Chapter 8: Another Pit of Memories

"Ye...yeah." The brunette stared at him, a lump growing in her throat.
"You got the work Lena?" Damon looked from her and back to his computer, typing into a document he was working on.
"Here." Placing it on the desk, she stepped back, feeling uncomfortable and crossed her arms, immediately, needing to be alone with her thoughts right now.

"So, Elena right? How long have you known my brother?"
"Long enough...Stefan." She answered politely, clearing her throat as she looked at Damon, "I'm going to go."
"What? Why?" Damon turned around, his eyes boring into hers.
"I...I forgot I...have an appointment." Elena replied quickly, nodding as she stepped backwards, edging closer to the door.
"Uhm."
"Bye. It was nice to meet you Stefan. You two have a nice day." She told them, rushing out the door as she walked by, waving a quick goodbye to Nancy as she rushed up the hall.

Elena hugged her pillow, a sob escaping her lips as she wiped roughly at her tears. After all the progress she had made, he was back. Why was he doing this to her? More tears fell down her cheeks as she watched her phone light up once again, Damon's name glowing on the caller ID. It was the 15th time in the last hour. He didn't notice anything to her relief. She was sure he would hate her if he knew.

"Elena?" The blonde walked in, frowning, " You seen him?"
"Ye...s...he...was...s...so... sm...ug." Another sob escaped her as it erupted from her chest.
"He's an ass!" Sitting on the bed, she watched her, kneeling in front of her.
"Damon," Elena whimpered, "He will hate me."
"No he will not! That guy is obsessed with you!"
"No he isn't!" Wiping her tears, she looked up, hearing banging.
"What is that?" Elena swallowed, hugging the pillow tighter than before.

"Elena, I know you're in there!" Caroline got up from the bed.
"Wow...speak of the devil."
"Don't let him in."
"Honey." The blonde gave her a look.
"Please Car...I just...I can't right now. Not now! I'll crumble."
"You already are crumbling Lena!"
"Elena please! What have I done!?" Damon called through the front door, banging again.
"That? Does THAT sound like a guy who doesn't give a fuck!?"

The brunette closed her eyes and nodded slowly, feeling butterflies banging against the rim of her stomach. She couldn't tell him now, she had to give it time. This was it. Caroline rubbed her hand softly and stepped out of the room. She heard the front door being opened and a few words being exchanged between them.

"Lena?" Damon spoke gently, stepping into the room a few seconds later.
"Hey." Elena murmured, knowing her voice was hoarse.
"You alright? I thought something had happened to you."
"No. Still...here." She picked at the covers, clearing her throat, feeling like it was becoming a habit.

"Elena," He sat on the edge of the bed, "Talk to me please."
"Damon-" She started, trying to find the right words to say.
"I'm sorry...sorry for whatever I've done, okay?"
"It wasn't you...god it wasn't."
"Who then?" He frowned, anger crossing his features, "Did somebody hurt you?"
"Damon?"
"I will kill them, you hear me? They'll be dead before they get the first word out."

The brunette looked down and took a shaky breath, tears flooding her vision. She couldn't do it. How could she do it to him? She liked him. God she liked him. Looking up at him, she swallowed.

"Why do you care? I'm just a fuck Damon." Elena snapped, her defence mechanism firing up.
"Hey! Don't say that! You were never just a fuck!"
"Yes I was! Don't even try to deny it!"
"Dammit Elena! No you're not! I'm crazy about you alright!?"
"W...what?" She stared at him, shock evident on her face.
"You heard me Elena! Don't turn this on me!"
"You're crazy about me?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't I just say that!?"
"Damon."

Pulling him by his collar, she tugged him close to her, pulling him in for a kiss. He froze in shock and after a few seconds, returned the kiss, cupping her face in his hands. Smiling against his lips, she tugged him even closer.

"I'm crazy about you to. So much Damon." Elena confessed, her brown eyes shining with honesty.
"God," He pulled her into a tight hug, "Lena."
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. It wasn't you." She whispered into his neck.
"I understand." He rubbed his hand down her back, "Wanna talk to me?"
"Not right now. I just want me and you...together."
"Me and you." He leaned in, pressing his lips against hers as he laid her back on the bed.

Elena sat in her office, drumming her hands against the desk and let out a shaky breath, a memory hitting her at full speed as she fell into it, her mind being clouded by visions of horror.

"Elena!" Stefan called out as he walked into the house.
"I'm in the kitchen." The brunette answered, arranging flowers in a vase.
"So, what have you done today?" He questioned, walking in.
"Nothing." She answered, her voice soft as she avoided his eyes.
"That's funny. I was talking to Brian next door...he was telling me how wonderful my house was. When was he in here?"

Elena closed her eyes as she swallowed the lump that had grown in her throat. What did she say? She knew the accusations were about to start flying and it wasn't going to end pretty.

"I don't know what you're talking about. He hasn't been here."
"He was here while I was out yesterday, wasn't he?"
"No, he wasn't!"

Stefan brought his hand down to her cheek as she fell to the floor, hitting her head, a sob escaping her as the vase smashed to the floor, echoing throughout the kitchen like glass shattering.

"Does it give you that much pleasure to embarrass me?" Stefan hissed, yelling at her.
"I-" She sobbed harder, blood on her forehead from the impact of hitting her head on the tiled floor.
"Stop it!" He shouted in anger, kicking her legs as she cried out in pain, "Now you'll pout."
"N...No."
"And ruin our beautiful...perfect supper."
"I... I won't."

He kneeled down, sitting her up as he stroked her hair back from her face as he forced a kiss out of her, Elena trying not to pull away and scream bloody murder at him.

"I'm sorry princess. Smile for me?" He watched her as she smiled, "I'm going into town, I have business to attend to, okay? I'll be back."

He got up, walking out as the front door shut. Elena shook violently and sobbed, slowly getting to her feet as she felt the pain radiating throughout her body. Enough was enough. She had to escape him.

Hearing a knock on the door, she snapped out of thought, her hands gripping the edge of her desk as the door opened up causing her to jump slightly as her thoughts flooded from the memory.

"Lena?" Damon poked his head around the door, frowning, "Are you okay?"
"Ju...Just banishing old demons. I guess." Standing up, she felt her legs wobble and pressed her hands to the top of the desk.
"You don't look so good." He went over to her, stroking her hair slowly.
"Just been...tired lately." She whispered, leaning into him

"Come on." He wrapped his arms around her, leading her to the couch.
"What? What are we doing?" She questioned confused.
"Shh." He laid down, pulling her with him, "Sleep."
"What! Now? I have work! I can't!"
"I'm your boss and I say sleep...please."
"O...okay." Closing her eyes, she snuggled close, falling into another pit of memories.

A/N: Hey everyone. I hope this was worth the wait :) The secrets begin :)

The flashback scene, there were some borrowed lines from my favorite film, Sleeping with the Enemy :) It's amazing!

Shauna
xxx