First of all, sorry to all the people that actually liked this story. My Computer blew a motherboard and I really lost the urge to write. When I came back to this, and had a new computer, I was very dissatisfied with my attempt here... I'm working on something else and to IMPROVE my story telling. But I already had this Chapter written and saved. If people want me to I will continue this and try my best to improve the quality of my writing and storylines.

Thank you all. Enjoy!

I waited and waited for Stefan to pick me up. I didn't know how I felt about all of this, being with Stefan again, alone- at a dance. I was silently grateful of the fact that Damon wouldn't be there. I didn't want to see the hurt flash across his face seeing me with Stefan. I just wasn't ready for it. I didn't even know what this night was, and I didn't want his feelings getting involved and hurt in the process. Guilt stabbed through me, I was going with Stefan, when I kissed Damon. And where was Damon? Helping Ric. I shouldn't even be going I thought…

Stefan's red car pulled up in the driveway and he tentatively got out of the car. "Hey" I smiled. He opened the door for me and I stepped in…trying to mask my face. The drive was quick, and a little uncomfortable. I felt like both of us were afraid to test the waters of something we didn't know the answers to. He let me out of the car and I couldn't help but ask, "Are you going to actually dance this time?" I smiled at him, remembering how I had to beg for my dances many times before.

He smiled, a little nervously, "The 1920's are an exception, and I actually enjoy this type of dancing."

As we were walking in, I spotted my brother "Jeremy!" I called.

"Hey Elena." Stefan came from behind me his face actually looked confused, if only for a moment. The reason why stepped out from behind my brother. Alanna walked over to us, draped in a bright blue gown which fit her perfectly, her hair pulled up the side, and her blues eyes striking. She flashed us a smile and he extended her hand to Stefan, "Stefan Salvatore. It's nice to finally meet you."

Stefan cocked an eyebrow and extended his hand. I had forgotten he didn't know her. Not really. "You must be Alanna, my brother told me about you."

"I'm sure he did. It's nice to be back here again."

"Be back?" He questioned, is eyebrow raised. He looked at her critically for a moment, than hid it.

"To the 20's," she responded lightly. "One of the few modern era's I truly enjoyed. The Charleston was made for me I must say, quick feet are my speciality." She smiled, erasing any of the uncomfortable vibes in the air and turned to Jeremy, "You sure you can keep up Gilbert?"

"We'll find out," he grinned "It won't be for lack of trying"

"We'll than, shall we?" She elbowed my brother lightly. He smiled and bowed, taking her hand. "My lady." he joked. We followed them to the dance. It was beautiful and extravagant. Bright streamers and lights hung down from the ceiling and the dance floor was a blur of colour as dresses twirled and twisted to the music. I spotted Caroline in her bright pink gown immediately and waved. Alanna dragged my brother to the floor and they began dancing. Her blue dress swayed with her perfectly and she wasn't kidding, she had the footwork down pat. Her arms swung from her sides and she laughed as my brother attempted to keep pace. I was happy to see my brother happy, but it was odd seeing him dance with a 1000 year old vampire…How did that happen again? I was going to have to get the scoop later.

"Shall we?" Stefan asked, extending his hand. I smiled, and took it. I wasn't allowed to worry or contemplate; tonight was about fun and discovery. We joined Alanna and Jeremy, and she took my hand and taught me how to swing. I couldn't help but laugh at the outfits and feathers that surrounded me or the silly moves and expression we were all doing.

"That's the magic," said Alanna, grinning.

"What?"

"Of the 20's. It didn't matter what was happening around us, the gowns, music and dancing could lift it all away and turn everyone into idiots. Let it go Elena, if only for a little while." She spun me back to Stefan and re-joined Jeremy. The music picked up speed and he spun me. The whole room was full of colour, as the gowns shimmied and twirled around us.

I was actually letting lose until I spotted the one person in the world that could ruin it all…Klaus. Stefan and I stopped as did Alanna. But he wasn't walking towards us; he wasn't even looking at us. He walked right through the crowd, towards…Caroline. She didn't see him; her back was turned. But Tyler did and his face took on a look of pure hatred and then confusion, as Klaus lightly tapped her shoulder, and extended his hand. I couldn't hear them, so we moved closer. Stefan grabbed me lightly, but I pushed passed him. Caroline looked at his hand and back at him and scoffed, blowing him off. He just kept standing there, "Will you leave if I dance with you?" She said. "Only if you still want me to." He grinned wickedly and took her hand while Caroline rolled her eyes dramatically. They came up to Jeremy and Alanna – who was standing rigidly, her expression hard.

"You are standing with one of the most beautiful women ever born and yet you don't show her off. She can dance a great deal better than that, I assure you." Klaus looked over Alanna with a disturbing smirk and she visibly shuddered. When Klaus was gone Jeremy turned to her, "What was that?"

She shook her head; "It was nothing, just him being shockingly disturbing without trying." She looked at me apologetically, "I need a drink. Excuse me" She retreated from our view as Jeremy went after her.

Stefan turned to me, "Why is it that Alanna is even here, especially with Jeremy?"

"I don't know, and as for with Jeremy they bonded a bit this morning. Why shouldn't she be here?" I asked, his question confusing me. There was nothing wrong with Alanna being here.

"I don't trust her… And I don't know why." He looked at me sadly as his face fell, a moment of silence passed and we could the music kick in again. "We're supposed to be having fun right? So in the interest of letting loose, may I have this dance?"

I smiled in return, "You may" I bowed dramatically and he kissed my hand, twirling me back to the dance floor. I swung my hands and let the music carry me – it was nice, letting go. I looked up at Stefan and smiled – who knew we would be here again, at a dance, together. The music slowed and a moment of awkwardness passes and then our arms found eachother again and his cheek rested lightly against mine. I could feel his smile spread across his face. "Thank you," he said. I looked at him- puzzled. "For letting me bring you tonight, I'm honoured." When I tore my cheek from his, I looked up into his face and for the first time In months he looked like the Stefan I had known- he had the kindness in his eyes, the effortless smile – the prince charming look renewed. As I turned, the smile still on my face, I was spun directly facing the face of a less pleased Salvatore – the one who I did not give the honour tonight – Damon. His face was hard as his eyes drew over our forms and for a second I could see the pain, the jealousy creep across his face– and then it was gone, hidden behind his mask. And then I heard the words I hated to hear – especially at a dance. "We have a problem."

Damon led us out into the hall way. "We have a problem with Ric. He is…too far gone. The herbs aren't working and something is up – something big is up. We need to take him out."

I looked at him in shock but he was serious "We can't kill Rick!"

His face fell on mine, "I don't want to Elena. But we may have to."

Stefan gripped my arms lightly – trying to comfort me. "We can't do that to Alaric. We will find another way," I lifted my face and looked him in the eye, determined, "We always find another way."

"No one is hurting Rick! How could you even be talking about this?" I turned and was looking into the face of my brother – Alanna behind him. He looked from me to Stefan to Damon – his face disgusted. "No one is going to hurt Rick – No one." He turned and stormed off, past Alanna and out the doors. I rushed after him, sending a look back at the vampires behind me.

"Jeremy!" I called at the faced passed figure who continued to outrun me. He stopped and turned slowly, a mix of anger and frustration on his face. "Jeremy it's alright – Ric will be alright"

"We can't let anything happen to him Elena. He protected us, he looked after us, and we can't lose him too." I hugged him tightly, he was still a boy, and a boy who needed the father figure Ric had become and couldn't bear to lose anymore. "I know Jer, I know.

"Elena." I froze. I lifted my head from the crook of Jeremy's neck and found myself looking into the face of the queen exterminator, Esther. "What are you doing here?! What do you want?"

"Elena…What's going on?"

"You are looking for your friend, Ric, well in the interest of saving that friend I suggest you join me.

"What have you done with him" I asked horrified.

"No harm has befallen your friend and no harm shall befall him, should you come with me, for but a moment."

"Elena you can't." Jeremy pleaded.

I look at him, determined, "Get Stefan and Damon. Now Jer."

"Elena…"

"Now."