Okay here I am again. I know rather fast this one. But it sort of came with the previous one and I needed to get it out on paper. So I hope you enjoyed it so far. Thanks to everyone who got this far, even without leaving nice comments ;) (just do it this time...:) )I just had to know for myself how Damon would react to Elena's confession. So I hope you'll like it as much as I do...:) enjoy!

Running Fast, Thinking Slow

Elena's POV:

'...I love you just as much, Damon Salvatore!'

If Elena didn't know Damon was a vampire and as a result of that dead already, she could've sworn he would've died of a heart attack. His usually, cool expression was gone. His mouth slightly open. His eyes wide and his face pale. ...No, more white-as-a-sheet. Oh my god! I did not just say what I said or did I?... Elena asked herself surely her own features weren't as different as Damon's right now. Maybe he did not hear her? Maybe he had been too busy thinking about how she'd offended him before. She didn't want to tell him. Not yet. Not today, not know. This was the worst moment EVER to tell him ...Wait are you just arguing with yourself that it's not the right time and not about the fact that you're in love with Damon Salvatore? Smug, biting...in more sense then one...obnoxious Damon Salvatore. Oh no...

'Lion-hearted?' His voice caught her off guard. She did not expect him to say something. At all. Least of all this. 'What?' She asked confused, shaking her head slightly. 'Lion-hearted.' He repeated himself more emphatic. 'What the hell is that's supposed to mean? Like I am one of those Greek demigods. Strong and powerful on the outside but a real pussycat under the shell?' Elena blinked a couple times as she could not understand what he was referring to. 'What are you talking about? I never said that.' 'You said I am a lion-hearted person. Who says that, besides lurky, old hags reading bedtime story's or tall, blond history teachers teaching high school morons and homecoming queens!' He answered his voice getting louder. 'Oh and I am the presumptuous one he?' He continued his outburst. 'And what was that...oh right my favorite: Saucy! You know who's saucy Elena? Fastidious little teenage girls with blond hair and Barbie's to play with. I am a vampire Elena I ain't saucy I maybe...just maybe brisk at times but...' 'Ha MAYBE! What do you mean by maybe? What about right now, Damon? You're so caught up in you're own twisted version of How-to-be-a-real-pain-in-the-ass that you don't even try to understand what I meant by all that. You're just to busy not showing the real you.' 'And who is that, Elena? Who's the real me, now you got me curious really!' Damon yelled back at her crossing his arms in front of him. 'Well he's not here right now, so maybe I'll let you know when he gets back!' She spat out enraged. 'Well good luck with that, I heard his been to a bar near by, drinking. A soulful(l) bottle of whiskey, so he does not forget himself, doing something stupid.' And with that he left her. Slamming the door shut behind him.

Damon's POV:

-5 seconds later-

He was fuming as he left her.

-8 seconds later-

He was still furious as he got into his car leaving with screeching tires.

-10 seconds later-

...Drive just drive...It'll clear you're head... 'Pfff...soulful!.. deep!...bah.' ...it did sound like a version of Stefan. An, if even possible, more cheesy version of Stefan. Lion-hearted...uchh...the Edward Cullen version of Stefan. Steward Cullen... he chuckled grimly. 'Yeah right as if. I swear if I ever gonna sparkle in sunlight I'll stake myself.'

-30 seconds later-

He drove faster hitting the accelerator to it's breaking point.

-40 seconds later-

The dark street ahead of him finally managing to cool him down a bit.

-50 seconds later-

['...I love you just as much, Damon Salvatore!']

And with that memory in mind Damon hit the brakes with supernatural force. Bringing the Chevy to a full stop. Gripping the steering wheel hard to not been thrown through the windshield. Hitting his head though a strange sound indicating a broken nose.

-60 seconds later-

'Fuck! She. Did not. Just. Say. That...

-66 seconds later-

...or did she?'

Elena's POV:

'Run, Elena run!' A harsh voice yelled after her. And that's all she did. She did not know where to. All she knew was ...Run Elena, run and don't look back … And she didn't.

She sprinted down the hallway, flying down the staircase and out through the door of the boarding house. She spurted down the driveway and into the blackness of the forest ahead.

… Where to?... Her mind screamed. And that was a good question since the safest place she knew was the one she'd just left. She didn't understand what had happened. One moment she was standing furious and stunned, left alone by Damon after that huge fight over...well nonsense really. The next thing she knew was that she was scared out of her mind. Running from a menacing force, that had no name yet. ...Klaus! It got to be. Oh god Damon...please come back. I can't outrun him for ever. ...As if fate wanted to make a point she tripped over something, almost falling. But she caught her balance using a nearby branch as a hold. As she ran through the darkness of the trees,

brittle branches lashed at her face and body. Sharp stones and thorns were biting at her bare feet. She couldn't remember why she didn't have shoes on. But it didn't matter really, she had to keep going. Ignoring the sharp pains she continued her chase for safety.

Somewhere behind her she heard them closing in on her. She didn't really know who 'them' were but she knew they mustn't catch her. Her lungs were already burning and she got side aches.

Suddenly the ground under her gave way beneath her feet and she felt a sharp pain as she fell. Rolling and slithering roughly down a stony steep. Tumbling over sharp rocks and rough edges, ripping holes in clothes and body.

After what felt like an eternity she finally hit plane ground again. It took her a minute to regain consciousness. She had trouble getting up. Her head pounded and she felt something wet trickling down her left cheek. Touching it, it felt warm and sticky. It was blood, her blood. … Okay don't panic. The fact you're able to feel pain is always a good thing right? It means you're not dead. Yet. … A noise from above caught her attention and snapped her back into reality. Without further hesitation she made herself stand again. She started stumbling forward. Her legs shaking, unable to hold her bruised and exhausted body any longer. Her feet giving way beneath her and she found herself back on her knees again. ...Oh no you don't! Get up, you can do this. Damon kills you if you're giving up now. You can't leave him too. So get up … And with the thought of the only person who had managed to truly keep her safe over the past months. To be there for her, firm as a rock, she found the strength to push herself up again. Continuing her escape. Using trees and branches, everything in reach as foothold. Half stumbling, half running Elena fled further into an unknown future...

Damon's POV:

The boarding house was silent as he got back. He left the car keys on the cupboard in the corridor turning into the kitchen to get a wet towel. His little accident would've surely killed him, if he hadn't been lucky to be a fast healing, dead buddy. He wiped of the restof the blood that was left on his forehead and bridge, tossing the cloth in the sink afterwards. He entered the living room grabbing himself a tumbler and a bottle with some golden liquid. After he downed the hole contents of his glass in one gulp he felt better. Not perfect, but better. Standing in front of the fireplace holding a glass in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other he had himself a déjà-vu. Only a couple hours ago he had stood right here in exact the same spot only Elena had been with him. Telling him that they would survive whatever live brought on them. Telling him that she would let his brother go. Only minutes ago she had told him that she loved him. Him, Damon-him not Stefan-him. ...Me. She's in love with me. Well she's in love with you also. That's what she said, you drunken fool... 'Drunk?' he asked out loud to no one in particular. 'Yeah drunk maybe, but soulful and lion-hearted!' He added with a smug smile, pouring himself another drink.

[...I love you...Damon...]A warm feeling started spreading through his entire body. Filling him, consuming him. Making him glow from the inside. And ...Damn... he knew it wasn't the alcohol this time.

Elena's POV:

There were lights in front of her. Elena had reached the edge to a large clearing. As she got closer she could see that it were torches that illuminated the darkness around her. Stumbling further into the open she recognized the place. … This can't be! I couldn't possibly be come this far... As she took some wary steps further into the light she took in her surroundings. Even though she didn't understand how she had gotten here she unmistakably was standing in the middle of the cemetery. The torches enlightening the path she knew, led to her parents grave. All her senses were heightened as she followed the small trail with caution. It became more freezing with every wary step she took. The air turning to mist with every tremulous breathe coming from her burning lungs.

The path ended and she could make out her parents headstone in the near distance. Elena swallowed, her throat still aching from her sprint and the icy air she had to breathe.

Someone was standing in front of her parents grave. She backed away in fear. Not wanting to get close to this dark presence. Knowing it was the reason why she'd run in the first place. But somehow she couldn't make herself to stop. Like a puppet she felt herself being pulled closer.

She struggled against the unknown force, but it had no use. The shadow was moving now. Turning to reveal itself to the flickering lights of the flames surrounding them. 'What did I tell you about getting out late?' A hoarse, yet familiar voice said. Elena froze her body suddenly taking her commands again. She was trembling now and it wasn't from the cold. The shadow getting closer until the person became visible.

'Mom?'

'Elena! What are you doing here sweetie? And where are you're shoes. What did I tell you about getting out barefooted? You gonna catch a cold hon.' Miranda Gilbert smiled at her like Elena had remembered her to so many times. 'Oh god Mom, I missed you, I missed you so much!' Elena's eyes filled with tears as she stepped closer. Miranda Gilbert opened her arms and welcomed her daughter in a tight embrace. 'Shhhh shh, na na no need for tears my sweet little girl. No need for lying...' Elena brought up her head that she'd buried in her mothers shoulder, looking bewildered. 'What do you mean by lying?' 'Oh honey I taught you better than that. You know what you've done. Don't try to cover it up you know how you're father despises cowards.' Her mothers face became stern now. 'I don't understand. What are you talking about?' Elena asked confused and suddenly alarmed again.

'It's all your fault Elena. You are the reason for everything. Didn't you figure it out yet my stupid little pumpkin? You killed us, sweetie!' Her mother said with that honey toned voice that used to calm Elena whenever she was scared of something. But now it did the opposite. A nasty feeling of unease was settling in Elena's stomach. … This is not my mother... realization dawning on Elena making her taking a step back. For the first time she really took in her mothers form. Her face was pale and had a sick, blueish shimmer to it. 'No! Why are you saying this?' 'Because you're a grown up now. You need to know the truth. You're doomed honey.'

'You're mother's right.' Another voice to her left made her head turn. 'Dad?' Elena's trembling voice strained. 'We should have never taken you in. Isobel made a mistake by keeping you and we followed that mistake.' Her dad standing next to her mother now. 'You were doomed the moment you were born. Oh my little angel I am so sorry that I didn't see it right away. Even though I knew about the demons lurking in the dark. I didn't see the evil seed growing within your soul. I shouldve just put you out of your misery then. I was a doctor after all. There surely would've been a way.' 'Dad? Please Dad stop.' Elena sobbed, she didn't understand why her parents said such things. She knew it couldn't be them. Though their words didn't hurt less.

'It's true you killed us pumpkin! If it weren't for you we never would've left the house that day. It's really all your fault.' Her parents now repeating themselves, closing in on her. Their voices seemed to echo from the gravestones around. Amplifying every word and there cruel meaning. Suddenly it wasn't just her parents anymore.

More and more people closing in on Elena. Shouting at her. She made out a couple more faces and it made her heart clench even more. Her aunt Jenna ' You lied to me. You got me killed.' Tyler's Dad and Mason '...You let them kill me. You helped them...' Bonnie's Grandmother ' ...I knew you were evil. You killed me and you killed her...' Ms Gibbon's the woman who'd been held captive by the tomb vampires. ' ...killed me...' A young girl she didn't remember the name but she surely remembered from the News, reporting her missing just after Klaus and Stefan had left. ' ...your fault...' More faces. Strangers, friends, family members, all looking just the way they died. Gashing throats, pale faces, shot wounds. There was blood everywhere. They pulled and pushed at her now. Blaming everything that had happened on her. She sunk to the ground, burying her face between her knees and pushing her hands down onto her ears to shut them out.

'It is not my fault, please stop.' … it's not. Don't listen to them. They are wrong... Aren't they?... Her mind turning on her. She continued her loud sobs and pleadings. 'Stop it. Stop, just shut up. It's not my fault it's not. Stop it STOP!' As the echoes of her screams faded away she found herself alone. Sitting in the fetus position for what felt like hours, rocking herself back and forth she finally took her hands from her ears and listened. It had gone quiet. Too quiet. Elena slowly opened her eyes. They were all gone.

Slowly she made herself stand up. Her head was spinning now. Her temples aching from the pressure she'd used to cover her ears. She'd never felt so vulnerable and lost. 'Damon...' She whispered into the frightening darkness of the night. Her voice hoarse, tears blurring her vision. The torches were out. The moon abnormal large and bright now illuminating the graveyard in a blood-curdling way.

She slung her arms around herself to get a hold on her shaking form. She was freezing by now. The air was still cold and she was surrounded by a foggy haze, soaking her clothes and leaving her hair wet and clammy against her face. A sudden movement caught her attention. She stared into the thick, white waft of mist realizing that she was no longer alone. Three figures where closing in on her.

Damon's POV:

… Damn...

He swallowed down the last contents of the now empty bottle. Standing there, just staring into the slowly shrinking flames. ...Alright Salvatore. You gotta get a hold on yourself. What do you do next? Every thing's depending on your next move. Don't blow it. You already blew it you fucking dumb-shit. Yelling at her like that? For nothing. Bickering like a little schoolgirl about some nonsense just because you were to scared to react on her...confession. Confession? Suggestion rather or simple out-of-her-mind-confusing-Elena-babbling. Yeah! That's gotta be it... He snorted. Still unable to take Elena's words for real. It just couldn't be true. After everything they've been through. And why now. ...'Cause you're always second best man. He's gone now so time for her to move on … His inner voice reminded him. … Great. No matter what I'll do, I'm screwed. First it was always Stefan. Then it was always Stefan again, another girl only, just looking like the old one and now it's "rebound Damon". Fuck you Elena! That's not gonna happen… His eyes narrowed. How could he possibly act on this? She just told him that he was perfect just the way he was. That she adored him with all his bad brother glory. Despite everything he'd done, she still wanted him. ...Loved him. But she had waited to long hadn't she? And what's with her timing? She just told him that they would give up on his brother. ...Right little bro just left the stage and now I'm the backup. How delightful... As he could come up with nothing to help him facing Elena again, he decided to get some more logs for the fireplace. ...Maybe chopping will get me some ideas... Even if it was just wood, in his experience chopping could help to get rid of a lot of problems.

Elena's POV:

...Three figures where closing in on her. ...

'Jeremy? Oh god thank you. You have no idea what...' Elena jolted forward as she recognized her brother as one of the figures. But just as she'd almost reached him she came to a halt. Noticing the grim face of her brother. 'Jer?'

'Hey sis. Damsel in distress again? What couldn't take the truth?' 'No Jeremy not you too. I can't stand this any longer.' And she really couldn't. She turned around and started running but was yanked back as someone gripped her hair and pulled hard. With a yelp Elena flew backwards, landing on her back. 'You choose a killer over your own brother. You let him kill me. Twice! Why should I care about anything you want?' Jeremy was leaning over her. His face a dark , menacing mask against the moon. 'Jeremy, that is not true. I love you.' Elena pleaded not knowing why her brother acted so strange.

'You do not love anyone but yourself.' Now Bonnie stepped into her vision, cutting off her pleas. 'I told you that they're dangerous to all of us but you didn't listen! I died too remember? I died because of you. For you. What a waste.'

'Me too. I died because you couldn't get over yourself. All you had to do was leave him. Katherine killed me because of you. You selfish little bitch.' Caroline's words were cold as ice as she joined her brother and the witch, hovering over her. Slicing into Elena's heart with her words. Elena forced herself back on her knees, sobbing and begging for her friends to stop their assault.

'Please listen to me, I didn't mean to hurt anybody. You kno-' Laughter shut her up. 'Of course how could sweet, innocent 'Lena mean to hurt anyone?' Caroline came kneeling in front of her lifting her chin with her perfect manicured fingers. 'You just wanted to have a little fun, right? You little whore!' Her grip got firm forcing her head higher. 'Playing and fooling around with everyone like you always did. Toying with men like they belong to you.' She spat the last words and slapped Elena hard, raking her fingernails across her left cheek, drawing blood. 'Always everyone's first choice our little darling Elena. But you're no darling. No angel's hiding under this pretty face. No! A siren. Calling, snatching, tearing at her clueless victims.' Bonnie closing in on her too. ' First it was pure, innocent Matt. Well you didn't manage to kill him so instead you let him suffer by taking away his sister. Then you took Stefan. Playing him like a fool making him fall for you and then...!' SLAP Another smack across her face. 'You drove him over the edge. He was already dead and yet you managed to kill him..again!' Bonnie gripped her hair and yanked Elena's head back, making her scream in pain. 'He wasn't even gone as you already jumped his brothers bones. You're just like her...' Caroline whispered into her ear.

… No it's not true, don't let them do this. You're not her. They are all wrong ...Really? Are they?... Another voice forming in her head. Her own inner demon that she'd tried to push in the darkest corners of her minds. But now it was getting stronger. Her inner doubts feeding on the cruel accusations her beloved ones shouted at her. ...It's always been about you. Everything that happened did happen because of you... She had known this all along. She just never had let herself thinking it that clearly. Because thoughts like that led down a dark path. And Elena wasn't the person to follow such ways. She wasn't the person to quit to give up. ...So don't start it now. It wont get you anywhere...

'But Katherine kills people because she is a vampire. It's in her nature. What's her excuse?' Now Bonnie said with an questioning tone, just as if she would ask for someones favorite color. Elena snapped out of her thoughts, listening again to that surreal conversation of her friends and brother. 'Well she isn't a Gilbert!' Jeremy answered just as casually. 'You here me?' His face now twisted in anger. 'You don't have to worry about me. I am not even your brother.' 'Jeremy.' Elena's voice but a shocked whisper. SLAP. Caroline's hand left another burning print on her tear stained cheek. 'Shut up you dirty, little blood-slut..' 'You don't want to hurt anybody?' Bonnie asked with that new, unfamiliar voice of hers. 'Well in that case I'm sure we can help you out.' Suddenly Elena was yanked back on the ground. Her brother and Bonnie pulling at her arms and hair. Dragging her along. Elena screamed in agony and fear, kicking and trashing, anything to get them off of her. Caroline just walking along singing an old song that Elena knew out of her time when they had played in the sandbox.

I know a little pussy
Her coat is silver gray
She lives down in the meadow
Not very far away.

Though she is a pussy
She'll never be a cat.
She is a pussy willow.
Now what do you think of that!

'And where do slutty pussy willows grow best?' Caroline asked with a chirpy yet eerie voice. Before Elena heard the answer out of Caroline's mouth she heard the answer herself. The unmistakable sound of flowing water. The river. Elena's eyes widened in sheer panic now. Her kicking became more urgent but it had no affect at all. Her friends and brother were dragging her behind mercilessly, down the riverbank and into the water. Tearing at her hair, her head bumping over the rocks. 'Goodbye Elena, it's time for you to go.' Bonnie said smiling down at her before pushing her face under water. 'No, n-' the last of her sounds were drowned by the water streaming into her mouth. Elena kicked and wriggled, trying everything to get up again. But they were holding her down with an unbreakable force. Suddenly there was water everywhere. Her lungs were already burning and she desperately tried to find something to hold onto to pull herself up. But there was nothing only the icy stream of the river. Not even her traitorous friends holding her down. Only Elena alone in the cold, wet darkness. Just like the other fateful day her parents car went off the bridge. ...And here I am at last. Where I belong. Where I should've been all along. I am sorry Damon. I am sorry, we never got a chance. If I come back, I'll give you one. In my next live you'll be my first choice. I promise.... Darkness was closing in on her. Elena wasn't cold anymore, her lungs weren't burning anymore. All pain was gone. A soft smile forming on her face. ...Peace at last...

... And then there was a hand...

Damon's POV:

...Alright that should do it for a while... Damon thought looking at the large stack of logs that would keep them warm for at least three winters if they'd lived in Alaska. And it had gotten him nowhere. He still didn't no what to do. The only thing he knew was the undeniable truth he'd once told her and made her forget.

[Flashback: ...'I love you Elena. And it's because I love you that... I can't be selfish with you. And why you can't know this. I don't deserve you. But my brother does.' And with that he stepped even closer, brushing the softest of kisses on her forehead, lingering for a brief moment.. How much he wished to kiss her for real. Just once, just now. But he new he couldn't. As he stepped back again Elena's eyes just fluttered open, her gaze meeting his for only a second before dropping to his lips. ...Don't Elena. Please don't make this any harder for me as it is... He thought, ignoring the voice in him that screamed to just forget his new found moral fiber and to take her right here, right now, like he truly wanted. As she truly wanted. Even though she wouldn't admit it yet. But he whispered instead, with a voice that was anything but cool, smart Damon 'God I wish you didn't have to forget this.' Her eyes searching his again, a frown wrinkling her forehead. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Stroking her cheek with his thumb, wanting to look anywhere but her confused brown orbs, knowing they could stop him from going through with this. 'But you do!' His eyes suddenly back on hers. Holding her gaze, as a single tear rolled down his cheek. She then just stood there as he returned her necklace. Securing it softly around her neck. Stroking her cheek once more. 'I'll always protect you! I'll always be there for you...and him. Just...don't shut me out. That's all I wish for.' He then said, knowing he'd never hear her answer. And then he left. Speeding out of her room with supernatural power. Not stopping until he found himself at home in front of the fireplace with a big shot of his best whiskey in hands. Numbing out the throbbing pain in his chest that he knew would be there forever.]

...Nothing's changed man. You still don't deserve her. Even if she's blind to it. So you have to keep it together for her sake. She might be in love with you now, but that doesn't mean that she should. … With a grim look on his face he loaded some logs on his arms and went back inside. He truly was a sick son of a bitch. First he'd done everything to make her realize that she did feel something for him. And now that it had worked, finally, he wanted nothing more than to take it all back.

He wouldn't let her know what her confession did to him now. How his heart felt like it was melting in his chest whenever he remembered her words. How it would make him happy like he'd never been in his hole existence. Vampire or human, he'd never felt like this. Not even the little nagging feeling as he thought of Stefan could take that from him. Stefan was gone. It had been his choice, in the end at least and he would have to live with that decision.

He would treasure the knowledge of Elena's love for him. Hiding it somewhere deep inside. Allowing himself to feel it only when he was truly alone and in real bad shape. He deserved that much, didn't he?

But he wouldn't show her. ...I mustn't... She deserves better. She deserves a normal, happy, boring live. White picket fence, clingy husband, adopted puppy and all. And after Stefan was out of the picture he just had to get rid of that hybrid freak and his annoying clanship and she'd finally be having a chance. He couldn't ruin that for her. No he would show her that he wasn't one to fall in love with. ...Kind of sadistic, don't you think! First she's not interested enough, now it's to much. Fuck you really are a psychopath... He put a big piece of wood onto the nearly extinguished fire. ...Wait a minute...He thought to himself, standing up slowly...Back to being an ass again? Well I remember it having its perks... And with a smug smile on his face he rushed upstairs and into his room, where a surely full naked Elena would be sitting in his tub by now.

Wow, what a rush I really love to hear what you're thinking. Remember pressing the blue button below is true love ;) Okay everybody have a nice weekend.