Gwen carefully makes her way towards the ruins of Fells Church, where Emily Bennett sealed twenty-seven vampires in its underground tomb. Now, it is empty thanks to Bonnie Bennett and her grandma breaking their ancestors spell. Crickets and birds are her only company in the night. Natasha, a woman with brown curls, eyes and copper skin walks silently ahead of Gwen, who is a woman part of a powerful group who stop people from finding the crystal.

Thanks to Damon's unwavering steady presence beside her, no fear licks at Gwen as she follows Natasha.Reaching their destination, Gwen spots a familiar man,who is nicely dressed with black receding hair and eye color.

"Colton," Gwen greets him, " I appreciate that you are not resorting to kidnapping and threats this time."

"I hope you now see that we do not need to be enemies and that we can arrange meetings like civilized people," Colton answers as Natasha moves to stand beside him, "Though I had hoped to speak to you alone."

Damon snorts, "Sorry, but we don't trust you, nothing personal," Damon smirks , "While maybe a tiny bit personal. "

Gwen shrugs, "He has a point. When Natasha showed up, I didn't know if she was gonna knock me out. Anyway what do you want?"

"That depends on your," Colton replies, " Now that Klaus has left town, what do you want miss Jordan? What are you going to do?"

Damon releases an annoyed sigh, "Just ask about what you want to know already."

Colton asks, "Are you still looking for the crystal? "

"No," Gwen replies honestly, thinking At least not right now, and maybe never unless I find a way to destroy it. She keeps her thoughts to helf instead saying, "You can leave town now."

"Yes," Colton nods, "Some will stay behind...to make sure you are not lying."

Gwen shrugs, "Do what you want. I have other things to worry about."

Without replying, Colton and Natasha leave first. Turning around, Gwen and Damon make their way back home. Gwen doesn't pull back as Damon's hand grabs hers. Abruptly, Damon stops, pulling Gwen to his chest, earning a small laugh from Gwen and a smile.

"It is a nice night for a long walk," Damon suggest with a wink.

Still smiling, Gwen reminds him, "We have a party to get to."

"No need to rush. Besides, Carolina and Bonnie got it under control," Damon argues.

Her protest is cut off by Damon's lips meeting hers. All thoughts escape her as their lips move as one. Releasing Damon's hands, she clutches his shirt, while one of his finds its way into her hair and the other pulling her body closer. Gwen allows herself to get lost in Damon, without fear, drowning in his bliss, and not wanting to resurface. The need for air forces Gwen to pull away. Breathing heavily, she leans her forehead against his.

Wish it didn't take this long to get our second chance.

Damon speaks softly, "I love you."

"Always?" Gwen asks.

"Always."

Gwen responds with a smile and her own admission, "And I love you Damon Salvatore, always."

Pulling away, she tugs him on his hand and says, "Now let's go."

They arrive to music blaring from the Salvatore boarding house. Gwen leads the way, past silent and rowdy teens, with Damon being right behind her as they head inside. Then, past Bonnie and Jeremy who are lounging on the parlors couch. Then, to Caroline's ex boyfriend Matt hanging out in the kitchen.

"Hey," Gwen practically shouts, causing Matt to turn towards her, "Where is Elena?"

"I spotted her and Caroline heading towards the backyard," Matt answers with uncomfort at mentioning Caroline's name.

Gwen isn't surprised and does not comment. After all, the two have not spoken for months, since Matt followed Damon on the night of the sacrifice; to where Caroline and Tyler were being held captive by a witch and Necromancer working for Klaus. I guess he didn't enjoy dealing with Taylor in werewolf form, any more then Damon did, at least Matt and Caroline avoided getting bit.

"Thanks, " Gwen replies before turning to Damon, "I'm gonna go talk with Elena while you make more friends."

Damon groans, "I regret agreeing to this party now."

Laughing Gwen pushes her way to the backdoor. Easily spotting Elena and Caroline amongst the small crowd. Elena is in a white lace dress, Caroline in a black top and patterned purple skirt. Standing far away from everyone else talking, Elena sees Gwen first, a smile forming on her face.

While Gwen spots a circled-silver necklace with a red stone on top, hanging from Elena's neck, she exclaims,"Happy Birthday. I see you got Damon's and my gifts."

Elena glances at her necklace, "Yes and thank you." Glad that Caroline and Bonnie didn't forget to give it to her.

"Where did you find it?"

"Alaric found it in his loft," Gwen informs her.

Caroline quickly changes topics. With a hint of curiosity in her voice, she asks, "How did your secret meeting go?"

"Good. Pretty much just like I expected. I promised to stop looking, and they promised to leave. While most of them are leaving town," Gwen sighs, "Colton is leaving some of his people to watch me. Colton of course didn't say for how long."

"Better than them trying to kill you again," Caroline reasons.

"Yeah...so, Elena how is Jenna doing?" Gwen inquires

"Adjusting to a new reality the best she can,"Elena smiles, "It helps that her and Alaric are back on good terms."

Caroline plasters on a huge smile, "Alright. Enough with all the gloomy talk," addressing Elena, "We are here to celebrate your birthday."

"Sorry Caroline. I'm not really in the celebrating mood," Elena responds.

Gwen quickly steps in, giving Elena a comforting squeeze, "Hey we are going to find and get Stefan back, and then you two can dance around like happy lunatics," Gwen continued, "Promise everything is going to be fine."

Please let me be right.

(The next day)

Quietly Sitting on Damon's bed, while he cleans out his closet of newspaper clippings, Gwen can't stop her eyes from occasionally flickering to her index finger. More specifically, the ring decorating it. A gift from Damon Gwen that has not been taken off since receiving it. Her mind drifts to their turbulent past. How they started as innocent children, to grown adults, full of emotions endlessly swirling inside them; sometimes, lashing out at each other and ignoring their own feelings. It only took us many years to really grow up, but it was worth it all, Gwen would repeat it all again without hesitation.

With a sigh, she turns back to the book opened on her lap, 'Trent's shadow Grimoire'. Gwen is thankful to her parents and older sister for letting her borrow the book for just a bit longer, and their politeness. And, for patiently listening on the parlors couch as Gwen retold them what happened to Trent, with as much detail as possible. After her story, arms pulled her into a tight hug. His mother's peppermint perfume washing over Gwen and a nod from his Dad letting Gwen know they are not mad at her. What probably helped is that they all met before. They left with a reminder given to her, to call, if she ever needs help. Refocusing, Gwen slowly flips through Trent's Shadow Grimoire again, once more disappointed for finding only one page. Holding a small amount of information she is looking for.

Magical objects, no matter how complex, are not invincible. Destroying one can be complex and dangerous. Burning or breaking, are the main methods. If an object has a protection spell one must make it void, with a counter spell.

"I don't think rereading it a million times is gonna make new information appear," Damon remarks with a smile plastered on his face, "Wait, maybe it will. "

Setting Trent's shadow, Grimoire, aside Gwen, hurls a pillow at Damon, "Ha ha ha...sorry I forgot you are such an expert when it comes to magic."

Their tiny bickering is interrupted by Elena walking into the room, with a down cast face. Hinting at her despairing thoughts.

Addressing Damon Elena speaks voice low, "I saw on the news that Andi died..."

"You can thank Stefan for that," Damon replies bitterly.

Giving Damon a scowl, Gwen joins Elena's side as Elena keeps talking to him, " I'm sorry, but I still believe there is hope. And that Stefan is not completely gone. He wouldn't have called me if he was."

"Wait, Stefan called you, when. What did he say?" Gwen asks in disbelief.

"Last night, he didn't say anything, but it was him," Elena answers, "I asked Sheriff Forbes if she would trace the call's origin. It came from Tennessee."

Damon sighs, "Where he's binge drinking on the country folk. We went through this, Elena. Stefan's gone. I don't mean geographically," He waves with his hands, "You can leave now with your unneeded sense of hope."

Gwen rolls her eyes, "Clearly someone needs to retain some manners," she tugs on Elena's arm towards the door, "Come on, I need a break from him anyway," scowling Damon gently grabs her elbow, "Will wait for me downstairs?" Gwen asks Elena, who nods and leaves.

"What are you doing?" Damon questions once they are alone.

"Relax, I'm just gonna keep a eye on her, and hopefully take here mind of Stefan," Damon stops Gwen from moving out of his grip and states, "Promise me that if Elena tries to do anything, I will text or call you."

"Fine, " Damon relents as Gwen plants a kiss on his lips.

Racing down stairs, she joins Elena in her car. The girls sits in comfortable silence, occasionally broken by small talk. After an hour of exploring shops in town, and lunch at Mystic Grill, Elena drops Gwen off at the Salvatore boarding house. Gwen ungracefully plops down on the parlors couch, while shouting to Damon that she is back. Her mind drifts away to a recent discovered memory, with her mother's words of trusting Charlotte repeating themselves. Chewing on her lip, Gwen clutches her necklace, tracing circles.

Charlotte Roslyn Jordan, one of six children who made it to adulthood, beside her brother. Known to be a serious child. Considers a great beauty, townfolk and family baffled and confused why she ran away. Gwen recites and summarizes the information gathered from her recent research. Wanting to learn everything about Charlotte, and hoping for a clue for why did her mother think that the ghost was trustworthy. How would mother even know? Do we share the same power? Commanders of the dead. Maybe Charlotte can answer all my questions...somehow.

Carefully, Gwen unhooks her necklace and sets it down on the coffee table Gwen stands beside. Concentrating on Charlotte's full name, her long brown hair, dark eyes and pale skin. Staying calm as cold air surrounds her, Gwen opens her eyes to find Charlotte in front of her, staring at her.. Gwen shivers at Charlotte's pale lips sown shut.

Forcing out her questions in an even voice, "Why do you haunt me?"

Book 2

Author Note:

I decided instead of using some fancy name. For what type of witch Gwen is. I'm just gonna stick with Necromancer.

Hope you all enjoy more of Gwen's story.