Chapter 20

On the day of the kickoff party Summer discovered the one flaw she hadn't considered in her plan—a pushy friend. Elena arrived at her house hours before the guys were to arrive to escort them to the mayor's house for the party. The moment that Elena walked through the door she seemed to attack. Before Summer even had the chance to realize what was happening Elena was dragging her hurriedly up the stairs to the bedroom.

"What're you doing?" Summer demanded in confusion at her friend's behavior.

Elena didn't answer right away but only turned to Summer smiling hugely. A moment later she was holding up a dress bag pulling down the zipper to reveal the dress waiting inside to her. Summer had to admit that the dress was nothing short of beautiful. Appreciating the dress she reached out to gently touch the delicate fabric before turning her attention back to Elena.

"It's beautiful," she told Elena still not sure exactly what else to say—or more specifically what would be safe to say.

If it were possible Elena brightened even more at the words and suddenly Summer found herself having the dress flung at her.

"Put it on," Elena demanded excitedly.

"Why?" Summer asked in suspicious curiosity.

"It's perfect for you for tonight," Elena replied as if it were obvious.

"Elena," Summer began warningly knowing her friend was indeed up to something more than giving her a pretty dress to wear to the party.

"Because he'll love you in it," Elena replied easily with a nonchalant shrug.

"Who?" she asked confused.

"Damon," came another simple reply.

With the easiness in which Elena relayed the opinion Summer had a much different opinion of the situation that Elena was clearly planning.

"What!" it was a near shriek. "I have no want or intention of getting Damon's attention for any reason—especially the reason you have to be thinking!" Summer said pushing the dress back into Elena's arms. "Are you crazy!"

"Can you blame me? Considering the way you two keep staring at each other when you think no one's watching it's hard not to get the idea," Elena stated matter of factly pushing the dress back at Summer.

"We do not," Summer defended, shocked at the accusation.

Had it really happened enough for Elena and Stefan to notice? Had it really been that obvious?

"All right you don't" Elena conceded but her words clearly lacked an ounce of sincerity knowing she was right. "Either way, wearing that dress you'd still knock him on his sarcastic ass like we both know he deserves once he sees you," Elena continued cajolingly.

For a long moment all Summer did was stand and stare indecisively at the dress she held in her hands. A part of her longed to put it on—to see the look in Damon's eyes when he saw her wearing it. Her mind thought up any number of romantic moments —dances —moonlight —kisses. For one night allowing herself to forget it all—pretend that it never happened—to be with Damon without anything standing between them.

Damon would like the dress…the moment that the thought entered her mind Summer desperately shoved it back but it was already too late.

"Fine," Summer finally conceded with a long sigh, accepting the dress so that Elena didn't have to push it at her.

Elena released the dress smiling knowingly , a smile that didn't go unnoticed by Summer.

"Don't even say it," Summer grumbled annoyed turning her back on Elena to get dressed.

Unfortunately it seemed that the dress wasn't the end of Elena's 'master plan'. As soon as she was dressed Elena forced Summer to sit complacently before the vanity while she did her hair and makeup.

Much to Summer's relief the time for the guys to arrive finally came and both she and Elena were dressed and ready to go. However, as soon as she heard Stefan and Damon let themselves in Summer stiffened her gaze finding her image in the full length mirror across the room. In that single instant her nerves sent her mind into a chaotic whirlwind. Her heart beat went out of control at the mere thought of Damon waiting just down the stairs.

What had she been thinking? Was the repeated question traveling through her mind as she looked at Elena's handy work in the mirror. Aside from the wide shocked and worried eyes gazing back she looked elegant and beautiful. How did she get herself roped into this?

While Summer stood frozen in the middle of the room Elena made to meet the guys. It wasn't until she noticed that Summer wasn't following that she looked back to see Summer standing in tense wide eyes terror.

"Are you okay?" questioned Elena stepping back to her friend's side.

"What was I thinking?" Summer finally voiced out loud. "This is ridiculous," she added motioning to her made up self in the mirror.

Elena only smiled consolingly. Taking hold of Summer's shoulders she turned her to look her in the eye.

"He'll love it," she stated simply.

"I don't want him to love it!" Summer replied frantically but kept her voice low to avoid the two down stairs hearing their conversation. "That's the problem."

"Normally I wouldn't defend Damon," Elena began. "We all know he can be a real ass," she couldn't help but add. "But sometimes people deserve second chances—even him."

"There's just been too much," Summer murmured brokenly.

"Maybe," Elena agreed her tone matter of fact but comforting. "But is not giving him a second chance based on not wanting to risk getting hurt again or is it because you don't love him anymore? If you don't love him any more fine but if you do the question you need to ask yourself is—will you regret not giving things a second chance?"

With that said Elena stepped away from Summer and made her way back across the room to the door. Just as she was about to leave the room she paused and turned back.

"If it's any consolation," she spoke. "When two people look at each other the way you two do there's no denying what's there. And it's not just you," she hinted strongly.

With nothing more to say Elena left the room leaving Summer to follow in her own time. She couldn't make the decision for her friend but she hoped she made the right one for herself.

Summer stood in silence looking at herself in the mirror after Elena left. Even with Elena out of the room her words still hung heavily in the air their truth weighting on her mind. Everything that Elena had said had been the truth and even Summer couldn't deny that.

Could she really let go of the pain to see where things would lead? For so long she'd lived with it, letting the memory of the hurt protect her heart. Yet, she'd never been able to forget—to forget how much she loved him. Damon was the one who got away—the one she never thought she'd have. Was it possible that she was being given a second chance? Was Elena right about him possibly wanting that second chance? Could she risk her heart for him again?

Having left Summer to herself Elena descended the stairs to find both Stefan and Damon standing near the door waiting for them. Seeing that she was by herself she saw the confused looks cross both their faces before a small flare of worry shot through Damon's blue eyes. Wordlessly Elena motioned for them to stay put and wait to see if Summer would come on her own. When she faced Stefan she sent him a telling look that went unnoticed by Damon. It was the sort of look between conspirators when they wondered how things would play out.

As they waited Stefan and Elena spoke quietly amongst themselves while Damon leaned against the wall growing more anxious with each passing moment that Summer didn't appear. Finally his patience came to an end.

"Where the hell is-," his complaint suddenly fell short as his blue gaze locked on the stairs.

Following Damon's gaze Stefan and Elena looked up to watch as Summer finally descended the stairs. However, it was Damon who's watched her with wonder.

In that moment Damon felt as if he'd never seen anything more beautiful than Summer as she descended the stairs to join them. She was dressed in an emerald green dress with satiny material that flowed elegantly around her long legs but clung to her curves its straps hanging off her shoulders. Her blond hair a riot of curls pinned back into an elegant twisted braid while the familiar silver locket that he'd given her hanging on its delicate chain around her neck. Her makeup was simple and had been applied delicately to enhance her already striking features such as bringing out the smoky color of her blue eyes and dark lashes.

As she made her way down the stairs Summer barely noticed Stefan and Elena watching her. Instead her attention was completely centered on Damon who was watching her just as intently as she watched him. She didn't miss the gleam of appreciation shining brightly, unhidden in his clear blue gaze. Seeing that gleam Summer couldn't stop the tinge of pink she felt heating her cheeks but luckily she was able to get control of her reaction fast enough that she fought back the blush before reaching the bottom of the stairs. However, despite getting her blush under control she couldn't quite get the chaotic beating of her heart under control as their eyes never left each other.

While Damon appreciated her Summer knew that her appraisal of him was just as obvious. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to care. Damon was dressed in simple black dress pants and a black button up shirt with the first few buttons at the top left undone. As usual his hair was slightly messy in a windblown way. As always he appeared nothing short of tall dark and handsome. Together with his icy blue eyes and devilish crooked grin the look was nothing short of roguish which suited Damon perfectly—and definitely agreed with Summer.

Finally after what seemed like hours Summer made it to the end of the stairway to meet Damon and her friends.

"Ready?" she asked having to clear her throat in order to speak and pull herself out of Damon's spell.

"Let's go," Elena and Stefan answered in unison the couple being the first to make it to the front door.

Summer and Damon lingered behind. Standing in the doorway Summer refused to look back to Damon and instead watched Elena and Stefan walk away, all in the attempt to give herself the extra moment to calm herself. Thinking that she could handle being with Damon she turned to him ready to leave but when she did she found that Damon's eyes were still locked on her. While she found herself being drawn back under the familiar magnetic pull toward him it was Damon who managed to make the next move.

In an uncharacteristic gesture Damon offered her his arm to escort her out of the house to the car where Elena and Stefan were now waiting. At first the gesture surprised Summer causing her to falter before gingerly taking his offered arm. With her hand holding his arm Summer could feel his strength and somehow that strength helped to calm her but when Damon flashed her a crooked smirk she felt her fluttering heart suddenly become a riot of butterflies. Yet, somehow as she looked into his eyes she felt a new sense of courage flow through her as if giving her that extra push to move forward. Returning his smirk with a smile of her own Summer followed Damon out of the house to the car.

The mayor's house was one of the biggest in Mystic Falls located on the opposite side of town from Summer's house but in a town the size of Mystic Falls the drive was short. By the time the foursome arrived the party was already well underway. As they drove up in the circular drive they could already hear music streaming out from the open windows glowing with light and the sound of large groups of people conversing from within. Luckily by the time they arrived Summer had finally managed to gain control of herself despite the difficulty with Damon sitting so close to her in the back seat as Stefan drove. It had been easier to get her mind off his nearness while they concentrated on going over the plan one more time before the party.

Now that they were steadily making their way up to the front door of the Mayor's house as she once again held Damon's arm while he escorted her into the party.

"Remember, keep their attention on you," Stefan reminded just as they got to the door.

"We know," Summer replied.

"You should just worry about your job," Damon shot back smirking. "We'll be sure to create a stir."

With that said Damon took Summer into the party before either could see the roll of Stefan's eyes. However, Stefan didn't say anything more and with Elena followed them inside. The foursome disbanded only minutes after walking inside to carry out their separate duties. While Stefan and Elena made their way down the hallway to wait on the fringe of the gathered group for the opportunity to disappear and search; Damon lead Summer into the main parlor that had been emptied of furniture to make room for dancing and a small stage where the band played. Leading Summer into the crowded room Damon headed for the bar and ordered them each a drink.

Drinks in hand Summer and Damon stood side by side his arm carelessly flung over her shoulder in a manner that to anyone looking spoke of possession. It was the air that they wanted to give to people. With Damon's connections with the Council and their interest in Summer they would be intrigued by the pairing. With any luck that alone would help to keep the Council members attention on them for the night.

However, despite being fully aware of their actions being for show both Damon and Summer were not seeing it that way at the moment. To both it seemed so natural—welcomed—wanted. For now Summer let her confused mind rest. For now she only wanted to enjoy being with him.

As they stood together at the bar it didn't fail to escape their notice that several pairs of eyes were watching them with interest.

"Well at least we know they're easily distracted," Summer commented grinning into her glass.

"Knowing them they're probably arrogant enough to think they're not being transparent," Damon replied obviously enjoying himself.

"You're one to talk about arrogant," Summer huffed.

"Yes," Damon conceded far too easily. "But mine is very well deserved," he grinned with wicked charm.

Yes—that was more like Damon. For a moment his easy admittance had stunned her.

Ignoring the weakening in her knees at the sight of his devastating smile Summer couldn't hold back the giggle that bubbled up. Little by little with each passing moment she found herself relaxing in Damon's presence. His strength and the warmth she could feel with his nearness soothed the nerves brought about by not only him but the uncomfortable feeling of walking in enemy territory. Even after everything he somehow managed to make her feel safe and protected so easily.

The familiar pull and sparks still flowed between them but for the first time since meeting him again she accepted that connection. It was this same ease between them that she missed. It was fighting it that she hated.

Maybe Elena was right…

Suddenly Summer's train of thought was cut short. Before she knew what was happening Damon deftly lifted her glass from her fingers and sit it on the bar to join his. And as if she had no will of her own he lead her out on to the dance floor just as a slow romantic melody began to flow steadily through the room.

"What are you doing?" Sumer demanded quietly to Damon.

"Keeping up appearances," he made the excuse.

Offering no more explanation than that Damon's strong hand took her waist his other taking her hand and placing it on his shoulder before taking her free hand in his. Once arranged properly in his arms he pulled her closer so that she was nearly flush against him barely leaving enough room between them that let Summer see his face despite their height difference. With him holding her so close Summer was almost certain that he could feel her frantic heartbeat.

"I can't dance," she hissed. "You know that."

"Just follow me and no one will notice," Damon insisted his crooked smirk flashing.

Undone as always by his adorable sexy smirk and deep clear blue eyes Summer couldn't manage to work up another refusal. She might as well have been putty in his hands. The only thing keeping her on her feet was Damon strong but gentle hold on her waist.

With those simple words Damon lead her with ease, bringing her to follow him into the steady movements of the dance. Letting him lead her was easy. In his arms she felt so light and graceful as they moved across the dance floor. It was rather surprising how adapt Damon was in his ease of his movement. Then again he grew up in a time where young men were often adept at dancing with young women, especially those of good families.

"You're smiling," Damon observed smirking. "Why?" he asked, as if he truly needed to know.

"None of your business," Summer answered her smiling broadening.

"It must be because you find yourself liking me against your will," he told her playfully earning a snort of laughter from Summer.

In that moment Summer felt as if everyone around them—everything—melted away into a void until they were all that was left. Everything seemed like a dream—one that she felt she could bask in forever.

Damn him! He made it far too easy to forget everything—to forget why they were there in the first place.

"Check," Summer whispered in his ear, drawing closer so that her cheek rested on his shoulder.

Understanding what she meant Damon lead them into a slow spin around the room. As the turned the movement gave them both a clear view all the way around the room as they moved allowing them to see that the council members present were still watching them avidly.

"They're still there," he confirmed his hold tightening so that she couldn't draw away.

Only, the gesture was unnecessary as it was the last thing she wanted to do.

"If you don't calm down you'll give yourself a heart attack," Damon muttered in her ear.

Despite not being able to see his face in their current position Summer knew he was smirking at her predicament—she could hear it clearly in his voice. Under normal circumstances she would make a catty reply to his teasing but for the moment she didn't feel like it. She was content at least for the time being just as she was.

"Shut up," was the only reply she could manage but she still didn't sound at all forceful, her own smile coming through in her voice.

"Yes ma'am," Damon chuckled.

"Jerk," she shot back half heartedly just as he took her into another turn.

She was so beautiful—more than the eyes of the Council were following them with great interest as they moved about the dance floor. And that interest full of male appreciation wasn't directed at him. Upon seeing the blatant appreciation across several young men in the crowded room Damon found himself strangely averse to the thought. What right did he have? But he couldn't help it as he sent deadly ice cold glares to any of those same men that dared to watch her.

Soon the song came to an end and reluctantly Damon released Summer but took her hand as he led her back to the edges of the room. He didn't have to take her hand, he knew that. Summer could just as easily have followed him on her own but he wanted the excuse to touch her. The need was always there, growing stronger with each day but now it was nearly overwhelming. As lost as he knew he could become in Summer's intoxicating presence he somehow managed to keep his mind on their surroundings as well. It made him uncomfortable being on enemy territory, outnumbered by them, surrounding by them. Any other time he would have taken great delight in the risk, moving right under their noses with them not realizing who or what he was, but not when Summer's life was on the line. Being able to touch her, to know she was safe made the situation easier.

Despite putting themselves at risk with their plan he couldn't bring himself to completely dislike the situation. It gave him the opportunity—the excuse to be close to her. Amazingly, she wasn't pulling away or shutting him out as he had half expected her to do even while trying to pretend to be a couple for the eyes of the Council members. Instead, Summer relaxed and talked to him with ease. Letting him touch her, make her laugh—lead her, were new developments he hadn't expected after everything. It had been a long time since things were so easy between them.

For a moment Damon found himself wondering that if perhaps she was feeling the familiar magnetic pull between them once more as he did. That was what he wanted he realized. He wanted her to let him back in—to let him prove himself to her where he once failed miserably to do. He wanted to prove that she could now trust him, that he was ready to be there for her.

It was a lot to take in.

It was a strange realization. He wasn't the hero; he'd never been nor wanted to be. But he wanted to for Summer. He wanted her to let him prove that.

Was it too late?

Damon's thoughts came to a sudden halt as his sharp senses turned to something new developing. As quick as the realization that something was happening came his mind had him glancing around, searching for whatever had alerted him. It only took mere seconds for his eyes to lock on Forbes who'd been watching them only moments ago. Then his gaze found several of the other Council members who'd been present in the room. However, now they were no longer watching them but moving in the direction of the hall whether their reason was simply to join the other party goers or for other reasons was a risk they couldn't take without knowing if Stefan and Elena had finished their search or not. Obviously Summer had caught on to this new development as well because now she too was watching them retreat with worry filled eyes.

"What do we do?" she asked her eyes following their movements across the large room.

"Sing," Damon practically demanded.

"What?" Summer asked, wary of putting herself so completely at the center of attention before the Council.

"It'll distract them for a little bit longer. Sing," he repeated the demand.

"Play the piano for me," she compromised.

"What?" it was his turn to ask shocked at what she demanded.

"We both have to keep their attention," Summer pointed out. "So if I have to sing you have to play. Both of us go up there."

"We don't have the time for this," Damon objected.

"Exactly," Summer agreed. "That's why you better come up with me now to play the piano now," she persisted refusing to let him off the hook.

"Fine," Damon growled in defeat.

At first Summer was sure she'd heard wrong but when Damon began to steer her toward the small stage set up she smiled triumphantly. Stepping up onto the stage the duo took their places, Summer at the front microphone and Damon at the piano situation a few feet behind but still in plain view for the audience.

"Everybody," Summer spoke into the microphone to get the crowd's attention. "I'd like to share a song with you in celebration of the foundation of Mystic Falls."

Politely the crowd clapped in encouragement all listening and waiting intently while couples readied for another dance. Most of all they noticed that the ounce retreating Council members were among the intent avidly listening crowd. Upon seeing them both Damon and Summer noticed Elena and Stefan enter the room their eyes searching until they caught sight of them on stage.

Figured—they didn't need to distract the Council any more but standing up on stage it was already too late to turn back.

Taking a calming breathe Summer turned to Damon.

"Just follow," she instructed.

Seeing her turn back to Damon, Elena and Stefan's eyes widened in surprise as if they were just now noticing Damon's presence with her on stage as he sat at the piano. Obviously neither had suspected him of what they were about to do. Now they too were listening and waiting just as avidly as the rest of the crowd.

Not paying any mind to the curious glances he knew he was receiving from his brother and Elena Damon began to play. The talent had been left unused for years but still he played with practiced ease as if he played every day. His fingers moved deftly across the keys bringing forth a soulful romantic yet sad melody. His obvious skill at the instrument rivaling that of even Summer.

With the melody playing Summer let it fill her until with the ease in which Damon played the words filled her mind. And so she released them to mix with the melodic notes of the song they were creating.

Boy it's been all this time
And I can't get you off my mind
And nobody knows it but me

I stare at your photograph
Still sleep in the shirt you left
And nobody knows it but me

Every day I wipe my tears away
So many nights I've prayed for you to say.

There was something in the words. Something was going to happen. Summer could feel it in her heart as she sang.

Suddenly, a new voice joined her as she continued to sing. Shocked Summer spun to see Damon making use of the microphone sitting atop the piano. He paid little attention to his playing his fingers keeping the melody going. Instead, his full attention was on Summer as she looked back at him. His eyes meeting hers, gleaming with intensity and something—much more.

Despite her initial shock at her solo suddenly becoming a duet Summer never faltered. The two followed each other filling the melody with words that simply flowed through them, fitting them together like puzzle pieces.

I should've been chasing you
I should've been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me

I should've said all the things
That I kept inside of me
Maybe I could've made you believe
That what we had was all we'd ever need

Eventually, Damon left his place at the piano leaving the rest of the band to keep their melody going. In a few long strides he was standing beside Summer at the front of the stage the microphone from the piano in hand as he continued to sing. It seemed so easy as they sang together, building off of each other, their voices mixing.

Every now and again as they sang Damon and Summer snuck looks at each other. In those few glances there was a whole lot more than music being shared between them

My friends think I'm moving on
But the truth is I'm not that strong
And nobody knows it but me

I've kept all the words you've said
In a box underneath my bed
And nobody knows it but me

His was deep and husky as she he sang, sensual and smooth. Even as he sang there seemed to be a dark and mysterious completely appealing air about him. Even more so when his song, each word of it was filled with emotion as if each word was meant. It was that that drew on her own words for the song, filling them with just as much emotion and meaning.

As they sang a sense of peace came over him. It wasn't until then that he realized how much he'd missed this. On a whim he'd joined Summer in song, the words flowing forth as easily as they did for her, mixing into their duet.

A vague awareness began to set in. A feeling that the words came from more than just his mind but rather they came from his heart. A strange feeling, but with each word he Damon was completely certain of them. They were not lies. More like a confession.

But if you're happy
I'll get through somehow

But the truth is
I've been screaming out

I should've been chasing you
I should've been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me

Stefan and Elena continued to watch in complete amazement as their friend's presence filled the room with their song.

"Did you know he could do that?" Elena asked Stefan shocked at the new knowledge of Damon.

"You know Damon," Stefan replied just as surprised. "He isn't exactly one to share."

With that said the two turned back to watch Damon and Summer on stage.

I should've said all the things
That I kept inside of me
Maybe I could've made you believe
That what we had was all we'd ever need

It was all we'd ever need
I thought it was all we'd ever need
Ohh

This was beautiful. It had been a very long time since words flowed out so easily to create a song as they did now. The last impromptu song had been with Damon on one of the few times he'd joined her in playing, showing her his own talents in music. She remembered how it felt singing with him or even just watching him play the piano—much like now. Summer never thought she'd have this again.

Little by little the song built, their voices rising with the melody into a crescendo.

I should've been chasing you
I should've been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me

As the song went on—it's beautiful words echoing in Summer's head she felt something suddenly break within herself.

What was she doing?

The truth of the song, it's words registered more than ever now with Damon's voice singing them. The pain—it all came flowing back with those words.

Shaken she continued with the song needing a great deal of will to do so.

Now the words were like blows of a knife to the chest. Each word a blow landing with deadly accuracy to the heart. It took a great deal of effort to keep some semblance of control over herself when all she wanted to do was burst into tears and cry her heart out. But she held those tears in as they burned at the back of her eyes for release. Standing on stage before the crowded room Summer refused to let her voice falter. She would keep it together—she would.

I should've said all the things
That I kept inside of me
And maybe I could've made you believe
That what we had, mmm
Ohh that what we had
What we had
It was all we'd ever need-

Slowly the song came to an end. As the last word left her lips Summer finally faltered, the tears becoming harder to hold back. With that last word of the duet echoing across the room as the melody faded the crowd erupted into appreciative applause. Lingering for a moment on stage to offer a shaky smile in return Summer turned and left the stage never glancing back at Damon.

Damon didn't miss the sudden change. He'd felt it the moment it happened. Summer's enter demeanor had tensed for only the briefest of moments, her words taking on a slight tremble. The change had been subtle, going unnoticed by all those watching. As suddenly as if happened it disappeared but still the remnants of the unsettling feeling still lingered in the air surrounding them. Her turning and walking away from him only proved that true.

Whatever it was, Damon suspected that it wasn't going to make for an enjoyable discussion subject. Not even sparing the applauding crowd a second glance Damon followed after Summer. There was much that needed to be said. More than ever had been before. It was his turn now to lay down all his cards.

If he didn't stand up now he was afraid he'd lose her again. And that wasn't an option. Strange, that it had taken him all this time to learn that—to accept it. Now, hopefully it wasn't too late.

Summer wove her way through the crowd needing to find someplace to be alone, some place to breathe and pull herself back together. Half way across the room a worried Elena met her.

"What's wrong," Elena asked fretfully.

Summer still attempting to hold back the flood of painful emotions could only shake her head in answer. However, even then Elena persisted. Only the next words that left Elena's lips were the last she'd ever expected to hear.

"Is this because of Katherine coming back?" Elena asked not sure what else could be wrong with Summer.

Only moments ago she'd seen Damon and Summer singing a beautiful song together, seemingly enjoying themselves. The next moment a look of pain had filled Summer's smoky blue eyes. Judging by the horror struck look that passed over Summer's face she'd been wrong. By all appearances Summer hadn't even known of Katherine's return let alone Damon being aware of it, even worse apparently being the only one not aware of it.

The news that Katherine had returned suddenly snapped Summer out of her need to weep. It was still there but now it was overpowered by something new—the hurt and pain turned to anger pure and simple. Yet, she still didn't feel up to being around people. Her current mood wouldn't make for good company for anyone, let alone Damon. At that moment she didn't want to be anywhere near him.

"I need some air," were her only words to Elena before continuing on her way out.

It wasn't until she was outside in the cool night air that Summer felt she could breath. She needed to sort through and process all this new information, the returning feelings—everything. She needed to know how she felt—truly felt and what she was willing to do or not do. Not foolish enough to walk home on her own after all that had happened Summer had no choice but to wait for one of the others to be ready to walk with her or drive. Until then she walked to a small bench sitting beneath a large oak tree in the front lawn to make a start on sorting through all the confusion.

The last thing Summer suspected as she sat in peace beneath the chair was to be joined by Stefan. He approached quietly but she knew he was there just as well as she knew he hadn't come to take her home. Instead he sat in the open space on the bench next to her sitting in silence for a few moments as they both looked up at the stars beginning to appear in the clear night sky. Just as she knew she knew he had something to say his silence didn't last long.

"Elena told me you know about Katherine," he stated turning to her but she didn't turn to him. Despite her not turning to speak to him directly he continued. "Damon's inside. I asked him to let me talk to you first. He's a little anxious and upset."

"He shouldn't be," Summer finally spoke her voice filled with several emotions at once, ranging from contempt and hurt to calm and lovelorn. "Ass," she finished in an angry grumble.

"I know Damon is hard to deal with sometimes," Stefan continued this time earning a huff of underestimation from Summer. "He doesn't give much of anything of himself to anyone. He keeps to himself, doesn't trust anyone. He always keeps walls up between himself and anyone that could ever care for him to keep them from getting close—to keep himself from close."

There was something that Stefan was obvious trying to make her understand but in her anger and pain it was difficult to comprehend anything beyond that.

"Wasn't that way with Katherine apparently. He must be happy she's back," Summer spoke brokenly finally turning to look at him.

Had Damon's lighter behavior all been because of Katherine? How foolish had she been to think that it had been because of her? The thought brought bitterness to her heart.

"Katherine was like a sickness to Damon- and the drug. She twisted him until he became something dark. She used him and manipulated him to her liking. She twisted him so much that when he turned the humanity within him had all but been cast off," Stefan explained his voice turning serious, his eyes asking her to understand.

"Where are you going with this?" Summer asked not wanting to understand what he was telling her. All she wanted was to wallow. None the less, she understood everything he was saying, but it couldn't change anything now. Yet, she wanted to know what Stefan had to say. She wanted to hear what he had to say—to know if Stefan saw hope for Damon where she feared there no longer was none.

Seeing that he now had her full attention Stefan continued, needing her to hear what he had to say.

"Sometimes people put up walls not to keep people away, but to see who cares enough to tear them down. You and Damon are more alike than you think. You tear each other's walls down."

The sincerity of the words caught Summer off guard. They weren't exactly what she had expected to hear. And still he had more to say.

"Despite all the twisting that Katherine did in Damon there is still humanity left in Damon. There was a time when I didn't think so," Stefan admitted. "For a long time it was hidden, being covered in all the blackness," he paused for a moment making sure he still had Summer's full attention for what he was about to say next. "You're the something that keeps the humanity in Damon alive Summer. Don't give up on him yet."

They lapsed into silence afterward. There was nothing left to say. Summer said nothing in reply and merely sat there quietly looking at him with a mix of surprise and disbelief. Seeing that Summer wasn't going to say anything Stefan left her to mull over what he'd told her. Whatever would happen next would have to be left to her and Damon.