It's been so long since my last update. But reviews have kept on getting to my inbox, so I decided I couldn't leave you hanging. I don't know where I'm going with this story, but I hope you'll enjoy the ride!

If anyone is interested in beta-ing this, you're welcomed to PM me!

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Previously on Gone with the Wind…

Elena is saved by Jonathan Salvatore and is welcomed into his mansion to serve and aid his daughter, Emma, who is revealed to have lost a limb to unknown causes. Meanwhile, the appearances of a stranger have seemed to upset the young Gilbert's first day at work.

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Gone with the Wind

Running up that hill

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She let the cold breeze of the summer sink through the pores of her skin, as she let her head backwards in a deep and long sigh.

Elena released the breath she'd been holding when the images of that little girl's missing limb flashed right before her eyes. So that was why Mr. Jonathan Salvatore had required her as his daughter's assistant. Sure, they were a wealthy family but having such a luxury these days was something that truly seemed unnecessary.

She wondered how Emma could have gotten through such pain, how such an accident could have happened to such a young girl –she couldn't have been over ten years old- and how her father could manage to take care of her when literally there was the war a few miles away from their residence.

Elena had made a mental note to herself to find whoever this mysterious uncle Emma had been talking about was and have him spend some time with his niece. After all, it had been her sole wish that day and she really was growing fond of the little girl so fast. With her angelic face and her sweet manners, it would have been hard to do otherwise.

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She pushed the venetian doors of her terrace closed, stepping back into the girl's chamber. Glancing over the clock, she realized it was past dinner time and –technically- she would have been off work. If only had there been someone to instruct her. Mr. Salvatore had seemed to disappear from that morning.

Noticing Emma was fast asleep, Elena decided to step in the hallways to go look for her new master. She cringed at the thought.

"Looking for someone?"

A voice from behind her literally took her breath away.

Elena struggled to regain a steady heartbeat, but when she turned to complain to whomever it was that had startled her to death, her shallow breath got stuck in her throat, this time for a different reason.

It was the most unique and mesmerizing pair of blue eyes she had ever seen in her life. It felt like being trapped in it, Elena couldn't move her focus from them because their magnetism overshadowed this stranger's face features.

"You scared me to death" she murmured, her hand going instantly on the place of her heart.

Then she heard the dark chuckle. And it clicked.

"It was you"

"Usually it is. For what exactly this time?" the man's velvety voice played smoothly with the words.

What the hell was she doing? Throwing accusation at someone she barely even had proofs on. She took his image in, and soon realized his wealth, thanking her mother for teaching her to count to ten every time she wanted to say something out of place.

"I'm sorry. It was very inappropriate for me to say" she couldn't hide the note of subtleness in her voice. After all, she still had a dignity for God's sake! And she could not shake the feeling that that chuckle was the same she had heard earlier that morning when she was caught naked at the lake.

The man before her seemed amused by her sudden swing of attitude. She felt blood boil in her veins up to her cheeks. Who did he think he was? What was wrong with men in this house? Had they never heard of southerners' manners?

"How rude of me" he let out in fake politeness, as if reading her mind. "I have not yet made introductions. My name is Damon Salvatore"

And in that moment, when he grazed at the skin of her hand, she felt as if a tiny fire was lit where his lips touched. That was the moment she admired his beauty.

His jaw was very strong, giving him that extra touch of masculinity that made her feel just enough uncomfortable when he looked at her. The white shirt he was wearing enhanced his well- groomed body and muscular arms, and his smile looked innocent, but she swore there was some kind of sixth sense adverting her that something was far from being pure.

"I'm Elena Gilbert" she curtsied elegantly.

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He couldn't shake the thought of Elena Gilbert for the rest of the night.

Jonathan hadn't even bothered to ask him to dine with him. The old dog knew better than to suggest Damon Salvatore what to do. Besides, he had too much on his mind to be thinking about formalities.

He was sure that whatever that gypsy woman had done to him the night before was having its effect. Damon was feeling utterly tired and blood thirsty. He couldn't take whatever abilities those witches-wanna-be had for granted.

Without further ado, he headed into town. He would have fed off the drying soldiers and would have paid a visit to Brenda, the witch.

He smirked. Maybe a visit to that high class brothel wouldn't have been such a bad idea. After all, the sight of Elena bathing in the pond that morning had left his needs unsatisfied. He hadn't gotten laid in way too long. Damn military service.

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"Miss Gilbert?" Jonathan called, when she saw her approach the front door to take her leave.

"Yes?"

"I have been told you discussed to my daughter about her uncle earlier." His face was stern, holding disapproval. Elena braced herself for the impending scolding.

"It is true. Your daughter requested…"

"It is of no importance what Emma requested, Miss. You are not allowed to make promises you cannot keep and that are completely out of your reach" his voice raised, making Elena cringe.

How dare a father act this way with a kid? She looked at him with stupor, unable to form a coherent and educate sentence at the same time.

"Whatever is the problem? If you think you are not suited for this job I will see to your replacement in the fields by tomorrow morning"

"No" Elena's urgency cut him off. "I mean, no I truly am grateful for what you offered me." She lowered her glance, afraid her eyes would give her away.

"Then I suggest you mind your own matter and only follow your duties." Jonathan said. "Be punctual tomorrow. Emma wakes up at seven thirty for her breakfast."

"Yes sir" she murmured with gritted teeth, and turned to leave.

What had she gotten herself into?

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The night was long and she couldn't seem to fall asleep, although she was utterly worn out. The barn floor was not the best sleeping option she had, but the bay hales seemed to at least keep her cold from the cold drafts blowing from the open fields during the night.

She stood up.

Suddenly, she heard the horse in the box right in front of her blowing air out of his nostrils. She knew horses well enough to understand that creature was very awake and waiting for her attention.

Elena approached the same black horse of the previous morning, as he snuggled his snout under her arm.

"What is it? Do you wanna go for a walk?" she absently asked him, but the idea sounded so appealing she seriously considered it herself. After all, it was way past midnight, who could notice?

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There was a full moon, and the sky was completely clear. It was enough for her to see vividly her surroundings. Once on the back of the horse (saddle free, of course, it would have been too dangerous to risk getting caught like that), she started walking towards the open fields where she was sure no one would have bothered to look. It was just behind the lake, far away from the mansion.

She loved going horse riding with no equipment. Her parents had always scolded her telling her it was not ladylike, but Elena had never been the one to follow those silly rules. She was glad, in that moment, that the little tomboy inside of her was not dead.

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Elena looked upwards, admiring the beauty of the starry skies. In that instant of serenity all the events of the day –the war, the bombs – seemed so distant and out of consideration.

She breathed in the breeze coming from the woods, mixed with musk and freshness, as she felt her body relax with the small gifts of nature.

For a second she considered running into the wild and never coming back. It would have been an interesting turn of events. Oh, how she missed her old life.

She realized she had started crying when her surroundings became blurry and messy.

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Then an unexpected noise caught her by surprise. Sniffling, she cleared her eyes and focused her gaze on the distant residence, noticing how all the lights were suddenly on. She had the horse trot towards the place, and the more she approached it, the more she realized how much movement there was for being late night.

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She snuck in the barn, hoping no one heard her footsteps nor the animal's, but to her surprise, she realized no one was there.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Elena led the horse in the box and ran towards the house expecting the worse. When she arrived there it was a mess. People hurrying around, some were screaming, others were carrying stuff. One name was repeated over and over again.

Emma.

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In the confusion, she swore she saw his eyes again. But it was just for a second. Too short to tell…

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And here it is!

What is happening to Emma? Does it have anything to do with Damon? To you the guesses!

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