Elena is spread out on her office couch, her forearm resting over her eyes, she's barely on the cusp of wake and sleep when loud voices in Enzo's office penetrate the haze, snapping her eyes open.

"Can you please leave and come back tomorrow? Miss Gilbert isn't feeling well and I'm not about to let you two bother her," Bonnie demands, fiercely protecting her friend's privacy.

Elena lowers her arm and stares at the ceiling for a few seconds. When she hears Bonnie's voice again, she sighs, gets up and walks over to the door. They won't leave until they get something. Her headache is slightly better but only just. She opens the door to see the two detectives towering above her loyal secretary.

"It's okay Bonnie, you can let them in." Demonstratively ignoring the men she turns around, stepping back inside.

Damon exchanges a look with Luka. He nods slightly then follows her while his rookie stays behind with the girl, Bonnie.

Elena sits behind her desk, without bothering to greet him, she looks up at the detective expectantly. Damon is a little bewildered by the fact she hardly acknowledges his presence.

"Ehm...," he starts, "We're sorry for interrupting your evening... I just..."

"No, you're not," she scoffs. "You did it on purpose in hopes of catching me alone. You've left your little minion out there to make sure that Bonnie doesn't call anyone to stop this tomfoolery. But I can assure you that I'm no damsel in distress, Mr. Salvatore, I'm more than capable of handling a smart ass like you."

Damon's both taken aback by her arrogance and a little impressed with both her fire and the fact that she isn't backing down nor reaching for the phone to call her dipshit lawyer. However if she thinks she has him at a disadvantage, this might work, letting her believe just that. She thinks she can handle him...

He does know that Elijah never wants her to utter a word without his presence. With a little help from lady luck, he can get something tangible from this rare opportunity she's giving him. If she has a weakness, maybe he can exploit it and take advantage...

"Miss Gilbert, I don't think interviewing your bodyguards will get us anywhere. We have been down that road before. There's nothing new to report on Jeremy's case since the last time we talked... I mean your brother's body was found in the neighborhood, in the house that he used to own. So..., if you're in agreement, can you enlighten me a little more about your relationship with him?"

"If I agree," she repeats with amusement, "which clearly means that I shouldn't answer any of your questions. By rights I should call Elijah right now. However, there is something to say about having a backbone... So, Detective Salvatore, I may just reward you for your insolence."

This conversation clearly isn't exactly going as he hoped it would. She's challenging him... "Thank you I think... did you get along with your brother?"

"I believe I told you that we hadn't been in touch with each other for several weeks prior to his disappearance. He was at the club on his birthday, that's the last time I saw him. And yes, he'd come to the club quite frequently but I didn't exactly rush to greet him. I knew little to nothing about his personal life and quite honestly, I didn't want to. Frankly, I was both relieved and happy when he took off because that meant I didn't have to worry anymore about him causing trouble and upsetting my guests. You know as well as I do, there are police reports to prove his less than stellar behavior, disrupting the place with his drunken rants. So, no, detective, I wouldn't say we got along, not at all. But that doesn't mean I killed him... nor does it mean that anyone from my small circle of friends killed him either. If that's what you're thinking, you're barking up the wrong tree."

Damon just nods and without pausing shoots another question. "Who is the beneficiary of Jeremy's estate?"

"I don't know, it might be me. I guess it depends on if he has any little ones running around. Safe sex wasn't exactly high on his list of priorities." Elena takes a minute to think about it, as if she's never thought about it before.

"How much are we talking about here, thousands, millions?"

"I have no idea, that is a question for his lawyers. I can assure you that I run a very lucrative business here. I don't need his money nor do I want it."

"Of course not, you're the one who inherited the pot of gold as it were," he can't help the acerbic tone. "Why did your father leave the lion's share of his estate to you and all poor Jeremy gets is a house and monthly allowance?"

"You've been doing your homework, how nice..." she retorts sarcastically. Standing up, she walks over to her coffee machine. She looks at Damon and when he nods, she pours two cups, handing one to him. After sitting back down, she takes a long swallow. With her hands encircling the mug, she meets his stare.

"I don't know why my father did what he did, if he was alive you could ask him. What are you implying anyway, that I somehow manipulated my dad into leaving everything to me, that I stole my half brother's share? Is that what you're thinking?"

Now she's angry, Damon can tell. He's never met this version of Elena Gilbert. When she's alone and he's not exactly polite with his line of questioning, she's even more determined and sharp as a razor blade. Her big brown eyes, cold and gorgeous, never leaving his, her chest heaving, he shifts imperceptibly when he feels his jeans tighten slightly. She's the sexiest woman he's seen in a hell of a long time... if ever.

He suddenly wonders if her skin is as soft as it looks and how much warmth she can generate with that temper of hers. Is there anyone in her circle who actually gets to taste the pigeon blood - red stain on her lips?

Damn Ric for bringing it to his attention. Get a grip, Salvatore, she may very well be a cold blood killer.

Before he can shoot off another question, the door flings open and one very angry Enzo St. John walks in the room, Luka peeking from behind with an apologetic look.

"Detective, this is not regular procedure," he raps out. "If you insist on continuing this farce, we are going to have a time-out while we wait for our lawyer to get here. He's already on his way."

Damon could insist, but having Elijah kick his ass for questioning his most important client isn't his idea of a good time. Rather than face persecution, he decides it's better to retreat and takes a step to the door.

"My apologies for any inconvenience, we're investigating a murder here and I'm sure Miss Gilbert wants the truth to come to light just as much as we do, she invited me inside."

Elena gives him a leer. "I did..."

Enzo looks between the two of them, then his eyes pierce into Damon, looking almost through him. "This, whatever this is, is over," he gestures with a sweep of his arm, and Damon knows they're done here today.

Damon nods respectfully and with one last look at Elena leaves her office.

She pulls herself together very quickly.

When the door snaps shot Elena tiredly rubs her temples, feeling the migraine begin to crest again. Enzo steps closer and helps her on the sofa.

"Do you want something? An aspirin?"

"I had a couple earlier. Thank you Enzo, I'm just going to lay down for a few minutes, I'll be alright."

Enzo wants to tell her she shouldn't have talked to the detective but eventually he leaves without saying another word.

"You should have seen him, he was amazing!" Luka gushes, painting Ric a vivid picture of Damon questioning Elena while Enzo was seething at the door. "I just wish I could have been inside, Miss Gilbert seemed to look maybe just a tiny bit less arrogant when we left."

Both Damon and Ric knows the boy's exaggerating but if it helps with his enthusiasm... Damon still feels the need to set things in their proper context. "I wouldn't exactly say that Luka, the truth is she kicked my ass and she knew it but at least she did do a little talking. And that stare she leveled me with on the way out..." Damon slices his hand across his throat.

Ric looks at Damon sharply. "You enjoyed it!" he stresses with accusation.

Damon does his best to keep his face impassive. "Right... because I enjoy getting my ass kicked. Be serious, Ric."

Before anyone can continue the conversation, Chief Jordan peeks into their office. "Damon?" he just nods his head in the direction of his office and Damon understands the meaning. Right this fucking second.

He shares a look with Ric then quickly follows his boss who has already disappeared. Stepping into his office his eyes snap, immediately he knows why he's been summoned. Directly in front of him, comfortably nestled in an armchair sits Elijah Mikaelson. His faux innocent face masking his true intentions. Fucking unbelievable.

Connor Jordan is the most devoted cop he's ever known, a nemesis for every criminal that calls Reno home plus he works his ass off to prove he's the right man for this job. In addition to all of those attributes, he's also a good tactician, knowing when to play and when to fold.

He always has the backs of his officers no matter what. It's not often that he goes toe to toe with Elijah Mikaelson. If he believes one of his cops erred in their methods or procedures, if Elijah's complaint is valid, he'll get to the bottom of it. Chief Jordan doesn't prompt Damon to sit and he can see Elijah's well aware of the fact.

"I'm not here to cause trouble for any of your officers, Chief Jordan but you must understand my client was just told her brother has been brutally murdered, his body found next to her club. She spends nearly all of her time there and frankly I'm concerned when detectives, Mr. Salvatore in particular, repeatedly and without prior notification come and go as they please, trying their level best to intimidate Miss Gilbert."

Damon's about to protest but Connor silences him with a gesture. "Do I understand you right, are you here to file an official complaint against detective Salvatore?"

Elijah opens his mouth to answer, however Damon manages to step in. "Miss Gilbert was kind enough to invite me in her office. I made no bones about why I was there. She agreed to answer a few questions and she specifically stated she didn't need her attorney there. Surely she mentioned that?" Damon holds his breath, although most of his statement is true, a little misinformation never hurts but the dick lawyer could easily call him out on it.

Elijah considers him for a moment... probably gearing up to wipe the floor with him... "She agreed to let you in so you'd stop badgering her secretary, who witnessed the entire spectacle last night, and I repeat night, hardly the appropriate time to question the victim's sister. Did you or did you not leave your partner with Miss Bennett so she couldn't call me or another one of Elena's employees?"

"That's not what happened and we didn't badger her secretary! I simply left my partner with her so Miss Gilbert wouldn't feel intimidated by two officers. My only intention last night was to have a simple conversation with her. Since you know everything, all I asked her was about her relationship with her half-brother, the same things I asked her when he disappeared five years ago"

Elijah doesn't bother to hide the sarcasm. "Clearly."

"What did you do at the club Damon?" Connor barks at him which Damon knows it's a show for the esteemed attorney. At least he hopes so. "I went there to soak up the atmosphere of the place, you know I do that often, chief. Luka's training with me and he asked to participate, pick up on my methods as he's in his probationary period. While I was there, I thought of a couple questions so the two of us went to her office. When Miss Gilbert..."

"Oh, stop please, don't insult my intelligence Mr. Salvatore. For the sake of your job, I'm going to let you of the hook, this time," he turns to Connor. "And I would ask you to instruct your officers about what they can and cannot do. Have a nice day." Elijah takes his briefcase and with a subtle nod leaves the room.

Damon would happily kick that pompous asshole's...

"Do you realize that their cabal is not one to mess with, Damon?" Connor stresses as he was a twelve year old.

"I know, Chief and I'm sorry about that. Mikaelson's a jackass, every step I make, he gets in my way."

Connor shakes his head. "I actually agree with you about that, but you need to watch your step."

"I have a case to solve and I'm not about to let any of them deter me from bringing the killer or killers to justice."

"Yes you do but you need to stay within the boundaries of the law."

Damon nods and walks out of the room. Oh how he would love to take that smarmy lawyer down a few notches.

With wide eyes, Elena turns away from her computer screen to look at Elijah. "You really complained about his behavior? I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in that room."

"I bet you would have," he chuckles, giving her a wink. "And did you expect any less of me? If we do nothing, he'll keep pushing and pushing till he thinks he's found something. I needed to stop it in its tracks," Elijah waves his hand nonchalantly, as if Damon Salvatore was nothing more than an insignificant nuisance.

Elena's jealous of his ability to keep calm in the face of anything, while at the same time he has this innate ability to drive other's mad. He can be a real son of a bitch when he wants to but to her, he is the most gentle and supportive man she's ever had the pleasure of knowing. Damon Salvatore on the other hand...

"You do realize that no matter what you do, you're not going to be able to stop him or even slow him down, right?" she points out.

"Of course I do, Elena. I'm not an imbecile. But Detective Salvatore has to know there are boundaries that he must maintain and if he crosses them, it's at his own peril," he gives her a boyish smile that is rare on his normally tacit face.

Elena returns an amused one.

Kol, also present in the room, steps away from the wall and shakes his head. "Oh, Elijah... always bragging about being the clever one in the family."

Elena knows he's just teasing. The brothers might be as different as day and night but when it comes to family, they stand together, forming a united front.

"I think this is completely unnecessary," Elena gets back to the topic at hand. "He will continue to make a nuisance of himself, pushing and prodding until I talk to him so let me just talk, I can handle him. You ought to know by now that I can take care of myself," she adds, her fingertip tapping the cold steel of her revolver, discreetly hidden in her desk drawer. When the office door creaks, she shoves it closed, hiding her gun from prying eyes.

"And I think, you have no idea what you're talking about," Kai enters the office and three heads snap in the direction of his cold voice. "What were you thinking letting him into your office without backup? This is not a game Elena, Damon Salvatore is not some stupid fool that will jump as soon as you blow the whistle. He's smart and cunning. He'll dig and dig till he finds one of your weaknesses..."

"You're assuming that I have weaknesses, I can assure you that you're wrong."

"This is no time to be joking, Elena. He'll eliminate your advantages and exploit one of your shortcomings the moment you slip up and give him an opening. He's not only looking for the truth about Jeremy, he's here to prove his own truth. He's dangerous."

Elijah considers his words for a moment. "Although it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I have to agree with Kai. I don't need to tell you what's at stake here... don't take any unnecessary risks," he says gently.

Usually Elijah's candor works on her. He's so reasonable after all but she doesn't like the feeling of being smothered or shielded like a bird in a gilded cage, she built this place. Although she knows they all mean well, she's not this fragile little girl they seem to think she is. Not anymore. They have no idea what she's capable of or who she really is. So rather than show her hand, she just nods and responds in an icy tone.

"I'll take it into consideration, gentlemen... Thank you for your input, now if you'll excuse me..."

The men look at each other and stand up to leave. Kai hesitates for a moment something burning in his stare but Elena doesn't look up until she hears the door click.

The small dark haired boy's angry as he watches his sister from afar, a frown forming on his handsome little face. How is it that she gets all the attention? She's small, he gets it but it doesn't mean mom and dad have to go overboard to make all her wishes come true. They used to be his, their parents were his. Before she came... He turns his face away as it crumples in self pity. Why couldn't things just stay the way they were?

Damon hadn't exactly planned to show up and invade his parent's privacy without giving them a head's up. He didn't call because he was sure something would come up, interrupting his plans, honestly, he didn't want to disappoint his dad. Let alone his mama. After parking his car in front of their house, for a few minutes, he just sits their waiting for his nerves to calm. Being here, it always helps, this house, his family, his anchor, his home.

He needs this. He needs to forget for a few moments, this damn case that doesn't let him sleep at night. This morning, he startled awake, another nightmare robbing him a good night's rest. That's when he knew he had to come here.

Sighing, he gets out of the car, reaches in the back seat for his bag and walks to the house, pushing the door bell, his mouth drops when it flies open almost immediately.

Damon's smile widens as he can already feel the stress of the day loosening its painful grip. "Just the person I wanted to see!"

The little boy on the other side of the door is exhilarated and shouts for his parents. "Mommy! Daddy! Damon's here!" he doesn't hesitate and jumps into his big brother's arms. Damon catches him and carries him inside. "You are growing up too fast. Pretty soon I won't be able to carry you anymore, Stefan. I'll have to have a word with mom, she can't keep feeding you so much."

"I have to eat," Stefan protests. "Mama!"

Jenna steps back, turning away from the stove with a big smile. "Damon, why didn't you call? I would have made your favorite..."

"It's okay mom, you, dad and Stef are enough," he gives her a bear hug with one arm while holding his little brother in the other.

"You know I feel so old when you call me 'mom'..."

"I know, but it's a compliment of the highest order, you know that!" he whispers next to her ear and Jenna squeezes him affectionately. "We missed you. Go find your dad, he's in the garden, he will be delighted..."

Damon stands his little brother on the floor and with Stefan on his tail he goes through the sliding glass doors, stepping outside to find his dad.

Giuseppe's already heard the familiar voice and figures his oldest must have come, that's why he's waiting for him with a big smile and open arms. "Damon, I'm so glad you could come. Sit," he gestures to the picnic table, "I'll get us something to drink. Do you want a beer, some of your mom's ice tea, cold water?"

"A beer sounds good."

Giuseppe gives his shoulder a squeeze and then walks into the house. Stefan plops down beside him on the bench. "So what's up champ?"

"Will you come to my next baseball game?"

"I'm working on an important case, Stef but I will try my hardest to be there okay?"

"You won't come?" he pouts, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I want to come, I can't promise though in case something comes up. I like to tell you I'll be there for sure... if work calls, I would have to go but I can promise you that I'll try my best to be there."

"Okay," he pouts, dropping his eyes. Before Damon can utter another word, his father hands him a bottle of beer.

"What's wrong with you?" he asks his younger son.

"I want Damon to come to the ballgame."

Giuseppe shares a look with his older son then raises Stefan's chin with two fingers. "Damon will try to be there. Why don't you run inside and get your glove and ball? I bet your brother will play catch with you."

"Of course, I will, Stef," Damon agrees, winking at his dad.

"Yay!" The little boy jumps up and runs into the house, returning moments later with his things. He hands Damon a glove and then the two of them get up and start throwing the ball back and forth. Some time later, Jenna appears at the door, telling her family that it's time to eat supper. Damon tosses the ball to Stefan one more time then walks inside the house, following his dad and little brother.

Waking up Monday morning, Damon feels incredibly refreshed. Visiting his parents and little brother on Saturday did Damon a world of good. For the first time in awhile, he feels relaxed and even mildly optimistic. Even that ambulance chasing lawyer will not stop him from solving his case. All of his leads dried up in the years since Jeremy went missing but now, the flames have been stoked again, he can feel it, he knows that the killer is not going to escape a second time. He showers, dresses, fills his travel mug then hurries outside, jumps into his Camaro and drives to work.

Stepping inside his office, he sees the rookie's face buried in a file. "Anything new Luka?"

"Ric got pulled back to the 'Liam Davis' case, apparently they got a good lead, said he'll call you later. On the Gilbert front, we're supposed to get the completed report from the forensics team shortly. From what I overheard, Mr. Shane's getting more than a little annoyed by their continued presence, besides that, I think he's bothered by the fact that they lived with a dead body in their home for five years. That's got to be creepy to think about you know?" he adds, scrunching up his nose.

"You think?" Damon quips, raising an eyebrow at Luka.

"Seriously, Damon, it has to be a disturbing unless you're John Wayne Gacy or some other psychopath. Shane wants us gone... Oh and before I forget, we have an appointment with the Gilbert's lawyer in about an hour."

"The 'Gilbert' lawyer? There's another one?"

"Yes, the Gilbert lawyer, this one represented their parents."

An impressed Damon nods and starts perusing the reports, the ones Luka specifically pointed for him to go over before their big appointment. Soon, they're on the way to the law offices of Gerard and Julian. As soon as Damon parks his car, they go into the building to look for Suite 24. After identifying themselves to his secretary, they take a seat and wait rather impatiently till Miss Nelson escorts them into the office.

Once Damon flashes his badge and introduces himself, taking a seat beside Luka when Mr. Gerard gestures for them to do so. He seems to be a congenial guy, however his smile is a little too wide, his suit a little too neat and his manners a little too obliging. Typical lawyer.

Damon finds himself wishing for one Elijah MIkaelson, at least he doesn't put on the pretense of being everyone's best friend. What's the matter with this guy?

"I'm afraid I have nothing new to tell you, gentlemen. John and Isobel Gilbert were clients of this firm for decades. I was recommended to take over their legal duties when Mr. Gilbert's handpicked attorney retired. As it turned out, their estate was set up according to their wishes, every 'I' dotted and every 'T' crossed, the only thing that had to be done was name me as their personal attorney," Marcel starts their conversation.

"Their will was written very clearly and concisely in as simple of terms as legally allowed. Their entire estate, including all properties and money was bequeathed to their daughter Elena. Jeremy was given the house, a nice one at that along with a generous monthly stipend. The house was free and clear and he was free to do with it as he pleased. The money, however, would go back to Elena in the event of his death. He had no wife but Mr. Gilbert was adamant that a wife would also be kept from benefitting in the event of Jeremy's death."

"Children?" Damon asks, taking a swallow from the bottle of water that Miss Nelson brought in.

"If Jeremy has children, I'm not aware of any but if he does, Elena would manage the monies until the child or children turned 21."

Damon and Luka share a look, the Gilberts truly went to extremes to tie Jeremy's hands. Damon feels slightly nauseous imagining what it must have felt like for a grown man, and still be overshadowed by his younger sister. No, he can't really blame the guy for having a chip on his shoulder as far as his sister is concerned. Hell, he'd be more than a little livid himself.

"Do you know why they went to such lengths to keep Jeremy's hands out of the cookie jar, Mr. Gerard?" Marcel hesitates and Damon picks up on it. "Mr. Gerard? Need I remind you that we're investigating a murder, the victim being your client's son? I understand the sanctity of attorney-client privilege but..."

"It's not that detective. The thing is, the stipulations in the will had been decided a long time ago, I can only speculate as to why Mr. Gilbert didn't want his hard earned money to go to... his step-son. Jeremy wasn't exactly the ideal child, he had many bad habits, blew through money as if it was made of loose leaf paper. As far as Miss Gilbert is concerned, she is her father's daughter, her business acumen is undeniable. She's turned "The Jungle" into a multi-million dollar business..."

Damon can't help but feel disgusted, how can parents cripple their own kid just because of the blood that ran through his veins? Still he knows that something isn't right, it just doesn't add up. Mr. Gerard said that the provisions in the will were decided a long time ago... Did Jeremy have a juvie record that was expunged, one that perhaps his father paid to disappear? Is that why he practically cut him out of his will?

"Perhaps you could talk to John Gilbert's original attorney? He is still in town," Marcel continues.

Damon nods and asks him for his name and address.

"His name is Mikael Mikaelson. Perhaps you know or heard of his son, Elijah? He's a well known attorney too?"

Damon's head shoots up. "Yeah... I've heard of him." Fucking unbelievable.

Eva and I want to thank you so very much.

Thank you, Eva, you're the one!

Chapter title: 'Feed the Wolf' by Breaking Benjamin.

As soon as we finish writing WTTJ, we just completed chapter 33, we're in the plotting stage of "Once Upon a December" as well as "Waiting for a Star to Fall." It's your support that inspires us to try to come up with fresh and new ideas for Damon and Elena.

I do post collages I make for our stories on my scarlett2112 fb page. The address is in my profile if you're interested, you just have to copy and paste.

I hope you all have a safe and phenomenal weekend. Thank you all again, you're the best. We'll see you again next week.