Well people, I found a way to update on vacation. You have no idea how hard this was for me to post. Be thankful! It's a longer chapter for your wait and the wait that will come after this one until I get back home.

As always I own nothing except the words written in this fan fic. No copyright infringement intended.


I spent the next few days avoiding everyone. I'm ashamed to say that I even spent a lot of that time in bed, moping. I hadn't completely come to terms with my parent's death and now this thing with Damon. It was all getting to me. I was sitting in bed, flipping through the channels, not seeing anything as my finger continued to hit the up button. I was thinking of getting a shower when there was a knock on my door. I jumped, pathetic but I did.

What the heck, Elena. I chided myself. Bad, dangerous vampires don't knock.

I frowned and pulled the covers up to my neck. There was another knock and Jeremy said my name through the door.

I sighed.

"Elena, please." He said again, worry in his tone.

"Come in." I grumbled.

He opened the door slowly; probably worried I was sitting in a corner, eating my hair or something. "Are you okay? I haven't seen you in a few days or you've been sleeping when I've come home."

I nodded. "I'm okay. Everything is just hitting me. I've just been taking some time to reflect and think." It sounded better than stare and daze or something that might put me in a mental ward. Of course just mentioning vampires might be my ticket.

"Well I was headed to this thing. It's at a guy's house down by the beach side of the lake. You wanna come?" He timidly asked.

"Like a party? Not really." I scrunched up my nose.

"Elena, you haven't been out of the house in days. And by the looks of it, out of bed even. Come on. You were the one saying we should embrace this summer."

"I never said that."

"Well something like that." Jeremy came over and sat on the edge of my bed. "Come on, just for a couple hours. That guy you like Stefan is going to be there." I didn't like Stefan, just the opposite but I didn't feel like correcting him at the moment. "In fact it's at his house."

Wait. What? "The party...is at Stefan's?"

"Yeah. He's offered up his house since his uncle will be busy with work and I guess he's cool with it anyway. There will be a ton of people there, come on, I promise to bring you home if you're feeling overwhelmed." He smiled and I honestly felt bad for not telling Jeremy the truth about Stefan. But I knew if I did he'd never want to go. And I was going to that party.

"I guess I'll get ready" I shrugged. I pulled back the covers and started to search through a suit case that was still packed in a corner of the room.

"I'll be downstairs. Take your time. The party doesn't really get started for another hour but I have a friend coming over to hang out before then. Come on down when you're ready."

Jeremy left the room, shutting the door behind him and I started getting ready. I tried to get ready quickly but wanted to look my best so I took time to pick out a micro-mini skirt, put on mascara and dry my hair straight. I have to say I looked pretty awesome as I glanced in the mirror on my way downstairs. At the top of the stairs I heard laughter and a girl's voice. I followed the sound into the living room where Jeremy sat with a dark haired, short, exotic looking girl. They were giggling over one of Jeremy's comic books and sitting awfully close to each other.

I stepped on the last, creaky step and gave them a half smile as they both looked up.

"Ready?" Jeremy asked, clearing his throat.

I nodded and walked to the young girl. "Hi, I'm Elena."

She flashed me a sweet but wide smile, showing me her perfect teeth. "Hi Elena, I'm Anna. I hope you don't mind me tagging along tonight."

I smirked; this girl seemed too good to be true. Typically Jeremy brought home moody or quiet girls or I didn't see them at all. "No, not at all, I'm the third wheel in this scenario."

"So are we ready?" Jeremy asked, seeming awkward and unsure of what to say next.

"Yeah. Let's go."

We stepped out on the porch and Jeremy said he'd let Anna lead the way since she knew where the party was. I pretended to be clueless about the location of the Salvatore cabin and followed along. Jeremy and Anna weren't exactly holding hands or anything but it was obvious there were sparks between them. I was grateful since she seemed nice enough and Jeremy's ex back in Mystic Falls wasn't exactly friendly.

We rounded the path of the forest where Stefan had attacked me nearly a week before and I felt my pulse jump at the memory. I continued until we reached the cabin and Anna and Jeremy found some friends out front. Jeremy turned to glance at me, "Come on 'Len. I'll introduce you."

"It's okay Jeremy. I think I'm just going to mingle." The word sounded better than stalk or sulk. I hadn't figured out what I'd be doing.

"You sure you're okay?" Jeremy asked, doing his best to be concerned.

I flashed him a genuine smile. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll find you if I need to."

"Ok." Jeremy turned around and sighed, probably happy to be off Elena watch and joined Anna and a few other people.

I turned and snuck past a few people inside the front door. Rock music blared and seemed to be coming from the backyard. Kids were all over the house, drinks in hand. I didn't spot Stefan anywhere and wondered if he actually cleared this many people to crash at his house. I paused for a moment to take in the scene in the living room. It was weird to see so many people crammed into the place. There was a group by the fireplace dancing to the music and another in the kitchen, doing shots. I got a sick feeling in my stomach, seeing the scene much like the one the night I called my parents, too plastered to drive home. I turned and headed for the stairs, setting my mind to tracking down Damon. I hadn't been upstairs before and stood at the top of the stairs, wondering which closed door I should choose. I felt like I was on a game show. Then I wondered for a moment if Damon was downstairs somewhere partying with another young girl. Maybe I wasn't the only gullible one around here. Maybe Stefan was right.

I walked down the hall and stopped, peering in one open door that was a bathroom. There were five other door options; I was contemplating knocking on the one to my left when the one on my right opened. I spun around and was standing a few feet from him. Damon Salvatore. The man I was supposed to be forgetting.

"Well if it isn't my dear friend." His smirk and stance were so sexually inviting. I had to remember he wasn't human. He was a predator that merely wanted to use me until he opened a magical tomb and found the real thing. Or didn't find her and then...ugh, I still couldn't figure out what that meant. He stood before me, arms crossed over a black, fitted t-shirt with low riding dark jeans. I wanted to rip his shirt off so badly I had to fold my hands together to keep them to myself.

"I heard you were having a party." I began.

He scoffed. "You mean the trash my dear brother let in our house?"

I twisted my mouth. "I guess I'm included in that stereotype."

Damon sighed like he was disappointed by something and stepped forward so he was inches from my face. "Never." He breathed, his eyes lingered on my lips. "I just never expected you to come to something like this."

"I used to come to parties like this all the time. That's how my parents." I couldn't finish.

Damon pressed his lips into a thin line and turned around to the room he appeared from. "Come on." He said over his shoulder and I followed him in.

I stood in the middle of a huge bedroom. Well the word bedroom didn't quite do it justice. It was a suite with wooden walls and matching, massive wooden furniture. There was a large, chocolate colored couch in a corner by another fire place and on the opposite end was a huge bed that I imagined I'd need a step stool to get into. I started thinking about things Damon and I could do together in the enormous bed. Stop it Elena. I mentally yelled at myself.

I looked up to see Damon with a wide smirk on his face as he plopped onto the couch. He folded his arms over his waist. "So, what can I do for you?"

I shrugged and took a step toward the seating area. Damon patted the cushion next to him. I took his cue and sat down, leaving a few feet between us. "I decided to get out of the house with Jeremy for a few hours and ended up here. I didn't realize the party was at your house." I lied.

Damon's eyes narrowed. "You know I can tell when you're lying."

"I'm not lying." I threw back.

"Elena." He sang. "Vampires can hear everything. Even heartbeats, well especially heartbeats." I guess that was a vampire joke because he smiled. "So I can tell when you're lying."

I huffed. "Ok I knew the party was here but I wasn't lying. I did get out of the house and came with Jeremy."

"So why aren't you at the party?"

"Not in the mood. I wanted to come see you. To apologize." I said hesitantly.

"Go on." He rolled his hand to motion me to continue.

"I'm sorry the way I left things last time we spoke. I shouldn't have just taken Stefan's word over yours." Damon frowned but I continued. "It's just, you have to realize that it's incredibly strange that we look so much alike, Katherine and I, and then to learn you're still opening the tomb." I shook my head, realizing I was in the same mindset as I was a few days ago.

Damon sat forward and took my hands. "Elena." I loved the way he said my name. I was pretty sure if he just sat and said my name a million times I'd forgive him, kiss him, whatever. I didn't need the words that came after that but they were nice to hear. "I don't know what to do to make you see that I'm over Katherine. This adventure to open the tomb was just to give myself some closure. That's all. But if it bothers you that much, I won't do it. I don't need closure any more. I realized that as soon as I left your room last week."

"Wait, last week?" I stood up, shocked that so much time had passed.

"Yeah…"

"What day is it?"

"Thursday. Are you okay?" He stood up and crossed the short distance between us, petting my cheek as he spoke.

Shit, it was Thursday. I nearly spent a week holed up in my room. Pathetic. I would have mentally yelled at myself some more except all I could think about was his hand that was burning a hole into my cheek. It had to be since I felt like I was on fire. I closed my eyes and reeled in the sensation. I was about to open them and happily gaze into those blue pools of seduction when I felt Damon's lips on mine. I let out the tiniest whimper as Damon pulled away. I opened my eyes to see him smirking.

"Admit it. We have something here, something that makes us both feel alive. Tell me you don't feel it too."

I couldn't speak. All I knew was that I wanted Damon's lips on mine more than anything else at the moment.

"So you're not going to open the tomb?" I asked.

"No. It's not worth it. In my mind Katherine is either dead or a bitch so either way I'm moving on.

I chewed on my lip, still worried that it wasn't enough but I had to stop caring about Katherine. What I wanted was right in front of me.

"Elena?" Damon asked, taking a step back with a worried look on his face.

"Damon, I have spent the entire week telling myself to hate you, fear you, something other than feel what I feel now and it didn't go so well." I sighed as the concerned look still rested on his face. "So I'm willing to give whatever this is a try, if you are."

Damon smiled briefly and pulled me back into his grasp. "I have to warn you," he breathed in my ear while his hands slipped under my shirt to do devilish things to my skin. "I'm not a good boyfriend. In fact I can't remember the last time someone called me that word, if ever. I don't do commitment and I'm terrible at being romantic."

My breath caught in my throat as one of his hands slipped under the hem of my skirt. He gave my ass a squeeze and I began placing gentle kisses on his neck. "Way to talk me into it, Damon." I laughed as I continued my assault. I wanted nothing more than to do this to his entire body. I had spent all week trying to push these thoughts out of my head but yet they sat there, taunting me. I was sick of having just the images and daydreams about what it would be like to be with Damon. I wanted the real thing.

Damon pulled back, placing both hands on my face so I would look at him. "Elena I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you. I want to get to know you." He kissed my cheek. "Explore you." He kissed my earlobe. "In every possible way." He planted deep, needy kisses on my neck.

My head was spinning. If this was what making out with Damon Salvatore was like, how on earth was I going to ever make it through sex with him? I worried. Then I realized that I had just considered having sex with Damon. Like actually having sex with him. Not just a passing thought as I had with Matt. I blushed at the thought and then had a mini panic attack as Damon slipped his hand back under my shirt and began kneading my breasts. I pulled back, placing my hand on Damon's chest.

"Wait." I breathed. My head was still spinning.

Damon pouted. "What are we waiting for?" He gave me a half smile then turned on the seduction again, trying to pull me back into his arms.

"No Damon, really I have to tell you something." I stepped back again.

"Ok, have a little secret of your own huh?" Damon took my hand and began fingering my palm. I started to imagine how his hands had worked my body just the week before. Again, my head was spinning. Ugh.

I pulled away and walked back over to the couch. "Uh, how do I say this?" I put my head into my hands. Damon sat down beside me, placing his hand on my back.

"Elena. You're kinda freaking me out, and I'm a vampire."

"I just need you to promise you won't laugh when I tell you. Guys always laugh." I frowned.

"Oookay."

I put my head back into my hands and moaned.

"Seriously Elena, it can't be that bad." Damon scoffed. "Just tell me."

I looked up and met his eyes. "I'm a virgin."

Damon's eyebrows rose but he remained silent.

"I've never had sex." I continued babbling since the silence was killing me.

"I know what a virgin is Elena." Damon laughed. "I just didn't expect. I mean. Fuck, you are the exact opposite of Katherine." He laughed again.

I shook my head. "See, why do guys always laugh?"

Damon took my hand. "Sorry. It's just wow. I feel like I've won the lottery today or something, shit. You're too good to be true. You like me without me compelling you to, you're willing to overlook the fact I'm a killer and basically eat humans and now this." Damon shook my head. I couldn't tell if this was a good or bad thing.

"So you're not freaked out?" I clarified.

"No. Why would I be freaked out?" Damon exclaimed. "You don't have cancer. You're not telling me you have a dick. What is there to freak out about?"

I laughed. "Do you have a lot of girls who have to mention they have a dick?" I giggled again, picturing that exchange.

"No." Damon pressed his lips together. "I'm just trying to figure out why you felt the need to make a big deal out of this."

"Telling someone like you, with over 100 years of sexual experience, that I have basically NONE is a little intimidating. Ok?" Damon nodded and I continued before he could open his mouth. "Plus, I don't want to rush things. It sounds clichéd but I want to take this slow. Fair enough?"

Damon gave me another solemn nod but pulled me into his arms, "I don't want to do anything to hurt you or make you turn away."

I sighed, feeling relaxed and yet amazed that Damon took this so well. I nuzzled Damon's neck as he ran a hand, lazily up and down my arm. My body instantly reacted to his touch and I found myself with my lips on his neck, hands caressing his chest through his t-shirt.

"Elena." Damon sang and I sighed again. "Elena, this isn't the first step in taking it slow."

I pulled away and stood up quickly. "You're right."

Damon moaned and walked over to a dresser where a bottle of Jack stood, opened. He poured some in a tumbler and threw it back, made a face and did it again. "Fuck. I want you to know," he pointed his glass at me and then poured another drink. "I am never the fucking good guy."

"Is that supposed to scare me?"

He sat the glass down and came over to me, keeping his distance. "No, I'm saying that took a lot of restraint. I want to throw you in my bed and have my way with you, several times in several ways."

I shivered. It was a good shiver though.

"But I'm trying to do the right thing." He said it like it was a dirty word. I giggled.

"I appreciate that. Seriously. So…now what?"

Damon scowled at his bed. "I think we should get out of this room. I have restraint but not for long if you keep giving me those doe eyes, standing there in that tight, short skirt so close to my bed."

I bit my lip. "Why don't we go downstairs?"

Damon made a sound like he was going to be sick. "To the party?"

I shrugged. "It can't be that bad. We can hang out with my brother."

Damon silently walked over, held out his hand. I took it and we walked out his door and down the stairs. Damon squeezed my hand as I led the way toward the front door when I heard Jeremy's voice coming from a room in the front of the house. He was standing around a group of other teens his age with a plastic cup in his hand, they were all talking and fell silent as Damon and I approached.

"Hey Jer." I started. "Uh, this is Damon. Damon Salvatore."

Jeremy stuck his hand out after a second and shook Damon's hand. "Hey Damon. I'm Jeremy Gilbert, Elena's brother."

Damon smiled politely and put an arm around me. "Enjoying the party?"

"Yeah, it's great. So you're Stefan's brother?" Jeremy asked, probably a bit confused as I first was.

"In the flesh." Damon flashed one of his classic smirks. "In fact, have you seen my baby brother around here?"

"Uh yeah, he was out back with the DJ a few minutes ago."

I saw Damon roll his eyes out of the corner of my view and then his face went flat. He seemed to be glaring almost and I followed his gaze to Anna, who came in from another doorway and took her place next to Jeremy.

"Oh, this is my friend…" Jeremy started.

"Anna." Damon said coldly.

"Damon." Anna nodded at him, returning his gaze with a half smirk. "It's been ages. How have you been?"

Damon sneered and took a step forward, letting his hand fall from my shoulder as he took Anna's arm in his grip. "We should talk."


Sorry to leave you on a cliffy but if you've seen TVD you can probably guess what comes next!

Hope all my USA readers had a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend! Summer is here!