Thanks for all the love for the last chapter. It only makes me feel more guilty about taking so long with this one. I also want to apologise for the festive-season in the middle of spring, but it just works really well with the plot. And trust me, if you guys are willing to wait through my slow updates, and bear the unseasonal setting, it will be worth it. And just as another quick note, I'm going to disclaim myself from Meredith's background. I've tweaked things ever so slightly, but the core story remains the same as was in the books. L.J. writes some very good characters, I'm just giving Meredith the love she deserves. Thanks for sticking with the story guys, and I promise I'm not going to make you wait much longer. As always, enjoy, and feel free to let me know what you think. :)

Elena could freely admit she was disappointed that Meredith chose that moment to return. She'd been so close to saying it. But she'd been interrupted again, and this wasn't the kind of admission you could make without the right mood. It was waiting for the right moment, the right time. Yet every time Elena seemed to find it, it slipped away, stolen by the presence of others. Twice tonight had she tried, and twice she had failed. It was almost like fate wanted her to fail. Why couldn't Meredith have waited just a minute more? It was all she would have needed. Just a minute. A minute to change her life, her heart forever. A minute to be as honest as she'd ever been in her life. A minute to stop all the pain and the hurt in Damon's life, a minute to begin to right a legion of wrongs. Was it so much to ask?

However, curiosity took over when Meredith slipped inside, closing the door gently behind her. Elena looked up at her friend, and found her almost perfectly intact. Her hair was a little messier than before, her expression a little more drawn and her eyes a little more sad. But for someone who had just attempted to stake a vampire, she was doing remarkably well. She was incredible. Strong, resilient, never so much as shaken. Meredith felt like the sole constant in the universe. Elena was slightly in awe of her friend.

That wasn't the only reason for Elena's sheer respect for Meredith. Meredith had interrupted, and Elena was still tangled up in Damon's arms. Her arms were stretched out, her hands linking just behind his neck. Elena finally noticed that Damon had his hands on her waist. She'd been so caught up in the moment that she didn't notice the electric currents Damon's fingers sent through her spine. Both of them stood there, staring at Meredith. With every credit to her, Meredith was completely nonplussed by their embrace. Like she had suspected something was going on the whole time. Elena blushed slightly. Meredith had noticed and she hadn't. How blind could you get? Really?

When Damon spotted Meredith, Elena could feel him tense. He'd never trusted Meredith, never really liked her, per se. She was completely immune to Damon's charm; about the only person she'd ever seen who wasn't attracted to him in some way at first sight. It was impressive. But Damon's suspicion and the confirmation of something being off meant that he wouldn't hesitate to threaten her, harm her. Elena knew he was going to pin her to the floor and pump her for answers. And she wouldn't let him. Secrets or not, Meredith had saved Damon's life tonight - and in turn, saved Elena's. What a way to repay such a debt.

Sliding her hand down so her palm was flat on Damon's chest, Elena looked intently into Damon's eyes, applying a little pressure through her hand. "Damon, no." Elena said it strongly, in a way that tried to command his attention. Reluctantly, Damon withdrew his gaze from Meredith, meeting Elena's eyes with pure cynicism. As if to say 'You still trust her? You're insane.' Elena knew that. She also didn't care. "You owe her. We both owe her. She saved your life tonight," Elena murmured in a voice so low, Meredith certainly wouldn't hear. Damon seemed to consider this and concede slightly. "I'll go easy on her," was the only response Elena got before Damon strode over to the sofas to one side of the room, covered in white sheets. Damon sat down on one, right on top of the sheets, lounging around like they were in the bar at the Ritz. It was impressive.

"So, Meredith," Damon began, in a tone parallel to that of dramatic, TV interviews. Elena slowly walked over to Damon, before sitting down close to him. She wanted to be on hand if anything went awry. Meredith took a seat too. She barely even looked worried. "You just attempted to stake a vampire, how do you feel?"

Meredith ignored him.

"I'm so sorry, Elena."

Elena had never seen Damon more irritated. He didn't like being dismissed as Meredith so easily did. Elena restrained her humour at Damon, focusing on her friend. She obviously felt guilty over something.

"There's so much I never said..." Meredith continued on briefly. Elena quickly shook her head.

"Don't apologise for that. I've had my secrets too." Elena admitted. "I'm just glad you were here tonight." Meredith nodded. It was just like Damon to be terminally unable to shut up.

"Hate to interrupt this lovely little bonding moment," Damon said smoothly. "But I'd love to know how you know about vampires, sweetheart." Meredith looked at him coolly, with a steadiness that was almost unnerving. Damon just smiled encouragingly, but the tone was off. It was more mocking than anything.

"I didn't." Meredith replied steadily. Elena's eyes widened. Even Damon looked mildly confused.

"Do you want me to try that again? How did you know?" Damon insisted, assuming Meredith was lying.

"I didn't know." Meredith said, more to Elena than to Damon. Elena held Meredith's eyes, curious about the whole situation. "I was guessing. Even then, I thought it was all a myth three months ago."

So Meredith wasn't a hunter. Elena had never been more relieved. But she was still puzzled. Knowing Damon's bad cop act would get them nowhere, Elena jumped in. She hated to turn it into a tacky old crime show, but someone had to rescue the situation.

"Then how did you work it out?" Elena coaxed. A haunted look reached Meredith's eyes. It was the first time Elena could remember seeing Meredith in so much pain. "You don't have to go into details," Elena assured her, scared by Meredith's near-breakdown, by her standards.

"No. I want you to know." Meredith said quietly. Damon looked on with interest. Elena was merely concerned. "When I was seven, my grandfather was badly hurt. Before then, he'd always been the light of our lives. Energetic, ready for anything and completely resilient. I loved him, we all did. But the attack shook us all. The police said it was a coyote. He ended up in hospital, his throat badly slashed, along with a few other injuries, including major blood loss."

"It wasn't a coyote, was it?" Elena murmured, stunned. She hadn't expected this.

"I suppose not. He was hospital for weeks, disorientated and babbling on about how it was a vampire that had attacked him. He kept requesting books and journals on everything relating to vampires, and the hospital obliged rather than protest. Whatever happened that night when he was hurt, it drove him crazy. He attacked my grandmother and I when we were visiting one day. He...he became a mark of family shame. They sent him to a mental institution. I visit him sometimes. Sometimes he knows me. Others he doesn't. Of course, we thought he was just being crazy when he told us all it was a vampire."

"How did you work out the truth?" Damon asked softly, yet insistently. Elena would have chided him and instructed him to play nice, but she was too wrapped up in Meredith's story.

"Three months ago, there were... incidents in this area. People were dying of mysterious injuries, all wounds to the neck. They blamed an animal. But the cases were too similar, especially to what happened to my grandfather. I managed to get some information on the bodies, discovered they were all drained of blood. I spent months investigating the deaths. It wasn't hard to decide that my grandfather might not have been completely delusional. He used to babble on about vervain and wood and fire and all these things that were meant to protect us. I figured it was worth a shot."

Elena was too busy staring at Damon in shock to pay attention to the end of Meredith's statement. Bodies drained of blood? People dead on the streets? Elena could only think one thing, as much as she didn't want to.

"Damon, what were you thinking?" Elena asked, feeling desperate, almost disappointed. She knew Damon relied on blood. But she thought he'd stopped resorting to brutal homicide for it. Damon arched an eyebrow at her, glaring slightly.

"This wasn't me, Elena, although your faith in me is stunning." Meredith shook her head.

"The attacks have been irregular. One in September. A couple at the end of October. A few last week. Someone's been coming and going." Meredith reassured Elena. Elena had the decency to be a little embarrassed for accusing Damon so quickly.

"Sorry," Elena murmured to Damon. He didn't respond.

"I imagine our little Katherine-hunter was been responsible," Damon speculated his eyes transfixed on Meredith. Meredith didn't seem uncomfortable, but she didn't seem happy with it either.

"Well, at least that problem's solved," Meredith said wryly, glancing sideways at where Michael's body still lay. Elena couldn't help but be impressed of Meredith's attitude once more. Damon shrugged.

"For now."

Elena considered this. Michael obviously wasn't alone. She'd gathered that much from his conversation with her, when he'd thought she was Katherine. He had used plurals, and mentioned a name. Jared. Who was he? The ring leader of the little gang Katherine had pissed off? It was sounding like it. Elena didn't want to find out, but with Michael dead, she had a feeling that she would. It wasn't a comforting thought.

"We should get back. If we're not there for much longer, someone will notice," Meredith said, getting to her feet. Damon looked at Meredith, as if he was plotting a course of action. Elena turned to watch Damon. His plots were never simple.

"You two should go clean up. Then go back to the party, I'll meet you there."

"We're going back?" Elena asked, surprised. Michael had turned up once at a party, called her Katherine and left, and Damon had swept her away before anything else could happen. Michael had just tried to kill her, and now he wanted them go back to the dance? There was no logic.

"We don't know if Michael was here alone or not. If we run away, they'll only work out that he's dead faster."

"And what's so bad about that?" Elena asked, struggling to understand.

"They already want revenge on Katherine. Let's put them off angling for revenge on us too."

Elena looked at Damon, desperation and fear in her eyes. Damon just stared back, his own blue eyes intense and utterly reassuring. With just one look, Elena was sure that as long as Damon was around, she was safe. They were a part of each other now. His blood was pumping through her veins, and hers was in his. You couldn't defeat that kind of connection easily. Her fears were quelled with that one look. It was so intense that Elena didn't realise Meredith was already at the door until Damon looked away.

"Go and get cleaned up, Elena."

"What about you? What are you going to do?" Elena murmured in reply. Damon smirked wryly.

"Well, someone's got to clean up this mess. And I really need a new shirt. This torn-and-bloodstained look is not good."

Elena smiled, peering over her shoulder at Meredith, who was lingering behind a barely open door. She knew she had to go. But she hated to leave Damon alone. It was silly, but still. She worried about him. On impulse, Elena stood up on her toes and gave Damon a quick peck on the cheek. She met his eyes for a moment. He looked completely stunned. Elena didn't speak. She knew her every wish and sentiment had been sent to Damon with her gesture.

Elena smiled slightly, before turning away and walking out of the function suite, leaving a shell shocked Damon in her wake.

It was a full thirty seconds after Elena left before Damon moved.

Meredith and Elena spent a full fifteen minutes in the bathroom, cleaning up. Elena rinsed the blood from her hands, and then stared at herself in the mirror. She was a mess. She laid the tiara down on the counter, staring at her hair. She stared pulling the pins out of her chestnut locks, letting it hang loose around her shoulders. Her hair was lightly curled from the pins, but it was still passable. Meredith walked up behind Elena, having neatened up her own style once more. Elena met Meredith's dark eyes in the mirror.

"I'm sorry. I never wanted to lie to you," Elena told her. Meredith smiled weakly at Elena.

"We all have our secrets." Meredith slowly began to help Elena tease the knots from her hair.

"How long have you been tangled up in the supernatural?" Meredith eventually asked. Elena had already decided to come clean with Meredith, so she didn't hesitate when she spoke.

"Two years."

"How did it start?"

"The first time I knew?" Meredith nodded. "You remember Stefan, right?"

"Your ex-boyfriend? Yes, I remember you talking about him."

"He's a vampire."

Meredith just laughed slightly. Elena smiled. Meredith's joy was infectious, even in these circumstances.

"Only you would start dating a vampire, Elena Gilbert."

"What about Damon?" Elena asked. Meredith's eyes glinted with humour.

"But you know about him. Maybe you just can't stay away," Meredith teased.

"That's not the half of it. Damon and Stefan are brothers, and vampirism seems to run in my family." Meredith looked at her, surprised.

"Why don't you give me the story?"

Elena talked for what felt like hours, but actually only lasted until they returned to the ballroom. They both took a seat at a free table, slipping into their places unnoticed. Hopefully, people would just think they'd been there the whole time. To Elena, the normality of returning to the ball felt alien. She finished her story just as they settled down, watching the people dancing on the floor. She told Meredith everything. About Stefan, Damon, Bonnie, Caroline, Katherine, the sacrifice, Klaus. Everything. Some things were too personal for Elena to disclose. Like how she'd felt about Damon. How she'd felt about Stefan. Elena deliberately glossed over certain events, like her time in Georgia, and the days she'd spent at the lake house with Stefan. But the general course of events had been explained in about ten minutes. Elena was proud of herself for untangling the complicated web of her life in such a short space of time.

"So when everyone left, I just missed my old life. I missed my friends. I wanted to make a fresh start here, but it wasn't really working. I kept going back to Mystic Falls because I felt like I was missing something. I never could find it."

"Until Damon came back," Meredith supplied. Elena smiled slightly, nodding.

"Until Damon came back," she agreed. Meredith seemed to ponder for a moment, absorbing the information. Then she spoke, slowly at first. "Elena, you have to understand. My grandfather was attacked whilst walking home one night. His wounds were terrible, and what the attack did to him mentally was...well, he tried to kill me. His own granddaughter. Even though I was only seven, the memories are still there. I can't trust any vampire easily."

"Is that why you were so...harsh with Damon when you first met him?" Meredith genuinely laughed.

"I didn't even know he was a vampire until the moment I walked in and saw him fighting with... Michael, was it? I was harsh with Damon when I met him because he's an overconfident ass." Elena smiled. Even she was pushed to deny something she knew to be true. There was a pause, and Meredith looked steadily at Elena. "I can't trust him easily, Elena."

Elena nodded. It was fair enough. Besides, this wasn't total aversion, like Bonnie. If she could handle the feelings of her childhood best friend, she could take whatever Meredith wanted. She was surprised, however, when Meredith spoke again.

"But I'll try. For you." Elena was surprised.

"Meredith..."

"He cares about you, Elena. And you trust him. If you two have that kind of relationship, then I don't see why I shouldn't try and trust him. I'm not saying we'll ever be best friends, and I'm not saying that it'll be easy. I just think you should know."

Elena could have hugged Meredith. Instead, she just settled for a simple, warm 'thank you'. Meredith smiled, and it struck Elena she couldn't have found a better roommate. Meredith seemed to see something in the crowd, because she got to her feet, and began to move away from Elena. Elena wasn't sure how she felt about being left alone, but she didn't have it in her to protest. As she passed Elena, she briefly murmured three words.

"Don't be afraid."

Meredith was gone before Elena could ask what she meant. Elena would have chased after her, but when she turned back, she was trapped in her chair by a pair of icy blue eyes. Was that what Meredith had meant? Don't be afraid of Damon? Or don't be afraid to admit your feelings? Meredith really was insightful. It was intriguing. It seemed that the night was just full of surprises.

Damon slipped into a chair next to Elena, wearing a fresh, white shirt. His jacket was missing, but the mobster look was still firmly in place. He'd retrieved his hat and he was wearing braces. It was a bizarre look, but Elena couldn't say she hated it. She smiled slightly.

"You found a shirt then," Elena prompted.

"Not exactly my style, but at least this one doesn't make me look like a horror movie reject," Damon replied calmly. Elena laughed slightly. Damon looked at her, curious.

"You do realise the irony of that, right?" Elena supplied. Damon just smirked.

"Believe me, Elena. I do." Elena looked into his eyes for a moment, considering everything that had happened in such a short space of time. It was like in a few hours, she'd gone from standing worlds apart from Damon, to being with him, every step of the way. It was scary.

"What a way to start the holidays," Elena murmured.

"I suppose you're going back to good old Mystic Falls?" Damon asked her, sarcasm in his voice as he spoke of their hometown.

"I promised Jenna." There was a pause. "What about you, Damon?" Damon smirked, laughing just a little.

"Oh, I don't really do Christmas. I'll probably just stay here. It's not like I have family to go see." Elena didn't even ask about Stefan. She really couldn't imagine them meeting up for holidays. It just didn't click. She thought about how sad it would be for Damon to be sitting alone, drinking scotch and drowning his sorrows on Christmas Day. It was unbearable. Before Elena knew it, she was thinking out loud.

"Come with me."

"What was that, Elena?" Damon asked her, almost as if he was mocking her.

"Spend Christmas with me, Damon."

He looked surprised. Maybe tonight was just meant to be surprising in general. Elena babbled on without thinking.

"I mean, I don't know that you could stay at our place, because Jenna would blow a gasket, but I can convince her that it's okay to have you over for Christmas Day. It's not like it's a state crime or anything, she'll come around. And -" Damon cut her off.

"Sure." Damon said, with a nonchalant shrug, trying to pass it off as nothing. Elena paused. She hadn't expected him to say yes. Damon repeated himself. "I'll come back to Virginia with you, Elena."

A genuine, warm smile lit up Elena's face.

"You're going to need someone to look after you at this rate, anyway," he teased her. Elena smiled.

"That not why I asked." Elena told him. Damon arched an eyebrow at her.

"Then why did you ask?"

"Because I couldn't bear the thought of you sitting at some bar alone for the holidays."

And that was the truth. Damon just smiled slightly, as if he was daring to hope that Elena didn't hate him as much as she had professed to. Elena could just see the glimmer of wishing to hope in Damon's eyes. But then he just smirked and let the cocky, smart ass exterior hide it all away. What Elena wouldn't give to get underneath that shell. It was her own fault really.

She intend to fix that.