1492 was the beginning of everything. It was the year they met and the year they fell in love. And it was the year they lost each other. The last time he saw her was the night she ran. It was late, and the sacrifice would be happening in two days, which Elijah was dreading. From the day he met her he'd known she would die by his brother's hand yet he'd foolishly grown close to her. Now he wished they'd never found her. At least then she wouldn't be dead in a few days.

Elijah was sitting in his study reading through a book when there was a knock at the door. He went to answer it and froze in shock when he opened the door.

"Katerina, are you alright?"

Yes, My Lord. I was hoping we might be able to speak," she said.

He stepped aside so she could enter. "Of course."

She stepped inside and walked over to one of his bookshelves. She kept her back to him as she browsed the shelves.

"Is there something particular you wish to talk about?"

"Yes," she said. "A few weeks ago we had a conversation."

"We've had many conversations over the past few weeks, Katerina."

As she walked through the room, he could see the slight shake in her hand-the acceleration in her heartbeat. She turned around to face him.

"In the garden. You told me you do not believe in love."

He paused and then nodded. "I did."

"Is that still true?"

"I'm not certain," he said as he stepped closer to her.

She looked down with a sad smile. "Life is too short for uncertainty Elijah."

It was the first time she'd called him by his name alone. It had always been Lord Elijah or My Lord.

"Not for everyone."

She looked up at him with eyes full of uncertainty and for a moment he was sure she knew what he was and what Klaus had planned for her. But he dismissed the thought.

But she does know. She knows exactly what is going to happen. He's going to watch as his brother kills her. She knows he's lied to her since the day they met- that he's ready to betray her. Yet she can't see him any different than she did the day before when she was clueless. She still loved him. She hadn't realized how much until she learned the truth. The pain of the betrayal made it obvious and soon it wouldn't matter. After tonight she would be gone. She may never see him again and if she does it will probably be so he can kill her.

That's why she moved forward. It's why she kisses him. When his arms move around her waist to pull her closer, she wraps hers around his neck. This may be the last time he feels anything other than hate for her and she needs to know that he cared for her. That she wasn't just a pawn in his brother's game. And as they kiss, the way he holds her as if she may vanish it's enough. She will be gone tomorrow but she won't forget what she felt for him.

Their kiss ended, and he rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavily.

He whispered her name as she pulled away. "Goodnight my lord."

Then she was gone, and it won't be until Klaus comes to him late in the night saying she has fled that he realizes she was really saying goodbye.