Part of this chapter is post Katerina so some spoilers from the episode.

Warning: Sexual content in this chapter.

Chapter 13

Kisses From A Rose

After finding out what Elena had learned from Katherine, it didn't take long for Damon to come to the conclusion that Tyler needed to die. Minus a werewolf, the spell couldn't be done. Not to mention that it would soon be a full moon, and Tyler would end up being a danger to them anyway.

Damon headed to Tyler's house, planning on catching him by surprise. He did feel a bit sorry for the kid, it wasn't his fault what had happened, but he had to protect Elena and the others. He'd do his best to make this as quick and painless as possible.

Unfortunately as soon as he got there, he was confronted by Caroline.

"What are you doing here Damon? I won't let you hurt Tyler."

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here Caroline?"

"Keeping an eye out for people like you. Tyler is my friend and I won't let you hurt him!"

"Do you even know that it'll soon be a full moon and he'll be a danger to us all?"

"I don't care! I'll figure something out! Just leave Damon!"

Damon growled. "Fine, but if I'm the one to die, you stay away from my funeral." He left in a huff.

That night Elena barged in looking very angry. "Caroline just called me. She was nearly hysterical. You went over there to kill Tyler didn't you?"

"The spell needs you, Caroline, and Tyler right? Tyler is a danger to us anyway. I figured he was the best one to get rid of."

"Get rid of? He's a person Damon! What have I told you about killing people? You told me you'd stop doing that!"

"Call it a case of self defense!" Damon snapped. He was getting mad too. "When he turns on the full moon, who do you think he's going to go after?"

"You have to stop thinking that killing people is the best solution! That makes you no better than Klaus, Katherine, or your father!"

Damon looked stunned. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but nothing came out. For once he was speechless. Suddenly there was a blur of movement and he was gone. A door upstairs slammed shut.

Elena heard a growl and turned around to see Rose glaring at her. "You need to leave. Now."

Suddenly feeling guilty, realizing just how hurtful what she said was, Elena quickly hurried out the door. She didn't want to risk being around an angry Rose. "What have I done?" She shook her head as she drove away, biting her lower lip. She didn't know how she was going to fix this.

Rose went upstairs and knocked on Damon's door. When she didn't get an answer she opened it to see an agitated and upset Damon pacing back and forth. "Are you really going to let a silly little girl get to you this much?"

"She didn't get to me," he growled.

"Then why do you look like you're about to burst into tears?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I don't cry." He shot her a glare.

"Everyone cries in their lifetime Damon."

"Whatever." He sat down on the bed.

Rose sat down beside him after a moment. "I get the other references, but what was that about your father?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Might help if you do."

Damon sighed and gave in, telling her about his father's disdain for him, how Stefan was the favorite, how he could never please the man, and how they'd both ended up being killed by him.

Rose took his face into her hands softly. "And underneath all the arrogance, deep inside you're just someone who wants to be loved, aren't you?" Damon closed his eyes and Rose pressed a gentle kiss to each of his lids, then his forehead, then his lips. He gasped a little then kissed her back hard.

They were two people who had suffered heavy losses, each almost drowning in their own pain. The kisses grew heated and more passionate, and it wasn't long before their clothes made their way to the floor. Skin slid against skin, as for at least the moment, they both forgot their miseries in an embrace as old as the dawn of man.

Later Damon watched her sleep as he lay beside her. Could he and Rose end up really having something, or would they just be friends with benefits? He didn't know, but it might be worth it to try to find out.

He felt a stab of pain as he remembered what Elena had said to him, mostly because he wondered if she was right. He decided that could be tomorrow's problem.

Rose snuggled up to him then in her sleep and he smiled a little. At least Rose seemed to accept him just as he was, and right now, he was going to enjoy her company. He laid his head down on the pillow and wrapped his arms around her. His last thought before he drifted off was what Stefan's reaction might be if he happened to walk in on them in the morning. He couldn't help but smirk.

Wouldn't that be a funny thing?

To Be Continued...