Well, hello there! Am I updating? I think I am. I actually got a burst of muse listening to this Harry Styles' song. So, I kind of read over my fanfic, and came up with this. I hope you all enjoy it, I've missed writing and I love all your comments. I am deeply sorry it took so long. if you wanna poke at me, my twitter is the best way urieskeys. xo - lexi.

The pain she had felt in days before could not fathom how beautiful this felt. Elena was smiling like the sun never stopped shining and her sorrows were no longer visible. This trip was changing everything she felt. For a brief moment, she forgot about the pain, she forgot about Elijah, Derek, and best of all – the deal for the shark to come take control over her broken company.

"Welcome back," she scoffs, looking up at the sharply dressed Damon Salvatore. His eyes are the bluest she could ever see, and it gave her hopes on better tomorrows. "hey," she swats at him.

"Hey! What was that for? I am hurt," he gasps, and feigns the swat from Elena.

"Does Damon Salvatore really get hurt?" she briefly pauses and looks over him.

That answered her question. Silly, Elena – she knows he was hurt, but he might still be too proud to see her that way. Then again, their days were unique.

- She was shocked when he spoke up.

"Food for thought, pain demands to be felt, and whoever inflicts it, you resent or you feel the worst, but other times – you just forgive and want to try again."

She's silent now, and the thought of Damon Salvatore actually being hurt by her – it makes her feel strange. This thought and many others are running through her brain, but as soon as Elena clears her throat, she realizes Damon has moved closer to her.

They continue their walk to the deli, and one of Damon's favorite places. "So, day trip? Week trip?" he questioned briefly. There wasn't much curiosity in his voice, but he did wonder what her plans were.

"Uh, week trip, I think. Bonnie has some plans and I wanted to go shopping for a while." She pushes her hair to the side, which covered up most of the tiny bruises that were left over from the painful situations she had been in. Elena swallows and grins. "And what brings Damon Salvatore to Bonnie Bennett's home to save the damsel?"

He laughs and shakes his head. "I heard from a little birdie that someone has been through some heartache and trouble. I wanted to see her. See if we were still standing as a team," he replies. The male looks over her and smiles, as he looks down to the ground as he walks. "I've thought about you a lot, Elena," he sternly replies, but doesn't flinch. "I had a lot of feelings that settled and I spent a lot of nights alone, mostly with some liquor and a good book."

Why was he telling her this? Did he actually miss her? Oh, come on, Elena has got to call him out on this one!

"Are you trying to tell me you missed me?" she asks, completely coy.

"I don't miss people, Elena."

He contradicted. He doesn't change in that department.

"So why was Katherine still around?" she asked softly.

He continues to stop. "I was in love with a mirage. Katherine was manipulative and Katherine doesn't care about me, she cares about my money. I don't miss Katherine for anything, I only know she can get exactly what I want at any time I want it. It's being a person like me in my job title."

Elena could agree. Katherine was pushy and rude. She also knew how to play men right in the palm of her hand.

So - Damon Salvatore clearly played chess and knew how to win.

Once they arrived to the small diner, Damon opened the door for her. "Any more questions?" he asked. "I mean, I probably have all day right now, on the account that no one knew I was flying in today – except Bon-," he gestures with a chuckle.

"Damon – we have – a lot – a lot to cover, we I mean –" Elena blinks and gives him a stern look.

"Shh," he teases. "You're going to spoil my good deed of the century," Damon shoves his pockets in his pants and walks to the nearby booth.

She laughs, and it's the first time she's laughed in weeks.

He gestures a hand for Elena to sit down in one of the sides of the booths.

Elena sits down and pulls a menu from the side. "So, is this your plan? Please go on about this plan," Elena spoke up, giving him a quick glance.

He thinks for a moment and places his arm across the booth as soon as he sits down across from her. "Well, I have things I'd like to discuss with you."

This isn't what she wants is it? Work talk? Maybe, it would distract her and she might feel better. Although, those eyes are deep and she wants to drown in them.

"And what would those things be?"

He looks up from the menu and taps his fingers on the counter. "I got rid of Katherine, she won't be a problem anymore. I took a lot of matters into my own hands when I found out what happened to you. I didn't want to become – attached to you, Elena. You –" he cuts himself off and looks at her as his brows furrow.

"I what -? Not good at completing sentences right now?" Elena questions.

"You make me crazy, you drive me nuts. You get under my skin, and I know you and me are different now, and we are in situations still – but hell, Elena. I want this, and I want you and I came here because I didn't want to blow it like I always seem to do. I touch something and it falls apart, and I hate it, but you – you are different. You heal me – you do things to me. I just – I can't afford to let you go."

She blinks, and that's all she can think of – he's confessing. Especially after being such a tyrant to her, here he is – he's wanting forgiveness and he wants her to be something more? Elena's mind can't handle that bombshell right now.

"Oh," she breathes in, after exhaling. "Damon, I just – I can't move into another – relationship right now, I just can't do that. I'm still trying to – remember who I was and remember what I want but I – I don't want to say no, but my business and my parents – my writers and staff, I can't breathe, Damon."

"That's exactly why I got rid of Katherine, I'm going to make things so much easier for you – I'm going to make your company good and you never have to worry about anything else."

She looks over him once more and bites her bottom lip. "That's a hell of a promise."

"Well - you are a hell of a woman, and someone needs to remind you."

She smiles. "And is that your job?"

"I guess I can wear another hat."