Summary: For over a 1,000 years, a promise of protection connected a powerful family of witches and the Originals. Neither would allow any harm to befall the other. After breaking his curse, Klaus snaps the bond between the two families. And now the Mason witch is the only one who can stop him.

Genre: Romance; Supernatural

Pairing: Elijah/OFC - Louisa

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.

Author's Note: Hello! Sorry it's been a few months since my last update. Writers-block is no fun. Hope you guys like this chapter. Keep those alerts/favs/reviews coming. Thanks to my latest reviewers, LittleApril and Thersia33. Really appreciate your feedback. Happy Reading!

With only two or so hours left until sunrise, Louisa and Collin hurried up the staircase to the fourth floor. Pausing at the top of steps, Louisa hesitated. She closed her eyes and took a breath.

"You getting anything," asked Collin. "Is he here?"

"Left," was all she said and began to move her feet once more. Collin followed, a frown reaching lips.

"There's a dozen doors down this hall, Lou."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing that I know where I'm going," she replied, finally stopping in front of one of the beige colored doors. She placed her palm flat against the door and began whispering. A small click sounded, the lock now unsecured. Her eyes flickered to Collin. "Welcome to apartment 33D," she began, while twisting the door knob. "A beautiful two bedroom, with hardwood floors and a fireplace. Plus, tinted windows," she added playfully, "perfect for those sensitive vampire eyes." The door creaked on its hinges as Louisa pushed it open fully.

"I think we found him." Their eyes were instantly met with a closed coffin sitting in the center of the room. Strange symbols covered the oak casket, symbols that Louisa did not recognize. She would worry about that later. The important thing right now was tending to Elijah.

"Did I mention earlier that this is a terrible idea," said Collin suddenly.

"Would you have preferred Klaus meeting us at the door," she asked him, crossing over the threshold, her boots clicking with each step.

"He probably already knows we're here," he mumbled.

"Then we better start moving faster," she countered. "Come on. Help me open this thing."

Louisa moved quickly, placing both hands on the edge of the coffin. Collin followed her actions, taking hold of the bottom. On the count of three, they lifted the lid. Gritting their teeth against the weight of it, they dropped the cover to the floor once fully removed from the casket.

"Gross," said Collin, taking in the sight of the Original. Elijah looked as though he had been locked in this box for centuries. He very closely resembled an old statue, his skin grey and cracked.

Louisa reached into the coffin, wrapping her fingers around the dagger protruding from Elijah's chest. "You brought them, right," she asked. Collin nodded, removing the duffel bag from his shoulder. He unzipped it and pulled out a couple blood bags. "Okay," she said. "Here it goes…"

Louisa tugged at the dagger, but it barely budged. She frowned and brought her other hand to wrap around the stake as well and she began pulling even harder. Finally, after a couple more attempts, she dislodged it from his chest. Both Louisa and Collin remained silent and simply stared at Elijah, waiting for him to wake up. They let a few more seconds pass, but nothing happened.

"He's not moving," said Collin nervously.

"Give me one of those," said Louisa and he handed her a blood bag. Louisa unscrewed the cap and bent over the casket. She attempted to open Elijah's lips, but they were sealed shut. Instead, she placed a few droplets of blood underneath his nose, hoping the scent would help revive him. But still, he didn't budge. Her worried eyes began to scan Elijah's form thoroughly. Why wasn't he awake? She had no idea what to do next. "I don't understand."

"Maybe you did it wrong."

"I'm pretty sure there's only one way to unstake a vampire, Collin," she yelled.

"Then why the hell hasn't he woke up?"

"I don't know," she said, throwing her hands in the air. "It must…take a minute…"

"Louisa, we don't have a minute," replied Collin. "Klaus could come through that door any second-"

"I don't care," she screamed. Louisa growled in frustration. She took a deep, calming breath before she spoke again. "I'm not leaving without him, Collin. I'm not."

Louisa found herself yawning yet again, but as long as she kept one hand on that coffee cup she would be fine. A loud snore emitted from Collin's nose suddenly, causing her eyes to shift to the right. He was sound asleep with his cheek pressed up against the window. She smiled briefly, thankful for all of his help. Collin didn't have to come with her and risk his own skin. But he did. And she was glad he offered.

Collin was particularly helpful with getting Elijah out of the apartment. Those muscles he always bragged about were put to the test. With Louisa lifting his feet, Collin took hold of his shoulders and they carried Elijah out the building as quickly as they could. When they reached the pick-up, Collin tossed him over the tailgate.

Louisa glanced behind her, through the cab window, checking on Elijah periodically. He still wasn't awake. What if Collin was right? What if she had done something wrong? Louisa had never tried waking the dead, let alone an Original before. But then again, this could be how it's suppose to go. Some things just take time.

Without warning, Louisa heard a loud bang in the back of the truck. Her eyes immediately flew to the rearview and saw a blur pass quickly across the tiny mirror. She chanced a quick look behind her and saw nothing in the back of the truck. Nothing. She cursed loudly. "Son of a bitch!"

Elijah was gone.

When Louisa flipped forward, through the lifting fog, she saw something blocking the roadway. She instantly hit the brakes. The tires screeched to a halt while her fingers remained wrapped tightly around the steering wheel. With the assistance of the headlights, she was able to identify the barrier in her way. "Elijah," she breathed, slightly relived that he hadn't run off. It was very short lived however.

Louisa all but jumped from the drivers seat and slammed the door behind her. "What are you doing," she shrieked. The Original said nothing. He stared at her strangely, taking a step forward. Continuing her rant, Louisa didn't even notice. "I didn't drive all the way to Mystic Falls just to end up scrapping you off the highway! It was hard enough getting you out of your box-"

Elijah unexpectedly advanced upon her at vampire speed, trapping Louisa between himself and the hood of the pick-up truck. A fear she had never felt around Elijah filled her senses when Louisa met his gaze. With fangs extended, he lowered his head without hesitation... ...

Louisa stirred before Elijah's teeth could puncture her skin. She exhaled. "It was just a dream," she whispered, staring at the dashboard. She sighed with relief. Why would she even think it? Elijah would never hurt her.

The truck shook lightly as the tailgate was released. "Let's go," called Collin. "I'm not doing all the heavy lifting." Louisa looked behind her and found Collin jumping into the back of the truck. Yawning, she exited the cab, not bothering to close the door.

"You better hope he forgives you for that," said Louisa, catching sight of Collin pulling Elijah by the arm.

"You got a better idea," he questioned her. She opened her mouth to answer but stepped back instead when Elijah's head swiftly snapped forward. Collin immediately released the vampire, following Louisa's movements. Elijah's body twisted. His bones popped back into place and the natural color of his skin magically returned. He was still for a moment, before he abruptly stood.

Turning his attention to Collin, Elijah said, "I think I can manage from here." He ran his hands down the front of his suit, smoothing out the wrinkles in his blazer. He walked past Collin silently and jumped from the back of the truck. He stopped in front of Louisa, lightly tugging at the cuffs of his sleeves. "Do you have any idea how dangerous your little rescue mission was?" Louisa laughed in disbelief. "You could have been killed," he continued.

"Really, Elijah? I hadn't thought of that," she teased.

"I think it's quite apparent that you didn't."

"Why can't you just say thank you," she mumbled under her breath.

"You are reckless, Louisa," stated Elijah firmly. "When have I ever accepted such behavior-"

"Oh, please," she whaled. "Reckless or not, we saved you! Klaus could have kept you locked away forever!"

Elijah shook his head. "For a century or two, maybe," he began. "But not forever. He wouldn't be able to handle the loneliness."

"And neither would I." He noticed her voice was a bit calmer and just a tad bit sweeter than it had been. "I might have never seen you again and..." Louisa looked away, deciding not to continue. "Look, Elijah," she began. "I can't stop you from being angry with me. Despite anything you say, I'd do it all over again if I had to."

"Yes well, I suppose I'm not entirely upset with you. Though, I would love to know," he continued, "how you came to learn of my situation?"

"She had a dream about you," began Collin, coming to stand next to Elijah. He handed him a bag of A Positive. "We got a whole duffel full for you buddy."

"Do you dream of me often, Louisa," inquired Elijah playfully. She rolled her eyes.

"Don't flatter yourself. I thought it was a dream, yes," she replied, "but when Collin told me he had the same one, I was sure it was more than just a silly hallucination."

Curiosity suddenly struck him. "You had this dream as well," he asked Collin. He nodded. "How strange…"

"Why is that strange," asked Louisa.

"Because our families are no longer obligated to one another. Due to what occurred when you were a newborn, Louisa," he began, "we will always be connected. But Collin, along with the rest of your family, should not be able to sense us in that way."

"Collin and I are very close," responded Louisa. "He probably just piggy-backed it from me." Elijah didn't look satisfied with her answer. "Well, what do you think it means then?"

"I believe there could be more bounding our families together then we actually know."