Elena had spent nearly an hour there already. Thankfully, at least the first half was spent one on one with Jenna. She had had time to talk things over. There had been tears, lots of them, but there was also smiles. Jenna could understand where Elena was coming from finally. To spare the grief, and horror filled visions of what her family could like right now, they both decided on having a friend and family gathering the upcoming week and follow it with a cremation ceremony. Being put to rest that way was probably not what her family would have necessarily wanted, but it was the best they could do considering the circumstances. According to Jenna, and the police, they were so horribly mangled that it was impossible to determine their exact causes of death. Elena was glad now that she couldn't remember.

Although she was still pretty mad at Damon, she was glad he had come over to retrieve her. It showed that he really did care for her. Elena had achieved what she went to Jenna's for, and now she would sleep much better knowing that they had a plan for moving on with her family. All she had left to do was retrieve her bag from Jenna's room. She left Damon alone in the living room making idle chit chat with Jenna and Ric while she slipped away to the back room. Her bag still sat on the floor by the bed, but it was empty. All of the contents that were previously in the bag were now scattered across the bed and floor. How random. Why wouldn't Jenna just move her bag? That was a stupid thought, Jenna hadn't done this. Elena hurriedly grabbed her clothes, shoved them back in the bag, and ran back towards Damon. As she left the room, one of the windows slammed. Whether it was opened quickly or closed forcefully she wasn't sure. She wasn't willing to stay and find out. She needed to leave.

"Are you ready," Elena pushed, giving Damon a weird look.

"I guess so, whenever you are," Damon replied casually.

"I am, let's go. Jenna I will stop by again soon. For now, just plan on a phone call sometime tomorrow. I love you so much. Ric take care of her," Elena went and hugged her aunt tightly. She released and walked towards the front door, grabbing Damon by the arm as she passed him.

"Someone was there, Damon," Elena hissed as they walked towards the cars.

"What do you mean," confusion crossed Damon's face.

"My clothes, they were everywhere. That's not how I left them, and Jenna wouldn't touch my things. I could swear as I was leaving, so was someone else. Through the window."

Damon tensed his muscles. He leaves her alone for two minutes and it could've cost him tremendously.

"That's why I'm here here, Elena. So nobody can get to you. Don't worry. What about Jenna though," he questioned.

"Thanks. I think she will be fine. They aren't after her or they would've come earlier."

Elena was veering off toward Caroline's Prius now.

"Where do you think you're going? You're coming with me," Damon yelled to her.

"What about Caroline's car? I can't just leave it here Damon," she whined.

"She and Stefan can get it tomorrow. It's really not my biggest concern right now, Lena. Get in," He held the passenger car door open for her.

She complied and got in. The car was warm the leather seats were well worn in. She looked back towards the stairs to Jenna's apartment halfway expecting to see someone staring back at her. Damon got in the driver's seat and started the engine. Jenna could probably hear it from her couch it was so loud. It made Elena jump at first. She settled back in the seat as they started out of the parking lot. Her stomach was grumbling.

"Hungry," Damon questioned.

"Was my stomach that loud," she answered self-consciously.

"No, I just am. So I thought we could stop and grab a bite before heading back," Damon lied.

Truthfully it didn't take enhanced hearing to notice her stomach rumbling. It was pretty loud. Poor girl. Damon didn't need to eat, but it satisfied his other cravings, so he didn't mind it. Wow, now that he thought about it he hadn't actually fed today. Could he pull the old feed and erase on Elena? No, he couldn't do that to her. Actually he couldn't even imagine that. Maybe he would take a bathroom break at the restaurant and sneak off to find a quick fill. Yes, perfect.

After a few minutes they pulled into Mystic Falls' only sit down restaurant, besides the Grill of course. Sal's the sign outside read. It was an old fashioned diner type set up. It specialized in fast, greasy, cheap food. Damon didn't have to eat cheap, hell he felt guilty for making Elena settle for this right now, but it was the closest thing available.

"Sorry, I know, not the greatest, but the next place isn't for another 20 miles," Damon smirked.

"No, it's perfect right now. I'm just starving," Elena confessed.

Damon rushed out and swung her door open before she had had time to process it.

"Well thank you," she blushed.

"After you beautiful," Damon waved her by.

They walked in together. It was getting rather late, so the diner was nearly empty. The hostess walked them over to a small, corner booth and handed them both menus. As she left, Elena laid her menu back down on the table.

"Already ready," Damon smiled.

"No, I was just thinking about ordering everything. Seemed easier," she joked.

"Go right ahead then Ms. Gilbert, if you think you can eat that much,"

Damon admired how relaxed Elena looked. Her face wasn't drawn up in an unintentional stress frown. She looked tired, but adorable. He noticed her heartbeat, slow and steady. Her pulse pounded rhythmically in his ears. Shit. He needed to feed, and soon.

"Excuse me for this, but I'm going to run to the restroom. If the waiter comes just order me a burger," Damon said.

"Yeah, sure," Elena watched him leave.

He hated to leave her. Even for a second right now, but he needed this. He snuck off toward the back of the building. Thankfully the restrooms were back this way, so his cover wouldn't likely be blown yet. A pretty, young waitress was pushing through the double doors leading back to the kitchen. Damon stepped in front of her.

"You will come with me. You will not scream," He said bluntly, focusing on her eyes.

She didn't make a sound, only nodded her head diligently. Damon lead her into the men's restroom and locked the door behind them. Quickly, he sunk his teeth into the side of her neck. The girl flinched, but still made no noise. Damon took in big gulps. He restrained himself and quit before she would lose too much. Her face was already turning a sickly pale.

"Stay here. You won't remember this. You were feeling sick and ran to the nearest bathroom."

Usually he would wine and dine his meals, but tonight was different. Elena was here with him. She was the only woman he wanted to be around, so this had to be a take what you need and be done with it night. If he ever got the chance to call Elena his own, this would become the new normal routine. Damon checked his appearance in the mirror, making sure no blood was present on him, and then walked back toward the booth. Elena was sitting quietly, tapping her fingers against the metal table.

"Miss me," he teased.

"So much, "she smiled.

Her smile was so beautiful. She had to easily be the most breath taking woman Damon had ever seen.

"Did I miss anything," Damon asked.

"Yes, I ordered you a burger like you requested. Oh, and fries too," Elena replied.

"Sounds good to me."

The two made small talk while they waited for their food. Damon had noticed at one point his young donor waitress walking out of the diner pressing a white towel to her neck. He hoped Elena hadn't seen as well. Eventually their waiter had come out apologizing for the wait and delivered their food.

Two plates were sat in front of them. Both of them contained the exact same order, just a burger and fries. Elena reached for the ketchup and dug into her fries. She was obviously too hungry to be shy right now. How cute. Damon chuckled.

"What," Elena looked at him.

"It's nothing," he shook his head.

"No, what is it. What's so funny."

"Just you. You're adorable. Now eat up," with that Damon shoved the sandwich in his mouth.

After both were finished and the bill was paid Damon draped his arm over her shoulder and lead to the car. He opened the car door for her and shut it when she sat down. She looked sleepy now. Perfect. Maybe Damon could dodge giving her "the talk" tonight. By the time they reached Caroline's driveway Elena had become fidgety.

"What's wrong, Lena," Damon looked over at her.

"It's nothing, I'm just worried. What if this person doesn't quit until I'm dead," she admitted.

"Then I'll be right here next to you every single day and night, if you let me, to make sure they can't get you," Damon tried comforting her.

"Promise," she asked.

"I promise," Damon swung his arms around her and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered to in her hair.