Chapter 13: 'Until you come back home,'
9 years ago
"Are you cold?" He asked her when he noticed her touching her bare arms too much. She shook her head and smiled. He rolled his eyes, "Come here." A chuckle escaped her lips as he practically pulled her to his arms and spun her so she was against his chest. "I said I am fine." She laughed.
"Did I say you're not, buffy?" he raised a brow. She elbowed him playfully. She looked up at the rushing waterfall by their side. They had arranged a Sunday trip to this place and share this place they were so use to. "You like being a hero too much." She faked annoyance.
"I like saving a damsel in distress every now and then." He said in a dramatic tone. "I don't know if that will be possible for you after this month." Her voice held slight worry. He looked over her shoulder to her, "Come on Lena, it's not that big of a deal, I mean four years. I'll come home for vacations maybe-,"
"Maybe." She said sarcastically.
"Not maybe, I'll make sure I-,"
She interrupted again, "I just don't want you to make promises you can't fulfill. I don't want you to be guilty if you find someone or can't manage to come home." She leaned back to look at his face, his jaw had tightened.
"So if I go, you'll go out with other people?" He asked.
She shook her head, "I didn't mean it that way."
"Sure." He chuckled. "The next time I get an email from Stefan I must expect some Enzo and Elena bits."
She gasped, "Damon you're sick."
"He knows the guitar." Damon added to rile her up further, "You know that's not what I meant when I said we shouldn't make promises we can't keep, I am just making this easy for you, I was single 18 years of my life, I can live four years- it's you I am talking about here, I am just letting you free."
He held her wrist, "I don't want to be free Lena."
"So you'll wait four years in Australia, for me?"
"I will, its honestly not that big of a deal Lena, listen we can write to each other, call each other – It's not going to be that bad?"
She pursed her lips, "I remember last year when Mr. Salvatore announced he'll send you there for Med school, I was so – you know, happy to be getting rid of you and now that it's here, it sucks."
He grinned, "Well if it makes you feel better, it sucks for me too." She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips, "You don't have to wait that much." She cupped his face, "I understand if anything comes along, I won't be mad at you."
He shook his head, "No, I will wait for you – I can't do better than you, I can't ever get over you." He rubbed his nose against hers, "Which means we'll need lots of sexy phone time." She pushed his chest, "You're a creep."
"You didn't say that last night." He chased her as she got up and ran, "Look out for the water."
"Hey no dip, no fun." She looked back laughing.
"At least change your clothes. Maybe change into a bikini,"
"I am taking it all off." She pulled her dress over her head and threw it. "Catch me if you can." She chuckled as she ran whist looking back at him. "Oh I will."
Her bare foot slipped over the wet rocks near the shore
"Watch out!" he shouted, his voice dissolved as she yelled.
..
..
Present time
His eyes twitched, he woke up taking a sharp breath, "Elena."
"He's up!" Caroline told Stefan who had been driving from the airport to home.
"How did I-,"
"You were up all night Damon, it's okay if you slept a little." Stefan said taking a turn.
"Where are you going? I thought we were turning at Gilberts?" Damon ran a hand through his hair, mad at himself, he shouldn't be sleeping, especially since his wife was kidnapped, he didn't know how restless she was, was she even alive? He didn't want to think otherwise.
"Don't you want you go home first, freshen a little?" Stefan asked in a low voice, Damon had been lashing out a lot.
Damon narrowed his eyes, "Freshen up? Do I look like I am looking for a break? I fucking need my wife back, turn to the fucking Gilberts."
Caroline huffed, "Damon can you please calm down, we are all upset."
"I don't want to bring old stories up Caroline, so don't make me tell you who cares more and who doesn't at all." He said harshly.
Stefan gripped the steering wheel, "Damon can we please stop this? We will not be able to find Lena if we keep fighting among each other, don't you trust us enough to know we wouldn't hurt her?"
Damon didn't say anything, what could he even? He didn't trust them and trusted them at the same time. They wouldn't hurt Elena, the three had been friends since they were toddlers, then again last year Caroline was angry at Elena for trying out for a role Caroline wanted so much, Elena had gotten the part which had led to a big fight. Then all of a sudden Elena started feeling like Caroline was in love with him, he never believed it, nor did he want to.
Everything went back to its place somehow but they were never the same, till Elena lost her memories and she forgot she had once even tried to kill her best friend for trying to 'steal' her husband in front of an entire elite party. Caroline was embarrassed and scared, yet she was quick to forgive, Damon remembered apologizing to her on Elena's behalf, saying Elena just had a panic attack and she was being protective over nothing, Caroline was convinced by half of his apology.
"We're here." Stefan's voice snapped Damon out of his thoughts, Damon looked up at the house, he never knew he'd come back here. He quickly got out of the car followed by Caroline and Stefan. He rung the bell, then furiously started punching and kicking the door.
It was opened after a couple of minutes. He saw the man, his enemy.
"Damon Salvatore." He said with disgust in his voice. Damon clutched his fist, "Where's my wife?"
He shrugged, "Why? Did you scare her away again?" He pressed on 'again'.
Damon spat, "Shut up Gray, just tell me where she is? What did you and your wife do to her?"
Stefan got ahead, "Elena had been kidnapped in the duration Mrs. Gilbert was staying over, we just want Elena back, Doctor Grayson,"
Greyson steeped out of the way smugly, "Be my guest, look around, I have no interest in keeping your wife captive, she was dead to me the moment she left with you."
The three looked around the house, messing up everything, Damon even checked the basement which seemed like it had been locked for years.
"Why are you not convinced?" Grayson asked tauntingly after an hour almost when they had turned the house upside down.
"Because you're a dick and you'd do anything to see me in torture." Damon said knocking one of the walls.
Grayson laughed, "Well I didn't try at all and I see you in torture."
Stefan too came into the messed up living room, "Look Doctor, we don't want any trouble, we'll cancel the case if you just tell where she is?"
Grayson sighed, "Will you?" his face was serious.
Damon turned around to look at him, "I knew it, where is she?"
Grayson pursed his lips, "You'll suspend the case right? And the fraud investigation against me in the health panel?"
Damon nodded, "Yes, yes I'll do it all, just tell me where she is."
"I also want a public apology for defaming me and lying that I am stealing organs from patients and selling them in black market." Grayson stated plainly.
Damon clutched his fists, "God damn, I'll do anything, please-please Gray tell me where she is?"
Grayson looked at his face for a full minute before he broke into a cruel laugh, "I have no idea where she is, and I hope you never get to an-,"
Damon in a moment grabbed his collar harshly shouting at him, "I swear-," he pushed him to the door gripping his neck in an iron tight hold, "Tell me!"
Grayson held his wrist, coughing "I -Don't-"
"Leave him Damon." Stefan tried to pull him back. "I'll fucking kill him." Caroline too came into the room, "Damon stop this!"
"He took her."
"WHO?"
Grayson coughed.
"WHO TOOK MY FUCKING WIFE?!" Damon screamed.
"Leave him Damon." Caroline squealed, "He's turning red!"
"John, Elena's biological f-father!" Grayson coughed loud, Damon loosened his grip on Grayson's throat, Grayson pushed him, "Miranda's first husband – John Williams. He always wanted to reconcile with her, but she didn't want to, he wanted to take her from us too."
Damon looked at Stefan, Stefan nodded, he turned around kicking a clock he had earlier thrown off the wall, out of his way. He went out of the room, he could hear Stefan asking him, "Write the address and- "
He was walking out of the corridor, when his eyes landed on the table near to the outside door, a photograph, he picked it up, there she was smiling with a slush in her hand she was in her favorite black sweats and a white tank top. He traced his thumb over her smiling face. He remembered this picture, he had taken it at the airport right before he left for Australia.
9 years ago
"Did you get it?" she parted her lips from the straw in her slush. "Yup." He said with a popping 'p'.
She gestured him to sit next to her taking the camera from him, "I like this., let's take one together."
He rolled his eyes, "You know how much I look stupid in these pictures." She held up the camera, "I need something for you know- memories."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek taking a picture, the flash made him close his eyes, "Delete that, right now."
"No way you look cute." She closed the camera and stuffed in her bag. She rested her head on his shoulder, "It was kind of weird that they saw me with you."
"Whom? The Salvatores?" he too said ironically. She giggled, "Be nice, they were here to see you off."
"I know, I appreciate it, I appreciate Stefan for taking them away." He grinned.
Elena turned to him, "Come on I saw Mr. Salvatore cry a little."
Damon cringed, "No he didn't, don't awaken my human." He almost stuttered. "Did your dad call you at least?"
"Max? No he didn't, he has his own family of four now." Elena had insisted he get in touch with his father since he had confessed in his moment of vulnerability that he feels out of place with his mother's new family.
After he had gotten in touch with his father, he found out, Max, his father had married someone and had a family. Although, he was gracious host to Damon, he had no interest in reconnecting with long lost son.
Elena cupped the side of his face, "You should not be upset it's your day today." She leaned in and planted butterfly kisses on his forehead, his eyebrow, the tip of his nose, his lips, his jawline. He purred to which she giggled.
"I am not at all upset but if you wake up my fighter down south ten minutes before boarding, I will be upset." He pouted.
She bit her lip, "Sorry." She looked at the watch on his wrist, "You're seriously going." He took a sip from her slush cup, "I know, it's so rushed."
She nodded, "I am going to be back on my sedatives, okay, you'll call me when you're there right? I don't know I am just so anxious."
"Calm down baby."
She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest, "I can't Damon, my heart is beating so fast, I don't want to lose you- it didn't sound so bad before but now when the time is coming closer, I feel like I'll lose you."
He kissed the top of her head, "But I have to go Lena. I really want to stay and be with you but you do know how I wanted this chance for so long. I want to discover myself."
She nodded, she hadn't forgotten how he had talked through a whole night about how he wanted to be a neurosurgeon.
"I know, I know, but what will I do? It's eating me and you haven't even left yet." She looked up at him, "Damon I can't let you go, it's so scary."
"Hey I'll call you in a matter of few hours."
She pursed her lips, "You're not staying."
"I can't."
"Damon." She sighed, "I love you." she took a deep breath, "I know we've been going out for just an year now, but I know how I feel." His pupils had dilated and he was looking at her in shock almost,
"Elena I uh-,"
She shook her head, "You don't have to say it back, I don't want you to lie to me just to see me happy." He cupped her face, "No-no baby that's not the problem, I won't lie to you." he captured her lips with his, she moaned into his mouth as his tongue moved with hers in a slow dance, he parted slowly to look into her half moon chestnut orbs, "I have been in love with you for so long now, I don't know- I just didn't know what to say, it's the first time I've felt this way, I was nervous- I tried so many times, I didn't want to freak you out." He stroked her lower lips with his thumb, "God, Elena, how will I do this?"
"I can't be selfish enough to stop you." She sighed, "You won't abandon me right?" He shook his head, "I-I I won't." He pressed another kiss to her, she smiled against his lips, "You're late."
"hmmm."
"They're calling you."
He felt her grip on his hand loosening, her voice stirring in air, "Go already" she pushed him slightly, then pecked him quick, "Call me when you get there."
..
..
Present time
"Lets get going." Stefan's voice brought him to reality, "You okay?"
Damon looked at the picture again, then Stefan,"I am okay."
He pulled the picture out of the frame and put it in his jacket, "Let's go."
..
..
Elena's biological father was also a resident at Mystic Falls, John Williams was an editor for the local newspaper, his house wasn't as big as Grayson's but it was simple and looked warm and nice. When he opened the door to the strangers, he lightly smiled, "Good afternoon. How may I help you?"
Stefan had almost begged Damon to behave, Stefan cleared his throat, "I am your daughter Elena's brother in law, this is my brother, her husband, we need some information."
He politely gave them a way, "Come in." They entered, he showed them to the living room, they all sat down, "Will you guys have tea?"
"No thanks." Damon said quickly, "Your daughter, my wife, Elena is missing, our guess is that she's kidnapped. We went to her parents house, Grayson Gilbert, he told us that you might know where she is."
John sighed, "I haven't seen my daughter in ages, she hates me."
Damon would never associate his wife with that word, the girl just couldn't hate. If she could hate she wouldn't be his wife. They wouldn't have come this far.
"Grayson had convinced my wife and daughter that I was their enemy." He huffed, "I loved my wife and my daughter– I don't know when that bastard came across my wife. He fell in love with her, he made up a freaking scandal that I had cheated on my wife- Miranda was heartbroken, I had nothing to prove myself innocent , it was one night, we were at the founders party, someone drugged me, I just know it was him , when I woke up I was with some woman I didn't know- Miranda ,then and there left me , Grayson was her shoulder to cry on , I filed a case in court for Elena's custody, since Miranda had a minimum wage job, I was suited Parent for custody, till he, I have no idea how, convinced Elena that I am the bad guy. Because he knew that if it came down to Elena being handed over to me, Miranda will reconcile, she loved our daughter."
Damon pursed his lips, "So you have no idea where she is?"
"Grayson is lying to you, I remember the first time I visited Elena after one year of the divorce, my daughter was bruised, I asked her what happened, she was too afraid to speak, she begged me to take her away. Miranda told me she had went to grocery store with Grayson and some baskets with goods had flipped over her, the next time I visited her I had sworn I'd take my Elena away but I couldn't, but by next time, she said she didn't want to go with me, she said she wanted to stay. That was around the time Grayson and Miranda's kid died. It was all too complicated. I tried again and again, but Elena wouldn't go with me, she was so scared or angry at me, there was something."
Damon frowned, it was like he could feel his heart hurting, his precious Elena went through so much, all dots connecting to Elena's childhood between those two to three years.
"I was very happy when I saw both of your pictures from one vacation in the paper – I called her to congratulate her on the wedding, but when she heard my voice, she hung up on me."
"That's all you know?" Caroline asked softly. He nodded, "I know what you're going through Damon, just know you have my full support, I will alert some of the men I know in Mystic Falls security that request a search in town as well. Just please find her.
He got up "I'll inform you when we get a clue."
"Please do."
..
9 years ago.
She wasn't feeling well. She wasn't feeling well at all. It had been a week since her boyfriend left. He hadn't called her yet. It was ridiculous but she felt like a junkie on withdrawals. She couldn't eat or sleep. She felt anxious at all times, her panic attacks would kick in random times in a day.
Her friends and family were mad upset because of her. She felt worthless, ugly and a joke all together. She was angry at him but she knew the moment he'd call, throw in any excuse she'd eat it up and go back to feeling safe and loved.
"I know you're overthinking when you make that face." Caroline paused the movie on the laptop and turned to her, Stefan and Caroline had been hanging out with her all weekend in her room.
"What face?"
"That face when you're at the brink of losing your shit." Stefan let his arm go around her, "Cheer up."
She shook her head; tears were beginning to sting her eyes when she thought about 'him'.
"Come on."
"I can't, why isn't he calling me?" She turned to Stefan, "Has he called home yet?"
Stefan shook his head, "He just called Giuseppe the day he landed for like two minutes saying he's safe at campus."
Elena balled her fists, "Then why didn't- "she lied back, "He's with a girl, isn't he?"
Caroline rolled her eyes, "Quit it Lena? He told you he'll wait for you," Elena looked at her then Stefan, "Then why is he doing this to me? Why won the call me?"
"Maybe there's a problem." Stefan stroked the hair away from her face.
"Yes there was this big problem and it was me, and now there's no problem." a tear escaped her eye followed by more rapid ones
"Don't be this way Elena." Stefan touched her shoulder, "if he hurts you, I'll make sure he knows he messed up."
Caroline hugged her, "just pause your blame game Elena, who needs him when you have us?"
Stefan grinned, "C, is right Lena, the D word is banned in this friendship. Okay?"
She pursed her lips wiping her tears, "I love you guys."
"I love me too." Caroline said dramatically. Stefan threw a cushion her way. "You caveman!" she snapped throwing the cushion back at her.
After seven months.
It was Christmas, and no matter how cold he acted he missed everyone, even Stefan. He laughed at his own thoughts. Meeting his real father had made him appreciate his now family a little, he remembered being so mad at the idea of him meeting his father, when Elena had suddenly taken him to his own father after he had told her how he felt 'out of place'
He didn't expect to be taken to his father, he met his father and his father's new family, a wife and two kids. His father didn't act detached or rude, but he was hell formal, almost to a point where Damon felt like he wasn't even his father. When Damon had gone home that day he found out that his mother was tired and had a headache, her husband had made her sit on the couch, in front of the fireplace and was giving her a head massage, he then understood his mom's decision, it's better to be with someone who loves and cares about you rather than dragging something un-necessary. Next day he had went to Elena, apologized for being angry the prior day.
He was miles away from the family he once despised, but today he missed it. Most of all he missed his ray of sunshine, Elena, he was in love with this girl whom he couldn't see for three and a half more years. He knew that if he talked to her once, he'd be restless enough to leave everything and go back, and even though he had a decent scholarship, he didn't want to drain on more family funds, a family who wasn't even blood related. But now he didn't mind calling it family. Blood has nothing to do with love and connection, that is how much he had figured out in solace.
It was almost the holiday evening and he was in the farmhouse, Giuseppe has set him there, he knew he shouldn't call her. She'd be mad at him for calling half a year late. Chances are she wouldn't remember him, which would kill him.
He dialed her house phone number taking a chance, if he could just hear her soft voice once.
"Hello, who's this? A feminine voice spoke, but it wasn't hers, he knew his Elena's voice well.
"I am a (the first thing he saw was a milk carton in the kitchen) "Cal-um, Callum, Elena's friend from geo class, can I talk to her?"
"She can't come to the phone right now kid, she's not home anymore. Surely you must know." Damon guessed it was Mrs. Gilbert
He looked at his watch, he was sixteen hours ahead so it was probably lunch time there. "Uh when will she be back?"
"She's there for now, it's a long term treatment."
"Treatment? What happened?" He asked suddenly worried, his girl was a trouble magnet.
"She's in mental institute." Her mother said with a sigh "I might meet her on the weekend, but her father says it's better we leave her alone for awhile, you have some important message?"
He pursed his lips, "No, umm thank you." He hung up. Elena was in Mental Institute? How bad was it? He didn't know, he dialed another number, he had to know what was wrong with Elena right now, "Hello Stefan?"
"Merry Christmas Brother, its Christmas there right?" Stefan had his jolly tone on.
Damon wanted to skip soon to the Elena part but he knew Stefan would be all protective, "Um yeah, merry Christmas, how is everyone? Mama, Giuseppe?"
"Everyone's well, Mama really wanted you to come home for Christmas."
"Well I had some sessional after it so, I couldn't manage, how's everything in Mystic, how are your friends?" he asked not trying to be specific.
There was complete silence on the other line.
"Stefan-,"
"You won't talk about her Damon, you won't, okay?"
"What happened? Why is she in a mental institute?" Damon asked ignoring Stefan's warn. He heard his brother snarl almost, "Don't act so oblivious Damon, you drove her to that point, to complete freaking insanity, what kind of selfish dick does that? Wait- Damon Salvatore."
"Stefan I know I made a mistake- "
"Yes you did and I made a bigger mistake allowing you to play around with Elena , which I wont do again , so if you know better, stop with the Elena questions- I know what you did was not deliberate, but its safe to say , you both aren't meant to be so please stop chasing after Elena, happy new year brother," and with that he hung up. Damon looked at his phone, he couldn't believe Stefan would hang up on him like that. It meant there was a red signal. He messed up. He threw his phone on the counter in anger.
Four and half years later.
Her phone had been ringing the whole time she was doing her make up, she knew who it was, she was tired of this clockwork, apologizing, begging and then threatening almost. Stefan was right, he wasn't worth any of her time. She cancelled the call. Caroline entered the room picking up her heels. "Can you shut that? Its poking into my ear drums."
"Yeah sorry." She switched off her phone.
Caroline too came up to the mirror and brushed her curls and little, "This abusive son of a bitch has been getting on my nerves, when are you going to get a restraining order?"
"I am already too harsh on him, just let it be."
"God you still love him don't you? I wouldn't have called you dumb before this."
Elena turned to her, "I don't love Kol, I just – don't want more mess."
"Right." Caroline rolled her eyes.
Elena clipped the crown of her hair, then un-clipped it letting it loose. "When are they going to call us?"
"Never probably, just forget it Elena, we're going to try for new things." Caroline sighed, Elena grinned "To new things."
"To new boys." Caroline winked.
They had been sharing an apartment for six months now, Elena, Caroline and Stefan and bought this with whatever they had saved. Although small, it was like a first step to their dream.
"Speaking of boys." Caroline added, "You know Stefan's big brother is back in town." Elena's color faded slightly, "Oh."
"Aha, he finished his internship in Australia like a month ago, I saw him at the bar yesterday. Guess where he is working now?"
"where?" Elena asked not trying to seem interested.
"Mystic Falls hospital" she raised her brows. Elena zipped up her bag, "Well good for him."
"What you're not going to talk to him about –,"
Elena interrupted her, "No, that was like years ago, we were kids, it's all so stupid now." She laughed almost, "Besides Stefan has that no more couple policy going."
"If it were up to him we'd still be virgins. Did you see how much he hated Tyler when we started going out."
Elena gave her the sarcastic look to which she nodded, "Okay, so he cheated on me, whatever, but still. He's our dick repellant."
Elena laughed, "Or as he likes to say toxicity repellant."
"You're calling Damon toxic?" Caroline grinned. Elena held her hand as if telling her they were late, "No he isn't toxic, we're just- "
"I get it Lena, its going to be hell awkward when you finally see him."
"I don't think so, I mean, we were friends." She shrugged as they left the room for their shoot.
..
..
And she was proven wrong, when next week she went to see her dad for some needed allowance, she saw him, Damon Salvatore, in her dad's cabin, of all the places, he was here.
"Oh hi umm-," she looked around for her father.
He looked up from some documents on his desk, "Hey Elena Gilbert!" He looked amused, "Come in, Doctor is on ward visit."
She looked around and then came in, "You're back." He got up his seat and got ahead, she wrapped her arms around him in a friendly hug, "we missed you."
"I hope you did." He winked as he parted, "take a seat."
She sat down on the seat he was previously seated on, He dragged forward a chair from the side, "You look great." He meant it, she was beautiful than ever, her brown hair fell around her shoulders in curls, she had this great sunny glow on her skin, she had grown so beautifully, tall, slim and curves in the right places, her rosy lips were enough to drive anyone crazy.
"Thanks." She tucked her a strand of her hair behind her ear, "When did you came back?"
"Last week." He said having a hard time to look up from her polished legs, she put her bag over legs, "So you're already at work."
"I was bored at home, Klaus is out of town in New York now, Enzo is on some album tour, so I thought maybe I'll try here, I wanted to live with mom for a while. She's been sick for unreasonably long. So I thought like I should spend more time with her," He pursed his lips.
She smiled, "That's nice."
"Elena, how are you? I mean the panic attacks you use to have." She shrugged, "They're okay. Nothing to worry about." She sighed, "Well guess dad's going to take a while, I'll be back later."
"I don't mind you staying if you don't have some where to be."
She got up, "Yeah I've to meet up with my friends, hm, it's been nice seeing you." He too got up, "What are you doing this Saturday, we can catch up."
She bit her lip, "Uh I'll have to pass Damon, I am sorry, Stefan wouldn't like it."
He chuckled, "Right Stefan yeah okay, I understand." he held her hand and kissed the top of it not looking away from her eyes, "In case you change your mind, you know where to find me."
She politely moved away her hand from his gentle hold, "Sure." He held the door open for her, "I hope I see you around."
She nodded with a smile and walked out, she rushed out of there, she didn't know why? Her heart was racing in that rhythm again, she was mad at herself, how can he cause that in her, how can he so easily expect that she'd be ready to push the 'ON' button on their relationship, she never said it out loud but she was a mess after he went away. She wasn't going to make it easy on him.
She restrained herself from being too involved with him, although they had an unfinished story, she didn't want to complete it. It became a little too difficult to avoid him when he moved in the same apartment building with the excuse that the Hospital was far away from the boarding house, they were on the same floor three doors from each other, Stefan had apparently forgotten his Elena factor and suggested the apartment to him. He didn't pass up the opportunity. The three ended up helping him with setting up his place.
"This goes their blondie," Damon instructed Caroline when she was dragging a round table.
Stefan and him were moving the couch to the living room. He could see Elena in the other room struggling with hanging an antique clock on the wall, he instantly left the couch's end and walked to the other room, She gasped when she felt him standing right behind her, his arms reached up to hers as he lifted the clock up to set it on the nail, he moved slightly away after it, she pursed her lips, "Thanks."
"No problem." He winked.
"umm." She pointed behind him, he turned to see Stefan holding his red hand, pressing it, "Yes Damon, thank you."
He rolled his eyes tapping Stefan on the shoulder, "Be a man."
Stefan followed him out of the room, he turned back to look at Elena who was blushing, "NO!"
She nodded, "Okay okay."
For the whole day, he was very much around her, no matter how much she resisted it, he was definitely affecting her. Over the years he had gained some muscle on himself, he was toned and strong. His dark hair was though roughly styled looked very good on him.
"You want coffee?" he asked when she was setting the plant pots in his balcony. They heard Stefan from the back, "Caffeine is bad for her, how about you make me one."
Damon bit his lip, he leaned forward almost whispering in her ear, "What the in hell is wrong with him?" Elena shrugged, "I don't know."
"Let me help you." He took a pot from her, "I've noticed you're avoiding me."
"I am not." She said sheepishly, "I have no reason to."
He turned her to him, talking to her in whispers, "Look I know it's stupid, I know I've messed up- "
"What are you talking about?" she sounded unaware.
"You know the whole not being in touch thing."
She looked away, "I honestly don't mind Damon, I mean you're talking about years back when we were kids and we played around, we're adults now. I don't even need an explanation."
"Then why aren't you talking to me? I know we cannot be what we were instantly, but we were pretty much inseparable in the past, you're acting so different." He held her chin making her look at him, "Come on Lena, break the ice already."
"I still can't understand you Damon." She sighed, "I don't know why you think the way you think, you don't owe me anything."
"See! Things like that, don't say stuff like that Lena, its not you, you know it." He huffed.
She stayed quiet for a while before finally meeting his eyes, "Okay fine, I was upset when you left, I was upset for a very long time, but I am fine now, there's no reason for me to question you."
"So we can talk right?" he asked a brow raised.
"We're talking right now." She grinned. He stepped out of the balcony, "I'll make you something, chocolate milk?"
She nodded, "Sure, thanks."
He sighed of relief, at least he could talk to her.
Stefan had brought pizza for dinner, they all sat in the living room eating it while watching pt. "Pass me the ketchup blondie." Caroline held the bottle at him, "Here you go Doc." She squirted the bottle on him, he groaned, "Are you freak in serious?" he squeezed his eyes shut "Uh."
"Hey, calm down Damon." Stefan quickly said, "It's not your favorite shirt."
"Yeah but I damn bought it." He pulled the shirt over his head and threw it to a corner, snatching the bottle from Caroline, he leaned back on the couch.
Caroline's mouth was wide open now, she elbowed Elena gesturing her to look at him, when Elena saw him felt like she couldn't look away, he was just so sexy, his body was toned and tough. She felt her insides heating up, she saw Stefan glaring at her.
"Hey throw on some clothes man." Stefan hit his shoulder lightly.
Damon shrugged, "You guys are a pain in the ass. Get out already." Then he looked at her, she was still looking at his torso, "Except Lena. She can stay."
She laughed looking away as he smirked at her. She threw a cushion at him which he caught. He had got up to grab a shirt from his room when they all heard the door bell, he raised a brow, "Did you guys order something else?"
"Nope." Stefan didn't look away from the T.V.
He shrugged going to the door, when he opened it, he could see an enraged man, his hair was light brown, he looked like he hadn't slept in a week. "Call Elena, Luke said she's here." Damon had an idea that Luke was one from the cleaning crew. He narrowed his eyes, "Who are you again?"
"Elena!" The man shouted, in a second she was rushing to the door, "Oh God Kol what are you doing here?"
"Elena why the fuck weren't you answering my fucking calls." He held her by the arm pulling her out, "Ouch Kol!" She yelped. Damon got ahead and pushed him away, "Don't fucking touch her."
"Who in the world are you?" He too grabbed him by the collar.
Elena held Kol's arm, "No Kol please, don't do this."
"Go inside Elena." Damon growled.
Kol pushed Damon grabbing Elena's arm "Where did you think you were going."
She tried to free her arm, "Stefan!"
"Yeah that son of a bitch can't hide you away from me." He roughly pushed her forward to the other end of the corridor. Damon held his arm and turned him roughly, he drove his fist into his jaw. Elena screamed "Damon! What did you do?" She stood between them, turning to Kol, cupping his face softly, "Are you okay, baby?"
She then glared at Damon. "Why did you hurt him?" She looked back at Kol. "I'm so sorry."
"No I am not okay! Elena I swear if you don't come with me right now-,"
"I am coming, please calm down, I am going with you."
"What? You're not going with this asshole." Damon tried to pull her away from him. Stefan and Caroline had come out by now, "What are you doing here Doctor Mikelson!" Stefan growled, "Elena doesn't want to talk to you! Do you want me to call the police?"
"Stefan please." Elena squealed standing in front of Kol, "Please, he just wants to talk."
"Elena don't be crazy!" Stefan got a step ahead but she moved back, "Please Damon already hurt him, please just let me talk to him."
Kol didn't listen to Stefan finished as he dragged her out of there. "Who the fuck is he?" Damon turned to Stefan
Caroline sighed, "Elena's ex-boyfriend, Kol Mikelson, he just doesn't have any concept of break up."
Damon bit the inside of his cheek, was his Elena in love with this man? Why was she defending this asshole? It made him so furious. She belonged to him. He had waited a long time to come back to her. He wouldn't let her go this easy. Not now , not ever.
..
So guys, you are starting to get answers.
Do tell me what you think about it.
Was damon selfish to not call Elena? Or was he just saving his heart. He wants her back but Kol is in the way.
What do you think about John and Grayson's feud!
Review guys!