To Change or Not To Change: Time Traveling AU

Chapter 8: The Fates Are Still In Play

Damon walked her home. Damon walked her home. After a wonderful evening together, Damon Salvatore walked her home. Elena's heart was fluttering and she knew he could hear it, he was a vampire. And he was likely getting a special read on her, like he always did when it came to people.

He dropped her off at her house, with a wink and, "Goodbye Elena. See you next time?"

Of course she wanted a next time and planned for it. She watched him disappear into the night and grinned. She knew she never use to be this girly before, but what did she have to be sad anymore? She had her life back and it was perfect. She had her parents, her little innocent baby brother, a possible boyfriend who was not dead thank you very much, and an alive aunt whom was like a best friend. The only things missing in her life were her two actual best friends and the Salvatore brother bond.

Her life was perfect.

Elena smiled before turning to her door, opening it with a bright smile on her face. Aunt Jenna was sitting in the living room reading some book- Elena was pretty sure it was Harry Potter- before she looked up. Aunt Jenna grinned when she saw how excited Elena looked. "A good date I'm assuming?"

"Better than good," Elena admitted, not bothering to denying it. Even though it wasn't a date, she could pretend, "Better than great actually!"

Aunt Jenna squealed for her. "Was he the perfect gentleman?"

"Yes, of course." She smiled her girlish smile.

"Did he pay for the dinner/drinks?"

"Yup!"

"Did he walk you home?"

"Made sure I was home safe and at the door before he left,"

"Elena, you have a keeper." Aunt Jenna smiled brightly. Elena agreed. "So, what does he look like? I forgot to watch the window because I was absorbed into the wizarding world like I usual am when cute guys come walking my niece home."

Aunt Jenna could be very dramatic.

Elena laughed softly. "He has dark raven hair, the bluest eyes- they're like ice and the ocean mixed almost- and he has pale skin and the cutest smirk. He's funny and sweet and I can't help but like him." She admitted.

"Mhmm…" Aunt Jenna said sounding impressed, "Sounds yummy. Think he'll be good in bed?"

"Aunt Jenna!" Elena blushed but only to keep the mask up. He's AMAZING in bed! But she doesn't need to know how I know that.

"Right, you're still a virgin. Darn." Aunt Jenna joked. Elena remembered that shortly after her parents had died, in a fit of need to get back at them for dying and to ruin how pure she was, Elena had slept with Matt in a fit, in hopes of ruining everything about her. She tried drugs (which weren't her thing) and drank a lot, before falling into bed with Matt whom had been a virgin. This of course hadn't happened in this time line as Elena's parents hadn't died. So just her luck, she was a virgin and she wasn't sure if Damon would be interested in one.

Elena rolled her eyes, "Really? My dad would have my head if he thought I wasn't one anymore."

"You're gonna be 18 next year; you should at least feel like you're becoming an adult. I lost my virginity when I was 14." Aunt Jenna shrugged.

Elena of course knew that. Aunt Jenna had had the talk last time when Elena came home crying and upset. Matt hadn't been the best partner and yet he tried to get better. It still ended badly but at least this time around they could still be friends.

Elena yawned softly. "I'm going to head to bed if that's okay with you. I have a big day tomorrow and Caroline will have my head if I'm not well-rested."

"You have that football game, riiight. Well, go rest up and I'll see you tomorrow! Your mom wanted me to remind you that she and your dad will be home soon. And that they'll hopefully be there for the game tomorrow. I will be too." Aunt Jenna said and Elena nodded. Then her aunt returned to her book, likely awaiting Jeremy to come home (Elena was almost positive her brother was home and Jenna was just enjoying some book time) and Elena went to her room.

Once in her room, Elena stripped down and hopped into the shower. She washed her hair and body quickly, before drying off and heading to bed. She flopped into her bed in small shorty shorts and a tank top. Sleep took over her almost instantly.

|x|

The next morning, Elena dragged her body out of bed and grumbled. The game sounded boring and Elena couldn't help but not be interested in cheerleading. As much as she loved Caroline, it wasn't her thing. With her parents being alive and such, it should be, but Elena had lived through this once. She was more interested in drives in Damon's car or solving a random mystery because somebody had died or something as equal in interest.

So she decided to quit (it was shocking just how long it took her to decide). However, remembered this was when Stefan gave her the necklace (that later she had found out belonged to Rebekah Mikaelson, Stefan's old lover). She always favored the necklace.

So that was how Elena Gilbert found herself at the football game.

She had told Caroline earlier that she didn't feel up to being a cheerleader anymore, wanting to do better with her grades and such. It was only then did she hear her name being called.

"Elena!"

She turned and found Stefan jogging over. "Stefan," She said breathlessly.

As much as she knew she wasn't in love with the younger Salvatore, she could admit he looked very attractive, and could pull off the Mystic High football team uniform, something very few could actually do.

"Hey, why aren't you in your cheerleader get up?" He asked, tilting his head sideways.

"OH! Well, I sort of quit. Cheerleading isn't my thing, I guess." Elena shrugged.

Stefan nodded. "Of course," He smiled. "I know we barely know each other but I found this and wanted to give it to you."

The necklace. "What? Oh, thank you! You shouldn't have," Elena said as Stefan handed her this box, small and special. When she opened it, she found inside the necklace she had worn up until she became a vampire and then no longer could wear it, but kept it close. It was the mark of her great love with Stefan, but also the beginning of her love with Damon, who even though wanted her, was willing to give up his happiness for hers. And of course his brother's, but neither knew both wanted to be family again!

She was in awe at the sight again. "It's beautiful!"

"It's something that I've had forever, and I've never wanted to give it to anyone, until now…." Stefan explained. "I'd very much like it if you'd wear it, for me, for good luck."

Elena knew the reason really behind it was because it was dipped in vervain and had vervain in it, thus making it impossible for vampires to touch it or for vampires to use compulsionon her.

She smiled, "Thank you."

"No problem," Stefan said smiling at her. She put it on and smiled as it settled on her skin, and once more she felt completed. "I'd like to thank you for having me join the team… it's something I really enjoy."

I didn't… Not really…did I? Elena was pretty sure she had never said anything about football, but then again maybe she had. Or maybe Matt had, who didn't have a wedge against Stefan this time around. "No problem," She said smoothly. "Now, go on and get warmed up. Win the game for the school." She winked and he chuckled, before running off.

A moment later, Aunt Jenna was by her side. "So Stefan and Damon… do you like Damon more? Because it looks like Stefan is pretty cute…"

Elena laughed. "Stefan is just my friend."

"Friends don't give friends such nice gifts like that necklace." Aunt Jenna said softly. "But ouch! He was friend-zoned and didn't even know it!"

Elena giggled.

"So what are you fine ladies talking about?"

Elena and Aunt Jenna turned, finding Grayson and Miranda standing there.

"Oh nothing, just about a boy who gave Elena a necklace." Aunt Jenna said happily.

Elena shot her aunt a look. "A boy? Elena-" Her father began.

"I don't like him like that, he's just a friend." Elena said calmly. "And it was a gift, not a marriage proposal."

Grayson sighed and nodded. Jeremy came up a minute later, holding popcorn and pop. "Ready yet?" he asked.

"Yeah," Elena said and the family went inside.

|x|

Elena was shell-shocked. It was late evening, standing with her father, mother, aunt and brother are people moved around. She never did find out who had killed Mr. Tanner, but she had always assumed because she was with Damon, it wouldn't happen. But there the body lay, now in a body bag, his head (which had been snapped off apparently) was in its own bag, and guards/cops, taking him away.

She had seen Mr. Tanner only minutes ago it seemed; breathing, yelling and excited. She had completely forgotten about his death, and when it had happened. She couldn't move her body, knowing she could have provided Mr. Tanner, an innocent man, from dying.

Then Alaric wouldn't have come to Mystic Falls… She reminded herself. But still! Mr. Tanner didn't need to die…did he?

Elena knew Matt had found Mr. Tanner's body, she had heard the whispers, but she didn't know if he was doing okay. Mr. Tanner was nobody's favorite teacher nor their go to guy about problems. He was strict and mean. But, he was a human.

Jeremy took hold of Elena's hand, squeezing it to let her know everything would be okay. Her mother and father were trying to get some answers, they needed answers. But everyone just kept saying it was an animal attack.

It's always an animal attack.

Elena couldn't confront Damon about it whom she had spied earlier.

EARLIER

"Elena,"

She had been heading towards her parents' car to grab something from the back. She turned and found Damon standing there; his black leather jacket, his messy black hair and smirk on his face.

"Damon. What are you doing here?"

She expected him to make some nasty comment or something.

"I came here to support my baby brother; it is his first game after all." Damon said airily. Of Elena knew better, and remembered faintly the first time this came around. I'm trying to get away from Caroline. Of course, Damon wasn't with Caroline this time around.

He was sort of with Elena.

But, he wasn't.

And then again…they were sort of off the market.

Elena defiantly was OFF the market.

"That's really sweet of you," She smiled fondly at him.

Damon nodded. He was staring at her for a long time and Elena remembered he had tried to kiss her this time. He's not ready for you. He just misses Katherine. Elena told herself.

"Mhmm, I don't think Saint Stefan really wants to see me." Damon said sounding oddly… husky. Elena could admit only in her mind, what it did to her. "Do you want to see me Elena?"

"You know I do," Elena smiled.

Damon grinned. He tried to use compulsion on her, "You want to kiss me."

Elena wanted to give in, she wanted to say yes- but she wanted him to know, he didn't control. So she held up her hand and shook her head. "Damon," She said breathlessly. He looked confused and surprised all at once. "I'm sorry I just-"

"You don't want to kiss me?"

At least I didn't slap you this time!

"I do- it's just- the game is about to start and my family is expecting me." Elena finished dully. He's going to think you're weird.

And useless.

Damon blinked before he nodded. "Oh."

"I'm really sorry, maybe another time?"

"Maybe…" She walked away.

PRESENT

Elena looked over at her family and frowned. Nobody liked Mr. Tanner, but nobody wanted him dead. It seemed the fates had a way to still claim people and take them.

And then it dawned on her.

If Mr. Tanner isn't safe…. What makes Damon?

|x|

*spine chilling music* HAHAHAHA

I actually love that last line. It makes my body go cold. If the fates still have control, who is safe and who isn't? And if Damon isn't safe, who isn't to say Elena's parents are safe? Who's to say Jeremy is safe from falling into his "old" ways? I just mind f*cked everyone, didn't I? MAHAHA

Ugh, not even sure what to say but I do know I'm getting a lot of writing done so y'all don't have to wait for me to update. So enjoy, m'kay?

Love each and every one of you. Thank you for every review, it means the world to me.

Nerdy~

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