"I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly it's true
that bang-ups and hang-ups
can happen to you""

-Dr. Seuss

Damon POV

I tapped my foot impatiently against the floor as the waiting emptied till I was the last one there. It had gotten dark outside from the storm, making the room even duller.

I had been spending too many hours of my day in waiting rooms lately. Always to be followed by mere seconds with a doctor and be told to come back again and waste my time away. I practically had my own sitting area by now. I was very close to bringing a sign in and claiming this chair as 'Damon's'. Where did they get these ugly chairs anyway? Do you think when painting the walls they said to themselves, 'let's find the most depressing shade of white'? The outcome makes it pretty clear they did.

Time was ticking away and my nervous tick of tapping my foot and picking at the material of the chairs became apparent again. I've never been great with waiting, and in stressful situations like this the 'ants' in my pants, really liked to act up on me. I do my best not to be the guy pacing in the waiting room or the one who hopefully looks towards the nurse that comes through the door, praying that it will be my name they call. But sometimes I didn't have control over it. Most of the people were just here for their annual check up and they will be sent away with news that everything is normal. But then there were the ones that innocently came in with no worries and left with their life changed.

I wasn't one of those people. I came in with worries, but I may or may not walk out of here with my life changed.

"Damon Salvatore?" I looked up to see a pretty young nurse waiting by the door. Well… here we go.


"Damon, what are you doing here?" Alaric forced me out of my memory, forcing me back to reality. The door slamming behind him made me flinch. I had been lying on his couch for a few hours, waiting for him to come home.

"I was tired of Elena nagging me about sleeping my days away so I came over here to sleep my day away."

"What's the other reason?"

"Alright, so I may be avoiding Elena and Stefan?"

"Why?" He asked while sitting down on the chair across from me. Was this turning into a therapy session?

"Stefan is running me into the ground. I guess it's his way of coping. But he just doesn't understand that I just can't physically do half of the stuff he wants me to."

"Well I figured, but I was more confused about you dodging Elena." I sighed and shifted uncomfortably. I didn't really want to dwell on this right now. I opened my mouth to respond but the words on the tip of my tongue wouldn't come out. The truth was how awkward I felt last night holding Elena while she cried.

Maybe awkward was the wrong word. All I know is that there is definitely some sort of distress brewing within me.

"Do you want to go beat up someone tonight?" I exhaled while he gave me a questioning look. "Matt from that bar," I clarified.

"Is this because you're jealous of him?" He asked while rolling his eyes. Where did he get this stuff?

"I am not jealous. Why would I be jealous? He's making Elena cry. This guy is an asshole. From the moment I met him, I knew he was a dick. I just knew."

"Sure," He nodded sarcastically.

"I mean, who in there right mind would turn Elena down? How can he not see how much she loves him? And how can he not love her back? Why can't she just be happy?" Why can't I make her happy? "Elena… she's perfect."

"Oh of course she is."

"She's beautiful, she's funny and caring," I listed and ignored his mocking words. "She is so selfless and she's so… so beautiful."

"You said that already."

"Will you just stop with this attitude?"

"Oh, sorry I'm just waiting."

"Waiting for what?" I asked exasperated.

"For you to realize how in love with her you are," I stared at him blankly, thinking of all the ways to shoot down the ridiculous assumption.

"Oh I so knew it!" He took my silence as a conformation as words seemed to be failing me.

"Don't be stupid Ric. We both know why that will never happen and how selfish it would be to even think of such things."

"Whatever. The way I see it, you should be telling her how beautiful you think she is, instead of moping on my couch all day." Here we go again.

"Well, you are right about one thing," I said while standing up from the couch. "There are some things Elena and I need to talk about.

"That's an understatement. Are you finally going to tell her?"

"No way am I telling her about… that. But I do need to tell her that I plan on going back to Mystic Falls with Stefan."

"Yea, when are you leaving me?"

"Soon. Too soon."

'You know all you have to do is make a simple phone call and there is nothing to worry about. You can stay here."

"I know that. But Mystic Falls is home. I need to be home right now."

"Have fun explaining that to Elena."


Elena POV

He was ignoring me. Ever since I woke up after Damon rushed out of my bedroom, he has been avoiding me every chance he gets. He hasn't even looked at me. All kinds of thoughts have been rushing through my head. Did he know? Did he finally figure it out? Does he hate me now? Are things going to get weird? Does he think I'm obsessed or something?

He had to know. He had to have figured it out that last night was spent crying over him and not Matt.

Oh I hated this. I didn't want him to come home. We were going to have that conversation, that awful conversation that I just don't want to deal with. I've been dreading it from the moment I realized how amazing he is. Why did I have to do this to myself? I just couldn't keep my emotions intact. I've been riding a thin line for so long it was probably inevitable. What was I going to do? Should I confront it?

"Elena, can I talk to you?" My heart stopped for a moment till I realized it was only Stefan standing next to my bedroom door.

"Sure." I said nonchalantly.

"What's wrong?" He asked immediately as he flung himself onto my bed next to me.

"He knows, Stefan. And now he hates me. I've ruined everything." I put my head in my hands, not wanting Stefan to see how horrified I was.

"No, he doesn't." He said while rolling his eyes. "Trust me, if he did. He'd be jumping for joy."

"No. He'd be disgusted with me. He probably thinks I'm some creep with a huge crush on him. I'm so embarrassed. I don't know what to do."

"Don't you think I'd be the first person he would go to?" I thought it over and he was right. Damon would go to Stefan first. But what if he went to Caroline? And knowing her, she'd totally give me away on accident.

"I'm sorry. I'm being selfish." I said noticing how off track we got. "You wanted to talk?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you something that I've always wanted to." I gulped and looked away from him. I had a feeling this was coming. "I know this may be bad timing but lately I have realized how short life really is. And there isn't anything in this world that I would regret more than not telling you the truth."

"Stefan…" I didn't know what else to say.

"I know it's never going to be me, Elena. I've known that for all my life. And I know that you know I care about you, more than just a friend. And I understand that this will never happen." He motioned between us. "But I want you to know it is okay to admit to wanting something."

"I'm sorry I can never be that person for you." I whispered while looking down.

"And I'm sorry I can't be him for you."

"I wish I could change things," I sniffled a little and blinked back tears. This was just so messed up. Why was it that we always have to love the one person who doesn't love you back?

"Damon?"

"What?" I mumbled as I followed Stefan's gaze over to my door to see Damon trying to sneak away.

"Sorry. Clearly you are in the middle of something. I'll come back later."

"No wait." Stefan said, stopping him. "I think you and Elena need to talk more than we do."

"Hey," I whispered as Damon took Stefan's place.

"Hey," He said back.

"You've been avoiding me," I stated, straight to the point.

"Maybe." He admitted. Great, I was right. I think I may get sick.

"Okay, let's just get this out there. I don't want things to be awkward. I'm really embarrassed and you were never supposed to know. Can you just forget this and never bring it up? Please? I know it may be hard but things can go back to normal and don't think I'm like weird and feel uncomf-"

"What are you talking about?" He cut me off, looking completely bewildered. "I was ignoring you because I have to tell you something."

"What?" I asked, taken completely of guard. Oh, no. "Did I just insert my foot into my mouth?"

"Yes. And now you are going to have to explain."

"So you have no idea what I was talking about?" He shook his head no and I let out a huge breath of relief. Oh the weight as been lifted! "I feel so much better!"

"You know you have to tell me now."

"I'd rather die. Now it's your turn. Explain."

"Don't think you are getting out of this. I want to know what you thought I knew."

"Trust me, you don't. Now stop deflecting and confess."

"Okay." He said suddenly becoming serious. I frowned and watched as his hands started to play with the quilt on my bed. I always knew when he played with things around him he was nervous. "You know how there are some things I've been keeping from you?"

"No, I completely forgot that my best friend for years now has been keeping something from me and is refusing to confide in me." I said sarcastically. "Are you finally going to tell me?"

"No." He said while I pouted at him. "I just have some things that I have to take care of."

"So…" I trailed off, not knowing where he was going with this.

"I'm going back home with Stefan." I gasped and let my mouth hang ajar while I stared silently at him.

"Please tell me you are joking." I whispered. I've only had him back for a few weeks, I can't lose him now!

"I'm not. But come on, you knew I had to go back sometime. I told you I was only on vacation."

"I don't want you to go."

"And I don't want to go. In fact, I want to beg you to come home with me but I know you have priorities here."

"You may have a chance of convincing me."

"Let's just make these last few days count, okay?" I nodded my head as he smiled.

"No regrets. Lord knows last time I had a few." He chuckled and put his hand out, trying to lighten this dreadful moment.

"No regrets." I said while grabbing his hand and shaking.

AN: Sorry for the long wait and mixed pov's. I hope you like the chapter. I love to hear your guesses on what's all going to happen. Thanks for sticking along.

Review