AN - I am sooo sorry. I truly thought that this would be done two weeks ago but I have been so busy that it took far longer than I would have liked. I hope the length of this chapter makes up for it.

Enjoy x

Fixing Mistakes

Chapter 16 - A Fairytale Ball

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?" Caroline called out warily, hoping that it was not Klaus. She had been ignoring his repeated attempts to talk to her since last night. She was determined that she wouldn't speak to him until she had vervain in her system.

"It is Elijah."

Caroline stood up and opened the door. She breathed a sigh of relief that it was only Elijah that stood before her. She stepped aside to let him enter.

Elijah walked inside and sat on the chaise lounge that was situated against the wall. He waited for Caroline to join him before speaking, "I hope this morning finds you well, Caroline." He smiled apologetically at her, "I apologize for Niklaus's abhorrent actions last night."

"It's nothing that I shouldn't have expected from him." Caroline shrugged her shoulders, "I do think the apology should come from Niklaus though, and not you. Though I do appreciate the effort."

Elijah nodded, silently agreeing with Caroline. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jar full of herbs, "The vervain you asked for." He held onto the jar for a moment and asked, "Are you truly sure that you wish to subject yourself to the pain of consuming vervain?"

Caroline smiled and covered Elijah's free hand with her own, "I appreciate the concern, Elijah, I really do." She released his hand and held hers out for the jar. Once Elijah placed it in her hand she told him, "Back in the future, once you and your family came to town and we learned that you could compel us, my friends and I started to take vervain." She huffed a laugh, "I am used to the burn."

"I take it that you were not friendly with my family the first time we met in your future." Elijah was curious about his and his siblings future. Once he guessed that Caroline was from the future he wanted to learn more from her, especially concerning himself and Katerina.

Caroline laughed out loud, "No, I was not." The smile stayed on her lips, amusement colouring her tone as she explained, "The short answer is that my friends and I were trying to stop Klaus, as he was trying to kill all of us, and your motives were constantly changing that we never quite knew which side you were on. Some of us trusted you to do the right thing and some of us didn't."

"So..." Elijah tilted his head and studied Caroline intently as he asked, "Did you find me trustworthy?"

"I was on the fence." Caroline answered honestly before smiling as she recalled, "Then you saved my life. You had a warlock protect us after you made a deal with one of my friends. I was being tortured by a pack of werewolves and my friends were being overwhelmed trying to save me. Then your warlock saved us all." She grinned at Elijah, "Out of all your siblings you were the one we trusted most, you were moral and had a sense of honour."

"I am pleased you did not think me completely monstrous." Elijah replied. It made him feel out of sorts that Caroline had a history with him that was troubling.

"It doesn't matter what I felt then, I didn't know you." Caroline smiled at Elijah, her eyes filled with sisterly love for him, "Now I do. You are my brother and I love you."

Elijah returned Caroline's smile, "I love you too, dear sister." He gave her a brief hug, "I have missed you dearly in the centuries apart." Pulling away he added, "I also have some other news."

"What is it?" Caroline asked.

"The witch I sent for has arrived." Elijah answered, a smile in his voice, "You can finally walk in the Sun."

"Finally!" Caroline enthused gratefully. She eyed the closed drapes with longing, "I miss sunlight."

Elijah stood and held out his hand to Caroline, "Then we shall fix that."

"One moment." Caroline opened the lid of the jar, braced herself for the pain and pulled out a pinch of vervain. She hissed as it touched her skin, she placed it in her mouth and swallowed it. She coughed, squeezing her eyes shut tight as she waited for it to pass down her throat. It was like swallowing acid and fire at the same time as it burned all the way down.

Elijah winced in sympathy as he watched Caroline consume the poison which protected her from compulsion. He would never know what it was like to have to take such extremes measures as he and his siblings could not compel each other. The only thing that could possibly force him to do things against his will was witchcraft.

Replacing the lid on the jar Caroline hid it in a drawer in her bureau. She walked over to Elijah and slid her arm through the crook of his elbow, "Lead the way."

Elijah opened the door to his study and led Caroline over to where his witch sat waiting patiently, "Dawn? I would like to introduce you to my sister-in-law Caroline."

If the knowledge that one of the Original's was married fazed her Dawn didn't show it. She smiled at Caroline, "It's nice to meet you, Caroline."

Caroline smiled back in greeting.

"Caroline needs a daylight ring." Elijah told Dawn why he needed her.

Caroline placed her hand on Elijah's chest, "Could you give me a moment alone with her, please."

"Of course." Elijah smiled at first Caroline and then Dawn before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Before Dawn could say a word Caroline interrupted, "Can you cast the privacy spell please?"

"Yes." Dawn went in her satchel and pulled out a bundle of sage. She lit it and placed it on the table between them, "We now have total privacy for the duration the sage burns." She smirked at Caroline, "Now what did you want to ask me that you don't want a castle full of vampires overhearing?"

Caroline couldn't help but grin, she liked this Dawn as she seemed to speak her mind like Caroline does. She took a moment to gather herself before asking Dawn, "What would happen if, say an object like a ring, was spelled twice with the daylight spell?" She stared at her intently as she stressed, "Would it still work? Or would the second spell, if performed by a different witch, cancel out the first spell and make the ring useless."

"That is a very specific question." Dawn mused, buying herself time to answer.

"It is." Caroline agreed. It was also a question she desperately needed answering, what would happen if her ring was spelled now and five hundred years in the future, "And I really need to know the answer."

Dawn thought over her answer for a moment before replying, "I do not know for sure as it has never been done before." Her brow creased, "Magic can be unpredictable at the best of times. Two similar spells performed by two different lines of witches could have consequences unknown. It may stop working or may work in unexpected ways."

Caroline dropped her head and sighed, "I thought as much."

"That was not the answer you were hoping for." Dawn guessed.

"No, it was not." Caroline replied. She was glad that she had found out before she had her ring spelled as there could be consequences in the future. She creased her brow as a thought came to her, just how did Stefan come to be in the possession of my ring in the first place? As she now knew the ring dates back to the 1000s just how did Stefan have it a thousand years later. That was a mystery that would remain unsolved. There is a new timeline now and she would receive her ring differently. Or at least she assumes she will, if events in the future maintain a similar path as before.

"Do you still wish me to cast the daylight spell?" Dawn asked, unsure what Caroline wanted her to do now that she had answered her question.

"Yes," Caroline smiled, "just not on my wedding ring."

Dawn didn't comment on why Caroline thought her ring could possibly be spelled twice all she did was nod her head and ask, "Then what would you wish me to enchant instead?"

"Did you bring anything with you?" Caroline asked, she had no jewellery with her in this time besides her ring.

"I brought a few things." Dawn reached in her satchel and pulled out a selection of rings, bracelets and necklaces. Catching the surprised look on Caroline's face she explained, "Elijah asked me here to perform a spell, he didn't specify whether he already had an object to enchant." She gestured at the jewellery, "So I brought a few things."

Caroline smiled at Dawn gratefully, "I'm glad that you did." She perused the selection before her. She instantly dismissed the necklaces, not wanting to be forced to wear the same one everyday. A few rings caught her eye, she could wear one of them on her right hand. Then a simple charm bracelet stood out, it was a solid silver band with alternate lapis hearts and half moons with a black stone in it. She pointed at the charm, "What stones are used in this one?"

Dawn picked up the bracelet, she pointed to the heart with the blue stone in it, "This is lapis lazuli - which I suspect you already know channels the power that grants the wearer the ability to walk in the Sun." She pointed to the half moon, "This one is kyanite. A rare stone linked with the power of the wolf." She frowned in confusion, "I do not know why I had this one made, it called out to me I suppose."

"I'll have it." Caroline smiled as she studied the charm bracelet, she loved the complimenting colours of the black and blue, the silver making it stand out even more.

Dawn put the bracelet to one side and cleared away the rest of the jewellery back into her bag. She walked to the window and opened the drapes slightly to bathe the bracelet in sunlight. She placed the bracelet on the window sill, closed her eyes and began channeling her power.

Caroline could feel the electrical charge in the air which came from the use of magic. The first time she saw Bonnie do this she was still too young of a vampire to recognize the change in the air and the static on her skin. As a human it would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, as a vampire it made your senses come alive and be alert to every change in the air. The electricity in the air popped, the static flaring for a moment before disappearing, leaving only the hum of magic on Caroline's skin.

"Done." Dawn announced, passing the new daylight bracelet to Caroline.

Caroline took the bracelet and attached it to her wrist. She walked to the drape covered window, took a deep breath bracing for the pain and opened the curtains.

Nothing.

Caroline released her breath and opened her eyes. She couldn't help the tears that shone in her eyes as the warm glow of sunlight touched her skin for the first time in a week. It was bliss, utter soul cleansing bliss. For a vampire she was such a child of the Sun, she hated to think what would have become of her if Stefan hadn't offered to mentor her and convinced Bonnie to make her a daylight ring. She turned her head to look at Dawn, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome." Dawn smiled and began packing away the rest of her things. Finished, she faced Caroline and asked, "Was there anything else that you required of me?"

"No, nothing else." Caroline walked Dawn out of the study and down the stairs to the door. She thanked her again as she said goodbye, lingering in the open doorway a little longer just to soak up the rays of the Sun. She had been sorely lacking in Vitamin D.

"You always looked beautiful in the sunlight." Klaus confessed as he made his presence known. He moved until he was stood right behind her, watching the golden rays making Caroline's blonde locks shine even brighter.

Caroline's back stiffened as she heard Klaus's voice. She was still angry and hurt over his actions and didn't feel the urge to speak to him. So she ignored him and continued looking out the open doorway to the sea of grass and flowers before her.

Klaus smirked as Caroline continued to ignore him as she had been doing all night. His beautiful, strong and stubborn wife. Unconcerned with the 'back off' vibes she was giving off he moved even closer. His chest was mere inches from her back, his warm breath ruffled the hair at the base of her neck causing her to shiver, his smirk grew even wider. His fingers itched with the urge to touch but he restrained himself for now. Lowering his head so that his lips barely brushed her ear he seductively whispered, "Not that you aren't radiant in the moonlight, Caroline."

Caroline gritted her teeth at her body's betrayal. As Klaus's warm breath, silky voice and soft lips brushed her ear - her breath hitched, her nipples hardened and her womb clenched with need. Damn Klaus and his sexy voice. With his accent he could probably read her the phonebook and she would still want to jump his bones.

Triumph glowed in Klaus's eyes. He had Caroline right where he wanted her, teetering on the edge of desire, just one more push and she would cave. She would fall into his arms and he would claim her body over and over until she forgave him. Just one more...

"The witch is finally done?" Rebekah called out as she came down the staircase.

Rebekah's voice poured cold water on the inferno of Caroline's desire. She immediately flashed away from Klaus to meet Rebekah at the bottom of the staircase, "Yes. Yes, she is. Why do you ask?"

Rebekah looped her arm around Caroline's and marched her toward the door, "Because we are going shopping."

"Do you not have enough pretty things, Bekah?" Klaus grumbled as his plan to make his wife forgive him lay in the dust ruined by his own sister.

Rebekah sniffed, "I require something new as does Caroline."

"Why is that?" Klaus asked, sure that he was not going to like the answer especially as he noticed the devious looks cross the face of his wife and sister.

"My dearest sister has no clothes of her own of course." Rebekah replied as she headed toward the door, just before leaving she turned her head and smirked, "We also need a dress for the ball I'm hosting in two weeks."

Klaus was right, he didn't like what Rebekah had to say. To make him even angrier than he was, before he could forbid her from throwing a ball in his house she ran off with Caroline.

Klaus growled before storming off to find someone to eat.

Caroline and Rebekah entered the dressmakers. They had been away from the castle for a few hours and in that time Rebekah had organized the food and drink, the flowers, the invitations and now it was time for their dresses.

Rebekah marched up to the counter, "I wish to speak with Ingrid at once."

The young brunette girl behind the counter, Lyla, curtsied for Rebekah, "I will be but a moment, Lady Mikaelson." She hurried through the back to fetch Ingrid.

Caroline grinned at Rebekah, "Lady Mikaelson?"

"We are treated as royalty in these times, Caroline. You should get used to being addressed as Lady Mikaelson as you are the wife of Nik." Rebekah replied haughtily. She enjoyed the superiority and privilege of being royalty, not that her family were actual royals especially given their humble beginnings but in the supernatural world they were. They were the first family of vampires, the Original family, so they were royalty and therefore they were treated as such.

Caroline couldn't help but chuckle at seeing some of the attitude that the future Rebekah she was frenemies with possessed. She could now understand why Rebekah had an entitled attitude when they first met, she was used to getting her own way before Klaus daggered her. She couldn't really blame her, even as humans her older brothers indulged her whims, so it's no surprise that as vampires they did the same thing, the only difference being that they now had the advantage of compulsion.

Lyla came back into the room with Ingrid, both of them curtsied before Rebekah and Caroline. Ingrid had pale, almost white skin, which contrasted with her black hair that was tied in a braid. Her face maintained a youthful quality, high cheekbones, sparkling blue eyes and a soft full mouth. She was beautiful, the fairytale character Snow White was very apt for how she looked.

"Ingrid!" Rebekah smiled at Ingrid, "I would like to introduce you to my sister-in-law Caroline Mikaelson."

"Lady Mikaelson," Ingrid curtsied as she greeted Caroline, her voice heavy with an accent which sounded Russian, "It is an honour." A pleasant smile on her face she asked, "Which fine man from the Mikaelson's is your husband? And when was the wedding?" She glanced at Rebekah, "I heard of no wedding. You did not come here for dress, da?"

"The wedding was," Rebekah shared an amused smile with Caroline, "a long time ago, feels like it was centuries ago." She chuckled at that as it was the truth, "Caroline has been with my youngest brother Henrik whom you have not seen. He has been with illness and as our mother is long dead Caroline offered to nurse him back to health."

"Such kindness toward your new family." Ingrid smiled in awe, "You must have a helpful spirit." She raised her eyebrows as she repeated, "Though you still have not told me the name of your husband."

"Niklaus." Caroline replied, her heart aching at the thought of her husband. No matter how much what he'd done hurt she still missed him.

The reaction was instant. Ingrid's posture grew stiff and the smile slipped from her face. Klaus had a fearsome reputation and was known as someone whom you do not trifle with. He was a cold and ruthless man, his bride must be the same in order to catch such a man like him. She nodded at Caroline, "Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Mikaelson."

"Thanks." Caroline replied confused, she didn't understand Ingrid's sudden change in attitude, one moment she was friendly and the next cold and aloof. It must have been mentioning Klaus, she knew how fearsome his reputation had been back in Mystic Falls and he had been reclusive back then, she could only imagine how feared he was now when he was in the open.

"What do you require of me?" Ingrid asked Rebekah, wanting her and Caroline to leave her store as soon as possible. She was scared of Klaus and did not want to do anything that would anger him.

"I need you to make a dress for myself and Caroline within the next two weeks." Rebekah lips curled with amusement as Ingrid's face paled, making her even whiter than she already was if that were possible.

"That is a short time." Ingrid worried, could she finish two handmade gowns, with embellishments no doubt, within two weeks. As she was dealing with Rebekah Mikaelson she would have to, there is no other choice than to make them beautiful dresses.

"Are you not up to the task, Ingrid?" Rebekah asked, glaring at Ingrid as she sneered, "If so, then I must find myself another seamstress." She inspected her nails as she dismissed her, "That will not take long as there are plenty of others."

"Nyet! That will not be necessary." Ingrid backpedaled immediately. She couldn't lose Rebekah's business, whenever she was seen in a dress that she had made people inundated her with requests.

Rebekah smirked, "Shall we begin?"

"Da!" Ingrid turned to Lyla and hissed, "Get my things out of the back."

Lyla nodded and went into the back to retrieve Ingrid's things. She came back out and placed them on the countertop. Knowing what Ingrid needed she picked up a pencil and paper, and handed them to her.

Ingrid took the item from Lyla. Pencil at the ready she asked, "What would you like your gown to be like?"

Rebekah immediately began describing in great detail everything she wanted on her dress and what she didn't. In the centuries she had been on this Earth she has had hundreds of dresses made, so she knew what worked for her and what didn't.

Now it was Caroline's turn. She had dreamt since she was a little girl of being the 'Belle' of the ball, the beautiful princess that everybody wanted to be. Unfortunately, growing up in Mystic Falls that had always been Elena, she was the beautiful and pure Snow White while Caroline was the cast aside Cinderella waiting and hoping for her Prince Charming to show up. Only once had she ever felt like Belle, when Klaus had sent her a to-die-for dress and a gorgeous bracelet, when she entered his mansion for the first time and felt his eyes on her she felt like the most beautiful girl there. The way Klaus couldn't keep his eyes off her and followed her around all night made her feel so wonderful, and yet at the same time afraid, scared of Klaus and the way he made her feel.

Caroline wanted to feel that way again. She told Ingrid what she wanted.

Klaus was going to be speechless.

2 weeks later

Caroline was applying the finishing touches to her make up. Looking in the mirror she couldn't believe the reflection staring back at her. She looked like a princess, and she felt like she was in a fairytale. She couldn't wait until Klaus saw her, these past two weeks had been one of the hardest as she continued to ignore Klaus's attempts to reconcile as she and Rebekah had agreed that he needed to see how every man would fall on their knees to worship her at the ball. He needed to see that there were scores of men whom would gladly take his place in her affections, not that they would, Caroline was eternally in love with Klaus and no man would ever be enough for her besides him. He was her everything, he just needed to learn that compelling her would not and never will be acceptable to her.

Looking over herself in the mirror with a critical eye Caroline made sure she looked perfect before finally deciding that she was. Smoothing down her dress she took a deep breath before heading toward the door.

It's showtime.

Klaus was stood with Elijah and Kol as they conversed with the Duke of somewhere or other, he neither cared nor wanted to know the location. He was anxious for Caroline to make her grand entrance. The vindictive smirk Rebekah constantly wore clued him in that he would not enjoy the evening, not that he'd been happy in the last fortnight either. Caroline's continued distance was driving him crazy, he needed her back in his arms and his bed. He knows what he did was wrong, he should never have compelled Caroline, he should have waited for her to tell him when she was ready. He was sorry, but Caroline was so busy with Rebekah and ignoring him that he never had the chance to tell her. Surely two weeks of silence between them was punishment enough, let this ball be the end of it.

Caroline waited at the top of the stairs for her name to be called by Elijah. She had to be introduced to society, in a similar way to how the contestants at the Miss Mystic Pageant were called out, except this time there would be no partner waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. She was nervous and anxious, she couldn't wait to see Klaus's reaction to her dress, but at the same time she wanted to drive him crazy with jealousy and want.

"Are you ready, Caroline?" Elijah asked, he could see how nervous Caroline was.

Caroline took a calming breath and squared her shoulders, "I'm ready."

Elijah placed his hand on Caroline's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly before walking to the top of the staircase and called out, "Ladies and gentlemen." Once he had the rooms attention he continued, "It is my utmost pleasure to introduce you to my sister-in-law, the beautiful and kind, Caroline Mikaelson."

A round of shocked applause started.

Caroline appeared on the top of the stairs, gasps of awe were heard from the crowd, her nervous eyes searched out the members of her family. Kol was wolf whistling at her a large grin on his face. Rebekah had a pleased and proud smile on her face at the reaction to Caroline. Klaus was...he was staring at her as if she was the moon and stars in the sky. His gaze darkened with desire as he took her in. Her confidence sky rocketed at his heatened stare. She smiled big, her eyes sparkling and descended down the staircase.

She was a princess, a gloriously magnificent Queen, her every step was elegant and regal as she glided down the stairs. Klaus was in awe, his breath caught at how truly beautiful Caroline was, her dress accentuating her every curve. His eyes were fixed on her, she was the only thing he could see.

Caroline's hair was straight one side, pinned the other side with curls tumbling down and just brushing her collarbone. Her dress was blue; the same shade she wore to a different ball hosted by the Original's, she wanted that connection to Klaus, even if she was the only one who knew. It was low cut, the material pushing up her breasts. The bodice was completely encrusted with diamonds, swirls of emeralds and sapphires dotted about, a heart shaped ruby between the material at her breasts. The bodice served as a corset as well so it hugged her waist and the skirt flared over her hips, the small train at the back following behind her and moved like silk. She was definitely the belle of the ball.

Klaus moved before he even thought about it, drawn toward Caroline like a moth to a flame. He reached the steps just as Caroline reached the bottom. He could feel the admiring stares she was receiving, he want to growl at each and every one of them that she was his. He held the urge just barely and held out his arm for Caroline to take.

Caroline hesitated for a moment before threading her arm through Klaus's, she had missed touching him and relished the feel of his strong arm holding her so gently. He looked so handsome in his tailored tuxedo, his hair slicked back the same as it was at their first ball.

Klaus never stopped gazing at Caroline, "You look stunning, Mrs Mikaelson."

Caroline could not help but smile, "Thank you." She shot a look at Klaus, a mischievous smirk on her lips, "Though you need to get me at least a drink before I compliment you, Mr Mikaelson."

The smile that lit up Klaus's face was nothing short of gorgeous. He raised Caroline's hand to his lips and brushed a warm kiss on the back of her hand. He flicked his eyes up and smirked, "As the beautiful lady commands, I shall obey."

Caroline watched Klaus walk away to get them drinks. Her heart filled with warmth as she recalled the look of awe on his face as he saw her. All she wanted was to be with Klaus for the rest of the night but that was not in her and Rebekah's plan, they wanted him to get jealous and he couldn't do that by hanging off her arm all night.

Speaking of jealousy here comes Caroline's first admirer.

A man with dirty blonde hair, green eyes, and a ruggedly handsome face approached Caroline. He bowed in front of her before standing tall and piercing her with his eyes, "Lady Mikaelson, it is an honour to make your acquaintance." He smiled pleasantly, "I am Duke Michael Cornelius Winter-Berry of Kent."

"It is nice to meet you." Caroline curtsied in front of the Duke, Rebekah didn't specify how to greet people at the ball so she took a guess, "Though your name is quiet a mouthful." She smiled playfully, not realising that she was actually flirting with him, "Which name do you prefer to be called? Or am I supposed to use all?"

"Duke Michael will suffice." The Duke smiled back, he was already charmed by Caroline, her beauty, her accent and her smile caused a sparkle in his eye, "You have an accent, Lady Mikaelson, where do you hail from?"

Shit! Have they discovered America yet? Caroline tried to recall past history lessons at school while keeping the smile on her face. She knew they broke away from the British in 1776, and she thinks Columbus discovered America sometime in the 1400s. Clearing her throat to cover the pause she replied, "I am from the New World."

Duke Michael raised his eyebrows in surprise, "What a very new world that is indeed." He studied Caroline with interest, "Much still to discover."

"There is." Caroline answered vaguely, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Could I have the honour of a dance?" Duke Michael asked, holding his hand out for Caroline to take.

"You may." Caroline took Duke Michael's hand and followed him to the dancefloor. Thank god for the Miss Mystic pageant as she was well versed in this times dancing. She stood across from him and waited for the music to start.

Klaus returned with the drinks to where he had left Caroline and found her to not be there. Before he could start to worry he looked around for her and almost crushed the champagne flutes in his hand as he spotted her dancing with another man. Jealousy immediately flared in his veins, he could see the light in the man's eyes as he gazed at his wife with lust.

A growl built in Klaus's throat as the (dead) man smiled at Caroline. Their hands were held up in front of them, the smallest of space separating them as they circled one another, changing their hands on each turn, their eyes locked together as they danced. Klaus hated it, he hated the way the man never stopped smiling, he hated the way his gaze strayed from her eyes to leer at her cleavage, but above all he absolutely loathed the way Caroline smiled back, eyes sparkling and teeth gleaming as she laughed.

Klaus glared menacingly at the soon to be dead, unworthy of Caroline, small man whom dared to touch what was his.

Caroline could feel Klaus's eyes on her the moment he returned. She felt the anger, jealousy and rage in the heat of his stare. She wasn't ashamed to admit that she smiled a little more widely and laughed a lot more flirtily at the Duke's lame jokes. She knew that she was playing with his life, that Klaus could at any moment sweep in and end his life but she didn't care. She wouldn't let him get that far, of course, she would stop him before he hurt him.

There's nothing wrong with playing with Klaus's buttons for a little longer.

Klaus was on the verge of going over there and ripping the morons arms out of their sockets to beat him to death with. How dare he presume to touch his Caroline without his permission, which he of course wouldn't have given. Caroline was his in every single way.

"Enjoying yourself, Nik?"

Rebekah's snide voice reached Klaus's ears. He turned his angry glare on his smirking sister, "No! And you know that I am not." He returned his gaze to Caroline and her dance partner, his voice turning cold with jealousy as he sneered, "Who is the that fool dancing with my wife?"

Rebekah smirked at the clear jealousy on Klaus's face and in his voice, "I believe he is the Duke of Kent. His name is Michael, I think."

Michael... Just hearing that the man had the same name as his father riled Klaus up even more. The thought of a man like Mikael anywhere near his wife made his fangs itch with the need to sink into his flesh and suck him dry of all his so called 'royal' blood.

Rebekah placed her hand on Klaus's arm, "Worry not, brother, for it is only a dance." Her voice was tinged with laughter, "You shall have your turn soon enough." She left him then to find her own dance partner. As she thought, tonight was going to be gloriously entertaining for herself, she would bet good money that Klaus ended the night by either, killing one of the various males that Caroline danced with, or he would just grab Caroline and whisk her away to their bedroom.

Caroline curtsied as the dance ended, "Thank you, Duke Michael, for the nice dance."

Duke Michael bowed, "The dance was indeed lovely, my lady." He took Caroline's hand in his and brought it to his mouth, "The pleasure of your company however, was exquisite." He placed his lips on her hand and let them linger for far longer than was appropriate.

Just as Caroline grew uncomfortable with the Duke's too long hand kiss and was about to pull her hand from his, a dark menacing voice was heard that made her heart jump with love and her breath catch with fear for the poor human.

Klaus was here.

Klaus had been watching Caroline and Michael intently as their song neared its conclusion. He was extremely anxious for Caroline to be back by his side, watching another man flirt and dance with her had been torture for him.

Klaus clenched his teeth as he saw the adoring way Michael looked at Caroline, not that he could truly blame him for that as his wife had that affect on people, she had his heart the night they met, it just took his head a little longer to accept that fact. His hands balled into a fist as the Duke kissed her hand. A growl left his lips as he still lingered there. As he noticed Caroline's unease he stormed over.

"Get your filthy lips off my wife before I rip you to shreds." Klaus growled, his voice dark and menacing.

Duke Micheal straightened, his back ramrod straight and a sneer on his face, "Is that the way to speak in front of a lady?" He narrowed his gaze and gave Klaus a snooty look, "Have you no decorum?"

"Have you no self preservation?" Klaus leant forward and allowed the veins around his eyes to ripple, the urge to rip into the Duke's throat almost overwhelming, he could almost taste the warm blood within him, "Especially when a predator threatens you."

A decidedly unmanly squeak left Duke Michael's lips, pure terror in his eyes as he shook with fear at the monster before him. He dropped Caroline's hand immediately and all but ran from the room, his heart almost beating out of his chest.

Caroline watched in amusement as the Duke fled as if the devil himself was chasing him, which he wasn't because Klaus was stood beside her smirking proudly at the fact he made a snooty mortal run for his life. She raised her brow as she asked, "Was that really necessary?" The infliction was lost at the smile that grew on her face.

Klaus smirked wider, "You enjoyed it." He stepped closer to Caroline and handed her the champagne flute. With his now free hand he placed it possessively around her waist, his nose falling to the base of her throat where he breathed in the scent he could only class as Caroline.

Caroline softly giggled as Klaus's nose tickled against her neck. She raised the flute to her mouth and took a long sip. With her other hand she raised it to the back of Klaus's head and began running her fingernails across the back of his head. She grinned at the purr of contentment he let out, he was like a cat, burrowing into her as she scratched his scalp.

Klaus moaned low in his throat as Caroline's nails ran through his hair, her ministrations causing his manhood to jump to attention. He was starved for her, his body aching at being denied the pleasure of her tantalizing curves. He wanted, no, he needed to be buried inside her warmth, he needed to feel home again and the only place he had ever felt at home was inside of his wife, full to the hilt and surrounding by her wetness, her breathless moans, her delectable body and her alluring scent.

Klaus's moan reverberated from his chest to Caroline's, the vibrations sparking her womanhood to life. She missed making love with Klaus, she missed the way he clutched her to him as he ground into her, she craved the way his eyes pierced hers as their gazes locked and their hands entwined, she wanted to feel his desperate kiss as he rocked frantically into her pussy just before he came. She wanted and needed him inside of her, loving her and claiming her as thoroughly as he always does.

They were so lost in each other that they didn't realize they were basically dancing, scandalizing close to one another, not a breath of space between them, the lustful vibes pouring from them.

Rebekah pouted in annoyance as she spotted Klaus and Caroline wrapped around each other basically foreplaying on the dancefloor. The plan was for Caroline to dance with every male here to make Klaus mad with jealousy, not just one handsy fool and then paw at each other like love slaved children.

"What has you so vexed, sister?" Kol commentated as he noticed the sour expression on Rebekah's face.

"Caroline and Nik." Rebekah glared at the unaware of everything but themselves couple.

Kol chuckled, "And why is that?" He eyed Klaus and Caroline in the middle of the ballroom, they had no clue of the judging and jealous eyes transfixed on them, "I know they can be quite nauseating to look at but that does not explain your ire."

"Caroline and I had a plan." Rebekah replied, frowning as Caroline and Klaus seemed to be even closer than she last saw them, "She would dance with all but Nik, making him jealous and punishing him for his behaviour toward her."

Kol burst into laughter, he could not help it as the idiocy of their plan tickled him. Every time he caught Rebekah's angry face he burst into laughter anew. It was obvious that was a plan that was doomed to fail.

Rebekah crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the laughing Kol, "What is so amusing, Kol?"

"Surely you jest?" Kol chuckled, even more amused that Rebekah did not realize the fault in her plan, "To try and keep Nik away from Caroline as other men ogle her? You have a better chance of father appearing and declaring that it was all a misunderstanding and he wishes peace."

Rebekah clenched her jaw. It angered her even more that she could understand what Kol was saying and she annoyingly could agree with him. She still refused to voice that opinion out loud, no need to give Kol a bigger head than he already had. Damn him for being so observant.

Kol grinned, "You know that I am right." His voice smug as he knew that Rebekah agreed with him, she was just too stubborn to admit that she was wrong, "It is Nik and Caroline, Bekah." He became wistful for the past as he recalled their human days, "Do you not recall their time as humans?"

"Of course I do." Rebekah remembered everything. Klaus's interest the moment he met Caroline, his confusion over her and Tatia, the moment he let go of her he became lighter and embraced Caroline, their unparalleled happiness as they fell even deeper in love, their engagement and wedding. But she was even more aware of what occurred after Caroline and Henrik disappeared. How Klaus changed from the most loving, loyal, wonderful brother she could hope for, into the cold, cruel and unfeeling monster she had been forced to endure living with for centuries.

Kol was very perceptive and he could sense where Rebekah's thoughts had lead her. Not that he doesn't also hate Klaus for daggering him and his siblings over the years because he does, but he could see what his emotional sister could not always distinguish in their brother. Change. The moment Klaus was reunited with Caroline again it was as if his heart and emotions had awakened. Not that he had turned into his weaker human self, he had not, because he was still cruel to those whom crossed him but he was slowly turning back into the brother he loved. He was starting to meld Niklaus and Klaus, without changing who he really is.

"Why does it matter whether I recall their human days?" Rebekah prompted as Kol remained silent for a few minutes.

"Simply because they are meant to be." Kol chuckled, that was the simple and yet overwhelmingly complicated answer. He cocked his head to the side and smirked, "They were inseparable as humans, did you truly believe that as vampires they would be anything less?"

Rebekah smiled sadly, "As you well know, Kol, I am still naive to the way love works." She squeezed her eyes in pain as she recalled Alexander, "The man I thought I loved and whom I believed loved me betrayed us all." Her eyes filled with jealousy as she gazed enviously at Klaus and Caroline, "All I want is to have a love like theirs." She smiled tearily, "To have a man willing to wait centuries for me. To have but a taste of the love and happiness they share. I want true love!"

For once Kol set aside his joking ways to comfort his sister, "Your time will come, Rebekah." His put his arm around her and drew her to his body to hold her, "Once you find a man worthy of your heart." He used his thumb to brush a stray tear from her eye, "Then you will be as sickeningly happy as Nik and Caroline are."

Rebekah smiled tearily, "Thank you, Kol." She curled her arms around Kol and held him tightly. They may not always show it but they truly did care for one another.

Kol returned Rebekah's hug, a pleased smile on his face for easing her pain. No matter the difficulties in his family, whether he hated them or loved them, he would always be there for them. That is what family is after all.

"I'm sorry." Klaus breathed out, his nose buried in Caroline's hair.

"What was that?" Caroline asked, unsure of what Klaus said as his voice was muffled by her hair.

Klaus pulled back just enough to look into Caroline's eyes, "I am sorry that I compelled you. I know that..." He looked away and swallowed before admitting quietly, "...it was wrong. That I was wrong."

"Thank you!" Caroline replied smiling, her heart swelling with warmth that Klaus had actually apologized, that he knew what he did was wrong and he admitted it to her. She was full of pride for him as the Klaus she knew in the future would never admit to being in the wrong.

Klaus returned Caroline's smile, his hand coming up to cup her cheek stroking it softly with his thumb, "Am I forgiven, Caroline Mikaelson?" He lowered his head to rest against hers, "Or is two weeks without you not punishment enough?"

"All I wanted was your apology." Caroline replied, before smirking mischievously as she confessed, "Though I was supposed to torture you a little longer by dancing with every man here."

Klaus growled, "And now?" His fingers dug into Caroline's hip possessively as he pulled her closer to him, "Do you still wish to do that?"

Caroline laughed, "I really don't want you to kill every man here, so no." She pushed her body against Klaus's, her hands coming up to rest against his chest, scratching her nails against him, "I don't want to be without you, Klaus." She danced her fingers up his chest to curl in the hair at the base of his neck.

Klaus ran his nose along Caroline's neck breathing in her scent. He clutched her to him as he purred, "Mine!" He ran his fang along her neck and lapped up the beads of blood, "All mine."

Caroline gasped as Klaus licked up her blood in a room full of people. Her womanhood throbbed with need for him, she had been denying herself his touch for the last fortnight and she was a tightly coiled spring of repressed need. She ran her hand down his chest to cup the bulge in his pants, both of them groaning at the contact. She wanted him.

Klaus slid his fingers down the straps of Caroline's dress to palm her breasts over the material of her dress, his dick growing harder as his need for her increased. The ball was most definitely over for the two of them.

Caroline leant into Klaus's touch and moaned in his ear, "Klaus..." Unable to resist she nipped his ear with her teeth, and soothed the sting with her mouth, sucking and nibbling his lobe.

"Caroline..." Klaus groaned as Caroline nibbled on his ear. His cock was so hard it was painful, he was not going to wait another minute to be buried inside his love where he belonged.

"Hm?" Caroline moaned in reply. She was kissing her way across Klaus's jawline, lost in the feel of him beneath her lips and the scent of him surrounding her.

Klaus took hold of the back of Caroline's neck and he pulled her to his lips. He took her bottom lip between his and sucked it into his mouth where he ran his tongue along it before dipping it into her mouth. Her moaned and held her tighter as her taste exploded on his tongue.

Caroline whimpered as their tongues battled together in first her mouth before she followed his retreating tongue into his own mouth. She tasted every inch of his mouth as her hands ran across his clothed chest, a frustrated groan escaping as she was disappointed that her hands weren't against his bare skin.

Klaus indulged in Caroline's kisses before ripping his mouth away from hers. Her lips were red and swollen, just begging for him to swoop back in and devour them. He held off the impulse, just barely, and smirked at her, "The ball is over for us, my love."

Caroline smiled seductively back at Klaus, her eyes heavy lidded with want, "What are you waiting for, Mr Mikaelson?" She licked her lips sensually, moaning at the lingering taste of him, "An invitation?" Her smile turned into a naughty smirk as her voice turned low and her eyes filled with lust, "Take me to bed and ravish me, Niklaus."

"Caroline..." Klaus growled, his eyes turning almost black with desire. He took Caroline's hand in his and brought it up to his lips where he brushed a kiss against her pulse point, "It would be my absolute pleasure, my beautiful wife, to spend all night worshipping your delectable body."

Caroline grinned mischievously, "Come and get me, big boy!" She kissed Klaus briefly before winking and running through the crowded ballroom and flashing away.

Klaus grinned after Caroline's escaping form, love shining bright in his eyes. God I love you... he thought before he chased after her. Anticipation running through his veins as he followed her alluring scent, the sound of her giggles alerting him to her presence in their bedroom. He opened the door and his breath caught.

Caroline was stretched out on their bed, her dress already discarded, a come hither expression on her face. She crooked her finger in a 'come here' gesture, "You found me."

Klaus kicked the door shut behind him, "Always." He stalked toward Caroline, shedding clothes as he neared the bed not wanting to waste time disrobing when he could be skin on skin with his girl.

Caroline bit her lip as she watched Klaus strip, each new reveal of skin making her breath catch. She clenched her thighs together to try and relieve some of the ache in her core.

Klaus's gaze never left Caroline's as he slid up her body, groaning as his cock settled between her thighs, brushing against her wet lips.

Caroline moaned at the feel of Klaus brushing against her womanhood. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled his head toward her, his lips swallowing her cry as he slammed into her pussy, her channel clenching tight on his invasion.

Klaus dug his fingernails into Caroline's hips as he adjusted to her tightness before thrusting in again, and again, and again, setting a hard and fast rhythm as he pounded into her.

Caroline ripped Klaus's back with her nails, the smell of blood in the air making her pussy clench with need. Her kisses becoming desperate the nearer she became to orgasm, her thighs drawing him in tight.

Klaus thrusts were erratic, one hand holding Caroline's thigh around his waist, the other buried in her hair as he pounded deep inside of her. He ripped his mouth away from her mouth, growled deep in his throat, and just as he rammed his cock deep into her womb he sunk his fangs deep into her jugular as he came.

Caroline's pussy went into spasm around Klaus's cock, her body arching off the bed, her hand flying to the back of Klaus's head to keep him at her neck, orgasm rocking her through her as she threw her head back and screamed, "KLAUS!"

Elijah coughed wildly, having just taken a sip of his drink when Caroline's scream echoed in his ears. His cheeks turned pink with embarrassment at overhearing them.

Rebekah's eyes widened as she heard Caroline's scream. If she could hear her in a noisy ballroom then that cry must have been loud. Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the thought of Caroline and Klaus having sex, EW!

Kol laughed out loud as he also heard Caroline's scream. That must be one hell of a orgasm Klaus had given her to produce a scream that loud. He noticed the pinkish hue to Elijah's cheeks and the disgust on Rebekah's face, and he could not help but continue laughing.

Rebekah glared at Kol from across the room and hissed under her breath, "Oh shut it, Kol."

"Do behave, Kol." Elijah chastened Kol, still embarrassed from what he heard.

Kol grinned back at his siblings unashamedly, "Never." He eyed an eye catching brunette to his left and licked his lips before winking, "In fact, I do believe they've given me an idea." He followed after the woman intending for her to be in his bed very soon.

As another cry reached Rebekah's sensitive ears she sprinted to the musicians and hissed, "Play louder!" Her eyes locked with Elijah's as she mumbled, "Definitely one of the disadvantages of vampirism."

No matter how mortified Elijah was he couldn't help but chuckle at his sisters very true statement.

Back in the bedroom the louder music was finally noticed by the occupants in the room.

Klaus smirked, so very smug at having made Caroline scream so loud that his siblings obviously heard it.

Caroline tried to glare at Klaus but as their eyes locked her lips twitched into a smile and she couldn't help but chuckle. Thank god no one else at the ball could overhear them.

"The spell failed." A voice spoke harshly in the darkness, "It did not send her far enough away. They were reunited again and their bond is almost complete."

"Their souls are strong if they are still pulled together through space and time." A second voice spoke, cold and unemotional.

"Find the tie that strings and destroy it." The first voice hissed, "There will be no third chance, child." Then it disappeared.

"Do not fail us again." The darkness warned, "Not if you wish to ever see your sister and niece again." Then it too left.

The candles in the room roared to life and illuminated the lone form of a woman stood in a tomb. A fierce look of determination crossed her features, "I will bring you back, Jane-Anne. Both you and Monique."

Head held high and purpose in her steps Sophie Deveraux left the graveyard intent on destroying Klaus and Caroline's bond.

It was the only way to get her family back.

TBC

AN - Wow! That really went different then I had imagined, but better I think. I hope you all enjoyed it! And I very much hope this makes up for the way too long wait. The darkness is revealed - Sophie! - well one part of it anyway ;-) All shall be explained soon.

Thank you all so much for your reviews, and follows, and favourites, all mean so much to me and I treasure your input. Until next time X X X

Russian translations

Da - Yes

Nyet - No