Cannonball

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from The Vampire Diaries.

Warning! Another long long chapter here! In fact, I think this is my longest chapter yet! The first half of this chap was never meant to be as long, but like before I just couldn't stop typing, it's like an illness ;)

October 24th 2012.

Wednesday 12:00pm.

Mystic Falls.

I stifle a yawn as I walk out of my English class, normally I love that class because English Lit is my favorite subject but today it sucked and I couldn't concentrate at all, drifting in and out of my head for the entire hour, not paying attention to anything we were learning and when I did I was completely lost to where we were at.

I know why.

I still haven't found a way to fix my little dilemma tonight. My Dad still wants me to go for dinner with the Lockwoods and Damon obviously wants me to do whatever he was planning on doing with him.

It's like I literally have to choose between my father and Damon, and suddenly it's not just about a dinner or wherever anymore.

I pull my cellphone out as I walk through the crowded hallways towards my locker to drop my books off before I meet my friends for lunch, and a smile quickly creeps on to my face when I see a text from Damon.

Bet u are lookin forward
to seein me later hotstuff!
Dont worry, not much
longer and u will be free
to admire my hot body
as much as you please ;)

I let out a small laugh at his words, because his cockiness is something that I love and hate all at the same time but before I get the chance to reply with a smart ass comment of my own the sound of my name being called pulls me out of my daze and I stop my walking and turn around to see Mason waving his hand at me.

"Hey, I've been shouting your name for the last minute!" Mason smiles as he jogs towards me. "You looked like you were in another world. Everything ok?"

I slip my phone back into my pocket quickly. "Oh yeah, sorry," I smile as we start to walk alongside each other. "Was just reading a text."

Mason just nods his head and moves on to change the subject. "So my Dad told me you were coming to dinner with us tonight?"

"Oh uh...well...yeah." I stutter, not really sure what I'm supposed to say to that.

Why do I always put myself in complicated situations?

"You don't sound too sure." he smiles at me slightly and I force a smile back.

"No, sorry. Ignore me." I smile. "Yeah, my Dad mentioned it..."

"Not gonna lie, I was relieved when I found out you'd be joining us. I mean no offence to your Dad because I think he's great, but I know that they would spend the whole evening talking business or things that happened 'back in the day', so I'm glad you're gonna be there so at least we can hold an interesting conversation."

"Mhmm." I nod my head with a forced smile as we thankfully reach my locker, however my relief is quickly destroyed when Mason stops too before leaning on the one beside mine and I inwardly curse.

"How are things going with you anyway? You and Matt good yet?" he asks curiously and I frown at why he is so interested in Matt.

"He still pretends I don't exist." I admit deciding to just be honest, I mean, Mason is a friend, I guess? Is that what he is? I don't even know, he's one of those people who have always been in my life, our families are friends and we have always attended the same functions and parties ever since I can remember. But he's older than me, and had different friends growing up, and apart from the odd hellos and how are you, we never really said more than a few sentences to each other every time we did speak, at least not one to one.

He has always been sweet to me though, he's never been mean to me, he's always been kind and he is a good guy.

"Ah, that stage huh? Don't worry, he'll get over it." he tells me with a reassuring tone. "And if he doesn't? Well he's an idiot." he smiles and I let out a small laugh.

"I don't know, he'll be doing himself a favor."

"Oh come on! Don't be like that." he smiles almost softly at me. "He'll be losing out if he lets you go as a friend."

I blink surprised by his words before composing myself and turning to my locker. "I am amazing." I joke and he chuckles before it falls into a small smile.

"You are." he says softly and I freeze, my eyes glued to a random textbook inside my locker.

"Yo Mase!" Thank God. "You comin or what? Coach is gunna kick your ass if you're late for practice again!" some guy from the football team shouts from down the hall.

I slowly turn my head to face him and watch as he sighs before shouting back that he's coming. "So...I guess I'll see you tonight?" he asks with a small smile and I slowly nod my head.

"Sure." I force a smile and watch as he lingers for a moment before turning to leave to follow his friends.

I sigh and slam my locker shut before hitting my head slowly against it.

Crap.

The hole just keeps on getting deeper.

"Here." I throw the envelope onto the table in Vaughn's kitchen, not even caring what is inside it. To be honest, I can't wait to get out of here, I know Andie is lurking around somewhere and I do not want to have to face her right now.

"Charming as always young Salvatore." Vaughn chuckles at me as he opens up the envelope before passing it along to one of his friends who then takes it into another room.

I sigh and wait patiently as he pulls out a wad of cash from his pocket before counting it and handing it over to me. I take it and recount, not missing the way he rolls his eyes.

"It's all there kid."

"Always gotta be careful." I murmur disinterested before sliding the notes into my pocket and turning to leave.

"Hey Damon!" he calls after me and I stop before slowly turning around. "I have a proposition for you laddy." he broad Scottish accent comes into play.

I frown at him and he chuckles before standing up and walking around the table so we are standing face to face.

"I've heard about Zach's...let's say cash flow...problem that he's having right now."

"Zach is doing just fine." I hit back immediately but he just laughs and lights up a cigarette.

"Alright, alright. Anyway I was wondering if you wanted to do a couple jobs for me, I'll pay you of course."

"You want me to work for you?" I ask with a scoff. "No thanks."

"Oh come on!" He laughs. "I pay well, just ask your buddy Klaus if you don't believe me."

I freeze and look at him confused. "Klaus works for you?"

"Oh you didn't know?" he asks amused. "He just does the odd job here and there, you know? I think he appreciates the extra cash in his pocket, wouldn't you?"

"Nah I'm good." There are several other things I would rather do than work for this asshole.

"Fine, fine." he holds his hands up. "But I'll leave the offer open for when you change your mind, because you will." he smirks at me and I roll my eyes before turning and walking out.

Ass.

The second I get into my car and make the drive back to Mystic Falls I pull out my cellphone and dial in Klaus's number, cursing when it goes to voice mail.

"Hey, you and I need to talk. Call me." I hang up and throw my phone onto the seat beside me, scowling at how crappy my day has been so far running around doing jobs for Zach all morning.

At least I'll get to see Elena later, I grin to myself because I feel like it's been too long, but I could do with the break out of this stupid town, especially with what has been going on lately.

Luckily, my Dad has managed to get bail, so he is currently residing at home trying to figure out a plan to get himself out of this mess that he doesn't know that I created. But Grayson is still on our backs, and he is determined to make sure that my Dad is punished and that this isn't going to be something easy for us to get out of.

I push the guilt to the back of my mind, I can't think about that today.

So instead I turn on the radio and turn the music up, taking advantage of this time alone because I haven't had it as much as I have liked these past couple of days, and let myself think of tonight.

I arrive at school, not because I plan on going to class but because I plan on finding Klaus here. I need to ask him when he started working for Vaughn and why he didn't tell me.

I park and jump out, seeing that it's after lunch time now so there isn't very many people about, I whistle to myself casually as I head towards the boys bathroom and step inside, not surprised to see that it's empty so I lean back against the sinks and wait patiently.

It only takes ten minutes for someone to walk inside and I'm grateful to see that it's a sophomore, they are much easier to push around than guys my age. I smirk as I step forward and watch as a wave of fear briefly crosses his features as I eye him. He looks straight down to the floor and goes to walk towards the urinal but I side step in front of him to block his path.

"Hi." I smirk as he looks at me with wide eyes, his mouth zipped shut. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Um, o-ok." he stutters.

"I need you to go to Mr Jameson's room, you know the Chemistry teacher? And tell him that the principle needs to speak to Klaus Mikealson, then send him here, alright?" I order him. "Oh, and don't come back."

"Ok." he nods his head quickly before scampering out of the room quickly, almost tripping over himself as he does so and I chuckle and wait patiently and just a few minutes later the door swings open again and it's Klaus who walks in, a smirk on his lips.

"Cheers for that mate, Jameson was boring the shit out of me!"

"Ah I wouldn't thank me just yet." I clasp my hands together. "I was just around at Vaughn's place, dropping off a package for my Uncle Zach when he offered me a job, to work for him."

"Oh..." his smirk instantly disappears.

"I said no, obviously, because I work for Zach and I'm completely loyal to him, so imagine my surprise when he lets me know that my own best friend, my right hand man, has been on his payroll for some time now."

"Look mate, loyalty has absolutely nothing to do with it." he defends himself immediately and goes to continue but I cut him off.

"Loyalty has everything to do with it Klaus! What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I needed the money! I was thinking that Zach hasn't given me any for months now and I've been doing a lot more dirty work for him than you even know and I haven't seen received a single dollar for it!" he takes an angry step forward. "You know what else I've been thinking? I've been thinking that you need to stand up for yourself more! You need to tell him that you need paying, because he keeps makin you do shit and you get nothing in return and you haven't for months now, Damon!"

I shake my head angrily. "You know things have been tough lately, ok? Zach can't afford it! But he will start giving us shares again soon, all you had to do was be patient, Klaus!"

"Well from what I've noticed he seems to be doing just fine, in fact, I say he'd be able to afford to pay us both twice over if he wanted too, but he's greedy, Damon! Always has been, always will be and you know that!"

I shake my head in annoyance because I know a lot more than he ever will. "I just don't get why you didn't tell me?"

"Because I knew you would react like this! Because you hate the guy, and honestly you don't even have a real reason, I mean you are the one who has been fucking his girlfriend behind his back!" he scoffs and I glare at him.

"That's over and you know it!"

"Is it? For how long exactly? I know you, Damon, you're probably bored with her now but when she's there for you to take you won't hesitate."

I clench my jaw, willing myself to argue that things are different now, that things have changed, but obviously I can't say that without revealing too much.

"Look, this isn't about Andie! This is about you lying too me!"

"I didn't lie!" he defends himself. "You can be pissed at me all you want mate, but I haven't done anything wrong! Zach and Vaughn are buddies, so what if I do jobs for them both? It's not hurting anyone is it?"

I sigh and shake my head because he doesn't get it. "Just forget it." I mutter coldly.

"Damon-"

"Leave it, Klaus! You're right, it's not a big deal."

"Then why do you seem pissed?"

I don't even know myself anymore, so instead I just ignore him and walk out of there, trying to block out all this unnecessary anger. Things are complicated enough in my life as it is right now, I don't need Klaus adding to it too!

I swing open the door and step out into the empty hallway, taking large strides along but immediately freeze when the door opens from the girls bathroom just a few feet away and Elena steps out.

She freezes when she sees me and I watch as she looks around carefully before a small smile creeps onto her face.

"Hi." she smiles almost shyly at me.

"Hi." I force a smile back, trying to calm myself down. Maybe Klaus was right, maybe I am overreacting about this. It just pissed me off that he didn't tell me, like he was doing it behind my back.

"Are you ok?" she takes a step forward but I hold out my hand in warning and watch as she frowns. "Damon?" she sounds concerned and it makes me feel weird things.

"I...not here." I sigh and literally as the words leave my mouth the sound of a door closing reminds me that Klaus has probably followed me out of the washroom, I look over my shoulder just in time to see him look my way, a pissed off look on his face.

I glance at him for a moment before walking straight past Elena as if she means nothing to me and heading down the hallway.

"Damon!" I hear Klaus call my name from behind me but I ignore him and keep walking.

I turn the corner and push open the door and stepping out into the cold October air, running my fingers through my hair as I think about Klaus' words. Has Zach been taking advantage? I don't know, I really don't. All I do know is that Zach is family, and that as a family, we really haven't had any luck recently so the last thing I want to do is make things worse.

"Damon." I turn surprised at the voice and see Elena slowly approaching me. "Don't worry, Klaus went back to his class." she quickly says before I can warn her. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, just a disagreement. It'll be fine." I tell her while looking around. "Risky move following me out here."

She shrugs, a small smirk creeping onto her smooth lips. "I'm in the mood to break the rules a little."

"Hmm...well I do hear you are a free woman these days." I smirk at her before reaching my arm out and grabbing her hand to pull her into a small gap between the main building and the back of the library so we are out of sight. "Hi." I grin down at her as she stands flushed against me.

"Hi." she grins back and I smile before gently pushing her back against the brick wall behind her, my hands clutching onto her arms, I slowly loosen my grip before running them slowly upwards and landing both of my hands on her shoulders, one of them tracing up her neck, a smirk on my lips as I hear her breathing quicken as my fingers lightly dance over her skin. "Aren't you going to kiss me?" she asks lowly and I dip my head down so my lips are milometers away from her own.

"Oh I am most definitely going to kiss you." I slide my hand to the back of her neck, playing with some of her loose small hairs before slowly leaning that centimeter forward to press my lips against hers.

The second I do she grabs onto me and pulls me even closer, both of her hands gripping my hips as she kisses me hungrily, her mouth open as her tongue slides in against mine. I moan into her mouth as one of her hands slides from my hip to my ass and she squeezes it sensually, my whole body pressed flushed against her.

God I have missed this.

I have missed her.

I slowly pull away breathlessly, reluctantly, halfheartedly as I press another slow but softer kiss against her mouth, knowing that the longer we stay here the more chance we have at getting caught but I can't seem to pull myself away just yet.

One kiss just simply isn't enough.

I raise my other hand and rest it against her cheek, stroking her smooth skin softly as she rests her forehead against mine, her breathing still quick and uneven.

"I don't want to go back to class." she closes her eyes as I use my other hand to slide under her top, my fingers dancing over her hip bone and around her waist. "But I have too."

"I know." I agree with a sigh, because the last thing she needs is to be grounded again.

So much has been going on, so much has happened, is still happening, and yet when we are alone like this, in our own bubble away from the world, none of it matters. I don't think about her family, about her last name and what it means, I just think about her.

About Elena.

I take a slow reluctant step back and briefly look to my left to make sure that no one is around. "But I'll see you tonight." I turn back to face her with a smile, watching as something quickly flashes in her eyes but it's gone just as quick as it came and I'm left wondering if I even saw it at all.

"Yeah." she smiles back. "I'll see you tonight." she repeats my words.

I nod my head and step back holding out my arm. "After you."

She rolls her eyes but there's a smile on her lips and I watch as she walks past me, looking around briefly before stepping back out into the open space.

Back in front of watching eyes.

Back to not being able to know me.

I wait a couple of minutes, straightening out my creased clothes before taking my step back out of our bubble and into the real world.

I pace up and down my room slowly as I try to think of an excuse to not attend dinner tonight. I've thought about faking sickness, but my Dad is a lot harder to lie too and he reads me a hell of a lot better than my Mom does so that is going to be difficult.

I glance down at the text message from my Dad telling me to be ready for 6pm, he doesn't have time to come home first from work so he is going to pick me straight up before we head out.

I look at my watch to see that it's almost five and I still haven't thought of a way out of this.

Not seeing Damon tonight cannot be an option. I don't want to let him down. I want to go out with him, wherever the hell it is that he is taking me, and I want to have fun. I want to able to go somewhere and be myself, not having to worry about who I am expected to be and how I'm expected to behave.

I smile as I think back to our brief meeting today at school. It was risky, extremely risky, but I couldn't not kiss him in that moment and already I miss the feeling of his lips against my own.

I snap out of my thoughts when I realize I have pressed my fingers against my lips without even knowing it and I curse myself for acting like such a sappy teenager with a crush because this is different.

I can't explain it, I really can't, but all I know is that it is different.

I spend so much time trying to think of different things that I don't even realize the time passing it and before I know it the sound of a car horn outside is pulling me from my thoughts and I curse at the time to see that it's ten to six.

I run down the stairs and open the door to see my Dad waiting for me in his squad car and I mutter angry words to myself before slowly walking towards it and climbing inside.

"Hey sweetie," he greets me with a smile that I force back. "Good day?"

"Mhm." I reply distractedly as I buckle in my seat belt. "You?"

"Long." he answers briefly. "You ok?"

"Um...yeah. Just...got a headache." I lie, deciding that I may as well use my current mood too my favor.

"Oh that's a shame sweetie, hopefully it'll pass soon."

"I don't know...I've had it all day."

My Dad however doesn't bite. "I'm sure good company and good food will make it go away." he smiles, his eyes still on the road.

I don't reply and instead look down at my phone to see a text from Damon.

Be ready for 8.

I close my eyes and send a brief reply, cursing myself yet again for continuing to dig this hole even deeper.

Once we arrive at the chosen destination, which is surprise surprise, The Mystic Grill, Mason and his father are already there waiting for us.

"Grayson!" George Lockwood rises to his feet and shakes my Dad's hand with a smile. "Good to see you old friend, and you Elena, wow you are looking prettier every time I see you, isn't that right son?" he grins and nudges Mason who rolls his eyes slightly but there is a smile on his face.

To be honest, I don't know why he is acting like we haven't seen each other in years, he was around at my house for a game of poker with my Dad just a month ago.

"She's a beautiful girl." Mason compliments with a grin and I feel myself blush at the attention.

"She most certainly is." My father joins in just when I wasn't already embarrassed enough.

I stay silent as they all quietly chuckle around me before we take our seats. God, this is going to be hell already, I can just tell.

They immediately fall into football talk and I take this moment to pull out my cellphone discreetly under the table and quickly tap out a text to Bonnie.

I need a favor x

I look back up just in time to see Mason watching me, a grin on his face. "You ok there?"

"Yep!" I force a smile before reaching over for a menu. "Let's order soon, I'm starved!"

"Me too" Mason agrees eagerly.

"You teenagers! Always eating." George says lightly. "Glad to know it's not just Mason."

"Oh God no, Jeremy practically raids the fridge every night doesn't he sweetie?" My Dad laughs lightly and I nod my head in agreement, trying to keep my fake smile plastered to my lips before burying my head behind the menu.

Praying that Bonnie replies to me soon and I can try and get the hell out of here before 8pm.

I grunt in annoyance as the banging on my door increases every second and I quickly jog out of my bathroom, my towel wrapped around my hips as I make my way to the front door.

"Finally!" Zach pushes past me the second I open it. "Took you long enough kid!"

"I was in the shower!" I motion down to my wet body, hair dripping down my neck as I hold the towel up against me, covering my bottom half.

"I need a favor from you tonight." he grabs a beer from my fridge and I bite on my tongue to stop myself from making a snarky comment.

"I can't tonight, I'm busy."

"Well make yourself unbusy." he rolls his eyes. "I need you to go with Will to Richmond to pick up a package." he practically orders me.

"Why do I need to go if Will already is?"

"Because he's going to be receiving a package of his own to bring back to me, a package containing a lot of money." he says carefully. "So I need someone there who I can trust to bring it all back to me untouched."

I frown. "You can trust Will, he's never done anything against you before."

"I can't trust anyone with that amount of money." he tells me seriously. "Except family, which is why I need you to go with him."

I pause for a moment as Klaus' words from earlier come back to haunt me. "Since when have you been doing deals that involves that amount of money? I thought you were running tight right now?" I question him suspiciously.

Zach stares at me for a long moment and the tension in the room escalates. "What's that matter to you Damon?" he takes a step towards me.

"It doesn't. Just curious."

"Don't be." he says sternly. "Just do your job."

"Oh? So it's a job now?" I question him in annoyance. "If it was a job, you would be paying me, and you're not paying me." I raise an eyebrow at him. "In fact, you haven't paid me for any of the jobs you've been making me do since the middle of summer."

"What the hell are you implying, Damon? Huh? That I'm taking advantage?" he asks with a cold laugh.

"Maybe." I hold my ground.

He shakes his head, another dry cold laugh escaping his lips. "Fine. You want paying like the rest of my lackeys? Here!" he digs into his pocket and throws a handful of notes and coins at me, the coins hit off my chest while the notes float to the floor. "That better? You want me to treat you like everyone else? Huh?"

I stay silent and clench my jaw and watch as he takes another step forward so we are almost standing toe to toe. "What Damon? Spit it out, I know you want too."

There is so much I want to say, so much that I need to say, but when I open my mouth, the words wont come out and Zach notices with a satisfied smirk.

"That's what I thought." he lets out a chuckle and walks past me, patting my shoulder on the way. "Go with Will, then maybe I'll give you something in return." he stops by the door. "Oh, and you can keep that," he points to the money on the floor. "Call it a bonus." he laughs before leaving and I still for a moment before slamming my fist against the front door behind him angrily.

I pull out my cellphone and immediately dial in Stefan's number. "Hey, where are you? I need a favor and I need it now man." I grip onto the phone as I await his reply. "Ok, I'll come to you." I hang up and head to my room, quickly putting clothes on before heading out.

The drive to The Mystic Grill is a short one and I try to keep my anger in check as I park up and head inside. I stop at the entrance and immediately scan the restaurant, thankful that it's not that busy so it'll be easier to spot Stefan, but it's not Stefan who I see first.

No.

It's Elena.

Laughing and smiling along with Mason, sat at a table her asshole father and George Lockwood.

I frown, glancing at the time to see that it's already past 7 and I'm supposed to be picking her up from around the corner to her house in less than an hour and yet she seems perfectly comfortable where she is.

I think back to earlier today, when I reminded her about our plans tonight and something flashed through her eyes, something that I didn't recognize at the time but now I realize what it was.

It was doubt.

I laugh bitterly to myself and shake my head. Of course.

She was going to stand me up.

"Hey." I turn my head to Stefan who is approaching me. "What's up? You need a favor."

I glance back briefly at Elena before turning back to face my brother.

"Nah, it doesn't matter. Not anymore."

Stefan frowns at me confused. "Ok...?"

I run my hand through my hair and go to turn to leave but I'm too damn angry and I need an outlet.

"Come on." I smirk at Stefan and motion for him to follow me as I walk through the restaurant, my smirk deepening as I get closer to my destination and Elena looks up and spots me, her eyes instantly widening as she notices me approaching.

"Well, isn't this cosy." I stop at their table and eye them all up. "Double date?"

I see Elena squirming from the corner of my eye but I don't bother to give her my attention, instead I focus it all on Grayson.

"Mr Salvatore, I'd prefer it if you left we are trying to enjoy our evening in peace." he tells me with a warning tone to his voice.

I mockingly gasp and turn to face Stefan who has an amused grin on his face. "I'm hurt! I thought you would ask us to join you?"

"That was rude." Stefan agrees.

"Why don't you both just back off?" Mason joins in the conversation, a cold tone to his voice and I look at him with a smirk.

"Mason! You still pissed at me cos of Katherine? Look man, I'm sorry she came to me but what can I say? She wanted pleasure and you just couldn't provide it, she even taped it so she could watch it back, but you know all about that don't you." I grin and watch as he quickly rises to his feet. "You should watch it again, get some tips, learn something."

"Oh I am going to kick your ass, Salvatore!"

"Hey, hey!" Grayson and George follow his movements, George immediately pulling Mason to sit back down.

"Detective, I think that was a threat." I let out a loud gasp.

"Sounded like a threat to me." Stefan agrees. "That's illegal, right Detective?"

"Both of you get the hell out of here now!" he orders us angrily. "Or I'll make sure that I have something to send you both down along with that crooked father of yours and your whole family can rot inside!"

Before I know it I'm raising my fist but Stefan is quickly in front of me. "Damon." he says my name sternly. "Don't give him what he wants."

I see Grayson smirking over Stefan's shoulder and I slowly let my arm fall back to my side before risking a glance at Elena who has stayed completely mute throughout this whole thing.

She does not look happy.

"Come on," Stefan pushes me backwards a little. "Let's get out of here."

I watch as Stefan pushes Damon out of The Grill fuming. What the hell was that?

"God I hate that asshole!" Mason rants across from me as they all sit back down.

"Ignore him son, he wants a reaction, he wants to cause trouble. That family are all the same."

I dig my fingers into my legs as I stay silent, trying to figure out what just happened. The second I seen Damon I knew nothing good would come from it, I knew he would be mad to see me here with Mason and I knew I wouldn't get the chance to explain.

But there was no need to act like that.

No need to bring up Katherine.

My palms are sweating and I feel sick.

"You ok honey?" my Dad turns to me concerned. "You don't look great."

I shake my head and slowly come to a stand. "I just...I don't feel well."

"Your headache back?" he asks worriedly and I nod my head.

"I just need some air." I push my chair back.

"I'll go with you." Mason moves to stand up but I immediately hold out my hand.

"No, no. Stay, I won't be long." I force a smile and quickly head out of The Grill, the second I do I feel better, the cold October air attacking my cheeks.

I pull out my cellphone and tap in Damon's number, angrily pressing the End button when it rings out to voice-mail before trying again.

"What?!" he finally picks up and his voice is angry.

"Excuse me?" now I'm angry too.

"What do you want?" he sounds impatient.

"What the hell was that?"

"I'm not talking about that now." he hisses at me and it takes me a moment to realize that he's probably still with Stefan.

"Fine. Tell me at eight o clock when you pick me up." I tell him sternly and he laughs.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"You told me you were taking me out tonight, now you're going back on your word?" I challenge him and wait anxiously as he falls silent. "Well?" I snap coldly.

"Eight o clock." he finally speaks but there is still an iciness to his tone. "On the dot, if you're not there I'm leaving. I wont wait." he hangs up before I can even get another word in and I let out a dry laugh at the cheek of him.

Who the hell does he think he is?

He is so infuriating!

I glance down at my watch to see it's nearly seven thirty and I really need to make a move now. So I take a deep breath, clutch my phone in my hand and walk back inside.

"Feeling better sweetheart?" My Dad asks me concerned as he sees me coming.

"Yeah a little. Actually, Bonnie just called me." the lie rolls off my tongue. "She's having some... girl troubles." I watch all three of them shift awkwardly. "And she needs me to come over. I would have said no but it really is an emergency, you know?" I use the best doe eyed expression that I could and watch as my Dad shifts slightly in his seat.

"And it can't wait?" he asks almost awkwardly and God knows what the hell is running through his mind right now. I do my best to not roll my eyes.

Boys.

"No it really can't." I stand still, trying to keep my patience, just wanting to get out of here as soon as possible.

"Ok." he sighs loudly.

I turn to face Mason and George with a sad smile. "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok, Elena, we understand." Mason smiles softly at me and I nod my head before turning back to my Dad and saying my goodbyes before leaving.

I let out a big breath of relief as I step outside and quickly make my way home, wanting to top up my make-up and spray some more perfume before going to meet Damon.

I figure I'll text my parents later to let them know that I'm just going to stay over at Bonnie's tonight. I've already asked her to cover me, and although she wants answers, she has agreed to go along with it.

I'll just figure out an excuse for her tomorrow.

After quickly reapplying my make up, I run my fingers through semi-waved hair and make sure I look presentable before leaving. Luckily there is no one else home, Jeremy is out with friends and my Mom is at her book club, so I don't have to make up more lies to leave the house, or have to resort to climbing out of my window.

I walk quickly towards the spot Damon was going to pick me up from, noting that I still have a few minutes which is probably for the best since he is insisting on acting like an ass tonight.

Hopefully he'll snap out of it. He promised me fun, and I'll be damned if I don't get it.

I look at the time and when it's bang on eight I see the lights of his Camaro speeding down the empty lane, he swiftly comes to a stop and I pull open the door and slide inside.

At first he doesn't say anything but I'm just as stubborn as he is so eventually he makes the first move when he realizes I wasn't going to say anything.

"You came." he states and I let out a dry laugh.

Is that it?

"I was tempted not too after your little stunt earlier." I hit back at him with a hint of anger to my tone. "Care to explain yourself?"

"Nope." he pops the P and starts to drive and I roll my eyes and lean back against the leather seats hoping that the whole night wont end up like this, but I refuse to make the first move. He is in the wrong this time and he knows it.

After about five minutes of driving silently I hear Damon groan beside me. "Ok fine, I'm sorry!" he gives in and it takes me everything to hide my satisfied smirk.

"Ok." I reply simply before giving in and turning my head to face him, that smirk pushing it's way onto my lips and I watch as his entire body relaxes, a smirk of his own to match mine. "I accept it."

"Good to know." he eyes me for a moment before turning his attention back to the road. "I was an ass. I saw you with Mason and your Dad and I was already in a bad mood, and the first conclusion I had come to was that you were planning on ditching me and it pissed me off. I overreacted, I did, and I'm sorry."

"And it's ok." I reach my hand out to touch his arm. "I get it, this was never going to be easy..." I admit because we have so many things to fight against, so many problems, obstacles. "But we just have to learn to trust each other, and maybe not to jump to conclusions. And that goes for me too." I think back to the time I accused him of stealing those files. He didn't hold a grudge against me for it, I apologized and he accepted it and we both moved on. It's only fair I do the same courtesy for him.

"Deal." he winks at me and I smile when he holds out his hand and I slowly take it, my fingers sliding between his and that feeling in my stomach comes creeping back.

"So, Salvatore, where are you taking me?"

He chuckles. "Check out the backseat."

I frown confused and turn my head to see two medium sized boxes, I pick one of them up and bring it onto my lap before opening it up. I frown confused to see that it's some kind of costume, and I slowly pick up the black top hat.

"Whoops, that one's mine." he smirks at me. "Look at the other one."

I look at him intrigued and reach for the other and bring that box on top of the one still resting on my thighs. I open it up and pull out what looks like an old fashioned but revealing dark blue corset.

"What-?" I ask totally confused, curious, intrigued and excited all at the same time.

"We're going to a party." he grins at me. "At Whitmore College." he pulls out a leaflet from his pocket and hands it to me.

"Murder house?" I read out a little amused. "Come as your favorite victim or killer."

"Yup!" he turns to face me with a smirk, his eyes light and shining. "I'm going as Jack...the ripper, and you Miss Gilbert are my victim." he wiggles his eyebrows at me, a devilish grin on his face that makes my heart beat ten times faster.

I place my hat on top of my head with a smirk as I watch Elena climb out of the back seat of my car with an annoyed look on her face.

"You know, the last time I was naked in the backseat of your car it was for a much funner reason." she huffs and I laugh amused.

"Well it's not like you could have changed into that in Mystic Falls is it? How would you explain that one to Daddy dearest?"

"True." she rolls her eyes and I blink as I eye her cleavage for a moment before eyeing up her full costume and I am so thankful that I picked the right outfit for her.

God she is so sexy, so stunning, so beautiful.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Come on then." I hold out my hand and wink at her. "We've got a murder house to get too."

"Right." she agrees and takes my hand and just like always I enjoy the feeling of her softer smaller one in mine. "So how did you know about this?" she asks me curiously. "It doesn't exactly seem like your thing?"

"Oh yeah?" I ask her intrigued. "And what do you think my thing is?"

She presses her eyebrows together for a moment before answering with a smirk. "Alcohol and sex, so I guess this probably is your thing then." she winks at me and I grin.

"Oh? Will you be providing both of them for me?" I tug on her hand and push her in front of me before nuzzling her neck from behind.

"If you're lucky." she giggles slightly as I playfully bite her neck.

"Oh I plan to be." I whisper into her ear and feel her body shudder against me just as we make it to the front door of the Frat house the party is being held in. The music is loud and I can hear the sound of chatter and laughter and I hold open the door for Elena and follow her in.

"Hi there!" Some frat boy immediately steps in front of us and I give him the once over to suss him out. I scowl as I notice his eyes linger on Elena's cleavage for just a little too long.

"Hey, eyes up here jackass!" I hiss at him angrily, noting the way Elena smirks beside me.

He jumps slightly out of his daze and clears his throat. "Uh..uh...welcome to the murder house! Drinks are over there," he points to his right. "And in the kitchen which is down the hall, help yourself!"

"Oh we will. Now fuck off." I glare at him in annoyance as he squirms under my gaze.

I watch as he practically runs away and Elena turns to face me amused. "Damon, you're a guest and that was rude." she scolds me with a playful tone to her voice.

"He was a creep." I scowl in annoyance.

"Maybe he was in character." she jokes and I watch as she lifts up her hands to straighten out my hat before patting my chest. "Come on Jack, let's go get a drink!"

I let Elena pull me through the crowds towards the drinks table and I make us both some strong portions, watching amused as Elena grimaces slightly but guzzles it down anyway.

"Impressive!" I compliment her.

"You don't think I can keep up with you?" she asks with a competitive edge and I shrug amused. "I'll have you know I have a high tolerance."

"Sure you do."

"I do! In fact, I bet you'll struggle to keep up with me." she says almost proudly.

"Uh do you not remember the last bet we made, Elena? I think I won." I smirk and she glares at me.

"That was different!"

"Ahuh."

She just gives me the finger and I laugh as I watch her guzzle down the rest of her drink in one, wiping her mouth afterwards.

"Your turn." she smirks at me and I shrug before doing so, easily, and look at her pointedly. "Hmm." she muses with a raised eyebrow. "I'm impressed, but lets see how the rest of the night goes, huh?" she smirks at me before going to pour us another drink.

So we keep on drinking, and then we move to dancing, before going back to drinking again. I'm not going to lie, unlike her bowling skills, I am impressed with Elena's ability to hold her liquor. She can handle her alcohol, and can almost keep up with me.

We continue the night having fun, and I push all thoughts of our warring families and our completely different lives to the back of my head because when it's just the two of us none of it matters. The smile on her face is the brightest one that I have ever seen on her, and she looks so free and real. There is no pretenses, no expectations.

I know I'll be in trouble tomorrow from my Uncle Zach for not going with Will and sending Stefan instead, and I know that Elena will have some explaining to do to her friend who is covering for her, but that's tomorrow's problem.

Tonight is all about fun.

I watch amused as Elena drunkenly sways in front of me, her arms wrapped around my neck as she dips her head briefly against my shoulder, leaning her whole weight against me.

"You're drunk." I state and ironically fail to notice the way that I am also unsteady on my feet.

She just hums against me before starting to press slow open mouthed kisses against my neck, her hands moving into my hair, my hat has been long discarded and lost into the mass of drunken college students.

I close my eyes as her lips trail higher before she sucks on my skin between kisses. I run my hand down her back slowly, my fingers trailing down her spine before I reach her ass and squeeze it tightly before stroking it in slow sensual movements, my throbbing erection growing harder as Elena moans against me before finally raising her head to look at me, her pupils as black as the night, full of lust and hunger.

"I want you." she murmurs in a deep tone, her lips grazing against mine and it's all it takes for me to crash my mouth against hers hungrily.

Because unlike at school earlier today, we don't have to hide here, we don't have to hold back.

But we are still in the middle of a party, surrounded by college students. So even in my drunken haze, I reluctantly pull away, but not before giving her another slow, gentler kiss.

"Come on." I mumble into her ear before taking her hand in mine and pulling her outside.

She silently follows me as I lead her back to my car, and I smirk and hold open the door for her. "You wanted to be in back seat for a fun reason again, lets make it happen." I wiggle my eyebrows at her teasingly and she slaps my chest before climbing in anyway.

I grin and follow her, grateful that there is no one about and the dark night sky and the lack of street lamps at where I am parked will be a good disguise just in case anyone does come about.

Elena scoots along and the second I close the door behind me she tugs onto my shirt and pulls me against her, her lips pressing against mine.

I kiss her back hungrily, desperately, my drunken self just needing to touch her, to feel her, and from the way she is clawing at my shirt I am guessing she feels the same way.

It's only been three days since we last slept together, but it feels like so much longer and I am so eager and anxious to be inside of her again, to feel her walls clench around me.

I need her and I want her so bad.

She's like a drug and I'm the addict. I'm addicted to her.

I can't deny it anymore.

So when she moves to straddle me, my black pants pushed downwards and my penis being stroked by her soft hands, I close my eyes and rest my head against the seat behind me, shuddering and gasping, panting and moaning as she lowers herself onto me, thrusting up and down, moving back and forth.

Her kisses wet and hungry, her hands eager and roaming, her breaths uneven and her moans shaky as we both reach our climax together.

She slowly lifts herself off me but stays on my lap, and she rests her head against my chest as she shuffles slightly to a more comfortable position and it doesn't take her long to fall asleep.

I glance at the time to see that it's almost 4am, and I know that even if I was sober enough, I couldn't drive back to Mystic Falls.

So I stay still and enjoy the feeling of her sleeping against me in my lap, one hand wrapped tightly and protectively around her waist while the other soothingly strokes her hair.

I kiss her forehead slowly before moving my head back again, my eyes slowly flickering closed as I feel sleep begin to overtake me but my brain is still switched on.

I know that this is no longer a fling, I've known that for a while now and I know that Elena knows it too.

But as I force my eyes open in my sleepy haze, just so I can stare at her innocent sleeping face, her mouth parted slightly, her breathing soft and even, her eyes gently closed and my heart pounds heavy against my chest just from looking at her, I realize that this is more than I thought it would be.

More than I ever thought it could be.

And it should scare me, it should make me want to run away screaming, push her away with everything I have, because not only is she a Gilbert, but I'm Damon Salvatore, and I don't open myself up to anyone, especially not a girl.

I don't let myself feel this way. I don't let myself feel, period.

But as I stare down at her, I know that I won't push her away, I can't. I may be scared of these unusual unfamiliar feelings that I am having, I may not understand them, but I know that I won't run away from this.

I can't run away from her.

Because she's Elena and I'm Damon and that's all that matters.

Phew! That was a long one huh? I hope you all made it to the end!

Damon is starting to feel unusual and unfamiliar feelings huh? I wonder what that could mean? ;)

Thank you so much to every single one of you who reviewed, you really are the ones who are inspiring me to keep this story moving along and to keep up the fast paced updates!

See you next time :)