Author's babble: Hello all. Hope you're still enjoying this Fic. Finally. FINALLY! I offer some long awaited Elejah . What lies ahead: a serving of smut, conflicted Elena, charming Elijah who knows just what to say and Elena in general. Enjoy!

CHAP 51:

The heavier I began to breath the harder I was finding it to maintain the intensity of our kiss. Partially because I wasn't getting enough air. But the jelly-like sensation overcoming me deserved some of the blame as well. Then there was the rush of desire coursing through my body robbing it of air as it singed every nerve ending. The combination told me one thing. That I was in for it. In for it like I had been the first time Elijah and I had had sex, when we'd been cut short. While that event had failed to meet the mark of completion. What I had experienced of it had been so intensely pleasurable that nothing else could come close. Recently with Klaus it had seemed like something could in some ways match it. The sex was mind blowing. But that was the result of a drought I wasn't realising the affects of. Until now that is. Mouths breaking apart I heaved for air while Elijah trailed his mouth out to my ear then down along my jaw line. Eyes shut in bliss I asked Elijah how the time was going.

"Are you rushing me?" He murmured to which I chuckled sexily finally able to breath properly again.

"No." I replied smoothing my left hand over the right side of his upper chest beneath his jacket. "Not yet anyway." At this Elijah swiftly skimmed his lips from my jaw to my neck then thrilled me when he grazed his canines across my skin. The cool tips drawing lines on my steaming flesh was enough to draw a convulsive shiver throughout my whole being. Gasping my left hand moved up over his shoulder and squeezed it while I craned my neck slightly to offer Elijah better access. "Bite me," I pleaded. Instead Elijah withdrew his fangs from my skin and nibbled his way up behind my ear laying kisses and flicking his tongue. Climbing further along his body I guided my hands up over his shoulders, then travelled the column of his neck and delved into his hair. Massaging and gripping his scalp where it wasn't in contact with the floor. I moved my neck again to coax him and his teeth back down from my ear. "Please." I breathed before he trailed his teeth down my neck again.

Humming in anticipation with closed eyes, my breathing quickened as Elijah's teeth moved closer and closer to where my neck joined my shoulder. Then they were gone and Elijah chuckled softly. At a loss I opened my eyes slightly to find Elijah's dark and full of passion. His hands came up and framed the sides of my face as he stared at me tenderly.

"I've missed this." He spoke softly. Returning his gaze lovingly I smiled.

"Me too. I didn't realise how much until now." Dropping my head to kiss him again our lips suckled each others slowly. Savouring each other until our mouths were overcome with longing as our tongues once again became more demanding in their searches of our respective mouths. Sliding my left leg up so I could begin to straddle Elijah meant rubbing my leg against the growing hardness aboard his lower pelvis. When he groaned I slid my leg back down then up again a few times before lifting it clear and placing my knee on the floor beside him. When I shifted slightly to begin the same with my right Elijah pulled his mouth from mine again and quickly kissed his way to my neck.

Then as I slid my right leg against him with purpose I got what I'd been wanting earlier. Into my over sensitised skin his fangs sank and I practically collapsed on him when my blood surged up towards Elijah's mouth. A delicious heat engulfed me and I was in heaven. In my overwhelmed state my right leg had relaxed to apply a steady pressure on his swelling organ. Something that Elijah found pleasing as he shifted his lower body slightly to optimise the contact. Panting in between moans rendered me unintelligible and my body quivered and undulated as it pleased. I was home. Right here was where I belonged, with Elijah. As Elijah continued to drink I felt everything with an immeasurable intensity. Even the air touched me. "Yes." I sighed when my hips shifted, located his arousal then ground against it. Hearing Elijah's responding grunt I giggled sensually. Vaguely I was aware of slowly rolling before my back met with the hard stone of the floor. Spine bowing as I thrust my chest upwards in the tiny space between us the varied contact of the cool stone floor lit a contrasting fire of ice to contrast the searing heat of my skin.

To find myself sandwiched between Elijah's body and the floor was exquisite. My legs automatically curled up and around the back of his. Knees hooked over his hips and backside so his arousal pressed right at the junction of my thighs, I tightened them further to trap him against my body. Elijah shifted and his torso rose slightly off mine but I was occupied with pulling his shirt out of his slacks then running my hands underneath to feel the flesh of his back and try to draw him back down on me. It didn't even register to me that Elijah was resisting until his fangs left my neck and whimpering at the loss I opened my eyes a sliver.

"Are you alright?" Elijah asked, concerned but his voice thick with desire. Licking my lips I tried to make sense of him and my hold slackened.

"Huh?" I managed, unsure. The desire in his eyes was doused with worry and when he next spoke he sounded somewhat unsure.

"With this. Our position." He paused, awaiting my answer. "My being on top," further breaking down his query while his eyes searched my face. Perhaps in case I was going to hide any insecurities on his behalf. "I don't want to make you feel trapped or-."

"Oh." I said, finally understanding that he was worried I might be sensitive to being in a dominated position. Likely in the event it was a traumatic reminder of Klaus and his ways. "No." I trailed off, "no! This is fantastic. Anything as long as it's you will be perfect and alright with me. I don't need to be babied Elijah." Came my assurance. The worry in Elijah's eyes left and he smiled down at me while his face took on the softest expression he'd directed at me in what seemed like an age.

"You flatter me," he spoke softly then dipped his head to recapture my mouth. Making a noise of surprise Elijah released my mouth just a fraction and raised his eyebrows curiously.

"The pain's gone."

"Fantastic." As he pronounced the word his lips touched mine with the lightness of a feather before pressing against them firmly again. I turned my head slightly to trail the tip of my tongue and lips down to his jaw then sucked just below his jaw over his artery. The knowledge of how his blood would be eager to meet my mouth despite the lack of passage for it to do so was empowering. I released the suction of my mouth and relocated it before repeating the action. Elijah groaned and put his hand in my wet hair encouragingly. Shifting location again I sucked harder then instantly released. In response Elijah pressed his erection against me more and my body stiffened in pleasure. As I relaxed again one of Elijah's hands smoothed around my left breast. I couldn't help the low moan that left me in response.

"Mmm. How long now?" Elijah's groan sounded less than happy and my eyes flew open. The way it sounded I thought he was genuinely annoyed but as we stared at each other breathing heavily I saw the jest in his eyes. Nevertheless his next words were voiced just the same.

"You are rushing me. A man doesn't need this kind of pressure, darling." Darling? His use of the affectionate name distracted me for a moment and my heart leapt. He'd called me his love because Klaus was fond of that name. But never had he or Klaus called me darling. Without realising I gently searched his eyes for it's meaning before coming up empty I turned my focus back to the task at hand.

"What? Not so flattered now when I'm hard pressed on waiting till the time is right?" I breathed with a soft smile.

"Oh I'm always flattered when it comes to you."

"Touch'e." I pointed out. "You never answered my question." I reminded then brought my hands up to stroke up and down the column of his neck while pecking his lips. "Where are we doing this?" I reconnected our mouths for another moment then broke apart. "As well as the time." Followed on as an afterthought.

"Here, regrettably."

"Right. That makes sense. Saves you having to move about too much with this erection of yours. It wouldn't be fair to put you on pause again." I agreed smiling. Chuckling Elijah removed his hand from where it had paused on my breast so he could turn up his wrist and check the time. "Damn. Didn't realise you'd need that hand to check the time."

"You'll have it back soon enough. I'm all yours after all." His hand then came up to the side of my head while repossessing my mouth with his for a few moments. "We have ten minutes before you'll be fertile." I allowed my hands to smooth down over Elijah's shoulders beneath his jacket but above his shirt. When I ran my hands down over his arms and found my way restricted by his jacket I set about pushing it back and down off his shoulders. Complying and removing his arms from the jacket Elijah then cast it over the side of the tub.

"Can we get a move on then?" I asked huskily while squeezing him closer down on me with my legs.

"I believe," Elijah paused and slid his watched hand beneath my back which proceeded to rise upwards against him. I felt him fiddle and tug on the zipper of my dress till I could feel his hand caress the skin in the middle of my back. His fingers leaving a trail of want as they left and he rose up off me slightly to lean his weight to the right while his left hand delicately grasped the top of my dress then pulled down with a flourish. Baring my breasts. Diving forward Elijah opened his mouth wide and planted his teeth over my right breast and closed his jaw slightly around the hardened peak. I moaned and wiggled beneath him, my skin prickling with goosebumps. "We already have." He finally finished while switching to repeat the action on my left.

In ecstasy, body humming my arousal was becoming slicker by the second I forced myself to stop Elijah's mouth in it's path back to the original nipple and, giving him a look indicated for him to go with me. Gently pressed at his chest while releasing him from my leg's hold. He crouched back as I kept close with him then held his left hand in my right and slowly stood. He rose with me then took the initiative to sit on the side of the tub. Once settled Elijah pulled me forcefully to stand between his legs and started on my breasts again. Breathless I threw my head back while wrapping my arms around his head. Surrendering to the exquisite sensations that kept pulsating within me and trailing right to my core. Knees buckling slightly Elijah held me firmer, adding a hand to my left buttock and I rubbed my thighs against each other wanting more. Slowly leaning back from him on steadier legs I placed my hands on his shoulders and pulled him forward, resulting in him standing before me. My hands then slid down over his chest and unbuttoned the crisp shirt he wore from halfway down. Exposing his skin to me I ran my left hand absent mindedly up and over each of his nipples as my other hand worked to thread the excess of his belt through it's keeper. When the need came for me to use two hands so I could work on the button on his slacks I raised my eyes to Elijah's. Slowly I unzipped him then softly ran my hand down over his erection sheathed in his briefs. Stepping into me more our noses rested side by side while our mouths barely touched. I stroked him a few more times a little more firmly while Elijah breathing heavily, caressed my back. Finally I returned my attention to his belt and undid it then pulled both his pants and underwear down to his ankles in one fluid movement. Rising in front of him once more I pushed him back and down on the tub then lowered my body so I could trail my mouth in sensual patterns all over his chest and close my left hand around his shaft. Eventually I was kneeling before him between his spread legs, his rigid cock in my teasing hand. By then Elijah had taken to threading his hands through my wet hair while my head descended lower. The closer I came to his member his breathing and groans became slightly louder and his hand lightly gripped my scalp. His noises alone were incredibly arousing the more strained they became, emboldening me to grip his penis firmly. Moving my mouth out to his left hip I trailed my tongue down to his groin and kissed right next to the base of his penis on the inside of his leg and laved my tongue generously. His cock twitched in my hand and I heard his shuddering hiss. Switching to place my lips on the other side I supported his testes with my free hand before rolling them gently. Again he twitched. Slowly pulling on him a few more times I backed off and, smoothing my hands up and down his thighs removed my mouth then sat back on my heels. Looking up I found his eyes were closed, mouth parted and apparently in heaven. Slowly his eyes opened and I smirked up at him my face flushing.

Elijah reached out with one of his hands then. Passing it around the back of my head to gently tug my hair. My head happily titled backwards while he leant down so his mouth could claim mine in a fierce kiss. Over come with a melting sensation I was thankful to be down on my knees. Moving on, Elijah released my hair then one of his hands cupped my chin. Looking me directly in the eyes he channelled all the desire from his to my own then patted the top of his left thigh with some slightly upwards pressure on my chin. I stood while Elijah placed his hands on my hips and spun me away from him quick enough to leave me slightly disoriented. He then hooked an arm around my waist and pulled me back to sit on his lap with his front curled against my back. Gasping my own hands fell to his arm caressing it while he kissed and sucked on my left shoulder. All the while he was working to fling the material of my dress so that it rose up and parted. Falling down either side of his own spread legs. The resulting cool air met with the heat of my sex and I shivered. Elijah's hard organ cupped my bum crack beneath me, and the material of my dress was all that separated us. I was trembling in Elijah's hold even before his right hand came down and cupped my mound. Groaning with approval in my left ear made my skin redden with more heat and then I couldn't breath. The anticipation was that great that all I could focus on was Elijah and what was to come.

Finally when Elijah's fingers began running up and down my slippery entrance I remembered to breath, but it was shaky in sync with my quivering body. I couldn't keep my pelvis still, rocking against his fingers and in turn sliding my bum against him. Elijah's head to the left side of mine prevented me from lolling my head from side to side so I tilted it back against the top of his right shoulder as he circled my sensitive bud deliciously. Jolts of pleasure rippled through me while I tensed and sagged against him alternately. Each breath of his washed down over my exposed breasts, teasing my nipples more and more. After thoroughly stimulating my clit Elijah swept his fingers down and circled my entrance excruciatingly slow. Panting in my wriggling mess I lifted my left arm to cup the attached hand around the back of Elijah's neck and whimpered.

"Ooh. Mmm," I voiced without thought then panted as he slid two of his fingers in just slightly. "Elijah." I breathed. "I'm-," my pelvis with a mind of it's own mustered some impossible strength against his hold as I moved to draw his slowly moving fingers deeper within me. "We can get to the main event." My pelvis tried again and I whimpered in frustration at what I was implying while also not wanting him to stop. "Time of the essence and all that." I managed before letting out a long low moan.

"A few moments more." He murmured soothingly against my neck his lips feather light, then allowed the movement of his fingers to increase their depth and my body went rigid. My panting had now become so stressed I could have been running.

Elijah kept working his fingers and the sensations built within me. My pelvis still moving my vocal enjoyment became a little louder when Elijah sucked at my carotid artery then bit into it and drank while moving his fingers faster. Bucking on his lap I couldn't take purchase on anything as my approaching orgasm rippled through me. Limbs tingling while heat spread within my lower abdomen I was primed to explode. Elijah was letting out little grunts as I moved on him and when finally my pleasure peaked and sent me to the heavens Elijah's arm released my waist to cover my mouth with its hand which muffled the loud keening noise that left me as I came all over his hand. Showering it with moisture as my whole body continued to twitch. The fingers he'd used to bring me to orgasm were firmly welded inside so that he could still support me. But aside from the functionality, my vaginal walls were ecstatic for having something to clench around. Even in the mild afterglow as I sagged against Elijah his fingers were exquisite. Stopping his drink Elijah stood me up while giving support and turned me. He then held my bum in both hands and drew my front against his. With his head tilted back Elijah gazed at my face. I was extremely aware of the love in his eyes and how treasured I felt because of it. Raising my right hand I brushed at some of the damp strands of hair falling near his eyes. He was mesmerising and I just stared back at him for what seemed the longest time.

"I love you," he whispered gravelly. Lowering my eyelids slightly as his voiced affection washed over me I moved in and softly joined our mouths, savouring my blood and flicking my tongue around his still pronounced canines. My wish to influence him as little as possible keeping me from saying the same. Slightly wobbly I lifted my right leg up over his so it bent backwards at the knee but also angled inwards so my heeled feet were between Elijah's thighs. Body still throbbing I supported myself on his shoulders and repeated with Elijah's assistance the same for my left so I was straddling his lap. The material of my skirt fell away at the slit, accommodating our need for closeness as though urging us on. Arms on his shoulders I rose and Elijah placed a hand on my right hip, while the other descended further to hold his waiting member. Easing myself down on him my walls pulsed at the incredibly welcomed invasion until Elijah was completely submerged within me. Our faces so close I dropped my forehead against his, eyes shut. "I don't want to lose you," came my whisper.

"You won't." he murmured back adamantly as the hand that had been steadying himself rose to caresses my left breast. Eyes still shut I slowly rose up and slightly forward loving the feel of him sliding within me so perfectly. How he could give me such a sure response was beyond me, but I wasn't about to put a dampener on things.

"I'd better not." I managed to say before lowering myself with a whimper back down while quivering from jolts of pleasure shooting up my body from my pelvis. "I need you." I whispered wantonly. The statement both relevant to this moment and the base need for Elijah in my life. He then gave support beneath my bum and together we embarked on our second time together as I rode him towards the only plan of attack that felt right. It was time after all. Everything was in line for me to fall pregnant. We just needed to complete this.

Despite the urgency of our situation we started out excruciatingly slow, due to Elijah controlling the speed of my pelvis despite the fact that I was riding. It wasn't long before I was begging Elijah in whisper to let me move faster. The intensity of the slow strong strokes disabling my motor skills, so overwhelming was the trembling of my body. We continued like this for what seemed like an age. But then time feels that way when experiencing torture. Even the sweetest. I knew time was pressing. But I couldn't manage to voice it's relevance to getting this over and done with. As my orgasm struck I spasmed all around Elijah. Teeth grit, fingernails digging into his back I clung to him with all the strength I had. My muscles burned from the exertion and I lost my voice in the silent constriction of my body before I was left shuddering and panting. Waves of pleasure colliding within me. Elijah's own sounds in response to the clenching of my sex as he worked his length within me fuelled my satisfaction. He then picked up the pace and latched his mouth onto my right breast. Gently sinking his teeth in he drew my nipple further into his mouth as he suckled strongly. Throwing my head back and giving myself over to the rise of blood as well as the purposeful way Elijah now lowered and lifted me on his lap, I could feel my body climbing to another orgasm. Enduring the excruciatingly delicious torture in eagerness of what was to come I became aware of Elijah breathing heavier and groaning with more frequency. Wanting to bite down on his shoulder and drink to his completion I hazily assessed my capability for doing so. Elijah's head at my breast gave the impression that I'd have a little difficulty lowering my head that far. Nevertheless I coaxed his mouth from my breast and turned it upwards then covered it with my own before biting hard into his bottom lip and sucking away at the overwhelming substance. A few more reverse thrusts between us and I was climbing slowly towards another orgasm and sucked even harder on his lower lip. When I finally leapt over the edge my whole body slackened for a moment and Elijah's lip was free. Silence coiled inside me once again my peak was so intense and I could only gulp a few times as Elijah quickened his pace heading to his own completion. Thrashing my head as my body imploded on itself like a vice I whimpered and spasmed while Elijah straining, continued as our bodies caressed each others desire. He was so close himself, but by now I was enduring an orgasm. Seeming to perch on the very height of it. The moments dragged on and my body was still at an impasse and I loved it. No way would I swap this glorious experience with Elijah for anything or anyone else. To me it was a manifestation of our love. Powerful and intense, to the point of breaking but capable of with-standing the stresses of life's torments. How that resonated with me right now felt highly emotional and nurtured my weary heart. Here and now this was the height my life would reach. It was overwhelming and yet exhilarating. Then it happened. My core tightened impossibly more and my juices leaked out around the last few movements of Elijah within me. Legs shaking while my lower abdomen trembled, Elijah pulled me down firmly to sit on all of him as he gasped and groaned. Experiencing his own tremors as he emptied himself within me.

Tension seeping from us we sat. Panting, sweat on our bodies I rested the side of my head on top of Elijah's right shoulder and kissed his neck. The taste of salt mingling with that of his blood and I sighed contently. Talk about relaxed. The euphoric result of us engaging in the pure pleasure of sex between two such as ourselves, fulfilling. While my limbs were heavy my mind was floating in some kind of fog. As my breathing slowed some of the fog cleared and my grief for the girl surged through now that my defences were down. Throat burning I screwed my eyes shut as tears burst forth. I curled my arms further around Elijah's neck and held on for dear life as I began to cry with such powerful intensity it was hard to consider anything pleasant. Elbows locked around his neck I sobbed away my body shaking. Powerful sobs which drew little spurts of pleasure when causing my body to move with Elijah still inside me. It was a toxic cycle of guilt to feel that subtle pleasure while my emotions were at war. Elijah wrapped me in his arms tightly, securing me against his somewhat shirt covered chest, murmuring to me that it was okay and trying to settle me.

"I'm sorry." I managed to whisper loudly after a time while tears kept rolling from my eyes.

"You never need to be. Not with me."

"This-." I hiccuped. "This isn't because of you. You were amazing. That was amazing. I just-." Hyperventilating slightly I began removing my arms from him and pushing myself back as I suddenly felt restricted. I needed some space. Elijah tried to keep me with him but I only panicked more and started coughing when my short sharp breaths got caught in my wind pipe. My movements were wild in my need to flee and I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes.

"The girl is what's stressing you so. I know. It's okay Elena." Changing his actions so that he was helping me away from his person calmly I found him supporting my frantic movements. Instead of falling to the floor as my efforts would have resulted, Elijah kept a tension on my left forearm before I settled my backside on the floor. Then he released me and finished the gesture by spreading the fingers on both his hands to emphasise this. "It's okay." I scuttled backwards until my back met the wall opposite him, then lifted the material of the top of my dress up to cover my breasts and drew my knees up to my chest. Only then, as my breathing began to settle could I look Elijah in the eyes. But a moment was all, for I ducked my head down onto my knees and cried. All the while feeling his eyes on me.

Eventually through my sadness I registered the fact that we had limited time. We'd done the deed but if anyone found us like we were, smelling like we did, it wouldn't end well. Slowly raising my eyes to his across the room we stared at each other for some torturous minutes. Elijah's were sympathetic yet strong and supportive at the same time. He was wearing a wry almost smile and looked comfortable to sit where he was and wait for me as long as necessary. Lowering my eyes then raising them again I managed a small quirk of my mouth. Trying to kindly indicate I was fine. Taking this as some sign of wellness Elijah cleared his throat and I tried to focus through my tears.

"If it's alright with you I might have a brief shower before you get cleaned up. My state of undress would not be a welcome sight should Klaus return. Your undress is more acceptable." I nodded slowly in response and followed him with my eyes as he stood then moved to the shower. I watched him bathing with his shirt still on, using soap mainly on his lower body. Of course I had zoned out somewhat so wasn't focussing too intently on him. Once he was done, without drying himself he buttoned the shirt, put his pants back on then added the jacket. Then as he dropped his arms to his sides Elijah set his eyes on me. If I could have given it any thought I'd have been amazed that I was still crying after all this time.

"I'm sorry," left my mouth in a hollow but forced tone.

"You've no need to be," he reprimanded me gently. It was true. He had told me.

"But-. About scampering away from you just now. I just, panicked. I feel so guilty and you are so supportive. Our contact felt undeserving," I paused, hiccuping a couple of times. "But I'm grateful. I really am."

"It's okay. I understand ." Elijah soothed and walked over. "Are you ready to wash? If you'd like to get started I will go and get Jonas so he'll be here when you're finished." Nodding Elijah offered me his right hand which I took and stood then cast my eyes down miserably. Elijah raised a hand to the back of my head and leant in close to place a gentle kiss on my forehead then left.

Running through the process of showering I cleaned my body thoroughly. More so at the junction of my thighs. Not feeling like it, I chose not to wash my hair so was soon finished. To ensure I smelt of Klaus and to help with covering up anything remotely Elijah I purposely used Klaus' and my towel even well after I was dry. Almost scrubbing my skin with it. Then I dressed in a robe and sat on the side of the tub to wait. Though my tears felt somewhat cleaner now I'd freshened up in the shower they still fell steadily. My eyes were sore and when I had glanced in the mirror, red and swollen. When finally Elijah returned with Jonas I breathed deeply and tried to calm my grief. By Jonas' concerned voice I didn't do a good enough job of it. I didn't want to be seen crying by him, but I had no choice in the matter. It wasn't my pride. My distaste was for the sympathy that often resulted when someone was upset. I deserved no sympathy.

"Elena. Are you alright?" I tried to give him a small smile but it was more of a grimace. Sighing in defeat then sniffing as the flow of moisture from my eyes sprung forth with more enthusiasm for a few moments I focussed on assembling my next words.

"I'm okay. I'll be fabulous if this works." I couldn't help the bitterness in my voice. I wasn't even sure where it came from.

"Then lets cover our tracks and cross our fingers for some good news when Greta next tests you." I nodded.

"I believe it will be good news all round since Klaus will find reassurance in your pending pregnancy being a result of his sperm functioning perfectly." Elijah commented to which Jonas smiled broadly. The familiarity in which they communicated gave me the assumption that Jonas' conversation with Klaus earlier had been a ploy of some sort.

"Was it ever an actual problem? For him that is." I enquired.

"No," Jonas conceded. "I decided to bring it up with him in hopes that I might persuade Klaus to use a method comprising of quality, rather than quantity."

"So there'd be more opportunity for Elijah and I to do what we've done tonight?" I finished in query.

"Yes. That was my aim. It would also give you a semblance of a reprieve from Klaus if he restrained himself a little. Now that you've accomplished the preparation of Plan C, as it's being referred to." Here my mouth managed a slight movement upwards. The title had been my handiwork. "I hope lighter days are ahead for you." He smiled warmly and I nodded in agreement. "Tonight has worked out very well. Elijah," Jonas turned slightly to speak to him directly. "Once I'm done de-scenting you both and the bathroom you'll need to compel me once again."

"Certainly."

"Alright now. Elena if you'd stand so I can walk around you without restriction I'll do you first." Standing I obeyed and Jonas began muttering away. It took less than a minute. His magic undetectable to my person. He'd simply had to walk around me once and that was it. After repeating the process with Elijah, he walked the perimeter of the room in the same fashion. "That should be sufficient." Though I was interested I had stood with my arms wrapped around my torso eager for this to all be over. I was already dreading the rest of this night. Klaus wanted me back with him at some point. But I just couldn't see myself upholding his act. I desperately needed to hide away.

"Uhm," I began, merely wanting their attention. Both set their eyes on me immediately and I fought not to shrivel beneath their concerned gazes. "If I'm no longer needed. I'm just, going to go back to my room." Jonas nodded and Elijah stood slightly taller before speaking to me.

"Do you require an escort?" A breathy, sad but somewhat harsh laugh left me before I realised. It was just luck that it didn't come out as dark as it might have. The notion while holding some truth, that I might need protection hit a nerve with me. I didn't need protecting. Others needed protection from me. I was just as big an evil. Even before I'd received an answer I'd set myself in motion for the door

"No." I paused. "Thank you. You too Jonas. Thank you."

Despondent I leant my back against the stone in the hall after taking a few steps from the bathroom door. My eyes focussed on nothing in particular while my ears listened to the sounds of vampires enjoying themselves. The musicians had started playing again and it seemed the hall was full of merriment. Happily I headed away from the noise and frivolities on my way to Klaus and my room. It was dark inside except for some faint glow from the moon outside. Without turning on the light I moved in and shuffled to the bed, dove unceremoniously beneath the covers so my head wasn't exposed and curled up into the foetal position. The warmth and darkness calmed me. But as though my mind wouldn't allow me to be distracted from my grief I kept seeing the girl's face behind my eyelids. Her innocent eyes questioning why she wasn't reunited with her mummy. She just wouldn't go away and my guilt fermented until I was bordering on a wild panic as I wailed and shook with broken sobs.

"Elena?" It was Elijah. His sudden presence didn't startle me. I'd figured he'd be along shortly. What I didn't know was whether he was going to suggest I make an appearance like Klaus had instructed. I kept crying until he moved closer and turned down the top of the covers to expose my head a little. "Can I do anything?" Came his need to assist me while gently placing a hand on my upturned shoulder. His caring tone and touch sent me further into a panic. I couldn't handle him caring for me, touching me to provide comfort resonated with an inexplicably vile feeling deep within me. I was disgusting and worthless.

"Don't touch me," I pleaded in whisper while starting to wriggle and push myself from him in a hurry. From Elijah's lack of further movement or actions I assumed he'd acquiesced. But found he'd been considering how to act. For the bed moved and there was a warm body lining the length of mine from behind me atop the bed covers. Proceeding to curl an arm around my waist and hold me while I struggled only made me more anxious to be free of him. Fighting to get free with tears streaming down my face my guilt became overwhelming. Heart thundering in my chest and each breath short, sharp and forced. I was taken over by a full on panic attack. The heat of my face burned in slight suffocation from limited air. While my hot tears left their own stinging reminder of why they were being shed in the first place. "Let go!" I screamed, wasting what oxygen I had managed to contain.

"Shh. Easy. Easy Elena." Elijah repeated over and over again as he tried to once again sooth me. "You did what you had to do." He justified while draping a leg over my lower limbs to secure them as well.

"I killed a girl," came my broken voiced wail. "I'm a killer! She was innocent, and I would do it again! I'm not allowed comfort for doing that. This is wrong. I don't deserve this! Please just stop." Weakened from my erratic breathing and now spent energy I slowed my fight.

"You deserve the world and I would happily give it to you. Cry. Grieve any way you need. But you need this. Me."

Having come to lie stationary, cocooned by Elijah I hyperventilated to the point my vision blurred. Noticing my dilemma Elijah took action and sunk his fangs into my neck. My blood warmed and soothed me in it's eagerness to meet his mouth. Proceeding to suck lazily my breathing evened out somewhat. Allowing me to lie with him feeling some semblance of peace. The silence between us stretched on while tears still leaked from my eyes. Each droplet taking a horizontal path across my face to land on the sheet beneath. A few times I tried letting my eyelids remain shut for longer than a blink. But the girls' face came back so I kept them open. Elijah continued to drink slow enough that I wasn't overcome with desire. So while I was now calm I was still uncomfortable with him. I certainly had no intention of thanking him for de-stressing me.

"Do I have to go back out there tonight?" I finally asked. Pausing his mouth Elijah removed it from my neck.

"I hope not. I'm certainly not going to persuade you to do so." His no doubt surly expression could be heard in his tone of voice as he spoke into my up turned ear.

"Good. I really don't want to go back out there."

"I'd assumed as much." I felt him move and then something fiddle with my still rather wet hair.

"Klaus isn't going to like finding you like you are if he comes in."

"No he's not. But he'll have to accept it. He's not here. I am." His tone became more and more protective until he gestured with the arm encircling my torso and arms, his physical presence. I couldn't help but wonder if what I'd said during sex with him had fuelled his desire to ignore my wishes and smother me now. I had said I needed him. But that had been the sex talking. I'd been caught up in it. Forgetting completely to be cautious with Elijah. Not wanting to influence him at all.

"About what I said before. When we were having sex-."

"You're not about to take anything back now are you?" Elijah replied. "Because you cannot re-neg the truth when it has been born from something as pure as that."

"I'm, clarifying."

"Very well." I sighed calmly.

"When I said I needed you. I didn't mean I needed you to do what you're doing right now."

"I'm aware."

"Well?" I countered suggestively.

"If I had to await a request to give you comfort, you wouldn't be getting the assistance you need right now.

"Assistance I need?"

"I know you. You should know that when I act for your betterment despite your resistance that I have good reason. You need me now. Despite not believing so."

"It doesn't matter what I need." My tone sullen.

"Of course it does.

"You're not understanding me." I said hollowly. "I can't have what I need. No comfort. Nothing." Sniffing I found the silence between us pleasing.

"I understand you perfectly." Elijah responded after a time. "Consider my life. The colossal sum of sins I've committed should not; according to human morals logically, allow any exoneration on my part. And yet. You accept me. Which is in itself a comfort. You grant me solace. And unlike you, not everything I have done was born of such purpose as you protecting your family. Which is all you've ever done, and will continue to do. If I can accept your compassion. You can do the same of mine. There's no need to judge yourself so harshly or enact punishment. Living with yourself is more than ample. Believe me." Neither of us spoke again for many minutes and in that time my tears dried up leaving me more peaceful than I had been even when Elijah had been drinking. I could somewhat appreciate what he was saying.

"Killers support killers?"

"Not exactly. You have not technically taken a life of your own volition. Even before tonight you stood by me. Empathy nurtures our humanity. Let me ensure you maintain yours. And let me do so without a fight." Humanity. Yes. I was feeling it right now. In my grief, my conscience. The guilt simmering within me. I was human. My pain was natural. Expected. I wasn't the first to feel this way. Now, considering how important it was that I felt for the girl as I did, my self-loathing dimmed. I had to live with the pain of what I'd done tonight. If I became a hybrid and didn't continue to feel it then that would mean I'd switched off my humanity. Mine was here to stay. This was my burden to carry and so long as I bore it I wouldn't lose sight of who I am. If I endured the comfort I sought right now, despite how it made me feel I would be better for it. Our trials make us who we are after all. For immortals this would be especially so. According to the Plan I might be seeing the end of my days soon. But there was no guarantee yet. I needed to conduct myself with the possibility of immortality in mind.

Elijah'd been where I was now. He knew everything I was feeling. As always, he knew me. Committing myself to it I shifted in his hold until I was facing him. At first I kept my eyes focused on his jacket and the damp patches it still bore. But flicking my eyes up to his and finding them soft and hopeful I smiled sadly at him then nervously bit my lower lip.

"Thank you." Left my mouth in a whisper. Can you-. Would you tell me about your first kill?" Elijah shifted a little so we were as close as the bed covers would allow since he was on top of them, then graciously began.