Elena was waiting, leaning on Alaric's car that he finished preparing his stuff. As she had expected, he had not taken more than a few minutes after she asked him for weapons to join the expedition. To tell the truth, even if she had stubbornly refused at first, she was thankful to be joined. After Jenna's death, Alaric became their guardian and the closest thing to a father to her, as to Jeremy.

"Alaric, we are losing time!"

"Losing time for what?" replied this one, getting out of the apartment in which he lived before and where most of his stuff still were. He had a bag in each hands, his usual attire on him. He threw the bags in the trunk behind her and turned to look at her. "Jeremy is not in danger until they found whatever they want to find with his mark. We have to be careful Elena."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. Being with Alaric was clearly advantageous but she would have to endure his much more thoughtful and wise side than hers. They had prepared many weapons for two days, bombs filled vervaines, syringes, stakes, and they were about to take the road to drive to the Mikaelson's manor. This one was a few hours away of Mystic Falls, having seen a picture it was up to these people, old and elegant. It was obvious the vampires were not going to be there, but it was for now the only lead they had. Elena was both excited and frightened by the travel they were undertaking. To anybody their mission was a bit like a suicide mission, but she knew they had the ability to trap them. They had to.

"Let's go." They settled in their seats and Alaric sent a reassuring smile to Elena before starting the car. However he left the engine running, biting his lips. Elena knew him well enough to understand that he wanted to say something but he could not seem to know how to approach the subject.

"Is something wrong ?", she asked, fixing him with her big chocolates eyes . The emptiness which reigned in them after the attack she had been the victim of had disappeared, but you could always read a severity that was not there before. Alaric knew she would not hesitate to throw him out of the car to take the wheel if he announced that he had changed his mind. He clenched the steering wheel in his hands and sighed before starting to talk.

"I know you might not love the idea but ... I think we need some help Elena." He felt the body of Elena tense at his side and he winced. The last thing he wanted was to upset her but he was not as unconscious as she could be, and he wanted to save Jeremy, not condemned them all to be snapped by Klaus.

Elena crossed her arms and glared at him. "I though we had agree on this. Stefan is not coming." On this point she had no intention of giving up. She did not want Stefan on this trip.

It's not that she was angry with him, she had no reason to be. She only wanted to protect him from his sins. Things were different, Stefan always gave the impression of being sad when he was with her, and she knew very well that it was her fault. She was not what he wanted her to be. She was no longer this person, and she could no longer pretend to be. After struggling for months to pull Stefan away from the Originals, she had felt drained and irrevocably alone. She simply gave up ... She stopped smiling when she did not want to smile, laughing when she did not feel like laughing, talking when she did not want to talk. And after some time she had realized that she had no desire to do any of these things very often. She still spoke only to a few people, Caroline, Bonnie, Matt, Stefan ... And Jeremy.

That day while watching a movie, they had received a visit from Klaus and some of his hybrids. She immediately understood what he came for, but it was in vain to struggle as a lioness, she had not been able to do anything, and they took pleasure to destroy everything she had. If they had any idea what they had triggered it.

"Actually, I was not thinking about Stefan ..." She cut short her thoughts to turn to Alaric with a confused look on her face.

"You are probably going to find this weird but ... Do you know who is Damon?" Her eyes widened to this question. Of course she knew who Damon was. He was Stefan's brother. He had mentioned him a few times before and she had never insisted seeing the sadness filled his face. She could only imagine the two brothers were not on good terms. That said she remembered that Stefan had described him as a "sociopath". She did not understand what Damon had to do with all of this.

Seeing that she did not replied, Alaric continued. "I happen to know him a little" He spoke carefully, taking care to choose the right words.

"You know Damon?" How could Alaric know him? He didn't even talk to Stefan that much. She always thought he had something against him.

"Okay, maybe more than a little. He is kind of ... my friend."Alaric ended his sentence with a growing smile on his face, as if he remembered a good memory. Elena didn't know what to say. Alaric had no friend. Apart from Elena and Jeremy, and of course her aunt, she had never seen him speak to another human being in a friendly way. Well, or vampires.

"How ... How do you even know Damon?" She shook her head in incomprehension and Alaric escaped a laugh that left her unsure.

"Let's just say, we met." He put his hands on his knees and ran his tongue over his lips. "Look, the thing is ... You don't want Stefan to come and I agree with you. The thing is, we can't go without back up. And honestly? Damon is the only vampire I know crazy enough to come with us."

"Is this Stefan's idea?" She shot him an accusing look.

He chuckled. "Oh no ..." He hesitated before adding, whispering. "He would probably kill me if he knew what I was proposing to you"

"And what exactly are you proposing to me?"

He sighed and turned his gaze on the road ahead. They didn't move from the front of the building. "I'm proposing that we make a little detour." He turned his eyes on her waiting for her reaction.

"A detour? We do not have time for a detour Alaric!"

"A little detour. I know where to find him and it will only take one or two hours. We are still going to be there today." He begged her silently. He might be Elena's guardian, he knew he would never have authority over her. After all, no one ever had any authority over the Gilbert's. They were doing whatever they wanted, which led them to where they were today.

Elena didn't know what to say. She had a bad feeling about this. If Stefan didn't talk about his brother and had never called him for help, there had to be a reason. He was probably not a good person. Besides she knew absolutely nothing about him and couldn't see why she should trust a stranger to help save her brother. And why would he help? However, she could not deny that it would be a boon to have a vampire in her team. And curiosity was beginning to take her.

"Are you sure he is going to help us ?"

"No."

"But-"

"That's why I count on you and your social skill to convince him."

Elena did not answer and remained silent.

"Damon mentioned the Originals a few times. I would even bet that he had contact with Elijah at some point."

Elena stayed silent again. She was weighed the pros and cons of such a decision. She sighed finally resigned to follow this idea, as crazy as it seemed to her. They didn't have a lot of track and if this vampire could help, she would force him to spit out what he knew.

"Okay, okay."

"Yes", whispered Alaric with a smile knowing she would heard him.

"So, how is he like ?"

He wasn't sure if he should mention that when he said "crazy enough", he meant really crazy. However, he was not going to give her reasons to back up, he still could not believe she had accepted. Finally he started the car and embarked on the road with some anxiety. He knew exactly where to find him.

"Oh, believe me, you are going to love him."

"A bar ?" The sarcastic tone of Elena did not touch Alaric, standing beside the car. Bree's bar. This bar was a bit lost, in the middle of the countryside, the nearest town must be a few tens of kilometres. That said it was a very used road, and the bar seemed fairly alive.

"Where else ?", he said, more to himself than to Elena.

"How can you be sure he's gonna be here ? We're in the middle of the afternoon."

"Cause bar are his favourites places?" Elena looked around half expecting to see him appear before them and attack them. She wrapped her arms as to warm herself, an unpleasantly cold wind had risen, even though the night was not about to fall. Again she put her eyes on the building. It was a typical bar that you could be expected there. But there was something ... What a vampire could be doing in a bar in the middle of the day? This bar ?

"Come on, he's not really the patient one."

"What ? But you said he didn't kn-"

Alaric did not give her time to finish before moving to enter the bar. Elena rushed to follow him, and they went into the bar where a voice immediately welcomed them. It was the voice of the bartender, a beautiful woman with caramel skin and a warm smile. Elena felt the adrenaline invade her body as she looked frantically around the room for something, a clue to the presence of Stefan's brother.

"Excuse me ?"

Elena gasped when a woman suddenly came into their way. She started screaming and accused them of having blocked her car voluntarily. Elena stifled a laugh at her face turning red as Alaric seemed to have no interest in what she told him. He rolled his eyes and sent a mocking smile at Elena.

"I'm going to move the car. Wait for me." He leaned toward her. "Don't do anything stupid." At that time her stomach began to growl. She looked up shyly and Alaric gave her money with a smile on his lip. They had not stopped since they were gone and hunger began to be felt.

Elena sat on one of the chairs at the bar and ordered two hamburgers that, probably Bree, brought garnish of potatoes a few minutes later. She began to eat, but her stomach was knotted with anxiety. She did not know what to expect. What was he like? Her hand shook nervously the bracelet around her wrist. Alaric had given it to her before they left, it was filled with vervaine. Try me.

"Gladly"

Elena jumped of surprise and turned sharply to the right where the voice was coming from. Her heart was beating faster than it had beaten since a very long time, she was petrified. But her eyes only met an empty chair. However, she felt a presence at his left, a presence that wasn't there before.

"What the hell is wrong with you ? You're missing the actual good part", said man's voice, grabbing some fries on her plate. Elena had kept it for her guardian, not having the courage to eat it herself. Elena took a deep breath and start getting ready to shot down the man for his rudeness but when she turned around her breath was taken away by the man in front of her.

Her eyes first met the smile of the man in front of her, a confident and mocking smirk making him look terribly dangerous. Ebony hair fell all over his face contrasting with his white skin. But what really took Elena by surprise was his eyes. She had never seen eyes so bright. His eyes were talking to her. They were a blue crystal, and a glimmer of amusement habited them. But there was so much more, they seemed to burn with a flame she could not qualify. She even thought she had caught a glimmer of madness in his eyes. Hatred? Whether it was for his inhuman beauty or the aura that surrounded him, she knew she had found what they were looking for. Or rather, he had found her. He didn't really fit around there.

"Damon." She stated, almost proudly. She was not going to let herself down in front of him, she had to show immediately that she was not impressed. She was not a helpless human, no matter what he looks like.

He nodded enthusiastically. "I'm impressed." He laughed, a delightful sound she tried to ignore.

"You're being rude." She stared at him intensely to support her statements. But he just returned to her plate. The fact that Elena was well aware of the fact that vampires did not eat upset her a little more.

"Am I?" He shrugged, giving her an exaggerated innocent look before returning to his degustation. Elena couldn't believe that he was Stefan's brother. It only had been a few minutes but she could already see that they had nothing in common, physically or morally. She was maybe judging a little too fast, but she didn't think she was mistaken. She glared at him not really knowing what else to do.

He finally turned his eyes towards her and she was lost in it again. "So, what am I doing here Miss?"

Elena was about to replied something but she was interrupted by Alaric.

"I should have know the second I saw her," he exposed raising an eyebrow, but even with the disapproving tone you could see in his eyes that he was happy to find his friend.

"Yes you should", they looked at each other for a few seconds that seemed like an eternity to Elena before jumping into the arms of one another. It was a man hug, but a hug nonetheless, which was very surprising from Alaric. She slipped discretely on Damon's chair allowed them to sit next to each other. Bad move.

Elena's patience was decreasing as fast as the glasses of the two men to her sides. It was almost one hour since they had arrived at the bar, and they did not stopped drinking and talking about everything and nothing, even if she was sure that the discussion was far less innocent as it seemed. They seemed to talk with codes. She had rather not interfere and let Alaric deals with Damon, but he was apparently not ready to mention Jeremy.

Suddenly she slammed her hand on the counter attracting the attention of two men on her.

"Does 'Jeremy' remind something to you ?" She asked harshly to Alaric.

This one did not take offence and just sighed. Elena was too impatient, she did not understand that rushing will not lead them anywhere. Damon stared amused and not at all disturbed by the tone and accusing gaze of the girl. Which is why Elena turned at him with a daring look. There was something about him, she could not know what exactly but every time she plunged into his gaze she felt overwhelmed by the flood of emotion that reigned there.

They were still fixing each other when Alaric decided to interfere.

"We need your help"

"Obviously," he said, without releasing Elena's eyes.

Alaric explained quickly more or less their situation. Elena wondered if it was a good idea, after all, how could he be sure they could trust him?

"And why would I care about her brother?" He said, pointing to her. She snapped this one away from her and glared. He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you planning on convincing me like this?"

"Please Damon."

"This is suicide 'Ric. And I do not see what there is for me in it. "

"Is that all that matter? We are talking about the life of a teenager, my brother! " said Elena.

He raised his eyebrow again still not convinced.

The disappointment that invaded her body was recovered anger. She understood better why Stefan had never asked for help, and even why they didn't talk anymore. She jumped furiously from her chair to get out of the bar and put as much distance as she could between her and the vampire.

She took a breath of fresh air and exhaled, closing her eyes. When she opened them she saw Damon, a little further walking on the road. The night had fallen and it was quite dark, but she could see him clearly. He was leaving. Bastard. And what the hell? Was he going to walk to the next town on foot? Well, after all he was a vampire. And she didn't care. He turned suddenly and gave her a brilliant smile, raising his thumbs. Elena felt the fury invade her again. A car passed at the same time and he turned back to continue his walk.

When Elena realized what he was doing, events chained themselves. She went back inside to cross a vexed Alaric, who entrusted her with his stuff without her even asking anything before going to the restroom. She took the keys in his coat and ran to the car. She started it quickly and hit the road. She was going fast and no more than tens of minutes after, the road through a forest and she saw a figure lying in the middle of the road. Bingo.

She smiled to herself and stopped the car some meters away from the vampire. She got out and leaned on the door.

"I'm surrounded by vampires, do you really think I do not know your tricks?" She asked nonchalantly.

The vampire sighed dramatically and put his arms behind his head.

"Buzzkiller"

Silence invaded the stage for a few minutes.

"What do you want? I already say no"

"... I'm not sure."

He laughed.

"You must know I was looking for "eat", right? So now I'm very frustrated, so if you don't mind, could you leave before the next car arrives? " He asked hopefully. He looked at her and she could not help a chuckle to escape her.

"I do not feel like helping you either."

In a second he was right in front of her, his body a few inches from hers. Elena held her breath. Strangely she did not feel as scared as she was in the bar. If he wanted to hurt her, he had many opportunities to do so. And something in his eyes told her that he was still playing with her.

"I could just eat you"

"I don't think Alaric would like that"

"... Touché" He stamped his feet like a child who has been taking his toy away from him and he turned to walk away. She ran after him when she realized he had no intention of turning back. He said nothing and just continued walking. Why was she following him exactly ?

"What did you do to Stefan ?"

"Why do you assume I did something to Stefan ?"

She stayed silent. Not very long.

"Alaric is really disappointed you know"

"Why have I the feeling you are the most depressed of you both"

Well, at least she tried.

"Why won't you help us ?"

He paused, looking up annoyed. "Do you never stop talking?" She sent him a beaming smile in response.

"Why did they take you brother anyway?"

"For his mark. Purpose we do not know what to do They Want with it, we can only imagine ... "

"A mark?"

Elena did not believe that he would help but she could still discern a hint of interest in his voice. He had stopped walking and was frowning.

"He's a hunter."

He looked up and stared at her as if trying to discern the lie in her eyes.

"Hunters are all dead"

"Well, apparently not."

He seemed to consider the option for a few moments. He took a step closer to her. She could smell him, feel him, and she didn't even know how this was possible. She did not let go of his gaze.

"I'm not a good man ... Elena." The way he pronounced her name sent a chill through her body. "I'm a lunatic. I can be on your side one second and stabbed you in the back the second after. Literally. You do not want me on your crowd."

Elena was not scared by his little speech, even if somehow, she knew there was a part of true in what he said. "But we need you on our crowd."

Silence fell again between the two of them before she heard what she had wished to hear.

His face suddenly relaxed and he took her hand to shake it. "Count me in." And with that he went back to his walk, and this time she didn't followed him.

"What did make you change your mind ?" she called out at him. But he didn't answer and just laughed again before disappearing of her sight.

A voice inside her head keep repeating herself. You are going to regret this.

"I'm sick of people doubting me"