Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: Thank you again for the sweet reviews. This chapter is for ayna93 for tweeting me to update and for supplying the last name for our bad guy. I'm sorry this is so short. Enjoy!

ELENA'S ESCAPE

~ Closing In ~

Elena woke up in Damon's arms. She smiled as she looked up at the man holding her. Now that his eyes were closed, they weren't distracting her from seeing the rest of his face. He truly was beautiful.

"Mm… good morning, beautiful," Damon said softly, opening his eyes.

Elena couldn't believe how blue they were. "You knew I was awake?"

"I felt you stir. I thought I'd give you a minute to duck out of here if you felt uncomfortable."

"Did you want me to?"

"God, no!"

"Good," Elena smiled and planted a chaste kiss on his lips. She pulled back and moved to get out of bed, but Damon's hand locked gently around her wrist. Elena looked back at him, puzzled.

"How 'bout a proper 'good morning'?" he winked.

Elena's confusion turned into a bright smile and she couldn't help giggling when he pulled her towards him.

"Good morning," she mumbled against his lips.

"Good morning," he repeated as he rolled them over so that he was on top of her, planting kisses down her neck. His hands found the hem of her camisole and pulled it over her head, taking his time to worship her body with his lips.

"Damon," she moaned.

"You're so beautiful, Elena," he whispered against her skin.

Her hands tangled in his hair and she guided him up to her lips again.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

"What the hell?" Damon looked over his shoulder.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Damon reluctantly got off the bed and Elena pulled the covers up to her chin. Damon edged the door open. "Ric?"

"Hey, buddy. You up?"

Elijah had spent the night parked down the road from the boarding house. He had found the perfect spot. The greenery was thick enough to keep anyone from spotting him, and with his riflescope he had been able to confirm that Kyle's wife was indeed in that house. If people only knew how easy it was to see through windows – especially when the lights were on inside. He had seen his mark and the aunt in what was presumably her bedroom. She had left the room later on, though, dressed for bed, and didn't return. Perhaps she had another bedroom on the other side of the house.

Elijah looked at the picture again. Elena Gilbert. It wasn't the first time he had been enlisted to track down a cheating spouse or a runaway. Usually, though, the people who ran did so in the company of a large amount of cash or jewelry. A woman faking her own death and leaving with nothing was indeed unusual. Elijah was not one to ask questions. Kyle Olsen was a powerful man, and as such, he had connections. The kind of connections that led him to Elijah Smith, P.I. The P.I. license was a front, of course. It lent credibility to his actual profession. Hit man, as the colloquial term was. Yes, Kyle Olsen wanted Elena Gilbert dead, but he wanted the privilege of finishing the job for himself. Elijah had no objections. Elena Gilbert was a beautiful woman. Not that that would have stopped him from doing his job, but Elijah didn't mind sitting this one out.

If they hadn't been best friends for so long, Damon probably would have punched Ric in the face. As it was, he controlled himself and instead said between gritted teeth, "What's with the wakeup call, Ric?"

"Why so grumpy?" Ric said, pushing past Damon. He froze as he saw the startled figure in the bed, clutching the covers. "Oh… uh… sorry," Ric stuttered out and turned a dark shade of red before fleeing the room.

Damon shook his head and closed the door. Looking at Elena, they both soon burst out laughing.

"I should go get dressed," Elena said, pulling her camisole over her head and slipping out of bed.

"Why? He wouldn't dream of coming back here now," Damon said.

"Later, ok?" Elena said, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Today, I'd like you to meet my family," she smiled, walking out the door.

When Elena got downstairs, Damon, Ric and Jenna were already at the breakfast table, digging into the assortment of spreads Zach had provided. Damon winked at her over his coffee cup and Elena couldn't feel a blush creeping up.

"Elena! How'd you sleep?" Jenna asked, a smile on her face saying she knew the answer already.

"Elena?" Zach frowned.

"Oh, sorry. I told Ric this morning, after he told me… well, I figured you told Damon everything last night."

"It's fine, Jenna," Elena said, taking a seat. "Zach, it's a long story, but I would appreciate it if you referred to me as 'Katherine' a little while longer, at least around town. The truth is… uh… the truth is…"

"It's a long story, Zach," Damon interjected. "She'll tell you when she's ready."

"Of course. I didn't mean to pry."

"No. Don't worry about it," Elena said, and gave Zach a forgiving smile. To Damon she mouthed a 'thank you'.

"So I have to teach my class, but why don't you take the day off and spend it with Jenna?" Damon suggested as they were walking out. "Ric can help me with class. I was actually planning on a Q&A session where my students can ask my lovely TA all sorts of embarrassing questions."

"You were not," Elena laughed and punched his arm.

"Ok, maybe not. But I am now. Payback for this morning, Ric," Damon shot his friend a meaning look.

"What? I haven't been embarrassed enough for one day?" Ric exclaimed, exasperated.

"Not even close, buddy."

"I'm looking at her right now, sir," Elijah reported. "She's leaving the house with her aunt and Saltzman. I'm uploading the pictures now.

Kyle sat by his computer and waited impatiently for the results of Smith's surveillance. When the files appeared in the dedicated website's file manager, he eagerly clicked on the links. He swore loudly as he saw his wife exiting a house, smiling and holding hands with some guy.

"Watch her," he growled. "Don't let her out of your sight. I'm on the next flight out."