At the Salvatore house Stefan was becoming angst, he couldn't stay still. Tossing the book in his hands back on the shelf he walked over to the liquor and poured himself a glass. Waiting a moment he was shaking as he drank the whole glass in one go.

This self detoxing was taking a toll on him and he didn't know how much longer he could go on with this before he called for help from Lexi.

Back at the Gilbert house Elena headed to Jeremy's room to talk to him but she discovered he wasn't there. Pulling her phone out of her back pocket she called him.

"Hey what's up?,"

"Do you have some time to talk?,"

"Uh yeah sure,"

"Can you meet me down by the water?,"

"Sure see you there," he agreed hanging up before letting Eliza know he was gonna go talk to Elena and then maybe they could go shopping for the party.

Smirking she agreed knowing he just wanted a road trip and she didn't blame him they hadn't had one lately.

Down by the water Jeremy and Elena began taking a walk so they could have a decent conversation in peace.

"I just can't believe mom and dad never told you that you were adopted,"

"I'm sure they would have eventually,"

"Why were you worried about what I thought?,"

"Well you and Eliza have always been closer I just assumed this would push what little space we had between us further away. Plus going your whole life thinking you're related by blood to someone,"

"Does it bug you that we're not?,"

"No Jer you're my brother and that's all that matters. so Mr Saltzman says you're doing great in history now,"

"Yeah, yeah he and Eliza have really been helping me out. He gave me some extra credit and stuff,"

"He loved your vampire paper,"

"He thought I had a clever angle,"

"What drew you to that subject matter?," Jeremy realized Elena was trying to find out what he knew so he knew to play dumb like Eliza told him to.

"i don't know..boredom," he laughed it off trying to throw her off the topic.

"Or maybe I'm just a nuts as the long line of Gilbert crazies,"

"The Gilbert's aren't crazy,"

"Easy for you to say you're not one,"

"Ouch," Elena laughed shouldering him as they headed up hill to go back to the public.

Jeremy arrived home a hour later and waited by the door like a anxious dog making Eliza, Jackie, and Henry laugh.

Grabbing the car keys and her wallet she, him, and Jackie headed out to find outfits for the party.

Thankfully they didn't have to be gone long when they got to the next town they hit a nicey shop as they call it and found three great outfits.

It was about eight at night when Jackie and Eliza pulled up to the Lockwood mansion for the party. Stepping out and giving her keys to the valet she wrapped her black lacy shawl around her shoulders as Jackie stepped up beside her.

Arm in arm they headed inside ready to face yet another town event.

Outside Stefan and Damon arrived ten minutes after the ladies and stopped on the stoop.

"Oh god I shouldn't be here,"

"Come on don't be a downer it's a party for the founding families. That would be us it would be rude to skip it,"

"I really liked you a whole lot better when you hated everyone,"

"Oh I still do I just love that they love me," causing them both to chuckle.

"Hello boys," Eliza greeted them when she saw them standing to the side of the room.

"Woah you look great sis,"

"Thank you Stefan,"

"Beautiful baby girl," Damon kissed her cheek as he admired the knee length black sequined dress she wore.

"How are you feeling Stefan?,"

"I'm good, I'm fine," Eliza cocked her eyebrow unsure but trusting him.

"No cravings no urges," Damon pointed out how Stefan made him look bad causing Eliza to lightly elbow him.

"Has to be all that whiskey he has been drinking all day going it's job. We are who we are Stefan pretending doesn't change that,"

"We are who we are Stefan pretending doesn't change that,"

"Nothing would make you happier then to see me give in huh Damon,"

"No he wouldn't, if you're doing good Stefan hold on to whatever is working for you,"

"Thank you sis," Stefan smirked knowing she was on his side this time.

"Whatever it's inevitable,"'

"I'm gonna go find Elena,"

"Don't embarrass me young man," Damon called out causing Eliza to chuckle.

Holding out his arm to her he guided her to through the house to the dance room. He really thought she looked beautiful and wanted to dance tonight with her just to show her off even though he knew she would hate it.

Tonight she was his. He knew her heart belonged to Nik and he respected that, but tonight he could make it up to her for not giving her the moment she deserved in 1864.