Elena stumbled into the dingy hotel room, a ridiculous grin plastered on her face as she bolted for the bed, jumping dramatically onto it, the springs creaking beneath her weight. Damon rolled his eyes as he shut the door, taking off his jacket and tossing it over a chair.
He had gotten them a room in the motel across from Bree's bar, and, though it definitely wasn't up to his standards, it would have to do. Not to mention, Elena was far too drunk to notice the place was a dive, anyway.
"Ooooh, the bed is so bouncy!" she giggled, bouncing up and down on her stomach. Narrowing his eyes, Damon shook his head.
"Don't do that; you'll make yourself hurl all over the bed, and I refuse to go to that office and ask for new sheets, just to be hit on by that stupid redneck again…"
When Elena simply continued to bounce and giggle, Damon glared and took a menacing step toward her. Elena shrieked when she saw him coming, diving beneath the blankets, pulling them over her head as if they would protect her. "Don't hurt me!" she squealed, sounding genuinely terrified.
Good, Damon thought with a sneer. Yanking the blankets off of her head, he glared at her.
"That was a very stupid stunt you pulled in there. Bree doesn't run a karaoke bar!"
Elena blanched under his harsh tone, shimmying further away from him on the bed. "I'm sorry…" she whispered, quivering slightly with fear.
Damon took another step toward her and she flinched. "Not to mention, you humiliated me, and prevented me from finishing the business I told you that I specifically came here to do. God, you acted like a child!"
Tears flooded Elena's chocolate-brown eyes, and she sunk back into the pillows, looking up at him like a wounded deer. "I just wanted to get your attention…"
"Well, you got it!" Damon snapped. "And trust me when I say this, Elena; you don't want to get on the bad side of my temper. It will not end well for you. You're about this close to reaching that point."
When he finished speaking, Elena burst into sobs. "I said I was s-sorry…! I d-didn't want to c-come here in the f-f-first place…! You m-made m-me…!"
"Oh, stop crying!" Damon hissed, rolling his eyes and tossing the blankets back at her, starting for the door. "Go to sleep; you're drunk, and you're annoying me. I need to go talk to Bree."
Elena whimpered and shook her head, scrambling to the end of the bed and grasping his hand. "Don't leave me alone… please. Please, please, Damon… the other v-vampire might come b-back…"
"He's not going to…" Damon started to snap, but trailed off when he caught sight of her expression. It nearly mirrored the one she had possessed the night he pulled her from the car when her parents drove off Wickery Bridge, and it still had the power to break his heart.
How could one look from a girl he didn't even care about have so much power over him?
Frowning, he gently removed his hand from hers, speaking more gently. "He's not going to come back, Elena. He doesn't know where we are."
"What if he f-followed us…?"
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, conflicted as he glanced at the door. Bree would be leaving in roughly five minutes, and he needed to talk to her. But then there was Elena… stupid, weak, human little Elena. Elena, who was looking at him with those damn doe eyes of hers…
"God, you're irritating…" he grumbled, kicking his boots off and sitting down on the bed, pushing her back down by her shoulders so she was lying down. "Sleep. Now; don't make me compel you again."
Nodding rapidly, Elena snuggled into the pillow and closed her eyes. Damon leaned back against the old wooden headboard, watching her as she drifted off until she was sleeping peacefully. Frowning a bit, he reached down and tucked a loose strand of her brown hair behind her ear away from her face, finding himself gently trailing his knuckled down her soft cheek absent-mindedly.
That strange feeling the touch gave him… it's only because she looks like Katherine, he assured himself. It had nothing to do with the human girl herself. Katherine was who he loved, Katherine was, and had been, his only, his constant for nearly two centuries. If this girl, Elena, died right now, he could care less. He wouldn't even mourn her.
Frowning at the thought, he brushed his fingertips over her lips.
Well, maybe he'd mourn her a little.
Elena's soft breath touched his cool skin when his fingers touched her lips, and he trailed his thumb gently over her plump bottom lip. Her lips were so… kissable. They felt warm beneath his fingers, and he could smell the cheap alcohol laced with her breath. It wouldn't mean anything if he just bent down and…
In a moment of uncertainty, Damon lied down on the bed beside Elena and leaned forward, gently capturing her lips with his in a soft, hesitant kiss. He felt Elena's body instinctively shift closer to his, and he knew then that she hadn't been quite as asleep as he'd assumed she was. When he pulled his lips back from hers, her eyes remained shut, but a soft smile bloomed on her pink lips.
His brow furrowing slightly, a small grin tugged at Damon's own lips. Shifting closer, he laid his arm over her waist, and Elena shimmied closer to his body, leaning her head against his chest, a small, content sigh falling from her lips. Confusion sparking in his eyes, Damon frowned slightly. Katherine had never done that. She'd never once expressed the desire to… cuddle? It was an action strange and unknown to Damon… but not entirely unwelcome. Elena's body felt warm against his, and her curves fit his almost perfectly. It was… nice. His small, hesitant smile returning, he gently ran his fingers through her soft, straight brown hair, closing his own eyes.
For the first time in 145 years, Damon Salvatore fell asleep with another person lying next to him. For the first time in 145 years… he fell asleep with a genuinely content smile on his lips.
… . … . … . … . … . …
Around ten a.m. the next morning, Elena slowly woke up. She groaned as she rolled onto her back, covering her eyes. Her head was pounding. How much had she drank last night…?
"Morning, sleepy head."
Her eyes snapping open, Elena nearly jumped out of her skin. She heard a faint chuckle beside her and found Damon lounging, fully dressed, on the bed next to her above the sheets, examining his nails. "Relax," he purred, shifting his gaze to her face. "It's only me. I've been awake for hours; do you realize how boring Atlanta is at five a.m.?"
Elena squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head, grimacing. "I don't know, and I don't care… God, my head hurts…"
"I figured as much; here."
Elena peeked out of one eye to find Damon holding out two Tylenol and a bottle of water. "Luckily, Bree had some to spare. It'll help."
Sitting up, Elena took the pills from his hand, popping one into her mouth and opening the bottle of water, taking a gulp before doing the same with the other pill. "Thank you…"
"Forget about it," Damon said, resuming his carefree position. "So; do you remember… anything from last night?"
Elena frowned and shook her head, lying down again; grateful that Damon had closed the curtains so the sun couldn't assault her eyes. "Nothing; I warned you I was a lushy drunk…"
Sighing, Damon nodded. "You did…" He released a breath, silently grateful that she didn't remember. The last thing he needed was her remembering what had happened last night; the kiss, the cuddling. He didn't want her thinking he cared… It had simply been a lapse in control; a momentary Missing Katherine thing.
"What did I do…?" Elena asked, somewhat nervously. Damon smirked, turning his head toward her.
"Well, you sang a very riveting cover of Hit Me Baby One More Time to me; you're not a bad singer, actually."
Elena blushed and groaned. "Oh, God; I'll never be allowed in there ever again…"
"Relax," Damon chuckled. "I smoothed things over with Bree; everything is fine. Although, I probably won't be bringing you back, so you don't need to worry."
Frowning a bit, Elena opened her eyes again. "Why won't you take me back?"
Damon frowned with confusion, his brow furrowing. "Well, there's the ever popular I Didn't Want To Come Here in the First Place, You Asshole answer…"
Elena frowned. "And aside from that…?"
"Aside from that… I have no reason to come back here. If I'm going to take you to another bar again, I'll take you somewhere… a bit more respectable."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "With my permission this time."
Smirking, Damon wiggled his eyebrows. "Perhaps…"
Elena reached over and swatted him playfully, and he chuckled, shaking his head. Elena furrowed her brow with confusion as she looked up at him. "Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?"
Shrugging, Damon turned his blue gaze to her again. "Well… I guess I realized that you aren't the worst company in the world, Elena."
Smiling a bit, Elena looked down. "I try…"
Damon chuckled, shaking his head. "If you hadn't gotten drunk, you wouldn't have tried!"
Shaking her head, Elena looked away, a grin still tugging at her lips. "You're impossible…"
"You love it."
Elena looked back to him, tilting her head curiously. "Can I… ask you a few questions?"
Frowning a bit, Damon narrowed his eyes. "About what?"
Elena shrugged. "Vampires… you…" she bit her lip before whispering, "her…?"
Damon stiffened, his eyes widening a bit. "Katherine…?"
Nodding slowly, Elena bit her lip. "I mean… if I look exactly like her, I'd like to know… well, about her."
Sighing, Damon nodded. "Alright, alright. What do you want to know?"
"How old are you?"
Damon paused before answering quietly, "One hundred and seventy-two."
"When were you turned?"
"1864."
"Who turned you?"
Damon swallowed a bit roughly, answering, "Katherine…"
"Why did she change you?"
"For all the obvious reasons; to be together, forever… because I loved her…"
"Don't you mean, because you loved each other…?"
Damon frowned deeply. "In case you haven't noticed, she also turned my baby brother. Honestly, I'm not positive where her feelings lie…"
Elena frowned with confusion. "But, if you don't know if she loves you… why are you so intent on getting her out of that tomb?"
Damon frowned, shifting away from her slightly, not liking the direction this conversation was going. "Because I need to know," he stated simply, pressing a finger to her lips when she opened her mouth to ask more questions. "That's enough. You can ask me more later. We have to get home; your aunt will be worried."
Elena sat up, gasping, her eyes wide. "Oh, my God! Jenna! I haven't been home in nearly three days! She won't have any idea what happened to me! I was supposed to be home by midnight!"
Damon rolled his eyes; and she's back. "Will you calm down? Please? I'll take care of it."
"You aren't compelling her!"
"Oh, so you'd rather be grounded for the rest of your teenage life? Because that's likely what you'll be coming home to."
Elena opened her mouth to retaliate, but closed it again, frowning. He was right.
"Fine… But only this once! I don't like this stupid compulsion stuff…"
Smirking wickedly, Damon shook his head. "No one ever does."
Turning to him nervously, Elena swallowed roughly. "Promise me you won't do it to me again. Please, Damon."
Rolling his eyes, Damon shook his head. "I'm more worried about other vampires doing it to you. It turns out Mystic Falls is pretty much crawling with them."
Elena shuddered at the idea, shaking her head. "Is there no way to prevent it…?"
Damon paused, uncertain if he should tell her. "I know of a way… leave it to me. I'll sort everything out so that no one, not even I can compel you. Okay?"
She nodded, sitting up straight and standing up, rubbing her temples, the headache less powerful, but still very much there. "Let's just get home; Jenna is going to flip."
"Correction; she's going to flip, but I'll compel her to stop."
Sighing, she nodded. "Take me home… please?"
Damon nodded, getting to his feet and tugging his jacket on, sighing as he pulled her under his arm. "Head down; the sun is bright out there."
Giving him a small, grateful smile, Elena nodded and looked at her feet as Damon led her out into the sunny morning, jogging across the street to the parking lot outside of Bree's, opening her car door for her and ushering her into her seat.
Elena frowned with confusion when Damon closed her door, promptly getting in his own. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to Bree?"
"Nope," Damon responded simply, passing her his sunglasses and starting the car, pulling onto the road.
Hesitating with confusion, Elena put his sunglasses on and decided not to pry. "Okay then…"
As she turned to look out the window, Elena failed to notice the tiny smattering of blood on the sleeve of Damon's leather jacket.
… . … . … . … . … . …
"Where have you been? You didn't call! Didn't text! God, Elena, I was this close to calling the police- WHAT IS HE DOING WITH YOU-?!"
Elena flinched when she opened the door and Jenna unleashed her fury, her wild eyes locked on Damon. Rolling his eyes, he nudged Elena out of the way and walked inside, gazing into Jenna's eyes. "Stop talking."
A furious yell stopped dead on Jenna's tongue as her voice went dead. When she was silent, Damon continued. "Elena spent a few days away with family. You knew exactly where she was, and weren't worried at all. Now, you're going to welcome her home with open arms, and thank me for giving her a ride home."
Jenna blinked, and then turned to Elena with a wide smile. "Oh, I'm so glad you're home!" She beamed, hugging her tightly. "I missed you so much!" Grinning, she turned to Damon. "Thank you so much for giving her a ride home."
Turning back to Elena, she grinned. "Did you have fun?"
Elena nodded slowly, turning to Damon with a quizzical expression before Jenna led her away. Grinning slightly, Damon turned and walked back out the door.
… . … . … . … . …
"Where did you take her?"
"None of your business, Zach," Damon responded as he walked into his room, heading over to his dresser.
"It is my business! You vanish for three days, and so does Elena Gilbert? That's no coincidence! Where-did-you-take-her?"
Glaring, Damon whirled. "Zach; get out. Now."
Sneering, Damon shook his head. "You know I can't be compelled…"
"Oh, I know," Damon glared. "But, if you don't get out now, I won't need to compel you. Because you'll be dead. Out; now!"
Glaring, Zach headed for the door. "Stefan isn't going to tolerate this…"
Snorting, Damon shook his head. "Stefan has no power over what I do. He never has, and he never will."
But, when the door closed, Damon moved a bit faster in what he was doing; he needed to get vervain on Elena, ASAP. He couldn't have his baby brother getting to her…
Finding the locket he had been searching for, Damon grinned. It was a small golden oval with a black crow engraved in it. It had belonged to his mother; she had given it to him before she died.
Slipping it into the pocket of his jeans, Damon headed down to the basement, in search of his goal; vervain.
… . … . … . … . … . …
Elena hugged Jenna goodnight, smiling warmly at her aunt. "I have to get to bed; school in the morning. Will you write me a note about the family emergency?"
Nodding, Jenna smiled. "Of course. Sleep well."
Elena smiled, heading upstairs. "Goodnight!"
When Elena opened her bedroom door, she paused at the faint whooshing noise she heard. She noticed that her window was open, and glanced over at her bed. Lying on her pillow was a small, black velvet box wrapped in a deep red ribbon. Next to it was a note, and she quickly closed her door, walking over and picking it up. Written in deep black ink was a note, and she smiled faintly when she realized it was from Damon.
Elena,
You asked to not be compelled. I told you there was a way. Well, here's your way. Wear it all the time; never take it off. Whatever you do, don't tell anyone it's from me. It will keep you safe, Elena… Whether I say so or not… that's what I want. For you to be safe.
Damon
Burning with curiosity, Elena picked up the box and tugged the ribbon off, popping the lid open. Her eyes widened when she saw the polished golden necklace with the deep black crow engraved in it, sitting down on her bed.
Damon wanted her to be safe. Did that mean that… he cared?
Shaking her head, she pushed her hair over one shoulder and unclasped the necklace, fastening it around her neck. She fixed her hair and glanced in the mirror, biting her lip.
Damon was so confusing. One moment he was a raging asshole, the next he was incredibly sweet. She had no idea what she felt for him, or what he felt for her… But she knew one thing.
She had to find out.
