Author's Note: This is the final chapter. I've enjoyed writing it and hoped you all enjoyed reading it. Let me know if you'd like a sequel and if so, with whom?

(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)

McKenna gasped as she came awake. Her hands scrambled for the bolt that she knew would be protruding from her chest. When she didn't find it, the worst possible thing had happened.

She was dead.

Opening her eyes, she looked around the room. It was opulent and open aired. She could hear birds outside as they chirped happily in the sunlight. Sitting up, she threw the blankets off her legs and carefully walked through the room. Outside was a balcony that overlooked a crystal blue ocean. The beaches below it and everywhere around were white.

"You're awake." She turned around to see Elijah standing in the doorway to the bathroom. His hair was wet but he was dressed in a white button up shirt and khaki shorts, which was a first. Not even thinking, she launched herself into his arms. He caught her. "It's okay. You're safe."

"What happened?" she asked as she pressed her face into his chest. Her voice was shaking more than she thought it would.

"Caysen and his family took you from the gala and used you as leverage to get us to the glade. I offered my life in forfeit for yours. I was going to kill them after I saw what they had done to you but you asked me not to. Caroline attacked from the trees and Klaus from the underbrush. His wolf was in charge so I couldn't do anything about that. He tore Brad to shreds. Caysen knock out Caroline and went after you. Paisley was causing problems so I couldn't get to you before he shot you." He choked up then.

"I remember hearing Damon scream."

"He was the closest to you when the animals attacked. That was impressive by the way. He was almost there when Mama Bear went after Caysen and the man shot you. The animals mauled Caysen and Paisley and that's what we left it as."

McKenna pulled away and lifted her shirt. Sometime during the series of events, her dress had been removed and replaced by a black t-shirt and a pair of shorts... As she looked her body over, she noticed there was red scar right in the middle of her chest. She looked up at Elijah in question.

"That's where I jerked the bolt from you body before I healed you. I couldn't heal that and it bothers me," he said before he turned away.

"Why does it bother you?"

"I promised you I wouldn't let you get hurt and then you take a beating and crossbow bolt for me and my family. How do you think it makes me feel?"

"Elijah, I wouldn't have done it any other way. If it meant you were safe, it doesn't matter if I get hurt."

He turned around and grabbed her shoulders. "But it matters to me. I don't want you hurt in any way, shape form or fashion. It's the lover and the man in me. I can't have you hurt. I won't survive it."

McKenna smiled at him and lifted her hands to caress his face. "That's the most passionate and sweetest thing you've ever said to me."

He grabbed her hands. "I can't have you hurt."

"And I won't get hurt as long as you stay with me. I won't ask you to change me because that would hurt you worse. But I want you with me for all the important things. High school graduation, college graduation, a wedding, children, work, traveling and old age. When I die, and I will because I will be human, you will be hurt but you will remember the life we had. Then you can watch after out children."

"I can't give you children."

"No, but you can pay for a sperm donor."

He laughed. "True enough."

"I can't imagine being parted from you, Elijah."

"Don't worry. You won't be." He lowered his head.

(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)

"Elijah, where are we?" McKenna asked a couple of hours later. She was looking around the room again.

Elijah paused midway through running his fingers through her hair. "I thought you knew."

"Well, I've been a little preoccupied."

He laughed. "We're on Kassos."

She moved quickly for someone who had been hurt days before. She was looking down at him before he could process what she was doing. "We're in Greece?"

He nodded. "It was the only place we could go where no one would find us and you said you'd like to visit again."

"Yeah, but when I'm healthy and able to move around."

"You're healthy and able to move around, as we just proved." She smacked him and caused him to laugh. "I gave you my blood to heal you. You've been out for a week and a half."

Her eyes got really big as she looked at him. "A week and a half?"

He nodded. "Elena's been doing all your homework and turning it in for you. She says you have a test next week." She began to get jittery and he knew she was excited. "You can always go to the beach whenever you want." She was gone from the bed the next second. He raised an eyebrow. "You're going now?"

"I haven't been here in years and I want to explore before we have to head back to Mystic Falls."

"About that, we can stay away as long as you need. You just went through a traumatic ordeal. No one expects you to be back so soon."

"Elijah, I'm a senior and I want to graduate with my class. We have to be back by Monday so I can take my test." He nodded and she got dressed to go outside and enjoy the Greek weather.

(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)

Elijah watched McKenna sleep on the drive back from Richmond to Mystic Falls. After another three days on his private island in the Mediterranean, they had flown home. He was going to miss her running along the beach after seagulls laughing the entire time or watching as she dove for seashells in one of the lagoons. At night, they sat by a fire he built on the back deck and watched the water lap at the sand. She had healed from everything, or so she said but he wasn't so sure.

She hadn't painted anything while they were gone but he was sure she would have a million ideas flying through her head that would end up on a canvas and on his wall. He had placed the portrait of him and Klaus by the river over his fireplace.

He pulled up to his house to find the driveway full of cars. Apparently Kol had been making some calls. When he put the car in park, he got out and walked around. Opening her, he reached around and unbuckled her seatbelt, lifting her into his arms. He carried her up the stairs and into the house.

Everyone was gathered in the living room. He shook his head when Kol was going to, undoubtedly, yell his surprise. He made a face and looked closer, making a face when he saw she was sleeping. Instead of poking her, he ran his finger along her brow line. It was such an intimate gesture one would have thought he was the one involved with her. He might as well be because he was her best friend.

"Elijah?" McKenna's voice was thick with sleep as she shifted in his arms.

He pressed her mouth to her ear. "It's okay. We're home." She looked up at him then around. "I told you to relax, that I'd take care of you."

She snorted and wriggled to get free. He set her on the ground carefully, keeping a steady hand on her in case she lost her balance. When she was steadied, Kol attacked. If he could have, he would have wrapped his entire body around her.

"Easy, Kol," McKenna said quickly. "I'm still a little sore."

Kol stepped back and looked her over then looked at Elijah. "Brother, I thought you healed her."

"I did, but the soreness and…some scarring I couldn't heal," the oldest brother said. He and McKenna looked at each other. When she smiled, he knew she didn't blame him for it.

"Scarring?" Klaus asked as he stood from the couch.

McKenna rocked back on her heels as she unbuttoned her shirt enough for them to see. Damon's face contorted into anger/sadness, Stefan held Elena as she gasped, Caroline gripped Klaus's hand tightly, Rebekah looked away, Matt bowed his head, and Kol stood there in shock. Bonnie stepped forward.

"I can heal it," she said. McKenna smiled and shook her head. "What? Why not?"

"Because vampire blood can't heal it, I don't want it healed. You have to understand. This is the only thing that will allow me to remember what I did to protect my family." Then she laughed. "Besides, what other man will see me like this in the future?"

A smile graced Elijah's face. He gently took her by the shoulder. "You need to rest. The plane ride from Greece was tiring for you."

Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline jumped at that. "You went to Greece?"

McKenna smiled. "Yep and I have it on good faith that we're going again."

"Yes, but only after you are better and you graduate from high school," Elijah said as he tugged her out of the living room.

"Seriously? What about Spring Break?"

"I'll figure out some place closer."

"You're such a party pooper, Elijah."

They left the others in the living room. Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena were still talking about Greece. Damon was fighting emotion and Stefan was trying to help him. Rebekah just left the room. Kol and Klaus looked at each other.

"He took her away so she could survive," Klaus said.

"I know. We told him to. I just didn't think he'd take her all the way around the world," Kol replied. "He should have told me."

"What would you have done if there were other hunters in the area and they found out where they were? Elijah would have killed them to keep her safe. It's just the way our kind works. When we hate…"

"We hate with a ferocity no one understands."

Klaus smiled. "And when we love…"

"It's that same ferocity that keeps us bound to that person. I get why he did it. It would have made me less worried if I could have called or been there." Kol made a face when Klaus gave him a suspicious look. "It's not like that. She's my best friend. I wouldn't do that to Elijah."

"Good because let's face it. Our brother will kill you if you try to take his girl. Then she'll leave him because he killed you and he will be alone. So it comes back to hurt him no matter what. Let's not do that to him."

Kol nodded as Klaus walked back over to Caroline.

(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)(%)

Elijah looked over the family property. Being back home was a wonderful feeling although he secretly wished he could keep McKenna locked away on his island. She would have been cared for and safe. She would have had everything she ever wanted.

But she wouldn't have been happy. She would have missed everyone she had met in Mystic Falls. She would have missed Kol and would have begged to come back to see him. He would have allowed it and then would have paid the price if something had happened to her. So he decided to bring her back even though every alarm in his system yelled not to.

He looked down at the ring. He had had it made in the likeness of his. Instead of a green stone, it was a turquoise. It was the least he could do to make sure no other vampire could compel her. He had promised he wouldn't compel her at all. It was a small token of respect and trust he could give her.

When he saw the Carters' bolt sticking out of her chest, all he saw was blind rage. He wanted to kill Caysen but the bears and wolves did that for him, allowing him to focus his attention on her. He would never tell her but she had died in his arms. If he hadn't forced his blood into her veins she wouldn't have survived and that wasn't something he could live with.

"Elijah?"

He turned around as she called to him from the bed. "I'm right here."

He heard her get out of the bed and make her way over to him. He felt the strength of her arms come around his waist and she rested her head in the middle of his back. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm glad that you're safe."

"Me too. I honestly didn't think you'd get to me in time."

"I'll always get to you in time. I give you my word."

"I believe you." She frowned as he slid something on her finger. She pulled her hand around and looked at it. "What is this?"

"It's a ring dipped in vervain. I had it made for you when we were in Greece. It will keep other vampires from compelling you." He turned in her arms. "You will be safe because of this… and because you will continue training to kill vampires."

She looked up at him in surprise. "Seriously?"

"Yes. It made you faster and stronger. Those some things you will need if you continue living with me." He looked at her. "You are going to continue living with me?"

She smiled. "Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Elijah smiled then leaned down to kiss her. The hunters were gone and she was alive and well. He could live his life in peace with her at his side.

END