For You, My Love, I Would Do Anything

Chapter 3: Here Comes Trouble

"I've never seen so many people in one place before. It's quite lovely, don't you agree, Damon?" Katerina asked, finding a topic to use to strike up a conversation with the gorgeous stranger that had entranced her.

Damon had been standing, holding a glass of wine when she came up to him and began talking, more concerned with people watching and hating the clothes he was being forced to wear with his fake nobleman status. It just wasn't his style.

Katerina's voice was a surprise so he looked at her and blinked. "What?"

Katerina laughed her silvery, tinkling laugh, finding his lack of attention charming. "I was just commenting on the gathering in this ball. It's very lovely, though I have never been at a social gathering of such large accomodations before. It is rather difficult trying to get used to," She said, sipping daintily at the tall, slender wineglass she held in her right hand.

"Yeah, I suppose it is," Damon replied.

Katerina smiled. She enjoyed his companionship and was about to speak to ask more about himself when she heard several people gasp and murmur.

"He's here," She heard one girl murmur excitedly.

"It really must be special. He's never gone to his own party before, at least not in the open with all the guests," Another girl responded to the first.

"Excuse me," Katerina tapped on the girl's shoulder. "Who are you talking about?"

"Niklaus Mikaelson," The second girl answered. "He's a legend here. His brother Elijah had thrown this party for him to honor his birthday. He usually never shows up so it really must be a special year," Then she went back to her conversation.

Damon had frozen when he heard the two Originals' names while Katerina grinned with joy. "Oh how wonderful!" Katerina turned to her companion with a smile only for it to turn to a frown when she saw his rigid stance. "Damon?"

"Yes?" Damon asked slowly, watching as the hybrid bastard began his cool, catlike walk down the ball room as the swarm of people moved to each side to make room for him.

"What's wrong? You look upset," Katerina eyed the older man with confusion, worry, and suspicion.

"Nothing. We should probably go," Damon suggested.

"Go?" Katerina questioned. "But we just got here! Not to mention the guest of honor has arrived. It would be rude to leave now."

"You really don't want to meet him," Damon warned.

Katerina opened her mouth, ready to protest when a smooth, polite voice came from behind her, "Excuse me, miss?"

Damon stared at Elijah, then a nobleman, as Katerina turned to respond. He watched the look of shock appear on the Original vampire's face at seeing Katerina before regaining composure and asking, "What is your name? My brother would like to know."

Katerina blushed, giggling slightly. "My name is Katerina Petrova, my Lord. I have come from Bulgaria," She answered.

"Elijah Mikaelson," Elijah smiled softly.

"Is something wrong?" Katerina asked when she noticed his lingering gaze.

"I apologize. You just look like someone I know," Elijah said, never taking his eyes off her.

"Elijah, must you bother the civilians," Klaus joked as he walked up to the three.

Elijah smiled at his brother. "I was just chatting with this beautiful lady here," he answered, turning to Katerina. "This is my brother, Katerina."

Katerina curtsied, her eyes fixed on Klaus. "How do you do, my Lord?"

"Very well, thank you," Klaus smiled and Damon recognized the wheels turning behind the blonde's eyes. He was already forming a plan to lure Katerina so he could sacrifice her.

"From where have you come, Katerina?" Klaus asked pleasantly.

"I am new to town," Katerina said, not quite answering him.

"Katerina is from Bulgaria," Elijah clarified for her, glancing at his brother before his eyes strayed back to the brunette.

"Здравейте, Катарина," (Hello, Katerina) Klaus smiled, speaking in her native tongue.

Katerina laughed. "Very good," She blushed and looked back at Damon, who managed to grimace before she redirected her attention to Klaus.

While the three talked, Damon slipped away from them and went to where Stefan and Elena stood. "We have a problem," Damon said grimly.

"What problem?" Elena asked.

Damon motioned to where Katerina was, chatting animatedly with Klaus while Elijah watched. "That's the problem. We need to stop her before she gets too far in," He said.

Stefan nodded. "I agree. If we let her get too charmed by Klaus it'll defeat the purpose Esther had when she sent us here."

"Well what are we supposed to do?" Elena asked, looking at her boyfriend.

"We'll get her as far away as possible. Then we ambush him," Damon said.

"How will that work?" Stefan, always the skeptic, questioned.

"I don't know. We'll wing it but I won't let Klaus destroy her again. She is not Katherine Pierce. She is Katerina Petrova, a sweet, innocent girl and I won't let him do anything to her," Damon gave them both a piercing glare full of determination before walking away.

"Do you think he's falling in love with her again?" Elena asked, watching the older Salvatore steal Katerina away for a dance.

"He might be," Stefan answered, watching as his brother danced with the woman who had destroyed them all. "Or he might not. Either way he's right. We have to save Katherine from Klaus or she won't survive."