Waking up on the sofa at home is more than a little disorienting. The last thing Elena remembers is a cold, hard hospital gurney. Now she's curled up under a soft fleece blanket on her couch.

Damon is sitting adjacent to it. "You gave me a scare," he states, his features etched with concern.

"I didn't mean to, a snakebite wasn't on my list of things to do," Elena manages as she raises her head to look around. It's dark outside. There isn't even a hint of light coming in through the gap in the drapes. "What time is it?"

"Almost midnight."

"I've been out for almost twelve hours?" Elena asks incredulously.

"You've been in and out, talking in your sleep and opening your eyes now and then, but that's it."

"And my leg?" Elena grimaces when she shifts slightly.

"Meredith said to stay off of it as much as possible for the next several days and to keep it elevated. I picked up your prescriptions. She ordered an antibiotic and some pain medication if you need it."

"I can't be off for a week," Elena protests. "I have a business to run, animals to take care of. Your dad."

"And they will all survive for a few days without you," Damon contends, threading a hand through his hair.

"You didn't kill it did you?"

"Seriously?" Damon rolls his eyes. "Only you would worry about a fucking snake!"

"It was protecting itself," Elena replies defensively.

"I texted Enzo. He and a buddy of his trapped it and turned it loose in the woods. Are you satisfied now?"

"Yes, I am," she retorts, raising her chin in defiance.

"How are you feeling?" Damon leans over, brushes his fingers over her cheek, holding it there for several seconds before pulling back and sitting down beside her.

"I'm tired and feel a little hungover but it doesn't hurt as much."

"Meredith drugged you up pretty good. It's probably going to hurt like a son-of-a-bitch in the morning."

"Thank you, Damon, for taking care of me," Elena remarks sluggishly.

"I'm sorry you got hurt. If I hadn't asked you to take the day off..." he lets the words die on his lips.

"Snakes crawl out after rainstorms. You know that and with all that wood stacked up, I should've been more aware myself. It's not your fault, Damon. "

"I know that. Just be careful." His lips brush the skin above her temple.

"I'll try," Elena yawns. The sleeve of his t-shirt is softer than her pillow, so she doesn't have any trouble drifting off next to him on the sofa.

Elena wakes up alone in the middle of the night, still on the couch, wrapped in her blanket instead of Damon's arms.

The next morning, Damon gets out of bed. After having a cup of coffee, he goes outside and his eyes immediately land on Elena's house. He wonders how she's feeling this morning and if he should check on her. Unconsciously his fingertips drift to his lips where he still feels the sensation from kissing her temple. Not wanting to think about what it might mean, he brushes the thought aside while realizing that it's a beautiful morning for a ride.

Damon pulls the front door shut and hops on his dad's motorcycle. He sets out south along the highway and turns left onto one of the many country roads that populate this part of Virginia. The road is perfect and the traffic is light, so he's a little more aggressive than perhaps he should be. Damon speeds over winding ridges and down gorgeous coulee's through breathtaking scenery.

Wind, engine, and exhaust notes are tempered by his earplugs. Around 1130, on County Road K, going west at about 85mph, Damon has an odd feeling-a floaty, serene, giddy, feeling. Like love without the butterflies. Like awareness while sensations are greatly blunted. It's cathartic and sublime. And it's so, so peaceful.

He's still trying to figure it out by the time he turns into the hospital parking lot to check in on his father after which he'll pick up some carryout to take to Elena. Damon pulls his sunglasses over his eyes as he walks in. He doesn't want to be recognized or make a scene in a hospital of all places.

Damon raps softly on the door then pokes his head in. "How are you doing?" he asks as he steps inside.

"I'm fine...I heard you were in the hospital last evening; everything okay?" Giuseppe sets his coffee down and locks eyes with his son.

"It wasn't me. Elena and I were in the old barn. She had a little run-in with a Cottonmouth."

"What?"

"She'll be okay. The doctor said she needs to take it easy for a few days."

"That's good. What were you doing in that old barn?"

"We were going to take out the canoe; maybe do some swimming," Damon explains as he sits down.

"I always thought that maybe someday you and Elena..." Giuseppe muses.

"What?" Damon asks, his brows drawing together in consternation.

"You two were thick as thieves, practically inseparable. It wasn't that far-fetched to think the two of you might end up together. Then you and your mother moved to California. Elena went to vet school. She was involved with Donovan for a while and you're engaged." Giuseppe looks up when the nurse's aide comes in the room with a fresh pitcher of water. "Thank you," he says as she leaves.

"Elena was with Matt Donovan? The quarterback?" Damon sticks his tongue out in disgust.

"Yeah, him. She never talks about the weasel though so I don't know what happened between them."

"I'm glad to hear she came to her senses," Damon mentions, rolling his eyes at the very thought of Elena being with Matt.

"So, Damon, how long are you going to stay?" Giuseppe floats the question to his son.

"I don't honestly know. It's like being home ended my writer's block. I've been working on some songs. Being here has been productive," Damon reveals.

"I thought this wasn't your home anymore?" Giuseppe looks pointedly at him.

Damon stands up and walks to the window. Pulling the curtain aside, he watches as an ambulance pulls up. The crew remove their gurney and push someone inside. "It's complicated, dad. About as complicated as to why my father abandoned me..."

"It's complicated for me too, Damon. I don't want to get into it here. When I get home, we'll talk."

"What if I'm not here?" Damon snaps in frustration.

"I guess then you'll never know..." Giuseppe's voice trails off when someone carrying a big bouquet of sunflowers and a box of gourmet chocolates enters the room.

The volunteer sets them down, hands Giuseppe the card before walking out to deliver more flowers to other patients.

The older Salvatore opens the card and tries not to turn up his nose. "They're from your fiance," he explains and hands Damon the card.

Elena's image fills Damon's mind and his fingertips once again drift to his lips as he reads Sybil's words...

Elena wakes up with a start when streams of light land on her face as she's curled up on the couch. Yawning, she pushes herself upright, grimacing at the pain in her leg. It's swollen and ugly.

She needs to check on Giuseppe's foal and has other responsibilities. The clinic is booked up. One day a month she provides low-cost spay and neutering. Elena knows she is supposed to take it easy but...

She changes into a pair of loose-fitting sweat pants and a tank top. With grit and determination, she hops outside to her car and climbs in. For a moment she sits behind the wheel, just staring at Giuseppe's farmhouse.

Is Damon there right now?

Her mind is still reeling about yesterday. This thing…whatever it is….is confusing. No matter which way she looks at it, Elena can't deny that she's attracted to Damon. For a moment her breath falters. She felt something when he took care of her. Her hand drifts up, allowing her fingertips to brush over the spot above her temple where he kissed her. She still feels the tingles.

The want to have a connection with him is intense...and deep. Elena stares at his property with uncertain eyes.

Damon's engaged.

But what if she's already in too deep? What then?

Short chapter. I was going to post it Friday but we had issues with the internet at our house and I worked the weekend.

Thank you all so much. It means so the world to Eva and me that you're still reading our stories.

Chapter title: 'Head Over Feet' by Alanis Morrisette

I don't read much anymore, with Covid it seems I'm always at the hospital. Here are a few and I apologize if I'm leaving anyone out.

Eva: 'Christmas Carol' her username is Siberia21

Morgan: Quarantine Olympics - username jmfangs

NaXKi has 'Maybe We Should Try' - sad story

JustiniaKorax has 'Under My Skin' and 'The Things She Felt While He Was Gone'.

Daddysadist has 'Loves Me, Loves Me Not'.

Florencia7 is the best DE writer in my opinion. She could make Humpty Dumpty sound romantic.

Internal Light has a completed story 'A Royal Pain'

Linax24 has Never Really Over and Fake ILY's and Goodbyes.

Have a wonderful day everyone. We'll see you soon with chapter 6.