Apologies. To make a long story short, someone left an empty plastic garbage bag in the hallway at the hospital, I didn't see it till I went skiing on it, nearly face planted, now I am on light duty as I may have a meniscus tear in my knee. As such I have to work days doing odd jobs to get my hours in.
"Whew, I'm glad to be home," Elena mumbles, dropping onto the sofa. She stretches out lazily, laying her head back and throwing an arm over her eyes all in an effort to relax a bit. Not long afterwards, Enzo tut tuts, telling her to sit up. Groaning, she does so and then he hands her an ice cold fresh mango daiquiri. Licking her lips, she takes a sip, sighing delightfully.
"Thank you Enzo."
"You're welcome, I have a phone call to make," he walks out of the room without waiting for a response.
As soon as he leaves, she takes another swallow then sets it down so she can close her eyes again till it's time to eat. She would have gladly spent the weekend idling around the pool while Enzo spoiled her. Still she knows that the solitude would have driven her to boredom after so long.
Her mind drifts to Damon. He texted her on Friday that he fully intends to continue their conversation but that he's going to be out of town for the weekend. He probably had to run back to NOLA to check on his little fiancé.
Although she protested, Enzo would have none of it. After she finished her scheduled interviews on Friday, he let her relax and take it easy for the rest of the day. However the next day he, out of blue, dragged her out of bed, telling her that they were joining the Mikaelsons on their yacht for a weekend of fishing, swimming and scuba diving. He knew she wouldn't be able to resist although such extravagance is his thing more than hers.
In the end, she was glad to have gone along. With a little prodding from Kol and Enzo, she put on scuba gear and dropped into the water with them. It's really a wonderland beneath the surface of the water. She was in awe of all the brightly colored fish and the coral formations. The highlight for her was when a giant manta ray swam by.
They're so graceful in the water almost like an angel ascending into heaven. She smacked Kol in the shoulder when he yelled shark before she reached the ladder to climb back on board. He couldn't contain himself, he literally rolled on the deck and laughed like a hyena. The food that they served on board. She's never tasted lobster as delicious as the way their cook prepared it.
And now it's Sunday evening and she's completely exhausted. When he comes back in the room to suggest they go out for drinks and something to eat, she throws a pillow at him. Secretly, she hoped Damon might give her a call. She really, really needs to stop thinking about him, she needs it to end.
Having gotten the hint, Enzo checks the fridge, happy to see that Angela was thinking ahead just like always. A little while later they enjoy dinner that she left for them. Afterwards, they retreat to the gazebo where Enzo whips her up another daiquiri. They share their drinks, listen to the sound of the ocean crashing against the shore and chat about everything and nothing at all.
Things are as they've always been between them.
The flight to LA seems to have no end in sight but it is beneficial for Damon and his renewed sense of determination. He is still a little unsure about his rather out of the blue proclamation to win Elena back but he knows without any semblance of doubt that he needs to try. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't. Perhaps it's too late to patch things up between them but he can't let her go on believing that she wasn't enough.
If he's going to be honest with himself and he needs to, he wasn't brave enough to start reliving all of his complicated feelings and past mistakes. He's absolutely certain that he's committed many that he isn't even aware of, he dreads to find out how much he's really done to hurt her. He's a work in progress. One thing, one day at a time.
However, the sudden burst of energy makes him feel restless. He gets even more frustrated when every time he glances at the clock, the hands haven't moved but a smidge. No longer willing to waste away the time, he pulls out his notes for tomorrow's lecture and decides to get some work done. He's still Professor Damon Salvatore.
Once the plane lands at LAX, Damon hurries through the airport and quickly catches a taxi to get to his hotel. Although he'd like nothing more than call Elena tonight, it's late and he's giving a lecture in the morning so it will have to wait.
When he finally gets back to his hotel room, the first thing he does is strip out of his clothes and take a relaxing shower. Afterwards he calls the reception desk to ask them for a wake up call in the morning. He's tired but he's not yet ready to turn in for the night. His gaze lands on the in room bar so he gets up and opens a couple of the little bottles of bourbon. After pouring them in a tumbler with some ice, he plops down onto the couch and turns on the TV.
While sipping from his glass, he scrolls through the channels. How awful. He turns up his nose in disgust, pausing the moment he realizes that he's doing it again. He just doesn't like TV. He's going to have to somehow learn to at least tolerate it. He leans back against the arm rest and puts his feet up, making himself comfortable. He takes another drink and then picks up the remote to try to find something decent to watch.
For most people it's a mundane task, for Damon it's a monumental one. He gives up after a few minutes and gets up to see if there's anymore bourbon or if he'll have to order a bottle from room service. When he walks back to the couch, his mouth practically drops to the floor when he sees Elena sitting at a table with a guy. It must be some kind of a talk show he deduces. Elena? Unable to take his eyes from her, he feels around for the remote and when he finds it, he turns up the volume to watch how she interacts in her world.
"I know it's part of your job, but seriously, I couldn't do this all the time. I admire your tenacity," Damon admits but inside, he's ecstatic. He's experienced so many first times in past six months, most of the time, Elena was by his side to share his delight.
"You get used to it," Elena shakes her head with a smile playing on her lips. "I was so proud of you, you did very well," she squeezes his forearm. "I got a recording of it. I'm going to get the champagne so we can toast to your success!"
"It's such a rush," Damon shares when she returns. "They actually wanted to talk about my field of study. It will be helpful when and / or if the book comes out."
"Have no doubt..." Elena kisses him on the lips.
Damon winces as more and more memories flood his mind. He snaps out of its stupor to watch her television appearance. Elena is talking and smiling, she's gesturing with her hands and it's easy to see that she's genuinely invested in her craft. It's exactly as it was once upon a time when they discussed his first TV appearance. How long did he talk to her about his feelings and plans?
And how many of her movie titles does he know? He certainly doesn't know a thing about the movie she's talking about right now. The host continues to ask questions about that Golden Globe nominated movie, Kol's name is mentioned more than once. He watches her watch a short clip of her performance. It's a short scene where she starts crying and actually speaks to the audience without the benefit of words. She has a gift.
He finds himself unable to tear his eyes from the screen, not even to reach for his bourbon that's on the side table. When the show ends, he turns the TV off and lays awake, eyes open, staring at nothing.
He never even finishes the bourbon.
Elena doesn't get up before noon on Tuesday. Yesterday, they played pool at one of their local pubs. Soon it turned into a small party but going home before kicking Enzo's ass at pool simply wasn't an option. While he was clearly enjoying himself she was pretty much dead on in her suspicion that he was merely trying to distract her. No matter the case, she still got to bed pretty late.
"Coffee?" Enzo asks formally but is already handing her a mug.
She smiles appreciatively, sits at the table and cradles it in between her hands. It's nice, even though it's hot outside once again.
"Is Angela coming today?" he questions, taking his place beside her.
"No, she's coming tomorrow instead, we're scheduled for the audition anyway so we won't be in her way."
Enzo presses his lips together, he knows what she's doing, clearing her schedule in case Damon calls after he finishes his scheduled lecture. It's one of the last ones on his schedule so he doesn't have much time if he even wants to talk to her again. He should tell her...
"Elena, you should know something, on Thursday when I came back, at the airport..."
Elena looks at him to give him full attention. "Yes?"
Before he can continue, Elena's phone beeps and she holds her finger up so she can see who it is.
"His talk concluded early and he's on his way, says he'll be here in about forty minutes," she shares when she raises her eyes to meet his.
"Now?" Enzo lifts an eyebrow and Elena nods. "Okay then." He gets up and starts collecting the dishes.
"What did you want to talk about? We still have time."
Enzo shakes his head 'no'. "It's nothing important. We'll get into it later."
Damon decides today's the day and that under no circumstances will he take no for answer. Because his presentation ran over its allotted time today, his own is strictly limited. He texts Elena when it's finally is over, telling her that he's going to be there soon. He congratulates himself and sighs with relief when seconds later she responds with an "OK".
He skillfully avoids Mr. Big reporter guy, Atticus Shane. Damon caught a glimpse of him during the Q & A session, the guy is like a bulldog, he simply will not give up. It dawns on him that he should probably be worried that some intrepid reporter may dig deep enough and discover his and Elena's secret marriage. On the other hand, none of them have been successful so far.
45 minutes later he parks the car in front of Elena's house. He catches a slight movement in the window and before he reaches the front door, it's already opening. He tenses immediately when it's Enzo waiting for him. "Professor."
Damon nods but the tension between them is more evident than usual.
When Elena joins them, Enzo whispers something in her ear and then disappears. Did he tell her or didn't he? What the hell is he supposed to do about that?
"Did you bring the papers?" is the first thing out of her mouth.
"What? Elena no. Not yet. I actually wanted to tell you something..."
They walk through the house until they reach the living room. Elena gestures for him to take a seat. "We can talk but I thought that we would finish everything up today. I mean, of course I'll listen to what you have to say but... " she pauses to study Damon's face. There's something new about his expression, she can't quite put her finger on it but he doesn't look angry or annoyed. Nor does he seem to be haunted by their past demons either, no it's something different, determination and... he's focused, she recognizes that look. But this is the first time she's seen it outside of his work.
"What happened? What is it that you want to tell me?"
"Nothing happened," Damon shakes his head "no." He wants to sit down and take her hand but he can't. He blinks his eyes and takes a deep shuddering breath to fortify himself. "It may seem strange to you, it certainly was to me but.. last week I dreamt about our honeymoon at uncle Zach's boarding house. I just couldn't understand... why now? Was there something important that I needed to grasp? To latch onto? I was clueless for several days and then... I went there."
"You went to Zach's?"
"Yes, I spent the weekend there and thought about everything, he also told me some... not so pleasant truths about myself and... I came here to tell you... you were right all along. You're wrong about me not loving you... because I did... I do... I just wasn't man enough to actually fight for you. I did nothing to deserve you."
Both his voice and the look in his eyes are so intense, Elena's breath hitches. "It can't be..."
"I want you to give me a chance to make things right between us," he continues as if she hadn't interrupted his train of thought.
"What? No! You cannot do this, Damon! You don't get to do this! You can't just say I was wrong and give me another chance. How do I know you mean it? How can I trust you? No. Just no." She avoids his eyes, afraid of what he would so easily see in hers.
She can't do it, she was ready to close this chapter of her life and be done with it. Enzo...
"Fair enough. You don't trust me. Frankly, you have no reason to. I destroyed that..." he stops to collect his thoughts before dropping onto the couch next to her.
"Elena, I'm many things, most certainly the biggest fool on the planet when it comes to you. I know we can't just... wish away that the last three years, pretend they hadn't happened and start again. But I'd... like it if you'd let me... try to redeem myself in your eyes. I'm not the selfish bastard you probably think I am. For the first time in a very long time, I can see things..., I can see you clearly. Elena..."
Elena shivers when he says her name like that...
"Damon, you can't just... make yourself feel better at the expense of others. I won't, I can't let you hurt me again. You have a fiancé and I..."
He shakes his head back and forth vigorously. "I don't have a fiancé, not anymore. Nor do I have a girlfriend. I couldn't come to you with this until I had everything figured out. Quite honestly, it still feels like my head is inside out and upside down but I knew that I had to let go of her before I came to you. It wasn't fair to you, Elena. I'm so sorry that I did so many things to hurt you."
Their raised voices alarm Enzo, who comes down to check on them. Elena stands there in shock, her lip quivering, her acting ability abandoning her but this is real life, not fantasy.
"What's going on here?"
A wave of rage and protectiveness surges through Damon. "If you're doing it because of some noble sense of loyalty... Did he tell you?"
"Tell me what?" she turns to Enzo.
He can tell she's on verge of a break down. Damn it, Damon, you had to bring this up now? His eyes never leaving Damon's, he explains. "Tell you that he saw me holding hands and sharing kiss with a girl at LAX last Thursday."
Damon's eyes travel to Elena. He scrutinizes her face but he's surprised when she simply shakes her head.
"Damon I know everything about Bonnie, she's an airline attendant. She's been Enzo's girlfriend for almost two years now."
Deafening silence follows Elena's proclamation. It takes Damon a minute to absorb what she just said. His mouth parts and he's almost at a loss for words. When he can finally string two words together, he blurts out, "What?"
His eyes dart back and forth between Elena and Enzo. He's stunned and nearly speechless, finally he adds, You mean... you're okay with it?"
"Not that it's any of your business, Damon, but yes, I am," she says calmly, not looking like she wants to elaborate.
"Alright...," he tries hard to ignore Enzo's mocking face. "I... you're right, it's none of my business. I'm going to take my leave."
Elena opens her mouth, maybe to stop him but she doesn't. She won't complicate things any further. She follows him to the door, preparing to say goodbye. Again.
Tomorrow or the day after he'll bring her the papers and she'll sign them. Maybe it'd be easier if Enzo picks them up? That way she doesn't have to face him again. She almost collides with Damon's form when he suddenly stops and turns to her.
"It's not over, Elena. I've been a first rate ass and a damn fool all rolled up into a messy little package. But if you know one thing about me, you know that I'm determined. I am going to do everything humanly possible to make this right. For you. For us... if you'll let me. Please, if nothing else, at least consider it. I understand all too well that I have no right to ask this of you but I can't not. I'll do whatever you want afterwards, if that means saying goodbye, I will. But please, give it, give me a few days?"
He looks at Enzo, who appears in the background and before Elena can come up with any response, he says, "I'll be in touch" and then hurries out the door.
Elena turns to Enzo and lets out a frustrated sound. "What am I supposed to do now!?"
Enzo comes closer and wraps his arms around her. "I know," he murmurs. "You can put his number on your ignore list, just like before and sign the divorce papers when he gives up. But we both know it's not the option you're going to choose."
Damon is feeling rather beaten, despondent even by the time he enters his room. He considers calling it an early night but he feels edgy and in dire need of something to smooth the edges. When he's in a mood like this, nothing is more suitable than a fine glass of bourbon. As luck would have it, the only good fortune he seems to have these days is that the hotel bar happens to stock a good one.
It's probably a smarter move to get something in his stomach first but the last thing he wants to do is run into some of his colleagues. The ones that came for his lecture today and although he appreciates that they made the effort to come to hear him speak, he's not in the mood to talk to them or anyone else for that matter. It dawns on him that this is the first time in recent memory anyway that he didn't want to discuss his profession. Sighing, he makes up his mind. Shower first then decide what to do about the bourbon?
After a nice, hot and long shower he still isn't sure whether or not he should go out. His dilemma is solved as soon as his phone beeps with a message:
Meet me in the lobby.
Enzo?
Damon's heart starts beating faster and harder, whether it's from the familiar irritation that Enzo always brings or is it nervousness? Did Elena send him?
He dresses quickly and takes the stairs as the elevator was moving at snail speed. At least it felt that way to his unsettled mind. Once he reaches the lobby, he takes a look around, wondering if Enzo is even in the right hotel. Just as he's about to turn around and go back to his room, he sees him standing up from the armchair near the reception desk, sunglasses in hand, his usual Levi's jeans, designer tee shirt and Armani leather jacket. His perfect self. Damon mentally scowls at the vision. When he reaches him he realizes that Enzo's probably not the ass here, he is.
"Enzo? Why are you here? Did something happen?"
Enzo shakes his head "no" and gestures for Damon to follow him. He whispers a few things to the hostess and then heads right for a corner table. Clearly Enzo arranged for the quiet table before calling him.. While they're waiting to place their orders, Enzo looks at him contemplatively and Damon hates it. He suspects the bane of his existence is clearly enjoying seeing him squirm.
"Look Enzo, first off, I'd just like to say I didn't mean to get you into trouble, nor did I want to hurt Elena. Nor was it my intention to use your situation to my benefit. I was just fucking angry that you would cheat on her. It's just that I'm in the dark as to what the deal is between the three of you..."
Enzo rises an eyebrow. "Really Damon? Are you sure you're thinking clearly even now?"
The waitress who's name is Ruby comes to the table and takes their orders. Damon can't help but wonder if Enzo is following some insane Hollywood diet or if it's normal for him to have a salad and chicken strips for dinner.
"Okay," Enzo starts as soon as Ruby leaves to tend to another customer. "I really want some answers and you're going to give them to me."
Strange, that he doesn't just tell him to go to hell and walk away.
"Why this sudden turnabout? You show up here after three years, demanding Elena sign your divorce papers so you could marry your little assistant and now you pull a one eighty and want to save your marriage?"
Damon sighs, "I know I must look bipolar to you, maybe even a little nuts but I had sort of an 'epiphany' when I was at uncle Zach's."
"So this epiphany as you call it, it's that new? You can't just stroll into town and turn Elena's life upside down all over again when it appears you couldn't even figure it out for yourself. I'm telling you right now, Damon, that's not an option."
"What gives you right to talk to me about this? Shouldn't it be Elena telling me to get lost?"
"Calm down, Professor. I've been with Elena for nearly every minute since you broke her heart. For months afterwards, I had to watch the fallout of what you did to her. That right there is what gives me the right. And when I say with Elena, I don't mean "with" Elena, so you can get that notion out of your head once and for all. I'm not going to let you hurt her again. Don't even try to get around me because Elena is who said that. She has a great future, she's going somewhere, her career, her star power has never been brighter. She has a life, family, friends, everything she needs, why should she even consider getting involved all over again with your pretty face?"
"Dammit, Enzo! I don't know, the only I do know with absolute certainty is that I can't NOT try. If she's going to divorce me, she shouldn't do it because I've been an idiot or because she thinks I didn't love her or that she wasn't enough," he chokes on the last words that spill from his mouth.
"You are the one who asked for the divorce," Enzo points out. "Did you really break up with up with your girlfriend?" he asks skeptically.
"I did," Damon really doesn't want to get into it, it's nothing he'd be proud of.
"When exactly did you find the time to do that and please don't tell me you broke up with her in a text because that's cold even for you."
"I said I did and I did and no, I didn't text her. Do you want her number so she can tell you herself?" Damon's fuse it lit now. He picks up his glass of bourbon and swallows down half of it.
"Don't have a coronary. I believe you."
"How... how come you are not with Elena? Everybody..."
"Yes," Enzo waves him off, "everyone knows it. No, Damon, we're not together. But it's convenient for Elena that they think we are. The paps don't follow us around and speculate incessantly about her or whoever she attends a premier with. The guise of a "stable relationship' is best for her career and it's everything to her. It works because she can just relax and play her role," Enzo gives him a meaningful stare. "We've been friends for years, Damon. We built her career, shared food and the roof over our heads. We bought the house together. We, are in this together."
"But... back then? I believed..."
"I know exactly what you thought, Damon. We weren't lovers back then either. We, have never been together romantically. She would never cheat on you and I'm not that desperate that I need to make the moves on another man's girl. I'm not saying 'wife'... that she's never been. A 'wife' means a partner, an equal. You did everything you could to make her feel like she was neither of those things."
Damon feels the pointed barbs piercing his heart but he has to ask. "Was there... anyone else?"
"Apparently, you are the only one who found it easy to move on, Professor."
After dinner, a strikingly quiet Enzo surprises him when he automatically follows Damon to his room, settles in the armchair and accepts the drink he pours for each of them.
"I'm not going to bother you for too much longer. But I need to make sure that my message is clear," he pauses to take a sip. Licking his lip, he compliments Damon on his choice of bourbon, but quickly returns to the topic at hand.
"I'll fight you tooth and nail if you try anything that's going to end up hurting her again. And know this, Damon if you do hurt her, I'll hunt you down and hurt you. Bad. Mark my words, even if it's the last thing I do as a free man, I will end you. Fatally. At this point, Professor, you don't deserve her. Give me one reason why she should even entertain the thought of giving you the time of day."
"I love her Enzo."
"Spare me, Damon. It was me who had to lift her spirits time and time again when she thought she failed not only as a wife but also as a mother. It took months and months of me encouraging her before she finally started to believe in herself again. She would doubt her performances, wondering if she presented her character in the right way. Over and over again, I told her that she was the best. It was me who held her hand at awards shows when they were announcing her name as one of the nominees. It was me who got wasted with her when she won and it was me who held her hair back when she puked her guts out. Everyone, me, her mom, Kol, his family, we were all there. You weren't. Think about that," he says firmly and takes a long pull from his glass.
"I know she told you many things, but were you listening when she told you how you made her feel invisible when you sent her home instead of introducing her to your colleagues? Were you paying attention when she told you that she canceled a big after party just so she could be there when you gave your first lecture? Or how unimportant you made her feel when you didn't want to introduce her to your family? She lost hers, her mother was in a coma and on top of dealing with that, she could see that you were ashamed of her and of her livelihood. You were too much of a coward to introduce her to your mother and sister because they might turn their noses up in her presence. She deserved better from the man who supposedly loved her."
Enzo finishes his drink and stands up, grimacing when he looks at the man who caused so much pain to his closest friend.
"Elena.. she's like the mute girl you never bothered to get to know. She doesn't talk about her pain but she still communicates. Find her, get to know her, prove yourself to her. But unless and until you're ready to do that... Stay the hell away from her."
The door clicks behind him, filling the room with deathly silence. Damon takes a swallow and reaches for his jacket. Enzo has no idea who Damon Salvatore is either, he didn't become what he is today by running away at the first bump in the road. And he's not going to waste another minute wallowing in it. He finds the business card that Elijah gave him and presses the numbers.
"Mr. Mikaelson? Elijah, I'm sorry for calling so late but this is important. I want to reassure you that our appointment for later this week is still on but I need your help."
"Of course, Dr. Salvatore, how can I help you?"
"I just need a favor. Can you please give me your brother Kol's number?"
I know some of you want to stab him for treating her that way but a lot of it is related to his upbringing. There was no emotion in his home, remember he said his mom was like a drill sergeant, she'd turn away when he tried to kiss her and that he didn't blame his dad for leaving. Self awareness isn't his best trait but he's a work in progress as he said.
Thank you all so much. We're stunned by the 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. We just started working on "Waiting For A Star to Fall."
Eva, I love you dearly. Thank you for everything you do for me.
Chapter title: 'Hurts Like Hell' by Fleurie.
TCB concluded Wednesday. Thank you so much for loving that Damon and Elena too. I have ideas for a circus period piece too.
Watch for "Welcome to the Jungle" to start posting, hopefully next week. This is the synopsis: Old adversaries reunite when a long missing body turns up on her property. Raw passion ignites, haunting memories return and suspicion burns white hot... And which one will claim victory in the deadly game of cat and mouse that ensues?
Have a safe and wonderful evening and weekend. We'll see you next week.