Chapter 9: Memory Lane.

"So, does this match?" Caroline asks her as she puts one shirt over a skirt.

"Please, Care, I thought you had good taste." Cass snorts, glancing at the clothes with distaste.

"Sorry, sorry," the blonde laughs, going back to the closet.

"Why are we going again?" Cass asks, lying lazily on the blonde's bed.

"Because it's a nice way to keep our minds off reality," Caroline replies.

She decides on what to wear and goes to her bathroom so she can change. Cassandra stays there, comfortably. Right about now Katherine must be at the Boarding House, terrorizing Stefan with memories of the past. She rolls her eyes, disturbed at how much like the past this is looking. Katherine with Stefan and Cassandra with Damon, only difference is that for the first time ever, she wishes it was the other way around. Her mind immediately takes her back to the day of the founders' party back then.

Founder's day, 1864.

"Everyone, will you please join me in raising your glasses to my good friend, George Lockwood!" Damon Salvatore raised his own glass of champagne.

The crowd turned their attention to the young Salvatore as George Lockwood made his way out of the crowd. Stefan Salvatore and Katherine Pierce watched from a distance, while Cassandra stood right next to Damon. Katherine had chosen Stefan, her favorite brother, as her date which meant Cassandra was stuck with the other. Not that she cared, of course.

"George, thank you for so bravely protecting the south," Damon continued, glancing at Cassandra before looking at George again.

"My honor, Mr. Salvatore," Lockwood said as he hold up his own glass. "After all, someone had to do it."

The people laughed slightly at his own joke. Damon and George clinked their glasses and lifted them up to the others around them. Everyone copied their movements, Damon also clashed drinks with Cassandra and both took a sip.

"Are you enjoying the party, Cassie?" he asked her.

"Very much so, Mr. Salvatore, thank you for escorting Me." she smiled softly, looking around the place and avoiding his gaze. Her newly and recently found crush on the older Salvatore was growing at alarming speed and she was trying to keep her mind away from him.

"Are you all right?" He asked her, putting a hand on her elbow.

She looked up, startled at the worry reflected on his clear blue eyes. With her spirits up-lifted, she smiled at him and nodded, enjoying how his heart fluttered a little when they made eye contact. Right then, Henry walked up to them.

"May I have a word, Miss Cassandra?" he asked the redhead politely.

"But Henry, dear, it is a celebration, enjoy It." she chastised the young vampire.

"Miss Cassandra, please," he begged her.

"Very well, excuse me, Damon." She nodded at the black-haired man before following the other vampire.

"I looked into the attacks from the other night, they're not vampires." Henry rushed, making sure no one could hear them.

"That is good, Henry, it means we are safe." Cassandra nodded.

"But, Miss, those folks were ripped apart like I've never seen before." Henry expressed his concerns.

"In that case it will not be long before the Council starts to investigate." Cassandra said, her lips forming a thin line.

"We'll leave town immediately, I will inform the others." Henry said, already about to walk away.

Her hand flied to his arm and stopped him short. He turned to her with confusion. She didn't want to leave, not yet. She wasn't ready to leave and she knew Katherine wasn't, either. And if Katherine or Cassandra said something, people did as told.

"Relax, Henry. This is our home now and the vampires are almost like family to Katherine and I, we will not let anything happen to you." Cassandra told him.

Present time

"Cass, hello, earth to Cass!" Caroline shakes her shoulder.

She blinks several times before glancing up at Caroline, who is already dressed and looking down at her with an amused expression.

"Sorry, I got distracted," she giggles as she sits up.

"You sure did, thinking of someone?" Caroline teases her as they make their way out of the room.

Cassandra rolls her eyes at the blonde, closing the door behind her and following to the car. They drive to Elena's house, where the barbecue is taking place.

"Hey, look who decided to show up!" Damon greets them.

Caroline looks blankly at him before walking away, muttering something about finding Elena. Cass only rolls her eyes and goes into the kitchen, where Alaric and Mason are. She smiles at Alaric before nodding slightly at Mason. He walks toward the two vampires and lets his hand out for Damon to take.

"We haven't officially met, I'm Mason Lockwood."

Damon shakes his hand. "Oh, sure, Damon Salvatore."

"I know, I've heard a lot about you." Mason says, his eyes going to Cassandra and back to him.

Damon turns to the counter, where Cassandra is pouring herself a shot, and looks back at Mason with a frown. He hadn't missed the way he glanced at Cassandra.

"Really? That's weird… because I'm a dick." He smirks, causing Cassandra to pour another shot and drink it quicker than possible. Can't she have a normal evening? Apparently, no.

1864

"My brother is in love with her," Damon said as he stormed into the room.

"Of course, Damon, you can come into my room," Cassandra rolled her eyes.

She closed the door and took off one of her long white gloves, watching as the man in her room paced around. He had a frown on his face and his hands folded behind his back, he still had his clothes from earlier on and his hair was neatly combed back. Taking her other glove off, she threw them somewhere near her bed as she sat down on it.

"Care to explain to me why you are so distressed about this?" she asked, amused.

"Because she is mine," he snapped at her.

"Of course not," Cassandra scoffed, momentarily forgetting about her manners.

"She's no one's, we are free spirits." She continues, giggling at the nickname that Spanish man once gave them.

They had had fun at Spain; those men truly knew how to have a wild night. After they leave Mystic Falls they should go there again. She stopped laughing though, when she noticed Damon's face. He was not happy.

"You are not a free spirit, how old are you again? And yet, you are dependant on Katherine, in fact, if I did not know better, I'd dare say you're jealous." He said.

Cassandra blinked, bewildered. Where was this coming from? Katherine was her friend, why would she leave her? Besides, they had parted ways along the years but always ended up meeting again. And jealous? How in hell did he know that?

"That is not true!" She exclaimed, standing up.

"Yes, it is. It is obvious to everybody; Katherine's everything you are not. She's gorgeous and charming and a very nice person and I love her." He stated.

Silence followed, accompanied by a tension never known between them. Cassandra closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions. She was not hurting Damon Salvatore, Katherine would never forgive her, she would never forgive herself. Opening her eyes, she walked toward the door and opened it.

"I am glad to know what you think of me, although I would have liked to be informed earlier. As for your feelings for Katherine, I'd live to give you my condolences at once," she started, her tone completely polite. Politer than he's ever heard her. "Now, leave my room." She finishes.

Damon hesitated before taking a step forward.

"Cassie…" he started but the cold look she shot him shut him up.

"Good night, Mr. Salvatore."

He nodded at her and left, cringing when the door shut a little too loudly behind him.

Present time

That was the first time they ever fought about Katherine, and it was also the first time she saw the Damon she knows today. That day he had shown him a mean side of him, one she never saw again until she came here again. She smiles as she sees him draw on the big notepad. Sometimes, like now, she can see the Damon she first fell in love with.

"A puppy! A puppy with a… tutu?" Caroline exclaims, a little confused.

"No," Damon sighs.

Cass laughs as she sees Caroline's pout. They have been playing charades, or whatever this game is called, for a while now and Mason's beaten everyone's butt. He rocks at guessing, especially because every time Damon goes up to the board he draws things related to wolves.

"A hound, a hound dog in a circus!" Jenna yells, moving her arms around and pointing at the board as she sits on the edge of her seat.

"No," Damon whines.

He moves the marker around the drawing, trying to tell them what it is without doing so. When he turns around he catches Cassie's eyes and smirks at her. She laughs again, her green eyes sparkling, as she shakes her head at him, clearly knowing what's he's doing.

"Dance with the wolves," Mason calls lazily from the couch.

"And Mason wins, again." Damon drawls, putting the marker down.

Everyone complains loudly while Mason smirks to himself. Caroline kicks the floor, almost throwing a tantrum, while Jenna shakes her head indignantly. Elena even pouts as she crosses her arms. Alaric chuckles.

"Damon, how is that a wolf?" she asks, getting up.

Damon shrugs and nods toward the kitchen. She follows him and decides to put the peach cobbler out of its boxing and into a plate.

"Aunt Jenna is getting tipsy." Damon sing-songs into her ear, making her move away.

"Care to explain to me why you're trying to get her drunk?" she asks, a little judgment in her voice.

"I want her to like me," he mock-pouts.

She rolls her eyes. There's not better way to get to Elena than through her family, Damon clearly knows that. If he gets Aunt Jenna's approval, Elena might start to consider forgiving him.

"There you are," Jenna says as she and Elena walk into the kitchen. "Isn't this fun?"

"Very, thanks again for inviting me." Damon says.

"Did I have a choice?" Jenna snaps, her smile falling.

Cass shoots Elena a look as they start to get the rest of the plates and silverware out.

"I know what you think of me but—"

"No, you don't,"—Jenna cuts Damon off.—"You've never dated you, I've dated many yous."

"So have I," Cassandra comments to Elena who laughs slightly.

"But I'm a work in progress," Damon retorts, ignoring the redhead's comment.

Elena hands Cass a silver cutter so she can cut the pie, she takes it and sends her a smile. Damon walks up to them and opens the case where the rest of the silverware is.

"These are fancy," he says, picking a shiny knife.

"Thanks, they were my mother's silver set." Jenna sighs.

Elena and Cassandra look up at the same time, Elena's eyes widened. Wolves are supposed to be weaken by silver, just like vampires with wood. Damon twirls the knife around as he smirks at them.

"Damon, don't you dare," Cassandra hisses at him.

"If you play by the rules, you miss all the fun. You know that," he says sarcastically.

Elena raises an eyebrow at her, making it clear that she thinks this is her fault. She curses under her breath.

"Mason, why don't you start us off?" Damon asks as he places the cobbler in front of the werewolf.

"Sure," mason replies.

He looks down at the silver cutter and moves the plate so he doesn't have to touch it. Taking a piece of the pie with his hand and putting it on his plate, he smiles at everyone.

"What can I say? I'm an animal."

Cassandra can't help it; she bursts out laughing at Mason's comment. Mason himself chuckles at her, enjoying their private joke, Damon, however, is seething.

"So, Mason," Alaric clears his throat. "You and Jenna ever dated?"

They all take a seat around the table, while Elena and Caroline excuse themselves and go outside. Mason shakes his head, amused.

"No, she was far away in Logan Fell Island."

"My first mistake," Jenna jokes, "Mason, here, had girls lining up."

"Why wouldn't he? He's hot," Cassandra jumps in.

"I'm free tonight, babe." Mason winks at her jokingly.

She blows him a kiss and they both laugh at this. If Katherine were here, they'd both be dead. But she's not here and she enjoys the way Damon tenses every time she laughs at Mason, so they can fool around a bit.

"Wouldn't that be illegal?" Alaric asks, looking between Mason and Damon, whose glare would be able to kill Mason on the spot.

"I'm 18," She protests, looking at her teacher with a smug smile on her face.

"Multiply that by 27 and you might get your real age,"—Damon whispers in her ear before turning to Mason.—"You know that's weird, I had you pegged for a lone wolf."

"Nah, she's kidding. I'm sure I wasn't half the lady-killer you were," Mason shoots back, raising an eyebrow.

Cassandra glares at him through the rim of her glass but chooses to say nothing. If she were to make a comment it would obviously turn suspicious fro Jenna. According to everyone, she just met Mason and has only known Damon for a couple of months.

"Here's to new friends!" Mason says, lifting his beer.

The four adults clink glasses before taking a drink from their bottles of bear. Cassandra sits there, biting one of her nails. Her hearing picks up on the conversation going on the other room. Elena is begging Caroline to take her to the Boarding House, after a moment or two Caroline agrees. Cassandra looks to the other room, catching the distressed look that takes over Caroline's features the moment Elena is out of the door. She feels bad for the blonde; if Elena gets there before Katherine is out, then she's dead.

"No takers for another round of drinks at the Grill?" Mason asks around as he makes his way to the door.

The others follow after him, Jenna and Alaric pausing at the bottom of the stairs. Nobody answers him and he shakes his head.

"Come on, it seems like I'm talking to adults here." He complains.

"I prefer the term 'role model'." Jenna raises an eyebrow at him.

Mason turns to Cassandra, a smile on his lips. She rolls her eyes, a smile of her own playing on her lips.

"What about you? Come on, you're young,"—He pauses and chuckles at that.—"And the night's young."

"Yeah, she's not available," Damon answers for her, putting an arm over her shoulders and glaring at Mason.

Jenna literally takes a step back, glancing between them with shocked eyes. Alaric shakes his head, uncomfortable with how this played out. Mason simply keeps looking at the redhead expectantly, enjoying the way it bother the other vampire.

"It was great meeting you, Mason, see you around." She smiles at him, although it's a little fake.

She's tired and wants to go home. Mason has never been her favorite person and he's staring to get on her nerves. He nods and, after saying good night once more, leaves the house.

"I'm going to take off, too. Jenna, you're a great hostess." Damon says, taking Jenna's hand and kissing it.

"And you're terrible at drawing." She rolls her eyes, fighting a smile.

"Is that the only thing I'm terrible at?" he says.

Jenna pretends to think for a moment, her eyes going to the redhead on the side, before allowing a small smile.

"I'm still deciding." She admits.

"Good enough for me, Rick let's not watch that game next week," Damon points at Alaric, who chuckles, before making his way to the door.

He opens it and turns to Cassandra, who is nodding at something Jenna is telling her. He watches as she leans in and hugs the older woman before sending her teacher a nod.

"Cassie, you coming?" he asks, letting the door open.

"Sure, can you take me home, though?" she asks him as the make they way down the porch.

"What happened to your car?" he gets into the driver's seat.

"I drove with Caroline and she ditched." She drawls, putting her hair in a loose bun at the top of her hair.

Silence fills the car through the rest of the drive. She sighs, looking outside the window and enjoying the peace. Soon, they're pulling up in front her house. She turns to Damon, one accusatory finger pointed at him.

"Don't go after him, Damon." She warns.

"Why would I?" he asks sarcastically.

"Damon, please, you don't want him as your enemy."

They look at each other, both daring the other to look away. He doesn't like this Mason dude and, if he's honest, he doesn't like the way he flirted with Cassandra the entire way. He inwardly frowns; there he goes again with the confused emotions.

"Oh, fine," he lies. She looks at him suspiciously, not convinced at all.

"Promise me," she says, knowing he's lying.

"I promise."

She gets out of the car and sighs. Her job here is done; he's not paying attention at what she's saying, there's nothing else she can do.

"Good night, Damon." She says, before closing the door.

What the hell, she thinks before snuggling into her soft bed. Damon will make a mess today, one everyone may fall victim to, but it doesn't really matter for now. No, now, she's just going to put on some pajamas and watch friends re-runs until 3 A.M.

A/N: GUYS, GUYS, I'M SORRY FOR THE CRAPPIEST CHAPTER EVER BUT I'M FREAKING OUT BIG TIME OVER HERE SO I WASN'T EXACLTY ABLE TO WRITE. sorry, again, please forgive me and wait for the next chapter, which I'm still trying to figure out, and I promise it'll be better. also, I have a question for you guys. I desperately want them to kiss again, should I do it? or is it too soon? please, tell me.

xoxo,

me.

P.S. I HATE EVERYTHING AND I'M STILL FREAKING OUTTTT.