Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I don't claim to own The Vampire Diaries. The Vampire Diaries belongs to LJ Smith and the CW. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.

Just as Elena was retracting her hand from Damon's gentle grip, Giuseppe Salvatore entered the room. He was smiling broadly as he surveyed the twins.

The first thing Elena noticed was that his eyes were blue, almost as vibrant as Damon's. She could imagine they probably held life and excitement when he was a child, but as a man they were just the same common blue she saw so often in other people.

He was dressed in the same fashion as Damon and Stefan, but with a purple necktie. His face was creased with hard lines from either smiling or frowning, and Elena had a feeling it was the latter. She suspected that the smiling man in front of them was a bit of a façade.

"Ah, the lovely Pierces," he said with a grin. "Beautiful, just like your mother."

Katherine gave a good natured giggle. Elena tried to smile, but even the slightest mention of either of her late parents was enough to ruin her mood.

Stefan and Damon stepped back to allow room for their father to meet the girls.

"I'm Giuseppe Salvatore," he said as he stepped toward Katherine and bowed elegantly. "You must be Miss Katherine. Your father always said you had his curly hair."

Katherine met his bow with an equally graceful curtsy, her dress rustling as it swept the polished floor.

"It's wonderful to finally meet you. Your parents often sang your praises," he said with a smile.

Katherine turned her gaze to the floor, faking a blush. "You're far too kind, Mr. Salvatore. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He stepped towards Elena, bowing as he had before. "And the stunning Miss Elena. Your mother was so fond of you. I'm Giuseppe Salvatore."

Elena curtsied as smoothly as she could. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Salvatore."

Giuseppe stepped back and gestured towards Stefan and Damon. "I trust you've met both of my sons. I'm terribly sorry I couldn't be here to greet you."

"It's no matter," Katherine said in a chipper voice. "Your son Stefan has been very hospitable. I'm sure Damon is as well. I only met him moments ago."

Giuseppe nodded, shooting Damon a look. Elena saw Damon's jaw tighten in what looked like defiance. His eyes became steely and his features grew hard.

"I'm afraid I kept Damon quite busy. We were caught up in…some personal business," he said stiffly. "But it's all been taken care of, hasn't it, Damon?"

Damon's voice remained steady, but took on an icy tone. "Yes, Father."

Elena looked to Katherine, wondering if she had caught the brief exchange between Damon and Giuseppe. Katherine was watching Damon, but she didn't appear to have heard him talking to his father. Elena could see her pursed lips and knew that she was planning something.

"We shouldn't keep our guests waiting," Giuseppe said with a flourish. "Escort the ladies to their seats, won't you boys?"

Before Elena had even taken a step forward, Damon was at her side. He offered her the crook of his arm, which she took by delicately looping her arm with his. She could feel the material of his jacket against her skin and the close proximity between their bodies. Elena's heart began to race again.

Much to Elena's disappointment, Katherine hadn't missed a moment of Damon's eagerness. The last thing she wanted was to face her wrath because she was getting unwanted attention from one of Katherine's prospective play things.

Katherine kept her composure and linked her arm with Stefan's. The couples crossed the floor in silence, following behind Giuseppe.

He took his seat at the head of the table before Damon led Elena to the second seat on the left side. He pulled her chair out for her, releasing her arm so she could sit. Elena took her seat and Damon ever so slightly moved the chair forward to bring her closer to the table. Then he took the seat beside her.

Katherine and Stefan had gone through the same routine, but instead of beaming at Stefan as she had earlier, Katherine had been studying Damon.

Giuseppe gestured for the servants to uncover the silver dishes on the table. Before them sat a large feast, full of absolutely anything someone could ask for.

Elena wanted desperately to taste everything on the table, but she refrained because of the sick feeling in her stomach. Katherine's glare made her stomach flip.

They all sat in silence for a few moments, taking timid bites of the food.

It was Giuseppe who spoke first. "We're so glad to have you here, ladies. Your parents were both dear friends of mine."

"You've been so kind in taking us in, Mr. Salvatore. We hate to burden your family like this," Katherine said with a sad look. Her voice was gentle and heartbroken. "It's been a tragic event for all of us."

Stefan was studying Katherine carefully. His eyes were soft with sympathy for her.

"Neither of you are a burden, my dear," Giuseppe said sincerely. "I'm only grateful to be of service in your time of need."

Katherine nodded sadly. Elena as amazed by her acting.

"If it's any consolation, I've received word from your Uncle and Aunt."

Elena visibly perked up at this, causing Damon to listen to his father intently.

"There have been some delays in their travels, but they should be here shortly. Possibly in as little as a week."

Elena spoke up for the first time since they sat down. "So soon?"

"I knew you'd both be glad to hear the news. It must be difficult being so far from your family when you've just lost your parents," Giuseppe said sadly. "Hopefully Damon and Stefan can entertain you until they arrive. Making friends in town may ease the pain you feel."

Katherine gave a coy smile. "I'm sure they'll keep us company."

Giuseppe nodded. "Your parents often spoke of your French tutor. I took the liberty of finding one in town to help you keep up your studies."

"You're already spoiling us so," Katherine said in a quiet voice. "We will owe you dearly."

"Think nothing of it," Giuseppe waved her off. "I also found a piano teacher that may be of use to you both."

Elena brightened up at the mention of the piano teacher. "We will be taking lessons?"

Giuseppe smiled at Elena. "If you so choose, you may start your lessons during your stay here and continue them when your Uncle and Aunt arrive."

"How long have you played?" Damon asked curiously from beside her. Elena met his clear blue eyes and looked back at her plate of untouched food.

"I'm not entirely sure," Elena began. "For as long as I can remember, I suppose. Mother was very fond of music."

"I'm sure you play magnificently," Damon said with a smile. His cheeks were flushed with color as though he were truly excited about something. Elena tried to hold his gaze but it was impossible. It felt like he was searching her soul.

Katherine broke into the conversation in a clear voice. "Part of our Mother will live on in the music Elena and I play. My favorite piece to play is my Mother's favorite."

Elena's head immediately shot up and her gaze locked with Katherine's. She smiled at Elena serenely, as thought she didn't have a care in the world. Lying was so second nature for Katherine she hardly had to think to do it. Her perfect façade never faltered even though she was lying through her teeth. Katherine detested playing the piano, and she most definitely did not have a favorite piece.

"How thoughtful of you," Stefan said, beaming at Katherine.

A sick feeling settled in Elena's stomach. Was Katherine making it her life's mission to steal everything important to Elena? Katherine had almost always been at odds with her Mother, but Elena had never been. Piano was something both she and her Mother had a love for. If asked to choose a favorite piece, Elena would pick her mother's favorite. She loved playing "Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster on the piano.

Elena wanted to roll her eyes in disgust. Katherine was the master of turning civilized men into sniveling animals begging for her attention. Something about her made men drop to their knees.

"And your favorite piece, Elena?" Damon asked expectantly.

"The same. "Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster," Elena said quietly.

"Did you bring any sheet music along with you?" Stefan inquired curiously.

Elena nodded. "Although I could practically play the song by heart."

"How very impressive, Miss Pierce," Damon smirked.

Elena's brow knitted, trying to read whatever was behind the smirk. Elena considered herself quite good when it came to reading people, but Damon was another story.

He continued to smirk when he caught her staring at him with a puzzled expression. She whipped her head away from him instantly, cursing herself for not being more inconspicuous.

"I do hope you'll enjoy your stay here," Giuseppe said as he looked between the twins. "We have a lovely garden out back that I think you both would enjoy. And if there's anything you need, anything at all, please let me know. I want you to feel comfortable here."

Elena smiled at Giuseppe. He seemed sincere, but she couldn't shake the look he gave Damon and the way Damon reacted with such silent intensity. Her curiosity was aching to know if Damon was at odds with his father.

It was silent for a few moments and the dining room was filled with the sound of utensils against plates and dishes being moved.

Like Elena, Katherine had barely touched her food. Her hands were locked on her fork and knife, her knuckles turning white. Elena could see through her tight smile that she was bothered by something.

That something was probably Damon, who kept looking at Elena from the corner of his eye.

Elena's hands twisted together beneath the table. She hated being the center of attention; she left that job for Katherine. Between the glares that her sister kept sending her and the careful sideways glances from Damon, Elena felt like the whole room was watching her.

"It's a good thing you girls came to Mystic Falls during the summer," Giuseppe said between bites of food. He dabbed his mouth with a napkin before continuing. "This is the season of balls and parties."

Katherine perked up at the prospect of parties. She released her grip on the knife, which was a great relief to Elena. "How exciting."

"In fact, the town council has come up with the idea for a Founder's Ball."

"That sounds lovely," Katherine said with a giddy smile.

"I'm sure you both will have plenty of suitors once the town sees you both, but maybe you would consider letting one of my boys escort you," Giuseppe eyed Stefan.

Once again, it was becoming clear to Elena that there was tension between Giuseppe and his oldest son.

But Katherine's eyes were on Damon. "I think that could be arranged."

Elena gave a heavy sigh. Katherine was awestruck with love over Stefan only hours ago, but now that Damon was in the picture, she wanted both.

"If you're not terribly opposed, you might consider letting Stefan or Damon take you into town so you can meet some of the citizens. I'm sure you'll both want to keep up your socialite reputations that you held in New York."

"Stefan has already taken me to town. He was so kind to offer when I arrived," Katherine boasted.

"Well done, Stefan," Giuseppe said with a proud smile. "Did the town live up to your expectations, Miss Katherine?"

"It's so much different from New York, but it's a nice change," she said with a believable smile.

"Stefan and Damon are both quite the entertainers. The whole town will be thrilled to meet the infamous Pierce twins."

"Infamous?" Elena asked nervously.

"Well your parents spoke so highly of you, and they kept in contact with your Aunt Jenna while she was here. She liked to tell her friends about you."

"We've only been here a few hours and we're already infamous," Katherine said proudly. "I believe Elena and I are going to love it here."

Katherine looked to Elena, forcing her to respond. "I agree."

"I hope neither of you will be too exhausted from your travels tomorrow morning. I believe Miss Caroline Forbes may pay you a visit sometime in the afternoon," Giuseppe explained. "She's a lovely girl."

Damon gave a curt laugh, attracting everyone's attention.

"Is there something funny, Damon?" Giuseppe asked calmly.

"A lovely girl," Damon repeated with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. "Just as you said, Father."

Giuseppe kept his eyes on Damon while he spoke. "She's quite the socialite like yourselves."

"She sounds pleasant. We'll both be thrilled to meet her," Katherine spoke.

"Wonderful," Giuseppe said, clasping his hands together. "I won't keep you any longer, if you'd like to retire for the evening."

Katherine rose from her seat gracefully. "Thank you for the lovely dinner. And thank you again for being so hospitable."

Elena followed Katherine's lead and stood. "You've been so kind to us."

"Anything to put your minds at ease," Giuseppe assured. "Rest well."

Before Elena had time to look over, Damon was standing beside her and offering his arm. "May I escort you back to your room?"

Elena hesitated. She didn't want to anger Katherine more than she already had, but she saw no way out of it. "Yes, thank you."

Elena linked her arm with Damon's allowing him to remove her chair and lead her from the dining room. Elena assumed Stefan was offering to take Katherine to her room as well, but she refused to look back and see the anger in her sister's eyes.

Damon and Elena walked in step together, the edges of her lilac dress brushing the edges of his shoes. Her heart was pounding again and she feared he would hear it.

As they began to climb the stairs, Damon spoke quietly, which Elena was grateful for because she didn't want Katherine to hear. "I would love to hear you play piano sometime."

Elena blushed and kept her eyes on the stairs. "I'm not very good."

"I suspect otherwise," Damon replied with a smirk. His voice remained quiet. She wondered if he suspected she was worried about her sister hearing. Elena could tell he was looking at her, his beautiful blue eyes burning holes in her.

"Maybe I will play for you sometime," Elena surrendered. She looked up at him as they stood before her door. He flashed a bright white smile that made his eyes sparkle.

"It would make me most happy."

Elena glanced behind him. She could see Katherine and Stefan not far behind him.

Damon's sensed her anxiety and released her arm. "Goodnight, Miss Elena."

"Goodnight, Damon," she returned, reaching for the doorknob and rushing in.

He was still standing there looking at her when she closed the door behind her.