Chapter 2
Damon’s P.O.V
I was drowning my sorrows in bourbon, sitting on a stool in the Mystic Grill, secretly waiting for Elena to show up for her shift. I wasn’t drunk yet, but I soon would be. I can’t believe Elena turned me down. Me. I mean what’s not to like, I’m a god! I could have any girl I want, but the only one I really do want doesn’t want me. Not that I’m going to show her that I still want her. As far as she’s concerned, I hate her guts. That psycho vampire bitch.

Then I heard her laugh, and I casually glanced back. It felt like daggers to my heart. She was hand in hand with a tall, brown haired guy, who was looking down at her with the same expression I used to. The soppy expression of love. I shudder at the thought of it. They walked up to the bar, and she kept laughing at all his lame jokes. It was pathetic.
The guy took the stool next to me, and only then to Elena realise I even existed.

“Honey, I think you should just take a seat in one of the booths.” She suggested, eyeing me.

“Don’t mind me, Elena, I’m just drinking myself to death.” I said, taking another sip of my drink, swilling the bourbon around in my mouth, before swallowing it.

“You two know each other?” The guy asked.

“He’s smart.” I quip, smirking.

“Alex, this is Damon Salvatore. Damon, Alex Lewis. And he knows me. I, fortunately, remember nothing of him. I told you about that accident I was in, well it turns out we somehow moved to my hometown.” She said, faking excitement.

“Wow. I guess I picked lucky, huh? So, Damon, how did you know Elena?”

“I’m her ex-fiancé.” I smirk at him, as his eyes go wide. She just looks at me, her face blank of any emotion.

“Funny, because all of the people I’ve spoken to, have only called you my ex-boyfriend. No one’s mentioned an engagement, you liar.” She snapped.

“You wanted to wait until you had graduated to announce it. You disappeared before then, so the only people who knew were your brother, my brother and their girlfriends.”

“You have a brother?”

“Apparently so. As you’re the expert, Salvatore, do I have parents? Do I have a sister? Cousins? Aunts? Uncles? Forgotten pets? Any other annoying ex’s I should know about?” She retorted, walking behind the bar, putting on her apron, then serving herself and Alex a drink.

“Babe, I’m not sure you’re supposed to do that.” Alex said, his face unsure.

“You’re so serious all the time. It’s like dating…Did I date Stefan Salvatore?” She asked me, her face incredulous. She remembered something, which means she could remember more. She was shocked, just like Alex and I.

“Did she?” He asked.

“Yeah, for a while. It was an amicable break-up. They were good friends after.”

“I remembered something! I remembered something. I remember one thing. It’s all still blank, just one thing. One thing that doesn’t even matter.” Elena said quietly. She downed the bourbon she poured herself, then the one meant for Alex.

I noticed for the first time the ring on her left hand.

“What’s that?” I asked, snatching her hand to look at it.

“It’s exactly what it looks like. An engagement ring. Diamonds are all real, gold is pure, and it’s Alex’s great grandmother’s. She had died in the bombing of Pearl Harbour. She was a nurse based at the nearest hospital to the harbour. Her body was identified as one of the dead, and her fiancé was given the ring back, before going home to look after their five month old baby girl,” Elena replied. “It’s a sad story.”

“One to tell the grandkids, right hon?”

“Yeah,” Elena said, looking away. “I’m going to go get to work. I’ve got my break in a couple of hours, so I’ll order us some food.”

She walked away quickly, probably desperate to get away from that topic of conversation.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Elena can’t have kids.” I replied.

“What? Why?” Alex asked.

“Something to do with her ovaries,” I lied. I don’t know why I was covering for her, but you know.

“She’s had the problem since she was eighteen.”

“What was she like? You know, before the accident.” He asked, in a quieter tone.

“She was…nicer. She’s always had a great sense of humour, the same air of grace and intelligence, but she always doubted her self worth. She never saw what I, and everyone around her, saw. She never believed she was special, but I’m sure you know how lucky you are to have her.”

Yep. I’m the luckiest guy on earth. If you don’t mind my asking, why did you guys split up?”
I sighed, thinking back to the stupid mistake I made.

“Do you know Katherine?”

“Her twin sister? How could I not? Katherine hangs around Elena like a bad smell. It’s like she’s obsessed. Why?”

So they were twins now? I don’t think it would help to mention the fact that Katherine is over 500 years older than Elena.

“I cheated on Elena with Katherine. It was the worst mistake I’ve ever made in my life, and if you knew me, you’d understand how big of a statement that is.” I sighed, knowing she could hear me. I heard her whisper Asshole under her breath, and I smiled for a brief second. It also made me wonder why I was telling my competition what had happened, and showing some feelings of any kind.

“I don’t even understand how you could. Katherine has to be the most annoying woman on this planet. She’s always trying to throw herself at me. I think she just doesn’t want Elena to be happy.” Alex replied, actually looking every bit the confused dimwit he is.

“Like I said, if you knew me, you’d understand. Elena was the first girl I’d ever been truly in love with and the whole concept was terrifying. I’m meant to be the hot bachelor, never committing to anyone, but Elena tried to make me something I’m not.” Why was I still talking? I was just digging myself a deeper and deeper grave.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Alex asked.

“A good person.” I said, downing the rest of my drink. I raised the glass, and the bartender came and refilled it. It was the kind of unspoken agreement I had with the staff here. Give me more booze and I won’t cause no trouble.

“That’s real deep, Doctor Phil.” Elena said, as she walked behind the counter, and into the kitchen.

“Yeah, well, now we’re on an equal footing. You’re a bitch, and I’m a bastard.” I said, loud enough for only her to hear. She stormed back in with a tray of food balanced on one hand, and a scowl on her mouth. She glared at me as she walked behind me, ‘accidentally’ knocking my head with the tray.

“Oops, sorry,” She said, with a sarcastic smile. I returned it, and watched her as she walked away.

She was wearing a blue tank top tucked into a high-waist cream silk skirt. Naturally, my eyes travelled south, taking in her long olive-skinned legs and her dainty feet were covered by nude coloured high heels.

“Eyes off the merchandise Salvatore.” She scolded me, meant only for me.

“Natural reaction, sweetheart.” I replied.

“I’m off the market. So just as long as you know, you can look, but you can’t touch.” She said, smiling at a customer, who was looking at her funny, because they obviously saw her mouth moving, but heard no words coming out.

“You didn’t say that yesterday.” I replied, reliving the moment in my mind yesterday, skipping the part where she tore out my heart.

“I distinctly remember yesterday never happening.” She said, picking up the money an old couple just left. She pocketed her tip, in a pouch in her apron.

She took another order, before she jogged back over.

She spent the next couple of hours, repeating this over and over again. Get order, place order, pick up order and give to customer, then serve another customer, then pick up cash from previous customer.

Eventually, she got on her break, and placed two plates of burger and fries in front of me and Alex.

“On the house. Enjoy.” She said with a smile, before walking outside with her purse.

“Where’s she going?” I asked Alex, popping a few fries into my mouth.

“Outside for a cigarette. I keep telling her that it’s a dirty habit, but she just tells me to mind my own.”

“Hmmm. I’ll see you soon. Nice meeting you.” I added, being the polite ex.

I jogged outside, and saw her leaning up against the wall, and sure enough there was a cigarette between the index and middle finger of her right hand. I shake my head in disgust, then move towards her.

“What’s on your mind, Salvatore?” She said, as soon as I was right next to her. I leaned up against the wall, facing her, while she continued to look ahead, seemingly staring at nothing.

‘Smoking? Seriously?”

“I find it somewhat normal in my abnormal life.” She replied, bitterly, taking a drag and blowing out the smoke. I snatched the cigarette out her hand and crushed it on the floor.

“If Jenna sees you smoking, she’d kill you.”

“Is Jenna related to me or something?” She asked, pulling another cigarette out, and lighting it up. I grabbed her hand, before the she took another drag, and she glared at me.

“What is the matter with you?”

“Why do you care? All I did was leave you, with no word for nearly three years, then I come back. I let you kiss me then come here the next day with my fiancé. I think the question is what is the matter with you?” Elena snapped. She tossed the cigarette on the ground, and then her free hand jolted forward and she punched me in the jaw. My face snapped sideways, and I let go of her arm to nurse my mouth.

“What was that for?”

“The only time I like being controlled is…oh that’s right, never! My game, my rules. I’m not Katherine, Damon. This Elena Gilbert isn’t going to be messed about or told what to do. Not by you, not by Alex, and not by Katherine. Got that?”

I nodded, and she kissed my jaw, before walking back inside. Becoming a vampire has given this girl some major mood swings and a terrific right hook.
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Elena’s P.O.V

I smiled, as I replayed Damon’s shocked expression back in my head. I was much stronger than any new vampire that’s for sure. I bet the reason Rose and Caroline were so eager to get involved yesterday was because they thought they had the upper hand, being stronger and faster than me. If it had resulted in a fight, I bet they’d be very peeved to know that everything they were told was untrue. It has nothing to do with age at all.

I clocked out at nine o’clock, and walked Alex home. He kept asking me questions about my life from before, trying to spark some memory, but none came. While he went to bed for an early night, I went for a walk. I had no real destination, but I just kept walking.

‘Why would Damon still care after all the hurt I caused him?’ I thought to myself. ‘He’s so frustrating! I felt like I wanted to kiss him, but then strangle him afterwards.’

I’ve never really aimlessly walked anywhere in my life, or what I know of my life. It gives a person way too much time to think about annoying overly-desirables. Suddenly I’m being tackled to the ground, narrowly avoiding hitting my head on the sidewalk. I kicked the perpetrator off the top of me, and then laughed when I saw who it was.

“You know, Honeycutt, you could always say hello. Tackling me to the ground is a bit drastic. Then again, you live for drama so it’s what’s to be expected.” I sneer at her. She glares at me, and I shoot her a pointed look.

“My name is Rose, remember? You used to call me Rosie. I’m your best friend?”

“Not ringing any bells, Honeycutt. Try harder next time. Amnesia is much harder to get rid of. You can’t just put people in front of someone who’s suffering from it, and expect them to remember.”

“Well maybe this will help you remember,” She handed me a necklace. “You left it at my place, when you packed up all your stuff three years ago.”

“Well thanks for the keepsake. I’d better be going. I saw a hospital and there’s blood bags with my name on!”

I got to my feet, dusted myself off, and hurried away. As I turned the corner, I looked at the gold chain in my hand. I stared at it long and hard, turning the half-a-heart in my hand to stare at the description. Nothing. I pushed it down into my jacket pocket and ran to the hospital.
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Rose’s P.O.V

I’m sure her trip to the blood bank is going to be eventful. Considering Stefan just sent Damon to go refill our supplies. If only I could see their faces. It would be so worth it.
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Jeremy’s P.O.V

“Thanks for the ride, Damon. Faith needs to see her.”

“And you do.” He said.

“Yeah. I miss her, Damon. I wish she’d just wake up.” I say, as we stride down the hospital corridors. Bonnie’s ward was the biggest, and her room was quite far away from the entrance. Faith was sitting on Damon’s shoulders, playing with his hair.

“You’re lucky I like this kid. She’s trying to pull the hair from my head.” Damon frowns at me, then smiles as Faith kisses the top of his head.

“No one can resist her. She’s too damn cute.”

“I second that!” A female voice cooed. I turned round just in time to see, Elena hurtling towards us, and plucking my daughter from Damon and holding her close. Faith gets excited by all the attention, and starts laughing as Elena tickles her sides.

“I’ve always wanted a niece, or nephew, or little brother, or sister, or son or daughter. Now I find out that I’ve got a little brother, and the cutest niece anyone’s ever seen!” She squeals, spinning Faith around.

“Breaking news! The harpy has a heart!” Damon announces loudly, half-smiling, half-frowning.

“What are you doing here?” Elena asks me, completely ignoring Damon.

“I brought Faith to see Bonnie.”

“How long has Bonnie been in hospital?”

“Ever since you disappeared. It turns out, she’d, without telling anyone, connected her life with yours, and as your technically undead, she’s in a coma.” I told her.

“Why would she do that? She must have known it would happen one day.” Elena asked, confused.

“I think she thought that if you were going to go down, she wanted to as well.”

“That’s stupid. Anyway, I’ve got to go. So I’ll see you soon.” She says, kissing Faith’s cheek, and passing her to me.

She looked round, caught the eye of a staring male nurse, and waved at him. He ducked his head, blushing, and she walked over.

She turned gave a cheeky grin to Damon, and then kissed the guy. And it wasn’t a quick one either. I could see Damon turn several shades of red as he got angrier and angrier. She pulled away, and the guy was nudged by his colleagues. She said something to him, and he nodded wildly. He started walking, jogging really, towards us, with Elena in tow.

As she blew past, she winked at Damon, and mouthed ‘I’m hungry’. Damon grimaced, then turned and followed her. I couldn’t believe that she was about to go and eat that guy. Drink his blood. That’s not Elena. It’s not. I refuse to believe it.

“Daddy, I wanna go see mommy!” Faith garbled. I smiled at her weakly, then walked into Bonnie’s room. She was lying there, just the same as everyday. Her hair splayed around the pillow, her eyes closed, her hands limp by her side.

A nurse was checking her vital signs, and when Faith made an impatient noise, she looked up and smiled a sympathetic smile.

“There’s some good news. She showed some brain activity a few moments ago. For a second, it looked like she was going to open her eyes, and move. But, she didn’t. Her vitals have gone back to normal. But it shows there’s hope.”

Elena was outside not too long ago. Maybe she’s what Bonnie needs to wake up.
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Oh yeah, Bonnie’s in a coma! Someone told me that she should die, and that Jeremy should become a single dad, but I don’t know if I could do that to him. I mean, Anna died, and so did Vicki. I couldn’t kill Bonnie so soon in the beginning of this one…could I?
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Damon’s P.O.V

I practically stalk Elena and the nurse as she follows him down corridors. When she mouthed ‘I’m hungry’ I automatically assumed that she meant she was about to snack on the poor guy who she kissed. But as I’ve walked this way a million times, I know she was simply getting directions.

I followed them into the fridge, where they keep all the blood bags, and Elena started helping herself, placing the bags into a cooler handed to her by ‘That Guy’.

“Having a dinner party?” I asked.

“Nope. Just grocery shopping.” She replied.

I watched her, as she carefully picked the blood types she wanted.

“I really don’t like my food frozen, usually eat it fresh, but a little birdie told me that this town has a secret council that is aware of vampires. So I’m switching for safety reasons.” She told me.

“We’re in the same boat.”

“You thought I was going to have Jonah here as a little snack, didn’t you?” She questioned, with a smirk, zipping up the cool bag.

“Well, sorry to disappoint but, I’m going to make this work. For Alex’s and little Faith’s sake. She doesn’t know me, and she should.”

“Why don’t you just have a kid with your guy? Oh, that’s right…you can’t.” I taunted her. She just smiled at me.

“Why don’t I have one with you? Oh yes that’s right…you and I can’t do that anymore. Even though you want to…maybe I want to as well,” She said, zooming up close to me, her face barely a centimetre away from mine. She looked at my lips, then my eyes, and smiled.

“But I’m going to be faithful to Alex, because me and Alex have a future. You and I would never have worked.”

“Why’s that?”

“We’re too similar. Like you said earlier, I’m a bitch and you’re a bastard. Alex is a sweet guy, so we balance each other out. You and I would always butt heads, we’d always be fighting, then begging each other for forgiveness. It wouldn’t work.” She said, before compelling Jonah to leave and forget completely about her being there. Then she mussed his hair, and dishevelled his clothes. Nice. It would look like they’d been going at it in a storage cupboard or something. No questions would be asked.

“That just sounds like excuses to me.”

“Well, take what you want from it. I’m going to marry Alex, we’re going to have a few years together, and then I’m going to kill Klaus.”

“That’s what I’ve been meaning to ask you! Does Alex know about the whole undead business?”

“Of course not. I might have gotten a kick or whatever out of finding out that my boyfriend was undead, but that’s probably got something to do with you. Alex would freak, and whilst compelling people is fun, I don’t think it’s appropriate for a real ‘no hidden agenda’ relationship.”

“Who cares? Katherine did it to Stefan and me. Though the whole ‘dating a vampire’ thing was a bit of a turn on.”

You are so disgusting. Anyways, I’d better be leaving. Places to go, people to kill. Ciao.” She said, starting to walk away.

Who are you planning on killing?” I questioned, grabbing her arm to make her stay.

“Well…I’m going to kill anyone who gets in my way, and the owner of something that I’ve been looking for for quite a while now.”

“And that is?”

“For me to know and for you to try your very hardest to find out.”

“I might be able to help you out.”

“Why would you want to? I really don’t get you, Salvatore. Why don’t you hate me? And don’t even insult me by saying ‘I do hate you’, because we both know that it would be a lie!”

“Because, Gilbert, even though I spent three years waiting for you, and now you’re engaged to some dimwit, I still have those same feelings. Besides, I know you’re only continuing with your male airhead, because you’re afraid.”

“Of what? I haven’t been afraid of anything for three years, babe, so this is going to be good.” She crosses her arms across her chest, the cool bag dangling from her shoulder, and she raises an eyebrow at me, challenging me.

“You’re afraid of dying alone.” I answer her slowly. Her eyes narrow, and I’ve gotten to her, I can tell.

She flips her hair back, and fiddles with the strap of the bag. She then smiles at me, an evil glint in her eyes. Suddenly she’s blurred and in front of me, shoving some sort of metal in my stomach.

“I’m not afraid of dying alone. I’m afraid of dying and being forgotten. I want to make an impact on someone’s life, asshole. And as you and I aren’t going to die anyway, I guess, the whole point is moot.” She said, ripping the metal protruding from my stomach out, and snapping it in half across her knee.

I slump to my knees, and hold a hand to my wound. I glare at her, but I still can’t seem to hate her.

“By the way, Salvatore,” She says, half out of the door.

“I forgot to tell you yesterday that you’ve got a great chest, and I look forward to seeing more of it.” She winks at me, then disappears.

Well, I maybe soaked with my own blood, and slightly pissed off that she’s ruined one of my favourite shirts, but I made one small victory.
Elena Gilbert still wants me.