Chapter 11
They lost track of how long they sat by the graves of her family. Time was relative in the face of grief. Damon was surprised by his own sadness at Jenna and Jeremy's deaths. They had become a part of his life and he would miss that.
After a while she spoke, her voice almost inaudible.
"Katherine took them. She meant for me to find them…she was just trying to scare me. I don't think she ever really meant them any harm."
She paused and swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Stefan…Stefan wouldn't let me look. Katherine had planned it so only I could find them but Stefan said it was too dangerous. He said he would get them and left me with Ric."
Damon could see this scene playing out in his mind. Elena yelling at Stefan, saying that they were the only family she had. Stefan saying that he would protect her at all costs.
"I told him that if they died…I would never forgive him." She whispered. "He came back alone and…and I told him I never wanted to see him again."
She stopped and Damon hesitated before asking softly.
"And Caroline?"
Elena sighed.
"She chose to go with him. She didn't want to be alone with the whole vampire thing."
Damon nodded.
"And then what happened?" He whispered, not sure he wanted to know the answer.
There was a silence before Elena spoke again.
"Bonnie and I…fell out. And I just…I didn't really have any reason for anything. I still don't."
Damon couldn't believe how much had changed. If he'd only been there he would have talked some sense into Stefan. None of this would have happened, Elena wouldn't be sitting beside him, huddled and heartbroken. She wouldn't have tried to kill herself.
Elena pulled away and looked up at him, silvery tears spilling out of her eyes.
"Why did you leave me?" She asked, her voice cracking. "You said you cared."
Damon's heart broke at those simple words. She looked so scared and confused. His face crumpled slightly and he reached for her, tucking her hair behind her ears brushing away her tears.
"What makes you so sure I left because I wanted to?" He whispered.
She looked away from his eyes, she thought she could see actual concern there and she couldn't let herself believe that. It would only hurt her.
"I was sure someone had taken you, I was so worried…but then your letter arrived and…you could've at least said goodbye!" she replied softly, stumbling on the words.
Damon was baffled.
"What letter?"
"Your letter to me and Stefan. You know, 'having fun in Europe.'"
He frowned.
"Elena, I didn't write any letter." He said.
She flicked her gaze to his.
"Yes you did. I have it in my room." She muttered quickly.
Damon softly cupped her face with his hands.
"Elena love, I didn't write a letter, I would never leave you if I had any choice in the matter." He said passionately.
She could see the undeniable sincerity in his eyes and she couldn't hide the emotions that that caused.
"You do care?" She whispered.
He stroked her face.
"Yes sweet girl, more than you can imagine."