Woo fast update! :)

I'm so excited for these next few chapters, as the story has kinda been building up toward them!

Anyway, hope y'all enjoy! :)

April was the only reason Chris had even gotten out of bed to go to school.
He knew that douche reporter's article would be out before lunch, and that it would be the talk of the town.
But he wouldn't make April go through that alone.

So after a quick breakfast, he kissed Elena goodbye, and went out to the camaro.
At least he had her to look forward to.
The ride to the school didn't last nearly long enough though, and soon he was putting the beauty in park.
Time to face the music.
He grabbed his back and walked inside, easily finding his locker.
April found him there.

"Hey."
Despite his mood, he smiled, "Hey back."
Her usual perky attitude was lacking, "Do we have time before class to talk?"
He shrugged, "It's just homeroom, so I don't see why not."
She nodded, adjusting her book bag, "Alright, walk with me?"
He nodded, finishing up and closing his locker.
He wasn't sure what she needed to say so urgently, but guessed that it was about the pictures.

He hurried behind her as she walked out to the nearly emptied stoner pit.
She took a seat at the farthest table, and he joined her.
It was quiet for a minute.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" he led, "Seemed a little urgent."
"No," she started, then sighed, "Well, actually yes, but I-"
She dropped her head in frustration.
"April," he coaxed gently, "What's wrong? Talk to me."
She looked up, and he was startled to see tears welling at the corner of her eyes.
"April?" He questioned.
"You're gonna be so angry," she breathed.
He grabbed her hand, "Babe, come on...you're worrying me."
She swallowed, then nodded.
"I wasn't going to tell you; I didn't want to make things worse. But after yesterday, and the guy with the camera...well, I don't know what he knows, but if he does know what I didn't want you to know, then he might put it in the paper somehow, or maybe he even has pictures, and I just couldn't let you hear it from anyone else, but me."
He blinked, "Well seeing that I somehow kept up with all of that, what was it that you didn't want to tell me?"
Chris's mind was reeling.
April wasn't a deceitful person, so whatever this was, she must've really feared his reaction.
"April?-"
"I met up with Kol at the Grill, yesterday."
Chris forgot whatever he'd almost said.
"You...what?"
"I had to Chris! He was the one that told me about Vicki, and that the reporter was asking around about you."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?!" He demanded.
She flushed, "Because I knew how you'd feel about it, and I didn't want to argue-"
"How am I supposed to feel about it, April? He tried to-"
"I know!" She stated, "But it happened to me. Me. So talking to him is my choice. One that I don't need your permission for, and I'm not going to regret trying to look out for you."
He set his jaw, fuming.
"Looking out for me is just going to drag you into this mess! And what if somehow that dick reporter did get pictures of you with Kol? How's that gonna look? Especially with the restraining order? It's there for a reason, you know!"
She nodded, once again dropping her eyes, "I know. I'm sorry, I just...I'm sorry."
Guilt swarmed him, and he groaned, crouching down so he was level with her eyes.
"Baby, look at me."
She did so, and tears were running down her cheeks.
He sighed, "I'm not happy about it, okay? But it's only because I'm trying to look out for you too. Do you understand what you mean to me?"
She nodded, and he pulled her closer, so she could lean against him.
He let his fingers play with her hair.
"I should have told you," she exhaled.
"Yeah, you should have. But I guess I get why you didn't."
"I'm just scared," she admitted.
"I know," he squeezed her tighter, "Me too."

Elena had been checking her email, on her computer at work, every five minutes, all morning long, waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop.
She knew that the story would eventually pop up, and she wanted to see the damage before deciding how she wanted to proceed.

Damon had called early that morning, first, to make sure she was okay, after her emotional breakdown the night before, and second, to let her know that he'd met with some guys at the record's legal, who had sat down with the representatives from Garrison's magazine, and thankfully had reached specific terms.
She didn't fully understand it, or cared to know the financial aspect of it; all that mattered was that the company had been forbidden to follow up any stories involving Christian Salvatore.
However, since the one was already done, it was all a matter of timing and damage control.
She didn't know what to expect, but couldn't imagine it was anything good.

She checked the web again.
So far, still nothing, but it would be there eventually.
She just had to wait for it.

And eventually, it finally popped up.
On her two hundred and seventy-third search for Christian Salvatore, she found an updated article, front and center, written by Edward Garrison.
She glanced around her office, checking that she was alone, then clicked the link.

The headline was straight forward.
SALVATORE SON: THE APPLE AND THE TREE
It was accompanied by two photos.
One was of Chris and April, lip locked in an alleyway up town.
But other than their clothes being frumpled, it could've been worse.
The next was a picture of Damon, recent by no less than a few months, leaning against a bar seat, with some blonde wrapped around him.
Elena bit back her twinge of possessiveness, in favor of actually reading the words that were written about her son.

"Fans of the well known music artist, Damon Salvatore, were shocked to discover, this week, that he is allegedly the father of a teenage boy, Christian Salvatore. The mother of whom was Damon's high school sweetheart, and while it's unclear why Damon has kept them a secret until now, it is clear that the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.
Christian Salvatore not only bares a staggering resemblance to the singer, but also seems to enjoy hobbies similar to that of his father.
As shown above, like his father, Christian is no stranger to romance, as he and fellow high school student, April Young, share a-"

Elena quickly scanned the rest of the article, before closing out.
Only one more picture of Christian was shown, looking angry as he and April had left, paired alongside another picture of Damon, this time with a redhead on his arm, as he flipped off the camera.

She'd nearly forgotten Damon's reputation before his reappearance in Mystic Falls, and in her life.
He'd matured so quickly, to step up and take responsibility, that she hated he was portrayed so negatively.
But her main concern was Christian.

As far as April's warning of "bad pictures" she'd been expecting a lot worse.
Though she imagined when the pastor saw them, they'd be bad enough.
She and Chris were having a long talk when all of this was over.
Until then, she'd just have to help him through this.
And they would get through, same as always.

Pulling out her phone, she sent Damon a text, letting him know that the article had been released online.
However, he was in some press conference thing, so he probably wouldn't answer right away.
So she'd have to push it away for now.
There was nothing to be done in the moment, and she still had her own column to write.
She didn't need to get fired, on top of everything else.

Chris had managed to calm himself down by his athletic period.
The only class he and Kol were forced to be within proximity of one another.

Especially since football was finishing up, and practice for baseball had begun.
He and Kol were both starters for the varsity team, him pitching, Kol catching, as they'd done since the little leagues, and the coaches wanted them in shape for spring.
But they weren't kids anymore, and there were things between them bigger than the game.

The head coach sent the group of boys to the track for their warm up mile.
Chris debated as he stared at the back of Kol's head.
On one hand, he wanted to keep hating him, but he also wanted answers.

He needed answers.

The group reached the track and lined up at the starters mark.

A whistle blew and everyone began running at an average pace.

Chris reached the front easily, having always found running easy, and came up next to Kol.

"We need to talk," Chris stated, throwing a sideways glance.

Kol seemed a little shocked by Christian addressing him.

"Okay...now? Or after the mile?"

"Now," Chris declared.

This would be on his terms.

"April told me that the two of you talked."

He watched Kol, and would have sworn the guy would have paled, had his cheeks not been flushed.

"Just to talk, I swear," He defended, "I just wanted to apologize to her...And to tell her about-"

"I know," Chris confirmed, "She told me. Vicki, the reporter, all of it."

"Oh..."

"I just want to know what kind of questions that guy was asking."

"Um," Kol thought back, "Nothing that would seem too personal, but he was leading, and you know how Vic likes to run her mouth."

Chris nodded, "She does do that...did he ask her anything about April? Or was Halloween brought up?"

"Not really," Kol admitted, "Vicki mentioned April, but they didn't get into too much detail. The guy seemed more concerned with your rep."

Chris thought over that as he watched the pavement pass beneath them.

They finished a lap.

"Does this have to do with that article?" Kol prodded.

"Article?" Chris looked over sharply, "It's out?"

"There's something online," Kol told him, "Some of the girls were looking at it last period."

"Great," Chris muttered.

Kol was silent as they ran the next 200 meters.

"Did you see it?" Chris asked after a moment.

"Briefly," Kol nodded, "It seemed like a bunch of crap to be honest."

"Wanna elaborate?" He pressed.

Kol worked to pace his breathing, before answering.

"It seemed like it was comparing you and Damon or something. Father like son and all that. There some pictures; you with April, and Damon with some women."

Chris considered that.

If the focus was on him, then maybe April wouldn't be affected by it all too much.

At least he could hope so.

Kol stayed neck to neck with him as they started their final lap.

"I'm sorry," he offered finally, "I know you hate me right now, but I really am sorry. I was so stupid. You and April are my friends, and I'd never purposely hurt either of you. And I wish like hell that I could take back that night."

Chris nodded, thinking of war April had said earlier, "I know you're sorry, Kol. I get that. But I'm not okay with what you did, and I don't know that you wouldn't do it again. I can't trust you."

"I know," Kol swallowed, "I was just kinda hoping you'd give me the chance to make it up to you."

Chris looked at him, then looked at the stretch of turf in front of them.

A light smirk traced his lips.

"I'll make you a deal. Beat me to the finish line, and we'll go to the Grill after school. I can't just forget what happened...but we'll talk. Figure out how you can start gaining my trust again."

Kol smile, "On three then?"

Chris counted, and they both took off.

There was only half a lap left, so he used his kick to propel himself forward.

His long legs were an advantage in this case, but Kol kept up with him well enough, down to the last stretch.

He could tell that the guy was really trying, but Chris was faster.

He always had been.

He crossed the line first, Kol following in a close second.

Both were breathing hard, holding their arms above their head.

As he struggled to catch his breath, Chris decided that he might give Kol that chance anyway.

Maybe not today though.

What he'd done was unforgivable, but they'd been friends their whole lives.

And Kol had tried to make up for his mistake.

Maybe one day they could be friends again.

But not today.

Not with everything else to worry about.

It would just have to be tomorrow's problem.

He did, however, feel like a stepping stone had been laid, and for that, he walked up to Kol and extended his hand.

The kid was surprised, but shook it.

Coaches were calling to them then, and they let go, other runners joining the group as they crossed the finish line.

"Alright, everyone doing baseball, get in this line, track in the other. Salvatore, Michaelson, I want you in front!"

They obliged the coaches order, and Chris focused on the mention of his favorite sport, hoping that everything else could just be forgotten about for the remaining hour.

Damon had managed the impossible.

He'd gotten through two hours of nonstop questions, most surrounding the article released earlier, claiming Christian was his prodigy, and others about his situation now, and his plans involving the record in the future.

It had been draining, but he'd survived.

Then he'd spent an hour with Alaric, redrawing his contract with the label, so that he could spend more time in Virginia.

And now he was on a plane home.

At least ten hours earlier than anyone was expecting, and it thrilled him.

It took a few hours, but he finally arrived in Mystic Falls, courtesy of Stefan being able to pick him up last minute, and save him the taxi fare.

"So you're really back?" Stefan pressed as they drove, "You're really doing this?"

He smirked, leaning back against the passenger's seat, "Don't seem so surprised, Little brother. I have a family to take care of, and they're here."

Stefan smiled, "I'm proud of you, Damon, really."

He returned the smile, "Thanks, brother. But I've gotta say, you've turned into a bit of a softie."

"Oh shut up," He laughed, "Just take the compliment."

Damon winked and they pulled into Elena's drive.

"I'll swing by this week," Damon promised, after thanking him for the ride.

They waved goodbye, and Damon grabbed his bag.

The house was empty when he opened it, using the spare key that he'd claimed as his own.

He figured that Chris was probably still at school, and that Elena wouldn't quite be home from work yet.

That gave him a second to unwind.

He hoisted his bag onto the couch, and sat down next to it.

The silence surrounded him, and he smiled.

This, he could get used to.

Feeling inspired, he dug his phone out of his pocket, and called Elena.

For a second he thought the voicemail was going to pick it up, but she finally answered.

"Damon?"

"Hey baby."

He could hear her smiling, "I thought you were going to be unreachable today, and yet this is our third call."

He smiled, "Well, I couldn't help myself. I missed you."

He grabbed a picture off the side table.

It was Elena and Chris, a couple years back, lounging by the lake.

He traced her face with his fingers.

"You'll be home tomorrow," she reminded him, "So it's just one more night apart. But believe me, I've missed you too."

"Glad to hear it," he teased, setting the photo back in its place, "You still at work?"

"Just left, actually. After the article and everything, I wanted to get home before Chris did."

"Understandable," Damon noted, "Though I'm sorry I couldn't do more about getting it taken down."

"Oh well," she sighed, "You got them banned from publishing anything else, so that's a start. We'll get through this."

"I know," He assured her, "And it'll eventually die down. Then I'll have Alaric pull some strings to keep Garrison out of Mystic Falls."

"Can he do that?" She asked, impressed.

"I guess we'll find out," Damon mused.

She exhaled, "This'll all be over soon..."

"Soon," he promised, then because he felt like she could use the pick up, he told her about his new contract, and what it meant for them.

"So you're really back for good?"

He smiled, "Yep. I'm all yours sweetheart. Well, yours and Chris's. I'll have to travel occasionally for concerts, but I made sure that my family was the first priority."

He heard her laugh as a car pulled into the driveway.

"Oh Damon, that's great. I needed to hear that almost as badly as I need to see you."

He peaked out the window and saw her car.

Smirking, he asked, "Oh yeah? And how badly is that?"

"Bad," she giggled, as she got out of the car.

Giving up pretenses, he opened the door, "Then get over here."

Elena blinked as Damon stepped out of her house.

Then when she realised she wasn't dreaming, she laughed.

"You're kidding me!" She almost dropped her phone, she ran so fast.

Damon caught her at the stairs as she practically leaped into his arms.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were home!"

He pulled away slightly, grinning, "It was a surprise! Now do you want to yell at me, or kiss me?"

She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You should know by now that I'm capable of doing both," she teased, as she pulled his face to hers.

All of her worries melted as Damon kissed her, and she clung to him.

Picking her up, he carried them inside and shut the door behind them.

Damon sat her on her feet once they were inside, and hugged her, "I missed you."

She looked up at him, "I missed you too, Damon. More than I care to admit."

He nodded, "So, did you want to discuss the article now, or..." his eyes drifted to her lips.

Her thoughts aligned with his, as she shook her head and took his hand.

"Talk later. Right now..."

She led him toward the bedroom, and his lips were on her before they'd even reached the hall.

She was so glad that Chris still had an hour left of school.

Sooo let me know whatcha thought! :)

April coming clean, Chris and Kol, and Damon's return!

I love the feedback! :)

Thanks again for being so supportive!