Elena stood before her twin. Even hundreds of years of being a vampire, and one could not deny that these two were related. You didn't get these types of similarities without genetic predisposition.

"So, what's the story?" Elena asked of no one in particular. She stood there, waiting for someone to answer.

"We don't know." Alaric leaned against one wall of the study, arms crossed in a defensive stance. He was wary of having Katherine in here. There was still one window for her to get out of. But they couldn't chance taking her to the cell in the basement of the old Salvatore mansion.

Pacing, Elena circled around Katherine's chair. She took in the ropes that were intertwined with sprig after sprig of vervain. Placed on a shelf next to Alaric was a water bottle, infused with more of the powerful substance. If Katherine gave them any kind of resistance, they would begin to spray her, like a cat that jumped on the table when it wasn't supposed to. Finally she stopped, right before her ancient foe, and offered the question directly.

"What is YOUR story, this time, Katherine?"

The look of hatred that came from those familiar eyes before Elena belied the sunny disposition and smile broadly pasted on Katherine's features. She disliked everything about being there, and her eyes darted about the room, searching for a way out. There was none.

"You tell me," she replied, sarcasm coating her words. Every so often she would squirm, as if testing the ropes' strength. Stefan and Damon both had made sure they were as tight as possible. Katherine knew she wasn't getting out of this any time soon.

Elena sighed. She was tired, and hungry, and irritated that Katherine had made it into her house in the first place. Now that she was here, what the hell were they going to do with her?

Damon's eyes narrowed. He pursed his lips and shifted his weight.

"Stefan. Elena needs to eat." Elena began to protest, but he interrupted her. "No, you need to eat. Now. You're no good to us if you pass out all over again."

Elena shrugged. He was right, and at that moment, it was utterly clear just how human and fallible she was. "Fine, but I will be back."

Katherine smirked before replying, "I'm counting on it."

Sorry it has taken me so long to do this again, but I'm short on time and long on ideas. Life gets that way sometimes. Enjoy this short one, and we'll see how much I can add from here on out.

- M.