She hears a car pull up, and she doesn't even have to look to know who it is. Somehow she knows he's the only one that would think to look here for her.

"How did you know I'd be here?"

"Lucky guess."

"Stefan has been texting me for two hours looking for me. And really, what masochist goes right back to the scene of the crime?"

"Elena, I'm so sorry." He says walking up next to her, not too close, never too close.

"How is this my life Damon? How did both of my parents just die? We have driven over this bridge for seventeen years. It's not fair! This is all my fault."

"You're right, it isn't fair but this is not your fault. Black ice caused this."

"They were on their way to me Damon. I couldn't find my damn keys so they were bringing my spare. They were in that car because of my carelessness. How are Jer and I supposed to be okay? How do we move on from this?"

"You just do. I know that's a shitty answer, but it's the truth. You can't change what happened, and I know you probably don't want to hear this but I bet they were so glad it was them and not you."

"Nope. That doesn't make it okay and it sure as hell doesn't make me feel any better."

"I know, but it's the truth. My mom said your Aunt Jenna and Uncle Ric are moving back here to stay with you guys?"

"Yeah, they'll be here tomorrow."

"Lena, let me take you home."

"No."

"Well you cannot stay on this bridge it's freezing and snowing and if a car doesn't see you-"

"What? If a car doesn't see me I could get hit? I'd go flying off the bridge too? Like my parents?"

"Yes, Elena. Is that what you want to hear. Jeremy is going to need you so you need to get your ass off this bridge or I'll throw you over my shoulders and carry you off. I can't imagine what you're feeling, but there's better ways to work though it than this."

He's so close to her, and she sees his eyes soften when her tears start to fall. She knows Damon doesn't do tears, but he surprises her by pulling her into him.

"Come here." He rests his chin on the top of her head and combs his fingers through her hair, and while she isn't very thankful for much right now, she is for Damon. "How about we just sit in my car for a little, I brought coffee. You don't need to go back yet. Just let Jeremy know your fine."

"Okay, I'd like that. Thank you Damon."

"Of course."

When Elena wakes up, she wakes up alone to the sun shining in. She breathes it all in for a minute. How at peace she feels here, away from her life. That five minutes. It was the best night sleep she's had in a long time despite the dream she had. She still doesn't know how he does it, understands her, forgives her, stands by her even when he shouldn't, saves her. She can't even remember when it started, it's always felt so natural, like it was always that way.

"Hey sleepy head." He says pulling her out of her head pushing in the room service cart.

"Hi yourself. What time is it?"

"Almost eleven."

"I haven't slept this late since I was a teenager."

"I always pick the hotels with the most comfortable beds, it's a talent."

"Sure it is smart-ass."

"I take it you slept good?"

"I did. I had this dream-"

"About me? Who doesn't?"

"Ugh! But it was about you."

"Do tell. Was I naked?"

"No. It was about the night you found me on Wickery Bridge."

"Do you dream about the accident often?" She can hear the uncomfortable undertone, but she knows he's asking because he cares.

"Not as much as I use to, but it still makes an appearance at least two to three times a week."

"Elena..."

"You don't have to say anything, it's okay. But I am curious about something."

"What's that?

"How did you know I'd be there?"

"Like I said then, lucky guess."

"I don't think it was just a guess. You knew. You didn't try to text me, you didn't have to look for me, you just knew."

"I did just know. We're a lot a like Elena. They were panicking because no one could find you. I mean they were all a bunch of idiots if you ask me."

"Damon!"

"They were. I could see the guilt in your eyes when Liz brought you home. So when Stef said you weren't in your bed when he went to check on you I knew you'd go to the last place they were, the place that took them away from you, because that's what I would do."

"Why didn't you tell Stefan?"

"He should have been able to figure it out on his own, but I knew if I did he'd overwhelm you. You didn't need over bearing. You needed to just be."

"I was so grateful it was you that night." I tell him taking hold of his hand and squeezing it. He gives me a pensive look before quickly pulling away.

"Let's eat before this gets cold."

"Sure."

Damon was done divulging and that was okay. I'd pushed him enough in the past twenty-four hours.

Since it was his last shoot Damon had said that today would be a twelve hour day so Elena decided to do some shopping. A coffee mug for Jer and Ric, and cashmere scarf for Care and Jenna and a cute onesie for her niece. She spent half the day trying to find a small thanks for the trip gift for Damon, because he was right, she needed this. And just when she was about to give up she saw the small hole in the wall book store he'd told her about. She's taken aback when she walks in, there's no fancy tablets, or computers, it's all old school. Just rows and rows of books. When she finally finds an older copy, surprisingly in good condition of Gone With The Wind she knows shes hit the jackpot.

"Hi dear." The elderly woman says as she greets her with the warmest smile.

"Hello."

"Did you find everything okay?"

"I did. My friend is going to love this."

"Into the classics is she?"

"He is."

"My mistake."

"It's fine."

"Would you like to buy a raffle ticket? You win a signed copy of Home, and all the money goes to the new shelter for supplies."

"What kind of shelter?"

"For women and children who hit hard times and need a place to go. A warm meal, a bed, clothing. Whatever they need we want to have it available."

"That's amazing. I'll take three."

"That's very generous, they are ten dollars each, are you sure?"

"I am."

"Thank you dear. A young man that visits here donated the book, says he knows the author. Such a sweet guy he is."

"I'm sure he is. Thank you." She takes her bag and makes her way back to the hotel. She doesn't understand why Damon only wants everyone to see his bad side. All the good he's done and does he never speaks of. For all the years they have been friends she can't figure out why. It drives her crazy. Once she's back she calls Jenna and Care to check in. When both her aunt and best friend tell her how relaxed she sounds, she knows something has to change. She's barely noticed how off she's been lately, but everyone around her has. She decides to leave Damon a note when she heads in to bed to come wake her. She doesn't say why because she knows he wouldn't want to talk about it and tonight is their last night. Tomorrow they'll be back in Mystic Falls, and she's worried he won't be as open as he has been this trip. This is the closest they've probably ever been. It makes her happier than it should.

"Lena?"

"What time is it?" She asks looking up, the light from the T.V giving her a clear view of him.

"A little before midnight."

"That was a really long day."

"Yeah, there were a bunch of ridiculous issues. Is everything okay? Did something happen back home?"

"No it's fine."

"Why am I waking you then?"

"Lay with me?"

"I don't think-"

"Just on top of the covers."

"Okay."

"What's going on Elena?"

"I went to that bookstore today. The lady-"

"Mrs. Green."

"Mrs. Green told me that they were doing a raffle for an autographed copy of my book."

"Of course she did." He says rolling his eyes and turning onto his bank.

"Why do you do that?"

"What?"

"Never let people see the good in you?"

"Because when people see good, they expect good, and I don't want to have to live up to anyone's expectations."

"I think that's bull. I think your afraid of failing to live up to them."

"Whatever helps you sleep better."

"You know I'm right. You're like that with everyone. Well almost everyone. Not your mom and not me. Your mom I get, she is your biggest champion, you are her pride and joy, you always have been. But why me?"

He rolls over and gives me painful smile, one that tells me he's afraid to tell me his answer. It makes my heart beat faster, and I almost tell him to never mind the question but he reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. Before I can stop myself I'm leaning into his touch.

"You are the one person that understand me. I don't have to say much, and sometimes nothing at all. You can tell just by the way I look at you. You don't think I'm a screw up. You always give me the benefit of the doubt, more than I deserve usually. You have my back, since we were little, for no reason. You just get me. I can be me with you. I appreciate that more than you'll ever know."

"Damon..."

"Don't say anything. You got your answer, I'm going to head to bed now."

"Stay."

"That's not a good idea."

"It's our last night. Please."

"Okay."

We lay there, each on our own pillow, pretending to be asleep. And when I finally can't take it anymore after what seems like hours, but is probably just minutes I move closer to him laying my head on his chest. And in seconds his arm is around me, our hands resting on top of each other on his stomach. It's so wrong what we're doing. Stefan would hate us. But neither of us make a move to stop. The last thought I have before I fall asleep is that Caroline was right, I've been missing the way Damon looks at me, and the worst part is I never want it to stop.