Chapter 4 – Breakfast

Finn was waiting patiently in the hallway for the girls when Elijah happened upon him. "Good morning brother." Elijah greeted.

"Good morning, Elijah." Finn greeted stoically.

"What are you doing loitering around in the hall?"

"Waiting for the ladies." Finn replied. "Sage is helping Elena get ready, and unless I miss my guess our little sister has joined them by now. I'm escorting them to breakfast, when they are ready."

Elijah grinned, "Mind if I wait with you? I wouldn't mind helping you escort the ladies to breakfast."

Finn nodded his agreement, it was probably a good idea for him to be there, Elena seemed more at ease around Elijah. They made small talk as they waited, Elijah sharing some stories about the years Finn had missed. Finn gave a slight smile as Elijah told him a funny story about Kol and some witches he hung around with. Kol had, of course, landed himself in some hot water that Elijah had to smooth things over. Elijah shared how even though he had smoothed things over with the witches, Kol still had to be extremely careful going out or he would end up with a brain aneurysm each time.

Elijah had just finished his story about Kol when the door opened to Elena's room. Both men straightened up as the ladies walked out, Sage and Rebekah first followed by Elena.

"Good morning, ladies." Elijah greeted them with an easy grin.

"Good morning, Elijah." Sage and Rebekah said at the same time. They glared at each other and Elena rolled her eyes.

"I told both of you to knock it off. Now I believe Finn had said something about breakfast? I'm famished." Elena snapped at them.

Sage and Rebekah stopped glaring at each other and sighed. Sage took her husband's arm, while Rebekah took Elijah's. Finn offered his other arm to Elena who cautiously took it. Elijah and Rebekah led the way to the dining room, with Finn, Sage, and Elena bring up the rear.

Elena gave up trying to figure out how she would find her way back to her room, with all the twists and turns they took. "This place is way too big," she thought to herself.

"You'll get used to it," Finn leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"How did you..." she started to ask.

"A side effect of the ritual, last night." Elijah answered this time. "We can talk to each other telepathically now. You'll learn to control it in time."

"So you can hear everything I think?" Elena asked. "That would not be good," she thought to herself.

"Not everything, some thoughts you project, so we can hear it." Finn replied.

"How do I know what you hear and you don't?" Elena asked concerned, she really didn't want people to know her thoughts.

"You don't." Kol said from behind her.

Elena jumped and shied into Finn, she was nowhere near comfortable around Kol, especially after he tried to kill Matt. She let out a whimper as Kol leaned in, and licked her face.

"You smell delicious," he grinned evilly.

Finn wrapped his arms protectively around Elena as Elijah yanked Kol away by his collar. Sage and Rebekah flanked Finn as Elijah pulled Kol a good 20 feet away from Elena. Elena turned away from the scene burying her face in Finn's chest.

"I want to go home." She whimpered.

Finn felt very inept at comforting her, he did not do well with women that were upset. He awkwardly patted her shoulder as Elijah angrily turned on Kol.

"Stop teasing her, Kol," Elijah growled.

Kol frowned, "I was just having some fun." He stated with a pout.

Niklaus made an appearance at that moment, "It'd be in your best interest to leave my doppelgänger alone, little brother. Or you won't like the consequences."

"Ugh. Fine." Kol consented.

"Apologize." Sage demanded.

Rebekah scoffed at the idea of Kol apologizing. "There's no way that would happen" she thought. Without realizing she was broadcasting her thoughts.

"I completely agree." Elena agreed with her. They looked at each other weirdly.

"I'm never going to get used to that." They both said at the same time.

"Yes," Niklaus stated nonchalantly, "It just takes some practice. The doppelgänger should probably have some training later today on controlling it though, her mind is an open book. Rebekah you should join her, you aren't doing much better."

Rebekah growled at Niklaus who ignored her. "Now, we've had to wait on breakfast for too long and the food is getting cold. Let's go." He demanded.

"But..." Sage started to say.

"Forget it," Niklaus butted in. "He won't apologize, so you're just wasting your time and mine. Now chop, chop."

Sage glared daggers into Niklaus' back, but nevertheless let the subject drop. "Sorry, Elena." She thought to Elena who jumped at hearing Sage's thought.

Kol laughed, "So you hear Rebekah's thought and reply to her, but you hear Sage's thought and they startle you?"

Elena blushed and Finn growled at him. Kol held up his hands, "Don't worry big brother, I'll stop...for now." He ducked out of the way before Elijah could grab him again. "Breakfast time." He reminded them as he ran down the hall to the stairs.

Elijah sighed, "Elena, are you all right?"

Elena shook her head, "I'm fine."

"Well then," Finn stated calmly. "Let's go down stairs.

A few minutes later everyone was seated at the table. The only sound that was heard as they ate was the silverware scraping the plates, as they shoveled food into their mouths. Elena just moved her food around, not really having an appetite. The silence was finally broken by Niklaus who looked at Elena, who hadn't looked up from her plate.

"I require your company after the meal."

Elena looked up, "Why?"

"Blood donation, of course." Niklaus said before going back to eating his food.

Elena paled, "I don't want to."

"You don't have a choice. Now eat up, I can't have you passing out on me."

Rebekah rolled her eyes, "Is today such a good idea? Why don't you wait a day of two, let her adjust."

"Today is perfect if you want to go shopping tomorrow." Rebekah glared at him but went back eating.

Elena sighed but didn't say anything, she looked back at her plate and continued to push food around on her plate. She tried to keep her mind as blank as she could so no one could hear her thoughts. All she really wanted to do was hide somewhere and cry.

"EAT." Niklaus yelled at her suddenly.

Elena jumped, startled. Her eyes filled up with tears which she frantically tried to blink away. A tear or two escaped and trickled down her face. She couldn't say anything for fear that she would breakdown completely.

"Nik." Elijah started to say.

"Don't start. She needs to eat."

Elijah sighed but fell quiet. "It'll be okay," he telepathically sent Elena.

"No, it isn't." Elena sent back, willing it to only reach Elijah and not everyone. "It'll never be okay again."

Elijah stood up, "I have some work to do. Nik, back off just a little. Elena do try to eat, please." He walked around the table over to Elena and kissed the top of her head. "I meant what I said, it will be okay. Don't let Nik push you around too much, he likes a challenge. Do eat though, and congratulations, that time only I heard your thoughts." He thought to her as he left the room.

Soon only Elena was left with Niklaus. She had managed to eat a few more bites but couldn't force anything else down her throat. Niklaus watched her carefully, she seemed to be doing alright, over all, considering they did kidnap her. He could tell that her emotions were all over the place though. He briefly considered not taking blood today, but quickly shot down the idea. He did say he would, and so he'd follow through.

"Are you done?" He asked her.

"Yes."

"Okay, let's go then." Niklaus pushed his chair back and stood up.

He walked over to Elena's chair and pulled it out like a real gentleman. Elena wondered if he was doing it to be gentlemanly or if he was afraid she would make a run for it. Niklaus offered Elena his arm but she refused to take it, instead she glared openly at him.