That's what Ric wanted. He wanted to die. None of the pleading in the world would make a difference. But how could he do this to Jeremy, to Damon. To me. For so long Alaric was my rock. Jeremy and I could count on him to do anything for us He may have a slightly alcoholic rock but nevertheless my brain couldn't process the fact that he was going to be gone forever.

As if in a trance, I numbly trudged to the side of the cave, leaning on it for support. I slid down it clutching my knees to my chest, like a small child.

"Is this the pity party?" a soft voice asked positioning himself next to me. This was typical Damon, trying to find humor in the darkest situations.

"Leave me alone," I grumbled at him, turning away.

"C'mon, look you're starting to brood as much as Stefan. He wouldn't want you to be all depressed."

"You're so inconsiderate! How am I supposed to act?" I growled, anger building in side of me, like a bottle of Coke with Mentos in it, "He was the one I could turn to, when all this vampire stuff threatened to drive me insane."

"I believe you're forgetting that Ric was my only friend, besides you."

My stomach sank, and straightaway I felt like crap for calling Damon inconsiderate, because he was just as torn up about Ric's death as I was, they were best buddies. Damon and Alaric's friendship had completely slipped my mind. I didn't know how either. Almost every night the pair of them went out drinking.

"Sorry, I- It's just- Well-"

"No worries," He muttered, staring forlornly at the ground. I gave his hand a squeeze, and his eyes looked up to meet mine. The moonlight shined down on them, and the first thing I noticed was that his eyes were filled with tears, those beautiful eyes that had never displayed that much emotion. Last year, when I believed Bonnie had died, there are not even words to describe how heartbroken I was, so that must be how Damon is feeling now. Ever so gently, I raised my fingers, and brushed away the drop of water that had begun to create a stream down his cheekbone. I felt the wetness on my fingertips, but I didn't move my fingers, they just continued to stroke his face in a rhythmic motion.

He turned away out of embarrassment.

"Crying doesn't make you weak Damon," I crooned, "It shows you care."

"It was a lot easier when I didn't," he replied. That's when a lump developed in my own throat and it was impossible to sallow. Soon hot tears began crawling down my face before they could be stopped.

Damon wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and instantly I felt better, safer.

"Alaric is a good guy. Bad stuff shouldn't happen to good people."

"You should know that as well as anyone."

It was true. Jeremy and I have lost almost everyone. I though Alaric would stay around. He had the ring to protect him; he couldn't die, like Jenna, like my parents. But it was the ring that ended up killing him, no one is safe.

"What if Jeremy dies next? I don't know-I don't think-"

"Elena, Jeremy's not going anywhere, I'll protect him. Not in like a creepy stalker way, but I'll make sure he doesn't die."

"Thank you. Really, that means a lot to me."

"I know. That's why I'm doing it."

"Don't let yourself die either. Klaus is still here."

"Klaus just attended a high school dance, to see his crush; I think we'll be ok."

"Did you know Alaric wanted kids?" I asked randomly. He could have had an amazing future without vampires, he could have gotten married and had kids, but he came to Mystic Falls instead.

"He had two. He loved you guys, you were like his kids. Did you know he was a boy scout?"

I stifled a laugh picturing Ric in a little Boy Scout uniform complete with a crossbow and vervain grenade. Oh god! All the stuff in the class room, the janitors would find the vampire hunting stuff. As quickly as humanly possible, I jumped to my feet.

"Hey, Elena look at me, are you OK?"

"No, I need to go clean out his room. I have to go now."

"Whoa," said Damon, blocking my path, "Are you sure, it's kind of soon."

"No!" I screeched, "I need to go now."

"Elena, hey, calm down, just deep breath."

"No! I have to go- I have to go!"

Angry tears were streaming down my face, making my face blotchy, as I struggled against Damon's grip, and then I completely lost it.

I succumbed to the sobs and collapsed, my lungs burned for more air than I could give them and my body was shaking uncontrollably. Alaric was really gone. The ring couldn't bring him back this time. The only thing that kept me from going completely crazy was Damon's arms enfolding my waist. Everything else was irrelevant.

When my gasps turned to mere hiccups Damon let go.

"Do you still want to go?" He asked looking deeply into my soul.

"Yes."

"Are you alright?"

"I will be."

He took that answer as satisfactory because he didn't try to stop me as I walked past him.

"Don't do anything reckless, Damon," I sniffled, giving his shoulders a quick squeeze.

"I'm just going to stay here. Are you sure you're fine?"

"Yes. Just, you were Ric's best friend, don't forget that, OK?"

"You were his favorite student so don't forget that."

I turned to go.

"Elena just remember, if you ever need anything-"

"I know, the offer can go both ways."

I did my best to plaster on my happy face, but my mask crumbled. That's when I realized that Damon didn't stop me from going to the school because he didn't care, it was because he did. He understood that I needed to be alone and this was his way of giving me this time to myself. Damon really has changed, but is it enough?