Chapter One

A/N: Hey guys, this is my first FanFiction story so I would love any kind of (constructive) feedback. I decided to write this just after I watched the final episode of Season 1.

This starts of right after the end of Season 1 Episode 22 = "Founder's Day"

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise isn't mine.


Damon ran. It had been his first instinct and, as soon as he could act on it, he did. He ran.

Katherine! His mind screamed at him. Katherine Fucking Pierce!

He brushed a light kiss against her cheek, breathing deeply to steady his nerves. He could smell her scent, so unique, so Elena, but something was off. It was as if the smell was on her but not a part of her. He paused slightly, his gaze locking with hers. That's when, deep down, he knew. It took sometime for the thought to form in his mind but as his eyes flickered to her lips, he began to lean in. Part of him was praying to be slapped, to be rejected, proven to be insane. His actions as of late, certainly made him feel like it. Nothing happened. His lips brushed against hers. He noticed a faint cringe on her behalf but she pulled him closer anyway, deepening the kiss. Even then there was hope in him. Hope that it really was Elena...

Elena!

He skidded to a stop. He did 180 degree turn and ran straight back the way he had just come. If Katherine found her, death would be the preferred option.

He heard the click of the door and Jenna's scent filtered out onto the porch. Katherine had cringed, awkwardly pushing him away, hiding his face just the way she always used to. He was in shock, dumbfounded, sad...

Katherine stepped into the house and he stood there momentarily dazed – until the realization kicked in. Then he ran to get Stefan.

And now he was running back. Back to his maker. To his lover – ex-lover!

He approached the house and instantly smelled the scent of blood. He bolted through the door, nearly knocking it off its hinges. Elena whipped around, about to approach the source of the previous noise. She saw a wild-eyed Damon, his face half morphed, running towards her. She barely had time to scream before his hand was over her mouth, cutting her off. She was unable to register the split second it took to be deposited in his arms and out the door.

As his hand was still firmly clasped over her mouth, she, rejecting the need to yell, struggled to get free instead.

"Will you stop that," he growled at her, releasing her mouth as he ran.

"Stop Damon! Stop! What is going–"

He stopped, placing her on the forest ground. "Katherine," he said, thinking it would explain everything, "She's here, Elena."

Elena staggered slightly, suddenly finding herself on her own two feet again. She barely noticed it as a pang of fear hit her. Jeremy! Jenna!

She began to move but he caught her arm. "Damon! You need to take me back," she begged, clenching her hands, "Jeremy and Jenna are home!"

Damon felt sick at the fear in her voice and the memory of blood. He had smelled blood at her house – lot's of it.

"Give me your phone," he said, remaining calm, while holding out his hand for it.

She was thrown by the sudden change in conversation but quickly felt around for it. "I don't . . . I don't have it. It's in my bag, Damon! Please take me back!" She started moving again, and again he stopped her.

"For what, Elena?" he snapped at her. He was frustrated. "You can't help them. As much as it pains me to say this, we need Stefan."

He didn't bother to wait for a reply before picking her up then, running towards the old boarding house.

"Elena, listen," he said, while he ran. He hoped she was listening. Elena had gone somewhat catatonic. The realization that she could do nothing had hit her – hard. With her focus questionable, he shook her a little as he ran.

"Elena, are you listening?"

"What Damon?" she replied, sounding more tiered than irritated.

"The old boarding house, okay? Listen. I hereby officially entrust it to you. Conciser it as an inheritance, a gift, whatever. It's yours."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, perplexed now.

"I'm creating a safe place," he replied, answering her question unsatisfactorily. Coming to a stop in front of the residence, he placed her down. "Stefan!" he yelled. He turned to her, putting his hands on her arms and looking into her eyes. "You'll be safe here," he reassured, "Katherine can't enter unless you invite her into your home. Hence, the boarding house is yours."

Stefan had appeared by Elena's site almost instantly.

"Katherine?" he asked, overhearing Damon's words. Elena sagged against Stefan as Damon released her, explaining the situation. Stefan enveloped her in a protective hug, pulling her close. He saw the tears that began to run down Elena's cheeks and she sobbed. "She's got them Stefan. Katherine has Jeremy. She has Jenna."

In the time it took Elena to get out these sobs, Damon entered and left the boarding house. His plan hadn't worked. He turned her away from his brother and looked at her pointedly.

"Elena, will you live with us at this boarding house, calling it your home?" He stretched the importance of the words, hoping she would catch on. Trying to give them meaning.

She looked up into his eyes and he suddenly wondered how he could ever have though Katherine's eyes were similar. The depth and raw feeling he saw in these eyes almost threatened to drown him. At this moment, one emotion dominated all others – trust. She nodded at him, understanding, and replied, "I would be honoured to call this place my home."

"Then it is yours," he stated plainly, sweeping his arm over the house in a grand gesture. Then he rushed to the door in an attempt to enter, sweeping her up as he went. Stefan glared at the back of his head as he came to a screeching halt before the door. The all too familiar barrier was up and he smiled.

"Care to invite me in?"

"Please come inside Damon," she said, still firmly clasped in his arms.

He placed her down inside. "Stay here," he instructed, rushing towards Stefan.

"But J–"

"We will take care of it Elena!" Stefan interrupted her, understanding what his brother had done, "And please let me in."

She mumbled something to that effect but stepped outside, protesting his first proposal.

"That's my family Stefan!" she yelled, "And they are– Oh god." She looked horrified for a moment. "I've wasted so much time. We have to go! Now! God knows what she could have done to them."

~0~0~0~

Jeremy could feel the last seconds of his life tick, tick, tick . . . away . . .

He shot up in bed. His head was pounding, his throat dry. He breathed in, hoping to be refreshed by the night air, streaming in through his bedroom window. A scent reached his over-sensitive sense of smell and he felt an itch in his muscles, a throbbing in his teeth.

He was out of bed in a flash.

He moved quickly down the stairs, taking them two at a time. He was in the hallway before he caught himself, yet he followed the scent to it's source – the kitchen. The scene before him, saw his uncle slit open, his hand mutilated and blood smeared all over the kitchen floor. As his eyes fell on his uncle, the first thing he felt was pain. It was, however emotional – short lived. The second thing he felt was hunger.

Blood.

He could feel his own body singing with anticipation as he moved towards it. There was a part of his brain that knew . . . knew that something was happening . . . something he may want to conciser but . . . Hunger. He brushed his hand over the wound, watching the blood ooze over his fingers and he sighed. He brought his fingers to his lips, sucking them greedily. Suddenly the throbbing in his teeth became excruciating. After that, a blind haze took over and he dug his new-found fangs into his uncles neck.


A/N: So? What did you think? Good? Bad? Please let me know what you think. *nudge, nudge* Review? *nudge, nudge* :)