"There is some kind of a sweet innocence in being human- in not having to be just happy or just sad- in the nature of being able to be both broken and whole, at the same time."
― C. JoyBell C.

Chapter Twenty

Nature

Now or never could have meant just about anything to the young vampire. Elena still didn't want to admit it, but she feared what would happen if Tatia's words were true, and if at the end of this fight-assuming she survived- Elijah was going to leave. She knew she couldn't avoid it forever just to keep him around, so yes, now or never fit the bill in this situation.

"What's on your mind Elena?" questioned the Original as he came back into the den. He had to call Alma in order to have her meet them at the Salvatores later on in the evening.

The young vampire shook her head, still undecided if she should even mention Tatia's presence in his home.

"Just thinking." She smiled, pulling him back down to the couch.

Elijah could tell something was bothering Elena. He didn't have to go into her mind to see the distress, and even while he wanted to brush it off as the impending fight, something still wasn't sitting right.

"When are we going to Stefan's?" she asked gun as she laid down on the couch, relaxing her head in his lap.

"Probably later." Responding listlessly, he grasped her hand, still struggling to stay out of her mind.

Whatever it was, she didn't want to share it and pushing the matter would only make things tenser than they already were.

She nodded and closed her eyes while Elijah watched on, not disturbing the peace. He could have watched her for hours, but naturally things don't always happen as planned.

The door swung open with a loud bang and a cool breeze pulled the Original from his daze.

"Good evening brother!" Kol's voice rang through the house startling Elena, who shot up in surprise.

"Ah, good to see you two are still standing!"

"What do you mean by evening Kol?" Elijah rolled his eyes over to the clock.

"It's five!" the younger vampire exclaimed as she looked at her cell phone, barely giving Elijah a moment to process the time. He didn't remember falling asleep, but followed Elena when she stood while Kol laughed at both of them. Neither of them had noticed Rebekah standing behind him, wearing her usual catty expression.

"Geez, Elijah. You could have at least picked better clothes for the poor girl!" she sneered as the younger Mikaelson brother tossed him the keys to the car.

"Ignore her, she's just upset she had a disappointing evening. We have to go!"

Elijah shook his head and turned his attention back to Elena, who was heading to the kitchen for a blood bag, when she returned she seemed more at ease than earlier in the day with a certain flutter in her step. She smiled to him as she approached and grabbed his hand.

"Let's go then!"

The Original found Elena's demeanor endearing, yet equally as confusing and by the time they pulled up to the Salvatore boarding house her mood hadn't faltered. The others had hardly noticed her emotional change except for the smile constantly tugging at her lips while the four vampires walked up the pathway.

"Someone sure is cheerful!" Kol joked putting his arm around her while he laughed, nudging her into his older brother. "Good job brother!"

Rebekah pushed forward, opening the door to the manor, her disgust obvious to the group.

"I would love to take credit, but she woke up this way just before." Ignoring his sister, Elijah replied as they passed through the door.

"Did you never learn what clocks were over a thousand years?" Damon sneered as he walked out of the kitchen, his head following Rebekah as she stormed past him.

"Don't ask Salvatore." The youngest seemed full of jokes tonight, "She is in a mood."

The older Salvatore nodded with raised eyebrows as he led them to the living room. Elijah acknowledged the group as Elena made her rounds to her friends. He was glad to see Alma had made it without problem, and she was in deep conversation with Bonnie already.

The Original looked for an empty spot in the room to place himself, but was torn as he saw the room seemed to be split like a grade school dance.

Rebekah and Kol sat on one side with Damon standing somewhat closer, while Tyler, Caroline, Bonnie and Alma sat on the other, and Stefan leaned against the nearby wall. The Original decided to edge closer to his siblings, expecting Elena to stay with her friends but was surprised when she was by his side in an instant he made the decision, as if waiting for his cue. While he leaned against the arm of the couch, the vampire sat down next to Kol, who decided to lay across the sofa, using her lap as a pillow and Rebekah as a footrest.

"So then, go on with it gentlemen!" he urged, resting his arms under his head. Elijah wondered what happened between his siblings and the other brothers and he smirked slightly when Elena leaned slightly against his body, as if trying to put as much space between herself and his younger brother as possible.

"Right." Stefan's tone lingered when he saw Damon leering towards the group of Originals, his gaze focusing on Elena and Kol with heavy distaste.

As Stefan began to explain the location of the ritual, Elijah watched as the older Salvatore made a pointed gesture to Caroline, who glared at him, mouthing something the Original couldn't read while she shook her head.

"So. Alma has agreed to help separate Katharine, while Bonnie weakens the other witches." Stefan began after he told them of the location, which conveniently was the same place the sacrifice had occurred, "We don't have any idea how many we will be up against, or if they are going to grab Elena beforehand just for dramatic effect. So," he looked to the Originals, his eyes falling on Elijah. "Half of us are going to need to protect our own witches, while the rest take them out." He passed an apologetic eye to Bonnie, who did not like this plan.

Elijah felt Elena shift uncomfortably in her seat, he could tell she wasn't a huge fan of the plan either.

"I am not killing any witches." She said firmly, looking back to Elijah for support.

"Elena, you may have to." Damon argued, but she shook her head defiantly.

"No. It's not right."

Elijah could hear his sister on the other side of the couch, laugh.

"I don't see what the big deal is. You had no problem driving a dagger through my heart."

Both Original brothers turned their attention to the younger vampire and their sister, bringing Kol to sit up.

"That was different…you were…because you…" Elena began to defend herself but there was no use.

"What? Was it because I was a threat?" The blonde stood, and surprising Elijah, Kol and the rest of the group, Elea shot to her feet as well which irritated Rebekah more.

"No Rebekah. You were going to-" she didn't get the chance to finish her sentence as Elijah's sister, her short fuse working overdrive today, hit her, sending the younger vampire back into the wall.

"Rebekah!" Elijah shot across the room, slamming his sister into the opposite wall his eyes digging deep into her. He would have killed her If something were to happen to Elena. Kol laughed as he held back a now blood thirsty Elena.

"Try not to take it so personally sister!" he called from the other wall while the rest of the group watched on as if enjoying a tennis match, not wanting to get involved. "Elena only daggers those she cares about! I mean…look at Elijah after all!"

Ignoring both of her brothers, even though her oldest held her tight by the throat, she managed to snarl, "Those witches will have no problems ending your life Elena. Stop being a fool before you get my brothers killed!"

Elijah, knowing Rebekah had said her piece, loosened his grip, but kept a firm glare over her, " I will tear you to pieces if you try something like that again Rebekah." He released his sister then, knowing he got his threat across, and hoped they would be able to return to normal as he ran to Elena, who's eyes were black with fury, and placed a hand over hers, motioning for his brother to step back while Caroline ran to get blood.

Relax Elena. He hushed her in her mind, while moving the hair from her eyes. The young vampire was panting under his touch, but quickly relaxed and shook it off once her friend returned with the blood.

"I'm sorry." She sighed, looking to everyone in shame as she sauntered back to the couch, taking her time to drain the bag.

"I may have to agree with Damon though, they may not give you a choice." Alma whispered, receiving an angry glare from Bonnie. "You risk everyone else by not doing your part."

Elena had nearly lost control.

I just went after your sister. She thought, looking to Elijah apologetically.

It's all right. He placed his hand over hers again. She deserved it.

But she's right… Elena had realized.

"Fine." She finally decided. "If they pose an immediate threat , I will stop at nothing to take care of it. " She lowered her gaze to the Original sister who was now standing against the wall where Damon had moved, "You can trust me on that."

Bonnie nodded, proud of her friend's decision, while Tyler, who had been edgy in his seat next to Caroline, looked to Stefan to continue, drawing the attention away from the vampires.

"Okay. We are going to have to work together on this. Can you all do that?" The hybrid looked to the group of Originals, whom he would never trust, thanks to Klaus' involvement in his becoming a hybrid and forcing him to bond to him the way he had. He made an intentional look at Rebekah as a warning to her specifically while Stefan picked up the conversation.

"As I was saying then…"

"What my brother is trying to say is we should all stay together. That way…they don't get the chance to take any of us out." Damon interrupted.

But they know we are coming… Elena thought sadly, remembering her encounter with Tatia that morning.

Elijah turned his attention to her in surprise.

How do you know that?

Elena shook him out of her head instantly, regretting saying the thought out loud, but also realizing the importance of having to share the Original doppelganger's visit. She was still going to leave Tatia's observations of Elijah's past excursions out of it though.

"They already know we are coming." The young vampire sighed, and she thought Damon was about to pull his hair out, or explode.

"And how exactly is that Elena?" he began to approach her, looking at Elijah as if expecting a challenge but when he didn't move he knelt in front of her, his features softer than they have been towards her since she joined "Team Original".

"She sort of…paid me a visit this morning…" she mumbled, and followed with a quick explanation of their conversation, leaving out the part that bothered her most.

"Why didn't you tell me?" asked the Original, he didn't sound angry, but only Elena could feel the sense of betrayal over him. She shrugged, and pointed to the witch Alma, who had come to the house shortly after.

"I guess it had to do with Alma showing up and telling me about saving Katharine." She argued, her tone only slightly sarcastic as to not draw more attention to any drama. "So I guess it slipped my mind."

She could tell by Elijah's stiffened posture that she got her point across, but it wasn't worth fighting over. They had more important matters to be concerned about.

"So…now that they know we are coming, we lose the element of surprise." Caroline spoke softly, but sounded proud of her own deduction as if it hadn't already been established.

'Right." Stefan agreed, "So we will definitely have to stick together knowing that. We have to end this once and for all."

The entire group nodded in agreement, and Alma, who seemed to have become quite comfortable with the group of Elena's supernatural friends, interjected.

"Bonnie and I should be able to create a protective shield around the house; we have to take all extra precautions. I know one of the witches in the circle, she is powerful and devious. She has zero honor." Her blonde curls bounced as she shook her head, and Elena wondered how much time the witch had spent with Elijah in order to pick up his ideals, and also what the opposing witch had done to her.

Within no time, Damon and Elijah were able to set up a plan of attack.

"It's probably best to keep those two separate," Damon pointed to Rebekah who was staring listlessly out the window as if she had been caged.

Elena saw Elijah agree with the older Salvatore and smiled, finding their team work amusing.

You two could be good at this. She thought. He didn't answer her, but the slick smile parting his lips told her that he had heard.

"All right, so we will have to split into…three groups." The Original stated as he scanned the room.

"Right." Damon agreed as if his vote would get everyone else on board, "Bonnie will be working on keeping the witches weaker so,-" the older Salvatore was cut off by Alma.

"I'm going to need to draw power from other witches, so keeping Bonnie and her…" she pointed to Rebekah, "nearby will help guarantee the separation's success. She has a witches ancestry, I can feel it, and I am sure I can draw from it somehow." Soon, Alma became lost in her thoughts and Elena began to wonder if the girl was all…there in the head.

"Okay so, Rebekah, Tyler and Caroline." Damon pointed to each of them like he was drafting them for a football team, and taking back control of the situation, "You will have to work on taking out the circle."

Elena knew why he had appointed them, rather than herself, to contain the circle.

Those were the witches who would need to be killed, and while she knew Caroline would not enjoy doing the deed, she was much more likely to follow Tyler, who needed Klaus to stay desiccated.

Damon caught her glance as she watched him keep himself in the center of the room, reminding the young vampire that they hadn't spoken much since her increased involvement with the Original. The last thing she had said to him before she had run off to find Elijah close to a year ago was "You wonder why I could never love you." And she was sure those words had hurt. Of course he had managed to get her back time and time again by subtly (yet not so subtly as that was never his forte) that he had been scorned by a woman he loved, and who had one point, considered she may have loved him…and his brother.

However, even after all the times that they had gone against each other since, she was relieved to know that he was looking out for her. Damon was always someone she could depend on, even if he wanted the man she loved out of the picture.

"And no worried Elena." He winked, "I wouldn't dream of separating our prom king and queen." Damon laughed at his own joke as Elijah rolled his eyes.

"You two and Kol will take care of any of the…bodyguards?" He looked to Alma as he crossed the room to the kitchen, who nodded.

"Aw man, why do I have to be on bodyguard duty? " Kol whined, even though he meant it as a joke Elena knew he would enjoy ripping something-anything- to shreds. She wondered if the day they spoke on the tree tops when he referred to Elijah as being "puppy like" around her, if he had been really referring to himself, since she heard so many stories of the horrible things Kol was capable of, and his lack of concern for human life. He had almost killed her without a second thought until she had been quick on her feet to explain herself. He was one Original she never actually expected to get along with, but she expected it was his own admiration of his brother that did it.

"Because I do not trust you, mini-terror." Replied Damon, without missing a beat as he emerged from the kitchen with a bottle of bourbon and some glasses.

"Me?" Kol feigned offense. "But you trust her?" he pointed to his sister. "Damon, I didn't think I would have to be the one to tell you think but just because my sister will spread her thighs for you does not mean she is trustworthy….I mean…I hate to break the news to you but-"

"Okay then!" Caroline shot from her seat, cutting the babbling Original off. "We don't need another fight due to a loud mouth Mikaelson, so, Damon, please continue."

Stefan laughed from his seat and poured himself a drink, gesturing for the others to do the same.

"Right. Do you three will keep the bodyguards or whatever off of Alma-That is your name right?- who will be separating Tatia from Katharine's body. We will be protecting her as she does so."

Elena looked to Elijah, who had allowed Damon to take the lead possibly as a peace offering. She was never the strategic type, as she was never "allowed" to. The most strategic thing she ever did on her own conation was when she pulled the dagger out of Elijah, after she was on the one who placed it there. Between that and making the deal with him in the beginning, he was the only one who actually allowed her to do something more than play damsel in distress in these situations. She could trust him, and because of his faith in her, she would wait to see if he agreed to the plan. Due to their past, she counted on his undeniable, untainted judgment long for anyone else, his confidence in his own decisions never waning, which may have concerned the others but it gave the young, less experienced vampire a sense of security.

It was funny how it had always been like that, since they first met. She could depend on him over anyone else.

Elijah nodded to Damon in agreement. For once, now that her own safety could be at stake, the two found a common ground in an all too common enemy.

"Okay then!" Kol clapped his hands together as he stood, dragging his sister to the door. "We will be at the Grill for a while, but we will be back soon so no worries. We know our curfew."

The remainder of the group watched the two Originals slide out the front door and then they all dispersed as well, each forming their own cliques. Stefan followed Tyler and Caroline to the basement, while Alma followed Bonnie upstairs, first passing a friendly wave to the Elena and then gazing at Elijah.

She could see there was something off in the girl's head, but she seemed trustworthy regardless.

Now, she was alone with Damon and Elijah.

This will be fun.

The Original walked to the other side of the room, forming a triangle between the three vampires, as if trying to keep an equal distance between each of them as Damon poured two fresh glasses of bourbon, passing one to Elijah and the other to Elena.

The young vampire watched as Elijah lifted the glass to his eye level, as if in toast, but held his look on the rim.

Checking for poison? Elena thought towards him with a laugh before he took a sip.

Maybe. She saw him wink in her direction.

Hesitantly, Elena raised her glass as well. Bourbon wasn't her drink of choice –not that she really had one in the first place- she preferred the tangy taste of vodka and orange juice, but she could adapt.

Taking a quick swig, she expected the burn to hit instantly, but instead, she felt nothing of the sort. It was like drinking a heavily carbonated soda, she only felt a slight tingle as it went down.

"Tastes different huh?" Damon observed and raised his own glass as she nodded.

"That's why I only drink the best."

Elena could almost feel the tension pushing heavily on her skin, and she wondered how many more of those she would need in order to get through the awkward situation.

The trio (to Elena's surprise ) sat in the Salvatore's living room sharing jokes as they downed drink after drink, the young vampire taking her time. She enjoyed spending time with Damon again as she remembered the jokes they would share in the past. The couldn't help but smile at Elijah being in the same room as him, let alone the two of them seemingly getting along

Elijah could easily deal with Damon for Elena's sake. He didn't bother the Original for his existence, it was more of his intentions towards Elena that irritated him and as long as he wasn't working some scheme to try and prove he will never give up on the Gilbert woman, he had no reason to be concerned. He also couldn't ignore how much she cared for both Salvatores and while she may not be in love with them anymore, she had loved them all the same. He would never dream of pulling her away from those she cared about, all he wanted was for her to be happy and safe, and even Elijah was not naïve enough to know that if he could depend on anyone to protect her with their lives, after himself, he knew it was Stefan and Damon. Even in their own unconventional manner, they would never intentionally allow harm to come of her.

The shields had gone up around the house right before his siblings returned from their adventure around Mystic Falls, and they instantly disappeared into a bedroom that Stefan directed them to, apologizing for making them share and also having them promise not to kill each other overnight.

It was nearly one am, and Elijah began to feel the alcohol effecting Elena. He could feel her begin to go in and out of touch, and while he felt find, he could see Damon was beginning to get a little drunk as well.

He was in the process of talking to the older brother about Rebekah as a child as he laughed on, when he stopped mid conversation to step towards her.

"Elena, are you all right?"

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" he picked up on the slurring of her words and by Damon's laugh, he had as well.

"Uh…because that is your tenth…full drink."

Elena's eyes widened as she looked from her glass to the now three empty bottles of bourbon placed on the coffee table.

"Oh…" she leaned forward, resting her head in her hands. "That's…interesting."

"I think you should get Miss Gilbert to bed!" Damon joked, pulling the brunette to her feet. Elijah nodded in agreement, taking her hand from his, finding amusement in their new found toleration of each other.

Seems a few drinks can either make or break it after all. He thought as Elena stumbled forward.

"Yeah I know what you mean…" she grumbled.

"What?" Damon asked, "I didn't say anything."

Elijah nearly froze in his steps, but regained his composure quickly.

"I'm thinking Elena has had a little too much to drink, and not enough sleep." He quickly explained. "Perhaps you have a room I could get her to?"

He knew Elena wasn't completely drunk, most likely just buzzed, and he was glad she didn't object to his explanation. He knew she didn't want her friends to know just how special their bond really was, which had he been a different kind of man, he would have been bothered by this. Yet he could easily understand the need for having something intimate when most of the time your life is on display for others to criticize.

Damon led the two up the stairs to the second floor in a room next to the other Originals. Elijah held the door open for the young woman, who instantly fell onto the bed, and as he was about to follow her in, Damon grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Yes Damon?" he drawled, turning back to face the vampire.

"Listen, I don't like whatever it is you two have." He adverted, catching the Original's attention, as he waved his hands between Elijah, and an imaginary Elena. "But I will say this, hybrid boy was right, we need to work together, and I am glad that you are by Elena's side in all of this. We know all too well how she ends up getting into trouble somehow." Elijah's eyes narrowed, curious to know where this was going. "You nearly tossed your sister through the wall to protect her and being as how 'important' your family is to you, it says a lot to me."

Elijah nodded slowly, in his own way, glad the older brother pushed more in his favor now, even if it was only in his drunken state.

"Damon. You are drunk, stop talking or you may say something you will regret in the morning." He nudged the brother away as he turned back towards the bedroom.

"I will never hurt her Salvatore, and I know in your own radical way you would throw down your life for hers. Don't think for a moment I never realized that." He stepped in the room and placed his hand on the doorknob, Elena was out cold. "Now, if you don't mind I would like to retire for the evening."

He heard Damon walk away as he closed the door behind him, causing Elena to stir.

"I heard that." She grumbled, rolling onto her back.

Elijah smiled as he sat on the bed with her, "Oh did you now?"

"Mhm." She opened one eye to stare at him. "There are clothes in that drawer."

Elijah followed the finger as she pointed across the room to a simple and quaint dresser.

"Don't worry. I snuck them in last time we were here."

He remembered that this room had actually been the room she stayed in the last time around, before she moved back into the Gilbert home.

The Original got changed, glad they were able to relax again-together- and he noticed Elena was wide awake now. He joined her on the bed, only to have her quickly wrap around his body and push him onto the mattress and pull the covers over their bodies while entwining her legs with his.

"I messed up today Elijah." She pouted, "I almost lost control again with your sister."

Brushing a kiss against her cheek, he whispered into her ear, "She was goading you. It is something Rebekah is quite good at Elena, you have nothing to be ashamed of."

"All in that moment, I wanted to rip your witches throat out though from the hunger." She held her pout, now setting herself in his lap, looking him directly in the eyes and lowered close enough so her nose was touching his and her hair fell around their faces.

Elijah responded by holding Elena by the waist, he could feel her desires after all, and they were practically screaming at him from above.

"And what is it you would like me to do about it?" he challenged, his skin searing under her touch. There was one minor issue with the blood sharing trick that he had neglected unintentionally to warn her about. The constant desire, on both sides, for the other's blood…and anything else they could get along with course it only amplified the natural feelings more if they had hated each other, they would push farther apart instead, wishing to only rip apart the opposing. Or, so he had heard, he never shared his blood with someone he had no desires for.

"I need you to help me again…" she smiled as she lowered her lips against his bare chest. The Original took a deep unnecessary breath with each kiss she placed as her lips travelled down his torso, ending right above the belly button.

He hadn't expected this sort of behavior from her, and wondered what really had brought it on.

Could it have been her taking his blood that morning? Or perhaps the coming fight had finally hit her. That, and the alcohol slowly burning through her system (still faster than a human's but apparently not fast enough,) would surely take it's toll.

"Elena…"

It felt as though they played this game each time. He would try to fight off her advances, groaning her name, and she would keep going, ignoring his desires and resolve and he would give into hers.

"It's never easy with you is it?" she smiled into his skin, allowing her teeth to graze gently on each sensitive spot right above his hip bone.

He could have easily fought her off, but he knew why she was doing this now. While it was his body she may have desired, her concerns were still showing through. She needed his blood.

Giving a shallow nod, he brushed her hair away form his skin while he could feel her own senses shake with excitement and soon after, hunger as she allowed her fangs to pierce his skin.

It didn't take long for his mind to wander off. In an effort to control his own impulses, Elijah recalled the brief flash out of her vision he had seen the last time. Seeing from her eyes could be helpful in the coming battle and that way he could easily find her if they got separated. He wondered if Elena realized the effect of his blood the last time she took it, since she hadn't said anything.

Then again, he had rushed her out of the room, not allowing her to say anything else.

The Original snapped out of his thoughts when he felt the younger vampire release her fangs from his skin, her eyes still black with hunger.

"Yes. I did notice." She spoke matter-of-factly. "I was just distracted by other things."

She began to run her fingers through the single drop of blood left on his torso with a grin, and led her hand up his chest as she climbed back on top of him, her hair now surrounding him like a veil.

"Now can we have fun?"

Elijah laughed pulling her in by the waist, kissing her and in turn , allowing the taste of his own blood to reach his lips. Without a second thought he had her back against the mattress and with a low growl into her neck, "I don't know if I have the strength my love, you could have drained me dry."

"Well, that is unfortunate." She giggled, "I guess I will have to share then." The vampire , who held the back of his head, lowered his lips so they were touching her jugular, giving him the permission he had wanted.

"I don't intend on stopping there Elena." He teased, allowing his fangs to graze her neck.

"Good, because I don't want you to."

Sorry it's been a couple of days since I updated. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Right now things are starting to fall into place and there will be one more chapter then an "epilogue" even though it won't be the end because continuing in this story will be a bunch of out takes, then starting Part two, which is only being separated due to a heavy time jump.

Again, I hope you enjoyed this :)