"Anna" I could sense the smile playing on her lips. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Elena Gilbert is dead" I said simply.

I could hear Kat groan

"I know, and your little spell broke and you're now witchy-vamp hybrid. Correct?"

"Yeah, unfortunately"

"I honestly don't understand why you're so worried, it's not like you can be killed"

"I don't want the attention"

I could hear her laugh

"So you're telling me I spent a century and a half being your personal assistant just so you wouldn't have to deal with some supernatural paparazzi?"

I laugh; this is why you're my best friend

"Obviously"

"Alright Anna, I know you didn't call to do small – talk, what's up?"

"I need to talk to you"

"Is that not what we're doing? Damn, you've gotten slower than I remember you being"

I rolled my eyes

"You know what I mean Kat; I need to legitimately talk to you. Like face-to-face serious stuff"

"Well, that doesn't sound the least bit exciting"

"When am I ever exciting in your opinion?"

"Good point, where are you staying?"

"New York, the old Manhattan place"

Kat sighed

"Ah, our 70's days"

I smile at the thought, it was one of the last times me and Katerina had spent time together before going our separate ways. Eternity is a long time, even best friends need a break from each other every once in a while.

"How soon can you be here?"

"As soon as I want to be" I heard her laugh

I sighed, typical.

"All right, just be here as soon as you can, your foggy answers annoy me"

"That's the point sweet heart; see you in a few hours"

"See you"

I smiled, it would be nice seeing Kat again after all these years. I needed to talk to somebody, and in all these years she was the only person I really and truly trusted.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. I had trusted Elijah, Nik, Rebekah and Kol. But they had family loyalties to uphold. I did care about them though, Rebekah had been my best friend and Elijah had been like the brother I'd never had. But things change and life takes you in different directions.

I don't even know if any of them miss me or think about me, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't Hell I wouldn't be surprised if they hate me. I left them, just like their parents had left them all those years ago.

I was so deep in thought; I didn't notice the insistent banging on my apartment door. I walk over and open it, only to be greeted by a mass of brown curls and an annoyed scowl

"Took you long enough"

"Yeah, sorry, got lost in thought"

Katerina smirked

"That's not the only thing you're lost in"

"Shut up"

She throws her hands up in the air with mock seriousness

"Just doing my job, as your best friend and chief adviser" she adds with a hint of melodrama

I laugh and pull her into a hug

"It's good to see you again Kat"

She hugs me back, giving me a genuine smile – no smirk present, as we pull away

We have our moments.

Though, they don't last more than 5 seconds.

"All right Anna, now can you tell me what's up? I've been dying to know"

"Your sense of humour is horrendous"

"At least it exists"

I sigh

"All right, well, I need advice"

I see her eyes widen in surprise for a split second, before regaining her composure and continuing

"Now, why don't you tell me what alternate universe we're in?"

"What makes you think it's alternate?"

"Oh nothing, only because the all-knowing, all-wise super power hybrid with an ego the size of Russia..."

I cut her off

"Major exaggeration"

She rolls her eyes

"My point being, you never ask for advice. Now I'm legitimately curious. What the hell is up?"

"I want to go to Mystic Falls"

Kat doesn't even bother hiding her surprise, her jaw drops and her eyes widen

"Do you mind me asking what exactly sparked this idiotic and suicidal plan?"

"I'm tired of running, Katerina they're trying to raise…" I intake a sharp breath "they're trying to raise…"

"He who shall not be named?" I appreciate her attempt to lighten the mood

"Your sense of humour is still horrendous" I manage a weak smile

"At least it made you feel better" she smiles, but her eyes are full of concern

"And it technically isn't suicidal, considering the fact that nothing can really kill me"

"I didn't mean suicidal for you, narcissistic idiot"

"I feel the love"

"I meant suicidal for me"

Now it's my turn to be surprised

"What gave you the impression you would be accompanying me again?"

"I'm not about to let you do this alone"

"Please, you're not that loyal. The real reason please"

She sighs

"You know this whole being able to read me is annoying"

I grin

"What are best friends for? Now, why do you wanna come with me?"

"Protection, if Klaus sees you're the one who helped me run, if he sees I hold value to you he'll stop making my life a living hell. He always had a soft spot for you, no matter how much he might deny it"

"That was over 300 years ago Kat"

She groans

"I have to try; I have to try anything Anna. You think you're tired of running? What about me?"

I see desperation in her eyes, desperation and pain and want. A want to be free, to move on, and leave the past behind her. Something Katerina has never truly been able to do for all these years. What with Klaus always on her tail, I understand, I understand completely of course I do.

"It's settled then, we're leaving tomorrow"

"Anna, are you 100% sure? There's no going back"

I look up at her; I see the uncertainty, the hesitation.

"I'm sure" I smile at her "Want a blood bag?"

Her face changes, the smirk is back

"I'd love one"