Chapter 7

"Morning sleepyhead." Damon smirked and poured an extra cup of coffee. Elena mumbled something unintelligible and collapsed onto a couch.

"When did you get back last night?" Damon handed her the mug, and she drank deeply before answering.

"Sometime after midnight."

"Quite the party animal." He joked.

"Nope. Just wandering." She replied nonchalantly.

Wandering? That can't be good. She must have seen the look of apprehension on his face, because she added calmly. "Don't worry, Damon. I didn't eat anyone."

"You didn't? That...sounds like progress."

"Really?"

"I always tell Stefan that the only way to teach a vampire control is to let said vampire come to terms with the hunger."

"What's his approach?"

"Start shoving bunnies down their throats the minute they transition. You made it a bit hard for him yesterday with your whole disappearing act."

"Damon," She said slightly more seriously. "What happened after I left? I don't see any broken furniture."

"He...overreacted a bit. You'll notice several of my best whiskey glasses are gone. Classic Stefan, only smash stuff which belongs to me."

"He had no right to try pull that on me. The second you left the room he started trying to convince me to send you away."

"To be fair, I let the cat out of the bag first."

"I forced you to. He did it all on his own, and then had the audacity to be angry afterwards."

"Look Elena." Damon laid a hand softly on her knee. He saw her tense up at the touch "This whole thing has been tough on Stefan. He's struggling to come to terms with your wild emotions."

"He's not doing it very well."

"Just...just give him a chance to be the doting boyfriend. When he walks in, try not to bolt for the door." He grinned, removing his hand from her leg and standing to add more wood to the fire.

"I'll...try, Damon." An awkward silence followed Damon silently cursed himself for touching her. What was I thinking? Giving her Stefan-advice and grabbing her leg at the same time. Am I dead set on ruining our friendship?

"You...didn't go home?" He eventually said, trying to end the silence.

"I...Jeremy wouldn't let me in."

"What?" He was shocked, to be honest. "Why would he do that?" Elena smiled at his support.

"Bonnie." She said darkly. "When I arrived, Jer mistook me for Katherine. After I managed to prove my own identity, he was about to invite me in when Bonnie shouted at him saying I'm 'too dangerous.'"

"Bonnie kept out of your own house?"

"She cut her hand in front of me. The instant Jeremy saw...how I reacted, he gave in and slammed the door in my face, so now this is the only home I have."

"Elena, I'm sor-"

"She's right though, Damon. Jer wouldn't be safe if I could get in. The next time I flipped out I'd be charging down that door to get at him."

"There won't be a next time, Elena. Stefan and I are going to make sure of that."

"How?"

"Depends which method your prefer. Bunnies, or my very own 'snatch, eat, erase' technique."

"Prey on innocent people? No thanks." She said casually. "I'll give Stefan a chance. Let him be the 'doting boyfriend' as you called it."

"Good for you. I'm sure killing fluffy animals will be very romantic."

"Where is Stefan, anyway?"

"No idea. Haven't seen him since he stormed out yesterday. Speaking of yesterday, what did you do all night if you couldn't go home?"

"I told you, I wandered. It was...enlightening."

"Ooh, the epiphany moment."

"No. It was closer to déjà vu. I remember everything, Damon."

"What do you mean?"

"All the times you compelled me to forget something."

"...Oh."

"In the forest the night my parents' car went off the bridge, in my room when you said you loved me. All of it." He couldn't read her expression. She was staring at him, watching for how he'd react.

"I...I'm sorry, Elena. I'm sorry I compelled you all those times."

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked. "I was on the phone to you while we both thought you were going to die, and you never told me."

"Would it have made a difference? You'd already made your choice. That's why you called in the first place."

"I..."

"I'm sorry you only found out now, Elena. But I did it for you. Telling you of all the stupid stuff I've said and then erased wouldn't have made your choice any easier." She looked at her feet, grappling with what to say. When she spoke, her voice was soft.

"It wasn't stupid." Her eyes met Damon's and for the briefest of moments, they shared a deep understanding. Neither could look away. Neither wanted to.

"Morning." Said someone from the door. Elena and Damon snapped out of it instantly, and turned to see Stefan in the doorway.

"Back so soon, Stefan?" Damon sneered. "Usually your rough patches last longer."

"Shut up, Damon."

"I feel like I hear that a lot." Damon said, and Elena couldn't help but smile.

"Have you decided?" Stefan asked abruptly, ignoring Damon.

"Decided what?" Elena asked.

"Whether Damon leaves." Damon grew deadly serious at Stefan's words.

"There's no need to rush her, Stefan."

"She has to choose eventually, Damon."

"And she will, but not now. She's adjusting. She needs to learn to hunt and control the urges." Damon flashed a meaningful look at Elena. She caught his meaning, and turned nervously to Stefan.

"Uh, Stefan. I was hoping...you could teach me to hunt animals today. I don't want to hurt people." Stefan looked surprised at first, but his face quickly lit up.

"Yeah, sure. Give me fifteen minutes to get ready." He eyed her ragged clothes from the night of the crash. She hadn't changed them in three days. "You might want to put something more comfortable on as well."

"And brush your hair." Damon laughed. Elena smiled and felt her hair. It really did need to be straightened.

I hurried upstairs to put on some slightly fresher clothes. Most of them were back home, along with my hair straightener, but I still had a few left here from my last extended stay. Deciding to leave the much needed shower until after we had hunted, I pulled on a pair of jeans and my leather jacket, rolling up the sleeves. The hairbrush did nothing to rid me of the faint curls, if anything, it made them worse, but at least the knots disappeared. Before long, I was downstairs waiting for Stefan.

"Have fun." Damon said, still sitting on the couch with a newspaper on one knee. "If you have to, hold your nose when you drink the bunny blood."

"It's going to be fine, Damon." I replied. "If Stefan can survive off it, so can I."

"If you're going to model yourself on Stefan, can I make one small suggestion?"

"What?" I rolled my eyes at him.

"Try to leave out the Ripper part." His tone was light, but his eyes showed how serious he was.

"Don't worry. This was your idea, remember?"

"Don't tell Stefan that." He said more quietly. We heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Ready?" Stefan asked cheerfully.

"Let's go." I replied.

"I asked Caroline to come." Stefan said casually as we walked through the trees. Above our heads, the birds were singing, and a faint breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. "She can't make it though. Something about speaking to Tyler's mother."

"We haven't exactly been supportive of her, have we?" I replied. "I mean, she did just lose her boyfriend."

"We'll make it up to her once you're in control again." He smiled, and I managed one in return.

"Did Damon tell you about Jeremy?" I asked.

"Jeremy? No, he didn't."

"When I tried to go home yesterday, he and Bonnie refused to let me in." Stefan paused, thinking it over.

"It was probably for the best." He said carefully, trying to comfort me.

"...Yeah. I suppose so." We continued walking in silence. I could feel the tension between us, and it was making me uncomfortable. Neither knew what to say. After several minutes, the wildlife saved us, as a small deer came into view.

"Stop." Stefan said quietly, pulling me behind a tree with him. He held my arm softly and said. "Ready?" I nodded excitedly. Adrenaline was already pumping through my veins. The hunt was on.

"Go." He whispered, letting go of my arm.

I peaked around the edge of the tree. The deer hadn't moved. It's back was to me, so I slowly began edging towards it. My feet didn't make a sound as I stepped closer. I reached the safety of another tree, and checked to see if my prey had moved. Excitement gripped me. The suspense was thrilling in a way I'd never felt before. I was mere metres from it now. I could hear the animal's heartbeat. I quickly licked my lips and prepared to sprint. Taking one last breathe, I leapt out from behind the tree and charged. It was a blur, even for me. My prey only had time to look up in surprise before I was on it. Grabbing the back of its neck, I shoved it roughly to the ground, pinning it in place. For a moment, pity pulsed through me as I saw the unbridled terror in its chocolate brown eyes. The next second though, I felt the beating of its heart, and imagined all the blood right there within my reach. I stretched my head back, opening my mouth and savouring the satisfaction of catching my prey. Without a moment's delay, my teeth were digging into the deer's throat. The blood began to flow.

I almost gagged. It was weak and sickly. There was a repulsive watery taste which made me want to spit it out straight away. I held strong though, and took three gulps before pulling away with a grimace. Behind me, I heard Stefan clapping. I painted a smile across my features and turned to see him walking towards me.

"Elena, you did it!" He said happily. "Your first feed." He knelt down next to the deer, which was gasping for breath, but very much alive. "You even managed to stop without killing it." My weak smile faltered at his words.

It's easy when blood tastes like that.

"Th-thanks Stefan." I hugged him tightly, trying to ignore the lingering taste. He released me, but I stayed close. He looked into my eyes, and must have seen how disturbed I appeared.

"It's okay, Elena." He said softly. "It'll recover fine. Larger animals are more resistant." His words were comforting, even though he didn't know what was really bothering me. I smiled at him, and he returned it easily. For a moment, it felt exactly like old times. I was with Stefan, and I was perfectly happy. I kissed him, pulling him closer until we were pressed tightly together. The taste of deer blood faded. The world blurred and I was pressed up against a tree all of a sudden. He grinned slyly at me. I smirked back, and spun him around so that he was now against the rough bark. Our lips joined again, our kiss growing in urgency. My heart skipped at the excitement. Stefan seemed to sense it though, and slowed down, trying to keep our passion under control. My heart sank. At that instant, sensuality and tenderness wasn't what I wanted. I wanted fire.

Damon always was a better kisser. A voice said in my head. I jumped back in shock, and Stefan looked at me in confusion and pain.

"I-I'm sorry, Stefan. I just feel...a bit faint."

"Faint?" He asked, still looking hurt.

He doesn't believe you. I didn't know what was happening. Thoughts kept popping into my head unbidden.

"I j-just don't feel too good." I managed weakly.

You're a terrible liar.

What's wrong with me?

You're a vampire trying to drink animal blood, that's what. My head was swimming. I felt like I might pass out any moment. Why was I hearing voices in my head?

"Don't worry, Elena. It sometimes takes a while to get used to animal blood." Stefan said. His voice sounded distant.

Lies. It'll never taste as good as a human's. I tried to ignore the voice.

"I...I think we should go." I muttered. Stefan nodded, and put an arm around me for support. We began walking back to the Boarding House.

Try not to burst out in tears now. You don't want to hurt poor Stefan's feelings. The voice said.

I guess that's it. I'm insane. This day was bound to come eventually.

Try to look on the bright side, it's only for eternity. I could have sworn I heard laughter in my head.

I'm not just talking to myself, I'm making fun of me.

That's because you're so easy to make fun of, Elena.

Leave me alone.

Don't be a spoilsport. You never were any fun. Too busy crying in cemeteries. I froze. This couldn't be happening. The voice in my head suddenly sounded terrifyingly familiar.

Katherine?