It had been a few weeks since the mess in the tomb. Elena hardly saw Damon unless she went out of her way to check on him and even then he was drunk all the time. She knew he was hurting and she knew he needed someone to comfort him in his despair. Damon was too strong-willed to allow anyone close enough to comfort him and that bothered her. He needed to grieve and being drunk while drinking off of sorority girls was not going to help in the end.

Stefan kept blowing her off when she brought it up to him. He kept saying Damon was a big boy and could handle it on his own. Damon would pick himself back up again and go back to being an all-around sociopath. Elena sometimes shook her head at Stefan's insane ideas and wondered why he couldn't understand. Elena understood better than most what grief could do to a person. After her mother and father died she locked herself in her room for weeks. She wouldn't talk to anyone save Bonnie and even then it was tough. Jeremy went off the deep end and started doing drugs, drinking, and hooking up with Vicki Donovan. Sometimes she regretted Damon taking away his pain but it helped Jeremy finally move on. He was finally happy on some level and Elena was...well she didn't know what she was.

Stefan seemed to think Damon would just shake it off. How could he possibly think Damon could just shake off Katherine? He was in love with her and he had been searching for her for nearly a century and a half. How could he just shake off the realization that his only love never wanted him?

Elena took to stopping by the Boarding House when Stefan was out and leaving little gifts of comfort for Damon. She would find him passed out on the couch and she would leave a bottle of aspirin. She would find him breaking things and she would leave him a book to calm down with. She knew he wanted to be alone but she could at least give him things so he would know she was there for him.

She started frequenting the cemetery in order to visit her parents. She would sit there for hours writing in her journal about the two boys who had slowly become the center of her world. She had trouble remembering her life before them and could hardly think of a future without them. Her pen was poised over the words she had just written when she heard a twig snap. She looked up and saw him standing there, slightly less drunk than usual. He swayed lightly, his face lit up in surprise.

"What are you doing here Elena?" His words were slurred as he took in the sight of her leaning up against a tombstone.

"I'm visiting." She stood up slowly before walking to him. "What are you doing here Damon?"

"Who are you visiting?" He obviously did not want to talk about why he was hanging out in a cemetery and she took the cue to leave it alone.

"My parents. I've been visiting a lot in the past few weeks." She looked back to the tombstone and a small smile crossed her features. When she turned back she noticed he was staring at her.

"Well I'll leave the three of you alone then." He turned to leave but stopped when her hand touched his shoulder.

"Would...would you like to meet them?" He turned back to look at her and his questioning gaze pierced her soul. "Come on Damon. She tugged lightly on his arm until he followed her to the tombstone. "These are my parents Grayson and Miranda Gilbert. Mom, Dad this is Damon Salvatore. I've told you a lot about him and his brother. He's one of my best friends." She broke off slightly to look at Damon. He was staring at the tombstone and then his deep gaze locked on her own.

"What happened to them? I knew they passed but how did it happen?" She took a deep breath before answering him.

"Car crash. They died the summer before you and Stefan came to Mystic Falls. I was in the back seat when we went off the road. I was in the back seat unconscious and they were both in the front. Apparently Stefan heard the crash and came to help us. My father wouldn't let him try and save him or my mother until I was safe. Stefan wasn't fast enough." Elena's voice wavered as she was hit by sadness. She nearly jumped when Damon's arm came around her shoulders.

"So Stefan knew all about you before he decided to return. How...interesting." She could hear the insinuation in his statement and oddly enough she wasn't all that surprised.

"I suppose. Anyway that's what happened and here we are today." Her one arm crept up until it went around his waist. They stood there while the breeze whipped their hair around lightly; just enjoying each other's semi-embrace while standing side-by-side.

"Am I really?" She looked up in confusion. His hand moved up to tilt her chin so he could see her eyes.

"Are you really what?"

"Am I really your friend?" She turned fully to look up him. She was suddenly struck by how boyish he looked. He looked 17 in that moment and he looked lost.

"Of course you are. I don't lie to my parents and I won't lie to you. You are one of my best friends Damon." She waited for his response, knowing that he would soon revert back to his sarcastic self. She hoped he would hold onto this tender side for a little longer.

"I've never had a friend before." He was quiet for a moment before a soft smile touched his lips.

"What about Stefan?"

"I don't think we were ever friends, not really. We were brothers and way too competitive up until now." He still looked so young and for a moment she thought she could see him as a little boy, standing silently wishing with all his heart for a friend.

"Well you have me now Damon. I've been told I make a pretty decent friend." He leaned down slightly to press his lips to my cheek.

"Thank you Elena. Thank you for this and for all those little things you kept leaving at the Boarding House. They kept me normal for awhile. I'm sorry that you felt you had to take care of me." His eyes dropped to the ground and his arm dropped from her shoulders.

"It's okay Damon. I don't mind taking care of you." Her fingers reached up to brush some hair out of his eyes.

"I know of other ways for you to take care of me Elena." She groaned when she realized the sarcasm was back. "Thank you for letting me meet them." He pulled back and began walking away.

"Damon!" He turned for a moment to see her standing where he left her. "If you need anything, you know where to find me." His response was a firm nod before he was gone.

She smiled lightly as she bent to retrieve her journal. "I know he's a bit abrupt Mom but he's a good man. He might not believe it but I see it in him." She walked away slowly with a smile on her lips. She was so preoccupied that she never noticed the black crow sitting on a branch nearby, watching her every movement until she was safely in her car.

.

"How long will you be gone Stefan?" She watched him move around his room, pushing items into the black duffel bag.

"Not long Elena. A week, two at the most." He grabbed his newest journal and jammed it in the bag.

"That long?"

"I know but I really need to go and handle Zack's West Coast business dealings. They finally got wind of his death and I need to go and help finalize the sale of his old store."

"I didn't know Zack owned a store." He turned and moved in front of her. He leaned down to kiss her lightly and she opened her mouth to him. He didn't take the invitation and she nearly groaned in frustration. They had made love twice and he still treated her like glass. She wanted him to be rough with her sometimes and to show her how much he wanted her. She shook her head to clear her mind of these thoughts.

"I know. He used to own a store out there until his older brother died, leaving him the Salvatore secret. He returned but he left the shop open under a manager. We decided to sell it since neither of us want to run it."

"What kind of shop was it?"

"Music store. Zack loved music but he had no real talent for it himself." He zipped up his bag and turned to her once more. "I'll be back sooner than you think. I love you Elena."

"Love you too. Have a good time." She stood to follow him but he gestured for her to remain.

"It will take me much longer to get out of here if you follow me down those steps." She smiled at his innuendo.

"You think I could persuade you to stay for a round?" He looked surprised at her statement.

"I just meant I could move faster..." She suddenly realized he wasn't talking about wanting her or about having trouble leaving. He was talking about how she would physically slow him down.

"I'll see you later Stefan. Be safe." Elena hoped he would turn to comfort her a little but when she raised her gaze she realized he was already gone. She got up from the bed and started down the steps before a familiar voice stopped her.

"Elena can you come here?" She turned slowly and ventured down the hall to a room she had never been to before. Stefan had told her Damon controlled nearly a whole wing of the house while he only had a room and bathroom but she had always brushed him off. Now she realized what he meant. When she went through the door she was facing a large sitting room that connected to three other rooms. He was sitting on the black couch, nursing a glass of what she assumed to be scotch. "Come sit with me." She moved to the couch and gingerly sat down beside him. "I heard what he said to you when he left." She froze next to him.

"I don't know what you mean." Her hands dropped to her jeans, tugging lightly on the material. His hand reached over and clasped over hers.

"You wanted him to say you were slowing him down because he wanted you. He just said you slow him down. He can be such an ass sometimes." A smile tugged at her lips and he rolled his eyes at her. "Don't let him make you feel undesirable. He's clueless when it comes to women."

"It's okay. We just don't have that kind of relationship."

His laugh was sudden and slightly insulting. She started to get up but he yanked her back to him so she was half lying in his lap. "You deserve that kind of relationship Elena. The man who claims you should want you all the time. He should be distracted from everything when you are with him." She gaped at him slightly as he said all this.

"Damon?" She whispered softly. He lifted her off of him slightly before putting that cocky grin on his face.

"If I didn't know any better I would think you were a little aroused right now." She rolled her eyes at him but before she could say anything he cut her off, "How about we order a pizza and just hang out tonight?"

She looked up at him for a moment before making her decision. "I think that is exactly what I need Damon." He pulled out his cell phone and placed the order while Elena got up to explore his area of the house. "Your room is so large."

"Yeah. I'm the eldest Salvatore so I get all the family perks. The door on the right is the bathroom. The left is a small library and the middle is my bedroom. I wouldn't mind us spending time in there tonight."

"Damon..." she started warningly.

"I was kidding Elena. You'll have to excuse my behavior a little bit since I don't know how to be friends, especially with a woman." She went back to the couch and sat down beside him. She lightly played with the flowers sitting on the small coffee table while he watched her movements.

"I like it when we talk. I can tell you things I can't tell other people."

"Like what?"

"I can tell you about my problems with Stefan because you never seem to betray my confidences. I can talk to you about the mystical things in my life. I can talk about my parents and you don't look at me with concern. You just let me talk and sometimes you talk back. I like that the most." He leaned forward and searched her eyes for something. He seemed to find what he was looking for since he leaned back quickly.

"Well what's on your mind Elena?" They were cut off by the doorbell and they looked at each other suddenly. "Well that is really quick service. Here go get the pizzas and bring them up here. I'll set us up for a night of talking and maybe movie-watching." Elena smiled and grabbed the money he was holding up.

A few minutes later she was carrying three pizzas into the room and stopped when she saw what he had done. He had spread a blanket on the floor with countless pillows thrown all around. There was a selection of beverages spread out on the table next to a bunch of napkins and plates. He moved to take the pizzas from her and she noticed he had freshened up a bit and smelled a little less like alcohol.

"Come on Miss Gilbert; help me understand this whole friend thing." He pulled her to the blanket and sat her down before putting two pieces of pizza on a plate, handing it to her. They ate for a few minutes, laughing at each other's jokes and just talking about nothing and everything at the same time. He grew serious all of the sudden, "Why did you introduce me to your parents?"

"I think they would have liked you, my mother especially." She continued eating while he seemed to consider her for a moment.

"Why do you think she would have liked me?"

"A lot of reasons I guess. You are fiercely loyal and she really liked that about people. You pretend not to care but you take care of me and she really would have liked that. You are a generally good guy but you have the whole bad-boy thing down which she appreciated. If anything she would have pressured me into being with you and not Stefan. She would have seen the good in you."

"Me instead of Stefan huh? I could have jumped on that I suppose. What were they like?"

"Well my dad was a doctor. He was secretly involved with the council but you already knew that. He was a typical dad I guess. He came home for dinner, read bedtime stories, and was at every game to watch me cheer. He just was there and then he wasn't. My mom and I were very close. She was sort of the black sheep of the family. I mean Aunt Jenna is super cool and everything but my mom was in her own category. She was a teen trapped in a mother's body. We shopped together and gossiped together. We cooked horrible dinners together and we read romance novels together. She would have loved you." Elena looked down after saying those things about her parents. They were gone and talking about them still hurt.

"She would have loved me huh? How interesting...most mothers would hate me." He smirked lightly as he thought of his bad-boy past.

"Yes well like I said she would have thrown me at you. She always said I needed a bad-boy, someone to bring me out of my shell but to care for me. She always thought a bad-boy would protect me better, would be fiercely protective but would also show me a good time." She paused for a moment in order to think, "I really think she just wanted to hear about the sex."

"Well I suppose I could show you the good sex and then we could mosey on down to the cemetery and share all the explosive details." He leaned over quickly and kissed a chocolate tendril lying on her bare shoulder. "Mmmm...your skin is lovely."

"D...Damon! Knock it off!" She shuddered lightly as his tongue came out to taste her skin. He pulled back and watched her chest heave for a moment as he smelled the beginnings of her arousal.

"So do you want to keep talking or do you want to watch a movie?" She gaped at him as he moved to get the remote. "Here find something or ask me a question or something."

"Why are you so different with me?" He froze and just stared at her downcast eyes before his eyes fell on the slight pinkish mark on her shoulder.

"What do you mean different?" He asked even though he was sure he knew what she meant.

"You're nice to me sometimes. You flirt with me but you stay sarcastic. You listen to me when no one else can really talk to you. Why me? Is it because I remind you of her? Because you can pretend that I'm her even for a moment?"

"No Elena, no. You are not her and I could never pretend you are. You are just you and I like that." He pulled her to him, nestling her back between his legs until she rested against his front. He played with the chocolate tendrils that escaped the butterfly clip holding her hair up. "You are so different from anyone I've ever met. You put up with my crap. I can be absolutely horrible to you and yet you bring me aspirin and books. You sit here and eat dinner with me. You are the only one in my life who forgives me for my mistakes." He could feel the smile radiating off of her.

"I don't want to ruin this really nice moment but can I say something you may not care to talk about?"

"I suppose."

"Stefan never does any of this stuff with me or...for me. I like this attention sometimes."

"You deserve this kind of attention Elena. You should demand it from the man you choose. Never let anyone neglect you when you need something. Never let him make you feel bad for needing something." His voice dropped off as they relished in their positions. For the first time in a long time Elena felt safe and happy, while Damon felt wanted and needed. "Since we were talking about families I thought I should share. I think my mother would have adored you Elena."

"Really, why? What was she like Damon?"

"She was...magical. I never understood how she ended up with my father, but I suppose it was all about the money and social status. My father was a hard, cold man who was only concerned with appearances. He hated me since I was too much like my mother. He wanted strong sons, sons who would carry on the family name and honor him properly. My mother just loved life. She would play with us outside, running around in a beautiful dress. Her face would get smudged and she would laugh this tinkling laugh." He dropped off as he remembered her, the one woman who had loved him completely. "I always was her boy. I used to follow her around while Stefan followed Father. She would have loved the way you love life, the way you can have fun. She would have loved the way you care for Stefan and the way you care for me. She died when I was 15." Elena turned her body so she could look at him. She was once again struck by how young he looked.

"You really loved her. I think I would have loved her too." He seemed to consider her for a moment.

"You aren't wearing your necklace Elena." Her hand reached up to touch her bare neck. He was relieved when she didn't seem fearful of him.

"No I took it off in Stefan's room because it caught on his comforter. I forgot to put it back on."

"Hmmm...I have something for you." He got up quickly, leaning her forward slightly so he could slide out from behind her. He moved into his bedroom while her eyes followed his every move. He came back with a small, rosewood box. He sat back down behind her and put his arms around her. She took the box from his hands and lifted the lid. Inside sat a beautiful silver necklace. The pendant contained sapphires and diamonds sparkling in the sunlight that peeked in through the windows.

"What is this?" Her fingers trailed lightly over the gems and the silver chain, caressing them as she wondered what Damon was doing.

"It was my mothers. It was a gift from her parents when she married. She loved it so much but she gave it to me before she died. She told me to give it to someone who mattered to me and she said it would bring them happiness as it gave her." He lifted the necklace from the box and clasped it around Elena's smooth neck. "I want you to have it."

"I can't take this Damon. It means too much to you." He tilted her face up to his for a moment before smiling.

"Yes you can. I want you to have it Elena. You are the only person in over a century who has cared about me at all. She would want you to have it just as much as I want you to have it. Plus it looks amazing on you." His fingers trailed down to touch the pendant.

"I don't know what to say or how to...ugh." His fingers stilled on her collar bone when he suddenly realized she was too hot.

"Elena, are you okay?" He trailed his fingers up to her forehead and he realized she was burning up. "You're sick Elena." He got up before pulling her up into his arms. "Let me take you home."

"No one's home. Jenna and Jeremy went away for the week in an attempt to bond or something." He paused in his doorway before turning and moving to his bedroom. He leaned down, placing her in the center of his soft bed. "What are you doing Damon?"

"You'll stay here until you're better. Do you think you'll be okay while I run to your house for some things?" He noticed now how her eyes were falling closed as she struggled to look at him.

"Bring me my Journal too, okay? It's behind the poster next to my bed." He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead as she fell asleep.

"No problem Elena. Be back soon."

.

"She in here. She just got hot all the sudden and got dizzy. I put her in bed and left to go get some things but I thought a doctor should look at her." Damon moved to let the elderly doctor into the room. He paced a little, clearly worried for the human girl lying in his bed.

"You seem nervous son. I'm sure it's nothing." Dr. Hammond moved towards the bed. He listened to her heart and listened to her breathing before turning back to the young man standing at the foot of the bed. "Can you name all the symptoms she exhibited since she needed to lie down?"

"Well we were eating and talking and then all the sudden I noticed she was really hot. When I asked her if she was alright, she got dizzy so I moved her to the bed. Those are all the symptoms I'm aware of at this point." Damon began to wring his hands slightly. "She'll be okay right?"

"Oh yes young man. She just has the flu that has been going around. Most of the high school students have caught it over the past few weeks. Give it a week and the young lady will be back to her normal self." The doctor moved to pack up his small black bag. "Oh and young man? You don't deal with sick people very often do you?"

"No I don't. My brother and I haven't been sick since we were little." Damon moved closer to the bed and reached down to hold Elena's hand.

"She'll be fine young man. Just make sure she drinks a lot of fluids and eats light meals. Take good care of your girlfriend. I'll just see myself out now." Damon barely acknowledged his leaving as he sat down in the armchair next to the bed, simply holding her hand. He traced the veins lightly as she slept.

'She's so fragile. I never thought about how fragile Elena was before. I could lose her to anything. What would I do?' So many thoughts raced through his head as he just stared at the rise and fall of the comforter. 'At least she's breathing and safe. At least she hasn't left me yet.' Damon contemplated human life for a moment and realized she would eventually leave him. She would die and he'd be all alone again. He didn't know if he could handle that. For now he would just help her get healthy again so he could see her smile again.

He rose silently before heading into the adjoining sitting room. He pulled out his cell phone and made some calls before making the one he didn't want to make.

"Hello." The voice was questioning since it did not know who was calling.

"Hello Matt? It's Damon Salvatore."

"Hello Damon. Um I'm sorry but how did you get my number?" Damon rolled his eyes to the empty room at this silly question.

"Elena had it. I need to ask a favor."

"Why do you think I would help you?" Damon sighed lightly, knowing Matt hated him because of Caroline and his behavior in general.

"It's for Elena. I need your help."

"What's wrong with Elena?" He could hear the concern in his voice and immediately felt jealous. He pushed the feelings down for a moment in order to answer the boy.

"She got that flu that's been going around and I'm taking care of her..." He could hear the rage ripple through the boy but luckily Matt calmed himself before responding.

"So what do you need me for?"

"I don't want to leave her and I need some things for her from the store. Could you go to the stores I tell you and pick up the waiting orders for me? Could you then bring them to the Boarding House?"

"The Boarding House? Shouldn't Elena be at home with Jenna?" Damon sighed once again.

"Jenna and Jeremy are away this week, trying to bond or something. No one is there for her and I...already had the flu so I can't get it again while her other friends might. She's just staying here until she's better. Please Matt. I don't know who else to call who would do this for her." Damon realized for a moment that he was pleading with a human. He had been reduced to pleading because of her.

"Yeah for Elena. Where do you need me to go?"

"Okay well I need you to stop at the Grocery Store and pick up my order. Then go to the Record store next store and pick up the order of movies and music. Then go down the street to the book store. Lastly stop at the Pharmacy and pick up some sort of Flu medicine for her. I don't know what to get her at the Pharmacy but..."

"I know what to get. Caroline is home sick with it now and I've been getting her meds all week."

"Thanks Matt. This...this means a lot." There was a distinct click as Matt hung up the phone. Damon turned back to Elena and moved to sit beside her once more. His fingers reached out to feel her forehead and he nearly withdrew from the raging inferno that was her skin. He trailed his fingers down to the necklace resting gently on her collarbone and fingered the pendant lightly.

"Damon?" He glanced up at her face and noticed her eyes were open.

"I'm here Elena. What is it?"

"Can you...can you take me into the bathroom? I don't feel so well." Instead of answering her, he leaned down and scooped her into his arms. He moved slowly into the bathroom before sitting her down on the floor. He pulled the small clip from her hair and redid her hair in a messy up-do.

"I don't want your hair to get dirty. Do you want me to stay with you Elena?" She shook her head vigorously for a sick person.

"No! I mean...I don't want you to see me like that." He straightened up.

"Okay Elena but just call my name when you want to go back to bed or if you need anything at all." He turned quickly and left the bathroom. He began moving around at vampire speed in order to ready the bedroom for her. He ran down the hall to Zack's old bedroom and grabbed the TV before putting it in his bedroom. He rarely saw the need for a TV in the bedroom but Elena might enjoy it. He ran downstairs and got her a glass of water before running back up the stairs to place it next to the bed. He once again turned quickly and went out to the garden to gather some of the wildflowers surrounding the house. She once said they were beautiful and he hoped she would like them. He turned slightly at the sound of a car. Matt pulled up and hopped out.

"Man you got a shitload of crap. It's lucky I have a pick-up." The blond trailed off as Damon listened carefully for movement in the house. He heard her flush the toilet but there was no other movement.

"Can you help me carry this stuff inside Matt?" Matt looked stunned by Damon's behavior but turned to pick-up bags.

"Where do you want them?"

"Food in the kitchen...just walk forward until you have to turn left. Anything else, just sit at the bottom of the steps." They each took two trips to carry the bags into the proper places. Matt stood in the doorway of the kitchen. "Thank you Matt. We'll be fine now."

Matt rocked on his feet. "Yeah well just let me know if you need anything else. I'm kind of on sick duty between Caroline and now Elena. I'm pretty sure the pharmacy is giving out my number to sick people too." Damon chuckled lightly out of politeness but mentally urged the boy to leave. He needed to check on Elena and Matt was standing in the way. "Well I guess I'll be going. Tell Elena to feel better, okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks again." Matt turned but stopped in the doorway. He turned and watched the dark-haired man lift the bags of books, movies, and music to bring up to Elena.

"Maybe we were all wrong about him..."

.

"Elena?" He knocked on the door lightly, listening for sounds of movement. "Elena, are you okay?"

"Mm-hmm. Can you take me back to bed Damon?" Damon opened the door and moved to the pale girl. She looked deathly ill sitting in front of him and he rushed to her. She still felt warm but he could see that her eyes were no longer cloudy. He lifted her into his arms and moved her back to the bed. He propped her soft body up against the mountain of pillows he had placed on the bed. "You changed your room."

"Yeah. The doctor said you'll be sick for a week so I figured I would make you comfortable."

"I don't want to be a bother. Just take me home Damon." Her eyes were slowly creeping shut again and he moved to sit beside her. He lifted a tendril of her luscious hair that had escaped her clip.

"You aren't a bother Miss Elena. I won't take you home because no one is there to take care of you. I can make you incredibly comfortable here Elena and I can't get sick so I can take care of you." He watched as her eyes drifted shut for a moment and then they opened sluggishly. "Go to sleep Elena. I'll be here when you wake up." Her eyes shut and her body fell back against the pillows.

Hours later she woke up. She glanced over and noticed Damon was sleeping in the arm chair. She turned and looked outside noticing how dark it was. 'How long was I out?'

"Six hours." He seemed to have read her mind and her gaze turned back to him. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Horny?"

"Um no not so much although I do have this incredible itch between my legs but I'm sure it's normal." She smirked as his mouth gaped open. "I was kidding Damon. I could use a little water I guess."

"You are such a tease my little friend." He moved to leave the room but stopped momentarily when he heard her voice.

"I think your little friend wants to come out and play. I wonder if he's experiencing a growth spurt..." He almost turned back to her but decided to go get her water instead. As the glass was filling his phone went off.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, hey Damon. It's Matt. I just thought of something and I thought you should know..."

"Know what Matt?" He gulped audibly.

"Well when Elena gets sick she tends to have lowered inhibitions and she um gets a little frisky. When she was 15 she got mono from Caroline's soda can or something and she kept trying to get people me into bed with her. So um yeah...she gets kind of interesting." He waited a moment before ending the conversation. Damon didn't hear much of anything towards the end of the conversation as he considered the new information. He put his phone down and noticed a text message from Stefan.

Got to California okay.

Damon rolled his eyes before putting his phone down on the counter. He would have no more interruptions while he cared for his horny, sick girl. He walked up the stairs and into his room but was greeted with an empty bed. He could hear her heartbeat but couldn't understand where she was. He placed the glass on his dresser before he felt two hands slide around from behind him. Her questing fingers roamed his body, dipping and teasing in a delicious fashion. Her one palm slid down his body until she cupped the beginnings of his erection.

"Mmmm...someone is happy to feel me." She ground her hand into his growing erection as a groan escaped his lips.

"Elena?" He reached down and grabbed her fingers. She struggled lightly until he turned around in their semi-embrace. He looked down and noticed her sudden change in attire. She had stripped out of her earlier clothes, wearing only her bra and panty set. The pendant dipped temptingly between her breasts and he wished he could lean down and taste her. She pushed herself against him, rotating her hips against his aching hardness. "Elena," he said warningly.

"I'm so wet Damon. Please? I need you." He swallowed quietly at her words. She was offering herself to him. He pushed her back gently, intent on getting her back in bed. She fell back with her legs dangling off the edge while he stood between them. He looked down at the sight she made with her chest heaving and the wetness between her thighs obvious on her panties. "I need you." She groaned before her thighs clenched around one of his own in a death grip that could rival vampire strength. She began rubbing herself against his thigh, releasing little whimpering noises.

"Elena you need to stop." He could feel the shift in his body as he realized his fangs were coming out.

"Mmmm...sexy fangs." He sputtered lightly at her as she looked up with lust-filled eyes.

"Ugh...Damon I don't feel so good." He looked up at her face and noticed she looked tired again. He leaned down and began to move her body up against the pillows again.

"Shh Elena you need to rest. Come on baby let's get you into bed." She nodded lightly as he moved her scorching body under the silken covers. Once she was settled he moved to sit in the armchair to watch her sleep.

"No! Damon!" He looked surprised at her outburst. "Come lay with me. Please?" She lightly patted the spot next to her until he found himself moving into the spot. She sat up slightly and began to unbutton his shirt. His hand reached up to stop her but it halted as he realized this was not sexual. The moment his chest was displayed she put her burning forehead against it. "Mmm you feel so cool." She moved to drape her body over his until she sank down into his cool skin. She was asleep in moments and he held her gently against his cool body, cradling her face against the cool, column of his throat.

She was too hot. She was burning and it was unnatural. He didn't like her being this hot. He liked it when she was just warm against him, her hand seemingly burning through him, but this was like touching lightning. He considered calling Stefan and telling him to come home. He would be good with sick Elena. He would know what to do. He looked down at her sleeping form and softened considerably. She was so beautiful like this.

He thought of Stefan and Elena's earlier conversation. Stefan really was a fool. All she wanted was for Stefan to turn around and just take her. She wanted to feel desirable. This girl did everything for my brother and me and he didn't recognize what she needed. She needed to be possessed and cherished. She needed to be worshipped and sometimes punished. She needed someone who would spend most of their time making her happy and Saint Stefan seemed to be doing everything in his power to ignore her needs. How could he leave when she wanted him to make love to her? If she was his...

He needed to stop that train of thought. She loved Stefan, not him. Stefan was her boyfriend, not him. Stefan was her forever, not him. He so desperately wanted to be those things for her. He wanted to finally have someone just love him and let him love them. He could see that in Elena. She was his only friend and he'd be damned if he messed that up. He could live with unrequited love, couldn't he?

She sighed lightly in her sleep and he pressed her closer to him. He would get his fill of her this week. He would be there for every sigh, every cough, and every word. He would soak up every movement to tide him over for an eternity. He just wanted her to be happy and he would be...just a friend.

.

She watched him silently while he slept. Her cheek was pressed tightly to his chest while she watched him. She was feeling clear-headed for the moment and she knew it wouldn't last. Soon she would either slip back into horny, sick Elena or he would awaken and move away.

He was breathtaking. She stared at the dark hair that fell onto his forehead. She longed to brush it from his face in a nearly romantic fashion but knew she couldn't. She was with Stefan and Damon clearly didn't see her that way. He was just her friend and she didn't want to lose him.

She was supposed to only want Stefan. She wasn't supposed to want his brother. Stefan treated her like glass and sometimes acted as though she was a burden. Damon treated her like a person. He let her fall and fumble. He let her be human and never tried to stop her. He let her cry and he let her get angry. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like to be possessed by Damon Salvatore. She wondered if it would be like riding a bolt of lightning, always passionate, always tumultuous.

"What are you thinking about Sweetheart?" She froze when she noticed his bright, blue eyes were trained on her.

"Sw..Sweetheart?" She gulped slightly at the husky sound of his voice. He had sex voice this morning and she wished she was the reason for it.

"Does it bother you?" He unclipped her hair and watched it tumble over her shoulders and onto his chest. "I won't do it again."

"No I like it. You can call me that. What time is it?" His one hand left her back and they both felt the loss. He moved a pillow in order to look over at the clock.

"9:37...are you hungry?" She licked her lips slightly when she felt his clothed morning erection against her naked stomach...WAIT! naked stomach?

She glanced down quickly and noticed her attire or lack thereof. Her horrified eyes flew to his face. She groaned then, pushing her face into his chest, mumbling lightly. "I came onto you, didn't I?"

"It's okay. It was sexy." He watched the pink blush creep over her already flushed features. He watched as it trailed down her neck and he wanted to turn her over in order to see how far it went. "Nothing happened Elena. I got you into bed before anything happened."

She chuckled at his statement. "I would have thought that would be when something would have happened." He looked down at her questioningly as she laid her head against his throat. "I could eat I guess."

"Okay then. I'll go get you some soup and you just stay right here."

"Mmk." He moved her off of him and onto the soft pillows. He got up and walked to the doorway but turned back for a moment. She was reclined on the pillows with her bra rising and falling with each breath. The blue of the bra was glorious against her olive skin. The pendant rested lightly against her skin and her eyes were darkening from desire. God help him, she had sex hair. It was tousled from his roaming fingers. She made quite a picture in his bed; it was as though she was waiting for him.

He turned and moved down the steps quickly as he tried to calm his own desires. He heated up the soup, got some hot tea for her, and grabbed one of the packets of flu medicine. When he returned to his room he found her wearing a set of PJs she found in the duffel bag he left near the bed. He paused wondering if he preferred her in lingerie or these little pink shorts. She was sexy in both and he knew he would need a cold shower to quell his desires.

"I brought you soup, tea, and some medicine. I hope you like it." She nodded lightly as he placed the tray in front of her.

"Stay with me? I hate being alone when I'm sick." She looked so young and vulnerable and he could feel his features softening.

"Of Course Sweetheart. I'll sit right here in the chair while you eat." He sat down gently and watched her begin eating.

"When did you leave to get all this stuff for me?"

"I only left for about five minutes to get your clothes. You'll have to thank Matt for everything else. He stopped at the stores and picked up the orders and then he brought them here."

"Oh well I'll have to thank him later. I think that's all for the soup for now. I'll just drink some tea." He nodded lightly as he watched her lift the cup to her mouth with shaky hands.

"Are you sure you're alright? I mean I can hold the cup for you if you need me to." She shook her head lightly.

"No I'm not a complete incompetent. So you had Matt bring me things. What else did you have him bring me?" He smirked lightly and rose to grab the additional bags.

"In this bag is a selection of movies and music. In the other is a selection of books. You uh...you mentioned these books last time you were here." She smiled joyfully as she reached out for the bags.

"You remembered all this stuff from the last time we talked?"

"Well yeah. I told you I only have you as a friend. I'm going to remember what you tell me...always." She looked down for a moment before brushing some hair behind her ears.

"You always say things like that. I like that about you." He came forward and sat down on the edge of the bed. He reached out for a moment and lifted her hand in his. His thumb rubbed designs into her skin as she melted back onto the pillows. "That feels really nice." She sighed lightly and he felt his face changing. He turned away for a moment until the fangs were gone. "You don't have to hide it you know."

"What do you mean? He looked down at the ground but he felt her fingers pull on his hand.

"You don't need to hide your vampire tendencies. I'm okay with the fangs and even the veins. You don't need to turn away from me." He looked up at her cloudy eyes and saw the acceptance sparkling there. "I've never shied away from you because of what you are, only your behavior." He considered her for a moment and watched as she grew tired again.

"I'm over stimulating you Elena. I really should let you rest."

"I'll let you know when I want to rest. Can we watch a movie?" She reached into the bag instead of waiting for his response. She finally settled on Fantastic Four. "I've never seen this but I figure how intense can a superhero movie be?" He took the movie from her hands and moved to put it in the DVD player. He turned back to the bed and moved the tray to his dresser then he sat down on the edge of the bed. "You can come up here and lay with me." He fumbled for a moment until he was sitting next to her on the bed. She waited until the movie started and then she draped herself on top of him once more. "You feel so cool. It feels amazing." He let her press her cheek to his chest and started to rub her back absentmindedly with his one hand.

"Why doesn't he fight for her? I mean he loves her so what does it matter that the villainy guy is into her?" His hand stilled slightly as she watched the movie.

"What do you mean?"

"Well if he loves her then he should fight for her. He should show her how he's the better choice. I never understand that. Why don't they fight for the ones they love?" He stilled slightly at her question.

"Would you want a man to fight for you?" She remained silent for a moment before she rested her chin on his chest, looking into his eyes.

"Yes. I would want him to fight for me. I would want him to show me how much he loved me. I would want him to sweep me off my feet and kiss me until I couldn't remember the other guy's name. I think it would be wonderful to be loved that much." She held his gaze for a moment before turning back to the movie. His hand began the calming motion on her back as he considered her words.

'She wanted someone to fight for her. I wasn't too late. I could still win her if I tried hard enough. I could make her mine forever. How do I go about winning her?' He spent the rest of the movie considering how to woo her. He wanted to show her how much he loved her, how he couldn't imagine living without her. As the credits started rolling he noticed she had drifted asleep in his arms again. She breathed rhythmically against his chest and he felt the heat of her small fever burning against his chest. He glanced over at the clock and realized it was close to 1:00. He edged out from under her and took the tray down to the kitchen. He began peeling potatoes in order to make her mashed potatoes for dinner. He knew she liked them and he was sure they were sick food...or at least a comfort food. He began to boil them and returned upstairs to hear her stirring lightly.

He turned quickly into the bathroom and began running her a luxurious bubble bath. He pulled out the expensive bubble solution he had gotten Matt to pick up. He put it in the water and dropped some rose petals from their garden in the water. He set up a small cd player and found some soft music to play in the background. He dimmed the lights and lit a few candles. He turned to look at the picture his normally empty bathroom made. He hoped she would like this surprise. He walked into the bedroom and watched her sit up in his bed. Her tank top had ridden up and he stopped to look at the smooth skin of her stomach.

He heard her giggle lightly and he realized she knew he was ogling. Her hand rose to her mouth to try and stifle the noise and he noticed her glittery eyes. "Like the view Damon?"

"Yes." She stopped laughing abruptly when she realized he was being honest with her. "Come Sweetheart. I prepared a bath for you and when you are done you can have some dinner." He leaned down to lift her into his arms once more. This time her arms went around his neck as he carried her into the changed bathroom. He heard the soft gasp released from her lips as she took in the sight of her prepared bath.

"This is amazing Damon. No one has ever done anything like this for me." He smiled at her as he lowered her to the toilet next to the tub.

"Here is the remote to the CD player. When you are done in here just put on your Pajamas and get in bed. I'll bring your dinner up." He turned to leave but stopped when she grabbed his hand.

"Thank you Damon. This is wonderful." He froze at her smile and found himself returning it. "You need to eat too Damon. If you need to go out to get some blood just let me know."

"I have blood bags downstairs. That will be enough for me." He left the bathroom but stayed outside the door for a moment. He heard her tank top and shorts hit the floor and listened to her pleasurable sigh as she sunk down into the warm water. The music started and he left her to her pleasure.

Her sweet sighs echoed in his ears as he finished preparing her dinner. He could hear every movement; smell the scent of her sickness come off of her and her natural scent float through the air. She seemed so happy and he would do anything to keep her like that for as long as possible.

.

As he turned into his suite he heard her soft voice singing along with the CD. He paused to listen to her soft, lilting voice. He heard her get out of the water and begin draining the tub. He heard her lift a towel and begin toweling herself off. Suddenly he wished she had been so weak that he could have toweled her off. He would take such care, rubbing and caressing her body until every water droplet was removed. He would bring those soft sighs from her lips until it was his own name tumbling from her lips.

He shook his head and moved to the couch. He sat the tray down on the coffee table before turning to meet a cleaner Elena in the bedroom. He halted inside the doorway when he noticed her attire. She was wearing one of his button-down shirts and unless he was mistaken, not much else. He could see her boy shorts peeking out through the slit where one of his buttons had fallen off.

"I'm sorry but you only brought me one pair of Pajamas and they smelled like sick people. I couldn't stay in them and I found this folded on top of your dresser." He moved forward and lifted her down-turned chin.

"It's perfectly fine. It looks better on you anyway."

"I'm pretty sure that's impossible." Her fingers reached out to toy with the exposed skin of his chest. He looked down and realized he had never buttoned up the shirt from the previous night. Her hands were still burning hot but her eyes were clear. "So should I get into bed?" He felt his mouth open and close a few times as he tried to save his dignity. He could see the sexy glint reappear in her eyes. She leaned forward to press her lips to the hollow of his throat. Her blunt human teeth came out to nip at the flesh there.

His fangs surged out when he felt her bite him. He could feel the demon in him begging for him to taste her. He could feel his control slipping as her lithe body pressed against him, her mouth tempting him with soft bites. He shuddered as she bit down exceptionally hard for a human and he felt his body tremble when her tongue darted out to soothe the spot.

"Mmmm...you're tasty." She moaned against his throat. Suddenly his demon took over and he launched her onto the bed. By the time her body settled on the mattress, he was on her. He settled between her thighs and ripped the remaining buttons off her shirt. He was greeted with a bare Elena and his mouth dipped to taste the flesh exposed. His nose nudged a perky nipple and she groaned loudly. Her fingers tunneled in his hair as she clutched him to her. He grabbed her hands and held them flush against the bed, arching her body closer to his. He leaned down and nipped at her collarbone. She moaned and he felt himself harden.

Her legs came up around his waist and she thrust her hips against his hardness until he growled. Soft growls escaped his lips as he lowered his head to her neck. She whimpered pleasurably as his fangs scraped against her neck. "Please...Damon, please!" He placed her hands in one of his as his other hand moved to cup her breast. She arched against him as best she could. He flattened his palm and held it so it was barely brushing her nipple. She tried unsuccessfully to press it against him. "Please..." she whimpered. Her voice snapped him out of it and he pulled himself back from her soft body. Her lust-filled eyes looked up at him in surprise. He glanced quickly to the left and saw them in the mirror. His eyes were black surrounded by veins while his fangs peeked out. His shirt was open and her fingers ran along his muscles. Her body was far more interesting in the mirror. Her legs were splayed around his body as she reached up for him. Her face was flushed as her bare chest rose and fell while his ruined shirt framed her petite frame. He turned to look at her once more and found the lusty glint leaving her eyes and they cleared.

"Oh I'm so sorry Damon. I'm so sorry." She covered her body with her hands as she tried to burrow under the pillows. He leaned down and ripped the pillows off the bed. He batted her hands away and held her down beneath him.

"You don't need to hide Elena. You are beautiful. I would definitely continue this but I know you would regret it and I don't want to ruin our friendship." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Let's get decent and we can go eat dinner." He pulled himself from her warm body and found her another shirt. He buttoned up his own shirt and waited until she was decent. He picked her up, earning a squeal and deposited her on the sitting room couch. "I thought you might like a change of scenery."

"Mmm." She leaned forward and began to eat the dinner he had made for her. He drank his glass of blood and watched as she ate slowly, avoiding his eyes. "It's good," she stated softly before finishing her dinner. She leaned back and he noticed how far she was sitting from him. She felt so far away and he realized how used he was to her closeness. Two feet felt like miles to him and it took a lot of self-control not to haul her over to him. He could still smell her wetness and he wanted nothing more than to push her down and please her until he had his fill of her. He snapped out of it when he noticed she was trembling. He slid closer to her.

"Sweetheart?" He reached for her hand and felt the heat coming off of her hands. She was burning up again and he was thinking about how he wanted to ravage her. He pulled her into his embrace and held her softly as she pressed her burning forehead against his throat. "You need to take some more medicine, Sweetheart." He leaned forward and picked up some more pills before giving them to her. She gulped them down quickly and then whimpered softly against his throat.

"I'm so hot Damon. Please, I'm so hot." He pushed her forward for a moment before ripping his shirt off. She practically mewled when he pulled her back to him. "Mmm you're so cold." His arms wound themselves around her waist as her own rested on his thighs. His hands itched to touch her breasts, to distract her from the heat. "You can touch me Damon. I won't regret it." He sat quietly, simply holding her against his chest.

"I know but I'm afraid we'll mess this up Elena. I can't be like that with you and then let you go back to him. I just can't do that."

"Why?" At first he wasn't sure she said anything. She had barely whispered the question and even with his extra hearing he could barely hear her.

"Do you not realize how important you are to me Elena? Do you not know how you are the only thing that matters to me now? I can't risk this friendship because if I lose you, I will have nothing left."

She turned in his arms and pressed her lips to his. His world stopped and he knew he could survive without blood as long as her lips remained on his. He responded quickly, holding her to him as his hands moved down to her bottom. He opened his mouth and caressed her lips with his tongue. She shuddered as she opened her mouth to him. He could taste her natural sweetness and he groaned at the taste of her. His lips pulled from hers as he pressed his lips to her neck.

"Damon..." He stopped at her moan and pulled back from her luscious skin.

"I can't Elena. I can't do this."

"Damon stop. Please, stop. Let's talk about this." He looked into her eyes and sighed. He could see this was important to her.

"Okay." He sat her back from him but within his easy reach. He didn't like it when she was too far away from him.

"Damon I know that there are issues here that need to be dealt with now. I know I'm with Stefan. I know that I am supposed to love him. I know that I am not supposed to want you. Something has been missing with Stefan for awhile. I just don't know anymore. I just don't." He held her hand lightly and squeezed her fingers once.

"What is it that you want Elena? Tell me what you want." He pushed her hair back once more and realized how many times he had done that in the past few days. He could feel that her fever had lessened substantially but she still felt hot to him.

"I want to know what it would be like to be loved wholly. Stefan says the words to me but I don't think he knows what I need. I try to kiss him and he barely pecks my lips. I have to beg him to hold hands. We were intimate twice and I could barely get anything out of him. I need so much more Damon."

"And you want me to give it to you? You want me to help you cheat on him?" He turned away from her and couldn't believe this. He thought she was different from Katherine. He was so sure.

"No. I wanted to know if you wanted it from me. Things are going to change when Stefan gets home. I can't stay with him. I know he'll promise to change but he won't. He doesn't know how. He will never be able to give me what I need." He turned back to look in her soft eyes.

"Elena what are you saying?" He had to be sure. He had to be positive what she wanted.

"I want to know Damon. I need to know if you could see me that way. I need to know if you think you could love me. Could you Damon?" Her eyes dropped to her legs as she waited for his response. Unfortunately he couldn't figure out how to respond. He realized he wanted this but he was deeply afraid. He was afraid he would ruin this. He didn't realize how she was reacting. He didn't notice the anger and upset bubbling up to the surface.

"I'm an idiot! I'm an absolute idiot!" She bolted from him and began to seethe by the windows.

"No you're not."

"For that matter, you're an idiot too. How could I be so stupid? How could I imagine you would want me? How could I possibly think you would want me like I want you? I'm just as close as the two of you can get. That's why Stefan can barely touch me. That's why you keep pushing me away! You both want her but I'm not really her. I'll never be HER. I'll just be here until she returns or you grow tired of me. Well no more! I won't be her and I won't do this anymore!" Before he could make a move she was fleeing from him. He heard her run down the steps and he rose quickly. How could he let her run from him when everything she said was false? Not only that, she was ill. She could hurt herself! He heard the front door slam and her soft feet hit the ground as she took off from the house.

Before he realized it, he was tearing off after her. He had stopped for a moment to grab his jacket and then sped after her fading scent. She was moving extremely fast and changed her direction every few feet. He slowed as her scent abruptly stopped. He waited a moment before hearing cries echo from the clearing. He moved quickly then, dropping to the soft earth beneath them. The moment his hand touched her she launched herself to him and he could feel her tears against his shirt. He held her as she cried softly, everything she had been holding in poured out of her.

He rocked her gently until her sobs slowly subsided. "Elena? Please Sweetheart...let me take you back to the house." She kept shaking her head and he just lifted her into his arms.

"No! No! I can't go back there! I can't!" He held her to him as she cried out. He moved them close to the house but sat down on the garden bench.

"Please Sweetheart. Please listen to me." She calmed for a moment and he took it in order to launch into his own speech. "You need to listen to me Elena. You ARE NOT Katherine! You have never been, nor will you ever be. Stefan is an absolute idiot Elena. He doesn't know what he has and what he will lose by acting this way. He just doesn't understand how amazing you are, how special." She looked up at him as he paused for a moment. "I do want you Elena. I want you so much it pains me sometimes. I don't want to be hurt anymore Elena. I couldn't take it if you left me for Stefan. If you left me to go back to him I might die Elena. My heart can't take anymore heartache. I want you and I need you. I would rather have you in my life as a friend instead of losing you. Please understand Elena, I need you in my life!" She pressed her lips to his once more.

"Damon...please just hold me tonight? We can talk more in the morning but I can't go back in there without you. I need you too." He nodded quickly and lifted her up. Soon they were safely tucked in bed, their arms wrapped around each other as they both drifted quickly to sleep.

.

He woke up and noticed the lack of a warm body pressed tightly to his. He got up softly when he heard her talking from the other room.

"Don't say that. If you really cared then you would have called me. It's been three days Stefan and I had to call you. You left for California and you didn't even consider that I might worry." She paused in her speech and Damon strained to hear Stefan but she had put soft music on, blocking out his brother's soft voice. "Yes well you didn't even consider what I needed when you left did you?"

"Yes I wanted you that! Of course I was looking for that. No! You know what Stefan, I got worried and I called you. I'm sorry I took you away from another precious hour of sleep. I'm sorry I worried. We need to talk when you get back."

"No I won't tell you over the phone. Stefan it's serious. Just come back when you can so we can sort this out."

"No I am not breaking up with you over the phone and no I won't say if that is what it is about."

"Damon has been treating me just fine."

"No he is not compelling me! That's just ridiculous!"

"He is not trying to hurt you by being near me! Seriously Stefan I won't do this over the phone. Well Goodbye Stefan and thanks for asking how I'm doing." He heard her end the phone call and throw her phone across the room. "Bastard!" He pushed the door open and came face to face with an irate Elena. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough. What are you doing Elena?" She watched him for a moment before reaching out to brush hair out of his eyes.

"I'm setting the stage so when he gets back I can end it. I can't pretend that it is working anymore. I can't pretend that I still love him when I'm in love with you." She clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized her confession. He stood completely still and didn't move until he saw tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh God Elena. I love you! I love you so much!" He crushed her to him, her body falling forward until he couldn't tell where he ended and she began. He forced her lips up to his as he parted them swiftly. He tongue plundered her mouth as he took everything from her. He pulled moans and groans and sweet, sweet sighs from her lips. She melted into his embrace while a fire burst between them. Her fingers grasped his neck as his fingers grasped her bottom, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist.

Her skin was like fire beneath his fingers, her warmth surrounding his cold body until he was sure he felt human again. He could feel her fingers on his neck and her legs scorching him through his pants. She moaned against his lips and this time he realized he would not stop until she begged him to stop. He would have her again and again until she passed out from exhaustion.

The demon in him rose up to claim her. He wanted their first time to be romantic with rose petals and candles but he knew this would not happen now. He was too desperate, too full of her to slow down. His lips broke from hers as he dropped kisses over her face; spending extra time showing her how precious she was to him. His lips dropped to her ear and he suckled on her delicate ear lobe. Her breath hitched next to his ear as his tongue darted out to play with her delicate skin.

"I'm going to have you Elena. I'm going to make you scream." She whimpered lightly at his words. "I'm going to spread you on my bed and take you until you beg me to stop." She mumbled lightly next to his ear. "What was that Sweetheart?" He pressed his lips to her neck and suckled the tender skin as she let out a pleasured moan.

"That will never happen." He pulled back slightly, afraid she was pushing him away. "I will never beg you to stop. You can have me until you tire of me." A smile broke out across his face as he moved them back to the bed.

"I won't tire of you Sweetheart." Before he dropped her on the bed, he sat her down in the armchair. She looked questioningly at him as he leaned down and ripped the sheets off the bed. He threw them across the room and left only two pillows at the top of the bed. "Nothing is going to get in my way. I'm going to lay you out and feast on your beauty." He leaned down and ripped his shirt from her body leaving her in only her little boy shorts. His hands lifted her until she was in the center of his bed. Her arms tried to pull him down but he batted them away. He stood beside the bed and just looked down at her.

Her skin was flawless before him. Her nipples hardened in the cool air of the room and he watched her normal blush spread down her neck until it stopped at the swell of her breasts. She stared up at him as he began to walk around the bed, memorizing every inch of her. "Oh one more thing..." She gasped as he grabbed her boy shorts and ripped them from her body. Her hips rose from the force of the tear while her legs fell open in a glorious fashion. She moved to close her legs but he leaned down and forced them apart. "Leave them open," he commanded. She waited a second before her legs drifted open again.

He continued to circle her waiting body while he learned every inch of her, soaking up his fill of her. The only thing she wore was his mother's pendant and he loved the way it pressed to her skin. He let his finger drop between her thighs and pulled back his wet fingers. He sucked the nectar from them before giving her a lewd smile. "You are so wet Elena, so needy. Your wetness is seeping down to the mattress and soon I'll be able to press myself to the bed and smell you for weeks." She gasped at his comments and he leaned down to tweak a nipple. "Do you know how amazing you taste? I could taste your forever. All I want to do is tie you to this bed so that I can always put my lips on your skin."

She shuddered from his dirty words and his fingers dropped between her thighs once

more. His thumb toyed with her bundle of nerves until she was thrashing on the bed. He pulled back when he felt her body tightening with her eminent release. "No! Damon!" Her hand reached up for him but he stepped out of her reach.

"I suggest you get back into position or I'll tie you there." He waited as she lay back down fully with her thighs spread and her hands by her side. "We're going to play a game Elena." It was not a question. "I'm going to ask you questions and you will answer truthfully. If you hesitate or lie then you will be punished. Is that clear?"

"Yes." He sat down on the bed for and reached out to touch her skin.

"When was your first kiss?"

"13."

"Who?"

"Matt."

"Did you love him?"

"No."

"Who took your virginity Elena?"

"Stefan." He grew angry at that answer. His fingers reached out to pinch a nipple. Pain rocked through her body.

"I know I didn't say it but I may punish you for answers I dislike as well." She groaned as his fingers continued to pull at her nipple.

"Did you love him?"

"I thought I did." His leaned down and bit the nipple lightly as she cried out.

"That was not an answer."

"No."

"How many times has Stefan had you?"

"Two."

"How many times did you climax with him?" She didn't respond so his hand crept between her thighs to pinch her bundle of nerves. "How many times Elena?"

"None." She blushed lightly and tried to turn her head.

"No Elena. Look at me. Do you masturbate?"

"No."

"Never?"

"Once."

"Why?"

"Because I was really aroused."

"Who aroused you Sweetheart?" She hesitated and his fingers dove into her body, rubbing and stroking before withdrawing. "Who?"

"You!" He paused for a moment to look at her face. Her eyes were trained on him and he allowed her to thrust against his hand for a moment before withdrawing it completely.

"When?"

"When you tried to compel me to kiss you."

"Tell me how you felt."

"I was on fire and I needed you. I never felt that way before. After I found out about compulsion I wished it had worked. I wanted you to touch me." She blushed again he reached up to stroke her face.

"I love this blush on your skin." He stroked her cheek as her eyes fluttered lightly at the tender gesture. "What is it you want right now Elena?"

"I want you." He seemed satisfied with her response and he moved to take off his pants. "Damon?" He stopped to look at her. "May I?" He nodded and she kneeled before him and began to unzip his pants. She unbuttoned his black slacks and pushed them down, noticing with pleasure the lack of undergarments. She did not touch him but lay back against his mattress with arms open to receive him.

He was on her in a heartbeat. His hardness pressed against her hip as he lowered his lips to her. "Did you like our game Elena?" She moaned lightly and he pulled back to look into her eyes. "Did you?"

"Yes." She wrapped her legs around him and his hardness slipped to tease the folds of her sex. "Damon, please..." He moved his head back down to her neck and licked at the pulse that sounded there. He felt the change occur and his head rose so she would see his fangs. She pulled him to her and brushed her lips against his to show him her acceptance of his fangs.

He groaned at her tender movements allowing her a few moments of control. Her hips moved then, rubbing herself against his aching hardness. He groaned at the feel of her wetness sliding over him, coating him in its richness. His fingers plucked at her nipple while his mouth settled over the one he bit earlier, easing the remaining sting. She clutched him to her as he showered her body with attention.

He pulled a variety of sounds from her, from moans to groans and from sighs to cries. Her nails raked down his back as he pressed his lips everywhere convinced she needed to be loved fully. "Do you see Elena? This is what you need. You need a man to care for you regardless of how much he aches. He needs to please you until you can't stand it. He needs to worship you." His lips pressed to her temple as he allowed her body to stop trembling. "I can be that man for you Elena. I can give you what you want, what you need. Will you let me?"

She pulled on his hair until his lips were barely brushing hers. She pushed on him until he was on his back. She draped her body over his so she could look deeply into his eyes. She pressed her lips to his tenderly, trying to convey the emotions she was feeling. "Yes...yes I'll let you. I have one condition though." He softened at her gaze and waited as she stroked his face. "You need to let me take care of you."

"I don't need to be taken care of Elena." She continued her ministrations and watched as his eyes closed. "That feels nice."

"This is what I mean Damon. You need someone who can calm you, who can please you. You need someone to touch you gently and care for you. I can be that someone for you. Will you let me?" She echoed his earlier words and his eyes shot open. Her gaze was soft and gentle as her hand moved down his body. "Will you let me?" She punctuated her question by caressing his hardness, her fingers twirling and swirling on the inside of his thighs and then pumping him wildly.

"Yes! Yes, I will!" He groaned loudly as her fingers pleasured him until he could feel the coil starting to wind. He pushed her down to the bed next to him before blanketing her body with his. She was warm beneath him, her hands still stroking his cool body. He kissed her lightly as he began to enter her slowly. The demon in him had demanded that he take her hard and rough but her tenderness had soothed him and now we wanted to savor her.

Her body accepted his coolness and she groaned as he completed his first thrust. He leaned down to brush his lips across her face and waited for a moment as her inner muscles clenched around him. Her nails raked down his back. "Please Damon. I need you to move."

"Your wish is my command, Princess." He lifted her leg until he was pressed deeply into her. He started a hard, fast pace determined to make her scream his name. She pulled him to her as loud moans escaped her lips. She kissed his ear as he furiously took her. Her heat surrounded him and for a moment he thought he had died. She was so warm against him, pulling the coolness from his body until he felt like he was on fire.

He wanted to last for her, to drag out their experience until she was quivering with need. It was his own endurance threatening his vision. He was tightening already and could feel his release hovering nearby. His fingers dropped to the bundle of nerves between her thighs until he could feel her own release on the horizon. He was determined to bring her off with him and put her pleasure before his own. He continued his thrusting until she pushed her lips against his before pulling back to scream his name.

"Damon!" Her body tightened to nearly impossible levels as her muscles clamped down on him. Barely a moment passed before he emptied his release into her willing body.

"Elena!" He shuddered in her embrace, refusing to relinquish his position inside her. He slowly regained his senses and realized she was holding him lightly while pressing kisses to his forehead.

"Mmmm...that was amazing." Her body was lax beneath his, warmth radiating off of her.

"Yes it was Sweetheart. That was the most intense experience of my life." He could feel her smile against his forehead. "Don't wimp out on me yet Princess. I plan on having you again." He thrust lightly inside her until she was clawing at him. "Your turn." He rolled them over until she rested on top of him. Today he would love her until she passed out and tomorrow he would show her how much he loved her.

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AN: Here is part one of the story I just couldn't get out of my head. I am working on a new chapter for TWHL and I hope to have it up soon.

Please review this for me. Thanks!