The Big City

Damon sat as he watched the people danced. Everyone was having a good time especially while listening to famous jazz songs, indulging on booze, and cigarettes. The ladies wore decent dresses while there are of course – the flappers, wearing their ever famous and in trend fringe dresses in different colors. Not to mention their head dresses which consists of headbands, feathers, small hats, etc. Damon, together with the men, wore their stylish suits for parties out in the city. He wore his tuxedo that had tails on the back, and his hair was slicked back with pomade.

He sat on a leather bench that was circling around a round table on a corner for him to have privacy. Not that he'd rather be alone, but the place was packed, this was the only place where he can just sit back and watch. Of course, he wouldn't enjoy this if he doesn't have some scotch with him now, would he?

"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here with you?" A voice intruded his thoughts as his eyes drew upwards – away from the dance floor – and saw a girl's face. She was a flapper, obviously. Just by the way her hair was cut – in a short bob that's definitely in trend right now – and her headband had silver feathers on them matching her silver belted frock. He managed to make a smirk as he gave a small nod.

"Of course," He said. The girl then happily scooted over, and settled a few feet away from him. He then took his glass of scotch and sipped. The girl then had a long cigarette filter and started lighting her cigarette. Once she was successful, she then blew smoke. He arched his eyebrows as he put the glass back and watched the people again. Now, this was easy. He was actually looking for some victims tonight, and apparently, this flapper just came in, as if giving herself away to him. Like, he's got food all on a silver platter.

"I'm sorry if I bothered you, it's just that the place is packed with people, and the others were full too. Yours was the only one empty." She breathed as she smiled at him. He smiled back as he sat up straight.

"It's alright," He said. She then dragged and blew again after a few moments. The waiter was going around and gave her a glass of cocktail. She then gave him a nod and mumbled her thanks.

"You're Damon Salvatore right?" She asked, turning back to him. He looked at her. Now, how did she know his name? Well, he shouldn't be surprised. He's here every night searching for more preys. And apparently, this was not the first time he has seen this girl at all.

"Yes" He said, smiling wide now. "And you are?"

"Sarah Astor" She smiled as she stuck out a hand for him to shake. He took out his hand and shook it. Once he felt their skin touch, he felt her pulse racing. She was excited, and she couldn't hide it even though she was trying to play it cool. They then withdrew each other's hands. "I see you here most of the time; I just cannot help but introduce myself." She added with a laugh as she blew smoke.

"The pleasure is all mine" He said with a nod. "Say, are you here with friends? It's just that a few nights ago, I saw you enter with a gentleman. I believe his name was Edward McAlister, am I correct?" He added, recalling when he saw her that night in a golden frock, looking ravishing. She was a pretty girl. She had platinum blonde, curled bob hair with her oval shaped face, and her glowing alabaster skin. She had thin rouge lips, and her hazel eyes were simply stunning as black eye makeup made her eyes look bigger.

"Oh yes" She said, giving a soft chuckle, obviously pleased that he remembered. "Eddie is a good friend of mine. We grew up here together in New York. It's funny because until now, we're still inseparable." She laughed.

"Yes, that's quite charming." He said, smiling. He just felt his stomach churn in hunger. He had to this quick, before he loses control.

"How about you, Mr. Salvatore? Where are you from?" She asked, leaning forward as her elbow rested on the table and her cheek rested on her palm.

"I am from a small town in Virginia." He said. "Nothing special," He shrugged as he got his glass again and drank.

"How interesting, so this is your first time in the city?" She asked more eager this time. He couldn't help but hide a smile. It was all just too perfect.

"I have been here for a month or so." He continued to shrug sheepishly. "I am out to explore the world."

"Really? Where have you been?" She continued to ask. He then looked at the dance floor then back to her again.

"Oh, I do not want to bore you with my silly stories…" He said with a soft chuckle.

"Oh please…" She continued to say. "I insist." He then smiled as he shifted in his seat and moved towards her a little closer.

"Well, if you must know…" He said. "I have been all over Europe, mostly in Paris and in London. Have you been there?"

"Oh how I wish…" She said, with her eyes wide. "My father wants me to stay here and does not want me to travel." Damon frowned.

"That is horrible." He said, shaking his head in disapproval. "Paris and London are great cities that you should definitely go to. They offer marvelous sites and places." Sarah smiled.

"Truly, Mr. Salvatore, you are in interesting gentleman. How come you do not go out and have a little fun? I mean, a gentleman like you should have a lady by your side. Perhaps I can take you around the city, and introduce you to my friends." She said, her eyes glittering up at his icy blue ones.

"I would love that." He replied.

"Damon" Someone called. He looked at his side to see Rebekah already a few steps ahead of him. He was looking up at the Waldorf-Astoria when he remembered the good ole' days of 1927 where he met William Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor's daughter, Sarah Astor. Truly, Sarah was remarkable. And she tasted good.

It has been a week since they've arrived in New York, and all he and Rebekah had been doing was roam around the city with no destination – just exploring around like lost puppies on a cold winter day. And of course, there was the reminiscing of the good old days since the last time they've been in New York. Rebekah, however, had been in New York around in the 50s to the 70s, she still knows the way around. "Reminiscing again?" He heard her breath once she had arrived beside him again, looking up the colossal building with him. "You're boring." Damon glared at her as she felt her wrap her arm around his. He then shrugged her off as he started walking again.

"I told you that we should be looking for them." He said between his gritted teeth. She caught up with him as she smiled.

"Yes" She said. "Roaming around the city was a bad idea, especially when I didn't know that you'd be reminiscing every building here." He rolled his eyes. They were in Manhattan, and they weren't even trying to look for Elizabeth and Klaus. And to Damon's horror, they were here as if they were in a little fieldtrip. "Alright, why don't we get some coffee and try to do what we're here for?" He then turned to look at her as he gave her a sarcastic smirk.

"Finally" He said, widening his eyes as he continued walking.

"Good morning, love!"

Elizabeth was drinking some mimosa on a sunny day in Manhattan. Their penthouse looked amazing especially when rays of sunshine are glazing on their clean linoleum floor. Everything in this building looked exquisite. Oh who was she kidding? Everything in New York looked that way. "I've got a little surprise for you." He added, and tossed silver with a touch of purple envelope over the breakfast table. Her eyes then drifted from the newspaper towards him as a smile crept on her lips. When she woke up earlier, he was already gone, which wasn't a surprise at all.

"Is this why you had been out earlier?" She asked, looking up at him with a mocking gaze. Klaus only smiled as she took the envelope and started opening it.

"I know that you'd like it especially now that we're here to start over…" He said as she opened it with a proud tone. She read in his mind that somehow he thinks she's finally winning her over, and she couldn't help but think how completely idiotic that thought was. If only Klaus knew how to master invading the thoughts of a petty human and a vampire, he'd know that she was here only to play a game. Until then, after she's got her fun, she'll leave him and his dead body cold and rotting. Once she finally read the invitation, she couldn't help but smile herself. Clearly, Klaus is definitely up to impress her. And she was.

For now.

"You've got us an invitation to a Charity Event tonight at the Metropolitan Museum of Art… how wonderful." She said, smiling and gave him a soft chuckle.

"I knew you'd like it. I remember how completely happy you are when we've held celebrations in the castle." He said, smiling as he sat across from her. She arched her eyebrows and took that comment as a consideration as she reached for her flute and drank some more of those delicious mimosas.

"But that was back from the Renaissance." She said, smiling wider. "I'd be even more impressed if I knew what a charity event is and even more if I knew the place where it's being held." She said as she stood up.

"A lot has changed around here, I know that as a fact, but maybe you've known a lot to learn already what the museum is." She heard Klaus say as she made her way towards the wall-sized windows, revealing the city in a fine spring morning. "Besides, I've already taken you around to show you how lovely this place is."

"Yes, Nik" She breathed. "I think I know how to adapt very well, since I am an Original… but, I also know that the society here is different. I've known New York back when it was a county." She turned to face him. "Not exactly easy to squeeze ourselves in."

"Who said of squeezing ourselves in? And I don't see the society to be different, it is the same kind packed with scandals, gossip, wealth, politics and manipulations." He said matter-of-factly, and gave her a knowing smile. "I think we are ought to be part of all of that – unless you can't handle the drama." He gave her a wink and she gave him a soft chuckle.

"And what is this, some bad reality show?" She laughed then inhaled deeply afterwards. "But since you are putting so much effort to all of this… then I accept." Klaus then gave her another victorious smile. "Of course, I have to get going to find myself a suitable dress. I shall see you later…" She said as she walked towards him, and he nodded.

"Of course." He said, looking at her deep green eyes. She gave him a warm smile as she finally walked past him and towards the elevator. It's a time to have for her to think.

"Wait for a second!" She called once she heard there was a knock on the door. She immediately got down the stairs once she got her purse. They finally agreed to try it out again after a long while and got themselves on a date. Of course that date was somewhere in the town around Mystic Falls, they wouldn't go anywhere else. Though, she is happy with all of this new relationship with Stefan but there was something inside her that was bothering her. It had already been a week since Damon and Rebekah was gone, and she is worried. Stefan, of course, came to comfort her and tell her that everything will be okay and that Damon knows what he's doing, but she just had to know whether that was true. He is somewhere, God knows where, with Rebekah, and with that said, she really had to know if he's safe or not.

And she kept all those troubles to herself because she knew Stefan was going to say the same thing – which Damon will be fine and he knows what he's doing. Somehow those words aren't even enough. Once finally opened the door, she saw Stefan wearing a leather jacket over a gray t-shirt. She didn't exactly think that this wasn't something special, in fact that's the exact opposite of what she thought. She was wearing a navy blue V-neck dress that had short sleeves and hugged her body down to her thighs.

"Is this too much?" She asked, frowning a little as Stefan stared back at her as a smile crept on his lips. He then slowly shook his head.

"No… It's perfect." He said, smiling wide now. He then pulled her by the waist and kissed her. For some reason, she can actually melt in his arms. Stefan's warmth and love was something she had been yearning for such a long time now. And now that she finally felt it again, she wants to stay there forever. Her knees were getting weak and Stefan had to actually get her up again. Their lips parted and they were both breathing heavily as they look at each other's eyes, not knowing what to say.

"I…" Stefan started, but trailed off. They were both utterly speechless at the moment. But soon, Elena realized that they shouldn't take long because they had a night planned out.

"I think we should go." She said with a faint smile. Stefan inhaled deeply as he nodded with a faint smile and turned to go to the car.

Damon's mobile phone rang as he walked around the suite where they were staying in. He picked up his phone that was resting on top of the coffee table and looked at the screen. It was an unknown number which was strange, who would call him with an unknown number? He frowned as he later realized that maybe it was Elizabeth. So, he clicked to answer.

"Hello?"

"I spy with my little eyes, an Original wearing a white dress, and is walking down the streets of Fifth Avenue." He heard on the other end. He narrowed his eyes as he recognized the voice. He then smiled.

"Katherine, I thought you were dead." He replied with a smug on his face even though she can't even see it. He heard her make a chuckle.

"Well, obviously I'm not. In fact, I am always three steps ahead of you." She said, certainly amused. He arched his eyebrows. Obviously, she's in the city. And how did she know all of what has happened? For all he knew, she was already a hundred miles away far from Klaus since she's always running away.

"Oh, like running away from Klaus that's why you're a thousand miles away?" He said with utmost sarcasm that he can muster. Katherine breathed on the phone, and he knew exactly that she was turning away, watching Elizabeth like a hawk across the street.

"No. But, I am here to help you." She said slowly with a cheerful tone. Damon's smile faded as he frowned. Did he just hear her right? Did she call to say that she's going to help him? Surely, this intrigued Damon, but of course, he's not falling for another Katherine deathtrap. He'd suffered enough after a century of sulking over the fact that she was dying in a tomb only to find out that she was practically alive.

So much for a happy century.

"Alright…" He said slowly as he decided to play along. He then walked towards the wall-sized windows with the view of the city and the sky nearly twilight. That would take his breath away, but his curiosity is tickling him to even bother. "What's the catch?"

"The catch is not for you Damon; it's for me and for Elizabeth." She said quickly. "I'll call you when I'm done prying." She added as she clicked off and Damon only shrugged. He was all alone in the suite right now, and he's done roaming around the city. He's going to take some action, right now.

Elizabeth walked and walked looking for a good shop. She heard that they offer marvelous dresses at Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel's, and at Saks'. Though, she hadn't been to any of those, but that is why she's on her way now. It's already a few blocks away. Starbucks took too long to get her the coffee she wanted, and now she's fifteen minutes late when she should've gotten to Bergdorf's earlier.

"Elizabeth!" She heard someone call. So, she turned around only to see that familiar face that she didn't quite expect to see. She smiled.

"Oh, Katherine, what a surprise" She said as she gave her a forceful smile. Katherine looked just like Elena, only she had long curly, brown hair and dressed with a darker hue. She didn't look different. In fact, she looks just the same as Elizabeth had remembered.

"I'm surprised that you're back from the dead too." Katherine replied with a forceful smile as well. Elizabeth couldn't help but glare at her as she continued to smile. She didn't remember how much she despised Katherine, until now.

"What are you doing here? Surely, you had been on the run from Nik from what I had heard." She gave a soft laugh, but Katherine arched her eyebrows as they both heard a loud honk from a cab driving nearby.

"Yeah, you've heard that right… but I am sure that can all change now." She replied. Elizabeth frowned. What did she exactly mean by that? She then arched her eyebrows as she sipped on her coffee.

"What are you trying to imply?" She asked. Katherine smiled.

"Well, you should know that Damon's here in the city." Katherine said, smiling wide now. Elizabeth stared back at her for a couple of seconds as she hid a smile. So, Damon's here, for her? Oh what a relief! Just before she can plan her escape, Damon's already here to save her.

"Really?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. Then again, how does she know that Katherine isn't bluffing? That piece of information could be something that can manipulate her – and that she will not accept.

"Yeah, he's with Rebekah." She said with a shrug as she looked away and looked back at her. "Of course, that would make you happy. In fact, I can take you to him. Or the other way around, whatever you like." Now, Elizabeth's smile faded as she frowned.

"And why would you do that?" Elizabeth asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Because you will help me," Katherine replied with a smile as she gave her a serious look. Elizabeth snickered as she looked away.

"You should remember that I am an Original – as strong as Mikael – I can tear you apart this instant, before your eyes can even blink…" She gave her a deadly stare as she firmly said those words. But Katherine gave her a soft chuckle as she looked away.

"Stop with your threats, Elizabeth." Katherine replied as she looked at her again. "I know what you're capable of. So why don't we make a deal? I'll take Damon to you, and then you can do something for me as well." Elizabeth lifted her chin up as she looked at Katherine straight in the eyes.

"And what would that be?" She asked with her tone suspicious and even.

"I want to stop running away, and finally have my life back." Katherine started. "I want you to make Klaus forgive me or else…"

"Or else what?" She asked as she scrounged her nose in annoyance.

"I will take Damon away from you." Katherine replied slowly. They then locked each other's gaze for a moment, glaring at each other. If Katherine thinks she can fool an Original like her, well she is wrong. Yet, Elizabeth is too clever to know that she should seize this moment and use Katherine as an advantage to get to Damon. And after that, she can banish her forever. After a few moments, Elizabeth smirked as she arched her eyebrows then nodded.

"Alright…" She said, smiling now. "Deal. But just to make sure…" She stepped closer to Katherine and compelled her, "You will not screw this up. If you do, I will banish you to all the faces of the earth – which means, death! And tell Damon, that I shall see him tonight at a charity event held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art." Once she was done compelling her, Elizabeth gave her a smirk as she took a few steps backward and finally turned away to get herself a lovely dress for this evening.