Friends

"Caroline has called me seven hundred times…" Elena told Klaus as they climbed the stairs of her house. He gripped her hand platonically as they lingered by the railing on the porch, "I enjoyed today…despite the persistent phone calls. I hope we can hang out again."

Klaus looked at the darkening sky, "This may seem straight forward but how about tomorrow night? I can send a car to pick you up and we can escape the town for the night. There is an art gallery opening about 20 miles out of town that I wanted to attend."

"I'll get back to you on that…depending on if I'm grounded or not." She laughed at her own joke as she twisted around nervously, "I think an art gallery would be refreshing but I will tell you I know absolutely nothing about art- I took one photography class during freshman year so…"

"Don't worry about it, love..." He let go of her hand, "I'll let you sleep now." She looked at him as if she wouldn't be sleeping at all. "It's okay to go inside- no one is home."

He nodded with a smirk on his face as she mouthed, "Thanks."

"Goodnight Elena Gilbert."

"Goodnight Klaus Mikaelson…"

Location: Mikaelson House

"You've been with Elena Gilbert all day…I can smell her innocent, pure heart all over you." Rebekah calmly stated as she sipped from a wine glass on the couch. She registered the expression on her brother's face- soon, setting down the wine glass. "You like her."

"Would it kill you to use a coaster?" Klaus asked, waving towards the bottle of chilled wine and the glass. "That table is 17th century mahogany, carved by one of the greatest sculptors who ever lived."

"In psychology, they call that a deflection." Rebekah rolled her eyes as she picked up a coaster, quickly shoving it under her beverages. "Klaus and Elena Mikaelson, humph? I could think of worse sister-in-laws, and seeing as you both of a knack for shoving daggers in my heart…"

"We're just friends." Klaus stated as he lounged on the adjacent couch, "Although I do wish to be much more than friends."

"Does she know your intentions?"

"I've hinted." Klaus said.

"Oh brother…" She giggled, standing up to leave her brother with his thoughts. "You are, as they say it these days, screwed."

"We're going to an art gallery opening tomorrow night. It's actually quite prestigious." Klaus looked at her, "I'm shocked how well you're taking this news…I'm aware how you feel about Elena."

Rebekah shrugged, "I want to live in this town without the fear of running and I certainly don't want to end up in a box for ninety years. Plus, I like Elena."

Location: Elena's House (Thursday Morning)

She wasn't surprised to see Stefan's car parked in front of her house. After all, she'd spent the previous day with his "nemesis." Caroline probably filled Stefan in on the details of Elena's activities after Elena and she discussed what had happened. Of course, when it came to Caroline minor details could become major details in an instant.

Elena hurried around her empty house as she made coffee, tidied the living room and got ready for school. Stefan didn't bother knocking before he walked in. "Busy night?"

"No." Elena answered sternly, "I just haven't had the time to clean house lately."

"Because of your new best friend?"

Elena sighed, "Are you and Damon going to make a big deal about this?"

"Yes!" He extended his arms while explained, "It's freakin' Klaus. It'd be different if you were hanging out with Elijah, because you two have that strange understanding, and I wouldn't even protest you hanging out with Rebekah but Klaus? He's a psychopath and a ruthless killer."

She rolled her eyes, "And I suppose you and your brother aren't killers?" She didn't realize how mean her comment was until Stefan's face darkened. "Stefan…" She called after him as he headed towards the door.

"Hurry up, I don't feel like being late today."

Elena took her time fixing her house despite Stefan's repeated beeps from his horn. She wouldn't let him destroy her day because she woke up this morning feeling as if her pain and struggle had vanished. She could bring Jeremy back home without worrying Klaus or one of his minions would kill him. It was a new day and a new era.

She'd told Klaus she wasn't ready to forgive him and needed time…but that's not how Elena works. It takes a single instant to prove oneself- Damon had displayed that theory time and time again- and yesterday between the stories and laughter she recognized that Klaus was genuine.

Although, she was unclear what his motives were for targeting her specifically.

Stefan was fuming once she got in his car, "I don't understand how you could defend him!" She said as they drove towards the school. "You're acting like an idiot!"

"Stop the car." She grabbed the emergency break, pulling it hard until the car came to a screeching stop. "You don't get to tell me how I live my life! If I want to hang out with Klaus, I can hang out with Klaus. Hell, if I want to sleep with Klaus I can sleep with Klaus. You. Are. Not. In. Charge. Of. Me."

"Are you sleeping with Klaus?"

She struck him fiercely, "It doesn't matter what I do." She hissed as she got out of the car, slamming the door. She left Stefan in the middle of the road, taking a quick left towards the big house Klaus resided in. Her riding boots stomped the ground as multiple cars passed by her. "I hate him…" She huffed under her breath as she reached the driveway.

Rebekah, also late for school, emerged from the house. "Elena," She said with hints of shock in her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I- I don't really know. I feel like everyone is fighting me!" She touched her forehead as teas gathered in her eyes, "Is Klaus here?"

"No, he's running errands…" Rebekah answered as she watched Elena wipe her eyes, "But I can talk to you if you need to."

"You can?"

"Yes." She nodded her head as she opened the door wider, "Come in, sit and talk."

Elena proceeded into the house where the two shared a bottle of wine and chatted all day. Rebekah's school bag laid by the door where she discarded it and Elena's shoes were scattered across the foyer. Elena cried, she laughed, she joked, she whispered but most importantly, she bonded with Rebekah.

"Do you want to hear a secret?" Rebekah asked after crushing another glass of wine, "Klaus is nervous about your date tonight."

"I'm nervous about our date tonight as well."

"Oh! Oh!" Rebekah stood up, "You admit it's a date!" She threw her head back, laughing. "You're dating my brother!" She set down her wine glass and smiled, "Let me make you pretty." Elena accepted her offer even though she was unsure of Rebekah's definition of pretty.