Damon

As the blood running through my veins ran dry, I felt the torture begin. It felt like fire had replaced my blood, like my head was splitting open. It could have been two days or two years, but by the end of the night (It could have been day, but it's a tad difficult to tell time when you've been buried alive and left to turn into a rotting corpse) I was screaming myself hoarse, begging for the help that never came.

I moaned and whimpered after I was too hoarse to scream any longer, and then soon found myself screaming again. Because of the vervain mixed with the lack of blood, I couldn't move, could only cry out helplessly as I came to terms with the fact I was trapped. Trapped like Katherine. I almost laughed at the irony of the fact that Katherine could be ten feet away from me and I wouldn't know it. And honestly, it didn't even upset me that I was here and so was she.

My mind revolved around the same brown hair, the same brown eyes, the same smile, but a completely different person. I thought not of Katherine, but of Elena. Of the beautiful, human, loving Elena Gilbert. I took solace in knowing that she had been mine, and that I would eventually fall unconscious, but knowing she had belonged to me and I to her. It was sappy to the point of belonging in a Nicholas Sparks novel, but I could care less. All I could think of was my Elena.

I finally passed out god only knows how much later, and found myself in a very strange dream. In the dream, I heard chanting in what I think was Gaelic, if I remembered correctly. The voice was familiar, but in my dream I was in too much pain to place it.

"Didn't you hear him? Please hurry Bonnie!"

Now that voice I recognized. It belonged to Elena, my beautiful Elena. She sounded scared and panicked, and I wished there was something I could do to soothe her. And as soon as I formed a coherent thought, I was lost in pain again. It was ten times as worse as it had been earlier, and I heard someone screaming. Awful, bloodcurdling screams. It wasn't until minutes, maybe hours later that I realized it was my screams I was hearing.

I heard sobbing outside the tomb, and knew it was Elena. I also heard her cry out in pain when she slammed her hand into the other side of the wall. The Gaelic chanting quickened, and I heard Elena's breath catch in her throat. Again, my coherency evaporated as I started moaning softly, feeling my body go to hell. I suddenly became dizzy, and I knew that when I passed out this time, there would be no waking up.

I closed my eyes and succumbed to the release of unawareness.


Bonnie

I felt like I was going to pass out as I tried to open the tomb Damon was locked in, and felt my pounding head throb worse when Elena started sobbing, collapsing against the wall. Damon's screams had been haunting us for the past several hours, getting more and more pained. I thought he deserved it, but of course I kept my mouth shut for Elena's sake.

"It's not working," I gasped as the spell failed for about the seventh time.

"It has to!" she cried, eyes widening as Damon fell silent.

I knew why she looked panicked. He had finally succumbed to the terrifying unconscious state the he would never wake from without human blood. I couldn't let him hurt an innocent human, no matter how much Elena loved him.

And I had to act fast if I was going to ensure that.

"Elena, you're not going to like this, but I have to talk to my grams and get her advice. I was stupid to think I could do this alone."

"I understand. I think I'll stay here, though," she said, pulling her knees up to her chest. I knew that it would devastate her that she would never get Damon back, but I couldn't let a killer run free in my town. I had to protect my family and my friends, at all costs.


Once I arrived at grams' house, I immediately walked in, not bothering to knock. She had told me I was always welcomed here, and to never worry about knocking.

"What is it, baby?" she asked me as soon as I came in feeling worried and flustered.

"It's about that vampire I told you about. Damon Salvatore," I explained, sitting down on the couch with her.

"Yes, I bet it is," she muttered, handing me a glass of herbal tea.

"What do you mean?" I asked, sipping the tea.

"Stefan Salvatore came to me, said Damon was talking about terrorizing our town again, asked me to lock him up in the tomb. I took him and locked him up, and I reinforced the seals around the tomb. Ain't nobody getting in that tomb. Damon Salvatore isn't coming back," she said much to my shock.

"You did it?" I breathed, my respect and admiration for my grandmother doubling at her words.

"Yes I did. He's never going to bother us again, baby," she said, drawing me into a tight hug. I felt my fear and anxiety drain away as she reassured me, and I thanked her for keeping us safe.

"I always will," she said, stroking my hair.


Elena

Finally getting to my feet, I decided that I had to take action. It's not that I didn't trust Bonnie, but I needed to figure out a way to get Stefan to tell me who had done the spell to lock Damon in the tomb. I could find the witch, and then beg her to reverse her. Hell, I wasn't past posing a physical threat to the woman if I thought I could take her.

I went back home and started raiding my closet as a plan formed in my mind, and every time I balked at my idea, I thought of Damon starving in that tomb. I slid a skimpy black dress Caroline had bought me for my sixteenth birthday over my head and slid my feet into the matching heels, which she had also bought. I had never worn it before now except for the day after the party so she wouldn't get insulted, but I had worn a jacket over the top and leggings under the skirt. Now there was nothing under the dress but a pair of black lacy underwear. No bra required. It was short, backless, and cut to the navel.

I went into the bathroom and began applying smoky eye shadow and blood red lipstick, covering the red with a clear gloss that made my lips look like they were just begging to be kissed. I shivered, knowing how much I looked like her. Katherine. I teased my hair until it was feathered back, and then went back to the boardinghouse. It was time for my acting debut.

As I pulled up, I cast one last glance in the rearview mirror of my car, taking in my reflection. My skin crawled and my stomach felt sick, but if it worked, it would be worth it. I looked down at my outfit and thought to myself what I would say to Damon if he could hear me.

It's all for you, my love. All for you.


Stefan

A knock at the boardinghouse door caused me to spring up from the couch. I walked over and pulled it open, shocked to find Elena standing there. She was dressed much less conservatively than she usually was, in a very low cut black dress with black high heels. She looked…tasty.

"Stefan," she breathed, her voice raspy and seductive.

"Come in," I told her, stepping aside.

"Thank you," she said, walking in with a small, mischievous smile.

I followed her as she walked slowly into the living room, her hips swaying slightly.

"What can I do for you, Elena?" I asked her as she tossed her long hair over her shoulder.

"Elena? I am insulted, Stefan," she spat, wheeling around to face me. I listed my eyebrows, confused.

"How dare you mistake me for that little wretch?" she said, seething.

"Katherine," I breathed, my eyes widening.

"Who else?" she asked, her demeanor going back to seductive.

"I'm sorry, Damon told me you were locked under the church, that you'd-"

"Damon was wrong," she cut me off, "the guard just couldn't stand to see me locked up. He let me go," she shrugged, her delicate shoulder rising and falling. I recognized the familiar cold, predatory glint in her eyes and the way the slight curl of her lips said that she was up to no good. She was back.

I couldn't believe, looking at her, that I had ever thought I was over her. That I had honestly thought I had loved Elena for so long, Elena and not Katherine.

"Why are you here?" I asked, walking closer.

"I want my boys back," she said, faking a pout.

"Boys. You want both of us again," I sighed, trying not to show my disappointment. I wanted her to myself this time, but if she wanted something then there was no stopping her.

"Yes. Of course. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having you entertain me, but I still want to play with Damon too," she said, her eyes daring me to argue.

"Of course," I mumbled, feeling my resolve weaken and break as she walked over and wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned her body into mine. I leaned forward to kiss her, but she shoved me off.

"Where is Damon? I want to let him know I'm back, and then I'll decide who I want to give my attention to first," she said, putting her hands on her hips. I nodded, wanting nothing more than to please her.

"Of course. But, um, Damon…isn't here," I mumbled and winced as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Then where is he?" she asked, folding her arms.

"Well, there a bit of a misunderstanding and I, um…" I trailed off, fiddling with my lapis ring.

"You what?" she growled, seething.

"I locked him under the old church," I confessed.

"Get him back," she demanded.

"I will, I promise," I said, walking over to try to kiss her again.

Again, she shoved me off.

"No. You may not lay one finger on me until you retrieve Damon," she said, sounding as spoiled as ever. I smiled, yet again entranced.

"I will have him by morning," I said, nodding.

"You better have him by the end of the night," she said haughtily and walked out the door, slamming it behind her.

I glanced at the clock, which read 4:32 p.m.. I would have to work fast.


Elena

When I finally got home, I was shaking and my skin felt like it was filthy from my mission to impersonate Katherine. I had been so convincing that Stefan had done everything short of beg for my attention. I had flawlessly acted as the woman I hated more than anyone else.

It's for Damon, it's for Damon, I repeated in my head over and over again as I stood in the shower, scrubbing myself down and wishing I could wash away the awful memory of becoming Katherine for half an hour. But even as nausea coiled in my stomach, I reminded myself of one thing.

By the end of the night, I would have Damon back.


Bonnie

I screamed and kicked as Stefan clamped his hand over my mouth and drug me out of the Grill. He had invited me to the Grill to just talk and hang out as friends, and had apparently spiked my coffee. The alcohol had numbed my powers, and I couldn't do as much as light a candle, let alone break free of Stefan's inhumanly strong grip.

"I'm not going to hurt you as long as you obey me," he said, throwing me into his car.

"What do you want?" I choked, my throat closing up with fear.

"Release Damon. I have my reasons. Don't ask questions or I will find a way to hurt your grandmother. Don't put it past me, Bonnie," he said, sending chills down my spine. In this awful, ruthless state, I had no doubt in my mind that he would find a way to hurt grams, maybe even kill her.

"I'll do whatever you say, just please don't hurt my grams," I begged as he forced a little more spiked coffee down my throat.

"Don't worry, you'll be sober by the time we get to the tomb so you can release him, but I can't risk you pulling any of your little witch tricks until we get there," he explained to me.

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. But even as fear swallowed me, I refused to cry. To scream. To fight. Because if I did, my grams would die, and I would never forgive myself.

When we arrived, I was sober just as he said I would be. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down to the tomb, handling me stiffly and roughly.

"Do it," he said, handing me grams' spell book.

I nodded and began the spell, my hands shaking and my heart racing. I couldn't mess this up, or my grams would die. I was just now developing my powers as a witch, and now I had to complete such a hard spell that even grams had probably been exhausted after completing.

I began chanting in Gaelic, feeling the foreign words flow effortlessly from my lips. The blood of the powerful Bennet witches flowed through my veins, and I felt like I could feel my grams, and Emily, and all of my elders lending their power to me. I thought of grams, so beautiful with her pretty face and short curly hair, and Emily, so amazing in her power that she made vampires able to walk in the sun. And I saw myself, thrumming with the power of centuries of Bennet witches and the power to release and trap the undead.

When I opened my eyes, the door was creaking open, and I felt like I was flying. I knew that deep down I was exhausted, but I was still high on magic. High on the warm rush of power flowing through me.

Bonnie…

I jumped, hearing the choked, hoarse voice in my mind. Chills went through me as I recognized it. It was a broken, dead sounding voice, but I would know it anywhere. It had haunted my nightmares, and even elicited fear in me when I was fully awake.

Damon.

Vampires, if they tried very hard, could send messages to witches. As weak as he was, the only reason the message reached me was because I was standing probably not ten feet from him, but a wall separated us.

What do you want? I replied telepathically.

Help me.

With what? I broke the seals. Stefan is coming to get you, I replied, feeling uneasy.

I need you to get me out and lock him in. He is dangerous, and he won't stop until he has Elena back, he choked, and I could tell the little resolve of strength he had built up was fading fast.

Actually, I believe I'll lock you both in, I replied tartly, bristling at the thought of me releasing him and him going back to his cold, sarcastic ways.

Don't. Please don't. Elena needs me, he pleaded.

You are a danger to her, she's better off without you, I replied evenly.

Please don't do this, Bonnie, he continued to beg pathetically. And the small part of me that was still sweet and compassionate wanted to give in, to reunite him with Elena and lock Stefan away for good. But I wasn't that girl anymore.

No, I replied, and then put a mental block up against any further messages.


Elena

Damon should've been out by now. I was waiting above the tomb, standing in the old cemetery. I was in my Katherine clothes, but that was only for appearance purposes. Damon would know it was me the minute I looked at him. As soon as he was out, I could drop this façade for good.

Sighing in worry, I quietly went down to the tomb, where I found Bonnie performing the spell to permanently seal the tomb.

"Bonnie stop!" I cried, running over.

She looked at me, startled. Apparently she hadn't expected me to know she was doing this.

"How could you? You know how much Damon means to me," I cried, her betrayal paining me more than she could ever know.

"Elena, I-"

"I don't want explanations, Bonnie. Just get Damon out," I accentuated carefully.

"But he-"

"Do it," I ordered furiously.

She clenched her jaw and began re-opening the tomb, and I sighed deeply in relief. He was going to be okay. The minute the door was opened, I took of into the tomb.

"Hurry, Elena! I can't hold it much longer!" she cried as I searched for Damon. I searched the entire tomb and was about to scream with frustration when I felt fingers wrap around my ankle. I almost screamed, and then looked down and saw him. Damon. It nearly killed me to see him so pale, so white, so corpse like.

"Elena," he choked.

"Oh god, Damon…" I whispered, kneeling beside him and putting my wrist to his mouth. I felt his fangs sink in and he began sucking deeply, hungrily. He managed to release me just as I was getting lightheaded, and I pulled his arm around my neck so he could lean his weight on me as I pulled him out of the tomb. The spell broke just as he and I reached the other side, and the door slammed shut behind us.

"Thank you, Bonnie," I said to her.

He just nodded and left Damon and I alone together, and I embraced him tightly, feeling his almost emaciated frame under my hands.

"Damon, oh my god, you're so, well…" I trailed off.

"Skin and bones?" he choked, clutching me tightly.

"It's going to be okay, I promise," I whispered, helping him out of the tomb.


Damon

We got back to the boardinghouse and Elena insisted that I soak in some hot water, and I cringed at the prospect of laying on anything hard and porcelain.

"Don't worry, I'll help you out of your clothes," she said as she helped me into the bathroom.

"Hmm, is someone eager to undress me?" I asked, but my hoarse voice kind of killed the effect of the innuendo.

She just laughed and helped me out of my clothes, and I gasped at the sight of me in the mirror. I could see my ribs through my skin, and my skin was white and pale. There were dark circles under my eyes, and my hair was messy and tangled. I looked like hell.

"You doing okay?" Elena asked as she helped me down into the water.

"Yep," I lied, wincing as my back came in contact with the hard porcelain. My spine was sore and pained, and she seemed to wince with me, as if she could feel my pain. I was finally down in the water, and Elena gently traced patterns on my hand as I closed my eyes and focused on not crying out in pain like a child.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered as she did when we'd left the tomb. I opened my mouth to speak but she silenced me by placing a gentle kiss on my lips. She gently kissed my stomach, my chest, my shoulder, my neck, and finally reached my lips again. I am a lucky man, I thought as I encircled her waist with my arms. She kissed back gently, as if she was afraid I was would break if she kissed me too hard. And, eager to prove to her that I was already healing rapidly, I pulled her to me so hard that I pulled her into the bathtub with me. She laughed as her clothes became soaked, and then leaned back down to me again.

"You're crazy," she teased lightly, caressing my face.

"But you love me anyway," I said cockily.

"Always will," she replied.

As soon as we were out, I was in so much pain from being in one position for too long that I simply pulled on jeans and a pair of black boxers, still soaking wet.

"Damon, don't you want to dry off?" Elena asked, toweling herself down and looking doubtfully down at her drenched clothes.

"Na," I said and helped her out of everything but her bra and underwear.

"Let's get some sleep," she suggested.

"That's the best offer I've heard all day," I sighed, flopping down on the bed and opening my arms. She smiled from the bathroom doorway and took off at a dead run, and I caught her in my arms as she flung herself at me. I laughed, holding her tightly as we fell asleep.


"You make me smile like the sun. Fall out of bed, sing like a bird, dizzy in my head, spin like a record. Crazy on a Sunday night. You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe, shine like gold, buzz like a bee. Just the thought of you drives me wild. Oh, you make me smile."

~Uncle Kracker


Author's Note:

One more chapter til' it's done! I have had so much fun with this fic, and I am so happy everyone else who has reviewed has also been enjoying it too. As usual, thank you so much to my readers for the wonderful reviews and to drodgers89 for just being along for the ride, the crazy, messed up ride. I just got my muse back for The Objection, so it will be updated soon, probably before I had the last chapter of this. Again, thanks to all of my amazing readers!