Ch 11

AN: Getting so close! We are so close to the two of them finally coming together. I estimate two or three more chapters, we'll see. Also, this is where we deviate from BOTH story lines. Up till now I've tried to follow Damon's timeline with only a few twists, but now it gets really AU.

Damon

After his stint in New York Damon headed back overseas. The eighties was a great time to be traveling. With all the changes and music, he was determined to soak it all in. Plus, one of his "friends" had mentioned how blood changes with the decades and area. Wanting to see if his friend was correct he decided to test the theory. It was September 13, 1987 when he felt a change; a pull to something. Unfortunately he couldn't just ditch the friend he was with causing him to be gone longer than he wanted to be. It took him a few months to make it to Mystic Falls. He thought the pull might mean Bella had finally come to his home, but the owners of Mystic Grill had not seen her. Thinking he might be looking in the wrong spot, he took off for La Push. As he approached the border he realized there was no scent of wolf. With no Vampires around the gene must be dormant. Damon stopped completely at the border wondering if it was even worth entering. What were the chances of the legends being passed on and anyone believing him? But then he thought on Billy, the young boy he saw watched grow up. It was possible for Billy to remember him. The chief's house was always on the same land; leading Damon towards where he knew the house must still be.

As he entered the clearing he found two small girls running around and a woman rocking on the porch. He cautiously approached all three.

"Momma, there's a man just come from the woods."

The woman's head snapped up looking directly at him.

"Girls, can you go inside and grab your dad for me?" The woman's voice was tremulous as she spoke to her daughters, her eyes never leaving Damon's.

Damon stopped a few feet away from the house not wanting to encroach any further. When he did a man stepped outside, pulling his wife behind him.

"Sarah, go inside with the girls," the man whispered.

Of course, Damon could hear everything being said and had recognized the man as Billy.

"Hello Billy, I'm not sure…"

"I remember you Damon. Not a day aged, look exactly as you did when I was a boy. I know you won't hurt them, but my family doesn't know about you. Only the Council member and wolfs can. Why are you here Damon? You usually just send letters. Has something happened?"

As he was talking Billy had moved from his place on the porch to right in front of Damon. Damon realized that Billy had grown into a strong man who know stood taller than him by a few inches.

"I'm glad your remember Billy and that the knowledge is limited, keeps things from getting out of a tight knit community. Your family looks good, much bigger than the last time I was here. Yes, something did happen. I felt a tug a few months ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the country at the time so it took me a few minutes to get here."

"A tug?"

"Yes, like one we feel around our mates, or like your wolves do around their imprints. Were any girls named Bella born around her a few months ago?"

"Swan," Billy whispered.

"Swan, is that her last name."

"Yes, Charlie Swan, Forks Police Chief; his little girl Isabella was born a few months ago."

Damon started taking off before the sentence was through.

"Wait! She isn't in Forks anymore Damon."

Damon turned back around. "Where is she then? I have to protect her Billy."

"That's the problem. Her mother took her away last week and no one knows where she went. Renee, her mom, took Bella, left Charlie the divorce papers and disappeared."

"Well that's unacceptable. Has anyone been looking for them?"

"Of course they have. Charlie loves his daughter; he would never give up on her."

"So there hasn't been any word from her?"

"No and Damon, when is the first time you're supposed to meet her? It's not when she's a kid, a baby or even a teenager."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't make sure she's ok. I know she has her own trials and tribulations she has to go through, just like I have, but she's my mate and I want to protect her."

"I know you do, but fate has to pass the way it's meant to, without interference, in order for the future of all of us to be secure. If one thing gets out of wack…"

"Bad things happen, I know."

Unknown POV

Three sets of eyes peered from the woods. They had been careful in keeping the secret, hard to do when there were very few hiding spots. They silently watched over the baby girl. Her mother was known as a flight risk, and while they couldn't interfere too much, the girl had to make it past infancy in order for the future to come true. At this time, it didn't look likely, so a little interference was necessary. With the help of their gods and a little ingenuity they knew their plan might work. It would only be for a few years anyways.