Authors's Note: Hi everyone. IT'S MY 16TH BIRTHDAY TODAY! Yay! Finally! since it's my birthday, I decided to do a special chapter. It's a birthday chapter and its longer than the rest of my chapters. Also, on Friday, Grace Phipps sent me a Direct Message on Twitter! Isn't that great? I'm so happy.

Anyway, thank you for all the reviews, favorites and story/ author alerts. I really appreciate the constructive critsisms and the questions. Please continue to review and I really appreciate each and every one of you. I'm so grateful that you guys like my story. So, without further ado, CHAPTER 11!

Chapter 11

Elena's Point Of View

I lay in bed that night and just contemplated everything that had happened today between Damon and I. I was so afraid of losing one of them that I hadn't allowed myself to acknowledge what was happening between Damon and I. I had to admit that my feelings for him were stronger and I wanted to spend time with him. I wanted to talk to him. And secretly, I wanted what I had with Stefan with him.

It was hard enough to admit it to myself. How was I going to admit to Damon? And if I did, would Stefan leave? Right now I was in a bad place with Stefan. But I knew I would get over it eventually. It may take centuries but if Damon could do it so willingly, I didn't see why I couldn't in the future. I just didn't want to pick Damon, have Stefan leave and then never get to see him again. He was just as much part of my life as Damon was. And not to mention how wrong it felt to just drop everything and start a relationship with Damon. That would reflect so badly on me. I was so confused and overwhelmed.

I cried myself to sleep that night. I cried for the mess I was in. I cried for Stefan and I cried for Damon. I cried for what I couldn't admit and I cried because suddenly, I couldn't seem to stop.

Damon's Point Of View

Elena's in love with me. I knew that. I just needed her to admit it out loud. That was why I had to push her today. I was standing outside her house, on her porch. I don't know why I didn't leave. I could hear her crying upstairs and I guess I just couldn't bear to go. I'd left her crying in her room one too many times.

I stayed there till morning and then I went home before Elena got up. When I got home, I saw Caroline sitting on the couch thinking.

"Hey Blondie. What are you still doing here?" I asked as I collapsed into the seat next to her.

"Waiting for Bonnie, Matt and Tyler to show up. And you too but you're already here."

"What? Why?"

"Because we need to plan Elena's birthday party! She turning nineteen next week remember? Well, nineteen figuratively since she a vampire, but still! " She said earnestly.

"Oh yeah. Yeah okay. Sure. I'm in I guess." I agreed as I rubbed my temple. It was too early for this. I was drinking all of yesterday, had no sleep and had a difficult conversation with Elena. My head was going to explode.

The second Matt, Tyler and Bonnie walked through the door, Caroline pounced and began giving orders and planning.

"We need a location...Damon?" She asked pointedly.

"Yeah sure. Use the house. She'll like that."

"Great! So we've got our party location. Now, we need..."

I cut her off, "Where's Jeremy? I thought you would have called him first."

"He could make it. Now, decorations! Tyler!" She said without missing a beat. That girl was dynamite.

We planned the whole morning and then Caroline finally let us leave so that she and Bonnie could mail the invites which she had already prepared. I poured myself some bourbon, crashed into the couch and groaned as I closed my eyes.

Just then, Stefan walked in.

"Where did you come from?" I asked as I sat up in surprise. I didn't know he was home.

"I was waiting for everyone to leave. I'm not that popular anymore you know." He reminded me as he poured himself his own glass of scotch. "So, Elena's birthday party huh? From what I heard, it gonna be wild."

"With Blondie captaining it, it will be more than wild."

"Yeah...I remember her eighteenth birthday party" he said softly.

"Listen, you are invited to this party. I know Elena would want you there and since it is her birthday, you should just ignore everybody else and show up. For her"

"I don't know. I don't think she could ever forgive me. And I don't want to be at a party where I'm not welcome. I don't want to upset her anymore." He said as he rubbed his neck.

"The only way you could upset her is if you don't show. She would be heartbroken. Just because she's angry at you does not mean that she hates you or that she still doesn't care for you. Don't do that to her. Don't make her feel as if she's the reason that you were chased out of your life."

"C'mon Damon. You heard what happened yesterday."

"I also heard her tell me that she was afraid to lose you and that she thinks that with time, she would be able to forgive you. Even if I have to drag you to the party and handcuff you to a pole I would do it because I'm not going to let you hurt her again. I won't see her get hurt. Not again. Not ever."

I sighed and drained my glass before I walked out.

Caroline's Point Of View

Today's the day! It's Elena's birthday! I'm so excited. It's a surprise party for her. Bonnie is hanging out with Elena today to keep her from coming here. At exactly 6pm, Damon will call Elena and ask her to come over because he has a problem and she will come over and... SURPRISE!

Jeremy, Damon, Matt, Tyler, April and I are all working hard in the Salvatore boarding house. We are turning their drab, dark house into a bright, sparkling club kind of place for the party. There will be loud music, food, dancing, a DJ and of course, alcohol.

I was going around fixing things I didn't like and ordering everyone around. Everything was always better when I was in charge. Everyone knew that. Just then, Stefan walked in with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Can I help?" He asked me.

"Yeah. You can get out of here. No one wants to see you. Especially Elena." I snapped.

Damon overheard that and came over. "Shut up Blondie. He's coming to the party and he can help us and you will be civil to him or I'm throwing you out and taking over." He growled dangerously.

I glared at Damon before relenting and turning to Stefan. "Go help Matt set up the tables at the back." I said emotionlessly before walking away to make sure Tyler was hanging the banners straight.

A few hours into the set up, the doorbell rang. Thinking it was the caterers, I went to the door all ready to scream their heads off for coming later than I asked them to. I pulled open the door and got the shock of my life. It was Klaus and a few of his hybrids who stood a respectable distance behind him.

"Klaus? What on earth are you doing here?" I asked cautiously as I eyed the hybrids.

"Hello love. I heard its the doppelgänger's birthday today and that you were in charge of the party. I came to see if I could help and maybe win you as my date tonight. I brought backup too." He said cockily.

"Date? I don't think so." I replied as I stepped back to shut the door.

He threw out a hand and stopped the door. "C'mon love. You can't tell me that you have enough hands to get all that work done can you? Let me help you."

"Okay. Fine. Come in. But this does not mean that you're my date tonight. Or that you even get an invite at all."

"Sure thing love." He replied smoothly with a cunning smile as he motioned for his hybrids to follow him and then walked in. "What do you want us to do beautiful?"

In spite of myself, I blushed slightly. I quickly composed myself and told him to start setting up the DJ table.

"DJ? What about the band?" He asked.

"We couldn't get a live band." I told him.

He whipped out his phone. "Don't worry love. I've got it." He said with a sly smile as he directed his hybrids to start setting up a stage out back.

I stared at him with my eyes as wide as saucers. "Don't worry Caroline, you can go take care of everything else. Leave this with me." He said before dialing a number and putting the phone to his ear.

I walked away. I was stunned. Klaus had not been here five minutes and he was already throwing a better party than I was. I needed to get my bearings so I walked around to find something to correct but I was intercepted by Damon immediately when I walked into the living room.

"Why is that Klaus bastard in my house?" He asked.

"Oh! Don't worry about him. He's not...he's here to help." I said carefully.

"What!? Why is he even still here?"

"Well, there was a hunter in town and Tyler was in danger so he came back with Rebekah."

"I don't trust him. He wanted Elena dead." He said with narrowed eyes.

"It's not like that anymore Damon. It's okay. He's getting a live band for the party."

"Live band? What the hell did I miss while I was gone? When I left, he just finished having a whole big ritual, killed Jenna and killed Elena. Now he's organizing live music for a birthday party?"

"Damon. Relax. It's okay."

"I don't like it." He said before sighing. "So, what's going between you and him. Why's he so sweet on you?"

"He may have a tiny crush on me." I said very softly and moved to adjust the flower arrangement. I hoped he would let it go but I was wrong.

"Crush? Klaus has a crush on you?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes Damon. Some people do happen to think I'm attractive."

"I was just surprised that the animal has feelings."

"Shut up Damon."

"What does Tyler think?" He asked.

His question brought me up short. "Um, he...he has a lot of other things on his mind right now." I struggled.

"You didn't answer the question."

"I don't know! Okay? I don't know! Just drop it already!" I snapped.

Klaus walked in at just that moment. "Is there a problem here?" He asked with a pointed look at Damon.

"No." I said bluntly.

"Good. Well, the band is organized and my hybrids are setting up the stage." He said with a smile at me.

"Okay good. Thanks." I replied as I hurried out to check on the progress of the stage.

Damon's Point Of View

Caroline had left me alone with Klaus. I was not over what he did to Elena and I would have gladly torn his heart out of his chest if I didn't know that he would not die and then have killed me on the spot.

"Damon Salvatore. I've heard all about what happened. How is it to be back?" Klaus asked as he walked around me to get a drink.

"I don't know why you're here but it's Elena's birthday and you're not going to ruin it for her with your psychotic plans." I growled.

"Relax mate. I'm just here to help out and to celebrate. You know, you should be thanking me. I saved your life."

"You killed Elena. We're even."

"Almost killed her."

"Same thing." I tossed back.

"Look, I got your girl a band and I'm going to do everything to make this a spectacular party. Lets give it a rest for tonight okay mate?" He asked as he stuck out his hand for me to shake.

I eyed it suspiciously before replying. "If your intentions are anything but to impress Caroline, I will take you out."

"Don't threaten me little boy. I could kill you in a heartbeat." He said before walking off.

~
It was 6pm on the dot and I was calling Elena.

"Hi Damon." She greeted.

"Hey sunshine. Happy birthday. What are you doing?"

"Thank you. Nothing much. I just got home. Bonnie and I spent the day together." She said happily.

Her cheerfulness was contagious even over the phone and I found myself smiling. "That's nice. Listen, I hate to do this to you on your birthday but will you come over? I seem to have misplaced my ring."

"You lost your daylight ring?" She exclaimed.

"Yeah. I took it off for a second, got distracted and now I can't find it. Its not really lost. Its just misplaced. Will you come and help me look. I need to find it before tomorrow morning." I lied easily.

"Of course. Sure. I'll be over soon."

"Thanks love. See you soon." I hung up the phone and immediately Caroline started squealing.

"That was so sweet!"

"Whatever Blondie." I shrugged it off.

"Don't fight it. You and Elena, EPIC! Stefan and Elena, bleah!"

I laughed in spite of myself. "It's not me whose fighting it."

"She loves you. You just need to romance her into admitting it. That's all." Caroline continued squealing.

I chuckled and went upstairs to change for the party.

Caroline's Point Of View

Damon had called Elena, she was on the way, the band was setting up, the food was here, mostly everyone was here and ready to surprise Elena... Everything was perfect. Except for one thing. Klaus was still here and he was trailing me like a lost puppy.

"Caroline love, it's almost at party time." He said in his usual smooth way.

"I was aware of that."

"Have you decided if you would allow me to accompany you to the party?"

I turned around to face him, exasperated. "If I say yes, will you leave me alone?"

"If I say yes to that will you say yes to going with me?" He asked cheekily.

I threw up my hands in frustration. "Okay! Yes! You can be my...date...to the party. Happy?"

"Very much so love. I'll see you later Caroline."

I groaned internally but part of my felt quite happy. Klaus hurt the people I loved. He was the cause of so much heartache. But when he wanted to, he could really be sweet. Part of me really reveled in the attention he was giving me opposed to the fact that now Tyler was so busy with Haley that he couldn't give me the time of the day. If he haven't been such a murderous villein, I knew I most likely would have fallen for him instantly.

The only thing stopping me from letting Klaus go all out and take me on dates, buy me dresses and jewelry was the fact that I knew what he had done to the people I loved in the past. Then again, that was the past...

Elena's Point Of View

I had just arrived at the Salvatore boarding house. Part of me was suspicious and slightly expecting a birthday party. Everybody except Bonnie had been ignoring me all day. No one even called to wish me a happy birthday except when Damon called to ask me over. All day, Bonnie had been oddly interested in doing everything and anything. Every time I suggested going home, she would pull me off to do something else. And anyway, Caroline would never let today go by without throwing a party.

Biting my lip as I walked up to the door, I rang the doorbell. Nobody answered. I rang again and then realized that the door was unlocked. I gently pushed it and the door swung open. I took one step into the house and...

"SURPRISE!" Everyone jumped out and screamed as the lights flashed on.

I gasped. I had expected a party but not such a huge one. Caroline and Bonnie pushed their way out of the crowd and ran to me. They wrapped me in group hug.

"Happy birthday!" They squealed.

"Oh wow! This is huge. Thank you guys." I gushed.

Just then, over Caroline's shoulder, I saw Damon approaching us.

"Excuse me guys." I said as I untangled myself and went to Damon.

"Hi birthday girl. Happy birthday." He said as he pulled me in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you Damon. Is this what you've been doing all week while you've been avoiding me?" I asked.

"I wasn't avoiding you. I was giving you space." He said.

I laughed. "Listen, Stefan's here." He continued.

"He is? Where?" I asked slightly skeptically.

"I'll take you to him." He volunteered but Caroline suddenly appeared beside me.

"Later." She said as she grabbed my arm. " We need to get you into your party dress first."

I was helpless as she and Bonnie dragged me upstairs. They had prepared a beautiful purple and black dress for me. They did my hair and I put on the dress. Once that was done, Caroline went downstairs to find Klaus who was apparently asking for her and Bonnie stayed with me while I twirled around in my dress and decided on which shoes I should wear.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" I called.

Damon pushed open the door and walked in.

"You look beautiful Elena." He said sincerely.

I smiled coyly.

"Well, I'll be downstairs." Bonnie excused herself.

Damon waited for the door to close behind Bonnie before he continued speaking.

"I got you a present." He said as he pulled a small box out of his back pocket.

"Damon, you didn't have to." I said.

"I didn't buy it." He told me.

"You stole it?" I asked incredulously.

"Really? How much of a criminal am I in your eyes? I found it." He joked.

He opened the box and I saw my vervain necklace nestled between sheets of soft tissue. I drew in a breath as I gently picked it up.

"How did you get this? Last I heard, Rebekah had it."

"I found out that she threw it into that cave where no vampires can enter. I used some of my charm to get it for you. I also rid it of the vervain so you can wear it without getting burnt." He said with a smile.

"Wow. I cant believe you did all that for me. Will you help me put it on?" I asked. As I turned around to face the mirror and lifted the hair off the back on my neck.

"Why is it so hard to think that in would do something like this for you? I love you. You're my best friend." He said quietly.

He gently unclasped the necklace and put it around my neck and fastened the clasp securely. He gently trailed his hands on the back of my neck. We were watching each other in the mirror. He pulled away suddenly and cleared his throat.

"Here you go." He said with a smile.

"Thanks." I breathed.

"Shall we?" He asked as he offered me his arm.

I smiled and took it as we both walked down and into the party. There were so many people there and the music was loud and pumping.

"Do you know all these people?" Damon shouted to be heard over the music.

"Not most of the them." I shouted back.

I heard him chuckle. "How did Caroline get the live band?" I asked

"She didn't. Klaus did."

"Klaus? He's here?"

"Yeah. He's Caroline's date." He replied.

"Good for her I guess" I said.

Just then, I saw Stefan approaching us.

"Happy birthday Elena." He said softly. "You look amazing."

"Thanks." I replied nervously. In the spur of the moment, I pulled my arm out of Damon's and reached up to hug Stefan. "Thank you for coming." I whispered into his ear.

"You're welcome." He whispered back. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

I stepped back and smiled. Stefan and Damon were here. My friends were here and I was so happy. Everything seemed perfect in that moment.

"Did you know that Klaus has a crush on Caroline, brother?" Damon asked.

"Everybody knows." He said with a small laugh.

"Yeah. It's old news Damon." I said with a laugh too.

"This could be used to our advantage." Damon joked.

"If you want to kill him, that's out of the question, he apparently got a live band for my party. He can't die. I won't let that happened." I laughed.

"Let's get you a drink " Damon said as he steered me towards the makeshift bar. I was glad to see that Stefan followed us.

Damon made me a martini and Stefan poured a glass of bourbon for both Damon and himself. We walked out to see the band and continued to make jokes at Klaus's expense.

Everything was perfect. We were happy. It was back to being the three of us against the world. It was bliss.

I danced with Damon and Stefan and my friends. I let go and partied hard. I drank a lot and had the most fun.

Caroline and Tyler brought out a huge cake in the middle of the party and everybody sang for me. I had a great night and I don't know how it happened, but when I woke up the next morning, I was passed out, fully dressed, on Damon's bed. Damon was no where in sight. I sat up in shock.

I got up and stretched my stiff muscles before I went downstairs to find Damon. I found him arranging the furniture back into its original place with a glass of bourbon in on hand.

"Good morning Elena." He greeted.

"Hey. Morning. What happened last night? "

"Well, everybody left. You were passed out on the couch so I brought you upstairs to bed. Don't worry. I slept on the couch. Caroline, Bonnie and Matt were here earlier to help clean up. It's mostly done." He said as he got up. "Coffee?" He asked. He was already walking to the kitchen.

"Yes please." I replied as I followed him. My head was starting to throb. " I'm sorry I made you sleep on the couch. You know you could have left me there right?"

"I'm a gentleman, Elena." He said as he winked at me.

I smiled. "Last night was great."

"Yeah. That was a wild party." He agreed.

"I think I've made up with Stefan." I told him.

"That's good. I didn't like it when you guys hated each other."

"Yeah." I said softly as I accepted the mug of coffee that Damon handed me. "Where's Jeremy?" I suddenly realized that I had no clue where my brother was.

"Matt took him home yesterday. Don't worry. Once you finish that I'll drive you home" he said as he nodded towards the mug.

"Thanks Damon." I smiled.

I had realized something last night. This thing that Damon and I had between us was something that we could not ignore. I had to stop fighting it. It was our time now.