Disclaimer: I own nothing except for Bridget. All others belong to LJ Smith, the CW, Alloy, and Harper.

After a very very long break from fanfiction I'm back. Please excuse any typos and errors. The song that is song un the beginning and during most of the chapter (minus flashback sceen) is the group All Angels version of "Songbird".

Chapter 1

Mystic Falls May 2013

The evening of graduation found what was left of the gang in front of the Mystic Grill. Stefan tried to ignore Damon and Elena as the walked arm in arm to the door and sighed at Bonnies understanding look. Caroline was no where to be found and Matt was supposed to be inside waiting for them.

Elena still had her emotions flipped off and Damon was just happy that she had chosen him and not his little brother when the sound of a piano and a voice hauntingly familiar drifted out of the open door. Damon heard Stefans sharp intake of breath and didn't notice Elenas disgruntled look as he tore his arm from hers before darting into the packed bar and grill.

On the small stage sitting on a stool with the lights creating a halo around her auburn hair he saw someone he thought he'd never see again. He heard Elena stop beside him and flinched away as she went to take his arm. "Shhh." He hissed at her when she went to speak, his eyes riveted on the sight before him and his ears taking in a voice he only thought he heard every now and then.

Flashback

Mystic Falls April 2nd 1861

The church was stuffy and hot with almost all of the town crammed into one place. The school hadn't been big enough for the annual talent show so it had been moved to the chapel down the road from the Salvatore plantation. Damon stroked the keys nervously as he scanned the crowd. A gentle hand on his shoulder seemed to push away the tension coiled up inside of him and looking up he found himself gazing into the most beautiful green eyes he had been blessed to see since early childhood.

"Bridget." He spoke her name barely above a whisper and smiled as he felt her hand give his shoulder a small squeeze. Leaning down she moved to speak in his ear over the buzzing noise of social coversations, "Just like we practiced. Remember it's just you and me in here, no one else."

Nodding he watched as she stood next to the end of the piano her auburn hair in soft waves down her back and the white of her dress glowing in the fading sunlight. To him she was perfection and he couldn't help but wonder if when she finally walked down the aisle if she would look more radiant on their wedding day than this evening.

She had already said yes and after school, when Bridget graduated, in a few short days they would finally make it official in front of God and everyone. Dragging his thoughts back to the present he began the song they had practiced for months. As the notes of Schuberts "Ave Maria" filtered through the air he chanced a look at his father and was pleasantly surprised to see him nod in approval. Turning his focus back to Bridget he played along side her as she sang in flawless Italian.

She had specifically chosen this song to honor his family's heritage even though he barely spoke the language himself. Bridget had giggled at him endlessly when he tried to repeat the words during practice. How she, from an Irish family, could pick up another language so easily he'd never understand but as he sat there playing for her it no longer mattered. Once again they were transported to his sitting room while she sat as close as possible and yet still be deemed a decent space while she sang her heart out.

Gone were the chubby cheeks and the awkwardness of childhood, the young woman beside him was all he could ever dream of. He had always been her knight in shining armor defending her when the other boys and girls would pick on her because she was either too short or her hair too red. As she grew older he had to defend her from those same boys and girls but now the girls were envious and the boys were young men seeking her attention.

Thankfully that had finally stopped when he had placed his mothers ring on her finger three months ago. Normally long engagements were expected but unrest between the Mason/Dixon borders were growing and it looked like a civil war might break out. Should that happen Damon would have to fulfill his duty to his homestate and his country then he was determined to return home to Bridget.

As the song came to an end Bridget bowed to the audience then gestured for Damon to stand up. Reaching her side he gave a quick bow before leading her off the the make shift stage where she dragged him to the stairwell and hugged him as if her life depended on it. He could feel the pounding of her heart as he placed a comforting hand on her back.

"I was so nervous." Her words were muffled by his shirt as she practically vibrated in her spot still reeling from the performance. The sound of someone clearing their throat caused the two to push away from each other in a flash before turning to find Stefan there with a smile of pure amusement on his face. "Father wants to know if Bridget will be joining us for dinner this evening."

Smiling Bridget closed the space between her and Stefan giving him a quick sisterly hug before stepping away. "Of course I will." She replied as she looped her arm through Damons. "Care to be our chaperone? You're going to be my big brother soon." Stefan caught the gleam of mischief in her eyes and sighed in exasperation. "I'm only two months older than you Bridget."

Looking over her shoulder she stuck her tongue out at him childishly before dragging Damon outside as the tinkling sound of her giggle echoed in the churchyard. Damon couldn't help but smile down at the firecracker on his arm. She gave Stefan as much grief as he did and got away with a lot more than he ever could. Dinner that night was a small family affair with the Salvatores and the O'Malleys celebrating the talent show, the coming end of the school year and the joining of their two families.

Present Day

Damon slowly made his way towards a table near the stage his eyes never leaving the young woman on the stool. She wasn't a vampire, he would have smelled it, but she couldn't be his Bridget even if she looked just like her. 'Please don't tell me it's another doppleganger. I don't think my sanity could take another one popping up.'

He glanced over at Stefan and saw him watching the Bridget look a like confused as well. "Damon do you think.." Stefan began but a look from Damon stopped him. They couldn't have the girls asking questions, which knowing them they probably already had an arsenal just waiting. He didn't look at Elena, he couldn't, not when Bridget could be just within his reach. He listened on as she continued the song, her voice pulling at something he thought long buried.

Closing his eyes he could still see her face as he made to leave for the warfront just the day after their wedding. Tears were glistening in her eyes but she was trying to be brave for him. He could see right through her act but gave her a confident smile as he promised to return when he could.

Little did he know his little redheaded stubborn wife had already set a plan in motion. As his horse was finally out of sight she tearfully complained of a headache and quickly dashed off to her room. It only took her a matter of minutes to drag her bag out from under their bed. Changing into a plain black dress and white apron, which was normal for a nurse, she quickly tied the bed sheets together. In less than a half an hour she was gone and following her husband discreetly. She knew he'd be angry but there was no way she would have left him to go alone.

Opening his eyes he looked once more at the young woman who had just finished her song and was bowing to the crowd. Her form was still the same, mannerisms the mirror image of Bridget, but how could it be? He had watched her die.

He saw Elena out of the corner of his eye begin to lean towards him and quickly stood up shooting Stefan a look that clearly said 'follow me'. Nodding Stefan told the two girls that they'd be right back and moved to follow Damon who was pushing through the crowd if cheering patrons. As they came to stop in front of the stage Damon felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. The resemblance was indisputable. As Bridget turned she caught the brothers staring at her speechless. The light of recognition that lit up her emerald eyes had Damon reeling. 'I can't be..' All doubt went out the window as he watched her cover heart with her hand, his mothers ring shining under the stage lights.

If he was female Damon probably would have fainted but instead instinct took over and before he knew it he was leaping unto the stage and had her wrapped in his arms inhaling the familiar scent of vanilla and roses. He could hear her heart beat and the sound enveloped him soothing him like no other. "You died." His voice broke as he spoke into her hair. "I saw you Bridg.. That bullet.. You shouldn't have been there."

He felt her arms come around,him and vaguely heard Elena shouting "What the hell?" but that didn't matter at the moment. He felt Bridget move to pull away and growled softly shaking his head 'no'. Her soft chuckle caused him to pull back enough to look down at her questioningly.

Reaching up Bridget tapped him affectionately on the nose and told him that he was making a scene, that they should go somewhere else to talk. Nodding silently he released her long enough to take her hand and lead her down the stairs ignoring the looks they were getting.

Bridget grabbed Stefans arm as they passed him and looped hers through it as Damon practically dragged them through the bar and grill leaving Bonnie and Elena to follow behind.

Looking at Stefan over Bridgets head he gestured to the girls following them. "You can take them home or wherever. We'll be at the house." Stefan nodded gave Bridget a warm hug before turning towards very angry Elena and a curious Bonnie.

Elena was the first to break the silence. "Just who the hell was that?!" Stefan motioned for her to lower her voice as ge glanced around before answering. "That was Bridget." He couldn't help the small smile that came to his face because it had been over a century since he had said her name.

Elena crossed her arms as she waited for him to continue and when he didn't provide any further information she stepped towards him. Shaking his head Stefan turn towards his car, "That's all I will tell you. If you want answers Damon is who you should ask but I'd advise you to wait a few days. I have a feeling he's going to be otherwise... occupied." He knew he should feel bad because Elena was so close to going into a jealous rage at the moment but ge just couldn't find any sympathy for her. Plus he missed his little redheaded sister in law.

Without a word both Bonnie and Elena got into Stefans car and had him drop them off Bonnies. He figured that Bonnie could handle Elena if she snapped and found himself humming "Ave Maria" on the way back home. He hadn't spent much time there when Elena had picked Damon and he did miss his room sometimes.

At the Salvatore house Damon stood looking out the kitchen window as Bridget sipped her tea. "How long have you been back in Mystic Falls?" She could tell he was trying to keep his emotions in check and it pained her to see him so guarded.

"I just got in today. I pop back in every now and then. You know what they say, 'All roads lead to home.'" Turning towards her he closed the distance in the blink of an eye and she didn't even seem the least bit startled. "Why didn't you come home before?" Reaching up she gently rubbed her thumb over one of his furrowed brows. "I did but it was too late. Katherine was here already. You had moved on. When I woke up I didn't remember who or where I was. This old lady helped me after I was shot. She was.. Well she wasn't what you would call a nurse in a conventional way." Taking the cup from her other hand he placed it on the counter before claiming it once more in his own. "So a witch saved you. That doesn't explain why you're still alive after so many years. I hear your heart beat. I know your human."

Sighing softly she placed her free hand on his left cheek and watched as he closed his eyes before pressing further into her palm. "Let me show you." A sudden jolt went through him and behind his closed eyes he saw flashes of the past. Their past together, her sneaking out to follow him, her stepping in front of the shot meant for him, and the battlefield where he held her as she died. He saw her coming too in a small cabin and an old lady wiping her fevered brow. He looked on and heard the woman explain to Bridget about witches, Druids, and ancient magic. When she had been brought back something dormant inside her and been released. He watched as she struggled daily to harness her powers and the constant lecturing fron the old woman about never allowinh others to see it. He watched as Bridget slowly regained her memory and saw her fight with the woman about going back home. Bridget knew they all thought she was dead but she also knew Damon was ib trouble. She could feel it. The old woman begged her to be careful and the images skipped forward to Bridget hiding near the plaintation house watching Katherine as she played one brother against each other.

Damon felt Bridgets heart ache but also felt the acceptance for she couldn't blame him for moving on. The night she planned to leave him a parting note was they night he and Damon died. It fast forward through the years with her checking in on Damon but by that time he was no longer the same man she had married. There were times when he had gorged himself so much that he had been close to discovery and everytime Bridget would find a way to help him without him knowing.

The memories began to seem more current and he saw himself once more in Mystic Falls this time aggrivating Stefan and pursuing Elena. Bridgets heart felt heavy and even though she wanted to make her presence known she felt that it wasn't the right time. It wasn't until Damon started to help the town and those that lived there did she feel it was time to reveal herself.

Damon felt himself snap back into the present his eyes opening to star in wonder at the young woman before him. "So you never age?" Bridget surprised him by erupting in a full out belly laugh. "All that I showed you and that's the first thing you ask?"

Damon gave her a sheepish smile and reached up to touch the hand that still rested in his cheek. Shrugging Bridget leaned back and gave him a small smile. "The day you awaken is the last day you age. I can look older if there is a need for it. Say I decide to stay in one place for a while.. I'll need to age."

They looked towards the front door as they heard Stefan come home. Tossing his keys on the table in the kitchen he looked at both of them with a raised brow. "So anyone want to fill me in?"

End of ch 1

Wow... Just.. *waves* I've been gone for years. *winces while she waits for yelling* Not sure how many of my readers are still here but I'm so sorry for my absence. This has been rolling around in my head for a while. The show doesn't really have the book Bonnie so I have created Bridget. What's going to happen to Delena? No clue yet. :-P