A/N: We've never had so many reviews or alerts this early in a story! Thanks so much everyone for making our day (it's exams at the moment so life is pretty stressful), and, as promised, here's the next chapter.

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1864
Elena POV

I tried to say something, I really did. But the second I saw Stefan's familiar eyes, I couldn't help breaking down. The reality of what had happened washed over me, and I swayed on the spot. How was I ever going to get back?

'Katherine!' Stefan sounded alarmed. 'Katherine, what's the matter?' he gripped my arm.

'I…I…' the words just wouldn't come. Even though I knew he wouldn't know me as myself, had never met me, I still trusted him to help me.

'Sshh, Katherine' Stefan stroked my cheek gently, sounding truly worried. I realised the chances of the real Katherine breaking down like this were probably less than zero. 'You're fine, I'm here,' Stefan added gently before leaning forward to kiss me.

His kiss was exactly the same as in 2010, and I felt myself leaning forwards into him, feeling immensely comforted.

A few seconds later, we pulled apart. My illusion of safety was immediately shattered by the sight of Emily, still staring at me. Behinds Stefan's back, she beckoned, looking ominous. I swallowed, hard.

'I'm sorry, I have to go,' I said in a rush, heading towards Emily. I was going to have to explain at some point, and maybe, it occurred to me, she'd be able to help.

'Katherine,' he said. That was all, and it wasn't even my name, but the confusion and hurt in his eyes broke my heart.

'I'm fine,' I promised. 'I just need to talk to Emily.'

She dragged me back to the outskirts of the forest, far enough from the buildings so that we wouldn't be seen. I was so busy trying to decide what to do that I didn't even protest at being pulled back here.

'Who are you?' Emily demanded again, with preamble. I took a deep breath, and decided just to take the plunge.

'My name is Elena…Elena Gilbert,' I saw Emily's eyes widen at my surname, but apart from that she showed no reaction.

Taking a deep breath, I explained what had happened, from the dropping the pocket watch in the car to seeing Katherine in the carriage. I did, however, leave out one possibly important detail – my relationships with the Salvatore brothers, making it sound like I had had no idea who Stefan was, but hadn't wanted to give myself away. No need for Emily to find any more similarities between me and Katherine.

Once I was finished, Emily nodded slowly.

'Do you believe me?' I asked quietly.

She nodded again, looking into my eyes. 'But to look so like her…it's incredible.'

I disagreed heartily with this, but chose not to say anything.

'We'll have to tell her, you know,' Emily said. It was my turn to nod, now doubly glad I hadn't told her anything about me and the Salvatore brothers.

'First, I'll get you some clothes, you can't be seen anywhere like this. Wait for me where you were standing with Mr Salvatore.'

2010
Damon POV

I told John what had happened as fast as I could, and had the meagre satisfaction of watching the colour drain out of his face. Not that I could take any pleasure from his fear, though, now that Elena was missing.

'The journals might be able to help us find out if the pocket watch could do anything besides function as a vampire compass,' he said. 'Wait here, I'll go and get the one where he writes about his early inventions.'

He was back so quickly he might have passed for a vampire. Much as I hated John Gilbert, I had to admit – grudgingly – that in working with me to save Elena, he'd proved himself to be a better person than I'd realised. And he really seemed to care about her.

My feelings of goodwill disappeared when he settled himself at the table with the journal, leaving me with absolutely nothing to do but think about what could be happening to Elena. Something I really didn't want to do. Apparently I also cared about her more than I'd thought.

'And what I am supposed to do while you read that? Wait here and hope that Elena magically materialises in this kitchen?' I enquired sarcastically. I wasn't exactly good at waiting, especially after waiting 145 years for a comet to return, only to have it come to nothing.

I was so absorbed in worrying about Elena that I barely noticed the absence of the usual twinge of pain that accompanied the thought of Katherine.

'You could go and ask Alaric Saltzman if he knows more about that watch,' said John without looking up. 'He's borrowed this journal before, he might remember something. It'd probably be quicker than waiting for me to read it.'

'Don't you already know what's in them? Didn't it ever occur to you to read them thoroughly before when – I don't know – you realised that vampires were real and he wasn't a raving lunatic?' I seethed. This was slowing us down.

'I've only skimmed them, Damon. Where's your brother, anyway? Shouldn't he be helping us figure this out?'

Not bothering to reply, I was out of the door before he'd even finished the sentence, and driving to Alaric's house downtown. It was empty. Clearly, luck was not with me tonight.

Growling with frustration, I headed for the only place people in the town ever went to for entertainment, limited as its possibilities for actual entertainment were. The Mystic Grill.

Thankfully, Alaric was sitting at the bar, nursing a drink. I strode over to him, waving the bartender over. I definitely needed some alcohol tonight.

'Damon! To what do I owe the pleasure?' asked Alaric sarcastically, slurring his words slightly. I groaned inwardly. Great. Drunk history teacher was not going to help this situation.

'I need your help,' I said, wondering how many more times I was going to be forced to repeat those words tonight.

'Wait a minute,' he said, downing the rest of his drink and standing up, reaching for his jacket.

'Where are you going?' I asked, completely confused.

'To grab my stake and vervain darts…I'm assuming you want me to stake another damn vampire.'

I rolled my eyes. 'No, actually, I need information from Jonathon Gilbert's journal.'

He dropped back into his seat. 'What?'

'There's no need to sound so surprised…' I said, slightly offended.

'Since when have you ever wanted information?'

I shrugged, acknowledging his point, then proceeded to tell him exactly what was going on.

Worry for Elena clouded Alaric's face as I finished the story, and he kneaded his temples, trying to remember.

'There was something in the diary…' he said slowly, 'about that compass…'

He was interrupted by a cool voice coming from behind us.

'Hello Ric, Damon,'

No.

I turned around.

Isobel.

1864
Elena POV

Emily left to get clothes, leaving me once again by the building. I huddled in the shadows, hoping I wouldn't meet anyone else before she returned. However, this wasn't to be.

Barely thirty seconds had passed before I heard footsteps. Turning around, I saw, with a feeling of utter disbelief, Damon Salvatore coming towards me.

'Katherine?' he asked, sounding shocked. 'Why are you out here? And where did you get those clothes?'

Scared and alone as I was, I still couldn't help feeling slightly irritated at all these references to my clothing. Also, I had no idea why Damon thought I was Katherine. He'd been in the carriage, and probably seen me - they had briefly chased me and I still didn't know why they'd stopped.

The answer hit me like a rush of cold water. Katherine hadn't wanted Damon to know about me until she understood herself. She'd probably compelled him to forget what he'd seen. Which meant she was most definitely interested in who I was, and why I was here.

Fear washed over me again, and must have shown on my face, because Damon stepped closer to me. I couldn't help noticing how much more innocent he looked, not so hardened by the pain of missing Katherine.

'Katherine, please, tell me what's going on,' he pleaded. Yes. Damon was pleading. I managed a small smile at the absurdity of it.

He looked profoundly relieved to see me smile. 'Why don't I see you home?' he asked with a flirty grin, looking at me suggestively.

Not sure what to say or do – Emily wasn't back yet and I had to wait for her - I stared at Damon, feeling myself unable to break eye contact. Just like with Stefan, being with him provided comfort, reminding me of home.

He clasped my hand, pulling me out into the light of a single oil lamp that had been left lit outside the building we were currently next to, then stiffened. Grabbing my shoulders and turning me towards him, he examined every inch of my face.

'You're not…who are you?' he breathed, but was interrupted by something flying so close over our heads that I felt it brush my hair. We both started, and then over Damon's shoulder I caught sight of a figure, watching us, an ice cold look on her face.

Katherine.

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