Pushing The Limits

The day after her encounter with Giuseppe, Elena was still fairly shaken. She had thought long and hard about how to approach the situation. Whether to tell him that she was aware of the vampires or just act as if she were in the dark. Of course, she considered seeking help from Stefan and Damon back home, but they wouldn't be much help to her in the position she was in. So she had come to the decision that she would handle whatever needed to be done there while her favorite brothers figured out how to bring her home.

Of course the easiest way to learn more about the eldest Salvatore was to go straight to his family. Elena knew well that Giuseppe was part of the Council, and that his hatred for vampires was rooted deeper than even his sons had imagined. So to go to him about this was a disaster waiting to happen. The most logical thing for her to do was talk to Stefan or Damon.

The young brunette strode confidently up to the Salvatore Manor, observing the pristine white siding and lush green bushes lining the sides. She could remember when Stefan had brought her to visit the site of his home, where it was all torn down and hidden by the trees. Elena had imagined something like this. A home more than big enough for the few people that resided there.

Once she had reached the fairly large wooden doors, Elena brought her dainty knuckles to rap on the hard wood as easily as she could. She didn't want to knock too loudly out of fear that she would be looked at as pushy. For a while, it seemed as though either nobody had heard her, or no one was home. And just as Elena was about to call it quits and head home, she heard the echo of footfalls beyond the doors.

The right door opens in the blink of an eye, and behind it stood a fairly pleased Damon Salvatore. Unlike his vampire self, Damon was standing perfectly still, not one sign of his common flirtatious eyeing. His posture reflected that of a true gentleman, but Elena couldn't help but feel as if she were looking at a different person. She wasn't exactly sure if that was a good thing or not. After all, she was so used to the confident, yet arrogant vampire that did what he wanted when he wanted to do it. This was almost too different.

"Mistress Elena.. what a surprise." Damon's stony features light up, a grin stretching across his pallid margins. Taking a step backwards, he opened the door wider for the young brunette, "Please, come in."

Elena nodded once, lifting her mint green dress so she did not step on it as she stepped past the threshold. "Thank you, Damon." She thought about asking for Stefan, but she felt as though she needed to stay and talk with the raven haired soldier instead. There was something about him that drew her to him. Perhaps it was true. Vampirism did heighten your personality. As a human, Damon was alluring. He caught her interest and held it for longer than Elena intended. But as a vampire, he was hypnotic. Although Elena had never admitted it, Damon had always consumed her. Roping her in and holding her against his cold heart as long as he was in her sight. Sometimes even longer.

The home looked as it did when she attended the masquerade. The walls a pristine white, light illuminating each room. There was no darkness in any corner of the rather large home. It was comforting. Elena felt safe here. It was a feeling she hadn't particularly felt in a while.

Damon glided effortlessly behind her as she ventured into the parlor, her mocha hues wide with curiosity and wonder. Just the sight of Elena in this state brought a smile to his stony features. For a while, silence filled the household. Neither of them said a word as Damon guided her towards the fireplace, where the embers were still hot and glowing beneath scorched wood. On a mahogany table beside a chair of leather sat a beaten book, the title engraved on the side. Pride and Prejudice. It was definitely something Damon would read. Though, unlike the Damon consumed by vampirism, there was no glass of amber liquid sitting on top of or beside the book.

The young girl picked up the book with delicate palms, tracing the lettering on the spine in admiration. Elena had read the book many times before, and she'd seen many copies, but this one was old and looked vaguely familiar. Maybe she had seen the label on the shelves of the Salvatore Boarding House and she hadn't realized or noticed it. At least she knew she hadn't held one.

Damon spoke from behind her, his head tilted to the side as he observed Elena's every move. "Have you read it?" His fingers were laced together behind his back, his posture compromised as he leans toward her just the slightest bit. Her curious orbs flit up to his familiar face, full of warmth and light. "Yes, I have. It is one of my favorites."

"Mine as well." The handsome gentleman takes a seat opposite of Elena, unlatching his coat button as he does so. Though Damon's composure and kindness was nice to see and surprising in the best way, the doppelganger couldn't help but wish he would loosen up and pour himself a drink as he normally does. And it shocked her to want that at this moment, because this is what she had always wanted. "So, Elena, why is it you have come to visit today?"

Elena allowed herself to take a seat beside the doused fire, smoothing out her dress in the process. Ever since Rachel and her family had left for their trip, she had refused to wear a corset, insisting that she did not to be any skinnier. No one would notice anyways. "Your father paid me a visit last night. He told me to be careful. Warned me about the dangers of this town."

"I know already, Damon. I am not in the dark."

The soldier combs his fingers through raven locks, sending Elena a brief nod as he considers her statement. "You are meaning the vampires."

Elena returns his nod, her curly chocolate tresses bouncing. She didn't doubt he would know what she meant as soon as she said it. He was, after all, a founder in Mystic Falls, and his father was a part of the Council. He most likely puts vervain in everything he drinks. "Damon, why would your father come to me? I did not know he even knew I was here."

"My father finds that it is his duty to inform all citizens of the darkness lurking in our town. He is convinced that he will be the one to save us all from destruction." Damon lifts his shoulders in a shrug, his posture once again faltering as he thinks through his comment. "How did you know?"

Remaining as calm as possible, Elena scrambled around for an answer that made sense. Seeing as how the way she knew was that Stefan and Damon himself were vampires in her lifetime. Her hands trembled lightly, eyes averting her lap. "My parents were killed by one. I barely escaped with my life."

Silence lingered once again as Damon let the new information soak in. The shadows of his dark hues fill with sorrow and pity, a frown aligning his margins. At first, it seemed as though he wasn't going to say anything, but after a moment, a soft whisper escaped him, slowly drifting towards Elena's somewhat fake expression. Her parents had died, but not at the hands of a vampire. To make her statement believable, she reluctantly relived the pain she went through as she watched her mother and father drown.

"Elena.. I'm sorry. I should not have asked."

"That's alright, Damon. I will be alright." In truth, Elena had grown numb to the subject, at least when talking about it with others. It wasn't particularly her favorite subject, but in a town full of vampires, you get used to discussing death. Damon's sympathy was to be expected, though the sincerity in his voice was alarming. After all, Damon is anything but forgiving. "Is Stefan here?"

Damon's features softened at the change of subject, quickly clearing his throat and preparing to answer Elena's vague question. "No, unfortunately our father has stolen him for the evening. They are visiting the mayor's home."

Mocha brows arching, Elena looks at him quizzically. "And how come you did not accompany them? I would have thought your father would bring both of his sons with him."

"No," emitting a low chuckle, Damon lifts his hand to the back of his neck, rubbing it awkwardly. "Stefan has always been the favorite. Father has suggested I stay home and watch the house."

Elena nods in understanding, feeling somewhat bad for the ordinary Damon Salvatore. He was left behind by his own father, who obviously only cared enough about him to keep him alive. It has always been that way. It's always going to be Stefan. Elena instantly regretted saying those words to Damon, even though at the time they were completely true. Stefan was the target of everyone's affections, not Damon. And the doppelganger couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Quickly getting to her feet, Elena began to roam the parlor, observing the architecture and light colors. It looked somewhat like the parlor in the Boarding House, but with more white than any other hue. Perhaps a nude color gracing the base boards and fireplace and dappled gold in the finish, but all in all, the purest shade owned the large room. Elena runs her delicate palm across a bookshelf, the golden brim sliding beneath her index finger.

Before she knew it, Elena had swiveled around, a bright smile painted across rosy petals. "Since your brother and father are out.. perhaps we should go out as well."

"I would love to." The beauteous brunette slipped her arm around the male's, a kind smile gracing her features. Stefan's eyes flitted to his brother for a brief moment, watching for any sign of a threat. Damon had never really been one to shake their bond, and even when he did, he was determined to make it right. Stefan was sure he wouldn't try anything.

Elena Gilbert strode alongside Stefan as he guided her out of the maze of picnic blankets and smiling faces to the gardens a little ways away. Silence filled the air as the two simply enjoyed each other's company. But before long, Stefan was dying to hear her siren voice. "Where have you come from, Elena?"

"I don't know. I can't remember. A few days ago, I woke up in the woods. There wasn't a single memory from the night before.." Elena paused, piecing together her fib. "But I was not intoxicated. I don't drink that often."

They fell back into their silence for a small fragment of a moment as Stefan thought over what she had said to him, a barely audible sigh escaping his margins. "And your family?"

She shakes her head, offering him a sad smile. "My parents died a while back. My brother is all I have left... I miss him." Every bit of it was the truth, but the fact that her brother was all alone tore her apart. "I hope he's doing alright without me."

Stefan's emerald hues fly open, a gasp piercing the air as he regains his consciousness. He must have fallen asleep while contemplating every possible plan of action against Katherine. It was a memory, a memory that hadn't been there before. And Stefan didn't know what to think of it.

It was Elena, no doubt about it. They must have been together the previous afternoon, when she was in the town square. The edgy vampire combed his fingers through bronze locks, his mind cluttered with information that hadn't yet been confirmed. Maybe he was just dreaming. Maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him. But at the same time, it felt so real. Every bone in his body pushed him toward the fact that it had really happened.

He launched himself from the leather chair he sat in, striding quickly out of his room and down the series of stairs. Stefan's hands were tight in fists, but he felt calm, knowing that Elena had found him, and that she had been with him. Even though he hadn't originally known it.

As the vampire entered the parlor, he came to a halt, his leafy eyes locked on Damon's back, which was turned to him. Stefan silently strode towards his brother, a hopeful grin on his face. "Elena-"

He was cut off as Damon turns to face his younger brother, holding up the journal he had gifted to Elena. "Just met our father." Stefan's face paled, his fists clenching tight with worry, but kept his lips sealed as he saw Damon emit an exasperated sigh, setting his glass on the counter. "I just saw her. She's at the house, and she's asking questions. Snooping. Trying to get some answers out of me."

"The most vulnerable me that ever lived." Damon cursed under his breath, rubbing his eyes in an annoyed manner. To Stefan, the idea of her just talking to Damon and trying to get to know his human side was a good thing. To know that Damon wasn't always so malevolent.

Little Salvatore lifted his shoulders in a shrug, a brow arching with curiosity. "So? What's wrong with that?"

"She's getting involved, brother. Instead of waiting it out. She doesn't have protection there, and the town is swarming with vampires." He turns his gaze back to his brother, black brows furrowed in frustration, but his sapphire eyes showing more fear than Stefan had himself, "If she learns too much of anything... she could end up dead before the full moon."

A/N

Sorry for the brevity. I like to keep things short and sweet. So, I had one or two of you believing that this was more of a Stelena story than Delena. Here's the thing. I don't like to launch characters right into an epic romance. I ease into it. It'll happen in due time. At the moment, Elena believes herself to be in love with Stefan. And until she and Damon begin to be together more... well, you'll see. I have a plan.

Thanks for reading! Come back soon for the next chapter.

~ Charlotte :)