Linked

*Choice*

  When he made his way back into the suite, Elijah had somewhat collected himself. Elena was there, nestled on her side, facing the door as he strode in. Even in death and with his comforter pulled up to her chin, she was captivating. Her sweet brown eyes sparkled with unshed tears, her hair was a mess, the pallor of death was setting in and the plumpness of her cheeks was all but gone she was still breathtakingly beautiful her long-sleeved teal and black shirt and black pants had mostly dried. She dragged in an unsteady breath, and he sunk to his knees beside the bed and clasped the hand that was peeking out of the blanket. “Why are we here, Elijah?” She murmured.

  There it was, the introduction of what may be his ruin. Elijah wasn't sure how long he sat rubbing her knuckles, gazing at her, before he spoke. Maybe it was a second, maybe it was many minutes. “Elena, you have a decision to make. You can elect to complete the transition, or you can choose to be done. I brought you here so that you could make that choice independent of any pressure or influence.” His voice cracked only once as he rushed it all out. Elijah was holding his unneeded breath too anxious to proceed on, there was so much more he longed to add, to apologize for, but he did genuinely want this to be with no outside pressure for her, and he was concerned that if he continued, he would not be able to hold back. The vampire was attempting not to spill the contents of his heart. “I have notified your friends that you will reach out when you are ready,” he added, knowing it would be her next question.

  Time stood still as he waited, his turning stomach alluded to her inner anxiety, but he also felt something else, something unexpected….something he couldn't identify it was just a flicker, an unfamiliar emotion he hadn't figured out. It was a pleasant flutter in his heart, almost a feeling of butterflies. He did not have time to explore it very closely before Elena spoke. “I never wanted to be a vampire” she choked out. Elijah cautiously schooled his face into his indifferent and unreadable shield as he started to break internally. There it was, the words he had been dreading: his destruction was impending. “If I transitioned, would you help me?” It was whispered, so softly, Elijah was not sure whether she had spoken for a moment.

  He was reluctant to dare to hope. “If you so choose to transition, lovely Elena, I will, of course, assist you if that is your desire.” Elena gripped his hand tightly and drew in a deep breath before she went on, stronger and more assured of herself now. “I will transition Elijah, that is my decision, I cannot leave Jeremy all alone in life.” His world was instantly rebuilt. The original could feel the confidence she had in her choice, she was not wavering. He could sense the tears of relief coming, he stood up and spun to the side as a few slipped past. Damn his lack of discipline.

  Elena saw the tears before he turned but also knew he was attempting to hide them from her, so she resolved not to ask or otherwise point them out. She was reeling internally as it was. Elena was not ready to open up this new can of worms tonight, she mused. Truthfully, she's not quite certain why she is choosing to transition, she knew now that she was t was true she wished to avoid leaving Jeremy all alone, but it was more than that it was her friends, it was the Salvatore's, and a private corner of her mind whispered… it was Elijah. In the past hour, she had seen more emotion from him than she believed he was capable of. The regret was eating him alive, and it was a regret she didn't want him to carry. Elena saw that he was condemning himself for this, but she understood it differently. Rebekah had made the wisest choice. She had killed Elena, thus liberating both of their friends and families from the hunter Esther had created. Of course, Elena wished Rebekah hadn't chosen the path she had, but Elena and her friends had slain Klaus and that was Rebekah's brother.

  Elena understood, and a part of her was grateful. Her death likely spared Damon. Matt would be ok. They wouldn't all have to live fearing Alaric turned psycho hunter. She had already mourned Alaric, and now everyone was safe. She knew that Elijah cared for her. It was clear in the always and forever he had ended his letter in, but she hadn't expected to ever see him lower his walls to this level. She has always felt for him. Since their very first meeting, there was something, a connection. Something inside her that told her he wouldn't hurt her, that she could trust him.

  That link had grown over their time together, and Elena had a tough time keeping him out of her mind as the days went on. She had worked hard trying to keep him out, it wasn't right she had promised Stefan she would never give up on them, and she couldn't afford to let her attraction to Elijah come between them, but then her attraction to Damon had snuck up on her.

  Now, in her death, there was clarity. She and Stefan had been over the night, he threatened to drive her off that bridge. Elena knew what she needed now. She spoke softly, not wanting to startle Elijah, as he was lost in his thoughts. “Elijah, I'd like your help, and if…if it's OK, I'd like to request something of you.” Elena clutched the blanket. She was nervous. She appreciated what she was about to propose would be a lot to ask of him. Elijah turned, and again he knelt by the bed and held her hand. Elena could see he had some of his walls back up, but there were emotions she couldn't identify in his eyes, and she was lost in them for a moment. “Will you help me in this transformation? Will you take me away from here and teach me? I recognize it's a lot to ask of you, but I want to avoid being around people I know and could hurt while I learn, and I'd like to learn from the best.” Elena had been looking at their interlocked hands as she talked, she was afraid of seeing rejection in his eyes. “Lovely Elena, yes, of course, we can do that. Please know I am completely at your disposal for as long as you should need.” Elijah responded smoothly.

  He stood now, brushing an imaginary piece of lint from his cuff. “We have a bit of time yet Elena but if you wish to complete the transition I must go gather a few things, you would be perfectly safe here for the time being as no one can get in,” he said as he stepped over to the bedside table and pulled yet another burner phone out of the drawer. He grabbed the number off the phone and used it to call the other phone, programming himself into it and her number into his before handing the phone to her. “Until the transition is completed, bright lights and loud sounds may be unbearable, but I'll leave it up to you if you'd like to come with or remain here.” Elena tried to keep the shock from her face as she formed her response. “I will hang out here,” she answered. It was sad how being offered a choice had been such a shock, Elena thought to herself. Elijah went over to his closet and found one of his sweatshirts and a pair of jogging pants with a drawstring before turning to me. “If you prefer to get out of those clothes, there is a shower beyond that door, these may be a bit large, but they will work until we can get you better situated.” He pointed to the bathroom door. She nodded her head as she accepted the sweats. “I've put my number on the phone I gave you. I will be gone only an hour, and I'll have to call and walk you through how to let me in.” Elena thanked him and he flashed away. She knew the first thing she craved was to get out of the clothes and wash off the smell of the water.

  Elena knew she should call everyone and let them know, but she chose to wait a bit, she had just died. It was okay to be selfish, she reasoned with herself. Truthfully, she felt they would all be against this decision, and she wanted to avoid being alone as they railed at her. She made her way to the shower.