In The Beginning Chapter 2: She's gone, a vampire diaries fanfic

Here you go guys, chapter two :) Hope you liked chapter one!

Thanks for reading :)

(DISCLAIMER: Though the plot and most of the idea's are my own, i do draw inspiration from other sources. The Vampire Diaries and its characters belong to The Vampire Diaries writers/creators as well as L.J. Smith. Other recognizable characters or story lines belong to their creators/writers/authors. )

In the weeks that passed…

Alaric's heart felt heavy, he hated doing this.

For the past three centuries, once every year on this exact day Alaric forced himself to come back to this place, a place he'd once called home. A place that had once been full of light, life, love and laughter, was now just an empty shell. A shadow of what it used to be.

Passing through the magical barrier that hide the palace from those who didn't know where to look. Alaric looked up at the beautiful white cliff where the palace was situated a top of, overlooking a private beach. The ancient palace was hidden within the miles of natural forest that surrounded it. The great white marble structure was built into the cliff side, and the remains of a once thriving town could be seen below it.

Leading his horse up the winding path Alaric headed toward the cliff top palace, stopping at the now empty stables. Leaving his horse Alaric began to make his way up the marble staircase. Memories of a better time filled Alaric's head, a time when he called this place his home, a time when she was still here. Alaric sighed, that was a long time ago now.

Reaching the top of the cliff Alaric turned to look out at the sea. His heart longed for this place, yet coming here only reminded him of what he'd lost, what he could still have had. Alaric closed his eyes trying to block out the memories, lessen his pain, but he couldn't. Sighing again, Alaric turned towards the shadowy entrance of the building, taking in the life less empty shell that it had become. Mustering up all his strength Alaric advanced into the shadows, knowing exactly where he needed to go. Navigating though the labyrinth of corridors Alaric wasn't here to reminisce over the past. No that was far too painful. He was only here to see her.

Going deeper into the palace Alaric found the entrance that lead to his destination. The magic that still flowed through this place hide her location from those who wished to find her. Placing his hand on the cold marble wall he felt a warm glow as a door way was revealed. Alaric applied pressure to the wall causing it shift open enough to allow himself to slip through into the corridor beyond, making sure to push the wall closed again once through. The wall shifting into place flawlessly like it had never been opened.

Mindlessly Alaric continued to make his way towards where he needed to be. The closer he got the less he noticed his surroundings. His body was on auto pilot as his mind fought an inner battle. Every year on this exact day he did this, he put himself through torture just to see her, or rather what was left of her. This was the day three centuries ago that changed everything. The day that he, no, the world, had lost so much. She'd sacrificed everything for them, only to be lost in return. Her once warm and vibrant body, full of life and light, now lay on a cold marble slab. As empty as the palace that was now her tomb.

The pain of her loss was still as fresh as that day three centuries ago. He had lost her. They all had. Stopping, Alaric stood in front of the final obstacle that was between him and her. Placing his hand on the wall once again, Alaric felt the warm glow and whispered the one word that brought him so much pain.

"Elena…"

The wall under his hand grew hot, and pushing on it like he had with the other, it opened before him. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Alaric paused. He had to do this for her he reminded himself. She needed to be remembered. He couldn't forget, he wouldn't let himself forget.

Finally, after one last sigh, Alaric pushed the wall so that it hinged outward and opened like a door. Alaric braced himself, no matter how many times he saw her like this he would never get used to it.

Alaric's eyes found the marble stab, his heart stopping. The room was just as it had always been, cold marble walls with a solid marble slab in the middle of it. Only…

Elena wasn't there.

She was gone.

(Four years later, modern day Mystic Falls)

"Excuses me?"

Elena turned to see a women trying to get her attention, "Can I help you?" she asked, a smile automatically plastering itself on her face like clockwork.

"I was wondering where the bathroom was?"

"Sure" pointing towards the back of the restaurant Elena talked the lady through finding the toilets "if you need any more help just let me know" she finished as the lady looked in the direction Elena had pointed out.

"Thanks" the lady smiled politely and headed in the direction of the male and female toilets.

Breathing out Elena looked towards the clock on the wall, 15 more minutes she told herself. Today had been a mess and at this stage all Elena wanted was to get out of here. Looking around the restaurant Elena noticed a table that needed bussing. Sighing she made her way over to it, knowing clearing and cleaning it should take up the rest of her shift. It was getting late and there were already a few guys at the bar who'd had too much to drink and Elena wanted to get out of there before the men began harassing her with their new found alcohol induced courage. Collecting the dishes from the table Elena made her way to the kitchen out back and added them to the dish pile. On her way back out to the table she grabbed the multipurpose cleaner and cloth to wipe down the table. 7 more minutes she thought, looking at the clock once more. Making her way back to the table Elena sprayed the multipurpose spray and began to wipe down the mess left behind by a family of four that had dinned there. Elena recalled their youngest boy had pretty much used his food as finger paint to decorate the table. Putting her whole body into it Elena focused on one particular bit of dried sauce that didn't want to budge. Leaning slightly over the table, her body moved with the scrubbing motions she was making. A wolf whistle rang throughout the restaurant and Elena's stomach dropped, you've got to be kidding me she thought. Remaining focused on her task Elena ignored the wolf whistle and hoped it wasn't directed towards her as she continued to scrub the table. Just finish this table and your done she thought, just this last table and your free.

"Hey!" a male's voice rang out.

Just keep ignoring him she told herself, just finish the table then you can go.

"Waitress" the man continued to yell in her direction "I think there's a stain on the other side of that table, how about you bend over a bit more to get it."

Groaning inwardly Elena could hear the other men at the bar snigger and egg the man on. Just ignore it, she continued to tell herself, it's not worth it. Collecting the spray and cloth Elena turned towards the kitchen and unfortunately toward the bar. Damn she thought, seeing that Matt wasn't behind the bar to step in if something were to happen. Though she wasn't sure she wanted him getting involved after how things had been between them lately.

Feeling a pang of guilt Elena walked toward the kitchen keeping her head high and eyes focused on the kitchen door. Don't make eye contact she told herself, just ignore them. Elena could feel their eyes on her as she walked in their direction, they were letting out crude sniggers as they enjoyed their drunken harassment. Walking past the group she gave them no attention, not wanting to attract anymore to herself. She'd almost reached the kitchen door when one of the men stood up and blocked her path. Finally acknowledging him Elena noted his hair was a messy brown that need to be cut and his belly put so much strain on his button up shirt she feared one of them would pop off. Trying to keep her cool Elena plastered her oh so rehearsed smile on, finally acknowledging the man "can I help you sir?" she asked in as polite a voice she could.

The man's breath reeked of alcohol and he swayed on his feet as he stood. "You didn't get the other side of that table" he said, an almost serious tone to his voice.

Annoyed Elena tried to remain polite "the tables clean enough to eat off sir, I could ask one of the other waitresses to get you a menu if you'd like to see for yourself."

"Only if your included in the menu" he said seeming pleased with his reply.

Elena could have vomited. If not from his breath then from the way he spoke and the look he was giving her, as if he were already imagining what he'd proposed. Excusing herself Elena tried to go around him but his arm came out blocking her way.

"You didn't answer my question" he said sounding annoyed. Elena's fists clenched, as she was reaching her breaking point, on the inside she was fuming as she tried to maintain her cool outer complexion. Where the hell was Matt she thought, "Excuse me sir, I need to pass" Elena tried once more.

"Not before you answer my question" he continued to insist "you don't really think you can put on a show like you did, leaning over that table in those tight denim short shorts and moving your body the way you did only to leave a man high and dry" as he said this his other hand moved to touch Elena's ass. Slapping his hand away from her Elena saw red and shoved him, the last bit of her self-control slipping away as the man staggered backward with a look of surprise on his face. Elena was about to rip into him when another voice caught her attention and cut her off.

"Hey, is there a problem here?" Matt's voice cut through the air and both Elena and the man she'd shoved looked toward the bar. There was a warning undertone in Matt's voice and expression that seemed to make the man think twice about what he was doing. In his drunken state he seemed to think through his options while Matt looked between the two of them, finally shaking his head drunkenly he turned and stumbled towards the door leading outside.

Elena looked toward Matt "you alright?" he asked.

Releasing a deep breath she didn't realize she was holding Elena nodded her head as she looked in Matt's direction "Thank you" she said with a sad smile of thanks.

Matts face was hard, but as he looked at her Elena could see a sadness in his eyes and features, his gaze stayed on her face for what seemed like forever before he finally nodded his head and focused his attention back on the bar. Elena felt horrible as she dwelled on the sight of sadness she'd just seen on Matt's face, she'd caused that sadness, and the thought hurt more than she'd wanted it to.

Feeling guilty Elena found some relief in seeing that it was 6pm and her shift was over. Thank god she thought, before continuing her original task so she could head home.

What did you think?

Do you like it? is it an improvement?

New readers what did you think?

Please let me know... :) I'll try to update soon, hopefully within a week :)

Thanks

Dee xx