Chapter Two:

I watched as Rebekah walked over, stretching out her hand to Matt.

"Come now, date, we have a dance." She smiled.

She turned to Caroline and sneered and then turned to me.

"You look...ok." She shrugged.

I just shrugged a little before watching her and Matt walk to the dance floor. Caroline scowled and I heard her sneer.

"Who does she think she is?"

Before I could say anything, Klaus was walking over, and dread washed over me. He had threatened mine and Jeremy's lives at least weekly since moving into town. I took a small step back, putting a safe distance between us.

"Relax, little Gilbert. No harm shall come to you tonight." He turned to Caroline with a smile and I noticed a small spark in his eyes. "Care for a dance, love?" He offered his arm. Caroline huffed, turning to me, I gave a nod and she took the arm. I watched as Klaus escorted her to the dance floor. I blew out the breath between my teeth, squeezing my hips to centre myself.

"May I?" A familiar voice asked.

I turned to Stefan with a smile.

"Are you sure?" I teased.

He grabbed my hand, linking my arm through his. We walked to the dance floor, taking our place. I gave him a nervous sideways look. He smiled.

"You look nice."

I felt my heart sink, before my sadness could take root the music started, we stepped in time. We turned to face the other couples, bowing before I felt Stefan twirl me around and into his arms. I just kept quiet, my eyes looking around and trying to ignore the fire burning through my system.

"Are you ok Jordy?" he asked softly.

"Hm?" I asked.

"Are you ok?" he asked again.

We twirled and I was spun into the arms of someone else. I felt my heart jump through my skin as blue eyes lit with amusement.

"I believe this is a ball, not a dance." Klaus commented.

His eyes looked down at my dress that fell halfway from knee to ankle. I bit my lip, trying to stop the tears from forming. I heard him chuckle which caused me to turn and look at him.

As I was about to question him, I was spun into the arms of another Mikaelson. The handsome one. I felt my breath hitch and his smirk spread across his face.

"I think you look rather beautiful..." my heart skipped a few beats, at hearing his words. I blinked at him, he pulled me a little closer to his body, whispering in my ear. "We didn't get to meet earlier, I'm Kol." He pulled away, his eyes lingering on my neck. I could feel my tongue swelling in my mouth. Before introducing myself, I was spun into the arms of Elijah. I could feel my pulse steady as his strong hand clasped mine.

"Good evening Jordan. Never mind Niklaus, you look lovely."

"Thank you, Elijah." I smiled, feeling myself falling into the depths of his lovely warm brown eyes.

"My mother wishes to speak with your sister." His tone was gentle, but I could hear the question through it.

"I don't know what it is about." I quickly defended myself.

"I know. I believe you." He smiled reassuringly at me. we were to change partners, but he kept me, spinning me around and back to his chest. "Would you tell me if she told you?" he asked.

I looked around a little nervously, noticing Elena, Damon and Stefan were already missing off the dance floor.

"I-I-I I don't know." I answered honestly.

"I see..."

"But Elena rarely tells me." I offered him the information freely. He looked down at me a little confused. "Maybe because I am her younger sister and she wishes to keep me safe." I answered his unasked question. I smiled at him as he made the knowing sound. "I would not like to see you get hurt Elijah. You have shown me kindness and saved my life when you were not obliged to do so."

He looked down at me and smiled.

"Thank you for your honesty Jordan."

He spun me into Matt's arms. I cocked my head to the side as he looked a little annoyed.

"Caroline grill you?" I asked.

He gave me a knowing look before chuckling under his breath.

"I forget you are younger than us."

"By a year Matt. One measly little year." I responded with a laugh of my own.

The dancing came to an end, Matt and I walked over to the corner, I found myself leaning against him to readjust the strap on my shoes.

"These things will be the death of me." I muttered.

"Why do you even wear them?" Matt asked as he held me in place.

"A lady must complete the look." I said in a matter of fact tone.

He shook his head with a laugh. Before long Rebekah walked over, turning to Matt.

"Would you like some fresh air?"

"Ah...sure...Jordan?" he asked, turning to me.

"Hmm? What?" I asked.

"Do you want to join us?" Matt asked.

I looked at Rebekah who had a dark look in her eyes, fear crawling up my spine. I shook my head quickly.

"No, I think I see Hamish, haven't spoken to him tonight."

I watched as Matt and Rebekah walked outside, I was about to turn my gaze away when I spotted the man, Kol following them. I had a bad feeling. As I tried to push my way through the crowd, Carol appeared in front of me with a smile.

"Jordan, you look lovely." She smiled at me, gesturing down. I smiled warmly at her. She had been kind when my mother and father were killed.

"Thank you, Mayor Lockwood. You look stunning." I commented.

I saw her cheeks heat a little before she patted her dress down.

"Thank you, it's nice to hear a compliment."

I nodded and excused myself, to try and get outside in search of Matt. As I walked through the doors, I saw Matt and Rebekah walking back up, Rebekah had Matt's jumper on. I smiled as Matt looked up.

"I thought you were going to talk to Hamish?"

"He is occupied...something about refinance and future establishments." I gave Matt a blank look and he laughed.

"Yeah, I wouldn't want to get in the middle of that either."

The three of us walked back inside, being called for an announcement. The waiters were offering us glasses with tinted pink champagne.

I felt a presence beside me to my right, fear beating at me like a drum.

"Here, for the lovely lady... I believe you have not yet given me your name." Kol spoke. I turned and accepted the glass from his hand with a soft smile. Trying to keep my pulse calm but failed. I saw his eyes flash dark and I jumped as his fingers brushed mine. The burning sensation inside came to life, roaring. This need was burning me from the inside out and I stifled it down with a sharp bite inside my cheek.

"Jordan Gilbert." I replied.

There was a clearing of a throat that caught my attention, I shifted my gaze from Kol to the stairs where his mother stood.

"It provides me with no greater joy to see my family reunited as one. I would like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening...Cheers." she raised her glass.

I turned to Kol, feeling his intense stare fixated on me. We all rose our glasses and murmured cheers in unison.

I watched Kol take a sip, I took one too. I felt this small ounce of relief pouring through me. It was a fleeting second where the fire inside didn't feel all consuming.

Silence fell between Kol and I and for once it felt easy and joyous.

"Little brother, who do we have here?" the last Mikaelson son asked as he walked over. He smiled at me.

"Fin, please meet the lovely Jordan Gilbert." Kol introduced.

I saw Fin's eyes flare with recognition as he smiled taking my hand in his and kissing my knuckles. My heart was hammering inside my chest and the fire seemed to be engulfing me. Once he let go of my hand, I felt a small easing to my body.

"Fin Mikaelson."

"Pleasure to meet you."

He walked off and I felt myself watching as he turned to give me one last look before turning a corner. I turned to find Kol watching me intently, my pulse thundered again, and I looked down to my shoes.

"I better go."

Kol took my hand, kissing my knuckles. My eyes widened as sparks danced under my skin, the fire was becoming harder and harder to ignore.

He kept a hold of my hand as I found myself starring into his eyes.

"Pleasure to meet you Jordan. I hope to be seeing you around."