A.N: This story takes place after Ep.14 Fool Me Once (The Tomb episode) I will be referencing a few actualities from the show, but for the most part will be taking my story the way I want it to go. Also, if I get small details wrong about the show (who said what /when things happened etc...) please don't Harp on me. It's only a story based off of shows I've seen once. Cut a girl some slack! It will be Damon/ Elena for sure. I'm not Stephan McBroodypants' biggest fan. Enjoy and I am open for suggestions!

Chapter 1

Amber colored liquid splashed into the bottom of a crystal cut glass, and was observed for a slight second by peircing blue eyes before being quickly swallowed without even a wince. Damon poured himself another shot of scotch and repeated the action, dropping his head into his hand. He was alone in the dark living room of the Salvatore house, the wind blowing through the open windows making the heavy curtains billow slowly. Placing the glass heavily on the end table beside him, he picked up the old portrait of his lover and maker Katherine. Her dark eyes stared at him from the tattered old photo and the slight smile on her face seemed to mock him rather than comfort him as it had before. Anna's words kept echoing through his mind, creating sharp pains like fiberglass shards. Just as you forget that it's there, a new pain comes shooting back to remind you how miserable you are. "Last time I saw her she was in Chicago. It was the 80's. She knew where you were Damon, she didn't care."

A disgusted laugh bubbled up as his grip on the photo tightened. Nearly one hundred and fifty years. Well over a century of bullshit for a bitch that didn't even care where he was. It turns out he was another toy all along. A nice shiny new plaything for a spoiled little girl who loved new toys. And the worst part of that is that once you get a new toy, you gain an old one. And apparently old toys just aren't worth it. As a vampire, he had enjoyed the perks of being able to turn off the emotions that make human life so...complicated. But not with her. He had always kept that part of himself alive, so to speak. She was the one thing that kept him from going completely to 'the dark side' as many people would put it these days. Hell, without her, he hadn't even wanted this life. Even as an undead creature such as a Vampire, re-death was far from impossible. But he kept going. Kept going for her, under the hope and assumption that when he found her they would be together. Forever. Just like the plan had always been.

A knock and the distinctive creak of the front door opening shook him out of his thoughts. A soft voice calling out made the sad smirk on his face disappear. This was so not what he needed right now. Elena was coming closer calling out for Stephan. Taking a deep breath, Damon put on his trademark nonchalant look of arrogance and fun and fancy free. Crossing the room quickly, he stepped out into the receiving hallway, stopping right in front of the girl. Elena gasped in fear and stepped back a few paces before she recognized the amused glint and self satisfied smile cross the dark face of the older brother Salvatore. With a frustrated exhale, she punched Damon in the shoulder. "Don't do that Damon! I like my heart to keep beating and when you do that...that fast freaky moving vampire thing it really doesn't help!"

"And hello to you too, Elena," he replied with a handsome smile. "And to what do I owe this late night visit?" Suddenly his eyes widened then narrowed as he leaned into her staring directly into her eyes before whispering in her ear. "Is this a booty call? Because I don't think Stephan..." Elena cut him off with another punch to his shoulder.

"You are revolting. Where is Stephan?"

"Ah yes. Speaking of revolting. He's out scavenging the forest floor for furry things that scurry. Shouldn't that make you sad? Because you've totally got that whole Snow White thing down pact, let me tell you."

Elena rolled her eyes and pushed past Damon, walking into the living room. "Well then it looks like I'm going to have to sacrifice a few of my forest friends because I'm actually here at the moment to talk to yo-..." Her sentance was cut off when she saw Katherine's portrait on the table next to a snifter of scotch with a glass poured at the ready. "Damon..." she breathed out sympathetically.

A low quiet growl of frustration erupted from his throat as he quickly thought of a way to hide his personal moment of weakness. Tucking his hands into his back pockets, Damon sauntered into the room after Elena, coming upon the side table and picking up the glass. "You are so right Elena, how rude of me. Would you like a drink?"

"No, Damon I would not...Listen, I really think we should talk about this..."

"Talk about what? You said you don't want a drink, but personally I think you'd be much more fun if you had one. I seem to recall a whole other side to you in Georgia that's just dying to come out again." He sent this quip with a sly smile that had worked on getting females to drop subjects in the past. Honestly, he really didn't want to deal with 'Katherine 2.0: Mother Theresa edition' right now. His smile faded as she picked up the portrait and studied it.

"Look, I know you loved her. Very much. And I know that a lot of what you've done with your life has been to bring her back. But Damon, you heard Anna. She's not the same person she was. And I'm not sure that the person she was, was someone you deserved..."

Damon's face remained stone cold, but his fingers tightened oh so slightly on his glass. "Elena..." he warned, but she ignored him. "No, I'm worried about you. I realize I didn't know her and other than my looks I have absolutely no tie to her at all but the way you've been acting worries me. I just...I just want you to know that I am here for you, and if you ever want to talk, I will listen."

Damon stared coldly into her eyes for a few moments before setting the now empty glass back down. Walking up to her, he stopped only a foot away before snatching the photo out of her hands and tossing it on the ground. "You know what? You're right Elena. You didn't know her. You don't know her. You don't know the whole damn situation! So I find it very bold of you that you think you can stride in here and think that you can play vampire therapist. As to my behavior that you and your boyfriend think is so self-destructive, that's just me Doll. I drink, I party, I take sexual advantage of girls who pass my very in depth appearance criteria, and most importantly, I feed quite indiscriminately on humans..."

At this point Damon had backed an increasingly frightened Elena against a wall, bracing his hands on either side of her head, caging her in. "And I haven't been given a reason to do all that until now. So, what should worry you is how long it's going to take me to become even worse than I am now. Because Snow White, I am not the knight in shining armor of this story. That's why you have the ever gallant Stephan. So you can stop the cheerleader pep talks and leave me to the devices I chose long before you came along. Do. You. Understand?" His face was now an inch away from hers, and he could hear her erratic heartbeat caused by a strong cocktail of fear, and close proximity of their situation. Sure she may be dating his brother, but he'd yet to see a female who could completely resist him. With the exception of some lesbians in the 90's who were very, very secure in their sexuality.

He watched as Elena's mouth opened just slightly and her tongue peeked out to moisten her bottom lip. Then, her chin lifted ever so slightly and her mouth formed a single word. "No." Damon's eyes narrowed and he cocked his head. "I beg your pardon?"

Elena stared him straight in the eye and repeated herself. "No. I don't believe you are that person. Well...I do, I've seen it. However I've also seen something else in you. Something good, Damon, and even if it's only been for fleeting seconds at a time I know I've seen it! I won't give up on that, I won't. So don't you play this game with me, I'm not some dumb trollop." She continued to stare him down, neither one of their expressions changing. Elena became increasingly aware of how close his face was to hers and felt the heat rushing to her face. Being aware of it only made her blush deepens, and it took every ounce of willpower she had not to break her gaze.

Damon noticed however, and another one of his trademark smirks crossed his dark features. He lifted a hand to tap her cheek lightly. "Red. One of my favorite colors. It looks good on you." Elena opened her mouth to reply but couldn't find any words. Damon too, remained strangely quiet as he moved his mouth fractions closer to hers.

Suddenly, they heard the door open, breaking them both out of their mini trance. Elena eyes widened and for the first time tried to escape the Damon cage that she had been backed into. Damon however placed both hands on her shoulders, holding her effectively in place. "I wouldn't try this again, Elena. Consider it a warning." With that, he was gone speeding out of the living room to appear at Stephan's side. "Hello brother. Your girlfriends here. I've been keeping her company, You're welcome." He said with a wink before bounding up the stairs. Stephan shot him a look before turning into the living room to find Elena with a slightly out of place look on her face. "Hey," he said, walking up to her and taking her hand. "You ok?" She looked into his comforting eyes and smiled softly. "Yeah. I think so."

---Short, but sets the tone! Seconds should be up soon! (ish!) Also, thanks to kind reviewer Bellarase for bringing the format to my attention! Its much better now.