The passionate story of Tessa and Hardin continues as family secrets, deep betrayals, and career opportunities threaten to tear them apart.

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.

The beeping of the machines I was linked to only increased my state of panic, as a nurse put an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose. It was hard for me to breathe at that point, as I didn't understand what was happening to me. I tried my best to identify the faces around me, but I didn't recognize any, and it only made me more nervous as seconds went by. I wasn't able to stay still, as my whole body was shaking with fear. Electricity was coursing through every single nerve of my body. "Page Dr. Moseley!" one of the nurse that injected me Lorazepam in my IV exclaimed. "Ma'am, you're at the hospital, we've got you," she told me, looking down at me. I felt the substance take effect within a minute, and soon it was easier for me to breathe. I looked at the three nurses around me, and they all looked at me as if I was some kind of ghost. The one on my right asked her colleague to call my relatives, and a rush of relief invaded me at the mention of my family. As she was about to leave the room, I grabbed her hand, not wanting to be alone anymore. I looked at her with tears filled eyes, unable to speak at that point. She gave me a small smile, and patted the back of my hand to give me comfort. "Alright, I'll stay with you," she reassured, as I breathed in and out the oxygen mask on my face. "Your family should be here soon, you won't be alone." I nodded slowly, as tears fell from my eyes. I wasn't able to speak a word, because I was too scared that if I did, I would compromise my return to the real world. I didn't know for sure that any of this was real, if I was actually back from this horrible world I was stuck in. When the door of the room opened, a doctor came in, looking down at what I understood was my chart. He looked from the paper to me, and a smile appeared on his face. "Welcome back," he greeted, as he approached my bed.

"Progress is the attraction that moves humanity." ~Marcus Garvey SEQUAL TO~HUMANITY 5 "THE BEGINNING" What do you do when the one person who means the world to you is suddenly taken from your hands? How do you cope with that loss? Four months after Damon's death, Ashley is still dealing with the heartbreak of losing her one piece of happiness. It was supposed to be forever, but it wasn't. Now everyone must power through and find a way to live without two people that meant so much. ***disclaimer***This story follows the story line of the television series, The Vampire Diaries. I do not take credit for the characters or story line from the show. All other credits go to Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and the rest of the show's producers.

"Being human is given. But keeping our humanity is a choice." ~Unknown SEQUAL TO~HUMANITY 4 "THE RIVALRY" It is a time of new beginnings. Everything has changed in Mystic Falls. Ashley is a vampire and she is finally back with Damon. Elena is no longer sired to Damon, and her and Ashley are able to continue their good friendship with each other. Everything seems to be back to normal, but will it be able to stay that way? ***disclaimer***This story follows the story line of the television series, The Vampire Diaries. I do not take credit for the characters or story line from the show. All other credits go to Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and the rest of the show's producers.

"To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty." ~Maximilien Robespierre SEQUAL TO~HUMANITY 3 "THE RENEWAL" Ashley Scott was faced with a dilemma when Damon messed up and Stefan swooped in to literally save her life. This was just added fuel to the fire between the Salvatore brothers, leaving Ashley with a difficult decision to make. Her love for Damon is strong, but will Stefan's sense of friendship overcome. Now, her best friend is a vampire and everything is going to change. ***disclaimer***This story follows the story line of the television series, The Vampire Diaries. I do not take credit for the characters or story line from the show. All other credits go to Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and the rest of the show's producers.

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." ~Dalai Lama SEQUAL TO~HUMANITY 2 "THE BETRAYAL" Ashley and Damon have overcome every obstacle imaginable, but now they must work together to help someone that they both care deeply about. They are both starting to learn that nothing about their relationship will ever be easy. Will they be able to save their friends and maintain the relationship that they've worked so hard to save? Or will love get in the way and end up tearing everyone apart? ***disclaimer***This story follows the story line of the television series, The Vampire Diaries. I do not take credit for the characters or story line from the show. All other credits go to Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and the rest of the show's producers.

"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together." ~Desmond Tutu SEQUAL TO~HUMANITY 1 "THE ENCOUNTER" Ashley Scott and Damon Salvatore have finally let their feelings for each other come to the surface. Ashley has put her faith and trust in Damon, ignoring many warnings telling her not to. She's always the first to defend him and forgive him for his mistakes. What happens when Damon does one thing that she can not forgive? Ashley's feelings for Damon will be put to the test as she struggles to push past his terrifying betrayal. ***disclaimer***This story follows the story line of the television series, The Vampire Diaries. I do not take credit for the characters or story line from the show. All other credits go to Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and the rest of the show's producers.

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." ~Gandhi Many of us know the well known story of Stefan Salvatore and Elena Gilbert, but what about Damon Salvatore? It's only fair for us to see how his story would have played out if there were another woman that caught his eye after years of heartbreak. ***disclaimer***This story follows the story line of the televisions series, The Vampire Diaries. I do not take credit for the characters or story line from the show. All other credit goes to Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and the rest of the show's producers.