jennifah1 - Maybe, maybe not. The culprit will come to light sooner or later, as will their intention. ;)

JuseaPeterson - Businessman Elijah is so fun to write. He's like, professional and cutthroat. Very much like how he was when he was first introduced in the series. Oh those were the days...

Anonymous - You're so sweet! Thank you so much for all your kind words. LOVE that this is your new headcanon for them, cause it's totes mine too. Hehe. I'm sorry I've taken so long to update this. I'll try harder for you.

My lovelies! Thank you for reading, reviewing, and being so fabulously you!

I've been away a while but I haven't forgotten this fic or my love of Kalijah. I hope you'll forgive me like Elijah always forgives Katherine. ;)
Oh, for the record, I've mildly tweaked some of the canon elements. I intend to elaborate on the tweaks naturally through the story's progression, but if you're eager and have questions I'll answer em.

Chapter 7

Today was going to be an eventful day. Katherine was on a mission and things were going to get done. With her shoot only two days away, she would drop off her resume and list of references to Will, compel a few agents to consider her for an interview – so what if it was cheating a little? – then buckle down and begrudgingly take Vivian's advice. She would do some research and try to come up with a way to brand herself, and figure out where in the industry she belonged. Runways were enticing but so was a magazine cover. And if Katherine knew she could have it all, she undoubtedly would.

She was just putting the finishing touches on her outfit when a knock at the door caught her attention. She frowned at the interruption, annoyed and on edge. Elijah had left for work two hours ago, late, as there was an slight altercation once he discovered she'd relocated his ties the day before. Rebekah wouldn't have considered her plea urgent enough to have hopped an overnight flight. And she wasn't expecting any visitors.

A moment's hesitation had her briefly considering the potentiality of danger, but she walked briskly over pulled the door open anyway with an arrogant strength to ward off anyone who might have ill intentions. Her tension eased when she saw a familiar face. It was one of Elijah's more annoying lackeys.

"He's not here." She turned her back, stalking away.

Cameron rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I, uh, already knew that."

"Then leave."

"Wish I could."

She froze, shoulders tensing before she turned around with a cold smile. "Tell me, Cameron. Do you have a death wish or are you just that stupid?"

"Don't flatter yourself, kitty cat. I'm only here because my boss ordered me to be." Her face dropped completely and he ventured a step in. "Here to protect and serve. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a – "

He was immediately thrust against the wall, long slender fingers wrapped around his neck. Katherine glared in his face, tightening her hold. "Does it look like I need a bodyguard?"

"Uh..hu...nope," he choked out hoarsely.

She held him there a moment longer as she inhaled deeply, then slowly withdrew her hand as she let her breath out in annoyance. "He has yet to feel my wrath."

Cameron coughed in response, rubbing his neck, still leaning against the wall. "Way to welcome a guy to your home."

"You're not welcome here. In fact, didn't I tell you I'd hurt you the next time I saw you?" She started to near him with a sinister grin.

"Oh and throwing me into the wall and choking me wasn't pain enough?"

"Not nearly."

"You know some women actually like being hit on. It's flattering."

"Not when it comes from you."

He smirked. "Ever think I just do it to annoy you?"

She blinked, momentarily surprised and impressed. And then her anger resumed. "What exactly did your boss tell you to do?"

He glanced up, dryly. "He said to keep an eye on you."

"I don't need a babysitter."

"And I don't need a stubborn bitch to babysit."

Katherine's head turned sharply and he raised a challenging brow. She pursed her lips and stalked slowly towards him, hips swaying. "Let's make something clear, Cameron. You mouth off to me, you get my heel wedged into your pretty little head. So I suggest you choose your words carefully from now on."

He rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "If you wanna take this out on someone, take it out on Elijah. He's the one that doesn't trust that you can handle yourself. I mean, you've been around long enough." She glanced at him warily and he raised a brow. He held his hands out in defense. "I just meant this isn't your first rodeo." His brows lowered. "Wait, what are you doing again?"

She scoffed and turned on her heel, clacking away from him as she made for the kitchen.

"Hey, if I could, I would leave," he called after her. "But we both know that'd just piss him off more. So we may as well make do and make the best of it. Maybe it'll even give us a chance to get to know each other better."

She stopped short and started to object but paused as his words sparked an idea. Maybe she could work this to her advantage. And serve up a little revenge in the process. She smiled slow and sinister, turning over her shoulder.

"You couldn't be more right."

Green was the wrong choice, Elijah mentally berated himself. He should have gone with the red tie considering that was all he could see when Katherine told him she'd moved them all again. She really needed to find some new hobbies. He sighed and adjusted his tie once more, the tic only agitating his nerves even more. What the hell could he have missed?

Security had been amped since the break in, both physically and electronically, but there was still an unsettled feeling amidst his employees. He would likely have to hold a meeting to answer their questions, but how could he answer theirs if he couldn't even answer his own? Who wanted the intel and why? And what intel was it they had discovered exactly? What or who were they looking for? All of that supernatural information in the wrong hands – what did it mean for their world and the world they were forced to live in?

He worked his way through lunch, working to examine all employee files from A to Z, looking for anything he may have missed. Behavior indicative of betrayal; psychological hinderances; misdemeanors; technological prowess; really anything that could have alluded to the breach. Nothing was coming up and it was only fueling his concern.

As he thumbed through the next file on his list, a short melody of bells alerted him. He picked up his phone and his lips twitched in the tiniest of smiles at the caller. He swiped his finger across the screen to answer it.

"Niklaus. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Just thought I'd check in," Klaus greeted with a jovial lilt to his voice. "See how things are going out in the 'Big Apple.' Are you enjoying your little game of house with Katerina?"

"There are more straightforward ways of saying you miss me, brother." He heard a laugh and leaned back in his chair, relaxing.

"It has been particularly tense without you. Especially considering you left me on my own with Rebekah."

"I heard that!" she called from the background.

Elijah grinned. "You forget she also has to tolerate you."

"Why do you always take her side?"

"How are things in New Orleans? Are you making progress with Marcel?"

"Very little. He's resistant to change."

"Considering the source, I cannot say that I would blame him."

"Nevertheless, he's in over his head and no longer suitable to be running this city."

"And how did you come to that deduction?"

"I've met with the Deveraux sisters. Seems there's a lot he hasn't been telling me."

"Meaning?"

"There's an uprising in the making, which could pose a threat to our entire operation."

"An uprising against whom?"

"Marcel's command has become dictatorial. They mean to overthrow him."

Elijah sat forward, frowning deeply. "I don't understand."

There was a pause before Klaus spoke again. "It's really rather amazing what he's managed. I'm wondering if leaving the city in his hands was a mistake." Elijah shifted in his seat, not liking where this was going. "In giving him the reins, he has successfully attained everything I have been striving for. Power. Reputation. A clan of loyal followers."

"You want to alliance yourself with the witches."

"I want to take back what is rightfully mine, Elijah. We built this city. The claim was ours long before it was his."

"The city burned to the ground and we abandoned it. Marcel rebuilt it. He has just as much claim, if not more."

"He's manipulated the witches. Crippled the vampires with fear. The wolves have been banished to the Bayou."

"And you would change that? Have you not used similar methods in the past?"

"The past is just that. If we mean to move forward with our coalition there needs to be more civility between the species. Starting with us."

Elijah let out a small sound of surprise. "And you truly believe you can be civil?"

"You'd be surprised the changes I've made in your absence."

He tried a new angle. "What does Caroline think of your ambitions?" There was a long pause. "You might consider telling her, what with her closer proximity."

He sighed. "Remind me to thank Rebekah for her big mouth later."

Elijah rolled his eyes but didn't correct him, for fear of how he might react to learn that Katherine was actually the culprit.

"Her being there surely must affect your thought process."

"I see no reason to spoil her vacation with needless worry. Soon enough she'll return to Mystic Falls and I can focus on a strategy."

"Have you considered that she might not return to Mystic Falls?"

"She isn't ready to accept my offer."

"And you know this for a fact? Niklaus, she came to you. A woman doesn't travel a thousand miles just to decline a proposition." He stayed silent. "It is natural to be afraid, brother. It has been quite some time since you've loved another. I speak from experience when I say that it is terrifying to put your heart in someone else's hands."

"Enough," Klaus finally interjected. "If I wanted a lecture on the inner workings of the heart, I would have gone to Rebekah."

"You may want to consider that."

"Are you done?"

He grinned laughingly. "What is it you really called me for?"

"I need you to help me."

"With Marcel?"

"I can win the trust of the vampires easily. With Sophie and Jane-Anne's help, the witches will comply. The only obstacle will be the wolves. Their pack leader isn't fond of me but Hayley has agreed to help persuade them."

"Hayley is involved? I thought she didn't exactly care for your coalition."

"We have an arrangement."

"Do I want to know?"

"I promised her a hand in discovering information about her biological family."

"In return for what?"

"Once she relocates to the Bayou, gets to know their inhabitants - "

"Relocates? For how long?"

"As long as it will take to earn their trust and alliance."

"She is the mother of your child."

"I understand your concern - "

"You would subject your daughter to a partial relationship with her mother? How do you think that will affect her in the long run? Perhaps you should look at your own standing with our parents as a point of reference."

A sharp exhale sounded into the earpiece. "As always, your faith in me is astounding."

"I will always put my faith in you, Niklaus, but I cannot condone your actions as they relate to your daughter. Your thirst for power is clouding your judgement. Do you not see how wrong it is?"

"What I see is a secured future for Hope. One where she will not have to be cautious of enemies and adversaries. She will be respected."

"You mean you will. As their king." Elijah sat forward, brow furrowed. "You know better than anyone, where there is a title there will always be someone battling for it. Marcel will not give up without a fight."

"I'm aware. In fact, I'm betting on it."

He could hear the sinister smile in his brother's voice. "Have you tried simply reasoning with him? Perhaps you could work together, a sort of collaboration?"

"That would be where you come in. As my esteemed negotiator, I was hoping you could attempt to talk some sense into him. Get him on our side. Avoid an inevitable war."

Elijah sat back again, shaking his head, staying quiet for a long time. It would mean either leaving Katherine for an indefinite amount of time, or bringing her with him which was too close to Klaus for her comfort. He didn't see her being happy with either outcome.

Klaus sighed and his voice softened. "I'm asking you out of respect for Marcellus, Elijah. I would not harm him if I could help it."

"I need some time."

"That's fair. As long as Caroline is here, the coalition is at a standstill. When she leaves - "

"IF she does," he interjected.

"Well. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

He hummed in agreement. "Do me a favor while she's there, Niklaus. Give her a chance to love you." The other end of the call grew quiet except for the soft breaths of Klaus' contemplation. Elijah nodded, hopeful. "I'll be in touch."

He ended the call and set the phone down, then began to rub away the wrinkles in his forehead. As if he hadn't enough to worry about, a knock at the door sealed an even worse fate. Cameron walked in, looking traumatized.

"Boss, you got a minute?"

Elijah looked up, alarmed. "Where is Katerina?"

"That's uh...that's what I wanted to talk to you about actually."

He zoomed over and seized him by the throat, nearly growling in his face. "I told you specifically what would happen if you left her side."

"Look. I'm not cut out for this job! You know it. I know it. Hell, even she knows it."

"You have five seconds to answer my question before your heart becomes a paper weight."

"She's home," he said finally. "Safe and sound and watching TV."

Elijah searched his eyes briefly then sighed in relief, letting loose his grip. He rubbed his hand over his mouth and turned away, trying to coach his heart back to a normal rate.

"I did what you said. I kept an eye on her, followed her every move."

"Excluding right now. I'm still waiting for a reason." He walked back to his desk and sat, reopening the file, growing agitated with every second of silence that passed. "I am only patient to a point, Cameron."

Cameron blanched, not wanting to confess. "She went...underwear shopping."

Elijah's hand stopped mid page turn, but he didn't look up. He narrowed his eyes so the words on the sheet became blurs but his voice was neutral as he spoke. "Part of the job requirement is to accompany her wherever she goes. I expect you to remain 100% professional, regardless of the environment."

"Right. Got it. So the next time she asks for my opinion when she's trying things on – you know, just so I'm clear on the protocol..."

Elijah's body stiffened. He dropped the page and slowly lifted his gaze towards Cameron, with a glaringly possessive fire in it. Cameron's playful expression instantly melted into wide-eyed worry and he immediately closed his mouth, swallowing. Elijah blinked once and peered at the man but as he opened his mouth to speak something dawned on him. His brows lowered and he looked back at the table before scoffing and shaking his head, his anger dissipating completely.

"She's trying to make me fire you."

Cameron glanced to his left then lifted a brow, dubious. "...What?"

Elijah sat back in his chair with a slight rock, gripping the arms of it. "She brought you to that store knowing that it would make you uncomfortable and me angry when you'd reported it back to me. She assumed I would simply lash out and fire you."

"I mean, I wouldn't say it was entirely uncomfortable..." Elijah's icy glare was on him again and he backtracked. "B-but it's not in my job description to be ogling your girl." Elijah's jaw set and Cameron's raised his hands in front of him, shaking his head quickly. "Not that I was! She was just asking what I thought you'd prefer on her. I swear."

Elijah pursed his lips as if in deep thought then sat up again, reclaiming his pen and ducking his head back into his work. "I like her in feminine colors. She knows that."

Cameron stood in awkward silence, briefly. "So...you're not gunna fire me?"

"And why would I do that, Cameron?"

"I just thought..." At that moment Elijah looked up, one eyebrow arched, a dull expression on his face. "You know what, I'll just shut up and see you tomorrow boss."

Elijah smiled. "That would be prudent of you."

The man nodded and exited.

As she'd hoped, Katherine's day had been productive. She had managed to duck Cameron as soon as she got him to believe she was going to remain home for the rest of the day, researching on Elijah's laptop. She already knew he had hit his limit at the lingerie store but the boredom would surely be a guy like his breaking point. And she was right. Once he left, she got down to business and made a few calls before heading out again to Will's apartment. Dropping off her resume had turned into a drink, which turned into four drinks, which turned into four hours of unsolicited bitching about the industry, which actually proved fairly informative for her purposes.

By the time she got home, it was close to dinner time. To her surprise, Elijah was already there, seated comfortably in his favored arm chair, engrossed in a book. A glass of bourbon sat on a coaster upon the side table beside him.

"You're home early."

"I came to see you but it appeared you were gone."

"I went to drop my resume off to Will."

He hummed, returning his attention to his book. "How was your day?"

"Pretty normal, actually. Called in a few favors, had lunch, did a little shopping." She shrugged. "The usual."

"My sympathies to Cameron."

"Oh he enjoyed it, I think." She smirked and he caught sight of the conspiratorial twinkle in her eye. "Especially when I took him to a French lingerie shop." Elijah nodded with a hum and licked the tip of his finger to turn the next page of his book. Katherine's mischievous expression faltered. "I gave him a mini fashion show. You know, for practice."

"Sounds very productive."

A wave of disappointed nausea came over her, her heart sinking. His dismissiveness only fueled her anger from this morning. "So it's okay for your employees to see me half naked but not the rest of the world?" She got up stormed toward their bedroom.

Elijah sighed, frowning at the words on the page as a twinge of guilt started to set in. And then he realized, he'd been here before. In this argument. This time he refused to succumb. Instead, he let the realization fuel his resentment. He wouldn't fall prey to her mind games anymore.

"I will not respond to temper tantrums," he called out, calm but firm.

He heard a scoff followed by an unnecessarily loud slam of their door that shook the whole apartment. His head snapped up and he slammed the book closed, his anger blaring to life. He stood and threw the book onto the chair and walked over to the door, adrenaline pumping.

"If anyone should be angry, it's me."

"Ha!" she called out loudly.

With a light snarl he pulled the door open, breaking the lock with the sheer force of his tug, and loomed in the doorway. "I am not angry that Cameron saw you in an intimate way." She whipped around, glaring something fierce, and he was immediately inclined to back pedal. "I mean I am. It infuriates me, all right?"

"Good."

He scoffed, shaking his head as his eyes narrowed in hatred. "What frustrates me is that you will never tire of using your body as a means of manipulation. You use it like a weapon, with little to no respect for yourself. Or for me."

"Excuse me?"

"Instead of trying to con your way out of having a bodyguard, talk to me." He turned and walked away then, not hiding the flagrant disapproval and disappointment. Katherine's anger turned to shame. She moved to lean against the doorway hugging herself and averting her eyes. He had just about reached the kitchen when she finally broke.

"So you figured me out."

He turned around, surprised to hear her so timid after preparing himself for a backlash. He couldn't help but let out a little laugh. "It wasn't all that hard. Considering how long I've played victim to your scams." He sighed when she didn't look up and walked over to her, pushing her hair away from her face. "Kotka, I understand your disdain for the idea, but this is for my peace of mind, not yours. Can you not at least humor me?"

"I understand too, but this is my life Elijah. You can't just throw someone at me without my consent and expect me to be okay with it."

"You consented to having a bodyguard."

"Of my choosing. Of all people you send Cameron?"

"I trust him to do his job. He's reliable."

"He's annoying."

Elijah sighed, rolling his eyes. "Katerina - "

"No. It's my turn to talk. I know you're afraid of what exposure could do to me, but we aren't even there yet. I don't even have an agent."

"I'm taking precautions."

"You're smothering me. You know I don't like being cornered."

"I'll agree that I may have been...overzealous in hiring Cameron." Katherine snorted. "But I will not apologize for trying to keep you safe. Your protection is my priority."

"I'm capable of protecting myself. Staying off radar is second nature to me."

"And if all goes well with your career? For the first time, people will know exactly where to find you. That is not a situation you have ever had to face alone, and I refuse to let it be the reason that I lose you because you were too stubborn to listen to me."

She swallowed as her heart gave a tumultuous thump. "You're not going to budge are you?"

"No. At least, not for now."

She sighed heavily in dramatic frustration and walked away from him, into the bedroom. "Fine. I'll agree to the heavy artillery if you agree to do it my way."

"And what way is that?"

She turned around, adamant in her gaze. "I want someone new. Not Cameron. Don't tell me who it is, just make sure that they keep at least a mile radius. I don't want to know they're there. And I don't want any potential employers to know either. The last thing I need is to be perceived as some arrogant nobody who thinks so highly of herself that she hired a bodyguard." His pursed his lips, trying to repress a smirk. "Don't give me that look."

He nodded with a sigh that was almost a laugh. "All right. I will tell whomever that they should keep a distance. And be in plainclothes as to blend with their surroundings."

"Good. And for the record, my body is my own and what I do with it is not up for you to decide."

He huffed through his nose, growing agitated. "It may not be my decision but it would be nice if you had extended the courtesy of considering how I might feel about your actions."

"Oh I did." She dropped onto the bed and leaned back on her palms, crossing her legs. She smirked with a hint of trouble. "So. Did Cameron like what he saw?"

Elijah's face immediately tensed. "That is not funny."

She grinned. "Yes it is."

He narrowed his eyes and began to meander into the room, closer to her. "You do realize there are severe consequences to treating me like one of your playthings. I am not a man to be trifled with that way."

She gave his tie a little tug when he was in front of her, then twirled it around her fingers to grasp firmly. "Is this your way of telling me I've been a bad girl?"

He swallowed as his pulse gave a little jump, but his smile was far from amused. "Oh you're not going to be rewarded, Katerina. Far from it, actually."

She pouted her lips, letting the tie slip through her fingers. "Too bad. I was going to show you what I bought."

"And I was going to make up for time lost." He cupped her head and let his thumbs begin to massage the napes of her neck, just under her earlobes. "We've done a bit of rushing these last few days." He leaned in closer as her breaths slowed and her heart quickened, his voice a reverent hush. "I'd have much rather enjoyed you for an extended length of time."

His voice vibrated through her, his lips mere inches from hers. She started to lean in to close the distance between them but he took in a short breath and stilled his hands.

"Unfortunately that will have to wait."

Her eyes snapped to his and he withdrew his hands, starting to undo his tie as he walked around the bed and over to the closet.

"You dick."

Elijah chuckled. "Consider this your punishment for taking Cameron to a lingerie shop."

"So much for feminism."

He raised a brow, glancing back at her. "It isn't empowering yourself if you're doing it for the sole purpose of bothering me."

"Whatever." She laid back and closed her eyes, trying not to grumble when she said, "It's your loss anyway."

"It is a loss, but I've always demonstrated more restraint than you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a shower," he announced, unbuttoning his shirt all the while. "Try not to pout too much."

Katherine's eyes opened and she smiled at the ceiling. In a flash of speed she was blocking his entrance and cupping him firmly in her hand. Elijah choked a gasp and clenched his teeth, grabbing the door panel to steady himself.

"Katerina!" he gritted out.

"What was that about restraint?"

He let out an angry snarl and she began rubbing his crotch in response. She could feel him slowly starting to take shape as she teased with little squeezes. He panted through his nose, eyes closing as he felt a rush of warmth in his blood. Remembering his stance, his eyes flew open and he seized her wrist tightly, pulling her against him.

"When I say 'no', I mean it." He let her arm drop and pushed past her leaving a scowling Katherine in his wake.

"Fine. We'll play it your way. Let's see how long that restraint of yours holds up when I don't put out."

He ignored her, turning the water on and shedding his shirt without a glance in her direction. She was almost annoyed until she realized she could still see his semi straining against his pants as he undid them and how annoyed it made him. With a satisfied smirk, she turned and walked out, closing the door behind her. This was going to be so much fun.