This missing scene begins - well, after the last one. The wait for a new episode is getting to me...

A Delena Christmas Eve

Elena was leaving her home, heading to the boarding house. Damon was waiting outside her door again.

"Still watching out for me, Damon?" Elena asked as she turned towards him. "I told you that you don't need to."

"And I told you that I'm still going to do it."

Elena sighed. "I'm on my way to your house now Damon."

"I know. Stefan shared."

"Then come with me, if you want." Elena said.

Damon shook his head. "Watching you and Stefan together is not on my list of favorite things to do. If I am home tonight, which I may or may not be, I will be where you cannot see me and where I definitely cannot see you."

Elena shook her head slightly and exhaled. Damon spoke again before she responded.

"I came to bring you this." Damon handed Elena a box wrapped neatly in Christmas wrapping paper - with bow and everything.

Elena glanced at the present Damon put into her hands for a few seconds. "For me?" she asked just before looking into his eyes.

"It's not a puzzle Elena. It's a present."

"You celebrate Christmas?" she asked, her surprise showing in her face.

"Observe may be a better word."

"Observe," Elena repeated, looking at the present again. "By giving out presents."

"To people I care about," Damon confirmed. "It's been awhile since I've done it."

"Not even for Stefan?"

Damon shook his head. "We've not been around each other much. Really, that's not who we are – don't need it or want it."

Elena hesitated before saying "Damon…"

Damon quickly interrupted her. "It's a token, Elena. It's something normal I want to do for you."

Elena studied him for a second. It was her last chance to decline, but really, she wanted him to do normal things. "Okay. Thank you."

She opened her door again and motioned for him to follow her inside. She walked to the Christmas tree and placed his gift with the others underneath it.

Damon smirked. "Not opening it tonight?"

Elena shook her head, almost feeling guilty. "Stefan and I will exchange tonight. Maybe I'll open it when I get back."

Damon nodded.

"You're not going back to the boarding house tonight?" Elena asked to be sure she understood his plan.

"I will, I just don't know when. Whenever it is, I won't be seen by you."

Elena nodded and decided then. "I should give you this now, then," she said as she pulled a small package out of the bag she carried. Damon had assumed the bag contained Stefan's present.

Damon almost looked confused as he accepted the package. It was a wrapped present.

"It's a present, not a puzzle," Elena said.

Damon continued to stare at the present. "I had no idea you would…"

"It's not much," Elena interrupted. "I don't have much…much I can give you, but I wanted to say thank you."

Damon pulled his eyes from the box and looked at her.

Elena swallowed and said what she had been practicing. "I know you're doing all you can to help me, to protect me. I … I haven't been very nice about it. Sometimes I think you're butting in where I don't want you to."

She hesitated to try to read his expression, almost hoping he would say something. He didn't. "But I know you do it for me. You're trying to keep me safe."

Damon did speak now. "I am keeping you safe. You would have had an arrow in your heart. You would have …"

She quickly cut him off, maintaining eye contact. "I know Damon. Please. I know. I'm trying to say I appreciate it. No matter what I've said before, no matter if I agree with what you're doing, I know you're doing it for me. So thank you."

Damon nodded and put the present into his jacket pocket. It stuck out just a little.

"You're not going to open it tonight?" Elena asked.

"No. It's been a long time since I've had something to open Christmas morning. I'll do it then."

Elena nodded, actually feeling a little sorry for him. They stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, when Elena's phone vibrated.

"Stefan wants his Elena," Damon said, smirking again, as she pulled the phone it out. "I guess you're late."

Elena glanced at the phone, nodded and replaced it. She still did not move. Neither did Damon.

After a couple of minutes, Elena spoke. "Damon, please understand."

Damon looked at her and waited for her to speak again.

"Please understand why I try so hard with Stefan."

Damon nodded. "I do."

"Sometimes it's hard, but I really think that we…" Her voice trailed off.

When he didn't say anything, Elena spoke again. "The drama, the breaking up and getting back together – that's me. Not him. He's always just loved me."

Damon almost didn't say anything, but he finally did. "It sounds like you're the one with doubts."

Elena closed her eyes and exhaled. "All he's ever done is help me. All I've ever done is hurt him."

"Not true, Elena." Damon contradicted. "You've saved him – from vampires that were torturing him and from himself."

Elena looked into his eyes again. "You helped. You always do."

Damon had to shake his head. "I help you save him, I help him save you. I'm the great helper – the ever-loyal sidekick."

Elena sounded desperate when she repeated her plea. "Damon, please understand."

"I told you - I do."

Elena closed her eyes again and shook her head. "I don't see how. I don't really understand..."

Elena's phone vibrated again.

She sighed. "I…I'd better go. You?"

Damon nodded. "I'll go too."

"But not with me." She almost sounded disappointed.

They began walking to the door as Damon spoke. "You're safe. Will you tell Stefan what made you late?"

Elena shook her head. "What's between you and me will stay between us – unless you try to kill someone again."

"Fine by me." Damon said, suppressing a laugh as they walked through the door. "I'll be around - I need to check on Rose."

"I'm sorry she's hurt." Elena said looking at him again as they stood outside the closed door.

"I know you mean that, even though she basically kidnapped you to turn you in. Even though she ran when Elijah came for you."

Elena nodded. "She ran - you didn't. Anyway, I know she means something to you."

"She does. Not at all what you mean to me, but something. Merry Christmas, Elena." Damon said as he turned and walked away from her.

"Merry Christmas, Damon," Elena said. She watched him walk out of sight before going to her car.

Merry Christmas to all who take the time to read this stuff. I'm sorry about using this to express my frustration at the show for just teasing us with Delena. I'm sure they'll come around - though it may not be for years. Until then, at least, I can play here (though I feel a need to keep close to the TV storyline - at least I have the other group of stories to let my Delena wishes come true). Anyway, thanks again and have a great holiday...