an: I'm pretty sure this has been done before but oh well. For you curious readers, the Latin word Sanguis means blood. I was challenged to only have one character speak with quotation marks, and I've wanted to rewrite this for a while so here you guys go!

The door is splintered, blasted apart before she can even exhale. Stefan knows their newly improvised plan. She's glad he is the friend that is here, anyone else including Damon would call her crazy.

She tells Stefan she needs to talk to the Original, alone. He attempts to dissuade her, and she shakes her head. She points out that they're safe, she and her vampire friend-while in the house.

Elijah reminds them he is patient, he can wait them out. Elena is sure he is, centuries would make one very patient. She reminds Stefan to stay in the house. Stefan hands her the kitchen knife, and it's in it's cover, placed in her back pocket as she comes out. Elijah tells her that their deal is off. She attempts to renegotiate, heart pounding too quickly and she wonders if this is adrenaline. He sounds bored, reminding her pointedly, that she has nothing left to negotiate with. No leverage of any kind, and she's surprised he hasn't tried to threaten her to get her to leave the safety of the now doorless lake house. She takes the knife from her back pocket, praying Elijah will believe her. She does not enjoy pain. He points out her dear friend Stefan wouldn't let her die, her attempt at leverage is very pathetic. She returns that maybe Katherine had the right idea, turning into a vampire to avoid the sacrifice. She offers that she won't do it if he promises the same deal as before. He looks at her amused, but his eyes are calculating. Probabilities of her stabbing herself, that Stefan will heal her, she can almost see the numbers run in his head. She wonders how good he is at math. It's silent for a tense moment-and he finally speaks. He apologizes, ever the gentleman-that he doesn't believe her. His eyes bore into hers, and she looks at him wistfully for a moment, and the adrenaline makes everything go quickly.

She takes the cover off the knife, her eyes on his, and stabs. She's fairly sure she hit an organ or two-this is some of the worst physical pain she's ever had and she's not actually sure how she's standing. He shouts, the words are too quiet to hear over her heart beating and the rush of blood in her ears, her blood dripping onto the floor, she can feel it as she pulls the blade out, she doesn't hear it hit the floor. She begs him to make the deal again. she nods, saying words she has to focus on just to hear.

"Yes, you have my word. I will keep the deal. Let me heal you." The last part is a plea and a command intertwined, and she moves forward, adrenaline. There's blood in her mouth before she can even comprehend it. She sucks at the source of it-a wrist she thinks, she can still feel herself bleeding-her head is so light. His hand is carefully at the back of her head, she's pressed into him. She wants to apologize for ruining his suit or at the very least his shirt, the wound is healed and she tastes skin.

She hears voices, both familiar. Her eyes close.

He carries her, easiest way to return her to Stefan.

"Remind her that our deal is still valid and not to do that again. You and your brother are alive because your priorities are to keep her safe. She is only with you because of that. Do not make me regret my decision." He warns, Elena will be fine, he can hear her heartbeat, as he carefully gives her to Stefan- it's steadying from within the house.

He's about to walk away when he adds,

"And Stefan? If you try to run, or hide her from me-I will track you down and the result will not be pleasant." He warns again, and he's gone. Stefan breathes a sigh of relief, carrying Elena to a couch.

finis