Hello everyone! Once again, I am so sorry about the wait. I'm sure you're tired of hearing me say that, but I am sorry. School has been kicking my ass. All of my professors have decided it would be a good idea to cram a ridiculous amount of work in before summer so I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment. Anyways, we're nearing the end and these next couple chapters are pretty jam packed so hold on tight. Thanks again for all of your reviews and kind words, the support means more than you'll ever know. I hope you're all doing okay after that finale. I cried like a baby, especially during Damon's goodbye scene with Elena, actually I'm tearing up just thinking about it! Top notch acting from Nina and Ian though! It's going to be a hell of a long wait for season 6, but in the meantime we've got fanfiction to pass the time. Please leave me reviews! Suggestions are more than okay so don't hesitate!

Also, if you're looking for some more DE to fill in the time during this hiatus check out my other story Masks. It's a DE crime fic, it's going to get pretty crazy in coming chapters so now's a good time to check it out. Also, my good friend Rita, widowElena on tumblr, has recently started her very first fic! It's all very exciting and I've been betaing for her so go show her some love. It's got married Delena, and really what's better than that? It's called There Is No Second Chance, her username on here is DamonsWarriorPrincess.

Now after the longest A.N. ever, enjoy :)

Chapter 21

EPOV

"Elena please," my mom pleaded stepping further into the room. "Just give me a few minutes to explain myself."

"You can't just barge into my apartment like this," Damon shouted defensively. "She would've talked to you if she wanted to, but she clearly doesn't."

"It's okay Damon," I forced a smile setting my hand on his shoulder. "I think I should at least hear what she has to say."

"Fine," he sighed sending a glare over to my mom. "I'll be right outside the door."

"I know," I replied smiling gratefully at him as he and Stefan left my mom and I alone in the bedroom. There was an awkward tension in the air so I sat down at the edge of the bed and watched as she did the same.

"I knew I'd be able to find you here," she finally spoke breaking the uncomfortable silence. "It seems you two are kind of a packaged deal these days."

"If you're here to talk to me about Damon you can leave," I replied slightly annoyed. "I left because of what you did, you don't get to complain about where I ended up. I'd rather be here anyways."

"I know, I'm glad he looks out for you the way he does," she sighed looking down at her hands before turning to face me. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I honestly thought that Grayson was your biological father; it made more sense. I was only with John once before I got pregnant and this doesn't change anything. I love you just as much as I always have. John was a mistake, but you weren't. I don't regret what happened one bit because if I hadn't had that affair I wouldn't have gotten you. I know that your dad feels the same way. Grayson may be angry, but he took the responsibility of being your father and he did it because he wanted to. He's known for a while and in his process of dealing with it he hurt you, which was wrong, but he loves you so much Elena."

"Does Uncle John know?" I asked as a lone tear fell down my face.

"Yes, he does," she replied taking my hand and giving me a reassuring squeeze. "I spoke with him last night. Look Elena, John has never been a kid person. He has his own set of problems and never wanted them, but Grayson did and he loved you like his own. He may not be your biological father, but he is your dad and he loves you. He's been struggling with his own issues and I know that he hurt you, but maybe after some time goes by you could forgive him. I actually came by to run something by you, and this is your decision so don't feel like I'm pressuring you, but John would like to talk. The three of us, just to answer some questions."

"Does he even care?" I asked in disbelief. "Not only did he not give two shits about my existence or the fact that I was his child, but he's been a pretty horrible uncle too. He's made it clear since I was a kid that he wanted nothing to do with me."

"If there's one thing Gilbert men are notorious for it's pushing people away to avoid feeling emotion," she commented dryly. "I don't like it. It's the main reason your father and I are divorcing, but John does care. He told me last night that he'd always suspected it, but he also knew that getting involved would hurt you the most, and he didn't want that. It was better for you to grow up in a stable family with someone who wanted children, so he stepped back. It hurt him to see his brother raising his child, and much like your dad his feelings manifested themselves as anger and resentment. I'm not saying it's right or that I approve of it because I don't like what it's done to you, but I need you to know that you were never unwanted by anyone. I think you might benefit from hearing him out."

"Maybe in the near future I'd be willing to do dinner," I replied after a moment of contemplation. "But only if Damon can come."

"Elena this is kind of a family matter," she frowned and I scowled at her.

"He's been more like family to me than my own a lot of the time and I would feel more comfortable having him there," I told her angrily. "It's that or nothing at all."

"Okay," she sighed in defeat. "Do you think you'd be willing to come back home?"

"I don't know if I'm ready," I breathed running my hands through my hair. "I just need time. I need a break from that house to get myself together. I still haven't forgiven dad for everything he's put me through, and I can't get over the fact that you would lie about something like this. I don't really trust either of you right now, and that house...it just kind of haunts me at the moment."

"While I'm not thrilled about the idea of you staying with Damon I understand," she sighed as she fiddled with the diamond ring on her finger. "I'd like you to come back home, and I know Jeremy misses you too. Just don't avoid us for too long, okay? I'm trying really hard to be relaxed about this, but you're still 17 and this is your boyfriend's apartment so don't think this can be permanent Elena. You belong at home with your family."

"When I'm ready I'll be back," I replied standing up from the bed.

"Okay," she nodded standing up with me. "Just please don't take too long."

"I'll take as long as I need," I responded curtly as she moved to leave. She kissed me on the cheek and gave me a hug that I only half reciprocated before opening the bedroom door and leaving the apartment without another word.

"Are you okay?" Damon asked hurrying towards me. "What did she say? Do I need to beat anybody up?"

"No, I'm fine," I smiled wrapping my arms around him and nuzzling into his chest. Even when we were kids Damon always felt like home, my safe place. If I ever had a problem it was nothing that a moment in his arms couldn't fix. It makes me never want to let go.

"What did she have to say?" He asked curiously as he rubbed small circles along my back over my sweater.

"She apologized and told me she loved me," I shrugged pulling away for a second while Stefan excused himself to take a shower. "She also said that my dad feels really guilty, well both of them actually, and I guess John wanted to meet up so we could talk, but I told her I'd only go if you went with me. Is that okay with you?"

"Of course, I'll go wherever you need me to," he assured me and I smiled gratefully at him.

"I love you," I told him standing on my toes to kiss him softly. "I just wanted to tell you."

"I love you too," he smiled guiding me over to the couch. "So what do you want to do? The pizza should be here soon. We can watch a movie; whatever you want."

"I just want life to be easier," I sighed resting my head on his shoulder. "Think you can do that for me?"

"I'll work on it," he smirked flipping on the TV and I rolled my eyes as I nestled my head into the crook of his neck, finding solitude in his arms the way I have millions of times in the past.

"Are you sure about this?" Damon asked sitting on the bathroom counter while I finished taking my morning shower. "You have a solid reason to miss school today and I highly doubt sitting in class all day is going to make things any easier.

"I'm not skipping school," I told him, raising my voice over the sound of the water. "I'm not going to let this situation with my parents put a hold on my life, besides what would I do sitting around here all day?"

"This whole responsible Elena Gilbert thing you've got going on these days is starting to freak me out," he teased as I turned off the water.

"It's called growing up," I shrugged grabbing a towel off the rack and wrapping it around myself. "It had to happen eventually."

"Whatever makes you happy," he smiled hopping down from the counter. "Hurry up though, wouldn't want to be late I know how important punctuality is to you!"

"Don't be an ass," I called after him as I turned to comb out my wet hair and blow-dry it. I dabbed on a little makeup and grabbed a pair of jeans and a sweater before we made it out the door in time and sped off to school.

"So I know things are a little weird right now, but did you want to go to Caroline and Klaus' Halloween party tomorrow night?" He asked as we drove along the familiar streets of Mystic Falls. "We don't have to, I don't even really want to, but they want us to go so it's up to you."

"We should at least stop by," I shrugged resting my head against the cool glass on the window. "I know it's important to Care, she even offered to get our costumes, but I don't really want to stay very long, especially if Katherine shows up. She's the last thing I need right now."

"Klaus promised she wasn't invited," Damon assured me. "He said if she shows up they'd ask her to leave, trust me no one wants that bitch around."

"I still don't get what her deal is," I sighed crossing my arms over my chest. "I mean, if she doesn't like me that's fine not everyone gets along, but with her it's more than that. It feels personal, like I've done something to her, but I haven't. At least not intentionally, and I don't get her sudden interest in you either. She's head cheerleader, isn't she supposed to be into the football players like Mason?"

"Excuse you, but I'm a catch," he waggled his eyebrows and I smirked at him.

"You know what I mean," I told him and he laughed as he nodded back at me when we pulled into the school parking lot.

"Considering her interest in me coincided with us getting together I'm betting she's doing it to get to you," he replied killing the ignition. "You know I want nothing to do with her though, she'll give up soon."

"I know and I trust you," I smiled at him reassuringly. "I just don't like the idea of her trying to get her hands on my boyfriend, it's creepy, and gross."

"That's for damn sure," he mumbled as we got out of the car. I spotted a group of cheerleaders standing out by the front of the school and possessively took Damon's hand in mine in case Katherine was watching. It may have been a little petty, but I don't really care. I hate that girl.

Caroline was getting books out of her locker when I stopped at mine and she smiled excitedly. I'll never understand how someone has this much energy so early in the morning, especially at school, but that is the mystery of Caroline Forbes.

"You guys are coming tomorrow right?" She asked eagerly. "I even found costumes for you!"

"What kind of costumes?" I asked skeptically.

"I figured you could do a 60's thing so I went by the thrift store looking for something to complete my costume and found the perfect stuff for you guys," she told us with a cheerful glint in her eyes.

"Like I'm going to trust you to dress me," Damon scoffed crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the side of the lockers.

"I may not be great at a lot of things, but when it comes to fashion you can trust me," she raised an eyebrow at my boyfriend who rolled his eyes in response.

"She has a point," I told him. "If you don't like it we'll find something else."

"Fine I'll wear Barbie's weird costume if it'll make you happy," he smirked at me and I smiled gratefully.

"You're just being nice to me because you feel bad about everything that's going on," I told him teasingly as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"No I'm being nice to you because I love you," he smirked back pressing a chaste kiss to my lips before guiding me to take his hand and follow him to physics.

DPOV

"I'm not wearing leather pants Elena," I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror Friday evening and cringed. Caroline's Halloween costumes for Elena and I had to be a joke, well mine did at least. Elena had on a short purple dress and white knee high boots that accentuated her long legs; she looked amazing. I on the other hand looked ridiculous. "You know I don't generally do Halloween costumes, and while I agreed to dress up this year I never agreed to this!"

"Oh come on," she pouted as she walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me from behind. "You look hot, I swear!"

"I always look hot," I waggled my eyebrows as I turned around to face her. "I say we stay here, and then you can admire me in the privacy of my bedroom, I wont even put clothes on, which is way hotter than this ridiculous outfit."

"Caroline will kill us if we miss it," she smiled rolling her eyes slightly.

"Who cares about Barbie?" I scoffed dramatically.

"I just don't want to deal with her lecturing me," she sighed running her fingers through the hairs on the back of my neck and looking down at the floor. She looked like something was taxing her, but I couldn't tell what it was. She'd been dealing with her family drama all this week and it seemed like something else was on her mind.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked tilting her chin up.

"I'm fine," she nodded forcing a smile as her brown eyes connected with mine. "You look really good in those pants," she smirked running one of her hands down my chest and I smirked back at her devilishly.

"You know," I whispered in her ear before trailing kisses along her neck. "It is a party, which means we can be fashionably late if we want."

"Mhm this is true," she gasped arching her body closer to mine. "We can definitely be late," she told me with lust in her eyes and I grinned lewdly. I hadn't expected her to cave so easily.

I ran my hands down her body, toying with the hem of her dress and pushed it up slowly, relishing in the feeling of her smooth skin under my palms. When I reached the curve of her behind and felt the bare skin I groaned and looked down at the tiny scrap of lace barely covering her, and God my girlfriend has the best lingerie collection. I was rock hard almost instantly.

She grew impatient, stretching her arms up so I could take off the dress completely before attacking my shirt and pushing it over my head instantly.

"Someone's eager," I teased nipping at her cleavage and she giggled reaching between us to push my pants down and smirking when she saw my lack of underwear.

"Commando?" She raised her eyebrows in amusement.

"Have you noticed how fucking tight these pants are?" I asked as I stepped out of them and kicked them aside.

"Oh trust me baby, I noticed," she grinned pushing her underwear down and reaching towards me so I could lift her up and she instantly wrapped her long tanned legs around my hips. Our lips connected, tongues intertwining, and I could hardly even control myself.

"God you are killing me," I groaned as I reached around to unclip her bra and throw it somewhere else in the bathroom as I pushed her against the wall for leverage before sliding inside in one delicious movement that had both of us moaning in pleasure.

"Oh Damon, harder!" She gasped rolling her hips forward as the heels of her boots dug into my ass. I complied plunging deeper and quicker, watching as she threw her head back, moaning loudly until we reached our climax together.

She was still fluttering around me when we stopped and I leaned forward to press a few kisses against her neck and shoulders before slowly setting her down on her feet.

"I wish we could just stay here," I whispered kissing my way up to her lips.

"I know," she sighed wistfully. "We wont stay there long, just enough to please Caroline. She worked really hard planning it and I would feel bad not showing up at all."

"Fine, appease the annoying blonde," I smirked playfully as I bent down to retrieve our clothes from the floor.

When we were both dressed and presentable I grabbed my keys, leading her out of the bedroom and into the living room where Stefan and Lexi were sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn.

"You guys are all dressed up," she commented as she took in our outfits.

"Halloween party," Elena shrugged and Lexi nodded.

"We're having a horror movie marathon," Stefan grinned. "By the way, the next time you guys decide to have disgustingly loud sex remember you're not the only ones home."

"It's my apartment," I scowled rolling my eyes at him. "And BTW, there will be no funny business with you two tonight. I'm too young to be an uncle."

"I hate you," Stefan glared at me and I smirked.

"You guys are late," Caroline scolded us as we walked into the Mikaelson's house later that evening. The party was in full swing and everyone was dressed up in stupid costumes, they looked absurd, but then again so did I. I swear to God the things I do for love…

"Sorry we got a little distracted," Elena smiled anxiously as her cheeks flushed red and I smirked proudly.

"Well come on, there's drinks in the kitchen," she squealed excitedly dragging us through the house. She had on a flapper dress and the second I saw Klaus I literally laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. He had on a bright pink suit, Caroline's doing of course, but he looked like an idiot.

"Why are you laughing?" Caroline asked angrily as Klaus' face turned beat red. "We're Gatsby and Daisy!"

"He is wearing a pink suit," I chuckled and I watched as Elena bit her lip trying to stifle her own laugh. "Wait wait I gotta get a photo of this," I laughed pulling my phone out and snapping a photo of him as he glared maniacally at me.

"Ok now you're just being mean," Elena raised an eyebrow at me and I nodded putting my phone away as I moved to grab a couple beers.

"You're the one wearing leather pants mate," Klaus scoffed and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Hey, I look hot," I replied defensively. "Elena agrees, she couldn't keep her hands to herself. Why do you think we were late?"

"Damon!" Elena shouted slapping me in the arm harshly.

"You really need to learn about the concept of too much information," Caroline frowned and I shrugged innocently.

"I think I'm gonna need something stronger than this," Elena muttered setting down the beer I got her and grabbing a cup off the counter. I watched as she poured a bottle of vodka into the cup and added a little soda to balance the taste.

"How are you sweetie?" Caroline asked under her breath as she moved to stand next to my girlfriend.

"I'm fine," Elena shrugged smiling at Caroline, but I knew she was lying. She's doing better, but she's a long way from fine.

"Come on let's go see who's got the sluttiest costume," I smiled encouragingly at her and she nodded grabbing her cup and snuggling into my side as I wrapped my arm around her and led her out of the kitchen.

"Thank you," she whispered once we made it out of the kitchen. "I'm not really in the mood to talk about it and Caroline is a little pushy."

"I know I could tell by the 'save me' expression on your face," I smirked pushing her against the wall in the corner. "Did I mention how hot you look in this dress?" I whispered into her ear before moving to press kisses along her neck.

"You mentioned it earlier," she gasped as my mouth moved along her collarbone and she weaved her fingers through my hair to pull my mouth to hers before fusing our lips together. I ran my hands along the side of her body over the fabric of her dress and over the curve of her behind, purring at the memory of her lacy red thong.

"How much longer do we have to stay?" I asked between kisses.

"We can leave in an hour," she mumbled against my mouth and I nodded tightening my grip on her ass making her moan. "You are not making this very easy," she huffed and I smirked against her mouth.

"That's kind of the point," I murmured taking her drink from her hand and setting it down on a nearby table before continuing my assault on her mouth. When our tongues intertwined she moaned and I pressed my hardness against her leg.

"Maybe we should just go out to the car," she gasped and I nodded tightening my grip on her.

"Elena!" Caroline called running towards us and I groaned at the interruption.

"Not now Barbie," I hissed turning around to glare at her.

"You can maul Elena later I need to talk to her," Caroline frowned walking towards us. "Katherine is here."

"So ask her to leave," I scowled raising an eyebrow at her. "Tah dah, problem solved!"

"I did, but she wouldn't listen," Caroline crossed her arms over her chest and I sighed. "She's going around and telling people about Elena's dad, or dads. Everyone knows!"

"She's what?" Elena asked taking a step forward. "How could she possibly know?"

"You couldn't keep your mouth closed could you Barbie?"

"I swear on my life I didn't tell anyone," she replied defensively. "I didn't even tell Klaus! I don't know how she knows, but I promise it isn't from me."

"This is a nightmare," Elena muttered resting her face in her hands as people began to stare.

"Okay that's it we're leaving," I said harshly and Elena nodded. "Lena you go wait in the car while I handle the bitch," I handed her my keys and she paused for a moment before giving in and taking them. Caroline walked out with her and I scanned the room until I found her in the corner with Mason Lockwood and a few other seniors.

"Damon," she grinned when I walked towards her.

"Are you really so desperate for attention that you'd go after my girlfriend and her family just because you're a manipulative bitch?" I sneered loudly drawing attention from the rest of the room. "Get it through your head, I hate you! You're fucking horrible and I don't want anything to do with you. Stay away from my girlfriend and stay away from me."

"Excuse me?" She hissed angrily. "I don't know what you're talking about, but if I'm really as bad as you say I am you wouldn't have slept with me."

"I can assure you it is my greatest regret," I cringed shaking my head back and forth. "You were easy and you were there, but the sex was bad and I hate you. Stay away from Elena, and stop putting your nose in her family's business."

"You can't just-"

"Oh I can do anything I want," I interrupted her holding my hand up. "You don't go after Elena unless you're prepared to deal with me, got that?" I pointed an angry finger at her and she frowned before nodding slowly and I turned on my heel storming out of the house. Caroline was standing near the front door, her eyes wide when she saw me.

"She's crying, not just crying, full on sobbing," she told me dramatically. "She was fine until we got to the car and I was sitting with her, then she just broke down and I didn't know what to do!"

"She's just had a bad week," I responded as I walked towards my car.

"No, she doesn't ever cry this hard Damon this is bad," Caroline trailed after me worriedly.

"I'll take care of it Barbie," I told her, softening my tone when I noticed the look on her face.

"I know you will, I'm just worried about her," she sighed running a hand through her blonde hair. "She's been through so much and I think there's something else happening too, something she hasn't told us. Just call me if I can do something to help."

"Okay," I smiled and she nodded before we parted ways and I found Elena sitting in the passenger seat of the Camaro. "I didn't think Katherine got to you this much," I whispered setting a hand on her knee. I'd seen Elena cry hundreds of times, but never like this.

"It's not just that," she whimpered wiping away at her eyes making my gut ache. I hated seeing her cry.

"Okay, well what is it?" I asked softly running my hand over her forehead and brushing aside a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her ponytail.

"I'm late Damon," she told me as her lower lip trembled.

"Late for what?" I asked slightly confused.

"No, I'm late," she told me stressing the last word. "As in I should be getting a visit from mother nature right now."

"Wait…" I furrowed my eyebrows as I let the words sink in. "So you're saying you're pregnant?"

"I'm saying I think I could be," she told me as more tears fell down her face. "I'm never late! And I'm feeling kinda hormonal and when I woke up this morning I felt really nauseous, and I've been incredibly horny lately, which I'm sure you had to have noticed. I didn't think anything of it, but just now I did the math and I realized I was late and then I thought more about it and realized all the signs."

I nodded mutely as I ran a hand through my hair. Pregnant? God. I couldn't be a dad. I could barely take care of myself, much less a baby. I'd love to have kids with Elena, but not when we're still in high school. And oh God, her mom would kill me!

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed burying her face in her hands and my heart broke. "And oh God I was drinking tonight! If I'm pregnant I could've damaged the baby! Oh God, Damon this is so bad I can't be a mom!"

"Hey," I tugged on her hands guiding her over the center console so she'd sit sideways on my lap and I pulled her in close to me. "You don't have to be sorry. We'll figure this out. We'll go to the store and buy some tests to see if this is real, but I'm sure it's just a false alarm. You take your birth control religiously. You haven't actually thrown up, and you've been insanely stressed lately. With everything going on this is most likely just a false alarm."

"I'm scared," she told me squeezing my hand tightly.

"I know, me too," I admitted brushing her cheek lightly. "But I promise everything will be okay."

UH OH. Talk about a cliffie...

Reviews are encouraged, see you soon :)