A/N: Things are going to take a turn for the weird. Let me know if you like it or not!
When the doorbell rang at 5:30 in the morning the next day, to say I was pissed off would be the understatement of the century. Elena came running into my room, her entire person askew. She was completely frazzled. Even though Katherine had taken up residence in Stefan's room and Jeremy on the couch, there were no sounds from anywhere in the house to show that anybody was making a move toward the door, "Don't anybody move," I groaned, "I'll get it." Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I trudged down the steps and to the front door. The person who I found standing on my porch was definitely not somebody I would've suspected, "Liz?"
"It's been a while, Damon." She started, one hand on her belt, the other outstretched in my direction, "May I come in?"
"Little early for a hook up, don't you think?" It was a little weak, but it was the best I had at the present time, so I rolled with and finished out with a solid, "Kinky." She took a step back, giving me a disgusted look.
"I've got an hour before I have to be at the station. I was hoping that I could speak to Elena." At my questioning look, she threw her hands up, "I know what it's like…to be a mom. I just want to talk to her. Offering my … help once her child is born."
"Believe me, Liz. She's got more help than she wants already. Thanks for stopping by." I tried to slam the door, but she caught it with her steel-toed boot.
"All due respect, Damon; I don't think Jeremy, Caroline, and Bonnie are going to cut it. She needs a financially stable adult in the picture."
"Well, as far as you're concerned, I am the financially stable adult. She has all the support she needs." I could feel my muscles tense. This bitch had some serious nerve, "Now if that's all you wanted, I'll be seeing you." I nodded, and with that, I attempted again to slam the door, only to be stopped once more.
"Let me in, Damon."
"And why would I do that?" A genuine question. What was keeping me from stepping onto the porch and ripping her head clear off her shoulders?
"I'm just extending a courtesy by knocking. I'll find Elena on my own eventually." There was a smug grin on her face as she waited for my response.
"Come in." I whispered, opened the door wider for her, "I'll get Elena. You stay here." I commanded.
While walking up the stairs, I briefly considered waking up Katherine to go downstairs and talk to the crazy, but then I knew the Sheriff would know the difference. They were just too different. So I walked back to my room and opened the door as quietly as possible. That's where I saw her.
Elena was laying there, in my bed, in my room, sleeping curled up in a tiny ball. It almost made me not want to wake her up. She just looked so peaceful. Though, I knew the Sheriff and she would be up here at any moment if I didn't wake Elena up and get her downstairs fast. I silently approached where she was laying and carefully pressed a palm against her shoulder, shaking her awake in the gentlest way I knew how, "Lena," I whispered, trying not to startle her as she came out of her haze, "Sheriff's downstairs. She wants to talk to you. Do you want to talk to her? If not, I could always…eat her."
"I'd take you up on that offer, Damon," she began, throwing the sheets off of her body and balancing herself precariously on her feet once more, "but chances are, she's pumped full of vervain. I'll just go talk to her? Did she say what she wanted?" Elena enquired, as I followed her down the stairs.
I thought for a moment that I could play dumb and act like Liz hadn't told me anything, but I quickly voted against that, considering that it had taken a lot to get me back into Elena's good graces. I wasn't going to make one stupid lie and let all of that fall to pieces, "She wants to talk to you about your…situation." I tried to dodge calling it anything in particular, considering we weren't entirely sure what it was yet.
"Alright," she nodded, placing her hand on the doorknob at the end of the stairs, leading to the den, where Liz waited impatiently, "You can wait right here. You can listen; just don't come in, please." She whispered under her breath. I could see her, mentally preparing herself for whatever waited on the other side of the door, "Sheriff," she began in greeting. I heard the screech of springs, signaling that they had both taken a seat on their own pieces of rickety furniture.
"Elena, how are you holding up?"
"I'm doing well, thank you." You could hear the accusatory tone in Elena's voice. It was obvious that she was trying to keep it under control, but could barely contain herself.
"And- how is Matt?"
"I wouldn't know. I haven't spoken to him since the incident."
"And how come you haven't begun to move back in with your brother? I would think that after such an emotionally wracking decision, you would want to move back in with somebody who could help you out a bit."
"Oh, Jeremy has plenty on his own plate right now. He's trying to finish college, you know. Anyway, I like it here. As long as I am welcome, I prefer to stay here over anywhere else. I feel safe here." There was a brief lull before Elena finally just cut to the chase, "Sheriff, I know you aren't here just for the cozy catch up, so what do you really want?"
"I'd simply like to offer my help when the time comes, should you need any assistance."
That had clearly struck a nerve with Elena, "You don't think I can take care of myself?" she squeaked, her voice coming out three octaves higher than usual, "You don't have to beat around the bush, Liz," Ooh, using the first name; impressive, "You don't think I can take care of my own baby. You think I don't have what it takes to be a mother."
"Well, if we're going to be frank, then no. I don't believe you have what it takes, but that is for you to decide. I would, however, like a hand in teaching you the ropes."
"Because your first attempt turned out so well?" Ooh, burn.
"I made plenty of mistakes while raising Caroline. I just want an opportunity to do right by her. You need a firm group for support after your child is born, and you need a financially sound adult. I can do that."
"I am a financially sound adult. In case you've already forgotten, I have a PhD."
"In parapsychology. You will never be able to hold down a steady job with that degree, Elena!"
"I have Damon. And Jeremy. And Ric and Bonnie. Believe me. I have plenty of people that I can come to before I consult with you, Sheriff. And as for fixing your mistakes. That sounds like you have a bone to pick with Caroline and you are not going to throw me and my child into the middle of it."
"Who's to say they won't get fed up, or bored even? They have the capability to walk out. I wouldn't do that. I am a responsible adult, offering you financial aide." Liz was truly befuddled. It would've been almost hilarious if the timing hadn't been so terrible.
"Liz, the fact that you had the nerve to come to this house and try to talk to me about this, in lew of everything that's happened just proves that you don't deserve anything. I don't owe you anything."
"Elena-"
"You go to Hell." Elena spat, charging back through the door and straight into my chest, wrapping her arms around my middle, both hugging and crying simultaneously. I couldn't do anything. I was frozen to my spot. What the hell were you supposed to say to a girl who basically just told the town sheriff, the mother of her best friend, to go f*** herself.
"I've got you." I finally managed to say, rubbing small circles on her back. Needless to say, I wasn't good at the whole…comforting…thing. I knew that if I was going to keep up with this girl, I was going to have to become better at it though, and fast.
"Can we just go back to bed, Damon?" she asked through sniffles, and I nodded, as she craned her head to look up at me. She looked so- broken.
"Yeah, yeah we can." I told her, trying to keep my cool about me, as I picked her up bridal style and sped her back to my room, where she gratefully collapsed back where she had started in the first place and was asleep with minutes. With plenty of time left until the sun rises, I took the opportunity to fall asleep on the couch at the foot of the bed. I only prayed that when Elena woke up, she wouldn't remember any of this.
A/N: So, it has been a LONG time, and I promise to update more frequently. I know this isn't my best writing, but it is just a bridge into things to come! Trust me, I HAVE A PLAN! As always, leave a review, because I love them. If you leave a review, I will personally hand you the keys to the Boarding House…or a cookie. Whatever tickles your pickle. Alrighty then. I'm out! Seeya next time! xMags