Elena woke up to pounding on the bedroom door.

"Wake up, sleepy heads!" Matt shouted. The house was up and in full swing. Glancing at the clock, Elena saw it was close to noon.

"Ugh," she groaned, rolling over and laying her head on Elijah's chest. While she loved her friends and Christmas, she enjoyed sleep more.

"Come on," he said getting her up with a kiss to the head. Changing into a navy long sleeve and some jeans, watched Elena sleepily get up and unbutton her shirt.

"You're changing?" he tried to ask casually.

"You want me to go in just this?" she wondered looking down at herself. In the right light, you could see through the white button-down shirt, not to mention she wasn't wearing pants.

Elijah snickered to himself. He wouldn't mind seeing her in just that.

Elena rolled her eyes and got herself ready. Brushing her teeth and tousling her hair, she grabbed some leggings and a white tank top, putting Elijah's shirt over her clothes. "Happy?" she asked.

"Extremely," he smiled, kissing her as she went to walk out the door to join the group.

Jeremy's figure was walking slowly down the stairs. Filled with happiness to see her brother here and alive on Christmas morning, she hustled to stand behind him and wrap him in a hug.

"Argh," he grumped, holding onto to the figure behind him. Looking back and seeing his sister, he gave a small smile. Even with his lack of sleep, he was glad to alive and back with her.

"Merry Christmas, Jer," Elena smiled, giving him a kiss. Squealing as he picked her up off the stairs by leaning forward, he carried her on his back. "you too, 'Lena."

The pair entered the living room, with Elijah in tow. As Hope was slowly going through her large pile of gifts, they all sat around passing their own. Elena had felt bad that Jeremy, Alaric, or Finn didn't have any gifts for Christmas morning, but Klaus must have already taken care of it. He had a wrapped gift for each of them.

Elena got up from her spot next to Jeremy and went over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Klaus smiled back at her, knowing what she was thanking him for. Picking Hope up, Elena set her in her arms and helped her open a gift.

"Look!" Elena gasped, dancing the giraffe around in front of the baby's face. Hope immediately grabbed it.

"I told you she'd like it," Elena smirked to Klaus as Hope continued to hold it. Klaus rolled his eyes.

"Oh, yes," Alaric exclaimed opening his gift. It was a large bottle of his favorite bourbon.

"I heard you enjoyed a nice glass every once in a while," Klaus stated.

"More like every night," Jeremy claimed.

"Hey!" Alaric said laughing at the boy and swatting him. Alaric went back to staring appreciatively at his favorite drink. It had been too long since he had a nice glass of his favorite bourbon. He was surprised how generous the evil hybrid had been to him. "Thank you, Klaus."

Klaus nodded.

Jeremy opened his gift soon after and found a ring that looked similar to the Gilbert family ring. Confused, he looked to Matt's finger and saw the man still had it.

"It's spelled the same," Klaus ensured Jeremy. "I had a witch friend of mine make another ring. They are quite hard to come by, so I wouldn't lose it, if I were you." Jeremy was shocked at the hybrid's thoughtfulness. He didn't realize Klaus actually had a nice side to him. "Wow, um, well thank you. I appreciate it."

Klaus nodded.

Elena smiled at her two favorite men and bounced shoulders with Klaus. He made her really happy this Christmas, and best of all, he was being kind.

"Don't get used to it," Klaus told her, knowing exactly what she was thinking as she grinned at him.

"Da!" Hope shrieked, throwing her giraffe in the air. He and Elena laughed and gave her another gift.

"This is for you," Klaus murmured to Elena as everyone continued chatting and opening their gifts. He pulled out a rectangular box from behind him. From the Mikaelsons.

Elena cautiously took the gift, glanced to each of them before she went to open it. Elijah stared at her, waiting for her reaction. Ripping the wrapping and opening the lid, Elena came faced with a piece of paper and a key. Curious, she unfolded the long document and stared at the lettering. In fancy script was her name and the deed to the house they were in. She gasped.

"I-I…" Elena wasn't sure what to say. They were giving her a house. A very, very large house.

"We figure you can use this place as a safe house," Elijah clarified, speaking carefully and slowly so they didn't spook her too much. She had already told him she didn't want anything expensive or grand. "Not many know of this place and Bonnie has spelled it to stay off the map. You are free to come here at any time."

"We all know how you love this place," Rebekah told the girl. "and we love it too."

Elena sat incredulous, picking up the key in her fingers.

"There is a cleaning service that comes every two weeks," Klaus told her. "You won't ever have to worry about dust or a mess."

Wide eyed, she stared at him. Dust wasn't even close to mind right now.

"You bought her a house?!" Damon scoffed incredulously. Suddenly feeling very lame about getting her a necklace, he replaced his embarrassment with anger. A house was not Elena's style. They didn't know her at all.

"Thank you," she told them all as she overcame her stun. It was overly generous of them to give her a freaking mansion.

They all smiled at her.

"Na!" Hope yelled. Elena laughed, smiling to the girl. Making the giraffe dance, Hope outstretched her arms to grab the toy again.

Gifts continued to get passed around and Elena enjoyed the afternoon.

"Knock, knock?" a voice called. Sheriff Forbes stuck her head hesitantly in the front door.

"Mom!" Caroline shrieked, getting up and running over to her.

As Sheriff Forbes joined the activities, Damon went over to Elena. Kneeling down, he put his hand out for her to take. "Come on," he said softly. Curious at the look in his eyes, Elena set her hand in his and stood up with him. Leaving Hope in her spot with Klaus, she gently followed him as he pulled her away from the crowd.

Glancing back to the guests, she caught both Elijah and Kol's gaze. Whatever Damon was up to, neither men enjoyed it.

"Just give them a moment," Alaric told Elijah as he went to stand up. "she can handle herself. You just gotta trust her."

Jeremy caught the conversation and looked back to where Elijah stared. Elena had gone off with Damon. Why?

"Damon, what are we doing-"

He dragged her into the conservatory. "I didn't buy you a house," he declared, turning to her. Dropping her hands, he reached in his back pocket.

Elena wanted to scold him for his comment. It was gracious of the Mikaelsons to give her such a gift. While wildly over the top, she appreciated the thought, and it wasn't like gift giving was some competition. "Damon-"

He had opened up the small box, making her stop

"My necklace," she breathed. She stared at the trinket that she assumed would be lost forever. It vanished months ago and no one could ever find it. Realizing the rightful owner was Rebekah, Elena went to push the gift away. She couldn't take that from her friend. "This belongs to Rebekah, Damon. Not me."

"I figured you'd say that," he told her. "Which is why I got you this instead." Pulling out another box from his pocket, he opened it up. On a silver chain was a small, yellowish-brown, teardrop crystal.

"It's amber," he told her as she took it from the box in his hands. Holding it up to the light, she watched as the gem glimmered.

"Usually it's made to protect witches against evil influences, but it is also known to hold a strong connection to nature. Supposedly, it used to be used as a powerful tool to draw on one's own essential strength and ward off negative energies. You're only part witch, but I figure it's still a protective stone."

Elena raised an eyebrow at the curious gem. Looking to Damon, Elena felt floored again. He put a lot of thought into this gift. It was rare for him to let her see this side of him –the generous, sweet, and kind man he could be. He was being vulnerable with her.

"May I?" he asked, hoping to put the necklace on her.

Elena nodded. Giving him the necklace, she turned and waited for him to put it on her. It was light, but it dangled nicely against her chest.

Damon clasped the chain around her neck and set it gently on her skin.

"I know it's not Rebekah's necklace," he told her. "But considering I knew you'd refuse wearing it and immediately give it back to her, I wanted you to have something to wear in its place. You can start new memories with this, and hold some old ones in there as well." Brushing his fingers lightly against her shoulders, he put his hands down. He loved this woman in front of him. It killed him to see her in Elijah's shirt and to be stood up by the Mikaelsons with their grand stupid Christmas gift.

Elena turned back around and touched the gift. It was simple and Damon knew the reason why she used to wear the piece of jewelry Stefan once gave her. It wasn't the necklace specifically that held importance to her, but the story and memories behind it. It reminded her all she had been through and conquered. Every death, horrible accident, and doppelgänger related problem. Even with all of those things, she got to love, laugh, and be happy as the Salvatores entered her life.

"Thank you, Damon," Elena spoke, hoping to convey her true thanks. He was being thoughtful and gentle. It wasn't something she saw often from him. Feeling the air shift as Damon stared at her, she looked down to the box in her hand.

"I can't believe you found this." She glanced down at the long-forgotten piece, afraid to touch it in case it would burn her.

"I had the vervain taken out of it," he answered for her, watching as her fingers hovered just over the pendant. "It's safe to touch."

Elena looked to Damon. She was surprised he had gone the extra mile to do that.

"Where did you find it?" she wondered. She traced its design.

"I finally went through the rest of Alaric's things," he told her, watching her with gentle eyes. "You must have dropped it at his place one day and he never got the chance to give it back to you."

Elena smiled at it. She never thought about searching the boxes of Alaric's old apartment when looking for her necklace. She just handed his things over to Damon to handle for her after he was gone, and he did so without question.

"Thank you, Damon. You have no idea what this will mean to Rebekah, and what it means to me." Elena reached over and hugged him.

Damon held her close, wondering what that sentence had meant. What did it mean to her?

Pulling back, Elena shifted awkwardly. Damon looked pained, like he wanted to say something to her but was afraid of what would happen next. Elena knew that look, and she had a very strong idea of what he wanted to say. "We should probably get back," she told him.

"I'll meet you in a minute," he said in a vulnerable tone.

Torn between leaving him and staying to comfort him, she opted it was best to let him be. She didn't want to lead him on in any way. She loved Elijah. Placing a hand on his shoulder before she walked away, she gave him a comforting smile and walked out.

Damon stood in the conservatory, letting out a long breath. She had felt their moment, he knew from the look on her face she did. He had thought about leaning in to kiss her, but there was company in the house. He wasn't sure how she'd react when they'd pull away from one another. He wanted her to admit her feelings for him, but he wanted her to be alone with him when that happened, and not while wearing Elijah's shirt.

He groaned.

Elena walked back into the room, flashing an uncomfortable smile to Ric.

"You okay?" Caroline wondered, catching her friend as she walked to get a drink. Elena glanced to Elijah who was staring over at her, and followed Caroline to the kitchen.

"What did Damon want?" Caroline wondered to her friend. She refilled her mug of coffee.

"He gave me his gift."

Caroline glanced up to Elena and her eyes zoomed in on the necklace. "He bought you jewelry?" It was a bold move for another man to buy a girl jewelry, especially when he wasn't the one dating her.

Elena gave a pointed look, reminding Caroline there were ears in the house.

Caroline sighed. Looking back at her friend, she stared at the necklace. It was pretty and simple –perfect for Elena and her tastes. But it wasn't from Elijah.

"Are you going to keep it?" Caroline wondered.

Elena shrugged. She wasn't sure what to do about it yet. The necklace was pretty and she enjoyed having the piece that held meaning around her neck. Damon had put a lot of effort and thought into his gift. But it was odd to wear something that felt so personal.

"Ladies," Elijah said coming into the room. Sneaking over to Elena, he wrapped his arms from behind her and covered her body with his. Kissing her neck, his lips felt something. Glancing down to her skin, his eyes caught the silver chain and amber pendant.

Elijah froze with emotion –anger, jealousy, rage, territorialism, frustration.

"Easy," Elena murmured to him, rubbing his arms with her hands as she felt his body stiffen.

Caroline slipped out softly from the room.

Damon had given her a necklace. Jewelry. If that didn't speak personal, Elijah didn't know what did.

"Easy," Elena repeated, hoping he wouldn't make a scene on Christmas day. She was still his and he hers. Continuing to rub his arms, she waited for him to relax against her. When enough time had passed, Elena turned to face him. "it's just a necklace," she said trying to downplay it.

His eyes snapped to hers, giving her a possessive look. They both knew it was more than a necklace, especially from Damon Salvatore. His eyes went back to her necklace, anger growing inside of him.

"Elijah," she said gently, rubbing up and down his chest. Cupping his face, she tilted his head to look at her. Leaning in, she gave him a long kiss. She was not with Damon.

It took a moment for Elijah to respond to the kiss, but as Elena kept her lips on his, his anger and possessiveness faded and he kissed her back.

When they pulled away from each other, she stared lovingly at him. Caressing her face with her thumb, she kissed his cheek, and pulled him back to the living room with her.

Elena brought him to the couch, snuggling up to him as he put an arm around her shoulders. Entwining hands, Elena tried to jump into conversation with everyone. It was awkward first with everyone's eyes, but within minutes Elena was able to ignore the uncomfortableness.

"I can't believe you both are back," Sherriff Forbes said staring at Alaric and Jeremy. Immediately they tried thinking of cover stories and what to tell the town when they appeared back in Mystic Falls.

Listening in, Elena felt Elijah stiffen. Looking to him, she followed his stare. Damon.

The two were glaring at one another from across the room.

Elena attempted to snap Elijah out of his testosterone battle with Damon by shaking his arm, but nothing happened. The two continued to battle eyes. Swallowing hard, Elena tried to ignore them and focus on conversation. She wouldn't let two men fight over her, let alone ruin Christmas.

As Elena tried to distract herself, her uncomfortableness grew. It was difficult to ignore the stares between the men.

Kol shifted next to Hope with anxiety.

Elena, Kol snapped to her after establishing a link. He felt like he was ready to jump out of his own skin.

Elena glanced to Kol, still finding trouble to get her anxiety under control. There she sat between two men vying for her affections. She felt sick. She felt like Katharine.

Breathe, Kol instructed. Elena was buzzing. Feeling like she was unable to breathe, she darted up from the couch and quickly scurried off.

"I got it," Jeremy said as Kol went to get up. Grabbing his jacket and Elena's, Jeremy followed his sister out the door.

She was having a panic attack. Standing on the driveway, she was clutching her chest and taking rapid breaths.

"Hey," Jeremy called, slipping his jacket on and hurrying over to her.

"Breathe," he instructed. Wrapping her coat around her shoulders, Jeremy bent down to face her. "Elena, just take some deep breaths."

Thoughts swirled her head. Memories of Katharine with Damon and Stefan filled her brain. The way she talked with them; the way Elena was with them. Elena's brain drifted to the night of the ball when she held both Salvatores on her arms. Her thoughts flickered to her hospital stay when Elijah held Damon and Stefan up by the neck. She was just like her. She was Katharine.

"Elena," Jeremy snapped.

"I-I can't…I can't….be…her," she heaved with tears. The idea of being anything similar to Katharine made her want to be sick. But even in fighting it, the look between Elijah and Damon showed she had landed herself in the position.

Meanwhile Kol sat inside by the Christmas tree, trying to take deep breaths. His chest was burning and his mind buzzing. Jeremy Gilbert was not doing a very good job of calming Elena down. Kol was about to get up and go to Elena. He couldn't take the pain, but Alaric beat him to it.

"I got it," he told Kol. Glancing to the two men still glaring at one another, Alaric hit Damon upside the head. Kol did the same to Elijah.

"Ow," Damon complained looking up at Alaric.

"Quit it, both of you," Alaric said glancing between Damon and Elijah. The room had gone quiet. Alaric stalked off, grabbing his jacket and going outside.

Rebekah walked over and hit Elijah upside the head again. He gave her a fierce look. Rebekah replied with a glare. It was clear what the two men were doing and it had made Elena uncomfortable. They both caused a scene.

Alaric walked over to the pair of Gilberts in the frigid air. Seeing Elena in panicked tears, he glanced at a helpless looking Jeremy before stepping in. "Elena?"

She was shaking her head and clutching her chest. Alaric caught a look at the necklace Damon had given her. He sighed. He had warned his friend to be cautious about his feelings for her.

"You're not Katharine," Alaric told her strongly. They had been here before, the two of them. Elena having talked about her doppelgänger self and her fears.

"Elena, listen to my voice. You are not Katharine. Katharine is gone. You aren't like her."

Elena looked over to Alaric. She stared at him with fear in her eyes.

"They're being stupid," Jeremy added trying to help. "I'll knock 'em both out later."

Elena and Alaric gave a laugh.

"You aren't her, Elena. You'll never be Katharine," Alaric told her with kindness. Elena embraced Ric. She was terrified that she would be, though. She had that effect on people –breaking everyone apart. She didn't want that to happen. She didn't ever want to have to choose between Elijah and Damon.

Jeremy stared at the pair and sighed. His sister was such a gentle soul. She was out here panicking about causing a rift between people. All she wanted was peace between everyone, and yearned for everyones happiness. She was afraid of causing problems.

When she was ready, Alaric and Jeremy helped her up. She stood in the snow wiping her face from the tears and composing herself. She really didn't want to make a scene and looking all red in the face was bound to ask questions.

"Go ahead in. Jeremy and I will be there in a second," Alaric told Elena, catching Jeremy's arm.

Nodding, Elena walked herself back in the house.

"Take it easy, Jeremy," Alaric warned. He saw the anger in the kid's eyes. He was a human in a vampire's fight. The last thing everyone needed was Jeremy getting hurt.

"It's Christmas, Alaric," Jeremy said, frustrated. "When can we ever get one day together when my sister isn't crying or in turmoil? She's out here crying because of Elijah and Damon can't pull their heads out of their asses and be nice to one another."

"It's more complicated than that Jeremy," Alaric said. "Elena fears she is like Katharine, that she pulls men to her and then causes rifts. She doesn't want to be her doppelgänger –the woman who has strung men along to use for personal gain or needs. She's looking at Damon and Elijah thinking she is doing just that. "

"And that is my point," Jeremy said frustrated. "All she cares about is people being happy. She never stops to care for herself!"

Alaric clapped his hand on Jeremy's back. "That's why we are back. We'll help her with that."

The anger dissipated from Jeremy's body. He supposed Alaric was right. He had his big sister back and Elena had her little brother. No matter what he'd protect her, even if it had to be from herself.

With the air cleared and emotions simmered, the two walked back inside.

Elena walked into the house with her head down. She was hoping just to slip back inside and join the conversation. With a few looks from her friends, Elena sat beside them and they all resumed conversation.

Elena avoided Damon and Elijah's eyes. She didn't want to deal with them at the moment.

"Don't," Kol instructed Elijah before he could get up to try and mend what he just broke. "Let her have some time."

Kol caught the glance from Jeremy. He was looking at Elijah like he wanted to stake him. It was best Elijah stay put where he was.

Elena chuckled alongside her friends as they reminisced about their summers.

Christmas went smoothly from there. The professionals had come and started cooking the dinner. It was everyones cue to wander off and get ready.

Elijah and Elena made it back to their room, and as he shut their door, she walked off to shower. She wasn't sure if she was ready to talk to him yet. Turning on the water, she waited for it to heat up. Stripping down to nothing, she stepped under the spray and let out a sigh. She had hoped for a non-drama Christmas day.

Elijah walked into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Tossing his clothes aside, he got inside the large shower with her. Stepping towards her, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her wet shoulder. He was regretful for the pain he had caused her.

"I'm sorry," he told her as the water splashed over their embraced arms.

Elena glanced to him. Turning in his arms, she stared at him. "I'm wearing the necklace, and I plan to keep wearing it. You have to find a way to be okay with that."

After talking with Alaric and sitting with her friends, she decided not to let boys rule her life. She wanted to take power for herself. Usually, she'd take the necklace off for Elijah's benefit, but she liked it. It was pretty and thoughtful. It wasn't because it was from Damon that she wore it. It was because she liked it.

Elijah stared down at the necklace. It was uncomfortable for him to see his love wearing a gift of jewelry from another man, especially when that man was Damon. Damon had loved her and it was becoming abundantly clear he was starting to act on those feelings. Elijah had thought they moved past it and Damon would stop being an interference, but since leaving the tomb he had been more forward about his feelings. It made Elijah enraged.

Elijah grabbed the pendant. "Amber."

Elena nodded.

Sighing, Elijah tried to get past it. Shoving away his possessive feelings, he wished Damon had gotten her a bracelet or something -something that was less close to her heart and the valley of her breasts. Every time he kissed her neck now, he'd feel that chain.

"Elijah, I mean it," Elena stated firmly. She wasn't going to be doing this again with both boys. Staring at him, she waited for him to confirm he could let go of his anger and jealousy. "I need your word."

Elijah's eyes snapped to hers. To give her that, was a very big idea to uphold. He strived to always hold himself accountable for his actions when it came to giving someone his word.

But Elijah wasn't sure if he would be able to keep the promise Elena wanted from him. Staring down at the necklace again, he tried to get used to seeing it on her. Could he get past it? Looking back up to her, he found himself lost in her eyes. He had hurt her today. He had been a jealous fool and it was hurting the one he was trying to protect most. He was being a jerk. And he loved her. He wanted her happy. "I give you my word," he concluding, before placing his lips over hers.

After Christmas, their week all together went smoothly. Sheriff Forbes and Alaric left shortly after the holiday was over to start working on a story that resurrected Alaric and Jeremy.

"Can I steal you for a while?" Elijah asked Elena, as she sat on the couch reading a book.

Inquisitive, she nodded. Shutting her book, she got up from her spot.

"Hold onto me," he commanded. Elena raised an eyebrow at the strange demand. Nonetheless, she entertained it and wrapped her arms around his figure. Within a minute they were in a different house. Confused, Elena let go of Elijah and recognized the place. It was where he had taken her back after he found her. It was the house she woke up in.

Elena glanced to him and he gave a soft smile. Trailing her as she walked around the house, the two were taken back through their memories.

"What are we doing here, Elijah?" Elena wondered, as they made their way upstairs to the familiar bedroom.

"Do you remember this room?" he asked, running his hand down the bedpost. "you were running from my mother."

"I remember," she said softly. She looked at the spot in the middle of the room where they stood and kissed before she ran off. She remembered how it felt when he placed his lips on hers after all their time apart. She could remember the spark she felt when his hand had touched her bare skin.

"This was the first time you asked me about my love for Katharine and Tatia…"

Elena looked to him feeling slightly nervous now. Had his feelings changed? Was he about to break up with her and he was trying to let her down gently?

Elijah heard the beat of her heart pick up and he went over to wrap his arms around her. "I told you it wasn't because you resembled them that I kissed you. I wanted you for who you are."

"Your compassion is a gift Elena…hold onto it…" she repeated, recalling the conversation. He smiled at her and pecked her lips.

"I still mean every word of that."

The strumming of her heart slowed. Good, this wasn't a breakup. Without a second's notice Elijah had run them to the woods. Standing in a forest of snowy trees, her back was up against a tree trunk. The memory hit her strongly. "This is where you caught me."

"You kept running from me," he said lightly, kissing her cheek.

Elena raised a hand to his cheek. "I was trying to keep you safe."

Elijah pulled back suddenly extremely nervous. Tucking his hands in his pockets, he took a deep breath.

"Elijah?" Elena wondered.

"That night at the ball when you kissed me…it was all I could think about afterward. And I wanted to speak to you but you had run off." Elena watched him fidget as he stood in front of her. She had never seen Elijah so nervous. "I couldn't stop thinking about you -wondering where you were, if you were okay, if that kiss had meant something to you like it had me."

Elena smiled at that. That kiss was epic.

"It took months to find you, but I did it."

Elena stared at him as he got closer to her again, putting his hands gently on her waist. "All I wanted to do when I found you was to kiss you again and to keep you safe."

She gave a small laugh at the part where he just wanted to kiss her.

"It's all I ever want to do, Elena," Elijah said glancing to her. "You are always so willing to give up everything for everyone, no matter the cost. I'd chase you to the ends of the earth, if necessary," he breathed.

The phrase was familiar.

"I've lived over a thousand years. I don't want to be living without you by my side."

Staring at him with a mixed expression of bewilder and love, she didn't understand what was going on.

"Be my betrothed," he requested to her. With a confused expression on her face, he pulled back and took the ring from his pocket. Opening the case, he held it out to her. "Marry me."

Elena froze. This was not happening.

Staring down at the shiny diamond ring, her heart drummed in her ears. "I-I…."

Tearing her eyes from the glittering piece, she glanced up at Elijah. His eyes were waiting, filled with longing and hope. Her heart constricted. Dropping her eyes back down to the ring, she opened her mouth to try to answer him.

"I-I…."

A/N: to be continued!