After the sun began to go down, Katherine thought it was a good idea to start taking a shower. She wasn't sure when Elijah planned on going to dinner, but if he said tonight then she figured she might as well be showered before tonight actually arrived.

As she wrapped a soft towel around her body she walked over to the bathroom mirror and frowned. Even with her newly cleaned face and body she still didn't look the best she could be. And she could've sworn she saw a wrinkle. She almost shuddered at the thought and soon decided that obsessively looking at her face wasn't a good idea at the moment. Not if she wanted to be around Elijah without feeling extremely self conscious.

But her eyes did still easily spot the red marks that still remained on her neck. With her hair tied up into a loose bun, the long red lines where Klaus' fingers had been were clearly noticeable. They weren't as painful as they had been the previous night, when even long after he let her go she still felt as though she couldn't breathe. But they were visible, and that angered her beyond belief.

The only thing that brought her comfort was that she could at least hide them if she wore her hair down. It would be more effective if she had some concealer, but after this morning there was no chance she was asking anything of either original brother. Especially not something as unimportant to them as makeup.

It was only once she reached for the doorknob of the bathroom door that she realized something very important. She had no clothes to change into. At least not for a fancy dinner out with Elijah. All she had was what she came here with which consisted of a black tank top that already had several small holes in it, black skinny jeans and a leather jacket that had definitely seen better days. She sighed heavily, hoping Elijah at least had the decency to not take her anywhere too fancy.

As she entered her bedroom however she instantly noticed a large white box on the bed. She tilted her head to the side skeptically and slowly walked over to it.

Upon opening it, her lips shaped into a warm smile when she caught sight of the dark purple dress inside along with a pair of white pearl earrings and even a casing of red lipstick. She almost giggled as she picked up the letter and began to read it.

My dearest Katerina,

I figured you would need something to wear tonight, therefore I took it upon myself to gift you this. Do forgive me if it isn't perfect, as shopping for women's clothing or other accessories isn't something I am accustomed to doing. I did ask for Rebekah's help and...well she all but slammed the door in my face.

I do hope you enjoy it regardless, and I am looking forward to dinner. I will stop by your bedroom in an hour.

Elijah

By the time Katherine finished reading, her lips seemed to be shaped into a permanent smile that she was sure wouldn't easily fade. Without wasting another second, she quickly began to get ready.

The dress was a beautiful off shoulder, short sleeved dress. It was form fitting at the top, then loose after her waistline and it was a high low style, which meant the back of it was definitely longer than the front. Finally, it was also completely patterned with lace, which if she was honest was what she loved the most about it. The style of it along with the color wasn't something she would typically wear. It seemed far too delicate for her tastes. But she appreciated the fact that Elijah bought it for her, and she had to admit it did look beautiful on her.

She smiled at her reflection for what was probably the first time in months. The dress adorned her body perfectly, and while the singular pearl earrings were mainly hidden beneath her curls, she still knew they were there.

She had just finished applying her final coat of the red lipstick when she heard a soft knock at the door. She checked her appearance one last time and closed her lipstick casing. "Come in."

Elijah entered the bedroom only after he heard Katherine confirm he could, and as his gaze landed on her, he drew in a breath. To say she looked gorgeous was possibly the biggest understatement in the world. It even took him a moment before he could actually speak. "Good evening. You look...well, simply beautiful. I am glad the dress fits you. I was a bit worried about the size."

Katherine could feel her cheeks becoming a little warm to the touch at the compliment, which almost made her scoff and roll her eyes. Since when did the great Katherine Pierce blush? "Oh. Well you did a fantastic job. It fits perfectly. And it's beautiful. Thank you." She said honestly as a smile formed on her lips.

Elijah easily returned her smile with one of his own. He was glad he had been able to please her. It seemed she hadn't had much luck since she became human again. But he was willing to change that. "You're welcome." He said and then held out his hand to her. "Come. Before my brother decides to return this evening."

Katherine instantly placed her hand in his, automatically loving the warmth his touch always provided. She felt eternally grateful to hear Klaus wasn't home, but at the same time the mention of him easily brought back their argument from this morning. "Don't remind me." She grumbled walking out of the room with him and down the staircase. "I swear I wanted to kill him this morning."

Elijah tensed at her words. "Did something occur between you two? I told you to ignore him Katerina." He sighed softly and held the front door opened for her like the gentleman he was.

"You didn't hear what he said to me." Katherine exclaimed, stepping outside the house and turning to look at him with her arms firmly crossed over her chest. She knew Elijah only wanted to keep her safe. But as much as she appreciated him worrying about her, staying quiet whenever Klaus pissed her off didn't seem like much of an option. Maybe before, when she was deadly afraid of him. But definitely not now when she was already dying and no longer had anything to lose.

"I am not saying you did not have a valid reason for reacting the way you did. Believe me, I know what it is like to live with Niklaus. I am simply saying that I would prefer it if you didn't indulge him."

Katherine scoffed and shook her head, silently following him to the car. When he opened the door for her, she paused in her steps and instead looked at him again. "In case you were wondering, the bastard said that I had to stay away from you if I was going to continue living here. So maybe you should be having this conversation with him." She muttered and stepped into the car.

Elijah's eyes widened slightly, surprise clouding his features for a moment. Though after a few seconds, he couldn't say he was truly surprised anymore. His brother never did like the fact that he had a soft spot for Katerina. Even in 1492 Niklaus always made sure to remind him of Katerina's fate in an effort to get Elijah to rid himself of the feelings he was starting to have for the doppelgänger. But it never worked. Just as he knew this act of possessiveness wouldn't work either. He wouldn't stay away from her now. He had sacrificed too much for his brother. It was time to be a little selfish.

Silently, Elijah shut her door and then went over to his own side. "I will." He said looking over at her. "Have a conversation with him I mean." He started the car and didn't speak again until they were on the road. "I hope you know I am not listening to him this time. I already left you once for him. I am not doing it again. Regardless of whether or not we decide to rekindle our romance, I will stand by your side Katerina. As a friend, a lover, or anything else you may want or need." He wouldn't be foolish enough to waste the second chance the universe was giving him. Katerina had always been the one woman he never truly got over. And he knew now that no matter what happened in their future, he would always care for her.

Katherine could almost feel her heart skip a beat as she listened to him speak. In her five hundred years on this earth, she never once heard someone say something like that. Not when they knew all of her and the complications that came with being involved in her life. It was always easier to just run away. Hell. She would run from herself if she could. But here Elijah was, choosing her. Over Klaus. It was all she ever wanted and she couldn't even enjoy it. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She was dying. She couldn't be saved. And Elijah finally chose her. Only it was too late.

Katherine looked away from him, her gaze falling on the window while tears welled in her eyes. She was trying desperately not to let them fall, but it was nearly impossible now. Yet another thing she missed about vampirism. Back then she could easily push all her emotions away. Now she was vulnerable to everything that wounded her.

Elijah grew concerned when he clearly spotted the tears rolling down her cheeks. She never cried. In fact he was pretty sure the last time he saw her crying, besides last night, was in 1492. "What is it? Did I say something I shouldn't have?" He asked, briefly glancing over at her before turning his gaze back to the road ahead.

Katherine didn't speak for a moment. She didn't trust herself to. Instead she sniffled quietly and dried her eyes as best she could. "It's not you. What you said was perfect. I've always wanted to hear you say that."

"Then why are you upset?" He asked softly as he parked the car in front of the restaurant he had been planning on taking her to. It was Italian and he knew her preference for Italian food. But right now all of that seemed unimportant as he turned in his seat to face the girl he loved with nothing but concern in his eyes.

"Because it's too late." Katherine finally whispered, still refusing to look at him. She couldn't bear to see the look in his eyes when she finally told him.

Elijah felt as though his heart broke at her words. He instantly began to wonder if she no longer loved him. It hadn't been that long since their breakup, but he supposed after he left perhaps she did her best to get over him. However, just as he began to feel disappointed, she spoke again. Only these words hurt far more than her being over him. And this time, he could've sworn his heart truly did shatter completely.