OBVIOUSLY: I do not own "the Vampire Diaries," or any of the characters. Although, I assure you that if I did, Damon would be very nude very frequently.

So, this is an admittedly short first chapter, but it's also the first chapter of my first story, so I wanted to get a bit of a response before I posted more of what I've got. Not terribly exciting, you and I both know, but it's just a taste, an introduction (if you will) to a very hot story. M rating for smutty, lemony goodness to come (promise).

It takes place at the end of Episode 14 ("Fool Me Once"), which left us all hot and bothered and ready for more (what--just me?). Although, here, things went just a tiny bit differently. After Elena brought Jeremy home, she went back to the Salvatore boarding house instead of over to Bonnie's. Because, let's face it, we've got to get this girl alone with a vampire (or two? ; p) somehow. I'd appreciate feedback. I'll post more regardless of whether I'm asked to, but if you want to see more, my ego will be eternally grateful (and ever-growing) if you tell me.

So let's get this show on the road!

Elena sat in front of the fireplace at the Salvatore boarding house, nestled beside Stefan. Her eyes, however, were locked on Damon, who was staring blankly into the fire. She was consumed with a combination of pitiful sorrow and fascination. Bonnie and her grandmother had opened the tomb that evening to find the withered, living corpses of the vampires. Anna left with her mother, but when Damon searched frantically for Katherine, she was nowhere to be found. Stefan had gone in after his brother to save him from being trapped inside for eternity, but only when Elena implored Damon would he calm down and reluctantly follow them out.

She thought then, as she watched the firelight flicker on Damon's beautiful, defeated face, how she was the one who had saved him that evening. Elena turned the other way, resting her head on Stefan's shoulder. He combed his fingers into her soft, dark hair, but still she could only think about Damon, and the bare minimum to which this endeavor had reduced him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. It was Bonnie. Elena answered. "Bonnie, hi," she said softly. She was answered by uncontrollable sobs. Struggling to understand, Elena tried to calm her down. "Bonnie—what hap—okay, slow—slow down," she managed to eke out amid Bonnie's incoherent weeping.

"It's Grams," Bonnie said, after taking a few deep breaths. "She's not breathing, Elena! I went to wake her up—"

"Oh my god," Elena whispered in disbelief. "Hold on, we're coming," she assured her. "Just call for an ambulance, okay?" Bonnie muttered an affirmation. "We're on our way, Bonnie. It's going to be okay." She hung up the phone.

Stefan and Damon had already heard everything. Stefan got up immediately and headed for the door. Elena quickly followed him. When they reached the door, Stefan stopped her and spoke to her softly.

"Listen, I think you should stay," he told her.

Her chestnut eyes widened. "What? No—no, Stefan," she argued.

Stefan motioned to Damon. "I don't want him alone now, Elena. And if he needs one of us…" he said, and paused, surprised by what he was about to say, "…it's you."

She looked at him. He was right. "But, are you sure it will be… okay?"

"It will be fine," he assured her, cupping her face in his hands. "I trust him," he admitted—both to Elena and to himself—honestly. "I know you trust him too."

She looked away for a moment, feeling as though she'd been caught or found out somehow. But she turned back to Stefan and nodded. He kissed her on her forehead, letting his lips linger there for a moment—he always lingered for a moment before leaving her. "I love you," he whispered against her skin.

Elena closed her eyes, feeling a tinge of guilt, though she wasn't sure exactly why. "I love you too," she whispered back. And with that he was gone.

As I said, more to come. Reviews are welcome, wanted, wonderful, wobbly, w... you get the idea.