A/N: It's going to be a Valentine vibe through out the month, so I'll be in deep mood to post and post. What can I say, I am a hopeless psycho romantic! I wrote in the chapter number wrong last time. Although I make 'triple' sure that there are no grammar mistakes and spell errors, I do lack in areas, also some words just skip when I upload because I use a little 'casual' wording and maybe the software ceases to let it pass through the 'error filter' so sorry about that.- Enjoy the chapter loves.

PRESENT:

The first few days without his wife , whom recently fell in love with him were like an endless period of dark and misery. Two weeks of complete silence with the forensics completely turning his house upside down till he was allowed back there, then he realized that was even more scary, staying there alone, he had never been alone here. He was realizing now that she made this place look alive , a place where he would stay, because he didn't know why, the darkness of this house was engulfing him. He had his phone ringing from the hospital all the time , how was he suppose to 'function' normally when she was gone.

He was making himself two eggs talking to Meredith on the phone, "Why cant you extend it?"

She argued, "Well it doesn't help Damon, hear it from a friend, you staying away from work isn't going to bring her back."

"But it seems unethical and betraying to push myself into a normal life when I don't know where the hell she is." He picked up the hot pan. "Damon why are you feeling guilty all the time? I know you're miserable, but it's been two weeks, come on Damon , I am not telling you to function normal, but this is also a 'responsibility' , the board will not consider that an excuse.", he almost stomped the pan on the counter top, "Hold on I am getting another call."

"Damon Salvatore , this is Officer Adrian, can you come at the station?" he asked

"Of course, did you get any news on my wife?" his voice was a bit desperate. "We'll discuss at the station." He was told.

Damon skipped his meal , grabbing his keys as he drove down to the station as fast as he could.

There he was , in the investigation room again, in front of officer Adrian and officer Fred.

The dusty blonde haired man began to ask him questions before he could ask about her , "So we investigated around in your neighborhood , we had to go through Elena's medical records, before everything we just want you to tell us any left out information , how was your relationship with your wife, pre accident six months ago?"

"What do you mean?" he narrowed his eyes, "I've told you over and over , we were like every other couple , a normal married couple."

"Well things point to other directions Doctor Salvatore, about thirteen months ago , Doctor Kol MIchealson filed a complaint against you for entering his house without permission and beating him to unconsciousness , it says in the report that , you were going to kill him if his neighbor hadn't shown up."

Damon pursed his lips , "Umm actually-"

"The following week , Doctor Grayson Gilbert reported against you for domestic abuse against your wife , Elena Salvatore , is this authentic? I think it is." He spoke slowly. Damon nodded, "Yes it is – I accidently pushed Elena into the table , I was – very angry in the moment."

"You pushed her into the table ? , here it says , you deliberately hurt your wife."

"It was a misunderstanding." He seethed almost.

"Did your wife after the accident know about this? You used her memory loss right?"
"No- I did tell her- not everything but-"

"You didn't. Doctor Connor's reports suggests that Elena was so fed up with this marriage that she wanted a divorce – which brings us to, this." he put some papers on the table in front of him, " You and MRs Salvatore bought four Houses together , 7 cars, investments in many brands , everything is in her name Doctor."

He hit his hand on the table , "What the fuck? I don't need her money , I have my own- besides we bought everything together , there was no hers and mine."

Adrian huffed, "You are in deep shit right now , everything you own is under her name , of course you know where she is, you tried to kill her once and now again."

He shook his head, "This is pathetic , I didn't do it, I would never think of hurting her , she's the love of my life." Officer Fred shrugged, "You're wife gave a statement thirteen months ago , your neighbors heard you and your wife arguing after midnights , they heard her say that she wanted to leave you."

"That's no proof , my wife had panic attacks , she'd fight because she was scared , that even happened after the accident. This has nothing to do with our marriage."

"What about this?" Fred kept three photographs on the previous file , he looked at the pictures of his friend from Sydney 'Krystal'. Another picture of them dancing at a party. "It's from the time you and your wife were going through that rough patch."

"She's just a friend , Elena knew about her." He dropped the pictures back into the file , "You can call and ask , nothing , there was nothing between us."

"Your wife didn't like her." Adrian rolled his eyes, Damon huffed , "It was just something Lena did , she was possessive."

"I hope you're not making this up Damon , because otherwise you'll be in very much trouble."

The files were closed , he was asked to leave , Damon sighed as he got in his car , the voice from the heavy rain on his car filled the silence inside too as he pulled out a picture from his jacket , his thumb ran over her innocent face in the picture, "Baby." He sighed sitting back , "huh-I miss you."

PAST

Stefan was hell bound on never talking to Elena ever again, Caroline and Damon would ocasionly tell him to 'reconcile the friendship' but ever since she rudely shut the door on the brother duo when they came to her rescue , made him stubborn , saying this was the second time she did this. Defended 'Kol' so Elena's name was banned in front of him for now.

"I want you to come." Caroline batted her lashes at him. Damon shrugged, "I have never been to a set, I have like three days off , I'll be alright with my tv marathon."

She held his arm, "No I am not letting you rot in that hole for the whole weekend , come on."

"You really don't have to play mommy." He insisted. She shook her head , "I am not playing mommy , I really want to hang out."

Damon gave up , "Fine , I'll take a shower- who knows what I come across." He winked at her , she threw a cushion at his direction which he caught, "Just make sure not to kick me out the campaign –" he got up , "What are you talking about? I am a gentleman."

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"Aren't you cold?" Damon asked Caroline looking at her revealing lingerie type attire , "What campaign is this? The no clothes winter campaign , I swear you'll catch a cold or even worse-"

She squealed , "Shut up Damon , This is for the spring-summer collection." She flipped her hair then picked out her mirror , checking her makeup "So do you like my work place?"

He shook his head , "I kind of miss – Doctor Gilbert and he's a fucking asshole." Caroline gasped , "Damon! That's Elena's dad."

"I know , he's the most stuck up , biggest son of a bitch I've ever came across, he takes credit for my progress with patients , he is all about money , he has a medicinal drug scandal going around , he was the one who prepared the case against Kol Michaelson , while he has the same kind of illegal programs going on."

Caroline turned to him from her chair , "What? Why don't you get him caught?" Damon grinned, "Its not that easy Barbie , I am the new guy there, anything I say is irrelevant and merely an act of jealousy from the senior , more paid Doctors."

Caroline was busy sympathizing with him when another girl caught his sight , of course , he could recognize her in crowds, and here she was surrounded by four men , one fixing her high volume curls , one of them applying lipstick on her lower lip. "What is she doing here?" Damon asked as he still couldn't manage to look away from the damn window.

Caroline huffed, "Oh -Lena? Umm she is in the campaign." He was angry at her for being rude to Stefan , he could understand that being her ex boyfriend , he deserved it but Stefan certainly didn't. Later when the photography began , Elena came to greet Caroline and on seeing him she acted like he wasn't there , he pretended that too , he didn't wanted to talk or seem more desperate than he had already been, But God did this girl looked too beautiful , She was wearing a blue bikini with a white see through shrug , he fought hard to keep away his eyes and he succeeded, it was when Caroline had to go for her shot that she and him were left alone with an awkward silence where they both were pretending to not notice or acknowledge each other's presence.

"How's stef?" her hoarse voice broke into his ears , he grinned inside seeing her 'forfeit' by breaking the silence , "He's okay, upset but not the worst." He saw her walk to stand right in front of him , face to face, "Kol has been out for three days, that place is scaring me – I want to come back but Stefan-"

He frowned, "Why do you need to ask Stefan , it's you're apartment as well." She nodded, "Yeah but- he's mad at me."

"Oh you cant blame him, you were defending that asshole."

She looked down as if ashamed, "I know I am messed up but uh- I really just want everything to be okay Damon , I don't want any fights or anything."

"Lena I told you there is nothing Kol can do-" he couldn't hold back and cupped her face , making her look at him , "Okay, come home , Stefan would be happy, if he sees you home." His hand stroked the side of her face smoothly and for a second , she let her eyes close under his touch , tears pooled under her lids and even though she tried to stop them , they escaped. "Lena." He said softly She shook her head moving back from him.

"Why are you crying?" he cupped her face again, "Everything is going to be fine , don't cry." His thumbs wiped her tears to a side, she sighed, "You wont fight with him again." Her lips pursed, he frowned, "Don't tell me the waterworks are over him." She pleaded, "Please Damon. I don't want him to put me in a position where I have to say goodbye to all my friends."

"So why's he in charge?" Damon almost growled.

"because he loves me , he's always been there for me, every time , I cant let him go Damon." Her words kept punching into his heart like little sharp pins coated with poison. She looked up at him with her bloodshot eyes, "I am just scared there , no one's home." Her arms slowly wrapped around him. He could feel the shivering inside her body. He pulled her to him embracing her shivering body, "Shhh." His hand kept stroking her soft curls till her body stopped shaking.

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"No talking?" Caroline asked as Elena came out with the untouched ravioli from Stefan's room. "Nope." She kept the plate on the kitchen table , "He's being way too stubborn."

"Well he's your best friend." Caroline rolled her eyes at her. "I am not stubborn." Elena spat. Caroline laughed ironically and clapped, "Bravo , Miss Elena Gilbert , the professional at not letting go of her toxic as fuck boyfriend says she's not stubborn."

Elena sat on the sofa, "Don't bully me." Caroline sat aside her patting her shoulder," it's a fact little girl."

The blonde began to file her nails and Elena simply watched her do it , unable to carry the conversation , Kol was not contacting with her , maybe they were done or something?

"Lena." Caroline's voice snapped her out of her thoughts , Elena could see her still focused on her pinky finger, "Do you have feelings for Damon?"

Elena simply blinked , where did that came from?

"How will you feel if he starts seeing someone else , right infront of you?" Caroline said it as if she saw it. "And if you knew that person."

Elena shook her head, "I don't know Care, maybe I wont over react – but I think I cant see that , its just too- " what word was she looking for -oh yes 'hurt' she would be so hurt if she sees him care or love someone else. "It will be awkward." She lied.

Caroline sighed and then continued with her work, "Care."

She looked up , "Huh?"

"Did you see him with someone?" her heart was dropping asking this. Caroline shook her head and she stopped herself from saying a 'thank God.' Out loud.

When they both heard the bell , Elena got up to open the door, "Oh Katherine." Elena smiled as Katherine entered, "How're you Elena? how's everything?"

"Oh the same." She shrugged closing the door. "Stefan's in his room." Elena added. Caroline was shooting daggers at Katherine with her blue-green eyes. Katherine ignored her and walked to Stefan's room.

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Damon was helping them with Bar-b-que. Later Stefan and Katherine joined them , Caroline and Stefan were setting up desert and Elena was setting the table, secretly eyeing Damon , who was in the terrace, she hated that she was- but she couldn't stop looking, he had not once talked to her, she could see Katherine walking up behind her , Elena's cheeks turned red when she saw Katherine running her hands on his back to surprise him, "boo."

"Really scary, must say." Damon rolled his eyes, she stood by him, "You're too shy."

"I am not- I just don't talk un necessarily." He said turning over the sausages, "Its warm out here." He signaled her to go , Katherine shrugged , "so take off your shirt." She giggled after that. Damon raised his brows, "You're evil."

"deliciously." Katherine flipped her hair , as she stroked his bicep one last time going inside, Elena felt like all her insides were set on fire , she didn't know why, why was Katherine being so close to him , Stefan should know this , She thought.

But what if Stefan left her and then she completely and fully went after Damon, get him because she was attractive , flirty and had this wonderful aura around her , Was Caroline talking about her earlier? Was Damon interested in this girl? Elena clutched her fists as the thought passed her mind, Stefan didn't deserve this betrayal, she didn't too. Wasn't he just coming after her and now he was being 'friendly' with Katherine. That seemed pretty clear from far away as his eyes followed Katherine's silhouette till they met hers half way, she glared at him, he raised a brow as if asking, she folded her arms across her chest and walked to him, "She's with Stefie."

"So what?" he too stood up straight. "Get your popping blue eyes off her ass, that."

Damon bit the inside of his cheek, "Umm i smell jealous."

"Damon-"

"Relax Elena , she's being all interested , but I don't like her. I don't know what Stefan is doing to himself ,but then again everyone is with someone who's they know is not 'it'. " he grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever- you get the point." He bowed dramatically, "Absolutely."

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Elena was tired from the day , all she wanted to do was go to her room and lie down for hours and hours, Stefan was still not talking to her and Katherine was practically sandwiched between the two boys. Stefan put on a movie , When Caroline got up to go to bed Elena also decided she wasn't going to stay, it was plain weird with her not being friends with anyone , Stefan wasn't talking to her , and even though she tried to connect with Katherine but she was just too snappy for her, she didn't know for what reason and Damon , well , they were on speaking terms, she couldn't just talk to him, she too went to her room, Stefan didn't insist on her to stop , Damon insisted once but she shrugged it off anyway.

She got into bed at about twelve , this bed was far more comfortable than the one at Kol's house , she didn't know she was just paranoid around him, he was not returning her calls. Eventhough she was comfortable, the base of her feet began to feel cold , icy cold, she hated this feeling, as the cold started to creep up her whole body. She curled up in her position. In distance she could hear faint voices from the living room , Stefan was talking to someone.

Her body felt stiff, she couldn't muster a word rightnow, the teddy bear by her side had fallen to the floor from her hands struggling to hold herself up, but she couldn't. Her blanket was clutched by her tightly above her head, an icy hand, which felt like death caressed her back , her bloodshot eyes widened , she wasn't going to turn , she didn't want to- she knew if she did he would kill her , he would know she's not asleep. She stifled her tremors, he must not know she's awake.

"Elena." a very low voice spoke by her ear, "I know you're awake- even if you're not- doesn't matter to me."

The cold sweat from the center of her skull dripped down mixing with her tears, "Please." She said between her tears. She heard a clink of a blade when it shone in dark before her eyes, "No one's going to hear you now Elena, I just want my revenge."

She looked up at cruel figure, "Please don't kill me, don't- I swear I didn't do it on purpose." She saw as he raised the knife above her head , she screamed jumping away from the spot , the knife plunged deep into her spot in bed , her heart began to race as he took it out pointing it to her again, "NO!" she fell from the bed , almost falling when she ran out of the room in her PJ shorts and her purple tank top. "Someone save me please!" she screamed running for the living room. She could see Stefan rush out of the room, "Elena." when she looked back , nothing, no one was following her , he was hiding.

Stefan hugged her , "You're okay." She shook against him, "He's there Stef , he'll kill me I swear."

She could feel a hand stroking her hair, "Elena it's in your head , you're okay." she knew that was Damon.

Katherine was about five feet away giving her 'shocked' eyes.

Damon held her away from Stefan , "Go get her water."

He nodded , Damon wiped the sweat off her forehead, "Lena , we're here, you're okay." She shook her head, "Damon I swear he had this big knife , if I hadn't moved in time , he would have killed me."

"No no sweety- don't say that."

She held his wrist tightly , "I'll show you the bed Damon , he ruined it , I dodged his knife." Stefan made her drink water and then she insisted again what she saw.

"Lena this cant be happening- the door's locked, we live on the fifth floor."

"So he's still here." She shivered. Katherine narrowed her eyes, "Why don't we just go and check?"

Stefan glared at her for the first time , "Kat don't encourage her , she's been seeing a shadow for years and now there's a real thing , just don't-"

Damon instantly said, "She's right Lena , we can go check right now." Her white pale face looked at him, "No-no he's going to hurt us-lets just call the cops."

"We have to check before we can confirm Elena." Katherine urged her .

Elena didn't mind when Damon wrapped his arms around her as they walked cautiously to the dark room. "How many times do I have to lecture you about letting the lights on?" Stefan said angrily.

She almost whimpered, "I cant sleep with the lights on , I see shapes in the walls then."

When Katherine turned on the lights , the room was ruffled but empty. It did look like she had been running around crazily. Elena turned in Damon's arms, "It's under the covers , the knife he was about to run through my chest."

He nodded , he slightly leaned forward and threw the blanket from the top of it, surprisingly to her , it was clean and un damaged. Damon could hear Elena's heart rate accelerating , she was running out of breath. Stefan huffed, "I already told you-"

"I am not crazy It all happened." She said almost crying, "It was so real- he was just going to kill me- I bet he did this, he changed it before I could get you guys here."

"He who Elena?" Katherine raised a brow. Stefan sighed, "You should really stop Elena , how many times do I have to tell you it's not real, no one changed anything because nothing happened." He almost snapped at her. Damon would agree with them but then he heard her crying , she broke into sobs, he went back to wrapping his arms around her, "Jesus Stefan ! can you give it a rest? You guys both know she's scared right? What's wrong with you?"

"Damon I didn't mean it that way." He explained.

"Whatever it may be , I know this seems hard to believe , what she says, but at least can you not see that she's very upset right now." He made her lie down back on the bed pulling the covers over her, "You're going to be okay-"he held her hand , wiping away her tears.

"I am not lying Stefan , I don't know what to believe , every time I pretend it's not real , it becomes more vivid." She bit her lip, "I am so sorry."

"You don't have to be Elena." Damon cupped the side of her face, "If reaching for help makes you feel safe – its fine with me. you don't mind either , right Stef?"

Stefan nodded, "Of course I don't Elena."

Katherine was looking at Stefan as if telling him to leave the room with her now , Elena sighed, "Go back to bed you guys , I am fine now."

Stefan shook his head, "No Elena , you want me here with you- I am not going to leave you on your own."

"Stef its okay- Damon can stay, right?" she looked at him. He nodded, "Of course."

"Lena." Stefan said in a warn almost. She turned in her bed mouthing 'don't worry'

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Katherine was putting her moisturizer while Stefan just came out of the restroom, "I think I'll wake up mid noon tomorrow."

"Hmm me too." She said looking back at him from the mirror, "What's wrong with her anyway."

"Elena? she just thinks someone is trying to murder her, I don't know- that's what she thinks." He shrugged sitting on the bed.

"So she's crazy." She turned to him getting up. Stefan shook his head, "That's not nice."

"Well I am not nice anyways." She slipped into bed with him, "I don't know somethings off about her, seems like she was 'making it up' "

"kat I wont tolerate this.- not now , not ever." He spat angrily, "she's my friend and she's been this way from twelve years now, you don't know what she goes through- heck even Damon understands this."

Katherine rolled her eyes, "okay okay Gosh aren't you two too much protective of her, what are you? In love with her or something?"

"Kat come on!" he pulled his blanket on him.

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"I just wanted him to go and not worry- you can go now." She said silently playing with a strand of her hair to avoid him. "I know I 'can' I don't want to." He turned another page from the book he had picked from her shelf.

"Damon leave." She said sternly pulling at the book he was reading. He got it out of her arm reach, "No fair babe I just got to the sex part." She tried to pull it from him , her pale face suddenly turned rosy red as she landed in his lap, "Its not okay for you to stay." She said in a rushed breath. "I think it's perfectly okay."

She pulled back from his body back to her bed, He closed the book, "So you read- soft porn for entertainment."

"Its not soft porn." She widened her eyes at him snatching the book from his hand, "Don't change the subject Damon – I don't need to be watched."

He grinned , "What if- what if , I like watching." She turned her face to him with a questioned face, "That's creepy."

"I just like being there for you." He said sincerely holding her hand in between his. His pointer finger tracing patterns over her skin, she nodded, "When you choose to."

"Ouch – I deserved that." He huffed, "But you know I am sorry. You were right , I just couldn't do the long distance thing and I am mad at myself for not even trying , cause I knew once I would – there would be on thing on my mind." She looked at him intently as he spoke calmly, "And that would be to come back to you, but I was just a kid Elena , I couldn't give you anything."

She pursed her lips as he continued, "I wanted to do one thing right, that was to live up to Giuseppe's expectations , because he was spending so much on me, Max , being my real father never wanted to even know if I was okay or not, but this man and his son , not being blood related to me are still more family. That's what you told me right, that our relationships are not defined by blood, and I had all this crappy movie idea , me being someone , telling you how much I love you." His hand started to stroke the side of her face , "That would be the right way to tell you I love you."

She looked away slightly, "You could have told me- I would have understood, but you gave me hope and then took it away, I kept on waiting and waiting till it made me insane."

He nodded, "I am sorry Elena, I will never know how much I hurt you Elena, but I want to make it up to you , make you feel that all of that wasn't because I didn't love you, it can never be that Elena, you don't know how crazy you make me , what you do to me." he inched closer and closer but not making any more movement, his hand held her face up so she could look into his eyes, "But I know I've hurt you so there will be no more convincing you." He moved back, "just lie down , atleast trust me that much."

She lied down on her pillow chuckling almost, "So you're going to me used to you and use that."

"That's an excellent plan." His hand under his chin as he , himself blinked several times. "You're sleepy."

"Kind of- not enough to go." He said in a sleepy voice, she smiled turning on a side to sleep. It took him thirty minutes to make sure she was okay now , he leaned near the mattress resting his head against it.

The rest of the night went by peaceful.

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"Doctor Spencer is going to be here with his team, I wont be here till I attend them." Grayson was telling him while he arranged Grayson schedule for the day, "Doctor Spencer from the board and the trustees?"

"Yes. Here are some cases I think it'll be good if you take on." Grayson handed him seven to nine files, He took them and opened them giving it a look, "Doctor I think i cant manage to take on all this , two of these is serious spiral surgeries , it will require the surgery."

"I have studied it and looking into their funds , I don't think we can manage one." That's what he hated most about this thing , he could never tell someone they are not going to operate, "Cant we run in some donation campaign to cover it?"

"That's funny Doctor." Grayson got up picking up his bag, "I'll be on my way." Damon sighed as Grayson left , when his cell phone rang , he picked it up seeing 'Elena's name' on his screen. "Hello superstar."

She chuckled, "Hey , look I am going to tell you something very exciting- I am in a play." She almost squealed after saying that making him distance his phone from his ear, "That's amazing sweetheart."

"That wont do! You have to come and see it in action, since it's Friday I know you're not going to work late right? Look Stefan is still off , so bring him and Care too , I am busy in make up."

Before he could let her know of how 'busy' he was she shut the phone , Damon dialed up Stefan's number , "Hello blonde bro, look Lena has some theatre play tonight , she just texted me the address , you and Caroline go and root for her okay? I am hell busy."

"Damon , oh yeah about that, I am not in town , I am driving to Denver with Kat."

"What?" Damon asked even though he knew, he was infuriated , "Stefan its Elena."

"Yeah I know but I am with my girlfriend." Stefan sighed, "She'll get it."

"Get it- right." Damon huffed shutting the call , then he called Caroline, "Goldie, hey! Are you going to Elena's play tonight, I'll send over the address, it can be a little girls night , what say?"

"I would love to Damon but I am shooting for an ad." She said in her 'sorry' voice , "Damon it'll be okay I'll all to congratulate her."

"Oh ok."

She said bye to him and then he started getting guilty, she was so excited and yet none of her friends were going , she did so much as invite him. He couldn't let her down

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It was difficult for her to keep her eyes off from the audience , her friends were probably there watching her do her worst and best. This play was hugely sponsored , she had hope that once she nailed this one she'll be called to big cities for performance or even more. Once it ended , her struggle to not search for her friends too , and when everyone was clapping she was looking around for her friends. Once praises were done , and after clicking photographs she finally heard a familiar sound , 'Here Miss Gilbert!" her eyes ran through the crowd and spotted Damon , that too in good regular jeans and a black dark blue button up, she smiled walking towards him, "Hey , where's everyone? Are they already out for food."

He had a disappointed face , "Well they were busy so – they couldn't make it."

"Really?" she suddenly looked upset. He held up a rose he had plucked somewhere in his way, 'It's raining so this is all- I could bring along."

She pursed her lips taking it , then chuckled , "Well , its not the worst."

They walked from the backstage outside , he brought her and himself two ice cream cones from the food counter , "I brought my car so I can drop you home or we can go for dinner."

"Lets go home , I am kinda tired."

"Well not to brag but ii just cut short some very important work to be here so-" he widened his eyes at her as if asking her for some credit, she sighed, "Okay we can go have dinner, lets sit down for a while."

They both sat on the stair case that was leading out from the building, watching the rain as was busy eating her ice cream , "Stefan didn't even call me before leaving."

"Don't feel so betrayed , he was busy." Damon defended him, "You guys should really end this whole 'cold war'."

"I did nothing Damon , I just didn't want trouble with Kol , I just don't want that kinda Drama." She sighed, "I called Kol last night , he is not answering my calls."

"Well he sucks." Damon wiped the chocolate from her chin, "I wont ever give you the 'he'll change' speech Elena , he's not it."

She nodded, "I know Damon , but Kol- he has helped me get over some terrible trauma."

"And now he is the trauma Lena." Damon turned to her , "You're not the same , how are you like this now?" he cupped the side of her face , and first time in so long she leaned into his touch, "You're so beautiful , but so weak , I cant see you so guilty." He leaned in slowly kissing her forehead , "Because I've seen you stronger."

She pressed her lips together as he moved away and then stood up , "let's dance?"

She smiled giving her hand in his and got up , they walked down the stairs and then standing in the heavy rain , Elena giggled, "It feels like we are the last two on earth." He looked around and yes, due to the heavy rain the crowded area was empty now, as if no other existed. He pulled her closer , his hand wrapped around her back and he placed her hand on his chest, they slowly moved together, he spun her only to pull her closer , her hands on his chest, she giggled as he bent her in his arms , once she looped her arms around his neck , he picked her off the ground ,raising her high , his head turned up to look at her giggling face , she cupped his wet face, he slowly brought her down, she was face to face with him , smiling "I am happy you showed up."

"I am too."

Her finger slid over his wet lips, "Shh! Just let me-" she bit her lip leaning in , her cold lips pressed against his soft wet lips , she moaned into his mouth as he cupped her face, she parted from him , he had an unfamiliar smile on her face, "So stupid." She chuckled , before she'd lean in again , a sudden jolt parted them , before she could register , she saw Damon on the floor , he wasn't out but Elena could see he was hurt, She looked up to see him in front of her , holding a rod , "KOL!" she gasped , "What did you?" he didn't let her speak as he got ahead and swung his arm to hit her , she screamed as she fell back on the floor, before she'd recover from it , he pulled up from her hair and punched her in the face , she almost saw the red dropping down her face , "Damon!" she cried for his help , she saw him far struggling to get up as Kol was screaming at her , "You fucking slut! I go out for some days and you think you can fuck everyone. You bitch!"

"I am sorry- I am sorry!"

He was dragging her on the road and it burned her arm , some relief came when she heard a roar , Damon had hit him with the rod that Kol had discarded and then didn't give him a break punching him till he was out.

"Elena!" he called after her , running to her , he leaned down picking her up , he patted her face , "Elena , open your eyes !" her left eye was swollen black , nose bleeding, she coughed , "D-Damon!"

"Shit , don't pass out ! I am gonna take you to the hospital." He ran with her towards his car , she moaned, "Kol- he, don't leave Kol here."

"For God sakes woman!" he growled setting her on the front seat , her painful cries were making him tear, as he tied the seat belt around her , she cried, "Don't leave him here."

"Okay I'll call someone , just relax, okay?" he asked her with wide eyes, she nodded, he leaned forward kissing the top of her head, "It'll be okay- just hold on." He quickly ran to her side and got into the car.

In a few minutes he was back to his Hospital , Doctor Gilbert wasn't here so he was not entitled to give 'explanations'

She was taken to emergency ward and most of the Doctors there quickly recognized her as Grayson's daughter. Her bleeding was minor , she told everyone that it was a minor 'stair fall' case , she didn't want to involve police or her father.

Damon paid for her to get a room for the time she was being given Aid, he had called for Kol to be picked up and he was going to be here , he didn't want him to face Elena or him , he didn't want to face him either because he knew he'd kill him this time. He'd kill him for a lot less.

She was still in very much pain from the road burn on her arm and from many blows on her face , especially her eye , it was transitioning from dark to pitch black , it was swollen to the point where she couldn't see, he was holding her hand as she was sleeping from the drip. He was so angry at her , angry that she still cared about him, she was continuously asking if he called to pick up Kol, it wasn't about him or his jealousy, but Kol didn't deserve this, he knew Elena had a soft corner , she had forgave him in the past for almost killing her , but why was she so hell bent on forgiving Kol again and again, he was deliberately hurting her , he had no shame what so ever.

"Damon." He heard her soft voice which made him look at her slightly open eyes, "Hmm." he replied still frowning. She looked up at the drip which was going to be empty, "take me home."

"I will- just get some rest." He stroked her face , she held his hand, "They found him there?"

"emmhmm."

"It's not because I love him, I just don't want you to get in trouble Damon, what if he files a case against you?at least now we can say this was self defense." She said mustering great effort. "I don't want to ruin your reputation."

"You stop talking now!" he said firmly , "I've told you so many times to not be the endless sea of forgiveness God damn it!"

"What he did was wrong , but what I did wasn't right either." She said slowly. He shook his head, "What? No Lena , you didn't deserve this okay! He wasn't hurt or anything, he was fucking brutal. Don't you dare feel sorry for him."

"Okay! Okay – I wont , look I feel – comparatively okay , lets just go home , Dad will kill me if he finds me here and especially if he sees you." She tried to sit up , "I feel very up and down , but you'll stay with me till it gets better right?"

"You don't have to ask Lena." He pressed her hand firmly

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"Why did he do this?"Caroline was almost crying looking at her , "Oh God , I should have been there with you Elena, oh I hate him so much."

Elena was lying straight on her bed, her fever was so high and Damon had been taking care of her as if it was his responsibility. All her work from next two weeks was canceled , Damon said that he'll cover her expenses for the month if she needs it , she had blushed at such advances. "Seriously babe I am going to be just fine , its not as intense as Damon explained it."

"Oh my God , he's such a monster, Elena you have to get a restraining order, how many times do you have to break up with him?"

"Caroline's right!" Damon said sitting by her side, he stroked away the hair from her forehead. Caroline saw the exchange between them , Elena was looking up at him , smiling slightly. She narrowed her eyes, "What's going on here, did you guys made up?"

"Care!" Elena groaned turning away in bed , "I am too muzzy for this conversation. Damon-"

He coughed, "Well your meeting time is up Miss Forbes , come again-never."

She threw a cushion at him which he caught, as she headed outside, "I am heading to bed , it was a bad shoot day- just knock on the other door if you need me."

"A huh." He smiled as she shut the door. Elena huffed, "I am not going to talk about it."

"Understood." He shook his head getting her new wet bandages.

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Her fever was getting better by day three, she was still hurt and in bed but she was progressing fast due to his good care , he had gone to the hospital by nine in the morning , she slept through out the day , Caroline had to leave by four , and she didn't know what she'll do – but then he showed up , right at four fifteen pm, he had brought work home , Elena was seeing him in total work mode as his head was dug in files and book, "You look busy." She was giggling for no reason

"Case study- just a little while." he was frowning till she interrupted him. He leant forward letting his hand feel her forehead, "You still have it- did Caroline-"

"She gave me everything before she left." Elena rolled her eyes , "I am fine- minus the eye." She pointed at her blue black eye. He looked closer, "why, does it hurt?"

"When I touch it."

"Then don't touch it Damnit." He leant closer pushing her back to lie on her pillow, she chuckled, he got up and got new wet bandages with little sponges , he pulled off the blanket from her , pressing the wet bandages to her arms and legs , he trailed a tiny wet sponge on her neck , she sighed sitting up as he ran it down her back under her shirt , she moved into his arms wrapping her arms around him as her head rested on his shoulder, he chuckled ,"Lets put her back to bed should we?" she shook her head against his shoulder, "Ummhmm , I missed you darling , umm so much." She kissed a spot under his ear, he cupped her face instantly parting it from him to look at her , "You're fever high."

Elena nodded, "I had a bit of kick from my Meds- the sedatives , they make me want to make sweet ,sweet love to you." She whispered after a giggle , he almost laughed but kept it back, "Trust me baby, I am as thrilled by the idea but it kind of seems unfair since you're high from Meds and fever."

She rolled her eyes cupping his face, "umm you've been here for four and a half months now, I have kissed you -umm once." She wavered a finger in front of him, "I am pretty good at the resistance game , but its just so hard , when you are so nice to me , taking care of me. I better-" she blinked heavily "go back to sleeping before I offer to return your sponge bath favor." He finally chuckled settling her back , she looped her arms around his neck , "Good night kiss?"

"It's five in the evening." He laughed.

"It's night somewhere." She gave him a grin , "Just avoid the pirate eye." He let his hand stroke her cheek , his thumb stroking her lower lip , feeling like he couldn't resist anymore. "I don't have to avoid it – you look like an absolute bombshell all the time."

She chuckled, "Doctor, how much waiting before you finally give me a pre nap smooch." She puckered her lips at him , he rolled his eyes, "Fine! I can only resist so long." When he leaned down and his nose almost touched hers when there was a loud knock on the door, they both instantly turned to see Stefan , arms crossed. Damon almost fell on top of her , she giggled turning over in her bed, "It's his idea, I am d-drunk , drunk in love, I want you – we woke up in the kitchen saying , how t-the hell did this shit happen-"

Damon struggled to tuck her in , "It was not my idea Stef." He pulled the covers over her , she smiled brightly closing her eyes still humming the song.

"Damon I told you about not playing around with her!" Stefan said as they both went out of the room, "If you keep this up I am going to tell Elena to move out."

"Hey stop that I am not playing with her or anything , she's still recovering , you know what Kol did to her." He pursed his lips , "son of a bitch beat her like an animal in front of me."

"What were you doing with her?"

"I went to that play that you and Caroline ditched , she was so upset when she found out you weren't there- Stefan please don't ruin things with Elena , look she has been your best friend for so long , she really cant see you upset , I know she closed the door on us , but Kol made her guilty enough for her to behave this way." He held Stefan by the shoulders. "You were such an understanding person , what's going on with you?"

"I don't know." He shrugged, "Maybe I over reacted – she doesn't deserve this."

"she doesn't." Damon nodded.

"Okay I am going to talk to her after she wakes up , and yes – when Care told me I registered a report against Kol for abusing her and you." Stefan sighed , "It'll be all okay."

"I am not going to hurt your friend- you know that right? You know how much I care about her?" Damon asked with a hopeful expression , He nodded, "I know Damon – I am just extra cautious , I don't want Elena to end up there- its worse than jail Damon."

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PRESENT

Maybe he was going crazy, why? Where were these thoughts coming from? From two days straight he had been seeing these dark dreams , her screams , everything was so real when he'd wake up , he would be sweating. The weird thing was that he'd hear her not shout for help – but ask for his mercy.

"Don't hurt me Please – Don't hurt me Damon." He'd hear her. He'd see another side of himself in his dreams , one who didn't love her , one who would hurt her for no reason. Last night he had dreamt of that night , when he had finally be able to make love to her after five months of her not remembering him , that was on month ago almost. He remembered her getting up to use the restroom after she kissed him , the second she left he too got up , sat rubbing three of his fingers together , he didn't wait for her to come back as he slid of the bed and got up , he could hear the tap's sound from a far as he slid the door to the huge bathroom , she was busy washing her hands , tapping her neck with her wet hand , when she saw him in the mirror , she gasped , "Oh God , it's just you."

"Just me." he smirked as he closed the door behind them. She chuckled , " I don't know what's going through your head but I am tired so – it's better if we go to bed." Before she'd move out of his way , she leaned forward and pressed a kiss on his lips, "I love you." Before she'd move away he clutched the soft hair at the back of her head , "I am not okay Elena- I am not."

"what happened?" she looked worried.

"You. You're wrong – why don't you understand? How many questions will you ask me? how many more times do I have to hear about Kol fucking Michaelson , it hurts me okay?" he shook her , she swallowed thick , "I get it."

"Everything goes away – but he stays in your memories? You don't see how much Damon Salvatore tries hard! How he tries hard to get you, what the fuck is so special about you, you should come with a fucking warning!" he held her roughly pushing her back to the sink, she hissed , "What the hell?"

"Shut up Elena – you don't understand your fucking husband – you don't understand how desperate he is to get you – he cant be this insecure in his marriage Elena , it's killing him." He looked deranged, she squealed , "Damon you're scaring me."

"Oh I didn't start yet."

Elena got ahead trying to get out of there , "MOM!"

He pressed his hand to her mouth , pushing her against the wall , "Shh Baby girl , you wanted to stay right? You cant leave Damon , he'll go insane ." she tried to hit him but he pushed her back , there was a cracking sound with what she fell on the floor of the bathroom , he realized he had hit her head against the huge sink.

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"Damon you're just stressed because everyone is continuously telling you that you did something to her." Caroline explained to him as he told her his crazy dream, "Everyone has their own crazy story about why you would have done this , some are saying for money , some are saying you had an affair, its just piling up in your head , you're working as well."

Damon shook his head, "I don't know Caroline , have I turned crazy, did I kill the love of my life? Has my insecurity piled up into it's own oppressed personality inside me." he huffed , "Everyone hates me , on the media , her fans , everyone – maybe you're right, maybe it is all bull crap piling up, I haven't slept in more than three hours from the past two days , it's just that maybe."

"And you're not eating well." Caroline pointed out his untouched sandwich , he looked around the café , "I asked Klaus about this – he says its because of the life style , that I am stressed – I would never hurt Elena."

"Just don't tell the police Damon - Officer Adrian is fishing like crazy to find a clue against you. We need to find Elena on our own to lift this case off or the media and public will make you crazy." She held his hand. He pressed her hand , "I wouldn't hurt Elena Caroline, I love her so much , I don't know why everyone is so against me."

"It's going to be okay Damon , I've been looking for Elena , I even told Tom to look for her, he knows all about the under ground business – he would know if its someone professional." She said whispering as she leaned in, "And I did find something – if you had hurt Elena there would have been some evidence in the house , but there was only one thing , the window left open , there are no signs of struggle – so it means Elena was un conscious , the wall from down the window is clean , which means he or whoever kidnapped her had something to lift her – which means a big sized automobile."

Damon frowned , "And?"

"There was an irregular ambulance entry on the gates of the residencia, which was never ordered , which stayed for over twenty seven minutes." She took out her phone reading from it.

"We just have to see who ordered it , and where it dropped." Damon picked up his car keys , "Lets go."

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So that's it guys – did you like it? I am opening it up guys – please review as it took me a long ass time to write , I love everyone's reviews , Scarlett2112 ( whom I am a huge fan of) , amazing aisha , peechee , so many more – thank you so much for supporting me, and writing back your beautiful thoughts , feel free to share this with your DE stan pals (shameless self promo idc lol)