Chapter 1 "The Doppelganger's Return"
Elena was gone forever. Or so Stefan thought. Damon's confession was an extreme shock to Stefan to say the least, and he didn't know what to do with the information in which he was given. Stefan sat at the Grill in a brooding state, ordering a glass of bourbon to put his mind at ease. Stefan wondered why, of all things, Damon would invite more enemies into their life. He scoffed to himself as the bartender set the desired glass of bourbon in front of him.
Stefan hadn't drank alone in a long time, considering Damon was usually his drinking buddy at home. He needed the time away from his brother for once.
The world had different ideas for that. Stefan heard the door to the Grill swing open, the bell ringing incessantly. He sighed as Damon sat down at the stool to his immediate left, closing his eyes as if it would wish Damon away to another world.
"Damon, what else could you possibly want?" Stefan asked in his usual bantering tone. Stefan looked over to Damon who had his eyebrows furrowed deeply and a very scared face set. This was unusual for Damon, so Stefan became worried. "Damon, what happened now?"
I was staring at the bar's counter looking for words to say that won't piss off my baby brother more than he already was. I thought there probably was no way not to piss him off more so I said it outright.
"Vance is back." I said blankly. Stefan set his jaw and his face visibly hardened. I provided a long sigh before smirking. "I made a mistake."
Stefan nodded curtly to me. I swallowed, preparing for Stefan to blast him with a lecture on how stupid he was, but none came as he simply asked, "How?"
I winced before ordering myself a glass of bourbon. Stefan waited patiently as I settled in to tell him the good old story of how he was able to get Meridia to resurrect their dead big brother. I took a swig as soon as the glass was presented to me, swallowing before I looked to Stefan's waiting face.
"You might want to order a few more shots. You might not be ready for this, baby bro." I said sarcastically as Stefan gritted his teeth, now losing his patience.
"Just tell me how Vance is alive, Damon." Stefan growled. I put my hands up in surrender before clearing my throat.
"You know the whole deal with Evil You? Well, the Vampire he wanted me to get Meridia to resurrect? Guess." I explained before watching the realization hit Stefan.
"Vance." Stefan answered. I put my hands in the air again.
"Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! He came to the house right after I dropped the whole I raised Elena thing on you." I continued before smirking. Stefan wasn't the least bit pleased as he looked at me with disdain.
"What did he want?" Stefan questioned as I visibly shifted positions in my seat.
"He didn't say. But he was asking a lot about Klaus." I said as got up from my barstool. Stefan's hand fastened onto my arm, preventing me from leaving.
"Where is he now?" Stefan asked with the slightest hint of menace in his voice. I turned to look at Stefan, eyeing his hand.
"I'd let go if I were you." I threatened. Stefan narrowed his eyes before letting me arm go, "I don't know. My guess? Searching for Klaus. I'll be over at Caroline's. Breaking to her the Elena news."
"Be careful." Stefan warned, "We don't know his motives."
"Always do, baby bro." I replied as I walked over to the exit, casting a last glance at Stefan before leaving. Whatever Vance wanted with Klaus, it couldn't be good. Klaus was always bad news.
I pulled up into Caroline's driveway, switching the car off, and putting it in park. Exiting the car, I looked through the window of the house, watching as Caroline talked to Alaric. Alaric stole a glance outside and saw my car, giving Caroline the heads up as they both moved to the door to greet me.
"Damon, come in." Alaric said. I stepped aside, Caroline just watching. I headed to the kitchen with Alaric and Caroline in tow. I turned to them, looking for the right words to explain to them of Elena's return and Vance's awakening.
"This might sound a bit crazy all things considered, but Elena is awake." I said finally. Alaric tensed, but Caroline gave an overly happy cheer at the news, but it ceased almost instantly. I looked up, confused. Alaric spoke first.
"Honey what's wrong?" Alaric asked with worry. I nodded, knitting my eyebrows together. Caroline sniffed.
"If Elena's awake, that means Bonnie is dead." Caroline whimpered. Alaric's eye widened as he heard Caroline but I shook my head furiously.
"No. Hey, Bonnie's fine. Silas awoke Elena." I explained hastily before Caroline started to whine. She sniffed and looked at him confused. Alaric did the same.
"Silas? Stefan's evil doppelganger? How did you get him to do it?" Alaric asked as I nodded immediately.
"I had to get another witch to resurrect a certain vampire for Silas." I replied. Alaric looked at him with the same expression Stefan had when he said the same words to him.
"Who?" Caroline was the one to speak now. Her tears already drying up as she looked at me.
"Vance Salvatore. My older brother." I responded dryly. Alaric frowned while Caroline winced. Alaric recovered first.
"You two have an older brother?" Alaric asked in disbelief. I nodded before looking at the ground and back to Caroline.
"And he's looking for Klaus." I said, making Caroline tense. I sighed, turning to leave. Alaric's hand found it's way onto my shoulder.
"Is that it? What about Elena? Where is she now?" Alaric queried. I scoffed as I pushed Alaric's hand away, giving him a smirk.
"Don't know, buddy. If you talk to her though, tell her that her boyfriend misses the hell out of her." I said as I walked out of the house. Alaric didn't stop me this time, instead moving to comfort Caroline after hearing of the news. I closed the door to their house, walking over to my car and starting it up. Pulling out of the driveway, I made my way home. It wasn't long before I was there, pulling into my own driveway. I exited the car, about to enter the boarding house when I heard a woosh behind me. I smirked.
"Finally come to say he-" I started as I turned around but was silenced when a kiss was placed on my lips. It was a long, passionate, loving one. As if it was long overdue. My eyes were closed and when I finally opened them, Elena stood in front of me.
"Hey, Damon."