A/N: Alright all, I hope you are enjoying this story, I will be using flashback intermittently to help tell the story so we can understand Grace's connection with Stefan. I hope everyone give Grace a chance. She is pretty near and dear to my heart so if you don't like thats fine but at least give her a few chapters before making up your mind. Thanks and I hope you enjoy -Cat

Chapter Two

Mystic Falls 1864

"I won't … I won't go down there and be humiliated in my own house!" Grace snarled, gripping the edge of her dressing table, her knuckles white, as if holding on to the piece of furniture will keep her together.

"Now, my dear, you cannot just hole yourself up in here and hide from your problems and embarrass yourself further." Her mother brushed a hand down the green gown Grace was supposed to wear to the ball. It hung limply on her wardrobe now.

Grace spun around to glare at her mother, "Embarrass myself? I am not embarrassing myself, it's Stefan… I don't know what's gotten in to him but I am not dancing and smiling and being Daddy's little flower while Stefan fawns all over her!"

Her mother shrugged, as if the love of Grace's life had not just jilted her for some little nobody. A little nobody that every man in town seemed to be falling all over themselves to keep happy. "Stefan is a young man, he is going through changes and sometimes their eyes can wander. You need to be better, brighter and more beautiful than her. Prove to him that you are worthy of his attentions. Stefan Salvatore is a mighty big catch and you need to prove yourself worthy of keeping him."

Grace's mouth dropped open. "Are you saying this is my fault?"

"No my dear," Her mother floated across the room and brushed her hand over Grace's shining hair. "But we live in a small town and you have never had to compete for his affections. You need to learn that a man like Stefan needs to be held on to. You are very capable my dear," Her mother leaned down and brushed a cold kiss across her daughters cheek. "Now get ready. You will not embarrass your family like a spoiled brat."

Grace looked around the ballroom and felt sick to see Stefan dancing with that girl. Grace didn't understand what the attraction was. She seemed boring and common to Grace.

"Dearest sister, you look like a child sulking over a toy that was taken away." Grace didn't look up at her brother's taunting.

"Don't pretend like you aren't fawning all over her too." Grace crossed her arms and glared up at George Lockwood. "It's pathetic like all you young men can't think for yourselves. Never seen a woman before."

George chuckled, "Me think the lady doth protest to much." He teased. "Seriously, Grace, Stefan will come back to you. He would be a fool not too. He just wants to be nice to the girl his family has taken in."

Grace glared at her older brother, "I don't want him to come back to me, I wanted him to never leave."

George shook his head, in that irritating way George had of talking to Grace like he was her father instead of only three years older than her. "It's an evening Grace, he isn't marrying her. Take a deep breath, pouting is unattractive on you Grace."

Grace smiled tauntingly at George as he walked away. Grace turned as someone tapped her on the shoulder. To her surprise Stefan was standing right behind her.

In spite of herself Grace smiled at him, "Finally I thought you would never come over to …. see … me." She faltered at the cold look in his eyes. "Stefan?"

"Can I have a word with you …. in private?" Grace was used to sneaking out of events with Stefan but something in his expression made her think that wasn't what he was implying.

"Of course Stefan, anything for you." She put her hand on his arm but he stepped back from her touch and held an arm out towards the porch. Grace swallowed her words and walked out onto the porch, head held high, her mothers words ringing in her ears.

She turned on her heel and glared at him. If he was planning on hurting her, shattering her heart she would be ready…. and she would not let it be easy for him either. "What is it Stefan? What could you possibly have to say to me other then I am sorry,"

Stefan sighed and looked at her with pity. Pity! He dared to look at her with pity. "I am sorry Grace, I am sorry I have wasted so much of your time and your affections but I cannot be false any longer."

Grace, to her biggest embarrassment but at a moment of weakness stomped her foot. "How dare you speak to me like I am nothing to you. How dare you! Because of some little slut from Atlanta."

"Don't talk about her like that!" Stefan took a step closer to her, and yet funnily enough Grace felt like there was a great gulf opening up between them.

She felt her anger flood through her body, her legs shaking under all her skirts. "I will speak as I please." Grace shook her head looking Stefan up and down. He looked so smart in his tuxedo like her knight, her southern gentleman but he was turning into her worst nightmare, right before her eyes and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Tears welled in her eyes and she swallowed back against the lump in her throat. "If you want to leave me then you can be a man and tell me, not pretend like we weren't … we weren't everything to each other." The tears spilled over her lashes and ran down her face. "Like you never loved me, because I know you do!"

"Grace, I am sorry I can not be with you any longer."

"No!" The words ripped through her chest, tearing at her very soul. "No Stefan…."

"It's Katherine, she everything, she is entrancing, she is…."

"Oh please stop Stefan. Please. Spare me from this … this final twist of the knife."

"Don't be overly dramatic Grace, it is unbecoming of a lady."

She glared at him, the reality that this was happening was almost too much to bear. Her world was crumbling around her and now he was insulting her. "Get away from me, get away from me! " Grace spat at him. "She has ruined you and will continue to ruin you till there is nothing left. Nothing left of who makes you …. you. And I would rather see the South destroyed by this war then see you be less than yourself."

Stefan shook his head looking at her with cold eyes. "I can't make you happy Grace."

He went to turn away from her and Grace was gripped by the finality of this. "Stefan, ...Stefan please." Grace grabbed her skirts and scrambled after him. She grabbed his jacket and made him turn to face her, she put her hand on his cheek, rubbing a thumb over his cheek bone, a gestured she had done a million times before and something she thought she would do for the rest of her life. "Please, please, I need you to listen to me, this isn't you, this isn't us. I don't care if you want to dance with her tonight dance with her any time, keep her company, be a gentleman then fine. But be with me, Stefan, be with me, love me! We have come way to far for this to be our end."

"I can't. I love her." Grace gasped and Stefan took her wrists and pushed her away. "Good night Grace,"

Grace watched him walk away from her. Watched the love of her life leave, walk into her house, go up to that girl, take her hand and lead her out the front door. She gasped … couldn't breath. She clawed at the bodice of her dress knowing full well it wasn't her corset that was pulling the very air out of her lungs. She looked back into the house at the people smiling, laughing. She could't bear it. Couldn't stand that they were happy, enjoying their lives while hers was crumbling around her.

She walked to the edge of the porch. She had to get away, she couldn't go back in there balling her eyes out. A total mess. She took a deep breath and kicked off her silk slippers. She marched down the stairs into the woods…..