SS: Halo

"Damon, are you okay?" She held his shoulder anxiously as he stood before her, quiet, his stance rigid, his eyes lost.

Lauren had never seen him like this before…"Wh-What happened?" she asked. And yet he remained mum, a couple of seconds passed, but there was no change in his body language, nor a response on his lips.

She realised he wasn't intending on saying anything as she decided to try once more, gripping his shoulder a little tighter, she breathed "Damon?"

She witnessed his eyes shift in acknowledgement of her question as she held her breath, waiting.

She didn't want to push Damon…

Usually she knew how to behave with him, she was aware of his every emotion, action, reaction….she knew him like no one else. Yet how was she supposed to approach him, how was she supposed to help deal with a situation she'd never knew he'd experience before…this wasn't like Damon, for the first time she felt as if she didn't know him at all.

"It's over. She chose him…." he stated dryly.

Though he still wouldn't look at her, Lauren had seen something in his eyes as he had spoken, more than his words it was the underlying tone in his voice that had given it away and she knew only too soon….he was hurting.

Her heart went out to him. Damon was the strongest person she knew, a good brother to Stefan and a reliable friend. Though he had his own way of showing it, deep down she knew he did care, even though he'd never admit it.

But Katherine had changed that.

Her devious intentions and ulterior motives had meant she'd played him against people, till they couldn't understand him anymore, they didn't like the change in him. Typical as to Katherine's sick nature, she'd be delighted by the outcome, the fights and arguments that surrounded her.

Lauren had witnessed it herself, with deep remorse, Damon alienating everyone who cared about him as Katherine looked on bemused. She knew it, she knew this wasn't Damon, she'd tried to get him to listen to her but he wouldn't hear about it.

Clouded by Katherine's love he ignored everyone else, no matter what happened he wouldn't leave her, he refused to hear anything against her. People who didn't know Damon well enough thought he gave Katherine too much attention and essentially, Damon's rebellious attitude meant he was pushed closer to her, till there was no one else beside him….

But Lauren.

If she knew Damon well enough, she was also fully aware of her sister…she had expected her to leave him devastated some day. That moment was taking shape as a painful vision before her eyes…

Poor Damon…

Without even thinking, she did what she thought made sense in the circumstances, her feelings triggered by the look of vulnerability and loss on his face. She didn't like it, she didn't want him feeling this way. Reaching across, she held him in her embrace, she hoped it was enough for him, so that he knew no matter what…

She would always be there.