Hero?

59

The ride to the creek is quiet, neither one willing to bring up what was said the other night. They are both right and they know it. Damon bitterly regrets bringing Ana into this life, but in order to protect her he had no choice. But by protecting her he destroyed her.

"Damon, are you going to give me the silent treatment for the whole picnic?" Ana finally asks not liking the silence. Normally the silence between them is comfortable, but not this one.

"When you leave tomorrow, you aren't coming back." Damon states this rather than making it a question.

"No, not even once Snake is taken care of. I'll visit and allow my men more freedom, but no, I won't be back." Ana says softly.

They come to the spot along the trail by the creek they had decided earlier on for the picnic. It's a lovely place where they've had other picnic's at. Ana's come here often to cry. It's on Damon's land so there is little chance of anyone interrupting them.

The hobble the horses and set up the picnic.

Damon breaks the tense silence, "I broke up with Teresa last night."

Ana looks up at him, "Really? You find a replacement already or you just going to go hunting at the clubs?"

"Neither, I'm done. I'll hire an escort or have one of my strippers go if I need a date."

"Damon, you don't need to do that. There are plenty of females out there that would love to be with you."

Damon smiles and shakes his head. "I won't subject another to this lifestyle and do to her what I've done to you. The others that wouldn't mind are just more bints."

Then before Ana could speak, "What about you, Ana? You're old enough to be dating now. Are you interested in anyone?"

"Yeah, like Hawk's nest is crawling with candidates." Ana says sarcastically.

"Trinity is more than interested in you."

Ana falls silent for some time. So long that Damon doesn't think she's going to answer. "Trinity, he's a great guy and a fantastic kisser. I just don't know if I want to go that route with him. I have plans for him that will mean leaving my side. He's too much a player to stay away from the clubs when he's not at my side."

"You're afraid that he'll cheat on you?" Damon says softly.

Ana's answering smile is weak and watery. "I don't think it, I know he would. At best he'd only be my bed buddy, and that's something I don't want. I'm not ready to settle down by any means. After all I just turned fourteen today, but when I get a boyfriend I want someone that won't cheat on me."

"Any one that cheated on you would be a double fool. First for cheating on you and losing the best woman I've ever met and second, you'd kill them painfully and slowly." Damon says thoughtfully.

"Yeah, well like you've shown me, cheating doesn't seem to mean much to men." Ana says bitterly.

"Only when the woman doesn't mean anything. I don't care if I cheat on my girlfriends because they aren't worth anything to me. If I had someone like you in my life, as my girlfriend, I'd never even look at another woman. And no, I'm not saying that because you'd kill me. I'm saying that because no one would be able to compare. But you are the only woman like you," Damon shrugs, "and so I'm giving up on dating."

Ana teases him a bit, "So you'll be taking over the strip clubs then? Poor Tony won't have anything to do anymore."

"As if," Damon snorts in disgust. "None of the dancers can compare. I can't even watch anymore. Tony will remain in charge of the clubs."

Ana stares at him in shock. He really means what he says.

The rest of the afternoon goes by without much conversation. They just enjoy the sunlight and wading in the creek and each other's company.

It's not until they start packing things up that Damon breaks the easy silence. "When we get back, change into something nice like you are going out to a fancy restaurant." He smiles as he says this.

"What do you have planned?" Ana stops tightening the cinch on her horse and stares at Damon waiting for his reply.

Damon smiles a sly smile and only replies, "You'll see."

They ride back once more in silence and take care of the horses just as silently. They could easily have left the horses for the groom to take care of, but Ana enjoys the task and Damon likes her company.

After they shower and change twilight has fallen. Ana meets Damon at the foot of the stairs and he hands her some flowers. "They're beautiful, Damon. Thank you!" Ana hands them to a maid and instructs her to have them placed in her room.

"Where are we going?" Ana is confused as Damon escorts her past the dining room and out the patio doors.

"To dinner. The cook will make whatever you want. They, everyone wants to make this a special day for you." Damon escorts her to the gazebo which he'd had lighted with fairy lights and since the weather at this time of year is unpredictable he'd had a heater brought in as well. The cheery flame dances in the night.

Damon had even had speakers set up and music on, set low. He'd done everything he could to make this special for Ana.

"On, Damon, this is wonderful. Thank you." Ana gives him a hug and tilts her head back to look at him.

"You are welcome," Damon says even as he lowers his head to hers and kisses her. It's wrong and he knows it, but he can't help it. All to soon he breaks off the kiss and has her sit down at the table cloth covered table. "Whatever you want tonight, Ana. For this night I'll allow you to order alcohol as well."

Ana smiles, she and Damon have had long and thorough talks on the danger of teenage drinking. Before tonight she's never tasted anything alcoholic.

"I don't know what would even taste good?" Ana says nervously.

Damon smiles, "Many alcoholic beverages take time to get used to. You should start out with a fruity one or a mix drink like a daiquiri."

"Then that's what I'll have if that's okay?"

"For tonight whatever you wish." Damon pushes a button and a maid comes out. They give their drink orders.

"Would you dance with me Ana?" Damon asks to break the silence.

"I'd be honored." Ana takes the hand Damon holds out to her and they start dancing.

The night flies by and as Damon escorts her back to her room, "Thank you Damon, this has been the best birthday ever." Ana wipes her eyes angry that she's crying.

"Ana, it's okay. You don't have to come back, but we can still celebrate your birthdays together." Damon stops outside her door and holds out a box.

"When you leave, I hope you will take this with you as well." Damon says as Ana opens the box. He hadn't missed that Ana is wearing the necklace he gave her a few days ago.

"Damon, you didn't need to buy me something so expensive." Ana holds up the tennis bracelet. She notices that it matches the necklace that she's wearing.

"I know, you never ask or want the expensive things. Except for the slaves freedom. I just hope that you like it."

"I love it. It's absolutely stunning and you know it." Ana holds out her wrist for Damon to put it on her.

Damon manages to get it on her and Ana brings it closer to her eyes to admire it better. "What time are you leaving in the morning?"

Ana stops looking at the bracelet to look at Damon and her joy turns to sadness. "Early. It takes awhile to drive to Hawk's nest. Before breakfast, I'll try to not wake you up."

Damon smiles bitterly, "I won't likely be sleeping anyway. Goodnight, Ana." Damon kisses her forehead and goes to his room.

Ana slips into her room and wipes her tears away. She won't be getting much in the way of sleep either.