Irresistable Charm

Alaric pulled up where he had let Elena off.

"How was it?" He asked as she climed into his car.

"Better," she said. "Not definite, but I hope she'll do this."

"Stefan still there?"

"Yeah. He'll stay with her overnight and until we can all talk tomorrow. Did you see Damon?"

"He's with Jenna. He said he'd stay with her until you get back."

"And she's letting him stay?" This was a bit of a surprise to Elena. She didn't think Jenna and Damon got along.

"I used my irresitable charm and convinced her. You haven't shared much with me, but with Isobel here, I thought it best. She did kidnap Jeremy last time."

That reminded Elena she had more than one thing to worry about. "Yeah," she said to herself, though loud enough for Alaric to hear. "And he's a Gilbert."

Alaric wondered what that meant as he pulled up to her home.

"Are you coming in?"

The teacher shook his head. "Not unless you need me to. We've said our goodbyes."

Elena nodded. "We'll call later and set up a meeting to talk about this tomorrow, OK?"

"I'll be waiting" he said. He watched her enter her home before driving away.

"Elena," Jenna said. "Damon was just telling me how much he enjoyed dancing with you."

"He was, was he?" she asked. She looked him over. Same old Damon – on the outside, at least.

"Yes, and I was telling him that we enjoyed watching it. You were definitely the best looking couple out there. He said he learned the moves as a young man and just remembered them. Very impressive."

"Isn't it." Elena said trying with her eyes to tell Damon to leave.

"I never did find out what happened to Stefan that day."

Damon finally got the message and arose. "Family emergency. But I really have to go. It was nice spending a few moments with you Jenna. I can show myself out."

She smiled and Damon left.

"Did you enjoy talking to Bonnie?"

"I did. We haven't spent much time together since she returned." Elena quickly changed the subject to address one of her major concerns. "I'm sorry if I've been acting weird lately – not talking to you or whatever."

The aunt nodded. "It's OK Elena. I know what it's like at your age, and I know it is much worse with the loss of your parents recently. I just wish you would open up to me more."

"Has it seemed that I've been ignoring you in the last couple of days?"

"Only once or twice. You acted like I didn't exist."

Elena was almost relieved. "Just that? Nothing more?"

"Are you saying you don't remember Elena?"

"No, no." the neice denied. "I just wanted to make sure I didn't offend you. If I do that again, can you do me a favor and just leave me alone for a little bit? I'm sure I'll be fine – just need alone time?"

Jenna looked dubious. "Are you planning this?"

"No, of course not. It can just be our signal to each other that I need space for a bit, if it's OK."

"Yeah, we'll try it and see how it goes."

Elena went to her room with one worry decreased a little bit. At lease Jenna wouldn't confront Katherine – she hoped.

Damon was waiting for her in her room. "Did you talk to the witch?"

Elena was tired and it showed. She looked wearily at him. "I know she hurt you, Damon, and I am unbelievably sorry about that, but would you please not call her that? It's what Katherine calls her. I can't bear to hear it from you as well"

The vampire stared at her for a minute and finally said, "OK. For you."

"Thanks."

Damon suddenly changed the subject. "Why does Katherine not want to see me?"

It made sense for him to ask, given everything he'd said and done in the past. Elena could see his pain.

"She hasn't said anything about it. Sorry. And I know Stefan hasn't seen her either."

Damon nodded. Elena looked at him closer. He looked exhausted.

"Were you able to hunt while I was gone?"

Damon shook his head. "Jenna's boyfriend insisted I go in with him to see her. He's really worried about Isobel."

"I know. Go now." The girl nodded towards the window. "You need to get your strength back."

"What if she comes while I'm gone? Or Isobel?"

"Then I'll deal. I'm doing as she asks. There's no reason for them to hurt any of us."

"I just can't bear the thought of you meeting either one of them alone – without me."

She nodded. "I know. I appreciate it. But you're so weak – please. I'll feel better knowing that you're feeding, and that you'll be outside when I wake up."

Damon agreed and was gone.

Elena was exhausted. She quickly readied herself for bed. She realized she would have to work out some arrangements if vampires were going to be watching over her.

The Interest

She soon found herself in a restless sleep.

She had no idea of the time she awoke, though she could see that it was still very dark outside.

She nervously glanced at the chair. Empty. She let her eyes pass to every other corner of the room she could see from her bed. Still empty. But then the vampire spoke.

"I know you prefer me to knock Elena, and I will if you are awake. But I thought it would be rude to wake you up that way."

"This couldn't wait until morning?" Elena was a little less afraid with every visit – but the fear was far from gone.

"Some things are not to be postponed. And it seemed a good time with your boyfriend gone."

"Damon is not my boyfriend."

"Give it a rest, Elena. We both know you can't really make your mind up about them. 'Stefan's so nice, but Damon's so handsome.' 'Stefans's handsome too, and is nice all the time, but Damon's nice to me and his bad side is mostly an act for others.' 'Stefan has a bad side but only I see it and fix it when I do. I am the only one that see's Damon's good side which is fine with me.' Some things never change, Elena. It was exactly the same with me."

Elena just lowered her eyes. Katherine was right.

"There are choices to make and choices that have been made. But Damon or Stefan is not the only one. Let's talk about the witch's choice. You talked to her today?"

"I did." Elena confirmed. "I think she's coming around. I think she'll do as you asked."

"Not quite a commitment, but an improvement. That is so good to hear. We'll have to watch her, but perhaps it will work."

"I think so. I think she'll let me and Stefan deal with Damon if there's a problem."

"Exactly as I would have it. Now with the future secure, we must return to the past."

Elena was hopeful, almost relieved until now. Her heart sank. "The past?"

"Yes Elena. Damon was seriously injured. There is a price to be paid."

"Please no! I told you we will fix this." Elena was getting desperate again.

"A witch's spell is not easily overcome. I'm not sure Damon will ever be the same, and I liked him the way he was."

"I'll go back to Bonnie. I'll get her to heal him."

"Not a trick I've ever heard of. I would be even more impressed with you than I am now."

"I'll do it right away."

"I know you will." The vampire's tone had remained consistent throughout the converstation - she showed no emotion. "You have always been so very prompt when dealing with me. But the clock is ticking. This cannot wait. There are debts to be paid, and debt requires interest."

"I'll set it right. I'll make it up to you."

Katherine's face was suddenly hard. "Yes you will Elena. Or the witch will pay."

"She's Emily's descendent," the human said quickly. "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"It means a great deal to me – more than you can understand. I feel so strongly for Emily that one of her descendents would have to kill somebody I love to break my bond with her family. She could have done almost anything. But what did she do?"

Elena closed her eyes briefly. "She didn't understand."

"She's no fool. You know that. "

"We'll repair the damage."

"And the interest will be paid" Katherine said as she left - she was gone as quickly as she came.

Not Safe

Elena did her best to calm herself. She managed to sit up and scoot to the edge of the bed before she called softly for him.

"Damon, are you there. Please come here."

He was there with the first call.

The vampire was immediately concerned when he saw her. "What's wrong?"

"Katherine."

"She was here? Just now?"

Elena nodded.

"I am really off my game," Damon said, shaking his head.

"I know. It's not your fault. But we need to figure out how to get you better."

"I'll get stronger," he assured her. "I feel better now, after having fed."

"OK. But we'll talk with the others in the morning – see if they have any other ideas."

Damon was confused, but he nodded agreement.

"Sorry to have bothered you. Would you wait outside nearby again until morning?"

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about what happened with Katherine?"

"Tomorrow. I need some sleep" True, though she doubted it would come now.

"OK." The vampire nodded and left through the window.

Elena knew she couldn't keep it from him – Damon would be able to hear her conversion. But she would leave that worry until the morning. She found her cell phone and called Stefan.

"Elena?" he answered in a quiet voice.

"Stefan, is Bonnie there?"

"Just a sec", Stefan whispered. After he moved into another room he said "she's sleeping on the couch."

"And you can see her right now?"

"Yes."

She released a sigh of relief. "Good. Stefan, do not leave her alone. She is not safe. Please call Mr. Saltzman and have him pick us up to meet together as early as possible at her house. OK?"

"I will. Anything I should know before then?"

"Just stay with her Stefan, please."