AN: So this chapter wound up being nearly twice as long as I originally planned. As a result it was split in two.

5:07 PM

Elena shifted on the floor. She crossed her legs at the ankles and leaned against the club chair in the cheery study.

Miranda was lying flat on her back on top of a soft pink blanket. She had just fallen asleep after twenty minutes of fussing.

Elena had tried going back into the bedroom she had been sleeping in, but it had taken less than a minute for her to know that Miranda would not sleep in their again. She had wandered from room to room, with the blanket over her shoulder, bouncing the crying baby before she had stumbled upon the room she was now occupying.

Bookshelves lined the walls. They stretched from the antique carpet to the ceiling and were covered in leather bound volumes that made the room smell divine. Brown leather sofas and chairs were spaced around the room. A low table had been pushed aside to give Miranda room to roll around if she wanted.

A large desk was situated between two shelves that almost closed it off from the rest of the room, and in front of a large window through which she could see the full moon rising behind the trees; it wouldn't be long before the start of the eclipse.

Miranda had calmed down and fallen asleep almost instantly when Elena carried her inside and laid her out on the pink blanket.

Miranda might have been a lot calmer when she was ready for a nap if she hadn't seen Stefan all but drag Damon from the mansion. The sight of the raven haired vampire had upset her; she had only calmed down when she was surrounded by the books.

Elena looked up through her eyelashes when a dark shadow passed over Miranda and the lower portion of her legs. "Thank you," she murmured.

"For what?" Elijah dropped to sit next to her on the floor. He listened to the shallow breaths of the sleeping infant and met Elena's eyes.

"Not killing him," she shrugged. "I was half expecting to come back and find him dead."

"You asked me not to."

"I asked you not to," Elena tucked her hair behind her ear, "you weren't the only one involved downstairs, and you didn't actually give your word so…"

Elijah blinked and thought back. He realized she was right; it seemed he could not deny her request. Was he imagining the way her eyes flashed with disappointment?

"I see you found my study," Elijah's arm brushed against hers when he sat back.

"Yeah," Elena smiled. "I was trying to put Miranda down for a nap. This was the first room she calmed down in. It's peaceful in here," she glanced around. It would be very easy for her to get lost in a book, or lose track of the hours writing, in this room. She could see Elijah doing the same.

"I do spend a lot of time in here," Elijah admitted. "It's a sanctuary of sorts from my siblings."

"Sometimes you need to get away?" Elena smirked.

"I love them dearly, but yes," he chuckled, "sometimes I need peace and quiet."

"I take it Kol's not allowed in here then?" Elena's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You would be correct," Elijah nodded. His laughter slowed as he turned to look into her eyes.

His siblings were spread out around the house. Caroline was with Niklaus in his art studio. Miranda was sound asleep on the floor and Bonnie Bennet would not be arriving for another two hours. If there was ever a time to talk to Elena it was now.

"Elena," Elijah adjusted his sleeves, "I think we need to talk," he heard her heart skip a beat.

Elena shifted on her hip so her upper body faced him. With the most serious expression she could muster she looked at him and arched an eyebrow. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"What?" His eyebrows shot up.

Elena pressed her lips together and snickered. "Sorry," she apologized, "you just looked so serious… I couldn't resist."

"May I ask how you came up with that conclusion," Elijah tilted his head.

"It's just what guys say when they want to break up," Elena shrugged, "kind of a cliché."

Elijah made a mental note to catch up on some of the phrases of the twenty-first century. He would hate to upset her at a later date.

"No," Elijah shook his head, "I'm not breaking up with you… just the opposite actually."

"What?" This time it was Elena's turn to look surprised. Her fingers traced the edge of her oversized white sweater.

Elijah reached out and stilled her fingers movement. "I care about you Elena," his thumb grazed her knuckles, "I've rather enjoyed your presence in the mansion. I like seeing you every day, and I would like to see you again after you go back home."

"You like me?" Elena tilted her head to the side. "What happened to never caring for another doppelganger?" She could feel the corners of her mouth threatening to turn up into a grin. She tried to temper it because she had a feeling it would be a very goofy grin.

"I lied," Elijah admitted, "I lied to you that day."

"Has anyone ever told you that you have an amazing poker face?" Elena bit her lip. "I had no idea."

"Sad to say I've grown rather proficient in the art of lying," Elijah frowned, "to my credit that is the only lie I've ever told you."

"You know most people wouldn't believe you," Elena blinked, "especially after admitting you lied to me."

"And you?" Elijah released her hand and gently pushed her hair over her shoulder.

"I'm not most women," Elena felt a corner of her mouth lift. She didn't miss the way his eyes darted to her lips. "I'd like to see you again as well."

Elijah lifted her hand and kissed her palm. "Do you have any plans Thursday night? I assume you'll be with your brother Friday."

"You assume correct. Jeremy and I have standing Christmas Eve plans, but I am free as a bird Thursday." Elena tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "Where does that expression come from anyway?"

"I believe it was a Beatles song," Elijah chuckled. "Since you are 'free' may I take you for dinner?"

"Yes." Elena nodded. "I would love that."

Fair warning the next chapter has some *adult* content.