Dearest thanks to all who comment and follow. This story is for you!

Oh, and if you haven't heard, "The Only Exception" by Paramore is very sweet and fits in with the first part of this story.

Now, the tenth chapter. Sit back, close your eyes (or not, because then you won't be able to see) and enjoy.

WICKED, WICKED WORLD

(I own none of the characters)

They sat on the edge of the scene and looked out on the sea of satin seats before them. It was quiet and dark and Elena felt like it was just the way it needed to be.

"I'm not even sure you'll believe me," Damon frowned and rubbed his wrists. "If I wouldn't have had this… condition, I'd not believe it myself."

Elena sighed. "It's all right, I'll believe you. Besides, I think I know what it is."

Damon looked at her, completely taken aback. "You know?"

She smoothed out the crinkly fabric of her dress under her hands. "Yes, I might be a cleaner but I'm not an idiot. You're abnormally pale and cold, for one. Then you never seem to be outside in daylight – you're the one who wanted to leave Rue des Arbres before dawn. And in this bistro we were in, there was a girl with a small cut over her hand and you stared kind of hard at it. Besides, you move too fast for a normal person." She finished it all in one breath, and then added: "Can I try something?"

Damon, who looked even moodier after her analyze, nodded.

"Hold out your arm."

She gently took it in her hands and wound her fingers around his wrist. She had not expected, but wanted a pulse, but there was nothing. His wrist was cold and could have been part of a corpse had it not moved. Her voice felt odd when she said: "So it's true. You are a… vampire. Oh."

She almost sank together. Though her analyze, she had half-heartedly hoped it had all been some kind of joke. But it was clear, judging by Damon's sad reaction, that this was real.

"I know I'm a monster. I don't understand why you're still sitting here. I've done bad things, Elena. And it's just going downwards."

"And who said that I want you to be perfect?" Elena asked and tried to comfort him with a small smile. "I'm still sitting here, because I want to. You need to realize that it doesn't matter who or what you are. What you do is what defines you."

"You should be a professor of philosophy, Elena." For the first time since he had disappeared, she saw the hint of smile. It was a tiny step towards a brighter future, but a step all the same.

Damon reached into his chest pocket and brought out a bottle even smaller than the Chardonnay. This one was filled with Bordeaux. Damon caught her worried gaze. "Don't worry, this isn't spiked, I've tried it."

And together they drank wine and forgot the world.

Oblivious of the person listening to them.

Dawn grew into one of those days when winter was brilliant. The sun shone, making the snow shimmer discreetly. Elena walked home, humming softly on a tune from The Magic Flute. She was nearly ecstatic. Another day of happiness. And she felt like Damon was peeking out of his cloud of misery.

She finally accepted that she was falling in love. It was bittersweet. She tried not to think about him being a vampire, it felt like something distant and surreal. Better not to soil the beautiful day with such dark thoughts.

The moment she reached her house her good mood clouded over.

Something was wrong. The feeling was as strong as it had been the day when Damon had gone missing. She paused with her hand on the door handle. It swung open with a creak and opened into the hallway, which wasn't illuminated by the sun and therefore dark.

Broken glass crunched under her shoes. Déjà vu. Things seemed to be repeating themselves, but this time it was even worse, because this was her home. And… Elena gasped.

Jeremy.

Suddenly it was as if all the time in the world was running out. She rushed up the stairs, fell and scratched up her knee but kept going, wild. If something had happened to Jeremy right after his recovery she'd never forgive herself.

Their little apartment lay quiet and abandoned. No sign of Jeremy.

Quiet. The only noise was her ragged breathing. Her mind was blank, panic-struck. She had no idea what the hell she should do now.

"Help."

She twisted round. Jeremy stood before her. She gave an upset shout and was about to run over to him when she saw the man standing behind him. He had one arm wound around Jeremy's neck. Elena felt her heart stop.

Jeremy looked just as scared as she felt. The color had drained from his face and he was struggling to breathe.

"Let him go." She choked out the words, didn't know how else she should say it.

The man narrowed his eyes and smiled demonically. "Or what?"

She hurried to the nearest chair, with some difficulty raised it into the air and then brought it down on the kitchen table. With a large crash it broke and she took one of the chair legs and held it in front of herself as a weapon. Because she felt she knew who they were.

Jeremy looked at her as if she was mad.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Elena," the man said softly. And on cue other people suddenly appeared and surrounded Elena. They were about twelve, and all vampires. She realized she didn't have a chance.

Damon! She thought desperately.

The man smiled again, Jeremy closed his eyes.

Then something hit the back of Elena's head…

Nothing.

Hopefully Damon comes to the rescue!

But because I've left the story hanging at such place (much like the TVD does) I'll give you a hint on what happens next: Games, Blood and lots of Vampires.

So stay aflow to catch the next chapter.

By the way, after too much time, I've bought TVD first season (finally!) and I am happy happy happy. Just wanted to say that.

Goodbye and good luck,

CheeseSwiss

P.S Those who haven't read the books should do it, even if they differ from the TV series. At least it has got lots and lots of sweet Delena love :)