Thank you again for all of your lovely reviews! They warm my heart.
And also a huge thanks for the story/author/favorite story alerts - so cool! :) I heart you!
This chapter lacks of Damon and Elena, but is needed for the story to continue I think. Next chapter they will hopefully show up again hahah
As always; I do not own The Vampire Diaries or the characters, but I have utmost respect for the writers of the characters and the actors portraying them. :)
With all that said:
Thoughts were reeling in Rose's head. Questions she couldn't answer and answers she couldn't bear. She was on her way to Slater again to see if he'd been able to dig out some more information about whatever it was Damon and Elena was confined to. Rose couldn't bear think of it any other way. It was a confinement, not being able to let go of each other. It wasn't natural.
And all she wanted to find out was if there was ever a way to break the emotional chain that linked Damon to Elena. Part from the obvious, as Alice had so kindly stated; death. If Slater hadn't given Rose a warning glance, Alice might not be sitting in Slater's vampire proof apartment today grinning her stupid grin as Rose walked in.
Rose had kept quiet for over two weeks about where she'd been and what she'd found out about linking to Damon. But even though she felt a bit distracted by her findings Damon's changed demeanor didn't pass her by during those weeks. He was happier, and the serious frown that had been plastered on his face was gone. He was even doing his normal banter routine with Stefan. And he'd contentedly treated Rose to massages with scented oils and burning candles before he gingerly made love to her every night.
He was a different person, and she had wanted to ask him about it, but was afraid what he would tell her, and that this lovely side he was showing her all of a sudden would disappear as soon as she uttered the words. So she kept quiet and enjoyed the sweetness he was showering her with.
She also noticed the lack of visits from Elena. She wondered about that too, but at this moment in time she was just happy about the breathing space it allowed her. She tensed up every time Elena's name was brought up, surreptitiously looking over at Damon to take note of his reactions. So far she had observed nothing, but the burning feeling was still there. That feeling of betrayal.
And it irked her. She had made herself a promise not to fall for Damon. But he had shown her a side of himself that was so very vulnerable and honest. And it was hard, because he could be so loving when he wanted to, and right now he was showing her his good side at all times. So she kept falling and he kept changing the depths and she never hit the ground.
'What have you got for me?' she asked Slater as she sat down next to him by his massive desk filled with computer screens.
'Well. Where would you like me to start? –That there is no way to break their bond part from death?' Rose ignored the light snigger from the sofa where Alice was perked. 'Or that there might be a way to work around the link?'
At this Rose perked up a bit.
'Spill', she said and turned to face him. He had her undivided attention now, and he basked in the glow.
'So, how about this. Guess what is used to break the link, not forever, but to prevent it from working properly?' Slater's eyes glistened and his smile was unashamedly triumphant. 'What do humans use to stop us from compelling them?' He nodded excitedly at Rose as her eyes caught his.
'Vervain', she breathed slowly, thinking of the necklace around Elena's neck and how Elijah had ripped it off her to compel her.
'Touché.' Slater was grinning by now.
'So, you mean that as long Elena is wearing the vervain, there is no way for her and Damon to link properly?'
'Well, here's the thing. I'm not really sure about the rest of it. I only found out how they prevent them from linking in the first place. But once the link is made.' Slater shrugged his shoulders. 'It's a bit vague on that front. Most probably because once they link the link is not to be broken, so no one has bothered to figure it out.'
Slater's jaw was working a bit, before he asked the question he kind of knew that Rose wouldn't like.
'Have you noticed a bond between them even though she's wearing vervain? That might mean that it's too late, you know.'
'No, it's not too late', Rose's snapped and she looked at him with her chin raised. 'They haven't been alone together without her wearing vervain. She's very conscious of it, and would never leave home without it. And to my knowledge, Damon wouldn't want her without vervain either.'
He held his hands up, surrendering. 'Ok, fine. I just had to ask.' He rolled his eyes at Alice who was sitting with her legs curled underneath her, reading a gossip magazine. Alice laughed quietly.
'Geez, Rose', Slater continued. 'It's not like I'm trying to ruin your love life or anything, but this is just too freaking awesome to let it pass me by. I seriously want to see them interact. We could learn so much from them.'
'Damon will not be your lab rat, if that's what you think, Slater.' Rose's eyes were shooting arrows at the tiny vampire and he curled back in his seat a little.
'Rose… You know I would never think of him like that. But we don't know enough. Let's say, for example that they have linked and Elena dies, will Damon survive that? What is their link made out of? How strong is it?'
'And let's say for argument's sake that they have linked already even though she's wearing vervain now. Are they able to feel each others emotions? Can Damon sense her? Can she sense him? Is it like a one way bonding where it is only the vampire who feels his human, or is it a two way thing? Does the vervain diminish the link completely or is it still perceptible'
Slater turned against the computer and scrolled down a few pages.
'This is sort of what I've gathered out of the info I received', he glanced sideways at Rose.' Which wasn't a lot by the way.' Rose could see he was dying to just drive over to Mystic Falls himself to find out more. She gave him a warning stare before he went on.
'As I've already told you before, a vampire is created to protect the doppelganger, no matter what. When he has done his…job, he's dispersed. He is not of any need to anyone any longer. I thought it meant that he would be killed off, but… I don't think that's what it means at all.'
'He's dispersed; meaning he's disbanded, broken off, separated from the doppelganger.' Slater cleared his throat before continuing. 'In other words, it seems like he kind of, dies by himself. There is no need to kill him.'
'What do you mean he dies by himself? As in killing himself?' Rose shook her head feverishly. 'No, Damon would never do that.'
'Sorry Rose, it might mean just that, or it might mean that he would…'
Alice, sensitive as ever, continued for him.
'Damon could just spontaneously combust on the spot for all we know.'
'Shut up, Alice', Slater frowned at her. She poked her tongue out at him and continued reading her magazine.
Rose covered her face with her hands while resting her elbows on the desk. She stared blindly in front of her, seeing nothing.
'So whatever I do, I might risk losing him.'
Slater clumsily put his hand on her shoulder.
'Or, you do what you can do at this point.'
Rose looked up at him and grabbed his hand with both of hers.
'What, Slater. Is there something you haven't told me?'
He slowly shook his head.
'No. What I meant was. It seems all you can do now is to keep Elena safe, if you want to keep him safe too.
I won't have any updates for this story until after the next epi (can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!) So I hope you'll all bear with me :)
I have my sister's funeral to go to, and my pretty daughter has come home again from spending a month with her daddy, so I won't have as much time to update, but I will CERTAINLY try!
My other story, Watch out Damon - your emotions are showing has recently been updated as well - feel free to check it :D
And remember that reviews are always welcome :D
Vic xxx