Elena curled herself up as much as she could with the restraints still on her wrists. She had no idea how long it had been but Elijah was keeping her locked up. It reminded her a lot of how Stefan and Damon had treated her but then again it wasn't like that at all. Stefan and Damon had tortured her almost to death but at least they knew she was there. Elijah ignored her. He hadn't said a word to her in what felt like years and that honestly hurt more than being tortured. Then she wondered why she cared so much. She messed with the restraints for the thousandth time but still couldn't get herself free and only managed to make her already damaged wrists bleed more. The vervain was preventing her from healing properly.

That was when she decided she didn't want to fight any longer. She tried not to drink any blood when Elijah did come to see her and he practically had to shove it down her throat. He still never said a word to her and never lingered. He made her drink then left.

It finally hurt. She was alone and she was hurt. All the pain she felt swelled in her heart and she didn't want to be alone anymore. She missed Elijah and missed how it had been between them. All this anger and silence was killing her. She couldn't take it anymore and let the tears flow.

"Finally." Elena turned her head towards the door and saw Elijah standing there.

"Elijah?" She choked out and she felt excited but afraid at the same time. "I'm sorry." Elijah slowly walked to the bed and sat down beside her but she flinched.

"Don't be sorry Elena. I did this to you." He brushed her hair back and she looked away.

"Elena, look at me." He said and she found she couldn't resist. Her eyes met his and she felt like a deer in headlights. His gaze was just so overwhelming. "Are your emotions truly back?" He was compelling her and she couldn't fault him for that.

"Yes." She confirmed. Elijah looked at her with soft eyes and began untying the straps around her wrists. She sat up once he was done but stared at the floor as he rubbed her red and raw skin. "Thank you." She said quietly and sighed.

"I'm sorry I had to do that to you. It was the only way I could get you back." Elena just nodded and leaned against his shoulder. She cried softly for few minutes while Elijah held her. He didn't know what he could possibly say to her.

"I killed someone." She was devastated and Elijah felt terrible but this was something that was bound to happen. It happened to everyone.

"It's alright Elena." He tried to assure her.

"It's not alright. I ended someone's life. How can I live with that?" Elijah held her tight and let her continue to cry. He couldn't change it for her, he couldn't go back in time and stop it from happening.

"You learn from it. You use it to reign yourself in. Remember how killing someone makes you feel and it will stop you the next time. You're strong enough Elena. You can overcome this." It was only one person, she wasn't beyond saving over one person.

"Can we go home?" She asked.

"If that's what you want." He replied.

"It is. Please take me home." Elijah moved to lift her but she pulled out of his grasp. "I want to walk." Elijah stared at her again not wanting to let her go. "Please, I've been lying on that bed so long." And Elijah nodded.

"Of course Elena." He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her down to his car.

"Can we walk around the block a few times first?" She asked. "I don't think I'm ready to sit in the car just yet." She wasn't sure if she was in any position to ask Elijah for anything but when she saw the car she just couldn't get in. Elijah just led her and they walked in silence for what seemed like forever. Elena was slightly uncomfortable and found herself wanting to talk, to say anything but she couldn't bring herself to form words. The tension between them was too great.

"Elena, it's been an hour." Elena jumped at the break in silence.

"What?" She didn't know what he meant.

"I was just wondering if you had enough time. We should be going soon, it's a long way home." He said.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I was just…"

"Don't apologize. If you aren't ready we can continue walking." He assured her.

"No, we should go." She agreed. "I want to go home." They made their way back to the car and the continued the silence. It finally occurred to Elena she didn't know where Elijah was taking her. She just said she wanted to go home but that could mean a few places. She finally got up the courage to ask after two hours. "Elijah." She said quietly.

"Yes Elena." He responded equally as quiet.

"Where are we going?" Elijah remained quiet but she saw his hands grip the steering wheel tighter and his jaw clenched slightly. He took a breath before answering.

"Where would you like to go?" Elena felt frustrated. Why was he just answering her question with another question?

"I said I wanted to go home." She rubbed her arms and Elijah glanced at her before looking back to the road.

"And where is that?" He asked.

"So you've just been driving with no idea where you're headed?" She questioned.

"I didn't say that. I know where I'm going." He sighed. "Where is home to you Elena?" Her mind formed an answer within seconds but she kept herself from saying it out loud and she held herself tight. Elijah pulled over and Elena felt panic rise in her. Was he angry with her? He didn't feel angry.

"What are you doing?" She asked trying not to sound as afraid as she felt. He reached over and grabbed her face to make her look at him.

"Where do you want me to take you?" He asked but there was no annoyance in his voice. "I will take you anywhere you want to go Elena, just tell me where." He insisted.

"I just want to be with you." She said almost inaudibly but Elijah heard it loud and clear and smiled softly.

"Alright then. I'll take you home." He caressed her face for a few moments before he began driving once again. Elena felt herself relax and the drove all the way back to Elijah's house in silence. He sped to open the door for her.

"Thank you." She trailed behind him as he opened the door and felt another wave of relief as she entered the house. She was herself again, she was with Elijah and she was home. Elijah disappeared into the bedroom while she sat down on the couch. She took off her shoes and held her stomach which began to churn in pain.

"Here." Elijah was suddenly standing in front of her offering a glass of blood. He had changed his clothes and was now shirtless. She pushed it away and shook her head.

"I don't feel very well." She argued and Elijah sat beside her.

"You haven't had a decent amount of blood in five days. Your body is beginning to shut down. You'll feel better if you drink." He offered the glass again and this time she took it but just gripped it. She felt herself getting worked up by the smell and her hands shook. "Relax." He told her but she couldn't bring herself to calm down. Elijah covered her hands with his and gently lifted the glass to her lips. Electricity surged through her body at their contact and she couldn't help but drink slowly. She tried to lower the glass but Elijah wouldn't let her until all the blood was gone. He set the glass down on the coffee table and Elena started to feel better but was tired both physically and mentally.

"You were right." She admitted. "I feel a little better."

"Why don't you go take a shower?" He insisted and she nodded.

Elena took a long time in the shower. The nice thing about Elijah's shower was that the water never got cold. She had no idea how long she let the water run over her body when she finally started to feel tired. She shut the water off and dried off her body and hair before slipping on a pair of shorts and a tank top. The only thought running through her mind was sleep and laid herself down in her bed. She closed her eyes and started to drift off when she felt the pressure on the bed change.

"I thought you were coming back out." Elijah spoke in her ear.

"I'm so tired." She whined trying to get back up but he gently pushed her back down.

"It's alright. Get some sleep my lovely." He smiled and if Elena's heart still beat it would have frozen under his gaze.

"Elijah I…" She began but he cut her off when his lips pressed against her forehead. He didn't speak but Elena felt everything Elijah was saying with his kiss. He was promising her his protection and his respect even after everything she had done. He was telling her that he cared and would come between anyone or anything that dared try to hurt her again. Most of all he was telling her that he loved her and that she was his.

"Tomorrow. Sleep now." He commanded and she did.