Temptations

Damon lounged in his favorite leather chair, his dark gaze set in front of him as he tried to dive back into newly found memories that Elena had been forming in their past. He was all too worried that she might do something crazy and change the course of history, and result in someone dying or even endangering her own life. It was almost impossible to tell if she was even being safe. After all, death was practically inevitable in the years Damon and his brother thrived. Vampires lurked around every corner.

But he couldn't help but have faith that she'd be okay. Elena was pretty tough, and knew how to handle herself. Although, she most likely wouldn't stand much of a chance against a few dozen vampires that are out to kill her. If only she had just sat back and waited for them to fix it. But of course, being Elena, she had to try and fix it herself. And Damon was more than positive he knew who she would go to. Except they wouldn't even be in Mystic Falls for another year. And Damon knew waiting that long would result in her staying there permanently.

There wasn't he could do. Bonnie was working with Jeremy on finding the reversal spell to close the gate to the past, Stefan was trying to coax Katherine into taking them to the location of gate while Caroline searched through Bonnie's grimour for a different location spell, and Damon was stuck waiting for someone to screw up. If he could somehow convince his past self to be up front with Elena. To comfort her and protect her. Damon emitted a frustrated sigh, his eyes sliding shut as he envisioned his human self embracing the worrisome Elena, hiding her from the dangers outside their walls.

It had been over two week since Elena arrived in 1863. Not being at home tore a hole in her heart. Elena wished to see Jeremy, to see Bonnie and Caroline. But the ones she truly wanted to see were right here with her, though they didn't act the same or treat her the same. Truthfully, Damon's goody-goody attitude was surprisingly creepy. It was pretty obvious that Damon's vampire self was so much more mesmerizing. Any other day, Elena would hate to admit such a thing. But at the moment, she wished Damon would take the journal from Stefan and talk to her. Sure, Stefan calms her and makes her feel better, but Damon gives her the confidence she needs to go on. She can't do it without him.

"Where would we go?" Damon watched the captivating female with curiosity, slipping his hands in his jacket pockets. It was no secret that Elena Gilbert was the most enthralling girl he had ever met. Just being in the same room as her lifted his spirits. It was no wonder that his brother was so taken with her. "We must be indoors by nightfall."

The young doppelganger taps her chin thoughtfully, pursing her delicate pink brims. It wasn't a hard decision. Elena had always wondered what it would feel like to be out in the open without large building around every corner. And yet, walking wouldn't be enough. She had to be engaged in something that made her forget about her life 150 years from then. "Come with me." Elena snatched Damon's hand and made a not-so-elegant escape through the front door, her free hand holding up the bottom of her dress so she did not trip over the gorgeous fabric.

Elena led him all the way back to the Draut's home, an excited smile stretched across her features. The entire way was full of elevated laughs and apologies to passersby, a joyful aura spreading throughout the town. The two slowed as they reached the house, and Elena led Damon around to the barn, where the horse is held. Releasing the onyx-haired male's hand, Elena ran it over the soft muzzle of the palomino. "I want to go riding."

Sunset would be in a few hours, meaning the vampires would come out soon. But surely they could make it back in time. After all, Elena would have Damon with her. And although he is not as strong or brave as his vampire self, he makes her feel safe.

"Very well. Riding it is." A crooked grin flashed across his stony features as he began to move across the stables. "I'll fetch the saddle."

"No!" Elena emits a soft laugh shaking her head viciously. "Saddles are playing it safe. I don't want to be safe, I want to have fun." This earned a cautious gaze from Damon, and yet his adventurous side won out as he strode back and grabbed the halter. The two were out of the stables as quickly as they had entered, an excited smile lighting up their features. Damon mounted first, situating himself near the palomino's whithers prior to extending his hand for Elena.

There was no hesitation as Elena grabbed his hand and allowed him to assist her in mounting the young mare, Rita. The thought of spending her night with Damon instead of his brother never crossed her mind as they took off down the dirt road. The only thing that she really wanted was to have fun, and at the moment, Damon could give that to her. And while her arms latched around Damon's waist and the sound of their laughter merging as one, Elena didn't even think about Stefan.

As on any other Friday night, Damon sat in the same seat he always had with the same glass of bourbon and the same vacant expression on his cold face. But this time, it was different. He wasn't racking his brain for something interesting to talk about. In fact, he wasn't thinking at all. It wasn't hard to lose yourself when the one person who could see the good in you suddenly disappears.

"Damon? Come on man, you haven't even looked at your drink." Alaric rested his elbow on the counter, turning his torso to bring his attention to his currently brooding friend. It wasn't like Damon to be so quiet, especially not during things like this. Damon always has something to say. "If you don't drink it, I will."

There was no denying his pathetic state when the older Salvatore brother slid his glass over to an impatient Alaric. In all honesty, Damon was much too lost to even think about drinking. He had never really been one to sulk, especially not over a girl. But this was different. She was taken to a time that she doesn't understand. To a time when almost nothing went the way you wanted. It was practically a waste land. And Elena Gilbert had been launched right into it.

"I didn't even know this was possible.." He says quietly, his icy hues averted to the light wooden counter top. "To send someone back in time."

The hunter rolls his eyes, adjusting his seated position. "Damon, we live in a world full of vampires, witches and werewolves, and you're saying you thought time travel was impossible?"

Damon brings himself to look at his friend, his brows furrowing just lightly. "Basically."

There really was no right way to deal with Damon Salvatore. He was a practically a ticking time bomb. Especially when he was fully sober. Which, by definition, really did not make sense. But Damon was Damon, and the only way to even come close to calming him down is to agree with him. "Alright, Damon. Look. You're going to get her back. More than likely, Katherine will finish up what she planned and bring her back. Easy."

"I can't just wait this out, Alaric. I am going to find out what that bitch is after and hand deliver it to her."

"And if it's your life? The life of one of Elena's friends?" Alaric's judgmental brow perked in questioning, his brims pursing just slightly. He knew his friend fairly well. And he knew well that if it killing a friend of Elena would bring her back, he would do just that.

The raven-haired male stood up from his seat just as his shoulders lift in a shrug. "I guess we'll have to wait and see, huh?"

Katherine Pierce always gets what she wants. Even if it costs the lives of an entire town, Katherine will achieve that one goal. Capture that flag she set up for herself. And this time the one thing that would stop her from getting it is gone. For the moment at least. But it won't matter once she gets back. Because Stefan will want Katherine. Elena will be but a memory to him.

At the moment, Stefan stood a few feet away, trying to pry information out of the demonic vampire. Twirling a piece of curling mocha tresses about her freshly painted digits, Katherine watched the other with significant disinterest. It seemed as though he would never stop talking, and despite that he was asking her what she wants and suggesting ways for them to cooperate or strike a deal, the only thing Katherine could hear in his voice is Elena. She could see the human in his eyes. The need for her safety.

"Don't you worry about little Elena, Stefan. She's in safe hands." A smirk aligned her crimson petals as Katherine rose to her feet and walked towards him with a sexy swing in her hips. Though she knew Stefan wouldn't pay attention to things like that, she enjoyed taunting him, showing him how much she wanted him. And in a short while, he would want her too.

The doppelgänger set a tall glass of bourbon in his hands as she brushed passed him, throwing him a selective wink. The bronze-haired vampire's hues followed her with curiosity, his cranium tilted slightly to the side. "What do you mean? There's nothing but danger there."

A light laughter escaped Katherine as his words came to her. It was annoyingly hilarious how dumb they really were. It was as if they had no idea how to decode the simplest of sentences. And the visions they've been sent? So clear it's scary. Of course, Katherine was given the opportunity to watch whenever they did. The warlock was willing to do anything for immortality. "Don't you get it? All of your visions have been about Elena, correct?"

"Yes, but-"

Katherine held up her palm, cutting him off. "And how many visions has Damon had about both Elena and himself?" At this, Stefan was paused, though he obviously came up with to real answer to it. "Look at it this way, Stefan. Here, you are the one she trusts. But there, who's going to be home more often? Who's going to be the one with all the answers?"

It was a simple question really. Stefan was always a man who gave a woman space. To approach too quickly was to try too hard. But Damon was never shy with woman. He loved to talk to them. He loved to comfort them. He was always around, watching over the place as Stefan and his father visited the mayor and the other councilmen. If Elena was looking for help, she would find Damon first. Hopefully unintentionally.

"Who did Elena go to for help the other day, Stefan?" Katherine crossed her arms over her chest, though her voice was soft, as if she were a physiatrist and Stefan was a distressed patient.

It only took him a moment to remember his chat with his brother. The fear in his eyes. The anger in his voice. "Damon. She went to Damon."

"You see, Stefan? She doesn't need you." Her smooth hands slide over him chiseled facial features, her dark orbs connecting with his emerald ones. They were soft, kind even. Though even her lips were coated with lust and greed. "At least not now. Damon has everything under control. You know he can protect her until the full moon."

To be honest, Stefan wasn't sure what to think. Though, at that moment, he believed every word Katherine said. He shouldn't. He knew he shouldn't trust her at all. But what else could he do? He didn't know a single thing. Bonnie was lucking out with her reversal spells, Caroline was having trouble even understanding the meaning of the witches incantations, and he was suddenly out of things to say to the one he loathed the most. But he didn't move a single inch as Katherine's palms slid over his skin. Stefan wasn't even sure he cared that she was.

Katherine gave him a somewhat loving look before releasing him. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Oh, and maybe next time I can introduce you to my special friend." In just a few strides, she was out of the room, Stefan's eyes watching her the entire way.

And just like that, Katherine's chase had begun.

A/N

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long. I've been extremely busy with school and holiday. By the way! I hope you had a great Easter! Thanks for reading, and I praying that you stick around for upcoming chapters. Don't forget to review!

~ Charlotte :)