Chapter 4_ Night With You

Miah's face was buried in her knees and she had her arms wrapped tight around her legs. She was shaking and crying. She didn't move as I slid into the seat next to her and moved her onto my lap. I waited until her sobs quieted down before I grabbed her arms and inspected her for bruises or cuts; she seemed alright. Her hands fell limply back into her lap and her head rested on my shoulder.

"Are you hurt?" I asked quietly.

"No. Just a little shaken up." She wiped her eyes and sat herself up straight, "I don't want to drive, can I go with you? Your car is still safe to drive I think, but I don't want to take any chances."

"Of course, I don't want you in this car anymore. I'll send for Stefan to pick it up later."

She got out of the car and struggled a little to stand on her own but I put my arm around her and helped her to the car. I had to fight the urge to speed home and kept the speed sensible for Miah's sake. I didn't say much and neither did Miah; it killed me to be the one to break the silence but I needed to call Stefan. I asked him not to mention the wreck to Elena and he agreed to pick my car up after dark. Miah let out a little sigh and I knew tonight was going to be a long night.

Miah's POV

I watched the rain hit the window; first one drop then two. I watched them race down the window until they collided into one drop and I had to sigh.

"Is there something on your mind?" Damon asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

"No. Come to think of it my mind is pretty blank." I figured my brain would still be rattling after swerving off the road but sitting here in the rain made me feel more at peace.

"As long as you're alright." Damon said as he grabbed my hand and gave it a little squeeze. The ride lasted longer than normal, Damon was watching his speed, I thought. I looked out at the sunset as Damon came around to open my door. The way the light- what was left of it anyway- melted into the faded blue and pink sky was breathtaking. I absentmindedly reached for his hand as he lifted me out of the car. I felt his muscles tense and for a second I thought he was looking at the sunset too, but he was looking past it. He whirled me around and practically ran me up to the porch and through the front door.

"Would you like something to drink, darling?"

"Uhmm, sure. Thank you."

He retreated around the corner into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of water, "You don't need any caffeine, so don't even ask for it." He smirked handing me the bottle and taking my other hand and leading me down the hallway. He stopped in front of a door that I assumed was his bedroom door. I was about to walk into a vampire's bedroom. My vampire boyfriend's bedroom. His room was, like the rest of his house, nearly furniture less. His walls were maroon, not quite red but still dark, and his bed had black pillows and a black comforter, against the wall, a bed-side table next to it, and a wardrobe against the other wall; both in black. The colors I expected from a vampire, but surprisingly no coffins- not that I honestly expected one. I put my water down on the bedside table and he led me to his bed.

"Come, sit, talk." He patted the space next to him on the bed and I obeyed and sat down, "What's on your mind?"

For some reason I found myself thinking of the story Stefan told me last night. What was her name, Katherine? I really wanted to tell Damon how I felt but if he had loved that Katherine girl enough to kill his own brother I could never compare…

"Miah?" Damon's enchanting voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I came to reality and that's when I realized how close Damon's face was to mine. Hello butterflies.

"Well I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Katherine."

The simple mention of her name seemed to make every muscle in his body tense up. Within seconds he grabbed me and rolled to his back with his arms locked tight around my waist.

"What about her?"

"You loved her." It wasn't a question but he answered anyway.

"Yes." Regret.

"Enough to kill your own brother." Again wasn't a question but once again he answered.

"Yes." Hatred. Towards Stefan or himself I couldn't tell.

It seemed like forever, and it may as well have been, but eventually what I had said sunk in and I tried to break free of his grasp and when he realized I was fighting so hard he let me go and I scrambled to the other end of his bed.

"Miah…" he sounded so hurt.

"You... You…" I found myself whispering the word, "killed him. Damon"

"He killed me too, Miah. At the same exact time."

"Well then maybe I should go get Elena and warn her too. I can't believe I fell for this. You used that freaky mind control on me didn't you Damon?"

"No, darling I promised I wouldn't." he reached for my hand and I jerked it back.

"How can I believe your promises you're a murderer Damon!"

"I wouldn't hurt you Miah, ever!"

"I can't believe that you killed your brother and you drain people of their lives everyday. How do I know you wouldn't do that to me? And here I am, helplessly sitting here. How stupid of me."

"Miah, no you have it all wrong!"

"Do I now?"

"Yes."

"So you didn't murder your brother and you don't go around bleeding people for your own enjoyment. This is all a game to you isn't?"

"No!… Well yes the first parts true but... No it's not I don't… I did kill him and I do bleed people for fun Miah I do it because I have to. And this isn't a game. This is me and you and our future." He reached for my hand again but this time when I jerked back I rolled of his bed and backed up against the wall.

"We have no future Damon…"

"Miah, don't say that."

"What do you want me to say!"

"Say that you forgive me for my foolish mistakes in the past and that we can start over just me and you."

"I don't know if I can trust you, Damon. I don't think I can do this…"

"Miah…"

"I don't know where my common sense went. I've got to get out of here." I started to make a run for it but he jumped off the bed and blocked the door before I could make it.

"Miah. Don't do this."

"Let me leave Damon.

"I can't."

"Please."

"No Miah I need you to stay with me, please."

"No. I need to leave so please let me go."

"Miah I can't do that. At least let me explain my actions."

"If you don't move out of my way Damon I swear I'll call the cops."

He reluctantly moved and I ran through the door and down the hallway but of course he was right behind me protesting the whole time.

"Miah, please don't go."

I stopped at the end of the hallway and found myself shouting and crying, "Why? Why Damon? So you can use me? Like the rest of the girls you bought for a night? Was that your plan?"

"Miah please don't cry."

I turned around and went into the kitchen to grab his keys; I was sure he left in there when he went to get my water. I searched the counter and came up short so I went around to the dining room. The whole time Damon followed me saying, "Miah, please it's late. At least stay tonight and I'll drive you home first thing in the morning."

"I wanna go home now Damon! And I don't want to be in a car with you!"

I grabbed his keys off the table and turned around nearly running into him. I ducked under his arm and ran for the front door. I threw it open and then slammed it in his face. The wind outside was going crazy and my hair blew around my face.

"Miah, this is crazy get back inside."

"No!"

By now neighbors were outside watching us go back and forth as he followed me to the car. I jumped in the front seat and started the car. He stood in the drive way as I backed out and sped down the street. I sighed and checked the rearview mirror but I couldn't see Damon anymore. I flew down the road and the tears came falling down. Rain started to fall the more I cried. My vision blurred and something large and black flew in front of the car. A crow. I fought to regain control of the wheel and cursed under my breath. I pulled the car over and slammed the door the wind still blowing like mad and the rain came pouring down.

"Damon!"

Damon appeared from the shadows and I could feel myself shaking I was so mad.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" I yelled at him over the roar of the wind.

"Did you think I was going to let you drive home with no protection? Are you crazy it's dangerous out here. You said you didn't want to be in the car with me. I wasn't in the car."

"So follow me? Why do you care so much Damon, why can't you just go home and not care!"

"Because I love you!"

I stood there frozen in the rain stunned as he slowly took another step towards me.

"I love you Miah." And without another word, he kissed me.