The last few weeks have been the best of Damon's life. Being with her is better than he could have ever imagined. Although they haven't been together for all that long, it feels like they were meant for each other. Sometimes he's a little scared by the depth of his feelings but he knows he can't let her go, not now, not any more. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the 'L' word is lingering. Having been in love only once before, Damon recognizes the feelings yet he's stunned by the intensity of it all. This time around, the feelings are so much deeper than anything he ever felt for Amber. It did hurt a little when they parted but when the time came, they both knew that their relationship was starting to founder. Quite simply, they both fell out of love with each other and ended it on good terms which is something that Damon is happy about. Knowing that Elena still has a few secrets kind of bothers him but he hopes that sooner rather than later, she'll feel safe enough and comfortable enough to share. Fortunately things have been rather slow at work. They've only been called out twice in the last month. When they're in thick of fighting a fire, he can't help himself, he feels like he needs reassurance that she's okay. He must admit that she's very skilled at what she does as are all of his team members now that Stefan is gone.

Although he's seen his brother at family dinners, Stefan has still barely said two words to him, often sending him scathing looks and the like. But when Damon and his friends have gone out for a few beers, he has noticed Stefan with that girl. She's a petite long haired redhead. He overheard Stefan call her Jessica. She seems to dote on every word out of his mouth at least that's how it appeared from his vantage point.

"Have you been working out for the half marathon?" Brady asks, taking a swallow of beer.

"Actually yes, both Elena and I have been running. Surely you've seen us, we usually run on the training track at work?"

"I have. I guess I didn't realize you were training. It should be a good time. I've actually been working out more too."

"Hopefully no fires will interrupt our fun this year," Damon adds, taking a long pull from his beer bottle.

"Where's Elena tonight?.. Don't answer that, I know that she and Caroline needed some girl time."

"That's it."

"I'm guessing they're going to have food and stuff for when we all finish the run?"

"You know mom and dad always have a spread set out. I think they're having pulled pork, beans and potato salad, at least that's what mom said unless they changed their minds."

"Your mother makes the best pulled pork. Can't wait," Brady teases, rubbing his belly.

Shaking his head, Damon clinks his bottle and takes another swallow as he passes the time waiting for Elena's text that she got home safely after an evening out with Caroline.

Dropping onto the grass beside Damon, Elena starts doing sit ups to prepare for her race. Since she grew up not far from North Pole, Alaska, she has participated before but it's been a couple of years. "You've done this before too, haven't you?" she asks, continuing to rise up and lay down again and again as she continues her warm up.

"I have but it's been about three years. We were at a fire last year."

"I think you're right," she smiles, pausing for a moment when she sits up. Hearing approaching footsteps, she looks up, smiling when she sees Caroline, Brady, Kol, Rebekah and Mikael walking towards them.

"Hey guys," Damon greets them. Jumping to his feet, he gives his buddies a one armed hug, before eyeing Rebekah appreciatively in her runner's garb. Of course his heart is already taken but as long as he doesn't 'touch, there's nothing wrong with looking. He can't help but notice the way, Elena is giving Kol and Brady the once over too. Smiling to himself, he offers Elena a hand, pulling her upright and into his embrace, her back to his front. Just as he presses a kiss to her temple, he notices that a guy is glaring at her. "Do you know that man, that one over there?" he asks, using his eyes to gesture towards them. "He's staring at you."

Sighing uncomfortably, she pulls out of his arms. "I'll be right back," she tells him, giving him a quick peck to mouth. With her stomach churning uncomfortably, Elena can feel the sting of bile at the back of her throat as she moves closer to where her parents have a lemonade stand set up for the runners. The Santa Claus half marathon is more than a local event. People from some of the small and larger surrounding towns come to watch the race and enjoy the camaraderie of the event. Walking forward as if she's walking to the gallows, Elena sucks in a deep breath and tries to steel her spine.

"You wanted something?" she asks as soon as she reaches her family. Just as Isobel starts to speak, her other daughter gets in Elena's face.

"Who's that gorgeous guy you were talking to?" Katherine interrupts, pointing directly at Damon.

"He's a friend of mine, Katherine," she says, her eyes drifting towards Damon who's visiting with his father. "Now was there something you wanted to speak to me about?" she asks, her eyes drifting to her mother's.

"Why are you participating? This event was supposed to be for Jeremy." Isobel asks, looking down her nose above her glasses at Elena.

"Are you being serious right now? This event is open to everyone. I've run the race before, why are you all of a sudden now are getting on my case about it? Why?"

"Your mother is right, Elena. We're here to spotlight my campaign. And as your mother so aptly put it, this race was meant for Jeremy to shine. And besides, you make time for this but you couldn't find time to come to the picnic!"

"Really Dad? I told you that I had my own work obligations on that day. If you would've scheduled your picnic either the weekend before or the weekend after, I would've been able to attend. The smokejumpers always have a booth at the Midnight Sun Festival, you know that!" she snaps, throwing her arms up in frustration. As she's about to stalk off, Jeremy ambles over, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"I happen to want Elena in the race. I want to beat her fair and square," he adds, giving his big sister a wink. Relaxing visibly, he gives her a quick squeeze before letting go. When her mother scowls at her, Jeremy and Elena turn on their heels and walk off together. As they're walking, she can't help but notice how Jeremy turns his head, giving their parents a bit of a glare himself.

"Elena, don't let them get to you okay? I don't know why they give you so much grief but please don't let it get you down. You're better than them," Jeremy adds, giving her a bit of a pep talk.

"Thanks, Jer," she says, giving him a hug. Letting go, she turns her head, hoping to see Damon. And when she does, she drops her chin to her chest when she sees Katherine cozying up to him.

"I take it you like him?" Jer asks, his eyes motioning towards Damon.

"We're seeing each other."

"Go get your man then," he jokes, giving her another wink before walking off to talk to some of his own buddies.

While in the middle of his conversation with his dad, Damon can't help but glance over at Elena every few moments. He can see that she's upset although he doesn't know why. Knowing that she won't want to delve into it before the race, he makes up his mind that he'll ask her about what's bothering her when they're at his house later. Wanting nothing more than to lift all of the stress from her body, he can't wait till he gets her home so he can give her a massage and make love to her till the wee hours of the morning. With a smile on his face at the thought, he jumps when he feels someone tapping on his arm. Looking up, he realizes it's the brunette who was standing by Elena earlier.

"Hello there, handsome."

"Hi," he smirks, but steps back, putting a little distance between him and her.

"I'm Katherine. And you are?" she asks, closing the distance.

"I'm Damon."

"Tell me, Damon. I can see by the way you're dressed that you're going to run.. but if you're game, I have better to offer if you get my drift?" she adds in a husky voice while batting her lashes seductively.

"Sorry, but I have a girlfriend and here she is," Damon mentions, pulling Elena into his arms and dropping a quick kiss to her lips.

"I see you've met my sister, Katherine."

"Yes, she was just introducing herself," he explains, hoping she knows that he has no interest in her sister.

"You two are together?" Katherine asks, the look on her face disdainful.

"Yes, Katherine. Your sister and I have been dating for sometime now. It's nice to meet you," he adds, offering his hand for her to shake. Recoiling, she turns on her heels and stalks back to where her parents are visiting with some of the other guests. Elena happens to raise her eyes just as Katherine is pointing at her while whispering something in their mother's ear. Instinctively knowing that Damon won't betray her, she stands on her tiptoes and gives him a quick kiss to the cheek.

"So that's your family?"

"Yeah, that's my family. Please don't hold it against me," she mumbles, more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Do you care if I walk over there and introduce myself?" Damon asks, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, letting his hand momentarily linger on her soft skin. As he looks into her eyes he can see her mind whirling a mile a minute as if she's at war with herself. It seems obvious to him that her family dynamics are complicated and maybe even uncomfortable for her. Wanting to alleviate her worries, he cradles her face and joins their lips in a long deep and bone melting kiss. Just as he starts to tilt her face to deepen it, the announcer tells everyone to take to their starting blocks. As soon as they assume the positions, a man in a Santa Claus suit fires the blank into the air and they're off

Breaking out in front, Elena pumps her arms back and forth as she rounds the first turn on the thirteen mile run. With Brady's ankle not quite up to par yet, he's sitting out but is riding a bicycle along the path, following them as the runners keep pace with each other. Coming up beside her, Jeremy smirks playfully as he passes her when they reach the five mile mark. Slow and steady, Elena thinks to herself. Digging deep, she gets her mind in the zone, not paying attention to anyone, focusing only the road ahead. With her earbuds playing her favorite music she picks up the pace when they reach the eight mile mark. Only then does she look around, giving Damon a nod when he starts to pull in beside her. When he blows her a kiss, her heart melts just a bit but not enough to throw her off of her game.

Pushing her arms back and forth, she jets forward towards the finish line. Not only does she have to brush off the occasional mosquito, she also has to swerve to avoid a couple of pot holes. Pumping her legs as fast as they will go, she sucks in a deep shuddering breath when the finish line comes into view. Closing in on Jeremy, Elena pushes the limits of her endurance as another surge of adrenaline propels her forward. With one last push, she raises her arms, breaking the red tape a hair's length ahead of her brother. As soon as she can slow up, Jeremy grabs her around the waist, lifting her into the air to celebrate her victory. Putting her down, he gives her a hug then raises their arms together in a show of unity for the siblings.

"Congratulations sis. I'm proud of you," he squeals, finally collapsing onto the grass, followed immediately after by Elena. When Damon and Kol reach them, Damon drops down on the grass. Panting, Damon takes the bottle of water that Brady tosses to him and pours it over his head. Between the water droplets hanging on his eyelashes and his beautiful form well defined by his sweat drenched tee shirt, Elena's insides do wickedly wonderful things to her insides. Seeing the desire reflected in his eyes makes her heart clench like a fist.

Finally able to utter a word, Damon pants, "Congratulations, baby." Leaning up on one elbow, he snatches her lips in a kiss that ends much too soon for her taste. Hearing Jeremy snicker, Elena playfully elbows him in the ribs.

"Damon Salvatore, this is my brother, Jeremy." Extending his arm, he shakes Damon's hand.

"Happy to meet you, Damon," he adds, throwing his forearm over his eyes when he collapses back onto the grass. Laying back herself, she turns her head to meet Jeremy's eyes at the same time he does. "I really am happy for you, Elena. Don't let mom and dad ruin this day for you," he adds, eyeing her knowingly. When Damon hears that, he frowns slightly at the thought of anyone wanting to diminish her victory, let alone her parents.

"I'm going to get another bottle of water. Do you want one, Damon?"

"Yeah, that would be great, thanks, baby. I really am proud of you."

"I'm kind of proud of me too." Stooping over, she drops a kiss to his still damp hair and then walks away with Jeremy beside her. As he watches her, he suddenly feels a whiff of air as Katherine plops down beside him. Leaning over, she cups his ear with her hands. "Why don't you and I get out of here?" she whispers, pulling his earlobe into her mouth while brushing her bosom against his sweat dampened skin.

"STOP! I'm not interested," he stresses, pushing her hands off of him. Having made himself clear, he gets up and walks over to where Elena and Jeremy are talking to the smokejumper congregation. As he closes the distance between them, he stops in his tracks when he sees the man he now believes to be Elena's father latch onto her upper arm, leading her away. Although he can't hear what the man says, judging by both his and Elena's facial expressions and body language, he's certain that he's upsetting her. Before he can blink, the woman starts flailing her arms around like she's angry at Elena too. Not liking this at all, Damon wastes no time in hurrying over to her.

"Is there a problem?" Damon asks, lacing his fingers with hers.

"Damon, these are my parents, John and Isobel Gilbert.

"Damon Salvatore," he says, not bothering to shake their hands given how they were treating his girl.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Savatore, this is a family matter," Isobel snaps, not taking her eyes off of her daughters.

"As a matter of fact, I do mind. Elena and I have plans." Before they can register their dismay, Damon squeezes her hand as the two of them walk away and towards where his family is grouped at the food table. With his eyes only on her, he's knocked flat on his ass when Willow jumps into his arms.

"What the he...?" he sputters seeing Willow sitting astride his middle. When he sees Elena nearly rolling with laughter, a sense of serenity begins to grow and bubble inside of him. Loving that his sister has pulled Elena out of her melancholy, he reaches for her arm, pulling her down beside him. In his mind, he can't begin to imagine being happier than he is right now in this moment with her.

When the food is dished out, Damon smiles when he sees Elena visiting with his parents and appears to be taken with every word out of Willows mouth. After filling his own plate he takes a seat next to Liz and Ric. Taking a bite out his pulled pork sandwich, his eyes drift to who he now knows are Elena's family. Not missing how they all appear disgruntled, he has to wonder what Elena supposedly did wrong in their eyes today. Seeing the way Elena's mother glares at her from time to time, Damon quirks his eyebrows when he happens to share a quick look with Isobel. Immediately she drops her eyes and sticks a forkful of coleslaw in her mouth.

Hearing Liz mention John's mayoral race, Damon can't help but overhear. "She's a special person, I don't know why they're so hard on her sometimes," Liz muses, sharing a look with Ric. "Sometimes I miss Gray so much. I don't know if I ever told you but I grew up with him. He and my brother were best friends."

"Really? It's a small world, I knew Grayson Pierce too and I couldn't agree more, he was a really great guy," Ric agrees, his eyes darting from Liz to Damon. Curious about who he and Liz are talking about, Damon is about to ask when he's suddenly blinded by little hands covering his eyes. With a quick move, he pulls her onto the seat beside him while Elena and his parents join the group too.

"Elena, can I come over again?" Willow asks, resting her chin in her hand as she stares at her.

"Of course, Willow. If it's okay with your mommy and daddy, maybe we can have a sleepover next Saturday."

"Please, mommy?" she asks, bombarding her mother with her pouty and yet adorable face.

"If you're a good girl and keep your room cleaned."

"I promise mommy," she adds, bobbing her head up and down. When Damon notices Elena start to yawn, he takes her hand and pulls her to her feet. After they say their goodbyes, he leads her to the car. Leaning heavily on him, Damon opens the door, letting her crawl in. Once he's behind the wheel, he puts the car in gear and drives down the highway with her hand firmly linked with his.

Not really happy about the fact that Damon had a front row seat to witness her family dynamics, Elena is rather quiet on the way home, choosing to stare out of the window as opposed to conversing with Damon. Although he has tried to start a little conversation, she's just not in a talkative mood, having answered him with a nod or a one word reply. Sensing something is bothering her, he hopes that she'll open up to him. Once he pulls into her driveway, he walks around to open her car door, offering his hand to help her out. As soon as they're over the threshold, Damon takes her hand and leads her into her bedroom where he slowly and seductively undresses her, pressing kisses down the length of her body, paying special attention to the curve of her hip, the pulse points in her femoral artery and the ones behind her knees. Once he's done lavishing attention on her, he peels his own clothes off and leads her into her bathroom. After turning on the water so it's nice and hot, they step in, hand in hand.

Picking up the bottle of shower gel, Damon pours a dollop in his hand. With a gentle touch, he gathers up her hair and starts to shampoo it, using his fingertips to massage her scalp. Leaving her hair, he runs his foamy fingers down her back and then her front. Pausing to cup her voluptuous breasts, he kneads them until her nipples are firm and she starts to moan. Freeing his hands, he positions her under the shower head, running his fingers through her hair until all the shampoo is gone. Backing her against the tile, he dips his head down to seal his lips over hers. Sliding his tongue into her mouth, his lips attacking hers in a kiss that has them both moaning loudly. Pressing his arousal against her stomach, he slides his hands back to her breasts.

Anchoring her fingers on his hip bones, Elena moans against his lips at the exquisite feeling of Damon massaging her bosom. Pressing them deeper into his hands, she gasps at the pleasure he's giving her. Wanting him to feel it too, she starts to press open mouthed kisses down the curve of his neck and over his chest, stopping only to close her lips over one of his nipples. When she feels a groan vibrate from deep within his chest, she smiles against his firm musculature. Wanting to hear more, she bites down gently, worrying it with her teeth before soothing it with the tip of her tongue. Elena moans herself when Damon decides that turnabout is fair play and starts to rub his thumbs over her own nipples. Seeking relief from the heat that is beginning to build and spread outward from her tummy, she presses her center against the firm evidence of his arousal.

While joining their lips again, Damon slides one finger into her deliciously tight body and begins to pump softly and then a little more firmly with each stroke. Hearing her whimper is music to his hears. Swallowing it with his mouth, he ups the ante, dragging his thumb back and forth over her clit. Feeling her body begin to tremble and quake tips the rhythm of his own heart into a head on collision with his sternum. Damon slides a second finger into her, the tightness of her body making him shudder against her. As she twists and grinds herself against him, her vaginal walls flutter as Damon pumps them hard and fast, grunting against her lips at how magnificent it feels to be with her like this. Damon moans, bucking his own hips when she wraps her hand around his cock. Burying his face in her neck, he sighs in ecstasy as she comes with his name spilling repeatedly from her mouth.

Once she can see straight, Elena falls to her knees. Taking his hard cock in her hand, she strokes him up and down before finally raising her eyes to his and looking deeply into them. Moaning aloud at the sight of her placing her lips on him, Elena's keeps her eyes focused on him. Unable to look away from the eroticism reflected back at him, Damon's belly begins to tighten and burn hot. In mere seconds, Damon jerks forward coming fast and hard into her mouth. She continues to suckle him with purpose till he rides out his own orgasm. Weaving his fingers through her hair, Damon mumbles nonsense as he tries to slow down his now ricocheting heartbeat. As soon as she stands up, Damon steps closer, nuzzling her ear and using his tongue to run it along her jawline. Raising mouth till his lips are hovering over hers, he whispers, "I want more."

With her subtle nod, Damon cups his hands around her bottom. When he picks her up, she wraps her legs around his waist, opening herself up to him. Using the shower wall for leverage, Damon presses the tip of his cock against her core. He captures her lips in a torrid kiss at the same moment, he pulls her hips forward, sliding deeply into her body. When he feels her tighten around him, Damon begins to drive in and out of her. Participating fully in their lovemaking, she matches him thrust for thrust. Covering her lips with his, he slams even harder into her, his deep visceral moans matching hers. Feeling the heat begin to erupt and intensify deep inside of her belly, she arches her back, grinding down against each thrust, pulling him even deeper. Unable to hold on, she throws her head back, crying out his name as the heat of her orgasm rips through her like a tsunami, intensifying as he continues to pump into her. His breathy moans tickle her skin as his face is buried in the crook of her neck. Reaching for his own release, Damon continues to thrust. On the cusp, he grunts aloud as his body feels her insides flutter magnificently around him. In the next second, he pulls out, his release coating her skin as his body jerks and convulses with such force that it takes him to his knees.

Laying in bed with her body molded flush against his, Damon runs his hand down her naked back, basking in how right it feels to have her in his arms. "I'm sorry about my family, Damon. Sometimes my parents are rude and boorish. And I'm sorry my sister tried to get her hooks into you."

"Elena?! You know you're the only Gilbert I'm interested in."

"She's a brat. I love her because she's my sister but I don't like her. It's the same with my mom and dad. Me and Jeremy, we're different," she muses, drawing circles on his chest with her short fingernails. Sensing there's more to it, he pulls her impossibly closer while planting another kiss to the crown of her head. Using his other hand, he uses two fingers to gently raise her chin to meet his eyes. "Do you want to tell me what's bothering you?"

After staring at him for several moments, she nods. "It would probably be easier to show you." Shifting herself to a sitting position, she leans over his body to pull the drawer of her bedside stand open. Pulling out what looks like a small scrapbook. Sitting up in bed, she scoots back enough so she can cross her legs when she faces him. Opening it up, she takes out the grainy photo, holding it to her as if it's made of twenty four karat gold.

"You can talk to me, Elena," he says, laying his hand atop her free one, giving it a slight reassuring squeeze. Swallowing past the lump in his throat, she nods slightly. Shifting his position, he sits up, repositioning his pillow so he can rest it against the headboard. Leaning against it, he drops a kiss to her temple before looking at her intently. With a heavy sigh, she hands him the picture. Looking it over, she sees his confusion reaffirmed when he asks, "Who is this man, Elena?"

"That man is my real father, Grayson Pierce."

Thank you, Eva. Love you lots and lots and lots.

Huge thanks to all of you. You're all the best.

Chapter title: 'The Taste, The Touch' by Asteria.

I have posted two one shots for this year's LJ A2A exchange. One, 'Wind Beneath My Wings' is based on Jaybunzy0's prompt, the other one, 'The Gingerbread House' based on Faith2727's prompt. ICEM, RFTR, SOLS are all still in progress too.

Please remember to click the review button. Eva and I appreciate them so much.

Be safe, have a fabulous day and we'll see you next time.