Corded Souls

by beginimperfectly

What if there was magic that could reveal your soulmate? When Elijah, Kol, and Finn discover their soulmate is each the same girl, bonds and brotherhood are changed forever. How will Elena navigate love and dealing with three potentially destined mates? Will fate or family be the one to win?

3. Part 3

"Let's go, Finn," Rebekah called from the stairs.

Finn huffed, letting Elena go before him. "She acts as if I am a child."

"No, but you are going to make us late," Rebekah called. She was determined to update her brother's style of clothing and hair.

"Why must we do this?" he asked his sister, putting on his coat.

"Well, Elijah won't let me do anything to him and Kol already got a bit of a makeover when he went on his trip with Elena, so you're the only one left. Now, do this for your baby sister," she stated.

Finn looked to Elena, who gave him a supportive kiss. "You might get a lollipop at the end."

Rebekah snickered and he gave them both a flat look. "You're only encouraging her," he told Elena, giving her another kiss before going to leave.

Elena watched the two of them go and then went to the kitchen where Elijah was cooking. "You know, you don't always have to make food for me," she spoke.

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "I enjoy it," he remarked.

She went and sat down. "Have you heard any news on Klaus or Esther?"

"Not yet," he stated with his back to her. He had been keeping tabs on all of the trouble.

"Are you concerned?" he asked, going and giving her some cucumber to munch as he chopped it. She tended to pick off his board.

She shrugged. "Maybe a bit," she said softly. "Kol's been helping me with my magic in the meantime."

"He did mention it," Elijah replied. "He tells me you have a handle on it."

"It's better than it was before," she remarked. She couldn't tell if she had a handle on it exactly. Sometimes it still got the best of her.

"He had a theory that I'm able to use my magic differently as a Traveler because I'm the doppelganger. Do you think that's true?"

"I do," he replied. He had studied up on Travelers extensively. "And you need to be careful. If they were ever to find out about you, Elena—"

"—I know," she cut off. Kol had already gone through this with her. Her blood was the source of power for that group of witches. She didn't want to imagine what would happen to her in their hands. She had thought Klaus was bad. Witches were nothing to mess with.

"We don't mean to scare you," he stated, seeing her go quiet. He wanted her safe. It was what mattered most to him.

She nodded.

"And what are we discussing?" Kol asked, walking into the quiet room.

"Magic," Elena replied.

He looked curiously to the two, sensing a bit of tension. "Alright. Well, want to watch a movie?"

She hopped down from her barstool. "Elijah, want to join?"

"After," he replied. He wanted to finish cooking for her. "Go."

She hesitated, feeling awkward that she was leaving the man who was nice enough to cook dinner.

"Go, Elena," he said kindly, knowing her inner battle. He went and kissed her. "I'll bring dinner to you."

She reached up and gave him another kiss before leaving. She laughed as Kol picked her up and spun her around, dropping her on the couch. He had an array of movies out for her to pick from.

The three of them watched two before Rebekah and Finn came home. They were each carrying tons of bags.

"May I present to you, a handsome looking Finn Mikaelson," Rebekah stated, showing off her brother. He gave an eye roll and had a bit of pink to his cheeks.

Elena was shocked to see the longer hair of Finn's gone. It was now somewhat short and croppy like Kol's, but Kol's was slightly longer.

"Well?" he asked, seeing Elena stare at him. He was hoping she'd like it. It was a bit…updated for his tastes.

"I can't say you look much better," Kol remarked.

Elena gave him a swat. "It looks great, Finn."

"Well, kiss him," Rebekah stated with an eyeroll. She grabbed her bags and went upstairs.

Elena got up from the couch, looking at all the bags. "I see you had the Rebekah shopping experience," she said with a small laugh.

"My god, she's a handful," Finn remarked, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close. She kissed him and smiled. He looked younger and a bit more carefree. And he had hair gel in.

"What?" he asked lovingly, seeing her gazing at him.

"Do you know how to replicate this style?" she asked curiously.

"Not a clue," he replied bluntly, making her laugh in his arms. He smiled and kissed her again, before ushering back to his brothers while he took his bags upstairs.

---

"Keep your arms up," Elijah commented, showing her how to position herself. He had been teaching her some defensive moves. "And watch your feet."

She glanced to her feet, fixing their position. It felt awkward.

"A bit more apart," he noted.

"Like this?" she asked, adding a bit more space between her feet. He nodded and the two went sparing with one another, practicing around the mats of their house gym.

"Elena!" Caroline's voice called.

Using the distraction, Elena grabbed Elijah's hand and then swiped his feet from under him, dropping him to the ground.

She smirked at him and squealed, jumping away when he went reaching for her. He sped up and trapped her in his arms from behind, smirking at her and giving her a quick kiss.

"Elena! There you are," Caroline huffed. Elena looked to her friends curiously. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Clearly interrupting," Bonnie stated, seeing the sight of them sweaty and kissing.

Elena blushed and the two girls giggled.

"Here," Caroline said, pulling out some envelopes from her bag.

"Oh," she breathed. They had return addresses from the colleges that she applied to.

"We all got ours. We figured we'd open them at the same time," Bonnie said.

Elena's heart was hammering in her chest.

"They're big, so that's good, right?" Caroline asked her friends.

"Yes, it's good," Elijah remarked, going over to Elena and putting his hands on her waist. He tried to ease her anxieties.

"Okay, let's do the furthest places first," Bonnie declared.

They nodded.

"What's going on?" Finn asked, coming into the room with Kol trailing behind.

"College letters," Elijah remarked, watching Elena pull out the catalog and letter from the large envelope.

She quickly read it and smiled.

"I got in!" Caroline squealed.

"Me too," Bonnie laughed.

"I'm in," Elena smiled. The three hugged and went opening the other three. They had all got in.

"Late one," Elena declared. It was Whitmore. They went tearing the paper and reading their letters.

"I'm in," Bonnie stated.

"Me too," Elena said. They waited for Caroline.

"You guys…we did it. We got into our colleges," Caroline spoke. She had been accepted to Whitmore.

"Congratulations," Finn stated first.

Elijah kissed Elena's head and the other men went and hugged her.

Elena smiled and then went hugging her friends.

"Now all we have to do is choose," Bonnie spoke.

"Oh boy," Elena sighed looking at Caroline. The girl had made them apply to so many colleges because she couldn't choose to begin with. They could only imagine the process it was going to be to actually pick a place to attend.

"Let's go celebrate," Bonnie suggested.

"I need to shower," Elena remarked, seeing her sweaty.

"We can all meet at the Grill then," Caroline suggested. "Be there in an hour."

"You did it!" Kol exclaimed, picking her up and swinging her around when her friends disappeared. She laughed and hugged him tightly. She had gotten into all of the colleges she applied to.

"We knew you could," Finn said proudly. She smiled to him when Kol set her down. "I did have some help."

He snickered.

"We're done for the day. Go get ready for your friends," Elijah advised with a smile.

She looked to all of them curiously. He made it sound like he wasn't going. "Are you guys not coming?"

"Did you want us to?" Finn questioned. He figured a public scene like the Grill would be something Elena wouldn't want them to attend with her at once.

"Of course, I do. It's just dinner."

They all agreed, going off and getting ready.

Finn came into her room, knocking on the open bathroom door. She was turning on the shower. "Hey."

He went over to her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her shoulder. His hands skimmed her toned stomach.

"I'm sweaty," she warned.

"You're gorgeous," he countered, nipping at her ear.

She smiled and held back a moan. The mirror was starting to fog slightly from the running warm water. "What's up, Finn?" She knew him better than coming by just to jump in the shower with her.

"Are you sure you're alright with us joining you?" he asked, staring down at her. He didn't want her to pull away from them if talk from the town started again.

"I think if we keep the PDA to a minimum and just have fun, we should be okay," she assured him.

"PDA?" he questioned.

She gave a small laugh. "Public display of affection."

"Well," he said, turning her in his arms. "We'll have to get it out of the way then." His lips went over hers and she kissed him back with the same amount of needy aggression. She ran her hands through his choppy hair and shuddered when his lips went attacking her neck.

The two hastily stripped one another and stumbled into the shower. He pinned her to the cold wall, getting lost in her embrace.

"Finn," Elena gasped quietly, feeling him slide inside of her. She was glad the shower water was running so Kol and Elijah couldn't hear her.

Finn picked her up and pulled her legs around his waist, thrusting roughly. She buried her face against the crook of his shoulder as he jousted.

"That's right, Elena," he murmured, shoving himself back inside of her roughly. He listened to her muffle her moans. "Take it, my love. Let me make you feel good."

She shivered at his words. Her body clenched around him tightly and as he continued his rapid, rough thrusting. She tried stifling the noises of her orgasm against his shoulder and he gave a groan, kissing her as he released a heavy load of his cum.

She panted against him, waiting for him to finish and pull out. "I don't think this is what Elijah had in mind when he told me to go shower."

Finn smirked at her, kissing her as he removed himself from her wetness. He muted her groan with his mouth and then smirked at her. "It seems to me you enjoyed yourself quite well."

She rolled her eyes, pushing him away. His self-righteousness was starting to show. "I'm not going again with you."

"But you could," he murmured in her ear. He snickered when he saw the goosebumps on her skin. "And you want to."

He pressed his slick length against her backside.

She shivered at the feel of him. He was ready. "Finn," she tried to warn. She needed to finish showering.

His hand went down between her and he groaned in her ear, feeling her wetness.

"You gave me quite enough of you," she murmured as she pressed her body against him. They both were aware how he was seeping from her.

"Let me have you again, " he whispered in her ear. His voice carried a slight plea. He found he never only finished once before. They always went multiple times because he could. And he was still just as hard for her. "I'll finish elsewhere."

His fingers touched her faster and she gave into him. They pressed her to the wall, bending her slightly and he inserted himself back inside of her from behind.

"Finn," she whimpered.

"Oh...Elena," he groaned trying to keep his voice down. He wanted to be respectful to his brothers and not letting them hear how he was taking her, but he found it challenging when her body was so needy for him.

The two began thrusting, being quick and rough liked one another liked. He worked to hear her magnificent sounds.

She bit her lip or buried her face against the wall. She felt ready to explode at his pace. Bringing her arm up to cover her mouth, she muffled her sounds as her body climaxed at the pleasure of his pounding.

"Yes, my love," he gasped, feeling her body tighten and pulsate. He relished in her orgasm, giving deep thrusts to keep her going. When she was finished, he continued his rapid pace until he felt too close and pulled out, rubbing himself off and shooting cum on the tile wall beside her.

He groaned into her shoulder as he touched himself. All he could think about was her and how she felt when he was inside of her.

When he was done, he gave her one more loving kiss. "That is what you do to me," he murmured, knowing she had watched him.

"Go," she demanded lightly. She knew he was trying to rile her up again.

He kissed her shoulder once more before stepping out and going to get ready for the dinner. His brothers were none the wiser to what had transpired.

---

Caroline, Bonnie and Rebekah were surprised when Elena showed with all three Mikaelsons.

"Well, it's about time you made a debut," Rebekah noted.

"Rebekah," Elijah scolded. He didn't want her making Elena uncomfortable about the matter of them showing up with her.

She rolled her eyes at her brother. He was so sensitive.

"It's not a big deal," Elena said somewhat uncomfortably. She went to look for an open seat.

"Hey," Matt said, going over to her. "I heard the great news. Congrats." He gave her a big hug and she smiled.

"Oh great," a voice muttered. Elena looked over to see Damon huffing.

Stefan was beside his brother, looking awkward. They had been invited to the celebratory dinner not knowing Elena would be bringing the Mikaelson family.

"Uh…congrats guys," the younger Salvatore told Caroline, Bonnie and Elena. He went to hug the three.

"I'll be at the bar," Damon muttered, seeing Elena barely able to acknowledge him.

"He's been moody lately," Stefan told Elena, seeing her look after his brother. He gave her a hug and she smiled to him.

They all settled at the table and talked amongst themselves.

"So Matt, what about you?" Stefan asked, seeing the man sit down and take a break for a few moments. He was busy working.

"Uh, I got a football scholarship to a school around here, but I don't know. I might take a year off."

Elena looked at him interestedly. "Matt, why didn't you tell me?"

He shrugged. "Honestly, it wasn't where I wanted to go. You know how I feel about this place, 'Lena. I just…I don't know. I don't have many options like you guys."

Rebekah looked to her love interest. "I was thinking of taking Matt around the world for the summer," she spoke.

They all looked to her interestedly AS they listened to more about the idea, Elena noticed Matt frowning. It wasn't all too long later that he got up and went back to work.

Elena pushed out her chair and excused herself, catching Matt before he could disappear. "Hey," she said.

"I am happy for you," he told her.

"I know," she said. She was sure it brought up a lot of questions for him, though. He had been wanting to get out of the small town and was now potentially stuck here. He couldn't afford school on his own.

"This sucks," he stated, his eyes getting teary. She gave him a tight hug and comforted him as best she could.

"And Rebekah trip has this trip planned, which she thinks is helping, but—"

"—it's not," she finished for him. He nodded. "Look, I gotta get back to work, but I'll stop by later." He gave her another hug and left.

"Have you actually gone to college?" Caroline asked Stefan when Elena got back to the table.

"I have," Stefan confirmed. "A few times actually."

They continued conversation and most of the night went alright—at least that was what Elena had thought. She went home with the Mikaelsons, and Rebekah exploded at her.

"You are worse than Katharine or Tatia! I swear it!" she shouted.

Elena looked at her alert. "What?"

Finn glared to his sister. "Rebek—"

No!" she shouted, spinning around on heel and glaring at Elena. "I tried to be nice and accept my brothers fell in love with the same woman—a doppelganger nonetheless! But she's just a slut like they all say! How dare you go behind my back as I sit only a few feet away and put your opinion in about my future with Matt!"

Elena opened her mouth, startled at what Rebekah was accusing her of. She wasn't sure where the blonde had thought that. "No, I—"

"You just have to have everyone don't you? You have to have every man fawn over you including my brothers! You're absolutely pathetic!" Rebekah shouted.

Kol went to silence her and Elena grabbed his arm, pulling him back. she didn't want him to start a fight.

"Oh, of course. Give him the doe-y eyes and spread your legs," Rebekah snapped bitterly. "No one else could possibly have attention besides you. You have to have everybody, don't you?! Just use them like they're nothing. You had to go and ruin the idea of my trip with Matt because then he'd be there for someone other than you! You're absolutely sick! We abandoned Nik for you and this is what you do to us?!"

Elena was startled by her words.

Rebekah pressed on. "You're just like every other doppelganger we've encountered. You make them fall in love with you and you string them along. I watched as Damon Salvatore fawned over you from the bar, practically a dog with a bone! Clearly, he's your latest victim. He'd go down on you or join my brothers if you asked him to!"

"Enough!" Elijah called, his voice carrying a loud timber. Elena actually feared for Rebekah at his tone.

The blonde looked to him, knowing she went too far talking of their sexual proclivities. But she needed him to understand. "Elijah—"

He closed his lips, holding them together in anger so he didn't say something vicious as she had done with Elena. "Enough," he warned his sister with a pointed finger. "How dare you stand there, Rebekah, and—"

Elena calmly put her hand over Elijah's hand, lowering his pointed finger. She didn't want him to fight her battles for her. And she didn't want their siblingship to be put in jeopardy, especially if they had dumped Klaus for her.

"I didn't discourage Matt from going with you," Elena said calmly. "He's hurting because he's been wanting to get out of Mystic Falls since we were little and he's essentially trapped here. He can't afford college on his own. That's why he's been picking up so many shifts at the Grill."

Rebekah backed down slightly.

"Your idea of going to see the world over the summer was great to suggest. Matt would enjoy it and I want him to be happy," she told the blonde. "But Matt is a pretty humble person and I know him well."

She knew Matt all of her life. He was one person that got her completely and she the same with him.

"He doesn't come from money like you," she explained. "Matt's mom dumped him with a house payment and all the bills long ago. He's worked at the Grill to keep himself afloat. And now with colleges and your summer trip, he feels inadequate. He's not able to afford going around the world with you. He's torn and trying to shut you down gently, Rebekah, so he doesnt have to tell you about his financial issues. Matt likes you, and I'm glad he does, he just can't afford what you are suggesting."

The house was quiet and Rebekah was unsure what to say. She wasn't used to having to retract her words to others.

"I'm going to get out of here and go home for the night," Elena said. The siblings all needed some time to discuss things. Clearly, Rebekah was not okay with their arrangement.

"No," The men stated, reaching back for her. She was startled at the reaction and Rebekah's brows furrowed deeper, knowing she had done wrong. She had touched every weak point about Elena and now her brothers were worried.

"You guys need to talk," Elena told the men kindly. "You can find me later."

"I'm not sure if I can look at my sister right now," Kol said disgustedly.

"Kol—" Rebekah tried remorsefully.

"Don't," he snapped to her, only looking to glare at her.

"You've done enough, Rebekah," Finn stated coldly.

"Stop," Elena sighed, looking to the three men. She looked at each of their faces "I get it," she acknowledged, seeing their anger and concern.

Rebekah had knocked the wind out of her with her words. The blonde honed in on her insecurities and stabbed her repeatedly with them. "Just let it go for tonight. Go be siblings and spend time together."

"Elena," Elijah called when she tried to leave again. He looked at her, his eyes fragile. "Not tonight. It's best you stay."

She studied the scene, seeing none of them in a shape to talk with one another. With a sigh, she nodded. "Then…at least apologize to one another, okay? I'll at least give you some space."

She went to go upstairs and Kol caught her arm. She turned and looked at him.

"I can't. Not right now."

As much as he understood what she was trying to do, he couldn't bother with his sister. He was too angry.

She nodded, dragging him along to her room. When the door shut her pulled her in close, holding her tight.

"Kol…"

He kissed her neck and cupped her cheek. "I love you, Elena."

She swallowed hard, her body rigid and hesitant. "Don't let my sister get to you, Darling," he said, seeing her struggle not to let her mind go overthinking things. "Just tell me you love me too."

She pressed herself to him and nodded, stroking her hand through the back of his hair. "I love you too, Kol."

---

Rebekah wasn't sure what to say to her brothers. "I…"

"God, Rebekah," Finn huffed in anger. He was tired of her childishness.

She stared helplessly at her siblings. "It just seemed like—"

"—We are aware of how you perceived matters," Elijah replied clipped. He had difficulty looking at his sister. "We trust you. We have asked nothing of you besides to be civil and possibly kind to our situation and to Elena. Are you not capable of such anymore?"

"Elijah—"

"You were vicious to her," he said, pointing his finger at her again and gritting through his teeth. "You knew what you were doing, Rebekah. You aimed to hurt her and put her down. And she's showed you nothing, but kindness."

"She's not always so great!" Rebekah tried to justify. The girl needed to grow a backbone. But she knew it was a wrong thing to say. It only made her brothers angrier. "I-I know what I said hurt. I just…I hate she is a doppelganger. And I hate not having Nik around. I just…I want us to be a whole family!"

"That is not Elena's fault," Finn stated bitterly.

Elijah looked just barely over to his brother. "That is Niklaus's doing," he agreed.

Tears went down Rebekah's cheeks. "It's easier to blame her."

"Yes, and Elena is very willing to take that for you," Finn stated stoically. He looked to the stairs and listened to Kol ask her to tell him she loved him. He grew frustrated at trying to make peace with his sister.

"I'm sorry Elijah. Finn," Rebekah said with a pleading tone. "Please. Forgive me."

Finn stood quiet while Elijah ran a hand down his mouth. Finn looked to the stairs again, hearing her ask for space from Kol. She wanted to be left alone.

"Not tonight, Rebekah," Finn stated. He couldn't manage his sister at the moment. He had to go clean her mess. He left the room and went up the stairs to see his brother exiting. "You just left?"

"What do you want me to do? Be an obstinate child? She's a woman. And she threatened to leave otherwise," Kol stated somewhat dejected.

Finn looked to the door, debating on what to do.

"What's going on?" Elijah asked, speeding up the stairs to his brothers.

"She wants to be alone," Kol remarked. "Give her some space."

"I don't think that's wise," Finn replied.

Elijah hesitated to comment.

"She's a grown woman who can do as she damn well pleases," Kol argued. "It's better to at least have her here than not at all."

Rebekah hesitated to approached her brothers. "M-Maybe I can help."

Elijah could barely look at her. "You've done enough, Rebekah."

They stood outside of Elena's door, wondering what to do. It seemed all too quiet in the bedroom. They all were worried.

"Elena," Finn called knocking on the door. "Elena, we'd like to come in."

He tried the doorknob finding it unlocked. Looking to his brothers, he twisted the doorknob and went inside. She was sitting in one of the chairs near the fireplace with no fire going. She had one of her legs pulled up to her chest, resting her chin on it lost in thought.

"Elena?" Finn asked.

She swallowed hard. "Please go away."

They cautiously went over to her, noticing her wipe a tear away.

"Elena," they tried. She shut her eyes and turned away from them. "Please. Can you please, just go?"

Elijah went to her kneeling down. "We cannot."

She looked to him, her eyes fighting a hollowness inside of her. "I'm fine."

"You're not," he countered.

A fire started in the fireplace, startling them all. Elena got up from the chair and went to her window taking a deep breath. "I need you to go."

Finn took a step towards her. "El—"

Their heads snapped to the glass vase that broke. She squeezed her eyes shut and tense, needing to control herself. Kol pulled his brother back.

"Control it, Elena," Kol instructed.

Her hands clenched to fists. She looked to the window, frustrated to see her own reflection.

The fire flared high.

"Elena," Kol scolded stronger.

She shook her head and shut her eyes. Control it. Control it. Letting out a shaky breath, she ran her hands through her hair and lowered the fire.

She used her telekinesis and pulled her jacket to her hands. She went to leave the room.

"Wait," Finn said, catching her arm. She quickly stepped back from him. "Just leave me alone for now!"

She kept her head down and went to walk out of the room. Elijah sped in her path and stopped her. Kol stood disapproving of his brothers. You never back a witch into a corner.

"Stop," he demanded.

She looked at him with anger. "I'm going home."

"You're not. It's late."

Things shook around the room.

"Elena," Kol said in a gentler tone. He didn't want her to accidentally hurt herself.

She looked to Elijah. "Just let me go."

"You are upset," he said calmly, taking a small step towards her. She glanced to his feet, taking a step back from him. She didn't want his comfort. It'd only lead her to crying and she was sick of crying.

"I don't feel like going down this road," she said frustrated.

"Let us help you," Finn chimed.

"Help me?" she asked, looking to the three of them. "How are you supposed to help me? There's nothing I can do about what Rebekah said, don't you guys understand that? I can't fix who—or what—I am. I can't change that I'm always going to be compared to my ancestors."

She stood angry and then looked to Elijah. "You knew them. They were horrible. They were all selfish. And is that what I am?" she asked. She second-guessed all of her choices. "All I can do is give myself time, and what good is that? It doesn't solve anything. We aren't meant to be all together. This bond…it's ruining everything. Don't you guys see that?!"

She looked to them incredulously. None of them seemed to have an expression.

"No one approves of this," she pushed. "I'm so tired of fighting what the four of us try to convince ourselves is right, when it's not. No one wants this to happen. You all won't let me break this bond, but how can you not see its for the best?! You'd be free of me! You'd have freedom and eternity!"

"Maybe we don't want eternity," Finn spoke, trying to stop her from unraveling.

She looked at him perplexed. "How could you not? You're vampires."

"Not by choice," he reminded her.

She was thoughtful, but ended up shaking her head. "Why can't you just be free of me?"

"Because you are not selfish, Elena," Elijah spoke, having stepped beside her. He cupped her face and turned her head to look at him. "That is where you differ from Katarina and Tatia. There is not a selfish bone in you. Your compassion separates you from the rest."

"I-I can't stand this," she heaved helplessly to him. her eyes filled with tears. "I'm ruining everything."

"You're not," Kol spoke up this time. "Not one bit, Darling. If anything, you've made our lives better."

She tearfully disagreed, stepping back from all of them. "Everyone hates this. We have to break this bond."

Kol sped to her, holding onto her from behind. "Not everyone matters," he said in her ear softly. "And I know for a fact, your friends Bonnie and Caroline have not criticized this."

He pressed her against him and held her.

"Please Kol," she begged helplessly against him.

"No," he replied softly. "You're worth it, Elena. Before you…my eternity was about family drama, anger, and manipulation. And upon meeting you, it became something more."

"I don't to hurt you," she whispered.

"Then don't leave me, Darling," he murmured. She laid her head back against him and let her tears fall.

"You make us better, Elena," Finn stated.

Elijah cupped her face. "We're here. And we're staying."

They sat around the fireplace talking for a while. She had pulled Finn to sit back against the couch, playing with his short hair while Elijah and Kol sat next to her. They all needed the closeness.

"We've only gotten deeper into this…relationship," she said softly thinking of how far they've all gone with one another. "It scares me. We haven't talked about me eventually having to choose."

"There is plenty of time to figure that out, Darling," Kol assured her.

"This is working out fine, Elena," Elijah added.

She nodded, continuing to run her fingers through Finn's hair.

"You're exhausted," Finn stated, glancing up at her. "Let's get you to bed."

"Just a few more minutes," she pleaded. She continued playing with his hair and laid her head on Elijah's shoulder. She laced one of her hands in Kol's and stared at the dancing fire. her doubt and insecurities settled when she was with them.

Her eyes soon drooped closed and she was soundly asleep.

"I got her," Finn declared, getting up from his seat on the ground. He scooped her up from between Kol and Elijah and gently setting her in-between the sheets. He pulled them up around her and kissed her head. "Sweet dreams."

The men filed out from the room, leaving the fire going for her since they knew she liked it that way. With one last glance from all of them, they quietly shut her door and let her sleep.

---

Elena gasped awake dreaming about Klaus. It felt entirely too real to be trapped by him terrorized her again. Running her hands through her hair, she tried to settle her racing heart.

"Elena?" Elijah called, knocking once and entering. He found her sitting up and surveyed the room before going to her.

He sat on the edge of the bed. "What is it?"

"Nothing," she sighed. She flopped back in the bed. "Just bad dreams."

"What about?"

She hesitated to answer. "Klaus."

He frowned.

"Will you hold me?" she asked shyly. Her body felt on edge and something in her felt unsafe. She couldn't shake the feeling something was coming.

He pulled off his suit jacket and slipped off his shoes. He climbed behind her and held her tight. "You're safe, Elena."

"Elijah," she said softly. "Will you show me what happened between you and Klaus?"

He tensed slightly. "Why?"

She doodled on his hand. "Because I can't help but blame myself for what's happening with you guys. And I know you said it wasn't me, but…part of me feels guilty, like if I wasn't with you guys, Rebekah would have her brother—you all would. Klaus wouldn't be so stubborn and you all wouldn't be so mad."

He kissed her shoulder and then turned her to look at him. Putting his hand to her head, he closed his eyes and showed her some of his memories to help make her understand.

He showed her all the times Klaus took retribution on them, every time he betrayed them or brought them trouble and destroyed their happiness.

He pulled back and looked at her. "It's part of why you mean so much to us, Elena. Niklaus has been there to take our happiness away from us each time we've ever felt it. He fears being alone so greatly that he desires us to be in his misery forever."

"He's quite a selfish bastard," Finn declared from the doorway. She looked back to see him standing there.

"Where's Kol?" she asked, figuring he would have ventured in too.

"He went to feed," Finn replied, coming to lay on her other side. "What has you up? It's early."

"A nightmare," she said tiredly.

Finn ran his fingers through her hair like she did with him to calm him. "Sleep, Elena."

Her eyes looked to Elijah's and soon began drooping. Before she knew it, she was asleep again.

When she woke again, startled from her sleep, she found Kol in bed with her. He put his hand on her hip and laid her back down.

"My brothers said you were experiencing night terrors," he said with a frown.

She swallowed hard, catching her breath. "It's fine. They're just dreams."

Her body trembled slightly. They oddly felt so real.

"You're safe, Elena," he said, running his hand up and down her arm. He pulled her to him and laid her head on his chest.

"Did you sort out things with Rebekah?" she asked. She had saw the clock. It was late in the afternoon.

"No," he replied shortly.

She sighed.

"Matt is mad at her," he reported. "Your phone was ringing this morning. You were supposed to meet him for coffee?"

She groaned and put a hand over her face. She forgot.

"Elijah answered and let him know you had a rough night. Rebekah came clean and told him what happened. He was upset with her."

She sighed. This was becoming a bigger ordeal than she wanted.

"She deserves it," Kol said coldly.

"Kol," she said calmly, looking up at him. "Please forgive her? For me?"

"Why?" he asked clipped.

"Because she said those things to hurt me because she thought I was taking Matt away from her. I get it. She likes him a lot and didn't want to lose him." She stared at him. "It's not worth fighting about."

He put his head to hers, running his hand through her hair. "I disagree. She doesn't just get to say those things."

"You haven't said something you regret before?" she asked.

He glared at her.

"We worked past it," she said softly to him. She pulled him in for a kiss. "We're okay, so just…make it okay with her. For me. Please? I don't want you guys fighting. It only makes things worse. It shows she's right and I don't want to come in between you guys."

"Rebekah is wrong," Kol said strongly.

"I know," she said calmly.

He sighed and pulled her closer, kissing her head. "Don't believe her."

"I'll try not to," she promised.

---

Things fell back into place for her and the Mikaelsons. Rebekah apologized which Elena quickly accepted and she pushed the brothers to do the same. She had been at the mansion all day studying for some important exams when she went poking her head into Elijah's office. Frowning when he wasn't there, she went to his desk and grabbed a piece of paper, quickly writing him a note.

"Elena?" Elijah remarked, coming in and seeing her bent over the front of his desk.

"Elijah," she said surprised, turning around.

He looked at her curiously, shutting his door. "What are you doing?"

She held up a small square piece of paper. "Leaving you a note."

He went over to her and grabbed the message to look at it. "Be back later. Heading to the library."

His eyes met hers again. "This late?"

"It's barely 9," she said. "It's open until at least 11."

"What are you doing there?" He asked, setting the note on his desk and taking her in his arms.

"What people usually do there," she teased, wrapping her arms around her neck. "I figured I'd go study for a while."

"Why not here?"

"Well, Finn's out with Rebekah as backup for woo-ing over Matt, and Kol is out socializing his witch contacts. You're busy working, and this very large mansion is incredibly too quiet and empty," she stated.

It made her on edge with no one around.

He stared at her lovingly. "Bring your things up here."

"You're working," she replied. He looked at her amused. "And I can't work while you're in the same room as me?"

She gave it a bit of thought. "Fair point."

He kissed her gently and pressed them together. "Elijah," she warned, feeling the spark grow between them.

"We haven't spent much time together. I miss you." He moved her hair to one side and began kissing her neck.

"I think we've spent quite a bit with one another," she countered, thinking of all their open relationship offered in the bedroom.

"Alone," he corrected, moving his hands under her short skirt.

Her lips mashed with his and she groaned at his neediness. He pushed some of his things aside and sat her on his desk.

"Elijah," she gasped, feeling him press his arousal against her clothed core.

She went for his belt and undid his pants, while his hands went removing her panties. She then moved her hands up and fiddled with the knot of his tie while he pulled off her shirt and undid her bra.

He wrapped her legs around him and sped them to one of his bookcases, pressing her against it as he ravished her breasts. She gasped and pulled away his tie, breaking open his shirt.

He stared aroused at her, speeding her to lay sprawled on the coffee table, where he connected them and watched her while he thrusted.

She moaned loudly, laying with her head dangling over the table as he worked her body. They were both half naked, unable to care about anything besides their orgasms.

He pumped forcefully inside of her, enjoying the sight of her unraveling before him. He bent forward, kissing her and sucking on her neck as they continued rocking against one another.

"Elijah," she groaned, rolling her hips for him.

He pulled back from her, mashing his mouth hungrily to hers. She sniveled at the pleasure, pulling from his lips to release the sounds of her climax.

He hungrily watched her, thrusting a rapid pace until he was able to finish inside of her and calm some of his excitement.

"Maybe we can't work in the same room as one another," she said breathlessly. She would surely jump his bones again.

"I think we both could use a break from working," he remarked. He scooped her up and sped her to his bedroom. Still joined intimately with her, he sat her on the edge of his bed and kissed her roughly.

She moaned for him, tugging him closer. She lit a fire in his fireplace, making him pull back surprised.

She knew how much he loved watching her. It was no secret to her and light would surely help that. She smiled to him, giggling softly when he kissed her again more fervently.

He laid her down, letting his hips move to satisfy her. He felt it had been too long since he had her to himself.

"Elijah," she moaned.

He caressed her leg, bringing it upward. Setting it over his shoulder, he rocked deeply inside of her.

"Ohh..." she moaned.

He brushed his fingers over her clit and overpowered her body into pleasure again. She called his name loudly and he groaned happily to hear it. He took only a few moments before he filled her a second time, grunting as he let go.

He dropped her leg from his shoulder and they stared contently at one another.

"I need a shower," she blushed lightly. He looked curiously at her and she guided his hand down from her clit to feel their mess of cum. They had soaked his sheets.

He groaned in arousal, flared with passion to feel the proof of how they felt about one another. Slipping out slowly from her, he kissed her and guided her his shower.

He helped her wash while antagonizingly hard for her again. They were like magnets and somehow unable to keep off one another.

"Elena," he begged, kissing his way down her body. He went to his knees, looking up at her and feeling her hand run through his short hair. "Let me," he commanded.

She gave him a nod and he quickly pulled her leg over his shoulder, latching his mouth over her mound and sucking forcefully.

She shuddered and whimpered, laying back against the cold tile as he went down on her.

"Elijah," her moan echoed.

He drank her hungrily, licking up every bit of her taste and teasing her clit for pleasure. He loved how her cum slid down his throat so smoothly and with ease.

She gasped and shivered, looking down at him. She was turned on by him already staring up at her. "Right there," she said, feeling his tongue play with her. "Right there."

He continued his same actions, watching her eyes close and her head go back. He repeated what he was doing and then hungrily drank her as she released in climax.

"Yes, Elena," he groaned, happily swallowing everything.

Her body trembled at his mouth.

"More," he required. She looked at him, surprised of his demand. She had fed him plenty.

"I'm not done yet," he murmured against her skin, kissing her thighs as she stood. He could see her self-conscious doubt, but he wanted her.

He brought his hand up her thighs and slid his two fingers inside of her. Pumping with haste and covering his digits in her fluids, he added his mouth back on her and made her hold onto him as he pleasured her.

"Oh god, Elijah," she gasped, tugging at his hair as he pressed his face to her. "Oh yes! Please. Please!"

The coil in her stomach tightened and she gasped again when his mouth let go of her and his thumb rubbed her wet clit. He rubbed so vigorously she was close to weeping in needing to be finished.

She shivered happily when his mouth latched back on to her and she orgasmed as his tongue explored her.

He groaned as he drank her rush of cum. It had been the most she had ever given him.

She whined as he pulled away and let out a whimper when he pressed a soft kiss to her clit. His arousal ached and twitched for her.

"Bed," she demanded, seeing him painfully erect.

They shut off the water and he sped them back to his mattress. She sat him down and straddled him, lowering herself down to take his length.

"Elena," he moaned, watching himself disappear inside of her. He held her hips as she rode him. He enjoyed how she bounced on his lap while kissing his neck.

"Come on, Elijah," she encouraged huskily against his ear, knowing he was wound tightly. "Fill me."

He groaned at her words, using his speed to roll them over and thrust faster. She gasped and arched in pleasure.

He took her how he wanted and followed her right after she came, spilling jets of his cum inside of her.

She sighed contently, waiting for him to be finished.

"Satisfied?" He teased lovingly, bringing his hand up to her face and kissing her deeply when he was done.

"Incredibly, " she replied, still feeling him buried inside of her.

They kissed languidly and held one another. Elijah pulled out of her and rolled to lay beside her.

He kissed her bare shoulder and cuddled her, slipping back inside of her from behind. Elena gasped at the intrusion and looked at him. He kissed her lovingly.

"Once more," he lightly demanded. He wanted to feel her cum again in this position.

She kissed his perfect lips. "Take me," she replied to him.

He groaned as he kissed her, rocking them both as they laid on their sides in bed. It felt different to both of them.

"Elijah...don't stop," she pleaded, cupping his hand to her breast.

"Elena..." he groaned in her ear. He couldn't get enough of her. They were connected as deep as possible.

He pulled out slowly and drove his slick length right back inside of her. "You love that," he murmured, doing the same forceful actions again. Her lips parted with a sharp breath.

"Again," she demanded. She moaned as he re-entered her. Their bodies both jumped at the pleasure. "Faster."

He gave her what she needed and brought his hand down from her breast. He planned to make their final time overwhelming again.

"Elijah!" She called loudly, arching against him as they created her orgasm. He rubbed her clit, touching her as she shuddered. She cried out at the sensation.

He came after she was done; grunting and groaning against her. His body spasmed and spurted wave after wave of his cum inside of her.

"That's it," she encouraged, looking back at him and kissing his frozen lips as he continued ejaculating.

When he was finally done, he kissed her back and let out a breath. He relaxed against her, kissing her shoulder again. "You're amazing, Elena."

She smiled, playing with their joined hands. Everything about them was entwined. "I love you, Elijah."

His heart melted at her words and his hand guided her to look back at him, where his mouth quickly found hers. "I love you, Elena."

He held her tightly, warmed at her profession of feelings. She had said the three words to Kol and he worried she'd never say them to him.

He lulled her to sleep, whispering his love to her. He pushed some hair from her face and kissed her skin. She had been finally ready to say them to him now, too. He couldn't be more in love with her.

Falling into slumber as well, he smiled as he kept his length buried inside of her.

---

She awoke feeling warm and comfortable. Rolling onto her back she let her eyes flutter open and realized she was still in Elijah's bed.

"You had an exciting time without us, darling," Kol remarked, lying beside her in bed. She looked over at him confused.

"What are you doing here?"

"I went looking for you this morning. Quite the scandal to find you in my brother's bed. You two had a night of activities."

"You don't get to be jealous," she told him, leaning over and kissing him. "I recall spending time with you in a hotel after a night of clubbing."

He pulled her closer and kissed her.

"Kol, did you wake her?" Finn frowned coming to Elijah's bedroom. He was carrying flowers.

Walking over he gave her a loving kiss and handed her the small bouquet.

"No, I didn't wake her. She did that on her own," Kol replied with irritation. Elena attempted not to roll her eyes at them. They were the worst at getting along. "Not that I don't love this, but where is Elijah?" She asked.

"Present," he declared, having brought a tray of breakfast up for her.

"Why didn't you wake me? Or at least let me get dressed," she said lightly, realizing she was the only one naked.

"I wanted to let you sleep," he murmured, giving her a kiss. He set the tray on the floor and slipped back into bed behind her.

"Shy, are we?" Finn teased her lightly. The men snickered.

"I seem to be the only one without clothing," she commented. She looked back at Elijah. "Even the man I slept with last night is no longer naked."

"We can certainly change that," he murmured against her skin.

"You'll let me get dressed?" She asked, giving him a kiss and looking to the other men.

"Not exactly what we had in mind," Finn answered, undoing his belt and pants.

Elijah's hands roamed her body and Kol brought her into a kiss. She groaned at the men, then stopping them before Finn could pull the sheet from her and join them.

"We shouldn't," she recoiled. "Rebekah is home."

"She is not, actually," Finn stated, pulling down the sheet to reveal her glory.

"She's trying to make things up to Matt still," Elijah explained. "Her attempt failed last night."

They went back to kissing and pampering her, getting her body ready for them. Finn was first; inserting his length inside of her as Elijah laid next to her and rubbed her clit.

She moaned with Kol's member in her mouth and he groaned, holding her hair tightly together so he could watch her.

Her body jumped at Finn's roughness, bouncing at his sharp thrusts as he controlled her hips. She could tell he was needy and slightly jealous.

She let him have her and take her in any way that sated his desire while she blew Kol and pumped Elijah with her hand.

"Finn," she moaned, removing her mouth from Kol and laying back, pumping the men as Finn pounded against her.

Elijah and Kol's hands and mouths moved to her breasts, pleasuring each one.

She spiraled quickly and arched her back calling out loudly. The stimulation had been so overwhelming. She missed it.

"Beautiful, " Elijah complimented, pulling her into a kiss. He was reminded of their night and how he made her climax so many times. He groaned at her languid lips and felt as she moaned when her body stilled and their brother finished inside of her.

"Yes, Elena," Finn panted, spreading her inner thighs wider and running his hands over her them as he ejaculated. When he was done, he pulled it from her, groaning as he watched himself slide out of her wetness. He moved aside and let Kol take over.

"Get up, Darling. Turn around," he instructed. He wanted her from behind.

Doing as she was told she pushed Elijah to kneel in front of her and went on all fours, letting Kol get settled behind her.

Finn groaned at his still stiff length and watched, as his brothers worked their love.

Elena looked back and waited for Kol to bury himself inside of her before turning her attention to Elijah. She knew Kol liked it when he had her full attention.

As he started thrusting, Elena put her lips around Elijah, looking up at him watching her.

"Elena," he ground out, his jaw clenched and head bowed. He observed her suck his length into her mouth.

She pumped him with her hand, adding to his pleasure. She was satisfied to hear the moans he gave and how he was losing control in front of her. The noble man was fading and dissolving into a helpless man seeking to a climax of pleasure.

Elijah grabbed at her hair, staring down at her. "I need to finish inside of you, Elena."

He wanted to save himself for her.

She respected his wishes, pulling him out of her mouth. She focused her efforts on Kol, with Finn going to help her when the young brother pulled her to her knees. Finn touched her where she desired and he sucked on her breasts.

She unraveled between them again and Kol was finishing right behind her.

"Kol..." she panted. "Finn..."

The eldest was still touching her, making her body feel tight with pleasure as Kol was still buried inside of her.

"My turn, Elena," Elijah said stiffly. He pushed his brothers away and laid her down, plunging himself inside of her. She gasped at the invasion and moaned as the other two came to help her adjust and soothe her body by latching their mouths to suck on her nipples. She laid with them and viewed Elijah possessively holding her hips and thrusting wildly.

"Elijah," she breathed, her body feeling tense again. She wouldn't last much longer because of all of them.

His fingers went to her sensitive clit and she immediately cried out. Her back arched and the men held her down, allowing their brother to keep going until all of their needs were sated.

Elijah called her name, moments after her climax. Her walls were still clenched around him tightly as he pervaded her with his large length. Her body was over-pleasured, trembling at what they gave her.

"Oh my god," she panted, her body shaking as Elijah was still finishing. He gently slipped out from her when he was done, rubbing her muscles as Finn moved up towards her head so Elijah could collapse beside her.

"We were too much," Elijah observed. He had felt how sensitive she had become because of them, yet let each of them have their turn and fill her.

He listened to her heart race.

"It felt good," she assured him, running her hand through his hair. She had missed having sex with all of them.

Elijah looked at her concerned, unsure if she was being completely honest with him. He kissed her hand and watched Kol pull her back to kiss her lips.

He had gone vigorously with her last night. He wondered if maybe he should have stopped his brothers from letting them have her this morning after being together most of the night.

"Trust me," she said, cupping Elijah's cheek to pull him from his troubled thoughts.

They lounged in bed for a while until Rebekah came home and Elena got dressed to go shower.

"I started a bath for you," Kol murmured, giving her a kiss before she left for her own room.

"Thank you," she smiled, kissing him appreciatively. "I love you."

He smirked at her words, deepening their kiss. "I love you, Darling. Go relax. Elijah's bringing you fresh breakfast."

Elena walked off, going to her tub and slipping under the hot water. She sighed at how her tight muscles relaxed. Having sex with all of them was incredible, but also required exerting quite a bit of energy.

"Elena?" Elijah called, opening her bathroom door with a fresh tray of food.

"You know, I could have had what you brought earlier."

"It was cold," he replied, setting the tray near her and leaning in to kiss her. "You're sure you're alright?"

"Stop worrying," she scolded, giving him another kiss. "Get in with me."

He stared at her hesitant and she rolled her eyes. "Not for sex, Elijah. To hold me. You all thoroughly exhausted me."

He stripped down and got in behind her, holding her close. She hummed in content and ate some of the food he brought, occasionally sharing it with him.

"I apologize I wasn't there when you woke this morning, " he murmured.

"Kol wasn't too bad to wake up to," she teased lightly. He kissed her lips possessively.

"Thank you for making these very amazing waffles," she said, taking another bite into the fluffiness. She was sure she could die a very happy person.

He gave a small laugh and kissed her head. "You're very welcome."

---

It was almost spring and Elena spent much of her time preparing for her school year to end.

"Darling, you've been studying for this exam for the past week," Kol grumped, as he entered the living room. Finn had been helping her study while Elijah was in one of the arm chairs reading, occasionally glancing up at them.

He picked her up from her seat on the couch across from Finn and set her on his lap. He was bored.

She laid back against him and continued going through cards with Finn. "It's finals, Kol," she said, answering the eldest Mikaelson's question.

They went through it for a while longer before Kol made her get up and entertain him. He was sure he knew all the answers to her cards by now.

"Hey!" she argued, feeling herself being pulled up off the couch.

"Come on, Darling. I need entertainment. Come make lunch with me," he enticed.

"Elijah already made lunch, Kol," she said, going to sit back down.

"I'll make you those muffins you like," he tempted. She gave it some thought and then sighed, getting up to go to the kitchen with him.

"You guys are going to make me fat," she muttered. They were amazing chefs.

"Somehow I doubt that," Elijah murmured while keeping his eyes on his book, turning the page. She was quite slender and they tended to be very…active with her.

Finn snickered and watched them go.

Elena sat studying some more of her cards while Kol went about kitchen. She turned on some music to help keep him occupied while she finished. She went through one more stack of cards before getting up and helping him, laughing with him as they put the dessert in the oven and let it bake.

"I think we deserve some alone time after that," he teased in her ear. She gave a laugh, going and taking a dirty bowl to the sink. "We've got dishes."

"Later," he murmured, picking her up to speed her upstairs.

"Put her down, Kol," Rebekah demanded with her hands on her hips. The two looked at the blonde curiously. "We're going shopping."

Elena's brows furrowed. "I thought you were with Matt?"

She frowned. "He had to bail early for a shift at the Grill."

"Did he accept your proposal of the around the world trip?" Elena asked. She had been working with Rebekah on ways to convince Matt to go.

"He's giving it more thought. Now, are you ready?" she looked down at Elena's flour covered clothes. "Go change and I'll meet you by the door."

Elena dragged Kol with her, knowing not to argue with Rebekah, especially while she was in a bad mood.

"Do you really want to go with my boring sister?" he complained as she changed to go shopping with his sister. He wanted to spend the day with her.

She gave a small laugh and looked to him. She walked into his arms, giving him a loving kiss. "You like it when I go shopping," she teased. She tended to buy lingerie or something sexy that Kol or the other two men liked to take off her.

"Fine. Then, I want my own private fashion show later," he declared, giving her a kiss.

She gave a laugh and pushed him back. "We'll see about that."

Elena grabbed her things and went back downstairs with Kol. Rebekah was waiting for her but was speaking hush with Elijah.

"And what did you say?" Elijah murmured.

"I told her that she just missed him. He left town and didn't tell a soul where he was going. Being delusional like she was, she figured he had gone looking for her. Of course, Damon Salvatore had to come crawling out of the hole he was in and see Sage. Apparently, they have history together."

"Wonderful," Elijah said bitterly. Finn's presence in Mystic Falls wouldn't stay hidden. Damon Salvatore would quickly call out Rebekah's lie.

"He can't hide this from her," Rebekah stated quietly.

"It's not your place, Rebekah," Elijah warned hushly.

"What's up?" Elena asked, seeing the two whispering.

"Nothing," Rebekah declared so he wouldn't have to lie. "Are you ready to go?"

Elena looked hesitantly to Kol, who encouraged her leave this time. He was curious what was going on and clearly wasn't to be discussed with Elena around.

"…Yeah, let's go," she said.

The blonde grabbed her keys and left the house, giving her brothers a meaningful look on her way out.

"Are you going to make me ask?" Kol wondered to his brother.

"Rebekah encountered Sage back in town," Elijah replied.

"Sage…" Kol said thoughtfully. His eyebrows grew high. "As in—"

"Yes," Finn stated, coming into the room. He couldn't help but hide from Elena, ashamed at the new visitor. "My Sage."

---

"So, what was going on back there?" Elena asked, referring to the hush secrets in the house.

Rebekah hesitated, walking down the street with the doppelganger. She had warned Elijah that if she asked, she would tell her, because Elena deserved to know, especially if what she saw was true and Sage was in town.

"I ran into someone I recognized from our past," Rebekah started.

"Okay..." Elena said, unsure why she was being vague. "Who? Are they a threat?"

"Another vampire from ages ago. I have no idea of the threat level," Rebekah stated. She was hoping Elena would drop the subject, but she knew the girl was too curious for her own good.

"Rebekah come on. You're hiding something. Would you just tell me?" Elena asked. There was something brewing under the surface. Elena knew it.

Rebekah sighed, stopping and turning to the girl. "There is a vampire named Sage. She was—…she had fallen in love with Finn ages ago. And he turned her so that they could be together forever. They lost one another after Finn was daggered by Nik and been apart ever since."

Elena felt like she had been hit in the stomach. It was an oddly hard blow to take. "Oh."

"She doesn't mean anything. She isn't his soulmate like you are," Rebekah stated, starting to walk again. She hated the taken aback expression on Elena's face. She felt for the girl, especially knowing her insecurities.

Rebekah hated telling Finn, but he needed to be warned. It was going to destroy Elena and what they had built when this would come out.

They walked in silence, going into various stores and trying on things.

"What's she like?" Elena questioned Rebekah.

"Common," she answered. "I never really liked her."

Elena decided not to comment about how Rebekah never really liked any of her brother's love interests, including her. Though, she wondered if the blonde was playing things down for her sake. This was Finn's epic love.

Rebekah worked to get Elena's mind off the topic. The two girls bought dozens of things, all on Elijah's card.

"I can't believe we bought this much," Elena said with a small laugh as they took their bags inside.

"It's not like Elijah will be mad. If I remember correctly, you bought a few things for him," she stated, having seen some of her purchases. Elena's cheeks flushed and they walked inside. Finn was sitting on the stairs waiting for them.

"Hey," Elena smiled. It soon faded, seeing his somber look.

"Can we go somewhere and talk?" he asked her.

Elena's heart quickened and she nodded. "Uh…" she swallowed hard, looking down at her things. "Let me go put these upstairs."

"No need, Darling," Kol said, speeding over to her. He took the bags from her. "Go."

She looked up at him worriedly and he gave her a quick kiss. "It'll be alright."

She looked to Finn, giving him a nod. He held out his hand, wanting to be close with her and use his vampire speed, not her vehicle. She hesitantly went to him, knowing what this was about. Holding onto him, she left before she could comprehend and was in the middle of town.

"From your heart racing, I can assume Rebekah told you," he stated, cutting to the chase. "About Sage."

"She wouldn't say much," Elena answered, starting to walk with him. It was late and she hid her face behind her long wavy hair. "She mentioned you turned her."

He pulled her to a stop, curling some hair behind her ear. "It's not what you think."

"Then tell me," Elena said. She wanted to be convinced out of her scary spiraling thoughts. All of the doubt about the bond had been brought to life again.

"I met her long ago," he started, clasping Elena's hand in his as they walked. "She was the only one I ever turned. We had fallen in love and I thought at the time I wanted to be with her forever."

"But then Klaus daggered you," she said, filling in the gaps.

He nodded.

"When I was awoken, things changed. I no longer felt how I had before."

Elena was thoughtful. He had been awoken from his 900 years of sleep, only to want to sacrifice himself to end his life and the lives of his siblings. "And then you met me."

She felt foolish how they let this bond in.

"Stop. I know what you're thinking," he told her, pulling her to look at him. "My love for you is real, Elena Gilbert. Please. Don't doubt it."

"How can I not?" she asked, her eyes getting watery. "Finn. This…I…" she wasn't sure what to say. Her brows furrowed. "She's been searching for you ever since you were daggered, hasn't she?"

He was reluctant to say anything. "Potentially."

She looked at him. "You haven't gone to find her?"

He shook his head, stepping closer to her. "No, Elena. Why would I? She doesn't mean anything to me."

"But she did," Elena said softly. She looked at him, her heart aching.

"Elena, please," he begged. He could tell she was struggling with herself and he knew she was going to pull away from him. "We promised one another to try this open relationship. We are meant to be together, no matter how magic got messed up. I want to be with you."

"Finn," she breathed.

He held her, bringing them together, touching their foreheads. "You are my life, my love," he said, using his term of endearment for her. "Please, don't leave me."

She swallowed hard. Both their hearts were racing. "I need some time," she requested. "I just…I think we both need a bit of time."

"No," he said pained. "I don't want time away from you."

She felt speechless, unsure how to put things together. "Can you please take me back to the mansion, Finn?"

"Elena," he pleaded.

She leaned in and kissed him and he pulled her against him, locking their lips together harder and more passionately. He hated how she eventually pulled away from their kiss. "Promise me you'll come talk to me about this when you're ready."

She debated it for a few moments, finally nodding.

"I love you, Elena."

Her hands trembled and she swallowed hard. He sighed and wiped the tear from her cheek. He gave her one more kiss before speeding them back to the steps of the house.

Keeping her hand in his, he gave it a kiss and opened the door for her.

"Finn—" Elijah started, wanting them to get out before— "Finn!"

Finn and Elena's heads turned to see a blue-eyed slender woman with fair skin and shoulder-length red wavy hair standing at the top of the staircase.

"Sage?" he asked incredulous.

A large grin went across her face and she raced down the steps to him, jumping in his arms when he was near.

Finn let go of Elena's hand to steady the woman on him. "Sage, what are you doing here?"

She looked at him with astonishment. "I finally found you," she said happily. "I had heard that you were finally freed from that casket your rage-a-holic brother carted you in."

"Sage, from who did you hear this?" Elijah asked curiously.

She looked to the brother. "Does it matter?"

"Yes," eh replied flatly. He could feel Elena's hurt.

Sage looked back to Finn giving him a long kiss. "We're back, baby. I finally found you."

"After 900 years, I thought you've moved on," Finn said, pulling her back from him.

She looked at him puzzled. "I took care of myself," she answered honestly. "But I never stopped loving you, Finn."

He looked away from her, his eyes wandering to Elena near him.

Sage followed his gaze. "Who are you?"

Elena kept her head down, not bothering to answer. She looked to Elijah. "I'm going to head upstairs."

She walked away to remove herself from the situation and Sage grew angry. With speed, she took the woman by the throat, slamming her hard in the wall and tightening her hand around her neck. "I asked you a question!"

Before the grip could break anything, Finn had thrown Sage off her, looking to Elena with worry. "Are you alright? It's okay now," he said comfortingly.

She coughed and gasped. Elijah was at her side as well, turning her so he could look at her neck.

Kol was being held back by Rebekah.

"What the hell, Finn?" Sage asked angrily, finding herself on the stairs after being thrown away forcefully.

He stared at his ex. "You will not lay a hand on her."

"Who the hell is she?" Sage asked jealously. "She's human!"

The door to the mansion opened and in came a dark brown-haired man with spiky hair and a thick mustache.

Elijah quickly pulled Elena behind him.

"Sage, are you alright?" the stranger asked, seeing the scene.

"Fine, Troy," Sage said, getting herself up from the stairs.

"Who the hell are you?" Rebekah asked.

"This is Troy," she introduced.

"Troy?" Finn asked, looking the man over. He seemed a bit scrawny.

She nodded.

Kol surveyed the guy closely, observing how he was closely loyal to Sage. "You turned him."

The red-head nodded.

"Why?" Finn demanded.

"Seriously? I'm in enemy territory here, Finn. None of your siblings ever liked me; especially that elitist Original bitch," Sage said, looking to Rebekah. "I was always treated me like some kind of peasant whore. I thought I might need a little back-up."

Finn ran a hand disapprovingly through his hair. "How many people have you turned?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. A lot."

She looked at him, reaching her hand out to cup his cheek. "Don't judge me, Finn. You turned me."

Elena's head bowed at the words.

"Exactly," Finn said disapprovingly. "And I was quite too young to be doing such a thing."

"Your passions overtook your morals," she stated. She pulled at the lapels of his jacket and turned him to face her. She gave him a flirty grin. "And my passions overtake my morals on a daily basis."

"That is disgusting," Rebekah stated.

Sage looked to the family. "It's called living life to the fullest." Her eyes looked back to the girl behind Elijah. "Now, does someone want to tell me who this skank is?"

"Watch yourself," Elijah warned. He would not tolerate his brother's ex putting their soulmate down.

"Elijah," Elena said softly, tugging on his suit jacket. "I should just go."

That was the last thing he wanted. He could feel her pain and fear. He wasn't going to let her leave with that feeling. "Let's go read," Elijah suggested, taking her hand and guiding her up the stairs. He wanted to look at her neck closer.

Rebekah looked at Sage's henchman. "You can leave now."

Troy looked to Sage, who shook her head. "Troy stays."

Kol sighed frustrated. He looked to Finn. "What are you bloody doing?" He walked up the steps, ignoring Sage. He could feel Elena's hurt.

He walked into Elijah's room, seeing him taking a look at Elena's neck. it was bruising.

"It's fine," she said softly. It hurt to talk.

"Let me give you my blood," he requested.

She denied it. "I'll heal."

"Elena, you're in pain," he said knowingly. She had been trying not to wince as he inspected it. She also couldn't use the full volume of her voice.

Kol sped from the room and got a balm. "This should help," he said. It was a healing salve. He tossed it to Elijah and pushed some hair from her face. He was angered at the sight of the bruises. "I'll go make you some tea."

"I'm fine," she croaked out. She winced and they gave her a knowing look.

"I'm going to kill him," Kol muttered, low enough for only his brother to hear. Elijah looked to Kol, feeling the exact same way about their elder sibling.

---

She slept in Elijah's room, curled up around him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, feeling her awake. He had been lost in his thoughts, stroking her arm as she slept.

"Okay," she winced, touching her throat. It had been the most forceful she had ever been grasped around the neck before. Sage was incredibly strong.

Elijah sighed, shifting in bed and looking at the marks. They were black and blue.

Giving her a soft kiss, he grabbed the salve from the nightstand and gently put it on her. She winced and shut her eyes as his fingers touched her bruises, rubbing the balm in.

"I'm sorry," he said, seeing her in pain.

"It's okay," she whispered.

When he was finished, he put the container back on his nightstand and pulled her close, giving her a loving kiss. "It's going to be alright, Elena," he murmured to her.

She nodded, swallowing with difficulty. "Tell me we're real, Elijah."

"Very," he vowed. "I love you, Elena."

She nodded, feeling better as he kissed her again.

There was a knock on the door and they broke apart to see Kol entering with breakfast. She looked at him interestedly.

"They're not Elijah's waffles, but I do make a beautiful looking breakfast burrito." She gave a small laugh and then winced.

"Maybe something easier to swallow, Kol," Elijah advised.

Kol frowned, going and setting the tray down and sitting on the bed, studying her throat. It was only slightly better.

"It's okay," she assured him.

"I'll go make you a parfait," he decided. She stopped him, having him sit while she got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Elijah asked.

"I should get home," she whispered. "I've been spending a lot of time here and regardless of Sage, I was going to head home today."

She knew they were worried.

"I need to do more studying."

"Let us help," Kol suggested. She grabbed her clothes and gave Kol an amused look. Kol wasn't one to help her study. He had little patience for academics. He usually ended up distracting her in some sort of way.

"Okay, so maybe Elijah can," he remarked, watching her change in front of them. He tried to keep his eyes on her face.

She smiled and shook her head. "I'll probably see if Caroline and Bonnie are available."

"Elena, you can barely talk," Elijah remarked, He highly doubted a study session with friends was the best thing for her recovery.

She stopped swapping Elijah's clothes on her body to her own. She frowned at how she'd work things out. Her thoughts were broken by shouting and things breaking. Elena pulled up her jeans and buttoned them, before going to see what the ruckus was about.

Elijah and Kol kept her both behind them as they saw Finn and Sage fighting in the hall. The red-head was throwing things angrily.

"Soulmates?!"

"Oh boy," Kol muttered.

Their heads snapped to the onlookers and Finn's eyes immediately saw the marks on Elena's neck. His face was full of devastation.

"This is bullshit!" Sage shouted angrily. She glowered at Elena. "He's my one true love. He turned me so we could be together forever."

Elena cowered.

"You know, Damon told me all about you. How you're a doppelganger," Sage pressed. "And you strung along him and Stefan."

She stepped towards Elena and Finn quickly sped over, pulling Sage back by her arm to keep her away from Elena. Both Elijah and Kol looked ready to pounce at her start of mind games on Elena.

"Shut her up, Finn, or I will," Kol warned.

"Please," Sage scoffed. "Finn wouldn't let you hurt me."

"Don't be so sure," Elijah remarked, seeing his brother staring at Elena with sorrow.

"I think it's best I go. You guys need some time to discuss things," Elena whispered to them.

Sage stared at her with a predatory gaze. "Aw, did I hurt you?"

Kol sped and grabbed her by the neck, flinging her down the hall. He had enough of her antagonizing his mate.

Sage glared, getting up and going to counter-attack Kol. The two went speeding around and Elena felt helpless. It wasn't like she could get Kol's attention with her voice. It scared her even more when Troy joined in.

Elijah wasn't going to interrupt, keeping his duty to her safety. Finn looked lost, still caught up by the sight of her neck and his ex. No one was stopping the fight and she worried about Kol being tag teamed.

Feeling like she had no choice, she stepped in front of the two elder Mikaelsons and separated Kol, Troy and Sage by magic.

"Well, that is something new," Sage said, seeing she was being held back by magic. "The Salvatore's don't have a clue about this now, do they?"

"Damn it, Elena," Kol swore. He didn't want her using her magic. It posed a danger to her if someone found out about it.

Sage glanced to Troy and the rest of them. "I won't tell. And neither will Troy," she stated. "As long as I get Finn back."

Finn shut his eyes and ran his hands through his hair. Looking to his ex, he sped to her, pushing her back by the shoulders. He used his compulsion to make her forget what she had just seen. He replaced her memory with Kol winning the fight and telling her to back down.

Elijah went to do the same with Troy; taking him by the neck and pinning him to the wall, while Kol went to Elena, taking her hand and bringing her back to Elijah's room.

"What have I told you about using your magic?" he snapped.

"Kol," she croaked startled.

"No," he said, going to her and cupping her cheeks. His anger lessened at the sight of her fear. "I'm an Original, Darling. I am not the one needing saving."

She put her hands over his, staring up at him worriedly. "I care about you."

He sighed, setting his head to hers. He hated how her actions came from kindness and love. It was much harder to be angry with her. "You are infuriatingly loveable," he muttered. He held her close. "Don't do it again, Elena. I mean it."

"I can't promise that," she rasped out. "But I'll try not to."

She kissed him quickly and then looked to Elijah, having heard the door open while Kol was reprimanding her.

"Can I please go now?" she asked him. It was clear she should not be around Sage or the mansion with Troy.

Elijah gave her a nod and the two walked her back to her room to grab her things.

"We're coming too," Elijah remarked, grabbing his jacket as they walked downstairs. He looked to his younger brother. "Kol. Grab more of that salve."

Kol showed his brother the small container, already having tucked another in his pocket. She rolled her eyes at them.

"Where are you all off to?" Rebekah asked, coming in the mansion after grabbing coffee with Matt.

"My house," Elena croaked out. Rebekah made a face at her voice. She reached over and pulled Elena's scarf down, seeing the marks.

"Why haven't my brothers healed those?"

"Because our mate is stubborn," Kol muttered.

Elena rolled her eyes and looked to Rebekah. "You're welcome to join us if you want."

There was more shouting between Sage and Finn.

"Let's go," Elijah stated, guiding Elena from the mansion. He didn't want her in more danger than she had been.

"Lead the way," Rebekah stated, not willing to stay and deal with the complicated mess either.

The three Mikaelsons hung around the Gilbert house for hours. Kol played video games with Jeremy while Elijah helped Elena study and Rebekah painted her nails with some of Elena's nail polish from Christmas.

Elena looked to her phone, seeing it ringing. "Hey Ric," she said raspily.

"Elena, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" she asked puzzled.

"What is Finn doing at the Grill with some red-head? And why is Stefan trying to kill them?" he murmured quietly.

"What?" she croaked. They all got up and grabbed their jackets. "I'll be right there."

Elijah sped her to the Grill and she searched the restaurant for Alaric. Finding him at the pool tables with Meredith, she went up to them. "What's going on?" she croaked.

"Why do you sound like that?" he asked concerned. He went to her, pulling her scarf. Meredith pulled Ric back from punching Kol and Elijah.

"It wasn't them," Elena said, seeing him jumping to conclusions. Before Elijah could go threaten Stefan at the bar for information, Matt approached them. "Someone want to tell me what the hell is happening?"

He gave them a vial of liquid that he was supposed to put in Finn and his friend's drink. "Did something happen, Elena?" Matt asked.

She shook her head, and smelled the liquid. "Vervain," she told the group.

Elijah's jaw clenched and he excused himself to go have a talk with the Salvatore.

"Damon is waiting out back," Matt murmured quietly to them.

"Damn it," Alaric muttered putting together that the Salvatores were trying to harm the Mikaelsons.

"Are we sure this isn't just about Sage?" Rebekah questioned hushly.

"You can't possibly be that blonde, Rebekah," Kol snapped to his sister.

Elena hit his chest scoldingly and went to go find Damon in the alley. Going outside, she frowned as she saw Damon in the shadows waiting.

"Damon," she rasped out.

He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "What the—" He cursed when he saw Kol behind her. "Damn it, Donovan."

"What the hell are you doing?" she croaked.

"Better question," he glared. "What is wrong with your voice?" He looked to the Mikaelson and went to attack him.

"Damon, stop!" she winced as she had to yell. Her throat throbbed.

Kol quickly threw the man down on the pavement, using enough force that the Salvatore groaned and took a second before getting up. Kol went to her, removing her scarf and looking at her neck. It was warm.

"It wasn't Kol or the Mikaelsons. It was Sage," she croaked out, grimacing as Kol touched the bruises.

"What? Why would Sage do that?" Damon snapped.

"Because she's a jealous bitch," Rebekah answered as if it were obvious. "Finn was her lover before being daggered by Nik."

Damon hesitated. He had thought Sage was on their side.

"Sage was Damon's mentor," Stefan declared, seeing him come out with Elijah.

Elijah sped to her, concerned that Kol was looking over her neck. "What happened?" he demanded.

"It's fine," she whispered.

"It's a bit swollen," Kol noted to his brother.

Her brows furrowed and she looked to Stefan, pushing away from the Mikaelsons. "She's Damon's Lexi, isn't she?" she croaked.

Stefan nodded. "It was in the early 1900s. She showed Damon what she thought was the better sides of feeding. She felt humans could be used for pleasure, not just food."

Elena's brows furrowed. If Sage thought so little of humans even back then, was that were Damon got part of his dark personality from?

"Yeah," Stefan said regretfully, seeing Elena's questioning look. His older brother adopted his self-indulgent behavior and vicious personality from her.

"Stefan, here, was kind enough to discuss matters concerning the white oak tree," Elijah remarked.

They all looked at him.

"The new Wickery Bridge that is being built. The road sign is made of white oak," he confessed.

Rebekah glared at the man, speeding off to set the signboard on fire.

"You were going to kill Finn?" Elena asked, feeling a wave of betrayal.

"I know you don't see it, Elena. But this is messed up," he said. "It's like you're under this spell with them being their soulmate."

She looked at him hurt.

"I advise you to stay out of our business, Stefan," Elijah remarked, seeing his mate upset. "I will not warn you again."

Stefan looked to Elena, wondering if she'd let him get away with what he said, but she was lost in her own thoughts. "Why didn't you tell me you had a problem with this, Stefan?"

"I have," he urged. "You just don't want to hear it."

She shook her head, thinking back to every interaction they had. "You never told me it wasn't okay." She looked at him in pain. "You're the one who told me it was okay not to choose, Stefan!"

She winced at her throat.

He sighed. "What was I supposed to say, Elena? I can't exactly call myself a better choice. And Damon…." He sighed again. He wasn't either.

"Stefan," Alaric said disapprovingly. They had all been blindsided by the two's recklessness.

He looked at them. "It was never a plan until Sage came around. Damon thought—"

"Shut it, St. Stefan," Damon barked.

Elijah pinned Damon to the brick wall and Elena and Alaric both flinched.

"Easy, Elijah," Alaric advised, seeing the grip on Damon's throat.

"Keep talking, Salvatore," Kol threatened Stefan.

Stefan sighed. "Damon thought Sage was on our side. She came to us confused, talking about a human at the mansion. We told her about Elena and a bit about what was going on. She didn't believe us."

He from his brother and regretfully to Elena. "We saw Sage and Finn together this evening and took our chances."

"Are there any more white oak stakes out there?" Elijah asked the men.

"No," Stefan answered.

Elijah looked to Damon, who stayed defiantly quiet. He compelled him and Damon squelched out 'no'.

"Thank you. You've been very helpful," Elijah remarked, taking the white oak stake from the raven-haired man's hand. Elijah stuck it in his breast pocket of his suit and squeezed Damon's neck a bit harder before letting him go.

"So, let me get this straight," Alaric said, looking to the scene. "Sage is Finn's ex-lover. She hurt Elena, then goes to the Salvatores and what? Hears about who Elena is and suddenly rekindles a romance with Finn?"

He was clearly missing something.

"There might have been some dirty 'good to see you again' sex late last evening," Damon smirked.

They all chose to ignore his comments.

"Sage is a delusional vampire who is arrogant and believes she is able to win Finn over," Rebekah said, reappearing with the group. She looked at them bored. "Not many know about the soulmate prophecy or whatever it is. It wouldn't surprise me if her idiotic brain couldn't believe it."

Elena was quiet and looked to Damon and Stefan. Something still irked her. "You went after Finn because you knew I couldn't be killed if you hurt them. My life isn't tied to them yet with white oak still out there. That's why you did it."

Her life was only tied to the Mikaelsons when the white oak was rid from the world. It was used to maintain a balance to life and death for the Originals.

"Yes, and now we have no idea if your lives are bound," Damon spat. "So, thanks for that Stefan."

She shook her head. "I don't need rescuing, Damon."

"Right. Says the girl barely able to talk," he snapped.

Elena's hands balled to fists and Kol put his hands over hers. He didn't want her showcasing her magic, especially to Damon Salvatore.

"What did I say?" Kol asked her lightly scolding. He stared at her, waiting for her to focus on him. He ran his thumb over her clenched fingers. "Let's go home, Darling. And take a look at that neck."

"I'm going to stay and hang around with Matt," Rebekah said, deciding to go back into the Grill.

"Inform Finn of what occurred," Elijah called. Rebekah looked reluctant at the command. She wasn't fond of her eldest brother at the moment.

"I will," Alaric said, breaking up the tension. He looked to Damon and slapped him upside the head. "Do something idiotic like this again and it won't just be the Mikaelsons after your ass." He went back inside with Rebekah in tow.

"Elena," Stefan tried.

"Just don't. Okay? You've done enough. And you know," she said looking to the two men. "Just because Sage is here, doesn't mean I'd be okay with you killing Finn. You both know how much I've just wanted to keep everyone I love safe. That's all I ever try to do."

"Elena, you're in a weird threesome—or foursome really," Damon glowered. "You don't get a say in this."

She was incredulous at their assumptions. "Do you ever hear yourself, Damon?" she asked. She winced at her voice, hating how it hurt. "If anyone doesn't get a say in all of this, it's you two," she scolded the Salvatores.

Stefan's eyes dropped to the pavement.

"You didn't do this for me," she rasped at them. "You did it for you."

"Hold on to me, Darling," Kol requested. She pressed herself to him and he ran off with her.

Elijah gave them one last threatening look and disappeared as well.

---

She winced as Elijah pressed ice to her neck wound.

"Here, try this," Bonnie said, handing Kol a new salve.

"Is this better than what Kol had?" Elijah asked, standing up from Elena.

"It should speed up the healing faster," Bonnie nodded, watching Kol gently rub it over the bruises. "Kol's salve was good, but it was old magic. There are a few different herbs that work better nowadays," she spoke.

Elena winced as he went spreading the gel over her windpipe.

"Sorry, Darling," he said, seeing her grimace.

Jeremy watched the pair. "Why can't one of you just heal it?" He asked the vampires. He didn't like his sister in pain.

"Elena refuses to take our blood," Elijah commented.

"I'm fine, Jer," she whispered. "it'll heal."

"Elena, if they can take away the pain, just let them," Jeremy said. Usually, he wasn't a fan of vampire blood, or vampires in general, but he hated seeing his sister hurt more.

"It's her choice, Jeremy," Bonnie said supportively.

The front door opened and Finn rushed in to the house, going straight to the kitchen and finding Elena sitting at the table.

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly going to her and seeing her neck. "Did the Salvatores—"

"—Finn," Sage called from the doorway.

Elena stood up, going and pulling her brother back.

Elijah saw her worries and put his hand on her arm. "She can't come in."

She let out a breath and stayed holding onto her brother.

Sage smirked at the girl's fear. "Look, I know I—"

"—Sage," Finn scolded, shutting his eyes and tempering his anger. He wanted her to shut up. The red-head quieted, lingering outside of the door.

"Elena," Finn said, swallowing hard and staring at her neck.

"It's fine, Finn," she said grabbing her scarf and going to put it back on. Kol stopped her. "I'm not done, Darling. Sit down."

She gave a grimace and he gave her a look. "it's this or blood."

She sighed, sitting back down. Kol continued the treatment and Elijah went and got her some pain relievers.

"I'm not sure if I've enjoyed being here so much," Rebekah noted, walking into the Gilbert residence and seeing Sage unable to come in the house.

"You are a complete bitch, you know that," Sage said with a scowl to blonde.

"I've heard worse," Rebekah sneered flatly. She went into the kitchen and looked at the sight. "Seriously, just let my brothers heal you."

Elena's eyes fell and Elijah stared at her. Bonnie was quiet too.

"You don't know whose blood to take," Elijah concluded. It was a scenario similar to the school dance.

Elena briefly glanced to him. She didn't want to choose between them. She knew how possessive they were already.

"Elena," Finn sighed. He didn't care about that as much as wanted her healed.

"For pity's sake," Rebekah stated, rolling her eyes and pulling up her sleeve, biting into her wrist. She went and put it over the girl's lips, making her drink until the bruises disappeared. "Better?"

Elena nodded.

Kol stared at her disapprovingly, closing up the salve.

"Keep it, just in case you ever need it again," Bonnie said, seeing Kol hand it back to her. "I'll write down the ingredients, too."

"Thank you, Bonnie," Elijah remarked looking at Elena, planning to talk with her in depth about this matter.

"Thanks, Bon," Elena said, no longer needing to whisper.

She gave a nod, packing up her things. "Come on, Jer," she said, taking his hand and leaving the room to give them space. She looked to Sage, giving a glare and went upstairs with Jeremy.

"Elena," Elijah stated frustratedly.

"Don't worry, still here," Sage called.

Tensions grew in the room.

"Ger rid of her, Finn, or I will," Kol threatened.

"Hey, okay," Elena said, standing up and putting her hands on Kol to get him to relax. "I think we could all use a break. We can talk tomorrow, okay?"

"There are matters to discuss, Elena," Elijah said frustrated.

Sage disturbed them once more

"Sage!" Finn said impatiently.

"I love it when you say my name like that," Sage smirked.

They all sighed. Finn looked to his sister with pleading eyes.

"Absolutely not," she stated.

"Please, Rebekah," he begged. The three needed to talk with Elena and Sage was just being an interruption.

"Rebekah," Elijah said, also asking the same of her.

Rebekah glared. "I take no responsibility for potentially ripping out her heart," she snapped, going to the door.

"We so owe her," Elena muttered.

"Listen to your mate," she snapped to her brothers, going and taking Sage by the arm and dragging her away.

"Hey!"

"Don't make me compel you," Rebekah threatened. "I've got a nice bone to pick with that delinquent of yours, Damon Salvatore. Let's go pay him a visit. Shall we?"

They sped off and Elena looked to the doorway, wondering if she should be worried.

"Elena," Elijah started again.

She sighed. "Spare me the lecture, okay, Elijah?" she asked, going and shutting the front door.

"Apparently you need it," Kol retorted. She shot him a look.

"Your safety and well-being come before your worries of our bond, Elena," Finn said kindly.

"Okay," she agreed. She didn't want a scolding on this.

They stared at her, disbelieving that she understood them.

"Could you guys just go?" she asked nicely. She ran a hand through her hair and looked at them. "It's been a long day. And honestly, who know what is Rebekah doing to the Salvatores. Could you go stop her?"

Finn frowned.

"We're not done, Elena," Elijah scolded.

"We are," she said, opening the door for them. "I'm tired and really not in the mood, Elijah. Not everything gets to be three versus one in this relationship."

They looked caught off guard by her.

"Is that how you feel?" Finn asked.

She sighed. "I think things are complicated and they don't need to be more complicated with vampire blood in my system," she stated. "Now please. Could you guys just go?"

They frowned and took their leave.

"Did we push her too hard?" Finn wondered to his brothers when the door closed behind them.

It was likely.

"Get Sage under control, Finn. I won't say it again," Kol snapped before running off.

Elijah looked out at the night.

"She hurt Elena."

"I know, Elijah. I—" he didn't know what to do or how to make things be better. Elena was hurting. They could feel it.

"Fix it, Finn," Elijah replied. He gave one last glance to his brother before vanishing as well.

That was all Finn was trying to do.

---

Elena woke the next morning to the smell of coffee. Confused, she opened her eyes to find a steaming cup of coffee on her nightstand. Puzzled, she stared at it and then turned back in bed and found Kol. He was sitting up in her bed staring at her stuffed pig.

"What are you doing here?" she asked confused.

"I miss these days," he said, holding up the pig. She frowned, giving a nod. It felt simple when they were away.

He handed her the animal and kissed her head. "Good morning, Darling."

"Kol," she said. "What are you doing in my bed?"

"Spending time with you," he murmured, giving her shoulder a kiss and laying with her. She snuggled against him and held her pig to her chest.

"Do you think we're bonded now?" she asked him softly, thinking about the events of last night.

"No clue," he replied. "But it will be okay either way."

Part of her doubted that.

"I love you," he murmured.

She relaxed slightly snuggling him closer to her. He smiled at the gesture.

"I love you too," she replied. They laid in bed together for a while until finally she wanted her coffee. He laughed and watched her drink the coffee.

"What are you plans for the day, Darling?"

She got out of bed and reached for her phone, sending a quick text message. "I should go see Finn actually."

He frowned. "And why is that?"

She looked at his unhappy features and crawled back into bed. He pulled her close, rolling her on top of him. "I can think of better things we could do instead of you going to see my stick in the mud brother."

She leaned in and kissed him. "I thought that was Elijah's nickname."

He kissed her again, "it's fitting for Finn, too."

She gave a small laugh making out with him until her phone dinged. She reached over, finding Finn able to meet for coffee.

"Darling," he whined, watching her get off him. They were just getting to the part where their passions led them into pulling each other's clothes off.

She left the bed and reached beside her, throwing a pillow at him. He caught it with ease, hugging it as he watched her go change.

When she was finished getting ready, she looked to Kol, who was still pouting. Rolling her eyes, she kissed him again. "I have to go meet Finn for coffee. Are you going to be here all afternoon?"

"No," he groaned. He got up, kissing her once more as she dragged him downstairs. She grabbed her things, leaving Alaric a note and departing from the house.

"Come over for dinner later," he suggested.

"Are you cooking?" she asked curiously.

"You certainly aren't," he remarked. He laughed as she shoved him lightly and gave her a kiss. "Yes, I will."

"Fine," she said, giving him one more kiss. Getting in her car, he watched her go, jealous his older brother was getting their girl today.

---

She sat across from Finn, mildly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure what to say now that he was in front of her.

"How…how are things going with Sage?" she asked.

He frowned. "Please don't tell me this is what you wanted to discuss."

She bit her lip.

"Elena, there is so much to say about us," he remarked. He wanted her to know he still loved her, and that her well-being mattered to him. He wanted to talk about what had happened last night concerning their blood and how nothing changed because Sage was around now.

"Finn, you should be with her," Elena said softly.

He tensed. "What?"

She swallowed hard, staring at her coffee. "We decided an open relationship, right? Part of that was also for you all to be dating if it were to come about. And with her being back, maybe…."

"How could you suggest that?" he said, feeling slightly betrayed.

She looked at him. "She loves you, Finn. And you once felt the same about her."

"Yes, Elena. A long time ago. Everything has changed from back then," he replied.

She frowned.

"I want to be with you," he pressed. "Sage doesn't mean anything."

"She does, Finn," Elena pressed. She ran her hand through her hair and looked at him. "If there was something from Damon and Stefan's reckless mission that I learned, it was that we'd be okay. Even with Sage here, I still want to be with you too," she admitted. "And we all agreed to an open relationship. And this is it. You can be with her, too. You don't have to pick."

He frowned. "And this is what you want? You want to see me with her?"

"I want you to be happy," she corrected. "And Sage may be part of that too."

He was quiet, pensively staring off into space.

"I know more than anyone what it's like to be forced into choosing. And you and Elijah and Kol got together and helped with that. So, let me help with this."

He looked at her, studying her. "But you still want to be with me."

"Yes," she agreed.

"Just as we were," he said skeptically.

"I don't know if I'll be jumping into…certain things with all of you again for the moment, but yes, Finn. Just as we were."

He frowned, hearing her now uncomfortable with the idea of their sexual activities. She was getting to be more open and comfortable with their foursome arrangement.

"And you come to me if you feel differently," he instructed. "If you find it straining our bond."

"I think we'll both feel it if that happens," she said calmly. Her stomach churned at the thought of the change.

He sighed, rubbing his head.

She reached over and took his hand. She didn't have anything to say, but to be there and comfort him.

He stared at their embrace. "I miss you," he admitted.

"I'm right here," she replied. She held his hand a bit longer until glancing around the public area and pulling back. She was still weary about showing her displays of affection in public.

Finn's phone rang and he pulled it out, frowning.

"What?" she asked.

"Sage is causing trouble again," he muttered. He shut off his phone screen.

"She'll need help settling it, just as you did," Elena advised.

"I had you," Finn remarked.

"You had family," Elena corrected.

He frowned again. his phone buzzed once more and he gave a huff.

"Go," she said with a small laugh. She pulled out her chair and took her cup, following him out from the shop.

He looked to her, wishing to hug and kiss her, but knew people were around. They were in daylight. Staring at her in front of him, he soaked in her presence, savoring her warmth that radiated off her and the smell of her beauty products. "I'll see you later at the mansion?"

"Yeah," she agreed. She gave his hand a squeeze and watched him go, her heart aching just slightly. She wanted to be a better person, but it sucked.

With a sigh, she drove home and changed her clothes.

"Hey, where are you off to?" Alaric said, seeing Elena get her gym shoes on.

"I'm going to head for a run for a bit. Are you going to be with Meredith today?" Elena wondered, watching him walk into the kitchen.

"Actually, I was going to spend the day here. Are you going to be around or at the Mikaelsons?"

She shrugged. "Probably here." The mansion had Sage and Troy, who weren't her biggest fans. And her stomach churned at the thought of seeing Finn and Sage together romantically. It was going to take some time to get used to.

"Okay. Well, we have no food in the house, so I might go grocery shopping first," Alaric frowned, looking in the fridge. He looked back to Elena. "Go run. I'll see you when you guys get back."

She nodded, giving him a kiss and grabbing her music player. She put in her earbuds and began going around the neighborhood.

It was halfway through their run she felt funny. Catching herself on a white picket fence, she bent over at her nausea. Blinding pain hit her eyes and head and she winced unable to shout for help.

She staggered to walk home, when suddenly her vision went completely blurry. The pavement felt like it was swept from under her and she collapsed on the sidewalk, bleeding from the nose.

---

Kol tried Elena's cell phone once more, getting her voicemail once again. Frowning, he walked up towards the Gilbert's house.

"Kol?" Alaric questioned from the driveway; his arms full of groceries.

"Alaric, where is Elena?" he asked, following him up the driveway and opening the door for them.

"She's not with you? I figured she'd be home from her run by now. Are you sure she didn't stop by the mansion?"

"I've been there all day," he said mildly annoyed. "Her phone is going to voicemail and we have dinner plans."

Alaric set the bags down and turned to the vampire with a concerned expression. "There's no way she's still out for a run." He called for Jeremy.

"What's up?" the little Gilbert asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Have you seen Elena?" Alaric asked worriedly.

He shook his head. "Didn't you say she was going for a run?"

"She should be back," he replied.

Jeremy looked back near the door. "Her shoes are still gone. Maybe she just stopped for a coffee or something."

"She's not answering her bloody phone," Kol stated, starting to get more concerned. It was unlike her. He texted his brothers and then walked from the room.

"Where are you going?" Alaric called.

"Check the neighborhood," Kol replied. He left at vampire speed, tracing her scent and going down every block of her run. His heart stopped when he saw her lying on the sidewalk. "Elena!"

He sped to her, kneeling down and seeing blood leaking from her nose.

"Elena, darling," he called, being careful of her neck as he tried to prop her up in his arms. She was unresponsive to her name but her heart was still beating. He could hear it.

Being cautious of how he jostled her, he held her limp figure in his arms and sped her to the hospital.

---

"Elena," Esther called.

Elena opened her eyes, finding them in a familiar field. It was where Klaus had taken her to break the sun-and-moon curse. "Where am I?" she groaned. Her head pounded.

"I must apologize. This was a very abrupt way to have conversation with you, but my methods were necessary."

"What are you talking about?" Elena asked, getting up from the ground.

"Elena, things are not as you believe them to be," Esther warned. "For example, you believe we are in a field, but when in reality we are in your mind."

Elena glanced around. The surroundings seemed real, but with closer inspection, she realized the air held no temperature. It was still brisk out but she couldn't feel the cold.

Her heart accelerated, worried about what they were doing in her head. She felt defenseless.

"I mean no harm to you," the Original Witch stated, hearing the unfiltered thought. "This was my only way to reach you. Niklaus is still searching for my whereabouts. I could not contact you personally, in fear he'd find me or even harm you."

"What do you want?" Elena asked, both cautious and brave.

The witch was expressionless, keeping her arms behind her back and looking to the doppelganger. "I fear I may have involved you, regardless, by stealing your blood from my son. You see, your blood contains power, power I require because my body is failing me."

Elena looked at her in surprise.

"I was allowed back for one reason, and one only," Esther explained. "To kill my son, Niklaus. And so far, I have failed to do so."

Elena shook her head, disbelieving the woman. "You haven't been going after him. You went after Elijah. You took him and tortured him—your own child."

She frowned. "I did what was necessary. Elijah believes he is a noble man, and while he does possess many of those traits, he is foolish and wrong to believe he is better than the rest of my children."

Elena was quiet.

"My children are abominations, Elena. I'm sure my dearest Finn has spoken of such."

Esther stepped towards her and Elena took quick steps back. The woman frowned. "I understand why you do not trust me. Trust must be earned and it seems I have not given you a reason to believe my intentions are pure."

She shook her head, not believing a single thing Esther said. She thought about what Ayanna had told her. "You wanted Elijah to ask for death. You tried to kill him—all your children. What about what you told me about soulmates?"

The witch frowned. "Yes, I've been trying to find work arounds to that."

Elena was puzzled.

"Elena, do you know why the crystals are a hazy white?" she questioned. They were supposed to be completely white, not cloudy. "It's because you need to accept the bond—completely. It is you who is to make a choice, Elena. To accept the love of your mate fully."

She stood quiet and so Ether continued. "If you had picked one of my children, I would have spared them, but you continue not to do so. You let the bond of the three of you exist. I will not spare all three of my children."

"What?" She talked like she was still going to go after them.

"I will not stop," Esther said, hearing the unspoken thought. "And unfortunately, neither will my son, Niklaus, who will eventually come for me."

"I-I don't understand. Why can't you just leave them be?" Elena urged. "I mean, Klaus I get, but Elijah, Finn, Kol, and even Rebekah, haven't done anything. They've just existed."

"And it's their existence which is an imbalance to nature," Esther admonished. She looked to the girl. "I will spare your truest soul, Elena. You have my word, but I need you to make your choice."

Elena stood flabbergasted. Ether was asking her to pick who lived and who died. "No," she whispered.

"I will not stop, Elena," Esther warned. "I apologize you are between this war of Niklaus and I, but I will end my children, at any cost. If you do not choose, I will have no choice but to remove them all from you."

Elena stood with her chest aching. "You can't do this."

"I can and I will," she said determinedly. "Save one, or lose them all."

She couldn't hold Elena in her state much longer. With one last look to her, she let Elena return back to her present state and hoped she warned the girl well enough for what was coming.

---

Elena gasped awake, shooting up from where she laid.

"Hey, woah," Alaric said, settling her back in the hospital bed. She looked to see Ric, Jeremy, Kol, Elijah and Finn all hovering near her.

"What…what happened?" she asked breathless.

"You've been unconscious for hours," Finn remarked, brushing some of her hair back. "Kol found you."

She swallowed hard, glancing briefly at him. He leaned in and kissed her head, happy to see her brown eyes stare back at him.

"You collapsed on your run, kiddo," Alaric filled in for her. "Do you remember?"

She thought back to her day, trying to piece together the events. She could barely remember deciding to go for a run, let alone anything she did.

"We met for coffee earlier," Finn stated, hoping it'd held her memory.

She rubbed her hands over her face. Everything felt fuzzy.

"I'll go get Meredith," Ric said, seeing her having trouble recalling things.

"Elena, what is the last thing you remember?" Jeremy wondering. He hovered at the foot of her bed.

She sat with furrowed brows, trying to recall something-anything. It was like there was a mental block. She looked to her brother, then at Kol, Elijah and Finn. She knew who they all were and that they were involved with one another. But she couldn't see past that.

"Ah," she hissed. Her brain felt like it was trying to separate itself in half.

"Elena," they said worriedly.

She clutched her head and shut her eyes at the pain. Voices felt loud in her head. They were all jumbled and were all talking at once.

Blood began dripping from her nose and she gave a cry of pain. Dr. Fell came rushing in, moving Elijah from her way.

"Elena, its Meredith. Can you hear me?" She asked, pulling out her flashlight pen. Finding Elena unresponsive to anything but the pain, the doctor lowered her bed back and ordered some medication from the assisting nurse.

"You should go, Ric," she stressed. She could see the look of fear on his face. She knew how much he cared about these kids. She looked to everyone in the room. "All of you."

"I'm not leaving," Kol stated, being an obstinate child. He looked to Elena, smoothing her hair and trying to comfort her pain as she fought it and cried.

As the rest of the room protested, Dr. Fell looked to Elena's monitor, seeing the high blood pressure. She grabbed the medication from the nurse and pushed it into the IV, waiting for it to work.

"What's happening?" Jeremy asked.

"I dont know. I dont know if it's some sort of panic attack or what," Meredith answered honestly. The girl's heartbeat was steadying and she was asleep. "What were you talking about?"

"I asked her what she last remembered," he said worriedly.

Alaric stared at an unconscious Elena. "What did you give her?"

"Morphine," she said, seeing a nurse clean up the blood on Elena's face. "She's sedated and will be for a while. It should also help with the pain. I'm going to get a few scans and see if I can figure out what's going on. "

They all nodded, watching her go.

Kol hovered at the side near Elena's monitors, while Elijah and Finn were at the other. Elijah went and sat at the edge of her bed, holding onto her hand.

Shoes clapped against the tile and everyone looked to see Sage and Rebekah.

"Interesting sight to see," Sage commented, seeing the men huddled around the human girl.

They all ignored her as best as they could.

"I thought I heard from the nurses that she was awake," Rebekah said. She was confused why Elena looked asleep.

"She was awake for only moments," Elijah stated.

"She had to be sedated," Finn added.

"And this is who you are all supposedly bonded to?" Sage asked unimpressed. "A girl who's gone cuckoo."

Jeremy's hands balled to fists and Alaric stopped him from going anywhere.

Sage gave him an arrogant smirk. "Oh honey, I could take you in under a second."

"I suggest you remove yourself from here, Sage," Elijah said in a threatening tone. He had no patience for her. If she continued, he would do something he may regret.

Sage looked to the Mikaelson and then her lover. "Finn," she called, waiting for him to depart with her.

"Go back to the mansion Sage, " he demanded. "Or better yet, go stay with your precious Salvatores."

She raised a brow, taken by surprise his rudeness and cold tone. She narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Do I sense a hint of jealousy in there?"

Kol had enough. He sped to the vampire, pinning her to the nearest wall by the neck. "If you do not leave in the next two seconds, I will have no problem ripping out your throat out right here."

Sage looked at him and barely glimpsed at Finn before reluctantly running off.

"Thank you," Alaric frowned, staring at a sleeping Elena. He hoped she wasn't hearing any of the fighting, knowing she hated it.

"Don't mention it," Kol remarked, going back to his mate's bedside. He had meant the comment quite seriously, knowing how disapproving Elena would be with him.

A few minutes after an hour of silence passed, Elena was wheeled away to be taken for some brain scans.

She was set in the machine and woke in the middle to the sounds of the machine rumbling.

It was a frightening.

"Hold on, Ms. Gilbert, " a technician said over the intercom. He helped pull her out and let her know what was happening. She looked at the stranger in the all-white room. She didn't remember anything.

"Let's try it again, shall we?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," Elena said, pushing his hands away. She didn't like the idea of being with some stranger.

"That may be, but I still have orders to fill from Dr. Fell."

She eased at the name and gave in; laying back down on the cold table. It wasn't long before she was put back into the small space again and she waited for it to be over.

When they were done scanning her brain, Elena was wheeled back to her room, where she found familiar faces.

"You're awake," Jeremy said surprised.

"Yeah, it was a very odd time to wake up," she said, thinking about how scary it had been.

They all gave her hugs and she smiled to them. The room became silent. Everyone was afraid to ask her anything.

The door opened and Meredith Fell came walking in with a relieved smile on her face. "I see the patient is awake."

"I am," Elena nodded.

"How are you feeling?" The doctor asked, taking off her stethoscope and conducting a routine exam.

"A bit hazy, but okay," Elena replied. She followed Meredith's finger when it was asked.

"Do you remember what happened at all?"

Elena paused and everyone waited anxious.

"It's okay if you don't," Meredith said kindly.

"No, I do," she answered thoughtfully. It was odd because it was all there but it felt like she hadn't experienced it. "I went for a run, but then somehow we all ended up here."

"You were found unconscious, " Dr. Fell filled in. "You were brought here. I want you to stay the night for observation. "

Elena shook her head, while the others argued with her.

"It's just one night," Meredith tried.

Elena sighed, tired of everyone's growing bickering. "Fine."

The doctor smiled and then her pager went off. She looked down at it. "I'll give you all some space," she said, giving Alaric a quick kiss and leaving the room.

When they were alone, Elena reached to touch the crystal around her neck and found it gone. She looked down, only seeing her hospital gown.

Kol went to her bag of belongings, pulling out the object for her and put it around her neck. "What is it, Elena?"

"Esther—she wants me to pick," she told them softly, glancing to the hazy rock. The longer she was awake, the clearer it felt.

"What?" Alaric asked confused.

"When I passed out…or I don't know," she said, feeling it still a bit jumbled in her head. "All I can recall is that she wants to know my one true soulmate," Elena clarified, looking up at them. "She wants me to pick between the three because she'll spare that one."

"She plans to kill us all," Finn stated knowingly.

"And intends to succeed by any means necessary," she confirmed with a brave face. "She knows Klaus is hunting her. She's dying. She took my blood because its powerful. And while it was intended to use for the spell when she had Elijah, she was too weak. The spirits brought her back to kill Klaus and she hasn't yet. They are punishing her by taking back her power."

"You said the spirits just want Klaus dead?" Alaric wondered.

"It seems like that was their only demand. But Esther feels her children all need to be destroyed."

"We're abominations," Finn stated.

Elena tensed at the statement.

"And there is the selfless martyr we all know and love," Kol remarked sarcastically.

"I don't think she has enough power to kill all of you and Klaus," Elena said to the Mikaelsons. "It seems like she took Elijah to break him down so that he'd go to her to plead for death, so she wouldn't have to use more magic than necessary to kill him by force."

"Like a loving mother, she would grant us such a wish if we came to her," Kol sneered with more sarcasm.

Elijah went to Elena's bedside and sat at the edge. He took his crystal from his pocket and set it in her palm, wrapping her hand around it. He wouldn't leave her or leave their bond. He vowed it to her before when he made the mistake once. He was silently vowing it again.

"Why spare one of you?" Jeremy asked confused to the family.

"Because eventually there will be no white oak left in the world, and their lives will be tied with mine," Elena explained to her brother. "Esther knows I never want to transition to a vampire, nor would Klaus let me. He needs my blood for his hybrids."

Alaric stood thoughtful. "So, you two eventually would die and the Originals would cease to exist."

It was a scary good plan.

Elena nodded.

"And what happens if you don't pick?" Rebekah questioned irate.

She went quiet and bowed her head. "She won't stop. She'll do whatever necessary to eradicate you all."

"Of course," Kol muttered. He looked to Elena. She looked so fragile in the middle of the large hospital bed. "It'll be alright, Darling," he said, going and sitting near her. He kissed her head. He didn't want her in distress.

"We aren't going anywhere, Elena," Elijah said strongly. He put his hand over hers, as well.

"Mother will have a battle coming for her," Finn stated, putting his hand on Elena's shoulder. He leaned down and kissed her head. "We're here to stay."

---

Elena gasped awake. It was her fifth nightmare of the week.

"Elena," Elijah's voice murmured softly. His hand gently touched her arm and she looked back to see him and Kol in bed on either side of her. They were both awake.

"Another dream?" Kol asked.

She nodded and Elijah pulled her to lay back down. Ever since the hospital, she had been experiencing night terrors. They varied in scene but always had the subject of the Mikaelsons.

"We're here," Kol said softly. He ran his hand up and down her arm. "We're not going anywhere. "

She looked over at him. "But you could." It was her biggest fear.

"Elena—"

"She's determined to kill all of you," she said fretfully. She swallowed hard, glancing to the two men. "And she wants me to pick one of you."

Kol kissed her hand and rolled her to face him. He knew the idea of choosing terrified her. She refused to do it. He put his hand over hers and guided it to his heart. "I'm still alive, Darling. I'm right here tonight."

Elijah followed his lead, putting his arm around Elena's waist and pressing her back to his chest. "As am I."

He planned to have a talk with his elder brother on matters concerning Elena. Their mate needed him and he was out, busy assisting Sage again.

"Go to sleep, Elena. We'll be here," Elijah promised. The girl had been running on barely a few hours for days.

"I love you both," she breathed, slowly falling back into slumber.

The door to her room opened, letting a stream of bright light in. Finn slipped inside and shut it quietly. "I felt her distress. Is she alright?" He whispered.

"Another dream," Elijah told him lowly. He looked to their mate. "You were needed here, Finn."

He sighed in frustration. "I know, Elijah. I am attempting to sort matters out with Sage so I can be free to be there for Elena when she needs me."

They were all quiet.

"She wants me to do this," Finn said with a sigh. "She wants to test the bounds of our open relationship and see if we can have mates while still being bonded with her."

Elena stirred slightly, her fist balling tight.

Kol frowned. "Elijah, just let me—" He wanted to go into Elena's mind while she was asleep and alter her dream so she could rest. He hated how she woke up in fright.

"No, Kol," Elijah interjected sternly and quietly. They weren't going to mess with her mind or ever compel her. It was a dangerous path.

Finn stepped towards them, wishing to be joined in bed with her.

Elijah glanced back at his brother. He reluctant to make a suggestion, but he had to ask. He had a point he needed to prove. "Do our terms need revising?"

Finn looked to him, angered where his brother was going with this. "No, Elijah."

"Then best you do better to help her in this time of need. Sage is not the priority here," he reminded him.

Finn glared. "I'm well aware."

"Then I also remind you of one more matter," Elijah said looking back at his brother with narrowed eyes. He knew how Sage could push things. "No others."

They had an agreement that they'd only be having sex—of any sort, strictly with Elena. They didn't want her to feel more insecure or pressured than she already had been. They had just started to get her to open up with them.

"Even under Sage's presence, yes, all terms remain the same," Finn confirmed.

Elena's heart accelerated and Kol ran his fingers softly through her hair. Elijah gave small kisses to her shoulder, whispering calm sweet nothings. "You're safe, Elena," he murmured. After a bit more soothing, she calmed a bit and snuggled closer into Kol and pulled Elijah's arm tighter around her waist.

Jealousy flared in Finn. Taking his leave, he let his brothers be and went to his room, throwing his laptop across the room and breaking it into tiny pieces.

---

Finn sat in the living room with Sage. He had a very long discussion (with the occasional threat) about terms of their relationship if they were to go continue with it. He made clear he'd end the relationship if she couldn't pull herself together and treat Elena properly. His brothers found Sage as a threat over their mate's safety and he couldn't help but agree.

"Boy, she has you three wrapped around her finger," Sage said, mildly impressed.

"This does not come from Elena," he said blankly. "Or my relationship with her."

Sage rolled her eyes. "Fine. Anything else?"

"No sex," he said simply. Her eyes grew big. "What?!"

"I will not be having sex with you," he stated clearly.

Sage scoffed and looked towards the upstairs. "Oh, but you will with her?"

"Yes," he replied calmly.

"Finn!" She said flabbergasted, standing up in protest.

"Find a way to satisfy yourself elsewhere, Sage," he stated flatly.

She stared at him incredulous. "How could you want this? Do you not see how this has changed you?"

He looked at her blankly. "I was in a box for over 900 years of my life. Not once did I hear you come beg my brother to undagger me."

She looked at him confused.

"I was awake Sage. I could not move or speak—I was trapped in my own body—and not once did you try to come for me." He had only shared Elena that truth. She helped him simmer his anger about the situation.

"Baby, I—"

He shook his head. "We have unresolved feelings, but if we are to make this work, you will respect I am with Elena and that she is my soulmate."

"Fine," Sage agreed, giving his hand a shake when he offered it. She stared at him, feeling a pang of guilt. "I am sorry I didn't try harder to free you."

He was quiet and nodded. "Me too."

---

"Finn!" Elena exclaimed, collapsing against him as they both came. They breathed heavily and he pushed some of her damp hair back, kissing her deeply.

He took the whole day to be with just her to make up his absence from the past days. And they got carried away.

"Oh my god," she panted, as she sat naked on his lap on his couch. Their skin had a thin sheen of sweat from how vigorous they had been going with one another.

"Elena..." he breathed, keeping her seated on him. He loved to feel them skin-on-skin. It felt like ages since it had just been solely them together.

He kissed her lips aggressively, pressing her naked form to his chest. He desired a sense of closeness he felt they lost when Sage arrived.

They pulled back panting, still attempting to catch their breath. She was glad everyone was away from the mansion. Finn had wanted her loudly.

"You've said 'i love you' to both my brothers, but not me," he remarked. "Why? Have I done something?"

Her body tensed and she looked away apprehensive.

"Elena," he called gently, running his hands up and down her sides. He didn't mean to make her uncomfortable, but he had to know. He had tried to give her time and be patient with her about it, but it pained him every time he heard the words from her to them.

She looked down at his chest and played with their crystal around his neck. "It's just a bit different with us, Finn."

He stared at her, trying to read her. "Because of Sage."

Her bottom lip disappeared in her mouth. He gave a little sigh and cupped her face, kissing her until she felt more at ease.

"I love you, Elena," he murmured. "Even with Sage around."

"I know," she said shyly. "It just takes some getting used to," she mumbled. Sage was his first love. He had turned her to spend eternity with her.

He waited for Elena to look at him. "What can I do to make it better?"

He was the first one out of his brothers to truly test the bounds of their open relationship by letting Sage pursue him. Elena had been the one to encourage it, but he wondered if he had been wrong to let her.

"Nothing, " she said softly. She felt entirely too inadequate to be with him at times. They were a bit of an odd pair. Finn was older, even in looks. And he had a life partner at one point before he had been daggered, who happened to be amazingly gorgeous, strong, and a vampire.

"I don't believe that," he said, kissing her forehead. She couldn't seem to look at him.

"Finn, please, just stop it. Okay?" She asked, getting off him and grabbing a blanket at the other end of the sofa to cover herself.

"No. We need to talk about this," he pressed, bringing her back to sit with him. "You told me to do this. You wanted me to stay with Sage."

"I know I did," she defended, keeping the blanket to her chest. She just didn't think she'd feel so self-conscious about it.

"Tell me what you are thinking," he pushed.

She shut her eyes and her mouth rambled out words before her brain could stop it. "You loved her, Finn. You wanted forever with her and weren't bound by some crystal when you made a choice to be with her."

He stared at her with narrowed eyes. "Is that what you think?"

She was quiet.

"You truly believe I'm with you because I'm bound to you? That, that is why we are here right now?"

"No," she said uncomfortably. "But I dont think the three of you would have cared about me like you have if it weren't for the crystal showing us the way," she admitted. "You said yourself Finn, you considered me as the doppelganger and a way to destroy Klaus."

"I still saw you as a human being, Elena," he stated. "It's why it mattered to me to scheme with my mother and kill Niklaus. I knew humans were not safe from him or our family. We feed on people."

"And you all drink blood bags."

"Which is not as satisfying as it is in drinking from an alive human being," he countered, his voice raising.

She shook her head. It always came back to him viewing himself as an abomination.

"You don't feel this way with Sage," she spoke.

He looked at her confused. "What way?"

She looked at him. "Like you're a monster. She doesn't make you feel that way."

"Elena," he sighed, gathering her in his arms. "I do. It's just...different with her. She gets what the lifestyle is like. And while I don't agree with what she has become over the centuries, I was not there to stop her."

"So, what then, Finn?" She asked. "You feel like a monster when you're with me?"

He cupped his hand to her cheek, hurt that tears were in her eyes because of him. "I want better than this for you, but I also love you. I'm utterly selfish. Even though I see myself as a monster, I love having you beside me. I want to be with you, Elena. "

She frowned.

"I'm sorry I gave you the impression Sage meant more to me or that I was better when I was with her. It's not how I feel."

"What if we're not right for each other Finn?" She questioned in the softest of tones.

He tensed and stared at her. "I thought we were past this."

She played with the crystal on his neck. "It's different, Finn."

Now that he had Sage, things did change, even if they tried not letting it. Their intimacy was still just as great between the two of them, but there was an odd disconnect.

"Why?" He urged. "You must know nothing changes between us."

Their rules stayed the same and none of his brothers, not even him, wanted to revise it. They still put Elena first and her needs above others. Elena was their soulmate and it still meant everything to them. And they kept things sexually with only her. Only she was to touch them and them only touch her.

"It does, though..."

He held her close, picking her up and setting himself back inside of her.

"Finn," she shivered. "What are you doing?" He pulled the blanket away from her body and set it on the floor.

"Showing you," he replied, leaning in and kissing her. "We haven't changed."

He'd put into actions his desires and demonstrate to her how much he loved and wanted her. Nothing would stop them from being together. Not one person or obstacle. Everything was as it should be with them.

"Finn," she moaned, feeling him take control of her hips and bounce her on him.

"I want you, Elena Gilbert," he murmured, kissing her deeply. He laid her down on the cushions of the couch and thrusted deeply. "Only you, my love."

Her back arched in pleasure and she clawed at his skin as he brought her pleasure.

"Never another woman," he murmured, kissing her neck and continuing his rough pace. Her body needed him. He loved to pound her and make her truly feel him.

He held onto her so she wouldn't slide upward. Over and over, he buried himself within her. He continued even when she was moaning and climaxing.

He released inside of her, pumping and unwilling to stop until he was done filling her. He grabbed at her breast roughly, leaning forward and kissing her peaked nipples when they were done.

"Finn," she trembled. He was still touching her. Still horny after the large load he gave her.

"I love you, Elena," he told her. "Trust that." He buried his head in her chest, kissing her breasts. She ran her fingers through his choppy hair.

"How can I, when you can't even see yourself clearly?" She questioned. He thought of himself as an abomination.

He looked up at her thoughtful.

"You love Sage too," she added. "And I want that for you."

"Stop it," he scolded her. He sat them up, making her straddle him facing away from him. Her back was against his chest in a reverse position.

"Finn-"

"I dont want you speaking about Sage," he replied. She was naked and he was inside of her. He wouldn't let another woman's name out of her mouth, especially one that made her question them.

He ran his hands up her body, cupping her breasts in his hands. They were plump and perfect. Her loved how aroused and perky her pink nipples would get.

She moaned and laid her head back on his shoulder.

"That's right, my love. Let me have you again."

Her body was his in this position. He moved one hand from her breast down between her legs, giving her vigorous rubbing.

"Oh, Finn," she cried, going to stop him.

He nipped her ear. "Don't you dare," he said roughly. He wanted her to feel him, to feel how he knew to please her. He pushed her arm away and set his hand back on her. He kissed her neck and shoulder as she moved on his lap, grinding against him as he touched her inappropriately.

She cried with satisfaction, her body shuddering as he held her, playing with her in his arms.

He took in the sight of her and how her back was arched with her stiff nipples in their air. Her skin was damp and his hand was wet with her. She had soaked him, showing him her desire.

"Love me, Elena," he pleaded, mad at himself at how needy he revealed himself to be.

She looked back at him, her face flushed after her orgasm, and eyes full of vulnerability. "You're already taken, Finn."

He cupped her face, pressing her back against him. "Our love is completely different, Elena. And if I were to choose, it would be to only love you."

They kissed one another sweetly.

"I know you feel a part of me lies with Sage," he spoke. "But I want the rest of me to be with you. You complete me, Elena. Sage's presence hasn't changed that for me. I want you to know...to feel..." he said pinching her nipple and making her moan, "how much I love you. We cannot compare to what you think I have with her."

He began to slowly rock against her, making them move with pleasure. He was relieved to feel her hips begin to move on their own accord and her hand go through his hair, tugging him closer to her.

They held one another as they moved and he kissed her neck, helping her climax. She moaned and tensed, her body buzzing as he continued to invade her with his length.

"Keep going," he instructed, putting his finger back on her and making her continue. He didn't want her pleasure to end. He wanted her to feel how he did when they had sex. It always took him a while before he could go flaccid because of her.

She groaned out his name and he bounced them together until she came again. He nibbled her ear and worked her body, moaning when he delivered another large load of his cum inside of her.

"Better?" He questioned when they regained some of their breath. He could feel his fluids seep out of her. He kissed her shoulder possessively.

"A little," she replied.

"All you have to do is let me in here," he said bringing their hands over her heart. "I promise to love you."

She kissed him and laid back, settling her face at the crook of his neck. It would take time to trust that.

---

"We did it, you guys!" Caroline squealed after their last final. It was finally the end of school and they were practically there to senior year.

Elena and Bonnie both smiled. It had been one hell of a year but they had made it.

"We should celebrate," Bonnie smiled to her friends.

"And you better include me," Matt said, catching up with them and slinging his arm around Elena's shoulder. The pair smiled to one another.

"Am I allowed to join you guys?" A voice asked, coming up beside them next to Caroline.

Stefan looked to Elena with hope in his eyes. They hadn't talked since Sage had come into town. It was weeks now.

"You can host," Caroline suggested. "I think a small party is in order."

"A party?" Elena asked curiously. She figured it would be something low key.

"Don't worry, I got it," Caroline said, stepping from the group. "I'll text you the details later."

They watched her run off and go back into the school.

"Should I be worried?" Stefan asked, only partly joking.

"It's Caroline. She will put something nice together. It won't be some rager," Matt spoke.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Bonnie agreed.

They all parted their separate ways and Elena headed to the Mikaelson mansion to tell Rebekah about the get together.

Walking in the door, she noticed Sage and Finn curled up on the couch together watching a movie. They were laughing and looking cute. Her stomach churned.

She gave a wave when they looked over and then she rushed upstairs to get out of sight, missing Finn's frown.

"Rebekah," Elena called, walking down the long hall. She got to the girl's room, knocking and entering since the door was slightly ajar.

"What?" Rebekah said flatly, flipping through a magazine bored.

"A few of us are getting together tonight at the boarding house to celebrate end of the year. Want to come along?"

Rebekah looked up in surprise. "Seriously?"

"Yes?" She questioned.

"I've been dying of boredom, I swear it," she said. She got up from her bed, going to pick out her outfit. Elena gave a chuckle and let the girl be.

"I happened to overhear something about a party," Kol said, swinging her up lightly by the waist. She gave a laugh and smiled when he kissed her cheek. "I might have said something."

He raised his eyebrows at her.

"No," she refused with a laugh. She wasn't inviting him. "And why not?" He protested.

"Its at the boarding house. We both know how well you get along with Stefan, and especially Damon."

He rolled his eyes. "I'll be on better behavior."

She got to her room and gave him a kiss. "I don't believe you."

She knew if Damon pushed Kol enough, Kol would snap. That was just Damon. Obnoxious.

"I think it might be good to have some backup against the raging idiot," Kol remarked from the doorway.

"Is that a hint to invite Elijah?" She asked amused. He at least kept a cool head about things.

"Funny," he glared. She smiled to him, going through her duffle.

"You know, you can just leave your things here. You dont have to live out of your bag when you stay here," Kol remarked.

She shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

He rolled his eyes again, coming to sit on her bed. "You truly have commitment issues, you know that?"

She grabbed a pair of clean socks and rolled them into a ball, tossing them at him with laughter. "You are a jerk."

"Behave, Kol," Elijah scolded from the doorway.

Kol huffed and laid back on the bed.

"What's up?" She asked Elijah. She analyzed his stance and shook her head. She could see the protectiveness in his stature. "No. You're not coming either. It's a small get together that we assembled quickly. No angry vampires. No hostile glares. Only celebrating."

She pulled out her phone that was vibrating in her pocket and answered the call before either could argue with her. "Hey Bon, what's up?"

"Did you want to go together to whatever Caroline has planned for tonight? I figured we could also pick up Matt."

"Yeah. I'm with Rebekah, so we can pick you both up."

"Okay, see you then," Bonnie said, going to get ready for the evening.

She hung up and looked to the men. "No."

She looked to Kol. "You can't behave."

"And me?" Elijah asked curiously.

"You are in a suit," she answered, as if it were obvious. He looked at her puzzled.

"You're ready for...a fancy dinner party, Elijah. This is low-key and simple. Now, both of you get out so I can change," she instructed. She pulled Kol up from her bed and pushed him out with Elijah. Shutting the door, she let out a huff and went to get ready.

By the time she was ready to go with Rebekah, Kol was persistently following her.

"Fine," she huffed at him. She grabbed her leather jacket and slid it on. She was happy that Finn and Sage had gone out for dinner so she didn't have to witness their PDA.

"Call me if you need anything," Elijah commented, kissing her head and helping her with her leather jacket. She gave him a quick kiss.

"You'll have to show me where Damon hides the good stuff," Rebekah remarked on their way out the door.

By the time they picked everyone up and got to the Salvatores, loud music was blasting and people were all around.

"I thought this was small?" Rebekah questioned.

"And low-key," Kol stated to Elena.

"What did Caroline do?" Matt wondered.

They got out from the car and went up to Stefan's door. Giving a knock, she soon found a stranger at the door with a red cup on hand, shouting happily to the music.

"Oh god," Bonnie said, looking inside the house.

Stefan made his way over to them, an unhappy look on his face.

"What was that about Caroline, Matt?" He asked.

Matt bowed his head and Elena winced. "She really went all out."

"Have you seen her?" Bonnie asked.

"I've barely had a second to. I'm trying to keep everyone from destroying the house," he said frustrated.

"Come on, let's get a drink," Rebekah shouted over the music. They weaved through the crowd, going to a keg stand set up in the parlor.

"Props to Caroline," Kol noted, seeing practically all of Mystic Falls high on attendance. They were everywhere.

"I bet Damon is taking a fit," Matt muttered, sipping the watery beer. They glanced around, surveying the party until Caroline came up to them.

"So?" She grinned.

"I thought we were keeping it small?" Bonnie asked.

Caroline frowned. "Come on you, guys! We're seniors now! We need to let loose after the year we've had."

They all agreed on that. Standing around and talking for a while, Caroline soon dragged her two best friends to dance.

They laughed with one another as they moved, letting loose and letting some of the alcohol kick in. It had been the most carefree they had been in a while.

Kol stood off in the distance watching her, while Rebekah and Matt stepped outside to be on their own.

"How's she been?" Stefan asked, coming up beside Kol and looking to Elena. She was wearing just halter tank, leather jacket and heeled shoes, but he thought she was beautiful.

"She's been alright," Kol remarked. She was laughing at something Caroline had said. He smiled at her smile.

"I'm sorry for the night we tried to kill Finn," Stefan said with a bowed head. "I've been trying to talk to Elena about it, but I think she wants me to be apologizing to you guys instead."

Kol sipped on a bottle of alcohol he stole from the liquor cabinet stash, disregarding the Salvatore.

Stefan stood pensive. "We trusted Sage and shouldn't have."

He snickered at that. Sage was like a parasite.

Elena looked over to Kol and was slightly worried to find him with Stefan. Kol rolled his eyes at her luck and finally glimpsed over at the Salvatore. "Go after one of us again, or hurt Elena and I'll kill you myself," he stated, then making his way through the crowd to be with her.

She smiled at how he slid his body behind hers and Stefan watched her ask what he was doing. He snorted when hearing Kol remark he was being tamer than he wanted. He was sure Kol had been running violent scenarios in their head when they were talking.

"Seriously?" Damon scoffed, seeing the young Mikaelson with Elena.

"Let it go, Damon," Stefan advised, going off to supervise more of the party.

---

The sheriff ended up breaking it all up not too much later. She gave her daughter a disapproving look to see her in attendance.

"Well, that party was a bust," Rebekah frowned as they walked up to the mansion.

"What are you all doing together?" Finn called to the three. He was walking up the driveway with Sage, dropping her hand from his at the sight of Elena.

"Calling it a night," Elena concluded, going inside with all of them.

Kol took her hand and spun her around. "I'll take you to a real party tomorrow, Darling," he vowed.

Sage raised a brow. "We could all go. I know a place."

They all looked to her suspicious.

"What?" She asked mischievously. "I know how to live life to the fullest. I think it'd be fun to go clubbing. We could all use the drinking to let loose." she smirked. "Even you, Elijah," she acknowledged, looking at him at the top of the staircase.

Elijah disregarded her.

"It doesnt sound so bad," Rebekah remarked with narrow eyes.

Elena looked to Kol.

"What makes you think we want to go with you?" He asked the red-head. "Has your arrangement with my eldest brother warped that twisted mind of yours already?"

He guided Elena towards the stairs, while keeping his hand on her hips.

"You don't have to be jealous Kol that I suggested something more fun than you could."

Kol tensed and Elena took his hand, knowing Sage was itching for a fight. The woman used to be a professional boxer. "Come on," Elena encouraged him.

She dragged him to her room and Elijah followed, shutting the door behind them. "How was your party?" He asked. He hadn't expected her home so early.

"The Sherriff broke it up," she sighed, slipping off her jacket. He looked at her interestedly.

"Caroline threw quite the rager," Kol commented.

"Not the most low-key of our gatherings," she stated. She looked to Elijah. "What have you been up to?"

He went to her, pulling out a bundle of dried sage and a handwritten note. "Doing what you asked for."

He slid behind her, moving her hair and kissing her neck. She bit her lip and looked at him. "Will it work?"

Kol knew exactly what that was and what it was used for. He had been a witch who dabbled in witchcraft after all.

"What better way to test it to see?" Kol replied, getting up from the bed and going to her. He went unbuttoning her jeans as Elijah ravished her skin.

She said the spell that was written on the paper and used her magic to light the sage. Elijah set it down for her and the three went stripping one another of their clothing.

"Kol...Elijah..." she moaned standing with her legs spread at the corner of the bed. Kol was behind her, kneeling on the mattress. His mouth sucked her neck and touched her chest, while Elijah was busy going down on her.

She whimpered at the both of them. Elijah was talented with his mouth and she knew how good Kol was with his fingers.

She moved one of her legs up to kneel on the mattress and give Elijah better access to her. She moaned when Kol craned her face up to kiss him and battle lips.

It wasn't long with Elijah's tongue invading her that she came against them both. They smirked at her sounds and pleasured her senses.

"Oh my god," she panted, looking to down to Elijah. She ran her hand through his hair, staring at him. She groaned as he sucked on her clit and ran his tongue over her.

She laid back against Kol, who was busy rolling her hard nipples with his fingers.

She latched her mouth to his, whimpering as Elijah continued on her again.

"My god, Elena," Kol groaned, watching her pant from his brother's actions. She was going to cum again.

He ran his hands all over her body, kissing up and down her neck, while holding her close. He was incredibly hard for her, pressing himself to her back.

She cried out for them, arching her back. Both men supported her, caressing and pleasuring her body.

"I need you," she breathed to them. She kissed Kol and looked to Elijah. She wanted them desperately.

Kol pulled her back onto the bed and Elijah straddled over her chest. He ran his hand through the side of her hair, his lust in blast for her.

She ran her hands over his strong things, knowing Kol was getting in position at her entrance.

"Do you want Finn here?" Elijah asked, barely able to think straight with her. He knew this was something usually for all three of them to enjoy.

"He's with Sage," she replied, running her hand over him. He groaned and paused her motions on him. He couldn't focus when she touched him. "Do you want him here with us?" He pressed again.

She bit her lip in thought. Part of her did. His presence felt like it was lacking. But she also didn't want to stop with them just to get him. "Not tonight," she decided.

"You're sure?" He asked, seeing her hesitance.

She nodded, giving him a stroke. He groaned. "Just us tonight," she confirmed.

Kol inserted himself between her folds and she gasped. Elijah looked behind him at his hasty brother with a disapproving glance.

He groaned and turned back to Elena when she took him between her lips.

"Elena," he breathed out, grabbing onto her hair and riding her mouth.

He watched as she sucked him, while taking pleasure from his younger brother. Kol was groaning and grunting for her while she was busy blowing Elijah.

Elijah's eyes clamped closed for a few moments, feeling him start to get close. He groaned at the feel of her tongue and gripped at her hair. He hissed at her hand pumping him. She drove him crazy with her lips and the way she touched him.

Staring down at her and watching for as long as he could, he finally climaxed, grunting and breathing heavily as she worked on him.

He groaned as she let go of his length with a pop. She trembled as Kol continued to work her and grew a more rapid pace that had her climaxing.

Elijah cupped her face, watching her orgasm. He couldn't find her more beautiful.

"Fuck, Elena," Kol muttered, finishing inside her and breathing hard.

Elijah rolled off her and laid down behind her. He cuddled against her, smirking at her heart racing.

Kol came to lay on her other side, happy to see her pleasured.

"What about you?" She asked Elijah, knowing he didn't cum inside of her. Usually, they were possessive like that.

"I'm satisfied, Elena," he murmured, kissing her lips and bare shoulder. Her mouth had been plenty and he didn't want to push her.

She studied him, feeling a bit of his arousal still poking her. "You can, Elijah."

He stared at her lips. It was enticing. "You're positive?"

She nodded, leaning back against him and kissing him. "Whenever you're ready."

In the meantime, she went locking lips with Kol, moaning at his talented mouth and how his hands wandered.

Elijah groaned, letting his passions overtake him. Feeling himself stiff again, he rubbed against her wet passage before sliding his way into her. They groaned at the feeling, finding spooning was a different angle.

He used her body as she made out with Kol. She had her hand stroking him as he was getting ready again for her.

"Elena," Kol groaned against her lips. Her body rocked against Elijah as they thrusted together and she gave a sharp breath when he buried himself deep.

"Don't stop," she pleaded to them. Kol groaned and took her hand, pumping himself faster. He wanted to orgasm with her.

Elijah kissed her neck and moved their hips. She was needy and aroused for him, making it easy to slide in and out. He helped her by running his fingers over her sensitive clit and it wasn't much longer when she came between them. Both men happily released at the feel of her orgasm. Kol gave small spurts of his seed into the sheets while Elijah buried himself deeply inside of her as he finished.

When they were done, they laid panting together.

"Oh my god," she gasped, as Elijah kissed her neck. She thoroughly enjoyed what a threesome had to offer.

Kol and Elijah smirked at her; each giving her a loving kiss.

"I need to shower," she declared. Their smirks widened and she rolled her eyes.

"Come," Elijah murmured. He kissed her neck and slowly pulled himself out of her. He helped her from bed and guided her to the shower. "Change the sheets, Kol."

Kol rolled his eyes, but did what he was told. He joined the two who were making out under the hot streaming water.

"Darling," he murmured, running his hands up and down her body. He kissed her as Elijah held her. He helped her to soap up, trying not to tease too much. She had already murmured feeling sensitive.

"You sure you don't want us to help you?" Elijah murmured supportively in her ear as she stood against him.

"You both have given me many orgasms," she murmured against Kol's lips as he kissed her. It was embarrassing how they could play with her body.

"It's incredible, Darling," Kol replied. Elijah helped her rinse as Kol finished soaping her.

"We enjoy making you feel good, Elena," Elijah stated, nipping at her ear. He slid his fingers down between her thighs. "Let us help."

She moaned against him and nodded. They helped give her another orgasm, alternating their fingers like they found she enjoyed. Both eased up on her when she came.

"There," Elijah murmured, kissing her lips.

"Elijah," she breathed. She stoked her hand over Kol and looked back to the elder Mikaelson with need. He kissed her passionately and bent her forward slightly, sliding his length inside of her.

He groaned at her tight channel, thrusting deeper. Their thrusts soon began to get faster and it didn't take long for their skin to be slapping as he pulled her back by her shoulder.

He took her how he needed, filling her with more of his cum as he finished. She moaned for Elijah and focused on Kol, who was standing and panting, as she had her hand on him.

Kol pulled her from his brother, taking her and pressing their chests together. With a hard kiss, he picked her up by the thighs and wrapped her legs around him, burying himself within in.

"Kol," she groaned, clawing at his shoulders.

He moved them hastily kissing her grandly.

With all of the pent of desire and force from Elijah and Kol's rapid movements, she came again, calling out in pleasure at the sensations that overtook her. Kol climaxed as her orgasm hugged his body. He grunted and moaned as he ejaculated wave after wave in her.

She whimpered as he buried his face in her chest. She was thoroughly spent.

Elijah helped her dismount from Kol and wash her without letting it lead to more. He could tell she was exhausted.

"Bed," he encouraged, giving her a kiss as she wrapped a towel around herself and stepped from the shower.

"Clothes," she demanded back. There was no way she was sleeping naked with them. Her body couldn't keep up with their stamina. They each got into bed and snuggled with her. They chuckled at how quickly she fell asleep.

"Finn should have been here," Kol said disapprovingly.

"She was fine without him. We have to trust her Kol," Elijah whispered.

He glared at his brother over his soulmate. "You know as well as I do, her worry was about him with Sage. And maybe you couldn't feel it, Elijah, but I felt her hurt when you asked her if she wanted Finn."

Elijah sighed. He had felt it too. "It's her decision, Kol. She wants this relationship with Sage for him."

Kol sighed and rolled to his back in frustration. "She's too selfless sometimes."

Elijah stared at her sleeping form. "I think that's what makes her most fitting for us."

Kol looked to Elena's smooth back. His heart ached at the raw truth of that.

---

They all decided to entertain Sage's idea of going out. After a dinner together that actually went well, they all shuffled into a very busy club.

The Originals all glanced around.

"Kol," Elijah murmured quietly.

"I'm aware," he replied angrily. This was a vampire club.

"Having fun yet?" Sage smirked.

Finn pulled his girlfriend to him. "You brought us here with Elena?" he seethed quietly.

Elena looked to them and then the men. She looked to Rebekah for an answer when they all looked distracted.

"Not your average club," Rebekah noted. Elena glanced around and noted the way Kol was holding onto her. It was not her kind of club she was guessing.

"There are humans here too," Sage told Finn and the others. "It's not like she's the only one. You guys need to relax. Embrace who you are."

"Come on, let's get some drinks," Rebekah said, glancing around. Elena followed the blonde and Kol was right behind her, with Elijah near them. he gave his eldest brother a threatening look. It was a very bad idea to be here with Elena.

Rebekah and Elena waited for the bartender.

She looked queasy at the vampire feeding on a person over the bar top. His noises were savage.

"Lovely," Rebekah noted, rolling her eyes. Sage would take them to a cheap place.

Elijah stepped in front of Elena's sight and she looked at him. "Relax," he advised, glancing around. He leaned in closer to her. "We won't let anything happen to you."

She stared at him. she wasn't sure if that was what she was worried about at the moment.

Another couple went shoving against them, practically half naked and drinking from one another.

"Her taste in places is retched," Rebekah commented, grabbing the two shot glasses. She handed one to Elena to distract her and the girls swallowed down the harsh alcohol. They ordered one more, trying to ignore the vampires feeding.

Elena couldn't help but wonder if this was their true lifestyle. Damon had always talked about being tamer for her. Was this it?

"Come," Elijah said, holding his hand out. He didn't like some of the vampires standing and watching them—especially Elena. She put her hand in his, following him into the crowd. Kol followed closely, leaving Rebekah with some bloke to make out with.

Elijah pressed them together, dancing close with her. She gripped his leather jacket, swallowing hard and pressing their foreheads together. She wasn't sure if she ever experienced this with Elijah, and usually she'd enjoy it if she wasn't so worried about her surroundings.

Finn stared at them from afar while Sage danced against him and with some other man. He was rigid with jealousy.

"Listen to the beat," Kol suggested, behind her knowing she was tense. He danced with her enough times to the way she was dancing against Elijah, in particular, that she was uncomfortable.

Elena stared at the two of them, trying to let her body relax against them. She was safe with them. Trying to go with the rhythm of the music, she tried to ignore the swirling questions in her head. Had had gotten herself in too deeply?

Looking over her shoulder to Kol, she relaxed as she felt his hands on her. She danced against him, trying to remove her mind of where they were. Dancing with him was familiar. She glanced to Elijah, seeing him stare up at her. "You're alright," he murmured.

Finn tensed as he watched Elijah kiss her as they danced. He hated not being there.

"Sage," he stated, stopping her from sliding down him. She followed his line of sight, frustrated when it landed on Elena dancing with Elijah and Kol. Slut, she muttered in her head. She looked to Finn, seeing him looking possessive.

Putting her hand on his cheek, she pushed his face to look at her. "Do it," she said, giving her neck to him.

He pulled away from her. "Absolutely not." He wasn't about to do what many others were doing.

She gave him an innocent look, looking to the people around her in the crowd. "Come on, Finn. You know you want to. It'll help."

He'd get possession of her completely.

He glowered at her. "No."

Sage raised a brow and grabbed a man who was walking by. She kept her eyes in contact with Finn's and bit into the man's neck, feeding off him.

Elena looked to see Sage and Finn, unable to focus on them for long. Gruesome sounds could be heard beside her, as a man was feeding off a woman who was giving whimpers of pain.

Elena clutched onto Elijah's jacket tighter. "Elijah," she said getting panicked.

She glanced around to see most of the couples and people around her now were feeding off others. Her eyes searched for Rebekah, hoping it'd provide her with some stability, but she found the blonde doing the same with a man.

Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. The man beside them was gazing at Elena as he fed on a brown-haired girl.

She backed up against Kol, who held onto her by the waist.

"Easy," he murmured in her ear. Her breath hitched in fear to have him so close. It was too much. Her panic was overwhelming and her head felt like it was spinning.

"Get me out of here," she pleaded to them.

Kol took her from the club, while Elijah took the man who had been staring at Elena. Shoving his hand inside of his chest cavity, he ripped out his heart, dropping it to the floor. He wiped his hand of the blood and sped to his eldest brother. "Get out there," he seethed angrily.

He sped out of the club and to Elena.

"Breathe, Darling," Kol said, holding onto Elena, letting her bury herself against his chest. She was shaking. "You're safe," he murmured, kissing her head. "It's alright now."

Elijah was by her side in a second and it made her jump.

"It's just me," he said, raising his hands for her. She was shaking like a leaf. He stripped his jacket for her and put it around her.

"Elena," Finn said, approaching her.

She stepped back from him, seeing Sage beside him. it felt like a betrayal to have trusted her.

"Hey, this is the way we live," Sage justified.

"Sage," Finn snapped.

"What the hell?" Rebekah asked, wiping her mouth of blood. "You all left me."

Elena swallowed hard. Her stomach felt queasy thinking of everyone in the club.

"Let's leave," Finn suggested. He hated to see Elena so shaken.

Kol looked down to his mate. "Hold on, tight," he advised. He kept her secure in his arms and sped back to the driveway of the mansion.

"Better?" he asked, leaving go of her a bit. She shook her head and backed away. Her mind was racing. She wasn't sure if she was angry with herself for freaking out or for not doing so sooner. She accepted vampires so easily. Was she wrong to?

"This is how we live, Finn," Sage snapped, finding her was ignoring her. "It's not my fault if she can't handle what she's getting into. What? She gets to pick parts of you? You can't change you're a vampire!"

"Not that he hasn't tried," Kol muttered bitterly.

Sage looked at him confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Not now," Elijah advised. He put his hand on Elena's shoulder. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

"No. Now," Sage urged. She looked to the doppelganger. "What? You can handle with sleeping with all of them, but not their basic way of living?"

Elena was unsure what to say. She just wanted to go. Grabbing her keys from her purse, she stepped away from Kol and towards her car.

"Where are you going?" Kol asked, reaching out for her arm.

"I need to just…it's best I go," she spoke. She gave Elijah his jacket and got into her car, taking off as quick as she could.

"I've had it with you," Kol snapped to Sage in fury. The woman had known what she was doing by taking them to that club. It hurt their relationship with her.

Kol had to be held back by Elijah and Rebekah, while Finn kept Sage back.

"Enough!" Elijah called angrily.

Rebekah looked at the pair. "Perhaps we should let them fight," she told her brother. It would be quite entertaining and Sage had it coming.

Elijah ignored his sister. "Behave yourselves," he warned to each of them. He eased his grip on Kol. "I have no problem ripping the hearts from either of your chests—and only one of you would resurrect," he stated.

Sage glared to them.

Elijah's chest grew tight and his brows furrowed at the strange sensation. Finding he was barely able to take a breath, he crunched over in pain. His brothers did the same.

"What's happening?" Sage asked, seeing the men all in pain.

"Elijah? What is it?" Rebekah asked. He looked barely able to breath. Then the thought hit her. "Elena."

The men were quick to stagger up and speed away.

"Oh no," Sage said, her eyes wide and teary. She put a hand over her mouth. The concept was true.

Rebekah narrowed her eyes and sped to the woman, pinning her up against the house. "What did you do, Sage?"

"I didn't think it was real," she whispered to Rebekah.

Rebekah raged inside. "I will not ask you again."

---

The men all staggered through the route Elena would take home. They were struck to see the rails of the new Wickery bridge to be broken and bubbles in the river.

"Kol!" Elijah shouted, hunched over, looking at the water. He could barely breath. Elena was drowning.

Kol threw himself into the water with Elijah soon after him. They couldn't be too late.

---

She shivered under numerous blankets. The feeling of being cold and her chest aching woke her.

"Elena?" Elijah asked, hearing her breathing changed. He left the window and went to go be with her, while Kol sat up on his elbow, and Finn woke and looked at her.

She groaned, rolling to her back.

"What hurts?" Finn asked concerned.

Everything ached in her, but she didn't want to worry them. She chose to ignore it. "What time is it?"

"Early morning," Elijah stated. "I already called Alaric and let him know you stayed the night."

"Please don't tell me you told him what happened," she groaned.

"No, not yet," he stated. He needed to think more about the turn of events.

She nodded and shivered.

"You're still cold?" Finn asked, checking to make sure the heated blanket was still on.

She nodded, burrowing in her blankets. "I can't get warm."

Kol pressed himself closer to her and tucked her into the blankets. Elijah glanced back to the fire.

"I'll get her something warm to drink," Finn said getting up.

"Coffee please," she requested as she trembled. They all gave a soft smile at that.

"Even hypothermic and you still crave coffee," Kol teased.

"You're jealous," she said with a smile. She could hear it in his voice. Elijah watched the two interestedly and Kol kissed her cheek.

"I'm jealous of anyone or anything that seems to have your attention besides me," he repeated, once telling her such a thing when she swam with the pigs in the Bahamas. She hummed with a smile and tried to hold back her shivers.

"Elena, let us try to give you our blood," Elijah suggested.

"I'm okay," she said. She looked at him, her eyes still tired. "You look tired."

He went and laid down with her, running his hand over her hair. He gave her a soft kiss and was reluctant to pull back. "We lost you."

"Still here," she croaked.

They gave a small laugh. Finn came back in with the coffee and Kol helped Elena to sit up. She cradled the warm cup and sipped the liquid. "Thank you all for saving me."

Kol pulled her close and let out a breath. He was still disturbed at the hollowness he felt.

She laid against him and Elijah gently took her coffee. "Get more sleep, Elena."

She fought her droopy eyelids. "Klaus is out there."

Kol kissed her head. "You're safe."

She found her body getting heavy, needing the rest. "Can someone please check on Jeremy?" she pleaded.

"We will," Finn vowed. He watched her fall back asleep against Kol.

The men let out a breath, still recovering from the events. No one could seem to think about their hybrid-maniacal brother or Sage yet. The trauma of everything was still too fresh. The bond was truly real.

She slept for most of the day and evening. Rebekah stopped in a few times while the brothers hovered. They took turns laying with her and keeping her warm.

She stirred again around 2:00am, confused and groggy. She ran her hand over her face.

"Take it easy," Kol advised, watching her sit up.

She felt warmer than she had, and breathing felt less troublesome. "H-How….w-wha…." She groaned and put her hand to her head. Everything felt jumbled.

She pushed the blankets off from her, slipping from the makeshift bed.

"Where do you think you are going?" Finn scolded, stopping her as she got up from the floor.

"Home," she said with a sigh. It felt slightly odd being upright.

"Elena, Jeremy and Alaric are both safe," Elijah said calmly.

"Good, then I can go see them for myself," she said, looking around the room to find her shoes. She tied up her hair in the meantime.

"You're not leaving here and you don't have a car, Darling," Kol stated sternly.

She sighed and sat on the arm of the couch. "What are we doing about Klaus?" she wondered. It worried her that he was out there. He had a sliver of white oak, meaning he'd keep trying to end her life to break his brothers free of her.

"You're not to worry about that now," Finn instructed, taking her hands and pulling her up. "Back to the mess of blankets."

She was finally feeling warm again, though her hands were chilly.

She sighed and laid back down, only because she couldn't leave without a car and was still a bit run down. "You can't shut me up just by snuggling me you know," she said, feeling Elijah hold her.

They gave chuckles and she looked at Elijah. "I know you've been thinking something. Tell me."

He gave her a kiss. "I want you to recover, Elena."

She looked at him. "Then stop coddling me, Elijah."

He sighed. It was much harder now that had practically died. Her accident made him realize how much a weakness their was love to all of them.

"I was speaking to Alaric," he told her. "It's summer vacation."

"It is," she said tiredly.

The men all stiffened and she could feel it. "What?" she asked. She wasn't going to like what was coming.

"This is family business," he told her. "We want you to be safe and away from here."

She looked at him curiously.

"You have family in Denver," Finn spoke. "Or you can go where you'd choose. We'd help you."

She sat up and looked to all of them. "You're serious. You want me to just leave? Now?"

None of them said anything and so she looked to Elijah.

"You're in danger," he said calmly. "It's best you leave and get away from us as soon as possible."

"We will handle, Niklaus," Finn agreed.

"It's what's best," Kol said reluctant when his brothers looked to him to agree. He didn't want to be away from her.

"You will return to us," Elijah vowed, cupping her cheek and sliding his hand to the back of her neck. "When the summer ends, I don't care if I have to burn this entire town to the ground. You'll come back to us and we will be reunited again."

She swallowed hard. "What about everyone here? I can't just leave them."

"Matt will be working at the Grill, Bonnie will be out of town with her father, Caroline will be here, and Jeremy will stay at your family lake house with Alaric and on occasion Meredith," he said, having prepared all of the answers.

She bit her lip.

"Matt and Caroline will be safe here," Elijah assured her. "As will your family. We will make sure of it."

Her eyes dropped from him and a sinking pit grew in her stomach.

"Do this for us, Elena," Finn spoke.

"One summer," Kol added.

She was thoughtful and then looked back at each of them, studying them carefully. She knew them. She had spent months with them both together and apart. Their emotionless faces weren't so blank to her anymore.

"Fine," she surrendered in hurt. She laid staring at the fire, taking in what this all meant. She wouldn't be with her friends or her brother like she hoped for the summer. And she wouldn't be in contact with the Mikaelsons until dealing with Klaus was over.

The men looked to one another in surprise, having thought it was going to be a battle to convince her. She had taken the plan well.

Elena adjusted her head on the pillow and let her eyes close. She didn't want them bothering her or asking questions. She conceded because she knew them.

Love was a weakness to them. It was the exact way Klaus saw it too. They were different people outside of loving her, and thats who they wanted to be for a while. They needed her gone to not feel weak.

Wishing for sleep, she found she wanted to get this summer over with.