DPOV

"No. I'm done with games. I want something real..." Elena whispered.

I looked stunned as she left the room and went (surprise, surprise) to take a shower. What in the name of all things holy was that supposed to mean?

I shook my head and flashed my signature smile at nothing in particular. Did this mean she was choosing me? Only time would tell, I thought to myself as I strolled over to the faded leather couch. My eyes felt heavy as the adrenaline rush from the game wore off, and suddenly I found myself fast asleep.

"Stefan! You're home!" Elena screeched in delight.

"Of course I am. I told you I'd only be a few days." Stefan chuckled darkly.

"Stefan..? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything is just perfect."

Suddenly, Stefan grabbed Elena's neck and threw it backwards. Elena screamed as terror washed over her.

"Stefan! NO!" I yelled, but Stefan had already sunk his glistening fangs. "NO! ELENA!" I screamed out desperately. I tried to run to them, but I couldn't move. At all. It was as if I was bound by some invisible force. Suddenly, that force tugged me, and I was on the floor. "LET HER GO! I'll do anything!" I sobbed, sensing that taking any more blood from Elena would kill her.

"No. I have a better idea..." Stefan grinned sadistically. He grabbed up the pen knife on the table and slit his wrist. He then shoved it into Elena's mouth and forced her to drink. She sleepily opened her eyes.

"Waaah?" she muttered.

"Good night, sweetheart."

Then Stefan snapped her neck.

"NO! ELENA! NO!" I found my legs and crawled over to her. "No, Elena. Wake up. Wake up, please" I sobbed as I shook her frantically...

"NOOO!" I woke up screaming. "It was just a dream... just a dream..."I gasped as tears rolled down my cheeks. I wiped them off angrily. Vampires do not cry, I thought forcefully.

"Damon? Are you okay down there?" My sweet, sweet angel asked.

"Yes. I'm fine now." I replied, my eyes shining joyfully. Relief flooded me. Elena was alive.

EPOV

The rain stopped splattering against the window and a ray of sun shone through the clouds. I stared at the man in front of me. "You will forget everything I just said to you." He said and I felt peace and serenity swamp me, shrouding me in a cloud of calm. I had never felt so sure in all my life of what I had to do now.

DPOV

Elena walked down the stairs in her towel.

"You know, I didn't steal your clothes this time."

"I know." She whispered back. She grabbed my hair and brought my lips to meet hers. She kissed me passionately. I stared into her unfathomable, brown eyes, and noticed for the first time, that they had honey coloured flecks as deep gold.

I pulled back and gasped. "Elena... you don't want to do this with me. You're not ready."

"But Damon, I am."

"Elena, I can't let you do this. You can't be sure about his. What about Stefan?"

"Damon, I have never been as sure about anything in my whole life as I am now. I didn't want to become like Katherine. I've made my choice. I love you, Damon."

I felt my heart soar as she said this. She chose me! Suddenly, Elena gave out a blood curdling scream and collapsed on the floor. That was when I noticed that Elena was not wearing her necklace.