Chapter 1: If She's Game


The flashing lights. The sirens. The smell of burning filled the cold crisp air. People were screaming as if their life had depended on it. The loud explosions in the background causing her body to shake. Lifting her head slowly, she winced and looked around as her brown eyes glazed over with tears as she seen the scene before her. There were ambulances, fire trucks and even police cars. She couldn't remember exactly what had happened, but she knew it was very bad. She remembered talking to Matt and Tyler.

Slowly pushing herself up, she winced again, feeling worser pain as she looked down at her hand, seeing glass seep into it. The thick line of blood ran down her baby soft clear skin. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she slowly limped forwards, trying to call for help. Where was she? All of a sudden, she felt dizzy and everything went black. She didn't know what was to come or what was happening. The one thing she would find out is that.. it wasn't only her world anymore.


The shrilling beeping echoed over and over throughout the room as the doctor took down the results and checked her blood pressure, before leaving and shutting the door behind him. The room was a beautiful green lime. The cleanest room you could ever see. The floor was covered with shimmering black tiles that didn't have the slightest smudge. The silk curtains had been pulled over to block out any element of light. The television was on the wall, which was on standby.

The brunette slowly began to stir awake, moaning in pain as her eyes fluttered open to take in her surroundings. The beeping continued and shrilled through her head, causing her to wince. Pushing herself up with all of her strength, she breathed through the pain and looked around the room, furrowing her eyebrows. This was new? Since when did the hospital... become so.. posh and tidy looking? This didn't look like her normal hospital, she knew her hospital. Looking down at her hand, she seen the large cute that the glass had cut into it. It looked about as deep as the sea.

Tears trickled down her cheeks as she looked around, not sure about what was going on. Something wasn't right, she felt.. weird. Not herself. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Where was everyone? Damon, Alaric, Jeremy, Caroline? She moved over to the window and drew open the curtains as she stared outside. Where was she? This was NOT Mystic Falls. More tears began falling as worry and fear shook through her body. It wasn't right.

The door opened up as a doctor walked in with the nurse. Slowly turning, Elena looked at both of them as the fear spread further within her. Something was definitely not right. The doctors were dressed too smart.

"Mrs Salvatore.. we're so happy to see that you are finally awake." He beamed as she froze and felt her heart come to a stop. Did he just say...Mrs Salvatore? Were her and Damon married? She began pacing and hyperventilating. No no no. This was wrong. It was so wrong. This is the kind of something that was wrong. What was she talking about, everything was wrong at the moment!

"Sir, we don't know what's wrong with her. She seems to have gone into a state of shock." The doctor told the person who had entered the room. Elena continued to pace, feeling herself getting clammy until two heavy hands placed themselves on her arms. Looking up, she immediately relaxed as she seen those two comforting blue orbs staring back at her.

"Damon! Damon, what's going on here? What happened to me?" She asked frantically as she felt her body shake, but then she stopped and looked at what he was wearing. A black suit with a tie. He NEVER wears suits unless it's for special occasions. She tried reaching out for him, feeling scared as he pressed his hands firmly against her shoulders, giving her a warning look.

"Katherine, calm down now." He told her as she froze once again, feeling sick to the pit of her stomach. Katherine? No no no. What was going on?

"Katherine? What? No Damon... it's me!" She told him, trying to hug him again, but he pressed his hands harder against her shoulders. She swallowed back the tears, feeling hurt and confused. None of this was making any sense to her.

"All the discharge papers are ready to be signed by you sir." The doctor told him, before giving him a bow and left with the nurse, shutting the door.
"Breathe alright... you were in an accident Katherine. The hospital has taken good care of you." He told her sternly as he removed his hands from her shoulders.

"No no! I am NOT Katherine! What are you wearing! What's going on Damon?" She demanded, looking up at him, "It's me Damon."

"What twisted game are you playing with me this time huh? I've had enough of your games Katherine." He told her coldly, "Did you expect your boyfriend?"
"Damon.. I.. I.." She was lost for words and shivered as he moved closer to her, an angry glint in his eyes. This wasn't her Damon.

"Well your boyfriend isn't here. Your husband is, so get over it." He walked out, slamming the door as Elena burst into sobs and fell to the floor, covering her face with her hands. This wasn't right. She wasn't Katherine. H.. he was NOT Damon. What was going on? It was just a horrible dream. Her mind playing tricks on her.

Getting up, she climbed into the bed and pulled the covers over her, more tears falling as she just wanted everything to disappear and be gone within an instant. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and fell into a deep slumber.


Moving her fingers slowly, she whimpered in pain, feeling a sting erupt in her body. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she felt the cut on her hand, thumping with pain. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked around and swallowed, seeing the hospital room. Sitting up, she almost sighed in relief seeing that she was back in her normal hospital, but she wasn't so sure, it was a little too familiar. Getting down from the bed, she made her way over to the window and looked out. It was Mystic Falls. She looked around, hearing the door open and chewed her lip. She seen the doctor and nurse walking in and stayed back against the wall, tears glossing her eyes.

"Miss, you're safe. Don't worry about anything. Calm down." He told her, trying to be calm as he smiled along with the nurse.

"No.. No.. I.." She stuttered, feeling sick as she sunk to the floor and burst into sobs, the reality of it all becoming too much.
"We think the shock has hit her." The doctor murmured to someone, causing her to look up quickly and sigh in relief, when she seen Damon and his beautiful leather jacket wrapped around his body with his dark denim jeans. It was HER Damon.

"Dam...Damon.." She whispered hoarsely, reaching out for him as he rushed around to her and bent down, taking her hands.
"Hey, look at me.. okay? Shh. You're alright. You're alright Elena." He told her, speaking softly as he stroked her hair back, smiling comfortingly.
"I.. It w..as so.. real. I'm.. not h.. her Damon. I'm not." She told him and began sobbing again as he watched her, his concern growing within seconds as he gave a nod to the nurse and the doctor, telling them to leave. Moving closer, he wrapped his arms around her body and held her close, feeling her shaking violently.

"Elena. Breathe. Breathe for me. Your heart is racing too fast. You're safe with me. There was just a gas explosion, it was an accident. You just got caught up in it." He told her calmly and rubbed soft circles on the small of her back as she buried her face further into his chest, thankful that he was letting her touch him.

Gripping at his leather jacket, she pulled him closer and took in his scent, wanting everything to go back to normal. What happened? It must have just been a realistic dream?

Looking up at him, she swallowed as tears fell and leaned into his touch as he wiped them away with the pad of his thumb. Slowly lifting her into his arms, he laid her on the bed and pressed a gentle kiss to her hair.

"You should rest. Then I'll get you out of here, okay..?" He told her gently as she nodded.
"Don't be long." She replied quietly as he gave her a gentle smile and pulled the covers over her, walking out.

Looking around, she breathed deeply and shook her head. Just a dream. It was just a dream. Closing her eyes, she fell into a deep sleep.


"Katherine.. Katherine, wake up!" He shook her as she jumped a little, opening her eyes to see Damon dressed in a suit again and swallowed. Uh oh.

"Damon..." Elena whispered, sitting up as she looked at him, chewing on her lip.
"Come on. I've signed the papers. We can go." He told her, walking out as she looked around, sighing.

Just go along with it. Just breathe and go along with it. Slowly getting up, she walked over to the clothes they had left for her and her eyes widened. Woah. A dress... silk? Was she Royalty or something?

Getting dressed, she looked into the mirror and swallowed. Katherine.. of all people? Why was she dreaming about this? Was it a dream? Was it real? She didn't know. She just hoped Damon came back to get her out of the hospital soon. Walking out into the hall, she seen Damon and another guy, causing her to swallow nervously. Making her way over to them, she took a look around, taking in her surroundings. It was a VERY posh place.

"Ready to leave Katherine?" He asked, his blue eyes shimmering with a pain that flashed through them and was gone again within a second.
"Oh.. yes of course." She told him as he took her hand and lead her out, causing her to shiver from his touch.
"What? Does my touch disgust you now? Do you really hate me that much Katherine?" He questioned, the hurt laced in his voice as she just swallowed, not knowing what the hell happened between them to make them like this. By the sounds of it, she apparently cheated.

She just shook her head, not saying anything as they walked outside and he helped her into the car that they had waiting. Shutting the door, he sat back being quiet. Elena looked over at him, not liking this kind of Damon. She was use to a one that was throwing funny comments at her back and forward. Playing with her fingers, she sighed quietly, just wanting to be out of this dream.

"Is something bothering you?" He questioned coldly, glancing out the window.
"No." She told him quietly and looked around to him, reaching for his hand as he froze from her touch, "Damon?"
"What..?" He didn't even turn his head and Elena reached over, taking his chin in her hand and turned his face.
"What happened to us?" She whispered, tilting her head slightly, looking into his eyes.
"You did." He answered, pulling away from her touch and looked out the window again. Closing her eyes tightly, she leaned her head back, feeling tiredness take over her as she fell asleep.


Hearing the blistering flames in the background, she moaned a little, feeling pain in her hand and head. Opening her eyes slowly, she glanced around to see that she was in the Boarding House living room and sighed in relief, rubbing her eyes. Pushing herself up, she folded the blanket that was covering her and placed it on the back of the couch.

"Hey sleeping beauty." Damon grinned, walking over and bent down, "Thought the hospital slipped you a sleeping pill."
"Shut up." She told him, smiling and pushed him lightly, covering her face, "How long have I been out?"
"About half an hour. Not long." He told her, holding out a glass of bourbon, "Helps me out."
"I bet it does." She told him, laughing a little as she took it and began to sip at it, trying to get use to the taste.
"You were tossing around in your sleep. Having bad dreams?" He asked, concern laced in his voice as he raised an eyebrow.

"More like crazy dreams. You wouldn't believe me." Shaking her head, she took a few more sips and sighed, feeling better as she passed it back to him.

"Try me. I live for crazy." He told her with a smirk, wiggling his eyebrows as she smiled, giggling.
"It might be crazy, but since the accident earlier. I...collapsed, but when I woke up, I wasn't... me?" She said, looking up at him.

"Beyonce? Britney? Oooh Mila Kunis?" Damon's smirk grew bigger as she pushed him, shaking her head.
"I knew you wouldn't take me seriously." Getting up, she walked over to the fire, feeling goosebumps growing on her skin from the cold breeze.
"Ah. Come on. I'm only playing around. Tell me.. pleaseee.." Damon begged in a whining voice with a grin as he walked over to her and stood by the fire. She looked up at him and crossed her arms, taking him in. Did the dream mean something?

"I...I woke up and they called me.. Mrs Salvatore." She told him, chewing her lip as he laughed.
"I can see why that would be weird, being married to Stefan and all." He answered with a small smile as he sipped his bourbon.
"No. Not Stefan. You.." She murmured, looking up at him as he slowly looking at her as a grin spread across his face.
"Now now. If you wanted me, you could have just asked. You don't have to dream about it." He told her as she rolled her eyes.
"Shush. That's not the only thing. In my dream, THEY kept calling me Katherine and so did you." Elena confessed, her brown eyes filled with confusion as he tilted his head, chewing his lip.

"You were Katherine?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. And you HATED me. You wouldn't let me touch you, talk to you without...being harsh. Something was in the dream. I can't figure it out. Like.. I.. she cheated." She told him, thinking about it as she looked down at the flames.

"Ever since the accident huh?" Sipping his drink, he watched her and seen her nod lightly.
"Yeah. It's like, when I go to sleep and pick up where I left off with HER. When I fall asleep there, I pick up where I left off from well HERE."
"That's odd." He responded, not quite sure how to react.
"I feel like I'm living two lives Damon. It's so real." She whispered and swallowed, remembering the way he had looked at her when she was Katherine and rubs her face. Does the dream have something to do with her and Damon in this 'life'?

"Well.. erm.. you wanna rest?" Damon asked as she shook her head.
"Nu uh. Me and you are going out. Somewhere fun. Come on." She grabbed his hand, pulling him to the door.
"I don't think that's a good idea. You just got out of the hospital." He told her as she rolled her eyes and pulled on her coat that was hanging up and grabbed his, passing it to him.

"Shush and come on." She told him, walking out.
"Well.. if she's game." Shrugging with a grin, he pulled on his jacket, walking out.


A/N: I hope it's okay guys :D

Shauna
xx