Author's Note: This chapter was inspired by Black Mustang's "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," which was featured in the TVD episode "Bloodlines." If you recall, THIS was the episode that featured Damon's and Elena's memorable road trip to Georgia . . . the "vacation" during which their relationship arguably took its tentative first steps from the innocent bonds of friendship, to something decidedly more devilish . . .

I apologize about the chapter being a bit short, at least by this story's standards. However, I am still working through some roadblocks with its plot. Special thanks to Serendipity for being my brilliant fanfiction idol, and constant cheerleader. Were it not for her encouragement, this story would have probably been tossed away in my ever growing "never finished" pile. And for those of you who haven't done so yet, definitely check out her story "Shadowdancing." It will surely make you swoon!

6:30 p.m. – Random Forest Area

After "King Klaus' Mansion" caught fire, Stefan and Katherine simply ran . . . their bodies blackened by ash . . . their lungs filled with smoke. They ran fast, and far, and without any particular destination in mind. They ran from their enemies, who they knew would overtake them, in only a matter of time. They ran from their mistakes, their disappointments, and their heartbreaks . . . from the lives they had singlehandedly ruined, be it through selfishness, hunger, or pure unadulterated lust. They ran until all that was left was the cold night sky . . . and the trees . . . and their tired hungry bodies, pulsing with adrenaline, and yearning to be touched.

Katherine saw it first . . . a river, cool and peaceful looking. It beckoned to her, with its crystalline blue waters, and its serene, hypnotically slow-moving, current. With a wink in Stefan's direction, the vampire vixen quickly stripped off her shirt, and dove into the water. Stefan stopped in his tracks, frustrated. "Katherine," he demanded. "This is no time for a swim. They'll be coming for us, any minute now. We have to keep moving."

But no sound came from the water. In fact, everything remained still . . . disturbingly still. A minute passed . . . then two. At three minutes, Stefan began to get worried. "KATHERINE!" He called again, more insistently this time. "OK. You got me . . . . haha . . . funny joke. It's time to come out, Katherine. Game over."

But Katherine didn't answer, and Stefan's pulse began to race. In seconds, he was stark naked and racing for the river. With a running start, he jumped in to the cool drink, shivering as the cold hit his body. Having always been a fairly solid swimmer, Stefan quickly and easily made his way to the spot where he had last seen Katherine. When he got there, he felt a strong force, wrapping around his legs, and pulling him underneath the water. He tried to struggle, but it was no use. He was going under . . .

It wasn't until he was completely immersed in the river that Stefan finally figured out what was keeping him down. The younger Salvatore Brother growled, as he felt Katherine's warm mouth press insistently against his own, forcing it open with her deliciously sweet tongue. Her legs then wrapped themselves tightly around Stefan's waist, as her naked body thrust itself fervently into his own, in a forceful, yet beautifully fluid, series of movements.

Stefan sighed contentedly, as he ran his hands across Katherine's smooth wet skin . . . her long neck . . . her limber graceful back . . . and her tiny waist . . . finally allowing his fingers to curl tightly around the delectable softness of her buttocks. She moaned in his ear, bringing him closer and closer to the brink. Both of their mouths, and noses were filled with water, of course, but neither of them cared. They were too focused on giving themselves, and each other, pleasure. The one they called The Ripper then threw his head back and shuddered, as the blissful sensations overtook him . . .

Never before, had Stefan Salvatore felt so alive . . . even though he wasn't.

7:12 p.m. – Merlotte's Bar and Grill

With a single nod from Eric Northman, the elder vampires began to fan out, and survey the crowd. Each time they came upon someone without any supernatural strength or powers, the vampires promptly compelled them to leave the premises, and forget everything that had taken place within the past twenty-four hours. Damon was beyond furious. Elena could feel his anger vibrating through her like an electric current. The sensation was not entirely unpleasant.

"Don't do anything stupid, Damon," whispered Elena through gritted teeth. "We have no idea how powerful this guy is, or what he's capable of."

Damon clenched his fists, subconsciously preparing for battle. "He's singlehandedly disposed of half my army, Elena. What the hell do I care what he's capable of? I want to kick his ass! And besides, when have I ever done anything stupid?"

Elena smirked, and shook her head. "I have two words for you, Damon: moonstone . . . soap dish."

Damon grumbled, knowing precisely the incident to which she was referring, and grudgingly recognizing that her assessment of it was precisely right. "Dammit! I'm so much better at decapitating blonde pretty boy vampires, when I'm wearing pants," he seethed.

Within moments, all non-witch humans had exited the premises. Eric signaled to his associates, and they all began to silently file out of Merlotte's, as a single unit. Now, this was a guy who knew how to train an army!

"Oh, you're not so tough, now, without your little minions to help you out, are you, Eric Northman? Come to papa!" Damon snarled, beginning to move out from under Elena's protective cover.

Elena knew Damon was starting to vamp out. She could feel his body grow cold, and his limbs stiffen. She had to do something to keep him calm. Carefully, she grabbed hold of both his wrists, and began to massage his arms behind her back. She can feel the skin beneath her fingers growing soft and warm, and she knew what she was doing was working. Damon instinctively let his arms drop limply to their sides, as he exhaled deeply. Elena continued to do her magic, paying special attention to the portions of his muscles that were still stiffened and tense.

But then Damon's breathing started to quicken, and a low growl erupted from deep within his stomach. He moaned softly, as if he was in pain. Elena assumed she had hit a particularly tense spot on one of his arms. So, she began to apply all her attention to it, kneading it vigorously with both of her hands. But doing that only seemed to make the muscles tighter and more rigid.

"Uhhh . . . Elena?" Damon rasped, his voice ragged, and husky.

"Yeah," Elena whispered back.

"That's not my arm."

Elena jumped away from Damon so fast that she practically left skid marks on the floor. "Well, well, don't stop on my account. I certainly enjoy a good show," remarked Eric icily, as he stood in front of the pair.

Elena blushed furiously, while Damon tried to cover himself up as best he could with his hands, which, under the circumstances, was much easier said than done. "It wasn't . . . we weren't . . . I just . . ." Elena stammered awkwardly, not quite able to find a suitable explanation as to why her boyfriend's brother was naked in the middle of a public place, and she was standing in front of him, massaging his . . . other arm.

Eric smiled, and patted Elena on the back. "No explanation necessary. Just because I'm old, doesn't mean I no longer know how to have a good time."

Eric then noticed the vervain necklace around Elena's neck, and ran his fingers delicately across its chain, knowing immediately that he wasn't going to be able to compel the young woman to leave, as he had with the rest of the humans. The Viking Vampire's touch made Elena shiver. "I must say, she's quite a beautiful human specimen. Is she yours?" Eric asked Damon, motioning toward Elena.

Now it was Elena's turn to be furious. "I am nobody's. And I'd really appreciate your refraining from talking about me, as if I'm not standing right in front of you," she hissed.

Damon chuckled. Clearly, this guy had NO CLUE who he was dealing with . . .

"Ha . . . you remind me of somebody," Eric noted with amusement, eyeing the Petrova Doppelganger with amusement. "But if you are not HIS, you can't stay here. And if you won't leave of your own accord, I will be forced to physically carry out of the premises."

"You heard the lady, she's not mine," Damon added, matter-of-factly. "But if you so much as lay another finger on her, I will personally see to it that you walk with a limp for the rest of eternity."

"Fair enough," replied Eric.

"Now, if you've finished harassing my girlf . . . Elena . . . I'd really like to skip to the part where you explain to my why the HECK you just trashed my ARMY."

"Come," Eric commanded. "We'll talk in the shapeshifter's office. I suspect he won't be returning to use it anytime soon."

Damon smirked, recalling his earlier compulsion of the owner of the bar. "That depends on how long it takes him to get laid," he replied gleefully.

Then his expression turned serious. "Why should I trust you? You've done nothing so far, but threaten me, and foil my plans," he remarked, his eyes narrowed.

Eric nodded in agreement. "I'm the Sheriff of Area 5," he explained, as if that mere remark would make all the difference.

Damon crinkled his brow. "You're a vampire police officer? And THAT'S supposed to make me listen to you? PLEASE! I eat cops like you for lunch . . . literally."

Eric sighed. "I don't expect a . . . savage, like you, to understand the complexities of vampire politics. But I assure you, I am a VERY IMPORTANT person in this town . . . and in this state. I am also very well acquainted with the man you are trying to kill. Klaus and I go way back . . . WAY, WAY back, in fact . . . nearly 1,000 years."

"So, you and Klaus were blood buddies, back in the day. What the hell difference does that make to me?" Damon replied stubbornly.

Eric rolled his eyes at the younger vampire's petulance, but forced himself to continue. "Despite our long acquaintance, Klaus has recently betrayed my trust. And, in doing so, he has put the lives of the good people of this state in serious jeopardy. So, like you, it has become in my best interest to kill my former friend. The difference, of course, is, unlike you, I actually know how to do it."

Damon nodded, stroking his chin with his fingers, in contemplation. "Well, now you've got my attention, Blondie. Let's go somewhere private to talk."

I'm coming with you," demanded Elena.

Damon groaned. "Elena, COME ON! You don't need to concern yourself with all this. Just go hang out with Bonnie and Caroline. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Elena put her hands on her hips. "Perhaps, you didn't hear me correctly. I'm coming with you, or Bonnie will see to it, that your lack of clothing is the least of your problems."

Damon sighed, moving his arms with an exaggerated flourish toward the door to Sam's office. "After you, my darling," he said sarcastically.

Elena grinned, knowing she had won the battle. "How chivalrous of you, Sweet Cheeks," she replied, slapping Damon HARD on the ass, before she headed into the office. "By the way," she added, haphazardly, with a glance in the direction of the Sheriff of Area Five, "You should really consider getting him another pair of pants."

Eric laughed uproariously, noting just how much the young vampire and human couple, reminded him of himself and Sookie. "I like her. She's got spunk," Eric admitted to Damon. "Do yourself a favor, and don't let THAT ONE go."

Damon smiled ruefully. "If only it was that easy," he replied, as he followed Eric into Sam Merlotte's office, and shut the door behind him.