A/N: This is set almost anywhere in the first season of TO and the fifth season of TVD, most probably before Katherine starts to age and finds out about her daughter. Please read and review. Constructive criticism is welcome with open arms.
He had been on a date with Hayley when he had seen it. Yes, it was a date but it had been her who has asked him in no uncertain terms to accompany her on a walk through the park for some reason he had not been bothere to listen to. By the time he realised that is really was date, he was already having fun, talking, laughing and just enjoying the presenceof a non-vampire next to him. And when her hand closed around his, he had no intention of pulling away.
Then it saw it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a cascade of chesnut curls disappear into the crowd. But not just any chestnut curls. They belonged to her. To Katerina. He didn't know how he knew it, he just did. But as much as he wanted to go after her-to... talk, to do anything with her- he knw he couldn't. Not with Hayley standing next to him, patiently waiting for a reply to what she had said, not with his brother so close, not with all the danger lurking nearby.
As they continued to walk, Elijah tried to mentally list the reasons for not going after her. He would not allow himself to think of the real reason: he was scared of confronting her after he had left her in Mystic Falls, all open and vulnerable. He was scared that his already fragile resolve would crumble, and he would go back.
Katherine pushed passed people, mumbling continous "I'm sorry"s and "Excuse me"s until she got to a secluded area behind some big, important office building.
It was only then that she let the tears begin to fall. Tears that been long overdue, since Elijah had left. She cried harder as she remembered the sight of Elijah laughing next to that girl, the girl that was supposed to be their ticket to freedom. To finally be together without worrying about his brother and his wish for her corpse.
Well, that plan backfired.
She imagined what it would be like to be the one to hold Elijah's hand, to make him laugh, to drag him for long walks in the park. Katherine shook her head. That was never going to happen, It was obvious that he had already forgotten her. It was time for her to forget him. As she began to make her way back to the car, she couldn't help but let a thought croos her mind.
He was happy with Hayley. She would only ever be happy with him.