New York, 1978

FS*FS*FS

It was early morning but Felicity was already up and getting ready for the upcoming day. And it was a busy day ahead of her. She had a meeting with her friend from New Orleans, recharge cloaking spell on the apartment and then she had a date with Damon.

A lot changed over last few months. Felicity and Damon finally acknowledged the fact that they spent more nights together than apart and moved in together. It felt good to come back home to someone. It was too long since she had that. They grew closer, learning each other's habits and quirks. Felicity knew that she had fallen in love with him. Of course she didn't say anything to Damon, because she wasn't sure if her feelings were reciprocated. It was only the second time she felt this way in thousand years. And the last time she was still human.

Felicity walked out of the bathroom already dressed. She fluffed her recently cut hair and went to the dresser where she opened the drawer full of jewelry with magical crystals. Thinking about the task she was to take on today Felicity chose Laguna agate necklace. It honors Aurora goddess of dawn and it should help her channeling magic needed to create daylight rings for Marcellus. He always asked her to do this for vampires in his inner circle because he, just like Klaus didn't trust local witches.

Glancing over her shoulder she saw that Damon was still asleep. He was lying on his stomach with his face buried in the pillow, well toned back muscles on display, one hand outstretched to Felicity's side of the bed as if her was searching for her in his slumber. Felicity was tempted to run her hands and lips over his exposed body but she knew what would happen next and she was already late. So instead she bent over him, pushed his tousled raven hair out of his face and planted kiss on the corner of his lips.

"I have to run, but will be back in time for our date."

"'Kay. Love you." He mumbled still half sleeping.

It was the first time any of them said those words out loud and Felicity froze for a second but quickly regained her composure. She left the apartment with huge smile adorning her face and warmth filling her heart.

DS*DS*DS

Felicity arrived at the restaurant few minutes early but Damon was already there waiting leaning against a wall near the entrance. He exchanged his usual T-shirt and black leather jacket to the white shirt and suit jacket. Felicity was glad she had time to change herself. It was special occasion after all - their two year anniversary.

For celebration they chose their regular hang out place small Italian restaurant they found hidden in heart of New York.

It happened when one night after their feeding Damon suddenly smelled enticing aroma in the air. It reminded him of home. Not Mystic Falls but back at Italy where he was born and raised for first three years. Even though he consciously doesn't remember it, the smell brought sense of home to him. So they checked it out and found small hole in the wall family owned Italian restaurant.

The food was amazing and Felicity was very happy with wine list. From night forward they befriended the owner and became regulars.

It was their place. That's why they decided to celebrate their anniversary here. Of course Damon could've brought Felicity to expensive, popular place but it wasn't their thing. But this small hidden gem was exactly their type of thing. And now looking at Felicity dressed in burgundy knitted dress walking toward him was all he needed.

"You look stunning" He said as a greeting.

Genuine smile brightened Felicity's whole face. "You too managed to clean up pretty nicely." She reached up to plant a chaste kiss on Damon's cheek, but he was having none of it and turned his face to catch her lips with his and deepened the kiss.

After they drew back flushed and breathless couple finally entered restaurant where they were greeted by candlelight and more romantic then usual atmosphere.

"Silvio helped me to make this night extra special." Damon's breathe tickled Felicity's earlobe as he whispered.

Damon and Felicity were sitting at small table at the corner of the restaurant holding hands. Damon was gazing at Felicity almost glowing in flickering in golden candle light and he couldn't wait anymore. He had to tell her before... Yeah he had to tell her now.

"Felicity, I know we said that we said that we in this just for fun. That we weren't into very serious relationship..."

"Damon, I think we crossed that line already. We live together." Felicity giggled.

"Yeah. Well like I start we said no serious attachment or commitment. But... I l..."

"I love you." Felicity blurred out interrupting his confession.

Raven haired vampire froze for a moment, eyes wide. But it lasted only a second before he let his signature smirk to come out.

"I know. But there was something I wanted to say, before you rudely interrupted me. I love you."

Felicity smiled at him dopily before it dropped suddenly.

"Wait- What do you mean you know?"

"Honey, you talk in your sleep." Damon said, amusement playing in his eyes.

Felicity looked at her date flabbergasted before starting to laugh.

"So you're saying that we both confessed our feelings in our sleep not realizing it."

It dawned to Damon that dream he had this morning haven't been a dream at all and joined Felicity. With all confessions out of the way it left only one thing.

FS*FS*FS

Evening was going great. After love confessions were out of the way tension disappeared and couple fell into comfortable conversation over their meals.

Just before dessert was about to be brought in Damon excused himself. Left alone at the table Felicity didn't have anything better to do so she started to watch people. It was unusual crowded for Thursday night. It generated that many people only on Saturdays. Felicity didn't like the feeling she got from the new comers. Goosebumps on her arms indicated that there was trouble ahead.

Just as this thought entered her mind she heard the crash in the kitchen. Damon run to her with slightly panicked look in his eyes.

"We need to go. Now!" He said grabbing her hand and pulling her on her feet.

But it was already too late. Couple was surrounded by about the dozen huge, muscular vampires. Felicity was worried about Silvio and his family. She caught the glimpse of his collapsed form, but his chest still appeared to be moving. Before she or Damon could do anything the goons' leader decided to announce themselves.

"What's the rush my darling?" Sugary sweet voice came from behind them. "Damon you hurt me. Don't you want to catch up? I haven't seen you for a long time."

"Madailein." Damon said surprised. Whatever the threat was he wasn't expecting this woman. Hair on Felicity's neck stood as she felt magic in the air. While blonde vampire was momentarily distracted she felt Damon put his hand on her waist gently pushing her behind and shifting himself to stand in front of her. He wanted to put her out of sight, to not attract attention. Well, it failed miserably. His protectiveness only made this Madeilain woman's eyes twinkle with curiosity and snicker with amusement. Felicity knew that she just became new target.

"Oh, do tell me who is this delectable bloom you so keen of defending from me? Do you think I would mar such perfection?"

Fake honey sweetness with Irish accent coming from ruby red colored lips made even Felicity shudder. She could sense danger radiating in waves from this deranged woman.

At first glance Madailein was tall, willowy woman. Vampire stood confidant in skin tight hunter green dress, her copper colored hair cascaded down her back in pristine waves. She appeared elegant and cold woman in control of situation. But looking deeper, behind the disguise of indifference you could see the smallest flickers of lunacy. And that made her incredibly unpredictable and dangerous.

"You know how I met Damon? He came barging into our little calm town looking for some fun. His kind of fun. Unfortunately my little sister caught his eye. She thought they were in love." Redhead woman told looking at Felicity before redirecting her attention at Damon. "That wasn't a truth, was it? You just used her as a toy to be discarded when you bored."

"He killed her?" Felicity questioned Madailein. She even did her best to make her voice waiver, already planning their escape. She just needed to gain sympathy to make other woman let her guard down. If that wouldn't work she'd have to go with plan B and make deranged woman see red.

"No. He promised her eternity and then he left, never be heard again. You, my sweetness, should stay away from him or he'll do this to you too. Like my honey Rose you will wilt away. She disappeared right in from in my eyes."

Felicity pitied Damon's ex and her fate but now her sister was more of her concern. Despite her words woman haven't shown any emotion.

But instead Damon's eyes were filled with shame and guilt as he glanced to see her reaction. Felicity felt as he tried to distance himself afraid of her rejection.

"I never promised her anything. She asked me to turn her. I refused. I learned my lesson with Charlotte."

"My sister told me what you are. The monster of the night." Madeilain continued as if Damon's words fell on the deaf ears."After she was gone I went to local witch. She was Rose's best friend and eager to help me." She pouted her blood red lips and once again looked at Felicity. "Sweetie, maybe you should step back. It has nothing to do with you, you just another victim of his charm." Madeilain said with distain and scrunched up her nose looking at linked hands of the couple.

"You have no idea what I am."

DS*DS*DS

"You have no idea what I am." Felicity said intensely staring into redheaded vampire's eyes. She squeezed Damon's hand. It was reassuring gesture and it helped to loosen some tension in his body. "And if you turn around and go away right now you'll be lucky to never find out, honey."

Madeilain giggled like a school girl, and her muscle stood in the background with stoic expressions.

"Why would I do that when I have clear advantage?" She smirked in amusement and waved her hand at her goons. "Not only in numbers, but my witch spelled all the exits. You can't leave."

Her threats only made Felicity's smile widen. "Don't say that I didn't warn you." With those words she closed her eyes and something in the room changed. There was this barely tangible energy moving around them, toward Damon's girlfriend. Wind, which picked up out of nowhere and seemed to be concentrated around Felicity, started ruffle her short hair and the hem of her dress. With the sharp flick of her free hand eleven bodies with necks twisted in unnatural angle hit the floor.

"What?!" Madeilain gasped in shock and stumbled few steps back.

Felicity stuck her hand out and last goon standing was thrust forward to her by invisible force. She grabbed his neck and pulled him so that they were face to face.

"Go check on the owner, make sure he survives. After that tie all your friends up and take them to secluded place and wait for sunrise there."

Without a word of resistance man started on the task he was given in Felicity's most commanding voice. It was the voice she usually employed when using compulsion.

During this ordeal she never let go of his hand. And even if he felt unbelievably confused about what was happening he knew one thing. He never wanted to let go of her.

While Felicity was distracted glancing at Silvio, Damon noticed Madeilain slinking toward the back exit, trying to escape. He tugged Lis' hand to get her attention.

Narrowing her eyes blonde vampire snapped her fingers and the door leading out of main room closed right in front woman's face.

"Ah, ah, ah. Where do you think you are going?" Felicity said tilting her head to the side.

Madeilain turned slowly to face them. She swatted aside strand of her no longer immaculate looking hair away from her eyes. Like a cornered animal when there was no possibility of escape, she went into attack mode. Anger and madness ignited the fire in her eyes. She was ready for a fight.

Enraged vampire charged with a feral screech, her vampire features on display. One second Damon readying for a fight, the next he couldn't concentrate on nothing but the unimaginable pain he was overcome by.

The pain was everywhere. He felt like he was drowning. He tried but he couldn't breathe. No air came to his lungs and soon his vision becoming spotty. Suddenly he was pierced with searing pain in chest the same exact spot there he was shot before becoming a vampire. And then just as suddenly as it started it stopped. But Damon didn't felt it because his world was engulfed in darkness.

Damon woke up in comfortable bed back at his and Felicity's apartment. His girlfriend's wrist was pressed to his lips; her blood's taste still lingered on his tongue.

He tried to sit up. As soon as he moved Felicity pulled away giving him space. But didn't let her and caught her hand in grasp. "What the hell happened?"

Guilt flashed across her face before she lowered her head letting the curtain of her short hair to shield it. "I'm sorry." Her voice was uncertain as if she was waiting for rejection.

He run his thumb over her knuckles. "What happened, Lis?" Damon asked again, this time his voice softer.

Felicity relaxed at his use of her nickname, and picked up her head to meet his eyes.

"I'm a witch? Well, I'm also a vampire too. A hybrid to be more accurate. Some might even call me a heretic." She once again tried to pull away. "It's not something I like to share. I'm sure you're aware that witches hate vampires and vice versa. There actually was a coven of siphon witches turned vampire, but they too powerful and their original coven eliminated the threat."

Fidgety Felicity stood up. This time Damon let her, because he too needed a minute to gather his thoughts. In the mean time Felicity went to the closet, where she found the duffle bag and started packing.

"What are you doing?" Damon asked gingerly. He stood up and stopped Felicity before her third trip to the closet.

"I need to leave. She is not dead and now she knows my secret. I can't stay in New York. I've already been here too long." Felicity insisted looking straight in Damon's eyes. In them he saw wariness and indecision struggling with determination.

"Okay." He said simply and went to get his own bag to pack. "So where are we going?"

Saddle Back Cay, Bahamas, 1980

FS*FS*FS

Two weeks after the memorable anniversary dinner found Felicity on the beach in Bahamas.

It was nice walking along the waves, them brushing her feet, the man she loved holding her hand. With bright smile on her face she turned to Damon. Standing on the tip toes Felicity planted the kiss on his lips and while he was distracted she pushed him towards the waves. Giggling she run away with Damon, still dripping with the ocean water, chasing after her.

After the chaise, which ended when Damon caught Felicity and thrown her in the water, they sat on the sand watching the setting sun. Damon's hand wrapped around her shoulders, she leaned into him feeling safe and loved and closed her eyes. She could stay like this forever.

"Thank you." Felicity whispered burrowing deeper into Damon's side.

"For what?" He asked dropping the kiss on the top of her head.

"For staying. Well not staying, running. Running away with me. You know what I mean."

"Yes, I know what you mean." He chuckled quietly.

Few more minutes passed as they watched sunset. The sun was hiding behind the horizon, painting the sky in all shades of orange.

Damon squeezed Felicity closer and she looked up and gasped in surprise. Damon was holding a beautiful ring before her, nervous smile pulling on his lips.

"Marry me?"