Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to TVD or the characters.

Chapter 13- The Beauty Of the Dark

("Forget it- Breaking Benjamin)

August 10, 2012

Dear Diary,

Eight days have passed since Caroline's attack. She refused to file a police report. Bonnie and I begged her to reconsider, but she wouldn't budge. The entire town (including her mother), believes her "accident" was due to intoxication. Stefan told me he would handle Damon. I'm not entirely sure what that meant. Is it wrong to lie to myself? To tell myself I don't care about someone, when in reality I do? Caroline and Bonnie have voiced their opinion about Stefan. A part of me feels like I should explore that possibility. Then there's another factor. Damon. And I knew I shouldn't even entertain the idea. But it's there lurking in the back of my mind. What kind of person does that make me?

Love Elena

I stared out my window absent mindedly. I had spent almost everyday since Caroline's accident with Stefan. And though I enjoyed his company, not a day went by that Damon, didn't cross my mind. I shook my head hoping to banish that thought. "Elena." Bonnie announced. She hugged me tightly. "How are you?" "I'm fine." I half smiled. Bonnie's green eyes darted around the room. "What is it?" I questioned suspiciously. "Oh, it's nothing." She nervously answered. "Bonnie Bennett, spill."

She sat at the edge of my bed and took a deep breath. "It's about Damon." I gulped suppressing the way my heart reacted to his name. "He's at The Grill. Caroline went to pick up her order, when she spotted him at the bar." Bonnie became thoughtful as she watched me intently. "Was Stefan, there?" "Not that she saw." Bonnie shrugged. I ran my fingers through my hair anxiously. "What are we waiting for?" Bonnie stared at me in bewilderment.

"I'm going to confront him." "What? Are you insane?" "Is that a rhetorical question?" I teased. "Elena, this isn't funny. He's extremely dangerous." She retorted. "He's in a public place." "Absolutely not." "Fine." I sighed. She smiled victoriously. "Do you want something to drink?" I offered. "Uh a water, please." I headed downstairs determined to make an an escape. Jeremy was planted on the couch watching TV. "Jer, I need a huge favor." "What kind of favor?" He eyed me skeptically. "Distract Bonnie." I pleaded. "Ok. But why?"

"I need to do something alone." I confessed. "Ok, but you owe me." Jeremy agreed. "You're the best." I kissed his forehead and sprinted out the door. I crossed my arms in an effort to keep warm. The violent breeze whipped my hair around wildly. The sky lit up as I entered The Grill. "Looks like you were just in time." Matt stated. "Lucky me." I smiled. "If you give me a minute I can get you a table." "I'm actually looking for someone." I scanned the bar finding him immediately. "I'll see you later."

("The Violet Hour"- The Civil Wars)

I leaned against the bar as Damon jerked his head in my direction. "What are you doing here?" He slurred. "I want to talk." "Sorry, not interested." He squinted his eyes. "Damon." He took another swig of his drink. "I'm not leaving till we talk." I declared. "Fine." He surrendered. "Can I get two espresso's." "And mozzarella sticks." He added. I felt a tug at my heart. We followed our host to the table. Damon groaned as he rested his head on the table.

"You'll feel better once you put some food in your system." I promised. Damon lifted his head slightly. "What are you doing here?" I bit my lip nervously. "I want you to tell me the truth." "What truth?" He smirked smugly. "Damon." I glared. He straightened his posture all traces of playfulness gone. "If you're asking did I push Caroline. The answer is no." I stared at him in disbelief. "Then why does she recall you pushing her?" Damon shrugged as he made no eye contact. "I need to hear you say it." I whispered.

Damon's brows furrowed questioningly. The waitress placed our order on the table. "Thank you." I blew at my espresso as Damon pushed the basket of mozzarella sticks in the middle of the table. He took one staring at me carefully. A familiar feeling blossomed in the pit of my stomach. "Why do I feel like we've met before?" Damon's eyes widen as his mouth opened slightly. "Whenever your around certain things trigger a strong sense of déjà vu." I confessed. "Oh." "Why is that?" I questioned. "Maybe I remind you of someone." He replied coolly.

I decided it was all or nothing. "The night of my birthday was the first time I met Stefan. Later, I found Vicky Donovan in the alleyway. With a strange mark on her neck, as if something bit her. I saw that exact mark on Caroline's neck." Damon remained silent. "After I gave my statement to the police, I went home. Where I had these images of a man lying on the road. And piercing blue eyes staring back at me." I stopped giving him time to absorb everything. "Like yours. Damon." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

"What are you getting at?" I took a deep breath. "My brother said when I passed out I kept muttering a name. All he could make out was D something Salvatore. Stefan was the only Salvatore I knew of at the time." I explained.

"Ooh creepy. Maybe you're psychic?" He chuckled. I took a sip of my espresso. "The day of my parents funeral there was a man at the cemetery. I couldn't see him clearly, but I know he was the same person who returned my diary later that day. Damon, I didn't know my diary was missing. The two days leading up to my parents death is hazy. It's like my memory's been wiped." Damon's eyes became hard and unreadable. His body stiffened, his mouth pulled into a tight line.

"Stefan and Bonnie vowed to help me find out what I'm missing from that night." "Why is that so important?" He asked curiously. My eyes watered, as I fought back against the tears. "They died because of me. If I hadn't been on that bridge they would still be here." Tears trickled down my cheeks. Damon's eyes softened as he extended his arm. His fingertips brushed the side of my face lightly. I gazed into his eyes feeling completely vulnerable and exposed. "Elena." He sweetly whispered.

("The Beauty Of The Dark- Mads Langer)

"Elena, I thought you were home." Jenna stated. Damon retracted his arms clearing his throat. "Jenna, this is Damon Salvatore. Damon this is my aunt Jenna." "A pleasure to meet you." Damon smiled. "Any relation to Zach Salvatore?" "Yes. He's my uncle." "He worked with Elena's dad." Jenna revealed. How could I forget that? When Stefan asked me if I knew Zach, I said no. "Elena, is something wrong?" Jenna asked concerned. "No." Damon's eyes flickered in my direction. "It's starting to pour outside, I want you home before it worsen." Jenna instructed. "Ok." I promised.

"It was nice meeting you." Jenna said before walking off. "How could I forget Zach? I've known him since I was ten." I said puzzled. "Elena, I think you should head home." His blue eyes pleaded desperately. "Not until you answer one more question." "Ok." He agreed. I ran my fingers through my hair. "The night of the party, when we kissed. What did it mean to you?" I nervously inquired. Damon stared into my brown eyes. "Means I got drunk and seized the moment." "So I was just a window of opportunity?" I asked angrily. "You said one question." He reminded me. I snickered feeling like a complete moron.

I stood up astounded by Damon's lack of sensitivity. "Elena." "What?" "May you find what you're looking for in life." The sincerity in his voice was clear. I walked away replaying his last sentence over and over. There was something about that phrase that caused my heart to tightened. I was almost certain I had heard it before. My body shivered as the cold rain hit my skin. The storm was worse than before, but I couldn't tame the impulse. I had to visit The Wickery Bridge.

The sky lit up followed by a thunderous roar. I stopped in the middle of the road, my pulse quickened. Why was I out here that night? Why couldn't I remember? I closed my eyes reliving the events before the accident. My mother stepped out of the car and hugged me. Before my parents arrived I felt off. Like I had lost something important. I placed my hand over my heart. Images of a man lying on the road flooded my mind. I gasped as the stranger disappeared. "You really shouldn't be out here all alone." A familiar voice warned. My eyes sprung open.

A figure slowly approached me. I swallowed hard as my heart pounded erratically against my chest. "How do you know me?" I wearily questioned. "Let's just say I've taken quiet an interest in you." A sense of self-preservation kicked in. "Don't be afraid of me, love." He stated. Quicker then humanly possible he tucked my hair behind my ear. "Yet." He whispered.

A/N: It took forever to post because my laptop charger died so I had to order a new one. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Next Chapter will be from Damon's point of view. Please don't forget to review. I'd appreciate it.