Author's note: So...about chapter 5 being the last chapter...I guess I was wrong. Actually, this is an unexpected "bonus" chapter since several readers said they felt I'd ended in a cliffhanger of sorts. I'd never intended it not to be tidy, so here's the last wrap up. I also have to apologize if I never replied to your review of the last chapter. Somehow, my messaging box became extremely messed up, and I think I replied to everyone, but I'm not certain. I ALWAYS reply to my reviews, but I was really sick and I keep thinking I missed someone. If I missed yours, I am truly sorry.
Warnings: rated T, sensitive subject matter, implied violence, mild language, mild adult content
"Did you even wait till you got her home?"
Damon looked up from kneeling on the hardwood floor of Stefan's room. He'd spent the better part of the last half hour scrubbing the deep red stain, and he couldn't tell the slightest difference. Normally being this close to blood would at least spark a hint of desire, but the pile of blood-stained towels only served as a grim reminder of what almost happened the night before. Damon dropped the rag as he rocked back on his heels. "What are you talking about?"
The front door creaked open but both brothers were too preoccupied to wonder who'd arrived at the house.
Stefan grabbed a fistful of Damon's shirt as he threw him against the wall. "You're actually going to try to deny it?" Faint lines appeared around Stefan's eyes. "I saw Elena downstairs. She's wearing your shirt." He slammed Damon against the wall. "I know there's something going on between the two of you."
Damon fought for control. "You think there's something going on between us?" Damon laughed at the irony of that statement. Much of the night he'd almost killed Jeremy was lost in an alcohol-induced haze, but he remembered making a similar statement to Elena. Of course, that was before he compelled her to realize his brother was the far better choice for her.
"I saw her with you last night. She had her head on your shoulder."
"I was asleep." Elena's rough voice came from behind Stefan. She cleared her throat and stared at the scene before her. Stefan still hadn't released his grip on Damon, and Damon's back was pressed against the wall. "What are you talking about?" Both brothers turned in surprise - not realizing their conversation had carried into the hallway. Standing there, still deathly pale, with her hair damp and tangled around her face, she appeared unusually vulnerable. She looked back and forth between the brothers before she hung her head and stared at the floor. Her eyes caught sight of her shirt and the magnitude of the night's events caught up with her. She leaned against the doorframe and massaged her throbbing temples. Her eyes shone bright with unshed tears. "Jeremy brought me a change of clothes." She chewed her lip as she motioned with Damon's black shirt she'd been wearing since she'd taken a shower that morning. "I wanted to give this back before I went home." The pile of stained towels caught her eye and she turned a faint shade of green. "Jeremy's going to drive me. I still have a headache." As a single tear began to roll down her cheek, she tossed the shirt to Damon and backed out of the room.
Elena placed Jeremy's backpack on the floor of the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She'd been interrupted by the Damon's and Stefan's raised voices when she'd stepped out of the shower, and she hadn't really taken the time to look at her throat. She blinked in shock at the still-vivid-pink gash. Just as she reached up to touch the healing wound, she heard footsteps behind her.
"So, you fell asleep?" Jenna leaned against the doorway, a less than satisfied expression on her face.
Elena nodded as she pulled her hair back over her neck. "I guess I was more tired than I thought. I'm sorry if you were worried."
"Damon called me." Jenna's face softened as she studied Elena's troubled expression. "You still don't look like you're feeling well."
That was the understatement of the year. "I've felt better."
"I'll call the school. You're staying home again."
Elena definitely wasn't going to argue with that decision. She still felt as if the room was moving of its own accord.
The doorbell rang, and Jenna turned in surprise. "I'll go see who that is. Get in bed."
Elena gave a weak laugh at Jenna's no-nonsense expression as she walked from the room. She seemed to be getting the hang of this guardian thing. Elena pulled the blanket back and buried herself under the covers while wondering just how long she could sleep.
"Can I take her keys up to her?" Elena's stomach turned as she heard Stefan's voice from down below.
"Go on up."
Much before she was ready to face him again, Stefan was standing in the doorway. He tapped his knuckles against the wood. "May I come in?"
"Looks like you already are." Elena slid up in the bed and leaned against the headboard. Her jaw tensed as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Damon told me what happened. I can't believe Rose... Are you alright?" He looked at her with such tenderness, her resolve almost weakened.
"I'm fine." No she wasn't. She was tired. Her head throbbed. Her neck burned as if it was still on fire. Wasn't vampire blood supposed to heal you instantly? Of course, that was probably a doppleganger side effect. She really hated being cursed. Looking into his eyes, her anger flared again. She wasn't ready for this conversation, but she didn't have a choice.
"Where were you? Last night... I thought you were coming back. So did Damon. Someone had to stay with her."
"Elena, I can explain. Katherine told me to find Isobel."
"Wait. Stop right there." She held her hand in front of her as she narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "Let me get this straight. You were gone all yesterday evening because of something Katherine told you."
"Elena..."
"No." She cut him off. "And then you left last night because you thought there was something going on between me and Damon. I heard you Stefan. When you were pounding Damon against your wall. I heard what you said. You asked him if we'd even gotten home before we did it." She frowned at the crude implications of the statement. She slid her feet onto the ground and stood up much to the dismay of her throbbing head.
"Elena, please. You have to understand." Stefan pleaded with Elena.
"Understand what? That you trust Katherine, but you don't trust me?" Her voice rose in volume as her cheeks flushed pink.
Stefan reached out to touch her face, but Elena took a step back. "Elena, I know my brother. I know what Damon's capable of doing. I know how he can manipulate someone."
Elena bit her lip to attempt to stop the angry tears. "But you should know me, Stefan, me. I'm the woman you said you were in love with. I'm the woman who shared your bed." Her words ended in a whisper. She couldn't fight it any longer. The tears fell freely down her cheeks. "I don't know how many times I have to say it. Stefan, I love you. But you don't trust me." Her eyes looked fiercely into his pained green ones. "I can't keep doing this, Stefan. I can't make you believe me. I wouldn't betray you. I'm not Katherine, but I'm not going to keep trying to convince you. You're going to have to decide. I'll be here when you do."
"Is everything alright in here?" Jenna glared from the doorway.
"Everything's fine, Jenna. Stefan was just leaving." Elena wiped her cheek with her sleeve.
"Don't do this." Stefan's voice shook.
"You already did." Elena folded her arms and stepped back.
"Stefan, I think you need to go." Jenna came to stand at Elena's side. She wasn't certain what was going on between the pair, but she knew she couldn't make Elena face it alone.
Without a word, Stefan turned and walked from the room.
"Are you okay?" Jenna stood in front of her niece and brushed the hair back from her forehead.
Elena's face crumpled and she fell onto her aunt's shoulder. She couldn't lie any longer...at least not about this. "No, I'm not."
All the pent-up tears from the past few days broke forth at once, and Jenna guided Elena back to sit on the edge of her bed. Once again, she felt in over her head with this parenting thing. "Shhh. Whatever it is, we're going to get through this." She stroked Elena's hair and rocked softly back and forth until she felt Elena's sobs begin to still. "You can tell me what's wrong."
No, Elena most certainly couldn't tell her aunt what was wrong. Of course, that was on the list of her problems. "I can't." She admitted.
"Elena, there's nothing so big you can't tell me." Fear settled into the pit of her stomach. She pulled back so she could look her niece in the eyes. She gently stroked Elena's cheek. "Are you in trouble?"
Elena looked at her in confusion for a minute and then the implication of the question hit her. Of all the things she had to worry about, being pregnant was far removed from her list of concerns. "No. Really, Jenna."
"Are you sure?" Elena had been unusually pale and tired today.
"I promise. We've - taken precautions." Elena flinched as she realized that was something she'd never have to worry about.
"Talk to me, Elena. I want to be here for you."
"I know you do." Elena pulled her teddy bear onto her lap. "But it's complicated. I'll be fine." Elena forced a smile, trying to reassure her aunt.
"You sure?" Jenna wasn't so far removed from her teen-aged years that she didn't realize when she was being dismissed. She stood up and studied Elena. Elena nodded as she pulled the blankets over her legs. Jenna's phone beeped in her pocket. "Damn it." Jenna frowned as she looked at the time. "I can reschedule my meeting."
"No. I'm okay." Elena waved Jenna off. She settled back into the pillows and stared at the ceiling as she heard the front door click shut.
"Are you alright?"
Elena's heart froze in her chest. She blinked in surprise at Damon as he walked through the doorway of the bathroom.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He took a seat on the window seat.
"How long have you been in there?"
"Long enough." He studied her troubled expression.
"Eavesdropping isn't polite."
"I never said I was polite." He flashed a grin in her direction.
"You underestimate yourself." She locked eyes with his.
He came to stand next to her and gently stroked the hair back from her neck. "No I don't." He winced at the ugly gash on her neck.
She reached up and caught his hand. "Yes, you do." Her brown eyes blinked up at his. "I know what you did. What you gave up .. for me. Damon, I'm so sorry you had to do it." Her eyes began to pool with tears again.
"No." He sat on the edge of the bed and wiped the tear from her cheek. "Shhh." He held her hand tightly. "I'd do it again if I had to." He desperately wanted to change the subject. He took a deep breath as he stared at her necklace. "Last night, you were going to ask me a question."
Elena frowned. "Was I?" She shook her head. "I remembered something about my necklace." She reached up and slid it between her fingers. "How did I get it back?"
Damon shifted on the spot. "How do you think?"
"Stefan didn't do it. Neither did Rose." She looked intently at him. "That just leaves you." She ran her fingers through her hair as she shook her head. "I remember you saying something." Her eyes darted up to meet his. "You made me forget."
Damon stared into her chocolate brown eyes. He couldn't lie to her. "I said something, but it wasn't the right time. It wasn't fair to you."
"What if I want to know?" She stared at him with suspicion.
He gave a half grin. "Someday."
Ok - so this is the REAL ending of the story. I hope that helped to wrap up my loose ends.
Once again, I love reviews. Who knows, I might be tempted to start "Echoes" a little before my original schedule.
Thanks a million!
txvdfan