I swore I'd never come back. Not unless she was here with me. But Stefan said he's got to know her. And quite frankly, I'm intrigued too.

It had been years since Felix Montgomery had stepped foot back into Mystic Falls - a place he had treasured many years ago. He had returned with Stefan Salvatore, upon Stefan's desire to get to know a girl named Elena Gilbert.

He had spent the majority of his time with Stefan, venturing off on his own every now and then, but he considered the Salvatore to be like a brother to him.

So when Stefan asked if Felix wanted to go back to high school with him, out of pure boredom, the older vampire said yes.

"Don't I look a bit old to be a high school teenager?" Felix asked Stefan.

"You were nineteen when you turned, I'm sure you can pass as a couple years younger. And I suppose compulsion is a lucky perk we have." Stefan replied.

Felix laughed. "I guess you're right."

"You're not wearing that are you?"

Stefan was referring to the suit Felix had dressed himself in. "We're going to school, no?"

"I think this high school is very different to those British private schools you've been at."

Felix's education history was mainly in the United Kingdom, he was born in England and spent a lot of his time there - apart from when he was either in America with Stefan or travelling around the world.

"Well, I'll take the jacket off, I suppose."

They made their way to the high school office, ready to officially enrol as students. Felix had been a high schooler before, he had multiple degrees, high school qualifications, and even held a doctorate in engineering. He had lived many lives in his one hundred and sixty-odd years of existence. It was one of the perks of having to restart every five years.

As him and Stefan stood by the high school secretary, Felix's hearing picked up on a couple voices.

"Hold up. Who are they?"

"All I see are two backs."

"They're two hot backs."

His attention changed to the secretary in front of him. "Both your records are incomplete. You're missing immunisation records, and we do insist on transcripts."

Stefan looked at the secretary, compelling her. "Please look again. I'm sure everything you need is there."

"Well, you're right. So it is."

"Thank you." Felix added with a smile, before he left the room with Stefan.

He waited by his locker, hearing Stefan's first conversation with Elena. He understood his curiosity, she was exactly identical to her.

Their day at school was fairly problem-free, Felix sat in the class knowing everything the teachers was teaching them and he could sense all eyes on him and Stefan - the two new kids.

It was a relief when the day finally ended and when Felix made his way to Stefan's car, he noticed a pair of blue eyes fixated on him. He turned and saw a blonde girl staring at him and upon meeting Felix's gaze, she turned away - visibly embarrassed.

"Are you going to drop me home before you stalk your new target?" Felix asked, jumping into the passenger seat of Stefan's car.

"Don't make fun of me, I have to get to know her."

"And history repeats itself, yet again." Felix mused.

"She's not her." Stefan replied firmly.

"Whatever you say Stefan." Felix said with a sigh, turning on the radio of Stefan's car.

-

Felix was sat idly by his desk, fiddling with his daylight ring when he received a text from Stefan.

Going to Mystic Grill with Elena, will I see you there?

Sure, on my way

He made his way over to Mystic Grill, bored and looking for something to do. He felt purposeless returning to Mystic Falls. He never wanted to come back but he didn't want to turn down Stefan's offer. His purpose was elsewhere, but he was currently at a blank and stuck on what to do. Therefore, he had no choice but to just live his life for now.

As he walked in, he was conscious of the eyes on him. He was still in his outfit from earlier, granted the tie was a bit looser and his shirt sleeves were rolled up. He noticed Stefan and Elena with a group of people and made his way over to introduce himself.

"Hey, I'm Matt, nice to meet you."

"Hi. Stefan."

"Felix Montgomery."

It was the blonde girl Felix caught staring at him who broke the silence. "So, Stefan you were born in Mystic Falls?"

"Yes, I moved when I was young."

She turned to Felix. "And, judging by your accent, you're from England."

"That's correct."

"Your parents?" the girl next to the blonde asked.

"My parents passed away." Stefan answered.

"I'm sorry." Elena said.

The blonde girl changed the topic of the conversation. "So, Felix, Stefan, if you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow."

"It's a back to school thing at the falls." the other girl added.

Stefan turned to Elena. "Are you going?"

"Of course she is."

Eventually Felix learned the names of everyone there. There was Matt, who he picked up was Elena's ex-boyfriend, the blonde was called Caroline and her friend was called Bonnie. Felix spent most of the time kept to himself, he was never the most social person.

"So are you going to the party?" Caroline asked, sliding into the seat next to him.

Felix snapped out of his thoughts. "Hm? Oh the party, well I suppose if Stefan is going, I'll be there."

Caroline smiled. "Great! I'll see you there."

Felix and Stefan arrived home later that night greeted by Stefan's relative Zach. He held a newspaper article and showed it to the two vampires. "You promised."

Felix inspected the paper, as did Stefan. "This was an animal attack."

"Don't give me that. I know the game. You tear them up enough, they always suspect an animal attack. You said you had it under control. Both of you."

"And we do." Stefan said.

"Please, Uncle Stefan. Mystic Falls is a different place now. It's been quiet for years, but there are people who still remember. And you being here, it's just going to stir things up."

"That's not our intention Zach." Felix reassured him. He wasn't like Stefan, he didn't drink animal blood but he lived off blood bags. He didn't feel the need to drink from humans, not anymore.

"Then what is? Why did you come back? After all this time, why now?"

Stefan sighed. "I don't have to explain myself."

The two left Zach and went upstairs. "You need to be careful Stefan." Felix warned him. "You're playing a dangerous game."

His eyes darted to the photo from Stefan's journal, it was a photo of Katherine. The woman Felix despised.

-

Felix found himself idly staring out the window during a high school history class. Although he grew up mainly learning about British history, he was still fairly well versed in American history - especially Mystic Falls'.

The history teacher droned on at the front. "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? Miss Bennett?"

"Um...a lot? I'm not sure. Like a whole lot." Bonnie answered.

The history teacher shook his head. "Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Miss Bennett. 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."

"Elena? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significantly historical events?"

Elena stuttered. "I'm sorry, I-I don't know.

"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with summer break."

Felix rolled his eyes, this teacher was insufferable. Stefan spoke up from the seat next to his.

"There were 346 casualties. Unless you're counting local civilians."

The teacher nodded. "That's correct. Mister?

"Salvatore."

"Salvatore. Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?" Tanner asked.

"Distant."

Felix had to suppress a chuckle. Little did they know Stefan's father was actually one of the original founding family members.

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

Felix decided this was his time to speak up. "Actually, there were twenty seven, sir."

"And you are? Mister..."

"Montgomery."

"You seem very well-versed in American history, for someone not from here anyways."

Felix looked Tanner in the eye. "What can I say, I like to read."

"There were confederate soldiers," Stefan continued, "they fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are, uh, stored in civil hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts, Mr Tanner."

A quiet chuckle went around the classroom, everyone obviously very pleased to see Tanner put in his place.

"What an arsehole." Felix commented, as him and Stefan left the classroom.

Stefan chuckled. "Are you going to that party later?"

"I assumed I would be, if you were. We are the dynamic duo after all. You are the entire reason I am here." Felix replied.

"No other reasons at all? You're not even the least bit curious as to why she looks exactly like Katherine?"

Felix shook his head. "Nope, I'm done with that bitch. Could not have been happier to have her out of my life."

That evening, the two made their way to the woods where the party was being held. Felix had swapped his attire for something a bit more casual - a t-shirt, a pair of jeans and a jacket.

"Hey you guys made it!" Caroline smiled, greeting the two.

"We did." Felix said, his eyes inspecting the girl in front of him. His first impression of her was that she was very bubbly, seemed very organised, and loved to talk.

"Let's get you both a drink." Caroline said, dragging them both to where the keg was.

She poured them both a drink before Stefan quickly excused himself to go find Elena, leaving Felix with Caroline.

"So, Felix Montgomery," she said, leaning against the table, "what brings you to Mystic Falls? Don't tell me you just wandered in and decided to stick around. No one chooses Mystic Falls."

Felix hesitated, his mind quickly trying to come up with a lie. "I've been living with Stefan since I lost my family. So when he came back to live with Uncle Zach, I followed."

Caroline nodded. "Are you staying long?"

"Perhaps." he said noncommittally.

She pouted slightly, but her tone remained playful. "You don't say much, do you?"

"Not unless it's worth saying."

Caroline laughed, a genuine sound that caught Felix off guard. "Okay, Mr Mysterious. Your turn. Ask me something."

He tilted his head, meeting her gaze. "Why do you think no one chooses Mystic Falls?"

The question seemed to throw her. She took a sip from her drink. "Because nothing exciting ever happens here. It's one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone."

Felix hummed thoughtfully but didn't press her. He could sense there was more beneath her words - an undercurrent of dissatisfaction she wasn't ready to voice. Perhaps Caroline Forbes wasn't content with the small town life.

As the night wore on, Caroline became increasingly animated, the alcohol clearly taking effect. She leaned closer to Felix as they talked, her usual bubbly confidence slipping to reveal moments of insecurity.

"I know I talk too much," she confessed abruptly, "everyone thinks so."

"I don't." Felix replied.

She blinked, caught off guard. "You don't even know me."

"Maybe not," he said, "but I don't think that's a bad thing."

For a moment, Caroline didn't respond. Then she smiled, softer this time.

The sound of a distant scream shattered the moment.

Felix froze, his heightened senses sharpening. Caroline's head whipped around, her eyes wide. "What was that?"

"Somebody help!" Elena's voice rung out.

"Stay here," Felix instructed as he rushed off.

Caroline grabbed his arm. "What's going on?"

"I'll check it out," he said, "stay by the fire. You'll be safe there."

The ambulance had arrived as a crowd was gathered around Vicki Donovan.

"Quick, let's get out of here." Stefan said, nudging Felix.

"Yeah, good idea." Felix said, quickly leaving before saying goodbye.

Back at the Salvatore house they spoke to Zach. Stefan's voice was tense. "Someone was attacked tonight Zach, and it wasn't us."

Stefan rushed off to his bedroom as Felix retired to his own. He heard a commotion in Stefan's room and rushed over. He appeared at the door and saw none other than Damon Salvatore standing by the balcony.

"Hello brother." he said to Stefan before turning to Felix. "Hello to you too, Monty."

Felix gritted his teeth at the nickname Damon had given him. They had a rocky relationship over the years. "Crow's a bit much, don't you think?"

Damon smirked. "Wait till you see what I can do with the fog."

"When did you get here?" Stefan asked.

"Couldn't miss your first day of school, both your first days. Your hair's different Stef, I like it." Damon answered.

"It's been fifteen years Damon." Stefan sighed.

Damon smiled. "Thank God. I couldn't take another day of the nineties."

"Why are you here?"

"I missed you both."

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

"I've managed to keep myself busy." Damon shrugged.

"You know, you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you." Felix said disapprovingly.

"Not my problem."

"Why are you here now?" Stefan asked, his eyes locked on Damon's.

"I could ask you the same question. However, I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up all into one little word..."

Damon paused for dramatic effect.

"Elena."