A/N: Don't you love it when part two is ready to go this fast? I EXPECT REVIEWS.
I.
On the dance floor, bodies writhed. The lights were dim in the corner booths like this one, intimate places for intimate actions. The DJ was competent, the music was loud, the bartender was serving drinks strong enough to knock down a bull elephant, and the clientele was a happy mix of unwise youth and beautiful age. Damon should have been in his perfect hunting ground.
He had barely had to walk across the edge of the dance floor to the bar to have been engaged by prey. By the time he'd ordered a drink, a selection to keep him busy for several nights (or one very busy, very happy one) was circling him. He'd smiled down into the glass and let their hunger for him build, ignoring them for just a bit longer, just until he finished this first drink of his own. When he sat down the empty glass down on the bar, a beautifully manicured hand brushed his even as a firm thigh pressed against his leg. He turned to glance at the owner of both, slowly taking in the beauty who smiled at him while telling the bartender, "He'll have another…."
Now he was sitting with her and two others in this booth and although his hunger for blood was satiated, he was still hungry for something else. He was restless. He was…bored. He looked at the women.
Gorgeous. Predictably so. Redhead, Blonde, Brunette. Whooptee-freaking-doo. Each of them and all of them would follow me out of this club into wherever I chose to lead them. A hotel room. A back alley. The middle of the street. I could fuck them on this table, and they'd let me. Not one word of complaint. Been there. Done that. Etcetera, etcetera.
One of the women snuggled into him, giggling. He absently petted at her hair the way one would an animal one was mostly fond of.
This is not what I want. This gets…old. Ridiculous. Not that they don't have their uses…
He could feel their blood warming his veins. He had taken only a little from each, been careful with his bite, compelled them to forget it already, to forget him as soon as they left the club.
Going to have one hell of a hickey to explain away in the morning, aren't you, ladies?
Whatever it was he had hoped to find other than a meal, it wasn't here.
And you know what it is that you're wanting, don't you? Eyes that swallow your soul, and that mouth, so sweet to kiss, but so full of sarcasm and wit and banter. That heart so full of fire and fight, even when everything is going to hell around her. She's never afraid of me even when she's terrified. I'm wanting the real when I'm surrounded by the artificial. I'm wanting the rambling rose and all its thorns when I'm surrounded by hothouse flowers….
He reached for his glass and drained it. It was time to go. He untangled himself from protesting curvaceous feminine flesh, threw cash at the bar bill in an unexpected act of contrition, allowed himself to be pulled into one last kiss by the brunette who had bought him that first drink, and then was out the door.
II.
"He…he's what?" Elena sat down hard on the bed. She felt like she'd been kicked. The cellphone almost fell from her suddenly nerveless fingers.
"Oh, Elena…I didn't want to tell you. He made me promise I wouldn't, and since it's Stefan, I thought…you know…." Bonnie's voice on the other end was riddled with guilt and worry. "I thought he was doing it for the right reasons. I thought…"
"How long? How long now has he been able…How long?" Elena's head was spinning. Nothing would make any sense.
"He came to me with the idea about three weeks ago, right after he got trapped in the tomb again and we got him out. He said he knew there was no way to lower and raise the spell again, but he thought that maybe, just maybe there was some way to create a talisman that could create some kind of gate or door in it, something that would fool it into letting the wearer pass. And when he started talking about it, I could see it in my mind suddenly, just as if it were already in my head, Elena, and I knew it could be done…"
Elena groaned softly. "No…"
Bonnie continued as though she hadn't even heard. "And I bound the spell onto a pendant that could be worn. He swore that he just needed it to get in to ask Katherine things about the curse. He said that if he could go in to where she was, take her things she needed, that he had a better chance of getting information out of her. None of us knew until tonight that….that…he was…that they were…that while she'd had him in there before they had…."
Elena felt as though someone had struck her a fast hard blow to the heart. "And how did you find out tonight?" She had to know it. Maybe they were wrong. Maybe they'd misunderstood what they'd seen. He'd said he'd do anything to get the information, anything that was needed, anything…
Bonnie took a deep breath. "Elena, you don't need…"
"Yes, I do. Just tell me."
"When Jeremy and I went to the tomb to check on the spell, well, and because I suddenly had this massive intuition that I needed to be there, Elena, this huge almost premonition calling to me, we saw…. Oh, don't make me tell you this. Just suffice it to say…."
"No. Don't suffice it. Tell me." Her voice had steel in it. Elena was shaking, but Bonnie could hear the determination in her tone.
"Okay, but you asked for it, and it's not pretty. Stefan had her up against the wall, and they were going at it like there was no tomorrow. They didn't even know we were there until I sort of… I mean I sort of…"
"You what Bonnie?"
"I just got so mad. I sort of screamed and dropped both of them with that vampire brain explody thing that I do…."
"Oh God, Bonnie. You didn't!"
"I mean, they're not dead or anything because Jeremy dragged me out kicking and flailing and broke my concentration, but let's just say that I think the mood was broken."
Despite herself, Elena felt a surge of vindication. "You really…."
"Witch slapped them. Yes, ma'am. Upside the head. Hard, too. No way is he going to be using my magic to cheat on my best friend and me put up with that. I also walked right in there and took that medallion while he was down before Jeremy dragged me out, so basically his sorry cheating ass is locked up in there with her until I decide otherwise…. Or until you do."
Elena stared up at the popcorn texture of the hotel ceiling. "Thank you, Bonnie," she whispered.
"Yeah. Look. Are you okay down there? I mean, are you going to be…"
"No. Yeah. I'll be fine. We have to get some more information, though, before I can come home to deal with…."
"I understand. You do what you need to do. He's clearly not going anywhere." Bonnie's voice held an edge that boded no good for Stefan.
Elena hung up the phone, tossed it on the bed, stared off into space. Then she stood up and began to pull on jeans, a shirt, a hooded jacket. She walked out of her room leaving the phone behind her, headed for the stairs that would lead her to the beach, her only thoughts those of escape.
III.
Damon entered his room and threw his jacket across the back of a chair. He was in the process of falling onto the bed and turning on the TV when the phone in his pocket buzzed. He sighed and pulled it, expecting any message but the one he got.
U need 2 ck on E. Right NOW. No answer on her phone. - Bonnie
He had grabbed his jacket and was out the door again and at hers before the phone was even in his pocket.
"Elena?" He knocked on the French doors quietly. "Elena? Are you there?" He sighed softly and pulled a thin strip of metal from his pocket. He slid it into the old-fashioned tumblers of the lock, jiggled it just a bit, and was satisfied with the quiet snick of it opening. Because not every situation requires breaking it open…. He slipped the lockpick back into his jacket and cautiously opened the door.
Her room was empty, but nothing looked disturbed. The light next to the bed was still on. Damon walked over and looked around the room. In the middle of the bed, her phone buzzed at him. He scooped it up gently, pocketed it while taking his own out. He sat down, dialed a number, had a brief conversation. At some point, he leapt to his feet and began to pace. Anyone watching him would have seen his face go through several stages, becoming a mask of rage, of grief, of worry, and then of complete icy calm. Then he hung up the phone, turned, and began to track her.
IV.
Elena dug her toes into the sand. The night wind was cool but not uncomfortably so. She'd long ago quit crying, and now she just felt empty.
Empty like that sky. Empty like that ocean. Repeating the same things with no progress….
Another tear escaped her and she angrily blotted it from her face with the sleeve of her hoodie.
Should have known that something was off. Should have known. He's been so preoccupied. He's been so… But it was Stefan. STEFAN. And I just assumed that maybe the cravings for blood were back or…or…who knows. Maybe I just didn't want to look at it too closely. There's always something.
She became aware that she was not alone. There was no sound other than the waves and the wind humming along the empty beach, but she felt a presence. She'd been around the supernatural too long not to know the significance of that.
"Go away. If I wanted company, I would have called you. There is a reason I left my phone in my room."
She didn't bother to look around.
She heard soft laughter, and the hair on the back of her neck stood up.
"Little girl lost and all alone, stranded on the beach, and without her phone? How…nursery rhyme-ish."
She turned quickly to look behind her. There was most definitely something supernatural on the beach with her. The only problem was that it was not Damon.
V.
Elena began to back away slowly, working toward getting to her feet.
"Who are you?" she demanded. She saw the vampire's eyes widen.
"Oh, she says who and not what, and she's not nearly as afraid as she ought to be! How…intriguing. How….charming! This should be lots and lots of fun. I haven't eaten anything this amusing in…well…months…"
The male vamp kept coming slowly toward her. He seemed to be in no particular hurry, enjoying the hunt.
Elena's eyes darted over the beach searching for anything that she might be able to use as a weapon. A few yards away, she saw what seemed to be a sand-covered piece of driftwood. She had no idea when the vampire would get tired of his slow stalk and pounce. She had to keep him talking, try to keep him moving and make a dash for it.
"Oh yes. I know exactly what you are. I know all about vampires."
The vampire laughed. "How delightful! Do tell. What do you know? I can't wait to hear this. Where did you get your information, my dear? Twilight? Do we…sparkle?"
He closed distance and grabbed her. He inhaled her scent.
"Maybe just a little taste, and then I'll let you tell me…"
He lapped lightly at her neck, and she felt his teeth graze her, pierce her. She fought, but it was like pulling against steel bands. Tears ran down her cheeks. The vampire took only the tiniest sip and then released her.
"Call it an amuse bouche, dearest. I just couldn't wait. Pardon my impetuosity. Now. Do go on. Tell me all about the vampires…."
Oh Damon, if ever I needed you to swing down out of the sky like a miracle, this is the time, she thought. She slapped a hand over the bleeding wound on her neck, and she took another slow step backwards toward what might or might not be wood strong enough to stake a hunting vampire.
VI.
She wasn't hard to find. He could follow the scent of her anywhere. And she really hadn't wandered far. He'd used a little plain psychology. He'd seen her staring out at the ocean earlier, and so that is where he expected to find her now. Nothing new under the sun. No surprises.
What was totally unexpected was to find her under attack by another vampire.
The sight of her being stalked by this interloper had him in full rage instantly, and he was down the beach and between them with the impulse of his thought.
Elena had almost reached the driftwood when Damon appeared between her and the other vampire. She flung herself at the wood, knowing that she needed to arm herself regardless, her heart pounding.
But this is the truth, I don't know when I have been so grateful to see that particular set of fangs….
Damon hissed at the hunting vampire. "Private property. One chance only. You'll need to leave. Now."
The other vampire smiled, shook his head. "Uh-uh. I don't think so. I think….it's open season around here, and I think the little lass was fairly begging for it."
Damon took in the blood on Elena's neck and his hand flexed into a fist and relaxed. "Ah, see. Now that's exactly the wrong thing to have said…."
The two collided with each other in a blur, and Elena cried out. She pulled at the rough surface of the driftwood log and finally managed to get a large piece to separate from the whole. She looked up to see the other vampire bite into Damon, rake him sharply with nails made claws. The two struggled furiously, battering and slashing at each other. Damon finally punched the other away from him, and Elena could see the wounds already starting to close as the two combatants turned to face each other again.
At the last moment, Elena yelled to Damon, "Take this!" and threw him the segment of driftwood. Damon snatched it from the air and savagely drove it under the other vampire's ribs, piercing his heart. Elena watched as he twisted it, twisted it again, before flinging the other vampire's corpse away from him. He paced for a moment, rage still in every line of his features, and then he walked over to the body, reached down, tore the makeshift stake out, and punched his hand down through the chest to pluck the heart out like a bloody apple, yelling as he did so. He threw it far out into the night-dark ocean and then fell into a crouch there at the edge of the waves.
"D-Damon?" Elena whispered.
His eyes immediately came back to hers, and she watched him fight for control, watched the killer inside him fight with the man that she trusted.
"Elena," he rasped, "you're…hurt. You're…bleeding…." He stood, walked slowly toward her.
She was shaking, but she didn't move, didn't back away. I won't be afraid of Damon. I trust him. I trust him…
"He…he…bit me…"
She saw Damon's eyes darken, heard him hiss.
"Bastard's dead. I killed him for that. I killed him for touching you. I'd kill him again if I could….."
She reached out a hesitant hand as he came to stand just in front of her. She would have touched his cheek, but he grabbed her wrist before she could.
"No."
"What? I don't understand…"
"Your fingers, Elena…look at your hand…." His tone was choked, and his eyes were black.
Her hands were covered in tiny cuts from pulling at the rough surface of the wood, in a coating of blood from pressing at the wound at her neck. She pulled the restraint. "I didn't realize… I didn't mean to…"
He was staring at the blood on her hand as if transfixed, inches away from his mouth as it was, and suddenly she realized that the danger was not over. Perhaps it had only just begun. But while that other danger had been one she would readily flee, this one, well…
His gaze flickered to hers, and he sucked her index finger into his mouth. She felt his fangs scrape against her, and everything inside her went weak. He released her index finger and turned the palm of her hand against his seeking tongue, lapping like a cat after spilled milk. She made a sound, and he pulled her against him.
He licked away the blood on her neck with slow strokes, and although some part of her mind was screaming at her to stop him, that down this path lay madness and destruction, for some reason, she could not make herself push him away. His hands were caressing her body languorously, as if he owned her. It all felt so good…..
"Elena," he murmured. "Oh God. You taste like…I'm not going to be able to stop…"
She felt his mouth close over the wound the other vampire had created, and she felt his teeth poise there delicately, and she cradled his head, murmuring something wordless. She was his. He could have whatever he wanted of her….
Suddenly she was sitting alone on the sand, and Damon was far down the beach, crouched, looking at her like she was something terrifying. She pushed herself up, and he held up his hands as though warding her off.
"I've been noble once tonight. Don't ask me how. And for fuck's sake, don't expect me to be able to pull it off again. Please, Elena," his voice broke. "Please. Go inside and get in the shower. Get cleaned up."
She looked at him another moment, hesitating, thinking, and he snarled, "I said GO. Do you want me to take you? It's a second-by-second fight tonight…."
With tears coming up in her eyes, she stumbled back toward the hotel. Damon lay flat on his back when he was sure she was back inside and stared up into the moonless sky for a moment fighting the urge to scream in frustration. Then he began stripping. When he was naked, he plunged into the warm ocean. He knew there would have to be a conversation and soon, but first, some of this excess rage was going to have to be channeled safely away.