Learning magic again wasn't hard at all.

Really, the hardest part was getting to Greece, solely because Kol was making a big deal about what he should and shouldn't pack. Aside from that, their move had gone smoothly. They'd found witches easily, and Kol had set up a hand-written grimoire to help Catalina relearn their craft.

Right away, it became clear that some part of those memories lingered in her mind. Perhaps they weren't coming to the surface clearly, but it was obvious that she hadn't completely forgotten the magic he specifically taught her.

"Look at you, you're a natural," said Kol. "You learned it faster than you did before."

"Is it proper to call it 'muscle memory' if it's not really my hands that remember this time?" asked Catalina, breath hitching as he looked over her shoulder to make sure she was rewriting the spells in a correct, alternate way.

"Call it what you wish," said Kol, his breath fanning over her ear. "You're doing an excellent job. Only took a brief lesson for you to figure it all out again. Our witches will be doing the hard work, now."

He looked over to the couple that stood across from them, reading a similar grimoire. They'd plucked the two women out of their home upon learning that they were some of the most talented witches in the country. After learning that they were romantic partners, Kol had struck a deal with them. As long as the witches helped them without a fuss, Kol would provide them with more money than they'd ever had in their entire life.

"With feeling now," said Kol, having the witches go through a test run to turn a silver bracelet into a gold one. "I'll repeat the incantation once more. E Loke Gae La Iidi."

"E Loke Gae La Iidi," repeated the witches. "E Loke Gae La Iidi..."

"Now that is fascinating," said Catalina quietly as she watched the bracelet change. It seemed to happen faster once the witches realized it was working. They'd smirked at each other, squeezing the other's hand, and continuing the spell while holding onto a smaller version of the diamond Kol had sought out in New Orleans.

"The things we could do if we were both witches," sighed Kol. "You and I had unmatched chemistry. Every movement, every touch... we could have turned that bracelet gold in a single instant."

He let his hand drift over hers, and she felt a tingle over her skin, causing her to want to shiver. She turned her head slightly to look at him, and she had the urge to lean in. How was it possible for one person to draw her in so much? To make her feel like she was at home even when they weren't in the most stable living situation?

Kol's eyes flickered between her pupils and her lips. How badly he wished to kiss her. To hug her and convey that all would be well. But he had to pull back and focus on teaching the two Greek witches. They just had to get this dagger done, and then, they could take down Klaus.

It was imperative that they work quickly. That evening, they learned that Catalina had been right. Klaus was indeed still alive. The Bennett witch had struck a deal with him in order to save her friends, and had transferred his soul into Tyler Lockwood's body. Now, he was back in his own. Apparently, this had infuriated Rebekah, as he hadn't informed her of the plan.

They didn't bother to go and see him. Kol didn't care about that. He remained connected through their phones, so that he would at the very least know what was happening in Mystic Falls. Apparently, the Brotherhood of the Five still existed. Kol thought it best to stay away from them.

"What was it like when I had the Hunter's Curse?" asked Catalina curiously, when she'd gone to his little loft to have some coffee and cookies.

"It was a difficult time," said Kol. "You were out of control. That curse roots itself deep in your mind... makes you see awful things. You and Nik were a handful. He, of course, could not die. But you could have. And I had to stop you from staking yourself several times. I was glad we found a solution."

"At least your siblings know what to watch out for," she muttered. "The Salvatores and their pals won't know what hit them." She huffed. "So, the doppelgänger is a vampire. What does that mean for your brother?"

"He can't use her blood to make more hybrids," said Kol. "Not to mention Rebekah destroyed the supply he had. Tyler Lockwood and the others will be his last batch for awhile. Eventually, once another doppelgänger pops up, then he'll have another blood bag to drain."

They worked hard over the next few weeks. They tried to work on the spell that would yield the dagger, though they were at a loss for a strong enough source of power confined in a singular inanimate object.

Whenever they weren't doing spellwork together, they were training. Kol was helping Catalina relearn a few important moves, though he was proud to say she hadn't forgotten much. She remained as strong as ever. Even the other First Sired would have had a very difficult time taking her down. Kol reckoned Sage had been right. Catalina could decimate Tristan and the rest of The Strix.

They'd had a very simple Christmas. Neither of them felt like celebrating. Kol remembered the fateful day in 1914 when Rebekah had betrayed them. Catalina knew that around that time, Klaus had compelled her. It wasn't exactly a happy occasion.

They ate well. Had a fancy meal and then went to feed on some tourists. Returned to Catalina's apartment to watch a movie and eat some ice cream straight from the bucket. There had been no gifts. Just each other's presence and warmth as they cuddled on the couch.

"Well, seems Nik got in the holiday spirit," muttered Kol once he was walking Catalina back to her apartment. "Message reads... 'Killed 12 of my hybrids, the only one left is Tyler Lockwood. If you see him, bring him to me. Just killed his mother.'"

"And why did he kill twelve of his hybrids?" inquired Catalina.

Kol typed the question and sent the text. Moments later, Klaus replied with, 'They all broke the sire bond to escape me.'

"Oh, how awful," said the female sarcastically. "I wonder what it's like, wanting to break free of a tyrant's control. I'd have done the same."

"All the more reason to get this dagger done," said Kol. "There has to be something we're missing. Maybe these witches aren't as strong as they need to be, even with their good chemistry."

"We need a better confined power source," she said. "The small diamonds and few mystical objects we found aren't doing it. We either need those original dark objects you made, or the Paragon diamond."

"If by February we haven't managed anything, we may need to go back to New Orleans."

New Year's had been the same as Christmas. They'd devoured a load of grapes at midnight, then passed out in armchairs across from each other, each cradling a bottle of wine mixed with blood. That had been the first night Catalina spent in the same apartment as him, since Denver.

Those past weeks had brought them just a bit closer. It really was beneficial for them to be in separate houses whenever they weren't working on spells or training. Catalina had time to relax and take a breather, stitching madly and putting together all sorts of shirts and dresses for herself, which were actually coming along nicely. Kol was able to have time to think about everything and figure out how best to proceed and continue their progress with both the spells and their relationship.

He felt he was doing a good job. He was learning to be more patient. To not have high and unrealistic expectations for physical touch like he would in the past. He could see she was thriving, getting to create something and being able to feel proud of it. She was rather good at her craft. It clearly made her happy, and Kol loved seeing her happy.

He tried to make her laugh as much as he could. He ran her through simpler memories of their past, where they'd just revealed the smallest, and seemingly most insignificant things to one another. He could tell that she was starting to feel more. And as excited as that made him, he didn't allow himself to get too ahead. He drew back from making a move, giving her time to really sort out what she wanted with him.

She wanted everything they'd had in the past. He made her feel comfortable and seen. And without Klaus and Rebekah there to bother them, it was like they were actually free. She had high hopes that the compulsion could be over, soon, once they finished the dagger. How she wanted to kiss Kol already. To tell him what she was feeling. When they first arrived in Greece, she'd had a crush on him. Now, she did like him, romantically. Love, not yet. But she knew that as soon as those memories came back, she'd feel it stronger than ever before.

She wondered if it was easy because she'd wanted to give it a try. Would she have fallen for him again, so quickly, if she hadn't followed him to Denver? If she hadn't made an effort to learn more about what they had before? Perhaps there might have been more of a chase if she'd ran off and made him pursue her, if he really wanted her back.

Catalina could have made it a game. Where he had to go after her and prove that he was worthy. But she knew, very early on, that he was telling the truth. That he had clearly been someone very special for them to have lasted one thousand years. And so she hadn't wanted there to be a chase. She wanted them to be together again. No one else had ever made her feel the way he did. He was who she was meant to be with.

And that's why she wanted to take it slow. Far slower than they had before. If it was meant to be, it would happen, no matter how long it took.

It was mid-January when they received word of new developments in Mystic Falls.

"I've been daggered for weeks," said Rebekah venomously. "All because Nik doesn't want me butting in as he tries to find the stupid cure! I'll tell you why he wants it— he just wants to cure that doppelgänger wench to make more bloody hybrids, because apparently, family isn't enough for him! I'm sick of it!"

"And what do you expect me to do about it, sister?" asked Kol. "Why call me to complain? Surely you would prefer to rant to Elijah."

"He'll try to be the voice of reason. You, however, could help me."

Catalina glared at him from across the room, as if to say, 'She's just trying to use you, hang up!'

Kol, however, was too intrigued. "What with?"

"Right now, the current Hunter is Jeremy Gilbert. Nik has the sword that decodes the map that will appear on his body once he kills enough vampires. I don't wish to wait for that. There must be someone who knows where the cure is, without need for the map. I intend to question that miserable little friend group and find out who. I just need you to fetch that person for me."

"And what do I stand to gain?"

"If you do it, I... I'll convince Nik to return Catalina's memories!"

Kol narrowed his eyes. "No you won't. You despise her."

"As long as she stays away from me, I haven't a problem with her. I'll get Nik to undo the compulsion if you help me. You have my word."

The two vampires shared a look. Catalina shook her head. She didn't trust that Rebekah would do that. It would be a waste of time. Kol, however, seemed to want to give his sister the benefit of the doubt.

"Fine," said Kol. "We'll do it."

Catalina, seeing this, swept toward the phone. "Just a little extra bit to the deal, Rebekah," she said, wanting to make sure that the blonde would keep her word. "If you break your promise, I'll be whispering in Klaus's ear what you and Marcel did in New Orleans that left it burning to the ground. Got it?"

There was a long pause on the other line. Kol looked confused, but Catalina simply put a finger to her lips, to insinuate that he ought not ask questions.

"I don't know what you think you know," said Rebekah lowly once she gathered her wits, "but you will not utter a word of it. I already gave my word. As long as you and Kol comply, we needn't worry."

She hung up, and Catalina smirked in satisfaction.

"I'm clearly missing something," said Kol. "What leverage do you have on my sister?"

"Just something Sage told me," said Catalina. "She made me promise not to tell anyone. Just know that I have blackmail to use against Rebekah and Elijah, should the need arise."

Kol smirked slightly. "And that is why I adore you. Come on. Let's hop on a plane back to Mystic Falls."

After dismissing their witches, they flew back to the United States, landing in Charlottesville and taking car to the mansion while they waited for Rebekah to send instructions. Klaus currently wasn't home, which gave them a chance to unload their suitcases.

At last, she sent a message. "Professor Shane, Whitmore College," read Kol from the screen. "Alright then. Looks like we're going to school."

They took their time driving, so that they could call the school and ask if Professor Shane was in that day or not. They were told that he was in his office at the Department of the Occult building of campus.

As soon as they arrived, they made a beeline there, weaving through students and trotting up the stairs.

"Thanks, Shane," they heard a familiar voice saying as they rounded the hallway. From the office walked out the Bennett witch that Catalina had kidnapped for Klaus, previously.

Obviously, she didn't recognize them, because otherwise, she would have held her hands up and tried to snap their necks. Instead, she simply nodded at them. By the time she realized who they were, it was too late. They'd already sped off with Shane, leaving his office a mess.

"Rebekah says she wants to meet at Mystic Falls High School," said Kol once Catalina shoved the unconscious Professor Shane in the trunk of their car. "Let's get going."

"I don't see why she enjoys pretending to be a teenager so much," said Catalina. "The few days we spend in Denver were the worst of my life."

"To be fair, she was younger than both of us when she turned. I suppose she has a lot of unresolved feelings about her childhood."

Catalina fake gagged as she got into the passenger's seat. "Let's hope she gives that up soon. It's unbecoming."

Once they arrived at the high school, they walked up to the library, where Rebekah had Elena Gilbert, Caroline Forbes, and Stefan Salvatore sitting with her at a round table, apparently being held hostage.

"Sister," called Kol, to let her know they were there, before bearing a wicked smile at the sight of the hostages. "Look at this! You're even worse than Klaus."

"Kol, finally," said Rebekah, sounding mildly exasperated. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

Catalina stepped forward, holding Shane roughly.

Rebeah smiled. "You must be Shane." She pointed out at the hallway, and the vampires walked with him until they found a custodial closet, where they promptly shoved the man inside.

"Kol and Rebekah Mikaelson," said Shane in awe, looking at them. "Two members of the Original vampire family. This is such a trip..." he looked at the other woman, "and you must be the infamous Catalina León."

"You've heard of me, how cute," she said with a cheeky smile, kicking him back into the nearest wall. "Let's get this over with." She tried to compel him, "Where's the cure? Be specific, now."

He looked smug and quite nearly overjoyed, rather than afraid. "Compulsion won't work. It's a little trick I picked up in Tibet."

"Right," said Rebekah. "Well, we'll just have to do this the old-fashioned way. Beat him until he tells you where to find it."

Just as she walked out of the room, Kol seemed to notice something, and grabbed at it so quickly, that Rebekah didn't notice. Catalina raised a brow, until she saw he was holding the indestructive white oak stake.

"Smart," she said as Kol tucked it in his jacket, before turning to Shane and smirking a bit. "Now... what to do with you." She looked around the room, noticing a sink. "Fill that with water," she told Kol. "If the beating doesn't work... the drowning might."

She slammed her fist into Shane's abdomen, causing him to double over in a coughing fit as the faucet began to let water out at a rapid rate, filling it steadily.

She repeated the action twice more, leaving him gasping for breath just as Kol stopped the water flowing, before it could overflow. He grabbed the man by his hair, and shoved him in facefirst, holding him down for a few seconds while he thrashed, before pulling him out.

He gave him just enough time to draw a singular good breath before he was tossed back in. Catalina went to sit on a nearby chair, listening closely to Shane's heartbeat to make sure they didn't overdo it.

"Where's the cure?" Kol sneered, the third time he pulled Shane out of the water. Shane spluttered, but said nothing, and so he was tossed back in. Maybe he was going to say something, but there wasn't enough time. Whatever.

"Come now, you surely know something," said Catalina as Shane was pulled out again. "This must be ringing a bell or two. If you tell us, we can let you go."

Just as Kol shoved Shane back into the sink, Rebekah walked in, observing as the professor was pulled out again.

"You're human," she noted. "Why do you want it anyway?"

"That's the beauty of this," panted Shane between light coughs. "You can have it.... I just want Silas."

At this, Kol went rigid, and yanked the man up by his shirt. "What do you know about Silas?"

Shane took a moment to catch his breath. "He's the world's first immortal being... who just happens to be imprisoned with the cure... and I want to free him."

"NO!" roared Kol angrily, shoving Shane back into the water.

"Stop!" cried Rebekah, forcing Kol to pull him out. "He's of no use dead!"

"Did you not just hear what he said?" cried the elder Original. Catalina could see that he was panicking. "Silas will kill us all, sister."

"Silas does not exist!" exclaimed the blonde, looking at him as if he was an idiot. "He's a— a fairytale made up to scare children into eating their vegetables."

"Silas is very real," said Shane, his entire body trembling. "I know where he's buried, and soon... I will have the spell that wakes him."

Kol didn't want to believe this. "Wait a second, you're lying. You can't get to him."

"Without his tombstone?" offered Shane. "Dozens to die in a blood sacrifice? Believe me, I know. I've done it. Those massacres are a pain to engineer."

Rebekah gasped lightly. "You're the one who got the council blown up."

"And something tells me you're responsible for Klaus killing exactly twelve hybrids," muttered Catalina.

Shane nodded. "It was a noble sacrifice... and temporary, because once I raise Silas, Silas will raise the dead. He will bring back every last soul who died on his behalf."

"No!" snapped Kol, grabbing a metal pipe and driving it through Shane's stomach. He crumpled to the floor, and after a few seconds, went very still.

"Kol!" screeched Rebekah. "How could you?!"

"You should be thanking me," said Kol pointedly.

Rebekah just glared at him. "You killed my only chance at finding the cure."

Kol could care far less about the cure. "Silas on the loose would be hell on Earth. Frankly, sister, I don't think you could handle it." He brought the white oak stake out of the inside of his jacket.

Rebekah tensed, her eyes widening slightly. "How did you get that?"

"Way too easily," said Kol. "Come on, Tere."

He took Catalina's hand, leading her out. Rebekah followed after them, initially, before going off in a different direction. Obviously, she was very cross with Kol.

"Another exhibit of my family writing me off as a paranoid liar," sneered Kol. "As if they don't know that I am aware of every last legend in the magical community."

"You think we should be worrying?" asked Catalina. "That professor seemed confident. What if he had a backup plan in case he died? What if he drank vampire blood and comes back in a few hours? He's clearly obsessed with Silas, not the actual cure. I doubt a two-thousand-year-old immortal would want to do him any favors, but we don't want to take that chance, do we?"

Kol pursed his lips. "You're right. We can't let them go through with this. Do you still have Jeremy's number? We could track him."

Catalina nodded, going to 'Find my iPhone.' It took several seconds, but it showed him at a place called Zanadew Lounge.

"Hold on," said Kol, having been doing the same trick on Klaus, to see why he wasn't at the high school. "They're in the same place. Why would they be at that location together?"

Catalina narrowed her eyes. "Let's find out."