She looks oddly childlike; lightly swinging in the cool night breeze, the pale moonlight making her skin shimmer. He watches her for a while, as if committing her to memory. Even though he need not because she bears a face he can never forget. And yet, she's the most unique of the doppelgangers. Tatia and Elena are surprisingly similar, but Katerina, she's always been different. One of the many reasons that makes her his weakness.
When she halts her swing forcefully, the old, rusty, metal screeching in protest, and glances up at him from behind her curls, he knows his moment of peace is gone. He must confront her know, do what he came here to do. His steps are heavy and there is a tightening in his chest he can't explain.
She smiles solemnly when he approaches her, glancing at the empty swing next to her and then looks at him expectantly, as if silently asking him to join her. His brows rise in response, clearing indicating that he's doubting her sanity. She only snorts under her breath and lightly shakes her head.
"You're early," he comments, for the lack of anything else to say.
"And you're late," she snips back, a wry smile taking form on her ruby lips, "Or you were just lurking in the shadows for a while."
When he says nothing in response but only looks down to admire his shoes, she continues speaking. "He didn't agree, did he?" she asks, and there is sadness in her voice. A tone of utter defeat, something he never thought Katerina was capable of.
"No." he states, calm and stoic. As if the single syllable word doesn't weigh a ton on his shoulders.
"You tried," she murmurs, "I tried. I always knew this was a possibility." She adds, forcing an understanding smile on her face.
"He gave me a choice," Elijah says, and looks away when a flicker of hope flashes across her face.
"A choice?"
"Them or..." he trails off.
"Me." She completes for him, when it's obvious that he can't say it. He nods, almost shamefully, turning his gaze to hers when she stands up. He can see the sudden fear in her eyes, the way they flicker around their surroundings. She's half expecting Klaus to jump out from behind the slide and rip her heart out. She had a moment of peace, a moment of utopia; where she was free, where there was no price on her head, where it was her just her and Elijah and their eternity, together. But now it was gone, and if she was honest to herself, it was never really there. Her freedom is like a mirage in the desert, just an illusion, just a dream.
"Katerina..." Elijah begins, but she stops him. Her fingers press against his lips, and she wonders when she'll get the chance to touch him again.
She gulps, straightens her back to exude confidence, because she is Katherine Pierce – survivalist extraordinaire. She can't be his Katerina anymore. No that will only get her killed. She has to go back to being Katherine.
"It's alright," she breathes, moving her fingers over his jaw, "I always knew there was a chance he'd do that. Klaus isn't one to forgive and forget."
"I tried."
"I know you did," she assures him. And she knows it's the truth. But this is what she had always feared. Elijah is loyal; to his morals, to his principles, even to her, but no one more so than his family. He takes their vow of family first more seriously than the rest of them. They don't deserve him, of that, she is certain. But they will have him, of that too, she is certain.
"I-I don't know what to do." He admits brokenly, searching in her eyes desperately, as if the answer to all his misery will miraculously appear.
"I do," she whispers, drawing closer to him, framing his face in her hands, "I'll make it for you. I ran from him for 5 centuries, I'm sure I can survive a few more until I meet my end."
"I wish it were different," he muses after a long silence. And she knows he does; he wishes he wasn't so moral, he wishes he could turn his back on his dysfunctional family. But just as he knows her, the real her, she knows him. And he will never turn his back on his family. He chose his brother over her in 1492, and he'll choose him again.
She just took away his guilt. Now, he doesn't choose to leave her, she chooses to walk away.
"You know the real me Elijah, only you," she says, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight, as she brushes her lips against his, slowly and softly, burning him to his soul, "And I will always love you. Never forget that."
And then she's gone.