The world around her was peaceful. She was floating, but, after what it felt like a long time, it seemed as though the light slowly got darker. And a short while later she was in total darkness, somewhere cold. A split second long Elena thought, she was in a casket. But her surrounding was soft and it didn't feel like she was confined. She felt as if she was laying on a bed. Elena was supposed to be dead, how did she feel a bed? It could not be Klaus' bed, his room would not be this dark and cold.

A lot of questions went through Elena's head, but the answers would have to wait. First, she had to get out of this room. She moved her feet off the bed, it felt as if she hadn't used her legs in weeks. It took her a couple of minutes until Elena was able to stand on her legs. It took a couple more until she could walk. And then she heard voices. At first it was mumblings, but then she could hear single words. Elena moved slowly towards them.

"Klaus, please, let me reason with you. Where have you hidden her body? It has been weeks and her friends deserve to give her a proper burial."
"She belongs with me, Elijah. She always has."

"She doesn't belong to you however."

"They would put her in the ground. Elena does not belong there. She belongs in a crypt, full of beauty."
"Maybe, we can reason with them as well. But is wherever you hide her really an appropriate place for her?"

Elena was listening with shock. She had been dead for weeks? She needed more information, so she slightly knocked on the door.

"Please Maria, I have told you multiple times to just enter without knocking."
Elena didn't recognize Klaus' voice. He sounded distant and cold. She forced herself to enter, the two brother didn't deem it necessary to look at her, believing she was Maria.

"Klaus.." It was the only word she could say, her voice broke instantly. But it was enough. Both Elijah and Klaus turned towards her in a heartbeat, recognizing her voice. Klaus was already walking towards her, slowly. But Elena held out her hand.

"Elena.." His voice was shaking, just like hers. "You're alive."
"It seems that way. But how?"
Elijah spoke: "You must have had vampire blood in your system."
"No, Elijah. The last time I had to take some was too long ago. Unless one of you gave me blood before I died?" "No, you know I wouldn't have done that." "I know, Elijah."
"So you think I gave you my blood?" "I'm not saying that. I'm looking for an explanation Klaus." Klaus nodded.

"So am I. If I had given you my blood, or any vampire blood for that matter, you would have woken up almost immediately after. You were dead for three weeks."
Elena's shock came back, her knees started shaking and only by holding onto Klaus did Elena not fall.
"Here, love, sit down." He helped her onto a small chair and sat down right next to her. Elijah followed slowly, not entirely sure what he was seeing in front of him. Klaus seemed to deeply care for her. He initiated:
"How about we look at the facts. Elena was dead, physically dead for three weeks. And I can hear her heartbeat, she cannot be transitioning."

"I might have a heartbeat, but I was able to hear you from the basement. Not fully, but I heard single words."

"That is impossible. How do you have supernatural hearing?"

"I was hoping you would be able to tell me. I have so many questions." "Elena," said Klaus, "I will find out why you are alive. No matter how long it takes."
"But how?" "I have a powerful witch at my disposal, she lives in New Orleans. I would like to take you there and let her examine you."
"I would go anywhere to find out what is going on." "I will prepare the plane at once." Klaus left the room, leaving Elena and Elijah alone.

"Elijah, tell me, how are my friends?"

"It's been rather hard on them. Klaus hid your body and wouldn't let them bury you."
"Well, in our current situation, I am very happy he didn't. I would have woken up in a casket."
"I guess, he did something right."
"That doesn't sound like you two are on a good standing." "It takes time, Elena. Our relationship needs far more than quality time." "I know, I'm sorry." "Don't apologize please. It is not your fault." "Well, other than the situation with Klaus, how are they?" "They lost you, Elena. They are struggling to find their way back to normal. It seems as if Caroline has started a journal, so has Bonnie." "I asked them to. I'm glad they did."

"Tell me, do you remember anything from your time on the other side?"

"Not really, I remember light and then it got darker until I woke up downstairs." "I apologize that you had to be alone when you woke up." "It's not your fault. Still better than a casket."

Klaus came back in, informing the two that he had been able to set a flight for the next morning.

"Would you like me to call your friends to come over?" "No, Klaus, when I tell them that I'm alive, I want to be able to explain why. And they are just now starting to get back to normal. It is so much easier for them without me in their lives. I was the factor that brought all the bad to this town. Maybe without me, there can be peace here again." "As you wish." "Are you sure, Elena?" asked Elijah. "I am."

"Okay, love, let me show you to a room. You must be exhausted."

It was the second time he had called her love. It awoke memories. Memories of the passion they shared her last night, or what she thought would be her last night, on this Earth. She would have to talk to him about it at some point. She forced herself from her memories.
"You would think that after being dead for three weeks, I would be full of energy, but I could fall asleep right here."

"I will pick up some clothes from your room. I assume you want to get out of these clothes and a couple of spare clothes will be good until you can purchase new ones once we've settled in in New Orleans." "Thank you, Elijah."

Elijah nodded and left, Klaus once again helped her to a stand and then showed her another beautiful room of this house. She had only seen the ballroom and Klaus' room and the room he took her to could hold its own. It was all white but just as powerful.

"When I designed this room, I had you on my mind. All pure and innocent that you are."
Elena looked at Klaus and smiled. She squeezed his hand a little tighter and then made her way into the room, only letting go of his hand when she was sure she could walk on her own. "I'll leave you for now. There is a robe in the bathroom if you want to shower or take a bath. Towels as well."
"Thank you. For everything." "It is my pleasure. We will find out what is going on." With that, he left the room, closing the doors softly behind her.

After a long bath, which brought warmth and life back into her body, she fell asleep on her bed immediately. Finding out she wasn't dead and apparently something between human and inhuman had taken up all her energy.

Someone was crying, someone Elena cared about.

She started walking, hoping she would find the noise. Then she saw him, a little boy crying in front of her. He was at least 6 years old, rubbing his knee as if he had fallen.

"Why does it hurt so much, mommy?" He looked at her questioningly.

Mommy? He was her child? Was this a dream of her future? Could this mean that she was able to have a normal life after all? All of a sudden, Elena was alone again. No child in front of her and all Elena wanted was to see that boy again.

Elena woke up drenched in sweat. Was this just a dream or a possible future she could actually have?