-**Hello everyone sorry about the delay. I my computer crashed this weekend and I was sure I lost everything. Well I didn't and I was able to retrieve this chapter and part of the next one. so I'm updating and hopefully I'll have an other chapter ready sometime this coming weekend. I haven't seen any of the new episodes but I did watch a preview for the episode in february and I saw Elijah. I must say I'm extremely excited for his return and interactions with Elena. I was thinking about changing the rating to M as I might be putting in some lemons but I'm not sure yet as I have not written anything like that ever. Suggestions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated and as usual please review.
Chapter 9
Elijah's POV
"I'm Elijah, I reply."
I see the look of apprehension cross their features at the mention of my name. Wonderful, they know who I am.
One of them speaks "We were gonna bring her to you...for Klaus she's the doppelganger. I don't know how she exists but she does. Klaus would wanna see her."
"Does anyone else know you're here?" I question.
"No," he replies quickly.
My lips twitch into a half smile at his answer. I am relieved because this could have ruined my plans I tell myself.
"Well then you have been incredibly helpful," I say as I simultaneously remove their hearts.
I drop the hearts and step forward towards the last vampire in the room. I can hear Elena's accelerated heart rate and her shallow breathing. But she steps in front of this vampire.
"No don't hurt him," she's fiercely.
I can see the fear in her eyes and I hear her erratic heartbeat.
"If you're here to take me, I'll go just leave him alone. He was just trying to help me."
"Really?" I quirk my brow at her, she's trying to protect a vampire whom she just met from a vampire who just killed three other vampires in front of her. Where did this human get her courage or maybe it was insanity, but either way it was admirable.
I make eye contact with the vampire. "Does anyone else know about her?"
"No," Slater replies. "How...How are you compelling me? I'm a vampire. Is it because you're an original?"
I ignore his questions, "You will remove any and all information about the doppelganger and tell everyone who asks it was a false alarm. You will let me know who if anyone asks about the doppelganger and you will not tell anyone you have seen her or that she exists." After he's repeated this I release his gaze.
Elena is still staring open mouthed at me.
"Do you have your car here?" I ask the lovely Elena.
"I believe you need someone to ensure you arrive home safely Miss Elena."
She nodded at me. I decide I'd better wash my hands before we go. She turns to the young vampire, "I'm sorry Slater I seem to have gotten you into a mess."
He shrugged, looking at me as I returned to the room. Then he looks to Elena, "No Elena, I'm not at all disappointed that you're nothing like her. Actually I have even begun to see that you might not look so much alike."
I see Elena's allure has captured another admirer. She smiles at what he has said. I decide we should leave. I walk to Elena and take her arm to lead her out. She flinches at my touch, but doesn't say anything and starts walking. I don't like her reaction to me. I look at her. I can still see the fear in her eyes.
We walk to the car in silence.
"Well," I finally say as I let her into the car.
I get in and she looks at me.
"Well what?" she asks.
I am very irritated with her at this point. The girl is extremely troublesome. I start driving us back to Mystic Falls. She seems to attract danger and admirers like flowers attract bees. We drive for a while. I notice the nervous tension in her.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
She looks at me with those big brown eyes pleadingly, "Where are you taking me? Where's Klaus? When will he perform the sacrifice? He won't hurt anyone now that I've turned myself over right?" Her voice breaks on that last question.
I am absolutely flabbergasted; understanding dawning on me, this slip of girl was turning herself over to save her loved ones. Katherine's story had affected her deeply. I now also understood her behaviour and cryptic remarks of the last day.
"I doubt that would make a difference to him."
She begins to tremble. "But why? I didn't run away he can do the sacrifice and break the curse."
I am amazed by her thinking, her naiveté. She would never understand the ugliness and monstrosities some harboured. She really believed if she went willingly she could save everyone. I should have guessed her plans immediately after she spoke to Katerina. She really was incredibly unselfish.
"I think it's time you and I had a little chat."
She looks at me defiantly. "So what do you want?"
I hear her stomach grumble.
"I think we should stop and get you something to eat. There is quiet little Japanese restaurant on the outskirts of Mystic Falls where we can talk privately."
We drive in silence to the restaurant. We get one of their private rooms and she peruses the menu. The waitress returns and we give her our order.
She finally looks at me arms crossed in front of her chest chin tilted defiantly, eyes frightened but determined, "So what do you want?"
I smile at the brazenness of this girl. She had seen what I'd done to those vampires and she still mulishly went ahead. I would have to consider my words to her carefully.
"I mean your family no harm." I state simply.
"Why did you kill those vampires when they tried to take me?"
I regarded her, "Because I didn't want you to be taken."
She looks confused, but I continue, "Klaus is the most feared and hated of the originals. But those who fear him are desperate for his approval. If word gets out that a doppelganger exists, there will be a line of vampires eager to take you to him. And I can't have that."
She takes a deep breath and replies, "Isn't that exactly what you're trying to do?"
"Let's just say that my goal isn't to break the curse."
"So what is your goal?"
"Klaus' obsessions have made him paranoid. He's a recluse. He trusts those only in his immediate circle."
"Like you?" She questions.
"Not anymore," I shake my head.
She looks at me, "You don't know where he is? Do you?"
She nods her head. "So you're trying to use me, to draw him out?"
She really is quite perceptive.
I reply "Well to do that I need you stay put and stop trying to get yourself killed." I smirk at her.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"Well if I wasn't being truthful, your family would be dead and I would have taken you to Klaus before now. Instead I'm here and I'm prepared to offer you a deal."
She looks at me almost hopeful, "What kind of a deal?"
Again I pause for effect, "Do nothing! Do nothing and live your life. Stop fighting and then when the time is right you and I shall draw Klaus out together. And I shall make certain that your family and friends remain unharmed."
"And then what?" she asks quietly.
"Then I kill him."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that! I'm a man of my word Elena. I make a deal. I keep a deal."
"How are you going to be able to keep everybody safe?" she whispers.
I pause, I do not want to reveal too much to her, "You know I noticed you have a friend, Bonnie is it? She seems to possess the gift of magic. I have friends who possess with similar gifts."
She pauses reassessing, "You know witches."
I nod, "And together we can protect everyone who matters to you. Elena.
Just then her phone buzzed for what seemed like the millionth time in past couple of hours. Modern technology although convenient was still extremely tiresome. She finally looked at her phone and gasped.
"I'm sorry but I have to get home." She said.
She was now frowning and deeply worried. I could hear her heart rate accelerate.
She looked at me pleading. "Please," she whispered hoarsely.
Those beautiful pools of rich dark chocolate begged. I found myself digging out my wallet I left the money on the table as I guided her out. We got in the car. We were about fifteen minutes outside of Mystic Falls.
"What has happened?" I question her as we drive towards town.
"I'm not sure." She replies her voice quavering.
"All I know is I've missed a bunch of texts and this last one is an SOS code which means something very serious or bad has happened. I got one from both Bonnie and Caroline. We've only every used that code a few times one of them being when Caroline was hurt in the car accident just before she was turned."
I was driving very quickly. I saw the welcome to Mystic Falls sign. "Where to?" I asked.
"I need to get home. I need to know what's happening" She said sadly.
And just like that we pull into her drive way. She is out of the car before I reached her door. I guess she really was in a hurry to get home and she bounds up the porch steps. I immediately grab hold of her arm. She turns to look at me fear and wariness apparent in her eyes. But she says nothing waiting for me to speak.
"Elena we haven't finished our negotiations." I remind her mildly.
She opens her mouth to say something when her front door opens. Her brother rushes out and hugs her. I can smell blood on him he has a fresh wound.
"Elena," he whispers.
I can hear the relief and the love in his voice. I can see it in his face.
"I'm ok Jer." She whispers soothingly.
I decide Elena and I can finish our conversation later in the evening. I wait for her to turn to me.
She turns to me and says, "Thank you for your help Elijah."
"Think nothing of it." I smile politely.
"Goodnight Elijah." She turns then leaning on her brother.
"Goodnight Elena, we'll finish our discussion later." I remind her of our unfinished negotiations. I turned and left.
Elena's POV
I sat there looking at the table. I had been hungry when I was with Slater. But then Elijah had shown up. He was truly terrifying. I shudder at the thought of what he had done to those vampires. He moved faster than they did if that's possible and of course it was because I'd sort of seen it. Elijah was terrifying and he was a consummate liar.
My phone buzzed for the umpteenth time. I looked at and gasped.
"I'm sorry but I have to get home." I said.
The text message had me frowning. I was deeply worried. I could feel my heart rate accelerate.
I look at him and ask hoarsely. "Please."
I look into his rich and beautiful eyes and all I see is coldness. He doesn't say anything he just reaches into his pocket and I see money on the table. He stands up and I follow as he guides me out of the restaurant. We get in the car. From what I know of the area we're about ten minutes outside of Mystic Falls.
"What has happened?" He asks as we drive towards town.
"I'm not sure." I reply unhappy with the crack in my voice.
"All I know is I've missed a bunch of texts and this last one is an SOS code which means something very serious or bad has happened. I got one from both Bonnie and Caroline. We've only ever used that code a few times one of them being when Caroline was hurt in the car accident just before she was turned."
He's speeding I'm happy to see. I see the welcome to Mystic Falls sign.
"Where to?" he asks.
"I need to get home. I need to know what's happening" I reply quietly.
And just like that we pull into my drive way. I was out of the car in a shot. I was in a hurry to get into the house. I practically ran up the porch steps. Then I felt him grab hold of my arm. I tense immediately, but I turn to look him hoping he doesn't see the fear and nervousness his touch triggers in me. I stay still and say nothing waiting for him to speak.
"Elena we haven't finished our negotiations." he reminds me coolly.
I open my mouth to say something when the front door opens. Jeremy I think in relief he's ok. He rushes out and hugs me. He looks a little dishevelled and I can tell something is really wrong.
"Elena," he whispers.
I can hear the relief and the love in his voice. I can see it in his face.
"I'm ok Jer. I try to say soothingly.
Not wanting to let go of Jeremy, I left one arm around his waist knowing I had to speak to the vampire still standing on the porch with us. I had to be careful with him. He could so easily hurt Jeremy. I shiver at the thought of how little it would take for him to hurt us and we weren't safe in the house. He'd been invited in.
I turn to him and say, "Thank you for your help Elijah."
"Think nothing of it." He replies.
His smile aloof and friendly but it's cold. It never reaches his eyes and again I shiver...
"Goodnight Elijah." I turn then leaning into my brother.
"Goodnight Elena, we'll finish our discussion later."
He reminds me of our unfinished discussion and feeling of dread drops into my stomach. He turns and leaves. He will probably return later tonight to talk. I watch him for moment with apprehension but then clear my head. I have other problems; I turn to Jeremy and start walking to the house.
"Where's Bonnie?" I begin with bombardment of questions. "Where's Caroline? I got some SOS texts. What's going on? What's happening? Are you ok? Are they?"
"Whoa." He puts his hands up in surrender and smiles for a sec before it disappears as quickly as it appeared. "I'm fine. Bonnie and Caroline are fine. It's Stefan."
My heart stopped. Stefan. Stefan. What happened to Stefan? I thought.
Jeremy looked at me for second and said. "Elena breath he's fine. He's just trapped in the tomb with Katherine."
We walked into the house and sat on the couch. He grabbed his phone and texted Bonnie and Caroline to tell them that I was home safe. Then he began to tell me what happened from the beginning.
He said that Katherine had told Damon I was in danger and I needed to be protected and that they have been trying to figure out what danger that maybe. They knew that Katherine was running from someone and that they needed leverage over her. He told her they knew the moonstone was important and they figured if they could get they could leverage. He told me about the spell Bonnie had done to freeze Katherine and how he'd stolen some of the powder and gone ahead.
He said that Bonnie trying to lift the tomb spell would hurt her and how magic had a cost. How he had frozen Katherine and gotten the moonstone and how Katherine had unfrozen before he left the tomb. How she had fed on him until he died and the ring brought him back. How Stefan, Damon and Bonnie had arrived at the tomb. How Katherine said she would continually feed on him until they got her out. How Bonnie had tried and couldn't do it. Then Katherine had started to feed on him and Stefan had pushed him out of the tomb trapping himself with Katherine. Then he tells her Bonnie brought him home and Damon had gone to meet Caroline because she had been unable to find you.
"Imagine my surprise when they tell me about the letter you left for me." Jeremy yelled.
"Jeremy," I begin.
But he cuts me off. "Are you kidding me Elena, what the hell were you thinking? I can't lose you any more then you want to lose me from what your letter said. How could you even think that what you were doing was a good idea?"
"Really, Jer." I look at him incredulously.
"You, Jeremy Gilbert, are actually lecturing me about this after what you did tonight."
That brought a sheepish smile to his face.
"I spoke with Katherine and I know what's coming or who is coming. That's why I did what I did. But it doesn't matter now. Things have change."
Jeremy looked at me questioningly.
"Can we talk about it later Jer? I really need to see Stefan."
"Ok. I'm going to text them to tell them that you're going to the tomb. But Elena we still need to talk about what happened today." He said meaningfully.
I nodded and turned to walk to the tomb.
"Hey, he called after me, do you want a ride?"
"No, I'll walk." I reply. I need time to sort my thoughts. Everything that happened today is whirling through my head. I'm getting a headache. I am so at the end of my rope. I don't know how much more I can take.
I arrive rather quickly to the tomb. I climb down the stairs yelling for Stefan. When I get no reply I head for the entrance of the tomb. When a pair of arms grabs me and stops me from going any further. I gasp and turn to see a pair of beautiful blue eyes angrily starring at me.
"uh uh ahh..." He says to me.
"Damon let me go. Stefan's in their"
He just looks at me holding my arms. I am so angry with him.
"How could you let this happen Damon?"
"How..." he sputters, "I was too busy trying to find you and stop you from your stupid kamikaze mission."
"It wasn't stupid. Now let me go Damon."
He refused to let go and I began to struggle in vain I might add. I finally stop.
"Are you done?"
When I nod he lets go of me. I head back up the stairs and head home so angry because Stefan wouldn't answer and Damon wouldn't back off. I could hear them talking but at this point I'm so angry I don't care I just walk as quickly as possible home. I don't get far before Damon's at my side.
"I can find my way thanks." I tell him bitterly.
He ignores me completely but keeps walking beside me. We continue to my house in silence each lost in our own thoughts. When we arrive home, I turn to him.
"Thank you for ensuring I get home." I murmur to him.
"Well I had to make sure you didn't get anymore bright ideas between your house and the tomb. You will no longer be allowed to make decisions for yourself." He smirked.
"When have I ever made a decision? You and Stefan do that for me. Now what I did today was my decision." I spat at him.
Seeing the smirk wiped from his face was quite satisfying I must admit. But I could tell what I said had angered him.
"What you did today was incredibly stupid." He growled at me.
"Actually it wasn't stupid at all." I said softly.
"I don't question why you, Stefan and everyone else try to save me. You shouldn't question why I would do the same and try to save all of you." This I say much more passionately.
I turn from him wanting to go in, "Goodnight Damon." I close the door behind me.
Jeremy's at the top of the stairs. I just shake my head at him. I go upstairs to my room and close the door. I decide I need a shower before bed to help me relax. I head into the bathroom and turn on the water super hot and strip. I get into the shower and think about nothing but how good the water feels. I slowly begin to relax. I wash my hair and my body, I'm careful of the bruises. I finally turn off the water and get out of the shower. I wrap myself securely in a huge fluffy towel. I brush my hair before leaving the bathroom. I grab my body lotion and head to my room. I put my leg on my bed and begin rubbing in the moisturizer; when I hear a soft rustle. I freeze.
"Elena."
please review as always it would be greatly appreciated. thank you and i hope you enjoyed
