Disclosure, I do not own Vampire Diaries or any characters.
Elena stood outside the doors of the Klaus's large mansion channeling her bravery. She knew Damon would be angry with her for showing up here but Ester had invited her not him. She listened to the noise of people talking and the soft music playing and contemplated turning around and going home. She had to find out what Ester was planning. She took a deep breath and smoothed out her dress before she opened the doors. A few heads were turned by her appearance and she felt totally uncomfortable. As she gazed around the room looking at all the people in beautiful gowns and tuxedoes her eyes met Elijah's. He gave her a warm smile and nodded his head politely. She took a few steps to go speak with him when she was met instead by a pair of piercing blue eyes.
"Hi Damon." She said quietly.
"Elena? No! What are you doing here?" He looked angry.
"I was the one who was invited, you stole my invitation." She replied coldly and crossed her arms. He grabbed her arm and tried to turn her around back out the door but she wasn't having it. She twisted her arm out of his grasp and took a few steps away. "I'm not leaving Damon."
"You're not even supposed to be here. You're being and idiot now let's go." He tried to grab her again but this time someone intervened.
"Stefan!" Elena hadn't expected him to stop Damon. She knew he wasn't happy with her either but at least he wouldn't make her leave.
"I told you she'd show up." He said totally ignoring Elena. Stefan looked pleased with himself. The two started arguing with themselves and Elena felt like she would explode. She rolled her eyes and stormed off leaving the two of them acting like children. She hated it when they put her directly in the middle of their fighting. Neither of them had even realized she walked away.
She felt anxious as she made her way through the crowd trying to find any familiar face that wasn't Stefan or Damon. She knew she cared deeply about them both but she knew she would never be truly happy with either. They needed each other more than they needed her and she had to let them go.
As she wandered around she grew increasingly nervous and could feel her own heart begin racing. She was scared being alone at this huge party, angry at Stefan and Damon for not letting her make her own decisions, worried about Jeremy and Ric and all the emotions crashed within her at once and she couldn't take it. Just as she felt like she would pass out from all the stress she felt a strong hand on her shoulder and jumped slightly.
"Are you alright Elena?" Elena turned at the sound of Elijah's voice. He smiled at her and she knew he could hear her heart racing as fast as it possibly could. Elena wasn't sure if it was because she was afraid of him or if it was something else. She returned his smile with a genuine smile of her own and began to calm down.
"I'm fine, thank you." She tried to sound as brave as she could but she had to admit to herself that Elijah made her very nervous. She knew he had never wanted to hurt her but she always kept her guard up around him so she took a step back.
"You're lying to me." He said with complete confidence. She glanced around the room quickly and noticed Stefan and Damon had finally started looking for her.
"Maybe just a little." Her stomach felt like it was doing back flips. Elijah turned to see what she had been looking at and noticed the Salvatore brothers. He could tell from the pained expression on Elena's face that she didn't want them to bother her so he moved to block their view of her.
"Normally I would be offended by anyone lying to me but I believe in your case I can make an exception." He stepped towards her, there was a table behind her from preventing her from retreating any further. "I'm guessing the Salvatore's are making feel you anxious?" He questioned. She only nodded at his question worrying that if she tried to speak she might throw up involuntarily. "We are about to have the first dance of the evening." Elijah stated. "I would honored if I might share it with you." Her heart fluttered around in her chest and was pounding loudly and Elijah smirked. She opened her mouth to answer him but no words would come out. He realized that she was very uncomfortable and offered his arm to her instead of asking again. She took it without hesitation.
Elijah walked her over to the bottom of the staircase and spoke softly to her. "I have to make the announcement for the dance." Elena was disappointed as his arm dropped so he could walk up the staircase and make his speech. His voice was mesmerizing and Elena couldn't take her eyes off him as he spoke. It seemed like forever until he was again standing by her side offering his arm. "Ready?" He asked. She was at a complete loss for words and all he did was smile and led her to the dance floor.
The music started to play and it was beautiful. Elijah was beyond graceful as he danced with Elena. The two of them were completely in sync. Elena still couldn't take her eyes him. He was constantly scanning the room but his eyes always found their way back to Elena's. He looked happy and she was completely at ease with him in this moment. "Thank you." She finally mustered up some courage to speak.
"For what?" Elijah was confused. He hadn't done anything.
"I know you only asked me to dance to keep Stefan and Damon away. Thank you." Her eyes were sad but Elijah just smiled.
"Elena. I admit I have never cared for either of the Salvatore's but I would be lying if I told you that your distress was the only reason I asked you to dance." It was her turn to be confused. "You look absolutely beautiful." He whispered in her ear and he could hear Elena's heart actually skip a beat at his compliment. He looked around and noticed they were about to switch partners. "Get ready." He said and twirled her away into her new partner. Damon.
"And just where have you been hiding?" As if he didn't already know glaring at Elijah.
"Elijah asked me to dance." She was trying to keep her conversation with Damon to a minimum for fear he would do something rash as he so often did.
"I don't trust him Elena and you shouldn't either." He stated
"Why is that?" She asked.
"Um, did you forget the fact that he made sure that both you and Jenna died for nothing?" He snarled trying to keep his voice down.
"No. But I also know he did it to save his family. I would have done the same for Jeremy and you would have done the same for Stefan. You need to let it go. I have." She found it odd that she was so strongly defending Elijah's actions. She herself had been heartbroken at the events of the sacrifice ritual but she knew she would have acted no differently if the roles had been reversed. He hadn't done it to hurt her.
"And did you forget about the part where he lied to you and told you that you would be safe knowing he was planning on sacrificing you at the ritual in the first place? He was going to let you walk into that ritual and die and you wouldn't even have known!" His voice was angry but still quiet.
"He never lied to me about it Damon." She was met with Damon's fist knocking into her forehead. "Hey!" She swatted his hand away.
"Elena wake up. He is not your friend. You need to listen to me or you're going to wind up dead again! You're being stupid." It was like fire was pouring from Damon's mouth with every word he spoke.
"Damon. He didn't lie to me. I knew the deal I had made with him and I knew exactly what I was agreeing to. He never promised me I wouldn't get hurt." She was trying to remain calm.
"Jenna died Elena. John died. You died." His grip was tightening on her and it actually hurt a little.
"Jenna died because we rescued Caroline. John died because you forced me to drink your blood. I was going to die no matter what. No matter what choice I made I was going to lose someone I cared about. Elijah did what he had to do to reunite his family and I respect that. Why did you do it?"
"Elena, I only did that because I love you!" He declared.
"Well maybe that's the problem!" Her words tasted like venom leaving her mouth. "You're so caught up in trying to keep me safe that you would let everyone I care about die. You're selfish and you never listen to me!" Maybe she was too harsh but he was just so aggravating. Damon was now beyond angry and her eyes started to water and she was suddenly shuffled back to Elijah. She held back her tears and he held here by the waist.
"I never realized how highly you thought of me." Elena was embarrassed at the realization he had been listening the entire time. "I must say I admire you. You have a tremendous capacity for forgiveness." Her eyes became dazed and she wasn't sure what to say. "Are you okay?" He wanted to make her feel comfortable again.
"I feel like I'm being torn apart." If Elijah hadn't know it was an impossibility he would have sworn he could feel her heart break in two that very moment. He had always considered himself a noble man but Elena Gilbert put even his honor to shame. A single tear rolled down her cheek and he drew her in closer and used his thumb to wipe it away. She trembled slightly at his touch but didn't make any move to stop him. If he had is way Elena would be his and he would ensure she would never feel like this again. The Salvatore's were fools for all they continued to put her through. It took a moment for Elena to realize they were no longer dancing but just standing there.
"Elena, you are the most compassionate person I have ever met. Don't let those boys dull your shine." He used emphasis on the word boys. Elena appreciated Elijah's kind words but she couldn't stand hurting anybody and tonight she had really hurt Damon. Elijah lifted her chin so he looked into her now reddened eyes. The look on her face made him angry. "I never did apologize to you. I know both you and your Aunt were hurt in the ritual…" He wasn't sure if he could continue. "I had no intention of letting you die and if I had known I would never have let Niklaus kill Jenna." Elena knew his words were sincere. After all, he had offered her the potion to bring her back. He obviously cared about her and would never deliberately hurt her.
"I know that Elijah. I was so angry at first but then I had to stop and think. If the roles had been reversed I would have done the same to save Jeremy. If I had the chance to bring my family back I would do it in a heartbeat. I don't blame you for anything." Elijah smiled. "I am glad you got your family back." They both glanced around the room for his siblings. Klaus was dancing with Caroline. He was obviously trying to be suave and Caroline was trying to ignore him. Kol was tormenting Rebekah as she was trying to focus on her dance with Matt and Finn was standing on the staircase right by their mother's side.
Ester. Elena finally remembered the reason she was here. Ester had sent her an invitation asking to meet with her in private.
"Elijah. I have to tell you something." Her eyes were full of concern.
"My mother wishes to speak with you. I'm aware." He stiffened at his own statement.
"You are?" She asked as she noticed the change in his composure. Elijah glanced around for a moment then grabbed Elena and whisked her away to a back hallway where they were alone.
"Elena, I don't want to take advantage of the situation at hand but I'm skeptical of my mother's intentions towards Niklaus." Elena nodded in understanding. "Please don't think me rude for asking but can I rely on you to tell me what she says?" Elena contemplated for a moment. She knew in her heart she didn't want any harm to come to Elijah and losing his brother would be devastating. She remembered what it felt like watching Damon snap Jeremy's neck. A sudden realization hit Elena like a tidal wave. This was probably the only reason Elijah was being so nice to her.
"Yes." There was no deceit in her answer. "But if that was all you wanted from me you could have just asked instead of the whole dancing charade and pretending to be nice." She held her arms defensively close to her body and stared at her feet and started to leave. Elijah pulled per close to him and backed her into the wall one hand on either side of her head. He didn't say anything for a moment and just looked her up and down carefully. She rested her hands against the wall desperately wishing she could disappear into it. She was all too aware of how alone they were.
"Elena, believe me when I tell you this was no charade. I care about you very much." He stepped closer and cupped her face so she couldn't look away from him and her heart was going crazy again. He realized what she must have thought about him at this moment, he was just trying to use her just like everyone else but it really wasn't the case. "I understand completely that after everything my family has put you through you owe me no loyalty."
"What, are you trying to make another deal?" Elena rolled her eyes making him move even closer so their bodies were touching.
"No. No more deals. I am simply asking you as a man who cares for his family. I hope you will help me but I won't blame you if you don't and I will not hold it against you." He stared hard at her. Elena knew in that moment that Elijah was not simply looking at her. If was almost as if he was seeing directly into her soul. She wondered for a moment if he could see all her darkest thoughts. Neither of them made a move and stood there taking each other in. Elijah knew he had said the right words as Elena smiled and her heartbeat started to relax. She closed her eyes for a minute and Elijah just watched her as she breathed. "Please." Elena opened her eyes completely caught off guard. He had every advantage right now and yet he didn't use it. He really was just asking her. He moved both his hands to her waist, Elena was embarrassed but she admitted to herself she liked Elijah.
"Excuse me. Miss Gilbert?" Elijah released Elena and they both turned their heads to see Finn. "My mother was hoping you would have a word with her." Elena took a deep breath.
"Of course." She turned her attention back to Elijah. He wrapped his arm around her and led her back to the ballroom and headed to the stairs. Elijah's hand trailed down her entire arm before he caught her hand and squeezed it lightly. She turned back to look at him. "I'll be back." She touched his shoulder lightly with her free hand making Elijah smile.
"I'll be waiting for you." He was hesitant to let her go but he could see his mother's expression and slowly released her. He watched as she slowly ascended the stairs and greeted his mother. She took one last look back at him before she was completely gone from sight. He swore he would never fall for another doppelganger but something was so enchanting about Elena Gilbert. She shared the face with two women he had loved but their similarities were only skin deep.