For as long as Elena Gilbert could remember her dream was to be an FBI agent. She could easily remember the days when other children would play cops and robbers and she would insist on being an agent. She was a high achiever; being a detective simply wasn't enough, but she knew that all agents started out that way. As soon as she turned 21, she had joined the NYPD. Starting out as a lowly patrol cop, over the years she worked her way up. Now, 7 years later, she knew it was her time. It had to be. She had the highest arrest and conviction rate in the precinct. She stayed late whenever her captain asked her to. She put herself in life or death situations constantly. She even put up with the casual sexual harassment. And she wasn't just talking about the convicts. So yeah, Elena had worked hard. She knew she had earned that badge. Walking into her precinct bright and early on a Monday morning, she couldn't keep the grin off her face. She had an organized meeting with her Captain, Raul Tanner, and Special Agent Adam Smith. That could only mean one thing. Stepping through the door, she was greeted with the usual scene. Perps in handcuffs, detectives lazing around, and her best friend, Bonnie Bennett. Bonnie was a secretary at the precinct but was in college studying to be a criminologist.

"So, big meeting today" She sing-songed as she walked with me to my desk.

"I know." Elena had to stop myself from screaming.

"You nervous?"

"Nervous? About finally achieving my dream? Nope" Elena proudly stated. She took a quick look at her watch before standing.

"Speaking of which, it's time" She didn't wait for Bonnie's response before nearly running to the Captains office. She politely knocked before letting herself in. She found both men seated and waiting for her. Her captain, Tanner, looked the same as usual. Of Hispanic descent with his 5 o'clock shadow threatening to turn into a full-grown beard at any minute. Smith was a little different: a Caucasian male who appeared to be in his late 40's with a baldhead and large muscles. Yep, definitely FBI

"Detective Gilbert, please take a seat" Tanner motioned to the unoccupied seat adjacent to his desk.

"Now right to business," Smith started and she turned to face the slightly intimidating man.

"We would like you to infiltrate the Salvatore family." He simply stated, like it was no big deal. It was huge deal. First of all, the young detective thought she had come in here to be promoted, not given another undercover assignment. Secondly, the Salvatore family was the largest, most brutal gang in NYC. We found numerous victims of theirs each week and let's just say, it's never pretty.

"I don't mean to be rude sirs, but I thought I was going to make federal agent, not given a UC assignment" She uneasily said, trying not to overstep and blow the entire thing.

"If you do well on this assignment, you will be seriously considered for a position in the FBI." The agent told her. There was no other choice, she had to do this.

"Okay, what's the brief?"

"You will be going undercover as Katarina Petrova, a Bulgarian immigrant. Now, one of our top agents is already in deep and can get you in. As you know, it will be difficult to get them to trust you so, we want you to go after the leader, Damon Salvatore," The agent shoved a file towards her and she opened it up to take a look. The first thing she saw as looked in it was his picture. She had heard that Salvatore was good looking but that was a true understatement. His raven black hair, matched with those piercing, ice blue eyes could make any girl drop to their knees and kiss the ground he walked on. I had to remind myself, he was the bad guy. She ignored the photo and looked at the arrest record. He had over 200 arrests ranging from murder to extortion but none of the charges ever stuck. The witnesses either were killed or mysteriously disappeared.

"How am I meant to get close to him?" She asked, snapping the file shut. The two superior men shared a look before turning to me.

"Ms Gilbert, the reason you were chosen for this assignment was because you are young and beautiful. Salvatore has a thing for pretty brunettes and you're just his type. As soon as he sees you, he will try to manipulate you. You cannot let him, play hard to get, make him keep you around." The agent told me as she took it all in. Not only did she only get this job because of her looks, which was very insulting, she had to become romantically involved with one of the worst criminals the world had ever seen.

"When do I go in?" She had to push my fear aside. She was only one assignment away from agent. She had to do this.

"Tomorrow"