A/N: To all of you who took the time to reply to this story, thank you very much. Your kind words and often interesting take on this story make it much easier to write. As for the stupidity of goading Damon in the last chapter, you're all right. That is a stupid thing to do. However, I hope to make Non-Elena human, with all the messy human parts. I guess she got cocky with the idea she had something to bargain with. We have the benefit to read and overthink the girl's actions much better and can see the errors of her way.

Either way, enjoy the next chapter. Beta'd by HPuni101

Note of importance: this chapter was not yet beta-read. I'm just a very slow writer -.-

o.O.o

Chapter Six, Skyward

Creaking as it swung open, I skirted to a stop next to Pastor Young just as Stefan Salvatore was revealed in the doorway, looking gaunt with worry. In the dim lighting of the porch lights, his skin looked almost yellow and I released a hard, sharp gasp. It wasn't the asshole of a brother, it wasn't Damon, thank God, it wasn't Damon. I exhaled again, meeting Stefan's worried eyes.

"Elena! There you are!"

"Stefan!"

"Who is—"

"A classmate," I gasped, a soft, short, jittery laugh escaping me, and I brushed a lock of hair out of my face. "That's Stefan," I smiled relieved at Pastor Young and he nodded in the sort of understanding that made me realise he thought Stefan Salvatore was an entirely different person to me. I didn't care what he thought I was and this time my laugh sounded genuine. "I couldn't find you anymore— and with the storm, I needed some shelter."

"Oh, no, it's fine," he smiled, the lines in his face somehow more pronounced with his light tan, "I understand."

"I'm glad." I gasped out and after several apologies left the future leader of the council and followed Stefan down the dim-lit street. The deep darkness of twilight had seeped the sky violet and grey and Stefan led me to a dark-grey Audi. I had never seen that particular car (didn't he have a red old-timer) and my eyebrows furrowed together "Is this your car?"

"No, I borrowed it from my uncle Zach."

"Ah," right, his uncle Zach. I'd forgotten about him. "It's a nice car."

"Yeah," Stefan agreed, but wisely kept his mouth shut. He didn't even ask what had happened that I'd done a runner and opened the passenger's door for me, which I was thankful for.

I didn't argue, climbing into the passenger's seat without a word and Stefan steered the car onto the road. During the drive, my stomach did acrobatics against my ribs and my emotions drove me a bit batty.

While the neighbourhood passed by, the sky turned even darker, inkier, even though Mystic Falls was fully lit. Windows glowing softly and here and there a television flickered gently.

Secretly, I craved their quiet domesticity, their homes and their lives. Perhaps some of their relationships built on lies as well, but I doubted they were the lies I lived with. Lies I could not disclose to anyone else again (after all, it wouldn't change anything, would it?), for who would believe me.

No one. Knowing my luck, it would win me a first-class ticket to the nearest asylum.

Or God forbid, they would believe me and get everyone killed. Which was why, I was content sitting in the passenger seat, watching Stefan steer the car through Mystic Falls. The soft purr of the engine lulled me into a false sense of security (or so I assumed). He'd rolled the window down and the chill of the afternoon had renewed into the cold evening air, brushing against my warm, flushed cheeks.

"How did you know where I was?"

"A man with a dog caught you running away from the playground. Finding you was just pure luck."

"Ah, okay. I guess I was lucky then…" right, super-hearing. How could I forget? It reminded me, again, of who and what he was and that drew a much-needed line in the sand. Again, I didn't want to date him. I didn't want to be a second Katherine and that much-needed line in the sand— I was pretty sure I should make it was clear to see for him too.

"Are you all right?" He asked suddenly, a self-deprecating laugh sounded hollowly through the car. "I know you met Damon…"

"Your brother's an ass, but I'm fine."

The car rolled to a stop in front of the Gilberts house and Stefan put it in park and killed the engine. His green eyes flitted over my face and I bit my lip, not saying anything. The silence stretched for so long I thought he'd swallowed his tongue but finally, he nodded, seemingly more to himself than to me. "You should stay away from him. Damon is— he's dangerous."

"Don't worry, that's an easy promise to keep," I assured him and quickly stumbled out of the car.

"I can—"

"It's okay Stefan." I smiled softly and hurried up the porch. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I am, don't worry. Just a bit stressed."

"Okay."

"See you at school, okay?"

"Sure."

I slammed the door and almost flew up the stairs. Up in Elena's bedroom, still breathing loudly, I slammed the bedroom door shut and flopped back on my bed. Curling up in the middle, I stared furiously and unseeingly to the windows. At least I was alone, Miranda and Jeremy at the hospital and I assumed Grayson was still with Mayor Lockwood.

Every so often the clouds would light up with a vein of lightning and suddenly, my throat became dry.

Of course, how could I have forgotten? Large sprawling windows, for your stalking convenience and I often left the curtains open too, the window even ajar, to let in some cool air. That was a thing of the past. Probably too late at this point but I scrambled to my feet and harshly closed the curtains one by one anyway.

A fleeting glance to the child's drawing on the wall, a trailing touch to the vanity mirror and I crawled onto the window seat, thinking, waiting, ruminating… I hadn't exactly forgotten about Damon, being an emotionless asshole at this point in the show, I just hadn't considered the possibility that he would try and hurt me. Not really. And then, of course, there was Stefan.

Stefan Salvatore was trying to be my friend. And I liked that. Since he didn't know the Elena before I pretty much took possession of her body and screwed over the storyline, I didn't have to pretend so much with him.

But he really shouldn't care too much for me. When Klaus came to town, and at this point, I knew for sure I would meet him one way or the other, I couldn't have Stefan and in extension Damon, care too much for me.

They couldn't want to save me. It would ensure that people would die. People I was starting to care for, and my jaw clenched.

I hoped Jeremy was going to be okay.

As it turned out, Jeremy would be fine, although, with two broken ribs and a cracked cheekbone, he would be out of the running for six weeks or more. Grayson had returned home that evening with an apothecary's worth of painkillers and with the vague comment of needing to call an old friend, while Miranda fussed. The first few weeks, Miranda had decided to keep Jeremy home, caring for him. I'd decided to try and contact Elijah.

Out of the options, Elijah was the likeliest to make a deal and to keep to it. But I had no real idea of how to contact him. It wasn't like I could leave an add or search Facebook.

It was what kept me up at night, waged war in my thoughts. Still waging war in my thoughts when Monday came around. I'd settled in the passenger seat of Grayson' SUV, my schoolbag balancing precariously on my lap.

That morning, an early-October Monday, I'd found Miranda's bright, colorful sticky note, stuck to the fridge, telling me she was taking Jeremy to the physiotherapist (I had no idea what they would be doing with him yet, but several appointments in quick succession were necessary). Which was also why Grayson drove me to school that morning. I couldn't take a car when both Grayson and Miranda needed one, but that was fine with me.

I didn't mind Grayson, he didn't talk much, his actions showing what he felt more than any words could and I was content staring out of the window. Autumn in Mystic Falls was beautiful. Often cool but sunny days with a mosaic of orange, yellow and brown leaves. At least that was a welcome change from the dreary ones from my hometown.

The vampire terrorizing the town was not.

After speaking to Mayor Lockwood that Friday after the football match, after Tyler had been grounded, more disappearances and horrible animal attacks had been featured on the news. I guessed the council had assembled and an evening curfew was installed (even if the so-called animal 'terrorizing Mystic Falls' had been caught).

I'd never realized Miranda and Grayson Gilbert led the council, but against my initial belief, they tried and did— adequate. Even if they hadn't linked the Salvatore's yet (who were featured in Jonathan Gilbert's journals), they did an okay job.

Trying to protect people by installing rules. By having an evening curfew, because they thought vampires couldn't walk in the sun (they weren't exactly wrong), they tried. I expected they would start using their compass very soon. Which they wouldn't find since I had it. I felt as if I owed Stefan at least that much.

"You're quiet this morning," Grayson said, eyeing me with a slight smile.

"Just thinking."

"Jeremy's accident— you know it wasn't your fault, right?"

"Yeah, I know." I nodded. Even before the whole season two martyr stuff, Elena seemed to have a way to make everything about her. Or at least, felt every wrongdoing was somehow related to something she did. "I've been reading— stuff. It was a bit creepy."

"Oh, profound." He teased gently and I snorted.

"Hm, hm."

"Oh, before I forget, sweetheart, have you seen Grandmother Beth's earrings?"

"Erm, no, I don't think so. Why?"

"Your mother promised them to Carol Lockwood for the Heritage Party. You haven't forgotten, right? You're supposed to help her set it up."

"Oh," I mumbled, wetting my lower lip. "Right. Do you think I can fake a stomachache?"

"Your mother would kill you."

"Still sounds better than attending that party," I replied drolly and frowned when I remembered something. "Didn't mom put it in a safe deposit box? The jewelry I mean?"

"Miranda said they weren't there." He said, just as he pulled the car up in front of the school. "She couldn't find the pocket watch either."

"Hm, well, then I don't know," I replied, averting my eyes. "Thank you for the lift. I'll see you later?"

"Sure sweetheart. You can take the bus to practice. Laura knows you'll come."

"Okay. Bye!" I smiled, which seemed to appease him, and I slammed the car door closed behind me.

The SUV soared away, and I fell in the routine of school. Shuffling into my first class, surrounded by sleepy students, I watched Mr. Tanner (who was as much of an ass as the series had described him to be) write down the assignments of the day on the blackboard.

The words 'surprise test' made me nervously flip open my History book, reviewing the first few chapters again.

After that, I drifted in and out of classes as I'd done since starting high school (again). It was getting easier making it through the school days and when the lunch bell sounded shrilly, quickly followed by the scraping of chairs throughout the school building, I was quickly out into the hallway.

I had mingled with the throng of students moving as one towards the cafeteria and I took my sweet time selecting my lunch. Settling outside, the sun still warm and gentle enough to warrant lunch without my coat and grinned at Bonnie.

The other girls, the followers I guess, had settled around the park table as well, the chitter-chatter of teenage girls a warm lulling sensation as I overthought my options. My limited options dealing with Klaus and the other Originals.

I hadn't known how to contact Elijah before (he certainly seemed like the safer choice), but that was before Slater wormed his way in my brain. Before I remembered the Martins. The witch family that helped Elijah because Klaus had (a willing) Greta Martin at his side. I remembered Slater, the computer-vampire-geek, but I had no idea where exactly he should be. I wasn't exactly great with computers, but even so, I doubted I would find him with only his first name to go on.

Besides, even if he had a vast knowledge of different topics, things some vampires older than him were unaware of, making him a reliable source of information regarding the supernatural world, his involvement with the Doppelgänger would get him killed. And I didn't want that. I didn't think he deserved that.

The Martin family, however— that seemed like a better, safer bet. Besides, they knew Elijah personally (or so I hoped). At this point at the plotline, I had no idea if they'd met yet. The sound of Elena's name jolted me back and I whirled around with wide eyes. If there was one person I hadn't expected to come and find me in the middle of the day, it was Damon Salvatore, dressed in a grey button-up, dark slacks and a matching leather jacket. A pair of sunglasses tucked in the neckline of his shirt and his smirk cocky and arrogant.

"Damon."

"Looking good today." He grinned and I felt the seven pair of eyes burning holes in me.

"I— what are you doing here?"

He feigned surprise, hurt even, "Don't you remember? You asked me to meet you."

I hadn't, but I didn't trust him with the other girls either, especially not around Caroline who was staring at him with wide, adoring eyes. "Right, of course. But you said you didn't think you were going to make it." I gritted out, curling my fingers tightly around the straps of my bag.

"Surprise."

"Great, we can talk—" I started waving at the general direction of the car park, "—there."

"Of course," he grinned, winking at a rapidly reddening Caroline, who looked on the verge of introducing herself in that boisterously, Caroline-way of hers, and I quickly got to my feet, my hand pushing against his arm, hoping to get him to move. "Whatever you want, Elena."

I gave him a tight smile, the muscles in my cheeks aching from the force and I led him down to the parking lot. My entire body felt prickly at his nearness again, but in the light of the day, surrounded by students and the hubbub of the early afternoon, I felt somewhat safe. However, I still remembered the shock of high velocity when Damon pinned me down and I clutched my bag closer. "What do you want Damon?"

"Straight to the point, hm?"

"You hurt me last time we met. What did you expect?"

"Oh honey, if I wanted to hurt you, you would be hurt."

"Wonderful thought. I have school."

"Of course, little schoolgirl." He grinned. "Let's keep this easy. I want you to accompany me to the Heritage party."

"What?"

"The Heritage party, this Friday. I want you to come with me."

"And why would I do that?" I asked, because, hell no. I did not want to attend that party.

"I could kill you." He decided in a way as if he was suggesting we take a normal stroll down the street.

"Go ahead." I snapped back irritably. "You would open a can of worms you do not want to open but be my guest."

He laughed, teeth flashing in the bright afternoon sun, "I like that about you. So along with that pretty face, I'm putting bravery in the plus column. I could kill one of your friends instead. It seems to me that you like Stefan enough to want him to be safe. By now I doubt you're going to try and out me and if you try, it will be this easy—" he rubbed index finger and thumb together as if to illustrate his point, "— to cut out your vocal cords."

"I find Founders parties blatantly boring."

"So, I make it less boring for you."

"Why me?"

"You seem to know far more than what is healthy for you anyway. Besides, I need a date to get in."

"My parents are part of the Council."

He gazed down to meet my stare with a smug one of his own, "Of course, but I doubt you're supposed to know about it. None of your friends knows. I can tell. Have to say, I like the Barbie one."

"Leave Caroline alone!" I snapped back.

"Fine. Come with me to the Founder's party and she'll be fine."

"I— Okay, whatever you want," I growled, and my jaw tightened.

Damon only smirked.

"Whatever I like. I certainly like those words." He grinned and a stab of disgust tore through me.

"I'm not sleeping with you Damon."

"I wouldn't dream of it, darling." He drawled and leant back on the bonnet of a dark car.

"Right," I grumbled.

"What do you know of Katherine?"

I longed to tell him exactly what I knew of Katherine Pierce, I did, but I persuaded myself that I ought to be sensible. His fits of temper and violence, 'the murder first, regret later' attitude. I shouldn't push him too much. His eyes glinted dangerously but with a flicker of curiousity, his expression hard and his cocky smirk evening out in a tight, angry line. Telling him about Katherine now would be pouring petrol over a low-burning flame, licking at the curtains, right before the house would go up in a wildfire.

"I know about her history," I answered slowly, pushing a stray lock of hair out of my face. "I've read the journals. I can add one plus one, Damon. Stefan is outed in one of them. You were mentioned as was Katherine. Rather thoroughly if I may add."

"Journals." He echoed thoughtfully. "Did it mention Emily's Grimoire?"

"No."

I had no idea. Perhaps. Who knew? It wasn't like I remembered every single detail about the show. I knew where the Grimoire was though. In Damon's father's coffin for Mr. Salvatore to guard or something like that. Still, I had no sensible explanation of knowing this and my toes curled in my sneakers. I tried to shrug off how unnerved I was, crossing my arms beneath my chest.

"Pity."

"Hm," I hummed, "I have to go back."

"Sure," he agreed, before smiling. "Leave the deodorant at home this Friday, all right?"

"Fine," I grumbled again and turned towards the school building. I didn't look back again, my face flushed in anger. The girl crowd — especially Caroline and Bonnie — waiting for me, expecting answers was not surprising nor a welcoming one and breathing in deeply, I made up an elaborate explanation how I'd met him. How he asked me as his date to the Founders party—

"So, you're dating him?" Caroline demanded and I shook my head.

"No, not really. He just doesn't know anyone else." I explained. "Besides, he's taken."

"He is?" Caroline grumbled, looking deflated.

"Hm, yes," I agreed and moved into the school once the bell rang again. I felt Caroline's disappointed stare burn into my back the whole way, but it was for the best.

If I kept Caroline Forbes away from Damon Salvatore, she wouldn't be used as a human blood bag. She didn't deserve that. It was only later when I was once again staring at the blackboard, partnered up with Caroline during a French assignment, that it hit me. Damon knew witches (I was sure of Bree and I guessed there were others). How far off would I be if I guessed he could obtain the number of Jonas Martin?

To be continued...

A/N: I have no idea what Zach Salvatore drives in. But with all that money, one would guess he has something to drive in. So, he has a car. And Stefan still tries to befriend (read: get together with) Non-Elena. He's not fairing all that well…

As for the Founders party, I think that without Stefan dating Elena, Damon would definitely go after her. I suppose, mostly to toy around with her, but still... I think he would try to use her to get Emily's crystal. At this point, Non-Elena doesn't care if he will try and open the tomb — she has too much to worry about — but eventually, she will. I promise you, she will...

Next update: somewhere next week.

Like always, please let me know what you think!