The Switch - Damon/Elena (TVD) - M - (8/?)
Title: The Switch
Author: evenstar1002
Rating: M
Category: drama, romance
Spoilers: Up to 1x22
Summary: The return of Katherin has effects on everyone. How will they deal with it? And how will it effect all the characters involved?
A/N: I'm sooooooo so sorry for having kept you waiting for so long. I have a good excuse: work. Well, it's not a good excuse... but it's all I've got. During the last three weeks I finished my training as a banker and the studying for the finals kept me busy. After that, I immediately started working at a restaurant, which kept me really busy as well.
This chapter turned out entirely different than I intended it to. But when I noticed that I would be able to finish the chapter before I go on holidays tomorrow and I really wanted to update to let you know that I'm still alive and that this story will in fact be continued I decided to to some changes. The thing I started with at the end of this chapter will now get its own chapter. Or maybe even two? We will see ;-) I'm done rambling now. Enjoy the chapter and if you liked it, I'd be forever thankful if you'd leave me a comment :-)
~~~~~
Chapter 8
~~~~~
Elena awoke early the next morning, feeling strong and well-rested for the first time in a very long time. No nightmare and no waking up in the middle of the night with a frantically beating heart. Instead, all she felt was peace and safety. And when those few moments beween sleeping and awaking, where your mind is hazy and you don't quiet know where your dream ends and reality starts, when those few moments passed, images of the evening and especially of the night of the day before flooded Elena's head.
And after that, it only took seconds to realize why Elena was feeling the way she did when she felt him under her and around her. They had somehow ended up with her head on his chest, her arm draped over his chest and his arm securely wrapped around her body.
Elena's eyes snapped open, looking up at Damon's face. His eyes were closed, deep and even breaths left his slightly opened lips while sunrays stroked his angelic face. More momories hit her, with a force she had never experienced before.
Memories of him kissing her and how her heart was about to explode in her chest right that moment because it had felt so damn good and so damn right, when it was anything but right. What was worse, sometimes she even believed, Damon had done something to her. Whatever she did, all she could feel was the soft press of his lips on hers. The harder Elena tried to remember Stefan's lips the more she felt Damon's.
Memories of not seeing Damon and not hearing from Stefan in over a week and how cut off from that side of her life she had been. She needed them in her life, she needed them both and what that might mean scared the hell out of her. Elena very well knew that she had acted selfish when she had asked Damon to stay the night but as much as she wanted to make herself regret it, she just couldn't do that.
Elena closed her eyes again, relishing in the feeling of secureness and in that one single moment on a Wednesday morning, Elena never wanted to leave Damon's arms again. She knew that he could break her in two in the blink of an eye but the gentle way that he was holding her blasted away a tiny little piece of her already cracked heart.
"As long as you have a Salvatore on each arm, you're doomed. Katherine was smart, she got out. But we all know that you are not Katherine." "'Cause he's in love with you." "Doomed..." "In love with you...." Isobel's words echoed through her head again, over and over. But could Elena really believe her words? Why shouldn't she be able to have them both in her life? The one her boyfriend, the other her good friend? "Cause he's in love with you...." Damon wasn't in love with her, was he? He had told her that Isobel had no idea what she was talking about and he had also told her that he didn't even do friends, so now he was supposed to be in love with her? That's impossible... But he was there every night to protect her house and herself, he did kiss her a week ago and he did stay the night with her so she could sleep in peace. That had to mean something, didn't it? "In love with you..." If he were any other guy, she would have believed her biological mother's words without a second of hesitation. But this was Damon they were talking about. I-hate-the-world-Damon. I-don't-do-friends-Damon. I've-been-helplessly-in-love-with-Katherine-for-over-150-years-Damon. "... in love...." It was impossible. But the looks... the kiss... his arms around her.... Elena felt more confused than she had ever before. "... love..." But then again, what did it even matter if Damon loved her? Her heart already belonged to his brother. "Doomed..." She loved Stefan. He was her safe heaven, he was solid as a rock, he kept her grounded. She would have to be stupid to give that up for anyone else, especially someone like Damon. "You're doomed..." No, she could never do that. But why did she ask him to stay with her then? In her bed? If he really was in love with her, it would have been even more selfish than she had thought. "... Salvatore on each arm... doomed..." And even if he wasn't, it was still very selfish of her, since he probably had better things to do that keep her company all night long. "But we all know you are not Katherine..." Elena could feel a stinging pain in her heart at the thought of being compared to Katherine. Could Isobel really be so sure about Elena not being like Katherine? She was lying in bed with Damon while Stefan tried everything to protect her and her family and his brother and all of Mystic Falls.
Elena groaned silently, the onslaught of thoughts in her head giving her a headache. No, she wasn't like Katherine. She loved Stefan and she deeply cared for Damon, but he was only a very good friend. Nothing more and nothing less. The things she had felt when Damon had kissed her, the things she was feeling again just now lying there in his arms were only caused by momentary confusion and as that would be over soon.
"It will be over soon..." Elena said to herself. "It will all be over soon.... But for five more minutes, I just want to stay right here." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and only just then realized how tense her whole body had been, so she treid to relax herself.
"Are you done thinking now?" Elena could suddendly hear Damon's dark, rumbling voice just when she had willed her head to stop working. There wasn't any trace of sleep in his voice, so Elena's eyes snapped open, looking up at him. His ice blue eyes were fixed on her, no sleep in them either. If Elena was honest, she couldn't see anything at all in them. No familarity, no burning fire, nothing.
"You don't have to overrate this whole situation." Damon said nonechalantly, loosening his thight grip around her body. Instinctively, Elena moved even closer into his embrace.
"How did you..." Elena said with shock in her eyes, her hand reaching to the place on her neck where usually her necklace hang. "How do you know what I was thinking?"
Damon chuckled at first but then grew serious again. "Don't worry, Elena. I really do consider you a friend. I would never try to get into your head." Damon returned Elena's shocked look with a light smile. "You're way too easy to read anyways, vervain or not." he continued and winked at her.
"Oh, I am now, am I not?" Elena returned but couldn't hide the smile in her voice. "Then do tell me what exactly I was just thinking."
"You were thinking how hot and irresistible I am and how I should loose some clothes and never leave your bed again." Damon played along, his lopsided grin plastered on his face.
Elena turned slightly and lifted her head, looking disbelievingly at him while slapping her hand against his chest. "You are impossible." she said accusingly and before she could pull her hand away, Damon grabbed it and held it tightly over his not-beating heart. The look was back in his eyes immediately and Elena could feel how her world stopped turning again, while all she could do was stare back at him. It could have been seconds, or maybe hours, before Elena finally had the strength to pull her eyes away from his, before she finally had the strength to leave the safety of his arms.
"I should probably get ready. School starts in an hour." Elena noted after having looked at the clock on her nighstand. She watched Damon as he sat up, stretching his arms. He reached for his shoes and put them on, before getting off the bed.
Elena was still sitting on her bed, looking up at Damon. "Thank you, Damon. I really appreciate what you did for me. I haven't slept like that in a very long time. It felt really good." she said honestly and hoped that Damon would believe her.
"You're welcome, Elena." Damon replied, nodding his head in a serious manner. Seconds later, the expression on his face changed, replaced by a mischievous glance. "Give me a call whenever you need a pillow again." he said, the smile growing even bigger.
"A nice day to you, too!" Elena said, rolling her eyes and waving her hand, a half grin gracing her lips. Damon obviously took the clue and went over to her window, opening it slowly.
"Bye, Elena." Damon only said, looking back at her one last time before jumping out of the window.
~~~~~
Elena didn't talk to Damon the following Wednesday, nor the following Thursday. She didn't talk to Stefan either but she started to get used to it and wasn't really suprised anymore when she didn't find a text message or a call on her cellphone.
During the day, she kept herself busy with school and studying and hanging out with her friends. But at night, the nightmares were back. Katherin haunted her, chased her, killed her. She also killed Stefan and Damon who both tried to protect her. When Elena woke up, her sleeping shirt was drenched in sweat, her heart beating as loudly as a drum. But it took only moments before that calming feeling washed over her, assuring her that he was there.
~~~~~
Elena couldn't wait for the school bell to finally ring on Friday afternoon. She felt tired and exhausted again, the weeks seeming to get longer and longer. When it finally did ring at 2:15pm, Elena couldn't throw her history book into her bag fast enough, before she said her goodbyes to Bonnie and Caroline and left the building.
The sight that greeted her then made her heart jump involuntarily. There Damon sat, on a black Harley Davidson, himself clad all in black as well. The sun was shining down on his dark hair, making it shine. All Elena could do was stand there and stare at him. He looked like a God, directly sent down from heaven. He must have felt her presence, or just someone staring at him because he suddendly turned his head around, took off his sunglasses and smiled at her slightly.
Before Elena could embarrass herself any further by just standing there, staring at him, she went over to Damon quickly, a smile on her face as well.
"You need a ride home, miss?" Damon asked, motioning with his head behind him, with a mischivious glint in his eyes.
"That would be very kind of you, sir." Elena played along, trying to hide her smile. She watched him as he made room for her on the bike. Elena climed up behind him and got comfortable on the seat.
"I didn't know you owned a bike." Elena noted, her mouth close to Damon's ear. She felt him turn rigid for a second before he relaxed again.
"Well, until two hours ago, I didn't. But then I thought that if I wanted to get a hot chick I had to get even coller than I already am and get a bike. And see how that works out. I already have the first girl on it." Damon explained in a serious tone how only he could do it but she knew that he was only teasing her. He seemed to be in an awefully good mood that day.
"Are you implying that I'm a "hot chick" then?" Elena wanted to know and punched him with her left fist playfully in his back. She knew that it wouldn't hurt him, she would probably hurt hersel even more in the attempt to hurt him.
"Ouch. Now I can't drive because you broke my spine. Here I am, trying to be nice and saving you the trouble of walking home. And how do you thank me? You paralize me."
"Ha ha. Don't be such a baby, Damon!"
"And she keeps hurting me." he mumbled, still loud enough for her to hear it though. Before either of them could say any more, Damon turned on the engine and let it howl.
"Hold on tight, my lady." Damon said warningly, his head turned slightly towards her.
Not hesitating, Elena wrapped her arms tightly around Damon, feeling immediately safe. She knew that Damon would keep her safe, no matter what happened, even if it was something as simple as driving a bike.
And while they both drove away in high speed they didn't see the suspicous looks of Caroline and Bonnie, who were standing at the entrance of the school.
~~~~~
"Elena?" Damon asked, turning his head around so Elena would be able to hear him above the loud noise of the wind around their ears.
"Would you please keep looking at the street!" Elena replied immediately, warning in her voice. As much as she trusted him in this, she really wanted to be alive a little while longer.
"Hey. I can drive a bike. Trust me!" he answered and sounded as reassuringly as he could.
"It's not you I don't trust, it's the other drivers."
Damon was quiet for a moment, looking straight ahead again. "Is someone awaiting you at home?" he wanted to know.
"No, why?"
"You up for a little road trip? I'd say it's time for another little time-out."
"You want tot kidnap me again and take me to some shabby bar in Georgia?" she asked mockingly.
"No, this time it'll be totally consensual. And we won't go that for this time. Just a little driving around." Damon suggested and for a moment Elena thought she could hear hope in his voice. Not thinking about it or anything else, for once shutting off her head, she decided to just agree.
"Sure, why not. Sounds like a great idea to me."
"Awesome. Damonator will make it worth your while." Damon said, sounding dead serious again but he couldn't conceal the joy in his voice.
"Damonator?" Elena asked disbelievingly, raising an eyebrow at his comment.
Instead of answering, Damon threw his head back and let out a loud and heartfelt laughter. Elena had never heard him laugh like that and in that moment it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard and she couldn't stop herself from joining him in his laughing.
~~~~~
A/N 2: So, like I said. This little road trip won't be squeezed in into this chapter but will get its own chapter. Let us give them some fun before all the drama starts, won't we? Anyways... I'll be on holidays for two weeks now. I'll take my laptop with me to be able to write but I won't have internet access... So the next update will take two weeks. But I hope I'll be able to get a couple of chapters done during these weeks so that you won't have to wait too long when I get back :)
And noooooo, I'm not gonna remind you that it'd be really awesome if you could leave me some feedback ;-) Thanks! You guys are the best!
Author: evenstar1002
Rating: M
Category: drama, romance
Spoilers: Up to 1x22
Summary: The return of Katherin has effects on everyone. How will they deal with it? And how will it effect all the characters involved?
A/N: I'm sooooooo so sorry for having kept you waiting for so long. I have a good excuse: work. Well, it's not a good excuse... but it's all I've got. During the last three weeks I finished my training as a banker and the studying for the finals kept me busy. After that, I immediately started working at a restaurant, which kept me really busy as well.
This chapter turned out entirely different than I intended it to. But when I noticed that I would be able to finish the chapter before I go on holidays tomorrow and I really wanted to update to let you know that I'm still alive and that this story will in fact be continued I decided to to some changes. The thing I started with at the end of this chapter will now get its own chapter. Or maybe even two? We will see ;-) I'm done rambling now. Enjoy the chapter and if you liked it, I'd be forever thankful if you'd leave me a comment :-)
~~~~~
Chapter 8
~~~~~
Elena awoke early the next morning, feeling strong and well-rested for the first time in a very long time. No nightmare and no waking up in the middle of the night with a frantically beating heart. Instead, all she felt was peace and safety. And when those few moments beween sleeping and awaking, where your mind is hazy and you don't quiet know where your dream ends and reality starts, when those few moments passed, images of the evening and especially of the night of the day before flooded Elena's head.
And after that, it only took seconds to realize why Elena was feeling the way she did when she felt him under her and around her. They had somehow ended up with her head on his chest, her arm draped over his chest and his arm securely wrapped around her body.
Elena's eyes snapped open, looking up at Damon's face. His eyes were closed, deep and even breaths left his slightly opened lips while sunrays stroked his angelic face. More momories hit her, with a force she had never experienced before.
Memories of him kissing her and how her heart was about to explode in her chest right that moment because it had felt so damn good and so damn right, when it was anything but right. What was worse, sometimes she even believed, Damon had done something to her. Whatever she did, all she could feel was the soft press of his lips on hers. The harder Elena tried to remember Stefan's lips the more she felt Damon's.
Memories of not seeing Damon and not hearing from Stefan in over a week and how cut off from that side of her life she had been. She needed them in her life, she needed them both and what that might mean scared the hell out of her. Elena very well knew that she had acted selfish when she had asked Damon to stay the night but as much as she wanted to make herself regret it, she just couldn't do that.
Elena closed her eyes again, relishing in the feeling of secureness and in that one single moment on a Wednesday morning, Elena never wanted to leave Damon's arms again. She knew that he could break her in two in the blink of an eye but the gentle way that he was holding her blasted away a tiny little piece of her already cracked heart.
"As long as you have a Salvatore on each arm, you're doomed. Katherine was smart, she got out. But we all know that you are not Katherine." "'Cause he's in love with you." "Doomed..." "In love with you...." Isobel's words echoed through her head again, over and over. But could Elena really believe her words? Why shouldn't she be able to have them both in her life? The one her boyfriend, the other her good friend? "Cause he's in love with you...." Damon wasn't in love with her, was he? He had told her that Isobel had no idea what she was talking about and he had also told her that he didn't even do friends, so now he was supposed to be in love with her? That's impossible... But he was there every night to protect her house and herself, he did kiss her a week ago and he did stay the night with her so she could sleep in peace. That had to mean something, didn't it? "In love with you..." If he were any other guy, she would have believed her biological mother's words without a second of hesitation. But this was Damon they were talking about. I-hate-the-world-Damon. I-don't-do-friends-Damon. I've-been-helplessly-in-love-with-Katherine-for-over-150-years-Damon. "... in love...." It was impossible. But the looks... the kiss... his arms around her.... Elena felt more confused than she had ever before. "... love..." But then again, what did it even matter if Damon loved her? Her heart already belonged to his brother. "Doomed..." She loved Stefan. He was her safe heaven, he was solid as a rock, he kept her grounded. She would have to be stupid to give that up for anyone else, especially someone like Damon. "You're doomed..." No, she could never do that. But why did she ask him to stay with her then? In her bed? If he really was in love with her, it would have been even more selfish than she had thought. "... Salvatore on each arm... doomed..." And even if he wasn't, it was still very selfish of her, since he probably had better things to do that keep her company all night long. "But we all know you are not Katherine..." Elena could feel a stinging pain in her heart at the thought of being compared to Katherine. Could Isobel really be so sure about Elena not being like Katherine? She was lying in bed with Damon while Stefan tried everything to protect her and her family and his brother and all of Mystic Falls.
Elena groaned silently, the onslaught of thoughts in her head giving her a headache. No, she wasn't like Katherine. She loved Stefan and she deeply cared for Damon, but he was only a very good friend. Nothing more and nothing less. The things she had felt when Damon had kissed her, the things she was feeling again just now lying there in his arms were only caused by momentary confusion and as that would be over soon.
"It will be over soon..." Elena said to herself. "It will all be over soon.... But for five more minutes, I just want to stay right here." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and only just then realized how tense her whole body had been, so she treid to relax herself.
"Are you done thinking now?" Elena could suddendly hear Damon's dark, rumbling voice just when she had willed her head to stop working. There wasn't any trace of sleep in his voice, so Elena's eyes snapped open, looking up at him. His ice blue eyes were fixed on her, no sleep in them either. If Elena was honest, she couldn't see anything at all in them. No familarity, no burning fire, nothing.
"You don't have to overrate this whole situation." Damon said nonechalantly, loosening his thight grip around her body. Instinctively, Elena moved even closer into his embrace.
"How did you..." Elena said with shock in her eyes, her hand reaching to the place on her neck where usually her necklace hang. "How do you know what I was thinking?"
Damon chuckled at first but then grew serious again. "Don't worry, Elena. I really do consider you a friend. I would never try to get into your head." Damon returned Elena's shocked look with a light smile. "You're way too easy to read anyways, vervain or not." he continued and winked at her.
"Oh, I am now, am I not?" Elena returned but couldn't hide the smile in her voice. "Then do tell me what exactly I was just thinking."
"You were thinking how hot and irresistible I am and how I should loose some clothes and never leave your bed again." Damon played along, his lopsided grin plastered on his face.
Elena turned slightly and lifted her head, looking disbelievingly at him while slapping her hand against his chest. "You are impossible." she said accusingly and before she could pull her hand away, Damon grabbed it and held it tightly over his not-beating heart. The look was back in his eyes immediately and Elena could feel how her world stopped turning again, while all she could do was stare back at him. It could have been seconds, or maybe hours, before Elena finally had the strength to pull her eyes away from his, before she finally had the strength to leave the safety of his arms.
"I should probably get ready. School starts in an hour." Elena noted after having looked at the clock on her nighstand. She watched Damon as he sat up, stretching his arms. He reached for his shoes and put them on, before getting off the bed.
Elena was still sitting on her bed, looking up at Damon. "Thank you, Damon. I really appreciate what you did for me. I haven't slept like that in a very long time. It felt really good." she said honestly and hoped that Damon would believe her.
"You're welcome, Elena." Damon replied, nodding his head in a serious manner. Seconds later, the expression on his face changed, replaced by a mischievous glance. "Give me a call whenever you need a pillow again." he said, the smile growing even bigger.
"A nice day to you, too!" Elena said, rolling her eyes and waving her hand, a half grin gracing her lips. Damon obviously took the clue and went over to her window, opening it slowly.
"Bye, Elena." Damon only said, looking back at her one last time before jumping out of the window.
~~~~~
Elena didn't talk to Damon the following Wednesday, nor the following Thursday. She didn't talk to Stefan either but she started to get used to it and wasn't really suprised anymore when she didn't find a text message or a call on her cellphone.
During the day, she kept herself busy with school and studying and hanging out with her friends. But at night, the nightmares were back. Katherin haunted her, chased her, killed her. She also killed Stefan and Damon who both tried to protect her. When Elena woke up, her sleeping shirt was drenched in sweat, her heart beating as loudly as a drum. But it took only moments before that calming feeling washed over her, assuring her that he was there.
~~~~~
Elena couldn't wait for the school bell to finally ring on Friday afternoon. She felt tired and exhausted again, the weeks seeming to get longer and longer. When it finally did ring at 2:15pm, Elena couldn't throw her history book into her bag fast enough, before she said her goodbyes to Bonnie and Caroline and left the building.
The sight that greeted her then made her heart jump involuntarily. There Damon sat, on a black Harley Davidson, himself clad all in black as well. The sun was shining down on his dark hair, making it shine. All Elena could do was stand there and stare at him. He looked like a God, directly sent down from heaven. He must have felt her presence, or just someone staring at him because he suddendly turned his head around, took off his sunglasses and smiled at her slightly.
Before Elena could embarrass herself any further by just standing there, staring at him, she went over to Damon quickly, a smile on her face as well.
"You need a ride home, miss?" Damon asked, motioning with his head behind him, with a mischivious glint in his eyes.
"That would be very kind of you, sir." Elena played along, trying to hide her smile. She watched him as he made room for her on the bike. Elena climed up behind him and got comfortable on the seat.
"I didn't know you owned a bike." Elena noted, her mouth close to Damon's ear. She felt him turn rigid for a second before he relaxed again.
"Well, until two hours ago, I didn't. But then I thought that if I wanted to get a hot chick I had to get even coller than I already am and get a bike. And see how that works out. I already have the first girl on it." Damon explained in a serious tone how only he could do it but she knew that he was only teasing her. He seemed to be in an awefully good mood that day.
"Are you implying that I'm a "hot chick" then?" Elena wanted to know and punched him with her left fist playfully in his back. She knew that it wouldn't hurt him, she would probably hurt hersel even more in the attempt to hurt him.
"Ouch. Now I can't drive because you broke my spine. Here I am, trying to be nice and saving you the trouble of walking home. And how do you thank me? You paralize me."
"Ha ha. Don't be such a baby, Damon!"
"And she keeps hurting me." he mumbled, still loud enough for her to hear it though. Before either of them could say any more, Damon turned on the engine and let it howl.
"Hold on tight, my lady." Damon said warningly, his head turned slightly towards her.
Not hesitating, Elena wrapped her arms tightly around Damon, feeling immediately safe. She knew that Damon would keep her safe, no matter what happened, even if it was something as simple as driving a bike.
And while they both drove away in high speed they didn't see the suspicous looks of Caroline and Bonnie, who were standing at the entrance of the school.
~~~~~
"Elena?" Damon asked, turning his head around so Elena would be able to hear him above the loud noise of the wind around their ears.
"Would you please keep looking at the street!" Elena replied immediately, warning in her voice. As much as she trusted him in this, she really wanted to be alive a little while longer.
"Hey. I can drive a bike. Trust me!" he answered and sounded as reassuringly as he could.
"It's not you I don't trust, it's the other drivers."
Damon was quiet for a moment, looking straight ahead again. "Is someone awaiting you at home?" he wanted to know.
"No, why?"
"You up for a little road trip? I'd say it's time for another little time-out."
"You want tot kidnap me again and take me to some shabby bar in Georgia?" she asked mockingly.
"No, this time it'll be totally consensual. And we won't go that for this time. Just a little driving around." Damon suggested and for a moment Elena thought she could hear hope in his voice. Not thinking about it or anything else, for once shutting off her head, she decided to just agree.
"Sure, why not. Sounds like a great idea to me."
"Awesome. Damonator will make it worth your while." Damon said, sounding dead serious again but he couldn't conceal the joy in his voice.
"Damonator?" Elena asked disbelievingly, raising an eyebrow at his comment.
Instead of answering, Damon threw his head back and let out a loud and heartfelt laughter. Elena had never heard him laugh like that and in that moment it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard and she couldn't stop herself from joining him in his laughing.
~~~~~
A/N 2: So, like I said. This little road trip won't be squeezed in into this chapter but will get its own chapter. Let us give them some fun before all the drama starts, won't we? Anyways... I'll be on holidays for two weeks now. I'll take my laptop with me to be able to write but I won't have internet access... So the next update will take two weeks. But I hope I'll be able to get a couple of chapters done during these weeks so that you won't have to wait too long when I get back :)
And noooooo, I'm not gonna remind you that it'd be really awesome if you could leave me some feedback ;-) Thanks! You guys are the best!