A.N: chapter nine. It's the ball. It is also going to be in Klaus' POV the whole chapter.

Klaus POV: I was in my room putting on a tie and we had around ten minutes until it started when Val came into my room from the door behind me. "Give me a second to get my cufflinks in," I said walking to my dresser.

"Okay, but come over here so I can feel your suit so I know who you are when you come up to me," she said from her place by the door. I finished putting my cufflinks in and turned around to walk towards her when I stopped. She looked breathtakingly sexy. She was wearing a black dress that clung to her that it looked painted on it had a slit from the ground up to her hip bone that showed she wasn't wearing underwear as it went up her leg. Then another slit down to about an inch below her belly button that showed her piercing. That just drew attention to her breasts that were somehow staying up without a bra but I realised it must have been the dress or magic. She had such a dramatic dress so her simple jewellery, makeup and hairdo just draw even more attention to it. I must have stayed there for longer than I realised as I saw she was smirking with her hands on her hips.

"You okay there Klaus I have been waiting a while," she teased.

"Yeah, I'm fine it's just you look amazing," I said breathless walking towards her.

"Well thank you I am sure you look good as well," she said and reached out to me when I stopped in front of her. She went up my arms and then to my neck she straightened out my tie and then patted my shoulders.

"Perfect now I won't forget," she said but I wasn't really listening I was still staring at her I noticed she didn't have on much makeup. I just thought it was simple. I looked into her eyes and saw that she had done a smokey effect to draw attention to them. Then I realised she was staring at me as well. We stayed like that for a while.

"Well come on then let's go shock the torturers who made us go to this thing in the first place," she said smiling. She obviously didn't realise we were having a small moment, but maybe we weren't and I was just staring and being weird I thought. But it didn't matter as she was already out of the room just as I was about to walk out and speed to her she popped her head in "I am supposed to come in with my date so if you could hurry the fuck up mister hybrid," she smirked. I quickly left the room and saw her walking down the hallway. Oh, my god, she is trying to give people a heart attack her back dibs down until the little curves at the bottom of her back. Her hips were swinging just enough to draw attention but not so much it looked like it was obvious It showed off her tattoo's that were for her wings. She stopped to look back at me and I quickly hurried to her side and placed my arm out for her to take. By this point, we were running a little late. She stopped me before we were about to go in.

"Wait let's make them sweat for longer and we should go and come down the steps make it dramatic," she said joked.

"Sure, let's go," I replied and we quickly walked back upstairs and towards the ones that came out in the courtyard where all the guests would be. When we got there we didn't go in straight away we listened until Bekah was about to come and get us and then walked towards the stairs and started walking towards my siblings, Marcel, the Salvatores and Jeremy. From where I was looking I couldn't tell if they were more shocked at her dress or that we were together. By the time we had got down the stairs nearly everyone was looking our way. When we got to our party Marcel came over and kissed her on the cheek. I noticed he did it everytime I would have to find out why later.

"Have to make an entrance don't you," Marcel chuckled. "You look amazing though, but really Klaus as a date, no offence," he continued. I shook my head to show it was fine.

"Yes, Klaus all the people you pick are boring at least this way I will have someone else with my humour and it is entertaining rather than businessmen who try and grope me just because I am blind. But thank you for the compliment and I am sure you look smart because my boys always do," she said motioning towards him and Jere.

"She doesn't always make an entrance she didn't at ours," Elijah said.

"Actually I did as I made it so that I had all of your attention as well as Damon and Stefan because I made it so you couldn't hear me talk. I knew none of you knew about me so you all would have been watching me. Plus, me coming downstairs after Kol's neck was snapped was pretty dramatic," she smirked.

"Sexy is right it was quite dramatic," Damon answered.

"Thank you for the compliment but make it less pervy next time Damon, now Klaus shall we go dance," She said shaking her head at Damon but turning to look at me.

"Sure," I replied we were about to walk off when Kol stopped us.

"Val, how could you go with him and not me," he pouted.

"Don't worry I am saving you a dance or two like the rest," she said giving him a hug.

"Fine," he grumbled. All of us then walked into the ballroom with our dates and started to dance. During the song, I described to her what it looked like and where the tables were so she wouldn't have to look in people's head so much. She asked who was dancing with who and laughed when I said Damon's date walked away from him so he stole Bekah away from her date. Once that dance was finished Kol, Damon and Marcel all came and asked for a dance with her so I left her so she could sort it out herself. I walked over to Finn and Sage as we hadn't really talked yet and I wanted to know my new sister.

"Are you two enjoying yourselves and Sage you look beautiful this evening," I said politely. She did it was a blue gown that had a sweetheart neckline and the skirt was layered.

"Thank you Klaus, and yes I am having a lot of fun but soon we have to socialise with others after dinner," she said with a sigh.

"Well, why don't we share a dance first if that is okay with you?" I questioned extending my hand.

"That would be lovely," She said taking my hand. I led her over to the dance floor where Stefan and Bekah were now dancing. Val and Damon were dancing and looked to be having a fun time but I think Val was having more fun as she was smirking at him. I could see Marcel watching them probably waiting for his turn. Sage and I started to dance during which we chatted. She told me about all the places she had been over the years and a few times it turned out I was in the same place at the same time. It was sad because I told her if I had known about their connection I wouldn't have kept him in a box for that long. She accepted my apology but was understanding as she realised I did it to keep him from Mikeal. Once the song was over I went to dance with Val again as we had to eat soon and we had been ordered to take our date to their seat, but she was already dancing with Marcel talking behind her barrier so I went and danced with Bekah.

"Care for a dance sister?" I said taking her hand.

"You haven't given me much choice but ok," she sighed putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Oops. Anyways, you look stunning and you have done a great job with the decorations," I complimented and she beamed.

"Thank you but it took forever to find the dress and decorate," she said.

"Didn't you have like twenty or more vampires helping you decorate," I questioned as I spun her away from me.

"Yeah, but you, Jeremy and Val were either hiding or out for a ride," she pouted as she came back to me.

"Out for a ride?" I questioned confused.

"Yeah, Val brought Jeremy a new car and told him to go out for a test ride it was nice of her to do but I lost a pair of hands to help and then she disappeared," she explained.

"That was nice of her to do and don't worry it still looks amazing, it looks beautiful although it is quite hard to describe which I had to try and do for Val earlier," I replied with a smile.

"It took time to describe as it is so detailed," she said bored. Suddenly she straightened up and looked at me as if evaluating me or looking for something.

"What?" I said confused at her expression.

"Why are you smiling like that?" she said with a smirk.

"This is my normal smile," I answered confused as to what she was talking about. She just nodded at me and then the song ended.

"Well we should go get our dates to go get dinner," she said stepping back. I nodded and just then Val appeared with Marcel.

"Well come on hubby let's go get dinner," She said linking arms with me. Bekah and I snapped our heads at the hubby.

"What you two didn't get married and not tell me," Bekah whisper shrieked.

"No, of course not when would we even have the time plus we weren't even engaged that whole relationship would have happened in the span of three days. I meant that Klaus basically raised Marcel and he looks to me as a mother so that kinda either makes us married or separated and I don't have the heart to put my baby seeing his parents going through a divorce," Val replied smiling.

"I need more alcohol to deal with her," Bekah said walking away.

"Well come on hubby I am hungry," she said pulling me to our table. I felt another smile on my face at her enthusiasm. We got to our table and sat down.

"Aww, we have to sons now Marcel and Jeremy how cute although I must say Jere look more like me than you dear, Marcel I am sorry we should have told you sooner but you're adopted," she said seriously taking his hand.

"It's okay, I already knew," He said kissing the top of her hand. Val hugged him and pretended to cry talking about how she still loved him. Over her shoulder, I and Marcel caught each other's eye and started laughing which set off Val. When we calmed down the rest of the table was looking at us as if we were crazy.

"What in the hell are you all talking about?" Stefan questioned.

"Blasphemy Stefan," Valarie accused seriously him pointing at him. Stefan actually looked shocked until Val started laughing.

"Well Stefan we were talking about how Marcel and Jeremy are basically mines and Klaus' kids Marcel as he sees me as a mother and Klaus basically raised him, Jeremy, well that's obvious it is me or Elena. Then if we both are Marcel's parents we are either married or separated and I don't think he should have to go through what would definitely be a lengthy divorce, so we are married which would make Klaus Jeremy's kinda of stepdad or would it be brother in law. Anyways what's for dinner as I can't see the plate," she explained. Her change in conversation gave us all apart from Jeremy and Marcel whiplash I guess they were used to it more than us.

"Crab cakes with sauce to start," Marcel told her. She nodded in thanks and began to eat.

"Okay I am still confused when did you guys get married," Damon asked.

"We didn't it's a joke, them being my kids is true. Klaus only has Marcel. Don't worry we won't be having loud sex anytime soon," she replied.

"Eww gross I so didn't need that mental image," Baby Gilbert explained rubbing his eyes as if it would help.

"Don't worry baby Gilbert I can put soundproof charms on all the doors so no one can hear anyone," Kol smirked.

"Good idea Kol because I am sure no one wants to hear any siblings going at it more than they have in their lifetime, well apart from me and Jere we have been lucky so far," she said smiling. "Also, you guys need to get a better name than Baby Gilbert I am sure I and Elena used to have another nickname for you," she said thoughtfully.

"No you didn't," he replied.

"You replied to quick which meant they did. Think Val think," Damon encouraged.

"It rhymed maybe," she said putting her head in her palm.

"No it didn't it was a stupid name," Jeremy said trying to get her off course.

"Your right it was a food or something," she said thoughtfully.

"Crap," Jeremy muttered.

"Jerebean. That's it we called you Jerebean because you wouldn't stop eating jelly beans so we had to tell you they were made from Santa's helpers and if you ate them you wouldn't get presents," Valarie replied clicking her fingers.

"Santa's elves are jelly beans really. And that worked," Stefan said surprised.

"Hey, it's all we could think of and it was near Christmas," Valarie defended going back to her food.

"Worked a little too well, I was mortified. You told a three-year-old near Christmas that Santa sent them as jellybeans to keep an eye on children and that I ate them so I would get no presents and that Santa would come and kidnap me. You and Elena scared the crap out of me and I ran everytime someone came near me with a jellybean for a year until mum and dad told me you were lying," Jeremy responded angrily.

"Oh yeah," Val giggled.

"That is amazing I wish I had been a fly on the wall in that house when they tried to explain to you it wasn't the case," Kol laughed.

"I can't get over Jerebean. Like who thought it was okay to stop using that," Damon said. At that Jerebean put his head on the table and groaned. That's when the dam broke and we all broke into laughter even Elijah and Finn. We stayed silent for the rest of the starter although occasionally someone would giggle after someone or they themselves murmured Jerebean.

For mains, we had a spicy, tomato but creamy salmon and penne pasta that had broccoli and spinach. (A.N: recommend that dish is amazing) Once it had been set down and the waiters had left we started to talk again. We all had our private conversations as our table was quite big.

"Say Klaus I didn't hear you opposing to anything Val said earlier," Kol pointed out with a smirk.

"Yes, because I knew she was joking we had this conversation on the way to the table," I replied.

"But what would you think about being married to Val," Kol pressed I could see in his eyes he had a plan.

"Klaus you don't have to answer that, actually I would prefer it if you didn't," Valarie replied putting her cutlery down.

"Why Klaus, Valarie can you not see having little feet running around here that look half like each of you," he taunted.

"Kol, shut up," Marcel warned making us confused.

"I was just wondering I mean they talked about you and Jerebean over there as their kids. I just thought maybe they were serious. Maybe they will get together and have seven kids like a litter of puppies to represent Klaus' wolf side," he teased.

"Seriously Kol, Shut Up," Marcel with some anger in his tone.

"Marcel the way they were talking was as if they were married, what's the problem. Don't want another sibling. That's not nice is it Val tell Marcel he should be happy if you were pregnant I mean -," Kol was cut off by Valarie throwing her knife at his throat but no guest turned around I guess she had done some illusion thing.

"If you will excuse me for a minute I need some fresh air, Marcel will you join me so I don't get lost," Valrie replied standing up. Marcel quickly went with her for whatever reason as we all knew she couldn't get lost here she knew it too well. Once they had left Kol took the knife out and waited for it to heal.

"What the fuck is her problem," he said hoarsely as his vocal cords were healing. Everyone turned to Jeremy for an answer only to see him looking just as confused.

"I have no idea she has never acted like that," he said answering our silent question.

"Maybe she doesn't like or want children," Stefan suggested.

"That's not it, she has always wanted kids," Jeremy said shaking his head. But before we could ponder it any more they came back to the table with Marcel arms around her waist in support.

"Kol just so you know I am not sorry for hitting your throat as I was aiming for your eye, but that was better, but I am sorry that everyone else on the table had to see that. I can explain later a little of why I got angry but I would appreciate if it was left at that" Valarie said sitting down. We were all silent after that. I was wondering how she missed I knew she had perfect aim mainly due to her magic I think a few other people were thinking the same. When the dessert came which was a tiramisu. We all slowly started talking but it was more who was who. Valarie didn't really talk that much. I could see everyone's giving worried glances her way as she wasn't usually this quite. We soon walked to go and converse with people. Valarie got up and asked Elijah to go with her, which confused me as she agreed because one of the reasons she came with me so I could banter with her quietly during this bit. After about half an hour I went and got the music to start again. I was looking around for someone to dance with when I saw Elijah and Val dancing together. He had just spun her around and she had her head back laughing I thought she looked stunning. I watched them dance for awhile when Bekah came up next to me.

"Now it is my turn to ask for a dance," she said grabbing my hand and dragging me to the floor. I smiled at her and complied.

"Any reason, in particular, you wanted to dance with me again usually you stay away from me in these things," I question her suspiciously.

"Yeah, I wanted to ask how are you feeling tonight do I need to clean up a body in the morning?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I don't see anyone of interest," I replied looking around.

"Yes you do but I don't think you know it yet, I just hope I am right," she says and then giving me a kiss on my cheek. I was confused as to what she meant. "Klaus you like Valarie. The whole time she was joking around about you being married you had a dopey look on your face. Even when Kol was mucking around you had a spark in your eyes only our siblings could probably recognise but it was there. You might not realise it but on some level you do. But I think we should talk about something else before people start listening," she said. But we didn't talk I couldn't was what she said true? Did I have feelings for Valarie? No, I probably just liked the idea of having a family. Yes, she was gorgeous but many women are. We get along great and have things in common, she keeps me on my toes and I wouldn't be bored. But I don't like her.

Crap. I definitely like her. That's fine though it's just a crush. Yes. A crush I can deal with a crush it will pass. At that point, the song ended and I looked over at her and Elijah only to see her dragging Stefan on the dance floor.

"You have only danced twice tonight and I am dancing with you to see what all the fuss my sister made was about," she teased him. I wanted to dance with her why is she dancing with Stefan. Okay, so the crush might take a little while to get over. To distract myself I went and talked to some other vampire. But unfortunately, they were talking about work which was at Val's restaurant and then started talking about Val herself. God, I can't get away from the subject. I quickly excused myself and started to think of who I could talk to without talking about Val when I saw Jeremy at the bar. Perfect I can talk about his car.

"Hey Jerebean, what's up?" I said slapping him on the back.

"Fuck sake, everyone is going to use that name now," he moaned.

"Yep, but I didn't come here to tease you. I heard you got a new car," I replied.

"Yeah, it's a Porsche 911 convertible dark blue. I have wanted a convertible forever. I must have told her once. It had great steering and the exhaust is amazing," he said pleased.

"Did you see anything interesting on your drive?" I questioned.

"Well, I went to school just so I could find where it is. It's about a twenty minutes drive but is bigger than I'm used to so it might take me a while to work my way around it," he commented.

"Anything else because you were gone a while," I said.

"Yeah, I just drove around but then I got hungry so stopped at Val's place. It was packed. Actually, while I was there some vamp tried to compel me to let him eat me but then I told them I was on vervain and I was Val's brother. Don't think a vampire has ever run so fast," he chuckled.

"What did she do that makes them so scared?" He wondered aloud.

"It might have something to do with her shoving table legs up a vamp's arse once but who knows," I replied taking a sip of my drink I had ordered.

"Why am I not surprised," Jeremy laughed.

We talked for a little while more. It turns out we like the same artists so I told him I would show him some paintings I had gotten done by some of them one day. Ten minutes later Marcel clinked his glass to make a toast from his position on the stairs and Val was next to him holding her own glass of champagne.

"I would like to thank you all for coming tonight and I hope you are having a good time," he started. "The reason for this ball is not only to welcome back to my lovely friend Valarie who has come back from a trip but also an opening event for the bakery she is opening right next door to her restaurant. This has been something Valarie has been planning for a long time now. She is a businesswoman through and through. However, she didn't come back alone she brought her brother along with her and people who are family to me the Mikaelson's. So join me in raising a glass to them all. To family," He said raising a glass at the end and giving Val a kiss on the cheek.

"To family," everyone echoed. They came down the stairs and walked towards the bar.

"Hi sis," Jeremy said.

"Hi, you enjoying yourself," she asked.

"Yeah, but so many people are so boring," he muttered.

"Oh, I know why do you think that I dress like this. It makes the men so flustered and they try to flirt instead of talking about boring shit I understand better than them. The women just talk about clothes with me. You are a man so that won't work for you," she said stealing a bottle of whisky from behind the bar.

"But once someone has done a speech which Marcel just has, thank by the way. I steal a bottle of alcohol and go to the roof with someone. Anyone want to join. Marcel usually does but he is hosting so no disappearing act for him tonight," she said looking at the two of us.

"I would but I shouldn't really be drinking and I promised I would dance with Bekah if she needed to escape for some dude in exchange for some money," Jeremy said.

"Now why can't Elena be more like you. I would have made the same deal," Val said smiling.

"I'll come all these people are annoying me," I said getting up.

"Great, also, no stops for other people or we might never escape. Let's go," she said turning around and walking away.