Because I left a rather evil cliffhanger, here's chapter 19 a little early.
My eyelids feel like there's an anvil sitting atop each one but after much effort, I finally open them up. Immediately snapping them closed when the sunlight streaming in through gaps in the blinds hit me square in the pupils. When I hear a pulsating like sound as well as feel something in my nose, I panic a little because I don't know where I'm at or what's going on. When suddenly an alarm starts blaring, my heart starts hammering against my chest wall. My fear intensifies when someone I don't know walks up to me. Feeling the adrenaline spiking again, I lurch up in bed, relaxing just a little when I see Elena asleep in the recliner beside me. Still fuzzy, I shake my head, trying to clear the cobwebs out. Because of the earsplitting tone of the alarm, it takes mere moments for her eyelids to start fluttering. Just as she starts to open her eyes, a nurse steps into the room.
"Mr. Salvatore, calm down, please. You're in the hospital."
"What? Why?"
Once the alarms go silent, the nurse introduces herself. After telling me her name, she assures me that she'll be back in a little while to listen to my heart and lungs. As soon as I give her a nod, she steps out of the room, pulling the door closed behind her.
"I don't understand what's going on here?" I utter, my eyes drifting to Elena's.
"Brady and I talked to Meredith. She told us that it was Mason who had an affair with Amber and what may have caused her death. When you texted that Mason had arrived at your place, the three us rushed to the boarding house. God, Damon, I've never been so frightened in my entire life.
"Meredith and Elena, stay behind me," I hear Brady say. Although I'm fully conscious and panicking on the inside, my body is literally frozen. There's nothing I can do to alert them to the stark terror that's exploding inside of me. All I can do is stare, I can't even move my eyes, those muscles refuse to cooperate too. Suddenly I hear Brady's voice again, this time yelling loudly, "raise your hands and step away from him, Mason." When Brady stands directly over me, it's only then that I can see him. Although I try to move my eyes, I simply cannot. While his gun is trained on Mason, he reaches down to feel the pulse in my carotid artery. Seconds pass like hours and it's then that I hear him yell, "Meredith get in here right now, he's not breathing."
Panic surges with every beat of jackhammering heart. Finally I see Meredith when she drops to my side and looks directly into my eyes. It's then that the edges blur, the lack of oxygen making everything go dark. Just as I surrender to my imminent death, I feel someone breathing air into my lungs."Someone call 911 now," Meredith screams.
"I already did," I hear Elena's voice say, her tone frightened. Even though there's nothing I can do to acknowledge her presence, a sense of calm washes over me. Between breaths, I hear Meredith yell to someone to pull the ambu bag out of her doctor's case. The next thing I know a device is lowered over my mouth and nose.
"Here Elena, breathe for him." Suddenly I hear running and the next thing I know, more air is filling my lungs. Mere seconds or maybe hours later, I hear the wail of the ambulance sirens, growing louder the closer it gets to us. As soon as I hear their footsteps running into the room, I lose consciousness.
"That's all I remember about last night. I have never before felt the sense of unrelenting terror that I felt in the moments after I felt the prick in my neck."
"Almost immediately after the EMT's arrived, Meredith intubated you. She rode along to the hospital in the back of the ambulance. Brady had to stay to work the crime scene but one of the beat cops brought me here."
"Thank you for being there. When I heard your voice, I felt a sense of calm because I'd at least get to see your beautiful face once more before I died," I add and immediately I can feel my heart galloping, triggering the alarms again.
"Damon, please relax now. You're going to be fine," Elena assures me, taking my hand in hers. My eyes dart to our joined hands and that's all the reassurance I need to calm myself. Suddenly, she palms my face with her hands. When I look up I see that her eyes are glossy. Before I have a chance to get a word in, she smashes her lips to mine. Not giving a rip about that damn probe on my finger, I cup the back of her neck with my hand. Tangling my fingers in her lustrous locks, I deepen the kiss. Needing air, I pull back with a gasp.
"Elena?"
"I'm here. You're going to be okay. And don't you dare ever do something so stupid ever again. I just found you, Damon. I can't lose you now that I am in love with you."
"You love me?"
"Yes, you idiot, I love you."
I can't help the huge smile that forms on my face. "I love you too," I breathe, latching onto her lips for another heady kiss. When we hear a throat clearing sound, we end the kiss, each of us turning to face the door.
"Well look who gets to live on to continue to be a pain in my ass?" Brady scoffs, shaking his head, a slight smile on his face.
"What exactly happened? I don't remember much of anything after he punched me."
"Your little stunt with Mason nearly ended you, Damon."
"I realize I'm a little slow on the uptake this morning but stop dilly dallying around and tell me if you got him?"
"Yes, Damon, Mason is being held without bail for now."
"For now?"
"Yes, he's singing like a canary in hopes of getting a lighter sentence."
"How did he get the drug? And did he confess to killing Ben?"
"He had some of his goons kill Ben. Seems he was provoking Mason with mentions of the diary as well as whatever information he has in that still as of yet to be discovered box that the key fits into."
"Richard is also spilling his guts. Although he swears up and down that he had no knowledge of Mason's murderous side, he did cover up some of Mason's other less than savory endeavors. And he did sign off on the request to have Amber's body exhumed. That's going to take place in a few days. Her remains will be sent off to the state crime lab in Richmond. They have a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer with which to analyze her tissues. It's a very complex machine. GC-MS is a method that combines the features of gas liquid and mass spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. Applications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosive investigation, and identification of unknown samples. GC-MS can also be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings. Additionally, it can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification. It should be able to identify traces of the drug Meredith told us about last night," he informs us.
"Thanks for the forensics lesson, buddy. And yes, that's very interesting stuff but I'm more interested in finding Ben's safety deposit box if that's what the key is for? How are we ever going to get our hands on it?" I ask, my shoulders sagging in frustration.
"I don't know if we'll ever find it, Damon? But stranger things have happened. You never know, it might turn up sometime."
"Damon, you need to rest. If Brady and I hadn't gotten there when we did last night, your dad and grandpa would be planning your funeral now," Elena scolds while linking her fingers with mine.
"What did he do? Like I said before, last night is a bit fuzzy given all that happened."
"He gave you an injection of Succinylcholine. It's a paralytic and although it's short-acting, the duration is long enough to kill someone, namely you."
"I've never heard of that."
"Meredith clued us in."
"Why would she implicate her husband?"
"She's being tight lipped right now but I think she helped us so there wouldn't be another murder linked to her husband. She's a fine doctor, she doesn't need the bad press either."
"But how did Mason get the drug? Surely Meredith wouldn't just give something like that to him?"
"After he left you at the grill, he went to visit Andie Starr. She is or was, I guess now, his current fling. He plied her with alcohol so she'd sleep but also to give him an alibi. As soon as he was done with you, he was going to go back and crawl into bed with her. She would say that Mason was with her the whole night."
"Fiona aka the illustrious Andie Starr, wow?"
"Illustrious Andie Starr? Are you kidding me right now?"
Winking at Elena, he laughs. "Just teasing, babe." Turning back to Brady, he continues, "So he was setting up his alibi after leaving the grill but where did he get the medication?"
"Mason knows many unsavory people and has the goods on a lot of others too. He blackmailed another fling of his into getting him a vial of it or he'd tell her husband about their affair."
"That's not something just anyone can get their hands on. So this other fling, your words, must be in the medical profession?"
"Yep," Brady concurs.
Shaking my head, I'm just stunned at the depths of his depravity. I mean, I knew he was no pillar of virtue but I didn't realize what a snake he really is. Before I can even formulate a sentence, my cellphone rings. When Elena lets go of my hand, to answer it, I immediately miss her warmth.
"Yes, grandma, you can tell James that Damon is going to be fine... Yes, grandma. Sure, I'll talk to him, hand him the phone," Elena says, smiling at me.
"Hi Jim, it's Elena. Yes, he's fine. He woke up about a half hour ago. I'm sure we'll have to see what the doctor says before they let him come home... Ah ha..., you can speak to him, he's right here," she tells him, handing me the phone.
"Hi papa."
"Are you okay? I've been worried sick." papa asks, his voice anxious.
"I'm sorry, papa. Please tell me that you didn't tell dad. He doesn't need the stress."
"Elena told us you were near death. Of course I had to tell him."
"Oh papa, I wish you hadn't done that. I'm going to hang up so I can call him."
"You do that. Lena and I are just walking out of the door to go to see your dad. I'll tell him that you're still full of piss and vinegar but I'm sure you'll need to reassure him yourself."
"Pops, I promise you that I'm fine."
"I don't care, what the hell were you thinking?"
"Papa, please. I'll explain everything when I see you."
"Are you going to drive to Richmond?"
Yes, I'll come as soon as I can. I'm hanging up now," I tell him, clicking it off immediately after.
"I can't believe he told dad."
"We were all very, very worried about you, Damon. Don't be upset with him. I'm the one who called them."
"Yeah, but I can't be upset with you," I whisper, stealing a quick kiss from her lush lips.
"Listen you two, I need to get to the office. I have to talk to the DA about Mason. I'll keep you informed."
"Thanks Brady, for last night, I mean."
"Do you think I'd let the biggest pain in my ass die? Do you not know me at all, Damon?" he laughs. Walking over the bedside, he gives my shoulder a squeeze then walks out of the room, leaving me and Elena by ourselves. Sliding over, I pat the side of the bed, motioning for her to join me. As soon as she does, I wrap her in my arms and revel in those three little words she said to me.
After repeatedly reassuring my dad that I'm fine, he still doesn't believe me. Fortunately the doctor walked in while I was still on the phone so I handed it to him and let him explain to my father that I'm good to go and that he was going to release me this afternoon. Once I say goodbye and assure him that I'll drive over to Richmond tomorrow, he hangs up but not after scolding me for doing something so stupid. Of course, I didn't realize that I was practically playing Russian Roulette when I goaded Mason. Shuddering at my close call, I take a deep breath, savoring the feel of air as it fills my lungs. The sensation of not being able to breathe is something I hope that I never have to experience again. It's literally terrifying.
Once the nurse gives me the discharge instructions, Elena leaves to bring her car around. Moments later the nurse's aide brings in a wheelchair to take me outside. Although I want to walk, hospital policy is to use a wheelchair. Almost at the same time she pushes me through the sliding doors, Elena drives up. Putting her car in park, she gets out to open the passenger side door so I can hop in. I take a moment to tell the aide thank you for everything and then I get in, buckle my seatbelt and close the door. Smiling when she gets behind the wheel, I lean over and give her a kiss. Smiling back, she puts the car in gear and drives away.
"Do we know when Mason is going to be arraigned?
"No, we'll have to ask Brady. I would imagine it'll be early next week though."
"Should we go?"
"Yes, because our next show is going to be bringing the public up to speed on this case."
"I agree. Where are we going?" I ask when she pulls onto the highway.
"We're going to reassure your father that you're indeed alright."
"I told him that I'd drive over tomorrow."
"I know you did but then we have to get up early and I prefer to sleep in..."
"Miss Gilbert, what's churning in that beautiful head of yours?"
"If you can't figure that out, perhaps we need to have the doctor give you another exam?" she teases, giving me a wink.
"I do like the way you think...," I add. Taking her free hand in mine, I drop a kiss to each fingertip before letting go. Feeling fatigued after my ordeal, I lower the seat and close my eyes, my mind immediately drifting to thoughts of what she has in store for us tonight.
When we arrive at the hospital, Papa and Lena just happen to be outside. I don't miss the stare they give us when they see that we're walking together, hand in hand. Walking forward, he closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms.
"You scared me, boy."
"I'm sorry, papa. It's only because of Elena and Brady that I'm standing before you now."
My eyes drift from him to Lena. "As you no doubt guessed, Elena and I are together. I really hope you're okay with that, Lena."
"Of course I am, Damon. I knew from the moment that you came back to town that Elena was smitten. It took her a little while to catch up though," she teases, raising an eyebrow at her granddaughter.
"Grandma?"
"What sweetheart? You know it's true."
"No, it isn't true. I loathed him and I told... I.. I told Kol many times that I wanted to throttle Damon. I still can't believe it myself that I've fallen in love with you. Pinch me," she says softly. I don't miss the look of melancholy in her eyes when she mentioned Kol. I wish I could undo that night for her but I can't. Without wasting anymore time, the four of us go back into the hospital so I can reassure my father that I'm fine.
When I get to his room, I'm thrilled to see him sitting up in the recliner, chatting on the phone. I don't want to disturb him so I stand in the doorway with my arms crossed. Papa, Lena and Elena are in the waiting room having decided that I should have moment alone with him before they all pile in too.
"Yes, Katherine, I'm fine. I think that Finn and Dr. Parker are going to release me early next week. Why don't you just wait till then to come so you can bring the Autumn and Winter with you? Tell them that their grandpa misses them." Obviously listening to whatever she is saying to him, he nods along. A few minutes later he tells her goodbye and clicks off his phone.
"Damon," he says, his mouth dropping open. Closing the distance, I bend over and give him a gentle hug. I have no doubt that the big incision on his chest is still quite painful.
"I wasn't expecting you today."
"I know but Elena made plans for us this evening so we came today. I don't want you to worry anymore, dad."
"Don't you ever do something so foolish again. I can't lose you, Damon."
"I'm so sorry, dad. Honestly, it wasn't my intention to come so close to meeting my maker." Turning away from me for a moment, my gut twists when I see him try to discreetly wipe his eyes.
"Dad, I'm fine," I tell him, stooping down to take his hand in mine. As we're sharing a look, I stand back up, turning to face the door when someone raps on it. The rest of the family walk into the room to join us. Elena immediately walks over, stooping down in front of dad too. Leaning forward she whispers something in his ear while staring at me. When he chuckles, a smile forms on my face. I'm so glad that whatever she said pulled him out of his own melancholic demeanor.
We spend the afternoon visiting with our family. Around four thirty, Elena and I tell them goodbye then leave to go back to Mystic Falls. By the time we get back to town, Elena drives by the police station. Seeing that Brady's car is still there, she pulls in so we can run in and say hello.
"What brings you two here?" he asks when I knock on his door frame.
"We just got back from seeing my father. Since your car is outside, we thought we'd pop in for a few minutes."
"Have a seat," he says. Standing up, he walks over to his coffee pot. He asks us if we want any before he sits back down.
"Is he here?"
"Mason?"
"Yeah."
"No, we sent him to Richmond. Their city jail is bigger and they have more staff to keep an eye on him overnight. He'll be brought back via police guard for his arraignment next week."
"Are you going to charge him attempted murder too?"
"Yes, Damon. The DA mentioned it before I even had a chance to ask him about it. He's going to pay for what he did to you, Damon."
"So.. Brady," Elena begins. After sharing quick look with me, she continues. "We're going to use next week's show to bring our audience up to date on this case. Is there anything that you don't want us to mention?"
"Yeah, the fact that he almost killed Damon. Only your immediate family knows what happened last night. I'd like to keep it that way for now. But I would like you to mention the key. Maybe someone knows something about it. I think maybe Ben might have had something that he considered evidence. It may be nothing related to this case but we won't know until we find it."
"Okay, Brady, we will. When I yawn, she tells him that we're leaving. Nodding, he walks us outside, saying he needed a breath of fresh air anyway. After shaking his hand, I crawl into the car and lay my head back. Closing my eyes, I doze off almost immediately, not opening them again till I feel someone kissing my cheek.
"Hi," I whisper, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
"Hi yourself. Let's go inside. Nodding, I get out of the car, latching onto her hand and then the two of us walk up the stairs to her place. Opening the door, she lets me in and directs me to the living room.
"Are you hungry?" she asks aloud.
"Actually I am. What sounds good, I'll have something delivered."
"Chinese?"
"Sounds good. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I order us something then lay back onto the couch, my eyes stay open though as I look around her living room. Before long the doorbell rings so I get up to pay for our food. Just as I'm closing the door, food in hand, she walks downstairs, decidedly more comfortable wearing a cami top and some pajama shorts.
"I like it," I practically purr, leaning in to pull her earlobe into my mouth.
"That's the point," she counters, giving me another lusty wink. She excuses herself to get us some plates and silverware while I walk back to the living room. Moments later, she drops down onto the couch. Snug against me, she dishes us each some food. Although I wouldn't exactly say I shoveled my food into my mouth, I know that I want to get done so I can get to the good stuff. As soon as she sets her plate down, I pull her into my arms and plant a blistering kiss to her beautiful mouth. When we finally pull apart, she stands up and offers me her hand.
"Let's go to bed," she breathes, pulling my ear lobe between her teeth, biting gently. Shivering, I pull away so I can look deeply into her eyes. Knowing she wants this sends tingles through my body, unlike any I've ever felt before. I lift her bridal style into my arms while she points me in the right direction. As soon as we reach her door, she leans over while still in my embrace to open it. Walking inside, I gently drop her onto the bed and waste no time in lowering my body onto hers before pressing our lips together feverishly. Needing a breath of air, I pull back yet am unable to take my eyes from this beautiful woman who is staring right back at me. Ever so slowly, I reach down and run my fingers along the hem of her cami, hitching it up so I can place my hands on her soft and warm skin. Latching onto her lips again, I tease her mouth till she opens up, letting me thrust my tongue inside to twist and tangle with hers.
Breathlessly, we pull apart. When I reach to lift her cami off, she beats me to it, tossing it over her shoulder. Braless, I'm stunned by the magnificence in front of me.
"Elena, you're breathtaking," I whisper reverently, nuzzling her neck with my lips as I nudge her back onto the mattress. Spread out and needy and utterly perfect for me, I palm her breasts with my hands and use my thumbs to stroke her nipples. When I feel them pebble up, I lower my lips to one, suckling softly but firmly. I smile against her breast when a moan escapes her mouth. Pulling back, I reach for the elastic waist of her pajama shorts. Slowly I pull them off of her svelte legs. I give her an appreciative smile before disrobing myself and crawling back on top of her.
"You're so beautiful," I whisper reverently as I pepper fevered kisses all the way down her body. When I press my mouth to her intimately, I can't help but smirk when I notice the flush that covers her face and body. Devouring her with my mouth, I dip my tongue inside of her, twirling it around, imbibing in the essence that is all Elena. Moving my mouth to her clit, I suck vigorously while plunging two fingers in. Continuing the torture, I lick and tease and suckle her pink flesh while curling my fingers, stroking her front wall. When I feel her begin to tighten and contract, I continue my strokes. Unable to take my eyes from her, I'm blown away by this woman. Her mouth is agape, she's panting and her chest is heaving. Pulling my finger out, I brush it across her lips then capturing her mouth, both of us tasting her. I let go then starting dropping kisses to the column of her throat and then the swell of her breasts before once again going back to her perfect pout. Her eyes, glazed over and brimming with lust causes my dick to twitch and harden even more.
"I can't feel my legs," she whispers. With a reverence I've never felt for anyone before, I lay my ear against her chest, the rhythm of her galloping heart lulls me to close my eyes for a few moment as I struggle to get control of myself so I can make love to her without erupting the moment I slide into her exquisite body.
"This feels so right, Elena. I need a condom though," I add, dropping my eyes in frustration because I don't think I have any in my wallet.
"There are some in my bedside table. And before you jump to conclusions, I bought them not long ago, hoping for a night just like this."
"I love you, Elena," I whisper, dropping a kiss to her mouth. Reaching into her drawer, I pull one out. Using my teeth, I open the packet then hand the goods to her so she can roll it on me. As soon as she does, I spread her legs so I can settle between them. Reaching between us, I take a hold of my girth to get into position, stopping only so I can look into her eyes. When she smiles and whispers, "yes,", I join our bodies together for the first time. The feeling of her body cradling me so intimately is almost ethereal. The warm cavity of her core hugs me inside like a leather glove. She's so snug that I almost feel like I'm about to blow my load already and I haven't even taken one stroke. Dropping my forehead to her chest, I take several breaths as I attempt to regain control of my traitorous body. Leaning up on my elbows, I lift a kiss from her lips. As soon as our eyes lock, I pull back and slam back in, savoring every moment that I'm inside of her velvety smoothness of her warm hot body. Knowing without doubt that I never want to separate from her, I roll us so she's on top. When she looks a little unsure, I hold on as I sit up, pressing our bodies together so that our skin is flush against each other. The hardness of her erect nipples rubbing against my chest wall creates such a delicious friction that the coil in my lower belly begins to tighten. Placing my hands on her bottom, I help her raise up and down.
"Damon," she pants, anchoring her hands on my shoulders she participates more fully in our lovemaking. The moans and whimpers and grunts form a symphony to match our movements. Letting go of my shoulders, she reaches up to cradle my face, pulling a torrid kiss from my lips. Almost as soon as she lets go of mine, her head falls back as she screams my name, her voice full of passion. Chasing my own release, I raise my hips and surge into her a couple of more times, my arms holding her close. In seconds, I tumble off the precipice, her name leaving my lips like a prayer, my body alight, shuddering with aftershocks. When we both are able to feel our limbs again, I lay us down, keeping her on top and me still inside of her. While caressing her back, I press a kiss to the crown of her head.
"I love you so much, Elena. I literally have no words," I whisper as I continue to stroke her bare back. When she doesn't reply, I drop my eyes, smiling when I see that hers are closed and her chest rising and falling evenly. I can't help the feeling of pride that engulfs me knowing it was me who made her so blissfully sated that she fell asleep in my arms. My feelings for this girl are so intense beyond anything I ever thought possible. I don't know what it is but something about her draws me right in. Some of what I feel is a bit scary but it's something that I'm willing to face because I can't run from her, not now, not ever, not when she's my world, my everything and my 'love.'
Thank you, Eva. I love you lots and lots. I honestly don't know where I'd be without you.
And thanks so much to all of you as well. I would not be here without your support either.
Chapter title: 'Through the Fire and Flames' by DragonForce.
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Please excuse any errors. I just got home from work so I'm running on fumes. I have to be back at the hospital in 10 hours to do it all over again. Be safe and have a wonderful day. Night, night.
