Everyone watched fearfully as Damon and Isobel examined the werewolf's body. "Definitely dead," Damon announced, poking the werewolf cautiously. "No heartbeat."
"Oh my god," Bonnie breathed, "What did I do?"
"No, wait—" Elena protested, wrapping an arm around her friend. "The potion can't have gone wrong. I'm still standing here, aren't I?"
"She does have a point," Stefan said, staring at Elena curiously.
"Not to state the obvious or anything," Alaric began, "But what if the spell did work?"
"What just on Tyler and not on Elena?" Isobel demanded.
Damon looked up suddenly, his eyes narrowing. "What is it?" Elena asked, recognizing that Damon had figured something out.
"Let me see the spellbook," Damon ordered, and Bonnie hesitantly handed it over to him. His eyes skimmed down the page, "I think Alaric is right. The spell did work. Just a little sooner than anticipated."
Stefan frowned, "You think the spell only works on supernatural creatures or something?"
"No, it was meant to only work on humans," Damon explained, handing the book back to Bonnie. "The spell says the potion will take effect in exactly an hour, but werewolves—"
Isobel snapped her fingers, "That's right! It would affect a werewolf ten times faster than it would a human! Their blood runs hotter, faster...the potion would affect them almost immediately!"
"See? You didn't screw up," Elena smiled, giving her friend a quick hug. "Tyler will be just fine."
"Though this changes the plan a bit," Alaric pointed out. "Do you think Katherine will want to actually witness Damon killing Tyler?"
"Well, nothing can be done about it now," Damon snapped. "Someone should warn the rest of the pack what's happened..."
"I'll do it," Bonnie said unsteadily.
"I'll drive you," Stefan offered, nodding to Damon. "Be at the meeting place as planned. I'll call if something changes."
"Isobel and I will go stake out the place," Alaric said briskly. "We'll be nearby if anything goes wrong. Make sure Tyler is hidden in your car while you're driving to the woods. We don't need anyone getting suspicious."
"Driving?" Damon shook his head, "Aren't you forgetting something? My car is totaled from our encounter with that vamp."
"I'll be back to pick you up then," Stefan called, looking down at his watch. "I'll be back soon."
Isobel paused at the door, glancing behind her. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she finally settled on, "Be careful."
The door shut quietly behind her.
Damon grinned at Elena and hopped onto the couch, lounging back casually. "For someone who's gonna die in an hour, you're looking pretty good."
"This isn't something to joke about, Damon," Elena chastised. "You realize we're trying to outsmart Katherine, don't you? I just have this horrible feeling that she knows what we're up to..."
"Oh god, you're turning into Stefan," Damon groaned good-naturedly. "Quit with the brooding act, alright? The look doesn't suit you."
"I can't help what I feel," Elena retorted, realizing belatedly the double meaning in her sentence.
"Can't you?" Damon asked in a low voice, turning suddenly to face her. His blue eyes were piercing, as if he could see right through her.
Elena looked away, unable to handle the intensity of his gaze.
She felt, rather than heard, Damon shifting closer to her on the sofa. She swallowed and reluctantly turned around to face him, her heartbeat rising rapidly when she realized how close he was.
"Can't you?" His gaze smoldered as he gently reached up to lay a hand on her cheek. Elena leaned into his touch, her body relaxing immediately.
"How do you do that?" she murmured.
"Do what?"
"Make me feel like—like..." Elena trailed off, trying to put her thoughts into words. "Like everything's gonna be okay," she said slowly, realizing it was true even as she said it.
"I guess it must be my natural charm," he winked at her, and Elena rolled her eyes.
"Your ego knows no bounds, does it?"
"You know me," Damon breathed suggestively, "I like to cross the line..." He let his hand fall from her cheek as he leaned closer. Elena's heart stuttered when she saw his gaze fall to her lips, then flick back to look into her eyes. Keeping his gaze locked on hers, Damon dipped his head and gently pressed a kiss to her throat.
Elena gasped, not expecting the movement. She saw Damon smirk slightly as he slowly trailed kisses up her throat, skimming her jawline with the barest touch. As he pulled back, her skin tingled. "Mmm, all that blood rushing to your cheeks is so tempting," Damon teased, his eyes glittering with humor.
"Damon..."
"Shh," he murmured, and she shifted closer to him, keeping her head down so that her hair fell into her face.
"Please be careful when you meet Katherine," she whispered, her tone pleading. "I know you want to hurt her for what she said to you, but please don't try to get revenge, alright?"
Damon frowned and tipped her chin up, brushing the hair out of her eyes. "You don't have to worry about me, Elena. Vampire, remember?"
Elena laughed shakily, "But so is she. Just...don't get yourself killed...Promise?"
Damon rolled his eyes and was about to brush off her comment, when she reached out to clutch his shirt desperately. "Promise?"
So, she was serious.
He smiled at her comfortingly, and leaned down to capture her lips with his. To his relief, she kissed him back immediately, her arms reaching around his neck to pull him closer against her body.
After a few seconds, she abruptly leaned back. Damon looked at her in surprise, "What is it?"
She merely raised an eyebrow.
He sighed, "Alright, alright, I promise I won't do anything stupid like trying to get revenge on Katherine. Happy?"
Elena grinned, satisfied. She pulled him towards her again, noticing that his gaze had begun to darken, the veins appearing like spiderwebs around his eyes.
Damon realized what was happening a split second later, and he paused uncertainly. Elena met his gaze evenly, and slowly pressed a kiss to his lips. "Don't worry," she murmured, "I trust you."
At that moment, the door flung open.
Elena and Damon broke apart in shock, both turning to see who was standing there.
*any guesses? ;)