A/N: I've been so terrible about updating lately. I do hope you will all forgive me. I promise I won't make you wait as long for the next one. Thank you to EVERYONE for the awesome, amazing, unbelievable reviews/alerts/favorites. It is so appreciated.


Defend

She sinks in my mind as she sheds through her skin
touch sight tastes like fire
hands do now what eyes no longer defend
hands to fuel desire

Dance Inside by All American Rejects


Elena had gotten into bed expecting that Damon would come back into her room at some point during the night. She had still wanted to see him; more than she had wanted anything in a very long time. It had not surprised her when in the darkness of her room she felt someone's eyes on her. But when she discovered that those eyes belonged to Stefan, Elena was beyond surprised.

"Stefan what are you doing here?" Elena questioned, pulling the covers up over her exposed skin. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks but ignored it.

"You were expecting someone else?" He asked quietly, gently. His face gave away no emotion.

"What? No." She brushed the hair away from her face and looked him in the eye. "You're changing the subject though. I thought we agreed that it was best if we make a clean break from….this." She gestured to herself and him simultaneously as she added the last word.

He could see the cold disdain that had risen within her over the last few short hours. It broke his heart to see such an emotionless look from her; from his Elena. But she wasn't his anymore. Maybe she never really had been. Perhaps she had always been just a teasing reminder of the life that he had given up; and the life of his brothers that he had stolen. A mocking reminder of what he could never again have.

"In other words, you thought that you would never see me again?" Stefan asked, raising an eyebrow, his eyes dark and guarded.

Elena sighed. "Don't be like that," she said folding her arms over chest.

Stefan's eyes narrowed, not sure what to make of her mood or attitude. He had never seen this side of her; cold and distant and completely opposite from how she had always acted toward him. Was it possible for her to really switch her emotions so quickly? He let out a sigh and moved to lean against her desk.

"I am not here to try to change your mind, Elena. I just need to know whether or not you have said anything to Jenna."

A confused expression crossed the brunettes face.

"About Damon and I, I mean. You know, what you told Bonnie."

"I told you that I would keep your secret. It was only fair that Bonnie knew. I mean, Damon almost killed her Stefan. And I told you before I said anything to her. But no, I haven't said anything to Jenna or Jeremy or anyone else." Something inside Elena jumped at the sound of her own voice talking about Damon that way; something that made her feel like she was betraying him in some way.

Stefan nodded, a look of relief crossing his darkened features. "You need to be very careful about what you say to Jenna. Now more than ever."

"Is this about Logan? I thought that Damon was taking care of him."

Stefan shook his head, his eyes constantly being drawn back to Elena's exposed flesh. He was suppressing the feelings he had for her, but he was afraid that the veins under his eyes were about to give him away at any moment. He couldn't stay much longer. This side of his thirst was something he didn't have as much control over. The lust for flesh was different than the blood lust; and while Stefan had mastered the latter, his feelings toward Elena had yet to change the pull he felt toward her body.

"It's not about Logan." Stefan took a couple of steps toward the window, breathing in the fresh air and looked out into the darkened sky. "It seems that Damon and I are gaining more attention here than I thought."

"I… don't understand," Elena said, baffled.

Stefan let out a sigh and looked back at Elena, who was now kneeling on the bed in a rather compromising position. He cleared his throat and looked back out the window as he spoke.

Elena glanced down at herself and blushed deeply, sitting and pulling the blanket up around herself again. Who knew what he thought of her now.

"Saltzman… the new history teacher?" Stefan said, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "He's a hunter, Elena. He came here to kill Damon and myself."

Elena raised a brow. "You're trying to tell me that Mr. Alaric Saltzman is what? Like Buffy the vampire slayer?"

Stefan turned around to face her, looking her squarely in the eye. He could tell that she was trying to keep from giggling. "Elena, I understand that this life isn't something you are exactly familiar with. But there are people out there who know about our secret. People that believe and have perfected ways of killing us. They travel to places where stories of animal attacks and mysterious disappearances are common and they hunt down what they know is out there. And just because Damon and I have the ability to come out in the daylight doesn't mean we are any less vulnerable. Once he finds out what we are, he won't hesitate to kill us."

"So you're leaving?" The question came out in broken pants, her voice almost lost at the realization that Damon was in some serious trouble. It was the same statement she had made to him earlier that day. Although now the statement was more of a question, and the 'you' was no longer singular. Now the 'you' referred to both Salvatore brothers.

Stefan let out another sigh. "It's not that simple. There are still vampires out there. The ones that turned Logan Fell."

"Can't you scare them off? Tell them that there's a hunter in town?"

"I don't know that it will do any good." A beat. "What they are in Mystic Falls for… what they're after… a hunter won't keep them away."

Elena's brow furrowed. "What are they looking for, Stefan?"

There was a long pause. "Promise me you won't tell Jenna about us Elena. It's not safe for her to know… not when Alaric is cozying up to her so much recently."

"You know, don't you? You know what those vampires want." Elena pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs, her chin resting on her knees.

"I have an idea," Stefan answered quietly, refusing to meet her gaze.

There was a knock at the door and before Elena could respond, Stefan had disappeared.

"Elena, everything okay?" It was Jenna. She cracked the door open and poked her head in. "Sounded like you were talking to someone."

Elena shook her head and smiled. "Nightmare," she replied, looking sheepish and giving her aunt a shrug. "I guess I talk in my sleep."

Jenna gave her a sympathetic smile. "You want to talk about it?"

Elena yawned and ran a hand through her hair. "I think I am just going to try to get back to sleep."

Jenna nodded. "Alright. If you need anything, I'm right down the hall."

Elena smiled and shrank down into the covers, resting her head on the pillow behind her. Jenna nodded and closed the door quietly. Once the door was closed, Elena padded from her bed to the open window. But Stefan was nowhere to be seen. Elena let out a sigh; it wasn't every day both of the Salvatore brothers leapt from her bedroom window. And it certainly wasn't every day that she had wanted the elder one to come back.


Bonnie had run off to look for Caroline, who had gotten herself in a little over her head through the course of the evening. After searching the bathroom, the bar and the billiard tables again, Bonnie headed outside hoping to find where Caroline had run off to. Pulling out her cell and dialing Caroline's number, Bonnie headed toward the parking lot.

Bonnie swore when the call went straight to voicemail, and shoved her phone back into her pocket. She was worried to know what would happen if Caroline got lost. Now that Bonnie knew about all of the dangers that lurked in the dark, she was more worried than ever for her friend's safety. Especially knowing what Damon had done to Caroline in the past. Bonnie wasn't just worried, she was scared shitless.

"CAROLINE!" She screamed at the top of her lungs; exasperated and angry and upset over the events of the entire day.

"Bonnie?" The blonde's voice was distant and the word was slurred.

Bonnie spun around and ran in the direction where Caroline's voice had come from. There was a crash which caused Bonnie's heart and her feet to stand still for a brief instant, and then Caroline began giggling.

When Bonnie made it around the corner of the restaurant she saw Caroline's feet dangling from the emergency exit staircase. Despite her flaring temper, a feeling of utter relief washed over Bonnie when she realized that Caroline was safe.

"Are you crazy girl? You know what kind of things are out here."

"And what's that?" Matt's voice startled Bonnie and she spun around on her heel, seeing that he had pulled his car around the back of the restaurant.

Bonnie swallowed hard. "You know… the animal attacks."

Matt nodded once and went over to Caroline, holding his hand out to her.

"MATT!" her voice was full of animation and the hiccup that followed caused Caroline to giggle again. "I knew I could count on you," she said, a grin firmly planted on her face.

When Caroline didn't make an effort to move, he wrapped an arm around her back, and his other under her knees and picked her up from her perch on the stairs. "Well, it's not Bonnie's fault you're so damn stubborn," he said, his voice strained from her weight. He turned around and faced Bonnie, whose surprise was still evident on her delicate features. "Come on, I'll help you get her home."

Bonnie smiled and opened the passenger door so that Matt could place Caroline inside. Once the door was closed, Bonnie reached out and stopped Matt.

"Listen, this wasn't supposed to hurt you, Matt." Bonnie said quietly, forcing her eyes to meet his. "Caroline was going through a really hard time after Damon and I kind of talked to her. I just wanted her to be careful, but I should have known better. I know you would never do anything to hurt her."

Matt's eyes were weary and cautious, and it took him a long moment to reply. Bonnie could tell he was considering his words carefully. "You know Bonnie, we've known each other for a long time. And I know that you've always been one to look out for your friends." He sighed. "And as much as I really want to be angry with you for putting some stupid ideas into her head, I can't blame you."

He looked back into the car, checking on Caroline, who was already passed out across the front seat, her head resting comfortably between the headrest and the passenger door.

"I am sure that in a few days everything will be cleared up, and any nonsense or doubt that I put in her head will be gone. Just... please trust me, Matt."

Matt gave Bonnie a weak smile. "The last time you said that, Elena ended up with Stefan." His voice was hurt, defeated.

"You can trust me this time. Nothing like that is going to happen with Caroline. Whatever she said to you earlier was solely because of me. It isn't how she feels, I can assure you of that."

Matt nodded and pushed his hands into his pockets. "I'm gunna get her home. Do you want to ride with me or follow me over there?"

Bonnie looked between Matt's truck and her car, which was across the lot. "Umm… I'll follow you over there, that way you don't have to worry about bringing me back for my car."

He pulled out his keys and headed for the driver's side. Bonnie began walking to her car, and then stopped and turned. "Hey Matt?"

He glanced up.

"Thank you," she replied quietly. He gave her another small nod and then ducked into the cab of the truck, pulling the door closed. Bonnie hurried to her car and let out a sigh. There in the quiet stillness of the night, something dawned on her. The reason for Caroline's behavior; and something that Grams had said to her. It seemed like things were beginning to fall into place after all.


"I know that you're here, Damon," Stefan called from his bedroom. "Or at least that you were," he said quieter through gritted teeth as he slammed his journal shut. "That joke is getting really old." He ripped a piece of paper from the journal that Damon had written on and threw it into the trashcan.

"I thought you would want to remember the day that Elena dumped you. I was under the impression that it would have more meaning to you." Damon grinned from the doorway.

"Where have you been all day?" Stefan asked, his eyes throwing daggers at his older brother.

"I was busy. Told you I had some 'loose ends' of my own to tie up. They're mostly taken care of at this point. But I still have one that is… shall we say, pending?"

"You lied to me about Fell. You didn't waste him. And I want to know why."

A brow arched on the elder Salvatore's features and a grin spread slowly across his face. "Does it really matter who did it, Stefan? I mean, the job's done, isn't it?"

Stefan's eyes narrowed as he watched his brother circle him like a hawk. "Yes it matters. If someone else did it then someone else knows that we're here."

Damon patted Stefan on the back. "Look at you, thinking for yourself. I'm so proud." The mocking in Damon's voice was clear and he slid into the leather chair in the room and picked up the paper that Stefan had just thrown into the garbage.

"You aren't worried about people finding out about us? About the others that are out there?"

"Dear Diary," Damon grinned, reading from the crumpled paper. "Today my girlfriend left me. I knew that it was going to happen sooner or later. After all, what do they say about history but that it repeats itself?"

Stefan scoffed. "Do you take nothing seriously?"

Damon shrugged. "I like to take life as it comes. It's much more fun that way." He winked at Stefan before adding. "And I know my way of thinking works better than yours… because I get laid a hell of a lot more than you do."

"Damon, this isn't a joke anymore. You need to be careful."

Damon grinned. "Use protection, got it." He threw the piece of paper back at Stefan and made his way to the window. "Now, if you'll excuse me… I have some things… or someone, rather, to tie up for the next few hours." And then, he was on the ground.

Stefan moved to the window in time to watch his brother disappear into the darkness. "Don't wait up," Damon called back from his invisible place in the forest.


Elena shivered in her bed, despite being under the covers. The cool breeze blowing in from the open window was giving her goosebumps all over her body. But she couldn't help the stimulated, excited feeling that seemed to hover along her skin with the tiny chilled bumps. There was a secret electricity coursing through her body and her breath caught in her throat with every shadow that danced along her ceiling.

And then there was one she recognized. The outline of a figure in her window startled her and made her gasp. If she had any notion to pretend that she was asleep instead of waiting for him, she had already failed. Not that her racing heart wouldn't have been a dead give-away, but still there was something about the way that she and Damon teased each other that made her want to put on the act anyway. And so, as he slowly made his way to her bedside, Elena made every effort to keep her breathing slow and steady.

The mattress sank slightly under his weight as he sat beside her, taking in her features in the pale moonlight.

Her eyes fluttered open at the touch of his hand against her cheek and she smiled up at him. "I knew that you would come back for me," she said quietly, sitting up.

His eyes narrowed and he double checked to make sure that the necklace was still in place. Far-be-it for Damon to question a girls actions, but this one seemed a little too in sync with his own thinking for his liking. He had to admit, however, that her answer this afternoon had been completely to his satisfaction, and if Elena truly wanted a taste of the wild side, who was he to deny it of her?

Elena leaned over silently and pushed the jacket off of his shoulders and off of his arms. He could see the desire burning in her eyes and if he had questioned her motivations at all anymore, there was no way to stop him from what he was going to do to her. This girl who had been watered down and caged for months by his stupid, calculated brother was finally acknowledging her desire for him and he was planning on ravaging her more ways than she could count. But he wasn't about to get ahead of himself. There was always an order to things and with the way she was looking at him made it clear that she had no intentions on sleeping any time soon.

Once his jacket had been thrown onto the chair near her bed, Damon kicked off his shoes and found a comfortable position beside her in bed. His fingers brushed the hair from her forehead. "I don't know how you knew," he said quietly. "I didn't even know."

Elena raised a brow. "Maybe I know you better than you think."

He grinned. "I doubt it." And then he covered her mouth with his before she could respond, capturing her lips in a kiss with more passion than he had planned. The moment his lips connected with hers, Elena could feel the electricity that had been coursing within her heighten, double and curve along both of their bodies. The kiss was slow at first, passionate and deep and thorough. His tongue gently traced the curve of her lips until she parted them just enough to give him full access to her mouth. Damon's mouth was sweet and salty. His tongue was hungrily exploring hers and she could feel the first of many moans bubbling inside her. Her hands grasped at the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer, tighter. She could feel the hunger within her as it rippled its way to the surface. She unclenched a fistful of his hair and slid her fingers along his shoulder, down his arm, along the side of his defined, muscular side until she found the hem of the shirt she had toyed with hours earlier.

He rolled until he was on top of her, the weight of his body pressing her into the bed. Every inch of his body against her warm, smooth skin. She opened her eyes, taking notice of the dark veins beneath his eyes, giving his lust for her away. Her breath was coming out in shallow pants and she turned her head to the side just enough to take in a full breath. Quiet moans passed through her parted lips as his continued to move along her skin, down her neck and to that small area of skin along her collar bone that Stefan had never discovered. The hand that was still fisted in his hair pressed against his head as she moaned louder, eagerly anticipating everything that he had explicitly described on previous occasions.

"That's a rather large invitation, kitten," he breathed coolly against her neck, his canines grazing lightly across the flesh there.

Instead he resumed the trail of kisses as his hands gently found their way to the bottom of her short nightgown. "I am impressed with the wardrobe change as well." He paused, meeting her eyes again.

"Told you I knew you better than you thought."

He ticked up an eyebrow. "Yeah, we'll see about that." His mind raced with all of the unexpected things he could do to her at any time. But the fact remained that all he wanted to do was exactly what he knew she was expecting of him. All of the girls the past several months, Elena's friend Caroline included had been dull and boring compared to this. Her skin was on fire and electric all at the same time. Each touch of her gentle exploring fingers drove him crazy. She had teased him for so long- too long.

Damon found himself panting; found himself anticipating; found himself eager. As his hand slid up her creamy white thigh, his lips captured hers again and he pressed her deeper into the mattress. Her nails on his back told him that he was giving her exactly what she wanted and when he moved his lips from hers to let her breathe again, her panting words were like music to his ears.

"There are two things I want from you tonight Damon," she said, her voice dripping with the sex he was about to give her. "I want you to make love to me…" there was a pause, and when she spoke again her voice was an almost silent whisper. "And I want you to bite me."


A/N: Dun dun dun…. Soo…. What did you think? Love it? Hate it? Let me know. Thanks lovelies. Reviews are the colors in my rainbow.