I won't blabber on for too long, because I know y'all will probably want to read the chapter but two mega quick things –

1) I am so incredibly sorry for how long it took me to put this chapter up. I've just had insane writer's block but hopefully it's on its way now! I will work especially hard to get the next chapter up soon!

2) Oh my goodness, the response to the past few chapters has been overwhelming. You are all the sweetest darlings one could hope for and I think that we may hit 100 reviews on this chapter update! SQUEE! I cannot thank you enough. When you spend so long writing something, it's so incredibly lovely to get positive responses from people who like the story. So yes, thank you so much and…enjoy!

I crashed my lips down on his.

He froze for a moment and I clutched him closer desperately because I couldn't deal with his rejection, not today. But I needn't have worried. After just a moment, he tangled a hand in my hair as he kissed me back fiercely, pushing me so my back was pressed against the wall. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my head spinning as I ran my hands through his silky hair. His lips were cool and soft and everything they had been the first time we had kissed only a million times better.

I broke away for a moment to gasp for air and found his eyes burning into mine. "That…that was probably a mistake." I panted and he raised an eyebrow, snorting.

"Did you not enjoy it Ms. Gilbert?"

I rolled my eyes and he smirked, leaning in to kiss me again, this time more gently.

"I really am sorry for not telling you." He murmured against my lips, and I was going to reply when the door began to open. He was away from me in a flash, leaving me blinking at the space where he had been. I managed to see him winking at me before the door opened fully and Caroline and Stefan stepped into the hallway tentatively. Caroline instantly wrapped her arms around me, apparently overcome by emotion or something, I don't know. She squeezed me tightly and I reluctantly hugged her back, slightly uncomfortable by this show of affection. I noticed Stefan looking pointedly at Damon, who had completely regained his composure and was acting like nothing had happened.

"It's getting late." He murmured, glancing at me. "You must be tired Ms. Gilbert. Caroline and Stefan can take you home. I just have a few things to finish up."
God he was good at this. You wouldn't have known that we had been tangled together against the wall just a few moments ago. But I could act too. I nodded slightly, not looking at him and let Caroline begin to tug me out of the corridor.

"I'll see you later Governor." I murmured as I brushed past him and I caught the tiny grin that spread across his face just before Caroline led me around a corner.

Caroline kept up a stream of chatter in Stefan's sleek black car. I responded with absentminded murmurs, letting my mind drift back to Damon. And his lips. His very very nice lips. If I could think about those, I could stop myself from thinking about whatever was waiting for me back home. Suddenly something struck me and I sat up, cutting off Caroline without much hesitation or concern. I knew I would have to start being nicer at some stage but some things were just too important.

"What am I going to do when I go back to the Pail? Actually, when I am going back?"

Stefan and Caroline exchanged uneasy look.

"Well…Damon thinks that it'd be best for you to not…go back there. At least for the time being." Stefan said carefully and I felt a weird lurch in my stomach when I realised that I wouldn't be seeing my family until…well, I didn't know when. But then guilt washed over me for feeling a little bit of relief too. At least now I wouldn't have to deal with angry mobs or not being able to step outside for fear someone might yell at me.

Stefan glanced back at me, his eyes sympathetic.

"I'm sorry Elena. It won't be forever though, remember that."

I smiled tiredly at him. I liked Stefan, I really did. He was good, good to the core and I had met very few people that I could say that about. He was comforting to have around and I could tell by the way that he looked at Caroline that he was totally and utterly in love with her which she deserved however much I ignored her.

We drove into Damon's driveway smoothly and I caught a glimpse of a stunning sunset behind the house. The sky was streaked with pinks and purples and golds and it made me feel a lot better than I had been feeling two minutes ago.

"I think I'm going to have a bath or something." I murmured to the two of them as I followed them into the warm house and they nodded sympathetically. "Tell Damon to come up to talk to me when he gets home, ok?"

Caroline shot a smile at Stefan as she answered me. "Of course honey. Go on up and relax, you've had a long day."

Too long, I agreed mentally as I wearily made my way up the stairs and into what was slowly turning into my room. Shrugging out of my cardigan, I rolled my shoulders to soothe my tense muscles as much as possible. This day had been possibly the most stressful out of this whole situation so far, and now I was wondering if I had made it a million times worse by letting my feelings boil up and spill over. But I knew I wouldn't be able to focus properly until my muscles weren't as sore and I was comfortably tucked up in bed so I peeled off my dress and underwear, tossing them in a heap on the bed before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around myself tightly before hurrying to the bathroom.

As the hot water ran into the massive bathtub, I ran my fingers over the array of different oils and bubble baths that lined the shelves. I was tempted to pour in one so I could smell nice for Damon …God, I was an idiot. But the clear, fresh water looked so inviting on its own that I decided against it and let the towel drop as I stepped gingerly into the warm water. Immediately I felt myself relax and I let myself wallow in the heat blissfully. I wasn't going to think about the kiss or Damon or Dad – I couldn't even begin to think about that. I just needed to sit here and be blank for a little while.

I woke with a start. The warmth, combined with the wave like movement of the water had evidently lulled me to sleep. I blinked a few times, wondering how long I'd been out of it. With a sigh, I began to massage shampoo into my hair, inhaling the smell of green apples deeply. I manage to find the matching conditioner and I splodged some of that on too, before washing myself quickly with some lemony soap. I was going to smell like a fruit bowl after this bath but I didn't even care. After rinsing off the apple smelling goop from my now clean hair, I got out of the bath carefully, drying myself down with the fluffy towel I had come with before emptying out the water and beginning to dry my hair with the strange hairdryer thing I had a few days ago. It made my hair all silky and straight again but I just shoved off my face in a bun before scurrying back to the bedroom to search through the drawers for pyjamas. The house was completely silent, so I was guessing Caroline and Stefan had gone to bed or something. I tiptoed back into the room, clutching the towel around me to search through the wardrobe.

What should I wear? I mean now that we had kissed. Should I pretend everything was normal and just go for normal cotton button up pyjamas? Or should I go all provocative in silk with straps and the like? Because both of these were accommodated for in the pyjama drawer. Oh man, I had become one of those girls. Pull it together Elena! They're pyjamas!

I eventually settled for a simple cotton tank top and shorts despite the cold – I knew the heavy duvet would keep me warm. Suddenly I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror beside the door. I hadn't really paid any attention to it before but now, I couldn't look away from the girl in front of me.

She looked a lot different to the girl I had looked at in the dirty reflection of the bathroom mirror in the Pail, that was for sure. She looked a lot healthier – she had lost that barely having enough to eat look and now looked a lot more like a normal, healthy person. Her hair was glossy, and her eyes were bright and…hopeful. Was that me? Had spending a week with the Salvatores really done that to me? I gingerly touched the mirror, a little worried that the image might disappear. But no, it stayed there and I eventually had to turn away, a little freaked out. Water. I needed some water.

I shrugged on the thick black cardigan again and padded out down the stairs into the kitchen. It was completely quiet and strangely peaceful. I filled up a glass of water from the fridge and sipped on it as I leaned against the counter. I was tired and I had to force my eyes not to droop closed.

But then I heard the front door open and instantly I felt wide awake, my heart pounding. The door was shut again quietly and then he appeared in the kitchen, tossing his keys on the table and shrugging off his coat before looking up and noticing me.

"Hi." I said softly, feeling weirdly nervous. He seemed to be taking in my pyjama ensemble and I realised that I probably should have worn something that didn't show as much…skin.

"It's late." He said quietly and I shrugged.

"I'm not too tired. It's not been the kind of day that you can fall asleep as soon as your head touches the pillow."

He nodded, his blue eyes intense on ine. "I never thanked you by the way. For helping us out with that."

I smiled slightly. "It's not a problem, Mr. Salvatore. I wouldn't want to disappoint the Governor after all." I said it teasingly, and he smiled, and I realised that he had dark circles under his eyes. With a start, I remembered that he hadn't drunk from me in days.

"You're hungry." I said softly and instantly his eyes darkened, although he tried to act like nothing was wrong.

"It's fine Elena, you need to go to bed –"

"Damon, you're hungry and that's the reason I'm here!" Why I was trying to get him to take my blood, I didn't really know. I had been repulsed by the thought a few days ago but now…I was only concerned for him. Good grief I was in deep.

"Elena, the last time it really didn't go well and it's late."

Oh right, I fainted last time. And then he had had to give me his blood and it all just got a bit messy. But I had been a lot…different then. And I…did I want this? I did, if I was being completely honest with myself. I mean I didn't just want any random vampire to stroll up to me and demand my blood but Damon…Damon was a whole other story.

"Damon, please. It's the least I can do."

He was weakening, I could tell. His eyes kept darting to my neck and his teeth were beginning to get sharper and the veins around his eyes were becoming more prominent. He took a step closer, seemingly without really intending to. "I won't hurt you." He promised, his voice a velvety purr and I shivered with apprehension as he gently ran a cool finger down my neck.

"I trust you." I whispered, shutting my eyes as I felt his cool breath on my neck. His teeth grazed down my neck and he put a light hand against the small of my back to support me and I was getting all prepared mentally for the sharp teeth but just as I was positive he was going to bite down, I felt his lips brush against my cheek and then he was gone. I opened my eyes to see him standing at the other side of the kitchen, looking completely normal again.

"You're sweet Ms. Gilbert, but I'm not going to drink from you right now. You're too tired."

I stared at him, feeling a little bit…pouty. Why was I disappointed? He saw this and laughed, his eyes crinkling up in the corners.

"You're very different to the scared girl I met a little while ago." He chuckled and I smiled in spite of myself.

"You've changed me Mr. Salvatore." I told him, half-jokingly but hoping he would understand that I meant it honestly too. I had been a terrified person who didn't really know what living consisted of. And then he had come into my life and it seemed like my entire world was being lit up by a flash of light and I knew that it would never be the same without him.

"I do try Ms. Gilbert." He said lightly, treating me to a rare sweet smile. "But it really is late, and time for little humans like you to sleep."

As if on cue, I yawned. He smirked triumphantly. "See? I'm always right. Now come on – I'll even tuck you in if you want."

We reached my door and I opened it slowly, glad to see that it wasn't a total mess. I felt like a blushing school girl getting to have a boy in her room for the first time. Except he wasn't coming in obviously.

"Thank you again for all of your help today Elena." He said quietly, leaning against the doorframe. I nodded silently, not really meeting his eye. I was feeling awkward now, not knowing what to do or how to act or anything. So, being the socially awkward Elena that I was, I blurted out "Thanks for kissing me back."

Oh God, the words had actually come out of my mouth. I risked a peek up from under my eyelashes to see him trying not to laugh. "You're too much Ms. Gilbert." He chuckled and suddenly he was kissing me again, pushing me against the wall as his lips moved against mine. Without really thinking about it, I melted against him, feeling his hands on my waist and running my hands through his silky hair. It felt so natural and lovely – like we were made to be slotted together, like a jigsaw puzzle. He trailed his kisses down my jaw and against my neck before following the trail back up to my lips. "You're so beautiful." He murmured and I snorted.

"Please. You're the Greek God, Mr. Salvatore."

He snorted, before pulling me away from the wall. I pushed him lightly so he fell onto the bed. I followed, feeling incredibly warm and fuzzy as I felt his arms wrap around me protectively. The kissing was getting more and more heated and passionate until he eventually pulled away, leaving me gasping slightly.

"We're not going to do this, not now. Not like this." He said gently and I nodded. It was all going a bit too fast and rushed. I could handle waiting. However, it was when he went to get up that I had the major problem.

"Where are you going?" My voice was shrill and he looked at me weirdly.

"Bed, darling. It's generally where one goes at night."

I rolled my eyes. Smart alec.

"Will you…will you stay with me tonight?" I asked softly, slightly afraid that he would say no. His eyes got all wide and intense but when I kissed him again, he laughed, relenting.

"I'll stay with you. Just sleeping mind. I don't want to wake up to find you having your wicked way with me." He said sternly and I laughed, thumping him before settling in a more comfortable position on the small bed.

"Just don't leave and we'll be ok." I told him, yawning again and he snorted, his lips brushing against my hair.

"I don't usually stay with my female company throughout the night. You're a lucky girl." He told me and I turned around to grin at him.

"I'm just too brilliant to leave."

He kissed the tip of my nose, laughing a bit too much for my liking.

"Well, congratulations m'lady." He drawled. "Now sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

I turned back around so my back was pressed against his chest so he couldn't see my smile as I shut my eyes. I could smell his slight cologne and his leather jacket and I could feel his cool breath at the nape of my neck and I could have sworn that I had never felt happier.

"Good night Damon." I mumbled sleepily and he laughed quietly.

"Good night darling. Sweet dreams."

Oh I would have sweet dreams all right – it would be hard not to with him sleeping next to me.

I HOPE I DID DELENA JUSTICE.

Please go easy on me. I really don't think this chapter is as good as the others but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless.

Review, and follow and do what you gotta do!

Love y'all – talk soon darlings!

x