The Auction

A fic by: Jen

Rating M

Disclaimer: I own nothing-please don't sue me-I'm injured!

Sorry but this is a rather extensive A/N:

**Okay, first and foremost I am so, so sorry I haven't posted on this in so long…BUT musie just went on strike, especially after watching the last few epis of TVD. The Stefan-love-fest has been disheartening at best-disgusting at worst! Did anyone but me gag and want to puke when Katherine told Damon "Its Stefan-It's always been Stefan." I have to ask the writers and producers this question—if you wanted a Stefan to be the 'hot' brother—why pick Ian Somerhalder to play Damon? They should have chosen someone else because (on a bad day) Ian BLOWS Paul out of the water in the hottines dept. Hell, Ian even beat out Rob-Pat, Alexander Skarsgard AND David Boreanaz as the sexiest beast ever in Entertainment Weekly. And let me add—every single one of those actors whipped Paul Wesley's ass in the voting…

I swear it would have been so much hotter had Katherine chose Damon…at least the fans (us) could have gotten our Nina/Ian fix with some very hot Katherine/Damon scenes. But NO-they made Damon a wimp when he (begged) Katherine to tell him the truth—tell him she loved him. *ugh* Hated that. It was so pathetic and desperate…

BUT, much to my dismay, the writers weren't done with the 'Damon-looking-like-a-needy-ass-phase' No—they just had to add to the Stefan-reverence by having Katherine spurn Damon and then threaten Stefan to ditch Elena because she couldn't stand to see him with anyone else! *yuck* I swear I felt physically ill. (WTF-does anyone have eyes on this show?) AND THEN to top it off and add the ultimate grr factor—Elena gave Damon the same "it's always Stefan…" speech.

Sorry, I know I'm on a tangent, but it bugs me because all that adoring-Stefan-crap really killed musie's inspiration for Vampire Diaries. Seriously, I was so was so sick of all the Stefan-adulation, I was no longer eagerly looking forward to new epis anymore. I was cringing-wondering what new Stefan-loving-torment they were going to force on me now!

Okay-I'll quit now. Whew. I'm sorry for the rant, and the massive A/N, but I needed to purge all that venom, so I can move onto cathartic healing… :) :) :)

Alright guys, enough of my blathering—Musie has FINALLY found her spark again and I need some serious D/E action to soothe the *yuck* that has been season 2 so far. So on with the show...

xoxo

Jen

Chappie 7

Inside a limo-Las Vegas Blvd:

Elena fidgeted, her body seemed to be alive with the itchy-scratchies and the butterflies in her stomach were in a feeding frenzy. She and Damon were in a limo heading down Las Vegas Blvd. to the 'Little White Wedding Chapel'. The chapel had sent a courtesy limo for them along with champagne. It was a beautiful white stretch. Everything was perfect except Elena felt like she was going to pass out-or have a breakdown—she wasn't sure which. She felt like she'd taken a nose-dive from an airplane—without a parachute.

Twisting the beautiful engagement ring Damon had surprised her with; Elena tried to calm herself with deep, even breaths as she looked out the window. She studiously avoided Damon's far too perceptive gaze, knowing he'd see the panic in her eyes. 'Oh God-what am I doing?' she thought, knowing she should be excited, but now that the time was upon them, Elena was a nervous wreck.

To calm her nerves she started on the champagne. Glass after glass—she didn't bother to offer Damon any—she needed it more than he did—she polished off half a bottle. "This is really good…" she murmured, completely ignoring him as she downed the bubbly liquid.

Damon didn't like the amount of alcohol she was consuming. With a growl, he snatched the bottle out of her hand. She made a move to grab it back, but he held it out of her reach. "We can cancel this whole thing if you want," he said. One brow rose as he studied her, "If you have to get wasted, Elena—I'd rather just call it off."

That caught her by surprise and the hand holding the flute of champagne froze mid-air. "What are you saying?" she asked softly.

He shrugged. "I'm not saying anything—I think you are."

Elena set the champagne down. She was buzzed and it lowered her inhibitions. "Are you saying you don't want to marry me anymore?" she asked, lower lip jutting out in a pout that made Damon want to nibble on it.

He shook his head, restraining himself. "I'm not the one getting shit-faced in order to go through with this."

Elena took Damon's hand in hers. Her eyes willed him to understand. "It's not that. It's just…I'm nervous." She shrugged. "Cold feet—pre-wedding jitters—whatever it's just I feel like my tummy is about to explode and I'm all tingly with anxiety."

He pulled her closer and kissed her gently. "I'm nervous too, Elena," he told her. "This isn't something I ever thought about doing." He made a face. "I mean really—do you think I ever planned on getting married, much less to you?"

Elena's brows drew down sharply and Damon headed her off before she even started getting pissed. "No, don't even go there…" he said, seeing where her mind was going. "I want you. I always have, but you're the one downing glass after glass of champagne. If that's what you need to go through with this, maybe we shouldn't do it."

Panic set in and Elena hastened to reply. "No, I want to, Damon. I'm just nervous. I'll be okay once we're there."

He studied her for several seconds before a slow, sensual smile curled his lips upward. He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap. Elena squealed, but stayed put, wrapping her arms around his neck. Damon nuzzled her chin, before nipping at her pouty lower lip like he'd wanted to earlier. She moaned softly and his smile widened. "I'm glad you decided that because I'm feeling pretty possessive, and kidnapping wasn't on my agenda for the day," he teased, cupping her face and laying a kiss on her that curled her toes and set her pulse to racing—it was obvious to both of them, kidnapping was totally unnecesarry.

Just as they started to tug at each others' clothes, their play was interrupted as they pulled into the drive way of a quaint old-fashioned chapel. Damon yanked his head back and immediately righted Elena's dress. Elena took several deep breaths to soothe her racing heart. She pulled down the backseat mirror and made sure her hair and make-up didn't look as wild and unkempt as she felt.

Damon chuckled as he lifted her off his lap and seated her next to him on the plush leather seat. "You look gorgeous," he said, adjusting his pants as he tried to disguise the hard-on he was sporting.

Elena took note of the building where her life was about to change drastically. It was cute. Old fashioned. It looked like it was built around the turn of the century. Quaint and tasteful, it wasn't anything like what she'd been expecting from a hurried Vegas wedding.

Her smile was literally radiant—so much so that Damon sucked in an un-needed breath and his chest tightened. "It's beautiful, Damon…" she breathed.

He rubbed the place where his heart should beat. It didn't, but he felt a tug—something there right now and it was a bit disconcerting. He brushed away the feeling and smirked. "What did you expect—flashing lights and slot machines?"

"You did mention Elvis…" she reminded.

Damon laughed wholeheartedly—his chest tingled again and he put it down to nerves. "That, my love, was a joke. I definitely have more tact than that."

The driver opened the door for them and Damon climbed out. He turned and offered his hand to Elena. She took a deep calming breath. Her heart pounded and lodged somewhere in her throat. This was it—the now or never moment. Elena's tummy flip-flopped. She looked at Damon waiting there. He was gorgeous. Sexy and definitely someone she could turn to in a crisis. He loved her. Of that she was positive. Elena was even certain he loved her more passionately than Stefan ever could. He gave everything he had when he was in love. Stefan gave what was needed. When she hesitated, his face clouded and he suddenly looked nervous…vulnerable. He wouldn't push—not now. He wanted her to choose him freely. And just like that; Elena knew it was right.

"I love you," she said as she gave Damon her hand and allowed him to pull her from the car. His face lit up. His smile turned his handsome face into a thing of true beauty and Elena answered with a brilliant smile of her own.

"Are you sure?" he asked, giving her an opportunity to bow out gracefully.

Elena had no intention of changing her mind. "Yes," she whispered, dark eyes sparkling with the excitement that every bride feels on their wedding day. "I've never been surer."

His eyes flared with lust. "Mine," he rumbled.

Elena gave a small eye roll. "Calm down, cave man," she quipped, looping her arm through his.

Damon tucked her arm close to his as they walked into the chapel. "Caveman?" He chuckled huskily. "You may have a point," he conceded, "considering I feel pretty much primeval where you're concerned."

"Just don't conk me over the head and drag me away to your cave. Or...if you do…" She paused, an impish, wicked grin suffusing her face. "Give me the chance to return the favor…"

He threw his head back and laughed delightedly. "Elena!" he teased, sounding scandalized. "That sounds rather kinky…" He paused at the door to the chapel and snaked an arm around her waist. He wagged his brows at her. "I never knew you had it in you…" He leaned down, nibbling at her lips. "I like it…' he purred huskily. "Let's explore this...um…more uninhibited side tonight-hmmm?"

Elena grinned. "Absolutely, just as long as I get to tie you up too!"

Damon laughed wholeheartedly. Why am I suddenly thinking that marriage to you is going to be a little wilder than I originally thought?"

The minister and his wife spotted them and waved them over. Elena flashed them a sweet smile and waved back. She leaned up and nipped the fleshy part of his ear lobe, reveling in the sharp indrawn breath he gave. Her voice was breathy as she murmured in his ear, "Guess you'll have to wait and find that out, huh?" she teased waltzing away from him.

She made her way down the aisle to the minister, leaving Damon standing there with his mouth open and an erection he was hard pressed to hide…

******************D/E**xx**D/E**xx**D/E**xx**D/E**xx**D/E**xx**D/E**xx**D/E**xx******************

The Palms:

Stefan and Bonnie arrived at the hotel a few minutes after Damon and Elena left. First thing they did was head over to the front desk.

The man standing there in a crisp white shirt and navy vest smiled at them. "Hello and welcome to the Palms. How may I help you?" His smile was friendly, but his nose was raised, saying loud and clear how important he felt he was to the hotel.

Stefan asked him to ring the Sky Villa and the man's waxed brows arched to his receding hairline. "Are you looking for Mr. Salvatore?" Stefan nodded and the man gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry sir, but you just missed him and his fiancé." He started typing on his computer before looking up at Stefan, "Thye're not expected back for several hours...would you like to leave a message?"

Stefan clenched his fists. He wanted to curse and break something, especially hearing Elena—his Elena—addressed as Damon's fiancé. He pushed that aside and smiled at the man disarmingly. "Can you tell me where they went?"

The man gave them a negative shake of his head and his sympathetic smile slid away as if it never existed. "Oh no, again, I'm sorry, but I can't give out that information."

Stefan gripped the counter hard enough to almost crack the wood. He leaned closer to the man, trying to be threatening without actually saying anything threatening. "Why not?" he growled, jaw clenching tightly.

At Stefan's tone the man's beak of a nose rose another inch and he glanced towards the security officer with an exaggerated movement before turning back to Stefan determinedly. "There's no need for a scene, sir. Trust me, it will only result in you and your friend," the man's eyes swung to Bonnie for a second. He gave Stefan another fake sympathetic smile. "No matter how you ask, I simply can't give you what you want. Here at the Palms, we have a strict discretion policy and we do not release personal information on our guests—ever!" he announced in a clipped voice.

Stefan glanced at Bonnie. She turned away dejectedly, but he wasn't going to give up that easily, so he did something he hadn't done in ages. He compelled the man for personal gain. His eyes dilated, "You're going to tell me exactly where Damon Salvatore and his fiancé went. You'll give me their room number and you'll never remember doing so. Are we clear?"

The man repeated Stefan's words back to him. "Yes we're clear," he said before typing in some information on his computer. "Mr. Salvatore and his fiancé left to get married. The limousine that picked them up was courtesy of the Little White Wedding Chapel, so I would say that is where he is. They're registered in a private sky villa—here is the key card. The code to get on the floor is 2001."

Stefan took the card and memorized the code. "Where is this chapel?"

The compelled man gave Stefan directions before suddenly snapping out of it. With no memory of having given out anything, the man looked down his nose at Stefan. "Now, you may either leave a message for Mr. Salvatore or wait for him here in the lobby. It is your choice, but I simply cannot give you the information you want."

"Thanks…for nothing," Stefan muttered, smiling when he turned away. He found Bonnie and together they left the hotel.

As Stefan walked away, Katherine stepped from behind a large potted palm tree she'd ducked behind when she spied her ex-lover at the front desk. She'd hidden and listened in, getting angrier the more she listened. She was too late. She wanted to stomp her foot. It was rare that Katherine didn't get her way. Figures Damon would make it difficult he always was a wild thing. She watched Stefan go, her dark eyes softening for an instant before she turned away. She cared for him—but it was Damon she wanted to keep. "Isobel," she called, glaring when her 'protégé' took too long to materialize. Katherine pursed her lips in disapproval. "Izzy, at least make an attempt to appear helpful. If not, I might find you and John a hindrance and you know what I do to anything that slows me down, right?" She smiled, but her eyes were cold and dard.

Isobel nodded, scared. "I'm sorry, Kat. John called and said he was at the Las Vegas airport and would be here shortly."

Katherine nodded. "Well, since it appears we didn't get here in time to stop this ridiculous union, we're moving onto plan B," she said with a determined tilt to her chin.

"Plan B?" Isobel asked, her brows drawn down in confusion. "I wasn't aware we had a plan B."

Katherine giggled and waved a hand breezily. "Oh, I always have a plan B-and C and…well, you get the picture." She said. Katherine pursed her lips in a pout that had brought many a man to his knees. "Call John and tell him to come to the Palms. Have him call when he is in the lobby." Before Isobel even replied Katherine was waltzing over to the front desk, knowing full well the man would think she was Elena. She fluttered her lashes as she leaned against the edge of the front desk, smiling charmingly at the man. "Can I get the key…I'm in a hurry. Damon is waiting for me at the chapel."

The man flushed. Katherine didn't need to compel him, he was only too eager to comply. He immediately got her a key card. "Here you are, Miss, congratulations on your wedding," he gushed overdramatically.

"Thank you," Katherine replied giving him a sweet smile that hid the fact that she wanted to rip his throat out right then. With another thanks, she left the beaming hotel worker and made her way to the bank of elevators, pressing the button on the one marked 'private suites only'.

"What exactly are you planning, Kat?" Isobel asked.

Katherine's lip curled in a sultry smirk. "Oh…just a little extra for Damon's honeymoon," she purred. The elevator dinged open and Katherine sauntered inside. She slid the key card into the slot under the buttons on the elevator and entered the code she'd overheard. The elevator immediately began to move. Katherine smiled to herself. "All I need is to get Damon alone," she said aloud. "I can make him remember what we shared and then I can get the location of the device from him and…" She glanced at Isobel. "All you have to do is keep that daughter of yours busy for an hour or so." The elevator stopped with a ding.. Katherine smiled cunningly. "Think you can do that, Izzy?"

Isobel nodded slowly as the doors slid open. "I can get Elena to come with me," she said.

In that moment Katherine and Isobel got their first view of the incredible room Damon had reserved for him and Elena. Katherine whistled as she stepped into the suite. "Not bad…" She sauntered to the glass wall overlooking the pool and the city. "He always did have taste." The scent of sex drew her to the bedroom. The round bed and the tangled covers told her all she needed to know. Katherine hissed and immediately turned her back on the room. She marched out to the living room. "Get John on the phone now…I want him here. He has a choice-he can either take his daughter back to Mystic falls alive and angry—or dead. I really don't care, but she will not be with Damon again after tonight, are we clear?" she snapped storming across the room and pouring herself a large drought of whiskey—she glared at Isobel once more before slamming it back and pouring another.

Isobel swallowed hard—a drunk—angry Katherine could be lethal. She dialed John's number…

I

The Little White Wedding Chapel:

Inside the small, yet elegant chapel the lovers were in the middle of their ceremony. Damon was sinfully beautiful in his perfectly fitted black tux, sans bow tie. He'd chosen a thin tie instead and he had a white rose pinned to his lapel with a white handkerchief peeking from his breast pocket. He had no best man, but two of the chapel's employees stood at the altar as flower girls/bride's maids' as Elena made her way down the aisle stepping in time with the traditional music of the Wedding March.

Damon gave a low growl as he got his first look at Elena in her gown. She was a glamorous vision in an ivory silk organza and duchesse silk, strapless gown that hugged her figure beautifully, before flaring wide in a laced organza skirt. The satin train of the dress trailed several feet behind her and in Elena's hands was a lovely bouquet of white, pink and pale yellow roses. White hydrangeas and baby's breath added depth and beauty along with the silky white ribbon that tied the bouquet together. The lighting was dim, but about fifty strategically placed candles gave the room a magical glow. Elena met Damon's eyes and her breath caught at how handsome he looked. He smiled that killer lop-sided grin of his and a giddy Elena couldn't help the answering smile that quirked her lips upward. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally arrived at the altar. Elena handed her bouquet to one of her 'borrowed' bride's maids' and Damon took her hand in his. As one they turned to face the minister. The minister's wife started to tear up. She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and exclaimed what a beautiful couple they were. Elena and Damon didn't hear the comment. The lovers only had eyes for each other as the minister began the service.

The kindly looking clergyman gave the couple a warm smile as he began; "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God – and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore not to be entered lightly, but reverently, discreetly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

You could have heard a pin drop as the minister paused for breath. He opened his mouth to continue the service when suddenly a voice spoke up loud and clear; "I can show just cause why these two shouldn't get married. He's a monster and she deserves better!"

As one, Damon and Elena turned, both their faces showing varying degrees of shock and anger to see Stefan standing at the end of the aisle. He looked belligerent and stubborn.

Unable to pulverize him like he itched to do, Damon rolled his eyes at his brother's impeccably horrible timing. "You gotta be kidding me…" he muttered.

The minister looked shocked and a little embarrassed too. "I—well this rarely happens," he said. He glanced sharply at Stefan. "And just who are you, young man?"

Stefan strode down the aisle while Bonnie stayed at the rear of the chapel. She may have gotten Stefan here, but she wanted no real part in the unfolding drama.

Damon and Stefan spoke simultaneously.

"My idiot of a brother," Damon growled.

"The bride's boyfriend," Stefan snapped.

The minister's jaw dropped. "The bride's…?" Then he glanced at Damon, eyes wide, "your…brother too?" Damon gave a curt nod and the minister adjusted his collar as if it was suddenly too tight. His face was flushed. "Well…this is an unusual turn of events…"

Elena's face was even redder than the minister's as she cut in. "He's my 'ex'-boyfriend," she clarified, glaring at Stefan, "and he has no reason to be here."

Looking at Elena, the minister asked, "Are you in love with him?"

Elena bit her lip. "I care for him, yes, but I'm not in love with him anymore." She glanced at Damon. "I know who I want and it's Damon."

The minister gave Stefan a stern look. "Young man, you're disturbing a holy union, I suggest—"

Stefan scoffed. "Begging your pardon Father, but there is nothing holy about my brother. Trust me!"

Damon shrugged as the Priest's eyes riveted on him. He glared at Stefan, before he laughed. "Oh come on, this is Vegas, my brother is a jealous idiot!" He waved a hand and smiled at the minister. "You've had to see weirder things than this, right?"

The minister smiled then. "Indeed I have."

Damon smirked and proceeded to pretend Stefan wasn't there. "Good, then can we ignore my annoying brother and continue?"

The kindly minister turned to Elena. "Are you ready to continue, Miss?" She nodded, ignoring Stefan's hurt and angry look. The Priest gave a small nod and began the service again.

Stunned that she was going through with what he considered a despicable affair, especially with him standing right there, Stefan strode forward to physically deter the union. He'd taken a few steps when one of the 'borrowed' bride's maids' moved to stand in front of him, effectively becoming a large pink and lace blockade. He went to move around her, but she moved with him, her girth making it impossible for him to reach the altar. He glared at the heavy-set girl, but she simply crossed her arms and refused to back down. He craned his neck to peer around the heavy-set girl. "Elena, what are you doing?" he asked. His voice and very stance screamed censure and disgust. "How can you marry him? You know what he is. He'll never change. He'll only hurt you—please, even if you don't want to be with me anymore…don't do this…don't marry Damon," Stefan pleaded.

Damon jaw tightened—he was getting sick and tired of his brother's interference. "Stefan, no one wants to listen to your begging." He waved a hand at Bonnie, still hovering at the back entrance of the chapel. "Go. Run along with witchy-poo over there because no one wants you here," he gritted out between clenched teeth. Stefan started to respond, but Damon cut him off with a sharp slashing of his hand. "Enough—you've made your plea, but Elena isn't running off with you, is she?" Stefan turned to Elena, but she looked away, not meeting his eyes and Damon's lips curled into a cocky grin. "You've lost the girl, bro. Why don't you leave before you embarrass yourself anymore than you already have."

Stefan seemed to deflate, but he tried one last time. "Elena…?" His voice was soft—entreating as he silently begged her to reconsider.

She took a deep breath—it hurt, but she was sure she didn't want to be with him and his conflicted and eternal guilt anymore. She let the breath out with a soft but determined *whoosh*. "Go Stefan. I didn't ask you to follow mea and I don't need you to save me. I'm here because I want to be here." His face fell, but she didn't stop. She needed to say the words that would sadly crush him, but would assuredly make him leave. "I love you, Stefan. I do, but I'm not in love with you. I love Damon. I want to marry him, so please…stop ruining my wedding," she said softly.

You could almost see Damon's chest swell. His blue eyes bored into Stefan's and a brillo-pad couldn't have wiped the arrogant smile off Damon's face at that point. He took Elena's hand and kissed her knuckles possessively. "And that would be your cue to leave, brother," he said with a smirk.

At that point Bonnie came forward and spoke up. "Are you sure this is what you want, Elena?"

Elena's eyes widened. She hadn't known Bonnie was there. "Bonnie, what are you doing here?"

"Trying to save you from making the mistake of your life," the witch replied.

"It's not. I want to marry him."

"Elena, are you sure. A week ago you wouldn't have even considered this. Is he compelling you?"

The minister, his wife and the bride's maids' heads all swiveled back to Elena for her answer. This wedding was quickly turning into a Jerry Springer episode.

Elena shook her head and held up her necklace. "No. I'm here because I want to be,." Bonnie looked stunned as she saw the necklace. Elena held out an entreating hand, "Bonnie, please don't judge me. You're my best friend…can't you just accept my decision and love me no matter what?"

Bonnie sighed—she was weakening and Stefan spoke up again, desperate to head off her resignation. "Elena how can you expect anyone to accept this? He's a monster! Bonnie and I just want you to stop and think about what you're doing."

Elena faced Stefan. "I know what I'm doing," she informed him with a lift of her chin.

Stefan scoffed. "It sure doesn't look that way where I'm standing."

A low growl escaped Damon and Elena laid her hand on his arm, calming him. "Whatever," she said to Stefan. "That doesn't change anything." Her dark brown eyes were soft—misty eyed as she said, "Stefan, I'm sorry if that hurts you, but nothing you say is going to change my mind."

Stefan's jaw dropped. "You fell in love with him in one night?" he exclaimed, stunned. He shook his head. "Elena, as much as I hate you being with him—sex isn't love, you know that."

Elena gasped and flushed, obviously embarrassed. Damon made a move to go after Stefan, but Elena's hand on his arm kept him in place and the minister harrumphed.

Giving Stefan an affronted look, the minister cleared his throat. "I think you're getting a little crass there, young man," he said, shaking his white head at the green eyed vampire."Now," he said sternly, wagging a finger at Stefan, "if you're going to stay—take a seat." He pointed to the pews, "Because I have a wedding to perform and I think it's pretty clear that both the Bride and the Groom have no interest in stopping their wedding because you have a problem with it."

Damon and Elena nodded. Stefan's shoulders slumped. He'd lost. He turned and headed down the aisle. The last thing he wanted to do was stay and watch Elena marry his brother. It made him ill—even chewing on a box of toothpicks sounded more pleasant than seeing Elena pledge herself to Damon.

Bonnie touched his shoulder as he trudged past her. "I'm sorry," she said.

Stefan nodded, huddling in on himself—looking more depressed than ever. "Can we go now?"

Bonnie shook her head. "No, and I'm sorry, but I have to stay. She needs me to be here." Stefan's jaw hung and he visibly flinched, but Bonnie couldn't leave with him. "Stefan you have to understand, she's my best friend…even if I don't agree with what she's doing, I'm not going to abandon her…" and with that Bonnie made her way down the aisle. She gave Elena a smile. "Is the position of Maid of Honor still open?"

Elena's face lit up and she grabbed Bonnie in a huge hug. "Thank you," she whispered.

Bonnie gave Damon a glare, to which he answered with an arrogant smirk. She raised her chin, meeting his eyes challengingly before dismissing him and turning back to Elena. "I'll probably never like him," she said softly, making a face, "but if he's your choice…" She heaved a resigned sigh, "then I'll support you. I love you and there's no way you're getting married without me."

Elena locked arms with Bonnie and tugged her up to the altar. Having her best friend here made everything perfect. Her smile was radiant as she faced the minister again. "Okay, we're ready," she said, letting go of Bonnie's arm so that the dark eyed witch could take her place to Elena's right.

The minister blinked, before he broke into a smile too. He nodded his head at Damon who looked anxious to get the ceremony finished. He cleared his throat and began the ceremony again. "We are here today – before God – because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes – to witness the joining in marriage of Damon and Elena. This occasion marks the celebration of their love and commitment. To which this man and this woman begin their life together. And now – through me – God joins them together in one of the holiest bonds…"

The minister asked them if they had the rings. Elena and Damon nodded. Damon handed Elena a ring and she smiled. She'd already told him—ordered was more like it, that he was definitely wearing a ring.

The minister nodded. "Do you Damon take Elena to be your wife in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"

Damon swallowed hard. He'd never pledged himself so deeply to anyone. But one look into Elena's shimmering chocolate eyes and he melted. A slow smile curved his sensual lips upward. "I do," he said clearly and slipped the beautiful platinum and diamond wedding band on her finger.

Elena beamed as the minister turned to her. "Do you, Elena, take Damon, to be your husband in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"

Elena felt tears well up in her eyes. "I will," she said softly as she took Damon's much larger hand in hers. Her eyes met his and she smiled, remembering how she pretty much ordered him to get a ring for himself too. Her heart was in her eyes and she blinked back tears as she slipped the beautiful gold band on his ring finger. She paused at the possessive feeling that accompanied that simple gesture. Damon was now hers—irrevocably. No one—not even Katherine had a part of him like she did. "I love you," she mouthed.

The minister began to speak again. "With these rings these two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle." He placed Damon's hand over Elena's. "May you always share with each other the gifts of love – be one in heart and in mind – may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts – love – generosity and kindness." His weathered face broke into a smile. "And so, by the power vested in me by the State of Nevada and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife…" He nodded at Damon who was already snaking his arms around Elena's slender waist. "You may now kiss the bride, young man."

Damon didn't hesitate—he practically let out a whoop of satisfaction as he dipped Elena over his arm and laid a kiss on her that had her gripping his shoulders in a white knuckled grip while her pulse skyrocketed and her toes curled.

The laughter of the flower girls finally made Damon let her up to breathe. Elena was flushed and breathing hard. Damon licked his lips. "Mmmm…" He offered her his arm. "Mrs. Salvatore..." he grinned, "I like the sound of that." Before Elena could move he had her in his arms. His eyes were a deep, turbulent blue/green. "You're mine—not even God can tear us apart," he whispered before taking her lips again in a deep, wet kiss.

When he let her go, Elena was trembling and her face was now the shade of a red rose. For the first time Bonnie witnessed the chemistry between Damon and her friend. As much as she wanted to protest the union, she had to admit there was indeed something between them. Something powerful and magnetic enough for Bonnie to feel—it was more than a tad magical. But—despite that admission, Bonnie still thought Elena had made a mistake. It would take a lot and proof of Damon changing to get the witch over to 'Team-Damon'. Bonnie was pretty sure hell would freeze over first!

**Okay guys…I was going to post the Katherine/Damon and Elena scene I have written, but I'm just not happy with it. :( I have to fine-tune it. BUT since I haven't posted on this in so long…and I know you all wanted to see the wedding—I decided to post this as it is now. :) I hope you enjoy it…

Okay, I need to say thank you to Vivian Argeneau, Nikki Exley,mayghaen17, NykkiLeighVampireHeart, BadBoysAreBest and several others' who have inspired musie to write on DElena again. THANK YOU! You all are the best and I missed Damon and Elena—I really did. This is cathartic for me since the show is determined to force all pairings of Paul/Nina and give me NO Ian/Nina scenes. Though I cheered when Damon locked that bitch in the tomb! Yay!

**Okay, enuff of me, now if you'd please let musie know if you loved-hated-or just enjoyed this chappie—it will keep the little beast fat and happy and if musie is happy—I can write! :) :) :) **

Hugs,

Jen