Disclaimer: Y'all know where to look.

January 22, 1994

Caro diary,

Another week spent. Now we must continue.

I don't ever remember feeling as floored as I did when Stefan made his little announcement. My brain completely ceased to function. After awhile, I finally managed to choke out "Elena's here?" Stefan nodded at me. "But she remembers nothing yet." I sighed and sat down heavily on a log covered with moss. The autumn air was thick with the scent of damp earth, and I could see an uprooted tree furled into the distance. I narrowed my eyes at Damon, and I knew he could see. But he didn't make any signs.

Stefan sat on the log beside me, and Damon reluctantly followed him.

"So," Stefan said, trying to sound congenial, "what's been going on since we saw you last?" I looked at him in the dark, smiling to myself. Yes, it was time.

"Well," I answered very nonchalantly, "After your brother went insane with the dark, we parted from each other with angry words, and I spent most of the years wishing to alto cielo (high heaven), that I should never have to seem him again." I could feel Damon's scowl.

"Eventually, I came back to America, and became an actress on the stage. Then I fell in love with a molto attraente (very handsome) man named James Falkstein and he proposed to me. We got married. But then he went off to fight in the Great War, and died. I was left all alone. After that, I wondered around. I was lonely, sad and lonely. And to think, a relative of Wilhelm's made me feel that way!" I said this last part with much flourish and tossing of my hair.

I heard Damon cry out, swear vehemently as he often did. He got up from his spot next to the log and marched over to me.

He marched in measured pace until he was standing right in front of me. Then he grabbed my arms roughly, pulled me to him, and kissed me more passionately then I have ever known. The shock of it sent my mind reeling, and for a moment or more, I forgot our troubles.

After he was through with me, Damon shoved me back down on the log, and walked back to his seat. For awhile, none of us spoke. Then Stefan took my hand and led me to a sleek black Porsche. His car. He held the door open for me, and I got in, uncertain of our destination. Overhead, a crow preceded the car. We drove for a bit, then stopped at a house. Stefan opened my door for me, and the crow perched on a tree in the front yard. Stefan led me to a side window. In the room, I could see a blonde haired girl sitting at her vanity combing her hair.

"Elena," he told me.

For the first time ever, memory has stalled me. Oh, well, can you wait another week?

fino a che non veniamo a contatto di ancora,

Selina

Tyiagirl- what do you like about my story? I'm curious. Thanks for the review.

Incarnated-soul- You know I wouldn't forget about you. Does this chapter help your question any? That part of book one was set in October, I think.

And just so you know, I changed my pen name to sound more mature so no, I'm not offended. Oh, and do you like Damon's reaction to James?