Of course (even if she would like to deny it), it flattered her that he showed initiative. If she did not know each other, she would respond immediately. If that were the case, they would have been in an entirely different situation. A situation in which she wouldn't try out this restaurant alone. A situation where they would ...

STOP. Control your thoughts.

A sigh escaped her lips before she put the last fork with boeuf en daube into her mouth.

The food here was really good and the restaurant was also very nice, as it even had a small terrace from which you could admire the hilly landscape. In addition, the tables were decorated with small bouquets of roses and lavender, which were color-coordinated with the napkins and tablecloths. She guesses someone here had a good eye for detail.

For a relatively small town, this restaurant really fit into the picture, as it somehow had something romantic and dreamy. The railings of the terrace, which were covered with wisteria and which certainly bloomed exceptionally beautifully in spring, probably contributed to this.

Katherine had finished her meal and gently dabbed her lips with the napkin.

An attentive waiter had realized that she had finished her meal and came to her side to ask if he could bring her something.

"Just the bill, please."

"Actually, we would like to have a bottle of wine and two glasses," spoke a voice behind her, which made Katherine freeze.

She hadn't noticed anyone stepping behind her, the restaurant was pretty busy, which is why people often went out or in. She also sat so that she could admire the view, as she wanted to distract herself and actually enjoy the dinner instead of staring at a door in panic because she was paranoid.

The person behind her circled the table before sitting down at Katherine's table without asking. The blue eyes and blonde hair were unmistakable, even if you had forgotten the voice.

Katherine put on a forced friendly smile.

"I didn't know that everyone seems to be let in here. Too bad, now I definitely have to pull a star."

"Your manners are terrible as always, but what else can you expect?" In the blue eyes of her counterpart, the disgust was clearly visible.

"Maybe I'm just not happy about the society that forces itself on me without being asked, doesn't it have to do with manners? To ask before sitting down? Or better yet, not to appear at all unasked?"

Katherine was about to get up and go because she really didn't feel like dealing with her.

"Would you like to have a fork in your hand again?" it sounded awfully sweet, which actually caused Katherine to keep sitting because she had no doubt the blonde would do just that. Again.

"Your methods are definitely not very praiseworthy."

"You have to be treated this way; apparently it seems to work."

The conversation fell silent for a moment when the waiter brought a bottle of wine and the glasses and cleared the place setting including the potentially dangerous fork.

"What do you want, Rebekah?"

She didn't seem to be able to escape her anyway, so she could ask directly what she wanted. Was that another way to bully her? Letting her know she was being watched? Did this mean Klaus was also here? If Rebekah was here herself, couldn't she talk to Elijah and get him to return? The two of them were also very close, surely she could somehow get through to him?

Although her physical presence here did surprise Katherine, hadn't Klaus mentioned any witch spirits? Something about being forced to never see each other again? Well, Katherine didn't know exactly how this worked and what it meant that they could never see each other again. Perhaps this meant that the siblings were not allowed to approach at ten meters. Which would be absurd, because that would not be a reason to choose to forget everything as Elijah decided to do.

"Would you be surprised if I said I was here to visit? Sometimes you need a little change from the world and the hectic life in the city that never sleeps, so why not visit this beautiful piece of earth?"

Katherine narrowed her eyes slightly, for she didn't believe the blonde. But what she could deduce from her words was that she apparently lived in New York and not in New Orleans with Klaus. This is surprising, considering that Klaus usually didn't like to keep his siblings on a long leash. However, this would actually coincide with the statement that the siblings could not see each other or were rather not allowed to see each other.

Even if the story would be very adventurous, if it turned out to be a lie, it would not surprise Katherine when it comes to Klaus. Klaus could appropriate lies. Creating a pretext just to perhaps gain an advantage would be nothing unusual for him. Therefore, it was of interest for Katherine to verify the truth about what was said.

After all, the whole thing affected her too and she was extremely careful as far as witches and magic were involved.

"Don't tell me you took the long journey just because you wanted to see me. Should I be in awe now?" Her tone is sweet but mocking. Information was a rare thing, so perhaps if she provoked Rebekah a bit, she'd get to hear something. Often the devil is in the details and Katherine knew that details were frequently the most important thing that decides whether something is a success or not.

"Of course not. No one would fly over half the world just to see the world's sluttiest vampire." Rebekah rolled her eyes which caused Katherine to snort.

"And yet you somehow managed to track me down and ruin my evening."

"A necessary evil, I fear."

"Well, I didn't ask for a visit. It's up to you to end this 'necessary evil' and go home."

"See, that would be rather irresponsible, especially since my brother seems to believe that you are the key to the solution to our problem."

"I certainly didn't ask to be the key for anything. But unfortunately, I can't abandon this hopeless mission because I have to fear that I'll have Klaus at my throat. But hey, you don't seem to be too convinced that my stay here is a good idea, so why don't you go and tell Klaus that someone else should deal with your 'little' problem?"

"I think it's a major mistake to entrust you with such a delicate matter. But...–" the next word didn't seem to leave Rebekah's mouth easily. "–... perhaps he's not entirely mistaken. I really do think Elijah was rather stupid to get involved with you but I also know that it is rather rare that he gets involved with any person. This means that you truly must mean something to him, regardless if you deserve his love and attention or not. And if that's the case, then there's a good chance you might make him remember. Even if I think there are better people or moments to remember once the memories get back."

Of course, she had to hand out another blow although it was rather pitiful that the Mikaelsons had to resort to her for any reaction when it came to Elijah. What happened to 'family above all'? His strongest love has always been his family, so Katherine assumed it should be them who make him remember. But for some reason, his siblings didn't seem to be good enough.

"That still doesn't explain why you came to visit me..."

"I didn't come to visit you! At least not initially. Believe me, you aren't worth the money spent on the tickets."

As if Rebekah actually spent money on some plane tickets. Gosh, this is straining. Katherine's gaze fell from the blonde and to the bottle of wine that was still untouched. Something Katherine intended to change which is why she opened the bottle of wine and filled something in her glass. Not into Rebekah's because she has two healthy hands to do that herself. Then, she led the glass to her lips and took a large sip – alcohol is much needed right now.

Rebekah now also grabbed the bottle of wine (not without glaring at her first) before she filled a bit into her own glass. Unlike Katherine, however, she didn't drink it just yet.

"So?" Katherine started because Rebekah still hadn't explained why she showed up in there. Surely that couldn't have been an unlucky coincidence.

"I came to visit Elijah..." Rebekah finally admitted. "I do it sometimes. Have actually done it a few times for the past couple of months, years even. It makes me feel better to see that he's okay. At least as okay as he can be in his state. He doesn't recognize me and you have no idea how much that hurts. He's my big brother, he has been always there for me whenever things got difficult. He always had something smart to say, no matter how annoying his wisdom or advice could have been. Nik often doesn't bother to listen to my side, but Elijah did. I miss him and even though I cannot truly get him back in any foreseeable time, I at least want to make sure that he's safe."

Katherine bit the inside of her cheek because although Rebekah was unbelievably annoying, she sounded genuine about her worries. Not that she had it in her to feel sorry for Rebekah or that rotten family, but somehow ... doesn't it also bother Katherine that Elijah managed to forget her? As if she has never existed? That he could just erase her like that?

She knew it shouldn't bother her, she should be happy that she was no longer at risk of being in any way involved with him (haha, what a lie, Katherine, you did enjoy the guarantees he could give when he was the last option). She was free of him, that's a good thing, right?

Right?

Katherine took another sip of her wine while she tried to get her mind under control again.

"What makes you think he isn't safe? He looks rather content with his current life..."

"You already met him?" Now Rebekah sounded surprised but also suspicious.

"Of course I did. That's my task, remember? 'Make Elijah return to your family' blablabla. I won't risk getting another visit from Klaus." Her words were a growl because she hated being controlled and used like this. "Although I wasn't spared of getting a visit from you..."

Rebekah shot her a glare and knowing how easily Mikaelsons can get irritated, Katherine tried to smooth the situation.

"Don't worry, he doesn't remember me either, so I'm not sure if Klaus's plan works at all," Katherine said it like that was the main issue. This really wasn't the case as the main issue was that Katherine didn't want to get involved with Elijah in that way again.

"Anyway. You still haven't explained why you are worried about his safety? He's still an Original vampire, he's less fragile than any normal vampire with memories." Strangely, Klaus had been worried about Elijah's safety as well, among other things. Something about not wanting to risk anyone taking advantage of him. But Elijah still had a brain, he was still smart. Surely he won't fall for cheap lies, right?

"He still got involved with you despite remembering everything and you have taken advantage of him!"

"I surely did not use him!" Initially, they had a deal, and their partnership turned into something more. But she hasn't used him. They had a mutual agreement, there had been nothing shady about it. "I gave him the cure and let him decide where to go regarding us. You can't accuse me of deceiving and using him. I upheld my part of our deal."

It's still a rather sensitive topic but Katherine wants to ensure that people got it right. She hasn't deceived him and she hasn't used him. If she had used him, she would have tried to make him make a deal with Klaus and still use the cure for her own means. Something she hasn't done. Couldn't they change the topic?

"You are still not the right choice for him."

"That's not up to you to decide! And it hardly matters now anyway. We're not a pair, we're not dating, we are nothing. I'm not interested in him."

"Really? Then explain how you plan on being successful in your so-called mission? I was under the impression you intend to try your usual scheme: Seduce and make them fall in love with you until they are willing to do everything for you. Like a cheap prostitute."

"Oh yes? Do you speak from experience?" Katherine crossed her arms in front of her chest and leaned back. As if Rebekah was any better.

"What? I'm bloody sure that's how you wrapped him around your finger in the first place. Back in 1492 and a few years ago!"

"Please, I did nothing with him when I was human." Stupid young her had believed that she was engaged to Klaus, after all. Aside from that, Elijah didn't appear to be interested in her in that special way.

Rebekah glared at her, obviously disagreeing with her. Admittedly, it wasn't a surprise because Rebekah seemed to believe that she was the reason why Klaus and Elijah quarreled. This is partly true but not for the reason she is making responsible. Katherine had dared to escape and she remembers too well that Elijah was tasked with finding and returning her. Something in which he had been unsuccessful. So it wasn't because she was allegedly making eyes at Elijah, it was because she managed to escape.

"To get back to my core message, I just want someone to watch him. I don't trust you even a tiny bit, but at least you're a known risk. Even if you claim not to have taken advantage of it, there are definitely other risk factors. Don't you think it's weird that he doesn't want to know anything about his family? Someone who is without memory should be stuck in an identity crisis and should be wanting to find out who he is and where he originates from. Everyone wants to belong somewhere."

Admittedly, even though she doesn't like to accept it, Rebekah is kinda right. For someone without memories, he does seem strangely chilled.

"He knows his name, and perhaps he has a feeling that his family isn't a peaceful and sunny meadow." Basic instinct tells even naive strangers that this family is trouble even though Klaus can be rather charming (which is another thing she doesn't like to admit).

"No, that's not the reason. Elijah was swallowed up by the earth for a few months and suddenly he appears in this city with a seemingly orderly life. I don't think that he has found his inner center and that everything has just happened without a reason."

"Why not?"

"Because he has changed over the few times I got to visit him."

"What do you mean?"

"It's hardly explainable. But I think he's not alone."

"And that's supposed to mean what?"

"Shortly after our family decided to split up, Marcel met Elijah in New York. Marcel had actually been watching him for quite a while."

Katherine was for a moment a bit confused as Rebekah casually threw another name in. 'Marcel'. Is she supposed to know him? Then, however, it dawned on Katherine who this Marcel was. The guy who pretended to be king in New Orleans when she sent Klaus the message that the witches were plotting something against him. How could she have forgotten about Marcel? Although she's admittedly surprised he made it out alive, considering how territorial Klaus is. The whole thing is even more astounding because Klaus does not tolerate people who challenge his 'claim of power'. Katherine is aware that Klaus had spent a considerable part of his life in New Orleans. As someone who had focused her whole life on avoiding him, his whereabouts had of course not been unknown to her. Actually quite funny how locally close they had been at times. But that's what sometimes offered the most protection because you wouldn't suspect it.

The brunette vampire hinted to Rebekah to continue and she seemed to understand that 'Marcel' seemed to be a term to Katherine.

"Anyway, he described Elijah as a complete mess. He didn't even know his own name, didn't know who Marcel was, and didn't even know why he couldn't stay in this city. He had to threaten him to leave and surprisingly, he did."

As far as Katherine was aware, Marcel was a simple vampire. One who had a huge following and allies. But nothing Elijah would feel threatened by.

"Marcel found Elijah again a few days later. He was ... unhinged. He didn't have himself under control. He was essentially ripping through a nightclub."

Katherine tensed because that wasn't what she wanted to hear. She had already feared that Elijah might not be completely harmless. Now having the confirmation was not something she wanted to have confirmed, especially as her mission was not yet complete. She didn't wish to be in danger and she certainly didn't want to have her head or heart ripped out by him. On the other side, however, Elijah had appeared quite calm the times they had met.

"So now you're telling me that he went from out-of-control to piano-playing entertainer at a pub and that's why you're suspicious about whether he's not alone? It's been how many years since the memory loss happened? Five? Seven? Ten? Maybe he had time to develop and learn. Like most ordinary people who get thrown in the cold water."

Maybe Katherine just didn't want to admit that another difficulty had been added. She needed to stay positive, otherwise she'd lose her mind. She did not need more difficulties.

"No, that is not what is true in this case; at least not exclusively. Marcel told me that Elijah had been accompanied."

"And?"

"Well, considering that Elijah seems to have such a settled life compared to what Marcel witnessed back then, it's possible that he still has some guidance from someone."

"Or maybe he has arranged himself with this to him 'new life'."

"Can you please not be so stubbornly blind?" Rebekah hissed, apparently annoyed.

"What? All I'm saying is that a few years have passed which is certainly enough time for someone to get his life under control. That doesn't necessarily have to mean that he's under the influence of someone." At least that is what Katherine hoped to be true.

"And I'm telling you that I'm sure he's still involved with this person Marcel had seen back then."

"Who even is this person?" Katherine questioned because if Rebekah is so hell-bent on them still having contact, then surely she can provide more information.

Rebekah, however, chose to take another sip of her wine while apparently pondering over the potential answer.

"Well, I haven't been there when Marcel saw Elijah with that person..."

Somehow Katherine wasn't convinced this was the entire truth.

"And he couldn't make a description of this person? Did he even see this person?"

"Can't you just accept that this person from back then might still be in the picture?" Rebekah retorted which caused Katherine to sigh. Is she speaking the truth or is she hiding something?

"And this possibility would be so worse? Especially considering the fact that your family still insists that I have to deal with Elijah?"

"Again, you're a known risk."

"No one says that the other person – if this person even still exists – is actually a risk."

Is Katherine trying to talk her way out of her 'mission'? Yes, absolutely because although she admittedly wasn't so indifferent when it came to Elijah, she also didn't want to put herself at risk. She would think it to be better if someone else dealt with the issue.

"Why can't Marcel talk to Elijah? He already seems to have experience."

Rebekah's flat hand brushed over the tablecloth and her blue eyes followed the movement before she decided to answer.

"Because it was Marcel who told him that he had to leave. Because it was Marcel who told him that he should find a life somewhere else."

"Still no reason for him to not go talking to Elijah again." To her, it only sounded logical that Marcel goes talking to Elijah again. He was the one who sent him away, surely he can tell him to come back?

"To be honest, I'm not sure if it will be effective. The encounter between the two did not go optimally at the time, and this other person was also present at the first meeting. It could be that Elijah remembers this encounter as negative. Elijah wanted answers that Marcel didn't give him."

Katherine is still not convinced that it would be impossible to meet again. Finally, Elijah seemed to know that Marcel could give him answers, so he was no stranger; unlike Katherine. Perhaps there were still some unanswered things open, so perhaps Elijah would want to meet up with Marcel. Then, it'd be easy to set a trap. Far more easy than having her get Elijah's trust somehow.

"If he still surrounds himself with these people..." People? Plural? She thought it was just a person... " they could have shaped his opinion of his family. He doesn't seem to have open questions about his background, so maybe they gave him a picture of his family, which doesn't trigger a need for answers."

And could he be blamed? He's probably better off without them anyway.

"Why are you now interested in winning him back? Why not last year? Why not two years ago? Why not three years from now?" Why did it have to be her? Is there no other person on this planet who could take her place?

"This has internal reasons that don't concern you."

This reply caused Katherine to chuckle darkly. "Great, so you want me to risk my head while I try to approach Elijah somehow and you can't even tell me why you're so obsessed with having him back?"

"Well, part of it still has a lot to do with us not wanting him to be used."

"And I can only stress again that he looks happy and content." He doesn't look like someone who is getting used and manipulated. Even though the Elijah she knows would never waste his talent in a pub.

"Well, if you can give proof that he's not at risk? That no one is involved in his life that might poison his view and personality?"

Of course, Katherine has no proof, especially because she would need to be a part of his life to actually know what's going on. Somehow she didn't seem to be capable of withdrawing herself from this involvement...

"I'm sure–" Katherine didn't finish her train of thought when she noticed that the small bouquet of roses and lavender suddenly started to wither at high speed. That was certainly not normal. Katherine looked around, noticing that every bouquet started to decay at such rapid speed.

"What the– what is this?"

The corners of Rebekah's lips dropped, a pained expression in her eyes. "It's the dark magic..."

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