A\N this is one of the best chapters I've ever wrote. I hope you like it, please leave a review. Hint: You're going to be so happy after this chapter. :P
Damon's POV
It was one of the quietest nights. Elena went to sleep at Bonnie's so I found myself alone in the boarding house. As much as it bothered me to say it, I hated the feeling of being alone. Or better yet, I hated the feeling of her not being with me, under the sane roof.
Sometimes it pained me, the fact that Klaus could come and get Elena whenever he wanted to. The fact that he would cart her around the world as his personal blood bag and then kill her when he's done. And sometimes I felt like I'm going to give up. But no, I would never do that.
I closed my eyes.
"Damon,"
I was in a beautiful place. White and pink flowers surrounded the area, and then an angelic voice called me. "Damon," The voice said again, and I realized where I was.
The Salvatore house of the 1800s.
"Mom?" I realized that the person calling was my mother.
"Damon," She cried, taking me in her arms, and I hugged her back tightly.
"How am I here, mother?"
"I love you, Damon," she said. "You're a good man. Don't give up. Fight," she urged.
"I'm doing everything for her and Stefan, ma."
"Then keep fighting… for her, Damon. Keep fighting. I would've loved her if I was still alive. She's much better than Katherine."
"You know about Katherine?"
"I've been watching you, Damon. I'm always with you. Don't forget that."
Then I found myself alone.
I woke up startled, and my face had traces of tears, something I didn't usually have. I turned on the light as my hands shook, opening one of the drawers in the bedside table. There, in a small black velvet bag, was a locket necklace-The necklace I had for more than a hundred years. It belonged to my mother, and in the locket was a picture of our family. Stefan was barely two in the picture and I was ten years old. I stared at the picture as if it was the most precious thing, until I let myself drift into sleep.
Elena's POV
(The next morning)
"Look who finally came," Stefan's dark, cold voice greeted. I went to see Stefan, to see how he is doing, but by the look of it, it was clearly a very bad idea.
"How are you feeling?" I murmured, seeing the state he was in. He was sweating and he seemed in pain. My heart broke; I never wanted him to feel like this. But I had to do this-to help him. I knew this wasn't him.
"You chain me, torture me, starve me and lock me and you ask me how I'm feeling?" Stefan spat, his fangs elongating with rage. I withdrew back immediately, for my own sake.
Stefan shot me a cold look as his veins appeared, and in a moment he was struggling against the chair. "Let me go!" he roared. "Or you're going to be a very sorry little girl!"
Hearing the threat almost stopped my heart beating, and I kept my distance.
"Stefan, I'm doing this to help you. Please understand," I pleaded. "I love you, Stefan. And I know you do too, but if you don't turn it on again you won't be able to love me like you did."
Stefan stared at me as if I was speaking a language he didn't understand, and then he said sternly, "Leave, Elena. Or otherwise I don't know what can happen if you don't. Leave me alone," He repeated, his last sentence coming out in a long growl that scared me.
"I'm not going to give up on you, Stefan," I said, taking my bag as I left the cell.
.
.
I arrived at the boarding house and the first thing I did was trying to distract myself from reality. Damon wasn't there and the house needed a good clean, so I started by cleaning the parlor. However, Stefan's angry face haunted me.
"I don't remember hiring a maid," I heard a voice say, and my head whipped around, only to see Damon.
"God! You always manage to scare me," I breathed.
Damon smirked, but only just for a moment. "I went to see Stefan."
"I went there too this morning," I said, but Damon's face turned to that of a gasp.
"You did what?" He barked, and I flinched. Damon rarely yelled at me.
"D-Don't get mad, ok?" I whimpered, and his face suddenly turned soft.
"I'm not mad," He said in a quieter voice. "I'm just looking out for you, Elena. My brother kept saying rough words when I saw him… about you."
"He hates me."
"Hey… don't say that," Damon said, moving a bit closer. "I just don't want you going there by yourself, I don't know what he's capable of."
"He scared me," I admitted.
Damon sighed. "Look, Elena… I know this isn't probably the best idea but I want to get you out of town for a while-"
I cocked an eyebrow.
"Give me a day," He said, almost pleading. "Let's distract ourselves for a while. Alaric is taking care of the Viking script crap…"
"Okay," I interrupted him, and he actually seemed shocked that I agreed. But he was right, the day we went to Atlanta I had an amazing time and it helped me forget everything. "But I have to be here by four. I've got an appointment for the homecoming this night."
He seemed relieved. "I have a place to take you to… and I'll buy you dinner."
Was he taking me out on a date? That was my first thought, but I shrugged.
"Okay, I'll get ready."
"Perfect," Damon said.
.
.
He held the door open for me as I sat in the passenger's seat next to him. His eyes never left me, studying every action I was doing. He then went to the driver's seat and then he moved closer to me, pulling the seatbelt and fastening it securely around me. I held my breath as his finger lightly touched my waist as he fastened it, and then he chuckled, "Safety first, little human."
For a few moments he drove in silence, and I looked out the window. It was a perfect and beautiful day, the sun was shining and the trees were greener than I ever remembered. Seeing all of this I thanked God that I was given a second chance-No matter how this chance is screwed-but at least I was still alive.
"She would've loved you, you know," I heard Damon say.
"Who?" I asked, catching me off guard.
"My mother."
He surprised me-I never heard Damon talking about his family or human life.
"What was she like? Why-"
"I dreamt of her," Damon quickly explained. "And she was very kind, Elena. Back at that time, slaves and maids were treated badly. My mother treated every single one of them as a human being should be treated. My father wasn't bad, either, but he believed in discipline. But my mother had the ability to chide you without even getting mad at you, and she was very compassionate."
"Oh," I breathed out, realizing I had held my breath.
"She used to tuck me in bed and sing to me, telling me that angels were watching over me," Damon chuckled at the memory. "She said that nothing would ever happen to me."
"What happened to her, Damon?" I asked sadly.
"After she gave birth to Stefan she grew weak. However when I was ten years old, after two years of struggle, my mom died one night. To distract himself my father ended up working and then turned to the vampire business. He became a very serious and strict man, more than he had already been, and even our relationship drifted apart. When I was seventeen years old I joined the army… this made him even mad. And then you know the rest of the story," he eyed me, as if he was seeing my expression. Yeah, Katherine came around and destroyed two lives.
"Yeah," I mumbled.
"She would've loved you," he repeated. "She loved everyone."
I instinctively reached out for his hand, and he looked at our hands joined together for a brief moment before giving me a soft but sad smile.
"She really seemed sweet."
"Yes, she was. I love her, I never stopped missing her ever since she died."
"I know what it's like to lose parents," I sighed, memories of Miranda and Grayson Gilbert, who were supposed to be my parents, flashed through my mind. He gave me a compassionate smile, and then he turned to me.
"Do you understand now why I want to keep you alive, no matter what price will be paid?"
He stopped the engine, pulling at a side of the road so that he could turn all around to face me. I knew why-because he loved me. Because he would do anything for me, like he already did. Because he would die for me.
"I can't bear the thought of losing you, Elena. When I lost my mother, I felt incredible grief inside of me, when I lost Katherine I was ready to die even though the circumstances ended up differently. But you… I can't ever lose you. You are the only girl that never judged me despite what I did to hurt you." He cupped my face in his hands, planting his eyes to mine. "You had every reason to hate me forever. But you don't…And you are the only one I have, actually-I can't trust and care about the others the way I do with you. Not even with my brother."
I couldn't find words to answer him, I was left speechless. He gave me a warm smile as he started the engine again, leaving me with more confusion than ever.
Author's POV
Caroline felt the urge to throw her phone in anger, but knowing that with her vampire strength the phone will probably break, she decided to calm down. Tyler was still following Rebekah like a lost puppy, and it was Rebekah that put Caroline in such a bad mood-the girl answered her boyfriend's phone.
After about an hour Caroline decided to drive to the Lockwood mansion, entering Tyler's bedroom. But she gasped in horror as she saw Tyler. He was holding a young teenage girl in his arms, and he had his fangs sinking in her neck. On the floor was another girl, dead. Caroline flashed in front of Tyler, grabbing the girl away from him.
"What the hell!" He growled.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Embracing my nature, Caroline," Tyler said, blood dripping down his chin. "Rebekah's right."
"Rebekah? You worship her, now?"
"I don't worship anyone, Caroline."
"Listen to me, Tyler," Caroline said angrily. "If you are not going to control yourself then we are so done."
Tyler widened his eyes, reaching for Caroline. "Don't."
Caroline turned to him. "I won't love a monster."
"It's just the blood, Caroline…" Tyler whispered. "I can't…"
"Yes, you can. I was in this position once. Let me help you."
Elena's POV
"I used to come here a few decades ago," Damon said, opening the door for me and giving me his hand. I took it, and I realized we were in a very beautiful green area.
"A little walk… can't resist," Damon grinned. "Don't worry if you'll get tired, I'll happily carry you."
I smirked as I followed him, and Damon said, "After everything that happened I started to hate Mystic Falls. However, I used to come to this place alone each time I passed from here. I didn't return to Mystic Falls in a while except to annoy Zach, but then I followed my brother. I knew he was up to something the moment he came here, I mean I saw you, you looked like her. At first I thought Stefan was looking for revenge, until I saw you writing your diary in the cemetery. I instantly knew you weren't Katherine."
"So I was right," I remembered. "I could've sworn there was a man that day. I was scared, I fell and then Stefan popped up."
"I was observing you," He admitted. "You looked like her… I wanted to know about you."
I shook my head slightly.
"It's here," He changed the subject. "Right past these trees."
The moment we passed them, we were near a beautiful river, a waterfall shining like a crystal. I was amazed by the beauty of it.
"Wow," I breathed.
"Do you want to go for a swim?" Damon asked suddenly.
"Damon…I don't think I have a swimsuit here," I laughed.
"So?"
Contemplating what he said for three times, I finally nodded.
"You're going to have to pay for my medicine if I get sick though…" I warned.
He chuckled, taking his shirt off. I turned my eyes away from his chest almost immediately, not wanting him to catch me staring. I took off my shoes and put them aside, and then took off my shirt leaving me in my v-neck vest top and jeans.
He jumped in the water, and I yelled out, "Is it cold?"
"You'll get used to it," He said, and without warning he pulled me from the edge and I found myself in the water. I breathed for air like a fish that was suffocating, and he chuckled.
"Says the guy who doesn't feel the cold," I groaned, shivering as the cold water hit my chest from inside the thin vest top.
"What can I say… I'm awesome."
I playfully splashed him, and then he came from behind me and grabbed me from my waist, tickling me hard.
"No! Damon stop, you're going to drown me…"
"I saved you from big bad Klaus, do you think I'm gonna let some water hurt you?" Damon said, his tickles getting harder, and I struggled against his grasp, laughing my head off.
"You're killing me!"
In an instant I found myself on the ground again lying on the grass. Damon pinned my arms gently but firmly on the ground next to my head, as I panted, "No! Don't…" as he ran his fingers on my sides and stomach.
"God I'm gonna kill you!" I cried out as he tickled the space between my neck and shoulder, laughing hard as he did.
Then I knew what I had to do. "Ouch, Damon, you're hurting me. You're holding my arms too tight."
Damon smiled, "Not gonna fall for that, honey."
"Ouch, I'm serious…"
He immediately withdrew and I let out a chuckle, trying to tickle him instead.
"You little brat," He said, smiling, "I'm not that ticklish."
Fail.
In an instant he had me pinned again, and he fell on top of me. I felt the urge to pull his face to mine and kiss him once again, as he studied my face and I saw him reach out for my face, but then he rolled over me.
"Sorry."
"It's okay," I murmured, actually disappointed that he left.
We spent the day there, talking and laughing forgetting the world. Then when I made myself presentable and dried out, we went to a casual take restaurant and I took a burger while Damon took an Italian plate which he insisted I'd taste.
"Thanks for today, Damon," I said when we were in the car. "I needed it."
"You're very welcome," He replied. "Now… where shall I drop you?"
"The hairdresser's, please."
.
.
I told Damon that I would get ready in my house and the moment I went in I ran to Jeremy.
"Wow… you look beautiful," He said, looking at my soft curly hair.
"Thanks," I blushed. "How are you, Jeremy?"
"Bonnie's still pissed at me," He sad sadly. "But she's starting to forgive me. I'm taking her to the dance."
Before I could ask how, he said, "Damon said he'll compel them to let me in, since I'm not supposed to come," He grinned.
"Oh, ok, good," I smiled back.
I went to take a shower and then put on the dress Damon bought me. It fitted perfectly and I smiled at the mirror, it had been a long time since I admired my natural self. I applied soft and natural looking make up and wore the high heels.
A few minutes later the bell rang and Damon was there, dressed elegantly in a suit that made him look so handsome.
Damon's POV
My jaw almost dropped at the sight of her, she was wearing the dress I bought her and it looked so beautiful on her. Her hair was softly curled and she was wearing very little make up, emphasizing her natural beauty.
"You look…beautiful," I breathed out.
She turned crimson. "Thank you. You look good, too."
"I got you something."
Elena's POV
I watched as he gave me a small box and in it there was a black and white corsage. It was very beautiful, and it matched perfectly with the dress.
"Wow… thank you," I said, and he put the corsage around my wrist.
"Ready to go?"
"Ready."
Caroline wasn't answering her phone and I was surprised, since she was so up to this. Damon drove to the school, of course compelling the man to let him in since he didn't even go to school.
He linked his arm to mine as we entered where the ceremony was to be held. Eyes were on us: Some were whispering in each other's ears, some where eyeing Damon from head to foot, some were looking disgustingly at me, and some were just smiling. I knew that it looked weird since everyone knew I was dating Stefan-But to the town I was being pictured as some kind of whore and I knew that. Alaric living in the house created some theories too, but I didn't give a damn, nobody knew what pain I went through in reality, so I wasn't going to let their judging tear me.
Damon seemed to be thinking the same because he squeezed my arm tighter, ignoring the side comments.
In a few moments we were on the dancefloor dancing to very loud music. Damon spun me around fast, causing me to step on his foot all the time. He just chuckled as he pulled me from my arm, my back hitting his chest, so that he was holding me like that for a moment. Then the music turned slow and we went to a quieter area dancing slowly to the music, his arms wrapped around my waist and the other on my back, making me shiver.
"You look really beautiful tonight, Elena," he said, examining me.
I smiled at him as we continued to dance, and very distantly I could also see Bonnie and Jeremy who apparently were dancing-but their expression wasn't happy. I looked harder as I suddenly saw Caroline dancing-with Matt. I knew that this was trouble.
But right at that moment, I couldn't think of anything else except me dancing with Damon, his arms wrapped around me in a protective way, even though it was just a dance.
I couldn't hide my feelings anymore.
I reached out for him and put my lips on his. Damon froze, he clearly wasn't expecting that, however he didn't let me pull away from him. He reached out for me again and his lips covered mine, kissing me passionately with the sound of the music. My hands found their way to his hair and in return, his fingers were on my cheek, still not pulling away for a second. We kissed like that for what seemed like forever, until I had to pull away to suck in air. We looked at each other's eyes as our fingers twirled together.
It felt so right. More right than it should've felt.
I suck when writing kiss scenes, but I think it is good. YEAY they kissed! I love them! Stay tuned for next chapter!
Please Review! ;)
These are the pictures I had in mind:
Dress: .com/_
Corsage: /sitepics/silkcorsage/black_
