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A noticeable difference settled over the mansion within the next few days.

There were the whispers and speculations as to why Elena was no longer with the slaves, or why Damon was suddenly letting them have three meals a day, with afternoons off.

But none of that mattered to Elena.

They could talk all they wanted, though Damon had been sure to tell each of his servants that anything happening in his home was no one else's business and anyone that spread rumors or information outside of the house's residents, would be severely punished.

Elena wondered if he was bluffing on the last bit, but then, maybe not.

He'd explained to her that while sexual relationships with a slave wasn't a big deal, any kind of real relationship was. Not that it was "technically" illegal, but it was frowned upon, and it put both human and vampire in jeopardy.

Elena didn't want anything bad to happen to Damon, and his social standing, because of her, so she had agreed to keep a low profile while in town.

But days like this were the best.

She and Damon, sitting out next to the side of his house while Jeremy and Alaric tossed a ball back and forth ahead of them.

Elena leaned her head back against Damon's shoulder, and his arm came around her waist.

It was different now.

He was trying to view her as less of a slave, and she knew that while this would be a difficult mold for him to break, they might actually have something.

He caught her gaze on him and smiled, kissing her head, "I love you."

She smiled back, looking back over to her brother and Alaric, "I love you too."

Things were so good, finally drama free, and she planned on soaking up as much of it as she could while it lasted.

She hadn't had the chance to talk to Caroline yet. About what Damon had done for Jeremy, or the fact that the two were now an item.

She wasn't sure how the blond would react, but all prejudices aside, Caroline's main concern would be that Elena should be happy.

Done, she thought.

The sunlight reflected on her face, and she closed her eyes, letting it warm her.

Then a thought struck her.

"Damon?"

He looked down at her, "Yeah?"

"How can vampire's go out in the sun? Is that just a myth or what? I never thought to ask Caroline."

He raised a brow, "Is it important?"

"I'm just curious," she explained.

He smirked, "Elena Gilbert? Curious? I'm shocked."

But then he gave her a real answer, "It's the town, or so I'm told."

"The town?" her brows furrowed.

He nodded, "Yeah, a couple thousand years ago a witch put a spell over the town. As long as we are within the city limits, the sun's rays are harmless."

She blinked, "But...you've left the town before. You're spot on the cliff...it's outside the town."

He smirked again, "It's because I've got this."

He held up his hand, flashing her the fancy ring he always wore. She'd never gave it a second thought, seeing as it just looked like a family heirloom. Stefan had a similar one.

"It protects you?" she asked.

He nodded, "A witch fixed it up for me, back in the 1800's, before I came here. It keeps the sun from affecting me, no matter where I am."

"Oh..." she wasn't sure what else to say.

He pulled her tighter against him, "I like being safe."

She nodded, "Couldn't hurt."

"Exactly," he concluded, just as the football flew close to where they were sitting on the grass.

"Watch it Little Gilbert!" Damon called out, and Jeremy waved a hand apologetically as Alaric chased after the ball.

Damon sighed, "Well, I should probably get going anyway. I'm suppose to meet with the board of counsel members within the hour."

Elena nodded, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

He kissed her cheek, "Just enjoy your afternoon. I'll be back by dinner."

She smiled, standing to kiss him properly before letting him go, "See you then."

He nodded, then called over, "Ric, keep an eye on things would you?"

The older man nodded, before throwing the ball again.

These meetings weren't something that Damon particularly enjoyed, but he knew that if he was going to carry this Governor thing officially, he had to play the part.

At least Elijah had finally pitched his idea.

Some of the counsel members had agreed, thinking it was a matter worth looking into, but the majority was either against it, or hesitant to decide.

Because "free" humans didn't just come into their village. It wasn't the way of it.

They decided to post-pone the matter until Damon had officially taken office, after Elijah's term ended the next month.

Damon walked out of the meeting room, rolling his neck, just wanting to get home to Elena, and his warm bed. Not that he was physically tired. Just in desperate need to relax.

But Stefan caught him before he left.

"Damon!"

He turned around, "What is it?"

Stefan motioned his head to one of the empty office rooms in the building, and Damon followed.

"What?" he asked, once they were both inside.

"You're avoiding me."

Damon shrugged, "It's not avoidance, it's being anti-social. I'm choosing to ignore everyone, so don't get your panties wadded."

Stefan rolled his eyes, "Seriously. What are you hiding out for?"

"Who said I was hiding?" Damon challenged.

Stefan studied him for a moment, "Damon, I'm you're brother. You can't lie to me."

"And I can't go through another minute of this conversation without having a drink in my system."

Stefan raised a brow, "Fine, if nothing's going on, then you wont mind if I come back to the house and have that drink with you?"

He shrugged, "Whatever."

Damon was conflicted.

Not that what he did was any of Stefan's business, but it was Elena. And she'd probably end up telling Caroline, who would tell Stefan anyway.

He sighed, sitting further into the driver seat, throwing a glance at his brother.

"So...uh, how's Elena?" Stefan asked, catching the gaze.

"What do you mean?" Damon demanded.

"I'm trying to make sure you haven't killed her yet."

"I haven't," Damon promised, "What's it to you?"

Stefan shrugged, "Caroline's been worried about her."

"And you have to be the dutiful friend, and report back to her on the whereabouts of her former slave?"

Stefan shot him a look, "You know what I mean, Damon. And yes, Caroline is close friend of mine. If she's worried about Elena's well-being, then I don't mind checking in."

"Blondie needs to accept that Elena's no longer hers," Damon muttered.

"It's not that," Stefan said, watching the road now, "Elena was close to her. She's her friend. Caroline truly loves her."

"Yeah, well, so do I," Damon breathed.

Stefan's head turned to his brother, "What?"

"You heard me," He growled.

Stefan blinked, "Yeah, but what do you mean?"

Damon internally groaned, "Elena. I'm talking about Elena."

"You've never felt anything for a human before," Stefan pointed out.

"Well you know what they say about their being a first time for everything."

Stefan seemed to ponder this, "So she's alive.

"Yes," Damon looked over at him, "She's alive, she's happy. Satisfied?"

"Actually, I think I'm in shock."

Damon rolled his eyes, "Why? You should be use to me doing the least expected things."

"But she's human," Stefan emphasized.

"Stunning observation," Damon huffed.

"You know what I mean," Stefan eyed him..."Why her?"

"I don't know, okay?" Damon snapped.

"She's just special. I don't know how else to put it. She's...different. She's the best person I've ever met, and I...Shit, I don't know. I just can't help the way I feel about her."

Stefan seemed impressed, "I'm never going to be able to look at her the same."

"Meaning?" Damon wondered.

Stefan shrugged, "She just always seemed so small and kind. It's hard to see her playing hard ball with you."

Damon raised a brow, "Oh believe me, she's got plenty of fight in her. God, that fire is her most endearing feature."

"Really?" Stefan seemed curious.

Damon nodded, "She's...fearless. And good. I'm not sure how else to put it."

"Uhhu," Stefan observed him.

Again Damon's eyes rolled, "Yes, Little Elena Gilbert, a human girl, is putting me through the washer. And I don't even care."

Stefan chuckled slightly, then a thought hit him.

"Wait...Gilbert? And isn't she from the next town over?"

Damon nodded.

"But...isn't that where Grayson Gilbert lived?"

Damon pulled into his driveway, then looked over at his brother, "The one and same."

"Any relation?" He wondered.

"He was her father."

Stefan was quiet for a moment.

"What?" Damon grilled.

"Have you drank from her?" Stefan asked quietly.

"Yes."

The younger swallowed, "Have you had her?"

Damon shot him a look, but didn't answer.

"In the bedroom," Stefan insisted more forcefully, "Have you had her?"

"Is that your business?"

"Damon, have you?"

"Maybe I have. What does it matter."

Stefan shook his head, "She's in love with you too, isn't she?"

"What does that have to do with-"

"I know Elena," Stefan insisted, "She wouldn't have slept with you if she didn't care about you."

"So she does," Damon's brows furrowed, "Why is this a big deal to you?"

Stefan shook his head, "Are you really that heartless?! Because you're right. Elena is a good person. How could you let her fall in love with you? Was that part of your whole revenge plan too?"

Damon turned his gaze to the windshield, "It's not like that Stefan. I really do love her."

Stefan was fired up now, "Oh, so then you've told her the truth? She knows what happened?

Damon's glare turned on him now, "No. She doesn't, and she wont. So keep your mouth closed."

Stefan's head was shaking again as Damon looked up at the house.

The light in his room was on, meaning Elena was awake up there, waiting on him.

"You still coming inside?" he asked, opening his door.

"Yes."

The two got out, but when his brother was in reach, Damon grabbed his arm.

"I mean it, Stefan. Don't you say a damn thing to her."

Stefan weighed him, then sighed, "Fine. But only because I refuse to be the one to break that girl's heart. You need to tell her."

"When the time's right," Damon promised.

"And when will that be?" Stefan pointed.

Damon sighed, "I don't know. But I will. Now's just...I can't yet."

Stefan still looked disappointed, "You should have stopped this before it started. And you need to do the right thing, before it gets any worse."

Damon glared at his brother, "I'm going to talk to her. You don't know her like I do, Stefan. She's too forgiving for her own good."

Stefan raised a brow, "But do you seriously think she'll be able to forgive you for killing her father?"

Damon had no answer.

Stefan pulled his arm away, and made his way to the stairs, leading up to the house.

Okay, so don't hate me for leaving it this way! lol.

Will update A.S.A.P!

So let me know what you guys think :) I did promise drama ;)