'Shall we?' Elena asked as she held out her arm to Stefan who seemed to be looking very pleased with himself at the moment and then she glanced over at Damon. He wasn't looking too thrilled to be allowing Stefan to escort her into the ball. She couldn't choose and now she fully understood Katherine but not the way she went about it. They began to move forward into the large room and they got only but a few steps before someone stopped them in their tracks.
'Katherine. I see you still have the Salvatore boys wrapped around your finger.'
Elena was oblivious to who this was and she couldn't help but glance at both Damon and Stefan, which to her surprise were just as confused. She looked back at the stranger and smiled slightly.
'I'm Elena. Elena Gilbert. Katherine's doppelganger.'
Elena lowered her gaze and stared at the ground, a range of emotions passing over her features; guilt, confusion, anger, and pain. She just got here and she could feel the bodice of her dress beginning to restrict the air from getting to her lungs but it wasn't the dress that caused this to happen. All she wanted was to be nothing like her ancestor, to choose but she couldn't hurt either of them and that was killing her inside.
~/~
He watched her walk in and his breath instantaneously ceased to function but then he saw her face change when that person approached them and from what he gathered, they called her Katherine. She had both Salvatore brothers on each arm and her hair was perfectly twisted into curls. She was the exact copy of the vampire but she was nothing like her personality wise. She was pure and she was what made humanity beautiful.
Before he knew what he was doing, he was in front of the threesome and smiling charmingly at them, his gaze going directly to Elena causing her own to flick over to him and her expression change from a polite smile to one of shock and surprise. He would have taken her hand and placed a kiss on her gloved hand but they were currently being held in a death grip by Stefan and Damon. Neither of them even feigned surprise at his arrival.
'Hello there.'
~/~
Elena's eyes widened and she couldn't help but stare at the man that was in front of her. She took him in from head to toe then smiled. She thought that he was daggered and yet here he stood in front of her, looking so dashing and charming and the smile that crossed his lips made her heart flutter. She didn't even notice when the person awkwardly cleared their throat and excused themselves.
'Elijah. You got a haircut.'
'Indeed, I did. Sometimes change is good.'
She nodded her head then watched as Elijah looked at Stefan and Damon, asking them both if she could momentarily steal her away for a quick drink. Stefan eyed him but Damon just shrugged and walked off to find himself a drink, making sure to make it clear before leaving that he would return.
'Fret not, Stefan. My intentions are honourable, all I wish to do is catch up on things I missed.'
'I will be watching.' Stefan said before walking off to go find Klaus with a added shrug to show that he really could care less.
~/~
Elijah couldn't take his eyes off her; her cheeks were rosy and she smelled divine. He place his hand on the small of her back and lead them deeper into the luxurious room. He remembered watching his brother kill her and she didn't struggle in the slightest. She was such a strong young woman and he admired her greatly. He stopped and waited as he heard a waiter approach near them.
'Would you like a drink, Elena?'
'Yes, please.'
He took his hand away from her back, trying not to frown at the lack of heat against his skin; the heat that came off Elena's skin from just a mere touch of his hand. He turned to face her and handed her a flute of champagne. They slowly clinked their glasses and then he watched as she took a generous gulp of the liquid.
'Is everything alright?'
~/~
Elena couldn't help but blush, the warmth spreading through her cheeks and going down her neck; her hand going to rest on her chest. She couldn't hide from Elijah because he seemed to have an understanding of her, and he knew more things then she could imagine. She let the facade fall and she let her shoulders droop. Her eyes searched Elijah's face and she felt at ease instantly. His handsome features were full of concern. He was in front of her in seconds, his flute out of his hand. Her breath hitched and her eyebrows knit, then she lowered her voice as much as was humanly possible.
'I'm tired, Elijah. Tired of trying to choose the right person and trying so hard not to be Katherine. I...I can't do this anymore. I just can't hurt either of them but yet being with them both is ruining things worse than if I chose just one. I wish I knew what to do.'
She let out a heavy sigh as she tried to keep the tears from welling in her eyes. Her confession causing her so feel so weary and much older than her eighteen years. She shouldn't have to deal with this at such a young age. She closed her eyes for a quick second then felt arms encircle her waist then a soothing hand running up and down her back. It was an involuntary move when she rested her head against the Original's chest and gripped the lapels of his jacket. She felt his breath fan over her ear when he leaned forward to whisper.
'Run away with me, Elena. There is so much I can show you. Usually I am not one to run but this is a extraordinary case and I will allow it this time.'
She raised her head and was greeted with the warmth of his chromatic eyes. It caused heat to spread throughout her body and she felt him move them into a more private area. His hand raised from her back to smooth over her hair and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Her head swam and she was having trouble deciding what to do. She never thought Elijah could be the one she ran away but there was something about him that made her feel at ease, made her feel safe and protected. She finally got him back after so long and she wouldn't let him go for as long as she could.
The thought of Damon and Stefan crossed her mind but the thought of them brought her pain; she wouldn't be the cause of their riff because in the end the love of a brother is the strongest bond you can have. She also knew that none of Elijah's brother's wanted her. Well, except Klaus but he just wanted her blood. She knew what her answer was and it came out in the faintest of whispers.
'Yes.'
Before she could blink, Elijah had Elena in his arms and they disappeared from the party and away from the chaos that was bound to ensue.