AN: Okay, just to clear up the mythology and other aspects of my story that doesn't really match up to the series:

Klaus has not come to Mystic Falls.

Bonnie is still all powerful with those 100 dead witches (mostly because I really don't want to rewrite the next few chapters; lazy, I know.)

JENNA IS STILL ALIVE!

If any of ya'll need me to clear up anything else up, PM me!

Okay, about this chapter:

I went through rewrites like crazy on this one. Not sure why, though. *shrug* This picks up right were the last chapter left off.

Part 2; enjoy!

Rain was falling in sheets as I followed Damon outside. He was almost sprinting towards the woods across from my house, making it increasingly difficult for me to keep up. This, I had decided, would be our defining moment; if only I could make him listen to me.

"Damon," I called into the rain as it soaked my clothes and hair. His back tensed and his hands clenched into fists as he stopped. "...please, let me explain."

I had no idea of how else to show him how much regret and shame I was feeling. He tossed his head back as a humorless laugh escaped his lips, filling the cold, night air. As he turned slowly, I noticed that he was completely soaked through; his dark, raven black hair stuck to his forhead lightly touching his eyes and his clothes clung to his lean frame. Hurt flickered across his face for a second, before being replaced with biting anger.

I started backwards as he suddenly appeared in front of me; our lips barely a breath apart. His warm, sweet breath washed over my face causing my lips to tingle for the touch of his. As his eyes swept predatoraly across my face, blood pounded into my cheeks forming a deep blush. He noticed to pounding of my heart as it called to the demon within him, he scoffed and stepped back. He jabbed a finger in my direction and shook his head, letting droplets of water fly in every direction.

"Don't," he muttered as his hand fell slack against his side. "You don't get to do that; not now." Shame coarsed through my body as my eyes drifted towards the wet ground. After a moment, I lift my eyes to find his latched directly on me. My mouth falls open, unable to form words. How did he still do this to me? He had complete control over me.

"I..."

"You what, Elena? You're sorry, or are ya gonna say that this was all a mistake, hmm?" His mouth pressed into a hard line and his eyes narrowed at me. Anger and pain were seeping from every part of him and it took every bit of will power that I possessed to not comfort him; I wanted to, believe me I did, but the way he looked at me told me not to. Beads of water slipped down his cheeks and fell onto the ground as I stared into his cold, dark blue eyes. He was completely void of all emotions; well, the good ones anyways. Right then, I thanked God for the rain. Tears slipped from my eyes and snake down my hot, red cheeks adding to the wetness of my face. He didn't wait for me to answer before he continued.

"Well don't, okay? I get to walk away this time. Stefan, really? At least you could've made it a little less obvious that he's always gonna have you," he spits at me before turning his back to me. I can hear pain, hurt and sadness in his words and my heart flutters, painfully. I reach my hand out to grab his shoulder, but he begins walking towards the darkness. My hand fell unceremoniously against my side.

He stopped suddenly; his back tensing visibly underneath his wet, leather jacket.

"It was always you, Elena," he called softly over his shoulder.

Pain ripped at my heart as I caught a glimpse of his glistening eyes. "I would've - and still will - always choose you."

I open my mouth, but words evade me. I can't breathe; my lungs feel like they're shriveling up. I swallow and try to force words between my teeth.

"Where are you going?" I manage to get out as my warm breath filled the cold air.

"I don't know," he said before disappearing into the darkness.

The air became still as my aloneness sank in. Without Damon in front of me, I had no oxygen; I couldn't breathe anymore. My heart and bones ached at the loss of him. I didn't like this; it wasn't... natural. I fell back against the hard, wooden post on the edge of the porch and sank down into the wet grass. My fingers laced through the wet blades as I pulled my shaking knees into my chest and buried my face in them, sobs racking my body painfully. What had I done? I had said nothing; that's what you did. I felt horrible for what I had done, trust me. I wanted to take it all back; start over. But, like always, Damon ran from the problem. Why was I blaming him? He hadn't done anything. I was the one who had done this to us. Realization set in as the night air became freezing and my body began to shake violently as rain beat against the exposed skin of my neck. I didn't know what to do; I had single-handedly ruin the only good thing that had come of this last, torturous summer and I can't ever get him back. My eyes pop open and I raise my head, staring into the bleak, dark forest ahead. Why the hell did he get to win this time? No way; not this time, I thought.

Quickly jumping to my feet, I wiped the rain and tears from my face and stared into the bleak, dark forest ahead. The tree branches seemed to point at me, judgmentally The wind howled around me, echoing Damon's words.

You could've made it a little less obvious that he's always gonna get you. I get to walk away this time.

I would've always chosen you.

There was no way that Damon was going to get rid of me that easily. If I had to, I would make him listen to me. He needed to know that what happened between Stefan and I was innocent; he just had to. After a moment, I straightened myself and headed out into the darkness as fast as my legs will take me. He needed to know that I needed him; loved him, even. I was always Damon and would always be Damon. I sprint across the front lawn onto the street.

My lungs are burning as soon as I cross the street. Finally, I edge the start of the tree line, only to smack into something hard and stars glitter my vision. As I fight to keep my lids open, I feel strong arms lift me delicately from the ground. Relief soars through my heart; Damon came back for me. I press my face into his chest and hear the rumble of laughter.

"Stay with me," he muttered into my wet hair. There was something different about his voice, though. I shivered as he mumbled something about staying awake. Something about him made me feel uneasy, but I pushed it aside as I feel his lips against my hair.

"Almost there..."

As soon as the words leave his lips, I realize that this man wasn't Damon, but my eyelids are becoming too heavy to hold open. I tried desperatly to keep them open, but I wasn't winning. I squint behind us through the rain and see my house growing smaller and smaller as we move away from it.

"Damon," I breathe as I finally succumb to the darkness.

"...you find her?" I could hear - barely - a male voice yelling in the next room from the couch that I was tied to. The ropes were digging into my wrists and ankles, making them bleed. I tried to concentrate on where I was, but all I could think about was that I was bleeding - and I could feel it running down my wrists - and this may or may not be a vampire. Great, I thought, haven't I been through enough near-death experiences for one lifetime?

"...won't be happy. He'll come after us for sure," another voice said a little quieter this time as if he were scared. I prayed to God that this he he seemed to be afraid of was Damon. I needed my leather-clad knight right about now. I leaned my head back against the couch and sighed. Why was I always put in these situations?

"Good, let him come. I'll kill the son of a bitch myself."

The man speaking stepped into view as he scoffed at the notion of him finding me. This man didn't look much older than me, but he had that old feel. Brown hair covered his head and most of his forehead; fierce eyes that made me quiver stared at me as a slow, sadistic grin covered his face. My stomach clenched sickeningly as he sauntered towards me. I tried to push myself deeper into the couch; I wanted to disappear so badly. He knelt slowly in front of my and captured my chin roughly.

"Oh, little dove, don't be frightened," he spoke softly as he stared into my eyes. "I'll make it as painless as possible."

He loosened his grip and ran his fingertips down my neck to my collarbone. Rage clouded my vision and I spit in the man's face. His face twisted angrily as he wiped his hand across his face while choking me with the other. My vision was becoming spotty and I instantly regretted what I had done. My face felt like it was swelling and my airway was closing off. Tears welled in my eyes as large black spots filled my vision.

"Daniel!" The other man stepped into the doorway and shouted, clenching his jaw. "She's to stay perfectly intact until the time comes, you hear me?" His hand fell onto my thigh as he rolled his eyes at his superior. Blood flooded through my face as I sucked in a deep breath, blinking back tears. His brown - almost black - eyes softened as he looked me over, licking his lips. I sucked in a breath and held it as his eyes swept over my body; his fingers gliding on the insides of my thighs. Finally, he tore his eyes from me and stood as I let out the breath I was holding. Straightening his clothes, he turned to the other man.

"Fine," he said as he looked over his shoulder at me. "Soon enough."

My nostrils flared as anger swelled in my gut. A ear-splitting scream left my throat and filled the air, earning a hearty laugh from my capture.

"Now don't be like that, darlin'," he drawled as he turned to face me in the doorway. "I saw you and your boyfriend tonight, love. He won't care if I kill you; I promise."

A lump formed in my throat as tears welled in my eyes. He did care. He would care, dammit! Large tears spilled over my lashes as I crumpled onto the couch. Daniel (or -as I now referred to him- Dick) laughed as he left the room. I was falling apart, but this time I didn't have anyone to save me. Damon had said longer ago that he'd protect me, but now... I was on my own. Large tears rolled silently down my cheeks and I prayed that if God could hear me, then I just wanted him to let Damon know that I was here and to save me; like he always does. My body began to shake as sobs left my throat, tears pouring from my eyes.

It took a moment or two for my body to stop shaking, but as my sobs softened a bit, I settled onto the couch as comfortably as I could being tied up and all. This house, I had decided, was my grave; this was most likely where Dick and that other guy were going to kill me. I didn't want to die; I like my life. Well, the part that had Damon in it was the part that I liked. I wanted so badly to be with him; to rewind and stay away from Stefan for good. If Damon hadn't have walked in when I was giving Stefan that udderly stupid goodbye kiss, then none of this would be happening. Idiot. But right now, I needed to get to him. I needed to find a way home. Now to get these ropes off of my ankles. I sat up and folded my body so that my hands - which were tied in front of me - were touching my feet and fiddled with the knot. It was tied pretty tight, but after a lot of tugging and pulling I finally undid it and stretched my legs. I looked around; there were windows, but they were covered with thick curtains and it was dark and musty inside. I stood quietly and walked towards a window, pulling the curtain to one side with my tied hands. A small whimper escaped my throat as I looked outside. Nothing but bared land for miles. How was anyone supposed to find me now? I released the curtain and dropped onto my knees, fresh sobs racking my body painfully.

This was it. Elena Gilbert was a goner.

Damon's POV

Where the hell did she come off, huh? Saying she wants to be with me and then she does that. Ugh, I hated her. Shut up, you idiot. You love that girl more than you want to admit. True, but I still hated what she'd done. I mean, Stefan? Come on. Anyone but him... I settled back into the couch as I nursed a bottle of scotch. This was exactly how I pictured this night to go. Try to surprise Elena and then I find her in my brother's arms. It's common courtesy to not go after your brother's girl.

Shit, maybe I should follow my own advice, then I wouldn't be in this mess. I raised the bottle to my lips and drank deeply. I sincerely hoped that Stefan would walk through the doors, I felt like kicking his ass right now. I tipped the bottle up and swallowed the last of the burning, amber liguid and threw the glass at the fireplace. Damn flames, mocking me; laughing at me; flickering carefree under the mantle while I dealt with feelings. I shuddered at the word and stood from the couch, starting towards the kitchen to find more alcohol. I'd literally told Elena everything at that stupid lake house; every little thing. Why the hell did I even go looking for her in the first place? As I opened the first cabinets, I heard a creeking coming from the front parlour. Stefan's home. My jaw clenched as I thought of my brother; dead man walking.

I slammed the cabinet door and ran to him, stopping a mere inches from his crest-fallen face. "Why the glum face, baby bro?"

"I don't have time for you, right now," he said as he tried to push past me.

"Too bad," I said as I slammed him against the door. "Make time. I wanna chat."

"What the hell is wrong with you," he yelled. His yelling only managed to fuel my rage as I wrapped my hand around his throat and squeezed.

"Me? What's wrong with you, dear brother?" I asked as I tightened my grip around his throat. "I could kill in a second and right now, I wouldn't mind a bit." I could feel my rage building in the pit of my stomach; my fangs urging to be unsheathed.

"Damon," Stefan choked, "what is wrong with you?"

I laughed. "You! You're what's wrong with me," I yelled into his face. "Do you realize how many times you get chosen over me," I yelled as I crushed the bones in his neck, "huh?" He dropped to the ground, but I never released him from my grasp. I wasn't done, yet.

"Father..." I squeezed harder.

"Katherine..." Harder.

"Our damn mother died for you!"

"...and Elena," I said barely above a whisper. "Twice, in fact." This time I was ready to end him, I didn't care anymore; I flipped that ever present switch once again. I continued to squeeze slowly; like a snake slowly killing it's prey. I wanted him to feel every ounce of pain that he'd ever put me through.

"Twice?" He asked as his eyes began to glass over.

Even while I was killing him, he was still a dumbass. "Yes, Stefan, twice," I deadpanned as I loosened my grip a little. I wanted to draw it out a little more. "First when you got to Mystic Falls and second... tonight. You took her from me!" I screamed as I shook him with ever word. The storm that had been building in me finally spilled over as I began to crush his airways.

"I was... saying... goodbye," he choked. "She chose... you." I dropped him instantly and fell back onto the floor. I couldn't breathe; couldn't think, for that matter. How was this possible after what I'd seen? Or, thought I'd seen. She'd kissed him. Why would she choose me? My face contorted in anger as I grabbed Stefan's throat again.

"You're lying," I spat.

"No I'm not, Damon," he pleaded. "She chose you."

There it was; those three words that would forever change my world. She chose you. Finally, someone chose me and it's about damn time. I began to feel oddly weightless as a new sensation washed over me. I felt important, wanted. It felt so foreigen as it gripped my body and mind. It didn't last long as images from my argument with Elena. Shit, I knew these emotions well; felt them every single day of my wretched life. Pain and regret. Stefan's coughing brought to reality as I stood, looking down on him.

"Uh, yeah... I-I'm," I mumbled, "I'm sorry, I guess." I heard Stefan's exhausted laugh as he stood from the floor. "I'm gonna go," I said as I pointed to the door.

Stefan stepped aside and let me walk by before speaking. "She's not there," he said.

"Come again?" I asked as I turned to face him.

He shrugged. "She isn't there."

"How do you know? You left before I did," I said as I folded my arms across my chest.

Stefan rolled his eyes and said, "I heard you little spat when I was almost home and went back to see if she was okay; she wasn't there. I figured she'd be here fighting with you again, so..." His brow knitted together as he began thinking what I was thinking. "You don't think..."

"God, I hope not. That bitch should know to never come back here," I said. Katherine was like that; a bitch, I mean. "I guess I should go find out."

"We," Stefan said as he walked towards the door. "You don't have to do this alone, ya know? Even if you did just try to kill me, you're my brother." I rolled my eyes at his sentimental dribble and walked out the door in the direction of Elena's house.

As we surveyed the area, Stefan and I realized that there was no sign of our lady love. I stood still and listened carefully for her heartbeat. All I heard was bugs and Jenna sleeping quietly unaware of Elena's disappearance. I felt a pang in my chest as I thought of Jenna. She would be a wreck if anything happened to Elena; especially after Jeremy. What the hell? Am I, I swallowed thickly, caring? I shuddered at the thought and continued to search for any sign of Elena.

After coming up empty, I decided that I needed to ditch Stef and search for Elena on my own. "Stef," I called. "I'm gonna take it from here."

"Oh no," he said as he stepped around the corner of the house. "I told you Damon -"

"I know, I know," I said waving my hand at him dismissivly. "I don't have to do this alone, blah blah blah."

His shoulder slumped as he walked towards me.

"I love her, too," he said, "and I'm gonna help you find her. Listen Damon, I'm sorry about what you walked in on. You gotta know that it wasn't anything; it was innocent." God, couldn't I do anything alone anymore? I rolled my eyes dramatically as a fresh feeling of hatred filled me as he confessed his love for her.

"Fine, but I'm gonna need a little witchy joo-joo on this one," I said as I strode towards the little witch's house.

She was going to help me. I wouldn't give her a choice.

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