By the time i make it out the door, he's gone. Its impossible for me to run at his pace dressed like this, so i run as fast as humanly possible in heels down the corridors of the building. I feel like I'm in a fairytale, all dressed up being chased by a beast; except... I'm chasing after one...

I head straight for the common room. After a few minutes i make it there, noticing the door has been left slightly open. I let go of my dress and push it open. Damon stands with his back towards me, bracing himself against the pool table across the room. I walk towards him slowly. My heels begin to click on the wooden floor and his head snaps up.

'Get out.' He says sternly, but without raising his voice.

'Damon, what is going on?'

I hear him chuckle as he turns to face me. 'That necklace wasn't Stefans to give you.'

I frown at him.

'It belonged to me. I had no idea he had taken it, let alone given it to you.'

Surely Stefan wouldn't have done that. I don't know whether to believe him. He must've recognised the look on my face as he laughs again.

'Of course you don't believe me. I don't even know why i bother.' He turns away from me again as slams his fist against the pool table, and i see a large crack form in one of the legs. I jump unintentionally.

I can hear his breathing; each breath ending in a sort of growl. His fingers grip the edge of the table, and i can hear the wood move beneath his fingertips.

I begin to feel bad for him. I hardly know him; or Stefan, and yet i feel connected to them both. If he is telling the truth, the necklace obviously meant a great deal to him. I begin to wonder if maybe its not anger he's feeling all the time; maybe its sadness. Maybe he has trouble with his feelings...

Giving him the benefit of the doubt, i sigh. 'What's the story with the necklace, Damon?' i ask him softly.

He turns to face me again. 'Its not your business, but its not yours to keep.'

I frown. 'How am i supposed to believe its not Stefans if you don't tell me how you got it? You want me to believe you're not a completely bad person Damon, you've gotta give me something to go by...'

He stares at me, his face as harsh as ever. I raise my brows, waiting for an answer. 'Talk to me Damon.'

He averts his eyes for a moment before turning his back on me once again. 'I could just take it from you.' He says without looking at me.

I roll my eyes. 'Go on then, do it. Rip it off my neck; prove to me that you really are as much of an asshole as i think you are...' i fold my arms. If he comes near me i will kill him. Anger rises within me.

'It belonged to the woman i loved.'

My anger suddenly disappears. Its a foreign idea that someone like Damon is capable of love, or that anyone is capable of loving him. I'm puzzled. Is he actually going to open up to me?

'I met her back in 1864; so did Stefan.' He says quietly. 'She was unbelievable. We both thought so, even when we found out she was a vampire.'

Ah, this must be why he got all sensitive back in my apartment. He turns to look at me, still leaning against the table. He folds his arms, frowning. It must be an emotion permanently implanted on his face.

'She promised she would turn me when she had decided the time was right; because she wanted us to be together forever. I was stupid enough to believe the things she said to me.'

I frown. 'What happened?'

He rolls his eyes. 'Well. At the time i didn't know she was also seeing Stefan. She promised me that we would leave town once she turned me. She was adopted by a rich family and she was able to afford it. She was my way out; but i fell for her. I thought she felt the same; that i was the only one...'

Everything starts to change. The fact that he's opening up to me; that he was able to love... its not what i expected from him.

'What has Stefan got to do with this' i ask gently, trying not to make him angry.

'I offered her that necklace, and i told her everything i felt. She gave me her blood, and told me that within the next few days she would turn me, but i had to leave her room straight away. She didn't accept it, she just told me to give it to her once we had left town, as a congratulatory gift. So i left. Later that same night, as Stefan and i walked through the town square, we were shot.'

I stand there in silence, looking at him.

'When i woke in the middle of the woods, she was nowhere to be found. But Stefan had survived. She had turned us both. She had kicked me out, because Stefan was on his way to collect her things. At the time, i had no idea they were seeing each other. Turns out she had promised us both that she would turn us; except they had planned to elope, which is why he was in the same place with me at the same time; he was about to leave. He was never meant to be shot; it was set up by her to get rid of me. But he had come to say goodbye i guess... It just happened that he had her blood in his system from the night before. He didn't love her; he loved the idea of her'

I stand there stunned at what I've been told. His face is expressionless now; blank. He looks at me, waiting for me to speak.

I shake my head. 'I don't even know what to say.'

He shrugs. 'It was a long time ago.'

'But it obviously still bothers you. You resent him.'

'I resent them both. I hate the fact that he hid it from me and lied about it, but it would never have happened if she wasn't so manipulative and evil. What i hate most is that i was weak and naive enough to believe every word she said.'

He's not a hot-head. He's broken. I realise that everything he is, is because of this event. His own brother betrayed him and broke his heart; along with the woman he loved. I understand how something like that could mess someone up.

'Who is she Damon, where is she now?'

He turns around again. 'Her name was Katerina. She was captured and burned for being found out to be a vampire. Stefan and I were long gone from that place when we heard.'

'So even after he hurt you, you stuck with him for this long?'

'He's my brother. I hate him, but i love him. We've learned to somewhat tolerate each other.'

I sigh. 'You couldn't have made something like that up...' i say to myself. 'You really loved her, didn't you?'

I see him nod slightly but he still doesn't face me. My heart fractures, my empathy smothering me. I quickly unclip the necklace and head over to him, placing it on the green felt next to his hands.

'I'm sorry Damon. No one deserves to be broken like that.' I say softly as i lean against the table, looking up at him. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye for moment before looking straight ahead again.

'I'm not really a bad person...' he says quietly.

'I know.' I watch him hold the necklace in his hand. I've been through hard times too, and i know how much it hurts to talk about it. Guilt washes over me; I've given him such a hard time, assuming he was just an ill-tempered man. Instead he's just broken; and has been since 1854. The need to hug him and stop his pain was overwhelming; instead i wrap my hand around his forearm. I feel him stiffen and i instantly let go. Don't cross lines... keep the clear... make it known what you want...

I don't know what i want anymore.

'If i had known...'

He finally looks at me. 'Known what? That i was weak and let myself feel? That I've held a grudge against myself and my brother for 150 years? It wouldn't have made a difference Eleanor; you would still think the same of Stefan...'

I shake my head. 'I think Stefan has some explaining to do. I don't know what to think of him at the moment...'

'I admit, I've been rude and awful to you; but it wasn't because of you. I genuinely apologise for it all, and taking off after the dance.'

I half smile at him. 'Its fine. Really, we all have our moments.'

For the first time, he genuinely smiles at me. A smile that lightens his blue eyes, that would make anyone automatically want to smile back. He looks away quickly.

'I'm sorry for leaving out that detail the other night. I hope you didn't feel too awful the next day.'

I laugh. 'I felt terrible, actually. But its fine; I probably should've thought it through more before i bit you...' i shake my head, laughing as i recall last weeks' incidents. I had never felt so sick in my life after that night.

'You what!' A voice shouts behind me. I turn around quickly to see Stefan in the room, with the rest of the pack walking in a few moments later.

Fuck.

His face is glowing with anger, his eyes as black as possible with veins hard as rock. My heart speeds up as i begin to panic.

'Oh, shit...' Marco says drowsily.

'Stefan, just don't okay. Its not...'

He growls, storming towards us. I run forward, pushing him backwards. 'Stefan, do not start a fight, just listen for a moment...' i beg, using the strength i have to hold him back.

'Brother, i wouldn't.' Damon says calmly from behind me. As Stefan pushes against me, my heels begin to slide on the floor. Loosing grip, i step aside to regain balance. Within that moment, he keeps walking towards Damon.

I regain control and grab his arm, dragging him back. 'Stefan, listen to me!' i shout, but his mood has taken over. Vampires have this mood switch; if its flicked, there's no going back, and Stefans was flicked. Suddenly I'm sent flying backwards, and before i know what's happened i slam into the wooden floor by the couch. Stefan has sent me hurdling across the entire room.

I hear the pack snarl as i catch my breath and try to sit upright, my ribs ache and i know at least one of them is broken. I wince, focusing my eyes on the scene before me. Stefan thrusts his fist into Damons' cheek, sending him sideways. Damon doesn't even seem to flinch, he simply took it. He hits the ground hard, and i try to shout to stop but the pain in my side sears through me. Stefan lunges towards him, fangs bared, and i cant do anything but watch. Its pure rage Stefan is in, and i know that if he doesn't stop, he will kill Damon.

Before Stefan lands another punch, Damon kicks him in the stomach, sending him flying into the pool table. It breaks as he falls through it, splinters and pool balls sent everywhere.

Suddenly, they're both a blur and all i can hear is growling and skin connecting. I sit there on the ground, hoping my ribs will snap back into place soon so i can stop this. I look at the pack, hoping that theyll stop this; but i know they wont. Fights like this are times no one else can physically get involved. I suppose its a dominance thing. They stand in the door way, watching as their friends fight with each other; unable to help.

The pain in my side skyrockets, and i cry out as i feel at least 2 ribs reset. Stefan looks at me for half a moment, but it was long enough for Damon to pin him against a wall at the neck.

'Enough!' i scream, finally standing from the ground.

'You cant help yourself can you, you arrogant manipulative bastard...' Stefan hisses at Damon, struggling for air.

'Damon let him go for Christs sake!' i begin to walk towards them, but Damon glares at me and points, telling me not to move. He looks back at Stefan as he pulls his head back, then slams it into the wall behind him.

'Damon!'

Stefan laughs. 'You'll be expelled for this Damon, for forcing her to do this...'

'You think i forced her? You're dafter than i thought.' Damon spits, finally letting go if Stefans neck.

Stefan looks at me, and i can see the hurt in his eyes. 'You bit him?' he asks, astounded.

I sigh. 'I told you to listen to me, instead you started doing...that...' i wave my hand towards the destroyed pool table.

'Why would you do that? What did he say to make you do that?' Stefan makes his way over to me, his face saddening.

I give him a sad smile. 'Nothing, Stefan. But i had to feed...'

'On him? There's no such thing...'

'There is. And it worked; and its the reason I haven't starved to death.'

He shakes his head. 'You didn't have to do that Eleanor, we would've found a way...'

'There was no other way.'

'You didn't have to use him...' He grabs my arms, pulling me towards him. I wince as the remnants of pain in my side explode again.

'Stefan, I'm sorry. its not a big deal...'

'First he bites you, then you bite him back? Jesus Christ Eleanor...' he pulls back, running his fingers through his hair. he glares at Damon.

'i will kill you for this.' He spits, beginning to pace.

'Stefan, why did you steal damons necklace?' i ask him, my anger growing.

His head snaps towards me, then to Damon. 'You told her?'

He says it likes it a huge unbelievable surprise that Damon told me; and maybe it is. I imagine Damon doesn't open up a lot, and for him to open up to me; someone he doesn't really know, would've taken guts.

Damon doesn't respond, and Stefan shakes his head. 'Believe what you want, but if you stick with him, youll end up dead. Just like Katerina did...' he glares at Damon before walking out of the room.

Just like Katerina did? Was Damon lying to me?

I press my fingers to my forehead. I cant process any of this right now. Damon appears by my side, but i don't realise until be presses his fingers over my ribs.

'Ouch!' I spin around, smacking his hand away from my side.

'They've set back in place; the pain should be gone in a few hours.' He says simply. I look up at him. His nose is bleeding and he has several cuts on his shoulders and arms from the wood of the pool table. He doesn't look angry anymore; he looks sad. Before i get a chance to ask if he's okay, he walks away from me and up the stairs.

'Damon...' i call after him but he disappears.

I stand there trying to comprehend everything that's gone on today. I look down at my dress which is luckily still intact. Daniel walks over to me.

'Are you alright?' he puts his hand on my shoulder.

'I'm fine. I'm okay... what's he doing?' i tilt my head in the direction Damon went.

'He blames himself for Katerinas death. It was his father that did it; he doesn't like to be reminded of it. He's probably just going to sleep that's all...'

Oh. I guess that would make sense... I don't understand why Damon would blame himself if it was in fact his own father that did it, but i make a mental note not to bring it up again. I know enough, and i don't want to hurt him further.

I nod.

'Are you sure youre okay?' he asks me. The rest of the pack join us, all showing their concern.

'Yes I'm fine. Really. Wheres Stefan, i need to talk to him...'

Louis takes my arm. 'I wouldn't just yet. He'll be hurting; he needs time.'

I look up at him. 'I swear, i only did it to feed. It meant nothing...' i try to convince him. I feel tears begin to prick in my eyes and i try to hold them back.

He nods. 'We know. I'll take you back to your room.'

Today has been too much. As i begin to cry, Louis wraps his arms around me in a comforting hug, and i feel calm...