Title: Pandora's Gateway

Summary: AU, OOC. Damon is the captain and only crew member his own ship. To still his hunger and his more carnal desires on his journey home through a black hole, he is in need of a female human pet. Will Elena be the right woman for the job? Strong M rating for later chapters and a possibly very dark Damon, d/s, v/h. Not suited for minors.

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This is what happens when the dark vampire of my dreams gets stuck in my geeky sub conscience. In this story Damon and Elena are out of character (OOC), residing in an alternate universe (AU) which has heavily inspired by some of my all time favorite shows and movies, such as Firefly, Star Trek and, Indiana Jones. I threw into the mix my passion for the dark fan fiction of the Twilight world and out came this little tease. I hope you like it.

This is not beta-ed, so all mistakes are mine. Interested in the job by any chance?

Disclaimer: all characters belong to the Vampire Diaries TV series.

++++Stay put for the pilot episode of Pandora's Gateway++++

Damon Salvatore was exhausted. Most people didn't realize how much work driving a hard bargain really is, but after successfully finalizing his business deals on Serendipity 5, a quite industrious albeit untamed settlement on the outer ring, all Damon wanted to do was quickly get into his space ship and head for home.

The only thing still holding him on this rambunctious planet was that he needed a companion to make it through the 2 weeks he would be stuck on his trustworthy old ship, the Katherine, with nothing but time to kill while it traveled through the Pandora gateway.

He could have just picked up a cute hitchhiker wanting to get a free ride to the other end of the galaxy like he usually did. But after these last strenuous negotiations he decided he had earned himself a little treat. He didn't feel like playing nice or compelling his travel companion to let him feed on her. No, this time he felt like taking what he wanted, no questions asked, no apologies necessary. Damon and the vampire in him were going to have a party, vampire style, with lots of blood and sex and a dash of pain.

And exactly for these reasons, he had put up a sign in front of his ship - Human female pet wanted for feeding. Destination: Alpha Centauri. Damon pulled up a chair next to it, and waited for a suitable passersby walking the docks to take the job.

So far only two humans had stopped to ask. The first, though pretty to look at, was a bit too eager for his taste and the second was a young guy who was looking for an adventure. One had to admit he was handsome, but Damon didn't swing that way, so he didn't loose any time sending him off to try his luck on the next ship.

The captain had just found a comfortable position on the rickety old folding chair and pulled his hat over his face, when he heard the clickety-clack of a light-weight person in boots, probably female, rapidly approaching him.

Before he could slide back his hat and take a look at the person in front of him, he heard a determined female voice tell him,

"I'll take the job, if we leave immediately".

When he tipped back his hat, he was met by doe-like deep brown eyes staring at him. Taking in the rest of the petite young woman with the long brown hair in front of him, the grin on Damon's face became wider.

Never one to question fate, he didn't think twice before answering in his best seductive voice,

"For once, your wish is my command, milady." With that said, Captain Salvatore picked up her delicate hand and kissed it. His gaze never once left her eyes.

++++We interrupt this program for a short commercial break. We'll be back after a message from our sponsor++++

I hope you liked my AU. I had the idea while watching Firefly once again. I loved that whole wild west meets outer space adventure with a touch of Indiana Jones' action and humor. I think Elena and Damon will thrive in that setting. What do you think? I admit to seeing Damon's first encounter with Elena at the boarding house repeatedly play out before by inner eye while writing that last line. It's one of my absolute favorite scenes of the show.