Two hundred years would pass before they saw one another again. Neither of them expected to see one another for she was too good at running was and he was no longer chasing her.
Elijah passed through the groups of people gathered in the ballroom. He would rather be spending his evening elsewhere but his attendance was important for keeping up his role of a nobleman.
He was searching for Kol, hoping he wasn't causing trouble. He didn't notice the woman backing up until he had almost run into her. An apology came from her and shock ran through his veins.
"Katerina?" He asked. She turned and looked at him with wide eyes.
"No, sir. My name is Katherine."
"My apologies you remind me of someone."
Charlotte, the hostess of the party, stepped up beside Katherine.
"I was hoping you two would meet," she said. "Elijah this is Katherine Pierce, Katherine this is Elijah Mikaelson."
Elijah took her hand into his and placed a kiss to the back of it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, . Might I have this dance?"
Katherine gave him a tight smile. Denying him in front do so many people would be a foolish move.
"Of course." He led her to the dance floor as the music began.
"Katherine?" He asked after a moment.
"Is Klaus here as well?"
"Do not worry Katerina. He is far from here."
"Should I fear you as well?" She asked.
"Not right now."
She didn't relax if anything she grew even tenser. Elijah acted perfectly casual, however.
"You have nothing you wish to say, Katerina?"
She hesitated before she replied, "Why?"
He didn't answer but tightened his grip on her.
"Did you not care that I would die? Was Everything a lie?"
"I cared," he said. "I wasn't meant to, but I did."
"Yet you made no move to stop it."
"It has been my brother's wish for centuries. I am obligated to help him."
"No matter what happens to anyone else." She shrugged. "I guess I understand. Tell me when I ran what did he do to Trevor and Rosemary?"
"He hasn't caught them yet."
The corners of her lips turned up. "Good for them."
He was silent for a moment observing her. When he had met her she's been bright and carefree. The life in her eyes made him want to take her and hide her from Klaus the moment he saw her. He spent time with her during her stay in London. She told him about her home and how she hoped to return someday. They'd spoken about their families and their childhoods. She'd been like an open book.
Now she was dark and closed off. He wouldn't have even known she was afraid were if he was not close enough to see how tense her body was.
"You're becoming different Katerina."
She looked up and met his eyes for the first time.
"I have no choice."
"There is always a choice."
"If I remained the way I used to be, I would be dead right now."
Elijah sighed. "Katerina,"
"Don't. I don't particularly care what you have to say."
"Niklaus will arrive in three days," he said causing Katherine's eyes to widen. "I won't tell him you were here but it would be best if you were gone before then."
She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes. After a moment they opened and she looked up at him.
"He'll never stop hunting me will he?"
"No."
She nodded and stepped away from him. "Goodbye Elijah."
"Goodbye, Katerina."
Elijah watched as she walked away. It took all his self-restraint to keep from going after her. If he did Klaus would only resent her more. So he kept his feet planted in the same spot and didn't move his eyes until she had left the room. With a sigh, he straightened out his suit and glanced over the room.
"So that was Katerina Petrova." Elijah jumped slightly having not noticed Kol walk up behind him.
"I don't-"
"I can see why she struck your fancy."
"Kol, if Nikl-"
"Don't worry Elijah. Nik won't hear a word from me."
"If he was to hear something he would only increase his efforts to find her," he said trying to make Kol understand how serious it was.
"Elijah, I'm not a fool. I know what will happen, and I am capable of keeping a secret."
"Thank you, Kol."