Prologue
"Damon, people like us never get first pick. The princess and the prince charming deserve each other." I blinked bright emerald eyes at him as his eyes fixed on her from afar as she turned rapidly and confusingly from the compulsion.
"But it's always Stefan, you don't understand." Damon gritted his teeth.
I lowered my eyes and bit my lip. "Of course not."
I walked away from Damon's hunched figure slowly; being extra sure he didn't sense the rare tears that rolled down my cheeks. "Because it will always be Elena."
Chapter 1: Blue Christmas
In the Beginning
New York City, New York - 1910
Like most Christmases I had spent in the last 100 years, I walked to the busiest bar available. I swept my bleach blonde curls over the top of my tight sleeved red dress. My white heels clanked against the faded wood of the New York bar. The classic Christmas music was playing and my face didn't change from its grim set as I sat at the secluded corner of the bar. I crossed my legs in my lacy leggings of the curve-hugging dress, very aware of the whistles coming from behind me
"A Bloody Mary and 4 shots! Keep 'em coming." I didn't even raise my eyes to meet the bartender's.
"Identification please, miss." He asked politely.
Narrowing my eyes, I barked for my drinks again, pushing my floral hat down to conceal my eyes. The man's eyes dilated and he immediately set down my drinks. I grinned perfect white teeth. I glanced around the bar. Maybe two hundred people. I raised an eyebrow. Dinnertime! My eyes were just starting to change as I drowned my drinks when a pale hand slammed $20 for my drinks. I could feel my teeth point when I sensed the man next to me. He was a vampire too. And old. Hey, you are too! Composing myself, I turned to the amused smirk of a Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome.
His jet blue eyes followed mine as I looked him up and down. "Not bad. Don't pay for my drinks again. Merry Fucking Christmas, D."
I stood and strutted out of the bar to meet the snow storm outside, only to be locked in his mesmerizing eyes again.
Mystics Falls, Virginia - 2010
"Hello, brother." Damon smiled at Stefan.
Stefan gulped. "Crow's a bit much, don't you think?"
I walked in slowly, "Wait till you see what we can do with the fog."
Stefan nodded at me. "Xenia. So, when'd you two get here?
Damon marred sarcasm in his voice as he walked through the room. "Well, I couldn't miss your first day at school! Your hair's different. I like it."
It's been 15 years, Damon." I plopped on the bed and kicked my feet up, snorting at Stefan's remark.
Damon shared a glance with me. "Thank god. I couldn't take another day of the nineties. That horrible grunge look? Did NOT suit you.
I giggled. "Remember, Stefan, it's important to stay away from fads.
Stefan fumed. "Why are you here?
Damon pouted. "I miss my little brother."
I closed my eyes and yawned. "I didn't."
Stefan regarded me with narrowed eyes. "You both hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing for you to do.
I flashed off the bed and sat in a chair next to Stefan. Damon leaned on my shoulder. "We've managed to keep ourselves busy."
Stefan rolled disgusted eyes. "You know, you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you."
I chuckled. "You mean me. Ah. That can be a problem. . .for you.
Damon smirked at me as Stefan went from suspicious to desperate. "Why are you here now?"
Damon walked up to Stefan, "I could ask you the same question. However, I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up all into one little word. . ."
I interrupted joyously, "Elena."
New York City, New York - 1910
"You know, Xenia, you would think I'd forget about you."
I blurred away from him, only to be stopped and held by his muscular arms again.
"Look! Look at me! I know you're still pissed with the whole Katherine thing, but you can't leave me again! I loved her. You know how that is! I can't go on without my oldest best friend."
I met his eyes warily and stepped away to inspect him. "1. I am your only friend, Salvatore and don't you forget it. 2. Ouch, I am not that old!"
He chuckled weakly and wiggled thick eyebrows. "3. I don't know love, remember? But I will help you, because we love each other and we stick together, even if it means finding your bitch of a lover in her goddamn cave. Happy?"
"Very." Damon embraced me and then whispered seductively in my ear, "So, does that still mean I can never get in you sexy pants?"
I pushed him away. "No! Sex gets way to complicated! Now drive me somewhere. I'm hungry now, and not for sex."
Damon grinned evilly. "Lead the way, snarky."
Mystic Falls, Virginia - 2010
Damon chuckled. "She took my breath away. Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine. Is it working, Stefan? Being around her, being in her world? Does it make you feel alive?"
Stefan shot back, "She's not Katherine.
I rolled my eyes. "Let's hope not."
Damon regarded me approvingly, "We both know how that ended. Tell me something, when's the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?"
"I know what you're doing, Damon. It's not gonna work."
Damon advanced with the expert skills of a bad ass. "Yeah? Come on. Don't you crave a little?"
Damon starts hitting Stefan and I blur around him, dizzying him. "Let's do it. Together. I saw a couple of girls out there. Or just, let's just cut to the chase, let's just go straight for Elena."
I snicker as Stefan yells protest and leave the room just as Stefan breaks and vamps out in search of Zach.
I wake Zach as Damon threatens, "You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again. I think we woke Zach up. Sorry, Zach."
He winked at me and I smirked. This might actually get exciting. Damon and I shared a gaze and we nodded to each other with raised eyebrows. Bring it, doppelgänger.