Linked

Changes Pt. 2

  Elena made it through the full mug before the pain arrived. Elijah felt the heat of her suffering in his core as her fangs erupted and her body strengthened. He gathered Elena in his arms and nestled her in his lap on the couch, stroking her back and whispering to her it would pass soon. She was extraordinary, the black veins swimming under her compassionate brown eyes. Her complexion had regained its olive toned radiance. She smelled of strawberry shampoo with a touch of vanilla. Her hair fell in soft waves after drying naturally. He focused on her plump blush colored lips for a moment; he wanted to kiss her. It seemed now that he had admitted to himself his affection for her, those affections kept fighting their way to the surface of his thoughts.

  As she transformed before him, his mind flickered back to all of their moments together. He had lied when he told her he would never make the mistake of feeling for another doppelganger. Had his kidnap of her led to the hemorrhage? Elijah pushed his thoughts and guilt aside and focused on comforting her now. The pain had finally subsided, and the tears freely flowed down her face. Her transition was finished. Even swimming in his black sweats, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He gently brushed the wetness from under her eyes with his thumb and just held her for a moment. When she had calmed down, Elena looked up at him. Her face was an open canvas. Elijah could see and feel every emotion plane as day as they came. Pain, fear, loss, acceptance, confusion. It gave him a chance to catalog each reaction and the emotion it paired with and store it away for later use. What struck him was the sensations that came afterward. He saw and memorized gratitude, and that flittering feeling earlier had been… hope. There was a flash of something he wasn't quite sure of, maybe lust. 'Is it over?” She questioned as she moved to sit next to him. “Yes, your transition is complete. I expect you're still hungry, but we will address that need later.” Elijah paused before he continued. They needed to discuss their plans. “Where would you like to go Elena? I'd prefer to leave before your friends and my family prevent us from our departure. I was thinking you could contact Miss Forbes and have her pack some stuff for you and meet us on the way out.” Elijah could make wherever she wanted to go work, so long as it wasn't the town over. He was concerned she would suggest that.  The Salvatore's would sniff them out within two days if they were anywhere close, and those boys would be a problem. Elijah hated how easily they could manipulate her. “Surprise me.” Elena answered playfully.

  She had gone back into the bedroom to call Caroline while Elijah had just finished getting everything set up. He had contacted his connections and asked them to have everything prepared for his and Elena's trip. Now he was sending out his new number and an out-of-office memo to all of his contacts. Elijah also sent out a quick email to his siblings informing them of Niklaus. Rebekah replied immediately, apologizing for Elena and thanking him. Elijah knew his sister would wait for his written response before calling. She would want to gauge his anger with her. He wasn't ready to have that conversation with her, so he ignored her but sent another email out to Kol asking him to pick up his car from the hospital. Elena walked into the living room then, “Caroline is over at my place packing as we speak. She's upset but happy to be more in the know than most. I'll call everyone else on the way out of town,” Elena sighed. Damon Stefan Alaric and Jeremy were the ones who would be most against this choice. Elijah cleared his throat, pulling Elena back out of her inner musings.” I have something for you” Elijah said, reaching into his pocket and getting out the spare non family ring he had picked out. He presented it to Elena and felt the other ring brush against his chest from his inside pocket, someday he would hopefully replace this ring she was putting on, he thought to himself. “A daylight ring…. It's beautiful, thank you” Elena murmured as she put it on. The ring was lovely. The oval lapis lazuli stone in the center was surrounded with 4 diamonds forming a square around the oval with a white gold band. It didn't quite feel like her, but at the moment nothing really did, and she needed to figure out who she was now, after the transition.

When the pair made their way out of the mansion, Elijah's black Mercedes was pulling into the drive. “Welcome to the club, darling” Kol smirked at Elena as he stepped out of the car. Elijah knew this would be awkward. “Thank you brother, if you don't mind, we are in a bit of a hurry." Kol laughed, “If you're avoiding the Salvatore's, rest assured I broke their necks at the hospital. They were harassing the pretty doctor endlessly.” Kol was glancing at Elijah when Elena lunged. Elijah just missed her by a millisecond. She tossed Kol onto the ground and was preparing to bite as Elijah pulled her off. “Relax Elena, they will recover shortly, and it buys us a few minutes for you to say goodbye to your friend” he whispered as he hugged her from behind. She calmed a moment later, but now they had to deal with Kol's shock. “How is it possible that she is as strong as us?” he inquired, looking hard at Elijah. The noble had been hoping to have longer before his siblings were made aware of the link. “She is as strong as any of us, brother. I had her linked to my life force. Elena has all of the perks of an original now.” Elijah used vampire speed to rush Elena into the car and pulled out, leaving Kol standing in the driveway with his mouth gaping open.

A few minutes later, they arrived outside of Elena's house. Caroline was waiting outside with the suitcase as they walked up. “I packed a bit of everything and the stuff you requested. Are you ok? Do you have a daylight ring?” The blonde asked in a mothering tone as she hugged Elena tight. “I'm okay Care, I just don't want to hurt anyone or cause any more problems than we all already have” Elena assured. Elijah knew it was difficult for her to leave her friends and brother in the middle of all the chaos, but she had been doing a fantastic job. Jeremy walked out then and stood next to Caroline. He looked disheveled in his baggy black jeans and black hoodie. There were bags under his eyes and his mouth was pinched tight. “Elena” he replied quietly. Elena hesitated, looking at Elijah. He nodded and escorted her forward, his hand on the small of her back. “Jer, I'm so sorry” she whispered as she moved in for a hug. Jeremy stepped back before she made contact. “So am I.” He paused before continuing. “I'm glad you're still here in a way, and that you're going away to learn Elena. I just wish you would have tried to find a way to stay alive.” Jeremy spun then and slammed the front door on his way in. Elena reeled back in shock, and Caroline gathered her into a hug. “It will be okay, he just needs time, Bonnie and I will take care of him, I promise.” Caroline said, letting her go. They thanked the blonde vampire and Elijah put the luggage into the trunk. “Call me every day” Caroline said wiping her eyes. Elena nodded, and they were off.