Like one of the reviewers said before, I'm on a writing spree, haha, I suppose you guys take what you can get before I disappear again ;) anyway, here is more of ALWWF :)
The ride to the hospital went by in silence, because they all were too nervous to speak, their thoughts squarely on what was awaiting them once they got the hospital.
Elena looked behind her every few minutes to see Caroline slowly losing her bearings in the backseat, so she looped her arm through hers the second they arrived at the hospital.
''Go, we're right behind you,'' Elena encouraged softly at a frantic Damon. He nodded at them and jogged towards the entrance.
''Caroline?'' Elena asked softly.
''Caroline?'' she tried again, a little louder when she realized the blonde wasn't listening to a word she said.
''What if I'm too late, Elena? I was about to ask him to that ball and that's when the hospital called and said that he was in a car accident. They said he was in serious pain! What if I'm too late, Lena?'' she voiced her insecurities and fears desperately.
Elena grabbed Caroline and dragged her towards the entrance, where she saw Damon trying to knock sense into a star-struck receptionist. ''You'll never know unless we go inside and find out for ourselves,'' she ordered forcefully.
She was glad Caroline didn't say a word after that, too afraid for Stefan's life to answer to her authoritative tone.
''Damon?'' Elena asked softly when they reached him, with her hand still in Caroline's.
He looked at Elena with a wild expression, the panic and desperation evident in his expressive eyes. He jerked his chin towards the hall they were to find Stefan. They followed him silently, both not knowing what to say in such a situation.
When they reached the white and depressing hallway where Stefan lay, in one of those equally depressing and sterile rooms, they saw the king and queen already sitting, some bodyguards at the ends of the hallway looking around for intruders. It wouldn't take long before people started finding out about who was in the hospital at that moment, and they wanted to grant them as much privacy as they earned.
She looked at Isabella who went to embrace Damon, and then Caroline and Elena. Giuseppe stayed stoic, but then again it seemed as if Damon wasn't even planning to acknowledge his existence.
Just when the doctor showed up, he and Giuseppe started talking in rapid Italian, and it didn't take long before Damon stood up to join in on the argument. The doctor tried to stay calm, and before they knew it, Elena and Isabella stood up to calm the men down.
''I don't know what he just said, but eventually he is doctor who has Stefan's life in his hands. He knows what he's doing,'' Elena whispered to Damon once Isabella got her husband to sit down.
Damon looked down at their entwined hands and he sighed. ''The doctor said that he got hit by a pickup truck, and he was beyond lucky that the truck hit the passenger and he was the only one in the car. He broke two bones in his left arm and bruised a couple of ribs, but he got off pretty easy.''
Elena let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding, and smiled, before a frown took over. ''Why were you arguing with the doctor?''
''He said it wasn't smart to let Stefan receive visitors yet, as he is still out from the morphine they gave him. Dad got pissed off because he said that as king he was supposed to be able to see his son when he wanted to, and the doctor made him even angrier by saying that he wasn't going to go against the hospital regulations because of his status.''
Elena chuckled softly. ''I like this guy.''
''I figured you would,'' he said with a small smirk.
''Damon, you'll see him soon enough, okay? It doesn't matter if it's now or next week, at least you know he's okay, and that's all that matters. Let him sleep it off,'' Elena advised.
He smiled down at her, awe in his eyes for this girl that had him completely wrapped around her finger.
He nodded and told her she should go sit down, which, for once, she did without protest. His hand felt cold when she let go of it, but he wasn't about to try anything in front of Caroline and his parents in the middle of a creepy hospital hallway while his little brother was somewhere recovering from a car accident.
Talk about wrong timing?
''How was Rosa's?'' Isabella asked as Giuseppe was on a business-call, Caroline went to get coffee and Damon took off to god knows where, and they were the only ones left in the hallway.
Elena smiled. ''It was amazing. You have a great family, Isabella.''
The queen grinned in agreement, and nodded. ''Wasn't it too overwhelming for your American heart?''
Elena laughed at that, and nodded. ''At first, but I got used to it fairly quickly. Sofia's story was even more intriguing than I first thought, though.''
''A little birdy told me that you wanted to write a book about her?'' Isabella asked curiously.
Elena smiled and chuckled before nodded. ''Yeah, it was kind of an impulsive thought. I always wanted to be a writer when I was little and that dream still hasn't faded. Sofia and Amato's story is just too beautiful to let it go. And since the royal family owned the diaries, I figured you wouldn't mind?''
Isabella shook her head. ''You do whatever you need to do, honey.''
''Isabella! Oh, god, how is Stefan! I heard about it just after it happened from daddy, I was so worried. How is Damon?''
The two women looked behind them, and Elena didn't miss the look of distaste cloud Isabella's features before she schooled them in her cool ice-queen demeanor.
The woman that asked for their attention was truly beautiful, and looked a disturbing lot like Elena, with the same facial complexion, body type – save for the bigger, much, much bigger boobs – eye color and hair color was the same. They had different facial features, though, and especially their smiles were what set them apart. Where Elena's smile was honest and warm, the woman's smile was malicious, fake, and sent unpleasant tingles down your spine.
''Katherine,'' Isabella greeted her coldly.
Oh. So, this was Katherine Pierce-Petrova, another name that popped up too many times in Damon's Google search results. The gorgeous woman clad in printed dark skin-tight jeans, floral bustier crop top, red leather jacket and red suede ankle boots. She had huge sunglasses on her head hiding most of her face, and her luscious brown hair was slicked back in a tight bun. She looked Elena up and down, who had changed in a pair of ripped denim cut-offs, a 'I prefer the drummer' t-shirt, some grey Coverse shoes and some Aviators on top of her red tweed fedora hat to match her necklace. Unlike Katherine, who's nails were midnight black, Elena's nails were a soft gold in color. The way Katherine eyed her up and down made her uncomfortable, but Elena schooled her features in a curious and bored expression. Katherine was an intimidating woman, but the second Damon came into view and she saw the disgruntled expression on his face, her confidence returned.
''Damon, baby!'' she screeched and launched herself in Damon's arms. He remained stoic in her embrace.
''What are you doing here, Katherine?'' he asked, bored. He looked behind her shoulder at Elena, and smiled at her.
''I was here to see how you were doing. If we are ever going to get married I need to get more involved in your life, babe.''
''Okay, first of all, don't call me that. Second of all, how many times do I have to tell you, we are not getting married! Third of all, unless you truly are worried about Stefan, I suggest you get the hell out of here,'' he warned her.
Katherine just rolled her eyes and sat down opposite of Elena, still staring her down.
''Did the doctors say anything yet?'' Isabella asked, pretending as If Katherine wasn't even in the same room as them.
Damon shook his head and went to sit down next to Elena, throwing his arm over the back of her chair, not quite touching her but still proving some kind of point. What that was, none of them knew.
Katherine raised her brow at how Elena leaned back slightly and Damon smiled, but got distracted when another blonde came back.
''Anyone coffee?'' she asked, and forcefully offered Isabella, Damon and Elena a cup of bad hospital coffee.
''I'm going to check on my husband, call me when the doctor comes back with more news. You all should head home soon enough. The doctor said he'd call as soon as Stefan would wake up and that won't happen today,'' Isabella said with determination before making a graceful exit.
''Who are you?'' Caroline asked bluntly when she saw Katherine sitting there, glaring at Damon and Elena.
Elena had to hold back a chuckle, and Damon pressed his lips together to prevent from smirking. God, you gotta love her bedside manners.
''My name is Katherine, I'm Damon's fiancée.''
Elena frowned and Caroline glared at him.
Damon rolled his eyes. ''She got that through her head when my dad tried to set us up. There's nothing going on between us,'' he said while looking at Elena. He didn't understand why he was explaining himself to her, it wasn't as if he had some kind of claim on her. And still, despite that minor detail he felt obligated to tell her that.
She nodded and smiled at him.
''And who is that?'' Katherine asked rudely.
''Well, 'that', is sitting right in front of you,'' Elena snapped.
''Oh, didn't see you there,'' she replied haughtily.
''Well, you do now, so you can ask me anyway,'' Elena replied in the same tone. God, who the hell did she think she is?
In the corner of her eyes she could see Damon smirk at her comments, and she felt a surge of pride run through her because she proved herself to him once again. Again, this was nothing like her, usually.
Katherine snorted. ''Damon, can I talk to you for a moment?''
''No,'' he deadpanned.
Katherine pouted and crossed her legs seductively, making Elena want to strangle her with her bare hands. ''Please? It's important.''
''Go, I can take a cab ride home with Caroline,'' Elena encouraged softly.
He looked at her for a second, resisting the urge to kiss her on the forehead – forehead, seriously? – and walked out in front of Katherine, not looking behind him to see if she followed him or not. With one last arrogant glance towards the blonde and brunette, did she turn around to hop towards Damon.
Caroline groaned. ''What a bitch! And the way she dares to talk to you, good thing you manhandled her!''
Elena let out a annoyed breath and nodded in agreement. ''Do you think she's right? That those two would get engaged? He should be getting married soon enough, the pressure is still there, and..''
''Am I not supposed to be the insecure and neurotic one? Trust me, with the way he is looking at you, there is nothing you need to worry about.''
Elena was just about to object, but Caroline dismissed it with an eye-roll, they walked out of the hospital and hailed a cab.
Once again she found herself alone in the city of Naples, feeling good in her own skin for once. She traded her shorts and t-shirt combo for high waist zip back shorts, a singlet and flip-flops. She frowned when she realized what she street she was on, and walked down the pavement to see the shop where she got the necklace from to be raided by some men. On instinct, she hid her necklace in her bra so the ruby couldn't be seen. Why she did it, she didn't know, but her mind was on overdrive when she saw the same old lady outside the story, her devastated expression making Elena's heart constrict.
''Excuse me? Alessandra?'' Elena asked worriedly.
''Elena!'' the fashionable woman called when she saw the brunette. She frowned shortly when she didn't see the necklace, but grabbed Elena's arm nonetheless.
''Where is your necklace?'' she asked hurriedly.
Elena shortly grabbed to show her she was still wearing it, and after a second let it slide back into her cleavage again, a worried and confused frown still ever present on her face.
''Good, good,'' Alessandra nodded to herself.
''Alessandra, what's going on? Who are these men?''
''They are looking for an artifact. A necklace like yours, actually.''
''Sofia's necklace?'' Elena asked surprised.
Alessandra's brows rose. ''You know?''
''Heard the story from the queen's family herself. Why do these people want the necklace?''
''That questions has a very simple answer, miss,'' someone with a British accent told her.
Elena turned around, frowning when she saw the handsome man staring her down as if she was a bottle of scotch and he was a deprived alcoholic.
''Do tell,'' Elena started, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer.
He shrugged. ''Sofia's necklace has a lot of wealth attached to it. It also opens doors to more…bigger and more imposing doors,'' he explained vaguely.
''Who are you again?'' she asked defiantly with a raised brow.
''Klaus Mikaelson, pleasure,'' he said, holding out his hand. She looked down on it, but her manners got the better of her, and she put her hand in his. She wasn't surprised that he turned her knuckles towards the heavens and kissed her hands. She was surprised however, for the feeling that went through her spine. An uneasy, disturbing feeling that she didn't appreciate.
''Elena Gilbert.''
''Are you related to a John Gilbert, by any chance?''
Elena squinted her eyes, debating if she should give out information like that. Okay, her father was an international figure, and he was probably also in the big leagues if he knew who her father was, but that didn't mean she was to flaunt her position. She had experienced more than once in her life that people could misuse information like that in any kind of way they please.
''Yes.''
He raised an amused brow, but didn't press further. ''Anyway, thank you for letting us borrow your store, Alessandra.''
Alessandra nodded stiffly, clearly liking and trusting this guy just as much as Elena.
''Mr. Mikaelson?'' Elena asked before he had the chance to take off.
''Hmm?'' he asked before stepping into his limo.
''Say hi to Rebekah for me when you see her, would you?'' she asked with a smile, realizing where she knew that last name from.
He looked surprised for a moment, but it vanished just as quickly as it appeared, and he smirked at her again. Not the sexy come-hither smirk she was used to. No, this smirk was malicious, and frankly, disturbing.
''That man disgusts me,'' Alessandra spat as soon as he was gone.
Elena nodded, still staring at the retreating limo.
''Elena?''
She stared at the empty parking spot for one more second before turning to look at the elderly woman. ''Yes?'' she asked to prove she was paying attention.
''Whatever happens, never tell him you have that necklace, okay?''
Elena's eyebrows shot up. ''This isn't that necklace, right?''
Alessandra shrugged. ''I don't know, but it looks real and the gem is real so you never know. That man is a shark, and he will not stop until he has what he wants. I don't know what his ulterior motives are, but the money that that necklace can make is not the only reasons. The gems in my store all together are worth more than just that single gem, and something tells me that he does not wish for that necklace just for its historical value. Do you understand me?''
Elena nodded, although she thought that the woman was taking it a tad too far. Staring at the torn apart story, she understood why Alessandra was being paranoid, though, so she gave her the benefit of the doubt.
''I think it's best if you return to the palace now, Elena, it is to be dinner time soon,'' she encouraged, making clear she wanted Elena to leave.
She frowned, but nodded anyway, making her way back to Caserta with a frown on her face, wondering who the hell this guys was.
Can u do me a favor?
She was lucky her brother was such a good hacker. All those years of gaming finally came in good use, so she sent the text to her brother, not five minutes later getting a reply.
Depends. Italy boring u already?
Elena grinned at her brother. She did miss him.
Not exactly. Just figured u could get me some info on a guy named Klaus Mikaelson? I know he has a sister named Rebekah and his father's Michael. He's British. That's all I know.
She sent the text already dreading the answers that were going to come following the text she just sent him. He may just fresh out of high school, but he was extremely clever and sensed her discomfort even over text. It wasn't like she was hiding something from him, it was just that she just didn't know what to tell him, if he did have question.
He's a business partner of dad's. if u call dad that I'm sure you'll get ur answers.
Elena groaned loudly when she read that text. That was a definite no-go.
Can't u just tell me what u can find out?
She sent the text, realizing she sounded as if she was hiding something. Well, this was going far, far worse than she expected.
Once she was back at the palace, she dressed up in shorts and a tank-top, but draped a knee-length robe over her body when she went out to the patio to sit down and relish in the peace and quiet.
Will do. Don't think you won't get out of explaining this sudden curiosity when I see you again, tho.
I didn't expect anything else. G'night.
Elena sighed. Well, she didn't expect anything else. When she saw that the sun was already completely down, she realized she should be getting inside soon. Whether Stefan was in the hospital or not, she better go make herself presentable for dinner.
Slowly walking up the steps while tying her hair up in a lose bun, she saw that Damon's Camaro was already parked in front of the house. She didn't know how she felt about that. Well, rephrase, she didn't know what to think of the fluttering in her stomach the moment she saw his car in front of the palace. Yes, that was a better explanation. One that didn't permit her to make excuses for herself.
At dinner, the second she walked into the dining room the tension was obvious as thick black smoke.
''Sorry I'm late, forgot the time…'' Elena started, her eyes wide as saucers when she saw everyone at the dinner table. Isabella was in deep conversation with Caroline, which Elena was grateful for, since the queen just wanted to safe the blonde from the awkwardness that was dinner. She even smiled when saw that Damon was in his own world, but his eyes lit up the second she walked in the room. He stood up to back up her chair for her, which she gratefully took. She gulped when she saw Katherine sitting right across from her, in a black mini dress that was by far not considered appropriate for such an occasion, even if every night the dinner was fairly formal.
''What a surprise,'' Elena whispered sarcastically to Damon, who snickered and nodded.
''Elena, was it?'' Katherine asked, disinterested.
Elena nodded stiffly. ''I'm sorry, I for the life of me can't remember who you are?''
This seemed to have pissed Katherine off, but Isabella and Caroline had cut their conversation short so they could be witnesses of the entertainment currently displaying itself at the dinner table.
''It's Katherine,'' she said through gritted teeth.
Elena smiled sweetly at her and shrugged. Good, that'll teach the bitch.
''So, Elena, before you came in we were talking about a possible coupling between Damon and Katherine,'' Giuseppe continued, and the awkwardness replaced the humor as smoothly and easily as a knife cuts through butter. Yeah.
Elena's eyebrows shot up in curiosity, and she felt Damon visibly stiffen beside her.
''Do tell?''
''Well, since Damon is to follow in my footsteps in a couple of years, he needs to find a wife.''
''But since it still takes a few years, shouldn't that be more than enough time for him to be able to choose for himself?''
She didn't notice the smiles around the table. Just the grateful smile the handsome blue-eyed devil sent her way, subtly squeezing her knee under the table.
Even Giuseppe seemed surprised, and raised his brows, Katherine visibly seething at the table.
Elena shrugged carelessly, very well aware of the reactions she was getting all around. ''I'm just saying, if Damon truly already knew what he wanted, Katherine would already have a ring around her finger.''
''I suppose you are right. Oh, well, we shall see. For now Katherine is a guest just like you two,'' Giuseppe dismissed, completely oblivious to what was going on around him.
''How long will you be staying for?'' Caroline asked their new guest, hardly keeping her hostility at bay. 'Bitch' just radiated off of Katherine. She was just one of those girls you instantly disliked, with one small glance. Prejudiced, maybe, but this girl really turned out to be a raging bitch.
''A couple of days, tops. Daddy requested I stay here for the duration of his trip, then I return for New York.''
''Don't you three also live in New York?'' Isabella asked Elena, referring to her, Caroline and Stefan.
Elena nodded. ''Yeah we go to school there. After this summer we enter our senior year.''
''How lovely! Tell me, do you ladies already have escorts to the charity ball this weekend?'' Giuseppe asked them curiously.
Caroline shook her head while picking at her food, and Elena also shook her head.
''I advise you not to go alone, though, reputation, and all,'' Giuseppe warned good-naturedly.
Elena and Caroline nodded, full-well understanding what he meant.
''What about you, Katherine?'' Giuseppe asked.
Katherine smirked victoriously, and Elena raised a questioning eyebrow towards Caroline, who just shrugged, already bored with the older brunette.
''Me and Damon had established we were going together,'' she explained haughtily.
Alright, that stung. Elena didn't know what she expected, and she hadn't even realized for herself that she wanted him to ask her. What did she expect, really? He was a prince, and Katherine was his perfect match. Elena didn't have any business getting her hopes up.
With that in mind, she looked at them and smiled, to which Damon looked at her, his eyebrows knit together in confusion.
Yeah, it was safe to say this was one of the most awkward dinners she has ever attended.
She divested herself of her soft pink baby-doll dress and floral leggings, and put on the shorts and the tank top she wore before dinner. For some reason her feet carried her to the ballroom, to the same balcony where she met Damon for the first time.
She didn't know why she was so upset about the fact that Katherine and Damon were going together. It was a match made in heaven, two powerful, beautiful beings who would make equal as beautiful babies. Than why did it upset her so much?
''Elena?''
Elena looked up at who asked for her attention, but it was unnecessary, really. She has already come to recognize that voice as easily as it was to breathe.
She didn't say anything, but when he walked up to her she just stared out to the scenery, watching everybody going about their business.
''Thanks for sticking up for me back there'' he said softly, not wanting to disturb to calmness surrounding them by speaking loudly, and she was thankful for that.
She smiled faintly. ''You're welcome.''
''For what it's worth, I wanted to ask you.''
This had her looking up to him. ''Why is that?''
He shrugged. ''I'm not one for expressing myself, Elena, all I can tell you without shutting down is that it's what is expected of me to go with Katherine. It might not be what I want, but it's what the people want.''
'''There's a lot you need to sacrifice, huh?'' Elena asked, just now realizing how much pressure is on his shoulders to always maintain a certain role. The reason he never was a dick to her, like she expected, was because he wasn't a dick, plain and simple. But this farce, this pretend-personality of his, he's been playing this role for so long that he started believing he was a jerk who treated women like dirt, who's happiness didn't go any further than his flavors of the week. It was sad, really.
He just nodded.
''Can I ask you something?''
''Sure.''
He tucked two fingers under her chin to make her look up at him. ''If I'd asked you, would you've said yes?'' he asked softly, searching her eyes for an answer.
''Yes,'' she answered without really thinking about it. Somehow she knew what was about to happen. All she needed to decide for herself was if she was going to let it happen or not.
''We've come full circle, huh?'' he asked with a genuine smile, looking around him, them being on the same balcony where they met, leaning their hips against the railing.
Elena nodded again, unable to say something else. She was captivated by his features. He's never been this close to her before, and it did things to her she was too afraid to explore further.
''Elena?''
''Hmm?''
''Can I ask you something else?''
''Sure.''
''Can I kiss you?'' he whispered, staring at her lips, too afraid to ruin whatever they had going on at the moment.
It took Elena approximately three seconds to nod slowly. She thought she didn't know whether she would let him or not, before, but now, she realized, she knew all along.
And the moment he lowered his lips to hers, the waiting, the tension, the anticipation, the teasing and the touches all seemed to be worth it. The way his lips glided over hers, the way his tongue prodded her entrance, and the way she opened her mouth without hesitation, it was all worth the wait. He pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her, while her arms wounded themselves around his neck, almost as if on autopilot. Millions of thoughts raced through her head at warp speed, but they all led back to this black haired, blue eyed man. The way he caressed the exposed skin of her waist, how he pushed her back against the railing of the balcony as if he would dip her, everything was so dizzying, she couldn't concentrate on anything but his passionate kisses and his electrifying touch. Damon himself was almost purring with the way she delved her fingers in his hair and massaged his scalp. He had wanted her tiny lithe body pressed against his for so long, he wanted to know what her lips tasted like since the day she walked into that party with that tight little red dress that was so tempting it was dizzying, and now that it was finally happening, it was difficult to comprehend that it was Elena that was in his arms, that it was Elena's tongue dancing with his in his mouth like they have been doing it for years, that it was Elena moaning because of his ministrations. If this was what heaven felt like, he didn't want to ever leave.
When they both pulled apart, they were both panting, with their foreheads touching. Words didn't need to be exchanged between them, and to both their surprises, it wasn't awkward at all. They didn't feel like locking themselves up and never showing their faces again when he escorted her to her room and they both remained silent while walking. They didn't feel like screaming out when he touched her cheek at the door, and they even smiled genuinely when he told her ''Good night, see you tomorrow, Bambi.''
The second the door closed, she leaned her back against her door for a second, biting her lip, before running to her bed and squealing into the pillow, feeling like a giddy teenage girl with a crush. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, and she didn't think about how it would feel seeing Katherine show up with Damon at the ball, and she most definitely didn't try to think about how they couldn't be more star-crossed. She just thought about how his lips felt perfect molded against hers, how his tongue danced with hers and how his touch heated her skin several degrees.
Yes, she definitely was crushing on Damon Salvatore.
well, here's your Delena-Kiss! A lot of you have been asking for it, and I felt that If I waited for chapters than I already had, that I would be dragging the story along. hope you guys liked it! next chapter will be the ball! Hmm, I wonder what kind of drama shall unfold then :) with katherine around, I'm sure things won't run as smoothly as one would like...
Anyway, hope I didn't disappoint!
xoxo,
Layla
