Chapter 7: The Start of Something New

The sun rose upon the town, the brightness peaking through the curtains of the Gilbert household as Elena lay still in bed, her face buried into the comfort of her pillow, the dreams pulling her into a deep slumber. The sun grew brighter, breaking through the cloth of the curtains, shining down on the brunette's face as she groaned in protest. What was this madness?

Rolling over, she banged into a warm body and opened her eyes in fright, calming down once she seen the familiar lips. Letting out a breath, she looked up as she seen the blue orbs hidden behind his lids. He looked so relaxed when he was sleeping, so peaceful. Sitting up, she yawned and ran her fingers through her hair. When did she even fall asleep? Looking around the room, she looked back at Damon and lifted her hand slowly, tracing the shape of his lips as she smiled, letting out a shaky breath.

How can one man be so amazing and take her breath away? Years ago, she thought that had been Stefan, but now being in a position to look at hard solid facts, this was different. Damon made her happy, he made her laugh...he made her feel like she had choices, like she was free.

"Why wake a man from a peaceful sleep?" He murmured, biting her fingertip as he rolled them over, hovering over her.
"Because you looked to delicious to ignore?" She laughed, watching as his eyes opened, showing the electric blue orbs.
"You're lucky I like you." He told her, his voice husky as he gave her a lazy grin and stroked his fingers through her brunette locks.
"We have to get packed." Elena told him, letting out a sigh as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, continuing down to her chin.

"More time on the plane I guess." Wiggling his eyebrows, he smirked as he rolled off her, only causing her to laugh.
"Maybe so sir." Sitting up, she tied her hair into a messy bun and looked around the room, yawning.
"Did you want any breakfast before we leave or do you want to wait for the plane?" He questioned, turning his head to look.
"The plane. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible without killing anyone." Pushing herself up, she stretched.
"I'll take 5 minutes, just going to use the shower." Winking, he smiled as he went into the bathroom and closed the door open.

Elena grinned, rubbing her neck shyly and blushed. Why did he have such an effect on her? Kneeling down, she pulled the two cases out, throwing them onto the bed with a huff. Rolling her shoulders, she looked in the mirror, going wide-eyed. Boy, did she look bad in the morning or what? She needed to get up earlier and do herself up, this was just silly. Patting her cheeks, she walked over to the draws, pulling out her clothes as she packed them into her case, then getting some of his and moving them into his case. Hearing the bathroom door open, she turned around, seeing him walk out in only a towel. Licking her lips, she swallowed as she looked him over, drops of water running down his chest, stopping at the towel.

"See something you like?" Damon smirked, tilting his head, showing his pearly whites as she laughed.
"Just get your case packed Mr Salvatore." Brushing past him, she moved into the bathroom, closing the door over.

Smiling big, she listened as she heard him chuckling and open the drawers. Sighing in content, she stripped down, jumping into the shower that he had left running for her and pushed her hair back, relaxing. This was heaven. Tilting her head back, she ran her fingers through her hair, singing softly as she listened out for Damon, hearing him talking to someone. Frowning, she stopped singing and listened out, hearing her dad and groaned. What the hell did he want? Did she not get a moment of peace?

After drying her hair and applying some mascara and eyeliner, she pulled on a summer dress, a belt of blue bows contrasting beautifully with the white as she pulled on blue navy pumps to finish off the outfit. Looking into the long mirror, she smiled and clipped her hair to the side. Looking around the room, she sighed and shook her head. The last time she would ever see this room or house, or...maybe family. Lifting her bag, she seen Mr Snuggles on her bed and grinned. Her bear. Lifting it, she stuffed it into her bag and walked out, closing the door behind her. Damon was downstairs waiting. Turns out when she was in the shower, her dad was asking if they wanted a lift to the airport, Damon of course said no, a cab was fine. She was starting to like him even more.

Moving down the stairs, she got to the bottom and listened out, hearing everyone in the kitchen. Here goes nothing. Walking down the hall, she moved into the kitchen, watching as everyone went quiet and turned to look at her. Crossing her arms, she bit her lip.

"Yes?" Elena spoke, looking at her parents as Jeremy sat on a stool, drinking away at his orange juice.
"Honey, we don't want you to leave. We're sorry about last night, we really are, we didn't-"

"Know?" She laughed, shaking her head, "No, you didn't. BUT the funny thing is, YOU automatically believed Stefan over your own daughter. Do you know how much that hurt, how SMALL that makes me feel? You don't even have the simple respect for me, like I have for you. It's sick, it's disgusting and I am disappointed and embarrassed to say YOU two are my parents. I am your daughter and you couldn't even give out a little hope to believe me. You believe Stefan and that...that's what got me the most. The fact that I was already hurting over learning that the guy I was tragically in love with was sleeping with my best friend, you only added to that by putting the blame all on me when I was the innocent victim. Then you accuse me, saying I will cheat on Damon next. You wonder why I'm leaving? Does everything YOU two do just go over your head and it's just forgotten? Why are you so selfish?"

"Listen here young lady, that's enough out of you-" Grayson started, but Damon cut in.
"Your daughter has told you her piece, I believe the thing you do now, without starting another fight, is apologize." "Don't bother Damon, an apology wouldn't make up for half of what they've done." Elena told him, tears glazing her eyes as she shook her head.

Hearing a car horn, she looked over her shoulder, blinking her tears back as she cleared her throat and looked at Damon.

"That cab is here, we better leave." She told him, looking at her parents one last time as she walked out, opening the front door.
"Elena!" Jeremy called, going after her as he followed her outside.
"Jer-" Turning to him, she smiled sadly, "I'm sorry about that. I didn't want you to see that."
"Elena, I get it. What they've done to you isn't far. I wouldn't want you to go away without saying your piece, you did good."

Pulling her into a hug, he kissed the top of her head as she hugged him back, laughing softly. Rubbing her back, he watched Damon bring the cases out to the cab, giving them time to themselves. Pulling back, he gave her cheek and pat and smiled.

"Be good Lena. Keep in contact, alright?" Jeremy told her, grinning.
"I promise Jer, I'll keep in contact. You know where I am if you ever want to come okay? I'm just a flight away."
"I'll hold you too that," He looked over at Damon, smiling, "Take good care of her!"
"I plan to." Damon answered, smiling at Elena as she blushed. "Bye Jer."

Walking over to Damon, she smiled as he kissed the top of her head, holding the cab door open for her. Turning to wave at Jeremy one last time, she ducked, crawling into the cab as she got comfortable. Damon waved at Jeremy, getting in with her as he pulled the door shut and the cab pulled away from the curb. Swallowing, she closed her eyes, feeling tears build up as they began falling one by one down her cheek.

"Hey..." Damon wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as she leaned her head on his shoulder, sobbing quietly.
"So...so hard to s..say goo..goodbye." The brunette whimpered as he nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"You will see him soon, I know you will." He told her, holding her close and he leaned his chin on top of her head.

Concentrating on her nails, she blinked, hearing the clash of a glass on the table beside her and looked up, seeing a glass of wine had been placed down. Looking across from her, she seen Damon smiling and holding his own glass of wine. Tilting her head, she lifted it, cradling it in her hands.

"What's the special occasion?" Elena asked him, biting her lip as she looked out the window, staring at the puff of clouds.

"Me and you." He answered, swirling the liquid in the glass as she looked back at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Us?" Smiling shyly, she bit her lip, "What about us?"
"This is the start of something new Elena. Me and you." He told her, leaning forward in his seat, his eyes locked with hers.
"Me and you." She whispered softly, feeling her heart skipping paces. What was this god doing to her?

Raising his glass, his eyes staying locked with hers, he sipped the wine as she mirrored his actions, her eyes never leaving his.

The start of something new huh? She liked the sound of that.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed! :D

Shauna
xxx