Elena was calm. For the first time in a long while, she saw a way out. A way out that didn't involve the draining of her blood, or the death of everyone she loves. She was finally taking an active part in the rescue of her own life. All she needed to do was work with a vampire that she had once thought was trying to kill her.

Elijah. Elena wasn't sure what to think about him. Currently he was in her room, picking up and examining her possessions at random, seemingly at home in her bedroom. He moved silently throughout the room, no distraction to her harried thoughts.

She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that there was one vampire out there who did what they said without ulterior motives. She also wanted to believe that he could do what he said. That he could end Klaus, and with him the fear that had caught hold of her life like a vise ever since she had first heard his name.

"Elena?"

She hadn't realized how long she'd been lost in her own thoughts. He was currently sitting at her desk thumbing through an old magazine, looking up at her. She took a steadying breath and looked him in his eyes. She tried to steady her voice, but a slight tremble escaped her as she spoke.

"Are you sure you will be able to do this?"

Slowly, he closed the magazine and stood up. She inhaled sharply as he took a few steps toward her. He stopped a few feet from her and looked her in the eye, seemingly considering her before he answered.

"Yes, Elena. Like I said before, I am a man of my word. If you do exactly what's necessary you'll be able to go back to living your life free of fear and free of Klaus."

He began walking around the room again, this time examining the photographs and posters hung on her wall. He stopped briefly at the photo of her and her parents before moving on.

She contemplated the many questions rolling around her mind.

"And you?"

He stopped and looked at her, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Pardon?"

"What do you go back to after you kill Klaus?"

She couldn't help asking. The question had been in the back of her mind ever since he explained the details of their agreement. Even through all the fear and paranoia, she wondered, where does he belong?

"That's a question for another day, Elena. For now, we have our agreement. I'll see to it that Stefan gets out of the tomb."

He began walking towards her and she held her breath as he drew closer. However at the last moment he diverted his path, brushing lightly against her shoulder as he walked towards her bedroom window. He turned back towards just before leaving, with just a hint of a smile on his lips.

"I'll be in touch."

And with that, he was gone.