Disclaimer: This belongs to someone that isn't me. This is purely for my fun. Reviews are nice by the way.

-Brighton POV-

I was determined to start over. I woke up the next morning feeling light and easy. I hadn't felt that way since before Phillip. I mean, even thinking his name didn't send my heart into a panic. Telling Ric was probably the best thing that I've done in a long time. I decided that today was the day to make a change. I wasn't going to sulk and rely on anyone else to make me feel better; I was going to do it myself. I was going to find a job in this tiny town and hopefully start a new life as a happy, carefree girl.

I skimmed the classifieds in the paper Ric had left on the table when he left for school. There were a few jobs that caught my eye. I got myself ready and left. The first place I stopped was the Mystical Book Nook. They didn't really get creative with naming places, did they? It was a quaint little bookstore with a comfortable seating area for reading. It was one of those shops that would allow you to sell or trade books if you didn't feel the need to buy. I wondered inside to find the owner. I found him in the last aisle in the historical and romance novel section. The owner was a man named Herbert Rhys who reminded me of Albus Dumbledore; he even had a twinkle in his eye.

"Excuse me sir, my name is Brighton Saltzman. I was wondering if you had any jobs available." I said politely.

"I guess my shop is popular today, hmm." He chuckled to himself. "I just gave the job away to a young girl earlier this morning. What was her name?" He thought for a second before giving up. "Well, anyway, she's around here somewhere. I felt sorry for the poor girl, having no parents and living with a foster family. Sorry honey." He left it at that and continued stocking the shelves with books that had Fabio look-a-likes on the cover.

"Thanks anyway." I said as I walked away. I started to browse the aisles while I thought of other jobs options. I had only really counted on the bookstore. I was walking by a beat up Twilight paperback when I ran into Anna.

"Anna! What are you doing here?"

"I work here." She didn't remember who I was.

"Oh, you're the girl Mr. Rhys hired. Congrats." She turned to walk away.

"You don't remember me, do you?" I stepped closer and whispered, "I'm the one that brought you back the other night."

I saw the recognition on her face after that. I smiled kindly.

"Oh that was you? I couldn't remember anything but waking up and then throwing up. After that…" She trailed off, trying hard to remember anything about that night.

"Yeah, you threw up on Damon. It was quite a sight." I laughed as I recalled the look on Damon's face.

"Really? Serves him right. Anyway thank you." She looked straight at me.

"Well you're welcome. I'm glad I could help." Anna moved to go, but I stopped her again.

"I've been wondering. How's it been so far? You know, adjusting to a normal life?" I put emphasis on the word normal, hoping she would understand. She did.

"It was hard at first, especially getting use to living without all of the extra abilities. But it's easier now."

"Have you talked to Elena's brother, Jared?"

"Jeremy?" I nodded, slightly embarrassed.

"Yeah. I thought you two were together."

"I've tried to steer clear of the Gilbert household. Before Founder's Day, he had been excited about me being a vampire, he even wanted me to turn him, but now…" She trailed off, looking despaired.

I wanted to cheer her up. "You should talk to him. Explain it. If he really likes you, then it won't matter what you eat or don't eat anymore." I smiled brightly, hoping she would follow my advice. Anna was nice and I hoped her and Jeremy would last.

"Thanks. I'll consider it."

"I've got to go try to find a job. I'll see you later." I reached over and hugged her. She seized up, surprised, but then she relaxed into it.

I smiled one last time at her before I left. I wandered toward the Mystic Grill, hungry. I was seated at a table and asked what I wanted to order. As I waited for my burger, Damon popped into my thoughts. I had only met him a few days ago yet I knew I wanted to get to know him better. He seemed like a cocky, sarcastic jerk with a mean streak but his eyes told another story. I noticed it the first time I looked at him. He had experienced something awful or someone had wronged him a long time ago. I didn't know how old he was but it made me wonder if there was ever a time he cared about anything or anyone. Maybe that was it. Maybe he had been torn apart by someone he loved, like me. Maybe that's what drew me to him; we were the same. We had experienced something that had torn us apart, worn us down to stubs, and then left us to try to put ourselves back together. I pondered about Damon's past over my lunch. I was leaving when I noticed the sign: Bartender Needed.

I really didn't want to be a bartender. I had never done anything like that. Most of my drinks had been mixed in mysterious ice coolers in the dark kitchens of a party house. I didn't know the first thing about making drinks. But my need for independence and a fresh start outweighed my self-consciousness. Maybe getting this job would be the beginning of something new.

When Ric got home from work, I had put dinner in the oven to cook and had set the table. I wanted to repay him for lending me his shoulder to cry on.

"Well, this is new." He looked at me with his head tilted in curiosity.

"What, I can't cook you dinner?"

"Bri, you're not known for your cooking." He smiled kindheartedly.

I looked away, suddenly being unable to hold his gaze. "I just wanted thank you…for last night."

He walked up to stand in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Brighton, you're my little sister. I love you and I will be here whenever you need me; no matter what."

I felt myself tear up. I had always looked up to Alaric growing up. He was my hero and here he was, being all hero-like. I hugged him tightly. "I love you Ric."

"I love you too, Bri." He murmured into my hair.

We stood there and talked until the timer went off, signaling us that dinner was ready. I ushered him to sit and I served him the dish I had cooked specifically for him.

"Bri, this is amazing!" He exclaimed, eating more.

"I didn't just learn spells in Cajun country, you know."

He laughed and we resumed eating in silence; enough had been said earlier. He understood that I needed time and I understood that he would always be there for me. Ric cleaned the kitchen when we were finished and I went to bed early.

I had a strange dream that night. I was in a battle field surrounded by old war cannons and muskets but no one was around. There weren't any bodies on the ground or animals. It was silent except for the sound of distant thunder.

"Hello?" I wandered around until I came upon a tree. It was magnificent. It was a willow tree, dripping with Spanish moss. I walked underneath its billowing leaves and sturdy limbs, to touch its trunk. I placed my palm against the rough bark and I felt its life. It was full of memories, it was churning with them. I thought this was strange but I could tell that the tree was sad. I suddenly heard a snap behind me. I turned quickly but I saw nothing. "Is anyone here?" I looked up to find a sleek, black bird peering down at me.

I sat up erect, trying to catch my breath. That was definitely the weirdest dream I had ever had. I dropped my head into my palm and collected myself. Why was I dreaming about a tree? And why did I think it was sad? Can a tree be sad? I felt like I had gone crazy. And what did the bird mean? I knew I wouldn't be able to get to sleep again so I got up and settled down in the living room to watch some television. Ironically the first thing I see is that Hitchcock film about birds. The gods are sending me a message…great.

Ric woke me up when he left the next morning. He told me he'd be late. It was parent-teacher conference night at the school and then he had a date. I hoped it went well. He needed someone in his life after Isobel. The day went by quickly. I didn't do much of anything until four, when I had to get ready for my shift at the Grill. I had gotten the bartending job and I was to start at five. Apparently people like to drink around in Mystic Falls.

My evening was going surprisingly well. I had only spilt three drinks and broken two glasses. I had even managed to forget about my freaky dream. That was until Mister Intense Eyes decided to settle himself right down in front of me. Something about Damon reminded me of the sad tree and the black bird.

"I didn't know you worked here."

"I started today." I started wiped glasses down.

"Oh well, how do you like it?"

"It's okay. I've never bartended before but it's going good."

Uncomfortable silence rained down like baseball-sized hail over us. I avoided his eyes like they were a plague from Egypt.

"Hey, Brighton, I'm taking a smoke break. Cover for me." Great, my boss was taking a break and leaving me alone with Damon Salvatore. Did she not know? Oh that's right, no one knows.

"There's not going to be any glass left if you keep rubbing it that way." I looked down and realized Damon was right; the glass was shining brighter than it probably ever had. "But maybe that's the way you like it, rubbing things hard." I looked up to find him doing his Eye Thing and he winked mischievously. I looked away fast and I put the glass back on the shelf and scanned the bar, hoping there was another customer- there wasn't.

I sighed and moved down the bar to begin wiping it down. Damon didn't get the hint; he followed me. I was beginning to pick up a pattern.

When I didn't say anything, he stopped my movement by placing his hand on top of mine. I felt the electricity again. He ripped his hand away and I knew he felt it too. He cleared his throat, looking serious.

"Look, I'm…I'm sorry about the other night." He whispered to me.

"What?"

"I'm sorry about the other night. I didn't mean to scare you or whatever."

"It's no problem. You just made me flashback."

"Flashback to what?" When I didn't answer, he grabbed my hand again. I couldn't make myself pull away. I didn't want to. "What did you remember?"

"I…don't want to talk about." He opened his mouth to ask again. "Please, just don't."

Damon gave up which surprised me. We let the silence rain down again, but it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward. We just sat there, holding hands in front of anyone, but neither of us wanted to let go. It was like the electricity we felt tethered us together. I felt calm and steady for the first time in months. I felt like I could face the world head on and not stumble. I prayed that it wasn't just me that felt this way.

Maggie, my boss, came back and I had to get back to work. I reluctantly let go and the cold overcame me. The stress and worry I had always felt drifted back into my body and I desperately wanted to go back and grasp his hand again. But my head won opposite my heart. I knew I couldn't trust him yet. I didn't know him. Oh but I wanted to badly. I worked hard when business picked up and the dinner and late crowds came and went. And there, Damon sat through it all. He had moved to the billiard tables during dinner but he was always in sight. When my back was turned to him, I felt a genuine smile settle on my face at the thought that he was there.

I noticed Ric and his date during dinner. I went over on my break to say hi.

"Hey Ric. How's it going?"

"Bri! What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you last night, I'm the new bartender." I smiled and looked over at the woman sitting across from him. The jealousy was growing on her face and I saw a potential problem forming.

"Um, well forgive Ric's manners. Hi, I'm Brighton, his sister." I stuck my hand out for her to shake.

As she shook my hand, she was trying to hide her relief. "Hi, I'm Jenna Gilbert. It's nice to meet you."

"You too. Wait, Gilbert. Any relation to Elena Gilbert?"

"Yes, she's my niece. Do you know Elena?"

"Not very well. I only met her and her boyfriend Stefan at that Founder's Day thing last week. I think we could be good friends."

"Oh cool. Well we shall definitely have to", she gestured to Ric and me, "get together for dinner one night, at our place."

I smiled deviously. "Absolutely. I'll even bring the old photo albums. Ric used to be so adorable. You could just take a bite out of him." I reached over to pinch his cheek. I used to love to do this to him when he was in high school and college. He swatted my hand away.

Jenna laughed. "I bet he was." She grabbed his hand on the table and held it, much like Damon had done with me. "I think he's still pretty cute." Ric smiled at her.

"That's my cue. Have a good night." I went to use the rest room before my break ended. When I got out, Damon was waiting for me in the hall.

"Hey."

"Hi." There was a pause. "Why are you meeting me by the restrooms?"

"Ric doesn't like me very much."

"Okay." I dragged out the word as I took a step around him.

"Wait." He moved to block my exit. "I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go somewhere and talk."

"I have to work."

"Well, when you get off later." He looked a little pitiful and uneasy.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah, okay." That seemed to put him at ease and I walked back to the bar.

When my shift ended and I locked up, I found him leaning against a street lamp, waiting for me. He pushed away from the pole as I walked toward him.

"Where did you want to go?" I asked him.

"We can go to the boarding house."

I didn't like that. I felt like I was pushing my limits by meeting with him after work with hardly anyone around. He was still a vampire. He noticed my look of distress and changed his mind.

"Or we could walk to your place." I nodded in agreement and we started off.

"How was your first day at work?" I stared at him. "What?"

"That's really what you wanted to talk about?"

"I figured we start off small." He gave me this little smile that stunned me. I hadn't seen that one before.

"It was okay. And tiring. I've never been a bartender before. It gets hectic sometimes."

Damon nodded in agreement. "I know how it is."

"You do?"

"I did it for a few years in the 60s. It was a crazy time then." He chuckled at a far away memory.

"The 60s? How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-four." I gave him a look.

"I'm 169." I stopped short and he had to turn back.

"You're over a century and a half old?"

He shrugged it off like it was nothing. "Why is that bad? I never really thought it."

"No, it's just that Phillip was only…" I trailed off, hoping he wouldn't pick up what I said.

"Who's Phillip?"

"No one." He stopped in front of me, facing me.

I rolled my eyes. "He was a vampire I used to know."

"How old was he?" We continued walking.

"He told me he was born in 1975. That's about all he told me about his past. He was more about living in the present."

Damon nodded. I felt like I should tell him more, like I could tell him anything.

"We dated, even lived together for a while before…"

"Before what?"

"Before I killed him."

"By yourself?"

"Yeah, I didn't have a choice." He placed my hand in his, like it was no big deal. I didn't pull away; it felt right.

"Why?"

"I couldn't handle it anymore: the lies, the pain. It was him or me."

He understood. "Kill or be killed. What did he do to you?

"What do you mean?" I didn't feel comfortable telling him.

"He obviously caused you pain, you said so yourself. So what did he do to you?"

"He," I inhaled, "He attacked my friend; he lied to me, made me forget for awhile; he fed from me, made me weak; he tortured me and used me as his plaything."

"He compelled you?"

"Yeah."

"How do you remember?" he asked inquisitively.

"My friend, who taught me that ritual, fixed what he did. She made me remember."

We had stopped on the sidewalk on some side street. He didn't say anything; what could he have said? I went on, unable to stop.

"What I don't understand is that he said he loved me. Why would he say that and still do everything he did to me? He fed from me, almost taking my life several times." I could feel the dam I had built cracking and it was going to break right here in front of Damon. "He lied to my friends, to me. He disappeared, making me believe that he was gone for good. Then he appears back in my life when I was just about over him. He tricked me. He played with my mind," I gulped air down. I was sobbing, "He played with my body. He took what he thought was his. Then he made me forget! And then Bianca helps me remember and all of the terror comes rushing back. I could suddenly remember everything he ever did to me. I could suddenly feel him hitting me and creating bruises that would last for weeks! I could feel him bite me and", the dam is gone and the river is finally raging; "I could feel him sucking me dry. I remember him waking up and I remember pushing the stake through his heart. How does someone get over that? How does someone get over having to kill the person that they love? How do I move on? I don't know what to do. Damon, I don't know what to do." I burst into fierce sobs. He pulled me tight against his chest and cradled my head under his chin. He ran his fingers through my hair and down my back until my sobs had turned into hiccups.

I didn't want to pull away. I felt at peace for the first time in…well for the first time ever. Damon felt right. His chest was firm and his back was strong and muscular. My arms were wrapped around his narrow waist. I could feel his hand rubbing my back in small circles. It was more than comforting. It kind of frightened me.

Damon had stopped rubbing my back. He slowly pulled away until he could see my face. Oh, I bet I looked like a mess. He gently wiped away the remaining tears with his soft thumbs. I could feel his breath against my lips. My eyes scanned his face: his sharp jaw, the stubble, his pink lips, and his thin nose. When my eyes tumbled to meet his, I gasped at what I saw. He was looking at me like…like, I don't know. His gorgeous blue eyes were staring at me like I was the only thing that mattered. I lost myself. The world floated away and I didn't know where we were. He torturously and slowly lowered his face toward mine. His lips stopped just shy of mine as if he was asking for permission. I swiftly raised my hands to grab his face and pull it toward mine. Our lips met and I swear, through all the cheesiness, that fireworks somewhere exploded.

That electricity that had been there every time we touched finally sprung forth and wrapped itself around my spine. Damon's lips were soft and doing miraculous things. His hands were pulling me against him; one on my cheek and the other around my waist. I spun my fingers through his black hair and pulled him closer. He groaned as I tugged his hair. As I pulled away to catch my breath, he tugged my bottom lip with his teeth and I gasped. He slipped his tongue into my mouth and the kiss raged on.

I don't know how long we kissed, standing there on the sidewalk. But when we both stopped to breathe, he pulled away and I extracted my hands from his hair. I opened my eyes and giggled.

"What?" he asked snappily.

"Your hair." I giggled harder. His hands flew up to his hand to feel his hair. I had pulled and twisted it until it was a crazy shape. He had major bed head.

His face fell and he looked angry. I stopped giggling and slowly started walking backwards. Suddenly his face broke into a big smile. I didn't know if I should trust that face.

"Well, you should definitely see your hair." My hands flew up to fix my hair. My hair was crazy enough with having a sexy man messing it up further.

"You know what would fix that?" He started stalking closer to me. I backed away. He held his hands up in weird claw shapes. "Me!" I ran and he chased me laughing. I struggled, giggling at this silly side of him I hadn't seen yet. He pulled me to the grass and tickled me until I cried.

"Uncle! Uncle!" he stopped and stared down at me.

I stopped laughing and realized how we were positioned: I was laying, practically spread eagle, with him completely on top of me. We were flush together and I could feel his lean, muscled form against me. I began to flush; I could feel the waves of heat spreading up my chest and into my cheeks.

He gingerly reached up to touch my cheek. As he leaned in to kiss me, I stopped him with a hand to his sternum.

"Wait." Damon raised his head to peer at me.

"I love this and all", I motioned at our bodies pressing together, "but this is moving a bit too fast. Plus I'm not that kind of girl who sleeps with the guy at the first chance she can."

"Really?" He asked incredulously.

He was probably offended and angry at being rejected. He was hot and ready to go, but I wasn't.

"I do really love this. And I loved what happened earlier." I pressed my hand against his cheek and ran my fingers over his lips to make him remember. "But I'm not ready for this to happen between us."

He rolled off me and stood hastily. His back was turned. I knew he would not take this lightly.

"Damon." I stood and put my hand on his shoulder to turn him. "I really do want you." He turned to look at me.

"But?"

"But I'm not ready. With everything that has happened and everything I've gone through, I want to be sure." I probably sounded like some naïve girl. "I want to be sure that this", I motioned between us, "thing, whatever it is between us, is going to last. I don't want it to end up like last time."

Damon strode right up to me and pulled my gaze to meet his. "It won't be like last time. I promise. I'm not Phillip." He dropped my chin and thought for a second. "Look, Brighton, I've never done anything like this before. The last woman I fell in- anyway she ripped my heart up and I ended up like this. I don't make a fool out of myself for anyone, not even Stefan, my brother." He grasped both my hands and pulled them to his chest. "I don't make promises because I usually can't keep them. But I'm going to try to keep this one. I promise to keep you safe from anything, including me. I won't hurt you ever."

His sincerity made me choke up. I pulled him into a hug. We stood there until I yawned loudly. It was three in the morning. He walked me home and we kissed goodnight. I don't know how I was going to keep him from my bed if he kept kissing me like that. I went to bed ecstatic.

-Damon POV-

Damn. I've fallen in love with a human.

Oh shit. I've fallen in love with Alaric's sister. He was definitely going to kill me now.