Author's note: I've been gone for so long. I realised that when i started writing this, TVD was still in it's first season and right now it is about to begin on it's 4th season! I've been close to never updating this, but every now and then, i receive very awesome reviews from my wonderful readers, and it simply spurs me to get back to the writing desk. Granted this chapter is definitely not one of my best, but it should lead to hopefully, good advances for my future chapter. Once again to all who have left reviews, thank you very much for those words of encouragement. You guys are simply the best

Important note: Once again reminder, this fic is AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Vampire Diaries.

Elena was sitting at her kitchen table, enjoying a hearty lunch that Damon had prepared as she explained her situation and story so far to Alaric.

Alaric of course had been intrigued by the recent happenings but even more mystified at Elena's ability to communicate and live with the vampire harmoniously under the same roof. He had his doubts when Elena proclaimed earlier over the phone that everything was going pretty well but seeing it with his own eyes had proven difficult because it was simply true.

As he twirled his fork around the last of his pasta, he hated to admit this, but the vampire was one hell of a chef.

'But you know that this doesn't change anything right?' Alaric asked as he took a sip of table wine.

'I guess not, but at least you don't have to worry for me, or him any time soon,' Elena replied as she stood to clear her dishes.

Alaric, ever the gentleman, was quick to stand too as he offered to help, 'Like I care much about him. Listen Elena, vampires are evil, and if you make a mistake of trusting them, you might just end up losing everything you ever care for.'

Settling the plates into the sink, Elena queried, 'Sounds like you had some history with vampires. What exactly happened?'

Alaric's grip tightened around the plate he was holding as he shared his story 'Vampires happened. Someone had to stop them, so I made it a lifelong profession. It's a lonely journey but someone's got to do it. I was lucky enough to have a wife who stood by my decisions and your father, who had been a nothing short of a great companion.'

Leaning against the table, the dishes temporarily forgotten, Elena listened intently as Alaric continued.

'And then one day I did it. I killed a vampire responsible for creating all the others.'

'Do you mean..'

'Yes,' Alaric interjected. 'I staked Damon's vampire brother, Stefan Salvatore.'

Frowning a little, Elena pointed out something that puzzled her, 'But I thought only The Originals can create newborn vampires?'

Alaric shook his head at Elena's question as he said, 'A vampire can be made as long as a human dies with vampire blood in their systems and feeds on fresh human blood upon transitioning. But newborns created by The Original are special. They are much stronger and more powerful than your average vampire and generally are the ones to blame for creating many other lesser-vamps.'

'I should tell you now that the Salvatores have had a long history of violence. I cannot trace their maker, but there is evidence linking them to a number of unsolved murders throughout Europe and America in the early 1800s. There is no Jack the Ripper, I'll tell you that.'

'How can you be so sure?'

'I have my resources.'

'But-'

Frustrated, Alaric slammed his fist down against the table.

'Why are you defending him? He's a vampire. He's no longer human, so he doesn't feel like you and I. If he did, he would not have tortured and killed so many people, and my wife would still be alive, and maybe your father would too!'

'You know Ric, it's not very nice to accuse someone of something they did not do. Also, technically, I did not kill all those women in London back in 18 century. Some? Yes. But all? Why you think too highly of me. ' Damon appeared suddenly by Elena's side, hand ghosting over her shoulders as he pulled her into his protective embrace and faced the vampire hunter with a cocky grin.

Pulling Damon's hands aside, Elena chided, ' Damon! Be nice now. And answer me truthfully. Did you kill … did you kill my father?'

'The truth? No. I did not.' Breathing a little easier right now, Elena released a sigh of relief as she turned to Alaric with a knowing look.

'He's lying! Don't forget how manipulative vampires can be.'

'And don't forget that he can never lie, especially not to my face.'

'Well you can't take what a book says too seriously.' Alaric retorted, referring to the source he had shared with Elena just a few weeks ago. 'For all it's worth, it might just be another loop hole within the contract that you don't know about.'

'Look, there's no need to, I saw it with my own eyes the other day at the theme park.' Elena could almost see that day playing out in her mind all over again. 'And I assure you, it's not something Damon would want to repeat again. It's just.. too painful.'

'Hey I'm not asking you to put him in pain,' Alaric said, a hand thoughtfully resting against his chin, ' I just need to see it with my own eyes that he's completely compliant with everything you say.'

'Do you mean…'

'Yes, I think you know exactly what I mean.'

Damon was scowling now but somehow, this just brought a smile to Alaric's face. Oh he was definitely enjoying this. 'Just tell him not to move and I'll take it from there.'

Elena was nervous at the idea, but then again, Alaric was someone whose trust she really needed, and he was only going to help her, if he can be assured that she has absolute control over the vampire. 'Will you help me if I do this?'

'Yes. And I promise I won't kill your vampire if it worries you so much. I might hate him, but even then, I respect that it's not my business to interfere with your affairs unless you ask me to. Is that clear enough?'

Placing both hands together, Elena breathed sharply as tried to ignore the low growls that the vampire had directed towards Alaric. 'Damon, please, just stay where you are and don't move.'

For a moment, Elena could see just how angry the vampire was and she knew he had every right to. Not only had she exposed his weakness, but also left him completely defenceless against the vampire hunter. And for a spilt second Elena felt a pang of sadness and she knew that her actions had hurt Damon, even though she didn't know how, she was definitely feeling what he had felt. But it disappeared so very quickly, like a fleeting emotion and Elena focused back on the scene as Alaric stood up this time and strode confidently towards the immobilized vampire.

Staying absolutely still in his seat, Damon glared menacingly at Alaric as his sharp eyes surveyed every move the hunter made. It was incredibly ironic how the situation had just turned and Damon did not appreciate being on the receiving end. Glowering darkly, he growled as Alaric whipped out a shiny dagger from beneath his jacket and brought it close to his chest.

Damon could hear Elena's soft gasp but he held his ground as he stared intently into Alaric's eyes, daring him to drive it through his heart. 'You can stake me with that, but you of all people should know that it won't kill me.'

Looking back with a reassuring smile at Elena, Alaric affirmed, ' No it won't kill you. But I know it will hurt you.'

'Then do it already, or else, I'm calling your bluff,' Damon taunted.

Frowning slightly, Alaric seemed to ponder the vampire's words and then without warning, stabbed the vampire in the shoulder.

Damon hissed sharply at the pain and his eyes glistened a dangerous red as he snapped, 'Son of a bitch!' But otherwise, the vampire remained where he was, as if truly bounded by magic to the chair. 'I am so ripping your heart out when I leave this chair!'

'Alaric, that's enough. You can see that the blood contract works, so you need to leave now before I release him if you intend to walk away alive,' Elena said. This entire thing just felt stupid, Alaric had just used her to inflict some injury and damage on Damon. It could possibly jeopardise everything that has just happened and while she wanted to quickly release Damon from his 'invisible prison' to show that she wanted no part of it any longer, that might endanger Alaric's life for she knew Damon would kill him the moment the opportunity came.

Raising his hand in defence, Alaric slowly backed out the hallway, saying, 'Well I get it now, so I'm just going to leave...' And then stopping suddenly, he said, 'I'm sorry for this Elena.'

'Well you should be.' Elena remarked. She looked back at Damon, trying to tell him just how sorry she was with her eyes, but the vampire was still seething as he stared coldly back at her.

And everything happened so fast.

One moment she was just standing there, turning her face to Alaric, and that's when she caught sight of the gleaming knife flying straight towards her. Her brain could hardly register what was going on before she felt herself being whisked off her feet and her body flying across the room. When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on her back, and as she struggled to her knees, she caught a fleeting look of guilt flashing quickly across Alaric's face. 'Did you just throw that knife at me?!' Elena realised aloud.

A strangled cough alerted her senses as realisation dawned upon her. Alaric had been testing Damon!

Quickly, Elena brought herself close to Damon. The vampire was looking worse off than he did back when it happened at the amusement park. His skin was deathly pale and his eyes were entirely consumed by a deathly shade of red. Elena knew that he was suffering for disobeying her 'order' but Elena had the feeling that the pain was even more intense this time as Damon writhed and struggled along the floor, his cries strangled and yet loud.

Gathering Damon by his shoulders, Elena ignored the huge amounts of blood that was spewing out of his mouth and said firmly, 'It's ok. You are free to move now. Please be ok.'

But Elena's heart sunk a little as her words seem to hold little effect as Damon's breath only became more erratic and though he made no sound now, his body was wrecked with strong convulsions as wave after wave of endless pain travelled through every fibre and inch of his veins.

'Why is it not stopping?

'Alaric, you made this mess. Now help me make it better. Please!' Elena begged as she felt the tears slowly gathering in her eyes.

Seeing his enemy in such pain should have brought much comfort, but somehow, Alaric didn't feel any better. In fact, it felt a little cheap that he had used such underhand means to get over something as trifle as a wounded pride. Things were not going to get any easier for either of them, and perhaps now was the time to break it to Elena.

'The pain is his punishment for disobeying your words. Given that he had already done it once, it will only get worse every time he does it again. It's a form of control, meant to break even the most difficult and disobedient vampire into submission.'

'You knew that and you threw that knife at me, knowing that he would save me, and knowing fully well that he will suffer the consequence of doing what's right?'

'I just had to. It was the only way to know if you had full control.'

'Just tell me how I can help him.' It was no longer a question, but a command.

'You can't. Not until he admits his mistake and asks for your forgiveness.'

Of course it had to be that. What can be worse than wounding the pride of a strong, powerful vampire by getting them to grovel for their master's forgiveness? It was just sick. Damon's intentions on saving her had been greatly noble. He could have called Alaric's bluff and not saved her but he had taken the risk and once again gone against her words to put her out of harm's way when she was the one who started all the trouble from the very beginning. And now she could do nothing to alleviate his pain unless he admits to a mistake that wasn't his fault.

Bringing her hands to cup Damon's face, she was slightly startled when he gripped her very suddenly by both her arms and pulled himself close to her.

Despite his pain, Damon carefully buried his face within the crook of her neck as he started to lick her ever so tenderly along the skin. As odd as the behaviour appeared, Elena guessed that it was Damon's only way of showing submission by appeasing her. His tongue began its slow but teasing process upwards towards her jaw and Elena took it as a cue to kiss him fully upon his lips, not caring that Damon was getting blood all over her neck and chin.

Rolling her tongue over his, Elena could taste the blood all over her mouth and she felt herself enter a state of frenzy as the coppery liquid slid down her throat. Damon was surprisingly more docile this time, allowing her full access to nip and suck upon his lips and tongue as she roamed her hands over his hair and shirt. If this was Damon's way of apologising, she could definitely handle it more frequently Elena thought as a low moan escaped her lips at how sweet everything tasted.

'ahem.. you know, I think that's enough forgiveness for one session…' Alaric's voice drifted just as Damon pulled himself away from Elena, his painful spasms now completely gone, replaced with a murderous glare as he took a slow step towards the vampire hunter.

Feeling a little delirious from the blood, Elena supported her weight against the very floor she was kneeling on as she giggled to Alaric, 'I think you better go because.. I think he really wants to kill you.'

Backing away quickly, Alaric made a hasty retreat and was relieved when he heard Elena saying, 'Damon, no.' As he made his way to his car and gunned the engine, he could only hope that Elena had not taken too much blood. While blood sharing was good and all for the keeper of the blood contract, vampire blood would always have its side effects. That being that she might lose some of her humanity, or worse, turn into a vampire should she die with vamp blood inside her system. At least he would be ready and well informed should anything happen.

Back at the house, Damon was upset.

Elena knew because she could feel it. Taking Damon's blood just seemed to enhance everything. The first time she took it she hadn't felt much, although she did feel physically stronger. Now it was as if she had a tiny connection to the vampire, like a window to his emotions, some of it that is.

Damon said nothing but instead sat solemnly upon the sofa, ignoring her as he tended to the wound that Alaric had inflicted earlier onto his shoulder. It did not seem to be healing fast enough and Elena suspected that his injuries earlier had been very severe, considering all the blood loss.

'Damon, are you alright?' Elena managed to ask meekly.

Glaring back, Damon replied angrily, 'That's funny, considering the fact that I nearly died, again, because of your mistake, I think I'm doing pretty good. If you had wanted my blood, you could have just asked. I do not appreciate grovelling before you and I certainly do not like puking my guts out in exchange for saving your life.'

'Wait, you think I ganged up with Alaric to do all these just to get your blood? Is that how you see me? As someone who would stoop that low?' huffed Elena. Perhaps it was the vampire blood in her system talking, but she had never been this defensive about anything. Why should she care how Damon perceived her?

'Then stop it. Stop giving me orders. Stop telling me to do things that you know I can't do because it inflicts more pain than you can ever imagine and then you get your pity eyes out and I don't need to see that. So stop!'

Silence filled the room once more before Elena finally admits, 'You're right Damon. It's my fault that you had to suffer because of me and I'm sorry. And I promise I won't make any more innocent order-like statements. But I'm still going to stay firm on my orders for you to not kill anyone.'

'So I'm going to make it up to you.' Damon's ears seemed to perk up at that, but he kept his calm as he pretended to sound disinterested.

'I understand that you haven't been drinking much human blood since I forbade it. So, I'm going to make an exception this time. You can get your daily dose of human blood, provided nobody gets killed, and that you leave all my friends out of your feeding habits. Is that clear?'

Damon considered the offer. 'So the post man is fine?'

Elena stumbled there for a moment, she could sense Damon's excitement despite his cold attitude, 'Well, I guess he's not someone I'm exactly friends with… you know what, I'm not going to sit here and listen to your intended targets – '

'Relax, I was just kidding, lighten up a bit will you anal Annie, I won't kill anyone' replied Damon as he headed towards the door, jacket in tow.

'So if you didn't kill all those women, who did?' Elena asked, in reference to what Alaric had just revealed earlier. 'Did you enjoy doing all those things back in 18 century?'

Without turning around, Damon replied, 'My brother has very little self-control over his urges, which was something our maker enjoyed toying with. Plus whenever we hunted or kill together, it made the chase so much more… Fun. We learned many things from Katherine, but not everything was enjoyable. '

Sensing the dark tone, Elena pressed on, 'Katherine? Was she your maker?'

'Listen to me, the less you know about her, the safer you are.' And with that, Damon disappeared through the front gate, leaving Elena alone with her own thoughts.

A/N: Do leave a review. I adore all your comments, and it will encourage me to post more!