Damon slid his phone back into his jeans pocket. He laughed out his breath and then leaned against the nearest tree. Had Elena Gilbert, the girl who he'd travel to the fiery pits of hell for, just declared her love for him? He could hardly believe it. She was on her way to him now, in a few hours they'd be together…

Remembering how to walk again he set of towards the lake house, he'd only taken ten steps or so before he remembered the shovel in his hands. Oh yes, he was here for a reason. Turning back towards the grave he had just started to dig he was met with surprise.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked

"Being at one with Nature." Klaus said in an off handed voice and Damon rolled his eyes at the lie

"Well if you don't mind…I have to bury the pizza lady." Damon replied

"Give it here." Klaus said holding his hand out

Damon hesitated on the spot, looking at Klaus' hand

"What? You're going to dig the grave? I have buried my fair share of bodies." Damon snarked

"I said give it here." Klaus repeated "You get back and get cleaned up." He went on and Damon suddenly wondered how long Klaus had been nearby, what he'd heard

Damon walked forward and handed the shovel to him, "Thanks, I guess." Damon said not quite sure what was happening.

"Give my regards to dear Elena." Klaus said as the shovel hit the dirt. "And tell her not to worry about the boys; I'm taking them out to a bar."

"Forgive my suspicions, but why are you taking them out? Have you met the quarter back?"

"Damon." Klaus said pointedly, flashing his eyes dangerously "I am cleaning up after Jeremy and giving you and Elena some alone time, are you really questioning me?"

"I guess not." Damon replied as he walked away.

Damon entered the warmth of the lake house. He followed the voices and found Jeremy and Matt lounging on the sofas.

"Get ready, you're going out." He said

"What? Where?" Jeremy asked sitting up straight.

"A bar." Damon replied

"You're taking us drinking?" Jeremy replied looking at Matt and then Damon

"Nope." Damon said popping the 'p', "Klaus is."

"Klaus?" Matt said alarmed "Is that…"

"Safe?" Damon asked as he walked towards the bathroom. "Who know, he isn't going to kill his precious hunter now is he?...You on the other hand… hmm."

Jeremy rolled his eyes and Matt shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Damon rolled his eyes and smirked as he locked the bathroom door behind him.

He removed his mud splattered clothes and tossed them in the hamper before he stepped under the hot spray of the shower. He wondered where Elena was right now, had she just jumped in her car and left or was she frantically rushing around packing a bag and her flat iron? Either way he didn't care, the main thing was she would be here soon. He was actually nervous. He wondered what would happen when she got here. Would they talk or would he be able to resist throwing her straight into the nearest bed? Either way she was coming and he could hardly wait.

An hour had passed and he was dressed in fresh clothes, sitting on the wooden steps on the porch, a glass of bourbon in his hands. He looked up at the stars and inclined his drink, hoping Ric was happy wherever he was tonight.

The front door opened and he turned as Klaus and the others came out.

"Right, well we're off. I could do with a nice glass of red if truth be told." Klaus announced

"…blood?" Matt said slowly

Klaus sighed "Merlot, you idiot, but if you're offering?"

"He's not." Damon said "Have fun I guess."

"What are you really not coming?" Jeremy asked

"Got everything I need right here." Damon said "Need my car?"

"Nah, I'm parked just down the road." Klaus replied "Come on then."

Damon watched them walk off, he checked his watch again for the hundredth time. Feeling brave he took out his phone and dialled.

Oh good, voicemail.

"Stefan, look I know I'm the last person you want to speak to but we do need to talk. You can break my neck when I get home in a few days… so…" he hung up unable to think of anything else to say.

Not long after his ears pricked up as he heard an approaching car, then head lights blinded his vision as her car approached him.

Abandoning his drink Damon got to his feet and moved down the few steps and onto the ground, he walked towards the car. In a flash he felt her body slam into his, her arms enclosing around his neck, his hands grabbed her waist as their lips clashed together. Elena was pushing him backwards as she walked, determinedly.

He didn't realise just how much he'd longed for her, his memory deceiving him on how mouth-watering she smelled, how perfectly she fitted into his arms.

Damon smiled into her kiss and was forced to break it. Elena shook her head slightly and kissed him again.

"Mmm…wait, wait." He said pushing her away

"Damon?" Elena said confused, her eyes worried

"Hold on." He said laughing, breaking her hold on him and flashing off towards her car that was beginning to roll backwards slowly.

He jumped into the open door, pulling the hand break on and switching the lights off. He pulled the keys out and locked the doors.

Elena was smiling and he held her keys out with a smirk

"What?" she said "I was in a hurry."

"Is that so?" Damon asked as he slid his arms lowly around her waist, bringing her lips back to his.

"Mmm-hmm." Elena breathed in agreement through their kiss.

A/N TBC! Smut promise! Please review! :D Dr. B xx