Ice slides forward in my glass hitting against my lips. The light reflects off of them, creating a million tiny rainbows in front of my eyes. Across the room people talk, oblivious to the fact I can hear every single word of their conversations. Nothing is an intimate moment. Through the mirror behind the bar I can see her, sitting at a table with Damon Salvatore. His back is to me but I can see her; an exact replica of Katherine. No wonder she had Stefan and Damon wrapped around her finger. If nothing else their using her looks to fill the void that Katherine created 150 something years ago. She was such a bitch.

Damon pushes his chair back, saying goodbye to the girl before walking over towards the bar. I pull the collar of my jacket further up around my face hoping he won't recognize me. I want my presence to be known on my own terms. If I don't handle things carefully my return could blow up in my face. I need as many people on my side as I can get. Without them there is no way I can complete my plan.

The inside of the Salvatore mansion hasn't changed at all. It's still dusty with museum like furniture. The exposed wood throughout looks just as shiny and polished as when it was first put in. In front of me is Stefan, shakily pouring himself a glass of bourbon. The decanter stopper almost falls to the ground as he tries to place it back on the bottle.

"Good God Stefan," I announce my presence as the younger Salvatore brother slowly turns to face me, "has Damon driven you to drink?"

Stefan's eyes are sunken in, his face pale, hands shaking. He looks like he's on death's doorstep. I can only imagine what kind of torture brought him to this. He stares at me open mouthed, bourbon sloshing all over his hand as he slowly walks forward.

"What're you doing back Diana?"

I let the corners of my lips twist into a slight pout, "Not exactly the greeting I was hoping for. Didn't you miss me Stefan?"

"Did you miss me?" there is mistrust in Stefan's voice. I don't blame him but it still hurts a little bit. Stefan was my first real friend in my second life.

I sigh, moving closer to Stefan and helping him to the couch. He sits down heavily, as if he has no control over his muscle movement. "Answering a question with a question…you've not changed a bit. Of course I missed you Stefan. You're like my little brother. Now, you wanna tell me why you're drunk?"

"You can't just avoid answering me. What are you doing here Diana?"

My eyes roll into the back of my head, the world going dark for a fraction of a second, "I missed it here. This is my home. Doesn't everyone eventually come home?"

"Does Damon know you're back?"

"It can be our little secret for just a little can't it Stefan?" I question giving him puppy dog eyes. It isn't that I don't want to see Damon, he's always been my favorite, I just don't know if he'll be as nice about it as Stefan is. I did kind of leave them hanging the last time.

"Damon's not going to be happy," Stefan answers after a little. As he drinks more of the color starts to come back to his face; the death look easing up a little.

"How long has it been since you've fed Stefan?"

"I'm fine."

"You're drunk."

Stefan stands up placing his glass back on the table behind the couch before responding to me, "I'm alright. I'll be fine. I'm going to have to tell Damon you're back Diana. He's gonna figure it out eventually."

Just then the door of the Salvatore mansion swings open. I fly across the room, tucking myself in-between the wall and a heavy curtain. If I had a working heart it would be beating out of my chest.

"Figure out what?" That is the voice of Damon Salvatore. "Have you taken to talking to yourself Stefan? This blood thing has really messed you up hasn't it?"

"I'm fine," Stefan replies stiffly.

Damon doesn't say anything. Taking a deep breath I step out from my hiding place. I should've been smarter than to reveal myself to Stefan inside of the house. I haven't given myself very many other options.

"Hi Damon."

Piercing blue eyes stare into mine. Muscled arms appear on either side of me. I can smell blood on Damon's breath.

"Hello Devil," he smirks before taking a few steps back.

"Now that's not very nice," I answer with a slight wine, reaching out to run my hand over his chest. Damon takes another step back.

"What do you want? Did you come to ruin more lives? Did you eat all the people in the place you disappeared to? How long are you staying for this time, huh? Are you gonna stick around just long enough to screw things up again and then take off?"

"Oh come on Damon. We both know why I left last time. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings," I respond taking a step towards him. He doesn't move.

"What are you doing here?"

I let out a sigh before trailing my fingers over Damon's neck as I walk past him, "The same thing you're doing."

"Well we can't just let her run around Mystic Falls," I hear Stefan say from my spot on the upstairs landing. Both brothers are in Damon's room working on what the hell to do with me as if I'll go along with anything they say.

"We can't exactly parade her around the kick-off party either. The whole council is on high alert. They'll be suspicious of someone new."

"A party?" I start, walking into Damon's room, "that sounds...exciting. I'll go get ready."

"Diana you can't just walk in there," Stefan says.

"Who's gonna stop me Stefan?"

As I walk down the hallway towards the spare bedroom Damon catches my shoulder, "I don't know what you're plans here are but you will not screw things up for us."

"Damon, if I wanted to screw things up for you and your brother I would've already done it…I've been here for almost a month. I'm here because I missed my home. I know it's going to take a while for you to trust me again but there was a time when you loved me; don't let my one stupid mistake take that away."

The oldest Salvatore holds my gaze for a few seconds before answering, "Do you even have a dress?"

"I've got it all," I respond before heading down the hall to get ready for the main event.

Author's Note: I'm still slowly working on my other stories but I get bored with things easily so its better if I jump around. Also college is beyond busy. I will try and rotate updating to a chapter or two a week for each story. No promises though. I am very excited for this story so you should be too :p. As always your likes and follows and reviews make me very happy so make sure to do that ish. Love you all :)