"She doesn't know anything Elijah,' Elena muttered harshly while looking in the direction of her twin sister Emmie. Said twin was lying on the floor surrounded with books from the local college. Whereas Elena inherited the physical appeal, even though they were twins, Emmie had the brains. Since she had no real reason to finish high school with her sister she left early and enrolled in Mystic Falls Community College.

Elijah ignored Elena and used his left hand to toy with the ring on his right. "You endanger her by leaving her ignorant,' he finally replied.

"We already lost Jenna. I want her to have a chance at a normal life. The less she knows the better. I don't want her worrying about whether or not someone wants to kill her."

"You both are doppelgangers Elena. Do you really think her not knowing will keep her safe? She is a Petrova and therefore cursed as you are." His voice held no real tone, he was just stating the facts that Elena knew all too well. Watching Emmie sit up Elena wanted nothing more than to have her twin out of harm's way, but Elijah was right. If someone wanted to take her, she couldn't stop it.

Even Elena knew she couldn't keep the lies up forever.

Chapter 1: Emmie Gilbert

The sun blasted through Emmie's bedroom window with accuracy. It hit her face and she groaned as her blue eyes popped open in response. Some day's she feels her body operate on its own accord. Blinking slowly she willed her body to return to sleep, but no such luck. She could hear her sister and Stefan in the other room, doing god knows what. They were just that loud.

"It's eight in the morning Elena!" She shouted, grabbing a pillow to cover her head. She was so close to pouring cold water on their withering bodies when the noises stopped.

She heard an apology and rolled her eyes. She loved her sister and Stefan, but they needed to take their recreational activities elsewhere. Jeremy move in with Alaric so the sisters shared the house. Stefan came over more, which meant Damon practically became their couch potato. Besides the booze he brought Damon was annoying.

With sleep out of the equation, Emmie sits up in her four-poster bed and tucks her curly black hair behind her ear. The drool on her chin shows just how much studying she did last night. It was finals week and Emmie had only two to take. History and Math, both she was excellent at. The professors just decided to up the ante and toss in new material at the last minute.

A knock on her door brought her out of her mental musings and she rolled out of bed. In grey shorts and black tee, she swung open the door to see Damon. He wore his infamous smirk and held up a mug of coffee.

"You look like shit,' he commented, taking in her tired and disheveled appearance.

"Yeah say the boy living on my couch and reeks of dead bodies,' snatching the mug she smelled it and went to close the door but his foot stopped it.

"I brought you coffee and you won't invite me into your room?" He feigned hurt and Emmie rolled her eyes. Grabbing her black glasses from the dresser near her closet, she slipped them on and sat on the bed. Entering her room anyway, Damon folded his arms over his chest and scoffed at the yellows and pinks in the room.

"Yet you come in anyway,' she replied. He wore all black, as usual, but he opted for a leather jacket. He was a gorgeous man, one of many here in Mystic Falls, but she stood no chance when there were Carolines and Bonnies walking around all the time. He saw her as Elena's sister, and that was it.

"You are such a girl,' he pointed out. Arching a black brown Emmie looked at herself in the mirror across the room and shrugged.

"Two points for Salvatore."

Checking the time, she stood up and placed the mug on her vanity. Opening her closet door, she pulled out some black sweats and a green sweater. She still had a lot of studying to do and the library would be opening in an hour. Damon watched her and she felt his eyes on her the entire time. He always stared as if she would just vanish right before his eyes.

From her stance at the closet, she could hear Elena's bed knocking against the wall. Slamming her closet door shut, she groans and snatches her iPod off the bedside table.

"I understand Stefan went away for the summer, but geeze, OTHER PEOPLE LIVE HERE!" Damon chuckled and shut the door to her bedroom finally leaving her in peace. 'He is becoming a creeper.'

Thirty minutes later, she was showered and dressed. Grabbing her green messenger bag, she loaded all the things she had to study for. Tackling History meant going up to the third floor of the library tower where it was always quiet. Slipping on some ragged converse she opened her bedroom door to be greeted by a half dressed Stefan. His chest was bare and color rose to her cheeks when he smirked at her.

"Morning,' he said before walking into the bathroom. Standing in the doorway to her sisters room Emmie watched Elena slip on Stefan's discarded shirt.

"I'm heading to the library. I will be back in time for dinner."

"Again, you need a break. Damon had to carry you to bed last night. You were drooling all over your arm,' she teases. Brushing her brown hair Emmie only shrugged in response.

"Speaking of Damon, he is being extremely nice. It is annoying. Almost as annoying as you and Stefan, doing it so early in the morning. Talk about a wakeup call."

"Sorry, he was just gone all summer. We didn't meant to wake you Em,' she smiles, using the nickname she hates.

"Yeah, well El, next time do it at their house. Take Damon with you. He is making a permanent indent in the couch."

Taking the stairs two at a time Emmie grabs her keys from the table. Her old beat down Jetta waited as she unlocked the door and threw her things in the back.

"Emmie!" Looking up she sees her sister poking her head through the window upstairs. "Don't forget we are going out to dinner tonight. I will find you something nice. Oh, we are having a guest over too."

"Great, another dinner with weird conversations and myths,' she mumbled. Pulling out of the driveway, she cruised towards the college campus already putting her mind in a history mode. The campus was in the middle of town, which made it susceptible to annoying teens and drunken college kids. Emmie preferred to keep to herself. Then again, she really wasn't outspoken.

The library is on the corner of the campus and parking was always limited. Since she was too early for it to be open, she will just have to wait. Pulling to a stop, she grabbed her history book and shut off the car. 8:45, only fifteen minutes until the library opened, which meant fifteen minutes of pre reading. Sitting on the hood of her car, she leaned back and opened the book to page 156, Viking Origins. Adjusting her glasses, she leaned back against the windshield and tapped her foot on the hood gently. Each word she read became ingrained in her memory. She had a knack for dates so she would always outline her notes with accurate dates and places. Most of the time her notes were used in lecture, they were more detailed that what the professor would give.

A black Mercedes pulls up but she ignores it. Emmie is too focused on her reading to even care. Turning the page, she tilts her head to the side and exhales.

"Excuse me,' a voice called, interrupting her thoughts. Upon lifting her eyes, she feels her cheeks getting hot. They do that when she is approached an attractive male.

"Yes,' she replies, trying her best to look him in the eyes. Eyes brown they seem to hold the world in them. His hair is just as dark and a few strands fall in his face. His lips are full and pink. Clearing her head, she bites her lip.

"You are Elena's sister. Are you not?" She nodded in response and closed her book. She figured everyone knew that by now.

"I'm her twin; can I help you with something?" He extended his hand and she slipped her in it. Bring it to his mouth he kissed the back of it and she swore her cheeks were on fire.

"At this moment, no. My name is Elijah, Elijah Smith. Pleasure to meet you,' he arched his brow as if trying to recall her name, which he knew but pretended not to.

"Emmie, Emmie Gilbert." He released her hand and she folded it across her lap. "How do you know my sister?"

"She is a friend of a friend. I am simply here to help with a problem of hers." Furrowing her brows Emmie bites her lip.

"Surely she would have said something to me. I guess I have been too busy studying."

"You are a history student,' he looks down at her book and she shrugs.

"I am a sucker for dates. Mostly because I am good with numbers." Sliding off the hood of the car, she opens the backseat and takes out her messenger bag. Slinging it over her shoulder, she shuts off her phone and tosses it in the car. Elijah watches her intently noting the obvious differences between the two girls. Emmie's black hair provided a start contrast to her paler skin. Her blue eyes were almost white and he found that intriguing. Two girls, twins, but so different. One threw herself into harm's way while the other remained blissfully ignorant and unknowing. Unlike the Salvatore brother's he was intrigued with this, Emmie. Maybe it was because she had no idea that her own sister was hiding valuable information from her.

Emmie grabbed the book from the car and gave Elijah a smile. "Well, I hate to run off, but I have to study. My professor decided to toss some Viking history into the exam with only a week to study it. Who knows how long I will be here. Nice meeting you Elijah, I am sure Elena is still home."

"I am in no rush to meet with her. I could be of service to your studies. I am a historian. I know Viking history rather well." Pushing her hair behind both ears Emmie stuttered as she tried to find words to say. Elijah wore an amused expression and she swore he would laugh.

"I guess that is alright,' she replied with a shaky voice. Her cheeks were flaming hot and she shook her head as she walked the path to the library entrance. She almost tripped over a rock in her way because she was so anxious about being alone with him. Her hand still tingled from where his lips met her skin. Pushing open the glass door, she shivered when a gust of cold air passed over her body.

"Shall we,' he says gesturing to a table near the back window. He leads her with a hand on her lower back and the muscles under his fingers tense. Her face remained neutral but he could tell she was gnawing her teeth together. Dropping her books on the small table between two cushioned chairs, she pulled a leather journal from her bag. The material of the cover was worn out and by the looks of it, the pages were wet or had been once.

Adjusting her glasses once more, she sat down and pulled her feet under her. Completely relaxed she watched Elijah do the same. His black suit was tailored and nearly fit him like a second skin. The purple shirt he adored stood out against his skin. Crossing his left ankle over his right knee, he arched his brown returning the observatory gaze.

"Ready,' he said, pulling her from whatever haze she was in.

"Yeah, where are we starting?" She asked, tapping the pen on her paper.

"The beginning of course,' he told her, a playful tone laced in his voice. "The Vikings did not write their own history, they passed it down orally,' he started.

"Oral tradition basically,' she interrupted.

"Please do not interrupt." He deadpanned. She watched the smile leave his face and nodded. He was being generous and she was screwing it up by interrupting him.

She listened to every word he noticed. Nothing he said went unwritten. Her hand moved across the paper like water in a river and he wondered how she could be so attentive. Everything he said was on the paper in front of her in a neat scribble. Elijah found himself leaning forward as he spoke. She seemed so interested in what he had to say and he played to that advantage. Smirking he stopped talking but her hand kept moving. Soon her mouth followed and he stood up. She never noticed. Leaning over her shoulder, he watched as she wrote everything he was or had thought. Changing the thoughts in his head to cars, he watched as her writing falter and her head tilt to the side.

"Why are we talking about your collection of vintage cars,' she asked aloud. Perplexed he leaned forward and pinned her between his body and the chair.

"I have not spoken of such. Tell me Emmie, how is it you know what I was thinking."

Realization flashes on her face and she curses.

"I don't know,' she replied softly. Shutting her books, she slides under his arm and grabbed her things. He lets her go, for now.

He watched her leave and heard her car leave the parking lot. Looking down where she was seated he picks up her journal. Flipping through the pages, he came across one that answered his earlier question.

Written in her scribble his eyes roamed the page.

Journal Entry: Numero Uno…

I can read minds. It only takes one touch and I can hear everything.

Closing the worn out book he carries it towards his car. In the dash, he places it knowing he will see her soon. Seems like the other doppelganger has secrets of her own.

Slamming her bedroom door shut Emmie jumps on her bed and screams into her pillow. How could she be so stupid? She touched him! Now, he is suspicious. A knock comes to the door and she yells for them to go away. Instead, the door opens and she lifts he head to see Damon.

"What are you doing here,' she asks. Rolling over onto her back, she spread out her arms and kicked off her shoes.

"Elena asked me to make sure you get ready for dinner tonight. Although you are early getting home. I expected you to be drowning in some nerd stuff."

"Damon, I really don't have time for you and your jokes. For once can I have a day without you teasing me?"

"Then what else would I do with my time,' he said as if that fixes everything. Plopping on the bed beside her he toys with a strand of her hair. He is close enough that she can smell his cologne.

"Maybe get a job. Get off our couch. Go home? Do those sound good,' he chuckled and turned her face to his. Grabbing the hand that's on her cheek, she closed her eyes and she instantly fell into his head.

So beautiful…undeserving…

Clenching her eyes shut she pulled back before she read anymore. Opening her eyes, she exhaled. He was still holding her face and she panicked when his head moved towards hers. Their noses touched and his lips ghosted over hers.

Elena…..

Emmie pushed at his chest until she was on the other side of the room. Damon rested on the bed perplexed and confused. He thought she wanted it.

"What's wrong,' he said utterly confused. Emmie rubbed her arms and ran her hands through her hair. The black strands slipped through her fingers as she turned her glare on him.

"Get out of my room Damon,' she spat turning her back to him. It will always be Elena! When he didn't move she screamed, 'NOW!"

First, she wakes up to her sister having sex. Then she almost lets her darkest secret become exposed. Thirdly, Damon walks into her room to kiss her while thinking about her sister. This night could not get any worse.

It was almost time for dinner and Emmie was sure the house couldn't get any louder. Downstairs Elena had her friends Caroline and Bonnie over. They were joining Damon, Stefan, and whoever the special guest was for dinner. Emmie just wanted to curl in bed and slip into a coma. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she turned her head towards the door as it opened.

Stefan walked in the room cautious. He could smell the dried tears, but decided not to comment on it. Ignoring her red eyes he exhales and smiles.

"I want to ask Elena to marry me."

"Oh, alright. Sounds like you love her,' she replies. He watches as she stands up and slips on her shoes. The black flats curve with her feet as she walks to her closet.

"I do. I just wanted to make sure you knew and were okay with it. I mean after graduation we will be heading off to school. You wanted to stay here. We didn't want to leave you alone."

"I am nineteen Stefan. I can handle being alone. You and my sister can go get married and have as many babies as you want. I do not need a sitter,' she snaps. Something is off, but he doesn't pressure her.

"Are you alright? Caroline and Bonnie have been asking when you were coming down,' he folded his arms over his chest and furrowed his brow.

"Those are her friends not mine,' she chirped. Then again, Emmie wanted nothing more than to scream that Damon tried to kiss her but was thinking about Elena. So she opted for something a little more hurtful.

"Does Damon know? I mean you went to him with this right? This sounds like a conversation you would have with your brother, not your girlfriend's twin." She watched anger flash over his face and she knew she struck a nerve. It is obvious Damon loves Elena.

"No, I haven't. I came to you because Elena loves you,' he replies coldly.

"She is my sister. Look Stefan. I am happy you want to spend your life with a girl who picks her nose when no one is looking. Just take care of her."

"I always will. You won't have to worry about that Emmie." He says before leaving the room.

Grabbing sweater, she slipped her arms in the lace fabric and smoothed out her off white dress. It stopped right above the knee and fitted around the bust. Compared to her sister it was plain. Yet, Emmie wasn't the one for skintight clothing and revealing bust lines.

Putting on a false, yet convincing, smile she descended the stairs, trying her best to ignore Damon's eyes boring into her skin.

I know what you are thinking, another TWIN story? Well, Emmie has a lot more going for her than just being a doppelganger.

A/N: Please do not ask about my other works. I wasn't even going to come back to fanfiction but a few wise words from my grandmother changed my mind. It has been a dark and hard week/weekend for me and my family and I want...I NEEDED a fresh start in every part of my life. Please understand and I hope I can continue to have your support on my stories regardless of the circumstance.

EclecticProse