Leah stepped out of the cab and looked up at the huge mansion like building that housed her cousin. "Seriously who the hell is her boyfriend?" Leah looked back at the cab driver and asked, "You sure this is it?"

"Of course. That'll be $89."

"What? We only went from the airport to here." Leah asked buffled.

"It's $89."

"Fine." She pulled out her wallet and handed him the money. "I know never to take a cab again here, EVER!" She watched as the cab pulled away. She took in a deep breath and walked up the couple steps to the front door and ringing the bell twice.

Elijah huffed as the bell rang a second time. Like he couldn't hear the bell or the heartbeat and breathing on the other side of the door. Then when he thought about the heartbeat he became even more annoyed about dealing with a human. He grabbed the handle of the door and slung it open, usual he had more grace and manners but today he was in a mood, like a ripping out hearts if you even look at him mood. "What?" He gritted out before he thought about it. When he finally concentrated on the human in front of him he was stunned into silence. He grasped when he saw her face. The grasp should have been because of her beauty but instead it was marred by the ugly bruises yellowing her face and the cuts that were beginning to heal on her lip and eyebrow. He watched as an embarrassing blush rose to stain what little unmarred flesh she had and stammered out, "H-hey."

Elijah felt guilt for snapping at the girl when she looked so fragile already so he tried to dampen down his tone and said, "What can I do for you?"

She looked confused until she shook her head and said, "Are you Caroline's?" He could hear her heart flutter when she asked and he smirked and said, "No. I don't belong to Miss Forbes."

"Oh good. No. Wait. She doesn't live here?" The girl asked confusion evident in her voice.

Elijah smiled and tried not to laugh at her expense. "She does. But the honor of belonging to Miss Forbes falls on my brother, Niklaus."

"So you're not her boyfriend?" Elijah shook his head no. "But she does live here…with him?" Elijah shook his head yes to that as he watched her let out a sigh which seemed to be relief.

"Thank God. I was nervous about finding the place." He watched as she tried to walk past him but he stopped her with a hand to her arm and she jerked violently and let out a cry. "Let go, please." He watched as she tried not to let the fear creep into her voice.

"I can't just let you waltz into my home, dear. I know nothing about you." Elijah watched as the fear became less and she asked again for him to release her. He did and she ran underneath his arm into the foyer.

Elijah's anger bubbled over at her defiance as he went to grab her up, he heard his brother and Caroline walking toward the house. "Look hear Miss. I don't appreciate people barging into my home. Now kindly leave before I throw you bodily out the door."

The girl's heart rate kicked up as she braced herself as if he meant to strike her. Elijah stopped; something in him telling him not to touch her that she'd been manhandle enough if her bruises were any indication. Before he could speak again Klaus and Caroline walked in laughing not realizing the tension that resided in the foyer. He watched as the young girl's eyes lit up and yelled, "Carebear," before she barreled into Caroline.

Leah was so glad Caroline walked in at that very moment feeling instantly protected in her cousins' arms. "Le-Le!" The other girl squealed. Leah pulled back with a smile but dropped it when she saw the angry look on her cousins' face.

"Oh my God Leah. Who did this to you?" Caroline went full protector mode and Leah dread the confrontation. "Don't worry, Carebear. I'm fine."

"Fine? You're fine. Look at your face. Who did this?" Caroline was seeing red as she looked at her cousin's beaten face.

Leah took a deep breath and said, "I'd rather not talk about it. Can't you just be happy to see me?" Leah just wanted to be here with Caroline she'd missed her cousin who was more like a sister to her.

"I'm happy to see you of course but I can't let this go Leah." Leah moved away from Caroline and decided to ignore the comment. She looked to the man beside her cousin and smiled with her hand held out to him saying, "I'm Leah Forbes. You must be the boyfriend, Niklaus? Did I say that right?" She laughed never hearing such a name before.

The dimpled gentlemen smiled softly and took her hand and said, "Yes but call me Klaus. It's nice to meet you."

"Like wise. Oh and who's mister hands that about killed me when I tried to get past the front door?" She looked to the other gentlemen trying not to think about how good that man wore his suit.

Klaus laughed and said, "That's Elijah. Usually he's such a stickler for manners, odd to hear he had none with you."

Elijah spoke quickly, "Most mannered people would introduce themselves before barging into someone else's home." He glared at Leah but she shrugged it off or tried to at least.

"That's just Le-Le. Good job trying to avoid my questions. But since the boys are here why don't we go get you settled in your room and we'll talk there." Caroline asked compassion slipping into her voice along with command.

Leah sighed and nodded her head. She leaned down to grab her bag and follow Caroline upstairs to her, for now, room. Leah couldn't resist taking one last look at the guy called Elijah before she ran to catch up with Care.

What do you think Elijah's first impression is of Leah and do you think it will change? Keep reading to find out!