"When did it start?" Stefan asked in a soft voice.
Elena did not look back, but responded, "what?"
"Your feelings for Damon, when did they start? he asked.
She turned to look at Stefan, seeing his leaf green eyes filled with hurt, "I don't know, Stefan."
Giving a sarcastic grin, he looked away briefly, "course you do." Focusing back on her he added, "just be honest with me."
The question had made her uncomfortable & she looked down to the ground to avoid his eyes.
Disregarding her reaction, he continued, "I know in the past, I didn't want to know...but"
Taking a deep breath, "I didn't know I had met him first. That I flirted with him," she took a deep breath, "that I liked him...I liked the things he said to me that night...'
Interrupting her, "you met him first?"
"The night my parents died. Matt & I had had a fight. I went to wait for them on the road. It was while I was waiting for them, Damon appeared."
Continuing to probe information out of her, "what 'things' did he say to you?"
She looked at Stefan, her eyebrows frowning,"He said I wanted a love that consumed me, I wanted passion, adventure & a little danger," She bit her lip, then continued, "And when my parents got there, the last thing he said was, that he wanted me to get everything I was looking for..."
"And he compelled you to forget," he interjected.
"And I did find everything. That 'everything' was you, Stefan." she responded sincerely.
"Was, being the operative word," he frowned, "but now, that 'everything', only, he, can give you," he finished in a breathy voice.
A tear started rolling down her cheek, "I'm sorry, Stefan."
He hesitated momentarily, before saying, "I want to hold you, Elena, badly, but, I know in the end, it'll just make the hurt, worse."
She nodded in agreement, restraining the sob in her throat.
"So, I'm gonna go," not divulging that he was going with Klaus to seek the cure for her.
"You're leaving?" she asked.
"It's what we agreed on." peering at her. "Damon was ready to leave, till that hunter came along. And now that you..." stopping himself from continuing.
She placed her hand on the top of his, "I will, see you again, right?"
"In time," cracking a weak smile, "you will," pulling away from her touch.
With that, she watched as he walked towards his Porsche, got in & drove away.
Elena found herself standing alone in the lawn circle. She composed herself & walked back to the dance.
Quickly, walking through the mansion, she found him standing at the bar. As if he knew, he turned & caught her eyes. Giving her, his signature smile, he raised his glass to toast her. She smiled back, but knew, she had to get back out to Matt for the Mystic Falls Dance.
The couples were lining up, as people gathered around in a circle to watch the traditional dance. She found Matt moving through the crowd towards the center of the circle. Elena called to him as she moved through the crowd, too.
"Matt!" she called, as she made her way to the center. He turned around & she could see, that standing in front of him was April. Elena looked puzzled.
"Elena," he responded, "I didn't think you were coming back, and I saw Damon go after you."
April quickly interjected, "I was only taking your place, but, now that you're back..."
(Meanwhile)
Caroline had come down from the podium, so that Mayor Lockwood could announce this years Miss Mystic Falls. She lingered, a bit, just to make sure, everything was still moving smoothly.
Klaus admired how radiant she was in the gold, full length, strapless gown she wore. And how the wrist corsage, he had chosen, matched perfectly.
The crowd broke into applause upon revealing this years, Miss Mystic Falls. The mayor then announced it was almost time for them to take their places for the closing dance.
Caroline turned & started walking towards Klaus. He smiled & she appeared to smile back.
"I suppose you know the traditional dance, being you're so old." she whispered, rolling her eyes.
"Of course, Caroline, we practically invented it." he grinned. "I won't disappoint you."
Caroline left his side & went to stand near the podium once again. Taking her place for the last time, as Miss Mystic Falls, Caroline waited for Mrs. Lockwood to announce her name. She had forewarned her earlier, Klaus would be her partner. Explaining, it was because he had given up one of his Hybrids, to rid the hunter bent on haunting Elena.
"Miss Mystic Falls for the last time, Caroline Forbes. Escorted by Mr. Niklaus Mikelson."
Klaus moved up to where Caroline was standing & extended his hand. She peered at him & gracefully placed her hand into his. He escorted her into the dance area, all the while smiling at her. She turned to face him, waiting for the music to commence. Feeling a little nervous, she focused over his shoulder, to avoid eye contact.
"Do I make you nervous, love? He asked with a little malice.
Looking at him square in the eye, she responded, "why would you think that?"
"Little vibe I'm getting from you,"
He smiled mischievously.
"Shhh! The dance is about to start," she scolded.
Mayor Lockwood proceeded to introduce the court to the audience, "Miss Heather Warren, escorted by Mr. Jesse Hale.
As Mrs. Lockwood presented the new Miss Mustic Falls, Elena continued, "No, it's alright, April."
"It is an old traditional dance," Matt added, "which you should dance with," tilting his face up, so that she would turn around.
Elena knitted her eyebrows, not understanding. Matt motioned his eyes & eyebrows for her to turnaround.
Slowly, she turned & there standing in front of her, was Damon.
In the background, the mayor could be heard announcing, "Now, ladies & gentlemen, our couples will dance the traditional Mystic Falls Dance."
Her voice faded & they stood there, gazing at each other, till the music commenced. Damon outstretched his hand for her to take it.
Placing her right hand onto his, she could feel the electricity between them.
Damon guided her to the dance area, where they stopped & waited for the music to commence. All the while, not speaking, just looking at each other.
The music started. They bowed to each other & stepped back. To the tempo of the music, their right palms came close to each other, without touching. They circled around once. Stopped. Changing hands, they repeated the step.
Again, they stopped in front of each other, this time raising both hands, placing both palms close, still, not touching, it was the "simple intimacy of the 'no touch". They circled to their left, twice, stopping in front of each other again. The tempo of the music getting stronger, as they stepped towards each other. Damon placed one hand gently behind her back, his other, in her hand, in a waltz-like position. They flowed with the music, keeping a certain amount of distance between them.
Damon felt Elena start to tremble & he pulled her closer to him. All the while gazing into each others eyes.
As Caroline & Klaus participated in the dance, Caroline saw the intensity emitting from Damon & Elena's closeness.
"Looks like Damon has finally won the girl," he emphasized, "gives hope to all of us," he whispered in her ear. "Shhhhh," she hissed at him & continued with the dance.
Elena's eyes fell on Damon's mouth, remembering the ardent kisses they shared at the motel. She looked back up into his beautiful sapphire eyes outlined by long lashes & inhaled deeply. She trembled again, with the excitement of being in his arms. Her hands held on tighter. They were in their own world, their own domain. She no longer heard the music, just the beating of their hearts. She knew, she was meant to be his, and he hers.
Elena had finally given into her feelings without thinking or analyzing. This was who she belonged with, who her heart yearned for.
The music stopped, but, they're eyes stayed locked on each other. Damon stepped back, slowly releasing her hands.
Elena's lips parted, but the words wouldn't come.
Damon turned & started to walk away. Honoring what she had said earlier, that she couldn't do this right now.
She watched him leave, weaving through the crowd. Panic set in, and she ran after him. She lost sight of him. And searched frantically for him, but, he was no where. She entered the mansion, but he wasn't there either. Quickly exiting to the front of the mansion she spotted him walking to his car, "Damon, wait!"
He stopped dead in his tracks, yet he didn't turn around. He could hear her breathlessness, as she got closer, "Damon." Turning slightly, he could see her from his peripheral vision reach up to his arm. She pulled on it, attempting to turn him around. He turned & looked down at her. Cupping her hands on his face, she pulled him down to her inviting parted lips. Unable to wait she took his lips into hers. Passion, excitement, longing, yearning and desire for each other was felt in that kiss.