CHAP 50:

Despite the urge to claim the nearest seat I moved right to the back of the landing and sat at one of the chairs from which the top of the stairs was most visible. Resting my elbows on the table I stared at the cloth covering it. Despite the lack of pattern I managed to find something intricate about it. Eyes trained on the threads I was oblivious of the blood on my arms until shifting my left forearm, I saw the dirty stain of drying blood I'd transferred to the material. Then I took stock. Holding my arms up off the table and staring at them in wonder. I was painted with it. Splotches and smears and some lightly sprayed droplets decorated my forelimbs. It was strange, to feel so comfortable in what was likely to be some of the girl's life force. The blood itself didn't disgust me, I did. Yet it seemed fitting. This was after all, the uniform of a killer. The blood really was on my hands. On my face. In my mouth. Probably in my hair. I could wash. Take a hundred showers if I liked. But this was never going to come off, and never might be a bloody long time if Klaus got his way. I made no move to brush off the crusting blood, felt no urge to go to the bathroom and scrub myself raw. Instead I continued to stare. It was cathartic. This wasn't a matter of forcing myself to take in exactly what I'd done, somehow disciplining myself in the process. Nor was I trying to justify my actions. No, my mind was too blank for that. Besides, I'd already justified what I'd done by channelling my inspiration throughout. It was true. My family was alive. What was left of them anyway. The price had been high. But I would do it all again for them, that much I knew. Knowing Klaus he'd have me do it again and for less too. But by then, if that was the way my life was heading, it would be in my nature. Killing then, would be reasonable. I could only hope to of the majority, get by with only killing what I intended to eat. Just having this hope despite knowing Klaus wouldn't allow that, was incredibly optimistic of me considering my recent actions.

"Elena." Jumping out of my skin I drew my arms to me then shot them down to my lap, shielding them from whomever with the table. Eyes darting around I saw Jonas ascending the last few stairs.

"Jonas." I said with some relief and managed a smile. One he did not return.

"Klaus said you were up here."

"I told him not to send you." I replied apologetically.

"He didn't, exactly."

"Oh. Then-?"

"I wanted to check on you." Sitting taller I smiled at him affectionately while he casually walked over to me.

"Well, I'm fine. I wouldn't want to be keeping you from the party." He raised his eyebrows.

"Believe me I've no objection should you do so. This is not my sort of scene."

"Of course."

"Mind if I sit?" Jonas inquired of the chair to my right.

"No. Go ahead." I welcomed somewhat stiffly as I naturally wanted to gesture with my hands, but would rather keep them below the table. No I wasn't disgusted with the blood on me, but I was more than a little ashamed. Elsewhere I could do little to cover, but keeping most of my arms from sight gave me some comfort. It was silly really. Everyone here knew what I'd done. To have blood on me was, normal. I thanked the tablecloth and the corner of the table between us for allowing me to hide before my mind began thinking strategically.

I hadn't been ecstatic with Jonas' arrival. But Klaus and I had just had sex. This could be useful if Jonas could help out.

"Can we, talk? Or will we have company in our conversation?" I asked suddenly. Jonas responded by bringing his index finger to his lips instructing quiet to which I nodded, before he closed his eyes. After a minute he re-opened them and told me it was safe to talk now. "I smell." I announced to which Jonas quirked one corner of his mouth upwards. Smiling reservedly I tried to be more eloquent about it. "What I mean is, Elijah thought we might be able to put your proposed plan into action tonight because I have so many scents on me."

"Now I understand how your hygiene required a mention," he spoke kindly.

"Yeah. Well, I told him we couldn't. Because Greta had tested me since Klaus and I last-."

"I see." I quirked my mouth sheepishly in thanks.

"But I've just been with Klaus and haven't been tested yet, so we could. But we still can't. Because, well," I paused. "His sperm's still in me." My voice wobbled somewhat then trailed off altogether. This was about as awkward as I imagine talking to my father about this would be. But we both knew what was at stake. I would need to get over it. Empowering myself with the necessity of this conversation I continued. "Can your magic do anything to remove it? Because I don't know how big a window Elijah and I are going to have now." Jonas was nodding his head slowly.

"I can kill and purge it from your body with a herbal brew. It won't be pleasant. But it will be quick." He reached into his jacket and withdrew two bottles of murky liquid. He gestured to each to explain the first was what would rid me of Klaus' semen. The other was for fertility as he had mentioned when he'd informed Elijah about this possible plan of attack. I found myself turning my body to give him all my attention. Awkwardly so as I was keen to have a closer look at the bottles despite witholding the use of my arms. "Time is of course of the essence. Once you take it, Klaus' sperm will be dead and gone from your body within half an hour. After that time any additional body fluids won't be affected. You will need to use the loo. The pain will be very similar to menstrual pain, but worse I'm afraid. The fertility one will influence you in the same amount of time without any adverse side affects. Your inability to conceive to Klaus is very odd. Having vampire blood in your system keeps the body running at an optimum rate. Excessively so in the case of fertile females. Ovulation occurs daily, so to does the shedding of what little uterus lining manages to build up and any unfertillised egg. Only slight discharge is evidence of menstruation as so little lining ever builds up." He took a moment to breath. "Humans can fall pregnant within half an hour of ejaculation. But vampire sperm in combination with the vampire blood in your body will reduce conception time to between five and ten minutes." I was mind blown by this information. In addition to how well this might work out. The only issue was going to be if my implant was going to slow things down. Of course it was going to have to come out. How long my vampire influenced body would take to allow itself to be fertile, was the key. I really needed to to ask Jonas about it though. I would hate for everything to hinge on that when Elijah and I had kept that piece of information from him.

"Wow."

"Impressive isn't it?"

"Yes. And hopefully, convenient," I paused. "You were prepared for this to happen tonight."

"Yes. Since making these," he gestured to the bottles. "I've constantly had them on my person. And Elijah spoke with me earlier."

"Of course." I accepted. Knowing Elijah was very much a planner and feeling I should take at least the semen brew off the table and conceal it on my person. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Not with my arms.

"Sounds so unlike me doesn't it? To be prepared." Elijah's light-hearted voice met my ears. Startled again my head snapped from facing Jonas to look around wildly. I was way too jumpy. "I'm sorry. I thought you knew I was up here." He was instantly apologetic and somewhat concerned when my eyes found him about half way across the space. Sighing in relief I offered a small smile.

"No, it's all right." I made to move a strand of hair awkwardly that hung by my face, but saw my arm when it was halfway to it's target and dropped it instantly. Actually feeling panicked by it's sight and how I found I didn't want anyone else to see it. As much as no one else could possibly judge me any harsher than I was already. I really didn't want to give invitation for them to. My next two breaths were rushed, but the one following them slowed as I composed myself. "So did you hear all that? If you weren't aware already that is." Elijah nodded despite looking at me curiously.

"I've just become as informed as you." Lazily striding around the table Elijah now stood next to me with a hand on the back of my chair. Though unable to make myself look at him I knew his position allowed him to see my arms without doing so obviously. I had tensed up upon his approach, but now found myself slouching slightly, like I might feel better about my arms the closer I got to the floor. "I have however a query for you Jonas. Regrettably this comes from some dishonesty on my and Elena's part." At this I looked up at Elijah thus connecting our gazes as he stared down at me. My unease dissipated as his brown orbs soothed me somewhat, making it all to easy to absorb his stare. Elijah cleared his throat and my discomfort regained it's gusto as he looked at Jonas. "Elena, only upon my direction of course." I turned my face back to Jonas while biting my lower lip with some worry. I had been against trusting Jonas completely since he played his part in kidnapping me. But not to his face and I had made sure my feelings didn't cloud my interactions with him. I was just not as willing to confide in him as Elijah had seemed to. But I trusted Elijah and his judgement. Had found it easy to keep the implant from Jonas, as he'd thought best. Still, bringing it out into the open scared me. Jonas was helping us. Going against Klaus at his own risk. It was unlikely he would run off and tell Klaus why I wasn't conceiving. But all the same I waited with bated breath for Elijah to set whatever outcome may occur as a result in motion. "We," here Elijah rested a hand on my left shoulder, "know why Elena hasn't yet conceived." Breathing deeply I let half my attention wander to Elijahs' hand and how that shoulder was relaxing somewhat. "She has a contraceptive implant."

"But Klaus searched her. He would have found it by now surely?" Jonas enquired and looked at me. He didn't seem terribly affected by the dishonest part of this news.

"It's extremely good fortune that Elena's reason for even having the implant has resulted in it being placed in what she's informed me to be an unusual location." Jonas had given eye contact to Elijah as he spoke, but now his attention was on me.

"Where?" He asked interestedly. With some hesitation I began opening my mouth to reply when Elijah cut me off gently.

"It's not particularly important," he paused. "What is, is how long it will take for Elena's body to be fertile once it's been removed." Jonas brought a hand up and held his chin while considering Elijah's question.

"Have you fed from Klaus recently?" He asked me.

"Yes."

"Much?"

"A decent amount," nodding slowly Jonas turned his head slightly to Elijah.

"She'll need more. Feed Elena about as much as you'd need to give someone if they're on death's door." My mouth slackened. That sounded like a lot. "It doesn't matter whether you do this before or straight after the implants removal. Your blood and the amount she'll have ingested should have her body fertile in forty five minutes. It simply needs to cleanse her body of the drug in the implant."

"Should?" Elijah clarified

"Yes. Theoretically. Only time will tell if this will work out."

"Very well. Elena?" Jonas looked to me and I looked up at Elijah.

"Mmm?"

"Anything you wish to ask Jonas?"

"No." I replied before adding an apology for keeping my implant from him." And thank you Jonas. For everything." Nodding Jonas took one of the bottles from the table.

"You won't be needing this one now," he commented before standing and hiding it once again on his person. "Find me when Elena needs her scent cleansed."

"Will do." With that, the warlock left while Elijah and I watched him go. "The silencing spell will be dropped momentarily." Elijah informed me, his voice soft. I only nodded while looking at the bottle on the table I should have grabbed by now. If someone came up here and saw it and was suspicious it would ruin everything. Leaning forward next to me Elijah grasped it, before uncapping it and handing it to me. Somehow one of my reluctant limbs allowed me to hold it. Downing it quickly, the taste while unpleasant the last thing on my mind I dropped my hand to my lap where Elijah then removed the bottle. "Elena," he murmured to which I looked up. His face held concern as his eyes flicked down to my lap where my arms kept falling then back to my eyes, half questioning, half in understanding. "Let us go to your bathroom so you can clean yourself up." Though the rest of our impending duties remained unmentioned due to the lack of privacy now, I knew it was all inclusive. Nodding I stood. Noticing his offered arm as I did though I couldn't take it. My arms stationed resolutely by my sides. But Elijah was intuitive, stepping into me and curling a hand in between the hanging limb on my left side and my body, before it slithered down the length and found my hand to entwine my fingers. "You did well tonight. Don't be ashamed of the blood, nor too hard on yourself. It is the reason your family is safe." Slowly curling the corners of my mouth upwards I appreciated his comforting words. Not that he was telling me anything new. But he'd picked up on exactly how I was feeling.

We made it to the bathroom without incident from me or any of Klaus' guests, nor the vampire himself. Once inside I saw my reflection and it rooted me to the spot. Elijah following me in put his hands on my shoulders and gently guided me forward so I was at the sink and had a close up view of myself. Suddenly happy to distract myself I half lifted, half parted the skirt of my dress and the firmer bodice section up enough to expose my bum and asked Elijah to remove the implant. If I could give it any concern my lack of underwear would surely have been awkward. But we were on a mission. "Surely you've something sharp on you. Even if it is your teeth." I sighed then looked back at him. "We have to get the ball rolling. The last thing we need is for this to hold us up. Especially when it's been so helpful to this situation so far." Elijah'd brandished a knife then and I turned away, leant my arms against the sink while clenching my jaw as the blade entered my flesh. It wasn't as pleasant an experience as when a doctor removed one. Elijah probably wasn't even sure of what he was uncovering. But I knew by feel when the rod was removed. Elijah held it before me and asked if it was all of it. Informing him that it was I thanked him and settled my dress back down over my hips and legs.

"Should we flush it? I know plumbing doesn't like foreign objects. But we don't need Klaus to find it somehow."

"I think flushing would be appropriate. But only after we're sure we've utilised this opportunity. " Nodding I watched Elijah pocket the tiny rod in the mirror. After that the silence between us grew thick and heavy and my gaze once again returned to my hands and arms. I had to move past this, what I'd done. It didn't feel right to. But it wasn't going to be beneficial for me to dwell on the girl right now. I could mourn her another time. There were other matters more pressing. Inhaling deeply and closing my eyes I forced myself to be productive. When next I opened my eyes I stared right at the cold water tap. Almost willing it to turn on for me. When it didn't I reached out and did the honour. The first movement towards cleansing my shame. Not eradicating it, that would never happen. I just needed to made it look pretty.

"Does the guilt ever fade?" I asked as I began to wash off the blood.

"If you're of sound morals, no. Not from the kills forced for entertainment, such as tonight. For kills that are for feeding purposes it fades quite quickly. It's like eating any farmed meat with the knowledge of where it's come from. You find yourself thanking the person whose life you've taken. One feels like a hunter living with nature. Only killing as he goes, because he's no where to store his food in any case." As betrayed by myself as I was feeling, it was quite comfortable to imagine that I could cope with killing others if there was purpose behind their murder. I was an informed meat eater after all. I knew where it came from and the practices involved. But tonight I was more about failure than having helped murder someone. I'd failed that young girl.

"I tried," it came out in a whisper while I scrubbed more vigorously. "I tried to do what you told me. But Klaus scared her and then-. Then I just had to grab her. I feel awful. She trusted me." Lifting my head our gazes connected through the reflection. Mine one of terror and shame while Elijah's filled with sympathy.

"While you reflect on what you've just been forced to endure. Don't be forgetting that Klaus is the one who killed her."

"I as good as did by helping him." Elijah reflected expression was stoic in his silence.

"Someone highlighted for me recently, that no-one but Klaus can control his actions." I'd said that to him. While I'd been attentive to him as I rubbed at my arms now I ceased everything but staring at him while water rushed unused down the drain. "Regardless of anything you did tonight. That young girl was to die. By keeping her as calm as you managed, you gave her something Klaus isn't able to. You gave honour and purpose to her death." Though my tears had dried up a while before hand my nose prickled slightly before my nostrils felt moist and I sniffed then dropped my head to continue washing. My limbs finally and misleadingly appearing to be clean I turned off the tap then moved to the toilet to take some toilet paper before moving back. As much as I wanted to splash water on my face and lather some soap all over it I didn't need to completely ruin my make-up. The night wasn't yet over after all. So dampening the paper I used it to tidy where my make-up had run then got to work on the blood. Once respectable Elijah cleared his throat gently and asked if I was ready to feed.

Indeed ready I turned to face him. Leaning back against the sink with my bum while I paid attention to his instruction for drinking from one the arteries lining his neck. The knife from earlier reappeared then and Elijah stepped into me before slicing into the high pressured vessel. Some of the arterial spurt shot onto my face and I wondered why I'd bothered cleaning up prematurely. Unflinchingly I sent my right arm up over Elijah's shoulder and around his neck. The other hugged around his middle while I began drinking greedily. Sighing Elijah snaked his left arm around my waist and held me firmly against him while his right ran up my back, then followed my spine up my neck to cradle the back of my head. Every element of my body ignited and I shivered as some slight perspiration chilled me despite the growing heat. My moans while soft felt like intense vibrations and each smooth caress from Elijah's hand on my back sent tingles to my very core. The clammy heat between the top of my thighs slick with desire was thrilling. Boiling in the heat I'd only had a portion of when drinking from Klaus I was reminded just how connected Elijah and I were. Klaus had nothing on Elijah's blood. Sure it got a reaction out of me but here and now I was drowning in the pleasure of Elijah's blood alone. Klaus had his tricks and techniques during the actual act of sex. But that was it. His blood alone while all consuming was a far cry from the overwhelming intensity of Elijah's. If only I could tell my body that Klaus' blood wasn't enough to warrant it's usual response. Drinking Elijah's now after the drought between us made it so painfully obvious that I didn't want to go on without having opportunity to do this again. I could hear and feel Elijah's increased respiration by now and revelled in it. He was composed still but felt and sounded like he was trying to control his breathing. How he was resisting the need to touch me further I could only put down to how disciplined he was. Where as I was keen to do more than drink my fill.

The arm of mine that hugged his middle loosened as I let my hand wander down to feel his bum. I moulded it over the pliable but firm flesh at first but then grasped him and pulled him against me. Hissing as though in frustration he shifted and pressed me into the sink more as he panted. Pausing from my drink I threw my head back, gasping and arching my spine having felt Elijah's arousal against my hip. The hand of Elijah's that had been cradling my head now ran down my side.

"Keep drinking." He murmured huskily while slowly shifting his weight against me to stimulate himself more. Finding his face through my half lidded eyes I found his closed and his mouth open. He was beautiful and that mouth, I wanted it to join with mine. Mustering some form of self control I reigned in that line of thought and somehow managed to return my mouth to his neck. As the minutes dragged on Elijah was driving me more and more crazy. When he suddenly groaned and pressed all his weight against the sink and I it was too much. Once again I removed my mouth from his neck. My right hand facilitated the movement of my index and middle fingers to press and drag down over his lower lip before I replaced when with my mouth. Elijah responded immediately, kissing me with a passion that rendered my brain unintelligible. Both of us broke apart breathing heavily and Elijah moved so he wasn't weighing so heavily on me.

"Have I had enough?" I breathed. Elijah took a moment to answer.

"I don't know. Have you?" He murmured in response while trailing a hand down my spine. Inhaling deeply and pressing my chest against him I was distracted for a few moments.

"Never." Left my mouth within a moan before I registered it. What was happening now was all well and good. But I didn't want to influence him any further if he ended up having to kill me. My never would only make it harder on him. But then Elijah probably knew without my vocalisation. Besides it was also the truth. I would happily endure this again and again. Right now I was home. I belonged with him. With that in mind I didn't apologise or re-neg what I'd admitted.

"However to answer your question," he chuckled, "you have drunk enough." That information was all the more of a relief when I felt the first sharp pain in my lower abdomen. Gasping my body curled forward slightly and Elijah reacted quickly to support me. "What's wrong?" Grimacing I moved about in his hold so I could turn and take purchase on the sink. The pain was so intense it left me breathless. As I leant forward on my arms my reflection pained, Elijah stepped next to me. "Elena?" Covering my right hand with his own as he stood on the corresponding side he settled his left hand on my lower back. I flinched as more pain rippled in my pelvic region forcing another gasp from me. Steeling myself for more I stared at his hand over mine for a few moments.

Raising my head to look him in the eyes I informed him that I'd begun to feel the side affects Jonas had mentioned. Elijah's hand on my back began moving in slow soothing circles then and I tried to calm myself by breathing steadily. I'd experienced plenty of extremely painful monthlies at one time so I had assumed that would be the extent of the pain Jonas warned of. But this was something else. Like hot knives were piercing me before being twisted violently over and over again. But underlying the gut wrenching jolts of pain it felt like my insides were burning. Stinging and bubbling beneath the surface and up inside my vagina. This pain was something else, that was for sure! Another wave of pain and an ache spread down my legs from my pelvis and I whimpered softly, then gulped down some air upon realising I'd stopped breathing.

"Can I do anything for you?" I could tell from Elijah's voice that he was feeling useless and it upset him. Vigorously shaking my head seemed my only form of communication for a few moments.

"I don't think so" I managed finally then, "what you're doing is nice." Groaning as another wave of pain shot through me my knees buckled slightly but Elijah made sure to support me. "I need to sit on the loo. Jonas said I would need to." Agreeing Elijah helped me across to the porcelain throne and after gathering the skirt of my dress I sat on the seat heavily. Leaning forward slightly I covered myself a little better and grimaced.

"Would you like me to step out and give you some space?" Elijah offered with a hint of awkwardness. Managing an appreciative smile I said no.

"Thank you for offering through. If you're uncomfortable I won't hold it against you if you stepped outside." Raising one eyebrow Elijah nearly scoffed before telling me he couldn't claim discomfort when I was in so much pain. Whimpering and pressing my hands against the flesh of my pelvis I leaned at an odd angle towards Elijah. Noticing this he stepped closer so he stood by my side and gently pulled me against the side of his thigh and hip before drawing circles with his fingers across my exposed shoulder. Aside from the pain, both mental and physical I found our position very comfortable and sagged against him more and more. Even when the first of Klaus' sperm started leaving me I found it better to stick to Elijah.

The purging itself was just like an extremely clotted period. Something I had been familiar with. If only it didn't come with the pain I was currently feeling it would be something of a walk in the park. One thing was for sure. I didn't doubt Jonas' allegiance now. The fact that Klaus' sperm was leaving my body was proof enough. This was anti-Klaus. The proof, was in the toilet.

"How you doing love?" Crap. Klaus' voice in my head was the furthest from what I needed right now.

"Elijah." I whimpered in mild panic. "Klaus is talking to me. He might want me to rejoin him. What if we've missed our chance?" I couldn't remember a time when I'd been so panicked. Usually I considered everything logically. Usually the weight of the world wasn't on my shoulders. Nor had I previously helped kill someone. Sure at times Klaus had rendered me a helpless stressful bag of nerves. But this was different. There was desperation in what Elijah and I were planning to do. To me it felt like the very last resort we had right at this moment. This was after all the better option.

"What's he said so far.?" Elijah's voice was calm but concerned.

"He's just asked how I am."

"Well, let's not panic. Do your best." Do my best to what?Act normal? Act like I was as cut up as I was about having helped with the girl. I supposed my best was all-encompassing.

"Love?" Klaus' tone was more forceful.

"Fine." I managed, my voice hollow. It helped knowing I was most certainly not fine. Making an instant decision to give even more purpose to the girl's death I allowed my grief to fuel my actions now. Talk about a turnaround from casting any mourning aside until later. But I knew acting anything but would be suspicious.

"Ah. The death of the girl is weighing on your mind hmm?" I made no response so after a pause Klaus spoke again. Perhaps I'd been expected to answer but it hadn't really been a requirement."In any case, I was hoping to come collect you so you could come join me and my feeding party." This was exactly what we didn't need.

"Haven't I done enough!?" I sobbed while my voice cracked. If I was in some sort of hysterics he mightn't want me to be on display for his guests. I needed to amplify my trauma.

"Elena. I think you're forgetting yourself." He warned dangerously. When I didn't immediately respond Klaus demanded I tell him where I was so he could come collect me.

How I wished I could lie. But he would find me no matter what so I could only tell the truth.

"Bathroom." I replied quietly, then snapped my head up to face Elijah.

"He's coming. Here. Wants me to join his feeding party. I played on my guilt for killing the girl. Sounded stressed and horrified. I couldn't act normal. But it didn't deter him. What are we going to do?" Elijah frowned while staring deep into my eyes.

"So you seemed, traumatised? Or was your distress not quite that severe?"

"Yes. I acted traumatised. More so than I've allowed myself to be right now. But also, numb. I only replied to him when I had to. Wasn't eager to converse. Hollow." I managed to say before groaning through a spike in the pain. The corners of his mouth quirked upwards, while his eyes were filled with praise.

"Keep in character then and trust me. Re-enact to an extent when you shut down in the shower following Klaus' first assault on you. I know I've been consoling you about the death of that girl this evening. But allow all your guilt and horror at what you did to fill you up now." Nodding I swallowed. What I'd done? I knew this was important, but Elijah emphasising the kill and that I was behind it all was a kick in the guts. But then I suppose that was the point. I let that be the first to fill up my repertoire and felt more coming to the party, eager to torment me.

"What-?" I began, curious to know what else would have to occur. After all I was sitting on the loo. Finding myself lifted off the loo I was shot over to the shower and placed gently on the floor.

"I'm sorry. But try not to seem in pain." He murmured before still fully clothed Elijah turned the water on me. Icy water, because he'd no intention of turning on the hot tap by the looks of it. I hadn't thought about the details of this re-enactment and I doubted Klaus would be happy to find me soaked.

Gasping from the cold I looked up at him confused. He only nodded encouragingly to me with eyes expressing how dire this situation was. My skin prickling a shiver ran through me. The pain in my lower abdomen felt more intense when combined with the freezing water's assault. The stress of all being lost and me getting into trouble being in the shower pushed my emotions to the edge and while I trusted Elijah, tears I thought had been shed beyond their supply pooled in my eyes. Pulling my knees up against my chest as my hair lost it's style and became plastered against my head I hoped this would work. But also present was my fear of Klaus' reaction to being in the shower as well as Elijah being in here. My hair and make-up not to mention the dress would now be ruined. Klaus and I still had one more dance this evening, so I was expected to be present. But it wouldn't be appropriate to be soggy. One glance to see that Elijah had turned down the seat on the toilet and was now sitting on it watching me I focussed on withdrawing into myself. Torturing myself with the events prior like I was reliving every moment in my head. I became so focussed on my task that I didn't hear when Klaus entered the bathroom.

"Elena? Elena!" he hissed in annoyance. Entering my peripheral vision he turned off the cold tap after attempting to do the same with the hot. "Cleaning yourself up didn't include soaking yourself in the shower!" He growled before taking hold of my right upper arm and forcefully pulling me to my feet. I stumbled, still wearing my heels and nearly fell into him. "God you're a mess," he seemed to whine. Before somewhat pushing me away, not wanting to get wet himself and I ended up going down on my knees then sideways onto my bum while my legs slid out from beneath me. Leaning back against the wall I looked up at him with blank eyes and a miserable expression on my face.

"I've no time for this love." I merely blinked. In what must've been an attempt to wake me up Klaus smacked his hand across my left cheek. It shocked and stung me, but I didn't change my act. "Elena. Are you listening to me?"

"I'm not a killer." I spoke with a dead panned tone of voice within my head. There was no defiance in me. It was just a sad statement I chose to inform my grief stricken self that I hadn't done anything wrong tonight. But said with the knowledge that I was in fact a killer. I'd thought it best to go with this angle of self suffering. The less I had to speak because of assumed mental trauma the better. Klaus then repeated his assault on my cheek while I remained unflinching then hung my head. It was amazing how this internal pain I'd allowed myself to feel was eager for more abuse. Ultimately I felt I deserved this. My submissive posture wasn't received well by Klaus who caught my chin with his left hand to hold my head up, while he set up his right to strike me again.

"Brother. I doubt that's going to help any." Elijah spoke from the toilet. Hand aborting it's motion Klaus whirled to see Elijah. A flicker of disappointment resonated within me that Elijah'd distracted him. I could have taken another slap. I supposed with the amount of scents on me that Elijah's presence hadn't been all that obvious. Hanging my head again now it was no longer restrained I stared at Klaus' shoes.

"Of course. You're here. What are you playing at this time Elijah?" Klaus seethed dangerously.

"If you're implying I had anything to do with Elena's current state, you're mistaken. I found her as she was. Soaked and sorry for herself. I had tried to rouse her, but got the impression that she needed to be where she was for at least a little while. All I have done is kept her company."

"So this is all her doing?" Klaus bit back nastily before his toes pointed at me once more while I sat shivering with cold and in concealed pain on the floor. "And here I thought you'd finished resisting me." I was surprised his voice lacked his usual smugness. He'd found entertainment in my fight before, why this should be different if I was putting on an act I had no idea. Bending and gripping my chin again Klaus smacked me across the face for a third time. While each sting felt deserved, if this was to continue I didn't know how long I'd last. I was trying to seem out of it. It was so hard not to tense up. Curling into a loose ball I brought my hands up the sides of my head before resting them on top of it. Trying to appear as though I was fruitlessly hiding or shielding myself. This angered Klaus further so he grasped my upper arms and lifted me up against the wall to a standing position while keeping well clear of my drenched state. He shook me and while I raised my head to show my eyes wide with fear and sadness I looked through Klaus.

"Klaus," Elijah snapped now closer to Klaus and I. "That's not going to help," he finished evenly.

"I doubt anything else will. I need her company."

"I don't really think she's up to it. She's obviously traumatised."

"She was fine earlier."

"And then you left her." Elijah replied in a flat tone.

"I had things to do." Klaus countered defensively.

"And she'd just taken her first life." His even and slowly paced voice sounded like a plea.

"Regardless. She doesn't have a choice. She must be present. This evening's subliminal agenda is to net-work and she is a crucial element to that." My fear of losing the chance to carry out Plan C was rising. It didn't seem like Klaus was going to accept anything but what he wanted of me. Somehow I had to step things up a notch. I couldn't go with him now. Just couldn't.

"You'll have to do it without her." Klaus growled and let go of me so I slid back down the wall. He'd spun on Elijah and shoved him forcefully across the room then advanced so he was towering over his recovering form.

"Not an option brother. A lot rides on her mere presence! I will have her doing as I ask, when I ask. Now butt out." Stalking back to me while Elijah picked himself up, Klaus crouched down before me and cupped my chin to force eye contact. "E-lena," he crooned softly. "Think of Jenna and Jeremy love. Your family. We wouldn't want anything to happen to them would we?" My heart rate sped up in worry for them. Was Klaus about to put an end to Plan C by making me feel as though I had no choice but to go with him now? He knew all the ways to force me. My family was something I couldn't say no to. Using this highlighted fear to my advantage I allowed some hysterics to colour my reaction. Now was the time to step it up.

"No!" I sobbed and hyperventilated slightly bringing my hands up to tightly grasp his forearm. "I killed her! I killed for them. Killed! She's," I sobbed, tears running down my face before the rest of my words came out sounding like long moan. "Dead. Gone. Dead. She's dead. Killed. Me-. I-." Ranting softly Klaus dropped my chin and pried my hands from him allowing me to hang my head once again and weep. I felt my head being petted as Klaus smoothed his hand over my wet hair for a few moments. Continuing my act I allowed sobs to shake my body as I shivered and tensed with the continuing pain and chill from the cold water.

"Klaus." Elijah began softly. "I really don't think you're going to get anything out of her at the moment."

"I can see that, brother." He seethed angrily then fingered my damp hair before yanking some from my scalp. In response I cried out softly then tilted away from him and tipped to my right so that I lay on my side across the floor. Taking refuge in my hair shielding my face slightly I curled my body up and watched. Klaus stood, my hair in his hand and spoke to Elijah. "Seems it's your lucky night. Look after her. I'm too busy elsewhere to care for her. You have permission to be in our room. If you can, there are other dresses in the wardrobe she could change in to to make an appearance later on."

"What happened to you needing her presence?" I was curious to know that as well.

"I'm going to have to use a substitute. I'll get Greta to alter Sarah's appearance with Elena's DNA. No funny business brother. If you try anything. So help me," he warned dangerously.

"Klaus. Elena and I are out of sorts. I doubt her current state will change how she feels toward me."

"Claim your innocence as much as you wish. You know the consequences." I heard footsteps then the door before a stretch of silence Elijah eventually ended.

"He's gone," Elijah announced as he stepped in front of me then crouched down. "You were fantastic. Are you badly hurt?" I began righting myself into a sitting position again with my back braced against the wall.

Grimacing slightly through my continued pain. Hair shielding my face I snivelled and kept my face downwards. My grief was so intense having allowed myself to feel and be consumed by it just now. The difficulty was in switching it off. This was of course a no no. Switching off. But it was only temporary, Elijah and I had something to do. I didn't think Elijah would appreciate having sex with a crying mess.

"I'm sorry." He said sympathetically then parted the curtain of wet hair that hung before my face, pushing it back over an ear. Nodding I made eye contact.

"It's-. I'm fine. I'm amazed he left me." Taking a deep breath I titled my head backwards in attempt to keep the moisture from my eyes running any more.

"I knew he wouldn't take you being as you were, well." Elijah's right hand cupped my left cheek. The one Klaus had slapped and my eyes fluttered closed. His thumb stroked across the bone beneath and I reopened my eyes when he broke contact. "I am sorry." Re-applying his hand to my cheek in the form of the back of his fingers moving as one slow caress down to the line of my jaw.

"I trust you." Came my assurance on his judgement. "That-. That was nothing. It worked after all." Smiling softly I sniffed again then grimaced in sad frustration. "I can't stop crying for the girl. It was useful for Klaus, but now it needs to stop." Elijah curled his mouth wryly.

"How's your other pain? Do you need the toilet still?"

"It's ongoing. No I don't think so. How long has it been since I took it?" It being the concoction.

"You're about half way through the thirty minutes Jonas outlined for his brew." Nodding I massaged my pelvic region.

"Where are we going to do this anyway?"

"No where comfortable I'm afraid. Although I have permission to now be in your room and Jonas could remove any suspicious scents and aromas, that would be cocky. And we don't need any kind of misfortune to affect this. Sharing something so intimate with my brother's girl in his bed, as it would seem. Would only fuel the fates to throw a spanner in the works of our Plan."

"Despite the fact that he's at least attempted to do the same." I countered carelessly.

"Attempted. But he did not succeed in that instance now did he? Because as the fates would have it. I returned." Elijah's eyes stayed on mine as he made his case. My sadness starting to stabilise I managed a proper smile at this.

"Point well made. Besides, you don't like the bed." At this Elijah tilted his head slightly while his gaze bored into mine.

"To lie in that bed would be akin to swimming in lava, even for a vampire with a mortality of my status. No matter how pleasant the company or activity." Slightly confronted with the sexual innuendo at the end of his comment I found myself exhaling forcefully out my nose in near silent laughter and was soon snickering. "I'm being selfish." Elijah added with mock outrage at himself. Covering my mouth I shook my head as I tried to settle my laughter.

"No." I exclaimed softly. "Just being human. And doing so comically while you're at it."

"Excuse me?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's funny that I should find being intimate with you pleasant?" He queried almost seriously, but I knew he was still making fun. I really had to muffle the laughter than ensued.

"That wasn't the human part I was referring to. But it's funny you should mention that. Because the feeling is mutual. Who'd of thought?" I rolled my eyes in humour but only managed to turn my eyes up to the ceiling before Elijah covered my mouth with his. Sighing as I leaned into the kiss Elijah swept his tongue along the crack between my lips before the muscle entered my mouth. It was then that I felt his hand on my side through the saturated material. Making a slight sound of protest I withdrew, an apologetic expression on my face. "I'm wet." The obvious was stated in an unsure tone of voice before I blushed furiously at it's double meaning. I certainly had been wet before, while that moisture would still be present, it's lack of warmth wasn't that obvious and not what I was referring to.

"My we are efficient." Elijah countered in a joking but impressed tone. My resulting grin, broad but coy was almost painful.

"Alright you." I warned then softened my voice. "Thank you for cheering me up," I placed my right hand on his left and gave it a squeeze and Elijah chuckled softly, while less controlled laughter danced in his brown eyes. "My reason for bringing it up, being wet. The state of my dress that is." I clarified. "Is that I don't think I can get closer to you without transferring the water."

"And you have a desire to get close to me?" Elijah asked interestedly to which I smirked.

"That, and an obligation." His right eyebrow rose.

"I suddenly feel a tad cheap. Like I'm an escort you wish to get your moneys worth from." Elijah's tone of voice was critical.

"If it makes you feel any better about it I'm in the same boat. The world's a steep price for what we need to do. Not that I'm complaining by any means." Smiling at him I watched as Elijah's expression became somewhat cheeky. Initially I'd thought he was just in agreement, but was soon included in what was for a few moments his own private joke.

"Pardon me. If you're in the boat then why Elena, are you wet?" There was confusion influencing his voice but his eyes told of the joker within.

"You know what? I suddenly don't care about your suit." With that I shifted slightly in one fluid movement to rise up on my knees and pivot my lower legs around behind me. I was headed forward, destination Elijah. Making landfall I firmly pushed at his chest so from his crouch his backside met the floor before I crawled up between his open legs and over his lowering torso. Lying on his back and wearing one of his slight smiles I laid as much of my wet, still dressed body down on him as possible while my mouth found his. I supposed him getting wet really wouldn't be that big a deal. If he was looking after me as Klaus had said, he would probably get wet somehow. In addition the presence of Elijah's arms around my middle, holding me firmly to him gave no indication that he was at all bothered by a little water.