A/N: I love each and every one of you! Thanks so much for the beautiful reviews! They mean so much to me! And now...this chapter. It is crazy long. I am biting my nails on this one. I'm really nervous on what you all will think of it. Things are becoming more complicated and more confusing. I promise everything will be made clear as the chapters go on but feel free to ask me any questions in a review and I will gladly answer them! Please, please tell me what you think about this because I'm seriously nervous about this chapter! Bah, enough stalling on my behalf. Read on!

Shadows

The past will always come back to haunt you…

Chapter 10: We Are All Fools In Love

Jeremy rushes over to Elena and helps her to her feet.

"Are you ok Elena?"

Elena bites her lip and shakes her head miserably.

"No Jer, I'm not ok! My life is a complete mess. An evil, obsessed vampire is after me, everyone I know is in danger and my stupid heart is messing with my emotions! Nothing is ok! Nothing."

Jeremy sighs and hugs her close, letting her sob into his shirt.

He tenderly strokes her hair and mutters, "Everything will be alright Elena. In the end, everything will be alright."

Stefan shuts the door to Damon's room quietly as to not wake him up, and heads down to the parlor. He needs a drink. On the way down the stairs, he nearly collides with a winded Elena.

"How is he?"

Stefan clears his throat and resists the urge to grab her, hold her, kiss her and prevent her from going any where near Damon.

"He um, he's going to be alright."

Elena lets out a long sigh of relief.

"Is it ok if I see him? I want to see for myself that he is going to be fine."

Stefan hopes his eyes don't reflect the pain he is feeling at the urgency in Elena's voice. He never thought Elena would plead to see his brother.

"He was sleeping when I left him but I'm sure he would appreciate your visit in any form."

Elena smiles lightly and Stefan steps to the side so she can get around him. As she walks past him, Stefan inhales her sweet scent and feels his heart drop knowing he may never again wake up in the morning to her smell on his pillow. He blinks back his tears and continues down the stairs. He really needs that drink now. Entering the parlor, he is greeted by a sniffling Caroline who is sitting on the sofa gazing miserably into the fireplace.

Stefan hesitates for a second between pouring himself a glass of vodka or sitting beside Caroline and, heaving a sigh, decides on the latter. Stefan places his arm around Caroline comfortingly and she buries her face into his chest.

"What happened Caroline? Tell me."

In between sobs, Caroline manages to stutter, "T-T-Tyler hates m-me! Somehow he figured out th-that you and Da-Damon were vampires and he a-attacked him on p-purpose!"

Stefan does a sharp intake of breath but doesn't let go of Caroline.

"How did he find out?"

"I-I don't know! But he is so, so a-angry!"

Stefan lightly kisses the top of Caroline's head and holds her tightly still.

"Sssh, ssh Care. I'm here with you. I'll make this right somehow, I won't let him hurt you."

Caroline lifts her head and looks into Stefan's light green eyes.

"That's the problem Stefan. I was the one who hurt him."

Elena takes a deep breath and wipes her sweaty palms on her jeans before turning the knob and entering Damon's room. Her breath immediately catches in her throat as sees him. As her eyes rake over his beautiful features and his perfect chest, she suddenly becomes aware of her appearance. She tears her gaze off him and nearly sprints to his bathroom, which was adjacent to his room. After she had sobbed in Jeremy's arms for several minutes, he had taken her home in which she proceeded to shower and freshen up. No more crying, she had firmly decided. As Elena looks into the mirror, she groans. Apparently, she had also decided not to brush her hair or put on any make-up. She fervently runs her fingers through her damp hair and pinches her pale cheeks to give herself some color. After a few minutes, she sighs and lets her arms drop defeated at her sides.

"There is no hope," she mumbles to herself.

"Elena? Is that you?"

Elena feels her heartbeat quicken at the sound of his voice and finds herself stuttering for a coherent response.

"Uh, yeah. Just um, just a second."

Elena looks back at the mirror to see if by some miracle, she had become prettier. No such luck.

Sighing, she steps out of the bathroom and is met by Damon's curious gaze.

"Talking to your reflection?"

Elena bites her lip and lets out a nervous giggle.

"Something like that. It didn't say anything nice to me though."

Damon's face softens and his eyes look her up and down.

"Impossible. There is nothing negative to say about you. You're so beautiful."

Elena feels herself redden and she fidgets with her necklace.

Damon lets out a hearty laugh and pats on a spot on the bed next to him.

"Will you sit next to me?"

Elena nods shyly and warily makes her way to him.

They sit in silence, just looking at each other.

Elena can see the love in Damon's blue eyes and the more she stares into them, the more she feels like she's falling deeper and deeper into an unknown abyss.

And she doesn't mind that feeling at all.

Damon feels like weeping at her proximity. She smells absolutely intoxicating, like sweet roses and rich honey.

"This look suits you. Au naturel."

He smiles and Elena timidly smiles back.

Damon softly strokes her cheek and lets out a heavy breath.

"God you're pretty."

Damon's cool breath on her lips makes her shiver and before he kisses her, she asks, "Damon…how did we meet?"

Damon pulls back but keeps a firm grasp on her soft hand.

"You haven't remembered it yet?"

Elena shakes her head and scoots closer to him on the bed. She rests her head gently on his shoulder and sighs.

"Please tell me Damon. How did you trap me?"

He laughs wholeheartedly but nods.

"I'll tell you but you have to close your eyes. As I tell you, the images will come to you and you'll remember everything just as clearly as I do."

Elena smiles and nods in agreement. She closes her eyes and relaxes her breathing.

"It was May of 1863 and my confederate unit was stationed near New York as we were preparing to claim it as part of the South. Tales of the beauty of the Petrova sisters were always popular between the men. You girls drove men crazy without even meeting you! In the middle of May, your family threw a masquerade ball to commemorate the brave leaders of the war or something like that and me, being me, decided that I had to crash it."

Elena giggles but keeps her eyes firmly shut.

"So, a couple buddies and I investigated all the details and planned our party crashing pretty well. There were several servants in your house that were capable of doing anything, and I mean anything, for some coins. Through them we got some elaborate masks and a few invitations. We had to steal some fancy coats - I just needed to catch a glimpse of the famous Bulgarian beauties.

The day of the ball arrived and my pals and I looked good in our 'borrowed' suits and masks. We showed the greeters our invites, and entered your massive house. We wandered around a bit but it wasn't until I first set my eyes on you, that things got interesting."

Aleksander Petrova stood proudly next to his two gorgeous daughters and Damon examined them appreciatively. The rumors certainly did justice. They were extremely beautiful. Aleksander was once again gesturing toward the top of the stairs and introduces his last and youngest daughter.

"There is no match for the grace and gentleness of my sweet, Elena."

As Damon looks up at the young beauty commencing down the stairs, he feels his heart skip a beat.

There was…something different about her. She had something that her sisters didn't have.

Maybe it was the way she blushed at having so many people look at her, whereas her sisters did not mind the attention. Perhaps it was the way she radiated warmth or the way her pale blue gown clung perfectly to her body's curves.

Whatever was the reason, Damon knew he couldn't leave tonight without having met her.

The ball goes on for a couple hours and Damon begins to get restless. He was tired of dancing with random, flirtatious women; he wanted to talk to Elena but others always surround her. He finally gets his opportunity when he spots Elena escaping outside to the gardens.

Elena needed some fresh air. The ballroom was stuffy and she had begun to sweat. She hated sweating. She politely excused herself from her current dance partner, a clumsy and slightly drunk elder man, and pushes her way through the crowd until she gets outside. Elena closes her eyes as she feels the wind blow on her face and she sighs in relief.

"Juliet, Juliet…wherefore art thou Juliet?"

Elena's eyes pop open and she rapidly turns around.

A masked stranger is lazily leaning against the banister, gazing at her and twirling a rose in his hands.

"Excuse me? Were you addressing me sir?"

Damon cocks his head and smirks.

"Would thou like to be my Juliet?"

Elena rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.

"I see what game you are attempting to play with me. Do you seduce many women with your Shakespeare lines? Well, you won't trap me. Firstly, because I'm no dimwit and I can see past this charade and secondly, I would never want to be like Juliet! She was a selfish and foolish little girl."

Damon laughs and approaches her. Elena steps backward with every step he takes and soon finds herself trapped between the man and the banister.

He lifts up the rose to her face and softly caresses her with the soft petals. Elena's body shivers from the light touch and finds herself looking into the stranger's eyes. They were so, so blue. As blue as the sky after a rainfall. As blue as the ocean right after the storm. They were mesmerizing.

As he strokes her face with the rose, he softly whispers, "Aren't we all fools when it comes to love?"

Elena gulps and whispers back, "I wouldn't know sir, as I have never been in love."

Their bodies are so close, they can feel the heat emit from each other and Elena's heart begins to beat wildly.

He smiles, leans in and breathes in her ear causing Elena to tremble from the electricity that runs through her as his touch.

"I've never been in love either. But seeing you tonight, right now, is the closest to love I've ever felt. Forswear it, sight. For I never saw true beauty till this night…"

Elena feels herself melt at his words and find herself leaning into him…their lips are almost touching.

WHACK!

Stunned, Damon stumbles backwards and massages his jaw. Elena glares at him and chucks his rose to the ground.

"You thought you were so smooth with your Shakespeare. My apologies sir, but choose another girl from whom to take advantage of."

And with a spin on her heel, Elena returns to the ballroom.

Damon grins, with his hand still on his cheek.

Not only was she beautiful, but she also had fire and spunk.

He had to have her.

"And that is how we met."

Elena opens her eyes and turns to look at Damon. After a second, they both burst out laughing.

"You were soooo romantic….such a charmer!"

Damon lets out a huff.

"How can a woman NOT fall for Shakespeare? He was the ultimate romance expert!"

Elena rolls her eyes.

"You quoted Romeo and Juliet of all things! That's the worst love story ever written! Two 14 year olds, who had barely hit puberty, killed themselves for their so-called love!"

Damon's mouth drops open.

"And that's not romantic? I know I would die for the woman I loved any day!"

Elena is astounded by his words. She lifts up her hands and places them on either side of his face. She leans in so that their noses are lightly touching.

"But I don't want you to die for me. Ever. I'm not worth it."

Damon's breathing hitches as he replies, "Yes you are. I love you so much Elena."

Elena sighs deeply. "I know you do."

They stare into each other's eyes which both reflect sorrow and pain and fear of what's to come.

Katherine sucks the last of the blood bags dry and slumps miserably against the tomb wall.

Is this where she was to spend the last of her days?

Rotting.

Wasting away.

With no one to even miss her.

She blinks back the tears that threaten to fall but she won't let herself cry, she won't!

She closes her eyes and sees beautiful leaf-green eyes twinkling at her. She starts to smile before she jolts herself awake and slaps herself.

She can't afford to think about Stefan.

Stefan.

The only man she had ever loved.

The only man she will ever love.

The man who never loved her back.

No one ever loved her back.

It was always desire they felt for her, never love.

Elena was the one men fell in love with.

Always Elena.

Elena would one day get her happy ending but Katherine?

Katherine would never.

And with that final thought, she closes her eyes and remembers…

All eyes are on the stunning woman that is strutting around the room in a gorgeous, black velvet gown, which accentuates her bust appreciatively. Gold designs are embroidered on the dress and are complimented by an impressive gold pendant. Her hair flows over her shoulders in big, glossy curls. Her brown eyes sparkle mischievously and her bright, red lips are twisted in a smug, playful smile.

Katerina knows she is beautiful and she knows how much men desire her, especially right now. She scans the room to see which young suitor she might be able to lure to the gardens. She feels a nudge and Katerina turns in annoyance at Nikolina.

"I'm occupied at the moment sister."

Nikolina rolls her eyes and places her hands on her hips. Katerina is surprised to realize that Nikolina isn't wearing one of her usual drab dresses. Nikolina is standing elegantly in a rich purple gown made of shimmery satin and her hair is set in tiny curls in a crown around her head. Katerina nods, pleased, and compliments saying, "Finally decided you wanted to trap a man? I didn't think nunnery suited you."

Nikolina lets out a small grunt. "I could care less about trapping any men, you know that well. And I'm only wearing this dreadful gown because, it's a special occasion."

She says this with a wink at Katerina, which causes her to furrow her brows.

"We have dances all the time, it hardly counts as a special occasion."

Nikolina straightens up and brushes past her sister murmuring, "You'll see…"

Katerina rolls her eyes and resumes to scan the room. She teasingly smiles at a young man who is eyeing her through his mask, his mouth practically hanging open at her attention. He's handsome, with broad shoulders, defined cheekbones and startling green eyes. Contrary to her sisters, Katerina did not have an affinity for blue eyes. She found green eyes much more appealing. And these green eyes were dripping with desire for her. She smirks, flips her hair and starts to walk towards him, swaying her hips. Before she can reach him, a hand grabs her arm and pulls her back. Katerina looks up scornfully and is met with her brother's grim expression.

"What are you doing?"

Ivan shushes her and gently pulls her toward the center of the ballroom. He takes off her mask and whispers in her ear, "Please keep calm sister."

She looks up into his dark, black eyes and is shocked to see his concerned expression.

"What's going on?"

Ivan presses a finger to his lips then points ahead. Her father was standing proudly next to Governor Richmond McCarthy and was gesturing for her to come forward.

Ivan squeezes her hand comfortingly, "It's for the best Kitty."

Still puzzled, Katerina walks to her father and notices the music had stopped playing and everyone was silently looking at her. From the corner of her eye, she spots Elena looking at her curiously with a mysterious masked man standing beside her, and who is admiring Elena with a smile on his lips.

Her father reaches out for Katerina and she places her small, delicate hand in his wide, broad one.

He grins and twirls her around.

"Everyone," He announces to the crowd, "My gorgeous daughter Katerina." The onlookers clap accordingly and Katerina smiles smugly. She always appreciates attention.

Aleksander places an arm around Katerina and sighs. "I want to thank all of you for coming and for supporting our soldiers. This masquerade was to commemorate our generals whose troops are bravely fighting in the name of the South. Gentlemen," He raises his wine glass, "New York will be behind you every step of the way. To the South!"

Everyone raises his or her glass and shouts back, "To the South!"

Aleksander takes a sip before sighing again and gesturing for Mr. McCarthy to step forward.

"But this masquerade was also to celebrate one more thing, something dear to my heart. My beautiful daughter Katerina,"

Katerina smiles and does a small curtsy.

"Has been betrothed to Governor McCarthy!"

Elena gasps and covers her mouth while Ivan hangs his head avoiding eye contact with Katerina.

The next few minutes pass by in slow motion.

Katerina is in complete shock.

She hears the room erupt in applause and cheers and she feels her body being thrown around and embraced.

Her father is being congratulated and has a huge, idiotic grin on his face. Governor McCarthy, a stocky and balding man three times her age, is wearing the same proud expression he had worn when he had won his election.

After several speechless minutes, the governor suddenly stands in front of Katerina and pulls a small box from his coat pocket.

Katerina looks up completely disgusted at his wrinkled, old face. The smile never erases off his face as he opens the box and reveals a ring. Usually, Katerina is delighted to receive jewelry but the anger within her refuses to even falsify any joy. She sticks her arm in front of her lifelessly and toasts are made all around as his grubby, sweaty hands slide the ring up her finger. It's a heavy, gold and ruby-encrusted ring and Katerina can feel it burning into her skin.

She mumbles her thanks and looks over at her father. The tears sting the back of her eyes and she politely asks, "Can I be excused Father? The excitement has completely exhausted me!"

Her father nods and after announcing her departure and getting her hand slobbered on by her oaf of a fiancé, she sprints up the staircase to her room. She slams her door and throws herself on her bed. Absolutely livid, Katerina yells into her pillow and slams her small fists on her bed.

How could her Father do this to her?

What did she ever do to deserve this?

Angry tears soak her pillow and she glares, fuming, at her ring.

Her door is thrown open and Kat immediately wipes her tears, composing herself.

Elena rushes to her and puts her arms around her.

"Oh Kat! I'm so sorry! To be betrothed to that icky man!"

Katerina roughly pushes Elena's arms off and stands up.

"There's no reason to be sorry! Why should I be upset? I'm marrying a wealthy man with a great status, isn't that a woman's ultimate goal in life? I don't know any better match for me."

Elena looks at her sadly.

"But you don't love him Kat."

Katerina gives a bitter, harsh laugh.

"Love is a joke Elena. And you are a fool if you believe that 'loving' someone will get you anywhere!"

Elena bites her lip and mumbles quietly, "Love is everything Kat."

Katerina begins pushing Elena towards the door.

"That word means nothing to me. Now…get out! I'm tired!"

After closing the door on her, Katerina leans against it and slumps to the ground.

The tears gush from her eyes spilling onto her dress.

In a broken voice, she whispers to herself…"Don't be a fool Kat…Love means nothing…. nothing…"

Rose sits down inconspicuously at one of the round tables near the front of the meeting hall. She smoothes out her satin, light pink skirt and adjusts the nametag pinned to her cardigan.

ÉMILIE CHENART

Le Société, Journalist

She smiles satisfied. She would have liked to be a journalist but she enjoyed reading much more than writing itself. Rose glances nervously at the clock. When was this event going to begin? She wasn't sure how long the real Emilie would be knocked out in one of the locked hotel rooms upstairs. Of course she had compelled her, but she also didn't want her wandering around and accidentally stumbling into the convention. That would be very inconvenient indeed.

Rose blinks as the media flash their cameras and she moves her body away from them, avoiding to be caught on tape at all means. She pulls out her journal from Emilie's handbag and sets it down in front of her; might as well play the part of a young, eager journalist.

People around Rose suddenly stand up and ecstatically begin applauding. Rose follows suit and that's when she sees her.

She is just as beautiful as the other two but the differences are evident immediately.

She possesses an elegance and style that Elena hasn't quite developed fully and that Katherine lacks completely.

The woman's hair is in a tight perm and is cut short, not falling past her shoulders.

Her navy suit dress clings to her curves and makes her look impressive and highly important.

Her brown eyes shine and her lips are curved in a proud smile as she makes her way towards the front.

"Bienvenue à tous! Mon nom est Nikolina Arquette et je suis fier de lancer ma fondation!"

Rose hoped the time passed by quickly so she could somehow corner Nikolina and see how much she knew about Klaus and Elena.

"Wake up Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!"

Katherine moans and massages the side of her head. She looks down at her hand and sees it coated in red. A large rock lies next to her. She looks at the entrance of the tomb and lets out a loud gasp. She hastily stands up, using the side of the tomb for support and clutches her chest fearfully.

"Elijah…what do you want from me!"

Elijah cocks his head and laughs.

"Oh my sweet Kitty Kat. Klaus is not very happy at all. Want to know why? Your dear Damon got bit by a werewolf last night and…shockingly enough…he failed to die."

Katherine can't help smiling at the news, feeling immensely proud of herself.

Elijah glares at her.

"Would you care to elaborate on how he managed to survive? I am fairly positive you know."

Katherine smirks, gaining courage. "You think you were the only ones with a witch on your side in 1863? Tsk, Tsk. Seems I was able to outsmart you after all. It's a difficult spell, not many witches know of it."

"WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SPELL?"

Katherine smiles, "Shadows. C'mon, you remember Elijah. When I learned that Klaus planned to permanently bind himself to Elena on her 18th birthday, I found a way to bind her to Damon before Klaus could get his hands on her."

Elijah lets out a harsh laugh. "You did it for selfish reasons. You desired to become a vampire and were jealous that Klaus chose Elena and not you. You fooled Elena into thinking you were helping her when really, you only led her to her death."

Katherine purses her lips. "It was the only way to help her. It was the only way to save her while at the same time, getting what I wanted. What I rightfully deserved."

Elijah again lets loose and evil, booming laugh. "You deserve what Klaus has in store for you, for ruining his plan. But no one will get in the way this time. Elena's 18th birthday is a mere two weeks away and by that time, Klaus will have sought his revenge with you."

The fear arises in Katherine again and she threatens in a quavering voice, "Klaus will fail again! Damon and Elena grow closer every day! That's how the Shadows spell works. The stronger their love becomes, the less meaning death has to them. Once their love is strong enough and you kill one of them, either their love will save the other or they'll come back in the future and fall in love again."

Elijah grunts. "Klaus knew this was the spell but we had to confirm. He knows how to break it."

Katherine's jaw drops in shock.

"What? No! It's unbreakable. They've already been bonded…"

"In 1863, in Elena's past life they were. But not in her current life. When Klaus turns her in two weeks, every memory of Damon shall be permanently erased from her mind and she will belong to Klaus and she will rule with him as his Queen of the Night."

Katherine shakes her head frantically. "No…"

"Yes my lovely Katerina. Oh and, has Elena remembered exactly what you did to her in 1863?"

Katherine slumps against the wall helplessly.

"She's going to hate you. She will despise you and she'll spit on you. Since we are going to let Damon live for now, perhaps he'll kill you when he finds out what you did."

"They need me," Katherine murmurs weakly.

"No one has ever needed you Katerina. No one has ever even loved you."

Katherine looks away from him, blinking back tears.

"You played with fire Kitty Kat, and it's time you got burned…"

He disappears in a flash and Katherine falls to the ground.

This pain is almost too much.