Iris groaned and rolled over, and pressed her face into her pillow feeling the sun rays on her skin, she heard a knock on the door
"Come in" she muttered.
Elijah waltzed in amused at the sight that greeted him, the small raven head was cocooned in sheets and covers
"Morning Iris-"
"Ergh" was her intelligent reply causing him to chuckle "why is it morning?"
He tucked his hands in to the pockets of his slacks and walked over to her vanity table where he once again fiddled with her trinkets
Iris peeked one eye open to see what he was doing "do you have a thing for other people's furniture?"
"I only do when it fascinates me"
"Huh, so is there a reason or-"
"I wanted to come by and see whether you would be up to accompany me"
"Where?" she sat up looking at him, she self-consciously patted her hair when she saw his eyes darting up her hair "I know it's a mess"
He chuckled "Me and Jenna would be going to one of the old property lines"
Iris smiled "No thanks, I've been there, maybe we can have lunch at the grill?" she suggested
He nodded "very well, see you there"
Once he left Iris swung her legs out of her bed and stretched her arms above her head loosening her stiff muscles, she padded barefooted towards her bathroom and had a quick shower, she wrapped her towel around her body and hurried back to her room hearing her cell go off
"Hello?"
"Iris" she heard a familiar voice
"Jeremy, what's up?" she asked whilst riffling through her dresser pulling out a midnight blue lace bra and matching panties, she slipped them on
"I was wondering if you could help me out?"
"With what?" she asked curious, Iris walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of skinny jeans and a buttoned down baby pink long sleeve top, that would do for the day, she thought.
"Can I talk to you at the grill?"
"Sure, I'll be there around eleven"
"That's great see you there" she then hanged up.
Iris got dressed and brushed her hair pulling it into a messy bun; she still had some school assignments to do, so opted to do that to pass some time.
Iris opted to walk to the grill since it was a sunny day. She entered the grill and looked around it was kind of busy as it was the weekend.
"Iris" Jeremy waved her over; she grinned and made her way towards the other teen
"Hey Jere, so what's up?" she asked
"Well I got this date" he said, earning a smile from her
"Really, aw with who?" Iris asked
He mumbled causing her to frown
"Say that again" she demanded but he was saved for the time being when a waitress came over to take their order
"So? Who is this lucky lady?" Iris asked
"Bonnie" he stated
"Wow, when did that- wait when did you even start fancying her? Or do you just want to shag because that's revolting-"he quickly shut her up by placing his hand over her mouth
"Will you hush?" Jeremy looked around and saw that they were attracting some stares from the other patrons, "EWW" he shrieked when he felt Iris lick his hand "Oh that's ergh…Iris"
"What?" she asked innocently causing him slump, god he thought that girl can get away with anything when she pulls that face, "Aw this looks good" she muttered as their order was set down "So what do you need help with then?" she asked
"Well I realised that you're a girl-"she quirked an eyebrow
"Really? Now you realise? You're not that quick on the uptake than are you" she drawled. He sighed and swallowed down a bite of his burger
"You know what I mean"
"Not really" Iris muttered chewing her fry "so?"
"Well you're a girl, what do girls like when you know….I wanna do something special so-" he was confused when she burst out laughing Jeremy gave her affronted look
"If you don't want to help me then-"
"No, It's not that" Iris shook her head, tucking a stray curl behind her ear "I'm laughing because of all the people who you came to on how to woo a girl, you came to me? Jere haven't you realised that I'm unattached, you'll be better off talking to Caroline, hell even Elena, but she's your sister and that'll be weird"
"Did you just say woo?" he asked his previous irritation gone when he saw her flushed face
"Does no one use that phrase here?" she asked sipping her drink
"Not anyone I heard of, but you're not the average person are you Iris?" he cocked an eyebrow
"You've got that right" she grinned "so with the Bonnie situation why don't…erm have a meal or whatever, does she know that you like her?"
"Well-"
"Ergh don't answer that otherwise we'll be here forever" she murmured, and avoided his playful swat.
They spent a couple of minutes eating in comfortable silence
"So how's living with Elijah going?" Jeremy asked
Iris eyes widened briefly she slapped her temple
"Merlin, I was supposed to have lunch with Elijah here"
"So you're going to cancel it?" Jeremy asked and was miffed at the sight of Iris practically shoving the food down her throat
"No way, I can have two lunches, I just won't order as much" Iris grinned
"Where does it all go" Jeremy muttered stunned that someone so small could eat hell of a lot.
"So your girlfriend is over there" Iris spotted the witch sitting further away, the raven head concluded Bonnie mustn't have seen her or Jeremy since the witch's back was facing them
"Iris don't-"Jeremy seeing what Iris was about to do, but she ignored him and whistled loudly
"BONNIE" Iris called causing Jeremy to sink down in his chair, she waved her over
"Iris, Jeremy" Bonnie smiled sliding in beside Jeremy, the petite didn't miss the slightly blush on his cheeks, "so what brings you two here?"
"It's not a date" Iris blurted out, Bonnie cocked an eyebrow "I mean ew its Jeremy-"
"Thanks for that Iris" Jeremy muttered, Iris blushed
"Oh you know what I mean anyway you're the one who came here to ask for my-"she was cut off when he kicked her leg causing her to jump
"Iris, you're alright?" Bonnie asked seeing the raven head's antics
"Yeah, there was a bug" she pouted at Jeremy who whistled and looked around, a mischievous look appeared on her face, which caused Jeremy to be on edge
"Jeremy's treating me" she stated,
"Ok" Bonnie sent a look over to the younger Gilbert
"It's true, you know how Iris gets when she's not fed" Bonnie snorted
"Make me sound like a dog" Iris muttered much to their amusement "So Bonnie what brings you here?"
"Breakfast and thinking about last night" she replied
"Yeah me too" Jeremy said with a smirk, making Iris realise that something had happened between the two.
"Do I even want to know what happened?" Iris murmured finishing off her drink, she was stuffed, she had no clue she was going to have another meal with Elijah
"A tough spell took it out of me" she revealed, Iris didn't miss Jeremy's face dropping slightly
"Spell? Why would you be doing a spell?" Iris asked confused
"I did a spell on Luka, to make him tell us what Elijah really wanted"
Iris's eyebrows shot to her hairline "You did that?" she whispered furiously, fearing that the original would find out
"Iris we can't trust him-"
"You're forgetting that I live with him, he- I trust him"
"Well of course you would" Bonnie muttered
"Ergh" she threw her hands up in the air "he hasn't done anything to make us doubt him"
"Why are you defending him?" Jeremy asked
Iris's eyes darted between the pair "Because I…he saved my skin how many times I don't know but we can trust him, he'll honour the deal he made with Elena that I am sure of" she answered honestly
"How do you know that he would honour it? What if this is some plot to get you and Elena huh? Have you thought about that?" Bonnie asked,
Iris looked down, she could understand how the others viewed the Original to them he was untrustworthy but he'd showed another side to Iris and for some odd reason Iris was beginning to feel attached to him, plus he never harmed a hair on her head or tricked or lied to her like the others
"Iris" Bonnie sighed and gently grabbed Iris's hand seeing the downtrodden look on the attractive raven head "I don't want you to get hurt, regardless of what happened between us in the past, you're my friend and so is Elena, you're both stuck in the middle, I want to help you"
Iris sent her a small smile and nodded "I know you do, and I want you to know that I do trust Elijah, he…he's just an honourable man, he wouldn't turn his back on the deal"
"Think what you will" Bonnie sighed knowing that she wouldn't be swaying the stubborn raven head
"So" Iris muttered "you're having trouble with all spells or-?"
"No just that one" Bonnie cut her off "I just need to practise a lot"
The petite teen asked and noticed Damon had entered the grill with a woman on his arm, huh when did that happened Iris thought.
But that quickly flew out of her mind when she heard a sharp intake of breath coming from Bonnie "What's wrong?" she asked in concern
But Iris's question was soon answered when a teen stormed up to their table,
"Want to tell me what happened last night?" the guy hissed at Bonnie, Iris deduced that this must be Luka and noticed the glare that Jeremy was giving him.
"Sorry?" Bonnie questioned, Iris knew what the witch was doing, and she was playing dumb which was a smart thing to do.
"Don't play dumb" Luka snarled "you both were there" he gestured between Bonnie and Jeremy
"Sorry Luka, I don't know what you're talking about, everything seemed normal yesterday" Bonnie lied, Iris was slightly miffed at how well the witch could lie without even blinking "I bought you coffee, and we played pool"
"Sounds like a grand day out" Iris commented causing Luka to look at her but she leant slightly back
"I think you're lying" he hissed leaning in closer to Bonnie, Iris frowned seeing how uncomfortable the other girl was getting, the raven head stood up
"Whoa calm down" Iris grabbed his arm but the warlock wrenched his arm away from her
"Why don't you mind your own business?" he snapped causing her to step back, but before he could make a move towards her, he was once again grabbed by the arm but this time by Jeremy.
"And I think you need to back off" Jeremy snapped pushing him slightly away from Iris. She saw him glare at all three of them and stormed off.
"Thanks Jere" Iris murmured,
"Yeah, thanks, you too Iris" Bonnie uttered, Iris smiled at her and nodded, she witness the looks that were being exchanged by them and decided to leave them be
"Well thanks for lunch Jere, catch you guys later" she waved.
"So Damon whose your lady friend?" Iris asked appearing next to him
"Why? Jealous?" he smirked causing her to chuckle
"No far from it, do you care for her or-"
"She's a tasty blood bag and a good fu-"she slapped his hand over his mouth
"Ok, I so don't need to know about that" she said blushing furiously causing him to chuckle, she pulled her hand away
"Her name is Andie Starr"
Iris's brows furrowed "she sounds familiar"
"Anchor woman for the local news" he answered receiving his drink
"What would you like doll?" the bartender asked, giving Iris a once over "I can buy you-"
"I can get my own girl her drinks, thanks" Damon snapped pulling the petite raven head close to him and glared at the bar man,
"Sorry dude, didn't know she was taken" the barman said holding his hands up in a surrender gesture
"Neither did she" Iris muttered and felt Damon tug one of her curls
"Well she is, she'll have a coke" he said curtly
"Aw look at you getting all protective" Iris teased he rolled his eyes and lightly nudged her shoulder. A moment later Iris's drink arrived, she saw that Bonnie and Jeremy was busy talking she didn't want to intrude and spied Alaric sitting in the corner booth
"Where are you going?" Damon called, keeping an eye on her; honestly he thought that girl can find trouble in an empty room.
Alaric looked up when he felt a shadow overcast on his table and smiled seeing who it was
"Iris" he greeted her
"Hey Ric" she grinned "mind if I join you?" she gestured to the seat opposite him
"Not at all" he replied
Iris slid into the seat "So how's it going with you and Jenna?" she asked taking a sip of her drink
Alaric scoffed and rolled his eyes
Iris scrunched up her nose "that bad huh? What's wrong big guy-"He shot her a look "yeah I can't pull that off"
"No you can't but you cheered me up" he admitted
Iris grinned and nodded "so what's the problem?"
"No offence Iris, but its quiet weird having relationship discussion with one of my students"
Iris rolled her eyes "Ric just tell me" she demanded,
Alaric sighed knowing when she wanted to be Iris could be stubborn to the point of annoyance "Fine, two words, John Gilbert"
"Ah say no more, the creepy uncle giving you problems?"
"You can say that" he huffed "told Jenna about Isobel and-"
"Right, well I got a cricket bat if you need it" Alaric laughed loudly at that
"No, but if I need it I know where to go" Alaric said sipping his bottle of beer. Just then Damon and Andie appeared, Iris found the woman to be way too smiley.
"Andie this is Iris, Iris Andie, so everyone knows each other" Damon drawled sliding in beside the raven head
"Hi, nice to meet you" the petite smiled politely
"Aw she's adorable I can pinch her cheeks so-"
"Please don't" Iris cut her off as she slid in beside Alaric
"You're a gorgeous little thing"
"Merlin, she's being a bit-"
"Nice" Damon lightly pinched Iris "be nice-"
"Pfft that's rich coming from you" Iris snorted, causing Alaric to snicker "Ric I might need my bat"
"So other than your lecture on Mystic Falls, did you get anything out of Elijah?"
Iris sighed and leant back against her seat "You went with them?"
"Yes" Alaric answered her "it was boring; of course Jenna thinks he's charming"
"He is" Iris murmured causing the men to look at her "what? It's true, you know he makes me dinner and we talk-"
"Uh oh. Flower's getting attached"
"You shouldn't" Alaric said sternly
"So what if I am?" she snapped glaring at Damon, "He-"
"Can't be trusted"
"People say that about you but yet here we are, don't judge someone you don't know Damon" she scowled at him, he glared at her and gripped her chin forcefully
"Damon" Alaric said warningly, but the vampire ignored him
"Listen here flower, I am not as gullible as you we don't know him-"
"Well I do" she wrenched herself out of his grip "He's being a dick isn't he?"
"Kind of is" Andie agreed causing a wry smile to come across Iris's face
"See even your compelled girlfriend knows you're being a dick" Iris muttered, he open his mouth to retort but Alaric stopped him
"Incoming" the hunter muttered, Iris followed his gaze and saw Elijah and Jenna entering the grill, she smiled and waved them over
"Would you stop" Damon hissed grabbing her wrist, she winced slightly at the grip
"What?" she spat seeing that they saw her and was now making their way towards the group
"Being so friendly to the enemy"
"He may be your enemy but he isn't mine, now let go" Iris said through gritted teeth
"You-"
"Iris" Elijah greeted them, his eyes however was focused on Damon seeing the look he was getting from the Original he abruptly let go of the raven head.
"Hi" she plastered a smile on her face "I'm glad that you could make it" seeing the confused looks on the others faces, Elijah elaborated
"I decided to treat Iris to lunch, after all she's being a wonderful host" he smirked slightly seeing her blush
"Ah, well Iris is very welcoming, she literally lets anyone come into her house and-"Iris pinched Damon's side
"Shut up, or I'll shove a stake up your arse" she hissed under her breath.
"That she is" Elijah said his eyes alight with amusement
"So Elijah's been telling me the secrets of Mystic Falls" Jenna commented "stories you could say"
"Sounds lovely" Andie nodded, Iris licked her lips seeing the glare that her history was shooting the Original
"What kind of stories?" Iris ventured
"Well-"
"I would love to hear about this but I got papers to grade" Alaric stood up finishing his beer
"Oh we should finish this" Andie said suddenly causing everyone to look at her, the raven head didn't miss the smug look on Damon's face "we should have a dinner party tonight"
"Ooh my girl is filled with great ideas, I'd be happy to host" Damon smirked; Iris got the feeling that he was up to something "Tonight?"
"Good for me" Andie stated "Jenna?"
"Well-"
"Sure I'm free"
"Fine I'm in" Alaric grunted not really wanting to come at all
"It'd be a pleasure" Elijah nodded
"Sounds fun" Iris commented sipping her drink
"Iris, would you allow me to escort you?" Elijah asked, her eyes met his
"Huh?" Iris said "it's seems like an older people thing-"
"I insist, you are after all my host" Elijah smiled charmingly, Iris had to hand it to him he had both Jenna and Andie practically swooning.
"Sure, why not" Iris grinned
"No I think Iris would probably get bored, plus it should be a formal thing, I don't think flower can manage eat without it ending up on her face" Damon said, Iris glared at him
"Why are you being such an arse" she bit out
"I'm only saying the truth" he countered, Damon didn't want her to be part of this, he could see that she for some unknown reason cared for Elijah
In retaliation Iris knocked her drink over, causing Damon to jump up as the cold beverage seeped into his jeans
"Iris what the-"
"Oops my bad" Iris said "you should hurry home before that stain sets in, I'll see you tonight"
Damon's eyes narrowed on, but she returned his glare full on
"Fine see you tonight" Damon stood up but not before he leant in close so that only she could hear "but if you end up hurt don't come crying to me"
Iris's jaw dropped "Are you threatening me?" she whispered
"It's a warning" he responded "come Andie, can't wait for tonight" he smiled mockingly, Iris's eyes dropped back down to the table full of hurt, Alaric saw this he seriously needed to talk to Damon
"I should leave as well" Alaric stood up. Damon moved pass Elijah but the Original's voice stopped him,
"That was a threat" he said low enough for only the vampire to hear "if you threaten her again, I will easily pluck your un-beating heart from your chest, am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal" he responded and left with Andie and Alaric trailing behind him.
Iris moved up slightly as Elijah sat down beside her, whilst Jenna sat opposite them
"So what should we order? Hmm I fancy the chocolate fudge cake" Iris said
"That's your lunch?" Jenna cocked an eyebrow
"Well you see…..yeah" she blushed "the thing-"
"You ate before" Jenna smiled shaking her head
"You caught me" she said bashfully, she looked at Elijah "sorry I know you wanted to-
"Doesn't matter" Elijah chuckled Iris was never one to wait for too long when it came to food "we're having dinner tonight"
"Right so Jenna what's going on between you and Ric?" the raven head asked bluntly causing Jenna eyes to widened
"Iris-"Elijah sat back amused at how Iris managed to get the older woman flustered in a few words
"I thought you really liked him; don't listen to what John Gilbert says"
Jenna bit her bottom lip contemplating the raven head's words, just then Jenna's cell rang. Iris twiddled her fingers; Damon's words were getting to her. Elijah reached down and grabbed her hands under the table and ran his thumb over the back of her hand stilling her movements
"Iris, do not take his words to heart, one thing about the Salvatores is that they on occasion let their emotions run them"
Iris smiled feeling better "thank you"
He gave her a rare smile and lightly squeezed her hand which she returned.
"Sorry guys, Carol Lockwood calls, I'll see you two tonight" Jenna uttered and grabbed her bags
"Oh, well see you then" Iris said as Jenna rushed out, she jumped when Elijah lightly gripped her upper thigh "what are you doing?" she squeaked,
"Relax" he ordered "Now what are your friends up to?" he demanded leaning forward so that he was trapping her
"I don't know" his oak brown eyes bored in to her emerald eyes, she froze he could hear her heart thrumming faster, she let out a sigh as he moved back, whatever he found he did, Elijah could always read Iris so easily
"My apologies" he uttered
"It's fine" Iris shook her head "I wouldn't blame you for thinking they were up to something, Damon's acting weird"
"How so?" he asked placing his arm behind her and shifted closer so that there sides were pressed together, Iris hardly noticed since she was so at ease with him
"Well for one thing, he's hosting a dinner party, and the whole time I was in Mystic Falls he never done that"
"Hmm interesting" Iris nodded and waved over one of the waiters and ordered her chocolate cake "So Elena-"
"Oh she's gone off with Stefan, think they need a break or something" Stefan had managed to catch Iris before she arrived at the grill and told her that he and the brunette was going away to have some time alone
"Trouble in paradise?" he asked as her cake arrived, he picked up a fork as did Iris
"No clue" Iris admitted shrugging her shoulders and took a forkful of her cake "hey, you know you could've got your own piece" she muttered seeing him taking a forkful of her cake.
"I know, but I find it endearing when you're frustrated" he smirked, causing her eyes to widened
"You enjoy riling me up don't you?" Iris rolled her eyes
"That I do my dear" he lightly tugged her curl and chuckled "Iris you got icing on your face" he reached out and swiped it off of her face
"Damn how the hell did that happened?" she muttered. And then proceeded to take another piece, he did the same.
Iris sighed and rummaged through her closet she was trying to dig out something suitable to wear for the dinner party, Elijah was downstairs doing merlin knows what
She finally managed to locate one of her much nicer dresses, it was a strapless number the bodice was lace and fitted, whilst the skirt flared out and reached her knees, Iris slipped on her dress and was now struggled trying to zip it up at the back
"Come on" she groaned in frustration having trouble
"Need help" she gasped and looked over her shoulder seeing Elijah leaning against the doorway
"What gave me away?" she drawled, he chuckled and in an instant was behind her causing her to tense slightly. She felt his finger slide down her back. Elijah's eyes darkened slightly as he touched her smooth soft skin he could hear heart pounding in her chest, her scent seem to flare
"Elijah? We're going to be late" Iris looked at him over the shoulder and sent him a curious look, he nodded and easily zipped up the back of the dress,
She turned around so that she was facing him "So what do you think?" she smiled
"You look beautiful" he said sincerely, causing her to blush
"Thanks so do you" he cocked an eyebrow as her eyes widened "I mean not beautiful- wait no I mean handsome"
He chuckled "Thank you, I'll wait downstairs"
She nodded Iris had applied some light make up earlier and looked around spotting her shoes, she slipped on the peep toe heels and looked around for her black sweater. When she grabbed her things, she hurried down the stairs. She stumbled down the last step and was saved from doing a face plant when Elijah caught her, with ease he set her on her feet
"Thanks" she blushed embarrassed; he smiled and offered her his arm
"My Lady" he teased
"My Lord" a smile played along her lips, he opened the door for her and went to open the car door, but she placed her hand over his
"Nah uh, I can open my own doors thank you very much" she huffed
"Very well" he nodded, and went around the car they were not taking her blue rusty ford after all Elijah refused to get in it. So Iris reluctantly agreed they'll take his sleek Mercedes, a classy car for a classy man, she mused. Iris reached forward and attempted to open the door but found that she couldn't
"What the-" she peered through the glass and saw the Elijah simply cocking an eyebrow with a smirk on his lip "you've got to be kidding me" she muttered and tapped the window, she tugged the door handle but still couldn't open it "Elijah, you're not being matured" Iris yelled and was confused when he got out of the car
"Learnt your lesson?" he asked leaning on the car
"What? Merlin you've got to- fine you can open my door if you insist" she pouted at him, causing him to chuckle, he zoomed around and opened the car door for her, she shook her head and slipped in.
"Was that really necessary?" Iris asked as she buckled herself in
"Hmm, I believe so plus you're entertaining when you're bustling with anger"
"Argh you did that for fun"
Iris rolled her eyes as he pulled out of her driveway
"I believe so" Elijah smirked
She chuckled "you're one of a kind Elijah"
"As are you" he returned.
AN: Whoop 300 reviews, never thought this story will get that many, thank you
This chap, more Elijah and Iris interaction, Damon is being according to Iris an arse
Next chapter is the disastrous dinner Party so stay tuned
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