A/N: Disclaimer: I own nothing. All the rights to the musical belong to their respective owners.

The story will consist of several (or more than several, it depends) chapters, as I prefer dividing the text in small portions (~1000 words per chapter). Pairing – Elisabeth/Death.

The events take place some years after Elisabeth's death. As Death, not according to his promise, has never come to see her again, she finally decides to go and see him herself.

1. The Meeting

Elisabeth did not think she would be sent exactly to the place where Death was standing, contemplating something. The effect of meeting his eyes was striking. A mixture of feelings has overwhelmed her. Strangely for Sisi, he did not appear to be surprised to see her.

"Finally, Elisabeth…" he was by her side in a moment, wrapping his longing arms around her.

Having already felt the captivating effect of his embrace (she remembered it as if it had happened yesterday), the beautiful forever young Empress freed herself from him assuredly. Unsure what the woman he had been waiting for all this time was going to do next, Death waited. She was upset, very well. Elisabeth had every right to feel this way. After all, it was his fault. And up to this day he was not completely sure whether she was going to finally come at all. She could have chosen the quietude and peacefulness one can find in Heaven - after all, her life was a very tragic one, with so much pain and fighting against everything and everyone…

Heaven was the perfect place for anyone… anyone but Elisabeth. She refused to listen to anyone's orders or suggestions, however benevolent. When she was offered to retain the beauty of her youth that was never going to fade, she agreed to that gladly – everyone was allowed their little obsessions up there.

They even proposed her the possibility to forget everything and live in everlasting peace forever… Sisi declined the offer. There was but one person who had suggested… promised to lead her to eternity. As he had not kept the promise, she was sure she had to see him… be it for the last time. Elisabeth tried to convince herself that she only had to ask him why he has left her without explanation. She did not admit to herself that it was the overmastering longing to see him, the lord of the dead, which has at last led her there – to the place which, to her mind, was a part of nowhere. Everything around her was grey and misty, not something pleasant or joyful… but what could be, after having visited Heaven?

Now that Elisabeth was standing next to that particular person, she realised that it was not, could not be, the last time. It was enough for her to meet his soulful look to understand that. He took her hand, she pulled it away. And yet, she has not forgotten the words she was planning to say, even though they might not have been anything he could have expected to hear. The feelings within her were burning. When he came to her, to his Elisabeth, she threw him a desperate look, which said look at me, can't you see all the pain you caused me? I have come here to give the pain back to you... All of a sudden, she felt some kind of wildness overtaking her.

Elisabeth slapped him on the face, thus stunning him for a moment. She only realised what she has done when Death grabbed her hand and kissed it, thus infuriating his long-lost lover even more . He could read her feelings from her countenance very easily. Resentment, mortification, disdain was something he did expect from her, but this outburst of anger surprised him. He wanted to give her a soothing smile, but knew that could have only made her explode with uncontrollable anger - she, a Princess, the Queen, the Empress - was not someone to be laughed, or, in this case, smiled at.

The words she had wanted to tell him started flowing from her mouth in a rather different manner than she thought they would – they were all nearly shouted out. "What were you thinking? Was it your intention to see whether I was going to come to you? I was waiting for you to come to me for so long- Do you know, can you imagine how much pain I had to go through, how many explanations I had to give to everyone around me, you, you-"

Elisabeth stopped to take a break. Tears were about to start flowing from her eyes. Tears of anger and disillusion. I would not require a single explanation from you, my dear suffering angel. Death was surprised at himself – these thoughts were unexpected even for him – the one who was thought to know everything and not to be surprised about anything.

Suddenly feeling his arms around her waist, she backed away in an instant, almost boiling with rage. Testing the limits, are you? Elisabeth nearly growled at this. He knew this was going to happen, however, seeing her truly mad at him was not a pleasant experience. Death had to explain himself… even if he had to force her to hear him, he had no other choice.

"Listen to me, Elisabeth…" The effect of hearing him say, or, rather, breath out her name in a way only he could, was striking. She raised her bright brown eyes – still full of unwelcome tears of anger - at him.

"I am listening," she finally managed to speak without giving Death (who apparently deserved all the hatred she could send him) deliberate odious looks. Elisabeth had to employ all of her force not to add some mean remark to this statement of hers. She felt that the words were spoken almost noiselessly on purpose to get her come closer, but she did not think more about it and remained nearby him this time, in order to be able to hear the quiet words coming from his mouth.

"You're right to be mad at me, my beautiful Elisabeth. Just tell me everything you feel, I am here to listen to your complaints – I well deserve them!"

My complaints? Sisi glared at him, but said nothing, not even fully realising the meaning of what he has told her – her mind was full of puzzling thoughts. This man (she could not see him any other way) did have huge impact on her, and, as she remembered him, he could be frightening when he wanted to. But he did not try to hurt her, was not aggressive or angry towards her, so why should she be afraid of him?

Even more so - he even appeared to be kind to her, listening to every word of hers, however cruel she may have made them sound, with endless patience. What did it mean? She was ready to be nice to him for as long as he was nice to her… Besides, there was no other choice – it was his world the woman was in now, and she did not dare to think about what was going to happen to her there.

Seeing no reaction to his words from her side, Death tried his luck once again, touching her hand. Elisabeth gave him an aggrieved look, but that was all.

He knew now that she was there with him he was not going to let her go again. You've come to me on your own – whatever the superficial reason of your coming is, I know you still have feelings for me, Elisabeth.

He sighed, knowing he still had the same deep feelings for this rebellious spirit himself. Feelings that were never going to die in neither her heart and soul nor in his and it only depended on him whether he was going to succeed in making her believe and admit it without causing her any more pain similar to that she had to go through in her earthly life. Strangely, this human woman was the only person whose feelings and reactions ever truly mattered to him.

Death continued to follow every movement of hers with his eyes. That made Elisabeth feel both uncomfortable and pleased. "I hope you are not reading my thoughts," she addressed him, her voice indifferent. A quiet uncertain question could be read in her eyes.

He grinned. Elisabeth did speak to him, did give him a question. What was more, this was done with no audible negative emotions in her voice, which meant her armour was breaking.

"No, of course not." My Elisabeth. He could only read her thoughts if she allowed him to… and that was not going to happen any time soon. Someday, yes. Death was assured of that. And he was ready to wait for as long as it was necessary. They had all the time of the world in front of them.