Disclaimer! I do not own Vampire Diaries or it's amazing cast, as much as I wish it were so! Alex and her story are mine, so please don't 'borrow' her! Thanks, and now onto the next bit of havoc!

Present

"That's me." Glancing back at Da, I slipped past the vampire and gave him a cocky grin. "If you're the one cooking, I think I'll need to supervise." The mock insult in my tone was the best I could do right now. It wouldn't make sense for Alex Conner, girl next door and new to town, to hate him right away. The real Alex O'Conner was having a small panic attack in her quiet corner. Da had gone off and invited a vampire into the house!

Damon smirked and chuckled. He used to do that quite a bit when we were alone… "How do you know I'm not an amazing cook?"

I arched my brows. "You're amazing? Better prove it. We'll be in the kitchen Da!" I called, giving my father a slight wave and heading off towards the kitchen. Damon had been able to cook in eighteen sixty two, and how many years has he had to perfect that art? Almost nervously, I glanced back to see if he was following. Damon grinned at me from a few feet away, strolling along as if he owned the manor. "About earlier…" I said, feigning shy. "I um, didn't mean to freak out. Had a long day and jet lag was starting to get to me. Sorry if I acted crazy." Is it sad I wanted to roll my eyes at myself?

"I figured it was just my gorgeous self." Damon quipped. Inwardly I shuddered. I did not need this. I did not need those gorgeous eyes watching me as I walked through the halls of a place I had never wanted to return to.

"I must be oblivious. I didn't see anything too special when we met."

My tone was harder this time, and Damon seemed to pause a moment. I hadn't meant to slip on that. "I'll just have to work on changing your mind." He said amiably, teasing tone still in place.

"Good luck with that." Luck wouldn't give him a chance in hell. Inwardly I wished that striking him with a bolt of magic right now wasn't a bad idea. Could it be considered community service? After all, I would be ridding the world of a vampire and cocky pain in the-

"Is there a reason you're turning bright red?"

"Huh?" I blinked, the stream of insults running through my mind derailed as Damon nudged my arm. Goosebumps raced up my arm, and a shiver scuttled down my spine. I wanted to hit him for touching me.

A small smirk crossed his features. "You're the color of a tomato now Alex." His tone was amused. "In fact, it's clashing perfectly with your hair." Perfect…humor from a dead guy. And of course, I had no idea how to respond to his question. What would I say, 'yeah just thinking of ways to kill you!', because that would work so well. Thankfully, our arrival to the kitchen stemmed any need for such a reply. Sadly, the kitchen was not empty either. Yet another familiar face was tapping his chin and reading a cookbook. Stefan Salvatore. He should have been dead too.

Mystic Falls, 1862

"Miss Alexandria. How pleasant to see you here again." Stefan Salvatore smiled benignly from his place at the parlor desk, his green eyes glittering with his usual kind greeting. I had thought the manor was to be empty today, that is, empty of all but Damon. It had been quiet upon entering, the scent of wax candles lingering in the air.

A small, polite smile graced my lips. "Hullo Stefan, a pleasure to see you as well." When last I had seen him, long enough to share a few words, Damon had invited grandmother and myself over for dinner with Giuseppe's name signed to the parchment. Grandmother was expecting a proposal for my hand any time. I, despite my fervent attempts to remain away from such matters, could not help but blush at the thought.

Stefan rose from the desk, smoothing down his vest and closing the book that he must have been browsing. "What can I do for you?"

"Actually, I came to see-''

Scarcely had I uttered a sentence and Stefan's smile widened. "My brother is in the garden Alexandria. I'm certain he would be more than happy to see you." Stefan had always been rather resourceful. It did not surprise me that he knew of Damon and I.

"Thank you, Stefan." I murmured, demure and quiet, though my answering smile was enough for his to warm considerably.

"You're most welcome Alexandria." As I turned for the garden, I did not see his eyes follow me. And yet, I could feel a shadow pass over my heart as I stepped out of the warm house and into the snow covered garden.

Present

Stefan glanced up from the book and caught sight of myself and Damon. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes, but I didn't need to guess what it was. A small stirring of magic brightened in my veins, and the chill Damon had brought faded ever so slight. Suddenly Stefan sharpened in contrast and the world fell silent.

*She looks like Alexandria. It's…shocking. Is it genetics, or something else?* He had been perceptive back then, and now with his vampire nature that would have been amplified. Stefan's thoughts said as much. With the magic dimming and the world returning to color and sound I just barely caught the end of his greeting. "—be Alex. I'm Stefan." He smiled, the vivid green eyes I remembered so well sparkling, his hand held out.

My smile was getting a work out today. "That's me. It's nice to meet you Stefan." I took his hand and decided that a vacation was in order after this. "So what's for dinner?" I asked politely.

Stefan promptly listed off a menu that under normal circumstances would have made me drool. I do appreciate good cooking, but playing chef with two vampires simply brought 'Hell's Kitchen' to a whole new level.

So, there's the first bit of Hell's Kitchen. I'm keeping things shorter chapter wise so it doesn't drag on too long. Rate, shoot me some ideas, and some criticism is always appreciated!

Theme Songs:

"All Around Me" - Fly Leaf