Why… look at that. That unfaithful thing of a writer has updated her story!

I am sooo sorry for the long wait… it's just, my Muse has kinda lost interesting for this story for awhile, and because of that I wasn't able to write on this. BUT, to repay you, this chapter is a little longer. But I think I'll wrap this story up in the next three or four chapters… There just isn't much left for me to do with it, it feels like it's coming to an end!

Well anyway… Thank you, my dear AVECIA, for the great beta job you always do.

And a big thanks to all my lovely readers and reviewers as well, you are AWESOME!

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing 'bout TVD; I just mess with them just because it's so much fun!

Now, on with it!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

It had been suspiciously peaceful the last four days. No one had disappeared in the middle of the night (or… well, had sneaked off to visit an evil vampire ancestor), and there had been no mysterious dream walks, or dramatic declarations. Everything was just… normal. Which was creepy, confusing and very much not normal in and of itself. Because really, when had been the last time when there were no S.O.S phone calls or messages, and no life-and-death situations?

So when suddenly, in the middle of the day, the sky began to darken to a midnight-blue color, faint thunder was heard and the electricity gave out? There was a collective sigh of relief in the Boarding House because hey, they had not been swept away into Twilight Zone after all. Everyone had been gathered in the house to… well. They had been there, and that's all Damon knew, really. Honestly, he had cared more about the fact the Elena had had no problem in showing her affections for him, even in front of her friends and family. He had thought that he would grow accustomed to it, that it would stop being a novelty but… he had just been kidding himself in the end. He had waited for over a century and a half for someone to love him back just as strong as he loved them. So now it would probably take some time for him to get used to the fact that he had finally found that someone.

He shook his head once – as nice as it was to think about his love-life, he probably should concentrate on the fact that night had fallen outside.

As the others were busy staring outside the big windows, and not really trying to find out what was happening, he went to the cords holding the curtains aside, and made short work of the sight. Of course now it was pitch black inside the room… yeah, he should have thought of that sooner. But whatever; he shouldn't be the only one with a working brain in here.

And just as he thought that, the witch made herself helpful for once, and made the fireplace roar to life. Not as good as working electricity, but it was at least something.

"So… has anyone an idea what the fuck just happened?"

Damon had to rub his ears because of Caroline's screech – and was thankful that he didn't have his usual good hearing. And judging by the grimace on Elenas face, she wished the exact opposite. Well, Lady Luck was a capricious bitch. Better to learn that lesson sooner, rather than later. He was just about to tell Caroline that he knew just as much as she did, as a booming voice filled every corner of the house.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are."

It was said in that typical sing-song that children use while playing hide and seek… only this was not a child's voice, but that of a grown man. Which made it creepy, rather than playful.

"Come on, my sweet little Doppelganger. I know that you are in this house; know that you're with Elijah."

At that, everyone turned to the man in question and one look into his face confirmed what they all thought: Klaus has arrived.

"I promise you if you come to me willingly, I will let everyone else in there live. Well… mostly everyone. Elijah has to die, no matter what."

As Damon looked at Elena, he saw that her expression distinctly lacked any fear. At all. He would be concerned about that – it was unhealthy not to fear a centuries old vampire, out to kill her. But he couldn't say anything, because Klaus obviously liked to hear himself talk.

"I give you until midnight. Meet me at Wickery Bridge, or else suffer the consequences of your disobedience."

With the last word, the lights flickered back on, and upon drawing the curtains open again, it was clear that whatever magic Klaus had used, he was done for the moment; the sky was a lovely light blue again, the sun bright in the sky.

As he turned around again, Elena still didn't show fear; though there was a sadness on her face that he couldn't quite explain. As if she was regretting something… and he had no idea what it might be.

Until she sped in front of him and kissed him for all he was worth.

"I'm so sorry… I really wish that we could've had more time."

Just as he was about to roll his eyes and tell her that they would have more time; that she shouldn't be so melodramatic, that they would find a way out of this, as always… she caressed the side of his face and then sped away. He heard the front door close, and then everything was silent. They all stared at each other, not quite comprehending what was going on.

So Caroline voiced what everyone was thinking, repeating her words from only moments before. Only this time, there was no screech; in fact, her voice was barely more than a whisper.

"Ok seriously, does anyone know what the fuck just happened?"

Yeah, he would like to know that, too.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

As Elena sped through the woods at the fastest pace she could manage, tears fell out of her eyes, only to be quickly swept away by the wind whipping past her.

She reached the old tomb in record time. Coming to a stop in front of it, she took a deep breath and wiped the lingering wetness from her eyes. She was thankful for how quick her body healed itself… she really would have hated to confront the other woman with red, puffy eyes. Showing weakness in a moment like this was a big no-go.

After she had pulled herself together as much as she could, she descended down into the antechamber, pushed the bolder aside again, and made her way inside. She found Katherine in the same room she had left her in, lying only half conscious on the altar.

She bit into her own wrist and held it to the others lips – in her hurry earlier, she hadn't thought to bring blood bags, so this would have to do for now.

Katherine – for once – didn't say a word, just drank greedily until Elena pulled her wrist free, watching as it healed as if on fast forward. Sitting up, her ancestor looked at her questioning, not having expected to see her anytime soon again. Forgoing any and all Smalltalk and witty banter, she cut straight to the topic at hand.

"Klaus is in town."

And just like that, the cool demeanor fell from the others face, replaced by disbelief and fear in equal measures.

"You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding."

She rushed forward, her hands gripping Elena's shoulders in a grip that would have usually crushed her bones to dust.

"We're all doomed if you're not trying to get a rise out of me!"

And there it was… the humanity she knew must exist somewhere in the woman. Because there were not all that many things that showed human feelings as well as fear (love, amongst them). It was because of that surprising show of feelings, that she felt bad for shaking her head, and gingerly taking Katherine's hands off her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Katherine… god, if you only knew how sorry… but I'm telling the truth."

As she watched, the vampires' posture waivered, and she leaned heavily against the altar at her back. All fight was suddenly gone from her, and for the first time ever, Elena could see how old she really was. Old, and weary of running away, always looking over her shoulders, always hiding in the shadows. And she felt sorry for her Doppelganger; because no matter what she had done in her unlife, it would have never gotten to this point if not for the Original chasing after her. So as Katherine hung her head and began to tremble, Elena squared her shoulders and set her lips into a thin line.

"Don't worry though… he doesn't know that you're here, and I won't tell him. In fact, after tonight, you'll never have to worry about him again. I just came to tell you a few things you'll need to know."

Katherine shifted her head upwards slightly; just enough so she could look into her face. Not much, but at least she had her attention.

"Klaus doesn't know that I'm not human right now. He also doesn't know that Alyona is with me – or that she knows how to kill him… for good. So when I arrive where he wants to meet, I'll have him by surprise, and it will be over before he even knows what's happening."

The other woman looked more than a little skeptical at her words – no wonder, really; she had been running from the man for centuries. And in the same amount that people usually feared her, she had had her nightmares about ever crossing paths with Old One again.

"So, if your plan is so foolproof, why come here and waste your time?"

Regret and longing flittered over Elenas features for just a moment, and instantly the older of them knew that something about this plan was going to cause problems.

"Well… because even though nobody will have to fear Klaus again… nobody will see me alive again, either. After all, every great plan has its downside and every battle its causalities, right?"

Seeing that Katherine wasn't yet to understand what she was saying she, once again, told her a story.

Flashback

She had fallen asleep after enjoying the peace with Damon – meaning that they would need to change the sheets in the morning, and probably would have to go shopping for new clothes very soon (hey, it's certainly not her fault that shirts ripped so easily… and she was pretty sure that jeans had been of a stronger material some 30 years or so ago…). So when she opened her eyes and all she saw was pitch-black darkness, she knew that her downtime was probably officially over.

And, sure enough, a moment later Alyona materialized in front of her; standing tall and looking regal, as always.

"Good evening, Elena."

Rolling her eyes, Elena let out a heavy, long-suffering sigh.

"Really? You want to waste time on pleasantries? Is that some kind of inherited illness in our bloodline or something? Because Katherine seems to be fond of chit-chat, too…. And see? Now even I am starting with it! Whatever, just… tell me what this is about. Because I'm sure that you didn't pull me in here to exchange greetings."

Nodding her head once, Alyona took her by her word, and explained herself.

"I haven't been entirely honest with you, as of now."

It was Elena's time to nod now – she had expected something like that. Because nothing ever went smooth and without any trouble.

"So… does that mean you don't know how to end Klaus?"

"Oh, on the contrary. I do know how to go about ending his existence. It's just… not without consequences, doing so."

As Elena didn't say anything to that, Alyona decided that it would be best to just continue, and get it all out.

"You see… Klaus, Elijah and I are bound to each other. Ze'ev hadn't been part of that bond – he had only been made into the first werewolf just to be a bother to Klaus, nothing else. But… it had been decided by Oenone that, when the time comes to get revenge on him, that my husband and I had to take our final bows, too. But, as I will be in your body when I kill him, you'll…"

Alyona choked up then, averting her eyes. She looked genuinely troubled by what she was telling – so Elena took it upon herself to finish her words.

"…die. When Klaus dies, so will Elijah, you and… I. Right?"

Alyona only had a sad nod for her, not yet being able to put her thoughts and feelings into words. Elena on the other hand, was suddenly very calm. It was as if the pieces to a formerly unsolvable puzzle fell into place.

"That's why Elijah had looked so damn guilty recently, isn't it? He knew?"

"… yes, I suppose he knew. He had always been good at realizing certain truths. And he had had a long time to hone this ability."

Elena wanted to say something, anything to break the suddenly thick atmosphere. But she really couldn't think of anything to make this better.

Hey, it's okay… we're just going to die, all three of us. No big… it's not as if my whole life wasn't still in front of me. And what if I just now found true love? Better to have loved and lost, than to never have at all. Also… Jeremy had Bonnie now, he won't mind to lose his last relative. And Damon got over Katherine not loving him, so he'll surely be alright….

Shaking her head upon her sarcastic thoughts (she really had spent too much time with Damon…) she tried to bring order to her mind again.

"I won't say that it's alright… because it's really not. Because I really don't want to die. But… it might be worth it, I think. I mean… Klaus had been terrorizing the world for long enough so… I think… no, I know that I won't stop you from doing what needs to be done."

Alyona had tears running down her cheeks now; she was choked up too, so she just stepped forward and gathered Elena in a tight hug to express how grateful she was.

And whilst still in her hug, Elena saw the blackness around her waver, and knew that she was waking up. Alyona knew it too, but she didn't let go of her. So as she drifted from asleep to awake, a soft, female pair of arms was replaced by the strong ones of Damon.

She had been lying awake the rest of the night, just basking in the feel of those arms around her, memorizing every feeling, every sound; hoping all the while that there was some life-after-death, where she could relive those memories over and over and over again, for all eternity.

End of Flashback

Standing across from each other, neither Elena nor Katherine said anything at first. They just stood there, studying their mirror image, wondering if anyone up there was pulling the strings to this macabre play.

"So… you came here to tell me you're going on a suicide mission… why, exactly?"

If at a loss for words, hide behind sarcasm and cruel wit. Elena knew the tactic, too – she had seen it one too many times on Damon to not recognize it for what it was.

"Because Elijah will be dead too, meaning you'll be able to leave this place. And… Klaus will no longer be a concern to you. I'm freeing you. Well… Alyona is freeing you, but I'll be paying the price just as much. So I want to ask a favor of you."

For a moment Katherine decided to tell her descendent where to shove it… but she was tired of pretending to have no heart at all. It was hard and cold most of the time, sure. But she still had some shred of humanity left… she could just as well show it. Wouldn't matter anyway, because the girl wouldn't be around to tell anyone.

"Not that I'm suddenly a Good Samaritan or anything but… just out of curiosity: what's this favor."

"I want you to… take care of Damon. I know you're in love with Stefan but; I'm pretty sure you have at least some feelings for Damon too. So… just make sure he doesn't go all self destructive and homicidal again. Please?"

The girl had nearly succeeded to make her speechless. Because, really? She was about to die and asked her to take care of Damon? Unbelievable… but then again, Damon was in love with her – and she loved him in turn – so they had to have something in common. It seemed that that thing was to love beyond everything. So Katherine did something she thought she'd never do again – the nice thing.

"Alright. For my freedom, I guess I can do this much. But only because you're probably stubborn enough to haunt me from the grave, otherwise."

Well, nice for her standards, anyway.

And with a quick thank you smile and a wave over her shoulder, Elena left. She had to do some other things before midnight rolled around.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Done for now! See? It's been a LITTLE longer than my usual chapters. I really hope you like this chapter – I had fun writing it, that's for sure!

So now it's your turn, PLEASE R&R – reviews are love, people!

So long,

Zora