A brief apology for not posting in a long while. Had some family issues and it made getting computer access hard for some time. But! Now onto the story~!

Disclaimer! I do not own Vampire Diaries or its characters! But Alex and her story are mine, please do not use them.

Present

Damon

"So, what exactly is going on?" I asked again. Carol looked at me, fiddling with her brooch. Her office was empty but for us, a glass of brandy on her desk. She had called me an hour ago, and had played hostess until Tyler left the house for another thirty minutes. So far, she had yet to tell me what the chaos was that had forced her to call me from my sleep. And I had not been pleased to get up. Alex's damned magic had my head ringing still.

"It's...well we've found a nest. We think." A nest? Of vampires? This close to Mystic Falls...yeah, right.

"Really? How certain are you?" I questioned, crossing my arms and looking out the window. Another nest would be stupid. Vampires had heard of what happened to the last one that visited this place, and it had been nothing good.

"Extremely certain." Carol replied, running a hand through her hair before taking a sip of her brandy. "We'll be looking into it. The nest is a day's trip from here. I need you to watch the town while I'm gone." She glanced at me, her eyes betraying some worry.

Watch the town. It was probably nothing. I wasn't going to have any problems anyways. At least, no more than I had now with the witch who hadn't left my thoughts since I woke up with a killer headache. "Yeah, sure." I nodded. "Of course I'll watch the town. It's my job right?"

She smiled, taking another sip of her drink. "Right."

God it was funny how I had these people wrapped around my finger...

Alex

"Alex?!"

I didn't want to get up yet. Groaning, I buried my head in the pillows, ignoring the annoying voice that demanded I answer. "Alex?!" The pillows were pulled from my face, sunlight piercing my eyes as I swore and drew the blankets over my head. "Are ye alright?" Da' asked, concern in his voice as he gently drew back the covers. I sighed. Da', always waking me up when least opportune.

"I'm fine. Just a headache." I muttered, blinking blearily before meeting his blue gaze. "What is it Da'?" He looked excited, eyes bright and cheeks red.

"I'm going camping! With some of the council members! I have to be out there soon, but I thought I'd let you know before I left...I er...thought you'd be up by now." He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly bashful. I sighed. Wait. Camping with the Council? Why did that just sound like a bad idea?

"Da...what're you going camping for?" I asked lightly, sitting up in bed and ruffling my ratted hair. Founders didn't just camp. They hunted. And I doubted it was a camping trip for leisure. I gave him a considering look, catching the jump in his jaw and his guilty expression.

"Nothing Alex. Just a camping trip." He said, fumbling with his coat zipper. "I left money for dinners and spending out on the counter, it's only supposed to be a two day trip." He smiled easily, and instantly I knew he was hunting. A two day camping trip when rain was on the forecast for the next week? No, this was a hunt.

"Da'...I'm not feeling well at all. Could you...stay here with me please." I really was not feeling well, but three bottles of good old Jack could do that to a person. I could survive the hangover though. But a feeling was growing in my chest, cold and hard as it settled over me. "Please." I repeated, my voice suddenly small.

"Sick?" Da' settled onto the bed beside me, a hand pressed to my forehead. "Ye don't have a fever...And yer color is there..." He looked at me with concern. "Alex, I'll be back you know." That's not what my feeling was saying. I couldn't interpret it, but it felt so...Threatening.

"Da', please don't go." I caught his hand, squeezing lightly.

"I have to sweetheart." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I'll be back on Thursday and we'll spend some time alone, okay?" he smiled, touching my cheek before standing. "Go back to bed, I'll call you when we get there."

I felt helpless as he went. Oh, I could have compelled him with a spell. But, I didn't use magic on my family. Not ever. Groaning, I cradled my head and rose from bed, watching his car pull out of the drive from the window. He'll come back. I promised myself, ignoring my feelings. They had been wrong before.

Mystic Falls, 1863

"You look beautiful." Beautiful, I had heard it for months from his lips. A smile touched my own as George took my hand, kissing it softly. His eyes twinkled softly as his gaze caught mine. As bright and mirthful as always. "Do tell me you dressed especially for me today."

Of course I did. This was the eve our engagement was to be announced. I glanced down, blushing softly at his teasing. The gold taffeta and silk masterpiece was, of course, Grandmother's idea. She had chosen it, but for once one of her choices was something I too agreed with. Beautiful, oh yes I felt beautiful. Smiling tenderly, I lifted my hand from his grasp and cupped George's cheek. "Always for you, my dearest George." I teased just as softly. He chuckled and took my arm, sweeping us down the steps of the Lockwood Manor. We walked in silence, my hand slowly tightening on his arm as the ballroom doors neared. I was nervous. I knew Giuseppe had been issued invitation. I hoped with all my might that one particular Salvatore would not attend.

"It is alright, Alexandria." George whispered quietly so the footman attending the doors would not hear.

I stopped and turned to look up at him, skirts rustling. "Five minutes?" I mock pleaded.

He nodded slowly, catching my worry. "As soon as we can, I will spirit you away." His smile brightened again, inclining his head towards the door as the footman opened them. "I promise."

Benjamin Lockwood cleared his throat from the door. My soon to be father in law, the Mayor of Mystic Falls. Grandmother was so pleased with the match. I glanced at George through my lashes, catching his beaming smile as his father spoke. "Presenting, my son George Lockwood, and his fiance Alexandria Conner." He held a glass of champagne in hand. "May their marriage be a most fortunate one." The guests broke into applause and it was then that I forced myself to look at them. Dressed in their Sunday best, the residents of Mystic Falls's aristocracy politely applauded us, the young soon to be married couple. I could see Grandmother, her eyes grim and calculative.

"Come Alexandria," George rested a hand on mine as we walked through the crowd, smiling, giving thanks to the well wishers. Music played softly in the background. It was no doubt a beautiful party. Wine and sweets flowed, a few danced to the quiet lilting minuet. Grandmother made her way towards us, her attempt at a smile failing abysmally.

"Congratulations." She said crisply. As glacial and hard as always. If anything, she was pleased only with herself.

George smiled winningly. "Madame Conner, I should thank you for letting me take this woman's hand in marriage. I do not know what I would have done without her." He glanced to me, his gaze earnest. I blushed again.

Grandmother only inclined her head. "Of course. Oh, Alexandria, have you said hullo to Giuseppe yet?" At his name, the head of the Salvatore family turned from where he was speaking with Aaron Helms.

His smile was genuine, and it was a stake through my heart. "Alexandria. Why, you are stunning tonight." He took my head, kissing it as George had earlier. There was some sadness in his gaze. At one time, we had both thought it would be he, and not Benjamin Lockwood to be announcing a marriage.

"Thank you Master Salvatore." I smiled lightly, slipping my hand from his. "And how is your family now?" I asked politely.

"Well." he added, nodding towards the crowd. "Stefan is here to wish you well." Giuseppe added lightly. He said nothing of Damon. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I thank you both for attending." Inclining my head, I allowed George to steal me away. The music changed to a waltz, slow and sweet. He drew me into his arms, the dance taking us away for a moment.

"Are you truly well, Alexandria?" he asked softly. Was it evident in my expression that I was pained?

"I am." I answered, brushing aside the worry that plagued me.

Or rather, I was, until a commotion at the door sounded, drawing all eyes. My heart plummeted as the doors opened and Damon walked in, the pariah of Mystic Falls on his arm. Could he not allow me to be happy? Could he not stay away? "George..." I whispered quietly as Damon and Katherine caught sight of us and walked through the guests, they parted for them like the Red Sea.

"Alexandria." Damon took my hand and kissed it. A burning sensation touched my skin through the silk glove. "You look lovely." He grinned, eyes on mine. I could smell the brandy on him. He sauntered, his eyes were red. He had been drinking.

"Thank you." I whispered coldly, my hand leaving his grasp. Katherine smiled coldly from his arm.

"George, you are truly lucky to have her." Damon grinned, offering George his hand. My fiance took it, his jaw hard. George knew as well as I did what he had done to me. He knew also, the gossip that had spread like wildfire after Katherine had come to the town. My heart fell. It was an insult, to myself and George. An insult, and a heavy blow.

"Thank you, Damon. Katherine." He nodded to the woman, his smile brittle. "If you will excuse us, I promised Alexandria a walk about the gardens before the toasts."

Oh thank the Lord. George led us away, the crowd breaking into gossip as we stepped through the French doors of the ballroom and out into the gardens. We walked in silence until a copse of trees hid us from the eyes of curious onlookers. His arms wrapped around me, chin resting atop my head. "It is alright Alexandria. You can cry. It is alright to cry."

Present

I could cry. Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair, glancing in the mirror at the red eyes that plagued me. I so felt the need to cry right now. George had always held me, always whispered that it was alright. A weakness, I had always thought it was one. Whether it was for Damon, or the gossip, or the demands of my Grandmother, he would whisper softly. It is alright. I had always felt guilt when I cried for Damon. When I missed him.

I missed him now, too. I missed him and I hated him for it, as I tugged the brush angrily through my hair. It was obvious that I needed a personal shrink. Something in me was damned messed up. Resolved to fix my hangover and then deal with my issues, I stomped downstairs and downed aspirin like it was candy, glaring out the kitchen window.

Was Damon going on the hunt too? If he came back, and Da' didn't... A knock came from the door. Perfect. Company. Muttering obscenities, I stalked to the front door, my stomach tightening as a familiar scent touched my nose. What was it? Opening the door, I blinked at the tall dark and handsome that was waiting there. "Can I help you?" I arched a brow. This was not the day for company.

"Yeah." the guy smiled a bit. "My mom voluntold me to come over and pick up Conner family heirlooms for the town museum. Your dad said something about an attic when I called last night..." He ran a hand through his hair, glancing over me into the house. "I'm Tyler Lockwood." he added. Instantly I knew what the smell was. Wet dog... Da' really needed to stop inviting monsters into the house.

And, that's that for this chapter~ Soon there'll be some oodles of drama, a bit of violence, and some crying. Always fun!

Theme Song:

"Final Destination"- Within Temptation

"Reset"- Mutemath

"The Reason"- Hoobastank