Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: Ok, so here's another AU/AH-fic in the same style as Bittersweet Taste of Revenge, this time based on a novel by Penny Jordan, Payment Due (1991). No copyright infringement intended.

As for the plot, you'll find out eventually… : ) We start off with a short prologue, and I'll try to update as fast as I can, but I can't promise I'll be able to keep the same pace as I did with BToR.

Less Than Honorable Intentions

~ Prologue ~

"Mommy, mommy, come here!" the five-year old voice called out from the backyard.

"What is it, sweetie?" her mother put down the cup she was rinsing and joined the little girl out into the garden.

"Look – baby birds!" the petite girl's hazel looks bounced as she skipped over to take her mother's hand to drag her over to the garden wall and the tree that stood there, giving shade to the most part of the small garden.

"Really?" the young woman's doe brown eyes focused on a small nest, securely hidden among the branches. Indeed, they were baby birds, calling out for their mother much like Izzie had moments ago.

"Sweetie, I think we're scaring them. Let's go inside and keep watch so that their mother won't be too angry with us when she comes back."

The little girl took her mother's hand and followed her to the upstairs kitchen, where she climbed up on the counter to have a better view of the nest in the tree below.

"You're sure she's coming back?" Izzie looked up at her mother with concerned green eyes.

"Of course she is. Mommies don't leave their babies alone for long," her mother stroked Izzie's naturally wavy hair.

"But daddies leave," Izzie said in a voice that made her mother's heart ache.

"Sometimes they do. Now, come on, let's get you cleaned up before dinner. You're gonna need your strength if you're going to unpack all your stuffed animals by bedtime."

"Ok, mommy," Izzie said and shimmied off the counter, running into the bathroom to wash her hands.

Elena Gilbert looked at her daughter in wonder. Every day Izzie did or said something to surprise her. Every day was an adventure. And today, they were embarking on a brand new one. Elena sincerely hoped everything would work out for them here. They were off to a good start, at least. Just shortly after the moving van left today, her new neighbors stopped by to wish them welcome to the town – and they brought pies!

Elena was incredibly grateful for the warm welcome, especially since Caroline Lockwood's chicken pot pie was sure to keep them fed for the next couple of days, and Jenna Saltzman's peach cobbler – admittedly store bought – would keep Izzie in a sugar high for days.

Caroline had even offered to help out with the re-launch of Gilbert's Bookshop. She had assured Elena that with the backing of her mother-in-law, the little bookshop would soon be the talk of the town.

So far, Elena's overall impression of Mystic Falls was positive. The fresh air would do Izzie good, put some color in her cheeks and brighten her spirits. The passing of an aunt Elena never knew she had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave her the opportunity to turn her life around, to make a fresh start.

The last five years had been difficult at best. When Elena's parents died when she was 17, her on-again, off-again boyfriend told her she could stay with him. Her parents didn't have a lot of money saved up, and after all the debts had been paid, there was hardly anything left. When Elena found out she was pregnant, her boyfriend kicked her out after she had refused to "take care of it".

Elena finally wound up at a women's shelter and, with the help of the counselors there, was later able to move into a small apartment in a building dedicated for women in a similar situation. She made a lot of friends there, and she was sad to leave, but for Izzie's sake she had to take the opportunity when it presented itself.

Her aunt's lawyer convinced her that the property she had inherited – a two-storey building with a bookshop downstairs and a living area upstairs – was perfect for her. He lived in Mystic Falls himself, with his wife and two kids, and he assured her that it was a great place to raised children.

Elena spent the next six months taking classes at the community college, learning the basics of running a small business, and now here they were. Boxes everywhere and an empty fridge – save for the pies, of course.

Izzie already seemed to like it here, if her excitement over the birds were any indication, and Elena felt hopeful that her daughter would blossom here. And tomorrow she had her first play date. Jenna and her husband Alaric had a daughter Izzie's age, and Jenna suggested Izzie come over for a few hours while Elena got sorted. Elena had a meeting with her aunt's lawyer – who she apparently also had inherited – tomorrow, and Jenna's offer couldn't have been more well-timed.

"All done, mommy!" Izzie's cheerful voice snapped Elena out of her reveries, as her daughter came running into the kitchen, holding out her hands for inspection.

"Very good, sweetie. Now, come have a seat and we'll get some of this yummy food into your belly, ok?"

"Ok, mommy," Izzie beamed and took at seat at the kitchen table.

Elena smiled as she plated the pie for her daughter and watched her dig in, positively ravenous. Clearly, the country air did wonders for one's appetite, Elena mused.