A/N: Hey everyone, first of all I'm so sorry that this chapter took me so long but I had a lot of things to deal with. Studying, work and driving school. I don't want to burden you with my crap but just so you know why I didn't update sooner. When next week is done, I have virtually three weeks of vacation and will try to update more often and regularly. I hope you can forgive me? *offers cookies*

However, I'm still stunned how well this story got received. I want to thank every one so much for taking the time to read, maybe even review, putting this story on story alert or even adding it to your favorite stories. Thank you so so much, guys!

Chapter 2: Give me love

Give a little time to me

Oh, burn this out

We'll play hide and seek

To turn this round

All I want is the taste that your lips allow

My mind, my mind

Oh, give me love.

The door swang open and offered the view to a big hall with in subtle yellow painted walls which gave a lovely atmosphere.
Elena's eyes suspiciously roamed around the hall. She was curious, yet at the same time nervous and scared what was about to be in store for her. Would she finally remember? At least individual things?
"Welcome to our decent housing." Damon grinned at her, visibly keen on her expression. "Wait here, I'll just fetch your bag and then show you around. Except you want to explore everything yourself?"
Damon raised his eyebrows, forming a questionate mien due to Elena maintaining silence. She seemed completely taken in by the house like she was about to reveal a secret.
"Elena?"
"Oh, sorry." Hearing her name shook her out of her divine absence and made her look at him with slightly puzzled eyes. "What did you say?"
He chuckled. "Nothing, just wait while I get your things from the car, alright?"
"Sure. Thank you." She thanked him with a shy smile on her lips before he walked off towards car that was parked on the driveway.
The curiosity within her urged her to enter the house and before she knew it, she was walking inside. Her eyes travelled to the right and left, taking in everything, till she came to a stand in a huge and open room.

Her eyes caught a big, comfortable corner sofa placed on the right of the room with a fireplace in front of it. On the left, she spotted a long dining room table made out of bright wood with elegant, black chairs around it. The entire room was modern done up and yet radiated a warm feeling. Elena was still ingesting every little detail, from colours to decoration to furniture. Several photos which were on a small table caught her attention and she ultimately moved closer to have a clear view at them. In one picture Caroline and Meredith were on evidence with her, they were all smiling and had put their arms around each other.

A small smile built on Elena's lips. It's been only two days since she'd woken up but she already knew that Caroline and Meredith were the best friends she could ever imagine. They had been so supportive of her in the last two days. Caroline had spent every free minute at the hospital and Meredith had nearly checked on her every 15 minutes during her working hours. Elena knew she'd always be in their dept.

Her eyes moved to the next photo which showed a brown-haired man with green eyes. This must be Damon's brother Stefan, Elena thought.

Damon had told her about him, not too much though but she knew that Stefan had been Damon's best man on their wedding. He was a business man in high demand somewhere in Chicago now and had settled down there with his fiancée Lexi, although Stefan and Caroline shared history. Their relationship had ended on unresolved terms which also had some influence on Damon and Stefan's behaviour as Damon considered Caroline a very good friend of the family.

Elena couldn't help but think that she was partly responsible for this. However, Damon and Stefan's relationship was more distant since then, yet they had come more in contact with each other again after Elena's accident.

Her eyes quickly scanned over the next photo that showed Damon and Elena surrounded by their friends, Meredith with Alaric and Caroline and Tyler whereas her eyes lingered a little longer on the last photo.

She tilted her head to the side and took the photo in her hands. It was a collage of photos of Damon and her; photos from automates which were placed at all kinds of places, be it at malls or train stations.

In the first one they were making funny faces which let a short laughter escape from Elena's lips. It looked too ridiculous. In the second he was tickling her and provoked a hearty laugh of her. Elena's heart squeezed a little at this sight although she had no memory of that moment. In the third one they were cuddling and he had buried his nose in her neck and in the last one they were looking each other straight in the eyes. It nearly looked like they were about to kiss. Her thumb circled over the pictures with a lugubrious smile on her face.

"Ah, where it all started." Damon said, sighing while he approached her from behind.

Elena turned around, feeling like she got caught doing something inappropriate. "I'm sorry, I-"

"No harm done." He reassured her and carefully placed his hands on her hips. "This is also your house, you can do whatever you want to do."

She smiled at him although she felt a bit nervous by his touch.

He had been nothing but supporting and understanding since the moment she had opened her eyes two days ago. She'd never be able to make it up to him for everything he was doing for her, except for giving him what he hoped and wanted the most. Her love.

Elena had tried really hard to remember anything within the past few days but she had only gotten kind of déjà vus. She still hadn't regained concrete memories and craved for her memories with and her past feelings for Damon the most. She wanted it back so badly.
"So, this happened after our little encounter where I rebuffed you?" She asked reluctantly.

"Well, yes." He answered. "But you only rebuffed me because I let you, to get this straight."

"Yeah, whatever." She laughed at his smug reply. "Can you tell me how these photos emerged then?"

He moved beside her and took the collage out of her hands. "With pleasure."

"You've got to be kidding me, Caroline. We must be in the wrong movie or something." Elena grumbled.
"What's your bitch this time?" Caroline replied before downing a shot of Tequila.
"Maybe the douchebag over there." Elena explained and tilted her head to the left. "Don't you two remember him?"
Caroline and Meredith followed Elena's instruction and looked straight at him.
He was dressed all black, wearing his far too familiar leather jacked and casually leaned on the bar counter, flirting with the girl behind it. She was all giggling and clearly had fallen in his trap.
"Poor thing." Elena muttered while viewing the spectacle.
No matter when Elena, Caroline and Meredith showed up in a club or bar, he wouldn't be long in coming with Alaric in tow. She felt like he was subconsciously stalking them. Although one had to give him a little credit because there actually weren't many possibilites to go out in this town. Elena didn't like it, though. She was sure he wasn't a local otherwise she would have known him but she knew one thing already, he spelled trouble.
"Sweet Jesus, it's Damon!" Caroline cheered, absolutely delighted at the sight of him.
Elena exchanged a telling look with Meredith before a brainwave hit her and made Meredith chime in into Caroline's anthem.
"Caroline, do you see Ric somewhere? Is he here with him? I can't turn around, it would be a little too obvious."
Caroline narrowed her eyes and scanned the room. "Yes, he's here! He's nearby the dart board but he looks a little pissed. Probably because Damon keeps him waiting for his Bourbon."
"Oh, I'd know a better way to warm him up than his stupid Bourbon."
"Meredith!" Elena screamed in horror. "Have these two guys brainwashed your or am I the only sane person here?"
"What?" Meredith shrugged. "Alaric is a nice guy. I like him."
"You mean like as in girl likes boy. Boy likes girl. Sex." Caroline wiggled her eyebrows at Meredith who was just equally amused. They high fived each other and bursted into laughter.
"Oh my god, girls!"
"Oh buzz off, plain Jane and give us fun Elena back."
Elena rolled her eyes. "I am fun, Caroline but this is just.. pushy. I'm not just gonna throw myself on the next guy that walks in."
Elena's eyes wandered back to Damon who was still leaning on the bar counter and making goo-goo eyes at the girl behind.

The way he acted revealed it all, he was a total womanizer. He knew exactly how to act to get what he wanted and it wouldn't be a surprise for Elena if he had several girls per week. And today he had chosen the blonde barmaid. Sure, Elena thought, she was pretty and her body couldn't be faulted either but she was way too barbie-like.
"As one pleases." Elena made a barbed remark. "He thinks he's the summit of creation only because he's good-looking and has those.. distinctive blue eyes."
Elena found her friends giggling when she faced them again and scowled. "What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing." Both laughed it away which made Elena roll her eyes again.
"I'm not jealous if you think that."
"Why would we think that?" Meredith acted the innocent.

"Would there be a reason for it, we don't know of yet? Speak up, missy!" Caroline encouraged it.
She wasn't jealous, clearly not at this girl and not because of this guy. However, blush filled Elena's cheeks which made her feel even more embarrassed.
"Stop it, Care. I don't do jealous." Elena's voice became slightly more fragile. "Not because of.. her."
"Ohoo, someone's getting possessive."
"Either you two immediately shut up with this bullshit or I'll leave." Elena glared at them. She wasn't in the mood for such silly games.
"But he's-"
"Dashing? Gorgeous? Irresistable?" A male voice cut in. "And what a coincidence that this seat isn't taken yet." He said and sat down next to Meredith.
"Hey." Caroline greeted him in a girly voice, all taken in by him.
"Hey." His smirk got wider like ten times. "What was your name again?"

"Carolilne. It's Caroline." Caroline beamed at him, nearly fainting.

"No, pathetic." Elena retorted, giving him a bitter smile. "The word we were actually searched for was pathetic, but thanks for the suggestions."

Caroline poked her in the side and muttered something cloudy.

"Nice one. I see you haven't changed, feisty." Damon nodded approvingly at Elena. "Elena, right? But don't worry, I missed you too."

"What gave you the impression that I missed you?" Elena crossed her arms, looking defiantly at him.

"Well, the way you were staring at me the entire time when I was ordering our drinks." He took a nip from his drink. A smirk never leaving his lips. "And also your disapproving look contributed to it a little."

If she wanted to challenge him, he would embrace it. He knew who would be the winner.

"I didn't disapprove anything, Mr Salvatore."

"See, another hint. You even did some research to find out my last name." He answered drily which made Elena snort in disgust.

"So Damon, how you've been and where have you left Ric?" Meredith stepped in before the two possibly were at each other's throat.

"I've been good but since the charming Elena graces me with her presence, I'm even better." He stated, never breaking eye contact with Elena.

"I heard someone was calling my name?" Ric said, a smile plastered on his face while he exchanged amorous looks with Meredith.

"Easy buddy."

"Shut up, Dick."

"Why so hostile, Ric? That's not how you behave in front of a lady."

"Maybe he finally realized your true nature." Elena said while getting up and glaring at Damon. "Here Ric, you can have my seat."

"Elena?" Meredith asked startled as Elena took her bag. "Where are you going?"

"Home, the air is stuffy in here." Elena's eyes glaring at Damon.

"But why? We were having so much fun." Caroline pouted.

"I'll come with you." Meredith was just about to get up when Elena stopped her.

"No, I'll be fine. I'll just take a cab. Enjoy your evening, girls."

They looked worried at her but Elena countered with a reassuring smile and nodded in understanding. Elena knew how much Meredith wanted to spend time with Ric and also that Caroline didn't want to leave either because of underwhelming reasons.

"Call me as soon as you get home, Elena." Meredith said, worried.

"Will do."

"And keep your hands off strange guys."

"Thanks for tip, Caroline." Elena chuckled and waved them goodbye. "See you, guys."

With the aim to get out of here as soon as possible, Elena turned around and headed outside.

She walked along the street, deep in thought.

What was the deal about Damon Salvatore? He was cheeky, badly behaved and probably had one-night stands a dime a dozen. Nevertheless, she felt attracted to him somehow and she couldn't make sense of it.

"What is a pretty woman like you doing here in the dark all alone?"

"Damon." Elena turned around and faced him. "What a nice surprise. What do you want?"

"Wrong. What do you want?" His frame emerged out of the shadows as Damon approached her dangerously close.

"To be left in peace from you would be a good start." She crossed her arms in front of her chest. A gesture she did way too often when he was around. He always managed to make her go stubborn. "Where have you left Caroline? Already enough of her?"

Damon discerned a small difference in her voice than recently. She seemed annoyed now, if not angry. "Why? Afraid you have to share me with her?"

"You wish."

"This is true enough."

Elena frowned as he suddenly took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

"I just can't stand seeing you're freezing." He explained in a soft voice.

"Well, thank you."

They got a glimpse of each other but both immediately lowered their glances on the ground afterwards.

Elena was acutally expecting him to throw around with snarky remarks and flirty comments but no such thing happened. He remained silent which confused her even more. He baffled her.

"But this still doesn't change the fact that you're rude, if you think that."

"Is that so?"

Elena peered to the street, tracing the passing cars.

"You know, it's a mystery to me how you can twist every woman around your little finger when you feel like it."

"Every woman?" Damon responded in a calm voice but yet dropped a small hint to her statement.

He was facing her now and admiring her whole beauty. She was beautiful. He had already noticed that the first time they had met and tonight she had fascinated him all over again. Even while he was flirting with the barmaid, he had spied on her. With other women he would have brought in the big guns by now but he couldn't with Elena. She somehow managed to keep him in suspense and this was a new arena for him. He couldn't say whether he more liked or disliked because he was still trying to figure out which page outweighed.

"Do you need my approval to boost your ego? I don't think so. It's already too huge to be healthy."

"But your blush is telling me that you like my ego to some extent."

"You can't even see that I'm blushing because-" Elena started but realized that she had just confirmed his assumption.

"I was right." Damon smiled to himself.

There fell an awkward silence because Elena didn't reply. She was in the most embarrassing situation since the moment when Matt had accidentally poured his bottle of water over her white top and everyone could see through it. And this had been two years ago. Right now, she'd love nothing better than to run a mile.

"Would you like to spend the rest of the night with me?" Damon broke the silence.

"This sounds a little misplaced, don't you think?"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Surely."

He shook his head. "So, want to come?"

"Who knows where you bring me." For the first time Elena faced him properly. She had a long close look at him and saw that he was serious. "I'm not world-weary."

"I just want you to have fun."

"Somehow I got the impression that your and my notion of fun differs widely." Elena answered in a jolly voice. "And unlike you, I cling to my life."

Damon couldn't help but laugh at her statement. "So few trust in me, feisty?"

"No, I just steer clear of guys like you."

"Come on, Elena. Just one chance, that's all I'll ever ask for." He asked, full of hope.

She expectantly glanced at him. "And why should I?"

"I could be your experimental game."

The gears in her mind were turning like mad. She heard Meredith's and Caroline's voices screaming in her head that she should agree to his proposal.

"Okay, I'm in. So, where are we going?" She already knew, she would probably regret this but weren't they all complaining about her not being spontaneous enough? Well, this was she proving them wrong and she may as well admit that she felt kind of attracted to him.

"Somewhere special." He said, offering her his arm. "Want to come?"

Elena grudged linking arms with him and then they slowly paced along the walkway which leaded towards park.

"May I asked what made you end up here in Mystic Falls?"

"Feisty and nosy. Noted."

She looked at him and discovered a smirk on his face. "You know I can still back out."

"But you won't. You couldn't live with the shame of being called a coward, could you?" He challenged her and met her burning eyes.

They stopped at a bench and decided to sit down.

She skirted his insuniation with a sharp rebuke. "Well, if you want me to have some sort of fun, you might be forced to reveal some details about you. Else this won't work."

"So you're already calling what we're doing a this?"

She tucked him in the side, a playful grin on her face. "I know that you understood what I meant, don't play stupid."

He remained silent for a bit but then answered her question in a bated voice. "I had family business to deal with."

"Such as?"

Elena felt Damon tense next to her. The atmosphere had noticable changed and become more serious.

"A funeral." He said in a blank voice that wiped the grin off her face. "My uncle died two weeks ago."

"Oh." Her eyes softened at his confession. Of all possible things she had never expected this. "I'm sorry."

She felt bad for him because she knew what it felt like to lose a family member. Her parents had died not all that long ago and the pain and grief still gripped her to the marrow.

"Don't be." He coughed slightly, his eyes dimmed. He found himself in a vulnerable situation, how did that happen? "It's okay. We weren't that close anyway."

"If you need help with anything, I'm here." She lay her hand on his knee, reinforcing her offer and trying to spend him some comfort.

"Thanks." Damon had turned his head and was now looking at her. "But you'd already do me a favor if we could change the subject. This isn't exactly how I imagined our evening to proceed."

"Sure." Elena smiled encouragingly at him. She felt that something was bearing him down, yet he didn't seem to want to talk about it, so she decided to leave it at that.. She had already pushed him enough, so it felt wrong to rebore.

"How long are you planning to stay in Mystic Falls?"

"How about until the day you send me away?"

Once again, blush filled her cheeks. "Do you say that to all girls you want to score with?"

"No." He chuckled. "It would have been over with them already.. and I wouldn't be so honest with them, either."

She nodded and let his answer seep into her head. Was he really acting different with her or was it just some sick part of one of his little games?

"I guess, now it's my turn to pelt you with questions."

"Go ahead, I have nothing to hide."

"Have you lived in Mystic Falls all your life?"

"Yeah. My parents moved here before I was born." Elena chocked at the mention of her parents. "I grew up here."

"And Caroline and Meredith, too?"

She nodded. "We met in kindergarten and are inseparable since then."

"I see, sandpit friendship and all." He reflected over it. "I better watch what I do, don't wanna get into a cat fight."

"Yes, you better do. Especially with Caroline. She's no blonde bimbo and you better be good to her."

He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Surprise and confusion flowing in them. "Who said that I was talking about Caroline?"

"Well, I thought.. because.." Elena stammered and shook her head, dropping her gaze. "Never mind."

Damon kept watching her. He still hadn't figured out what made her different from all other women he had met so far. Although she could be stubborn and cocky, she had the ability to make him feel giddy and usually Damon didn't do giddy.

"Why did you even agree to this? How you said earlier." He mocked her, still curious what had changed her mind because at first she was rather about to say no than yes.

"Spontaneity doesn't hurt, right?" She stated honestly. "And I could hardly break your tempting proposal."

"Good reason." He agreed provisionally. "But what was the real one?"

"I wanted to be more spontaneous, like I said."

All of sudden, she got ready to disappear.

"Ah ah ah." He stopped her and pressed her against his chest. "You can't leave without a little souvenir."

She gazed at him doubtfully. "What do you think?"

"The thingy over there on the right looks promising."

Elena's eyes roamed into the direction he had described and caught a photo automate. She and her girl friends had often used such appliances when they were getting up to nonsense and had taken a few snapshots with it.

"I'm not-"

"No ifs, ands or buts." He interrupted her and took her by the hand. "Come on." Then he dragged her along behind him.

They ultimately reached the automate and she had to sit down on his lap because there wasn't much room in the small closet.

"Hey, don't make yourself at home here!" She stuck out her tongue to him.

"Watch your mouth, Miss imperious." He replied and grimaced at her.

Click.

"Oh my god, it already took a picture? Why didn't you warn me?" Elena asked, taken by surprise.

"Why should I? Didn't you say yourself you wanted to be more spontaneous?" He hadn't even finished his sentence when his hands found her side and started to tickle her which made her bubble over with laughter.

Click.

"Damon! Stop it!" She managed to protest in between laughter and happiness.

"As you wish." Damon immediately stopped but instead snuggled up against her, his arm firmly wrapped around her and buried his nose in her neck.

Click.

Elena's eyes nervously looked down at his arms around her waist, not sure how to react. Only a few hours ago she had thought he was a total douchebag and now she was cuddling with him in a closet and taking photos?

Her eyes went up and not until then she realized how close their faces were.

"And then." Damon explained and pointed at the picture of them looking straight in the eyes. "This happened."

Elena lifted her head upward only to catch Damon's blue eyes boring into hers. She was totally lost in them and taken aback. They were deep as the ocean, yet electrifying as lightning. Subconsciously she moved closer, her eyes closed and maybe only a piece of paper would have fit between their lips at the moment.

"Elena." Damon's hoarse voice sounded which made her eyes meet his.

Their lips were just about to touch till she suddenly parted.

"I'm sorry, Damon. I-" She stuttered, unable to come up with an explanation for what has gotten into her. "I probably was caught up in the moment."

What the hell had she just done? She had almost kissed him. Her memories still weren't back, yet she felt so drawn to him that only standing next to him was enough to send waves of joy through her body. They, or rather she, were headed in the right direction but what if he had misinterpreted her move on him now or thought she had regained her memories? It felt till too sudden; somehow too rushed for her. She didn't want to raise false hopes, yet it was exactly what she was doing.

She took a few steps back, feeling partly ashamed and angry at herself. "I'm exhausted. I'd like to take a nap if you don't mind."
Damon's facial expression showed that he was equally confused at the happenings just now like she was but quickly picked up courage again. "Sure. I'll take you to our bedroom."
He walked upstairs, Elena following him. They didn't talk until they had reached their bedroom.

"And here's the room where I like to spend my time the most, our bedroom." He joked and winked at Elena. "Of course, I'll take a guest room as long as.. you know what I mean."

Elena glanced around. A kingsized bed was placed in the middle of it and a bathroom was adjoining on the left of the room. The room was kept like the rest of the house, modern, black tones and lots of furnutires made out of wood.

She turned around to face Damon, a rueful smile on her face. "Thank you, Damon and not just for this. For everything. I wouldn't know what I would do if you weren't here."

"No problem and about earlier downstairs," he returned her smile and then approached her to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, it's okay. I know it'll take time and no matter how long, I'll be waiting." he caressed her face with his thumb. "Just call my name if you need anything, I'm next door."

She smiled away a tear and nodded.

Shortly afterwards Damon went out, leaving her on her own in a room that used to give her the most safety, yet was completely strange to her.

Carried away by her tiredness Elena lay down, her eyes gazing out of the window until her eyelids fell shut and she drifted into dreamland. One main character haunting all of her dreams, Damon.

I was neither sure if this chapter was good nor if it went into the right direction, so feedback would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance to everyone who took the time to read this chapter and maybe review.

Much love,

xoxo