Hey everyone! Yep, I decided to go ahead and begin another story. I know, I know probably a bad idea, but honestly I think writing this will help me with the rest of my stories that need updating.

Thanks to I love damon Salvatore girl! Please enjoy!

By the way, yes this is going to be a Damon/OC all the way through!

I own no one but these characters:

Evie is played by Emily Osment, Othella is played by: Michelle Pfeiffer, and Michael Harper is played by Jeffery Dean Morgan

I don't own the following songs used in this story: Whiskey Lullaby by Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley, and Jolene by Dolly Parton

Don't Know Why

Chapter 1: Pilot

September 7, 2009

"Evelyn, you'll be late for school!"

"Okay!"

A pounding on the creaky staircase made a half-dozen cats sprint for their lives across the wooden floor. A sixteen-year-old girl with long golden hair in a messy braid, tripped down the last two steps in her haste to pull her right shoe on. Her back slammed into the little nook that was at the bottom of the stairs just before the three steps to get to the first level of the house. Her impact sent the large, hideous painting of a red-faced overweight man in a white curly wig to descend from its precarious perch on the bent nail above.

"Sorry, Gran!" The girl apologized and hastily hung the picture back into place as her grandmother came out of the kitchen.

The greying blonde-haired woman just shook her head. "Just don't be late for school, dear. Do you have enough money for lunch? I don't want you to get hungry on your first day. You don't eat enough."

"I found some dad left for me, Gran."

Othella Boleyn frowned. "Left you some this time, did he? Or was it by accident?" She asked sharply. The girl fidgeted on the steps.

"Gran, he's trying."

"Trying and failing are not the same thing, Evelyn. Especially when he spends half the day sleeping and the rest drinking the town dry." She sighed when the girl frowned down at her feet. "Well, let's not talk about it anymore. Have you eaten breakfast?"

"A Pop-Tart."

"Oh for heaven's sake, Evelyn Marie, that is not a healthy breakfast."

"I don't have time and you have to go to work, Gran."

The woman clicked her tongue and squeezed the girl's cheeks, being mindful of the jagged scar that marred Evie's right cheek. A cruel reminder of her father's failure. "I will always make time for you, Evie. You are such a pretty girl. Your mother would have loved you, god rest her soul." Evie's mother had died during childbirth, so she had no memory of her at all except pictures and things she imagined. "Just wish you wouldn't paint your nails black."

"Gran…"

"People might think you worship evil things."

"Gran, they don't think that." Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Well, good…You're a nice girl."

"Um, Gran, I'm going to be late…"

"Oh, oh of course. Have fun. I'll be late, so you'll have to find something to eat on your own."

"It's the ladies church meeting again?"

"Yes, it seems our leader wants to do more for the community. I really think she's just trying to kiss Mayor Lockwood's ass."

"Gran!"

"Well, it's true. I swear that Lydia Lindstrom has a problem."

Evelyn smiled and grabbed her truck keys before heading out the door.

"Bye, Gran."

"Have a good day, sweetie. Call me if you need me."

Carefully, she eased the old truck into a parking space, far enough away that she couldn't possibly cause any damage and shut off the engine. She tugged her one shoulder backpack over to her, searching for her class schedule she had received in the mail two weeks before. Frowning in frustration, she hastily pulled down the car visor and shrieked when dozens of papers that she had stuffed up there rained down into her lap.

"Oops, okay…Sheet music, job gigs, letters…Aha, schedule!" She waved it triumphantly before remembering she was alone and…talking to herself. Snorting at her own craziness, she unfolded the paper, scanning over the contents.

"Third is Tanner…Great."

Mystic Falls, Virginia, home of Timberwolves football team. Ever since Evelyn could remember she had been here. And ever since she had been in high school, Tanner had been on her case. Hated and made to feel stupid. Luckily, he treated just about every teen that dared enter his classroom like that so she wasn't alone. It had even become a saying, "You got Tannered.". Only Evelyn suspected that he did truly harbor some bitter feelings towards her. He and her father, Michael Harper had gone to school together and had been bitter rivals. The bitterness never went away and now Evelyn felt like Harry Potter in Professor Snape's class.

She checked the time on her phone before climbing out of the truck and turning to shove the paper that she had forgotten to get out of her lap back into the truck cab.

"Hey, Harper, finally got a use for that hunk of metal? A trash bin?"

A teasing voice said from behind her and she turned around.

"For your information, Lockwood. This hunk of metal, as you call it, is a very fine vehicle."

"It's a clunker."

"Well, you…You're a clunker." She finally said and shrugged at her own lack of comeback.

Tyler burst into laughter and slung an arm around her shoulders when she finally got the truck locked up.

"You've been holed up in your grandma's house again, Evie. We missed you at the end of summer bash at the lake Saturday. We missed your guitar."

"Sorry, Ty. I was spending time with my dad."

"Oh." Tyler winced. "Sorry."

"I should have said I wasn't coming, but it was kind of a surprise. I didn't know he'd want to go school shopping. He usually leaves that to Gran."

Tyler knew all about Evelyn's father both from overhearing his parents talk about him and from seeing him in action. The man was a raging alcoholic, but apparently was trying to be on the straight and narrow. And had been failing at it for the last ten years. He had lost custody of Evie when she had been six-years-old. He had violently tossed a chair through the first-grade classroom window when the principal and the teacher had refused to let her go home with him. He had come in swaggering and incoherent, very drunk. Everyone said that he was the reason that Evelyn had a jagged, thick red scar that went across her right cheek. No one but eight-old-year Evie knew what really happened and she had refused to tell anyone.

Even now, eight years later, she still kept that to herself. Whatever had happened, whoever had hurt her, she would never tell. The damage had been done regardless and now she bore permanent reminder of some deep dark secret.

Despite all that, Evie loved her father and she was optimistic that one day he'd come back to her and would be the man she used to know. No one had the heart to tell her that it was probably a false hope. She spent more time pulling him out of bars and sending him home to sleep off the buzz, than doing anything else. Especially over the summer.

"Don't worry about it." Tyler smiled at her. "You didn't miss much. Matt was broody, Caroline was drunk, Elena was a no show…Bonnie was Caroline's sober shadow."

"The usual." She guessed.

"Right."

"How are things with you and Vicki?"

"Eh, so-so. I think things are good, she thinks not."

Evelyn tilted her head, her messy braid flopping onto her shoulder. "Is there going to be a party at the Falls again?"

Tyler grinned. "Definitely. And you are coming, right?"

"Of course."

"Awesome. Well, I gotta get to class. See you in French?" He asked, looking at her schedule. "And in Algebra."

She smirked. "No cheating."

He smirked back. "You know you'll help me out. See ya, Harper."

"See ya." She snickered and watched him jog to the back of the school before she headed inside the building.

"A witch? That's so cool."

"I knew you'd think so," Bonnie smirked at her best friend. "But maybe Grams is crazy."

"I like your grandma. Her stories are awesome. I already told her I want to take her class at Whitmore."

"I'm sure she loved that." She laughed.

Evie smirked. "Yep and she told me I could have a first-row seat."

"Do you believe it?"

"The witch thing? Maybe. You know I've always wanted to know if stuff like that exists." Bonnie nodded. "It would be pretty neat though."

They looked up as Elena and Caroline approached them.

"Hey, mind if we sit?" Caroline asked before scooching onto the bench and bumping Evie playfully. The girl smirked and bumped her back before giving her room to sit. "So did you see Patty's dress? Can someone say shower curtain? Honestly, it looked more like a pattern you'd find on an old lady's couch."

Evie snorted.

Evelyn was driving by the cemetery when she saw a patch of eerie looking fog.

"Spooky!" She smiled, pulling over to the curb. She dug out her camera, grabbed some different lens, and her one shoulder bag, before jumping out of the truck and walking through the gates of the Mystic Falls cemetery. She loved taking pictures of scary, dark looking things that catch her eye.

Evie knelt on the grass, taking her camera, and widening the frame, to get a picture of the fog rolling across the ground while the sun was shining in the background. She took several different pictures, trying different angles and positions. As she was moving closer to the old wooden bridge that was across the little creek, a cawing caught her attention.

She looked over to see a big crow sitting on the top of one of the angel statues. It cocked its head and examined her critically with beady black eyes.

"Hello there." She smiled. "Mind if I take your picture?" She slowly lifted her camera, turning the lens to zoom in. "Stay still, Mr. birdie…" She snapped the picture and it took off into the air, flying over to the wooden bridge and settling on the railing. It looked at her again. "You want me to do it again? Well, okay then." She sat down, being sure to get the fog included. No sooner had she clicked the button, then it took off again. This time soaring through the trees and out of sight.

"Bye!" She called to the bird before mentally facepalming herself. "Really, Evie? Talking to yourself and now a bird? Next, I'll be talking to inanimate objects."

She walked back to her truck, failing to see a dark-haired man watching her from beneath the gnarled tree next to the wooden bridge.

"…We found her with her face down in the pillow,

clinging to his picture for dear life.

We laid her next to him beneath the willow,

while the angels sang a whiskey lullaby.

Lalalalala…"

Evie strummed her guitar, eyes closed as she sang softly. She had picked up on playing at a young age and she loved doing it.

Bonnie smiled, looking up from her English book. Evelyn had a beautiful voice, but she had never sung in front of anyone but her friends. The mocha skinned girl was sure that if Evie would play at the Grill, she might earn some money or get someone's attention. The light blond haired girl was talented.

"La la la la la laaaa."

Caroline clapped when Evie was done, making the girl open her bright green eyes.

"That was great! Please play at the Grill."

Evie snorted and took a drink from her water bottle. "No way."

"Why not?" The golden blonde demanded, narrowing her blue-green eyes. "You sing way better than that old guy they let in every Saturday night."

"Well, I just don't think it's good enough for a whole crowd yet. Besides, my gran would have a cow."

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Evie, why would your Gran care?"

"She hates the Grill. "It's a hippie place for dysfunctional teens and highfalutin Council ass-kissers."." She quoted her grandmother and Bonnie and Caroline both laughed.

"Is she for real?" Caroline asked.

"Yep. She already thinks that some crazy biker is going to whisk me away."

Bonnie smirked. "Are you seeing someone?"

"No. She's just a nutty lady who hates bikers."

"Like Bonnie's Grams." The other girl chimed in and they started laughing all over again. "Let's go to the Grill I'm bored."

"Did you do any of your homework?" Bonnie teased and Caroline looked offended.

"Most of it…The rest I'll do tomorrow when I borrow it from you." She received a paper ball to her forehead and thus a paper war started.

After cleaning up the mess, the girls came out of Caroline's room.

"Hey, Sheriff Forbes." Evelyn greeted as the woman came into the house.

Liz smiled tiredly. "Hello, Evie, Bonnie. Where are you girls headed?"

"The Grill." Caroline said dismissively, not bothering to look up from her phone.

"Okay, try to be home by ten."

"Yeah, okay." She replied and muttered about leaving her jacket on the bed and she went back to her room to get it.

Evelyn turned to Liz. "Long day?"

Liz snorted. "Really long. How are you, honey? I haven't seen you in a while."

"I've been all right. Gran had me working on her flower garden all summer."

"Oh, I see. I wish I had time for a small garden."

"Evie! Come on!" Caroline yelled from the door and Liz rolled her eyes.

"Have fun, Evie, and please watch my daughter."

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am." Evie gave her a salute and Liz shooed her away with a laugh. The girl was certainly quirky. She just wished that Evie's father wasn't such a disappointment. The girl deserved better, but at least she had her grandmother.

"I'm telling you, he is the hottest guy at the school no doubt." Caroline Forbes gushed as she led the way into the Mystic Grill hotspot for all teens. Evelyn tilted her head.

"He must be something."

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Evie, we have History with him."

"We do? Eh, I never pay attention anyway."

Caroline smirked. "You'd like him, Evie. He is so hot."

"Yeah, okay. When's your wedding?" She smirked back, knowing good and well that the platinum blond was eagerly awaiting her prince charming. "What's so special?"

She stuck her tongue out at Evie. "For your information. His name is Stefan Salvatore." The tall blonde told her and Bonnie. "He lives with his uncle up at the old Salvatore Boarding House. He hasn't lived here since he was a kid. Military family, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini and his favorite color is blue."

"You got all of that in one day?" Bonnie asked skeptically.

Caroline smirked. "Oh, please, I got all of that between third and fourth period."

"And?" Evelyn prompted.

"We're planning a June wedding." The girl smirked, turned, and flounced away. Bonnie snorted.

"Can you believe that? I can barely get a guy to say one word to me, much less spill all of that." She told Evelyn.

"Well, she is Caroline."

"That is very true." Bonnie laughed before looking over at the lonely quarterback at the table. "Have you and Matt spoken yet?"

"No, I don't know what to say," Evelyn muttered. "I can't even look at him."

"Evie, it wasn't your fault. He was totally in the wrong for kissing you."

"I sent him mixed signals, though. You know I don't pay attention to those things."

Bonnie patted her arm. "Things will be awkward, but you guys have been friends forever."

"He was hurting because of Elena. I shouldn't have encouraged him."

"All you said was he needed to branch out, find someone new. You weren't talking about yourself. Right?"

"Right, but it still happened and I still feel like an awful person that I led him on."

Bonnie shook her head. "You didn't lead him on. He was lonely and tipsy."

"Bonnie, I didn't handle it right. I shouldn't have made a big deal out of it."

"You weren't into it, Evie."

"I still hurt him and he's my friend."

"It's better than pretending to love him when you don't."

"Like Elena?" She frowned and Bonnie nodded.

"Yeah…But that was different. I thought you two were going to try to be friends?"

"We were talking before summer and before the accident. Things have gotten too awkward."

Evelyn spotted Vicki Donovan, Matt's sister, and turned to Bonnie. "I'll be back, Bon." The other girl nodded, watching worriedly as Evelyn make her way to Vicki. It wasn't fair that her best friend had to bail her father out of the Grill all the time. Saving him from a drunken visit to the jail. He was a regular visitor. Sighing to herself, she went to sit at a table.

"Hey, Vicki."

The older teen turned to her with a smile. "Hey, Evie."

"Is he here?"

"I haven't seen him yet." She answered, giving the young blond a sad smile. She knew what it was like to have a neglectful parent.

"Oh, okay. Well, will you let me know if you do?"

Vicki nodded. "Of course."

"Thanks, Vic."

Evelyn felt relieved, hoping that meant her father was at home rather than on the street somewhere lost and confused. She looked for Bonnie and found the chocolate skinned girl talking to Matt. She and Bonnie had been very close since they had been little. Her grandmother, Shelia, was very good friends with Evie's grandmother. Bonnie was the one person who she could trust if she needed help. Not that she wasn't friends with Caroline. The chatty blonde had always been her friend, but sometimes she was just too much.

As for Elena Gilbert, but she just wasn't that close to her. She could talk to Caroline or listen to Caroline rather, since the girl was very forthcoming. But with Elena, things were a bit awkward. Bonnie had tried to get them to spend time together and they had started to a few months ago, but Elena lost her parents in an accident and became distant. They hadn't had a chance to speak since.

Taking a steadying breath, she walked over to Bonnie and Matt with the intention of making things right between her and the blue-eyed quarterback. They looked up when she reached the table and Matt instantly looked ashamed.

"Evie, I-"

She shook her head. "It's okay, Matt. I shouldn't have confused you."

"I wasn't thinking, Evie. I didn't mean to do that to you."

His words weren't meant to hurt, but they still stung a bit. Evelyn pushed back those feelings though like she always did. So, what if she had a scar? She was used to people staring. The rejection was just a normal reaction to her. And who needs a guy anyway?

Evelyn smiled at him. "I know. Let's just forget it. Friends?"

He smiled. "Friends." He agreed and he hugged her. She felt better, knowing they were going to be okay. She really didn't want to lose any friends. She only had a close few.

Matt suddenly sighed and Evelyn looked over her shoulder. Elena Gilbert came in and behind her was Stefan Salvatore.

"More time, huh?" He said to Bonnie who just grimaced at him sympathetically. He pushed away from the table and Evie bit her lip.

"Poor, Matt." She watched him walk up to Elena and Stefan, introducing himself, and Evie turned back around.

"He is nice looking. I'll give Care credit for having that one right." She said to Bonnie who giggled.

As the night progressed, curiosity over the new guy became too much and Stefan found himself surrounded by teenage girls. It was a bit awkward, but he knew that it was really Caroline who was fishing for details from him. Something to gossip about he was sure. He looked at each person at the table in turn.

Bonnie sat on his right, with Evelyn between them, watching him, and he wondered if she was a witch or knew about witches. He didn't think she did. Evelyn was stirring her water thoughtfully, something on her mind, though she did seem just as curious. Caroline was practically bouncing in her seat next to Elena who was on his right.

"So, you were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline prompted to get the ball rolling so to speak.

"Mmhm. And moved when I was still young."

Bonnie tilted her head at him. "Parents?"

"My parents passed away."

"I'm sorry." Elena told him quietly. "Any siblings?"

"None that I talk to."

Evie looked up at him curiously at that.

"I live with my uncle."

"So, Stefan," Caroline interrupted. "If you're new then you don't know about the party tomorrow night."

"It's a back to school thing at the falls." Bonnie informed him.

He looked at Elena. "Are you going?"

"Of course she is."

Elena smiled sheepishly at her friend's statement.

There was a crash and the room went silent. A man came staggering into the Grill from the kitchen area, clearly smashed, and he swerved imaginary people on his way to the bar.

"Hey. Let me have one of those." He slurred to Tina, the barkeep, and she made eye contact with Evelyn.

The girl turned back to the group at the table. "There's my dad. See you guys tomorrow." She told them and she went over to the man who was attempting to sit on a barstool.

He fell and a few patrons began laughing. Evie attempted to get him back on his feet but was having a hard time. Stefan frowned, watching as no one moved to help her.

"Drunk again, Mike?" A man called out.

"Ah, just a little bit." The man slurred before looking at Evelyn. "Evie!" He said loudly and she scoffed at him. "Evie girl, what brings you here?"

"Come on, daddy. Let's get you home." She told him, getting him to his feet finally. He leaned on her heavily and she almost toppled to the floor. Suddenly, his weight was gone.

"Where to?" A voice asked quietly and she glanced over her shoulder at the new voice. A handsome guy stood in front of her, in a leather jacket. He had tousled brown hair and forest green eyes and Evelyn blinked. It was Stefan.

"Oh, um, my truck." She said and led the way.

"Never seen you before." Mike garbled to Stefan as they got out the door. The vampire tried not to wrinkle his nose at the stench of alcohol coming from the man. "What's your name, sonny?"

Evelyn turned her head.

"Daddy, this is Stefan Salvatore. He just moved here."

"Salvatore…" He murmured. "Sal-va-tore, you are a strong guy." He chuckled and Stefan snorted. Evelyn unlocked her truck and he followed her to the passenger side where she struggled with the door for a moment.

"Sorry." She apologized as she jerked the door open. "It gets stuck sometimes. Here, I'll take him if he's bothering you."

"It's not a bother." Stefan got Evie's father into the truck and the man was snoring by the time they got him buckled in and the door shut.

Evie blew hair out of her face that had fallen from the braid. "I guess you're wondering about him. He's not been the same time my mother died. My Gran used to tell me stories about what he was like before." She put her hand on the door of the truck patting it lightly. "I never knew that version. This is all I've known," She was quick to add: "But he's a good dad. I mean he's never hurt me or anything like that. And he remembers my birthday sometimes."

Stefan nodded and she looked at him, tossing her braid over her shoulder.

"Thank you for helping me, but you didn't have too."

"You're welcome. No one else was going too." He frowned and she shrugged.

"Doesn't matter. They've seen it all before. I keep telling myself I should start working out and I could lift him without falling over." She patted her knitted black sweater, pulling out money from a pouch attached to her belt loop.

"Oh, I forgot to pay Vicki for my food. Will you give this to her? She's Matt's sister." She handed him a few dollar bills and a lot of change. "Sorry, I have more change than anything."

Stefan held the money carefully and Evie nodded her thanks.

"I hope I didn't take you away from something."

"Actually, Caroline was about to interrogate me again. You gave me an excuse to take a breather."

Evie smiled and tried not to laugh. "She really means well. She's just excited. You're someone new."

He nodded, smiling back. "Caroline told me you take pictures at the school."

"Yep, that's me. Yearbook photographer." She arched an eyebrow. "Want some advice? If you don't want your picture taken, don't dress up on special days. It's mandatory that we drag everyone out of class and group them together. It's a nightmare and everyone hates it."

Stefan smiled. "I'll try to remember that. Do you just take pictures at school?"

"No, it's kind of a hobby. I'd like to be a professional photographer someday."

"You'll have to let me see your pictures sometime then. I'm sure they're good."

"Well, not really. Mine are a little abstract."

"I like that. Makes it worth taking a second glance."

She shrugged. "Well, I'll show you, if you're really interested."

Stefan smiled back. "See you tomorrow, Evelyn."

"Evie." She corrected. "That's what everyone calls me unless I'm in trouble."

Stefan laughed. "All right, Evie. See you tomorrow."

"He's nice." She said aloud before she face-palmed herself. "Stop talking to yourself, Evie!"

Stefan walked back into the Grill, still holding the money in his hand. He went over to Vicki.

"From Evie, right?" He nodded at her. "I would say give it back to her, but she'd just slip it into the tip box." The girl rolled her eyes.

Stefan frowned. "What do you mean?"

"A few months ago, her dad broke some of the stools so she and her grandmother came up with the money for new ones. Expensive ones that are very sturdy." She patted one for emphasis. "My boss, Robert, said that they didn't have to pay for meals here for a while, because of the money they paid for the stools."

"Does she know?"

"Yeah and she hates it. She thinks she should have to pay like everyone else." Vicki ran a hand through her hair. "She's good at playing the guitar. Robert even offered her a job to play here, but her grandma hates this place. I doubt she'd let her have it. If she worked here, she'd get a free meal."

Stefan left Vicki with the money, contemplating what he had been told, and went to sit back at the table with the others. Elena smiled at him.

"That was really nice of you to help Evelyn out."

He smiled back at her before frowning. "Does he do this often?"

"So often. My mom actually has a cell just for him." Caroline murmured. "He's the reason for her…" She awkwardly made a gesture at her face and Stefan nodded in understanding.

"We don't know that." Bonnie defended quickly. She didn't necessarily like Mike or approve of him at all, but he was Evie's dad and she loved him so much. "Evie said he didn't do it."

"She's covering up for him we all know it." Caroline rolled her eyes. "She just doesn't want to admit it."

Stefan frowned. "What do you mean? You don't know what happened?"

"No one does but Evelyn." Elena said quietly. "Care's mom found her sitting in the park when she was eight. All alone and holding a shirt to her face."

Caroline nodded. "She wasn't crying or anything. Just sitting there. Mom said she was probably in shock."

"And no one saw anything?" Stefan questioned and the girls shook their heads.

"Bonnie is her closest friend and she still won't tell."

"I'm just glad it wasn't worse than it could have been." Bonnie said quietly.

Stefan tilted his head. "She mentioned her mother died."

"She died giving birth to Evie. She's never met her." Bonnie said softly. "That's what set her dad off to drinking. He loved her so much."

September 8, 2009

"Ah, Miss Harper, cutting it close again today, aren't we?" Mr. Tanner drawled as the girl tried to sneak into her seat after the bell finished ringing. He turned from writing on the chalkboard. "I hope this year isn't another repeat of last year."

"Oh, no, sir. Not at all." Evie told him and a few of her classmates giggled.

Tanner rolled his eyes. "All right settle down." He went to sit on the edge of his desk. "The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle?" He looked around the room. "Ms. Bennett." Bonnie jumped and looked up from doodling on her notebook.

"Uh…a lot?" She guessed and a few people snickered. "I don't know. Like a whole lot."

"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms. Bennett." His eyes landed on Matt next. "Mr. Donovan. Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?"

"It's okay, Mr. Tanner. I'm cool with it." The teen replied, getting more giggles.

"Ms. Harper? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significant events?"

Evie shrugged. "Sorry. I don't know."

Tanner moved closer to her. "I have been lenient with you so far for your personal reasons, but you can't blame your lack of attention span because of your drunk of father anymore. That's not an excuse." The students were murmuring now, shocked that he would say that to her. But then again it wasn't uncommon for him to bring her dad up in conversations just out of spite.

Evelyn had to bite her tongue to refrain from snapping at him and instead, lowered her eyes to her desk to stare fixedly at her pen.

"There were 346 casualties." A voice said from the back of the room. "Unless you're counting the local civilians."

Tanner's eyebrows rose. "That's correct. Mister…"

"Salvatore."

"Salvatore. Is that any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?"

"Distant."

Tanner nodded. "Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle."

"Actually, there were twenty-seven, sir. Confederate soldiers, they fired on a church believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss." Tanner was quiet. "The Founder's archives are, uh, stored in Civil Hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts…Mr. Tanner."

Evelyn smirked at her pen. Served him right.

"Stefan! Hey, Stefan, wait up." Evie dodged students to get to him. "Hey, uh, I just wanted to, uh, say how cool it was that you got Tanner."

Stefan smiled. "Well, he shouldn't be such a jerk."

"Yeah."

"He's really hostile with you. What's that about?"

She shrugged. "Apparently, he and my dad went to school together. They had a falling out, dad turned into a drinker and Tanner turned into an ass of a teacher."

Stefan nodded once. "Well, I'm glad I helped."

"Me too. See ya tonight!"

"Evie!" Tyler called from the crowd of teens. "Good to see you! Grab a drink."

She gave him her thumbs up and headed to the beer taps. Most people that had alcoholic family members stayed away from the drink, but Evelyn didn't mind it. She didn't necessary approve of her dad doing it, but she felt that eventually, he'd stop.

"Evie."

She turned with her beer and smiled. "Hey, Stefan."

"Have you seen Elena?"
"I think she and Bonnie are hanging around one of the bonfires."

He nodded and then eyed her drink.

She noticed and raised it up. "Oh, this?" She shrugged. "I know it's hypocritical of me, but I know my limits. My dad…His limits are a lot lower."

"I'm not judging." He said, arching an eyebrow. "I just didn't expect you to be doing it."

"I don't every time. Just when it's a long day or I just want to cope."

He nodded in understanding and she smiled.

"Good luck finding Elena."

"Thanks. You going to take pictures?" He looked at the camera around her neck.

"Yeah. I love taking nature pictures and the waterfalls are beautiful." She tapped her camera bag. "Well, I'm off."

"Be careful. I wouldn't want to have to pull you out of the water." He said teasingly, though his eyes told a different story.

"I'll be fine." She assured him. "I've done it before. Enjoy the party!"

She headed off towards the lit up wooden bridge and Stefan watched her for a moment before turning in search of Elena.

"Hold it. Where are you going?" Caroline demanded, stepping into her path. Evie rolled her eyes.

"To the Falls to take some pics."

"Can't you do that later?" The girl whined.

"It depends on what you want me for."

"I need someone to talk to."

The 5'3 girl hopped up onto the railing of the bridge. "Okay, shoot."

Caroline frowned. "Have you seen Stefan?"

"Yes, he's trying to find Elena."

"Oh…Do you think he likes me? I really want him to."

Evie shrugged. "I have no idea." Truthfully, she suspected that Stefan was starting to like Elena if the subtle looks they gave each other was anything to go by. They had some kind of Nicholas Sparks' romance going and Evelyn had no experience in that area at all. It didn't bother her like it did Caroline to not have a boyfriend. She was used to how they swerved around her in the hall, eyes on the scar on her face. She didn't care like she used too. The scar was part of her and that was that.

Caroline sighed. "I hope so."

"Even if he doesn't…you are still pretty and any guy would be lucky to have you."

The taller blond smiled. "Thanks, Evie."

"Anytime."

Evelyn moved backward, aiming her camera at the falls. She took a few pictures, using different angles and lens, before heading back towards the woods to find the trail back to the party. She slowed upon seeing fog rolling across the ground.

"Interesting." She murmured and got her camera out again. She aimed it at the forest, peering through the lens as she adjusted the angle and the zoom. Evie frowned as something blocked her vision and she zoomed out. A guy in black was standing in the middle of the fog. Gasping sharply, she lowered her camera. Heart hammering in her chest, she looked around wildly. She had a seen a man in the fog.

"H-Hello?" She called. "Is anyone out here?"

Someone tapped her shoulder and she swung around with her fist.

If Tyler hadn't been expecting it, he might have gotten a broken nose. She was a hit first and ask questions later kind of girl.

"Chill out, Harper!" He smirked, grabbing her wrist to keep from getting hit.

"Oh, Tyler I hate you!" She beat his arm, while he laughed loudly.

"Your face!"

"Shut up." She scowled and then rolled her eyes. "How did you get behind me so fast?"

"What are you talking about? I just walked up to you."

Evelyn frowned and then looked around again.

"What are you looking at?"

"There was someone…He was standing right there."

"You're seeing things. How much have you drank?"

She scowled. "I'm serious, Ty. There was a guy standing there."

Tyler frowned. "Well whoever he is, he's gone now. Come on, let's get out of the woods."

Evie followed him but kept looking over her shoulder.

"I know I saw him. You believe me, don't you?"

"Look, it was probably someone trying to scare you, all right? Forget it."

"If you say so." She muttered, frowning, and followed Tyler back to the party.

"…And then he says, "You and me, it's not gonna to happen." I mean what the hell does that mean?" Caroline slurred at Evie who sighed.

"Sorry, Care."

"It's just not fair."

Tyler handed Evie another drink. "So, no afterparty for any of us." He muttered.

She looked at him. "No, Vicki?"

"She bailed on me."

"Oh, sorry, buddy." She patted him and he snorted.

"What about you? Anyone interesting?"

She took a sip of her drink. "You and I both know that's a long shot." She told him, arching an eyebrow at him like he was missing the obvious. Tyler frowned.

"Evie!" Bonnie and Caroline said at the same time.

"Well, it's true." She shrugged carelessly.

Tyler eyed her. She was wearing skin-tight black leggings and a denim skirt, a black shirt that clung to her curves and a denim jacket. If he wasn't into Vicki, he probably would have asked her to come with him to the woods.

"You're a nice-looking girl."

"Yeah, whatever. Quit trying to flirt with me, you big goof." She elbowed him.

Tyler rolled his eyes and Evelyn suddenly frowned.

"My camera bag. I left it by the water."

"We'll find it before we go." He told her, trying to keep her from leaving.

"No, I need it, Ty. I have to go get it."

"Evie. Don't go down there by yourself." He frowned.

She turned and gave him a look.

"Now, you believe me?"

"Believe her about what?" Caroline asked.

Tyler snorted. "No." He shot back defensively before shifting. "But I don't think you take chances." She patted his cheeks.

"Aww, that's so sweet, Ty-Ty." She ended up laughing and he shoved her hands away.

"Get off, Harper. Fine, go on back in the woods. See if I care."

She rolled her eyes. "Tyler, whoever was trying to scare me? Left when you showed up. I'll be fine. Besides," She held her up her fists. "I get them before they get me."

She hurried back down the path and Tyler scowled.

"Evelyn, I'm not coming back down there after you!"

"Just save me another drink!" She called back and disappeared into the trees.

Bonnie looked at Tyler. "What was that about?"

"She said she saw a guy in the woods when she was taking pictures. Standing in fog or something like that." Caroline gasped, but he snorted. "I think she was seeing things." That calmed the blond and they continued drinking.

Bonnie stiffened. A man in the fog? Was the same one she had seen when she had touched Elena? Was Evie in trouble?

As she was headed back with her bag, she heard a yelp and frowned.

"Hello? Is someone there?" She called and she grimaced at the sound of muffled groaning. She must have walked upon someone's makeout session. "My bad…" Her foot caught a root when she started to walk off and she went was sent flying forward. Her camera flew up in the air and she caught it, the flash going off as it landed back in her hands.

She heard a sound between a growl and a hiss, and a muffled thump, and then the rustling of leaves. She hoped whatever animal had been there was long gone now.

Evelyn got back to her feet, wincing at the pain in her ankle. She hobbled forward, only to trip over something else. But this something else was softer. Evie turned her head and made a squeaking sound.

Vicki Donovan was lying on the ground, her neck bleeding profusely. Something had bitten her.

"Oh, my god. Oh, my god." She freaked and ignored her throbbing ankle, she rolled onto her hands and knees, crawling over to the fallen teen. She started to put her fingers to Vicki's neck when someone shouted, startling her.

"Oh, my god it's Vicki!"

Footsteps came from behind her and Evelyn turned to see Jeremy Gilbert drop to his knees next to her. His older sister was rapidly dialing her phone.

"What happened to her?" The younger teen asked, worriedly.

"I don't know. Something attacked her, I think." Evie frowned and lowered her hand again to check her pulse. Vicki suddenly gasped, making the teens jump.

"Get away!" Vicki screeched, looking around wildly. Jeremy tried to calm her down, while Elena paced behind them calling an ambulance and waiting for Matt. Vicki's eyes rolled back in her head and she passed out.

"Vicki?" Jeremy murmured.

"She's just passed out from the blood loss." Evie told him gently. "Here, press this against her neck to help stop the blood." She handed him her denim jacket and he pressed the light blue material to the wound, soaking the fabric and turning it dark.

"Are you okay? Did you see it?" He questioned her.

"No, but I think my camera scared it off."

Jeremy looked at her in shock.

Matt and a few others helped get Vicki back up to the lighted pavilions. Jeremy followed them with concern and Elena turned to look at Evelyn.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit shocked."

She didn't move from her spot on the ground, hoping the throbbing in her ankle would die down a bit before she tried to stand again.

"I heard what you said about your camera. If it hadn't gone off…"

"Guess this is one time my clumsiness did something right." Evie muttered and shook her hair loose from its braid. When she looked up Elena had her hand out. She took it hesitantly and let Elena help her up. Evelyn stumbled and the brunette girl looked down at her feet.

"You're hurt. Can you walk?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm good." Evie tried to walk off, but her ankle gave way and Elena stopped her from falling. "Okay, maybe not…"

"Come on, I'll help you."

Together they managed to get up the hill and back out of the woods.

"Thanks." Evelyn told her and she smiled.

"You're welcome." She said before hurrying over to her brother who was looking lost and unsure of what to do.

It didn't take long for animal control, the police, and the EMT's to arrive and so the party was ended. Evelyn had tried to shoo away the EMT because someone had snitched about her ankle and the man made her sit. He tended to her ankle and she looked up as Matt walked over to her.

"Thank you for finding her, Evie. If you hadn't-"

"Tripped? Yeah." She nodded. "Will she be okay?"

Matt ran a hand through his blond hair. "I don't know yet, I'm fixing to ride to the hospital."

"You want me to pick you up tomorrow on the way to school?"

"Nah. I'll get someone to bring my truck."

He thanked the EMT who had bandaged Evelyn's ankle and the man walked away.

"Do you need a ride?" Matt frowned.

"Nope, it's all good. I hitched a ride with Bonnie over here." She told him. "Go be with your sister. She'll need you when she wakes up."

Matt hugged her. "Thanks again, Evie."

"Get going before you miss your ride." She said playfully and shoved him. He smiled and turned to jog up to the ambulance.

She waited a moment and then gingerly tested her weight on her ankle, sucking in air at the soreness.

Stefan eyed his brother as Damon strode about the room. The older sibling's attitude was grating on his nerves. The faux "we're old friends let's catch up" was waning thin and Damon knew it.

"Why are you here?" He demanded, having enough of Damon.

The blue-eyed vampire turned to him, tilting his head mockingly. "I missed my little brother."

"You hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing for you to do."

All of them were true enough of course, but Damon didn't think it was necessary to admit that. He had his own reasoning for being there, let Stefan think how he wanted.

"I've managed to keep myself busy." He smirked naughtily, remembering the frightened expression on his latest victim's face and the taste of her blood.

Stefan narrowed his eyes. "You know, you left that girl alive tonight, hm? That's very clumsy of you." He pointed out, hoping, hoping with all his might that it might prompt him into leaving.

Damon scowled. "Yeah, no thanks to that girl with her camera flash. She almost blinded me." A slow devilish grin lit up his face. "Someone needs to teach her proper camera safety…"

"Stay away from her." His little brother warned him.

The older sibling ignored the warning. "That whole, girl alive thing? That could be a problem…for you." He smirked.

"Why are you here now?"

"I could ask you the same question. However, I'm fairly certain the answer can be all summed up into one little word: Elena." Damon's mouth twitched at the scowl on Stefan's face.

"Are you sure, you don't need a doctor?" Bonnie questioned, furrowing her brow. Evie shook her head.

"I'm fine. It's just a bruised ankle. It's not broken."

They went over to Elena who was watching the ambulance pull off.

"Hey," Bonnie greeted. "We're going to go mainline coffee, wait for news."

The brunette nodded at her. "I gotta take Jeremy home."

"How's he doing?" Evie asked in concern. She and Jeremy had never really spoken that much, but she was worried about how seeing something like that would affect him.

Elena sighed. "He's…" She was at a loss for words.

"Yeah, I would be too."

"Elena, there's no way I'm psychic." Bonnie began and elbowed Evie when she snorted. "I know that." She sent the girl a playful frown and she got a cheeky smile in return. "But whatever I saw, or think I saw, I have this feeling…"

Evelyn realized her friend wasn't kidding and she frowned. "Bon?"

"What feeling?" Elena prompted.

"That it's just the beginning."

Evie frowned. "What exactly did you see, Bonnie?"

"A man in the fog…and a crow."

"Are you serious? Did you predict I was going to see that?"
Elena's eyes widened. "You saw them too?"

"I saw the crow yesterday and some fog. And then I could have sworn there was a guy down in the woods earlier…standing in the fog."

"It's just a coincidence." Bonnie told them. "Right?"

"Right." The other girls said at the same time, but they weren't so sure, especially Evie, who loved the creepy supernatural stuff. Something was going on here and she wanted to find out what.

"She took my breath away." Damon continued, loving to taunt his baby bro. "Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine." Stefan was trying not to show emotion and it amused him. "Is it working, Stefan? Being around her, being in her world? Does it make you feel alive?"

"She's not Katherine." Stefan snapped.

"Well, let's hope not. We both know how that ended." He tilted his head. "When's the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?"

His brother scoffed. "I know what you're doing, Damon. It's not going to work." He felt a slap on the arm and he turned to face Damon who was inches from his face.

"Yeah? Come on, don't you crave a little?"

"Stop it." He hissed.

"Let's do it." Slap. "Together. I saw a couple of girls out there." Slap." Or just, let's cut to the chase, let's go straight for Elena!" Slap.

"Stop it!"

"Imagine what her blood tastes like! I can."

Stefan whipped around, fangs extended. "I said stop!" He snarled and launched himself at his brother. They burst through the window upon impact. Damon got away from Stefan halfway down and watched his brother smack the ground. He was thoroughly amused.

Crunching through glass and wood, Stefan stood up, frowning as he looked around for his brother.

"I was impressed." Damon spoke up from his right and Stefan found him leaning against the tall hedges that lined the walkway. "I give it a six. Missing some style, but I was pleasantly surprised. Very good with the whole face-grrr…" He imitated his growling. "Thing. It was good."

"You know, it's all fun and games, Damon, huh? But wherever you go, people die."

He shrugged. "That's a given."

"Not here. I won't allow it."

Damon smirked. Did he really just forbid him? Would he ever learn?

"I take that as an invitation."

"Damon, please."

"After all these years, can't we just give it a rest?"

"I promised you an eternity of misery. So I'm just keeping my word."

"Just stay away from Elena." Stefan warned him and was ignored.

"Where's your ring?" He asked instead and that made his brother look down in horror. His hand was bare. "Oh, yeah, the sun's coming up in a couple of hours, and, poof, ashes to ashes." Stefan stared at him with those pitiful green eyes and he snorted. "Relax. It's right here." He held it out on his palm and Stefan took it.

As soon as he slid it on, Damon's face contorted and he struck, grabbing his baby brother by the neck. He gave him a sling and Stefan slammed against the wood shed.

"You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. you lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again." He warned him and he started to walk off when a thought occurred to him. "Oh and by the way, about camera girl… You might want to get rid of her. She might have taken a picture of me, Stefan. She'll expose us." Stefan faltered. "You know that. Either you take care of it or I will."

He heard a sound coming from the boarding house and smirked. "I think we woke Zach up. Sorry, Zach." He walked towards the house, whistling merrily

Stefan hesitated outside of Evie's house. The best solution would be to take her camera, check for evidence of Damon being in a photo and then putting it back. Surely that would satisfy Damon. It had too. He couldn't afford to lose control and he didn't want to hurt her. But if it didn't satisfy him…Damon would take action. He didn't want that to happen either.

"…You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me
Jolene…"

Stefan tilted his head as the soft sound of someone singing and playing guitar floated from inside of the house. Curious, he hopped up a tree that was right next to the house and made his way to the second story. Through a window with parted dark curtain, he could see Evie sitting on a chair, guitar in her lap. The window was half open, letting in a light breeze.

"…I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do
Jolene…"

He closed his eyes listening to her, enjoying the sound of her voice. It was nice and sweet.

"Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene…"

She set the guitar aside and sighed. Stefan opened his eyes as he heard her moving around and he moved so he could see what she was doing.

"Night daddy." She whispered and kissed her father on the cheek. The man mumbled something and rolled over. She left after pulling the covers up on him and turning the lights out and Stefan followed her using his hearing.

"You shouldn't spoil him." A voice said sharply, one he hadn't heard before. "He's a grown ass man, not a baby."

"Gran, it's not going to hurt him. He has nightmares if I don't sing to him."

"Well…I just don't want to see you get hurt by him, Evelyn. Because he's not going to change. He's had years to try."

"It'll be fine, Gran," Evie told her. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetie."

Evie went up some stairs and Stefan followed her, guessing that the attic was her room. He was right when he saw the pale pink curtains on the windows. Stefan hesitated. He could knock on the window ask her to invite him in, compel her and get the camera.

The more he watched her, however, the more he was leaning towards just leaving her alone. It was a very big gamble, but then again… He could always ask to see her pictures and delete it if he saw it. Or take out the memory chip. Deciding to leave the girl alone, for now, he zoomed off.

He failed to see Damon watching him from beneath another tree, a smirk on his face.

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