Always Running

[Always Running]

"I've got it; you're an Original groupie?"

Kol had vanished some ten minutes ago but it's not like Liliana had to stand around waiting by herself for that long. "Let's dance." Peyton's date took her hand without waiting for permission.

"So you can try to ambush me?" Despite coming to that grim conclusion, the blonde did not try to free herself from the Salvatore man's hold. Rather, she tightened her grip on the tops of his shoulders instead.

Damon looked away, clearly guilty.

"Hah, I'm surprised you two have survived so long sometimes."

"Just shut up and come with me." He pulled her down the hallway and into one of the side rooms separated by only by a set of glass doors.

"You should worry a little more about yourself." She leaned in to whisper. "If I move at the last second, he's going to stab you in the chest."

Smirking cockily, Damon turned his stolen date. "You think you're quick enough?"

Placing the champagne flute to her lips, the blonde knocked back her drink before putting it on the tray of a passing waiter. "Shall we test it?" She licked her lips.

Stefan lunged at the woman from behind like they had planned. What they hadn't planned was the fact that the blonde was indeed fast enough to counter the potentially life threatening blow. Shifting out of the way before impact, the female snatched the fist clasped around a stake coming from behind. Securing his arm under her own as her left hand clawed at the white dress shirt of her dance partner, Liliana viciously drew the brothers in closer from either side.

Shaking from the force that she was exerting, the female twisted her grip to bring up the stake Stefan was forced to keep a hold of. The sharpened tip dug into the underneath of Damon's jaw, working to break the delicate skin with each tremble. Mouth ajar in excitement, the woman bared her teeth as she grinned. "Feeling desperate yet?" Holding her guests in the dangerous contortion, chartreuse eyes narrowed as her smile stretched. "I can see why Elena enjoys having you two around." She played while biting her lower lip as she tilted her head back to see the man behind her. "The things I could do in such a compromising position."

"What do you want?" The older brother dared to ask.

Comically appalled, Liliana rolled her eyes and wobbled her head. "Excuse me? You asked me to dance and then you tried to stab me."

Stefan growled into the woman's right ear. "Why are you in Mystic Falls?"

Taking a deep breath, the blonde pouted facetiously. "I heard it was a nice vacation spot for the lonely and damned."

"You think this is funny?" The blonde tried to yank his arm free.

"Hilarious, actually." Rolling her neck, Liliana coughed a laugh. "I heard Niklaus was having trouble with you two, but I'm already past the point of thinking it was a lousy rumour."

"You know Klaus?"

Puffing out her cheeks mockingly, the female sung. "I know lots of things. A walking encyclopaedia of life, I am."

Damon stopped struggling only to lean in. "It's funny you should say that." Treading dangerously, the brunette lowered his tone into a testing one and jutted his left thumb over his shoulder. "I heard a little something a while back involving a blonde and two of the other Mikaelson brothers. That wasn't you, was it?" Damon faked trying to recall before peering right at the blonde. "I've got it; you're an Original groupie?"

"Honey, carry on and I'll turn you into a shish kebab."

Damon held his free hand up and pulled an expression that told he wasn't serious in the slightest. "Whoo, hit the spot."

Straight faced, the blonde spoke in a flat tone. "It's the first and last time."

"Lily?"

Sparing a glance over her shoulder, the blonde scowled. "Saved by a hoe." Liliana shrugged the two men away from her and straightened up. "Follow me tonight and I'll ram your hearts down each other's throats." Without looking back, the older woman strode towards the door.

"Are you an idiot? What are you trying to do?" Peyton punched Damon in the arm, causing him to wince at the sudden attack.

"She's suspicious." He spat as he pointed accusingly at her back.

Scowling, the redhead pulsed her jaw muscle. "She's my friend and you're lucky she didn't stab you through the skull via your own brother's hand."

"Someone's a bit worried." Her date sung facetiously.

"Yeah, and you should be too." She searched around for something stronger to drink than champagne as they followed the blonde out of the room. "Jesus Christ, what's wrong with you just trying to stake her right out in the open?"

"Running away again, Liliana?"

The Salvatore boys and their new saviour put their battle of morals on hold when Peyton's friend was halted at the threshold of the empty study and the main hallway.

Elijah looked past the woman he had been looking for and to the group of three. Eyebrows raised as he inspected the trio, the eldest Mikaelson sibling seemed displeased. Taking the blonde by her arm, he gave her a tug and left the others alone.

Stefan looked at the other two for answers. "What was that about?"

"They have a past, apparently." Peyton took a swig of the vodka she'd just found.

"No wonder she thinks she can go around doing whatever." Damon scoffed and Peyton smacked him across his head with her clutch.

"What was that for?"

Looking at her date in disbelief, the redhead snapped. "I just said she was my friend."

 

Lowering his head to speak into her ear, Elijah whispered. "What was going on in there?"

"Nothing that would trouble me to sort out."

"Leave them be."
 

Don't tear me down for all I need...
 

Liliana's eyes cast down as he stopped in front of the drinks table. Running the back of his hand over the side of her cheek, Elijah peered down at the blonde. "Don't get involved with them."
 

Make my heart a better place...
 

Gritting her teeth, Liliana remained silent.

"Why did you run before?" He asked.

"What did you want me to do, stand there and listen to you telling me you practically didn't even notice I wasn't around?"
 

Give me something I can believe...
Don't tear me down.
 

His rigid posture relaxed at the harshness. Placing his hand on top of her head, the man brought her closer. "I'm sorry if I upset you." He looked her in the eye, as calm as he always used to while moving his hand down her back. "Please, follow me."
 

You've opened the door now, don't let it close.
I'm here on the edge again,
I wish I could let it go.
 

His hand rested on the small of her back as he shepherded her down another corridor. Not only his scent, but his crushing presence, began to overcome her from the close proximity. She'd been here before - He'd chaperone her around, making charismatic small talk and flirt in his own way - making her feel something she hated.
 

I know that I'm only one step away
from turning it around.
 

Elijah inched her aside from a passing couple, his smile unfaltering as he tried to read her. "Maybe we should dance." He tipped his glass before taking a sip. "It is a ball."  

Chugging the champagne she was less than impressed with, Liliana glanced around to see if she was being watched. She couldn't argue with him. Or moreover, she didn't want to. Before she even realised it, she had already accepted his out-held hand and was moving towards the dance floor.
 

Can you still see the heart of me?
 

The corner of his lips pursed in a grin as he inclined his head and bowed towards her. The blonde followed his lead, curtsying gracefully without thinking about it. Taking her hand in his own, Elijah pulled his partner closer.
 

All my agony fades away
when you hold me in your embrace.
 

Wrapping his arm all the way around her waist, resting his hand on the back of her hip, her partner pulled her in closer. "Why won't you look at me?"

Liliana glanced up, just to prove she could but just as quickly broke eye contact again.
 

Give me something I can believe.
 

"I'm glad you're back."
 

Make it fade away, don't break me down.
I want to believe that this is for real.
 

Entwining their fingers, the blonde dared to look up at the eyes that had been staring at her the entire time. She hadn't danced like this in a long time. Skimming across the dance floor without words, Liliana remember why she had returned to find him.
 

Save me from my fear...
 

Updated: 27th July 2013 - 01:13