April 2007

I'm on the pursuit of happiness.

I know everything that shines ain't always gonna be gold

I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good

"Damon, wake up!"

Damon let out a long unflattering groan as Elena bounced up and down on her heels in excitement. The piece of paper in her hand was already crinkled from the enthusiasm.

"Please tell me you're on fire or something equally important," Damon moaned, his head stuffed in his pillow.

"Nope, not in flames. But you're definitely going to want to wake up for this!"

The muscles in his back tensed as he began to shift into a seated position. Elena was choosing to ignore the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt, especially now that his abs were on full display. "Since when do you come into my room?"

Elena became temporarily distracted as she considered his question. Her eyebrows quirked as she glanced around the space. "Have I never been in here?" She mumbled. She swore she'd seen it before, but maybe it was just from the quick glances in the hall when she'd gone into the adjacent laundry room.

Damon pushed some of the mussed hair off of his forehead. "Not since we moved in."

"Oh." Elena's focus almost immediately went back to her original task and she began bouncing again. "Guess what just happened." She had no doubt the grin on her face was practically swallowing her whole.

Damon's eyes widened. "Wait, did you get a part?"

Elena stopped her movements, slightly deflating at his words. "No… well, not really."

"What do you mean 'not really?'"

Elena's smile came back in full force as she held up the small post-it note in the air in victory. "I just got a call from one of the producers at the audition yesterday. He said that although he can't give me the role I auditioned for, he's creating another film and… he sees potential! He wants to meet with me tonight to talk about possibly writing a role for me!"

Damon leaned forward, grabbing the post-it note and reading the details she'd written down. "Elena, you understand this is basically how every Lifetime movie starts."

Elena's grin had now completely fallen from her face. Her defensive side flared as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Since when do you watch Lifetime movies?"

Damon didn't glance up from the yellow note. "Elena, I was in a relationship for a decade. Do you actually believe that I escaped without seeing one of those horrendous things?"

Elena grimaced. "Point taken." Elena's attention shifted back to the meeting. "It's going to be fine, Damon. Frank Marsh is a well-known and well-respected producer and director. He's not a skeeze."

Damon sighed, handing the note back to her. "It just sounds creepy, Elena. I mean you're meeting at a hotel bar."

Elena glanced down at the address and name of the location. "Damon, this isn't some podunk little town back home. This is Hollywood. And sometimes you meet for drinks to talk business. Besides, I looked it up. It's classy, not creepy. Plus, we'll be in public the whole time!"

Damon stared her up and down for a moment. "Fine. But I'm going with you."

Elena's eyes widened in panic. "No way! Damon, I'll look ridiculous!"

"You're only eighteen, Elena."

"Yes, eighteen, as in a legal adult who can take care of herself!"

"You basically lived in a convent for the past seventeen years so forgive me if I consider your adulthood to have an asterisk next to it!"

Elena's tone changed into a whine. "Damon, please! There is no way this guy will take me seriously if I have you come with me."

"If he has a problem with me listening in, then I can just sit at the other end of the bar or in a booth. If he's actually a decent guy, then he won't mind."

Elena's eyes wandered over to where the comforter had risen at the end of the bed and a small smirk graced her face. "Actually, Damon, you're right. I would love for you to come. In fact, I don't think you fully understand how happy it would make me to push you around in your wheelchair all night."

Damon's eyebrows furrowed as his gaze flickered down to where Elena's was. "Shit," he mumbled, realizing her eyes were focused on his cast. They both knew the doctor's orders: only the wheelchair outside of the apartment for the first five days.

"Aww," Elena lips morphed into an exaggerated pout as she began speaking in a baby voice. "Is someone embarrassed by his wheelchair?"

"Fine," Damon replied through gritted teeth. "But I'm going to ask Alaric-"

Elena let out a long groan. "Damon, come on! Please just trust me on this. It will be okay! If he starts getting weird, I'll call you immediately. Then you can send Alaric or the police or whoever the hell you want to come get me. But I swear everything will be fine." Elena stepped closer to him, her eyes pleading. "This could be my shot, Damon. I'm begging you not to ruin this by being overprotecting."

Damon sighed, breaking almost instantly at her pathetic expression. "Three months out here and you've already nailed the puppy dog face."

Elena giggled, relief rushing through her at his approval, however tenuous. "Thank you, Damon."

"No problem. Just please be smart." Damon paused, shifting in his spot. "Okay, I need to get out of bed now."

"Oh, do you need help or something?"

Damon's forehead crinkled in confusion. Clearly, they weren't on the same page. "It's a few feet, Elena. I can hobble to the bathroom by myself."

"Well… then hobble to it."

A small smile formed on Damon's face. "You sure about that?"

More confusion marred Elena's features. "Yes?"

Damon let out an exaggerated sigh. "Well, alrighty then."

And before Elena could fully grasp what was happening, Damon was up and standing… wearing nothing but his brand-new cast.

"Damon!" Elena screamed, whirling around, her face immediately flushed in embarrassment.

Damon laughed from behind her, highly amused at her reaction. "Well, looky here. Little Miss Confident has clearly left the building."

Elena chose to ignore the dig. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I thought you knew." She could practically feel his nonchalant shrug from behind her.

"Bullshit," Elena grumbled back, eliciting another chuckle from him. "Put some clothes on."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you'd be uncomfortable playing tits for tat."

Elena flushed even more deeply. "That was different. I was just trying to prove a point."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just did it for fun. I don't have to prove anything."

Elena stiffened slightly, his last sentence causing her mouth to go dry. "What do you mean?"

Damon's breath hit her ear as he leaned in and Elena shuddered involuntarily. "I already know you're attracted to me."

Elena let out a shaky breath at his words. She knew to prove him wrong she'd have to stay and fight, but all she could manage was mumbling an immature "shut up" and rushing out of his room.

Her little stunt had thrown her into the big leagues and she wasn't even close to prepared.

Elena shifted, adjusting the thin fabric of her sundress out of anxiety. Most of the people sitting around her looked far more professional than she did and Damon's earlier warnings were starting to affect her state of mind. Frank was now ten minutes late and she was beginning to fear it was all a set-up. But before she could continue to panic, a strong, warm hand fell on her bare shoulder.

"There she is," Frank crooned, his voice slightly hoarse. Elena put on her most polite smile, reaching her hand out to meet his shake. "So glad you could make it.'

Yeah, Elena was definitely underdressed compared to his full suit, but she decided to not let it faze her. If she acted like she belonged, then maybe he would believe it.

"Thank you for inviting me," Elena replied as Frank settled on the stool next to her, flicking his hand up nonchalantly to signal the bartender.

"Well, I realize those auditions are far too formal. You barely get a chance to know the actor. And, as I said on the phone, I think you have potential. And I might just have the perfect part for you to showcase it." The bartender's arrival interrupted the conversation. Frank shot her a smile. "Gin and tonic for me. And the young lady will have…"

Elena hesitated. She hadn't thought the whole underage thing through. "Um, just a cranberry and club soda."

She noticed Frank's quirked eyebrow out of her peripheral as the bartender excused himself. "Ah, that's right. You're not quite legal."

Elena shook her head, feeling even more out of place. "Nope. Just turned eighteen last year."

Frank's eyes widened as their drinks were placed down. "Wow. So you're fresh out here, aren't you?"

Elena nodded. She took a sip of her drink, disliking where the conversation was heading. "Yes. My friend and I moved out here at the beginning of the year."

"If I remember correctly, you also have no acting experience."

Elena subtly flinched. "Well, I did a commercial that got cut before it ever aired so I've been on a set. But beyond that… no, I guess you're right."

"Don't worry," Frank chuckled, obviously noting her distress. "I'm not judging. In fact, I find it refreshing. Most of the budding young actresses I meet have been running around this town since they were in utero, convinced they were meant to be a star. You, on the other hand," he paused, taking a sip of his drink. "You seem to have your head on straight."

Elena nodded, although she sensed that his compliment was backhanded. "I wasn't allowed to do anything like this at home. My parents were… strict." Something told Elena that her actual home life wasn't something she should share with everyone.

"Well, with such a beautiful daughter I can see why."

Elena recognized that as warning sign number one.

Frank smiled again as he saw her tense. "You act like nobody's ever called you beautiful before."

Elena's lips parted, but she wasn't sure what to say. "I… not often." Shit. Not smooth, Elena.

Frank nodded, but he, thankfully, left the subject for the time being. "I'm guessing you want to hear the details of this part."

"Yes, I would love to." Elena silently determined to shake it off, placing the confident smile back on her face. She was in a city that operated a hell of a lot differently than anywhere else. She needed to suck it up and pretend she knew just what she was doing.

Damon's eyes glazed over as he scanned the television channels, desperate for something to keep him awake. He knew he had to stay awake in case Elena needed him and he would be lying if he said the thought of something happening to her wasn't the only thing that forced his eyes to stay open. The pain medication for his foot had already forced him to spend almost the entire day sleeping it off in bed. He'd be able to start the lighter stuff tomorrow, but, for now, he was basically stuck taking a heavy mix of Benadryl and Nyquil.

But just when yet another reality show flickered past his gaze, he was shaken out of his stupor as his phone began to ring. Immediately, Damon lunged for it, adrenaline already pumping through his veins. That bastard. I knew it.

"Elena-"

"Damn… I knew it was too good to be true. Let me guess: girlfriend?"

Damon's eyebrows furrowed. He pulled the phone back from his ear and noted the unrecognizable number. The female voice on the other end of the line was clearly not Elena, but who she was and why she was calling him was still a mystery.

"Uh, I'm sorry?"

"I'd heard you were single around the office, but I guess this 'Elena' girl means that's not the case. Oh well…" The feminine sigh was over exaggerated and it reminded him of some of the women in college who had thrown themselves at him, regardless of his relationship status.

The office… Damon racked his brain trying to recall his female coworkers. He really hadn't been working there long enough to know anyone beyond his boss and Alaric, but he definitely didn't remember this voice. Maybe it was a wrong number.

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Andie." He could hear the confident smile in her voice. "Andie Star."

Frank had been going on for nearly twenty minutes when his phone went off. He'd spared almost no detail in describing his ideas for the film and Elena had become completely enthralled. She loved seeing the passion in his eyes as he went through plot line by plot line, character by character. And just when he was about to introduce the role Elena would potentially play, his phone beeped twice.

And with those beeps came warning sign number two.

"Shit," he mumbled, glancing at the screen.

"What is it?" Elena asked.

Frank let out an exaggerated sigh. "Well, I got too caught up in my own ideas… again." He provided Elena with an apologetic smile. "I didn't realize this would go so long and my phone just reminded me that I have to call my colleague in the next five minutes or else I'm in some serious trouble."

"Oh, alright." His statement surprised Elena. They'd been at the bar for less than half an hour and he apparently hadn't thought that it would take "so long?" Just how had he expected it to go? "If you need to leave, that's fine."

Frank groaned. "God, I just hate having to leave you hanging. Plus, I don't have a clue when we could possibly meet again. My schedule is insane these days."

Elena's heart sunk. That was basically code for missed opportunity. He was right. They probably wouldn't get the chance to meet again and he'd have to move on with another actress, but there wasn't much she could do.

A small smile lit up Frank's face. "How about this? Why don't you come with me so once the call's over we can just continue the meeting? I'll be able to do it with some peace and quiet and you can entertain yourself with whatever they put in the suite."

Elena's lips parted. "Wait, you need to take the call in… your hotel room?"

Frank didn't even seem phased by the question. "Yeah. It's confidential, sweetheart." He paused, regarding her confused expression. "That means nobody else can hear what I have to say."

Holy fucking shit. Elena sucked in a breath, feeling the immediate need to cry.

Damon had been totally right. The guy was a dick and now it was blatantly obvious. Choosing to meet in a hotel bar. The subtly inappropriate compliments and digs at her self-confidence. Stopping right before he tells her the only truly important part of the meeting. Renting a hotel room when he lived nearby. It had all been some ploy to get her upstairs with him so she could fuck her way into a job. There were far more rational options for him if he really wanted to continue their meeting and he was just hoping she'd ignore them.

Frank cut off her spiraling. "Is there a problem?"

Elena's hands trembled as she squeezed them together in her lap. "Yes, I… I didn't come here to go to your room with you." She hated how weak she sounded, but she was just thankful she could find the words at all. Her mind was clouded over with the urges to vomit and cry… probably at the same time.

Frank regarded her for a moment before turning his head and scoffing. He finished the rest of his second drink before addressing her again. The sweetness of his previous tone was gone completely. It had been replaced with something far more sinister. "Look, sweetheart. I know you think it might be cute to play all high and mighty, but I don't particularly care to waste my time. You can cut the honorable shit."

Elena's gaze shot up from her knees. "Excuse me?"

He twisted in his seat to directly face her, leaning in until he was far too close for comfort. Elena bit back a gasp at the smell of his breath. Clearly, the drinks they'd shared hadn't been his first of the night. "Some guys might appreciate you pretending that you never do this sort of thing, but I don't care either way. I am hoping this is your first time, however, because your résumé would indicate that you're not very good."

Elena turned her face away, the lump in her throat tightening. She had to get out of there, but she was terrified of what might happen if she ran. He continued regardless. "Besides, you and I both know there's not a snowball's chance in hell you're going to make it in this town unless you spread your legs for it. So, if you really want to be considered for this, I suggest you cut that offended little scowl off of your face and act like this is the fucking fantastic and generous offer that it is."

Elena immediately went to stand up and grab her purse, but a hot hand on her knee held her down. To others in the bar, it would look like the intimate gesture of a significant other, but to Elena, it felt like death. Elena swallowed back tears. "Please let go of me."

"I don't really feel like it-"

"Well, I think you're going to want to anyways."

Both Frank and Elena's gazes ripped over to the stunning brunette seated on the other side of him. Elena had noticed her earlier when she'd walked over, but mostly because she'd drawn so much attention. The amount of men that had approached her, men she'd subsequently shot down, had been alarming, but at the time, Elena had tried to focus back on her conversation with Frank.

Frank's scowl grew deeper as he took in the smirking woman. "Katherine Pierce. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Elena's eyebrows furrowed. If she was famous, Elena didn't recognize her.

Katherine smiled. "Well, I was planning on enjoying myself tonight, but then I saw you at the bar with another pretty young thing. Obviously, I knew she wasn't sitting with you because of your dashing good looks or charm, so I just presumed you were fishing and I guess I was right." Her slim fingers lifted a small black box from the bar top. "And wasn't it just my luck that I brought this along?"

Frank's eyes lit up in panic. He lunged for it, but Katherine managed to keep it just out of his reach. "Careful now. Don't make me scream, Frankie."

Elena felt some of her panic lower, even though she was still confused as hell. Katherine, whoever she was, was clearly holding all of the control in this situation and it caused Elena to feel momentarily safe.

As Frank relaxed out of necessity, Katherine tapped her nails along the recorder's edge. "Now, let's see. Which media outlet would you prefer? TMZ? People? Hell, I even think CNN would take a crack at it."

"What the fuck is your problem?" Frank hissed, venom seeping out of his tone.

Katherine's eyes grew cold. "My problem is that you fucked my last client. And we both know that anyone that rides your weak excuse for a dick becomes worthless in this town." Katherine dropped the recorder into her purse. "But I'd say the overall theme here is just that I despise you."

"Give me the recorder!"

"Not a, and I quote, 'snowball's chance in hell.' I'll be saving this one for a rainy day. But I can promise you I won't send it in tonight if you let my client go."

Elena's eyes widened in surprise at Katherine's words. Frank spluttered. "You're saying this bitch is yours, too?"

"Yep. Thankfully, she has better taste and far more potential than the one who deigned to sleep with you. Goodbye, Frank."

Frank uttered a few more curses under his breath, glancing back and forth between Katherine and Elena as if he would be able to find a solution to his problems. When he came up empty, he jumped up from his seat, shooting both a stinging glare.

"Oh, and just remember," Katherine continued. "If you ever come near her again, that recording gets hand-delivered to whomever I so desire."

Frank stormed off as Katherine let out a sigh, turning to Elena. "You know if he was actually not such a completely jack wad, you'd have to consider it. He keeps that ass in good condition."

Elena focused on getting her heartbeat down, watching her "savior" settle down in the stool Frank had once occupied. She seemed totally composed compared to Elena's frantic demeanor.

"Thank you so much," Elena sighed, once she'd gotten her breathing to a normal rate. "I swear I had no clue that was going to happen."

Katherine scoffed, taking a sip from the martini she'd dragged over from her original seat. "Obviously. Any producer worth anything would never meet you in a bar. That only happens on television or in movies. He's going to meet you in an office like any other normal human being." Katherine's gaze scanned her up and down. "You're new around here, aren't you?"

Elena nodded, cheeks flushed in shame. "Yeah, well. I guess I need to get out of the small-town mindset that everyone is a nice, decent person."

Katherine pursed her lips. "What's your name, new kid?"

"Elena Gilbert."

Katherine smiled. "Elena, what would you say if we made that little lie back there a reality?"

Elena's eyebrows furrowed. "You mean the one about me being your 'client?'"

Katherine nodded in response, taking another sip.

Elena nearly let out a growl, fury rushing through her veins. She took a deep breath to prepare herself. "Look, I get it. I'm the sweet, innocent girl who just hopped off the bus from Iowa. As long as you offer me something shiny, I'll practically kiss your feet. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not as stupid as I might look. Thanks but no thanks."

She could feel Katherine taking her in as she took a heavy gulp of whatever remained of her drink. "Let's try this again," Katherine purred, without a trace of animosity in her tone. "I do recognize I'm asking you on a night when you're particularly distrustful. Would you like me to represent you and help you become who you came here to be?"

Elena's features were marred in disbelief. "Do you really expect me to believe that a legitimate agent would sign on with a client who they've never even seen perform?"

Katherine laughed. "Oh, honey. I could give a rat's ass if you're a good actress."

"What are you talking about?" Elena groaned. At this point, she was thoroughly exhausted and just ready to go home.

"Here's the deal, Elena. My expertise is in building stars. As long as you do exactly what I say, you will become so fucking famous that you'll be a household name in Zimbabwe. And I don't base it off of your talent, although the fact that Frank would agree to sleep with you means you at least have something." Elena's confused gaze stopped her. "Oh, don't look so appalled. Frank doesn't sleep with just any bimbo. He gets off on boning girls with actual potential."

Katherine continued. "I'm basically a PR angel. I can spin anything and I can spin it with near perfect timing. Frank knows me by name because I'm damn good at what I do. Now, I'm asking you because you have the raw materials I need and I just happen to be looking for a new client. You have the looks, you potentially have the skills, and you're brand spanking new which means you're a clean slate for me to play with."

"So," Katherine smiled as she slid her business card over to Elena. "You can come meet with me on Monday at eight so we can discuss your future and you can sign yourself over to me or…"

Katherine stood, putting enough money down on the counter to cover all of their drinks and then some. "You can realize two years down the line when you're wiping tables for a living that you missed out on the best damn opportunity you've ever been given."

Katherine's smile nearly split off her face when she opened her door to greet Elena a few days later. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Ms. Gilbert-" But the smile ceased when she caught a glimpse of the person behind her. "And company," she finished, the displeasure blatant in her voice.

Elena met her disappointment with a confident smile as the man hobbled up next to her on his crutches. "Katherine, this is my friend and roommate Damon Salvatore. He's a lawyer and I just thought it might be smart to bring him along to check out these contracts of yours. I hope that's not a problem."

Surprisingly enough, Katherine didn't seem afraid of Damon's presence even knowing his choice of occupation. The smile returned. "I told you, Elena. I'm not here to screw you over. My success would be far too dependent upon yours. But if Mr. Salvatore's presence makes you feel more comfortable, I'll allow it. Besides…" Her heated gaze dragged up and down his body. "He's hot. And with those crutches he can't run away." She punctuated her innuendo with a wink.

Damon smirked. "Don't get too excited. I can only stay for a bit before I need to head to work."

When Elena had come home Friday evening to tell him the whole story of her insane night, Damon had at first been ready to ship her back home within the hour. He probably would have punched the wall if he'd been able to stand without support. But after calming him down with reassurances and promising him he had permission to kick Frank's ass if he ever saw him in person again, Damon had been remarkably interested in Katherine's offer. Somehow, he'd heard of her around work and knew her reputation. Damon had informed her that her client list was kept top secret, but the rumored names of who exactly she had "created" were nearly all A-list.

Katherine worked from home and, after seeing it, Elena could understand why. It was a beautiful mansion overlooking a man-made lake and Elena's jaw practically dropped as she took in the stunning marble work and ornate architecture. Elena was positive she'd never been in a house this elaborate and she was almost sad when their informal tour ended as they reached the study.

Katherine chose to sit with the pair at a conference table near the side window, overlooking the large swimming pool and lake view. She opened up a folder filled with documents that she immediately slid over to Damon. "Well, I'll go ahead and start explaining the basics to Elena. Damon: feel free to interrupt me if anything in those forms contradicts what I say." Damon nodded, his gaze already locked in on the black and white print.

Katherine's eyes focused on Elena. "As I mentioned a few days ago, my job is to mold you into a celebrity. By that, I don't mean I'll make you famous just by being famous. I'll do whatever it takes to put you in the right roles for your talent so that there should be no reason for you to be criticized by the media for thinking too highly of yourself. I'll be in control of your appearance, your lifestyle, basically everything about you for the first phase, after which I'll take more of a supervisory role. I guarantee that within a year you'll be on the right track and if you're dissatisfied at that point, you can cut ties with me completely. Breaking the contract, either by blatant disobedience or removing yourself from my care before the year is up, gives me the full right to air any and all dirty laundry to the press."

Elena's eyes widened at her words, causing Katherine to chuckle. "Like I said, Elena, my success is totally dependent upon yours. If you screw me over, I'll have no choice but to take you down. But I promise: you'll have no reason to. You can trust me on that."

Elena nodded in understanding, absorbing the abundant amount of information. "What is your compensation?"

"It only comes in after your first paycheck. After that, ten percent of each paycheck is given to me. After six months, I require an added annual stipend of $500,000."

Elena nearly choked on air. "Katherine, I do not have that kind of money."

Katherine smiled. "If you stick with me, you'll have more than enough to afford me in six months time."

Elena took in a deep breath, her gaze floating over to Damon. The fact that Katherine was basically guaranteeing that Elena would be earning that sort of money by October made her head spin.

Damon looked up from the contracts he was flipping through and met Elena's stare. "If you want me to examine these more closely, I can, but these are pretty damn tight. From what I can see so far, she's not going to screw you over."

Elena turned back to Katherine. "Elena, I swear I'm not the enemy here. From what I've seen so far, I like you. You have passion that I deeply admire. I want to see you do well and not just because I'll make money off of it. If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't have asked to represent you."

Elena swallowed, her eyes going to Damon. She didn't even have to ask. He knew her question. He sighed. "I want you to do whatever makes you happy. If you're asking for my support, you already have it."

Elena licked her lips, nodding her head as she cemented the decision in her mind. "Okay." A relieved smile crossed over her face. "Where do I sign?"

After what felt like a hundred signatures, Katherine had moved on to the "interview" portion of their first meeting. It was meant to determine how Katherine was going to market Elena to the world. Elena was thankful Damon was still there to support her, but was surprised he was staying so long.

"Alright, Elena," Katherine began, leaning back in her chair with a notepad in hand. "Now, I'm going to ask you right off the bat: what are you hiding?"

Elena forehead crinkled in confusion. "What do you mean exactly?"

Katherine waved her hand. "What are your dirty little secrets? Scandals from your past, potential enemies who will try to take you down… Anything bad that could potentially be revealed from your past will be so we need to be prepared. I will wring your neck myself if I get blindsided by some shit you did in high school so tell me now. Be totally and completely honest or else we won't be ready."

Damon laughed next to her, causing Katherine's gaze to snap to him. "Something funny, Damon?"

He smirked. "Yeah. The fact that you think you're going to find anything bad about Elena."

"What do you mean?"

Elena sighed, shooting a look at Damon. "I have an incredibly, incredibly conservative past."

Katherine's focus went back to Elena, one eyebrow arched. "I'm intrigued. Explain."

Elena took a deep breath before beginning. This would be only the second time she'd told the details of her past to anyone and the first time she'd done so with someone she wasn't even comfortable with. "I was raised in a strict orthodox religious community. That meant no boys, no makeup, nothing from the outside world. I realized I wanted to act from the contraband movies and television shows I would watch. I was permitted to leave home to go to college, but I dropped out to come here."

Katherine's smile nearly ate up her face. "Okay, I'm not shocked by anything anymore, but this is incredible!" She dropped the notepad on the table and leaned forward. "So you're telling me that you're the sweet, innocent virgin who's only been living in the real world for a few months?!"

Elena flushed at Katherine's term, feeling especially exposed with Damon only sitting a few feet away from her. The whole "virginity" thing was pretty obvious given the circumstances, but having it be actually stated out loud made it all the more uncomfortable. "Yup," Elena replied.

"Holy shit. I have it."

"Have what?"

"Your… thing. It's perfect! Tell me, Elena: have you ever even been kissed?"

Elena was definitely sure her face was as red as Katherine's crimson nail polish and it became even worse when she caught Damon's shit eating grin out of the corner of her eyes. "Actually…" she mumbled. "Damon's already claimed that one."

Katherine's grin faded. Suddenly, she let out a large groan, rubbing her forehead with the back of her hand. "Elena, I thought we agreed you wouldn't lie to me."

Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You told me that Damon was your friend. I'm assuming you want to change your answer now?"

Elena's eyes widened in alarm. "No, no! I swear Damon is only my friend. The kiss happened a really long time ago and he was just… doing me a favor. It wasn't like that." Elena moved her hair over her ear so that it blocked Damon from her sight.

Katherine considered Elena's answer for a moment. "Alright, I need you two to be honest with me. Totally and completely honest with me. I desperately need to market Elena as single. I can maybe swing you two being together if necessary, but it won't be nearly as good. So tell me right now: is there a chance, at all, that you two will get together in the near future?"

Elena took in a deep breath. Katherine's gaze was focused on her so she assumed her response was wanted first.

Regardless of what might have gone down a few days ago in the living room or the various temptations that had occurred between the two, she knew the answer to Katherine's question. Damon had no interest in her, except maybe one of a sexual nature that didn't speak for anything beyond her looks or their proximity. He'd made that pretty clear over the past few months and she'd be delusional to believe otherwise.

"Nope," Elena replied confidently. "Not a chance."

Damon tapped his foot against the leg of the chair. They'd been waiting in what appeared to be a large dance studio for nearly twenty minutes. Elena was pacing rapidly back and forth, her mouth moving subtly as she went over the memorized lines. Katherine was rapidly typing in her Blackberry next to him, seemingly unaffected by the importance of the day.

When Katherine had first pitched the idea of Elena's new "image," Damon had been wary. She'd decided the naïve virgin thing was too good to pass up and decided to run with it. Elena would be played up to the media as the wholesome good girl, eyes wide and heart open.

But there would be a catch: Elena's first role would be the exact opposite of the one she played in the public eye. According to Katherine, a sexier movie would cause fans to wonder if there was a secret wild side to Elena's innocent act. Merging her crazy childhood and lack of experience with the constant potential to be something far more dangerous was a winning combination and it would be exactly what would make Elena a prime candidate for fame and fortune.

Katherine had almost immediately booked Elena this private audition. The director apparently owed her a favor and he was casting the lead role for a film that perfectly played into what they were looking for. If Elena got the part, she'd be playing a young woman caught between two guys: her abusive boyfriend and the successful married man she was having an affair with. It was more of an indie flick, but they'd cast one really big actor to draw in the crowds. His name was Stefan something, but Damon hadn't been paying that close attention.

He was nervous for Elena, especially after seeing how hard she'd worked on this audition. She'd refused to perform anything for him, but he'd heard the murmured monologue for the past week and a half for hours a day. He desperately wanted her to do well and he was incredibly worried that she wouldn't deliver. Katherine had hinted earlier that the role was a stretch and she wasn't really expecting Elena to get it. He really hoped Elena could prove her wrong.

The director finally entered, offering a smile and a handshake to each member of the trio before taking a seat. Katherine and Damon's chairs were on the far back wall and Elena stood in the middle, directly in front of the guy who held her future in his hands.

"You may begin whenever you're ready."

Damon watched as Elena took a deep breath, noticing the slight shake in her knees as she settled into position. He wished he'd given her a better pep talk than the rushed "Good luck" he'd thrown out at her a few minutes earlier, but it was too late now. It was all up to Elena.

Three minutes later, Damon was slack jawed, unable to take his eyes off of the woman he called his roommate. The director was beaming in his chair as Elena lowered her breathing back to a normal level from the intense emotional speech.

"Would you mind running some dialogue with me?" He asked, picking through his folder to hand her some slides.

Damon still felt dazed from the experience as he felt a sharp tug on his hand forcing him to stand. "We'll be right back, James," Katherine exclaimed. "You and Elena can finish up without us." Damon followed her as she nearly dragged him out of the room and into the hallway, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Holy shit," Damon mumbled. It definitely wasn't the most articulate thing he'd ever said, but it was all he could get out.

"'Holy shit' is right, Damon." Katherine was pacing in a fashion similar to Elena's. "Oh my god. Why didn't you tell me?!"

Damon shook his head, still slightly numb. "Tell you what?"

Katherine stopped. "That she's fucking good."

Damon let out a heavy exhale, running his hands over his face and leaning against the wall. "I didn't know. I had no clue."

Good was an understatement, at least in Damon's eyes. Elena had delivered the passionate monologue with every ounce of her being and had blown it out of the park. He felt like some douchey theatre critic, but Damon had felt every inch of the character's pain as Elena had screamed, pleaded and sobbed her way through the ardent speech. And that was just in the audition.

"Where the fuck did she learn that?" Damon mumbled.

"I don't know, but this is huge, Damon." Katherine's eyes glowed with the possibilities.

Damon nodded, turning to face her. "What does this change?" He asked quietly

"Everything. This changes everything."

"Hiding from me?"

Elena's head turned, smiling as she caught Damon's gaze. She was seated on the cement floor of the balcony. Her legs were stuck through the decorative iron bars, her bare feet dangling over the other apartments.

Although Damon knew better, he was happy she at least seemed carefree. She wore a baggy t-shirt and denim shorts, enjoying the last bits of sun before they faded into the night. Her forehead wasn't wrinkled with worry and her fingers weren't tapping in impatience. Regardless of where her mind actually was, she looked at ease.

"How was work?"

Damon sighed, sitting down with his back against the side wall. His legs were too wide to fit through the bars, so he settled for stretching his legs out perpendicular to hers, his feet landing a few inches away from her hips. He raised the just-opened champagne bottle in response, disregarding the fact that his designer button down and pants were going to get dirty from the grit. "I won my first case."

Elena's eyes lit up, giggling in delight. "Damon, that's incredible! Congratulations."

Damon smiled, taking his first gulp of the sparkling beverage he'd picked up on the way home. He'd heard that word all day long and, besides Alaric, it was the first time it had been sincere. "Wasn't that big of a deal, but thanks."

Elena smirked. "Damon, you won your first case. It's a huge deal." She paused, running her fingers along the ironwork. "I'm assuming you can't tell me what it was about."

Damon grinned. "Not a chance."

His gaze followed Elena's out toward their view of the city. "You can say whatever you want about my father," he sighed. "But he can pick a great apartment."

Elena nodded in reply. Damon watched for a moment, seeing some of the stress of the week fall over her features again. "Hey," he murmured. "You want some?"

Elena eyed the offered bottle warily. She bit her lip. "You know I've never had a drink before."

Damon smiled. "This is some damn good champagne. You should be honored to have this be your first drink."

Elena laughed, taking a few moments to decide before she grabbed for it. Their fingers slid along each other's as they exchanged the glass container. Elena regarded the label and then cautiously took her first sip.

"What do you think?"

Elena swallowed it down, nodding. "It's… different." Damon smirked.

Elena continued. "My first drink, your first winning case… We're just a bundle of surprises today."

Damon chuckled, taking the bottle back from her after she took a second taste. He nodded, having his own swallow before placing it on the ground next to him. "Speaking of surprises…" Elena's head turned to meet his gaze. "Why didn't you tell me you were so damn good?"

Elena's forehead crinkled. "What do you mean?"

"The audition." It had been almost a week since she'd tried out and although Damon had heaped enough praise on her to last a lifetime the whole car ride home, he was still mystified by what he'd seen.

Elena blushed. "We don't know if I'm good yet, Damon. We haven't even heard back."

That was true. Katherine had mentioned that they would know whether she'd gotten the part at some point that week, but Elena seemed to be the only one convinced she hadn't. "Come on, Elena. Seriously. Why didn't you tell me you were that talented?"

Elena stared out at the rapidly setting sun for a few moments before responding. "Here's a better question." She leaned over for the bottle and Damon handed it to her. "Why did you follow me out here if there was a chance I might suck?"

Damon blew out an exhale. "Well, to be honest, you caught me at a pretty weak moment, Elena. I was pretty willing to do anything to get out of that town."

He noticed something flicker in Elena's eyes as she took another drink. Clearly, he hadn't given her the answer she wanted.

He was reminded of something she'd said a few weeks back at their initial meeting with Katherine, something that had been bothering him ever since the words fell out of her mouth. When Katherine had asked if there was any potential they would become romantically involved and both had denied it, Elena had elaborated.

"Damon just… puts up with me."

Damon licked his lips, planning to ask her about what she'd meant, when she cut him off.

"Damon, do you like me?"

Elena must have noticed his eyes widen and she went to correct herself. "I don't mean romantically or anything. Just…" she sighed, placing the bottle down next to her and swinging her legs lightly back and forth. "I feel like sometimes you just deal with me because you think you have to."

"Elena-"

"No, seriously. I don't get it. One day, we're friends. The next, you treat me like your annoying little sister. But then, the day after that, you're standing in front of me naked only to basically ignore me two hours later. And if you really don't like me, that's fine, whatever, but… then why are you still here? Why are you still in my life? I don't want to be this… burden to you. You don't owe me anything. I can get my own place, live on my own. I have no desire to force my friendship on you-"

"You think I don't like you?"

Elena stopped, her intense gaze fully focused on him. "Sometimes, yeah."

Damon sighed. "God, I feel like such a dick."

"Crap, Damon. I didn't mean to-"

"Don't apologize to me, Elena. I don't deserve it."

Elena silenced herself in response as Damon prepared himself for what he needed to say. He took another swallow of the champagne, knowing that the dull buzz wouldn't do much for his courage. He focused his stare out onto the darkening sky, knowing he wouldn't be able to look directly at her as he spoke.

"You're… you're difficult for me. In the beginning, you were the kid I tutored. I mean we were friends, but it was different. I had a different role. I know you probably didn't see it that way at the time, but… I was the adult, the grown-up. I was supposed to help you… be a role model and not your peer." Damon scoffed. "Of course, I kind of destroyed all that with that kiss."

Damon hazarded a glance at Elena, but she wasn't looking at him. She, too, was focusing her gaze on the horizon, a small smile lighting up her face at the reminder of that night.

"When we first moved out here, I tried to go back to what we'd started out as. I was here to take care of you, protect you. To put it indelicately, I needed a hobby after everything that had happened. But, of course, you wouldn't let me. You had to prove to me that we were equals… that you could take care of yourself. You wanted to be friends and you wanted us to be close. And I hated that. Part of me still does. I mean the only other woman that's ever filled that role was-"

"Rose." Damon's gaze met Elena's as she finished his thought. "You didn't want to care about someone like you cared about Rose."

Damon sighed. "It wasn't just that. I couldn't separate you two… or at least I was afraid I wouldn't be able to. I loved Rose and I didn't know if I could just be a friend to someone who took such a similar place in my life. I couldn't treat you like Rose and not see you that way. And I didn't want to. Not because I find you repulsive or anything like that, but we agreed. We were going to be friends and so I decided I had to keep you in that original place: the kid in the library.

"But it's too hard, Elena. I can't… you're not a kid. You're a woman and you do know how to take care of yourself. When I see you in those auditions and those meetings… you're confident and you're capable. You're not the same girl I met nine months ago who was having a breakdown over a damn math problem.

"I've spent all this time being conflicted over how to treat you, trying to determine what was best for me and… all I did was hurt you. Make you think that I hated you or something… I'm sorry, Elena. I wish I hadn't made you feel that way… like you were some burden I wanted to get rid of. You don't deserve that. And I… I want to try to be friends with you, actually try without the weird, protective guardian side of me. That's, of course, if you'll allow me to."

Elena smiled, kicking her legs back and forth. The sun was now completely set and the sensor on the balcony had turned the outdoor light on. "Damon, you don't have to ask my permission to be friends with me. But… thank you."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the distant hum of the city rumbling beneath them, each absorbing Damon's words.

A car alarm from a nearby parking lot finally broke the calm, shaking Damon and Elena out of their contemplation. Damon sighed, a smirk gracing his mouth. "You know you're going to get the part-"

"Shut up, Damon."

56 W. Rosemary St

Damon sighed in relief at the text. He'd been searching for Elena for hours and she'd refused to respond to any of his calls or messages. Alaric hadn't heard from her and Katherine was MIA as well. When he'd come home from work to an empty apartment, Elena's car still in its space, he'd feared the worst. The only message that had gotten him a response was his threat to call the police if he didn't hear back from her within the next five minutes.

He knew the street was only a few blocks away from the apartment so Damon decided he could walk. He began to worry over what he might find. He assumed she was safe, but he had no recollection of what was at the address.

And once he got there, he realized he would never have been able to guess.

The large church was far more immaculate than the one he'd attended back at home. He and Elena had yet to go to a service since they'd arrived in town, regardless of its proximity to their building. But, apparently, Elena had decided to visit without him.

He opened the large wooden doors, stepping into the ornately decorated sanctuary. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an elderly woman praying in a back row, but his gaze was totally focused on the brunette seated in the very front.

When he reached the row Elena was in, he swore under his breath noticing the tear tracks streaming down her face. Her head was slightly lowered as she stared at the hands resting in her lap. Damon sighed, moving to sit directly next to her.

He now realized what today must have been: decision day.

"Elena, it's going to be fine," he whispered, placing his hand firmly on her upper back, rubbing it in small circular motions. "Katherine probably has six other auditions lined up for you already. After what you showed her, she's gonna have directors begging to work with you."

Elena's shoulders began to shake subtly under his touch. "The guy is a dick who doesn't know what he's missing out on, okay? He's clearly an idiot. You are so ridiculously talented… it will make people sick some day. And, later on, he'll be wishing he hadn't said no to you."

Elena bringing her head up to face him finally cut off his rambling, comforting words. A breathtaking and totally unexpected smile adorned her features. Somehow, along with the mascara stains underneath her eyes and the blotchy red cheeks from her tears, she still looked beautiful. Especially as she said those next five words.

"Damon, I got the part."

Damon blinked, absorbing what he'd just heard. His eyes flickered over to the elderly woman in the back, still hunched over the pew.

He let out a deep breath. "Come on," he replied solemnly, grabbing Elena's hand and pulling her up and down the aisle.

Elena stumbled, dragging along behind him like dead weight. "Damon, what are you doing?" She hissed.

"I have to do something that I can't do inside of a church."

He felt Elena give a little at his words and she sped up behind him as they finally walked back out through the wooden doors and onto the darkened street. He stayed silent for a few seconds, rubbing his hands down his face.

Elena grew impatient behind him. "So what is it-"

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT, I AM SO GODDAMNED PROUD OF YOU!"

Elena's jaw dropped, unable to conceal a huge smile and loud, pealing laughter as Damon yanked her into a strong hug. She wrapped her own arms around him tightly, smiling into his chest.

After a few moments, she pulled back and Damon pushed a strand of her mussed hair behind her ear, his head shaking back and forth in wonder.

"God damn, girl. You are something else. You know that, right?"

Elena flushed, a mischievous smirk crossing her features. "You know… technically we're still on church property."

"Oh my god, Elena. Shut the fuck up."