The tension spiked as Hayley walked into the room and her eyes flicked from one person to the next in response, as she tensed, prepared to run.
Seeing Hayley again, being reminded of just how beautiful she was, Elena felt a twinge of fear and jealousy. This had been the woman Elijah had fallen in love with in her other life. A woman with a face all her own, one without the pain Elena's predecessors had brought into his life. What if he realized this woman was better for him than she was? That because Hayley didn't come with all the baggage that Elena did she would fit better into his life?
Was this how Elijah felt when Elena interacted with Damon? It was probably worse for Elijah, because Elena had the memories of being with Damon while he had no memories of his life with Hayley. If so, she vowed to not speak to Damon ever again, because even the thought of making Elijah feel the way she felt now sickened her.
As if sensing what direction her thoughts were headed, Elijah crossed over to where she was sitting. With a soft smile playing around his mouth, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
"So, what brings you here, little wolf?" Klaus asked, looking her over carefully.
"Rumor has it that there's a way to keep wolves from turning at the full moon."
Elena raised one brow ever so slightly Elijah's direction, and he tilted his head as if acknowledging that he was the one who'd spread that around again.
"That won't be possible for another month or so," Klaus said.
"After July seventh," Jenna cut in, raising an eyebrow at Klaus when he opened his mouth to protest.
With a laugh, Klaus acquiesced, "Very well, July seventh."
"Perhaps you could join us for a drink while you convince me why I should extend the means to remain in your human form during the full moon to you," Klaus gestured for one of the caterers to bring a drink and a plate of food.
"They're not our servants, Klaus," Elena admonished.
"And while you're doing that, I think it's best if I showed Rebekah to her room so she can freshen up." Elijah held his arm out for his younger sister.
"Thank you, Elijah. I would like to get out of this dress." Rebekah gestured to the dress she wore, still stained with her own blood.
"I can help with your hair and makeup, if you don't mind." Elena offered as she moved to join Elijah.
"I'd like that. I'm sure there are all sorts of new tools and methods that I don't know the first thing about."
As they headed towards the stairs, Elena heard Klaus say, "And while they're doing that, perhaps we could adjourn to the sitting room, seeing as how the table is quickly becoming overcrowded."
"Do you even know where the sitting room is?" Jenna snapped.
"No, but I'm sure you can show us the way," Klaus retorted.
"I think they'll get along just fine," Elijah murmured, his dark eyes twinkling.
When they reached Rebekah's room, Elijah opened the door and Elena led her to the closet.
"What do I wear with this?" Rebekah asked, lifting the skirt of a little, black dress.
"High heels and maybe a light jacket," Elena replied.
"Nothing else?" Rebekah's eyes went wide.
"No."
"And wearing pants was scandalous when I was daggered."
"It's because women like you were brave enough to buck the system that women today feel freer about expressing themselves in their clothing," Elena said.
"It could be fun to wear this, I suppose," Rebekah mused, running her fingers along the material.
"I'll leave you two ladies to sort out this. I'm afraid I wouldn't be much help."
"There are no corsets for you to help me lace up anymore, are there?" Rebekah gave her brother a fond smile.
"Fortunately not. Women are either becoming more comfortable with their natural shapes or finding other ways to change them." Elijah tilted his head. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Klaus is in need of rescuing from Jenna."
With that, he was gone, leaving Elena and Rebekah alone.
"You're not being compelled, are you?" Rebekah remarked, studying Elena carefully.
"I'm a witch, so no. I'm doing this of my own free will and Elijah has his potion, so I'll be fine afterwards."
"You think Nik will go for it? He's notorious about destroying the people his siblings fall for."
"He'd better. He needs my blood to create his hybrids."
"That is definitely something to hold over him." Rebekah laughed.
"Now, let's get you changed. After you take a shower, I'll help with your makeup and hair."
In the bathroom, Elena started the shower and as she left the room, Rebekah started stripping out of her party dress.
While Rebekah showered, Elena picked out a frilly top, a pair of jeans, a pair of cute high heels, and some underclothes. She'd done her best to pick out clothing she'd remembered Rebekah favoring the last time around, but she couldn't be sure how she'd done until Rebekah saw herself in them.
The water shut off and Elena waited a moment before knocking on the bathroom door.
"Come in," Rebekah called.
Elena entered the room to find Rebekah wrapped in a towel.
"Here. Once you're dressed, I'll help you with your hair and makeup."
"Thank you for this."
"You're Elijah's sister and it might help with waking up in a new century if you've got a friend to help you with the adjustments."
Rebekah smiled and took the clothes from Elena's outstretched hands and then left the room once more, so Rebekah could dress. Elena barely had time to even considering sitting on the bed before Rebekah opened the door, her damp hair caught in a towel now.
"So, teach me what's fashionable now days."
As Elena started applying Rebekah's makeup, she said, "Caroline is so much better at this than I am, but I think I can keep you from looking like a 1970s disco queen. I'll have to introduce you so she can really get you up to speed."
"What does Caroline know about the supernatural?"
"She was murdered after Elijah fed her his blood because she was dying and I wanted to save her."
"So, a rare accidental turn for the noble Elijah. And seeing as how he's not in the habit of abandoning those he's sired, she's probably already got a better education than most decades old vampires have."
"She most definitely does."
While Elena continued her work, she answered as many of Rebekah's questions as she could. Why had she thought Rebekah was an evil bitch the first time around, the whole thing at the school aside? Oh, right. Because Damon decided she was evil.
"You're deep in thought," Rebekah finally remarked. "You're talking, but you're mind is a thousand miles away."
"Just thinking about how much everything's changed since last summer and how easily it all could have been so much worse."
"I am of the opinion that worrying about what will never be is a waste of time."
"You know what? You're right." Elena smiled, pushing all thoughts of Damon and how he'd messed up a possible friendship with Rebekah up the last time around out of her mind. He wasn't in control of her life this time, so she could be friends with Rebekah if she damn well wanted to be.
After that, the conversation shifted to what sort of things girls in their late teens did with themselves.
"So, what do you think?" Elena asked finally.
"It's different from the 20s, that's for sure, but I like it." Rebekah said as she examined her reflection. "It looks more natural, freer, even though I know you spent a while on it."
"It's just because it's been a while since I've done other people's hair and makeup. Once you get used to doing it, you can do it in fifteen, twenty minutes. Now, come on." Elena tugged Rebekah lightly towards the door. "Let's introduce your new look to everyone."
When Rebekah descended the stairs, Elijah smiled and walked up to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"You look well adjusted to this century," Elijah said with a smile.
"Thank you. Elena worked wonders."
"I had a good canvas. I just added a little paint."
"This century certainly does suit you, little sister." Klaus raised his glass of bourbon in a salute.
Elena looked around the room and saw Hayley standing next to an awkward Ryan. The werewolf was looking at her son from under her lashes, clearly flirting with him, and when Ryan saw Elena, he shot her a pleading look.
As she walked over, she thought fast for an excuse to get him out of a situation he didn't know how to extract himself from politely.
Placing her hand on his arm in an effort to calm him, she said, "I think Jeremy wants to finalize you're plans."
"Oh, right. Yeah. I'll do that." Ryan fled.
"I thought you were with Elijah. Unless Greta was wrong about that." Hayley raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I am with Elijah, and Ryan's a relative of mine who just got out of an extremely abusive situation. So he's here to heal and to be with people who love and care about him."
"I'll back off then. If you could, let him know that I'm safe to be around so he doesn't run whenever he sees me? I don't push where I know it's not wanted."
"I can do that."
"Thanks." Hayley laughed once. "I thought he was just shy. He was so polite. I didn't realize."
"Ryan's still learning that he's allowed to set boundaries if he wants to and figuring out what's expected of him."
"How bad was this relationship he was in?" Hayley whispered, horrified.
"That's his story to tell and don't think you know what happened, just from what I've told you. It's far more complicated and more terrible than anything you can imagine." Elena automatically searched Ryan out, needing to know if her son was okay.
When Ryan caught her eye, he smiled at her, then turned his attention back to Jeremy.
"The way he looks at you, it's like you're his whole world."
"I'm the first person to treat him with any kindness and that's why he wanted to live around me. Elijah offered to let him live here because he knew Ryan wouldn't be comfortable sharing a room with anyone and I refuse to make him sleep on a couch."
"Yeah, of course not. Poor guy though. I feel so bad now." Hayley winced.
"You didn't know, Hayley. You can't be held accountable for actions that would be perfectly acceptable with anyone who hadn't been through what he has been through."
"You're pretty understanding considering that I just upset your cousin that you're so protective of."
"You flirted with him and he didn't know how to politely decline. There's nothing to be angry with you about. Look at him. Does he look like he's still bothered by it?" Elena gestured with her head towards her son.
Hayley followed Elena's gesture and watched Ryan laughing with Jeremy, his full mouth curled up higher on one side than the other in that endearing way of his.
"Maybe I'll apologize in person, in a bit, instead of getting you to do it for me." The way she said it told Elena that she didn't have any ulterior motive, she was just no longer nervous about facing the sweet faced young man she'd been flirting with moments earlier.
"Maybe hearing it from someone not related to him or anyone else he's leaning on as family that it's okay to say 'No'. It's about his own safety and comfort and he shouldn't push himself to endure a situation just because he thinks it's expected of him."
"And you're hoping I can do that for you," Hayley guessed.
"You don't have to. I'm just trying to find ways to help him heal."
"If I'm going make myself useful while I'm here, I guess I can start by helping him out and making things right at the same time."
"Thank you, Hayley. Now I owe you one, and I always repay my debts."
"I believe you." Hayley studied Klaus for a long moment before looking to Elijah, then back to Elena. "You're a terrifying woman and I will do everything I can to remain on your good side."
Now, this was unexpected. Elena hadn't thought she and Hayley might be anything other than acquaintances connected to the same family, but was it possible that she and Hayley might become friends of sorts?
