A/N: Hey all! I'm sorry that it's been so long! My laptop completely crapped out on me and I just now got a new one. Life has kept me busy, but I promise that updates are coming! Thank you, so much, for your patience!

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "Warrior" – Demi Lovato

~*.*~
'I need to take back that light inside you stole.
You're a criminal and you steal, just like a pro.
All the pain and the truth, I wear like a battle wound.
So ashamed, so confused, I was broken and bruised.'
~*.*~

Chapter Seventeen:

It was a slow process… that's for sure. I wouldn't say that I'm getting back to normal, because truth be told, I'm not really sure what normal is. I can say that for the most part, each day seems to be getting at least a little bit easier. Some days are better than others, but I'm getting there, or at least I'd like to think that I am.

I jumped as someone knocked on my bedroom door. I stopped what I was doing and slipped on my flats, before walking over and answering it. I was surprised, when I saw a nervous looking Elijah on the other side.

"Are you alright, Elijah?" I asked him, gently. He gave me a nervous smile, but nodded.

"I wondered if I might speak with you for a moment and get your advice on something, if you are not too busy." He replied. I nodded and stepped aside, so he could come into my room. I closed the door behind him and went back to my vanity. I picked up the cardigan that I was about to put on, before Elijah knocked on the door. I turned the chair so I can face him. He's starting to worry me. I'm not sure that I've ever seen Elijah look so nervous before.

"How can I help?" I questioned, quietly. He looked like he was taking great care to choose the right words to say.

"It seems that siblings have been right, when they were assuming that I was seeing someone. I would like to bring her here to meet everyone… She has already met Niklaus. One could say that they have a bit of a history… He thought it would be fun to toy with her, while he was younger and she did not find his antics very amusing. Needless to say, I am not sure how he will react." He explained. I fought the smile that was trying to spread across my lips. Elijah came to me for woman advice? I don't know how to explain it. A bubble of warmth and acceptance burst through my chest. It means a lot to me that he trusts me enough to come to me about something like this.

"I can't imagine that he would take it that badly… I would talk to him about it, first. He hates surprises almost as much as I do. I can go with you, when you talk to him, if you want?" I offered. He looked relieved.

"That won't be necessary." He shook his head.

"Are you sure?" I placed a hesitant hand over his. "I really don't mind." I assured him.

"If it wouldn't be a bother…" he gave in. I smiled at him.

"Can I at least learn her name and see what she looks like?" I pried. It was his turn to smile. He pulled out his phone and showed me a picture. She resembles an old friend of mine, Elena.

"Her name is Katerina." He told me her name.

"She's beautiful." I smiled. A faint blush graced his cheeks.

"Most people call her Katherine." He admitted, but didn't explain anything more.

"We could go talk to Klaus now? I have a little while, until I go into work." I suggested. He nodded and offered me his hand and helped me to my feet. I kept my hand in his, as we left my room and went downstairs to look for Klaus. We found him in the study. I gave Elijah's hand a quick squeeze, before letting go. Klaus smiled at us, when he noticed us in the room.

"Hello brother," he gave Elijah a short hug. "Good morning, sweetheart," he embraced me, gently. I relaxed in his arms. He placed a small kiss on top of my head. I smiled against his chest. I pulled away and kissed his cheek.

"I was hoping to speak with you about something, Niklaus." Elijah voiced. Klaus looked over at him and nodded.

"Speak away, brother." He invited him to continue. Elijah glanced at me and continued.

"I was thinking about bringing someone here to meet the family." He explained. Klaus showed visual interest at that.

"Ah, are we finally getting to meet your lady friend?" He teased. Elijah kept his face impartial, before continuing.

"Actually, I believe that you have already met her acquaintance, dear brother." Elijah corrected him. Klaus' eyes widened with curiosity. "You have known Katerina for quite some time."

"You're dating Katherine?" Klaus echoed. Elijah nodded and studied Klaus' reaction. "Good for you. I always felt terrible about the way things ended with her. I never realized just how much you cared for her, until after she had already moved on. If she makes you happy, then I'm happy for you, Elijah." Klaus clapped him on the back and Elijah looked so relieved. I smiled as I watched their exchange.

"I'm so excited to meet her." I spoke up. They both looked over at me, amused. "Just wait until you tell Beks. You'll have to tell Kol to be on his best behavior… Marcel too…" I teased. Klaus chuckled.

"Don't you have to get to work, love? I can take you." Klaus offered. I nodded. He offered me his hand and led me out of the room. I shot Elijah a smile, as we walked away. "He was afraid of my reaction. Wasn't he?" He asked me, quietly. I nodded. I'm a terrible liar.

"Can I get you a refill?" I asked a middle-aged couple at one of the tables at the coffeehouse. The woman nodded and the man grimaced.

"It's about fucking time! Talk about slow service here." He growled. I flinched, taken aback. They had only ordered their coffees five minutes ago. It's not like I'm a waitress. I filled up their cups silently. I turned to leave and he grabbed my wrist. I froze. "I expect the next cup to come much faster. Do you think you can handle that? Or are you as stupid as you look?!" He kept berating me. I blinked at him and tried to pull my arm away.

"Don't touch me." I told him evenly. My voice was low, but I knew he could hear me. His companion looked scared, but thankful, like she was just glad that she wasn't the one being bullied for a change.

"Did I ask for you to backtalk?" He got louder. I shook, but managed to glare at him.

"Let go of me, or I'm going to ask you to leave. We have the right to refuse service." I replied, a little bit louder. The woman's eyes widened and she got very still. He gritted his teeth and tightened his grip. "I'm not going to tell you again." I said with an eerie calm. I felt his nails dig into my skin and I knew that he had no plans of releasing me. I took my coffee pot and dumped it over his head. He howled in pain, but let me go. "Get out!" I yelled. He took a step towards me, but the woman grabbed his arm and tried to drag him to the door.

"Is there are problem here?" Darla came over with one her male employees. The guy looked at them and growled, before dragging the poor woman to the door with huff. I watched them leave and set the pot down.

"I'll… I'll get the mop." I walked into the back and clutched the mop in my hands. I still haven't stopped shaking. What happened just keeps replaying in my head and dragging up old memories with it. I sank to the floor and stared at the supply closet, unable to move.

"Darlin', are you alright?" I heard Darla ask, gently. I shook my head, as tears spilled down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry." I whimpered. "I know I probably handled that wrong, but he… He wouldn't… I just…" I couldn't even get the words out. She put an arm around me and let me cry.

"Honey, you don't have anything to apologize for. That guy is a jerk. He likes to push his wife around and anyone else who will let him. If it were me, I probably would've just hit in the face with the pot, coffee and all." She tried to reassure me. I sniffled and tried to stay in the present. It was so hard. It feels like I'm frozen in those horrible memories. "Don't worry about cleaning that up. Okay? Bobby can handle it. I'm gonna call Klaus. You just stay here and sit as long as you need to. Okay?" She whispered. I nodded. She gave my shoulder a gently squeeze, before getting up and leaving me with my memories.

I don't know how much time passed, but I remember Klaus helping me to my feet and wrapping his arms around me. He took me home and we didn't talk. I didn't know what to say.

"I'm cold. I'm so cold." I told him. I wrapped my arms around myself tighter, but nothing seemed to help.

"How about a bath, sweetheart?" He suggested. I nodded. "I'll have Rebekah make you a cup of tea." He said as he led me to my room. He shut the door behind us and walked to the bathroom. I followed him and watched him go through the motions of filling the tub with water and bubble bath. He turned to leave, but I grabbed his sleeve. "What is it, sweetheart?" He asked me, quietly. I looked at him, frightened. I know that I'm borderline hysterical, but I can't help it.

"Please… don't leave. Don't leave. Don't leave me." I whispered. I felt hot tears fall down my face and I wiped at them.

"I'll stay." He promised. I nodded as he pulled me into him, and held me. I shook against him and cursed myself for being so weak.

"Will you… Will you get in with me?" I asked. I couldn't even bring myself to look him in the eyes. He tilted my face, so I had to look at him. I could see his hesitation.

"If that's what you want, then I will, love. I don't mind just staying in the bathroom, if you're not ready for this." He peered into my eyes.

"Please, I just need… Please." I couldn't explain it and he seemed to accept that as an answer. He helped me out of my clothes and into the water. I didn't watch him change out of his, but I felt better, when he joined me. I don't what it is about him or how he makes me feel so safe. He held me against him and I curled up against his chest. Nothing about this was sexual. I didn't feel afraid. The intimacy was new, but for whatever reason, it's what I needed. He's what I need.

"I love you." He whispered. I sniffled and leaned closer to him. "You may not see it yet, but one day you will. You're so strong, sweetheart. He can't break you." His words touched me. I felt them deep in my soul. I wanted to believe him so badly.

"I love you, too. I hope you're right…" I breathed. His arms tightened around me.

"You're going to get through this. We're going to get through this."

~*.*~
'Out of the ashes, I'm burning like a fire.
You can save your apologies.
You're nothing, but a liar.
I've got shame – I've got scars that I'll never show.
I'm a survivor, in more ways than you know.'
~*.*~