A/N: Because tonight was a night for Elejah feels.
"Can I talk to Elijah alone, please?" Elena requested, looking from Stefan to Matt, and back again. Matt looked murderous, but Stefan acquiesced. Rolling his eyes, Matt followed Stefan out of the house. Elijah looked at Elena expectantly, his eyebrows raised.
She produced the letter he'd left her. She'd kept it in her pocket to remind herself that caring wasn't a bad thing, and that she couldn't betray those she cared about. "You left me this."
Elijah took in the piece of paper, crumpled and worn from being read so many times. He recited in his head.
Elena,
Today I did things I abhor to protect the one thing I value most - my family. If there's anyone that can understand it, it's you. Your compassion is a gift, Elena. Carry it with you, as I will carry my regret. Always and forever,
Elijah.
Truthfully, he hadn't expected to come back and be forced to face it. But here he was, Elena watching, waiting for him to speak. He gave a heavy sigh.
"I don't know what you want me to say, Elena," he confessed. "I regretted my actions - I still do. My behavior -"
Elena cut him off. "I got that bit. What I don't understand is why you feel so guilty. I betrayed you. Esther could have killed you and it would have been my fault for lying to you. Do you have any clue how this letter made me feel?"
Elijah shook his head, watching as Elena's chocolate eyes moistened.
"It made me feel even worse about my betrayal, because you were being so hard on yourself for, in effect, getting angry, when I was the one who set you up. And I guess I just wanted to know . . . why you cared so much?"
Elijah smiled, starting to chuckle. Elena looked at him incredulously. "You silly girl," he said, shaking his head. "You shouldn't even have to ask."
"Elijah, I don't -" Elena began as Elijah got up and walked over to her, pulling her into a standing position and pressing his lips to hers.
Elena stilled in shock at first, before responding with enthusiasm, her hands pulling Elijah closer to her as his hands cradled her face. After a few moments - or days - they pulled apart.
"Do you understand now?" Elijah asked, his mouth twitching.
In response, Elena pulled his mouth back down to meet hers.
Elijah awoke, desperately wishing the dream had been real. But he doubted she would even question him about the letter when he went to pay her a visit regarding the custody of his brother's body. She'd be too worried about deciding which Salvatore brother she was going to devote herself to - and destroy the other in the process. Things were much simpler in dreams.
