May 10

It's three days since the tragic demise of the mighty Lusitania. It's late spring and although the sun is shining brightly in the sky, Elena still feels a chill. She stands together with the Mikaelson family and other survivors. They're gathered in the Queenstown graveyard to pay their respects to the 145 victims that are to be laid to rest in the town's Old Church Cemetery. The funeral cortege takes almost three hours to reach it's destination, slowly making its way from the temporary morgues on the quayside to the graveyard over two kilometers away. People stand on either side of the road, their heads hung to show respect as the solemn entourage passes them.

She looks at the faces, recognizing the survivors from the ship, not because she knows them but because of the shocked look that still lingers in their eyes. She scans the scenery, the three open graves, three big pits that have been dug by soldiers, the long high banks of earth beside the holes, the coffins with their white numbers on the lids.

The coffins are unloaded from the hearses, lorries and carts and placed side by side in the mass graves. Then a party of servicemen fires a volley of shots over the graves of the Lusitania dead. Elena can smell the gun powder as it wafts through the air. When the soldiers complete their memorial salute, the people now gathered to pay their last respects begin to sing Abide With Me.

Sage is standing beside Elena and wraps an arm around her. Elena nods, grateful that the Mikaelson's have taken her, a young widow, under their wing. First Officer Niklaus is standing to the left of his father surrounded by his wife May and their children. It's truly miraculous that their family survived intact.

George's body has not been recovered. It may yet, sailors and the British navy are still looking retrieving bodies that are floating to the surface. The very thought makes her stomach turn uncomfortably. She hears the hushed sobs and wails of some other guests when the white caskets are lowered into their final resting place. She feels bad that she has nothing to bring home to George's parents, nothing to lessen the pain of their profound loss, no body, no story of heroism, there's simply nothing left of his to ease their burden.

For them, she will have a memorial plaque made, reminding the world that once there was a man named George Lockwood IV. There will also be a plague with the names of the other unfortunate passengers. They still don't know how many of the passengers were claimed by the sea. Damon told her he's certain the number will be staggering, equaling or perhaps surpassing the Titanic tragedy. She chances a brief glimpse over her shoulder, her nerves immediately calming when she sees Damon.

He's standing a few feet from her, keeping a respectable distance but she can feel his presence, his silent support. She's aware that he's there, having chanced the briefest of glimpses over her shoulder just as the service was starting. Kol Mikaelson invited him to join their family, just like his parents invited her when she was able to leave the hospital yesterday. As the coffins continue to be lowered, a lone tear leaks from Elena's eye.

I'm so sorry George that it had to be this way. I hope you'll find peace wherever you are.

It's not more than an echo of the pain that any wife would feel after losing her husband, it's rather sadness over how wrong their union was.

May 29

Over the course of the last two and a half weeks, Damon has been very busy. He has spent every free moment helping in the search for bodies and the retrieval of luggage and other things that have floated to the surface. It's gruesome and back breaking work. Fortunately because the ocean's temperature is still quite cold, the bodies were fairly well preserved when they'd pluck them from their watery graves.

He had hoped that George's body would be among the victims, not only to give Elena some closure but also his family. As soon as he'd return to their hotel after a day at sea, she would always ask if his was among the remains that were recovered on that day.

He can see how torn she is. How does one mourn a man who was abusive to her, both physically and emotionally, especially one who treated her as property? Plus there's the fact that Elena was planning to ask him for a divorce. It pains him to watch as she's now forced by circumstances to hold onto the memory of someone that she very much needs to let go of. It's not healthy, it's not fair but it is what it is. Somehow they'll have to get through it, together. Sadly, his body has never been found, nor has Miss Pierce's but he's grateful that they were able to recover many victims. At least those families will have some semblance of peace and closure too.

It's been a long day again and he's tired as he enters the hotel lobby. He's a little surprised to find Elena sitting at small table near the entrance reading something.

"Elena?" he says very softly so no one can question their relationship. He hates addressing her formally as Mrs. Lockwood, she hates it too but it is necessary to maintain propriety.

Elena raises her eyes and gives him a small smile. "I received mail from Elizabeth's parents, they can't come here but they have asked for me to have her name written on the memorial desk at the cemetery."

Her maid's, unlike her husband's body has been found and is now resting at the cemetery along with many of the other victims. "I'd do that even if they hadn't asked..."

Damon pulls out a chair and sits next to her. All he wants to do is touch her but decorum forbids it. She looks up, wanting his touch as much as he wants to give it. "I also received a telegram from my parents, they expect me to return as soon as possible." She hands him the piece of paper.

"You don't have to do that until you feel like leaving, you know that, right?"

Elena shakes her head. "You have to leave too. The Mikaelson's are leaving. I want to come with you, Damon. It's just...," she pauses to take a breath. "Even in face of tragedy, they're still ordering me around. I guess it's better to get it out of the way sooner rather than later," she ends with a certain surge of determination, her spirit not giving up in these dire moments.

He's so proud of her.

He stands up when she does and follows her outside to take a walk around the hotel grounds as they do everyday.

June 15

Damon stands leaning against the railing next to Niklaus Mikaelson as their return ship nears Port 54 in New York harbor. It's the same one that they left from on that chilly first day of May. Damon grips the railing, it's a strange feeling as the ship gets ever closer to the dock. It's been just six weeks since they left on the Lusitania not knowing what would await them on their voyage. His knuckles whiten as he grips it even harder, his throat feels thick when he thinks of all the people that were lost. Apparently he's not the only one thinking it when he feels Niklaus form brush against his arm.

"I remember this view when we left on Lusitania. Only then we were seeing this in reverse, the port growing smaller as we steamed out over the ocean," he pauses, his eyes meeting Damon's for a brief moment before he focuses on view that's just ahead. "If I knew, if I had any compunction, any thought that a disaster was awaiting us, I would have thrown my family over the railing and made them swim back."

"And I'd have murdered you, brother," Kol joins them.

Damon smiles faintly. "You know what's confounding? I still love the sea and wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Kol pats his shoulder. "Because you have ulterior motives though, my friend, a certain brunette," he chuckles, squeezing Damon's shoulder before letting go. "That's why you still love being on the water.

Niklaus gives his brother a disapproving look but he can't really scold Kol for trying to ease the moment, they're all too happy to be alive, even though it often feels inappropriate, given the fact so many others didn't get to survive the catastrophe.

Kol brushes off his big brother's silent admonition. "No one had any way of knowing that such a tragedy would occur. Even if we could turn back time, we still wouldn't have known that the ship was doomed. We would have boarded the ship to cross the ocean the same as we did six weeks ago."

Damon shakes his head with a smile at the brothers' familiar dynamic but in his mind he's already in NYC, imagining Elena being taken away by both families. He's already missing her.

How do I ever go back to the way it was when you disappear into your world?

Elena stands in her room, pausing in her task to take a look out of the porthole. The ocean is beautiful and quiet like a shimmering sheet of glass. It's been many weeks now since the tragedy and their ship has finally docked in New York. A part of her is thrilled to be home again but the thought of facing her parents and George's parents is off putting at best. When she hears a creak, she looks up, forcing a slight smile when Sage slips through her cabin door.

Elena resumes her chore and puts the last pieces of her clothing into a suitcase. She doesn't have nearly as many things as she did when they boarded the ship all those weeks ago. George had always insisted that they make a show of their wealth so she had trunks and suitcases. Elena likes not having to dig through dress after dress to find something to wear. Traveling light is so much easier. But she still has more than she needed with Sage insisting to buy her a couple of suits for the voyage home. While Damon was helping to recover bodies, she went along with the Mikaelson's to spend a couple of days in London since they all were in need of clothing too. Damon was working from dawn to dusk anyway and insisted that she should accompany them despite her own reservations.

Eyeing Elena warily, Sage sits down on the corner of her a bed. She looks a little displeased so Elena stops what she's doing to give her attention.

"I really wish you had let my new maid help you out with this," she says, making a sweeping motion with her arm over the bed. "You shouldn't do this alone, Elena."

Elena smiles at her friend. No matter how hard she has tried, she cannot imagine her flamed haired friend as being any different. She takes her hand and gives it a squeeze. "Thank you Sage, but I'm glad I can do this by myself."

"Are you punishing yourself for surviving or what?" Sage asks clueless.

"No, I just... I don't like this life that much anymore... Do you think I can make it? I mean do you think I can survive by myself away from my family, their values and this life style?"

Sage is not actually clueless, she gives Elena a knowing smile and goes to hug her. "I think you can do or get anything you set your mind to. You're strong, Elena and if that includes Officer Salvatore, all the better." Elena looks at her in shock but Sage just waves her off.

"Elena, surely you don't think that I would ever blame you for wanting to be happy even if that means fighting tooth and nail to achieve it? Especially after that husband of yours.. a man who gave you nothing but pain? Just because he's dead and yes, Elena, it was a gruesome way for so many to die but you can't stop living. I saw with my own eyes how abhorrently he treated you. You deserve to be happy. And as for my family, the Mikaelsons, they may be snobs and sometimes a little too conservative for my taste but they know how to love. They won't judge you. My father in law always talks about business and how everyone must respect it but they never once tried to stop Finn from marrying me. I wasn't exactly a good match. Well, maybe I was, I keep Finn's family members entertained and free from boredom but as for money or connections..."

Elena's eyes widen, so does her smile at Sage's funny attitude. Sage pats her shoulder. "The point is, you deserve to live your life as you choose. You tried to do it their way, it didn't work, luckily you found someone who can take you away from all the bad memories and offer something maybe better? Btw. you stole that fine man right from under my fingers... but ... just kidding!"

Elena laughs with Sage and she doesn't even believe it's happening, she doesn't even remember when she laughed last. They feel the moment that the ship's movement changes and for a second Elena stops breathing as it reminds her of the last moments of Lusitania. They're home. Sage opens the door to call someone to carry Elena's luggage and takes Elena's hand to join others on the deck.

When they later watch the people on the wharf Sage whispers next to her ear. "Remember, Elena, you can call any of us at any time and we'll rush in to your rescue."

Elena nods and find's Damon's eyes for a moment.

I'm going to find a way.

June 22

The hearing started several hours ago and it doesn't look like it's going to be ending anytime soon. Damon shares a look with Niklaus when he comes back to his place after giving his testimony to the officials investigating the sinking of the Lusitania. Damon gave his own earlier that day but no one leaves the room as the emotions are heightened and everyone wants to hear the verdict. This act of unnecessary and unprovoked violence cost nearly 1200 people their lives. The guilty party must be punished.

The murmur in the courtroom rises when the Captain Forbes-Turner takes a stand in front of the commission. They weren't sure he would be there but it seems the Admiralty wants to make a point that might mean change for the warring sides. Damon finds it quite ironic, that the one person who may have been able to change the fate of Lusitania, didn't and he's standing here unharmed and apparently without even a hint of guilt. He briefly considers leaving because listening to the Captain about how things happened and why he made the decision to continue the course despite the many warnings is more than he can take now. However since he doesn't want to draw any unneeded attention to himself, he just retreats into his mind and turns his thoughts to Elena.

Elena, he hasn't been able to see her since they, her family, stuffed her into their car and hurried away with her. Mrs. Lockwood sent the Mikaelson's their best regards and formal thanks for taking care of her but Kol made the comment that it certainly wasn't anything like Elena would send. He mentioned that there was nothing personable about it, strictly business which confirmed Damon's thoughts about all of it. He misses her, God he misses her.

She has yet to come back to visit. Damon is still staying with the Mikaelson family at their estate. He couldn't be more grateful. All of them, even Mikael and Esther, have assured him more than once that it's their pleasure to have him as a guest in their home. He's extremely grateful too because he didn't want to say goodbye to the only connection to Elena that he has left. Not only that, he needs to solve the question of where his next pay check is going to come from. He needs to find a job.

When the hearing finally ends, Niklaus comments that they'll probably have to wait for weeks, if not months, for any word on the commission's final verdict. The two men hurry outside. Neither wants to run into the Captain but he stops on the spot, his mouth hanging open in shock when he sees his father walking towards him. Automatically he looks for his mother and of course she's there, right behind him. Damon's incredibly happy to see them. They came to see him when he first arrived but due to his father's business affairs, they left with the promise to return shortly since they knew he was in good hands with the Mikaelson family. It wasn't just that, Damon and Niklaus have been busy with reports for the Cunard line and there just weren't enough hours in the day for Damon to spend any quality time with them.

"Ma, Pa...," he gives his mother a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"You know your father, he wanted to be at the hearing but we couldn't get in. And we also wanted to see you of course."

"I'm sorry, it's been extremely busy...," he takes a look at Niklaus. Nik wholeheartedly greets them, they'd been introduced on the day of their first arrival. Damon can't believe the mighty Mikaelson family are actually such nice and down to earth people.

Suddenly, his father looks over his shoulder and both of his parents freeze. Damon turns around and there is Captain Forbes-Turner, looking at his family in disgust.

"Bill?" Damon's father says, his face less then friendly. The Captain mutters something under his breath and after giving his mother a long unfriendly look he disappears quickly to a nearby waiting car.

Damon turns to his parents. "What was that?"

"It's a long and complicated story Damon," his mother says after a few moments of silence. "Let's say.. he never accepted the fact that I chose your father."

And there it is.

Elena managed to stay with her parents for three days before telling them she's going back to her own house. They brought her to their place directly from the harbor. The Lockwood's, George's parents' Anthony and Adele came too but they reassured Elena that they understood that she needed to be with her own family. Quite honestly, Elena didn't want to stay with her parents either. She and George had their own house and she needed a break from her mother's constant hovering.

There was so much she needed to think about. Everything from making peace with and accepting George's demise. There are also attorneys for her to see regarding his estate. She doesn't know if she's the beneficiary or if his parents are. Last but not least, she has to consider what to do with her future. The only thing she knows with absolute certainty is that she wants to be with Damon.

Three days have passed since she came home. Now she's sitting in her parlor waiting for her own parents and her in laws to come for lunch. It's not something that Elena arranged, frankly she would rather have had a little more alone time but she wasn't given a choice, they simply told her that they were coming.

Anthony and Adele arrive first, all in black, just like herself. She has no reason to feel guilty, she did nothing to cause George's death, still she feels guilty, because they lost their only son. Nothing can be more painful. Together with her parents who arrive twenty minutes later they have a nice lunch. Elena tries to be a good host but there's an air of expectation that defies her comprehension.

After lunch they all retreat to the parlor for tea and coffee. Before Elena can even get comfortable in her seat, her mother sets her cup down and then her eyes bore into her daughters.

"Elena, you, is it possible, I mean, ... could you be with child?"

Elena's skin heats up and her cheeks bloom pink. What an embarrassing question and with George's parents present? She's stunned when her in laws are sitting at the edge of their seats brimming with expectation. They seem just as much if not more interested than her mother and father. She wills herself to put up with them. She doesn't look at anyone, she just answers.

"No, am not with a child. I don't understand what it does have to do..."

"Please, understand Elena," her mother continues, "Anthony and Adele.. well as you know, George was their only son.. and now they're in need of an heir as are we and if you... If there was a chance of a baby, they, all of us really wouldn't be forced to choose another option."

"What are you saying? What other option? Sorry I disappointed you but..."

"The only option now is find another man within the Lockwood family who will then take over George's responsibilities in the bank."

"I still don't understand how I...?"

Elena's father breaks in on the conversation. "Nothing changed, Elena, the union between the Lockwood family and ours is something we are all invested in. It's of highest importance that you marry Tyler Lockwood, George's cousin so the union stays untouched."

Elena can't believe what she's hearing. Intense anger begins to grow and burn out of control inside of her. Jumping to her feet, she faces her father. "Untouched? So your business gets to stay untouched but I won't? Is that what you're saying? Which of course is fine in your minds, because I'm nothing more than piece of property. You aren't even going to allow me to grieve before you throw me into bed with another man whose last name is Lockwood?"

"Elena, control yourself!" her mother interferes but Elena's too far gone, too angry to care. "I'm going to get some rest. Thank you for your visit, I hope to see you under better circumstances."

With that, she rushes upstairs, she can't think, she can't breathe, she can't believe they want to do this to her all over again.

TBC

Where do I begin to thank you all? I'm so grateful and I know Eva is too for your incredible support. I'm glad you're enjoying this little journey back in time. I can't wait to share the next one with you.

Huge thanks to you too, Eva. Your brilliance never fails to astound me in the best way. I love you my sister.

Chapter title "Nothing's Changed' by Passenger.

Please have a look at "TIWWM" and "Tomorrow". Please check out the other writers that I've mentioned before. They're all amazing people and their talent is astounding. I'm honored and humbled to be able call them and many of you my friends.

Have a lovely day. Thank you all again.