All characters belong to L.J. Smith/ Alloy Entertainment and the CW. No copyright infringement is intended.

Reader discretion is advised: Story contains sexuality, violence, non-consensual sexual relations and may contain frightening aspects.

Chapter # 1:

"Italy."

Elena Gilbert tilted her head up to look at her boyfriend, a soft smile on her lips. "Italy?"

"We should go there, we could fly out tomorrow" Damon explained, gently stroking her hair as they lay together in front of the fire place.

The spot held great significance for the two: it was where they had danced the first night they spent together, the place where she had confessed her love to him and now the place they made love on a daily basis. Luckily for them, Stefan had decided to do some travelling that summer so they didn't have to worry about being seen or heard.

"I started school a month ago Damon and I've already skipped a bunch of classes because you refuse to let me out of bed in the morning," Elena began.

"Hey, you didn't seem to mind," Damon interrupted with a smirk. "In fact you begged me not to stop."

Elena returned his smirk with a playful slap," That's beside the point" she told him. "The point is that I'm already falling behind so I can't just jet off to Europe for a week. And besides, who would look after Jeremy?"

"He's a 17 year old vampire hunter Elena, he can toast his own pop tarts for a few weeks," Damon replied. "Just picture it, driving through Tuscany, eating gelato in Rome, shopping in Milan."

Elena flipped over onto her stomach and gazed up at the man she loved. Damon was giving her his "you know you can't say no to me" look. She bit her lip, wanting to say yes. Instead she said "We'll go for Christmas break," adding "I promise" at the look of disappointment on Damon's face.

Damon gave a heavy sigh. "The compromises I make for this relationship, you know you're lucky I love you."

" I know," Elena replied with complete sincerity.

Damon gave her one of his rare, genuine smiles, the ones he saved only for her. Knowing that he was the lucky one, he pulled her into his arms and took her lips in a kiss that he hoped imparted just how much she meant to him.

"You off to Mystic Falls to spend the weekend with Damon?" Caroline asked her as she zipped her suitcase shut.

Elena sat on her bed in their dorm room, scanning over her psychology textbook. Since the weekend was the only time she got to see Damon, she wasn't exactly able to get a lot of reading done. "Yup," Elena replied without looking up. "Say hi to Tyler, for me though."

Caroline sighed. "I wish you could tell him yourself but he says he isn't ready to come back yet."

Elena shut her textbook and placed it on her bedside table. "Must be something in the water. Matt's still Europe with Rebekah and I haven't heard from Stefan since the night he dumped Silas in the quarry."

"Well you did basically rip his heart out of his chest when you picked Damon," Caroline pointed out.

Elena frowned. "Seriously Caroline, it's been months. Could you tone down the hate?"

Caroline put her hands up in surrender. "Hey, I've made my peace with your questionable choice. I'm just saying that if I was in love with you, it would have been harder."

Elena deflated. " I know he was hurt but he seemed to be handling it."

Caroline's expression softened. "Maybe this is his way of handling it. Maybe he just needed some space and he'll be back soon."

Elena gave a small smile. "I hope you're right."

Caroline turned and grabbed her suitcase off the bed. "Oh, before I forget, Can you go over to the Lockwoods before you head to the boarding house? There's a box of antiques in the study that Tyler's willing to donate to the charity auction that I need you to give to Bonnie's dad. Ok thanks!" she shouted, running out the door before Elena could object.