So sorry it took so long. My computer went kaput! But don't worry I have a new one now.

Last chapter was meant to be titled Double Trouble.

Spoilers for By The Light of the Moon and for The Descent

Chapter 17

Lashing Out

Damon currently had babysitting duty with Elena, making sure she didn't do anything reckless. He was angry at the fact that she actually had to be spelled so she couldn't leave the house. They were the only ones there. Elena was sitting on her bed looking sulky and defiant.

"You told me that you'd try to let me keep my promise to protect you Elena."

"I lied," she said flatly.

The next thing Elena knew, she was over Damon's lap and he was pulling her jeans down. She gasped. "Damon!" She felt his hand land on her behind hard, her thin panties doing nothing to protect her from the pain. "Ow!" She squawked.

"Never, ever, lie to me." He kept going.

Elena was soon in tears, though she tried to keep it back. "Okay I won't! Ow ow ow! Damon..." She sobbed, her legs kicking.

Damon hated hearing her cry, but this was a lesson he really wanted to stick. When she flung her hand back to try to cover herself he grabbed it and held it. "I am always honest with you. Always! The least you can do is grant me the same decency! I swear Elena if you ever lie to me again..." His blows got a little harder at the thought.

"Ow never! No I won't ever! I'm sorry! Please!" She went limp and just cried hard.

Damon landed a few more smacks then stopped. Elena's rear was a bright red and he sighed and carefully eased her pants back up before scooping her up and into his lap. He rocked her until she calmed to sniffles. "How can I trust you if you lie to me? How can I keep you safe if I'm not sure you'll tell me the truth?" He asked sadly.

Elena looked up into his eyes and realized how much she had hurt him. "I won't lie to you again. I promise."

"Good," he said simply.

The things that happened next left Damon's head spinning. Elijah showing up, Jules appearing... at least Elijah got Stefan out of the tomb. He was glad to get his brother back.

But having to put Rose out of her misery after Jules bit her was almost enough to make him lose his sanity. At least he'd been able to make her happy in her last moments.

Getting drunk hadn't been the best idea, killing that girl Jessica even less so. He was now full of guilt that just wouldn't go away. He didn't dare let Elena find out. How could he tell her that he'd murdered another innocent person? What if it made her hate him?

But he just had to confess to someone, so he turned to the person who was the closest thing to a best friend that he had besides Elena.

Alaric was surprised to find Damon at his door the next day after he'd answered the knock. He looked like a wreck. "Damon what is it?" He sat the vampire on his couch and listened as Damon poured his heart out to him.

"Do you think I'm a horrible person Rick?"

"No. You shouldn't have killed that poor girl, but I know you were drunk and upset. Plus this is the first time I've seen you actually show remorse over killing someone." He was quiet for a moment before he looked at Damon and said sincerely, "I'm sorry about Rose."

Damon nodded. "I... I just... it should've been me..." He bit his lip suddenly and looked away, blinking hard and fast at the moisture in his eyes.

Alaric was shocked for a minute. He'd never seen Damon look like this before. He'd never thought that Damon could be vulnerable, but he could see his pain. He put his hand on his arm and squeezed gently, then, seeing Damon's eyes spill over he put his arm across his shoulders.

Damon wiped them the tears away quickly, looking embarrassed.

"I'm glad it wasn't you. Things would be boring without you around."

Damon couldn't help laughing a little at that as he looked at him. "Thanks."

Alaric pulled him in closer and let Damon lay his head on his shoulder. He rubbed Damon's arm for a minute. "I didn't know vampires can cry."

Damon rolled his watery eyes. "Why does everyone say that?"

"Maybe because you're such a bad ass?"

"Whatever." He sniffled.

"Just don't wipe your nose on my shirt."

Damon rolled his eyes again and curled up against him. "Thanks for being here Rick."

"No problem, that's what friends are for." Rick grinned for a moment then became serious. "You just had to kill someone you really cared about. It's normal to be upset. It's... human."

"But I'm not human," Damon said sadly.

"I know, but right now you're grieving like one." Seeing him fight back more tears he said. "It's okay Damon, you can cry." Damon turned and buried his face against him and sobbed softly. After about ten minutes he pulled back and wiped his face.

"Don't tell anyone I cried okay?"

"Don't worry, I won't spoil your tough guy reputation," he smirked.

"Shut up Rick," he grumbled.

To Be Continued...