Author's babble: Gosh you're all so lovely. Thank you, thank you, thank you once again. Hope this is still enjoyable :). Oh boy! I'm so excited to see Elijah again. I have such a good feeling about the up-coming episode. Would it be too much to have a faint but persistent expectation, that he might get Elena's humanity back on track? I hope not. Because I believe he could do it :P. The shallow side of me is eagerly awaiting some more screen time for Daniel Gillies. Gorgeous man. Gorgeous character.

Enjoy. Some nice Elena/Elijah in this chapter.

CHAP 55:

After the heat and aroma of my bubble bath eased the tension in my body I found myself dozing off. Soon subtly aware of being shifted as the water sloshed lazily around me I opened my tender eyes a fraction to find Elijah's face close to mine. Over his shoulder was one of the towels and he adjusted it slightly as I felt one of his arms behind my back, lifting it away from the tub and half sitting me up. He then guided the towel to drape behind me while I realised the water was draining from the tub. I was then laid back so Elijah could draw the towel closed across my front. Applying padding pressure as he did to kick along the absorption of moisture from my skin. Another towel was brandished then and Elijah set it behind my head while tilting it forward. Slightly more aware I opened my swollen eyes some more when he allowed my head to rest back against the towel. Elijah found them and looked into them sadly while his hands gently rubbed the towel against my wet hair. I made a noise in my throat as though to speak. But my still sleepy mind wasn't coherent enough so the words didn't come out. Wether it was my frustration or lingering sadness from what I'd tried to tell Elijah earlier a tear fell from the outer corner of my left eye. Catching it with a thumb he swiped it away

"I wish you'd be more open about what's troubling you so." He whispered to himself more than a statement I should be compelled to answer. But after sighing, answer I did.

"I don't want to die. To lose you. Leave you." My words were like a whisper in my mind. Honesty at it's most powerful, for the pain it caused me. But then I found it hadn't been confined to my mind as Elijah suddenly looked shocked, his lips parted and brow furrowed. Then he changed and worry etched itself into every feature on his face. It hadn't been my intention to say what I had out loud. Only my mind was to hold that particular information. My mistake was sobering. The resulting panic overwhelming and my eyes bulged as I gasped outwardly. Glancing down I took notice of the large towel wrapped around my body beneath my arms and forced myself to stand while clutching at the material. Heavy on my feet I shuffled down the bath slightly then stepped out while Elijah slowly rose from his crouched position. Uninterestedly I noticed him pick up the forgotten towel that had been behind my head for my hair. I felt so stupid. So betrayed. How could I do this to myself? To him! This news was hardly fair on Elijah. Not when the plan involved me willingly dying despite now not accepting it. Drying my feet on the bathmat for all of one second I left the ensuite for my little store of clothing and snatched up what I required and shot back into the bathroom. Passing Elijah quickly as he stood silently by the door I shut the it as soon as I could and took stock in the slight privacy I had for the next few minutes. Now that' I'd said what I'd said I rather doubted Elijah'd let it go. I was too stressed now to think up a way to go about answering him. There was no covering up what I'd just let slip.

Hoping that trying to relax would be in my best interest I took my time dressing. And then once I was wearing a new singlet and short shorts I remained in the bathroom. Milking what time I could have to myself for all it was worth. Elijah was a patient man, but I doubt he'd wait all night. He'd want to get to the bottom of this before we were all back in the car with Jonas tomorrow where this mightn't be suitable discussion. Not unless he wanted to give me reason to really dig my heels in and refuse to answer him. After a while the inevitable came in the form of Elijah knocking softly on the door.

"Elena?" Holding my breath I didn't answer. "Elena?" his voice was deeper, more urgent this time. "May I come in? Or, could you come out here?" Still I found myself unable to answer him. Wrapping my arms around my midsection in comfort I stood, leaning back against the sink as I stared at the door. "Alright." He conceded. "Unless you give me some indication not to, I'm coming in." There was a pause before the handle turned and Elijah opened the door. His eyes found me instantly. They were sympathetic and warm, but I garnered no comfort whatsoever from them. In fact for a moment all I was capable of was staring at him terrified. Eyes wide I could feel the shimmer of liquid coating their surface. "Now, now. Don't look at me like that." He soothed. That prompted me to get past the fear and approach him casually.

"I'm done in here. It's all yours." I made to leave, stepping past him in the doorway before I found his arms wrapped around my waist, stilling me with no effort at all. His face was at the side of my head and I could feel his breath on my skin.

"Elena, we need to talk about this. Either in here or our room. There will be no running back and forth trying to avoid it. Or rather, trying to avoid me." he murmured gently into my ear. Turning my head slightly to glance at him out the corner of my eye I squared my shoulders slightly.

"I didn't mean what I said. I was sleeping." I spurted out my hopeless excuse with measured defiance.

"I know very well you meant what you said. Your honesty just now was most forthcoming." he paused. "Now, if you please. Where would you like to partake in this conversation we need to have?" His hands on my middle stroked and rubbed me comfortingly.

"I'm finished in here." I reasoned with immeasurable uncertainty evident in my voice. Elijah took this as wishing to use our room and I found myself guided through the doorway. Only pausing so he could shut the door he continued to move us over to the small table and chairs we'd been sat at earlier.

Accepting my seat I sat while Elijah grabbed the chair he'd used earlier and brought it over so that in joining me he sat directly in front with his legs either side of mine and hands on my knees. After folding my arms defensively across my stomach I couldn't bring myself to stop staring at a spot on the carpet. Silence settled between us but I made no move to fill it. Wether Elijah needed to collect his thoughts first or give me time to relax before bombarding me with his inquiry I didn't know. All I knew was that I had no intention of being the one to start this conversation we were to have. Perhaps in a way I already had by opening my big mouth. I needn't willingly do so again.

"Am I to understand that you're no longer accepting of death? Elena darling," my heart leapt and I flicked my eyes up to his in response to him once again using this affectionate name with me. "Answer me." Calming myself from being swept up by the name I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Searching for logic and reason I tried my best to ignore my emotions.

"I accept that I need to die for Klaus to. That is the goal and I want him to die." My words sounded so simple. Like this was exactly the case and there were no other factors. Nothing else of importance than might influence it.

"Yes. But you, yourself." He clarified. "I know for a fact you're afraid of something. Is it death? Are you now afraid to die?" I tried to keep my eyes shut but found myself blinking rapidly when tears swelled behind my eyelids. Despite my efforts they dropped down onto my shorts. A few small spots of darkened colour showing where they'd fallen.

"It doesn't matter." I whispered while shaking my head from side to side. "Nothing matters. There's no point to anything, other than my death."

"It matters. More than anything how you feel matters." He assured me. But you've still not answered me. Are you afraid to die?" Something in me broke then and I began nodding my head quickly.

"Yes." I whispered. When he didn't answer straight away I looked up and he claimed my eyes with his own.

"You were so accepting of it. Apart from your casual mention of being Turned the other weekyou've not given any indication that you don't wish to leave this earth. What changed?

"I don't know." I knew bloody well why but I didn't think I could say it out loud to him just yet.

"There must be a reason." My eyes glued to his I sat immobile composing myself. After snivelling and Elijah giving me a handkerchief we were silent for a time. Perhaps he was allowing me to supply a reason. When I gave no indication of doing so he cleared his throat and watched me carefully. "Why don't you want to die? Will leaving this earth wrong you in some way? You'll escape Klaus at your end. Considering your life of late, forgive me for assuming your eyes were well and truly on the prize. Everything concerning you in this latest plan has been justified by your willingness to be sacrificed. But now you're telling me that's changed."

"No. It hasn't changed." I took in a shaky breath. "I want to do this. It seems I was made for the purpose of taking Klaus down. Knowing what I do I wouldn't have it any other way. I-."

Gasping as emotion seemed to pierce through my heart I found I was almost choking on what I was about to let out. Wanting to tell him, but knowing I shouldn't. Already the guilt of how I felt about this was crushing. Elijah reached forward and took hold of my hands in his when my breathing quickened, and pulled me forward slightly. Both our elbows rested on our thighs, the result offering our hands up before our faces as we leant forward into each other.

"Relax." He murmured then kissed my hands. "Catch your breath and tell me what's ailing you. You can tell me anything. Everything. I would rather know than not. I don't know if you're withholding information because you're worried about me or not. But I can handle it. And we together, can overcome it."

"No. You said before you're not willing to-." I broke off and Elijah's expression went dark and pensive.

"What are you referring to Elena?"

"I don't know!" I cried softly. "I just don't want to die." As a physical manifestation of my emotions breaking free, tears spilled over and tracked down my cheeks. Making an attempt to tug my hand holding his handkerchief back. I found Elijah had no intention of letting either of my hands go. Instead he squeezed them gently. It was in that moment that all efforts to hold my fears in had exhausted themselves. Everything was about to come out and it felt dreadful. "I love you and don't want to lose you or leave you alone." Pausing for breath my mind sprouted another thought. "I mean, I wouldn't expect you to be alone forever. You'd find someone, at least for comfort. I just don't want to go any more!" I lost my voice momentarily and guilt rushed in on me. On what I'd just said and I had to make up for it. I began shaking my head from side to side angrily. "No! I didn't want you to know all this. You've got enough on your plate with handing me over to Klaus to kill. I'm sorry. So, so sorry. Elijah, I was happy with one lifetime. And with what's happened in mine I was more than ready to end it all. But you've made me see things differently. I shouldn't be thinking of myself. I don't matter! But sometimes, I just don't care. It's wrong." Pausing for breath my despair weighed in on me, and into my tone of voice. "I just want to be with you." Changing my tune I went off on another tangent. "But you don't want to Turn me. You said as much before Klaus got me and you've said since that you wouldn't turn me unless I made an informed request. There's no time for that. And you mightn't want me forever!" I hung my head and sobs shook my body while I cried. Murmuring, "oh god. This is such a mess. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I never wanted this, it's not going to work. We just can't be together. I understand and accept that, but I just want. I want you so much."

"Forever?" Elijah pressed as soon as I'd given enough pause for him to say something. He was surprised.

"For as long as you'll be alive." Came my muffled response.

"And you're serious about this." It wasn't a question. But his tone did sound that way. I gave him a pathetic look of disbelief. "That sounded like a question. But you need not answer. The fact that considering this is such a burden to you is truth enough. I'm astonished. I didn't realise you'd so fully invested yourself in us. Your desire to be with me for lifetime upon lifetime is, well it's all I've wanted from the moment I first connected with you. While I've allowed myself some selfish actions of late, I never expected in this short time to find you so committed to living, and with me. My natural response is to ensure you go on living once Klaus is stopped. Especially now I know this is what's compounding your troubles presently. But this is a monumental decision. It matters not what I want." I looked up, wiping my eyes as I did.

"I don't think I've been more serious about anything else."

"Of course." His features softened as he recalled it. "But forever is a very long time, in excess."

"I'm aware of that even if my view is lacking having not been alive that long."

"You're highly intelligent, Elena, and generally logical. Any view of yours has more than enough merit to stand on it's own." He commented affectionately. "However you do remain largely uninformed. You don't know everything that comes with being a vampire. If, that is what we're talking about here." Elijah spoke darkly. There was a pause and it forced me to think the worst.

"You still don't want to Turn me." I supplied hopelessly as the icy fear of rejection struck me. Elijah was quick to reply.

"You know I want you, just as much. As I said, what I want doesn't matter. This is a serious commitment. Not altogether unlike marriage, but the stakes are far higher. Just you and I for the rest of our infinite days."

"That's what I want." Came my whispered assurance.

"But you don't know all of what you want. If I turn you and you resent me for having done so, if you cannot control your urges, despite our connection-."

"You're afraid of taking that chance?" Now I was slightly unsure. "All this time you've always been so confident about your love for me. How bound we are. Like what we have is some insurance. You were willing to wait forever for me. For what? For me to make up my mind, only for you to back out?"

"If I'm afraid. I'm afraid for you. You were always happy to die. You offered me to end you the night I took you from Mystic Falls. Judging by how this has been stressing you the past few days, I can only assume the notion is fresh. What if you change your mind?"

"I won't." My voice sounded hurt. "I mean. Yes it's fresh. But that's only because I hadn't even been considering when I would die. Now that I'm pregnant I know it's going to happen. And I know I don't want to go. You know I've never been suicidal, despite any assumptions you might have made. But I wasn't living before you came along. I was open to death. Practically wanted to go whenever it was going to happen. This, change, it's been you. You're the source, you're the solution. I just want life with you." He looked me over sympathetically before his next words were measured and gentle.

"If you did, change your mind, your unhappiness would poison me." Elijah's pessimism was so foreign I was taken aback by it. "Poison us. We've still to know each other more fully. Rather, there's a lot you've yet to learn about me." Him doubting himself concerned me.

"What makes you think I would be unhappy?"

"Everyone has their faults. You can't love everything about me. There are aspects of my person that you have and would have issue with."

"I know I've picked at you, perhaps using faults as an excuse to push you away. But that's all because of Klaus. I don't even really see them otherwise. Besides, no one's perfect." Elijah flicked his eyes all over my face as he considered me. I returned his searching gaze wondering what he was thinking.

"Although you claimed differently, I know you can't have loved watching me kill at the Villa. Surely that made you assess my character? You justified my actions with Klaus having directed me to partake in that evening. But my experience, skill even, was obvious. I know you had issue with it." Recalling this I couldn't disagree with him. I hadn't judged him for it. But it had played on my mind a lot at one stage. I had thought of him in one light, and then he'd revealed what he was capable of.

"You're right." I admitted freely. "I wasn't over the moon about it. But Elijah, I've accepted that. I never judged you. Sure, it never sat well with me. But I've been exposed to more killing, even done so myself and know that if Klaus ever succeeds I'd be a part of that lifestyle. I've grown every time the stakes of my very existence have risen higher. It doesn't bother me any more. Perhaps it should. But it doesn't. You yourself are ashamed of it. That to me, is attractive and definitely more important than the killing itself. Besides, loving you now means I have to acknowledge that the past has made you who you are. You're a vampire, in some ways killing goes hand in hand with your existence. I eat meat. I haven't killed for my own food. But I know what goes on to put a piece of meat on my plate. I'm aware of the responsibility required when killing your own food. I get it." Our conversation paused then while Elijah appeared deep in thought.

"What of Jeremy and Jenna? If you have my blood in your body when Klaus kills you, and I am successful in killing him. The compulsion he has on them will break. They'll remember you. You'll have your family back only to lose them once again in the end." I lowered my gaze as some guilt surfaced. My next words were somewhat gravelly, even for me.

"I love them. I really do. Even though I feel like I've already lost them as well as my parents. But when I think about it. About being with you. I can't even explain it." Thinking forward and being open about the future with Elijah, I continued. "If I was a vampire and watched them live out their lives then leave me it would break my heart. But this, this need to be with you. It's so strong that when facing the unknown I just know I'll make it through. If I'm with you." Glancing up shyly I was met with eyes, warm with acknowledgement as Elijah stared at me with his mouth slightly parted.

"Are you saying that within your heart you hold me higher than your family?"

"I-." It was only now just dawning on me that what he was saying was right. Everyone matured to hold their partners more dear than their family in some ways. It was the social result of children in a family, breaking away to became independent of them. "I think I do." I accepted slowly then a smile overwhelmed my face. "I do." My admission was excited. "I'm amazed that's even possible. After trying to hold onto them for so long since they stopped recognising me, I don't feel like they're my reason for living any more." I paused for a steadying breath. "They're the reason I'm dying. The world as well. But I would like to live, Elijah. Because of you." This seemed to strike a chord with him as he gazed at me warmly. The admission I'd just shared with him seemed to calm our conversation.

The stress I'd been feeling dissipated as we both allowed my realisation to sink in. This honesty, in the realisation that I truly loved Elijah felt amazing. In a sense I'd already known. When I started feeling like I wanted to be with him forever this was what drove that notion. But to address it so openly now made it all the more illuminating. The change from just moments before was phenomenal. There seemed to be no barriers between us now. We were open, honest, and connected. I'd always been the one holding us back. Now I'd joined the party. Finally Elijah spoke.

"If not with you, my days would be spent alone. I couldn't disrespect our connection. Anything with anyone else would feel hollow in comparison." I offered him a more reserved smile than the one born of such joy moments earlier.

"You don't need to say that to make me feel better about leaving you, if that's the way things end."

"It is the truth."

"If I'm dead I won't know, what you do is your business alone." I reasoned in what I hoped was comforting for him. My logic had returned for the moment. Elijah's eyes shone with amusement and I titled my head and gave him a questioning look partnered with a frown.

"In the instance of your death, your concern for me would no longer be in effect. So it is most curious that you're basing part of your desire for an anti-death with my lonesomeness."

"That's true." I smiled and a breathy laugh left me. Acknowledging this made me feel silly. "And when I consider that, I know it's illogical." I paused. "But it's just how I feel." Elijah squeezed my hands.

"It pleases me that you listen to your heart these days." Again we fell into silence. While Elijah had taken to gazing at me in wonder with a slight frown on his face, his unfocussed eyes told he wasn't looking at me. Not directly. I found myself looking down at our hands and keeping my focus there. Where were we to go from here? Should I just get up and got to bed? We didn't need to talk everything out right now. I'd divulged the issue. The ball was in Elijah's court, so-to-speak. I hadn't wanted to talk about this in the first place, so I had nothing pressing to say.

The longer I had my thoughts to myself in the wake of what we'd just been discussing, I was reminded of the pressure I'd placed on Elijah. It was growing in intensity as the seconds ticked by. I hadn't wanted to put him in this position.

"Elijah?"

"Mmm?" He focused on me once again.

"I never wanted to pressure you with this."

"Are you leading into an apology again, when I've told you there's never a need to give one to me?" I smiled.

"Yes." I admitted. "Because I am. Sorry that is." Elijah cast me a playfully disgruntled look.

"I am, so very thankful for your honestly, Elena. I'm amazed, flattered, and honoured to finally know where I stand with you. I've always tried to be forthcoming with you about my own affections. However, I'm unsure of how to proceed regarding your wishes. I don't wish to give you false hope. Nor do I wish to get my own hopes up. I would love to spend forever with you. But I need to be sure the circumstances are right." His voice took on an air of foreboding. "There's so much you don't know."

"You don't need to reason with me. I haven't asked you to Turn me." Elijah looked as though he'd taken a mental step back, as thought he'd presumed wrong. "Not exactly, anyway. That wouldn't be fair of me." I stared into his eyes, compelling him to believe me. "You're right. I don't know. Only you will. Yes, I've told you that I would love to rise after Klaus kills me. But I trust you with knowing me. I trust you to make whatever decision you feel is right. No pressure. I've already resigned myself to death. It's a responsibility I can't shirk. I just, want, something after it." Elijah's previous, more certain facial expression returned as he comprehended that I wasn't withdrawing my desire to live.

"Once again, you flatter me."

"I respect you." I said while removing my right hand from his own and giving it a squeeze. He looked at me pointedly.

"We will continue to discuss this. I assure you. We mightn't have much time but we'll make the most of it." Nodding I found my remaining hand released and taking it as our chat was at a close stood up. As did Elijah. "So you're finished in the bathroom?"

"Yeah. I'll just grab a towel to dry my hair some more though."

"Very well." I did so while Elijah moved to the room's door and I heard him locking it with the key.

"The doors' locked, I'll be in the ensuite." He announced while crossing the room while I sat on the bed and rubbed the towel through my hair.

I'd fallen asleep before Elijah'd finished in the bathroom, but now I was awake. It was understood we'd be sharing the double bed, but I should have gathered doing so would allow for a certain amount of closeness between us. My head neck and back was resting fully back against the pillow and mattress while my waist was twisted so I lay on my left leg. My right was bent and rested upon it's partner. Elijah was by my side. I could feel his breath on my neck and assumed his face was nuzzled into my hair with how close he was. He was as close as could be lining my body with his, but the most peculiar contact was one of his hands. It wasn't simply connected to an arm, encasing my middle, as had often occurred. The hand was placed lower. Not so low that it had slipped to the juncture of my thighs. But only slightly higher and his fingers were idly stroking the soft pelvic area. Shifting slightly to bring my bum down against the mattress so more of me was facing the ceiling Elijah's hand remained.

"I hope I didn't wake you." He murmured suddenly to which I yawned.

"No. I think I'm just awake because I've slept more than usual lately."

"You'll have to get used to the restlessness if you intend to maintain the excessive sleep I alluded to Klaus this evening."

"Mmm. True. I'll work it out. I'll have to."

"I know you will." He moved his face a little then as if moving his nose from side to side in my hair. All the while continuing to stroke his fingers in my pelvic area.

"We probably shouldn't be this close. What if Klaus turns up over night?"

"Then I will have to think on my feet for an explanation."

"I'll just offload my worry to you then." I quipped easily.

"I'd welcome it. Though I doubt he'll find you tonight."

"How can you know that?"

"He will most likely travel similarly to us. Covering his tracks will take time. But it would be a necessary precaution."

"I hadn't thought about him being tracked." We fell silent then, Elijah still stroking the skin between my hip bones.

"You know there's no baby bump there, don't you?" I said gently, almost laughably.

"I do know. Yet I find myself searching for some tactile evidence just the same." Silence descended again. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No, not at all."

"Good. Because I'm rather enjoying myself." He chuckled to which I giggled softly. That gave way to a comfortable break in conversation in which Elijah must have been deep in thought. For his next words drew me in hook, line and sinker. "I've never fathered a child biologically mine before. I never had the chance before becoming a vampire."
"Did you have hopes of doing so, before?"

"Yes. Not that my family weren't adequate but due to the times and then the circumstances, my family had quite the rift. My mother and father never succeeded in providing the nourishment I felt I would have provided my own young. I wished to find happiness with another and build upon it. Form a family of my own and guard it with my life. Family, love, a home. Such simple things that can be tarnished so easily. With my father and Klaus at odds my family's place of residence felt less and less like home. I wanted to find that again someday." It was lovely to hear him talk about this. I already knew of him wanting to improve the lives of those less fortunate than him.

His arranged partnering with the original Petrova, had grown to hold affection because of that. But the way Elijah spoke of parenting now, made me feel open to the idea of creating a family of sorts with him someday. If he'd have me that was. The notion caught me off guard because I hadn't felt like a family vibe was ever going to be achievable for me again. Not after the deathly breakdown of my own.

"You don't necessarily need a child for that."

"True. But in the past when riches and spoils served to rate a marriage I found the product of a child more aesthetically pleasing. Love is, so often abused. I longed for something to nurture."

"So you managed to despite the child not technically being your own?"

"I did. Many times. I've fostered many children and youths feeling unwanted in this world. Not so much since technology has raced ahead. Now days I do need to keep a some what low profile. People can find out so much about each other via the internet. I'm sure someone would have a field day connecting the remarkably similar gents getting about that look like me. Exactly like me, no younger, no older. And, now that there are more strict agencies for foster care it would be too easy for my presence to be documented and cause suspicion."

"That's a shame. For you and the unwanted." I sympathised. "Technology certainly has it's down sides."
"Indeed it does. But it's brought a lot of good to the world as well."
"Do you ever feel like you're on the run from it?"

"There are times. For instance when historical things happen, I cannot always be there in person. No matter how much I might wish to be. The video footage taken or photos taken on anyone's mobile might include me. I can't have myself showing up everywhere at seemingly impossible times."

"That must be disappointing."

"Mmm. With the connections technology has made for us, it's worst side affect is how disconnected we immortals can become from the rest of the world. Something as simple and connecting as a Facebook account should really be off limits if you want to stay under the radar. Or perhaps an indulgence you can only partake in every two hundred plus years, and only for what seems a reasonable time due to not aging in any photographs that might be on display. Luckily, there are vampires who work on concealing the evidence of us. Scrambling codes, so pictures of pages become unreadable when required." Elijah finished. "That, my prospective vampire," he continued affectionately. "Could be considered one of numerous information briefings you're yet to have regarding the specifics of life as a vampire." Exhaling a laugh through my nose I smiled to the ceiling.

"Noted."

"What of you? Do you, or did you yearn for motherhood?" I considered him a moment.

"Not really. Due to reproductive problems I pretty much decided not to re-aggravate them later on by having a child. It could be done, but I didn't see the hassle as being worth while. Not when I could look at adoption. Then, when everyone else my age might have started considering how they'd like their life to play out, I had other things on my mind. So any want for a child someday seemed nonsense. And then, with just getting through each day with nothing to really live for, I certainly wasn't looking to find something to commit myself too. Let alone a child." Came my sombre reply.

"Or another. That, I know from personal experience."

"Ha. Ha."

"If you were to become a vampire, that choice would be taken from you altogether. Would that bother you?" I considered him for about three deep breaths.

"If I don't become a vampire. I'll be dead. No child can come from that. If I do, there's more to family than blood." It was simple really. "I'm sorry you won't get to father this one." I broke in suddenly. "I'm right in assuming it dies in the sacrifice too? There's not some other element?"

"Yes. It will die."

"My second victim." It was more an announcement than a catalogued comment, and my voice was low with the weight of saying it aloud. "We've created it with the intention to kill it."

"Elena." I continued on with a low even tone to my voice. As much as I disliked this situation, I was handling it so far. That or I was too exhausted to do anything but.

"It's the truth, Elijah. I never considered a child an identity until it breathed separately from it's mother. But I can't help but view this, mere molecule cluster in me as anything but a small person. What parents create something with the intention of killing it?" He moved his hand up and curled his arm around my waist and held me to him.

"We have little choice. This one, and yourself? Or the world, if Klaus finds a way around the sacrifice?"

"Oh I know. I just. This is just so hard." Defeated, a sigh left me.

"I know."