Author: HollyGolightly1985

Rating: M for language, adult situations and possible violence

Summary: Set 8 years after the events of 2x08. Elena, having started a new life in New York, is begrudgingly pulled back to Mystic Falls to support the union of two loved ones. D/E Pairing.

Disclaimer: I obviously own nothing. If I did EVERY episode would be full of Delena fluff!

A/N: Thanks to those of you that have reviewed and added this story to their alerts/favs. You guys are my driving force! Thanks to the following reviewers: LoveEpicLove, tisnancy, Rosesareforever, Eighp, honeybeets, boothishot (LOVE the name!), JAAXX, joany782, lync, sarahberah1121, Rowhana, Nayleylover23xo, Madagascar95, XxxmusicluverxxX

Chapter 7: Coercion

The next morning Bonnie and Elena rose early in order to make more preparations for the wedding. On the agenda today was a trip to the Lockwood Estate to drop off the final payment and to perfect the tent, tables and chair setups. Almost everything was settled and ready for the big day.

They stepped from the vehicle and padded up the driveway to the grand mansion. Bonnie reached up and lightly knocked on the door. After several moments of waiting the door swiftly opened revealing Carol Lockwood, "Come on in girls. Elena, dear, it's so good to see you again." She pulled the young girl in for a hug.

"It's good to see you too Mrs. Lockwood," Elena pulled back and followed Carol who was ushering them onto the back veranda. They sat at a wicker table that was placed with bagels, croissants, muffins, fruit and various drinks.

Bonnie withdrew the check from her purse handing it over to Mrs. Lockwood. "Here's the final payment. Thank you again for letting us use your beautiful home for our venue. We really appreciate it!"

"Oh it's no trouble at all dear. Now the rental company has contacted me and confirmed that they'd be here at 9 a.m. sharp to set up the tent, tables, chairs, runners, etc. I expressed my wish that they be here promptly and be ready for the day or I would make it a point to deter any future business dealings with them and the good people of Mystic Falls," Carol winked conspiratorially at Bonnie.

Bonnie and Elena chuckled as they sipped from their lemonade. Carol took a sip as well before clearing her throat and turning to face Elena fully, "Now, I must confess girls that this meeting has ulterior motives on my end."

"What is it Mrs. Lockwood?" Elena straightened up and leaned into the conversation.

"Well dear, this isn't easy to ask. I know you're here in town for only a short while and that your time with your family and friends is very precious. However, I am in desperate need of your assistance," Carol laid a hand on Elena's forearm with an imploring look.

"Certainly, Mrs. Lockwood. What can I do for you?"

"Well the Ladies' Aid Society of Mystic Falls is putting on a variety show in order to raise money for the local SPCA. It's going to be such an exciting event. Only, I've had several acts back out due to unreliability, lack of interest, embarrassment, fear and other reasons. I am in need of performers. Do you think you could oblige us with your musical talents?"

Elena sighed and then groaned, "Oh, I don't know Mrs. Lockwood. I am only here for a short while and Bonnie really needs my help with the wedding plans."

"You're right, dear. I completely understand," Carol's smile faltered as she sat back in her wicker chair. She rose quickly and snatched up the lemonade pitcher. "I'll just go refresh this," with that Carol rose and turned back into the house.

When Bonnie was sure Carol was a good distance away she turned and faced Elena, "Elena! You really aren't going to help Carol out? The poor woman doesn't have much except for the few joys of planning parties, shows, fairs and other various town events. The wedding planning is pretty much complete. You should really help here out, Elena."

"Bonnie, I'm here on a break. I don't want to work while I'm trying to relax," Elena whined as she tore off a piece of bagel before shoving it into her mouth.

"Well working implies that you're getting paid, Elena. This isn't work, it's charity. Go on, embrace your inner philanthropist. You know your mother would have wanted you to help," Bonnie gave her a decidedly pointed look.

"Low blow," Elena glared back at Bonnie. "Alright, fine. I'll do it. God, you must have Jeremy wrapped around that little finger with the amount of guilt trips you pull."

"Ain't that the truth?" Bonnie smirked and turned to greet Carol as she exited the house with a fresh pitcher of lemonade.

"Here we are ladies," Carol set the pitcher down on the table before rejoining them. "So what did I miss?"

"Well, Mrs. Lockwood, Elena here has decided to help out and be in your variety show," Bonnie nodded in Elena's direction.

"Really? Are you sure, dear?" Carol was over the moon. She knew that this would be the best variety show to have ever taken place in a long time.

"Absolutely, Mrs. Lockwood. I'd be honored," Elena plastered on a fake smile while taking another bite from her bagel.

"Perfect. Now I know that this is in terrible taste to notify you so late but the show is next Wednesday. All I'd need from you are, at most, two numbers. Will that be sufficient time to prepare something?"

"Yes, that should be just fine, Mrs. Lockwood," Elena honestly replied. They continued on a while longer discussing the finer points of the upcoming wedding and the variety show.

An hour later Bonnie and Elena were saying their 'goodbyes' and piling back into the car.

"I don't know about you but I am in desperate need of some caffeine," Bonnie lamented. "Please take me to Whorebucks!"

"Whorebucks it is!" Elena claimed as they took off. Ten minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop. "Bonnie, do you mind running in without me? I just need to make a quick phone call."

"Yeah, sure. What do you want?" Bonnie snatched her purse up and cracked open her door.

"A grande, nonfat caramel mocha without whipped cream, please." Bonnie hopped out of the car and headed into the shop. Elena pulled her cell phone out and punched in speed dial two. After several rings a deep voice answered.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Miss Gilbert?"

"Hey, Aaron. How are you?"

"I'm just fine. How is Dorothy doing back in Kansas?"

"Ha, things are definitely never dull in this town. That's actually why I'm calling you."

"Oh, intrigue! Do tell" He laughed softly.

"Well, I have been asked to take part in a variety show that the town is putting on for charity. I thought I'd call and get your artist input for my musical numbers. Any suggestions?"

"I'm flattered you'd defer to me on this situation. Let's see…Ah how about 'Toucha Toucha Toucha Toucha Me' from Rocky Horror? Or 'Bring on the Men' from Jekyll and Hyde?"

"Alright, I was thinking something a little more family friendly, Aaron," Elena frowned into the receiver.

"Oh come on, Elena. That small podunk town could use a little scandel and intrigue, don't you think?"

"I've known these silver haired Bettys since I was young enough to think Nick Carter was an ideal candidate for marriage. I was thinking something more timeless and fun."

"Well, I'll mull it over and shoot you a text with a couple of ideas. I've got to run now, though. I've got an audition for West Side Story at three. Wish my luck!"

"Good luck, Aaron. Love you," she smiled fondly into the phone as she watched Bonnie approach the car carrying their liquid addiction.

"Love you too 'Lena. Hurry back to New York!" With that Aaron ended the call. Bonnie climbed into the car and offered Elena her beverage. "Thanks, Bon!"

"No problem. So next on the ever expanding list of things to do is to head to Damon's. He's lending us his mother's silverware for the reception." Bonnie explained sipping her drink as Elena backed out of her parking space.

"That's nice of him," Elena commented neutrally. She blew on her drink attempting to cool it off a bit.

"Yes, it is…" Bonnie eyed Elena skeptically. She turned and looked out the passenger's side window, "So what's the deal with you two anyways?"

"What do you mean?" Elena asked a little too quickly.

"What I mean is that a few days ago you two couldn't be in the same room without lashing out at each out with the snide comments. But the past few days you two have been civil, nay, jovial towards each other. What's with the sudden change of heart?"

"No sudden change of heart, Bonnie. Damon and I are just mature enough to realize that our petty arguing is getting us nowhere and is a complete waste of energy. The proverbial hatch has been buried," Elena glanced over her shoulder as she changed lanes. Catching Bonnie's disbelieving look she asked, "What?"

"I'm not buying it. Sure I believe that you two have come to some agreement but I don't believe for a second that you two have resolved a single issue."

"I admit, we haven't really talked since coming to our little agreement. I haven't had the courage to initiate that particular conversation. When the moment is right, I will," Elena nodded to herself contently.

"Elena, I'm not picking up the shit you're dropping so get a pooper scooper," Bonnie chuckled.

"Honestly, Bonnie. Isn't it enough that I just admitted that we have deep seeded issues to resolve? Eight years ago I would have died before admitting that much. Give me some credit," Elena stared icily at Bonnie.

"I know, Elena. I am proud of you on that account. Honestly, I just think that you and Damon need to have it out. Elena, he's the reason you fled eight years ago. He has to know the truth."

"Yes, he was part of the reason I 'fled' as you put it. Not the only reason though," Elena defended herself.

"Elena do you still love him?" Bonnie asked bluntly.

That question took Elena by surprise as she almost rear ended the car in front of them. "Careful!" Bonnie shouted as she braced her hand on the dashboard.

"Sorry," Elena grumbled. "You can't just ask me a question like that Bonnie!"

"What, an honest question, Elena?" Bonnie scoffed quietly. "Well, do you?"

"Do I what? Love Damon," Elena laughed nervously. "Ha, no!"

"Elena, be honest with both of us. I'm your best friend, you can tell me the truth," Bonnie said emphatically.

"Bonnie, I honestly can't answer that question. Damon is such a different person and so am I. I really don't know how I feel about him. I won't deny that I am attracted to him. I'm adult enough to admit that much. Love, though? That's a horse of a different color," Elena tried her hardest to focus on driving.

"Well, let me help you try to break it down, then. Have you thought about Damon these past eight years?"

"Bonnie, you know I have. How could I not after the way he left things the night before I left?"

"Let me rephrase that. Have you ever stopped thinking about Damon these past eight years?" Bonnie summarized.

"No, Bonnie, I never did. I thought about him almost every day. I thought about how things would have been different had he not attempted to compel me. I thought about how, had I been given the chance I would have come to a decision and made my choice known if only Damon had given me the time and opportunity. I also think about how Damon clearly wanted to reject those feelings he declared for me. Bonnie, it's devastating having one's heart poured out to you only to have them try to retract those sentiments moments later. It practically destroyed me for other men, Bonnie. I've spent the last eight years scared to attach myself to anyone for fear of them not being able to commit. Clearly, that's what Damon was trying to avoid," Elena's heart picked up its pace as they turned down the long path leading to the boarding house.

"Elena, I'm so sorry. I know these past eight years have not been easy on you and that Damon's act of cowardice has caused an awful lot of turmoil. But, to be completely honest with you…And at the risk of putting my life on the line here, I am convinced that you are in love with Damon. And that you have been for years now," Bonnie stated apprehensively.

"Oh, Bonnie," Elena exhaled with force. "When did my life turn into a soap opera? Just add a long last love come back from the dead and a baby with an unidentified father and I'm all set for SOAPNet." She shut the car off and opened her door. Unbuckling her seatbelt she turned to Bonnie, "We'll finish this later. Do not mention a word of this to anyone." Elena shot her a death glare as the moved from the car.

"Mum's the word," Bonnie winked as they strode up the walk way. Bonnie lifted the heavy knocker and brought it down several times with force.

Damon pulled the door open swiftly and leaned against it on his forearm. "Good morning, ladies."

"Hey Damon, we're here to pick up the silverware. Thank you again for loaning it to us," Bonnie acknowledged.

"Sure thing, come on in," he held the door open wider as Bonnie slipped passed him. Elena stepped up and through the threshold. She thought that she felt Damon lean in and sniff her but she must have been imagining things. Regardless, her heart was bounding in her chest.

Damon closed the door behind them and turned his attention to the two beautiful women in his hallway. He stepped across the hallway and up the first step on the staircase. "Right this way, ladies." He lead them up the flight of stairs into the second landing of the spacious house.

Elena felt a little awkward being in this house after so many years. She followed Damon down the hallway and slightly paused to take a quick glance at the door that once housed Stefan's room. Bonnie walked on abandoning Damon and Elena. Damon stopped at Elena's hesitance and took a few steps back to her. "Are you alright, Elena?"

"Yeah, I'm great," Elena smiled quickly, shoving her hands into her back pockets. "It's just a little weird being here after all of this time, to be completely honest."

"I can understand that. You and Stefan didn't part on the best of terms, I suppose," Damon was fishing.

"Yeah, I suppose not. Anyway, that's all in the past now," Elena traipsed on into the direction that Bonnie disappeared.

"I'm going to go load this in the car," Bonnie slid passed Elena and headed down the stairs to the front door.

Elena stepped into the storage room and looked around her, taking in all the relics. This room was absolutely crawling with history. "Has Ric ever been up here? He'd be sprung over all the antiques and the numerous books," Elena chuckled as she took the titles on the bookshelf.

Damon chuckled from behind her, "No, I make it a point not to discuss history with Alaric. I may be immortal but I'd rather not spend the next twenty years discussing where historical figures took a piss or ate a cannoli."

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli," Elena smirked looking over her shoulder at Damon.

"Godfather," he stated simply.

She tapped her pointer finger on her nose and the other pointer finger at him, indicating he was right. She turned back around and resumed scanning over the room. Her gaze dropped to a picture frame that lay on the bottom shelf. It was a photo of Elena in her cheerleading uniform. She picked it up and studied it curiously. "I can't believe I was ever a cheerleader." She turned holding up the picture.

"Oh, that must have been Stefan's," Damon quickly commented. He bent over and picked up a box of silverware and stood back up. "Let's get these down to the car, huh?"

She nodded to him and picked up the remaining box. She knew that she'd never given Stefan that photograph. If she remembered correctly that photo had been present on her nightstand the day of her departure. How it ended up here, at the Salvatore estate was beyond her. Shaking it off she headed downstairs and out the door.

"Is that the last box?" Bonnie asked.

"Yep," Elena placed the box in the back of her car and pulled the hatch closed. She turned to face both Bonnie and Damon.

"Thank you, again, Damon. I really appreciate it. I promise to clean and polish every piece before returning them to you," Bonnie surprised both Damon and Elena when she pulled him for a hug.

"Uh, you're welcome," Damon's arms were stiff as he lifted them up and patted Bonnie lightly on the back.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Did Elena tell you that she's going to be staring in Mrs. Lockwood's variety show for the SPCA?" Bonnie winked at Elena as she spoke.

"Why, no, she didn't. That's great, Elena," Damon smirked knowing how uncomfortable Elena must be at that moment.

"Yes well my altruistic nature is just another one of my more agreeable assets. Be sure to remember that when the Elie Wiesel Foundation comes knocking," Elena winked at Damon before turning to climb into her car.

"Will do," he smiled as he shut the door behind her. He stood and watched as she pulled out of the driveway. He stayed that way until the car disappeared around the bend at the end of the drive. He quickly turned and headed back into the large house. He headed back up the stairs and into the storage room.

Opening the door to the storage room he crossed the threshold and bounded over to the desk that housed Elena's photo. He picked it up and studied it for the thousandth time. He silently traced the shape of her perfect face. He sighed and set it back down on the desk. He was stupid for not hiding that photograph before she and Bonnie had come over. He knew she hadn't bought his excuse for its existence in the Salvatore mansion. He ran a hand through his raven locks and turned to head back downstairs.

He found his way to the bar and poured himself a tumbler of scotch. He turned to face the unlit fireplace and sat down on the sofa. He leaned back and kicked his feet up onto the coffee table. His thoughts were, as always, focused on Elena. He was aware that while they had come to an agreement to behave civilly, there was still definite tension between the two of them. He knew that sooner or later they'd have to come to terms with their problems. He was more than willing and ready to have that discussion. However, he sensed her definite hesitance to start any uncomfortable conversation. He was just going to have to be the one to initiate it whether she was ready or not. Sooner rather than later would be preferable. He was hoping that if they resolved the tension he might be able to better deal with his feelings for Elena.

He knew he was still madly in love with her. He had never stopped loving her in her many years of absence. Her change in personality had shook him a little but had not lessened the intensity of his feelings for her. He simply didn't know how to be around her anymore. Part of him wanted to revert back to his cocky, self absorbed former self. While the other part of him wanted to be the perfect gentleman he knew she was deserving of. He was finding it harder to be his old cocky, pompous self anymore with her. There was no point in putting on a mask anymore really. Truly he was well past the point of caring how she perceived him. That in and of itself was a huge step for Damon Salvatore. To allow somebody to see his vulnerability and not flinch. Of course, Elena was the only one who was privy to that side of him. No point in being an ass he mused as he nursed his drink. His head snapped at the sound of a knock on the front door.

He swiftly rose and headed to front door. He swung the large oak door open to reveal the object of his thoughts and affection.

"Sorry to bother you. These," Elena indicated to the box in her arms, "not silverware!"

"What?" His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he pulled the box from her arms. He pulled one of the flaps open to reveal a box full of vinyl records. "Oh, whoops. Here let me get the other box." He turned and headed back up the stairs.

Elena followed closely behind. She fought an impending smirk and stifled a giggle. She thought about that specific record she saw in the box and laughed out loud, not bothering to cover her mouth.

Damon stopped and turned to face her while placing the box at his right hip, "Is something particularly funny or do we need to take a field trip to Bellevue, Elena?"

"No, it's…just…," Elena was having a hard time getting the words out in between fits of giggles and the tears that were streaming down her face. "You have a Donny Osmond record!" She laughed hysterically while wiping away the stray tears.

He frowned and turned to look into the box. Sure enough that bratty little bastard's face was smiling back up at him from the shadows of the box. He looked at Elena's shaking form and said, "That is not mine. That must be Stefan's!"

"I believe you," Elena stage whispered as she winked at him dramatically.

"Honestly!" He turned and headed back into the storage room. He placed the records down rather forcefully before searching for the correct box.

"Come on, sing 'Soldier of Love'!" Elena chuckled from behind Damon's crouching figure.

Before he could think of what he was saying the words poured forth from his lips, "Go away little girl."

That set Elena off on another round of unstoppable laughter from the reference to another Donny hit. "Good one, Damon," she was clutching her sides now.

"I'm a real hoot," he stood back up, lifting the correct box. "Are you quite finished?"

She closed her eye, took a deep breath and blew it out through pursed lips that were still curled in a smile. She giggled one more time and answered, "Yes, I think so."

"Good," he ushered her out of the room and closed the door behind him. They started their way back down the steps to the front door. He stopped at the front door before opening it and turned to face her. "Well, I know this is silverware."

"Thank you," she took the box from him and turned to exit the front door.

"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you then?" It came out more of a question rather than statement. He slipped his hands in his back pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels.

"I'd say it's a definite possibility. It's not a 'Million to One' chance," she laughed once more whole heartedly.

"Enough with the Osmond jokes," he tried to sound serious but her infectious laughter and sense of humor were hard to resist.

"Alright, I'm running out of steam anyways," she stepped out into the sunlight and over to the back of her car. After she loaded the box in the back she turned and climbed in her vehicle. She waved to Damon as she drove off.

"Did you call him out on the record?" Bonnie laughed evilly.

"Yet betcha!" Elena joined her laughter as they headed home.