Thanks for the reviews… it's been ages (literally) since I exercised these writing muscles… I thank you for your reviews. Also to clarify, this is also taking place AFTER Stefan finds out that Damon and Elena kissed, but prior to Bringing Out the Dead.

"Thanks, Elena, that's all I need to know…"

I close my eyes for a second and when I open them, he's gone. It still amazes me how quickly he can move; I may never get used to it, among many other things.

"Seriously," I groan into the empty room and swing my legs over the side of the bed and onto the floor. Trying to go back to sleep would be pointless. A slight breeze comes in through my open window, making the curtains flutter and giving me my only indication of how Damon left my room. I get up and walk over to the window to close it. I swear that I can still smell him. It's not a scent of a specific cologne, it's just Damon; it's almost warm, if it were possible to smell warmth, with the slightest hint of woods and something else… it's comforting and I'm pretty confident I'm the only one who would ever notice it. Same as I'm the only one he seems to allow to see certain sides of him, well, not the only one – I know he lets Stefan in from time to time, as much as he fights against it. It's funny how much they both fight it, how much they pretend to hate each other when at the end of the day, they would each do anything to save the other. But that thought scares me, as it should, because it pretty much means I lose out; if push came to shove and they had to pick between me or their brother, they'd go with the brother and the way things are headed, I think we're going to hit shoving pretty soon.

The house is still silent and no doubt will be for a few more hours. Jeremy is gone and Alaric was still drinking when I went to bed last night so he'll be down for the count. Seems like a good chance to run over to Alaric's old apartment and take out some frustrations on the punching bag, seeing as how I can be fairly certain no hybrids would be joining me along the way. If the past few days were any indication, I'llhave at least 12 hours before the next big thing comes our way. That sad thought makes me laugh out loud and I think, 'How pitiful.'

I'm about 15 minutes into giving the bag a great beating when I hear the apartment door open behind me. I silently roll my eyes, 'so much for a moment of peace.'

"Good morning, Elena, you're looking well…"

The voice sends chills through every bit of my body and I freeze, turning slowly, fists still raised.

"Now, now," Elijah smiles warmly, "We've always been cordial to one another, there's no need for that."

I lower my arms, sighing loudly. We both know they wouldn't have done me any good if he was in an unfriendly mood.

"Elijah, I'd say it's a pleasure to see you, but I'd be lying and that would be rude."

Elijah turns and shuts the door behind him, ignoring my comment as he surveys the room. "You've got quite the set up here. Niklaus would be flattered to think that you did this all for him. But my brother is prone to moments of over-confidence and vanity, wouldn't you say? Not unlike another brother you keep company with."

Before I can begin to wonder which of the Salvatore brothers he's referring to, he comes to a stop in front of me. He's uncomfortably close but I won't give him the satisfaction of backing away. His hand raises, as if to brush some hair out of my face but instead he just looks at me, hand hovering over my skin. I shudder ever so slightly, but don't break eye contact.

"It really is amazing how you all look the same and yet you are all so very different." The impossibly old vampire pauses, savoring a memory, his eyes no longer connecting with mine, "But that is neither here nor there. I'm here to talk to Damon, I believe I have him to thank for removing my brother's little gift from my chest."

This is news to me and I can't help but show my surprise.

"I see you're as surprised as I was to find out that little detail, guess you two aren't as close as my brother indicated. No matter, Damon left me a note and said we should meet here this morning, though he did fail to mention a time. Looks like I'm early. Perhaps I'll come back in a little while and give you some time to continue hitting that bag," he waves dismissively towards the punching bag. "I am quite thirsty, after all, and I doubt you have anything you'd be willing to offer me, now would you?"

I shrug, trying to appear calm, which causes Elijah to smile, a smile that falters as I respond, "That is a shame, it would be so lovely to spend more time with you."

"Elena, Elena, careful there, I've always liked you but can't say I share my brothers' concern for your well-being. I'd tread lightly, months being cooped up in a coffin have made me uncharacteristically cranky."

With that he turns and almost glides out of the room. 'What the hell just happened?' I ask myself over and over as I tear the sparring gloves from my hands.

I grab for my phone and dial Damon's number, unsure where I will begin. I hear the line pick up and before he can speak, I'm yelling, "Thought you might want to know that Elijah's looking for you, Damon. It might have been nice if you had mentioned that you un-staked him when you were in my bedroom this morning. It kind of seems like something I would need to know. Seriously, Damon, what the hell!"

"My apologies for my brother's oversight, I suppose he had other things on his mind this morning, when he was in your bedroom." Stefan's voice rings in my ear, "Damon's in the shower at the moment. I'll be sure to tell him that you called. Anything else?"

"Nope, can't think of anything else." I will not let him get the best of me or needle me into saying more. "Thanks, Stefan."

"No problem, have a great day, Elena," Stefan's voice is hard and unrelenting. *Click*

I don't even bother wondering if this day can get any more bizarre because I know better than to wonder pointless things.

Thanks for reading... not sure how long this will go but don't worry - I always reward my readers in the end.