And here is the newest chapter^^ Enjoy! Also, thank you all, for all your lovely reviews! Your words of encouragement have been amazing! I'm so glad I'd gotten them, thank you so much!

This chapter was edited and beta'd by the amazing HPuni101

o.O.o

Chapter Ten, Salt and Wine

Hitching my laptop bag more securely around my shoulders, I stepped into the Grill the next day just before the start of the afternoon.

Although it was sunny outside the Grill was dim-lighted and my eyes needed a second to adjust to the darkness. My hair was straight again, perhaps a slight wave to the ends, the left-overs from my previous hairdo and I was dressed in dark, tight skinny jeans and a pink floral sweater.

The noses of my sneakers scuffed and my shoelaces dirty. They were the most comfortable pair of sneakers I'd ever worn and wonderful for running (if only the idea of running would be helpful in any way).

Matt was waitering that day, holding a tray full of drinks. His face drew back in a pleasant smile and he came over almost immediately after I stepped inside.

"Do you need a table?"

"Ah, yes." I agreed. "I'd like one a bit more— quiet?"

"Oh, sure." He nodded and led me to one behind the empty pool table. At the bar, several regular patrons were drinking heavily, but none I recognized. I dropped down in the booth and intertwined my fingers together on the tabletop, my laptop bag a comfortable weight on my lap. "Do you think you could get me a coffee, Matt?" I asked softly. When Elijah came I really didn't need him to hover around my table. I had no idea exactly when he would turn up, which was why I'd brought my laptop.

Matt brought my coffee a few minutes later — 'There you go,' — and for a while, I stared at the dark liquid, swirling with white once I added coffee milk to a murkier brown. When there was no trace of Elijah twenty or so minutes later, I set up my laptop and did some mindless Googling.

Elena's history was full of fashion blogs, expensive dresses she liked and several artists she enjoyed. I was just scrolling through a blog from 'What Chuck Wore' (I harbored no illusions about my familiarity with teen fashion, but it seemed as interesting as any other) when the scrape of a chair jolted me back from my screen and my eyes were wide when I looked up.

Elijah was just as immaculately dressed as the last time I saw him, his shoes gleaming. I absentmindedly wondered if he polished them. Eyes flitting back up to his face, I tried for a smile. In the light of the day, he looked less dangerous, less Monstrously-Original.

"Hello Elena," he greeted taking a seat opposite of me.

"I— Hi." I muttered, shutting down the laptop.

"So this is what you normally look like?"

"Yes," I agreed, even at that moment I could see the irony of that comment, "this is what I look like. This is Elena Gilbert."

"Hm," he nodded, "Elena Gilbert the teenager."

"Yes." I agreed, before leaning forward. "You wanted to meet during daylight?"

"You seem more at ease in the light of day."

"Anyone would seem more at ease here than near a tomb full of starving vampires," I mumbled. "Knowing what I know about you, doesn't help either."

"Yes, what you know." He agreed. "How much do you know?"

"Obviously, I know who you are and I know about your brother, Klaus—" I started, frowning.

"And you know what my brother will want to do with you?"

"Yes," I agreed. "He needs to— drink my blood— all of it, to get rid of the curse placed upon him."

"And yet, here you are."

"Here I am." I agreed.

"Negotiating." He drolly replied and I gave him an unimpressed look.

"Yes, like I told you yesterday, I've seen things." I retorted. "I know that when your brother comes to this town, death will follow. Well, I can't blame that solely on your brother, but, I don't want to see this town go up in flames. I don't want to run and look over my shoulder for the rest of my life either." I continued, feeling tears start in my eyes.

I averted my them, blinking repeatedly until my vision cleared, but the remaining teardrops clung to my lashes. I inhaled deeply before I met his gaze again. "I'm willing to help you. Get back to you what you've been longing for so many years ago and try help your witches get their daughter and sister back. Although, I don't think Greta was forced to help Klaus the way you all seem to think, but— I will try. However, no one can know. My friends, my family even the vampires in this town. They can't know what will happen to me. What will have to happen to me? And I would appreciate it if my friends and family didn't get hurt while we're at it."

"You would die for your friends and family?" He asked.

"I would," I agreed, "but it isn't that simple. I know you found a way for the Doppelgänger to live."

He leant forward, his chin resting in his cupped hands, curiosity obviously roused: "Yes, I did."

"Would you be willing—"

"To let you use that?" He asked and I nodded, twisting the coaster between my fingers. "Yes, I would. I had always intended for Katerina to use it. I do not think you should die just for Niklaus' gain."

"You want to kill him." It wasn't a question. I knew he did, and perhaps if I helped him with that, I could let him do that. Without Klaus, things might have gone a lot easier, but then, many more people would die. Stefan and Damon would die, and even though I might have been unwilling to date either of them, I did not think they should die. Not that way. Not all the thousands who were undoubtedly sired to Klaus' line. "You might want to think twice about that."

"He killed my family— threw them at the bottom of—"

"No, he didn't," I replied, biting down on my lower lip hard. "He daggered them and now carts them around in coffins. I think because of your father? I don't know for sure."

"How do you know this?" He demanded, his hand shooting out so suddenly I didn't even have time to wince, but his fingers barely even graze my skin when they curled around my wrist. "Miss Gilbert, how do you know all of this?"

I smiled sadly, my hand trembling ever so slightly, "I can't tell you that. Besides, you wouldn't even believe me, even if I could tell you about it." His eyebrows drew together in confusion and then, his eyes flitting towards his hand on my arm. His mouth tightened and then he let go of my wrist, I buried my hands in the hem of my pink shirt.

"I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

"I—it's okay," I mumbled but kept my hands tightly fisted beneath the tabletop in my shirt. Elijah's lips suddenly twisted into an amused smile and I frowned. "What?"

"The blond waiter, is he your boyfriend?"

"Erm, no." And suddenly I understood. "He's my ex. What's he saying?"

"He thinks you're giving me— the sex smile?"

"Wow, well, if this is the sex smile, I'm unsurprised he hadn't noticed I wanted to end th—our relationship," I answered and Elijah smirked. "What?"

"He seems to think you look—"

"I don't think I want to know," I muttered. "Do we have a deal?"

"Right. You want to help me retrieve my family and go through with the sacrifice to trade your life for your loved ones?" He asked, his eyes gleaming with a light I would call interested and the intensity made me squeamish.

"Yes." I agreed before frowning. Was the situation so hopeless, I was okay with selling out my life (the only life I had left)? I stared at Elijah's hard face and swallowed. In anger, every vampire reacted impulsively. In anger, Elijah had been willing to kill kill his brother. I wondered how he felt about that, now he knew his family was okay. "What will you do now? I mean it has to be done here right?"

"Yes."

"And you need the moonstone."

He snorted, "Of course, you know where it is."

"I know geographically where it is. I don't know in which nook or closet it's hidden in," I explained.

"God, Niklaus is going to like you." He remarked.

"I hoped you could make Niklaus agree that if I survive, he will let me have a life. That I can choose to live however I wish." I explained. And that was the most important point. Getting to survive was probably easy peasy to a competent witch, but after Klaus learned he would need the Doppelgängers blood to turn werewolves into Hybrids, Elena's life would be over.

Which was why I needed his word. I had no idea how well Klaus would keep to his word, but Elijah would at least try. Besides, if Klaus would force his hybrids to do what he wanted again this time around, I was relatively sure the need for my blood would diminish.

"Where is the Moonstone?"

"The Lockwoods have it. I don't think they know what it is or what it does, but it's a family heirloom. Well, sort of."

"Mayor Lockwood," he muttered with a wistful smile, "and his lovely wife Carol."

"Yeah, Carol, how do you— Right, you've done your research on me and this town."

"Of course," he agreed evenly and I wetted my lips.

"Do we have a deal, Elijah?"

"Miss Gilbert, I certainly think we have a deal."

I shook his hand — I had a distinct feeling it was wholly for my benefit — and pressed my lips tightly together. The deal tasted heavy in my mouth, my stomach churning, because fuck, I actually made the deal that would (temporarily) cost me my life. Well, that would cost me my new life, if Elijah's magical potion didn't work. However, I needed him to make the deal. To get Klaus to agree to the most basic terms.

After the sacrifice, I would have a life. Even when Klaus knew he needed my blood, I would have my life and I would be in charge of my life. I wouldn't take myself out of the equation, I wouldn't let someone else decide over my own destiny if I could help it. But, I couldn't be like Katherine either. I couldn't be the reason all those people Elena knew would be slaughtered.

"Now what do you normally order here?" Elijah asked and I flushed embarrassed. I had no idea.

"Erm— curly fries? A burger? Milkshake—" I tried and frowned. Did they even have milkshakes?

"Hm, and what would you like?"

I hadn't eaten anything that morning. Anything last night too. I'd just not been hungry, but now— I didn't think I could reject his offer and subtly threw a gaze at the menu. "I guess, a hamburger would be fine."

Elijah nodded, beckoning Vicki Donovan to give his order. I watched Matt's older sister warily as she made her way over, hips moving almost in a sultry way. Her gaze was hard when stared at me — 'Elena,' — and I thought she too must think I was having a ravenous affair with a man a tad older than me.

A man who, if he hadn't been an immortal vampire, would face justice if he really did try and have an affair with me.

After all, Elena Gilbert was under the age of eighteen, which was the age of consent in Virginia. I guessed that was why the idea of me and him was so enjoyable. Small town but with a big love for gossip. Wonderful.

"I hope you understand that by tonight, the whole town will think you're dating me in secret," I stated, and he smiled.

"I've had bigger problems." His fingers barely grazed the back of my hand (when had I laid my hand on the tabletop again) and he gave me a derisive little smile.

"Stop giving everyone reason to believe it!"

His answering laugh was not how I expected it to be and with a face burning hot, I averted my eyes. The Grill was reasonably packed for the early afternoon and along the bar, several people were seated, sporting amber-liquid filled glasses.

My eyebrows furrowed together when I recognized the familiar figure of Alaric Saltzman. He was dressed in a dark button-up and dark slacks, his hair haphazardly combed from his face.

He looked bad (I guess he hadn't started drinking just because of Mystic Falls) and for a moment I stared at his haunched figure. He must have noticed my stare because suddenly, he twirled around on his stool and met my searching gaze head-on.

I wondered if there was something of Isobel Fleming in Elena's face because, for several moments, Alaric kept staring at me. Kept staring until I brought my gaze back to Elijah's.

"Who's that?"

"The husband of my biological mother. He just doesn't know that."

"You're adopted."

"You knew that already, didn't you?" I asked. "If you had the time to look into the Lockwoods, I expect you also took the time to look into the Gilberts."

"I did," he agreed. "The hospital has no birth certificate of you."

"I know."

And I did. I remembered the episode where Damon took Elena to Georgia. To visit Damon's witch friend. The episode Stefan told Elena about his stalking tendencies and whatnot.

I couldn't use that as an explanation, of course, and thankfully he didn't ask how I knew (perhaps thinking it was common knowledge or because 'I knew things').

Our food was served, two hamburgers, a basket of bread and another one with curly fries. I twisted my fork in the slight dusting of salad at the rim of my plate before slowly starting to eat the hamburger. It was all right, the bun fresh and the meat warm.

"The sacrifice. How do you want to do it?" I asked.

His chest rose and fell with a soft sigh: "There are several things I must attend to before the sacrifice can happen. The moonstone is one of them." He explained and I thought he also needed to locate his brother to make this happen. Or lure him in. I suppose luring him in with the slightest needling of the Doppelgänger's existence would do. I peered up again and stared Elijah straight in the eyes.

"And until then?" I asked. "What will you have me do?"

"I want you to do what you always do."

"I didn't expect that." I blurted out honestly. "I thought—"

"That I would tear you away from everything you know?"

"Yes."

His eyes flitted over my face and I wondered who he saw. His first love or Katherine? Both loves ended badly. From the series, it had gotten abundantly clear that Elijah's associations with any doppelgänger was or ended in a problem. He was either a catalyst or the damnation to their fate. I wondered— and ended that line of thinking.

"Elena, I plan on keeping my word. I will acquire the potion. I will present your deal to Niklaus."

"And then?"

"Then, when I speak to Niklaus I will make him promise to leave your loved ones alone, and if you find a way around your death, he would let you live." He remarked dryly.

"Okay," I mumbled and polished off the rest of my burger.

"I am still surprised you would willingly let yourself be sacrificed," he told me and I shrugged.

"What else could I do?" I asked, picking at the remainder of my fries.

"You could have done what Katerina did." He told me seriously and cocked his head to the side.

"I could. I might even have been able to make up a story about not knowing what I was destined for." I agreed and pressed my lips together. "But— I've lost people before. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Especially not the way Katerina lost her loved ones." I continued. I couldn't help the slight jab at him either. I knew he missed his siblings. Knew that for years he'd thought they'd been lost in the depth of the ocean, but he did have a hand in murdering Katherine's entire family. I wasn't going to forget that. "Don't get me wrong. Katherine is a manipulative bitch, but back then, she was just a girl."

"Katerina betrayed me." He told me coldly.

"No, Katerina was a scared little girl who ran," I remarked. "If I hadn't known the things I do, I would have done just the same."

"I don't think you would have." He told me softly. "Brave, caring little girl."

My cheeks warmed and I shrugged. I wasn't brave. Or at least, I didn't think I was. If I'd been brave I would have gone in search of Klaus. I wouldn't have involved Elijah— And caring— I was pretty sure countless girls would be unwilling to let so many people die. I bit my lip.

"One more thing—"

"What?"

"Your favorite doppelgänger wants to trade me and every other ingredient for Klaus' sacrifice for her freedom," I started and my heart rate picked up, "I know you think she wasn't punished enough but—"

"You want me to grant her her freedom?"

"Well, yes." I agreed. "Or at least to stop hunting her. She won't have to run and hopefully, she won't try and turn people into vampires or trigger someone's werewolf curse."

I didn't want Caroline to be turned into a vampire (not the way she was in the series) or get hurt repeatedly because of it (by those werewolves and later her father).

I didn't want Bonnie to lose so much (even if Sheila was not exactly a pleasant person to me) or even Tyler (who in the series I'd never really liked). I didn't want Jenna (or a different parental figure) dead— I bit my lower lip hard.

"I will keep Katherine away from Mystic Falls."

"Okay," I agreed. I supposed that was the best I could get and took a long sip of my milkshake.

"How did you get here?"

"My dad dropped me off. He thinks you're helping me with my History homework."

"Your History homework?"

"I thought you would be good at that," I remarked dryly and Elijah smiled. He nodded before leaving money on the table. He jerked to a standing position, straightened the lapels of his jacket and offered me his hand. I let him tug me to my feet and we both moved towards the Grill's exit.

"How did you find out about vampires?"

"Television," I muttered and this time he did laugh.

"Right, you've seen things." He agreed and led me to his car. "Let me take you home."

"I still can't believe you're taking me home again."

"I am. And you will go about your usual activities."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, dad."

Ten minutes later, I watched the taillights of his black vehicle disappear in the distance. I didn't know what kind of car it was, but it was black, sleek, and expensive.

The sun was hanging low in the sky and Grayson smiled at me when I returned home. Miranda wasn't there and I ascended the staircase quickly. I'd gotten comfortable enough around all of them, however, I often still felt I was intruding. These people, smiling at me and touching my face with the kind of parental love I'd once had with my own mother, were thinking I was someone else. They didn't really love me. They loved Elena. They had a history with her.

I nodded at Jeremy before retreating into Elena's bedroom. My legs felt heavy with exhaustion but, I wasn't tired. I couldn't sleep. So instead, that night, I curled up the window seat with Elena's laptop, continuing my mindless Googling.

To be continued…

A/N: And here it is. To be honest, I flirted with the idea of the Elijah kidnaps Elena angle, but, I see Elijah leaving Elena to live her life just as much. He always seemed to be almost sorry sacrificing an innocent human girl. Besides, this Elena is biological a lot younger than Katherine had been. She had not been through a banishment from her family, nor had she given birth to a baby. So in that aspect, she is emotionally younger too. What do you guys think?

I do like Katherine's characterisation. It makes me wonder what would have happened to Elena when Klaus had found her before either of the Salvatores had. Would she have become a vampire? Would she have tried and run to survive? I do wonder if Katherine would have chosen herself had she known her entire family would have been killed. Quite a nice idea for a fic if I think about it…

Anyway, this chapter originally had been part of the last, but that one became too long. It is why I split it. Like always comments and constructive criticism is much appreciated. I always try to work in the helpful advice you all give me in later chapters. I will admit a large part of this story is already done. I'm mostly checking and rewriting parts that don't flow right. Besides, it is the surest way I'll keep up the regular updating schedule…

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the newest instalment. Let me know what you think!