The morning is brutal. Damon fell asleep on the couch with a bottle of bourbon in hand after he returned from the hotel bar. All that mattered to him was drinking enough to obliterate all the awful things she said to him. But was there a grain of truth in her words?
In his zeal to reach oblivion, to untangle the labyrinthine corridors that flickered like neon in his mind, he drank till he passed out. He slowly starts to sit up, groaning aloud as he does. His eyes feel like shards of glass are poking the backs of them, his mouth is drier than the Sahara and his limbs feel heavy and uncoordinated. When it feels like the room is starting to spin, he lays back down.
Damon wraps himself in the duvet, waves of nausea only add to his misery. His brain feels like it's swelling beyond the capacity of his skull and now his dehydration is too obvious to ignore, his dry mouth thick with saliva. His stomach lurches and gurgles, he raises his heavy eyelids half way only to snap them shut again.
The aching in his skull ebbs and flows like a cold tide, yet the pain is relentless. He's been hungover before but this is the mother of all hangovers. With the movement of one leg, the tell-tale clink of a bourbon bottle sears his brain like a branding iron. He moans and slowly opens his eyes, this time through split fingers to check for any damage.
As soon as his vision clears, he tries to remember what his dream was about? Their honeymoon at Zach's?
He can't quite recall the exact details but he has a nagging feeling there was something important about this particular dream. When his eyes finally land on the wall clock, he nearly has a heart attack. In his drunkenness, he forgot all about setting an alarm or asking for a wake up call from the front desk.
He flies off of the couch, and runs into the bathroom. He doesn't even have time for a shower so he brushes his teeth, combs his hair and gets dressed before dashing out of his room. Since it'll be quicker on foot albeit more painful, he darts into the stairwell taking two at time till he reaches the lobby.
From there he runs outside to flag a taxi, he's in no shape to drive when he feels this wrecked. Not even ten minutes later, he's sitting in the taxi going over his notes for today's presentation.
Almost too soon, the taxi pulls up alongside the curb. He pays the driver a nice tip, runs up the stairs and into the campus Fine Arts building. His throat is parched and dry from all the bourbon so he pops some coins in a vending machine, pushing the button to get himself an ice cold bottle of water. He almost chugs the entire thing in one swallow. He sighs with relief, hopefully he'll be able to speak and not croak at the audience. Before heading to the auditorium, he buys himself one more and then hurries off to give his speech.
Today's lecture isn't awful, the assembled crowd is respectful but Damon still feels edgy and hungover. He glances up at the clock at least about every ten minutes, bemoaning the fact that the hands are barely moving. Raking his hand through his hair, he takes another drink while silently praying for a short break so he can at least find a couple of aspirin or a pain reliever of some sort.
Although he manages to give a suitable presentation, his mind certainly wasn't in the game today. By the time he wraps things up, Damon realizes that he can either face Elena or go back to his hotel room to deal with all of his unsettled thoughts.
Feelings like deep ocean currents surface inexplicably, rising up with sudden brutal ferocity. Currents once hidden break through the barrier, swirling inside his head but also in his belly and truth be told, his chest too. He's at a loss to understand why.
An incoming call reminds him he forgot something else as well. Although he really doesn't want to talk to her right now, he can't put it off either.
"Ness!" he tries to show at least some enthusiasm.
"Damon... Where have you been? I tried to call you several times last night, I was worried..."
"I'm sorry, Vanessa. Um... I got a little 'indisposed', you know, hanging around with some colleagues after the lecture. They took me downtown to this swank bar, the bourbon was some of the best I've ever tasted," he explains, lying seamlessly.
"Are you alright Damon?" her tone immediately changes and her voice is nice but discussing this with her is not an option.
"Of course, I'm alright. I'm sorry that I worried you," he effectively changes the topic. "Listen, Vanessa, I thought I could fly home for a few days. After tomorrow's session, I don't have another till next Monday afternoon. I'll see if I can arrange something."
Damon breathes a sigh of relief when she doesn't bring his absence up again. Over the next several minutes, she tells him about the classes and when they say goodbye, he knows that she's already forgiven his omission.
Strangely though, he doesn't feel even a little bit better.
"Enzo! Chill! I'm already on my way," Elena reassures him while getting inside the car. She tells the driver where to go and then settles back against the seat. After everything that went down with Damon last evening, she simply couldn't fall asleep. When he left and after she stopped crying, she moved to the bedroom. Even though she took a sleeping pill she was still laying wide awake, staring at the ceiling at 5 am.
Apparently the pill had a delayed reaction because when it came time for her to get up, she ignored the alarm clock when it started blaring on her bedside stand. Rather than get up, she picked it up, uttered a few colorful metaphors and launched it across the room before burying her face under the pillow. In the end, it was Enzo's ringtone that made her eyes snap open. Flustered, she flew out of bed and quickly jumped into the shower. After throwing her hair up in a messy bun and slipping on an airy sundress and heels, she called for a taxi.
Because she knows Enzo as well as she does, she started to count down from ten and got to two when her phone alerted her to another of his calls. She can't help but laugh when she sees how many times he's tried already this morning. She needs to be at the studio early this afternoon to do more interviews and a few publicity shots. God bless him though, she doesn't know where she'd be without his presence in her life. Now he's ready to serve her ass to her on a silver platter for not waking up in time.
"You knew I would be calling."
"Of course but you love me anyway right?" Elena laughs as she relaxes, shifting a little in her seat for comfort as the taxi moves through traffic seamlessly.
"I knew I should have cut this off and come back to do the interviews with you."
"Uh no! I'm perfectly able to do this, Enzo, and very well know it. As much as I love you, I am a grown woman and more than capable of taking care of myself thank you very much."
"You know I didn't mean anything derogatory. I know you are a very capable woman, one of the strongest I know."
"That's better... And thank you for waking me up," she adds and laughs shortly when Enzo mutters something under his breath. "I hope you're having a good time?"
"I am, very much so, but you haven't told me how you are. Was professor 'stick in the ass' good to you?"
"Enzo... I... don't want to talk about it. I did tell him everything I felt that I needed to say to him. He listened but then left afterwards, said he'd call me. I will say that he looked a little shell shocked. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. Honestly, I would like to hear from him but either way, I'll be alright."
"Good. When it proves to be true, I'll lead the applause but for now... well, I'm glad to hear you say it," he says gently.
Elena smiles, a bit of melancholy creeping in but she knows that he understands her, he always has.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to come home right away? I'll hop on the next plane and be there by the end of your day."
"I'm sure. Stay overnight and come back sometime tomorrow, alright?"
"Okay then. Call me when you're through with the interviews. And if a certain someone bothers you... kick his ass."
Elena ends the call and looks out of the window. She knows she owes it to Damon to listen if he wants to respond to what she told him, he let her have her say. Still she wishes he'd have the decency to let her know one way or another what his decision is. The time to move on has come.
... If only it was as easy to believe it, to live it as it is saying it.
Damon happens to run into a couple of colleagues of his when he walks into his hotel. They chat a bit and then went for a late lunch in the hotel restaurant. Seems the men are in town to attend one of the lectures he's scheduled to give tomorrow. After saying goodbye to them, he ends up in his room alone with the same dilemma. Should he call Elena and end this today or should he wait until he's certain that he's ready to face her again? Will he ever be ready?
Ever since yesterday, he's been a yellow-bellied coward. He's done anything and everything he could think of to avoid thinking about what she said. For the first time in a very long time, he finds himself unable to deal with what it means for him, for them.
No matter how hard he tries to reject the idea, there is still a "them". He stops, his mouth literally parting at the thought. Did he just admit to himself that Elena is still an important part of his life? And the million dollar question... where does Vanessa fit into this equation?
He shakes his head and reaches for a new bottle of bourbon.
What was it about that dream? And after all this time, why now? What was it about their honeymoon at uncle Zach's that he can't quite get a handle on? And why is it haunting him now?
There was nothing special about it. They could have gone to Thailand, Hawaii, Bali or any other exotic location. But that would have meant popular beaches, luxury resorts, airports, publicity, paparazzi and annoying reporters. Instead of indulging in all of that, they went hiking, horseback riding, slept in almost everyday. Often they'd stay awake till after midnight playing cards and bullshitting with his uncle, drinking anything they could get their hands on, except for Elena that is. Zach even took it upon himself to teach her how to cook a few dishes, something he never could have done. Patience isn't one of his best virtues.
Elena's probably not a bad cook. The few occasions he's tasted her culinary skills, he certainly couldn't complain.
He needs to stop this train of thought, it's not getting him anywhere. He picks up his phone and dials Ric's number. The longer he has to wait for him to pick up the more frustrated he gets. Finally Ric answers as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Hey Damon? How is it going?" he draws out and Damon grimaces.
"Hey Ric, what are you drinking?"
"Nothing special, really. A friend of mine, it's his birthday today so we're having a small party at my house. Why?"
Damon rolls his eyes, "It's not important... But listen buddy, I won't keep you. I'm probably going to fly home to New Orleans this weekend. I'll give you a call when I get to town." He ends the call before Ric can respond.
In the rotten mood he's in, it really wouldn't be helpful for either of them to get into anything over the phone.
No Damon, this time you don't get to run away from it...
The afternoon is endless, Elena constantly has to fight the urge to either bang her head against the coffee table or just lay down and fall asleep. Her restless night is starting to wear on her and it's struggle to maintain a happy demeanor.
"Do you expect another Golden Globe or even an Oscar nomination?"
How original. "No, I don't think it's that kind of movie, it's less drama and more fun."
"Do you still keep in touch with your co-star, Kol Mikaelson? You two certainly nailed it on screen with 'Tomorrow'. You know how rumors spread like wildfire about all the crazy stuff that goes on behind the scenes?"
Oh my god, everyone knows we're friends. Why are they fishing for more?
"As you are well aware, Kol and I have been friends for some time. I'm also sure you know that I recommended him for this role. I keep in touch with the entire Mikaelson family, they're dear friends and their matriarch, Esther Mikaelson used to be my manager."
"Ah, Mr. St John..."
Drip, drip, drip... and now she wants to dig into our private lives.
Elena switches back on autopilot to get over these last few interviews. The woman, she called herself Chandra, finally finishes and then vacates the seat opposite her. After thanking Elena, she hurries out of the room. Elena looks up at Roger, the studio guy who's there with her in Enzo's absence and he gives her a crooked smile.
"That's all for today Elena. Before you leave I want to remind you that there are two TV appearances scheduled for Friday. Enzo should be back in time to go with you, right?"
"Yes, he will. Thanks, Roger, it was smooth sailing," she comes closer and gives him a short, genuine hug.
Roger nods appreciatively, "No, I want to thank you, it's always a pleasure." He collects his notebook and waves goodbye.
Elena goes to the bathroom to fix her make up. She contemplates calling Enzo now but then he'd just ask her to call him again when she gets home so she may as well just wait to make it. After buying a bottle of water from a vending machine, She picks up her things and leaves the building.
She's just looking around to get a taxi when a deep voice comes from behind her: "Miss Elena, I am a little wounded that you didn't ask call me to keep you company today? I mean Enzo finally leaves your side for more than a few minutes and you go into radio silence. Explain."
"Kol!" Despite her shock at seeing him, she has to laugh. "Why do you always insist on making my heart jump out of my chest?" she smacks him with her purse.
"Because, my dear, a little birdie sang me a song threatening to ... you don't even want to know what, if I don't pick you up and make sure that you are alright."
"I'm going to kill him. I swear sometimes he treats me like a four year old."
"Don't exaggerate. Come on, when was the last time you had a decent dinner?"
"Yesterday?" Elena retorts, although it's not exactly true. Angela did leave her something in the fridge but after Damon left she wasn't in the mood to eat it.
Kol rolls his eyes and urges her into his car.
Elena spends a lovely evening with people who's been like her family for years. After saying goodnight to everyone, Kol takes her home, not leaving till she's safely inside her house. When she drops onto the couch, she glances at her Grandfather clock. It's after 10 pm and then it dawns on her.
Damon didn't call.
Despite all the bourbon he had last night, again, he feels surprisingly refreshed when he receives his wake up call at 7:30. He packs a small suitcase as he plans to catch the 15:30 flight which means he'll have to hurry to LAX as soon as he concludes the lecture. He'll have to shorten the allotted Q&A time if he's going to make it to the airport in time.
Thoughts of her gnaw at him... he probably should have called Elena already but he'll just have to message her later to let her know that he is planning to finish their conversation. Now for the sake of his sanity, he needs to get the hell out of here.
The lecture goes well, this time most of the guests are academics and the debate by the end of the event is stimulating. They end a half hour later than he anticipated and even then, he reluctantly has to call it a day. He exchanges numbers and sets a meeting with some of them for next week, grabs his suitcase and runs to catch a taxi.
The way to the airport is miraculously quick. Given LA traffic, he's pleasantly surprised when he arrives in time to have a donut and coffee. While sipping from his cup he watches the crowd, people arriving or hurrying to catch their flights when suddenly he almost spills the hot beverage in his lap. Enzo?
Graceful as always, Enzo strolls like he's God's gift to women across the airport concourse, an elegant brunette at his side, her arm linked with his. He looks like he's returning from a romantic weekend. Enzo?
As if his sunglasses could fool anyone. Damon quickly leaves the cash and a tip on the table and sets off after them. A cold hand's squeezing his heart as he watches them share a kiss and part, Enzo letting go of her hand reluctantly. When he heads outside where the awaiting taxis are gathered, Damon, feeling enraged, speeds up, hoping to catch him before he disappears.
Enzo stops to look for a free taxi when Damon steps in front of him with a stormy expression on his face.
"Enzo."
Enzo turns around, looking at him surprised but rather calmly.
"Why on the Earth are you at the airport? Don't you still have lectures to give through for another week and a half?"
"I could ask you the same thing, although I have my suspicions. You said you needed to leave for two days, that it couldn't be helped? What was so important about this trip, Enzo?.. Is that what you're up to, cheating on Elena?"
"Now how is that any of your business, Damon? I'd say you have your own little girlfriend in NOLA waiting for you. And furthermore, at the risk of being redundant, how does any of this concern you?"
"Elena is still my wife."
"Oh really? I think you lost the right to call her that when you slipped a ring on another woman's finger."
His biting retorts cut at Damon's insides as if they were shards of glass. But rather than give Enzo the satisfaction of seeing him falter, he replies, "That may be, but it doesn't mean I want to see her get hurt and most especially not by the likes of you! She doesn't deserve it! And you don't deserve her."
"That makes two of us," to Damon's shock, Enzo's giving him a smug look. He fucking laughs at him!
"How dare you!?"
"Ok, Damon. Calm down, you're going to burst a vessel. I don't have time for this because Elena is waiting for me. And you're probably on your merry way to see your little fiancé, so I'm sure you're in a hurry to get out of here. Are you coming back or did you finally get what you needed and we won't ever have to see that smug, cocky little face of yours again?"
Damon doesn't even know how to respond to this insolence. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that, Enzo. I'll be back and I intend to make sure you explain this to Elena or I will."
Enzo waves him off. "Alright Professor, I'll see you soon then." He turns his back to Damon and gets in the closest taxi without looking back.
Damon stands there for a few minutes dumbfounded. Does that bastard really think he'd let him do this to her?
Elena depends on him, trusts him and he... He should stay here.
He should stay here and deal with the mess they all created. He's done pretending. She's not his to worry about anymore. But he still needs to think, there's so many chaotic thoughts spinning in his head.
Are they the reason he's on the way back to NOLA? To get wasted with Ric, reunite with Vanessa and try to convince himself that he's doing the right thing? What are you doing, Damon?
Shaking his head, he turns on his heels, walks back inside the airport and takes his place in line at the United Gate.
When he finally gets to the ticket counter, he smiles at the woman. "Hello, would it be too much trouble to exchange this ticket? Instead of going to NOLA, I need to go to Richmond, Virginia, I have a pressing matter that needs my attention."
Feelings are sprouting up and making their presence known again...
Thank you all so much. We are blown away by your response to this story. You are all simply the best of the DE universe. Eva and I will keep trying to bring fresh and new versions of Damon and Elena to you.
Eva, I love you dearly. Thank you for everything you do for me.
We're arm's deep writing "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Ripples of Fear"... ;) I'm excited to share both of them. We're also plotting a story with Damon and Elena as astronauts. "Don't Fall In Love With a Dreamer."
Chapter title: 'Valley of the Dolls' by Marina and the Diamonds.
'The Children's Blizzard' is also in progress.
Be safe and have a fantastic day. Thank you all again. Until next time.