It was going to take a couple days for Mila to be able to leave. Too many restrictions on travel these days; it definitely made her miss the good old days. She packed most of her small apartment, but she was slower than usual. New Orleans had been her home since the beginning, and it felt wrong to be leaving again. She sighed, sitting on her bed and looking around forlornly.

"I do hope I'm not the one who put such a sour look on your face." Her head snapped up to see Elijah in the doorway, studying one of her trinkets from her travels. If her heart had been beating, it would have gone into overtime at his sudden appearance. She stood slowly, never taking her eyes off of him as he set the item down gently and turned to her. "We didn't get to finish our conversation from earlier."

"There's nothing more to discuss." A sense of morbid peace filled her at the thought that this was it. There wouldn't be any more running from the Original. He approached her slowly, almost as though she would disappear right in front of him. "I'm done running." There was a spark of victory in his dark eyes, and it made her stomach twist. "Whatever you're going to do, just get it over with already." That triumph dimmed as he entered her space, one hand reaching up slowly and settling against the side of her neck. She couldn't help but stiffen, remembering the last time she'd been in a situation like this.

Klaus held her by the throat, and she thrashed against him wildly. His superior strength held her to him, and he looked up at her with a burning fury in his eyes. A part of her knew she wouldn't have made it out of this situation alive, but there had been hope.

"Mila…" She blinked the memory, her own hazel eyes meeting his as he stared down at her. He hadn't made any move to snap her neck or rip out her heart yet, and she wanted to scream at him to get it over with, to end the game. His touch was soft, and his face was a mere inches from her own despite their height difference. "What's wrong, dove?" Dove? Where was that coming from? She frowned, slowly pulling away and finding no resistance. If anything, it simply made her angry.

"Well? Get on with it." He only blinked, a confused look on his face as he dropped his hand back to his side. "I know why you're here. Just kill me already." The confusion morphed to anger, then quickly to sadness, and it only confused her more.

"Kill you? Why would I…?" Elijah shook his head, running a hand through his perfect hair. "Mila, I would never dream of harming you, let alone killing you. What on Earth gave you that idea?"

"Your brother. You and your sister help him with everything." She shifted, moving slowly towards the window. He seemed to sense her plan, because he moved closer. "Including, I assume, the killing of those who cross him."

"You crossed Klaus? When?" Concern filled his voice, and she shook her head.

"Stop with the games, Elijah." Her voice broke, and she hated that she came across as weak. He seemed saddened and shocked, and in a blink he was there, pulling her against his chest. It took her a few moments to realize he was giving her a hug.

"Mila, I can honestly say I'm not here because of Klaus. I came of my own volition." She slumped against him, too confused and upset to fight back. His hand stroked her hair. "I have been looking for you for so long. I'm so sorry that you've been running in fear." His voice was low and soothing.

"What do you want with me?" She sighed, all fight having gone. He could rip her apart right now, and she wouldn't lift a finger to stop him.

"Oh, my dear Mila." His chuckle rumbled against her ear. "I love you." That caused her mind to short circuit, though his hand continued to smooth along her black tresses. "I will not blame you for not returning my feelings, all things considered." There was a note of humor in his tone. "I just ask that you please stop running. Give me the chance to win your affection." She pulled away enough to look up at him, surprised at how soft his gaze had become.

"I don't know…"

"One night. If nothing else, let me have one night." Elijah held her hands in both of her own, and she thought it over for a bit.

"Fine. One night." The smile that lit his face seemed to make him more handsome, and she briefly wondered what she was getting into.