The Cure In His Veins

Prologue

Elena's POV:

"Elena, he won't take the cure. He says he..he wants it for you. I can either force it down his throat or stand here and watch him die...What do you want me to do?" Alaric asked softly and in the background I could hear Damon's weak voice pleading with Alaric to let him die.

I couldn't let him die. I just couldn't. My eyes flicked up to Stefan's worry consumed green eyes and I felt a lump form in my throat as Stefan gave a simple nod. I felt my fingers tighten around the cell phone as I released the breath I was holding. "Do whatever it takes, Ric. Just don't let Damon die."

"I won't," He vowed and I managed a small smile, but a few tears still managed to escape. "Now don't worry about us. You go have fun and graduate with a smile on your face. I love you, Elena."

"Thank you, Ric. For everything."

I knew he was smiling on the other end and I knew that if I didn't let Ric go soon, Damon wouldn't survive. "No problem. I have to go now, Elena. Otherwise, my vampire dick best friend won't make it. I'll see you back at the boarding house. Bye." There was a short click as he hung up then silence.

I swallowed as I pondered over the life changing decision I had made for Damon and wondered if that decision was the right one. I knew Damon would be pissed at me and I knew how difficult life would be for him now that he would no longer be immortal. Damon would no longer be the eternal stud. He would no longer be a vampire.

Graduation went by in a blur and before I knew what was happening, I was on stage accepting my diploma from Bonnie's dad and giving him a fake smile as I thanked him. The rest of the time I was waiting anxiously for it to end and finally we threw our caps in the air and celebrated our life achievement.

I practically dragged Stefan to the car and we got in. I floored it, nearly tearing up the road in the process. I actually smirked to myself when I saw Stefan grabbing for the dashboard when the car started to pick up even more speed. Finally, we pulled up the drive to the boarding house and I ran up to the front door where I paused in the doorway and listened. What I heard was something unexpected. What I heard was the steady beat of a newly resurrected old heart...