This can't be happening

Chapter 2

Damons POV

I was in a different room I heard someone enter the house. It has to be Elena, I thought to myself. Then I heard her call my name and I went downstairs to see what she needed.

"What's wrong? Did you find something that will help us find Stefan?" I asked quickly.

"Geez Damon, slow down. And, no, I haven't gotten any information yet," she informed.

"Then why are you here?" I asked. As an afterthought, I said,

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, because I am..." She was a bit solemn.

"I was just letting you know that Caroline is having her mom look into all the 'animal attacks' in all states."

"Couldn't you have just told me all of this over the phone instead of you coming all the way over here?"

"I don't know. Maybe." What did she mean by this? God she is so confusing...or maybe I'm just reading way too much into this. But she's just so beautiful (even more so then Katherine was even though they look exactly the same). Katherine is selfish, and Elena is selfless. That's why I am in love with her, even though I know I shouldn't be, because I can't let history repeat itself, especially when it comes to Elena. I will do everything in my power to make sure she is okay and that she stays safe. I would even die for her. She is everything to me and I can't lose her...even if that means I get hurt in the process; as long as she is safe, it will be worth it.

"Damon?" Elena asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"What?"

"Nothing. You were just staring off into space with a weird look on your face and it was starting to creep me out." She smiled at me. It was nice to see her smile again. I just hoped we could find Stefan before he became 'the ripper' again.

"Hey guys my mom just texted me. There was an animal attack in Memphis," Caroline informed us, walking into the house.

"Okay, I'll go check it out," I stated.

"Okay, but I'm coming with you," Elena told me.

"No, you are not. It's too dangerous. You are staying here," I argued. "What do you mean I'm staying here? I'm coming with you!" she yelled. "No, Elena, you are not coming. Klaus can't know that you are alive remember?"

"Fine...but, promise me that you will call me if you find Stefan, okay?" she asked out of desperation.

"I promise."

"Thank you," she said.

MEMPHIS

'The Ripper' is back is the only thing I could think of when I lit that house on fire covering Stefan's tracks. I can't tell Elena about this - it would kill her and I can't do that to her; she means too much to me. But, she's going to ask me what I found and I can't lie to her. So I'm just going to have to tell her the truth...no matter how much it will hurt.

Back in Mystic Falls

Elena's POV

Stefan is 'The Ripper.' I can't believe this! I'm glad he's alive, but the Stefan I know would never do anything like this. But, that's the thing, he's not the Stefan I know right now. It's just hard for me to understand how he could just become so cruel and uncaring. I felt like I've lost him for good and I didn't know what to do.

"Elena, are you okay?" Damon asked me.

"No, Damon, I'm not. I know he's alive, but I just feel like he's dead, and maybe it's for the best," I cried. Damon pulled me close to him, trying to comfort me, and kissed the top of my head.

"You'll get through this," he told me. "You're strong enough."

"I don't feel very strong anymore."

"Well, you are. How many people could deal with their parents dying, their boyfriend being a vampire, their Aunt and Uncle dying along with the fact that your uncle is really your father, being sacrificed in a vampire ritual, and have two best friends that one is a vampire and the other is a witch? How many people do you know could deal with all this happening without going crazy?" he asked. I just shrugged and closed my eyes. I fell asleep with Damon holding me. When I woke up, I was in Damon's room, but he wasn't there. I went downstairs and found him in the kitchen making breakfast.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?" he asked me while still focusing on the food he was making.

"Pretty good actually. Thank you for letting me sleep here."

"No problem," he answered. Okay, this was slightly awkward. I didn't know why I felt like that. I mean, it's just Damon. Yeah, he was good looking...okay...he was incredibly good looking. I mean, I loved Stefan, but what if I loved Damon, too.

"Elena? You there?" Damon asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, sorry. What do you need?"

"To let you know that the food is ready," he said, putting a plate of food down in front of me. I smiled and started eating. Once we were finished eating, he grabbed my plate and out it in the sink.

"That was really good, Damon," I said. "Thank you, but I didn't know you could cook." "

"Thanks. It's something I picked up over the years. Plus, there's a lot you don't know about me," he winked. I just rolled my eyes at his comment, and went to sit on the couch to watch some TV. Damon came up behind me and took the remote from me, changing the channel.

"Hey! Give it back!" I jumped around trying to get the remote back from Damon. It was useless because he was a lot stronger and faster than I was.

"Damon, please give the remote back?" I asked sweetly.

"No, I don't think I will," he said with a smirk. Then I got an idea. I got up and started to walk towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Wait, Elena I'm sorry. Here you can have the remote back," he said, handing me back the remote.

"Thank you," I said taking the remote, smiling. I walked back over to the couch and flopped down.

"You played me," he accused.

"No, you caved," I told him, matter-of-factly.

"Well, next time, it won't be so easy," he said, coming to sit down next to me on the couch.

"Whatever you say." I laughed and changed the channel.

"Really, soap operas."

"Yes, I like soap operas. I used to watch them with my mom all the time when she was alive. Watching them now makes me feel closer to her." "Are you still playing me or is that the truth?"

"The truth," I spoke sadly.

"I'm sorry." He put his arms around me, pulling me closer. I rested my head on his shoulder. I felt my eyelids get heavier and heavier until I fell asleep with my head still on Damon's shoulder.