Forever Is Not Enough

Miss Katherine

1864 - Mystic Falls

Just as the town of Mystic Falls thought the sun had forever disappeared behind a wall of gray clouds, it made a glorious return. It was high in the sky as Stefan made his way across the still green grass of the Gilbert's lawn, a lifeless leaf crunching under his foot now and again. He squinted against the light, but didn't shy away from the heat that enveloped him. It had been so long since he had felt the sun on his face and it made him feel as though he was glowing from within. It seemed that, until that day, all the happiness had been drained from the town. Mothers forbade their children from going to school, shop owners had 'closed' signs in their windows, and absolutely no one wandered around at night. Though the supposed animal that wreaked havoc on the town had been rumored to have moved on, nobody wanted to risk it. Now the streets were lonely and quiet, but with the sun shining down on him, he could pretend it was happiness he felt. He could pretend that it was the warmth that had long since disappeared from the town.

He couldn't help but think his newfound bliss was coming from something else, as well. Just a few more steps and he would get to see Katherine. For weeks, they'd been secretly sending each other letters that confessed to each other their blossoming affections and meeting in out-of-the-way places, but it wasn't until just yesterday that she finally sent him a formal invitation to tea. He had not said anything to his father, not even Damon, for he knew this was rather scandalous. She was too old for him - far too old to marry. Stefan had never asked, but she must have been at least twenty-five. It would not be proper. He was only seventeen. He had often dreamed of running off with her, going somewhere where everyone was a stranger to them. They could marry and live on a farm, and she could still give him a child. In his dreams Damon would be there too because he couldn't be happy without his best friend.

He had been so lost in his thoughts it surprised him when the door opened. It was Emily who greeted him. "I am here for Miss Katherine," he said, stumbling over his words. She smirked as though she were looking at a little puppy begging for scraps at the dinner table, but opened the door without a word.

Katherine sat in the parlor, her eyes trained on the door when he walked in. She stood, a smile on her face, but didn't move from her place. "Good afternoon, Mr. Salvatore."

He approached, a little too quickly, giving a small bow in response to her curtsy. "Good afternoon."

"Please sit," she said, following her own directions. Perched on her chair, she looked like an elegant muse right out of a painting. Not a hair was out of place and the hoopskirt of her dress fell perfectly around her, the lace moving slightly with the warm breeze coming in through an open window. He felt all the air leave his body, as though he couldn't focus as long as she was this beautiful. A young girl entered the room with a tray in her hands, and placed it on the table. Just as she started to pick up the teapot, Katherine held up her hand. The girl didn't even look up; she blankly straightened and went to stand by the door. Stefan eyed the corpse-like girl - only slightly uncomfortable - before turning back to Katherine. "I'm sure you are curious as to why I would ask you here like this." She picked up the teapot now and poured the steaming liquid into each cup.

He nodded, taking a cup from the table.

"I also have a feeling that your family, as well as mine, would not be happy to know of the affection I have for you."

He went cold, fearing she had only called on him to tell him they couldn't go on as they had before. He nodded slowly.

She placed her cup back on its saucer on the table. There was a moment of silence, filled only with the sound of two ticking clocks. One was only slightly ahead of the other, creating a disorienting noise that repeated over and over. Ti-Tick. Ti-Tick. Ti-Tick. Finally, Katherine sighed. "I want you to know that I have no intention of ending our relationship, Stefan." She stood, holding back her skirts to sit on the couch next to him. Relieved, he brushed her hair away before gently kissing her shoulder. "You see, Stefan, I always get what I want, and I very much want you."