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"You're not ready for a ball," Elena arched an eyebrow when she pulled open the door.
Lexa stood on the other side in a pair of jeans and a warm coat. While her clothes were not conducive to formal activities her hair had been twisted into thin braids that formed a headband from which ringlets fell down over her left shoulder.
Elena's semi-serious quip about making a last minute break for it died in her throat when the petite blonde walked into the apartment with a dress bag.
"I thought I'd put the gown on over here," Lexa nodded towards the bedroom. She spoke through the wood as she stripped down and stepped into the dress. "It's rather difficult to drive in an empire gown."
"No more difficult than my dress will be," Elena ran her freshly manicured nail over the soft lights and traced the constellations. Her head snapped up when Lexa informed her that Kol was sending a car. "Of course he is," she shook her head and laughed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lexa's heels clicked on the hardwood when she remerged. She turned around so Elena could finish zipping the dress.
"It just means he knows me really well," Elena rolled her eyes. "He's convinced I'll try and bail at the last minute."
"Would you?" Lexa smoothed down her shimmering skirt.
Elena bit down on her lip and shrugged one shoulder. "I don't know." She blinked slowly before stepping back to get a good look at her friend's gown. "What colour is that? Is that more magic?"
"No," Lexa giggled, "would you believe it's just the fabric." She spun in a slow circle so the dress took on the appearance of crystal clear waters beneath the brilliant sun.
"It's beautiful," Elena breathed. She reached out to run a finger over the soft skirt. "You look like the Caribbean Sea."
"Is that a good thing?" Lexa tilted her head.
Elena nodded before sliding into her coat and helping Lexa fit her arms into the sleeves.
Lexa hooked her hand in the crook of Elena's arm when she hesitated at the front door. Her green eyes grew round when she spotted the car Kol had sent.
"That can't be right," she gasped at the vehicle that could only be described as a small limo.
"Oh," Elena exhaled slowly, "it is," she stifled her laugh at the shocked expression on Lexa's face.
She let the blond slide in first before taking her place in the back of the car.
"Kol didn't happen to tell you where we're going, did he?" Elena folded her hands in her lap.
"No," Lexa shook her head, "should I be concerned about that? Does he have a tendency to kidnap people?"
"If it had been Klaus sending the car maybe," Elena shrugged, "but Kol is usually alright for this sort of thing. He has only whisked me off twice without a clear destination in mind, and both times turned out to be the best vacations I had ever taken."
Lexa stared at the shimmering waterfall in her lap for a moment while chewing on her lower lip. She finally stole a glance at the brunette after they had sat in silence for several long moments.
"You and Kol…" she cringed at the tremor in her voice, "… you've two never…"
"What…" Elena's eyes grew round when she realized what Lexa was asking. "No, no no no no no. He's like another brother to me and one of my best friends that's it, I promise."
"Okay," Lexa shifted so she was facing Elena and toyed with the green stone around her neck. "So tell me what I'm getting into tonight."
"What do you mean?" Elena mirrored her motion and leaned forwards.
"Well," Lexa's voice dropped to a whisper, "he said he wanted to introduce me to his family, but he warned me they were completely insane."
"Oh that," Elena laughed, "he was right; they're completely nuts."
"Should I fear for my life?" Anxiety swirled in her stomach.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Elena hurried to reassure her. "The Originals can be downright lethal, but they are extremely protective of family and that protection extends to the soulmates of their siblings."
"The Originals…" Lexa paled slightly, "… the original vampires? The first vampires in history?"
Elena nodded slowly.
"My soulmate is one of the oldest beings on this planet?" Lexa's voice took on a shrill tone.
"Don't worry, sweetie," Elena patted her hand, "Kol's nothing more than an overgrown teenager. I swear sometimes it's like he stopped aging." She whispered conspiratorially. "They're not that bad once you get to know them."
"So they're not insane," Lexa tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.
"Oh no they are," Elena smirked, "you just grow to love that about them."
The rest of the drive was spent with Elena telling Lexa about the many vampires she would be meeting that night. She only left out one.
"What are you so giddy about?" Elijah narrowed his eyes suspiciously when he approached Kol.
Kol lifted his glass to his lips. His dark eyes glittered with mirth as he practically vibrated with excitement.
"Can't I just be happy for Rebekah?"
"That's not happiness for Rebekah," Klaus shook his head while eyeing his younger brother. "You're hiding something."
"I resent that," Kol smirked around his glass.
Klaus head turned towards the door when Caroline's voice sounded.
"The bastard actually did it."
He looked to find his soulmate staring at the double doors that lead into the ballroom. A moment later he understood why.
Elijah's spine straightened when he saw her. The breath stilled in his lungs as everyone else seemed to disappear from the ballroom. She was a vision in midnight blue silk; more beautiful than the night sky. He saw constellations he hadn't seen in centuries glitter over her bodice.
"I guess I owe Rebekah money," Klaus chuckled.
"What are you talking about?" Elijah snapped out of his daze when a hand clapped him on the shoulder.
"Kol said he could get Elena to come," Klaus nodded to the brunette his brother was still staring at, "I said it couldn't be done and Rebekah said it could. I've clearly lost."
A low growl rumbled in Elijah's chest when he noticed Kol's prolonged stare.
"Are you going to gaze on Elena all night?" Elijah's voice was little more than a hiss that didn't carry beyond his siblings.
"I don't think he's looking at Elena," Jeremy adjusted his sleeves when he paused by the Originals. He nodded towards his sister.
Elijah followed his gaze to see a petite blonde who he had not noticed before. It took him less than a minute to discern that Kol was gazing upon the woman in the dress that resembled liquid more than silk.
"Well," Klaus stepped in front of Elijah to ensure he had his undivided attention. "I believe you have a ball to commence."
She wondered if he could hear the way her heart fluttered when he spoke. She wondered if he could feel the way her eyes lingered on the neat lines of his tuxedo; he had always looked mouth-watering when he donned the more formal attire. If she were being honest she found him undeniably attractive in whatever he chose to wear.
Did he hear the way her breath hitched when he urged the guests to find a partner for the opening number? Did he know she could feel his gaze on her when she turned away?
"Hello darling," Kol smirked when he stepped through the crowd, "I was only marginally afraid you'd make a run for it."
"You would have just hunted me down," Elena rolled her eyes. "Besides I couldn't let Lexa faces the wolves alone."
"Only one wolf," Kol snickered and extended his hand towards the slim blonde, "and I assure you both Nik will be on his best behaviour." He lifted Lexa's hand and placed a chaste kiss across her knuckles. "Would you do me the honour of being my dancing partner, Lexa?"
"I don't think I know the steps," she drew her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes darted to the many couples beginning to take their places on the floor.
"Don't worry," Kol winked, "It's quite simple. You just have to follow my lead."
Elena covered her smile with her fingers and watched Kol draw Lexa into place in the middle of the dancefloor. She blinked in surprise when an older gentleman offered her his hand.
"Such a beautiful woman should not be condemned to the life of a wall flower." The man's dark eyes glittered with mirth. "Would you do this old man the honour of a dance? It will likely be the only one I've the energy for this evening."
"I'd be delighted," Elena smiled politely. She noticed Elijah halfway across the dancefloor when his shoulders stiffened.
Elena took her place among the dancers and fell into step when the musicians struck up a classic tune. Her mind flashed back to the last time she had attended a Mikaelson family ball; she could only hope this one did not end with a clandestine meeting that resulted in betrayal.
"I can't shake the feeling I've seen you somewhere before."
Elena tipped her head back and offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I'm pretty sure we've never met," she blinked, "perhaps you've run across, Katherine, my doppelganger. People tend to confuse us a lot. I'm Elena."
"Oh," he nodded in the way grandfathers were wont to do and smiled as if being let in on a great secret. "You're the girl I made the elixir for. Tell me dear, did it work?"
"Excuse me," Elena's eyes grew round as she moved on autopilot, "what elixir?"
"Oh it must have been… I'm not sure how long it's been," he tilted his head. "You'd know better than I. I'm afraid my memory is not quite what it used to be. I remember most of the large spells I cast over the years, but I can't seem to remember when they occurred."
"I'm sorry… umm…" Elena trailed off when she realized she didn't know his name.
"Jonas," he smiled genially.
"Jonas," Elena offered a tight smile. "What elixir were you referring to? I think we got a little off topic there."
"I made a potion at the behest of an Original," Jonas smiled and steered her towards the edge of the dance floor. "It held mystical properties of resuscitation, but he never told me if it worked. Though I suppose if you're a vampire it means it didn't."
"I actually turned about a year later," Elena turned her head this way and that before spotting him on the other end of room. Her head snapped back around when she saw he was looking directly at her and wondered if he had been listening in to her conversation.
Elena cleared her throat delicately when the music stopped and stepped away from Jonas. "If you'll excuse me…" She didn't wait for his answer before slipping from the ballroom and down the hall.
She leaned against a tall bookshelf in the library and exhaled slowly before blinking back a tear.
"Showtime," Kol murmured when he saw Elijah push through the crowd along the edge of the floor. "I do hope you're not about to back out."
"Never," Lexa smirked. She gasped when he took her hand and pulled her across the room.
They made it to the hall just in time to see the library door drift shut behind Elijah's back.
Kol stepped back and watched Lexa step forward and hold the doorknob in her hand. Her murmured spell was almost too quiet for him to hear.
"How long will that last?" Kol took her hand and threaded their fingers together. He didn't miss the way her breath hitched at his touch.
"Until I take it down," Lexa tilted her head back so she could meet his eyes. Even in her heels she was much shorter than him.
"In that case," he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, "I'd like to introduce you to a few people."
Lexa heart stuttered when he covered her hand with his and led her back towards the ballroom. They had just made it to the dancefloor when he heard the unmistakable sound of a doorknob rattling.
"Don't worry," Lexa smirked. "I sealed them in so even if they break down the door they'll be trapped inside."
"You're a little devious," Kol cocked an eyebrow.
"Is that a problem?" Lexa mirrored his expression.
"Not at all," his lips quirked upwards, "it's actually rather attractive." Kol allowed his eyes to roam over her dress appreciatively. "You look stunning by the way."
"Flattery will get you everywhere," she shook with a small laugh. Heat curled at the base of her spine before sizzling through her body. She cleared her throat and averted her eyes from his heavy stare. "So… who am I meeting first?"
Kol ran his eyes over her profile and squeezed her hand. "I thought we'd start with the guests of honour," he moved around some well-wishers and caught the arm of a slim blonde in a red dress.
"Kol," Rebekah turned around from where she had been inspecting the dancefloor, "now is not a great time. I need to find Elena and try to…"
"Already done," Kol grinned maniacally. "I'd like to introduce you to the witch who just sealed them in."
Rebekah turned her blue eyes to Lexa and smiled while offering her hand.
"Rebekah this is Lexa," Kol waited until Lexa's hand was in Rebekah's, "she is my soulmate."
Lexa bit back her laugh at the way Rebekah's eyes grew round and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she lowered her hand back to her skirt, "and congratulations."
"Thank you," Rebekah reached behind her for Jeremy's hand. "I don't suppose you two have met yet. Jeremy this is…"
"I heard," he chuckled and extended his hand.
"Lexa this is Elena's brother and Rebekah's fiancé," Kol grinned, "it only took him thirty years to propose."
"Ha-ha," Jeremy laughed.
"I have to admit," Lexa narrowed her eyes, "this is not what I was picturing after Elena made a joke about the wolves."
"Don't worry," Jeremy teased, "Klaus is the only one that really referred to, and if you go now you can be guaranteed he'll be on his best behaviour." He nodded to where Klaus stood on the edge of the dancefloor with a blonde in a glittering blue dress. "Caroline will make sure of that. I think the only one you'll really have to fear is Elijah. He's not going to be pleased that you were the one to seal him in the room."
"Unless things go well," Kol's hand settled on the small of her back when he heard her heartrate increase. "In which case you will have a new best friend."
Elena crossed her arms and moved to stand before the window to stare out at the full moon. Jonas was old and slightly senile. She had been all but holding him up towards the end of the dance, but she knew he hadn't been lying about the elixir.
But that opened a whole realm of possibilities and questions with unknown answers. If Jonas was telling the truth then Elijah had lied to her thirty years ago. What purpose would lying to her then serve?
Had he known the way she had felt about Katherine? Had he known she had been starting to develop a crush on him when he'd come out with the spell? Had he been attempting to alienate her?
Was he sleeping with Katherine? Was that why Jonas had thought she looked familiar; because he had seen Katherine with Elijah?
She heard the door open and didn't need to open her eyes to know who it was. The tingle behind her ear was more than enough to indicate Elijah. The familiar smell of his aftershave only served to remind her of how she had grown so familiar with the scent; she could almost feel the cool bricks against her shoulders.
Elijah didn't say anything. He had been thinking of the moment he saw her again for years, but now that he was in her presence he found the words gone. He wasn't sure if it was just Elena or the memory of the conversation he'd had with Kol earlier about Katerina Petrova. Maybe it was the sudden knowledge that Jonas had let slip a thirty year old secret.
He forced himself to leave a half dozen feet between them and choked down the urge he had to wrap his arms around her waist and lay kisses across her bare shoulders. Fifteen years was a long time.
"Elena," he busied his hands by adjusting his cuffs. "Can we talk?"
"You lied to me," her grip tightened on her upper arms. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Spinning on her heel she avoided his gaze and moved to the door.
Even if he'd made the elixir for her it didn't change the fact that Katherine had been in contact with him. It didn't change the fact that he had hung up the phone when she'd heard her own voice on the other side.
She knew Jonas hadn't been lying about the elixir. Kol had taught her how to discern honesty decades before.
What did it mean if she was the one he had made the potion for? Why had he lied? Why hadn't he told her about it later?
His hand closed around her elbow just as hers curled around the doorknob. Elena did her best to ignore his hand and tried to open the door.
She gasped when he spun her around so that her back landed against the door. The smooth wood warmed beneath her skin and grounded her in the room. She stared at his tie and struggled not to look up into the dark eyes she knew she would lose herself in.
"I'm not letting you run away again," Elijah's hands settled on either side of her shoulders without touching her skin.
"Clearly," Elena glared at his tie. "Let me guess," she finally lifted her eyes, "you had Jonas seal the door?"
"What?" Elijah tilted his head.
"Don't play dumb," Elena scoffed. She ducked under his arm and leaned against the cold fireplace.
Elijah looked from her to the door before reaching out and attempting to open the door. The handle rattled but wouldn't budge under his hand.
"We're sealed in," he turned back around in time to see her brows rise in surprise.
"You didn't have Jonas do this?" Elena's lips formed a thin line.
"No," he shook his head, "Jonas hardly has the strength to light a fire anymore."
"Some other witch then," Elena crossed her arms.
"Jonas is the only one in attendance," Elijah sighed. He tilted his head when he saw the realization on Elena's face.
"No he's not," she shook her head and reached into the hidden pocket in her skirt. She could feel Elijah's eyes on her when she lifted the phone to her ear. Her own eyes narrowed when she reached the voicemail. "Lexa, get your ass back over here and open the damn door!"
Elijah's head turned towards the ballroom when they made out the laughing voice of a soon to be maimed Original.
"She won't be doing that, darling."
No more running, Elena. Time to face the music and get everything out in the open...
