Delena-Just Friends?

Chicago (Part 2)

Damon's POV

I feel bad for leaving Elena alone in Stefan's old apartment, but she needs time to take everything in. It's a lot of information for her to recieve in such a short amount of time, but I have no doubt that she can handle it. She's the strongest person I know.

I drive to the place where I know Stefan used to hang out: Gloria's. It's a bar that's been around since the 20's. The owner, Gloria, is a witch. I figure she might know where Stefan is.

I walk in and it looks different than it did in the 20's. Same layout, but different colors and decorations. I spot Gloria behind the bar. She looks the same as she did in the 20's however. Just slightly older. She must have done some spell to prevent herself from aging.

"Well look what the wind blew in, last I heard you hated this place," She says as I walk towards the bar.

"Gloria! Damn! If I knew you were gonna age like this I would have stuck around," I say.

She chuckles. "I always did like you better, but I see your brother is still hanging with the wrong crowd," She says.

"You've seen him?" I ask.

"With Klaus. Bad combo," She says. She has a point.

"Do you know where they went?" I ask.

"They'll be back later tonight. They're out running a little errand for me," She replies.

I grab her hand and tell her, "Gloria, don't be a tease. What kind of errand?"

She looks at me suspiciously. "Mm, I don't think so. You may be cute, but you're still a vampire."

I roll my eyes and walk away. So much for relying on her. I check my phone and see three missed calls and one voicemail from Elena. Shit. I instantly start to worry.

I listen to the voicemail: "Damon pick up your phone for crying out loud! Klaus and S-stefan just came to the apartment and almost found me. I- I hid behind the secret door and luckily only Stefan found me. He didn't s-say anything thankfully. Just please come back, I-I'm scared."
Her shaky, nervous voice breaks my heart.

God this is all my fault. I never should have left her alone. She could have been killed by Klaus. I try not to think about it, I don't know how I would go on if she died. I drive back to the apartment as fast as I can.

I walk through the door and I don't see her. "Elena?" I call for her. She's probably still hiding in the closet. "It's okay. It's just me here." I say softly.

I hear shuffling from the closet and then she appears, with tear stained cheeks and mascara smudged around her eyes. "Are you okay?" I whisper. She doesn't respond. Once again, my heart breaks.

Instead, to my surprise, she runs over to me and jumps into my arms. And just like that, my heart is put back together. She hugs me insanely tightly and I hug back tighter if that's even possible. It's obvious how scared she was. I can't help but notice how perfectly she fits in my arms. I'm perfectly content at this moment. I never want to let her go.

"It's okay. I've got you now," I whisper comfortingly as I stroke her hair.

Unfortunately she pulls away after what seemed like forever, but was probably only about 30 seconds.

Her moment of sweetness and vulnerability turns into anger, anger towards me. She punches me on the arm and angrily asks, "Where were you?!"

"I'm sorry I was trying to find information. But don't be pissed at me, because I found out where Stefan and Klaus will be tonight." I say. Her eyes widen. "Really? Where?" she asks.