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Damon POV

I marched into my brother's bedroom, I didn't care that he was resting; I'm a vampire, nobody expects me to be sensitive to anyone's needs.

Stephen was once again slobbering on his pillow. I wonder how Elena would react if she woke up to this pitiful sight first thing in the morning. I yank the pillow from under his head and chuckled at the thud sound when his skull fell into the headboard.

Stephen kept his eyes shut, pretending to lapse into a coma. I shook him again, "Stephen your dead so stop pretending your catatonic, we need to talk about Elena."

Sighing he sat up on the edge of the bed sliding his feet in his slippers. "Good morning to you too Damon, nothing says brotherly love like a bruise cerebellum."

He walked over to the mini fridge beside his bed and poured himself a drink. "I know that Elena is having trouble feeding I get it. However we need a better solution then a walking blood doll. Matt almost lives here now to keep her fed."

I knew Stephen was having a harder time facing Elena's problem then I was. I understood because he knows what happens when you lose control. Stephens a recovering ripper, so he isn't really keen on the 'drink human's responsibly program.'

I flopped down on his bed trying to figure out the best way to talk about the subject without making things worse.

"Stephen we can't pretend Elena is normal. In fact I've never seen a vampire have this much trouble after transitioning Last night I pulled her off Matt, she almost took too much. Don't worry I compelled him to forget that she almost drained him."

Stephen looked up at sharply putting down his glass of blood,

"Why didn't you tell me? Is Matt ok? "Stephen ran his hands over his hair in frustration, "Maybe we should insist she only feeds if one of us is with her?"

I couldn't keep the frustration out of my eyes. "Yes let's worry about Matt, you know what FUCK Matt. Elena died saving that worthless waste of skin. I still can't believe you saved him over HER. He's a bar keep; he's not working to cure cancer."

Stephen slowed his breathing before studying the bottom of his empty glass, "If Matt dies, than her death had no meaning. I love her too much for her death to be meaningless."

I stared at my brother's pain etched face, but I didn't care.

"I should have been at the bridge, I would have dived down dragged her ass out of the car and left that bar boy to rot. He is NOT worth her life. How could you do this to her, and to everyone who loves her?"

Stephen slammed his glass onto the table as shards rocketed around the room. He stood in front me within seconds, his shoulders shaking. "Don't you know if I could do it again I'd save her instead?"

Stephen started to weep wiping tears away with his fingers, " I honored her wish, I was sure I could save them both. I didn't want this to happen; I made a decision and choose wrongly. I'm so sorry, but I lost her too."

I quickly rose to wrap his arms around him, "We didn't lose her, but we will if we don't do something. Without drinking from the vein she'll starve, and she's too dangerous to be left alone to feed on humans. "

The sound of a clearing throat startled both us both; we quickly turned toward the noise.

"Her problem is simple; Elena's blood is directly from an Original. She needs her Sire, you two can't manage her on your own." Elijah Mikaelson said appearing quietly in front of them.

I squared his shoulders staring down the older vampire, "What the hell are you smoking, there's not a vampire in your family that would tap a vein to help Elena unless you gain something from it. How did you know she was turned? Everyone else in your family thinks she's dead."

The well-dressed older man took in our uneasy stares.

"I'm Elena's Sire; try not to look too surprised. A few days ago I felt her distress and returned here as quickly as I could without drawing suspicion. Please believe that I'm here to help her. Anyone Sired from an Original without proper instruction will become a monster."

Walking over to Elijah I tried reason with the vampire, "Respectfully you're wrong, the blood giving to Elena was mine. A few days ago, Dr. Meredith Fell stole my blood. The only reason I didn't tear her head off is that but she promised to store some of my blood for Elena as a precaution."

Elijah gave us a steady gaze as he examined the room.

"I reached the same conclusion. I compelled Dr. Fell to use my blood if Elena's health was in danger. No offense but mine's a higher quality for physical repairs. I love my family but I knew Elena didn't have any chance with them running around town. I never wanted Elena to die."

We studied the older vampire and gradually accepted the truth.

Stephen's slump on the sofa, a resigned look settling over his face, "Well that explains why she's stronger than me. I almost dislocated my shoulder pulling her off of Matt."

All three men settled into seats around the room. Stephen and I choose the sofa leaving Elijah the plush chair on the other side of the room. Stephen looked at Elijah expectantly. "What what's your plan? We have a common goal so let's focus on that and not our differences."

Elijah studied us with an unflinching stare,

"I can stay here or take her with me, your choice. However if you refuse my help then Elena's hunger would grow worse until she becomes a Ripper within weeks. I'm obligated to fix her, lock her away, or in the worst case, end her if she refuses training."

"You're not going to stake her, to hell with your obligations." I rushed at Elijah which only earned me a quick toss into the wall.

Everyone stopped fighting when Elena walked into the room. "Please, Elijah is right, if I can't stop then chain me up someplace, I couldn't handle the guilt if I killed anyone."

Elijah walked over and placed Elena's hand over his heart,

"I will do everything I can to make sure you learn control little one. I gave you my word as your Sire and your friend. Do you trust me Elena?"

Smiling at Elijah sadly, Elena nodded, "I trust you Elijah."

Elijah relaxed at her quiet acceptance, "Ok Elena shall we began? Are you ready to experience the world on the other side of the mirror with me?"

Elijah's looked pleased when she grinned up at him, "Where do we start?"