AN: Five chapters left. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Their friendship is definitely blossoming and maybe something else. Next, chapter will be a little different and you'll know why when I post it. Thanks for the views and feedback for this story.

Chapter 10

"All I Need" by Within Temptation

Days had passed and Elena had already lost count of how many books she had read. When she wasn't sleeping she was tucked away in the library that belonged to her now. The mounds of books were piling up as she finished one setting it down on the table and finding another in the stakes. And when boredom arose, which was rare, she found herself trying to tidy up the place.

Layers of dust and shredded material made it seem drab. If this library was hers then she was going to make it the way she wanted. The whole house could use a makeover, but that would take days, maybe weeks. The library was her little project when reading wouldn't suffice.

She found what she could of cleaning supplies in a cabinet down the hall when Damon wasn't lurking. The thought of him flipping out because she simply wanted to clean the place was probable. Her plans had to be kept secret until the finished project was done.

First went the dust. She coughed and sneezed profusely as the particles danced in the air as she wiped and brushed away the dirt. Then came the mending. To her luck, a tiny sewing kit was tucked away in the cabinet and she went to work on fixing the curtains and furniture. Sounds of disturbance met her ears. A few moments she had to pause hoping Damon wouldn't come stampeding down the hall into the library in rage. Instead, he kept his distance and she let out many sighs of relief.

Once most of the damage had been repaired, she knew light was needed. Seeing as electricity was not an option and having the curtains drawn were not something Damon was keen on, many fire fueled lamps were in order. There were plenty of unused oil lamps around the house and she knew he wouldn't mind if she took a few or she hoped. Setting them strategically around the library, she lit each one carefully.

"Perfect," she whispered as she gazed at the newly cleansed library.

The titles of books were clearer to read. The faint smell of mold was gone. She could even dare say it felt like a distant home.

"Elena," his voice came from the doorway.

Damon poked his head through the cracked door. His calm eyes went wild as he took in the made over room. She held her breath and bit her lip waiting for his wrath.

"What did you do?" He asked.

"I…I…I wanted to fix up the place." Elena stammered. "I didn't mean to…I just thought since it was mine now…"

His breathing could be heard from where she stood. With his shoulders tense and the promising expression of throwing a fit, Elena understood her work of art was soon to be destroyed. She should have let it be. This wasn't her home. These books, this room weren't hers either. She had overstepped her boundaries once again.

"I'm sorry." Elena apologized and bent down to blow out one of the lamps.

"No." His voice boomed. Those strong fingers curled around her arm forcing her to stop dead in her tracks. She stared at him with uncertainty. He wasn't going to hurt her, but yet his grip was foreshadowing the worse.

Damon yanked his hand back and put it behind him. "I like it." He admitted. Amazed by his remark, her cheeks rose forming a grin.

"You do?" She asked shamelessly.

"I haven't seen it like this in ages." Damon gawked at the visible walls and the organized mess. "Thank you."

Striking a cord again, she saw the humanity rising to the surface. No beast could distort this moment. He was warm and accepting, something he had struggled with. Elena wanted to reach out to him and stroke his hand, but kept her daring thought to herself. Their relationship had blossomed and moved past hostility. She saw him for who he was on the inside, not for the ugly that betrayed him outward. He had no control over that.

"Have you read all of these?" He questioned as he stole his gaze from her and to the stack of books lying on the table.

His soft nature was taking time to adjust to.

"Yes, every single one." Elena replied. She gulped and picked up a lonely hardcover book from the couch. "Would you like me to read to you?"

Not fully understanding her odd request, she held the book close to her chest. Something coursed through her wanting to read aloud the enchanted world inscribed on the pages inside. With only herself most of the time getting lost in the stories, she felt the urge to share the fictional world with someone else. He was the only one she could do so with.

"If you don't mind," she added. "It's all right if you don't. I understand."

"Go ahead." Damon obliged.

Stunned by his acceptance to her request, Elena flustered in the moment found a spot on the couch and curled her legs up. He took a seat not beside her, but on the floor. His shoulder rested up against the frame and she opened the book.

The words were slow and staggered as she began. Her eyes flickered from the page to him. He wasn't fully staring at her, but she knew his eyes wandered. It honestly made her feel uncomfortable. For all she knew he could snap and change in a moments notice. However, he was the most human he had ever been. He was serene.

An hour must have passed when she felt her mouth grow dry and her voice becoming tired. Picking a paragraph to finish off, she closed the book and looked to him. Damon inhaled deeply and appeared to have something on his mind.

"Would you join me tonight?" He asked politely.

"For dinner?" She confirmed.

"Yes, and to dance." Damon added.

Dance? Had she heard him correctly? He didn't seem the type, but then again he was full of surprises lately.

"Sure." Elena responded. "This is all I have though."

Standing up, he held out his hand. "Come on let me show you something." And without hesitation, she reluctantly took his hand and followed him.

…..

A young girl twirled around in the cracked and distorted mirror. She could not believe her own reflection. Only hours before she was still dressed in her torn, dirty dress marked with etches of living under his roof. Now, she was clean and primed.

Her hair was soft and her skin was smooth. The foreign gown hugging her body was shiny and beautiful. Damon had shown her a closet filled with gowns and dresses that once belonged to his family. To her luck, they were a perfect fit. Even as frail as her body was, she slipped into each gown she had tried on with glory. Elena let out a much needed sigh.

In the dim light, the gown was a deep shade of blue. Every curve, or what was left seeing as her poor diet was causing a diminishing about of muscle and fat could be seen. She let her hair hang loose falling endlessly down her shoulders.

It was time.

She was not sure what she was about to get herself into, but she was willing to take that chance.

The sharp click of her heels down the desert hallway startled her. It was loud and adjusting to the abrupt noises usually only came from Damon. Her heart pattered against her chest and she held her hand pushing down it. She had to steady herself.

As she found herself on the main floor, a faint smell of lavender wafted down the hall. Her head turned to the double doors that had light illuminating behind it. It glowed through the cracks and she was drawn instantly toward it.

Her hand trembled like it did many times before with the doorknob. She entered cautiously, but was frozen. A thousand candles were lit. Shiny marble floor and a glistening glass chandelier hung from the ceiling. It wasn't like the rest of the house. In fact, it seemed out of place. Had this ballroom been kept like this or had Damon put forth the effort of cleaning it up?

"You look," his voice was low. She turned her head to the left. "Beautiful."

The warmth in her cheeks was causing her to blush and she bowed her head. He was not in his tattered clothes. No bloodstains could be noticed. Damon was groomed and for the first time he looked…handsome.

Elena remained still as he walked over to her. His hair was still a mess and his eyes were a subtle red. The scars on his body were still visible if you were looking for them, but the rest was abnormal for him. He wore all black. His shirt and pants were crisp as if it had never been worn.

"Thank you." She replied.

This was too strange.

"You clean up well." Elena remarked. Shutting her eyes, she hoped he wouldn't take it the wrong way.

"I tried." He murmured.

No out cry, but Damon was not pleased with her compliment. She stepped toward him and smiled. "You look fine." She told him.

The red in his eyes twinkled and he bowed his head. Maybe it was her own eyes tricking her, but she swore she saw him smile too. He was awkward and clumsy as he moved around. A record player was in the corner and he went over to it. Placing the needle down on the spinning record music roared to life. A new sort of vibe could be felt through the room.

"Shall we?" He came stumbling over and holding out his hand.

His eyes never met hers and he insisted on looking down at the floor. For someone setting up this whole thing, he didn't approach it with open arms.

Elena placed her hand in his and he gripped it slightly. He led her out to the middle of the marble floor. Still not taking the chance of stealing a glance up, he positioned himself into a dancing form. She rested her hand on his shoulder while the other cupped his large and clammy paw. The music changed and she felt her feet begin to move.

With his concentration on his feet moving and guiding her around, she stared at him. How was it possible a man cursed to eternity, as a monster was being so kind and gentle? He was not like this at first. She did not expect this from him. Damon was the beast that lived far off in the forest away from civilization. His story was a legend and one to fear. But as he graciously danced with her and showed not an ounce of terror in his face, she knew how wrong it was of her to judge.

He was a young man lost in this world. The life he led before his tragic turnabout may have been one to admire, but he was paying for his upbringing now. Blinded by looks, he now understood what it meant to see someone for their beauty on the inside and not just what was on the surface. Elena actually felt her heart beat for him, as she knew he was much more than a beast.

Her body circled and the bottom of her dress fanned out as they made quick turns and their clasped hands held tighter. His head was still low and she could not understand why he couldn't bare to look at her. It was making their dance seemed strained.

As the music rose to a climatic part, she squeezed his shoulder. With no intention of startling him, his eyes lifted and fell upon hers. Youth and innocence masked him. His lips were parted as he concentrated now on her, as their dancing was effortless. Elena's heart fluttered. She was losing herself in the moment.

And for the first time in years, Damon's heart did the same.