Chapter 12

"Ugh I'm going out screw this!" Elena huffed to herself. She put on a short breezy racerback sundress, her gladiator sandals and threw her hair up in a messy bun to try and combat the heat outside.

Lucy had gone off to her "appointment" or whatever it was she was doing. It sounded to her like another secret she was being kept from. She hated when Lucy, Marcel and Vincent were secretive. When she got really exasperated they would say it was quarter business and she was to keep out of it to keep her safe. Always on the sidelines so she didn't attract attention. She wrote a short note on a scrap of paper and left it on her dresser for Marcel to find if he got back before her.

Went for a walk in the park. Meeting with Lucy after.
I have my protection amulet on Marcel don't worry
Love E.

An hour or two walking by herself wouldn't be the end of the world. So she convinced herself. But every move we make is a step in a direction of our lives.

She really had intended to go to the park around the corner from the compound but her feet had other plans. As soon as she reached the park she squealed in excitement as an ice cream cart wheeled by her. She found herself and two other kids chasing after it, all of them laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so free running and laughing without a care in the world. She almost forgot that she was supposed to be being careful.

The ice cream cart stopped and she blew out a sigh.

"You made us really work for it didn't you." She smiled widely.

"You looked like you were having fun who am I to stop that." The man smiled back. "What can I get you miss."

"Just a rocket pop thank you!" It was only when she sat on the bench after paying that she looked up to see the open doors to Rousseau's. Her mouth popped open in surprise when she heard the smooth british accent.

"You couldn't stay away could you?" He was smiling leaning back in a seat not 10 feet from her cradling a bourbon, neat.

"You." She whispered, mostly to herself but he smiled as he heard her.

"Me." He smiled warmly and walked out to sit next to her on the bench. "I was hoping I'd run into you again."

"My name is Klaus Mikaelson." He held out his hand to shake hers and she noticed his dimples when he smiled this time. She felt a familiar warmth in the pit of her stomach.

"I'm Elena Gilbert."

"And what a heavenly name it is Elena."

She almost stopped breathing at how beautiful he looked in the evening sun and had to blink herself back into reality when it felt like minutes had gone by of her just staring at him.

"Is that a…popsicle?" He teased

"Uh yeah it's a rocket pop… I ran 3 blocks for this." She laughed at the teasing look on his face. "Hey its hot out don't knock it til you try it."

"I've never had one."

"Really? And how old are you Klaus Mikaelson to have never had the pleasure?"

"Very old. Crypt keeper old."

"Stop." She giggled. "How old are you? Come on I can take it."

"Try 1000 years old."

She paused. "You got me, definitely crypt keeper old."

"Elena Gilbert, you wound me." He grabbed his chest in fake hurt.

"I'm only a measly 2 year old baby vamp. Either way-" she shrugged shaking off the insecurity that she was so young. "you need to try it. You can't go another day without having tried one." Her heart beat picked up as she watched him dip his head to try her ice cream. He was the most beautiful person she'd ever laid eyes on. It definitely was not the alcohol last time.

"Ok yeah, worth the 3 blocks."

He watched her nod – almost to herself- in confirmation at what he said.

"Have a drink with me?"

Elena glanced at her phone, it had been about an hour and she didn't have any texts or missed calls yet.

"Sure, I'll have what you're having."

They had been talking non-stop for at least an hour. It was easy, free flowing conversation without any awkward lags. They hadn't gotten into anything too deep thankfully, Elena still wasn't sure how she would explain the fact that she really didn't have any memories up until a month ago. What she didn't realize was that Klaus had the exact same thoughts.

They both found themselves leaning in as they talked, feeling the pull towards each other without recognizing it, engrossed in what the other had to say until Elena jumped when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

"Oh my god, how did I not notice my phone going off? Lucy is going to kill me." 2 missed calls and 5 texts from Lucy and 5 texts from Marcel. Oops.

"Lucy?"

"My best friend. We were supposed to meet for dinner and drinks, 3 hours ago."

Lucy felt bad for lying to Elena about her appointment but Vincent had made it clear she wasn't to know they were meeting. When the day started she had no idea that she'd be learning of how important it really was to keep her best friend safe. He had told her everything that Jane Ann told them. Klaus Mikaelson. One of the most feared originals was Elena's mate. She probably had no clue who he really was.

She picked up Marcel's call on the first ring.

"Are you with Elena?"

"Yeah why?" She lied as she picked up her pace, she was trying to track where Elena was so Marcel and Vincent didn't freak out that she was missing.

"I found a note she left on her dresser for me, it said she was at the park. I was worried."

"Oh yeah we met up after my meeting with Vincent, she's fine I'll have her home later completely intact."

"Very funny."

"Wasn't trying to be." She said sarcastically. "I'll see you later." She hung up as she stopped across from Rousseau's.

"Shit."

She watched her friend flirt back and forth with Klaus Mikaelson. She felt her intuition flicker. She wasn't to stop them. She didn't care what Marcel or Vincent thought. They didn't have to know this time. She grabbed her phone as she watched them and texted Elena.

Hey girl. I'm tired as hell. I'm going to go home and be lazy. Did you end up going out?

"I didn't realize the time either." Klaus spoke distracted in his own thoughts. It was like time stopped with Elena. Elijah would be home soon as well he supposed.

"It's all good, she was tired and just went home. Let me just text her back."

Yup and guess who I ran into?!

Mystery man?

Yes! Breakfast tomorrow so I can tell you all about him?

Absolutely!

Hey can you cover for me if Marcel asks where I was all day?

Already ahead of you! Have fun!

Elena smiled at her phone.

"You look cute when you're in your own world you know. You do it quite often."

"I didn't realize." Elena blushed. "I should head home soon though, my uh- brother for all intents and purposes will be asking where I am soon."

"Marcel?"

"He listens." She teased

"Ah speaking of brothers – here's mine as we speak."

Elijah stopped in his tracks as he walked in and saw her. Elena Gilbert. The doppleganger who risked her life for everyone she loved. She was supposed to be dead, he watched Klaus drain her at the sacrifice with his own eyes. Sweet Elena Gilbert, now a vampire. How could it be? He covered his shock quickly and walked slowly over to greet his old acquaintance wondering what kind of mischief she was in that she was coming to town to no doubt ask for our help, undoubtedly the Salvatore brothers had roped her into some scheme as they usually did. He stopped himself from greeting her when he noticed Niklaus introduce him.

"This is Elijah. Elijah, meet the mystery woman from the other night. Elena."

"Oh my god please do not tell me you are referring to me as the mystery woman to people." She laughed her child like laugh. It was so good to hear that laugh again. The last time he saw her all he saw was pain. He felt a tug of guilt when he remembered his betrayal. "Hi Elijah, it's really nice to meet you. Klaus speaks of you so fondly."

"Oh does he?" She didn't remember him? Or was she pretending.

"Should he not?" Elena joked.

Elijah realized she wasn't pretending, she really didn't remember them. He was sure of it by the way she was so easily enjoying Niklaus's company.

"One could only hope. It's very nice to be acquainted with you my dear." He smiled as he kissed her hand and watched her look down and blush.

"I was actually just leaving; I'll leave you two to do your thing." She smiled as she got up and smoothed her dress down.

"Niklaus, why don't you walk her home. A lady shouldn't walk herself home after dark."

"Absolutely." He smiled at her.

Elijah watched as Klaus offered his arm out as she took it in hers as they walked off. His face scrunched in confusion. They were completely enthralled with each other, people parting and watching them as they walked by like they were the sun and they were all planets swirling around but never touching them.

He knew immediately where he needed to visit.

They stopped before they reached the compound.

"You can drop me here, my house is just up the street but if Marcel sees you he's going to interrogate you and I'd like to keep you just mine for at least a day."

"Anything you wish."

"Your brother is nice." She mused not wanting to leave him. It almost physically hurt knowing she was leaving his side.

"He is when he's not being grumpy and serious." Klaus teased before being serious. He didn't remember ever feeling this way about anyone – not that he could remember much about his life either way but he somehow knew in his gut he hadn't.

He was surprised when she molded her body to his and kissed him. He found himself never wanting to be without this funny, confident, witty, beautiful woman.

"You'll find me again right?" She breathed when they slowly stepped away from each other.

"I promise."