Chapter 13: Old Love of Mine

It was an eerie atmosphere. The only noise heard within the basement was heavy breathing coming from the unconscious brunette. The darkness crept over, coating her in shadows; moonbeams shining through the small windows. Footsteps were heard across the floorboards upstairs, creak after creak. A grumble of pain emerged from the brunette as she struggled to open her eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, Elena forced her eyes open, her head heavy and thumping with pain. Whimpering, she stared down at the concrete, carefully lifting her head up.

"H-Hello? Anyone?" She called out, her voice hoarse and croaky as she winced. Glancing around, her heart raced as fear was building up within her. Feeling numb, she tried to make a move but found herself restricted. Frowning, she glanced down; only to see that she was tied down to the chair. She swallowed, a throaty sob escaping her. What the hell happened? All that she remembered was...someone biting into her neck? Then the world around her went black. Biting? Vampire?

"Someone help me! Please!" She called again, struggling against the rope, "Please!"

Elena's crying filled the basement as she tried to move, but found it to be no use. Suddenly, the basement door opened with a creak; Elena's breath hitching in response as she went silent. Footsteps were heard as they descended downstairs, getting closer and closer. Closing her eyes tightly, she felt her heart racing; a feeling of panic beginning to overwhelm her.

"Elena Gilbert." The voice spoke a menacing sense of tone evident within his voice. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up, bright green eyes staring at her, shivers crawling down her spine, "We meet at last."

"W-Who? What do you want?" Elena questioned hesitantly, fear in her voice.

"Hmm, the name is Julian, Julian Parsons." He paced across the room, "You see, you remind me of an old love of mine; a woman who no longer requires my attention. But after this, we shall see. Perhaps you know her...Katherine Pierce?"

Time stood still, her eyes wide and glistened with tears as she stared up at her. What did she do? Lie? Admit to knowing who Katherine was? Well, the name anyway, not her exactly. The fact that she was the love of Damon's life or...is still?

"I-I can't explain it! I have only just found out my-"

Elena gasped and choked as he grabbed her by the neck and glared at her furiously, "Already lying are we?"

"I-" She croaked, trying to suck air into her lungs, a burning sensation starting to build in her throat, tears swimming around her eyes as she gasped for breath.

Suddenly her phone sprang to life, the metal plate sitting on the table over by the window.

"Well, would you look at that...saved by the ring." Releasing hold of her neck, Julian stalked over to the desk as Elena gasped for breath, pain burning her lungs; her vision blurred as she watched him with fear.

"Looky look who we have calling sweetheart...Mr Salvatore himself. This should be fun."

Elena's eyes grew wide, a glimpse of hope evident in her posture as Julian smirked. Placing the phone down, he pressed the answer button and switched it to speaker.

"Elena, look...please don't hang up. I know I have called more times than I should, but you need to hear me out okay? I'm sorry. Sorry that I never told you about me, or even about Katherine. I'm so sorry, but you have to understand... I'm not interested in you because you look like her. At first, of course...it was genuine curiosity, maybe even fascination. Then...I got to know you. You are NOT Katherine. You never will be and you know what? I couldn't be happier Elena."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at the phone, her heart pumping in double time as she listened to him. The sincerity in his voice, the honesty, the way he was making her feel. He liked her just the way she was, not because of Katherine. He liked HER.

"Elena, please. God please say something."

"Well, that was pretty impressive if I must say so myself." Julian laughed, looking over at Elena who was crying quietly, her head bowed.
"Who the hell is this? Where is Elena?" Damon snarled down the phone.
"Where? She's right here of course."
"How am I supposed to believe that!? Where is she? Tell me right now!"

Sighing, Julian lifted the phone, "Sweetheart, anger management wants a word, say hi."

Shaking her head, she glared up at him, tears staining her cheeks as he strolled across to her, kneeling down in front of her, "Elena, say hi. Now."

Biting her lip, she looked down; refusing to speak as he sighed, "And here is me thinking you wouldn't have that beautiful Petrova fire that I love."

Standing up, he sighed and shook his head in disappointment. Moving quick, he backhanded her, her baby skin taking the hit as she cried out in pain, her head swinging to the right from the blow.

"Elena!" Damon called out, panic and anger in his voice.
"She's here lover boy, she just doesn't want to chat right now."
"I swear to god if you-"
"Bye now Damon."

Hanging up, Julian stroked his knuckles along her cheek as she pulled away, her cheek stinging and burning with pain as she looked away.

"Only yourself to blame sweetheart. I didn't want to do that."
"Please let me go! My family will be worried sick! I haven't done anything wrong! I don't know anything about Katherine, please...just let me go."

Laughing, he gave her a pat on the head and walked away, "Sorry sweet, I'm not finished with you yet. I have a few more cards to play." Walking up the stairs, he walked out and locked the door, coating the brunette in darkness again.

"Please!"

Looking down, a sob escaped her as she tried pulling at the rope, finding it to tight to find a release on. Getting frustrated, she pulled harder, rocking the chair from side to side. Losing balance, she fell to the side with a thump as her head hit against the concrete. The pain was sharp; her vision becoming blurred as a sudden memory came to mind.

Warmth engulfed her, goosebumps pimpling her skin as Damon held her against him, her head tucked under his chin as she listened to him reading 'Gone with the Wind.'

Stroking his hand up and down her arm, he continued reading, his voice rough and soft as the same time, kind of like a melody. Closing her eyes, Elena was overwhelmed. The waterfall only helped create the calming atmosphere.

"You falling asleep on me?" Damon's voice surged through her, his whispered words touching her everywhere at once.

"Nu uh, simply taking it in." Elena responded, nuzzling further into him.
"Good. I'd hate to punish you now."
"Hmm, lets pretend I fell asleep."

Suddenly she was on her back as he tacked her to the ground, causing her to erupt with laughter, "You are trouble."

"More than I'm worth?" She stared up with wide brown doe eyes."
"Believe me, you're worth every bit of trouble."

Leaning down, he kissed her; stroking her hair back as she held onto him, smiling into the kiss.

Pain surged through her body, the world going black, her body slowly giving into the darkness as she tried to keep herself awake and fight against it.

"Listen to me, I want to see her! You tell her that from me Isobel! I want her here tomorrow!"

Frowning, Elena tried to turn her head, but the pain hit her like a surge of energy as the darkness pulled her under.

A/N: Hello everyone! How are you? Yes I know, this is incredibly late from when I wrote the authors note saying that I was coming back, but I am! Unfortunately, I had the recovery time of an operation which I have now successfully recovered from! My first day back at work today was just...uh! But yes, I'm back and here! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy what is to come!

With love

Shauna