Chapter 3: Thank You

The room was full of darkness. Elena lay still under the covers, her dream keeping her pulled in. Not even a movement. The sun tried breaking through the curtains, tried causing a stir from the brunette, but nothing. Nothing was going to wake her up from the slumber that she seemed to be having. Moving her hand, she wrapped her arm around her pillow, tightening her grip on it as she let out a quiet content sigh.

"Elena! Get your lazy ass up out of bed! Everyone is here!" Jeremy banged his fist on the door, walking away.

The girl jumped in fright, leaning up on her elbow as she looked around frantically. What is he playing at? Groaning, she lay back down and threw her arm over her face, relaxing again. What was he on about? Did no one just let her sleep in anymore? Stretching, she smiled half asleep and then gasped, throwing herself forward. Shit! It was family day! The ENTIRE family was coming over and they were already here! Her grandparents, her cousins, her aunties, her uncles! SHIT! Jumping out of bed, she looked at the time, seeing it was 11:00 am on the her alarm clock and went wide-eyed. How was she asleep that long? She never had a sleep in like that! She hardly ever slept!

Shaking her head, she rushed over to the window and threw the curtains open and pushed the window out as the breeze rolled into the room, sending shivers up the her spine. The summer breeze. The best of all. Digging into her draw, she pulled out underwear and grabbed a dress hanging from the cupboard as she went on into the bathroom and started up the shower, shutting the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath, Elena closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. It was only a family day. ONE day. You can handle it. Just acting the perfect, little, innocent daughter was a problem. You can do this Elena, you got this in the bag, she thought. Walking downstairs slowly, she brushed her dress down and looked at her heels, nodding. Here goes nothing. Walking down the hall and into the kitchen, she seen everybody gathering in the living room and her mom was at the counter, fixing up food.

"Hey ma." Elena greeted softly, not wanting to scare her.
"Elena Gilbert, why are you up so late?" Miranda turned around and looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh, I had a bad sleep mom. On and off. I guess, I didn't feel the time go."

"Right, well, where did you put the pies?" Raising an eyebrow, she lifted her water and took a sip.
"P...pies?" The brunette went a little wide-eyed.
"The pies, I asked you to get last night?" Miranda told her, seeing her face, "Which you forgot too, I'm guessing?"

Elena winced at that. Her mother always had to be so blunt. The funny thing is, she did something right, she never got noticed for it. She did something wrong? She'd get hammered for it for the rest of her life. Elena licked her lips, watching her mom turn around to the counter with a sigh as she leaned her hands against it and shook her head.

"Mom, I'll go and get them now. That way, they're even more fresh! I'll be back!" Elena rushed out of the kitchen, not waiting for an answer as she grabbed her purse and cardigan, before walking out the front door.

Moving across the road, Elena was looking in her purse, making sure she had enough money or her mom would snap at her for that next. She did have to save up after all, her responsibility as the perfect golden child. Hearing a car beep, she gasped looking up as she seen a car right in front of her and realized she forget to look across the road.

"Jeez, sorry for crossing!" Elena snapped at them as they beeped again, "Learn to drive in the future!"

Shaking her head, she moved to the other side of the road and began looking through her purse again. Assholes that think they own the road. Walking into the bakery, she went wide-eyed as she emptied out her purse and only found a $1. She was in trouble. It was gonna take more than a that to cover the costs. Now her mom was REALLY going to kill her. Could her day get any worse?

"Hello Elena dear, here for your pies?" Julie smiled, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh yes...please. There's just a small problem," Laughing nervously, she cleared her throat, "I don't have the money."
"What do you mean you don't have the money? Your mother is always giving you money."

"Well, it has just happened to disappear," She responded, biting her lip, "Please, just give me them and I'll bring the money back!"
"No Elena. You have responsibility. You have to learn in life to get by."
"Please Julie, my mom will go mad at me."
"You'll just have to go back and tell her then. There's nothing I can do."

"Now, I'm sure that's not true." A new voice spoke as Elena turned on her heel surprised, the striking stranger at the door, a smirk on his face.
"Damon." Elena murmured softly, furrowing her eyebrows, "Its fine. I got it."
"Elena. The final answer is no."

"I'll be right back! I live two streets away from here and I'm a regular! Please Julie, I'm not exactly going to run without paying you. I just...forgot my money."
"Spent." Julie stated, crossing her arms.
"I said forgot." Elena narrowed her eyes, hating when people called her a liar.

Feeling a hand on her waist, she looked up to see that Damon had stepped behind her and was looking over at Julie, going to talk to her. Should of known he'd interfere. He was that kind of person.

"Look Julie, is it? I'm sure you can come to some sort of understanding with Ms Gilbert here?" Damon questioned her, raising an eyebrow.
"No I can't young man. There are no room for understandings with the Gilberts."
"Jeez, we're not royalty or something!" Elena spoke up, getting annoyed and just wanting to get fresh air before she said something she'd regret.
"Listen, just give Elena the pies and we will be our of your hair, you won't even know we were here." The blue-eyed guy gave her a smirk as she stared at him.
"Right, those pies you say? I'll go and fetch them for you dear, don't worry about the money. It's on the house." Julie smiled, going through the back.

Elena stood there in shock, not believing what just happened. Split personality change there? Damon has some damn good communication skills, or convincing skills? Biting her lip, she turned around to him, not sure what to say. Thank you? Where have you been? You're like a breath of fresh air? If you hadn't gathered, she hadn't seen him for TWO whole weeks, she was going insane and now he's here, she doesn't know what to do with herself, except blush and be a giddy little school girl.

"Uh, thanks for that Damon. I would have been in more trouble." Elena spoke, rubbing a hand over her face as she slipped her cardigan on, putting her purse into her pocket.
"Now we wouldn't want that," He gave a grin to which she blushed, "So special occasion?"
"Huh?" She frowned in confusion.
"The pies, the dress?" He ushered to her outfit, his eyes taking her in, lust in his eyes as she bit her lip, her heart skipping a beat.

"Family day. I've screwed up...everything so far I guess. I got up late because I haven't been sleeping well, with homework, cheerleading and MY parents. Then I forget the pies."
"No! Not the pies!" Damon questioned with a mock gasp and chuckled as she hit him on the arm.
"Don't make fun. My mom would have killed me if I didn't get those pies. So hard living up to the golden child."

Elena rolled her shoulders, feeling stiff and let out a sigh, not knowing what come over her. She felt different lately. Adapted, almost. As if she was growing into something much more than she was. But what was it? That's what scared her. Especially since her friends were picking up on stuff too. That's not what she wanted, for everyone to start noticing. Especially her parents.

"Dear, here are your pies. If there is anything else you need, let me know." Julie gave her a smile.
"Well, while you're being SO nice. How about a piece of your chocolate fudge cake on the house too?" Elena smirked, leaning her elbow against the counter as she raised an eyebrow.
"Right away dear." Going into the back, Damon grinned, watching the brunette as he shook his head. Yeah, he was definitely starting to like her.

Half an hour later, they were strolling back towards her house, taking their time. They were just talking, having a good conversation, while Damon was carrying the pies for her, since he offered. Especially since she was enjoying her chocolate fudge cake.

"So, what's the deal with his chocolate fudge cake, hmm? The one you got SO excited about?" Damon smirked, looking over at her.
"Oh, you won't mock me when you've tasked it." Taking the fudge on her finger, she brought it to his lips, waiting as he looked at her, almost as if he was testing the waters, "Go on then."

Slowly leaning forward, he wrapped his lips around her finger as his tongue swiped across her skin, getting the taste of fudge and vanilla as his blue eyes met with her brown ones. Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly pulled back, licking his lips afterwards, his eyes still gazing into hers.

"Hmm, absolutely delicious." He whispered in a husky voice as she felt a familiar coil in her stomach.
"Told you." She replied, her tone quiet as she was locked in a gaze with him.
"So, your hair is up again." Damon looked her over.
"My ma think it looks more elegant up."
"I think you look elegant either way."

Elena stared up at him, a blush reaching her cheeks as she narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to read him. He was so hard to read. So hidden. Those beautiful eyes hid so much that she didn't know whether he was the real Damon or not. Tilting her head, she reached her hand up, wiping some chocolate away from his lip with her thumb and brought it to her own mouth, sucking it off.

"Guess I won someone over there." Elena told him, a smile grazing her lips.
"You certainly have." Damon stepped closer, placing his hand against her neck, "May I?"
"D...depends what the may I is?" She replied with a nervous tone, staring up at him.
"Just one kiss." He whispered, staring down at her. He needed to know.

The brunette was frozen, her heartbeat escalating as she stared up at the beautiful blue eyes. Just one kiss. That's all she wanted too. Matt though, she was STILL with Matt and she couldn't do that, not yet anyway, she had to remain in control. The golden child status was given to her for a reason, she may as well live up to some standards.

"Not now." Elena whispered, looking to his lips and back to his eyes, "Another time. I promise."
"You remember that promise." Damon whispered, smoothing his thumb across her cheek, "There's always consequences to broken promises."
"I never break a promise."

She placed the pies down on the table and looked around, seeing the place empty making her to frown. What happened? Where did everyone go? Turning around, she seen her mom in the doorway, her arms crossed and a disappointing look on her face. Elena tried to ignore it and placed her hands on the pie boxes.

"The pies you asked for. All fresh and everything." She told her mom, a soft smile on her lips.
"You're late." Miranda told her, her voice stern and full of anger.
"Ma, I-"
"No Elena! What is going on with you!? You've changed lately! This is not you! I don't want this girl for my daughter! I want you how I raised you!"
"I'm still me mom." Elena told her, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Are you? Or is it all an act, hmm? Just go Elena, go to your room." Miranda walked out.

Elena stared at the doorway, tears filling her eyes as she shook her head in confusion. She didn't understand. Walking into the hallway, she lifted her bag, purse and keys, walking out the door. There was one thing for sure, she wasn't staying here tonight. She'd go and stay with Aunt Jenna, she couldn't deal with this no longer.

The moon was shining bright, the breeze carrying a cold lash as it blew against the trees. Looking around, she swallowed and wiped the tears that continued to fall. She was parked on the side of the road, in confusion about what to do. She had to think. Everything seemed to be getting too much for her. Running her fingers through her hair, she took a shaky breath and looked at her phone when it sprang to life.

"Hello?" She answered it hoarsely.
"Elena?"
"Damon?" Furrowing her eyebrows, she rubbed her arms, turning the heater up, "How did you get my number?"
"It's a small town believe it or not," He laughed and cleared his throat, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, Yeah, I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine." He told her.

"Just...had a fight with my mom...or a disagreement. I stormed out and now I'm parked on the side of some random road, figuring out what to do."
"What road?"
"I'm not sure. Meadow Way?" Rubbing her temples, she felt a headache coming on.
"Stay there."
"What?" Elena frowned when she heard the line go dead and sighed, closing her eyes.

She lay her head back in a deep sleep, her mind in another place as she hugged herself, trying to keep warm and got comfortable on the seats. Hearing a knock on the window, she near jumped out of her skin as she looked up, seeing Damon peering through at her, his crystal eyes showing an emotion she'd never seen before. Rolling down the window, she rubbed her face, yawning.

"Damon, what? Why are you here?" Looking at him, half asleep, she watched as he opened the passenger side door and got in, shutting it closed behind him.
"For you. You think I was going to let you be here alone?" He pressed his knuckles to her forehead, "You're cold."
"No, I'm fine." Rubbing her cheek, she closed her eyes again, "Just fine."

Damon looked over at her, watching her drowsy state. She was obviously tired and in need of sleep and some warmth. Playing with the side of the seat, he waited for it to fall backwards and laid down, making himself comfortable. Elena looked over at him in confusion and frowned as he gave her a cheeky smile, ushering her over.

"Damon-" Elena told him, giving him a look.
"Uh uh." He ushered her again.

Smiling tiredly, she sighed and moved from her seat, slowly sitting on Damon's lap, feeling like she weighed 100 pounds. Slowly lying on him, she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.

"See, was that so bad?" Damon tucked an arm under his head, the other going to stroke the back of her neck.
"Hmm." She whispered in approval, her arms slipping under the leather jacket as her eyes fell shut, "Thank you."
"For what?" Moving his other hand to her lower back, he held her lightly.
"You came for me. No one else would have, so thank you Damon."

Closing her eyes, she fell into a well needed sleep as Damon stared at the ceiling of the car. The wind rustled and made noises like a hurricane. He heard bouncing on the rooftop, meaning only one thing, that it had started to rain. That was all they needed. Sighing, he held her close, inhaling as he closed his eyes. Bu du. Bu du. Bu du. The sound of her heart, was so peaceful, so relaxed. He'd never heard such a relaxing sound. Getting the scent of jasmine and vanilla, he smiled a genuine smile. To when his only thought was:

Elena Gilbert. What are you doing to me?

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you think! :D

Shauna
xxxx