A/N: Hello everybody,
And welcome (back) to this story. I was really happy with all the comments I'd got on last chapter and I'm really happy to hear about your opinions.
Non-Elena finally has a semblance of a plan. Let's see how well it goes^^. Non-Elena already let Damon know she knows about him and Katherine. There is no point in denying it now when Damon already knows. Besides, she considers sharing part of her knowledge a calculated risk. Besides, it will speed up things nicely. Enjoy:)
o.O.o
Chapter Seven, Terrific or Terrifying
On Friday the 25th, after an easy day at school, I left the shared bathroom still toweling my hair dry when my phone buzzed and with a frown, I tapped the screen harshly. Damon, telling me he would pick me up at six. I had no idea how he'd even gotten my number.
I certainly hadn't given it to him (nor did I know it by memory), but I supposed it answered the question when he would turn up. Miranda had been almost over-excited that I would be joining the party, that I changed my mind and I was content letting her believe that.
Wrapping a towel around my hair, I selected a pretty, superfine blue silk dress with small sleeves, only covering my shoulders, and an empire waist. It fell gently just below my knees and a silver ribbon was tied around my waist. I liked it. I had no idea if Elena did, but I liked it. A lot. Elena looked superb in it too, but then again, Elena looked good in almost anything.
When I was satisfied with the dress, the matching diamond stud earrings and a silver charm bracelet, I sat down in front of my vanity mirror.
I hadn't curled my hair in ages, my original hair such a bird's nest no hairdo ever held, but Elena's hair shaped in thick ringlets around my face. Even though I kept my make-up natural, with a light, bronze eyeshadow, a thin layer of mascara on my lashes and a bit of lip gloss, I looked like the spitting image of Katherine.
An innocent Katherine, but a Katherine, nonetheless—
For a moment, I stared at my reflection. Elena would let herself be sacrificed for the good of her friends. Katherine ran from Klaus instead. Was my wish not immeasurably selfish as well? I might have decided not to run, I still didn't want to die.
On a different note, my death would do nothing to spare the people in this town either. When Elena went to her sacrifice willingly, Klaus still went after her Aunt Jenna. If I went straight to Klaus, I would lose. Which was why Elijah still was the best bet, but in truth, Elijah would do nothing for my survival either. At least, not for sure. His mystical drink didn't have to work.
"You look beautiful, sweetie," Miranda complimented as she stepped into Elena's bedroom.
"Oh," I smiled, tucking an errant curl behind my ear, "thank you."
"The blue compliments you skin tone really well."
I smoothed my hands down the length of the blue dress while Miranda settled down on the edge of my bed. I smiled at her reflection in the vanity mirror, "Thank you. I liked the blue."
"So your date?" She asked, smiling in a way that made me think Elena told Miranda everything.
"His name's Damon. The brother of the new guy. You remember Stefan, right?" I asked.
"I definitely do," her mom replied.
I smiled. That certainly didn't surprise me, and I turned towards her. "So, Damon— he doesn't know so many people and his uncle is Zach Salvatore— Well, he asked me, and I agreed to let him take me. He's nice enough. A bit arrogant, so I certainly would love to bring him down a peg." I continued, considering my words as they tumbled from my lips.
"Sounds like a very healthy thing to do." Miranda smirked.
"Doesn't it?" I agreed, adding the final touch to my lip gloss before puckering my lips.
"Don't let yourself be pressured into anything, all right?" She tried; eyebrows drawn tightly together. "Older men are not like teenagers. They might want— more from you."
"I know. But we're not dating. I'm not planning on sleeping with him."
"Sleeping and dating—"
"I know, mom!" I whispered, flushing hotly and she gave me an unimpressed look. "I'm not sleeping with him. I promise you; I am not opening that can of worms."
"Good."
"Did you find Grandma Beth's earrings?" I asked, forcefully changing the subject.
"No, I have no idea what happened to those. John didn't know where they were either."
"Why would John know?" I asked drolly.
"Oh no reason, sweetie."
I let the obvious lie slide and stepped into my shoes. "What time is it?"
"Five-thirty. Are you driving with us?"
"No," I shook my head. "Damon will pick me up at six." The words had only just left my mouth when the growl of a car came from our driveway and I frowned. "I guess he's early."
"He's good looking," Miranda observed, looking outside through a crack of my curtains. "Isn't he too old though?"
"He's twenty-five and we're only going as friends." I remarked almost snorting at her remark.
"Hm." Miranda answered and I snatched a fitting silver guardian from my desk chair as I made my way out of the bedroom. Even when I knew what would happen tonight, or at least I thought I knew what would happen tonight, I had a nagging sort feeling at the back of my mind. Like a ludicrous sort of premonition that would leave one weak-kneed, breathless and uncommonly scared.
I followed Miranda down the stairs, my fingers spasming around the banister. Grayson was already at the front door, having thrown it open wide and I watched Damon's blue Camaro gleam in the sun. It was a beautiful car, as was the man who unfolded out of it. He was dressed smartly, looking handsome in his sharply tailored suit but his smirk was notably absent of his face, instead a smile gracing his features (his eyes only briefly widening upon seeing me).
"Good evening."
"Evening," Grayson echoed, walking out first, holding out his hand to shake.
"Mister Gilbert," Damon greeted pleasantly, before blurting out, "I— Elena has your eyes."
I snorted at that. The bumbling way he fell over his words, threw out the first thing that came to mind. I was impressed. Extremely so, while Grayson didn't seem to notice it was all an act and basked in pride. Or perhaps that was slight amusement too.
I couldn't say for sure and listened half-heartedly as he and Damon exchanged pleasantries. It ended with Damon promising to have me home around eleven (which Grayson waved away; he himself would be at the party as well after all) and offering me his arm.
I stared at it for less than a second before realizing, refusing his arm would be suspicious and linked my arm tightly around his. Staring at the car, my heart broke into a fearful gallop and the back of my neck clammy with sweat.
Steeling my nerves, I allowed him to lead me to the car. I climbed into the passenger side of the convertible and buckled the strap in, waving at Elena's parents (I was pretty sure, Grayson would try and grill Damon when he got the chance) and Damon looked at me over the rim of his sunglasses gearing the car forward and smirked, "Nice outfit."
"I hope you won't try to ruin it."
"Now why would I do that?"
"You ruined a perfect good pair of skinny jeans the first time we met."
"Oh, don't worry. I will be on my best behavior."
"Somehow, I doubt that." I muttered.
Even though he wasn't driving fast, the wind was loud in my ears, toying with my hair. Damon drummed his fingers softly on the steering wheel and I leant back into the leather seat. The sun was warm against the back of my eyelids and for a moment I felt somewhat relaxed. Then Damon opened his mouth and the moment was shattered. "I need you to do something for me."
"Get you inside?"
"Smart cookie."
"I need you to do something for me too."
"Oh?"
"I need the phone number of Doctor Jonas Martin." I replied and curled my toes in my shoes. "He's a witch. And I need his help. You help me, I help you. You know, Quid pro quo and all."
His eyebrows rose. "You want me to find a witch? For what?"
"I'm compelled not to tell you," I droned out.
He stared at me with wide eyes. "Excuse me?"
"I can't tell you, Damon." I shrugged. "But this witch isn't very pro-vampire so please don't be rude."
"All that to get me in?"
"I'm sure you don't just want me to help you get in, now do you?"
"No," he agreed, frowning.
"I can get you your stupid Crystal too?"
"You—" he started and the car edged dangerously close to the pavement and the lanterns.
"Does it matter how I know?" I asked. "Let's suffice it to say you're not the only one who wants someone out of the tomb."
"You're awfully secretive."
"Everyone is allowed to have their secrets. Do you think you can get it?"
"The phone number of witch-doctor Jonas Martin. Yeah, I'll get it, Miss Gilbert." He drawled and steered the car off the main road onto a dirt one.
I let out a relieved sigh when Lockwood manor came into view, even though I knew he wouldn't try and hurt me while he wanted something from me. While we had an understanding. Ever the gentleman to the public eye, he led me up the gravel road towards the house, his hand perched on my lower back.
Mayor Lockwood grinned when he saw me, but his smile was a bit off. I couldn't blame him. Seeing me, he probably thought about Jeremy, but I smiled anyway, accepting his hand to shake.
He didn't look as violent as the series made him out to be and with a smile, as I waited dutifully for the invitation to get inside, I followed Damon into the spacious hall. I had never considered myself poor.
Never. Before all this, I was an only-child, raised in a middle-class neighborhood. My parents had been able to pay for my education after high school and we'd been able to afford our annual vacations abroad, but compared to the Lockwood's, I was definitely poor as dirt. I breathed in hard, the happy social mask already taxing.
The large ballroom, at the back of Lockwood manor, looked beautiful. Gentle sunlight streamed in through the high-paned windows, glittering off the gold and silver streamers, which hung from the large chandeliers. Off to the side, displays shimmered and I stared around curiously, snatched a flute of champagne of a passing waiter. Taking a long sip, I followed Damon further into the room.
Most of the people I didn't know, but all of them were well-dressed and I tugged self-consciously at the hem of my dress, "So, what do you need me to do?"
"I need you to stand watch." He told me seriously. "When the right moment comes."
"And my witch-doctor?" I asked slowly, stopping in front of one of the displays.
"I sent word to a witch I know. She's looking into it." He told me drolly, following my gaze to the wedding bands. "Do you know these?"
"Yeah, they're my parents'." I said, recognizing them. "They were my ancestor's first."
"I see." He muttered.
"Where is the crystal?"
"And here I was thinking you knew so much."
"I know the draft of it." I shrugged my shoulders. "I know you were able to hide it somewhere, but well, that's it. I don't know exactly where."
"Hm."
We moved through the ballroom, having crossed to one wall that held different items. Monumental scrolls and parchments were hung on the wall and put in those same glass displays.
My eyes flitted over the framed old photos and a long list of guests who'd attended a council celebration all the way back to 1864. I cocked my head once I noticed both Stefan's and Damon's name beneath Benjamin Lockwood's and dared a glance at Damon. He too was looking at the list. "Say, what was it like back then?"
"Hm, good question. It was different, I suppose. It was in the middle of the Civil war. Society expected men to sign up for the Confederate army while fear and worry ran rampant through the town. You could say being a—" he leant in close and whispered the next word exactly against the shell of my ear, "vampire during these days was both problematic as it was rewarding."
"Because soldiers were often unaccounted for? For feeding purposes, I mean?"
"Yep," he agreed, popping the 'p' and, leading me to the dance floor, wrapped an arm around my waist, his other hand gripping my right. I wasn't sure why he wanted to dance with me. Perhaps dancing with me felt nostalgic. Perhaps swirling me around made him remembering having Katherine in his arms and for a moment a painful pang shot through my heart.
Katherine was Damon's whole world and she was bound to break his heart, his devotion. It was kinda sad actually. Damon's expression darkened when I quaffed as he twirled me. I couldn't dance (I knew Elena could), so when I fell into step with him, I just followed his lead.
I only realized my right hand was squeezing his when he gently squeezed in return and I gave him a small smile.
"I'm not a very good dancer." I told him and he shrugged.
"It's fine. I think your parents like me."
"Well, they don't know you, do they?" I drolly replied and he chuckled.
"Fair enough."
With a stiff spine I let him lead me through another dance and I watched the other mingling people through the corner of my eyes. Caroline and Bonnie moved quickly through the crowd and with a pulse of embarrassment, I realized Elena had volunteered to be there too.
As a volunteer or at least as a helping hand. Carol Lockwood didn't look at me as if she wanted to wring my neck, nor did she go for Grayson and Miranda, once they too arrived at the party. Caroline shot a longing look at me — I really didn't understand why she couldn't take my word on the matter of Damon Salvatore — and I forcefully ignored it.
Two more dances passed, and I noticed Stefan from my peripheral vision, standing at the side. His face was pale, his eyebrows furrowed, and his white-knuckled hand was tightly wrapped around a flute of champagne.
I was impressed he hadn't broken the glass in two thousand pieces and my slight enjoyment fizzled out ever so slightly. Damon had noticed his brother too, his smile the slightest bit more smug and his posture every bit more arrogant. Honestly, it was like dealing with toddlers. I grimaced when Damon pulled me up for another dance. This was going to be a long evening.
The sudden tug on my wrist half an hour later, as he led me away from the dance floor, exclaiming loudly he needed a drink, came as a bit of a surprise. His hold was tight, almost painful and I wobbled on my heels to keep in step with him.
"What are you—"
"Fun is over, Elena." He grinned. "Time to do what we came for."
"You know where the crystal is?"
"Upper floor. It should be deserted now. Finally." He grinned.
"Oh, okay." I agreed and followed after him. Damon held the door open and shepherded me into a dim-lighted hallway, his hand remaining strongly against my lower-back. I gently straightened my dress, starting the ascend up the stairs and we stepped out into another hallway.
This one was decorated almost obscenely with beautiful Renaissance works (flaunting off their wealth, I guessed), the rooms we passed were large, furnished in great detail and I couldn't help but look around with wide eyes. Damon seemed to know his way (I wasn't sure how, perhaps blueprints) and led me into a darkened room.
I could hear the faint sounds of the party downstairs drifting towards me and I thought we might be right above the Lockwood's' ballroom. Damon moved across the room, straight towards one side. Towards a long table, draped in a silken reddish cloth, displaying an assorted variety of antiques.
I watched Damon run his hands over several objects, his eyes alight with the soft sort of intensity that made a shudder ran down my spine.
I really shouldn't forget that this Damon, the Damon from season one, was far more intent on watching Mystic Falls burn at his point. However, when he pulled a little chest towards him, rummaging through it, my breath stilled in my throat. A second and a click later, he pulled out an amber-yellowish crystal and his grin was wide, almost inhuman.
"Finally!"
"I'm glad." I tried, even though I wasn't. He stalked forward, pushing the crystal in my hands and I frowned. Staring at it with wide eyes while Damon produced a long chain, linking it through the small silver loop at the crystal and hung it around my neck. "What are you doing?"
"I need you to keep it with you."
"Why me?"
"We're working together right?"
"You've got my number?"
His smirk was pure sin, "I will, little girl. I definitely will. And you'll get it. Once we're out of here and my crystal is in once piece."
"My God, you're tiring." I grumbled and smoothed my fingers over the crystal. "It doesn't match my dress, but fine. Whatever."
"Wonderful." He grinned and we rejoined the party. I left his reaching arms to mingle for a while and once the party ended — or ended for me — Damon dropped me off at my home. At eleven o'clock sharp, without as much as a disagreement or an improper retort, Damon drove the Camaro up the Gilberts' driveway. I dropped the crystal in his awaiting hand and hurried to the front door.
As the Camaro rolled away, I ventured into the hall, lured towards the kitchen by the soft humming of a woman. Finding Jenna in the kitchen came as a bit of a surprise (I'd thought she was still at college) and I waved slowly at her.
She waggled her fingers at me, before turning her attention back to her cell phone, her lips drawn back into a silly, little love-sick smile as she texted with someone. I'd say a male someone.
I liked Jenna. She didn't seem to mind when I acted differently from the Elena she'd known, and I left her and her phone alone.
She deserved a life of her own, a life away from the drama that was Mystic Falls, and I stalked upstairs, curled into the window seat and stared unblinkingly at Elena's cell phone, waiting for Damon to do what he promised.
To message me the contact information of the Martins. When it came, just before twelve o'clock, I grinned a bittersweet smile. Finally— Progress!
To be continued…
A/N: And to address some questions. To Silentmyhem, a very good question, why not use the crystal to contact Emily and get what Non-Elena wants from her. To be honest, I didn't think about that one when I wrote this chapter. Also, I'm not sure how Non-Elena would be able to contact a death witch. She's not one (or a realized one at least, whatever opinion about Elena being a witch or not, is the more popular one).
To Hearteyesmf: Yes, Non-Elena is definitely not realizing how hard the shit will hit the fan if she doesn't try to keep Stefan away. I think even with what she knows about the vampire diaries universe, she's still a bit naive when it comes down to dealing with vampires.