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(Caitlin)

"Hello, I'm Dr. Rosenberg", a woman dressed in white said as she entered my room with Damon on her heels. "Caitlin O'Brien", I replied. "You are my physician here?" She nodded. "How do you feel, Ms. O'Brien?" she asked. Damon stood by the door and watched me. "I'm fine, I think", I said. "Okay, let's do a few tests." Dr. Rosenberg looked at my stomach. Not one stitch could be seen. Probably one of the advantages of being healed with vampire blood, I thought. She tested my reflexes, had me sit up, then stand on my own feet and walk a few steps. I was a bit weak, but that was probably a result of too much rest. "Okay, with a healthy nutrition and a few physical exercises every day you should be as good as new within a few days", she said. I smiled at her. "I can take her home?" Damon asked. She nodded. I looked at Damon who had joy written all over his face. I would've walked over to him, but that damn hospital gown was far from being decent. "Could I have a moment alone with my boyfriend?" I asked and nodded pointedly at the door when my mom raised an eyebrow.

Fortunately, she had the grace not to question me and they left us alone. When the door closed, I crooked a finger at Damon and patted on the space beside me. With a hesitant smile on his face, Damon strolled over to me and sat down. "So?" he asked expectantly. "About what happened at the warehouse … I am really sorry, Damon" I said quietly. He took a deep breath. "When I realized you were doing worse instead of getting better … it scared the hell out of me", he whispered, taking one of my hands in his. I lowered my head. "I know, and I didn't want that", I whispered. "Sometimes things just happen, Caitlin. Forget about it, okay?" he said and cupped my cheek, turning my face towards him. I looked into his eyes. "You're not mad at me?" He gave me one of his crooked grins. "Maybe a little, but ... right now all I want is to take you home with me", he replied in a low voice. I almost drowned in his ice-blue orbs when he slowly leaned closer and brushed his lips over mine.

His lips felt so good on mine and all I wanted was to have him naked on a bed. He must've sensed it and pulled away with a smile. "If we keep this up, we'll probably be arrested for public nuisance", he breathed. I couldn't keep myself from licking my lips. "So what?" I whispered and gave him an inviting look. A sharp intake of breath was the answer. "Hold that thought – and get dressed … please", he requested and jumped off the bed. I couldn't help a grin – I loved making him squirm. While I got dressed, he texted Stefan that we would head home soon and with Damon's support I was ready to leave within a few minutes. He took my bag and I opened the door. Mom and Grams waited outside together with Dr. Rosenberg. "I'm ready to go home", I said and laced my fingers with Damon's to make sure everyone understood with whom I was going "home". Grams smiled, but Mom didn't look too pleased. However, she didn't say a word. Dr. Rosenberg solved the tension. "Alright, the release papers are at the reception. You just have to sign them", she said. I held out my hand. "Thank you, for everything", I said. She took it and smiled. "I hope I won't see you again anytime soon", she said with a wink. I chuckled. "I'll try my best", I replied. "And you take good care of her", she added, pointing to Damon. "If she let's me", he nodded, looking dead serious.

We went to the reception and I signed all necessary papers. I also saw that Damon had already paid the whole thing. "Stop thinking about it", he admonished when he saw me furrowing my brows. "That's too much", I grumbled. "Please, let it go, okay?" he replied softly. I just nodded. "Let's get out of here", I said and linked arms with him. Turning around, I saw my mother and grandmother standing in front of us. For a moment, I wasn't sure what to say, but Damon jumped in. "Would you like to accompany us?" he asked. "I'm sure you still have a lot to talk about." Grams and Mom looked at each other and Mom just shrugged. "That would be nice, yes", Grams answered with a friendly smile. "Alright, let's go", he said cheerfully and led us to my car. For the first time in years, I was glad to have my 10-year-old station wagon. I used to think it was too big for one person, but it had been a present from my dad, so I hadn't had the heart to sell it. Damon drove us to his place.

Suddenly, his cell phone rang. "I guess this is for you", he said after a glance on the display and handed it to me. It was Cheryl's number. "Hey Damon, I was …", she started. "Cheryl, it's me, Caitlin", I interrupted her. "OH MY GOD!" she screamed and I had to keep the phone away from my ear. Damon grinned. "Cait', are you okay? What the hell happened? I've been trying to reach you for days!" she fired at me. "I'm okay, Cheryl. Damon had an encounter with former business associates. Turned out that they are involved in some criminal activities and they threatened him and me. Oh, and my house got burned down", I replied. "What?" she whispered incredulously. "I'm fine, Cheryl. Damon saved my life by carrying me out of the building." When I looked at him I saw him rolling his eyes. "You didn't tell that part", my grandmother chimed in from the back. "I don't necessarily brag", Damon replied dryly. "That means … you've lost everything?" Cheryl tried to grasp the dimension. "Yep, except for my life and my car", I replied sarcastically.

She huffed. "This joking habit must've rubbed off. Say, can I help you with anything? Do you want me to come over?" she asked. I pondered on it. "Probably not, at least not now. I have a hell lot to organize and I'll need some time for recreation. Please, don't be mad, Cheryl", I explained. "Of course I'm not mad, but please: If there's anything I could do for you, let me know. Okay?" she replied. "Will do, Cheryl, I promise", I said. "Okay, take care, Cait'. See ya", she answered and hung up. "Good cover", Damon commented. "You'll always have to lie to her", my mother interjected. "I want to keep Cheryl out of it. It's too dangerous for her", I stated. I knew what she was referring to - I would always have to keep secrets. Mom remained silent and we finally arrived at Damon's place. "Welcome to my humble abode", he joked and opened the door for them. My mother stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Stefan and Elena sitting in front of the fireplace. I walked past her. "Brother, still here?" Damon greeted them as they got up. "Caitlin!" Elena rushed over to me. "It's so good to see you're doing fine again", she said and hugged me. "I'm glad too, Elena", I replied. "Now that you're back, I think we can leave", Stefan said and also hugged me briefly. "Too bad, I would've loved to hear a few more stories", I replied with a grin. "Our invitation's still up", he reminded me with a smile. "We'll talk about that later", Damon interjected.

I turned to my family. "How about some coffee or tea?" I asked and motioned for them to sit down. Grandma lowered herself into one of the armchairs, but my mother remained standing. It was obvious that she felt uncomfortable with so many vampires around. "We'll go downstairs and pack our things", Elena said, grasping the situation, and pulled Stefan with her. "I'll help them", Damon added and followed them to the basement. "Mom?" I asked and placed a hand on her arm. To my surprise, she pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm losing you", she murmured. "I was so afraid when he told me all that had happened, and I was extremely mad at him ... still am … but I've seen how much he loves you and I know he'll do everything to keep you safe… it's just…", she sighed and stopped talking."You're not losing me, Mom. I'll always be there for you and Grams and Dad. If I had married Charles I would also have my own family life and there could've been an even greater distance between us." She shook her head. "You'll never have children, not with him", she whispered and I froze for a moment. "I know that", I replied softly. "But I love him, Mom. I love him with every fibre of my being." She pulled her head back and looked at me. A tear glistened on her eyelash. "I know, and that's the only reason he's still alive", she whispered and finally grinned at me.

"And now I would like to get some tea, dear", my grandmother chimed in and got up. I let a short laugh and Mom let me go. "Okay, let's sit down in the kitchen, like we do at home, okay?" I said and motioned at them to follow me. I brewed some tea for us and we chatted amicably for a while. "Are you going to stay at his house?" Mom asked. I shrugged. "At least until I can get a new apartment. God, I really need to write down everything that needs replacement", I said and sipped some tea. "Well, get some paper. Maybe we can help", Grams said. "That's a great idea", I replied and fetched a piece of paper and a pen. With their help I quickly listed everything and was delighted to hear, that Damon had already taken care of a few things. He had called Jake and asked for some time off to get things straight. Jake had agreed and given me an unpaid leave. It would take a few days to check off everything on the list. "When are you going back?" I asked. "We'll check out of the hotel today and drive home right away", Mom replied. "You still coming over for Christmas? Dad would love to see you again." I weighed my head. "Stefan and Elena invited us for Christmas, but I will definitely stop by on my way home", I replied. "I or we?" Grams asked with a smile. I blushed. "I think we will stop by – if you don't mind", I corrected myself and glanced at my mother. She just shook her head.

Right at this moment, Stefan and Elena entered the kitchen. "You're leaving?" I asked and got up. "Yeah, we need to get back and it's a long drive", Elena sighed and hugged me. "Take care, both of you", I whispered and hugged her back. Stefan hugged me briefly. "See you soon, Stefan, and thanks for helping us" I said. "I guess we're leaving too, honey", Grams chimed in. "If we get to the hotel right now, we can still be home before midnight." Damon stepped forward. "I could drive you there", he offered. Grams shook her head. "We can call a cab", she said. "Where are you staying?" Stefan asked. "It's a small bed & breakfast, not far from here", Mom answered. "How about we give you a ride? It's the least we can do", Elena offered. Grams looked at Mom and she gave in. "Okay, fine. We'll ride with you." I knew why she was so reluctant. "Stefan and Elena live on animal blood, Mom", I told her. Her eyes went wide. "Really? Vampires who negate their nature?" she asked incredulously. Stefan nodded. "It's not easy, but it works", Elena said and took his hand. Stefan smile at her. "Come on, folks, I think we'll have a little chat in you car", Grams said and linked arms with them, walking them towards the door. After my family and I had made our farewells, they took off with Stefan and Elena.

I grinned – Grams would pester them with questions about their lifestyle. "What's so funny?" Damon asked and wrapped his arms around me from behind while we watched them pull out. "Grams can be very curious." I snickered. "I love that sound", he whispered and kissed my neck. "Which sound?" I feigned ignorance while he pulled me softly backwards into the house. "You laughter", he replied. "Is that all?" I asked. He cocked his head. "Hm, let me think about it…", he replied. "Damon!" I returned exasperated. He chuckled and lifted me up bridal style. "Where are you taking me?" I asked. "To a warm and cozy place", he replied and carried me upstairs. "And then?" I teased, threading my fingers through his hair. We entered the bedroom. "I want to make real what you had in mind earlier today", he murmured and kissed my throat while he placed me on the bed. When I started to undress, he stilled my hands. "Let me do this", he asked and I let him take off my clothes while I divested him, one piece after the other, until we were naked before each other's eyes. The intensity of his gaze made me shiver. "I nearly lost you", he whispered hoarsely and kissed my collarbones. "But you didn't", I sighed and arched into him. "I need you", he gasped when I attacked his earlobe. "I know", I rasped. "I know…" My last coherent thoughts dissolved in a sea of passionate frenzy.