Disclaimer: Nothing is owned, only borrowed.

Summary: Set after 3x07. The ghosts from the other side have returned to Mystic Falls and desperate to find a means of killing Klaus to free Stefan from his compulsion, Damon is eager to follow deceased werewolf Mason into the Lockwood Cellar. However, when trouble inevitably finds him, Damon is left with no choice but to ask for help from the people he can only hope still care about him.

Hurt!Damon. Delena if you squint. Damon and Alaric friendship.

Warnings: Moderately graphic description of injury.

A/N: In all honesty, I don't have an excuse for why this chapter is late. However, I have almost completed the rest of the story, so updates should be more frequent. Thank you for your patience. And, as always, thanks for reading.

Chapter 9

Damon's head rested against Elena's forearm as she rocked him forward, her lips pursed while she used her free hand to wrap the pale white bandages around his abdomen. Their pattern was not uniform, the gauze winding up his body haphazardly. Thus, several layers did it take before his wounds were covered in full. Taking only but a brief moment to survey her work, Elena wasted no time in working Alaric's oversized shirt over his head and carefully maneuvering his arms through the sleeves, whose hems nearly reached his elbows. Swallowed by the bagginess of the clothes, Elena couldn't help but smile at the look of him. Like a child while he slept, his face was peaceful, the hardened lines telling of what anger and frustration brewed behind those bright, blue eyes had all but vanished in his slumber. It was for this that Elena was reluctant to disturb him, but nonetheless her desire to simply admire him gave way to better judgement. Her hand was heavy as she brought it to his face, lifting his chin only a fraction.

"Damon," Elena's voice was quiet, soothing as she ran her thumb gently over his cheek. "Come on, we've got to move. You can't stay here. You need to rest."

Bleary blue eyes opened to look unfocusedly at her.

"No... We're good right here… Just like this."

Elena smiled softly as she leaned forward, bringing her forehead forward to press against his, warm with fever.

"No, Damon." She moved closer to the vampire, shifting him in her arms so that his head fell just beneath her chin to rest against her chest. "You need to lie down."

The teenager's voice trailed off as her gaze shifted down to Damon, nuzzled so close against her. His gaze wandered over her carotid artery, throbbing just beneath her milky skin. Though, no darkened veins to tell of his temptation appeared beneath his eyes. Rather, he only turned his face downward so the bridge of his nose pressed against her clavicle, his eyelashes dancing against the collar of the lavender shirt she wore.

He resisted, Elena thought.

The Damon she had met only last year, seemingly so long ago, would have torn into her without a thought had he been presented the chance. And so, it was almost with a sense of pride that she studied the vampire slumped in her arms. For, she would have liked to think that she could claim the credit, at least to some degree, for his change of character. But perhaps, it was something of a consolation to herself, the thought that by gaining his trust, and in turn placing hers in him, she was not the only one to have begun seeing things in a new light.

Elena breathed against Damon's dark locks, still damp from his shower, and she smiled. He smelled like lemon.

"Elena." A whisper just at the bathroom door startled the girl, and her gaze shot up so she peered over the vanity to look upon the arrival.

Alaric held his hands up in surrender, an apology for scaring her found in his sheepish look, only fleeting, for it was soon replaced by a heavier expression of concern.

"How is he doing?"

"Better. He wanted a shower." Elena began to move away, though still a hand remained planted on the vampire's shoulder should his posture betray his injury.

Alaric nodded shortly, "He needs to rest."

"He can hear you." Damon snipped, looking longingly at Elena as she stepped back to make room for Alaric.

"I got your car back, man." Alaric said as he slipped an arm beneath Damon's knees and another behind his shoulders as he made to carry him out of the bathroom, seeming smaller occupied by three. "You're right, she is a beauty."

"Oh god, not you too," Elena groaned from behind, holding out a hand to hover just beneath Damon's head as Alaric balanced his weight in his arms.

"Got that right." Damon mumbled. "Better not have scratched her."

The teacher huffed a laugh, "I didn't, under fear of death."

Alaric might have thought that the vampire's lack of reply could be attributed to his fatigue, though a wince from Elena reminded him of their circumstances. In the midst of all the chaos the night had brought, Alaric had forgotten his anger, though as it appeared, Damon had not.

"Sorry." Alaric broke the silence that had settled upon the loft. "Bad joke."

Elena shook her head and moved in front of them, standing in the center of the loft surveying the room for a place for her friend to lie.

"We can't put him back on the couch." Elena said, her nose wrinkling at the stains that had rendered the cushions beyond salvation.

"Please don't." the vampire swiveled his head to look at each of his companions with a pleading expression.

"We're not." Elena nodded toward the far wall of the loft. "Bed?"

Alaric nodded at her, and began toward it, his eagerness to relinquish his burden apparent in the vigor of his step. Truly, the effort to keep the vampire as still as possible, yet balanced so as not to jostle him, was putting a strain on Alaric's back that he knew would likely leave him a touch of soreness.

Damon had once more fallen unconscious as Alaric deposited him on the bed, drawing the pearl white comforter up to his chin. Alaric allowed a pause before looking to Elena.

"You can leave. I will look after him." he said, turning his back on the resting vampire and moving to place a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I am not leaving."

"I though you would say that." The teacher sighed. "Look, Elena. Really you are supposed to be on your way to school, it's almost eight o'clock. However, seeing as you have had a stressful night to say the least, I'm going to advise you to just go home and sleep it off."

"I can't leave Damon."

"Elena you have done wonders to help him, but now you need to take care of yourself."

"I can't leave him." The girl's voice was firm, but Alaric could see from the red rims of her eyes that she was tired. She had to be. Preoccupation with Damon's wellbeing and undoubtedly a boost of adrenaline had at last given way to basic human need, and the sleep deprivation was beginning to take its toll.

"Believe me, if I could, I would tell you to just crash on the couch, but seeing as Dracula behind me has destroyed it, I am asking you to please go home and rest."

Elena's eyes fell to the floor and she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear before she crossed her arms over her chest. She was nothing if not stubborn. After all, she was a Gilbert.

"I'm not going to kick you out, but I would be happy if you would take my advice for once." Alaric said.

Truly, Elena was exhausted. She had reached that stage of fatigue where her consciousness was being infiltrated by the tempting thought of diving into bed and hiding beneath the covers without a thought of emerging. But, behind the teacher that stood before her, she could see the ashen face of a wounded vampire, utterly helpless in his current state. There was within her a feeling that she needed to protect him. For, she feared that now he could not defend himself, and with a track record like his in a town full of vengeful vampires, it seemed that there could be nothing more for him than danger should she leave.

"Don't worry about Damon." Alaric's voice interrupted Elena's thoughts and her brown eyes met his own knowing. "I'm going to take care of him. I already called in a sub at the high school."

Elena was silent, and the teacher sighed is resignation, recognition that he was fighting a battle that he could not win.

"Are you sure you don't need me to help with anything? Does he need anything else?"

"Elena, don't worry about anything. I'm going to call Caroline to bring some blood from the boarding house."

Elena sighed, her gaze lingering on Damon's form as she at last acquiesced. "Do you promise to call me if you need anything, or if anything changes?"

"I'll have you on speed dial." Alaric smiled, victorious, turning her towards the door.

"Okay." Elena said, allowing the teacher to usher her out. The sun had nearly come up.

"Thank you, Alaric." Elena said, fiddling with her car keys as she stepped out into the morning air.

Alaric smiled and shook his head, "Hey, that's what I'm here for."

Elena nodded gently before turning to leave, aware of the teacher still leaning against the door frame as she made her way to her car.

"Oh, and Ric," Elena called before ducking into the driver's seat. "Don't invite any psycho homicidal vampires into the loft."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Alaric replied.

A/N: You tire of my delays do you, Reader? I am only but a humble ghoul, you must realize. Be patient with me, I implore you. For, I will honor our agreement. Your reviews, follows, and favorites, for what chapters I may grant you. Though, be warned, check your anger. While I work to meet your demand, remember that I may falter. Inconsistency is only my nature.