A/N: Hey guys, sorry about the super long absence. I was with my father in QLD (trust me, I would have much rather been writing another chapter of this story). I just realised that I cracked 10,000 words last chapter and a whopping 18 reviews. You guys, as I've said time and time again, are my inspiration! I really appreciate all of you and the support you've been giving me, so this chapter is dedicated to all of you: Even the ones who read half a chapter then decided it was crap-I thank you for your slight amount of attention anyway! Now on with the chapter!

Chapter 6

I awoke to Ellie Goulding's "Every Time You Go" blaring out of my alarm clock and couldn't help but smile as I remembered my arranged meeting with Elijah this morning at The Grill. Speaking of morning, what was the time? I scanned my phone and saw that it read 8:30 am. I guess I'm not an early riser every day. As I was coming out of my 'sleeping coma' I realised that despite having plan with Elijah, I had neglected to inform him that I had school today! Yes, it was my final week before the holidays and yes, everyone normally skipped but I was known for my perfect attendance record. I couldn't let that go over a coffee meeting, could I? I was just about to text Elijah to inform him of my predicament when I remembered that I had all of my classes today with Stefan. After feeling what I had felt for Elijah the day before, I was very reluctant to let Stefan come and trample all over that in an enclosed environment, so I decided to be daring and skive the day.

Good lord, what is this man doing to me? I'm losing my morals!

I rushed to get dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a lace top. Hiding my heeled boots and make-up in my bag so it didn't look like I was making too much of an effort for school, I rushed into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I curled my hair slightly before realising that I looked too Katherine, and promptly straightened it before running down stairs and bestowing the shortest 'Good morning' ever to Jenna and jumping into my car and hurrying down the road. I arrived with five minutes to spare, which I was thankful for one I looked over my hair. My attempt to straighten the curls had sadly gone horribly wrong as I picked up my crimped hair and sighed. I ran my fingers through it, trying to tame it and thinking about how I had never had crimped hair in my life! I could only hope Elijah didn't find it too unappealing. I had long ago given up on trying to control my hormonal, teenage thoughts towards Elijah and with a final check of my lip gloss and a change of shoes I was ready to face the music.

I entered The Grill to find an anxious looking Alaric, obviously awaiting my arrival. He pursed his lips as I came through the door and I was only hoping that there was someone behind he didn't like. Unfortunately I was out of luck as he came over to me, looking rumpled and upset.

"Elena, there is an original in the corner proclaiming that he has a date with you," A small flutter went through my chest at the mention of the word 'date'. I was sincerely hoping that they were Elijah's exact words. "Do I need to call Damon?"

"What? No! I organised this Ric. I just want to know a little bit more about Klaus." He sighed, obviously still contemplating calling Damon. "Please don't involve the Salvatore brothers; this is the only chance I'll get to be alone with Elijah. There's not much he's going to be willing to tell me if Damon has him upside down chained to the roof!" I gave him the puppy dog eyes and he caved instantly.

"Okay, alright Elena. But I'll be watching you!" I laughed at his comment.

"Creepy stalker much, Ric? I doubt Jenna would approve." He laughed and stumbled back over to the bar, with clearly no intention of going into work today. A small cough from behind me shook my out of my musings and I turned to find myself rather close to the original vampire. He smiled at me and I found myself thanking my lucky stars that I hadn't gone to school today.

"Good morning Elena. Shall we sit down?" He motioned towards a nearby table and I nodded eagerly. He pulled my chair out for me and I sat down, blushing at his act of chivalry. I could have sworn I saw a small smirk cross his face but it was gone before I could read too much into it. Elijah stared at me for a few seconds before I realised that he was studying my hair. I ducked my head and inwardly cursed the fact that I owned a straightener and a curling iron. Suddenly I found a strong hand pulling my chin up gently and I found myself almost eye to eye with Elijah. He cleared his throat momentarily before speaking.

"I do hope this doesn't come across as inappropriate, but I really like what you've done with your hair" I blanched. He liked my hair? My scruffy, crimped mess of hair? I was stunned.

"Uhm, thank you, thank you very much. I didn't know what to do so I curled it but then I looked too Katherine, so I straightened it but then it kind of crimped and-I'm rambling aren't I?" It wasn't like me to ramble but I found that in the presence of this man nothing I did was normal. He chuckled slightly.

"Just a tad, but it's cute." He smiled. I found it very hard to breathe in that moment. He must have taken my astonished look as a negative reaction to what he had said because he hastily changed the subject.

"So, what did you want to ask me?" I chuckled.

"Straight into it I see. Well, I have a confession to make." His interest was clearly piqued at my statement.

"Oh? Please, do tell." I smiled.

"Well-" I was cut short by my ringtone, which was embarrassingly the song which Elijah and I had shared out first dance to. I sent him an apologetic look and he nodded, smirking slightly. I rolled my eyes before answering.

"Hello?" There was a slight pause before a clipped British accent spoke.

"Elena. It's nice to finally hear from you." I saw Elijah's face harden.

"Who is this?"

"Don't you know? It's Klaus, love." My heart sunk as he spoke. I felt the colour drain out of my face and I started to shake.

"Wha-what do you want?"

"Clam down love, I merely want to chat. A little bird told me that you've been seeing my brother Elijah. Is this true?"

"What do you want with him?" Elijah raised a brow at my question, evidently hearing what Klaus was saying.

"It's not him I'm after, sweetheart." My voice was suddenly gone. I was thankful for Elijah yanking the phone out of my hand and muttering a few choice words to his brother. He then slammed my phone down on the table and took my hands in his.

"Elena, I promise I won't let Klaus anywhere near you, but you have to trust me, okay?" I was crying now, fearing for not only my life, but Elijah's as well. He reinforced his urgent look and I nodded slightly. He must have taken my nod as an affirmative to do whatever he pleased with me because a second later I was cocooned firmly in the original's arms and being whisked away like a damsel in distress. I could vaguely see trees and people blurring passed me and I became slightly anxious as to where he was taking me.

"Elijah, where are we-mphhh!" I was interrupted as he clamped a hand firmly over my nose and mouth. My last conscience thought before I passed out was that I really needed to stop being so trusting!

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I awoke some time later to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and an unfamiliar sweet smell. My mouth started watering when I saw a mug of coffee and a chocolate muffin sitting on my bedside table. Wait, my bedside table? As in my house? I sat up, wide eyed and afraid. Elijah must have sensed the change in my demeanour as he came bursting into my bedroom with a small smile on his face. I was suddenly very apprehensive.

"I see you have woken up. Forgive me for, uh, sending you into slumber, I was merely concerned that you might have attempted escape and ended up harming yourself." I was stunned at how well this man had come to know me in such a short time.

"Yeah, okay, but why did you bring me back to my house? Not that I'm complaining." I smiled nervously, wondering if he was considering moving me into a dungeon for safe keeping. Then I really would be a damsel.

"I was considering one of my many safe houses, but being a vampire I cannot deny anyone access. I presume that the owner of this house is human?" I nodded, remembering the day that Jenna took full ownership of us, home and all. "Well then, if Klaus happens to show up at least there will be one barrier preventing his entering." I smiled at ridiculous image my mind produced of a man battling an invisible barrier while I stood laughing on the other side.

"That's smart, but what about when I leave the house?" Elijah motioned towards my bed and I gestured for him to sit down.

"That's easily solved as someone will always be with you wherever you go, as we agreed upon." I suddenly remembered our agreement and silently cursed myself for being able to forget that fateful night.

"And what about when Jer and Jenna are out and I'm home alone? Who will protect me then?" I put as much sarcasm as I could into my sentence. He smirked at me.

"That's not an issue either seeing as I will be staying with you from now on." I laughed through a mouthful of coffee I had swigged moments before. Elijah smirk widened at his joke.

"Yeah, right, okay I get it. Could you tell Jenna thanks for the breakfast?" He nodded, his expression turning solemn. As I watched him walk down the stairs I decided to take my chocolate muffin down and thank Jenna myself. I could hear voices talking amicably in the kitchen and I rolled my eyes, figuring that Jenna was probably flirting. Then again, who could blame her?

"Ah, Elena, you're awake. Come say hi to our new houseguest." I stopped dead in my tracks. She couldn't be serious, could she?

"Nice to see you again, Elena. I hope you enjoyed the muffin I baked?" I could tell Elijah was spreading it on thickly for Jenna and I was thankful that her attention turned back to Elijah, allowing me time to school my features.

"Yes, uh, the breakfast was lovely, thanks. Did you say you were staying here?" Smooth, Elena, real smooth.

"Yes, I am in need of a place to reside and your aunt Jenna was kind enough to offer me her couch. I assure you I won't take up too much space; I do only have one suitcase." Jenna giggled, obviously affected by his charm just as much as I was. Elijah changed the topic and struck up another conversation with Jenna as I headed back up to my room. I turned on the staircase and found Elijah's suitcase at the bottom, confirming what he had said before was true. As I descended the stairs in a huff I wondered exactly what I had done to deserve this and whether Damon or Stefan would rip his heart out first. Maybe it would be the other way round? Either way, I was royally fucked!

A:N/ Ohh, Elijah's living with her. One can only hope he sleeps naked! R&R and you'll soon find out! ;)