Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story is mine.
Note: Previously, in "Hunter's Moon," Damon and Elena meet with Captain Forbes to give their status report on the case.
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Damon & Elena's House – 2 Days Later...
Damon whistled as he made pancakes for the family. Even though he and Elena had to go to the prison to visit with Katherine again, he thought that he'd make breakfast for everyone. He was still cooking when he caught sight of Christian and Anastasia coming downstairs, Elena following along after them. Damon saw the look on his wife's face, which told him that she wasn't looking forward to seeing Katherine. It also told him that she wished that they could just find some remote island and forget about the bullshit with not only Katherine, but also Silas.
He was about to say something when Christian spoke up.
"That smells great, Dad."
"Thank you, son," his father replied. "I'm making pancakes for everyone. I figure that it's been a while since the last time I made breakfast for my family, so today, I thought I'd make pancakes, since I know that's your favorite."
"Is this because Mom's upset?"
"No," said Damon. "What makes you think I'm making breakfast because your mother's upset?"
"We heard her complaining as we went by your room earlier," said Anastasia, answering the question for her brother. "She said that she wished that she didn't have to go to that damn prison to talk to that horrible bitch."
Elena, having heard what her daughter said, immediately responded before Damon did. "Anastasia Rose Salvatore, that language isn't appropriate for little girls. And, for your information, I wasn't complaining. I was simply telling your father my opinion about the case we're working."
"If it's so inappropriate, how come you can say it?"
Elena hated to admit it, but Anastasia did raise a valid point. "You're right, I'm not setting a good example for either you or your brother. But, I guess sometimes, we all have to do things that we don't like. I may not like the fact that we have to go to the prison, but it's necessary."
Christian raised an eyebrow. "If you don't like going there, why do you do it?"
"A lady from Mommy's past is serving time there," said Elena. "She has information that we need to catch the bad man that's hurting all these people." I hope that was subtle enough. Christian and Anastasia have no idea that Katherine is their aunt, and I'm not even sure that Katherine knows that Damon and I have children. The only thing she knows is that we're married.
Damon saw that Elena wasn't entirely comfortable with the line of questioning that the children were using, so he decided to come to his wife's aid. "Guys, go set the table, okay? I'll be dishing breakfast in a little bit."
Christian and Anastasia nodded and did as they were told. Elena smiled at her husband. "Thank you, Damon. I honestly didn't know how I was going to get through that. I'd hate to lie to my own children, but how do you explain the complexity of a case like this to a pair of ten-year-olds?"
"You're not lying to them," said Damon. "You're telling them the truth without the whole truth."
"It feels like lies, though."
"I know, and I don't like it any more than you do," said Damon. "I guess sometimes you have to lie to protect the ones you love."
Elena nodded and said nothing more as she went to Damon's side, hugging him and gently kissing his cheek. She went to walk away, but Damon grabbed her and kissed her passionately, reaching up to run his fingers through her hair. They broke the kiss a few minutes later and Elena gazed into his blue eyes with her brown ones.
"I love you, Damon."
Damon smiled. "I love you too, cara mia."
Virginia State Women's Prison – Later...
Elena tried to keep a stoic face as she and Damon arrived at the prison. She wondered just what they were in for today, simply because Katherine might not want to discuss Silas, but something else entirely, like how good Damon looked in his blazer and jeans ensemble, or some other bullshit.
Just don't let her rattle you, she thought. She's not the one calling the shots here, you are.
No sooner did she complete that thought than she saw a well-dressed man standing by the security window. That's funny, Katherine didn't have any other visitors aside from her and Damon, so who the hell was this guy?
"Detectives," he said. "Katerina told me that you'd be coming by today and to wait for you."
Elena looked at Damon and then at the man. "Wait, who are you and how do you know Katherine?"
"Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself first. I'm Elijah and..."
Damon spoke then. "Wait a second, I think I know you. You're Klaus' brother, aren't you?"
"I am, unfortunately," said Elijah. "And I'd like to express how sorry I am that my family caused you so much pain. I also like to assure that I'm not here to cause trouble. Unlike Niklaus, Rebekah, Kol, and my father, I'm here to help save lives, not destroy them." He saw the look of doubt on Damon's face. "You don't trust me, and I can't say I blame you. Given what you went through from the time you were fifteen, I'd imagine that seeing me is the last thing you expected."
"I believe my wife asked you a question," said Damon, changing the subject. "How do you know Katherine? Is she your girlfriend or something?"
"I have feelings for her, yes," said Elijah. "Katerina wants very much to be part of society again."
"She has to help us with Silas first before we can help her with that," said Elena. "She's the only one with information on how to stop him before any more innocent blood is shed. Elijah, in my career, I've seen a lot of shit, and some of it is bad enough to make your hair stand on end. As much as I wish that we could ask someone else to help us, we can't."
"That's also why I'm here," said Elijah. "Katerina feels that because she's in here, I can be of use to you. I have heard some things about Silas myself, and if you'd let me, I can tell you what I know." He looked at Damon. "I know that you'd rather make me join my family in hell, but I wasn't lying when I said that I'm not here to destroy lives." He took out a badge. "I'm with the FBI."
Elena looked at Damon as well. "That badge looks authentic. I think we should trust him, Damon. I know that you'd rather not have anything to do with him, given your history with his family, but he's willing to help us with the case."
Damon scowled at Elijah and then looked at his wife. "Well, I may have no reason to trust him, but for you, I'll let him help us." He saw that Elena was about to speak and placed his index finger on her lips before looking at Elijah. "We'll let you help us in our investigation, Elijah, but I have a few conditions."
Elijah nodded. "And they are?"
"One, don't threaten my wife. If you do, I'll descend upon you so fast, you'll barely have time to blink," said Damon. "Two, once Silas is caught and the case is over, we go our separate ways. You and Katherine can ride off into the sunset for all I care, but I want you gone."
"I accept your conditions," said Elijah. "Once the case is over, you'll never see or hear from me again. I also agree to not do anything to threaten your wife."
Damon nodded and reluctantly shook the older man's hand. Elena watched this and couldn't help but get the feeling that things were about to get even more complicated.
Note: Chapter 4 is complete! Can Damon and Elena trust Elijah? Stay tuned and see!
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