"Done!" Elena finally exclaimed happily slamming her pen onto the table after writing a couple of thousand words.

"You took your time," he replied snapping shut the novel he had been reading before taking a glance at his watch. "It's precisely 2AM."

It had never occurred to her that they had been in the library for that long, she had been scribbling frantically, occasionally stopping to ask him a question to which he would reply to thoroughly. In fact, to her surprise he had behaved completely professionally tonight throwing her off guard. He had even gone out to bring them both coffees whilst she worked on her essay.

"I didn't even notice the time."

"I didn't think you had, you were too engrossed with your work, scribbling away with that adorable expression of concentration on your face."

"Shut up," she laughed bumping her shoulder with his as they walked towards the exit of the library.

Stepping into the clear dark night, they were hit by a rush of wind, the streets surrounding them filled with eerie silence. Throughout the whole journey Elena was aware of their proximity, every now and then they would bump shoulders or hands sending tingling sensations all down her spine – there was the relief of not having to feel guilt over her feelings but a part of her thought back to what her father would think, or her mother. How easily she'd let go of her values as a vampire hunter, if anyone found out it could be fatal for either. As they crossed the bridge leading to her street Damon stopped abruptly, grabbing her elbow he drew her towards him until they stood face-to-face breathing heavily. Placing a hand against his chest to steady herself, she felt his heart hammering against his chest rapidly.

"Your heart—" she began before allowing her voice to drift off in mid-sentence.

His eyes flickered with humor as he raised an eyebrow at her. "Yes, Elena. My heart still continues to pump blood through my body despite me being…well you know—dead."

Quickly removing her hand from his chest she stepped away from him consciously. "I'd better get going," she told him awkwardly digging her nails into the palm of her hands in an attempt to remain in control, every nerve in her body was fighting to feel his lips against hers. Pulling her towards him again he secured his hands around her holding her body tightly against his own. "Damon, we can't," she whispered.

"Your boyfriend?" he grumbled knowingly something dark flashing in his eyes.

"Matt and I broke up," she admitted feeling the heavy weight shifting from her shoulders, there—she'd told him.

A look of bewilderment, followed by relief and lastly confusion spread through his eyes. "So what's stopping us?"

"There is no us," she told him pushing him away again, running her hand through her hair she looked at him confliction clear in her eyes. "Damon, you and I would never even work. We're too different. I'm a huntress; do you know what they do in the rare case that a vampire and a hunter get together? Sometimes either or both of them get killed. We can't do this."

He laughed humorlessly dragging his hands down his face. "Can you hear yourself? All you are doing is giving excuses. I have a boyfriend, you're a vampire, I don't know you enough, it's too dangerous. Why don't you admit it, Elena!"

"Admit what? That I'm drawn to you? I AM DRAWN TO YOU DAMON SALVATORE! Is that what you wanted to hear, because it doesn't change the facts!" she shouted in frustration.

"No, I knew that already that's not what I meant. Admit that you're scared about what's going on between us," he stepped closer to her taking a hold of her hands she'd tightly balled into fists and holding it against his chest.

"I'm terrified! You don't get it Damon, I shouldn't feel this way about you but the more I ignore it the stronger it gets. It consumes me," she breathed hard, attempting to pull her hands from his but when he leaned down to place his lips firmly on hers she didn't stop him, instead she kissed him back harder. Releasing her hands, he wrapped his own around her, pushing them both backwards until they were backed up against the brick wall of the bridge, she in turn placed her hands behind his neck pulling him down towards her. Her legs felt weak and wobbly as she sunk against him kissing him passionately. Lifting her at the waist, he picked her up and placed her so that she was sitting on top of the wall as she in turn wrapped her legs around him the feeling of euphoria bursting through her body. Pulling his mouth from hers they both came up for breath staring at each other for a moment.

"You just can't keep your hands off me can you," he told her, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Shaking her head with a smile, she tightened her grasp around his neck. "Don't be so cocky, especially when you're a sloppy kisser," she lied biting on her bottom lip.

His eyes turned dark, something dangerous flashing through them. He leaned in towards her, but instead of kissing her lips he nibbled on her ear sending a shiver down her spine. "Take that back," he murmured moving down to kiss her neck slowly tracing kisses all down her collarbone.

"No," she whispered daringly, closing her eyes with pleasure. Suddenly he pulled away from her, flashing her eyes open she saw him stepping backwards to put a small distance between them whilst still being close enough to keep the firm grip on her waist to keep her safe from falling backwards.

"What are you doing?" she laughed attempting to pull him towards her but he shook his head and remained rooted exactly where he was with a smirk across his face. "Okay, I take it back you doofus. Now, kiss me," she giggled beckoning him closer.

For once she didn't care what anybody thought, all logic had left her. All she knew was that she wanted to be right here, kissing Damon with everything she had. Pulling his lips into hers, she allowed herself to forget all her doubts and momentarily everything was perfect.

"Okay, I have to get home now before my dad gets worried," she told him breathlessly after a long while, looking equally as miserable about stopping whatever this was between them as he did.

"I'll walk you back," he gave her a quick kiss before helping her hop down from where she was seated. Unsure of whether or not to hold his hand, she left them limply at her side—she had no idea what the new boundaries between them were but none of that mattered right now. She felt exhilarated and knowing this happiness wasn't going to last for very long she planned on enjoying it for as long as she could. She pulled him in for one last long lingering kiss, as she pulled away he tried to make a grab for her again which she dodged giggling before running into her house. Closing the door, she leaned against it recalling the details of what had just happened, tracing her lips with her index finger she smiled to herself remembering the feeling of his lips against hers. Her eyes flickered to the stairs, the shape of a looming body making her yelp out in surprise. Flicking on the lights, she was greeted by the sight of Caroline staring at her with a deadly expression, her arms crossed against her chest.

"Are you out of your mind?!" she hissed.


Authors note: Double updates have become a casual thing now it appears. I know, I know, I never keep things too happy without complications, but what can I tell you? I'm a sucker for tragic endings. You know what to do: please, please - review if you read my Fanfics, it's only fair ;) Thank you to the loyal readers who always leave comments, you know who you are and I'd like to let you know that I'm really grateful and I do take into account what you say. Okay, until next week!