"Freya," Klaus said, "Does it seem to you like Elijah has been disappearing more often?"
 "Well, he does have a life, Klaus," Freya pointed out. "Maybe he's dating someone."
 "If he had a girlfriend, why wouldn't he tell us about her?" 
 "Why do you think?" Rebekah asked. "We're not exactly the most normal family around; he's probably trying to protect her for as long as possible."
 "Just because he's been getting out of the house more often doesn't mean he has a girlfriend," Freya pointed out.
 "Of course it is, Freya," Klaus said. "What else would it be?"

 "Okay, Josie and Lizzie are officially tucked away in bed," Alaric said as he came back down the stairs. "Should be much quieter down here now."
 "Alaric, you know I enjoy seeing those girls," Elijah said.
 "That's probably a good thing, because they definitely like you. The whole week, they were asking when you would come back to visit."
 Elijah smiled. "They're absolutely wonderful." 
 "Yeah, they are." Alaric came to sit next to Elijah on the sofa. "So, have you told your family? You know, about us?"
 "Not yet. Knowing them, they probably suspect by now that I've been seeing someone. But I can't tell them. Not yet, at least."
 Alaric could tell something was on Elijah's mind. "What is it, Elijah? Has something happened?"
 "No, not too recently. It's just that...I'm a Mikaelson, Alaric. And being a Mikaelson is dangerous. We have a lot of enemies, ones I probably don't even know about. I'm afraid that if more people know about you and me, you and your daughters could be in danger, real danger."
 Alaric nodded. "I understand. Well, you tell your family when you're ready. You're always going to be welcome here as long as Josie and Lizzie are here. Elijah, I've fought danger before; I'll do whatever it takes to keep those girls safe. But you mean a lot to me, too, Elijah. I...I love you."
 Elijah's eyes widened slightly. "You...I...I love you, too, Alaric."
 They both smiled and kissed, and for the moment forgot about whatever danger was out in the world. 

 "I still think he would tell at least one of us if he was seeing someone," Freya said.
 "Freya, I know you haven't been here long," Klaus said, "But you should know by now that secrets and deceit are not uncommon in our family."