Disclaimer! I do not own Vampire Diaries or any of its lovely characters! However, Alex and her story are mine. Please do not 'borrow' them.

Present

Alex

Dusk had fallen by the time I peeled out of the drive way in the Mustang. It was stupid, but I felt safer in the car with a roof over my head than on the bike. When I reached the forest the moon was rising. Sighing, I stared out the windshield at the woods. Once I had rushed into them without thinking, without breathing, without caring. Whether it was noon or nightfall, I had ran through the woods with my heart fluttering. For Damon. Now I was walking in them for Da', and running to Damon was the last thing on my mind. My heart was fluttering, but not for him. Danger, it said. Yeah, I might have been walking into a trap, but I had to, for Da'.

Leaving the car felt like leaving sanctuary. I wished that I carried stakes around like breath mints. Damon would have seen it though; he probably expected one. Still, there were plenty of branches in the clearing. I didn't need the damn stake. Shrugging into my jacket, I kept my focus on the possible trap ahead and made my way north.

The path was second nature, I took its weaves and turns without thought. The woods were silent. I had tread within them too many times to make a sound. I wondered at the silence. Not even an owl hooted. Were the woods waiting with baited breath to see the old lovers quarrel in the clearing once their own sanctuary? I scowled, stuffing my hands into my jacket pockets at the thought. This was not a Shakespearean sonnet.

Damon was waiting for me when I broke from the path and entered the clearing. I wish I had it in me to turn his gorgeous face into something hideous…with whiskers. All of the hated memories returned, achingly potent as he turned to give me a small, cynical smile. "Alexandria."

I came to a stop far away from him, arms crossed and a surly expression on my face. "It's Alex in this life, Damon."

He shrugged, as at ease and smug as usual. "Alexandria is prettier. I never called you Alex."

His words brought back the nightmare, his teeth at my throat. I shivered. A cold breeze blew, hiding my reaction. "What do you want Damon?" I asked tersely.

"I'd like to why you are here, Alexandria." He said it as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

"I'm here because a psychotic ex of mine compelled my father to send me out in the middle of nowhere, right I might add, as a storm was coming in." I replied, oozing fake cheer. A smile was screwed onto my face.

Damon pressed a hand to his chest, mock surprise in his eyes. "Ouch, was that supposed to hurt?"

"You don't have a soul, so I'm thinking not."

His eyes darkened. The vampire blurred, and suddenly he was before me. I expected the move this time, and refused to jump even though my body was skittish as a colt. He leaned down, lips an inch from mine. I hated myself for leaning closer as his fingertips touched my cheek. Tingles raced down my skin. I hated my body for betraying me. "Why are you really here, Alexandria?" he breathed.

I froze, and memories swarmed into a PTSD mash up from Hell. Why was I here?

Flickers from that night so many years ago, when Stefan knocked on the manor door with his eyes wild and frantic, returned. "He needs you." Three words said and I was running to the cabin. Damon had caught me there. His lips had been close to mine then, too. His touch had been feather light and gentle like it was now. He had leaned in close and pressed a kiss to my cheek, sweet and tender. He had kissed me, only moments later, he killed me.

Why was I here?! Because I hated him. Everything was his fault. I gave him the most spiteful glare I could and he stepped back, expecting magic. It was roiling in me too, I could feel the magic trying to escape. I pushed it back. "I'm here, Damon Salvatore," I hissed, tempted to flay him alive. "because you killed me." The magic snapped and a loud crack sounded as a branch shattered from a tree and appeared in my hand. I lunged and—

Damon

"…because you killed me!"

Venom dripped from her words. The same reason she was alive, because it was my fault. That did not stop me from moving to restrain her. The animal instincts screamed for me to kill her. She made no sound as I grabbed her wrists, and that frightened me. Alex, silent. Silence from her was dangerous. The instincts clawed at my coherent thoughts. I shoved them aside and slammed her into a tree.

She was livid, trapped between my chest and the oak trunk behind her. Pale, but for the bright green of her eyes and rage oozed from her. I could smell the magic on her, sharp and brittle as pine. There was no searing pain. Instincts racing, screaming, tearing, I leaned in close. The familiar prick of the fangs drove me on, and I did not stop until I heard a strangled gasp. My thoughts slammed back to reality, canines grazing the soft white of her throat.

I froze. Alexandria was breathing hard, pulse jumping tantalizing dance—swift as a hummingbird's. Slowly, human speed, I sheathed the fangs and caught her gaze. So many emotions flashed through her eyes and the tension suddenly crackled between us. It was tangible, potent, and burning. The stake clattered to the ground, but I was focused on Alexandria and her wide emerald eyes. I used to get lost in those eyes. Now they frightened me. Her pulse hammered and suddenly I wanted to hold her and calm her. "Alex—''

Alex

I could scarcely breathe as Damon slammed me into the tree. Bright red bloomed in my vision and pain lanced through my body. The sharp scent of sap and the warm spice of Damon warred with my senses. A jolt raced through my stomach. Where was the sharp pain at my throat? Where was the ripping sensation? No, there was no pain. His fangs touched my neck, but they were soft. Damon froze. The pressure of the fangs suddenly disappeared.

His eyes met mine. My heart lurched. Gods, those eyes.

"Alex—" he began. I didn't wait to hear him. I slammed magic into him as hard as I could. Damon dropped like a stone. I didn't stop and watch him writhe. I didn't grab the stake and finish him, but I should have. I ran. For the second time that day I ran, with Damon on the ground behind me.

And, thus ends another chapter. Things will get more complicated soon…and of course, the drama will continue! Rate, review, comment, ideas? Let me know watcha thought!

Theme Song:

"Don't Speak" – No Doubt