Thank you for the reviews, keep them coming!

x-x-x-x

It wasn't that late into the afternoon when Damon returned to the boarding house. As he pulled his car into its usual spot, he gazed over the building that had become home for the last century. It really was rather grandiose. It looked like a vampire's house, more so than anything else in the town. He really was going to have to get another live in human though, killing Zack had been a dumb move on that part. Now anyone could come strolling in, including the vampire who had tried to play chicken with him in the road.

Elena was safe at home, she'd checked nobody had been invited in in her absence. He'd promised to pick her up tomorrow for school, since her car had been totalled. God, he felt so ridiculous asking a teenage girl if he could drive her to school- it was almost comical- but he didn't want to see her hurt. His protective instincts had kicked in recently, which really was an inconvenience but one he was almost happy to have. The way she had smiled at him when she'd been drunk in Georgia, that was worth it.

Through the years, he'd had many friendships. Many loves, many lives. He'd always known they were temporary, whilst he waited for Katherine. For a fleeting moment last night, dancing with Elena by the pool table, he had hoped he could stay in Mystic Falls. At first, he considered asking Katherine to stay, but thinking of the revenge she would probably want to reap on the town council, he had wondered about taking a different path. It really just was an instant, a brief lapse in judgement, a momentary bout of insanity. For a single second, he had considered delaying getting her out of the tomb.

Letting the guilt wash over him, the way it had last night, Damon set his jaw and left his car- wandering into the parlour. He kept his ears open for Stefan but knew the chances he had returned were slim. His brother normally spent a few years away between visits, sometimes more, so it was unlikely he'd see him anytime soon- especially as Stefan thought he had left too. That had been the plan, before he knew about Logan Fell.

Throwing his jacket off and onto the nearest surface, Damon poured himself a drink. He needed to find his father's journal. The chances the half-brained brute had written anything of use were slim, but it would be the easiest of the founding family journals to get his hands on- and there was a chance it would mention Emily Bennett's grimoire. He'd just have to tolerate the poor penmanship and shoddy spelling to get there for his father had never been the most academic man.

That was his plan, his mission, his purpose in life. Find the grimoire, get Bree and the baby Bennett to get Katherine out. That was why he had felt the draw to Elena- the desire to stay by her side when they were dancing. It was simply due to how much he missed Katherine. They were identical in appearance after all, just not personality. Even if Elena were a centuries old vampire, he doubted she would have the Machiavellian tendencies Katherine had.

He wasn't going to let himself obsess over Elena the way Stefan had. Sure, he'd spent the night or several with plenty of girls her age- they were always the most willing to overlook his bad boy tendencies and the less he had to compel them the better- but he really didn't feel like pretending to live the teenage drama life longer term. Sure, he'd protect Elena. She was fun, spending time with her wouldn't suck, he could use it to figure out why she was identical to Katherine. He knew she'd want to know, and then he would take Katherine far away. He'd been planning it a long time- he was going to take her to Italy.

No, he had nothing to feel guilty about.

x-x-x-x

It had been a few days since their impromptu trip to Georgia, and Elena finally felt life was returning to normal. She was still seeing Damon each day- he had insisted on being her personal taxi service until the insurance paid out for a new car- but she hadn't heard from Stefan.

That hurt, but the pain would fade. She'd spent a night eating a lot of ice cream with Jenna and the girls, listening all about how insanely sexy her new history teacher is. Older guys were really not her thing, so Elena just felt creeped out when Jenna started imagining in disgusting detail what Mr Saltzman might look like naked. Bonnie had agreed it was gross (though she had a few jokes to make about Elena dating a much older man later on) but Caroline had run with the idea and egged Jenna on. Caroline seemed to think every male they knew was hot!

Speaking of, Elena's mission today was simply put: Caroline. With the new vampire lurking around, Damon had helped her get vervain jewellery for everyone she cared about and her last stop was Caroline. Other than the ice-cream break-up night, Caroline had been avoiding Elena. They both knew it was due to Matt. Getting with your friend's ex was way against girl code, and Caroline was obviously nervous to admit it to Elena. Elena had tried really hard to care, she knew that she probably should feel a bit betrayed or even jealous- that's what happened in all the TV shows- but she just couldn't.

It turns out, she really only ever saw Matt as a friend. Even memories of kissing him made her feel a bit gross now that she had kissed someone she really desired. Damn. She'd managed to go at least a few minutes without thinking of him.

"It's for the best. He has messed up Katherine issues. He's not human. It's for the best." She whispered her mantra to herself again.

Caroline left her car and walked up to the bench Elena was propped against. Elena gave her a big grin, grateful for the distraction.

"Hey Care, thanks for meeting me early. I've got a surprise for you!" She held out the small necklace.

"What's this for?" Caroline asked, before opening it eagerly. "It's so pretty, thank you!"

"No reason, just a little friend gift. It will go with every outfit." Elena hoped she took the hint. Caroline was so trend conscious that vervain jewellery probably wasn't the smartest choice. But Damon was pretty sure she would already be on vervain due to the sheriff, so this was just a backup. Plus, Elena had ulterior motives.

"A lesbian-friendship necklace, because we're freaky like that?' Caroline said seductively. No wonder she could have any man she tried to get, Elena thought to herself. She was pretty certain the only reason Caroline hadn't managed to seduce Stefan first was because of his obsession with her Katherine-like appearance. That and the fact that when Caroline wasn't being insanely hot she was being insanely bossy- or putting her foot in her mouth. Neither of Elena's best friends had a tendency to think before they spoke.

"Nope. A gift because you've been avoiding me." Elena laid it on the table. "I wanted you to know, that whatever it is you've got going on with Matt, I am fully okay with it and I support you 100%'

Caroline looked terrified for a moment before regaining her composure.

"I was going to tell you about that, I was, but… There's really not much to tell. He took me home from the party, as you know, and then we've hung out a couple of times. That's it. He's not really showing me he's interested in anything more. I really shouldn't be telling you this, it's weird right?"

Caroline's thoughts had tumbled out in a fast string, as they often did, and Elena just laughed. This is what happiness felt like, talking with your friends, not worrying about stray vampires or dessicated lookalikes.

"It's a little weird." She grinned, "But I don't care, I want to be able to hear about all your gossip."

Caroline nodded, then blushed. She quietly added, "I don't think Matts over you yet."

"I'm over him. He knows that; I told him at the careers fair that I think you and him would be great together. I meant it, Care. You deserve someone as loyal as Matt and he deserves someone as excited about him as you are now."

Caroline looked down and nodded, but Elena sensed she didn't really believe her. Elena considered her best friend, she was dressed in the latest trends- her skirt showing off her long legs and a top that was low enough to be enticing but not so low as to be inappropriate. She had minimal makeup on and well styled naturally blonde hair. She was radiant.

"Care. I've said it a thousand times. You are gorgeous. You are clever. You are worth any man you want. If you want Matt, go for it. If you think he's holding back because of me, then he's an idiot because I'm nowhere close to as amazing as you are. You should have someone who wants you because they see how amazing you are. Hopefully he's that guy."

Embracing Caroline in a huge hug, Elena knew she meant every word.

x-x-x-x

Caroline had decided. Today was the day she would decide if Matt was worth her pining. Not that she'd been pining like a sad puppy dog. Caroline Forbes was never a sad puppy, but she had been wondering where his affections lie, and thinking far too much about it. She'd been so distracted that she hadn't even finished shopping for the decades dance.

Having done one last round of the volunteers, ensuring all knew their tasks and were performing them correctly, she descended upon Matt. He would be her hapless victim, unable to resist her allure. That was the plan, anyway.

She'd worn her hair wavy today, with a shirt and vest combo that screamed casual painting whilst also allowing her new necklace to highlight her cleavage. If she lent over just right, he would get a good view. That was the plan, anyway.

He had been assigned to painting banners. That way, she could come chat under the guise of assisting him to finish a banner. She would casually ask what he was wearing to the dance, so they could coordinate. That way, she didn't have to be the one to ask. If she assumed they were going together, he wouldn't dare say no. That was the plan, anyway.

'Time to stop dilly-dawdling Miss Forbes.' Caroline talked herself up and went for it. Matt fell into natural conversation with her and Caroline breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, what are you wearing to this dumb dance anyway? Shall we colour co-ordinate?" That was it, she'd dropped her killer line.

"Um, I'm not going." Her heart was in her stomach and skipping 3 beats. She hadn't felt this gut-wrenchingly small and defeated since Damon Salvatore, jerks of all jerks, had called her shallow.

Matt had been her saviour that night. He'd made her feel she could have a real relationship, maybe, instead of just a few nights of play before the guy inevitably looked elsewhere. Usually for someone who spoke less, or did less, or just wasn't her. It was never her they wanted for longer than a night or a week, maybe two.

Matt must have noticed her expressions, because his brow furrowed and he started apologising.

"I'm sorry Caroline, I am. I'm busy that night. I've got to work. I'm bussing tables at the Grill"

Caroline rolled her eyes. She'd heard that excuse before, plus she hadn't even heard about Matt having a job until now.

"Since when are you a busboy?"

Matt nodded, cocking his eyebrow up, before focusing his eyes back on the painting to be done.

"It's a job. You know, some of us have to work, Caroline."

He looked offended. Caroline played the conversation over again in her head, surely, she should be the one looking offended. He had rejected her invite to the dance. Then it clicked, Matt needed the money and thought she was judging him for that. Great, another time she loses the guy because she said the wrong thing. Recovery operation commence!

"Matt, I didn't mean it like that. I meant that I didn't know you had a job." She paused, to hell with it. "I thought you were making up an excuse to reject me."

That caused a reaction. "Well I do, and I'm not."

He dumped his brush in the water and walked off. Caroline watched him go, wondering if she could fix it. Should she want to? Wasn't it just a bit pathetic that she kept chasing after him, shouldn't she want a guy that chased after her?

Matt made her feel so calm though, he cared about her and wanted her to feel secure. When they were spending time together she forgot to worry about the perfect outfit or the perfect hair or making her laugh sound feminine and genuine. She just was, she just laughed. That had to mean it was right, right?

x-x-x-x

Elena took a final look in the mirror. She felt pretty, but a different type of pretty to usual. This wasn't the girl next door look, she'd gone for a bolder statement this time. She was going to focus on enjoying the dancing tonight.

It was the decade dance- something that happened a few times a term- but it would be her first since everything changed. Previously, she would have gone with Matt. They'd have slow danced a few times, stood dancing in a group with Bonnie and Caroline- maybe even with some of the other boys like Tyler- and then headed to the grill before heading home. Nothing ever interesting happened.

Tonight she was going solo.

Well, technically she would be arriving with Damon. He had insisted on chaperoning, stating Stefan was still enrolled even if he was away on 'an extended visit with family'. Elena was pretty sure compulsion had been involved in the process, but Damon had insisted. He hadn't found the mystery vamp who turned Logan and caused their car to crash, and he wasn't letting her out of the house after dark unescorted. Elena wasn't sure why he cared, but as it kept her safe she wasn't going to question it out loud.

Glancing at the clock, she saw it was almost time for Damon to collect her. Jenna had left not long ago, escorted by Mr Saltzmann. The wicked grin she had given Elena on the way out the door had brought back bad memories of their conversation and Elena shuddered just at the thought. Now she was stood in the same spot on the stairs waiting for Damon. He'd look a lot hotter naked than her aunt's date, that was for sure.

A loud bang in the kitchen woke Elena from her daydream. Thinking the stack of Jenna's magazines on the counter had finally toppled and taken a jar with it, Elena headed to investigate. The next thing she knew, she was pinned against the frame of the door arch with a nose at her throat.

"Mmm. You don't smell like her." The voice was unusual, but familiar.

Elena didn't have time to panic before a gust of wind surrounded her and her feet made contact with the floor. She was in heels, and unsteady so she let herself slide down the wall as she gazed around processing the situation. Damon appeared.

"You okay?" He asked. "You're okay." This time he stated it. He seemed to be reassuring himself more than he was her.

Elena nodded, catching her breath. She was, he hadn't bitten her and he couldn't have compelled her. She felt her neck, but Damon took over. He tilted her head back by crooking his finger under her chin, then carefully examined her neck with his eyes and then his fingers.

"No bruising, everything feels normal. I'm not a doctor but I do know a thing or two about necks." He shot her a devilish grin and for a moment Elena recalled her daydreams just minutes before.

Damon looked around, then stood and checked the other rooms of the house downstairs. He was on high alert; Elena could tell by the set of his shoulders that he was ready to pounce at any moment.

"How could you invite him in Elena?"

Elena shrugged, shaking her head. She hadn't invited anyone in. She ran through the memory in her mind and then it hit her. She'd heard that voice before, the slightly odd accent.

"The pizza guy. Tonight, Jeremy ordered pizza. I didn't think anything of it at the time but when I came to pay the guy." She swallowed. "Damon, he was stood in the hallway. It was him. It must be him".

Damon was pacing now. Elena went to sit on the couch, it wasn't like she could go to the dance now. She had thought all the vampire drama was behind her, now Stefan had left. She had been so sure Damon would kill the mystery guy and disappear. He had reassured her half a dozen times that he was probably after him and not her that night. Afterall, he'd had a lot longer to make enemies.

Tonight, had proven that wasn't the case. She should have known, it was just her luck.

"Elena, he has been invited in." Elena just nodded.

"No, Elena, you don't understand. He has been invited in. Nobody in this house is safe until we get him."

Obviously, Elena was more stupid than she thought she was. Not once in the past 5 minutes of him pacing did she think about the fact he might come back at night when they were sleeping. He might come for Jenna when she was at school. He might kill the people she loved and let her live. She could feel her breathing accelerating but she couldn't stop it. She couldn't lose anyone else, she couldn't. He was going to kill them, all of a sudden she was sure of it and she couldn't breathe.

At first, she didn't even notice she had moved. She felt his arms around her but it was only minutes, maybe a quarter of an hour afterwards, that she registered she was sat on Damon's lap. His arms were tight around her and his thumb was gently stroking her.

"Hey. That's better. You feeling okay now?" He asked gently, smoothly. She nodded.

She was feeling better. She shouldn't be. She shouldn't be feeling calm being held by Damon, he could kill her in seconds if he wanted to. That was true pretty much all the time though, she guessed. The panic started to build again but he calmed it quickly.

"Right, here's the plan. You go fix your makeup and we get you to that dance. You're already late. Mystery Vamp will likely make an appearance, if only to scare you, and big bad vampire Damon will take care of him. Okay?" He even popped his fangs out to show her he meant business. Elena almost laughed. So this was her life now, laughing at a vampire instead of being terrified of every single one?

He made sense though, and she needed his help. She nodded and reluctantly pulled herself up to go touch her face up. If she were being honest, she'd have happily stayed there for a lot longer. What did that say about her? She'd wanted Stefan, but he was a good vampire. He didn't drink human blood. Damon had killed people. He'd turned Vicki. He wasn't a good guy to snuggle with on the sofa, even if he had saved her life at least twice.

x-x-x-x

Damon scanned the room as they entered. He knew he'd signed up to this to protect Elena, and to get more in her good graces before asking for the Gilbert journals- his Dad's had predictably turned out to be a bust- but he was hoping at least the music would be good. No joy.

To say the 50s hadn't been his favourite decade would be an understatement. More aptly, it would be the understatement of the year. He didn't even let his mind flashback to where he'd spend the better part of the decade- or the people he'd spent it with. He focused on the here and now. The costumes were mostly rubbish, but he couldn't really judge. He was just wearing his usual jacket and jeans combination.

He led Elena towards her friends, kissed her hand demurely- giving her his best enticing look for good measure- and then backed off to the periphery. He needed a wide view. Once she had recovered, Elena had told him what the mystery vampire had said to her. He must have known Katherine, that's why he'd stopped their car and why he was after her. A vampire who knew Katherine and was in Mystic Falls? There was a good chance Damon would recognise him. He thought the good people of the town had captured all but him and Stefan. He'd not been sure about one other- a young appearing vampire who was the daughter of Katherine's best friend. Anna hadn't been amongst those mourned or mentioned at the time, but her mother Pearl was certainly in the tomb. Damon wasn't sure which fate would be worse for Anna- being in the tomb or being outside of it mourning. Even if she had escaped, she wouldn't look and sound like the mystery vampire they were dealing with now. Had there been others they didn't know about?

It seemed to last days, but it was only half an hour or so into the party when Elena stopped dancing to get a drink. She gave Damon a sheepish smile as she passed by with her friends. Damon waved at her, then winked. He earned a scowl from Caroline, but surprisingly Bonnie just gave him a brief nod. Perhaps he hadn't completely burned bridges with the Bennett witches. He'd have to ensure that she would do the spell soon, perhaps once he had the grimoire he could strike a deal.

He kept looking around. Jeremy Gilbert, the idiot who had invited in a pizza guy, was at the punch bowl serving ladles to the other students. Damon gave him a once over, he looked scruffy and out of place, but he was serving each of the girls with a killer smile and making them all laugh. That kid would go places.

Jenna was walking around the room with the teacher she was on a date with. Damon was pretty sure he wasn't a vampire, and he definitely wasn't their mystery guy, so Damon returned to scanning the room for any suspicious activity. He was certainly doing his part of playing the chaperone, but he really hoped this guy showed up soon so he could go home.

Another eternity passed before Elena approached him.

"Hey, Bonnie and Caroline want to get out of here. They're going to the grill. Do you want to come?"

Damon cocked an eyebrow up as he mulled it over. The mystery vampire was far more likely to be here. Large, crowded room. Lots of noise.

"Don't you want to stay and dance with me?" He offered his hand out to Elena. He hoped she got the hint, and luckily she did. Her mouth formed a little 'O' shape before she accepted his hand and turned towards the girls to wave.

He might as well have fun with this. Dancing with her in Georgia had been brilliant, but this was a slow song. He could get close.

"So what was it really like? The 50's" Elena asked him as they were dancing.

Should he tell her? No, that was out of the question. He could barely think of that time himself, never mind say it out loud.

"Boring. The 80s were much better. Better music too." He responded, hoping she wouldn't probe further. Thankfully, she didn't.

As the song changed to a faster one, he reluctantly pulled away. Damn, dancing with this girl was fun. He made a split second decision to show her one thing he did know from the 50s- the dances. He whirled her around, showing off a bit too much, lost in her smile every time he spun or dipped her. The song was over too quickly though and before he knew it they were stood across from each other, breathless and she was announcing she would take a quick trip to the ladies. He just nodded.

It was too late when he remembered he was on guard duty. Dammit.

Damon left the room at human speed but the minute he entered the empty corridors he used his full power to search the route Elena would have taken. Predictably, it was empty. Not even pausing to waste time compelling the girl in the cubicle he had kicked open he kept up his search.

His stomach was tied in knots. He'd lost himself to this girl for a moment, and due to that moment he'd lost the girl.

x-x-x-x