Christmas day
Army of Two, by Olly Murs
"I came, I saw, tore down, those walls
Block one way, I'll find another
You know you'll always be discovered
If it's me, you choose, I can't lose
I'm in love with you, if you love me too, yeah
Don't ever change, and I'll stay the same
We'll be swimming in the same direction
And we'll never lose this connection
Nothing they can do, can stop this army of two
We're marching to the future, yeah it's me and you"
(Helen)
When I woke up, it was dark and I was alone. Abruptly, I sat up. The crackling fire was the only sound. An eerie feeling crept over me and I tried to remember how I'd gotten into bed. „You will remember everything that happened…" Words floated through my mind and slowly my memory returned. The stranger… John calling… our fight… I'd been out of my mind with fear… What had Damon done to me? I closed my eyes and remembered his intense gaze while he held me by my arms. „I want you to calm down…" His voice still resonated in me like an order, demandingly, leaving no choice. He'd controlled my mind somehow… he'd taken my free will! How could he? Suddenly, my anger flared again and the flames in the fireplace raged higher, nearly licking at the mantelpiece. I breathed deeply a couple of times to calm my energies and the flames collapsed again. „Fire is a strong source of energy. Be careful with your emotions near flames!" my mother had warned me. I was pretty good at controlling my powers, but my emotional control still lacked. Now I knew why Mom had taken Yoga lessons all her life. „It provides inner strength and balance and I can apply my powers much better," she had explained on her last day at my place.
With a heavy sigh I got up and went to the bathroom. It was early morning and still dark outside, but I couldn't sleep anymore. I was too upset. And I was hungry. Last night, there hadn't been any time to eat the take-away food from the Grill and now my stomach rumbled. I put on a bathrobe and padded down into the kitchen, knowing that all vampires in this house could hear me, but I didn't care. They could kiss my a…! My stomach grumbled again and I opened the fridge. Hm, what should I eat? I tried listening to my cravings. Yesterday's take-away – turkey steak. Then I spotted a glass with pickles and I couldn't resist. Quickly I fixed myself a sandwich made of turkey steak and pickles. Mmh, that tasted great! I enjoyed it along with a glass of orange juice. „Would you like some company?" Elena's voice startled me and I almost spilled the juice. I pointed to the free chairs. „Can't stay unobserved in this house, can I?" I grumbled. She didn't reply at once and just watched as I cleared the table and put my stuff into the dish washer. „You're mad at him," she stated. I sat down again. „You could say that," I replied.
She sighed softly. „You and Damon are so much alike," she said with a shake of her head. I raised one eyebrow. „Excuse me?" She nodded. „You are both very impetuous, you hurt each other within seconds, convinced you're doing the right thing." I frowned. Me – hurting Damon? „Helen… please, don't…" His face in that moment… full of pain… I was such an idiot! „We always hurt the ones we love most, right?" Elena confirmed my realization. Mortified, I looked down on my hands. „Helen, I've never seen Damon this… happy before. You've had a bad start together and the circumstances could be better, God knows, but he would give up everything, really everything for you. Don't be stupid like me, Helen, don't throw away what you could have with him." I took a deep breath. „I know he loves me, Elena. I just don't believe that it's safe to stay here. How often, before you've turned, did you have to face death, hm?" I asked. She nodded. „Very often, too often, if you ask me like this. But… with him nearby, I could always be sure that I would survive." The steadfast assurance of her answer only heightened my tension. I got up and walked to the window, looking out into the darkness. „Except for the last time," I countered and turned to face her. She locked eyes with me. „Yes, but even if Damon had been there, I wouldn't have let Matt die instead of me." I shook my head. „Elena, I don't want him to be harmed…," I wrapped my arms around me. „I couldn't live with that…," I whispered to myself and turned back to the window.
I hadn't noticed Elena leaving until a voice interrupted my brooding. „Helen." I spun around. Damon leaned to the kitchen doorframe and examined me with a bland expression. „Damon." I crossed my arms. The minimal twitch around his lips revealed his amusement. „Slept well?" I nodded. „Yes, thanks to you," I replied sourly. Another twitch of his lips. „Angry?" His expression turned bland again. „That you've compelled me? Yes!" I stepped closer. „And that I've hurt you without thinking," I added softly. He frowned. „I don't get hurt," he replied grimly. I cupped his cheek. „Sure you do, Damon, and I'm really sorry." His features softened. „Does that mean you'll s…" I covered his mouth with my hand, shutting him up effectively. „Don't ask me right now. After yesterday, I'm so damn insecure," I replied ruefully and watched him tighten up again. „But… maybe Matt was right," I said hesitantly. „Maybe I would be safest by sticking with you." Before I could blink, he wrapped my in his arms. „You're driving me nuts, woman. Make up your mind," he growled into my ear. „I'll think about it, I promise," I replied quietly. Then I looked at him. „Apart from that, where've you been?" I asked. „Sometimes I need the real thing," he grinned and I held up my hands. „I don't even want to know," I said, making a face and shaking my head.
He took my hands and pulled me back to him, closer to his body. „It will be dark outside for a coupla more hours. Come upstairs with me, okay?" he whispered and kissed me. Using his kissing skills shamelessly, he finally convinced me to give in. „Alright, since you're asking so nicely." Smiling broadly, he lifted me into his arms and carried me upstairs without a rush. How could I stay angry at him when he was examining me with so much love in his eyes? Shoving me underneath the duvet, he cuddled up to me and kissed my temple. „Sweet dreams," he breathed. Within a few minutes, he was fast asleep right next to me. He must be tired, I realized and looked at him in the flickering light from the fireplace. A small smile tugged at his lips and his face was completely relaxed. Softly, I let my fingers caress his cheekbones. He looked so… human, so young and… vulnerable… I thought back to our fight. „You are a witch, Helen! You can do God knows what to a vampire! Fight with me, with us…" Could I really? I thought. Would I really be able to actually fight? For me… for the baby… for him? I tried to look at it rationally. What did we really know? Only that this guy was following me and he was a vampire. His motives were pure guessing, but still Damon had jumped on it. Could you blame him? my conscience scolded me. „I would do anything to protect you!" Oh yes, he would, but instead of joy, this insight only caused me additional fear. I have to stand up for myself, I thought. He's right, I am a witch! I've already killed a vampire while being an innocent child! The realization didn't calm me at all and my heart constricted with fear. Sighing, I cuddled closer to him and closed my eyes. Maybe later, things would look better…
(Damon)
„Elena, I don't want him to be harmed…" I heard her voice tremble slightly while I eavesdropped on their conversation. „I couldn't live with that…" I approached the kitchen and peeked around the corner. Elena was about to leave. „She needs you, Damon," she whispered, only audible for me. I nodded and let her pass. I had patrolled around the estate the whole night, searching for any hint of Kane Doherty. Unfortunately, there hadn't been a trace of him. Either was really good or I had missed it. Stefan had wordlessly taken over in the early morning hours, so that I could sate my thirst in the basement. Sometimes he was really the best brother in the world. I had intended to crawl back into bed with her, but then I had heard her voice in the kitchen. She stood with her back to me and stared out of the window, her arms wrapped around her belly. She seemed deep in thoughts. John's musings yesterday had thrown her completely off balance – and she wasn't alone in that. The thought that another man… I clenched my fists and my blood boiled from the imagination. No wonder she had reacted with panic. And yes, she'd hurt me, but it was already forgiven.
I just yearned to hold her in my arms again and to protect her. „Helen." She turned around. Ah, there it was again – the stubborn expression on her face when she crossed her arms. „Damon." I didn't want to grin, but I had a hard time. „Slept well?" She nodded grimly. „Yes, thanks to you." Her ire was obvious, but it still amused me. „Angry?" I asked, keeping my face straight. „That you've compelled me? Yes!" She came closer. „And that I've hurt you without thinking," she added softly. Oh, did she really think I would mellow down that easily? „I don't get hurt," I huffed. She was only inches away now and looked softly at me with those damned blue eyes while she cupped my cheek. „Sure you do, Damon, and I'm really sorry." I couldn't remain grim any longer. Had she changed her mind? „Does that mean you'll s…" She shut me up by putting her hand on my mouth. „Don't ask me right now. After yesterday, I'm so damn insecure," she replied. So she wouldn't! I thought disappointed. „But… maybe Matt was right," she hesitated to continue. I couldn't really be sure what would come next. „Maybe I would be safest by sticking with you." Oh hell! She would stay! Or not? „You're driving me nuts, woman. Make up your mind," I growled into her ear after I'd pulled her swiftly into my embrace. „I'll think about it, I promise," I heard her quiet reply and took a deep breath.
She pulled her head back to look at me. „Apart from that, where've you been?" she asked. „Sometimes I need the real thing," I joked to distract her and it worked. „I don't even want to know," she parried and held her hands up. I'd had enough tension through the night. Now I just wanted to fall asleep, preferably together with her. „It will be dark outside for a coupla more hours. Come upstairs with me, okay?" I wrapped my arms around her again and my lips searched hers. At first, she stiffened a little, but then she yielded and responded to my kissing. Carefully, I trapped her between my body and the countertop while I intensified my persuading. Finally, I gave her a short break. „Alright, since you're asking so nicely." I couldn't ban the grin from my face. My kissing skills had once more been very convincing. I lifted her into my arms and carried her upstairs at normal speed, taking my time to have a long close look at her. She managed to blush thoroughly and smiled, as if her anger for me had vanished. I placed her on the bed, pulled the duvet up and undressed quickly to slip into bed with her. Wrapping my arms around her ‚I kissed her temple. „Sweet dreams," I whispered and closed my eyes. Her warm body and her scent calmed my nerves and sleep hit me like a log.
Rays of sunlight woke me a couple of hours later. Helen rested with her back to me in my arms and was still asleep. Junior was already awake though, I could feel it underneath my fingers on her belly. Softly I caressed the taut skin and she woke up. Inwardly I was counting down for a rebuff, but she only laced her fingers with mine. „Good morning," I whispered and kissed her neck. She turned around and smiled. „Good morning," she replied and kissed me profoundly. Wow, I thought, looking good so far. „Mmh, I could get used to this," I said quietly. „Really?" I nodded mischievously. „Your beautiful face every morning, the smile, the beautiful blue eyes…" Now she blushed, and it suited her very well. „Flatterer," she murmured. „I'll take it as a compliment." She hesitated for a moment and I knew romantic time was over. She bit her lower lip before she spoke. „Damon… what I said yesterday…," she started. Not again, I thought and my mood threatened to go south. „Yeah?" She inhaled deeply. „I think you were right. I should fight instead of running away." What? I frowned, taken aback. I hadn't expected this at all. „Who are you and what have you done with Helen?" I asked. She giggled briefly. „I want to stay with you, Damon, even if I'm scared like hell that this might be the wrong decision," she said softly and caressed my lips with the tip of her finger.
This took the wind out of my sails. I was far from being the perfect bodyguard, I had failed often enough, especially while protecting Elena, but to me keeping her here seemed to be the only solution. „I'm not good at explaining myself, Helen. Sometimes I decide to do things because I think they need to be done, no matter if it hurts anyone," I replied and took her hand while I held her gaze. Her blue cornflowers glinted with insecurity. „I know you just want the best, but this is not about me alone anymore," she said. Well, that makes two of us, I thought. „This is new for me too." My confession seemed to calm her and she smiled. „Well, in this case I'll have to help you as much as I can, okay?" Would this work? She seemed convinced. „Okay," I gave in. „The main point is that you're staying." She had made up her mind and that was the most important thing for me.
(Helen)
„You know what day we have today?" he asked after we got dressed. „Um, Christmas day?" I guessed. He came closer with a grin playing on his lips. „And what does one usually do on Christmas day?" I noticed that he held his hands on his back and tried to catch a glimpse. „Merry Christmas," he said and held a flat box under my nose. „A present?" He just nodded excitedly. „Open it." Curiously, I tore the ribbon away and opened it. „Damon!" I exclaimed delighted. The box contained the raven pendant I had seen in the small antique shop yesterday. Damon took it and opened the silver choker he had chosen instead of the leather thong. I held my hair to the side and lowered my head for him to fasten it around my neck. The pendant rested on my collarbone and the faceted red gem gleamed in the sunlight. „Perfect," he murmured when he looked me over. „This is so beautiful. Thank you, Damon!" I replied and hugged him. „You are amazing," he breathed just before he kissed me. „Amazing?" I asked when he let me take a breath again. „You've turned my world upside down and you don't fear me. You could bring me to my knees any time, but instead you love me and make me happy. And this," he put his hand on my belly, „is the biggest miracle of all. You have no idea how much this means to me, Helen." He had whispered in the end.
I knew my eyes were brimming with tears, that was how touched I felt by his little speech, as if my heart was about to burst with joy. „I simply love you, Damon," I almost choked. He looked at me and laced his fingers with mine. „You know, we just sounded all gooey like one of those damn soap operas, right?" he finally said with a chuckle. I had to giggle. „Riiiight… guess we have to watch out not to slip and fall on all this schmaltz," I returned grinning. He started to laugh, loud and freely. I glanced at him with amazement, I hadn't seen him laughing like this before. He noticed it, and stopped. „What?" he asked. I shook my head. „Nothing. I just thought how beautiful your laughter is," I replied. He grinned and gave me a quick kiss. „Let's go for breakfast," he said. When we got downstairs, the table was all set, but nobody except us was there. „Where the hell are they?" Damon asked baffled. We walked into the parlor to the tree, but it was empty too. „SURPRISE!" Our friends suddenly jumped out behind the tree and cheered loudly. Jeez, they had me jump! But then I had to laugh. „Merry Christmas, Helen!" Caroline hugged me, and Elena did too. „Wow, girls, let her live," Tyler joked. „Don't worry, I won't break," I replied.
Stefan approached Damon and offered him his hand. „Merry Christmas, brother," he said softly. And welcome home." Damon quietly murmured „Idiot" before he pulled him into a bear hug. „Thanks. And merry Christmas also to you, little brother!" They both looked at each other and I got the feeling that this moment was pretty special for them. „And now the presents!" Caroline exclaimed and pulled me and Elena towards the tree. „Hey, what's wrong with breakfast?" Damon interjected, but they ignored him laughingly. Finally I sat on the couch with lots of small boxes and they urged me to open them all. „Caroline!" I exclaimed. Inside the boxes were cut out pictures of nursery furniture and baby stuff from catalogues. „Well, it was a bit on short notice, but I think we can start decorating soon…," she started, but stopped when she saw my gaze. „That is… in case you're staying," she added. I looked at Damon. His eyes said it all – it was my decision. „Yesterday I wasn't sure, not after the thing with this guy, but…," I hesitated. „Although I'm afraid of my own decision, I will stay." Relief spread over Damon's face and Stefan squeezed his shoulder emphatically. Later, on our way to the breakfast table, Damon took me off to the side. „Thank you," he said and kissed me. „I want you to know something, Helen." Curiously I listened to him. „No matter what may happen, I will ensure that our child is safe." A disconcerting chill ran down my spine, as if I had a sense of foreboding. I placed a finger to his lips. „Don't say that. Nothing will happen, absolutely nothing, because we will watch over each other, got it?" He just nodded and I pulled him into a hug. For a while, we just held each other.