Maybe it was the most difficult night in her bed, she was just tossing and turning and all night with disturbing images in her head and voices, just voices. She'd do anything to learn the art of 'getting over things.' Tonight, however it was almost impossible at this point. She sat up grumpy in bed, she had been in her room all day, maybe everyone was right, she should go to therapy. At least once. The whole grill incident followed by the Liam one, she wasn't fine now. She sat against the headboard, her arm almost involuntarily reached out to turn the light on and soon she found herself writing in her journal. Liam, fire, Jeremy, Stefan – Damon.

She stopped when she wrote his name a few times between those lines, some how unable to associate him with the word, Selfish , caveman, crude and crass. Today he wasn't any of those. She clenched the pen in her fist and gritted her teeth at just the thought of calling herself 'judgy' for previously writing hate notes about him, her journals filled with confessions that if he ever went missing and this was read by the police, she would definitely be the top suspect.

she slid down the headboard and lied on her pillow as she recalled the moment between them today. So humiliating her and making her cry wasn't his motive, she was lost in thought , simpering for some reason when it all came back to her, NO! NO ! Jeremy. She shook her head burying her face in the pillow.

(-NND-NND-NND-)

"Mind telling me what is going on?" Damon said entering his father's office and standing a feet or two ahead of the door, "It's as if the Klaus and Elijah own this place father, this is intolerable and you know unfair towards me."

"I haven't kept you out Damon." Giuseppe looked up the book he was reading and lowered his reading glasses, "Have some patience boy."

"So what's the idea with this, why don't you include me?"

He rolled his green eyes, "You sound like a woman honestly, with all this don't ignore me stuff you have going on, not that I owe you an explanation but I want those two to have confidence in us, for our better interest."

He scowled as he pulled a chair and sat down looking at the window, "Woman." He huffed, "Speaking of which, that girl-"

"Gilbert girl."

"Yes, I get your dislike , trust me she annoys me too but with this sex offending it's just, she's a kid." He tried to ignore Giuseppe's astonished stare, "Her brother was a kid."

"Okay whatever, I just don't see a point in pushing her there, I don't like it." He said with great difficulty, Giuseppe smirked, "Is Damon Salvatore changing rules for a woman?"

"Rules is not attempting to rape a girl child." He spat, now confident to look at Giuseppe, "You tell them to stop, give her work, send her difficult places but-"

He laughed, "Don't make her cry Dad I cant see that."

"Stop." He said firmly, "I know our rules father, it's making people remember who we are, but this just is crossing limits and even if it's any woman, aren't you the one who says that woman are weak? Easily manipulated and easily silenced so by rules that, and I do not want to be associated with anyone who is going to cause that kind of trauma." He bit his lip, "I fired Liam, he didn't say you told him to did what he did, but I know you did."

(-NND-NND-NND-)

Elena was putting on mascara when she heard the doorbell, even though she didn't want to now, it was a promise, she had to, Matt was waiting downstairs probably, she looked at her appearance one more time, her hair were half up, half down in curls, she had used a little black eye shadow to smoke the crease of her eyes, her lips nude pink glossy and cheeks had a faint blush, she had put on the red velvet halter dress that flowed over her knees and paired it with mid calf black boots, she headed downstairs after taking her bag and found him talking to Jeremy in the living room, "Hey I am ready."

He turned around and gave her a huge grin, "Wow you look good."

Jeremy huffed, "So when are you coming back?"

"Never." She hissed jokingly as she gestured Matt to go, Jeremy gave her a tight lipped smile, "Stay safe Lena."

"I will."

When they got outside she was puzzled seeing Matt's usual mustang 2005 wasn't there but a red Chevy impala, "Woah- what's up Donovan?"

"Dad said he did a few investments here and there."

"Impressive." She smirked as she ran her hand on the roof of it, "So where are you taking me?"

"Mm I was thinking there's a point on the hill, they have a few restaurants there, trust me it's Malibu in mystic."

"Sounds good." She said and took a step back as he opened the door for her, "My lady." She giggled at his sudden grave voice and sat inside.

He got in and started driving, said a few things which completely went over her head, these days she was just lost, "Matt turn the A.C off, I wanna slide the window down okay?"

"Sure." He said and pressed a button, the window swiftly slid down and waves of cold wind hit her, but they weren't , each touch of it was soft, she slowly rest her arm against the frame and enjoyed the slight darkness of the environment. She felt a touch against the back of her head, she looked over her shoulder to see him looking back at her simpering, she sighed and gave him a smile, "What?"

He shook his head, "Nothing- You like the view?"

Oh she loved it, it felt like she was dancing with the wind, like every cell of her was being revived, her eyes on the bluish-blackish ombre of the sky, she let her hand out, "yeah, thanks for bringing me."

"The pleasure is all mine." He mumbled but she heard it and nodded.

"I am sorry Elena, for that day, I would have never-"

"I know you're sorry Matt." She interrupted , "I know you'd never deliberately do what happened." He nodded, "Huh all I can say is that you're – huh very beautiful." She turned a little and held the wrist of his hand that rested against the back of her head, she squeezed it as reassurance, she could feel he was leaning closer, suddenly the car didn't feel like a comfortable space, this was Matt, he wasn't a predator, she told herself as she found herself frowning, before he could get closer she pushed him- it all happened in a moment. A growl, a rush of wind, "Matt WATCH OUT!"

"OH FUCK!" he lost control.

The fast rotating car, she screamed seeing the car was rotating by the edge of at least some height by now, she clutched the belt and ducked her head when she heard the glass shatter, closing her eyes, by the motion, the car was rolling down. The havoc lasted for four minutes, she knew she was alive but how? Her chest heaving as she tried to lift herself up, "Matt! Matt!" her voice and her rushing breath was the only sounds in the car, she felt her sore muscles screaming as she turned to see him, his eyes shut, bleeding from his nose and his head, she gasped , "Matt!"

She swallowed thick as she reached for the door on her side, the door was jammed, her vision blurred from the spicy tears in her eyes, "No-No!." she hit her fist against the door, then her hand went to her seat belt, she unbuckled herself and threw her half body out the window, which was still a little up at base, "Arghhh."

Fabric tore maybe at the back of her dress as she got out, she rolled outside and breathed a sigh of relief, she crawled shivering to the other side and unbuckled Matt's belt, the door to this side opened, she sighed pulling him out with all the strength she could, the smell of petrol was getting stronger as she dragged him against the rocky and grassy path to the side. She turned him over and tapped his face, "Matt! Answer me damn it!."

She tried to get him to wake up but his bleeding wasn't stopping and she knew that couldn't be good, she pulled out her muffler from the bag and tightly tied his head with it, her eyes landed on her phone that had escaped her purse, her hands shook as she dialed the Mystic Rescue team's number, "Hel-hello me and my friend were going up on this mountain area outside town, eh we got into an accident, can you please send an ambulance urgently."

She could feel the signal was weak.

"Ma'am can you please tell me your name and location right now?"

"Just outside town, I am Elena Gilbert, my friend Matt Donovan was driving the car and it got out of his control-"

"Excuse me Ma'am I'll have to put you on hold."

She turned around to check on Matt, as she waited, eventually they hung up, she groaned calling again, "Hello I called like five minutes ago-"

The call cancelled.

She groaned, what the hell did this mean? She sat down near Matt's lifeless legs and huffed, she couldn't take him home, she couldn't drag him to hitch hike.

(-NNDNNDNND-)

"Hey I left you a message which you seem to ignore Stefan, this is really not your character so be a good boy and pick up my call, I have something to talk about." Damon spoke on his phone and sent the message to Stefan, he tossed the phone on his bed and went over to the book shelf in the corner, he picked up the 'Pride and Prejudice' early edition copy he had and walked back to the sofa by the window, he sighed, he picked out the book mark and started reading where he left off, something didn't seem right, colorless life was more colorless without Stefan, if Stefan were home, he would still be here, reading or drinking or both, but him not being here made it just- non tolerable. The one thing his mother left him was Stefan, and he had always prioritized him. Stefan didn't understand that, he was too held up in being 'perfect' according to Mystic falls hero standards.

When the phone ring he set the book aside and got up to walk to the bed, but the name flashing wasn't Stefan, it was the reason Stefan was gone, in this moment- he really didn't want to hear her voice and be more angry than he was at her. But why would she call him? Last time he remembered the hate was mutual, even a little more than his, she was fire.

"Hello?"

He heard rushed breathing, defeated voices, even a little crying, "The emergency number isn't picking up my phone and Tyler is on a fucking vacation, I am stranded outside Mystic falls, with a man who might be dead, I need your help."

He narrowed his eyes, "Bold of you to assume I'd help."

"D-Damon please I really do need it, I know you're not heartless." She begged, oh fuck, he had wanted to hear that defeat so bad and here it was. "Tsk tsk tsk." He enjoyed the misery as he lifted his thumb to hang up.

"I thought you might say that- look there something I haven't told you Damon, it's big."

He frowned as he held the phone to his ear again, "What?"

"You come help me take Matt to the hospital I think your father has banned my fucking 911 calls or something, I tell them my name and they hang up." She shrieked, "He needs help please."

"What's the information?" He said with gritted teeth.

"You take him to the hospital first." She shouted, "It's about the company, Stefan, you and your father's rotten plan- now can you?"

"You're such a bitch! I knew you were biting your tongue the other day." He seethed , "Fine I'll be there in a few minutes, check his pulse is he alive?"

He heard a few rushed breaths, sound of her running back, He could hear her out of breath , "ye-yes please just get here."

"Okay."

(-NNDNNDNNDNND-)

When she saw a blue Camaro pulling up, she quickly stopped warming Matt's hands and ran up to the road, waving with both hands and jumping to get herself noticed.

The car stopped a few feet from her and she saw Damon coming out of it, wearing a white shirt, jeans and a black jacket. His hair rough –maybe he was asleep?

He saw her taking deep breath as she walked across the car to him, "He's there, I've tied a muffler on his head."

"Come let's get him up."

She lead him through the slight bumpy area, He scrunched up his nose as he saw Matt on the path, covered in blood, he got behind him and picked him up, Elena squealed and Damon snarled at her, "Shut up."

"You cant pick him up!"

"Don't worry about me." he frowned, what did she think he was, he walked back the distance, once or more he felt her eyes on him, she was fucking worried, he'd trip or something, and it was annoying the fuck out of him. He plopped Matt in the backseat and huffed, "There goes my covers." She didn't hear it though, when he turned around she was standing there, trying to peek to see Matt, "get in the car now."

She bit her lip and obeyed. He was surprised he could actually make her do something, some wave of superiority passed him, he sat back in his seat and drove back, "Why in the hell would you be in this dump?"

"I-I don't know." She stuttered, when he gave her quick look , she had her hands running over her arms, rubbing them for some heat, he rolled his eyes as he turned the heat on, "So would you tell me about it now?"

"In a few minutes." She gulped, "I just- I am sorry I am a little shaken." She gave her head in her hands, shivering slightly, He looked over again at her petite frame, curled up in the seat, scared – oh God no, he felt sorry, No! NO! NO!

"Elena." He said as he pulled out a water bottle from the seat side, "Drink some." He said in a low voice. She looked up from her hands to him and took the bottle, "Thanks." She took the bottle and opened the cap, gulping it down for a moment, she pulled back, "He's going to be okay right?"

"Hmm I guess." He said, as she handed him the bottle, her hand brushed against his, she pursed her lips, how soft did that felt, she sat back and contemplated the moment.

He stopped at the hospital and even without her asking, didn't leave once they put Matt on a stretcher , seeing Elena a lot of people didn't want to work but seeing him by her side had them moving fast, she stood outside the ICU. Getting a glimpse or two from whenever the doctors would move a little.

Damon could see her from about fifteen feet, her dress torn from the back a little, her hair rough, skin had a few gushes, why did she look so-

When he first stopped that car near the road and saw her all terrified- he wanted to comfort her some way, well he wasn't good at it certainly, just like the other day, why were things so challenging for her? she was a real trouble magnet, or maybe just unfortunate to come across his family- he felt bad. Seeing her shivering, seeing her uncomfortable when stares of the staff fell on her, Giuseppe had a lot of free time on himself if he was using it all to torture her. He walked up behind her and took off is jacket, placing it on her shoulders, she shuddered and turned back suddenly, his face expressionless, "You're cold."

"I can manage."

"But you wont." He said sternly.

She turned back to look at the window once, clutching the jacket closer to her, "I hope he isn't hurt." She swallowed thick.

He didn't know why but it bothered him, this so- so much concern, her own body had scratches yet she couldn't care less

"So he's your boyfriend?" he asked trying to sound detached.

She shook her head, "No-" she said and the realized who the hell was he to know her information, she swallowed thick.

"Then why were you out with him at this hour?"

She narrowed her eyes but before she could give back a snarky reply, one of the doctors came outside, "It's just a lot of blood loss, there is an injury to his head, there will be stiches, we need to keep him in ICU observation tonight."

"But he's out of danger right?" Elena asked hurriedly.

"We'll have to wait till after the blood transfusion." She patted Elena's back and headed out the corridor, she sighed, "Oh God I killed him." She felt tears coming to her eyes, "I didn't mean to-" She sniffed.

"You okay?" his voice like velvet.

She turned around and bit her lip, "I pushed him and he lost control of the car." Her voice broken and her tiny body shaking reminded him of a wet kitten, when she stepped closer, he couldn't move back , instead his arms widened for her to adjust her tiny body, she rested her head against his chest and let herself completely go when his arms locked around her, her voice slurry at this point, "It wasn't my fault- I don't know what came over."

"He's okay Elena." His hand stroked her hair as he whispered back, she shook her head, "What if- what if it's permanent damage?"

"It's not trust me." he said calmly, the confidence in his voice gave some life back to her, he added, "It's okay, it could happen to anyone."

"But-"

"Shh." He said patting her back, "He's okay."

She slowly pulled away and wiped her eyes, mascara smeared around her eyes making them darker but suddenly they appeared more beautiful to him, full of light eyes. She seemed taken aback from the moment and coughed a little.

"So what happened?" he asked once they sat down. She felt calmer now as she sat back and put her feet up on the bench.

"We were on a date, going to some uphill restaurant, I don't know maybe he was leaning in to kiss me, I don't know I freaked out." She bit her lip, "The whole Liam situation was stuck in my head."

He didn't know why but even though the kid was in an ICU, he wanted to drive his fist through his face, why the fuck would he want to kiss her? When he knows she doesn't want that?

"You didn't do it on purpose." He shrugged.

"So you make up excuses for stuff that way." She gave a humorless chuckle, he rolled his eyes , "Could have been less dramatic about it."

"It's a life it means something." She stated firmly.

"Don't start." He scrunched up his face, she looked through his jacket and pulled out a pair of black sunglasses, he raised a brow as she put them on, "Okay."

"You wanna tell me now."

"Yes." She said putting her feet down.

A/N

Okay guys short chapter, next will have chemistry, what do you want to happen next? And also please review! Love you all