Summary: After Damon and Stefan rescue Elena from Elijah, they forget to also rescue Maddison Bennett, also known as Maddie. Elijah ends up finding her and as time passes they grown an instant connection with one another. Maddie knows that it's wrong and she ultimately shouldn't be with Elijah, but she doesn't care. This is her story.

BEFORE THE SUN SETS

CHAPTER 2~ Monday

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES!

Maddie's weekend ended up being pretty boring.

Caroline had canceled, something important came up. Maddie didn't even know why she was surprised at this point. She didn't even bother to respond to Caroline's message when she texted her canceling their plans. She knew if she did respond it would be something along the lines of sarcastic and rude. Damon had actually left her alone and to say she was grateful would be an understatement. She was up and getting ready for school by 6 a.m. Monday morning. It was currently the beginning on March which meant warmer weather was coming. In a few short weeks she would be back in action with Lacrosse. After her shower she put on a black t-shirt that read Mystic Falls, black and white tempo Nike shorts and sneakers. Combing quickly through her hair she left it out in it's wavy form and put on a headband grabbing her things and going downstairs.

Janette was in the kitchen with breakfast already made and she on a large cup of coffee. Maddie sat down, digging into her pancakes.

"How do you know those are yours?" Janette joked with her daughter.

"You weren't eating them," Maddie responded easily before grinning..

"So you have a busy day today." Janette commented before drinking more of her coffee.

"Your dad told me you have Lacrosse after school and then your babysitting for Mrs. Gleason tonight."

Maddie looked her mom in the eyes nodding her head. "It's only a meeting for Lax and then I'll be babysitting Hallie tonight from 5-7, maybe even 7:30, I'm not sure yet. I told Mrs. Gleason that I would get there around 4:45ish."

Nodding her head, Janette put her coffee cup on the counter. "No problem. Just make sure you send me a text or call me when you leave home, get to the Gleason's and when you leave their house."

"You worried about me?"

"I am a mother. I am always worried." Janette drank a big gulp of her coffee. "So, your sister called this morning."

"Why?" Maddie was interested. Usually, her older sister, Cordelia just texted when she needed something. Besides she found it odd that her sister was calling early in the morning.

"Instead of coming home for Spring Break she'll be spending time with her new boyfriend. So she called knowing your father wasn't home so he couldn't grill her."

"What is she meeting the family?"

"I think so. They have been dating since October. If she meets his family then he can meet us next. We aren't that bad."

"No but no daughter wants their dad to meet their boyfriend." Maddie wouldn't. No matter how 'cool' her father thought he was.

Lunch. Maddie's favorite time of the day. Not only could she leave the school but she could eat. Amazing, right?! Against her better she decided to stop by the grill. She was really in the mood for a chicken sandwich and some french fries. A nice cold coca cola would suffice her hunger too. As soon as she entered the grill and saw that Damon wasn't there she breathed in a sigh of relief. Thank god.

Since she did have to go back to school Maddie ordered her food to go and then sat down at a booth to play Candy Crush on her phone. It was her new addiction.

"Skipping school?" Jumping, Maddie dropped her phone and it thankfully fell into her lap as she glared at Elijah.

"Would you stop sneaking up on me."

"It's quiet fun. And I have only done it twice now."

"Three times actually."

"Excuse me?"

"You've done it three times. Remember the first time we officially met."

Flashback:

Maddie wondered around the abandoned house. She had been searching for a phone. That Rose girl had taken it when she knocked her out. She just needed to call her parents. Fuck. They were at the benefit for the hospital. She knew that they would come and get her but it was just a matter of when they would be able to get to their phones.

Running back down the stairs Maddie hadn't even taken notice to the sudden change in wall décor.

By décor she hadn't noticed that the vampire who was once pinned to the wall was now gone. In fact she hadn't noticed he was watching her. Why should she?It's not like she had any supernatural abilities.

Maddie was almost in the kitchen when Elijah spoke, "What do we have hear?"

She let out a blood wrenching scream turning around to see Elijah standing there. His eyes stalked her as if she were his prey. They stared at her legs for awhile. Corale looked down and frowned. Shit, she was still her dress from the party. She hadn't even really noticed until now.

"Who the fuck are you?!"

"I'm Elijah." Walking closer he stood right in front of her. "Do you not remember? If I recall you were present during the whole fiasco that occurred."

"Glad someone noticed me," she muttered before saying clearly, "I was taken against my will." She stared wide eyed at the man she had assumed to be dead. How the fuck was he even alive?! She saw Damon kill him. Great, now she was dead. For that much she was sure. There was no doubt in her mind he was going to kill her.

"What are you doing here?" Elijah spoke after what seemed like hours of silence. The two of them had just been staring each other down.

"Well, they kind of left me here." The bitter in her tone was obvious.

"Why would they do that?"

Maddie didn't bother answering him. "Listen, not that I want to put a rush on my death but can we get this done and over with."

Elijah looked at her for a minute before speaking. "You think that I am going to kill you?"

Shrugging, she continued, "Why else would you still be here?!"

Brown eyes staring into green. "I'm not going to kill you," she let out a short breath of relief. She didn't know why she believed him but she did. "But, I will take you home."

End of flashback:

"Well your right, it has been three times."

Yep, she thought, the first time they met, the park and then now. "I thought vampires have sharp memories."

Elijah chuckled. "We do. I just had a "brain freeze" as your generation would say." It was now Maddie's turn to now laugh. "So, why are you skipping school?"

"I'm not. I'm on lunch break and I was really craving a chicken sandwich, some fries and a nice cold coca cola. As soon as they bring it to me I will be heading back."

"And when school ends, what will you do? Go to the park?"

Her grin grew wide. "Not today. I have a Lax meeting and then I am babysitting. Somewhere with all that I have to squeeze in some homework."

"What is Lax?"

She couldn't help herself as she cracked up laughing. Of course that's the question he asks. "Oh, right that's my fault. Lax, short for Lacrosse. It's a sport." Elijah nodded. "You know what sports are don't you?"

Rolling his eyes, he responded, "Yes I know what sports are. I am, for the most part, up to speed with modern times."

"Lovely."

"Hey, Maddie, listen I'm Sorry it took so long I know you have to get back to school. Here's the check, I'll be back in a second." Kevin, a waiter there spoke bringing her a bag plastic back which held her food inside. "Can I get you anything sir?"

"No, thank you." Elijah spoke reaching into his pocket pulling out a 20 dollar bill and handing it to the waiter. "Keep the change." Kevin nodded taking the money before walking off.

"Why did you do that?" She wondered dumbfounded.

"What?" He spoke with a blank face.

"Why did you just pay for my food?!" She sat there frowning. "I did not need you to do that. I have money on me."

"I'm well aware." He shrugged. "I mean I doubt you would come here if you didn't have money."

"Then why did you pay for me?"

"Because I wanted too."

"Yeah, because that's an amazing answer. And I don't know why Kevin took it before asking me."

"Do you attend school together or something?"

Shaking her head no, Maddie said, "No, I think he's a sophomore or junior at college now. He used to date my sister."

"I didn't know you had a sister."

She smirked. "There is a lot you don't know about me."

"I'd like to change that."

"After only seeing me two times?" She quirked an eyebrow but who was she kidding, she would like that too very much.

"You intrigue me." He answered honestly.

"Well then, let me see your phone."

Handing his phone to her, he raised an eyebrow. She was glad to see that his phone was up to date. She made herself a part of his contacts and wrote the name as Maddison, considering he was proper and all. And then she added an emoji with heart eyes before saving it.

"Now you have my number. I would love to stay and chat some more but I have classes to attend and a lax meeting." She chuckled and even a smile reached Elijah's lips. "See you around." Settling her bag around her wrist, she grabbed her drink in the same hand before grabbing her phone and car keys in the other.

"Good-bye Maddie."

All Maddie could think about was her lunch with Elijah. She kept wondering about the next time she would see him. She was practically dreaming about him for the rest of the day. Even during the meeting her thoughts just kept drifting to Elijah. The minute she plopped down in the living room and wasted no time starting her homework. This was one of those moments she hated school. The homework was irritating. There was Chem, Calculus, English, Spanish and she had to finish a Creative Writing response. Around 4 she stopped what she was doing and went upstairs to take a shower.

Changing into sweatpants and a sweatshirt with some comfortable Sperry's, Maddie packed up her stuff for the Gleason's. All she needed was the homework she didn't finish, her laptop, phone and keys. The Gleason's house wasn't that far from her own home. Only seven minutes.

"Hello Maddie, it's good to see you again." Mrs. Gleason was a nice women with a nice family. She and her husband were both in their early forties and worked at the hospital with her father. That's how she was first introduced to them. And their daughter Hallie was the cutest three year old.

"Hi, Mrs. Gleason," Maddie spoke entering their home.

Mrs. Gleason gave Maddie a playful smile. "Oh come on Maddie, you know you can call me Sharon."

"How have you been, Sharon?"

"Good. Thanks so much for agreeing to babysit. I am sure it's the last thing that you'd want to do on a Monday but I appreciate it."

"It's no problem. You know I love watching Hallie."

"She's so excited." As we walked into the living room she yelled, "HALLIE! Guess who's here?"

Hallie's loud footsteps could be heard from the living room. Maddie put her bag down and picked 3 year old as she ran into the room.

"MAWDIE!"

"Hi Hallie!" Picking up the three year old in her arms, Maddie swung her around before hugging her. It felt like she hadn't seen her in forever. She was glad that she was able to do something normal though, something that had no involvement with the supernatural world.

"Alright, well since you are here early I am going to head out."

"No problem. We'll see you later." Sitting on the couch, Maddie sat Hallie down next to her and went to put on cartoons.

"Guess what Mawdie."

"What?" Maddie grinned with a smile. It was so cute the way Hallie pronounced her name.

"Mrs. Hekin put up my picturwe in class today." Hallie grinned wide letting her teeth show. "Now everyowne can see it."

"That's awesome Hal."

"Imma paint more por you."

"No problem, I love your pictures."

Time passed by smoothly for Maddie and Hallie. After, Hallie insisted that she help her draw she began to get hungry. She fed her before they started watching cartoons on the TV. Nothing had changed, Hallie still loved Fairy Odd Parents. Even Maddie enjoyed the show, however she never found much time to sit down, watch and enjoy unless she was with Hallie. By the 2nd episode of Fairy Odd Parents, Hallie was leaning into Maddie fast asleep. She chuckled at the sight before laying her down properly on the couch and putting a small blanket on top of her. She began to finish the rest of her homework, wanting her to just get it out of the way. Everything was going smoothly until the door bell rang. With a heavy sigh and a slight frown on her face, she walked to the door.

Looking through the peep hole her frown instantly turned into a grimace.

Damon fucking Salvatore.

"Might as well open the door." He spoke with a cockiness that made Maddie's skin boil. "I'm not leaving until you talk to me."

Biting the inside of her cheek, Maddie contemplated her options. She was sure he hadn't been invited in, so that wasn't the problem. However when she left he could just pop up in her car. The last thing that she wanted to do was cause a scene. Mentally cursing herself out she opened the door.

Damon stood there with a proud smirk. "Don't smirk. I just don't want you to cause a scene later."

"Why on earth would I decide to cause a scene," his tone was sarcastic, "I mean it isn't like you have been avoiding me for who knows how long." There was a slight edge of hurt in his voice but she chose to ignore it. She just wanted to get this done and over with.

"What are you doing here?" Part of her was really shocked that he was even here. She knew it was only a matter of time before he'd show up but she didn't expect it to happen while she was working.

"I need to talk to you." Damon stated as if it were obvious. "You've been avoiding me and I need, no I want to make things right between us again."

"Oh I wonder why," it was her turn to be sarcastic. "Why would I avoid the person who left me at an abandoned house with a vampire, when he is supposed to be one of my best friends."

"Listen I wasn't thinking-," as quick as lightening she cut Damon off, "Yeah, no kidding."

"I was just trying to get Elena out and I didn't even know you were there until I saw you. Dammit Maddie, when I went back for you, you were already gone."

She let out a dark chuckle. She and Elijah had left at night time so he must have been pretty "preoccupied" with Elena to not notice for so many hours.

"I don't want your excuses, Damon." There was a pause. "Dammit, I could have died because of you," She was seething. She probably would have been better off leaving him outside but then he probably would have woken up Hallie.

"But you didn't." Her fist sprung out like lightening. It was so quick he wasn't expecting it. He looked at her shocked. Maddie. His sweet best friend, Maddie Bennett, who was always bubbly and cheerful had just punched him in the face.

"That doesn't change anything. You still left me there." She hadn't even acknowledged that she punched him. She was trying to keep her face together but in ways she just wanted to cry.

"I'm sorry!"

She snorted, "Yeah, right. You are sorry. You know what Damon you're always fucking sorry after you do something, but then you go and do something else!"

"What do I need to do to make you forgive me?" Damon asked. The intensity in his eyes meant that he was serious but she wasn't budging.

"Nothing. You live your life and I'll live mines."

"Come on Maddie. I made a mistake."

She stared at him. She wasn't going to admit it now but she didn't want to give up their friendship. She wasn't going to forgive him yet either. "You know what Damon, I am not going to stand here and tell you that I forgive you. Simply because I don't." There was a short pause, "But, I can agree to be civil with you."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" His blue eyes went wide.

"We'll be cordial with one another and that's it. No big friendship like before." She saw he was about to interrupt but she continued. "No, you have to earn my trust back. If you want me to forgive you then that's the way to do it. Take it or leave it."

Late in the night around 10, Maddie was still awake. She lay in the darkness of her bedroom waiting to fall asleep. Reminiscing on her day, it wasn't so bad. Damon agreed to be gracious with her. Even though she could tell he didn't like it, he was going to do what she asked. She was almost there when her phone started buzzing. Grabbing it off of her night stand table she clicked the side button and watch her screen light up. Blinking a couple of times to readjust her eyesight she clicked on the text message.

Good night, Maddison.-Elijah.

Maddie couldn't contain her blush. Clicking on the emojis of her cell phone, she sent him three sleeping faces before sending a text.

Good night, Elijah.-Maddie.

Thank you all so much for the favorites and alerts/follows!

I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, maybe even review?

I hope that you all have a wonderful New Year! Be safe! :)

Review and let me know what you think. Tell me what you like and don't like. I love suggestions.

Again, HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR EVERYONE!