AN/ Hey guys, sorry for my lack of updates. I had a family tragedy just before Christmas, and had to leave the country (and my computer)on short notice. I was working on this chapter the day before I had to leave, so here you go. I hope you enjoy it, and that it explains the story a bit more. Thankyou for your reviews :)

Hours after her escape from the Beast, miles from the city of Seattle, Astrid drove down a long and winding driveway.

Alec, who had fallen asleep after hours of asking questions, which never got answered, stirred and began to murmur in his sleep.

'I swear Normal, I was kidnapped, I couldn't come in to work…Max….stop that.'

'Alec' Astrid snapped.

'Waaaa' Alec woke up with a start. Where am I he thought, as he looked out the window into the dark night, watching as a row of pine trees blurred together into one as Logan's car zoomed past. One second he was dreaming of Max trying to laser off his barcode while he was explaining to Normal why he hadn't turned up to work, and the next he was wide awake, sitting next to Astrid-a raving mad crazy woman- with no bloody idea where the hell he was. Great, thought Alec, just great.

'So, not that I don't love this mystery road trip- but where are we going?' tried Alec, not really expecting an answer but figuring it couldn't hurt to ask. Unless she punched him.

'Home' was Astrid's unexpected reply.

As she turned a corner a large house came into view. Alec could tell the house had once been beautiful. The once white pillars in the doorway were stained with old age and ill-care, the gardens were overgrown with weeds and vines crawled up the side of the building. The moonlight gave the house an eerie glow. Next to him he heard Astrid sigh. 'I used to love it here as a child, of course it looked a lot different then…..' she trailed off, getting out of the car and leaning against the door, remembering.

Astrid was nine. Her parents had told her they were taking her on a holiday to the city of Seattle, she was thrilled. She had never been to the city before, despite living on the outskirts of many. Astrid's mother, a lawyer, had been brought up in the city, she loved it and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. However, Astrid's father, who had been a writer, thrived in the country. So Astrid's parents had made a compromise, no matter where they lived, it would be close to both city and country. Therefore Astrid's childhood had been spent always on the outskirts of the city and the edges of the country.

They were still miles from the city, when Astrid's parents had turned down a long driveway, lined with tall pine trees.

To Astrid's questioning on where they were going, they had replied. 'To visit a very important friend'. Young Astrid had barely been able to contain her curiosity and the lengthy driveway seemed to go on forever before they reached the house. Astrid had gasped, it was like a palace. The sun shone brightly on the rose gardens, and archways covered with vines and bright flowers. The house was stunning, three stories high, with dozens of windows-and rooms for Astrid to explore, what kind of family friend did they know who would own a home like this? It was magical.

'Grace, John…and Astrid. Welcome.' Said a voice loudly. Astrid had looked up to see a man who, at that age had seemed ancient, but was in reality, probably in his early forties. There were streaks of grey in amongst his mop of dark hair, he had warm brown eyes and a welcoming smile. Astrid was at once put as ease.

'Astrid, this is Joseph' her mother had said, gently pushing her towards the man, who had crouched down to her height, which embarrassed Astrid, who liked to think of herself as rather grown up.

'Hi Astrid' he had said gently 'your parents tell me you're getting quite strong.'

Astrid looked over her shoulder at her mother and father, who had told her never to speak to anyone about her abilities and strange dreams, which she had developed the year before.

Her father had smiled at her. 'It's alright, you can tell Joseph, he's going to help you'

'I don't need help' little Astrid had snapped defiantly

Joseph chuckled. 'Well it's more like guiding you as you develop your strength rather than helping you, you see Astrid, I'm your watcher.'

Of course, Astrid had no idea what a watcher was, or what they did, but Joseph and her parents took her inside the beautiful house and as she had her lemonade and cookies everything had been explained. Astrid was a bright and lively child and it hadn't taken long for her to pick up everything Joseph taught her. She was a Vampire Slayer, one of many girls chosen in each generation, to protect the world from evil.

Astrid and Joseph became very close, he was not only her watcher but her best friend. She had trouble making friends her own age, so she told Joseph all about the cute boy she had a crush on, or the snobby girls she hated. She remembered once for a guilty moment, thinking that she cared more about Joseph, than her own parents.

'Astrid!' Came Alec's voice, breaking through her memories.

She snapped back to reality, wiping away the single tear which had rolled down her cheek, before Alec noticed. She turned to look at him. He was standing on the steps with his hands on his hips and one foot tapping on the ground impatiently. He raised his every brows at her in a look that said. 'Well, what are we doing here?'

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