Disclaimer: There would definitely have had some Delena in this last episode if I owned The Vampire Diaries. As I don't, there were only a few mentions of their kiss.

Chapter Twenty Eight- Mandatory Invitation

As they returned to the living room, Damon didn't even look at his brother. He hated all the feelings' exploration that Stefan liked to do, especially when it came down to the their relationship. Though he would never admit it, he had gotten bored of his promise of an eternity of misery. But he could never let his brother know, he could never show how much he cared. And every time Stefan started to try and dig through his mind, Damon feared that he would be exposed, that he would no longer be able to hide how much he cared.

He glanced at Elena, a smile coming to his somber face. He locked his eyes on her, thinking of the long quest they had ahead of them. If they failed, he would never get to see her again, he would never get kiss her soft lips, nor would her ever just sit beside her and talk. He knew he couldn't fail, because if he failed and the one person he had dared to love in over a century was taken from him, his heart would break beyond repair.

As he looked away from her, his eye caught sight of Stefan and Katherine, their hands shyly grazing. He knew his brother really loved her, and somehow he actually believed that she loved him. She seemed different with him, more like the girl Damon remembered from 1864. Neither him not his brother could stand any more pain. If they didn't succeed in defeating Klaus and the latter didn't kill them, they would end up destroying themselves and any good they had within them.

Feeling everyone's eyes on him, he shook himself out of his thoughts and gave an affirmative nod to the group. They were ready to go grimoire-hunting, or at least as ready as they would ever be. Leaving Alaric behind so he could protect the house, the group sprinted out the door towards the little town.

They ran down the streets of western Mystic Falls, splitting up in a desperate attempt to confuse the hybrids, but all going in the same direction. Bonnie's house. Damon had only been running for a few minutes, but was already panting and his muscles were starting to overheat. Elena felt heavier in his arms by the second, and he feared that he would drop her. Hugging the girl tighter against his chest and repressing a smile as she buried her head into his shoulder, he tried to speed up. The hybrids were getting closer to him. He could hear their ragged breaths as they raced after him, their feet hitting the asphalt, their pace quickening. There was nothing he could do but try to be faster than them.

The house was right in front of them. Safety was only a few steps away. With that thought, Damon lunged towards the doorknob, almost laughing in happiness as he found it to be unlocked. The more things between him and the rabid hybrids outside the house, the better. It could buy them a few seconds. He ran inside, leaving the door wide open for Caroline, Elijah and Stefan.

- Someone has been here today. - Damon muttered under his breath, smelling the blood in the air.

- Then how come you can be in here? You haven't been invited in! - Asked Elena.

- I have. The real problem is that Elijah hasn't.

Damon watched as his brother ran into the house, followed closely by Caroline. Making a fast evaluation, he decided that, apart from a few scratches, they were both in perfect condition. But as Elijah tried to cross the doorway, he was forced to step back outside as he started to suffocate. The Original gave them an angry glare.

- The owner of the house is supposed to be dead! - Elijah shouted, looking over his shoulder at the approaching hybrids.

- It looks like she isn't. - Replied Damon.


Author's Note: The next chapter will be in Caroline's POV. I hope you liked Damon's!