Author's Note:

Hi my dear readers,

the end's not near it's here! This is the last chapter of blood-slave and I really hope that it will come up to expectations.

Thank you so much for reading this story. I had a damn good time with all of you! Thank you for all of your reviews, favs, follows and pms!

Shoppe69, thank you so much for your time and help! I appreciate it so much! Thank you!

Enjoy!

xoxo Giuna

Chapter 22

"Did it work? Did it work?" Caroline blurted out the second she unlocked the door to the motel room for Damon, Elena and Stefan.

"Yes! It worked," Stefan confirmed his facial expression still confused.

"Don't make such a face, Stefan! It was the only way!" Caroline argued and smiled at Elena and Damon, "I'm so happy for you! After all you two have been through, you definitely deserve some peace!"

"Thanks, Caroline!" Damon said approvingly, pointing at her to show his brother how to react appropriate to the lucky circumstance that the spell indeed worked, and started grinning the second he realized that he obviously wasn't used to it either.

Caroline smirked at Damon when he passed her to enter the room. "What about you, Elena? Do you feel better?"

"I do. Thank you. I just hope that Damon's plan concerning Klaus is going to work out too. I guess I'm not going to feel relieved until Klaus is locked away," Elena admitted exhaustedly. Right after the spell she had felt better, but the second they got in the car she remembered that the dangerous part still was ahead of them. Damon was so sure that he would be successful, but she had a bad feeling about it.

"You know that Damon doesn't have to dagger Klaus, right? I know he's doing that for us, but I'm sure Stefan and I will find a way to keep ourselves safe!" Caroline assured Elena, caressing her shoulders.

Elena took a deep breath, "It doesn't feel right to Damon to leave you to deal with Klaus all by yourselves. There is no way to talk him out of his plan!" Elena stated, exactly knowing how Damon thought about this issue.

"That's true," Damon barged in from across the room, "You helped us and I'm going to help you. It's going to work! Don't worry!"

Stefan sighed, "You're saying that as if it'll be easy to dagger Klaus. You're underestimating him! Besides, I'm with Caroline on that! I don't want you to do it!"

"I'm not going to discuss this all over again! I do not underestimate Klaus and I would never try this if I would think for one second that Elena would be in danger that way. I'm invisible; there is no easier way to dagger him! I've made my decision and I'll stick to it, so please stop with this shit!" Damon called out with anger in his voice. "You should pack your stuff. I want to leave MysticFalls; the last thing we need right now is that somebody finds out about our connection to Bonnie Bennett!"

"Fine!" Caroline pouted and rolled her eyes before she looked at Elena compassionately.

Elena closed her eyes with a huff and turned around to cross the floor to their room. She knew that Damon was upset, but she also knew that he was hungry. It was always the same with him. Being hungry and upset at the same time made it very difficult for him to keep his temper in check.

Following close behind her, Elena could feel Damon's heavy breathing straight against her neck.

"Okay, stop it!" she barked at him when she turned around just after they had entered the room. She dangerously flashed her eyes at him; their faces only inches apart.

"Stop what?" he challenged and craned his neck, narrowing the tiny distance between them even further.

"To act like a jerk!" Elena told him rudely, holding his gaze with a dead serious expression.

"A jerk? Seriously, Elena?" Damon asked, but his question sounded more like a threat.

"Yes! A jerk! You know what? I get that you want to protect your brother and Caroline, and I appreciate that, but why can't you see that they just want to keep you safe too? There is no need to behave so tactless!" she admonished him with her arms akimbo.

"Huh," Damon scoffed and took in Elena's self-confident appearance. He had always known that she's got fire and he definitely liked what he saw. Combined with his hunger he was sure she could feel too, she was playing a risky game. Lucky that he knew how to play games too.

"You know what I think?" he breathed huskily, winding a strand of her smooth hair around his finger which caused her eyes to widen.

"No, what?" she questioned faintly, suddenly intimidated by his behavior.

"I think you should watch your mouth, babe!" Damon told her in a longing voice with his eyes lingering on her full lips. He couldn't resist and reached out his forefinger, brushing it over her lips and pulling her plump bottom lip down into a pout. Completely puzzled, Elena's eyes darted between his hand and his eyes, their argument totally forgotten. When they finally locked eyes, Elena's heart picked up its beat and Damon's breathing became erratic. Only after one second of silence Damon's urges took over and he hectically grabbed Elena's waist, pushing her backwards until they reached the bed. In vampire speed he whirled them around and sat down onto the bed, pulling Elena with him. When she crashed against him, he looped her legs around his waist. Digging his fingers deep into her skin, he moved his hands from her ass to her upper legs.

"I need you so badly, Elena! Damon whispered when he shoved his hands over her back, rolling her shirt up, leaving her skin bare.

"You don't say," Elena breathed taken by surprise, but already feeling the all too familiar tingle between her thighs.

Damon smirked at her before he pressed his face into her cleavage, placing hungry open-mouthed kisses all over the soft skin of her breasts. Appreciatively Elena's head fell back, granting Damon's mouth better access to her sensitive spots. His arms steadied her around her waist and were caressed by her long smooth hair.

Her skin tasted heavenly and he knew that this was only a foretaste of what her blood would taste like. Suddenly nibbling on her skin wasn't enough anymore; he needed her naked and now!

Pulling back, he lifted her up, threw her on the bed without the slightest effort and hovered above her.

"Damon!" Elena complained half-heartedly, staring up into his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Damon panted while his dick already hurt inside his tight pants. He couldn't wait! Seeing her laying beneath him with her hair widespread around her head and the need for him written all over her face, he couldn't keep himself from reaching out and ripping her shirt and bra into shreds.

With her eyes even wider, Elena's mouth formed a silent what before Damon turned into a blur right in front of her eyes. Within one second they were naked, and before she was able to fully realize what was happening, Damon was already buried inside her.

She moaned in surprise and pleasure, spreading her legs further for him and digging her fingers deep into his back.

"Fuck, I can't resist you," Damon admitted breathlessly, thrusting into her tight and oh-so wet slit.

"Lucky me," Elena answered seductively and pulled Damon against her mouth, welcoming his smooth tongue with her own. They kissed passionately while Elena's hands framed his cheeks and Damon drove into her repeatedly.

"Bite me!" Elena ordered at the same time Damon let go of her lips to find her neck. Their need for each other was completely in sync. Smiling against her soft skin, he turned into his true nature in order to take what was his, and to satisfy what she was craving the most.

A couple of hours later, Damon, Elena, Stefan and Caroline sat in the Camaro again when Damon's cell phone began to ring. The four exchanged a skeptical look before Damon fished it out of his jeans pocket.

"It's just Ric," he grinned at the audience which promptly relaxed, sinking back into the seats.

"Hey, Ric!" Damon answered the call, clamping the phone between his ear and his shoulder.

"Damon, it's good to hear you, man. How did everything work out with the witch? Does the spell work?" he asked outright and sounded very concerned.

"Relax, Ric. It works! Actually, everything went to plan. I even got the dagger and the ash from Elijah!" Damon informed Alaric proudly and smirked, waiting for his recognition.

"Those are great news! Well done! Although I never would have guessed that he would give the ash to you without a fight!" Alaric mused.

"Well, he did. I'm sure he thought that I would never manage to dagger his brother. Under normal circumstances he would probably be right, but now that I'm invisible…, Klaus doesn't stand a chance of escaping!" Damon told him confidently.

"That should be the ultimate advantage," Alaric agreed. "Ouch!" he yelled suddenly and started whispering to somebody else.

"Who's with you?" Damon interrogated instantly, noticing that his friend was driving too.

"It's Jenna! She just punched my shoulder! She's angry because I haven't asked for Elena's wellbeing. So, how is she?" Alaric pressed.

"She is…," Damon started and looked at Elena who observed him curiously. "It's not easy, but I think it's a good start that the spell is working," Damon explained. He wasn't stupid; he knew that she wasn't okay. She was afraid of what might happen between him and Klaus, and she was concerned about the baby too. It wasn't necessary that she told him, he saw it in her whole demeanor. Even if it sounded weird, he was glad that she was willing to sleep with him. At least then she was able to forget about her sorrows.

"It's time that you come to a rest," Alaric pointed out, repeating what Jenna just had said.

"That's easier said than done," Damon responded and took a deep breath.

"Maybe the reason why I'm calling could help you in this matter," Alaric held out.

"Yeah? I'm all yours!"

"I've got your new ID's and we're on our way to MysticFalls!" Alaric smiled.

"Really? That's great! I'm sure Elena will be very happy to see Jenna! But listen, we're not in MysticFalls anymore. We almost reached Richmond and planned on staying there for the night," Damon told his friend and began to smile when he witnessed that Elena's face lit-up at the news.

"Sounds perfect. I think we'll be there within the next two hours," Alaric replied excitedly.

Damon sighed with relief, "I'm really looking forward to see the two of you!"

"My thoughts exactly!"

"I'll text you the address as soon as we found a place to stay," Damon told Alaric.

"Good! See you!" Alaric said.

"Laters!" Damon replied and hung up.

When the couples arrived at Richmond, it didn't take long until they found a motel which fortunately adjoined to a diner. After a short rest the four met at the diner, happily awaiting the arrival of Jenna and Alaric.

"You're grinning like a Cheshire cat!" Caroline laughed at Elena, swirling the drinking straw in her Coke.

"That's because I'm really happy to see Jenna again! I missed her," Elena explained and turned her head for what felt like the hundredth time to check if Jenna and Alaric were finally there. "She helped me to come to terms with my past and we became friends during this time," she added and turned to face Caroline again who nodded understandingly. Under the table, Damon rested his hand on her upper leg, caressing her softly.

"Did Alaric mention if he got our ID's as well?" Stefan changed the subject.

"I'm sure he has, don't worry. Have you two figured out where you want to hide until Klaus is daggered?" Damon interrogated and took a deep gulp of his beer.

Stefan and Caroline exchanged a meaningful look, "Actually we thought about Atlanta, but we're not sure if it's far away enough," Stefan answered, uncertainty written all over his face.

"We will never know if Klaus plans on following us until he finds us. Therefore I think we can't stay at one place for a long time…," Caroline mused and her usually happy facial expression darkened.

"I agree, that would probably be the wisest choice," Damon nodded and ran his hands through his hair before he hung his head. He hated what was ahead of Caroline and his brother. Now it was Elena who patted his upper leg under the table. If it wasn't so dangerous for Elena, himself and the baby, it would be him who hunted Klaus.

Damon lifted his head when Elena jumped from the red plastic banquette, and rounded the metallic table to storm into Jenna's arms.

"Jenna!" Elena called through the diner before she reached her friend.

"Elena!" Jenna beamed in return the second the two embraced each other.

"I can't believe you're really here!" Elena breathed with relief.

"I can't believe that you're really pregnant! I'm so happy for you!" Jenna whispered into her ear, hugging her even tighter.

"It's still kinda surreal," Elena admitted and pulled back to look at Jenna. Although Jenna was still smiling, Elena noticed in an instant that something was wrong.

"What's with the concerned look on your face? Everything okay?" she asked puzzled and turned to face Alaric who's expression was even worse.

"Hey, Elena," Alaric greeted and pulled his buddy's girl into a firm hug. "We come with bad news…," he started and it took only one second for Damon to join his friends.

"Hey Ric! Jenna. What is it?" Damon questioned straightforwardly while he hugged them briefly.

"We saw Klaus! Round about 10 minutes ago, he entered a motel which isn't even a mile away!" Alaric filled them in.

While Elena covered her mouth with her hands, being completely shocked at the news, Damon seemed excited about it.

"Was he alone?" he wanted to know immediately and narrowed his eyes.

"As far as we can tell he was alone," Alaric responded, searching Jenna's face for reassurance.

"I didn't see anyone else either!" she confirmed.

"Then this is good news! That's the chance for me to dagger him. Maybe he hasn't found Greta yet. It's now or never!" Damon blurted out almost enthusiastically, missing that Elena closed her eyes with desperation.

"You shouldn't jump the gun on it, Damon…," Jenna started, but was interrupted by Stefan. "I'm right there with you, Jenna! I have never been a fan of your plan as you know!"

"It's too dangerous! Think about Elena and the baby. We'll manage!" Caroline stepped in line.

"Stop it! I told you my reasons, and as you obviously forget I'm doing it for my daughter too! I want a family for her! A real family with uncles and aunts in it, so please… just let me do it!" Damon yelled, glad that the diner was almost empty. The only two visitors sat at the bar and seemed pretty drunk.

"Damon is right…," Elena broke the awkward silence, "Our daughter will have a lot to deal with and she'll need all of you! Damon will be extra careful and when it turns out that he, for whatever reason, can't dagger Klaus, he'll let it be," she said firmly while she stared at Damon all the time, making sure that he perfectly understood her conditions. They exchanged a soft but knowing smile before Damon pulled her closer and kissed her forehead, trying to show her that he was very thankful for her words. He knew that she above all the others understood why he had to try it, although she would be the victim if he failed. But failing wasn't an option for him! It was like Elena said; he would never bring her and their daughter in danger which automatically meant that he would take damn good care of himself.

"So you really what to try it right now?" Alaric interrogated quite incredulously.

"Sure, what should I wait for? This is the chance!" Damon confirmed with his pupils enlarged.

Jenna rubbed her palms over her face and shook her head in disapproval, "I don't think that you should…," she tried again, well knowing that Elena might be calm outwardly but not inwardly, but Damon just raised his hand to stop her from continuing.

"Don't! Just be there for Elena while I'm gone, okay?" he begged and looked at the people who he considered his family.

"Of course!" Caroline told him and took Elena's hand tightly into her own, pulling her between Jenna and herself.

"Thank you!"

"I'm coming with you!" Alaric stated unexpectedly, drawing himself up to his full height.

"What? NO?" Jenna argued immediately, glaring at him. "Are you crazy?"

"No, I'm…," Alaric began, but Damon cut him off too.

"She is right, Ric. You can't come with me. Think about it! Klaus can see you that would screw up my advantage of being invisible to him. I'll go alone!" Damon made his point and gave Elena his undivided attention. As if they were alone, Damon pulled her back into his arms, holding her against his chest as close as possible.

"I love you, Elena," he whispered against her temple, not seeing the way Elena squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to let him go and it ripped her heart apart.

"I love you too!" Elena breathed, fighting for not breaking down in his arms.

All that was left was the hope that when he returned they would be able to live in peace. Tilting her head back, she didn't hesitate to brush a kiss onto his lips, fully aware that this could be their last. Almost desperately, they captured their lips in sync until Damon pulled away softly. He couldn't allow his thoughts to go to the dark places of fear which were safely locked away deep in his mind. He needed to focus at the task in hand.

"I'll be back," he told her firmly and stepped away from her, holding her hand until their fingertips slipped out off each other's hands.

The last thing he saw was Elena's faint nod and the sorrowful faces of the people he loved.

Within seconds he climbed into his car and headed through the night. He knew exactly which motel Alaric had meant, because they too had considered checking in there. The reason why they hadn't was that Caroline and Elena had insisted on eating some fast-food for smoothing down the nerves. He scoffed and slightly shook his head. It seemed that for once fortune had been with them. If they had checked in to the other motel, Klaus would have run into Caroline and Stefan, and only God knows what would have happened then.

As if to reassure himself, Damon touched the outside of his leather Jacket, tracing the outline of the dagger and the vial of the ash he kept in there. He hated that he couldn't plan his task any further, and had to jump in at the deep end. He could just hope that he would find Klaus before stuff members or other guests would become suspicious about his presence.

Two streets away from his destination, Damon stopped the car and killed the engine. Taking a deep breath, he opened his jacket to one side and grabbed the needed utensils. Unceremoniously, he dipped the sharp end of the dagger into the vial and powdered it with the remnants of the ancient tree. That should do, he thought before he put the dagger back to the inside pocket of his leather jacket. Highly concentrated and in full-fledged predator mood, he got out of the car, precisely scanning his surroundings. Although no one was to be seen, Damon decided to pass through the shadows to reach the nearby motel.

Coming closer, he saw the quivering lights of the motel sign, and noticed that the parking lot was almost empty. He sighed with relief, maybe this would work out even simpler than he had imagined. Creeping up the stairs, he turned his head to check if anybody was observing him, but he was all alone in the cold night. When he opened the entrance door a scent of cigarettes and alcohol hit his nose, while his sight was restricted by a veil of smoke. Unnerved he rolled his eyes, so much for simple!

Wagging his hand against the impalpable barrier ahead of him, he entered the motel and passed the reception unnoticed because it wasn't occupied. Damon scoffed, most likely because no one with his right mind would ever enter this musty hollow voluntarily.

His view roamed the place while he was pondering on where to start looking for Klaus. When his eyes fell on the words bar he cocked his head to the side; a devious smirk on his face. Almost casually he strolled to the door under the sign, pushed it open and stepped inside. The dimly lit room was pretty small. There were only two round tables and some chairs along the old looking bar. One table was empty and at the other one four men were playing cards. They were so busy with drinking, smoking and playing that they didn't even look up when Damon entered the bar.

A little disappointed Damon realized that Klaus wasn't there. Considering his options where to look for Klaus next, he walked over to the bar and sat on the chair next to the wall. Obviously this place was going for self-service because the bartender was missing too. Rolling his eyes again, Damon reached out, grabbed a bottle of what looked like something drinkable and poured himself a shot. He downed the booze and grimaced, ugh that was disgusting, and what was worse: it didn't do anything to help him getting an idea. He couldn't just search the rooms that would have drawn to much attention. Besides, Klaus would be warned when his door opened and closed even though he couldn't see anybody.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! He cursed inwardly and tousled his hair in frustration.

Just when he turned around to jump off the stool, the bar's door swung open. Damon's eyes widen the second Klaus came in sight. He remained perfectly still, observing every move of the original vampire. Klaus looked pretty pissed, yet in control as he crossed the bar to sit down at the free table. Crossing his legs, his gaze wandered around, probably searching for the bartender. His eyes also fell on the free seats at the bar, and Damon noticed with satisfaction that Klaus was entirely oblivious to his presence. Although a wave of relief washed over his body, Damon didn't dare to make any uncontrolled movements which could have betrayed him.

After a couple of minutes, Klaus angrily jumped to his feet and came up to Damon who instantly kept his breath. What the hell?

Intuitively Damon pressed himself as close as possible against the wall next to him, and watched Klaus' hand reaching out with shocked eyes. Was he going to grab him? Could he see him after all? Damon's instincts ran wild, torn between defending himself and keeping up his cover. Protectively, he had already raised his hand, and was about to strike when he saw that Klaus grasped the bottle which stood only inches next to him on the bar. With the bottle in hand, the original headed back to his place. Still holding his breath, Damon closed his eyes to calm down and flexed his jaw muscles. That was fucking close!

As quite as he could he released his breath while he stared at Klaus who took his first gulp of the disgusting liquid straight from the bottle. According to his grimace, Klaus was used to better booze as well.

Fully recovered from the previous shock, Damon's eyes darted between Klaus and the men on the other table. Surely he needed to wait for them to leave before he could dagger the original, and it cost him a lot to suppress the urge to drum with his fingers on the wooden surface in front of him; impatience almost killing him. Unfortunately, the torture remained for another half an hour, but then the men finally left the bar. Instantly adrenaline rushed through Damon's veins when he, very slowly, pulled out the dagger from the inside of his jacket. Highly concentrated, he climbed off his seat in complete silence; his eyes never left Klaus' clueless eyes which were focused on his cell phone. Step by step he got closer to his opponent until he had reached the perfect place to drive the dagger through Klaus' heart.

For the hundredth time, Elena checked her watch and knitted her brows. He had left for almost an hour, and she got more and more unsettled.

"Calm down, Elena! Everything is fine. I'm sure it just takes some time for him to find Klaus in the…, well, right situation," Alaric reassured, observing the way she ran her hands through her hair in frustration.

"I know!" she almost barked and started pacing up and down the motel room where Stefan, Caroline, Jenna, Alaric and she had gathered right after Damon had left. "I'm sorry, Ric, I'm just sick of waiting," she apologized and sighed heavily while her eyes darted between her friends. Alaric might be calm outwardly, but no matter what he told her, she could hear the concern in his voice. Jenna's eyes never left her and Elena knew that she liked this situation no more than she did herself. If it had been Jenna's decision, Elena knew she had wanted Damon to stay. Stefan and Caroline looked as if they blamed themselves for what was going on. Wouldn't she have been so worried about Damon, she would have told them that it wasn't their fault.

"It's okay," Alaric told her and shrugged, "I understand you!" he added and exchanged a meaningful look with Jenna who instantly stepped in Elena's way and wrapped her arms around her friend.

"Damon will be back soon," Jenna murmured while Elena gave in to the embrace, trying to calm down. Jenna was right, Damon would be back soon and everything was going to be fine. But why didn't it feel like it? The lump in her throat which seemed to grow bigger and bigger told her that something was wrong!

"No, I… something is wrong!" Elena pressed and stepped away from Jenna, clenching her teeth.

"What do you mean?" Caroline asked puzzled.

"I don't know…, I can't put my finger on it. It's just a feeling," Elena admitted and cringed as suddenly her cell phone began ringing. Hectically she fumbled it out of her jeans pocket and stared at the display. It was Bonnie.

"Bonnie?" Elena questioned stunned.

"Elena? Thank God, you picked up!" the voice of the witch echoed in Elena's ears, causing alarm bells to ring in her head.

"What is it, Bonnie?" she begged while her breathing became erratic with panic.

"Is Damon with you?" Bonnie asked straightforwardly.

"No, he's not. He went to dagger Klaus!" Elena answered. "Why?"

"Shit! Elena, Damon can not use the dagger on Klaus! Do you understand me? If he's going to do so it will kill him! The dagger can only be used by humans and original vampires!" Bonnie blurted out what she had just learned while searching her gram's grimoire for further information concerning the dagger.

"NO, Bonnie!" Elena breathed, desperately trying to think straight.

"Hurry, Elena! Maybe it's not too late," Bonnie yelled, ripping Elena away from her dark thoughts.

"You're right! Thank you for telling me! Bye!" Elena said with her heart hammering against her chest.

"Elena what's wrong?" four different voices asked simultaneously.

"Damon is going to die if he uses the dagger on Klaus!" Elena informed them quickly while she grabbed her jacket and headed to the door.

"What?" Stefan was the first who found his voice again.

"I can't explain it further. Got to go!" Elena shouted in a hurry and tore open the door.

"Stop, Elena. You can't go alone. It's too dangerous!" Jenna protested and widened her eyes at Alaric, silently telling him that he had to do something.

"Jenna is right! Stay here, I'll go!" Alaric suggested, but Elena firmly shook her head.

"You're forgetting that Klaus can see you. Sorry, but you wouldn't stand a chance against him," Elena pointed out and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Jenna commanded, earning a pleading look from Elena, "Take our car," Jenna forced a smile upon her face and held out the keys.

"Thank you!" Elena said with relief, knowing what it costs Jenna to let her go.

Breaking all traffic laws, Elena rushed through the streets, her hands clasped tightly around the steering wheel, her eyes fixated on the road. Within minutes Damon's Camaro came into view. Jerking the wheel violently, she brought Alaric's car to a halt, jumped out of the car and ran as fast as she could to the motel, which sign flickered rapidly. She didn't care if anybody saw her all she could think of was Damon. Oh God, please, let him be alive!

Without hesitation she pushed open the entrance door and ran inside, ignoring the disgusting scent of smoke which pierced the insides of her nose. With narrowed eyes she glanced around. Nobody was to be seen. Why was nobody here? Panic rushed through her as she bit her bottom lip firmly. Damon, where was Damon? And why couldn't she hear anything? Doing a 180, her eyes fell on a door next to the empty reception, and without further thinking she ran towards it, slamming it open.

Her eyes widened at the sight ahead of her: Damon with the dagger firm in his hands hovering in a strange ankle over Klaus who sat on a table. The second she entered, Klaus frowned with confusion at the open door, while Damon's eyes stared at Elena in disbelief. What the fuck? He mouthed silently. Wildly gesturing, Elena tried to explain that she and not him had to dagger Klaus, earning an entirely bewildered gaze from Damon. Elena's eyes darted between Damon and Klaus, and she realized that she needed to act quickly. Klaus had gotten suspicious; he stood up with outstretched arms and narrowed eyes. He knew that he wasn't alone.

"Who's there?" Klaus asked mockingly, not sensing the danger he currently was in. Pressing her lips tightly together, Elena almost stopped breathing, noticing that Klaus was able to hear them. She needed the dagger and now, she thought, pushing the scary imagination of actually daggering somebody aside. At least he wouldn't be dead for good. When Klaus slowly crossed the room, testing his surroundings with his outstretched hands, Elena waved at Damon, signalizing him that she needed the weapon.

"I can hear you!" Klaus scoffed and laughed silently. "Your heartbeat is betraying you! Tense much?" he teased and turned around quickly, almost running towards Elena; ready to catch her.

No! Damon thought and vamp speeded next to Elena, pressing the dagger straight into her hand. In the next second, Klaus crashed against them while a dangerous growl escaped his throat; his eyes wide with shock. Elena squeaked when she felt the sharp weapon breaking through the skin of the man in front of her. Disgusted she pushed the dagger further into Klaus' body until she reached his heart. Klaus immediately desiccating hands grabbed for Elena's waist, pulling her with him to the ground; his face puzzled and contorted with pain at the same time. Before Elena could fall on top of Klaus, Damon's arms wrapped around her from behind and dragged her backwards.

"Elena, you okay?" Damon demanded, turned her around and took her face between his hands while his eyes roamed over it.

"I am," Elena nodded and swallowed heavily. "You?"

"Me too. Although I don't get why you had to dagger Klaus," he said softly, while his thumbs caressed her cheeks.

"You would have died. I guess that is why Elijah handed over the ash so easily. He wanted to kill us in order to save his brother," she stated, closing her eyes tiredly. "Is it over now?" she questioned exhausted, but it sounded more like a plea.

"Yes, babe, it is!" Damon answered quickly, knitting his brow at the way she vulnerably snuggled her cheek against his palm. They had been through a lot, and it was above time that they found some peace. "Thank you!" Damon whispered, still watching the beauty that was her face.

"For what?" Elena asked puzzled and opened her eyes, finding them only inches away from Damon's light blue pools.

"For saving us," he breathed and smiled brightly at her.

"Any time," she told him cheekily and grinned.

When her grin turned into a loving smile, Damon's eyes rested longingly on Elena's lips and caused her cheeks to blush crimson red. When their eyes met again, Damon moved one hand around her neck. Very slowly, he closed the small distance between them, and when their lips finally met they both realized that their shared future would be brighter than they would have ever imagined.