Stefan walked into The Grill scanning the room looking for his ex-girlfriend. He saw her playing pool with some black-haired girl he didn't know and laughing with her about something, he hadn't seen her this happy and carefree in a long time. As he made his way over to her, he knew Kol was here somewhere closely watching his every move. The two of them had been inseparable for the past month, so where she was he was always close.
"Elena, how are you?" he asked hesitantly. She gave him a small smile.
"I'm fine and yourself?" she said politely.
"Good just wanted to see how you were after the whole Kai thing. None of us have really seen you since you got back home. We've all been worried about you, especially since you started hanging out with Kol right after that, and you two weren't exactly friends" Stefan said concerned.
Dark brown eyes watched as the youngest Salvatore brother approached Elena, engaging her in conversation knowing he was watching him. When will the Salvatores learn never go after another man's girl...especially an originals, he thought to himself. He shook his head and stood at the bar with a drink in hand while Nik watched with mild amusement.
"Have something you want to say brother?" he said mildly annoyed at Nik.
"Oh, I am just wondering how long you are going to stand here while a Salvatore has her undivided attention, if I were you I would be a bit curious as to what he is saying to her. After all, Damon doesn't like you after the incident with the baseball bat in Denver, and Stefan really never trusted you because you can't control yourself and lastly probably wondering what she is doing with a Mikaelson" Nik said amused.
"I gave him a beating he deserved and Stefan doesn't have any room to talk about control," Kol said.
Kol looked over at his brother with a look that could have killed, taking the last drink out of his whiskey glass and getting ready to order another when he spotted Damon making a beeline for Elena with a determined look on his face.
"I'm fine Stefan, he hasn't done anything and this isn't the place to talk ab-oh no," she said stopping mid-sentence and looking past Stefan. She knew this would not end well for Damon this time.
Stefan turned to see what had gained Elena's attention over his shoulder, just as Klaus had turned to see what had gained Kol's. Stefan had tried to block his brother from Elena but Damon was faster. He grabbed her arm and was trying to pull her toward the exit.
"Damon, let go of me" she gasped as she tried to break free without making a scene.
"Damon let her go before-" Stefan said stopping mid-sentence when Kol walked up.
"Yes, you should listen to your brother," a familiar voice said from behind Damon.
Damon loosened his grip on Elena, turning towards Kol. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Klaus walk up and pull her back out of his reach. Granted he was tempted to use his vampire speed, grab her and disappear, but thought better of it.
"Come love" he softly said, knowing Damon would try to set Kol off. Regardless of his brother's reckless and out-of-control behavior, he could tell Kol cared for Elena. Whatever happened when they were trapped together by that witch, bonded them and not even a Salvatore could break it.
"I see how it is now, you got a thing for brothers...just like Kather-" Damon snidely said looking at Elena briefly, then turning to face Kol.
"It's so important you not finish that sentence...Damon" Stefan said interrupting his brother.
Klaus stepped in front of Elena as if to shield her from Damon's words and protect his brother if need be.
"Or what Stefan? She's probably already slept with these two" he said disgusted not looking at his brother.
Klaus could see Kol's eye's narrow and knew this would not end well for the baby vampire who seemed not to be able to keep his mouth shut. Stefan saw the look on his face too and stepped in front of Damon.
"Damon, let's go home. There is no need to cause a scene and upset Elena anymore than she already is" he reasoned.
"Listen to your brother, mate. If you continue insulting and upsetting Elena, this will end badly for you" Klaus said.
"I'm...not...your...mate," Damon said looking at Klaus.
"Let's go Damon before you make this any worse," Stefan said wearily. Then he saw the smug look come across Damon's face, the one where he is about to say or do something before thinking it through.
"And Kol I hope your brothers and you enjoy Elena as much as Stefan and I did," Damon said innocently while looking smug.
Kol reacted and punched Damon, which sent him flying and crashing to the floor. Kol walked over to him and picked him up so they were at eye level when he spoke.
"If you ever touch her or talk about her like that again, you will get more than just a punch to your face. Do not test me again" Kol said menacingly, then let go of Damon.
Kol walked over to Elena offering her his hand which she took with no hesitation or fear. Damon stood there and watched her walk out the door hand in hand with his worst enemy. Wondering how after all the bad things Kol has done, why was she with him? It convinced him even more that she had been compelled or threatened to stay, whereas Stefan realized Elena was with Kol of her own free will. Now to convince his stubborn brother not to pursue this...her anymore.
"See to your brother, mate," Klaus said quietly to Stefan, then proceeded out the door behind his brother and Elena.
