Summary- Joanna is a kind quiet girl living in Monterey who is promised to a wealthy man by mid January. How does the ripper of Monterey change her fate on Christmas eve night. And how does Damon Salvatore a weary traveler help her recover from loss of loved ones and her own identity. DARK. Don't like don't read. MATURE and ADULT themes. Hope you like it.

I don't own TVD or anything affiliated.

Chapter 1- Promised

"Sit down my love your father and I have something to tell you."

My father looked worried and it was in that moment I truly realized how old he had become. Working as a farmer had it demands and I believe much of his rage from work he took out on us. He never harmed us physically but his screams were heard by all in the village of Monterey. I knew what this discussion was going to be about but I sat down and remained silent.

"We've found you a suitor, to be quiet frank someone we hadn't thought would be an option for our family's state."

"Father what is that supposed to mean you work hard and our family has been here for gener-"

"Joanna what your father is trying to say is the man is very wealthy and he'll take very good care of you."

A silence filled our small cabin. I had an awful habit of biting the skin off my nails which was the only thing I could focus on at the present moment. Tears filled my eyes and I tried to hold them back but all I could think about was leaving my home. I loved my home. I loved washing all the rags and walking my brothers to their jobs in town. I loved the way the soap smelled that my mother got from out neighbor. I loved my home and though I would soon be 18 I didn't feel I was old enough to leave.

My father looked down at me with disdain, "Joanna I'm sorry but this is the best you can hope for."

He quickly stormed out of the cabin.
"I'm sorry mother I didn't mean to be ungrateful I just.. I just..."

"I understand love I'm sorry to see you go. I'm very sad as well. But this is a part of life and I'm sure you'll give it the positivity and grace you bring to our home.

At the words our home I began to sob. My mother cradled me in her arms and I instantly felt like a child again. What was a kidding myself I was a child. I had never even been into town. Where would I live? Would I be able to see my family? My mother brushed a long strand of brown hair from my face and lifted my head.

"Jo, we'll spend christmas together and then the wedding will be in January. It will be lovely, I'm sure of it."

She kissed my forehead and grabbed her knitting basket and walked out of the house. The boys were still at work and I remained in the house all alone. I walked to my room which I shared with both of my brothers and looked at myself in the small mirror we had acquired from a traveler. My whole life my family had told me how pretty I was. I had rich dark brown hair and pale skin. My face was soft and delicate and I had large blue eyes. I lifted my night shift off to look at my body. I had never really looked at it in a mirror before. I was a very small girl. I had the body of a child. I began to sob even more. What if the man didn't want me. what if I'm a disappointment. Then I heard the door open and I hastily put my shift back on and whipped my tears. Jaime briskly walked into our bedroom. From where I was sitting he appeared so tall. I had forgotten how much he had grown up.

"Are you ok Jo? I waited for 10 minutes at the edge of town but you weren't there so I just walked home. I haven't walked without you in years it felt strange."

He continued to undress and change his shirt. He then went to get a bottle of gin from the cupboard. He was acting so normal I'm sure mother and father didn't tell him.

"Hey Jaime."
"Yes."
He walked back into the room where I remained on the floor. "Have you been crying Jo."

He sat down on the floor with me and handed me the bottle of gin. I looked at the bottle studying it. I had never had a sip of alcohol but then I remembered in a few days I wouldn't live here and who knows if I would get to see any of my family again. I took the bottle in my small hand barely grasping it and took a big gulp. I began to cough and I could hear Jaime laughing at me. He patted my back and began to rub small circles with his thumb.

"Jo what's wrong?"
"I'm to be married in January."
Jaime's expression was unreadable. He sat completely still for a few moments. "Who is he."
"I don't know I've never met him."
I could see Jaime's face growing in anger.
"Where's father?"

"Jaime please no don't do this right now. I'm sad but it's all going to be ok. This has to happen eventually for most girls it's when they're 14 we had a lot of extra time together it's ok.

I grabbed Jaime's hand before he could go out to the back where father was working. "Let go of me Joanna!"

"Jaime, please I don't want more trouble you know father will make me leave now if I cause problems. Please!"

Jaime shook my hand from his grasp. I had never really looked at Jaime. He was short and had such a gentle demeanor but his body and face were jagged and muscular. He looked like father very much. But he had a aura like mother. He was soft and sweet. I began to cry again. I didn't want to leave him. I would miss Jaime the most.

"Go put something on and we'll go get Baron from town."

I nodded my head and went to my room and put a faint yellow dress on over my shift and my brown sandals.

On the walk to town it was apparent that it was Christmas eve but with all the events happening I completely forgot. Jaime looped my arm through his as we walked.

"You know you walking me to work and walking me back is my favorite part of my day. I'm going to miss that."

I stayed silent. I didn't know what to say. Jaime always had such an easy time sharing his feelings. I would be leaving my younger brother in a few days and I couldn't even muster up any words. I began to open my mouth to speak when he said. "It's ok Jo you don't have to say anything let's just walk.

When we arrived Baron was sitting on the little black bench at the edge of town. "Damn you guys look awful what's wrong."

Before I could say anything Jaime told Baron the news. Baron didn't get up from the bench for a few seconds. When he did I saw the expression on his face and my intuition told me what he was about to say.

"I didn't want to tell you guys until it happened but I'm promised to a young woman in Monterey. We're to be married a few days after Jo."

"So you knew?" Jaime almost screamed.
"Yes, but father told me not to say anything that he wante-

"Great now you're both leaving and I have a matter of days to get used to the idea because you didn't feel like telling me thanks Baron. Come on Jo."

Jaime took my arm and I expected him to start walking toward home but he marched toward town. I thought Baron was behind us but he was walking in the opposite direction.

"Jaime where are we going."

"Well you've never been into town I thought we could have some fun before you're a boring house wife with little demons running around."

I laughed nervously I hadn't even thought about having children.