Hello Everyone! I am so sorry about the really late update. Please don't be mad! The past few months have been hectic... so again, I'm really sorry. I hope you will forgive me!

Anyway... ThePhantomismyLove - thanks for the review :-)

I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Please let me know what you think XD

6/10/15 - I made a few small changes :)

His chest rose and fell in even breathes. The sheets barely covered the lower half of his body, a great view if the sheets were much lower down his legs, his arms were folded lazily above his head, hands buried in his hair. It was nice to see him like this… Relaxed and acting so human like.

Lifting a hand, it slowly moved over the covered body, taking note that his body had moved just slightly, tensing. His knees bent and poked outside of the sheet. Grinning, my hand danced in the air before landing softly on his bare stomach. I watched in delight as his body twitched in surprise before stilling once more.

I lowered my face towards his, my hands slowly gliding over his skin, the twitch of his legs was the only indicator that he was actually feeling the sensations my hand was causing. His legs, full of hair suddenly straightened, I stiffened, waiting for him to wake up and pounce on me. When nothing happened, a feeling of disappointment raged through me that he wasn't about to have his way with me.

"What are you doing my love?" I gasped in surprise at the husky voice of Elijah. I was so sure he was asleep and so consumed in my thoughts that I didn't see him wake.

I glanced down at the handsome vampire below me before smiling at him. His eyes lit up with love before turning black with hunger and desire. I blinked and before I knew it, I was laid flat on my back with a massive hunk of vampire staring at me like he wanted to devour me on the spot.

Biting my lip, I wrapped my arms around his neck, watching eagerly as his eyes raked across my body, fingers dipped into the soft strands of my hair. I moaned at the massaging of my head, his fingers spreading delicious tingles throughout my body.

"Morning Elijah." I whispered sweetly in his ear, before kissing his cheek. Pushing my hands against his chest, he let me roll him so he was underneath me and I was straddling across his body.

"Hello, love." His eyes closed as I traced his face with my fingers, his hands slithered through the sheets to find my hips and pulled me forward so close that our noses were almost touching. "What are your plans for today, my love?"

"I would like to see Elena, just to make sure that she is okay. I need to know that she's… coping with her new life." I looked down at Elijah, anticipating his reaction to my plans. For a moment, there was no reaction. Deciding this was his answer, I hunted for some clothes. Picking out green laced panties and bra, dark green skinny jeans, and a black blouse. I danced around the room, shoving on my clothes in a haste to get ready as soon as possible so I can see Elena.

"No." With a frown on my face, I turned around to find Elijah with his arms stood with him arms crossed at his chest.

"Why not? Why am I not allowed to visit my cousin?" I placed my hands on my lips, annoyed with his commanding tone.

"She needs to feed. It would be dangerous to be around her at the moment. Your blood will be the only thing she would be able to think about." I shrugged, turning back to finish buttoning up my blouse. I shook my head at how ridiculous he sounded, stopping me from seeing my own cousin! Unbelievable!

After I was dressed I walked down the stairs to find Rebekah stood in white jeans and a white blouse with gold high heels. On careful inspection I noticed she was staring at me. Unsure why the sudden interest in me, I glance behind me to see Elijah walking down the stairs, fixing his tie.

"Rebekah."

"Good morning Elijah. A lovely morning, don't you agree? Ashlie? I must say you look pretty this morning." I flung my stare towards Rebekah, completely suspicious about the sickly sweetness in her voice. What the hell was she up to? Sure she was nice to me but not this nice. Before she would make friendly conversation, but today she was acting more friendlier than usual and because of that, I know something is going on. I just didn't know what.

"Erm. Thank you?" I squinted my eyes at Rebekah before turning my full attention to the handsome vampire behind me.

"I heard about your cousin. Such a shame." At that, I swung back around to Rebekah to find a smile on her lips.

"How do you know about Elena?"

"I guess news travels fast." Glaring at Rebekah, I knew something was up with her, and deep down I had a feeling that it had something to do with Elena. Like always.

"Right…"

"What are your plans for today, Elijah? Ashlie?"

"I'm going out." At my clipped tone, she turned her attention to Elijah, however he just shrugged, drinking out of his glass.

"What are your plans, sister…" Wanting to see Elena, I decided to leave now so I didn't have to deal with Rebekah any longer than I wanted.

Kissing Elijah on the cheek and murmuring a 'I love you', I waved goodbye and shut the front door behind me. I knew he was concerned about my safety but Elena was my cousin. I needed to know that she was okay. Besides Elena would know not to hurt me. I was her cousin! She won't her family.

Some part of me was upset that Elijah didn't stop me completely from going. It's stupid to be upset but I was hoping that he would accompany me to see Elena. Oh well.

Gazing up towards the bright blue sky, I silently hoped that Elena would feed. I don't think I could handle another family member being dead. Reaching into my bag, I fell short when I realised my phone was still on the bedside table in Elijah's bedroom.

After careful consideration, I decided to walk to Elena's, hoping that the fresh air would clear my head. I glanced wearily at people who walked past me, their scrutinising looks were unnerving. I was unsure about the looks, considering I haven't done anything wrong while I have been in Mystic Falls.

All too soon I was walking up the steps of the front porch. My mind was still spinning about from the events of what happened last night. Elena was killed (but became a vampire), I was almost killed, Elijah almost handed himself over to Alaric to save me, and Alaric is dead.

Knocking on the door, I suddenly felt nervous. What if Elena didn't want to see me? Is she going to feed? Does she even know what happened to me? Probably not. After a few knocks, I pulled my hand back to my sides, second guessing myself. Maybe this wasn't a good idea, I thought glumly. However before I could move away, the door opened to Damon.

"What are do you want?" Damon's voice was distant, his eyes were cold. What the hell did I do now?

"I want to see Elena. Now."

"Absolutely not."

"Excuse me?! I want to see my cousin now!" I was fuming. How dare he stop me from seeing my cousin! Pushing past him, I heard a small thud as Damon made contact with the doorframe. Keeping the smile off my face, I moved forward to march up the stairs when a grip prevented me from doing so. Glancing around with an irritated frown on my face, I found the culprit, also known as Damon, gripping my wrist in a deadly grasp, which I am absolutely positive is going to hurt like hell for a long time, with a look of stubbornness on his face.

"What part of 'absolutely not', do you not understand?"

"Damon, I swear to God, I will set Elijah on you if you do not let go me. Right now!" Knowing it was most likely a promise, he quickly let go before stepping in front of me, preventing me from reaching Elena. I huffed in annoyance, becoming very pissed off with this so called little game of his.

"Damon.."

"Fine. If you insist, but I will warn you, she's in transition, meaning she would be only hearing your blood at the moment. So actually it's a waste of time." Sighing, I pushed at him, silently cheering when he finally moved out of the way. Behind me, I heard his useless ramblings about how 'insufferable' I was.

-x-

"You were in an accident." I heard Stefan calmly stated to Elena as Damon and I stood in the doorway to Elena's room.

"Oh my God. Matt…is he…?" Elena panicked. I was so desperate to go and calm her down, but an arm prevented me from making a move towards my cousin.

"Alive?" Elena and Stefan glanced towards our direction after hearing Damon interrupt their conversation. Elena's eyes widen as she finally noticed me standing slightly behind Damon.

"Ashlie?" I waved at Elena.

"Hey. How you feeling?" She shrugged before glancing at Stefan.

"I feel okay."

"Matt's alive. Ask Stefan. The Hero." Damon yet again interrupted. Elena glanced back at Stefan.

"He's fine."

"Thank you. I thought that I – how did you…?"

"Save you? He didn't."

Stefan shook his head when I started to move forward. Frowning, I crossed my arms over my chest, annoyed that I couldn't even comfort my cousin. It's for your own good, a small voice in my head reminded me.

"When Jeremy brought you to the hospital before all this happened, your injuries were worse than anyone knew. Meredith Fell made a choice, she used Damon's blood to heal you." Stefan stated softly to Elena, who was glancing between all of us.

"And when Rebekah ran Matt's truck off the road, you had vampire blood in your system, Elena." I bit my lip while I watched, feeling helpless, as Elena started to panic. Shoving Damon out of the way, I sprinted towards Elena, grabbing her into a tight hug. I murmured in her ear, promises I knew were possibly going to be broken, however I didn't care at the moment about that. Elena needed someone and even though what happened when I arrived, I needed Elena to know I would also be there for her, no matter what. However despite my concern for Elena, I couldn't help be disturbed by the revelation of what really happened with Elena. I knew I should have guessed it would be someone like Rebekah to cause Elena's fall into vampirism.

"Hey, hey, hey. It'll be okay. You hear me?" Instead of replying, she continued to panic. Desperately, I looked at Damon and Stefan with pleading eyes, but they made no move to help me to calm her down.

"Oh my God. Does-No, no, no. Does- does that mean that I – am I dead?" The brothers said nothing, not even a murmur of comfort.

"No, no, no, no! That wasn't supposed to happen!" Elena cried. I tightened my hold on her arm more.

"Maybe it doesn't have to. I talked to Bonnie, she says she's stronger than ever, there might be something that she can do to help you." Stefan tried.

"No, the only thing that's going to help is for you to feed and complete the transition." I nodded. I didn't want Elena to die.

"We have all day before she has to feed, Damon. That's a day to exhaust every possible way out of this."

"There is no way out of it. We all know the drill. You feed or you die. There is no door number three."

"I was ready to die. I was supposed to die. I don't – I don't want to be – I can't be a vampire! If there's something that Bonnie can do, we have to try."

"We will. We'll try everything." Next to me, I heard a scoff. Looking up, I saw Damon roll his eyes at Elena. I didn't notice him moving further into the room.

"Your choice, Elena. As always. Have you thought about what if there wasn't anything Bonnie can do, huh? Still want to die? What happens when you die huh? What about Jeremy? Ashlie?" Damon stomped out of the room, his head shaking and mumbling under his breath. Glancing back at Elena, I could see tears continuing to stream down her face.

As I moved to get up from my seat, I felt a tug on my hand.

"What do you think?" A quiet sob followed the question.

"I don't want you to die Elena. You and Jeremy are the only family I have left. Please don't do this. I'm begging you, please don't."

"Why? Why a vampire? I don't want to be a vampire! I wanted children, get married, live a long happy life until I grow old. Please… Please go. If you can't accept that I don't want to be a vampire, then…just leave. I can't be a vampire." She mumbled the last part but I heard her. Sadness washed over me like a tidal wave. Fighting to keep the tears at bay, I walked away.

I stopped once I reached the doorway. Looking back, Elena was still sobbing. Turning around, I allowed the tears to fall, wet little streams flooded down my face.

As I sat at the kitchen table, I felt the tears start to finally slow down. I knew she didn't mean to hurt but it still pained me to know that she will most likely follow her plan on not becoming a vampire – meaning that I would be losing another family member. It really pained me that didn't want to be there for her.

Hearing footsteps move around the room, I lifted my head to find Damon walking to one of the cupboards and grabbing a bottle of alcohol. He poured himself a drink, offering me one as he walked passed.

Shaking my head, he shrugged his shoulder. Behind me, Stefan entered the kitchen.

"Way to get her hopes up for something that's never happened in the history of vampirism."

"So there is no chance of Elena living without being a vampire?" I asked. I wanted to hope that there was some chance that Bonnie could do something so that Elena can be human but after what Damon said, that hope was quickly diminishing.

"There is no chance." Damon replied.

"You know what, you weren't there the day Elena looked me in the eye and told me she absolutely never wanted this." Damon gulped down his drink in one gulp.

"Then you shouldn't have let her die."

"I never mean for her to die. She asked me to help Matt first and I did." Stefan reasoned. My eyes snapped back and forth as they continue to argue over my cousin. It was starting to get a little tiring.

"And now the world has one more quarterback. Bravo, brother." Damon started to pour himself another drink. I walked over to Damon and poured myself a glass of water. His eyes darted to the drink and rose one of his eyebrows. Ha! I wasn't going to drown my sorrows in alcohol. I wasn't that type of girl.

"I made a choice that I will regret for the rest of my life. Now let me try to fix it." Stefan calmly stated. I watched over the rim of my glass as Stefan walked away from us. Damon finished his drink in one gulp again.

"Oh hey Ashlie. So why are you here?" I glance behind me to find my other cousin standing there looking a little shocked I was here.

"I wanted to see Elena. Look I know it was Rebekah that did it but I didn't know until I got here. If I had known I would have tried to stop her. Although I was kind of stuck in the middle of something-" I stopped short when Jeremy held up one of his hands while shaking his head.

"Look it's okay. What happened to you?Matt said you left here and just took off. Where did you go?" I shook my head.

"It's doesn't matter. Go upstairs. It would be good for her to see you. But be careful." I gestured up the stairs and smiled a half-smile.

It wasn't long before Elena made her way downstairs. As she glanced around the kitchen, she frowned when she noticed the room was absent of one person. Damon. He had left a little while ago as I made myself a cup of tea.

"Hey." Her small voice resounded through the kitchen.

"Hey." I replied back without any enthusiasm.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I notice you didn't listen to me." I turned away.

"I'm sorry too, for you know, looking out for my cousin who had always helped me. Obviously it was stupid to think you would listen to me. Look I'm gonna go and meet with Elijah. Are you going to be okay here?"

"Yeah you go. I'm fine." Squinting my eyes at her, I could see how much this was affecting her. She doesn't want to be a vampire, but I really don't want to loose another family member.

Nodding, I finished the cup of tea. Getting up from the chair, I walked around the table to where Elena was sat. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around Elena. For a brief second, Elena didn't move; not an inch. Slowly but surely Elena started to relax. All was fine until I felt her breath on my neck, I could feel her heart racing as the hunger started to control her.

"Get out of here, Ashlie! Now!" I heard Stefan shout as he ran down the stairs.

After getting the hell out of Elena's house once Stefan had pulled Elena off me (I tried to wrestle her off me but she was clinging onto me too tightly), I had gotten a cab going back to the mansion.

So ten minutes later I was stood outside the mansion. I didn't want to go in, I had a bad feeling something was going to happen.

As I walked inside, I immediately became concerned as I heard the small sobs in the room next to me. My feet fluttered soundlessly across the floor as I moved stealthily, hoping not to spook the person responsible for the quiet cries.

Peering into the dimly lit room (somebody had drawn the curtains and turned on the lamp near to the old leather sofa, I noticed a figure hunched over and quiet sounds of paper being thrown. Who was crying, I wondered. Taking a huge risk (the person most probably don't want someone invading their alone time so they could possibly attack me for being the one to interrupt their time), I glanced nervously inside the room once more.

Hesitantly, I moved inside the room. I was startled when the figure slumped on the floor rose the face towards my direction. Rebekah sat defeated on the floor, her back hunched, eyes wide as they glanced wearily around the room.

Around her were drawings of a variety of subjects. These were Klaus's drawings. I recognised them. Is this her way of mourning? Look at his drawings and throw a fit over them.

"Is everything okay?" I asked quietly, scared I could possibly scare her away.

"No! Everything is not alright. What are you even doing here?! Elijah isn't here right now. So leave." Rebekah hissed through her teeth. I ignored the threat in the tone of her voice. Sitting down next t her, I grabbed one of the drawings. It was of a girl laughing. It was beautiful. Although as I looked at the girl next to me, I could see the resemblance. Klaus had drawn a beautiful picture of his sister laughing.

"You miss him." It was a statement not a question. A statement that sent her glares onto me.

"Leave."

"No. Rebekah, it's okay to mourn. I feel like I have been doing that my whole life. I know what it feels like to lose someone so close."

"Look I don't need a pity party."

"I wasn't… I was just stating something. Look… I know it's not the best time but what you did was horrible to Elena, however I forgive you. It's stupid to forgive but I realise something while I mourned over her. She would have never been a vampire. She never wanted to be one. Also I don't want any hard feelings between us. You need someone to talk to, I could be that person. I need someone to talk to. She…she didn't want to be a vampire. She didn't care who she had hurt even if it's something she truly wants. It feels weird without her here. She took me in when my parents died, I needed her and she helped me. I know you hated her for what she did and you killed her but I forgive you even if I shouldn't. So yeah…." I glanced over at Rebekah only to find her stood up. So much for trying make a truce with her. Looking behind I found something I truly did not want to see today.

"You have got to be joking me… Why the hell is Damon here." I muttered to Rebekah next to me. Feeling the need to move away, I heaved my body away from Rebekah and sat on the chair opposite her.

"Nice speech, Ashlie. I wonder what Elena would have said to that."

"You should know better than to sneak up on a lady." Rebekah informed. I sat back in the chair waiting for Damon to make a smart ass remark.

"Don't.." I murmured, shaking my head and Damon retorted back to Rebekah.

"Good advice. Have you seen one?" Damon smirked. Rebekah turned to face him after glancing at me for a moment.

"Tragic about Elena. Not to make a grey cloud greyer, but does Matt even have automobile insurance?" I gasped at the jab about Elena. She could at least wait until I was out of the room. I might have somewhat forgiven her but I'm still upset over the ordeal. Rebekah turned around, and suddenly Damon rushed at her with wooden weapon (I have a feeling it was the white oak stake). I watched as Rebekah slam Damon again the dresser, resulting in him dropping the stake. I darted across, grabbing the stake. As I stood, bullets penetrated the window, shattering the glass. White hot searing pain danced across my body as I felt the small pieces of wood darted into my body. Screaming, I fell backwards, my vision blurring. In my dim vision, I watched in horror as Rebekah is shot in the heart with an arrow. She falls backwards like I just did. Where the hell was Damon? Did he escape? Why isn't Elijah here yet? What if Elijah has been hurt already trying to get into the house? Oh god no… Please don't let Elijah be dead.

"Elijah…" I gasped out, feeling the smothering darkness envelope its black arms of cloud around my body.

Through the pain, and hurt of possibly no Elijah in my life anymore, I dimly felt arms lifting my body up. I didn't have the strength to care who has grabbed me. It was too much. It hurt so much.

-x-

"Ashlie?!" The faint sound of my name being called so frantically woke me. I groaned as the pain suddenly like a tidal wave hit me at full force.

"Ashlie? Can you hear us?" Nodding my head slowly, I opened my eyes to find myself slumped against a hard surface facing two blondes. Rebekah and Caroline sat like me, hunched against the wall of the- van? I think- with their hands now free of rope (the ropes were currently laid in their laps. Opening my mouth to demand for an explanation when all of a sudden they started to shake their heads.

"Don't talk okay? You lost a lot of blood. You need to save some energy." Oh. Other than the pain radiating through me, I felt okay. Although I don't know if I'm still shocked over what happened or just generally okay.

"But I feel fine," I whispered with a hoarse voice. I coughed to clear my throat.

"You're in shock. Ashlie what do you remember?" I sat confused for a small moment. They just told me not to talk and yet – they want me to talk. I glanced at the two blondes before shaking my head.

"All I remember is talking to you then Damon showed up. You two fought. I went for the stake and then nothing. What happened? Why are we tied up? Where is Elijah? Where are we? Who did this?" I sprouted of questions, ignoring the slight thump of anxiousness when I thought of Elijah. Did something happen to him?

"Listen, okay? Everything will be okay." Caroline started but stopped when Rebekah scoffed.

"Rebekah don't start." Caroline hissed at the blonde next to her.

"Oh… I'm sorry but I don't think lying to her is going to help. She needs to know the facts and those are that we are NOT going to be okay. Listen up Ashlie. You was shot in the stomach and arms with wooden bullets. You lost a lot of blood although not enough to kill you. You are weak and need to rest. The town council is rounding up the vampires. I have no idea where Elijah is."

"Why aren't you giving me blood then?" Caroline sighed.

"To be honest Elijah threatened to harm anyone who offers you blood. Don't ask why on earth he would threaten with that but I refuse to be on my brothers bad side. Besides, you will be okay once you rest and eat some food." I nodded.

I whipped my head frantically towards the back as the wheels of the vehicle we were currently in started to make a horrible screeching noise. Suddenly the van flipped over. I scream as the ropes pulled viciously against my body. Pain bloomed through my body as something sharp brushed against my previous wounds. I whimpered desperately for someone to help but as I looked through bleary eyes, in front of me Rebekah and Caroline were being thrown around.

Feeling the van finally lands on its side, I could barely hear over the ringing sound in my ears, Caroline starts to shake me. I tried to move, to show that I was alive, however the pain was extreme. I couldn't move without whimpering in pain. I didn't feel Rebekah removing the ropes or both of them laying me on the floor.

"What…happened?" I faintly heard Rebekah exclaimed. I could feel myself slowly fading when the door to the back of the van is suddenly wrenched open.

"Elijah! Help her!" I opened my blurry eyes to find Elijah hovering over me. I gulped loudly.

"Elijah?" I whispered in a horse voice.

"Oh, love, what have they done to you?" He swept a piece of soaked hair out of my eyes. His hurting and watering eyes met mine. I sobbed as I was pulled into his chest, cringing when the fabric of his rugged shirt brushed my wounds.

I barely heard Rebekah and Caroline talking. I was suddenly lifted into his arms as he carried me away. Patting his chest, he stopped as I glanced behind me to find Rebekah cursing at – Tyler? – and I felt guilty. We were going to leave her behind.

"What the- Elijah!" Elijah walked toward Rebekah.

"I will be back for you. I am sorry Rebekah."

He walked away leaving his sister attempting to untie the ropes. A little bit of me as guilty for leaving Rebekah there and angry at Elijah for actually leaving her there but I couldn't begin to care. I was bleeding slowly and I could feeling being pulled into darkness. I just hope Rebekah will be okay.