Author's Note- I am deeply sorry that it has taken me this long to update this fan fiction. I owe you guys a million reasons, but none of them are great. I moved, twice. My mother's craziness since my dad passed away. It's been insane. But I finally got this chapter done, and I figured I'd publish it.

Thank you so, so much for all the reviews, follows and favourites. I can't believe how many people are actually reading this. It's not a popular pairing, that's for sure. It should be though! Yum!

Some notes, I'm more or less going off of season 3, episode 9 of Vampire Diaries. Professor Shane and Bonnie have fixed Jeremy, Klaus has killed his hybrids. Of course none of the Damon and Elena parts have happened, or Stefan and Damon. Hope that makes sense!

Chapter 3- Calls Me Home

Flashback- Mystic Falls, 1970's

Damon could feel the vibrations of the girls scream as his fangs sank into her neck, her body struggling underneath his own. He didn't bother to hold her back , knowing in a few moments her movements would slow and eventually stop altogether, just like her heart. He supposed he should care that he was taking some innocent girls life, but over the decades he spent with Eric, he learned to revel in the kill, and to savor the high blood gave him instead of quibbling over the ethics.

His tongue darted out as a trickle of blood escaped him, moaning out in appreciation as the sweet, metallic taste consumed him. He could feel the girl's heart pump hard and fast to accommodate the sudden loss of blood, but it just meant more for him to gorge on- flooding his mouth like a fountain, and he relished every last drop. The edge of his vision frayed, and blurred. Everything felt electrifying. His mind let loose. His core was becoming hot, as he could feel the blood running through every crevice. And like that, the world seemed to disappear, making his body tingle as he hit euphoria.

Total blackout.

He could hear his own shallow breaths, and the faint sounds of swallowing. He retracted his fangs as he blinked his eyes open, taking in his familiar surroundings of his family boarding house.

His eyes connected with the crystal blues of Eric, as the viking pulled himself away from their dinner, his fangs still extracted, blood dripping. He couldn't help himself as he leaned forward, pushing the blond girls head aside, as he licked along Eric's chin, catching the dribbling blood cascading down the viking's face.

There was no warning as he felt himself being hauled onto Eric's lap, as lips descended on his in a dominating kiss. Tasting blood, he cried out into Eric's mouth as the viking gripped his hard on in his light denim jeans. He hadn't even noticed how aroused he was from feeding, but now all he wanted was for Eric to fuck him into oblivion.

This was becoming almost a routine for him and Eric. Glamouring some poor, pretty girl to their place for the evening, feeding from her, and then fucking each other senseless. Sometimes they'd sleep their blood bags, sometimes there were more than one. On a rare occasion they'd pick up a male, but they never slept with them, Eric wasn't fond of sharing him with males. Not that he minded, Eric was the only one for him.

He grinded his hips into the older vampire's strained erection, his fingers fumbling on the buttons of Eric's black dress shirt. Why were there so many buttons he thought bitterly. He groaned as Eric's icy hands slid their way underneath his shirt, fingernails digging into his back, breaking the skin. He finally managed to undo the last button with Eric's lips still firmly attached to his own.

Like that, they were against one of the pillars in the parlour room, Eric's shirt discarded on the couch. He went for his own shirt, but Eric swatted his fingers away, instead doing it himself. As he watched his Led Zeppelin shirt fall to the ground, Eric was on him again, this time those lips were attacking his neck. He moaned out, pushing himself up, and wrapping his legs around Eric's torso.

He felt his back hit something cold, and his eyes shot open to see they moved now to the piano, Eric smirking above him. He rolled his eyes, roughly grabbing at Eric's belt, the viking just descended on him, his teeth scraping against his chest. As the button of Eric's dress pants flew open, he felt his own jeans coming undone, and cold hands circled around his aching cock.

"I see you two started the party without me? Don't you two ever get sick of doing it?"

He froze underneath Eric, turning his head to see Pam, Eric progeny standing in the doorway of the parlour room, suitcase in one hand, purse in the other, and utter disdain plastered on her beautiful face. "Do you ever get sick of being a downer?" He said with a snort, as he leaned forward, licking along Eric's neck, his eyes however locked with Pam, who just roll her eyes at him.

"If it bothers you Pam, why don't you take a tour of Mystic Falls," Eric suggested as he continued undoing Damon's pants. "Because I plan on fucking Damon in a moment, and your constant interruptions, and groaning will only make the experience less pleasant. Unless you'd care to join in?"

"Fuck no," Pam replied as she wrinkled her nose.

He watched, annoyed as the women just made herself at home, taking a seat on the unoccupied couch. "Can't you two just fuck somewhere else?"

"This is my house,"

"So? You two just drained the only source of entertainment in this house and I'm bored. And this town it utterly lame, even you two are at home, instead of groping each other in a bar, or a roller skating rink or…"

Damon couldn't help himself as he moaned out, Pam's whining just an annoying buzzing in his ear as Eric wrapped his long fingers around his aching erection, pumping him furiously. His head fell back, eyes closing as he grinded himself into Eric's hand like a needy whore. He wanted, no he needed Eric inside of him. Now.

"Damon?"

"Whatever you want," He whispered hotly in Eric's ear, hoping the viking wouldn't notice he wasn't paying attention.

As Eric let out a low laugh, taking his hands off his body, he knew he'd been caught. "As much as I appreciate you giving me permission to do whatever I like to you, you didn't answer my question Damon,"

"And that was…." He asked, hearing Pam snort behind him, but he ignored it, instead focused on kissing along Eric's chest.

Eric pushed him away from his skin, his face all serious but Damon could see the lust encroaching in his blue eyes. "You. Me. Pam. Spending the week here. I figure you wouldn't mind if we detour here for the week as you have to see your brother, and there's nothing pressing in New York-"

"Except good blood, better company, fashion oh and I don't know, fun things to do," Pam interjected rudely.

Eric's entire body stiffened, but his expression never wavered. "Your brother won't mind us being here for a week, or two?" Pam just groaned behind him. "It's been a long time since I've seen your brother, and I still have yet to have the pleasure of making his acquaintance,"

He could feel himself go soft as those words rang inside of his skull. A week, or two. Eric and Pam in Mystic Falls with his brother for a week, or two? Eric and Stefan- meeting for the first time.

He needed a drink.

His legs were wobbly, as he slipped past Eric, rushing to his liquor cabinet, doing up his pants as he stared at the array of decanters. He didn't bother with a glass as he grabbed the first full bottle, taking a rather long swig of what he tasted to be whiskey.

"Something the matter Damon?"

He choked, wiping the excess liquid from his chin, shaking his head quickly, though unable to turn and look at the viking just behind him. Eric always said his eyes never lied.

Why couldn't they just feed and fuck and not talk about Stefan? It's not that he cared that Eric would meet Stefan; though he could imagine how well those two would get along, after about five minutes of meeting each other. It was more about the sex, the feelings, and Katherine. Because this, Eric, everything would all end when he rescued Katherine from the tomb. When he'd be back with the love of his life. Except, as the nagging voice in the back of his mind reminded him, was she?

When he first met Eric, he'd assumed he'd spend only few years with the viking. Hell, he didn't think he'd be here, almost fifty years with the blond, sharing the same bed as the other vampire. Back then, he would have never imagined being sexually attracted to another male. Let alone a thousand year old viking, who was so, volatile. So malicious. Uncaring.

Except he wasn't. Not all the time. Not when they were alone. Not when he was in those encompassing arms.

Eric Northman was his disease. His obsession. They collided fast, and hard, and he just couldn't help himself. Just like their first meeting. he'd become entranced with fierce allure that was Eric Northman.

And the worst part of the whole thing was, he wasn't sure if he wanted it to ever end. If he could live without him.

But could he walk away from his first love?

His entire body went rigid as a soft hand pressed firmly on his shoulder. "Are you okay Damon?"

His stomach twisted into uncomfortable knots as he shrugged off Eric's touch, still keeping his back to the taller man. "I'm fine Eric, just wanted a drink,"

"You're a terrible liar Damon,"

He snarled, whipping around to attack Pam, but a steady hand kept him in place. He finally looked up, those clear blue eyes studying him. He tried to maintain eye contact, but the guilt was eating away at him, and he just couldn't help himself as he averted his gaze. "Are you sure you want to meet my brother? I mean, since Chicago, he's been all, I'll never let human blood touch my lips. KIlling is wrong. Damon, you need to change your ways. Be like me. Blah blah," He exclaimed, taking a step away from Eric, turning and going back to his liquor. "And trust me, you don't want one of Stefan's famous lectures about life choices," He said as he poured himself a glass of bourbon. "Hell, I don't even want to be here. I don't care about one of my long lost relatives, but if I don't have my usual decade visit with my brother, he'll come find me. He's annoyingly caring like that. And what older brother would I be, if I didn't flaunt my bad habits, and torment him. I did promise him an eternity of misery,"

He stiffened as a hand gently squeezed his shoulder. "Damon, he is your family, as I consider you part of mine. And, I would like to meet him, regardless of his, humanity. He is the reason you came with me on my quest for daylight rings, and why we are here now,"

His stomach felt as though it tied itself up in knots as Eric's words resonated with him. Stupid feelings. Stupid human feelings. Wasn't the point of not having a beating heart was to not experience love, though he knew the answer to be laughably wrong.

"Stefan may be my family by blood, but you are more family to me than he is. And Eric, you should listen to your own family, Pam clearly doesn't want to be here, and clearly she won't go alone, so please just go to New York Eric. Meet up with Godric, and find that witch coven. Seriously, I'll be fine. It'll only be a few days, you won't even notice I'm gone,"

"Godric is more than capable of seeking out these witches, and I can wait another week for a flimsy possibly of attaining daylight rings. Pam will and can decide if she wishes to stay, or leave on her own as I personally do not mind staying here for the week. Besides I imagine most of your conversations with your brother will reside in the daytime when we are in the ground anyway. Pam may not be able to find anything to entertain herself, but I know I can think of at least one distraction," Eric whispered the last part in his ear huskily, those long fingers slithering down his stomach.

He found himself pressing against the taller blond, their lips inches from each other's. "Don't start what Pam won't let you finish,"

"You two are insatiable. Can't you two have one conversation where it doesn't end with the two of you shagging like rabbits? Get a room,"

"Why don't you leave?" He suggested darkly, as he flashed Pam a dangerous smile with fangs.

"Why don't you stop hiding behind my maker, and make me!" Pam snarled, already standing, her own fangs bared.

"Damon. Pam. Enough," Eric growled, his grip tightening on his bicep, those eyes giving him a knowing look, before turning toward his progeny.

"Don't you dare Eric. I know that look. Don't you dare side with him, again. He's not your progeny. Hell, he's not even yours," Pam practically screamed.

"If Eric wants me to be his, all he has to do is ask!"

"Really? You'd be willing to submit yourself, fully to Eric. It means forever Damon. A guy like you doesn't do forever. Fuck, you can't open yourself up enough to let Eric meet your brother. I'm surprised you even agreed to let us step foot in your precious Salvatore boarding house. What if baby brother catches you sucking on Eric's cock‒"

He didn't let her finish as he lunged at the younger vampire, wanting nothing more to rip her heart out, and watch her turn into a giant pile of guts. As his fingers entangled themselves in her blonde hair, he was grabbed and thrown across the room, landing quite painfully onto the mantle of the fireplace. He snarled, gripping his bleeding arm as he glared at his opposer. The cold stare that was returned made him shiver.

He gathered himself, not wanting to show any weakness, though he wasn't sure if he wanted to be on the receiving end of Eric's temper.

"That's enough, the both of you. Just pathetic," Eric snarled, his one hand firmly on Pam's shoulder, the other extended in his direction. He looked between the two of them, before settling on Pam. "Thank you for your insight into the situation Pam but I would like to speak to Damon, alone,"

"But‒"

"PAM"

"Fine! Whatever, take his side! Damon's ass must be fucking divine if you keep choosing him over me,"

He watched as she stormed off toward the exit, hearing her heels click against the wooden floors and up the few steps and to the front door. As she grasped her hand over the handle, she turned once more, looking back at Eric. "Han bryr sig inte om dig, hur du bryr dig om honom Eric" (He does not care about you, how you care for him Eric)

And like that, Pam was gone, the door almost coming off it's hinges as the sound reverberated in the increasingly uncomfortable silence. He knew Pam knew he knew exactly what she said, but he supposed that was the point.

Damon didn't know what to do with himself as he found the strength to stand, taking his hand away to assess the damage of his arm.

He was taken by surprise as he felt himself being easily pushed into the brick of the mantle, though unlike last time it was much gentler. Eric's expression was unclear as he examined him. For a long moment they both stood there, eyes unblinking until the viking took his hand, and licked the blood that covered his fingers and palm from his now healed wound.

The intimacy combined with the silence made Damon uneasy.

"I'm sorry,"

He barely caught the words, but thankfully he was preoccupied with staring at the man's lips to notice. "For what?"

"Attacking you. I didn't mean to use so much force," Eric answered.

"It's nothing that hasn't already healed. Besides, you've been much rougher when we're having sex, and I've never complained before. The rougher the better I always say," He replied, winking at the blond.

A flicker of a smile graced the vikings face, as his tongue darted out to suck on one of his fingers. That sight made him moan out, knowing the feeling of those lips on more intimate areas of his body. "True," Eric replied.

There was another pause as Eric studied him with such attention, and scrutiny- he could feel the bile rise up, as his heart did an uncomfortable squeeze.

Then, like that, it was over and Eric dropped his hand, and turning his back to him. Eric's behaviour was perplexing, and he couldn't fathom Eric's state of mind. Should he say something? Or should he take off his pants? Eric did always like the way his hips dented. Maybe then, they wouldn't have to talk about about the obvious tension hanging in the room, like a slow acting poison that was starting to suffocate them.

"Did you mean it Damon? What you said to Pam?"

His hands froze at the zipper, feeling his lungs constricting.

"About what?"

Please God don't mean the I'm his comment he made to Pam he thought.

"You being mine? I know I told you years ago that you were mine. That you could be with no one else. And you've obliged me that courtesy, for the most part. But I feel as though you are pulling away, and as Pam pointed out, our kind believes in forever. And unlike my kind, I don't take the idea lightly. I want you Damon, I want to possess you,I want to own you, I want to know there is no one else but I fear that there is something you are keeping from me. And it's not just your brother. If you wish to end our arrangement, then let's do it now,"

Damon's stomach did an uncomfortable flip flop, as those words sunk in. He thought he'd been careful, hiding his doubts. Hiding his feelings. But this. Now. What could he choose?

Forever was a long time for a vampire.

But could he just walk away from the viking? From the man who made him into the vampire he was? But Katherine had been the love of his life, and he sacrificed a lot for her, and she'd always been the plan. His forever.

Though he owed Eric an explanation at least. Or at worst, who Katherine was, and what she meant to him.

But what was she to him anymore? An older lover trapped in a mystical cave, only to be opened every 142 years. He could barely remember her, and Eric was here, in the flesh, and cared about him like no other.

Why couldn't they just stay the way they were now?

"Are you going to answer, or do I take your silence as a yes?" Eric asked, breaking his train of thought.

He looked over to the older vampire, wanting his lips to move but his mouth felt like sandpaper. He never thought he'd have to make this choice. Not for another few decades anyway.

Eric turned away from him then, and before he knew what was happening he found himself in front of the blond. "Wait," He put his hand on Eric's chest in a vain attempt to stop the viking. "Look I'm not good with words. Or feelings. Fuck, for a long time, this was just us, roaming the country. You trying to find a way to make a daylight ring. Along the way, it ended up us killing, fucking and being merry. But I never thought we'd ever become this. And it's not that I don't love you Eric, because I do. But you deserve better than me, you deserve someone who will give themselves to you fully, and I don't know if I can,"

"Why don't you let me decide what I deserve Damon. All I'm asking is for a little trust. There's something about this town, about your human life that you're holding on to that's eating at you. Damon, whatever it is, just tell me," said Eric. Arms grasped his shoulders as Eric leaned in close, his lips inches from his face. "Let me help you,"

He pushed Eric off as he threw up his hands through his hair, roughly pulling at the strands. "You can't Eric, because it's about you. It's about her. It's about so much you don't know,"

He felt as though the room was spinning, like he'd drank a bottle of whiskey. He fell on the couch, needing something to balance him before the anxiety, and the guilt ate him alive.

The cushion beside him sank slightly, as an arm wrapped around his shoulder."Then tell me about her! About all of it,"

"It's a long story," He mumbled, wishing to just disappear into a bottle of bourbon.

"For you, I have the time Damon,"

He studied the elder vampire, seeing the sincerity, and kindness in those usually cold, and callous eyes. They were soothing, and he felt his will power dwindling.

He snarled then, jumping up from the couch and moving to the far corner of the room. "I don't want to talk about it Eric,"

"Then when do you!" Eric snarled, sending shivers down his spine as he regarded the viking in all his indignation. The man took a threatening step toward him, as he took a step back, hitting the rough spines of the books behind him. "I've been patient Damon, I've tried to let you figure out whatever you're going through. but I can't any more," Eric exclaimed, shaking his head at him, as he felt his heart leap into his throat. "You want your secrets, fine. But clearly you're fighting your feelings for two, and I'll make this choice easier for you. I'm gone,"

His knees gave way, as he fell to the floor, a loud ringing in his ears deafening him. What had he done?

"Please don't leave me," He whispered, the words like vomit as he kept repeating them.

Even as arms encompassed him, he kept uttering the same four words into clothed flesh, not daring to open his eyes.

He'd never felt so weak.

"You can't keep doing this to yourself. I don't want to leave you Damon, but I also cannot be with someone who loves another," Eric said as he held him at shoulder length apart, both hands over his cheeks. "One day, you're going to have to face this. Because no matter how hard you try to hide from it, no matter how hard you try to suppress your emotions, they will always be there. Keeping you awake at night. Haunting every thought you have. And you're going to have to make a decision. One way or another," Eric said, letting him go. He watched as the viking made his way toward the door, turning to face him. "I hope to see you in New York Damon, you know where we will be,"

"Thanks for coming with me,"

"Of course, I completely understand why you don't want to see Damon alone,"

Stefan gave Caroline a quick smile, as they continued on the main street toward the Salvatore boarding house.

"So is Damon at your house? Because I can text Matt and see if he's at the Grill, that place might as well be Damon's second home," Caroline asked, her fingers already hovering over the screen of her cellphone.

"Don't bother, I told Matt to text me if he sees Damon again,"

"Aren't you worried he might be with Elena then?"

"Not right now. She's with Jeremy and Bonnie at the cabin. I left them earlier, with strict instructions to Bonnie to not let Elena leave her side," He replied, as he pulled into his driveway, seeing Damon's blue Camaro parked in it's usual spot. "Besides, it looks like we've lucked out, and he's here,"

"I wouldn't say luck, who knows what's behind those doors. You know Damon," Caroline said, her hand on the door handle as she turned back to face him. "Are you going to tell Elena Damon is back in town? Because if I were you, I'd make sure she heard it from you, instead of someone else,"

"Of course, eventually. I need to assess my brother's state of mind first. Like you said, who knows what Damon will be like,"

"True," Caroline said, a worried expression appearing on her beautiful face.

He just gave her a small smile as he opened the door, letting Caroline in first. He wasn't exactly sure what he expected from Damon when he walked into the boarding house, but this was just too predicable.

Blaring indistinguishable rock music, some unknown blond woman gyrating on the coffee table, with multiple fang marks and dried, caked blood covering multiple parts of her body, and Damon. In the center of it all, a bottle of what appeared to be their vintage bourbon in his hands, as he danced on the outside edge of their railing on the second floor that overlooked the Great Room. He actually looked much like his female companion, half naked with blood smeared on his exposed flesh, except for the obvious difference that the blood wasn't his own, and that his mouth was just oozing crimson.

Aside from the curtains completely drawn closed though it was nightfall, and the lights seemingly three shades dimmer, the whole display was actually rather familiar. As if he was experiencing deja vu from three years ago.

He wasn't sure if he should be appalled, or be thankful that his brother was at least alive, and acting more or less like himself.

What had he really been envisioning anyway? Damon was just being predictable, at least that could be considered comforting.

"Damon," He called out, over the music as he gritted his teeth from the sudden blood lust he had.

The girl froze, as Damon turned to look at the both of them, obviously unaware of their presence. He gave them his trademark smirk, before landing smoothly onto the floor, turning off the racket. "Stefan, I've been looking everywhere for you,"

"Obviously not very hard," He commented, his hand gesturing toward Damon's present company.

"Oh her," Damon said as he wiped the blood from his face, sucking the blood from his fingers. He heard Caroline grimace beside him. "I got bored of waiting and I fancied myself something to drink,"

"I thought you were drinking from blood bags,"

"Not since leaving Mystic Falls. Besides you know how I like my blood straight from the vein," Damon said, his smirk widening as he winked at him, before making his way toward the liquor cabinet.

"She some random girl you picked up? Do you remember where you found this one, or am I going to have to compel her to just walk home, and forget this whole thing?" He sighed, as he looked around for her clothes.

"You can try but she doesn't speak any English. Besides, she was a gift from a friend," Damon replied as he took a healthy swig of something, passing a glass of the same ember liquid to his guest.

"A gift? She's a human being Damon," Caroline snarled.

"Look Barbie, this may be news to you, living the sheltered life that you do, but some vampires consider humans to be nothing but food. And Lydia here, that's all she's good for. She was born into this life, bred to be a vampire's next meal. Now, luckily for her, Eric keeps her alive, but only for her blood. Well and for sex, Pam loves having a go at this one," Damon chuckled, running a hand through the girl's hair. She seemed quite content as she smiled at his brother, running a hand down his naked torso. "Lydia tell them how well we treat you. Du gillar att tjäna vampyrer. Rätt? Säg till min bror, och Caroline som du är här av egen fri vilja,"

Caroline looked to him in confusion, he shrugged his shoulders, he was just as puzzled as she was. He never knew his brother could speak any other language besides English and a bit of Italian.

"Damon...nice to me," Lydia said, clearly struggling with her English. She turned to look at Damon for approval.

Damon just laughed as he pulled her with him as he fell on the couches. "That answer your questions judgey, or are you both going to give me a lecture on how to treat humans. Please, I want to keep her daddy. Mommy. I'll take extra special care of her,"

"You're a real bastard Damon," Caroline spat, grabbing him as she pulled him toward the couch opposite of his brother.

"Ouch that hurt my feelings," Damon said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he faked a hurt expression, clutching his chest. "Oh wait, I don't have any feelings,"

"Yeah, that was pretty clear when you did your little disappearing act a year ago. There were people here actually worried about you, God knows why, you don't deserve it," Caroline snarled, throwing her hands up in exasperation as Damon just stared at her boredly. "Where were you anyway?"

"Here and there,"

"And you couldn't be bothered to answer your phone once?" He spat.

"I was busy," Damon simply replied, shrugging as he continued to avoid answering any of their questions directly.

"Look we know you've been spending time with the other vampires,"

"Oh do you now? What did dear Elijah tell you?" Damon snarled.

"Nothing much, except that he ran into you at a bar owned and catered to the other vampires. He said you know the owner, Eric something. Look Damon-"

"Eric Northman,"

"What?" He asked, taken aback by Damon's interruption.

"His name is Eric Northman, and you know nothing Stefan," Damon said, he obviously struck a nerve as his brother sent him a nasty glare. "Look I get your mission in life is to chastise how I go about living my life, but I'm not in the mood to be disciplined. So save your little humanity speech for someone who cares. And instead, you can tell me why I'm here,"

"Maybe he asked you back because he was worried about you Damon, did you ever think of that? You left without saying goodbye. You hurt a lot of people when you just up and left. You never came to Alaric's funeral, your best, and only friend. And Elena died that night, and if it wasn't for your blood in her system, she'd really be dead. Stefan has been riddled with guilt because he couldn't save her in time, and where were you? Let me guess, drinking it up, and having meaningless one night stands. And-"

Caroline stopped her angry tirade, as Damon's face darkened, his eyes narrowing into slits. The silence was deafening, until Damon let out a strangled noise that sounded almost like a laugh. "Don't pretend my departure wasn't the best day of your lives. But if you must know, I did come back that night. Not that the two of you don't know, I did leave Ric's body in the freezer. After that, I rushed to the hospital, praying to anyone who would listen, that Elena would be alive. But when I ran into Dr. Fell, who informed me of Elena's little blood transfusion, I knew that I couldn't stay. I couldn't watch her be with you. She chose you, not me that night and I couldn't watch the two of you be in love. So I left. There was nothing left for me in Mystic Falls,"

No one spoke for a long time, Caroline turned to look at him, a knowing look in her eyes. He knew what she was thinking- he knew she was wondering if he'd tell Damon about Elena. He should tell Damon, tell him that Elena was in madly in love with him. That she would give anything to see him again. That she wanted little, to nothing to do with him any more, as he reminded her of his brother. That he was gone.

That she chose the wrong brother that night.

But he couldn't. For all his worth, and all his guilt, he just couldn't bring himself to spout the one sentence that would change his brother's life.

Why?

Because he was selfish. Because he still loved her. Because he still believed this was all to due with her being a vampire, and if he found the cure. If he turned her back, she'd want him. And not Damon.

But seeing his brother, humanity missing almost completely, and obviously hurting made the guilt eat away at his insides even further. Maybe he was the one lacking a conscience?

"That's why you left? Because of Elena?" Caroline asked.

"Her. Ric. Look does it matter? What's done is done. Now as much fun as rehashing the past, and catching up is, what am I doing here? Elijah wasn't exactly forthcoming on the phone, but I can assume from my little talk with Klaus last night, it has something to due with this cure for immortality,"

"Something like that," He muttered.

"Well do tell brother, I didn't fly all the way from Louisiana for nothing,"

He glanced over at Damon for a moment, before turning to Caroline who gave him a look of encouragement. The white oak stake was crucial for their plan of completing the hunter's mark, and if Damon didn't have it in his possession, he wasn't sure what else they were going to do. Everything rested on Damon now for their plan to work.

"First you need to know about Jeremy, and the hunter's mark," He started, only to be interrupted.

"He needs to kill vampires to complete some mark that leads to the cure. I know, Klaus told me all about it. Get on with it, how does the affect me?"

He couldn't wait any longer, they needed it soon, or they were going to be faced with Klaus, and who knew what that man would do to achieve his ends. "We asked you back for the white oak stake Damon. You were the last person to have it,"

There was a deafening silence as Damon looked between the two of them. He was unable to read his brother's expression as he stood up, making his way to the liquor cabinet to refill his glass he presumed.

"Well actually Alaric had it, and he tried to kill me with it. But I suppose I might have taken it after he died," Damon said, pausing, making the wait almost unbearable. "Problem is, I don't have it,"

"WHAT!"

Damon shrugged at them from behind.

"Yeah, I gave it to a friend. I didn't see the point in keeping it since Klaus is our sire and all," Damon replied, as he started to take a turn around the living room. "Why do you want it?"

"Damon you have to get it back! Why in hell would you give it away anyway? We need it now. Jeremy needs to complete the mark, and if he kills an original, he'll kill their entire bloodline. Essentially if he kills one original, he'll complete the mark,"

"Right, and that's such a brilliant plan" Damon sarcastically replied "Do you know what Klaus will do to you if you kill one of his siblings? Has something happened since I left, because it sounds like you're having one of those suicide mission crises again. Have you not learned from last time?"

"It's worth the risk Damon, or else Jeremy will have to slaughter, dozens, maybe even more vampires to complete that mark. And what if he dies in the process? We can't take that chance," He exclaimed.

"Then turn some people, newborns are easier to kill. They haven't learned how to track yet,"

"We can't do that! They're innocent people Damon, or have you forgotten the value of a human life?'"

"I haven't forgotten, I simply don't care. Humans serve us one purpose. a food source. Nothing more. You'd do well to remember that," Damon stated.

"How can you say that Damon!" Caroline snarled, jumping up to take a step toward Damon, but he grabbed her hand, pulling her back down. "You're really a heartless bastard, aren't you?"

"Maybe, but you both know my way is easier. How do you think you're even going to be able to kill an Original anyway? If you fail, which you will, you wouldn't have to worry about Jeremy's death, because Klaus will no doubt kidnap the poor Gilbert boy, do exactly what I just told you to do, and then when he's lead him to the cure, he'll kill him. Either way, the boy's dead. My plan at least gives him a fighting chance," Damon asserted, turning to flash them a devilish grin. "And how would your precious Elena feel if you had the chance to keep her brother alive, but didn't?"

"Damon-" Caroline warned as he moved in a flash, his fingers encircling around his brother's throat.

"Look Damon, were doing this my way, so call your friend, and get it back!" He snarled, moaning out in pain as his brother crushed his fingers, forcing him to release his grip.

"How about, instead, the two of you get your heads out of your asses, and do this my way," Damon said, and before he could defend himself, his brother plunged the leg of an end table into his gut. He groaned, falling to the ground as Damon appeared above him, an evil glint in his steel blue eyes. "Because I have no intention of calling Eric, and asking him to leave his bar, and come all the way to Mystic Falls, because my idiot brother wants to play knight in shining armor to Elena Gilbert, and at the same time, continuing his pathetic childish attention seeking behaviour towards his once lover, and our sire, Klaus,"

He lunged at Damon, only to crash into the bookcases, as his brother easily dodged his attack. "I've never slept with Klaus!"

"Lover?" Caroline asked, looking between the two of them in confusion.

"Oh they haven't told you? This must be awkward then," Damon exclaimed, as he attempted to wrap his arm around Caroline, but she pushed him roughly off of her. "Are you dating Klaus yet? Or are you still with Matt? Or Tyler? I've missed so much," Damon asked, clearly enjoying himself. "But at least if you ever wanted to, Klaus and Stefan would be game for a three-way,"

"Damon," He snarled, taking a threatening step toward him.

His brother put his hands up in defense, clearly doing it sarcastically. "I get it, don't waste your strength brother, I mean how many squirrels are left in Mystic Falls for you to munch on? I'd hate for you to lose all your furry forest friends, and have to lower yourself to human blood like the rest of us. God forbid if ripper you comes back. Wouldn't want to be the poor townspeople then," Damon smirked, winking at him. "But at least we know Klaus would have his fun,"

This time it was Caroline who attacked his brother, her blow landing, as his brother went hurtling into the steps leading into the parlour room.

"What's wrong with you Damon? We haven't seen you in a year, and this is how you act. I can't believe I was ever worried about you," Caroline exclaimed, as she helped him up, and back toward the couches.

"You're right, it has been a year. And where were you guys? Or at least you brother. I'll admit, I didn't want to be found. I didn't want to be reminded of the choices I had made coming back, everything that I had lost, or thought I lost. But I always figured, being the stubborn, caring brother that you are, you'd be relentless in finding me. But you weren't," Damon said, shaking his head as he laughed. "No, instead you decide Elena is more important. But who would the Salvatore brothers be if they didn't let a Petrova doppelgänger come in between their relationship? And you know, you asking me back me back just for the white oak stake isn't even the worst of all of this," Damon exclaimed, his face falling. "I know Elena loves you, and not me, but I thought at the very least, she'd come to welcome me home. Or at least have the decency to ask for the stake for her brother herself. But I guess no matter how much redemption you go through, it's not enough. I'll never be you brother,"

All his anger vanished, as guilt rose to the surface. "Damon, Elena-"

"Save it, it doesn't matter. She made her choice a year ago, and I've learned to live with it," Damon said, as poured himself, yet another glass of bourbon. "Look I didn't come back to fight with you Stefan. I might as well tell you now but I made a deal with Klaus to help Jeremy complete his hunter's mark, and it wasn't in our agreement that I'd help Jeremy kill one of his siblings,"

"You did... WHAT!"

Damon turned, smirking wickedly at him. "What? You're the only one who can make deals with Klaus? Did you think I came back because of some family bond we share? Or for some residual feelings for your girlfriend?" Damon asked, as he took a seat on the couch opposite of them, running his fingers through Lydia's long blond hair. "Like I said, Elena means little to me now. And so do you. See, I came for insurance. I knew, when Elijah called, you'd upset the great, and powerful Klaus, and you needed me to get you out of your mess. Like you always do. And I knew, if I didn't come, you'd do something idiotic, and Klaus would come after me, and I'm not dying because the two of you are having a lover's spat,"

"He wouldn't have come after you!" He snarled.

"You don't see it do you? Klaus is obsessed with you! I don't know if it's because he values some sick friendship you two had in the twenties, or because he wants to fuck you. Or both. He'll never kill you, just torture, maim, and kill everyone that is close to you. It's not as if he'll kill Elena, he needs her doppelgänger blood. Or Caroline, because he's obsessed with her too. And let's face it, you don't care about Elena's little friends. No, it'll be your brother, your only family member,"

He clenched, and unclenched his fist, trying desperately to quell his anger. Though, as much as he hated to admit it, Damon made a good point. Klaus's death threats always turned out to be empty. But the hybrid wouldn't lose sleep over killing anyone close to him. "So you came back for yourself, sounds about right. How do you know Klaus will even keep his promise to you?"

"I'm not too worried, I just promised Klaus I'd finish what you couldn't, and teach Jeremy how to hunt and kill vampires."

"I won't let you anywhere near Jeremy,"

"Try and stop me Stefan, I dare you. Besides, it's either me. Or Klaus. You choose," Damon said, shrugging. "If I were you, I'd choose me. Who knows what Klaus will do to Elena's little brother. And could she ever forgive you if Klaus killed him? You know the hybrid won't rest until he gets his hands on something that could potentially used against him,"

Caroline squeezed his hand, smiling weakly at him before turning to face his brother. "Damon please, I begging any part of your humanity to realize that there are people at risk here. Maybe a dozen, or more. We have no idea how many it'll take to complete the mark. Think about Jeremy, he's going to have live with killing all these people. Please, if you ever cared about your brother, or Elena, at all, you'll do it their way. I get you're hurting, but please. We can figure out how to deal with Klaus, and how to kill Rebekah, or Elijah, or Kol,"

"Not that I don't trust Sabrina's powers, but this way is easier. And doesn't put my life in danger. I have a life in Louisiana, and a people I care about. A lot. And I'm not jeopardizing their lives or my own. I'm sorry Barbie," Damon said, his words seemingly having some meaning as he looked between the two of them. "Look I'll give the two of you twenty four hours to talk it over with Elena, and Jeremy, but I'm doing this. You'll see that my way is easier in the long run,"

Damon then turned to Lydia, his female companion and spoke to her in what sounded like the same language as before. She nodded excitedly, their conversation making absolutely no sense to him, until she got up and grabbed her dress from the floor. She then bowed to Damon, before exiting the parlour room and up the stairs.

And like that, Damon was gone, he could hear her giggling as the sound of running water drowned her out, indicating someone started a shower in Damon's wing of the house.

"What just happened?" Caroline whispered next to him.

There were no words that came to him, as he just shrugged, perplexed at Damon's behaviour. All he knew, was that they needed a plan to deal with Damon, because clearly he wasn't in his right mind.

And they needed to get Damon to contact his friend, Eric. Or maybe take a quick trip to Louisiana and get the white oak stake from Eric himself.

Who was Eric Northman anyway? And how, in one year, did his brother trust some other vampire with a weapon that could kill all of them?

So what did you think? Good? Bad? Was it terrible? I sincerely apologize if the flashback is awful, I wrote that scene about 30 times, not joking. I found I made either Eric or Damon too soft, and I deviated a little too much from their character. I hope though it's okay. Did it make sense?

Anyway, thank you so much for reading. Please review, follow or favourite. Or don't. You're choice. I do love reviews though, every one who does get's a virtual hug *hug*

I swear, the next chapter will be up at least by the end of this month! No more months on months. I promise.

Anyway thanks again for reading! Till next time! :)