A/N: Sorry for being late again.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 12:
Never Too Late
Elena froze, hand still gripping the handle to the cab, "W-what?" She looked up to meet the gaze of the cashier from the French café, "Hey, it's you."
He smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's me, Elena."
She took a step back, "How do you know my name?"
He winced at her action, not meaning to scare her, "I didn't mean to be nosy, but I saw your name on the bottom of the check." She nodded slowly, eyebrows raised. He shook his head, "I'm sorry. Where are my manners," He stuck his hand out for her to shake, "I'm Stefan."
Elena flinched back, mind stuck in a whirlwind. Her eyes darted around, trying desperately to find an escape. She most definitely did not need another man in her already hectic life.
"Excuse me." She breathed out, keeping her eyes directed towards the ground before hopping into the taxi, her only escape. Stefan stood frozen, heart chipped. It seemed that every woman he met, he scared away. Without him realizing it, a growl from deep within him rose to his throat as the taxi drove away. "Dammit," He hissed beneath his breath before turning his back on the road and walking calmly back home. He won't add another woman to his never ending list of 'untouchables'.
Elena exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she had held, wrapping her arms around her stomach. What was with men and her? Did they not see the obvious swell in her stomach?
The taxi halted before her apartment building; never had she been so grateful to see the cream-colored bricks of the building. Paying the driver the appropriate amount, she began her short journey inside to the elevator. The numbers slithered upwards, the seconds ticking by ever-so-slowly. By the time the doors slid open on her floor, the exhaustion began to take a toll on her; eyes drooping and back slightly slouched forwards. She made a mental note to check the calendar for her doctor's appointment. The hallways grew shorter as she strolled towards her door just at the end of the hall. Hopefully Bonnie and Caroline weren't there; she didn't feel up to answering questions.
My feet dragged against the marble flooring, head hung low. I was in need of a long slumber just about now. My fingers played with the engagement ring still neatly placed upon my ring finger to keep my mind from wandering.
Once I came upon apartment 94, I brought my eyes up from the floor, only to receive a shock to my already crumbling heart. There, slouched against the apartment door, was the raven-haired monster I so dearly despised. My heart settled beside my stomach, feet guiding me towards the door.
Maybe if I just quietly slipped inside...No, he's leaning against the damn door. Damn you, Salvatore!
Bottom lip between my teeth, I gripped my purse, trying my best to keep my mind in check. This man had a way with words and his mastery with persuasion could have any girl on her knees within seconds. God, I felt as if I might just throw up right there; as if I was flying around in circles. My heartbeat sped up, a horse's rhythm.
My feet ventured forwards until reaching the base of his feet, lazily stuck out, not a care in the world. Just to make sure, I kicked his feet hoping he would jump up and leave. His head fell a bit more onto his shoulder, slightly startling me, but no further movements were made by the stilled monster. With a sigh I sidestepped to the left of him, kicking him harder in the side, hissing, "Damon, get up."
He grumbled, moving his head around with those perfectly cerulean eyes shut. To be on the safe side I nudged him in the side, needing desperately to get inside the safety of the apartment. My eyes shifted across his body, seeing that he had obviously been there all day, the laces on his boots untied, top two buttons on his shirt undone displaying the hair across his chest. His hair had been messily swept to the side, yet somehow seemed absolutely perfect. Really, could this man be any more perfect- stop Elena, you'll be pulled back into his trap. Be calm.
Sensing another presence in the hallway, he jolted awake and jumped to his feet, eyes darting directly down to the figure once towering over him. He swallowed the lump in his throat, desperately wanting to envelope her into a hug. "Hello, Elena."
She bit back the laugh once he wiped his palms on the sides of his jeans, "Damon," Her eyes glanced towards the door, "So, can I get into my apartment now?"
He immediately stepped to the side, allowing her to walk past him and rummage through her purse for her keys. "I really need to talk to you."
She jammed the key into the door, feeling the frustration pummel her. The door slithered open with a touch of her fingertip. Spinning around the breath in her caught seeing how the barrier between them dissipated. The breath emitting from his lips brushed against her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
"Actually, you don't." Every ounce of her hoped that he didn't catch the waver in her voice.
His eyebrows rose, the spark returning to his eyes, "Oh really," His lips twisted into a smirk, leaning against the doorway, "Why's that?"
She crossed her arms, holding herself together, "I had a little chat with Lexi."
Damon immediately straightened his back, eyes narrowed, "Dammit, Elena, what the hell did you do?" He gripped her arm, eyes flashing dangerously.
She couldn't help but notice how his grip on her arm increased with each word spoken. She bit back the yelp before tearing her arm away from him, "Just go, Damon."
Before he could stop her she slammed the door behind her, eyes shut as she silently slid down. He backed away, feeling like a fool.
The heavy burden weighing down on him grew in weight. Walking the streets of New York City never felt more lonely, the passer-bys more energetic, radiating more happiness. Could he screw things up any more than he already has?
A vibration in his pocket caught his attention. His hands dove into his pocket, pulling out his Blackberry. "Great," He hissed, seeing the contact as Armand's face popped up.
"Hello?" He bit out, eyes trained on a small cafe down the block. Deciding he needed a good meal he began the small journey.
"Damon, my man. How the hell are you?" His voice was like bells, never a bitter tone to be found. It reminded him of Anthony, the poor fellow. A strange note was struck in him when he thought of the innocent face of Anthony, the hurt evident in his eyes when he last saw him.
"Not too good."
Armand straightened his back, leaning against the couch in a local club. "You're not like suicidal are you? 'Cause I really don't need to deal with that again." He joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Damon let out a dry chuckle, "No, just...it's just...I've got to go."
"Wait, Damon, just tell me-" The line ended, leaving him hanging. Worry struck through him for his longtime friend and bandmate. Never before had he heard a man so broken, "Eh, can I get some damn service over here!" He waved his hand, needing to get out of the constricting space.
Damon leaned against the back of the wooden chair in the small cafe, trying to regulate his breath. The plastic of the phone hit the table, he didn't care if he broke the damn thing. At least it wasn't his already fragile heart. That's if I have a heart.
"Welcome to French Bean," The bored tone brought his gaze up, seeing a bleach blonde horribly trying to cover up the fact that she was staring down at the her cellphone in the side pocket of her waist apron, "What would you like to drink?" She glanced up, eyes widening slightly before smiling and flipping her hair over her shoulder. The disgust washed over him, "Any alcohol?"
She smiled wider, ignoring her buzzing phone, "Well, we don't serve any alcohol before twelve, but I could make an exception for you." She winked, crashing a new wave of disgust over him, "What would you like?"
He shot her a nasty glare, "Another waiter."
She tripped on her own words, eyes widening before swiftly nodding and rushing off. He soaked up the silence, even with the obnoxious honking of taxicab horns passing by. Slowly his eyes began to shut.
Minutes passed before there was a clearing of the throat and a young male voice cut through the abyss of sleep, "Pardon me, sir, but you requested a new waiter."
Damon nodded, eyes still shut.
"Sir, are you alright?"
Annoyed, his eyes shot open before barking back, "Yes."
An eerie silence swirled around the two of them, catching them both. Damon narrowed his eyes, "Ah, fuck. As if my day couldn't get any worse!" His voice rose, shaking the table slightly.
"Damon?" He stepped back, unsure of the sight before him.
His arms flew out, "The one and only."
With a roll of his eyes Stefan crossed his arms, "What the hell are you doing in New York?"
"My band is touring the country; just happened to stop here." What would it matter if I tell a white lie? "Let me guess, the wonderful uncle of ours brushed you off of his shoulders?"
Stefan bit back the crude comments brewing inside his mind, "No, actually, I'm going to college. Unlike you."
Damon jumped to his feet knocking the table over in the process before getting up in front of his younger brother. Green clashed with bright blue, both with unsettled feelings. The deep wanting to scream until the breath in them died out overtook both.
"What the fuck do you want?" Damon's voice reverberated off each wall, drawing many pedestrians' attention.
The manager of the restaurant rushed outside, eyes bugging out of his head, "You two, take this somewhere else!"
Stefan's bewildered gaze snapped towards his boss, needing this job to make it through college, "But-"
"Take it somewhere else!" He snapped before walking back inside to handle the overflowing crowds.
Damon whipped his jacket off of the back of the wooden chair and purposefully collided shoulders with his brother before storming off to catch a cab. A wound-up Stefan calmed himself, leaning against the bricks behind him. Without calming himself, he never would have noticed the Blackberry on the table.
Once his back hit the cushions of the couch, he shut his eyes, hoping the world would be shut out along with it. Visions of Elena, in all her gorgeous glory, kept him anchored to the darkness, never wanting to leave the fantasy world he had created. An infant soon flooded her face, its mess of dark hair invading his senses.
The clapping of hands against his face dragged him kicking and screaming from the dream. "Wake up wake up wake up!" A voice rang.
He jolted upwards, colliding foreheads with the face behind the voice. "Fuuuck!" Markus bellowed, kicking the couch to diminish the pain. Damon rubbed his forehead, "What do you want?" A yawn escaped his lips.
Markus shot him a dirty glare, "We've been trying to get ahold of you for the past hour; we have a gig tonight."
Pushing himself off the couch, he walked towards the bathroom, ignoring the still-babbling Markus.
"Did you hear me?" He asked, making his way towards the door.
The shower turned on, "Yup."
"Just don't forget; 9:30, Damon!" He called before leaving.
Her heartbeat sped up when there were three distinct knocks on the oak door. Pushing the covers off of her, she quietly walked towards entryway, biting her bottom lip. "Who's there?"
There was a sigh, "Bonnie Bennett, open the damn door."
Elena giggled, unlocking the door and letting the brunette inside. Two arms immediately wrapped around her, squeezing her tight. "God, I missed you so badly." She was taken aback by the deep tone of the voice.
"Jeremy?" She pulled back seeing a familiar, yet so distant face, and bringing him back into a hug, "Jeremy."
His chest rumbled with his chuckle, "That's my name, don't wear it out."
She playfully hit him, seeing Bonnie with a satisfied smirk, "Hey, Bonnie," They quickly hugged before Elena quickly realized a certain face was missing, "Where's Caroline?"
Bonnie showed her the text she received from the blonde half an hour before, and wrapped an arm around Jeremy.
Her eyebrows shot up, "Studio B?"
"Studio B? Never heard of the place." Damon snickered, tired of the grade-A venues they've been touring lately. He knew that he had just two weeks to make amends with Elena before Serpenti headed to Florida.
Anthony directed his gaze far away from Damon as he could, not able to forgive his bandmate.
Armand glanced back towards the rest of them, "Lets go." Turning back around, he gripped the handle to the case of his bass and walking inside the building rumbling with music, the rest following suit.
The lights dimmed, signaling the band to head on stage. The noise died down as Damon hooked his guitar up to the amplifier, gripping the microphone and pick tightly, clearing his head of any distracting thoughts. Glancing back to his bandmates he quietly hissed, "Play like you mean it or I'll kick your ass."
Without another word, he exhaled, releasing any jitters that had run through him,
Breaking my back just to know your name
Seventeen tracks and I've had it with this game
I'm breaking my back just to know your name
But heaven ain't close in a place like this
Anything goes but don't blink you might miss
Cause heaven ain't close in a place like this
I said heaven ain't close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight
Never thought I'd let a rumor ruin my moonlight
His thoughts clouded over with the face of Elena, the heartbroken expression forever etched into her features. His fingers tripped up once, accidentally messing up a note, but the crowd continued to dance erratically, the girls screaming and trying to work their way past the security. How he wished one of those girls was her.
Well somebody told me You had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential
I've got potential
"You sure she's here?" Elena called out to Bonnie over the loud music. She knew the music most likely isn't good for her, especially in the middle of the game of her pregnancy. Her eyes scanned the crowd, finding several blondes, but no Caroline.
"She says that she's by the bar." Bonnie yelled back, cupping her hands around her mouth to make herself louder.
The music blared louder as the two pushed through the crowd to get to the bar located beside the stage. Elena kept her focus on the bar, finally catching sight of Caroline, whose head was slumped against the metal bar. Worry seeped through her every pore seeing her friend like this. Something must have happened.
Pushing past several men who were trying to come onto her, she gripped Bonnie's hand tighter and made it to the bar just in time to stop a man from grabbing the blonde. She smacked the guy's hand away and yelled towards him, "Get lost!" Bonnie lifted Caroline's head up, trying to smack her awake with little success.
She cracked her eyes open, head pounding, "I need another drink," Her words were slurred, hand waving to gain the bartender's attention.
"Oh no you're not." Elena couldn't help but to release a laugh of relief. The two girls lifted the sloshed girl off of the stool, seeing Jeremy pushing his way through the crowd. Bonnie took most of the weight, knowing she shouldn't be lifting anything too heavy. Once Jeremy made it to them, Elena instructed him to get a taxi and take Caroline back to the apartment, since Bonnie wanted to stay.
After he left, the girls finally relaxed, finding no seats at the overcrowded bar. The music died down as another band took the stage. Frustrated, Bonnie went to the other side of the bar to see if there were any seats available for them both of them. "You can take my seat." A voice reached out to her.
She snapped her gaze up, "Thanks." She stopped short when her gaze landed on the familiar green eyes. "Stefan," She took a step back, "What are you doing here?"
His lips twisted into a smirk, "I said, you can take my seat." He stood up, stepping towards her. Each step forward, a step back.
"I-I-" Elena took another step before an arm gripped hers, halting any further actions.
The voice sent shivers down her spine, "Leave her alone." She snapped her gaze up to see the familiar towering figure.
Stefan sneered, "Brother, I see we take a similar liking to women."
Damon stepped in front of her, "You're not my brother. Not anymore," His eyes flashed dangerously, "She's mine."
"Uhm, well, for right now, she's coming with me." Elena breathed in relief when she saw Bonnie's face, walking away from the heated argument.
Stefan watched after her before directing his gaze back on the raven-haired man in front of him. Flashes of memories of seeing his brother gradually becoming more and more detached. Pushing the memories aside he got up in his brother's face and spat, "She's yours, for now." Damon's nostrils flared along with his fury, readying himself for a full-blown brawl. Seeing the heat growing, Armand stepped in between the two, "Come on, man. We have another song to do." His persuasive gray eyes pleaded with him and Damon eventually gave in, roughly making his way through the growing crowd.
The guard at the door stopped him, pushing him back a bit, "Pass." He ripped the pass off his neck and flung it at the bulky man who stepped to the side to grant him access. Whipping the door open, he stormed inside, Armand following behind.
Anthony glanced up from setting up his snare, seeing his lead singer in an awful mood, "You alright, dude?"
Damon stopped, boots colliding with the floor, eyes locked onto the stage, "No, dude," He barked back, "I'm not."
Markus shook his head, seeing the youngest member of the band being put down once again, "Calm down." He jumped to his feet when Damon flipped around and jabbed a finger in his chest.
"Don't tell me what to fucking do!" Markus' eyes narrowed, only to be left bewildered when the raven-haired singer walked towards the back door and stormed out of the building.
A/N: Don't forget to leave a review! :)
So, morning sickness suuucks, and my husband won't give me foot massages. I feel awful. :(
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