Hero?

33

Damon walks up to Ana's room and knocks at the door. He's not even sure that she'll even open for him. He is therefore a bit surprised when Ana says for him to come in.

Jacob was right, Ana is packing. "Ana, can I please talk to you?" Damon is almost pleading with her.

"Go ahead, I'm not stopping you," Ana says without stopping and only briefly looking up at Damon.

"Why didn't you tell me about Jenny threatening you?"

Ana snorts in derision, "Oh, please. You didn't believe me when I told you about her age. If you didn't believe me about something like that then why would you believe me about the death threats? Get real Damon. I know I've over stayed my welcome, I'll be out of here just as soon as I finish packing. I'll be giving Calum back to you before the end of the year."

"I don't want him back yet, Ana. It's too soon for you to be relying on Hawk's men alone." Damon says desperately.

With that Ana stops and looks at Damon, "What do you want Damon?"

"I want you to stay."

"Why? You don't trust me or believe me when I tell you anything. I thought you trusted me, but I guess I was wrong. I won't stay where I'm not trusted. I can't do that," Ana says with tears in her eyes.

"I do trust you, Ana. It's why I didn't take Jenny with me. Hell, I didn't even go. I couldn't with the way things were left between us."

"Why was Calum here?" Ana demands, there was no way Calum should have been here unless summoned by her.

"Jacob called him when you told him you were leaving. He called me, just as my plane was about to leave. Ana, don't hold it against him. He told me you wouldn't be happy with him being here and I forced him to come anyway."

Ana looks at Damon and then turns back to her packing. Damon just watches her waiting for her to say something.

"I knew he was more your man than he is mine. I'll be giving him back as soon as I can decently take over the reins of Hawk group."

With this Damon becomes furious, "You're still too young, Ana. The men might be, and I stress might be loyal, but the legit business's won't listen to you without Calum's backing. As much as you don't like it, you still need him. If you leave here you'll be an even easier target than you are now."

"You're speaking bullshit. Me staying here isn't going to affect my safety. Most of the work for the legit business's is done either over the phone or internet. They have already taken my orders directly. They don't know my age and as long as no one tells them, it won't be a problem." Ana stops and stares directly at Damon as she says this.

"Dammit! Ana, please, don't go. Trinity won't be sufficient as a body guard. Are you going to force him to miss his senior year? If not then you'll be leaving yourself without a bodyguard while he's at school.

"You haven't worn out your welcome. I do listen to you Ana, you know I do. Please, don't leave like this. You are too young still to take over Hawk group. If you wish more of the power then we'll have Calum start letting you have more. I still don't trust your men, hell I still don't fully trust Trinity. Move more of you men in the house if that's what you wish to do, but don't leave. Not now and not like this, please." By now Damon is nearing desperation levels on keeping Ana there.

"Give me at least until your birthday to prove that I do still value your presence here.

"By the way I've told that bitch, Jenny that she's no longer my girlfriend."

Ana stops packing and looks at Damon for the first time in the eyes. "Why did you break up with her?"

"She threatened your life, Ana, I can't let that stand." Damon says angrily. "You should have been the one to tell me that."

"Who did tell you?" Ana retorts, just as angry.

Damon deflates a bit at that, "It wasn't Trinity, he left. He said that he couldn't go against your orders. It was Jacob, but I forced him to tell me, he didn't like it."

"Of course. He's your man after all." Ana says sighing, feeling more than a little alone at this point.

Damon takes the chance and goes over to Ana and enfolds her in his arms. When she doesn't fight him he pulls her to him and gives her a hug. "You look like shit, Ana. What happened last night?"

"The nightmare was especially bad. I woke up soaked in sweat, as were the sheets. Jacob, tried but wasn't able to help me sleep."

"Where was Trinity? I'd think he'd be the one to be there for you last night." Damon asks taking Ana over to the bed and holding her as she talks to him.

"He had a date and I made a promise to him that I wouldn't interfere with his love life. He was going to stay with me tonight. But I don't think it would have a better outcome.

"Damon, I have never lied to you, I have always been upfront with you. It's something I valued in our relationship is that you were the same way with me. It hurt really bad when you didn't believe me and were willing to dismiss my warnings about Jenny like you did. I don't know if I can still trust you anymore."

"I'm sorry, Ana. The honesty between us is something I value as well. That you are able and willing to stand up to me is something else I value." Damon lifts up Ana's face and looks into her eyes, eyes that are holding back tears.

"I forgot for a minute, Ana, that you will never lie to me. I allowed my hormones to do my thinking instead. Hormones will lie, they just want one thing." Damon leans down and gives her a small kiss. "Please stay, at least until your birthday."

Ana looks hard into Damon's face, searching for her answer. Damon finds himself holding his breath hoping she finds what she's looking for. Finally she nods, "I'll give you until my birthday to prove you really mean it. But if at that time I find you acting like I don't belong then I will leave."