A/N: So this a new story I've been playing with. Chapters will be shorter than GIB but they should be longer after this chapter. Okay so TWHL is in the making and Chapter 10 teaser will post on Tuesday. I hope you enjoy this.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-

Tick, Tick, Tick

I watched as a bird flew past the window, a perfect metaphor for freedom. I hated this hour twice a week more than anything. The sound of the pen scribbling profusely over the paper on the clipboard was deafening. I had said nothing in the past five minutes and apparently she could derive an incredible amount of information from said silence.

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick

She paused. My patience was wearing thin. I stared at the window and hoped time would finally be willed forward and I would escape this hell hole. One silly mistake and I was relegated to this. I needed the damn form signed every month in order to continue with my life as I was accustomed. She made damn sure I was miserable the whole time.

"So Damon, tell me about your week." Her voice held the same patient tone she had employed at the last two silent meetings. Question after question flew out of her mouth as she tried hundreds of different tactics. So far none of them had even grazed my surface. As long as I was forced to be here, I would be but she would gain no insights.

My phone vibrated on the table and I heard the sigh come from her.

"Damon, I've told you to turn your phone off when you are in this room." I ignored her and picked up the phone. It was the office. It was always the office. I don't think anyone had ever called me on this phone besides work.

"Hello? Yes Matthew, the files are on the desk...Yes I know my father is demanding but that's the job you are stuck with. Uh-huh...no she got what she wanted and she had her night. Tell her to get the fuck out of my office and not come back." I ended the call and slammed the phone down on the table.

I slumped back against the couch and closed my eyes. I heard a soft clatter and my eyes opened slowly. She put the clipboard down and leaned back against her chair, twirling a piece of hair between her fingers.

"Do you have sex with lots of women?" I looked at her, surprised by her question. I had never expected her to ask THAT question.

"I've never had to beg if that's your question."

"Tell me about her." I knew who she meant. She meant that stupid girl who had come to my office.

"Her name was Amber. She was attractive for one night but she was barely good enough for my bed."

"You think highly of yourself." It wasn't a question.

"I've never had complaints."

"Why her then?" She leaned forward and scooped a handful of M & M's into her hand. I watched as she lifted each candy separately and popped them into her mouth.

"I don't know. She was drunk and she was willing. I don't discriminate." She leaned back as if she was considering her next question.

"Do they satisfy you?" I laughed then. What an absurd question. Of course they satisfied me. I didn't tolerate women who were bad in bed. If they couldn't then they were dismissed with cab fare.

"I don't tolerate shoddy work."

"Yes you are satiated but are you satisfied?" I didn't like the insinuation. Everyone was always telling me how much happier I'd be in a committed relationship. Been there, done that.

"I have no desire to be in a committed relationship if that is what you are getting at."

"Your last relationship didn't go well?" I considered that question. No, of course not. It was a miserable time and I hated it. I hated being accountable. I hated having to compromise and I absolutely hated meeting the parents.

"The sex was good." She sighed at that, as I expected her to. She looked like the kind of woman that needed some loving but of course, gay. He had never been slapped by a therapist before but she had surprised him then. She had introduced herself and then proceeded to tell him the rules of the sessions.

"It's not always about sex Damon."

"It is with me."

"How is Katie adjusting?" I hated her for asking that question. I hated how many people asked me about Katie. She had barely been in my life for two weeks and everyone wanted to talk about her. I had fired someone from a board meeting when they asked me. My personal life is no one's business save my own.

"I don't want to talk about her."

"Damon, Katie is a big part of your life. You are going through a major adjustment and we need to help you through it. We don't want a repeat of the reason you are here, do you?" I sighed and leaned back against the couch again. I was not a failure but for the first time in my life I felt like I was a failure.

"She's fine, I guess. She kicked the nanny."

"Sounds like she got more from you than your black hair and blue eyes." I chuckled at that thought. I would have kicked the woman too. The insipid woman wanted her to wear a pink unicorn sweatshirt. Who does that?

"Suffice to say I'm out a nanny."

"How many is that now?"

"Seven." She laughed then, a loud laugh that seemed wrong coming from someone with a doctorate. She composed herself and sipped a cup of tea quietly.

"She's been with you fourteen days and seven people have run screaming from your house? Talented girl," she stated as she glanced at the clock. Twenty minutes left.

Tick, Tick, Tick

"How was your weekend?"

"We went to the fair." I picked my finger nails while I waited for the incessant questioning to continue. She wouldn't be pleased, I'm sure.

"And how did your time with Katie go?" I didn't answer. I knew it didn't go well. I knew I was a failure at this. I never asked to be a father and I sure as hell wasn't ready.

"She didn't have fun. She locked herself in her room when we got home."

"And why do you think she did that?"

"I don't know. We did it all. She got on all the rides. I won a stupid teddy bear. She stuffed her face with cotton candy." I really had no idea and I'm sure the doc would enlighten me. I did everything you see in movies with Katie and I didn't get a smile after the ticket booth.

"And what did you do while she was on the rides?" Well shit. I hadn't thought about that. I felt like a school boy sitting in the Principal's office.

"I was on the phone working on business and yes I realize that was the problem." She smiled at my 'breakthrough' and I could see her fingers twitching to jot it into my file.

"This isn't just an adjustment for you Damon. This is an adjustment for Katie too. Imagine her in this. She's seven years old and she is suddenly living with a father she never knew."

"That's not my fault!"

"I understand that Damon. You are twenty-seven years old and she is seven. You have years of life experience that will help you adjust to this while she is scared and lonely." I stared at the wall while I considered her words.

"I didn't ask for this."

"New parents seldom do." Ten minutes.

Tick, Tick, Tick

"I think I can help you Damon." My eyes shot to hers when she said that. Three minutes of silence and finally she broke it. "I have a friend."

"How nice for you." She rolled her eyes at that statement and I wondered if therapists were allowed to do that. Doesn't that go to bedside manner for therapists? It's kind of rude.

"Yes well this friend will help you if you'll accept it." She stood and moved to her desk. She opened a drawer and pulled out what looked to be an address book. She flipped for a few moments before writing down a phone number on one of her business cards, handing it to me as she sat down.

"No name?"

"Call that number when you are desperate. You need someone who can help you both adjust as well as help around the house right?"

"I guess. I fired my housekeeper when I found her sleeping on the job."

"Call the number Damon. Trust me on this." I don't know why she thought I'd trust her. We weren't friends, colleagues, family, or anything else. I had to talk to her for two hours every week and that was it. Taking a card couldn't hurt, I suppose.

"Alrighty then."

"So Damon, let's talk about your father."

"Oh look doc, time's up." She glanced at the clock before letting out a frustrated sigh.

"We will talk about him next time then. Oh and Damon?" she called as I walked out the door, phone in hand. "Try not to be too much of an ass." I smirked as I left the office, the ticking of the reception area clock no longer quite so bothersome.

Tick, Tick, Tick

"Hi Daddy." I walked in the front door and hung my coat on the rack. It was getting cool out there in the evening and soon we would be outfitted in winter clothes. Does Katie even have a coat?

"Hi Katie." She was standing by the living room, her hair hanging in braids. Her dress was rumpled and she had marker stains on her hand. I prayed she hadn't drawn on the floors. Was seven too old for that?

We stood in silence as I searched for something to say. She looked expectantly at me, her eyes watching me intently.

"Will you play a game with me Daddy?" I sighed but moved forward. Truth be told all I wanted to do was drink some scotch and pass out drunk in my room. I had to at least try to enjoy myself.

"Like what?"

"I was thinking Go Fish or Crazy 8s or something." Card games aren't too hard. I could handle this. She was dealing the cards out and I sat down on the floor by the coffee table. I noticed a soda sitting on the table and I pointed to it.

"I thought you weren't supposed to drink sodas in the evening." She looked down and seemed upset.

"Ms. Fell gave me the soda when she left. She gave me toast and the soda and told me to tell you she quit." Wait, the woman left Katie alone? What is wrong with the nannies in this city?

"She quit and left you alone?"

"She said she didn't get paid enough to cook me dinner and put me to bed. She seems to think I'm four or something. I don't go to bed until 9." He laughed at her. She was so cute and for a moment he was reminded of her mother. It was something she would have said.

"Well," I paused as I put a Jack of diamonds down. She put down an eight and changed it to spades. This game was easy enough but honestly it was a little boring. "Are you hungry?"

"Nah. I ate a PB and J after she left. I know how to make those."

"Did your mother teach you?" She wrinkled her nose at the thought and continued putting cards down. She scratched at a scab on her leg from when she fell out front a few days ago but said nothing. I kept playing, hoping for something.

"Mama never taught me things like that. Auntie Izzy taught me." She had mentioned Aunt Izzy a few times but when asked for details she hadn't divulged. It was infuriating to not really understand your own child.

"And it looks like you win." She smiled before cleaning up the cards and sticking them in the drawer of the table. She stood up and moved closer to me. She leaned down and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and said goodnight. She was gone before I could do anything. The clock struck 9.

Tick, Tick, Tick

"What do you mean you won't send a replacement?" I was beyond frustrated. The damn agency refused to send anyone to replace Ms. Fell. Something about how I'd gone through eight nannies in fourteen days. If they hired women who quit over feeding the child then why bother running that type of business.

"We're sorry Mr. Salvatore but we simply can't spare any more nannies. We could give you the number of a few other agencies but it doesn't seem promising. We'll have to tell them why we're passing on you." I pinched the bridge of my nose while I tried to consider my options. I had loads of money but no one was willing to stick around to receive it. Hell, they could move in if they wanted but so far they all ran.

"What do you recommend?"

"Someone outside the agency. Maybe canvas the university for a student who is willing to watch Miss Katie. They will probably take less pay and be willing to put up with more."

"Katie is not a horrible child and I don't like your tone. You may think you are turning me away but believe me, I can ruin you. One bad word from me and my company could ruin you in this city." I heard the soft intake of breath as I shouted into the phone. I head the woman pleading with me as I slammed the receiver down. I paid good money for these services and people were always letting me down.

I pulled my tie off and padded around the bathroom. I showered quickly as I considered my options, not even bothering with a quick one in the shower. I wasn't in the mood for once. I had no idea what I was going to do. Katie needed someone to take care of her after school and I worked six days a week.

I threw my clothes in the hamper and then paused. That card was still in my pants pocket. I pulled it out and looked it over. It was a local number and fairly new. They only started using that area code in the past year. I sat down at my laptop and googled the number.

Tick, Tick, Tick,

NOTHING! Wasn't the Internet supposed to have all the answers? There was absolutely no indication anywhere about the person on the other end. I even paid the thirty dollars on one of those websites for the name of the owner of the wireless number. Still nothing. Apparently the number was too new.

I reached for my cell and dialed it. It couldn't be that bad right?

"Hello?" It was a feminine voice, thank god.

"Hello. This is Damon Salvatore."

"I was expecting your call Mr. Salvatore."

"Yes."

"What can I help you with?" I found her tone interesting. She was very confident and I respect that. I wondered what she looked like. Hopefully not like Ms. Donovan. I fired her when Katie left the room and she cupped by package. She was a tad too forward for my taste.

"I was told you could help me with my daughter."

"I have three conditions. First, I get paid 500 dollars a week. No less. Second, you inform me of your child's background. Third, you promise not to try anything with me." Her demands were firm and unyielding. She would have been a prized gem in my board room.

"I think I can manage those. Cocky are you?"

"Very. I've had no complaints." I smiled at her words. She would be quite entertaining I was sure.

"It's a live-in position if you want it. I need someone here with Katie after school and preferably someone who can do some housework. I don't currently have a housekeeper and frankly..."

"You'd rather only pay one person. Yes, of course. What time tomorrow?" Man she was abrupt.

"Six."

"Goodbye Mr. Salvatore." She hung up before I could reply. I damn sure hope she was as good as the good Doc said she was. Six seemed too far away for the woman who was supposed to be a godsend.

Tick, Tick, Tick

A/N: Okay so first chapter is done. I don't have a complete game plan but so far I think it will be a long one. The POV will switch around between Damon and our miracle-worker. The doc is a woman but not revealed yet. Feel free to take guesses.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the support with Better Than Anything. I couldn't believe the number of alerts I got from that one story.

Please review since this is completely different than anything I've done.

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