AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just so you all know, I'm copying and pasting already written stories. I went through and did a "find" "replace" thing to capitalize Damon and Elena's names but going through and capitalizing everything else is suchhhh a pain, so I'm sorry but I just don't care enough to do it. I hope at least having their names capitalized satisfies some of you :( Seriously, sorry, it's a habit, capitalization sometimes interrupts the flow of my writing, but if you've looked at the story Captive you'll see that I'm starting to do it so yay!

Elena's heart beat was gradually slowing as the aftereffects of the nightmare wore off, and with the fear fading, sharp awareness seemed to bloom.

Because she was becoming acutely aware of the strong arms around her, the warm, bare skin beneath her cheek, the feel of her breast against his broad chest. The heart beat that had only just calmed was beginning to speed up again, and Elena felt an undeniable tug of pure lust.

"Hey, are you okay, Elena?"

She realized that Damon could likely hear the sound of her blood pumping, and, suddenly edgy, she disentangled herself from his grasp under the pretense of reaching for the cup on the table.

"I just - I just need some water," she managed. In fact, it was true; her mouth had gone dry.

Damon sat up higher on the bed, leaning against the headboard and studying her through narrowed eyes. Elena's face was oddly flushed, her eyes bright with something a little wild, a little hot. When she swept her tongue over her lips every muscle in his body - every one - stiffened.

She saw the instant he became aware of her awareness, which only intensified the latter. It was an unmistakably hungry look that leapt into his eyes, and in reaction, Elena leapt from the bed.

"Sorry - I need to just, I should wash my face or something." She could barely keep herself from bolting into the bathroom, and as she closed the door she let out a long breath. she needed a moment, just a moment, to collect herself, and she did splash water on her face in the hopes of cooling down.

she allowed herself thirty seconds of deep breathing before opening the door again and returning to the room.

which was empty.

Elena experienced a baffling moment of simultaneous disappointment and relief, but before she could decide which emotion outweighed the other, Damon was walking back into the room, drink in hand. he'd also pulled on one of his many long-sleeved black shirts, leaving it hanging open so that she could still admire the hard lines of chest. her fingers itched to button the shirt for him. she'd rather face a shirtless Damon than an unbuttoned Damon, because seeing him half dressed had her desperately wanting to finish the job.

"you feeling better?"

Elena forced herself out of her reverie and nodded, rendered momentarily mute by this particularly stunning male specimen. he was so effortlessly devastating, all laser blue eyes and wicked mouth.

he nodded, sipped from his drink, watched her cross the room to sit on the bed. wished fleetingly that the girl would just once cover her legs with more than the swatches of fabric making up a very short pair of boxers. all that visible skin was killing him.

"are you okay, then? it's late. we should probably get some sleep."

he could see the pulse pounding in her throat.

"um."

his brow arched as he drained his glass before turning to raid her minibar.

"i don't - i'm not sure i'll be able to. to sleep." she wasn't lying - the nightmare was too close to the surface and she was scared that she'd close her eyes only to find herself trapped underwater all over again.

she was scared to be alone; she was terrified to be alone with him.

"actually, if you're not too tired..."

"i guess i could keep you company," he interjected in a deliberately reluctant tone. "but only because i'm such a nice guy."

that made her grin. "right. that's you."

"well if you're gonna insult me i'll just take my excellent company elsewhere."

how could he make her feel so comfortable and so uneasy at the same time? she had a feeling that he was making an effort to put her at ease, and on one level it was working. unfortunately, the fact that he was bothering to do so in the first place only made him so much more attractive.

no, no one would describe Damon salvatore as a nice guy. but deep down, he really was a good one.

"please don't," she told him after a long moment. with slow, precise movements, she straightened the comforter she'd tangled up in sleep. she was about to turn the covers down when she wondered if that would be some sort of invitation, and she hurriedly flipped them back up before taking a seat.

"you should tuck in," Damon said with surprising gentleness, coming up beside her to lift the blankets again. "you'll be cozier, and if you're lucky you might be able to get a little sleep."

she hesitated, looking at him closely, and he gave her a little smile.

"i'm not crawling into bed with you. remember, nice guy? i'm living up to my reputation."

"god forbid," she answered, returning the smile.

"you're mean," he commented, waiting until she slid under the covers before rounding the bed to sit on the opposite side. as he passed the minibar he paused, then opened it and grabbed as many little bottles as possible and tossed them on the bed.

he met Elena's look with a shrug. "what? i'm just thinking ahead."

"very smart," she acknowledged with a wise nod of her head. "actually, could you grab me a soda?"

he heaved a put-upon sigh and went to the fridge, turning to look over his shoulder. "what do you want?"

she looked at the pile of little bottles on the bedspread and picked one up, scanning the label.

"something that mixes well with jack daniels."

he didn't comment, though she saw the surprise on his face. he tossed her a chill can of coke, and she quickly drained her water, unscrewed the top of the whiskey and sloshed a generous amount into the cup. added a splash of coke. took a long drink.

and wondered if this night was about to take a very unexpected turn.