A/N: I'd just like to take a moment to thank all my reviewers and story favouriters/alerters; I've said it before and I'll say it again, you guys really keep me going! I have a maths test tomorrow so if I don't do so great, at least I'd have posted a chapter! : P On with the show!
Chapter 3
If anyone had asked me right now if I was putting up a good fight I would surely tell them yes, but in truth I was just lying there, uncomfortable yet oddly cosy, on Elijah's back while he took me to some unknown location. God, just look at me, I thought. I really am pathetic aren't I? I didn't have much time to ponder that thought as my 'ride' stopped abruptly and I was jolted forward slightly. As I attempted to right myself I caught a whiff of his aftershave and I started to grow dizzy. He smells so good: So much better than I imagined. I tried helplessly to quiet the section of my brain that was focused solely on identifying his scent and instead hoisted myself off said scent's owner and onto a patch of grass beneath me. I was a little shaky at first, but managed to regain my footing before I embarrassed myself by falling on my backside.
"I do apologise for the sudden journey, I was merely concerned that someone would overhear our conversation." He smirked in my direction which ignited a fire inside of me.
"Well someone could overhear now!" I quipped back, before looking around to find us somewhere in the middle of a forest. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as he chuckled at my lame comeback.
"Somehow I don't think the squirrels care what I have to say," His smile was quickly replaced with a business-like expression which made me a tad nervous.
"So why'd you drag me out here?" I broke the silence quietly. He smiled again.
"I think it's time you and I had a little chat." He smiled.
About what? I wondered. What could he possibly want to talk to me about?
"About Klaus and your lovely vampire bodyguards" He smiled at my shocked expression, which made realise that I had spoken my thoughts out loud.
"Who is Klaus and what does he want with me?" I asked. I had heard his name before from Damon but I didn't really know much about him.
"Klaus is one of my 7 siblings, and one of the 5 that still walks the earth. I have known him for over a thousand years now and I know how dangerous he can be. He's a recluse, and since I don't know where he is I need you under constant protection. That is why I am here with a proposition for you." I nodded for him to continue while noting that he never answered my second question.
"My proposition is this: Do nothing, live your life, go to school, see your friends but remain with an escort wherever you go; whether it is your brother bodyguards or your witch friend or even the history teacher, as long as you are protected. Then when the time is right you and I shall draw Klaus out together and I shall make certain that your loved ones come to no harm. Do we have an agreement?" He stood up and held his hand out to me to shake. I looked at him wearily before deciding with my gut that he could be trusted. I took his hand and couldn't help the gasp that fell from my lips as our skin touched. It was like a zap of fiery electricity had pulsed through me as we clasped hands and I shivered. I looked up and noted he had crouched down as though he was about to give someone a piggy back. I realised too late that the 'someone' was me as he grabbed my legs and locked them around his waist before whispering 'Hold on,' and taking off once more. I couldn't help but lean into him, partly from fear of falling and partly because he was so warm, despite being a vampire. I had almost forgotten that he was indeed a vampire, as he acted like such a gentleman. Memories of being taken by Rose resurfaced and I mentally face-palmed myself for behaving so nicely to my almost-captor. All too soon we were back on the outskirts of the courtyard and I was walking away from him to mingle with other guests. I heard the last few bars of a song finish before the DJ announced that the next song would be the last of the evening and for everyone to 'grab a partner and come on down' to the dance floor. I looked around hoping to find Tyler who I hadn't seen all evening and instead found myself face-to-face with Elijah once more.
"You ran off before without a word of goodbye. It would be unfair to leave me without a dance now. Shall we?" He smiled and held out his hand for me to take it and I found I couldn't resist. We moved onto the floor as a song that I knew started to play. I recognised it from my iPod before Elijah stopped all train of thought by putting one hand on my waist and the other hand over mine. He began to lead me through the other couples in a moderately paced waltz as I tried to focus on the lyrics of the song, and not on how close I was to Elijah.
Breathe in, hold it, hold it, go on
In. Out. In. I trailed on, reminding myself to breathe. I heard a deep chuckle and felt it vibrate against my chest. I was about a head shorter than him, but we were so close my head could rest itself on his shoulder had I desired to let it. I had the urge to look up but I knew that if I did I would get lost in his eyes.
I'm turning myself into somebody else
Calm down, calm down, calm down
I found myself being suddenly pushed backwards and forced into a graceful turn. I stumbled back, trying to regain my footing before a pair of arms circled my waist and I fell forward onto my saviour's chest. I heard a deep rumbling laugh and I blushed before placing my hands on Elijah's shoulders and found his hands on my waist. We were now closer than ever.
I'm holding a heart here in my hand
Hey, hey, hey
My own work of art here where I stand
Hey, hey, hey
"You seem tense. Is everything alright?" He whispered in my ear and I shivered as his voice ran like molten lava down my spine, turning my insides to mush. I couldn't help but look up at him then and locked eyes with the most intense brown orbs I had ever seen. I found myself quickly falling into them, getting lost searching his soul with no way out. Not that I wanted to try to escape anyway. I felt like I was drowning in them, and I was content and prepared to stay that way for the rest of my life. The shock of such a strong emotion shook me out of my reverie and I turned my head away from his fierce gaze. Immediately I felt the loss of his presence and I faintly heard him sigh above me. I was suddenly bumped by a nearby couple, dancing much too fervently for such a slow-paced song. They muttered an apology before spinning away from us and I faintly heard the last lines of the song close up.
Stand up straight, hey, hey
Breathe in, hold it
I'm holding a heart here in my hand
Hey, hey, hey
My own work of art here where I stand
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey
As the last note rung out Elijah gave me a swift bow and I nodded my head as a form of curtsey. He stepped away from me and I saw him take a sharp breath in before looking me up and down. Confused by his expression I stepped closer to him and he put a hand against my cheek. His touch was light but my cheek was on fire and I impulsively leaned into it. He sucked in another sharp breath and leaned in to the point where our foreheads were touching. I was prepared to close the distance until-
"Elena, thank god! We've been looking for you everywhere, Ric and I are going home and, oh sorry Elijah, were you two busy?" Jenna looked over at us confusedly and clearly a little miffed that she didn't get a dance with the 'handsome historical society member'. Elijah pulled away instantly and I blushed to the roots of my hair. He was about to kiss me! No, I was about to kiss him! I thought, shocked at my behaviour tonight. I had basically acted like a love-sick puppy all night, letting him touch me and almost kiss me when I had a wonderful boyfriend who'd do anything for me. Plus, not weeks ago had this man tried to kidnap me! What am I thinking? You need to stop this now, Elena. You need to see that he's the bad guy!
"So, Elena, would you like me to give you a ride home?" Elijah asked me. I looked towards where Jenna and Ric were waiting at the door and shook my head. The sooner I get away from this man, the better, I thought angrily.
"No thank you Elijah, I'll catch up with Jenna. I trust you will honour your end of the bargain?" I questioned to which he nodded firmly. "Good. Goodnight then." I turned to walk away when a hand shot out and grabbed my arm, preventing me from moving.
"What?" I asked coolly as I turned to see Elijah directly behind me.
"Thank you for the dance, Miss Gilbert. We shall meet again soon I hope." He looked a little skittish and torn; an expression which did not suit his beautiful features in the slightest. With some hesitation he reached for me and planted a light but burning kiss on my cheek before uttering a quick goodnight and disappearing into the night. I was stunned for a minute until I heard Ric cry out for me to hurry up. I turned and ran down the path to the car on autopilot, touching my cheek where he had kissed me absentmindedly. I ran upstairs as soon as the car was stationary and closed the door with a resounding thud. I didn't want Jenna or Ric to hear me, and I didn't want Jeremy to disturb me either. I sat down on my bed crossed legged and began to sob. Quiet tears streamed down my face as I shifted and knocked my iPod off the bed. It began to play and I recognised the song from earlier this evening, which made me cry harder. I was ashamed, angry and unfortunately disappointed in myself. Ashamed and angry because I was feeling unlawful things for a thousand year old enemy vampire and disappointed because he never even kissed me. I didn't sit there thinking about if I'd wanted him to kiss me as I knew I did, very much. Instead I lay back on my pillows, with my iPod playing softly in the background, refusing to close my eyes because I was afraid that if I did I might wake up tomorrow to find that this has all been a dream, and the thought that I'd never gotten to touch him scarred me, more than I'll ever admit.
P.S: The song I've used in here is 'Holding a Heart' by Toby Lightman. It's out of episode 2x22 of The Vampire Diaries and I thought I'd be perfect for the dance scene. Oh and can someone let me know if Elena is too OOC? I'm worried that she's not sounding like herself. R&R