Yes, I happen to agree, both Damon and Elena are acting a bit childish at times. It's part of the growing process in this story.
Elena:
With butterflies swirling ferociously in my belly, I walk towards the front door, one foot in front of the next till I'm standing in front of it. Raising my hand to rap, I grimace and force myself to do the deed. Turning around, I debate whether or not I should make a run for it. Just as I'm about to take off, the door opens. When I spin around, Jenna is staring at me. Crossing her arms over her chest, she finally steps aside. Relaxing her posture a bit, she gestures with an arm for me to go inside.
"Hi Jenna, I just wanted to stop over to apologize and to tell you that I'm not going to make it to grandma's get together at the Salvatore house Friday night."
"First off, why didn't you make it to the picnic?"
"I got busy with work and before I knew it, it was late. I'm really, really sorry, Jenna."
"Are you sure that's all it was?"
"Yes, of course. Why would I lie?"
"A five letter word that starts with a 'D' and ends with an 'amon?"
"While it's true that there's no love lost between him and me, I'm not about to let him dictate what I do with my life, Aunt Jenna."
"I have a doctor appointment next week. Ric unfortunately will be out of town. I was wondering if you would go with me?"
"Oh, I'd love to go with you. I'm so excited about baby Saltzman. You have to know that."
"Mom is going with us too. Have you talked to her since you skipped out?"
"Yes, she was none to happy with me either. But she's really going to go ballistic when I don't show up at the Salvatore's this weekend. Can you smooth it over for me, please?"
"Why can't you come? You just said that you weren't going to let Damon dictate who you spend your time with. I mean, what's so important that you can't come?"
"Work for one thing. I'm doing my job plus Elijah assigned me to help Damon with his TV show. So I have both irons in the fire right now. Surely you and Grandma too should be able to understand that?"
"Alright I believe you," she says, giving me a hug. Just when we start to break apart, Ric comes in, giving me a disapproving look.
"Ric, how are you?"
"I'm just great. Yourself?"
"I'm chipper."
"If you two will excuse me, I'm going to start supper. Do you want to stay, Elena?"
"Sure but I'm going to have to leave when we're done eating. Damon's show is on the air again tomorrow and I have a little homework to do before we go on the air." Not wanting to be alone with Ric, I follow Jenna into the kitchen to help her get the meal together. We chit chat while I'm slicing vegetables and Jenna cooks the hamburger. Once I finish, I start to peel potatoes, pausing for a minute to refill my coffee cup.
"Do you mind if I ask you something, Jenna?"
"No, of course not," she says, putting the spoon down and turning to face me.
"What's he like around you? I mean, he was nothing short of cruel to me when we were kids. And please believe me when I tell you I'm having a really hard time letting go of my animosity towards him."
"Elena, I'm not saying you should forget what he did but you're strong enough to move on from it. And I will readily agree with you that at one time in his life, Damon was an incredible asshole. I saw that first hand when I worked for Joe. Damon was never cruel to his father but he certainly acted like his didn't smell if you know what I mean. He was cocky and arrogant and just plain unlikable. But when Joe got sick, he dropped everything and flew home to be with his dad. As soon as the cardiologist told them that Joe would need a new heart, Damon made arrangements to move back here. The Damon I know now is a far cry from the Damon we grew up with. I know you still harbor a lot of disdain for him but I'd like you try to see the man he is now rather than the man you used to know."
"I don't know, Jenna. It's difficult. And from my vantage point, he hasn't changed all that much. He's still pushing my buttons."
"Elena, I'm sure you push his buttons too. Am I right?" she asks, raising an eyebrow at me pointedly.
"Perhaps," I add, turning my attention back to what I'm doing.
"All I'm asking is that you try."
"Fine, I'll think about it. That's all I can give you right now."
Smiling, she finishes what she has on the stove while I set the table and put the salad out. When she calls for Ric, he joins us. Leering at me when she's not looking, I glare right back at him, quickly forcing a smile when Jenna starts to talk or when she looks at me. When I pick up my fork to put some food in my mouth, the door bell rings. Crossing my fingers that it isn't Damon, I just chew my food. When I hear Ric say Mason's name, I breathe a sigh of relief. Looking up, I see Mason Lockwood standing there like he's God's gift to all womankind.
"Well hello, Elena. You do look lovely tonight," he says, his eyes focused a little too long on my cleavage.
"Cut the crap, Mason," I snap, reaching over to pick up the salt shaker.
"Elena?!"
"What is it, Ric?" I ask, smiling sweetly at him.
"Elena, Elena," Mason mocks, pulling out a chair and planting himself beside me.
"Mason, Mason, does your wife know about your wandering eye?"
Clearing his throat uncomfortably, he gets up and walks out of the room. After Ric gives me another scathing glare, unseen by Jenna, he follows after him. Mason is one of the golden boys of Virginia politics. The Lockwood's have a lot of power as they're old money in the state. Although they claim to have had relatives come over on the Mayflower, I personally think that claim is nothing more than embellishing their name for political favors. Mason is trying to gather steam to put together a campaign for next year's US senate race. Mystic Falls already has enough Lockwood blowhards, the last thing we need is another. Tyler is the only one of them who is likeable and down to Earth.
As soon as we're done eating, I help Jenna clean off the table. Although I offer to help with dishes, she won't hear of it so I tell her goodbye and give her a hug before grabbing my bag and walking outside. Just as I reach my car, I hear footsteps. Sighing, I turn around to see Ric fastly approaching me.
"What the hell was that, Elena?"
"What the hell was what?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why were you so flippant and rude with Mason? He is a friend of mine and of Jenna's and while you in my house, you will treat my guests with respect."
"Ooh, you're friends with the highfalutin Mason Lockwood. Oh boy am I jealous."
"Stop that. I'm tired of your attitude, young lady."
"Enough with the condescension, Ric. You don't get to tell me who I can and who I cannot like. Now let's drop this before either of us says something that we can't come back from. Capiche?"
Raising his hands in a surrender posture, he backs away before turning around and going back into the house. Blowing out a breath, I push a strand of hair behind my ear. Suddenly feeling tired, I get in my car and go home.
Today we're showcasing Ben Bradley's story on Damon's show. I'm on location at his last known sighting. He worked for Tyler Lockwood at his body shop. With my camera crew on standby, I'm getting the final touches put on my makeup and a mic check before Damon comes to me live.
Kol is my producer today, When I see the red light come on, I step beside Tyler and wait till I hear Damon's voice. With my eyes on the monitor, I watch as Damon starts the telecast from his studio.
"Hello everyone. I want to thank you all for the giving us a warm welcome and for the outstanding ratings for our maiden show last week. We'll check in with Detective Williams before the hour is over for an update on the Rose Connor case that we focused on last week," he says, before turning slightly to look into another camera.
"Today we're going to be telling you the story of Ben Bradley. Ben grew up in Mystic Falls. According to his family and friends, he was a very likeable, easy going guy. He was very close to his sister Amber who died in an unfortunate accident just six months before he disappeared. From the official police report, Amber committed suicide by overdosing on a narcotic. Her body was found on her bed, an empty pill bottle and a bottle of vodka on her bedside table. From everything we have learned in talking to friends and relatives, he was extremely distraught after she died. Right now, we're going to go to Elena Gilbert on location. Elena..," he says, turning again to face me on the screen.
"Yes, Damon. Today, I'm here with Tyler Lockwood. Thank you, Tyler for joining us today," I tell him, then turn back to the camera.
"Ben was last seen by Tyler two days before he was officially reported as missing." Turning once again to Tyler, I hold the microphone so he can tell us what he knows.
"Hi Elena. Yes, Ben was a good friend of mine and a very skilled auto worker. As Damon said, he was very distraught when Amber died. He told me often that he just didn't believe the official cause of her death. He was a changed man after that happened, spending all of his free time trying to investigate her death. The last time I saw him, he said goodbye and that he'd see me the next day. When he didn't show up, I didn't think much of it. But when Ben didn't show up the next day, I called his parents and then I went to his house, he was gone. You know the rest of the story," Tyler explains.
"Damon, I also have Ben and Amber's parents here." Turning to my left, I ask them to tell us what they know. They basically reiterate what Tyler told us. Once I finish interviewing them, Detective Williams steps in front of the camera with pictures of both Ben and his pickup along with the license plate number.
"If any of you has any clue as to Ben's whereabouts, please contact me at the Mystic Falls police station," Brady informs the audience before launching into an update about the Rose Connor case. Brady explains that they're investigating a couple of calls but that they don't have anything concrete to report yet. When he finishes, I turn back to the camera.
"Our tip number is running on a chyron at the bottom of your screen. Please help us to give the Bradley family some closure. Back to you, Damon," I say, smiling till the camera's light goes out.
"Alright, grandma, I'll go with you to James house since I won't be able to make it this weekend. I even brought a cake along as a piece offering."
"Are you trying to bribe me?"
"Is it working if I am?" I ask, raising an eyebrow teasingly.
"I'll tell you later, come, let's go," she says, grabbing her car keys.
"I'll follow you with my car so I can leave when I need to go."
"Elena?"
"What, grandma? I'm meeting Bonnie and Caroline at the grill a little later."
Shaking her head, she gives me one of her looks then climbs into her car. I jump in and follow behind, driving the familiar road to the Salvatore boarding house. The last time I was here was the night of Damon's eighteenth birthday party. I was so humiliated by his juvenile prank. I remember feeling so mortified that I couldn't wait to get out of his house, foregoing my jacket and running out of there as fast as I could. Unfortunately it was cold and rainy and even started to sleet before I was even half way home. I was so very cold by the time I got there. My teeth were chattering and my lips were blue. Grandma made me take a hot bath and get under the covers with the electric blanket. Despite all of that, I got the mother of all colds. It was the most miserable week of my life, in fact I missed three days of school. Luckily I had Kol to bring my homework to me so I was able to keep up. That nasty little prank of Damon pulled cost me my perfect attendance though. After that, I could hardly even look at the jackass without feeling rage overtake every cell in my body.
For whatever reason, the image of Damon, the look of stark terror on his face flashes in my mind. Although I know he was scared shitless, I can't help but chuckle a little bit. I've never seen Damon like that before and although a part of me feels bad, the other larger part enjoyed having the upper hand when I picked Ulysses up and rounded on him, bringing the snake close to his face. I'm actually surprised he didn't faint dead away. Oh Elena you are a naughty girl sometimes, I laugh aloud.
When I hear a car horn, I snap out of my reverie and quickly pull back in my lane. I had veered over the center line a little. Breathing a sigh of relief, I turn on the radio, focusing on it rather than him while I drive the last couple of miles to the boarding house.
I pull up and turn off my car just as grandma is getting out of her car. Reaching towards the passenger seat, I grab the cake and hurry to catch up with her. Knocking on the door, grandma smiles ear to ear when James opens the door. After pulling her into his arms and giving her a kiss, he greets me, telling us both to come inside. Looking around, the place hasn't changed much since I was last here. Knowing that I need to somehow let it go at least for now, I take a breath and follow my grandma and James into the family room.
"Hello, Mr. Salvatore," I greet Damon's dad.
"Elena, how are you?"
"I'm great. You look good today."
"Thank you. How is Jenna?"
"She talks about you all the time. I'm actually going to go along when she has her OB appointment next week. She's so excited."
"I would imagine. I remember when my wives were pregnant. Katherine was very much planned whereas Damon was a happy accident. I'm so grateful to have my children but sadly both of my wives died too soon. Unfortunately. Katherine's mother, Mary, died of a brain aneurysm. One minute we were talking and the next she collapsed. She died brain dead a few days afterwards. Five years later I met Pat and had a whirlwind romance. I never believed in love at first sight till I met her. We had all but given up trying to have a child when we learned Damon was on the way. Damon was fourteen when she died of a heart attack. Pat was very close to Katherine too so my daughter has lost two mom's but at least she had her husband to lean on."
"Yeah," I utter, forcing a smile on my face. With grandma and James all lovey dovey, Joe invites me to go outside with him so James and my grandma could have a little privacy. Offering him a piece of cake, he points to the cupboard. I grab two saucers and then a knife and two forks. After cutting us each a slice, I follow him outside, setting them on the patio table before I pull up a chair and sit beside him.
"Do you want to run back inside and grab a couple bottles of water or there should be some coffee made. Unfortunately with my heart, I can't drink coffee but you're welcome to have a cup. Nodding, I get up coming back with a couple of water bottles. As soon as I sit down, I pick up my fork and take a bite savoring the vanilla flavor as it goes down. I smile when I see the expression on his face too.
"Should you be eating cake? I'm sorry, I never thought of the butter in the icing."
"Relax, Elena. One little piece isn't going to hurt me," he says, reaching up to give my forearm a squeeze.
"So Elena, how are you? I mean, I know you and my son aren't the best of terms. I guess what I mean to ask is since you two are working together, are you okay with it?"
"Oh, Mr. Salvatore, I don't know what to say. You're right, I'm not Damon's friend but as far as working with him, I'm really trying to be civil."
"Please call me Joe. Elena, I'm well aware of Damon's youthful shortcomings. He was a little shit for lack of proper word. But my son has grown up and I know he'd like to get on better terms with you."
"I... I don't know what to say?"
"I'm not going to lecture you, Elena. You're old enough to make up your own mind about what you want to do but my hope is that you and Damon can put the past behind you and become friends. If nothing else than for Jim and Lena's sakes. And if I don't get a heart, Damon is going to need help. Katherine has a job, a husband and two daughters. Damon has no one but Jim and me."
"Mr. Salvatore, Joe, I mean, I appreciate the sentiment but I don't know if I can forget the past?"
"Just give it some thought, that's all I ask."
"I can do that," I tell him, giving him a smile. He's a really nice man.
Wiping the sweat off of my brow, I remark about how hot and dry it is.
"We're in dire need of rain. This drought has been long and hot. I'm worried about forest fires in the woods around here, you know with campers and the like."
"Indeed." Reaching over, I take a drink from my water bottle. As I put it down, my phone starts to ring. Reaching into my bag, I take it out and answer.
"Hello?"
"Elena, it's Kol."
"What's going on?" I ask.
"You need to get out to the falls. Damon and Brady are out there too."
"Why?"
"Because of the drought, the water level is way down at the quarry. They're pulling what they think is Ben Bradley's pickup out of the water."
"What!?"
"Just get out here," he says, hanging up.
"I'm sorry, Joe, I have to go to meet Damon actually. It was great talking to you."
"You too, dear. Tell him to give me a call would you?"
"I will, thank you again," I tell him, giving his hand a squeeze. I quickly find my grandma and tell her goodbye before hopping in my car and hurrying out to the falls.
Damon:
"This is the last thing I expected today," I mention to Brady as a couple of police divers hook a winch to the rear end of the pickup so it can be pulled out of the water. Once they finish, the divers get out of the water themselves and stand back, allowing Tyler to operate the winch to pull it out. Who knows how long it's been underwater?
Once Tyler has it completely out of the water and safely on level ground, Brady, me and a couple of other officers approach. I have to turn away when I see what's left of the skeleton laying on the front seat. When I hear a siren, I look up to see the hearse pull up. With gloved hands so as not to disrupt any evidence, they photograph the remains and then carefully start to remove them so they can be taken to the medical examiners office. While Brady is barking orders, I watch intently while Kol is filming the recovery for the TV show. Not wanting us to inadvertently compromise any evidence, Brady makes sure we keep our distance. He doesn't want us to touch the vehicle at all.
"Donovan, do the plates match?" Brady asks, as he carefully canvasses the scene.
"Yep, they do, Brady so does the VIN number."
"Looks like we know what happened to Ben."
Walking over to Brady after he steps back for a moment, I ask him if he thinks it could be a suicide."
"It's too early to know, Damon," he starts to say, interrupted when Elena runs up, stopping next to me.
"Is that Ben's truck?"
"It is, Elena," I tell her, giving her a tight smile.
"Hey Brady, get over here," Matt yells, beckoning for him to come with a wave of his arm.
"Well would you look at that?" Brady remarks, a stunned look on his face.
"What is it?" I ask. Sharing a look with Elena, the two of us edge just a little closer. Raising his palm so we don't come any closer, he carefully lifts the skull to inspect it with his eyes. Even from my vantage point, I can see a distinct hole in the skull. I know she's recognizes what it is when I hear her gasp at the same time she covers her mouth with her hand.
"Da.. Damon," she starts to say, I look at her just in time to see her eyes roll. When she starts to go down, I quickly pull her into my arms and lower her to the ground, an unfamiliar spark igniting when my hands touch her soft skin.
Thank you so much, Eva. I don't know what I'd do without you.
And a huge thanks to all of you as well. I really appreciate your support so much. Your reviews put a big smile on both my face and Eva's. Lots more mystery and intrigue to come in this one.
Chapter title: 'Reminiscing' by the Little River Band.
'Seven Year Ache' has concluded. I'm really quite proud of it. A sequel for 'The Dating Game' is in the plotting stage. I hope you'll have a look at my one-shot, 'Where Have all the Cowboys Gone' too. 'Nothing Left to Fear' is still in progress. Watch for 'I Fall to Pieces' to begin posting soon. It's set in WW1 near the Western Front.
Please remember to click the review button.
Be safe and enjoy your summer. Have a wonderful weekend. Until next time.
