Chapter 2: Your Secrets

"You look like a little farm girl,' Caroline gushed when she saw Emmie's dress.

"Thanks Caroline. You look like you just stepped out of a strip club,' she offered in return. It seemed as if they were dressing for a night of dancing and grinding on some strangers in a back alley. Why did she even consider going with them? It was a private moment as always.

"Alright we are waiting for Elijah to get here. He claimed he has some information that may help us,' Bonnie said in a hushed whisper. Eye shifted to Emmie and she left the room. It was already uncomfortable being around them, but whenever they talked about anything Emmie felt so left out. They never asked her to leave but she hated when they ignored her questions. All she had to do was touch them and know everything, but she promised herself she wouldn't do that. Once she was inside their heads it hard to get out.

Walking past Damon, she opened the front door and sat on the green porch swing. The night was cool and the trees blew softly in the wind. It was nights like this when she wished she could run off and yell into the night. She wanted to curse the heavens for taking her parents and giving her this curse. Pulling her feet onto the swing, she wraps her arms around them. Resting her chin on her knees, she forced the tears back.

"We need to talk,' Damon said, taking the seat beside her. Ignoring his harsh tone Emmie stood up and smoothed out her dress. The plain white material blew in the wind and she rubbed her arms.

"About what?" She said innocently. For a minute, he softened his stare but the hard mask she knew returned.

"About what happened earlier in your room? Emmie that wasn't supposed to happen,' he blurts out. Color drains from her face and she shrugs.

"It didn't happen. I pushed you away remember?" Abruptly standing he crosses the porch and grabs her arms.

"Why? You wanted it just as much as I knew you did,' he accuses. His voice lowers to a rough whisper and his grip tightens.

"It will always be Elena. It isn't hard to see how much you love her. You think I am dumb enough to love you knowing I can never have you. It hurts when I see the way you look at her. When you look at me you don't see me, just another version of Elena. I am not Elena Damon. I will never be her!" Pushing at his chest, she walks around him and wipes the tears that leaked over her red cheeks. With her back to him, Emmie leans against the porch railing and tries not to cry aloud.

"You love me,' he choked out. His voice was hoarse and thick. When she didn't respond he walks up behind her and touched her shoulder. "Emmie, look at me." Turning her around he cups her face in his hands. Letting her tears drip onto his thumbs. She looked so vulnerable. Her eyes were full of tears and her bottom lip was quivering.

She nodded, so he took that as an answer to his earlier question. Lowering his head, he took a chance. He felt little while kissing her. Cradling the back of her head, he let his tongue slip past her lips. He felt her relax and pushed her against the wall of the house. Her fingers gripped his neck not wanting him to move. He stroked her sides and nipped at her bottom lip. Deep down he knew that he would just break her heart. Damon was cruel and mean, but not that cruel and mean. Releasing her mouth, he rested his forehead against hers and exhaled. He could never return her love. It was Elena he wanted and he knew he couldn't have her. Being with Emmie would only remind him of what he lost to his brother.

Emmie touched his lips and then her own swollen ones. He still held onto her waist and he clenched his teeth. Compulsion was the only way to make this easy.

Grasping her chin gently he spoke in a clear and emotionless voice. "I want you to forget I kissed you. You will forget this conversation and you will forget loving me. Don't love me Emmie,' he watched her eyes dilate and he mentally cursed.

"I don't love you." She said in response. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he fought back his own tears. He stepped back from her then, needing to leave before she began asking questions. He finally acted selflessly, saving her from heartbreak he knew would come. Watching as she sits in the porch swing, he walks back inside, ignoring the looks from everyone. Of course, they heard, but they respected the fact he did something right for a change.

"It would be different if she knew,' Stefan told him after following him into thee Gilbert kitchen.

"Spare me the heart to heart. I just wiped her love for me away because I am so stuck on her sister,' he watched his younger brothers jaw tick. "I saved her from disappointment because we both know I am not over Elena."

"You acted selflessly for once,' Bonnie said as she entered the kitchen. "Emmie is innocent in all this. She knows nothing. Being with you would put her in danger. You did what was right,' she concluded.

"Wiping her mind free of loving Damon?" Caroline added. "Granted he is a jerk and a selfish s.o.b she didn't deserve it. We can't keep making choices for her."

"We don't have much of a choice,' Stefan interrupted. "Protecting Elena is a top priority. We have no idea who is out there."

Damon watched Elena enter the kitchen. He watched as Stefan pulled her into his arms and the grip on his glass tightened. Turning his back to them, he stared out the window. Emmie loved him. That was his chance at happiness and he just let it go for someone who didn't even want him. It was a selfless act, but it was stupid to think Elena would ever feel the same way.

Elijah arrived with little interest except to see Emmie. Pulling her journal from the dash, he exited his car and caught a glimpse of her on the porch. The wind blew her hair and he caught the smell of something floral. Lotus blossoms, which is what her blood smelled like greeted his nose. Approaching the porch slowly he cleared his throat and caught her gaze. Her eyes seemed more crystal in the light of the moon.

"What are you doing here Elijah,' she asked cautiously.

"You left in such a hurry that you forgot your journal." Standing she chews on her lip and reaches for it. Standing on the first step in front of him it puts them eyes level. Her fingers brush over hers and she groans. Trying not to be pulled into his head again.

Suddenly his hand grabbed her wrist and he pulled her forward. His mouth blew warm air over her cheek and she went rigid.

"Your secret is safe with me Emmie,' he told her darkly. Her breath caught in her throat and she pulled free from his grasp. He wore a smirk that taunted her. Gulping she held the journal to her chest and tucked her wild hair behind her ear.

"No one knows about it,' look over her shoulder she shrugged. "Not even Elena."

"I assume you wish for it to remain that way,' he asks.

"Yes."

"I am sure I can oblige, however I require something in return for my silence."

"Are you negotiating with me,' she says, placing her free hand on her hip. Her lips purse together and her blood pumps rapidly through her veins. The color of tomatoes fills her cheeks and her body goes rigid.

"Simply asking for you company."

"For,' she urges.

Elijah heard footsteps and changed the subject. He didn't need the Salvatore brothers knowing of his plans.

"What are you doing Elijah,' Damon muttered. He walked down the steps and placed a hand on Emmie's back. "Go inside,' he spoke softly. From his spot on the pavement, he saw her eyes dilate and he shook his head an amused smile on his face.

"Is this how you keep her clueless? Compulsion?"

"How we protect her is none of your concern. Elena is the one,'

"Who does not need protecting. Elena is not the doppelganger they seek." Elijah saw the confusion on the younger Salvatore's face and it amuses him even more.

"What are you talking about?" Stepping off the steps Damon squares his shoulders and glares.

"You young vampires are so arrogant and impulsive,' he says flippantly. "I will let you know when I feel you deserve to know." Slipping his hand into his slacks Elijah walks towards the house. Pushing open the door eyes land on him and he greets them all. "Hello there."

Dinner was quiet Emmie noticed. Damon kept giving her shifty looks, Stefan was nervous about proposing; Elijah kept making small talk, Bonnie and Caroline seemed to give her soft apologetic looks and Emmie had about enough.

"Did someone die,' she asked, all eyes fell on her and she rolled her eyes. "Why is it so quiet? You know what, never mind." Stabbing her cake with precision, she shoved a piece of the cake in her mouth.

"No one died. Just a lot of tension,' Caroline said.

"Not tension, just secrets,' Emmie muttered angrily. Of course, she had her own, but it seemed everyone had something they were trying to hide and specifically from her.

Clearing his throat Stefan turned his attention to Elena and Emmie groaned. Did he have to do this right now?

"Elena, I know this isn't the best of times but I wanted to give you something,' pulling a black velvet box from his pocket Elena's eyes widen and a smile came to her face. Rolling her own eyes Emmie excused herself from the table, but she heard Stefan ask Elena to marry him. Elijah followed her, letting the friends have a moment to gush over the ring she now bore on her finger.

"You are not happy for your sister.' He asked after finding her sitting outside. Her wavy hair hung over her left shoulder, exposing her neck. That flowering scent filled his senses deliciously. He wanted nothing more than to bite into the soft skin of her neck while she withered under him. However, he was a man of restraint and patience. A thousand years taught him to take things slow. He wanted Emmie, not as his, but physically. She was much prettier than her sister who reminded him of Katerina.

"Of course I am. Stefan asked me for her hand earlier. Not that he really needed to. I am not her mother, yet they treat me like a child." Turning her blue eyes on his person, she arched her brow. "I am more worried about Damon. He loves her."

"Do you love him,' she scoffed and shook her head vigorously.

"No. Never. Damon is to…."

"Arrogant. Cocky. I think the term jerk applies also." She gives him a small laugh and agrees.

"Yeah, I expect him to come storming out of the restaurant soon. Everyone knows he wants Elena."

Elijah knew the story all too well. He was in a similar position with his brother Klaus but they overcame it. He would not make that mistake again. "If you are happy for your sister, why did you leave the table?"

"Overwhelmed. I am so confused about everything. Elena will go missing for days at a time and no one tells me anything. Jeremy is going to Denver and I have no idea why."

"Do you wish to know the truth,' he stated. The jacket of his suit tightened as he sat beside her. His knee brushed against hers as his fingers brushed the back of her neck. He hid his smile when her body shivered under his touch.

"Of course I do,' she snapped. An apology soon followed but he shrugged it off. She was upset. Understandable.

"Read my thoughts."

"It is not that simple. Once I have established a connection I can't just turn it off. The longer I read the more I can hear you any other time. No matter the distance, I will always know what you are thinking."

"I have nothing to hide Emmie,' he said. Turning to face her, she hesitated and rested her hands on either side of his head. Her thumbs rested just behind his ear lobes and she leaned forward. Their faces were inches from each other when he watched her eyes shut.

Emmie saw complete darkness upon entering his mind. It was as if he locked everything away. She grunted when she couldn't push through. "You need to relax,' she snapped. She heard him speak, but didn't listen. The black fog was clearing and he was allowing her in.

Her first glimpse was of him as a young adult. There were no buildings, just thick forests, and huts. Her eyes moved rapidly behind her lids as she scanned the area through his eyes. He had siblings. Rebekah, Niklaus, Finn, Kol, and Henrick were all younger than he was. Focusing harder she learned enough about each sibling to tell them apart. Henrick was killed by…..

"Wolves,' she whispered to herself. Their father Mikael and his wife Esther retaliated by changing them into vampires. She wanted to pull away from him, but she couldn't her grip on his head tightened and her fingers pulled the strands of her hair. So many thoughts filled her head she wanted to scream.

Blood. Ripped out hearts. The speed. Everything told her that he was dangerous and a vampire, yet her hands were glue to him. She wanted to know more and since he was giving it, she was going to take full advantage.

His mind told her everything. Ever conversation he had she recalled every move he made. Every place he rested was all there for her to see. There was more but he blocked it out. Instead, he put her on a bed. In a dimly lit room with cream sheets and massive pillows, the thoughts changed and a blush rose to her cheeks. What she saw made her heart flutter and her jaw drop.

She was naked. Completely exposed to him and his hungry gaze. His fingers slid over her stomach and to the small tuff of hairs at the apex of her thighs. Her legs were pushed apart and his finger slipped between her folds, teasing her into a moaning mass of flesh. His other hand wasn't idle for long. It grasped her breast and squeezed. The skillful finger teasing her slick folds pushed inside her. A second was added and a lazy thrusting pace was set. His thumb circled her clit and he spoke…

"I can make that a reality Emmie,' he offered. Her hands left his face and she slid away from him.

"You are a vampire,' she asked. He smirked and stood.

"I am. As you have seen, I am of the first. Your friends Caroline, Stefan, and Damon are also of an undead state."

"I cannot believe she kept this from me,' Emmie spat angrily. "She had no right keeping this from me. They come in and out of the house. They can hear everything! She should have told me."

"You sister acted selfishly. They agreed to keep it from you however, I did not. What are you going to do with this truth,' he said watching as she pushed up from the bench.

"Nothing. I will talk to them later. They are celebrating. I just want to go home."

"I could be of service, my time here is up. Follow me,' offering his hand she looks back at the restaurant and bites her lip. Taking the outstretched hand, she allows him to lead her to his Mercedes. The black leather interior welcomes her as she relaxes.

The drive was short and silent. Her fingers tapped against her knee and she groaned nearly every ten seconds. He smirked and looked over at her.

"It is really that hard to stay out of my head Emmie,' she turned to him and scowled.

"Obviously, your thoughts are screaming at me. Each one more vulgar than the next." Her chest heaved and he chuckled at her discomfort.

"I am a man,' he stated. "I can control my urges, but seeing you wither in the seat has my mind thinking of ways to have you beneath me."

"I am not my sister."

"You are much more than that. You are pure, untouched, and ripe." He grunted. "I can smell it. I can smell your blood and hear the pounding between your legs. Blood flows faster in the femoral artery. Blood is sweeter, thicker." She fought the blush in here cheeks but it won. She was doing her best not to rub her thighs together because she knew he was right. She felt the dampness in her panties and the throb of her clit against the fabric. He wasn't even touching her and she was aching for whatever he wanted to do with her.

Elijah gripped the wheel of the car to keep from slipping his fingers between her legs. Since she was so innocent, he wanted her to come to him. He was being honest about smelling her. He wanted to taste her, lap at her until she exploded against his mouth. It was his name he wanted to hear pass through her mouth.

"STOP IT!" She said, turning her eyes on him. "Please, just stop thinking like that. Think of bunnies or frogs, just stop I can't take it."

"I apologize,' he muttered, his grip relaxed on the wheel as he turning to her drive way. She threw open the door ran towards the house. Seconds later, he blocked her path. She jumped back and widened her eyes. Her reached out and stroked the skin of her bare neck. Leaning forward he let his mouth lightly slide over her skin. The vein in her neck throbbed and pulsed against his lips. Her arms fell to her sides and she gulped. His own arms circled her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Fangs bared he let them graze her skin. She cried out, but more in surprise than fear. He sucked on the flesh of her neck, tasting the bath wash she used. It was apples, but he preferred the masked lotus scent she had. He kissed her throat and shoulder and let his deep voice bounce off her eardrums.

"Goodnight Ms. Emmie,' he felt her swoon in his arms and he smiled. He pulled back and seconds later left.

Blinking she turned around and saw that they car and Elijah were gone. The only thing he left behind was the purple hickey on her neck. On shaky legs, she ran up the porch steps and into the house, sliding against the door once it closed. Looking down she felt something in her closed hand and saw a slip of paper. Opening it, she was met with elegant cursive script.

What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

-Elijah

Here's chapter 2. R&R! Pictures are on my profile of her outfit, room, and glasses.