Water was sparkling beneath their stares under the bridge as they stood there, Elena's arms across her chest, as he talked, "Katherine is Elijah Michaelson's ex girlfriend, she works at HRW, Brooklyn girl, a while ago Elijah and her were all set to be engaged."

"So why didn't they get engaged?"

Damon turned his face to look at her, "Because she didn't want to marry him, that's what I've found out, she wanted to get her hands on the Michaelson files, their dirt- she got it all, however Klaus being Klaus caught her mid-way and she had to escape."

"Why would Elijah be involved with someone from HRW in the first place." She shrugged, Elijah was a smart man, he wasn't the type to be lured in to this dangerous association so easily, Damon smirked, "Well we have to give credit to her convincing skills maybe, she might help our case, Elijah might still be smitten with her, because that was years ago, bring in the 'redeemed' Katherine for him." That was the plan, that will drive out that family? "What?" she snapped, "That is very likely to work, why would you think she would be interested in playing candy for Elijah, she did for HRW before, what's going to be her reason now?"

He chuckled evilly, "Like hell she did, I bet it was to blackmail them, we can pay her that's no issue, issue is she hates me."

"Who doesn't." Elena muttered, he bit the inside of his cheek looking at her, "Look Gilbert you have to put aside our differences, we're sharing a common ground here."

She even flinched at the thought, "First of all we have no differences, it's my protest against your behavior."

"What about my behavior?" he asked with a raised brow, her jaw dropped at his question, "Have you ever met you? You're a ruthless narcissist."

Silence fell between them, she fisted her hands nervously and tried to look away from his rigid face, after a long moment, he rolled his eyes, "I don't care about an eighteen-year old's judgement."

"Do you care about anyone's judgement for that matter? I know that deep inside you know you are wrong." She pursed her lips, "It's right there on your face."

"You know nothing." He claimed with a smug smirk.

"If you weren't ashamed of it, Stefan would know about all this before he left, but you are ashamed of yourself, because you know-"

"You know why don't you take the wheel on this plan Elena, maybe that's where we would actually need your brainstorming skills." He held her wrist, pulling her close, looking into her eyes coldly, getting his point across, "I don't care about anyone's judgement or whether anything is right or wrong."

"I hope you're telling me and not yourself." She spoke above a whisper. She saw him let out an exasperated sigh and let her wrist go, "Go home."

(-NNDNNDNND-)

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Elena asked Katherine as she was steaming her dresses, "About my personal life, it had nothing to do with this case Elena." she said politely and smiled, which somehow seemed fake to Elena, she got up from the couch and walked to Katherine, "Why are you really here Katherine? Is this your personal grudge with Damon?"

"With Damon?" a look of annoyance crossed her face before she shrug, "I don't hold any-"

"Please Katherine , be honest with me." Elena pleaded, The curly haired woman turned to her, "Well he was the one who told The HRW about my relationship with Elijah, and then they had kept me under investigation for the longest time, he just didn't want me to investigate his dirty work."

"But why would you be with Elijah?" she asked making Katherine sit on the bed next to her, "Because he was my case for the longest time, however it didn't went how I planned it, we fell in love." She sighed, "Then I didn't want to do what I planned to, but before I could ever tell him Klaus exposed me and then he didn't want anything to do with me."

"Oh."

Katherine nodded, "Umhm, however we are here to rid this town of-"

"No Katherine, we need to take a different route, the Michaelson brothers before the Salvatores, I think the only way it's possible if we take on the previous plan, Elijah is easier than Klaus is."

"Of course he is, money was never his top priority, he's different than Klaus." She pursed her lips, an expression of sadness crossed her face. Elena tilted her head slightly to see her, when Katherine felt Elena's eyes on her , she shrugged, "I don't know how that is possible, we can only break the companies apart by any misconception between the two, Klaus has always been selfish and he is going to mess up somewhere like he did with a company in Germany."

Elena bit her lower lip, "But what if he doesn't ever? We cant wait forever. I need to make Giuseppe feel like Klaus is a threat to him."

Katherine stayed quiet, than she got up walking, "I feel like I am stuck Elena, if Klaus and Elijah are here, it definitely means that our work isn't going to be easy, but since I am a member of the HRW, I'll try to get an idea of the company being planted here and maybe get some information on it, hopefully as they aren't saints, there will be things to put a stop to, maybe we can corner them for one thing." She went to get a navy blue bodycon dress and held it in front of the mirror against her body, Elena tucked her hair back, "I am working at the company so maybe I can help."

"What?" she said surprised and turned her head back, "and I find this out now?"

"Well I really didn't get a chance to tell you actually." She pursed her lips. Katherine shook her head at Elena, "You realize that after everything Giuseppe will try to torture you right."

"I am aware, I wanted him to have the exact mindset when I applied, I just wanted to get close for information." She explained, "This was the only way."

(-NNDNNDNND-)

All the land was cleared up for construction, and Elena was there with Elijah to check the progress, he was busy with the engineers and the planners while she was trying to study the boundary on the map. The areas were marked where the boundary of one ended and the rectangles was not just two or three, about fifteen, it would take the front of the town. It didn't help that her father's property had been in the middle. She bit her lip marking it. "Gilbert!" the sound shook her and she knew it was Giuseppe. She folded the paper and walked over to him and Elijah, "She will help you." Giuseppe nodded at Elijah, "My father will show up next week and he says that we might run the advertisement already."

"I think it's way too soon." Giuseppe commented, "However before Michael comes to town, I'd want to have a meeting about this with you and Klaus, together." He emphasized , "Other than that Elena will surely cover for the day."

Elijah looked at her for a brief moment before shaking Giuseppe's hand. Both him and Elena watched him go till Elijah cleared his voice, "Miss Gilbert I hope you've get the approvals signed from Niklaus." She reached into the folder and took out a thin orange file, "Yes I did Sir."

Elijah took the file from her hand and studied it, Elena noticed the frown lines on his forehead, it looked like he was off, but then again she hadn't seen him 'so lively' , the guy just kept to himself, like anything didn't matter to him , to think about Katherine and him made her feel weird , Katherine didn't seem like someone who would be easily impressed and this man had done it. Suddenly, he got a call and he stopped studying the file to reach into his pocket for the phone, "Hello- yes speaking."

There was a brief silence on this side till she saw his expressions turn stony, he clutched the phone tightly before a "hmm- okay." Then he shut the phone, he shut the file, "Damn it."

"Excuse me?" she asked softly, he shook his head, "Give this to Steve and go back, tell Niklaus that we already have an inspection session coming our way."

"Oh." She took the file from his hand, he looked way too infuriated, "You know what, I am going to talk to him myself."

(-NNDNNDNND-)

She was standing aside the separation in Klaus's office , acting like she was arranging past records, the voice were almost narrow to none but pressing her ear against the wall she could still some conversation between Klaus and Elijah.

"She can do nothing." Klaus waved off the thought, "I've grouped up a few idiots in this town , Lockwood, Smiths , Campbell, Stewart- hell we're right here in the Salvatore company, they will cover up for us." He said further.

Elijah chuckled humorlessly, "That doesn't stop her, she doesn't give a second fuck to family names, everyone is going to find out."

"They will eventually and by that time we will be out of here and the person highlighted will be Giuseppe- I am coming to terms with him, he says no one in town goes against him no matter up, he'll fake a story of being frauded, we split everyone's good- besides the project is in the bastard's name." he rolled his eyes, "Stefan Salvatore is on the paper for this and that is approved by his 'caretaker' Damon." He snickered, "That son of a bitch is going to see nothing but bars- an electric chair if we get lucky."

Elijah coughed, "You know what you're sick, That Giuseppe Salvatore is sick, if he doesn't care about his sons, he might betray us too."

"Well we'll screw him too if it comes down to that, trust me, Katherine is not a big problem, I can get rid of her in a snap." He said in a cool tone, Elijah flinched, "You're not going to hurt her. If you do I'll not be a part of this."

Klaus groaned in frustration, "God damn it Elijah, when are you going to move on from that HRW whore?"

"We have our priorities Niklaus, I have made that clear so if you can respect mine-"

Klaus spat, "This is the reason every conversation with you is so nauseating, go fuck yourself." Elijah wanted to say something but clamped his mouth shut, "The feelings are pretty mutual."

Klaus rolled his eyes as Elijah went out the cabin, Elena pulled away from the wall to pretend marking the files when Elijah passed her, Klaus called her from the other room and she heard the bell, she hurried to his room with a fake smile on her face, "Yes sir?"

"Get me a strong Coffee and bring in Morris's files." He ordered in a firm tone as he sat straight in front of the laptop.

She nodded, "Sure." She sighed as she left the cabin, She could see some structure forming, but if they were going to leave the town anyway why the land consumption?

(-NNDNNDNND-)

Elena stopped her Chevy out side Pearls and got out to enter the crowded place, Grill was still recovering and every high schooler had taken to this place as the new hang out, how ever she was here to meet Stefan, who surprisingly was still motivated to work here.

"Hey." He greeted her with a wide smile at the counter, "What can I get you?"

She huffed, "A strawberry shake now that you ask, but what time is your shift over again.?"

He grinned, "ehh in twenty minutes but what's the deal Miss Gilbert?" he winked at her, she gasped and hit his arm playfully, "I need to talk to you about the case."

He rolled his eyes, "Arghh can we not always talk about 'the case.'." he turned back to call her order inside, Elena sighed, "Look I wish- but you might want to hear about this, I don't know who to tell this."

He frowned then nodded.

"Hey Lena." Bonnie walked over to her and leaned against the counter, "Where are you all the time?"

"Just busy with work, tell me about it." She groaned, she took her shake and walked with her to the side with Bonnie"Honestly I've been missing out on so much, I am the worst."

Bonnie huffed, "Come on, don't be so hard on yourself, you're trying to accomplish something, it comes with a prize."

"Of course it does." Elena shrugged, "Where are Care and Ty?"

Bonnie pointed to the bathroom area, "Probably making kids."

"Eww." Elena scrunched up her face, "You gotta keep the TMI memo Bonnie."

"So what is up with you and that Hottie?" Bonnie raised her eyebrows towards Stefan. Elena narrowed her eyes as she sipped her drink, "What do you mean?"

"You totally were warming up your ovaries for him at the club remember?" Bonnie smirked. Elena almost spit up her drink, "Okay that was months ago, at this point we are more like, platonic friends."

"No way, you see the way he looks at you, he definitely wants you." She motivated but Elena scrunched up her face, "Ehh he wants everyone, you'd know if you had a conversation with him. He even likes Katherine."

Bonnie snickered, "I mean who wouldn't, she's freaking hot."

"Okay whatever, I don't like him that way okay." She said in a defensive voice, Bonnie's jaw fell and there was a moment of silence in which Elena sipped her drink when Bonnie asked her, "Ummm is it about that weird dream guy?"

Elena stayed quiet , Bonnie laughed this time, "Elena it's just a freaking dream. Why are you pushing away this hottie for Mr.knight in shining armor that doesn't exist."

"I don't need to hear it from you, I know it's not real and will you please stop asking about it in front of Caroline, she harasses me for it God damn it." Elena gritted her teeth, "I don't know, I have this feeling, I just keep thinking about him." She blushed but clutched her drink, "I know it's not real okay but that near to dying experience, it has moved me- you know how stuff with Mom and Dad is, Jeremy isn't over his accident, and thinking someone secretly cares about me other than God gives me a good feeling."

Bonnie shook her head, "Under that circumstances, a fireman would care too."

"It was different, it was gentle- once in a life time experience, like I spent a separate life, you get me?" Elena tried to get her point across but Bonnie stared at her blankly, "I mean if it makes you feel happy it's okay, but the sooner this idea shifts-"

Elena nodded, "I know, the better- don't worry , I wont show up to our senior prom with an imaginary partner."

"Thank God." She let out an appreciative sigh, Elena gasped, "Since when do you care about prom? I feel like you are spending way too much time with Caroline."

Stefan waved at her from across the room and she waved back, "Okay I gotta go."

"Go get him." Bonnie said enthusiastically and Elena shot her a dirty look before walking to Stefan, "Let's go."

Once they got out of the place, she shivered at the cold wind as they started walking to her car, "Okay I heard something from Klaus today, he wasn't talking to me but I heard."

"You over heard?"

"Ahuh something like that." She turned to him, "Is Damon Salvatore your legal Guardian?"

"Uhh yeah." He said shyly, he ran a hand through his hair, "Not many people know this that we both are half-brothers."

"What?" she blinked with shock.

"Yeah we share the same mother- Lilian Salvatore." He looked around to avoid her eyes, "Is this information necessary?"

"No uh I am sorry." She blinked, "If I made you uncomfortable."

"See that's why I told you." He sounded a bit frustrated as he took a step further, then back to her, "It's not your fault."

She didn't say anything as he continued.

"If it's anyone fault- it's my mother's, she fell in love with my dad while still being married to Giuseppe Salvatore, I don't know what happened to him, however she still left us later on, father says she's dead to us. Father would have accepted me- if Lily had stayed back, that's what I think- I didn't even want to come back home, I lived with my maternal uncle till Damon wanted to bring me home and he took over the guardianship, well that's over since I am eighteen." He pursed his lips.

There were so many questions in her head but one thing was quite clear, "So your shares in the company?-"

He interrupted, "Father never intended to keep me in the company affairs, Damon insisted on those shares for me, he practically forced me down Father's throat." He laughed lightly and shook his head, "He used to say we'd work together once I come back from college and for the longest time I wanted to be a part of that company and make him proud."

Elena shook her head, "I don't think so Stef, look maybe you have a wrong idea."

"What do you mean?" his features tensed.

Elena bit her lip, "Well I think Damon just wants to involve your name in to blame a scandal on you ,even though you aren't even a part of the company."

There was complete silence between them after she said that and Elena thought she really hurt him, but he spat, "Are you nuts?"

"Stefan I know you-"

"No-no Elena." he let his hands up in surrender, "Please, just don't go on assuming things about him, I know you think the worst of him but he would never put me in danger."

"Stefan I know you are in shock but do not stay in denial, it isn't the first time that I told you something which you didn't like but was true." She said trying to touch his arm but he moved a step back, "No I will never believe this, whatever you say cant be true, I know my brother better!" he said in a loud voice before walking away from her , she followed, "Stefan listen to me-"

"No Elena please." He snapped as he walked to his car.

(-NNDNNDNND-)

Dark thick black clouds everywhere and not like the ones before a rain, but after a fire- a blazing fire that ended just at her foot and even though she hissed from the heat she couldn't move her body away from it, she was bounded. She could smell her boiling blood and it was making her cringe, she moaned as she threw her head back, sweat drops trickled down her temples as she closed her eyes, crying quietly against the ground. Then like swift wind she was picked off that burning ground into tight embrace of strong arms and she knew she was saved. She looked up from her heavy lashes as her arms clutched the soft material of his shirt. Soon the fire was gone, the spicy smoke was eliminating from her airways and she felt actual peace, not death but peace taking over her every nerve, calming her down. "You okay?" the voice so smooth.

"Yes." She replied with a smile on her dry warm lips. Then there was a touch, so foreign yet so familiar, a hand lovingly brushed against the side of her face and it caused her half- sore body to rise back to life, too real- "Ahhh!" She jerked forward and found herself out of breath on top of her bed, she sat up properly, her chest still heaving beneath her camisole and she turned her back to see the violently vibrating phone under her pillow and frustration piled up in her, why did she have to wake up? It was twelve in the night!

'Damon'

The screen read.

She gritted her teeth, as she picked it up in her sweaty hand "Really? Now? don't tell me you are an insomniac!"

She heard a chuckle on the other side, "Enzo told me Father told you to 'help' Elijah." He put the emphasis on the word 'help'.

"So?"

"So plenty, I know you know something since you were a bubblegum stuck in their hair all day long, the reason you drove your ass down to Stefan."

"Are you following me? Because you don't need to, since it's not the first half-assed thing-" she spat

"Shush shush Gilbert. I want to know what you know." He said in a sing-song voice, " and then you can go back to masturbating, which I apologize if I interrupted."

"You mother-" she clenched the phone, "Don't ever talk to me like that or this deal is over."

"Ooh you are acting fierce- hmm something tells me you have some boiling headlines." He said with his unaffected excited tone.

"Can we talk over the phone, I really don't want to see your face." She said brushing her messy hair with her fingers as she got up the bed.

"Sure go ahead." He sounded focused now.

"I don't think any land is needed in the project, Michaelsons were talking about moving out of town soon."

"Moving out or running away?" he asked in a curious voice, "What were his exact words?"

"Just that, there's going to be an inspection as a Drug and Chemical company has been decided on to be planted and Elijah was pretty upset, he talked to Klaus about it and he said that he has a bunch of business men such as Lockwood, Campbell, Stewart – people like that in town to get him through this inspection, even Giuseppe and then Elijah said something about Finding out and Klaus said that everyone is going to find out eventually when they leave town." She repeated the conversation she heard.

"Hmm is that everything?"

"Almost." She splashed some water on her face, keeping her phone away, "Katherine would soon run some inspections."

"You got her that soon?"

She bit her lip, "I just informed her and she was interested." She lied and heard Damon sigh, "You are actually smarter than I thought, what did she say about the Elijah thing?" a blush crept up her cheeks but she shrugged it off.

"She didn't say anything, but I don't think she will do it." She walked back to the bed and sat on it. "Don't count on it."

"Oh I have a backup." He sounded wicked.

"You're gonna wear a wig or something?" she chuckled at the thought, "You might wanna get a closer shave too."

She didn't hear a voice on the other side and she rolled her eyes, "Seriously though, do not ever call me at this hour again." And hung up on him.

(-NNDNNDNND-)

"Hey Elena!" Matt waved at her from the other end of the hall way and rushed through the crowd, "I wanted to talk to you about something."

She was pushing her excess books into the locker as she was preparing her bag, 'Yeah what's up?"

"Are you busy? Tomorrow?" he asked with glimmering eyes. Elena raised a brow, "Why?"

"Just a bunch of stuff, I haven't really made up to you for-" He got quiet and Elena realized he was mentioning the fire accident, she nodded, "Oh, Matt listen I know you didn't want me to-"

"I know you understand Elena, you understand a bit too much." He sighed, "But I really wanted to take you out."

"Take me out like a dinner date?" she narrowed her eyes , standing against the locker to face him.

"No with a sniper! Of course a dinner date, I know you are too busy for this but I really want to spend some time , make up for my screw up and you know-" he blushed, "Maybe just talk."

She pursed her lips, "Oh you don't need to, really."

"But I want to, I don't know how many times I've tried to ask you this year, but this – I just knew I had to walk up, apologize and even do what I wanted to do all year long- ask you to dinner with me." he said grasping onto a little confidence, he didn't sound flustered anymore. Anytime someone would ask her out the dream would just come flashing in- why? Bonnie was right, she was going crazy over personal mental stimulation of this heroic figure.

"Yeah, why not, it sounds cool." She gave him toothy smile as she stepped back a little, "So I'll see you tomorrow."

"Great." He gripped his bag tighter and Elena chuckled at how nervous he was acting, she got ahead and messed his hair, "Don't act like that, dork."

(-NNDNNDNNDNND-)

"Really Liam?" she kept her voice steady but this jet black haired man at her office was really creeping her out, She tried to walk across him but he blocked her way, when Elena walked to the Elevator he followed her inside and she clutched her hands, "Look I'll punch you so hard if you don't leave me alone!"

"I don't remember saying anything." He raised a brow at her sounding cheeky.

"Yeah except that you brushed against my ass several times this week, this is a huge freaking office can you please not do that."

"Why don't you report that to Enzo or umm Giuseppe Salvatore?" he taunted blocking her way out again. Everyone in this office knew how much Giuseppe paid heed to things concerning her, she groaned, "Why don't I report you to Miss fist here and Mr. Knee right here." She said as she quickly kneeing him in the groin. He cursed as he pushed her back, "Bitch!"

"Liam stay away!" she screamed as he reached for her and grabbed the back of her hair, "Who do you think you are?" the tall man pushed her against the Elevator wall, Elena kicked her feet against him but he gripped them and she screamed as he slapped her across the face, a shriek left her mouth as she tried to land her fist against his rib but it wouldn't move from his grip, she had never felt this helpless as he pushed his body against hers and tried to crash his lips against hers. "Ahhhh!" She shouted, "Let go of me!"

The Elevator had stopped for a third time and when the door parted. He pulled away from her quickly and she even hated this moment more when she saw Damon enter the elevator, She tried to stand up straight, and then slowly leaned down to grab the discarded folder. Liam was giving her 'I will kill you eyes' and she clenched her teeth looking away from him, It probably looked like something else and the thought made her disgusted, this disgusting person was going to think she was disgusting- she didn't dare look at him and see the 'oh I caught you' look in his lewd eyes, no fucking way.

As soon as the fifth floor arrived she rushed out of the Elevator, this wasn't even her floor, she just needed to get away, the tears started to run down her eyes as she managed to get to walk out to the balcony on the back and sat down on the bench, winching and sobbing. Giuseppe would never take notice, he would be glad she felt this dis-respected and Enzo, he worked for Giuseppe not for the employs.

"Here." A tissue paper was passed to her and she looked up , ashamed to see , she was caught sobbing like this.

Damon was holding a wooden tissue box , from which he had pulled out two to three tissues for her, she churned her teeth to see he was the one who interrupted this moment she deserved- empty of the snarky behavior of his, regardless she took the tissues from his hand and wiped her eyes and her eyes found perfect opportunity to cry more and she shuddered as shivers started to run down her spine- what if that man-

He silently held the wooden tissue box in front of her and she pulled out more tissue papers, wiping her tears, biting her lower lip to not make sounds or crying loudly, "Thanks." She blew her nose on the tissue and pursed her lips into a tight line but broke into sobs again.

"Come on." He said above a whisper and she shook her head.

"Come." He said in a persuasive tone , offering his hand to her, she got up thinking she wasn't going to win as she followed him to a cabin , which was three rooms away from the balcony. She sat down on the chair almost lifelessly, he took the folders from her hand and placed them on the glass table in the middle of the room. He walked over to her and held her chin up, "Your eye is swollen."

She didn't reply just looked away from him.

He walked over to the cabinet in the periphery of the room and took out a box , he kept it on the table aside the chair she was sitting on and took out a wet disinfecting wipe. "Look at me." he instructed. She sucked up her tears, "I am fine."

"Elena." His voice had the tiniest tinge of concern and she looked up after a sigh. He rolled up the wipe and like a compress, pressed it under her eye, She hissed, "Ow no no- this is the worst." She pushed his arm away.

"You need a little pressure on it." He said as he resumed to press it against her eye and she groaned, "I am so going to kill that asshole."

He pulled the compress away after some minutes, "Just go home and rest for the day."

"I have to arrange your father's meeting with the Michaelson brothers so-"

"I'll make sure to let my father know of this situation, just get some rest." He said plainly, her lips parted in surprise, why was he being so kind?

She bit her lip, he didn't look like he was going to take no for an answer, "I uh- can you pass this to Elijah?" she picked out three to four files and kept them on the table, she tucked her hair back feeling heat rush to her cheeks , he walked forward and stand aside her, "I'll make sure you don't see him around."

She turned her head to him and felt like she froze- his face, stiff as always but as if his eyes, they hold shreds of some type of feeling, like he was 'sorry'. She nodded slightly, "uh i-ah okay." She was really out of words, he sighed as he picked up the files, "If you wanna fresh up before leaving, the restroom is over there." He said and left the room. She stood in the middle of the room, completely clueless , out of words and actions, the last thing she expected had happened, the last person she expected to comfort her, tried to comfort her.

(-NNDNNDNND-)

A/N:

Hey guys I wrote this chapter a long long time ago , like a month ago but I was super anxious to post it, thinking what you guys might think- this story is hard to write so I hope you guys like it, also this chapter is DEDICATED TO JUSTYNA. She loves this story so I thought 'bitch get over your anxiety and post the damn chapter'

Hope you guys like it.

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