Chapter Fourteen: Courting

"Are you sure I'm going all right?" Katherine said as she grabbed Marmalade's reins as tightly as she could. Even though the horse was a gentle horse, Katherine had never ridden a horse by herself. The closest that she remembered was riding a pony when she was six years old.

Ever since Katherine had accepted Elijah's proposal, everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Even Katherine, it was less stressful being mad at someone all the time. She found out that Elijah could actually be a decent and fun person, not that she would ever admit it to him.

Marmalade gave a little jump and she giggled, her curls bouncing at the same time the horse galloped.

"You're doing fine," Elijah said. "Don't be afraid."

And it was true, Katherine had nothing to be afraid of. Even though she was riding Marmalade by herself, Elijah was holding to one of the other reins tightly to prevent Katherine from falling.

"I'm not afraid," she protested as she cocked her head to the side. "Though, I am surprise. I would have thought that a perfect, gentleman like you would want me to ride sidesaddle like a lady."

"Well, I didn't want you to fall," was his cocky return as he looked around the area. They were near the lake again, where they had first talked. "Besides, there is no one out here for miles."

Katherine smirked as she stopped pulling on Marmalade's reins. "I'm tired."

"Let me help you down." He offered.

But Katherine shook her head as she took a quick jump, almost falling to her side, but managing to land perfectly on her feet, quivering just a little. She shrugged. "I can do it by myself."

Elijah shook his head, but it didn't surprised him anymore like it would use too. He had come to realize that Katherine was the typed on woman that liked to do everything on her own. And despite his father's advice that he should "tame" her he had to admit that he kind of liked her this way.

She was unpredictable and mischievous at the same time.

"You are going to end up breaking your leg." He replied.

"Maybe," she shrugged. "But not today, and a little broken leg isn't going to stop me, Mr. Mikaelson." She picked up her dark purple skirts slightly so that she could avoid tripping on them. Katherine looked over her shoulder and looked at him playfully before she started to run.

"Where are you going?" he called out.

Katherine looked over her shoulder and smiled. "You need to chase me! You need to catch me!"

Elijah started running behind her, something that was rare for him and he easily managed to catch her because her dress was so heavy. He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Why do you always have to run away from me?"

"Silly, it's a game." She said, her breathing becoming heavy. "You need to catch me to win."

"Well, it looks like I won." Elijah hesitated for a bit, before kissing her. He pulled away. "I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No," she said as she pressed a hand against his cheek. "I'm glad you've won."

"Thank you for taking me home," Katherine said shyly, which surprised her. They had left Marmalade back in the stables and Elijah was walking her home. They had almost reached Katherine's house.

"It wasn't a problem," he cleared his throat as he faced her. "Did you enjoy yourself? I hope me kissing you was-"

Katherine giggled.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said, but there was still a small smile perched on her lips. "I just never expected you to get so nervous about a kiss." She traced a gloved finger above his bottom lip.

"Katherine," he murmured. "Someone will see us."

"We're engaged," she mumbled back, but she kissed him on the cheek. "We're not doing anything wrong." She picked up her skirt. "I'll see you tomorrow at church, today really was unexpected."

"Both of you kissed?" Caroline's blue eyes were as wide as dinner plates as she and Katherine walked through the sad looking gardens at the Forbes estate. "And you accepted his proposal? You haven't been acting like yourself, Katherine."

"I accepted his proposal four weeks ago at Elena and Damon's wedding," Katherine protested trying to hide the blush from coating her cheeks. "I haven't seen you, because another Mikaelson boy steals your attention."

"Sorry," Caroline said sounding apologetic. "The elder Mr. Mikaelson and Mrs. Mikaelson are coming back from Maine this week and Klaus feels so uncomfortable with Mr. Mikaelson around." She sighed. "I feel so bad for him, I think he is afraid that once he's back we won't be able to speak again." She looked at her curiously. "When you and Elijah kissed . . . how was it?"

Katherine picked up a loose rose and smelled it, a smile creped on her face. "It was wonderful. He was so patient and so gentle, Damon certainly never kissed me like that." She looked at Caroline. "You and Klaus have been courting for more than a month, even since his parents left. Have you two kissed? He doesn't look shy like Elijah."

"No, he isn't. Yes, we've kissed and it was very nice," Caroline stumbled on her words and then looked at the floor.

Katherine dropped the rose on the floor and looked at her friend curiously. "Caroline Forbes, what aren't you telling me?"

"Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"I promise."

Caroline squeezed her eyes shut and her lips wobbled. "I did a bad thing, well me and Klaus. Though it's not a horrible thing like murder, but-"

"Caroline, what is it?" Katherine asked. "You can tell me, I will understand."

Caroline felt a growing lump in her throat. She and Katherine had been friends since they were children. She knew that Katherine was a true friend and would never say anything to anybody about this. "Klaus and I did more than kiss . . . we consummated. And not only one time." She finished, becoming red in the face. "You must think I'm a horrible person right? For not waiting until marriage. But I just can't explain it, Katherine, but it felt so nice. The first time it hurt, but-"she bit her lip. "Am I going to hell?"

"No, you're not going to hell, Caroline." Katherine said as she squeezed her friend's hand trying to keep her own voice from quivering. It was hard imagining sweet, good Caroline breaking the rules. "You and Klaus are in love and I completely understand, but shouldn't you be more careful?"

Caroline grew annoyed. "Katherine you are my friend, but after you and Damon you are the least qualified person to-"

"Me and Damon?" she frowned. She shook her head. "Damon and I never had intercourse."

The color drained from Caroline's face. "But I thought since you two were so close-"

"We just kissed that's all." She responded as she hugged Caroline. "It's all right, Caroline. You didn't do anything wrong, I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you, Katherine." She mumbled.

"For what?"

"For being a good friend."

-End of Chapter Fourteen-

And Katherine and Elijah finally kiss :)