Disclaimer: Vampire Diaries characters (sadly) do not belong to me. They belong to their creators: LJ Smith, Julie Plec, and the wonderful folks at CW. I am merely dabbling with them. I promise to return them mostly unharmed. No profit from this or any other fan fiction.
AN: Set during 3:14 Dangerous Liaisons. I used some canon dialogue at the very beginning, but the rest is AU. That's what fan fiction is for, right? I'm just winging this as I go, so no telling how the story will end up. Pairings? We'll see … but eventually Elena/Elijah (and lots of other possibilities).
Broken Hearts Heal - Chapter 1
Elena self-consciously rubbed her neck where Rebekah had so recently held her. She surreptitiously looked up at Elijah. Once again he had protected her from his own family. She didn't know what to think of her response to the enigmatic Original. The power he carried so easily, resonated deep inside her – it was almost like her reaction to Damon when he first came to Mystic Falls; drawn toward a dangerous, powerful being.
She shook her head and chided herself internally. I already have way too much on my plate. Step away from the dangerous, gorgeous, scary Original vampire. Stefan and Damon drama is more than enough, without adding any other attractions to the mix. Be smart, Elena.
She struggled to keep her composure. No point in letting Elijah sense her inner conflict. She listened as he explained the reappearance of his long-lost mother and the reunification of his splintered family.
"We only want to live in peace," he assured her. "There will be no more reprisals, no more enmity. I know that you have lost so much at the hands of my brother, but for the sake everyone you still love … for the sake of this town … let the past go, Elena. In return, you can live your life untroubled."
Elijah's dark eyes were sincere as he reached for her hand, and clasped it with both of his hands. He drew her hand up to his lips and softly grazed the knuckles with the barest of kisses. "You have my word, upon my honor, lovely Elena. This is a good thing. You and those you care for will finally be safe." He gently let go of her hand and sketched a half bow with a regal incline of his head. Then he was gone in a flash of vampire speed.
Elena stood watching the empty space that Elijah had occupied only moments before and ran her thumb lightly over the knuckles that Elijah had kissed. She raised the hand to her cheek and sighed. Damon and Stefan weren't going to like this new wrinkle.
As predicted, the brothers Salvatore had not reacted well to the news that the 'secret weapon' coffin housed the Mikaelson matriarch, the Original witch. Even as Elena tried to wrap her mind around an invitation to meet the thousand year old witch (who had tried to kill her), Damon and Stefan were busy trying to decide her fate.
As always, Damon's over-protectiveness grated against Elena's nerves. Yes, she was merely a human, and Damon was right to be cautious. But when he high-handedly decreed that she would not attend the ball, Elena rebelliously determined to go wherever she damn well pleased. Damon wanted to be part of her life? He wanted to show the depth of his love? If he wanted a partner, then he needed to let her be strong. He needed to trust her, not try to smother her. One kiss wasn't enough for her to become a fainting southern belle in constant need of rescue and protection.
However, Damon was right about her inability to fend off supernatural dangers by herself – good thing she had a vampire bestie. Time to meet up with Caroline.
Caroline and Elena sat at their table at the Mystic Grill and watched as Rebekah hand delivered her invitation to Matt. Even as Elena explained the need for a drama-free bodyguard, she had reservations about whether anything involving Caroline was truly drama-free. Despite her concerns, she had to admit Caroline had grown so much since becoming a vampire. There were new depths to her personality that had been sadly lacking in her human days. Elena wondered if death and near-death experiences were the only things holding her family and friends together.
She pursed her lips as Caroline tried to convince her that Stefan would be a better escort. It didn't matter that Stefan was free of Klaus' compulsion. Ever since he tried to kill her on the Wickery Bridge, Elena knew they would never be together. He killed her love for him, and it hurt to see his indifference. And Damon? She shied away from thoughts of the black-haired blue-eyed, insufferably sexy, vampire with kisses of fire.
Elena arrived at the Mikaelson mansion ahead of schedule and decided to wait for Caroline inside. She quickly regretted the decision as both of the Salvatore brothers descended upon her. She grimaced as Stefan sauntered over.
"What are you doing here," she questioned. Hadn't Damon warned Stefan to avoid the party?
Stefan looked at her smugly and responded, "I could ask you the same thing." His rejoinder was met by Damon's voice beside her.
"Surprise, surprise," drawled Damon. "Nice tux." Damon turned to Elena and admonished her, "You're not supposed to be here."
Elena felt a pulse of irrational ire at being treated like a child. "Well, I am." She had a sudden image of standing in front of Damon with her tongue out and waggling her finger at him, and suppressed the desire to spout "na-nana-naa-nah" in a sing-song voice. Great, now who's being immature? Why does Damon always bring out the worst in me? Instead, Elena reluctantly accepted each Salvatore's arm and entered the party flanked by the brothers. Caroline's old taunt about a Salvatore on each arm echoed in her mind, but she was determined to discover why Esther wanted to meet her tonight.
As the Mikaelson family gathered on the stairs to welcome their guests, Elena found herself wondering why men have to look so gorgeous in tuxedos. Even Klaus, whom she despised (never forgive, never forget Jenna), was handsome as he stood with his family. A beautiful facade to cover the diseased character within. But not Elijah, she mused. She trusted Elijah, even after his failure to kill his brother. How could she fault him for loving his family? She would do anything for Jeremy. She didn't fault Rebekah for hating her, Elena had used and betrayed her as effectively as Katherine. Her fury was understandable. Elijah's continued kindness and protection was far less understandable. He left her feeling unsettled, confused. Elena tried to shake off her preoccupation with Elijah's motives. Who could really understand any of the Original vampires?
Dancing with Damon was exhilarating, confusing and frustrating. Even as he complimented her, he insulted her with his lack of trust. When Stefan spun her away from Damon into his own arms, Elena felt a familiar ache and longed for the past certainty of his love and trust. Damon was like a wildfire, burning everything in its path – or like a roller coaster ride, full of incredible highs and unimaginable depths that left her breathless and bemused. How can anyone build a relationship with fire and chaos?
Elena convinced Stefan to distract Damon so she could meet with Esther alone. She hadn't planned on the distraction being Damon's broken neck. As she hurried upstairs to meet with the ancient witch, Elijah stopped her. His hand barely traced the outline of Elena's arm, but the electricity of the touch stunned her. It took so little for Elijah to disorient her. She wondered briefly if he was ever affected by the charge that seemed to pass between them whenever they touched. Focus, Elena.
Elijah expressed his concern about his mother's motives. "Can I depend on you to tell me what she says?" Elena hesitated for a microsecond. She wanted to trust Elijah, even against her better judgment. But, if Esther hadn't forgiven Klaus? If she was willing to destroy her own son? Elena knew she would have to tread carefully, even as she agreed to help Elijah.
Esther met Elena in the company of her eldest son, Finn. As the burning sage protected the privacy of their tête-à-tête, Elena listened with dawning horror to Esther's plan to kill her own children. She barely knew Rebekah and had no idea what Kol was like, but surely they didn't deserve to be murdered by their own mother?! She wanted Klaus dead, but at what cost? Was she to become like Stefan, a hollow shell driven by revenge? Esther gave her no time to refuse as she took Elena's blood to fuel the diabolical binding spell. Once all five siblings drank the tainted champagne, their fates would be inextricably bound.
Elena's head spun as she thought about Esther's plan. When Elijah questioned her about his mother's sincerity, she almost blurted everything out to him. Then she saw Esther watching her intently. She met Esther's eyes briefly and then looked at the ground as she lied to Elijah.
Esther smiled triumphantly and then called for a toast. As she looked around the room, Elena's hand reached for Elijah's and stopped him from downing his glass. She gulped her champagne quickly, ignoring the minor sting, and then switched glasses before Esther's attention returned. She watched as Elijah's brow creased quizzically and whispered, "Outside." She turned and headed for the doors without looking back.
Elena shivered as she waited for Elijah to meet her. "Hello, darling!" A roguish smile graced the face of the rakish young man who walked toward her. He leered appreciatively as his eyes roved up and down her figure. He reached for her hand as he introduced himself with a self-satisfied smirk, "Kol Mikaelson at your service. And you are the delectable doppelganger." He paused as she shifted uncomfortably and his smile stretched wider. "I must say, I love the dress. Although, I do believe you'd look better out of it than in it." He chuckled and stepped forward.
Any other comments or actions were stopped abruptly, as Kol tried ineffectually to remove Elijah's iron grip from his throat. Elijah held Kol suspended in the air and then tossed him into a nearby car, triggering the blaring car alarm. Elijah ignored the noise as he turned solicitously to Elena.
"I apologize for my brother, he can be impulsive and quite rude." Elena shivered and then ducked her head.
"It's alright. He didn't do anything," she said softly. Elijah tilted his head and looked at her appraisingly. He took his suit coat off and wrapped Elena in it, then he offered his arm to her and raised his eyebrow expectantly.
"Walk with me." There was no question and no room for denial in his voice. Elena acquiesced and fumbled a little with Elijah's jacket, then she accepted his arm and walked away from the light and noise of the party.
Elena kept her eyes on the ground as she walked. She wasn't really worried about tripping in the dark, Elijah had a firm hold on her and vampire reflexes were great insurance against sudden falls. No, Elena watched the ground intently because she was afraid to look Elijah in the eye.
Finally she took a shuddering breath and said, "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I lied before, but Esther was watching and I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't tell you and I couldn't let you drink either." She let out a small, defeated sigh. "They're gonna kill me when they find out."
"Find out what exactly Elena?" Elijah's question had a hard edge that had been missing earlier in the evening. "What is my dear mother up to?" Although his voice was velvety soft, Elena could hear the steel resolve underneath, and she knew she couldn't hide anything from Elijah. Haltingly she explained Esther's plan to rid the world of her children, her abominations.
"She used my blood," Elena explained apologetically. "The champagne was part of a ritual to bind you all together, so that if one dies – all die." She paused and looked up at Elijah as he processed the implications of a binding spell. She trembled and shrank a little into herself as she watched his expression darken.
Elijah considered the girl beside him. She could have said nothing and allowed him to drink his mother's bloody champagne. She could have lied and allowed his mother to murder him and his siblings. Her cooperation with Esther would have removed a Klaus-shaped thorn from her side permanently. Instead, she had acted impulsively and saved him from Esther's spell. She watched him uncertainly; he read the fear, confusion, and amazingly, compassion in her eyes.
"What do you want, Elena?" His question was multi-layered, because even though he could smell her fear, he could also smell the beginning of something else. He turned her to face him and chucked her under chin, to lift her eyes to his. Elijah wrapped one arm around her waist and drew her closer, and kept his other hand cupped under her face. He watched her carefully and repeated his question in a silky, soft voice. "What do you want, Elena?"
Elena gulped as she looked into Elijah's eyes. "I don't know," she confessed. "Part of me hates your family so much. Well, I hate Klaus," she amended. She paused for a breath and tried to look down, but Elijah's grip was unwavering.
"Sometimes, I think I could do almost anything if it meant that Klaus would be gone. He killed Jenna. He destroyed Stefan. He ruined my life and continually threatens everyone I care about." Elena's voice became stronger, more sure. "I'm sorry, Elijah, but I HATE your brother. And sometimes I hate you too, because you let him live. After everything, you let him live." Tears of anger and accusation welled in her eyes as she looked at Elijah with unflinching honesty.
She paused and took a breath as Elijah watched her with hooded eyes, his clenched jaw the only indication of discomfort. "Your brother is a cancer on the world." Elena struggled to keep her composure.
She resumed talking more softly, "But, he's your brother. You love him just like I love my brother. I don't know if I could kill my own brother, no matter what he did. So, how can I judge you? He's been your family for a thousand years..." Her voice trailed off and she seemed lost in thought for a moment. Just as Elijah started to speak, Elena resumed talking, "I don't hate you and I don't want all of your brothers and sister dead. I couldn't let you be part of that. I don't want to be a monster," Elena's voice shook with emotion. "I can't help your mom kill her children. So, I don't know what I want Elijah. I just wish ..." The tears were freely streaming down her face now. "I wish I didn't have to deal with any of it."
"Even the Salvatore brothers?" His question elicited a bitter laugh.
"Especially, the Salvatore brothers," she responded bitingly. "The one who used to love me is a cold, unfeeling revenge-fueled jerk. The one who professes to love me, apparently wants to control my every move. They push and pull until I don't even see myself anymore, just this distorted reflection of who I used to be. Eventually there will be nothing left of Elena Gilbert." She fell silent after the outburst.
Elijah's arm was still wrapped around her waist. He moved the other hand from under chin and skated a finger around the border of her face.
"No, Elena," he spoke gently, all threat gone from his voice. "You are so much more that a reflection of Damon and Stefan's desires. You have such strength and resiliency. You have survived more loss than some people endure in entire lifetimes, and you remain intact. You have more compassion than wisdom." A half-smile ghosted across his face. "Your lack of self-preservation is frightening. I have never known anyone so willing to give themselves for others. But you, my dear, sweet Elena are not a victim. Thank you for telling me about Esther. I will take it from here."
He looked at her sternly, "Do not allow yourself to become any further enmeshed in my mother's machinations. She is a powerful witch and a dangerous enemy. Thank you again." Elijah leaned down and kissed her softly on the temple.
Elena felt as if the air had fled her lungs. She trembled and felt a heat rush through her body despite the chill in the air. Elijah's eyes narrowed as he felt her respond to his chaste kiss. He pulled Elena closer until her body was flush against him. She shook but made no effort to pull away. The half-smile returned to his face. He gently pressed his lips against hers. Elena let out a small gasp and he accepted the invitation to deepen the kiss. She pressed into him and opened herself to his questing tongue. Elena felt remade into a molten creature, on fire and malleable; desire puling her further into Elijah's orbit.
What am I doing? I can't. Elena pulled back from Elijah suddenly. "I can't," she stammered, trying to regain her equilibrium. "I can't do this. This isn't me." Elena looked at Elijah in near panic. "Please, let me go. We, we can't this."
Elijah dropped his arm from Elena's waist so suddenly, she almost fell. He immediately provided a steadying arm on her elbow. A mask of genteel concern was on his face, his eyes were shuttered and cool.
"Forgive me if I overstepped, Elena." His voice was modulated and controlled. "Please allow me to escort you back to party. We can discuss the rest at a later time." His closed expression allowed no other response that a hesitant affirmative. They walked in silence.
Just before they came to front entrance, Elijah spoke again. "It aggrieves me to even mention this," he paused and looked at her wryly. "Regardless of intention, certain, shall we say, bodily responses are easily discerned by vampire senses." Elena flushed in embarrassed understanding.
"It's okay, Elijah. I get it," Elena suddenly wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. "I came on my own tonight, my car's just over there." She pointed it out and stepped away from him.
"Just to be safe, please allow me to walk you to your car."
Elena smiled and nodded. When she at last stood at the driver's door (longest five minute walk ever) and unlocked it, Elijah graciously opened it for her and waited for her to arrange the voluminous layers of her dress. She started to speak and then stopped when Elijah gave a small shake of his head.
"Another time, Elena," the dismissal was unmistakable. "Drive safely." He closed the door and stepped back without another word. Elena left.