"Wait, what? Went out on a date and you didn't kiss or have steamy hot sex?" Caroline's voice had come through on the other end. She was on speaker phone as Elena was in the middle of outlining her article. Day four of being in New York. She felt that her article was coming together and figuring that writing in a manner of how she saw him would be better. She didn't want it to sound like she was writing some autobiography. She wanted her readers to get to know a side of Damon that was different from the norm, the way that she embodied a successful man such as him. "Caroline, I don't think hot steamy sex is going to get me anywhere. I mean, it might make me come off as the kind of girl that only wants that. I don't want that from any guy. Just think of how that might confuse him." Elena replied.

"Admit it. You do want to kiss him, right?"

"I've only been here three days, and I feel like there's more to him that I still don't know about."

"You think he's keeping secrets from you? I mean, Stefan was your first love and that was back in high school. You have moved on from that, and maybe Damon might be the change you need in your life. What do you know about Damon anyway?"

"He's from Mystic Falls. He didn't mention any family details, but his one visit involved some girl. He had been in a previous relationship before. The way he talked about his past made it seem like he felt wronged. Obviously, he has some sort of resentment against his ex. He's not really much of an open person, as if there's more to him that I still don't know about. Caroline, I remember having a conversation with Stefan having an estranged brother, who I've never even met. There weren't any pictures at his home since he was mainly coming over to my house for the duration of our relationship."

"So, do you ever wonder about who that girl was? The one he met during his short visit?"

Elena wanted to know more information about Damon. After all, Caroline had learnt everything about Stefan on his first day of school. "He described her personality, not her looks. It's not me Care."

Later that day after her phone call with Caroline, Elena decided to visit Damon at his office. She had taken the elevator up to his floor and emerged when the doors opened. The receptionist greeted her with a smile. At the door, Elena reached up and knocked. Another voice was in the room, other than Damon's. She was met with Damon's blue eyes as the door opened. "Elena, I was about to call you. Since you're here, I'd like to introduce you to a friend, Alaric Saltzman." Elena wouldn't have guessed he had any since there was much he had mentioned about his life in New York. The name Alaric Saltzman sounded familiar, and then - "Mr. Saltzman?" She asked. "As in, my former History teacher?"

"Long time." Alaric held his hand out towards Elena's direction that Elena returned with a shake, then rolled her eyes once she realized he was joking. Day four of being in New York, and Alaric hadn't mentioned his friends. She thought. Then again, her relationship with Alaric had only gone as far as knowing him as an attractive History teacher. "How do you two know each other?" She asked him.

"Damon was in town visiting, and uh... well, he had some history with my ex-wife. Of course, we cleared things up and have been friends since." Alaric said. "You're a writer now. It's good knowing you've found something you're passionate about."

Elena nodded, "I am. That's why I'm here... in New York."

"You should join us for lunch." Alaric suggested. Elena exchanged a glance with Damon. She didn't want to impose. She saw the look he had given her. She figured it wouldn't be so bad, thinking that maybe Alaric had some interesting stories about Damon that she hadn't discovered yet. "Well, I'm starving. I'd love to join." She smiled. Damon said that Elena would be riding with them, then grabbed her gently but firmly by the arm as they walked a few feet ahead of Alaric down the hallway. "What? Am I interrupting 'bros night'?"

"No, just not sure what you're planning." Damon pressed the button. The elevator doors opened when he stepped in. Elena rolled her eyes and joined him in the elevator, along with Alaric. The ride down to the lobby was a silent one. They emerged from the elevator upon reaching the floor and headed to the parking area. "We'll head to that Italian restaurant. Elena, you like Italian food?"

"Love it." Elena smiled, then started walking in the direction of where Damon's car was parked. Damon walked a few feet behind with Alaric. He couldn't help himself and admire the outfit that she was wearing. He watched as Alaric had gotten into the passenger seat while Elena waited patiently on the driver's side of the car. Since day one, he wanted to feel her skin against his own. On day two, he wanted to taste her lips. Today on day four, he brought his hand up to touch her cheek after brushing a strand of stray hair that had fallen in front of her face and put it behind her ear. With his thumb, he gently caressed her cheek. "I wish you could join me later at my apartment, except with Ric around I don't think we'll ever have time alone."

"How long is he staying?"

"A few days before he goes back home. I forgot to mention that he was visiting."

"It's not important. Let's go, okay? He's probably starving." Elena chuckled. Damon nodded and opened the driver's side door. He moved his seat for her to get into the backseat. He waited until she was buckled in and got into the driver's seat. He started the car, only glancing briefly at Alaric in time to see his friend roll his eyes. On the drive to the restaurant, Damon couldn't help himself but think about what Elena could ask Alaric. He hadn't fully opened up to her about everything. Even if he did, would that turn her away from being in a relationship with him?

When they arrived at the restaurant, they entered and were seated at a table. Damon ordered drinks for the three of them. Elena wondered about what a relationship with Damon would be like. She knew briefly about his history with his previous ex. She had Caroline's words replaying in her mind - no kiss, no sex, just a gentle caress of the cheek. What were Damon's intentions for her? She knew he wanted to kiss her but didn't. Was he respecting her person? Maybe he was. Maybe he didn't want to rush what could possibly be starting between the two of them. Ten more days before Elena went home to Mystic Falls. Ten more days until she'd never see him again. Something about Damon had made her feel a certain way, different from the feelings she had felt with Matt and Stefan. She knew he was different but couldn't figure out why.

"Seems like college treated you well." Alaric's voice brought Elena to the present moment. Their meals were already served at the table and drinks were being slowly sipped. Alaric and Damon sat across from her. She would often catch Damon's eyes staring at her for far too long, not that it bothered her. "It did, thankfully I had my friends with me." Elena smiled. "You said Damon was visiting. Mystic Falls?" She wanted to see Damon's reaction. She had never heard him mention much about his life there, if he had any family or if he went to school there. Alaric had shifted his gaze from Elena to Damon, who had swallowed a bite of his food. "I did." said Alaric.

"I hadn't gone back since." Damon added.

"He was visiting family, but we met at Mystic Grill. Of course, he refused to answer any questions regarding my ex-wife, Isobel." Alaric said. Elena had furrowed her eyebrows together. She could recall the conversation with Jenna about her birth mother, Isobel. She only knew that Isobel was a cheerleader and left Elena in the care of Elena's adoptive parents, including the fact that Isobel had died."Damon hardly talked about his family." Elena said.

"Wait, you didn't tell her about your brother?" Alaric turned his attention to Damon. This was news to Elena. She turned her attention to Damon, wondering about this so-called mystery brother he had. It was then in her mind that she began to connect the dots. "You're Stefan's older brother?" Great. She figured something like this would happen. She knew little about Stefan, even less about Damon. After their lunch, Damon told Alaric he'd see him later at the apartment. He requested an Uber for Alaric. The three waited outside the restaurant. Once the Uber arrived, both Elena and Damon bid Alaric a goodbye. Finally, the two of them were alone to continue the conversation they had in the restaurant. They sat in his car. "You knew my birth mother and didn't bother to mention that you're related to Stefan?" Elena turned to face him.

Damon let out a sigh, then took her hand in his and held it. He liked the way it felt and because there was something about the way their hands were matched for each other. He wondered if she felt what he had felt - an electricity that coursed through his body. "Yes, I knew. I hadn't really known that Isobel was your birth mother. Then again when I met her at Duke, she didn't mention about having a daughter. I'm sorry about you having to find out this way - about your mother and about Stefan."

"Stefan hardly mentioned you. I don't know much about your history with each other."

"We were in love with the same girl. She had broken his heart and left him in this depressed mood. Though, he never mentioned starting a relationship with anyone else." He said.

Elena pulled her hand away. "Stefan and I dated in high school. We broke up before I started college. We had a lot of differing views; and secrets were kept. I like to have a relationship that is built on a foundation of trust, which is earned and not given. I don't want that to be us Damon. I really enjoy time here in New York with you. If we want to continue on as more than what we are now, then there has to be no secrets between us."

Damon had a suspicion like he knew where she was going with this. He didn't know how to be fully open with her about what he was. He didn't want to raise any questions, especially when he had gone home to see his brother who wasn't exactly happy to see him return. He could tell that she was waiting for him to say something. "Okay, that leaves me with no other choice but to tell you.. I'm a vampire."