Looking up, I see Kol is preoccupied with filming. After lowering her to the ground, I can't help but notice once again how beautiful Elena really is. Her long silky hair, her beautifully long eyelashes, the smoothness of her skin and the depths of her brilliant brown eyes are endless. Truth be told, every time I look into them, I feel like I'm tumbling into Alice's looking glass. Unable to restrain myself, I reach up to palm her face, stroking it wispily. Just as I close my eyes to savor the feeling, I feel her start to stir. It's then that Kol sees us, immediately he stops filming and runs towards us.

"What happened?" he asks, setting his camera down. Although I don't want to relinquish my hold on her, I don't fight when he pulls her away from me just as her eyes start to open.

"Are you okay, Elena?" I ask, genuinely concerned for her. I hope she can hear that in my voice.

"I think so. What happened?" she asks. Sitting up, she starts to look around a little bit.

"You fainted," Kol informs her.

"Like that's not embarrassing. You probably enjoyed seeing me drop," she says, her voice biting while at the same time her eyes focus on mine like a laser beam.

Shaking my head back and forth, I watch as she starts to stand up. When her legs wobble a little, I reach out taking a hold of her arm to steady her. When our eyes meet again, I give her a smile then let go when she steadies herself.

"Are you okay?" she asks, raising an suspicious-looking eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, for one, you haven't lobbed any grenades at me and two, you actually smiled."

"Elena, come on. I'm not an ogre. Besides I feel a little green around the gills myself," I utter, raking my hand through my hair.

"I think it was seeing the bullet hole in that skull. You saw it too, didn't you?" she asks, still looking a little squeamish.

"I did and I need a drink. Do you and Kol want to join me? I promise that I'll behave myself, Elena."

"Can I trust you?"

"Yes," I add emphatically.

After turning away from me to share a look with Kol, she gives me an almost imperceptible nod.

"Should we meet at the Grill?"

"Yeah, that would be fine, Damon. Kol and I will meet you there."

"Um, I'm going to go to see if Brady will join us once he finishes up here. I'll see you in a few," I tell her, giving her one last look before turning away to walk towards my friend. For whatever reason, I turn around and watch Kol walk her to her vehicle. Although I don't understand why, my gut twists when I see him press a kiss to her cheek. But then it dawns on me that if they were a couple, he'd kiss her on the lips instead. Hopefully my read on them is correct.

"Hey, buddy, are you going to be done soon or do you need to stay here?"

"I'll be here for a little while yet. Why?"

"I'm going to meet Elena and Kol for a drink. I thought maybe you could join us."

"I have a call in to the medical examiner. This is scrictly off the record, Damon, but I think this was a murder. There's no gun in the car and he certainly couldn't have driven himself over the ledge and into the quarry with a bullet in his skull. Something is very wrong here."

"Don't worry, Brady. This will stay between us until you give me the okay."

"I know you will, Damon. I trust you."

"Thanks, about that drink?"

"I'll stop by the Grill on the way home. If you're still there, I'll join you all for that drink. I could use one myself."

"Great, I'll see you a little later," I add, giving his shoulder a pat before widening the distance between us as I walk to my car. Once inside, I grab onto the steering wheel, gripping it tightly. Between finding Ben's body and whatever I feel for Elena running through my head, I just need a minute. Hoping to get my thoughts in order, I take a deep breath, turn on the ignition and drive. Opting to take the long way back to town, I turn on the radio but with my mind a morass of conflicting feelings, I don't even hear the song as it blares over the speakers.


"Here goes nothing," I mumble under my breath as I walk into the Grill. Not immediately seeing Elena and Kol, I start to look around. It's only when I catch a fleeting glimpse of a hand wave that I see them. Nodding, I turn on my heels and walk over to them, sitting opposite of Elena in the booth.

"What are you having, Damon?"

"A bourbon, straight up."

"Elena, another one?" Kol asks, standing up to get them a refill.

"Yeah, I'll have another bloody Mary."

"Okay then, I'll be right back," he says then walks off, stopping to talk to some guy along the way.

"Brady is going to join us if he can. He said he'd stop by when he finishes up to see if we're still here. What a day, ha?"

"It was. Why are you being so nice today? Did you hit your head on something?"

"Elena...," I start to say when I hear my name. Looking up, I see Mason Lockwood closing the distance between us.

"Damon, I heard you were back. How are you?" he asks, offering his hand. After shaking it, I slide over to let him sit down for a few minutes.

"Good Mase. My grandpa says you're going to run for senate?"

"Richard is helping to put an advisory committee together. We're meeting Richmond this weekend."

"That's great, don't you think so, Elena?" I ask, trying to bring her into the conversation.

"Oh yeah, there are no words, Mason."

"Elena and I had a falling out after I hit on her once," he adds, winking at her.

"You're married, Mason."

"But you are a fine specimen, Elena."

"Stop that," she squawks before looking at me pointedly.

"I'll be back when you're done with him." With that, she gets up and walks towards the bar. I can't help but watch when some guy grabs onto her arm and pulls her flush against his chest. I have to do a double take but then I realize it's Stefan. He and Elena dated back in the day. From what dad said, they're just really good friends now. When he whispers something in her ear, she laughs after the two of them look at me. Distracted by Elena, I'm barely listening to Mason as he drones on about the plans for his senate race.

"Well, it was good talking to you, Damon. Maybe some of our old gang can get together before I go back to Richmond."

"Sure, Mason, that would be great," I start to say, pausing when Kol slides my bourbon in front of me. Mason gives me one last glance before he walks away, hitting on some buxom blonde at the bar. Shaking my head, I lift my glass to my mouth.

"Do you see why I loathe the guy?" Elena asks, sliding back into the booth now that Mason is gone.

"I get it, Elena. I do. But for the life of me, I don't know why he wouldn't be more discreet with his extracurricular activities given his political aspirations?"

"The Lockwood's have never been discreet, Damon," Elena adds, rolling her eyes.

"Elena is right about that. But listen, if you two don't mind, I'm going to go home. I've got a headache," Kol interrupts, swallowing what's left of his beer.

"Kol?"

"It's fine, Elena. You and Damon should discuss next week's show. Surely, you'll give the audience an update on Ben's case. I did see Vicky Donovan pulling up just as we left," he adds. Standing up, he drops a kiss to the crown of Elena's head before leaving us alone."

"Matt's sister, Vicky?"

"Yes, she works at the newspaper now."

"I see, is she married, I mean she was always pretty... dare I say, easy?"

"Did you have a liaison with her?"

"No, she didn't like me very much."

"Pity," she blurts out, laughing hysterically.

"Touche', Miss Gilbert, touche'," I say, then raise my glass to toast her. When she clinks hers with mine, I swallow down what's left.

"Do you want another?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I'll be right back." Just as I start to stand, I see Brady walk in. After signaling where we are, he gives me a head nod then walks towards us.

"Brady, have a seat," Elena says, sliding over. Everyone gets to sit beside her but me, I think to myself.

"What's your poison, Brady?"

"You should know that by now, Damon. Bourbon, make that a double."

Rather than wait for a waitress, I get up and walk over to the bar. Ric is bartending tonight.

"Ric, how are you?"

"I'm good, Damon. Say, I've been meaning to tell you that I'm really enjoying your show. I hope you can accomplish everything you want with it."

"Me too, Ric. Can you give me two bourbons and another Bloody Mary for Elena?"

"Elena ha?"

"Yeah, we're having an unofficial meeting over there with Brady," I tell him, pointing over my shoulder.

"If she's testy, let me know. I don't like her attitude of late."

"Ric, as much as I hate to admit it, she has a reason to dislike me. You know that."

"But you were a kid then, Damon."

"I know but sometimes old memories die hard. All I can do is show her that I'm not the same asshole that I was when I left this town."

"Good luck," he says, handing me the drinks. After telling him thanks, I go back to our table, take my seat and hand them their drinks.

"Do either of you want to get a bottle and go back to the station so we can talk in private?" I ask, hoping they'll agree. Elena gives me a curious look before agreeing. Brady nods so we finish off our drinks. While Brady goes to the bar to buy a couple of bottles, Elena and I walk outside to wait for him. When I see her shiver, I take off my suitcoat, draping it on her shoulders.

"Thank you. I still don't get why you are being so nice to me tonight?"

"Elena, I don't have an ulterior motive for everything I do and contrary to popular belief, I really don't want to fight with you anymore."

"I want to believe you, Damon, but we have a not so nice history together."

"In all honesty, I get it, I completely understand your wariness, Elena. I was a Neanderthal when we were kids but I'm not that guy anymore. Really, I'm not. All I'm asking for is a chance, a clean slate if you will, or whatever you want to call it."

"I'll give it some thought. That's the best I can do right now."

"Fair enough," I start to say, when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Come on you two, let's go over to my office at the station. I'll fill you in but it stays between the three of us. Do you both understand?" Elena and I nod our acceptance then follow him to the police station. Fortunately it's not far from the bar. Once inside, Brady leads us to his office then closes and locks the door. MFPD usually only has a skeleton crew on at night so it's only us and a couple of street cops and a dispatcher here right now. There is a call list to activate should a significant event occur. Once we're all seated, Brady pulls three shot glasses out of his bottom drawer and sets them on his desk top. After filling them, he shoves one towards both myself and Elena.

"So Brady, I was thinking. Why would anyone want Ben Bradley dead?"

"I don't know that, Damon."

"Wait, are you saying that this was a murder and not another tragic Bradley suicide?"

"Elena, there was no gun. He couldn't have shot himself in the head and then drove his truck into the water. There's a lot more to this than we all suspected when he disappeared."

"Brady, Ben didn't have any enemies. Everybody liked him."

"I agree but someone killed him," he adds before swallowing down his drink.

"You're suspiciously quiet," Elena says to me, picking up the bottle and refilling our glasses.

"We learned that he didn't believe the official police report on Amber's death," I start to say. My eyes dart from Elena to Brady and then back to Elena before I continue.

"What if Amber's death wasn't a suicide, Brady? What if Ben upset the wrong person or people? What if he knew something?'

"Damon, Amber's death was a suicide. That's all there is to it."

"But as far as we know, finding out the real circumstances of her death is what he was focused on before disappearing. Surely you can see a connection here, Brady."

"Unless I can find something concrete, I'm not reopening her case. Are we clear?"

"Maybe Elena and I will have to do some investigating on our own then. Are you with me, Elena?"

"Amber was my friend, I'm in," she says, not hesitating at all.

"Brady, any chance that you could give us her file? Maybe looking at it with fresh eyes will help, I don't know, I just have a feeling about all of this."

"I never thought I'd agree with you on anything but I think something is hinky here too," Elena adds, looking from me to Brady.

"Fine, but this is only for your eyes. No one else, okay? And I want it back as soon as possible," he warns, spinning his chair around to open a file box.

"Can I make copies if I promise to shred them after Elena and I go over the information?"

"No, I want these back and quickly. Are we clear?"

"Of course, Brady," I add, filling my glass again. Elena shakes her head no when I offer her some. Setting the bottle down, I throw it back, savoring the burn.

"I think I've had enough for tonight," I say, taking the file from Brady's hand. "And although I don't feel drunk by any means, I probably wouldn't pass a breathalyzer test so I'm going to start walking."

"Damon, the boarding house is several miles away. You can't walk home at this time of night. Come on, you can sleep on my couch if you promise no wise cracks or indecent behavior."

"I promise, Elena."

"Come let's go then," she says. Standing up, I pick up the file and both Brady and I follow her out. After locking his office door, he walks with us to Elena's car. After I make sure my car is secure, I get into the passenger side of hers. After giving me a terse smile, she starts the car and drives us back to her place which is only a couple of blocks away. Once she parks, we get out and I follow her inside.

"Have a seat," she says, pointing to the living room. "I'm going to put on something more comfortable. When I come back, I thought we could go over Amber's file unless you're too tired."

"No, I'm fine, Elena. Thank you for this."

"You can thank me by being a nice guy."

Nodding, I walk into the living room and take a seat on her couch. Her place, although small is very comfortable looking. She has framed classic movie posters on her white walls among them, Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, It's a Wonderful Life and a the Cary Grant movie, Arsenic and Old Lace. I smile because I've watched that movie with my dad. It's pretty funny. There's a bay window with a seat and pillows piled on. She has a nice sized TV and entertainment system. Laying my head back on the couch, I close my eyes, smiling when I imagine the two of us cuddled together watching a movie. When I hear my name, I open my eyes and raise my head. Always in awe of her beauty, even without a speck of makeup, she's quite simply radiant. Her hair is piled in a messy bun on her head. She's wearing a camisole and a pair of yoga pants. Feeling my dick twitch, I reposition myself discreetly, knowing that she'll kick me out if she sees my bulge.

"Do you want some coffee?"

"Not really but if you want some, I'll have a cup too."

"Well, let's look at Amber's file so we can give it back to Brady. He was pretty adamant about getting it back quickly."

"I agree." After blowing out a breath, I hand it to her. Opening it up, she starts to read it aloud.

"Brady told us that an empty pill bottle and a vodka bottle were found on the bedside stand. There was no label on the pill bottle though. The autopsy says there was pill residue in her stomach identified as hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Her blood alcohol level was 0.1. That is legally drunk," she says, handing me the paper and the crime scene photos.

"I don't know, Elena. It just seems too coincidental you know. You have been here all along, I was in Chicago but it seems to me that the only ruckus Ben made was believing that Amber's death wasn't as cut and dried as it appeared. From everything we've learned, he believed that she was murdered. What if she was and what if he had found some proof? If someone did kill Amber too, that would be reason enough to silence Ben. The implications of this are huge. If she was killed, why?"

"She did work for Richard Lockwood as his secretary."

"Are you implying that perhaps the two of them...?"

"Surely you know that almighty Lockwood men aren't exactly known for their fidelity. Although I know that Tyler admired his great grandfather. From what Tyler told me, he was about the only one of them to remain faithful to his wife. Tyler wants nothing to do with that part of the Lockwood heritage. He and Caroline are crazy in love."

"I'm glad that one of them has some scruples. I wonder if the father of her baby has any role in her death? I mean, it stands to reason doesn't it?"

"I never saw her with a guy nor did she ever mention that she was dating."

"What if she was one of Richard's women? I mean, think of the implications, Elena?"

"I shudder to think that she fell under his spell but that would explain the lack of a boyfriend and her silence about the baby."

"Does the file say how pregnant she was, I mean, did she know that she was pregnant?"

After giving me a look, she opens the file again, thumbing through it till she gets to the autopsy report. After glancing at it, she hands it to me, pointing to the relevant paragraph. As soon as I read it, I shake my head and turn to face her again.

"She had to have known, she was fourteen weeks along."

"She did indeed. Perhaps we should pay Mayor Lockwood a visit?"

"I don't know, Elena. If he had some role in Amber's death, they might not take kindly to us digging into a closed case. Believe this or not, but I would feel terrible if anything happened to you."

"Be careful, Damon, it almost sounds like you care."

Although I don't say anything, I waggle my brows before dropping my eyes back to the file.

"We can't just drop this though. Somehow we have to find a way to investigate this."

"I know we do but until we can get a plan together, this stays between you and me, okay?"

"Deal."

"Nodding, I yawn again, covering my mouth with one hand while giving her back the file with the other. My eyes drop closed and my head bobs as I struggle to stay awake.

"Obviously, it's past your bedtime," she laughs.

"What?" I ask, sitting back up.

"You can hardly keep your eyes open. I'll get you a blanket and a pillow so you can go to sleep." Getting up, she disappears for a moment, coming back with said items. After handing them to me, I lean over and take off my shoes.

"Thank you, Elena. I really appreciate your hospitality."

"Yeah well, even though I don't like you very much, I would feel guilty if you died on the way home."

"Thank you again."

"Goodnight, Damon," she whispers, her eyes peering right into me for a moment. When I get a tickle in my throat, I cover my mouth to clear it, breaking the spell. Smiling, she says goodnight again and then disappears down the hall. When I hear a door open and close, I get up to turn off the light and then lay down. Pulling the blanket over me, I close my eyes, hoping to dream of her and me on a white sandy beach, our bodies flush one against the other.


The mystery deepens...

Thank you so much, Eva. Lots of love and big hugs.

And a big thanks to all of you. I appreciate you all more than you know.

Chapter title: 'Deep Red Bells' by Neko Case.

'Nothing Left to Fear' and 'I Fall to Pieces' are in progress. IFTP begins not far from the Western Front in the waning days of WW1.

Please click that review button. Both Eva and I are thrilled to read them.

Be safe and have a wonderful weekend and thank you all again for your support. Until next time.