Prologue

"Same old pond. I cleaned it out for you with a snow shovel. And it's plenty thick so you don't have to worry about that," John explains to Elena as he walks with her through the snow.

"All I'm worried about is standing up, not falling through," Elena replies as she clings to his arm.

"Well, you go, we both go. All right? Just let me try to pull you along a little bit, okay?" He takes her hands in his and walks backward as he guides her toward the ice.

For as long as she can remember, Elena's wanted to be a skater. She remembers the frisson of joy she felt every time the metal of her blades hit the ice.

"Yeah, that's it," John assures her. "Now come on, you're making more of this than is necessary."

"I'm scared," Elena admits, gripping his hands tightly as they step onto the ice.

"There's no point to be scared. Old Daddy has you."

"This is fun. With you."

"Well, yeah, I'm more liable to fall than you. Okay, let's turn around and try to I'm going to pull you a little bit. Okay?"

"Now, hold onto me so I don't fall," Elena retorts anxiously.

"Okay. Nothing to it," he smiles as they around the pond. She's a natural. "You skate like you've done this before. Have you?" John teases.

"Not recently," Elena laughs as she moves with her dad's guidance.

"Careful there," John pauses slightly at a dip in the ice.

"I should tie my shoelaces, so you won't trip over them." Elena lets go with one hand and stoops down. Once she has her balance she releases her dad's hand and ties up her skates.

Taking John's hands, they start to move again.

"See, nothing to it."

"Dad, it's scary."

"Am I going too fast?" His voice trails off when he catches the approach of a young man.

"Dad?"

"Do you want to try it again?"

Elena nods.

"Come on, pick up some speed now," John encourages her. "You're doing good, heading towards the edge..." He steps back when Damon nods at him.

"Dad?" Elena asks anxiously.

"Here. Take my hand. Grab onto it," comes a familiar voice.

"What are you doing here?" Elena blurts out.

"I came to see you break your ass," Damon responds as she grabs onto his hand.

Elena pauses for several moments before reaching out and taking it.

"You know this pond by heart. You could skate it in the dark with your eyes closed."

"It's hard...I keep... The pond is tilted. I keep trying to see the edge," Elena states in frustration as she skates with Damon.

"Well...try shutting your eyes. Just get the feel of the ice. Find your balance."

"Damon?"

"Keep coming. Don't act helpless with me. Come on, keep working... That's right. Follow me," Damon stays close so he can catch her if she stumbles. "Don't make me control you. Feel where I'm going. Just skate, don't be so stiff. Feel the ice. Right. Left. Right. Left. Do you feel the turn?"

"Damon."

"I'm going to go around you. Give me your hand."

"I'm all right. Right here."

"Don't lean so much. Stand up straight. We're going to turn around. Come on, turn, I've got you. I've got you," Damon assures her. "That's it," he tells her as she complies.

"Now, we're going to glide... That's it. Ready? Glide. Just glide."

Elena smiles gingerly as she slowly moves on the ice, her instincts taking over.

"You got this. Now do an axel."

"No!"

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Damon, I can't," Elena protests.

"Don't give me that. You're going to set up."

"No! What are you doing?"

"We'll go around again so you can pick up some speed and do an axel."

"Shut up!"

"You're gutless."

"You bastard," Elena hisses, her face contorted in anger.

"Can't you do it without the TV cameras?" Damon taunts as she takes off from the outside edge of one skate and rotates in the air before crashing into a heap onto the frozen pond.

"You shouldn't have opened your eyes," Damon mocks sarcastically.

"I hate you. I really hate you," Elena seethes, her eyes blazing with fury.

"I guess that makes us even."


Hello, everyone. Thank you for reading.

I've been working on this story while I've been gone. We're still waiting for a date for my husband's surgery. We thought this month but it hasn't happened yet.

Huge thanks to Eva. I love you to pieces, dearest friend.

I will be updating "The Quiet Room" this week.

Be sure to check out CosmicAdventurer. She's really an extraordinary asset to the DE fandom. Wobalo has "A True Best Friend". And my dear friend, Florencia7 - her stories are magical.

Have a wonderful day and we'll see you next with TQR.