A/N: I want to thank Guest for leaving this wonderful review: "terrible."

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Previously...

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."

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.

Her grip tightened around the hand supporting, one of the few anchors keeping her from slipping into the deep abyss. Her stomach had begun doing somersaults as soon as she heard those two words from his lips.

She's mine.

"Ugh," She groaned, not able to calm her stomach, nor the light kicking of her unborn baby. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth, thoughts racing through her mind.

"We'll be home in a bit." Bonnie bit out a brisk farewell and ended the call. Her fingers immediately went to rub deep circles on her temples to attempt to alleviate the pounding headache. She shut her eyes, "Caroline's currently passed out on the bathroom floor."

Elena shook her head, "At least she's not walking the streets."

Bonnie clicked her tongue, opening her eyes to glance over towards her friend seated beside her in the back of the taxi, "She locked herself inside; Jeremy's trying to pick the lock as we speak." She released a bitter laugh, not believing how this night has ended. "There's something Care isn't telling us. She's been acting erratically ever since we got back."

Elena could only nod, running through a mental list of what could possibly be bothering the blonde. She vocalized her list to her, "No way she's pregnant; she never would have touched all those Snake Bites," A sigh escaped her lips, "Maybe Markus did something."

Bonnie shrugged her shoulders, collapsing against the seat in a defeated position. She felt like the fairy godmother, trying her best to keep these two struggling couples together. No matter how much she disliked Damon.

There was an uncomfortable silence before the taxi stopped, stuck in traffic. Bonnie shifted, crossing her ankles and clearing her throat, "What's the status with Delena?"

Elena bore a hole into the carpet of the taxi with her intense glare, hiding the faint smile playing on her lips from the nickname the relationship had been tagged with, "Officially stamped as 'it's complicated.'"

Her lips pursed, directing her gaze back to the traffic in front of them. It had been close to ten minutes and they were in the exact same spot as before. Leaning forward she asked the driver, "What's the holdup?"

The Eastern man snickered, turning down the foreign music, "I'll go see." He stepped out of the car, leaving the two to ponder on what could possibly be holding up traffic. After a few minutes he slipped back into the taxi, turning around with a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Well? What's happening?" Elena queried, the hormones getting the better of her.

He chuckled, turning back around to glance at her through the rearview mirror, "Some guy standing in the middle of Times Square-"

She cut him off, "Where are the police when you need them?"

His dark eyes narrowed, "-singing."

Bonnie glanced over, wary of her reaction. It couldn't be him, right?

She tensed, heartbeat picking up immensely, "Bon, you don't think it's him, do you?" She stared straight ahead, gripping the edges of the leather seat.

"It's very unlikely. Probably just some drunk." God I hope I'm right.

The driver chuckled, "Oh, he's drunk alright. Practically tore his shirt off in the first verse."

Elena's eyes widened, her breathing picking up. "Oh God."

Bonnie went to reach for her hand only to have her pull it away and grip the handle of the door, "Don't do anything stupid, Elena. It's probably not him-"

"What if it is!" She whipped the door open, heels clicking against the pavement and a hand gripping her stomach. The baby obviously hated feeling its mother in distress, for it began to kick. Bonnie was unable to open her door due to the closeness of the neighboring car. Cursing to herself, she slid over to where Elena previously sat, only to find a car pulling up dangerously close to the taxi.

"Fuck!" She jabbed at the button to roll down the window, "Elena! Get back here!"

Elena weaved through the throng of vehicles, making her way towards the epicenter of Times Square. Various drivers were standing outside their cars, trying to catch a glimpse of the erratic man. A helicopter above shone a light down on him, cameras onboard rolling.

Her throbbing ankles felt as if they were to give out any second. She took a second to lean against a van and vigorously tore off her heels, leaving them in the street before running once again.

The thought of whether she was taking a serious risk running like this crossed her mind, but she pushed it to the side once she saw his sweaty face just a few feet away. Luckily there was an absence of police officers, so she would be able to draw him away safely.

His dark shirt lay in a heap on the black pavement, torn to shreds. She gulped, seeing his perfectly sculpted abs, shining with perspiration. Her hands ached to run her fingers across them and up to his squared jaw. His cerulean eyes were shining with mirth, lips moving in sync with each word sung.

She was so close to touching him, touching that impeccably soft skin of his. A few cars were trying to get into the slowly moving lane, getting in her path.

A large van nearly hit her as she darted closer and closer. The volume of his words got louder and louder.

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?

No one will ever change this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal I have become

Help me believe it's not the real me

Somebody help me tame this animal

By the time she was standing before him he had climbed onto the hood of the car directly to the right of him, the driver screaming at him to get off. He threw his hands up into the air, shutting his eyes as he listened intently to the chorus of car horns and angry motorists.

Unable to get any closer to him, she cupped her hands around her mouth to bellow, "DAMON!"

His eyes snapped open, searching the area for the source of the voice. She started maniacally waving her hands to gain his attention. Their gazes met, locking for the briefest of seconds before he waved back.

"Heyyy-" He nearly lost his balance when the driver jerked the car forward. Jumping down he flashed the man the finger before strolling towards Elena, taking all the time in the world.

Once he was in close proximity, she hit him on the shoulder, ignoring the jabbing pain in her side, "Dammit, Damon! Are you insane?"

He smirked before pulling her into his arms. She jerked her face away when he tweaked her nose, only to have him gently pull her face back to him. His lips gently brushed her ear as he whispered, "You made me this way, kitten."

She quickly turned to bite his ear, causing him to roar in pain, "Lets go, Evel Knievel." She gripped his hand, reaching down to grab his shirt and leading him off in the direction of the taxi. Several drivers screamed curses his way as they passed. He kept that obnoxiously bright grin on his face, tipping an imaginary hat to the potty mouths.

She pulled the door to the taxi open, ignoring the steaming Bonnie with her arms crossed. Damon hopped in after Elena, smiling in the direction of Bonnie who glared in return.

"Uhm, Elena?"

Elena held her hand up, "Please, not now."

Damon leaned across to extend his hand to Bonnie and slurred out, "The name is Sal...vatore. Damon Salvatore."

Her glare grew deeper, "The name is Your-Breath-Smells-Like-Fucking-Death."

He pouted, turning towards the window to discreetly lift his hand to his mouth and exhale. He cringed at the bitter smell of scotch and bourbon.
Elena leaned her head against the seat, hands wrapped around her protruding stomach. She hoped the jabbing pain would subside soon. The taxi jerked forward, finally able to move.

By the time they reached the apartment building Damon had passed out. Elena sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. Deep down she hoped their child would be like him. Her ring finger felt strangely bare, since she had angrily thrown the engagement ring across her bedroom.

Bonnie tapped her on the shoulder, "Are we going to have to take him to our place?"

She shook her head, "Nah, I'll take him to his place." Bonnie nodded, handing her a fifty for the cab fare and stepped out of the taxi.

The driver yawned, stretching his arms, "Where to?"

It dawned on her that she had no idea. Sighing heavily she shook Damon to wake him. He moaned softly before falling back asleep, annoying her further. She whispered an apology before smacking him rather roughly across the cheek.

He jerked awake, colliding foreheads with her, "Oww! Ungh, what happened?" He rubbed his cheek, eying her warily.

Elena stifled a laugh before straightening her back, "Where do you live?"

His eyebrows shot up, "Are you referencing something, Miss Elena?"

Momentarily confused her head tilted to the side. It finally hit her like a load of bricks, "Gah, no I was not referencing that!"

He searched her face a smirk playing on his lips. Never breaking his gaze he said to the driver, "15 West 63rd Street."

She sucked in a breath, not believing his words, "Wait a minute," Her eyes widened, "You were the one who bought the penthouse?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I thought, 'Well I have the money, might as well.'"

"You live in like one of the most expensive buildings in NYC."

He smiled, "Yup."

"Damon," She breathed out, taking in the environment. He smirked, tossing his jacket onto the sofa. She ran her fingers across the aquarium, amazed by the exotic fish.

Damon quietly strolled over. She nearly jumped out of her skin when he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing his hands to rest on the small bump. She relaxed against his form, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder as he pointed out each fish, "That's Rocky, Fred, Damon Jr, Charlie and Nemo is the one hiding behind the rock."

She rolled her eyes at the names, "Really? Damon Jr?" She knew that she would be the one picking baby names now. No way was she going to allow him to name their child Nemo, or God forbid, Rocky.

"Look at him; he's got black and blue stripes." He smiled before twirling her around so she was facing him directly.

She shivered at how close their lips were. Mere inches away, she could practically feel his ragged breath against her skin. Her heartbeat picked up. His eyes darkened, bringing himself closer, their lips brushing every so softly.

A familiar kicking sensation snapped her out of the trance that was Damon Salvatore. She gently pushed him away, his arms still around her. She directed her gaze away from him, "Damon, I-I...we can't."

She expected him to push her away, demand she get out of his impeccable penthouse and to never return. Shock waves shot through every vein in her body when he pulled her to his chest, smashing his lips with hers. She was stockstill against him, eyes wide. Her conscience screamed at her to get out there, yet her body refused. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, quite literally. Damon had gently pushed her up against the wall, and she could have sworn she had brushed over 'Damon Jr' more than once.

Once his tongue swished across her bottom lip, she gave in, fluttering her eyes shut and granting his tongue across. The room's temperature seemed to have skyrocketed as she dragged her nails gently across his bare abs. He shuddered, deepening the kiss.

They broke for air, chests heaving against the other. She arched her back, knowing very well what she was pressing against. He leaned his forehead against hers, groaning loudly. She ground down, smiling. His hand reached up to grip the edge of the wooden shelf to contain himself from ripping off her clothing and taking her right there.

The elevator doors slithered open, and out stepped a clueless Armand, his arms slung over the shoulders of a bleach blonde. Damon's head snapped towards him, eyes ablaze.

"Dammit, Armand! How many times have I told you not to take women to my apartment." His hand balled into a fist, smashing into the wall beside Elena's head. She jumped, cowering back from his embrace. This definitely was a side of him that she had never seen before. It was frightening seeing how quickly his moods could change.

She pushed him away, ignoring his apologies as she made her way towards the couch to grab her coat. He sent a death glare towards a shocked Armand who quietly made his way back towards the elevator with the girl trailing behind.

Just as Elena walked towards the elevator, Damon grabbed her wrist, "Please, don't go. I'm sorry."

She kept her gaze directed, "I shouldn't have come here."

He froze, shoulders slumping forwards. His grip on her loosened, allowing her to enter the elevator with the other silent two.

Once the doors closed, he let his facade crumble.

Her eyes skimmed across the pictures of a shirtless Taylor Lautner in the magazine, wishing that he could somehow be hers. She warily glanced towards Elena, who had been curled up on the couch for the past half hour just staring at the television.

"Got it!" Jeremy called out. Bonnie jumped to her feet, abandoning the magazine on the coffee table. She rushed towards the bathroom, finding her boyfriend gently lifting a still-unconscious Caroline into his arms.

"Is she alright?" She asked, genuinely worried for the wellbeing of her friend.

Jeremy remained silent, carefully maneuvering through the apartment until he reached Caroline's room where he gently placed her onto the bed. He checked her pulse as Bonnie brushed a strand of blonde hair from her pale face, "She'll be fine." She nodded, glancing up to him.

She reached across to peck him on the lips, "Thank you, Jer."

He smiled, "No problem."

The two walked out of the room, Bonnie quietly shutting the door. She grabbed his arm when he went to walk back into the living room. He stepped back towards her as she whispered, "Could you wait in my room? I have to talk with Elena."

He nodded, gently kissing her on the lips before walking down the hall to her room. Bonnie inhaled sharply and walked into the living room to where she previously sat. Picking up the magazine, she waited.

"Hey, Elena?"

Elena mumbled back, "Yeah?"

She straightened her back, placing the magazine on her lap, "What happened?"

Elena tensed, eyes shutting, "Nothing."

Bonnie immediately saw through the facade, hearing the slight waver in her voice. Quietly she crawled the ten feet to her, immediately wrapping her arms around her. Once she felt the arms enveloping her, she broke down, releasing every pent-up emotion.

Jeremy yawned heavily, rubbing his eyes to see the time.

1:45 AM

He rolled over, expecting to bump into Bonnie. When he nearly rolled off of the bed he sat up straight. "Bonnie?" He called out, hoping she was at least somewhere in the room. Slipping out of the bed, he quietly made his way out of the room and into the living room.

There, sat on the ground next to the couch, was a restless Bonnie, eyes drooping. He smiled before gently lifting her up into his arms, careful as not to wake Elena. She rested her head against his shoulder, falling asleep immediately.

The clock chimed two in the morning, yet the restless Damon downed another glass of scotch whisky. The liquid scorched his throat as it traveled down, his eyes pinched shut from the pain. He knew that he had scared her away. For good? Who knew.

His hand curled tighter around the glass, gripping it to the point where he was sure it would crack. To his disappointment it did not. Jumping to his feet, he hurled the glass into the roaring fireplace, watching as the glass shattered.

He couldn't take the tearing of his heart anymore; it was killing him. Drinking seemed to be the only painkiller effective for him. Crumbling back into his chair in front of the fireplace he stared ahead, completely blank. His jaw tensed before his hands cradled his head, defeated.

A/N: I'll try to update soon!