This little scene is a continuation of the scene in which Elena arrives at the Salvatore Boarding House near the end of Season 4, Episode 7 – My Brother's Keeper

Damon opened the door as soon as Elena was there. They did not exchange words, he knew she was coming. She didn't need to explain the reason to him. He opened the door wide and she entered.

Stefan obviously didn't know. She was explaining her arrival to him as soon as he appeared in front of her.

"I can't stay at home anymore."

Stefan's first words didn't surprise them. "Pick a room."

His brief hesitation didn't surprise them either. He seemed to be letting Elena squirm a little.

His final words surprised them both. "I'll crash somewhere else."

They were both troubled as he walked away.

"I didn't mean to…" Elena said softly. "It's his home."

"It's his choice," Damon said as they watched his figure disappear from view. He closed the door and turned to Elena. "I know this is hard for you," he said.

She closed her eyes and nodded her head. "Where will he go?"

"He's a vampire, Elena." Damon said, "He can go anywhere."

She shook her head. "Damon," she began as she opened her eyes and looked into his. "I'm a vampire, and I only wanted to come here."

"His choice," Damon repeated.

"Yeah," Elena agreed. "And his choices have been really stupid lately. He's got to have hope, or…" She let her voice trail off.

"Hope in what, Elena? Him and you?"

She looked desperately into his eyes. "I guess, until he can find something else to give him hope, a reason to keep his humanity."

Damon turned his back on her, "Well, I wanted this, even if you didn't."

She grabbed his arm, afraid that he would walk away from her. She couldn't believe she was messing this up already. "It's not that I don't want it, Damon. I do. I really do."

She shook her head and let herself slide into a sitting position, leaning her back against the door. "It was easier when he…didn't know about my feelings for you."

Damon snorted, but sat next to her. "Easier for you, easier for him, maybe, but not easier for all of us."

She let herself rub her head with her hands. "I know," she whispered.

"He's making choices," Damon continued, looking at her while her head was still buried in her hands. "And, like you said, his choices are really stupid."

Elena nodded, and dropped her hands, though she kept her eyes closed. "Did I do that to him? Because I couldn't hide what I'm feeling for you? Did I do that?"

Damon leaned in so that his mouth was near her ear. "He did it to himself, Elena. He's always thought he owned you."

She turned to look into his eyes, so he backed his head away a little. "He says I'm becoming something I'm not supposed to be. What about him? Is he supposed to be a liar, a manipulator? A murderer? Is that what he's supposed to be? That's what he's become. How can he accuse me, but ignore himself?"

Damon laughed a little. "He's Stefan. Do you not remember what he did when he was with Klaus? The people he hurt?"

Elena nodded. "I remember, Damon. And I remember what you did for me then. I haven't forgotten."

Damon was nodding as she continued, "Was I so different? Am I becoming as different a person as I think I am?"

Damon reached for her, putting his hand between her face and her hair. "You look like you always have to me. Strong, protective of everyone around you. Willing to take too much crap from both Stefan and me."

That made Elena laugh little. "Sometimes I don't recognize myself. But you've always stopped me before I…" She lowered her head to rub them with her hands again. "Promise me you'll always keep reminding me of who I am when…when I forget." She looked back into his eyes. "Promise me that you'll remind me."

"I promise. I like you the way you are...I always have. I'll remind you."

She nodded. "And promise me you'll help me find a way to give Stefan hope."

Damon smirked. "He's Stefan. Do you really think he'll give up on you so easily?"

"I'm serious Damon."

Damon let his smirk change to acceptance. "Fine. I promise."

Elena nodded. "Thanks," she said as she stood and reached for her bags.

"Let me," Damon said picking them up. "You find a chair, and I'll be right down to show you how good a host I can be."

Elena followed his hand, which pointed to the chairs, and nodded. "Okay. Thanks."

"Pick a room," Damon repeated, echoing Stefan.

Elena looked at him only briefly, then turned to walk towards a chair. "Surprise me."