Elijah holds out his hand as he asks Elena to dance. She takes it, after a moment's hesitation.

In her black and gold gown, in Elijah's arms, Elena feels as if every eye in the ballroom is on her. She ignores the way that Damon and Stefan stare at her, all disapproval, as Elijah leads her around the floor in a waltz.

She ignores everything and everyone but Elijah, and the way he looks down at her with those dark eyes, as he holds her tight. She knows the strength in his arms – the danger.

And yet, she isn't sure when she's last felt this safe.

Meeting with Esther can wait. Elena isn't sure if she'll ever again have the chance to dance with Elijah like this.

Elijah holds out his hand as he asks Elena to dance. She takes it, with barely a second thought.

In her white flapper dress, in Elijah's arms, Elena feels as if every eye in the gym is on her. She ignores the way that Damon and Stefan stare at her, a mix of disapproval and envy, as Elijah holds her close.

She ignores everything and everyone but Elijah, and the way he gazes at her with those dark eyes – full of affection and, dare Elena think it, ilove/i.

"You are exquisite," Elijah murmurs softly in her ear. Elena can't help but smile, resting her head on his strong shoulder.

"You look very dapper," she whispers back, admiring the way he fills out his 1920s-era suit. Elijah thanks her, a little quirk to his lips as he assures her that his outfit is "quite period accurate."

Alaric's drama can wait, at least for a little while. Elena isn't sure when she'll next have the chance to dance with Elijah like this.

Elijah holds out his hand as he asks Elena to dance. She takes it, without a second thought.

In her prom dress, in Elijah's arms, Elena feels as if every eye in the room is on her. She ignores the way that Damon and Stefan stare at her, a mix of disapproval and envy and ianger/i, as Elijah holds her close.

She ignores everything and everyone but Elijah, and the way he stares at her so lovingly with those dark eyes.

"Thank you for coming – I know that a high school prom can't exactly be your idea of a good time," Elena tells him with a wry smile.

"Anywhere with you is my idea of a good time," Elijah replies. Elena thinks a sentiment that romantic deserves a kiss; Elijah happily bends to meet her in the middle when she leans up.

"I love you," she murmurs against his lips as they pull apart, just a little.

"As I love you, my lovely Elena," Elijah responds, as she knew he would.

Everything else can wait. Even though Elena can dance with her boyfriend whenever she wants, she can only dance with him at her senior prom this once.

Elijah holds out his hand as he asks Elena to dance. When Elena hesitates, he practically pleads: "Let me have this dance, once last time."

In her white wedding dress, in Elijah's arms, Elena knows that every eye in the banquet hall is on her. (Neither Damon nor Stefan is there to stare at her, as Elijah pulls her close.)

She is acutely aware of everyone around them, as she tries to ignore the way Elijah still looks at her – with love in those dark eyes. Elena ican't/i think about Elijah's steady, boundless love – not now that she's given it up.

"Elena…" Elijah starts, but a tap on his shoulder cuts him off before he can continue.

"Brother," Klaus says, a challenging smirk on his face. "Perhaps I can steal my lovely bride for this dance?"

It isn't actually a question.

Elena shoots a warning look to Elijah as she steps away from him, and into Klaus's arms.

Klaus won't wait. And Elena knows – she iknows/i - that if she wants to keep her loved ones safe, she can never, ever dance with Elijah again.