Author's Babble: Hello All. Thank you for all the continuing support for this story :). It's much appreciated.

Enjoy!

CHAP 23:

Elijah quickly rummaged through the draws and produced a long T-shirt which he swiftly and yet reluctantly gave to me, his face a muddle of emotion. I knew why he was hesitant. It was Klaus'. He then stepped outside the door while I pulled it over my head and made sure it covered me adequately. Happy with some degree of privacy I met Elijah at the door and he guided me along the hall back the way Klaus had brought us. Having placed his hand firmly against my lower back possessively once I'd entered the stone hallway, it seemed like Elijah was ushering me along. He seemed tightly strung and alert for some reason. It was more hasty than the laborious worry he exuded for this mess. We took the turn and passed several doors.

One was open, revealing another bedroom lit up by sunlight which filtered in through a window that mirrored the position of Klaus'. I hardly had a chance to look in properly as I tried to remember how many doors we'd passed from where I'd have to spend each night.

"What time is it?"

"Shortly after eleven AM." Great. I'd spent half my day away from Klaus sleeping in the monster's bed. Elijah continued as if he sensed my displeasure at not taking advantage of Klaus' absence."You are to be back in his room by six pm each evening. Even if he has not returned. Unless he says otherwise." Elijah's tone informed of his distaste and the simmering anger within him. "Here we are." Elijah announced as he drew us to a halt. "Klaus has assigned himself and you to this bathroom. So you won't need to navigate bathing between the others here." He opened the door and guided me in. It wasn't huge nor grand. But it did have a feel of luxury despite the stone walls surrounding it. An exquisite claw foot bath sat along the far wall. Sadly I noted it was big enough for two and mentally rolled my eyes. Great, I've been assigned the honeymoon suite. The shower set into the corner to my left was very simple. An elegant shower head jutted out from the wall and there was a small drain in the floor. But there were no walls, or anything to hang a curtain on. I immediately disliked it. Anyone could walk in while I'd be showering and I'd have absolutely no where to hide. "Your clean clothes are in here somewhere." Elijah trailed off as he moved over to the basin and pigeon hole shelving that hung on the wall. "Ah. Here." I watched as Elijah lifted a small bundle of clothing. Moving closer and taking it from him I hoped it wasn't something horrible. Pleasantly surprised when I held it out in front of me I found it to be a relatively plain-looking, yet nicely cut dress. It was surprising that the neckline was at a respectable height. I'd had the assumption that Klaus would have me wearing either nothing, or something very revealing. While the dress was nice and simple, it had a little bit of detailing that I likened to a belt of material which would sit low on my hips. Elijah then handed me underwear which I frowned at, noting how tame it was. If tame could be used to describe the g-string that sat atop my bra. Looking at the dress again I noticed the material and where the little embellishment of extra material sat. It wasn't too hard to accept that the g-string would mean no panty lines. Indicating the towel that hung from one of the rails next to the basin, Elijah awkwardly instructed me to take as much time as I needed and told me that he would wait outside. One towel? Why not two? Watching the door close behind him I smiled. It was nice to be able to fully take in how much he cared about me. It was no fault of their own. But I had really needed Jenna and Jeremy after my parents died. Instead I had to go it alone, which wasn't all bad. But a little support would have made it all that much more bearable. Elijah's support was immeasurable. Despite him standing outside the door I swore it was like he was holding me close smothering me in his love so that nothing else could possibly harm me. I didn't know how Elijah's love was going to make being raped again and again more bearable. But it was better than feeling completely isolated and have nothing to call my own.

After Klaus' first attempt and the damage I'd received, I initially too caught up in myself to acknowledge anything other than how it had affected me; apart from Elijah's pain. But now, I was a survivor and I would not wallow in self pity. There had to be some light at the end of this very, very dark tunnel. If all I could use to cling to in hope at the moment was my oddly placed contraceptive implant, then that's exactly what I would do. Putting the clothes down I went over and assessed the towel. The fact that there was only one bugged me to say the least. I really hoped I was being silly. Touching the towel I found my concern warranted. It was wet. Used. By Klaus. No way would I use this. After wondering if I should ask Elijah to find me a clean one I decided that I would just air dry and get another for my hair after. Undressing I didn't even look in the mirror. It was likely any visible injuries were gone and I didn't particularly need my perfectly uninjured body to blatantly state that Klaus hadn't done anything. He had, and I just didn't need my body, with Klaus' vampire blood running through my veins to mock me.

I ran through the process of bathing. Resisting the urge to keep lathering up my skin over and over again. Even after washing myself thoroughly twice I still felt covered in grime. I consoled myself with at least feeling refreshed and knowing that I had showered. I should be clean. It was my mind that didn't feel as though I'd been thoroughly cleansed. Welcome to my life. An eternity of living in squalor with Klaus. Sighing I turned off the taps and ran my hands tightly over my scalp from front to back wringing excess water from my hair in the process. Drawing the length of dripping fibres over my left shoulder I squeezed more water from them. Droplets trailed down my body eager to meet the floor in their pursuit of the drain at my feet. Moving to stand in the middle of the bathroom and looked around casually. Wondering what else Klaus might have left in the shelves I wandered over and looked through the organised clutter. Noticing only one toothbrush I wondered if I was expected to share. Yuck. Upon seeing it the urge to clean my mouth out filled me. I grabbed the toothpaste and squeezed a large amount onto my index finger before putting it in my mouth. Using my index finger as a poor substitute for a bristled brush, I coated my teeth and tongue moving my finger as I would a toothbrush. Satisfied with the intense cool of minty freshness I finally looked at myself properly, in the mirror. Furrowing my brows at my perfectly undamaged appearance a knock sounded at the door. Spinning around I waited for whoever it was to announce themselves. If they even gave me that consideration instead of barging in. While Elijah had said he'd wait outside, it would be just my luck that Klaus had come back and replaced him outside the door.

"Elena?" It was Elijah. "I don't wish to cause you to hasten your efforts, however I'm anxious to know how you're getting on."

"I won't be long now." I called back.

"Don't rush. I'm just-." His voice became raw before stopping altogether. Walking over to the door I put my palm against the wood and looked at it, as if envisioning how Elijah was standing on the other side.

"I know. You're worried. But really, I'm fine." I was but I wasn't. It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't entirely true either.

"That is quite the dishonest attempt at consoling me. Don't downplay your suffering Elena. Not for my sake. It's not possible that you're simply fine." Elijah's tone told of his detachment. Like if he spoke the same words with feeling that he wouldn't get them out. I laughed harshly but the sound was more like a bark.

"You're right. I'm not fine in any sense of the word." I conceded softly. Satisfied with the degree of drying my body had done I left the door and quickly dressed. Once I'd walked back over to the door and opened it. Elijah obviously having sensed my approach had turned to face the door. Taking hold of his left hand with my right I pulled him into the bathroom, swinging the door closed behind him. After looking up into his eyes for a few long seconds I continued. "But. You were there for me the first time when I couldn't handle what Klaus had done to me. To my body. I really needed someone then. I really needed you, and you were there. As if you wouldn't be anywhere else despite your own grief. How my pain was also yours. I wasn't really aware at the time. Only your presence finally reached out to me. You strengthened me, and while things are worse now. You don't need to worry. I'm okay." I placed my hand on the side of his face and gave him a hopeful if weak smile. When all he did was look at me grimly I held myself to him and wrapped my arms around his middle. Pressing the side of my face against his chest in the process. He sighed with understated drama and encircled me with his own arms down around my back and sides.

"My concern for you is not something that can be switched on and off my love." He murmured sadly, kissing the top of my head. "Your hair's rather wet still isn't it?" We'll get to that.

"Hmm. Give me your hand." I instructed before taking hold of it and directing it down to the hem of my dress. As soon as Elijah felt the soft fabric he stiffened.

"Elena." His tone was almost a warning. Like what he assumed I was directing him to do was forbidden. Maybe Klaus had asked him to keep his hands to himself? Or maybe he just didn't think I should be switching between the two brother's sexually. The gesture could be taken as an invitation I supposed. "Shh. Don't worry."

"Are you purposely being stubborn?" He sighed in exasperation. "I don't feel this is appropriate Elena. In light of your no doubt daily activities with Klaus, I wouldn't want you to enter into our own intimacy in order to cover up and comfort where Klaus has touched you. Don't misunderstand me. I still want you and will always to want you despite the actions of my brother. However I wouldn't wish any underlying agendas to theme our own intimacy. Especially in any desperation to erase the feel of Klaus from your body." I giggled softly.

"Such a gentleman." I released his hand and lifted the side of the dress up around my hip, exposing the entire outer length of my right leg. "I'm not trying to instigate anything of that nature. Merely trying to ease your worry. Even if it's just the slightest amount. Just relax your arm." Picking up on the slight impatience in my voice he did so and I guided his hand up the side of my leg before moving it slightly under the loose material to my lower back. Travelling down to where my right buttock began to swell out behind me I shifted a couple of my fingers to press his index finger down into my flesh. Having applied enough pressure I drew his hand and indented finger along my flesh so Elijah would feel the foreign object as his finger travelled perpendicular to it's length. It was obvious the moment he moved his own hand to explore the object in my flesh that his mind had switched into gear.

Raising my eyebrows at him the corners of my mouth turned upwards in an expression that could almost have been an I told you so. Elijah looked at me curiously before something else flitted across his face as I opened my mouth to tell him what it was. He interrupted my progress when his lips gently pressed against mine, surprising me for a moment before I matched his tender movements. I hardly noticed his hand had left my lower back until he whipped the material down to cover me again. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the door open to reveal Sarah, who placed her hands on her hips. Perfect example. Anyone could just walk in.

"Really Elijah. You claim not to be interested when I offer myself to quench your needs, yet you've no objection to sucking face with a human." She said it as if I were a cockroach or something equally insignificant. Breaking our lips apart Elijah turned his head toward Sarah. I looked around his shoulder interestedly.

"Don't let Klaus hear you refer to Elena in that way." He warned humorously. "She is the doppleganger after all. Hardly a sorry excuse for a human either." Sarah shot daggers at Elijah and then me, noticing my gaze on her.

"If I had my way, you'd be dead princess." She began threateningly. "You are nothing. Don't think you're special just because you've landed in Klaus' bed. I had to worm my way into his loins, which was no mean feat I can tell you. You haven't accomplished anything, and he will cast you aside once he's bored with you."

"Well, at least I've got something to look forward to." I grinned up at Elijah before unwrapping my arms from him and taking a few steps toward Sarah. "And please. Have your way. Kill me. I won't mind." I offered sweetly. One of Elijah's hands took hold of my forearm and didn't let me get any closer to the put-out vampire.

"Elena." Elijah warned. His tone serious.

"Since you've so kindly offered. Perhaps I will. My hands are tied right now-."

"Oh? Into bondage are we?" I interrupted. She glared.

"Once Klaus breaks the curse, you're as good as dead. Little girl." She threatened menacingly.

"Now that's an empty threat if ever I've heard one." I mocked. "Haven't you heard? I suppose you haven't. Klaus wouldn't trust his whore would he?" I smirked. "Klaus will need me. My blood, in order to make his hybirds. I'll be around for an eternity, so I've been told." Sarah's nostrils flared in angered disbelief. I laughed and turned to Elijah. "She doesn't know!"

"You're lying." She spat.

"Of course I am." I smiled. Sarah looked to be visibly fuming.

"Ladie-s." Elijah interjected. Though by the sound of how he finished the term, I was the only lady in close vicinity. It was almost laughable. Almost. "If you wouldn't mind. I'd like to forego this interruption on Elena's free time. So if you'd take your leave Sarah, that would be most appreciated."

"And let you return to snogging Klaus' property?" She rolled her eyes. "Whatever takes your fancy I suppose." She turned and wandered off leaving the door open.

"Property?" I mumbled angrily. "I'm no one's damn property." Then I frowned acknowledging that I was. It was Elijah's warm chuckle that brought me out of my gradually darkening thoughts. Narrowing my eyes I turned my head up to look at him. His own deep brown orbs were warm and almost seemed to have light dancing in them. Well this is good. "And what prey tell is so funny?"

"You." He said simply and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.

"How flattering of you to find hilarity in my existence." I replied as if finding offence at being laughed at. Elijah had picked up on the underlying sarcasm in my words and rested his forehead against mine. Shifting my face against his I melded our noses.

"Perhaps I should be more specific?" He enquired. I sighed dramatically.

"If you must."

"Your resilience. Your spark. And possibly your affinity for provoking vampires are qualities I find most amusing." Laughing, I nipped at his lips with my own before pulling back from him and raising my eyebrows.

"So you like the fact that I'm somewhat stupid in dangerous situations?"

"At times your stupidity has it's merits." Elijah admitted while nodding. "Despite the fact that it would surely cause me enough stress to conjure stomach ulcers if I were human. You may also want to be careful with Sarah. She seems to have quite a volatile nature. I'm afraid there may be some fallout when she confronts Klaus with the information you've just given her." I smirked. "Now. Let's organise you some food." He saw the queasy look that crept onto my face. "If you so desire. And then I think we'll take a walk outside. Some moderate freedom, privacy and fresh air are in order." Elijah raised an eyebrow and stroked a finger over my contraceptive implant and I understood that we could discuss that once outside. Frowning at my hair he paused before continuing. "It's a little bit windy outside. You may want to dry your hair a little more if we're to go outside." Aww.

"I would if I had a towel I could use." Elijah began gesturing to the only towel in the room. "Wet. As in used. I air dried so as not to use it."

"I see. Well, I'll find you an unused one and I will assign a towel for you to reside in my room for future use."

"How is it you always seem to know the right things to say?" I smiled and Elijah's eyes shone happily. I wondered if it would be possible for me to convince him to leave me. He had stated adamantly that he wouldn't. He was honourable and would see this through. I understood it, despite not liking it one bit. If only I could convince him otherwise. Things were hardly going to get better. But if he thought he was making my life more bearable then that would give him incentive to stay.

"Come." Elijah stepped away from me to open the door before leading me out along the hallway again.