Confessions and Compulsion

A/N: Hey! Here's chapter 7! 2 updates within 2 days – we're quite proud of ourselves! ;) We hope you like this chapter! Please Review and let us know what you think! :) xxx

"So, let me get this straight: you and Stefan were sharing blood because he was afraid he'd lose you. You saw Stefan and Katherine in the tomb making out, drove your car off a bridge, and now you're a vampire living in a house with your ex-boyfriend, his ex-girlfriend and his brother who you've started becoming uncontrollably attracted to?"

Elena nodded slowly, eyeing her blond best friend carefully with apprehension; anxious of her reaction. Caroline was the first person she'd told about everything and it was a big deal for her; her reaction would either inspire her to tell other people, or knock her spirits down and repel her from telling anyone else. Normally, Caroline wasn't who she'd call in a crisis; her tendency to always state the painfully obvious never working in her favour. But the circumstances had changed. Caroline was the only person who could understand what she was going through, and after everything that had happened recently, she found that she needed a female friend more than ever.

"And you're only telling me now?" Caroline exclaimed with wide eyes and an open jaw. Elena hid a smile at her friend's reaction, suddenly feeling as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders; the normalcy of Caroline's dramatic behaviour was exactly what she needed.

"I'm sorry!" she apologised sincerely. "Everything's just been happening so quickly. If it's any consolation, you're the only person that knows apart from Damon, Stefan and Katherine."

Caroline considered this for a moment and nodded in acceptance before her eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"So Bonnie doesn't know?"

Elena shook her head.

"Why haven't you told her yet?" Caroline asked in disbelief; although the three of them were best friends, Elena and Bonnie had always told each other their secrets first, and she'd always found out later; mainly because of her big mouth and habit of never listening. The fact that Elena had told her about the most important development in her life…or afterlife before Bonnie shocked her.

"I would, but I know she won't be happy about it; you know how she feels about vampires," Elena said uneasily.

"Yeah, but she's been ok with me," Caroline replied, shifting into a more comfortable position on the bed that was now known as Elena's. She and Elena had been talking about everything for the past hour, taking full advantage of the empty boarding house, and whilst she was overwhelmed with the scale of drama in her friend's life, she was a glad to be able to take some time out of her own life.

Elena nodded before running a hand through her hair and sighing.

"I know, but I just don't feel comfortable talking to her about it. I know she'll probably be really nice about everything…eventually, but once I tell her, things between us will change forever. Plus, there's the fact that I haven't seen or heard from her in ages," she added as an afterthought. Caroline's brow wrinkled in thought.

"Now you mention it, neither have I! I went to see her the other night and no one was home. Do you think something's going on with her?"

"I dunno," Elena replied, all kinds of scenarios floating through her head. She hated thinking about the inevitable void that would be created between her and her best friend thanks to her new status as a vampire. She'd known Bonnie since she was a baby, and the thought of their friendship slowly fading away over time scared her. "Let's not think about that," she said quickly. "How's everything with you and Matt going?"

Caroline felt the smiley façade slip away the moment Matt's name was said. The question she'd been dreading had been asked, and she knew she had to answer it.

"Um, we're not together anymore."

Had Elena not possessed supernatural hearing, she'd never have been able to hear Caroline's unclear mumble. But, luckily for her, she picked up every last syllable, and her eyes widened with shock.

"What? What happened?"

Caroline sighed.

"Basically, he saw Tyler kiss me the other night, punched Tyler and we argued. In the end I broke up with him," she summarised as quickly as she could, not wanting to dwell on the details. "Turns out that being in a relationship where you're hiding the fact you're a vampire isn't easy."

Elena found herself torn between reprimanding and comforting Caroline. She felt sympathetic towards her; because she knew that she'd never want to intentionally hurt Matt. It was obvious to anyone that she loved him so much. But the burden of hiding the fact that she was a supernatural being had been eating away at her for some time now, so in hindsight, it was only a matter of time. She chose not to bring up the kiss Tyler had planted on her, realising from the broken expression on Caroline's face that Matt was all she cared about at the moment, and hugged her friend tightly.

"You know," Caroline mumbled into her shoulder. "I have a new-found respect for Stefan."

Elena stiffened and pulled back, suddenly turning less sympathetic and more awkward at the thought of Stefan and the first time she'd found out about everything.

"His situation was different, Caroline," she stated firmly. "He not only lied to me about being a vampire, but chose to withhold the small detail of me being identical to his ex girlfriend too."

"I know, but I can understand why he'd want to protect you," she reasoned quickly, noting Elena's sudden hostile demeanour. "All I ever wanted was to protect Matt, but lying to him whilst trying to build a relationship with him clearly wasn't the best way to go about it. Is it weird living in the same house as Stefan?" she asked as a way of subtly changing the subject.

Elena nodded solemnly.

"It's hard seeing him every day – especially as she's always with him. And if I can't see them, I can definitely hear them. The only time I feel genuinely at ease is when I know Damon's around. After everything that's happened, I honestly feel safer with him than I do with Stefan; as weird as that sounds."

Caroline blinked, unsure of how anyone could feel safer with Damon Salvatore than with Stefan, regardless of how badly they'd been betrayed. But she knew Elena harboured some kind of feelings for the older Salvatore, though she couldn't bring herself to understand them at all.

"When are you going to sort things out with him?" she asked curiously.

"When I know how I actually feel," Elena replied after a moment's thought. "I know I'm attracted to him, and I know that I want to feel for him the way he feels for me. But I still love Stefan, and until I know whether my feelings for Damon have any substance, I don't want to do anything."

"I know it's hard but sooner or later you're going to have to face your feelings. You can't run from them forever, Elena," Caroline advised wisely. "Just like how you're going to have to tell people about what you are now; Bonnie, Jeremy and maybe even Jenna for starters – I mean, she's going to wonder why you never go home anymore."

"I know," Elena sighed, burying her face in her hands. Her head was starting to hurt, and she was starting to feel the first tinges of hunger.

"Anyway, I have to go," Caroline said as she stood up and stretched. "I promised to meet my mum at the grill. Call me if you need anything, even if it's just to talk – going through transition isn't easy."

"Thanks Care," Elena said as she hugged her friend before watching her leave. She sighed and turned towards the bed, smoothing out the sheets gently. Although she felt better talking to Caroline, she still didn't feel as though she could truly open up to her. How was she supposed to ask her friend about a vampire's ability to switch off their emotions? How was she supposed to tell someone she'd grown up with that she was becoming increasingly more enticed by the idea of numbing herself to all feeling so that her life seemed a tad easier?

"So I take it Blondie knows now?"

Elena jumped about a foot in the air before turning to face a smirking Damon leaning against the door frame. She couldn't help but think that if she were still human, a tell-tale blush would have been creeping across her face at the sight of him in his signature black ensemble with his famous air of charming arrogance.

"You'd think that now I'm a vampire you'd stop sneaking up on me!" she said running a hand through her hair, quickly recovering from the surprise but clearly irritated at being caught off-guard.

"You'd think that now you're a vampire you'd be able to sense my presence!" he retorted in the same tone, a knowing look dancing mockingly on his chiselled features.

"Well," she began, trying to quickly think of an excuse. She didn't want to tell him that she'd been having a hard time getting used to being a vampire – not because she didn't think he'd help her. She knew he would do anything in his power to make the transition easy for her, after he'd teased her relentlessly of course. But because she hated the fact that she hadn't picked things up as quickly as she'd have liked. As a human, she'd been a fast learner, but as a vampire, that skill seemed to have deserted her. She felt like a small fish in a giant pond, and her own pride was what was stunting her growth. "My mind was somewhere else."

"Ah yes," he said in a wistful tone, strolling into the room and propelling himself onto the bed gracefully. "I'm assuming that you were wondering whether or not to break the news to your nearest and dearest?"

Elena's eyes widened and she threw a cushion at him.

"Damon!"

"What?" he said, laughing as he caught it easily and set it down on the bed. "Am I not supposed to listen to your private conversations?"

"No, you're not!" Elena exclaimed more embarrassed than irritated. Her mind began to speedily rewind through the conversation she'd had until she blushed with realisation; had he heard what she'd said before, about feeling safer with him than with Stefan? Damon watched her intently, noting the pink tinge to her cheeks and smirking in satisfaction at her discomfort.

"Don't worry about it," Damon drawled, reclining back so that his legs stretched out in front of him and he was leaning against the headboard. "Your secret fantasies involving me will never leave this room!"

Elena glared at him, trying to muster up all of her anger and shoot it at him through her eyes. He rolled his eyes and leant forward so that he was propped up against the headboard.

"I'm joking Elena! I only heard the last bit and that was only because I was checking to see if you were done! I have better things to do than spend my time eavesdropping on your girly conversations!"

Elena sighed, still a little irritated but more relaxed, and went to sit opposite him on the bed. She knew that being close to him and spending time with him was probably not the best idea, but at the moment, she knew she wanted him as a friend. All romantic feelings aside, Damon was her friend, and she needed him. He moved his legs out of the way to give her room, and once she'd settled down, she ran a hand through her hair frustratedly.

"What do you think I should do?" she asked her head full of complicated thoughts and emotions.

"About what?" he asked, watching her closely. He hadn't seen her properly since that night he'd resolved to back off, thinking that space was what she needed, but now cursing himself. She looked completely drained – like she hadn't slept in days. He frowned at the thought. Vampires didn't need sleep. They could survive without it, or with as little as two or three hours a night (or day, depending on how you looked at it). He knew she'd been drinking from the blood bags, but she'd refused to have the fresh stuff unless it was absolutely necessary – despite him telling her repeatedly that she'd need it every few weeks to keep her strength up. He mentally resolved to keep a closer eye on her. "In case you haven't noticed, Elena, there are many possible problems you could be referring to!"

Elena rolled her eyes, trying to ignore his intense stare.

"I'm talking about telling people. Now that Caroline knows, I think I should tell Bonnie. And I really miss Jeremy and Jenna, and then there's…"

"Hold on a second!" Damon interrupted, waving his hands about in the air exaggeratedly. "You can't tell the whole world! The fewer people that know about this the better!"

"Then what do you suggest, Damon?" Elena retorted; sick and tired of being in impossible situations and not having anyone to actually blame but herself and her feelings. "I honestly don't know what to do!"

Damon sighed, realising that she her outburst was due to pent up stress, and shuffled forward slightly whilst crossing his legs. Taking her hands in his and ignoring the annoying voice in his head that was reminding him of the concept of 'backing off'.

"Ok, calm down," he said soothingly, his eyes trying to ease her frustration. "I think you should tell the witch; she knows everything else so it would be pointless to keep this from her. But, be careful. Don't forget that she's a witch and you're a vampire, and they're not known for their amazing friendships."

Elena nodded, knowing that although his words stung, he was right. It hurt to think of her and Bonnie as anything but best friends, but she knew that the circumstances had changed; she'd thought of it herself earlier.

"As for your emo brother," Damon continued, noting the sadness in Elena's eyes. "If you think he can be trusted and if you think this isn't going to push him over the edge, then tell him. Jenna on the other hand, I'm not so sure about."

Elena nodded, thinking the same thing. Telling Jeremy might not be such a bad idea – once she got her cravings under control of course; somehow the thought of giving Jeremy a demonstration of her more gruesome supernatural abilities didn't sound very appealing. But Jenna was a different story. She hated lying to her, but to tell her would mean telling her everything, and she didn't know whether she'd be able to handle it.

"Maybe I should talk to Alaric?" she asked thoughtfully. "He has as much of an involvement in Jenna's life as I do."

Damon considered this before nodding.

"Yeah – it's not like he was never going to find out about you either. What about daddy? Surely you want to break the joyous news to him!"

Elena rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I can just imagine that conversation. He'd probably try to stake me there and then!"

Damon grinned before running his thumb against her hand.

"Well, if it's any comfort, no one will be able to hurt you whilst I'm around. Biological parent or not."

Elena knew he was being serious, but she was struggling to pay attention to anything but the feel of his skin against hers. From the look in his eyes, he knew what he was doing to her, and she knew she was enjoying watching her squirm.

"Damon, stop it," she said quietly, her voice coming out more croaky than firm.

"Stop what?" he asked with wide eyes that feigned innocence. He knew it was wrong – it went against everything he'd resolved not too long ago, but whenever he was around her his self-restraint went out of the window. He just couldn't stop himself. He ran his fingers over her hand before raising it towards his mouth and kissing it softly.

"It was nice to meet you, Damon."

"Great meeting you too, Elena."

A wave of nostalgia swept over her as his lips touched the back of her hand. She'd never forget the first time she met him – he was so charming and mysterious. She felt the air shift behind her and quickly pulled her hand away. Damon smirked at her before turning to his brother who was standing in the doorway, a frown on his face.

"Hello brother," Damon greeted in a cheery tone, scooting a little closer to Elena. "Finished snacking on the little woodland creatures?"

Stefan glared at him before paling slightly at the little distance between his brother and his…ex girlfriend.

"What's going on?" he asked sceptically, focusing his gaze directly on Elena's.

"Nothing," she said quickly, attempting to move away from Damon, before realising that she couldn't unless she got up, and that would involve having to stand awkwardly until one of them left the room.

"Just having a chat," Damon interjected, knowing it would annoy Stefan to no end. "Now, on a topic in no way shape or form connected to this, where's Katherine?"

Stefan shrugged.

"How should I know? I'm not her keeper, Damon!"

"Obviously – like you could handle that!" Damon goaded. "I asked because if anyone in this house is going to know where she is, it's you. Aren't you two really close now?"

There was a pause that seemed to go on forever.

"She went out this morning and didn't say where she was going," Stefan replied between clenched teeth.

Elena shifted uncomfortably and lowered her head. What Damon said stung, but Stefan not denying it hurt a lot more. Stefan noticed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Elena, I'm sorry. You know I don't…"

"Don't, Stefan," she interrupted before he launched into his usual apologetic speech that was laced with denial. "Honestly, I don't care."

Damon raised an eyebrow at Stefan challengingly, and Stefan sighed in resignation. There was nothing he could do to convince her, and with Damon behind her, he didn't stand a chance.

"We'll talk later, Elena," he said sadly, before turning and walking off.

As soon as he was gone, Elena released a breath she didn't even know she was holding. Damon rubbed her back soothingly and she turned around to face him.

"It'll get easier," he assured her with sincere eyes. Elena rolled her eyes.

"If you say so."

"I know so. Now, don't you have homework to be doing?"

Elena sighed heavily, relieved the intense moment between them had been broken, though fully aware of the faint tingling sensation on the back of her left hand.

"Is there any point? It's not like my grades matter anymore."

Damon chuckled as he got up and stretched. Elena noticed his shirt tighten around his toned muscles and forced herself to look away.

"That may be true, but you need to appear as normal as possible. If you stop caring about school, people will notice something's wrong."

Elena sighed and nodded. He ran a hand through her hair before walking to the door.

"I'm going out for a while. Call me if you need anything."

Elena stared at the empty doorway moments after he'd left, replaying the words over in her head, and found herself wanting to call him, even though she didn't need anything.

x-x-x

"Katherine, Katherine, Katherine. To what do I owe this…displeasure?"

Katherine smiled her beautiful smile, making sure to counteract the motion with a frosty look in her eyes.

"I wanted to have a chat," she replied, hopping off the log she'd been sitting on for the past hour in a secluded area in the woods, and standing proudly in front of the charming Original.

Elijah shook his head with an amused expression.

"A chat? When have you ever just wanted to have a chat with me?"

"I have something to say, and I think I should do it face to face."

Elijah immediately realised what she wanted; he'd had that many run-ins with the brunette that he knew what most of her veiled words concealed.

"And what could you possibly have to say to me that you haven't already said?"

Katherine kept her smile in place, even though her blood was beginning to boil angrily beneath her skin. This arrogant man annoyed her more than anyone, simply because he had more power than she did, and he knew it.

"I just wanted you to be aware of something," she said as she walked closer to him, her eyes staying fixed on his, as though they were daring him to try and use his famous compulsion on her.

"And what would that be?" he asked in a bored tone, humouring her.

Her eyes glinted dangerously and her voice suddenly became icy and low.

"I don't trust you. I've spent enough time running from you to know that you're slippery and deceitful. You're just like me."

Elijah chuckled.

"Oh, Katherine. I'm not just like you; see I have more power than you'll ever be able to possess. And unlike you, I keep my word, regardless of who I've given it to."

Katherine rolled her eyes, masking the fury she felt. She was a woman who liked to possess control, and not having it made her feel insecure and weak – two things she'd fought so hard to eliminate from her vocabulary.

"Don't think that I won't fight you, Elijah. I am not afraid of you anymore… I'm standing with the Salvatores."

Glancing at his watch, Elijah took a step towards her and decided to cut their meeting short: he had places to be, and this was a pointless conversation that was taking up his time. To him, Katherine was nothing more than dirt beneath his carefully polished shoes, and her menacing words and devious looks did nothing to intimidate him.

"Don't be foolish, Katherine," he said softly, tugging gently on a lock of her hair. "We both know that's a lie."

Instead of responding with a clever retort or vindictive comment, all Katherine could do was swallow audibly and watch transfixed as Elijah smiled eerily before disappearing off into the distance. For the first time in a long time, Katherine allowed herself to admit, internally of course, just how petrifying that man was, and how lucky she was to be alive. Because she knew deep down inside, that if she crossed Elijah again, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

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