It was a nebulous night in New Orleans, as Elijah stood with the front door open, Katerina, now human, standing before him.
"Hello, Elijah," she greeted.
"Katerina," he greeted. "What has happened?"
"I was angry that you left and took it out on Elena. She shoved the cure down my throat. Now I'm dying of old age. I thought you should hear it from me. I also hoped you wouldn't mind me staying here until I either die or find a way to live," she summarized. "Please. I can't protect myself now, whether I'm dying or not."
He was silent, as he thought of what to do. This was her fault for going after Elena, as well as Elena's for getting between them and shoving the cure down her throat. He couldn't break his promise he made centuries ago to her though, even if she broke hers to him to never lie to him. He wouldn't let anything happen to her.
"Of course. I will always protect you," he replied.
He stepped aside, and she walked in. He then closed the door behind her and turned to look at her.
"You may share my room or pick a guest bedroom. I'll bring you something to eat shortly."
She gave a smile. "Thanks. I'll share your room. It'll make me feel safer with you around."
He watched her go upstairs, and then went to the kitchen to get her something to eat.
She walked into his room and closed the door behind herself. She then layed down on his bed. Between the hitch hike here and dying of old age, she was tired and now felt warm. She closed her eyes, dozing off. Maybe sleep would give her the strength to carry on, because right now, she just wanted to sleep and maybe, or maybe not wake up. Dying was taking a toll on her.
When Elijah had finished getting her something to eat, he went to his room and stood outside the closed door.
"Katerina?" he called.
He waited for an answer, but when he didn't get one, he walked in with the bowl of soup, closing the door behind himself, and walked over to his bed. He set the soup down on the end table and sat on her bedside. He then looked down at her. He knew she was dying and tired. He could see the wrinkles and a few strands of hair were on the verge of turning gray. He also could see that something else was wrong, because she was sweaty and warm. How could a strong, independent, fearless, intelligent, 500-year-old vampiress be beaten and outsmarted by her baby vampire doppelganger so easily? He never thought he'd ever see her human again, and so like her old self. He could see it. His Katerina was just below the surface. Maybe if he could save her life, he could bring his old Katerina back. Maybe.
He rested a gentle hand on her forehead. When he did, she was so warm that it was almost like a werewolf bite to a vampire.
"Katerina? Katerina," he called gently.
She groaned softly, but didn't awaken.
When he figured she wasn't waking up anytime soon, he left the room to see the only witch that he trusted. He needed a witch to save her as quickly as possible. She was dying of old age and he figured that her body was fighting it, which was what was making her sick. Therefore, he needed a witch, as well as someone who could medically take care of her. That's where Davina and Rebekah came in. He was sure that Rebekah wouldn't kill her, as long as he cared for her.
As he left the house, he called Rebekah.
"Elijah," she greeted.
"I need you to do me a favor," he greeted back.
