"Sorry, Elijah, we had a moment here and your interference wouldn't have helped. Sit."
Elijah follows her into the office and makes himself comfortable on the couch next to Sherlock, who quickly uses the situation to attack his hand. Elijah takes a minute to look at Elena properly. "You look good."
"Thanks," Elena responds sarcastically.
"No, I mean, you look good considering you had a moment with Detective Salvatore, again," he observes.
"Explain."
"I see no fear, no anger, no sadness but um... just your... healthy temper."
Elena chuckles nervously. "You really think so? Well, I guess I'm past all of it. What can I do but let Detective Salvatore try to make some sense out of everything again... But that's not to say I'm going to give him control of literally everything," she adds quickly when Elijah opens his mouth no doubt to comment on the last part.
"So, you decided to help him?"
"Not exactly, you know I can't do that. But what good does it do to keep fighting the inevitable? He asked me to trust him, what am I supposed to do with that, Elijah?"
"I know he's as tenacious as a pit bull but I've never known him to be a liar... Do you trust him?"
"I don't know why but something inside is telling me to. I think for now, I'm going to focus on the Amazon Club, maybe...," she's clearly a little unsure and in need of reassurance. Elijah's never been able to resist her.
"I think that's a very good idea. What can I do to help?"
"Are the work permits ready? Is there anything we need to settle before they start the last phase of reconstruction? "
"Nope, everything's in order, they just need a check and then you can sit back and watch that building morph into an Amazon rain forest."
"Okay..."
"Just okay?"
"Yes, that's the okay."
"We're doing this then?" the corners of Elijah's lips turn upwards.
"We're doing this."
If only she could forget that it may take just such a moment for her life to turn to ruins for good...
On his way downstairs he considers having a word with Kol, Elena's head of security. Damon did warn him after all. He knows the reports by heart but they're too clear and simple, there's nothing for him to latch onto. Maybe if he were to question him in person... His mind once again drifts back to Elena, she's the bravest girl he's ever known. Staring death and devastation in the face, she still stood her ground, not moving an inch. It makes his heart soar that she's willing to trust him, the same him who's been anything but fair and impartial since they met all those years ago. Deep inside, he knows it will take miracle, still he hopes with everything that he is, that he'll be able to keep his promise and solve Jeremy's case as soon and as painlessly as possible.
With his mind elsewhere, Damon's ribs jar when his chest collides with another.
Ouch.
"Excuse me sir, I wasn't paying attention... Mr. Lockwood?"
Tyler Lockwood, the head chef, one of Elena's longtime employees notices Damon's change of color immediately. "Um, it's me who should be apologizing Detective Salvatore, are you alright? I was just... Actually I was looking for you..."
Damon finally catches his breath and looks at the man with interest. "How did you...?"
"I overheard Kol telling Kai that you were upstairs. I thought maybe..."
"Yes?" Damon encourages.
"I was wondering if you found out anything about Vicky?"
"Vicky Donovan?" his surprise must be evident. "Look, if you have a few minutes, we can sit, I'll buy you coffee or something..."
Tyler seems amused, "We can sit, you clearly need to. But the drinks are on me. Come, the kitchen is my kingdom."
Damon gratefully nods and follows him to his office next to the kitchen and the adjacent restaurant. Tyler closes the door and pours them both a decent amount of Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon.
Damon knows he shouldn't but he's unable to resist. He's been decreasing his pain medication and with his ribs still hurting he needs something to take off the edge. Tyler slides one to him and he nods his thanks. Swirling the bourbon in his tumbler, he breathes in the fragrance that only years in an oak barrel can achieve. Just watching its gentle vortex is hypnotizing. When the liquid settles he brings it to his lips and lets the amber fluid sit in his mouth a while before swallowing. He closes his eyes, dwelling only on the flavor, almost moaning in reply, "It's good."
"It is and as far as bourbon goes, it's relatively inexpensive."
After savoring another taste, Damon picks up the bottle and eyes the label. "I'm going to have to get some of this, it's smooth."
Tyler chuckles while topping off both of their glasses. "I hope it's okay, you having a drink with me?" he adds as an afterthought.
Damon shares a look with him, tipping his glass once more, savoring the succulent burn as it goes down. "It's all good, I've been scuttled for a few days. I hope you won't get into any trouble?"
"No, it's fine, I'm done for the day."
"Okay...," the amusement is definitely there so Damon notices immediately when Tyler's face turns serious. "You know, Vicky wasn't just another junkie, she was a good girl who had poor taste in men. When your people started asking around, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe she had anything to do with Jeremy's murder?"
"I.. won't pretend it's not a possibility. She may have. Why would you think so?"
The dark-eyed chef doesn't look willing to share information, he probably just hoped Damon would spill something. Still he looks like he has something to say. "Don't get me wrong, I honestly don't know anything. But after Gilbert disappeared she became nervous, jumpy, almost a little unhinged."
"After it became known that he'd disappeared?" Damon asks carefully and holds his breath waiting for an answer.
Tyler hesitates for a moment: "No right after Gilbert's birthday party. That's when you said he disappeared right?"
Damon exhales slowly and keeps his face impassive as the chef continues.
"I also think that's when she started using again. She had been doing quite well before... when he was... giving her attention."
The thought of the two of them, it's obvious to him that it's not a pleasant memory for Mr. Lockwood. Damon decides to go with his gut feeling. "Were they actually a couple, or...?"
Tyler sighs. "Sort of. At least she thought so. But I doubt Jeremy felt the same, she was always around, willing and she liked to have fun... but she was blind when it came to Jeremy Gilbert. I tried to warn her but she didn't want to listen. And now she's dead..."
Damon's watching the young man, wondering if he realizes that he handed him a motive... Could he be the elusive killer? He really wanted Jeremy out of the way.
"Alright Mr. Lockwood, if there's anything you might remember later, can you give me a call?" Damon reaches into his shirt pocket to pull out one of his cards. Sliding it to Tyler, he adds, "No matter how important you think it is."
Tyler takes it, nods and watches Damon get up with a little difficulty. "Are you okay to drive?"
"Nope, I'll call a cab."
Tyler waves him off, grabs his keys and holds the door for Damon. "Nonsense, I'll give you a ride, where do you want to go?"
They leave the building together. He'll have to talk to Kol another day. For some reason Damon has the feeling a corner has been turned... People do remember, even though they may not be aware.
It's time to add a new twist to the game.
"Will you lock everything up here?" Elena asks Enzo on the way outside. She's carrying Sherlock under her arm, the kitten watching its surroundings intently. "We're heading home, I stayed here longer than I intended anyway."
"Everything okay with Salvatore?"
"Yes, Enzo and I'm really sorry for snapping at you but calling Elijah really wasn't necessary."
"Okay," Enzo responds rather distractedly. "Go on, I'll check on the restaurant and staff and then I'm heading out myself."
"Thanks!" Elena sends him an air kiss and lets the door drop closed behind her.
Bonnie returns from the kitchenette, clearly not impressed by the exchange she witnessed. Enzo's aware of how she feels but he ignores it. Frankly, he doesn't have the energy or the interest in starting a fight with her over Elena taking advantage of him again. Unfortunately Bonnie isn't in the mood to let it slide today.
"I cannot believe you..."
"Ready to go home?" Enzo interrupts what she was about to deliver. "I'll just run down to the restaurant, check in with Kai and then we can be on our way."
"I don't think so," Bonnie puckers her lips. "It's quite late and I have plans."
He looks at her for a moment, contemplating whether to get into it right now or not. But it's been going on for far too long. "Bonnie what's the matter? I think we need to talk."
"Now? she asks incredulously, shaking her head back and forth. "I'm done for the day. You may be willing to die for her, but I'm not. I refuse to allow her to monopolize all of my time, I have a life outside of this place... You could have one too but you just let her walk all over you." She doesn't wait for his response, grabs her bag and slams the door behind her.
He knows that they need to have a thorough conversation.
Enzo sighs and moves to secure the offices.
"How important is legacy to the founding families?" Damon asks absently while watching Stefan and his two friends running in the garden, his father and himself sharing a quiet moment having a beer on the porch.
Katherine picked him up just a half hour after Tyler had dropped him off at his place. She took him to his parents for dinner without giving him a choice, not that he'd have fought her to stay home, alone, struggling to stay put while the only thing he wanted to do was to spend another night with Elena. Not a good idea for more than one reason.
"To be clear, do you mean its importance to me or the other families - or legacies in general?" Giuseppe can tell Damon's not exactly present this evening.
"Eh, either? I mean, are they important enough to keep secrets, conceal unpleasant truths and burden their children with the task of keeping them buried?"
"That's a pretty loaded question, Damon."
"I know, dad. I have my reasons."
"I suppose it depends on the secret. Some shouldn't become public knowledge if they don't involve the public. You'll have to be more specific if you want my honest answer to what you're really fishing for. Are you beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel?"
Damon looks at him shortly. "Maybe a glimmer... I'm still not sure but I do have my suspicions. Jeremy's murder was carefully planned out and then stuffed into a barrel to keep his disappearance a mystery. I doubt this person ever suspected the body would be found."
And pushed him towards certain death.
"You don't seem very happy about it." It's not a question, Giuseppe can read him well.
"No, but it's what I expected."
"And it has something to do with the founders' legacy?"
"I think it had everything to do with it."
"Well, if it helps, I'd never place founding legacy above my family."
Damon looks at him sharply and considers for a few seconds that his father must know more than he's letting on. But that's not who is dad is, he realizes immediately. He's just that well attuned to his son.
"It's going to work out, Damon. One way or another," Giuseppe gives him a small smile. "Trust your instinct, I know I would bet my life on it."
It's a heartwarming thought and Damon actually feels better.
Katherine comes outside with Jenna, they did some bonding over washing the dishes. "Ready to go?"
"You can stay..." Jenna suggests, she knows Giuseppe is happy having the house full. She prefers that too.
"Next time?" Damon offers. "I'd love to mom, but I need to deal with this case first."
Giuseppe understands all too well. "Sure. Just let us know, okay?"
Damon nods and gets up almost smoothly, feeling tall and strong with the support of his family.
He's blessed.
"You look... angry? What happened?" Luka observes when Bonnie finally arrives at the Grill.
"Sorry I'm late. I could use one of those too," she nods at whatever drink Luka has by his hand.
He grins and gets up quickly to deliver what she desires. She's so spirited.
A few minutes later he's back handing her the drink and sits back down opposite her. "So, what's the matter?"
Bonnie, takes a long, pleasing gulp and shakes her head. "I'm alright, I don't want to spoil the evening."
Luka's a good listener.
"You can talk to me, Bonnie."
She takes another swallow, almost emptying her glass. Luka orders two more from the waitress and then returns his gaze to her.
"I just can't stand it anymore. We used to be friends for god's sake, I was blind to how self-absorbed and manipulative she is. I mean, I don't even think she realizes it, still... Enzo, we all are at her disposal 24/7. She gives a call or snaps her fingers, we're all supposed to drop what we're doing and come running. Today, again, she kept everyone at attention the whole damn day and then just took off with her cat telling Enzo to take care of everything. And he is like, of course, I'll jump, all you have to do is ask. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be dropping all of this on you. It's been a long day."
"Sounds like a horrible boss," Luka smiles at her and takes her hand in his. "You don't have to apologize, that's why I'm here, I gladly lend you my ear... whenever you need one."
Bonnie chuckles, feeling somehow relieved she got that off of her chest. "I'm just so tense these days. I wish everything was settled," she sighs. "Any progress? Something? Anything? If you can tell me?"
"Well, I'm not exactly supposed to..."
"I know. Sorry I asked. I just don't understand... She confessed. Is she not to be believed? Does your boss think she's innocent?"
"Quite frankly, I'm not sure what Damon thinks," Luka starts carefully. "It's more about the evidence. We still need it and she's not giving us any. We have to consider she might be trying to cover for someone or she could have an accomplice."
Bonnie slowly shakes her head no. "I don't believe she'd cover for anyone. And while everyone around her is willing to do her bidding... a murder? Elijah's always so adamant about accuracy. He might be naive when it comes to her but the others?"
"Do you think that she killed her brother and if so, why?" Luka doesn't mean to query but he'd like to get to the heart of things.
"Because he was trouble. A problem for her and the business. I barely knew him but almost everyday, he was apart of the conversation. She was trying to find a way how to legally forbid him from entering the club, short of a restraining order. She didn't want the unfavorable publicity. I heard something about paying him off but she always refused. She said there had to be another way. And I once saw..." she falls silent for a moment, not sure if she should reveal this information or not.
"What? What did you see, Bon?"
"I saw some of his documents in her office safe. Could they possibly be some of the evidence you need? I mean, I don't even know if they're still there, this was some time ago..." Bonnie takes another sip then regards Luka carefully. "Did they find any documents on his body?"
Could this be the missing piece...
"I suppose you don't need me to wait for you," Katherine asks with a twinkle in her eyes when she parks the car in front of Elena's residence.
"Nope, but if she kicks my ass and slams the door in my face..." he's only half joking.
"Oh, I think you'll be able to convince her otherwise. You're incredibly stubborn, pushy and yet you can charm the scales off a pit viper..."
"You're an expert on all facets of my personality now?" He tucks a strand of hair that escaped her otherwise perfect ponytail and gives her a half smile already opening the car door. They both freeze at the spontaneity of the intimate gesture. Damon turns back to her with a somewhat uncertain look, Katherine's breath catches for a moment. She takes a deep breath to collect herself.
"Okay then. I'm going to go. Don't call... I won't answer. Besides, I know I'm right when I say, you won't need a lift." She winks and Damon's glad she managed to overcome the moment. He quickly decides not to think about it because there are other more important things to think about tonight. Like spending a night at her place, again.
He waves Katherine off and crosses the street to push the doorbell. Much to his surprise, it flies open unexpectedly. Standing in front of him is Elena with her kitten under her arm. She's looks absolutely magnificent dressed in a very light, summery bathrobe.
"Um, sorry I thought it was... Come in," she steps aside to let him into the house.
Damon's a little shocked as he passes her by and steps inside. He expected a frown or at the very least reluctance but she invites him in without even asking him why he's there. His hand lifts to touch her but brushes his fingers to Sherlock's little head instead. The cute little animal closes its eyes and purrs.
"Sorry to interrupt your evening... ehm, night," he finally finds his voice. "I hope I didn't wake you?"
Elena shakes her head and passes him on their way to the living room. She gestures for him to have a seat on the couch and after laying Sherlock next to him, she goes straight to the mini bar to pour them some alcohol. It must be obvious that he's in dire need of some of her finely aged bourbon.
A few minutes later she's handing him a glass and sits in the armchair to savor hers.
"I'm kind of used to it. Are you in need of a place to stay?"
He must be dreaming, she does look like she wants him to...
"Yeah, my intentions are pretty obvious?" he chuckles but the mirth doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I can leave if you'd rather be alone...?"
Elena doesn't answer directly, but he can read it on her face, she doesn't mind. She might even be a tiny bit excited. He suspects that she gets pretty lonely sometimes despite all the people that hover around her.
Not anymore, if he has anything to say about it. However, he has to stop making stupid, unforced errors with her. He stands up and takes the glass from her hand, setting both of them on the end table. Sherlock's clearly in on his plan as he jumps off of the couch and curls up in the pet bed that's on the floor. Elena looks up questioningly but without saying anything he leaves no doubt about his intentions. He kneels, presses himself between her legs and cups her face to make her look at him.
"How did your day go?"
Elena feels compelled to answer his question truthfully.
"Stressful. Long. I'm not even sure when it started."
Damon smooths her hair and brings her closer to give her the sweetest kiss. God, he needed it. "How about a massage?"
Elena only now remembers breathing. "I don't think you're in any shape to give one..." The little flames in her eyes are unmistakable.
"Oh you have no idea what I'm capable of." He gently lifts the hem of her robe and pulls it open.
"What are you doing?" Elena panics, this visit is sailing into dangerous waters. She doesn't stop him, so he untangles her hair caught around the decorative button, helps her out of it and drops the offensive piece of clothing on the carpet. He swallows thickly at the sight. She clearly just stepped out of the bathtub or shower, her smooth skin is damp and he bends to get closer inhaling her now familiar scent.
Bare skin...
"Damon?" she tries in protest but it's a feeble attempt to make him stop though... It actually sounds like an invitation.
"Shhhh...," he's gently stroking her perfect breast, eyes roaming all over her exquisite body. "I'll take care of you."
No panties. Just a dark pretty triangle at the apex of her thighs.
His lips now follow his fingers, his butterfly touches causing goose bumps along their path. He feels how tight her muscles are and senses the tension in her body so he halts his exploration and lifts his head to find her eyes one more time.
"I don't want you out of my system, I want to go so deep into yours that nothing will ever separate us again."
Elena lets out a guttural moan and her head falls on the armrest as he lowers his own to get back to the task at hand.
We're moving into the final part of the story now but there's still a few chapters left to post.
Eva and I want to thank you all so very much. You're such an awesome and incredible group. We are truly grateful for all of your support and the friendships we've made mean the world to us. Right now we're working on this year's pieces for Delena Christmas 2018.
Thank you to my sister Eva. I love you to pieces. Thank you for always going the extra mile to co-write these stories with me.
Chapter title: 'Another Brick in the Wall' by Pink Floyd.
Have a safe and wonderful day, thank you all again. Take care and we'll see you next time.