"You should ask her out on a date," Ric put forward right before they said goodnight.

And now he already awake, it's been a few hours and he's lying on the sheets, staring at the ceiling, not being able to shake off the idea. It's not like he's inexperienced, he does interact with women, sleeps with them occasionally. There have been a few that passed through his life... he's just not the relationship type of guy.

Blessing or curse, his looks aren't shabby. Strangely enough considering his disability, he's never had trouble finding a woman when he feels the need to have some fun and scratch an itch. Although it feels good in the moment, it's not what he'd call fun. Women generally come onto him, ever since the spoiled class princess lost a bet with her trashy friends, that was his first time. The wager... seducing the deaf outsider and deciding it would be fun to just go with it and she did. To this day Damon has no idea if it was all part of a plan? She seduced him alright but afterwards made him a laughing stock by humiliating him in front of the class? Whether intentional or not, it was entertaining, at least for him.

His body was no match for his raging teenage hormones. Inspired by his fantasies, he swept the rug from under her feet and gave her more than she was asking for, a sweet long hour sexual interlude at the park's abandoned gazebo under a clear summer sky. Afterwards, not only himself but everyone else in the school learned about the bet, it cast a shadow over the experience. Despite the less than palatable circumstances leading up to it, he couldn't find it in himself to regret it either. Because of that experience, he learned to be confident in his sexual skills.

He wishes he had better memories of his first time but it is what it is. Since then there've been more women happy to have a good time or one night stand with a silent, good looking and skillful guy, one that doesn't ask for more. And he's okay with it. Sometimes though when he watches Ric and Jenna sharing an ice cream or just watching TV with their hands linked and their shoulders touching, he feels an uncomfortable emptiness like he's missing out on something special, something he'll never have.

The closest he's come to a relationship is probably... Andie.

Andie, the local newscaster, sexy, famous and self confident, Damon's polar opposite. They met at Ric and Jenna's wedding, Andie, Jenna's former classmate and friend and him, the awkward little brother and the best man. Andie quickly zeroed in, soon realizing he's perfectly suitable for what she was seeking. Except for one thing. He isn't the type for parties and showing off. It works as she doesn't force him into anything. Every now and then, she pops up on his doorstep to spend the night. Thinking about it, which he strictly avoids, it probably suits her as well. The fact she's never even told Jenna is pretty telling.

Where is she anyway? How long can it really take for a reporter to find out that her occasional lover's house burned down? Although, to be honest he didn't reach out to her either. That's a perfect caricature of how their pseudo relationship works. He grabs his laptop since there's virtually no chance on getting back to sleep, at least not anytime soon, to check his messages. Not a single one. A few emails. Documents and forms for the insurance company. And, the one and only...

Hey D, I've been on assignment in New York. Will be home tomorrow. Can I stop by?

There's his answer, she couldn't know, she was out of town, which he had no idea about.

Hey, would be nice but will have to find somewhere else, my house burnt to the ground..., he writes but it looks overly dramatic and stupid on the screen. He deletes the last few words and continues... fire at the house, staying with the S.

For some reason he feels dirty, how is he supposed to take comfort or keep up this arrangement? He closes the e-mail and considers putting away the laptop when a new message pops up on the screen.

OMG I didn't know! I just checked the news. That's... inconvenient.

Damon glowers at the screen not sure what to think about her glaring lack of empathy. Inconvenient? He types.

I didn't mean to sound insensitive... It's just been a hellish day. Hoped for a few hours in your company. ;)

Not knowing what to say, he stares at the screen for several moments... That's what he gets for trying to do things the easy way...

Sorry to disappoint, he finally responds. I'll let you know when I have a new place.

He turns off the messenger before she can add anything else.

Today is Elena's day, she gets to sleep in and pick up Cassie for lunch. Then she'll probably take her to the park or maybe to the theatre? The weather is a little on the cold side so perhaps she'll take her to the mall to look at the huge Christmas tree and its shiny decorations. The whole place is dressed up in holiday style this time of year. Santa will be there entertaining the children while their parents are sweating about buying presents. Or maybe all of her ideas, depends on how long will Katherine give her with her niece. She doesn't spend enough time with her, she doesn't have enough time, but she always makes sure that every minute counts when they're together. So much for sleeping in.

She gets up at eight, excited about the prospect and skips breakfast, they're going out for lunch anyway. Watering her plants is a ritual, one she doesn't skip even on work days, although in winter it's not really necessary, could be even fatal for some of them. She doesn't forget Cass' favorite blanket, the one with a kitten on it should she get cold in the car or theatre. Cassie always leaves it with her so she has a reason to demand a sleepover at her aunt's. As if she needed one.

It's close to ten when she decides she can't wait around any longer and takes off towards the outskirts of Durango. The traffic is decent and in less than fifteen minutes she's parking her car in front of the pretty new house. She isn't disappointed when her smart little niece runs out of the house to greet her. The fact she only threw a large sweater over her pajamas and slippers is concerning though.

"Cassie!" she catches the little girl in her arms and revels in a tight hug she's giving her. "How come you aren't dressed yet?"

"Mommy said we have enough time. I put my clothes on now," she wants to slip back to the ground but Elena won't let her.

"Oh no, I'm not letting you go, I'll carry you inside, right?"

Cassie happily bobs her head up and down, holding onto her aunt like a bear to honey.

Once inside, Elena puts her down and goes to the kitchen looking for her sister in law.

"Hey Kat," she addresses her when she finds her sitting at the table, chewing on a plain bun. Katherine is a stunningly beautiful young woman, dark hair and eyes, similar to herself. However the last few years of living alone have taken its toll on her vitality and her features have hardened just a bit. She looks tired and Elena's heart constricts with worry.

"Sorry for showing up a little early, I honestly couldn't wait. We don't do this as often as I'd like."

"Doesn't matter, Elena, Cassie couldn't wait either. When will you bring her home?"

"I... If you don't mind I'd like to take her for dinner? We have a lot to do. I wanted to ask you if I can take her for a weekend sometime? Not this coming one, it's uncle Gray's birthday but maybe the following one?"

"If you want to keep her till tomorrow, I'm okay with it. And yeah, we can do a weekend."

"Really?" Elena can't believe her luck. "Of course I'd love to, if Cassie's okay with it. I'll drop her off before my shift starts tomorrow afternoon?"

Katherine gives her a small smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Sure." She says no more and Elena's worries deepen. Other than Cassie's visits that mostly don't include her mom, she wonders if anyone else keeps in touch with Kat? She will have to ask her parents.

Cassie comes running with a small purple bag that Elena bought for her birthday. She took the little girl on a shopping spree. Once she laid eyes on the bag, she begged Elena saying purple was her favorite color. "I'm ready Auntie Eleeena! Can we go now?"

"Sure we can. Just..."

"Would you like to stay with your aunt Lena overnight?" Katherine addresses her daughter, whose eyes widen at the prospect.

"Can I? Really?" she turns to her and Elena bites her lip to keep her emotions in check. This little girl will be her undoing. Soft light brown hair which Elena's sure will get darker, pale complexion and expressive green eyes, she's almost the mirror image of her father. Is it solace for Katherine or a curse? She doesn't know if she can answer that either.

Clearly he underestimated Andie's determination to jump into any bed with him tonight. He spent his day working on an important project, considering everything it goes pretty well, he's actually finishing ahead of schedule which will allow them to work out any glitches before Ric arranges a presentation for next week. He considered taking a walk, hoping the brisk air would alleviate it but decided against it. The charred remains of his house is not a visual he needs to be reminded of. It had once been his sanctuary, a place where he could be himself. Now the wind whistles through the skeleton of twisted metal and plastic that had once been his prized possessions, some of which can never be replaced.

The fact he would have probably walked past the fire station in hopes to catch a glimpse of chief Gilbert has definitely nothing to do with it. He leaves the solitude of his room only when Jenna uncharacteristically messages him to come downstairs. The reason is patently obvious when he steps into the living room. Andie's sporting her best professional smile, wordlessly saying "Look at me, I'm a gorgeous successful woman, the whole world's at my feet'.

"Damon, you remember Andie, right?"

"Sure," he glances at his.. whoever she is to him. Right, so they keep up the pretenses.. "Hello Andie."

She gives them all a shiny smile. "Nice to see you again Damon. Please accept my condolences, Jenna told me what happened to your house. Thank God," she stresses dramatically and puts her hand on her chest for the effect, "that you got out in time."

He'd thank the firemen instead, those that risked their lives to save his, he's sure Andie's heartfelt gratitude will do with God. He feels an irresistible urge to say something like, yeah, pity the bed we screwed in is nothing more than ash, now blowing in the wind. Literally. It strikes him that it's rather symbolic.

He mumbles his thanks and turns his eyes to the plate that Jenna put in front of him. This way, they can keep the conversation among themselves and leave him to his thoughts. He'd really like to know how Andie managed to wrangle an invitation for herself when she and Jenna don't visit regularly.

He finishes the dinner and raises his eyes to appreciate Jenna's cooking skills at the same time as Andie, with a phony expression on her face voices her most sincere thanks.

"Thanks for having me tonight, I'm so grateful. I suck at planning but this really couldn't be avoided. I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes open at work tomorrow if I had to travel by train overnight."

"Nonsense," Jenna waves her off, "you know you're always welcome, we have enough room for more than one lost sheep," she playfully messes Damon's hair, a habit she picked up when she started dating Ric. "You know Damon, Andie's staying overnight, she was supposed to stay in New York until Sunday but finished up a little early. Her husband decided to throw a party unannounced for some of his clients and since she wasn't in a party mood, I invited her to stay with us tonight. I have no idea why you didn't kick him out a long time ago?" With her last words she turns back to her friend. So does Damon.

"I didn't know you had a husband?" He can see how uncomfortable she's feeling, almost like a mouse that got caught with it's paw on the cheese. Did she really think he'd never find out?

"How many years is it now, Andie?" Jenna, oblivious of the change in atmosphere, chatters cheerfully. "Of course it's not exactly a benefit to her career, the ball and chain that he is. I know it's supposed to be a secret but it's just Damon, he won't tell anyone."

"Actually, we decided to file for divorce," Andie speaks slowly, her eyes on Damon.

"Really? That's big, how is it that I didn't know about that?" Jenna's intrigued, taking a swallow of her wine.

"We really haven't been in touch since your wedding, completely my fault," she responds, glancing over towards Jenna. Damon, however detects a barely there trace of guilt. That's the most genuine thing she's said tonight.

"Thanks for a wonderful dinner, Jenna. I'll leave you all to your gossip, I have some thing to do upstairs," Damon isn't going to waste anymore precious time watching this conversation, let alone be a part of it.

"You don't need to, Damon." Jenna's taken aback by his abrupt escape, abrupt even for him.

"Sorry," Damon gives her a smile, carefully avoiding Ric's searching gaze which he can feel burning a hole into his back. "Have a good night." He doesn't look at Andie either and quickly leaves the room, taking the steps two at a time to put much needed distance between him and the rest of them.

Once in his sanctuary, he plunks himself down on his bed, trying to make sense out of everything. Does he always have to play the fool? Does deaf equate idiocy too?

Andie messages him multiple times during the night, maybe she's tried to sneak in too, he doesn't know but he made sure his door was locked and his phone out of sight when he turned out the lights and closed his eyes.

New beginnings. This, he supposes is part of it.

When Cassie finally drifts off to sleep, Elena carefully gets out of the bed and tiptoes downstairs. She only turns off the lights, drinks a glass of water and hurries back to her room that Cassie shares with her every time she spends the night. She has her own room actually. It's a room that any little girl would drool over. She has a doll house, a kitchen set, her own little TV to watch Disney cartoon movies but somehow every time she stays over, she ends up in bed with her favorite aunt.

Elena has to smile at that thought, switches off the light and nestles in next to her sweet niece. She lays awake for a little while just watching the rhythmic rise and fall of the little girl's chest. Usually she has no trouble falling asleep, but tonight, shadows are dancing over the walls and furniture. Elena can't help but think of the man who should be here with his baby girl, whose picture is everywhere as she filled her room with family photographs, all of which include him.

Stefan was the big brother that every little girl dreams about. He protected her from bullies, included her in his games, taught her how to climb trees, shared his sweets, brought home the first boy she went on a date with. He always put her first, she never had to worry he wouldn't be exactly where she needed him. When he brought Katherine home, she knew it was different, he looked at her in a certain way... And then came the pregnancy. They got married and Cassie was born, her brother's greatest pride and joy. He spent hours with his girls clowning around, changing diapers, soothing the baby, everything that the best dads do. He deserved to be there to watch her grow up, fall in love, start a family of her own. There's no doubt in Elena's mind that he'd be the best damn father in the world.

He was her hero. And he died.

It's so damn hard to let go.

"Open the door you ass," Damon reads on his phone the next morning. He stares at the display for a few seconds trying to comprehend what the ruckus is about.

Andie.

The door.

Ric.

He jumps out of bed and unlocks it. He almost gets knocked over as Ric storms inside, getting right in his face making sure he has his full attention.

"I thought we had a rule about the door. Don't lock it."

Damon chuckles, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that rule ended with my 18th birthday."

Ric relaxes a bit, seeing Damon's clearly alright and motions for him to sit down then takes a seat on the bed beside him. "What happened?"

Damon looks aside for a moment and Ric can see he's going to shut him down.

"Oh no," he grabs his shoulder. "Don't give me that. I know something did. And if it'll help unbind your tongue, she's gone," he gives him a pointed look.

"I think you're confused this morning, Ric, I've been a grown man for some time and you can't intimidate me into telling you everything I do in the privacy of my home... Besides you know most of it anyway."

Ric sighs, Damon can see his frustration. "I worry about you, Damon, you can't stop me from doing that."

Ah, guilt-tripping, he just loves it.

"I know you're an adult and I try hard to let go of old habits but when I see someone might be hurting you, I just… flip. And despite your attempt at a poker face, it's obvious to me that you're hurt."

He really, really doesn't want to get into it. But this is Ric, his family. He knows he won't stop digging until he gets the whole story and knows his little brother's safe.

"Look, we sort of… spent time together. Since the wedding. I swear on everything holy that I didn't know she was married." He didn't know she was a first class witch until yesterday. "Trust me, I wouldn't have…"

Ric nods, he can imagine what kind of relationship the two had. And how bad and betrayed Damon must feel right now. "Do you or did you love her?"

"No," he shakes his head, "of course not," Damon denies and Ric feels relieved. He's always known that concept of love, for Damon, is an enigma. He doesn't believe love is for him and he doesn't realize how much he needs it. Whether he believes it or not, Ric is certain that one day, Damon will find it. And when he does, he hopes it will make up for every fucked up moment this boy had to go through. It would suck if his first experience with love was wasted on a harpy such as Andie Starr.

"I'm glad to hear that. Don't delude yourself about what it was. She used you, you used her. It's an experience, nothing more, nothing less. You did the right thing and there's nothing you should regret."

"And her husband?" Damon asks dubiously.

Ric squeezes his lips to control his anger. "That's not on you. I happen to know for sure, he's not as pure as the wind driven snow either. You didn't know... I don't care if she is Jenna's friend, she isn't going to set foot in this house again anytime soon."

Damon manages a faint smile, he knows this side of Ric so well. Always protective. "You don't have to do that."

"Oh, I know that. I want to."

"Don't tell Jenna?" He tries not to let on how much it concerns him.

"I won't," Alaric promises. "But if you do tell her one day, she won't judge you, trust me."

Damon shakes his head, he doesn't think he would risk it, but… maybe Ric's right. It's a comforting thought.

Ric knows he should probably leave and give him space, but perhaps they're having a moment and he has a little more to say. "Damon?" he lays his hand on Damon's knee to get his attention. "I know you're a man now and that you don't need my speeches. But I really think you need to get it through that thick skull of yours, no matter how anyone has made you feel, you're a good guy, a fun guy, and I can't believe I'm saying this but you're also a sexy guy. The woman that finally wins your heart will be very lucky." He pauses when Damon turns. He slaps his hand lightly on his knee till his brother looks at him again.

"Now listen to me," he stops again when he sees him about to protest, "you are worth the effort. I'm well aware that you won't make it easy for anyone, will probably give her more grey hair than any woman deserves but I know that you'll give her just as much love and care as she gives you. I know you think you're not capable or worthy of it but you are. Sometimes you have to take a risk and if you don't, you're going to spend your golden years alone. I don't want you to let life pass you by. I want you to truly live and not waste your time on women that don't appreciate your unique gifts. Promise me, you'll think about what I've said before throwing away something that could be great."

Damon swallows thickly, Ric doesn't give him speeches often, it's been years since the last time he tried. Rather he lets him try and fail but is always there to help him pick up the pieces. He can feel the weight of what Ric's saying. He wouldn't be Damon though, if he didn't try to ease the moment.

"You're using me to rehearse you father - son speech, getting an early start on the future I see," he smirks, quirking a brow playfully.

Rick laughs, smacking his shoulder. "You're such an asshole!' He's already on his way out when Damon addresses him one more time.

"Ric? Thank you. I'll give it some thought, you have my word."

The concept's scary but maybe Ric is right. Maybe there is something… someone out there for him?

New beginnings.

He needs some air. Suddenly he feels like he's suffocating.

The chilly air feels like a balm to his restless mind. He walks quickly through the park, with every step it gets better. Finally he can breathe freer. The sunbeams pour through narrow openings of the pale clouds as they outline the fringes of lazy drifting ones. There's a slight dusting of snow that will soon melt away. Looking around he sees the colorful swings grow wings as they merrily jump up and down accompanied by little humans with ear to ear smiles.

The park covers a wide area that could fit several houses. It's hilly with tall trees, hedges and lots of flowers blooming in the spring and summer. There are benches for people to sit on every corner and jogging tracks form the border of it. The west corner has more swings but they're empty.

Winter trees stand amid twisting roots that writhe until each disappears into the frozen soil. Rough bark glistens with the early morning frost, just enough to whiten the raised ridges. Dark cracks lie in the bark like scars, yet each woody crevice only serves to make them all the more bewitching. Gazing at them, he finds it hard to imagine them re-clothed in their spring finery. With roots buried deep, they sleep, their twigs moving in the breeze, stirring their wintry dreams. Ice forms and melts, snow showers come and go; then each spring the first delicate blossoms and leaves send a frisson of joy through the neighborhood.

Slowly his thoughts focus and he allows himself to return to the conversation he had with Ric. He won't let Andie ruin another minute. Not for him, or the Saltzmans. Telling Jenna is not an option, not because of what she might think of him, but because Andie means something to her and he won't force her to choose between them. Actually, he should arrange a family evening, he feels like a killjoy, the way he was acting last night. No matter how he feels about the pit viper and despite Andie's less than stellar intentions, Jenna deserved to enjoy her friend's visit. He feels an overwhelming urge to make amends but he also wants to celebrate the baby with his family. Jenna made no bones about the fact that it's what she wants too.

Hello! New person here.

He chuckles to himself for having such silly thoughts. Picking up his phone, he texts to Jenna.

Tonight dinner's on me. Don't cook. Sit. Family evening.

He needs to get some ingredients for a decent meal and a dessert a'la Damon Salvatore so he heads to the super market. He's still outside when his phone vibrates with a message. Jenna's 'aye captain' makes him smile. Looking up, he's met with a sight for sore eyes; Chief Gilbert's loading up her Jeep and he's very tempted to walk over to say hi. It's not a Damon thing to do but after such crazy days, he can manage to exchange a few words with a beautiful, kind and brave woman...

Damon takes a few steps in her direction when someone else grabs his attention and he stops on the spot. A small girl with soft light brown hair peeping out from under her knit cap joins the chief, Elena. She listens to what Miss Gilbert has to say, then wraps her spidery little arms around her neck and they share a gentle hug. Damon's fascinated by them, he stands there frozen, watching them interact until her car leaves the parking lot.

So, she has a daughter. That's… nice.

Why does the concept of a family evening suddenly sound much less appealing than it did just moments ago?

It's Double-Update day since I didn't get to this last week. Chapter 5 should show up shortly.

Huge thanks to all of you, you're the best of the best and reason we continue to write Damon and Elena stories. We have so many ideas, it's just hard to find the time especially when there's an ocean between Eva and me.

Thanks Eva for everything.

Chapter title: 'Angels Fall' by Breaking Benjamin.

Watch for our Christmas one-shots. We have 3 ready and one more that we're planning to write.

Have a fantastic day and thank you again so very much. We'll see you soon.