Chapter Twenty-Five: Switch Hitter

"Do not give way to useless alarm; though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain."

- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Elena -

The plan was not going the way she hoped. She'd kicked his feet from under him but then he'd pulled her down to the ground as well. Then his hands were all over her, as though he was touching every inch of her flesh all at the same time, his tongue tracing her lips. As though he wanted to devour her and yet savor every small moment that involved the process. It was as though all the tension of that moment hiding away at the party had finally boiled over. Before she knew it she was on her back and he had her hands pressed to the mat on either side of her. Not that she was protesting; it took her a full thirty seconds of the make out session before she comprehended she was one of the participants.

"Whoa, whoa…Elena, this is Elijah…why are you making out with Elijah. You should think this through…you should say something…" Elena thought, half unsure how to react yet her mouth and body relaxed into his when he became more insistent. Her mind had a second voice that was playing devil's advocate. "Then again, it seems really unappreciative to interrupt…"

When he finally released her hands she heard the rip of fabric and felt the rush of air on her chest as he literally opened her shirt in the front despite the fact it had lacked buttons. He broke from the kiss but his lips were trailing down her neck at a rapid pace. Elena half murmured his name, her body felt like it was on fire and she didn't want it to be put out but she forced herself to focus…clearly he'd gotten the wrong idea.

"Elijah…" She repeated, though her voice was still light, she was rather dizzy, intoxicated by his less than subdued approach to undressing her.

The piercing ambience to way he fixated his gaze on her made her heart flutter and skip a beat all at once. There was a frightening dominance to the expression he offered, lacking so much of its usual constraint – as if challenging her to protest further. Elena couldn't get her brain or her mouth to utter the words she wanted them to. He leaned back down after a moment, as though he hadn't heard her at all, with his hands and a well placed fang he'd cut her bra in the center and she felt tension rise in her abdomen. Elijah seemed as though he was intent on quelling any other resistance with further demonstrations of passion.

"Elijah!" She called it out a few octaves higher than she'd originally intended but that was his fault as far as she was concerned. Why did he have to radiate sexuality? When Elijah did pause, Elena was fairly certain the way he stared at her could have been marketed as an aphrodisiac. She swallowed a little, suddenly out of breath though there was no logical reason for her to be. "Um…fast…this is sort of fast…"

"Sort of Elena? He shredded your clothes with his teeth, that beats the indy 500 any day. What's wrong with a little speeding? No, no! Bad Elena, this is Elijah!" Elena wanted to kick herself. Her brain wasn't quite where it should be. She was half-worried she'd somehow broken him and he wouldn't stop, she was flattered that he wanted her…flattered didn't actually cover the way he looked at her. She doubted she knew a word that would…but she wasn't ready for this much this soon…they'd barely kissed before.

"You, are becoming a master of mixed signals Elena…what do you want from me exactly?" His tone was less than pleased and she wasn't sure she could blame him…she kept pushing every possible boundary.

"I…I don't know…" Elena bit her lip, frowning as he pushed himself away from her and started to straighten his suit, it had been incredibly wrinkled for how little time was in their heated exchange. Her lip felt as though if she had been human it would be swelling, he'd certainly been vigorous in his attention. She pulled what she could of her shirt closed, not that it was all to easy to retain modesty in this sort of situation. "I…really do care about you Elijah, I do…I think I love you but I just don't want to go so quickly. I think one or both of us would regret it and I don't want that. I'm sor…"

Her apology was cut off by yet another kiss, though this time it lacked the electric storm effect there was lighter warmth. A gentle sort of appreciation that hadn't been present in his supersonic approach; it was tender in a way she hadn't expected and while he remained undeniably appealing she felt cherished as opposed to only lusted after. He pulled her closer as they broke the kiss, holding her gently without either of them saying anything.

Elena relaxed in his arms, and for the first time in a long time she felt secure, even with the wild beating of her heart. She'd meant it, she'd been enamored of Elijah for so long…it seemed silly that she'd waited so long to say something about it. Where they went from here? She wasn't sure but she knew she wanted to be near him and that she found him attractive without a doubt – but the idea of rushing in made her nervous.

"Thank you Elijah…for taking care of me." Elena said with a small smile. Squeezing his arms a little closer, it was wonderful, she'd been frightened for so long…of other vampires, of werewolves, of Klaus, of so many things. She'd lost so much but all of a sudden she felt like things would be better from now on. That regardless of the danger's they might face Elijah would take care of her. The light pressure of a kiss he placed on her head was a relief. For the first time in a very long time Elena Gilbert wasn't worried.

Caroline – The following day -

There was an ache in her temples that made the world a louder, brighter, and all together more irritated place. Caroline broke her alarm clock in her hand when it went off, blaring her hangover to life as it shoved her rudely into the pain on consciousness. Vampires shouldn't get hung over, so why was she feeling like a train hit her? What all did Kol spike her drink with exactly?

Too many questions and all she wanted to do was pass out again, she groaned when there was a knock on her door. "Dammit Kol, you said you'd leave me alone until Christmas!"

"Caroline you look like hell…" Bonnie's observation wasn't that welcome, the blonde groaned and covered her head with the pillow. At least it wasn't Kol? "What did Kol give you? Did he hurt you cause I'll…"

"No, he didn't." Caroline interrupted; funny as it was to hear the witch threaten her tormentor the noise of her raised tone was setting off the migraine that had taken root in Caroline's brain. "Well, not directly, I think I'm just hung over."

"I thought vampires didn't get hung over." Bonnie said, more softly this time as she approached and removed the pillow from Caroline's head to look at her vampire friend. Caroline was pale but that was common, she had dark circles under her eyes and a haggard look overall, she seemed like she hadn't crawled out of bed for days though she'd only been dancing a tango about 15 hours before. Her hair, her eyes, they all just lacked their usual sheen, she seemed muted but Bonnie had seen her sick before. "Why did you think I was Kol? Has he been invited in?"

"No, but the knocking hurt and I thought he'd come to torment me about not being able to hold my liquor or whatever he put into those drinks." Caroline decided it was probably better not to mention he'd said he'd put opium into their blood. Bonnie already hated Kol and Caroline still wanted (if less this morning) to help him. "Wait, didn't you and Jeremy go to visit your dad?"

"Well, dad had something come up and we decided instead of just sitting around his place to stay here. Jeremy wanted the chance to be with Elena, while her being a vampire sort of scares him he still loves her. I think this worked out better anyway, my dad's side of the family doesn't really like the fact I'm dating Jeremy." Bonnie rolled her eyes at the idea. Caroline never realized that side of her family might be racist, but she didn't press, instead listening as Bonnie changed the subject. The witch was excited and Caroline let her explain why.

"I think we found a spell that he won't be much of a problem if we can do it." Bonnie remarked with a comfortable grin, sitting on the edge of the bed and mistaking the sudden stare from Caroline as hope instead of nervousness. "I found a spell that puts people into an endless slumber until someone they care about deeply kisses them. I guess it's what started the whole sleeping beauty story or something? I know it works though because I used it on Jeremy then woke him."

"Bonnie, how could you do that?" Caroline frowned, holding her head in her hands as she sat up. The pain was still there but at least it was fading fairly quickly, there were some perks to being a vampire. "Elena wouldn't be too happy."

"Jeremy wanted me too and I was sure I could do it, it's actually a fairly simple spell, I just have to enchant the bed or couch or whatever they'll be sleeping on before it happens. I'll need you to get me some of Kol's hair though, do you think you can do that?" Bonnie asked.

"Bonnie, I dunno…are you sure? I thought your magic was still…" Caroline's words drifted off, she wasn't sure what to say to Bonnie ever when it involved the girl's magic. "I thought you still weren't that comfortable with it."

"I can do this Caroline." Bonnie assured, taking her friends hands. "We won't kill him but we can make him just sleep and he can't hurt anyone else. You don't have to try to play this dangerous game of keeping him happy."

Caroline nodded quietly; it just felt wrong still…Kol had kept to the terms of the agreement, would they be the ones breaking it if they cursed him? Still, Bonnie was right, Caroline could just be holding out for hope he was still somewhat human but like Klaus that would never happen. She couldn't risk being wrong, the people he could hurt…she finally nodded. "All right Bonnie, I'll try to get something next time I see him. Though I don't know how we'll break into his house to cast on his bed without him noticing."

"It doesn't have to be his bed." Bonnie replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Yours will work just fine and he does want to get into it."

"Gross!" Caroline's face curled into an expression of disgust and she shook her head in an empathic 'no' motion. "Ew, no, I don't want him in my bed. Why do I always have to be the psychopath bait?"

"You're the one that attracts them?" Bonnie offered jokingly, smirking a little. "We can do this Caroline, and then we'll be safer. That's what the town needs. Particularly now after everything else, it won't kill him, he won't even have dreams. He'll just sleep and I can't imagine other than his family that many people interested in kissing him to wake him. I doubt he cares about anyone else. When do you think you can steal some of his hair?"

"Well, he promised to leave me alone 'til Christmas. If he's telling the truth I suppose I'll see him in a few days, I can try then but I have to be careful. I don't want to alert him that we're up to no good. It might take a while to get it safely." Caroline explained. It was true, but more than that she felt guilty; Kol was human once and while his opinions didn't really line up with Caroline's. Was it her place to condemn him? She'd seen what Klaus was capable of, she'd witnessed humanity even if it was uncommon. Why couldn't Kol be similar?

"Be safe Caroline, I don't want you to endanger yourself too much…just try to get something without bringing too much attention to you." Bonnie took Caroline's hands, rubbing the back to reassure her. "We'll fix it, I know it's not a great way to spend Christmas but I'll have you free by the New Year if we're lucky!"

End Chapter

Shorter, but I couldn't figure out a way I wanted to write it instead and I liked pausing it off there. A little happiness for our main duo, some upcoming drama for the sub-group; lot's happening. Sorry for infrequent updates, I found out I'm pregnant recently or this would have been up sooner. Yay for nausea? Either way I shall update more when I can. Whew Elijah, you're so hawt!

-Aura

To my reviewers:

As always thanks for all the lovely feedback, it really does brighten my day when I get reviews. I reply specifically if I feel someone needs it, but I love and thank you for every review.

Rashaka – I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far and I think it's too bad you don't like Kol/Caroline but I'm still a fan of them. As far as Elena walking away from Stefan – I've had a few break ups and if the other person didn't want to break up the best way to make certain they get the idea that 'no you aren't interested' is to cut them off cold. (at least in my opinion) So Elena's actions toward Stefan were related to that. She knew he'd be okay, he wasn't drying up and turning to ash. Just trying to give more of an explanation for you and hope you continue to enjoy the story. Also; she was still pretty pissed he drugged her. XD

Siberia21 – I think they were both pretty surprised, likely more Elena…and I don't think I'll ever give up on Elijah, though he has moments that make me facepalm. I loved his comment about not being smart to Rebekah last episode.

Greeneyescutie – Not that stories in the sack are bad but I like to write other things more.

ReplicaVelocity aka X5 714 – Yeah I rolled my eyes when Elijah was back with Katherine. He should have stuck around Mystic Falls and helped Elena instead of getting it on with the evil bitch who is likely just out to betray him again.