Author's Note:

Hello!

As always I would like to thank you for your reviews, favs and follows and my amazing beta shoppe69 for her help.

At the moment I'm writing the last chapter of blood-slave and my heart feels a little heavy. I don't want to say goodbye to this story yet :(

Anyway, you'll have some more chapters to read and I hope you'll like number 13! Please let me know :)

xoxo Giuna

Chapter 13

Damon gasped against her delicate neck when he felt his hunger overcoming him. He had tried to block it out during the last couple of minutes, but admittedly he hadn't been very successful. He couldn't just shut out the alluring whispers of her blood ringing in his ears. Almost losing his self control he placed open-mouthed kisses all over her throat. Had he freaked out like this because he was hungry? he asked himself, but dropped the thought when Elena moaned excitedly and moved her head to one side to grant him better access to her pulse point.

The almost painful urge to get bitten had started to grow deep down in her belly during their fight, but now that it almost consumed her completely she wasn't able to ignore it any longer.

"Mhmm, Elena, I need you," he panted, already sucking on her sensitive skin.

"C'mon, Damon, please!" she begged helplessly and clawed her fingernails into his back.

"Ah…," he groaned, opening his mouth while his fangs elongated and let his jaw close around Elena's neck. Like an explosion of flavors, her sweet, thick blood hit his tongue, leading him to swallow greedily and to tighten his arms around Elena's body. With all the intense emotions still inside him, he sucked as roughly as never before and even missed the moment to stop.

"Damon?" Elena half moaned, half whimpered when she felt that he had taken all she had for him. She knew he had to stop, but why didn't she want him to? Every sip he took from her satisfied her deeply and aroused her more and more, even though he was so fierce with her that it was almost painful.

"Damon, you can't take much more…," she whispered faintly after a few moments, "Sleep with me instead," she demanded, guessing that he couldn't stop due to his problem to deal with his emotions.

Those words finally pulled him out of his frenzy and he immediately stopped the bleeding. "Jesus, Elena, what did I do? I'm so sorry… I… I just couldn't stop!" How could this happen? Fuck! Was he insane?

"Shsh, don't," she hushed him, interrupting his apology with a searing kiss. "I understand…," she breathed between kisses.

"But-,"

"No!" she cut him off again. Right now she didn't want to hear anything. "Just make love to me, please," she pleaded, desperately in need to be reassured of his love in every thinkable way. She stared up into his icy-blue eyes showing him exactly what she felt. He saw vulnerability and uncertainty and didn't hesitate one more second. Taking her graceful neck between his hands, he pulled her closer and crashed his lips on hers all over again.

Kissing her nearly senseless, Damon moaned with pleasure while his hands were all over her body, messaging, kneading and caressing every inch he could reach.

Elena responded to his every touch and roamed his body with her hands as well, thrusting her center against his rock-hard erection demandingly.

"As you wish, babe," he grinned against her mouth and pulled the hem of her denim skirt over her hips, tucked her panties aside and without warning, he entered her with his forefinger.

"Fuck, Damon!" The curse slipped her mouth unintentionally, but it mirrored her state of mind perfectly. Damon's eyes narrowed at her dirty talking, learning that it turned him on like hell. While he pumped his finger into her warm, soaked slit, he opened his pants, shoved them down together with his boxer-briefs and kicked them off his ankles.

"Come here!" he told her impatiently while he lifted her up on his hips; her legs crossing behind his back automatically.

Gazing at each other, a flood of emotions flickered over their faces. There was anger, devotion, desperation, passion, solidarity and even fear, but it all resulted in love. It might not be an easy love but it was a strong one. With this realization, Damon lowered Elena further down, positioned her against himself and pushed inside her. Filling her to the hilt, his eyes never left hers. Elena lost her mind the second he stretched her, taking his almost forcefully thrusts as some kind of salvation from the memories which still had so much power over her. She knew this was his way to show her that she belonged to him.

"I love you," they whispered simultaneously, trying to be as quite as possible since they weren't at home.

Getting closer to her release, Elena buried her face at his neck and held on to his shoulders as tightly as she could. When Damon's thrusts caused the tingle inside her getting sweeter and sweeter, she bit down into his neck without restraint, desperate to muffle her moans.

"Ah…," Damon groaned in a mixture of lust and pain, feeling Elena's walls clamping down on his cock. He couldn't keep himself from coming anymore and with the next thrust he sent them into oblivion.

Heavily breathing, they rested their heads against each other's shoulders, coming down together. Damon embraced Elena gently now, caressing her back and butt with his palms while she tickled the back of his neck. Remaining like this for a couple of minutes, they know that everything was alright again.

"You okay?" Alaric asked when Damon and Elena returned the living room.

"Sure!" Damon pointed out, smiling at Elena who had accomplished to rebuild her outer appearance perfectly. Only her blushed cheeks could have given away their previous make out session.

"I'm glad to hear that. From time to time I thought you would eat her alive…," Alaric grinned and his eyes left Damon's face to wander over Elena's figure, as if he wanted to check if she still had all her body parts.

"Safe and sound!" Elena tried to return his grin, but couldn't help to blush even more. Oh God, did he know?

"I see… Okay then, Jenna is ready with the dessert, please, sit down." Alaric waved his hand towards the table and without another word they sat down, watching Alaric heading to the kitchen.

"Does he know?" Elena questioned quietly, glancing over to the kitchen to make sure neither Alaric nor Jenna would listen.

"I don't think so. I'm pretty sure he thinks that the sounds were all part of me feeding on you. Unfortunately, you've behaved exemplarily modest. I definitely prefer you a little louder," he smirked mischievously at her.

"Hello?! We aren't at home! Besides…, I bit you," she told him pleased with herself.

"That you did!" Damon confirmed, touching the spot on his neck where her teeth had hit him. "I liked it, though," he admitted in a husky voice, causing Elena to look down instantly, hiding her self-satisfied smile.

"Ta-dah! My officially self-made tiramisu!" Jenna blurted out proudly while she crossed the short distance between the kitchen and the table.

"Wow!" Damon commented euphorically and winked at Elena, before his eyes examined the bowl with the deliciously smelling Italian delicacy.

"It's your receipt, so don't complain!" she warned him strictly, but giggled at the same time.

The quartet tucked into the sweet cake and cream mixture and chatted amicably. The bad mood from earlier was forgotten and Elena loosened up more and more while the evening proceeded. After some more champagne and bourbon the four laughed heartily and just stopped to inhale from time to time.

It felt great to be hilarious like this and Elena couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun with friends. Thinking of it, a memory of a younger version of herself flickered through her mind, showing her dancing together with her friends, right after graduation. She had been so excited about her future and she had expected wonderful things. This was the last time she had been carefree. With her parents still alive and with Mason nowhere to be seen.

While Damon and Alaric still laughed like crazy, they moved to the couch for more drinking and hearing some music. Jenna remained at the table, noticing that Elena seemed withdrawn again.

"Elena? Would you help me clean up the mess?" she requested in a soft voice and pointed at the table.

"Huh? Oh… yes of course!" Elena answered slightly confused, being forcefully pulled out of her thoughts. Together, the two women collected the dirty dishes and headed for the kitchen. They washed the dishes in companionable silence, but at some point Jenna couldn't hold back any longer.

"I'm sorry, but I have to ask you this… is everything okay with you? Please don't get me wrong, you're a very nice person and you've somehow managed that Damon is able to show his good side too. But…, I can't escape the feeling that something is… eating you," Jenna stated, observing Elena thoroughly.

"Wow, you're really good at your subject," Elena breathed while she smirked at Jenna ironically, feeling suddenly sober again.

"They say so. Do you wanna talk about it?" Jenna asked kindly, curiously waiting for Elena's response.

"Honestly, I know it's the right thing to do. I'm just afraid of the outcome. I mean, you're Alaric's girlfriend and probably we're going to see each other regularly in the future. So…, I don't know… I don't want you to think about me as a case all the time."

"You have figured it all out, haven't you?" Jenna smiled and stroked Elena's arm friendly. "If you're not ready to talk about it, you don't have to. I just needed to offer."

"Thank you and I am ready, believe me…," Elena whispered faintly, feeling fear and desperation creeping into her heart.

"So what's stopping you?" Jenna's voice was instantly full of concern when she saw the way in which Elena's facial expression shifted.

"What's stopping me is that I know the second I'll talk about it, all the blocked out memories are going to come back," Elena revealed and took a seat on one of the barstools which were positioned around the huge cooking island.

"That sounds serious," Jenna said and sat down next to Elena, looking at her encouragingly.

"It is."

Jenna reached for a bottle of water and poured Elena a glass who grabbed it right away and sipped at it. Elena stared at Jenna for a couple of moments, nodded and took a deep breath.

"When I was 18, my parents died in a car accident. With no siblings or other relatives, I was all alone. Nonetheless, the funeral needed to be organized and I had to do it all by myself. Sometimes I felt numb inside. And sometimes I felt as if I lost the ground under my feet. I was falling deeper and deeper, completely overwhelmed with fear and grief." Elena sighed heavily but continued.

"During the organization of the funeral I met a guy. His name was Mason. He offered me his help and supported me in many ways for which I was really thankful. After the funeral we kept in touch. He came over, and we talked and everything seemed to be fine. He was polite and kind, and I even started to fall for him. With the weeks passing by, his behavior started to change and he started showing his unfriendly side; he even isolated me from my friends. I was angry with him and told him that I didn't understand what's gotten into him. Instead of answering me, though, he slapped my face. I guess he didn't like the way I raised my voice. Right after that I wanted him to leave, but he wouldn't and we started to fight… just not only verbal. Within seconds he had me pinned to the ground. I was almost unconscious from his kicks and he… he ripped my clothes of and… well…," she stopped at this point, exhaling sharply.

Jenna blinked a couple of times. She hadn't expected something so gruesome, but was able to keep calm anyway.

"Elena, that's horrible. I'm so sorry you have been through something like that."

Elena pressed her lips together into a thin line, not able to react to the sympathy.

"What happened then?" Jenna pushed and hoped that Elena would continue to talk. Elena tried to gather herself; searching for the right words, she wrapped her arms around herself. She had been aware of the torture she would have go through when she talked about it again, nonetheless she felt instantly overwhelmed.

"He held me captive in the basement of my house. He never told me his reason, but for me it felt like he simply enjoyed my helplessness. He forced me to sleep with him countless times. Sometimes he didn't allow me to wear any clothes at all. It was so… I can't even describe what it made me feel. Day by day, I hoped that somebody would search for me, would save me…, but it never happened. I have no idea how he managed to keep what he was doing from my friends. Maybe he made them believe that I ran away, I don't know for sure. I lived like this for two years until I could escape him.

And just 36 hours later I met Damon, and found myself in a similar situation than before. I couldn't believe it. It felt like fate slapped me in the face again. It took some time until I was able to trust Damon but now… it feels like the best thing that ever happened to me. I truly love him, although I had never expected to be able to love a man," she finished and was surprised at already feeling a little more light-hearted.

Jenna had listened carefully to every single word and the almost relieved expression on Elena's face didn't slip her attention either.

"You know what Elena? Although, I have no clue how you managed it, I think you have recovered from your past a lot more than you might believe. To trust a man like you trust Damon is normally the last step during the healing process. I don't know why you're able to trust already, maybe it has something to do with your special connection, but please believe me: With a little more work, you'll be able to completely move on," Jenna noted and smiled while she rubbed over Elena's arm.

"You really think so?"

"I might not be the most experienced shrink, but yes, Elena, I really think so," Jenna gave Elena the reassurance she needed so badly.

When relief washed through her, Elena finally felt her soul relaxing and she couldn't keep the tears from falling. She knew that she owed a huge part of her progress to Damon.

After this evening, Elena met Jenna once a week. Session for session Elena revealed more of her past, shared every detail and emotion and lifted more and more weight of off her shoulders. It wasn't easy, though, during the first couple of weeks she felt more depressed than ever before while she relived her past again. Particularly the days between the meetings tortured her when all the memories felt like reality again. But Damon was there for her. He comforted her when she couldn't stand it any longer, and gave her time and space when she needed to be alone. From time to time he would have loved to kill Jenna, especially when Elena came home already crying and completely distraught. Fortunately, he noticed that Elena's way to think about the time with Mason changed. She began to accept what had happened. And for that she had his full respect.

After two months, she started to eat properly again and after three months Damon noticed less and less often that she drifted away to the world of her painful memories.

As things turned out, the biggest problem for Elena was that she couldn't tell Mason what she needed him to know so badly. Though, dead or alive, Elena wouldn't have wanted to meet him one more time, she had even sworn to herself that she would never go back to her family's house. Therefore she decided to write a letter, so the hatred inside her would find a way out.

All by herself, she walked through the big city and headed to the banks of the East River, right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. Sitting there for a long time, she collected all the remaining dark thoughts which still poisoned her heart. Writing furiously, she cried until she finished the letter. Wiping the tears away, she knew that those were the last she would shed because of Mason.

…You've taken away from me what wasn't yours to take. You've shattered my mind, my body and my soul. You've hurt me in ways you'll never understand.

But I'm alive. I live and I love and I've accepted what you've done to me. From now on you won't affect me anymore. You've ruined my past, but you're not going to ruin my future. So, rest in peace or rot in hell, Mason, because I don't care…

Elena put the letter into an envelope and shoved it into her purse, stood up and headed to her destination. With the wind in her back and the setting sun in front of her, she walked across the giant bridge. Although there were many people around her, she felt all by herself. She listened to a calm song through the headphones of her iPod over and over again, until there was nothing but the melody which filled her whole body, carrying her further. When she arrived at the middle of the bridge, she looked at the river while the sunlight sparkled like fire on its rough surface. She drank in the beauty of the New Yorker skyline, which reflected the sun as well, bathing the huge buildings in a glowing orange.

Attentively, Elena pulled out the envelope and reached her hand out over the railing. Glancing at the letter one more time, she loosened her grip around it and together with the next gust of wind the letter flew away. Elena stepped closer to the railing while her eyes never left the white paper, fluttering, almost dancing, through the air until it came in contact with the water. In the very next second it was gone. Elena remained motionless, staring at the tiny spot where she had just buried her past. When she headed back, a slight smile was shown on her face.

She was finally free.

When Elena arrived at the Italian restaurant where she was supposed to meet Damon, Jenna and Alaric, the three were already waiting for her. When Damon saw her entering the restaurant, there was nothing to prevent him from running to meet her halfway.

"Hey, babe," he greeted her and hugged her heartily before he step away to examine her. "Are you okay? You've cried," he stated and caressed her cheek gently while his eyes swayed over her face, trying to read her.

Without saying one single word she rose to her toes and kissed him softly on the lips. "Everything is fine, Damon. Actually, everything is perfect. I feel like a whole new person," she enlightened him and smiled in a way he had never seen her smile before. The second he noticed, all his sorrow instantly flooded out of his heart and he wrapped his arms around her slender form.

"You can't imagine what it means to me hearing you say that. I'm so happy for you, Elena," he shared his relief with her and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you so much," she beamed at him and entwined her fingers with his. "You know, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish recovering without your support, right? And I will never forget this, Damon," she whispered the last words and looked him softly in the eye.

Smiling back at her, he thought about her words and he felt kind of proud of himself. What he had done since he met Elena, had been completely against his nature, but he had dealt with the new situation anyway. Looking back, he realized what huge changes his life and his own persona had gone through and he really appreciated it. He wasn't alone anymore, he had a wonderful woman at his side who wasn't just outstandingly beautiful, but also happened to be strong and smart and kind-hearted as well. Yes, it had been a hard time, but in the end it was totally worth it. Jesus Christ, the woman loved him! Mind, body and soul, and he loved her the same way. Damn it, he was a very lucky man!

"Hey, you two? Are you coming, or what?" Alaric barked through the restaurant, smiling all over his face. He was delighted for his buddy.

"Sure, we're coming!" Elena grinned and headed for the table, pulling Damon with her.

"Hi Jenna," she grinned at her friend and therapist, heartily embracing the woman who had helped her so much.

"Hey you, I'm glad to see you in such a good mood. I'm proud of you, Elena," she whispered into Elena's ear, so just she would hear her. Okay… and Damon.

"Thank you. For everything!" she breathed and hugged Jenna even tighter.

"And what about me? I want to be hugged as well!" Alaric pouted right after the manly greeting ritual between him and Damon.

"Ha, ha. Come here," Elena laughed and embraced Alaric too.

"It's good to see you."

"You, too."

"Who is just as hungry as me?" Damon blurted out, wiggling his eyebrows at Elena before he glanced at her with his sexy crooked smirk on his face.

"Damon!" she admonished him with wide eyes and blushed deep pink, but started to snort with laughter only one second later.

"Oh come on, please save us the nasty details of your sucking-sexcapades," Alaric rolled his eyes while Jenna giggled like crazy.

"Alaric!" Elena pressed through clenched teeth and shook her head, "Let's just order, please?"

After the order arrived, they enjoyed their pizzas. While they ate, drank and chit chatted, Damon's phone started vibrating in his pants. Fumbling hastily, he asked himself who that could be because the people who normally called were sitting right in front of him.

Staring down at the display, he frowned when he saw his brother's name.

"It's Stefan!" he wondered, but didn't hesitate to answer the call.

"Hey, brother?"

"Damon, hi. How are you?" Stefan greeted his elder brother with an excited voice.

"Perfectly fine! What about you?" he interrogated skeptically.

"Everything is great at home," Stefan assured, without noticing the concern in his brother's voice.

"Then why are you calling?" Damon wanted to know, not figuring his brother out.

"Because I wanted to hear your voice?!" Stefan chuckled at Damon's reaction.

"Not funny, baby bro. Spill it!" he commanded and rolled his eyes.

"Actually, we wanted to invite you and Elena to visit us." Stefan gave up the attempt to small talk.

"Oh! That's a surprise," Damon said confused and looked over to Elena.

"A good one, I hope?" Stefan asked with uncertainty vibrating in every syllable.

"Well, err, yes. I think so… I'm sorry; I just didn't expect the question. You've got a special date in mind?" Damon requested, but thinking about it, he knew the answer all by himself. "It's your birthday, right?" Damon demanded and grinned. His brother would never change.

"You've got it! So what do you say? I would be really happy if you could make it and of course I want to get to know Elena, too!"

"Sounds good. You know what? I'm going to ask Elena and then I'll call back. Okay?"

"Great! Call me soon!"

"Will do!" Damon replied and hung up.

"What are you going to ask me?" Elena demanded curiously, excitedly watching Damon.

"Stefan invited us to his birthday party two weeks from today," Damon informed her.

"You mean he wants us to visit him in your hometown? That's great! I would love to meet him and to see where you've grown up," she rejoiced at the news.

"Okay, than we'll do it," he decided, but didn't seem to be too happy about it.

"What is it?" Elena questioned confused.

"Nothing important. It's just that it's been a while since I've been there and… I don't know… normally it turns out to be a mistake to show up there. But I won't be alone this time, right? So, I'm pretty sure it's not going to be as bad as usual," he pressed and forced a smile upon his face.