Author's Notes: Bah! Another late chapter, I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll be happy with this one and I'll be writing a lot more so don't worry! Summer vacation has started and I'll have loads of time to write, so that means faster updates. ;D

So please REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! I love hearing from you guys.

Crooked Ties and City Minds

“Mr. Floros you can be released today,” the familiar voice of the doctor was comforting. Alec grinned and slowly sat up.

“Wheelchair?” Alec shook his head, “I won’t need it.”

The doctor gave a concerned look but brushed it away and smiled. “Here are the clothes you came with, they are all washed. Hopefully we never meet again in these circumstances,”

The blond understood. He had no desire to get hurt again that would require medical attention in a hospital. Quickly retreating to the bathroom connected to his room he stripped out of his hospital gown. He started putting on his own clothes first sliding his jeans on and then his t-shirt, followed with a cashmere pullover and finally his coat.

Exiting the bathroom, Alec made sure he had his laptop and gave the doctor one last wave. Winding through the unbearable white-washed corridors and traveling down eight floors, Alec took a large breath of air as he left the hospital doors.

The wind picked up and swept through his blond hair. Alec almost frowned, pulling his coat closer to himself before walking towards the bus stop.

---

Before he ever reached the other side of the parking let alone the bus stop, a sleek black Lexus pulled up beside him. The passenger’s tinted window began to slide down and revealed a dark haired male in the driver’s seat. It took Alec a few moments before he recognized that it was Damon. He opened his mouth to speak, “Damon! Thanks for – ”

The teenager replied in a gruff tone, “Thank me later, get in the damn car. I was going to visit but it seems you’re alright.”

Alec heard the familiar click of the automatic lock mechanism unlock. He didn’t hesitate and quickly pulled open the car door by its handle. Sliding in shotgun, he clicked his seatbelt into place and gave a curious look towards Damon, his eyebrow raised.

Damon couldn’t help but smirk and started the car back up. “We’re going to my house.” The brunet expertly pulled out of parking lot and zoomed down a main street. Alec saw from the corner of his eye that Damon removed a hand from the steering wheel and turned on the radio. An unfamiliar tune reached his ears but that wasn’t what concerned him.

“Slow down would you?! If you crash the car, there won’t be anyone to save you – save us.”

The brunet did not bother to look over at the blond but slowed down nonetheless. However the blond could have sworn he saw a look of contempt cross Damon’s face for a split second.

Alec wasn’t up for a conversation, and Damon didn’t look like someone who talked much so he leaned against the car door and gazed out the window. The suburbs seemed to fade away as the homes got bigger, the space between them extended but not too far that Alec thought they were heading out to farmland.

“I could have judged you just by your car,” Alec turned to look at Damon. The brunet didn’t face him, and Alec didn’t know whether or not he was listening but continued on. “But you’re a rich brat, aren’t you?”

Damon snorted.

“What an understatement. Oh and look, there’s my house.” Damon retracted a hand from the steering wheel and pointed to the right. Alec’s gaze followed the direction and almost snorted himself. All he saw was a large iron wrought gate and a long driveway and Alec came to the conclusion that he had a very large mansion of sorts.

They pulled up to the intercom and Damon lowered the window. “James open the gates.”

“Right away sir,” The gates creaked open and Damon pulled into the driveway. After a few moments they pulled up in front of the house. Damon turned off the music and the car engine. He unclipped his belt and gazed at the blond.

“Well aren’t you going to get out?” Damon asked as he unlocked both doors and started to step out. The blond almost rolled his eyes and quickly got out of the car before slamming the door shut.

Damon traveled up the steps and Alec followed close behind. Damon murmured, “What have I gotten myself into?”