Author's Note:

I haven't dabbled in this fandom/pairing for ages, and it's been forever since I wrote Angel of Mercy, but since today is the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and it was mentioned in that fic that A.J. lost her brother to it, I thought this was suiting. It makes sense without having read that fic, it's really just a tribute to today and all that. So yeah…randomness :P


"Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?" ~Alan Jackson

A lock of pale blond hair fell into tear filled blue eyes. A.J. North-Salvatore stared out the window just as she had all those years ago. Like she had on September 11th, 2001. Tears spilled over her eyes and fell down her cheeks as she thought of her baby brother. He'd died that day. Her sweet, beautiful Markus. Such a special child lost to such a horrific, pointless act of terrorism. He wasn't the only one, of course. She mourned not only for him and for her loss but for the loss felt by so many people that were taken away from sons, daughters, brothers, sisters…well, she mourned every single child affected by that day.

"I can't believe it's been ten years," she whispered.

Damon walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're going to have a lot more 9/11 anniversaries ahead of you."

"It's not fair, when you think about it. My little brother died at four years old, but I'm going to live forever. It's just…wrong."

"You're still going to have my impossibly gorgeous self to keep you company."

She laughed despite herself. "And if you die, your immortal ego will escort me to the funeral."

"That's my girl. Don't want you getting all down and droopy on me."

"I should have been there, though. I was his big sister, I should have found a way to help him."

Damon spun her around, staring down at her with his fierce, crystalline blue gaze. "Alexis Jayden Salvatore North, don't you go thinking Markus dying was your fault or so help me I'll stake you myself."

"Please, you'd never."

"Of course not, but it made me sound a little more badass and menacing."

She laughed softly before turning back to the window, sobering. Her husband stood behind her, a comforting hand on her shoulder. How had ten years already passed? He would have been fourteen this year, she thought sadly. Even now, long after the smoke had cleared so to speak, people were still being affected. Families, lovers, friends…days may pass where the tragedy of the Trade Towers being bombed wasn't mentioned, but that didn't mean people ever recovered from the grief left in its wake.

Tears clinging to her lashes, A.J. whispered, "September 11th, 2001...the date that will never be forgotten."