AN: Hi everyone! Sorry for the late update on this one, I've been sucked into my other story 'The Doppelganger's Keeper'. But I'm going to try and alternate between these two more often. This chapter is rated M; it's a little smutty lol. Enjoy! - Vanessa

Chapter 11: Falling

Damon paced the floor of the cabin frantically. It had been hours since Elijah had run off with Elena, and he was at a loss of what to do. He ran around the area looking for any sight of them, he'd called her once before realizing her phone was still on the nightstand. He briefly considered calling the police, but he knew that would be a fruitless effort. What would he tell them? What could they even do? So now, he waited impatiently for Katherine to show up, praying to God that Elena survived this.

When Katherine finally walked in, she eyes the broken off door with mildly contained apprehension. "Damon…what happened?" her voice shook with fear.

"He took her!" his arms waved dramatically as he explained. "I tried to go after them, but he told me not to, and Katherine, I couldn't move!" He exclaimed desperately. "I tried! And then they were just gone."

She held up a calming hand, blinking as she tried to make sense of his ramblings. "Who…who took her?"

He released a deep sigh. "He said his name was Elijah…Klaus' brother." He raked a hand through his hair in stress.

Katherine let a little giggle slip through her lips, which bled into a breathless sigh of relief. "Okay, okay…this is good."

Damon stared at her as if she just grew two heads. "How! How is this good? Elena is gone! Who knows where she is by now."

"Damon, calm down. Elijah is a…friend. He won't hurt her." Her words were meant to sooth his worry, but he seemed to not even hear her. "Damon!" that got his attention. "Elena will be fine. Elijah and Klaus may be brothers but they are not the same…he doesn't want him to break the curse."

"What do we do?" his blue eyes begged her for an answer.

…

Elena sat on the couch across from Elijah, who was elegantly seated on the leather chair, an ankle rested casually on his other knee and his hands linked resting on his lap. She sat rigidly, as if even breathing would disrupt the silence. He studied her with a small tilt of his head, and she did her best to avoid his blatant scrutiny.

"The Petrova doppelganger…in the flesh." He finally spoke, and the break in silence made Elena jump. "You look just like her." His tone took on a nostalgic tone, a glint of a smile on his lips.

Elena pulled her lip between her teeth, trying to keep the tremble from her voice. "We're twins."

Elijah chuckled to himself, uncrossing his legs and pushing himself to his feet. "Not Katherine. Tatya…the first Petrova doppelganger." He moved to the bar and poured himself a glass of scotch, taking a healthy sip and letting it roll around on his tongue. "What has Katherine told you about your family history?" his eyes glanced up to meet hers.

"Our blood breaks the curse on Klaus. The one your mother cast to keep him from turning into a hybrid." she continued to avoid his eyes, determined not to show him her fear.

His brows raised in surprise. "So you know how important you are to my brother."

She let out a shaky breath. "Yes." She whispered sadly. "Are you going to kill me?"

He walked around to stand in front of her. "I have no desire to see my brother turn into a hybrid, nor do I want him to create a new race of hybrids. The best way to avoid that would be to kill you here and now." He watched as the tears that were threatening to spill, fell down her cheeks, and her heart rate picked up. He crouched down in front of her. "But I have no desire to do that either. Here." He pulled the handkerchief out of his breast pocket, and handed it to her. Rising to his full height he continued on, staring at the fireplace. "Tatya Petrova was a vision; she besotted every man in our village, despite the fact that she was a widow and had already bore children." He sipped his scotch as the memories flooded in. "But for some miracle beyond my comprehension…she had eyes for me."

A frown pulled at her eyebrows. "You loved her."

He glanced at her over his shoulder. "I did. But so did my brother…and by some twisted fate of the universe she loved us both. Neither of us could walk away; not even our brotherly bond was enough to deny our love for her. It pit us against one another; a feud that has lasted through centuries."

Feeling safer now than she did moments ago, she rose to her feet standing beside by the fire. "Is that what attracted you to my sister…because she's the doppelganger? Because she looks like Tatya?"

Elijah turned to her mildly amused by this slip of a human girl, asking him questions he'd asked himself time and time again on the nights Katherine would lay in his arms, her hair splayed on his pillows. "Perhaps. She needed my help…and maybe the part of me devoted to Tatya couldn't deny her." He faced the fire again. "Your sister is not the doppelganger, Elena."

She reeled back in shock. "What?"

He turned to her again, looking her over. "It's you. You are the mirror image of Tatya; every beauty mark, every expression, the tone of your voice. Katherine is your twin, but you…you are the key to breaking the curse."

Elena's mouth fell open and she staggered back, bringing a trembling hand to her forehead. "So it was all for nothing? Katherine is a vampire…and it was all for nothing?" Elijah's eye fell to the ground, and Elena shook her head, her lips curling in disgust. "This is my fault. Klaus saw me, it was me he wanted, and she paid the price. It should have been me." She rambled, her words thick with tears.

The original vampire shifted his weight, tucking a hand into the pocket of his slacks. "What's done is done. The past can't be changed, however you are still alive, and I give you my word that no harm will come to you." he vowed genuinely.

Her eyes snapped to his, her anger and frustration at this situation coming forth. "Why? You don't owe me anything, why do you care whether I live or die?" Elena's mouth tightened into a thin line, desperate to keep from sobbing.

Elijah canted his head slightly. "Because despite being a vampire, I'm not a monster. And maybe because I feel obligated to prevent you from facing the same fate as Tatya. You deserve better than that." The buzzing of her phone in his jacket pocket, broke the tension of the room, and a small grin pulled at the corners of his mouth when he read the name. "I was wondering when I'd hear from you." His eyes slide to Elena who was wiping the tears from her face. "Yes, she's here. Perfectly safe." There was another long pause. "Well you know where to find me. We have lots to discuss." He hung up quickly, tucking his phone back in his suit jacket. "Katherine's on her way."

Elena dropped back down to the couch with a deep sigh, rubbing her hands over her face. She was relieved that for the moment she was safe, but the weight of everything was wearing off her initial adrenaline. She hoped that Damon was with her; she didn't want to think about how freaked out he must be right now. She had time to come to terms with the reality of vampires, but this was new for him. If she was being honest, she wouldn't blame him if he drove all the way back to New York and never looked back.

But nearly an hour later when Katherine strolled through the front door and the elaborate foyer of the mansion, and Damon rushed in after, she threw herself into his arms, and a relieved smile lightened up her face. He held her tightly, his hand buried in her hair, and the other wrapped around her back. "I thought you were gone." He whispered miserably.

Elena pressed her cheek into his chest. "I'm okay…I'm glad you're here." She pulled back and beamed at him before realizing they had an audience, and pulled away sheepishly.

Katherine cocked her hip and crossed her arms. "Don't stop on my account." she drawled, before turning to face Elijah. She lifted her chin and walked over with an apologetic smile, which looked more like a smirk. "Guess I have some explaining to do." she stuck her hands into her back pockets. "You're probably wondering why I never told you."

"I know why you never told me. You were protecting your sister, and you were right to do so." Elijah responded smoothly. "If Klaus finds her-"

"I know." She sighed deeply. "Thank you…for keeping her safe."

He darted a glance to Elena, who was still talking quietly with Damon. "She'll be safe here for the night, but it's best to get her out of here by morning. I will keep him distracted long enough for her to disappear."

Katherine nodded. "I guess our moment was short lived." she mumbled almost sadly with a rueful smile.

Elijah stepped closer to her, resting his palm on the side of her face. "I will make my way back you, Katerina." He smiled, when she nuzzled into his hand, her eyes closing. "You must stay well hidden."

"I'll be fine. Running is something I've learned to be good at over the years." She responded sourly.

…

It must have been past midnight, but neither of them were finding sleep, both too lost in their own thoughts. Elena glanced up at Damon from her curled position at his side. "Are you awake?" she whispered.

"Mhm…" he hummed back, although his eyes stayed closed.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" She sat up, looking down at him, her hair cascading around her shoulder. They had been discussing it all night, and despite her continued discouragement, for his own sake, he was not easily swayed.

Damon's eyes finally popped open, and he turned on his side, resting his head on his palm. "Yes. I know the risks…and I'm all in, Elena. You have been the one thing that has kept me grounded these last two weeks, and there is no way I'm letting you face this on your own." He played with the ends of her hair with a soft smile. "And I think you may have gotten under my skin a bit."

Her heart raced; how could this man she barely knew make her feel things she'd never felt before. Elena was never one to get swoony over a guy, nor did she ever consider she'd find anyone that would accept her as she was; a little broken, emotionally damaged, and running from her past. She leaned down, capturing his lips with her own, and he rolled onto his back pulling her with him. Elena straddled his waist, her hair curtaining around them as Damon's hands coasted over her back and hips, moaning when she ground herself into him.

In a bold move, she straightened up, and reached for the hem of her tank top, whipping it off and throwing it behind her. Damon was mesmerized; her hair cascading down one shoulder, her breasts bare before him, a seductive glint in her eyes. His hands, as if of their own accord, trailed over the swell of her breasts, his thumbs brushing over her erect nipples, causing her to toss her head back with a whimper. Damon's hands continued down to her hips, gripping them and flipping their positions so she was underneath him. His blue eyes bore into hers, and he couldn't help but grin at the eagerness of her face, and the way her chest heaved in excitement. His hand ran from the side of her face, down her neck and over her chest, down her flat tummy, his fingers tracing patterns over her hips. She bucked up in response. "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." His need for her was overwhelming, but he took his time, letting his mouth follow the path his hands created, until he got to the lacy trim of her panties.

Elena was panting in anticipation. It had been so long since she'd been touched this way, so long since anyone made her feel this special. She shivered when his fingers slipped into her panties, slowly pulling them down her legs until they were discarded on the floor. Her knees fell open and Damon settled between them, in complete awe of her naked underneath him. Her hands trembled as they ran over his bare chest and down his abs, pushing his briefs over the firmness of his ass. Her eyes met his as her hands made contact with the silky length of his shaft, slowly stroking him as his head fell to her shoulder with a strangled sigh.

Damon crushed his lips down to hers, their tongues battling for dominance as his fingers slid between her legs and penetrated her wet folds. Elena tore away from his kiss, her back arching and her head tossed back as she let out a loud moan. Damon continued to run his fingers up and down, and in slow deliberate circles watching her writhe and shudder under his ministrations, her hands gripping the sheets and the air filled with her whimpers and sighs of pleasure.

It wasn't long before her breathing became erratic, and her hands gripped his shoulders. "Oh my God…Damon." she whispered breathlessly, her head tossing from side to side as her climax built inside of her. She broke around his fingers, her whole body arching as the waves rolled over her. Her mouth parted in a silent scream.

Damon nearly growled, swallowing her moans with his kiss. He nudged himself at her entrance, his eyes fluttering closed as he unhurriedly thrust forward. She gasped as he filled her at an agonizingly slow pace and he grabbed her thigh wrapping it around his hips as he filled her to the hilt. She was nearly strangling him with her tightness and it was the most amazing feeling. He pulled away to look down at her, and she was staring up at him, her hand coming up to caress his cheek, with a dreamy smile. He returned her smile with one of his own, committing this look on her face to memory as he thrust in and out of her with a leisurely roll of his hips. Every time he sunk further into her, Elena's breath was stolen and her fingers dug into his back as if doing so would keep her grounded.

The room was filled with the sounds of their pleasure; grunts and moans and sighs as they fell into a rhythmic dance against each other. Damon tunneled his hand into her hair, angling her head so he could kiss up and down her neck. "Elena…" He whispered, feeling himself riding close to the brink. He brought his hand down to her clit, gently rubbing the bundle of nerves and watched as she fully came undone; her walls fluttering around him deliciously, her eyes popping open and her sharp cry as her orgasm rippled through her in multiple waves. He followed her over the edge, releasing himself inside her. Neither of them made a move while they caught their breath, wanting to relish in the pulsing hum of their bodies for as long as possible.

Slipping out of her reluctantly, Damon rolled onto his back, and pulled her with him to curl into his side and kissed the crown of her head. "You are something else." he chuckled drunkenly, his eyes heavily hooded.

Elena propped herself up on her elbow and gazed down at him. "You're one to talk. I think you've ruined me for all men." she teased, biting her lip.

Her words had him springing into action, trapping her once again under his body. "I'm sorry, was I not clear…" He purred licking the shell of her ear. "I have no intention of letting you go."

She giggled. "Good because…" Elena paused, wondering if she should continue, and decided that she wasn't going to hold back. "I've never felt like this before…I'm falling for you, Damon." Her heart was pounding in her chest, and for a moment she was worried at the stunned look on his face.

Damn couldn't believe it. This beautiful creature wanted him; with all of his faults. For years he felt unwanted, unloved, and now this amazingly brave and stunning woman wanted him. A dazzling grin split his face, and he rubbed his thumb over her swollen bottom lip. "I'm falling for you too. Hard." He flashed his eyes at her, and leaned down to place a sweet kiss on her lips. "I think you're the best thing that ever happened to me, Elena." his eyes darted over her face, reading her expression.

Her eyes welled with tears, as she gazed up at him wondering how she could be so lucky as to have him in her life.