A/N: This is the sequel to my story Mystic Stranger, if you haven't read the first story yet I would recommend you do so before reading this for it to make sense.

This story is set in the summer between seasons 2&3 some cannon is mentioned, but as with the first story it may not have happened exactly as it did in the show and I may have changed some stuff to make it fit with my story.

The Cover Picture for this fic is the picture I drew of Ella, to give you a sense of what she looked like in the first fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or anything to do with it or the characters. This is purely my own representation of the series.

Chapter One

It had been months since the group had last seen Gabriella D'Angelo their friend and a Fae. In the aftermath of her stepfather's attack emotions had been running high, things had been said and done and Ella, heartbroken, had fled Mystic Falls. In doing so she had left behind the one, and only, person she could ever love, Jeremy Gilbert. They all knew the devastating affect this could have on a Fae and they all feared the worst.

However, life goes on and things happened following that day that had put thoughts of Ella out of all their minds. The arrival of Elijah and Klaus being high on the list. In fact they were all still reeling from Klaus' visit to Mystic Falls. Matt and Sheriff Forbes, Caroline's mother, had found out their secret, Jeremy had been shot and killed then resurrected by Bonnie, Elena and Jeremy's aunt had been turned to a Vampire then murdered by Klaus. Elena's biological father had died to save her and lastly Stefan, in an attempt to save Damon's life, had started drinking human blood again and left with Klaus.

At the start of summer vacation and Elena, Caroline, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler's final summer as High School students, things were looking pretty grim. Jeremy, who had already been depressed after Ella's departure, was even more so now and kept to himself, drawing endlessly. Elena and Damon, with the help of Alaric, had pored long hours into trying to find Stefan. Bonnie was gone for the summer and Caroline and Tyler were easing Matt into the life of knowing about the supernatural.

They were then all surprised when Alaric insisted they attend the summer's founder's ball.

"You're still part of the Founding families and I think it would be good for everyone to get out of the house and think about something else for a while," he argued. "Please guys, for me?"

In the end they'd all agreed to go, even Jeremy. The night of the ball dawned and everyone got dressed up and headed to the Lockwood estate. Damon had insisted on going with Elena, Jeremy and Ric. Since Klaus thought Elena dead and they hoped to keep it that way Damon had become overly protective.

"Smile guys," Alaric instructed when they arrived at the party. "Try and at least pretend you're having a good time."

Elena and Jeremy both grimaced at Alaric before going in search of their friends. Damon looked briefly like he would follow, but then made a beeline for the bar. Alaric was close behind him.

"So," Damon began when he had a drink in his hand. "What are you up to Ric?"

"Nothing," Alaric shrugged innocently. "I thought it would be good for them to get out of the house. Elena's been constantly obsessing over finding Stefan and Jeremy…well he hasn't really been the same since Bonnie brought him back. Plus he still missed Ella and it's not healthy for either of them…or you."

"Me?" Damon asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

"You think I don't know that you've been looking for Ella since she left?" Alaric asked. "You've been tracking both of them, looking for both of them and you're trying to watch Elena at all times too. You're stretching yourself too thin and something's gotta give."

"No, you know I can't. I know what you're thinking Ric; you want me to stop looking for her don't you?" Damon looked disgusted at the very thought.

"Ella chose to leave Damon, it was her decision, she didn't want anyone to look for her. And since you've found nothing in months she definitely doesn't want to be found," Alaric pointed out.

"I don't care," Damon responded through gritted teeth. "Eighteen years Ric, I missed the first eighteen years of her life, I won't miss any more. If I can find her we can be the family we should have been. Everything that happened could have been prevented if I'd just listened to Maria, if I'd believed her and trusted her. My life would have been so different, I would have been different. I have to find my daughter."

Alaric sighed. "I really didn't want to tell you this."

"Tell me what?" Damon asked.

He didn't get an answer; instead Alaric got another drink from the bar and led the way out of the large house and into the grounds. Outside the party continued with lights and people milling around, talking. Ric walked away from the bulk of bodies and out onto the dark grounds towards the lake.

When they finally stopped they were behind a large tree with overhanging branches. The noises of the party had become a gentle hum, Alaric could just make out the people still outside and was confident he would see if someone was coming.

"What's going on Ric?" Damon demanded impatiently. He was glaring at his friend, his fist white knuckled around the glass. "What is so important that you had to drag me off to a dark corner? Not planning to kill me are you?"

Alaric laughed; the sound was a little strained. "If I wanted to kill you Damon you'd be dead already."

"You tried before, didn't work out so well for you," Damon reminded him with a grin.

"I think I'd fair better this time around."

"All right, enough joking. What's going on Ric?" Damon questioned, impatient again.

"I didn't want to tell you this, because I knew you'd go off half cocked and probably get yourself killed," Alaric started. He was pacing now, glancing every so often at the house. "I got the class roster this morning, a list of all the students taking my class in the new semester."

"And this would bother me…why?" Damon asked, confused by the sudden turn the conversation was taking. He glared at Alaric, hoping he'd get to the point. He wanted to check on Elena.

"The list itself wouldn't bother you," Alaric told him. "But there was a name on the list that I hadn't expected."

Damon froze; he didn't speak or look away. His muscles locked into position, waiting for Alaric to tell him what name had been on the list. Knowing already what that name would be.

"There's a chance it was just a mistake," Alaric continued as if trying to convince himself this was the case. "But there's also a chance that it means they're back in Mystic Falls."

Alaric paused, taking a deep breath he faced Damon. Damon knew it was possible Alaric was talking about Stefan, his brother was one with Klaus so Ric wouldn't expect to see his name on the roster. If Stefan was back however that would mean Klaus was too which put Elena in danger.

That would worry Ric, because he was right. Damon would do anything to keep Elena safe and he'd probably get himself killed in the process. For the first time since Stefan left, Damon hoped he hadn't returned. He wanted so badly for it to be a different name.

"Damon," Alaric finally broke the silence. "It was Ella."

TBC…