We drove swiftly and smoothly back to Mystic Falls. I kept looking across at Damon and his face was still pained. I knew he was angry and upset with himself. We didn’t talk for most of the journey. It wasn’t until we were nearly back that he sighed.
“Elena, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have taken you out today.” He stared at the road.
“Damon, don’t say that. I loved it…until the near-attack that is. But it didn’t happen. Which just goes to show that you are able to resist the blood if you try.” He smiled weakly and looked at me.
“Why were you so angry with Stefan about killing someone when you know that that’s what I do all the time?” I didn’t know what to say. He was right.
“I…I don’t know…I guess it’s just the thought of him…killing. I mean he was always so trustworthy to me and then he did something like that…” I shuddered at the thought. “I’m so used to you now that I’ve kind of blocked out what you do and I-” he cut me off.
“Elena, Stefan made a slip-up, we all do. But the pull of human blood is so strong. I nearly ripped those hunters apart back there but you managed to stop me only by a fraction. I…I can’t explain to you how STRONG that pull is, I really can’t. And for it to be so close to Stefan, like on his lips, it’s absolutely impossible not to drink.” He stared out ahead.
“Elena, just to let you know, I haven’t killed anyone, let alone hunted a human in a long time now. Blood banks are just as good a source, just minus the thrill.” I was shocked. I hadn’t known that Damon had stopped feeding directly on humans.
“Really? Wow, good for you Damon!” I forced a smile, as the thought of anyone drinking blood made me feel uncomfortable.

It was nearly night-fall when we pulled up outside my house. I clambered out of the car and began to walk up the path, with Damon at my side. Suddenly, Stefan staggered out of the bushes.
“Hey, HEY! Elena, Damon, how are you?” he waved, and his words slurred slightly. I stepped back.
“Stefan…what’s up with you?” I asked nervously, although I was sure I already knew. Damon stepped in front of me.
“Stefan. Go home. You’re drunk.” Damon sighed and took a step toward his brother who in the same second had punched Damon squarely in the jaw with horrifying precision. Damon fell backwards hard and hit the porch decking with a thud.
“And why do you think I’m drunk, Damon?” Stefan spat as Damon sprang swiftly to his feet. Fists clenched, Damon tensed his body and lowered it as if to pounce at any given moment. I wanted desperately to stand between them and stop them, but they were vampires, not boys. There was nothing I could do but stand helplessly on the sidelines.
“Look, Stefan,” Damon growled. “Elena chose me. Get over it!” Stefan lunged.
“GET OVER IT? HOW?” And they threw each other around faster than I could see. They were really attacking each other.
“Stop it! Please! I’m begging you!” I cried out in earnest but it was in vain. They ignored me.
“I love her Damon. You knew I did. You knew I’d be back here eventually but you seized that opportunity to steal the most perfect, the most wonderful thing from my life!” Stefan yelled and they moved their fight into the nearby forest. I ran desperately after them, tears streaming down my face pleading them to stop. Damon had Stefan pinned against a tree with one hand at his throat. Stefan’s toes were barely touching the floor.
“You know better than to think you’re stronger than me, brother,” Damon growled menacingly. “I’ve had enough of you pining for my girl. Yes, that’s right. MY girl.” Stefan was about to attack his brother again in ferocity when a girl stepped out from behind a tree. I gasped and threw my hand to my mouth.
“But I thought I was your girl, Damon?” said Katherine.