AN: Thanks for the reviews, you guys are very encouraging and I'm glad you're reading along. Also thanks to the 'silent' readers. Fairly short chap this time, I was in a waiting room for a while and needed to put in the time!

My Plan Needs An Adjustment (or Two)

For a moment he thought he'd blown it. Jeremy had gone completely immobile, his face unreadable. And then he'd begun to laugh again, albeit somewhat hysterically.

"Very funny, Damon. You're friggin' hilarious, dude. But I happen to know you don't roll that way. I've seen the way you stare at my sister when you don't think anyone's watching. And I seem to recall a certain reporter named Andi walking around town with a slightly noticeable, ever-present neck scarf. Oh…and didn't you even get it on with Caroline when you first came back to Mystic? You have quite the reputation as a male slut. So, nice try and get the hell off me. I'm tired."

He stared thoughtfully down at the young man's face. Noticed the freckles (or were they small moles?) that formed a triangle on Jeremy's cheek. Cute. Moved to trace them with his finger. Jeremy reached up and knocked his hand away. Turned his face to avoid his gaze.

"Hmm." He drawled lazily, "For someone who professes not to be a fan, you seem to have been paying close attention to my love, or should I say, sex life? What's that about, Gilbert? Jealous much?"

Jeremy pushed up against his body in an attempt to dislodge him. "You are so fucking conceited, Salvatore. You think everyone is all about you. I notice your so-called 'sex life' because you throw it in everyone's face. Discretion is NOT your middle name."

He captured the boy's flailing arms and held them still along Jeremy's sides. "But it could be, Jeremy. I can be discrete, you know. I would be discrete, if something was to happen between you and I."

"I can not believe we are still having this conversation. Why would I want to have sex with you, Damon? I'm not attracted to you, I don't even like you. And I think you're just trying to have a go at Elena. You want to get back at her because she keeps choosing Stefan over you. So, what better way to screw with her head than to screw with her little brother? You're twisted, man. And obvious."

He hadn't realized Jeremy was so insightful. He had always thought of him as a slightly dopey dope head. Maybe there was more to the lad than he'd previously thought. He rolled off the teen and lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

"Well. That hurt, Gilbert. I didn't realize the depth of your disdain. And cynicism. Another trait you share with your quasi-sister. Clearly I've been wasting my time trying to protect you two. I knew I should have stayed clear of this one horse town."

He felt Jeremy turn onto his side, sensed the teen's eyes on him. Kept his eyes focused on the ceiling, refusing to meet the boy's glare.

"I don't believe you. I don't believe what I think about you matters, that you care whether I like you or not. You're just trying to make me feel sorry for you, so that you can take advantage. And what I'm also thinking is, that if I were to kiss you right now, you'd stop this stupid game. Because you'd be so freaked out. You'd run as fast as your little vampire feet could carry you back to Andi."

He turned on his side to face the teen. "Try me."

Jeremy abruptly withdrew from their kiss and awkwardly pushed himself into a standing position. "Sorry, Damon. I really have to get to work. And I'm going to have to deal with Elena. I'll see you tonight?"

"Jesus. She's a cock blocker even when she's not physically in the room. I can't believe you're going to leave me like this." He pointed down towards the telltale bulge in his jeans. "Come on, Jer. Not even a quick hand job? Help a guy out, you've got the 'magic touch'. I promise I'll return the favour, pleeease?"

Christ, Jeremy was right. He did sound desperate. He was actually begging for it. So beneath him. He winced as Jeremy began to laugh, cringed as the teen blew him a kiss, and pounded the floor in frustration as the door shut behind the boy.

Oh my God, he so needed a Plan E. Or was he up to Plan F by now? He'd lost count. Damn those Gilberts and their puppy dog eyes.

Answered his phone almost angrily, "What? Ric. Yeah, I'm ready to go. You might not like what we find, I hope you're up to seeing Stefan's handiwork, it won't be pretty."

Jeremy stared back at him, a questioning look in his eyes. "Seriously? You want me to kiss you? I don't know, dude. I've never kissed a guy, I think it would be weird." But the teen didn't move away.

'OK' he thought to himself, 'He's actually contemplating this. More than I could have hoped for. So. Play it cool. Don't blow it. This is a great opportunity." He lay perfectly motionless. Contemplated his next move. He didn't want to spook the kid, he needed to be careful, calm.

"Why weird?" he finally dared to ask. "Kissing is kissing, isn't it?" He paused. Jeremy's dark brown eyes were fixated on his lips as he spoke. "Besides. You won't know what kissing a guy is like unless you try it. And here's your chance. Because I want you to kiss me."

Jeremy visibly tore his gaze away from his mouth. Looked at him. Really seemed to look at him, as if for the first time. "Honestly? You aren't just saying that because of Elena? You actually want me to kiss you?"

'Got him' he exclaimed jubilantly in his head. Aloud he said, "Jeremy. You're hot. Totally hot. Of course I want you to kiss me." Waited. This had to come from Jeremy. He needed the young man to make the first move, it was necessary that Elena knew Jeremy started this.

He felt the teen take a deep breath, followed by a heavy sigh. Heard the mortal's heart thumping. Knew without a doubt that this was actually going to happen. He could have rubbed his hands with glee, except that would be tacky. And, clearly, it would ruin the moment. He forced himself to keep quiet.

Waited with anticipation. Finally felt lips on his. Firmer than a woman's. Warmer. Different. But definitely OK, it felt all right. Jeremy's lips moved lightly across his at first, then with more pressure. Holy shit, this was definitely more than all right. And then. Jeremy's tongue abruptly entered his mouth. He snapped open his eyes in surprise.

The younger man had his eyes clenched tightly, as if trying to shut out what was happening. But it wasn't him forcing this on Jeremy, it was Jeremy exploring every crevice of his willing mouth, it was Jeremy rolling their tongues together, it was Jeremy reaching up to softly stroke his cheek as their kiss deepened and became ardent, fervent.

Then. Both of them exploring, seeking. Demanding more with their mouths, their hands. Holy shit. This was intense.

He felt his body reacting. This fact startled him in the same way Jeremy's unexpected ardor had. He found himself responding to Jeremy's touch, to his kiss. He was getting hard. Wow. Who knew?

And then the other male pulled back. Opened his eyes. And began to laugh. "Shit. That was weird. I knew it would be." Christ. He was going to need a Plan C. And a very cold shower.