A/N: Hiii! How are we finding their story so far? Because I've got some more tricks up my sleeve! Leave me some love in the comment section :) pleeeeeaaaase

K bye!

Kisses, Misstee

Chapter 10: Ungodly Hour

Don't talk , don't say a thing, don't say a word

'Cause your eyes they tell me more than your words

Don't go, don't leave me now

Cause they say the best way out is through

And I am short on words knowing what's occurred

She begins to leave because of me

Her bag is now much heavier

I wish that I could carry her

But this is our ungodly hour

And I know you're leaving now

Cause I held on to my way tightly

But this is our ungodly hour

Ungodly hour

Ungodly Hour by The Fray

Set in Mystic Falls

Stefan's POV:

"Stefan, where is he?! He hasn't answered any of my calls, and Bonnie refuses to do a locating spell," Elena stresses and I sigh as I stare at the burning embers of the fire in our fireplace. "We need him here, Stefan! With everything going on with Caroline... Jeremy needs him and Alaric, and then there's Klaus –" Elena rambles on, but deep down I know why she's really worried. She needs him.

"Elena," I exhale. "Damon is fine – it's Damon. He does this. Things doesn't go his way so he disappears. I'm sure he's fine," I argue but she doesn't seem convinced. Her brown eyes are filled with worry and she's pacing up and down as she sips from her drink.

"I don't know, Stefan. This time I'm really worried. I mean last time he did it for attention, but this time I feel like he really shut off his humanity like he said he would!"

"Elena," I beg with exasperation, and she gasps in surprise as my form appears in front of her. "Sorry... Look, I understand you're concerned, but what's the worst that could happen? It's Damon," I reason, pulling her into my arms to calm her nerves.

"Exactly," Elena shoots back, but she accepts my embrace willingly. She shivers uncharacteristically as a cold draft passes by us and I frown.

"Sorry, I must have left the window open –" I say apologetically, turning around to close it, but I frown noticing that it is closed. Panic spikes through me for Elena's sake when I realize the door is wide open, and I move protectively in front of her despite the fact that she can protect herself. "Wait here!" I demand and she listens albeit unwillingly as I approach the front door with quiet determination.

A dark figure appears at the door, and without having to take a second look I already know who it is – his scent is prominent with an undeniable stench of fresh blood.

"Damon," I affirm with realization, and he steps forward with his infamous smirk on his face, his eyes filled with dark humour.

"Hello, brother..."

Damon's POV:

"Well, is nobody happy to see me?" I retort, stepping into the house with mock enthusiasm. Stefan rolls his eyes but I can tell he's irritated at my antic – his eyes shift between me and then Elena – careful and calculating. Paranoid, as always.

I tilt my head. "Well, aren't you going to welcome me home, brother? I mean I'm not expecting the welcoming committee or anything..."

Stefan doesn't say a word as I move toward the living room to pour myself a drink. "Mhm. Fine I'll just welcome myself then!" I say dryly, pouring myself a glass of bourbon.

Before I can sip from it, a blur passes me and the glass is knocked out of my hand. It shatters loudly on the cold floor and Elena stumbles in shock.

I groan as I find myself against the brick wall with Stefan's hand firmly around my neck as he seethes in anger.

"Well, you could have just said you missed me, Stefan," I wheeze humorlessly.

"Elena get out – he's fed on human blood. I don't want it to tempt you! Who was it, Damon? It smells fresh," Stefan spits with disgust evident in his tone. Elena doesn't budge though. Silly girl.

"Well," I barely get out. "If you'd let me go I could tell you," I suggest. "Or I could just do this –" before I complete my sentence or Stefan can comprehend it, I shift out of his grasp smoothly and this time I've got him up against the brick wall as I clinch his throat in my hand. "Well, this is awkward," I muse. "I mean I didn't even try... You should stop drinking that bunny blood," I remark.

"Damon, let him go!" Elena yells and I huff, turning to glare at her. Although, she looks quite appetizing standing in her pajamas and glowering at me like a cute kitten as if she's strong enough to take me on.

"Cute Pj's," I tease. "Didn't peg you as the homey type –"

"Damon!" Stefan begs, his voice choked, and I sigh in mock boredom before letting him go. His weak body falls onto the ground and as predicted Elena rushes over to comfort him. I roll my eyes in annoyance at their display of affection.

"I need a drink," I grumble, stepping over Stefan's body.

Back in Forks...

Bella's POV:

"Bells, wake up!" Charlie yells, but I refuse. I turn over and press the pillow to my face. "Bells!" he calls. I hear footsteps on the stairs and then pounding on my door.

I exhale in frustration as I stand up and out of my bed. "I'm coming!" I grumble, tripping over my blankets as I move to the bathroom. Lately I've been cranky. The medication Dr. Cullen gave me for the blurred vision and pain has had me feeling moody, that and ever since I returned from the hospital, Charlie has been nonstop on my case. He's been waking me up every morning at five am sharp and forcing me to exercise. He says that it's good for my health and all that but I digress.

Carlisle has done some tests but all of them came out negative for any possible diseases. Instead, he scheduled me for scanning later in the evening so we'll see how that goes. A part of me is dreading it to be honest, whilst the other part feels as though all this stressing is for nothing. Charlie doesn't seem to think that though – but I haven't had another episode as Dr. Cullen calls it – so in my opinion I'd say I'm fine. They're just being paranoid.

"Good," Charlie mutters as I step out of my room, frowning at my possibly terrible appearance. "I'm getting breakfast ready," he says before going back downstairs. And by breakfast he means saltless egg on dry brown bread. "Gotta love the protein," is what he claims.

"Cool."

I hop into the shower and as predicted the water is cold – again. Great, not like this morning could get any worse.

"The water is cold again," I complain as I sit at the table. Charlie sighs, sliding a plate of food my way.

"Sorry, kid. I'll go pay the water bill later today. Work has been hectic," Charlie admits, his tone apologetic and ashamed. I immediately feel terrible for my harsh tone.

"I'm sorry. It's cool, Dad. I understand work has been a bit tough," I assure him and he shrugs casually.

"It's okay, kiddo. Eat up, you don't want to be late for your test today, you're lucky they could reschedule it," Charlie says and I stare at him perplexed. "Your Algebra test," he repeats and realization dawns upon me.

Humiliated for being caught in a lie I rush to finish my bland breakfast. "Uhm yeah thanks, Dad. That test – yeah it'll go well."

"There is no test is there?" Charlie says gruffly and I smile sheepishly at him. "Guess not."

Mystic Falls

Damon's POV:

"So, does nobody want to know why I'm back?" I say wryly, pouring myself a second glass... Or a third. I can't quite keep up.

"For starters you could tell us where you've been," Stefan mutters, sipping from his bag of bunny blood to 'strengthen up' as he calls it.

I mull over his question in silence.

Bella.

"Mhm. Well, no can do," I respond, changing the topic. "How about you tell me what I've missed?"

"Klaus is back –" Elena begins and I wave my hands in the air in mock surprise.

"Shocker," I remark.

"– he is forcing Jeremy to kill more vampires. It seems that he's on a search for humans to turn and deliver to Jeremy."

I frown as I stare into the fireplace. "Mhm. And Jeremy? Still trying to kill you?" I check and Stefan shakes his head at my lack of empathy. "Oh come on, don't be sensitive, Stefan. She's a vampire – he wants to kill her – it's in his nature," I spit sarcastically.

Elena shifts in her place before turning to me. "Look, we can argue all night or we can figure out a way to help Jeremy."

"I can't stay –" I start and Stefan stands up hurriedly.

"You're leaving?"

"I've got something to deal with. I'm leaving town for a couple of days again," I finish, ignoring Elena's questioning glance.

"Why?" Elena murmurs, her eyes demanding a reason.

"I've got things to deal with," I repeat, my tone firm and final. "Stay safe," I tell her. "Listen to Stefan – he's only trying to help you overcome your vampirism and despite the fact that I don't always agree with him – he is somewhat right," I admit.

Stefan scoffs and I scowl at him. "I'm trying to be helpful," I say a little miffed. "Anyway, I know you can't drink from blood bags and whatever, but give it a try again – maybe it'll help."

Elena sighs and accepts the blood bag I hand her, but I can't help but notice how Stefan shifts uncomfortably as I advance toward Elena and I roll my eyes at his paranoia.

"Relax, it's bunny blood," I say, exasperated.

She sips from the blood cautiously, and we both wait in silence, but instead of puking her guts out like she usually does – her eyes light up with relief and she finishes the blood bag.

"That's weird, usually you can't down it," Stefan whispers more to himself and I grin at her despite Stefan's odd look.

"Last time I couldn't even hold it down but it's funny this time it actually tastes... good," Elena confesses a little ashamed as Stefan frowns at her and I hand her another one which she accepts willingly.

Stefan slaps the bag out of her hand. "That's human blood, Damon!"

I huff. "Relax, brother. It's just one bag to take the edge off – what is she going to do? It's not like she's going to go rampant on the entire town," I ridicule. "Besides she needs this."

Elena hushes us both in obvious displeasure. "Stefan, relax. I'm fine. Thank you, Damon but next time – a warning would be great," she scolds and I sigh, shrugging casually at her tone.

"I did just help you," I remind her before pouring myself another drink.

"Everything okay, Damon?" Stefan asks suddenly and I shake my head nonchalantly.

"That depends – are you going to throw me against the wall again?" I shoot back harshly.

"I'm sorry," Stefan mutters. "I've been on edge lately. With you gone... things have surprisingly only gotten worst," he admits begrudgingly.

"I'm wounded, Stefan. What's it going to take for you to realize I'm what keeps this town interesting?" I retort jokingly.

Stefan sits down on the couch. "Are you going to pour me a drink too?"

I smirk, pouring him a drink before turning to him. "Well, if I didn't know better, I'd say you actually missed me."

Stefan smiles slightly. "You have begun to grow on me," he agrees and I chuckle, shoving his shoulder. Elena disappears to do God knows what – leaving the two of us in the living room in silence as we sip our bourbon, but I'm not really complaining.

"Are you okay, Damon?"

"I'll be fine, brother," I insist.

"Where were you?" Stefan asks with concern.

"Forks," I answer truthfully.

He frowns with obvious confusion. "What business would you have going to Forks?" he wonders out loud.

I sit back uncomfortably as I sip from my drink. "When I was in New Orléans for sometime – I met this girl," I confess.

Stefan's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Go on.."

"I hadn't realized it yet, but this woman – she was very different."

Two years ago...

Set in New Orléans

I was uncontrollable. I'd just escaped the Whitmore's and my humanity was turned off... You can imagine how hungry I was for blood... Deadly... Devoid of any soul.

I was unstoppable.

For weeks news ran wild that a new vampire was in town. Of course, this didn't go well. New Orléans is a very different place. The vampires are more open, werewolves come out to play at night and the witches loved to torment the innocent. I didn't play by their rules and they swore to end me if I didn't leave their town. A guy by the name of Marcellus made a deal with me... If I left he wouldn't kill me. I, being the stubborn person I am, didn't do as told of course.

On my way to the bar... I met a girl. Near the library.

She was beautiful... Unmistakably so.

"Hi... What is a beautiful woman such as yourself doing so late outside?" I teased, my eyes dark and taunting. She shivered from the cold and her scent drove me wild as I caught whiff of it. She'd make great prey.

"Hi," she greeted awkwardly, stumbling over her own feet with books in hand. "Uhm, I'm not really supposed to be talking to strangers," she admitted.

I smirk with interest. "Is that so?" I drawl and she smiles sweetly at me.

"I'm Bella..."

I tilt my head in question as I observed her outstretched hand with burning curiosity and interest. "I'm Damon..."

"What happened after that?" Stefan questions, intrigued.

I look away reminiscently. "Well, the most obvious of clichés – boy meets girl. Girl dazzles boy. Boy turns his humanity switch back on. Boy falls for girl. Girl dies."

"She's ..."

I shake my head at his silent question. "That's what I thought..." I murmur, pouring myself another glass. Stefan moves to stop me with worry and I roll my eyes at him. "Relax, I can handle my liquor."

"So, what happened?"

"Well, after..." I exhale briefly, recalling the events. "After Marcellus found out that I hadn't left New Orléans, he threatened to kill her... I couldn't stand for it. I promised I'd leave and I was about to but – being the idiot I was – I wouldn't back down without a fight. They... took her. I didn't see her after that. I was told they killed her. The witches they... they cursed me out of New Orléans so that I wouldn't be able to enter or return. I couldn't even see her for one last time..."

"And Marcellus?"

"Well, if I find him – he's a dead man walking," I contend darkly.

Stefan nods slowly as he processes this information. "So why Forks?"

"Well, it turns out those witches are actually stone cold bitches who lied to me," I spit bitterly before staring off into nothing. "I don't know... I had to see it for myself," I trail off.

"Is she alive?" Stefan interrupts.

I frown, rolling those words over on my tongue. "Yup..." Well, sort of.

"Then what's the problem?" Stefan jeers on. "There's always a catch isn't there?" he whispers more to himself.

Bingo!

I smile darkly, but there's no humour or emotion in it as I turn to Stefan.

"She doesn't remember me."