A/N: Wow! Thank you all so much for the reviews and alerts. They blew me away. I also need to give a super big shout out to Heather aka hmmille for helping me with this chapter.
I Remember You
Chapter One: Where Are You Now?
Two Years Later…
At the Grill, Elena sighed longingly and stirred her drink with pretended contentment while her friends, Matt, Tyler, and Bonnie, danced and joked around with one another. It had been two years since Damon left, and Elena still felt the sting of pain every day. If you asked Matt or Bonnie, Elena got over Damon a few months after he left her. It did irk her a little bit that the two people she considered her best friends couldn't figure out just how bad she was still hurting.
Tyler nudged Elena's shoulder gently and gave her a look as if to ask her if she was okay. Nodding at him slightly, she let out a forced laugh at something Matt said, going along with everyone else in the group. If she was being totally honest with herself and her friends, she wanted to ignore this entire day and just go home and curl up on her bed watching sad movies. It had been two years to the day, and it hadn't gotten any easier for her.
"Hey guys, I think I'm going to take off, okay? I have a big paper due Monday morning that I still need to work on." Elena stood up and started gathering her things, hoping she could get out of the restaurant before anyone registered the real reason she was leaving. She was almost out the door when she heard an annoyed sigh come from one of her group of friends. Stiffening slightly, Elena stopped and slowly turned around, crossing her arms in front of her.
Bonnie was the one who spoke up first. "Come on Elena," she scoffed. "I know what's going on. You're hoping he'll come back, aren't you? Do you think he's going to be magically sitting on your doorstep waiting for you? That he's going to have flowers and some big grand gesture to show you how sorry he is? Newsflash—he's not, okay? He's Damon,he probably found somebody else that has pretty brown hair and brown eyes to toy with. I thought you were over this, over him."
Bonnie's tone was scathing and it cut Elena to her core, hearing someone who claimed to be her best friend talking like Elena hadn't been hurt deeply by Damon's abandonment. She clenched her jaw and felt tears stinging her eyes, but Elena fought them back, refusing to be weak. "Well, I thought you weren't a bitch about this anymore, Bonnie. But apparently, we're both wrong. I'm sorry that there's no time limit on this. You didn't like Damon, I get it. But you don't have to make that displeasure known every single day. So, if once a year I want to be sad and cry, let me. Is that okay? "
Matt and Tyler glared at Bonnie, trying to guilt her into saying that she's sorry. "I'm not apologizing. She needs a reality check. He lefther, remember? He skipped town without a word. I just don't get why she still cares, he obviously didn't."
"I care because I still love him. And how dareyou try to put an expiration date on this? You don't actually know what happened. No one knows what happened. So, you know what, Bonnie? Until you can try to understand me and where I'm coming from, you can consider this friendship over."
Elena wrapped her arms around her waist tightly and let the tears fall, leaving streaks of mascara and eyeliner on her face. "Tyler, can you please take me home? I don't think I can drive right now."
Tyler nodded and helped Elena into her jacket. "Yeah, 'Lena. Come on, we'll take my truck, and you can pick up your car tomorrow." He glared at Bonnie one last time before ushering Elena out the door.
Once they were outside, Elena let her tears fall more freely, sobbing almost uncontrollably. "I'm sorry Tyler. I didn't mean to ruin everything. I just…I couldn't do it anymore tonight." She wiped the smudged makeup off of her face and sniffled.
"You don't have to apologize. Do you want me to call Jeremy or Ric to see if they're home?" Tyler asked as he opened Elena's door for her. "I worry about you being alone sometimes."
"No, I don't want either of them to know. They both have their own lives. I think I'll be okay tonight on my own," Elena whispered and got into the truck, bringing her knees to her chest and staring out the window, letting the memories of the last two years flood back to her.
Tyler glanced over at Elena as he started the truck, the tear tracks on her face illuminated by the soft glow from the street lamp. Taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently, concern was written all over his face as he gazed straight into her eyes when she turned toward him. "Do you reallywant to be alone, or are you just saying that because you think that's what you should say? Are you going to call me later on tonight, asking to pick you up because you've walked too far away from home?"
Elena shook her head and turned away from him, staring out the window into the general blackness, catching quick glances of the houses they were driving past. "Ty, no. I really do want to be alone tonight, I think. I'll probably take a walk. You know I always do. Sometimes I don't even know I'm doing it. I wonder, more often than not, where he is. If he's found someone else better than me, if he's forgotten about me or if he even misses me. I can let myself believe that if I know those answers, I can learn to let him go." She looked at Tyler and spoke so low that he could barely hear her, even with the super-hearing. "I wrote him a letter a few months ago. It was returned—unopened. 'Refused. Return to Sender' was written on the outside of the envelope. It was the one time Bonnie helped me find him. He didn't want to read it, he really doesn't love me anymore," she sobbed, and it was almost cathartic.
She noticed that the truck wasn't running anymore, and looked up at her house through bleary eyes. "I can't be here tonight, Tyler. Can I just go in and grab some clothes, and then stay at your place?" She bit her lip, a pleading look in her eyes.
Tyler nodded, kissing Elena's forehead before getting out of the truck and helping her out. "Come on, I'll even let you force me to watch girly movies if it'll make you feel better." Tyler looked down as they walked up the steps to Elena's house, trying to figure out the best way to phrase his question. "Elena, why didn't you ever tell Bonnie or Matt what really happened, or show them that letter? You know they would have understood, right?"
Elena nodded. "No, only Matt would have understood. Bonnie would have told me I was better off without him. You know she would have gone after him for hurting me and killed him if I told her. Matt would have tried to actually killDamon for the accident. It was just easier to let them both think he left in the middle of the night with no explanation." Elena shrugged. "I'm gonna go upstairs and grab some stuff. I'll be right back down, make yourself at home." Elena was almost at the top of the stairs when she turned back around and looked at Tyler, giving him a half smile. "Thank you for never telling them. And thank you for letting me stay with you tonight. It means a lot."
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After half an hour of Elena being upstairs, Tyler grew concerned and went to check on her. The light was on in her bedroom, and he knocked on the door quietly. "Elena," he whispered as he slowly opened the door. "You okay?" Looking over toward the bed, Elena was asleep, tear stains on her cheeks. Shaking his head sadly, Tyler gently picked Elena up and covered her with the blanket. While he sat on the edge of her bed and ran his fingers absentmindedly through her hair, he remembered the day that their friendship grew into something more substantial than mere acquaintances, or childhood friends that ran in the same group.
It was one week after Matt and Tyler had found Elena wandering around after Damon had left her. Elena had been spending more time with Matt lately, trying to occupy her mind and do everything but what reminded her of Damon. Tyler saw Elena walking into the woods and decided to follow her, knowing that she would findsome way to get herself hurt. Tyler stayed far enough behind Elena that she wouldn't sense him, but he could still see her and make sure that she was okay. It seemed like she had lost weight, her already thin body losing almost all of its curves, and her hair seemed to have lost its luster. Tyler watched with curious eyes as Elena abruptly turned and started deeper into the woods.
"Damon, if you get this, please call me. We need to talk. I love you," Elena said into her phone, and Tyler could hear the pain and desperation in her voice. He watched as Elena sat down and stared at a cut on her arm that seemed pretty recent.
Sighing, Tyler sat next to her quietly. "What happened to your arm?That looks pretty nasty," he commented, afraid to ask the obvious question of who bit her.
Jumping slightly, Elena stared blankly ahead while answering him. "Damon almost drained me. That's why he left." Elena looked up at Tyler with despair in her eyes. "He left me a letter on his couch. He couldn't even tell me in person. He fled town while I was busy. First Stefan, and now him? What did I do, Tyler? Why do the people I love always leave?"
Tyler felt himself growing livid as he heard why Elena was so upset. She looked so small and broken. He wanted to take all the pain away from her, but he knew that he couldn't. Tyler found himself wishing that he knew where Damon was, and how fast and painful a vampire's death could be with multiple werewolf bites. Tyler had known Elena since they were both in preschool, and he became angry at the thought of someone doing this to her. They had been through so much together during that time, and he was afraid of just how much more Elena could take before she broke completely. "Why did he do it—almost drain you?"
"He was showing me how to defend myself just in case Klaus or Stefan came back and he wasn't there to protect me. I don't really remember what happened. All I know is that one minute I was fine, and the next, I had a huge cut on my arm and my boyfriend sinking his fangs into my skin," Elena said, looking down.
Hearing Elena start to whimper in her sleep, Tyler gently shook her and whispered into her ear, "Elena, wake up. It's just a bad dream. You're okay."
"No, no, no. Don't go…just…back…come back," Elena mumbled before letting out a heart-wrenching sob that almost brought Tyler to tears.
"Honey, come on. It's just a dream. I promise you're okay." Tyler rocked Elena back and forth, trying to coax her out of her nightmare. He knew exactly what it was about. She had the same nightmare almost every night for two years.
After what seemed like hours, Elena opened her eyes and sat up abruptly. "Ty?" she asked, rubbing her eyes, "What time is it? Did I fall asleep? Wha…" she started rambling and looked up at Tyler sheepishly. "Sorry for falling asleep. You didn't have to stay. You can go home now. I'll be fine."
Tyler shook his head. "Why wouldn't I stay? You're my best friend. It's my job to protect you. And please," he rolled his eyes at her, "like I'm leaving you alone now. You're coming with me. Let's go." He tugged on her hand and lead her down the stairs and out to his truck.
"Wait, I need clothes, Tyler. I can't sleep in my jeans." Elena tried to stall and convince Tyler to let her go back into her house.
"Really, that's the excuse you're going to use? That you need clothes? I believe you still have a drawer full of clothes at my house. What's really going on Elena?" Tyler stopped in the middle of the driveway and put his hands on her shoulders, drawing her body to his.
Elena sighed and flushed with embarrassment, "You're mom doesn't like me. She always glares at me when I'm over. I don't think she's forgotten that first night I stayed over there." Elena laughed a little bit.
"Please, my mom loves you. You know that."
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The next morning Elena woke with a start, confused and disoriented. The events of the night before came rushing back to her and she groaned, covering her face with the pillow. Checking her cell phone for the time, she bolted up. "Shit! I'm so late," she exclaimed, rushing around trying to gather her things. Elena felt like she was forgetting something important and looked down. "Pants! Where are my pants?"
T-shirt, jacket, and shoes in hand, Elena opened the door to the Lockwood's guest bedroom getting ready to find Tyler and ask him if he hid her pants again. She halted in her tracks when she saw Mrs. Lockwood on the other side of the door, glaring at her. "Hello, Elena. Leaving before breakfast?" Her look was accusatory and made Elena shrink back.
"Actually, Mrs. Lockwood, I was. Unfortunately, I'm running late to meet Caroline, and she's probably freaking out. I was just trying to find my pants, I think Tyler has them," Elena tried to explain, blushing slightly.
"I see. Well, don't let me stop you." Mrs. Lockwood nodded harshly and moved out of the way.
"Thank you," Elena muttered, scurrying around Mrs. Lockwood, keeping her head down. Once she was sure that Mrs. Lockwood couldn't see her anymore, Elena ran down the hall and pounded on Tyler's door until he opened it. When the door finally opened, Elena stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Tyler. "Give me my jeans back, now!" she practically growled through clenched teeth.
"Hey, Elena. Good morning to you, too. How did you sleep? Me? I slept fine, thanks for asking," Tyler muttered under his breath sarcastically but stopped talking when he saw the murderous expression on her face. "You saw my mom didn't you."
Elena nodded. "Yeah,and she looked at me like I was something bad that she stepped in. I told you, she hates me, Tyler." She walked into his room and flopped down on his bed, sighing dramatically. "So, my pants, where are they?"
Tyler shrugged. "In the dryer, I think. I know how you like nice, warm clothes."
Elena smiled brightly at him. "Thank you, Ty. That was really thoughtful of you. You're the best." She patted the spot on the bed next to her. "Come on, lie back down. It's only 8:30, and I know you don't wake up before eleven on the weekend."
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A few hours later, Elena woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. "Hello?" she answered groggily, not bothering to check her Caller I.D.
"Elena, where are you? You're late!"
"Caroline, stop yelling," Elena said as she winced and pulled the phone away from her ear.
"Sorry, but you said you would meet me at nine. It is now 11:45. Where are you?"
Elena sighed and tried to roll out of bed to continue her conversation with Caroline away from Tyler, who was still sleeping. "Hold on Caroline. Give me a second to wake up." She lifted Tyler's arm off of her gently and started to get up when she felt Tyler grab her hand.
"Where are you going? Stay and sleep some more," Tyler mumbled with one eye open.
"Who was that? Are you with Tyler right now? Really, Elena, what the hell?"
"Caroline. Calm down, nothing happened. I had a really bad fight with Bonnie and I couldn't be alone—" Elena explained quickly, but Caroline cut her off before she could finish.
"I don't care, Elena. You should have called me. I would have helped you, you know that."
Before Elena could reply, Caroline ended the phone call. "Good job, Tyler, she's officially mad at me too," Elena snapped at him and stood up. She padded over to the window and looked down at the driveway. "Good, your mom is gone. I'm just going to go grab my jeans, and then I'll leave."
Tyler groaned in frustration. "Elena, stop. I'm sorry. Don't leave, at least have lunch first."
Elena nodded. "Fine but only because I'm hungry, I'm still going to be annoyed with you. Let me call Jeremy and let him know so he doesn't worry." Walking out of the room with her phone attached to her ear, Elena quickly walked down the steps to the laundry room and grabbed her jeans out of the dryer. When Jeremy's phone went straight to voicemail, she shrugged and tried Alaric's phone. The mild concern she felt when she found out Jeremy's phone was off grew tenfold when Alaric's phone also went straight to voicemail. "Tyler!" she yelled, running up the stairs, "Tyler, call Matt and Bonnie. It's an emergency." She burst into Tyler's room with tears in her eyes.
"Elena, what's wrong? Why do I need to call Matt and Bonnie? Didn't you just tell Bonnie last night that your friendship was over?"
Elena shook her head slightly, "What happened last night doesn't matter right now. Something's wrong and I need her help to figure out what it is."
Tyler looked at her with concern. "Is Jeremy okay?"
Elena shook her head. "I don't know. His phone went right to voicemail, and so did Ric's. I know it could be nothing. But knowing our history, it's probably something. If anything happens to one of them I'll never forgive myself," she rambled on, shaking her head in disbelief and letting a fresh wave of tears stream down her face.
Tyler hugged Elena close to him, kissing the top of her head. "Just breathe, Elena. It'll be fine. I promise. I'll call Matt and Bonnie, okay? You just sit tight. Want me to call Caroline too?"
Elena shook her head. "No. I don't want her to know. She doesn't need to know this. It'll be best if we keep this quiet for now. If Caroline finds out, she'll tell her mom, and once her mom finds out…" Elena paused and looked up at Tyler, speaking quietly, "Once her mom finds out, who knows who will come back into town to save the day. I can't have that, Tyler. I can't have him coming back just to leave me again."
Tyler rubbed Elena's back in comforting circles. "It'll be okay. I promise I won't let him ruin your life again." He felt torn as he made his promise to Elena, praying that he wouldn't break it.
A/N: Well, what'd you all think? Love it or hate it let me know! Title credit for this chapter goes to Britney Spears and the songs I listened to on repeat during this chapter were: "Ghost of You" by Good Charlotte, "Bottom of the Ocean" by Miley Cyrus and "Breakeven" by the Script.