-**This is in response to KatieMarrie's critique. I'm trying this out let me know which style you prefer to read. Or at least which is easier to read. Thank you for the reviews especially the multiples given by Lady Elena Bella Petrova **-

Chapter 6

Elena's POV

Elena woke with a jerk and realized she'd slept in. She looked at the clock which read 10:00 and she groaned. But then she realized she had no school today; which was good she really would have had a very hard time seeming interested. Today she was going to live like it was her last. She got up and went downstairs heading for the kitchen, she could smell coffee. "Morning Jen..." and there with Jenna sat Elijah chatting and having a coffee. I ran my fingers through my hair. He was impeccable groomed there was no other description for his appearance. And here I was in a tank top and boxer shorts not having changed before coming for coffee for coffee. He looked at me with that almost smile. I flushed and went to get coffee. I took a sip of my coffee savouring it. Then I repeat "Good morning."

"You slept in this morning," she said.

I smiled, "Yeah, I was really tired, you got in late!" I grinned letting her know I'd want details later.

I looked at what they had on the counter. It was some of the historical files my mom had. Just then Jenna's phone buzzed she checked the call and looked apologetically at Elijah, "Sorry I have to take this." She answered the phone and walked into the other room. I could hear her talking and it sounded like it had something do with her grad work.

I turned back to Elijah who seemed to be staring at her like a scientist would stare at a rather unusual specimen. "So found anything helpful or interesting?" I ask deciding to break the silence.

"Well there is an abundance of information to go through. Although I must say your mother kept impeccable records and was well organized. However so far nothing I didn't already know," he replied.

"Elena, can I borrow you for a second," Jenna called from the front room.

I went to see what she needed. She quickly explained that she needed to meet with her advisor and asked if I could stay with Elijah. When I nodded, she hugged me and said, "Thank you, you're a life saver."

I went back into the kitchen. I looked at Elijah and realized I had just agreed to spend the day with him again. He really was a smoking hawtie; with his chiselled features, perfect hair and suits; he just had this air of sophistication and maturity about him. Then he looked up and caught me staring at him, I could feel myself blush and my heart speed up.

I again, speak, "It looks you'll be stuck with me for the day if you want to look through mom's boxes."

His brow quirked up questioningly. I continued my explanation, "Jenna's advisor called and asked to see her and she's heading up shortly,"

I could still hear her on the phone making her arrangements, "and she asked if I'd stay with you..."my voice trailed off as I realized he might prefer to do this another time, "or you could just arrange to come another time if you prefer."

I looked at him wondering what he would say. He has a great poker face I thought, it doesn't give anything away. I looked away when he didn't answer taking that to be the answer, "Ok, I'll tell Jenna that you'll come back when she's free."

I turned to leave when he finally spoke. "No I do not mind staying with you, but would you not rather be doing something else?"

I turn back and look into those fathomless eyes and getting lost for a moment, then say "No, I don't have plans until later tonight."

Jenna came back to the kitchen and began to apologize to Elijah about the change in plans. I took the opportunity to run upstairs and get dressed. I had slowly become conscious of my state of undress. In my room I quickly put on a pair of dark jeans and a long sleeved green v necked shirt. I went into the bathroom; brushed my teeth and hair splashed some cold water on my face. I didn't bother with make- up. It didn't matter though, I was just going to hang out at home and Elijah had already seen me in my pj's having just woken up. I headed back downstairs. Jenna was already waiting by the door. I walked out to the porch with her.

"Elena, she started thanks..."

But I cut her off, "No Jenna, thank you I don't think you know how much I appreciate and love you. You've been amazing since mom and dad. And I just want you to know that we wouldn't have gotten through everything without you."

She looked pleased but startled. "Elena I love you too."

"Oh and by the way I expect details of how the "DATE " went last night, I smirked at her as I turned to go in the house."

Elijah's POV

I arrived at Elena's house at 9:30, just as Jenna and I had discussed. It was quiet in the house but I could tell Elena was asleep upstairs. I began examining the contents of one the boxes. Jenna and I were chatting about inconsequentials while he perused more of the folders. She had offered me coffee and I followed her into the kitchen. We sat sipping and chatting when he heard Elena rouse and begin to come downstairs. She walked in still drowsy and in her pyjamas obviously not expecting to see anyone but Jenna. She stopped mid greeting and stared at me with those innocently appealing eyes. Her fingers brushed through her hair and she flushed. I wondered what she was thinking. She quickly looked down and went to get her coffee. Jenna and Elena began chatting but I really wasn't paying any attention to what was being said. I was looking at her scantily clad delectable body. Her shorts and tank top revealed quite a lot of smooth, bronzed skin. Her skin looked incredible soft. I wondered if it was as soft as it appeared.

Just then Jenna's phone buzzed she checked the call and looked apologetically at me, "Sorry I have to take this." She answered the phone and walked into the other room. I could hear her talking and it was concerning her grad work. It appeared as though my time with Elena was about to be cut short because Jenna was going to leave.

"Just a second," I heard Jenna say into the phone, "Elena, can I borrow you for a second."

Elena went into the next room, "What's up Jenna?"

"Do you have any plans for today?" She asked, and before Elena could answer she rushed into finish, "I have a really big favour to ask, I told Elijah he could look through the boxes before he took any and my advisor really needs to see me, so I was kind of hoping you would stay..."her voice trailed off.

"Sure no problem, I was just going to putter around the house today anyway," Elena answered.

I smiled well what a pleasant turn of events I was going to get my Elena time and we would be alone. I paused at the thought my Elena. What has gotten into me, I sound like moronic teenager mooning over his first crush. I quickly tamped down those feelings and steeled myself against the effect the doppelganger was having on me.

She returned to the kitchen and I studied her carefully. She really was quite beautiful. She was innocent and fragile looking and...She interrupted my thoughts "So found anything helpful or interesting?" She asks.

"Well there is an abundance of information to go through. Although I must say you mother kept impeccable records and was well organized. However so far nothing I didn't already know," I reply. I look into her eyes. I see her blush and hear her heart speed up.

"It looks you'll be stuck with me for the day if you want to look through mom's boxes."

I arch my brow up questioningly. She continues her explanation, "Jenna's advisor called and asked to see her and she's heading up shortly and she asked if I'd stay with you..." her voice trailed off. "Or you could just arrange to come another time if you prefer."

I studied her keep my face impassive.

"Ok, I'll tell Jenna that you'll come back when she's free."

She turned to leave when I finally spoke. "No I do not mind staying with you, but would you not rather be doing something else?"

She turned back and looked at me with sad but determined eyes, "No, I don't plans until later tonight."

Jenna came back in and began chatting. I saw Elena head back upstairs. I assumed she was going to get dressed. Elena returned fully dressed. Jenna apologized again ad Elena walked her out the door. I listened intently to the conversation.

"Elena, Jenna said, thanks..."

But Elena cut her off, "No Jenna, thank you I don't think you know how much I appreciate and love you. You've been amazing since mom and dad. And I just want you to know that we wouldn't have gotten through everything without you."

"Elena I love you too."

"Oh and by the way I expect details of how the "DATE "went last night, Elena said jokingly. I heard her re-enter and close the door behind her. I could see her leaning against the door with her eyes closed. She looked very sad. It made me wonder what her conversation with Jenna meant. But then she seemed to pull herself out of wherever she had been squared her shoulders and head back towards me.

She re-entered the kitchen grabbing the coffee pot and refilled her cup and she nodded towards my cup.

I shook my head. "I'm more of a tea drinker myself." I told her that seemed to surprise her.

She took a sip of her coffee and said, "So what exactly are we looking for?"

"Burial sites," I said not explaining what burial sites.

We headed back to the boxes in the front room and began to look at files. We chatted as we read and before long it was noon. Elena's stomach began to growl. After a particularly loud growl, I looked at her, "Time for lunch."

She looked up at me embarrassed, "Yeah sorry, I sort of skipped breakfast. How about you?"

I took a deep breath, thinking she did not really want to know about my hunger considering how appetizing she smelled and instead said, "What do you feel like having?"

She smiled conspiratorially. "I've decided I'm going to only eat my favourite foods today."

"So what are we having for lunch? My treat," I said.

She looked up at me with those beguiling eyes, "No its ok I'll get it I plan on ordering all my favourites, she said."

"No I insist, I state again. You are spending your free hours helping me the least I can do is feed you."

"Ok then, but I'm going to start to think you have hidden agenda because you seem to be constantly feeding me," she grinned mischievously. "So Elijah, what's it to be?"

I liked how my name rolled off her lips, which had me staring at them. I quickly looked away before she noticed and said "No, no you choose, you said your favourite foods."

"All right how's Chinese sound."

"Great," I smiled.

"In or out."

I looked at her confused be her remarks. She then explained further as she walked into the kitchen, "Order-In or Go out."

I smiled understanding, "I think order in, I think."

She opened a drawer and took out take-out menu.

"What would you like?" she asked handing it to me.

I sat on the stool and began to peruse the menu. She walked around the counter and looked over my shoulder, and began discussing the menu. I couldn't quite focus on the menu because she was no leaning over me her hand on my shoulder. She was touching me, surrounding me with her scent and I was consumed with desire whether it was for her blood or ...Stop I forced my mind to stop that train of thought. I was not a young vampire lead by desires. I stood up to get some distance between us.

"Whatever you order will be fine," I said to her.

"Ok, she picked up the menu and nibbled on her lower lip. She did that when she was thinking. I watched her nibble her lip and wondered what it would be like to nibble on it myself aarrgh. I stopped that thought and turned away from my all too tempting doppelganger. She ordered our food and turned to the refrigerator and opened the freezer checking for something. She closes it and turns to me with a smile. I looked at her questioningly.

"Dessert," was all she said with a grin.

We cleaned up before our lunch got their and she set the table with to plates some napkins and us some drinks. Our food arrived and we started eating. She was not kidding when she said she was ordering a lot of food. But she seemed happy a little manic almost and there was a something a little sad in her eyes. And true to her word she had a little something from each item she ordered. I enjoyed watching her eat there was something sensual about how she enjoyed every bite of food as though it was her last.

When we finished she said, "Would you like an ice cream sundae?"

I nodded. I helped her clear lunch. Then she set about making our sundaes. It was a concoction that was for certain. I ate slowly watching her revel in each bite and I again I was struck by the innocent sensuality of her eating.

"What?" She asked.

She had caught me looking. "You have something right there," I reached for the corner of her mouth and gently rubbed the bit of ice cream.

She gasped at my touch. I felt the electricity flow as well. She looked into my eyes and my head began to descend towards her lips when there was a knock at the door. She looked confused; then another insistent knock.

"I'd better answer that, coming," she yelled as she headed for the door.

Many thoughts began whirling through my head; I had almost kissed the doppelganger. I decided I needed to regroup and reassess the doppelganger's effect on me. It must be that I was getting close to achieving my goal after centuries of planning. I could not become careless now that I was so close. She opened the door and I could hear her talking. I did not like to whom she was speaking.

-** Please read and review this chapter. I'm not going to publish anything until I get some reviews regarding style preference. Thanks again**-