Tonight

A/N: This is a one-shot...well, technically a two-shot that kept floating around in my brain, and it just wouldn't stop. It just became something I had to try…it's a Christmastime setting. The pairing, of course, is my all-time favorite…Delena! Sorry, if you don't like it, don't read it! (:

Elena

It's Christmas Eve, and I am completely alone in my apartment. I am a nation-wide famous professional dancer, and I should not be alone right now…but I am. I flipped off the television in front of me as Damon Salvatore came across the screen. Ugh. he disgusted me. I have hated his arrogant ass for about 2 years now.

I sighed, wishing I had somewhere to be. My younger brother was married and had a family already…coincidentally, he was married to my best friend. He and Bonnie had been together for 8 years now. That was the same age as my niece, (their daughter) Margaret. She goes by Maggie though. Maggie was the reason I hated Damon so much though…but that's another story for another time.

My other best friend, Caroline, recently moved away from L.A. She left me here, and moved to Florida with her boyfriend, Tyler. His uncle lived there, and he wanted to spend some time with him before Mason passed away. He had a terminal cancer, and he knew he didn't have much time left.

My sister, Katherine Pierce, is something I try not to dwell on too much. She and I do not have the best relationship, some might say. These people are too kind. I hate her, and we have nothing to do with each other. Not since she stole Stefan from me.

I loved Stefan, and when we broke up, I never thought it would last, but then I found him in bed with her only three weeks later. Talk about a deer stuck in the headlights. Ever since then, we have not been able to be within 100 feet of each other. And you might ask why that is? Most sisters, twin sisters no less, could probably recover from such a situation in time. Well, not us. Not when the press was all over this story for months. Not when they're still together.

All of this wallowing made me depressed…I need to get out of here. I guess it wasn't such a bad thing after all, being alone, because that meant I could go to a club or a bar on Christmas Eve and there would be no one to frown at me. Bonnie and Jeremy had invited me over for Christmas, but there was no way I would've been able to make it back to Mystic Falls by the next morning, so I promised to fly in for New Year's.

I looked over my attire, happy to see that I would not have to change in order to go out. My low-cut deep red blouse clung tightly to me, as did my black designer skinny jeans. I slid on some knee high black Jimmy Choo stiletto boots and grabbed my keys and my phone. As I thought about it, I realized the club I wanted to go to was the Masquerade. They didn't allow anyone in without a mask, not even Elena Pierce.

I ran to my room and opened one of the drawers in my armoire, hoping it was still there. When I looked at the elegant black velvet mask that covered only my eyes. It wasn't very old, and I'd bought it just for the occasions when I went to this particular club.

Now I was ready. So I grabbed the mask and headed out of my luxurious apartment, not knowing what time I would be back to it. As the elevator reached the lobby, I walked out of the sliding double doors and straight to my car. You might say I had VIP parking, and you just might be right about that. I stepped into my new red Chevy Camaro and sped towards the club.

When I reached my destination, I skipped past the long line and went easily to the front. "Hey, Ric. Didn't think you'd be working tonight," I said to the guard, whom I was quite familiar with. He was dating one of my choreographer friends that I still kept in touch with, Jenna Somers.

"Elena Pierce…is that you?" he asked, hoping he wasn't wrong. I cursed my sister again for having the same face as me and plastered a smile on my face.

"Alaric Saltzman, of course it's me. Now, do I have to beg or are you going to let me through?" I asked.

"Oh, good, I was hoping you weren't your sister. Jenna is working on a project, so she couldn't be home for Christmas, and as it turns out, neither could I. You can go on through, but shouldn't you be home with your family?" he asked while unhooking the rope.

"No, I couldn't get a flight to Mystic Falls, but I'm going home for New Year's," I said, waving at him and pulling on my mask. As I entered, We R Who We R by Ke$ha came over the speakers. I smiled, remembering how only last week the artist had called me, practically begging me to star in the video for this very song.

I made my way to the bar, the bartender immediately coming to meet me for my drink order. "Bourbon on the rocks…please." I added as an afterthought. I went straight for the heavy stuff, downing three or four glasses before going to do what I did best. Dance.

The floor was crowded with many people, but I suddenly felt the need for a show. I looked around, searching for a suitable partner to dance with. Someone who was at least capable of keeping a good rhythm was hard to find though. I found it strange that so many people were here though, especially on Christmas Eve.

Suddenly I felt someone grinding on me, but I didn't feel the usual need to shove this guy the hell off of me. I danced on him as well, actually surprised that I was enjoying myself. Then, grabbing my hips, he swiveled me around as the song ended, and I noticed he was also wearing a black mask in the same shape as mine. Only his was definitely more masculine, and they made his electric-blue eyes seem even more bright.

This guy was very sexy from what I could see, and not too shabby in the dancing department, so I decided to tolerate him for the next dance. But for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew him…there was just something about him that seemed so…familiar.

The next song that came on was Tonight by Enrique Iglesias, and it was much to my surprise that my dance partner was not interested in grinding anymore. He spun me and moved me all over the dance floor, the crowd clearing out to make room for us. He was actually a splendid dancer, which surprised me. They were playing the slightly clean version of this song, and I couldn't help but think of how well it could relate to the two of us. From the sexy, all-knowing smirk of my mystery partner, I knew he was thinking the same as he dipped me.

I can't remember another time when I'd ever felt this way, because the chemistry between us was almost tangible, and I didn't even know his name. But I couldn't help but feel the tingles he gave me every time his hands came in contact with my body. I think our dancing would definitely qualify as "Dirty Dancing" and I didn't care one bit.

The song came to a close, and my partner leaned down for one last dip. I had to admit, I was panting and so was he, and the crowd that had been watching us burst into applause. I didn't want him to let go, and I was quite happy when he didn't. Instead, he pulled me over to the side and the drunk dancing picked back up again.

"That was an absolute treat. Where the hell did you learn to dance like that?" said my mystery partner. I should really ask his name…but on second thought, maybe it would be more sexy if we kept it a mystery. I almost died of laughter at his comment, though.

"It's what I do, and there's no other way to explain it," I smiled, liking the fact that his arm was still around my waist.

"Ah, it's just my luck that I get a professional dancer as my dance partner for tonight," he laughed.

I raised an eyebrow, "Does that mean you're telling me I can only dance with you for the whole night?"

"Do you honestly want to dance with anyone else? I'm probably the only one in this place with enough experience to match you…" he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Too true. Good point…now let's get something to drink." I said, pulling him by the hand towards the bar.

"Not so fast," he said, catching my hand, and I followed his eyes upwards. Mistletoe. I smiled, letting him pull me closer. I would be stupid not to let him kiss me, what with those perfectly shaped lips. Finally, the moment I'd been waiting for happened.

He pressed his lips to mine, and I don't think I had ever experienced something so magical. It was like I had been electrocuted, and all my senses were fried. The only thing I could feel was his lips on mine, and they felt too good.

When he pulled away, we were both smiling, our cheeks flushed. "What's your name, anyways?" he smirked.

"Not a chance…I say we don't tell until we're unmasked at midnight. That's a hell of a lot more mysterious and sexy than just…knowing."

"Hmm…fair enough, but what do we call each other until then?" he challenged, smirking. It was just then that I noticed how gorgeously infuriating his dimples were.

"How 'bout I just call you Sexy? I'd say it fits pretty well," I said, loving that I was the one who was smirking now. Amusement flashed through those godforsaken blue eyes. I swear, he had eyes that could make my knees give out, and I didn't even really know him. But then again, I knew his lips pretty well. Those luscious, beautiful lips.

"I have no problem with that whatsoever…I get that a lot actually, but it's never sounded so good to me…until I heard you say it. You can call me Sexy as long as I get to call you baby…deal?" he said, his eyebrows waggling suggestively. I giggled, thinking it was adorable, and nodded my permission.

"Alright sexy, let's go get some drinks now. You know, this is probably the most fun I've ever had on a Christmas Eve, when I was supposed to be alone." I admitted as he wrapped an arm around me, walking to the bar again.

"Baby, who would ever be stupid enough to leave you alone?" he smirked, but his eyes were serious. He turned to the bartender, "I guess I'll have whatever girly drink she chooses."

The bartender and I chuckled simultaneously, "You shouldn't be so quick to assume." I said, my eyes twinkling. The bartender gave me a knowing look and asked,

"Same as earlier?" I nodded, smirking when he poured two glasses of bourbon with ice. I saw the surprise clearly written all over…sexy's face and almost died of laughter.

"Wow…you sure know how to take a guy by surprise, baby." he said, clinking his glass with mine a downing it in a swallow. We drank and drank, and before long, it was 11:59.

"Good evening everyone, I hope you're all having a good time, but I would like to announce that it's nearly midnight. Which means…time for the unmasking. So, on the count of ten, everyone please remove your masks," I heard her voice slowly count down from ten, and my heart pounded in anticipation.

Finally, it was over. My hands shook as they reached upwards, and I was surprised when his hand caught mine instead of taking off his own mask.

"Wait…I just wanted to say something first," he said, and I realized just how many drinks we'd had. I wasn't hammered, but I was about two drinks away from it. So was he, I could tell.

"Me too, actually…" I admitted. Then, at the same time, we murmured,

"Just try not to freak when you recognize me." Surprise filled my eyes, as well as his, and suddenly, he kissed me for a about the twentieth time this evening. It was different this time, and there are really no good adjectives to describe it. It was almost…shy, and mid-kiss, we took off each other's masks without even bothering to open our eyes. We were so blissfully drunk.

As we broke away, our eyes popped open in anticipation and curiosity. My smile faded quickly as I saw who he was. Who I'd been kissing. Who I'd been attracted to and danced with. No way. No way in HELL.

"Damon Salvatore? NO…shit, shit, shit. Oh, no!" I groaned, panicking and shaking my head frantically. I remembered the whole night, and willed it to have just been a nightmare. I forced myself to look at him, and his eyes were filled with alarm and confusion. I took a wide step back from him as he began to speak.

"Well, my first guess was that you were Katherine, but you've been nothing like her this entire evening. Thank God for that…she's not a pretty drunk. But she would've been more than happy to see me, which you are obviously not. So you're Elena, and for some reason, you're upset…with me. Why?" he frowned.

"Uh…I…hate you…?" And I hate myself even more, because after only one night that statement sounded like a damned question. And I swore to myself if I ever got the chance to confront him that I'd tell him exactly where to go. What the hell has come over me?

"What? No you don't…I mean, we were just…Elena, why?" he asked, more confused than ever. Looking into those irresistible blue eyes that were filled with anguish, I felt guilty, but I had to snap myself out of it. "It" being the spell he's put over me this evening.

"Because, you…you're…ugh. You're an asshat!" I struggled, wishing now more than ever that I would wake up. But a BIG part of me had really enjoyed spending time with him, and didn't want this to be a dream, and that part of me was wrong.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing, and I realized how serious we'd been about this, despite how drunk we were, until then.

"Well, in that case, you can join the club, Elena. I just really thought you were different…I thought we had a connection," he shook his head, raising his glass to me. Somehow, the action seemed snarky and bitter, and it left me feeling more conflicted than ever.

"Damon, we're drunk, alone, and out at a club on Christmas. We'd have a connection with anyone," I forced myself to say, and for a reason I couldn't fathom, I regretted the words whole-heartedly as soon as they tumbled out of my mouth.

"Whatever…you know, I knew your sister was a bitch at heart, and now I've learned that you're just like her. Except, you not only surprised me, you kicked me when I'm down." Now, that hurt. His words cut through me like a knife…I'd been called names before, but no one had ever dared to compare me to my sister that way. Just as I was going to try and come up with a witty response, he surprised me again by continuing to speak,

"I'd just like to know one thing. What the hell'd I ever do to you?" he slurred.

"You hurt the one pure thing in my life," I said softly. Noticing his eyes soften and fill with confusion, I continued.

"It was about two years ago, at some red carpet event. You were there, and I was too, with my six-year-old niece Maggie. She was a big fan of yours, having seen the only Disney movie you'd ever starred in, and coincidentally her favorite movie of all time, Enchantment. So, when she saw you that night, she was completely star-struck.

"She ran right up to you, hugged you, squealed, and introduced herself. You crushed her completely…you looked at her hard for about a minute before saying, "Piss off, kid," and then you walked off. When she ran to me crying, I swore I'd never forget it. I had to pay off three different magazines not to publish the story, and I'd never felt so disgusted in my life. Worse things happened later, of course, but that's irrelevant," I finished, remembering Maggie's face. I turned to him for his reaction, and he looked horrified.

"Oh…God, Elena. I remember that…and I can actually explain, really. That was October 7th, 2008..." he said, surprising me that he remembered such a small detail so clearly. I'd been under the impression that he'd never cared about anyone and especially not a little girl who had been a huge fan.

"Ten minutes before I'd arrived that day, I'd gotten a call. It was about my best friend, Lucy (she wasn't famous). They said she'd been on her way to the premiere with her little girl Anna. She was the same age as your niece, and they'd been in an accident. Both of them were killed on impact, and I was destroyed, but as usual, I had to pretend that everything was fine in my seemingly perfect life. What people never know is how fucked up my life really is, though.

"So when your niece came running up…I couldn't handle it…she reminded me of Anna, with her smile and how energetic she was…and I snapped. I've never regretted my actions so much, but I didn't even think about it until the next day, and I knew it would be impossible to ever make it up to her. Not to mention, the day before that had happened, my Uncle Zack was put in the ICU for another suicide attempt. I'm so sorry I was a dick to your niece, and no matter how much pain I was in, there was no excuse for me to take it out on a little girl." pain flashed through his beautiful blue eyes, and I swore I saw a single tear fall from one of them.

The only thing I was able to do was say, "I was so wrong about you." I found myself sliding back off of the barstool and into his arms, pressing my face into his leather jacket covered shoulder.

Damon slowly let his arms wrap around me too, almost cautious this time, and buried his face in my hair. And at that moment, I don't think I'd ever felt anything more right in my life. Even though we were technically drunk strangers in a club on Christmas.

A/N: I have an epilogue chapter already written up, but I want to see how this is responded to before I go for it. Please review. By the way, the epilogue is about New Year's, so…let me know! I worked really hard on this, so if you don't like it, please go easy on me. I mean, tell me what was wrong with it, but say it nicely! (:

Thanks for reading,

I'mEdWaRd'SlAtUaCaNtAnTe

PS: I was thinking about changing my penname to something to do with TVD, preferrably Damon related. So if anyone has any ideas concerning that, please let me know and that would be awesome! (: