(SEE DISCLAIMERS IN CHAPTER 1)
The reviews have been so thoughtful! I can't believe I've gotten such wonderful feedback ...especially considering how little I've actually written.
FYI, In this chapter, I'm a little harsh on the Salvatore brothers. I love Damon and can (usually) tolerate Stefan. I just wanted to give Elena the chance to vent a bit. If you consider what they've put her through over the course of the last three years ...seriously ...the girl should be up for sainthood and/or in a mental institution. I know that I gave the impression (Elena's impression) that their initial encounter was going to be a one-off. (snort) Elena grossly underestimated Elijah's mad skillz. A millenium-old vampire ...*no way* he was going to be satisfied with anything less than full surrender.
Kudos to those of you who recognize the three words I (oh-so-shamelessly) stole from the Immortal Bard.
Over three hundred years of experience between them and she's still stuck having to explain why it's a bad thing that Elijah has left. They're just a little too excited about this latest development. She's sick of feeling like the only adult in this dysfunctional triumvirate.
"Yes, let's celebrate the absence of the only human-friendly, non-psycho Original." The sarcasm is heavy ...hopefully thick enough to penetrate (but she's not holding her breath). Mommy Dearest's spell failed. There are currently three indestructible, immortal, extremely vengeful killers nesting in their town. Time to start throwing confetti!
"Rebekah might be the President of your fan club but I doubt Klaus or Kol are going to be swayed by your charms, Damon." Her voice carries all the distaste his actions deserve. She knows she hurt him when she flung his words of love back in his face. She was deliberately cruel...wasn't (isn't) ready to deal with the feelings that they have for each other. She regrets what she said but that doesn't mean he's going to get - yet another- free pass. Less than two days after the murder attempt - it's just vile. She would've been less disgusted (even preferred it) if he had spit directly in her face.
"If Damon can get Rebekah on our side..." She stops listening. Sometimes, she thinks Stefan and Damon share custody of a brain ...one with iffy visitation rights. What's the plan? Convince Rebekah that Damon has spontaneously (oh-so-conveniently) fallen in love with her? What then? There's no way Rebekah is going to betray her entire family (or what's left of it) for Damon. The brakes need to be pulled on this crazy train...
"We need to come to an agreement with Klaus..." Their matching looks of pity ...their respect - always quick to wane. After all, she's only a teenager. She can't be expected to make these types of life-altering decisions on her own. She gains more strength from Elijah's memory than their (combined) physical presence.
They're both panicking ...grasping at air. He would've had the right words ...the *perfect* words. Maybe he would've just locked them both in a cellar - Elijah is always respectful of her suggestions.
Elijah takes his 'goodbyes' very seriously. He spent all night tearing seams - unraveling her - slipping inside. Then he sewed them back up - together.
Dawn should bring respite but he seems to have forgotten (completely) that one of them isn't trained for this kind of heavy lifting. He definitely put her body through its paces. If she wasn't already aware of the existence of vampires, their prolonged cardio session would've raised some questions.
"What do you expect? ...making a man wait so long..." Deadpan expression - twinkling eyes... eager for her response.
"I didn't even get dinner! Zero waiting!" Her face aches - smile wide and open - much like the rest of her had been for the last 9 hours.
"I suppose it is a bit unfair that only one of us got to eat. Would you like to correct that oversight?" His thumb runs across her bottom lip - blatant dare. She ducks her head ...nervous heat spreading...saliva pooling. She latches onto his nipple like a lamprey. Didn't he already pound the shyness right out of her?
She wants it ...probably even more than he does. The thought of his flesh - whole and aching - teasing the roof of her mouth. Her nose buried - no better way to reach his base scent. She imagines the way he'll groan ...the way the tendons in his neck with stretch - reaching towards the ceiling. When he leaves Mystic Falls, she wants him tortured ...always remembering ...the way she looks on her knees.
A sour note - poisons - Will he be disappointed? Some skills are acquired over time ...an eternity of experience. She swallows her pride...instead of what she really wants. "I haven't done this very often...just ...stop me if I embarrass myself."
He has never received a request that was less likely to be honored. If one of them is about to be embarrassed...the way she's hovering over his waist - (unintentional?) torture. It would be easy to ignore the issue - too easy...just let her lips slide. She's the one with all the power.
His hands cup her jaw. He waits for her eyes to rise. "I don't expect you to tie cherry stems with your tongue." His smile is all kinds of naughty. His stomach muscles are as tight as guitar strings yet he makes an effort to keep things light - easy teasing ...no pressure. She's obviously grateful ...still shy though. He pushed hard enough last night - in a variety of ways. It's time to back off.
"Do you like pancakes?" He's already half way to the kitchen.
Did he just choose (human) food over oral sex? She might not be the most experienced gal on the planet but she's definitely better than pancakes! She quickly follows...doesn't need a robe. He's scavenging for ingredients when she enters. It's quite an entrance ...pity he missed it.
He keeps his back turned - allows her a few more minutes to tame the blushing. That's for his benefit. A blushing Elena is his personal kryptonite.
"Get your cradle-robbing ass back into bed!" Vampire reflexes are dulled. The orange juice suffers the consequences of her actions...her words. Not angry ...just very determined...naked goddess - wiping his mind. She tilts her head as she eyes the broken glass - an obstacle course between them. She rises on her toes …tries to limit contact with the floor. She looks like a ballerina.
Rational thought is discarded when faced with a shirtless Elijah. His dress pants hanging low - hair destroyed by her own fingers ...She can *not* be held accountable.
She asked them to leave. Their argument - a horse she is tired of beating.
She refuses to be naive...even while holding tightly to Elijah's promise. She keeps it close to her chest - like a talisman. She might be the blood tap du jour but that won't protect her loved ones. She has exactly one contingency plan …it isn't pretty but it will get the job done.
Klaus is like a brain tumor. Extracting him may result in even greater damage. Millions of people live with cancer.
He makes a point of fixing the handle on her bedroom door. That's only fair ...he's the one who broke it. Well… technically… *she* broke it but the way he was manipulating her nerve endings at the time ...clear case of 'cause and effect'. Though, she'll concede - she was a very enthusiastic marionette.
He's fascinated by the bruise. Circular proof ...Elena was lost in him. She didn't feel the pain until after the deed was done. It lays against her spine - he can't leave it alone. He repaired the object that created it but wants the color to stay - an ever-fixed mark.
He presses his tongue flat against it - like he can taste the blood …closer to the surface. Maybe he can. Never enough …he nips at it. Now there's definitely blood - on the surface. A sucking pressure …hands clawing at her hips…she can't see his face. Such a tiny wound ...he could make it last for hours.
"You're leaving now?" She doesn't want to be *that* girl ...the one who assumes. Didn't he say he'd be here a few more days?
She's still in bed. He sits beside her ...tries to keep his eyes above her neck. She doesn't bother to cover herself. He thinks she's doing this intentionally - a reminder - maybe even a bit of retribution for his seeming abandonment. Then she crawls into his lap and blows that theory all to hell. She nuzzles him like a particularly affectionate kitten. She presses her lips against his own...transferring her breath - he's meant to carry it with him when he goes.
The words are so soft ...he never would've heard them if he wasn't a vampire. "I'm going to miss you my whole life." He almost crushes her ...the impulse to merge - overwhelming.
He wants to offer assurances ...her long life ...his quick return...
He wants to offer a promise ...one she's not ready to hear.
He kisses her jugular ...here ...where the force of her life is strongest. He whispers his love - so soft. - She is not a vampire.
Louder - the promise he offers is the only one she's ready to accept.
He's been gone two weeks. She'll give him one more before approaching Klaus. A new bargain - damnation ...Faustian style.
THE END