Chapter 10

He could feel the anger inside of him, feel the rage burning. Seeing her pressed against him, with their arms tightly wrapped around each other; he couldn't fully understand everything he was feeling, but he knew he felt betrayed and angry, very angry. This wasn't the way it was supposed to be. He could feel his whole body begin to shake, could feel the snarl building up from deep within his chest, and could feel his fangs begin to descend. He focused on the door to the room and positioned his shoulder at an angle ready to knock it off its hinges, but he suddenly stopped. The wind had blown a scent in his direction - it was delicious.

Turning around, his senses on full alert, he zeroed his eyes on a young woman who had emerged from a nearby room. She had earphones in, listening to music while filling a bucket full of ice from the motel's ice dispenser. Her back to the predator, she never saw or heard him strike; her mouth was smothered before she had a chance to scream.

The source of the predator's rage, the couple in the room, were forgotten about for the time being.

Damon woke in the middle of the night; his body was telling him he needed to feed. The encounter with Stefan had taken its toll and he needed to regain some strength. The room was dimly lit by the lamp on the night stand and he looked down to see Elena still asleep in his arms. Rest was doing her good and she had colour back in her cheeks.

They had come so close to dying.

Not wanting to think about what almost happened, Damon carefully shrugged out of Elena's grip and laid her head against the pillow. He pulled the edge of the blanket over her so she wouldn't get cold and then silently moved towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Elena quietly asked.

Damn he had woken her. He turned back to look at her from across the room.

"Out, I won't be long. I'll lock the door behind me and I won't be far. Go back to sleep."

But Elena sat up in bed.

"When was the last time you fed?" She asked.

"Back at the boarding house, the hallway…" Damon didn't need to elaborate they both remembered clearly enough.

"Damon you need to look after yourself."

"No correction, I have to look after you." He gave her a pointed look.

"Don't you have any more blood bags?"

With a sigh he moved back to the bed and sat down on the edge.

"No, I gave the only ones I had to Elijah and co. Besides, ever since the wolf bite I haven't been able to stomach blood from a bag, it tastes stale. I wouldn't be able to drink it even if I did have any. It could just be a temporary thing, but I only seem to be able to tolerate fresh, warm flowing blood, direct from a source."

"You don't think that has anything to do with the werewolf infection do you? You don't think you'll turn into a were-vamp like Klaus?" she asked horrified.

"No, I don't think that's going to happen, even with the fact that the cure was Klaus' blood by the way." She looked shocked at the revelation. "I know, disgusting isn't it, I'm going to have to wash my mouth out with bourbon for weeks." He smiled at her. "Nah, I think you would need to be human, bitten by Klaus, drink his blood and then killed to become a hybrid, or at least that's my theory. That's what it looked like he was doing back at the mansion anyway. It seems way too much effort if you ask me." He stared at his hands rather than Elena and his voice grew quieter, "It's just… I almost died from that werewolf bite and I think it would be foolish of me to think I got away with a clean bill of health. I'm just grateful I'm still here and I've been given another chance," he risked a look over in her direction; "if this is the only side effect then I'll take it."

He got up and moved back to the door, "I'm going out hunting."

"For what?" She asked with fearful concern.

"I don't know, maybe I can find a tasty sorority girl," he replied sarcastically.

"Damon…" she scolded.

"Relax Elena; this poky little town probably doesn't have any anyway."

"Damon…" she warned again.

"Okay, fine, on the menu tonight 'Bunnies with fluffy white tails' then…yum!" he stated with false excitement.

"Will that be enough, to take him on?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"It'll have to be. I won't be long."

"Damon wait," she threw the blanket off, got out of bed and walked over to face him, "You need to be at full strength, drink from me," she instructed without any hesitation.

"No absolutely not." He grabbed both of her arms and pushed her away from him, keeping a safe distance between them.

"You've done it before."

"That was different, I was half dying and you practically forced yourself on me." In normal circumstances he would have found that last bit of his statement amusing, but he was completely serious now.

Elena moved forward until they were almost touching, she moved the hair away from her neck and arched it.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Drink me."

"This isn't Alice in Wonderland Elena, it's too dangerous. You're still recovering from Stefan's attack."

"I feel fine, but you need this. Bunnies aren't going to be enough and what you need is stood directly in front of you. You need me Damon."

"No."

"This is bigger than you and me, this is the only way you are going to be able to stop him."

Damon knew she was telling the truth, but he couldn't.

"Fine, but let me go and find some unsuspecting person, I can compel them and heal them afterwards with my blood, they will never even know what happened."

"No." It was Elena's turn to disagree, "I can't let you do that Damon, I know you, you might not want to admit it but you've changed, that isn't who you are anymore, you won't be able to forgive yourself afterwards. Let me do this for you, I'm willing and I trust you with my life."

He couldn't argue with her any further; her neck arched the way it was, her close proximity, her willingness, her trust. He felt his eyes shift and his fangs lowered. They stood so close, staring back at one another. Elena didn't recoil at the sight of the vampire in front of her; she stood there unwavering with no fear in her eyes. She raised her right hand to his cheek and ran her thumb over the protruding veins near his eyes. Damon reluctantly broke eye contact with her and ever so slowly lowered his lips to her neck. He bit into her neck and started to drink. Elena gasped and moved her hand to curl round the back of Damon's neck, holding him tightly.

Elena could feel their balance begin to falter and they suddenly fell backwards onto the bed together. Damon continued to feed, but adjusted his weight so he didn't crush her. Elena's eyes closed, but she wasn't in pain, instead she felt contented and safe. The feelings she had for Damon, which she had buried deep inside, slowly began to push to the surface.

Damon fed until it was no longer safe for Elena to continue; he withdrew his fangs and gently kissed her neck over the bite. He then looked down at her. Sensing his gaze, Elena opened her eyes to meet his. He could tell she was getting groggy, so he brought his wrist up to his fangs and bit into it, a gush of blood ran to the surface. He turned his wrist and offered it to Elena. It would have to be her choice again and he wouldn't force it against her lips. She slowly raised her head and hesitantly locked her lips around his wrist and began to drink; the bite on her neck began to heal.

Once she was fully healed, Damon pulled his wrist away. His fangs retreated and his features returned to normal. He smoothed Elena's hair and looked into her eyes. He desperately wanted to kiss her on the lips, but instead settled for kissing her on the forehead instead.

Damon returned to look at her face and Elena focused her eyes on his lips. She could sense something inside her changing; looking up at him mere inches away she couldn't help but want to kiss him. But it felt too soon, she still needed time to work out everything that was going on in her life. She knew that Damon was fully aware of that to, he wasn't going to pressurise her.

After a moment, Damon rolled off her and pulled her up the bed so their heads were resting on the pillows.

Watching him intently, Elena reached for his hand to maintain contact. Unable to maintain the intense gaze for long, they both quickly fell asleep.

Damon picked up the blood stained blanket from the bed and stared at it; he couldn't believe Elena had offered her blood so willingly. His life wasn't in danger and there was an alternative source of blood scurrying around in the woods somewhere, but that hadn't stopped her. She had offered herself in an attempt to increase his strength and increase their chances if they ran into Stefan again. At least that's what his head was telling him, though his heart couldn't help but think of its own reasons why she did it. Throwing the blanket back down on the bed he turned to Elena as she walked past him towards the bathroom. They hadn't mentioned the exchange they shared in the night, so he settled for saying, "We need to get going."

"I just need to take a quick shower."

"Quick?"

"Yeah really quick, I won't be five/ten minutes I promise."

Damon rolled his eyes as Elena disappeared into the bathroom.

Hearing the water start to run in the bathroom, Damon walked over to the main door of the motel room. He unlocked it and opened the door and was welcomed by the warm morning sunlight. He took a step outside and breathed in a breath of fresh air.

His peaceful moment was soon interrupted as he quickly realised he wasn't alone; the motel was swarming with Police. On seeing him exit his motel room one of the officers approached Damon.

"Excuse me Sir", the Officer said as he approached.

"What's happened?" Damon enquired.

"A lady was killed last night, it looks like an animal attack, but we can't let any of the guests leave until we've questioned you. Please go back and wait in your room Sir."

"Of course Officer," Damon agreed, full of false politeness.

He made a move to go back into the room and the Officer walked away. But before Damon stepped completely back into the room, his eyes followed the retreating Officer and focused on the main commotion at the far end of the Motel complex. His sharp eyes narrowed in on the body which was now lying in an unzipped body bag. Despite the distance, Damon could smell the blood and could see the woman's mulled throat. Damon took a few minutes to cast his eyes around the surrounding landscape before stepping back into the room.

He shut the door behind him. He could no longer hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. He walked over to the door and knocked lightly. "Elena I think we've been followed," he spoke through the door.

Elena opened the door, she was fully dressed again and rubbing her wet hair with a towel.

"What did you say?"

Damon, who was momentarily stunned by her appearance, forgot what he said and whispered "You're beautiful" under his breath.

"Thank you, I think I look like the living dead personally, no offense."

"None taken," he said with a smile.

"I'll be glad to get back home, all these road trip near death experiences don't agree with me." She started to move about the room to pick up the few possessions she had with her.

"Ah, then you're not going to like what I'm about to say."

Turning her focus back on him, "Damon, what's wrong?"

"Elena we're being followed."

"What? By who?" She sounded panicked.

Before Damon had a chance to answer, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Damon sighed and walked over to the door to open it; standing on the other side was the Officer he had spoken with earlier.

The Officer acknowledged Damon and then noticed Elena, "I'm sorry to interrupt you nice folks, I just have a few questions and then you can be on your way."

"Of course Officer, anything we can do to help," Damon replied.

The Officer took a step into the room and pulled a notepad out of his pocket, "Sad, sad business. The young lady who died last night was on her way to start college. She was getting some ice to chill a bottle of wine by the looks of it. The wine's still sat in her room, a tag on it from her friends wishing her all the best. But I digress, right then questions…" he looked at the questions he had written down. But as his eyes raised to Damon's, out of the corner of his eye he saw the blood stained blanket on the bed. Springing into action he pulled his gun from its holster and aimed at Damon.

"Put your hands where I can see them mister."

"Officer, you've got this all wrong," Elena pleaded, but she was just met by having the gun pointed at her instead.

Damon used the distraction and knocked the gun out of his hand. He shoved him up against the wall, causing it to shake and knock one of the pictures to the floor, the glass in the frame smashed.

"Listen to me, you will leave this room and will forget everything about this encounter. You will not remember either of us, do you understand?" Damon compelled him.

"I understand."

"Now put your gun back in its lovely holster and go and make your enquires elsewhere."

The Officer bent down, picked up his gun and put it away; he then walked out of the room without a second glance at Damon or Elena.

Looking back to Elena, "We need to go now." Damon quickly rolled up the blood soaked blanket and put it under his arm, and Elena quickly picked up her jacket and possessions. Damon grabbed her hand and quickly led her from the room, heading straight for the car. Elena allowed herself to be led away, but as they exited the room she caught a glimpse of all the Police outside and the eerie image of a body bag being lifted into a van. "Damon what happened?"

"Stefan. He followed us."

"What he's here?" They reached the car and Damon unlocked it, he left Elena at the passenger's side and he rushed around to the driver's side. But instead of getting in the car Elena turned and looked around the motel, looking for Stefan.

Damon sighed, "Get in the car Elena," he ordered.

Elena turned to look at him over the roof of the car. He could tell she was scared, his voice softened, "Elena, we have to get moving."

She just nodded at him and got in the car. Once he was sure she was in, Damon also got in. He threw the blanket on the back seat without looking and then quickly drove away.

Once they were on their way, Elena voiced her concerns, "He can't follow us back to Mystic Falls in his current state; otherwise we'll be putting the whole town at risk."

"I know. But, we need a plan and we need to come up with one fast."

"Do you think he's tracking us now?" Elena asked fearfully.

He could lie to her to make her feel better, but ultimately she would need to know the truth, "Yes, I'm sure he is." He paused for a long while thinking and then spoke, "Look, if Stefan and I get into another fight we'll be equally matched, now that I have your blood in my system." He risked a quick look at her. "But I need to have the edge over him, and I don't have anything other than a stake."

"We can't kill him Damon."

"I don't want to." He suddenly thought of an alternative, "Look I think I know where I can get some vervain, but it's a bit of a drive in the wrong direction."

"But vervain will only take him down for a few minutes."

"I know, but that will hopefully be enough to talk to him."

"It's too dangerous, there's no guarantee it'll work," she argued.

"I know, but I don't see any other option."

She thought about it, but couldn't think of an alternative plan either. "Okay," she agreed reluctantly.

"Okay."

Damon pulled the car up outside a seedy, dark and depressing building. Elena frowned at the sight of it.

"What is this place?" She asked.

"Well technically it's a night club, but it's run by vampires and has a certain clientele."

"Oh."

"Look, I would leave you in the car while I went in, but we all know how well that always turns out. So you're coming with me."

"Damon, I'm not so sure that's a good idea," she replied uncertain.

"Trust me; I'm not going to let you out of my sight and I won't let anyone hurt you again. Besides it's midday, the place will be mostly empty." He could tell she was not happy about the idea, but he wasn't going to leave her in the car alone again. "Come on," he said just before getting out of the car.

Elena reluctantly yanked her seat belt off and got out of the car, slamming the car door shut a little harder than she had intended. "I'm not sure about this Damon," she repeated.

"Relax, Elena, I'll be at your side the entire time." To make his point, he grabbed her right hand with his left and they walked into the building together.

Elena allowed Damon to continue holding her hand because she grew comfort from the contact. The club was as depressing looking inside as it was out, and it was definitely decorated by a vampire. The place was lit by elaborate gold candelabras. The upholstered chairs and booths were a blood red colour and the walls were black, though in contrast the floor was a striking ivory colour which, in their current setting, reminded Elena of bones. She felt a chill go down her spine and moved closer to Damon. He gave her a concerned look, but she gave him a small reassuring smile to carry on.

The place was pretty much empty except for a booth in the far corner. A man, or vampire Elena assumed, was lounging in the middle of a half-moon shaped booth with his feet propped up on the table in front of him. He had his arms wrapped round the back of the booth and around two young women in very revealing outfits. From the puncture marks all over the women's bodies, Elena assumed they were human and assumed they were compelled. The vampire currently had his head buried in one of the woman's neck.

Damon coughed subtly, "Ahem."

The vampire pulled away from the woman and stared at his unexpected guests. His facial features changed from irritated to recognition, "Damon, my man."

"Ambrogio."

"Damon you know better than to call me that," he replied annoyed.

"Sorry Gio."

"That's better, we've got to keep up with the times, 'Ambrogio' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue these days you know."

Gio sprung up out of his seat and approached Damon with lightning speed; he grabbed Damon's free right hand and gave him a solid handshake.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen or heard of you in ages," Gio asked enthusiastically.

"Been keeping a low profile," Damon replied.

Gio looked over to see Elena, hidden slightly behind Damon. "Is this the reason? Still human? Nice, I'm sure she'll make a beautiful vampire when you turn her."

"It's not like that," Damon tried to explain.

Gio suddenly rushed to Elena's side, making her jump at the unexpected move. He brushed her hair away from her neck and Elena recoiled back towards Damon.

"Do you mind if I have a taste then?" The question was directed at Damon, not Elena.

"I mind," Damon moved Elena out of Gio's reach and stood firmly between them.

"Oh Well, never mind." Gio gave Elena a disappointed looked, but retreated back to his booth and resumed his previous position between the two women.

"Hey, do you remember those underwear model twins we turned back in the eighties?" Gio asked. "Man they were so hot."

"They never call, they never write," Damon replied.

"Damn shame that is, maybe it's time I should look them up," Gio looked like he was suddenly deep in thought, lost in his own fantasy.

Damon tried to get the situation back on track, "Look Gio, this isn't a social call; I need to cash in that favour you owe me."

"You're never going to let me forget that you saved my life are you?"

"Nope. Face it, you'd be ash right now if it wasn't for me."

"Hmm… what can I do for you?"

"I need vervain, as much as you have."

"Didn't realise you were into self-torture Damon?"

"It's not for me you idiot, look I haven't got time to explain, do you have any or not?"

"What makes you think I have some anyway? I'd be mad to keep the stuff; do you know what it does to vampires?"

"Exactly why I need it, look I know you keep it."

"Okay fine, but only because we're such good pals and I owe you."

Gio got up again and went behind the bar. He moved a good number of liquor bottles out of the way to reveal a safe hidden behind them. He opened it and took out a large vial of clear liquid.

"Oh I need a syringe or dart as well," Damon added.

"You're getting demanding in your old age you know," Gio replied. He looked back over to Damon with a smile, but was met by a frown. "You're losing your humour too apparently. Fine, I have just the thing here." After shutting the safe again and moving the bottles back into place, he walked over to Damon and handed him the vervain along with a syringe with a very long needle point.

"Here you go; this is all I've got."

"Thanks, this should be enough," Damon said assessing the amount of liquid he held and summing it up for the task he needed it for.

"This makes us even now right?" Gio asked, gesturing back and forth between him and Damon with his finger.

"We're even."

"Great, see you around D."

"Yeah," Damon replied.

Gio walked back to the booth and began feeding off the woman again. Elena made a move forward, she wanted to help the compelled women, but Damon quickly stood in her path shaking his head. "Leave it, he's stronger than he looks," he whispered. "Shall we get out of here?"

"Yes please," she replied hastily.