest. You're still adjusting to the blood," he said as he grabbed my shoulders and spun me around. I said nothing as I walked upstairs with him following behind me. I saw a pile of clothes on the trunk at the foot of Stefan's bed and turned to look at Damon. "I figured you'd be here for awhile."

"You brought clothes for me?"

"I thought that was obvious, but yes, Elena, I brought clothes for you."

Before I could stop myself, I flung my arms around him. "Thank you for everything. I know how hard it is for you to be nice," I said lightly and was glad that he realized I was teasing him. He slowly put his arms around me and I couldn't blame him, my mood was changing back and forth rapidly. I assumed it was the vampire blood and stepped back.

"You're welcome," he replied and took his time in letting me go. "If anything happens, I will be right there."

I nodded. "Night," I said and closed the door. I sat on the foot of the bed, staring at the clothes and a small duffel bag full of toiletries that he had also taken the liberty to pack for me and it warmed my heart. As I stretched out on the bed, I put my hand over my neck and flinched slightly as my fingers brushed the new skin where I had been bitten. I held my hand up to inspect the ring and then sighed as I turned on my side and stared off into space. I thought I was going to be with Matt forever and along came Stefan. My life had changed and he had promised me forever. Literally. Only now, he was gone and his brother was still here.

And for whatever reason, I couldn't get him out of my mind.

The gentle rays of the morning sun gleamed through the window and I could feel the uncomfortable sensation on my skin. I stilled as an arm slipped around my waist and I realized my head was curled on someone's chest. When I realized I was in Stefan's room, my heart quickened as I became hopeful. He had come home. My arms tightened around him and without saying anything, I tilted my head up and pressed my lips onto his chin. I refused to let my eyes open, afraid that this was a dream as I scooted up so that I could kiss his lips.

There was no way that this was real, but I didn't want it to end. My lips grazed his only for a brief second before they parted and I kissed him passionately. This was the happiest I had been in weeks and it came to a crashing stop as he rolled me onto my back and whispered in my ear, "I believe you have the wrong Salvatore brother. But by all means, continue."

My eyes shot open and I pushed him away. "What are you doing in here?"

He had a satisfied look on his face as I sat and hugged my knees to my chest. He looked around. "The better question is, what are you doing here?"

I opened my mouth to argue and then realize he was right. It was similar to Stefan's room, but it was definitely Damon's room. "How did I-"

"You got up to use the bathroom and came in here instead."

"Why didn't you just move me?"

"And miss this wake-up call? Never," he said with a massive grin as he glanced at the clock. "You're going to be late for class."

I said nothing as I retreated to Stefan's room, took a fast shower, and then got ready for school as fast as I possibly could. Damon was waiting for me downstairs. "How did you explain to Jenna that my car was still there?"

He tossed me my keys. "I drove it back here."

"Thanks," I said half-heartedly and left without saying another word. I was late to my first class, but the teacher either didn't notice, or didn't care. At lunch, I found my friends and decided to sit with them.

"Where were you?" Matt asked, disappointment clear in his voice.

"Jenna said you went to Stefan's," Caroline said as she grabbed her tray and moved to a different table.

"I guess I deserved that," I said, feeling Bonnie's eyes on me with concern. I was certain she knew what happened, even if it was only speculation. "I'll make it up to her, I promise," I said to Matt as he went to comfort her. "Can we talk?" I asked Bonnie.

She nodded and we went outside and found a secluded place to sit. "Are you alright? Did something happen? I told Caroline that you wouldn't have blown her off without a good reason. I've been trying to call you, but your phone is disconnected."

I nodded, "I have to get a new one later. After I dropped you off, I went home and while I was getting ready I was attacked. If I hadn't called Damon at the last second, I would be dead right now."

She narrowed her eyes. "Damon saved you? Then who attacked you?"

I shrugged, "I don't know."

She nodded and then noticed the ring on my finger. "You look really pale. Did something else happen to you?"

"I'm still me; not a vampire. I'm wearing this because Damon gave me a lot of his blood to keep me alive. It has some strong side effects," I informed her.

"I still can't get over the fact that Damon saved you."

"A lot changed since that night Bonnie. Look, I don't want to talk about Damon, I just wanted you to know that you should probably be on the look-out too. We will get to the bottom of this though and..." my voice trailed off as I looked at her.

"You might need my help," she said flatly.

"I might, but I won't ask you unless there's no other way and you can always say no. I understand if you don't want to help."

"I'll think about it. What are you going to tell Matt and Caroline?" she asked, changing the subject for me.

I shook my head. "I don't know, but I'd rather have them hate me for a little bit than know what really happened. The Council is already on the hunt for vampires, the last thing I need is for Caroline to open her mouth about it."

Bonnie nodded in agreement and the bell rang. "Elena?"

"Yes?" I returned before we parted ways in the hall.

"Be careful with Damon," she said before turning away and leaving me in the hall, wondering if she had seen something in a vision.

After school, I went to get a new phone and was grateful that they gave me my same number. I called Jenna and left her a voicemail before going back to my car. I paused when I saw Uncle John waiting for me. "Ah, Elena. How are you?"

I looked around uncomfortably. "I'm fine."

He nodded and just stared at me. "We need to talk. Do you have a minute?"

Someone dropped a dish in the bistro next to my car and it made me jump. John noticed, but didn't say anything. "Where?"

"We could take a walk," he said and urged me to follow him away from the town to the little park on the other side of the road. "How is Stefan?"

"He's fine," I growled.

"Elena, I know what he is. I know what Damon is. When were you going to tell me that you were dating a vampire?"

"The same time you were going to tell me about your conversation with Isobel," I retorted as we both stopped near a shaded bench.

"So you did hear me."

"Stefan is different. He wouldn't hurt anyone," I said and even I didn't believe myself.

"Then what happened to him on Saturday? He just disappeared. Did he attack that girl?"

"I don't know," I said in a small voice.

He pursed his lips as he rubbed his chin. "The last entry that John Gilbert wrote was that he had killed both of his sons because they rescued Katherine from being put in that tomb."

My eyes went wide in surprise. They hadn't told me that. "What does that have to do with me?"

"I'm giving you three days to hand Stefan over to the Council. If you fail to do so, when I launch a hunt, your name will be on the list of those to take down. Human or not, you're helping them, therefore you are the enemy. I don't want to see you dead, but if you force me, so be it. Now run along and deliver my message to Damon," he said and started walking away. "Three days Elena. I mean it," he called over his shoulder.