Some things should better stay buried. But living so closely with three original vampires, means that no secrets ever stay hidden. All Elena could hope was that Marcel would not find out about her baby before they were able to find a solution.

With Elijah being gone, Klaus had hybrids come into town to serve as guardians.

When Elena awoke the next morning, she found a note and a dress by her closet.

"You deserve it. Be ready 2. – R"

Elena smiled. It was a beautiful summer dress, flowy enough to cover her little bump. Rebecca had said she would take care of it, and apparently, she did not want to waste any time.

When Elena made her way downstairs, she found Klaus standing in the foyer. He looked at her, analyzed her from head to toe, and then spoke: "I'm assuming you got a note as well."

"I did. Didn't say much though." He nodded. Elena noticed that he looked slightly nervous. His eyes were constantly wandering and she had to giggle.

"And why are we giggling, Miss Gilbert?"

"It's you. You're nervous."

"I don't like surprises. Or things I can't control."
"That much is obvious. We don't have to do this, if you don't feel comfortable." On the inside, she was hoping he wouldn't back out. Elena had been imaging a normal date with him, but she was sure nothing was close to the real thing.

"No, I'm okay. It's going to be fine."
"That's the thing a girl wants to hear." Elena shook her head in fake disappointment.

"No, that's not what I meant. I.. Oh god.."

Elena started laughing. Klaus looked at her, understanding.

"You're making fun of me."
"I guess I am." Elena grinned at him. However, Klaus changed tactics. Slowly, ever so slowly, he walked towards her. His face was serious and his eyes as intense as Elena could imagine. There was tension all of a sudden. The air was heating up and Elena couldn't take her eyes away from him. As he approached, he did not let go of her eyes. When he was close enough, he moved his hand slightly up her arm until he reached her shoulder. Elena shuddered. Klaus was still holding her gaze.

"Are you getting pleasure from my pain?" Klaus whispered.

Elena couldn't speak. She was looking at him with eyes so wide. Her breath went quicker.

His fingers were still moving up and down her arm.

She shook her head; wet her lips by licking them.

"Klaus..," was all she could say. The effect he had on her was palpable.

"Yes, Elena?"

"I.."

"What do you want?"

But she didn't bring out a word. She wanted him so badly right now; her hormones were flaring out of control. What was going on with her? Klaus had leaned forward and was now whispering in her ear.

"You need to tell me, love." Shockwaves went through her body; this feeling was overwhelming.

Elena wanted to speak, when the doorbell rang.

Klaus looked at her, clearly a little disappointed by the distraction. "Saved by the bell." He took a step back. Elena wanted him to come back, her body was already colder without his being close.

Yet, she took her real first breath. This situation. Klaus had awoken a million nerves in her. All she wanted was to stay inside. With him. His room. His bed.

She shook her head once again, trying to force out the thoughts.

"It's our ride, Miss Gilbert." Elena looked at him. He was standing by the door, talking to a man.

"Ready?" He asked, holding out his hand.

She nodded. Elena took his hand without hesitation. So many emotions running through her body.

There was a carriage outside her door. The man who had rang the doorbell was wearing an old-fashioned carriage driver's uniform. Elena was smiling already. This was Rebecca.

The driver wanted to open the carriage door, but Klaus intervened.

Still holding Elena's hand, he opened the door and with one swift motion, lifted her inside. Elegantly, he climbed up the one stair and sat down next to her.

It was a beautiful day for a ride.

"Excuse me, Sir." Klaus looked at the driver.

"I was told to give this to you." He handed Klaus an envelope. Opening it, he read:

"Enjoy this journey through the past. May you find new views and shared values. I love you both. – R" He smiled. Did he know what she was up to?

Elena looked at him, trying to analyze him.

"Do you know what is going on?" She asked him.

"I have an inkling. My sister has always been an open book to me."

"Care to fill me in?"
"I don't think so. I think you need to find out for yourself." With a smile, he told the driver to go.

And even though Elena knew what Rebecca was trying to do, she was cautious. Klaus seemed visibly relaxed by the words he had just read. There was no reason for Elena to believe that Rebecca would try to manipulate her, so she took a breath and relaxed.

The carriage's movement was steady and slow enough for Elena to get a view of all the beautiful streets New Orleans hat to offer. Here and there, Klaus told her a story about a building or a street from back when they first arrived.

It was wonderful. Elena could have listened to him all day. He spoke so carefree and did not hold anything back. There was passion and freedom in his voice.

When he pointed to a ship in the far, his eyes started shining. "This is our ship. It's an antique now, but it's the ship we came here on."

"It is? We must go see it. I would love to go there." The driver intervened.

"It is actually our first stop, ma'am. We will arrive shortly." Elena smiled brightly. Klaus couldn't help but smile back. When he lowered his hand, he put it on Elena's thigh. This situation gave him courage. Not that he needed any, he knew that Elena wanted him, but she needed to figure that out for herself.

Elena looked at his hand on her half-covered thigh, but didn't say anything. In the same movement as her looking back outside, she placed her hand on his hand. They had found a common ground. Elena enjoyed getting to know his past.

For a while, the two rode in silence, simply taking in all the breathtaking buildings and streets. The closer they came to the docks, the more excited Elena got.

The boat looked like a real antique. Sails as tall as buildings, the boat was as long as 12.

Once again, Klaus opened the door and held out his hand to help Elena out of the carriage. For an innocent bystander this was a romantic gesture. Yet, it was also to help Elena cover her dress more. They were in public and Klaus did not want to take any chances.

"Your sister has arranged a private tour. Nobody will disturb you, Sir. Whenever you're ready to depart, please open this envelope."

"Thank you." Klaus said and took the envelope and put it in his jacket.

Grinning, he took Elena's hand and walked towards the ship.

"Normally, we would have to ask permission to enter, but since this is technically our ship, I will allow you to come aboard."

"Thank you, Mister Mikaelson."

Klaus astounded Elena with the tour he gave her. The boat was even better on the inside. He told her all about the living quarters and how he and his family had helped build the ship. It had been his project alongside his brothers.

Elena was smiling the entire time. It was as if Klaus was entirely different person. There was no visible signs of stress on his face, no controlling the situation other than giving Elena the tour. She loved every moment of it.

Towards the end, Klaus seemed to drift off into his thoughts.

"Is everything alright?" Elena squeezed his hand a little tighter. She hadn't let go of it.

"Yes, love. I am simply remembering the past time. How much simpler things had been."

"How was it back then?"
"It's hard to explain. Obviously, Mikael was still trying to kill us, but the times were simpler. We didn't want to run anymore, so we came here. We built something, somewhat of a home. After our old one was torn from us. I wish you could have been there."

"I am here now." Klaus looked at the hands tying them together. He paused for a moment, closing his eyes.

"Elena, I need you to know. I will do whatever it takes to keep you alive."
"I know you will." She squeezed his hand once again.