Author’s Note: What if Alaric had never compelled Elena to forget Damon? What if Elena’s hallucinations of Damon keep her from believing he’s truly back? How will Damon save her from the darkness? In this short AU/one-shot, Damon helps Elena cope with his loss when she doesn’t believe he’s returned…will Elena let herself be happy again? [I’ve made a few changes from episode 5x22 – Bonnie doesn’t get left behind because Lucy (her cousin) comes back into town and sacrifices herself instead. Alaric does not return, and there is no Kai involved. These changes were made because I wanted to focus on Damon and Elena.] All characters belong to the creators/writers of The Vampire Diaries books and TV show, that is the CW, L.J. Smith, and Julie Plec and co.

Reeling after the death of her parents, Elena Gilbert found herself going through life without really living it. That is until her best friend Caroline Forbes convinces her to go to a party which puts her in a difficult situation - in bed with Damon Salvatore. But, just as she thought almost being killed was bad enough, she receives a piece of news that turns her life upside down - and it's not like she can just get rid of this one!

Everything has changed. 72 years ago, Elena's life was linked to Bonnie's by Kai Parker. All of her family and friends have patiently waited for the day to come that she returns to them. Each of them has suffered in their own way, encountering challenges and hardships in the many years since Elena was cruelly taken from them. But now, the wait is over. Who is still alive? What has Mystic Falls become? What does the future hold for her and Damon now that she's back? But most importantly, does Damon still want the cure? Or has he changed his mind since she's been gone? -- 2017 FANFIC AWARDS WINNER Highest ranking: #1 in 'delena' #120 in 'elena' #163 in 'damon' #374 in 'tvd' --- STARTED: APRIL 2016 COMPLETED: NOVEMBER 2016 EDITING IN PROGRESS --- Based after Season 7 of TVD but before any of the events in The Armory or Season 8 occurred. Please leave me any feedback- I'd love to know what you all think! Enjoy! ❤️

A/N: Hi friends! Thanks to a great suggestion I got in my inbox from a sweet follower, I've written a fic on 5x22 that explores what Damon/Elena were feeling and going through - basically what we didn't get to see in the show. This is different from the ones I've already written in the sense that we get to see more of DE before and after the explosion. Spoiler alert - the ending is nicer, haha! Enjoy! Credits to the creators of The Vampire Diaries, Julie Plec, L.J. Smith, etc.

This story follows after season five of the vampire diaries.

It's been three full month since the travelers died but someone died with them also and this two persons meant everything for Elena Gilbert the first one was Bonnie her best friend and ex witch and the second one is Damon he was her love her everything that kept her alive and know that he is gone what will the young vampire do