"We've never been formally introduced," he begins, holding her hand in his as he bends forward just slightly in order to kiss her hand. "I'm Klaus."
His feisty little human doppelganger pulls her hand away the moment his lips make contact with her skin. "And, I'm not Katherine."
Klaus grins manically. "I never claimed you were," he says. "You're a great deal prettier than Katerina ever was."
His little doppelganger just glares at him defiantly. He can see the slight shift in her features, though, and notes her appreciation at being 'better' thank Katerina at something…even if the complement comes from him, the man who is destined to kill her.
He hears her human aunt come in through the front door. "I'll see you soon, Elena," he whispers as his hand brushes her hair. He feels her tense up for a moment before shivering at his touch, and the mixture of disgust and lust surprises him.
As he exits the Gilbert house through his doppelganger's window, he wonders which reaction is the strongest.
-x-
A week later, Klaus shows up at the boarding house in the middle of the day. He smiles seductively when his little doppelganger answers the door.
"Can I come in?" he asks, playing the gentleman. It is a role he perfected centuries ago—one he tries out every once in a while simply because it is so far removed from who he truly is.
"You know the answer to that."
He's not surprised, really. His little doppelganger is a stubborn one. "Well then," he starts conversationally, "would you step outside?"
She crosses her arms over her chest. "You're trying to kill me," she says as casually as she seems to be able to manage. He hears the catch in her voice, however, and he can almost smell her fear. His little doppelganger goes from vulnerable human to fierce warrior in a split second, though, for her next words hold more than a little bite in them. "Why would I ever do anything you ask?"
"Elena, who's at the door?" Klaus hears a Salvatore ask.
He watches her startled spin. "No one," she yells back. "I'll be back in a second." Then, turning toward Klaus, she says, "What do you want?"
He considers his response for only a second, giving her a once-over before saying, "I should think that to be obvious."
She slams the door in his face.
He laughs.
-x-
One week later, he's back. She comes outside this time.
"Why am I still alive?" she asks.
His hand reaches out and caresses her cheek. He watches her flinch, but feels her move closer at the same time.
He shrugs. "I've waited many years to break the curse; I can wait a little longer."