A/N: This chapter is a bit more serious, I just wanted to explore the reasoning of why she was upset, she may seem a bit like Katherine in this, but that's because she is really angry.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the chapter, thank you again for your reviews and I again apologize for any grammar errors, or anything badly written.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything; it all belongs to Vampire Diaries.

The Auction

Chapter 4 - Night Out Part 1

After the girls went out Elena decided to get dressed and venture out to a bar, the night life was supposed to be amazing in New Orleans and seeing as she wasn't going to sit around on her own. Elena could feed on her way there, she was lucky to have Caroline help with her transition. She taught her how to feed from the vein without killing anyone and keep her bloodlust at bay. They often went hunting together, on rare occasions Bonnie would come along to give an aneurysm or two if things got out of hand. Her two best friends really helped her become something she never wanted to be in the first place.

Although she didn't like Rebekah for running Matt and herself off the road, she could understand her reasoning. Since losing Jeremy she could understand the pain, anger and aim to prevent anything else from happening to her family. Over the years they hadn't heard much from the Originals only that they were still around, Caroline often received gifts in the post from Klaus. She never sent anything back but it did show that over the last 5 years he still hadn't given up.

Flashback

5 Years ago

Elijah had returned just as the fight at the Mikaelson mansion happened, he had taken Elena in his arms and carried her home. He left her in the hands of Jeremy, he later found that she was in the hospital and convinced Meredith Fell to give her his blood. An Originals blood is so pure that they heal much faster and with Elena's head trauma slowly killing her, he could only hope that she wouldn't hold his actions against him.

On the night that Elena woke up in the morgue, she was facing a distraught Stefan who had guilt written all over his face. Damon was blaming Stefan for saving Matt first, even though it went against Elena's final wishes. She had accepted her fate, not realizing she had a certain Originals blood in her system.

Once Elena had woken up in transition, Damon had already placed a blood bag in her face and was trying to convince her to drink to complete the transition. "Drink the blood Elena, I won't let you die unlike my brother" Damon snarled looking at Stefan. He would have gladly left Matt to die if it meant that Elena would be alive.

"No! Damon I never wanted to be a Vampire, just stop it!" Elena emotions were going out of control and she had tears running down her face, right at that moment she decided she needed to escape; she still had a few hours before morning so she would be safe from burning into ash.

She quickly run out the room and within minutes she was out of the hospital, as she was running into the car park her body collided with another. She became lost in dark brown eyes looking into her soul. She didn't even think in that moment and just wrapped her arms around him and cried. Cried for the future family she will never have, for the people she had lost and cried for the life she never wanted. Without even realizing it he had picked her up and taken her home, with the aid of Jeremy she was able to enter her own house, she didn't know why but she found comfort in Elijah's arms. He was always one to give her choices and accept them. So when she finally stopped crying he asked her "What do you want Elena?"

No one had ever asked her what she wanted, it was either this way or that way but neither were her choices and when she did finally choose the Salvatore's often took it away. It didn't take her long for her to realize that she wanted to live.

"I don't want to leave Jeremy; I don't want to leave him alone. There's so much I didn't get to do like graduate and travel maybe write a book." She smiled at her final choice because it was a decision she got to make on her own without anyone trying to sway her. To say Elijah was relieved was an understatement, her soul had more compassion than anyone that he had ever met and he didn't think the world should lose it.

"If that is your choice Lovely Elena, I shall get you some blood" he gave her a smile and walked out of her bedroom to retrieve a blood bag. He was back within a few seconds and slowly handed her the bag, he was surprised to see that she had so much control, she had taken off the cap and sucked on the blood bag slowly, her eyes lit up in delight but he stood in amazement at how gracious she looked in that moment. After she had finished she started to look pained and inspected her face in the mirror, her fangs had pierced through completing the transition.

Jeremy had left Elena with the Original, he couldn't be around a baby vampire the risk was too high but he trusted Elijah, although he had betrayed them he still had a little respect as he did save her the night she had hit her head. He was grateful that he hadn't lost his last relative, Jeremy stayed until she decided what she would do, he was happy she was going to transition, human or vampire he didn't care as long as he had his sister. After a brief nod from Elijah he told him he was heading to Matt's and to tell Elena that he will be there for her when she is ready to be around him.

"Elena, I should tell you that it was my blood that turned you. After Klaus had taken you, you hit your head in a fight that ensued, I brought you home but you were taken to hospital with a cerebral haemorrhage that night. Had I known what my sister had planned, I would have stopped her"

"It's ok Elijah, it wasn't your fault and I never blamed you for your family's actions. Your blood saved my life, you couldn't have known that less than 24 hours later my life would be in danger again" Elena couldn't blame someone for trying to save her life and he certainly couldn't control his sister.

She didn't know it but Elijah still felt guilty that he was the reason she was a vampire, even if she had completed the transition he was the reason she had to make the decision to turn in the first place. He had already made the decision to leave taking his siblings with him, if the Originals were out of the way hopefully Elena could have somewhat of a normal life. She had Jeremy, the Salvatore's and her friends to help her.

Lost in their thoughts it was Elijah who broke the silence "I shall bid you good night lovely Elena, Jeremy knows of your decision to transition and he is happy he hasn't lost you, he also said he is staying with Matt for the time being. I can hear the Salvatore's approaching so If there is anything you should need, call me" he had placed a piece of paper in the palm of her hand, all that was left was the swift breeze of the original exiting the house.

She could now hear Stefan and Damon, they weren't alone it sounded as though there were another 2 sets of feet. She put the number in her phone and then headed downstairs awaiting the arrival of her guests. No more than 2 minutes later Damon came storming through the door with a not so happy look on his face.

"Oh my god! Elena, where the hell have you been?!" Damon flashed to Elena and pulled her into a hug but she wasn't happy about this interaction.

He hadn't noticed that she had completed the transition and again offered her the blood bag, she quickly turned away from it and said "I don't want it Damon" but he was so lost in the thoughts of losing her he didn't give her a choice, before anyone could stop him he was shoving the blood down her mouth. After the shock of his action had wore off she had quickly pushed Damon away while shouting "HOW DARE YOU DAMON!" she was close to tears, she couldn't believe that he would be so selfish that he wouldn't even give her the choice.

Others in the room were disgusted by his behaviour and all they could do was comfort her, Stefan pulled Damon away and she was left to hug it out with Caroline. Bonnie was close by but she was being cautious due to her being the only human. "I had already completed the transition; if you had let me speak you would have known that! Now get out!" She may have sounded harsh but her emotions were high at the moment and she just couldn't believe what had happened.

End of Flashback

Before heading to the bar Elena decided that a bit of Original Company would add to the fun and called Elijah to accompany her, walking through the darkened streets she was stopped by a group of vampires. In this city they were 100 years old or older, compared to them she was just a baby but that didn't stop her from standing her ground.

"Well look who it is...Katherine Pierce, does Klaus know you're in his city?" said a male voice, he sounded arrogant and looked it too.

"Well I know what city I'm in but I'm afraid that you have the wrong Doppelgänger" Elena smiled with a smirk on her face, which probably didn't help because she just sounded like her evil twin.

She saw two of the vampires about to approach her, she didn't move just lifted her head up in defiance. She wasn't going to back down especially not when they had the wrong person. Seriously Katherine how many people can you piss off?!

When the first vampire tried to speed in front of her she side stepped out the way, he came to a stop and tried to compose himself for another go, again he missed when she sped to the side out of reach. He was getting more frustrated that he decided that he would trick her and attack her from behind. Elena already knew what he was thinking and just before he had her within reach Elena turned and kicked him right in the chest, this made him fly backwards towards a brick wall.

The other men that was with him stopped watching and were growing angry, they all decided to attack at the same time it seemed that four vampires on one was the best way. She quickly sped around them and snapped one of their necks, luckily having a vampire hunter as a guardian taught her a few tricks and although she was a vampire herself didn't stop her from carrying a stake with her. She quickly got it out of her boot and ready to stake the vampire heading straight for her and with one swift movement he was turning grey and crumpling to the ground. In this time the two other vampires had got a hold of her and pinned her to the wall, they had a hard time keeping her there as she seemed stronger than a baby vampire should.

While restraining her he tried to call someone on the phone; it was only a brief call saying that they should come to this street as they had something of value. Elena was one for opportunities and this was one she wasn't going to miss, the guy with the phone had loosened his grip on her and in turn she kicked him in between his legs, her arm was free and she quickly entered her hand into his chest. Before she could pull out his heart she heard a very strong voice in front of her.

"Release her" the voice of the nobleman himself, she was happy and at the same time relieved.

"She's the Doppelgänger you've been searching for, she's killed two of our men we can not just release her"

"This is not Katherine Pierce! Her name is Elena Gilbert and she is not to be harmed, she is under my protection, now I shall say this again release her" he had made his point loud and clear, no emotions could be shown on his face. Once they had let go of Elena there was a hand waiting for her to take.

She smiled with thanks, just what she needed on her night out, Elijah provided her with a handkerchief to clean her right hand. After cleaning herself up she looked up into his deep brown eyes almost getting lost in them until he interrupted her thoughts.

"Do you want to go to the bar still or head back?" His voice was no longer cold but soft and filled with concern.

"No it's ok, my clothes are still intact although do you need to change? You seem to be missing a suit..." This question caused Elijah's lips to curl up into a large grin. He was wearing dark blue jeans, and a Black T-shirt with a thin coat. Definitely not the style of clothing she usually saw him in.

"Why Miss Gilbert are you insulting my choice of clothing?" He couldn't help but mock her question, since being in New Orleans back to a place he could call home; Elijah started to come out of his steel shell and slowly started to wear clothes that didn't need to be steam cleaned.

"Hey! I got nothing against your choice of clothes, I'm just surprised to see you so...casual" and hot!

"Well a little 'casual' clothing never hurt" Elena only smiled at his reply

They both entered the bar, it seemed packed as Elena made her way through, and she had left Elijah at the bar and gone to the bathroom to wash her hands. She wasn't normally so ruthless to kill vampires but the mention of Katherine sent her into a rage. That name was a reminder of why her brother wasn't here anymore and being the day it was just made her mood worse.

After leaving the bathroom she went to the bar and ordered herself a few shots and bourbon. Her plan was to get drunk and she was starting now, she had managed to spot Elijah out the window on the phone, she calmed a little just knowing he was close by, for an unknown reason he seemed to instantly have an effect on her mood and given her current state she needed his presence.

The moment didn't last long as Elijah had returned, saying he would be back soon, he didn't specify the problem but he had to do it now, Elena felt a little disappointment with him leaving but she was here for one reason, to forget her problems and let go.

After an unknown amount of time she had drunk a mass of alcohol, being a vampire they could drink a lot more and she was starting to feel the effects, her senses were dulled a little and she noticed she wasn't alone anymore.

"Would you like another drink?" The male voice asked, this definitely wasn't the man she expected or wanted so she declined. Even though she was a vampire now and she was a lot stronger than most, she didn't want to risk fighting him. She would most likely impale herself somehow.

"No thank you, I'm fine" she tried to be as polite as possible and turned her back to him but he didn't seem to get the message.

"You look very familiar, are you sure we haven't met before?" Seriously this guy doesn't give up! "Nope I don't think we have, now sorry to be rude but I'm meeting someone" she hoped that would send the message that she wasn't interested.

"I've watched you for a while and if you were meeting someone they would have arrived by now." He didn't want to give up and just by a little sniff she could tell he was a vampire, so compelling him to leave her alone was a no go. "I don't know who you are but leave me alone, I'm not interested" he went to grab her arm but a voice stopped him and the next thing she knew an arm was being placed around her waist.

In her inebriated state she could see dark brown hair standing next to her; she thought it was Elijah but his voice and smell was different, after trying to decipher who it was and hearing him speak to the mysterious stalker she finally said "Kol?" If he was in the bar he must have returned from his date with Bonnie.

"Yes Darling It's Kol, are you alright?" he didn't wait for an answer, he already knew she had a lot to drink. When he had first put his arm around Elena the light brown haired man had sized him up, this action only made Kol smirk at his idiocy and decided to put him in his place.

"Is there something I can help you with?" He was holding Elena with one arm and a tumbler in another, he waited for the young vampire to answer but it seemed he thought he could take Kol on.

"She was playing hard to get, telling me she was meeting someone and I offered to take her home because she had drunk so much" He still had no idea who he was talking too, this only spurred Kol on more, he knew he had to make himself known now.

"Funny enough I heard her say no and I don't think my brother would be too happy with you hitting on his girl, now I suggest you leave her be" Kol in this moment was being tame compared to what he would have been like, he didn't want to make a scene only warn him to move on but the guy just didn't seem to get the picture.

"No, I don't care who your brother is but she is safe I know her" before Kol could respond back to him, the young vampire was being pulled outside by another person; luckily the bar was packed and oblivious to everything around them. Kol still had Elena in his arms as he followed them outside.

"Oh I don't believe we have met, I'm the brother, Elijah." He could only smirk at the shock on the young vampires face, he was a vampire in New Orleans and it seems he had upset an Original by hitting on his girlfriend. Oops!

"So you have heard of me, good. Well I shall pardon you just this once. Now leave!" He compelled the guy to leave and quickly took Elena in his arms. He was never more thankful to Kol in that moment, worry was shown all over his face until he heard her voice "I can't believe you didn't kill him, although without your suit where would you put your handkerchief" it shocked him to hear those words but he only smile at her joke towards him. She seemed to be okay at the moment considering what Bonnie had informed them.

Meanwhile back at the hotel – Bonnie and Caroline...

Caroline was watching some TV when she heard Bonnie come in, she knew Elena was out from the text she had received earlier that night. "Hey Bon! How was your date?" she was excited to hear about her best friends date, she hadn't really dated many people after Jeremy so she wanted to make sure that Kol hadn't hurt her.

"It was amazing Care, I was worried at first but he took me to a restaurant which was empty and we just talked. He surprised me, I didn't think that he could be such a gentlemen, he's always so cocky." Bonnie was smiling at Caroline as she gave all the details of her date. She wasn't too fond of Caroline going on a date with Klaus but considering that they hadn't interrupted their lives she would give him a chance especially if it made Caroline happy.

"I'm happy for you Bon, Klaus hired a Horse and Carriage. We went through a park and watched the sunset and then to a restaurant in a hotel, it took my breath away." Bonnie has to admit that Klaus's date had impressed her; he was obsessed with Caroline so of course he would have given her the best.

"Hey Care, I'm worried about Elena. She started acting weird after you left, she told me that she was going to go out to a bar and get really drunk" Bonnie expressed her concerns and was happy to find that she wasn't alone with her worries. "The last time Elena was like this was…Oh My God Bonnie we are crappy best friends!" Caroline suddenly leaped off the bed surprising Bonnie.

"What?! How?" no matter how much Bonnie tried to think of Elena being this way she came up blank until Caroline clued her in. "3 years today Bon, Jeremy. That's why she is upset; it's the anniversary of his death."

All Bonnie could do was flop on the bed after the realization, how could she forget? She only hoped that she was alright and with that thought Bonnie grabbed her phone and called Kol.

"Hello Darling, miss me already" he got cut off by Bonnie not long after

"Shut up Kol, this is important! Elena went to a bar and you know this place better than us, can you find her please. I'm worried she might get herself into trouble"

"Petrova Doppelgängers are always trouble darling" again he was cut off by Bonnie even more furious.

"This is serious Kol! Jeremy died 3 years ago today, just find her…please" She had to plead, it wasn't the first time that Elena had been like this, she had got drunk so badly that she ended up in a different town and compelled the people in the bar and almost set it alight.

She could only hope that he would find her before she did anything stupid, or before anyone could take advantage of her. Even though she was strong it didn't help if she couldn't see the target.

A while later...

After getting off the phone from Kol, Bonnie and Caroline decided that they would help Elena through her grief. The night wasn't over yet and instead of waiting for the Originals to bring her back they were going to her. Since his death she wasn't able to mourn him, it's been three years but the first was spent trying to keep her humanity after almost switching it all off, the second year she was too busy with her college finals. She didn't want to disappoint Jeremy by failing her finals so she put every bit of focus into that one task. Finally this year she didn't have anything stopping her from mourning this date.

This year she had both Bonnie and Caroline to help pull her through. They remembered when they were back in Mystic Falls and everyone had gathered together after Alaric's passing and they release Japanese lanterns into the sky. They were going to do something similar tonight, it would help Elena express all the emotions that she had locked up inside.

Bonnie and Caroline had collected the things that they needed, and texted Kol on what they were going to do. The Hotel receptionist was very helpful with his directions and it seemed that the cemetery wasn't that far from them. Once arriving at their destination it took 10 minutes for Caroline collect wood, they placed it in a pile and started a little bonfire, everything was set and all they needed was Elena. After a brief phone call and a last check on everything they waited patiently for them to arrive.

5 Minutes later...

It didn't take long for four vampires to arrive, the guys already knew what was planned, and Elijah gave a quick peck on Elena's temple and led her to Caroline and Bonnie. This was a moment for them; they had to do this together so the guys walked off to the sidelines watching silently. There were no grunts or moans of disapproval because over a thousand years they knew the pain of losing people.

"What's going on?" Elena didn't expect to see her best friends until she went back to her hotel; she hadn't been told where the Mikaelson brothers were taking her she could only follow.

"Well this is for you 'Lena and for Jeremy" Caroline pointed to the fire, and at the mention of Jeremy's name she could see Elena's eyes starting to get glossy.

"I was going to tell you, I just didn't want to ruin your night. I'm sorry" Elena's voice broke, even on a day like this she was thinking about her friends well-being rather than herself.

"Elena you don't have to apologize, we are the ones who should be apologizing, we forgot an important day and we should have supported you through it, so that's what we're doing now. The night isn't over yet, you can finally get to say a goodbye to Jeremy, we all can" Bonnie said this as reassuringly as she could.

Elena didn't know what to say, she wasn't there when her brother died. That's what hit her hardest, that she had these supernatural abilities but couldn't use them to save her own brother. She gave a simple nod and the corner of her mouth began to curl into a small smile.

"Ok I'll start; this is for you Jeremy the little brother we wished we all had. You went to the end of the earth to protect Elena, you helped protect all of us and you were a kick ass hunter. I know you'll be looking out for your big sister but so will we, you no longer have to worry. You can finally be at peace." Caroline wiped her eyes after her speech, she had grown up with Jeremy as well he was almost like a brother to her, and it was a shame that he wouldn't be able to live life with them. She threw an arrow into the fire; she had brought some hunter weapons to New Orleans especially while they were staying in the supernatural capital, always best to be prepared. She stepped back and watched Bonnie step up to speak.

"I'll miss you Jer, before we left Mystic Falls you were left as the man of the house, even if you were youngest you still tried to do what you could to protect your family. I hope you've been reunited with them; so much has been taken from you already. Until we meet again Jeremy" Bonnie slowly knelt down and placed a drawing Jeremy had obviously drawn. She always carried it with her but now was the perfect time to let go, looking around she could see there was others looking out for them.

Lastly it was Elena, she took a deep breath and she already had tears streaming down her face, Caroline clung to her left arm and Bonnie was on her right. They were trying to give her comfort and strength, support her through one of the hardest goodbyes. Her voice managed to break through and with every word she spoke her voice got stronger.

"I miss you Jer, I still can't believe you're gone. I wish...I wish I could have saved you, protected you. Before Jenna & John's funeral I told you I was sorry that you kept losing people you love, and you said to me...you said at least I still have you." She was sobbing harder finding it difficult to get the words out but she soon settled and continued.

"You were all the family I had left and now you're gone and I feel lost. I failed at being your sister and all I can do now is say I'm sorry for not being there for you Jeremy. I know if you were standing in front of me you would say I wasn't to blame, but by not being there I feel the guilt of not saving you. I can only hope that you are safe and happy where you are, I hope you find peace and I hope that you are not alone. I love you Jeremy and I'll miss you always, I guess what I'm saying is it's time for me to finally say a proper goodbye" The sobbing had stopped and the tension in her chest had loosened, she had bottled up her guilt and feelings for so long that just saying it all out loud made it a little better.

Caroline went to her bag and brought out 6 plastic cups, and a bottle of bourbon. She poured some in all of them and passed them out. She waited for Elena to speak; it was after all for her brother so she should say the final goodbye.

"To Jeremy, you may not be with us but you will never be forgotten. I'll be thinking of you always. To Finn I didn't really know you but you still have brothers who love even if it's in a dysfunctional way. Cheers" Elena lifted her drink and she caught the faces of the three Mikaelson brothers she had included their brother in the goodbye; it was a bittersweet moment for them.

They all toasted to Jeremy and Finn and threw their empty cups in the bonfire, they all stared at the fire slowly getting lost in their thoughts, after 5 minutes Bonnie decided it was time to go, she used her magic to put out the fire. She took the girls hands and started walking out the cemetery, the guys following behind. Elena stopped abruptly when she felt a presence that was familiar to her, they all looked at her unsure of what she was doing and then heard her say "Stefan, Damon?" She turned to them and used her vampire speed to embrace both of them in a bone crushing hug. Once they broke apart the two new guest took a look at the group.

"Er Elena what's the brother's Grimm doing here?" Damon asked in his usual sarcastic tone, the brothers in question could only raise their eyebrows at the older Salvatore.

"Oh! Well we were sort of on dates with them" Elena was sure that anyway she said this it wasn't going to go down very well, she simply waited for Damon's tantrum to stop and stand her ground like she had for the last 5 years.

"What?! You got to be freaking kidding me!" He glared at Elena hoping that she would back down but she only glared right back at him.

"Damon, we are fine and if they really wanted to hurt or kill us, do you really think they would have come to a cemetery to watch me cry over my dead brother?" She looked him in the eyes, holding his gaze to help him understand that she was fine and she was not worried.

Damon huff and threw up his hands shouting "Ok fine!" he then turned away from her, he had backed down. Elena was no longer the push over she was when she was human, she could stand her ground and look after herself. After this little argument they heard a laugh coming from Kol. He struggled to speak but managed to get out "Damon Salvatore surrendering to a baby vampire, hilarious!".

"Well she made her point and I don't fancy getting my ass kicked, thank to daddy Alaric she has the hunter moves with her added strength, so sorry if I don't feel like dying today" He still worried for Elena he always would but she had made it quite clear she didn't want protecting. She could protect herself now and he always told her if she needed him he would always be there.

Elena smirked at Damon thinking about the times he had tried to surprise attack her hoping he could one up her and convince her she needed protecting. It did the opposite as the more he tried to attack her, the more her hunter instincts kicked in. She would end up with a stake in her hand hovering over his chest, while he's trapped underneath.

"It's good to see you both but what are you doing here?" Elena was curious how they knew she was here, she really hoped they hadn't been following her. It was Stefan who finally spoke "Caroline has kept me posted on where you all were, when we realised the date we thought you might need the support. I contacted Caroline when we finally arrived here and she told us where you were." They smiled at each other, the old Stefan was back and she could see that without her they were doing better.

"Thanks, do you want to say anything" Elena was pointing towards the fire but what she got in response surprised her. Stefan had picked up a bag and revealed a bouquet of Red Roses, the same flower she had placed on the graves of Jenna and John. He gave them each a single red rose and just like following an unspoken ritual they each placed the flowers at the foot of the pit. No words were spoken but they all said their goodbyes and started to walk away again.

Surprisingly enough it was Elena who spoke in a cheery voice "I think it's time to get drunk and sing, let's go find a karaoke bar." The girls all nodded and turned to the guys hoping they could point them in the right direction. When looking at Klaus you could see he was not happy about Karaoke "Fine we'll take you but I refuse to sing". He wasn't going to be humiliated in his city, although he didn't know Caroline was already thinking of ways to change his mind.