A/N: This is one of those chapters that i repeat in both character's PoV's. This one is Elena and it takes place a few days after the end of the last one.

"Hey" i called "You're up late" Elijah took the cup of coffee I offered him and sat opposite me.

"I'm not late, you're up early. And that's far stranger"

"I had a desire to watch the sunrise" i lied.

"What's wrong?" he asked, seeing through my transparent attempt at deceit. I pulled the envelope from my pocket and place it on the table in front of me. He frowned. "What's that?"

"It was pushed under the door last night. You were asleep already. I went to get a glass of water and i found it. It's from Stefan"

"Well, that's natural. Only to be expected" he said, keeping his face carefully blank "What did he say?"

"The usual. But there's a note for you inside" I opened the envelope and pulled out two pieces of paper. One was folded with an elastic band round it. I handed it to Elijah. His eyes scanned over the paper, his frown growing.

"What did he say?" I asked, nervously.

"He wants to meet with me" he said, tearing the paper into shreds.

"Why?"

"Not sure. He didn't say"

"Are you going to?"

"Do you think I should?"

"Stop answering questions with questions" I sighed "I don't want him to get hurt and I know that if he tries to fight you, he'll lose"

"Maybe he just wants to talk. He seems...reasonable"

"Yeah, but Damon isn't" i said, chewing my bottom lip. "What if they're both there and they ambush you or something?" he considered for a minute before nodding.

"Okay, I've got an idea" he pulled my phone from his pocket and dialled Stefan. He put it on loudspeaker so i could hear. Stefan picked up on the first ring.

"Elena? Is that you?" his voice was mixed between happiness at the idea of me calling and concern that I was.

"Stefan..." I began, but Elijah cut me off.

"Mr Salvatore. We got your message. I just wanted to warn you, that if you have dishonourable intentions towards me, I'll kill you and your brother. Clear?"

"Crystal. And I don't have dishonourable intentions. I just want to talk. That's all"

"Good. When and where?"

"Ten am, the church ruins" the phone disconnected. Elijah looked at it for a moment before handing it to me.

"Here, I'll call you when it's finished. Stay here" I nodded. He made for the door but I grabbed his arm.

"Please don't hurt him Elijah"

"I will not touch him unless provoked. You can't say fairer then that. And if he does attack me, I'll try not to hurt him"

"Thank you" He smiled softly and placed a hand on my cheek.

"Stay inside. Remember, no one can get in without your permission" i nodded. He kissed my cheek and left. I sat back down at the table, toying with my letter. I was worried about Stefan and I was kind of worried about Elijah too. I sighed and headed upstairs to get dressed. I knew I looked terrible. Last night i'd got no sleep and that made me slow and zombielike.

I dressed quickly, then sat on my bed by the window. I stared out. A large black crow was sat on the tree outside, eyes fixed on me. Something about it felt...wrong. it made me feel self conscious, like I was being watched.

"Shoo!" I snapped. The bird just watched me "Go away bird!" When it didn't move, i slammed the window shut and turned away. I could still feel it watching me, beady eyes burning into my back.

I left the room and began to pace around the house, searching for anything that would occupy my attention for more than a few seconds. I tried to read a book that had been left on the side but my mind persistently wandered. God...

The doorbell rang. I jumped off the sofa and froze, eyes fixed on the wood.

"Elena! It's Damon!" called a familiar voice. I breathed a sigh of relief. If Damon was here, it meant he wasn't with Stefan provoking Elijah into a fight. Phew "Can you open the door?" I hesitated, uncertain whether to or not. I took a tentative step forward "look, I'm worried about Stefan. I can't find him and he won't answer his phone" I opened the door. Elijah had said I shouldn't go out. He hadn't said anything about me standing inside with the door open. Damon looked genuinely upset.

"What's happening?" i asked.

"Elena, I'm really worried about Stefan. He just took off last night and I haven't seen him since"

"He left a letter here. He wanted to meet Elijah"

"Where? Oh god...he's going to get himself killed!" I took a step forward, wanting to comfort him.

"The church ruins? But Elijah promised he wouldn't hurt him"

"And you believe him? God, you're dumb Elena!"

"Oi!" i said, outraged. He smirked, suddenly all traces of sorrow gone from his face.

"You didn't even noticed that you stepped outside. That was really dumb" I looked at my feet and saw that they rested on hard ground. I instantly made to step back but Damon grabbed me "I knew I'd never get you to invite me in. It was a lot easier to get you to come out" Then he knocked me hard over the head and everything went black.