Humanity 6 "The Change"

Chapter 7

DAMON'S POV

My heart is beating rapidly as she pulls the door back, allowing me to finally see her perfect face after four months of dreaming about it.

My eyes meet hers, and I breathe sigh of relief. She looks just as amazing as I remember, if not better. God, I missed her so much.

We're both staring at each other, not saying anything. Neither of us seems to be sure what to do. I decide to break the ice.

"Okay, I'll start." I say with a small smile. "I know Alaric eternally wiped our relationship from your brain, but please...please tell me it's coming back."

I beg eagerly as she continues to stare at me. What is she thinking?

"Or at least part of it, because...imaging this exact moment is what got me through the last few months." I admit.

"I...I'm not sure what to say." Ashley finally responds softly.

"Easy. It's so easy." I tell her, stepping forward and grabbing her forearms. "Just say that you missed me as much as I missed you."

She looks up at me with wide eyes as she starts shaking her head. No. That's not a good sign.

"I remember...pain." She tells me, stepping back from my grasp. "I remember all the terrible things that you did to the people I care about."

The words sound so terrible and venomous coming from her mouth. It's so unlike her.

I know that I've done horrible things to her, but she's always defended me. As much as I hated that, I need it right now more than ever.

I look down, taking a deep breath and trying to compose myself.

"I honestly don't remember anything good between us." She admits as pain continues to slice through my body. "I thought if I saw you in person, it might change everything, but..."

"Maybe you just need a little more time." I suggest, still looking at the ground.

"Damon, I know that I loved you." Her small voice says and I look up, locking my eyes with her.

"Yeah." I nod.

"And I know that, apparently, I forgave you for all the awful things that you did." She continues as I sigh. "But...I just don't remember it. I'm...I'm sorry. I just don't...feel it anymore. I'm sorry."

Wow...those are words that I never thought I would hear coming out of her mouth. Especially after four months of waiting to get back to her.

"Yeah, um...okay." I say quietly, taking a step backwards.

"Damon, I...I really am sorry." She repeats.

I stare at her, unable to find words, as she starts closing the door on me.

I know she's sorry. But her being sorry isn't going to take away the massive aching pain that's currently resting in my chest.

***

I walk into Ric's hospital room. He's asleep so I walk over and look at the heart monitor that he's hooked up to. I begin pressing buttons, causing him to wake up.

"Hey. I really don't think you should be playing with all that." He says groggily, sitting up in bed.

"Just add it to the list of terrible things I've done to the people Ashley cares about." I say with a sigh. "Let's see...I turned Caroline into my own personal blood bag. I turned Matt's sister into a vampire and threatened to kill Bon-Bon a couple times."

"More than a couple." Ric adds.

"That's subjective. Sometimes I was being funny." I point out.

"And you killed Stefan's best friend at his birthday party." He reminds me.