Thank you so much for your reviews! I appreciate them so much and am embarassed that I haven't had time to reply to each of them the past week. I am breaking my own rule and posting an unproofed chapter. Hope you enjoy and that I haven't screwed up too badly! I just wanted to give you some Delena happiness after all of the heartbreak in the past few chapters.

Chapter 17: Dancing with Their Enemy

"I'm glad you're finally feeling better, Elena. I was getting worried about you." Damon and I had just finished our meeting.

"You don't need to worry. I would never let Saltzman Consulting down. Not only is this important to my business but Ric is a friend."

"I would hope I'm your friend too." Damon answers sheepishly. "But I wasn't worried about your letting down the company. I was just worried about you."

"Well, in that case, I'll just say thank you."

"It's good to see you again now that you're fully recovered." Damon was making no move to dismiss me from his office. If anything, he had settled back in his chair ready to dispense with business and just talk.

"I wouldn't say I've fully recovered but I'm getting there." It wasn't a lie. I hadn't fully recovered but my heart was ready to open itself up again even if just a little bit.

"Do you have any where you need to be right now?"

"I've got a meeting with a bride in at 1:00."

"There goes that plan. I was hoping I could talk you into a long lunch. Can you stay for a quick bite if I have something brought up from the deli downstairs?"

"I think I can squeeze that into my schedule."

Damon reached for his desk phone. "Hi, Carol, would it be too much trouble for you to pick up a couple of sandwiches from the deli? Great. Let's have two Cubans, one with the pickles on the side, both with chips, a Coke and a Diet Coke. Awesome. Thanks."

"Pickles on the side?"

"I'm assuming I still get dibs on your pickles. Do you still need your daily Diet Coke fix?"

"Of course." I grin back.

Forty five minutes later, I am stuffed and happy. "You seem freer than the last time we talked. I guess things are going well." Damon comments.

"I am. Damon, I'm sorry that I freaked out at your house the other night. It's just been a long time and I was a little overwhelmed."

"Don't apologize. I was probably pushing you, moving too fast. But I meant what I said. I have missed you like crazy. I had hoped that maybe, just maybe, I would be able to find out where you were and make contact when I moved back to the city. I never imagined that I'd walk into Founders Hall and find you there. For minute there I thought I was imagining things. Then you got sassy and I was so relieved to see you again."

"Well, I wasn't relieved to see you. I wanted to run and hide. But, I'm slowly learning that maybe everybody deserves a second chance."

"Wait. Elena, are you saying what I think you're saying? Are you willing to try this?" He asked hopefully.

"I need baby steps, Damon, but, yes, I'm willing if you are."

"Baby, I was born willing where you are concerned," he smirked.

"That does not sound like you understand the term baby steps. Do I need to spell it out for you?"

"No. I apologize. I'm just surprised. That's all."

"So am I. If anyone had told me two months ago that we'd even be having a conversation, much less this one, I'd have told them they were certifiably insane; but, Jenna has helped me work through some stuff and I realize that I'll regret it if I don't give this a shot."

Damon had moved around to help me up from my chair and slipped his arms around me in an embrace, "Thank God for Jenna! I'll have to tell Ric she has my glowing seal of approval."

"She should have it already. She's awesome at her job."

"I'm not talking about her job. I'm referring to their relationship."

"You know about that?"

"Baby, the fact that they are an item is the worst kept secret in history," he laughs.

"I've got to go: Bridezilla awaits."

"OK," he sighs. "Want to go out later? I was thinking that maybe we could go to Suite tonight."

"That sounds great. "

"I'll pick you up. Is 7:30 ok? I figure we can grab a bite to eat first."

"7:30 is perfect."

Planting a quick kiss on my lips he flares his eyes before saying, "See you then."

~~~~~TVD~~~~~TVD~~~~~TVD~~~~~

So far, so good, the night couldn't be going any better. Despite having a slight panic attack about what to wear, I was ready when Damon arrived to pick me up. Not sure what our dinner plans were, I had opted for a short black skirt, gold sequined tank and a little black cardigan which would turn the club outfit into restaurant attire. I finished it off with strappy black heels. Dinner had gone well. He took me to one of our favorite spots we used to go to when we were dating in college. Now, we were parking to head into the club.

Damon had opened my door for me. "One second, I'm just going to slip out of this sweater for the club."

When I stood up, Damon looked me up and down and swallowed hard. "Damn." He breathed before placing his hand on the small of my back to lead me towards the entrance.

Suite was one of the newest, hippest bars in the city therefore there was a long line waiting to get in the door. I had coordinated their grand opening so the manager immediately recognized me and motioned us to the front of the line. When we walked I couldn't help noticing the way every female turned to stare at Damon. Dressed in a black button up and dark jeans that fit him just right teamed with his raven black hair and athletic build, he was the best kind of eye candy.

"I'll go get us some drinks. Want to come with me?" Damon asked.

"I'll stay here and try to grab a table."

"What would you like?"

"You know what my drink of choice is."

"One Jager shot coming right up." He grinned. I could look at that smile for days and never get tired of it. I watch him walk towards the bar and am thinking that I could watch that for days as well when I feel arms wrap around me from behind before I'm lifted off the ground and spun around.

"Elena! I didn't know you were coming tonight. You should've called. I would've come by to get you. You know how I hate for you to be out by yourself."

"Hey, Ty. It's great to see you! But, I'm not here by myself. I'm here with someone."

"Oh, did you come with Jenna?"

Just then I feel an arm wrap around me from behind and pull me back against a hard chest. "No, she's here with me. Here's your shot, baby." I can feel the testosterone oozing from him as he stakes his claim. I quickly down my shot fearing that I'm about to need the liquid courage it supplies. "I don't think we've met. I'm Damon."

"I know exactly who you are. You're the asshole ex-boyfriend," Tyler spits out.

"Ty!" I exclaim.

"And you're the friend who obviously needs to do a status check on your Facebook page," is Damon's snarky reply.

"Elena, what the hell is he talking about?" asks Tyler.

"We're giving this a try." I explain.

"What?" Tyler looks dumbfounded. "Elena, come with me. We need to talk," he says as he grabs my arm.

"Tyler let go of me!" I exclaim.

"Not until you come with me so we can talk. You obviously aren't thinking clearly." Tyler tightens his grip causing me to whimper.

"I suggest you let go of her before I rip your arm out its socket." Damon's tone is a deadly growl as he positions himself in front of me.

Letting go of my arm, Tyler says, "Elena, I'm not letting this go. We are going to talk about this later."

"Tyler, it's my decision. Leave it alone." He gives me one cold look before walking away.

"Lena, are you OK? How's your arm?" Damon is gently running his finger over the place where Tyler had me in a death grip.

"I'm fine. I just want to pretend that never happened and have fun. Please, can we just hit the dance floor?"

"Absolutely." With that, Damon knocks back his bourbon, deposits his glass on a nearby tray, catches my hand and leads me to the dance floor just as they start playing "Feel So Close to You". In no time we are dancing and laughing like the incident with Tyler never happened. When "Pony" comes on, Damon slips behind me and my only thought is who needs Magic Mike when I have this man wrapping himself around me. Judging from the looks he's getting, every other girl in the place agrees. As the song dies down, Damon asks if I'd like another drink.

"Sounds good. I'll take a beer."

"Oh no. You're coming with me this time. You really think I'm leaving you alone with bulky and broody in the building?"

"OK, no argument from me." My arm was definitely going to be showing the battle scares of our earlier altercation even if I had pushed it from my mind.

We had just finished dancing one more time and were heading for the door when I heard her. This was like the night of run ins from hell. Leave it us to pick the same club on the one night that Caroline and her husband get a sitter for a date night.

"Elena Gilbert! Have you been avoiding my phone calls?" Suddenly her tirade stalls out. "Oh my God. Damon?"

"Care, hi! Of course I haven't been avoiding your phone calls."

"And again I ask: Damon?"

"Hi Blondie."

"Don't you dare 'Hi Blondie' me! What are you doing here?"

"We're dancing, Caroline. You know when two people go out on the dance floor and have fun moving to the beat of the music." He grabs my hips and starts to demonstrate. "You used to do it. Surely you haven't forgotten. It hasn't been that long." I had to giggle. He's always been just so damn cute when riling up my best friend.

"Damon Salvatore! I have a few things I'd like to say to you!" Her voice is nearing the decibel level that only dogs can hear.

"Well, hopefully one of those things is going to be to introduce your husband to Elena's friend. Hello, mate, I'm Klaus." Caroline's husband's British accent charms his way into the conversation.

"Klaus, this is Damon, and he's not my friend. We're dating." I explain while grasping Damon's hand. He reaches forward with his other hand to shake Klaus's as he greets him.

"You're what?" Caroline screeches.

"And on that note, I think we need to head out of here. Klaus, nice to meet you. Maybe we can meet up for drinks some time. Blondie, always a pleasure." Damon ducks as Caroline shoves at him.

"Care, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"You bet your sweet ass you will," she glares.

I hug her while adding, "I know you don't like this but I'm happy. Please, just be happy for me." Grabbing Damon's hand I make a quick escape before she can say anything else. Damon and I don't say anything as we head to the car.

"Well, that was fun." Damon deadpans once we are in his car headed towards my place. "Why does Caroline hate me so much? I could understand you being hesitant to jump back into something but why is she so upset over it?"

"She's just being protective." I explain.

"I can respect that. I just hope she can accept this. I don't want to come between the two of you because I know you'll end up hating me for it."

"Just give her time. Once she sees that I'm happy she'll be OK. It probably wouldn't hurt if you followed through on that invitation you extended to Klaus. Having him on our side would definitely be a good thing."

"What's he like?"

"He seemed like a jerk at first but after I got to know him he kind of grew on me."

"Like me?" he grins.

Blushing, I reply, "Well, not exactly like you."

"I should hope not!" he chuckles. It's late and traffic is light so it's not too long before we arrive at my place.

"I had fun tonight." I say as he walks me to my door.

"Despite the fact that everyone was pissed that you were there with me?"

"They'll just have to get over it," I say as I snuggle into his side. "Would you like to come in?"

"I'd like to but I better head home. Baby steps, remember?"

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Lifting my chin with one finger so that he can stare into my eyes he says, "You have no idea how much I enjoyed spending the evening with you."

"Why don't you give me a demonstration?" I banter.

"Wow, you've gotten cheeky with age, Miss Gilbert!" he chuckles before placing a feather light kiss on my lips.

"So I guess you only enjoyed it a little bit judging from that," I pout.

"Petulant little thing aren't you," he grumbled before deepening the kiss allowing our tongues to dance just like our bodies did earlier. The kiss was passionate yet sweet and tasted of bourbon.

"Goodnight, Lena," he murmurs against my lips.

"Goodnight, Damon," I say before slipping in my door only to watch him leave through my peephole. I fell asleep savoring the memory of the feel of his arms around me.

AN: Aww...Delena sweetness. :) Good night to my awesome readers! Thanks for sticking with me over the past two weeks of slow updates!