I love you (Helen)

Bleeding love, by Leona Lewis

"Closed off from love, I didn't need the pain,

Once or twice was enough and it was all in vain.

Time starts to pass, before you know it you're frozen.

But something happened for the very first time with you.

My heart melted to the ground, found something true.

And everyone's looking 'round, thinking I'm going crazy.

But I don't care what they say, I'm in love with you.

They try to pull me away, but they don't know the truth.

My heart's crippled by the vein that I keep on closing.

You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding, keep, keep bleeding love"

The tension between us discharged into a passionate kiss. I could feel Damon holding back while I put all my pent up emotions into the kiss and held him tight. God, how I had missed this! This wonderful sensation of being in his arms, his lips on mine, his skin on mine, breathing his scent – it was like drowning voluntarily! If the baby hadn't kicked, we would still stand there, I thought while I lay on his bed, dozing. I'd woken up a couple of minutes ago and realized that I was alone. Snuggling back into the pillows, I closed my eyes. Woolgathering, I recalled the scene over and over again – Damon with his head on my belly, humming a lullaby with a dreamy look on his face. I would never forget this.

Where did we go from here? I thought and turned on my back. Would Damon come back with me to Baton Rouge or would I stay here? I had achieved my goal, I had told him and he seemed happy, but how did the child and I fit into his life? „You're awake." I heard his voice and opened my eyes. He moved onto the bed too fast for me to see him. I winced when he appeared next to me. „Shsh, don't be scared. Did you sleep well?" he whispered and kissed my cheek. I turned to him, stretching myself thoroughly. „Very well. Where've you been?" I asked and returned his kiss. „Thinking," he said. I sat up and scrutinized him. He had the same brooding expression on his face like on the night we first met. „You're worried," I stated. „Why?" He took one of my hands and traced the lines of my palm with a fingertip. „We have a problem, and it's probably my fault," he started. „What are you talking about?" Now I was curious. „I think Bonnie knows that you're a witch." I raised an eyebrow. „That's right. She's known since we shook hands," I answered. He narrowed his eyes. „You knew that would happen?" he asked. I nodded. „Of course. Witches can sense each other. I took the risk willingly, Damon." He stared at me with disbelief on his face.

„Why didn't you say something? I would've never risked your exposure if I'd known before," he snapped at me. Now I got up too. „How else was I supposed to prove that I carry your child, hm? Would you've believed me anyway? It was the only way," I stated. He paced in front of the bed and ran his hands through his hair. "Bonnie isn't free of prejudice, Helen, and she hates me for a reason. What if she believes she has to do something about you or the baby?" he returned upset. I crossed my arms. „Let her try, but I'm not as helpless as it seems, Damon," I stated. „John has trained me in fighting vampires for six months and my mother has trained my magic powers. This combination might prove a bit difficult to be killed, don't you think?" I said ostensibly calm. He huffed at me. „You are pregnant, you're not fighting," he stated firmly. „It is my decision," I exclaimed enraged. „You won't or I'll lock you away," he hissed and approached me. „We'll see about that," I growled and stepped back. Before I could blink, he'd lifted me on his arms and carried me through the house in vampire speed. In a small room in the cellar, only lit by a light bulb, he put me back on my feet and locked the heavy wooden door.

I had to take a deep breath because this speeding interfered with my stomach. „You're okay?" he asked and peered through the bars. I just nodded. „Open the door," I said dangerously soft. „Nope. You'll stay here for your own safety and I'll take care of Bonnie." With that he vanished. How dare he locking me away in a cell? I was nearly boiling over with rage and the light flickered. Just you wait! I thought and directed my palm towards the door. With a deafening bang, I flung it out of its hinges. Thanks to my innate velocity, I reached the hallway within seconds. „DAMON!" I thundered. Stefan peeked around the corner from the parlor and grinningly pointed his thumb behind him. I stormed into the hall. Damon sat on the couch and rolled his eyes. I was so mad at his conceitedness. „Okay, I'm officially impressed, but it doesn't change my opinion..," he started and got up. „Shut up!" I hissed. „How dare you treating me like this, you… you…lousy…" I growled. „Ah, ah, ah, don't say anything you might regret later," he warned, wagging a finger at me and jumped behind the couch. „…Neanderthal!" I cursed and stretched out my hand. I captured him on the spot with my magic, freezing him in motion.

„Dammit! Let go of me!" he scolded. I moved my hand and levitated Damon to the wall next to the fireplace, pinning him there like a puppet. Slowly I approached him. „Helen, stop it. I just want to protect you," he said desperately and tried in vain to get free. „I'm not a weak girl. If I wanted to, you'd be dead by now," I snarled at him, stopping only inches away from him. A scarlet veil had clouded my vision and pure fury raged inside me. The flames in the fireplace went higher. „Helen, stop it, please," Stefan said. „Please, let him go," Elena pleaded. Damon looked into my eyes. „You won't hurt me," he finally said in a low voice. „What gives you that idea?" I retorted nastily. „Because I love you," he answered. The scarlet veil vanished abruptly and my features derailed by surprise. I let him go and Damon landed on his feet. I was still frozen with shock when he pulled me into his arms. „I love you, Helen Corey, and that's why I fear so damn much for you," he whispered into my ear. While my brain slowly registered what he was saying, my arms returned his embrace. His hand caressed my hair and found its way to my cheek, cupping it. I finally locked eyes with him. He looked serious and a small smile played on his lips. I had waited for this declaration so long that it nearly knocked me out now. I took a deep breath. It's now, or never, I thought. „I love you too, Damon," I replied. His thumb caressed my lips. „I know," he whispered.