The scotch burned as it rolled down his dry throat but he didn't notice the discomfort. The fire crackled nearby and he glared at the flickering lights. His eyes focused in on the two stockings that hung from the mantle but he couldn't bother himself with destroying them. He hated Christmas. He hated the whole idea of sitting around with family and opening gifts. He hated being civil to humans and he certainly hated being required to care.

This year was no different. Elena had helped Stefan decorate the Boarding House a few days ago while he had drunk himself into a stupor. He had emerged from his dark room and found the house glittering with Christmas lights while a tree sat in the corner with a few small gifts. He had argued with Elena over the decorations, while Stefan watched nearby. Their voices rose before he insulted her, she slapped him and then she stormed off.

Stefan had spoken in that annoying soft tone, belittling him. He hated that tone Stefan used when talking to him. It reminded him of Father and how much he loathed the man. Giuseppe had always kept his voice low when speaking to Damon as if he was not even worth the trouble.

Damon shook his head, banishing the thoughts of his past. Well not all thoughts as his musings went back to lovely Katherine. Where was she now, he wondered? Could she be near at hand or was she partying as she so liked to when he was human? He thought that he would feel her, a sire's bond is a strong one indeed but he never felt her in the slightest. It was a lonely existence when you could not even find the one who made you.

He shivered lightly at the thought before lifting the delicate card from the table. He had found it taped to his door, the white paper in stark contrast to the dark wood door. One word in black struck him from the creamy white envelope.

Damon

She had written his name in such a delicate fashion that it momentarily pulled him from his drunken stupor. He had lifted it slowly and pulled the small rose-colored paper from its sheath. The small writing continued on the paper and he read slowly, confused by its purpose.

Damon,

You must come to dinner tonight. I know things have been difficult for you these past few weeks but Christmas is a time for reflecting on the good from this year. You have much to be happy for I am sure and you should leave your drinks behind and spend the next day or so enjoying your life.

We are having a small dinner tonight and a breakfast tomorrow. Please come and spend Christmas with us. Stefan would like to celebrate with you and I would like to share this with you. You spoke of a connection we had and I do not wish to lose that in light of the current situation. I know you are hurt by her actions but I hope that you will still be able to be around me without the hurtful memories. I have missed you since Atlanta and I hope this will convince you to leave her memory behind and move forward.

Please Come,

Elena

He lifted the paper and held it in his hand while his thumb caressed the signature. He could not understand why she would think Katherine would stop him from being near her. Contrary to popular belief, he knew who she was and who she wasn't. For a small moment a flame shot through his cold, dead heart at the thought that she wanted him to be there for Christmas. She was asking him, not Stefan. She was worried about him.

He shook the idea away as quickly as it had risen and moved to refill his glass. The letter fluttered to the floor while a loud chime rang through the house. He glanced up at the ornate clock and saw that it was nearing 9 o'clock. The dinner would be over now, the family sitting around drinking hot chocolate and talking of unimportant things. He had missed that chance.

With his drink refilled he moved back to the settee, his drink resting on the table beside it. He glanced at his cellphone which buzzed across the table, pleading with him to read the text.

Please Come Tomorrow ~Elena

For a moment he smiled at the text before chucking his phone across the room. He hated Christmas and he hated how soft she was making him. He should have just killed her a long time ago. 'But then,' his voice of reason chimed in, 'you wouldn't have a friend.' He groaned at his inner thoughts before slouching down in the chair and closing his eyes.

-vampirediaries-vampirediaries-vampirediaries-vampirediaries-

It seemed as though hours had passed since he closed his eyes, but somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind he knew that at most 30 minutes had passed. A loud door slam caused his eyes to shoot open. He glanced at the clock and read a blurry 9:37. He stood and moved to look towards the front door.

It was locked. That was strange in itself but Stefan always seemed to lock the door when Damon drank. He glanced around, listening intently for any indication someone was in the house. He came up empty, shrugged and shuffled back towards the parlor. He turned the corner with his eyes closed as he shook his head. The scotch was going to his head.

"You look horrible as always." His eyes shot open as he glanced across the room. There was someone sitting in the armchair by the fireplace, legs dangling off the arms as she reclined.

"You!"

"Yes, it's me. I was wondering if you'd remember me. You smell like a brewery and not in a good way." He glared at her for a moment before realizing something very important.

"You're dead. I killed you weeks ago."

"Yes, you did." Her eyes flew to his while she frowned slightly. She reached out, grabbing for a bottle of bourbon but came up empty. "Ah the consequences of being a ghost."

"What are you doing here Lexi?" He moved into the room with an air of cool confidence. She shrugged lightly before turning in the seat.

"I came because I was asked. It's really that simple. They asked and I came."

"Who asked?"

"Call it what you will. God. Supreme Being. The Powers That Be. Which ever since it doesn't really matter." She glanced at the piece of paper lying on the floor, moving forward in order to read Elena's dainty script. "I knew she was a good person. She would have to be if she's trying to straighten you out. She's good for Stefan...it's a pity." She trailed off again as she looked around the room.

"What do you want Lexi?" She stood quickly, seeming to appear in front of him so suddenly he nearly jumped back.

"I'm here to warn you Damon. You have been wallowing in this pity party for way too long and we're sick of it. You have this great potential apparently to save people and do good and you are wasting it."

"Alright well I'd like to go back to my drinking so if you'd be so kind as to leave." He moved over to the settee and resumed drinking his scotch. He heard her groan loudly but he ignored it in favor of intoxication.

"You aren't listening. Look here's the deal; tonight you will be visited by three spirits who will help you potentially learn a lesson. You will recognize each person that visits you and they will help you by showing you your past, present, and future."

"And what is your role in all of this?" She sighed again before sitting down on the armchair again.

"My role is to put you on the path tonight. I made a deal to come back and help you in between the meetings so that you can learn something from all of this. Hopefully you'll make the right choice by sunrise. At least we can only hope..." Damon could tell from her tone that little would be accomplished from asking her more. He downed the rest of his drink before slouching down against the cushions.

"What do I need to do?"

"Just wait for the first guest. They'll be by soon. I'll just go upstairs and hang out in Stefan's room until you get back. Remember Damon, everything you see tonight is important." With that, Lexi turned and moved upstairs. He groaned lightly and then decided to continue his drinking. He was already hallucinating and hopefully a few more drinks would take him into oblivion.

-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-

His eyes shot open when he heard another door slam. There was a distinct clicking sound to be heard on the hardwood floors as the figure drew nearer to him. He turned and glanced at the clock, "10:43".

"I'll take it that you are the ghost for the past," he called out. He watched for a moment until the figure turned the corner, the course, brown cloth dusting the floor lightly.

"Master Salvatore." His eyes flew up to the face of this new ghost and he nearly did a double-take.

"Emily?"

-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-VampireDiaries-

So here is chapter 1 of this story. Please review and show your Christmas Spirit. Who do you think will be ghosts of Christmas Present and Future?

Find Story sneak peaks and updates at http:/tsukikomew(dot)blogspot(dot)com