A/N: First off let me say: IAMSOSORRY! I started a new musical theatre course and I have been struggling to get in any writing at all. The biggest problem of all was all the screwing around the writers on Vampire Diaries have been doing. It really affected my love of the show and because of that I found it hard to feel the passion to write that I used to.

NOTE: VAMPIRE DIARIES RANT (YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED HAHA) ALSO POSSIBLE SPOILERS

I really don't like the way they portray Elena now (as basically an indecisive, unnecessarily confused bitch) and I really hate this whole Delena "We can't be together because were wrong for each other bullshit." Like where the hell did that come from? It's like the writers are just trying to find more excuses to keep them apart. And as much as I don't like Stefan, what the hell happened to his character? Does it exist anymore? Oh and Caroline. Don't get me started on Caroline. Too late. I used to love Caroline. I didn't mind her control freak tendencies and her hatred of Damon but now it's really irritating. Also she has possibly become the worst friend of all time. Of course this goes back to season 4 as well. She has seen and knows that Damon loves Elena (basically Elena is one of the only people he is ever good for) and yet she still goes on with that crap about him being evil and not good for Elena. Personally I think it is laziness on the writers and it has turned Caroline into such a 2 dimensional character.

That being said, I love Bonnie's new characterization although I do miss her being a witch. Jeremy and her are adorable together. Also Matt really should get an award for staying alive so long.

END OF RANT (HOPE I DIDN'T OFFEND TOO MANY PEOPLE. Ps let me know if you agree with my thoughts)

Anyway I had to rewatch some old Vampire Diaries. I watched 'Bloodlines' from season 1 and 'Miss Mystic Falls' and I felt it again and I was able to write. Also I haven't watched the season 5 finally yet so I will probably post my reaction next chapter haha. Anyway please enjoy the LONG LONG awaited chapter 12!

PS: I decided to skip to the Founder's Ball because I have a better idea of where I'm going with this now.

My heart felt heavy in my chest as I sat at my vanity as Emily applied the finishing touches to my hair and makeup. Not even a week ago I had been excited and giddy for this night but now all I felt was confliction and heartbreak.

A week earlier...

I laughed as Damon's arms wrapped around me from behind. If I hadn't wanted him to, he never would have caught me. I could see Stefan fawning over Katherine across the garden. I still did not approve of Katherine's relationship with Damon's younger brother. He had his whole life ahead of him still and there were times when it was clear that Stefan was just a toy to her. I tuned back in to the situation, letting out a little giggle as Damon squeezed me as he whispered in my ear.

"I told you I could catch you." I could hear how smug he was and I shook my head at him good naturedly.

"I think you'll find that I let you catch me Mr Salvatore so don't let your ego get the better of you." I retorted with a laugh. I looked at him over my shoulder and after a minute he shrugged and buried his head in my throat.

"I don't think I mind too much now that I have you in my arms." And with that he pressed a tender kiss to my skin. I smiled and leaned back into him. This was how we spent most days. Just having fun and being close to one another. We hadn't delved into a relationship like that of Stefan and Katherine but I knew that he wanted it and so did I but I still had my insecurities.

I met Katherine's eyes from across the garden. She had been staring at me it seemed and I had caught a glimpse of a guilty look on her face before she covered it and smiled at me unconvincingly and waving. I stiffened slightly at the scene. It was confirming some of my suspicions of her and I was instantly worried about what could be coming. I had caught her giving me similarly guilty looks all week long and it was disturbing. It was almost as if she was trying to convey an apology that she could not speak of.

"Damon!" we heard a voice bark from the house. Damon turned without letting go of me and I could see Giuseppe standing with his arms crossed looking displeased. I did not know if I was just becoming paranoid but I was wary of him too. It seemed like there was this whole conspiracy going on that I had no knowledge of and my companion for over three centuries was involved somehow. I heard and felt Damon sigh behind me.

"I wonder what indiscretion it is now that I have committed." With those words he reluctantly released me but before he left he pressed a lingering kiss to my lips and smiled at me lovingly. As he walked away I could see Giuseppe throw me a look of contempt. I blanched. This man definitely did not like me but I could not see why.

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading in my room. I had been incredibly tempted to focus my hearing on Giuseppe's study to eavesdrop on the conversation he was having with Damon but I did not want to spy on him. If Damon wanted me to know, he would tell me. I contented myself with that until it was time to go down to dinner.

The atmosphere was tense to say the least. Stefan and Katherine were in their own little world as usual but I could see Stefan giving wary looks between Damon and their father. It seemed he knew a little more about the situation than I did and with the way he was looking, I was incredibly worried. Giuseppe looked smug and even a little victorious and Damon looked depressed and angry, so whatever argument they had had, it was clear that Giuseppe had won.

Since I had sat down, he had not even looked at me and I was really worried for him. I covered his hand with mine on the table and it seemed to snap him from his trance. He met my eyes and his look became even more depressed. I asked him with my eyes what was wrong but he said nothing and stared at the wall again angrily but he did not relinquish my hand which I took as a good sign.

After dinner I cornered him outside my room.

"Damon what happened? What did your father say to you?" I asked anxiously. He sighed and leant against the wall.

"My father has finally gone to extremes to keep me in line. He has threatened to do it in the past but I never believed him. No matter how badly he treated me, I still believed that deep down there was a part of him that loved me and would never do that to me." His words were upsetting but I still did not understand what was happening.

"I don't understand. What has he done?" I asked softly, begging him to tell me. He gave me an upset look before it turned grim.

"He has arranged for me to marry." Anything I was prepared to say flew out the window momentarily. I was stunned into silence. I came from a time when arranged marriages were a common place but they were always brutal and no love was ever involved. I, myself had been engaged before my untimely transition to darkness. Marriages of this century were a little different. Sometimes happiness could be made through them.

"Oh," was all that escaped my mouth. I wanted to be able to say more but my mind was still processing the information. My anger and grief at the news had made way for a new emotion that I had not expected: Hope. This could be a way out of this for him. He must have seen what I was thinking because he was already shaking his head.

"No, don't even think it Elena. I will not marry her and neither you nor my father can force me to. You may think you've found some way to push me away now but I won't let you." With that said, he leant down and kissed me hard and all I could do was wrap my arms around his neck and try and decide which outcome I wished for more.

Present:

The atmosphere in the carriage was tense to say the least. I felt like a third wheel. Katherine and Stefan were wrapped closely together while I awkwardly sat next to Damon. He had attempted to engage me but I had pushed him away. I couldn't bear to be near him when I knew he would have to dance with another woman all night. And that was exactly what I endured all night.

She was definitely an exquisite beauty with soft blonde curls and curves in the right place, though from my brief encounter with her it seemed her head was in the clouds more often than not. I watched as she sent another alluring smile to Damon as they danced and felt my heart grip in jealousy. I knew it was not her fault but I could not help hating Charlotte Fell with a passion. Before I let the hate set in and fester, I reminded myself how much good could come of this union. Charlotte Fell, whilst slightly vapid and dim, was for all intents and purposes painfully human. She could marry, have children and offer all a husband could want. She was contrast to me in every way. And it hurt so much to realize.

Katherine's almost constant guilty looks had been replaced tonight by a new form of sympathy every time she caught my eye. I knew she could see how miserable I was and had even offered to let me dance with Stefan but I really did not feel like dancing at all. I sat amongst the rest of the unattached, and in most cases, undesirable women on the sidelines.

I could not avoid it for too long though because almost in a blur I was practically passed from man to man in a flurry of different dances. There were small conversations, mainly conveying their sympathy for Katherine's and my loss. I smiled and offered small responses when appropriate but really I just wanted to leave. Throughout my many dances, I had caught glimpses of Damon watching me over the shoulder of his fiancé and I could see that he was as happy about the situation as I was, maybe more so.

Finally I was passed into the arms of James Lockwood, the youngest son of the family, who seemed overly eager to dance with me. I smiled politely at him but he made me uncomfortable. As we danced I struggled to remain polite as his hand attempted to stray to less appropriate areas of my body and I yelped in surprise and indignation as his hand trailed up my thigh and lingered on my backside. I took a step back from him, using a little more strength than necessary to push him away. He looked at me innocently.

"Forgive me Miss Elena but you're just so entrancing and I just could not resist." I did not like the smirk he sent me but with my annoyance came my hunger and I realized that maybe I could use this to my advantage. I put on an alluring smile and blinked my lashes at him invitingly. He blinked in surprise at the change in my demeanour but soon smiled back.

"You are forgiven Mr. Lockwood but this is your home isn't it? Perhaps you could make it up to me by showing me upstairs?" Immediately a lewd smirk took hold of his face and he took my hand and led me away from the party and towards the grand staircase. I did not even notice the jealous and angry look that took appeared on Damon's face as he watched me leave the room and I did not notice when he immediately abandoned his fiancé and followed after us out of the room.

A/N: I hope you liked it. Sorry its not the totally romantic Founder's ball that you were probably expecting. Next chapter is written I just need to go over it and edit it. Please review and let me know what you think Sorry again that it took so long.