Elena couldn't believe it, the truth ringing in her ears. She stared at the empty room, moving towards the window, she could see her neighbour mowing his lawn and the little old lady pottering around in her garden. Damon was long gone.

Bonnie's voice could be heard on the other end of the phone asking, "Elena? Are you there, what happened?"

She spoke fast, "Listen Bonnie, I have to go. I will see you soon. I'm on my way over right now."

The bad feeling she had been having for awhile, now she understood clearly it all came down to this. Grabbing her car keys from the dresser, she ran from the house.

She revved her car, sticking it into reverse, tyres squealing heading into first she sped off down the street. Her mind racing, she wasn't paying much attention to the road. Damon had escaped her wrath by disappearing for now. There was no way she was going to let him go through with it, the consequences be damned.

She quickly reached for her phone dialling his number, it rang through to voicemail. "Damon? Please ring me I need to speak with you."

Elena pulled into Bonnie's drive way, she hoped to shed more light. She took some breaths trying to calm her fears, she felt like she was going to lose it any minute.

Knocking on the door it took Bonnie awhile to answer, she opened the glass door looking exhausted. Dark circles had formed under her eyes and it appeared she hadn't slept for hours.

Elena expressed concern for her friend, "You don't look so good Bon, are you ok?"

Bonnie let her pass, walking into the dining room she took a seat motioning for Elena to do the same. "I have been trying to figure this out, ever since you and Stefan asked me. I can't believe it, right under our noses all along."

Elena sat down gulping, "It sure is crazy. My head is spinning. What else did you find out?"

Bonnie spoke hurriedly, "I got out my old family spell book, you know from generations ago, 18th century stuff. I thought I knew every one of them, but this was mixed up together with other spells to create the big one. It was concealed very well, at first nothing made sense. Those witches were very careful otherwise can you imagine what could have happened back then?"

Bonnie had the book open in front of her, hands resting on the sacred pages. Elena was blind sighted with a strong desire to rip that book away from her, light a match and watch it burn she held her composure. "Explain to me again, how this is supposed to work?"

She looked at Elena apprehensively, "Well see here, it starts off with a lineage through the Salvatore Family Tree. So that means either Damon or Stefan as the last surviving members of the founding family, and the first son of the Original Family, Klaus. With these spells, the Salvatore blood line and their gifted heirloom come together for Klaus's retribution."

Elena whispered, "Klaus to become human?"

Bonnie nodded, "That's what he wants his human life back. His mother turned them into vampires against their wishes, he's always been driven to find a cure to end his misery. Now nothing is going to stop him from getting what he wants."

Elena sat back in her chair knowing the next part was coming, her breath shortening, head starting spinning before Bonnie got up getting her a glass of water.

"Thanks, I needed that," placing the glass to her mouth. The cool liquid helped her calm a down a little.

She looked at her worriedly, "Are you sure you can handle this Elena? I don't want to burden you any further. I know how much you care for him.'

Elena looked into her glass, nobody knew yet except Rick. She was sick of secrets, "I don't just care about Damon, I'm in love with him."

Bonnie reached over touching her hand, "Tell me everything."

She began, "I figured it out on my birthday, I told him I loved him. We have been together, in secret since then." She stopped guiltily waiting for her disapproval which never came. She continued, "I lied to Stefan to get him to come home, and well now he knows I told him last night."

Her friend squeezed her hand, "Oh Elena. You get yourself into some mess don't you? I'm not going to judge you, I know your intentions were not to hurt anyone because you are one of the most compassionate people I know."

"That's right. But now Stefan has gone again, god knows where. I don't know what this is going to do to him. Damon, I saw this morning when I was on the phone with you. He disappeared before I could say anything. I'm so scared for him Bonnie."

Bonnie looked concerned, "I'll find a way out Elena, I promise."

Elena shook, 'Please Bonnie, do what you can. I'm not letting him do this, I don't care what Klaus does."

Elena felt lost and alone, she didn't know what to do. After leaving Bonnie's, she was in a daze driving around aimlessly, until she decided there was someone she wanted to see.

It was deserted at this time of the day, she looked up towards the sky it was getting darker, the sun beginning to fade. The sounds of crows in the distance the only indicator she was not alone. She picked up five red flowers her mother's favourite, from the house up the road the one painted white with blue picket fences. She smelt them, smiling as she made her way. She stood sombrely in front of the tombstone of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert, placing the flowers in the vase on each side.

She took some time to reflect. So lost in her own thoughts, she didn't hear the sounds of footsteps crushing amongst the leaves and snapping twigs along the path. A voice quietly called her name, "Elena."

She didn't move, she didn't want to look at him. She couldn't because she knew she would fall apart.

He stood behind waiting for her, "Elena?"

She turned both staring at each other in silence. He looked dishevelled his hair messed up, stubble forming on his face and still wearing the same clothes from last night. He tentatively took a step towards her, "Please say something?"

Her eyes widened, "Why Damon? Why you?"

"It is something I need to do. After everything Stefan has ever done for me, it was my turn to repay the favour. I owe him for a lot of things, especially when I wasn't there for him on his last ripper bend."

Her voice heavy with emotion, "I know you love your brother but what about me, what about us? Didn't that ever enter your mind?"

He stepped closer, "I love you, you know that. I always will."

Tears ran down her cheeks, "I refuse to put you in the ground. Never! I've already lost too many people Damon. I won't let you do this, you are not.." The feelings overwhelming her she fell to the ground.

He came rushing to pick her up, stroking her cheeks and kissing her hair. "It's going to be ok, I promise. Trust me on this please."

She managed to choke out, "Don't make promises you can't keep, not this time."

"I'm sorry Elena, I had no choice but to keep this from you." His hand reached for some tree branches he tossed angrily to the side.

She felt as though she may never believe anything he told her again, her heart aching from the hurt and fear. She asked, "When did you have this planned?"

He let go of his hold on her, his eyes downcast replying "Initially on your birthday, and afterwards when I left you in Kansas I went to New Orleans. I met another witch, she's on team Klaus."

She sat back stunned, "My birthday, you have known all this time?"

Damon answered back honestly, "Yes, do you recall those two women you caught me with in the library?" Elena nodded, oh she remembered alright. "Well after the mess you made of things, I tracked them down. They told me they needed a spell broken for Klaus and I could help them. In return they told me where to find Stefan."

She hit his chest, "No there has to be another way. Bonnie is working on something."

"There is not enough time Elena, it's happening in a couple of days."

The blood drained from her face, "All this, for Klaus so that evil monster gets what he wants again? No! We leave tonight let's go where he will never find us!"

He looked pained, "There is nowhere we can run Elena where he won't find us. I don't want to be looking over our shoulders constantly. I know what I am doing, just believe that ok? I wouldn't be doing this otherwise. Have a little faith in me."

She stood silently her brain finally recognizing the date, "Two days time? That's the 5th."

"Yes I know, why?"

"I'm not sure. Where the hell is Stefan? He needs to know about this because you have lost your damn mind!" she shoved herself away from his embrace leaning back against the tree staring him down.

He came at her slowly, corning her with his physique, "Can we please not argue anymore? I'd rather be having more pleasant conversations with you, like how I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world, even when you are stark raving mad." His hand moved to her cheek lightly stroking it. She stood mesmerized she loved him with a passion she had never felt before.

She also felt anger like a hot volcano ready to erupt. "What you have done is beyond incomprehensible!. Did you ever think what you have planned, what if it doesn't work? What then, you..?" she couldn't even say it, didn't want to think it.

She saw him flinch, her anger slightly dissipating. "I'm not going to sugar coat it Damon, it is what it is. That was the deal you made with Klaus. Bonnie is working on something as a backup in case your plan fails, because listen to me I'm not going to let it happen."

She finally stopped her rant, reaching up to kiss his lips, "Let's enjoy our love not fight with it anymore."

His eyes bristled with passion, 'Oh Elena, you have no idea," his lips crushing down on hers.

He took her back to the Salvatore Boarding house, making her wait in the parlour whilst he mysteriously went about with something upstairs. She wandered around the room, she had never noticed before just how many old pictures and photographs they had of their ancestors on display. Her eyes made their way along, Mrs Salvatore with her oval face thick dark hair and blue/green eyes. Elena could tell just by looking at her she must have been a kind and loving woman. She saw the resemblance in both Damon and Stefan. Mr Salvatore or Giuseppe looked hard his face not showing a hint of a smile, curiously she only saw Stefan in him. Their family bloodline held the cure for all this time, if they had only known first. Now Klaus wants to use it for his own selfish gain.

He spoke to her from behind, "Why are you interested in our ancestors, they are long dead?"

She jumped startled, "I'm just dumfounded that your family even way back then, were involved."

He flicked his gaze back towards the photographs, "Mother, Uncle Zach. Father," his eyes rested there for a second showing sparks of anger, before he said abruptly, "enough of reminiscing down memory lane." He gave her a warm smile, "I have other plans for you tonight, come with me."

She followed him upstairs he placed his hands over her eyes as he led her into his bedroom, she giggled "What are you doing, can I open them yet?"

"Patience is a virtue, haven't you ever heard of that before? Ok, you can open now."

She opened her eyes slowly, the smell of burning oil sandalwood reached her senses. The room was dim except for 10 candles, the burning amber flickering in the breeze. Glancing towards the bed she saw red rose petals scattered against the white linen, a bottle of champagne with two glasses sitting on a table beside it. She could hear the sound of one of her favourite songs playing in the background.

She smiled up at him, "This is lovely, thank you." Elena moved to the edge of the bed, falling back softly against the mattress. She picked up a handful of petals throwing them in the air. "My mother loved red flowers she always said it was such a striking colour."

Damon watched her, "I thought you might appreciate this, I needed to do this for you."

Elena looked at him in amazement, "I love it, it is so romantic."

He walked towards his phone lying on his dresser, he fiddled around with the buttons on there, taking a seat on the bed next to her.

She asked, "What else do you have on there?" She snatched it away from him. Her fingers scrolled through his play list, "What's this? Let's play it shall we?"

"Huh no, not yet." he said while trying to take it from her, but she shook off his hands hitting the play button. Damon appeared on the screen.

Elena

Sometimes the world is supposed to be this way

Feelings can be wrong or feelings can be right

Which is why they have brought us here tonight

A painted picture can tell a 1000 words they say

Looking between those lines any fool can see

The two of us together our love was meant to be

Forever yours

Damon

A tear dropped down her cheek. She placed her arms tightly around his neck whilst he put his hands firmly around her waist as they both melted into each other, listening to their hearts where no words were needed.

She gave him a sad smile, "Damon, There are some things I want you to know, just in case.."

He hugged her tightly, "I know you are worried Elena, like I told you before, I wouldn't do this if I knew there wasn't a way out. I would never leave you."

She grasped his hand between hers, "In some way, you are a hero Damon, I know you don't want to believe that about yourself but you are. You think that you are this monster who deserves unhappiness. I don't believe it, you deserve to be happy and I can't tell you enough what you have given me. Every part of yourself the good along with the bad, I know you Damon. I want to tell you just how much I love you, I've never felt anything like it before. I won't, not in this lifetime."

They stared into each other's eyes, he was lost for words. "Elena, no one has ever said anything like that before. It's always been Damon what have you done, you stuffed up, just like when I was young my father used to give me grief over everything. I hated him for that, making me feel like I was worthless. I was always the black sheep of the family." He said bitterly.

She squeezed his hand, "Listen to me, you are not worthless. You are worthy of love and you are worthy of me hold onto that ok?"

He traced his finger over her lips, "You make me the happiest person on earth for loving me, thank you for making me a better person." He placed a light kiss on her lips.

She yawned with exhaustion, she felt unbelievably tired. Her head resting against his chest her eyes started to droop. She felt so safe in his arms, never wanting to leave. She wanted to stay like this forever.

He looked her over, "Ok, I think it is time to put you to bed." He removed both their shoes slipping them off onto the floor. Gathering her up under the covers, wrapped in each other's arms they managed to fall asleep.