Disclaimer: I don't own any characters familiar to TVD.

SwanQueen4055: Thank you!

Atzannie25: So I'm still technically on vacation, but I just couldn't help myself. This chapter is nothing but Elejah, so I hope I don't disappoint!

Diehardromantic: I loved the Kol/Elena scene, I actually had fun writing it, especially after what happened on the show between them. I'm glad you liked a jealous Elijah, but he has nothing to worry about.

Chiwi: I was a little worried as to how that last part would come off, but I couldn't help myself. I've been waiting to get Elejah in bed together without one having to nurse the other.

LittleFairyMaiden: I'm so glad it wasn't/won't be forgotten. I should be relaxing, but I've been writing and erasing and re-writing. This final version is all Elejah and nothing but.

Bellislefan: Your wish is my command…

Siberia21: I loved writing the Kol/Elena scene. I like that he helps her in his own way. This next chapter picks up directly from the end of chapter 24.

HebiR: I've really had fun writing his character. And I'm glad you appreciated the tomato part. I had to do some research and of course there were conflicting facts about when it was that people stopped believing that.

Author's Note: So, we're staying with family and before we moved, they had internet access. Needless to say, they don't any longer. I've been going through serious withdrawls. Next, I'm off to catch up on reading Elejah stories. So since we didn't have internet access, I've been writing up a storm, erasing and re-writing it. I hope this chapter works for you guys. It picks up directly where I left off in the previous chapter and this will be nothing but Elejah goodness.

Chapter 25

Upon hearing her giggling, his lips twitched in response. He didn't think he would ever tire of hearing her laughter, he couldn't remember the last time he heard such a sound leave her, and he felt a sense of pride that he'd been the one responsible for it. Granted, he assumed that she was still feeling the effects of the alcohol, but in that moment, she was so captivating. Who would have thought that she would find his feet so amusing? He quirked an eyebrow in her direction and smiled at her. "Yes, who would have thought that I had feet?" He asked her teasingly.

Her laughter had been quieting down, but picked back up after hearing his words. She shook her head. "I know, it's such a mundane thing to think about. I just couldn't help myself. You have such a commanding presence, when one looks at you, they don't think about your feet."

"Hmmm, what do they think about?"

"Everything, but," she replied, citing her first thoughts on the man before her.

"I don't think you were vague enough," he said after a moment's hesitation, one side of his mouth quirked up. He knew the way people viewed him upon first meeting him. It was an appearance he spent years perfecting. "What did you think about me the first time you met me?"

She pursed her lips. "You mean aside from being frightened?" She shook her head. "I'd heard all about Klaus and how dangerous he was and then I found out I was waiting at that house for another Original, and my thoughts got the best of me." She'd had plenty of time to imagine the worst scenarios, and her imagination certainly ran away from her during that time. She honestly thought she wouldn't make it out of that house alive. "The fact that Trevor and Rose were scared of you…" That fact only further solidified her thoughts.

"Of course Trevor was frightened of me. He knew that I would act against him for his insolence," Elijah spoke with an air of exactitude. "What else did you think about me?" He didn't wish to speak of Trevor. "And, tell me something I don't know."

Elena rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. "I…I thought you were going to kill me. When you stopped in that room, you seemed so capricious. It was like you went from being totally disturbed at seeing me to resentful. And all I could think was that I'd somehow managed to make you mad, and I had no idea why." She remembered how her body shuddered and the fact that her heart had been pounding so loudly, she was able to hear it.

Quietly, Elijah remembered the first moment he laid eyes on Elena. He'd heard her heart pounding, and the logical part of him knew she was human, but for the briefest moment, he had been sure it was Katherine that stood in the room. He'd rushed down to her then; he needed to get closer to prove that she had in fact been human.

"And when you stood before me, the way you looked at me...I thought you were either going to drain me dry or…" She trailed off then, unsure if she should say the next part. It really had been a ludicrous thought, especially at a time like that.

"Or…" he added when she stopped talking. She seemed to be contemplating something, and he was curious as to what she'd thought.

She shook her head. "I thought you were going to kiss me," she mumbled out. "And I know, how stupid of me to think such a thing at such a time, but I did." She couldn't remember another vampire reacting to her in such a way.

"You thought that I was going to kiss you?" He repeated softly, his tone didn't betray any of his thoughts.

"I know, I said it was stupid," she grumbled.

Sensing her unease, he knew that he needed to tread lightly. "You thought I was that easy?" He asked, hoping to lighten the mood. "That I would kiss an unnamed human upon meeting her…" he added then.

Elena looked over at him and shrugged. "How was I to know what you were like? At the time, I'd heard all about how awful Klaus was, I had no idea what to expect of you," she excused softly. And she remembered his greeting to her then. His voice held such awe and reverence. A part of her, small though it had been, would have agreed to go anywhere with him if he spoke like that to her more often. It was something she had never admitted to another soul, and given the situation she'd been in when she thought that, she doubted she would ever repeat it,

"For one brief second, I thought you were Katerina; that she had somehow managed to fool Rose and Trevor with a spell of some sort. And I was ready to kill you if that was the case. It wasn't until I actually scented you that I realized the difference."

"Scented me?" She turned back to face him then.

"Though you are a doppelganger, there are still subtle differences that separate you three. Your scent, for example, is one of them. Tatia's scent was more…woodsy. Katerina had a citrus scent and you…yours is more floral. After a thousand years, it takes a lot to astound me, and I was that day. Klaus and I thought that Katherine was the only doppelganger." He was reminded of that moment, and he could honestly understand why she thought he would kiss her. For centuries, his moves were carefully planned. Perhaps there had been an air of seduction about his moves in that moment. She'd sent him reeling, and he wanted to do the same to her. "Surely that was not all you thought and felt…"

"No, I was also very aware of you," she shared softly. When he arched his eyebrow in silent question, Elena shook her head. "You know you're impressive," the brunette muttered.

He smirked at her. "Impressive?" He repeated her word. "You think I'm impressive?"

"You know you're pleasing on the eye," she admitted.

"Am I to assume that you find me attractive?" The vampire asked, smirking at her.

Elena narrowed her eyes at him. "Am I to believe that you are fishing for compliments?" She retorted, arching one eyebrow at him. Using her feet, she brushed them against the bottom of his feet, her toes lightly caressing them.

As soon as he felt the sensation, Elijah jumped in response, moving his feet away from the unwanted touch. He attempted to keep his face neutral as he looked at her.

Narrowing her gaze at his actions, Elena pursed her lips before they settled into a smirk. "Are you ticklish?" She asked. She watched as he instantly began to deny it, but she didn't believe him for a second. "Oh my God, you are!" She let out a giggle and her foot moved to rub against his again. She delighted in watching his body jerk away from her. When she got nowhere good, Elena sat up, turning her body towards her companion. "Hmmm, I wonder if you're ticklish anywhere else?"

Elijah braced himself and tried to glare at the human. "Don't you dare," he attempted to warn her. She loomed over him, her hands raising, poised to attack.

"Or you'll what?" Elena mocked. She waited for him to say anything, but when no response was heard, she attacked. Her hands immediately moved to his waist, playfully trying to entice a response out of him.

He couldn't remember the last time a person had touched him in such a way. He didn't often let people close to him. Even his siblings, whom he spent centuries cultivating, close relationships to, didn't attempt to touch him. No, he shook his head; he'd been human the last time someone dared to tickle him. The sensation that he felt in his stomach was so foreign. He didn't know if it was because of the tickling itself or the young woman that hovered over him. If he had to hazard a guess in that moment, he'd have to go with the latter.

Elena's laugh was infectious and Elijah found himself laughing along with her as he attempted to dodge her hands. She was relentless in her pursuit, but he'd finally had enough. Grabbing her arms, he easily outmaneuvered her, gently changing their positions.

Before she had a chance to really question what happened, she found herself underneath Elijah. He still had a hold of her arms; they were pinned next to her head on the bed. The expression on his face was completely open and mirth danced in his eyes. His hair was more than a little messed up, and she wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through it. Unknown to her, he was also evaluating her.

Elena was breathing deeper in between her dying giggles. Her eyes were shining with delight and the smile on her face nearly blinded him. She continued to wiggle beneath him as she failingly attempted to break free of his hold.

"It isn't so fun when the tables are turned, is it?" He asked in a husky tone. "And since you're so fond of tickling, I think maybe I should return the favor…" He didn't give any warning as he pushed her arms above her head. He easily used one hand to secure both of her wrists as his free hand, trailed down her stomach and stopped at her waist. He hadn't even touched her when she began laughing. He quirked an eyebrow at her early response and let out a chuckle. "I think someone's ticklish." Without another word, he attacked and Elena squealed into the room.

As soon as she felt his fingers ghost over her sides, she lost it. She gave way to giggles and squeals as she attempted to twist her body away from him. Of course that didn't work because his hands just moved around the upper-half of her body, finding more places to tickle her.

When he felt her hips pop up and hit his, his playful thoughts turned dirty. While keeping his a playful smile on his face, he purposely went for the location that had her squirming the most, just so he could feel her thrust up against him. He knew it was wrong and that he was taking advantage of the brunette beneath him, but every time their hips brushed against one another, he would feel flutters in his stomach.

"You aren't playing fair, sir!" She cried out between giggles.

"I'm an Original. I don't do fair," he replied, leaning further over her as his fingers continued to assault her.

"Okay, I give! I give, you win. You're the king!" Her stomach was beginning to hurt from laughing so much.

His actions ceased, but he didn't dare to move from his position over her. His hand released her wrists and he used to support his body weight as he leaned over the human beneath him. He had an overwhelming urge to kiss her and as he peered down at her, he could only imagine she was interested in the same thing as she quirked a quick gaze on his lips before meeting his stare once again.

Elena didn't push him for anything. In fact, she'd been surprised that he'd responded to her in such a way or even countered her attack. He'd touched her on his own violation, which wasn't completely odd; but he usually only touched her when he was trying to comfort her. Needless to say her heart was pounding, not only from his ticklish ministrations but because of the intensity of his gaze.

His head lowered down to hers and when he watched her lick her lips, he nearly groaned at the action.

When his lips were just a hair's breath away from hers, her eyes fluttered closed and she waited with bated breath; hoping with all her might that this wasn't another dream.

He watched as Elena closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss and licked his lips. He was worried that he would disappoint. He was by far not a bumbling virgin, but it had been such a long time since he'd kissed anyone. Not only that, but he didn't even hold a sliver of affection for them the way that he did for Elena. He closed his eyes and his lips claimed hers.

For Elijah it was a surreal moment. Yes, he had the memory of kissing Elena twice, but they were hazy and not truly his. That didn't mean that he didn't remember the feel of her lips against his, or the way it felt when the kisses had been deepened; but this time, it was actually him kissing her.

It was then, that his doubts settled in. She'd already kissed him twice, what if he wasn't up to par with what she expected from him? More than that, what if she was only allowing the kiss because of the alcohol intake? Over the past few weeks, she'd been more open and adventurous in touching him and coaxing things out of him, but she still remained reserved. He worried that he was tarnishing what was supposed to be a good memory because she may still be drunk, or at the very least, buzzed. He pulled away then, regretful that it was the only the barest of touches. "Forgive me, Elena."

She thought about threatening him for apologizing, but she thought better. Instead of words, she decided that action was better. She brought her hands up and framed his face as she bent upwards and captured his lips. He didn't pull away, but he didn't immediately respond either.

He froze under actions. He really was worried that he was taking advantage of her, not that she appeared overly drunk; at least not any further. He just didn't want her to regret it.

Elena pressed her lips against his harder, hoping to coax some sort of reaction out of him. She let out a 'humph' against his lips and pulled her mouth away from his. "You know, this works a whole lot better when you respond when someone kisses you…"

Elijah let out a small smile at her words.

"Look, if anyone should be worried, it's me," Elena said. "I'm not the one who bites here."

He chuckled at her teasing, his body fully relaxing. Her hands still framed his head, and he turned his head, placing a kiss into her palm. Instead of letting her make the first move again, he brought his head down and captured her lips.

Elena let him lead, but she was an eager participant. She couldn't help but compare it to the last kisses she'd shared with him, even if it wasn't exactly Elijah. Like last time, it didn't take long for them to find a rhythm that worked for them. However, when he begged for entrance with his tongue, she realized that he did a swirly thing with his tongue that he hadn't done when she kissed the alternate version of him. The brunette admitted to liking it, but she also felt a wave of jealousy wash over her, wondering which partner taught him that.

Elijah was pleasantly surprised by her willing response to his actions. She met his tongue, dueling for control of the kiss and he renewed his actions; groaning into the kiss. When oxygen became an issue, he wrenched his mouth away from hers and kissed a trail down her next and across her collar bone.

"I believe I just discovered a new favorite pastime," he said in between kisses.

"I agree," Elena confessed in between breaths.

Elijah finally pulled away from her. He gathered her in his embrace and maneuvered them so he was laying on his back with her partially laying on top of him. His hand was fitted around her back and he ran his hands through the cascade of her long locks. "So, was it worth the wait?" Elijah asked after a moment of silence. After everything they'd been through together, after all of the time they spent together; he couldn't deny the fact that she'd been on his mind. He had wondered what their first kiss would be like, how she would taste, if they would move together well…and that was just keeping his thoughts PG.

Elena, who had been using her finger to draw nonsensical designs on his stomach, stopped immediately. She lifted her head up and shimmied up closer to his body. "You were worth the wait."

He pulled her closer for another kiss, though keeping it tame compared to the last one they shared. "You look tired."

"That's probably because I am," she replied softly. "But I don't want to go to sleep. I don't want the day night to end. I'm afraid that I'm going to go to sleep and wake up and this will all have been a dream."

"You dreamt about me? About us?"

"There were a few dreams," she eluded. "Nothing major, at least not like the one I had the night you rescued me from Klaus' hybrids." She still felt embarrassment for that dream.

He didn't say a word about that particular dream, her embarrassment was still obvious. "Oh, I think the one on one dreams are best," he said playfully, smirking at her.

"There is merit to them," she allowed stiffly. "But that one I had, that was kind of one on one, I mean it was you…just two different versions at the same time."

Unable to keep the seriousness at bay, he had to ask her the question that was on his mind. "And is that something you would be interested in trying?" Obviously, there would be no threesome with his counterpart, but was Elena into the idea of a threesome?

Elena studied her companion who remained neutral as he waited for her response to the question. She wasn't sure what he wanted to hear from her. Had she considered the thought of a threesome? It had been on her mind much more than ever before, once she remembered her dream. However, she didn't think she would ever be able to be an active participant in one. She hoped that didn't disappoint him.

She shook her head in response to his question. "I don't think so," she admitted in a soft voice and kept her eyes fixed on his chest. When she felt his body sag, she dragged her eyes up to meet his. "And you're happy with that?"

"I would have done whatever you wanted to do," he answered. And he would have. He was quickly realizing he would do anything (within reason) for her. "But I'm a selfish, possessive bastard. I really hate the idea of having to kill someone because they touched you." When she turned a curious gaze on him, he shrugged. "I don't play well with others."

Elena didn't address any questions she had on the topic then, she didn't think they would be appreciated in that moment. Instead, she focused on the butterflies he was the cause of just by the intensity of his gaze.

"Sleep, Elena," he ordered gently.

"And you'll stay with me?"

He placed a kiss on the crown of her head. "All night," he promised.

Elena closed her eyes then. She began to easily drift off. It had been the second time she was brought to slumber in Elijah's arms, and Elena could seriously get used to it.

The next morning, when Elena woke up, she had a slight headache; but other than that she had no other symptoms of a hangover. She was alone in bed, and she worried that Elijah left her. She rolled over and the scent of bacon hit wafted upstairs to her room.

Standing up, she looked at her reflection and winced. She ran her fingers through her lock locks, hoping to tame the tangles. When she was satisfied that her hair wasn't too bad, she ran her fingers under her eyes, wiping off the excess mascara that gathered there over the night. Feeling slightly better about her appearance, she made her way to the kitchen where Elijah stood, preparing breakfast.

"Should I be worried for my health?" Elena asked, trying to peer past him and look at the food he'd prepared.

He smiled at her and shook his head. "I am not my brothers. I am quite capable of preparing edible food," he said in a haughty tone, as though he was insulted that she would ask such a thing.

Snaking a hand out, she grabbed a piece of bacon and took a bite from it before she poured a cup of coffee. She leaned against the island, finishing her bacon and drinking her beverage. She watched Elijah move around the kitchen, her kitchen, with an air of normalcy.

"So, I was thinking this morning," Elijah began, after he flipped the bacon on the skillet. Turning around, he leaned against the counter and looked at Elena. "I would like to find a permanent residence in Mystic Falls, at least for a few years."

"But you have a house. Klaus renovated the best house in Mystic Falls…" Whenever she thought about Elijah, she pictured and old world charm about him. Even as she looked at him in that moment, he seemed to be a man out of time. He expected the best, and rightfully so. She just didn't think that he would find that in Mystic Falls.

"I love my siblings, Elena. And I am thankful that we're back together again, but I cannot live with them permanently," he denied with a shake of his head. "I've already spoken to an agent." Elena still had the rest of the school year to finish out, and he found that he wasn't interested in leaving Mystic Falls anytime soon.

"Oh…" She trailed off. "Have you looked at any?"

"I have not gone to the residences, but I have seen pictures. Would you like to join me?" He crossed his arms, his appearance betrayed a confidence that he didn't feel. He stared at the human, waiting for her response. For him to admit his plans, plans that he made around the girl before him, it was a huge ordeal for him.

Elena didn't say anything as she worked through his admission. To a casual onlooker, it came off as being a topic of conversation; but Elena knew better. Elijah didn't say anything without reason, and for him to share what he did, it meant something to him.

"Oh…" She trailed off. "Have you found one that you really like?"

"There are three that I like," he shared. "But I still haven't been to see them in person. I was wondering, would you like to come with me to see them?"

Elena nodded. "Sure, I would love to accompany you."

Elijah turned back to the breakfast he was preparing. "I was actually hoping for more than company. I would like to hear what you have to say about them."

The brunette frowned at his words. "O…kay. Not that I don't mind joining you, but why do you want my input?" They were clearly from two different worlds, their tastes were different; of that, she was sure. What could she really contribute?

Elijah didn't fully turn around to face his companion, but he turned his head towards her direction. "I…I don't take this lightly, Elena, and I think you understand that I view our evolving relationship as something more than a fling. I would like your thoughts on this, because I plan for us to spend time there together." He quickly turned back to the meat, flipping it over again.

The human set her coffee cup down quietly. Instead of giving him a verbal response, she stepped closer to him. Quietly, though she knew he was aware of her presence, she placed her arms around his waist and leaned he head against his shoulder blades.

Touched by her response, Elijah brought his free hand up to her joined hands and settled it over both of hers.

Elena squeezed her hands her hands around his waist. "You could, stay with me…"

There was no way she could sell or move out of her family home. Maybe one day, maybe one day Jeremy could have it and raise his own family there. The more time she spent involved in the supernatural world, the more she was beginning to think that her future was somewhere outside of Mystic Falls.

Elijah spun around in her embrace, bringing his hands up to her cheeks and cupped them.

Elena looked into his eyes, the intensity of his gaze was nearly enough to leave her breathless. However, she continued to meet his penetrating gaze, hoping to relay her seriousness through her brown orbs.

"Are you suggesting we live together?" He asked for clarification. Had he heard that right?

"You don't have to do," Elena denied swiftly. "It's just…you want a little bit of space from your siblings, and I am looking for a roommate…" She trailed off, actually wondering if she had made a mistake by voicing the thoughts that had been rolling around in her head. Even as she uttered the words, she realized that she didn't want Elijah with her in the capacity of a roommate.

Elijah leaned down and captured her lips. "I want you to think long and hard about this, Elena." He gave her another quick peck as his arms moved down to her upper arms and he caressed them. "If that is something you are interested in, then we can discuss it. However, don't feel that you are obligated to do anything. I am not going anywhere."

He would not move into the Gilbert residence strictly as a roommate. Despite the intensity of their feelings for one another and their developing relationship, things were still new between them. He didn't want to rush things, and he wouldn't. However, if he did seriously consider taking up residence with Elena, he wanted the assurance that their relationship would progress to cohabitating; and he wouldn't settle for less.

He watched her face flush as she looked away from him, almost as if she was embarrassed. "I didn't say no, Elena. I just want you to be sure that is what you want," he assured her gently.

She offered him a small smile of appreciation for handling what could have been an awkward situation with grace. She leaned up and kissed him one more time, and when he deepened the kiss, she smiled into his mouth.

"Hmmm, you're burning breakfast…" she told him softly against the kiss.

"I know, but I am otherwise occupied at this moment," Elijah replied. He pulled away long enough to turn off the burner and to remove the pan from it before he spun back around and grabbed Elena into his embrace.

The human giggled at his actions and before she realized it, he had her positioned on the kitchen counter. She watched as he settled his hands on her thighs, opening them far enough for him to step between.

"I like seeing you like this," she confessed, repeating the words she'd said the previous night. "I like this closeness." She knew it was weird, but it felt so normal to be with him like that. It was as if they'd spent ages side by side. There was familiarity between them that she knew was crazy to feel, but the normalcy of it was nice.

Elijah began running his fingers over the length of her thighs. "I like it as well," he said in a soft voice, looking down at his hands. He didn't want to stop kissing her or touching her. It was amazing that just days ago, he kept a modest distance from her; he didn't care about modesty any longer though. Elena was his to love and kiss and caress and he planned to make up for any wasted time.

AN: So...how was it? I didn't disappoint by their first kissing scene, did I? It wasn't too sweet and fluffly?