-1A/N: To lemon or not to lemon! That is indeed the question! But there's only one answer right?
Rose woke me up. She didn't seem surprised to see me in Elijah's room, and something told me she knew what had happened the day before.
"Elena, I know you probably don't want to see him but Stefan's at the door. He won't leave until he sees you" I groaned.
"Please tell him that I don't want to talk" I said.
"I've tried. He's not listening. I don't particularly want him to camp out on the doorstep" she said. I sighed and climbed out of bed, keeping the shirt wrapped around me. I slowly traipsed down the stairs and stopped in front of the front door. I leant against the frame and stared blankly at Stefan.
"Elena" he said "I was worried. Damon said you just took off"
"After he helped kill Elijah, yes I did. And I don't want to talk to you Stefan" I said "please leave"
"Elena, I did what was best"
"What you thought was best. Stefan, I have my own thoughts and feelings. I can make my own decisions"
"Elena…Please"
"No. I don't want to ever see you again Stefan" I slammed the door shut and turned away. Rose was standing nearby.
"Are you okay Elena?" she asked.
"No. it was horrible Rose, seeing them kill him. I'll never get that out of my head" she wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"It'll be fine Elena. Don't worry. Do you want anything?" I shook my head.
"Can I go back to bed?" she nodded.
"I'll see you later" she said, smiling sympathetically. I slipped upstairs back to Elijah's bedroom. I felt safer there, like his ghost was watching me. Did vampires even have ghosts? Did ghosts even exist?
As soon as I entered I froze, hearing a noise coming from his adjoining bathroom. I crept silently towards it, picking up a sharp silver letter opener from the table in case I needed to defend myself. I pressed my ear to the door and heard the distinct sound of the shower. Okay, someone had broken in and was showering? Huh, weird.
I considered shouting for Rose but decided against it. Instead, I wrenched open the door and stepped inside, the letter opener in front of me. There was a man, in a towel standing by the mirror.
"Elena, put that down before you hurt yourself" said a familiar caramel voice. My eyes widened.
"E-E-Elijah?" I stammered. He turned and smiled.
"What? You didn't think that I'd just leave you did you?" he said. I stared. He laughed quietly "Elena, it takes a lot more then a wooden stake to kill a vampire like me. Now, can we move this conversation to a more appropriate venue" I nodded, still slightly stunned by his sudden reappearance. We went back into his bedroom and he hunted down some clothes. I averted my eyes as he dressed, which made him laugh. When I looked back he was in trousers. His muscled chest was still damp, glistening with moisture from the shower, but that wasn't what drew my attention (A/N: It drew mine!). Instead, I focused on the large scar over his heart. I couldn't help myself. I stepped forward and touched it gently. He let out a slight hiss.
"Does it hurt?" I asked. He shook his head.
"Not much"
"Did it hurt when they…?" I couldn't say the words.
"Killed me? Yes, that hurt a bit but I've had worse. Besides, I'd happily do it again if it meant I got you back"
"That's sweet" he smiled "ridiculous, corny but still sweet"
"What can I say, I'm a romantic" I sighed and sat down.
"Elijah I have a confession to make" He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"I did something stupid" I said, chewing nervously on my bottom lip.
"What?"
"I think I fell in love…with you" I admitted "When you and Damon were fighting…it was you I didn't want to get hurt. I was worried about Damon, sure but I was more worried about you" I stroked his cheek, trailing my fingers so lightly they were barely there.
"Elena…" he whispered. His hand stopped mine and he held it. I met his eye, silently pleading. I didn't want to talk. I was just happy he was alive. He nodded and wrapped an arm around me.
"You need to sleep. You look like a panda" I let out a half laugh and rested my head in the crook of his neck. For now I was happy to just be.
A/N: No lemons in this chapter. Do we want some? Let me know!
Predictions for upcoming chapters: Gabrielle returns, Klaus starts his new obsession and a surprise visitor arrives…(any guesses? Clue, reread chapter 20 VERY carefully. You'll see what I slipped in there)