Disclaimer: Yet another chapter goes by and I still don't own The Vampire Diaries.

Chapter Twenty Six- Hard Choice

Author's Note: By Danielle's request - a giant thank you for the review, by the way - this chapter is from Katherine's point of view. I hope you like it! It's my first attempt at writing her so closely.

Katherine knew that time was running out, but when it was suggested that they took a break, she gladly agreed. The trip to Mystic Falls had exhausted everyone given their nervousness, and so they needed to rest for a while before they were up for another adventure.

As it was settled that they would get some time to clear their heads and catch some sleep, Stefan made his way to the room he had adopted as his, the one where he had woken up after the first fight against the hybrids, Katherine's eyes glued on him. She knew exactly what she wanted to do for her break.

She followed him, a small smile starting to spread on her lips, masking the confusion she was experiencing. Her mind was a complete mess. She could feel herself angry and frustrated that they didn't get all the information that they needed, but at the same time she couldn't feel something that had been there for a while, ever since she had started to pursue that curse alongside with Stefan. She gasped silently as she realized what it was. Her humanity.

Working with the younger Salvatore had brought out a side of her she hadn't seen much of ever since 1864, the year she had gone to Mystic Falls and first met the brothers. She hated it that she actually enjoyed having her humanity back. Katherine hadn't realized how much it meant to her until she couldn't feel it in her mind anymore, until the place that once occupied by a mess of joy, happiness, sadness and guilt became just a shelve of meaningless memories.

She tried to think that that was what she did, she had a few good days and then turned her emotions off, but she found herself wondering if that couldn't be why every chance she got at a good, settled down life ended up slipping through her fingers. Katherine didn't know if she wanted all that guilt and ethic codes back. She was afraid of the consequences, of how it would change her way of perceiving the world. If humanity was a vampire's greatest weakness, she couldn't see why she would want it back.

Regardless, though, it was screaming at her to be allowed back where it once stood, where it really belonged. She looked at Stefan, who was sitting on his bed, his eyes cast downwards, staring at the floor, and she decided that she would go back to her crisis later. Someone needed some cheering up, and she was more than willing to do the job.

She plopped herself beside him, her eyes trying to catch his wandering gaze, but failing. With a long sigh, she passed her arm around his waist and caressed his back.

- Come on, let's do something to distract you. - She suggested, a smirk starting to show on her lips.

Not receiving an answer, she leaned in to kiss him and was startled as he moved away. She bent in closer, her eyes gazing up at him, trying to read his features. Never had Stefan refused a kiss from her, not while they actually were in a relationship. She was certain that something was wrong, that something was bothering him.

- What is it, Stefan? - She asked him, her tone softer than the one she normally used.

- It's just... Klaus is coming after you and if we don't manage to stop him, he is going to kill you. This is not like last time, Katherine. He has no reason to keep you alive. You're of better use to him dead. - He sighed, a hint of tears appearing in his eyes - I don't think I can lose you again.

It took Katherine a minute to manage to understand what he was saying. He couldn't lose her again. She smiled at the thought that Stefan had actually missed her, that things hadn't happened quite like he had told her and made sure to show everyone when he had the chance. She had charmed him, she had made him fall in love with her. One thing she had never told him was that no compulsion was necessary for him to be head over heels about her. She only compelled him to drink her blood. She never dared mention that in fear that he would tell her that he hadn't loved her even in his human life. She was sure that she would have believed him. In her experience, Damon had always been more passionate and more devoted than his younger brother. Katherine, though, preferred Stefan's romantic and courteous behavior. But then again, it was easier to fool someone by acting like Stefan than by acting like Damon. She was only glad that she knew that he had always loved her.

- Stefan, just try to relax for a while, okay? - She requested, her voice still sweet - We'll go back to that in a minute. Meanwhile, I'll help you find a way to forget about all your problems.

Katherine smiled widely as he turned around and their lips met. She had waited for a chance like that for so long she couldn't count the years. She supposed she had started missing him, the way he made her feel, they way his touch felt on her skin, the way his presence made her happier, the very day they parted ways. That fateful day when the vampires were rounded up to be killed, the day she was taken away from Stefan and never returned.

As they broke apart, Katherine couldn't help but notice that there was something different about the way Stefan looked. His eyes seemed to be shining brighter and she could see a small smile forming on his lips. She almost grinned as she realized that she had actually made him forget, even for a second, all the problems that awaited him.

- Are you quite done there yet? You know, we have a world to save, but I'm sure it could wait. - A voice came from the doorway, a voice Katherine knew very well.

She turned around and found herself facing Damon, his trademark smirk showing on his mouth. Katherine was about to open her mouth to argue when she was interrupted by Stefan.

- We'll be with you in a second. - The younger Salvatore informed his brother, barely even looking at him.

A blur in the edge of Katherine's sight indicated that the vampire was gone. She stared into Stefan's deep brown eyes, feeling as though she could get lost in them. Part of her hated herself for allowing such a weakness to show, but the other part missed that feeling. That side of her was the more human one, the one that still remembered the days when she was a young bulgarian girl carrying an illegitimate child, sure that everything would be fine even though she rationally knew it wouldn't. And that side knew that with love came hurt, but it also knew that there was more than just hurt to such a relationship. There was a happiness beyond what she could get by any other means. That part of her was more than willing to risk it.

- Katherine? - Stefan called her, a hint of worry showing in his voice.

- Yes? - She replied, shaking herself out of her thoughts, happy to have been interrupted.

- Is everything okay? I've been calling you for five minutes!

- It's okay, I was just... thinking. - Replied Katherine, trying to keep her edginess out of her tone.

- We've got to go. Damon'll come up here soon to call us again.

As they walked back to the living room, Katherine forced herself to return to her normal self. She could make her choice regarding Stefan when she didn't have to interact with people. Her softer side was for Stefan and Stefan only.