Ch. 6

A week later in Paris…

Elena walked down the street towards the café on the corner. Lately her thoughts had been brimming with ideas of photography. However, today her head was filled with other exciting moments from her previous night. Elijah had finally made a move, and had kissed her. At the moment she couldn't seem to remember where, as they had gotten lost in the city with each other. She seemed to be enjoying the feeling of being lost lately. It had freed her in a way she wasn't anticipating. She also hadn't expected the kiss. It had been warm and inviting, and had thrilled her. Although, she still longed for something more and seemed to know her heart had not been in it. In spite of that Elena had invited Elijah out this morning to join her for breakfast. She felt that even though she wasn't in love with him, he was still a good friend to her and she wanted to keep it that way.

Reaching the café she looked around for him, but noticed he hadn't arrived yet. So she sat at a vacant table outside, and ordered a cappuccino along with a warm roll. As she waited she pulled out her journal along with a new correspondence from her father. Grayson loved to write to her, and they found it was a lot cheaper to write these days then to call. Long distance was beginning to be really very expensive. Tearing the seal, Elena pulled out the letter and began to read sipping on her drink, and pretending she could hear her fathers comforting voice.

My dearest Elena,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good company. I have been meaning to thank you for the letters you send. They fill my heart with warmth as I imagine you thriving and happy once more. I know your time in Paris has been a great triumph for you. Which is why I feel that the news I need to tell you will no longer hinder your happiness. I have known for sometime, but have been reluctant to write. It was not until I received your current letter explaining your new friends, and your passion for life that I chose to tell you. The Salvatore estate has been in a transition of sorts. As of last week, Stefan has become engaged to Caroline Forbes. She's a doctor, wealthy, and a kind sort of girl. You'd like her Elena. At any rate the family has been making proper arrangements, and I wanted to tell you before you heard it from another source. Please do not let this news cause you harm. You are better than him, Elena, you always have been, and you deserve more. I understand the effect this might have on you, but I wish you all the best.

My affection and love,

Grayson

Finishing the letter Elena felt warm tears slide down her cheeks. Stefan was engaged. Elena's heart sunk with dread. Her hands dropped the letter and panic gripped her heart.

"Elena?" a voice broke into her train of thought. Elijah had arrived, and sunk into a chair next to her.

Her eyes darted to his, and she suddenly lost all sense of consciousness. She found she suddenly needed him, in a desperate way. Wiping her tears she grabbed his arm and before she knew it, had drug him to her loft. Entering her bedroom her lips found his urgently as she tore off his coat. His hands roamed over her body and his lips clung to hers. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and for a brief second she imagined Damon's raven locks. Her mind fought the thought almost instantly. She should be thinking about Stefan. As they sunk down to the bed his hands found her breasts, and her body went rigid. This wasn't right. She was using him, and they both knew it. Elijah pulled away, almost instantly and gracefully held her hand against his chest.

"Elena, I am here but you are somewhere else."

"I'm sorry Elijah. I didn't mean to…"

"No, shhh," he said raising his finger and placing it over her lips.

"What you need to fix, you won't fix in bed, you have to fix it here." He said as his hand went to rest upon her chest, right above her heart. Elena sighed, knowing he had been right.

Weeks passed quickly after Grayson's letter, as Elena's mind had grown determined. She had resolved to forget Stefan, and finally focus on herself. She soon found her loneliness was not something she feared anymore, but a time for her to find strength in herself. She made time for herself by writing in her journal, her abilities in photography, and finally threw away the glasses she had adorned from the very beginning. Contacts she realized were a magical solution. After all she didn't need to hide anymore; there was no reason to.

Elijah and Marie Rose had been her friends and her guides to finding herself, but now it was time to live her own life. She said a tearful goodbye in hopes that they both understood. She needed to gain control again; she needed to face her demons, not run from them.

Paris had been an escape, but now had become a place of safety. However, much she wanted to stay she found she needed to be true to herself. She had a home, and it was calling her back. Writing to her father, she explained that he should expect her back within the week. She was coming back to Mystic Falls, and for the first time felt empowered, instead of afraid as she flew away from her life in Paris, saying goodbye to a life filled with rose colored light.

Meanwhile in Mystic falls Damon was tossing and turning in his bed. The stress of the merger and Stefan's fear of commitment had him in night sweats daily. He couldn't begin to realize Stefan's hesitation to marrying Caroline. Had he bumped his head? Did he not remember a month ago when he had been practically begging him to lie to everyone they knew so that she would be accepted into the Salvatore's home?

He rose from his bed, and got dressed for the day. Glancing around his closet he chose to put on a black long sleeved V-neck and some navy slacks. He wouldn't be going into the office today, so he opted for casual wear. His mother's birthday was the day after tomorrow, and she would be expecting him to be as involved as ever with the arrangements. Since he had known of her scheming ways, he'd chosen to stay at the mansion for a few days. Normally he would be in his apartment across from Salvatore Industries, but when Laura needed him he made every attempt to be there for her. After all Giuseppe always seemed to find a reason to distance himself from these parties, even if they were important to Laura. So it was up to Damon to keep him and his mother happy in whatever way possible; even if that meant planning and ordering all the trappings for the main event.

The rest of the morning ran across as a surreal blur. Servants were hired, guest's lists were made, and soon the mansion was filled with hurried bodies. Trucks lined the Salvatore Mansion drive way as tables and chairs arrived for the courtyard. Flower trucks followed in pursuit, and the only moment that stopped Damon in his tracks was when he had gone to get his mother's birthday gift in the backseat of the Benz, only to discover Stefan and Elena in the driveway next to his brother's car.

At first glance he had assumed it was just another one of Stefan's many conquests. Jeez he thought, you're engaged and already moving in on other territory. He mused that he really should warn Caroline about his brother's flighty nature.

Until he heard the girl laugh, and then something caused him to stop still in his tracks.

Taking another look at the girl, he noticed long brown hair and olive skin glistening in the sun. He knew he had only ever seen skin like that once, and it belonged to a girl that had tormented his thoughts for years. As he recognized her, Damon's words got lost in his throat. He knew who she was, and it hadn't been just another girl. It was his girl. Elena.

"Elena, you're back." Damon said finding his voice, and striding towards her while giving her a charming smile.

"Hello Damon." Elena answered hesitantly turning towards him.

Their eyes locked and for one moment he could've sworn his heart stopped beating. She was absolutely breathtaking. Paris had served her well as she stood before him a complete transformation from the girl he had once known. When he'd last seen her she had been a shy shell of a girl. Now she stood before him a woman holding herself up in a way that seemed confident. He took appreciation in admiring her knee length golden dress that hugged her form enhancing her natural curves.

Damon continued smiling as he made his way to the car. Appearing to seem distracted on his task, while in reality her presence was driving him crazy with need.

"Welcome home." He stated.

Elena blushed as he strode passed her, and noticed Stefan across from her with a similar expression etched across his face.

"Thank you." She replied, smiling back at him causing his knees to go weak.

"Wait…Elena?" Stefan stated still sounding confused.

"Did you have a good time in Paris?" Damon asked as she removed her sunglasses and he got lost in her brown eyes. He had missed those eyes. The ones he had longed to see into for months.

"Yes", she said curtly, standing beside Stefan's porche. She seemed distracted by Stefan's gaze as he continued to repeat her name.

"Elena?" Stefan said again. Damon found it annoying that he seemed to stay glued on the spot in front of her.

"You look all grown up. This look suits you."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Elena said, her eyes moving over to Stefan's.

"You should take it as a compliment of the highest order." Damon declared moving toward the Benz to finally retrieve the package in his trunk.

"Elena?" he Stefan exclaimed again, realization hitting his eyes.

"Why does he keep saying that?" he finally asked. Bewildered at the fact that Stefan had been talking to Elena at all. Looking up from the package in his hand, he finally noticed Stefan's penetrating stare, and Elena's moony eyes fanning across his features.

Suddenly a conclusion hit him as he finally grasped what had been going on before he arrived outside.

Damon knew his brother well, and had been around him enough times to know when he was on the prowl for a woman's affections. Unfortunately for him, Stefan appeared to be hitting on Elena right in front of him. Damon's blood boiled, as he watched Stefan invite her to their mother's party, and watched her walk away towards the garage.

"No." Damon declared staring into his brother's eyes with a rage he barely recognized.

"What? I can't invite an old friend over for a party?" Stefan said, playing innocent.

"No." Damon stated for a final time adding an icy glare. Not only was Stefan throwing away a possible business opportunity and a committed relationship, he appeared to be in pursuit of what was his.

Elena Gilbert, Damon was determined, was not and would never be a conquest for his little brother.

"This is not your concern brother." Stefan spat heading towards the door to go inside.

"She is my concern." He said to himself, as Stefan walked into the house.

She always has been and always will be, he thought as he made his way inside the house following his brother, and attempting to stop himself from dropping the gift in his hands, dreading the mess he knew was to come.

**********************AUTHORS NOTE**********************************************************

Well well Elena's back and look who finally decides to notice her…Stefan.

Don't worry he'll only be a distraction to her for another chapter or so, and then Damon will make his move.

Sure hope you're enjoying the story! To those of you who know the Sabrina movie, I did cut the Stefan/Elena meeting scene. I really just didn't feel like showing it in this particular chapter. I might later on. For now just enjoy the read.

Be good and review! Thanks! ~iHeart1202