"Hi daddy."

'What's the matter sweetheart?"

"Damon is very sick. He's in the hospital with pneumonia. I'm just really worried about him."

"What can you tell me?"

"I haven't talked to his doctor. But when I saw him this morning, they moved him to a higher level of care. He's now needing his oxygen with a mask instead of the nasal prongs."

"Do you want me to drive over? I could go to the hospital with you?"

"Could you?"

"Yes, of course. Do you want me to come straight to your office or meet you at your apartment?"

"My apartment. Maybe I can get my friend, Matt to help out again. He was Damon's parole officer plus he really cares about him. He's the one who helped me sneak that phone call he made to Stefanie."

"He sounds like a good man."

"That he is, dad. I need to get back to work. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodbye sweetheart." Taking a breath, I click off my phone, slipping it back in my bag. I feel anxious today and am unable to sit still. Reaching for my phone, I quickly find his number and push dial.

"Hello?"

"Matt, it's Elena."

"Hey. Is he okay?"

"He's taken a turn for the worse. I'm very concerned and I'm antsy and anxious and I can't sit still. What do you say we go over to talk to Damon's mother?"

"Do you think we'll get anything else out of her?"

"I really don't know but maybe she'll let something slip? Who knows?"

"I guess it's worth a try. I have to warn you though, she'll probably be on the warpath since Stefanie got taken away the last time you visited with her."

"I don't care. We need to save him if he won't try to save himself."

"Alright Elena. I'm close to the criminal justice building. I'll run by to pick you up. I'm not letting you go to see her by yourself."

"I was really hoping that you would say that."

"I'll be there in a fifteen, twenty minutes."

Clicking off the phone, I shove it in my bag again. Pulling Damon's file out of my drawer, I open it up to read through it again. Damon's words, "This is something that I have to do." plays in my head repeatedly. What did he mean by that? I know it's a piece of the puzzle but I'm not grasping the significance yet. I know there's something there though, I can feel it with everything in me. Feeling frustrated, I crumple up my piece of note paper and toss it in the garbage. Hearing a rap on my door, I look up just as Matt is pushing my door open. I visibly relax when I see that it's him.

"I'm so glad you're here. I just can't get what Damon said about this being something that he had to do out of my head. I know that it means something but I can't quite put the pieces together. I need more."

"I think you're right. But do you really think Eleanor Fell is going to help?"

"Not intentionally no. But I'm hoping maybe she'll inadvertently reveal something? I don't know Matt. Damon is so determined to crucify himself. I have to do everything humanly possible to save him. I'm not going to let him take the fall for something that he may not have done."

"I guess anything is possible where Eleanor is concerned. But you know, Damon. He's as stubborn as the day is long. You're going to have your work cut out for you to get him to open up, Elena."

"You're absolutely right. Somehow I'm going to barge through that wall he's erected you know? If I have to pole vault over it, I will."

He laughs and shakes his head before asking, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's."

I pick up my purse, lock my desk and then follow Matt out of the building and hop into the passenger seat of his car.

"Do you have your service revolver with you? I mean, she lives in a pretty seedy neighborhood."

"Always do," he replies, not taking his eyes off of the road ahead. We take a moment to go through a drive up window to get some coffee. By the time we get to our destination, there's no one to be seen in the neighborhood. It's a bit strange that no children are outside playing nor is anyone walking on the sidewalk.

"This is weird, Matt," I utter, looking in all directions.

"It is. Come on, let's see if she's around." I follow his lead and get out of the car, stepping close beside him as we walk up the sidewalk till we get to her front door. After sharing a look with Matt, I start rapping on the front door. Just as I raise my hand to rap a second time, the door swings open, Damon's mother standing there with blood shot eyes and a cigarette hanging from her mouth.

"Officer Donovan," she slurs, stumbling back into her house. Shaking my head, I start to follow but am stopped when Matt grabs onto my arm, pulling me behind him as we walk inside.

"What do you want?"

"We came to tell you that Damon is very ill. He's in the hospital in intensive care."

"Well, what the hell did you people at the jail do to him? Did the loser pick a fight and get beaten up? He always did lack a backbone!" The vitriol she spews at her son is unbelievable.

"No Mrs. Fell, he has pneumonia."

"Well if he dies, you make sure they know that I'm his only kin."

"What about his sister?"

"What about the little traitor? If I find out where they took her, they'll have to deal with me."

"What do you mean, deal with me?"

"I intend to get her back. It's her fault that her father is dead anyway."

"Why are you blaming her? You told the police that Damon killed him."

"Never mind. I don't have to talk to you people. Get the hell out of my house." Knowing we're not going to get anything else out of her, Matt and I leave, jumping when she slams the door shut as soon as we walk out. Once we're in the car with the doors locked and Matt is driving off, I drop my head into my hand.

"Something is definitely rotten in Denmark in all of this."

"I agree. But Damon isn't going to cooperate and neither is his mother. Perhaps, Stefanie?"

"According to Damon, she wasn't even in the home when he killed Fell. The police working the case know she's receiving counseling so they haven't pushed as far as interviewing her goes."

"That's probably a good thing."

"I agree."

"Listen, I have to meet with another one of my charges so I need to take you back to your office." We sit in comfortable silence till we get to my office building. Just as I step out of his car, l lean in, my head in the window.

"My dad is coming in the morning. He's a doctor and he wants to see Damon. Could you help me with that?"

"Perhaps. I'll be at the hospital in the morning. Goodbye, Elena." Nodding, I step back from the car, watching as he drives away.


"Come on in, dad," I yawn as I open the door the next morning.

"You look tired." Stepping inside, he presses a kiss to my forehead before taking a seat on my couch.

"Do you want some coffee?"

"I do. I didn't sleep real well last night myself."

"I saw Eleanor yesterday."

When he raises an eyebrow at me, I go on to explain that she threatened to raise Cain when she finds out what happened to her traitor of a daughter.

"She actually called her daughter a traitor?"

"She really did, dad. I don't know, there's just so much more to this case than meets the eye. I'm not giving up on Damon even if he's given up on himself."

"If anyone can find the key that fits the lock you can. When you set your mind to something, you're like a bulldog with a bone. And for that, I'm proud of you, little girl."

Taking a big slog of my coffee, I drop my eyes for a minute, my mind going ninety miles a minute.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Has Stefanie talked about that night at all?"

"No, but there's no doubt in my mind that her nightmares are related to her father."

"I mean, I know what's alleged, that he would touch her inappropriately but does she talk in her nightmares?"

"Not that I know of, usually she's just thrashing by the time I get to her room. She was very squeamish around me and your brother too when she came to our house. She's still jumpy around Jeremy but he's always busy with his girlfriend and doesn't spend much time with her."

"He's just a kid yet." Once I swallow the last of my coffee, I get up to refill dad's cup before excusing myself to get dressed. Once I finish brushing my hair, I put it up in a messy bun, slip on a pants and a button down shirt. I slip on my heels then go to join my dad.

"I'm ready."

After tossing him my car keys, I follow him outside, stopping only to lock my apartment door. I've had the locks changed since breaking up with Tyler. I'm not afraid of him but I don't trust him not to barge in here again since he never returned my apartment key. I get in the car, buckle my seatbelt just as daddy backs out of my designated parking spot. Unfortunately we hit every red light on the way to the hospital. A half hour and a side of frustration later, we finally get to the hospital. When we walk inside, we go directly to the intensive care unit. As Damon's attorney, he did put me down as someone who could receive information about him.

After okaying it with his guard, I signal for dad to join me at Damon's bedside. He looks so acutely ill, dark circles under his eyes, his skin is sallow looking. He's lost weight making his cheeks appear sunken in. The respiratory therapist has him hooked to a BIPAP machine. The Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure or BiPAP is a patented, non-invasive ventilation machine. The BiPAP is used to treat central sleep apnea and severe obstructive sleep apnea. It is also prescribed for patients who suffer from respiratory and heart diseases. Not long after we arrive, I see Matt walking down the hall towards us.

"Hi Matt. This is my dad, Doctor Grayson Gilbert. Dad, this if Officer Donovan." The two of them shake hands and chat between themselves while we wait for Damon's doctor to join us. I walk back over to his bed, taking his hand in mine.

"Damon," I whisper, rubbing the base of his thumb with mine. He stirs, reaching up, he tries to take the bipap off. I take his hand back in mine and tell him that he's in the hospital and that he needs to cooperate with his treatments. Finally he opens his eyes but just a slit. I feel him squeeze my hand so I know he recognizes me.

'Daddy, come here." He steps over to the other side of the bed, taking Damon's other hand.

"Damon, it's Gray." I watch as tears begin to prick at the inner corners of his eyes. My heart breaks knowing he's in pain. Suddenly, he starts coughing violently, alarms start blaring and nurses pour into the room, they quickly raise the head of his bed so he can cough it out before he aspirates. The respiratory therapist asks us to leave the room. I watch from the window as he sticks a tiny suction catheter down Damon's nose, suctioning a load of yellow thick stuff out. Just as I'm about to turn around, I see his doctor approach, quickly bypassing me, going straight to Damon.

"Get a port chest X ray now," he orders, closing the blinds so we can't watch anymore. Feeling tears forming in my eyes, I walk into my dad's arms. He always makes me feel better.

"Daddy, what's the matter with him?"

"He probably needs a thoracentesis. They stick a needle in his back and drain some fluid off of his lungs. The fluid in his lungs makes it hard for him to breathe. It's possible that he could have a collapsed lung as well. Let's wait to see what the X ray shows."

"I'm scared."

"I know, sweetie. He loves his little sister too much to give up."

"I'm not so certain about that. He knows she's safe and secure with you and mom...," I whisper, letting my voice trail off when a big machine is pushed into his room.

"That's an x ray machine," dad explains, continuing to stroke my back.

"Matt, I wanted to let him talk to Stefanie again but I don't think he's in any shape to do so."

"No, I don't think so either, Elena. I'd invite you to the cafeteria but I don't think you'll leave his side..."

"I can't, not until the doctor tells us what's going on." Before I can take another breath, he walks out.

"Dr. Gilbert, I thought that was you. Do you know Mr. Salvatore?"

"Dr. Akers, it's good to see you," dad says, shaking his hand.

"Yes, I know Damon. He lived with my family for seven years when he was young, he means a lot to me. This is my daughter, Elena," he says, using his hand to nudge me forward. Offering him my hand, I shake it then reach up to wipe the tears from my eyes.

"His lungs are full. I'm going to do a bronchoscopy so I can suck some of the secretions and mucous plugs out of his bronchi. I may need to do a thoracentesis too but I want to see how he responds after the bronch. He'll need to be sedated for that," he explains to me.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"He's young and was healthy up till this point so if we can get him over the hump, I'm sure he'll make a full recovery."

"Thank you. Take care of him."

"I will."

"Come Elena, let's go. I'll call your mom to tell her that I'm going to stay overnight with you so I can come back with you either later this evening or in the morning. Hopefully he'll be able to talk by then."

"Thanks daddy. Oh Matt, I'm sorry, we completely ignored you. Have you talked to Nick recently?"

"Not since the two of us went to see him. He'll be in touch if he finds out anything."

"You're right. Should we go to Caroline's to have lunch?"

"Now that, Miss Gilbert, is an excellent idea." He motions for us to follow along so we do, the three of us stepping into the elevator together, my eyes never leaving Damon's room till the elevator door closes.


After calling the hospital last evening to check on Damon, his nurse said he was still snowed from the anesthetic so we decided to wait till the morning to go back to the hospital. Daddy thought that it was best to let him rest without trying to wheedle information out of him. Once again, I go inside first to get permission from his guard for my dad to come in to see Damon. This morning his color looks a little better and although he still has oxygen on, he has the nasal prongs again which means his oxygen requirement is lessened which is very good news.

"Damon, I was so worried about you," I utter, practically leaping to his bedside. He's sitting up in bed picking at his lunch.

"Elena?" His voice is hoarse and raspy sounding but he's alert. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see a little sparkle back in the surreal blue color of his eyes.

"Daddy's here too." Turning my head to the side, I gesture for daddy to come to the bedside.

"Damon, it's good to see you looking better."

"Hi Mr. Gilbert."

"Damon, you don't need to be so formal. You used to call me papa."

"That was a long time ago," he whispers, dropping his eyes. Daddy smiles sadly. Reaching over he takes Damon's chin in his hand gently, raising his face to look at him.

"Damon, Miranda and I still love you very much. I want to show you something." He lets go of Damon chin then pulls his phone out of his chest pocket. He opens up the photos, smiling when he finds some of the girls. Looking over his shoulder, I smile too. Stefanie has a genuine smile on her face, the first one I've seen. Dad hands Damon his phone while dad describes the context of the pictures.

"She's happy," Damon whispers, sounding awed. I watch as he takes one hand and strokes his finger over her face.

"I miss her so much."

"I know you do. See this next one, I took them to the movie that day. Katherine is a little hellion but they get along famously despite their age difference."

"Thank you papa, for taking her in. Our DNA donor has no clue as to how to be a parent. She let him beat me and he would touch his own daughter. How could any mother allow that? Stefanie couldn't take it anymore, I had to do something. I had to."

"Damon, no one else will hurt her, you have my word. As far as the monster that your mother married goes, I'm not sorry he's dead either. But that's why we take her to see a counselor twice a week. She's not afraid of me. And I promise you that we'll try to adopt her if God forbid, you get sent to prison for a long time."

"I just want her to be safe and happy. She's the only blood family I have."

"You have us, Damon," dad reassures him, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Thank you, both of you for trying to help me but I have to plead guilty. I can't let... ." His voice trails off, suddenly mute. I stare at him curiously till he drops his gaze, looking through more of dad's photos. There's even a picture of him and me as children that dad took pictures of pictures so they'd be in his phone.

He touches Stefanie's face once more before handing the phone back to dad. "I'd like you to leave now, I'm tired."

"Damon?" He doesn't answer, he just rolls onto his side, turning his back to us. Sighing heavily, I follow along when dad takes me by the crook of the elbow, pulling me out of his room.


"Goodnight daddy. I'll see you in the morning."

"You too, baby girl."

After giving him a goodnight kiss, I go into my room and crawl into bed, having showered earlier. I fluff my pillow and grab my tablet to read for a little while. As tired as I am, it doesn't take long for my eyelids to get heavy. Finally giving up, I set it down and turn off my bedside lamp before scooting down in bed and pulling the covers over me. Tired, I fall asleep quickly and just as quickly dreams fill my subconscious.

"Stop it Will," I yell when he pushes me off of the swing, stealing it for himself. Not one to take bullying, I hop back onto my feet and push him back.

"Knock it off, Gilbert," he yells, shoving me hard enough to make me scrape my knees on the concrete. Feeling tears beginning to prick at my eyes, I jump when I suddenly see Damon rear back and punch him squarely in the nose. Immediately a stream of blood erupts, spattering all over his tee shirt. He roars, charging at Damon headfirst, sending him sprawling onto the grass. Damon, the little scrapper that he is, quickly jumps to his feet and takes off after Will again, leaping at him from behind, knocking his face into the gravel, pounding him with his fists.

"You leave girls alone you big bully," Damon screams as he continues to pummel him. In no time, a whole crowd is surrounding them, cheering on the fight. When I see the principal coming, the group separates letting him and Mr. Tanner, our football coach through. The principal grabs Will while Mr. Tanner takes Damon by the scruff of the neck, hauling them both to the principal's office.

Later in the day, I hide in his room while I wait for him to come upstairs. When he walks inside, I nearly pounce on him, asking if he told them that it was my fight. Shaking his head no, I ask him why.

"I'm supposed to protect you," he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"But Damon, it's as much my fault as it is yours."

"I'm grounded for a week. It's no big deal, just forget about it, please?"

"Thank you. I owe you one."

"No you don't. I love you, you're my family. Families are supposed to look out for each other."

I walk over and give him a hug. He's stiff as a statue for a few seconds before finally hugging me back. When I let go, I give him a kiss on the cheek, say goodnight and go to bed, never having paid him back for protecting me that day.

Awakened in a cold sweat, I sit up, panting till I catch my breath. Blowing out a big puff of air, I stumble out of bed, walking into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. Just as I'm reaching for the towel, I hear a rap on my door.

"Elena, is everything okay?"

Resting my hands against the sink, I hold on so hard that my knuckles and fingertips are white. Swallowing thickly, I call out to him that I'm okay and that I'll be right out. Taking a deep breath, I let go and walk back into my bedroom, opening the door for my dad. When he sees how pale and damp my skin is he asks me what's wrong.

"I just had a dream about Damon."

Turning around, I back up till I feel the backs of my legs hit the bed. Dropping down, I bury my face in my hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks, stooping down in front of me, his hands on either side of my legs. Unable to speak, I just shake my head back on forth.

"Sweetheart, you're scaring me. Are you okay?"

"Daddy, we can't let him go to prison. I can't lose him again," I whisper, tears filling my eyes. Standing up, he sits beside me on the foot of the bed, wrapping his arms around me. He presses a kiss to the crown of my head while he rocks my body back and forth.

"We won't little girl, we won't," he says softly, my eyes dropping closed while he continues to cradle my body with his. Just as I'm about to fall asleep again, he helps me back into bed, pulling the covers over me. Rolling over, I bury my face in the pillow, the last sensation I feel before the edges darken completely are his lips on my forehead and his whisper of goodnight.


*Bronchoscopy is a technique of visualizing the inside of the airways. An instrument is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, or occasionally through a tracheostomy, allowing the physician to look for abnormalities such as foreign bodies, bleeding, tumors, or inflammation.

*Thoracentesis: an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the lungs. A cannula, or hollow needle, is carefully introduced into the chest and allowing the fluid to be removed.


Thank you so much Eva for everything. I love you so much and your wisdom and the shoulder to cry on. You're the sister I never had.

Thank you so much for the reviews for the last chapter and the follows and favorites. I do appreciate it and those of you who regularly review, I thank you and appreciate all of you so much.

I really do believe people are losing interest in DE fan fiction because views and reviews are certainly plummeting and I'm certain it's not just my stories. That saddens me because I love DE. I don't now, nor have I ever watched any other 'shipper shows' so DE are it for me. But if people aren't interested enough to review or even read the stories anymore, I don't see the point in continuing to write them. Once I finish 'Nothing Left to Fear', I'm going to take a hiatus. Whether it's permanent or not, I don't know yet myself.

Chapter title: 'Tears Fall Down' by Hootie and the Blowfish

My other in progress stories are 'Dig' and 'Tears in Heaven'.

Please remember to review.

Be safe, have a good day and we'll see you next time.