Note : LJ, Julie Plec and a whole bunch of people own TVD not me.

Chapter 26

Physically she had fully recovered but emotionally she was overwrought. Clutching the comfy rug around her, she peered through her window, not much to see especially at the speed they were travelling at.

Kol finally slowed down as they approached the large Mystic Falls signboard. She would finally get to see the famed Mystic Falls, home of the doppelganger. Perhaps she could get to meet this Alina that Elijah spoke so highly of.

They stopped in front of a large sprawling mansion but surprisingly there was a signboard - Salvatore Boarding House.

Feruza sighed as she watched Elijah stride purposefully towards the large wooden door. He was still angry with her, that much she knew. Kol opened her door and helped her out, a sympathetic look on his face.

Kol : "Don't' worry my darling, his bark is worse than his bite."

Feruza : "Thank you Kol."

She was dreadfully embarrassed, she wished she had not declined Kol's offer to carry her in. She stood in the middle of this large imposing hall in her bloodied nightgown and bare feet. At least she had the rug that sort of covered her. She had nearly screamed her head off when what was his name again? The dark-haired Salvatore brother had loomed over her, his hands outstretched as if to grab her but Elijah had blocked him. Well at least the younger one had more manners, he looked at her in her shock, almost as if he was trying to convince himself that she wasn't an apparition.

Stefan : "I'm sorry Ms Petrova, you…you look like Katherine but more beautiful if I may say so."

Feruza: "Katherine?"

Elijah : "Katerina, Fiza, your dear aunt by a few decades."

Feruza: "Thank you Mr Salvatore, I don't look like Alina?"

Stefan : "You mean Elena? No Miss Petrova, at 1st glance you share the same face but I would never mistake you for Elena. You 3 are alike but different at the same time, I don't know if that makes any sense…"

Elijah : "Stefan, Damon may I now show Feruza to her room?"

Stefan : "Of course Elijah, I'm sorry Ms Petrova, let me show you to your room."

Finally thought Feruza, she had literally squirmed as the older Salvatore had not once removed his disconcerting gaze from her nor said anything. She could feel his penetrating gaze on her back as she steadily climbed the stairs.

Stefan : "Ms Petrova, I hope you'll be comfortable in this room; Elena sometimes uses this room when staying over. Do help yourself, Elena wont mind you borrowing her clothes."

Feruza: "Pleese, my name is Fiza; thank you for the clothes."

Stefan : "Don't worry about it Fiza, let me know if you need anything."

Elijah : "Fiza will only be staying the night Stefan, we need to move her soonest possible."

Stefan : "You don't think Klaus would come here, do you?"

Elijah : "No, not with Kol and myself here but lets not test that theory. Thank you Stefan for your hospitality and do remind your brother to mind his manners."

Stefan : "I will Elijah, good night Fiza, Elijah."

Elijah : "Feruza, please excuse us; Kol and I need to discuss something."

Feruza: "Goodnight Elijah, Stefan."

Actually, she was relieved. It had been a harrowing night and she really didn't want to face Elijah again. Stefan Salvatore was a nice young man, for a vampire that is. His brother, thinking of him she shuddered, for one moment she thought he was going to ravish her. As an afterthought, she locked her door. At least the room had its own shower cubicle although less ostentatious than the homes owned by Elijah.

Elena and she may have been doppelgangers but anatomically they certainly differed as she tried to get comfortable in the too snug tank top and night shorts. Yawning, she hugged the pillow to herself, too tired and too worn out to bother about the strange new place she was in or the Salvatores. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges.

Author's note : A thousand apologies to kind friends following this story. Life got in the way. Not a very

long chapter but hopefully things will improve…. Enjoy.