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A special Thank You goes to Angel of Darkness Forever for being an amazing Beta!

Reflection

The room was only illuminated by the light of the moon through the two tall windows. But this didn't bother the man reclining in the center of the soft bed, since his vision was as good at night as in daylight. Even if that wasn't the case, he would not have noticed the darkness. Elijah was deep in thought about the last few days' experiences.

Elijah was not pleased with his brother in the least. He didn't want to admit, even in his head, how many times Niklaus daggered him for his own selfish reasons. He loved his brother, but this couldn't go on forever: when one of his siblings disappointed him or just didn't fall in line with his plans, they got a dagger in their hearts.

Elijah closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. It wouldn't do any good if he let his emotions take over his rational thinking. His brother wasn't the main problem for now. He had hoped that with the baby, Niklaus would be able to connect with some part of his long lost humanity. And maybe, they could be happy as a family. Actually, the birth of his niece awakened something in his heart that he thought was lost more than a thousand years ago. In their human days family was everything and he still lived by that principle, even his younger siblings retained this belief however distorted it became over the years.

This brought him to reflect upon his earlier interactions with his niece's mother. He knew how important a mother's love was, so he would protect Hayley from everyone and everything, including his own brother. But he didn't take into account that his show of kindness and welcoming the girl into their family would result in her harboring emotions for him that he would never reciprocate.

Elijah understood completely that the young werewolf was in an emotionally vulnerable position and he was the first one to show her consideration, goodwill and acceptance. He had wanted to build trust, familial love between them, not something romantic. He didn't want to hurt the girl, but he would need to make it clear that he was not an option for more than platonic love.

Love, the word made Elijah chuckle darkly whenever he thought about it. He had, once again, somehow fallen in love with a woman who was unattainable to him. The dreams while he was daggered and his hallucinations while he talked with Davina brought the woman, who he desired above all others, to the forefront of his mind. He didn't want to fall for her. He fought against the emotions she invoked in him.

Unbidden, his mind started playing through every interaction he had had with her over the course of their relationship.

First, he found her borderline suicidal bravery intriguing.

Bargaining with him over the moonstone.

Elijah had observed her for a few days, before approaching her with a deal he knew she wouldn't be able to refuse. Her loyalty for her family and friends earned his respect. Her tactical, rational thinking and righting the wrongs that she and her friends committed against him out of desperation elevated her to the status of a friend, and as such she would be afforded a lifetime of respect and love.

When he abandoned his promise to her by saving his brother instead of killing him, he felt the crushing shame and pain of his betrayal. The moment he awakened from his magical slumber he wanted to go to her, but decided against it to avoid facing her disappointment, her rejection.

After rescuing her from his sister, they spent hours talking with each other. He never wanted to leave her side.

That slight smile never quite leaving her lips the entire time he is with her.

He was taken aback when he discovered that he had been forgiven for his treachery long before he actually asked for forgiveness.

Her hand on his arm as she assures him that he is still in her good graces.

At the ball, Elijah was mesmerized by her beauty. He had always known how exquisitely beautiful she was, and experienced a feeling he hadn't felt since his human days.

Her long neck tantalizingly bare. Does she not know what this does to him, to his lauded control?

As he watched her with a Salvatore on each of her arms, he had been blinded by the red haze of jealousy. He wanted to tear Damon Salvatore apart when he saw them dancing together.

He delighted in the few moments he spent with her at that night despite the seriousness of the topic between them and her lie.

So close that he can feel her warmth caressing him, yet still so far. She isn't his to touch, never his.

Then, the circumstances that followed again forced them to different sides. Elijah needed to leave town so he could sort out his feelings and thoughts.

Her dark eyes filling with grief as she reveals the depth of his mother's treachery. Her slim body in his arms as he pulls her into the darkness of the caverns below.

Away from all the madness, he realized that he had fallen in love with Elena Gilbert. The fact that she wanted to stay human and was already in love with two other men was devastating. Elijah wasn't a man to give up even before trying, but he couldn't really see a scenario where she would fall for him after his repeated actions against her. So he resigned himself for the role of a distant friend.

The night she died because of Rebekah, he yearned for the pleasure of avenging her by torturing his own baby sister. Elijah was disgusted by what Rebekah had done, breaking his word to the woman who held his heart. So he left again, before doing something he would regret for the rest of his immortal existence.

A few months later, Elijah got the most amazing news. He had wanted to end Katherine when she suddenly showed up at his New York house, but with the gift she came with he decided to pardon her. Elijah also welcomed the release which came hand in hand with working with the treacherous first doppelganger. He knew perfectly well what kind of person Katherine Pierce was and didn't minded it, because, for a while, he could indulge in his private fantasy of Elena being his through Katherine.

It was ironic really. Most people wanted Elena because they couldn't have Katherine, but he wanted Katherine because he couldn't have Elena.

At the gazebo, Elijah was instantly aware that the woman before him was not his current lover and alley but Elena. He let his desires overrule him for a single kiss, into which he poured all the passion, need, and longing he felt for her.

His hand cradling her cheek, willing her to stay with him, to let him love her.

The day's events also made him come to the conclusion that while Katherine provided carnal joys and was very useful in a tactical sense, he couldn't be with her any longer. The way Elena looked at him, even with her emotions turned off, was a hard slap to the face.

And then, he spent days dreaming of Elena while in a magical coma in a coffin. His subconscious tormenting him with what could never be.

Elijah sat up in his bed, his gaze far away.

He vowed to himself that he would court her and fight for her love the next time the Fates brought them together.

For the first time since he met her he allowed himself a moment to indulge in his fondest fantasy.

Elena in his bed, arching beneath him as he kissed his way down her body, HIS name on her lips.