Disclaimer! I do not own Vampire Diaries or its characters. But Alexandria and her story are mine. Plase do not 'borrow' them!
Present
Alex
It was quiet in the house when I arrived. "Da?" I called, making my way towards the kitchen. A note was taped to the fridge, written in Da's neat hand.
"Alex,
Gone to Carol's. Big meeting at the Lockwood's. See you at supper.
-Dad"
Perfect. A Founder's meeting, likely their induction of him to the Council no one was supposed to know about. At least he should be safe from the vampires. Tiredly, I headed to the parlor and poured a glass of scotch. I'd given up on following drinking laws after living in the twenties. Settling into a recliner, I gave a quiet groan. Now, the twenties. Those had been some fun. Mafia running about, emigration to America, and the Flappers! Oh, I'd wanted to be a Flapper Girl. That of course, had not been respectable for a good Catholic girl. It had been nice in that era. There had never been thoughts about Damon, I was innocent of my memories for the longest time.
The alcohol burned a trail down my throat, burning away some tension. A headache was brewing behind my eyes, the sort that hailed from an oncoming storm. An autumn storm. My lips quirked up into a half smile, decanter frozen at my lips. Autumn storms were the bringers of chaos and the dying season to come. I almost could have laughed. Fate's humor was dry as ever.
Damon
The Founders had gathered at the Lockwood's again. Tyler was out, and Carol seem excited to be bringing in the Conner family back into the fold. Around the oak table, jokingly termed the 'Round Table', members were chatting quietly. "Damon, late? That's not like you." Carol smiled as I entered.
I returned her greeting with a swift flash of a grin. "Had a prior engagement."
Her eyes sparked at that, interest clear. "Oh yes, with Alexandria right? Michael said you were giving her a tour."
"Uhm hm." Was my reply as I settled into a seat not far from John Gilbert's. The door opened and in walked Alex's father. I wondered if he knew about is daughter, or about me. Judging by the look on his face, the answer was no. He looked shell shocked and smelled of confusion, eyes flickering back to Carol constantly. She must have told him already.
"Welcome to the Council." John smiled—his usual sharp look cutting through Michael's wary mask. The rest of the Council began to greet him as one of their own, while my thoughts were a hundred years away.
Mystic Falls, 1862
Katherine remained at the manor house the first few weeks of her arrival. Her presence was a mystery in town, and it was I alone who knew more than the whispered gossip. I would spend all my days with her, but father's anger at my leaving the army had boiled over and driven me from the house. I needed the escape.
The town had not changed over the past few years. Still the shops bustled with their chattering folks, key on gossip and goods. Eyes followed me as I strolled. I smirked. And then, a high, lofty laugh—familiar and sweet, caught my ear. I turned and caught sight of Alexandria, smiling on the arm of George Lockwood. I could not help it, I stared. She looked happy, cheeks pink and eyes twinkling. George chuckled alongside her, his arm twined through hers. A sudden surge of jealousy through me. Her eyes passed over me, and for a moment she looked as if to stop. But she didn't, the familiar emerald gaze dimmed and continued on, speaking quietly with George.
Present
I had returned home to Katherine that night, and for months Alexandria remained far from my thoughts. I had to feel guilty for it now?!
"Damon?"
I blinked, the reverie broken as Michael stepped over to me with an uneasy smile. "Welcome to the Council Michael." I smiled, automatic.
He chuckled, running a hand through his sandy hair. "Thank ye." His clear blue eyes settled on me, keen and kind. I liked Michael, he wasn't as stuffy as the other Founders. He knew how to laugh. "How did th' tour go?"
Terrible. "Great. Grabbed some coffee and walked around town." I lied.
He looked relieved. "Good, I was hoping you'd hit it off. Something told me you might. And she needs a friend."
God…Michael looked so hopeful. He had to be innocent. Ridiculously so. My smile wasn't as easy this time. If only he knew just how well we had hit off…and then how well we had fallen apart. "Yeah, I'd be glad to help her out anytime."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that."
Oh yeah. Completely.
Alex
"Alex?!"
"Mphf!" I rolled from the couch and came face to face with the floor. "Ow…" I muttered, gingerly picking myself up from the floor just as Da' entered the den.
"What did ye do?" he guffawed, chuckling and running a hand through his russet hair.
"Just…you know…taking a nap." Jet lag still hadn't faded, thanks to the sleepless nights I've been having. "How'd your meeting go?"
"It was good." He smiled, rubbing his neck as he made a move towards the liquor cabinet. "Damon said the tour went well." He added nonchalantly.
I froze. Damon, on the Council? A vampire on the Council?! "He did?" I asked carefully, hiding the surprise that had to have been clear on my face moments ago.
"Uhm hm." Da' nodded, sipping at his brandy. "Said he showed you around the town an' a quaint little clearing."
The clearing? He hadn't shown me the…I looked at Da', really looked at him, and saw the dim look in his eyes and the dazed way he moved. "He did?" I repeated.
"O' course he did. Said it was a right pretty place. Said he found it a long time ago an' that you should meet him there." Da' went on, smiling bemusedly. His eyes were dilated, and he might be acting normal, but Da' never drank brandy. He was a Jack man, always. My gaze narrowed. Compulsion. I should have expected it, but the Council ought to have been sage from vampires.
"I guess I'll just go meet him then. Get some sleep Da'." I smiled at him and kissed his cheek while the anger began to brew. Damon was messing around where he shouldn't.
It was going to get him killed.
Thus concludes this chapter! Next up, some fights and angst, dreams and nightmares, and more!
Theme Song:
"Better That We Break" – Maroon Five