Lost And Insecure

"What do you mean, not this Mystic Falls?" A growl emits from the angered Damon, his cold eyes burning with hatred towards the doppelganger that stood before them. If Katherine ended up just fooling around with them, he swore he would wring her neck and shove a wooden stake so far through her heart it would come out with the stake on the other end. "There is only one Mystic Falls! ... I think."

Katherine snorts, running her newly polished digits over Stefan's chest. "I mean, she's not here... but she's here." She pulls a map of their small town out of her back pocket and toss it to Bonnie, who was still sitting, mortified, at the table. "You, witch. Do that magic voodoo again on this map. You'll see."

Everyone glares at the curly haired fiend one last time before walking over to Bonnie in fumes. The Bennett witch had already started chanting, the blood she used on the other map having been poured gently onto the brand new one of Mystic Falls. Within a minute or two, the crimson plasma was circulating the mapped out streets of town, slowly making it's way to a small neighborhood that branched off of Main Street.

A loud gasp echoes through out the room as the blonde bombshell's head darts up, her features cringing in pain as her hands fly to her neck. Caroline snarls, pushing her hair out of her face as she looks over to the blue eyed vampire that stood a few feet from her. She opened her mouth to yell at him, brows furrowed angrily, only to be hushed by a very eager Stefan. Caroline nods, her eyes shifting to the ritual that was taking place.

The droplet of blood had suddenly settled, Bonnie's chanting coming to an end and her eyelids slowly sliding open to reveal relaxed mocha hues. They all peered over her shoulder, observing the location of their dear friend, Elena. And sudden realization appeared across Caroline's porcelain features, her jaw dropping open in surprise. "That's where Lola Prescot lives! She's co-captain of the cheer squad, oh my god I love her!"

She pauses, the corners of her lips turning down at the settling information. "Why is Elena there?"

"She's not." Katherine pushes through the crowd, her hands resting on her hips in a dominate fashion. "Stefan, you remember Rachel Draut, don't you?"

Stefan looks down, his brooding structure hardening as he dives into his memories from the 162 years of his life. It took him about two minutes to remember the girl with curly blonde hair and blue eyes, much like Caroline, with the manners of an elder. She had lived across town from the old Salvatore mansion, at the precise location that was pointed out on the map. "She was put in the tomb... in 1864."

A smug look flashes across Katherine's glossy brims, her eyes glowing with pride. "It appears your dear Elena has made a new friend... surprise."

Giggles echo through the small house as bare feet pad across the wooden floors chasing each other wildly. The feisty brunette snatches at the other's white night gown, the blonde casually tripping on her own gown as she attempts to get away.

"Rachel!" Elena shrieks, swatting at the air, "Give it back to me!"

The blue eyed girl turns into her room, waving the pink top around in her small hands. Rachel had taken it straight from Elena as she was getting dressed in the pajamas the Drauts had found her in. And being only in her bra and shorts, Elena wasn't too thrilled to have it taken away.

Especially when there was a creak at the door, heavy foot falls pausing as they happen upon a half naked Elena. Jacob, the boy she had met earlier that day, stood mortified, especially because the girls during this age had a lot more of an undergarment.

Rachel giggles, shoving the shirt into Elena's chest. "Here you are, El. You better put it on before anyone else sees you."

Jacob chuckles, walking further into the room to assist his sister with a few envelops she went to fetch that sat on her vanity. Elena, who had flushed a starch white, quickly slipped on the shirt and attempted to regain at least a little bit of her composure before leaping onto the bed like she normally does.

"So, where exactly are you actual clothes, Elena?" Jacob asked curiously, his brows furrowing ever so slightly as he speaks. His blue eyes glide over her thin frame, trying not to focus in on any particular spot.

Elena clears her throat, uncertain of how to respond to his very very good question. "I- uhmm... we don't wear... that stuff back at home."

The two siblings glance at each other questioningly, sensing that their new friend wasn't telling them something. It wasn't exactly tough to figure out either. The whole thing was painted over Elena's olive skin that read 'I'M LYING'. But just as Rachel parted her lips to speak, the front bell rang throughout the household.

Dawn, Rachel's mother, opens the door, and they could almost hear the smile in her voice as she makes conversation with a young man that had showed up at the front door. The three remained completely silent, straining to make out what was being said or at least who was there. But before they could fully determine what was going on, the door shut and soft foot steps were making their ways up the stairs.

The young woman with beautifully cropped blonde hair appears in the doorway to Rachel's quarters, a smile on her face and a package in her hands. She looked remarkably young for her 30 years, her skin still smooth and wrinkle free, without a single age spot. Dawn strides into the room, her dainty but firm hands holding the small package to her breast.

"That was the mail carrier, Lucas. What a charming young boy." She sighs, winking at Rachel as if to clue her into something. "Anyways. This came for you, Elena. It doesn't say who it's from, though."

She holds the beige package out to Elena, who took it curiously. She hadn't expected to get anything from anyone, especially not here. Elena didn't really know anyone. Aside from the Salvatores. So perhaps it was from Stefan? As Elena sits down on the bed and stares at it, both Jacob and Dawn walk out of the room to give the girls some time to look into the late night gift.

Rachel glances from the rectangular shape to the brunette, her eyes pushing Elena to do something. "Well? Are you going to open it or shall I?"

Emitting a small giggle, Elena, untied the string that bound the brown paper around a somewhat flimsy but firm object. Her stomach twisted into knots as her digits worked away the paper, revealing a tad bit of a sleek brown color underneath. It was leather, from what she could see, and despite all her thoughts against it, Elena knew what it was.

A journal. And probably the most beautiful journal she had ever seen. It looked like a lot of Stefan's journals that he kept in his room in the Boarding House. Elena ran her hand over the engravings, the patterns swirling around each other like vines. In the center was a lock made of a gold or bronze with intricate floral shapes. And of course, on the side, hanging from the leather strap that held the two covers together was the key that fit the lock, strung onto a necklace.

Elena takes the key, examining it carefully before slipping it into the lock and twisting it to the right. The strap came loose with a small click, popping off the front cover. Elena gently opened the cover, only to find a folded up letter laying right in the center.

She couldn't hold back the smile that threatened to surface on her glossy brims, the amount of romantic gestures made through this one gift being so incredibly overwhelming. Holding her breath, Elena opens the letter and begins scanning her mocha hues over the content, a faint redness appearing over her cheekbones.

Dearest Elena,

I would like to thank you for the lovely dance this evening. You are quite the dancer. And to be quite honest, you made the evening much less awkward than it could have been. I am aware that you were there for my brother, and as his, I respect that more than anything in the world. So I hope I'm not being to forward by sending you this gift.

As I recall, you had left your other journal at home, and wished so dearly that you could write in it again. Well, this is the closest I could get. I managed to rob my brother's supply of journals, knowing that the ones that I gave to you were the ones he never used. I don't quite understand why, but he insists I do not question his methods.

I hope you have a wonderful stay in Mystic Falls, Elena. And I look forward to seeing you again.

Sincerely,

Damon Salvatore

With a small sigh, Elena folded up the letter and tucked it away again. Rachel was sitting by her side, gaping at the letter she had just read from over her friend's shoulder. The two glance at each other, their eyes both wide, though with different reasons. Elena was anxious and kind of scared, while Rachel was mortified but totally excited for her friend.

Elena could see what was happening. It's the same thing that happened before... or was going to happen in a century or two. Stefan and Damon both falling for her. Elena falling for both of them. Having to choose Stefan over Damon and break his heart. It wasn't Elena's fault, really. She and Stefan just worked. It just did.

"Oh my stars, Elena! You have both of the Salvatores fawning all over you!" Rachel squeals, her curly hair bouncing excitedly.

"No, I don't." The 21st century doppelganger states firmly, her eyes narrowing. "You read the letter. He knows I am into Stefan and he respects that."

Rachel rolls her sapphire irises, quickly snatching the journal from Elena's loose grip. "Oh please. Damon Salvatore sent you a journal, a necklace, and a letter. Stefan Salvatore was your escort to the ball... but then again you did end up spending all your time with Damon."

With a groan, Elena takes the journal back, holding it close to her chest protectively. She rolls off the bed and stands up, running her fingers over the beautiful designs again. "What did you expect me to do?" She whines, turning back to look at her blonde friend. "Dance with him and then say 'Hey, it's been fun, but I'm going to go and drool over your brother now'?"

"Well maybe not exactly those words."

"All I know is that I couldn't just leave him. We had a good conversation going." Elena states simply as she begins to search the room for a pen... or quill... whatever they used these days.

The two talked for another few hours, then Rachel was called down to help her mother with a few evening chores and left Elena in the room by herself. Before Rachel left the room, though, she pointed out her quill and ink, allowing Elena to use it for the time being. And it only took the brunette 10 minutes to get the ink to work on the tip of the turkey feather. Using a rubber band that was on the vanity, Elena pulled her sleek hair into a pony tail before beginning her first entry in her new journal.

Dear Diary,

Everything is most definitely not what it seems. I thought the strangest thing to happen to me was finding out the ones I hold most dear to my heart are immortal leeches... but I couldn't be more wrong. I'm using a quill for heavens sake. It had to be a witch that got me here. How else could this have happened? But I thought witches served the realm. Wouldn't this spell destroy the space-time continuum? Would I be stuck here for eternity? But most importantly... what would happen to Stefan and Damon? Caroline, Bonnie, Jeremy? Would they be okay? Honestly, I don't know. And I feel like by finding out, I would think about it too much. I would end up going crazy. A little too late for that though. I've already gone completely insane.

"You sent her back to the 1800s?!" Stefan fumed, pacing back and forth angrily. Never had he thought that he would have to deal with his girlfriend disappearing to another time, another century. It almost sounded impossible.

Bonnie stands up, her brows furrowing in confusion. "That spell is nearly impossible for even the strongest of witches. The universe can't hold a gap like that open forever."

"Oh, I know he'll die. The warlock I got to perform the spell? I told him I would feed him my blood right before he slips away. Wow, I'm a great liar." Katherine emits a devilish laugh, examining her freshly manicured nails.

Jumping to his feet, Jeremy strode over to calm Stefan down, who was nearly ripping his hair out. But suddenly, he froze, his eyes widening in awe. Images flash through his crowded mind, images of masks, dancing... Elena. Clothing that was not of the 21st century. Damon and Rachel. Southern soldiers choosing their partner. "Damon... who did you dance with in 1863? At the masquerade ball?"

The black-haired vampire presses his lips into a firm line as he tries to remember the night that hadn't really meant a lot too him. At first, he thought he had chosen Rachel to dance with that night, but he could hear a different voice in his head. One that was so soft, so sweet. A brief grin inches across his stony features as he receives quick flashes of a sleek blue gown and the porcelain doll that wore it.

"I suppose since you already know my name, I should know yours." Damon's icy blue eyes begin to thaw as a new memory crosses his labyrinth of a mind. A memory that sent quivers of excitement up his arms. The one that he thought to be missing only 30 minutes ago had been with him all along.

"Elena..."

The thought of his girlfriend dancing with Damon consumed him, worry radiating from his chiseled features. If only Stefan had been more insistent on remaining with the girl. But back then, he tended to let especially beautiful women have their space. "How are we remembering this? That's not what happened at all."

Katherine strides over to the three boys, her black stilettos echoing throughout the large room. She trails her hand across Damon's cheek as she walked by, her chocolate irises resting on the broody one. "Just a side effect. It will all go away once Elena has returned on the full moon." A smirk threads across her rosy petals, twirling a curly lock around a single digit as she speaks lowly. "That is... if she returns."

"What do you mean, 'if'?" Jeremy demands, his jaw clenching out of pure stress. Elena was the only family he had left. If she never came back, he wouldn't know what he'd do.

"Well... the spell only lasts till the next full moon. If I don't finish what I started and get back to the warlock before then, poof. The gate to the 1800's closes and Elena is stuck there. Also, your memories won't be the only thing that is altered. Life as we know it will change for the better... or the worst." She smirks, quirking a brow.

The room was silent as everyone processed what was just said. Caroline and Bonnie exchanged mortified glances, knowing that without their friend, life would be a disaster. But that wasn't even the beginning. If Elena remains in 1863 and Stefan and Damon fall in love with her, they won't fall in love with Katherine. All in all, they would no longer exist.

The Salvatore brothers would die.

Damon Salvatore strides merrily down the halls of his home, a wide grin plastered permanently across his face. The night had been absolutely enchanting. He couldn't imagine a better way to return from war. He walks right into Stefan's quarters, finding him where he normally is: at his desk, writing in his journal.

He knocks quietly on the door, clearing his throat to catch his brother's attention. Stefan runs his fingers through tousled bronze hair, setting his steel tipped pencil down to greet Damon with free hands and a warm smile. He stand up, meeting Damon in the center of the room for a friendly hug. "Brother, welcome home."

"It is good to be back, Stefan." They nod respectfully to each other before separating to sit across from each other like they always did to talk things over. Although the topic was not exactly what Stefan was expecting. For he was sure they were to speak of Damon's journey's as they did whenever he returned from great battles.

Damon knits his fingers together, his brows furrowing slightly as he thinks of how to deliver the question. "What do you know of the mistress Elena?"

His younger brother sighs, a brief smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I know that she has arrived in Mystic Falls from another town that she has lost direction to. Her last name is Gilbert, but is of no relation to Jonathan Gilbert. I know that she is beautiful... and that she could make any man weak in the knees."

The two sat in silence for a moment, one relishing in the memory of the young beauty, while the other considers the fact of his brother feeling for the girl he admires. It was to be expected. Stefan always goes for the innocent ones. The ones with the purest of hearts. But this time would be different.

"So you have had a moment with Elena. Well, brother, it seems as though we are in a very conflicting position."

Stefan arched a brow, not really understanding what Damon meant. "I don't follow. Is there something wrong with my attraction to miss Gilbert?"

A sigh escapes the elder brother as he gets to his feet, straightening out his shirt as he does so. He could tell Stefan was going to try to win Elena over, and that didn't work for him. It was not that he didn't want his brother to be happy, but in this situation, Damon just wanted a moment where he could be the one that is happy. Besides, being with Elena... it just felt right. "Yes, Stefan. There is."

Without another word, Damon left his brother sitting in utter confusion, determination written in his crystal blue orbs in black ink. He didn't just want to be with her, Damon wanted to really know Elena. He wanted to know every single detail about the fair-skinned angel that had been delivered to Mystic Falls on a silver platter.

A/N

Well, there's chapter three! I actually loved writing this chapter, even though it may be a bit boring to you guys. I feel like this story has a bunch of different angles to work from, which just makes it really fun to write. I apologize if the last few paragraphs made Damon seem a tad bit obsessed, but he's not! I promise. I just kind... wrote.

Okay! Thanks for reading, and PLEASE leave me a review! I want to know what you all think about it. And plus, one review is kind of depressing. The next chapter will be up this Friday or Saturday. Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Charlotte :)