PLS DONT READ THIS IT ONLY FOR ME THANK YOU

3

Sunlight trickled through the cracks in the curtains, landing on Elena's still form. Elijah sat opposite of her, willing her to wake up and soon. Klaus had been in a fowl mood. In the days that Elena had been asleep, Klaus busied himself with replacing order to the French Quarter.

Marcel's death didn't seem to have the effect on New Orleans that Elijah or Klaus expected. The local vampires went about their normal lives; they didn't mourn, they didn't observe new leadership. They all just fell into the new pattern of reporting to either Klaus or Elijah. Klaus continued to allow Marcel's rules to stay in place; another change wasn't something the French Quarter needed.

Matt's body lay at her feet, his neck ripped open and covered in blood. Elena's body shook in immeasurable grief. Faceless people from the ball littered her memories; blood, screams, and carnage chased her. Every fiber of her undead being felt as if it was being ripped about by guilt of what she had done. She couldn't escape.

Elena had started moving slightly and Elijah was by her side in an instant. He took her hand in his and squeezed softly. He brushed her hair back from her face, "Elena," he murmured, "I'm trying to make it better."

Elijah dived into her mind, taking her grief onto himself. He pushed further, allowing her to have peace of mind and pleasant thoughts as he dealt with every negative feeling she had to offer. He didn't understand why, but he couldn't bear her suffering.

Elena felt a heaviness lifted off of her. Her thoughts began to turn to lighthearted things. She felt as if someone was holding her hand, keeping her anchored to the earth. Elena thought of Elijah, his kind eyes and the way he seemed to protect her. She felt a sense of closeness to him; she needed him for some unknown reason.

Elijah smiled at her thoughts, ignoring the grief temporarily to realize that they both felt the connection. He allowed her to slip into happier thoughts as he continued to channel her emotions. She wouldn't feel anything she didn't want to.

Elena's eyelids fluttered, taking in the moonlight that shone through the open curtains. She felt a steady pressure on her hand and looked down.

"Elijah?" She asked.

Elijah looked up and gave her a faint smile, "You've been out for awhile."

"How long is awhile?"

"Almost a week," he sighed, "It took some time for you to work through your emotions."

Elena sat up, taking her hand from Elijah. She stretched, hearing all of her bones snap back in to their rightful places, "I feel like I was hit by a bus."

"I don't take kindly to being called a bus, but I understand the sentiment," Elijah chuckled.

"Why don't I feel bad about what I did? I can't remember being angry or upset or anything."

"I transformed your ill feelings into happier ones. What you did was not your fault. Klaus made the decision to take your humanity; I felt it was unnecessary for you to go through the emotions," he explained.

Elena wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him close, "Thank you, Elijah."

He was surprised at her sudden show of affection, but recovered quickly, "You're very welcome, Elena," he said softly against her hair as he hugged her back gently.

Elena pulled away and stood up. She walked around the room, stretching her legs, "How's Klaus?" She asked, peering out the window and at the French Quarter.

"You can ask him yourself," Elijah said, "He'll be arriving shortly."

Klaus walked into the Elijah's room, his eyes set on Elena.