The next few days were a blur. Elena had been meaning to meet up with Elijah and talk, but Hope had been sick and Klaus had taken all of her free time to help him. On top of that, Caroline had Elena helping with set up at the Mayor's house. She didn't want any chances to run into Tyler alone, so Elena was practically Caroline's left hip. Elena didn't even have time to find herself a dress for the event. She had to pick something left over in her closet.

"I'm coming, Caroline," Elena sighed into the cell phone on her shoulder. She had to quickly find a dress and some matching shoes before leaving for the Lockwood's and nothing was appealing. "I just can't figure out what to wear. I didn't have time to go shopping." Grabbing a black dress, Elena held it up. It was probably too sexy for this event.

As Caroline began yelling and freaking out in Elena's ear, Elena decided to just pack it. Caroline was already at the Lockwood's and having a meltdown of possibly running into Tyler. Elena needed to get over there.

"Okay, I'm packing up my things and I'll be over in a moment. Just…go outside and wait by the tables. Look busy. I'll come find you there," Elena told her. Hanging up the phone with Caroline, Elena super sped around her room and packed the rest of her things. She really enjoyed having that perk. Rushing out the door, she hoped to make it in no time to her friend.

It was just as Elena thought. Tyler was nowhere in sight and Caroline was by the tables looking paranoid.

"I'm here," Elena sighed in exhaustion. Holding her dress bag over her shoulder, she watched as the blonde played with the floral centerpiece. "You got this, Care," Elena told her putting a hand over her friend's. Taking the bloomed rose from Caroline's hand, she put it back into the arrangement.

The Lockwood backyard was completely transformed. As the DJ set up beside the dance floor, Elena glanced to the rest of the tall tables. Each had grey long skirted clothes with bright fall arrangements on the table. Candles at each one as well, there was a bar and chilled champagne awaiting the guests.

"Come on, we better get ready," Elena said taking her friend's hand. The dance was to begin in a few hours and it looked like the staff knew what they were doing. There wasn't much left for Caroline to manage.

As the girls made it upstairs, they found April Young freaking out. With two different dresses in her hand, she didn't know which one to choose. Caroline and Elena smiled at the teen. It had very much reminded of them and their time in the pageant.

"Uh, blue," Elena said. "Blue is safe."

"Blue," Caroline agreed after changing into her outfit. "Safe is good when it comes to the judges." Turning to Elena, Caroline reminded her about Gracie Lockwood, who had a 3-foot slit in her dress the year before them. The judges had laughed her off the court. Elena sniggered. Their town was so ridiculous sometimes.

"You guys are sure not the red?" April asked looking back at it. Holding it up to her in the mirror, she tilted her head.

"Wear what you feel comfortable in, April," Elena guided as she went to go put on her own dress. Once in it, Elena went to the mirror.

"Geez, Elena," Caroline scolded when analyzing her attire. "This is Miss Mystic, not…a New Orleans club," she exclaimed.

Completely insecure now, Elena looked at herself. Her dress was a bit revealing. With the slitted shoulders, the fabric divided into two thick pieces on and off her shoulders. In addition, there was some of the sides that were open, not showing all of her abdomen, but carving out her sides.

"It's all I could find at such last minute, Caroline," Elena stressed. Glancing back at herself in the mirror, she tried to pull up her dress a little. The black fabric wasn't revealing anything but the V-neck that showed some cleavage. Tugging now at the sides of her dress to make it a bit longer, Elena gave up. She was going to be looking like the slutty runner up.

"It's fine," Caroline dismissed, trying to ease her friend's worry. "Just keep your hair down and your hands to your sides," she nodded.

"But what about the dance?" Elena wondered worriedly. It was customary for the winner and runner up to join the teens in their dance after a cycle or two of the routine. After that anyone was welcome to join. "How am I supposed to hide my dress then?"

Caroline stood speechless.

"Wow," April breathed, as she came out in her red dress, looking at Elena. "That is a killer dress, Elena."

Elena gave a nervous thanks and pointedly looked to Caroline.

Rolling her eyes, Caroline went to her friend. "Come on," she said pulling her friend to sit at the vanity so she could do her hair. Caroline made sure to keep Elena's hair down and a bit curly. Pulling most of her hair forward, the blonde smiled. "There. Perfect."

Elena looked at herself in the mirror. It wasn't much of a change than she usually looked, besides her short hair being less tousled. It didn't do much to hide her showy black dress.

"You'll be fine, Elena," Caroline encouraged. "Now come on, we have to get out there," she said excitedly.

Elena sighed and put on her shoes. The sooner this dance would be over with, the better. Walking out with Caroline arm in arm, the two girls went to go socialize before the whole event started.

"Ladies," a familiar voice said from behind them. Turning around, the girls were met with Klaus and Elijah. Both looked appreciatively at their love interests.

"Boys," Caroline smiled, while not letting go of Elena's arm. Elena knew she was still fretting over seeing Tyler.

"What are you guys doing here?" Elena wondered confused. She hadn't asked Klaus to be Caroline's date, and she was pretty sure Caroline hadn't asked the man either.

"I have a reputation to uphold in this town in being a Mikaelson and all," Klaus smiled slyly. "And since Rebekah decided not to join the festivities, I brought Elijah, here, along to join me for the fun."

Elena glanced to the men, trying hard not to focus on the way Elijah was looking at her. Desire was aflame in his eyes. It made her shifty.

"Elena," Caroline tugged at her friend anxiously. Glancing to where Caroline was focused, she looked over Klaus's shoulder to see Tyler…with Hayley?

"You've got to be kidding me," Elena sighed. She just couldn't get away from the damn female hybrid. First New Orleans and now this?

Both Klaus and Elijah looked back to see what called the females attention.

"What?" Caroline asked when she found the men had stiffened.

"That's Hayley," Elena pointed out to her friend.

"Hayley?" Caroline wondered. It took her a second. "Oh god, the Hayley? The one who-" Caroline stopped when she saw Elijah's pained face. "What is the she-devil doing here?!" Caroline asked angrily.

The four of them stood there, watching Tyler and Hayley in the distance, arm in arm.

It made sense now. Elena internally groaned. "Looks like we know why Tyler broke things off with you."

Caroline looked at her friend confused.

"That connection Tyler mentioned sharing with the new someone," Elena motioned to the couple in the distance, "Hayley is a hybrid. It doesn't get much closer than that." The four continued to stare. Hayley had on a red dress again, this time though much more revealing and shorter than before. She looked pretty. Elena couldn't help but feel deflated that she would never be able to compete.

Klaus surged with anger as he stared at the blossoming couple. Hayley and Tyler Lockwood were linking arms and laughing. Klaus wanted to run up and break Hayley's neck from the disrespect she showed him, but knew he couldn't because she was his daughter's mother. She was in dangerous territory with him, following him back to Mystic Falls and associating herself with Tyler Lockwood, the traitor.

Klaus turned his attention back to Caroline and Elena, and his anger slowly dissipated. As Caroline watched Tyler in the distance, Klaus stared at her intrigued to when the pair had broken up.

Elijah had difficulty tearing his eyes from the couple. Filled with mixed emotions of anger and worry, he stood irate with Hayley for showing up back in Mystic Falls and being disrespectful towards everyone. The hybrid was well aware she was unwelcome and her presence was a bother, but she was using that to tease and play games with everyone. It was making forgiveness, and the whole debacle of the kiss, much more difficult to forget. Every time Hayley showed up, Elena was put under turmoil. It hurt Elijah to know he had caused Elena pain.

Elena stood clearly displeased and uncomfortable with Hayley's presence. Her brows furrowed and eyes were filled with worry and loss. Elijah wanted to reach for her and shield her from the woman. He wanted to hold Elena and kiss her, telling her that he loved her and not Hayley. But he didn't. Not only would it make a scene that Elena would be displeased with, but he didn't know where they stood. And Hayley's presence was making that much more difficult to figure out.

Elena ran a hand through her hair, pulling it back in frustration and stress. Caroline quickly scolded her and turned her to fix it.

"Hands down, hair covering…all that," Caroline motioned to Elena's chest and dress. Fixing her hair and pulling it forward, Caroline nodded to herself. Elena's hair covered her bare shoulder area and some of her chest (-or attempted to).

Elena really should have just faked sick or picked up a dress on the way here.

Klaus stared at Elena in amusement, while Elijah gazed at her in concern and a bit of lust.

"I didn't have time to go shopping and this was all I had," Elena elaborated to the men rolling her eyes. Elena so badly wanted to get out of here.

"Yes, well, you look…" Klaus held back an entertaining smile, while Elijah pursed his lips and tried not to stare too hard. Her dress looked wonderful on her. She looked sexy as hell. It was out of character for such event.

"Shut up, Klaus," Elena muttered. Putting her arms around herself, Elena looked around. Mayor Lockwood was waving Caroline over.

"Excuse us," Elena told the men, as she walked her and Caroline over to the Mayor. She had things to go over with them about the pageant.

The event was taking entirely too long to get over with. Caroline had gone with Mayor Lockwood, leaving Elena alone to mingle. Standing sourly by herself, Elena glanced around at the town.

"Looking for some company?" a voice asked.

Spinning around, Elena broke out into a smile. Stefan. The pair quickly greeting one another with a long hug.

"What are you doing here?" Elena asked happily. "I thought you were traveling the state of Washington?"

"I was," he confirmed. "But I hadn't heard from Damon in a few weeks. It's pretty unlike him so I figured I'd stop by and check in."

Elena looked at Stefan with concern.

"It's probably nothing," Stefan passed off with a shake of his head. "We had gotten into an argument a while ago about him coming out to see me and take a break from Mystic Falls, but you know Damon and change."

Damon was not a big creature for change, and if it was, it had to be on his terms. Anyone else's and he was bound to take a fit and give a lot of sass about it.

"Anyway, what are you doing out here all alone? You look great by the way. Very-"

"Don't," Elena said giving him a knowing look. "It's all I had on such short notice and I realize it's a bit…revealing for today."

Stefan smiled and stood beside her looking out at everyone. "Nah," he disagreed with her, glancing again at her dress. It was very non-Elena to be such a rebel with her clothing. "It looks good on you. Plus, who really cares about this event anyway?"

Elena raised an eyebrow at him. He was much more lighthearted than when he had left here. It was un-Stefan like.

Stefan knew the look Elena was giving him, and he brushed it off. Being away from Mystic Falls had done him some good. He felt lighter and less caring than he had before. "It's hard to believe it was only a few years ago we were here."

Elena gave an indescribable look. It was bittersweet being back with the Miss Mystic pageant. While she looked fondly at her relationship with Stefan, he was also high on a human blood at the time. Damon had to substitute for him when it came to the Miss Mystic dance because he had gone MIA. And it was at that time, Elena began to feel something for Damon.

"Let's hope it goes better this time than last," Elena noted. Glancing at the townspeople, Elena's eyes caught Elijah's figure. He was over by one of the dinner tables talking with one of the new Founders. Watching him talk with the woman, Elena couldn't help but stare. She wondered how he was feeling with Hayley around and with Tyler. And part of her wanted to know where the two of them stood. They hadn't had a chance to talk about it since returning home. Had she forgiven him? Were they ready to try again?

Elijah could feel eyes on him. Glancing up, he caught Elena's stare. She was looking at him with such a solemn expression, but underneath that he could tell there was worry and uncertainty. He wondered what had brought out those emotions. Distractedly turning back to the townswoman in front of him for a moment, he looked back to see her moving on with Stefan. Damn.

"You get Caroline, I get Tyler?" Stefan asked as they went walking down the land, over to the fighting couple in the distance. Caroline was yelling at Tyler, shoving at his chest angrily while he stood there.

"Definitely," Elena sighed.

Climbing the hill together, both parties quickly separated their fighting friends.

"What happened to avoiding him?" Elena asked Caroline as she dragged her friend away.

"Erg!" Caroline seethed. "He just 'happened to click with her'?" She asked aloud. "Please! We both know Hayley probably inserted herself into Tyler's life just to get close to Klaus and plant her face back on Elijah."

Realizing what she had said, she quickly shut her lips and winced. "Elena, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that, I just-"

"It's okay," Elena said trying to brush it off. Caroline was probably right. Hayley was going after Tyler to get attention. Elena just really wanted this event to be over with.

Caroline grabbed them drinks from one of the tables. "So is Stefan dancing with you today?" Caroline changed topics as she sipped her champagne.

Elena raised an eyebrow. She completely forgot. "Crap," she sighed. The day was just getting worse. "Who did you ask?"

"Klaus," Caroline said trying to be nonchalant about it. "He had pulled me aside earlier and we got to talking. It's not a big deal. Matt was taken and it's not like I was going to ask Tyler," the blonde sneered.

Tyler and Hayley were now over by the table where they kept the winner's crown, Hayley playing with it and putting it on her head.

"Argh!" Caroline fumed.

Catching her friend's arm before she could go anywhere, Elena held Caroline back. The last thing everyone needed was a huge scene.

"Caroline!" Mayor Lockwood called. Caroline looked over to the mayor and nodded. It was time for the introduction ceremony. Quickly setting her drink down, she cooled down and gave her friend a hug and left.

"I really need to get out of here," Elena said to herself after Caroline disappeared.

"I think your presence would be missed," Elijah said coming up beside her. Elena gave a soft smile to the friendly face.

"I think the townspeople of Mystic Falls would survive," she assured him, sipping her drink.

Pensive, Elijah stared at his own beverage in his hand. "Are you alright?" he asked in a low voice.

Elena took in a deep breath. No, she wanted to answer him. But how was sulking going to get her anywhere? "Just tired," she replied. Glancing up at his face, she found he had shaved since they had returned home.

"Hi, everyone," Caroline said in the squeaky microphone. Elena and Elijah turned their attention to the event. "I'm Caroline Forbes. As the reigning Miss Mystic Falls, it is my honor to introduce this year's Miss Mystic court!"

Everyone began clapping.

Elena turned to Elijah, but then stopped.

"Would you…" She bit her lip.

Glancing to Elijah, who was patiently waiting and only half paying attention to the ceremony now, took a chance with her feelings. "The reigning winner and runner up of Miss Mystic are supposed to join the Court in the traditional dance. If you're free, would you want to be my dance partner?"

Elijah smiled. Elena was asking him for his help and letting him in.

"If you don't know it, that's okay. I mean, it's a stupid thing anyway. I can ask Stefan. He was supposed to go as my partner the first time and so I know he knows the routine. I-"

"Elena, it'd be my honor," he smiled to her. The anxiety rolled off Elena. Elijah took their drinks and set them down, leading the way with Elena as the music started for this year's court.

Familiar music played and Elena looked at Elijah curiously when they stood off to the side waiting to join in their turn.

"Did Mayor Lockwood-…"

Elijah pursed his lips to hide a smile. Mayor Lockwood had copied the music of the Mikaelson ball for the traditional dance. "Yes, she did," he murmured to her. Elijah offered his hand to Elena as they followed Caroline and Klaus to the stage.

It felt a combination of intimate and comfortable for Elena as she danced with Elijah. Part of her felt so at ease when circling around with him or being held in his arms, but then her heart was fluttering so fast, she thought she'd explode.

"Klaus," Elena breathed, as she left Elijah's arms and turned to a snickering hybrid.

"Elena," he smiled. "You look lovely."

She gave him a look saying 'I know you don't actually think that' but he returned it with a raised eyebrow. "You do. Don't let anyone here tell you differently."

Swinging her around in his arms, they continued to dance.

"What is Hayley doing here?" Elena wondered nervously to him. She didn't understand why the girl was now in Mystic Falls. Was she here for good? Would she be staying with Klaus?

"No idea," Klaus softly growled. "But she won't be going near my daughter. I can guarantee you that."

"You think she's here for Hope?" Elena wondered. Part of her wondered if she were here for Elijah. Klaus's eyes softened in the slightest, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "Don't let her get to you, Elena. Hayley loves games."

Elena sighed. Spinning around and moving to the last person, she found Matt. Smiling brightly, she was grateful to see her friend. "So, how's it going?" he wondered as they danced. "I saw Hayley was here."

Elena tried not to scowl.

"How'd she get here anyway? And why is she here?"

"No idea," Elena sighed. "I'll just be glad when I can get out here."

Matt seconded that. "Bekah's a bit mad at me. April had called during our trip and asked if I would be her date and I think Rebekah got jealous."

"Oh, I'm sure she did," Elena said, knowingly. "When have you known Mikaelsons to play well with others?"

Matt glanced at the dancing men and thought it over. Yeah, they really didn't share.

"Bring her flowers and reassure her that she is the only one for you. I know you said you wanted to keep whatever happened during your travels just that, but Matt, Rebekah really likes you. And from what I can tell, you like her."

He sighed and turned Elena. "I just don't want to screw things up. Our trip was so perfect and now that we're back…I'm just a busboy Elena. I don't have much to offer."

Elena was saddened by her friend's view. He was so much more than that. "Matt, you have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. You have plenty to offer. Rebekah might have expensive taste, but when it comes to you, she doesn't care about money. You both just have to find a way to make it work."

"Like you and Elijah?" Matt questioned as the dance was slowly coming to an end. Elena glanced over to Elijah and saw he was already looking at her.

"I have no idea," she whispered to Matt. And that she didn't.

Elijah caught Elena as she walked down from the stage. "Come with me?" he requested.

Leading her away from all the people and the crowds, Elijah gave a small smile as he walked somewhere familiar.

"Do you remember the last time we were here together?" Elijah asked, motioning for her to look around. Elena furrowed her brows and glanced at her surroundings. Immediately recognition crossed her face. It was after she pulled out the dagger from Elijah. They came to the Lockwood's and walked around the property. It was here that Elijah debunked the sun and the moon curse and told her about Klaus. It was where they built trust for one another, where she proved she was worthy to be trusted.

She beamed. "How could I forget? You stunned me with the proclamation that Klaus was actually your brother." Elena gracefully took Elijah's hand to cross over the tiny bridge.

"Yes, I did."

Elijah kept hold of Elena's hand as they walked. The past had reminded him of how ridiculous he was -how he had told Elena he wouldn't make the same mistake in caring for another doppelgänger. And flashforward to now, where he was completely in love with the woman on his arm, and all he wanted to do was care for her.

"Thank you for trusting me," Elena said thinking about that entire day.

Elijah took a step forward cupping her cheek so that he could look into her eyes. "Thank you for showing me I could."

Slowly leaning forward, the pair met for a sweet kiss.

"You both make me want to hurl," Hayley's voice called. Elena pulled herself back from Elijah, tiredly. She knew exactly who that voice belonged to and wish it would go away.

Tyler followed the girl, uncomfortable with the confrontation and Elijah's stare. "Hayley-"

Hayley pulled away from Tyler's grasp. "Elijah," she said seductively before turning to Elena. Her demeanor changed quickly. "Elena."

"Tyler," Elena acknowledged trying to ignore Hayley's presence.

"Leave," Elijah commanded to Hayley. Narrowing her eyes at him, she pretended to think about it and shook her head. "You're not the boss of me," she said challengingly. Instead she went to press herself against his side. Elena looked away.

"Hayley," Elijah said frustratingly as he tried to push her away gently. No harm could come to her, as she was still Hope's mother.

"Tyler, did you know that these two were a thing…. a very long time ago," Hayley spoke, looking at the pair. Elena rolled her eyes.

"I had no idea," Tyler answered curtly.

Hayley smiled, still running her hands up and across Elijah's shoulders. "Hey Elena, how's my child?" she asked.

Elena had enough. Sighing, she put her arms around herself and looked to Hayley directly. "What do you want?"

Hayley innocently shrugged. "I just came to chat. See, Tyler invited me to this lovely dance, and how could I say no? This town is so…."

"Small?" Elena asked questioningly, remembering Hayley's response previously.

Hayley gave a smile.

Tyler glanced at the two ladies and felt out of his element. While he had grown to admire and almost say, fell in love with Hayley, she was acting like a completely separate person here. He felt bad for Elena, even if she wasn't a close friend. "Elena, did you want to grab some air?"

Elena glanced surprisingly to Tyler. "I'd love some," she told him, walking away before she could put her eyes back on Elijah and Hayley.

As the pair walked, Elena couldn't help herself. The protectiveness was overwhelming her –Hope, Klaus, Caroline. "What are you doing with her Tyler? I mean, you realize who she is, right?"

Tyler looked at her clueless.

"Hayley…" she waited for recognition but none came. "Klaus's Hayley. Hope's mother?"

Tyler paled slightly. Hayley had mentioned being a mother and getting her baby taken away from her, but never that it was from Klaus. She had only shared that Klaus had sired her and she spent time with him and his family down in New Orleans for a while.

"Klaus will kill you," Elena warned Tyler. "You thought he wanted to kill you after you un-sired yourself? He's about ready to be 100x more dedicated now than that."

Tyler became frustrated with Elena. "Well since you're so buddy-buddy, call your watch dogs off. Convince him otherwise."

"Why?" Elena asked just as frustrated. "Tyler, you bring Hayley of all people here and you think I can somehow convince Klaus to let you live? Not to mention, you broke Caroline's heart."

"That creep always had a thing for Caroline," Tyler spat bitterly, thinking of Klaus with Caroline.

Elena rolled her eyes. Men were so dense sometimes.

"Look, I still love Caroline," he told Elena. "Not that it's any of your business. But when I was on the run, I don't know, I started to feel something for Hayley. She's different and she's a hybrid like me. She gets it."

Elena sighed.

"I didn't know she was the mother of Klaus's child," Tyler clarified. "and I didn't know she had been to Mystic Falls before. She never told me that. But-" he looked over to where Hayley stood with Elijah, and sighed. She was still throwing herself at him and the elder was walking away. She had become a different person.

"I'm not one to tell you what to do, Tyler," Elena spoke gently. "Just be careful with what you're doing. You're going to get yourself killed." Elena then walked off to leave him in his thoughts.

There was one last duty Elena had to accomplish before she could sneak out from the event. Taking the crown and sash on the pillow, she walked on the stage and stood behind Caroline who was announcing the new Miss Mystic.

"This year's Miss Mystic Falls is…"

Elena glanced down to Elijah who was amongst the crowd. With his hands in his pockets, he was watching her with concern.

"April Young."

People cheered and Elena went forward, presenting the pillow with the crown and sash to Caroline to put on April. Once the process was complete, Elena walked down from the stage and began to plan her escape.

"Attempting to flee?" Elijah wondered, as he went up to stand next to Elena. He could tell she was itching to get out of here.

She took a deep breath and tried to fake a smile. "Why would you say that?"

And he looked at her, really staring at her in all his wisdom and knowledge.

"So, maybe I am," she confessed, glancing away from his gaze.

"Where would you go?" Elijah wondered as she looked around at the crowd.

"Home," she responded. Glancing down at her dress, she couldn't wait to get out of her formal wear.

"You look beautiful, Elena," Elijah murmured, now turning to face her. Desire and affection were written all over his face. He truly meant what he said. Elena took a small step back from the intimacy of the moment.

"Care for some company?" he wondered.

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he stared back at her, as if he was asking for her to challenge him.

Offering his hand out once more, he waited patiently until Elena took it and they snuck out together.

They made it back to her apartment and it was the first time Elena could really breathe. Setting down her keys, she slipped off her heels and threw her purse over to her bed.

"I am going to go change," she announced to Elijah, spinning on her heel. "Help yourself to anything in the fridge."

Elijah was left to his own devices. Going to sit on her couch, he thought about the other times he was here. It felt so long ago when they had tried to be friends with one another, and even longer that they had slept with one another. So much always seemed to happen that filled their time, making recent events seem so far in the past.

Elena came out from the bathroom in a tank top and shorts, covering it with a chunky sweater and fuzzy socks. She had removed her makeup and tousled her hair however she had desired it. He knew she had wanted to forget the day. With Hayley showing up, it had made things so much harder. The entire day he was wondering how Elena was handling things since it contrasted to their time in New Orleans.

Elena shuffled her way to the couch, grabbing a blanket and plopping herself down. She was exhausted. "I don't know how great of company I'll be," she warned Elijah.

Elijah got up from where he was sitting, scooping Elena in his arms and setting her down in his lap. He was surprised how well she had taken to his touch. Instead of fighting him like he had thought she would, she leaned into his chest, laying her head on his shoulder. He moved to cover her with a blanket and hold her. As he brushed her skin lightly with his hands, he looked down and noticed she was sleeping.

Smiling, he kissed her head and let her nap. She was always there for others, but not everyone was always there for her. It had worried him how hard she worked herself sometimes. She needed someone to take care of her, and he prided himself in being that until he blew it by allowing Hayley to kiss him. It messed the both him and Elena, but he watched as it had affected her to the depths of despair. He vowed to make it up to her, to never let it happen again and never let her go. He vowed to be that person there for her –always and forever.

Elena groaned in her sleep, breaking Elijah from his thoughts. Hushing her back to dreamland, he continued to hold her. He didn't want to lose her again, but he wondered if she had felt that way too. "I love you, my lovely Elena," he breathed.

Hours later, Elijah fiddled around her kitchen to cook dinner for her, for when she woke. He could tell by her kitchen and refrigerator that she didn't spend much time at home. He had time to run to the grocery store (at vampire speed) to get her a bunch of things for dinner and the next few days. He was going to make sure to talk with her about caring for herself better.

"Elijah?" Elena asked groggily. Sitting up from her bed, Elena looked around confused. How did she get to bed? What was Elijah doing?

"Just in time," he said finishing up a few more things. Grabbing a tray, he brought them over a large bowl of mac and cheese, garlic bread, and a smoothie.

"You did all of this?" she asked surprised, as he set the tray on her lap. Elijah smiled and sat down in bed with her.

"I had some time on my hands while you were asleep. And I picked up a few groceries for you as well." He chuckled as Elena dove into the food, moaning at the taste of the mac and cheese. It was absolutely amazing.

"I carried you to bed after you fell asleep. I figured it would more comfortable than the couch."

Elena set her fork down and went for the garlic bread. It had been a while since she had eaten or cooked herself a meal like this.

"Elena, I saw your fridge. You really need to start taking better care of yourself. Have you even had any blood in your system lately?"

Slowing down her eating, she swallowed and nodded. "I have," she said, when her mouth was empty. "I haven't had much time to stock my fridge with any more blood bags… or go grocery shopping, but I will. I've just been really busy."

Elijah frowned.

"You have to start taking better care of yourself."

"I will," Elena sighed. With Hope and Klaus needing her, coming home from New Orleans and dealing with Caroline, on top of her usual items, it was a bunch at once to handle. "I'll do better."

Elijah pursed his lips, watching her for a bit. It was clear helping her with her work when he could, was not enough, and she wasn't about to take any money from them. "Come move back in with us," he pitched. "You can stay with me again, or if you don't feel comfortable, you can choose another room. The mansion has plenty of space, there are blood bags always stocked, I can cook us some meals, and you'd be close to Hope. Niklaus would love it."

Elena frowned. As picture perfect as he made it seem, Elena didn't want to impose and she was trying hard to be independent. "You can't just invite me to stay in Klaus's mansion. You haven't even talked it over with him."

Elijah shifted on the bed to face her. "I don't need to. I know my brother, Elena. I know he will say yes without doubt. Whether Niklaus cares to admit it or not, he loves having you around and depends on you when it comes to his daughter."

Elena gave a soft smile. Somewhere she knew that too. Klaus looked to her when it came to taking care of his child. He was always so afraid of doing the wrong thing or making a huge parenting mistake. He was doing everything to make sure his child never turned out anything like him.

"Think about it," Elijah encouraged. "You will save a bit of money by no longer having to pay rent, you won't have to worry about keeping groceries stocked, and you'll even have a fresh supply of blood bags when you need them."

It was an enticing thought. Elena not only hated grocery shopping, but rent did cost her a lot and it'd bring her bills down.

"Say yes," he said looking up at her. "I promise, we can make this work."

Elena looked at him and wondered if it were just about the move he was talking about. Moving back in with the Mikaelsons was like taking a step backward into the life she said she'd never let herself have again. She had drawn a line, a specific one, to make sure that she stayed separate from them. And if she were to move in, she wondered where that left her with Elijah. Would they get back together? Could she go there again with him?

"I'll think about it," she settled on. There was so much to contemplate in making the decision. She'd have to figure out what to do with all of her stuff, not to mention figure out what she wanted to do with Elijah.

Elijah let her finish her meal and they talked about the pageant while doing so. "So why did you join the competition if you didn't want to win?" Elijah asked Elena, as he cleaned up her kitchen. While Elena insisted in doing her own dishes, she still seemed exhausted and Elijah found himself capable of doing the task.

"My mom mostly," Elena answered. "She was Miss Mystic back in her day. When the opportunity came for me to try out, she was all about it. I think she wanted her daughter to follow in her footsteps. So, I signed up. But then she died before the whole process really started. I thought about dropping out, but it felt like I was letting her down, you know? So, I went through with it to try and make her proud, I guess."

"Well you've certainly fulfilled your duties," he told her as he wiped down the last of her counters. "You were beautiful today, Elena."

Elena blushed, as he stared at her passionately. Glancing away, she thought about all the times he stared at her with those loving eyes, giving her the reassurance she needed to defeat her inner demons. They were good together, she had to admit that. He gave her strength, as she did him. But that idea also terrified her. Just as when he took her back to his room the night Katharine had ripped his heart out, she realized how deeply she loved him, and how scared that made her.

"I actually forgot I have something of yours…" Slipping from the bar stool, Elena padded her way to find his button down she had borrowed the morning she snuck out from the mansion. She finally got around to washing it, but never had a chance to give it back.

Bringing it over, she blushed and handed it to him. "I…uh…had to borrow it the morning I left your place that one time."

Elijah looked at the shirt with surprise. He hadn't even realized he was missing one. Looking up at her, he tried not to replay the images of her that night. The sex they had was always so intense, but that night in particular was unforgettable.

"Did, uh…," Elena cleared her throat. "You want to stay for a movie or something?"

She could tell exactly what he was thinking. The lust in his eyes was apparent, as was the slight bulge of his pants. It was hard not to be taken back to that evening. But Elena tried her hardest not to think about it.

Elijah pushed his memories of that night aside and set his shirt on the counter. "Sure."

They had picked some action movie, but neither ended up paying attention. Instead, they ended up making out on the couch, Elena in Elijah's lap.

It began harmlessly. She had curled up in his arms, laying between his legs on the sofa. As they watched the film, his fingers kept lightly grazing her skin, making her crazy. So, she gave him a look. And he gazed at her with one of his own. Before she knew it, they were challenging one another to survive the teasing of their sensitive spots. Elena sat face-to-face on his lap because she knew he'd shiver when she'd run a finger behind his ear. And that had Elijah leaning forward, kissing her as she sat on his lap.

Elena knew she should pull back, but she enjoyed Elijah's lips on hers. She felt tingles down her spine at the way that his soft hands held onto her hips, as she sat above him, grinding her pelvis against him. It was exhilarating to kiss until you were absolutely breathless, only to push on and continue battling lips.

"Elena," Elijah whispered breathlessly as he pulled off her sweater. Running his hands up her body, he stopped to run his thumbs over her tender peaked nipples. She wasn't wearing a bra.

Elena parted from his lips to gasp at the sensation and he enjoyed watching what he could do to her. She was a beautiful. The dress from earlier made him grow with desire.

Groaning, as she rubbed herself against his tented pants, he held her hips as he kissed her. He needed her and wanted her so badly. Shedding her shirt and ridding himself of his own, he pulled them together, chest to chest, kissing her deeply.

"I need you, Elena," Elijah groaned as his lips made his way down her skin, kissing the column of her neck. Hearing Elena gasp again made his member twitch. He wanted to be buried in her.

Elena undid his pants and freed him from the bottom half of his clothes while she sat on top of him. Open and protruding from the wide-open zipper, his member stood at attention waiting for her.

Elena ran a hand down his shaft, watching Elijah as he tossed his head back and groaned. Rubbing him up and down, she touched him how she knew he would enjoy.

"You have to stop," Elijah panted, grabbing her hand on his shaft to stop her. He was going to embarrass himself if she continued her motions. Bringing her to him, he kissed her long and hard, teasing her breasts with his hands. Shedding himself of the rest of his clothing, he sped them over to the edge of the bed, sitting her down in his lap. Pulling off her short shorts, he held her in his arms.

He aligned himself perfectly, sliding himself inside of her without an ounce of hesitation. She was wet with need for him. The air began to fill with the noises -grunts and moans and echoes of skin slapping against one another, as she held onto Elijah's shoulders.

It wasn't long before Elena had climaxed around him, wetness flowing from her, making her opening more slick for him. Feeling as her walls clamped down around him, pulsating on his hard flesh, he let himself go, fluid rushing from his body, as he pushed himself deep inside her one final time.

"Oh my god," Elena breathed, collapsing on top of him when they finished. Elijah chuckled and kissed her. He loved seeing her post-sex glow. Holding her in his arms, he enjoyed the feelings of blissful happiness. It was only with Elena he could feel this way.

"Come to bed," she told him, getting up from his arms and slipping underneath the covers. Making room for him, they made themselves comfortable and she laid her head on his chest.

What did this mean? Both were too afraid to ask one another.

Elijah glanced down to Elena, bringing her in for a long kiss once more. Whatever had just happened between them, he planned to savor, and then maybe go again.