Looking at herself in the mirror, Elena puts on one final coat of mascara, rubs some gel highlighter on her shoulders and then spritzes on her favorite Byredo perfume, La Tulipe. When she finishes, she steps back and turns to look over her shoulder at her appearance. She's wearing a gold multi open back embellished floor length gown. Although she loves the color and the green floral design, the back design is what drew her to it like a moth to flame. Just as she stoops over to slip into her nude Louboutin pumps, Elijah's ring tone alerts her to his presence. She grabs her Louis Vuitton clutch and hurries to the door, pulling it shut behind her. She stops in her tracks when she sees him leaning against the door of the jet black limousine. Of course he'd pull out all the stops...
"Hey," she gives him a beaming smile, somehow his familiar face, familiar Armani suit and the formal gesture, bowing as if she's royalty feels like a balm to her frayed nerves. Hearing a meow, she turns around to see Sherlock curling up on the couch. She knows he'll be fine while she's gone, even so, she hates to leave her baby.
"You okay?"
"I'm great. And may I say how dashing you look?"
"And you look stunning." Elijah returns her smile with a less formal one and with light hand helps her inside. A few seconds later he joins her in the back seat and the car starts moving. Elijah offers her a glass of champagne. Elena chuckles and takes it.
"Thank you, I can always count on you to make me feel so special."
"Is there a someone who doesn't make you feel this way?" he challenges. His calm tone still suggests the certain someone may have to deal with him.
She knows he's joking. He must be... right? "No, " she makes a funny face, "I wouldn't let them." She takes his hand and Elijah returns the squeeze.
"Father's been excited since yesterday when their first guests arrived."
"Your mansion must be full by now."
"It will be tonight but a lot of the guests are staying in hotels. I've never really asked but have you ever thought of maybe buying up some of the property around the Amazon, it would make a magnificent hotel and casino?"
Elena laughs and sips from her champagne. "Actually I have thought of it but not with any seriousness... However now that you mention it..."
"Let's not talk shop tonight, I want you to enjoy yourself, deal?"
Nodding, she gives him another smile and then looks outside as they get within view of the Mikaelson mansion. Esther considered renting out one of their local hotel ballrooms but chose instead to have it at their estate. She can see the huge tent as they get closer. She can imagine how luxurious and maybe a little ostentatious it must look inside. They're in line to be dropped off as there's already a large crowd. "Your mother went all out didn't she?"
"She did, I was at the house this morning as they were setting up. There are several tables sets up for the guests, it looks magnificent inside."
Elena feels like she's looking at the building for the first time in her life. So many people here to celebrate her favorite uncle's birthday. She can imagine how proud he feels and rightfully so, the whole town and many important people nationwide are here to celebrate his 70th birthday.
The limousine comes to a stop and the door is being opened, Henry, one of the Mikaelsons' staff, helps her step out. Elijah joins her in a second and holds out his elbow for her to latch onto.
"I feel like a princess about to have an audience with the king," she whispers to him and Elijah chuckles.
"Is that so?"
"Yes but it's also true that I have never attended anything so... opulent in my whole life!"
"Well, let's go pay our homage to the king," Elijah remarks as they walk across the yard to join the other guests.
"I can't believe it...," Katherine breathes out when the mansion comes into view. The adjoining area has been turned into a parking lot, there's a crowd of people observing from a distance to see the who's who of Reno society arriving at the party. Katherine's also astonished to see local news crews standing by and snapping pictures. All of this pageantry for one man's birthday party.
"Mikael Mikaelson's one of the most important people in this town. Founding family member. Respected lawyer. Although they have more wealth that the Crown, this does seem a little over the top even for them," Damon comments scanning the crowd, looking for a way to navigate through the swarm to get to the gate. "So... our names should be on the guest list, right?" he carefully nudges his way, holding Katherine's hand so as not to lose her. After all he has just one sister and it's up to him to keep her safe. She looks truly adorable in her black off the shoulder gown. Her hair is falling in ringlets down her back. Her only jewelry is a pair of extravagant diamond drop earrings, he wonders if she bought the dress here or brought it with her from New York.
"Not exactly..."
He instantly snaps his head to look at her, hoping they actually have access to the event, he didn't even think to ask till now. "What you mean? You did call Elijah right?"
"I...," she tries to keep up with his fast walk, she's also buying time to formulate a response, "Um... I thought about it and wasn't sure how he'd react if I asked for an invite with a plus one."
"You mean me because I'm certain he'd have no qualms about giving you an invitation. How the hell are we going to get in there?" Damon feels his frustration rising. She does have a point though. It's rather impertinent to demand access to a personal family event. Well, not that this seems personal. He huffs mentally.
"Chill Damon. Do you think I'd let you dress to the nines and come here if I didn't have a plan?" Katherine gives as good as she gets. "A little faith, big brother!" She gestures with a tilt of her head to her right. She fits right in with his family. Speaking of which...
"Dad? Mom?" Damon stops in his tracks when he spots his parents standing by the gate.
"Damon!" Jenna takes him in her arms, then hugs Katherine with the same enthusiasm. Damon is moved by the welcoming gesture for his long lost sister.
"Have you been waiting long?" Katherine gives Giuseppe a short hug too.
"Not at all, we just arrived. At least we had the opportunity to watch the guests! Clint Eastwood is here too, can you imagine?"
"That's awesome!" Katherine shares the excitement with Jenna.
Giuseppe exchanges a benevolent look with his son and Damon once again is made aware how much his parents understand and love each other.
"I saw Elena Gilbert as well. With such a handsome young man, they looked impressive," Jenna adds triumphantly looking at Damon.
Yeah, that's not exactly what he wanted to hear.
Smiling tightly, he gestures for them to move forward. "Well, I don't know how about you and mom, but Katherine and I don't have an invitation."
"I have that covered, Damon," Giuseppe tells him. "I know you're rather blasé when it comes to the founders' legacy but sometimes it does have its advantages." He pats Damon's shoulder and pushes him forward to the security guy standing at the gate..
"Mr...?"
"Salvatore," Damon offers. His dad hands the guy the invitation.
"Giuseppe Salvatore, my wife Jenna, son Damon and his sister Katherine."
"Have a nice evening sir." He steps out of their way and moves to another guest.
Damon turns to his dad incredulously. "Dad?"
All he gets in return is a wink.
"I have to hand it to you, you put us all to shame."
"What are you going on about?" Elena asks, shifting slightly in her chair to face him.
"You totally nailed it with your gift. Something tells me the Hawaiian vacation is a gift for mom rather than the old man. She's always complaining that he won't take her anywhere, that he's too worried the town will go up in smoke without him," Kol grins at her, sipping from his drink.
Elena chuckles, "I wasn't sure what to give him, I think he has everything he could possibly wish for. I hope he won't curse me."
Kol seems to give it a thought. "No,... I think he appreciates it. Besides, it will make mother happy and he loves her, so..."
"So, I suggest you go to find your own date, brother...," Elijah returns with another drink for her and himself, waving Kol off only half joking.
"Oh no, you're not going to ruin my free time with Elena," Kol winks at her and Elena has to laugh at his antics.
"My time with Elena, you mean? I'm afraid you're delusional, little brother. If you wanted her to be your date, you should've asked her."
"When did you even ask and how do you always manage to swipe her before any of us can even get to the starting gate? Must be some special skill, 'Lijah?"
"It's all about organizing my priorities, Kol, or you can just chalk it up to your big brother's charming personality."
"Wow, do I get any say in this 'sharing Elena' game, or...?" Elena interrupts their banter although she's enjoying it herself. "But Elijah's right and besides don't you have a date?"
"Oh please, Andie's not a date. She's an annoying reporter that's hangs on me because she thinks I can open some doors for her and well, she's not too shabby in..."
"Kol!?"
"Stop you know my heart belongs to you. But look," he gestures to where she's chatting with Mr. Eastwood. "She's working tonight. God knows how she got the exclusive rights for the evening because I had nothing to do with it."
"Well, my guess is that she's here because her daddy dearest is the CEO of KRXI," Elijah offers innocently. "I wouldn't play games with her if I were you."
"How was I supposed to know that? Her name's Starr?" Kol flares up.
"Yeah, it's probably her professional name?"
"Thank you," Kol's dripping with sarcasm. "Luckily, our father owns most of the local stations so that still puts me on top. And I'm not playing with her, she's the one who came on to me," he adds and it's obvious nothing will ruin his mood. Elena's still grinning when her eyes fall on the one man that she never expected to see here tonight.
"And who invited him?"
Both men's eyes turn to where she's looking.
"I can't believe it, that cop has some nerve!" Kol's face tightens in a frown. "What is he doing here? And he brought a date!?"
"Obviously," Elijah lets himself be heard, "he's a founding family member. And that date is his sister."
Kol should be used to Elijah's uncanny knack for knowing all there is to know about everyone and everything but this time he's surprised by the extent of his brother's reach.
Elena mentally sighs. There's no escaping him. No matter where she goes or what she does. He's always there.
As if drawn in her direction by some unknown force, it takes just a moment before their eyes meet across the hall. There is no gesture of greeting from either side, still the connection is too strong to deny. Even though his heart is beating like a tremendous machine and he wants to go to her more than he wants his next breath of air, he can't abandon his family just yet. First he has to join them in offering congratulations to their host.
Luckily, his parents are well prepared, this isn't their first venture into 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'. Following their lead, Katherine and himself play along, forcing smiles and making mundane small talk. Despite his personal animus and reluctance to hobnob with these people and their snobbery, he has to admit Mikael Mikaelson is an impressive man, one that truly did great things for this town. For some, he's a hero and rightfully so, he's a charitable man, supporting a few of Reno's homeless shelters. He also offers his legal services pro bono if it's a cause he believes in.
He not only accepts the garish antique clock they present him with gracefully, he welcomes them as old friends, adding a warm hug for his dad along with an invitation for his parents to join him for a drink. Damon nods at them before retreating with Katherine to give them space... and to look for his favorite nightclub owner and her circle of minions.
"This high toned and fancy to do isn't your thing is it?" Katherine grins next to him, delighted when he doesn't make a move to abandon her and do whatever it is he came here to do.
Damon rolls his eyes at her and another wave of warmth flows through her. Although she always suspected how great it would be to have family, this feeling is so much more than she could have imagined. She doesn't have to be alone any more. She has a big brother.
"What do we do now?" she asks with new found confidence.
Damon slowly looks at her and has to smile at her enthusiasm. "Now," he starts with determination burning in his ocean blue eyes, "we're going to solve a murder."
Her mouth drops slightly, caught off guard by his pronouncement. "You aren't serious... are you?"
Damon gives her a wink. "We'll see." He looks around and his eyes immediately land on the Amazonian huntress who stars in his every dream. She's the most beautiful woman in the room.
She's dancing with Elijah, they seem to be immersed in an intimate conversation. They're too close to each other for his liking. The dress she's wearing... it's stunning. He frowns at Elijah's hand on her bare back. She seems so... comfortable dancing with him.
"They look good together...," Katherine follows his look.
"Yes, they do." He turns back to her, unable to look away but knowing he can't interfere either. Take a breath, Damon. "May I have this dance?"
"I would love to!" she gives him a beaming smile and they start dancing slowly. "Although I think we may need to switch?"
"No, Kat, I'm entirely yours for this one."
When the band finishes the number, Damon keeps her hand and they begin another as soon as the music starts again. Although he'd rather be chilling in a pair of pajama pants and a bottle of beer, preferably with her snuggling into him, he's honestly enjoying spending a little time with his sister. With their hands joined and one loosely around her waist, he leads her in a waltz. Katherine is a little surprised that he seems to know what he's doing. When the orchestra picks up the tempo, they start to move a little faster, suddenly pausing when he feels someone pat his shoulder.
"Would you mind if I ask the lady for a dance?"
Kol...
Damon's a bit surprised and not sure what to think but it does offer him a chance to try to catch up to Elena. His eyes drift from Kol to Katherine who looks positively curious as she considers the charming youngest Mikaelson. Damon squeezes her hand, takes a step back and waits for her short nod of confirmation. Returning the nod, he leaves them on the dance floor. Moving along with the crowd, he keeps his eyes peeled, trying to find the pair from the Jungle. He sighs with relief when he finally sees them talking by the bar. They're actually visiting with the bartender and when he takes a closer look, he recognizes him as Trevor, one of The Jungle's employees.
Turning his attention to the swarm, he discovers more familiar faces carrying trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres, others are cleaning tables and assisting guests. The crowd parts for a moment, that's when he sees Caroline absolutely glowing in a magenta colored strapless gown, emerald drop earrings and her blonde hair in an elegant updo. When her date, the erudite Niklaus Mikaelson smiles at her, she returns it with a beaming one.
Everything is so interwoven...
The same people, here just like at The Jungle. How much do some of them know? He squeezes his lips and closes the distance to the bar.
"Detective Salvatore..," Elijah addresses him before he can open his mouth. "My apologies, Mr. Salvatore here, I suppose?"
Yeah, cut the crap... "Elijah, Elena...," he tries to keep his face impassive but considering Elijah's smug one he's not fooling either. Elena inclines her head to one side as a greeting, exchanging a look with Elijah afterwards.
"You know what, I'm actually enjoying myself! I was a little worried about fitting in, this isn't exactly my scene but it's all good. Your father knows how to put on a party," he pays Elijah a compliment.
"Thank you," there's a small smile playing on the lawyer's lips. "But the credit belongs mostly to our favorite club owner. She lent a hand along with some of her staff, suggested the tent...," he lifts Elena's hand kissing the back of it, knowing very well how it pisses Damon off.
"That doesn't surprise me at all."
The smile he gives her is genuine and Elena returns the sentiment. However, he's here for a reason and it must be his priority. He just needs an opening and Elijah opens his mouth, handing him one on a silver platter.
"How is the case going and what are the odds of putting all of this madness behind us?"
"I'm glad you asked, Mr. Mikaelson, important steps have been made and we're closing in on the finish line. The train of events, the timing of it, all the clues are beginning to coalesce. The suspects, we've narrowed it down to a handful of people and I suspect it won't be long before we have enough concrete evidence to take make an arrest."
Both of them look at him skeptically but Damon's well aware he's drawn the attention of more people than the pair. Trevor is pretending to be interested in his bartending duties but Damon saw him stiffen slightly. The foxy looking girl who just left the bar to deliver drinks did the same and he's counting on her to deliver some fresh news as well. His eyes follow her and in short order the group turns his way when the waitress moves to another table.
Before the night is over, everyone will know that they're closing in on their suspect...
Elena watches him curiously and he'd like nothing more than take her in his arms and dance all night... He mentally sighs and with heavy heart he turns away from them. "Enjoy your evening!"
"Elijah! W...we must do something, anything!" she grabs his sleeve as soon as Damon's out of the door.
"What you mean?" he looks at her contemplatively. "I told you, he's just beating around the bush, we're safe..."
"But he isn't! It's dangerous! He's putting his life on the line, don't you get it? Someone... killed Jeremy and that person or one of his cohorts almost killed him as well. He's setting himself up as bait..."
Elijah's eyes bore into hers, his intense stare compelling her to do as he says. He can sense this might be the most important change in her since she was a kid. "I know you care about him, probably more than you're willing to admit... Just tell him."
"What...?" Elena's too shocked to comprehend.
"Tell him," Elijah stresses. "He knows what he's doing but if you tell him he won't have one hand tied behind his back going into it."
Elena slowly releases his arm and nods. She's gone before he can even blink.
She doesn't allow herself to think about it. Suddenly all those years of bottling everything inside become too much to bear. She needs to tell someone. She needs to tell him. She weaves her way through the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of his jet black shock of hair. He couldn't disappear that fast, could he? His parents are here, surely he wouldn't leave them or Katherine...
"Kat?" Elena easily spots her in her gorgeous black dress. She's dancing with Kol? Her thoughts are with Damon but she still notices they look good together. The two turn around and wait for Elena to reach them.
"Have you seen Damon?"
"He said he would return to pick me up and then went to tell his parents the same," Katherine offers helpfully and directs her upstairs with a gesture. Kol gives her a concerned look, asking silently if she needs his assistance. Elena shakes her head no and heads for the staircase when she spots him in the crowd.
"Damon!" The cry dies on her lips though, he can't hear her. Following in his footsteps she finally catches up with him at the door.
"Damon?"
He turns around surprised at hearing her voice. "Elena?"
"I need to talk to you." She won't beat around the bush. "I need to talk to you about Jeremy," she quickly adds before she loses courage.
He's not sure he's heard her right. Does she really want to tell him about what he's been asking her for years now? Why now?
She takes a few last steps to stand right in front of him. It's always the same. When they come close enough their opposite magnets keep them locked in place.
"Are you sure you want to...?"
"Yes," Elena interrupts impatiently and gestures for him to come back inside. He follows her as she clearly knows where she's going. She slips into one of the rooms upstairs. Damon doesn't know why he feels the need to offer her an out before she starts.
"Elena, are you absolutely certain you want to tell me about Jeremy?"
"Yes, detective, I really want to tell you what you need to know." What she needs to tell.
This definitely isn't how he hoped she'd confide in him, he doesn't want to pry her secrets from her and most of all, he doesn't want to have to read her the Miranda Rights while placing the cold metal cuffs around her petite wrists. She didn't do anything wrong, he strongly believes that.
He carefully closes the door and gestures for her to sit. Strange, just a few minutes ago he was in a hurry to get out of here and begin playing the game he put into motion just a short time ago. Now it all feels so unimportant...
Elena sits on the edge of a luxurious couch, looking less certain than he's ever seen her. He doesn't hesitate and takes a seat beside her. To his relief, she doesn't try to put distance between them, she actually leans towards his body for comfort. Damon wonders what brought about this change in her body language. Is he getting close? Is she perhaps subconsciously trying to slow him down?
One more thing he needs to know. "Wh...why now? What happened that it's so important for you to tell me tonight when you've been resisting for so very long?"
"Because you're an idiot!" she raps out but it could just as well be a sob.
Not exactly what he expected to hear.
"Elena?"
"Because, you're boasting here, making proclamations about how you're this close to solving the case, how you're already looking at the person responsible, dropping mysterious hints about how it could only have been a few people that..." No, she won't say it aloud. "Did it even occur to you that one of those people could just... take care of the problem? Meaning you?"
Her big brown eyes are looking at him from all their depth and he understands now. Never ever has he felt so grateful and honored that fate dropped her into his life. And at the same time, he knows that his success will likely bring her misery, potentially taking someone dear from her. It could be a fatal blow to their budding relationship and the mere thought of it brings him to his knees. Yet, she's here to protect him even if it means betraying everything she's been brought up keep hidden no matter the cost.
"Okay," he says softly and takes her hands in his. "I know what I'm doing, Elena, I promise to be careful."
"Pfff, men," now it's definitely a sob, born from frustration. "Always so confident. He said the same. Elijah," she adds when she can see the question in his eyes.
If it was Elijah who gave her the push to talk to him, he should be grateful. Still, the timing... This moment shouldn't be about the case, about murder, about danger or anything. This should be about her and about them. No matter where they stand when this is over, at this precise moment they are a them, he realizes.
"Elena, please forget about danger, or the case, this weird game of cat and mouse we've been playing. Can you forget that I'm a cop for a few minutes and realize that I'm here as your friend, as your lover, he tastes the word on his tongue, waiting for her reaction and is not disappointed when she opens her mouth to object and it's accompanied by a sweet shade of pink as she realizes that technically he could be called that. "Okay, soon to be," he effectively stops all her protests.
"The point is," his voice becomes serious again, "don't tell me as the cop who's investigating your brother's murder," he knows she won't flinch at the word, "tell me because you want to tell me."
He's waiting, waiting for a shift in her stiff posture, for the tension to leave her body. He's capable of finding evidence elsewhere, but he needs her to do this for the right reasons.
"Okay," she nods in earnest. "I want to tell you."
And so she does.
Eva and I want to thank you all so very much. You're all the best. Your friendships, kind words and reviews are very much loved and appreciated.
Thank you Eva, love you.
Chapter title: 'Secrets' by OneRepublic.
I did post pictures of Elena, Katherine and Caroline's dresses on my scarlett2112 Facebook page.
We did start posting one of our Delena 2018 holiday stories. It's called "Somewhere in My Memory". Elena is the captain of her fire station. Damon is a businessman. Usually our annual holiday short story is around 5 chapters. This one is longer which is the reason for starting to post it already.
Have a safe and wonderful day. Thanks for everything.