I've been watching your world from afar
I've been trying to be where you are
And I've been secretly falling apart. I'll see.
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see
You turn every head but you don't see me

.

.

.

Every day since the 'courtship' was established, Damon went riding around where the Salvatore and Gilbert estates met. Much to his great disappointment, Elena was not in the habit of indulging in her morning walks. He even visited the large tree she had been under when she fled from him. On his few trips into town, he never encountered her in any of the shops. He desperately wanted to know what she was doing. He was unable to visit her at the Gilbert manor without a calling invitation.

On the morning of the sixth day without her, he received a letter sealed with the Gilbert crest. His heart jumped out of his chest in excitement, assuming that Elena had written. He opened the letter and frowned seeing Miranda's signature. She had written him a polite letter and asked him to visit when convenient. Damon was frustrated with the situation. He was worried Elena was set on reserving their time together to public gatherings. If that was the case, it would be most unfortunate, the social season was long over. He was aware of only two public balls in September.

No longer wanting to wait a day longer, Damon decided to accept Miranda's invitation that same day. Damon approached the Gilbert manor at ten minutes past Noon. He composed himself and waited for Noah to answer the main gate. Noah escorted him to the drawing room, Damon took a seat on the chaise, while he waited for Miranda. She did not keep him waiting long and entered wearing an elegant plum colored gown. It was the first time Damon saw her in normal clothing. He was pleased to see her out of the head-to-toe black apparel.

He stood and bowed to her. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Gilbert."

"A good afternoon indeed." She said with a small smile.

"Thank you for the invitation."

"Ah yes, I must admit that I invited you here under a false pretense." Miranda said with a mischievous smile.

Damon looked at her warily.

"I thought you would like to visit with my daughter."

His face lit up brightly at her words. He could have kissed her in gratitude of relieving his suffering. "I would love to see her. I have been waiting for her to call."

"Yes, I imagine, it is best to mention that she was busy this week. At the moment, she is finishing brunch with close friends in the garden. After they leave, you may take her somewhere with my permission."

"Certainly, that sounds like a fine idea. If I may ask, who is she entertaining?" Damon asked tilting his head.

"The Fells. I will call a maid to escort you. I do not want you to get lost in the garden maze."

Damon figured Elena was entertaining Tina and Blair. He was not aware she was 'close' with the sisters. He was worried about walking into an awkward situation. Blair had wanted to seduce him for years. At the Gilbert ball, she tried to spend time with him, but he limited her to dancing the first set.

As Damon neared the gazebo, located in the center of the maze, he heard the sound of Elena's laughter. He really liked the sound of her laugh, it was quite infectious. His eyes squinted at the table and did not see Tina or Blair. In fact, Elena was the only lady at the table. Her back was facing him, so she did not notice his arrival.

"I have never seen a ring more beautiful than this one. It is exceptional in clarity. Truly I am impressed. I believe any woman of good taste would love to receieve a Tiffany. How I miss Fifth Avenue!" Elena gushed.

"Truly, you prefer Tiffany over Cartier? It took me days upon days to decide. It had to be perfect." A male voice responded.

Damon's forehead creased about the conversation topic. He could not identify the man she was complimenting.

"Miss Gilbert, pardon my interruption - you have a caller, Mr. Salvatore." The maid announced and walked away.

Elena and Logan Fell turned their heads to greet Damon.

Elena was sitting with the three Fell brothers; Thomas, Franklin and the eldest Logan.

"Etes-vous préocuppé de me faire passer pour une menteuse?" Elena whispered to Logan.

Damon translated it to something like 'do you feel bad for calling me a liar?'.

"Oui oui." Logan replied in utter awe.

"Mr. Salvatore, do not remain standing, you are making us look bad. Please join our table." Logan motioned him.

Damon took a seat at the other end of the table, Elena and Logan were snickering behind her fan. The pair disregarded propriety. It was strange she allowed him to touch her in a familiar manner. He was envious watching her act playful, how he longed to enjoy that side of her.

"Mr. Fell, I thought you left Mystic Falls." Damon called out.

"I arrived four days ago to visit with my mother. I have not seen anyone else other than Miss Elena." Logan answered.

Damon winced at his use of her Christian name.

In the past, Damon never attempted to befriend Logan. Logan was a haughty aristocrat of French heritage. Damon knew little about his lifestyle.

"Mr. Salvatore, is it true that you are courting Miss Elena?" Logan asked with a smirk.

Damon looked at Elena for any warnings. She was indifferent. "Yes, we are courting."

Logan smiled before laughing heartily. "This is quite..." He could not find an appropriate adjective. "None of us could have predicted you would be the one to thaw her icy heart."

The Fell brothers laughed in agreement. Elena smacked Logan with her fan.

"Blair will be devastated." Thomas joked. The Fell brothers knew their sister was enamored with Damon.

"Mr. Salvatore, you are infinitely lucky to court the sweetest, finest girl in all of my acquaintance."

Elena smacked Logan once more.

"Yes, pardon me, Miss Elena holds the second place in my heart."

Elena smiled pleased with the correction. Damon looked at her confused.

"Mr. Fell has decided to no longer be a total fool. He is proposing to my aunt." Elena explained to Damon.

"Three years later... the poor woman." Thomas added.

"She went to France and his love dawned upon him." Franklin Fell teased.

Thomas laughed. "Then it must be true, distance does make the heart grow fonder."

"Jenna arrives in a fortnight!" Elena said happily.

"Then I will propose." Logan tossed the ring box in the air.

Franklin popped a bottle of champagne. The bubbles went everywhere. "To all the parties!"

"Oui oui!" Elena held out her champagne glass.

"I dare say the engagement party will be more marvelous than Twelfth Night last year." Logan confirmed.

The Fell brothers conversed at the table for an additional fifteen minutes before departing. "À bientôt, tomorrow, sweet niece." Logan kissed Elena's forehead.

"You might be too confident about becoming my new uncle." Elena teased.

"Do not jest about Jenna refusing. I would die." Logan smirked, before bowing to leave.

Elena finished her champagne and admired Damon at the other end of the table. "Well, Mr. Salvatore, what do you want to do with me?" She said with a wicked smile. She bit into a strawberry waiting for his reply.

She was (un)consciously driving him mad with desire. His eyes could not part from her red stained lips. "Are you foxed Miss Gilbert?"

Elena pouted, which only brought more attention to her lips. "Hardly. Why would you ask?"

"I was hoping you would like to go for a ride." Damon said sincerely, his heart beat thick with anxiety.

"What kind of ride?"

"I bought Katherine from a breeder in Harrisonburg. I thought you might be interested in viewing the available horses."

Elena nodded. "How far is Harrisonburg?"

"I believe thirty miles, madam."

"Thank you for the offer, Mr. Salvatore. I am interested, but I will need time to dress for riding."

Damon smiled in relief that she accepted. He tried to appeal to her interests hoping it would improve her opinion. He was certain once she started to spend time with him, she would acknowledge their kindred spirits. "Certainly, I will happily wait until you are ready."

"Mr. Salvatore, would you escort me inside?"

Damon walked around the table and offered his arm to her.

"I trust you know the way out." He referenced the maze.

"You are safe with me." Elena giggled. "You will have to ask Mama if you can take me on day excursion." She reminded him.

"Yes, I know Miss Gilbert." He squeezed her hand.

Inside the manor, Elena summoned Isobel to help her dress. Meanwhile, Damon talked to Miranda in the parlor.

"You want to assist her in buying a horse?" Miranda was confirming his plans.

"Essentially yes, madam." Damon smirked.

"I, oh, this might be a problem." Miranda looked worried.

"What is the problem?"

"I do not ride and John avoids it like the plague. She does not have anyone to ride with, since Jeremy is not here and her father passed."

"Yes, madam. She explained the situation."

"If she buys a horse today, then it would encourage her to ride alone. I worry about Jeremy's influence on her behavior."

"If I may be inclined to say, as I am courting her, I can ride with her. Maybe you can convince her to ride with me at all times." Damon said hopefully.

"That is fine and well, but what happens when the courtship ends?"

Damon frowned. "I have no desire to end it. However, if it puts you at ease, I will still ride with her regardless of our relationship status."

Miranda looked at him warily. "I am trusting you to take care of her."

"I will. You have my word." Damon said seriously.

Within the following hour, Damon sat with Elena and Isobel in a carriage on the way to Harrisonburg. Damon thought Elena looked irresistible in her riding habit, such attire was so befitting her delicate figure and personality. She wore a navy colored jacket bodice with a long basque and peplum. The skirt was long and full. Her hair was pinned up underneath a curved hat with a velvet covered brim.

Damon fleetingly hoped she dressed to match him. He was wearing a navy pinstripe waistcoat with a navy overcoat, black pants and black boots.

Elena was quiet during the ride, occupied with looking at the passing scenery. She was unfamiliar with the Virginia countryside. Her distraction gave Damon plenty of opportunity to stare at her. More than once, Isobel looked at him with a menacing glare, to which he responded with a charming smirk.

The carriage slowed down as it came upon the town's border. It halted at a large farm house, which Elena looked at in wonder. She had never been to a farm house. Damon stepped out and held out his hand for Elena. He took her hand and squeezed it affectionately. He walked up to the main entrance to ring the bell. "You can release my hand now." Elena said as they waited for someone to answer.

"I would rather not." Damon smirked.

Elena did not get a chance to retort, because Lee answered the door.

"Mr. Salvatore, it is a pleasure to see you again. Who may this lovely lady be?"

Damon let go of her hand, so she could curtsy. Introductions were made.

"Lexi! We have callers." Lee shouted for his wife.

"Lee and his wife, Alexis, breed the horses on the farm." Damon explained to Elena.

Lexi emerged from upstairs and joined the group. Elena thought the breeders made a most handsome couple. After some informal conversation, the group walked over to the stables to view the horses.

Lee walked ahead with Elena discussing the various attributes of the horses.

"In the past seven odd years, this is the first time you have brought a lady with you. Do I dare ask, are you engaged?" Lexi looked at Damon in curiosity.

"It is my intention to ask, but she does not fancy me."

"Do you love her?"

"I know it is senseless, but I do."

"Love is the first step, the rest comes with time." Lexi encouraged him.

Damon shrugged.

"Are you going to buy her a horse?"

Damon chuckled darkly. "She would never let me. You did give me an idea. A horse would make a wonderful wedding present."

"I look forward when you return and introduce her as Mrs. Salvatore." Lexi teased.

"Mrs. Salvatore." Damon repeated getting a feel for the title.

Damon and Lexi turned to each other when they heard Elena making sounds of excitement.

"Sounds like your girl found someone she likes."

Damon grinned and looked around the stable to find Elena.

The horse was nuzzling Elena and she was giggling. It was a male horse. It was a Warmblood and chocolate brown, almost the same color as Elena's hair.

"Is it a gelding or a stallion?" Damon asked.

"Stallion." Lee confirmed.

Damon frowned. "Does he bite?"

"With all stallions, that is indeed a concern." Lee answered vaguely.

"Has he bitten you?" Damon asked with narrowed eyes.

"No." Lee shook his head.

"I think he has good manners." Elena commented.

"He is rather taken by you. He keeps looking at you in the eyes." Lexi said amused.

"Is he social?" Damon asked.

"Yes. We do not isolate him. He spends a gracious amount of time with the mares." Lee answered.

"Mr. Salvatore, are you asking on Katherine's behalf?" Elena asked in a teasing voice.

He smiled at her playful tone. "Of course, she is my girl. I am strict about the company she keeps."

"My how possessive of you. Imagine if our horses formed a courtship." Elena said absently not looking at him.

Lee and Lexi laughed at her comment. 'If Katherine falls in love before Elena, I might die.' Damon thought in his head.

"I was asking if he was social because stallions can be aggressive and standoffish. Usually the case if they were raised isolated from other horses." Damon said seriously.

"He can be cold in manner, but he is a safe horse for an experienced rider. No history of bad behavior. The breeding season is over, so he should not be acting peculiar." Lee testified.

Elena laughed petting the horse's mane. "You know the words to the song in my heart." She whispered in the horse's ear.

Lee and Lexi looked at her mystified. "I am frequently described as cold in manner." Elena said seriously.

Lexi smirked at the clarification. "I shall fetch you a sidesaddle, so you can take him for a ride."

With little effort of pulling on the reins and effectively using the whip, Elena rode the horse around the green fields. She set a steady speed, occasionally going faster, because she was enthusiastic.

Damon, Lee and Lexi watched her ride from a distance.

"She has excellent control." Lee commented.

"I think he knows who is in charge." Lexi agreed.

Damon was happy to see her riding, she looked beautiful, but he could not help feeling hesitant about her purchasing a stallion. He wished she would be interested in a gelding. Damon did smirk thinking about Katherine meeting her horse.

Elena made her way back to the group. Damon could hear her talking to the horse in a loving voice. "I am through." She announced with a tone of conviction.

In a matter of two hours, Elena was the proud owner of a new horse. Damon noticed Lee's reaction to her being able to purchase immediately. Women did not usually have the authority to buy horses. Elena's horse would be sent within the next day.

Elena and Damon said their regards and walked back to the carriage. Damon held Elena's hand, but she did not comment on it. She was probably too happy to care about anything. Isobel looked up from her book when they entered.

"Mr. Salvatore, once my horse arrives, will you offer to take me riding?"

"I ride every day, madam. I would love to escort you any day you wish." Damon answered in a smooth voice. He was relieved to have an excuse to see her regularly.

Elena clapped her hands in joy. Again, Isobel looked up from her book, curious about her mistress' change in attitude. 'Could she be falling for the notorious Damon Salvatore charm?', Isobel pursed her lips at the thought.

Elena relaxed against the seat of the carriage for the journey back to Mystic Falls. Damon tentatively placed his hand on hers. She did not react to his attentions, so he gently caressed her hand.

A/N: Elena is pleasant after champagne. (Slang: Foxed = Drunk) Did anyone else love to hate Logan on the show? He's a snob, a perfect friend for Elena. He's a 'better match' for Jenna in this period than Alaric. Be Good & Review!

Congrats on finding the 'easter eggs' in the last chap: Neeric, Velja.

Song: Strange & Beautiful by Aqualung