"Some blood banks were robbed in the last two weeks," John said softly as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "What do you know about that?"
"You might want to ask Elijah. He can get more out of the Salvatore brothers than I can."
John snorted once, then said, "The Salvatores. I'm surprised they're not crawling all over themselves to get to you, considering you look like the woman who came between them."
"Could you not bring up Katherine, at all?" Elena snapped. "I called Elijah before they had a chance to get close. Now, play nice with him and he might tell you what you want to know."
"Or you could talk to him for me and tell me what he says."
"No. Elijah's going to be in my life for the foreseeable future, so I suggest you get used to dealing with him. You can't kill him and those little daggers only put Klaus down for so long and then he's back and madder than ever, so stuff it. Oh, and if any of the vampires in the area come to harm, Elijah will take personal offense to it."
"Why would he bother if a vampire or two went missing?"
"Because, I owe Stefan my life and so that puts him and Damon on my 'do not kill' list. And anyone else, they're on good enough terms with Elijah for him to care about their well-being. Don't make me repeat myself. Elijah stays and he handles the vampire problems. So if there is one, talk to him."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Jenna said as she entered the room.
"He's just giving me grief about Elijah."
"I am Elena's legal guardian and I say whatever happens between them is fine with me, provided there's no sex until she's eighteen, so leave it alone. And if you try challenging your brother's decision to leave your biological daughter in my care, I will make a stink about it."
"Okay, you kids have fun. I've gotta go to school." Elena set her half finished coffee on the counter. "Jeremy! I'm leaving now!"
"Just a sec!" Jeremy bounded down the stairs.
XXXXX
"Okay, I need help!" Caroline ran up to Elena and Bonnie as they walked to their cars after class.
"What's going on?" Bonnie asked.
"I need you guys to go with me to find the perfect dress for the Founders' Court."
"The Founders' Court?" Elena glanced at Bonnie, confused
"For Miss Mystic Falls. They announced it today and you and I are both on it."
"Oh, right. I forgot all about that." In light of everything, attending the beauty pageant a second time hadn't factored at all on her list of important things she needed to do.
"Wait, are you dropping out?"
Elena considered for a moment, before saying, "No."
"Oh." Caroline's face fell slightly.
It was then that Elena realized that Caroline was afraid of losing to her. How had she missed that the first time? Did Caroline really think that people would always pick Elena over her? Then again, Stefan didn't give Caroline a chance even though Elena didn't express any romantic interest in him until he realized there was no chance for them to get back together.
"I don't plan on doing anything to win though. In fact, I think I'll do something to ensure I don't."
"What are you thinking?"
"That Elijah looks good all dressed up, so maybe I can convince him to escort me. And it'd be scandalous enough because of our age difference that no way any of the judges would even give me a sympathy vote, which is the only way any of them would vote for me." Elena smirked in Caroline's direction. "And since you're the perfect candidate, it will be an absolutely clean sweep for Caroline Forbes, Miss Mystic Falls."
"The only viable candidate?" Bonnie asked.
"Oh, my god, you're right! The Fell cousins won't get it because Blaire won already and Tina only got her community service because of her DUI, not because she was actually trying to make the community better. And Amber is only on the Court so it doesn't look like a Founding Families only pageant, even though it totally is."
"And this way, you honor your mom by participating, but are assured of not having those extra duties on your shoulders that the winner will have," Bonnie added.
"Yeah, you've got enough, not that I know everything, but you seem pretty weighed down by it all. And that sounded so mean. I just meant that you've been dealing with a lot and don't need… Okay, I'm going to shut up. I'm just making things worse."
"It's okay. I know what you meant." Elena squeezed Caroline's hand and smiled. "Even if I did try to win, you're a shoe-in. You're on all the community betterment committees and you've got the poise they want in their candidates."
"Aww, thank you!"
"Now you just have to convince Elijah to escort you to it," Bonnie said.
"Oh, please, they were pretty much all over each other at the last Founder's Party," Caroline giggled.
"We were not."
"You hardly left his side, you both were making moon eyes at each other and when you did have to leave for a second, he couldn't look away, even to talk to Mrs. Lockwood."
"Fine. I'll ask." Pulling her phone out of her pocket, Elena dialed Elijah's number.
"Elena."
"Elijah, are you busy?"
"Nothing pressing. What's going on? Is something wrong?" Worry laced his voice and she thought she heard him stand up.
"Not really, I just need a huge favor."
"Anything. What is it?"
"Miss Mystic Falls. I'm in the Founders' Court and I need an escort. I'd rather not have to ask anyone else, since my only options are really Tyler Lockwood, since I could strong arm Mrs. Lockwood into making him do it, and Stefan Salvatore."
"Definitely bad ideas on both counts."
"So will you? Endure dance lessons from Mrs. Lockwood and a day of prom dresses and hairspray in your face?"
"It would be my pleasure to escort you, Miss Gilbert. When does the torture from Mrs. Lockwood start?"
"Torture?" Elena giggled.
"I've been dancing for centuries, including this mating ritual style movement that people dare call dancing these days. There's nothing this woman can teach me that I don't already know."
"Wait, you go to clubs?"
"It makes it so much easier to find someone without attracting attention. Though I haven't been to one since I met you."
"Thank you so much." She wasn't sure which one she was thanking him for, him escorting her, or him staying out of clubs since meeting her, but either way, his words chased the jealousy out of her chest and she could breathe again.
"Anytime." His voice wrapped itself around her and for a moment, all was right with the world.
"Talk to you soon, bye."
"Told you so," Caroline said.
"Shut up. Yes, I have feelings for him and he has feelings for me, but things are… interesting right now."
"Why? Because you're still seventeen for another few months?"
"That's part of it, yes."
"Oh, my god! The interviews!" Caroline gasped, her blue eyes going wide. "What if I mess up?"
"Please, you've probably been practicing for weeks already," Bonnie joked.
XXXXX
When it came time for her interview, Elena found herself sitting across from the judges, her mind blank. What had she said last time? She couldn't remember.
As she wracked her brain for something, anything to say, suddenly the words came, "I was in a coma for weeks, then in physical therapy, following a crash that killed my parents, so I know I've been a little out of it while trying to recover, but that doesn't mean this town and the Founders' Events aren't important to me. I am aware of what an honor this is and I do take it seriously. This was really important to my mother. She believed in community, family, honor, loyalty. It's a legacy she left for me and I want to honor her, however I can."
"Thank you, Elena," Mrs. Lockwood smiled, a little more warmly than before.
Nodding her head, Elena walked out of the room.
Pulling out her phone, she sent a text to Elijah.
Be at the school this afternoon. We're going dancing.
XXXXXX
"Why does this bring back memories?" Elijah chuckled as he and Elena walked into the cafeteria where Mrs. Lockwood had decided to hold the practice.
"What do you mean?"
"When dances such as this were all the rage, if they couldn't afford a private tutor, people would attend classes such as this to learn the steps."
"Elena, I see you've got Elijah as your escort." Mrs. Lockwood smiled brightly, though there was tension around her eyes.
"He wanted to partake in the dance that's been around since 1864 and since I didn't have an escort, I figured, why not?"
"Of course. Places everyone!"
Elena and Elijah moved to stand across from each other and the other contestants and their partners fell into place beside them. Once everyone was in position, the music started.
"Honor your partner," Mrs. Lockwood called.
Elijah bowed elegantly as Elena curtsied.
"Right hand around. Flirt with your eyes."
The charge was back between them, and it took everything she had to listen to Carol, so she wouldn't be called out again. Though if the woman was aware of the connection between them, she might have been a bit more careful with her words.
"Left hand around."
While it had been humorous with Stefan, this time, she allowed herself to feel the connection, to live in the moment of having Elijah's undivided attention. In a way, it was a mirror of their real life relationship, so close to coming together, yet held apart by social requirements.
When the dance finally came to an end, Elijah bowed over Elena's hand and kissed her knuckles.
"I think you've done this before," Carol looked Elijah up and down in open appraisal.
"I've always been fond of waltzes and similar styles of dance. There's something about being so close to a person, yet to have every move dictated, that's both enthralling and agitating, and with the right partner, the dance can become a conversation all its own."
Carol blinked and blushed, then caught herself by saying, "Alright, ladies, We will see you at the Crowning. Good luck to you all."
"The plan is for me to lose, not for Carol to consider herself seduced by my partner," Elena teased in a low voice.
"Now, she'll vote against you on principle since she knows I'm as close to being with you as I can be and not give John an aneurysm, so she's got no chance of gaining my affections."
XXXXXX
"I'm riding with Jenna and Alaric, so I guess Jeremy can ride with you, if that's okay," Elena said to John as she came down the stairs, her dress bag in her arms.
"I suppose so," he replied, a little disappointed.
"Jenna's helping with my hair and makeup, so it'd make sense for us to go together. Otherwise, I wouldn't be opposed to going with you."
"Yes, of course. Good luck today."
"Thanks."
Someone knocked on the door and Jenna hurried from the kitchen to answer it.
"Ric!" Jenna greeted with a smile.
"Hey!" To Elena he held out his hands for the garment bag. "Let me take that."
"Okay, let's get going." Elena handed the dress to him and headed out the door, wanting to avoid the awkward tension between the three adults.
The ride to the Founders' Hall was thankfully short and nothing much was said.
"Alright, let's get you ready." Jenna led the way towards the designated dressing rooms. "Are you excited?"
"I suppose."
"It'd be better if your mom were here. She'd be so proud of you."
"That's why I'm still doing this. For her."
Closing the door behind them, Jenna immediately started setting everything up to get Elena ready for the pageant.
As she applied her makeup, Elena found herself saying, "Thanks for this. Even if you burn my hair off, it's the thought that counts."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Jenna laughed.
"Caroline, do you need any help?" Elena asked when she caught her friend's eye in the mirror.
"I'm good, thank you though." Caroline relaxed just a little and smiled.
Elena's phone buzzed and she checked it. It was a message from Elijah.
Stefan is indulging human blood.
Can someone break his neck so he doesn't make a scene? The last thing we need is a vampire related mess at a Founders' Event. They'll be demanding the Gilbert device if that happens.
I'll inform Damon of his duties. He may be a childish insult to the vampire race, but he at least can control himself when necessary.
Sliding her phone back into her bag, Elena turned her attention back to getting ready.
"Okay, I think I'm ready. Time for the dress." Elena checked her reflection one more time and then headed to the changing room where her dress hung.
When she opened the door, she found Amber pacing back and forth.
"Are you okay?" Elena asked.
"I just hate being the center of attention."
Catching Amber by the arms, Elena said, "Breathe. You'll be okay. Breathe with me. In and out. In and out. That's it. Now. You've got nothing to worry about."
"Thanks. I'm gonna get a drink of water."
"I'll get changed while you're gone."
Amber smiled and left the room.
Quickly, Elena stripped out of her street wear and pulled on the royal blue dress she'd been so excited to pick out with Miranda. God, how she missed her mother.
With a final check at her reflection, Elena left the room, just as Amber was entering it.
"Oh, wow, you look pretty."
"Thank you. Good luck."
With that, she made her way to where the other girls were waiting.
"I'm jealous," Caroline said when Elena stopped beside her.
"Why?"
"There's your escort, looking sexier than sin, and mine's at work."
"They wouldn't let Matt switch shifts?" Damn it. Why hadn't she asked if one of the vampires could compel them to accommodate that?
"No."
"I'm sorry. But he will be able to be on the float in the parade, so you only have to put up with this guy today. And he's a Founding Family member, so your chances of winning go up even more."
"I like the way you think." Caroline smiled.
"How do I look?" Amber asked as she approached them.
"You look great," Elena replied.
"I'm just so nervous."
"We're all going to be out there with you on the dance floor. When they call your name, just hold onto the stair rail and walk down like a queen."
"Thanks. And thank you for being so sweet."
"You'll do just fine."
When they called her name, Amber held her head up high and walked down the stairs.
"You're being awfully nice to her," Caroline commented.
"She was in the dressing room close to having a panic attack and I didn't want the day ruined for her."
"Miss Caroline Forbes," the announcer called. "And her escort, Mr. Jeffery Lockwood-Hamilton."
Elena waved as Caroline gracefully descended the stairs.
"Elena, you're next."
Carol waved her over and Elena took her position at the top of the stairs.
"Miss Elena Gilbert, escorted by Mr. Elijah Mikaelson."
As she came down the stairs, she found herself caught in Elijah's gaze, and before she was aware of it, she was at the bottom of the stairs and he had her hand in his.
Taking her place across from him on the dance floor, Elena allowed herself to glide through the movements that had been shared before with a different partner, under vastly different circumstances. But that thought didn't even cross her mind as she lifted her hand to match Elijah's.
Even if she could have thought of anything to say, the moment called for silence, as the crowd, the other couples, everything, faded into less than background noise. The only thing that mattered just then was right in front of her.
All too soon, the song came to an end and she was yanked back to the pageant, and Elijah had to escort her to the stage.
With a final brush of his lips against her hand, Elijah fell back to stand with the other escorts.
"Before I crown the winner," Mr. Lockwood said as he walked onto the stage, "I would like to offer a personal thank you to these incredible young ladies for their efforts to better our community."
If only he knew just what she'd done to better the community. He'd be kissing her feet if he found out she had a hand in destroying over a dozen vampires who wanted nothing more than to destroy the Founding Families.
"So, without further ado, it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes!"
"Congratulations!" Elena smiled, relieved that the turnout of the pageant was the same as last time. Caroline deserved this, more than anyone else.
"Thank you!" Caroline hugged her tight, then hurried forward to be officially crowned.
Elena found Bonnie's eyes in the crowd and Bonnie grinned.
As Elena left the stage, Damon stopped her.
"What?" she snapped.
"Crisis averted. Little brother's throat snapped."
"Good."
"Your boyfriend is… scary."
"Maybe he wouldn't have to be if you weren't such an irresponsible, goading asshole."
"Goading?"
"I'm guessing that you goaded Stefan into the human stuff?"
"Maybe. Just a little. I didn't think he'd go that far though."
"From what I've heard, he's a Ripper and Rippers can't stop once they've started. Contain this, or Elijah will contain you."
"You're not still mad at me, are you?" Damon asked.
That smirk she used to find so attractive was on his face, but now, she just wanted to smack it off. Did he truly not see the problem with what he'd done? Was there no self-awareness in his thought process? Of course she was angry!
"You abused Caroline and attacked me. Consider that a definite, 'Yes.'" Turning on her heel, she walked away to join her friends.