chicago } { heading for a new beginning

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Witness protection is never an easy thing, no matter who you are.

Cutting yourself off from everything you've ever known is one of the hardest things a person can do. You have to completely start over with a new name and have to make new friends. You leave everything you've ever known behind, and no one handles that with as much grace as they could. They can't. Human beings just aren't wired that way. Katherine isn't the exception, and her case comes with a lot of complications. Klaus and the Mikaelsons aren't easy to hide from, which means nothing gets left behind.

Nothing, including Katherine's twin sister.

As they pull into the driveway, Buffy spots the sedan sitting there and pauses. "Is that your sister's car?"

If she's here, it may be easier to talk to her. Get it out of the way in the comfort of her own home. She just hopes that the Mikaelsons' don't have ears in there listening.

Comments

[alphabetworks]

Katherine's lips purse just slightly. "If that's what it takes to get you out, fine. We'll go somewhere less grab ass."

It's surprising, and kind of funny, how honest she can be while simultaneously deceiving any ears that might be listening. Even with the uneasy feeling churning in her stomach, it's a little exhilarating.

[braveandstupid]

Elena nods, before finishing pulling her shoes on and grabbing her coat. "Okay. Let's go."

[alphabetworks]

Katherine leads the way, back in the direction she came from. She's relieved Elena has made this so easy, though she can still hear the pounding of her own heart in her ears. The anxiety is enough that she fears it's leaking through, so her steps become just a little bigger in an effort to stay ahead. Her sister doesn't need to start asking any more questions until they are outside.

[braveandstupid]

Elena follows her out the door, and when she sees Buffy, she stops. Her arms cross in front of her chest, and she glances back to her sister.

"Katherine? Who's this?"

Buffy frowns slightly. "We should talk about this in the car."

[alphabetworks]

"You might want to listen to her, little sister."

It's the only thing she says before doing as Buffy suggests and making her own way to the car.

[braveandstupid]

That doesn't really make her feel any better. She stands where she is for a moment, not moving, before looking back to Buffy.

"Who are you?" Her voice his firm, even if it shakes, but she's not moving until she gets a straight answer.

"My name is Buffy," she sighs. "I'm a US Marshal. I really think we should discuss the rest of this in the car."

Elena still hesitates, but she can't say her question wasn't answered. So she follows her sister, sliding into the backseat, and giving Katherine a look that says she needed an answers to her questions.

[alphabetworks]

When Katherine looks back at her sister, she doesn't see a need for answers. She sees judgement. She can just hear it now.

What have you gotten us into, Katherine? Why does a US Marshal need to talk to us?

She answers neither of those questions. Buffy can do that. Instead, she turns back to stare out the windshield and tries not to sigh as she waits for someone else to break the silence.

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Buffy slides into the front seat of the car, taking a deep breath before glancing over her shoulder to look at Elena.

"What do you know about Klaus Mikaelson?"

"Klaus?" Elena frowns even more. "He's Elijah's brother."

"He's also one of the most dangerous leaders of organized crime in Chicago. And your sister has offered to testify against him."

[alphabetworks]

Katherine glances back at her sister, keeping her face as neutral as possible.

"Trevor's dead. Klaus killed him."

There's no need to explain who Trevor is. Katherine's mentioned him and his efforts to woo her a few times in passing. He never really held her interest, not like Elijah, but it was flattering.

Of course, he's gone now, and so are her chances with Elijah.

[braveandstupid]

It takes Elena a moment to process that, before she turns and looks at her sister, knowing but not all at the same time. "You were there. You're going to testify against him."

She's her twin. She doesn't have to guess.

[alphabetworks]

"Yep. My life sucks." She pauses as she tilts her head to the side, eyes averted. "Which means your life sucks."

[braveandstupid]

She exhales sharply, before slumping back against the seat. "How does this ... ?"

"You're going into witness protection," Buffy replies softly. "It's to help keep you safe."

[alphabetworks]

Katherine looks back at her sister, her face mostly blank, but there is a small glint in her eyes she hopes Elena understands. I'm sorry. Please don't hate me.

[braveandstupid]

Elena stares back at her, watching her for a moment, before her face softens. She knows this wouldn't be her choice if she could choose. It just ... sucks. A lot.

"So what do we do?"

"We'll discuss it back at my office."

[alphabetworks]

Katherine sighs, exasperated. "Then let's go. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can move on with our lives."

/scene

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Buffy nods, and off they go to start brand new lives in a brand new city.