Chapter 35

"So then there were fireworks and he actually got down on one knee…" Caroline enthused as the girls were in the private train car on the way through the chunnel headed for London.

"My brother?" Rebekah arched a brow.

"Oh please I would be more shocked that Kol did it," Elena giggled. Rebekah grabbed her hand to admire the ring again. Bonnie got up and walked back to where Kol was enjoying a blood bag near the back of the car. Wordlessly he opened his arms to her and she settled on his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder.

"It was dark by the time the train arrived and they took a limo. As they paused before large gates they took in the large mansion for the first time. The house was definitely stately as were the grounds. When they arrived several people were just exiting the house. Elena looked to Elijah.

"We enlisted some people to open the house for us," he explained.

"Oh I thought maybe there was a staff," Bonnie said and Kol could feel her discomfort. He squeezed her hand and smiled.

"No, just family darling…" he whispered against her ear. "Besides you're doing fine. Trust yourself; I do."

"I just like it better when I don't have to pretend. Now I understand why you're all uncomfortable around mixed company. It's much easier to be around those who know exactly what you are," Bonnie said and Kol nodded. They entered the house and everyone quickly took the tour. Of course there was a red room here as well. Bonnie and Elena quickly holed up inside and imbibed.

When she finished Kol was waiting to take her by the hand and the two of them flashed up to his suite. Elena looked after them still trying to work it out. Bonnie Bennett – hater of all things vampire – was engaged to Kol Mikaelson the most volatile of all the originals.

"He truly loves her," Elijah's gentle voice spoke from behind her and Elena came to his side smiling up at him. "He would defend her until there was nothing left of him. I have never seen Kol like this in a thousand years. I have to admit it is somewhat startling to us as well."

"They have made each other a little different," Elena observed. "He's become a little calmer and more reserved while she has become a little more outgoing. They have balance."

"Do we?" Elijah asked.

"I don't know…" Elena said gently. She rose up and kissed him with a gentle smile, "what I do know is that I love you. I love you Elijah Mikaelson."

"I love you loveliest Elena." That said he tenderly scooped her into his arms and flashed them up to his suite in a deep green with gold accents. He laid her on the bed and followed her down as his lips met hers hungrily. Her hands traced over his chest through his shirt and then she began to undo the buttons while his tongue invaded her mouth and drove her to wild desires. Once she had gotten the shirt undone she pushed it off his shoulders and then ran her hands over his beautifully sculpted chest.

His mouth left hers and he kissed along her jaw and then down her neck. His hands pulled her blouse up and she adjusted so he could pull it over her head. Her bra was off in a flash and his mouth seized one of her nipples causing her to emit a deep groan.

"Like that do you?"

"Can't you tell?" she moaned as he shifted to the other teasing it to a taut bud.

"Oh yes, I can tell…" Elijah smirked and Elena gripped his hair and brought his mouth back to hers. Her hands struggled to get his pants undone and he flashed from her to remove them before returning. The look in his eyes told her exactly how cherished she was. The back of his fingers tenderly traced along her cheek. He contrasted it a moment later by pulling her shorts straight off. He grinned as she gave a little yelp in reaction. His fingers slid inside her and he stifled her groan with his mouth.

"Elijah! Elijah!" Her name sounded sweet on his lips as she cried out while he brought her to orgasm several times. Experiencing it through the bond only served to drive him even crazier. No wonder his brother and Bonnie could hardly keep their hands off of each other. Being this close to the person that you love most in the world is intoxicating and addictive.

As she began to come back to earth Elena moaned and gripped the sheets as she felt him enter her. Elijah was a masterful lover and Elena arched her back trying to meet his every move with one of her own. Finally she cried out as her climax slammed into her again. Elijah followed her over the precipice and then drew her safely into his protective embrace.

"I love you Elena. If I had known it was going to be like this I would have been prepared to wait another thousand years…"

"I love you Elijah; always and forever."

The next morning when everyone finally got out of bed Kol had cooked an entire English "fry-up". It met with rave results from everyone. The kiss that Bonnie gave him as thanks was all that he needed.

"Okay, now let me show you one of my favorite cities," Kol smiled to Bonnie.

"This is fantastic," Caroline grinned.

"Now please just stick close to an original," Klaus stressed, "there are a lot of old vampires here…"

"Oh yeah," Kol grinned, "you left this place hot last time didn't you?"

"Hot?" Elena frowned.

"When we have to drop everything and leave because of a threat," Rebekah said.

"Mikaelsons fleeing in the face of danger?" Caroline scoffed.

"Not generally," Elijah replied, "but we didn't make it a thousand years by being stupid. Typically it is because they have come too close to something else of interest to us."

"You for instance," Kol looked to Bonnie. "So just stick close at least until we can find out exactly who is in the area."

Everyone agreed and once they were ready they made their way to the London Eye. The girls enthused as they could see everything from the top. Klaus pulled Caroline to him for a long kiss as they reached the top. Afterwards Caroline started running and giggling across the millennium bridge. Bonnie and Elena soon followed dragging Rebekah along and the boys were chasing them playfully. Kol caught Bonnie first wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her up short from behind. He turned her in his embrace both of them laughing and smiling before his lips met hers.

Rebekah slowed and let Stefan catch up to her before she kissed him deeply. Klaus caught Caroline and she yelped as he tickled her. Elena turned around to look for Elijah who turned out to be smiling as he leaned against a post not that far back.

"You're supposed to be chasing me."

"I am"

"You're supposed to catch me."

"If I did that the game would be over," Elijah grinned. She walked back and leaned against him. He dropped a gentle kiss onto her forehead.

Today they had seen Big Ben and the Tower of London before they had stopped for traditional English tea. Elijah had been surprised to run into an acquaintance of his – William Parker. The other man had approached with obvious caution until Elijah had offered him a seat.

"Will, I see you did make it out alright after all," Kol grinned.

"No thanks to you or your brother," Will laughed as did Elijah and Kol.

"I seem to remember Elijah, Klaus and I were doing our part with our swords," Kol said. The girls were obviously intrigued.

"Forgive my manners," Elijah said a moment later. "Allow me to introduce you to our fiancées, Elena, Bonnie and Caroline." He motioned to each in turn and William's astonishment was almost laughable.

"Did I hear correctly? All of the Mikaelson brothers off the market?"

"Yes" Klaus replied.

"I suppose it had to happen sometime. So finally caught her hmm Elijah?"

"This is not Katerina," Elijah frowned. "She is a doppelganger but there the resemblance ends."

"I am sorry. The last time I saw you in France you were hot on her trail still and Kol was playing with the Dauphin's by-blow Evangeline," William reminded them. They took a long tea and caught up. Afterwards they went home and all got ready for an evening at the opera.

The next day Rebekah and Stefan took the girls shopping while the guys looked into things. As they shopped their way through the better part of London Rebekah couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. In the end it turned out to be a five year old vampire who had smelled what they were. Everyone had relaxed and followed Stefan and Rebekah's lead. No one mentioned originals or how old they were. After about a half hour they were on their way.

They stopped by 221B Baker street at Caroline and Bonnie's behest and Stefan laughed as the girls snapped pics. They had tea and then went to a huge farmer's market. The girls bought some vintage clothing while Stefan and Rebekah had picked up fresh fixings for dinner. It had been on the table by the time the Mikaelson brothers had finally returned.

"Can we see your castle?" Elena asked. She had been fascinated when she'd read Elijah's journal entries.

"Of course but I'm afraid it's fallen into disrepair," Klaus said. "We decided to build something a little more modern." He gestured to their surroundings.

The next day they had met in the courtyard where Kol had bundled Bonnie into a little red sports car while Stefan and Rebekah took a Land Rover. Klaus had a Maserati and Elijah showed Elena to a vintage Bugatti convertible. They traveled three hours north towards the Scottish border and then turned off into some woods before finally stopping before a still rather impressive structure.

"Wow…okay I know someone that actually owns a castle," Caroline marveled.

"Yeah," Elena agreed. They wandered through the castle and the guys were right it was rather run down at this point but such a piece of history that it was fascinating. Elijah, Elena and Caroline were wandering the great hall while Elijah shared what it had been like. Klaus had wandered off – presumably to see if his rooms were intact and held anything he might still want.

Bonnie had been walking along a hall when she found a door that seemed to open into a courtyard. There were fragrant trees and flowers in bloom and with a smile Bonnie stepped out into the garden. That proved to be a mistake as a moment later an arrow pierced her shoulder. The force knocked her flat onto her back as the pain ripped through her shoulder.

In the main hall Kol suddenly dropped to his knees with a look of agony on his face. Elena and Caroline frowned in concern.

"Bonnie," Elijah gasped. "Where's Bonnie?" Everyone began to flash around looking for her. It was Kol that found her however. He followed their bond out into the courtyard still grappling with her searing pain. It took him a moment to get over the sight of her with the arrow through her shoulder.

"Bonnie, did you see anyone?" Kol worried as he dropped to his knees beside her and quickly yanked the arrow out so she could heal.

"Oh what a pity; it seems she's already succumbed to your charms. I was hoping I could spare her," a delicate voice broke the silence.

"Kennadie," Kol sprang to his feet taking a protective stance over Bonnie.

"Hello love," the breathtaking redhead greeted as she emerged. She flashed over to Kol and pressed her lips to his in a hot searing kiss. Kol's arms wrapped around her and he kissed her deeply. He was still doing so as the others arrived in the courtyard.

"What the hell?" Caroline gasped.

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