Title: I FEEL YOUR PAIN
Characters: Damon, Alaric, Stefan, Elijah, Elena, Jeremy, Bonnie, Caroline, Liz, OC1, OC2, Kol
Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Family, Friendship, Romance

Summary: Set around 4x02. Damon is saying his goodbye to Alaric's grave, unaware that three pairs of ears are listening. Stefan can feel Damon's pain and he is afraid of losing him. Will he be able to save his brother with the help of a few friends? And can they bring a certain someone back to the living?

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Vampire Diaries, but I do own my two OC; Marie and Annette

AN/ Enjoy this chapter, my darling readers. Alaric is alive and he will soon see his soulmate.

Chapter 12

It was dark and it was cold. He couldn't feel anything, like he didn't even exist. He didn't know how long he was there...time was irrelevant where he was. He felt scared, hopeful, longing, love. Scared the witches wouldn't make it, hopeful they would. Longing to be alive again. Love he felt for his soulmate. He couldn't wait to see him again, touch him again. Kiss him again.

Suddenly, he felt warmth filling him whole. The bond he always felt, the bond that was never broken, not even when he died, started to be stronger. He felt the pull and went after it. He felt he was getting stronger, felt he wasn't anymore in limbo, a place between life and death. Happiness surged through him. The witches did it. Now he only had to wake up.

The first breath he took was a hard one and he groaned. He could hear voices, voices he recognized, in some room, not far from where he was. Listening closer, focusing his hearing better on the noises, he could hear the clutter of silverware, and he knew that they were in the kitchen. Then he opened his eyes, fluttering his heavy eyelids. The light around him was too bright and he closed his eyes, then after a moment opened them again. His fingers moved and he smiled. He was alive again. Now it was better. He got used to it in a very short time and he sat up then looked around.

His smile went wider seeing the people that were his friends, people that, in his heart, were a family.

''Alaric!'' Stefan smiled warmly.

''Hi guys.'' Alaric smiled, looking around, then before he knew what he was doing, he jumped out of the coffin he was in and stood confused in front of them. ''Hmmm, better get used to this speed thing.'' He mumbled underneath his breath.'' Hearing amused chuckles around him, he cracked a smile.

''Well, you are a vampire now.'' Elijah smirked.

''It is so good to see you guys, you have no idea.'' Alaric said.

''It is good to see you too, Alaric. Alive again.'' Caroline said, then grinned. ''Well, alive-ish. Not a Sleeping Zombie anymore.'' She added, and Alaric rolled his eyes.

''I will never live that down, will I?'' Alaric asked, shaking his head. ''It is good to finally feel my own body. Being a ghost was sort of fun, but...''

''You got any tips about lottery numbers?'' Kol asked, and everyone looked at him in bewilderment. ''What? Being rich is a good thing in this time.'' He joked.

''Get a job then.'' Elijah scoffed at his youngest sibling.

''Nah, I have other plans.'' Kol grinned.

''Which are?'' Elijah asked, almost afraid to find out.

''You'll see.'' Was all that Kol said, and Alaric bit back a chuckle because he knew what the young vampire would do.

''How are you feeling?'' Elena asked, walking toward her, she still hoped, guardian, and gave him a warm hug.

Alaric thought about it before answering. ''Happy, serene, confused.''

''Not hungry?'' Caroline asked remembering her first time when she woke up as a vampire.

''Surprisingly no. At least not until you brought it up.''

''Ups.'' Caroline blushed.

''Ummm, not wanting to look ungrateful or anything else, but...'' Alaric started, squirming, not wanting to hurt their feelings, but what he really wanted right now, who he really needed was Damon.

''You want to see Damon.'' Stefan summarized, with a smile dancing on his lips.

''I will go get him.'' Elijah smiled as well. ''Need to put the compulsion down too.''

IFYP

Elijah walked down the basement, and for the first time, he felt happiness. They did it. He did something good for someone else. For the first time since Esther, his mother, died, leaving behind harsh words that he deserved to die, that no matter how noble he acted, he was still a bloodthirsty and selfish vampire. He didn't feel like that anymore. Because he helped. He felt he belonged here, within this strong group. It felt like home.

He was finally at home.

Elijah entered the cell where Damon was lying on the bed and looked at the young vampire whose eyes went wide seeing him.

''What do you want?'' Damon scowled at Elijah.

''You are free of my compulsion.'' Elijah answered. ''Take a shower and join us in the den.''

''So, you finally decided to let me out.'' Damon mocked. ''Took you long enough.''

''It was for your own good, Damon.'' Elijah said simply then left, leaving the door open.

Damon stood up and went upstairs toward his room, taking the albums with him. He really did need a shower, after being locked up for days. Taking clean clothes from his closet, he walked into his adjoined bathroom, took off his clothes and stood underneath the warm water. A few minutes later, freshly dressed, he contemplated about going down or not. He wasn't in the mood for company, to be honest, and he laid down on his bed, hoping that they would take the hint and leave him alone. As soon as they all leave, he would pack his things and leave Mystic Falls again, but this time, he wouldn't let anyone bring him back.

Down in the den, they all waited for Damon, especially Alaric, who couldn't wait to touch and kiss the vampire he loved with all his heart. However, after standing there in silence for almost half an hour, they finally realized that perhaps the stubborn vampire was not coming down any time soon.

''Let me get him.'' Alaric sighed, and vamp speeded upstairs.

Alaric opened the door of Damon's room and looked at the vampire on the bed, then leaned against the doorframe. ''You do realize people downstairs are waiting for you?'' He asked casually.

''Great, now I'm hallucinating.'' Damon mumbled, seeing Alaric.

''You think I'm a figment of your imagination? I'm flattered.'' Alaric smirked.

''What else could you be? You died. In my arms. After giving up on us.'' Damon scowled. ''Great, now I'm talking to a hallucination.''

''Damon, you know why I decided not to go through the transition the first time.'' Alaric said, hurt by Damon's words. ''The evil part that Esther awoke was too strong and I was afraid I would hurt you.''

''Yeah, yeah. Heard it all before. It doesn't change the fact you gave up.'' Damon argued stubbornly. ''Don't worry, you'll see me soon.'' He added, fumbling with his daylight ring that Stefan put on his finger when they brought him back. ''Now, why don't you ghost away.'' He said, closing his eyes. It was hard seeing the love of his life, and he felt tears in his eyes.

''If you think I'm a ghost, where is the pain you've been feeling since I died?'' Alaric asked, then left.

Damon's eyes opened hearing the question but he couldn't see Alaric anymore, but what was even worse, he could no longer feel the pain.

''Stefan!'' He screamed, anger washing over him and he vamp sped downstairs.

IFYP

''You know, I'm beginning to be very fond of this super speed.'' Alaric commented when he came downstairs, and everyone rolled their eyes. ''He will be here in a moment. And just a heads up, he will be pissed.'' He added.

Before anyone could ask why, they heard Damon's scream, and a moment later, a very angry older Salvatore rushed and pinned Stefan against the wall.

''Damon!'' Everyone yelled at him in shock, but he paid them no mind.

''What the hell did you and that witch do?'' Damon hissed.

''Get off me and calm down.'' Stefan said, wiggling himself out of his hard grip, but Damon didn't budge.

''I trusted you.'' Damon hissed, anger sipping through him. ''I trusted you and that witch. Should've known better.''

''The name is Annette.'' A calm voice said behind him and he turned around, narrowing his eyes at the blonde witch.

'Well, at least he released Stefan.' Everyone thought, too shocked to move.

''I don't care what your name is.'' Damon spat. ''What I want is for you to return what you took and leave me the hell alone!'' The last part was almost a yell.

''You want the pain back? Are you some kind of a masochist?'' Another blonde woman asked, and Damon looked at her.

In an instant, he could see the similarities between Annette and this woman. She was younger than the witch who took his pain away, but they were definitively sisters.

''Marie.'' The woman introduced herself with a smile. ''Annette's sister, as you already guessed. And a witch.'' She pointed out and Damon just huffed, not interested.

Damon looked around. Everyone, the whole group, plus Elijah and another young vampire he didn't recognize, was there. When his eyes landed on the man he loved, standing by the window, he blinked and his eyes filled with tears, but he forcefully pushed them away. There was only one reason why they were all here, why he was locked down in the basement cell. This was an intervention. Stefan must've called for help after receiving his daylight ring. Anger and betrayal washed through him and he felt he was drowning in those feelings that overwhelmed him. He barely heard the small gasp coming from Stefan when he felt it too.

Thanks to their bond, Alaric felt it as well, and he winced at how strong the anger was. He knew, or at least, suspected Damon would be difficult accepting what was right in front of him, and he prayed everything would be alright. But then again, this was Damon after all. He shook his head, seeing Elijah giving him a strange look, his perfectly shaped eyebrow slightly arisen.

"What is this, brother?'' Damon spat, venom clear in his tone. ''An intervention of some sorts?''

''Damon. Let me explain...'' Stefan tried, but Damon cut him off.

''No need, brother. I see what's going on. You had one of your goody-two-shoes epiphany and felt the need to save me again. Guess what? I don't need or want to be saved. I'm done! You hear me? Done!...''

''DAMON!'' Alaric yelled, stopping the blue-eyed vampire before he said something he would most definitively regret.

Damon stopped, hearing the familiar voice that send warm feelings through his whole body, like it always did. Slowly turning around, he looked at the man he loved with his whole heart. But, he didn't say a word. He couldn't. Because if the rest of the gathered crowd realized that he was seeing things, that wouldn't look good. They thought the worst anyway, why add insane to the list?

Just looking at this figment of imagination of his calmed him down. Visibly. His shoulders relaxed, he no longer had his fists clenched, his eyes were calm, like nothing had happened only a minute ago. But, he was just seeing things his heart wanted to see. And he just stood there.

''I'm not a figment of your imagination, Damon. I'm really here.'' Alaric said gently, but he didn't move from his spot.

Being Damon's soulmate, and knowing the vampire better than the vampire himself knew, he was well aware what went on in that stubborn mind of his. He refused to believe. Refused to believe he was alive and standing in front of him.

''It is true. We brought Alaric back for you.'' Stefan said gently, and Damon returned his eyes back on him. ''When you send me your daylight ring...I know you felt it...I almost lost it. Then Bonnie and Jeremy came saying that they've found the way to bring Alaric from the dead.'' He started to explain, then hurried, seeing a doubtful look on his brother's face. ''Anyway, the spell required the blood of a strong and old vampire. I thought of Elijah. When he came, he told us it was the wrong spell, then called Marie and Annette. Yesterday, the three of them did the spell. I didn't betray you, Damon. You still have my trust.''

Damon listened to his brother, taking the words and the emotions sinking in. He was tempted to believe. Tempted so badly...but... A humorless laugh escaped his lips, surprising everyone who moved away, giving the brothers and Alaric some time without interruptions.

He almost believed his brother. Almost.

''You honestly believe I will fall for that? That I'm that stupid?'' Damon asked, narrowing his eyes at Stefan. ''First of all, there is no way a witch could bring someone back from the dead, not after so many days passed. Second, there is not a single witch that would help me, Damon Salvatore. Witches don't like me and I don't trust them. Third, an Original helping me? Or Alaric? Bringing back the person that could end them?''

''How can you still deny what is in front of you?'' Stefan asked exasperated. ''Why else would they be here, huh, brother? Don't you see Alaric with your own eyes?''

No. This couldn't be true. Nothing good ever happened to Damon Salvatore. And if it, by some miracle did, like Alaric coming and changing his life, it vanished very quickly. Reminding him he was doomed. That he was not worthy of being happy. Stefan's last words registered. Stefan could also see Alaric. So...that meant he wasn't loosing his mind... Slowly, very slowly, his eyes returned to the man he loved. Then he looked around. Everyone in the room had the same expression.

''It is the truth? You can see him?''Damon choked, pointing at Alaric.

''Yes, Damon.'' Elijah answered. ''Everything what Stefan told you just now is the truth. Alaric is alive again. The spell Esther did on him died when he died. He is no threat.'' He explained.

Damon heard the sincerity in Elijah's voice and gave him a short nod. Walking toward Alaric, he looked at him closely. The person in front of him was the man he loved, but he still refused to believe. Hearing no heartbeat, even though he knew Alaric died as a vampire, was what set his anger once again. He was always skeptical, questioning everything and everyone, and his mind refused to believe. He was burned too many times.

This was some kind of trap. Stefan wanted him alive, and Damon was positive his brother would do anything to ensure he lived. Especially after he told him, repeatedly, that all he wanted was to die and join Alaric on the other side. So, there was no way that this Alaric person was his Ric. Angry with his brother for trying to fool him, angry with everyone who was there, but mostly, angry with himself for believing, just for a second, that miracles could happen, that Ric was alive, he once again felt the strong feeling consume him. And he let it. He let the anger out.

Because there was no way that anyone here would do something for him. He also knew that his secret was out. Stefan told them about him and Ric, and part of him felt betrayed by that. That was his personal life. He didn't need anyone to feel sorry for him, because Ric was dead, and the only thing he wanted was the pain back. He needed the pain back. He needed the remainder that their love was real. He needed the remainder that he had failed him... Speaking of...

''You...'' Damon flashed and stood in front of Annette, the veins visible on his face as he vamped out. ''...are going to return what you took away from me, do I make myself clear? If you don't I will kill you, painfully.'' At her raised eyebrow, he continued in a deadly tone of voice. ''I don't care that you are older and stronger than me, that you are a witch. You will return the pain back.''

He noticed the way Elijah stood protectively beside the blonde witch, but he didn't care. For as he was concerned, he would let the Original vampire kill him. He had nothing to lose.

''Damon...'' Stefan tried, but as soon as he spoke, all Damon's anger turned toward him.

''Don't you Damon me, Stefan!'' Damon hissed, barely holding himself together. ''I give you the points for how deceiving you are. For one second I believed that what you said was the truth. That Ric is here and alive. Ric is dead, and this...this imposter is not him! You failed. Now, I'm going out and will join him!'' He almost screamed the last part, taking his daylight ring off his finger, throwing it in Stefan's direction and walked away, toward the front door.

''If I'm an imposter...'' Alaric said silently, stopping the vampire. ''..how come I know everything?''

''Well, they could've told you.'' Damon snarled.

''Really?'' Alaric suddenly smirked, confusing the blue-eyed vampire. ''Even our private things?''

''Like?'' Damon asked, and he could feel something like hope rising in him.

''The first time we kissed was in a jail cell, which, I'm positive, you had something to do with. Remember, Damon? After I beat you up and you said thank you for saving your life the night when you and Elena asked for help to save Stefan. That was also the night we slept together. The first time I let you feed me your blood was when we were in search of Stefan. If I'm an impostor how come I know everything about you? How come I know everything you've been through? How come I know that, huh, Firefly?'' Alaric asked gently, saying the nickname Damon's mother used to say to him.

He knew it would be hard to convince the, usually suspicious vampire he was alive, but he didn't know it would be this hard. He, and everyone else, watched Damon's eyes filling with tears, but he didn't make a move to wipe them when they started to fall. He just stood there, stunned, shocked, as the realization finally dawned on him.

''Ric?'' Damon choked.

''It is really me, love.'' Alaric said and walked toward him, then whipped the tears away with his thumbs, cupping his face. ''I'm alive again. To be with you. For eternity.''

It was true. Ric, his love, was really standing in front of him. Damon paid no mind to the fact he was crying in front of everyone. The only thing that mattered was that Ric was alive. When he felt familiar fingers on his cheeks, when he felt familiar lips on his, he automatically wrapped his arms around Alaric's neck and kissed him back. He felt the spark that was always there whenever they kissed. Oh, how he missed that feeling. Those lips, those hands...

He missed him so much...

The feeling of being complete consumed him. His heart swelled with love... Ric was alive and with him. Again. But this time, it was for forever. He would never again let him go.

Breaking the kiss, taking a small step back, Damon looked into those hazel eyes he loved. He saw love mirrored in them. He saw a promise. Their hands clasped together, their fingers intertwined. Suddenly, he remembered how he acted toward the rest of the group who were gathered in the den, watching them, and he blushed. They didn't deserve the way he lashed out. Especially Stefan and Annette. He looked around. It was time to face the music and apologize.

IFYP

Everyone was shocked at the anger that radiated from Damon when he came down. The ones who knew him knew he would be angry but not that much. However, what shocked them the most was his incapability to believe Alaric was alive. But then Alaric spoke. They saw when the realization finally hit Damon. Elena, Caroline, Marie and even Bonnie silently cried seeing the kiss the two lovers shared. It was full of love.

Stefan felt Damon's happiness and love through their bond. It was stronger than ever and he smiled. His brother was finally happy. For the first time in his life, Damon loved and was loved back.

''I'm sorry.'' Damon said, looking around then his eyes locked with Stefan's.

''You might wanna take this back.'' Stefan smirked, holding out his hand, with Damon's daylight ring in it.

''I suppose.'' Damon rolled his eyes.

''Come, let's all sit down. We have a lot to talk about.'' Elijah spoke and everyone nodded.

''Sure, but first, who are you?'' Damon asked, looking at the young man already casually sitting on one of the sofas in the den.

''A pain in the ass.'' Bonnie mumbled at the same time as Kol introduced himself as Elijah's youngest and most handsomest brother.

Damon raised an eyebrow at the witch hearing her words, then looked at the vampire again. He had to hide the smirk that threatened seeing a boyish grin on Kol's face since everyone except Liz and Jeremy heard what Bonnie said. He saw the way Kol was looking at the young witch, he saw an interest in his eyes, and he also saw the way Bonnie rolled her eyes after Kol's words. There was something going on there, and he couldn't wait to see the outcome. Suspecting it would be fun to watch. Somehow, in this short amount of time, he could recognize the playful streak in the youngest Original vampire.

Deciding against saying anything, but laughing inside, Damon sat next to Alaric, never letting go of his hand and Alaric knew the reason. He needed to feel he was there. Part of him felt the same. Now when he was back among the living, he needed the touch. He needed to know he was alive again. And touching Damon...well...it was better than anything.

''Thank you.'' Damon spoke after a few moments of silence. He was looking at the witches and Elijah. ''I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you for bringing Ric back.''

''There is something you need to know, Damon.'' Stefan said looking at his brother. ''This is something we learned recently. The reason we can feel each other emotions is because we are soul bonded.'' He watched Damon's eyes going wide, then continued. ''There is more. You and Alaric are also soul bonded. That is why you felt such amount of pain.''

''I would've died and took you with me.'' Damon whispered, knowing about the consequences when one of the soul bonded couple died.

''Luckily for everyone that will not happen so you don't have to feel guilty.'' Annette said, guessing from the look what the vampire sitting not far from her was thinking.

Wanting to light up the atmosphere in the room, Caroline suddenly grinned looking at the two lovers. ''So, first time was in the jail cell?''

Alaric sighed and rolled his eyes. Somehow he just knew that Caroline would ask about that. He and Damon raised their eyebrows when both Marie and Caroline started giggling.

''What is so funny?'' Damon asked.

''Both you and Alaric have nicknames.'' Marie answered.

''Firefly and Sleeping Zombie.'' Caroline explained.

''Sleeping Zombie?'' Damon asked with a hint of a smirk looking at Alaric who blushed.

''While doing the spell, before the main spell, Marie had to reawaken my body, but my soul was still on the other side.'' Alaric sighed. ''Caroline came up with that since I was like a zombie.''

''How did you end up with Firefly as a nickname?'' Jeremy asked curious.

''My mother used to call me that.'' Damon answered and all of them could hear the sadness behind his voice.

''Don't think I have forgotten about what you still have to explain.'' Caroline quipped.

Sighing, Damon told them what happened that night. How exactly they ended up in jail in the first place. Both he and Alaric had smiles on their faces when they remembered that night. The way Damon taunted him, the first kiss, the trust that came afterwards...

''I can't believe you spend the night in jail.'' Stefan said between laughs. ''Why didn't you compel your way out or used your charm on Liz?''

The woman in question narrowed her eyes at Stefan hearing that and he blushed.

''Actually, on our way to the car, I asked Liz to leave me there alone with Ric. It was the principle thing.'' Damon grinned.

''I can't believe you did that.'' Alaric growled.

''What? I always wanted to spend a night in jail, and you being there with me was just icing on the cake.'' Damon smirked mischievously and Alaric rolled his eyes, while everyone laughed.

After the laughter had died down Damon asked what else had been going on. He frowned hearing about Klaus and his plans. When Elijah and Marie explained what threat Silas represented if he would be awaken, he agreed with them that Klaus must be stopped. For the rest of the day, including the family lunch, as Elena had named it, they made plans how to deal with the hybrid and the Hunter.

There was also friendly brotherly bickering when Stefan pointed out about Damon's secret fields of vervain, wolfsbane and any other herbs his brother decided to grow there. Damon looked at Liz in a disapproving way, since she was the only one who knew about that, but to his greatest surprise, she just grinned at him. By the end of the day, the plan had been formed and all they could do now was go to the farm, collect the herbs and wait for the perfect moment to strike. Before it was too late.

''Please, leave your mind a rest. We don't need any alternative ideas how to kill Klaus. Besides, we all know how your plans end up. A disaster.'' Elijah sighed, seeing right through the older Salvatore.

''Wow, great minds really do think alike.'' Alaric smiled, trying to move the tension in the room. ''That is exactly what I was about to say.''

''So, now, all of the sudden, you have a great mind?'' Damon smirked. ''When did that happen? And what is this? Pick on Damon day?''

''Awwww, my teddy bear is upset.'' Alaric goaded, suppressing the laughter, but a small chuckle did escape. ''Would a kiss make it better?'

''Seriously? A teddy bear? What are you? Ten?'' Damon scowled at Alaric then yelled when he fumbled with his head. ''Hey! Watch the hair!'' After the laughter subdued, he huffed. ''Fine. I'll stick with the plan.''

''That will be the day.'' Stefan mumbled.

IFYP

''Elijah? May I have a word with you?'' Damon asked.

It was getting dark. Damon already knew about the sleeping arrangements and he was fine with that. He commented with a soft smile he shared with Stefan that it was nice having so many people staying in the Boarding House for a change. Caroline wasn't the only one surprised at his words. Looking closely at her sire, she saw how much he had changed. Alaric changed him. Love changed him. She even hoped they would start over. Be friends.

Elijah nodded, curious, and just when they were about to leave the room, Damon felt a surge of jealousy washing over him. Knowing it came from Alaric, he looked at his love then at Elijah, then back to Alaric, confused. Then it hit him. With a smile that could lit a room, he walked back to Alaric, planted his lips on his in a sweet kiss.

''You are the one I love.'' He whispered in Alaric's ear, and a moment later, he was gone.

Alaric blushed, looking at the smirking faces around him who knew exactly why Damon did that. Not too long after Damon left with Elijah, probably taking a walk around the estate, for a private talk, Caroline and Liz left toward their room, but not before Caroline threw a knowing smirk to Maria after hearing her and Jeremy talking about painting, art and whatnot. Marie and Jeremy went to the library, not seeing an amused look on Annette's face who was watching her sister, before she excused herself and went toward her room. To Bonnie's relief, Kol decided to leave, not wanting Klaus to become suspicious at his constant absence, and Bonnie also left to get some sleep. Stefan and Elena were the only ones who stayed with Alaric, talking about anything and nothing, while waiting for Damon and Elijah to return.

IFYP

They didn't went far, just around the house, stopping in the garden that surrounded it. Although curious, Elijah patiently waited for the older Salvatore to speak.

''Beside Stefan and the witch trio I should also thank you.'' Damon started, looking at the Original vampire. ''You didn't have to do it, yet you came as soon as he called you. And you called your friends to help me.''

''Damon...'' Elijah sighed, knowing where this was going, but Damon interrupted him and continued.

''Please, let me say this.'' Damon pleaded, and Elijah gave a small nod. ''We've been through a lot in the past. I tried to kill you numerous times, and part of me even blamed you and the rest of your family for Ric's death. The other part blamed me. I blamed myself for not being there for him when I should have. I blamed myself for my part in Esther's plan when she messed with him on the other side, turning him into something that he didn't want. I blamed Stefan for choosing Elena that night. The point is, I'm done with the blaming part. No one can change the past.

You helped. You didn't have to do it, but you did it anyway. For me. And I can not thank you enough. What I'm saying here is that I'm sorry for putting you in the same category as Klaus. I'm sorry for how I acted toward you. Even though when you came, you had your own agenda. But I can't fault you for that. Or for saving your brother on the sacrifice night. He was and he is your brother. If the situation were reverse, I would've done the same. Family means everything to you as well as it means to me.''

To say Elijah was shocked by his words would've been an understatement. That, he didn't expect. He could hear the sincerity in Damon's voice, and it warmed his heart.

''Damon.'' He started. ''It is true that when I came I had an agenda of my own, and I know how much you resented me for saving Klaus that night. Part of me is ashamed for my betrayal. But it was not because he is my brother, it was because he told me the rest of our family was within his reach and that he would return them to me. Then he backstabbed me. I don't know if I would do differently if there was a chance to repeat that day. Now, Kol, Rebekah and even Finn are alive and living their lives as they should have. Maybe it was supposed to happen that way. I'm sorry that because of my mother you lost Alaric, the man you love.

The reason I helped you is because I admire you. I admire how you fight for your beliefs, for the ones you love, the ones who matter to you. Like I've told Alaric not a while ago, I see myself in you. True, I've never been that reckless in the past.'' He smirked and Damon huffed at the last part. ''When I entered Stefan's mind to follow your emotional bond trying to find you, I saw your and Stefan's lives through your memories. Beside finding out about the soul bond thing. Neither of you had an easy life, but you made it. Even with the constant fights, the two of you stayed close. I envy you for that. I never had that with my siblings. And somehow, being here with all of you feels like home. I'm the one who has to say thank you. I promise I won't betray you again. Klaus is no longer part of my family. You are. ''

''You have another chance with your siblings.'' Damon stated, genuinely surprised and shocked hearing Elijah's words. And touched so much he felt tears forming in his eyes. ''And, if it means anything, you are welcome in our little circle. I feel welcomed too. God knows I've done horrible things, but I think they forgave me. I sure hope so.''

''They did. Otherwise they wouldn't have been here.'' Elijah assured him.

''Kol is pretty interesting, I must confess.'' Damon smirked, trying to move from the heavy topic. ''And I can see he has his eyes set on Bonnie. That will be interesting to watch.''

''He is young and reckless, but he has a good heart.'' Elijah rolled his eyes. ''He, beside Rebekah, is the one I missed the most."

''And the blonde? Annette?'' Damon wiggled his eyebrows. ''I saw how protective you were when I asked, not that politely, to return the pain back.''

''After four hundred years, we are finally together. She is the woman of my life. The one I love and always will.'' Elijah said with a tone that showed Damon he truly meant it. ''Why did you want the pain back, Damon?'' He asked, wanting to know.

''It was a reminder of the love I shared with Ric. A reminder how I've failed him.'' Damon answered. ''I needed it back.''

''You haven't failed anyone, Damon. Let alone Alaric.'' Elijah replied, but he was well aware it would take time for Damon to realize that himself.

''Four hundred years, huh? What happened, if I may ask?'' Damon asked and started walking back to the house with a slow pace.

Elijah told him about what they learned from Katherine and Damon felt sorry for him. He didn't know if he would be strong enough to live that long without someone he loved. True, he spend almost 150 years waiting for the day he would save Katherine from the tomb, but now he knew that that was not real love. He was surprised hearing how Katherine was on their side against Klaus now, but he also knew the reason why. She chose the winning side. And the spell Marie did on her helped a lot.

When they entered the den, they found Stefan, Elena and Alaric in a pleasant conversation, and Damon smiled looking at the man his heart chose.

''Come. Let's get away from here for tonight.'' Damon said, looking at Alaric.

''Oh? And where to?'' Alaric asked, standing up, smiling, since he already guessed what his love had in mind.

''To your loft.'' Damon said simply, and everyone knew they needed some time together. To be alone.

''Be careful. Both of you.'' Stefan said warmly and they nodded before leaving.

IFYP

"I missed you so much, Ric.'' Damon said, looking straight into Alaric's eyes, lying in his lovers' arms.

The trip to Alaric's loft was fast. Alaric wanted to use his super speed as he put it and they ran over there. Luckily, there was no one who saw them and they entered the apartment without being noticed. As soon as the door closed behind them, Alaric pushed Damon against the wall and started kissing him.

''This feels strangely like déjà vu.'' Damon joked, referring to their first time in this place, after spending the night in a jail cell, when Alaric did pretty much the same thing.

''Shut up and take me to bed.'' Alaric whispered, grazing Damon's ear with his teeth.

In a matter of seconds, they were both naked in a rumpled bed, kissing without breaking for a breath. Their hands explored each other, moaning each other's names. They couldn't get enough of each other. They both missed the familiar touch, familiar taste, familiar kiss. Their skin was hot, their blood was boiling within them.

''I missed you too, Damon. You have no idea how much.'' Alaric replied.

''I didn't mean what I said earlier.'' Damon whispered in shame, lowering his head. ''The part of you being an imposter or the part when I accused you of giving up on us.''

''I know, Damon.'' Alaric said gently, caressing the firm chest of his lover. I've been there beside you, since the day I died. I saw how you coped with the loss. But I couldn't risk hurting you being under Esther's spell.''

''I was harsh to Stefan. I...'' Damon continued, but Alaric stopped him.

''He knows. It is all behind us now. I'm right here beside you where I want to be. Where I belong. It was hard for me to watch you suffer like that.''

''I needed it. I needed the pain.''

''Why?'' Alaric asked and Damon told him the same thing he told Elijah. ''You haven't failed me. Never had and you never will.'' He said, looking straight into Damon's eyes, so he could see the truth.

''That is exactly what someone else told me.'' Damon sighed.

''Elijah.'' Alaric stated.

''You don't have to be jealous of him, you know that, don't you?'' Damon asked, and Alaric could see a small hint of the cocky smile he loved in the corners of Damon's lips.

''I was, I am and part of me will always be jealous, Damon. You are mine.'' Alaric said firmly. ''I love you.''

''I love you too, Ric. Forever.'' Damon smiled and kissed him.

He was finally happy. He was finally complete.

AN/ Well, there you have it. The long awaited reunion. I hope I haven't disappointed you and that I stayed true to the characters. I think it will be at least two or three chapters till the end.

NOTE On my profile, there is a poll for my next multipart fic. A NCIS/TVD crossover. Here is the summary for it.

Tony, hurt, makes a decision to leave the team. However, Gibbs loves him too much to let him go. Can one of his rules be broken? Also, there is a new case of a serial killer who is murdering navy women. Damon and Alaric, detectives who've been following the murders, arrive to the NCIS and join the team. However, Damon has one more reason why he is there.

This will be my first attempt to write a crossover and a detective one at that. I hope it won't disappoint you. It's been a while since I watched those episodes in season 9, can't remember how everything went down but the look on Tony's face when Gibbs changed his attitude toward him after finding oot that Tony and E.J. were sleeping together, couldn't leave my mind. It was supposed to be a one small Tony/Gibbs one-shot (not a romantic one), but a few nights ago I remembered something I've read a year or two ago, about Damon and Alaric leaving Mystic Falls and opening their own detective agency and fighting against crime. Sadly, that was all an April fools' joke, but the idea stuck in my mind.

The poll is this. Should it be Tony/Ziva or Tony/Gibbs pairing? The TVD part is pretty much settled. Damon/Alaric pairing with a few surprises. Please vote.

Thank you for reading and let me know your thoughts. :)