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Elena POV

Elena had spent the entire day reading through the journals of her ancestor, listening to Stephan talk of his first months as a vampire and the terrible things he had done during those times and of the good he found in Lexi but she was finding it harder and harder to see the good in him when at every turn he was either lecturing her about her own decisions to protect those she loved telling her how it was only her giving up. He wasn't trying to keep her from giving up he was trying to control her, tell her what she could and couldn't do because he had decided that she couldn't make that choice for herself.

Finding out that he and Damon had not only kept the fact that John had given him a dagger, THE dagger meant to kill an original or at least put one into a magical coma but actually went behind her back to try and kill him was the final straw Elena was done being manipulated and controlled by the Salvatore brothers. When they came up with their plan of using her to lure and re-dagger Elijah she had agreed but had plans of her own. When the door flew off its hinges the wood splintered and broken we knew he was here,

"You know I may not be able to enter this house but I am a very patient man I'll wait you out." Taking a deep breath Elena moved towards the now open doorway a knife hidden in hand cardigan pressed between her arm and side as she watched the original whom she had begun to trust more than those that claimed they wanted only to protect her.

"They shouldn't have done what they did.." The doppelganger tried in a slow unsure voice. "The deal is off." Elijah looked livid and no one could really blame him she might be angry if someone had shoved a dagger into her back. "I'm renegotiating." She tried again this time this time her voice was more steady. "You have nothing left to negotiate with." He stared me down his gaze hard and unrelenting only for his eyes to take on an amused glimmer his mouth turning up at the corners as she brandished the knife in her hand. "I'd like to see you lore Klaus into Mystic falls after the doppelganger bleeds to death."

"Stephen won't let you die"

"No, he won't he'll feed me his blood to heal me and then I'll kill myself and become a vampire just like Kathrin did," His face fell a fraction as he licked his lower lip debating whether or not she would truly keep her word and go through with it. "So unless you want that to happen again promise me the same as before, promise me you won't harm anyone I love even if they've harmed you." He took a moment to consider once again before nodding his head ever so slightly towards the weapon in her hand. "I'm sorry Elena but I'm going to have to call your bluff."

Squaring her shoulders as she turned the knife over in her hand looking into his eyes as she pressed her lips into a thin line taking a deep breath through the nose letting it out just as she plunged the blade into her stomach. Pain, searing and awful made Elena cry out fumbling she lost her grip on the blade as it clattered to the wood floor. "NOO! Yes, yes! You can have your deal! Let me heal you.." He lunged forward unable to enter the cabin begging her. "Give me your word!" She cried just wanting this to end the pain in her stomach agonizing. A breath later he nodded. "I give you my word." she quickly stumbled forward into his waiting arms.

"Run..." Elena whispered with trembling hands holding the dagger between their chests the silver catching the soft glow of the porch lights. His eyes widened but he wasted no time sweeping the girl into his arms just as the brothers surged forward but Elijah was faster blurring them away before either could take hold of Elena and yank her back into the house. She didn't know how far he took them but at some point, darkness began to pull at her vision and before long everything went black.

Elijah POV

Elijah didn't stop moving until they were out of Mystic Falls he would have taken them father had he not felt Elena go limp in his arms, panic set in as in the commotion he had not been able to heal her. He had to act quickly, laying her down gently he knelt beside her with one hand cradling the back of her head he bit into his wrist pressing it to her lips. Nothing the girl didn't so much as part her lips. Lifting her up further he laid his ear against her chest the beating of her heart was far to faint for even his ears to pick up.

He cursed under his breath before biting into his wrist again this time taking a mouthful of his own blood. He would be damned if he let her die now leaning forward he pressed his lips to hers parting them with his tongue coaxing her to drink with a gentle nudge, stroking his tongue over hers until finally, she swallowed her eyes fluttering open to meet his as he pulled back cradling her face in his hands as he watched her relief crashing over him as he smiled dropping his forehead to rest against her own as he closed his eyes.

"Foolish, brave girl that was a dangerous move you pulled...one I am grateful for none the less." He felt a gentle warm hand touch the back of his head fingers weaving through his hair, opening his eyes he saw Elena watching him. "I didn't know, Elijah I had no idea they had the dagger or I would have warned you. I won't ask you not to go after them but please spare my family and my friends." Elena begged as he helped her to sit up watching her now with careful eyes. "Are the Salvatore brothers not your friends? Stephen your lover?" She shook her head as her gaze turned cold her lips pressed into a thin line as she balled her hands into fists.

"NO. They are not my friends and Stephen is not my lover or anything else to me. I'm tired of being lied to and manipulated. I don't care what they want anymore this is my life so it is my decision, not theirs." What she did next, stunned him into another lapse of silence. Holding out her hand she offered him the dagger as a show of trust, a peace offering.

"Take me away from here Elijah keep me hidden away until the ritual so that they can't interfere anymore." He nodded his head laying his hand on top of the dagger still in her hand and smiled. "You have my word Elena I will keep you hidden until the ritual but we have more to discuss." Taking the sager her slipped it into the inner pocket of his suit jacket before once again sweeping her into his arms with ease. "I will explain things to you further once you are safely hidden away and settled in."