A/N: Hello Everyone! Wow, it's been a year. And I have missed you all so much, but yes somehow I just couldn't get myself to start writing again, it was depressing as hell. I don't know how but one fine day I was just back at fanfiction, started going through some of my old favourite stories, and that gave me the courage to start again. It's like somehow I found my way back again. I wanted to finish this story as this is much more than a fiction to me, so here I am, making promises again and this time I'll keep my word. You guys will see the end of this story, like it, hate it but you'll have it, the complete version.

Special mention: My dear darling sister Amazing Aisha, is truly my North Star, she never gave up on me, although I have. I could never thank you enough. Please be with me always.

So, here it goes, if you have forgotten I'd request you to quickly go through the previous chapters so you'll be able to relate.

Chapter 6~ The hardest thing to do

'Is it too late?
Too late to head back?
All I need is one more chance,
I'll give anything and everything,
To feel you one more time,
To hold and to touch,
To feel your skin on mine…'

Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
2012

Days went by, minute after minute, night turning into morning and then back to night again. Last weekend seemed like a lifetime ago, and somehow this week is unwilling to reach conclusion. His countless calls were either directed to voicemail or were greeted by her agitated mono-syllabic text messages. On Thursday evening he had received an anonymous letter at his doorstep, fazed by the unexpected mail he tore it open to find her specific request to be left alone for the time being. No explanation, no address to revert back, he was left only with the piece of paper marked with her beautiful penmanship.

Unable to bear the helplessness, he'd gone rushing back to her apartment only to find it locked and abandoned. He banged his fist against the close door, his foot joining the commotion, kicking, bashing, in an attempt to pry them open. Frustrated he'd turn back home empty handed. With every failed pursuit his resolve would only get stronger, desperate, unwavering.

Friday evening, while his colleagues were busy planning drinking endeavors, Damon had only one thought lingering in his mind, he was determined to find her, tonight he won't go empty handed. With burning hope in heart he drove to her house. Finding the damn door in the exact same position as last night, he laughed cynically, not that he expected any different. He'd made up his mind, tonight nothing can deter him from his stance, he'd search every street if it comes down to that but he will find her, he had to… he needed to…

Sense of time and tide dissolved into a mind numbing limbo as he kept on driving through the busy roads, his eyes unblinkingly chasing the girl, all his primary urges hunger, thirst, weary, long forgotten. He didn't realize when he had changed the course of direction as he found himself in front of Betty's café. Pulling the car to park, he gazed through the clear glass window, remembering the last time when she was with him, sipping coffee with her usual nonchalance.

A ghost of a smile formed on his lips, flickering images of the girl dancing in front of his eyes, her smiles, that adorable pout, her obnoxious drama sessions, the tenderness of her caress, the lingering teases, the warmth of her soul, the innocence so prominent in her eyes and everything that is… that was Elena…
Through his peripheral vision his eyes caught a the familiar petite figure, wrapped in a over sized shift dress, reaching up till her knee. He couldn't catch hold of her face as the offending chiffon scarf was concealing his view.

In a flash he got out of his car, pushing the door ajar he went straight towards her, halting his feet right behind her. He could feel his nerve ending tingling with anxiety, with quivering hand he touched her shoulder. She turned to him instinctively and both the figures froze, slowly silently his senses were being filled. But it vanished as quickly as it surfaced.

"Where the hell have you been?" he screeched, his grip on her shoulder getting stronger, "Do you have any idea what all I have endured, I was losing my mind worrying over you. I've been searching every street of this damn city like a lunatic and I find you here…"

"Damon… I… You… You need to go. I told you I needed space." She shuttered, fixing her scarf attempting to shield herself behind the flimsy material of cloth. Not even in her wildest dreams she had imagined what came next.

He dragged her out of the café in a swift movement, not conceding to her weak protests. Once out he jerked the scarf away, preparing for another blasting session, but as his eyes cognized the dark bruise settled on her left cheeks all his enmity dissipated. She tried to scramble away from his grasp but to no avail.

He almost choked on his words, "What… How did this… Who… Elena…" every syllable sharp as a needle, pierced his throat. He trailed his finger tips over her pigmented skin, gentle as feather, soothing, caressing, loving…
She couldn't bear the sting, his tender caress was excruciating, never she wanted him to witness her vulnerability, this humiliation was much worse than receiving the blow. Squeezing her eyes shut she kept her tears at bay, not wanting to breakdown like a rag doll in front of him. Forcing those tears back she gathered strength to voice out her pleas, "Just let me be, Damon. I need to be alone; you can't help me, no one can."
"You seriously think I'm going to leave you like this, especially after… after…"
"God Damon! Why do you have to be so stubborn all the time? This is my life, I get to hold the cards, not you, not anyone else." She howled.

Damon took a step closer, his face inches away from hers, their torso separated by a thin layer of air, his lingering breath tingled her skin and his scorching eyes bore into hers. "Elena…" his hands crept around her face, grasping her cheek in a firm yet tender hold, "Get inside the car, I… I don't want to hear a single word coming out of those quivering lips of your until we get home."

Not a sound came out of their mouths as both of them headed towards the car, sliding across the old leather they took their seat and drove in silence.

Like a lifeless puppet she sat on the couch, slumped, unblinking, her chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm while Damon moved around the place heedfully. The glass of water he brought a while back sat quietly on the tea table. Setting the first aid kit aside he perched himself on the edge of the table, sitting right in front of a motionless Elena.

Sighing out loud he opened the lid, startling the girl by the sharp sound of plastic. As her senses recovered from their stupor she could feel frenzy coursing through her body. Hastily she tried to escape the situation but Damon's incessant stare kept her put.

"I... I need to get out, please, Damon, listen to me. You don't want to get involved in this mess. This ruckus, I... I created and you shouldn't be... I need to find a solution for myself. You cannot come to my rescue every single time. It's not right!" She shielded her face with her palms, muffling her voice furthermore, "You've already done too much, I'm indebted... I cannot..."

"You're indebted?" He rumbled, "Elena... you don't even know what you've done for me." His hands went to her face; prying her shield open he cradled her cheeks. The action instinctive, natural, his fingers brushed against her skin, communicating devoid of words. "I can't see you like this; you're my friend, someone I can fall back to, someone who's been a constant in my life. I care about you; you're far too precious to me..." His lips connected with her forehead for a brief second, "And it's because I care, I cannot let you continue this lifestyle. I'll do everything in my power, I'll take up another job, whatever it takes, we'll find a solution."

She didn't even realize when those traitorous tears started rolling down her cheeks, dampening both their skin. "You don't understand, it's not about you. I deserve this, I've made this life for myself and I need to live in it. That's the least I can do..."

"What the hell are you talking about? No one deserves this life, this is debilitating, Elena, you need to get out of it. Think about your loved ones, about your parents..."

Her stomach churned violently, she could feel bile rising at the back of her throat, her quivering intensified, turning into violent tremors. Her chest heaved as the tears continued to stream down her face and she stoop down to the floor.

Baffled, Damon reached for her, attempting to soothe her with words, caresses but all in vain.

"I ran..." she mumbled in between sobs, "I was 15, and I ran away, I gathered whatever money was there in the house and eloped with him." The sobs quietened gradually and her incoherent murmurs started making sense. "He said he knew some agent, he'll get me a role in an upcoming TV show." She laughed sardonically, "I was on seventh heaven, when I asked my dad he gave strict orders to stay far away from such scums, he threatened to ground me. Like a stupid, naive little rebel I made my own escape plan." She paused for a moment then continued, "And look where that got me! I got my wish though, I always wanted to be popular amongst the crowd. Look at me, I'm famous around the streets, 'Elle-the conniving little whore'."

She glanced up, Damon could see devastation, raw and pure anguish deluging in those deep pools. "I'm tainted Damon," she pleaded, "you shouldn't be here with someone like me, I could ruin you, if I haven't already, I'm repulsive, I'm a disgrace Damon, I'm ugly inside out."

Scooting closer to the quivering girl he enveloped her in his arms, wanting to protect the tender flower from this cold world, shielding her from the impending storms. His grip tightened around her torso pulling her flushed against his chest, "You're beautiful..." His cool blue orbs glanced down at hers, trailing down to her lips, one look and his mouth descended upon hers. Claiming the sweet concoction, evading time, space, place. All that mattered was the sensation that blazed like an inferno, evoking every cell in their body. His lips traveled down the expense of her jaw, further to her slender neck. "Beautiful, so damn beautiful..." he whispered with each caress of his lips, "mesmerizing, pure, innocent..." he kissed her lovingly, passionately, demanding contact.

Gliding up her face he planted kisses all over, from her wriggling brows to her wet lashes, moving down to her tear stained cheeks, kissing her bruise he proceeded down, reaching those honey lips, claiming them again and again. His murmurs resembling a sacred prayer as he worshiped her skin. His fingers curled around the back button of her dress, releasing it from the loop, exposing more of the delicious skin that he was craving. Caressing, kissing, licking, sucking Damon continued to shower her until not even an inch was left untouched.

Flooded by the vivid sensation she gripped him tight, unwilling to leave any breathing space between each other. Her fingers ran through his dark traces, tugging in harsh movement, while colliding her lips with his. Her kisses were forceful, desirous and almost vulnerable. She had been refusing her feelings for a while now, afraid to jump off the cliff, terrified to lose what she has, what they have…

But not anymore, she couldn't possibly deny the impending storm, she'd welcome it with open arms, let it wash away all that remains, let it ruin her to the core, tonight she'd be reckless, tonight she would give in, to feel what she so desperately desired. Through hooded eyes she glanced at him, tentatively caressing his beautiful face, "Damon… Make me forget everything, tonight, hold me close, let me shatter in your arms…, Love me, Damon… One night…"

With a long, deep kiss he sealed the promise; lifting her up in his arms he carried her to his bed, depositing her on the mattress. Ever so carefully he slid off the material of her body and got rid of his own.

His fingers trembled as he reached for her undergarment, tracing over the lace he pulled it off her legs leaving her gloriously naked in front of his eyes. Every cell in his body quivered with nerve as he took in her appearance for the very first time. Oh so beautiful… Tempting, enchanting, from her shapely legs to her almost flat stomach, adorned by the soft love handle around her hips. Her nearly round mounds and those pert nipples, to her long neck and her radiating face. He could swear he's never witness anything as beautiful as this.

Stepping closer he hovered above, kissing her inch by inch, lacing their fingers together, he continued to coax her body for what's to come. He couldn't bear to disappoint this girl tonight, doesn't matter he's an amateur, doesn't matter he's a nervous wreck at the moment barely having any control over his hasty movements, but he knew in his heart no one could care for her the way he does, no one could pleasure her the way he's doing now, absolutely no one could love her the way he does…

Gazing into her eyes he smiled, he loves her, love that knows no bounds, love that sets his entire being aflame, love that could consume them both like raging inferno… With fervent move he attacked her skin, sucking and nibbling her flesh, giving extra attention to her sensitive bundles, leaving her writhing beneath his torso.

Every whimper that escaped her lips boosted his confidence, urging him furthermore. Unable to withhold any longer he buried himself deep inside her waiting warmth, gasping at the sensation of being engulfed by sleek walls, he relished the feeling. Limbs tangling, skin against skin, breath mingling, moaning, whimpering with carnal need she was a true vision, one he'd cherish throughout his life.

As pleasure over took all the senses their movements got frantic, both chasing after their release, wanting to reach peak, and it came crashing upon them, waves of immense pleasure tumbling to the shore, breaking and mending one after the other. Gradually settling down, as the little jolting waves passed both of them came back to their senses, finding the other wrapped in an embrace, covered by a veil of perspiration, solace and love…

Tugging her sweat drenched locks behind her ear Damon planted a kiss on her forehead before claiming her lips once more in a soothing kiss. He withdrew himself from her sweet flesh, only to pin her down with his incessant gaze, he searched for a sign of hesitation, discomfort or anything that could deter him from what he was about to do next. But all he found was a replica of the feeling that was blazing through his heart.

Without wasting a moment he voiced out what he had realized during their coupling, "I love you Elena…" he kissed her once again, "I love you so much, you've been an amazing friend, putting up with me when I was at my worst. I thought that was the best we could be, until tonight." He smiled, "I guess, I've always loved you, this feeling has been sprouting in my heart for quite sometime, but like an idiot I've brushed it off. But not anymore, not now that I know what it feels like to be whole, you complete me Elena, without you I'm lost…"

Startled by the sudden revelation, Elena stared at him incredulously while he planted chaste kisses all over her face, reaching for her lips yet again he kissed her deep, wild almost frenzied murmuring 'I love you' over and over again.

A/N: So, hope I didn't disappoint, do let me know what you guys think. Thanks a ton! Love you all!