"Hello Elena."

Music bounced off the walls of the Mystic Grill. Elena found herself wishing that it was louder, deafening. That way she could pretend that she hadn't heard his voice. There was a time when his voice made her heart sing, but now it made her blood run cold.

Elena weighed her options. She could try to ignore him but Damon had always been persistent. She could leave but Caroline would be here soon for dinner and it was too late to go anywhere else. Maybe it's not him? Maybe I'm hallucinating? She turned her head a fraction of an inch to confirm her nightmare. Elena was met with a pair of ice blue eyes; it was him. Where is that drink?

"Fancy seeing you here," he ignored the annoyed look on her face and sat on the unoccupied stool beside her. "Drinking alone this evening I see. Mind if I join you?"

"I'm waiting for someone actually," Elena leaned back to scan for the bartender, and to put more distance between her and Damon. Just her luck Matt was occupied on the other end of the bar. She turned back to give him a withering look. "And I have no interest in spending any more time with you then I have to."

"Nonsense," Damon had never been one for facial cues. "You love me. And you don't have to pretend to wait for someone to make me jealous."

Elena glared at him through the dim light of the Grill. Is he serious right now? Or just trying to rile me up? She didn't love him anymore, and she doubted he had ever truly loved her; people in loving committed relationships don't cheat.

"I don't love you Damon," Elena spoke in a clear low voice ensuring that he heard her. Better go with the direct approach. "And I'm not trying to make you jealous. I am waiting for someone." She plucked her bag from the bar, and retrieved the drink that Vicky sat in front of her with a grateful smile. "There he is now." Elena stood up and made her way towards the door which was admitting several new customers.

"Goodbye Damon," Elena walked away with as much confidence as she could muster and a smile on her face. She approached one of the men who had entered the Grill and placed her hand on his arm.

"Elijah," Elena grinned brightly up at him. "You made it. I was getting worried." Oh no! He looks confused. Confused was an understatement; Elijah had completely frozen. Elena turned with her hand still on his arm so that she was facing the restaurant. Damon was watching her from the bar stool. She twisted slightly to look him in the eyes again.

"My ex is sitting at the bar," Elena whispered through her grin. "He never could take a hint, and now he won't leave me alone."

"Elena," he smiled brightly. He still had time before Niklaus arrived, and her hand felt nice on his arm. He began steering her towards an empty table. "Sorry I'm late, I got caught up marking tests."

Not a lie, Elena smirked.

"Shall we sit?"

"Thank you," Elena whispered loudly as he pulled out her chair.

"Any time," Elijah grinned and sat across from her. Leaning across the tabletop he whispered. "So which one is he?"

"Black leather jacket at the bar," Elena mirrored his motion. There was now only a foot separating them.

"Really?" Elijah inquired looking at Damon over Elena's shoulder. "He doesn't seem like your type."

"I have a type?" Elena raised an eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, is my type?"

"Tall, dark, handsome," Elijah's eyes twinkled as he continued. "Academic, and able to take a hint," his voice lost its teasing tone.

"I don't know about being able to take a hint…" Elena trailed off when Elijah leaned back slightly. Seeing the slight tension in his shoulders and noticing that his eyes were now looking just over her shoulder. "He's coming over here, isn't he?"

"Brace yourself," Elijah nodded.


I know I promised this chapter would be longer, but this seemed like a good place to break it up. More is coming. I still have three and a half pages to type.