Cosmic Love

We got to the Grill and Damon stopped us once we were just inside. “Jeremy, you act like we’re not here. Just be your usual self with Anna. We don’t want to make it awkward for you. Now go get ‘em.” He clapped Jeremy on the shoulder and practically pushed him towards the pool tables.

“Forceful much?” I said irked that he would treat Jeremy like that.

“He’s fine,” Damon said brushing me off. “Now you and I are just a nice couple on a date,” he said and grabbed my hand. He pulled me towards the bar where our backs would be towards the pool tables. That way whoever Anna was wouldn’t be able to see us.

“We’re on a date?” I said in disbelief as I sat down.

“What you don’t think it’d be believable?” he asked.

“I doubt people would think you could be in my league,” I said. I flipped my hair over my shoulder in a haughty manner.

“Oh please, darling. I’m gorgeous.” He flashed a brilliant smile that would make some women practically faint.

“And an ass,” I said with a playful smirk. He knew I was copying Elena. I could see the frown cross his forhead

“Well, I kind of missed my daily dose of cute stalker chick,” said Jeremy interrupting Damon’s smart reply. Damon and I turned to see who Anna was. When she came into view my jaw all but practically dropped. I was stunned. I didn’t think she had survived.

Damon and I turned to each other with equally shocked faces. It took both of us some time to think of something to say. “What are we going to do?” I finally asked. It seemed to snap Damon out of his gaze.

“Well, we’re going to find out what she’s doing here and what she wants.”

“And what she’s doing with Jeremy,” I put in glaring at her back. I did not like her being with him. I couldn’t see anything good coming out of that.

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We heard footsteps outside the door and stood completely still. We didn’t dare to move in case we alerted her to our presence. As the door opened Damon rushed forward and grabbed her by the throat. He turned and pinned her against the opposite wall. From the strangled cries of both of them I knew she had grabbed him too.

I shut the door not feeling rushed in the least. As a vampire you learn to be patient. When I turned around they were both still holding each other’s throats. They were so stubborn. “You may as well give it up, Anna,” I said sauntering over. “It’s two against one. You won’t win.”

She glanced towards me and then released Damon from her grip. At the same time he decided to release her. “Damn, you’re strong for a little thing,” admitted Damon.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to find me,” she said. “How are you doing, Emma?” she asked throwing me a contempt look. I resisted the urge to just rip her heart out. It was so very tempting though.

“I’ve been doing well, thanks,” I said instead. We could both tell I wasn’t happy though. Anna began to take off her bag and put it on the vanity. I did not want to be here or talk to her at all.

“How long have you been here?” asked Damon.

“I arrived around half past comet. Watching you screw up every chance you had to open that tomb.” She gave him a smirk but you could tell she was not happy about it.

“How’d you know about the spell?” asked Damon. He happily took over the interrogation

“I didn’t say much back then. Which means I heard everything.” She looked very pleased with herself and I wanted to just wipe that look off her face. She was never going to be on my good side. And frankly, I hated her.

“So, if you’ve been here the whole time then why are we just crossing paths right now?” asked Damon getting in her face. I rolled my eyes watching him threaten her. He always was trying to intimidate and control people.

“I like to use others to do my dirty work,” she said pushing past him. She was obviously not impressed. I don’t blame her. Damon couldn’t even choke her very well. She walked over and stood in front of me. I watched as she looked me over with a neutral expression.

“Like Logan Fell,” stated Damon, putting the pieces together. “Oh yeah, thanks for that by the way. Little bastard shot me.”

“Logan was an idiot,” agreed Anna. Grudgingly I had to agree with her. So did Damon. “We slipped him some blood when he started getting all poser slayer with that compass. I needed his family’s journal. I couldn’t let him die.”

“What’d you want with the Fell’s journal?” asked Damon.

“I thought it contained the location of the witch’s spell book. I was wrong. According to her journal, Honoria gave the grimoire to Jonathan Gilbert. And according to this,” she said walking over to the vanity again, “he gave it to your father.” She held the book in her hands with a clearly unhappy look. “So now you’re going to help me find it.”

“Why would I help you?” asked Damon.

“Because you and I both want that tomb open.” Anna handed him the journal and Damon eagerly took it. After flipping through it and some thoughtful sounds, Damon closed the journal and handed it back to Anna.

“Sorry, I only work with Emma,” he said and turned to walk out the door.

“Don’t throw a tantrum,” I said before following Damon out door.

“Do you know where it is?” I asked excitedly. It would be a relief to finally get this thing over with.

“It’s buried in my father’s tomb,” said Damon opening up my side of the car for me before walking around to his.

“I’m guessing we’re going straight there,” I said buckling my seat belt. “Are we going to tell Stefan?”

“No,” said Damon like I just suggested we burn the book after we get it. “I don’t trust him. He would never want that tomb open.” I sadly nodded in agreement. I wish we could trust Stefan but he has chosen his side. I have chosen mine.

Damon and I silently trudged through the woods to where his father was buried. Damon remembered where it was since he had watched the funeral from within the trees before. I was too tense with nervousness and anticipation.

As much as I didn’t want this tomb open, I didn’t want to see Katherine, Damon needed her. He loved her dearly and from what I had seen she brought out the vulnerable and admirable side of him. He was always so kind and gentle with her. He loved her more than anything and for that, I thought he deserved to get her, for his happiness.

When we got close to the tomb we saw lights. Getting closer we saw that it had come from torches lit around Damon’s father’s grave. Next thing I took in was Stefan and Elena huddled around the book. Elena had a flashlight in her hand as Stefan stood in the grave.

I cast a quick look towards Damon. He looked completely upset. His face held betrayal and I knew he had hoped that this once he could trust Stefan. He loved his brother even if he didn’t want to admit it. Damon walked forward so I stood behind him and stopped looking at them. “Well, what do you know,” he said sarcastically. Stefan and Elena looked up at him both looking sheepish at being caught. Elena shined the flashlight on us, making us visible to her.

Stefan quickly recovered and got out of the tomb to face Damon. He stood between us and Elena. “This is an interesting turn of events,” remarked Damon. I could tell he was struggling to hold back the emotion.

“I can’t let you bring her back,” said Stefan simply. He acted like there was no other alternative. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I,” said Damon. Stefan had a confused look on his face. “For thinking for even a second that I could trust you,” explained Damon. I could tell he was completely upset. Walking up behind him I laid a comforting hand on his back.

“You are not capable of trust,” said Stefan. I practically winced as I could tell the words were hurting Damon more and more. “The fact that you’re here means that you read the journal and you were planning on doing this yourself.”

“Course I was going to do it by myself,” stated Damon. “Because the only one I can count on is me.” That hurt a little but I knew he was just upset. I couldn’t take it to heart. “You made sure of that many years ago, Stefan.”

“Stefan, haven’t you betrayed him enough for a lifetime, let alone an eternity?” I said standing up for Damon. It was time I got in this argument. “It’s your fault in the first place. If it wasn’t for you, none of us would be here.”

“So what are you going to do now?” asked Damon. “Because if you try and destroy that, I’ll rip her heart out.”

“You won’t do that,” challenged Stefan. “You won’t kill her. Damon lunged forward and grabbed Elena. He moved faster than Stefan could stop him. Damon placed his arm around Elena’s neck holding her close to him.

“I can do one better,” boasted Damon and bit his wrist. He forced his bleeding wrist against Elena’s mouth, making her drink his blood. “Give me the book, Stefan,” demanded Damon as Elena struggled against him. “Or I’m snapping her neck and you and I will have a vampire girlfriend.”

“Let her go first,” said Stefan. I hear the concern and worry in his voice.

“The book,” demanded Damon. He took his wrist off of her mouth. Elena stood there helplessly in his grasp.

“I’m not going to give this to you until she is standing next to me.”

“Problem is, I no longer trust that you’ll give it back,” said Damon.

“You just did the one thing that ensures that I will,” admitted Stefan.

“Here, give me the girl,” I said ripping her out of Damon’s arms. “And give me the book.” I took it out of Stefan’s hands before he could move. “Now here,” I said and threw both things at them. Elena stumbled into Stefan’s arms and he held her close. Damon easily caught the book and looked it over for any signs of damage.

Stefan and Elena quickly walked away giving both of us horrified looks. “You made a tear in this page,” said Damon. I could see the sad smile on his face. He was trying to make a joke but he was too hurt.

“I’m sorry, Damon,” I said standing in front of him. “I’m sorry you can’t trust your brother.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t even seem like he could be my brother,” admitted Damon. “And other times…” He trailed off but I knew what he wanted to say. I nodded sympathetically before placing my arms around him and hugging him. The book pressed between us as Damon put one arm around me but held onto the book.

“I’m sorry too,” said Damon moving back and holding me at arm’s length. “I can…I can trust you,” he said. He seemed relieved to get it off his chest. But I could see a slight cloud of doubt behind his eyes.

“You can, Damon,” I said. “Believe me, you can.”