Author's Babble: Hello lovely readers of this story :). I hope this chapter reads well and is coming across how I'd like it to. I've found myself a little detached from it to be honest. I don't think continually going over it with my current vibe is going to help at the moment. So I'll post it and if it proves to be a weak chapter. Well, these things happen I suppose. It's not that I'm not happy with it. I just felt a bit bogged down in it. I think I'm just getting ahead of myself and mentally off track in my eagerness for future chapters.

In any case. Enjoy!

CHAP 11:

I had to admit, we'd gotten along reasonably well since the first two days. I still wasn't eager to sit with him for the blanket and I was still wrestled into the bedroom each night. While I always woke in the bed, when I fell asleep I was on the floor. This morning I woke alone, bizarrely missing Elijah's presence which I berating myself sternly for. I'd come to enjoy having someone close to me without any sexual intent. Finding myself all too accepting of it in fact. But I put it down to our connection. While I often ridiculed the notion, the fact that I'd allowed myself to feel so content in the arms I woke in every morning, meant I had to give it some validity. Amongst other things Elijah was handsome, he was considerate, kind and sexy. Amongst many other attractive qualities.

I'd noticed his physicality the night I first met him. Admittedly it wasn't all bad that I was stuck here with him. Physical factors I could deal with. I'm not easy. But the thought of casual sex had crossed my mind at times since I'd been an outcast in my own life. I'm nearly eighteen, not experienced at all. My only boyfriend and I had been intimate, but we hadn't had sex. Just because I didn't want to be close to anyone emotionally, didn't mean that I didn't like the idea of having a little help to scratch an itch. To feel close to someone, or at best needed, had seemed like a luxury. A perfectly physical luxury. Just like sleeping in the same bed as Elijah. Not saying that I wanted to, but I wouldn't be adverse to the idea of certain activities with a man such as himself ordinarily. To me, the allure of sex wasn't about the end result. It was my attraction to masculinity, and Elijah was the definition of it. Which was ultimately what drew me into his arms as I slept. It had to be. I would never cuddle up to him while awake. It was a subconscious attraction. Since he hadn't given me any reason to doubt him, I believed he wasn't going to force himself on me. I had to keep beating myself down each time a thought like what he was like in bed crept into my mind. The man had abducted me for gods' sake.

Hearing voices down the hall I eased out of bed. Before I'd reached the door Elijah appeared dressed in a suit and murmured a good morning.

"Morning." I said sleepily.

"I have something for you." He said indicating the bundle of material in his hands. Unsure and not wanting to get my hopes up, I didn't even allow the thought that this could be clothing enter my mind. I took it from him and gravity unfurled it's folds, revealing a black satin robe. Holding it up in front of me checking the length, I smiled broadly when I saw that it would come down to my knees. It was simple, no decorative or revealing lace. Just solid covering material. I just looked at in in awe.

"Is this mine to keep? To wear whenever?" I enquired in anticipation, keeping my eyes on the garment.

"Mmhmm." His vocal chords caressed the raw answer into a smooth confirmation.

"Thank you." I said softly, turning to look him right in the eyes so there was no doubt of my extreme happiness at his offering. Elijah returned the gratification with a smile as his eyes wandered my face slowly. Unsure I looked down to his right hand, wanting to make it known that this would make being here more bearable. I reached out awkwardly and took it in my left. Squeezing it gently as I looked back up and into his eyes again and gave him a shy smile. His deep brown orbs looked like sponges. Absorbing this moment to lock away into his memory. Every detail. My reaction, my thanks, my bed hair. It didn't unnerve me, despite not wanting him to think this meant anything romantic. Instead it seemed to strengthen me. Let him remember this. Perhaps more clothes would come my way if he wanted to keep me happy.I gently cleared my throat as my curiosity took over.

"Did I hear voices?" I waited about a minute for Elijah to finally respond.

"Yes. We have company. How about you, get dressed and come meet our visitor?" I was about to ask who they were. But Elijah turned and left the room. Rushing into the bathroom I dressed myself in the robe and looked at my reflection. It felt strange to be so covered. While the robe covered me and I felt much more comfortable in it. I still felt and looked sexy. It was obviously quality made as the cut ensured there were no bulges of excess material where the belt cinched it in at my waist, and there was no floundering material hanging about my legs. It fit beyond perfectly. I ran a brush through my hair and trailed the length down over the front of my shoulder, before securing it with a band at the base of my neck. Sufficiently presentable I left to see who was here.

I was nervous. Was the company vampires, or perhaps werewolves? Elijah had filled me in on how a false legend had circulated the werewolf and vampire world for centuries. One that would release werewolves of their ties to the moon and vampires to the sun. But it was fake. Werewolves would always be slaves to the moon and the majority of vampires would always burn in sunlight. Only the original vampires were immune to the sun's rays. Elijah himself is an original and had removed his ring, designed to prevent vampire's burning. Then stepped into the sunlight to prove how it didn't affect him. Yeah, he's the bee's knees, the best of the best. The possibility of breaking the Curse of the Sun and the Moon as it was named, is in place to keep the apparently warring species on the lookout for the most rare ingredients. Those being a doppleganger and a Moonstone. But little do werewolves and vampires know, the curse was in fact placed upon the one who is after me. Klaus. And it has nothing to do with him wanting to walk in the sunlight.

By breaking his curse. The side of him that was forced into dormancy by the original sacrifice can come alive. Elijah told me that Klaus is also an original vampire, but that he was conceived of a vampire and werewolf pairing. After his first kill as a vampire his werewolf gene was triggered. The original sacrifice was performed before his first full moon to bind this side of him. Because of his genetics he was for all intensive purposes a hybrid. Which brings with it a greater degree of invincibility. Elijah further told me that Original vampires cannot be killed. Where most vampires could be staked, or would endure a suffering death from a werewolf bite. Only the wood from a certain white oak tree had any affect on an Original. A tree that had been burnt down lifetimes ago. While already harbouring a great amount of invincibility, if Klaus was ever to break the curse on him, he would be untouchable. It was like a horror story. Only the previously fictional characters such as werewolves and vampires were real and I was caught up in it all. I took everything seriously and wondered if I was to be spending the rest of my life with Elijah. It seemed to me that the many years of life that I had yet to live was a huge risk. Surely Klaus would find me.

When I walked out into the open living area I saw the dining room door open and could see Elijah inside with a dark skinned man in conversation. Elijah looked up through the door as I approached. His face was peculiar. Watching me he looked so assertive and yet detached. I couldn't believe how cold he seemed as I continued to approach, his hard gaze never leaving me. I felt more self-conscious than usual. Didn't think that was possible. In the time I'd known him he'd seemed warm and well, human. Right now he reminded me of vampires portrayed in movies. Hard and unfeeling. Killers. Well that's what he is. Only his eyes put me at ease. Through the freezing cold stare was the slightest hint of warmth. Appearing to flicker, like a single flame awaiting something to fuel it's growth. I stopped at the door.

"Elena." Elijah began. "I'd like you to meet Jonas Martin." He gestured to the man sitting on the opposite side of the table from where he was standing. I regarded Elijah warily as he pulled the chair in front of him out from the table and gestured that I was to sit there. His demeanour was a little scary. It was so confusing to see his face so impassive. Masking my uncertainty I looked to Jonas.

"Nice to meet you." I greeted. Jonas gave a single nod and I gave him a small smile as I walked over to sit in the chair that Elijah had indicated. After setting it back under me as I sat, he took the seat next to me. I wasn't comfortable having Elijah do the gentlemanly thing of setting my chair. Something I defied as a principle of my independence. Having the most simplest things like opening a car door or sitting down on a chair, taken away from me by someone else annoyed me.

Usually these things were done by males, as if I wasn't capable of it at all. Sure it was considered socially courteous, but that didn't mean I liked it. I complied nonetheless. We had company after all. I felt like I had to be respectful. It was like an obligation I had to Elijah. The man who abducted me and forced me to live with him for god knows how long? Yeah, respect him. Cause he's earned it an all. I thought sarcastically.

"Jonas and I have been working together against Klaus for quite some time now. Our goals are not quite the same, but they intertwine so that we have both proven helpful to each other." I hesitantly turned my head to Elijah as he spoke. His face was still very impassive, he seemed so distant. Almost like he'd taken a step back from everything going on in the room to just observe uninterestedly. I nodded my head in acknowledgement and looked back at Jonas. I see. "While my main goal has been to keep you from Klaus. If he were to get his hands on you, then Jonas would have the means to assist me in ending Klaus' existence."

"But." I began confused, then I second-guessed myself. Maybe I shouldn't just but in. It mightn't be my place to talk. If Jonas was even half as old as Elijah, maybe I just seemed like a child to them. Well, to Jonas. If I were just a child. Elijah wouldn't be so interested in me. Elijah ever so slightly tilted his head to the side. The movement so slight I wondered if Jonas would have noticed. Hell I was surprised that I'd even noticed. Permission to continue? I narrowed my eyes. "You told me that Klaus was practically indestructible. Being Original Vampire an all."

"Ordinarily," Jonas spoke now and I turned from Elijah to give him my attention. "Klaus wouldn't be able to be killed. However, if he has you and performs the sacrifice to remove the bindings on his werewolf side, then once lifted and while his body adjusts to take on the werewolf characteristics his body will be vulnerable. I will then be able to weaken him further. If Elijah were to kill him during this time. Klaus would not recover."

"Then-." I looked at Elijah thinking it obvious that Klaus should perform the sacrifice. Stop him once and for all. When I saw his face though it was like he was telling me, though unspoken no, or not now. My confusion stopped me and Elijah spoke instead.

"Jonas is quite crucial in his role. As a possessor of magic he has the ability to channel enough energy to kill Klaus with. The original sacrifice was performed by witches. Servants of nature that they are, and a witch is required in preforming the sacrifice to break the bonds on Klaus. You see everything has to have a weakness. Klaus' is ultimately magic.

"So your a witch?" I asked Jonas.

"Warlock, is the preferred term." I prevented the shock of learning yet another supernatural existence show on my face. Vampires werewolves, witches, warlocks. What next?

"Of course. Sorry." I said, a little embarrassed. He hadn't taken the witch term offensively, but I felt like I should have known better. I thanked myself for not saying wizard. "You said you would only weaken Klaus." I began questioning when Elijah spoke again.

"That's correct. If he were to harness enough power to kill Klaus, Jonas would die. His body would not handle the use of that much power. Witches and warlock's can withstand great stresses due to their long lives. But powerful magic takes it's toll. While for some it may seem a worthy cause to die for." He looked at me pointedly through his icily set features and I couldn't help raising my eyebrows. "As I know would be your view, Elena. Jonas is a part of all this because of his daughter Greta, who is one of Klaus' imprisoned witches."

"While I would die for my daughter. I need to be alive for after she is released from Klaus. She will need her father after enduring the tortures Klaus enjoys inflicting." Jonas said darkly. Not for the first time I wondered if my lack of fear for Klaus was stupid. What one doesn't now doesn't hurt them I suppose. I regarded Jonas sympathetically, and all three of us settled into silence. Elijah broke it after a short pause.

"I asked Jonas here today to reverse a spell he cast on this house prior to you being brought here." I looked at him quizzically. "He's going to give you doors. Since you and I have reached an understanding, I think I can allow you some privileges." A shy smile graced my face. Doors and a robe. Gee I felt special. I could have jumped up and down in excitement, even flung myself into Elijah's arms to hug him in thanks. But his distant air stopped me from doing so.

"Sounds good to me." I said to Elijah before turning to Jonas. "May I watch? I've only recently found our that vampires and werewolves exist, and now I'm to add witches and warlocks to the supernatural list. I'm finding parts of it a bit of a novelty."

"You can watch. There'll be no stage presentation of magical flourishes though. Sorry to disappoint." I laughed. "And you might want to add yourself to that list. You are a supernatural occurrence after all."

"Because I'm a doppleganger?" He nodded. "Pity I don't have any powers or strengths." I shrugged. Jonas smiled and I wondered how often his face ventured into the pose. His concern for Greta would surely drag him down. Elijah's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"I need to make a phone call. Perhaps I can give you some updated news on Klaus' whereabouts before you're finished here Jonas."

"We'll leave you to it." Jonas gestured for me to come with him and I got up and followed, closing the dining room door behind me. Leaving Elijah inside to make his call in private, before walking after Jonas to the wall of glass that I'd spent so much time by while I'd been here.

Not knowing what to expect I wasn't sure where to look. The only signs of Jonas having any physical connection to what was going on, was how he positioned his right arm. Keeping his upper arm in line with his body he formed a right angle at the crook of his elbow, before angling his wrist so that his fingers pointed toward the ceiling, as his open palm faced towards the glass wall. I could see him tensing his arm and at first I didn't see anything going on. But soon down the very centre of the glass a joining partition began to appear. Dividing the wall of glass into two sections. Essentially forming wall-sized sliding doors. I eased them apart and they each slid into the wall to the left and right. I smiled broadly and noticed Jonas' amused expression as I tentatively stepped out onto the metre of tiled pathway that bordered the house. Breathing in deeply I could smell the grass. Such a simple sweet scent, but one I had missed so much in the past few weeks. As I walked onto the grass, feeling the lush green vegetation cushioning my feet and rising up between my toes nostalgia settled over me. How I'd missed the outside. The day around me was so beautiful with fine weather despite the cloud-filled sky above. Yet as I stood taking in my surroundings the clouds moved to allow the sun to shine through and the warmth seeped into my body, into my very bones. I didn't run. Wouldn't run. It was conflicting. I wanted to. But didn't at the same time. For weeks it had seemed so abstract that I'd decided to stay put, not try to escape. Now that I had some freedom and could at least run and feel as though I might have a chance I was just content to stand here. I turned back to Jonas.

"Thank you. It's so good to be outside." I smiled. "Do you have to do this on all the windows?"

"No. All the magic I performed was lifted at the same point this door showed itself again." I nodded and looked out across the lawn again. Jonas walked out of the house to stand next to me as I continued to gaze out across the lawn.

"So. Did you alter the structure of the doors. Or did your magic make an illusion of what was physically there all along?" I queried curiously.

"It was an illusion. But a physical one as well as visual. Elijah had a feeling that you would inspect the windows. So my magic needed to look and feel legit. The door that I did change the physical characteristics of is the bedroom one. The internal door that you had a hand in breaking." I looked at him, and my jaw dropped. Though Jonas wasn't smiling, his face told me he expected there was an interesting story regarding the door.

"Now hang on. Technically Elijah was the one who broke the door." I stated.

"How, tell me, did that come about?" He asked casually. There was a slight twinkle in his eyes. To tell him about Elijah wrestling with me and pinning me to the ground, or not? I didn't want to go into detail about how the door was broken. The answer I started to form wasn't painting the best picture in my head.

"Uh. A difference of opinion?" I smiled at him with my vague answer. The twinkle appeared to flash in Jonas' eyes, giving his previously amused expression some cheek.

"It's most interesting to see Elijah taking some interest in a woman."

"Excuse me?" My tone blunt despite trying not to be rude to Jonas.

"I've known Elijah for a few hundred years. He's never taken any interest in anyone romantically in that time. Vampire nor human." I forced a breath out through my nose in derision and shook my head softly from side-to-side. "Generations of witches and warlocks in my family have told of Elijah's pragmatic nature when dealing with previous dopplegangers. Never has he protected one before. Apart from saving them the company of Klaus. He's always dealt with their existence simply. By ending it. You must have some potent appeal. He's seen your face multiple times without a second thought before. Personally seen life leaving eyes just like yours. Yet he doesn't care for that method this time. The final and resolute nature of your presence in this world means that you hold the key to defeating Klaus once and for all. Yet he's valuing your life above the rest of the world."

"Above your daughter's." I pointed out carefully. I couldn't tell if Jonas was resentful to me being alive. He seemed disapproving of Elijah and I couldn't help but feel grouped with Jonas' view of his actions. "I did volunteer for Elijah to kill me." I trailed off.

"Yes. In some ways above my daughter's. Your death at any point other than during the sacrifice would have no affect on Greta's freedom." He said plainly. I frowned.

"I don't understand. Why are you and Elijah in partnership if he is keeping me alive and yet, not allowing the sacrifice to go ahead? If it will free Greta-."

"There are other ways that Jonas can be reunited with his daughter." Elijah spoke sombrely behind us. I turned and saw him standing in the giant wall-size doorway. I noticed that having such huge doorways on the outer walls of the house really opened up the space inside. It was like the outdoor was brought in, but managed to maintain all the comfort and class of modern living. "The sacrifice is a very last resort if all other avenues are ever exhausted. For now. You and I will move around as I keep track of Klaus' whereabouts. My contacts that have access to Klaus will inform me of the right time at which we can work to remove Greta from his witches. My few allies are fully integrated followers of Klaus. So when we act. It needs to be without error. There is no point in rushing towards Greta's freedom or Klaus' death if it jeopardises the loyalty they have proven to him. There will only be one chance to get it right."

"Why does he need witches anyway? He needs one for the sacrifice. But to have a number of them?" I questioned.

"He's been forcing them to find another way to break the binds on his werewolf side for centuries. Having believed that the line of doppelgangers had finished." Elijah answered simply.

"Is that possible?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"I can't say that it's impossible." Jonas said darkly. The thoughts in my head grew fierce as they wrestled with all this new information.

"Jonas." Came Elijah's voice to again. "Klaus' whereabouts remain the same. And there's no new news of his henchmen's movements."

"Now that Elena has access out of the house. Was there any other business needing to be attended to?"

"No. That's all for now"

"Then I'll be on my way. Nice to meet you Elena."

"Bye, and thank you again Jonas" Jonas walked around the house and disappeared around the corner. I heard a car door opening so I jumped up and ran after him, stopping at the corner of the house to peek around the corner in time to see him drive off towards the cleared section of trees. Reinforcing my assumption that the cleared section was a driveway. Turning back towards Elijah I jumped, finding him right next to me and my heart beat surged into a faster pace.

"Not planning to run were you?" He raised an eyebrow when I didn't answer immediately.

"No Elijah. I'm not." I confirmed, every bit honest as the tone of my voice.

I considered him for a moment as I bit down on my bottom lip.

"Why aren't we-."

"Shhh." He cut me off distractedly.

"Don't shush me Eli-." Elijah instantly spun me and held my back to him with his arm across my waist. His most frequented arm position. His hand came up over my mouth and muffled my verbal complaints as I struggled. But after another insistent shush from him I settled. When convinced I was going to keep quiet he uncovered my mouth. He seemed serious and his body felt so tense. I was a little bit worried, because he was still acting so cold, even now that Jonas had left.

"Jonas' car has stopped." He murmured trailing off as if waiting to relay more information. I stayed silent. A single tone sounded from Elijah's right side. "Grab my phone please, quickly while I listen. Right pocket of my jacket. Open the message." I reached my arm around behind me to the front of Elijah's jacket. Reached into the pocket and grabbing the phone, as I tried to ignore whatever part of his body my hand brushed against. I quickly selected to read the new message and held it up in front of me so that we could both read it. It was a forwarded text from Jonas.

"Witch side are you choosing? Kindred souls should not oppose. Lest the price be all of your woes."

It confused me. It was like a riddle, but not. Just generally vague.

"Text back, Black Victoria." I did so as Elijah continued to hold me. Once sent I held the phone and waited for whatever was happening. Either Elijah to tell me I could speak, or for him to let me go. After a few minutes I felt Elijah's chest swell against my back and could hear him inhaling through his nose. "Mmmm," I felt more than heard the gravelly sound. "Your hair smells delicious." He said warmly. It was like he'd switched back to the Elijah I knew. I rolled my eyes as I waited silently, not sure if I was allowed to speak yet. It felt like five minutes had passed while I continued to wait. Turning a little in his hold and craning my neck the rest of the way to see his face. I tried to get permission to speak. Elijah's face was soft and he looked at me warmly. I raised my eyebrows in question and opened my mouth slightly indicating I wanted to speak. "Oh he's left. You can talk." He murmured.

"When did he leave?"

"About five minutes ago." Promptly I started to push myself away and out of his grasp. Which he released instantly.

"There was no need to restrain me." I criticised. "And you could have told me that five minutes ago." I said frowning.

"Must have slipped my mind." He appeared almost self conscious. Glaring, I handed him back the phone.

"What was that all about?" I crossed me arms over my chest as I waited for his explanation.

"It was from Klaus. He's been aware for quite some time that I'm working with a warlock. He also knows that the warlock is the father of one of his witches. So he has a certain amount of persuasive leverage which he has been trying to entice Jonas with. This is fore mostly, to prevent Jonas working with me. But Klaus would also find Jonas to be quite useful as he is an extremely powerful warlock. The text message itself uses witch to imply Jonas' magical ability, as well as his daughter's. The rest pertains to-."

"If Jonas is to oppose his daughter, his kin, by working with you, then he may lose his daughter all together. Either because Jonas will die, or the daughter will be killed." I finished.

"Yes. Quickly picked up my love." The corners of his eyes wrinkled slightly as he looked down at me lovingly. Like he was making up for his cold expressionless behaviour while Jonas was here. As if I might have forgotten how much he cared for me. I pursed my lips at the his love reference.

"Would Jonas go to Klaus?"

"Anything is possible of a man in his predicament. It is difficult for him to be patient and comply with my plans when he could free his daughter much sooner if the sacrifice is performed."

"Then why can't we let Klaus perform the sacrifice?" I insisted. "It seems too risky to move me about for the rest of my life. Klaus will surely find me at some point." My tone of voice conveyed how ludicrous I thought the current circumstances were.

"It's not an option at the moment Elena. I will not send you to your death." He was adamant.

"Why not? I'm only going to die. Everyone dies. Even you." I said harshly.

"Yes, but my death didn't mean the end of my life. I didn't take you from your home to protect you for a few weeks. I made a commitment to you, to your life and I intend to see it through. This through." Here we go with our connection again. "I am not handing you over to Klaus. Allowing you to take your place in the sacrifice goes against everything I feel for you. It's not an option."

"Ever?" I shot at him. He'd told Jonas it was a last resort. That if all else failed the sacrifice would be a means to an end. His eyes darkened as he stared at me. Knowing his answer was something I wouldn't like.

"Ever." He said quietly. My face fell blank and I just stared at him. Poor Jonas.

"Have you always been so heartless? That man thinks you're going to help him save his daughter!" I shouldn't have had any expectations of Elijah. I shouldn't care about what he does. But I couldn't help feel disappointed in him. "I thought so much better of you. You are kind and considerate. Understanding and generally treat me with care despite my reluctance to this arrangement. Jonas and his daughter are people just like me. What's the damn difference in extending yourself to help them? Surely you realise that the reason I even exist is far bigger than you and I." My tone of voice was so angry despite still being relatively calm. It wasn't like I knew Jonas or Greta. And if Greta was dead it was no loss of mine, I'd never met the girl. But Elijah had dealings with Jonas. Surely that meant something?

Elijah's body language completely changed again. His facial expression was far too severe as his icy cold eyes shot daggers at me. Daggers that made my chest to ache, as though they scored my very being. I felt debased in his eyes. After all his affections and attentions. How he looked at me like I was so valuable. I never wanted it, but had grown used to it. After all, it had made me feel like I belonged a little. Now I didn't know what I was. But the nothingness in his eyes seemed reflective of exactly where I stood with him right now. I shouldn't care and it shouldn't bother me. But it did and it hurt. My fear of Elijah's behaviour while Jonas was here was nothing compared to how he was now. But I wasn't afraid of him. Petrified in front of him I feared myself. My mouth went dry and I couldn't stop myself from trembling beneath Elijah's gaze. My body wouldn't partake in my need to put some distance between myself and the man before me. As if I were glued to the spot I just couldn't budge. Instead my heart rate and breathing quickened while I stood immobile, suffocating in my panic. Finally Elijah spoke, softly and slowly. Articulating every single word with strenuous care. He was seething.

"You only just met the man and here you are trying to do what you can to reunite him with his daughter. I have known him for hundreds of years. I am not heartless. I have priorities. And yes I value you, over everything and everyone else. Even over a man I trust's daughter. You don't know the position I'm in. The weight of the decisions I make. You are naïve in these circumstances. You don't know Klaus. You don't even know Jonas. You've absorbed the information you've been told and you've found yourself an underdog to barrack for." Gradually finding control of my body I prepared to flee. Elijah's voice became raw as he finished his lecture as if it tortured him. "Your compassion is just one of the things I love about you Elena. But you don't get to call the shots in this. There is a very real chance that his daughter is already dead in any case." I was on the edge of feeling. About to plummet into emotional chaos. I'd felt it building as Elijah spoke. Though he said he valued me over everything else, that wasn't the vibe I was picking up off him. His severe dictation wasn't necessarily outlining that I was wrong. He was simply angry with me and it made me feel like I'd let him down. But I shouldn't give a damn. Humiliation crept up on me as I became aware of how Elijah had come to affect me. I just wanted to hide away. Stepping around him I and made to go inside.

I was nothing in all of this. I had no control whatsoever. Because of me, Elijah is in love. Because of me, Jonas has a chance to get his daughter back. Because of me Klaus has a chance to become invincible and cause havoc across the whole world. It was all me. My existence was nothing. I was here for the sacrifice. It was as simple as that. I could be used for some good, make something worthwhile out of my mere existence. But Elijah wasn't going to allow it. Instead, I was expected to play house and be okay with any continuing suffering that occurred while Elijah attempted to romance me. I couldn't do that. I couldn't live with myself. The man was callous. And I had come to care for him and who he was. What he thought even. It was obvious, otherwise I wouldn't feel so hurt right now. I was angry with myself, that I'd found myself attached to someone so cruel.

Elijah grabbed my arm and turned me back into him. He no longer looked so cold and severe but it didn't ease an ounce of what I was feeling. When he caught my eyes with his own and saw my terror his expression broke and his jaw slackened in shock. Quickly shifting to look ashamed.

"Elena-." He rasped, concern silencing him.

"Let go of me! Leave me alone!" I yelled at him as I pulled back. He wouldn't let go and pulled me in close to him. His strong arms and dignified male scent enticing me to take shelter in him. But he was the problem. Not the solution.

"Elena-."

"No! Let go!" I cried hysterically. Struggling with all my might. I beat my fists against him, not knowing where I was hitting him. Just blindly assaulting him as I tried to get him to leave me alone. My anger at how he'd crept into my heart without my knowing spurring me on. But there was no escape from his vice-like hold. He wouldn't let go of me for even a moment.

"I'm sorry!" He seemed to plead. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I had no right. I reverted into how I used to be. Before you. I'm sorry I scared you. Please, I didn't-."

"Let go!" My face was contorted in an attempt to hold back the tears surfacing. While my chest ached with the betrayal of emotions I felt for Elijah that I hadn't even known. "Just leave me alone!" My strength was leaving me. My vocal and physical outburst draining me of energy. Energy I needed to hold back and keep all my emotions in check. I would not cry in front of him. I would not cry at all. I hated being affected by him.

"Elena. Please." He begged. "Please he said again. My legs no longer felt inclined to hold me up and I dropped to the ground as they folded beneath me. Elijah right with me having slowed my descent. I looked down to the concrete, which became Elijah's pants as he moved closer. I remained silent, breathing hard. One of Elijah's hands rubbing large soothing circles on my back, as his other hand cupped my jaw, trying to lift my gaze to his own. But I wasn't having a bar of it and turned my head sharply away each time he tried. Giving up he put his arms around my waist and shoulders and pulled me into his chest. I resisted before taking hold of the material of his suit and nestling my head against him. Maybe he was the solution? My ear picked up a singular beat in his chest and I found comfort in the sound despite it's fleeting presence. He continued to slowly rub my back for a good five minutes.

"I have no family." He spoke softly. Sadly. "I used to. They were all vampires, so it was expected that they and I would have endless time together. But Klaus took them from me. He hunted them down one by one and murdered them. Though I spent more time with my family than you have, you and I are alike in this loss. I have been so alone for so long. Never getting involved with women for cheap physical encounters, as even the most physical of relationships can result in attachment. I couldn't bear any more pain. That is until you, when I realised our bond. You and I signify a reason to risk my heart again. You are my family now. And as much as you want to deny it, I am a part of yours. I cannot lose another family member. The woman I love, no less. I will have no part in your demise and I will not stand for it. You are more precious than you realise." I relaxed in his embrace. He was warm and strong and everything that felt at peace during the nights as I slept. Elijah eased my warring emotions. They were bearable in his arms. "Even the most physical of relationships can result in attachment." I sighed. I could relate. Family was the most important thing to me. I hadn't let a moment slip away as I worked my way back into Jeremy and Jenna's lives. I couldn't not have them in my life.

"You're so strong." I said almost enviously into his chest. Not caring about how his material muffled my words. Now that he'd told me his motivations I could understand. He wasn't heartless. Deceiving Jonas wasn't exactly right. But sometimes doing the wrong thing is in fact right. "I'm sorry. I understand why you're doing what you're doing. I hate the fact that everything stems from my existence. But I understand. I never would have said what I did if you'd have told me about your family already. You're not heartless at all, just unbelievably strong."

"As are you sweetheart." He kissed the top of my head. No one would guess we'd been arguing moments earlier. We were a little too close for my liking in some ways, but it was okay. My chest no longer ached and my head was clear. I'd managed to rein in my tears before they fell and I knew he'd had something to do with it. "I'm sorry for my behaviour just now. I don't want you to be afraid of me Elena." If only it was you I was afraid of and not myself. Relieved that he'd thought my reaction to his anger was that he'd scared me, I went with it.

"Can you let go of me now? I'm hungry." I said sheepishly. Elijah's warm chuckle massaged my ears as his chest moved in time with his deep affirmation of humour.