Elena took a deep breath as she stepped out of her dressing room. She wished more than anything that Jeremy was here to walk her down the aisle. Not to mention, any of the parents she had loved and lost over the years. Miranda, Grayson, Jenna, Alaric, John, even Isobel. None of them were here in person. But it would be a lie to say that she didn't feel their presence with her as she began to walk toward her future, and because of that, she whispered aloud how much she missed them and wished they were there with her, but that she was ready. She pushed back the negative thoughts as she tugged the end of her veil to make sure it was in place.

Her wedding planner waved her forward as the music swelled. And as she slowly made her way down the aisle, she surveyed first the wedding party waiting for her at the far end. Rebekah, Bonnie, and Caroline stood in their varying shades of plum. Rebekah's dress was the darkest, and she looked downright regal beside Elena's other two best friends. Bonnie wore the palest shade, and Caroline's was somewhere in between. Bonnie and Caroline were smiling through their tears, glad that Elena was getting the happy ending that they had all questioned more times than they could count. Who knew she would live to see this?

Across from her friends, Thomas stood, flanked by his best friend, Sam, and two brothers. The four of them were very dashing in their dark grey tuxes. Sam elbowed Thomas when they saw her coming down the aisle, and Thomas' smile grew impossibly wider. Elena couldn't help but smile back, even if he couldn't see it.

But then, she turned her attention to the guests. Thomas had been happy to marry her in Mystic Falls, but she wasn't sure he knew what he was getting into when he agreed to that. It looked like the whole town had turned out. His family had their place, but the rest of the church was packed with the denizens of Mystic Falls. She figured it was a show of support for one of their own who had lost so much in her young life. This was much better than all of the funerals that ruled over her youth.

She saw Matt Donovan and Liz Forbes standing together. Matt gave her a small wave and a bright smile. And both of them chuckled when they saw how completely Liz was failing at hiding her tears. Never an overly affectionate woman, she surprised Elena by blowing her a kiss and mouthing that she was so proud. Elena's smile grew, but it also reminded her again of all the people who should have been there with her. So, she turned to look elsewhere.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of silver. When she turned her head to look, she couldn't find the source, but she saw Klaus - it was still surprising to her that she no longer felt a wave of fear when she looked at him. Hell, he'd offered to pay for hers and Thomas' honeymoon.

"So, I see that you've managed to tame Rebekah. You'll have to teach me that trick."

The voice came from behind Elena, and she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard it. It had been many years, and somehow, not quite long enough.

"Klaus," she said, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat, but she knew he could hear it, and his wolfish grin did nothing to help her relax.

"Nik, don't give her a heart attack," Rebekah chastised as she waltzed into the room. "We're finally graduating today, and having one of my best friends die would put a serious damper on the day." She turned to look at Elena. "I'm sorry, I should have told you that I invited him to graduation. I meant to… It's just-"

"We've been busy, I know," Elena said, stepping away from the man who had had such a devastating effect on her high school years. She wanted to at least keep him in her eyeline if she was going to have to be in the same room as him. "Did you-" She froze, but shook her head and tried again. "Did you, by any chance, forget to tell me if any of your other siblings were coming?" She tried to look nonchalant, but from the sharp look both Rebekah and Klaus shot her, she knew she hadn't been altogether successful.

Klaus smirked as Rebekah answered her, "No, Elena, None of the rest are coming. Not even Elijah." A little humor slipped into her tone as she added the secondary thought. "I invited them, but only Nik felt he could fit it into his busy schedule."

"Have you been missing us, love?" Klaus asked, but Elena made no sign of hearing him.

Elena nodded absently, unsure whether she was relieved or not. But, if Klaus was the only one she had to deal with, that was good, right?

"And, I've not been 'tamed,' as you so eloquently put it, Nik," Rebekah scoffed. "Elena and I have simply learned to put our differences behind us. It turns out we have a lot in common when we're not trying to destroy each other at every turn."

Klaus hummed. "So it seems. What of it, love?" he asked, turning to look at Elena. "Willing to let another vicious Original into your good graces? You've got two of us there already."

Elena frowned at him. "Two of you?" Elena asked, but then she just shook her head. "That depends…"

"On?"

"Are you actually sorry for what you did to me and my friends?"

"Was Rebekah?"

"Bekah and I have our own arrangement. You are a different matter, and you know it," Elena said as she faced off with Klaus. She knew they could both hear her heart pounding, but this had always worked with Elijah, and she had noticed that Klaus got a kick out of people who didn't simply cower away from him. Besides, Rebekah had proven herself to Elena, and she was sure that nothing would happen to her with her friend at her side.

Klaus' smirk grew. "I see that Petrova fire is still burning bright in you. If I say I regret my past actions, we would both know I was lying, love. So, I'll not do that. How about I say that, since Rebekah has deemed you worthy, nothing will happen to you at my hands again?"

"And, I should believe you?"

"I've not made a move against you since I got here. Even before you realized I was in the room."

Elena hummed as she thought about that. "Fine, but I'm not saying that I trust you."

"Well, I never accused you of being stupid. Now, I'm starting to see why Elijah always spoke so highly of you."

Elena flushed, but she turned away to continue getting ready for graduation. "If anything happens to ANYone during today's ceremony…"

"It won't. Not at my hand."

Elena nodded, and left the room. During the following summer, Rebekah convinced Elena and the other girls to celebrate finishing their degrees with a New Orleans vacation. And despite knowing he was somewhere in the city, she never saw Elijah. But, Klaus wanted to show off his city, and he was the perfect host. Gradually, Elena came to see him as something other than the vicious hybrid she had thought he was. He, maybe, even became a friend.

However, it was the person - well, vampire - Klaus was talking to that made her heart stop. His face was turned away, but even now all these years later, she would know that perfect posture and well-tailored suit anywhere.

Elijah.

Klaus obviously heard her heart stutter. He looked over at her and smirked. Elena knew, without looking, that Rebekah would be wearing a similar expression. Despite being a bridesmaid and one of Elena's best friends, Rebekah had spent much of the last six months "subtly" asking Elena if she was sure Thomas was the right man for her. She had thoughts of reunited Elena and a wayward older brother, but Elena staunchly defended her fiancé, knowing that Elijah never even thought of her anymore. She was just another past ally.

But, much as she hated to admit it, there was a small part of her heart that would never belong to the man smiling warmly by their officiant. He looked at her like she was the sun and the stars, and she loved him - she did. But…

It didn't matter. Elijah had left her and never looked back. He had nearly kissed her, but then he was gone. And, she had walled off the part of her that belonged to him. Trying to pretend it wasn't there.

Elena jerked awake suddenly. The last thing she remembered was a flash of blonde hair… And then… Oh God. She had to stop driving on Wickery Bridge.

Matt! Where was Matt? Was he okay?

She sat up quickly, and her head spun, but she realized where she was. The hospital. Again. Wasn't she just here this morning? After Jeremy found her unconscious, he hadn't been willing to let her stay home. But Dr. Fell had said it wasn't anything serious. Maybe it wasn't that serious this time either. I mean, sure, she'd been in another car accident, but at this point, that was just another Tuesday. She felt fine…

"Elena."

Despite the continuing dizziness, Elena whipped her head around to look at Elijah, who was sitting beside her hospital bed. She wasn't sure what surprised her more: that he was there, that he was the only one there, or that he had actually taken off his suit coat and rolled up his sleeves.

No, it was definitely that last one, especially when paired with the fact that his hair was a mess. She hadn't seen him this disheveled since she had undaggered him after Damon had tried every trick in the book to get rid of the body.

As he watched her, she tried to calm her pounding heart. Despite his face appearing as impassive as ever, there was something in his eyes - relief? Worry? - that made her wonder what had happened while she was out. Not to mention, she wondered how long she had been unconscious…

"Elijah," she said, because habit was still habit, even when you'd nearly died. Again. But, she needed at least one answer before she would be able to think about anything else. "Matt?" She couldn't think to form any more to the question. Elijah would know what she meant. Elijah knew the meaning of family.

"Mister Donovan is fine," Elijah said. He made a move as if to reach out to soothe her, but stopped with his hand held out halfway between them. He hesitated for a moment before drawing it back. "Somehow, you both are fine."

"I'm in the hospital?" She meant for it to be a statement, pointing out just how not fine that was, but it refused to pass her lips as anything more than uncertainty.

"You are. And your friend is in the next room-"

"Why separate rooms?"

Elijah watched her, but for the first time in a very long time, she felt he didn't want to answer her question. They were as honest as they could be with each other, but he didn't want to say something now. Instead, he continued with what he had been saying.

"I am sorry for what Rebekah did. My siblings promised not to directly harm you or your friends. I should have recalled Rebekah's vindictive streak. Though, she did pull Matt from the vehicle, so I suppose she only meant to harm you."

Elena's head was still spinning, so she leaned back again. Worry flickered across Elijah's face, and he didn't hide it nearly quick enough. He moved forward on his seat, like he needed to maintain less distance between them. She closed her eyes and took a breath. "I'm fine. Just…dizzy."

When she reopened her eyes, Elijah was watching her carefully. He glanced at the monitors beside her bed, before nodding to himself and resuming his story.

"Honestly, she did succeed. You died, but-"

"I died! Then, does that mean- What does that mean?" Elena began to hyperventilate, and Elijah finally took her hand. He ran his thumb over the back of her hand in soothing circles.

"Breathe, Elena. You're still human. Since Rebekah saved Matt- When he saw what state you were in, he performed CPR. You were dead, Elena, but your friend brought you back. But, I wonder why you would wonder, do you have vampire blood in your system?"

"At this point, I feel like its always a possibility. Damon and Stefan have gotten…"

"Overprotective?"

"In their defense, it does seem like I could be killed any day now."

That emotion flickered across Elijah's face again, and Elena watched it with a sense of fascination. There was definitely something he wasn't saying. She looked down and saw that he was still holding her hand. He was looking at their joined hands as well. They both looked up and their gazes met. Before either of them could think, he was perched on the edge of her bed, closer than she could ever remember him being. Well, except for that first day when he came to take her from Rose…

"For what it's worth, Elena, I'm glad Mister Donovan was able to save you. The world would be a much darker place without your compassion."

"Yeah, I read that somewhere before," she said, smiling faintly as she remembered the letter still pressed between the pages of her journal.

She had thought he might kiss her that day. The thought was ridiculous then, but was it still?

Unconsciously, they started to lean in closer. And when their lips were only a hair's breadth apart, a banging sounded from the window to the hallway. Elena turned to look, and Damon and Stefan both stood there. Damon had his hand on the glass, the source of the banging, and a scowl on his face. He was glaring at the Original beside her, but she knew that he would have something to say to her as well. Beside him, Stefan stood, confused but resigned. Elena sighed and turned back to Elijah.

While she had been looking away, Elijah had resumed his seat. He was wearing his jacket again, and she knew he was leaving. His face was an impassive mask again.

"Again, Elena, I am sorry for all that my family has put you through." His tone was practically cold, and Elena had to flinch back, not knowing where this came from. "But, as I promised you, now that we have Klaus back with us, I will keep my siblings from Mystic Falls. At least for your lifetime, and that of your children, unless you ever invite us back. Consider it the least I can do."

He nodded stiffly to her, turned on his heel, and then, he was… Gone. Just gone.

Just as she processed that he was actually there, his head turned. And their eyes met, and she was thrown back to all of the times they had met when she was younger. The danger, the negotiations, the…meetings the rest of her friends didn't know about. Where the two of them met simply to talk. Where she could talk about writing and literature with someone who appreciated it - and who had often met her favorite authors and could give a different perspective. And he had someone who was interested in what he had done in the time he wasn't plotting against Klaus or, alternatively, Klaus' enemies.

But even as she remembered the times that brought a smile to her face, she also remembered him leaving. And how abrupt it had been. She had almost shrugged it off as post-accident confusion. But she couldn't quite convince herself that the almost-kiss was only a dream. Not least of all because she hadn't thought of him that way until that night. And then, there had been no way to think about it because he was just gone.

And even as she befriended Rebekah and, to a lesser extent, Klaus, Elijah remained elusive. She must have read more into that lost moment than there was. She turned her attention back to the end of the aisle and her soon-to-be husband.

But then, that same flash of silver. She saw it came from Elijah as he lifted a flask to his lips and took a long swig, his eyes never leaving her. As she continued to watch, he tipped the flask upside down and shake it. Only a couple drops escaped. He frowned, and Klaus rolled his eyes. Elena didn't understand. Elijah didn't turn down a drink when offered, but she never imagined him drinking from a flask. It didn't seem appropriately dignified. Especially at a wedding.

She shook her head. Perhaps he just didn't want to be here. He'd made it clear that whatever pseudo-friendship might have grown out of their ally relationship didn't mean anything to him. He was probably just here at Rebekah's urging.

As she settled on that thought, she took her place opposite Thomas and the ceremony began.

She could feel his eyes on her as the pastor began to speak, and they burned. She quickly glanced back at him, and more than ever before she could read what was passing through his mind. He had always been so careful to shield his thoughts and emotions, but right now, he was laid bare. What had been there the night long ago in the hospital was still there, but it was magnified. Whatever he had been drinking removed whatever he usually sheltered behind, and she wanted to stay focused on that emotion.

She looked back at Thomas. He was looking at her with his usual love and happiness, but it was nothing to what was in Elijah's eyes. And as that thought passed through her mind, everything else came rushing back. The fact that the hospital was not the first time she had seen Elijah's eyes alight like that. It had been there, briefly, the night of his mother's ball. There had been regret the moment he left her with Rebekah in the tunnels. Relief every time she turned out safe and sound despite endless attempts to end her.

Thomas was wonderful, but he didn't ignite a fraction of the love or passion she felt for someone else. Someone she had tried again and again to forget.

There was quiet, and she realized it was her turn to say I do. She knew she should have said it by now, and the whispering that was beginning to pick up only proved that. But she can barely hear the murmurs. She can only see the devotion and desire in deep, brown eyes she never thought she would see again. Nothing else exists.

She ripped her eyes away from Elijah to look back at Thomas. She just has to know… And she looks at the man she is supposed to be marrying. The man she thought she wanted to marry. But now, she realized she was just settling. This isn't right. This is not the person who is supposed to be standing opposite her, but she thought he didn't want her. But his eyes, those beautiful, expressive eyes. The ones she used to pride herself on being able to read when no one else knew what he was thinking… They painted another picture.

And in that instant, she knew they weren't on her anymore. She had felt them burning into her for the entire ceremony, but now, it was like she was cold. She had opened her mouth to say…something. But Elijah's eyes weren't on her anymore, and she needed to know why. So, she looked back, and he was gone. Klaus was still standing in the same place, but he was looking toward the door, and when she followed his look, she saw the door swing shut.

Elijah was gone. Again.

But this time, she knew she could stop it. But first, she had to stop this. Thomas deserved someone who felt about him the way she felt for Elijah. He didn't deserve to be the second choice.

"I'm sorry," she said, knowing that they weren't the words he wanted to hear. Nor were they nearly enough to make up for the hurt she was causing. "I'm so sorry, but I can't…"

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Klaus' head whip around to look at her. And when she looked at Rebekah, standing beside her, she saw a small smile playing on the other woman's lips.

"Go," she mouthed.

"So, so sorry…" Elena said, but then, she was running. Back up the aisle, suddenly very glad she hadn't liked any of the huge, voluminous dresses Caroline had tried to get her into. Even so, she hiked up her skirt so she could run faster. He may be a vampire, but she didn't think he would go too far… She hoped he wouldn't.

She burst out the church door, and paused, looking in both directions, and trying to decide which way to go. Where would he have gone?

She was no closer to making a decision when she heard the door open behind her. She didn't turn, figuring that if it was Thomas or any of his family, they wouldn't want to talk to her anyway. But apparently, that wasn't who had joined her.

"You're never going to find him that way, love," Klaus said.

Elena turned her head to look at the Original hybrid. His face showed none of the malice from when they first met, but then again, that hadn't been there for a while. There was an almost grudging respect between the two these days, and she didn't know which of his siblings she should be thanking for it. She shook off the thought to see that, in fact, Klaus wasn't even looking at her. He had his head tipped back, scenting the air. He found what he was searching for and turned an impish smile on her, eyes twinkling.

"I have a better idea, if you're willing to trust me."

"Not a chance, Klaus," she said, shaking her head. She took a definitive step down the stairs and away from him. As soon as her feet touched the sidewalk, however, she felt herself lifted up into lean, muscular arms.

"Hold tight, love,"

Then, despite her protests, she was practically flying. She wrapped her wrapped her arms around his neck more out of instinct that anything, though she knew that he was more than capable of not dropping her.

Her hair was blown back out of the carefully styled updo. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been brought along at vampire speed, but she definitely didn't remember it being this fast. She felt herself shriek, but wasn't sure the source, exhilaration, fear, or something else.

Just as suddenly as it had started, they came to a stop. She jumped down from Klaus' arms and immediately stumbled. Out of sorts from the sudden changes.

"Klaus! You asshole! What was that?" Elena exclaimed, slapping his chest before she could think her actions through.

He glanced down at where her hand had hit him, and though she knew there was no way she had actually hurt him, she gulped involuntarily. However, instead of threatening her, or even answering her question, he gently gripped her shoulders and turned her around. She found herself frozen, staring.

"Love, you're going to have to do the rest on your own," Klaus said, nudging her forward. "Come now, you've never been properly afraid of any of us. Why start now?"

She heard a whoosh, and she knew that, once more, she was on her own and dealing with Elijah. She could do this. Just another meeting with the noble Original…except not.

They were on weren't too far from the Lockwood Estate, where she and Elijah had spent that long day while he told her about the curse… It was the first time she hadn't been afraid of him. And the first time she had noticed...well, everything:. His dry sense of humor, the graceful way he moved, just…everything that Elijah is. She headed that way, skirt pulled up above her knees, and running as quickly as she could.

As she crossed the lawn between them, she rounded the corner by the pond, and felt her heart stutter. She was surprised when he didn't acknowledge it. It must have been easy for him to hear. But then again, he made no sign of hearing her yell at Klaus. But still… He was there. He was really there. He stood with his back to her, but she could tell he was lost in thoughts. He didn't turn as she approached, and she knew her heart was pounding. Her breathing was labored. She was hardly sneaking up on him, but even when she stood right beside him, he didn't turn his head. So, she stepped in front of him.

His eyes were unfocused, gazing off over the lake. The same one they had once strolled around and around as they planned the end of his brother's life, and built a tenuous trust for the first time. He still held a flask loosely in one hand,, though she knew there wasn't even a drop left. But what really got her was the fact that he was crying. She had never seen him with even the barest hint of tears in his eyes. - not when she betrayed him time and time again, not when she literally stabbed him through the heart, not even when he found out his mother wanted to kill him - never.

But here he was, tears pouring down his face. Though he was still stoic as ever, and it broke her heart.

She stepped closer, unconsciously mimicking his actions from the first time they met. It wasn't until she was inches away that he acknowledged her. His eyes went wide, and he gasped. She tilted her head to the side, now more conscious of the familiarity of her actions, and took taking him in.

"Hello there," she whispered, leaning in to invade his space, as he used to do .

"Elena," he gasped. There was a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, but it was overwhelmed by a look of disbelief. His breath was laden with the scent of whiskey, but she knew it would take more than that to get any vampire, particularly the eldest living Original vampire, drunk.

"Elijah."

"What-"

She shook her head and leaned in, close enough for her breath to ghost over his lips. But, unlike all those years ago, in a rundown plantation house, and again in a hospital as she recovered from another near-death experience, it's not an almost-kiss. And there's a moment where he doesn't respond. Elena's about to pull away and apologize for completely misreading everything and regretting her decisions, when his hands come up to frame her face. He holds her like she's something precious, fragile, desired.

He was here, and she was an idiot for not realizing sooner. She should know by now to listen to Rebekah. Oh well…

And even as they lost themselves in the long overdue first kiss- odd that it finally came when there was no impending doom in the aire - there was a whoop and girlish laughter from across the lake.

Originals and their complete lack of boundaries…