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Elena

I felt utterly foolish as I sobbed into my pillow. I was supposed to be a big, bad vampire now and I was having a complete cry-fest over a man who had likely never thought of me romantically a day since he'd met me. Sure we had kissed when he'd asked me to dance but now anything he might have felt for me had likely been completely stomped out by Damon basically calling me a whore!

I buried my head deep within my pillow again and sobbed further. There was a soft knock at the door and I hopped that whoever it was would take my lack of a response as a hint to move on. A minute later a delicate hand was stroking my hair just like my mother used to do. It was so comforting and my tears automatically began to subside.

When I sat up Rebekah was sitting on the bed beside me.

"I am so sorry that he said those things to you," she said and I was a little shocked that it was coming from Rebekah. "You didn't deserve any of it."

"I'm sure it looked…" I started but before I could finish Rebekah cut me off.

"Like two people that were trying to see what they feel for each other," she interjected. "I've seen the way my brother looks at you Elena…and the way you look at him. Trust me when I tell you there are feelings there."

"I like Elijah. I've always liked Elijah."

"More feelings than that," Rebekah said pointedly. "Elijah has been alone for a long time Elena and with you is the first time I have seen him happy like this. I want that for him – for both of you. I think you should say bollocks with whatever anyone else might say and go for it. As I keep trying to tell my brothers the only two people's feelings that really matter in a relationship are the two that are in it."

"You really think he could have feelings for me?"

"He held you all night during a thunderstorm Elena. My brother loves with an old heart and you can believe me when I tell you that is what it looks like."

"He said something to me last night," I frowned. "It was in a language I don't understand. Could you tell me?"

"I can try," Rebekah offered. I offered to let her see the memory so I wouldn't get the words wrong. When she withdrew from my mind she was smiling brightly and her eyes were glistening as if she might actually cry. She laid her hand atop mine in my lap. "I think you should ask my brother Elena. Like I said he loves with an old heart."

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Elijah

We doubled up for the horseback trek – Caroline with Klaus, Bonnie with Kol, Rebekah with Stefan and Elena with me. It was a guilty pleasure to feel her arms wrapped around my waist. She held me so tight as we traveled along. The experience had been memorable for everyone – especially the part where Bonnie had fallen off and Kol had nearly had a stroke. Thankfully the horses had been treading water at the time so she hadn't even been injured.

Now the house had fallen into an after lunch stupor. Bonnie and Kol had snuck up to his room while Klaus and Caroline were down by the beach sipping drinks. I wasn't sure what had come of my sister, Stefan or Elena. I was perusing the book collection in the study to see if I needed to have anything else added. There was a core collection of books and music I tried to keep at each of my properties because I never liked to be without them.

"Am I interrupting?" Stefan Salvatore asked from the doorway.

"Not at all," I replied and motioned him to the club chair opposite mine.

"I want to talk to you about Elena," he said coming straight to the point. It was one of the things I liked about the younger Salvatore. He tended to be very straight forward and he didn't mince his words.

"I assure you nothing happened," I said wanting to avoid a confrontation.

"I know. Elena is right. You are a man of honor Elijah. She admires you a great deal. She always has."

"I admire her."

"I think you feel more for her than admiration," Stefan said bravely. I raised a brow at this turn of the conversation. "Elijah I want Elena to be happy and I don't think her happiness lies with my brother. He's not what she needs…but I think you could be…you love her don't you?"

"I believe that is my affair," I replied.

"Well if you do, love her that is, I think you should go for it Elijah. Elena is a beautiful woman inside and out. Her heart is pure and good. She deserves someone who appreciates her full value – who loves her for all the amazing things that make her who she is."

"It sounds like you're in love with her," I pointed out.

"I was once and a part of me will always love her but we didn't have the kind of love that lasts lifetimes. I think she might be able to have that with you. I don't think she could do better than you…if you love her like I think you do."

"I do," I confessed simply. Stefan smiled and I found myself smiling back.

"She's a remarkable woman," I added after a moment.

"She knows her own mind and her own heart. This vacation she's been drawn to you. I think you both owe it to yourselves to see what comes."

"Thank you Stefan," I said honestly.

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