Here's Where I Belong

Chapter Six

Elijah walked down the street towards the Grill, watching as cars drove by. For such a small town, it was kind of busy. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he found himself wondering if Elena was working today. He hadn't talked to her but once since the BBQ at her house. He knew that she and Rebekah had gotten into a spat of sorts, but nobody had told him what over. Not that he was overly concerned. It was obvious they'd gotten over it by the end of the night.

As he stepped into the establishment, he blinked as his eyes adjusted to the darker ambiance. When his eyes had adjusted, he headed towards the bar. He and 'Old Man Fell', as Elena had dubbed him, had ordered their lunch, and he'd volunteered to go and retrieve it. He tried to convince himself that he just wanted the walk, not that he secretly hoped to see Elena.

When his eyes landed on her behind the bar, leaning across it as she talked to someone, he couldn't help but smile slightly. She wore another Mystic Grill t-shirt, and her hair was tossed up into a high ponytail. He made his way towards her, seeing as how she was the only one behind the bar.

As he neared her, her eyes met his and she grinned. "Hello Elijah," she greeted him.

"Elena," he countered, come to a stop behind an empty barstool. "I'm here to pick up an order for Fell."

Elena nodded before holding up a finger in a wait gesture before heading towards the kitchen.

"You must be the new lawyer I've heard so much about," the dark haired man said from beside him.

Elijah glanced over, before nodding. "Elijah Mikaelson," He said, introducing himself.

"Damon Salvatore." The other man countered, holding his hand out.

Elijah shook it before turning his attention to Elena, who was walking out of the kitchen.

"It's going to be a couple minutes, the fries just went in. They had to change the oil, so it took a while for it to get hot." She said, grabbing a glass and turning to him. "What can I get you to drink? On the house, for the wait."

"Scotch, neat." he said, shrugging his suit jacket off.

"Elena, giving away free drinks? Tsk tsk. He must be some lawyer." Damon grinned, winking at the brunette.

Elena didn't even blink, she simply smirked. "Oh he is, I'm hoping that when I kill you, he'll help me get off scot free."

"Elena Gilbert, is that anyway to talk to the man who pays your bills?" He shot back, grinning.

"You do not pay my bills, I do." She rolled her eyes.

"But if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have this amazing job. I mean, I hear the boss is a real dick, but what can you do?"

"Take away his bourbon," Elena retorted, reaching out and quickly snatching the bottle from the counter in front of him. She placed it back where it belonged, before sliding Elijah's glass to him. "Ignore him. He thinks that because he owns a business, that allows him to drink at all hours of the day. I'm pretty sure he's an alcoholic."

Damon laughed and stood up, sliding on his leather jacket. "I'm going to go into the kitchen and find some food. Maybe harass some people."

Elijah raised a brow as the man walked away, before he turned back to Elena. "Well, he seems like an interesting character."

"Oh yeah. He's overly full of himself, slightly spoiled, a borderline alcoholic, and he's a womanizer. But under all that, he's actually not too bad." She laughed, shaking her head.

"You two seem...close." Elijah mentally cringed as he said it, knowing that he sounded lame.

Elena laughed, and nodded. "I went to school with his younger brother, and we were really good friends. I met Damon at a school dance, because he was a chaperon. And, I fell instantly for the bad boy facade."

"Wait, when you were in high school?" Elijah asked surprised, if Damon had been a chaperon, that meant he was a good bit older than Elena.

"I know that sounds bad, but it's really not. I was already 18, and nothing happened. We went on a few dates, and it was just...awkward." She laughed, drying a tray of shot glasses as they talked.

"So, I didn't realize you were also a bartender." He said, changing the subject. Elena just didn't seem like the type of girl to...be a bartender.

"I'm not usually. But Vicki, the usual girl isn't here and as you can see it's rather dead today. So Damon stuck me back here. I've got a good enough knowledge to not make a total ass of myself." She shrugged, leaning against the bar. "How's Ava?"

"She's good. Caroline offered to watch her today, something about being at the house all day to do seating arrangements." Elijah shrugged. "I need to find a full time babysitter, instead of trying to rely on my siblings and their friends to help."

"I wouldn't mind watching her on my days off." Elena suggested, smiling softly.

"You know, you keep offering to do this stuff for me, and I might actually take advantage of your offers." He teased, taking another sip of his drink.

"I'm serious Elijah. There is something you've got to learn about us small town people, we like to help each other. And bake casseroles." She added as an afterthought.

"I don't want to take advantage of your kindness." he said quietly.

Elena smiled softly, before turning towards the kitchen window when a bell dinged. "That'll be your food." She said, turning and reaching over the back counter for the bag.

Elijah's eyes caught the way her shorts slid up the backs of her long legs and she stretched to grab the bag. He quickly adverted his gaze, tossing back the rest of his drink, enjoying the distraction of the liquid's burn.

He tossed the cash on the counter, offering Elena another smile before grabbing the bag. Just as he reached for his jacket, Elena's voice stopped him.

"Elijah, I really don't mind watching her. You're not taking advantage if I'm offering. Rebekah is one of my best friends. I love her to death. And as much as Kol and Klaus grate my nerves, I care for them too. That pretty much makes you extended family. Just think about it." She said, smiling softly before grabbing the tray of shot glasses and moving to another section of the bar.

He watched her for a moment longer before shrugging his jacket on and making his way towards the exit. As he walked down the street, he thought of her words. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let her watch Ava. His daughter clearly bonded with the her, and Elena had already proven herself to be reliable. And while he may not know her too well, his siblings did.

A small part of Elijah wondered if he fought the idea of letting her babysit, simply because he was afraid of what would happen if he allowed himself or his daughter to get too close to her.

As Elijah settled back into his office, he glanced at the image setting atop his desk. His little girl stared back at him, still wrapped in the standard hospital blanket. Gazing at the picture, he sighed deeply. It wasn't fair to Ava to avoid letting Elena watch her, simply because he was trying to distance himself. Already, in her short life, Ava had been abandoned by the woman who was supposed to love her unconditionally, why should he be the one to withhold the comfort that Elena seemed to bring his daughter, if she was willing to give it.

But that presented another problem for Elijah. If he actually allowed Elena to babysit, and Ava grew close to her...what would happen when Elena moved on with her life. He knew that to her, it wouldn't be more than a job. A way to help her friends. But to his daughter, Elena would become a familiar in her life. And she didn't deserve to have another one ripped from her.

With a groan, Elijah buried his face in his hands. He had thought he was ready to be a parent. Ready to make decisions for not only him, but another person. While he had an idea as to a few things he'd thought he would have to decide on, things like this had never been on the list. He just prayed that he didn't screw it up.