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.

Lady Wesker- Thanks so much for reviewing. All my friends in A.P. Chem absolutely dreaded it, good think Elijah was there to help Maddie out ;)

NicoleR85- Thanks so much for the review! I plan to have Maddie and Damon get into it soon and of course Maddie and Elena as well. You will see some of Stefan in this chapter! :) I hope that you enjoy! :)

Caladheil999- Here is your update! :) Sorry for the wait, I hope that you love this chapter! Let me know what you think.

kineret- Thank you so much for the review! :) And yes, Elijah is the best. Klaus will be coming soon!

RenTenTen- Thank you so much for reviewing! Gotta love Klaus :) Hope you enjoy this chapter!

blue-lily295- Thanks so much for the review, glad that you are still following the story! I hadn't planned on her telling Elijah about what Damon said to her but I might, we shall see :) Hope that you enjoy this chapter!

Before the Sun Sets

CHAPTER 15 ~ Truth

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

"Alright, let's plan."

Maddie chuckled at her mom. Because of the exams Maddie wasn't actually doing anything in her classes, so today she didn't go. She went for the morning and then she was signed out by her mom, who took half of the day off. It was a Thursday and the two of them had went out to a Starbucks, outside of Mystic Falls. They had gone shopping for a bit and then went to talk about Cordelia's birthday celebration. Her dad was at work, he had the day off but had been called in for a major surgery early that morning. From what Janette told Maddie it went okay and Christian would be home late that night or early in the morning.

Maddie had a pen and paper and her Pinterest account open. "What do you want to do?"

When it came to Bennett parties, Janette was fully in charge. She loved it. The planning, sometimes the cooking, making sure decorations were perfect, it was just her thing. Even more she loved the shopping for it. Christian absolutely hated that part but his wife didn't care, and his daughters, the little traitors, encouraged her.

"Well, we definitely need to make sure people bring bathing suites, considering we are putting the pool to good use."

"Alright, bathing suites," Maddie spoke, writing it down on her little notepad. "Gives us an excuse to go to Victoria's Secret," Maddie spoke hinting.

"Mhm, don't you have enough bathing suites?"

"Yeah, but this a special occasion."

"I want to go to T.J. Maxx later so we can find you a bathing suite there."

Maddie just chuckled. Her mom was obsessed with that store. "Are you cooking or just gonna hire caterers?"

Last year when Cordelia had turned 18, the Bennett's had thrown her a party at one of their favorite Pizzeria's. The place was filled with friends and family, eating delicious food, great music and just having a relaxing time. Since Cordelia's birthday was in May, majority of the time they had parties outside, every once in awhile inside. Maddie, whose birthday wasn't until November usually did things inside.

"Probably cook. Oh," Janette spoke, an idea obviously had come to her. "I'll have Christian barbecue. It's a good excuse to use the grill which he bought and told me he could use, even though I told him it's just taking up space."

"Isn't it in the garage?" Maddie wondered. She knew it was somewhere but didn't remember it being outside.

"Exactly my point, it's just collecting dust and taking up space."

"Dad says the same about your pocketbooks."

"I don't pay him any attention."

Maddie chuckled, "So I've noticed. Anyways Cordelia would love a barbecue pool party sort of thing. What are you going to do about the guest list?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well who all does she want. I'm sure she hasn't seen some of her friends since graduation or whatever."

Janette nodded her head in understanding. "Did she tell you whether or not Nathan coming with her when they leave school?"

Maddie sighed, "I have no idea. I know that he's supposed to be here for her birthday and that's it."

"I will ask her about all of this when I call her later." Janette said, taking a bite of a brownie she had ordered. "Go on your Pinterest thing and look for some ideas."

Maddie chuckled, taking a sip of her Venti shaken sweat tea lemonade. "Alright, let's see what they have." She grabbed her phone, which had been to the side of her and typed in pool party. She gave it to her mom and let her scroll through, getting some ideas.

"Should we do a night thing? Looks like fun."

"You're doing it on her actual birthday?"

"Since it's on a Saturday, yes. Then the following week we have Katie's sweet 16 party, don't forget."

"How can I forget? I am in her court after all."

"Oh, right. Sorry."

Maddie just chuckled. She had went shopping with Katie the other day to look at dresses. Caroline had been there too, talk about awkward. They barley acknowledged one another, which was mainly Maddie's fault. She had no desire to talk about Elijah or anything else along those lines. Caroline took the hint and left her alone. They were going to have to speak though, considering they would be walking together in Katie's sweet 16. Maddie could do it for the night, she was going to make sure that her Katy Kat had the best time.

"Alright, so we will need glow in the dark stuff."

"Why don't you start it at four thirty." Maddie said aloud, "Or five."

"Probably five. I am going to ask Christian."

"Is dad off?"

"He said he already took off, hopefully he doesn't get called in."

"Hopefully."

"We are going to need to go shopping, write this stuff down." Janette instructed. "Glow in the dark stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Like balloons and sticks, whatever we can find or order. After we leave here we are going to stop by some stores. Right down a reminder to make a list of things we'll need from the grocery store."

"So she can have all the party details right?" Maddie wondered, wanting to make sure. She was pretty sure her mom would say yes to that, I mean she did need to talk to Cordelia about stuff anyways, like the guest list.

"Yeah, she can know about the party." Janette spoke dismissively, still looking at stuff on Pinterest.

"Is there something she shouldn't know about?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"Just wondering," Maddie shrugged. "What are you and dad getting her?"

"So nosy."

"Why can't I know?"

"You will soon enough."

"I won't tell her!" Maddie insisted. "I promise. I am so good at keeping secrets." Damon could probably agree to that, Maddie thought to herself.

"Yeah yeah yeah." Janette waved her hand. "Oh look how cute these outside lights are," she spoke turning the phone around.

"Dad is not going to be happy about the cost of all this stuff," Maddie said, jokingly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Maddie grinned, pulling into the perfect parking spot. It was rare she found a great parking spot, she could find good ones but today she had found a great one right in front of the door. She couldn't believe that it was already Friday. Next Saturday it would be Cordelia's birthday and then the weekend after Katie's sweet 16 party. After that May would soon be over, then it would be June and they only had about two weeks of school, testing and then summer began. She found herself excited, for summer to begin. She always got excited but this year it was different. She was well aware that it had a big part to do this her new found relationship. Getting out of her car Maddie made her way inside. She had plenty of time this morning. She had left her house about ten minutes earlier than usual. Going inside, she made a detour to her locker. Opening it up, she grabbed one of her notebooks. They weren't really doing much with testing going on at the moment. She was basically done in Chem, they had a break, playing board games and stuff in class. However when all tests were done they were going to be doing some more labs before wrapping up the year.

"Hi."

Maddie shut her locker. "Caroline."

"I just wanna talk."

"Really?"

Caroline nodded, "Yeah."

"Fine."

"Can I come over later?"

"No." Before Caroline could say anything Maddie spoke, "My mom is going to be home. I prefer not to talk about certain things in front of her and I have lacrosse after school."

"Good job on the win Tuesday."

"Thanks."

"Top three now, exciting." It was obvious she was trying to make conversation.

"Yeah it is. You should have played."

"I haven't played lacrosse in forever."

"You haven't played since Freshman year."

"Yeah, forever."

"So, can you come over after practice?"

"And whose going to be there?"

"Just me, I promise."

Maddie contemplated, "Fine."

"Okay."

"I'll text you when I get out of practice."

"Okay," Caroline said, sounding like her bubbly self. It was kind of nice to hear, Maddie had to admit.

Nodding, Maddie let out a breath. "Bye."

"Bye."

Maddie began walking off to her first period class. Not many people were in the hallways, then again she was early. She had turned a corner when she felt someone grab her arm. With reflexes, she spun around quickly, ready to swing and scream until she saw that it was just Stefan.

"Don't ever do that again!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Considering everything that's going on, that was awfully dumb of you."

Stefan frowned, "Sorry."

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to talk to you."

"Alright, talk."

"How are you?"

Maddie frowned, "What?"

"How are you?"

"Fine. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Mhm." There was a short pause. "Why don't you tell me what you really want Stefan."

"I would like to speak with Elijah."

"And you're coming to me because ..." Maddie trailed off before letting out a fake laugh. "Oh yeah, because I'm dropping my panties for him, right," she sneered.

"Damon was out of line when he said that."

Maddie just rolled her eyes. "I don't care about Damon." Not anymore.

"He misses you."

"I doubt that. And even if, doesn't matter. Wanna know why? I don't miss him."

"You don't have to pretend."

"Who says I'm pretending? I've been doing fine without him, if you haven't noticed."

"Listen, I really would like to speak with Elijah."

"So go find him."

Stefan frowned. "Please. You know I wouldn't come to you if it wasn't important."

"Fine. I will see what I can do."

"Thank you."

Maddie nodded and began walking away.

"Maddie?"

She turned.

"I don't think of you like that. And neither does my brother, he's just hurt." With that Stefan turned and walked away.

Ding dong.

"Coming," Maddie heard Caroline yell. She sighed. She was close to canceling this little "talk session" that Caroline wanted to have. Practice had been a tough one, but then again there next game was not going to be easy. Final three. If they won they would continue their undefeated season and make it to the final two and then hopefully become champions. They had to be ready. Maddie's lacrosse pini had dirt stains all over it, not like she cared, her hair was sticky, she was sweaty and it was obvious that she was tired.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"C'mon in," Caroline spoke with a smile on her face as she moved to the side, allowing Maddie access to walk in. Caroline closed the door before walking Maddie into the living room. "Sit, please."

"I'd rather not, as you can see I'm not exactly clean."

Within a second Caroline flashed out of the living room, into the kitchen and grabbed a chair. "Sit."

Maddie slightly chuckled before sitting down. "Right, vampire abilities."

"Yeah, they come in handy every once in awhile." Maddie just nodded. "I miss you." Caroline blurted out. Maddie went to say something but she was cut off, "No, let me finish! I know that things haven't been the easiest and for that, I'm sorry. I never meant to almost leave you, I swear. I just, I just wanted to get out of there, and … I'm sorry." Maddie looked into Caroline's eyes. She seemed genuine.

"I'm over it."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Yes, but at the same time I want you to know that I do not regret distancing myself from you." She noticed the frown that laminated over Caroline's face. "It's good to feel normal. I missed our friendship, yes, that I will not deny. But I do not miss being out of the supernatural drama."

"How can you be out of it if you're dating Elijah."

There it is, Maddie thought. She was waiting for that to come up. And now there it was. "He doesn't involve me in this doppelganger, supernatural, werewolf, vampire mess! If you must know."

"How did you two meet?" Caroline wondered.

"I met him when Damon left me in that stupid house, after Rose kidnapped me."

Caroline nodded, "That's what Da- I was told."

"Go on ahead, say it! That's what Damon told you. He probably told you I was some dumb slut too, right?!"

"No." Caroline said, but she had too looked away. Maddie was sure if that's not what had come out of Damon's mouth something else had. She was sure that she probably didn't want to know.

"Well I am sure you have something to say about it to me so go ahead! Spit it out!"

"I don't know what to say." Caroline spoke honestly. "I want to understand, I do, but I don't." Maddie was ready to go at that point. She didn't feel like arguing. "But at the same time, I trust your judgment. I don't think you would be sneaking around with Elijah if you didn't feel something for him."

"You sound sympathetic."

Caroline shrugged, "Well, you know how it goes in this town."

"I do, that's the problem."

"Can you tell me about it. Your relationship I mean. With Elijah."

Maddie wasn't ready to let her guard down, not yet. "Why, so you can run back to Damon?"

"I don't like Damon."

"No, but you are one of the many people up Elena's ass."

"Elena is my friend." Caroline defended. "But so are you. And while I am there for her, I am also going to be there for you." Maddie met her eyes, "I mean it."

"Really?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I do. And if Damon doesn't like it, he can kiss my ass."

Maddie let out a slight chuckle. "Ha. He might stake you if you say that to him."

"Stefan wouldn't let him." Maddie raised an eyebrow. "Not only is he the good brother, we have become friends."

"You and Stefan?"

"Yeah, sort of."

"Interesting."

"So, should I order pizza? We have a lot to talk about."

"I want Pepperoni."

"One large pizza, half pepperoni coming up."

Caroline and Maddie had a long talk. Maddie told her about meeting Elijah, getting to slowly know him and then eventually just becoming a thing, that even she didn't understand yet. Caroline opened up about the love triangle she was facing with Tyler and Matt. She then told her about the dance and how Bonnie was pretending to be, well dead to benefit everything with Klaus.

Maddie didn't say much about it though.

It was better that way.

Not only did she not know what to say, she didn't know what to think or feel. She did want to speak to Bonnie though.

"I'm guessing she's mad at me too." Maddie commented then.

"I wouldn't know." Caroline said, it sounded honest.

After that, Maddie went home. While she had told Caroline some details of her relationship with Elijah she hadn't gone way into it. She wouldn't do that with anyone, but Cordelia. Her sister never let her down in the trust area.

"Can you hand me the tape?"

Elijah, who had been observing Maddie for the last couple of minutes grabbed the tape from out of the bag that was lying next to him. He handed it to her. She had been sitting on the floor messing with wrapping paper. "What's the occasion?"

"Cordelia's birthday is next Friday."

"Ah. How old will she be?"

"Nineteen."

"Very nice, what did you get her?"

"Well mom gave me her T.J. Maxx card and I kind of went wild with Caroline."

"Caroline Forbes?"

"The one and only."

"When did you find the time to go shopping?"

"During lunch."

"Ah." Elijah nodded, observing some more. "What exactly did you buy?"

"Well my sister loves Michael Kors." Maddie explained. "So I got her a bag and wallet, then went to T.J. Maxx to get her a bikini and giftcard. I have to go by Target later, they have nice birthday cards."

"You're a good sister."

"Aren't I?" She wondered with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah. And what else did you get her?" Elijah wondered, smirking.

"How do you know I got her something else?"

"I have been watching you wrap gifts."

Maddie chuckled, "Ah, okay! You caught me!"

"So, tell me what else you got her."

"It's just a thing with us. Cordelia always spoils me on my birthday and I spoil her back. Just how we are. Not only is she my sister, she's my best friend." Maddie spoke. "I got her some Sephora makeup and then the Ja'Dore set."

"Very thoughtful of you."

"Like I said, she's not only my sister but my best friend."

Elijah couldn't help but feel proud. He knew he found a good one. Maddison was so sweet and caring. That's one of the reasons he was glad her friendship with Damon was over. All he did was use her. And instead of listening to her, he came to his own assumptions and said something that caused her to cry. Unacceptable.

Quietly, Elijah watched Maddie finish. "Alright, so all I need a bag."

"You can leave it here, if you'd like."

"Of course," Maddie grinned, giving him a look. "Now I have a reason to come back."

"You never need a reason." Elijah told her. "Come whenever you would like."

"You mean that?"

"Of course."

Maddie stood. "Let's go do something."

"Like?"

"You wanna go to the beach?"

"The beach?"

Maddie nodded, "Yeah. We can go and watch the sunset." Before he could say no she got up and grabbed his arm, "C'mon. Live a little."

"And what is there to do, at the beach?"

"We can watch the sunset."

"I never took you as the, watch the sunset type of girl."

"I don't do it all the time, but every once in awhile I like too. It's comforting."

"Alright, let's go."

"This sunset is so beautiful." Maddie commented. She and Elijah were standing in the gazebo at the beach, she was watching the sunset and Elijah was watching her.

"Not as beautiful as you."

"You're so sweet." Maddie spoke, moving so that she was now facing him. It was only the two of them there, to her happiness. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Brown eyes glazing into green. Leaning up slightly, Maddie planted a gentle kiss to Elijah's lips before pulling away and planting her head on his chest. "I wish things were always this … this peaceful."

"They will be," Elijah noted. "After Klaus is dead."

She said nothing. She still hadn't told him about the letter or anything. Not yet. She was going to though. She didn't want to have secrets, not with him. She decided to tell him on the way back to his place. She just wanted to enjoy the moment.

"Stefan wants to speak with you." The words were out of her mouth before she really thought about.

"About what?"

"I don't know, he just told me he needed to speak with you."

She felt him nod. "Right."

"At least they aren't trying to dagger you anymore."

"Well, I'm sure they have something up their sleeves that I'm not aware of."

"Why do you think that?" Maddie wondered, she didn't doubt it in all honesty.

"Well, they aren't the brightest group of people."

"I've noticed." With that the two fell into a comfortable silence, watching the sunset. They stood, wrapped in one another's arms until it became dark.

"I have something to tell you." Maddie spoke as she pulled into an empty parking spot near Elijah's apartment.

"And what's that?"

Se sighed and then took an unnecessary deep breath. Reaching into her glove box, she searched. Then she found it.

The note.

From Klaus.

She watched Elijah. Not like it really mattered, he was perfect at masking his feelings. If there was anytime that he proved that, it was now. Nothing. She couldn't read anything from his face or body language.

"Are you going to say anything?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?!" She wondered, astounded. He should not be the one apologizing to her. He didn't do anything!

"If it weren't for your involvement with me, you would never be in this mess."

"Don't do that!" She snapped. "I was already involved by association with the scooby doo gang! You haven't done anything."

Elijah said nothing, "Thank you for the incredible evening. I must go now."

"Wha-," the door had already opened and shut. Maddie watched Elijah's retreating form head for his apartment door.

Great Maddie, she thought to herself, just fucking great!

Maddie considered getting out her car and going in the apartment, so that she can Elijah could talk. She had her hand on the door when her phone started to ring. "Hello?"

"Hey sista!"

She couldn't help but smile, "Hi."

"Bad time?"

Maddie bit her lip. She wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to talk to Elijah, however she considered the fact that he was obviously upset about his brother reaching out to her and maybe needed some time to cool off. "No, I'm free. What's sup?"

"Mom told me about my surprise party."

"She works fast." Maddie commented, still gazing at Elijah's apartment door.

"Of course she does and I love the theme."

"Like we knew you would."

"So did you find out what the folks are getting me?"

"Nope."

"What's wrong?" Cordelia wondered. "You sound upset? Who am I punching in the face?"

Maddie chuckled, "Nothing. It's just ... I need a nap. I've had a long day."

"Tell me about it."

Just wanted to say thank you all so much for your support! It means so much! Every time I write for this story I become happy and it's all thanks to you! So thank you! :)

Chapter Summary: Janette and Maddie discuss Cordelia's birthday. They decide to have an outside barbecue and pool party all in one, looking on Pinterest for ideas. Caroline wants to speak to Maddie and she gives in, agreeing. Stefan asks Maddie to get in touch with Elijah for him. Elijah watched Maddie wrap presents for Cordelia before they go and watch the sunset. She tells him about Klaus' message. Elijah, obviously upset about it leaves Maddie alone in her car. She thinks about going after him when Cordelia calls.

On the next chapter ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORDELIA