After Elena's tearful outburst, Damon stood with Stefan in the foyer of Elena's home, not really quite sure what to say. There was no defense; everything Elena had said was right.
But that isn't who I am anymore, Damon wanted to insist, even as another part of him replied, but isn't it?
A few good deeds and heartfelt intentions does not a martyr make you, he thought savagely. You're nothing but a monster who helped ruin her life.
Stefan raised his head, finally glancing up from his shoes and at Damon. "She's right," he said quietly, the guilt in his voice mirrored in Damon's own thoughts. "I have to make this right. We have to leave Mystic Falls."
Damon scoffed, looking at his brother incredulously.
"Are you kidding me, Stefan? Like it or not, this place is crawling with vampires now. We might as well put up a welcome sign on Elena's front door, for all the protection she'd have. I'm not leaving her."
Stefan narrowed his eyes at his brother, taking a step closer to him, his jealousy battling for dominance amongst his other emotions.
"Right. Cause protecting her has always been your main agenda. I'm sure that's what you were thinking about when you were snacking on Caroline and snapping Vicki's neck," Stefan spat. "And who's fault do you think it is that this town knows about vampires again?"
Stefan was a bit taller than Damon, but Damon refused to let himself be intimidated by anyone, let alone his little brother. He raised his head, a sneer across his handsome face, his blue eyes sparkling with anticipation of the metaphorical stab wound he would inflict upon Stefan's insecurities.
"At least I've never lied to her."
Stefan's eyes darkened as a low growl sounded in his throat. But despite the fact that all Damon really wanted in that moment was a good fight, to work off some of the excess anger and guilt and energy, he refused. Thanks to vampire speed, he managed to catch Stefan's fist before it landed a hit to his face.
"Not here. We're not doing this here." Damon released Stefan's hand,and Stefan let it fall back to his side as stepped back, confused by his own anger and immaturity.
Damon took a step towards the front door, his hand on the door knob.
" I'm going to go check on Jeremy. You should probably see how Jenna and the sheriff are getting along. And then we've both got to go find Katherine."
Stefan looked up at his brother, not sure where Damon was going with this.
"And then what? What do we do when we find her?"
Damon smiled, using his most wicked, sarcastic, sadistic smirk-the one he reserved for covering up any and all emotion.
"She's been invited in, Stefan. We do what we have to."
*Author's note: Thank you, thank you, thank you! To everyone who's reviewed/read this story. I get all crazy when I see a new review alert, so don't be shy! :D and also, I'm sorry that the chapters of this story have been fairly short- it's just that the idea for this story hasn't fully formed yet, and I've just been writing as I get inspired and then throwing it up for people to enjoy. Sure not still exactly how the story arc will develop- but I will find a way to make it delena! Knowing Elena, she can't hate on the salvatores for long. And who on earth could say no to Damon? (: