Hello all :D I decided to go ahead and update. It's been a while, and I know you guys are waiting. Thank you for the lovely comments & subs. They make me smile. This chapter is based on "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac.

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For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right.

Here goes nothing.

Elena let out a small groan. She hoped Damon didn't hear her though. He was walking very close to her, and making her feel safe.

Walking into the party wasn't her best idea though. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the pain in her chest made it harder for her to breathe. Elena couldn't possibly register in her mind what would've happened if Damon had not rescued her out of that horrific moment. She felt his fingers intertwine suddenly with hers gently, making her feel completely relaxed. It was a breath of fresh air, seeing him kind.

"Elena, are you ready?" Damon muttered softly as they walked down the hallway to the large reception area. His voice was smooth like velvet. Damon was different at this point. It was the only word she could think of that truly described how he was acting. His emotions were exposed as much as they would withstand—a first.

"My dress," she whispered to him looking down at the ripped fabric. He sighed, gazing up and down at the broken Elena. She was broken. Elena was pretty much the face of a broken vase that had fallen to the ground and shattered into a million pieces. His eyes were soft and caring. Damon removed his suit's jacket and placed it around her.

"I wish I could do more," he whispered. Elena only gently smiled to him. She wasn't up for smiling today.

"Y-You are—more than I could ever want," she murmured enough for him to hear her. She was reassuring him that she felt safer, and he was her hero. They made it to do the reception in no time at all, gazing directly at the decorations of the large venue. Her heart fluttered at its beauty, trapping her in a gorgeous daydream. Caroline had perfected every little detail. The party room was massive, and completely full of unknown faces, and some Elena was familiar with.

Damon smiled at her, with a watchful eye. "Caroline is very happy," he began to change the tension between them. Love ballads circled around the dance floor making the aura peaceful. It enlightened Elena, even if she was farther away from the venue at heart. The music continued playing non-stop while Caroline and Klaus couldn't keep their hands off each other.

She found herself gazing around quietly, not saying a word, but stood close to Damon, as her mind was still far away. He could tell. "I'm glad she found Klaus. He's Prince Charming to her…" Elena finally spoke up, making Damon turn his head to listen to her.

Damon cut her off, and grinned. "Are you into that?"

Elena tilted her head in confusion. "I guess the question is who isn't? I always dreamed of a fairy tale ending, but I've only read them in books," she whispered continuing to focus on the large crowd of people.

He grinned to himself, "Elena, would you like to dance?" Damon held out his hand, offering her a dance or two in that moment. Her eyes perked up more than they had all night.

"Sure, I'd love to dance," Elena nodded placing her hand in his hand, as he led her on the dance floor as everyone began to watch them closely. His hand wrapped around hers gently, then placed his other around her waist gently, pressing their bodies a little closer. He lifted her hand carefully, and looped their fingers together, swaying them back and forth. As exciting as this was, Elena had no feelings. She was numb.

Damon leaned toward her and pressed his lips to her ear, and whispered the sweet lyrics in her ear to her shock. "...I want to wrap you up, want to kiss your lips; I want to make you feel wanted. And I want to call you mine, I want to hold your hand forever, and never let you forget it."

Elena knew the song well, always hearing it going to work, but suddenly it made her feel. The head-over-heels feeling was gone; it had resulted in completely being in love with him. Elena was in love for the first time in a long time. As thoughts ran through her head now, the only thing she could think of was Damon. His deep blue eyes were piercing as they continued to dance to the slow music. He was watching her. Letting go of her fears, she felt her body move closer to his by her own choice.

"What are you thinking about? Something must be on your mind," he chuckled sensitively.

She removed her glance from the spot she was staring at, and turned her attention to him. "Oh…nothing." Elena was never good at shaking things off. It was prominent.

He smirked playfully, "If you say so, Miss Gilbert."

She rolled her eyes and looked up at him. "Are we still doing the properness?"

"Of course we are."

He continued guiding Elena on the dance floor as everyone fixed their attention on the two. "Miss Gilbert, remember you have to do the maid of honor speech."

Elena turned her head to face him, and bit her lip hard, "I forgot about that…" She confessed to him. She did forget. Her life was such in turmoil; she didn't imagine getting out of it. "I'll do it, let me just get my notes," she tripped over her words.

"Wait."

She paused and turned to face him. "I have to go get something, don't go on yet."

"Are you leaving?" She whispered.

He shook his head and smiled. "If you want, you can come with me."

Elena furrowed her eyebrows in slight confusion and sighed as she felt defeated by his words.

She got up from her comfortable bench, and followed him out the large door, through the entrance way. Damon smiled, as he was greeted by a black SUV, and the door opened. It moved so fast; the situation. What was he up to? Her mind was too focused on him being there to pay attention to her surroundings.

He grasped a large, garment bag, and carried it inside, telling me to follow him. Her mind was too focused on him being there to pay attention to her surroundings.

"I hope you like it," Damon shrugged, with so much sincerity in his voice.

"What is it?" she questioned, taking the bag from him, and then carefully unzipped it. She unveiled a mid-length beige dress. She tilted her head and gazed up at him softly. "Oh."

"I didn't want you to be uncomfortable, Lena." Also included in the bag was her favorite pair of light pink flats, and her beige boyfriend cardis.

She looked up, seeing Damon slouched against the wall, as if he was waiting her for her to finish, and giving her that space she ultimately needed. "Thank you," she whispered turning to him with a half-smile. A smile that was hard for anyone to unbury at this moment.

Elena stepped into the bathroom, and ditched her old clothes, and threw them in the large, black garment bag.

She stepped out, feeling so much more comfortable than she did 10 minutes ago. "You look wonderful," he grinned as his smile was full of life.

She just smiled softly, not knowing what to think in that moment. It was great he had complimented her, but deep down, Elena just wanted to go home.

"Good luck. I'll be right in front," he reminded her sweetly.

It was that friendly reminder that Damon was going to be right there, cheering for her. She was quiet, and walked up to the front of group of people. They were chit-chatting at every table, and as it moved to silence, Elena was frozen. With a glance from Caroline, her best friend walked up, and smiled. "Thank you for doing this, Elena. You don't know how much it means to me," she said excitedly, hugging her best friend.

Elena clinks her glass, as the room died down once again, she smiled. "I would just like to say a few words to the bride and groom. If you don't know me, I am Elena Gilbert, the maid of honor. Ms. Mikaelson and I have been friends for so long; I can't even count the days that turned into years. We've been through everything together, first days of school, first day of college, and first day on a brand new job. She was with me in my worst times as I was growing up, and taking over a large company. I was petrified, but Caroline pushed me through, making sure that I was okay." Elena gulped as she watched the crowd turn their emotions into stares. She felt they were all staring at her, and watching the struggling speech unfold beautifully.

Elena cleared her throat, and smiled with a nod, and continued what she was saying. "She was my rock, and never gave up on me. Today, we are bringing these two together to make the Miss, a Mrs. Caroline is a wonderful girl. She knows exactly what to say at the right moment. When you two met, I felt the beautiful relationship, blossoming into something great. I was glad I have been exposed to such love. I only wish the best for you two in everything you both set your minds on. Nik, you are blessed to have Caroline in your life, and in your heart. Treat her well. She deserves every bit of your love. You two have so many wonderful years ahead of you, and this is the first day of the rest of your lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelson," Elena breathed out, holding her champagne glass higher.

Elena walked from where she stood, and breathed another sigh of relief. Caroline's warm hug embraced Elena, as it made her smile. Caroline had tears in her eyes, and it made Elena cry too. "Thank you." Caroline whispered. "…for everything."

She found her seat next to Klaus, as Elena with Damon. "You did great," he smiled, patting her knee softly.

"Thank you," she grinned.

As the party progressed, it went thoroughly, and Damon seemed to never leave Elena's side. It was something special to her, just him being there was enough.

"You're welcome."

"So what did you get Klaus and Caroline?" she mumbled in curiosity.

"Curiosity killed the cat," he joked whispering to her softly.

She rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow gently. "Yes, it did. Now spill," she said turning to face him, still waiting for him to tell her.

"Just a few things, Caroline: a shopping spree, and Klaus some of the best Bourbon I know of…costly may I add, if you were wondering." He shrugged it off as if it was nothing, because apparently; it wasn't.

"Oh my!" Elena gasped cupping her mouth.

After the presents were open, and the goodbyes were made, Elena and Damon were one of the lasts to leave the large venue. He placed his hand on the middle area of her back, as they walked through the large crowd of people. "Would you like me to take you home?" he questioned.

She squinted in disbelief. "That would be nice."

"Or would you like dinner, and maybe a trip to my place?" he whispered, pulling her close looking into her eyes as they got out on the foyer outside.

"I'm not even sure what to say," she glanced.

He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I just thought dinner would be nice."

"Dinner sounds perfect." For once tonight, Elena's eyes lit up, and her smile was beaming. It was rare right now, and he managed to pull it out of her.

"You can come with me, if you like… I brought my SUV," he offered.

She nodded, following him into the SUV. The slick SUV had become familiar to her, reminding her of happier times. She stepped into the passenger's seat, as he jumped into the driver's side. Elena laid her clutch on her lap, and watched him as he drove down the streets of New York. "Where are we going?" she asked finally, not completely sure of his expectations.

He glanced over at her, and chuckled. "You'll see."

She furrowed her eyebrows, not getting an answer out of him. "So how's the business going? I know we haven't talked in a few days," she started off.

He shrugged simply. "It's getting back on track, there's only so much that can be done without me losing sleep."

Elena listened to him carefully and nodded. "W-Why'd you come back?" she blurted out.

Damon turned to face her almost immediately after he stopped at the yellow light. "I found a reason to come back," he whispered. His piercing blue eyes could see into your soul.

Elena then started to debate if that was such a good idea. "Oh," she murmured.

"Not the answer you were searching for was it?" he smirked.

She smiled; he probably knew why she asked.

"I came back for you," Damon whispered. He was extremely honest and very attentive to Elena.

She listened, without saying a word, because she knew no words that would fit for her. His eyes were subtle and kind. She waited patiently for more.

"I knew the wedding was going to interfere with my trip, and I was going to come, and I guess you thought I would too. So, that morning, I got on my private plane and got to the church. You changed my mind. I wanted to come. Not for Caroline, not for all your friends at work…for you, Elena," Damon explained.

In her mind, Elena's mouth was on the floor from gasping. Damon's velvety voice knocked her out of her inner thoughts.

"Are you okay? Do you not have anything to say? I thought you always had something to say."

He was right, she always did, but not in this moment. "I just don't know what to say for once."

Damon chuckled, as he turned down another road as he headed to downtown New York. "Well you asked, and I gave you my answer."

She glanced over at him again, and began to speak, but only two words exited from her lips. "Thank you. I'm glad you came. It really made my day better, even though, things went down," she softly said to him.

"Glad I came too."

The silence was broken by a song on the radio that was lightly playing. He pulled up in a parking spot, in front of a swanky restaurant and turned the car off, and looked over at her, catching her staring back at him.

"Thank you, for everything you've ever done, Damon. My company, saving me all those times, saving me from myself, taking me on vacation with you, showing me things I have never seen before."

He nodded. "I'm…trying. I don't try, but lately I have. I haven't been able to experience something so real in a long time. We are passionate and something trying to be discovered. Fuck, Elena, we hated each other when we first walked through that door and saw each other. It's probably going to take time, but what can I say? I haven't been the most perfect person."

She chuckled, "I can vouch for that statement."

Damon elbowed her. "I know, I'm a dick, always have been. Who doesn't know that though?"

Elena rolled her eyes playfully and hit him with her clutch bag. "Probably the whole news broadcasting network stations, plus everything else," she laughed.

"Oh, ha, ha, ha, aren't we funny, Miss Gilbert?" he teased.

She took it as a challenge, glaring at him. "Oh, we are passionate and something buried underneath? Well, do tell, Mr. Salvatore, do tell."

"I kind of want my dinner first, but I might have to skip to dessert," he growled flirtatiously, leaning into her.

She bit her lip staring into his bright blue eyes. "Fine, then let's go."

"That's more like it."

I'd love your opinion about what you want to happen next. Thank you again, loves.