A/N: My apologies on this chapter. I wrote it in November, got writers block and stopped. Then I was deleting old documents and I accidentally deleted the chapter I had saved. Luckily, I managed to find it saved on my college computer when I returned from the Christmas break.

When we got back, all of the people who had been helping Klaus had left. Elijah led the way to Klaus' room, arms folded.

"Okay, what's the big emergency?" said Elijah, scowling.

"Which tie looks better?" asked Klaus, holding up two that both looked identical.

"You called me for this?"

"Yes" he said, maintaining a blank expression on his face. Elijah growled and stalked off down the corridor. Klaus looked at me "Was it something I said?" I sighed and went over to him, taking one of the ties from him and putting it around his neck, knotting it loosely for him.

"He was trying to tell me something before you called. He's been in a bad mood since then, it's not you"

"Tell you something? Like what?" he frowned.

"I.. i don't know" i kissed him softly "There. You're done" I saw that Elijah had left my bag with my dress by the door.

"Can I help you get ready?" he asked.

"No, i'll be fine. I'm just going to put a dress on and leave my hair down" he nodded and sat down on the end of his bed. I decided that there was no point going to my room when i could get dressed here. "Do you mind if i get ready in here?"

"No. It's fine" I shimmied off my clothes and pulled on my dress. Klaus got up and came over to zip me up. He guided me to the mirror and held me against him as we looked at our reflections. He looked so sad, and i wondered why. I felt too scared to ask so i decided to change the subject.

"So who have you invited to this thing tonight?"

"Just a few friends of mine"

"Vampire friends?"

"Yes. But don't worry, you won't be fed on by them. Elijah and I would never allow that to happen to you" He smiled reassuringly.

"Because my blood is valuable?" i guessed. His expression faltered for a moment, and then the same fake smile was plastered on his face.

"Yes. Exactly" he released me and stepped back.

"When will they be here?" He checked his watch.

"About... five minutes or so?" he offered me his arm and led me into the hallway once i'd accepted "I warn you though, there is a chance that they may bring a human to us as a 'gift' but if we decide to feed, you are free to go to your room to prevent you any harm and discomfort"

"Thank you" I nodded. If this dinner party turned violent, i would be out of there as quick as i could.

I expected Elijah to be in the living room however there was no sign of him. i bit my lip, the corners turning down in a slight frown and sat on the sofa. Klaus trailed his fingers along the mantelpiece.

"It didn't always used to be like this. Me and him. We used to be best friends. Brothers in every sense. We threw parties every weekend, we were swarmed with beautiful girls who were desperate for our affections and we shared every one of them. After Tatia, we had vowed that we would never let a girl come between us like she did. Family above everything. Until Katherine came along and spoilt everything for us. Then things became difficult. Now we are just like..."

"Two strangers who are forced together?" came Elijah's voice from the door. I jumped but Klaus looked like he'd know he was there the entire time. He was wearing a suit that looked identical to his normal one and I wondered if he'd decided against wearing the one he'd bought to make a point.

"I thought you were sulking in your bedroom" said Klaus.

"That's more your style" replied Elijah, keeping his tone and expression carefully restrained although a hint of venom slipped in. Before Klaus could reply, the doorbell rang. He looked up, head cocked slightly as if sensing who was out there.

"Off you go Elena, answer the door"

"Why do i have to do it?"

"Because we put the deeds of the house under your name when you arrived so we had a form of defence against vampires. So you need to invite our guests in" I nodded slowly.

"Are you going to come?"

"Not this time. You'll be safe alone" I hesitantly went down the corridor to the front door and opened it. A tall woman with short black hair was there.

"Hi" i said, smiling shyly. Her face turned to one of rage and began to 'vamp out'.

"Katerina!" she growled and lunged for me. I took a step back and she appeared to collide with an invisible wall.

"no! I'm not Katerina! I'm Elena! I'm human!" I told her hurriedly. She paused, inhaled and then nodded slowly.

"Elena. Sorry. You just look..."

"Like Katherine. Yes. I know"

"I'm Rose"

"Nice to meet you Rose, would you like to come in?" she smiled and stepped inside. I led her through to the living room where Elijah greeted her with a smile.

"Rosemary. It's been a very long time. How is your little... pet? Trevor wasn't it?"

"Yes. He's fine" she said stiffly. Klaus handed her a drink, then came over to me.

"Well handled" he murmured. I smiled slightly and leant against the wall, watching the three vampires talking. When the doorbell rang again, i glanced at Klaus who nodded for me to go and get it. This time it was a man who seemed to get very happy when he saw me. I let him in, and then two more who arrived shortly after. I thought that was all of them but Klaus didn't move the group to the dining room when i'd ushered them in. He checked his watch, seemingly impatient for another arrival.

"Who else did you ask?" said one of the men. Klaus smiled slightly.

"That would be telling" the doorbell rang at his words and I went for the door again. Klaus shook his head and moved past me. He returned a few moments later with a tall brunette woman... who looked exactly like me. I stared.

"Klaus...what. the. Hell." Snarled Elijah, glaring. I gulped. Rose made as if to attack Katherine but Klaus restrained her.

"Rose, not in my house. Katerina is not joining us for dinner, i merely need to talk to her about something. Will you wait for me while I discuss business?" the men in the room (apart from Elijah) all nodded. Katherine's attention was focused on me, her lips curled up in a slight smirk. Klaus cleared his throat and Katherine looked at him, then nodded and let him lead her from the room. As soon as she'd left, everyone began talking again. I leant against the counter, slightly in shock. I knew that she looked like me but i never realised how that would be.

"Umm... excuse me for a minute?" I said to no one in particular, and then left the room. I hurried down the corridor, intending to go to my room but i heard Klaus' voice from a room and i paused. He was talking to her... my double... quietly and intently. I struggled to make out what they were saying through the firmly closed door and wondered if i dared slide it open. Before I could make a choice, the door opened and Klaus' face appeared in the gap.

"Elena, can i help you with something?" my heart rate spiked.

"N... No. I was just heading to the bathroom" i told him. Katherine wrapped her arms around him, peering around to look at me.

"Well then, run along little human" she purred. I glared at her. Klaus closed the door. A second later i heard something smash and shouting began. I couldn't help but smirk. Clearly Klaus wasn't welcoming her touch.

I went to the bathroom and sat on the floor, confused and feeling slightly nauseous. It took me a few minutes for me to regain my composure but i remained on the floor. I wondered if i should bother going back at all. I doubted anyone would miss the pathetic little human when they had the identical vampire version to amuse them. But my stubborn side refused to let me curl up and hide. I would go back out there with my head held high and act as if nothing was wrong.

I stood and straightened my dress, catching the eye of my reflection in the mirror and nodding to her. I turned and opened the door of the bathroom. For a minute i thought i was still looking in the mirror but i realised that Katherine was standing opposite me on the other side of the door.

"Get out of my way" i said, my voice low and calm.

"hmm, well i can see the appeal in you. You're beautiful, like me of course, and you have the Petrova fire. Still, that doesn't explain why Klaus has gone all crazy over you" she cocked her head. "He likes innocence. He likes corrupting it. You, little doe eyed human, have it in spades. Like i used to" I tried to push past her but she grabbed my wrist and pulled her close "Here's a piece of advice. Run. They don't care about you. Run while you can" She released me. I backed away from her.

"Elena" said a voice. I looked up and saw Elijah was watching us both "Come here" I willingly complied, moving to his side and taking his hand for reassurance. He held me close. "Katerina, if your business with Klaus is concluded, i suggest you leave before i tear out your unfeeling heart"

"When did you become so vicious?" she smirked.

"The day you betrayed me" she pouted.

"I can make it up to you..."

"I wouldn't let the likes of you touch me even if you were the last female in existence. Now be gone you desperate whore before i make good on my threat" she snarled and vanished from sight, a slight breeze the only indication of where she'd gone. I sighed in relief. Elijah touched my shoulder gently. "Are you alright?" I nodded. He smiled slightly at me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, ushering me back down the corridor. The group were in the dining room now, the table groaning under the weight of delicious smelling food. I was seated between the two brothers and, although I was on edge being around so many vampires, I quickly relaxed and began to enjoy the atmosphere. Elijah kept a hand on my knee, gently stroking the soft skin with his thumb, while Klaus had one arm casually slung across the back of my chair for most of the meal.

When the final course had been eaten, I thought that would be the end of it. The table cleared by servants Klaus had hired for the evening and I moved to leave the room but Klaus stopped me.

"We're not done yet my dear," he told me. I frowned, confused. I looked at Elijah who's expression was caught somewhere between excited and grim. Klaus left the room momentarily, returning with a young girl, about fifteen I guessed, wearing a plain white dress. Her eyes were blank and staring, her movements robotic. Klaus' eyes swept the table, a smug grin on his face. I felt myself go pale.

"Drinks?" he asked simply. The vampires around the table let out noises of approval. I gripped the edge of the table, unwilling to witness this but unable to move because of the grip Elijah now had on me. Klaus went to help the girl onto the table and I couldn't stop myself from speaking out.

"no!" the word slipped from my lips. Everyone turned to look at me. "leave her alone!" i said, fiercely.

"Elena..." hissed Elijah.

"No. Leave her." I repeated.

"My guests want blood Elena. If not hers, whose would you suggest?" I bit my lip. I couldn't condemn another person to this fate. The only person I could volunteer was myself. I remembered the pain of fangs on my flesh. My cheeks coloured as I remembered my dream where Klaus had fed on me. I filled myself with resolve and stood up.

"Feed on me" I said.