Elena peered around the ancient, dark church she was so familiar with. It still looked, smelt, and even the atmosphere was quite the same from when she had last left it. This, she was grateful for. She had missed the old church quite a lot. She had always loved everything about it, from it's creaky old doors, to the dusty pews, to the beautiful stain glass.

However, even though it looked quite the same, Elena knew the company would most likely be quite different. Ever since she got back, just a walk through the streets told hold that many more vampires had been populating her favorite city of Demaitre. This, she had no problem with at all. She was quite excited about meeting new people(for once), and one of her goals was to make more friends, and to even make herself more known, rather than hiding all the time, like her usual nature. She just hoped many had joined her coven, the Nephim. They had always been quite low on members.

Most importantly though, she terribly hoped Colton was still here. She couldn't really imagine why he wouldn't be, but worrying was always in her nature. Another thing she was going to try to work on. And, even if he was still here, would he still think of her in a pleasant way? She had left once again without warning, and for this time even much longer. She couldn't blame someone for not favoring a walking disappearing act. Again, she really needed to work on the worrying thing.

The church was silent as usual, and Elena was delaying going down to the Catacombs. The truth was, she was extremely nervous. She had made quite a few changes to herself. Tonight she was wearing a black knee-length skirt with a white, fitting blouse. Instead of her prized combat boots, on her feet were small black-buckle flats. Just looking down at herself, Elena was surprised every time. She actually looked nice for a change. Her hair was even combed and her bands brushed to the side, out of her eyes, which had been ridded of her usual dark, grungy makeup.

Elena lingered about the church, contemplating how exactly she would be looked at and treated now. She had decided in her time gone, it was time to drop this wallflower act. Time to be confident, time to open up.

And the truth was, she only really cared what one person thought about it all.

A year changes people. The man Elena is looking for no longer exists. The man she's looking for killed himself with bitterness and self-pity.

She changed. She opened up. Lightened up. She was trying to be friendly, kind, accepting. She moved on. Colton was the opposite. He shut down. Currled in. He made it clear that he was done with friends, with people in general. He moved back to a state of perpetual anger and self pity. He had driven himself mad with finding himself, and somewhere over the last year, he gave up trying. As far as he was concerned, it didn't matter.

It had only been a year. Did you know he got himself shitfaced drunk and has had a few frivilous sexual relationships? Did you know he killed another vampire? Did you know he had forgotten about Elena and everything she had done for him? It had only been a year, but God, how a year had changed him.

"So I have a box of all English ones... I'll carry it up to the alter... We can spread out."

Clunk. Clunk. Footsteps up the stairs, and, at least, there's Colton, hefting a heavy box of a hundred or so files. He gets to the top of the stairs and drops the box in front of him. Appearance wise, he's unchanged. A bit scruffier, but still the tall, lanky, grey and dull young man that he was a year ago.

"No offense, but you smell like crap," he shouts back down the stairs. "I need the air up here."

Quickly, Colton turns back around and catches sight of Elena. Realization takes a moment to hit. Elena Sterling. Back from the dead.

Elena Sterling. She was there for him when he had no one else. She was his fall back when Hannah left him for Eric. And then she left. She left, after she promised she'd come back. She left him. Colton's eyes narrowed slightly before he dismissed her with a scoff, as if to say, how dare you come back now.

"I told you, find me someplace with a shower and I'll take one, mister almighty."

Ou, lookie, it's another nickname. I like this one, don't you?

"I call anything from Massachusetts or New York, I actually know that set."

He only moved here recently.

And, for Elena's benefit, this disembodied voice follows Colton into view. A gaunt, ill-dressed fellow with a ragged beard and a sardonic grin, showing fangs. He gives her a passing once-over, and ignores her completely in favor of Colton.
Colton is actually important, you see.

A tad sexist?

Oh, just a little.

"Anyway, unlike some? I don't take offense easily."

Really, he doesn't. He's good-natured that way.

Elena perked up from her contemplative state and suddenly became alert when she heard a voice coming up from the catacombs, walking up the stairs. Colton's voice. All the sudden, her nervousness seemed to multiply times ten. She couldn't make out what he was saying, but she knew it was him.

He was talking to someone. Colton came into veiw, and Elena almost impulsively looked down. Oh god, run away! But her legs felt weak, even though she had just fed earlier, and she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Elena finally looked up too see Colton looking right at her. Did he look angry? Oh boy, did he. He ended his cruel look just as his friend, or whoever he had been talking to came up right beside him. She took little notice of him at that point.

At that moment, she probably looked like a deer caught in headlights. Wide-eyed, lips slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something, body stiff.

Okay, she'd gotten herself this far, now, just say hello...

Say anything...

He probably hates me now.

I'm liking that nick name much more than fishy. I'm sure Colton appreciates the change as well. Least he isn't squirming about this one.

"And I told you, a bucket of soapy water'd be an improvement..."

Colton turns his back on Elena. His theory is that, if he can't see her, she can't see him, and she'll go away. Maybe if they pretend she's not there long enough, she'll disappear.

"So... Um. You'll have to explain something to me..." he continued with Ratter, his nerves and discomfort showing through. "Um. How do you decided who wins? Is there some book or... Something?" He shifts uncomfortably before Ratter, feeling the weight of her stare on his back.

She disappeared. Colton has this all figured out in his mind. She disappeared. She left him when he needed a friend, and, by all codes of the universe, that means he has the option to never talk to her again. Right? Right. And, to make matters worse, she kissed him first. She initiated, then left. There's something extra cruel about that.

So why is she back?

There's a momentary pause before Colton turns around and points a finger at her. "What are you doing here." The hand drops slowly as the words echo off the empty walls of the building.

"It's a judgement call, mister almighty. Which I shall explain further after you finish making out with this one as well."

Ratter looks artfully patient.

Because he is amused.

He is never going to stop harping on that little incident with the other boy, you realize that?

Now, Elena was absolutely positive he hated her. Colton had just turned his back on her, choosing to ignore her. She felt her chest tighten and a lump form in her throat immediately. It was difficult for her not just to burst into tears at that moment, given how emotional she was. But, that was yet another thing she was trying to get over.

Elena had been so excited and happy to return to Demaitre, and to see Colton of course, she hadn't really thought in detail about how he would react to her return. Now that she was now right there with him, a million thoughts were flooding into her head.

She wanted him to be impressed and happy with her new look and attitude. She wanted some of this to maybe rub off on his usual pessimistic outlook. But could she really have assumed for him to be joyful with her return? She had once again left without any warning. He had probably assumed she was dead.

How inconsiderate and stupid was she really?

Elena knew she never had bad intentions or motives, but Colton didn't know that. It was her fault for not considering and thinking the situation all the way through. She was always doing things like that. You'd think after 364 years, one would become alittle more considerate and analytical. Just her luck to have been changed in the mindset of a naive teenager.

Next thing she knew, Colton was turned back around, his finger pointed straight at her. His question echoed in her head, as the echos faded in the building. His hand dropped, and they were just standed there, looking at each other. Elena expression hadn't changed much, except her eyes were probably glazed now.

She finally opened her mouth alittle wider, taking a deep breathe and shifting some, averting her eyes. "I..."

Elena looked back at Colton, attempting somewhat of a smile. A sad smile.

"I came back."

Colton's temple twitches in regards to Ratter's comment as he clenches his jaw shut tightly. His hands ball into fists, then, with shut eyes and a few focused breaths, he wills his body to relax. Oh, how Ratter got his blood to boil.

"I wouldn't even dream of it, Ratter."

And, there we go. If it isn't painfully obvious by now, Colton's primary target is Elena. Ratter's a pawn in the situation, thrown in for some comic humour, because, God knows, Colton needs to lighten up and laugh a bit.

Colton shoved his hands into his pockets and matched her gaze with a blank one of his own. He hadn't even taken a moment to truly look her over. No, he hardly recognized her, but maybe he attributed that to the fact that she left for a year.

Did I mention he's not too happy about that? Because he's not.

"Why."

The tone of that word says it all. Hidden in those three little letters is the pain, anger, and curiosity Colton feels towards this situation. The pain of a man who's lost too many loved ones, the anger at being led on, and the distant curiousity in where she has been, what (and who) she's been doing, and her reasons for coming back.

Elena frowned at Colton's reply to his friend's comment. Sure, the comment that was made had been alittle obscene, but Colton's reply had been straight up cold. She felt her body shudder alittle and a frown come across her face. She thought he might have been alittle angry with her, but she had never expected this. He was basically being a total jerk, but of course, she would always feel she totally deserved it.

When he asked why, Elena was hesitant to respond, but at the same time she wanted to say so much.

"Colton, I know you're angry, but I had to go. And it was worth it..see... I'm better now. I feel like I've almost found myself..."

She paused for a second, still hesitant to say what she was at the same time trying not to blurt out.

"I came back to be with you."

Ratter has to laugh.

"Good god, what cologne do you use, man? Perhaps there's something to this showering thing. I don't have people throwing themselves at me on a weekly basis from both genders."

He grins.

"I think the world would end if someone did that, actually."

He can make fun of himself if he wants to.

Colton stared her down as Ratter poked his fun at Colton's sides. He was half listening to the man. Half ignoring him. It was clear that the Zev incident would never be forgotten. Wonderful. Just what he wanted.

"I'm not angry, Elena. I just... Don't want to see you again?"

No, no, he's not angry at allllll. He's just bitter and cold and heartless.

"I'm so happy for you. Really."

He rolled his eyes and dug into the box of files, pulling a small folder out. Better to start small, in his personal opinion. There was less of a chance that he'd get frustrated if it was only two pages, not thirty.

When she still stood there, he sighed and glared back to her.

"Listen, Elena. You left me. As far as I'm concerned, that gives me the right to tell you to go to hell and leave me the fuck alone." He sounds very diplomatic when he's angry. He's reasoning it out to her, to himself. "So, feel free to start leaving whenever you want. I have things to do."

And with that, he turns his back on her again. This time, he's not so confident when he addresses Ratter. As a matter of fact, he's downright shaky.

"Ok... So... Um. Ah... This one..."

The tears were starting to spill uncontrollably down Elena's cheeks. She still stood there, completely baffled. She should have known this would happen. How could she have been so naive? She deserved all of this. He had every right to be completely mad at her and never want to see her again.

The complete truth was, Elena had never had any bad intentions. She left solely to get better. Did Colton really want to be with a headcase? She had done this all for him. But, she had always been one to never consider the possible consequences of her actions. She had left thinking everything would be perfect when she got back, just because she was doing a good thing.

"Colton, I did this for you. I left because I wanted to get better for you!"

Elena's words practically came out hysterically. Well, she was an emotional girl. Who happened to be sobbing now. This just wasn't supposed to happen. It was going all wrong. He was supposed to be happy she was back. He was supposed to welcome her home with open arms. After all, he was basically all she had...

"Please don't do this to me."

She dropped to her knees now, almost as if she was begging, but really she was just having a total breakdown. Elena didn't even care what his friend thought. Ever since she had been turned, she never truly cared about anyone until she met Colton, and now she was being pushed away from him.

It was all just so unfair.

"Let me have a read...." He glances over the case. "The older one has a point. His business isn't public fodder. Still, he overreacted a bit."

The girl?

He doesn't care.

He really, truly, doesn't give a damn that she's crying.

Because he's a bastard. A truly, utterly self-centered bastard.

See, here's the irony of the situation. Elena leaves because she doesn't want to be a head case. As a result of her leaving, she creates the head case known as Colton. Not just her, mind you, but this is how it always plays out for him. He may have some attraction cologne or something, but it typically tends to repel people just as strongly. They always leave, and that weighs heavily on him. How much more unwanted can you feel? So, there she is. She got rid of one head case and created another. See? Irony!

Her hysteria was unnerving. Colton folded his arms across his chest and hugged himself tightly. He wasn't listening to Ratter as he explained the case. He wasn't even looking at the case, pretending to be interested. No, he was staring at the wall before them, jaw clenched, eyes shut. He was trying hard to keep a hold of his emotions. Anger, pain, disappointment, discomfort.

Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.

Please don't do this to me.

In an instant, Colton's eye snapped open. He spun back around and stared her down, looking outraged. Hurt.

"DON'T DO THIS TO YOU," he bellowed, throwing his hands out to his sides. Tears ran from his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. "Don't do this to you?" His tone dropped. His shoulders dropped. He hands dropped. "Why not, Elena? You did this to me, so why can't I do this to you?"

He stood there shaking slightly. "Give me one good reason..." he murmured, more to himself than to her. One good reason why he should stop.

Colton words hit her like a slap in the face. Elena cowered, as if he had really just slapped her as he yelled. She stared at the floor, unable to look at him. Her vision was incrediably blurry anyway at the time. Her hands were shaking, and the lump in her throat was practically choking her. She almost wished it was.

Chills ran up her spine as he lowered his voice and continued to question her. Elena was sobbing even harder at the end of each one. She wrapped her arms around her to try and steady her shaking, but she couldn't control it. She felt totally hopeless sitting there. Everything just seems to be crashing down all around her now.

Once again, she was losing the closest thing to her. First her family, then her daughter, now Colton. This all seemed unfair, but at the same time, it was all her fault. But so, no one was perfect. Maybe she was just one really bad fuck-up.

"Give me one good reason..."

That was the last thing her said, and immediately the answer popped into Elena's head. She knew exactly what she wanted to say. She had wanted to tell him before many times. It was finally time... She never thought she would have the guts to say it at all.

"Colton..."

His name came out softly and she looked up at him with wide glazed, violet eyes, finally a little calmed down. Her words came out low and steady...

"I love you."

Ratter doubles over laughing.

His laugh is harsh, grating. Mocking.

"Oh, this is better than a soap opera. Next she'll tell you she's having your lovechild. Or maybe she's your sister in secret."

And he's laughing again, everything but sheer amusement gone straight out of his head.

Ahaha, lovechild.

Despite the impossibility of that, given the vampire aspect.

What a time to pick.

Colton stared at her helplessly, the anger and hurt subsiding a bit. Ratter's laughs and Elena's sobs were the only two noises in the church. Colton didn't say a word. Couldn't say a word. He was baffled and tongue tied and all that.

Colton bowed his head and stared down at his shoes. When he finally did speak, his voice was a hoarse whisper.

"You left me... It's been... It..." He glanced up at her and shook his head with a frown. "It's been too long, Elena. It's too late..."

He couldn't take her cries anymore. He had wanted to hurt her back. Hurt her as much as she had hurt him, but now? Now he had gone too far, and he felt guilty hearing her sob.

Colton dropped the case he had been holding for Ratter on the floor and swiftly turned away and walked down the stairs to the catacombs. About halfway down those old, wooden stairs, he stopped and sat. He burried his face in his knees and heaved a sigh.

He didn't cry. He couldn't. Those tears had been shed months and months ago and there were none left for Elena.

[ Pleeeeease don't hate me! This is much too delayed, and I apologize. ]

He told her it was too late. That was that. There was really nothing else Elena could do, atleast for now.

She watched Colton turn around and go down the stares with blurry vision. She wasn't sure how long she just kind of sat there, tears flowing down her cheeks, her heart aching. It felt like she had just taken a blow to the chest. It was all too much.

Elena finally got up, shakily, then steadied herself. Should she go down there and continue to basically beg him to take her back, to accept her apology? No, she might seem like a headcase sometimes but the last thing she wanted to seem was incredoubly desperate, especially since she was trying to improve herself in the first place. She would just have to let things happen as they well, happened...

Maybe he would forgive her eventually...

Right, and then maybe she could dance in the sunlight. Elena heaved a deep sigh and began to make her way slowly down the aisle of pews, towards the door. To where? Like she had any idea. Or even really cared at the time.

Ratter is put upon.

"Fine. Be that way," he mutters, ruffling through the pages of that forgotten legal brief.

Raising his voice, he adds, "How about I just decide all of these in favor of my old dog Pugsly?"

He might, if Colton doesn't get his ass back here and do some actual work.

Colton sighed slightly and waited for Elena to leave. As much as he wanted to go down to his room and lock himself in for the evening, Pugsly shouldn't be so damn lucky. He climbed back up the stairs and eyed Ratter with contempt before he sat before the box of files.

He pulled one out and skimmed it over.

"All right, couple of Nephim... Oh. Ok, she's his whore, he's her pimp... He has the money she's earned, and she wants out... And wants the money..."

Colton looked slightly repulsed.

Little did he know, they'd jut get worse over the next 10 hours of the evening.