1864

Pairings: Elena Gilbert/Damon Salvatore

Disclaimer: I do not own anything and everything related to Vampire Diaries

A/N: This story is a twist on the season two finale. Chapter one is pre-2x22. Enjoy!

Chapter One: Who He Was

o-o-o-o-o

"Elena…"

"Jer, we're going to that Gone with the Wind screening. That's it."

The younger Gilbert could only make a face as he and his sister stood in the living room of their eerily empty house… a reminder of the tragedy that took place. "I don't feel like going."

"Well, so do I. But we gotta keep living, Jer." A shaky sigh escaped Elena's lips as she forced a smile on her face. "But we should really try to continue living. Jenna wouldn't want us to fall apart. Besides, Caroline and Bonnie are preparing a picnic."

He ran a hand down his face. "Fine… I'll go."

"We'll go." His sister corrected him. "Go and get some rest."

Jeremy knew better than to say no, feeling the urge to just sleep. He walked closer to his sister, dropping a kiss on the temple of her head. "Goodnight, 'Lena."

"Goodnight, Jer."

Elena stayed silent as she watched her brother head upstairs to get some sleep. Another sigh escaped her lips as she took the time to sit down on the sofa. In was during times when she was alone that she felt that gravity of Jenna's death weighing her shoulders. She and Jeremy had officially and permanently lost the last parental figure that they had. She knew full well that Jeremy was struggling with the loss, which was why she agreed to go to the Gone with the Wind screening in behalf of both of them. But everyone seemed to forget – or ignore – whose fault Jenna's death really was.

Elena blamed herself.

There were too many what ifs rushing in her mind as she sat there. What if she told Jenna sooner? What if she just died in that car crash so that Mystic Falls would be free from everything that was happening? What if Katherine was never the biggest manipulative and cunning bitch that she ever met? What if she never fell in love with Stefan? What if she never fell in love with Damon too?

Elena squeezed her eyes shut, willing the last thought to the back of her mind.

Now was not the time to think of the one painful commonality she had with Katherine.

Slowly opening her eyes, she fished for her phone inside her pocket. Checking the screen as soon as the gadget was in her hand, a frown made its way to her face as the screen informed her that she had no messages to read or missed calls to get back to. That was odd. By that time, Stefan would have left a message… the last of which she received about an hour earlier was about him attending the Gone with the Wind screening. The other odd thing about her very blank screen was that she had neither a call nor text from Damon. He would usually just call or text and pester the living daylights out of her… but she barely heard from him that day. He would be usually in her room by now.

Elena was on her feet as soon as she realized what she just thought about. Despite the fact that her mind was yelling at her that she shouldn't be anticipating and excited to see the brother of the one she supposedly loved with everything she had, she ran up the stairs; her speed sending her long brown hair flying from her face. Nearly stumbling into her bedroom, Elena looked around with wide eyes for any signs of the blue eyed vampire. But she found none. She ran to her window – that window that Damon like entering – and found it open; the strong, cold wind hitting her face.

Damon wasn't here.

"Stupid…" She couldn't help but mutter to herself, hating how pathetic she probably seemed running to her room like that. He was probably busy drowning himself in bourbon or something. She didn't even wanna know.

Feeling the exhaustion taking its toll on her body, Elena climbed into bed and pulled the covers over herself. Right now she was more than willing to go somewhere where none of the things happening in her life mattered. She just wanted to peace and happiness. Closing her eyes, she wordless spoke to Jenna; knowing that she would hear her.

Then, sleep overcame.

o-o-o-o-o

Elena stirred in her sleep; her face giving away the fact that something was disturbing her slumber. She turned to one side and that's when she realized what the problem was. Her chocolate brown eyes slowly opened and Elena winced as the sunlight momentarily blinded her. But despite that, she couldn't help the gasp that spilled through her lips. She sat up almost in an instant, staring wide eye at her surroundings. Gone was the soft mattress… and so was her bed. Gone were the familiar walls and furniture of her bathroom. All she could see were grass, trees, clouds…

Where the hell was she?

She got up on her bare feet; her hands busying themselves with swatting the grass of her clothes and her hair. She took a few steps to whatever direction it was… obviously, she was in a forest of sorts. But there were so many forests in the world, she still couldn't figure out where exactly she was. Now that she thought about it... How did she even get there in the first place?

"I know you might think of me as someone too frank and rude but… who are you?"

That voice.

Elena turned and the sight that met her made her wonder if she was still close to being sane. Damon Salvatore stood a few feet away from her. It really was him with his jet black hair and ocean deep blue eyes. But Elena wasn't so sure because the person standing before her wasn't the all-black clothed, smirking, confident and overbearing Damon Salvatore she knew. He was…

"I-I'm sorry." She still couldn't quite believe her eyes. "But what year is it?"

A very non-black and conservative-clothed Damon looked at her funnily. "It's 1864, my lady."

1864.

Holy shit.

Elena was sure she had gone mental.

"I hope you wouldn't mind if I ask…" Damon spoke hesitantly and it surprised her. The gesture was very so not like Damon. "What are you wearing? It's awfully… revealing."

Elena glanced down at the black tank top and denim shorts that served as her pajamas when she went to bed whenever it was. "Uh… I… You see, I'm an aspiring fashion designer? Yeah! That's it! And I – uh – made this. It's what I envisioned as the next generation clothing."

"You are very creative, my lady." He smiled at her. Elena's breath hitched in her throat. It was one of the rare times that she ever saw him genuinely smile. "My sincerest apologies for my negligence and rudeness, my lady… I was simply captivated by you. May I ask what your name is?"

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. The human Damon and vampire Damon were both very suave with women. "I'm Elena Gilbert."

Damon smiled broadly once more, walking over to where she stood nearly frozen in place. Gently and carefully taking her hand in his, he placed a tender kiss on her knuckles. "I'm Damon… Damon Salvatore. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." The long haired brunette blushed profusely under his intense gaze.

"I hope it's not too much if I ask… What are you doing here, Ms. Gilbert?" He asked.

"Please, call me Elena." His politeness and formality was close to driving her nuts. This really wasn't the Damon Salvatore she knew. "I… I'm here for a short trip. You see, my parents came to fix certain things that really don't interest me."

His beautiful blue eyes sparkled in delight. "I'm very sure I share the same sentiments with you when it comes to my father… So, Ms. Elena, you're here to save yourself from the cruelty of whatever boring thing your parents are currently occupied with?"

She couldn't help but giggle. He was very humorous. "If you put it that way, I suppose so."

"Well… Would you mind if I ask you to spend your precious time with me. You see, I practically memorize these forests. I'd like to show you a few things." He took in a deep breath of fresh air. "But, of course, it's only if you don't mind my boldness considering we just met."

Sure, she still wondered how on Earth she ended up in 1864 but the words slipped her mouth before she got the chance to think thoroughly about it. "I'd love to."

o-o-o-o-o

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