Katherine

…then you fall deeper than you were…

She needed twenty-eight hours after suspicions awoke in her to prove them right.

Elijah wasn't interested in her, he wanted the cure like anybody else. Oh, he never changes! He only ever craves for outsmarting others – or maybe only Klaus, which makes no difference. He was acting like any other time, but his eyes were concentrated. She knew those 'professional' lines around his eyes, which completely disappeared while being at ease. The contrast seemed even sharper, since those lines only appeared after they slept together. His interest in her for entertainment was honest, the rest, she supposed, had to be about the Cure. She had no idea how he'd learnt about it, she only hoped he hadn't gone through her stuff.

Apart from this barely noticeable clue, Elijah behaved like normally, except for the constant his constant questioning about the cure. His prodding annoyed her, but she collected her proof when they tested the fake on a common vampire. His eyes tightened, and after they left the victim in an alley, he asked her:

"Can I be sure that it was not the real one?"

She was confused hearing the accusation.

"Why would I destroy it?"

"Maybe you can't understand how dangerous it is if the wrong person puts a hand on it."

'Am I a wrong person?' she wanted to interrupt, but he started one of his unstoppable enlightening speeches.

"It's a weapon and you are the only one in this world who has seen the real thing. Even if you do not know if it still works after two thousand years. Maybe you felt an urge to annihilate it and give a fake to Klaus, since he knows just as little about the topic - perhaps even less - and have me to smooth over the incident."

She gasped in shock.

"I'm sorry. It is a serious business, I must voice all my doubts."

"I know. You don't trust me, you never did. I don't blame you," she answered sadly.

"Will you enlighten me then?"

"I don't think so." She turned and left, but he followed.

"Katerina," he grabbed her wrist. "I need to know." His eyes were pleading as if she was his lover who just announced to break up, but again, the lines around his eyes were telling.

"Why? It's none of your business, it's mine."

"But you did let me in," he argued.

"Still, I'm the one who makes profit on this, so I can't be sure if you are committed on my side – or his." Right now, she didn't even care.

"Don't walk away, talk to me!"

"No, you talk to me! You're the one this time who's hiding things! I told you everything, and you gave nothing!"

"I helped you and I can further."

"Yes, your words betray you, Elijah. You only promise that you can, not that you will."

She was speeding away, but she could still hear his words shouted in the wind:

"I'll follow you!"

In the light of the new developments, it was a threat.

She was not stupid. She knew that making fakes as her first thing after grabbing the cure was a brilliant idea. Now, Elijah couldn't see the difference if he found the right one.

She briefly thought about going back to the hotel and pack up for a journey, but the fastest she left was the safest.

She needed to be in the wilderness, where Elijah can lose her track – in a closed space, in a hotel room, she would be trapped. He knew her vervain-trick and was patient enough to wait for compelling her.

She can't risk giving away this secret.

She desperately wanted to check the cure, to see that it was safe, but he could see, even when she didn't see him.

Now, she was running in the outskirts of the city. She relaxed a bit. Usually, she greatly enjoyed vampire speed and let herself freely sense in every way.

She sensed disappointment. The trees were hushing this in the wind, the motors of the cars on the faraway road murmured this to the ground, the air was caressing this under her skin. She had never run pushing her limits before – because she had never run away before literally.

She was imagining Elijah discovering her footsteps and sniffing into the forest, only to smell her fear. Maybe she was panicking, but panic gave her extra power to get faster, get farther. She reached a roadside motel, and compelled herself into a room before collapsing in exhaustion.

After a few hours of restless sleep, she took a hot shower. She was grateful there was no window in the bathroom, neither glass on the door. She dropped her too-much-worn clothes, took a quick shower and hesitatingly put the clothes on again. She slowly brushed her hands through her hair and directed her locks in front of her breasts. She touched them a little longer than needed, but anyone would think it as an act of self-admiration – even Elijah wouldn't conclude that the cure was still there.

She was calmer when she left – calm enough to take a short feed-heal-compel snack of every driver in the lot.

She took a short break in a small town to get a new phone – the man gave her his eagerly and only looked confused as the shallow wind blew under his jacket – he would never remember the girl whom he chatted with briefly.

Katherine waited for a bus out of town. She didn't care where it went, only jumped onto the briefcases on top. She liked traveling up there, lying on or between the bags could be comfortable. Maybe she got rid of some, but no one saw her to blame. She called Hayley from her newly found telephone. Of course she ignored the call from the unknown number, but Katherine was relentless. Hayley picked up already for the fifth time.

"Hayley."

"Katherine."

"I so knew it! What do you want again?" she growled.

"I have an offer especially for you!" she chanted.

"Thanks, but no."

"No way, why are you so reluctant?"

"Because I don't work with vampires," she stated firmly.

"You said you wanted revenge, and now I have an offer."

"What? Prof Shane, who lied to me, is dead."

"Don't you wish anyone else to suffer?"

"I am the one suffering here." She tried to sound ironic, but rather, her voice was blank.

"I think you should have some fun."

"Good idea, too bad I'm not a psychopathic, unfeeling person."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Katherine appreciated the sarcasm, but it was cheap considering what she felt over Elijah. She definitely had feelings. "But you know how to do it, so do it, and you will enjoy yourself… or another self."

"Well, it should be quite the company…"

"I suggest Klaus."

"Are you insane?" Hayley's scream was so sharp and loud that her ears started to ring.

"Oh-ho, little wolf, I tell you the plan and the reasons."

She had it in her mind. Hayley will sleep with Klaus, it will hurt everyone. It will hurt Blondie, because she is courted by Klaus, who will cheat on her. That will hurt Klaus, because he will be held responsible. It will hurt all the gang, because they are so compassionate to each other. It's a little thing and would soon be forgotten, but all she needed was a sting on their asses to feel herself better. And they will abandon Klaus, so she will have to deal with him alone.

"But it would hurt Tyler, too," Hayley disagreed.

"Get over it, sweetie. He's not your boyfriend yet, you can make him jealous this way."

"He's not the jealous type…"

"Oh, yes, he is!" Katherine laughed. A werewolf who's not jealous? What world is she living in?

"Anyway, he's not here… Klaus drove him away from Mystic Falls."

"Then why have a care in the world?" This Tyler kid was a loser. At least she left by her own free will, not on order. Hayley mumbled something, but she did not listen. "So?"

"What so?"

"Are you in?"

Hayley thought for a moment. "Is he good in bed?"

"God, Hayley, he's a thousand years old! Don't you think he picked up some skill during this time?" She couldn't help laughing.

"I mean, he is not a pervert, is he?"

"Oh, young, little naïve Hayley – he is a vampire. Maybe he likes biting, but you heal fast, he heals fast, and you have your own fangs. You can even bite him back and he won't take offense."

"So I should prepare myself for some BDSM?"

"Prepare yourself for having a long girly talk after," she chuckled. "Bye, have a good luck!"

"I'm gonna need it!" she answered.

Katherine was really curious how Klaus would handle her in bed. She had already experienced an Original, what about the other? It will also hurt Elijah, she thought viciously. She knew he hoped for Klaus' crush on Caroline to last for a long time, but Katherine won't let her greatest and most dangerous enemy soften. He would be merciless had she got into his clutches, so she wanted him to be hard on everyone else too.

Even on Caroline. After all, this young vampire was her creature! It was a good point, maybe she could use this information against Klaus somehow, if all else fails.

She jumped from the top of the bus in a crossroad and ran again. This time, it was liberating so she gave it all again. She noticed a town nearby where she could move in. Maybe the inhabitants won't have a say against her… she was going to make sure. Maybe even Elijah's hand won't reach her here.

-x-x-

"Hi, Kat. I'm sorry to admit, but you were right. He is quite a lover, but it was waaay to easy to seduce him. Really, he's not a challenge. A little bit of rambling about how similar and lonely we both are, and he was all too eager to invite me to his bed. Not that I'm complaining!" She giggled. "He's so strong and intense and… wow! I don't even know what really happened, but surely it was the most satisfying thing I ever did! I can't even guess how many times I came! Also, I'm wondering how we didn't ruin any part of his house. He must practice a lot! Yes, it hurt a little, but I think because both of us wanted it to hurt a little. You know, wolf blood and all… It was the worst thing I have ever done, it was like a rightful punishment. So many pain that I was keeping buried inside me got worked out, pain that you and Shane caused, and I think his soul might be just as messed up as mine, maybe more. I think if I didn't say yes for the first time, we might make a right perfect couple, you know, the fairy-tale-sort of love, if either of us could still love. But we can't. I must tell you I'm sorry it ended so quickly. The night was gone so fast, and I'm still sore, but gods, I know that was the most intense and fantastic thing what can ever happen to me during all my life! I hope you get what you want. And thanks. Maybe you are not that bad, for I wouldn't ever experienced this without your suggestion. I consider it enough payment for all I've done. Bye, for good, this time!"