Disclaimer! I do not own Vampire Diaries or its delicious cast. Thankfully I do own Alex and her story, so please don't 'borrow' either of them!

Onto the chaos

Present

A loud, somewhat obnoxious laugh rang through the dining room, courtesy of my father. Turns out he especially liked sarcastic undead dinner guests. Not that he knew about the undead part. But really, he's hasn't stopped laughing for longer than a few minutes before Damon got him going again. At least from across the table Stefan looked about as annoyed as I felt. "Hey Da, what do you think of Stefan's cooking?" I asked before the resident comedian could say anything else. Da's bright eyes turned to me, the smile still etched on his face. A small pang went through my stomach. He liked the Salvatores. I wish he could have befriended someone other than the paranormal monsters in town.

"It's delicious. Where did you learn to cook like this?" My father demanded, chortling as he took another bite of Stefan's work. It did smell 'delicious'. As of yet I had not taken a bite. Food prepared by a vampire turned my stomach, though I was doing a good job of pretending.

Stefan smiled easily, running a hand through his already tousled brown hair. "Here and there." Yeah, 'here and there' over the span of a century. He turned his eyes to me, smile still in place. "What do you think Alex? Not a fail?"

I was going to have to unscrew my smile tonight. Flashing yet another bright, all too cheery grin, I replied. "Absolutely mouthwatering." His own smile widened a bit as if in thanks.

"I'm sure Alex's dessert will make this look like fast food." Damon piped up from his place beside Da. He was smiling too, cocky and confidant. Was a compliment supposed to make my heart flutter? He acted as if it should.

"Of course it will." I quipped, flashing a decidedly more flirtatious grin. "In fact, I'll go grab it from the kitchen." Rising from my chair, I exited the dining room. My smile dropped the moment I was out of sight, cheeks tingling. This was perhaps the worst dinner I've ever had in my life. They couldn't know anything, and yet every time one of the vampires looked at me my spine stiffened and waited for them to lunge across the table for my throat.

The kitchen was cooler than the candlelit dining room, empty save for the strawberry shortcake resting on the counter. I had have wished that verveine still grew in the garden when I was icing it. But aside from ticking off the vampire who consumed it, Da would have been placed in a great amount of danger. Its appearance would have been enough evidence for them to assume I or he knew their secret. Leaning against the counter, I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. How could I go through a dinner knowing that the guests were not only monsters, but that I needed to kill one of them? No wonder I had jumped when Stefan had passed the salt and accidently brushed my hand. It was worse than a caffeine high.

Lips twitching mildly at the sentiment, there was a reason I avoided caffeine, I grabbed the cake and made my way back into the dining room. Upon entering, I was seriously contemplating just killing Damon now. Or duct taping Da's mouth, because the moment I walked in I caught the end of their conversation. " –would love to show Alex around town tomorrow." Damon was saying graciously. Da was smiling as if he had just set up a very pleasing arrangement.

Eyebrows arched, I snapped the door shut loudly to gain their attention. The smile on Da's face faded a bit at my look. "Excuse me, do I now have plans for tomorrow?" I asked quietly, setting the cake in the center of the table and sitting with my eyebrows arched with interest.

"I was just suggesting the boys take you around town, you know, help get your bearings." Da looked uneasy as he answered.

Damon picked up after him, flashing the cocky grin again. "And I accepted the offer. Stefan's got a date, but I'm free and have nothing else to do." Goodie. Judging by the gleam in his eyes, he had more important idea on the matter. Suspicion bloomed in my chest as I cut the cake and offered Stefan a plate. I couldn't decline the offer, not after Da setting up. I was still trying to play the innocent new girl, and why would she say no anyways?

Silence fell as they waited for my response. I bided my time, letting Da stew. It was the least I could do, considering he had just made my life ten times more difficult. "That sounds nice. Thanks Damon." My tone was nothing shy of polite and sweet.

"You're more than welcome Alex." If only.

Mystic Falls, 1862

The garden was still beautiful, even in Winter's depths. The snow covered vines glistened with the early sunlight that pierced through the clouds covering the sky. It was cold and quiet, the snow blanketing the world in silence. I was thankful for the soft warmth of the wool cloak wrapped around my frame. Stefan had said his brother was to be found out here, and there was only place I knew him to go in this garden.

I found him there, sitting on the bench where we had met months ago on a much warmer day. "Hullo Damon."

He turned, smiling quickly, though it faded after a moment. It then that worry settled in my heart. His smile had never faded, not for me. "Alexandria." Damon spoke softly, rising to wrap his arms around my waist and press a soft kiss to my lips. For a moment I felt I might cry, though the reason why escaped me.

I touched my hand to his cheek, concern kindling in my eyes. "Why are you out in the cold Damon?"

He sighed, taking my hand in his. "I had some things to think on Alexandria." His words were quiet and held foreboding.

It was no longer concern in my eyes, but fear. "Things to think on?" I echoed.

Damon nodded slowly, a curl of dark hair falling before his eyes. "The war, actually. I went to the recruiters today." Understanding struck; the war between the Union and the Confederacy had gone on for more than a year now. Soldiers were being called, men leaving their homes to fight for our freedom. I refused to believe what he was saying.

"The recruiters? You mean to serve then?" To leave me? I looked to the ground, pain spearing my heart.

A cool finger lifted my chin to meet glassy eyes. Damon smiled gently, "I'll be coming back Alexandria. I promise."

Present

"I'll be by tomorrow around nine." Damon said from the door, one hand in his pocket. Stefan was speaking with Da in the parlor about bringing over a girl named Elena next time we had dinner. I was sincerely hoping there was not going to be a next time, like it mattered how nice his girlfriend was.

Turning back to Damon, I rolled my eyes and put a hand on my waist. "Just don't be late. If you're getting me up that early there had better be coffee involved too Salvatore."

"I won't be late. Promise." Damon winked and glanced over my shoulder. "Come on Stefan, or you're walking." He called and a few seconds later Stefan appeared with Da talking animatedly at his side. The two grinned at something that was said before Stefan gave him a nod and stepped out the door with a wave to me. "See you later Alex." Damon caught my gaze again, his words more of a promise than the first ones had been before he turned and made his way off my porch.

When they finally were out of sight I sighed and shut the door, locking it though I knew it would do little good if they wanted back in. "I'll see you in the morning Da." I muttered under my breath before he could say anything, almost literally racing up the stairs to have a nice long freak out session in the safety of my room.

This was a longer chapter…had a lot to fit in there. Anywho, rates welcome and suggestions would be loved

Theme Songs:

"Brick by Boring Brick" - Paramore