As always – TVD theme, characters etc. belong to the CW, Warner brothers and surely half a dozen other people. Think of fanfic as a tribute to your work.

Once again, I find myself apologizing for how long it took to post a new chapter. My excuses are lame, but valid. I need 30 hour days, and the ability to function well on four hours of sleep.

This chapter is a little short, but this was a good place to stop – especially if I wanted to get something out soon. The next installment needs its own chapter anyhow.

Enjoy the read, send me comments and reviews, and of course any suggestions. The comments make my day. Actually, the comments get me through my day sometimes.

Chapter 14 old friends and newbie vamps

The bar was crowded, and packed full – almost standing room only, but they'd managed to score four stools right at the bar – through the convenient power of compulsion. They'd started off with shots of whiskey. It wasn't lost on Alexandra how Darren and Damon lead them into their seats. She and Elena sat next to each other, Darren was on the other side of Alexandra, Damon was on the other side of Elena. They'd sat that way for the first half hour, enjoying their first shots of whiskey seated like this, but they were yelling back and fourth – and even with vampire hearing it was frustrating. So they'd rearranged the stools, one behind the other, two deep at the bar and close together. This way, Elena and Alexandra were practically in Damon and Darren's laps, and they were all very close to each other.

The added advantage as far as Damon was concerned, he got to hold an arm tight around Elena's waist. It was a good excuse to have his hand slid just under the hem of her shirt, his fingers spread out on the curve of her waist, skin to skin.

Elena laughed at something Darren said, tossing her head back a little. Even after 40 years, it still felt amazing and exciting just to have her close, happy and having fun right there with him. Even after 40 years, he still couldn't believe how lucky he'd gotten, meeting her, getting here – getting the girl, getting this girl.

He laughed with her, and his mind wandered to Alaric. He knew his old friend was spending eternity on the other side – and he hoped he was having some fun, that he had some peace. There were people there he undoubtedly cared about – and knowing Alaric – he would have found a way to have some peace, some quality of life with someone else there. He may not be tossing back copious amounts of liquor, but he'd probably have found a way to enjoy some parts of his existence.

The bar tender came back around, and Darren asked him to pour two more rounds. Damon got his attention, focused his gaze on the bar tenders eyes.

"Leave the bottle," Damon said.

The bar tender nodded, his eyes glassy for a moment, and left the bottle between the four of them.

Alexandra laughed, looked over her shoulder at Darren. Darren grinned and handed her a shot glass, picked up one himself. They all did another round of shots, enjoying the strong rich taste, the momentary burn as it went down their throats.

Darren whispered something in Alexandra's ear – and whatever it was made the redhead's eyes widen and catch her breath for moment. Then Darren looked up, saw Damon's smug grin.

Yeah, the fight between them was definitely over.

The crowd of people swirled around them, people coming and going, groups of people grew or dissipated, where one person left another one moved in. The air was charged with excitement, and the scents from the crowds around them were intoxicating. When Damon had been a new vampire – so many years ago – a crowd like this would have been so damn tempting for him. Now, with almost two centuries of time and practiced control it was easy for him. He could enjoy the scents, the sounds, feel his mouth water and not lose it. He could really enjoy it. He knew Elena did too at this point. She'd developed amazing self-control pretty fast, she could enjoy the scents as well as Damon could – and Damon knew Darren was right there with him. Damon's only worry tonight had been Alexandra. She was months old really – but that was a moment in time for them – little more. But she drank her fill this morning, and before they left tonight, Damon had pulled out bags for all of them, and they'd filled up on blood before they left. Not that Damon, Elena or Darren couldn't handle the crowd on their regular daily bag, but the goal was to fill Alexandra up and not make it obvious Damon was little concerned.

Damon suspected Alexandra knew what he was doing. She'd sucked down her three bags like a drunk jock at a frat party, licked her lips, and then refilled her glass of rum, and shot him one of those looks that said she dared him to comment.

But at the moment, Alexandra wasn't looking around at the crowd like a hungry predator, despite the dense crowd, the rising body temps, and the heady scents of . . . human . . .

Damon took a deep breath, breathing in the heady aroma, and then he leaned in, whispered in Elena's ear, "It's a shame we have human friends joining us tonight."

Elena took a deep breath, sighed deeply, and looked back over her shoulder at him, "It's not like we can't slip away for a few minutes."

But then her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out.

"They're here – on the southwest corner," Elena said, "time to tab out."

Darren caught the bartender's eye, and waved him over. He settled the tab with Alexandra's dead drug dealers money, and compelled the bar tender into bagging several bottles of liquor for them.

"Seriously?" Alexandra said, "We're just going to walk out of here with a bunch of bottles of boose – and not get busted by the cops?"

Elena laughed, "We won't even have to compel our way out of trouble with the cops tonight, they're not interested in busting people – they're interested in keeping the peace – relax – we did this last year."
The bar tender came back and handed Darren a paper sack, and they headed out. The crowds were thick and heavy, they moved slowly through them towards the southwest corner of the square. There were stands where people were selling party hats, funny decorated eye glasses, foam fingers, hats, scarves, t-shirts – you name it people were selling it. Other stands sold hot dogs, hamburgers, coffee and soda. As they wove through the crowd, someone leaned into Darren and said he had party favors to make the night 'just right'. Darren shook his head, looked over at Damon who gave him his signature smirk.

"It's New Years Eve in Times Square – Anything goes. Ultimate destination for the New Years party."
Elena snorted, said something in Damon's ear that made him grin even more, and Darren shook his head, gave Alexandra's hand a tighter squeeze.

When they reached the southwest corner they found Elena's friends from college, and a guy Damon knew from his favorite bar a moment later. Darren opened up the paper grocery sack, and started passing out bottles.

Alexandra quickly looked around, nervous. There was no way they weren't going to get busted.

Damon took a bottle of spiced rum and handed it to her, then took his bottle of bourbon.

"Drink up Red, the party hasn't even gotten started!" Damon told her.

Alexandra glanced over at Darren, saw him down a healthy swig of Tequila, despite the fact that he was already surely nursing a good buzz – and it was barely 9 pm. Then he slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her close, planted a searing kiss on her mouth. Everything faded away for a few moments, until the kiss broke.

She heard the cheers from their small group, a stray cat call from someone a few yards away.

"Oh my god! You're insane! There is no way we're not getting caught!"

Darren laughed, grinned at Damon, "It's the gift of the silver tongue baby – we can talk our way out of anything."

Damon had Elena pulled back against his chest, hand on her stomach. He pressed a kiss to her temple, "Ask me wife just how good my silver tongue is."

Alexandra rolled her eyes. Yeah, Darren and Damon were definitely feeling their oats tonight.
"Let's talk our way over to that stage," Elena said, "I want to dance!"

She took a healthy swig off her bottle, and hand in hand with Damon, they plunged back into the crowd, and the rest of their small group followed.

That was how they spent the next few hours. Dancing to the music at the main stage, enjoying the throb and sway of the crowd. In between headlining stars performing on stage, a DJ blasted music out over the speakers, and the air practically vibrated with energy. The crowds got thicker and heavier the night wore on.

Elena's back was pressed up against Damon's chest, and they swayed and moved with the beat of the music, her ass grinding against his groin, just enough to be fun and tantalizing, just enough to make his mind drift to what he planned on doing to her later than night or tomorrow morning. Next to him, Darren had Alexandra pressed back into his body, on arm around her waist, and he must have sensed that Damon was watching for a moment, because Darren nodded at him, a small smile playing on his lips. Two of Elena's friends from college werr dancing with Damon's friend from his favorite bar. Everyone was having a good time, the night was perfect.

For a moment Damon wondered what Stephen and Katherine were doing tonight. Undoubtedly they'd be at a party, undoubtedly Katherine flirting and causing trouble – and driving his brother nuts. But if Stephan was happy . . .

It was Darren that nudged Damon, "We're out of liquor – I'm going back for more."

"I'll go with you," Damon said, and he spun Elena over, so she was right in front of Alexandra. Both girls laughed, and started dancing with each other. Damon watched for just a moment.

"Fucking perv," Darren said, "C'mon – you know shit is not really gonna happen there."

Damon snorted, "Hey – a guy a can dream."

Darren elbowed him as they moved through the crowed, "That's my girlfriend! And your wife! fucking perv!"
Damon laughed, "You're right brother! Never ever gonna happen! But Elena enjoys the tease, and don't think Alex doesn't enjoy the attention!"

He lifted his bottle to his lips, downed the last bit, and looked around for a trash can. But all they could see was humanity packed in tight, so he held onto it.

The crowd was thicker, heavier, so it took a little more time to move through it, but they got back to the bar, and managed to catch the same bartender, and left with a few more bottles of liquor.

Damon caught the movement out of the corner of his eye – a miracle in this crowd. It had to be because of what he was – what they were – something was just a little different about the way Nigel moved. A millisecond later he was right there in step with Damon and Darren.

"Here for the buffet?" Nigel asked.

Darren snorted. Damon gritted his teeth, but schooled his features. Not that he had an issue with vampires doing what vampires were designed to do – he just didn't want them feeding off his human friends.

"We had dinner before we left," Damon said, "We're blending in tonight – you should try it sometime."

Nigel snorted, "With all the wondrous choices available to a man such as myself? You can't be serious!"

"Suit yourself," Damon said, "But seriously – there are a handful that are off limit – over by the stage."

"That area there - to public for my tastes as it is," Nigel said, even though he stayed with him, "I do like to enjoy my meals with a bit of privacy."

Yet he stayed in step with them for a few minutes.

"Any news on our mutual friends?" Nigel asked after a few moments.

Damon shook his head, "Not a word – happen to find a cooperative witch we can work with?"

"Still working on it," Nigel replied, "they're not the friendliest sort all around."

"Isn't this supposed to be like some major holiday for them?" Damon asked, "Turning point and all that?"

"Not my field mate," Nigel replied.

Darren smirked, "We got holidays for all kinds of shit in Mexico – and we got witches coming out our ears too – but I'd be hard pressed to scare one up for this. Even though everyone mixes where I come from, witches and vampires – never gonna happen."

Damon started to slow their walk, "We're getting to that very public place that isn't your style – mate."

Nigel smiled, "So we are . . . give your lovely wife my best," Nigel said, and he looked at Darren, "and your redheaded lass of course."

Darren watched with Damon as Nigel disappeared into the crowd.

"You're not gonna like this," Darren said.

"Lots of shit I'm not liking right now," Damon commented. His party mood was definitely gone, "Go ahead and add to the list."

"I've never actually been introduced to Nigel – the night at the club that you and Alex met him – the other night at the bar – Alex and I were in the background – Alex had a wig on – he could have made us . . . but I doubt it."

"Could have seen us at the club together to . . . but I doubt it – Alex tracked him twice and he never noticed until we were damn near on top of him," Damon said.

"He knows a lot more than he's letting on," Darren said, "a lot more."

Damon sighed, "Get's better by the fucking minute, Damn it . . ."

They wove through the heavy crowd, found where Elena, Alexandra and their handful of human friends were still waiting. The live music was off for a few moments, a crew was changing part of the stage. A few more people had joined their circle of friends, and as they walked up, Damon saw a man he'd seen once or twice hand Elena a joint. She took it, took a hit, and passed it to someone else.

Damon moved in behind her, slid his arms around her waist from behind, "You bad, bad girl!"

She laughed, deep and sexy, "I'll show you a bad girl when we get home."
Darren started passing bottles around, again – they were sharing now, since the group had grown, and while some of them could go through a fifth and still be standing, not all of the could.

He handed a bottle of whisky to the guy holding the joint, and the guy holding the joint offered it to him. Darren brought it to his lips, sucked the smoke in, tasting it, feeling it. It was decent weed really.

"Pretty decent," Darren commented, and then brought it down and held it just in front of Alexandra's lips. All she had to do was lean a bit forward, open her lips.

She hesitated, and then took a hit.

Darren offered the joint to Damon.

Alexandra watched, a little surprised, but somehow not. They were vampires after all. Nothing hit them the same way. They burned through liquor faster, yet liquor affected them a little differently, bit more intense, but it was short lived. It did take the edge off the hyper awareness for a while too.

She felt Darren's breath on her neck, "We're safe baby, I wouldn't put you in that spot – it's probably ebbing off right now, isn't it."

She nodded, "yeah . . . that was . . . I expected it to last longer – It did before."

"Different metabolism," Darren commented.

Damon had taken a hit, passed it on to some blonde girl he recognized from Elena's group of class mates.

The stage set up was almost complete, the announcer was back out on the stage again, some young pop artist Damon didn't recognized was being introduced.

But his wife was happy, chatting away with the people around her, enjoying a heavy buzz, life was damn near perfect.

As long as he didn't think about Nigel, Richard, Vlad . . . and god knew how many other Vampires in the city.

The energy level of the crowd was so intense, the air practically crackled with it. The crowd had gotten so dense, people were packed in tight. The bump and grind dancing to whatever music they played almost reminded Damon of a rave – just with a little less ecstasy. There was definitely some of it in the crowd though. It was cold enough that it wasn't quite so obvious as might normally be, but the signs were still there in the way people moved, the way people danced.

If it were a different crowd, a different location, it might have been a good night for half a dozen random tastes.

The announcer on the stage announced that it was time for the countdown to being, drawing everyone's attention to the big glittering crystal ball.

Damon glanced back down at Elena, watching the faint rosiness that graced her cheeks for a moment. She looked up at him, a big smile on her face.

"Mrs. Salvatore," Damon said, and he slid his hands down under her butt, and boosted her up.

She managed to slide her legs around his waist, moving carefully because the crowd was packed in so close.

"Mr. Salvatore," she said, her voice sexy, husky, "Happy New Year."

The crowd erupted around them, and Damon's mouth came down on hers, and for a moment, the crowd noise, everything faced away.

But then someone smacked him on the back, hard – hard enough that Damon instinctively knew whomever it was, wasn't human.

He pulled his mouth from Elena's, looking up in surprise, instantly happy to see Darren in front of him, instead of anyone else – any of the other possibilities.

"Happy New Year Buddy!" Darren said, giving Damon a side hug, and then his friend actually kissed his cheek.

Then he turned quickly, and laid a lip lock on Elena. Damon barely had time to register his surprise, but then Alex practically climbed halfway up him, and pressed her mouth to his.

It was quick, brief, just barely something Damon could consider a kiss, but then she let go, laughing loudly, Darren's laugh echoing in his ears as well.

"And that, you pervert - should get all your pervy shit about my girlfriend and your wife out of your head!"

Damon snorted, slid his hand down to Alexandra's butt and gave it a nice friendly squeeze, and he got one of his characteristic smug smiles on his face.

"Yeah, buddy – not even close!"

I would love to know what you think? Enough snarky comments from Damon? A little more possessiveness from Darren? See any possibilities for problems in the future - your comments always fuel my muse, and brighten my day. Last chapter, I got some comments and reviews on a day I was in clinicals (yeah, I am a nursing student) and it was a life saver. I took 10 minutes to pee and guzzle down some coffee after the worst clinical instructor in the history of assholes who think they can teach but shouldn't dressed me down for something. The good news is he figured out I was right, he was wrong, so no harm was done - except for my pride because her ripped me a new ass in front of an audience, but the highlight of my day was seeing some of the reviews and comments in my email on my I-phone.

So, with all that in mind - comment, please - tell me what you like, don't like, what you think!