Chapter 9
Unexpected turn of events

As hard as it was to believe Elena slept like a log, yes, she freaked out when she woke up in a room it took her a few second to recognized but other than that she felt fine and… was it coffee she was smelling? She remembered to put jeans on and opened the bedroom door. The living room was empty but there was noise in the kitchen, seemed like someone was cooking, coffee and bacon, he better had made enough for two.

-«Hey,» she said from the other side of the counter «morning if it's morning I lost track of time.»

-«Hey yourself,» Damon turned off the gas and put the bacon on a plate, he had indeed cooked for two «it's ten-ish, I didn't want to wake you I just got hungry.»

-«Damon Salvatore in a kitchen cooking, not something I thought I'd see in my life. How did you sleep? Can I pour myself some coffee?»

-«Help yourself, the mugs are right above the coffee machine, and yes, I cook, had to learn for obvious reasons and, I can't let myself stave. I slept ok, you?» He put sunny side up eggs and the bacon on the table along with some toasts. «Come on, nothing better than a greasy breakfast to fight a hangover.» She sat at the table for two that was in the kitchen, and took a sip of coffee.

-«It's definitely weird but after the day I had yesterday, the fact I slept in your bed when I was still a bit a bit drunk after an evening partying with outlaw MC members, I slept well. And now you've made breakfast and I'm drinking your coffee, I'm probably losing my mind but I think I'm ok.»

-«What's the weirdest in all this? That in spite of what you though you knew, we, outlaw MC members are actual human beings or that I can be a decent person when I want to be?» He sat opposite her taking a sip of his own coffee.

-«Both, I guess.»

-«Welcome into the shades of gray where everything is really complicated. Do as I do, focus on the roots of the problem, my father and his close circle of 'friends', they're the outlaw part of all this without them the MC is just a MC.» He took a bite of his toast and got interrupted by his cellphone ringing in his pocket. His relaxed face turned serious and his eyes cold when he answered. «Yeah?» his tone changed too, he got up and walked to the living room so he could have a more private conversation… force of habit. It was a short conversation and Elena had barely eaten half of a toast when he got back. She'd heard a few words but couldn't really tell what the conversation had been about. «I have to be at the MC in half a hour, it was my father, he wants me there, something to do with the Nomads. I knew something was cooking. If you need a shower it's now or never cause, of course, you're coming with me.»

-«Why am I not surprised we can't just have breakfast then be on my way home?» She sighed, it was a rhetorical question of course. «Shower it is then, better clean up before getting into MC dirt I guess, and not just me, you too don't get me wrong I'm not inviting you in the shower with me, just if it's really dirt coming up with those guys, try and stay clean, past is the past, now is, well, now.»

-«I know, I'll try. Go, my father is not the patient type.» He was grateful she wasn't holding his past against him right now, he wasn't stupid, she'd ask what it'd been made of but she was right, he had to keep his hands clean now, or try not to get caught but for some reason Elena's judging eyes were enough for him not to pull the trigger of a gun or use a hunting knife on someone's throat. He'd lost his appetite now but he still finished his coffee, he needed to be alert and ready for anything.

Ride, helmet, MC, it was the second day and still she felt like she'd done this a thousand times already, the riding part at last, the bar, not so much, it really wasn't her scene but she'd suffer this again as many time as needed.

-«Ok what am I suppose to do when you'll be in there with your father?»

-«Have coffee, there's always a fresh pot in there, if not, make some, there's not much else you can do when we're locked in the nest.»

-«Ravens in the nest, my, you are real poets.» She sighed. «Ok, fine, but I just want to go home after that.»

-«I'll drive you home myself, you'll get a bit of 'you time', I won't impose.»

-«Careful I could believe you.»

They got in the building on the bar side, there were a few people there, one was a Nomad they'd seen at the party, two prospects and a woman behind the bar? That was new. Skinny, blond, wearing too much make up and talking to Chad as she was pouring him a coffee.

-«Hey man,» Damon said as he saw Chad «what's the fuss about?» Chad looked at him then Elena then back at him again.

-« The Nomads have a deal to offer I guess.» He shrugged «Session's about to start, we were waiting for you.» No clue when the party ended last night - or this morning - but the hangover was real, it was obvious.

-«Ok, let's go.» He looked on his left at the prospects who got the meaning of his look, they were to keep his eyes on Elena. «As I said, coffee at all time, see you in a bit.»

Elena was now left with the prospects she'd met the day before but couldn't remember the names of and the Nomad who obviously hadn't been asked to join the other in that very private room called the nest and the blond woman who was silently but obviously judging her.

The session started the minute Chad and Damon sat at the table. The outsiders usually didn't get to sit with them but one of the Nomads, called J.J. - no clue what it was standing for -, was and another named Keith stood in the corner of the room, they were the leaders of that branch of the wandering clan. This had to be a big deal.

-«Alright, we're all here so session open.» Giuseppe said «I've been told J.J. here has an offer for us.» He motioned for the man to speak.

-« Yes we do have something that could interest you. Guys we met in California have a shortage of guns and pretty much a knife on their throat, got cut from their web and have a lot to deliver. They're desperate they'll pay good, you have the guns, we can be the delivery guys, it's one hell of an opportunity.»

Great, another way to expand Giuseppe's already too big territory all the way to the west coast. Damon listened carefully, they had hands in a lot of shit but they'd always had a more or less hundred miles radius around mystic Falls, Atlanta included which had it's perks but had turned a lot of eyes on them, it was already a lot to cover - and a lot to runaway from - if they expanded, connecting with other outlaws MC at the other side of the country, he'd have to leave the country if he wanted to get under the radars, continent even.

The rest of the conversation was about how many guns, what kind, how to relay them through the country and who would be involved. Of course the question of the share of the money got on the table. Them, they only had to provide, it sounded simple enough. They didn't have the numbers the MC in California needed but enough to cover a first shipping, it was something already, at least for the others around the table.

Nomads had always been friends of the MC, sort of, but they had their own rules. Though they were supposed to abide to the Ravens' when they were on their territory they weren't aware of everything that was new. They were wanderers they didn't have to know everything and some things were pretty much tolerated when they were around, especially when they were here for business.

Elena had been waiting for Damon to get out of the nest for a hours now sitting on a stool at the bar, she felt life a fisherman's wife and really didn't like the idea. The girl who'd been tending the bar had been giving her a dark eye all this time and she really felt like punching the blond in the face hating the fact she was starting to have very MC way of thinking.

When a Nomad who just joined his fellows wanderers that very morning, got in, the blond looked up and smiled, great she had a better target to turn her attention to but when the man walked straight to Elena the smile dropped. He sat next to her and gave her a side look.

-«Two beers.» He said to the blond not even bothering to look at her and the girl turned all cold once more. For hell's sake, this was too much, the lawyer had never asked to be the point of attention in this place. She would have gladly got back to her old life thank you very much. But the guy pushed one beer in front of Elena a smug smile on his lips.

-«Thanks but no, I don't drink with strangers.» She turned the guy down leaving no ambiguity in her words or body language but he laughed.

-«Playing hard to catch? Come on be a good girl, have a drink with me.I'm Cameron. »

The blond bit the inside of her mouth, this wasn't something she wanted to witness for very obvious reasons and she walked away from the bar as if she had somewhere to be, leaving Elena alone with Cameron. Thank you bitch. But Elena got distracted when Cameron pulled her stool closer to his and her eyes widen, the second later he had his arm around her shoulders.

-« I don't remember giving you the authorization to touch me.» Elena always had had a temper, especially in that kind of situation but she was in unfamiliar territory there and, let's be honest, Cameron was tall and muscular and she was short - in that kind of standard - and slim with no real fighting skills.

-«Come on bunny don't give me the cold shoulder.» Cameron pulled her closer and she tried to get free of his hold on her, without much success…

-«I'm not your bunny and believe me you don't want to mess with me.» If she had even a tenth of the leverage she was supposed to have here she'd use it. The blond had completely disappeared and hell if she knew how she'd get rid of someone like that guy alone.

But the nest door burst open and suddenly she felt the heavy arm on her shoulder slid away. For one good reason, it was held behind Cameron's back and the man lost his balance for a second before getting on his feet and try to pull a fight with the one who had grabbed him that hard. And the one was Damon. He was definitely less muscular but he was fast and he knew what he was doing so when Cameron freed himself from his hold, the elder Salvatore brother lost no time to punch his gut then his face, he punched three times more before pushing the man outside. The fight continued there and Elena got on her feet not really sure what she should do but then she spotted blondie, she still had her phone in hand, no doubt she had called or texted Damon letting him know what was happening. Cameron was now on the floor and Damon leaned down to speak to him.

-«I'll let that one pass but never ever touch what's mine again.» He groaned and Cameron stopped trying to retaliate, he had stepped on someone else's land, it was his mistake. He lifted his hands in surrender and apology.

Damon got on his feet and stepped back inside. He gave a sharp nod at the blond who went back behind the bar then looked at Elena, he had taken a bad blow on the jaw but other than that, he seemed fine. She realized she was just standing there and staring. To her amazement he moved closer to her and cupped her face with both his hands though he must have had bruised knuckles.

-«You're ok?» He asked in a whisper and she blinked in surprise at the genuine concern in those impossibly gorgeous blue eyes.

-«Ah… yes.» She whispered back and again he surprised her and rested his forehead against hers. After a long moment - moment he needed to cool down after the fight - he just let his hands slide down her neck before taking a step back. The moment passed and he just walked away, probably to go get some ice or explain why he'd left the meeting in such a hurry. It's only then she realized she was shaking from head to toe and she couldn't tell if it was because of the fight or because of Damon's behavior. He'd promised he'd keep her safe, she now really understood what he meant by that.

She should have been mad, the whole situation had been… it had gone according to MC rules and she'd let it be that way, she wasn't a MC babe, she was… she was following the plan… holly shit all this was so confusing.

She took a deep breathe then turned to look at the blond girl.

-«I think it's time I ask your name so I can thank you properly for what you just done.»

The girl laughed a short laugh «The name's Ruby.»

-«Then Ruby I'm sure no one will blame us if we have a round. I'd gladly have a shot after that.» And as the girl poured them two shots of vodka she realized she hadn't been an enemy, she had been her handler, or guardian, or whatever, not the prospects, the girl, behind the bar. Once she would have hated that but right now she was thankful she had been there.

When Damon came back a few minutes later holding a bag of ice on his knuckles she had downed the shot of vodka. She looked at him and he made her understand with a look she had to follow him which she did, Ice now left on the counter, they walked trough the corridor behind the bar, the one that led to the bedroom but he stopped before they reached the door.

-«You're alright?» He was calmer now but looked as concerned.

-«He barely touched me and I had my handler, I'm fine. Are you?.» He didn't seem alright at all.

-«No.» No need to lie. «I scared myself out there.» He looked down for a few seconds then back at her face. « Yesterday you asked about 'things', if I had killed before and I did, just like that, with my bare hands punching someone to death.»

-«Damon…» He did't let her speak he wanted to finish the story.

-«My father did what he did best, upset the wrong people, they fell on us when we expected it the less, in the street, at night. It's been when sweet daddy decided to smuggle drugs, pills, eight years ago. It all happened fast, a few of us were down, Troy got shot in the leg, Michael almost lost an eye, I saw red and managed to put my hands on one of them, he was just a kid but a kid with a gun when he got out of amo I just threw myself at him and punched him hard until he stopped moving. Aaron was there, he too was a kid but he pulled me back. It was too late. The man had no face to punch anymore and my hand were covered in blood.» He looked down again, it'd been a hard story to tell. She stood there and processed what he'd just said.

-«You defended yourself and your friends.» Killing in self defense was different from killing in cold blood. Of course all those people were no saints, Damon included. «You did it again ?»

Damon shook his head, «I've carried guns, fired, scared some people probably crippled some even but no, didn't kill after that, here's what's been pushed under the rug. I can't put everything on the MC, some came from me, I get triggered sometimes, I have my own demons, I keep them dormant but they're here, I need out before they get loose again.I'm on the verge of explosion, I feel it, I see the signs. I didn't have to punch that Nomad that many times for him to understand he'd crossed a line.»

-«Stop, Damon, enough.» He hadn't expect that reaction from her. «I wanted to know, I'm glad you told me but you have to put yourself together. I'm fine but If you lose it, I lose it, we're a team ok?» She felt like he wasn't listening. «I'm taking you seriously, hell I have no idea what kind of scar what happened that night left in you, a massive one obviously, who wouldn't be traumatized after such a thing. You telling bits and parts of you story makes me understand I was wrong about you, you need someone to confide to and I'm listening, you need it and I'm here. You don't lie, you don't say what I want to hear, you're telling me the truth. You put your trust in me and share your secrets. I know it's not something easy to do. That Nomad you had a fight with, he's a big guy, you hurt his pride but I won't let you beat yourself up because of this. You put your trust in me, I put my trust in you. I got in this shit because of what Stefan said and I won't bail because of what you said, probably also because I'm stubborn and I ate more than I could chew. I need you ok? The sassy, self absorbed and strong you. You can't drift away now. There will be time for you to heal your wounds. » She cupped his face with her hands and forced him to look at her. «There surely will be more moments like what just happened in the weeks to come. Keep being strong.»

She realized immediately she'd brought him back in the present. When he lifted up a hand to her waist there wasn't an ounce of the fear and confusion she had seen in his eyes a few minutes before. She'd said the right thing this time, he was here with her and his presence was filling the space. She moved a bit closer to him, instinctively, like a magnet attracted to another. Her brain tried to make sense of what was happening but his impossible blue eyes, back to their full power of seduction were on her, her body took over her brain and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He too just let himself follow his instinct and is free hand moved up, his thumb lightly traced her bottom lip. He searched her face for a clue, would she give clear sign she didn't want him to kiss her he'd take a step back, there were games you could play and some you better not. So far they had given a good show, faked like pros, it was the deal but, right now, there was no one to watch them and this was all them or all him. No one had talked to him the way she had, no one asked, no one cared. Except for his best friend, no one wanted to even imagine he needed someone to give him strength. But, sometimes, he needed it, right now he'd needed it and she'd provided.

She'd understood, heard, answered, it was a lot for someone who'd always kept himself to himself. Maybe he was mistaking things for what they weren't - and couldn't care less at the moment - but he needed the physical proximity. He made his intentions clear, she could push him away, tell him to fuck off or let the moment pass, he'd understand, she could… His train of thoughts stopped when she moved even closer.

Right, it wasn't just him, she wanted it too. He leaned down and she tip toed to meet him half way. Their lips met in what started as a gentle kiss. No surprise for him her lips were soft and warm, surprise for her, his were too. He probably had thought about this way more than she had, how could he not, she was gorgeous and her full lips had caught his attention more than once even if he'd tried and focussed on her eyes, which were mesmerizing too. The proximity was intoxicating and for as big a mistake it was to let this happening he didn't want to stop and her hands linked at the back of his neck told him, again, she was fine with it.

In a flash she found herself back against the wall, a bold move on his part but Elena, once her mind made-up, could be bold too. She stole Damon's lips for a deep and hungry kiss. Their tongues dueled but, after a moment, they came to the conclusion that if they both kept trying to get the upper hand no one would win. For as stubborn as they both were not everything had to be a fight… or right now it didn't have to be. Compromising a bit Damon let her take the lead and in exchange he pinned her heavily against the wall using his whole body.

They had danced around each other for days now and it was clear that if Elena wanted to escape she'd find a way, same went for him. He was strong, she was sneaky, they were even.

When they broke the kiss to breathe, they locked eyes again, would one of them say something? Now would be the time for things had taken an unexpected turn. It'd been one hell of a big mistake to let themselves drift that way, right?

But when someone indeed talked it was none of them but a guy who'd just appeared in the corridor.

-«Ah… Damon, ah…sorry, your father's asking for you, seems urgent.» The man Elena recognized as one of the prospects seemed torn between the fact he was interrupting something and how seriously he took the task of delivering the MC president's message. Damon didn't even look at him when he said he'd be there in a minute and that he could leave now which he did without having to be asked twice.

Whatever spell they'd been under it was now broken and Damon's feature changed back to what Elena was used to see, what everybody was used to see.

-«I'll drive you back home and release you of your 'MC duties' when I'll finish talking with the unholy Father. Do me a favor and go back where my guys and Ruby can keep an eye on . » He gently unlocked her fingers at the back of his neck and let go of her hands.

If she had needed a cold shower, that change in Damon did the trick, She nodded not trusting her voice right now and he gave her one last look she didn't manage to read before leaving her there.

What the hell had just happened?
She was confused again, if taking down the MC was one crazy task, dealing with Damon Salvatore was even worst. Had he just done what she'd asked him to do? Could he switch from borderline desperate to natural born leader that easily?

She'd think about it later, if he really was taking a grip she'd do the same and go back to the bar looking perfectly fine… or get wasted with Ruby, right now she couldn't really decide what was the best thing to do.

In the Nest Troy, Michael, Santos and Giuseppe were talking in an animated way, when he close the door behind him Damon looked at his father.

-«What's happening?»

-«Misha called, those stupid Nomads have a tail, something to do with the MC in California, we have to move our stuff. Now.» Troy said he was standing when the others were all sitting, he'd never been one to stay in place, Misha was the president of the Wolves, a MC from around DC and a close friend of his, that piece of information was definitely legit.

-«We've taken these assholes to one place, the rest is safe but the guns have to be moved before the AFT gets here.» Giuseppe added. «We need hands but we can't all go, they can't get to us» understand the founders and the president, great, that meant he was to take a team there and if they got caught they'd be on their own, the MC would deny being involved. Thanks for the Christmas gift dad.

-«Who's coming with me?» Damon asked in a cold voice, no need to show how pissed he was right now.

-«The prospects, Chad and six of our guys, I called them they're on their way but you have to meet them on the road, better not have anyone else see what's happening and, Damon, only you and Chad know what is really happening so keep your mouth shut.» Yeah because toying with people's life was fair, sending him on the front line was also fair.

-«I have to let Elena know what's happening, anything happens to me, you get her out of here, won't look good if our lawyer's in the bar when or if the ATF shows up.» He looked at Giuseppe who nodded. Elena and her 'friendship' with Stefan was precious to the man, he wasn't going to lose that leverage, good thing he thought Damon was thinking like him.

They clarified where the meeting point was, where they should move the guns and a few other things then Damon left the room. There was no time to waste but he had to talk to Elena. He frowned when he saw her down a shot with that Ruby girl.

-«How many of those have you had?» At that question the blond found that now was a good time to go check on her make up, far from them.

-«What is it to you?» Elena frowned, she had had two, she wasn't drunk, she wasn't stupid she was still 'undercover as his girlfriend' or 'property', she had to keep her head leveled, more leveled than in the corridor earlier. Ok she was a bit buzzed, they'd skipped breakfast but still. Damon helped her get down the stool she'd been sitting in and got outside where no one could hear them talk… he had to be on his way so they walked to his bike.

-«Giuseppe is going to take my place keeping an eyes on you because he messed up again and I have to clean after him. The ATF's probably on it's way I can't go into specifics but if he tells you to run, you do exactly as he says, come get your bag and stay alert.» They'd strapped her bag on the back of Damon's bike again. She didn't question what he'd just said until they got out and she had her bag in hand. He was almost ready to go.

-«Why does it have to be you cleaning the mess? If you don't come back, what do I do?If you dare starting your answer with 'welcome to…' beware, I'll slap you.»

-«Didn't you get what I said before? My father lost it a long time ago, He still has the aura of a leader but he's taken bad decisions after bad decisions and when it backfires he sends me to do damage control. For some stuff we've established he sends Troy, whatever the stuff really is. He'd send me in the middle of a battleground to save his ass.» He said bitterly.

-«Then don't go, let him deal with the mess he made.» Why did he have to be a martyr, it made no sense.

-« Right now I can't, soon I will, if not, he'll drag me down with him, he'll drag us all down. That's why you're here for, I'll help but I can't just stop doing what I used to do, it'd raise suspicions. I must go now.» Again he didn't let her say a word, time was of the essence, he'd spoken too much already.

She took a step back when he turned the engine on and rode away.

He'd told her several time what working with his father was like, she thought she'd understood but she was wrong. She'd been wrong on so many things and yet one thing remained true, All this had to stop, the outlaw thing, Giuseppe's way of toying with people's lives, his schemes and bad decisions, the chaos, it had to turn into ashes, soon.

From the outside that choice had been easy to make, from the inside she held to the idea but she got why it was complicated… shades of gray Damon had said, he'd been right.

She got back inside and behind the bar to pour herself a large glass of water. To hell the sweet buzz of alcohol, same for that ridiculous sexual tension with the big bad guy who had impossible blue eyes and the most sexy smile. The past two day had been an eye opening experience and now she had to really start working on a plan in her head. First mystery to solve, how many heads the snake had? Giuseppe for sure, Troy close second but how and why? Was there a third? A fourth? Would it be easier to start with who wasn't involved? She could easily scratch Aaron and Damon for obvious reasons but she'd have to list them all, wives and girlfriends included, just in case.

The Nomads were all ready to move the second Giuseppe would give them the go. His territory, their tail, their mess, they'd listen and would never come back after that. Not this branch anyway.

TBC