Into the Deep End

Ten:

Once Elijah's speech was finished, people began pairing off to begin a dance, a waltz that was the Mikaelson family's favourite – more like Elijah's favourite as both he and Esther had planned the ball.

Elena arched an eyebrow as Kol placed a glass of Bourbon in her hand, replacing the empty champagne glass.

"Seemed like you needed something stronger than champagne."

Elena nodded her thanks, locking eyes with the original witch and downed the entire glass for liquid courage, handing the now empty glass to a passing waiter.

The human doppelganger watched as Esther climbed up the stairs and out of view, it was as if she was silently beckoning Elena to follow – why else would the witch lock eyes with her and then walk away?

"What do you think you're doing?"

Elena rolled her eyes. This was why she didn't tell Damon that she was coming – he was being the overprotective boyfriend, and he wasn't even her boyfriend!

"Esther wants to talk to me, Damon, I'm going to see what she wants," Elena whispered, turning around only to find that Stefan blocked the other side. "Can you move?"

Damon grabbed hold of Elena's forearm, dragging her, unwillingly, away from the staircase and Stefan.

"No, you're not."

"Damon, let go!" Elena hissed, fighting against his hold. "You're hurting me!"

"You're acting ridiculous, Elena!" Damon replied, glaring at her. "Why can't you just listen to me!"

"Because I am not a dog!" Elena yelled, a little louder than necessary but she was just annoyed at the older Salvatore brother. "Nor am I your girlfriend, Damon."

There was some sort of glint in Damon's eyes, an emotion that Elena couldn't decipher, she let out a small moan of pain as Damon's hold tightened.

Before he could say anything else, Finn suddenly appeared and slammed Damon into the wall by his neck, Elena fell backwards into Kol's arms as Elijah was doing crowd control.

"I believe that Miss Gilbert had asked you to unhand her," Finn growled darkly, pressing his thumb right on to Damon's jugular, smirking as the older Salvatore brother groaned in pain. "It would be best, if you or your brother do not bother her from here on out, Mr. Salvatore."

Finn pushed Damon away, who glanced towards Elena in the care of Elijah and Kol, Finn then dusted of the sleeves of his suit and turned to face Elena.

"My apologies that you had to see that, Miss Gilbert."

Music filled the air; Elijah was called away by Esther and Kol went to seek a dance partner leaving Elena in Finn's capable hands.

"Care for a dance, Miss Gilbert?"

Steading her heartbeat, Elena placed her hand in his, giving the eldest Mikaelson brother a curtsey. "Of course, it is tradition, after all."

They walked towards the dance floor, immediately Elena could see that all of the Mikaelson siblings were paired off, Rebekah with Matt, Klaus with Caroline, Elijah with a girl who's name escaped Elena – she was sure it was Audrey, Kol somehow convinced Bonnie and Ester was standing against the wall, speaking to Carol Lockwood.

Jeremy was partnered off with an unknown girl, Elena was sure she was on the cheer team but couldn't be sure.

Elena swore she could feel eyes on her, but she chose to ignore them as she began to dance with Finn.