I am so freaking sorry that it's taken so long to update! I'm so, so, so, so very sorry. University is killing me. I have like, no free time anymore. Plus, this story hasn't been coming as freely to me as it used to. I'm hoping that the season premiere Thursday will help with that :)

Anyways, read on, my lovelies!

I swam unknowingly in the area between dreaming and reality as I heard someone calling my name. His voice was a mix of adoration and worry, but laced with so much hope that it was almost overwhelming. I knew instantly that I loved whoever was calling my name. He was my world and I his. I would do anything to be in the light that he gave off; even if that meant giving up my life to get it. I heard my name again and turned around the walk towards it. It was echoing against the walls of my mind and nestling itself into the farthest corners of my heart. It was a beautiful sound that reverberated through my entire body and made my heart swell with warmth and love. This person was mine and I was his, and I'd do anything to remain his forever.

The darkness was slowly being stolen away by small slivers of light and I realized that I was trying to open my eyes. The light hurt my sensitive eyes at first but I tried to be strong and do this for whoever was calling for me. Suddenly, like a lightbulb went off in my head, a name found its way to my lips and it tasted sweeter than honey and flowed across my tongue as freely as water.

"D-damon," I croaked. Wind blew across my face and I wrenched my eyes open, landing on his perfect eyes. The crystalline orbs were filled with unshed tears and complete adoration and love as he stared back at me. A silent tear fell from his eyes as a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Elena," he whispered and it was the sweetest sound my ears had ever heard. It felt like I'd never heard my name spoken until then. I felt his hands cup my face and then he brushed my hair from my face as tears began to flow freely from his blue eyes.

"Don't cry," I croaked and realized that my throat was incredibly dry. A small laugh resounded in Damon's chest and I snatched it up in my heart and locked it away, feeling instantly warmer.

"Oh, my God, Elena, I've been so worried," he cried as he laid his head on my chest. I brought my shaky hand up and rubbed his hair down which was sticking up everywhere. His muscular back rose and fell rapidly and I could feel his tears soaking my shirt.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here now," I cooed and he rose to face me. His eyes were slightly red as he surveyed my entire body, checking for injuries or maybe to see if I was actually real (I didn't really know.) His hands cupped my face and his lips fell onto mine softly and urgently. I tried to muster up all of my strength to kiss him back, but I was too tired. Noticing my hesitation, he pulled away slightly, but our lips were still touching. I closed my eyes and revelled in the feeling of his soft, velvety lips. I felt him smile against my lips and he pecked them quickly, before nestling his head into my neck, his warm breath cascading over my skin.

"You have no idea how worried I was," he mumbled in my skin. Memories from the sacrifice came rushing back, knocking the wind out of my already tired lungs. Blood. Blood everywhere. I cringed.

"How.." I coughed slightly and then tried again. "How long?"

"Two days," he said understanding my question.

Two days? I'd been unconscious for two days. I'd missed a lot. What had happened to Bonnie. What had happened to Klaus? I had so many questions, but right now I just wanted to be with Damon. I tried to slide a little to give him room but a firm arm around my waist told me that he was already there. I was enveloped in his light and warmth. My heart was fluttering in my chest as his fingers rubbed against my sides and his warm breath flowed of my neck. I felt a dull ache begin on the other side of my neck and reached up to touch it. There, under my fingers, were two perfect circular wounds.

Klaus. My blood boiled at the thought of that monster touching me and taking what wasn't his. He'd stolen something that was never offered. He'd stolen something part of my life escence. I stiffened as a thought reached my mind.

"Is he- is he dead?" I asked quietly and this time, Damon stiffened against my side.

"Yes, Bonnie was able to kill him," he said gruffly and I knew that the question might be off limits for a while. But I would ask for the details soon.

Using all of my strength, I rolled onto my side, wincing a little from my aching joints, to face the man I'd tried to give my life for. His eyes were hard and he sported a faraway look. I pressed my palm to his cheek and rubbed my thumb over the slightly stubbly skin and smiled. Damon's eyes softened and the finally settled onto mine and he smiled back. It wasn't a smirk, or the flirty smile I'd become so accustimed to; it was a pure Damon smile, filled with hope and adoration and longing, but most importantly; love. I leaned in and pressed my lips to his softly, not wanting to push myself into another blackout. It only lasted a minute before my head collapsed back onto the pillow and Damon was pulling my body into his chest. I felt safe and protected in his strong arms. Safer than I'd ever felt before and I knew he'd do anything to keep me that way.

"Damon," I said quietly.

"Hmm?"

"I-I love you." I couldn't believe that I stuttered. On the most important sentence known to man, I, Elena Gilbert, stutters.

Damon's face lit up and his smile grew wider as his eyes sparkled. "I love you, too, Elena," he said and then pressed his soft, pink lips against my cheek and then my neck, and then back up to my cheek before settling them on my lips. Damon's lips molded perfectly to mine and his hands fit perfectly in mine. My heart and soul were his to do with what he pleased. I was completely, and utterly in love with the vampire beside me. Nothing could change that.

I faintly noted the creaking of the door until someone cleared their throat loudly. Damon's lips detached from mine and looked at Stefan standing in the doorway. His body was stiff and his eyes looking anywhere but in my direction.

"I'm glad you're awake, Elena," he said firmly with a tight smile. I knew he was feeling a little weird with mine and Damon relationship, but it didn't matter anymore.

"Thank you, Stefan," I said, dropping my eyes to mine and Damon's enterlocked fingers.

Stefan cleared his throat again, clearly uncomfortable with witnessed our display of affection, and said, "You're welcome. Damon, I need to speak with you, if you don't mind."

"I'm sure you can say it in front of Elena, 'cause I'm not going anywhere."

I could practically feel Stefan roll his eyes and I forced myself to hold in my laugh. Such a Damon thing to do.

"Fine," he gritted through his teeth and I stiffened at the harsh tone of his voice. "We have a problem, Damon."

"As in, a problem problem?"

Stefan must've nodded, because Damon said, "Okay, what is it then, all seeing eye?"

"It's Klaus," was all he said. That name was all it took to send my heart sky-rocketting in fear and my blood to pump faster into my heart, 'causing my chest to ache. My eyes snapped up and onto Damon's. He gave me a look that said 'you'll be fine, he won't get to you again' and then looked at Stefan who was mirroring Damon's expression: determination. Determination to keep me safe and I was glad that I had these two guys on my team.

"I thought the witch took care of that problem?" Damon asked, indignently as his grip on my hand tightened and his sat up.

"She did. Klaus, himself, is dead," Stefan said.

"Then where's the problem?"

The air had thickened with tension and Stefan's eyes shown with some emotion that I couldn't put a finger on and my heart was thundering away in my chest. Damon was stiff against my side and I tried to soothe him by rubbing my free hand against his arm. It work a little, but he was still completely guarded and ready for whatever Stefan was about to say.

Stefan took a deep breath and stared directly into Damon's eyes.

"He has siblings."

DUN DUN DUNNN!
Ahaha! Sorry, I need cliffhangers to help me get along with my plot (and I secretly love them (oh, guess that isn't a secret anymore!))

Who's excited for Thursday? I know I am. I'm bouncing off freaking walls in this place!

Be a good reader and review please :)