I totally meant to update earlier but I sorta got writer's block. In a way, I still have it- just not for this story. Which is why I haven't gotten around to update any of my other stories yet. I'm trying but nothing decent seems to come out. I was actually stuck on this chapter for a while too but I'm glad it finally got done and I'm pleased with the result. I hope you guys enjoy this date chapter! The angst hasn't started yet- at least not from Elena. Damon is just full of angst obviously. But I'm probably going to have a few more chapters before the angst sets in. I know some wanted Elena to find out about his disease in this chapter but I thought it would be more dramatic this way ;P Anyway! Enjoy and review!

Text from Elena:

When you meant formal you meant…

I smirked.

Text to Elena:

Actually, you can come naked if you want. I won't have a problem with that. ;)

Send. I set my phone down on the dresser and began to walk away only to hear it beep again.

Text from Elena:

Don't get your hopes up. Now seriously, what exactly did you mean by formal?

I rolled my eyes before texting back.

Text to Elena:

If it helps, I'll be wearing a suit.

I put the phone down, thinking that would settle her but another text message arrived.

Text from Elena:

;) Can't wait to see you in it.

Was she trying to kill me? At some times she rejected me while others she teased me by pretending to actually want me.

Text to Elena:

;) I know.

Then I set out to get ready for the best night of my life.

I rang her doorbell, carrying a simple red rose before running a hand through my hair with my free hand. When she answered her door, I inhaled quickly at the sight of her. If I thought she was beautiful before, then I had no idea how to describe how she looked right now. Her long luscious hair that was normally straight, was now seen with delicious curls. The dress she was wearing was sinful. Not that it was very revealing—I had guessed by this point that revealing was not Elena's style (and it suited her rather well, too). It was a perfect dark green dress—looking spectacular with her olive colored skin. It hugged every one of her curves, drawing down passed her knees, giving me just enough sight of her amazing legs.

Her face, of course, was more beautiful than ever—if it were even possible for her to become more beautiful. Her brown eyes rimmed with thick, long lashes were wide (was she nervous?).

"Wow." I breathed out, not able to take my eyes off of her.

She seemed to have remembered that she needed to speak to because she suddenly shook her head as if breaking out of a trance. I smirked.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Mister Salvatore." So she really was admiring me too.

"I know." I answered smugly before handing her the rose.

She blinked, taking the rose before inhaling its scent and holding it like it was the most delicate thing in the world. "Thank you." She smiled at me.

"It's nothing." I assured her. It really wasn't. The night hadn't even begun yet and she was thanking me.

"Shall we go?" I said, gesturing her towards the limo waiting for us.

"Just a sec." She said quickly, still looking down at the flower. I'm going to put this in water and grab my shawl." I nodded. "You can come in—it'll only take a second, of course." She called as she walked away, her heels clicking against the wood floor.

I stepped into her home, looking around curiously. It looked like a very cozy and comfortable place to live in. There wasn't anything that made it too out of the ordinary but one could easily tell that she made a good amount of money. She still lived modestly, though, much like so many other things about her that I was growing to like.

"Alright, let's go." She walked back to where I was standing with a smile.

"Of course," I nodded, offering her my arm which she took immediately much to my pleasure.

As I lead her out, she finally noticed the type of transportation we were going to be using this evening. She arched her brows and her lips formed a surprised 'O'. "So are we going to be taking a limo on every date?" She teased as I held the door open for her. Thank god she was inside—she didn't see how thrilled I looked at the fact that she had just stated we would be going on more dates.

"Well," I said, taking a seat beside her. "If you want to." I winked. "But this date is my show off date—just saying. Is it working?"

"You'll just have to wait and see." She winked back at me and I grinned. This was definitely starting off rather well. Which was odd since I wasn't used to this much good fortune.

We pulled up in front of the famous Italian restaurant that my cousin owned. It was a beautiful place and I loved coming here although I rarely did these days. My cousin, Lexi, had acted very differently after she was informed of my condition. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have spread it around any more but Stefan and my father had insisted since she was the only family we had left. I figured that she felt sorry for me (exactly what I didn't want). I mean, we were never exactly close in the first place. Lexi and Stefan had been the best of friends since they were little but I had just been the older one that made fun of her all the time. Not to say that she didn't care about me and I didn't care about her—we just weren't very close. Otherwise she would've known that I wanted no sympathy from anyone.

Which is why I didn't tell her that I was going to be coming that night. She would have done something out of the ordinary or just given me the whole night free or something. While I did want to do something special for Elena, I didn't want to do it like that. Out of pity. I really hoped she wouldn't be in that night—it wasn't like she always was anyway. She had a manager and great employees so she wouldn't have to be in all the time.

"Giordano's?" Elena gasped, looking out the window. "This place is… Wow. I've heard about this place. You have to make reservations months before getting in." She looked over at me in wonder.

I chuckled. Just because I didn't contact Lexi didn't mean that the employees didn't already know me. They were more than happy to make an exception in only a week's notice. "I have my ways." I said mysteriously. Lexi Giordano's restaurant was not only one of the most well known Italian restaurants around, but the location was something that drew people to it too. It was literally on a beach—the whole thing owned by Lexi for her restaurant. Her customers were free to dine outside or inside and were even allowed to enjoy the beach before or after their meal. It was a great idea and it definitely kept business booming.

"You seem to have a lot of secrets, Damon." Elena eyed me suspiciously. I knew she was only teasing but I'm sure there was a part of her that really did believe that. I knew that I was acting strangely… And not providing a lot of explanation but I wasn't sure how to tell her much of anything. My cousin owned this restaurant so that's how I got in? I have Degrader cerveau so that's why I was rushed to the hospital. I have less than two years to live. How the hell was I supposed to tell her that?

"More the reason for you to stick around and uncover them." I suggested, waggling my brows and opening the door before offering her a hand as she stepped out. Once we both were out, we started walking into the restaurant and Elena took hold of my arm. I pretended not to notice it but inside, I was ready to burst.

"Salvatore. Table for two." I told Anita with a wink.

She grinned, "Right this way Mister Salvatore." She said before leading us to the table farthest away from other people and closest to the window, giving an amazing view of the beach outside.

"Thank you, Anita." I told her.

"Of course. Your wine will be served shortly." She said before walking away.

"This place is incredible." Elena said in awe, still looking around.

"I know." I grinned.

"It's really too much—you shouldn't have gone to this much trouble." She said, her delicious eyes landing on me.

"Trouble?" I rolled my eyes. "It was no trouble at all. I wanted to do it, Elena. Trust me."

"Thank you." She said sincerely.

"Ugh, this is a date. You don't have to thank me." I shook my head. "Yet anyway." I said suggestively, narrowing my eyes at her, letting them wander up and down what was visible of her body while we were seated.

She rolled her eyes and giggled. "Don't get your hopes up, Damon." She chided.

I pouted. "You're such a buzz kill." I whined.

"Boo hoo. You'll get over it." She said, imitating my pout. I couldn't help but smirk. She was adorable and I was liking her more and more with every word that came out of those beautiful lips of hers.

"Oh, I don't know about that." I pressed.

"Oh?" She inquired.

"Come on, you've been holding out on me."

She rolled her eyes again. "Please, Damon, we've known each other for what, a week?" She arched a brow.

"So? Don't you believe in love at first sight?" My tone suggested that I was only kidding but after seeing her, I was sure that I could start believing in love at first sight.

"I believe in getting to know someone before falling in love." She said as our drinks came and she stared down into it as if there were something in there waiting for her. "And I believe getting to know someone takes some time." She added. I could tell she was trying to hint that she wanted to take this slow but time was something I didn't really have. I couldn't tell her that, though. Not yet anyway.

I shrugged. "But do you really know someone even after a long period of time?"

"You do if they let you." She answered, sipping the glass and finally looking back up at me.

And again, I was left speechless by this woman. I didn't know what else to say. She was more grounded than I thought. She had strong opinions and she stuck by them. She was stubborn. Much like me, unfortunately.

We chatted a bit more, getting out of serious waters before the waitress came and asked what we would like to order.

The food was absolutely delicious—of course I wasn't expecting anything less from Lexi. Elena seemed equally, if not more, pleased about the food. "This is so amazing." She said with a full mouth but as soon as she remembered that she had food in her mouth, she blushed and swallowed, glancing down then back up in apology.

I laughed. "No need to be all polite and mannered. I know it seems like the situation calls for it but by all means, pig out." I grinned, doing the same.

She mirrored my grin as well as my actions. "So, Damon. You never told me what you do."

"I'm the CEO of Benson corp." It was a company from my mother's side of the family—she had been the one that owned it before she died (leaving it to my father, Stefan and I). Lately, though, father seemed to be very lenient with me about work. And while I hated sympathy, Stefan and my doctor had insisted that I accept this. Stefan said that it was Giuseppe's way of showing love but I didn't buy it. The bastard probably didn't want me to mess up the company.

Elena's mouth hung open a little. "Wait a minute. The Benson corp? As in Diane Benson?" She gaped. I should've known she would know about my mother. She had been a popular woman—not only because she was running a business but because she kept up with appearances. She was a kind woman and when it came to appearances she was mostly present at charity funds and things like that. I remembered how much people admired her. How much they still did ten years later.

I nodded. "That's the one. Diane Benson was my mother." I smiled a little.

"Oh my god." Realization crossed her face. "She passed away. I'm so sorry… I shouldn't have…"

"Elena, it's fine. It was a long time ago." But I knew she could see the hint of pain on my face.

"Your mother was an amazing woman. I met her once, you know." Elena said with a smile of her own.

I arched my brow. "You did?"

"I was a senior in high school then and my dad took me to this fundraising dinner with him. She was there and my dad and I went over and talked to her for a little bit. I don't think I've ever met anyone so kind. You were lucky to have her." She reached across the table, taking my hand in hers and giving it a small squeeze. I gave her hand a squeeze back, not sure of how to reply.

"She was a spectacular woman." I decided, looking into Elena's eyes and feeling rather vulnerable.

She seemed to be able to tell. I don't think I've ever felt this open before but part of me didn't want to close up to her. "She was." Elena agreed with a smile.

We soon got back to our food—the amount of serious topics we were getting into was overwhelming me. We were back to the joking and the flirting and I was starting to feel comfortable again. I also learned that she was neurologist like her father (although her father was not just a neurologist). How fitting right? She was a brain doctor and I had a brain disease. How long could I hide my disease from her?

"Why don't we take a walk on the beach?" I suggested. As cliché as it was, the night was beautiful and the moon was full. How ironically romantic, right?

After the waitress returned with my credit card, we got up and went out to the beach. It was so peaceful and we were the only people walking along the shore—the only other people outside were closer to the restaurant because they were dining.

"So are you ever going to tell me what happened last week?" She asked as we strolled.

"Last week?" I pretended that I didn't know what she was talking about.

"Oh you know, when you fainted and were taken to the hospital." She reminded with a knowing look.

"Oh, that." I said, looking away, remembering what my back up was. Schizophrenia. It was similar to Degrader cerveau that I may be able to fool her—even for a little bit. "I… I have residual schizophrenia." I did my research—it wasn't perfect though. I would probably have to go back and get more information about the disease so I could further play it out. Residual schizophrenia was the closest type of schizophrenia a person could have and still live a normal life. It included not having major symptoms and having few episodes. "It's mild but it's there.." I said. I hated lying to her but it had to be done. I didn't want things to change right away.

I glanced over at her and she seemed a little surprised, but understanding. For once, I was glad she was a doctor. It meant she understood, at least. "You didn't tell me…"

"I didn't want you to think I was crazy." I laughed a bit.

"I don't. I've had patients in the past… You don't have to worry about that Damon." She assured me sincerely.

"Thanks." I said stiffly.

I was glad that she could tell I didn't want to continue talking about it. While I didn't have schizophrenia, it was too close for comfort.

"I'm glad you told me you know." I was surprised at how she hadn't seemed to talk or act any different than before. But then again I did make sure she knew it was a very mild case. When I didn't answer she took my hand and stopped walking. I was forced to look at her.

"I know you think this would change things but it doesn't. I don't think of you any different than I did at the beginning of the night." She promised with that familiar smile.

God, I wish I had told her the truth. But I knew that if I did, I wouldn't be getting this response. She didn't know that I was dying.

I returned her smile. "That means a lot." I told her honestly.

And before she could say anything, I kissed her.