XXI.

Elena arrived at the Original Mansion alone, shortly after nightfall, after the failed conversation between the Salvatore brothers and Cassidy Jameson. Elijah greeted her at the door, and escorted her to the sitting room, where Kol, Klaus and Rebekah waited. Cassidy had alerted Elijah to the likelihood of such a visit, and to the fact that Sheriff Forbes was currently sitting in her basement, tied up, though very much alive and unharmed. She had also stressed that her guest would not remain in that condition if her sisters were not returned to her soon. Elijah had forgotten what a handful the youngest Jameson sister could be when her older sisters weren't around to reign her in.

"Please take a seat, Elena. I assure you, no harm will come to you, or your brother, while you are here," he began, and took a seat on the couch, gesturing to the seat across from him.

Elena eyed the three silent Mikaelson's before turning her attention to Elijah once more. "I just want my brother back. Damon and Stefan will let the Jamesons go as soon as I see Jeremy and let them know he's okay, and as soon as you call the crazy sister and she releases Caroline's mom."

"Not good enough," Klaus answered, standing by the fireplace. "You tell us where they are, and we'll go and get them, and once I see that they're all safe, we'll call Elijah and Cassidy to release Jeremy and Ms. Forbes." He wasn't willing to playing games with the Salvatores at the moment.

Elena shook her head immediately but before she could voice her disapproval, Elijah spoke up again. "I've just texted Cassidy, asking her to bring Sheriff Forbes here," he began. His gaze remained on his phone for a few moments before he turned to look up at the doorway, where Cassidy, Quinn & Liz Forbes now stood. "Now, you tell us where they are, and Niklaus, Cassidy & Quinn will go and fetch them, while Kol brings your brother out here for you." Kol had left the room at the beginning of Elijah's statement, and just now returned with Jeremy in hand. "You have your friends now, Elena. Tell us where they are, and you're all free to leave."

The older Gilbert sibling had run to her brother and embraced him, checking to ensure he and Liz were as unharmed as the Jameson's claimed they would be. When Elena was certain they were fine, she turned back to Elijah. "They're in the old witch house."

Before she even finished the sentence, Klaus was gone, with Cassidy & Quinn right behind him. When they arrived at the house, Stefan was on the phone with Elena, and despite the intense frown on Damon's face, they allowed the trio to pass.

Once in the basement they each went to one of the girls; Cassidy to Branna, Quinn to Siobhan and Klaus to Caitlin. The sisters were noticeably weakened by the vervain and lack of sustenance, so were each carried out of the house and rushed back to the Original Mansion at top speed. They were left to rest in one of the larger bedroom, and a few humans were brought up for them to feed from.

It didn't take long for them to regain their strength and clean themselves up. Branna & Siobhan rejoined the larger group downstairs, while Caitlin remained in the bedroom, working through her emotions. She was beyond overjoyed, of course, now that they knew Elena hadn't killed Quinn with that stake. But now she had a moment to herself where she didn't need to plan an escape route to protect her family and knew she couldn't delay the inevitable. She'd have to deal with Nik sooner or later.

Quickly she grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote a long note to him, outlining how she felt about him and the many things that had transpired over the past few days, since the attempt on Rebekah. Cate reread it multiple times before folding it carefully and writing his name on it. Leaving the guest bedroom quietly, she slipped down the hall and into Klaus' room and looked for somewhere to tuck the letter so that he wouldn't see it right away. Placing it under a piece of parchment near his many paintings and art supplies, Cate looked around the room carefully.

It was so strange to be in his private space again. It was so very him, yet far less fearsome and menacing than the appearance he kept up. When she felt eyes on her, Cate turned to the doorway. He was standing there, leaning back against the now-closed door, watching her. Instead of appearing angry at the intrusion, he smiled at her. "I was expecting it to be much harder, getting you back into my bedroom."

Shaking her head with a small smile, she looked away, back to the half finished painting he was currently working on. Not wanting to appear vain, she didn't mention that the thick black brush strokes were clearly that of a woman, and one who appeared to look quite similar to her. "You've always been so talented," she commented, finally speaking up. She continued to not look in his direction.

"It helps when you have something beautiful to inspire you. Why is it so hard for you to look at me? To speak to me?" He hadn't moved at all yet from his spot by the door and Cate closed her eyes, sighing softly. Turning slowly on her heel, she faced him. It took a few minutes but she finally raised her eyes to meet his. It wasn't easy, this awkwardness between them, but she had come to a decision and allowing herself to relax and become comfortable around him would make things even harder than they already were. He remained silent, not rushing her; allowing her to go at her own pace.

"You scare me, Nik. Even before," she waved one hand in a wide arc, meaning to encompass the whole situation, "Even before, in London, before I knew who you were. Everything was so intense. Being with you was amazing, but when it wasn't just the two of us, you could be downright terrifying. So, I did what I've always done: I took my family, and ran. I never meant to hurt you, but I wasn't willing to risk anything happening to them. It was only three weeks. I assumed it hadn't meant as much to you as it had to me."

Caitlin watched him carefully, trying to measure his reaction. His jaw clenched when she admitted to being afraid of him, and again in reaction to her last comment. "It meant everything to me. And I never would have hurt you, or allowed anything to happen to your siblings. You didn't have to run from me." He approached her silently, reaching out slowly when they stood only a couple feet apart. Tracing his hands gently down her arms, he stepped closer still and took hold of her hands. "Don't run now."

"Nik, we can't stay here. Why do you? What about this place is so important? I won't put my family in danger, and I could never trust the Salvatores, not after everything. I thought Elena killed Quinn and it nearly killed me. After everything we've done to stay together, all the centuries we've struggled to stay safe, and I almost lost my brother and sisters to a handful of teenagers," Cate stressed, unwilling to forgive herself for the danger she put them in. And though she hadn't known at the time, it had all been to help him, and his family.

She wouldn't force herself to move out of his reach. It felt too good when he leaned closer and pressed his lips into her hair. "Stay," he repeated softly, leaning back to meet her eyes. Her arms slid up his chest and she lowered her gaze to his lips. Slipping her fingers under the collar of his jacket, she pulled him down towards her, their lips finally crashing together. It had been so long, and she couldn't deny herself any longer.

She'd be strong and resist him tomorrow, she told herself, before everything but him flew from her thoughts.