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Song title:Dance me to the end of Love by Leonard Cohen.


''I propose the blue one.'' Damon,after he left the Mikaelson residence, joined Irene at the inn. She was in the troubling situation of not having a dress for the evening.

''It's linen Damon! And we're going to a gala!And it's ciel,not blue! As much as I loathe these little girls that their bigger problem is what to wear and what matches with what,I have a little situation!''

''So what?!Wear linen. You'll look great no the less'' said to her and gave her his infamous smile.

''Spare me the smiles,they don't help. You'll come with a suit! I brought jeans,and tops,cardigans and knitwear for the chills,no gowns for galas! I don't even have high heels with me!'' her face suddenly lit up ''I know who might be able of assistance''

She got closer to him and prompted her hand.

''I need your phone''

''You know your accent heightens when you're serious. It's very sexy.''

''Damon,your phone''intensifying her accent even more

''Hilarious! he handed to her Who are you calling anyway?'' She simply ignored him.

''Yes?Hello Nik... I need a favor...ugh,stop with the comments. God,where have I found you both!'' she looked at Damon and shook her head in desperation.

''I will be needing a dress for the evening. And since I have nothing for the occasion, and no time for shopping you'll be a sweetheart and find me one. You still have dresses of mine,right?...I don't know,something suitable for the night. Simple,tolerable,my taste. You know. Rene style as you say.''

He replied back and she laughed. ''Well thank you,mr. Mikaelson. And don't forget the shoes!I will be seeing you tonight. And as a return of the favor I'll give you a dance'' she smiled at his final words and hang up.

''See? Problem solved!'' she bragged and tossed his mobile phone to him.

''You two have a creepy relationship...''

''Why because he has dresses of mine? I couldn't exactly stroll them around the world as I moved from place to place. Some,thank heavens for today, stayed behind.''

''No. I mean he is very different with you. He is easy to be with, you're not the slightest afraid of him, you make jokes at him,piss him off, and still he is at his best behavior around you...it's weird. Even for you.''

''Well I don't understand what you mean. No,I do... But that's how always Nik was with me. He took care of me, looked after me, hold my hand when I was scared and had no one. He made laugh and we made our way into the world. He was my family,my friend, my..''

''Lover?'' he couldn't help him self

''Never. It just never happened. I won't say he isn't good looking, or smart and funny. But,like you, he was too good looking and helplessly romantic. In his own way. I wanted ,and still do, different things. That's why I'll end up and old made!'' she joked at him as the door knocked.

''Who is this?'' she asked,approaching the door

''It's mrs. Tally my dear,the is something delivered for you.'' she opened the door and saw her land lady with a dress in a hanger and bag.

''Oh,thank you so much!How are you today? And thank you for the tea and cookies. I adore vanilla and cinnamon together.'' the old lady gave her a smile and chatted briefly with her.

Irene closed the door,holding the things Klaus sent for her,smiling.

''She's adorable. And such a kind person. I see you liked the cookies too!'' Damon couldn't answer with his mouth fool. She laughed.

''You should go,get ready. I don't want my escort to be unsettled.''

''I thought you were going with Klaus. You'll get me too?'' he said smirking at her

''Lucky me!'' she said while disappearing to the bathroom,while Damon closed the door behind him.


''I must say I am amazed Niklaus. I have never seen you so at ease with someone before. It's impressive. Although it is one of Irene's many gifts to bring out the best in people.'' Elijah with a bitter smile formed in the edge of his mouth.

He missed her more than he could possibly understand. Being away and force himself to stay away was from the most difficult things he ever did. He hated himself for that but it was for the best.

He thought of telling her the truth about who he really was, what he had done, who was after him but he was afraid of losing her. She was so away from what his life was.

''To everyone but you,brother. I am sorry for the bitterness but I still can't understand. You talk of morality and honor and honesty and you are even worse than me.I really can not believe you would do such a thing to someone you acclaim so vigorously to love''

''Thank you for the sentiment. It really means a lot.'' he replied,sentiment free,to his brother and left the room.

We have a long night ahead of us Klaus couldn't help to think.


The Salvatore brothers entered the Lockwood mansion. Stefan had Caroline in his arm and Damon,Irene.

''Okay... Damon started I would suggest go,say hello to dear Carol,drink as much as we can for free and leave!''

''Come on Damon,it's not that bad. Look there is a orchestra over there. Why don't you take Irene and dance?'' Stefan with a smile on his face suggested.

''Why don't you..'' his brother was about to reply but got hold up. Caroline gasped in frustration.

''Why on earth is he everywhere I look?!'' Caroline look across the big hall and saw Klaus with Elijah chatting with Carol Lockwood.

Stefan and Irene smiled at Caroline's comment. It was like a common secret.

''We should go,say hello and thank you,for the invitation.'' Irene suggested dragging Damon with all the grace in the world.

''I am not to blame if something happens tonight. Note that somewhere!'' Damon whispered to Stefan as they walked along the hall to join the others.


She noticed her the moment she enter. How could he miss her. She was wearing a 1950's white sleeveless organza dress with her hair in low bun. She was stunning. Just as Caroline with her strapless satin black dress was for Klaus. The two men looked the women in awe as the entered the house.

Carol Lockwood approached them and took them away from their gazing .Soon the two couples came closer to them.

''Damon,Stefan,I'm so glad you made it. Caroline you look amazing,as always. Irene I am very happy that you came.'' Carol said and left to see the rest of her guests.

Awkwardness covered the area. Irene looked at Elijah without being able to know why. He looked her back,not saying anything as well. Same with Caroline and Klaus. Damon and Stefan seem to rather enjoy it.

''So why the lovely Elena didn't honor us with her presence?'' Elijah broke the silence.

''She had planned to spend the night with Bonnie and Jeremy. They had a long time to do it'' Damon answered.

''And how can you Caroline not being with them?'' Klaus continued with a smile,being really happy she was here and not there.

''I don't know,ask Stefan over here.'' said looking pissed at her escort.

Stefan looked down trying to look embarrassed but he couldn't.

''I thought you'd like to come. I mean look, there's people and drinks and..'' Damon completed

''An orchestra!''

Irene couldn't help but laugh a bit.

''I am sorry... she brought her hand in her mouth what's with the orchestra?!'' she looked at Elijah and laughed together.

''Now that we referred to the music, I am quite in the mood for a dance'' Klaus stated

''Oh don't even think about it!'' Caroline prompted.

''Actually I was referring to Rene...'' he couldn't help but smirk. Caroline's cheeks flushed instantly

''Yes,of course. Shall we?'' He proposed his hand and took Irene's.


''Admit it,you loved what just happened!'' she told him as they slowly moved in the dance floor in the soft jazz tune. He laughed.

''I have,I couldn't resist. She is so genuine,bright. I can't resist her Rene,I just can't.''

''Then don't! I have never seen you so happy and excited for someone. Only for art and even then you hold back. What are you afraid of?'' He didn't answer just looked down,in a guilty face.

''I hate your stubborn pride! You love her Nik, grab her and shouted it to her! You always thought,and I am not saying I didn't,that you had time. An eternity. But eternity is long time. You can't hope that it'll happen on it's own. Trust me it won't. You found her. Don't do the stupidity and let her go away.''

It was her time to look away. She was alone. She had Damon and Klaus over the years by her side. They loved her and she them,but... But that hole inside everyone that's being waiting to be filled by someone else never filled.

It felt like,sometime, it was whole but all she could ever remember was an emptiness. And that hurt.


The jazz tune end and give place to a familiar song. It was from her favorites. She couldn't resist in Leonard Cohen. It was just her song. She adored it.

She saw Klaus walking over Caroline who was dancing with Elijah. He just looked at her,prompted his hand. She took it. And smile.

Elijah slowly walked towards Irene. She felt like a little school girl. Like the girl she was in her twenties.

''May I have this dance?'' he asked,with his usual tone,not taking his eyes of her.

''You may.'' she couldn't help her smile.


Damon and Stefan watched the scene. The waiter came with two glasses of bourbon. Stefan took then and told him

''Keep them coming.''


His hands were like they knew exactly were to go. Their bodies were like they had done that again. That familiar feeling came again

''You like the song?'' he was pushing his luck,but he didn't really care. He had her in his arms. Nothing else mattered.

''I do. It's one of my favorites actually.'' she was uncomfortable around him. She couldn't explain it.

''I remember when it came out. It was 198..'' he started

''4. Yeah, I remember I instantly fell in love with it. It was so honest and beautiful. So..''

''True. It hit directly in your heart.'' he was playing with fire.

''Yes! How can you... it's this thing again,with you. I feel like I've danced with you again. This song. Like I've said these things with you again. But I haven't. I couldn't have. Unless I don't remember!'' she gave a laugh.

He held her more close. She could hear his breath. He did too.

''What if you had...dance with me again...This song...in 1984...'' he was whispering in her ear...she shivered in his voice

''I couldn't. I didn't know you then.'' but that familiar thing about him...

''What if you did?''

''I would remember you. I never forget a face.'' she slightly bragged about herself.

''What if you had forget? Being forced to forget...''

''What do you mean?''


''Here we go'' Damon comment and Stefan looked at him with worry.


'' If you were forced. Not to remember.''

''You mean compelled? Only an Original can. And you aren't one... Are you?'' she became suspicious. Looked him intensely.

''What if I was?''

''You are not. I would know. I would remember meeting you.''

''Not if I had compelled you.'' her eyes became watery.

''And why would you do such a thing?'' her breath was fast and difficult to endure

''To protect you. Irene..'' she interrupted him

''You did that?You're an Original?You lied to me. Nik did too. Why?'' she got away from his hold. They were in the middle room. He couldn't say anything. Just looking at her so hurt and confused. What have I done?

His thoughts were running to his head. He tried to speak but he didn't find the words.

''Why? Why did I do to you? I knew there was something wrong!'' the tears left her eyes'' Tell me!What did you erase?Why did you do it?!''

The Salvatore brothers rushed to where they were. Damon wrapped his arm around Irene and rushed her to the garden. Stefan hold Elijah back.

''Give her space. It's way too much for a night.'' he said to him,but Elijah ignored him. He followed them to the garden.

The song finished and Klaus with Caroline approached.

''He told her?'' Klaus asked the younger Salvatore.

''Not exactly.''

''Tell her her what?Elijah?To Irene?'' Caroline looked confused

''I would stay out of it love'' Klaus suggested

''No. Something's wrong and there too many guys and she is alone. I'm going,she needs a woman by her side. Not another Original.'' she said,leaving.

''I guess we should go too'' Stefan suggested and followed Caroline.


Damon was holding her close,sitting at a wooden bench.

''What's wrong with me?'' she couldn't control her breath or her tears

''Nothing. Look at me. It's gonna be fine. I'm here, no one is going to hurt you. Ever again.'' he looked at Elijah who was a few meters away.

''Irene please,just let me...'' Elijah couldn't finish his phrase.

''No!No! I'm done with you!'' she stood up,opposite of him. The others watched worryingly. She continued.

''You compelled me. Made forget,God knows what and for how long. Why? Why did I do to you?''

'' You did nothing. I loved you Irene. I was protecting you.''

''Do you know how lame that sounds? How cheap? How common?''

She was pressing her hands to her head to make it stop thinking. Klaus reached her. He tried to stop her.

''Stop! Just stay away from me! You knew! You told me all the rubbish about the great things I deserve and you mock me in my face! I thought you were my friend Nik! I trusted you...like the family I never had. How could you do this to me?'' she looked at him. Tired from the anger, the frustration, the sentiments that run over her.

Damon came from behind and grabbed his arms around her. He took out a handkerchief and gave to her.

''Thank y... she looked at it, that's mine. How did you get it? I never gave it to you.''

''I...'' he realized the stupidity he just did. Elijah had given it to him, when he stabbed him with a pencil. Why was it in his pocket?

''Damon that's mine. And I never gave it to you. I haven't seen this since...''

''1942. Berlin,Germany.'' Elijah looked only at her.

''You...God! I see pictures in my mind but I can't place them anywhere. It's like it's not me who lived them,it's someone else. Compulsion doesn't work like that...what is happening to me?'' she tried to get away from Damon,he fought back but she was much stronger than he was. Klaus was the one to grab her.

''Brother. Do it now,or I will.'' He warned him,holding Irene into his arms. She was fighting but she couldn't do anything. Elijah came closer. She was holding her eyes shut,trying to hold back the tears.

Caroline grabbed Stefan's arm. She could understand how difficult this was for the three of them. She gave Klaus a brief smile of encouragement.

''Irene look at me...'' she was pushing her head away from him,along with her whole body. He couldn't physically force her to turn. Klaus on the other hand didn't share his hesitation.

''Sorry about that Rene.'' he slowly pressed her head towards Elijah,in front of them.

''Irene,please let me get this away. Let me get the pain away.'' her mind was telling her no but that feeling,his voice, made her open her eyes. She looked at him. She was scared.

He placed his hands to her head,softly. Only to touch her. Only too take the pain away. He took a deep breath.

''Now,you remember. Everything.''