A/N: It's a short one but I'll try and follow it up with a longer one :) Thanks for all the lovely reviews!

Thank You

"Damon…" He turned his head towards her, looking at her with his piercing blue eyes. "Uh…thanks," Elena said sheepishly. She wanted to say 'for being here' but she suddenly felt shy about it. Damon scrutinized her face as she continued to speak.

"I've always come here alone. I thought it would be easier somehow… Not to let people see me while I visited them…"she said, pausing. "There's always this pressure to put on a brave face and pretend like I'm okay because time has passed…" Elena stared ahead of her unable to really voice a complete thought. Damon sat quietly, listening. Decades old, patience was one virtue he had acquired and exhibited when he wanted to.

"Anyways," said Elena, interrupting her thoughts as she looked back at Damon. She was acutely aware of the fact that Damon had never moved his hand away from hers.

"Thank you."

"You seem to be doing that a lot lately," Damon said, his lips curling into a half smile.

"You seem to be helping me out a lot lately," she answered. Damon winked at her, a smug grin appearing on his face. Elena rolled her eyes, shaking her head as a small smile appeared on her face.

"So, why are you here by the way?" She knew asking that question would probably break the spell and change the mood of the moment but curiosity overcame her.

The smile on Damon's face disappeared and his expression became serious. "I've got some news for you and you're really not going to like it."

"Just tell me."

"Stefan attacked another person. He doesn't know how to control it. And the town council is on high alert." Damon laid out the facts, not lying or omitting anything to spare her feelings. Elena's heart sank. At the same time, there was a little piece of her that began to resent the troubles that Stefan suddenly seemed to be causing. She knew it was irrational to be mad at him when she was the one who helped bring it all about. There was also a piece of her heart that seemed to be rebelling as feelings for Damon suddenly stirred accompanied by guilt. Elena felt like she was at war with herself, struggling with her own mind and heart.

Damon watched her face, but most especially her eyes. As he broke the news to her, the emotions she was feeling seem to reveal themselves there. He could see it was a confusing mess of her many different thoughts. In a flash, Damon was standing, towering over her. He held out his hand to help her up.

"Come on. I can't leave you here," he said, " We have to sort this out." Elena looked at him through her eyelashes and nodded, placing her hand in his.