A/N: just a reminder, Hailey does not exist in this fanfic, so Klaus is not a father.

CHVRN - Never Know

The Weeknd - Twenty Eight (Chopped Not Slopped by Slim K)

Six months later

KLAUS

For nearly a thousand years, my dreams have been plagued by the horrors of my transgressions… but nothing has ever compared to the agony of being ripped away from my dreams, only to realize the agony of my emptiness—the giant crater in my chest left by Elena Gilbert herself.

Leaving Mystic Falls was supposed to have freed me from never ending torture. It followed me all the way to New Orleans and has not left since. I still feel her… the touch of her lips against mine have left a permanent imprint on my soul. There have been many nights when I have had to resist the impulse to get in my car and gun it to Mystic Falls, full throttle. My only distractions have been dealing with the witches of the French quarter and Davina Claire.

I convinced Marcelle last month to move her out of that rundown attic. It simply was not fit for anyone to reside in. Davina is living under my roof now—well, the Mikaelson roof I should say, since my siblings live here, too. I think she's quite fond of me. Rebekah keeps saying that she's developed a silly little teenage crush on me, though I doubt it. I am much older than her and surely she would find someone more age appropriate.

Regardless, I am looking out for her and keeping her under my protection. Tonight I am hosting a winter ball and have invited several witch covens and wolf packs in hopes of establishing a peace treaty. Through a unanimous vote, my siblings and I have decided to keep Davina away from the festivities for her own protection. Though, she is fairly upset about it. I can't take any risks with her life. Something evil is headed this way, and the harvest witch is my wild card.

Klaus was about to finish his writing when someone entered his study.

"Klaus?"

He looked up and smiled as he closed his leather bound journal. "Davina."

"I'm sorry if I'm intruding."

"Not at all," he lied. "Come in."

She timidly sauntered toward the Hybrid and nervously brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear when he stood up. Being around Klaus always made her nervous—not because she feared him, but because she was attracted to him.

"Is there something you wanted to speak to me about?" he asked.

"When is Marcelle picking me up tonight?"

"Around six."

"Is there anything I can do to change your mind about letting me go to the party tonight?"

"I'm afraid not, sweetheart. Keeping you hidden from the other witches is for your own safety."

"But I'm the most powerful witch of New Orleans…"

"Your powers are unpredictable."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not in control of your powers, Davina… they're in control of you."

"That's not true, Klaus. What happened last week was an accident."

He shook his head. "We can't take any chances."

"I'm so sick of everyone trying to protect me when I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself!" She was about to leave when Klaus caught her arm in time.

"Why are you trying to pick a fight with me? You know that I am always on your side. Need I remind you who it was that convinced Marcelle to move you out of that attic?"

Tears misted her eyes as she stared at Klaus. "I just wish you had more faith in me"—a tear rolled down her cheek—"that's all."

A pang of guilt washed over the Hybrid as he watched the young harvest witch leave his study. He knew that her feelings were hurt by what he'd said. But Klaus was used to being the bad guy if it meant it was for the better good of the person he care for.

Davina brushed passed Elijah down the hall and avoided talking to him when he called out to her.

Shortly after, the Original entered his brother's study and asked him why Davina was so upset.

"She wants to attend tonight's ball," Klaus said.

"That cannot happen." Elijah frowned. "It would be extremely foolish on our part."

"I tried to explain that to her."

"She is young, Niklaus. She won't hold a grudge against you for this. Davina knows that we only have her best interest at heart."

Klaus paused at the window and looked out at the city. The sun was setting, and soon he would have to suit up and head downstairs to greet the guests.

~oOo~

Music was echoing inside the Mikaelson mansion as the party guests arrived in pairs and entered a set of double doors that led to a decorated banquet hall. The DJ faded the current track to something the Weeknd. It was slow and seductive, as a handful of couples gathered on the dancefloor. Everything was winter themed and beautiful. Many of the guests were impressed by the ice sculptures, falling snow, and acrobatic gymnasts that danced on blue silk from the ceiling.

Rebekah and Marcelle were socializing with some witches, while Elijah greeted a pack leader.

Klaus hung back by the bar and drank a glass of scotch when he was suddenly captivated by a beautiful woman who walked through the doors. His heart immediately dropped.

She was dressed in a strapless sparkling white gown… a vision of beauty, Klaus thought as he abandoned his barstool.

~oOo~

Her heart was beating a mile a minute as she tried to keep herself from melting into a puddle as her phantom lover approached her from a distance.

It's too late to turn around now…

Everything came rushing back to them, as memories of their turbulent relationship appeared before their eyes in flashes until he finally closed the distance between them.

Now you know… where I sleep

"Klaus…"

But before Elena could breathe another word, he took her face into his hands and kissed her. His kiss was urgently sensual, scorching her from the inside with his unrelenting passion. A crystal tear rolled down her cheek as she surrendered to the powerful wave of emotion that washed over her. No words were necessary in that moment. He was drinking her soul and she was resurrecting something that had died inside of him since their separation. Elena felt so faint when he finally withdrew and stared so intensely into her mahogany eyes.

"You're really here," Klaus whispered, brushing away her tears with a gentle thumb. "I thought I had imagined you."

Elena placed her hand on his and caressed his palm with her cheek. Time seemed to have stood still as she looked at him, unable to look away from his compelling haze.

"Tell me you're real," Klaus said.

A wistful smile touched her sensuous lips. "I'm real." Elena couldn't stop her tears from hazing her vision. There was so much she needed to get off her chest. "I know you weren't expecting me to—"

He pressed his index against her lips. "You don't have to explain. You don't have to say a damned thing to me, Elena"—he cupped her face—"just don't deprive me of your lips." He edged closer. "Not anymore."

She closed her eyes just as their mouths collided. His kiss made her shiver inside as he slipped his expert tongue inside. She wanted to freeze this moment forever. She felt as if she belonged to him.

The Mikaelson siblings noticed their brother locking lips with Elena. Rebekah was more surprised than Elijah. Up above on the balcony, stood a beautiful young Harvest witch who was watching the man she was in love with kissing another woman. Davina was so filled with jealousy that all she could do was cry. She felt as if Klaus had reached inside her chest and ripped out her heart. Unable to spectate the heartbreaking scene any longer, she tore herself away from the railing and ran down a long corridor in tears.

~oOo~

ELENA

I never thought it was possible to fall in love with the same person all over again. But right there, under the falling snow, all I could feel was the vibration of his soul caressing my wounded heart. With my head on his shoulder, I danced in his arms and allowed myself to feel everything I had resisted for over a year. He was the most powerful immortal… I was merely a human… yet he was unquestionably in love with me. I could see it every time I stared into his eyes. I needed him. I wanted him. I had come to New Orleans with a clear purpose. Our separation had been so unbearable. I often wondered if he suffered as much as I did.