AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter has been sitting here stored half done on my computer for the last... Four years... I had what I thought was the majority of it done back then, but there were so many gaps that needed to be filled in. I'm finally FINALLY getting the creative bug again. Life has been a ridiculous rollercoaster of health emergencies and I appreciate everyone's patience with the long wait. I've been sporadically adding in bits and pieces for the last year on this when I've had a chance. The result was adding the equivalent of half of this finalized chapter in the last six months. I'm finally starting to remember how I was writing this. Had it all arranged mentally, but the gaps were there in every chapter. I know some are probably going 'Give us more Elena and Elijah already!' No worries, there is bucketloads of that coming up. As well as some other developments with our lovely group of people who shall remain nameless for the moment. I hope everyone is staying safe amid the worldwide crisis going on. Enjoy the chapter! Side note: Don't ever try to upload to the site from your phone... my phone almost erased the entire file x_X

DISCLAIMER: No I don't own Elijah, Elena, or anything to do with that which is The Vampire Diaries series. This is just my version of it. ;-)

Bound By Blood

~Previously in Bound By Blood~

Staring around the room at each other as they waited for Stefan to come around, everyone had to wonder.

They'd won this battle, but how many more were to come? When would it finally end?

The general unspoken answer... Not soon enough.

Chapter 23 - We'll Figure It Out

For once, there was complete and utter silence in the Salvatore Boarding House. The group of supernatural beings scattered around the room were known for hating each other, but this time it was less strained than before. They had a common enemy and that was more important than petty feuds. Well... Okay, almost more important. As was quickly proven not even ten seconds later.

Swaying on her feet, Bonnie felt an arm wrap around her back in support.

"You okay there, witchy?"

Damon's nickname for her and Kol's resounding growl from in front of her had Bonnie snapping her eyes open as she realized it had been Damon to catch her. Looking between the two men, she sputtered out a thank you before quickly disentangling herself from Damon and kneeling next to Rebekah as Stefan started waking up.

Squinting as everyone's faces were swimming before him, Stefan squeezed his eyes shut as his head throbbed and plunked it back down on the floor. "Please tell me I just had a really bad nightmare and that some dead witch wasn't possessing me."

"No can do, little bro," Damon sighed, knocking back a shot of whiskey. "Seems the old bat preferred your stocky brooding build to my tall and awesome physique."

"Really, Damon?" Slowly turning to look over her shoulder, Bonnie was beyond annoyed. "You choose now to make a joke?"

Stefan mentally groaned as even with his eyes closed, he could tell how pissed off Bonnie was becoming. "Damon, don't..."

Damon snorted into his drink glass, trying to mentally cope with recent events. "Okay, my bad, next time I'll do it when half of us end up dead from a psychopathic ghost."

"Are you freaking kidding me?!" Bonnie yelled, rising to her feet angrily. "You both just indirectly tried to kill Elena, Finn, and everyone in this room, and you think it's funny?!" Fingernails digging into her palms, she stiffly walked over to him. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't light you on fire right this instant." Her best friend was in danger and he was making a joke about it?! Bonnie just hoped Elena was okay.

Lacing his fingers together, Finn knelt down once more in front of Elena. "Please let me help you." Her face was growing paler and he knew he couldn't wait much longer.

"Why, Finn? We already discussed this. It doesn't matter," she grumbled, curling in on herself against the wall.

Then it came to him. "You say that, but would you really do that to everyone, Elena? Would you truly want to take away their chance to prove you wrong? Forget the Salvatore's, forget my brother, what about Bonnie, or Caroline, or Matt? What about your little brother? Jeremy? Doesn't he have a say in this?" He prodded, seeing her eyes flash briefly in irritation. Good. She was still in there.

"He's my cousin," she finally whispered as a weak argument, looking away again. "He's not my brother."

Pushing ahead, Finn wouldn't let it go. "Yet you were raised as his big sister. His family. You're all each other has left. You said yourself you sent him away to protect him. Would you really take away the only family he has when he's halfway across the country unable to do anything to stop it? That's a grim future you're painting for his life."

"How dare you!" She hissed jerking up off the wall, missing his brief smile at her reaction. "I have done everything for Jeremy! To keep him alive! To keep him happy! To keep him safe! How dare you accuse me of not caring about what happens to him!"

"Then prove it, Elena," he encouraged, gently grasping her right shoulder to prevent her turning away again. "Show me you care. Let me heal you, and we'll take you to see him."

Jaw trembling, Elena's eyes burned as she let herself hope for one second that she'd get to see Jeremy again. "You'd do that?" She asked, voice shaky and weak.

"I promise you, Elena," he swore, holding her hand in his own tightly. It was refreshing seeing the hope in her expression again. "As soon as you're well enough to travel, we'll take you to him."

Allowing a small real smile to escape for the first time in what felt like forever, Elena bit her lip and nodded her head. "Okay." Grimacing at the thought of what was to come again, she shuddered feeling grossed out. "Just do it quick, alright? Unlike vampires I'm not particularly fond of drinking blood."

Chuckling softly, Finn grinned and rolled up his sleeve. "I wouldn't think you would be," he agreed, swiftly cutting his wrist and holding it up towards her mouth. He held her right shoulder to keep her balanced when he felt that she was shaking from so much blood loss. Mentally breathing a sigh of relief as she first took a small sip, he was grateful to whatever had helped Elena to see reason. Any longer and it might've been far too late.

The back door of the Grille slammed open, causing Finn to snap his head around at the intrusion as Elena hurried to pull his hand down from her face. Confusion was clouding Finn's mind at the visitors. Where had he seen these two before?

"Alaric, stop! What's wrong with you?! Alaric, look at me!" Meredith was tugging on his arm as he stomped towards Finn, completely oblivious to her yelling at him.

"Alaric? Meredith? What's going on?" Elena asked, feeling somewhat less lightheaded from the blood she'd managed to get from Finn before they were interrupted. Jumping up in alarm when Alaric yanked Meredith in front of him holding a stake to her throat, Elena was stunned. "Alaric, what are you doing?! Let her go!"

Elena. Holding out his arm in front of her to stop her moving forward, Finn called her attention through the shaky link that had formed. Look at the stake, Elena. This isn't your friend that we're dealing with.

Eyes dropping to the hand wrapped around Meredith's neck, Elena froze as she recognized it from earlier. White oak... Finn, she'll kill Meredith!

"Let Dr. Fell go, Esther. This isn't her fault nor her fight," Finn commanded, bracing himself as he waited for an opening. No one else would die because of this.

"You seem to forget, Finn," Esther chided from Alaric's body, as she tightened her hold on the pathetic human's neck, drawing her closer. "I care not."

Catching the movement of the hand holding the stake as she aimed for Dr. Fell's chest, Finn lunged and twisted the arm sharply away from the human, hearing a crack as Esther howled in pain. "You seem to forget, Esther, that I do."

Gasping for air, Meredith fell to her knees on the pavement holding her throat. Looking up as she felt a hand on her shoulder, she felt terrified. "Elena, what's going on?"

Frowning at the loaded question, Elena shook her head as she pulled Meredith to the back of the alley out of Esther's war path. "It's a long insanely messed up story that I can't explain right now. Just stay here a minute, alright?" When Meredith went to follow her, Elena pushed her back. "I mean it, Meredith. Stay here. You can't fix this one. Alaric isn't himself right now, and if you got hurt because of this, he would never forgive himself. Please, do it for him."

Mouth opening and closing, Meredith was torn between listening to Elena and trying to help Alaric. Seeing the girl's stern expression, she caved. "Alright, fine, but at least let me check your shoulder. That's a lot of blood, Elena."

Shaking her head, Elena reassured her as she kept an eye on Finn. He appeared to be winning at the moment. "Don't worry about it. Finn 'helped' me before you two got here."

Eyebrows raising, Meredith could only squeak out one word. "Oh." Regaining her wits, she wasn't all that surprised. "So I was right about before."

"Right about what?" Elena questioned, turning her head away for a second.

"About you and- Elena, watch out!" Meredith shouted, pulling Elena down as Finn went flying over them to crash into the brick wall as he crumpled to the ground. "What the hell?!"

"That's not possible," Elena whispered shocked, staring at Finn's motionless body. Turning her eyes back to Alaric's stoic form, Elena felt a chill run through her. What did Esther do to him? Backing up slowly with Meredith behind her, Elena kept her eyes on Alaric's possessed body, his arm no longer seemingly broken, as she felt the pain coursing through her from Finn's impact. The pain strangely wasn't as overwhelming as it had been earlier, but it was intense. Digging her fingernails into her palms, she forced herself to stay upright. "Alaric, stop. You can fight this. You don't want to hurt us." When his steps faltered, she pushed Meredith back. "Check on Finn. Hurry." Standing between Alaric and Meredith who was helping Finn to his feet, Elena shuddered as she saw the mask slip back into place on Alaric's face.

"Oh he can't help you, dear. I'm afraid he's terribly confined at the moment, but I assure you he is very aware of what I'm doing with his body," Esther answered, smirk firmly in place. "Now be a good girl and get out of the way so I can be rid of you once and for all."

Lifting her chin, Elena stood her ground. "No. I won't let you hurt Finn. Think about what you're doing, Esther. He's your son!" The others were on their way, right? Surely they'd be here soon.

Sparing glances at Elijah's pained face as she was nearing the town proper, Sage debated with herself whether she should say something.

Sensing her stare, Elijah clenched his jaw. "Yes, Sage? What is it?"

Frowning at his tone, she turned her eyes back to the road. "You do realize you're an absolute bloody damned fool right?"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Elijah calmly exhaled through his teeth. "Sage..."

"No. I mean it, Elijah. I know Kol and Rebekah probably already ran you over the coals on this, but it's my turn now. You're damn well going to listen."

Knowing the redhead's penchant for retribution of being snubbed, he took the safer route. "Very well... Continue."

Shooting a glance at him, Sage took a small miracle when she saw one as for once he was actually listening. She could've been gentle about it, but she'd learned only blunt facts would get through to this family. "The amount of hell that Elena and yourself have been experiencing would be a lot less right now if you hadn't up and left her behind. The bond is stressful enough as a vampire. Her being human and sharing that connection with you without you even acknowledging she exists has turned her life into a living hell. I haven't known her as long as you or your family, but I know when the connection starts to take its toll."

Glaring at the road ahead, Elijah knew she was right. It was just a bitter pill to swallow. "I was trying to protect her," he muttered softly, remembering Elena's hurt-filled face at the abandoned house. "Either way, I failed."

Shaking her head, Sage wanted to whack him for that logic, but it wouldn't help anything. "She doesn't see it that way, Elijah. I don't know if she ever will. The spell with Esther wasn't your fault, but the initial leaving was possibly the stupidest thing you've ever done in you entire life short of trying to 'rescue' Katerina Petrova."

"Make your point, Sage," he growled, growing tired of her mentioning his past blunders.

"The point, Elijah, is I lived without Finn for 900 years, but I at least knew he didn't have a choice when he was taken from me. Elena knows you had the option to stay with her. She knew that from day one that she found out you'd left. The fact that you actively chose not to do so..." Trailing off, Sage tried to wrap her own head around it, but couldn't even picture what she'd be like now if Finn had abandoned her of his own free will back then. "I can't even begin to imagine what that's done to her this far along."

"Will I be able to fix it?" He inquired, his earlier fears coming back to the forefront.

"I don't know, Elijah." Expression turning sympathetic as she watched him, Sage shrugged her shoulders. "That's up to you. We've both seen worse happen in the past to people we care about... On both ends of a bond." At his sharp glare, she raised her eyebrows challengingly. "If you ignore the past, Elijah, you're doomed to repeat it. Don't make their mistake when you know the outcome now." Thinking over his question again, she nodded to herself. "In all honesty, I think you have a chance to mend things with Elena, but it will take time. There's only so much a girl can take."

Feeling some of the weight lifting off his chest at her words, Elijah knew it wouldn't fully leave him until he had Elena back. Until she forgave him. "Then I shall do my very best to ensure that happens." Clearing his throat, he felt brief remorse at his previous actions. "Forgive me, Sage, I wasn't trying to lessen what happened before. You're right, and I won't let anyone else suffer that fate."

"Then you have more than Elena that needs your help in the near future," she admitted and simply nodded after seeing his knowing gaze. "He hides it well, but he's coming undone, Elijah. He's finally found someone again after all this time, and it's scaring the living daylights out of him."

I've missed so much, he thought to himself, wondering how this all could have happened in just six weeks. Then his protectiveness came forward. "Is she good for him?"

A smile creeping across her face, Sage laughed quietly. "More than you could ever imagine. They're good for each other. They're just both so afraid of what it means that it's wreaking havoc on the entire situation." Eyes turning sad, she let herself remember for a moment. "I can't bear to see him that broken again. What happened wasn't his fault, but he didn't see it that way. I thought he wouldn't survive it."

"Nor did I," Elijah confessed, straightening his posture. "I'll talk to him tonight... Assuming this goes how we hope it will."

"One way to find out," she muttered, slowing the car down as they were almost to the restaurant. "Ahh!" Sage cried out, slamming on the brakes hard as they both jerked when pain went searing through their bodies. Catching her breath, she pushed Elijah away when he went to help her. "Go! I'll be there soon. Just go!"

Staggering out of the car, Elijah leaned on it for a minute as he felt the pain ease away. Hands curling into fists, he was furious because he knew who was causing the ones he loved so much misery. "You will pay for this, Esther. I swear you will pay for what you've done." Dashing away, he distantly heard the car door slam behind him as Sage climbed out, but he didn't stop. Finn needed him. Elena needed him.

Twirling the stake in Alaric's hands, Esther advanced on Elena. "My son died a thousand years ago, Miss Gilbert. That creature isn't anything to me except a monster." The lack of any feeling in Alaric's voice when Esther responded was beyond disturbing.

Taking another step back, Elena felt the fear start to return. Maybe they'd been right all along. Whatever this spirit was in front of her, it no longer resembled what a mother would be in any way. "You are the monster. All they want is a chance to live in peace, and you want to take that away from them. I won't let you do it."

Chuckling darkly, Alaric's head tilted to the side. "Unfortunately, you don't have a choice." Moving faster than Elena could see, he flashed to within inches of her bringing his arm down towards her chest leaving no room for her to stop him.

"No!" Elijah roared, slamming into Alaric from the side, pinning him to the wall. "You do not touch her, Esther. Ever," he snarled in Alaric's face, seeing things for what they were.

Coughing out a laugh, Esther attempted to push back only to have Elijah tighten his hold on Alaric's throat. "What are you going to do, Elijah? Kill me?" She taunted, seeing the fury burning in his eyes. "If you do, you kill this pathetic human as well, and we both know how your precious Elena would feel about that now don't we?"

"Shut up!" He snarled, faltering as her words entered his mind. Esther was right. He couldn't harm this man, or Elena would hate him even more than she already did. He could feel Elena through their bond, but just barely. He'd let his guard down earlier when he realized he'd done exactly what he hadn't wanted to do by putting her life in danger, but she had closed herself off from him. The connection with his siblings must have kept it cracked open. Elena was angry, scared, confused, and the pain radiating off of her was almost unbearable. He didn't know how she was still standing.

"Go on, Elijah, ask your dear sweet little doppelgänger what this human's life is worth to her? I imagine it means more than yours," Esther taunted.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Elijah growled. "I do believe I told you to be silent, Esther."

Her eyes flashing back and forth between Elijah and Alaric's possessed body, Elena didn't know what to do. There had to be a way to fix this. There had to be a way to get Alaric back, and away from Esther. She didn't want anyone else to die because of her. Damon and Stefan were vampires, they were already dead, which strangely made it easier to get them back. Alaric was human even though he'd already di- That's it!

"What's it?" Finn grunted as he nodded at the Meredith woman for helping him. He could see Elena trembling and knew it was only a matter of time. This had to end. Soon.

Chancing a glance at Finn, Elijah was startled to see Elena's steady insistent gaze. What was she trying to tell him? When her eyes shifted down to the side and back to his, he briefly tilted his head as he narrowed his eyes at her in question. When she simply just did it again, he followed her line of sight... To a very specific peculiar ring resting on Alaric Saltzman's left hand. Swallowing hard, he looked at her one last time.

"You know what to do, Elijah." Letting her expression soften for but a moment, Elena nodded her head. "It's the only way."

"Enough of this," Esther sighed, flicking Alaric's hand out against Elijah slamming him against the opposite wall.

Shaking his head to clear it, Elijah ducked to the side away from the incoming swing. Esther's magic was strong, but he had to be stronger. He saw Elena stagger to the wall when his vision focused, and knew he had to end this fast. She couldn't hold on much longer. Flashing forward, he shoved Alaric across the alley into the opposite wall as he sidestepped another blast of magic. Maneuvering himself so he was between the others and the possessed human, he growled when Esther managed to regain her footing. "You've gone too far, Esther. I won't let you hurt anyone else."

Elena was struggling to stay on her feet with her head swimming, when she faintly heard the creak of the Grille's back door opening. Lifting her head, she was relieved to see Tyler. Only he wasn't looking at her. What he was holding was far more dangerous. "Tyler... Tyler, please..."

Tsking as she straightened Alaric's shoulders, Esther could only grin as her gaze shifted behind Elijah. "Who said anything about me hurting them?"

Elijah had heard the door opening, but didn't dare turn away from Esther, until he heard Elena cry out.

"Tyler, stop!" Elena yelled as he lunged for Finn, who managed to jerk out of the way as the hybrid swung the stake at him.

Knocking the stake out of Tyler's hands as it went rolling across the ground, Finn quickly grabbed the werewolf around the neck and held him tight until he collapsed before lowering him to the ground. Sensing Elena's panic, he smiled at her briefly. He's alright, Elena, merely unconscious. Nodding to his brother, Finn assured him everything was fine while passing Tyler off to Meredith for her to check him over for any other injuries, as Elijah turned his attention back to Esther.

"This ends now, Esther. No more games. No more tricks. Nothing. You've lost." Keeping an eye on the stake she held in Alaric's hand, he grew annoyed at her continued laughter.

Holding Alaric's hands up at his sides, Esther simply tilted her head. "Oh, Elijah, ever so stern. The games have just begun."

Eyes snapping to the doorway as he saw movement, Finn jumped to his feet calling out to his brother and drawing Elijah's attention just as the sound of the crossbow firing a shot echoed through the alley.

Grasping the wooden shaft an inch away from the target of his chest, as Finn swiftly restrained the struggling Donovan boy, Elijah turned his attention to Elena making sure she wasn't hurt.

Sagging against the wall in relief at Elijah's quick reflexes, Elena slowly let her gaze meet Elijah's who was watching her so intently he didn't see Esther move. He's too close. Eyes widening in fear, Elena didn't even think. She just simply reacted. "Elijah, no!"

Whipping back around, Elijah saw the stake coming down at him, but was too late to move out of the way. A wave of dark brown hair was all he saw before being pushed aside. It wasn't until he heard Elena scream that he realized what she'd done. "No..." He was faintly aware of Esther cackling to his left, but all he saw was her.

In that same instant, Matt stopped struggling at Elena's scream as Finn snarled and released him. Finn flew at Esther, slamming Alaric's body onto the ground as he stood over it. "How dare you! She's an innocent, Esther! Regardless of her blood, she is innocent!"

Gripping the right side of her chest, Elena fell to her knees. The stake burned so hot. She wasn't a vampire, but it felt like hell on earth. It had taken all the strength she had left to reach him, but it was worth it. At least…. He's safe… Then she collapsed.

"No!" Kneeling beside her, Elijah cradled Elena against him oblivious to his surroundings, trusting Finn to handle Esther. "Elena, why?" Seeing her pain filled brown eyes staring up at him, he could only shake his head. "Why would you do such a thing?"

Tears stinging her eyes, Elena coughed out a weak laugh. "It would've killed you, Elijah. I couldn't just… I couldn't…" Lose you again. Closing her eyes as tears seeped out at the thought, she turned her face away from his concerned eyes. "It doesn't matter." I don't matter.

"Yes, it does," he pressed, stroking the hair out of her face. Yes, you do. Feeling her sharp inhale, he wasn't certain whether it was from pain or if she had in fact heard him as well. He dropped the barriers he'd put up, but felt a stab of pain when he could feel that she was still trying to keep him out. The pain and heartache were both slipping through whether she knew it or not in her weakened state.

Sage got the call from Klaus as she staggered away from her car. She had to hand it to Elijah, he had an advantage on her with his Original bloodline pain tolerance. Whatever had happened was wreaking havoc on her. Hold on, Finn. "Can't talk right now. We're kind of occupied," she growled into the phone, shaking some of the waves of pain off.

Brow furrowing, Klaus felt dread creep in as he paced the driveway. Was he too late? "What do you mean, Sage?" Hearing her groan of pain, he swallowed hard. "Answer me, Sage. What's happened?"

Stomping towards the alleyway, Sage kept it short. "I don't know yet, but I'm about to find out. Come when you can,' she hissed before hanging up and running towards the commotion.

"Sage, wait-," Klaus tried to warn her, but she'd already ended the call. Glaring at the phone, he cursed and called her again, but no answer. Frowning, he tried calling the Donovan boy's phone when he realized they'd left him at their estate, and got no answer. "Would someone bloody answer their phone?!" he hissed as he turned back towards the manor.

Shoving her phone in her pocket, Sage flashed around the corner. What she saw made her blood run cold. Elijah cradling an extremely pale Elena held her attention for a split second, before fury overtook her at what was right in front of her.

"Finn... No!" Seeing him pinned against the wall, his shirt ripped where it had just been hit by the white oak stake Alaric Saltzman was trying to stab him with, Sage saw red as her anger fueled her strength. Leaping at him, she knocked the possessed man into the wall at the end of the alley, as Meredith dropped to the side covering Tyler's unconscious form.

Panting for air, Finn could only feel pride as he watched his love do her worst. Remembering what Elena had been suggesting to Elijah, he acted fast unsure of whether Sage would go too far. Break his neck, Sage. Nothing else. The human will survive it.

Flashing behind Alaric onto his shoulders, Sage grasped the sides of his head and twisted it sharply emitting a loud crack as the body fell to the concrete. Quickly picking up the stake, she held a lighter under it and dropped it to the ground as it burned. Blowing her scarlet waves out of her face, Sage arched an eyebrow at Finn as she smiled. "Darling, what do you take me for? That ring isn't exactly a new creation. I knew what I was doing."

"Which you did very well, my dear," Finn commended her, straightening from the wall, and smiling at her briefly before turning his attention towards his brother. He swallowed hard at the state of things. When would they ever be allowed to be happy?

Sage's smile faded as her attention was drawn back to the couple on the ground. When she saw Meredith move to check on Elena, Sage grasped her arm. "I'm sorry, Dr. Fell, but you can't fix this. We have to do it." When Meredith started to protest, Sage just shook her head. "Trust me, this is beyond your abilities. Any of them," she added, tilting her head slightly at Meredith's startled look indicating she too knew what she'd been doing. "Help Matt with moving Tyler. We'll take care of Elena." She would've said more to the poor woman, but Klaus seemed to choose that moment to call her for the tenth time. "Klaus, where are you? We need you guys here now," she hissed into the phone, keeping her eyes on the pair on the ground.

Coming to a stop just outside the front doors, Klaus rubbed his forehead. "Yes, well I do apologize, Sage, but we were a bit preoccupied with a psychopath. As I was-"

Ignoring his indignant response, she cut him off. "Explain later, come now. Alaric Saltzman went on a rampage. Klaus... Elena was hurt. Badly."

Hearing his phone partly cracking in his fist, Klaus roared. "He did what?! How bad is it, Sage? What happened?"

Jerking the phone away from her ear, she waited for his yelling to stop. "Bad enough to involves white oak stakes in the equation. I'll explain when you get here. Just hurry."

Exhaling harshly through his nose, Klaus stared at the manor behind him. He dreaded what they'd find when they got into town. Or how certain people would handle it. "We'll be there shortly, Sage. Be careful."

Nodding even though he couldn't see, Sage reciprocated his response. "You as well. This problem is bigger than we originally thought." Ending the call, she shoved her phone in her pocket and pressed her lips in a grim line as Finn approached Elijah to help with Elena. This was bad, so very bad.

Scanning his eyes over Elena's wound, Elijah swallowed hard. Whatever Esther had done to the wood, it was quickly draining Elena as if she were one of them. "Elena, I have to remove it. Now." When she refused to look at him in answer, he bowed his head as he steeled himself. Esther wouldn't win this way. He hoped Elena wouldn't hold this against him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, as he abruptly pulled the stake out of her chest right below her collar bone, causing her to cry out. Tossing it aside, he was faintly aware of Sage burning the wood, as Finn knelt down to apply pressure to Elena's shoulder.

His face grim at Elena's weakened state, Finn lifted his gaze to meet Elijah's as he briefly shook his head. "It has to be done or this will have been too much," he murmured quietly, unsure if Elena could hear him. Her groan answered that silent question for him.

"What's the point, Finn?" she whispered, her eyes barely open as she struggled to avoid looking at Elijah. She'd protected him and he was safe. He was alive. It hurt like hell, but she would do it again in an instant. No matter the circumstances. The question was, was the Universe just telling her to stop? Swallowing hard, she shifted her head to look at Finn more clearly. "Remember what I said earlier?" At his knowing look, she cut him off before he could protest. "Maybe my theory was right after all."

Elijah looked to Finn and tilted his head to the side in silent question. What theory? Seeing Finn's expression change at what Elena said, he was suddenly filled with dread at what the answer could be.

Grasping her forearm gently, Finn wouldn't meet his brother's gaze and shook his head at Elena in denial. "I assure you, Elena, your theory couldn't be any more wrong." Holding her gaze, he hoped she could still hear him. He needs you, Elena. I know you're hurting, and I know you're tired and scared, but I can promise you this isn't how it ends. For either of you. When she glanced to the side as a tear slipped out, he knew she'd heard him. If you don't believe me on my word alone, Elena, then look at him. Look at Elijah and tell me I'm wrong.

Frowning at Finn, Elena closed her eyes briefly before slowly opening them again and glancing at Elijah's worry-stricken expression. His face had gone unusually pale.

"Elena, I know you're angry with me and you have every right to be," Elijah whispered, as he looked in her deep brown eyes full of so many emotions. "I let you down in the worst way possible, and I am truly sorry, but I beg of you, Elena, please don't do this. Don't give up fighting. Let me help you." Swallowing hard, Elijah stroked her forehead. Please don't give up on me. Elena stiffened for a moment, but her silence did nothing to quell his fears nor did their bond give anything away as she kept staring at him letting nothing show. All he could focus on was that she was running out of time. "Please, Elena."

Shifting her eyes back and forth scanning his face, Elena wanted to believe Elijah meant what he said. He'd always been honest with her in the past. Elijah hadn't ever given her reason to truly doubt him before, until... "You left, Elijah... You walked away from your family," she mumbled, slowly breaking eye contact as the last thought slipped free. You walked away from me.

Eyes flashing in pain, Elijah closed his eyes at her remark as her emotions came through more clearly. Her strength was waning and she didn't know it. "Elena, I-"

Clearing her throat, Sage sent Elijah an apologetic glance as she cut in kneeling down next to them. "Elena, I know we don't know each other that well, but I have to be blunt here." At the brunette's confused stare, Sage pressed her lips in a thin line briefly before continuing. "Your wound is lethal in your current state, Elena, even with Finn healing you, and it could very well kill you, but..." Trailing off, she heard Finn and Elijah suck in a harsh breath as they caught on to what she was saying.

Weakly frowning at Sage, Elena knew she was holding something back. "What, Sage? What could possibly be worse than it killing me?"

Grimacing at the girl, Sage shook her head. "Elena, unless you let us help you, that wound will either kill you or-"

"Or it will turn you into a vampire," Elijah wheezed out finishing what Sage was saying, feeling like he'd just had ice water thrown on him. Elena froze in his arms as she finally understood what they were saying. "She's telling the truth, Elena. With Finn's blood in your system, you'd either die or come back as one of us." Composing himself, he clenched his jaw as he held Elena's gaze knowing she'd never wanted an immortal life. "Do you really want to take that risk?"

Mind racing, Elena felt like she couldn't breathe, whether it was from the injury or from the weight of what they were saying crashing down around her, she didn't know. She only had two options and even then it was really only one option to choose. Either she let them heal her or she'd... Squeezing her eyes shut, Elena forced that thought from her mind. Immortality wasn't something she wanted to think about right now. Exhaling shakily, she partially opened her eyes enough to show them she meant it. "Heal me... please. Just be quick about it." Closing her eyes, her energy was fading as she heard clothing rustling a moment, before a hand stroked her face to draw her attention back as a warm wrist was pressed to her lips.

Eyes shutting momentarily in relief, Elijah then looked at Sage and Finn, who both backed away out of respect to give them some privacy. The three of them knew he was the one that had to heal her. His bond was the strongest with her, whether she knew it or not. Drink, Elena. Take all that you need. I will not fail you again. Feeling her accept his offered wrist and his blood flowing into her, the memories of earlier flashed in his mind of seeing her fall. He forced them back and instead lowered all the walls he'd built up to keep her out. I hope one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm so sorry, dear one. She hesitated for a moment, and he knew she'd heard him. "Just drink, Elena, we have time to talk later. Right now, just drink and rest. We won't let anything happen to you."

Not knowing what to think of everything she was hearing, Elena forced herself to focus on the current moment, and drank what blood she could. The burning was fading, and the pain was going away at last. Thank you... Elijah.

Feeling her breathing evening out, he lifted his gaze to see her eyes drifting shut as she fell asleep restored once more with her last thought aimed at him. Gathering her up against his chest, Elijah felt the vice loosen around his body as the panic slipped away. She was safe. He hadn't lost her to Esther. Holding her close, he took a deep breath taking in her scent. Whoever out there is listening, please keep this astonishing creature safe. I can't bear to lose her.

Sage came back over as he rose to his feet with Elena in his arms, and clasped his shoulder briefly. "We'll figure this out, Elijah. It's just going to take time." At his grateful small smile, she blew her hair out of her face as she looked around. "I called Klaus when we got here. He said he'd let the others know and be on their way, so they should be here soon."

"Thank you, Sage. In more ways than one," Elijah uttered softly, his gaze going back to the young woman in his arms.

Smiling sympathetically at him, Sage felt the smile slip from her face as her eyes landed on the cause of this mess. Staring at the still form of Alaric Saltzman, Sage felt a nagging worry in the back of her mind. She didn't know if what needed to be done to help free Alaric could be done as soon as they would like, or if it would cause even more pain. Feeling Finn's arms wrapping around her from behind she closed her eyes and leaned back. What are we going to do? This could be too much for them.

Closing his eyes as his chin rested on her shoulder, Finn saw her thoughts and already knew what she meant. We'll figure it out, dear one. As we always do. Feeling her tense posture, he squeezed gently. We won't let anything happen to them, Sage. I promise you, they will be alright.

Twisting around in his arms, she buried her face against his chest as he echoed what she had told Elijah just moments before. "I hope you're right, Finn." Glancing briefly at the state of the people around them, she could only hope he was right. "For all our sakes." Closing her eyes, she just let Finn's embrace soothe her as much as it could as she felt him lean his head on top of hers. All they could do was wait for the others to arrive.

Gulping at the fury visible in her eyes, Damon cautiously set the glass down as he held his hands up trying to backtrack into safe territory. "Bonnie, it wasn't me doing those things. Not really. You know I would never risk you guys like that."

"You didn't mind doing it six weeks ago," Kol sang out not so helpfully for Damon's case. It was safe to say the youngest male Mikaelson was a bit... Peeved.

"Shut it, scruffy," Damon sassed back as Bonnie stepped in their line of eyesight effectively ending their staring contest.

"Leave him alone, Damon. He's just stating the facts." Cocking her head to the side, Bonnie kept her voice blank. "You do remember that little incident, don't you?"

"And I hate myself for it! Alright?!" Damon exploded, making her jump as he flung his hands out from his sides. "I swear, Bonnie, if I could go back and undo what I did, what happened to Elena, and to Abby, I would! If I could go back and avoid being brainwashed by Esther, believe me I would! But I can't change anything, and I'm sorry!"

To say she hadn't been expecting his outburst was probably an understatement. For him to actually apologize was another thing altogether. "Damon..." What do you say to a vampire that's already clearly rolling in self-loathing?

Mussing up his hair even more, Damon ran his palms over his face tiredly. "I can't fix it, Bonnie. I screwed up and I'll have to live with that for the rest of my undead life. I'm sorry."

Klaus chose that moment to return, cutting off any further discussion, with what appeared to be a barely surviving phone in his hand. "Damon... Stefan... Which of you had the brilliant idea of sending Alaric Saltzman after my brother and Miss Gilbert?"

Blinking rapidly, Damon was almost rendered speechless. "What the hell does Ric have to do with this?" When Klaus simply just stared at him, Damon shook his head emphatically. "No. No god damn way. Elena's like a daughter to him. He wouldn't do that!"

"Unless he didn't have a choice," Bonnie cut in softly, feeling a migraine coming on. "Esther warned us they weren't safe. I guess Alaric was her next move." When she saw the hybrid turn to leave she waved her hand locking his feet in place.

Klaus ground his teeth together. "Kol, I suggest you convince Miss Bennett to release me immediately."

"Excuse me?" She balked, mouth falling open insulted. "He doesn't get to tell me what to do, Klaus, and neither do you." Hands resting on her hips, she lifted her chin defiantly as she stepped directly in front of him. "Alaric isn't responsible for this mess. He's lost far too much already. He adored Jenna and sure as hell wouldn't wish any harm on Elena or Jeremy." Holding her finger in front of his nose, she growled. "If you or anyone else lays one hand on Alaric Saltzman that would actually kill that kind man, I will make sure you experience his pain multiplied by a thousand. Elena would agree with me on that front as well and I don't think you want to piss her off any more than she already has been. Do we have an understanding?"

Klaus raised his eyebrows at her audacity, not missing Kol's mirthful smirk over her shoulder at his expense. He was starting to understand just how this witch was actually good for his brother. She challenged him every step of the way. Exhaling through his nose, Klaus relented and stretched when she finally released him. Young or not, that girl's magic was stronger than what he'd encountered for centuries. "Alright, alright, Mr. Saltzman will be safe... When," he prompted, lifting a finger to speak his piece, "When Esther is removed from his body. Until then he's a danger to us all, but you have my word that he will survive this."

Nose scrunching in frustration at being boxed in on options, Bonnie clenched her hands to stop shaking. "Fine!" She bit out, stomping towards the door. "Fine fine fine fine fine!"

Caroline stood there stunned as one of her best friends went barreling out of the room. Swiveling back around to see everyone's partially amused, partially afraid faces, she giggled nervously. "Ummm... We should probably..."

"Let's go!" Bonnie shouted from the front door making Caroline jump, as it slammed into the wall when she walked out.

"Yep, that! Hurry up people!" Caroline chirped, frantically pushing people up and out the door. Pissed off Bonnie Bennett was not a pleasant experience.