A/N: Five years later.

I was sitting in a coffee shop, enjoying the rich smell of hot coffee and sugary pastries that surrounded me. I loved the atmosphere of this place. It was bustling and friendly. I frequented it as often as I could. So much had changed for me. It hadn't taken me long to get my bloodlust under control. Once I had, I'd returned to my home, prompting much celebration from my family. It had been hard keeping it a secret from them and lying about what had happened. Of course, it was necessary but I still didn't like it. Once I could move to college, things became much easier for me. I still thought about Klaus and Elijah each day…it was inevitable. During the day I could keep it at bay for the most part by staying busy but when my eyes closed, the dreams would begin and I would see their faces once again, holding me in bed.

A shadow passed the window of the dimly lit coffee shop, followed by the ring of the bell over the door as someone entered. I didn't look up, focused on enjoying my senses. The mixture of smells, the music, the heartbeats, the chatter. That was my favourite part of being a vampire. I revelled in it each and every day.

"One black coffee to go, please." said a warm, velvet voice, reaching my ears from the counter. The voice stirred something inside me, a sense of familiarity. I looked up, eyes searching for the source of the voice. My eyes found the back of a tall, dark haired man wearing a suit. My eyes widened in disbelief. As if in a trance, I got up from my seat and moved towards him. He was in the process of taking his coffee as I reached him. I didn't speak, just watched. He turned, ready to leave, then froze upon seeing me.

"Elena…?" he murmured, as if unable to comprehend the sight of me.

"Elijah." I felt a warm smile on my face and I was unable to control myself. I threw my arms around him. He cradled me tightly, coffee forgotten. When we broke apart, neither of us spoke, we just stared at each other with joy and renewed feelings that I'd tried to bury long ago. I escorted him over to my table and we sat down together.

"How are you Elena?" he asked quietly.

"I'm good. I missed you…" I said softly. Missed didn't begin to describe the longing, the sadness I'd had when I'd left him. I'd wanted him every day and wished I could find him or that he would find me. And now my dreams had come true, I was so happy.

"I missed you too" He said with a slight smile. I shyly reached across and touched his hand. He gently brushed his thumb over the back of my hand, watching me with such tender love in his eyes that it sent chills down my spine.

"I thought about coming to find you," I admitted, looking down.

"I did too." He told me.

"What happened to Klaus?" I asked, afraid of what he'd say. I'd been living in fear that he would resurface and take me away from the life I'd created.

"Last I heard he was terrorizing New Orleans." He rolled his eyes at his younger brother's antics and shrugged. We both sat in silence for a few minutes, wanting to discuss the inevitable topic but afraid to bring it up.

"What do we do now?" I asked, shyly. I didn't want him to disappear again. I wanted things to be good between us.

"It's up to you. It's always been your choice what happens Elena." He reminded me. I considered this. Elijah had aided Klaus who had ruined my life. I wanted him in my life but did I really want the world I'd been avoiding from to come crashing down on me again? I didn't know. I didn't want to rush things with him.

"Well… maybe we could…go out for dinner sometime." I suggested. It was a nice middle ground. We could see how things went. I hoped we could make it work. He nodded slowly, pleased.

"I'd like that. Shall we go?" I nodded and took his hand. He led me out of the coffee shop and into the uncertain future.