Title: Miles To Home

Summary: For Elena Gilbert life couldn't be more perfect. She has the perfect life, perfect boyfriend, and headed towards the perfect dream job. Everything is going, well, perfectly. There's just one catch… her twin sister Katherine. When Katherine disrupts Elena's perfect life, she runs away to New York. It was the perfect plan… until she has to return home and face everything she ran away from; including her ex-boyfriend Damon. Based off the amazing trailer of the same name by the extremely talented minds and video editing talents of ElePatro (noralsel) and Caro (_LightToMyDark).

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.

Damon's POV...

The persistent knocking on my apartment door is enough to give me a headache. Whoever is on the other side is in for serious beat down for interrupting me working out my frustrations on the punching bag currently hanging in my living room. At least if I kick the ass of whoever never learned the sense of common decency maybe I can get some relief. Because honestly hitting a bag over and over just isn't getting shit done.

I swing the door open and immediately move to get in the persons face when I take note of the wild curly hair and resting bitch face standing before me. Not to mention she bears a striking resemblance to the girl I just can't seem to get over. Possibly because she's her twin.

"Katherine."

"Good. You're dressed." She doesn't even bother to elaborate as she pushes past me into my apartment. It's more vacant than usual now that Stefan's moved out and I'm still trying to figure out what my idea of home looks like but Katherine walks on in like she owns the place. Like she's been here a thousand times—which she hasn't.

She's dressed in her usual color of black on black—not that I'm complaining, half my closet is devoted to that very same shade—and she seems in a surlier mood than usual. I haven't spoken to her since I helped her fix a few things in her apartment a few days ago and this sudden drop by has me more than a little confused.

"And you're here because…" The question hangs in the air as she beelines for my decanter and pours a pretty hefty shot for herself and downs it before pouring another. It's early morning but clearly something is going on. "Don't worry about me. I'll wait till noon. Little closer to happy hour."

"God, I needed that," Katherine says, shaking out her body as the shot works its way down. She's completely ignoring my comments. "After these past few days with my parents hard liquor is just what I need."

"And hard liquor can be found at the Grille, your local liquor store… Many other options besides your boss' apartment at ten in the morning."

I make my way towards my Barcalounger and kick my feet up, accepting the fact that Katherine is here and there is reason for her visit besides my excellent spread of alcoholic beverages.

"I figured you'd be curious how this weekend went."

It takes everything in me to not to shake her for information but I remain cool, aloof—the picture of indifference. Of course I'm dying to know how the weekend went. I haven't heard from Elena or Katherine, Caroline hasn't been quiet on the whole thing and my brother could care less. Part of me is hoping Elena and her boyfriend have ended things and now I'm free to make my move but I know there's no way I'm that lucky. Especially judging by Katherine's face.

"Purge away, Kitty Kat."

She rolls her eyes at my nickname. "Well, besides the constant theme of the me being an overwhelming disappointment; there was a reason for Elijah's visit."

When she doesn't elaborate I sit up a bit in my chair. "And…"

Katherine studies me for a moment, walking along the row of decanters and towards me. "Did you ever think that Elena would have been better off if she had never met you?"

My brows furrow at the sudden change in subject. "What are you trying to say, Kat?"

"How would sweet, innocent Elena's life be if she had never crossed your path? What if the two of us had just remained friends and never drifted? What if Elena had never influenced your life or you hers?"

"She would be miserable and so would I. I wasn't happy when I was escaping my problems and she was ignorant to who was really pulling the strings in her life."

Katherine muddles on that for a second as she stands close by to me, taking a sip out of whatever concoction she's got in her glass. "Are you sure Elena wants to cut those strings?"

I nod, vehemently. "Look at how she reached out to you? How she came back home?"

"But you had nothing to do with that. Those were all decisions she made without you."

"You wouldn't understand it, Katherine." I shake my head, getting frustrated. "I don't understand what any of this has to do with what happened this weekend."

Katherine sighs. "Do you really love my sister, Damon?"

"I love, Elena," I say meaningfully. And for added measure I add on a quick, "I despise you."

She gives me a half-hearted smile as she sits on the arm of my chair. "Elijah asked my parents' permission to marry her."

Fuck. I need to hit, throw, smash…something. I can't take this unbearable feeling building up inside me as Katherine's words hit me like a shot to the heart. It's something I wasn't expecting but probably should have. Why else would the guy call her parents ahead of time? It wasn't like Elena was staying there or he needed a place to stay. He probably set the whole thing up to make sure they would set aside time to talk. And he fucking asked for her hand.

And it probably made her parents day.

I've heard all about this Elijah guy. His family name and the weight it carries, his important job, and all the doors it can open for Elena. He's everything her parents have wanted for her future. He's the exact kind of man they would handpick for her. They would never—not in a million years—chose someone like me.

It fucking kills.

She's been having fun these past few days but has it made enough of an impact? Enough to steer her off this path her parents have been paving for her since she was born?

"When? When is he going to ask her?"

Katherine is looking down at me, studying me. I don't know what she's searching for but she must find it because finally she says, "When Elena gets back to New York. After the wedding. He's flying her home the moment it's over. On his family's private jet."

My hands dive into my hair as I bring my upper body forward. "I'm going to lose her all over again. Aren't I?"

I feel her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it. "So am I."

That catches my attention. My head snaps towards her face and I can see it all there even though she's trying to hide it. She's just as scared as I am. "She's your sister. You could never lose her."

"If Elena falls back into that world—back into the role of doting, dutiful daughter, she's going to fall back into my parents' way of thinking. And we know how well that worked for us last time."

I'm shaking my head, focusing on easing Katherine's pain than my own. I'm deflecting. Something Elena has been accusing me of my entire life. Or at least since she's known me. "Elena knows the truth now. She's not going to turn her back on you."

Katherine frowns, dropping her hand from my shoulder and resting it on her knee. "She just seemed so fake at that dinner. Like she was putting on a show for everyone about how perfect her life is. I'm just not buying it. If she really knows how our parents are why is she still trying so hard to please them?"

I shrug knowing I can't really understand Elena's actions. I know enough about her to know something is going on but I can't quite put my finger on what. It's not like she's going to open up to me. Not when she has Caroline. Or Elijah.

"She's been trying to live up to your parents' expectations her whole life. It's a hard habit to break."

Katherine looks towards me meaningfully. "Well, we have to get her to break it. You can't give up on her, Damon. You have to get her to choose her own life. If she wants to be with Elijah and become a doctor then fine. But if she wants a life of her own, a messy complicated one that she'll have to stumble her way through then she deserves that."

"I don't know what you want me to do, Kat."

She slides her way on to my lap, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. I stare at her confused not truly understanding where this is coming from when she finally starts talking. "I know you love her. I know even after all these years you haven't given up on her. And I know that all these little wedding planning dates are your way of trying to make her see you belong together. But," and she dances her fingers along my collarbone, "it's not working fast enough. You have to up your game. Really make her see what she's missing."

"And is all this caressing your way of showing me how?" I question.

Katherine stares at me with those smoky dark, sultry eyes of hers and when she speaks it's husky and low. "This is doing absolutely nothing for you, is it?"

I stare at her for a moment. She has Elena's face but where Katherine is dark and sultry and mysterious, Elena is light and fun and everything I could ever want. There was never any confusion for me between them. Katherine isn't a replacement for Elena. She never could be. I'm not the stupid confused boy I used to be.

"Not a thing."

Katherine slowly smiles and hops off my lap. "Good. No repeats of last time. You're getting Elena back and we're not going to screw this up."

I stand up with her, completely baffled. "You're going to help me?"

"Yes, I'm going to help you. And here's what you're going to do."

"Damon, I can't believe you did this!"

I watch as my best friend launches towards Damon, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tight. He looks completely taken aback—still not used to her displays of affection—but he welcomes it just the same. And I have to admit I kind of enjoy seeing Damon Salvatore look uncomfortable.

It's entertaining.

When Caroline releases him, he shrugs. "Early Morning Vineyards is one of our suppliers. They were more than happy to set this up for me. You guys deserve a day to just relax."

Caroline saunters over towards Stefan and gives him a kiss, snuggling into his side. "It's just beautiful here. If we didn't already agree to Lockwood Mansion I would switch up the venue in a heartbeat."

"I don't know, Care," I say, teasing. "It's quite the trek."

She sighs. "True. But, God, it's gorgeous."

And she's right. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains this vineyard is absolutely spectacular. It's wide and open and I have never seen so much green in my entire life. The place is cozy and elegant and they're keeping our glasses full as we get a special tour of the place. We're even spending the night here so we can all enjoy ourselves and I just can't wait to see the sun setting over the vineyard or the peaceful quiet that will settle over the place when night falls and candlelight takes over.

"It is."

From the tasting room to the terrace to trails, I have had my breath taken away. It doesn't help that I have a nice buzz going on and I just feel happy. And as I sneak a peek at Damon in his khakis and navy jacket, looking anything but the bad boy I used to know I know it's not a good idea to have my inhibitions this low when he's looking that good.

I see him catch my eye and give me a wink as he sips on his own glass, his eyes sliding down my purple wraparound dress and along my legs to my strappy heels. I haven't seen him since our little cake tasting adventure and I felt terrible for bailing on him but what else was I supposed to do when Elijah showed up? I couldn't let him meet Damon or know that I've been spending all this time with him. He would know in a heartbeat what was going on and I would have to explain all the confusion going on in my head.

Yeah, I need another drink.

I reach for my glass and take a huge gulp as we make our way back to the terrace with its stone floor and wicker chairs. I lose myself to my thoughts as our guide motions around the property where tons of wild flowers surround us and try to get my head on straight. Elijah being here just screwed me up even more. I found myself falling back into old habits and forgetting the huge fight I was in with my parents and gushing about life in New York and plans for the future. A future I'm not even sure I'm going to have.

What am I going to do?

As I take a seat with my friends and we get served dinner, I lose myself in the conversation. I add in where I can but I mostly let Stefan and Caroline and even Damon just continue to chat on without me. By dessert were all thoroughly drunk and I'm feeling a lot more forthcoming than I have been since we've been out here.

"Well we're going to head to bed," Caroline says, grabbing hold of Stefan and rising from the table. I can tell she's using him to steady herself but even I notice that Stefan is a little wobbly himself. "Thank you again, Damon."

"My pleasure," he states, smiling.

They make their way around the table and Stefan says, "We'll see you guys in the morning."

"Goodnight," I say, blowing them a kiss. I take notice of the twinkling lights wrapped around the wooden beams surrounding the terrace as Caroline and Stefan make their way inside to head towards the guest cottage. "Wow, look at how pretty those lights are! When did those get there?."

"You feeling good there, Gilbert?"

My head snaps towards Damon who's looking at me with a smirk. "You're here?"

"Never left."

I nod and the whole place starts spinning. To stop it all I put my hand over my eyes as I ask, "Are you tired?"

"Not quite. But you're drunk. Maybe we should get you to bed."

I giggle. "Oh, you would love that."

"I'll be a gentleman. Promise." He even has his one hand up like a boy scout.

I shake my head again and the spinning resumes. I have got to stop doing that. Pouting, I say, "My head hurts."

"Well drinking your weight in wine will do that to a person."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I reply, "Rude."

"Honest," he counters.

Damon waves the waiter over and signs a few things before standing and holding out his hand. I warily take it and he helps me to stand but I shake a bit as I stand. Thankfully, he places a firm arm around my waist and together we make our way out of the restaurant and towards our respective rooms.

Being this close to him it makes it hard to think about anything but him. From the strong cut of his jaw, the slight stubble along it, the fresh smell of him, all of it is completely taking over my senses. I feel safe as he helps me navigate my way around this huge place. My one arm is wrapped around his neck and I find my hand weaving its way into his hair, wrapping around his hair and tugging a bit. Its messy today yet styled and gelled and I can't stop touching it.

"Elena…" he warns.

"How can your hair be so soft?" I slur.

"Conditioner."

He laughs, guiding us down one final hallway until we're at our doors. His room is right next to mine and he reaches into my clutch I had forgotten all about and slides my room key out and puts it into the lock. I cling to him as he pushes open the door and steps inside before he kicks it shut, walking us both towards the bed. He eases me on to the queen size bedding and I instantly collapse on it, staring up at the ceiling and getting lost in the blades of the fan spinning above my head.

I feel Damon's hands on my ankle, slipping my shoes off of my feet and then he's reaching for my hands, pulling me into a sitting position and staring at my face. I stick my tongue out at him and it causes him to smile. "You're drunk."

"Why thank you, Captain Obvious."

He shakes his head. "You going to be okay?"

"This isn't my first time."

Taking a moment, he studies me before nodding his head and saying, "It's late. I better go. I'll be right next door if you need me."

I watch him make his way towards the door and something tugs at my heart. I don't want him to go. I want him to stay and talk to me. And apparently I have no filter because the thought leaves my mouth in the form of two words. "Don't. Stay."

He pauses with his hand on the door and slowly turns towards me. "What?"

"Stay," I stress, almost comically.

Damon hesitates and then locks the deadbolt and makes his way to the other side of the bed. I turn off the light on my side of the bed and situate myself under the covers, turning my body towards him and watch him kick his shoes off and remove his jacket and tie, folding them gently on a nearby chair. I'm mesmerized as his fingers swiftly unbutton the first few buttons of his dress shirt and then he slides into bed beside me—on top of the covers.

We're both still in our dress clothes but I don't have it in me to change and it's not like he has a change of clothes in my room. I don't even have it in me to care. It's better than sleeping in our underwear. With the amount of wine I had and how I handled just touching his hair that wouldn't be a good idea at all.

"Thank you," I say, as the room goes dark. "I know I'm a mess."

"No, you're not."

I shove his shoulder. "A little bit."

He shakes his head in the darkness. "Shut up."

It goes quiet and I can't seem to shut up my mind. My thoughts are spinning around, driving me crazy, making it impossible to sleep despite how tired I am. The alcohol swimming in my system is making my lids droop but it's also making me think of everything that I shouldn't be thinking about. Like Damon's role in my life, the memory of the last time we were in a bed together, Dr. Laughlin's speech, Katherine, my parents. Before I know it the overwhelming emotions of it all have tears streaming down my face.

"Elena?" Damon says, turning towards me. "Elena, what's wrong?"

I'm not sure what makes me say it but before I can stop myself the words are tumbling free on their own accord. The one thing that has me worried the most. "My advisor says I don't have what it takes to be a doctor."

"W-What?" he says, sitting up a bit and flicking on the small light on his side of the bed. "What are you talking about?"

"Before I came home my advisor said I have the brains to be a doctor but not the heart. Can you believe it? All those years of studying and I just don't have the passion for it. Me?"

I wipe away at the tears still falling down my cheeks as I sit up in the bed. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol or just the weight of this secret hanging over me but for some reason I feel the need to unload it all tonight. And Damon just happens to be here to bear the weight of it.

His brows furrow as he stares at me. "Do you want to be a doctor?"

Hesitating, I chew on my lip. Finally I say, "Yes?"

"Is that a question?"

I cover my face with my hands. "I'm so confused. This is what I've been working towards my entire life. How can I not have the passion for it?"

"Is this what you want for yourself or your parents?"

My head falls back against the headboard as I stare ahead of me. "I don't know anymore. It's like suddenly everything about my life is being turned upside down."

"Well, I think you better figure that out. It's your life, Elena. You have to live it for yourself and no one else."

I start choking back tears and I feel Damon hesitantly pull my body toward his. Without questioning it, I let myself fall into his chest as he holds me. I let out all of my tears and frustrations and Damon just continues to squeeze me to him and tell me over and over that everything will be alright and that he's here for me. The entire time all I can think about is how I've just unloaded everything on Damon yet I couldn't even mention a word of it to Elijah the entire time he was here.

Why? Why couldn't I talk to my boyfriend?

"My parents just couldn't handle it when I told them," I get out. "They were so upset."

Damon squeezes my arm. "Don't worry about them, Elena. You have to be able to handle it. It's your life. You have to live with the choices. If you want to be a doctor than great; be a doctor. You'll figure out the passion bit. But if you don't you'll figure that out too."

"But how can I do that to my parents? How can I hurt them like that?"

He eases his hold on me and lifts my chin to look at him with his finger. I stare into those blue eyes of his as he speaks to me. "What's worse, Elena? Living a life that you didn't choose or hurting your parents for a few moments? You have to get out from under them. Find a way to be okay with being yourself. Because, Elena, you're a pretty fucking amazing girl."

I give him a smile and watch as the tension in his face eases a bit. Damon reaches forward and wipes away my tears. There's a moment when his finger lingers on the apple of my cheek before sliding down along to my bottom lip where I feel something stirring inside of me. It's a feeling I haven't felt in a long time and it had my eyes dropping to his mouth that is only a few inches away from mine.

"Damon…." I start to say, but I just can't finish the sentence. I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm confused, upset, drunk. My mind has taken a backseat to this night and is just enjoying the show as it lets me be ruled by other things. My heart being the most important. My desire for him being a close second.

And I'd be foolish to say that my heart and body wasn't craving on lessening the space between my mouth and his.

But I just can't. I'm too vulnerable right now and I have to cling to that part of myself that is screaming my boyfriend's name. Damon may be here, bringing up old feelings and reminding me of all the times he was my shoulder to cry on, but he's not my boyfriend. He's not Elijah.

I see his eyes flick to my mouth before he takes a shuddering breath. "I think we should go to sleep."

My eyes widen at the disappointment I feel—wasn't I just thinking that we should put a stop to this?—but I simply nod and slide out of his embrace, laying back down with my back to him. I feel Damon's eyes on me before I hear his sigh and then the room goes black and I feel him lay down beside me. Soon enough I let my fears and confusion fade away into sleep and succumb to my dreams.

But when I wake up the next morning, Damon and I are no longer with our backs to each other but rather face to face with our hands intertwined between our pillows.