""All this- all of it could have been different- Jeremy, Jenna would still be alive, and Klaus wouldn't be able to become a hybrid!"- 

"I am sorry"- he said- " Elena"- he wanted to ease her pain a little. 

Her eyes were full of frustration and tears now just burst out, rolling down her face. He didn't expect this kind of reaction- but it was a very natural reaction to all that had occurred. The realization that if destiny had played its cards differently, the witch would have been there to help her against all that came her way in the last two years. She stood in the room like a lost hind and without too much hesitation he simply walked over to her and embraced her. She needed the embrace, although maybe she would push him away, but she buried her head in his shoulder and clenched onto him as if some of her heartache could pour into him and she would be released of so much pain that overwhelmed her. 

"I set the fire.... I killed him..."- she uttered through her sobs. 

"No, you didn't Elena, it was not your fault...none of it is your fault"- he stroke her head gently. Her heart beat so fast, he thought it would jump right out of her. 

I WISH I WAS YOU-  

A PIECE OF GOLD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BLUE- 

TOO HEAVY TO SWIM-  

BUT TOO BEAUTIFUL TO LOSE 

Realizing that he held, she slowly moved from his embrace- now collecting herself. He let go and stepped back- without a word she walked out of the room leaving him with all his feelings now jumbled up more than ever before. 

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Elena walked the streets of the city she didn't know, but that was the least of her problems. She needed to be by herself. The world and all that had happened seemed to be so far away like years had been passed in only few hours. She looked at the world with new eyes. The bustling streets full of people were a welcoming distraction. All the colours were brighter and sounds more vivacious- and she felt like whatever is to come she will stand firm and stand her ground. Wondering without any particular goal, she ended up on the beach. She didn't care who was close to her or not- she sat down and watched the vast blue that was stretching in front of her. She felt free and gladness filled her whole being. 

At the house Elijah sat down at his desk in his study, he took a small booklet out and started writing. 

Alicia knocked at the door of his study, and he invited her in. 

"You have this house on disposal as long as you and Elena need it."-he said. 

"I thank you. I see that you do care for her - and far more than you are letting - and she will need you- she has the instinct for survival like all beings do- she will not falter... she didn't crumble then... she sought comfort and assistance- looking forward to new things and challenges- Elena is a fighter- and now she has the possibility to have a family of her own - love - something no one escapes from- "- she gave him a look -"I will be back tomorrow " 

He just nodded. As she walked out of the room, he sat down- and continued writing. All that she said he took in consideration, nevertheless. 

********************************************************************** 

Her hunter's instincts started to twirl in her and she tried not to think of them. She was thirsty and hungry- food smelled so good and she realized that her human needs were dictating her life again. She got up and slowly walked back to the house. 

The sun was about to set when she walked back into the house. A as he heard her walk in he appeared in the kitchen where Elena was looking for food in the fridge. 

"I'd be happy to prepare you something?"- he offered. 

"I don't know- you can, I guess-" she said.  

"Please-" - he motioned to her to sit down and let him take over- "is there anything you fancy?" 

"Anything..." 

"How was your walk?" 

"Fine. New Orleans was like I imagined it would be."- she didn't feel like talking much.  

She took the glass of water he offered her and he continued with the preparation for the meal. She looked at how skillfully he cut the vegetables and herbs. Seeing him in such a very private and domestic situation showed her a new side of him that she thought didn't exist at all. He looked very human to her. She was very much aware that he would listen to her heart and now she tried to control it just to hide her more pleasant emotion, and that for some unusual reason she could not be cross with him- and again she fought the feeling away that started to creep in from nowhere like that evening at the lake after he had rescued her from Rebekah when she retold him all that happened to Stefan and events that took place after Klaus daggered him. 

"I am glad I am away from the Falls"- she then said- 

That sentence surprised him- 

"How so?"- he now passed her plates and cutlery to lay the table for both of them. 

"Distance is helpful- it hurts- still and I guess it will for a long time- but all is different now... and I am glad I am far away from it all" 

"From that place where all bad things happened?!"- he concluded.  

"Yes- it's going to be easier to cope with it here. Everyone must be going mad, but I just need to be away. They will probably never forgive me." 

"I understand"- he now plated the dish out and they sat down to have a meal together. 

The dinner passed in silence. She complimented him on it. He offered her to take the coffee outside. She accepted and walked out into the garden. 

The evening was mild and the neighbouring myrrh blossoms were letting its sweet potent scent around and Elena sat close to it taking in one of so many gifts of nature. 

As he poured the coffee in the cup and passed it to her, a passerby would think there is a couple who is enjoying the nice evening after a long day at work. 

Elena was not willing to just sit and enjoy the remains of the day, there was a bone to be picked and after she had a sip of a very rich espresso- she said- 

"So, Katherine gave you the Cure- I guess she got something in return?" 

He raised his look at her and his face smiled - he was wondering if they would come to the subject of the fair Katerina. He bluntly replied-" Nothing." 

"How does that work?-Elena would not let go-" she did something out of the goodness of her heart?!" 

"No"- he looked at Elena with his eyes gleaming with honesty- "it was leverage for helping her with Klaus!" 

"Of course"-Elena blurted out. 

"And you were right"-he added-" I was deluding myself into believing that maybe the girl I met so many centuries ago was still somewhere inside -but I guess Katerina died a long time ago"- 

"Me and my mouth..."- she then said to difuse the situation. 

"That is what I admire about you- you are honest - with all your emotions and without them- even when you had tried to deceive me... you are honest!" 

Elena's brown eyes sparkled up a bit and with a smile she said-" I guess I don't do a good Katherine!?" 

"No... Katerina wouldn't be so surprised to see me-" 

"So... why did you-"?" 

"Why did I do this ungentlemanly thing and stole a kiss?!" 

She nodded slightly. She tried desperately to maintain her cool and now wished she didn't put the question. Why did it matter at all, he was the one who only ever has his own agenda in mind. 

"I admit I was carried away into playing along with the deception- and for this I can only apologize!"- 

"I guess those who don't play nicely deserve what they get. Also need to always be careful what to wish for..." 

"You know by now how I dislike to be trifled with!?- 

"Yes. And I did it again. Will we ever get even? Maybe now- I get that helping Alicia you gain to keep your family safe and yourself -still it doesn't make sense. I am a very powerful match now - it doesn't make sense you agreeing to all of this.." 

"True. Why would I put myself at risk- as I am the one at risk here. There are no friends linked to me to keep me alive like Klaus- and also there is Rebekah and we have no leverage, but there comes the time when consequences need to be weighed out- the threat of the demon the Dark witches are willing to rise again is very real- it will be the doom of us all- and I love this place we call Earth- its infinite beauty and marvel that never seizes to amaze me. I cannot see it destroyed, it is as simple as that." 

Elena didn't expect such an answer from him. It was clear that there is so much more in him and she wanted to know more. All of his soul, what really moves him, what is that he really feels- and then she said- 

"Why do I feel there is more?" 

"Klaus wants his power again, and I cannot allow this to happen." 

"With me you get to help the balance be restored and keep Klaus' hybrids in check."-Elena concluded. 

"You are not means to an end Elena, although it doesn't seem to be so." 

"It doesn't"-" We all want something from someone- Katherine wanted you to put in a word for her with Klaus, I wanted to have a different life- love that consumes me- adventure- and now it looks like some of my wishes will come true. But I wish you came to me when you learned about the Cure-...? " 

These words hit him like a dagger burning his insides- she could see that she shook him like no one had done it ever before.