Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries


The Mystic Falls cemetery was too familiar for my liking. I had known I had to go there again, but I really wished I didn't have to.

But there I was, and there was her stone. Her name, engraved above years much too close together. And I knew what I had to do, for her and everyone else. With whatever influence I had... I had to make sure of this.

I just stood there, staring blankly at her name, not saying anything for a long time. When I did, my words were accompanied by still tears.

''I'm sorry.''

It seemed a small thing, in the scope of things, to say sorry. But maybe she could hear me, somewhere, and I had to let her know. I hoped she didn't hate me.

''I can't take anything back. I wish I could. But whatever I can do to make some right in the world, I promise I'll do it. Elijah and I will go, like we were supposed to, before. And I'll make sure Rebekah comes with. She'll leave Mystic Falls, she'll leave everyone left here alone... somehow, we'll make sure of it. I promise.''

I imagined Mystic Falls as it had been when I left in that rental car heading towards Lafayette. Still and quiet, untouched by life, almost. It wouldn't be like that, but it would be quieter. And that was something.

''God,'' I gasped, wiping away tears with the back of my hand. ''I'll never stop being sorry. I miss you.''

There was no indication that she had heard. No bird scuttling around, no wind whispering in my ear, nothing. But I hoped, anyway.

My hand trembled when I placed it gently on top of the stone, almost expecting to feel human warmth and someone else's emotion seep through the hard rock. But it was just cold.

''I'll keep this promise,'' I said. ''You can count on that.''

When I turned from the stone and left, the image of it was still vidid before my eyes, her name, her face – and the cold stone somehow representing her now. They were nothing alike.


It felt like ages ago when I last set foot in the Mikaelson mansion. My steps seemed to echo through the great entrance hall when I stepped through the doors. Someone had put up new ones after I broke them.

My mind traveled back to the night of the extravagant ball. This place had been buzzing then, people everywhere, gorgeous gowns and dancing... and ominous schemes being concocted beneath the surface. I could see all of it, and I could see Elijah. The memory of him that night was blurry, put together by images of him from over time, but that was when it had started. That dance, the look he had thrown me from behind the banisters during his speech. This house was filled to the brim with memories, even if I right now tried to only remember the good ones.

I made my way across the hall, listening for where he might be, and was just about to speak when I was cut short.

''What do you want?''

Rebekah appeared at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed, glaring at me.

''She saved your life, sister, at least pretend to be grateful,'' Elijah's voice sounded, and the next second he was beside me.

''And I brought her back,'' Rebekah replied. ''I consider us even.'' She walked away, heels clicking against the floor. My eyes followed her went she left, and I felt angry. I knew she worked in sarcasm and taunts, but to see her so cool on the surface consider everything was getting on my nerves.

''She pays, in her own way,'' Elijah said quietly. ''We all do.''

I hummed in response, trying to control myself. With what I hoped to do, I had to learn how to get along with her. Elijah slid my hand into his, and I felt calmer. I could feel he knew I came not just to see him.

''Why have you come?''

''I have a proposition.''

Elijah ran his thumb in circles on my skin. ''Oh?''

I threw a glance in the direction Rebekah had gone. If she heard, it really shouldn't matter.

''Would you go with me if I said I think we should leave Mystic Falls, for real, this time? Would you help me convince Rebekah to leave too?''

Elijah's was quiet, but I knew he understood. After all, it was his idea first. Things had just been different then. ''It's a way for me to keep part of my word,'' I said. ''And maybe it's the best solution for everyone involved.'' I knew now that running away and running were two different things, and this would mean neither of them. What was back when I wasn't prepared to run, all of that was nothing now.

''I would,'' he said. ''And I think you're right. But are you certain?''

Something had changed in me after what had happened. Maybe my senses were still overly sensitive, but I had always known that gut feeling whenever something was just... right. After so many tries, so many different ways of running away – this was something completely different. I knew where I was supposed to be; or, at least, where I was headed.

''I am.''

Elijah nodded. ''Convincing my sister of this won't be easy.''

''Talk to her,'' I said. ''I'll try to do the same, but let's be honest, she'll probably only listen to you.''

His mouth twitched into an unamused smile. Reaching out his hand, he brushed it against my cheek. ''I'll go now.''

When Elijah had disappeared deeper into the house, I set off to one of the sitting rooms I knew held books I liked.

The mansion had felt empty when I first set foot in it. But now, with Klaus and his hybrids gone, it seemed even more like a mausoleum than before. I'm not sure how much they'd actually lived here, to be honest, any of them.

I hadn't told anyone out loud, but I was beginning to suspect that maybe things weren't right with Klaus. That meaning, I wasn't sure if he was actually gone. Whenever the thought crossed my mind I tried to pass it off as ridiculous, because I had seen him die. But ever since I had come back and slowly gotten back to my old enhanced self... whenever I thought of him dead something just didn't seem right. And I had always known to trust my instincts, but the idea really was out there. Maybe part of him was lingering behind, I thought. His ghost, or his spirit, maybe. The more time that passed, the more I knew I had to share this with Elijah. But how could I when I knew how much his brother meant to him? What if it was his spirit, and nothing else? It was a narrow tightrope I was walking, and the more I got myself twisted up in those ideas the more off balance I got. But I had to tell him, as soon as I figured out how.

I reached the room I had in mind and flipped the switch. A lightbulb in the lamp had gone out. Heading for the shelves lined up against the wall, I let my fingers brush over the books before I found one to read. I dusted it off before settling down by the fireplace. Getting lost in words written over a hundred years ago, I was blessed with calmness. For a while.

A puff of air brushed over my cheek. I looked up and saw a conflicted Rebekah in the door. Half of her seemed to want to be anywhere but here, and the other half oozed of bitter feelings. Guilt, regret. I tried to shut it out before I overstepped completely.

She stepped into the room, stopping before she came too close. Looking at me, pursing her mouth in annoyance, she turned away before looking back again.

''Thank you.''

I nodded.

''I'm not good with...'' she continued, disgruntled, and paused with an irritated sigh.

''People?'' I suggested, earning an angry glare.

''I'm not going to like you just because you saved my life.''

''That's understandable.''

She turned her head as if she was listening over her shoulder. I perked up my ears, too, but couldn't hear anything. Maybe that was what she was checking.

''I think you make him happy,'' she said then, still gazing behind her. ''And not many things do.''

All of his siblings meant so much to Elijah, I knew that. I also knew the twisted ways of his family just as well as I knew their redeeming qualities. Well, most of them, anyway. Rebekah could be absolutely terrifying if she wanted to, and she knew it. She and Klaus were both like that.

Maybe it was something about seeing the supposedly most powerful people on earth scared for their lives that made it easier to see them as they were. See them more human.

''Don't hurt him, or I will kill you.''

That being said, I had to remind myself that the respect Elijah and myself had developed between each other didn't reach beyond the confines of our relationship. Because, from anyone else's mouth Rebekah's words might have sounded like playful threats, but she was most likely completely serious.

''Come with us,'' I said.

''Why?''

''Are you happy here? Really?''

''Why do you care? I killed Elena. Indirectly, I suppose, but still.''

''I know you did,'' I replied, my voice somewhat colder than before. ''And I can't forgive you. But it'll do everyone here good to be rid of Original vampires, and to be honest, after what you did... they wouldn't welcome you. So, it might be a good idea for you, too.''

Rebekah rolled her eyes and sighed loudly. ''Fine,'' she said. ''If it will shut you both up, I'll consider it. Maybe.''

That was as good an answer as any.


I stayed there, reading for a while, until I felt another presence next to me. I looked up at Elijah and smiled softly, then I returned to my book. Was this what my future would look like? Our future? The thought was hopeful and full of warmth, but distorted. I tried to focus on the positive inkling. And oh, had my feelings for Elijah grown. I was still all over the place at times, but I knew that much.

Looking up again, I placed the book in my lap, lightly closed over my finger as a bookmark. Elijah was standing by the fireplace looking deep in thought, twisting and turning a pen in between his fingers. I smiled at the action.

His eyes turned to meet mine, and the pen stilled in his hand. If I were to have his eyes on me forever, forever couldn't be too bad. If we were meant to be together on endless roads stretching out into the world, it couldn't be too bad. Whatever happened.

He returned my gaze with a quizzical look, and I took a moment to marvel at him before I spoke out into the silence.

''I love you.''

Having felt something and having said it really were two different things, but combined it reached a whole other level. I did love him, and finally saying it out loud it felt like my heart was ready to burst. I only wished I could have told him before, and given him back what he gave me that day in the woods.

His face lit up, softly, slowly, like the sun rising on a spring morning. Clouded by a sudden hesitation, he put the pen down on the mantel, and asked:

''For how long?''

Something in me just knew, and there was no doubt in my answer.

''Always.''

The frightened edge in him went away, and he was next to me in one long stride. Pulling me to him, standing, I let the feeling of him wash over me.

''And you?'' I asked in return.

He ran his fingers down the side of my face, grazing my neck, before settling his hand on my shoulder.

''Forever,'' he said quietly.