Chapter 4

Elena and Elijah arrived in Marinette in just under half an hour, and Elena was too occupied by her phone call with Jenna to care about the margin by which Elijah was breaking the speed limit. The entire way there, she couldn't help but replay the entire conversation in her mind over and over again. She felt incredibly guilty for forgetting about her aunt at a time when Jenna needed her more than ever. Between the constant threat of Klaus and her fight with Alaric, Jenna was alone and unprotected. Sure, Alaric would do whatever he could, but that wasn't much when Jenna wouldn't even let him in the house. Of course, there was John, but those two certainly weren't the best of friends either.

Not that she wanted to go back. Elena felt liberated. She was finally away from the hellhole that was Mystic Falls. She loved the people who resided there, but the town was a magnet for trouble and supernatural activity. At least she could lure the people threatening to hurt her family away. This was the only way she could ensure that her family and friends would remain safe, and she knew neither Stefan nor Damon would agree to the idea. And that was why she'd chosen Elijah. They had an understanding, a respect for each other. Elijah let her make her own decisions. She wasn't his prisoner, as he'd made clear. He'd given her a credit card for goodness sake!

Elijah didn't stop until they were on a road that followed the bay. Elena had to admire the beauty of the area. Sure, it wasn't The Falls, but it was beautiful nonetheless. He stopped the car outside a house where a realtor was changing out a "For Sale" sign with one that said "Sold". Elena couldn't help but laugh. Elijah had bought a house.

"Welcome home," he said softly as he killed the engine.

Elena smiled and got out of the car, eager to explore the house. It was small, quaint, and she loved it immediately. The realtor unlocked the door for her and she slipped inside. It was only one story with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Elena was fairly certain that Elijah would insist upon her taking the master bed and bath. The floors throughout the house were a dark hardwood, and the bathrooms were both very expensive looking tile. The kitchen was a chef's dream, complete with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. Overall, the house was gorgeous. She opened the backdoor to find a breathtaking view of Green Bay, waves crashing upon the shore. It was too bad she wouldn't be able to enjoy the water, as she was shivering in the cool October air just standing on the deck. She could hear Elijah and the realtor wrapping things up in the kitchen. When the realtor was gone, Elijah stepped outside onto the deck, keeping a respectable distance between their bodies.

"I gather you approve?"

"Of what?" Elena said absently. Then, shaking her head and snapping out of her reverie, she laughed. "Sorry, I guess I was daydreaming. Yes, I love the house and the view. It's gorgeous."

Elijah chuckled. "I'm glad. May I ask what you were daydreaming about?" he asked hesitantly.

"I think it's better that you don't ask, Elijah."

Elijah bowed his head, conceding to her wishes. Suddenly, Elena became very frustrated.

She turned to Elijah, her arms still crossed as she shivered. "Why do you always just go with whatever I want?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Elijah said, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion at Elena's sudden mood change.

She sighed. "Stefan and Damon would have pestered me until I told them what I was thinking. You're just so . . . so . . ." Elena searched for the right word, but she couldn't find one to express what she meant.

"Gentlemanly?" Elijah offered. "Considerate? I'm sorry, Elena, but I don't see how that could be construed as a problem. Would you rather I harass you like the Salvatores, force you to tell me every single thing on your mind? I'm a firm believer in personal space and the privacy of one's mind."

Elena was truthfully a little surprised by Elijah's rant. "It's not really a problem," she confessed. "It's just something I'm not used to. Stefan always wants to know if or why I'm upset. Sometimes I'm not even upset – I'm just thinking – and he gets so invasive. Damon doesn't even want to let me think for myself, let alone want to know why I'm thinking something. I guess I just get taken aback by your willingness to accept what I say and back off. It's something so far out of the ordinary for me. So what I'm trying to say is thank you."

Elijah gave something of a smile as he looked down at Elena. "You're strange, Elena Gilbert."

"I guess living a life surrounded by vampires has that affect on a person," she countered, smiling widely at the Original. Suddenly, she didn't feel so cold.


"What is with the names of cities in this state?" Damon scoffed as they passed yet another road sign on their way back onto the highway. "Shawano . . ." He pronounced it as if it were three separate words and Stefan rolled his green eyes.

"It's Shawano," Stefan corrected, pronouncing it as one. "Not Sha-wa-no."

"Oh, get down off your pedestal, Mr. High-And-Mighty," Damon muttered.

"Where do you plan on dragging me next?" Stefan asked, ready for a subject change.

"I was thinking we could try Wausau, work our way West and up and back East to the Door peninsula."

"Have you actually given this some thought?" Stefan asked incredulously.

"Contrary to your beliefs, brother, I do want to find your little girlfriend. I just want to have fun while doing it."


A/N: Yes. I know. Slow updating. Sorry. Yes. It's also a really short chapter. Punch me. Hate me. Whatever. My grandma (different from the great-grandma who was in the hospital and the other great-grandma who passed away) was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and was flown early yesterday morning by Flight For Life to Green Bay. She's on a ventilator and is heavily sedated. It's been a very upsetting couple of days, and I should've updated sooner anyway, but I didn't, so there you have it.

And if you don't know the state like I do, search for a map of good ol' Wisconsin, home of cheeseheads, beer drinkers, and . . . what else do we have? (NOTHING.) Elijah and Elena were in Green Bay and traveled northeast to Marinette. Damon and Stefan have covered the lower half of the state, starting with Milwaukee, and are now in Shawano, near the center of the state, and heading for Wausa (northwest). So, this means our lovely Salvatore brothers aren't going to be in Marinette for a while! Wonder what will happen with Elijah and Elena! Dun dun dun, and all that dramatic music.

And that bit of Michigan that looks like it's eating Wisconsin is the U.P.

Eh.