Caught

Looking back on my life I can honestly say that I wish it could have been different. I'm not saying that I would change everything, just some of the things.

For example, ever since I was little I have gone to Paris if I was having a difficult time. No matter what. Mom always said "Isa, there are somethings in life that are going to give you a hard time and when those times come you need to think with a clear head. If you can't do that, well then you just need some retail therapy to clear it out." She would always laugh toward the end of it too.

To tell you the truth, I never really understood what she meant... until now. Now I may know what she means but that doesn't mean that I can completely clear my head.

But we are getting off track here, a clear head has nothing but everything to do with my predicament at the moment. You see if I was actually thinking straight I would have thought about where I was, or better yet not mentioned anything that anyone could find me. But me being me didn't think about that part. Secondly I should have gone somewhere else, like Antarctica. Okay maybe not there but you get what I mean, I should have never gone somewhere that I have gone since I was 8.

Yes these are the things that I should have thought of. Should being the key word. But I didn't, and for that I find my self now hiding from the people I ran from in the beginning. Yup, that is right all of my brothers and there band of rift rafts. Hey, just 'cause I should have been a little smarter about my choice in where I go, but that doesn't mean they had to come and find me. What part of I will be fine does Stefan not understand?

It started out when I was in Galeries Lafayette just looking at the beauty of the place when I first spotted them. I froze on spot, this was not happening to me. I mean yeah maybe it would be okay if it was just Stefan and Darius, but they brought everyone with them. I mean this is seriously not happening to me. Fuck!

I don't know how long I was standing there, but it was long enough for them to see me and start walking towards me. Shaking my head, I start heading in the opposite direction of them. Once out the doors I run, not wanting them to find me I run into a crowded street thanking God for my luck. Turning around I see them searching for me but not being able to actually find me. That's what you get, I thought.

Pushing my way through the crowd I finally spot an empty street. Heading that way I look back to find them still searching for me. Laughing lightly, I start to head towards my hotel. For the first time this whole trip my head is clear. Basking in this revelation, I didn't realize that I was being followed until someone grabbed me around my waist and a hand over my mouth.

Freaking out I start to fight and try to scream, but it's stuck in my throat. "Isa, calm down. Shhh it's just me." Damon. Thank god. Wait! How did he find me?

Trying to shove myself away from him but he is not wanting that so he puts his arm around my shoulders so that I am tucked into his side.

"How the hell did you find me?" I asked quite frustrated.

"Do you not remember? I am the one who taught you all those tricks." He says.

Oh right. "Well now that you found me and see that I am perfectly fine, you may leave." I say trying to walk away but his hold gets tighter.

"Oh no you don't. I'm not leaving until you start talking."

"Isn't that what we are doing?" I smirk.

"Alright smart ass," he laughs "-yes we are but you should explain yourself. You leave with a vague note and having us all worried sick."

Huh, don't think so. "Right because you are the one I would tell any of that to." I'm mad yes, but it feels nice to know that Damon is actually showing some emotion other than hate towards me.

"Bells, I am not joking here."

"Neither am I, Damon!" I yell, thankfully the street is still abandoned.

"You could have been hurt and no one would have know. Do you know how scared I was when you never even called?" Damon says turning me to look in his eyes.

I could feel the tears string my eyes, "Damon if I remember correctly you wanted nothing to do with me." I quietly say. I can't look at him knowing that it is true.

We stand there in silence for who knows how long until Damon spoke. "That's not true, Isa."

My anger flares up,"To hell it isn't. Damon, you don't understand at all. It was a complete accident, out of my control. An accident that I had to be brought back to life, do you know how terrifying that it? Then waking up to find out that your best friend is dead, and blame it on yourself. To top it off your own father not even bothering to see if you were okay? No, the icing on the cake was when my own brother walks in saying he wished it was me and not her." Taking a deep breath I continue, "You have no idea how much that tore me up. You don't know how much I needed you, I blamed myself for everything that happened. Katherine would still be here if we stayed home and waited 'til my car was fixed. And yet you just abandoned me. You will never understand that, that was the one time I needed you more then anything else in the world. So yes it is true, Damon." Tears are sliding down my cheeks but I make no move to get them. For once in my life I have told him the truth and not regretted it. The weight that was lifted off my chest felt amazing.

Damon just stands there stunned and looking guilty. Good he should. "Isabella, you have to understand I was hurt and I know that is still not excuse for what I said and you will never know how extremely sorry I am for my actions either. I wasn't thinking straight and father was not helping either. I am so sorry, and I know that that is not enough but it is true. It tore me up saying that to you and seeing your broken expression. It broke me. I never came back because it hurt to much knowing what I did to you. I'm sorry, Isa. I don't know how many times I have to say it but I will until you believe me."

Not even trying to stop the tears. It hurts, I am conflicted, but I know one thing for sure is that he is completely and utterly serine about what he is saying. Not being able to handle it anymore I go and hug him, burring my face in his chest. As much as Damon hurt me and knowing that he is rarely ever sorry lets me know that every word he said is true.

"I hated you so much Damon. You hurt me more than anyone else ever could." I sob.

"I know Bella, I know." He says, burying his face in my hair.

"I don't know if I can ever forgive you."

"I know." He chokes out.

"But-" I stop.

"But?" He urges.

"But, I need my brother and as much as I want to hate you right now I can't." I cry out.

He seems happy with my response because his grip on me tightens slightly. And it's true, I want to hate him but I can't. My need for my big brother is stronger than my hate. It also helps that I can reduce Damon to tears. Which never happens.

I don't know how long we stood there hugging each other and calming down until Damon's phone starting ringing. Pulling back slightly not wanting to lose any contact with me he answers the phone.

"What?" We PMS much? "No... No I haven't found her...Yeah I'll keep looking...Yeah bye." Hearing one side of a phone call is a pain that's for sure.

"Who was that?" I ask when he makes no move to say anything.

"That was Thing One wondering if you have been found." I laugh at his old nickname. Ever since I could remember Damon called Darius and I Thing One and Thing Two. He said it was easier for him to remember who was who. Yeah I know weird, you'd think one boy and one girl would be easy enough but not for Damon. He always had to have some funny name for us.

"Well, thanks for not ratting me out." I tell him. I don't think I could deal with any of them at the moment.

Stepping back he bows down and says "Well Miss Isabella, since I have saved you from a nice of interrogation, would you do me the honor of touring this beautiful city with me?" Mocking his gentleman manners.

Curtsying I say, "Of course Mr. Salvatore."

"Please dear sister, Mr. Salvatore was my father. Damon is the name."

"Well Damon, where do you plan on going?" I ask him. I could not help the smile that decided to grace my face.

"That, Isabella, is for me to know and you-" I cut him off.

"To dot, dot, dot." I say laughing.

"Hmm, it seems I have taught you well." He laughs out.

"Indeed you have. Now show me the way dear brother."

That night was just me and Damon. Nothing else, except the occasional call from the others wondering where he was. We talked about everything we missed, talked about random things, and just spent the time being us. I could take care of all other problems as long as I had Damon to talk to.

It turns out getting caught solved some problems. Who would have known?