N: Sorry for the eternal wait guys, here is the next chap, enjoy!
Thank you Dez2sweet and Ali for looking over this!
Need to talk
She handed Alaric the note and took a seat back on the couch. Alaric seemed to study that piece of paper in every way possible.
"It doesn't say anything about killing Damon Salvatore." Elena pushed herself up from the couch and walked slowly back to her old friend. She snatched the piece of paper from his hands, folded it, and put it back in her purse.
"Of course he didn't, Ric. He wouldn't risk it. I checked the typewriter from the ranch and it matches this one perfectly."
"Well, who had access to it?"
"Anyone, it's not hidden or anything. It's on the desk…anyone on the ranch could have used it."
"What does he or she mean by 'whatever you are doing'? What are you doing?"
Elena took a breath in, trying to cover up her quilt. "I am not sure…" she mumbled.
"Elena…" Alaric raised an eyebrow at her, the way he used to do when she was a little girl and he knew she'd been lying. Just looking at him Elena could tell she was busted.
"There isn't anything specific. I am just trying to get along with Damon better than his wife did, at least lately."
"Why exactly?"
"I noticed from the beginning that there was something wrong between Damon and his wife. It was the way he was treating her…well, me. With respect, doing what everyone was expecting him to do as a carrying, protective, and adoring husband, but he was doing it all from a distance."
"Do you know what happened between them?"
"Everybody knows even though no one seems willing to talk about it. Katherine turned out to be a selfish, self-centred manipulative bitch –"
"Language!"
"Sorry. She had, or planned to have an abortion just to mess with his mind. She was cheating on him openly and if there was an award for worst mother of the year, she would have won all of them since the birth of her child. She might have also hit on Damon's brother; I am not sure about that."
"Aha," Alaric drank the rest of his beverage and put the glass on the table. He looked at it for a few seconds before finally pouring himself another one. "Why have you been trying to get along with the man better anyway? Isn't that more…complicated for you?"
"In a way. But I had to know more and Damon refuses to talk to me. Not that I blame him, I wouldn't trust that woman in a million years," Elena let out a deep breath before continuing. "This is real Ric. I can feel it."
"Let's say it is. According to you, it's someone from his family –"
"No one looks like a murderer if that's what you want to ask," Elena answered the question before Alaric had the time to actually say the words.
"Well, Elena, you are the one alleging that one of them in fact is a murderer."
"Each of them has problems, but their problems are not with Damon. Both his parents seem strict, especially Giuseppe, but it's obvious they both just want what's best for their children. His mother hates me, she doesn't say anything, but I can tell. She probably blames me for everything that went wrong in Damon's life."
"When you say 'hates you' you mean Katherine Salvatore, right?"
"Yes."
"Go on."
"His brother's always in the shadow. He works hard, but Damon's the one accredited by the public. I thought about it, but now I am not so sure. I think he genuinely wants to see his brother win the elections. I think Katherine had an affair with Elijah, but I am not sure, all I have is Rebekah's word on that."
"Elijah; isn't he the campaign manager?"
"The one and only."
"I thought you said she was hitting on his brother not his friend."
"I did and she was. I told you Damon's wife was not trying to keep a low profile. Poor Damon."
"What does 'poor Damon' think about his dear wife?"
"He knows most of it, although if Katherine was sleeping with Elijah or Stefan I doubt he knew about it. I am more worried about his daughter. You should see the poor child Ric; she is scared all the time. She's one of the quietest children I have ever seen, I hope she'll be able to heal."
"Oh I know that look Elena. She is not your responsibility," Alaric threw his hands in the air. He could already predict Elena's reaction to his words. She was such a do-gooder inside. One of her best qualities was also one of the worst defaults: she cared too much.
"I am just being human, Ric," Elena defended herself.
"You are doing it again, Elena. The same mistakes as seven years ago when you came to my door like wounded dog asking for help."
"I know I made a mistake, I remember."
"It doesn't seem like you do. You committed the biggest faut pas in the history of journalism, Elena. You looked directly into the camera and declared that Florida's Senator had killed his own wife in cold blood and then blew his own brains out. The first reporter at the scene, you went in live. You smelled the blood."
"You know what, I did. Literally! I saw the effect it had on those kids, after what their father did –"
"Allegedly did! How many times do I have to tell you? You did that on camera. Your objectivity went out of the window, Elena, you cracked, right there in front of the camera on live TV."
"You don't have to remind me of that Alaric. I know what I did. It's been hunting me since. Believe me I learned my lesson."
"Did you? Coz' you're doing that same thing again!"
"No I am not."
"Bullshit! Elena, I know you are trying to redeem your mistake and build yourself a name, but that is not the way to do it. What if the killer decides to give up and fade into thin air? What then; are you going to remain Katherine Salvatore for the rest of your life?"
"No…"
"So, one day you are just going to tap Salvatore on the back and be like: 'Oh, by the way I'm not your wife'?"
"No, I…" Elena was on defence and couldn't find her words anymore. She felt like everything she said could and would be used against her.
"I can't let you do this Elena."
"I can't back up now, I am committed to this. This is news."
"News my ass, you just want another woman's husband, Elena!"
Elena froze. For a full minute they were both quite, looking at each other, but neither of them dared to break the silence. There was just too much tension, and it felt like the fuel had just come to an end.
"That was a cheap shot," she whispered and Alaric just nodded.
"I am sorry," he said sincerely. "But, Elena, just think about it. If there is someone who wants Damon Salvatore dead –"
"There is."
"Then you are in danger too."
"I know, but I have to do this. I live in fear that the killer might notice Katherine is not really Katherine. I think he already suspects it since I am actually being a mother to Ana and a…"
"A wife to the future Congressman."
"Sort of."
"How are things between the two of you?"
"I didn't sleep with him."
"I didn't ask."
"But that's what you wanted to know. I am a reporter too."
"Would you. If he wanted to, would you?"
"Sleep with him? Yes."
"At least you're honest about it."
"He's been wonderful with me, Ric. I think I would have actually let myself die if it weren't for him."
"I understand…"
"I have to go, but first you must promise me you won't tell anyone."
"Elena!"
"Please, Ric," Elena knew just how to say 'please' to make Alaric's old heart melt. She knew she was taking a little bit advantage of the fact that she knew just how soft he was on the inside, but it was something that had to be done. She had to be sure Alaric wouldn't tell anyone about it."
"Fine, I won't tell anyone anything, but don't think for a moment I have dropped the subject, Elena."
"I love you too Ric."
"God help me. You have your mother's determination and your father's compassion. The stubbornness comes from both." Alaric took a few steps forward, stopping in front of his old desk. He opened the small drawer on the right and took out a shiny box. "I believe this is yours," he said handing Elena her lost necklace.
"Thank you, Ric. You have no idea how much this means to me," Elena grabbed the necklace and took out the pictures inside, the ones she had with her parents, and then handed it back to Alaric allowing him to placed it around her neck. She kissed Alaric good-bye and left.
N: Still no DE, I know, I know. I just had to finish the conversation between Alaric and Elena; they had some catching up to do. The next one's already in progress and it had DE in it, I promise.