Chapter 4

Klaus shook his head, "Brother…what is it…" Klaus said growling at Elijah's inopportune timing.

"Marcel is waiting in the foyer…" Elijah said shortly.

"Really…" Klaus said as he smirked at his brother's discontent. "We don't want to keep the little king waiting…"

"Niklaus…" Elijah warned his impetuous brother.

"Don't worry old man all is well. " Klaus said as he patted his brothers' shoulders.

Elijah nodded and followed his brother down the stairs to meet his protégé.

Klaus walked down the stairs and planted his infamous smirk on his face. "Marcel to what do I owe this honor?"

"Niklaus…I'm here on official business I'm afraid..." Marcel said smiling slightly.

"Indeed…" Klaus said.

"Yes…I have come to invite you and all of your guests to the ball this weekend. " Marcel said as he handed Klaus an engraved invitation.

Klaus laughed. He gave his brother the envelope and smirked. "She is organized…isn't she?"

"Yes." Marcel said gleaming at his sire. "In truth it was scheduled for later this month but after my insistence in honoring you and your family…my lovely bride made arrangements…what can I say it was pure magic…"

"We would be delighted, Marcel." Elijah said cordially. "Do you need us to bring anything?"

"No, not that I am aware of but you are welcome to ask her yourself." Marcel said to Elijah as his smile became a bit deeper when his glance moved towards Klaus.

Elijah nodded.

Klaus kept a silent demeanor. " Can I offer you a drink?"

"No, another time. I have a prior engagement." Marcel said as he smiled and walked out of the door.

Klaus waited for Marcel to be out of hearing range before he began. "Ball indeed…" He walked over to the bar and poured Elijah and himself a drink.

Elijah grabbed his drink and sat down on the nearest couch. He placed the opened invitation on the coffee table.

Cordially invited to the annual

Gerald Masquerade Ball in

The Quarter.

Sponsoring the

Restoration of the French Quarter.

"Restoration of the French Quarter indeed. " Klaus finished his drink and refilled it.

"Mrs. Gerald definitely has a sense of humor." Elijah said as he took a sip of his drink.

"Mrs. Gerald…" Klaus clenched his teeth almost spitting out every syllable.

Elijah looked at his brother puzzled at the source of his anger. "Niklaus why didn't you mention everything that was promised?"

Klaus huffed. "Why give our little sister hope if it can't be done?"

Elijah nodded. "Agreed." He knew keeping this from Rebekah was wrong but he wasn't entirely sure Caroline could deliver. "Mr. Salvatore would you like a drink?" Elijah said as he saw Stefan walking down the stairs.

"Sure, thank you." Stefan said. He grabbed the drink and took a sip.

"I hope you brought your dancing shoes, mate. " Klaus snickered.

"Why?" Stefan asked.

Elijah handed Stefan the invitation. Stefan smiled. "Leave it to Care to organize a ball so quickly. "

"A ball? Who's having a ball?" Rebekah said as she flashed down the stairs.

Stefan handed her the invitation. Rebekah rolled her eyes. "I certainly hope this one is better than the ones she organized in Mystic Falls."

"Bekah…" Stefan said softly as Klaus gave her a drink. "Alright, fine Stef. I'll be good."

Elijah gave an approving nod towards Stefan.

"When is this shindig?" Rebekah said as she took a drink of the scotch.

"According to invitation this Friday." Elijah said. He wrinkled his nose when he saw Rebekah almost choke.

"What? That means I only have two days until I can get a dress. Stefan! Come we have to go shopping. " She said as she dragged him out of the living room.

Stefan finished his drink and placed it on the coffee table smiling as he looked at his frantic girlfriend.

"Poor lad." Elijah said as he saw them leave the plantation in earnest.

Klaus grinned. He placed the empty glass on the coffee table and started to walk away. He stopped for a moment. "Elijah do you have anyway to get in contact with the other witch, Sophie Deveraux?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Get in contact with her. See if they can really reunite us with our brother."

"Where will you be?"

"I have to look up an old friend…" Klaus said smirking brightly.

"Niklaus…"

"Don't worry all will be well brother." Klaus said as he flashed out of the plantation.

Rebekah dragged Stefan to every dress shop in the quarter. They walked for what seemed like hours until they reached the last boutique in town. Stefan was thanking the gods for that.

"Rebekah I am going to go call Damon I'll be right outside. " Stefan said hoping she'd release him from his temporary prison.

"Sure…" She said blowing him a kiss as she took another dress to try on.

Stefan smiled as he walked out of the boutique. He pulled out his phone to dial Damon when he heard the voice of an old friend calling him.

"Stefan Salvatore!"

Stefan looked across the street and saw a pair of the most beautiful blue eye. "Caroline!" He walked towards where she was standing surrounded by a dozen shopping bags.

"Stefan." She placed her bags on the ground and jumped on her beloved friend.

Stefan held her tight nearly swinging her around with glee. She hugged him as tight as she could. "Caroline you're crushing me…"

Caroline laughed and released him hesitantly. She stepped back and gave him a loving shove. " You big tease…what are you doing here?"

"I'm here visiting. I heard there was a gorgeous blond vampire in New Orleans. I couldn't resist." Stefan said as he reached for her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "I had to see you. How are you? "

"Good. A few things have changed." She said rolling her eyes. "But I'm so happy to see you. How long are you in town? You must stay for the masquerade ball this Friday. "

Stefan smiled. He listened to Caroline rant and felt nostalgic for a time when things were different, simple, or at least when he knew what his friend was thinking. "I am actually staying with the originals. "

"Really? " Caroline raised an eyebrow. "How did that happened?"

"I…was vacationing in Europe and ran into Rebekah. We've been together since. What about you? Why would you come to New Orleans? And I heard you're married? What's up with that?"

" Yeh …that's a long story. But if you're going to be in town for a while I'd love it if we could get together. Maybe have a few drinks?"

"Don't have any set plans." Stefan said smiling.

Caroline smiled. She looked in the eyes of her old friend and she felt like she was home.

"Caroline is everything okay with you?" Stefan began to say but stopped when he saw Caroline's expression changed.

"Rebekah…" Caroline said smiling politely.

"Caroline long time no see. What the hell are you doing in Louisiana?" Rebekah said smirking.

Caroline smiled. "I live here now. You?" She narrowed her eyes slightly concentrating on the flashes inside of Rebekah' s head. She didn't trusted her all she saw were the events that transpired in Mystic Falls so many years ago.

"Visiting. May stay for a while." Rebekah looked at Stefan for a second. "We haven't decided. Stefan smiled.

"Well. I hope you do stay for a while. Did you receive the invite for the ball?"

"Your husband invited all of us. Stefan is going to be my plus one." Rebekah said grinning at the baby vampire.

"Of course. Well I am delighted that all of you are coming. Please give my regards to all of your family. And Stefan…" She said giving his shoulder a soft squeeze. "Call me so we can get together."

Stefan smiled. "Of course."

"Rebekah a pleasure as always." Caroline smiled and walked away taking her endless packages with her.

"Call her…what the hell is that about?" Rebekah said as she crossed her hand over her chest.

Stefan shook his head. "Rebekah Mikaelson you know the only one that makes my blood boil over is you. " He grabbed her close and crushed her lips making her moan instantly. She uncrossed her arms and held him close kissing him back with the same fervor.

Caroline walked down the street as fast as she possible could without being detected. Memories of her past life were flooding her senses. She fought back the tears that were trying to break through. She had to hide them away. She had to suppress them for as long as she could. Damn it Caroline get a grip. You called the originals over to help you thats it. They are a means to an end. As soon as this was over so the memories too would fade. Hold on Caroline. You must for your daughter. Caroline closed her eyes and her sweet little face appeared. She took a deep breath as a single tear fell down her face. She walked to the town square and sat on a metal bench. She closed her eyes as she remembered her daughter.

"Mama…mama…catch me…"

Caroline heard a soft giggle as she opened her eyes. "Nine…ten…I'm gonna find you…" Caroline said as she used her vampire hearing to listen to her heart beating. Caroline walked towards the meadow of wild flowers. She heard a gentle wind sway her daughter's white sundress back and forth. Caroline walked quietly behind the oak tree she was hiding in. Caroline covered her daughter's eyes and laughed at the squeal her daughter let out. Her daughter turned her head and started to giggle.

"Mama…mama…" Her daughter's long curly light ashburn hair flew in the wind. She wrapped her hands around her mother's neck. Caroline lifted her up and twirled her around.

"Mama's got you…" Caroline smiled. She leaned in and kissed her daughter's forehead. Her daughter leaned in and put her forehead next to her mama's. Caroline closed her eyes holding her daughter tight.

"Hello, love…"

Caroline opened her eyes wiping the stray tear away from her face. "Klaus."

"What's wrong, love?" Klaus said softly as he saw her eyes glistened with the moisture left by the stray tear. He kneeled down in front of Caroline looking at how her expression soften with his proximity.

Caroline gave him her best Miss Mystic smile and leaned back. " Nothing just feeling a little nostalgic. "

"Really." Klaus said smirking.

Caroline resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Yes. I just ran into Stefan. "

"Ah, yes…" Klaus said as he looked away.

"It looks like he and Rebekah are quite an item." Klaus said as he raised his eyebrow a bit.

"Yes. How do you feel about that?" Caroline said as she smirked into his crystal clear blue eyes.

Klaus snickered. "Haven't decided yet. What do you think?"

"Well, I know Stefan. He's a good man he'll treat her right. Rebekah on the other hand, I don't know. " Caroline said sternly.

Klaus bit his bottom lip. " Rebekah can be a bit impetuous but they do have a history together. "

Caroline rolled her eyes. "History."

"Yes, but I've seen her when he's with her. She's different. She's happy." Klaus said struggling with his words.

"At least one original is…" Caroline closed her eyes already regretting her words the second she finished her sentence.

" Well we are immortal. " Klaus said grinning. "You have to adjust your perception of time, Caroline."

Caroline laughed. She leaned in smiling at the history of his words. His eyes sparkled as he gazed into the glimpse of momentary happiness that Caroline allowed herself to have. He had to be close to her. He had to touch her. Feel her. He placed his hand on her lap. Her face froze mid laugh. She bit her lip looking into his eyes. She tried to suppress the heat she felt radiating from his hand. She knew she should have moved his hand but she wanted to feel him again. She needed to. Her body craved it. She bit her bottom lip. "Does that line actually work, Mr. Mikaelson?" She said smirking at the beautiful hybrid in front of her.

"I used that particular line on a certain young and very beautiful vampire some years ago. " He raised an eyebrow grinning at the beautiful vampire in front of him.

"Really. Did she fall for the line?" Caroline said biting her lip.

"No… but if you at first you don't succeed…try and try again…"

Caroline's eyes watched as a piece of a leaf circled over Klaus' head. Caroline

reached over and grabbed the debris out of his hair.

Klaus' eyes gave a flicker of gold. "Caroline…"

Caroline swallowed hard. She saw the gold hues in his eyes. "There was something in your hair…" She said breathlessly. He looked down for a second and saw the green speck. He raised his head closing the distance between them. She let out a soft breath. His lips were inches away form hers. Her heart started beating faster and faster. He licked his scarlet lips as he reached over to touch hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation.

Buzz…buzz…buzz…

She let out a sigh. Her phone was ringing. She looked at the scowl on his face as lowered his head. She cleared her throat as she looked at the caller id.

"Marcel…"