N: I'm sorry, but school's starting so I can't post every day anymore. Don't you guys worry, this story will be finished and updates won't take months, just a few days; in my defence, the chapter are a bit longer. Enjoy!
Thank you Dez2sweet for looking over this so fast!
Close your eyes and listen!
"You look beautiful, Mrs. Salvatore. I'm sure everyone already told you this, but you recovered very well," the nurse said and Elena almost blushed. She was right, everyone was telling her she did well and she looks great. The doctors told her they were proud of the fast recovery she made. It had been a nightmare for Elena. She'd always been the kind of kid that never gets sick and even as a grown up, she was still hard to get by the flu or viruses. Yes, she had a tough immune system.
"Thank you," she says smiling.
Over the last few days, she got her voice back; a little weak and it still hurt her throat a little if she wanted to talk louder, but at least she could talk. The problem was, would she say something she shouldn't? It wasn't too heard being another person when you can't talk. You pretty much just agree with everything and everyone and you're good, but now…now she'll have to actually have a conversation with people that were practically strangers to her and pretend she'd known them for years.
"No, you see, that's the thing; not many women can wear short hair and look this good," the nurse said inspecting Elena's face in the mirror. Her hair was still pretty short. They made her believe she was bold under the bandages, but when they took it out she saw that she actually had hair, it was just really short compared with her long, chocolate curls. A new doctor came to see her yesterday and talked to her about the hair. He said it's growing as normal and just as strong so in a few weeks she'll be able to wear extensions if she wanted. He also explained to her how they put those in and told her it will look as natural as her own hair so she took the doctor's number and assured him she'll call before doing that.
"Thank you, you are very kind," Elena said as the nurse was applying some peach flavored gloss on her lips.
"You're ready. I'm sure your husband won't be able to take his eyes off you," the blonde woman said helping Elena back towards the bed.
"He's coming, he's coming!" another one of the nurses called from the hallway. They've all been around Elena since morning, getting her ready, like she was a bride ready to get married. They brushed her hair and helped her get dressed.
Damon's mother brought her some of Katherine's clothes from home. Luckily, the shoes fit her perfectly – they were the same number – but the clothes were at least two numbers too big. She wasn't wearing a bra, because all of Katherine's bras were too big for her.
"Hello, Damon."
His eyes were barely open when he came in and now, they were wide, staring at her. Elena couldn't help the panic that took over her. It was the first time Damon was seeing her in street clothes and Elena was afraid he might recognize her. She was also wonder if Katherine had any sweet names for her husband…'darling', 'baby'?
Damon cleared his throat, his eyes still stuck on her…he was just, unable to look away. "Hello, Katherine." He walked over to the nightstand and placed a fresh bouquet of flowers in the vase along with the other ones. "You look nice," he said and Elena smiled weakly.
"Thank you," she mumbled.
"You can talk."
"Yes, for a few days now."
"You…uh, your voice's different."
"The doctors told us this will happen."
"Yeah, I know, it's just…the hoarseness…"
"It might fade away."
"I kind of like it."
Damon was wearing his usual dark jeans that were enveloping his body like a glove. Elena was doing her best not to give in to her feminine curiosity and keep her eyes above the belt. He was also wearing one of his gray shirts and the first two buttons were undone, reviling just a hint of his chest.
Elena moved uncomfortable under his gaze and Damon shook his head. "I'm sorry, I just…it's amazing, you look exactly like before, except, you've lost a lot of weight and your hair's short.
"I talked with the doctor and he said I'll be able to have extensions in a few weeks," she said enthusiastically.
"If that's what you want," he said absent.
Elena wanted to ask him what did he want, but she stopped herself before the words got out. For some reason Elena thought he might not answer that question.
"I brought you this," he said handing her a small envelope.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Your jewelry; I finally stopped by and picked them up on my way in," he explained, but Elena could barely hear him over the sound of her own heart beating like a drum in her chest.
"I'll look at them later."
"I thought you wanted your things back."
"I do, I just…my hands still hurt sometimes; I'll rather wait a few more days before I put anything on," she explained.
"Not even your wedding ring?" he asked.
Elena had noticed he wasn't wearing his since the moment he got inside the tiny room, but she didn't say anything. She didn't say anything now either. She still had no idea what was wrong in their marriage and she thought it will be best to keep things for when she'll figure things out.
"How did your trip go?" she changed the subject and Damon seemed happy about that. "I watched you on television every night."
"It went well. Even Elijah was pleased with how it all turned out."
"How's Anna?"
"Fine," Elena raised an eyebrow at him and he rolled his eyes. "Alright not that good. She's still having nightmares and wake up screaming and then she stays awake crying. Even when she's awake…she's not actually there you know? Not even the psychologist can get through to her."
"I asked you mother to bring her over, but she said you told her not to."
"Yes, I didn't think it's such a good idea if I'm not with her."
"I miss her. Did she ask for me?"
"No," Damon answered promptly ad Elena looked away. "What do you expect Katherine? You get what you deserve!" he shouted and Elena could feel the tears burning her eyes. "Shit. Look, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just so tired. I'll better go before I do more damage…"
"No! please, don't go," Elena pleaded.
"I'm cranky and not in such a good mood as you can see. I'm really not a good company right now."
"I don't mind," she said, but Damon shook his head heading towards the door. "I'll see you out then," she said.
In her hurry to get to him before he'd be out of her room, she lost balance.
"For Christ's sake Kat!"
His arms went automatically around her. The small envelope he gave her a few minutes ago fell on the floor, but neither of them noticed. Elena could feel her body heating up from the feeling of his strong arms around her tiny waist. When his fingers slide over the outline of her breasts to help her get back to the bed, she let out a soft gasp.
Reality hit her at full force. She wanted to become Katherine Salvatore for him…to get to see him another day and listen to his velvet voice, to be able to feel his touches just one more time, because he could make things good again. Of course, she wanted to find the man that was a threat to him and his little girl, she wanted to be called a heroine and save her career, but those weren't the only reasons.
Damon placed her on the mattress and took a sit beside her. "Katherine, your legs had suffered multiple fractures, the bone is not as strong as you might think yet."
"Yeah, I figured," she said smiling. She felt silly for being so impulsive.
"You get some rest now, ok? I'll just let myself out," he said and she grabbed his hand before he got the chance to advance away from her.
"Thank you."
"What for?"
"For…for everything. For the flowers, for helping me get back in bed, for taking care of me…"
"It's nothing."
"Why is it that you always refuse my thanks?" she asked in a sad voice. Every time she was trying to thank him for being so kind and for actually making her want to fight, he was telling her that either he did what everyone was expecting, or that he did what needed to be done.
"Don't play dumb Katherine. It's not attractive on a woman like you," he said. His harsh words made Elena let go of his hand with a soft moan. "You know damn well why. Nothing you say means anything to me so don't even try." Without taking another glance at her, he left.
Elena wiped away the stubborn tears that just refused to back off and took a few deep breaths. So much for her fantasies; she thought sarcastically. While he was away, all she thought about was the day he'll come back and take her into his strong arms to hold her and touch her and kiss her, but that went to hell.
She stood up and slowly made her way towards the door. She picked up the white envelope and opened it. Her earrings were there, her tiny bracelet was broken and her turtle silver ring was missing as well as her mother's necklace. She loved that necklace; it was the only thing she had left from her mother. And then she remembered…she wasn't wearing the necklace when it all started. Katherine Salvatore had had it. She remembered that Anna seemed to be fascinated by the pendent so Elena took it off and gave it to the little girl to inspect, but Katherine yelled at the girl that it was not polite to take other people's things and ripped it from her little hand.
Letting out a deep sigh, Elena called for the nurse.
"What can I do for you Mrs. Salvatore?" the young woman asked.
"Could you please mail this for me in the morning?" she asked giving her the envelope after she wrote an address on the back.
"Sure, no problem."
"Oh and, I'd rather keep this between us. My husband already thinks I'm too sentimental. They made a mix up and I'm sure someone's missing those."
"Of course."
And the nurse disappeared with the last piece of Elena Gilbert.
N: Hope you liked it. I know a lot of you had been wondering why was Kat in possession on Elena's necklace, now you know. Don't forget to leave me a review.