AN: What do you guys think so far? I'm trying to loosely follow the Beauty & the Beast storyline. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading as always. Note that I am not discontinuing my other stories just because I have started to write this one. I plan on just juggling a few at a time.

Beauty and the Vampire

Chapter 1

The smell of fresh brewing coffee filled her home and the sound of chirping birds echoed through her room. A draft of spring air swirled and swayed through her open window rustling every thing in its sight. Elena rolled over feeling the welcoming of the first day of a new season.

She spread her arms and legs to stretch feeling the energy and strength build up in her. Today was a new day. Sitting up she took in a deep breath letting the familiar scents satisfy her. A smile graced her sleepy face and she threw herself out of her bed and into her closet.

A rainbow assortment of clothes filled it. She dragged her fingers across each and every one of them until her eyes were set on one, a blue sundress that she adored. Beyond its attraction, there was sentimental value. It had belonged to her late mother in her teenage years. It was a vintage piece that she occasionally wore on days like these.

Elena tore the dress from its hanger and pulled it over her head. Tying her hair into a low ponytail, she found matching flats and made her way down the stairs.

The coffee was a lot stronger downstairs and she stopped in the kitchen seeing the pot brewing. Half full and stains of residue marked the counter. It had already been touched, but there was no one in sight. Elena looked around puzzle and sighed. She walked toward the slightly cracked door that led to her basement. Down there she knew she would find who she was looking for.

"Hello?" She called out stepping down the wooden decaying steps. One day she knew she would no longer be able to go down here. The place needed some love and care, but that required money and the flow on income wasn't heavy.

A loud crash boomed and she felt it in her chest. Her feet skipped down the stairs and she found a smoke of dust hanging in the air.

"You alright?" She yelled waving her hand in front of her face.

Coughing ensued and a dirty man stepped out into view. His clothes were covered in the same sort of black muck and his hair was wild. Large goggles protected his eyes and face and he withdrew them.

"Fine." He replied coughing shortly. "Just a little mishap is all. I'll get it next time."

Her shoulders fell and she half crookedly smiled at him.

His name was Alaric Saltzman. He was a beloved professor of the community or at least was. As a little girl, her mother had passed too soon. She was left with nothing but her loving father. He meant the world to her and when his time on Earth had come suddenly she was left heartbroken. Orphaned and miserable, her father's closest friend decided to take her under his wing. She was thankful for what he had done, but there were consequences. The death of his friend, her father had been even too much for him. He had lost his job and according to the community lost his mind with it. Elena did not view him as crazy though. Deep down he was loving and a tender man. He may have had some odd characteristics and his determination in his newfound hobby of building dangerous contraptions should have disturbed her, but it didn't. She always liked to see the good in people.

"I'm going into town." She said brushing any dirt from her dress.

"I'll be here if you need me." Alaric responded eyeing his cluster of materials.

"Do you need anything?" She asked knowing his response.

"No." He sighed. "All I need is to know that you are happy and safe and maybe a glass of bourbon for inspiration."

"Top shelf." Elena pointed and shook her head.

He wasn't a drunk, but he did enjoy his glass of bourbon. His claims that the dark liquid inspired him to continue on with his work almost sounded like a border lining alcoholic, but she knew he wasn't. Never a day in her life had she seen him in a drunken daze. One glass downed in one gulp was all he ever had and then it was back to building.

"I'll be back." She told him and rushed back up stairs before she had the chance to be covered in more dust and smoke.

The world outside was a mysterious one. She always enjoyed not knowing what would lie ahead. As she let the warm air touch her skin, she made her short walk into town.

The tiny stands of different fresh foods were set up on the streets and people were buzzing around them. She loved the first day of spring because it meant the town had finally come back to life after a long, cold winter.

Despite the delicious smells, she had her mind set on one destination; the book shop. It was on the corner and highly overlooked. The attendant knew her by her first name and she was regular. The chiming bell above the door signaled her arrival and she saw the head poke out.

"Elena!" His voice sang.

"Hello Elijah." She waved and instantly was drawn to a stack of books.

Her fingers touched the aged pages and the tattered spines. She flipped through them and read the authors and titles. Most of the books she had read once before. She couldn't get enough.

"What are you looking for today?" He asked.

Elijah was a friendly man. He had grown quite fond of her. She was the only one in town that appreciated his collection as much as he did.

"Just looking." She shrugged and pulled a book from the shelf.

"As you always are." Elijah responded and placed his hands behind his back. He peered over her shoulder and chuckled. "You seem to be drawn to that one. You look at every time you're here."

"It's my favorite." Elena confessed gripping the edges.

"If you love it so much, then you can have it." He said and she whipped around shocked pressing the book to her chest.

"I can't take this." She replied.

"You've read it so many times it's practically yours." His voice was full of life. "I insist."

A smile sprung upon her face and she hugged him. "Thank you." She turned the book over and examined it. A book she could finally call her own. Usually Elijah leant them to her knowing she was from little money. Now she could add to her small collection at home.

Leaving the shop, she walked upbeat and smelling the baked bread and different spices. She waved to the familiar faces and she looked back down at her book again.

Eager to get home and read, she couldn't help but open the book. Her eyes fluttered over the words and soon she was walking aimlessly through the streets drowning in her favorite book.

"Excuse me miss." A tall man bellowed as she bumped into him.

"I'm sorry…" She cried out and then her sentence fell as she recognized the man. "Stefan."

"Elena." His smile was wide and his eyes were dark. She took a step away from him and bowed her head. "Who would have known I run into you today?"

He was repulsive. Stefan was crazy about her and he made it known to everyone that he had his eyes set on her. Her unfortunate run in was no coincidence. Every year on the first day of spring he tried to attempt to swoon and sway her with his good looks, but it always failed.

All the girls in town adored him and loathed her. They wished Stefan looked at them the same way he looked at her. She would gladly give up the title of future Mrs. Stefan any day to those women who watched from a distance.

His cocky and strong personality made her sick. He was a handsome man, but she didn't see him as a desire like he did. The way he flashed his smile thinking she was going to melt made her want to laugh.

"Why don't you join me for a delicious lunch?" He suggested putting his arm around her shoulders. "How about you and I talk about life, us. You know you would make a wonderful house wife."

Rolling her eyes, Elena bent down to get out of his grasp. He was so blunt and disgusting. "You always know how to charm a girl, Stefan." She sarcastically stated.

"Come on." He whined. "You know we would make the most beautiful couple in town. Every one is rooting for us. What do you say?"

"I say you're utterly and completely insane." She laughed. An opportunity had struck her to lose him. A large car was being pushed down the street and coming her way. She stepped back as it passed and ran behind the food stands.

"Elena?" Stefan called out looking for her.

Hiding behind the bread cart, she watched him spin around looking confused. He wasn't very smart and it wouldn't take long before he would stomp off defeated. It made her shake her head with amazement that he never got the hint that she wasn't interested.

Once he walked off and was out of sight, she felt it was safe to return to the streets. She held the book closely to her chest and made her way home. There she would put a good distance between her and Stefan.

Her mind wrapped around the idea of her marrying Stefan and being stuck in this town for the rest of her life. She couldn't do it. The thought of going somewhere new and living a life that was fulfilled with opportunities made her hopeful. It was her dream to leave and have more than what she currently obtained. She wanted change.

With time that dream would come. For now though, she had to return back to her daily life that she lived.

As she entered her home and placed the book on the table near the door, she knew she needed to check up on Alaric. She was always scared he was going to hurt himself and not be able to get help when she left him like this.

A note on the door to the basement stopped her and she read it.

Gone to find more materials and firewood in the woods. Be back soon.

Alaric

Elena ripped the note off the door and held it in her hands. The house sounded odd without the noise coming from the basement, but it wasn't a first. It was rare, but she saw it as a good time to read; peace and quiet for once.

Picking up the book, she fell onto the couch and soon she was captivated by the story. Her mind filled with images of the descriptions and scenes. It wasn't until she felt her head bobbing that she realized it was getting late. She had spent nearly her whole day reading this book. Putting it down, she sat up and became worried.

Where was he?

It had been a long time since he had gone out and she knew it wouldn't take this long to gather what he needed. She looked out the window to see if his car was in the driveway, but it wasn't. Something was wrong.

The car keys belonging to her Dad's old truck hung by the door. She didn't drive it much unless it was an emergency and she viewed this situation as one.

Hopping into the car, it roared to life. She pulled out of the driveway and drove the opposite way of town. The woods were not too far from here, but she knew night was lurking and she couldn't risk being out there by herself searching for him.

She had to find him though.