"I'll be right back." Elena said to the girls as she stood up and straightened her dress.
She missed their replies as she strode off towards the bar her eyes on Damon.
"So this is where you work?" she said loudly over the music
"You didn't work it out?" Damon smirked
"Alaric…" she said liking the information together "you work in 'Ric's'…I should have put two and two together."
Damon just smiled. "You look incredible." He said leaning over the bar
"Thanks." She said "and thanks for the Champaign."
"It's my pleasure." He said "Save me a dance later?"
"Hmm…Maybe." Elena said pretending to weigh up her options "See ya"
"Not if I see you first." Damon said raising his eyebrow "What can I get you ladies?" he walked to gaggle of girls waiting for drinks
Elena walked back to the girls with a smile on her face.
When did she get so tipsy? She didn't care. All she cared about was dancing even if her new shoes were killing her feet.
"Shots!" Caroline said handing her and Bonnie the little drinks
"Baaad idea" Bonnie laughed but she took it anyway
"YES!" Elena exclaimed as she knocked the burning liquid back.
"Go birthday girl!" Caroline encouraged "This girl knows how to have a good time!"
"I'm going to the little girl's room." Elena yelled over the music
She laughed when she saw her reflection in the bathroom mirrors. She straightened her birthday tiara that Bonnie had produced for her and smoothed her hair. It was definitely time to fix her make up. When she was looking fabulous again she walked back into the bar. It was in full flow by this time, she pushed her way through the merry people. She had a sneaky look at the bar. There were three people serving around the bar but Damon's end of the bar had the biggest queue, nearly all of them female. Elena tutted and glared at them. Before she could stop herself she was pushing her way through the crowd and nudging her way to the front of the bar.
"Hey!" one girl protested with a look of outrage as Elena cut the line
"Hush. It's my birthday." She said pointing to the birthday tiara on her head and pushing forward.
"Two beers, please" said a pretty blonde who was propped against the bar
While Damon was turned away she scribbled her phone number down on a napkin in eyeliner and set it on the bar.
She paid for her drinks and while Damon was at the cash register Elena crumpled the napkin quickly and shoved it in her purse.
"Service please!" Elena called
Damon turned and smiled. "Where did you come from?"
"I was here all along." She lied.
Damon raised an eyebrow but said nothing about it. "What can I get you?"
"How about that dance?" she said boldly
"Ah." Damon said "Sorry, no can do. I don't get my break for another half hour."
"Well…" Elena said jumping up on a barstool "I guess I'll just have to wait here. I'll have a shot please."
Damon grabbed her a shooter and filled it, waving away the money she tried to give him
"Do I get a free drink?" the red head who was next in line asked in a husky voice
"No can do, Honey." Elena answered before Damon could "You don't appear to be wearing a birthday crown…"
Damon laughed "hmm…what she said I guess." Damon said
"but I'm worth it." The red head smiled
"Oh, I bet you are." Damon flirted "but that's three dollars please?"
"Burn…" Elena said before she downed her drink
Damon refilled her glass. "You'll hate me for this tomorrow."
"I doubt that." She said
"What's up Damon?"
"Hey Scott." Damon said "What's your poison tonight buddy?"
"Cranberry Vodka." Scott said leaning over the bar "How's things? I haven't seen you in here in a while, I've been looking for you…"
"You know I only help out the odd time." Damon said as he mixed the drink
"That is a shame." Scott smiled
Elena blinked. Could she a catch a break? It seemed everyone liked Damon.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Elena said loudly when Scott had left "He's so into you."
Damon looked at her. "he's a nice guy."
"He was practically drooling on the bar." Elena said
"If I give you once last drink will you stop passing comment on my customers?" he said
"Fine." Elena promised "I'll be good."
He refilled her drink and went back to serving.
Elena had just finished her drink when she felt a tap on the shoulder.
"Hello." It was a guy, he was tall. A silver fox.
"Hi there." Elena smiled "Have we met?"
"No, no." the man smiled "I'm Timothy Green. Tim…" he held out his hand
"Hi Tim, I'm Elena." She returned the handshake.
"Happy Birthday." He said pointing to the tiara. "That's rather amusing."
"Oh, thanks." Elena said feeling embarrassed suddenly. She took off the tiara and set it on the bar.
"Much better." He smiled "Can I get you a drink?"
"To be frank I think I've had enough." Elena admitted "But thank you for the offer."
"How about a dance then?" Tim smiled
"I'm actually waiting for someone…" she looked behind her, Damon wasn't behind the bar anymore. Where was he? Her heart sunk. "Actually…I don't think he's here. Sure, I'd love to dance."
"Excellent." Tim said setting his drink down.
Elena followed him into the throng of dancers. Tim looked awkward, he moved his arms around a little and Elena swayed a little trying to keep rhythm with him. She looked around and prayed no one was looking at her…then she prayed for the song to end.
"Are you sure I can't interest you in a glass of wine?" Time shouted over the music
Elena cringed. A drink would be better than this horrendous dance. She was just about to answer when she felt a hand wrap around her waist.
"There you are."
A rush of blood flowed through her body at his voice.
Damon spun her around to face him.
"You left this on the bar." He carefully slipped her birthday tiara onto her head and fixed her hair.
"I'm sorry." Tim said loudly "Who are you? Is this man bothering you?"
Damon raised his eyebrow as if to say 'Really?' and Elena flushed.
"You owe me that dance remember?" Damon said with a smile ignoring Tim
Elena cleared her throat "I do…"
"Well then." Before she could react Damon spun her around and tipped her backwards, his strong arm supporting her back.
She laughed. "You're good at this."
Damon pulled her up with a snap and into his body. "I have moves you haven't seen"
"I bet." She said
She didn't notice Tim leaving but he must have. It was funny, before with Tim she felt awkward dancing but with Damon it was fun. He seemed carefree, he moved his hips and legs, his arms spun her and held her. He wasn't afraid of making a fool of himself, he just enjoyed the music. The music turned slow, a rock song with a hypnotising beat.
"How long have you got left?" Elena asked as they moved onto their third dance.
"Long enough." Damon said, his arms fell low around her hips and she couldn't help but put her arms around his neck.
Her breathing was getting faster and she was sure he would be able to feel her heart racing through his shirt. They were close, much to close. Noses almost touching.
Just in time her eyes fluttered shut and his lips met hers. It was like something from the movies, all the clichés were there. Time stood still, the music, the people disappeared. Fireworks were exploding behind her eyes.
His lips moved with her, and his strong arms made her feel safe for once. She opened her mouth for him but he slowly dragged himself back. Her eyes opened to see his deep sexy ones, those eyes were saying 'come to bed'… but…
"I have to get back to work…" he said
"Okay." She said breathlessly "I know…"
His hands moved from her waist to the top of her arms. Slowly they slid down her arms and he took her hands in his. "I'll maybe see you later?"
All she could do was nod. Damon slowly let her hands go and then he was pushing through the crowd.
"I think I need to sit down." Elena said no one in particular.