Title: A Summer Romance

Summary: "Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they're gone."

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.

"Look who decided to finally show his face."

Damon turned towards the voice coming from the parlor already knowing who would be standing there. There leaning against the door frame was his father, drink in hand, and a disappointed pout puckering his face. It was a mask he often wore in front of his son, the major disappointment. No matter how much of his life Damon gave up for his father's company or to save his brother, it wasn't enough in Giuseppe's eyes. It would never be enough.

"Father," Damon nodded. He had every intent to continue his path upstairs to his room and disappear but his father was never one to allow him to have his way. That would be making his life to easy. If it was this summer would've been very different and he wouldn't have to hold back as much as he was with Elena. He nearly let a phrase slip tonight that could've ruined everything. Most couples who had been dating for three months would've found it natural to say how they really felt but his relationship with Elena was anything but normal even if it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Giuseppe placed the drink down on the table in front of him and stalked towards his son. "You've been spending a lot of time with that townie girl."

"Yeah… What of it?"

"I just want to make sure you have your head in the game, son. In two weeks' time we'll be returning to Richmond and I don't want any complications with your pending engagement to Katherine."

With a roll of his eyes, Damon responded, "No worries, Father. Your precious business deal will go through without a hitch."

"Oh, there better be a hitch alright. You getting hitched to Miss Mikaelson."

"You know what I meant," Damon sighed. The play on words wasn't nearly as his father believed it to be. Damon was the artist when it came to wordplays. A trait his father was jealous of, immensely. He walked over to a nearby chair and collapsed on it. It had been a long day spent with Elena road tripping around the nearby towns of Mystic Falls. Letting the wind blow through their hair with an easy going beat blasting through his stereo and Elena's hand in his, it had been one of the highlights of his life. There was little chatter but what made it so wonderful was how easy it was being with her. Sure they talked. He got her to open up about her parent's death and old boyfriends. She questioned him about his favorite ice cream and books. It had been a perfect day and his night would've been spent with her as well, learning more about her childhood, more about anything involving her, had she not had a night shift at the diner. Regardless he was utterly spent and in no mood for his father berating. "Are we done?"

"Just one more thing," Giuseppe took the seat opposite Damon, crossing one leg over the other. "Bring the townie girl to the party this Friday. I'd love to meet her."

"That's okay," Damon replied as he stood and began making his way out of the room. "She has no interest in this part of my life because our relationship has an end date. I have other obligations as you've constantly pointed out."

His father eyed him. "So, now you're in a relationship?" He shook his head. "This is why I asked you to not get involved with just one woman it creates… unnecessary attachments. Women feel the need to label things, create imaginary connections that aren't really there."

"She won't be a problem. That's why she won't be attending the dance. Now if you don't mind…"

"I'll be the judge of that," his father stated in a voice that dared to be challenged. When he found no qualms from his son, he continued in authoritative manner. "Bring her to the ball. No arguments, Damon."

Like the dutiful son he was, Damon nodded and made his way upstairs to the solace of his bedroom. With a regretful sigh, he dialed Elena's number and delivered the bad news. He had no idea what his father was up to but he knew it wasn't good. No matter how distracted he got with mingling around he had to make sure to not let Elena out of his sight. The whole idea of Giuseppe meeting Elena was to make sure she didn't get in the way of anything and that was something Damon already knew wouldn't happen. Business came first in this family. Damon's happiness was the least of Giuseppe's concerns. Elena made Damon happy and that's why she had to be kept as far away from his father at all costs.

"This one isn't bad," Caroline murmured as she held up an elegant turquoise ball gown.

Elena released the dresses she had been browsing from and walked towards her best friend. The dress was decent and fairly pretty. Her eyes immediately went to the price tag and with one look at the enormous price she shook her head with a resounding no.

They had been at this all morning. The moment Damon had called her with the news that she would be attending some elaborate ball held at his family's mansion; Elena immediately tried to get out of it. She knew meeting Damon's family, entering his world would complicate things even further between them. Apparently even though she had no interest in going her presence had been requested by Damon's father no less. Talk about awkward. So, she wasted no time in calling Caroline and pleading with her to help her shop for a dress that would make her worthy of being on Damon Salvatore's arm.

Caroline had already been invited weeks prior by Stefan and was all set with a beautiful blue ball gown hand delivered to her by the younger Salvatore. It was exquisite and lovely and fit the blonde bombshell like a glove. Elena wasn't sure she would be so lucky judging by the prices of the elegant dresses before her.

"Why not, Elena?" Caroline questioned, running the fabric through her hands.

"Because that's more than a months' worth of tips. I can't spend that much for one night for a guy who isn't even staying in my life."

"Didn't I tell you?" The blonde dipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a black card. "This is all courtesy of Damon Salvatore. He's paying for dress, shoes, hair, makeup… the works!"

Elena's eyes went wide. "What?" She grabbed the card with curious fingers, already running the pad of her thumb over the raised letters bearing his name.

"Damon wants you to have the dress of your dreams."

"I can't believe him," Elena whispered in awe.

Caroline took back the card and put an arm around her best friend. "Believe it, honey! Just think of yourself as Cinderella. Tonight's the night you get to ditch the rags and look like a princess."

"Then after midnight I have to return to the real world."

With a sigh, Elena left her best friend and wander over to another rack of dresses. She browsed through the fabrics not really paying attention since her mind was a million miles away. Despite Damon's promises that everything would be fine, she couldn't help but have a bad feeling about it. Seeing him in his world filled of expensive suits and lavish parties would be a major wakeup call that she was just borrowing him for the summer. When all this was finished she would have to return the man she was falling in love with back with both hands and not allow herself to look back. This was the beginning of the end and she wasn't at all ready for it.

Her hand met with the material of a strapless black gown that flowed out at the hips with chiffon and lace. Throughout the dress were hints of gold; in the beating, the satin, even the petticoat beneath. She stared at the dress in wonder, even daring to take it off the rack and hold it against her body. It was perfect and she hadn't known she was smiling until Caroline came up behind her and whispered in her ear.

"I'm pretty sure the fairytale didn't end after midnight. He came running after her."

Their eyes met in the mirror, unwilling to voice the concerns plaguing Elena mind, she looked away. Damon and Elena were far from a fairytale. This prince wouldn't come running after her because he had a princess of his own to build a life with. Instead, Elena voiced the other thing threatening her happiness. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to lose you and him at the same time," Elena sputtered.

It hadn't come as a shock when the blonde had come bursting into her home ranting about how Stefan had asked her to come with him to Richmond. Since meeting each other the both of them had been inseparable—much like her and Damon. Only they didn't have a cutoff date. They didn't have a future looming over their summer keeping them from creating one they wanted. Elena had been happy for her friend, happy she made it out of this one stoplight town. Stefan would be good to her; he loved her whole-heartedly after all. It just sucked that she would be losing two of the most important people in her life at once.

"I know," Caroline frowned. "You'll get out of here, 'Lena. I have faith in you. Your time will come."

"I hope so." Though a part of her knew that while her dreams were too big for this town, she wasn't sure she would ever be able to leave it.

"So," the blonde began, "are you saying 'yes' to the dress?"

Elena laughed at the famous phrase from one of their favorite shows and with a wide smile stated, "Yes."

With bright faces they wandered towards the clerk and tried on the gown, knowing it would fit perfectly. And it did. Without hesitation—and without letting Elena look at the price tag—Caroline handed over Damon's charge card and bought the dress. The rest of the day was full of girl time as they prepared for the upcoming ball. Pushing all thoughts from her mind, Elena promised herself that she would enjoy the moment, the here and now, and not let the millions of things that were wrong with her life threaten this little bubble of happiness. Tonight would be fun. Or so she hoped.

Damon stood at the bottom of the stairs of the Gilbert household. Jenna was bouncing excitedly beside him, camera in hand, as they awaited Elena's descent from upstairs. He had arrived here early, wanting time alone with her, only to find out she was too busy preparing herself for tonight. He took it in stride, choosing to catch up with his old bodyguard and best friend who had chosen to stay in Mystic Falls when Damon's family returned to Richmond. He had given up the lavish lifestyle of being friends with the elder Salvatore in favor of the warm love of an auburn haired beauty. Alaric was happy and Damon had never been more envious.

When he heard the first creak of wood he had all but bolted from his seat in the living room. Then he caught sight of her heel clad foot, followed by black fabric all leading up to the most beautiful woman his eyes had ever seen. She was an angel sent from above and as she held out a hand for him to take, he couldn't help but think how he had ever got so lucky. Jenna snapped away, capturing little moments like the beauty of her smile and the way Damon's eyes had yet to leave her face as she stood beside him.

"Damon! Look this way!" Jenna called, causing him to begrudgingly turn his attention toward the camera and smile.

With a bright flash, Jenna lowered the camera and hugged the beauty beside him, murmuring words of praise and promises that she would have a wonderful time tonight. She placed a firm hand on Damon's should and made him promise to take care of her and not do anything she wouldn't do. "That's not exactly leaving much, Jenna," Elena laughed and it sounded like wind chimes.

Damon snapped back to the present at Jenna's insistent squeeze. "I'll take good care of her."

"Good! Now have fun!"

With a wave, they turned and headed for Damon's car. He held the door for her, helping her inside, before making his way to the driver side and slipping inside with ease. He reached over her and opened his glove compartment, pulling out a single red rose. "This is for you."

"It's beautiful. Thank you."

Elena smiled and leaned forward taking the awaiting kiss at Damon's lips. She melted against him as his hand reached up to caress her cheek. He needed this, needed her easy presence and the smile one her lips to give him the strength to get through tonight. No matter what happened tonight, he would keep his hand firmly grasping hers.

Reluctantly, he pulled back. "Ready?" he questioned, ready for any sign that they should hit the highway and run far, far away.

"As I'll ever be." Elena chuckled.

And with that they headed towards the party unaware of the drama that was about to unfold.