**Author's Note: I know it took me like a whole week to be done with this, but I was busy. I hope you enjoy this chapter. ;)**

The Ultimate Attempt

Elizabeth faced the mirror and glanced at the dress that she will be wearing. It was hung right next to the mirror, and she couldn't help but admire it. It was a simple one, and she knew that if she was in the Renaissance, she would be unmistakably, underdressed! But she wasn't. And simplicity nowadays is more and sexy – as they have told her at Bergdorf's. She glanced at her reflection, and saw a girl with deep green almond-shaped eyes, deep chocolate brown hair with curls at the end since some hairstylist had fixed it, oval-shaped face with well-defined cheekbones, natural thin lips, and alabaster complexion. She looked like a vampire from those movies if she dressed like one.

But she doesn't.

She was wearing her undergarments and a long deep red silk robe to cover her. It was already five thirty in the afternoon, and twilight has already dawned, taking away the last sight of sunlight through her room's wall-sized windows. Soon, guests will start arriving, and so she has to be ready. She took off her robe and took the dress that was hanging next to her mirror. But, she took a last glance at the mirror and saw Klaus by the reflection. So she turned around saw him by the doorway.

"I thought you were ready." He said, smiling at her with his eyes as he looked at her from head to foot. No, she wasn't ashamed of her body, especially not to Klaus. He had visited her numerous times during the night where she had only been wearing a chemise. And that revealed much more than just the typical undergarments of brassieres.

"Obviously not." She said, arching her eyebrows as she turned around again and took the dress of its hanger. "Did you come here to bid me goodbye once you have finally ended my life?" She joked, letting him know that she already knows. He stepped closer as she took a quick glance at him by the mirror, in which he only gave her a knowing smile.

"If you can really read my mind," He said. "Then I guess you know the real reason why I'm here?" He asked, his eyes shining bright. She then sighed as she faced him again.

"Do not worry," She said, putting the zipper down. "I'll be at my best to impress your new friends." She added, avoiding the real reason why he was here. He wished to have an intimate moment with her. No, not that kind of intimate. But he wanted a little affection, and Elizabeth knew that. Klaus stepped closer, this time, he was already a few inches closer to her, feeling his back onto hers.

"Well, for that I am grateful…" He whispered as he took her hair to the side of her shoulder and kissed her neck. She closed her eyes as she felt his soft lips grace down on her skin. His kiss ran up to the back of her ear as he finally put his arms around her waist. "I know that we can be the greatest enemies, but right now, I want to give you this." He whispered, as he took out a long velvet case from his tuxedo's breast pocket, and handed it to her. She took it from his hand and looked at it. She opened the case and saw a gold necklace with diamonds on it, glistening as it rested on the velvet case. As any woman would react, she was surprised, yet she maintained composure and looked at him.

"You think that with a piece of jewelry, you can actually buy my loyalty?" She asked, mocking him. But Klaus only gave her a thoughtful smile.

"No." He said. "But think of it as an early and a late apology gift." He then ran his hand on her cheek. "I want you to wear it tonight. Now, get dressed darling. The guests will soon arrive." He added, then kissed her cheek, smiled at her, then turned away. He began to walk out already as he left Elizabeth standing there just looking at the necklace that she had learned to admire. She gave a faint smile as she looked at her reflection again.

Knock… knock… knock…

The door creaked open and saw Mathilde's face. She looked at him with her piercing and impatient eyes as her hair was pulled back in an updo braid that was in style for maids. She was Elizabeth's loyal French maid and right-hand. And for a maid, she was indeed beautiful that if she dressed rather extravagantly, men would swoon to their feet for her – if that is. But she was not. And therefore, he had to be in command.

"Yes, monsieur?" She asked, opening the door not too widely, but wide enough to let him see her face.

"I'd like to see Elizabeth." He said. There, Mathilde's eyebrows rose as her eyes glistened.

"Ah," She said. "But my lord, Miss Rousseau does not want to take any guests for she is preparing for the ball later." Mathilde replied, matter-of-factly. Klaus cannot help but frown at this. Sure, Mathilde's loyalty was very exquisite and genuine, but he was a Lord for God's sake! She should obey him and not her original master.

"Well…" He said, rather calm and slowly as he looked down at his Italian shoes then looked back up at her again. "I'm going to ask you again" – he then compelled her – "Can you please let me in?" He asked, looking deep in her eyes, but she only blinked away.

Vervain, Klaus thought begrudgingly. Which means that she knows what they are, and how stupid can Elizabeth be for Mathilde can expose them? He scowled and glared at her, which she only raised her eyebrows in reply. "I apologize, my Lord, but I am only following orders." She said with her thick French accented voice.

"Then tell her that I am here right now, this instant!" His voice grew instantaneously, but Mathilde only shook her head in refusal as she was about to close the door, but before she can, Klaus already slipped his foot to block the door from closing.

"I am afraid, monsieur, that what you are asking for will only get me into trouble!" She said, and her voice grew impatiently as well. "I am only following orders, forgive me, s'il vous plait." Klaus continued to glare at her, clenching his fists. He'd kill her if he had a chance, but if he does, then Elizabeth will become her enemy – and he cannot afford that at all. So, he inhaled deeply, trying to reserve himself, and was about to take a step back until he heard something.

"Mathilde?" Elizabeth called her maid inside. "Where are my stockings?" Then, as she asked, Elizabeth came into view wearing a short chemise with a negligee to cover her. As she saw the Klaus was at the door, she gave him a warm smile. "Nik…" She breathed, and so Mathilde turned to face her master.

"Mademoiselle, he was insisting…" She said in panic. The well-reserved French maid was in panic that she might be in trouble. Surely, Klaus cannot help but give a lopsided smirk at this. Elizabeth gracefully raised a soft hand.

"It's alright Mathilde," She said softly. "Let your lordship in, and you may go."Mathilde gazed at her and nodded in defeat as she opened the door wide for Klaus as he stepped in. They waited to speak to each other until they heard the door close. "What made you drop by?" She asked, raising her eyebrows at him.

"I just thought that maybe I should see you before the whole scenario of men swooning on your feet once the party begins." Klaus said, smiling and she smiled back as he finished.

"And why would they be swooning on my feet when they know about our not-so distinct relationship?" She asked, raising an eyebrow now, and Klaus looked down then back up again, maintaining that smile.

"It's because nobody can ever deny your beauty," Klaus said proudly, admitting that fact and liking her smile afterwards. Elizabeth then stepped closer to him, and once they were only a few inches away, she laid a soft palm on his cheek.

"And you, my lord, would be deadly from jealousy…" She said and gave him a mocking laugh as she soon stepped away and turned around. "Now please, I shall be prepared." She said, turning her head to the side to look at him. Klaus looked up at the high ceiling and glared at it as he looked at her back again. He hated rejection, or close to that point. And so, he refuses to leave. He walked towards her and held her by the elbow, and twirled her around. Quickly, he pulled her to him and kissed her, feeling her soft lips grazing on his. Now that was more like it. She wasn't rejecting him, in fact, she was kissing him back. He knew that she knew what he wanted. He wanted to be with her before facing all those humans. And she was always like this, doing faux rejections towards him, because she knew he'd want her more.

That kiss had lasted for quite some time. A long time, really, and they can barely even breathe. But that was interrupted by a knock on the door. So they had stopped and looked at the door, still holding each other as Mathilde's head popped up. "I apologize for the interruption, but guests are starting to arrive, my lord." She said, looking at them with those piercing eyes, and so, Klaus looked at Elizabeth who was already looking at him.

"I shall see you downstairs." He mumbled idiotically as Elizabeth nodded idiotically as well. He gave her a kiss on the forehead then began to leave.

The dinner party was in full swing, and guests seem to be enjoying themselves, chitchatting with their friends as they hold and drink some of Klaus' best champagnes. Rebekah could not help but admit that this was definitely a blast. The music – which was classic jazz songs that Rebekah had chosen herself – sounds so relaxing. It definitely entertained everybody, she knew, just with those smiling and glinting eyes, they certainly were. And so, after entertaining guests on and on with little chats, she excused herself to have a glass of brandy. She should have something strong to get through this, although blood can be another option.

"A glass of brandy please," she said to the hired bartender, and sat on a stool nearby.

"The party is going well, don't you agree?" Someone said from behind her. So, she turned to see that it was only her brother, Elijah. She smirked as she raised her eyebrows.

"It had been a while since we've hosted one of these, hasn't it?" She said. Her eyes were shining bright. This is what she loved about New York. It reminded her of the good ole' days back in England during the Renaissance, where society had nothing but debaucheries every night. Elijah then gave her a nod.

"Now, about tonight…" Elijah said, but Rebekah quickly interrupted.

"Yes, and we shouldn't discuss it here." She replied in a hush tone as the waiter laid the glass down in front of her. "We've already agreed to it. There is nothing more to discuss." Elijah smiled and gave a nod as he looked down then back up at her again.

"Another glass of brandy please," He ordered to the bartender. Rebekah continued to look at her brother knowingly.

The elevator rang and slid its doors open. Damon stepped out and saw the people wearing fancy dresses and chitchatting with glasses of champagne in their hands. Damon quickly got their thoughts, full of their inner thoughts about the person they're talking to. Obviously, they're too full of themselves as they wear those faux smiles. Damon ignored and quickly blocked them out – a lesson he learned just last night, and it was awesome. Not only that, but he noticed that he was underdressed! He was undoubtedly noticeable as he wore his signature leather jacket over his gray shirt, with dark straight cut jeans, and leather shoes. He then shrugged after he gave his shoes a glance. Who cares anyway?

He hovered over a few people, glancing around to find the single person he wanted to see. And there, right by the wall-sized windows, engaged in a conversation with Tom, wearing a deep red bandage dress, he had found her and went straight to her. Once he was already standing there, and they shared knowing smiles, they suddenly heard a glass clinking loudly. Damon knew what that meant, and so he turned directly to the sound. Klaus was there, holding the champagne glass with a fork as he stopped clinking loudly, and gave his guests a knowing smile.

"Good evening," Klaus said, looking at his guests who were smiling in delight of tonight's success. He couldn't help but feel proud of himself for hosting great parties. "I want to thank you all for coming. I never thought that this night would be a success. And of course, I'd like to thank my dear friend, Miss Anne Clarke for helping me. I wouldn't have done it without her." Everyone then started to clap and he nodded as he went along. When it was starting to die down, he started speaking again. "I am so glad to be making new friends, and for welcoming me into the city together with my siblings." He raised his hand towards the direction of Rebekah, Kol and Elijah, who were standing together with a faint smile at him. Before he can speak, he heard the elevator rang, and soon, Stefan and Elena appeared, coming into a clear view. He gave them a look and continued. So, he then raised his glass, "to more success and alliances!" He happily declared and they all raised their glasses.

"Cheers!" Some of them said, and they all drank.

"Enjoy the party!" He said happily, and every one of them gladly obliged. He then made his way into the crowd. As he passed by, he received a few greetings, and such, but he only gave them a short glance and a knowing smile. Soon, he was already in front of Stefan and Elena. "I don't remember inviting my friends from Mystic Falls…" He said, in fake wonder. Elena rolled her eyes as Klaus gave them a smile.

"We're here for Damon." She said firmly. Klaus' smile grew.

"Oh," He said. "You're here to finally fetch him. I would certainly let you…"

"Thanks Klaus," Stefan said, in sarcasm. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to see my brother." He said, as they started to walk past him, and Klaus only managed a nod. Surely, he's in a delightful mood. Now, whatever they're planning to do, Klaus will be ready for it.

For now, he'll let them be.

"Goodbye! Have a nice night."

"Yes, thank you very much for coming."

After the last goodbyes were said and there were no signs of guests anymore, Elizabeth got herself a glass of champagne and walked towards the living room, where she had found Rebekah, Kol, Elijah, Klaus, Damon, Elena, Stefan and Tom gathered. She arched her eyebrows. "Is there something I ought to know?" She asked. Klaus smiled.

"No," He said. "But I ought to tell you how impressed I am with you." Elizabeth then frowned. "I must say that bringing Stefan and Elena here was brilliant. And for that, I congratulate you." He added, clapping his hands a few times. Elizabeth continued to frown. It was true that she had brought Elena and Stefan here for her own reasons, but she doesn't know what he was talking about.

"I don't think I understand what you're talking about." Elizabeth said, holding on to her glass with both of her hands.

"Oh don't act dumb!" Klaus hissed. "If you think that I did not know about your silly counter plan tonight then I must say that you really are dubious!" Elizabeth then let out a small snicker as she sipped on her glass.

"And if you thought that you can stand in front of me before today, thinking that I wouldn't know about your scheme with your siblings about assassinating me, then obviously, you're the one who's dubious!" Elizabeth declared as she made a few mocking tones but gave Klaus a deadly look. Klaus then stepped closer towards her.

"You are really out of your mind." Klaus hissed in a hushed tone yet he maintained a smile on his face. He and Elizabeth locked each other's deadly gaze for a few seconds before he spoke again. "Rotting in that old cemetery for years has truly gone into your head!" He said, turning away. "Your hate has driven you to the edge…"

"And you're putting me down because you are afraid that I might succeed." Elizabeth said sharply. "And I will…" Klaus chuckled, opening his arms wide.

"Then why aren't I dead yet?" He asked, mockingly. "If you think you're so brilliant, then I wouldn't make it to this day and I wouldn't have taken you to this city!" Elizabeth breathed deeply as she continued glaring at Klaus. "Clearly, your hate for me has given you purpose and that if I die, you will be useless and worthless as those silly humans!"

"That is not true!" Elizabeth let out a shout.

"Then what is?" He asked, looking at her questioningly. "Your love for me?" He mocked as he said the word with emphasis. He raised a questioning eyebrow at her and she only clenched her teeth, tightening her jaw. Before she can speak, the elevator rang, but most of them only ignored it for they were waiting for her reply.

"No…" She said. "That love had been overshadowed by hate. And if you think that I feel the same way as you do…"

"If I was wrong, then you wouldn't have accepted that necklace." Klaus interrupted. And so, Elizabeth grabbed the necklace that was resting on her throat.

"THEN YOU CAN HAVE IT BACK!" She shouted, throwing it at him. "If you so think that a necklace…."

"I think that is enough!" They heard someone say, and saw that it came from Esther who was already standing by the elevator with Finn behind her. Esther was wearing an emerald blouse under a leather jacket, dark jeans, and knee-high boots. Elizabeth parted her lips as she was interrupted.

"Mother?" Klaus whispered in surprise. Esher gave them a look as silence dawned within them. Soon, it was time. Kol and Finn went towards Klaus and held him. Klaus struggled to let go as he demanded, "What is this?"

"It took me a long time to finally do this…" Esther said in her silky accented voice. She walked away a little and gave Elizabeth a look. "And I have contemplated far too long in the other side."

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Rebekah asked, frowning. Esther turned to look at her, and then looked at Klaus.

"The champagne you had drunk tonight has bound your bloodline, even you Elizabeth," Esther said. "And therefore… If one goes, you all go…" She made her way towards Klaus who still struggled to break free, and she brought out something from her leather jacket's breast pocket, in which they soon discovered that it was a stake with silver vines on it. "I shall bring death to all vampires." Esther had said, and soon she began to raise the stake. Yet, Rebekah managed to give Elizabeth a look and quickly dodged towards Finn with a blow, and Klaus managed to break free from Kol who was soon knocked by Elijah. Quickly, he took the stake from his mother's hand and drove it to her heart. Elizabeth and Elena managed to gasp quietly in shock. She however, stared at Esther's body collapse and tears were on her eyes.

"Well brother…" Damon sighed as he put his hands in his leather jacket's pockets. They were standing on the sidewalk where Klaus' and Elizabeth's penthouse were – the Plaza Hotel. Somehow, they didn't seem to notice that it rained earlier tonight and the sidewalks were wet with puddles and mud. "Plan didn't really go as planned."

"I can't believe that they would kill their own mother…" Elena said, rather dazed as she stared at the streets of Manhattan. Stefan's arm was placed protectively around her, as she gulped and looked at Damon. "I just can't…" She breathed. Stefan and Damon remained silent as they realized it too. But they were vampires. Especially the fact that every one of them should know how to survive and Klaus knew that perfectly well that he'd kill his very own mother for it. It was messed up alright, and Damon couldn't help but hear Elena's thoughts and how she remembered the death of her own parents.

"That's how Klaus is…" Stefan breathed and Damon only nodded.

"I am positive that there's more where that came from," Damon said, looking up at the colossal buildings. "So you guys better brace yourselves." Elena and Stefan gave him a knowing look and he too looked at them then back at the buildings.

"This was more than we had expected." Tom said as he stared out the wall-sized windows of Elizabeth's living room in her and Klaus' penthouse. He finished his glass of scotch then glanced at Elizabeth who sat on the white leathered sofa, looking dazed.

"Certainly." She nodded, finally looking at him. She then decided to stand up as she let out a sigh. "It was more than we had expected. If Esther had gotten that stake through Nik's heart…"

"We can all be dead." Tom finished, giving a nod. She and Tom locked each other's gaze knowingly. Tom then sighed as he fully faced his body towards her. "Well… Now that this is over, I guess you won't need me anymore?" Elizabeth managed a smile as she rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Do not be silly, Tom." She said. "You're one of my closest friends and allies. I can never simply just throw you away." Tom smiled as she withdrew her hand.

"That is nice to know." He said, still smiling as he looked straight into her deep green eyes. "Then I shall bid you goodnight. Just call me if you need me…" Elizabeth then gave him a warm smile as Tom gave her shoulder a squeeze as he walked past her. He was already making his way towards the elevator and it rang before he can even reach it, which means someone just arrived. And Elizabeth watched him as he went.

The person who got out of the elevator was none other than Klaus, who gave Tom a look, and Tom however, gave him a nod as he left. Klaus then looked at Elizabeth as he walked towards her. "This is what you wanted then," He said, mocking her with those daunting eyes.

"If you meant about Esther's sudden appearance, I had nothing to do with it," Elizabeth said, her voice low and even but firm none the less. Klaus' siblings already flee from the city, afraid about what could have happened tonight, and as for Kol and Finn – they're afraid of Klaus' wrath. She had been afraid herself, but she had been dead for a hundred years that anger only overshadowed the fear.

"Don't lie to me!" Klaus hissed, stopping in front of her, glaring at her angrily. "You had brought my mother here to wish death upon me!"

"I DID NO SUCH THING!" Elizabeth said truthfully and defensively. Her eyes grew wild from all the anger. "If I did, then I had wished upon myself, and that'll only make me stupid! We both know for a fact that I am much clever and intelligent to have done such thing!" Klaus narrowed his eyes.

"Why should I believe you when you're one of my enemies who wished me death?" Klaus asked, still angry.

"It's because you know that I would have killed you myself, and I would not use Esther against you." Elizabeth replied firmly, looking dead in his eyes, letting him drown in her green ones. After a few moments with their locked gaze, Klaus finally heaved a sigh as he looked away.

"I cannot believe that my mother had betrayed me." He managed to say under his breath which sounded as if it was a whisper. When he turned away, Elizabeth still managed to look at him the same way, yet she cannot help but pity him – although she will never admit that to him nor to anyone else. No one would just understand it, she too, cannot. "She wanted me dead!" He exclaimed loudly as he looked up at the ceiling in frustration as his eyes landed on her face.

"And now you have killed her," She said. "Otherwise, we could have been dead." Klaus immediately went towards her.

"Now don't you see?" He asked, sounding as if he was already pleading, looking at her with those piercing hazel eyes. "We had been working against each other, when there are tons of enemies out there who wants to bring us down," He continued to exclaim, waving hand. "We should be working… together!" He said persuasively, and Elizabeth only looked at him, as she doesn't know what to think. Was this completely rubbish or completely accurate? Elizabeth did not know which was which, so she just stood there silently. Klaus then held her by her shoulders and squeezed them. If she was human, she would've already curled in pain, but she was not, and she only felt a mild squeeze. "Elizabeth, I know that we love and hate each other with equal measure, but with our alliance, we can go against all odds. We're the most powerful vampires in the entire world, and together, nothing can bring us down. Don't you see that? Don't you see how much power we have?" He breathed. Elizabeth only stared in his eyes. "Tomorrow, I shall leave. And if you want to come with me, we can conquer the world. Think, Elizabeth." He whispered, as he finally let go of her. He turned away then turned back at her again. He was looking at her questioningly, waiting for her to reply. But she didn't know! Part of her was saying, why she was putting up with this when she can finally finish him for good, and another part of her was saying that she should come with him – to conquer the world. How can she ever decide?

And after a few seconds of contemplating, she managed to open her mouth in which nothing came out. So, she closed it again, and looked at him as she gulped.

"I…"