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Pairing: Elena x Elijah

Prompt: Mistletoe

She didn't have much experience with the eldest Mikaelson. Freya had come out of the woodwork shortly after Hope was born, but she had been too busy with the drama of Mystic Falls and her insane love life to actually meet her. Everything she knew came from second hand sources.

Freya was a badass, mega-powerful no nonsense witch: according to Stefan. Caroline had described her as kind and extremely exasperated; likely from having to deal with her younger siblings on a daily basis.

Up until her arrival in New Orleans, at Klaus' behest, she'd had no interaction with the woman. That likely would have continued to be the case if there hadn't been a new threat against Hope.

Becoming a vampire had only made her blood useless to Klaus in his mad search for hybrids, but she was still a valuable commodity; her blood was a potent agent in any spell.

Part of her had wanted to say 'no, screw you' when Klaus called simply because it was Klaus who had called, but she couldn't say no to a man whose only interest was in protecting his child, and protecting Hope would be an easy feat with her blood. It helped that he had asked as well; before Hope was born, and for several years after, he would have just kidnapped her.

Since he had asked, semi-politely, she had agreed.

That was how she found herself in the middle of the empty courtyard with her feet glued to the floor. She had made it halfway to the giant Christmas tree before magic had stuck her fast to the ground.

She tugged at her feet with a grunt before tipping her head back.

She didn't have much experience with the Mikaelson witch. Her list of attributes and character traits was short compared to her family, but she felt confident adding prankster to it.

Ten feet above her head, tied to the string of hanging lights, was a sprig of silver mistletoe.

She knew what it meant when silver mistletoe hung in the home of a witch. The plant only changed colour when it was enchanted. Damon had tried that trick on her last year, three months after she broke up with him, in an attempt to steal a kiss and perhaps seduce her. Luckily Caroline had been around the corner spiking the eggnog. Damon had wolf whistled at their kiss; the consumption of alcohol had made them a little more into it than they normally would have been. He had then groaned when she tore down the plant and tossed it in the fire.

She knew she would be stuck until someone came to her rescue, so she crossed her arms and rocked back on her heels.

She shivered and rubbed her upper arms. Her coat was beautiful and warm but not designed for an extended period of exposure. Even as a vampire she was starting to feel the cold.

"I wonder if this is how Snow White felt?" Her breath made a white cloud in the air. Wasn't New Orleans meant to be warm?

She was seriously starting to feel like a damn Disney princess waiting for Prince Charming to bestow her with true love's kiss: useless and no longer in control of her own agency.

She had fought for so long to find her voice, to let her voice be heard, but here she was: stranded. She hated that feeling. She hated being dependent on someone else.

Somewhere deep in the compound a grandfather clock chimed the hour. It was three in the morning; she had been standing alone for nearly eight hours in black boots with three inch heels. She never wore heels, but she had that day.

Wasn't the compound supposed to be vamp central? Where was everyone?

He sighed wearily and willed his exhaustion to go away. It had been a long, trying day. They had dealt with the latest threat and taken some heavy losses: half the wolves and vampires.

Klaus was still in the Bayou arguing with Hayley. The Alpha was furious that he had jumped the gun and half of her pack had been killed.

He had heard them screaming for miles until he reached the city and their voices were drowned out by Christmas carols. He had sent a message to Davina to let her know it was safe to bring Hope home in the morning before making his way to the compound.

There was a fifty year old bottle of scotch with his name on it, but before he could get there he had to cross the courtyard: the occupied courtyard.

He froze by the door and stared; she glanced over her shoulder when she sensed his presence.

"Elijah," her mouth popped open, "you're a little late, aren't you?" A strange sense of déjà vu took over her.

He felt his expression soften as he approached a slowly looked her over.

"You've changed your hair," he circled around to face her; "I like it."

Her hand came up to her shoulder length curls. A pretty flush stained her already rosy cheeks as she shook with a small laugh.

Elijah chuckled and tilted his head. Had Klaus called her sooner they might not have gone through what they had, but still he found a quiet comfort in her presence; he always had.

"Would it be rude of me to ask why you are standing in the cold at…" he checked his watch, "… three thirty in the morning?"

"Incredibly," she snickered when he smirked. She pointed upwards and cleared her throat. "Your sister, I'm assuming it was her, hung enchanted mistletoe. I've been standing here all night."

"Yes," he followed the line of her finger, "Freya has a… playful side." He looked down into her laughing eyes. "Do you require assistance?"

She pretended to be affronted and brought her hand up to dramatically cover her heart.

"I am a strong, independent woman. I don't need a man to come to my rescue."

Elijah nodded once and took a few steps forward until he was under the enchanted plant. He gave her the most serious look he could muster when he was no longer able to lift his feet.

"I appear to require the assistance of a strong, independent woman," he cupped her neck. "Would you be so kind as to help me?"

Elena's breath caught in her throat. The last time she had seen Elijah he had kissed her and sparked something deep inside. Even without humanity she had felt the thawing of her heart; it had taken years for her to realize that had been the first instant of her emotions trickling back in.

"You know I'm not Katherine, right?" Her eyes darted to his mouth when his tongue poked out to whet his lips.

"I have never once thought you were her, Elena."

"But…"

"I knew it was you," he met her flashing eyes.

"Then why did you kiss me?" She frowned.

"I thought it might be my only chance," he carded his fingers through her soft hair. "I didn't think I'd ever get the chance again."

"And now?" Her eyes fluttered shut as he leaned closer.

Elijah paused a hairsbreadth from her lips; their mingled breath made him dizzy.

"Now," he murmured, "I think I need to get Freya another Christmas present."

He pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss and lifted his feet to slowly walk her backward. He let go and held her face in his hands.

Elena could hear her heart fluttering, and by the smirk on his lips she knew he could hear it too.

She grasped the back of his neck and crashed her lips to his in a fierce kiss.

His heart skipped a beat before quickening.

Grasping her hips he pulled her flush against him so he could feel every soft curve of her shivering body.

He was going to frame the enchanted plant.

The spark she had felt without her emotions was nothing compared to the roaring inferno of her emotions. It physically pained her to push him away; she almost laughed at the kicked puppy look in his eyes.

"What?" He tried not to let his disappointment show.

"Hope?" Elena arched an eyebrow. "The spell… I thought these were time sensitive issues."

"Oh that," Elijah caught her waist and pulled her back to his chest. "We took care of that."

"Gee," Elena rolled her eyes, "thanks for the phone call."

"I would say I'm terribly sorry, Elena," his eyes glittered with laughter, "but I've rather enjoyed catching you under the mistletoe."

"Hope is safe?" Her fingers curled around his collar.

"Perfec…" He was cut off by her soft lips. It was rather difficult to talk with his tongue otherwise engaged.

He rested his forehead against hers. "Do you have to go back?"

"There's nothing pressing," she breathed. "And right now all I can think about is getting off my feet and warming up."

"I think I can help you with that; assuming you'll accept my help."

"I don't need help," her lips curled up in a smile, "but I'll definitely accept it."

Elijah smirked and grasped the backs of her thighs before flashing into the compound.

He was definitely going to frame the mistletoe, and buy Freya the perfect Christmas present.

I had this idea for an ELEJAH KLAROLINE LOL Pirate AU. Elena gets in trouble after her parents find out she has been doing something unbecoming for a lady of gentle birth and send her off with Caroline for the New World (or the colonies) to marry, but their ship goes down in a freak accident, but they don't go with it.

Thoughts?