Hey Guys! I am SOO SORRY for not reviewing in forever! I've been really sick with the flu:( I was just too miserable to even write anything. I tried to start this chapter over the weekend and I got the first paragraph done and that was it. So I finally finished this chapter today, and I hope you guys are still with me:) I am feeling much, much better, so expect another update at some point this week:) And I'll be updating The Lucky One too!

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The Babysitter

By Diana AKA DeeReadinQueen

Ch. 14 - Playing the Field

My third day off from nannying, I finally called Bonnie and Caroline to inform them of the Salvatore Brothers' Game, and the recent initiation of Operation Nanny Revenge, as Lexi's been calling it. Bonnie told me she thought I should tell Damon I know and quit before I get hurt...while Caroline was all for Operation Nanny Revenge, and let me know that she was really jealous of my current situation. Girl is crazy, but I love her!

"I can't just tell him," I insisted, "He has to learn, they both have to learn that messing with somebody's feelings isn't funny. Neither of them will ever get it until it happens to them."

"I agree," Caroline chimed in, "One-hundred percent. You teach those boys a lesson, Elena, and you teach them good!" She giggled, "Damn, I wish I were there! It's okay...it's okay...two weeks from today and Bonnie and I will be there to back you up. Right, Bon?"

"I thought we were going to have fun, not help Elena get fired from her summer job that she loves so much," Bonnie commented disapprovingly. I read her underlying message, that she doesn't think I should be doing this, risking my job simply to avenge three girls I barely know. "And," Bonnie added, "So far, it sounds like the only nanny you actually like is Lexi, and she figured out the 'Salvatore Game' before you did...so I don't get it, Elena. Why are you trying so hard to get pay-back for two girls who never asked for your help?"

Bonnie was right. Andie hadn't opened up to me about what Damon did to her last summer, and she certainly didn't seem too heartbroken about it, especially not if what Lexi said was true and she actually slept with Damon this summer too. Rose, on the other hand, didn't want anything to do with me. But I still wanted to put an end to this stupid game.

"Isn't it obvious?" Caroline filled in for me, "She was starting to fall for him, and she realized it wasn't real. She's not doing it just for them, but for herself too."

When I didn't deny it, Bonnie realized it was true. "Why, Miss Caroline Forbes," Bonnie teased, "when did you get so smart?"

"Oh, ha-ha. You're hilarious." Caroline said sarcastically, before correcting, "FYI, I've always been this smart, you just under-estimate me."

"I was kidding!" Bonnie declared. "And Elena..." She sighed, "I guess, if you have to do this, then you have to do it. But be careful."

"I will," I agreed, since I was glad to have her approval, even if it was somewhat hesitant.

"So," Caroline asked nosily, "Since you spent most of last night with Damon, is it Stefan's turn today?"

"Mhm," I replied absentmindedly. I was actually wondering just what I should do to ensure I spent time with Stefan and not Damon today. If I wanted them to both be stringed along for a little bit, I had to play the field evenly.

"So..." Caroline continued, "Does Stefan get a kiss today then? It seems he's a few behind his brother..."

"It seems he is..."

A short while after my phone call with my two besties, I ran into Andie with the girls downstairs. I wasn't expecting to see her hanging around the house, especially since both other times she's nannied for the Salvatores she took Katherine and Emily out for most of the day. I thought it was to avoid Damon, but I wasn't so sure.

"Hey," Andie greeted me with a big smile, "There you are. I wasn't sure if you were still home."

"Oh," I replied, surprised at her pleasant reaction to my arrival, "Yeah, I was just getting a little laundry done. What are you girls up to?"

Andie took me by the elbow and lead me away from the girls for a moment, motioning to the two of them to continue drawing their pictures. She whispered in my ear, "Lexi told me...And I think it's awesome."

For a second, I was worried she was going to be mad at what Lexi and I were up to, but as soon as she told me she approved, I felt a smile tug at the corners of my lips. "Really?"

Andie went on to say, "Yeah, really. I mean, it would never have worked if Lex, or me, or Rose, or even Vicki, you know, from Donovan Ranch?" Vicki? I wondered, How is she involved in this? "If any of us tried this, the boys would know we were up to something...But you? It's perfect. They won't suspect a thing. I can help, too. I know where Damon likes to hang out, and what type of girl he likes. I'm sure Lexi can tell you all you need to know about Stefan." She nodded confidently, "With our help, we'll make you irresistible to both those assholes." She smirked a little evilly, reminding me of Damon.

"Thanks," I said with a smaller, slightly less scary smile.

"Who's on the agenda today?" Andie queried slyly.

I checked over my shoulder to make sure nobody would overhear us, and then answered, "Stefan. But I'm not sure what to do or...how to keep Damon from knowing until after."

"Oh, I can help with that," Andie volunteered quickly. "Leave Damon to me, okay? He'll be out of your hair in ten minutes...Can you watch the girls for a minute?"

I nodded and watched Andie flounce away, and wondered what made her so sure Damon would agree to go somewhere with her. To my surprise, ten minutes later, she returned with Damon in tow and asked the girls how they felt about getting some ice cream and maybe stopping at the beach with their big brother. Of course, Kat and Bee jumped up and attacked Damon, squealing loudly in excitement to show exactly how happy they were to spend any amount of time with their beloved brother. Andie wiggled her eyebrows at me to celebrate her success when Damon was distracted, and I smiled back. I tried to ignore the small twinge of jealousy I felt when I realized it would be Andie spending time with Damon and the girls; and the best side of Damon, too, because he was so different with them around. It was stupid to be jealous, though. That wasn't the real Damon, anyways.

"Have fun!" I told Emily and Katherine, noticing that Damon hadn't noticed I was even in the room until I spoke.

Damon's eyes seemed to intensify the moment they landed on me, and a charming smile slid onto his face, "Hey, Lena. Do you want to come with us?"

My eyes darted to Andie momentarily, and she quickly reminded, "It's her day off, Damon. I'm sure she has better things to do."

"What could be better than ice cream and the beach?!" Kat asked incredulously, her pretty little face scrunched up in confusion as she tried to comprehend how I could have something better to do than eat ice cream.

I giggled as Damon concurred, "I know, right, Kat? Craziness..."

"Thanks for inviting me," I answered, "But Andie's right; I already have plans, so you guys have fun, and I'll see you later."

"All right," Bee said with a pout.

Andie ushered the girls out the door, and Damon followed slowly. Before leaving the room, though, he turned back and asked, "What are you doing later? Want to...watch a movie, or something?" He shrugged awkwardly after, and it was a strange sight to see. He actually looked un-sure of himself. Was that part of the game, too? What was the purpose? To make me think he was a nicer guy? I didn't get him.

"Um..." I squinted in thought, "Maybe. I mean, if I'm here, then why not?"

"Okay," Damon nodded, sort of solemnly. He thought I was kindly rejecting him.

"Here," I held out my hand, "Give me your phone." He frowned for a moment before consenting, and I programmed my number into his phone. "Text me later." I smiled flirtatiously as I handed Damon back his phone, trying to ignore how nice his skin felt when his fingers brushed against mine.

"Will do," Damon replied with a smirk, and then left the room to find Andie and his sisters.

After Damon left with Andie, Kat and Bee, I was disappointed to find that Stefan wasn't even home. I guess I should have at least checked to see that he was here before assuming he'd be around to hang out. I decided to go for a swim, so I put on my bathing suit and went out the back sliding-glass door to the pool. I thought I heard the front door slam just as I jumped in the water, but I wasn't sure. When I came up for air, I looked around, but I didn't see anybody, so I sucked in a deep breath and dove under the water again, propelling my body from one end of the pool to the other. The second time I came up for air, I heard a male voice bellow, 'CANNON BALL', before a huge wave of water splashed me in the face.

I rubbed the water out of my eyes and then opening them, nearly letting out a yell when I saw Kol Mikaelson's face right in front of mine. "Well, hellooo..." He drew out the word in an annoying fashion, and I rolled my eyes.

"Hi, Kol," I said, "Thanks for nearly drowning me."

"Aw, come on," Kol teased, "You're all right."

"Kol, what the hell?" Stefan asked, trying to look stern but failing as a smile appeared on his face. "You're an idiot."

"What?" Kol queried obliviously, "What did I do? I jumped in the pool. That's what you're supposed to do. Damn, you guys are no fun."

"I think he was referring to you practically jumping on top of poor Elena, there, Kol," Nik clarified, drawing my eyes to the doorway where he and Elijah stood. Him, Elijah, and Stefan were wearing athletic clothes and appeared to be sweaty. Kol was the only one who stripped down to his bathing suit and hopped in the pool.

I smiled and waved to Stefan, asking lightly, "Hey, what's up?"

Stefan strode over to my side of the pool and sat down on the nearest lounge chair as he answered, "Not much...the boys and I were just playing some football over at their place -"

"But Beks showed up, and Stef wanted to make a quick escape," Kol cut in.

Stefan shot him an irritated glare before he continued, "So we decided to come here and hang out."

Seeing how I was trying to show Stefan my interest in him, I commented as he slid his t-shirt over his head, "Nice...I was getting bored all by myself..." Stefan looked surprised when his green eyes met mine again, and I didn't stop my eyes from wandering down to his nicely chiseled chest and arm muscles. I'd be lying if I said Stefan didn't have a great body, because he does. I looked back to Stefan's face and flirted with my eyes.

Stefan looked around and asked, "Where's Damon?" I guess he was checking to see if his competition was around.

"Out," I supplied an answer, "With your sisters, and Andie."

"Andie?" Nik repeated with a laugh. "Is she still around?"

"She is," I nodded, wondering what was so funny about that. He and Elijah exchanged a look and I frowned at them, concluding that they must all know about Andie sleeping with Damon. How awful that they all know and they all joke around with each other about it! It makes me angrier to see that Nik and Elijah clearly know about the Salvatores' game...Makes me wonder if they have a game of their own, too. "Why is that surprising?"

Nik shrugged, "No reason..." He again looked to his brother, and I inwardly sighed. I had a feeling breaking Damon and Stefan was going to be harder than I thought.

I returned my gaze to Stefan and pushed off from the side of the pool, floating on my back and casually showing off my flat belly and bikini-top. I took a chance and blurted out something that I was sure would get a reaction from Stefan, either now or later when his friends were gone, "So, are Damon and Andie, like, together? They seem...close."

"What?" Stefan snorted, "Damon and Andie? No...no, they're not..." He trailed off, a lightbulb going off in his head when he most likely realized that he just blew the only chance he had at getting me to lose interest in Damon. If he'd lied and said Andie and Damon had a thing, that would have left him the only available brother, and therefore knocked out his competition. Stefan must not be as good at this game as Damon. I have a feeling Damon would have thrown Stefan under the bus. Stefan saved himself when he added, "...Anymore."

Suddenly, Elijah, Nik, and Kol had stopped talking amongst themselves and looked over at me to see my reaction to Stefan's statement. Gee, that's not obvious, is it? I ignored their stares and simply shrugged nonchalantly at Stefan, nodding in thanks for his response. I then looked to the bar, where Elijah and Nik sat, and asked if one of them minded making me a drink. Elijah complied, mixing and handing me a dry, strawberry martini. I thanked him, and drank it in a few gulps.

Changing the subject, I asked, "So, who won?"

"What?" Stefan asked with a frown.

"You said you guys were playing football," I reminded him, "So, who won?"

"Oh," Stefan laughed, "Me and Nik." He winked at his best friend as he bragged, "We always beat 'Lijah and Kol."

"Not always," Kol insisted, "We win sometimes." All four boys began to laugh.

After what felt like forever, Stefan finally swooped in and made his move, asking me, "Elena...would you want to go grab dinner with me later? My treat, of course."

I instantly smiled and accepted, "That sounds great."

For dinner, Stefan took me to what I assume must be one of the nicest restaurants the Hamptons has to offer. He warned me beforehand that it was a place to dress-up for. I panicked, at first, because I didn't think I had anything fancy enough. I mean, I did purchase two new dresses, one for the Twins' Birthday next weekend and one for Tatia and Peppe's Anniversary, but I haven't picked them up from the tailor yet. I then remembered the Jason Wu dress that Damon bought me for my birthday. I immediately decided against wearing it, because that would be unfair to Damon if I wore the dress he spent three thousand dollars out with Stefan before he got a chance to see me in it. I had nothing better to wear, though, so I called Care and asked her opinion. She told me that if Damon really was into me, of course I shouldn't wear it out with Stefan, but because Damon is 'a dog' it didn't matter if it hurt his feelings. So, I took Care's advice, and wore the dress.

"Wow," Stefan had said when he first saw me walking down the stairs towards him, "You are stunning, Elena."

I smiled bashfully and thanked him, glad that Damon and Andie still weren't home with the girls to see me leaving with Stefan. I was also semi-jealous that Andie got to spend most of the day with Damon, but again, I shoved that feeling deep inside because it was dumb to long for something I'd never have. And shouldn't want to have. Damon is definitely the most gorgeous guy I've ever laid eyes on, but that doesn't make him a nice person. I have to try and get past his good looks and focus on his personality. He is a sneaky, two-faced womanizer, and so is Stefan...

"You aren't a vegetarian, right?" Stefan asked me as we looked over the menus.

"No, why?" I wondered.

"Good," Stefan smiled before suggesting, "Because, you have to try the steak. It's so good."

"Okay, I will," I agreed, trying to do my best at playing the part of an interested date. It wasn't that I was having a bad time with Stefan, but I was having a hard time not blurting out the fact that I knew about his and Damon's stupid game so we could be done with this whole charade. It was only, what, day three of Operation Nanny Revenge, and I already wanted it to be over with? Ugh...it was much more difficult that I'd imagined it would be. I just wanted to curl up with a blanket in my bed and pretend this was all a joke.

"Do you want to get dessert?" Stefan asked after we were done with our entrees.

I glanced at the dessert menu and twirled a strand of hair around my finger as I suggested coyly, "We could share something?"

Stefan ordered us a decadent chocolate cake with caramel and pecans, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. While we waited for it to arrive, I felt my phone vibrate from within my small purse. I discreetly checked the text message, and felt my cheeks heat up when I read the words on the screen: Out with Stefan? Ouch, Elena. Well, if you still want to watch a movie, you know where I'll be...

How did he find out where I was? I looked across the table at Stefan and inwardly questioned whethere Stefan would really rub it in Damon's face that he took me out to dinner, and if he didn't, then who was it that told him? Andie wouldn't have told Damon where I went, because that defeated the whole purpose of Operation Nanny Revenge. Well, it didn't matter; Damon knew, and now I'd have to figure out a way to show him I was interested in him and Stefan, without driving him away...Oh God, this is going to be so much harder than I thought!

When we arrived back to the Salvatore Summer Home a little after nine, Stefan thanked me for accompanying him to dinner. He opened my car door for me, like a gentleman, and walked me to the door. I mean, obviously he walked with me to the front door, he lives there too, but he pulled all the right 'First Date' cards. He was a perfect gentleman, he was an excellent listener, and he was totally expecting a kiss to end the night. And that was fine. I was okay with that, because I intended on giving him a goodnight kiss all along. It was just that he gave me the perfect moment to do it.

"Thank you for inviting me," I replied with a smile, boldly taking one of Stefan's hands in my own, "I had a really nice time."

"Well, I'm glad," Stefan smiled back, squeezing my hand lightly in reassurance that he was okay with me holding his. "Me too."

I turned to face him when we reached the door, and leaned in for a hug. Stefan wrapped his arms around me, the musky scent of his cologne enveloping me as well. I made sure to put both my arms around his neck as I placed a kiss on his cheek, close enough to his mouth for him to take the hint...I held my breath when he turned his head, locked his eyes onto mine, and pressed his mouth against mine. I closed my eyes and kissed him back for only a moment, and then pulled away, acting breathless and giddy.

Inside, we parted ways at the bottom of the stairs, and I walked slowly up to my room. I had this slightly sick, guilty feelint in the pit of my stomach, but I didn't know why. It wasn't like I did anything wrong. Kissing Stefan wasn't illegal. It wasn't anything like the kiss with Damon. Who cares?! The sane part of my brain yelled at me, but the dumb part answered, Uh, I do! I shook my head at myself when I caught my reflection in the mirror. I wasn't as happy with myself as I thought I'd be. But why did I feel so guilty?

In my room, I changed from my gorgeous Jason Wu dress into comfortable pajama shorts and matching cami. I sat on my bed briefly while I debated whether or not to seek out Damon. I didn't think Lexi would approve of me watching a movie with Damon on the same night I went out with Stefan, but maybe she would approve if she knew Damon found out about my date with Stefan, and it might affect how he plays 'The Game'.

"Please," I mumbled to myself, "I am just in so much trouble..."

I sighed before accepting my fate and exiting my bedroom. I knew I shouldn't spend more time with Damon when I was already fighting feelings for him, but I couldn't stay away. I tip-toed past Katherine and Emily's bedrooms and peered into the Home Theater room. I saw the back of Damon's head over the top of one of the chairs, so I walked in and closed the door behind me.

When I slid into the chair next to Damon, he looked over and complimented sarcastically, "Nice jammies."

"Thanks," I rolled my eyes.

"How was your date?" He asked, his words clipped. He was mad. That was the point, right?

"It was only dinner," I corrected, "And it was good. How was your day?" I not-so-subtley pointed out that he spent most of his day with Andie Starr.

Damon shrugged, "Good, I guess."

Stealing his signature smirk, I turned my eyes to the giant television and queried, "What are you watching? The Godfather?"

"I'm surprised," Damon responded, "You've watched it?"

"Not the whole thing," I replied, "It is pretty long."

"Yeah it is," Damon said, "We can put something else on, if you want."

"Nah, that's okay," I declined. It was too late to start another movie, and I was already pretty tired. I looked at the arm rest between Damon and I, sort of annoyed it was there, and almost like he was thinking the same thing as me, Damon lifted it up and out of our way. He held his arm out for me to snake under, and I didn't even hesitate before curling up against his side, letting his arm fall over my shoulder and pull me closer to him. I rested my head on his chest, and was surprised at how comfortable it felt to cuddle against him. I didn't think Damon would be the cuddling type. I had to remind myself that he was trying to get me into bed, though, and boys will do anything to get a girl in bed with him.

A moment after settling against him, Damon commented in a disgusted tone, "You smell like Stefan."

"Sorry," I giggled, that guilty knot rearing its ugly head again. Before I knew what I was saying, I had already told Damon, "I wore the dress you got me for my birthday. Tonight. And I felt kinda bad because I wanted you to see it first, and I'm sorry. You must think I'm awful..." Okay, what?! That was not part of the plan!

Damon was quiet for so long, I pulled away to look at him, nervous for a moment he was really, really mad. But he didn't look mad. He looked surprised. "No..." He said slowly, "I don't." He stared at me a few seconds longer, before putting his hand at the back of my neck and tugging me towards him. I felt my stomach do a somersault as his lips touched mine, and I melted into him. For whatever reason, kissing Damon was so much different than kissing Stefan. Kissing Damon was intoxicating and addicting, and I felt completely consumed by him. It was scary, and dangerous, and thrilling at the same time. I knew I was playing with fire, but I was in far too deep now to quit before the end.

Review if you're cool;) J/K, I accept all forms of reviewers;)

I promise an update way sooner than last time. Again, I was sick, and I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting so long. Hope the chapter made up for it:)

Bonnie and Caroline's visit is approximately 2 chapters away, for those of you who keep wondering when they will be appearing;) I'm even tossing around the idea of having one of the girls stay with Elena to help her nanny for an extra week or so...Thoughts?:)

ANNOUNCEMENT: BecomingScarlett & I made a TVD Community called The Best of Delena and Klaroline, and (if you can't tell by the name) it has around 50 awesome fics starring either Delena or Klaroline, so if you want to read some more great stories, check out the Community:) Also, we're accepting suggestions for more stories, so submit yours or one of your faves and we'll add it:)

ALSO: Check out BecomingScarlett's newest Klaroline fic: Holy Ground. It's only just started and it's really really good:)

-Dee