I appreciate the reviews! Thank you for your support. I know this is a short chapter and a little out there but I loved it. I'm going to make the picture of the ring my profile picture for now so people can see it.

Our Fortress

"You know," Klaus' lips tickled her ear as he leaned down in the bed to wake her up, "You are eventually going to have to leave this house." She shook her head in protest as he joined her under the comforter. "It's been four…long… days…" He spoke slowly to emphasize his boredom. "Rebekah has been wandering the halls trying to eavesdrop on us." Elena told him once before that he did not have to spend his days in the house with her- but he insisted. "I have something for you to ease the transition."

"Another gift?" She asked, amused with his actions. "Klaus, I told you to stop with the gifts! I haven't gotten you a thing!"

"It's necessary for survival, love…" He mused with a soft smile on his face, "I'll be right back." She watched him as he rushed away into a different room. She thought of the last four days filled with sweet words and even sweeter kisses. She wasn't sure they were a couple but they were something. She was positive she had strong feelings for him- not necessarily love but not as vague as "liking" someone. She was attracted to him and valued his mannerisms. She rejoiced in his voice and the openness he had with her. She wanted to tell Klaus that she forgave him, she wanted to tell him she wanted to publically date in the town…she wanted to tell him so many things but she knew she needed to ride it out.

Klaus returned with a purple velvet ring box with a golden trim, "That looks expensive." Elena commented as he returned to his spot in the bed. "Tell me it wasn't expensive." She knew by the way Klaus was looking at her that it was extremely expensive.

"It didn't even make a dent in my fortune." Klaus smirked at his clever comment. Elena knew what he was doing. "It's a daylight ring-"He tried to tell her but Elena's shock interrupted him.

"With a diamond in it…a big diamond! Klaus that is a ridiculous diamond." Her eyes widened as she extended her fingers towards it. She wanted to touch it. "It's mine?"

"-it'll keep you from burning to death." He continued speaking, "Then you can start walking around the town again and we can go on our second date." He kissed her forehead, "Would you like to wear it?"

"Klaus…" She didn't have words for the way the ring made her feel. If it'd been anyone else but Klaus that had presented such a gift- she would have felt weird about accepting it and a little nervous. But, she was happy that he was willing to give her such an object. "Honestly, how much did this ring cost?" She questioned him.

Klaus sighed, "Cost is irrelevant. It's your ring! Please, put it on." Elena watched him as he took it out of the purple box. "I promise to protect you at any cost." Klaus said quietly as he slid it on her finger. There was something in his voice that made her believe him. "I promise to rescue you from your demons and stand by your side when they attack."

"How can you say that when we've only just started to know each other?" She asked in amazement.

"Wouldn't you do the same for me?"

"I would." She nodded her head, "I absolutely would but…I guess no one ever says that out loud anymore." She looked at him for a second, "I promise to cherish this ring for the rest of my immortal life…"

"Why don't you just call it a promise ring if that's all you two are going to do with it?" Rebekah found herself in the doorway. "I'm just saying…it clearly means a lot more than survival."

"Is that alright with you?" Elena asked Klaus.

"Certainly." Klaus grinned, "I hope you enjoy your promise ring."

Rebekah snorted, "So, all you two an item or what because I'm pretty sure the supporters, such as myself, are tired of the games?"

"Well…I have feelings for you." Elena told Klaus, "I'm not saying its love but I'm not saying its simple attraction."

"I think I can agree with your statement." Klaus said, "Vampires don't follow the same dating rules as humans do. We don't have to wait six years to figure out what we are. Our feelings are pretty straightforward. Do you want to be my girlfriend, Elena Gilbert?"

"That, I do." She answered as he leaned in for a kiss.

"God- this is bloody awful." Rebekah ran out the room, "There are too many fluffy emotions in this house."

Elena agreed with Rebekah, "We should go out tonight- to celebrate your sister being our counsellor and to tell my friends I'm not dead."

"Oh, I forgot about that." Klaus said, "Everyone thinks your dead- that is, if Caroline told them she killed you."