Elijah paced around the mansion and his emotions were all over the place. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so frustrated. The events of last night finally made sense, it was why Elena had been outside with Kol, he had been talking to her about all this madness. His anger was surfacing with thoughts of an injured Kol in his head. Damon had hurt his brother. That was bad enough but what he put Elena through last night was nearly unforgivable. He bruised her arm and her head and nearly broke her neck man handling her because she refused to do what he said on top of revealing how he had compelled her multiple times.

Elijah was glad Rebekah had insisted on going over there last night. If not Damon would have taken her away or worse. He knew he would have been able to track them down easily but he wanted to kill Damon for controlling Elena the way he did. If he had after she had begged him not to she would never forgive him. He had no choice but to let Damon go, again.

His anger quickly turned to happiness as Elena wrapped herself around him. He wasn't sure if he should engage but she had initiated so he figured it was alright. The feel of her skin was very alluring but the bruises on her arm ruined his moment of peace. When he saw the mark on Elena's arm a fury he didn't know he possessed overcame him. Damon was losing control of Elena and he was doing anything now too keep her close. He would be damned if Damon laid a hand on Elena again, ever.

The entire scene between them last night was confusing. All she had done was ask to touch his hair. It was a simple yet strange request that made no sense to him. Elena was a very difficult person to read and he had no idea what she truly wanted. He knew if he taken her last night while she was not in control of herself it would have damaged their already tense relationship but he had wanted her. He had never wanted anything so badly in his thousand years but right now he needed her to trust him.

It occurred to him how much guilt Elena felt over all the deaths in Mystic Falls. She was so sensitive and caring, of course it would affect her. She always seemed so strong but it was all a front. She didn't want anyone to know how much pain she was in all the time but he had seen a glimpse of it. She broke last night, she had tried hard not to but it was inevitable. Elijah was just glad he had been there for her. That's what she needed right now, a stable presence. He could be that.

Elijah could have sworn the world had ceased to turn the whole time Elena was sitting with him on the couch. As she explained the events of the previous evening he put his arm around her to at least try to put her at ease. He was delighted that she never once wavered at his touches and even relaxed into him. There was no doubt in his mind now, she cared about him. All he had to do was tease out her feelings and make her see that she loved him. He wasn't going to force her but Elena was going to be his, he just needed to be patient. After one thousand years Elijah had plenty of patience.

"Brother!" Kol brought Elijah out of his thoughts. "From the look on your face you must be thinking all sorts of nasty things about Elena Gilbert. Do share. Maybe you and I were having similar thoughts" He teased. Elijah glared at him and growled. "Lighten up. Elena look absolutely gorgeous this morning." He admitted. "I rather like her."

"Shut up Kol." Klaus slapped him in the back of the head. "We need to concentrate now. We need a plan."

"This is mother we're talking about. I think we may need more than one." Kol countered and he lounged on the couch. "Mother's magic will fade away eventually, she can't remain here forever." Elijah and Klaus joined him but sat more rigidly.

"Well, mother won't know her spell will fail until tonight." Elijah said. "Maybe Bonnie Bennet could do a protection spell."

"I don't think so." Klaus said. "Bonnie Bennet hates us. If we tell her about this she'll probably kidnap Elena and take her straight to mother so she can be rid of us. It's not a good idea."

"A Bennet witch?" Kol's interest was suddenly peaked. "And she wants to kill us. That's wonderful." He added sarcastically.

"You don't know any other witches Elijah?" Klaus asked.

"I might know someone. I'm not sure if Elena will allow help from an outsider though." He stated.

"Well that's just too bad. Bonnie will not help and we need to do something." Klaus actually had a hint of concern in his voice.

"No Niklaus. The Salvatore's have taken every decision away from Elena. She will be allowed to make her own choices now whatever they may be. I will suggest the idea to her and see what she says. If she does not wish it then it will not happen." Klaus knew there was no point in arguing with Elijah about this. "We are not barbarians."

"Fine. Just try to convince her it's for the best." He agreed reluctantly. "She listens to you." Elijah smiled knowing that was true.

"What are you trying to convince Elena of?" Finn returned to the mansion at that moment. He eyed his brothers but there was no suspicion.

"Ah brother. We were actually talking about you as well!" Kol quickly changed the subject. "We were going to see if we could convince Elena Gilbert to tell us what you two were talking about for so long last evening. We know we'd never get and answer from you." Finn shifted uncomfortably.

"We simply spoke of our families." It wasn't a false statement.

"Oh please. You can tell us the truth. We're family after all. Now tell us, just between brothers. You have feelings for Elena don't you?" Finn looked at his brother in disbelief. "I knew it! What it is with our family falling for the doppelganger. I'm afraid poor brother that you'll have to get in line behind Elijah and myself." Kol slapped Finn on the back.

"Elijah? You have feelings for Elena?" Finn asked. Elijah took an unnecessary breath before answering.

"Yes Finn. I dare say I love her. I plan on speaking with her about it soon." Finn let his gaze drop.

"I don't think that is a good idea." He spoke.

"Why not? She broke off any romantic attachments she had with the Salvatore's. I believe after last night she may return my feelings." Finn looked very agitated now.

"I think you should leave that girl alone. She's suffered quite enough at the hands of our family and deserves peace." Finn was trying hard not to give anything away not knowing his brothers already knew everything. Elijah rested a hand on Finn's shoulder.

"Finn. I haven't felt love so strongly since Tatia. Even Katerina was only a passing moment. Elena is so caring and her gift for compassion is unmatched. She is pure. I would swear she emits her own light. She may look like Tatia and Katherine but she holds her own beauty inside and out. I know our family does not have the best reputation with her but has already forgiven me. She holds no grudge against you, Kol or Rebekah. I believe in time she may even come to forgive Niklaus. Simply put, I love her Finn. I would go to the ends of the Earth for her and I don't know how much longer I can go without telling her." Elijah held his brother's gaze, he was being honest but was also fishing for a reaction from Finn. Elijah knew Finn had felt familiar feelings at one time.

"How do you know she feels the same way?" He asked.

"Honestly. I don't. That's why I desire to speak with her. It's still quite early. I was going over there later." He stated.

"No Elijah. Leave that girl alone. Let her live her life!" He was actually upset.

"Brother. You can't remember a time you loved someone so much? You would really deny me this? This is not just some game to me." Elijah retorted. He was pretending to be more upset than he really was. "Why Finn?

"Of course I remember the feelings of love." He took a step back. "But we are monsters. That girl is a human. She deserves the life that we were denied. The kind of life where she can grow old and die. That's how it is supposed to be. Even being immortal does not promise that love will be eternal, you should know that better than anyone." Elijah now knew what to do about Finn. "She deserves a normal human life. If you love her like you say you do you then will grant her that."

"I would never force her into anything Finn. If she rejects me that will be the end of it but she needs to know she has a choice. Everybody keeps taking that from her. I truly believe she harbors the same feelings for me. I hope you understand." Elijah was challenging Finn now.

"I think you should at least give her a few days. I'm sure she's confused and needs time to sort her feelings out. Give her some time brother."

"Fine. A few days." Elijah agreed. Finn smiled and sped away from the mansion again.

"That was quite the speech Elijah. Too bad Elena didn't hear it. She'd be swooning right now." Kol laughed.

"I believe I know what to do about Finn." Elijah spoke ignoring the comment.

"What's that?" Klaus was curious.

"We need to find Sage." Both Kol and Klaus smiled.

"Finn's wench? But of course!" Kol exclaimed.

"Give Finn a reason to want to live. That will at least stop his suicidal tendencies." Klaus agreed.

"I actually believe I have a lead on Sage." Kol smirked. "You won't like it." Elijah glared at his brother. "She's actually friends with Damon Salvatore." Elijah's eyes grew dark. "She was apparently here visiting not too long ago. I'm certain he knows her current whereabouts. How ironic." Kol mused.

"I don't think I should be the one to talk to him." Elijah said coldly.

"Fear not. I'll go. I can be a bit more persuasive than you anyway." He winked. "Catch you later." And he was off.

"We should look into some more ideas in case Elena doesn't go for your witch. Contact her anyway to make sure she's willing to help." Elijah nodded. "We need to keep as many options open as possible." Klaus stated.

"Niklaus. Why are you helping?" Klaus eyed his brother.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Don't play games with me. You have never once cared for Elena Gilbert. You murdered her aunt then drained her dry. You do not fool me. I know you could care less if she dies now. Why are you helping?" Elijah pinned Klaus to a tree.

"Easy! Perhaps I really do care Elijah." He tried to argue.

"You care about something but it is not Elena." Elijah knew better.

"Not specifically."

"Then what is it?" Elijah was angry.

"Let go and I'll explain!" Elijah released his grip and took a couple steps back. Klaus composed himself. "I suppose on some level I do care about Elena. I care because she holds your affections. I know you love her and I wouldn't do anything to hurt you." Elijah knew Klaus was being truthful.

"That's not all." Klaus was debating continuing. "Niklaus?" Elijah growled.

"I hope to capture Caroline's heart. Elena is her best friend. If I help her it might put me in a better position. I want Caroline Forbes." Klaus said. Elijah couldn't believe what he was hearing. His little brother was actually feeling love for someone. A baby vampire no less.

"I see." It was a good enough answer. He now trusted that his brother really would keep his word and keep Elena safe even if it was for his own selfish reasons.

"It also wouldn't hurt my other chances." He continued. Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to hurt Elena, she saved our lives. And all things considered I would never force her but if I get in well enough with her she may let me have some of her blood." Elijah looked like he was going to blow up. "I won't take it from her, I promise. But if she gave it to me of her own accord that is a different matter." Elijah relaxed.

"I don't know about that but I suppose those are good enough reasons. As long as no harm comes to her." He warned.

"Not by my hand brother. You have my word." Klaus promised.