It's been a shitty shift so far, Elena decides. She's sitting in her office, another mug of coffee in front of her, a sour expression on her face. Usually, she's a bundle of energy after fighting a fire. Filling out reports, coordinating information with the police or just kicking back with the others while the adrenaline begins to wane. Today, nothing. She barely managed to hop into the shower, that was necessary but since then...
"Look at you all being all glass is half empty... Who peed in your Wheaties?"
Tyler clearly believes that since he's known her all her life, it gives him the right to use sarcasm with her whenever he wants. He has another thing coming.
"Oh, and what makes you say that? Maybe your enthusiasm comes from your extended beauty sleep this morning?" She knows she's not being fair, Tyler was pretty much on the front-line the whole time and even got burnt. Mer took care of the injury, which luckily wasn't serious and when he refused to go home, she told him to take a nap before anything else pops up. Plus, it's not uncommon for them to use the back room for catnaps when needed.
The corners of Tyler's lips lift in amusement, she should know by now that he's not so easily pissed off. "Maybe you could use one too, you're gonna get wrinkles if you're not careful... all of that brooding takes its toll."
Elena rolls her eyes. "I am not brooding. It's just..." How is she supposed to finish this sentence? "Why do I have to be cheerful all the time? You guys certainly aren't."
"You're never cheerful," Tyler raises an eyebrow. Walking inside her office, he helps himself to a mug of coffee and sits opposite their sexy fire chief. "You're biting, bossy and snappy all the time, I'll admit it works... on some people," he adds with a grin.
"Oh!" Elena howls. She feels like throwing the pot of coffee at his head but of course she won't. Even she can admit he has a keen sense of humor. "Ok, you're right. I'm awful. And I'm brooding. Don't know why I feel so fatigued this morning. And annoyed."
"You mean you're angry at yourself for snapping at poor Mr. Salvatore who really couldn't hear the phone or smell the smoke?" he's no fool, he's well aware that Elena's not good at dealing with things like that.
"Don't remind me...," she bites her lip. "I hope he's alright. Because if he's not, it makes me the worst and most insensitive person in the damn world."
"Don't exaggerate. In Durango, maybe, in the world, hardly," he gives her a wink. "You can call Bekah, she has a morning shift."
"Does she? I may do that." Bekah might ease her mind. Elena doesn't like feeling guilty. "How do you know which shifts she's working?" she only now realizes Tyler's knowledge of Bekah's schedule.
"I ran into her the other day, she said she's on mornings this week."
His dark eyes are unreadable and Elena decides to let it go. There's obviously no reason for her to think anything about her best friend and her ex potentially getting closer or even have an opinion but it's still... weird. There's also the fact that she thought he and Caroline... She ostentatiously reaches for the keyboard to finish the reports effectively ending this awkward conversation. Tyler quirks a brow but doesn't comment, gathers his coffeee and takes his leave. As soon as he's out of the room she springs to her feet and closes the door, her phone already in her hand.
"Hey Bekah? Can you find out for me if the guy we rescued this morning is going to be okay, his name's Damon Salvatore?"
Damon's irritated. Despite his best efforts, he hasn't succeeded at persuading the good doctor to release him. Instead of letting him go home, she decided to run a few more some tests and that he needed to wait for the results. He put up a fight, he really did, first because he doesn't feel the need to stay there even the slightest bit longer and then because they didn't have an open single room. Ric, unsurprisingly was on her side and refused to listen to his demand to sign out AMA.
In the end he was left to die from boredom at Mercy Hospital, paying for an extra bed when he refused to share the room. It's not that he was being stubborn... well, maybe a little... but he literally can't stand hospitals. So much so in fact that he even considers crawling out of his own skin to get away. If only it was possible.
When he tried to tell Doctor Mikaelson that he needed to get the hell out of there, she told him to sleep, which is impossible. The nerve of her. He tried, it'd help to kill some time but rather than sleep, he's been tossing and turning and staring at the ceiling all morning. At 10 am he gave up, opening the laptop that Ric brought him and threw himself into work. Even that turned out to be a challenge.
He just can't function.
Despite not being able to immerse himself in programming he doesn't notice Dr. Mikaelson's approach till she's standing next to the uncomfortable hospital bed. He takes in her purely feminine figure, a sarcastic smirk and the thing she's holding in her hand, he just hopes it's nothing to put in his body. He should probably get new glasses. He doesn't bother to acknowledge her verbally, everyone knows now he's the poor crippled Mr. Salvatore, danger to himself and his neighbors.
"Mr. Salvatore," she addresses him unnecessarily, he can read her just fine and is paying attention.
"Dr. Mikaelson," he mumbles.
She looks around, her eyes resting on the other bed.
Judgy. He can feel it.
"Most of your tests results came out just fine. We're still waiting for our pulmonologist, Doctor Rudy Hopkins to look you over. How are you feeling?"
"Fine. Thank you," he adds as an afterthought. He's aware he's being grumpy but he's just not in any mood to play nice.
"Okay, let me have a look at you." She adjusts the stethoscope while putting the other device, which luckily turns to be just a blood pressure cuff, no needles or tubes and moves to examine him. "Any problems? Coughing, any sputum coming up, trouble breathing, dry heaves? Headache?"
"Sorry, didn't catch that," he looks at her and Rebekah curses, only now realizing he must be able to see her lips to communicate. He looks so natural, she can't blame Elena for not noticing either.
"Sorry, I was just asking about your symptoms. Coughing? Sickness? Head ache?"
"Nope," Damon denies. "I'm as good as new." Would it help if he cooperated just a little? Hardly.
"Okay Mr. Salvatore, you seem fine to me, as soon as I have Dr. Hopkins assessment, I'll release you, ok? Promise you won't leave before I do." She actually winks and Damon fights the need to just turn his back to her, cover his head and pretend he isn't even there. Not in the mood for socializing.
Before she leaves, she still tries again. "We could put a new admission in here? Someone you can visit with and take your mind off how much you hate it here."
"No thanks!" he snaps. "If you need this room just discharge me now and you can have it."
Shaking her head imperceptibly, she's understands that he's not actually being rude, he's just... very unhappy being stuck in the hospital. "I'll get out of your hair now. Just..." She pauses for a moment wondering if she should ask him given the rather dour mood he's in.
"Just what?" for some reason Damon does want to know what's on her mind.
She holds eye contact while deciding to go with her impulse. "Is it okay if I discuss your condition with the fire chief? She gave me a call, she's concerned."
"Who?" Damon can't quite comprehend what she's saying.
"Elena Gilbert, the fire chief, you saw her last..."
"Yes, I know. Sure, I don't care. Thank you doc."
Nodding, she closes the door on the way out.
Elena, her name is Elena.
Elena drops the grocery bags on the kitchen counter before reaching in the fridge for a beer. She takes a sip and almost moans at the pleasure. The shift was to put it mildly, exhausting. The early morning blaze, then the reports and two smaller alerts, one when a woman's neighbors called 9-11 to report a fire, which was quickly extinguished and then they were called to a more serious one at Sunshine Gardens nursing home. An idiotic staff member put a dry towel in the microwave, filling a room with smoke and setting off the fire alarm.
Plus, if she is being honest with herself, she isn't yet over the slip up with Mr. Salvatore. She isn't used to feeling guilty and the fact the man is alright as Rebekah informed her, even being a pain in the ass relieved her mind somewhat. Still she's a little irritated with herself for being insensitive. But on other side of the coin, she had no idea that he was deaf. Even so, she can't help but feel remorse for scolding him.
Under normal circumstances she wouldn't give a damn about telling people when they're wrong. It's a good and necessary part of her job, teaching them about the need to be careful as not only their lives but their loved ones lives and her firefighters could be in jeopardy. Most often they listen to her, sometimes they don't and sometimes someone pays the ultimate price for their folly.
Even taking that into consideration, she knows Mr. Salvatore didn't deserve her attitude. What does she know about how crappy or perhaps exhausting his day might have been? The smoke had to affect him for a long time before the fire reached his home office. The smoke inhalation probably contributed to his fatigue.
What does she know about having to live without one of her senses? Not a damn thing and he has to live without hearing and a very dulled sense of smell. He's a young looking man, she suspects probably in his early thirties and lives alone. Was he born that way or did something happen to rob him of those abilities?
Why can't she just stop thinking about it? Annoyed at herself, she throws the can into the trash and heads to her room to take a shower. She truly needs one.
Before she can let the hot stream wash away the stress of the day, the Jurassic Park theme fills the room as an incoming call demands her attention. For a second or two, she considers ignoring it but decides against it, knowing inherently that it's her dad.
He would be worried.
"Hey dad," her voice sounds tired even to her own ears.
"Hey baby girl, everything alright? I hope I didn't wake you."
"No, I just walked in the door a little bit ago. I'm perfectly fine, it was just a hectic day."
"I'm sorry," John responds after a moment and Elena curses herself for not being nicer. She's just overly tired.
"No, I'm sorry dad, we had a nasty fire at one of those houses on Lafayette Street. The place was reduced to ashes but by the luck of the Irish, we did get the owner out in one piece. He was very lucky." The frustration is palpable but somehow she can't help it. Not with her dad.
"But he did get out alive, that counts," he tries to cheer her up.
"I know... But I wasn't exactly nice to him," she adds and John almost smiles on his end. He knows his baby girl well.
"And he didn't deserve it? Well, I'm sure being alive trumps the slight discomfort of hearing your irate voice, it's sweet when you get to know it," John adds, amused.
Elena chuckles humorlessly. "If only. He... Never mind. I called Bekah, he's going to be alright, that's what matters, you're right. Did you need anything dad or did you just call to touch base?"
John accepts her need to change the topic. "You know me too well, little girl. I called to remind you Uncle Greyson's birthday is next weekend. I hope you're free? You said..."
"Yes, I remember." She pushed the event out of her mind deliberately but her dad doesn't need to know that. She made to request that day off as soon as he told her about it. Although there's a million things she'd rather do, there's simply no way for her to skip it.
"Okay," John doesn't want to delay the conversation that could easily become uncomfortable, "see you there. Get some rest."
"I will. Love you dad," she responds softly and she means it.
Putting the phone on the bedside table, her eyes turn to one of many pictures on the wall. It's mom and dad, herself, her brother, the very reason for the unsettled atmosphere that often spreads over these family gatherings.
"Oh, come on Damon!" Ric tries. It's impossible to have a conversation in the car while his eyes have to be on the road but when he stops for traffic lights, he catches his friend's eyes and prods. "Don't be so irritable. You're alive for Christ's sake. That's more important then some wood, bricks and shingles. You weren't seriously hurt and the hospital is no longer visible in the rear view mirror. You should be thanking your lucky stars."
"Yeah, can't say the same about my house."
As soon as the light changes to green, they fall into silence again as Ric must focus on the drive. Of course, Damon's right. His house is a complete loss. His best friend cherishes his solitude and guards his privacy fiercely. He's never been good at socializing or sharing space, he was a loner at school. It still irks him when he remembers how the kids would laugh at him, torture him and make him the brunt of their jokes because he couldn't hear.
It's really a triumph of the human spirit that he's managed to rise above it all and build a successful life for himself. Although it was hard on Damon at the time, being removed from his shitty mother's care after the incident was the best thing that could have happened to him.
Sighing mentally, he parks the car in front of his place, just up the street from Damon's property. They've already offered him shelter for as long as necessary but he knows his friend isn't exactly happy about it. Damon likes his independence and doesn't want to be a burden to him or anyone else.
Reluctantly Damon gets out of the car while keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. He doesn't want to talk. But someone has other plans. A strawberry blonde runs out of the house and embraces him, a huge shining smile on her face. Ric grins proudly when she takes Damon's face in her hands and turns his head to her, giving him no choice in the matter. He shakes his head and returns the hug, keeping it short and sweet.
"I'm sorry to intrude Jenna, I'm just..."
"Oh no you don't. I'm not going to listen to any of your complaints. A house is replaceable, you aren't."
"Careful Jenna, my buddy might have my head for stealing his wife," he rolls his eyes at Alaric.
"Right you are, let's go inside before I change my mind," Ric pats his shoulder and pushes him to move.
An hour later they all had their fill of Jenna's delicious cooking. Damon is enjoying a tumbler of his favorite bourbon and happily watching Jenna decorate gingerbread cookies. Taking a look around, he notices all the classic signs of the approaching holiday. If he closes his eyes, he can almost smell the sweet aromas of cinnamon and pine. If he really concentrates, he can remember the sounds of Christmas carolers. Truthfully he doesn't know if they're real memories or if just a fantasy that etched a picture in his mind. He doesn't do Christmas. It's for the children and it's been a very long time since he was an expectant child, only to be brokenhearted when he'd awaken Christmas morning.
In his mind, it's a commercial holiday full of fake smiles, forced cheer and nothing but an illusion of happy friends and families. He sighs. He's being unfair. There are happy families, Ric's was. Ric's is. Jenna's his family now.
"Aren't you pregnant?" he blurts out before he can think about it. Looking at her closely, he detects small changes in her body, she looks tired, yet the happiness is radiating off of her in waves. Her eyes widen and shoot to Ric whose jaw is hanging open. Damon knows this is just as new for his friend as it is for himself.
Now he went and ruined Jenna's surprise. That's just one in a million reasons why he avoids company. He may as well just go and hide in the corner of his closet, the way he used to so long ago... Knowing his room is ready and waiting for him to imitate the solitude of his house, God he misses it already, he gives them one more look, they're already in their own little world, before getting up and walking out, pulling the door closed behind him.
How does it feel to share such an intimate moment with a woman?
Doesn't matter really. What's the use of trifling about such things? He has more important matters to attend to such as talking to his insurance company about rebuilding his sanctuary and finding other living arrangements.
Elena attempts to have a relaxing afternoon but it's not in the cards. After enjoying a nice hot shower the one she was imagining for most of her shift she crawls in bed with a book, hoping she'll be lucky enough to get through a few pages. The moment she sets it on the bedside table and switches off the lamp, there's a robust banging on her door and several chimes from the doorbell.
Frustrated, Elena groans and with no enthusiasm, slips on her robe and goes downstairs. "I'm coming!"
She crosses her arms in frustration when she recognizes the one pounding on the door is her cousin...
"Jeremy! Are you mad? I'm not... deaf!" she huffs, turns around and heads for the kitchen, muttering under her breath. Jeremy doesn't hesitate and follows behind, clearly not feeling any guilt, even though it's obvious that he dragged her out of bed.
"And hello to you too, grumpy... This is how you welcome your favorite cousin?"
"That's how I welcome unannounced guests. I hope you aren't looking for a transfer because you're barking up the wrong tree." Jer and his twin brother Kai get into scrapes regularly. They've needed her to intervene on their behalf more than once due to the fact that she's the Gilbert with a stellar reputation. Their station captain must have earned a few extra gray hairs from having to deal with the pair. Despite their rambunctious nature, they are two of the most dedicated firefighters she knows. Many people owe their lives to those two idiots.
"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me. Oh well...," he accepts the cup of coffee. "To answer your question, no, we're not in trouble, but, I was assigned to make sure, you're..."
"... coming to the party. Yes, I noticed," she sighs. "You know, it's pretty annoying to have everyone in my hair about it. You all should know by now that I'm not one to shirk my responsibilities. I'm not going to dodge Uncle Greyson's 60th birthday!"
"Chill. You sure about that?"
She fights the urge to strangle him, while Jeremy observes the pictures on the walls, on the table... "Do you see Cassie often?" The question comes as a shock although it shouldn't.
"Is this another mission or still part of the original?"
"Seriously, Elena, do you have to be so biting all the time? It's just a question, don't read so much into it. Kai or I certainly don't see her as often as we should. But I do know that you somehow find the time to see her. Or watch her..."
Despite his effort to mask the real reason behind his questions, she knows they're concerned. She hates that everyone thinks she's a fragile flower, she proves the exact opposite everyday.
"Yes I do and she's fine," she blurts out. "You should make the time, after all she's your family too, not that she needs your example."
Jeremy grins. "Okay cuz, I'll see what I can do. Hey, you look tired. Sucky shift?"
"You bet, Lafayette street, a small house reduced to ashes. Luckily, no 10-45 though."
"Oh, I heard about that! Damon Salvatore, a computer God and according to Bonnie the hottest guy in our town, yeah, not me, can you believe that?"
"You know him?" Elena's taken aback by Jeremy's knowledge.
"I don't but Bon works for the company he does. Apparently he's a good buddy of their boss. He has some kind of handicap so he's allowed to work from his home. Believe it or not, Damon Salvatore is responsible for half of the security programs in this town."
Wow. She will have to ask Bonnie, Jeremy's girlfriend and her friend.
Seems the universe doesn't want her to forget Damon Salvatore.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to my fellow Americans. President George Washington signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation: "Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789."
10-45 is the FDNY code for a dead body. And the story about staff member throwing a dry towel in the microwave. That was a past co-worker of mine...
Thank you all for loving Damon and Elena as much as we do. The DE fandom is the best there is. We're happy to be a small part of it.
Thank you Eva. Love you.
Chapter title: 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole.
If you like Elena and Damon as fire fighters, in my story, "Through the Fire and Flames" they're both Alaskan smokejumpers. They are specialized fire fighters who parachute into fight forest fires.
We're lucky to have so many talented writers in our fandom. Florencia7, Justinia Korax, Mariah April May has several stories. She's back stronger than ever and I'm so proud of her. Salvatoreboys4ever, TheLittle MissVixen, VitsAsh, Amazing Aisha, HisDelusionalLover, Linax24, Starlight So, holdonDelena.. Eos Blaze 0402 started a new Delena story called: Pygmalion's Icarus.
I hope you all have a lovely day. Thank again so much for your amazing support. It means more to Eva and me than you know. We'll see you next week.