Chapter 19: She Couldn't be the Victim Anymore

It was a dull, dark and cold winter day. The rain poured continuously without taking a break, puddles beginning to form on the sidewalks and the roads. The wind was strong, blowing through the streets of New York as the brunette sat in traffic, watching people on the sidewalk being forced in the direction that the wind was pushing. Inhaling, she drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as she watched the lights change from red to amber, giving her the signal to go. Pulling off, she turned the corner and felt the nerves rush back into her stomach again. Her first day back at work and seeing Damon again, since the 'special' news.

Seeing the building come into view, she took a shaky breath and held the wheel firmly in her grip. Pulling into the parking lot, she looked out for empty parking spaces and pulled into the nearest one available. Hearing her phone ring, she searched her bag for the ringing device and pulled it out, answering it.

"Hello?" Elena spoke into the speaker softly, turning the key in the ignition as the engine turned off.
"Hello Elena." Katherine drawled down the phone.
"What do you want?"

Frowning, Elena climbed out of her car as she hooked her bag over her shoulder and took a deep breath, locking the car. Rushing inside, she brushed herself down as she removed the raindrops from her coat. Showing her ID, she stepped into the elevator as she hit the button for the top floor.

"Just wondering how your murderous boyfriend was is all."
"At least he didn't try to kill me, unlike Stefan who killed off your boyfriend, tried to kill of you AND me in the process."
"The Salvatore brothers seem to have a LOT in common."

"Don't even try comparing Damon to Stefan."
"You keep telling yourself that Elena." She smiled, "Have fun at work now."
"How did you-"
"I know all Elena, remember that."

The line went dead as Elena moaned in annoyance and leaned back against the steel wall of the elevator, wishing already that she was back home in bed and sleeping. As the doors opened, she stepped out and turned left, dragging her feet down the hall and towards her office. How was she going to get through this day? Pushing the door open, she walked inside, closing the door behind her.

"Home sweet home." She frowned, sitting at her desk with a sigh.

Staring at the pile of work for her to do, she groaned and buried her face into her hands. Why was she letting everything get to her? She needed to keep an open mind and think positive, no matter how hard it was. Hearing the office phone ring, she looked over and swallowed as she seen Damon's name appearing on the display. He must have seen her coming in through the camera's. Waiting for the dial tone to stop, she lifted the phone and dialed a number, holding the phone to her ear.

"Hey, it's me, did you get that information I asked about? No... that's great, I'll see you soon."

Elena sat on the couch, sipping her strawberry milkshake as she was half way through the pile of work that she was working on. Rubbing her nose, she looked outside and watched as thunder lit the sky. Smiling softly, she inhaled and leaned her head back as she listened to the rain thudding against the window and the storm roaring through the city. Hearing a knock on the door, she looked up, her heart racing as she waited in anticipation.

"Come in!" The brunette called out nervous, as her body seemed to be glued down to the couch.

The door opened agonizingly slowly as the brunette slowly smiled, her smile growing into a grin as relief flooded her entire body. Seeing the familiar face, she pushed herself up from the couch and walked over quickly, throwing her arms around his neck tightly. Hugging her back, he kissed the top of her head, smiling.

"Jeremy!" She held him close.
"Hey sis." He pulled back, grinning down at her as he gave her a pat on the head and kicked the door shut with his foot.
"You're really working the cop uniform."
"4 years in counting now."
"So?"
"Here." He held out the folder for her.

Taking it slowly with shaking hands, she moved over to the couch, taking a seat and she opened it up and took a deep breath. She could look at it, it would be okay. Damon is innocent, he's kind, sweet and loving. Inhaling, she slowly opened it and began reading as Jeremy moved around her office, taking a little snoop.

"Oh god." Elena whispered, "It's true."

Swallowing, she continued flipping through the pages and looked through the photos as her heart began racing. Pushing her hair back, she felt herself choking up as she shook her head and continued reading and studying the pictures. They were dating and he was brought up for her murder...he killed her. Rubbing her chest, she shook her head again as tears glazed her eyes. The door opened as Jeremy and Elena looked up, her chocolate eyes wide as she seen Damon standing in the doorway. Damon looked between them, seeing Elena nearly in tears and frowned as Elena got to her feet quickly, throwing the file onto the couch.

"Uhm Damon...this is Jeremy my brother, Jeremy, this is Damon." She managed to speak without her voice cracking.
"Nice to meet you." Jeremy shook his hand.
"And to you." Damon nodded, looking over at Elena.
"Well, uh, I better be off. I'll call you later Lena," He hugged her tightly, "Be strong."

Nodding at Damon, Jeremy looked at Elena one last time as he walked out, closing the door behind him. Elena watched Damon, a lump in her throat, keeping her from talking. What did she say to him? What could she say to him? She felt sick, she felt like she'd been cheated, lied to her. Her heart was breaking slowly. It was like the Stefan situation all over again. Damon looked over at her, worry in his eyes as he moved towards her, but she held her hand up, stopping him.

"Don't." She whispered softly, shaking her head as she swallowed.
"Elena, what the hell is going on? You've been avoiding me for days, tell me what I've done." Damon snapped, getting frustrated.
"What haven't you done Damon?" She shrugged, tears escaping her eyes, "Tell me that."
"Elena-"
"You think you know someone," She moved over to the window, looking out, "But no one really knows anyone, they always have secrets."

"What are you talking about? Elena?" He moved towards her as she turned around to him.
"Who is Connie Becket!?" The brunette shouted at him, anger in her eyes.
"Wh...how do you-"
"How do I know? It's called a little research and help from someone who I did NOT want to believe! Come on Damon, tell me, who is she, huh?"
"I don't know who you're talking about." He cleared his throat, looking away.
"Don't treat me like an idiot!" She shouted, grabbing the folder as she went over, shoving it against his chest, "Who is she!?"

Swallowing, he opened up the folder, seeing all the papers and photos. Taking a deep breath, he rubbed his neck and flipped through the pages, reading what it said. Elena stood staring at him, her blood boiling with anger as she felt the hurt trying to take over. He lied to her, what a way to help his case, just perfect.

"Elena, I can explain-"
"You killed her!" The brunette snapped.
"That's what it looks like-"
"Is it suppose to look that way!? Damon, you killed her!"
"No, I didn't! She's alive alright!?"
"Don't LIE to me!"

"I'm not! I swear! I swear and promise on your life that she is alive!" He told her, desperation in his eyes.
"Then why does it say she's dead!? Why does it say you killed her!? Your girlfriend of three years!"
"It was a set up."
"What?" She swallowed, taking a breath.

"Connie Becket was a VERY close friend of mine. Someone was after her, her life was in danger. I promised I would do anything to protect her, no matter what. We played the part of boyfriend and girlfriend to keep her in cover, but the guy after her found her once again. She was scared, she wanted to disappear, so...I helped her and took the fall."

The brunette turned away from him, tears pouring down her cheeks as she rubbed her chest, the pain becoming too much. She couldn't let hope slip into her, not just yet. She couldn't. She didn't know what to believe anymore. Rubbing her neck, she took a deep breath and turned to look at him, chewing her lip.

"Then where is she Damon, huh? Where is this ALIVE Connie Becket that you 'saved' from death, even though YOU took the fall for her death."
"She's away somewhere, she's living a new life."
"I don't believe you...I don't believe you Damon. Not anymore. You lied to me, you've been lying to me!" Elena shouted.
"YOU know me!"
"No I don't! I thought I did, but I don't! I don't know you at all!"
"Of course you do...you do Lena."

He walked over to her, grabbing her hand before she stepped back causing her to gasp and swallow in response. Tugging her close, he cupped her face and stroked his thumbs along her cheeks as she stared up at him, tears glazing her eyes. Kissing her nose softly, he stroked his thumbs along her cheeks again.

"I'm the same guy you met, alright?"
"Your not." She whispered, tears falling.
"Of course I am. I would never hurt you, believe me. I am not a murderer."
"I would have believed you if you hadn't of kept it from me, but I don't know if I can believe you...not anymore."
"Look-" He grabbed a piece of paper, writing an address down as he passed it to her, "She lives here, alright? If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself."

Swallowing, she held it tightly in her hand as he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers softly as he nudged his nose against hers. Sniffing, she closed her eyes tightly as more tears fell down her cheeks. Moving away, she looked at him one last time and grabbed her bag, walking out of the room. She needed proof, she couldn't be the victim anymore.

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed! :D The next episode WILL be the epilogue because I will be starting another story that continues from this :D

Shauna

xxx