The room was full of light. Torches hung on every wall, candles lit around the ball room. Voices spoke on top of one another. Drinks splashed on the floor every time they were collided in the meaning of celebration, or when they where thrust upward to salute. Couldn't tell who was wearing the most makeup, the men or the women? For the most party people were wearing gold, green or even white. The king stuck out like a swore thumb with his clothes in all black with gold decorations and trimming here and there. The queen chose more of a subtle look, but she looked washed out. Pale skin in a white dress. The king seemed bored with the even thrown in his honor. The only life came to his eyes when he witnessed another sore thumb.

The young woman had begged her friend, Bonnie to make the dress to flatter her, but she never thought she would choose the color of scarlet. She was going to stick out, and that was not who the woman was. Bonnie insisted the color would look better on the woman than a gold dress or a green one. Red was Elena's color even if she wanted to blend in at the ball. Only reason why she was invited because her father was the king's doctor. Her father could not attend, but he still believed the Gilbert family should be at the ball. Elena would be attending with her younger brother who would be wearing a gold and brown outfit. If only Bonnie could attend, then maybe she wouldn't feel like she was sticking out, but she was too busy with her duties as a seamstress.

When Elena noticed the king looking at her, her face broke out red. She should have just worn one of her older gowns. Like the green and gold one she wore to the wedding between the king and queen. That was years ago though, back when she was still just a girl. Her face began to rival her dress when her brown doe eyes watched the king walking towards her. There was no escape, her brother was busy talking with a tall blonde man Elena recognized from the kingdom. It wasn't like she could leave without her brother. He would be left worried and her parents would be furious she did such a thing.

When the king was only a few steps from the woman, she curtsied to king. He bowed in return before he began to speak.

"You look familiar. Who are you?" The king questioned the young woman.

"Grayson Gilbert's daughter." She introduced herself by her father. "My name is Elena."

"Grayson's daughter? Where is the old man? I haven't seen him for days now."

"With my aunt, she is expecting her child tonight." Elena explained to the king as she continued to look at the floor. Rumors were that the king hated to be looked directly into the eyes, and she was not trying to get her father fired.

The king looked to the ground to see what the young woman was finding so interesting, but found the floor was just the same old floor. "You know the floor is just a floor, it won't open up." That got the woman to laugh. "What a beautiful laugh. Why don't you lift your head up." Slowly, the woman lifted her head up to look at the king. The sight of her gorgeous eyes nearly left him breathless. "You have the most gorgeous eyes I have ever had the pleasure looking into."

"Thank you, my king." She fumbled with the four simple words.

"No, thank you, Miss. Gilbert." The king spoke to her. When music began to play, he held his hand out to the young woman. "Join me in a dance."

"Shouldn't you dance with the queen?" No one ever questioned the king, and he liked it.

"Yes, but I am the king. I get to break the rules." That comment of his not only earned him a laugh from the the beautiful girl, but also a small. Her small hand slid into his to accept the dance.

Not the best dancer, Elena chose to follow the king's lead. Managed to spin without tripping over her own two feet. The king was an excellent dancer compared to the young woman.

"You are a spectacular dancer, my king." Elena commented on his dancing skills.

"Thank you, but please, call me Niklaus."

…

"I still haven't told Klaus. He hasn't figured it out either. We have been in the same house together for a week, and still hasn't caught on. Damon said that I was rejecting blood just like I was at first. It helped explain the constant morning sickness. I got a really good question for which ever idiot named it morning sickness. Morning sickness, eh? Try every single time Damon smells like bourbon sickness, or every time Elijah opens the bloody fridge and I get a whiff of whatever human food they have in the fridge sickness. Fucking Celeste! I love my baby already, but morning sickness versus sex dream with Klaus? Dreams would certainly win. Honestly…I just wish Mom was here. She would know what to do with this stuff…"

"Elena!" Klaus's calm voice sent chills down my back. Lately, he has been in rage mode. Between whatever Marcel was doing to piss him off then he seemed constantly worried about me. To hear his voice so calm, it was terrifying. "Can you come down here for a moment?" Now, asking instead of demanding? That was truly terrifying. What is next? Knocking before he enters a room?

I closed my journal and hid it in the drawer that had a lock on it. I know a lock wouldn't stop Klaus, but it was the best line of defense. I left the bedroom that Elijah gave me. It was in between his room and the room Damon was staying in. Klaus threw a fit when he didn't get his way. He wanted me to stay close to his room or using his words "If you don't like any of those rooms, you can always stay in my room." Fat chance. Last thing I needed was to be staying in a room with Klaus while I sort everything out. While descending from the second floor, my eyes spotted Klaus waiting patiently by the first step. He was up to something. In no world was Klaus Mikaelson calm and patient without having something up his sleeve.

"Elena, there you are. I have a surprise for you in the living room." Klaus had this grin on his lips that would give the Cheshire Cat a run for his money.

"What is it?" I asked cautiously while I followed behind him towards the room. What I saw, I already didn't like. Men and women, about four of each lined up in a row. Reminded me of homecoming with Rebekah. "What is this?" My question was asked again with a new word.

"I thought since you were having trouble keeping down blood bags, these ones might help you." He said. "Each a different blood type, give you some variety. They have been compelled to not feel any pain, and I will make sure they are healed and sent home."

The look on my face should have said it all for him, but he wasn't even looking at me. "I don't want these humans. I want you send them home, now!" I demanded from him. It was a nice gesture, but he should have known I don't like hurting innocent people. Making them lose time in their lives. It is not what I am about.

"You are going to starve if you don't have real blood in you." Klaus's true self was popping up once again. "Just pick one."

"No!" I exclaimed. "I don't want to."

"You rather starve than just drink some human blood from the tap. You are so daft."

"I am not going to starve!"

"You are! You throw up every single day, multiple times. Your body is rejecting the blood bags."

"What is with all the yelling?" Thank god…well thank Damon. Damon strolled into the room with Original Barbie on his heels. "What is with the humans?"

"Klaus compelled them so I would feed on them." I summed up the events for Damon. "He doesn't want me to starve."

"You aren't starving you…" Damon caught himself up when he caught the look in my eyes. "Your body just needs some time to process the blood bags."

"Let her starve, then the bitch witch can die." Rebekah chimed in, as she plopped down on the couch across from the humans.

This was my life now. Listening to the Mikaelson siblings tell me what is best for me. When two didn't know of my situation and the other one was off trying to do something to help. Sometimes I think telling them would be a lot easier than hiding it. But when I see the interaction of the Mikaelson family, I worry. Rebekah, said she loves family, but would be the first one to dagger Klaus if she was stronger than him. Klaus had done exactly that to at least of all of his siblings, killed his father and mother (rightfully so), but he has done so much killing. That was the father of my unborn child.

There several different scenarios that I could see happening if I told him. Lose his shit, tell me to abort the baby because it was a weakness. Be angry at me for not telling him sooner and then act like a complete ass during the all pregnancy. Be happy, but then act like I am a piece of glass that could break at any moment.

Then there was the hopeless romantic idea, that was still carved into my brain because of those damn feelings I had for him. That he would be thrilled, change his ways for the sake of our child. Become the man I would love for him to be…but that is a fairy tale. Klaus never will or want to change. That is the scariest part of it. That when he discovers, nothing will change.

"Eat one of them soon, I have to get ready." Klaus's plans perked her up.

"Where are we going?" Damon asked.

"Not we. Rebekah and I are going to attend our enemy's masquerade party. You are to babysit Elena while we are out." Klaus had a punch in the face coming, but I was too tired to deliver it and pretty sure Damon was tired of getting his ass kicked.

"Elena is a big girl. I am bored here, I got things I would like to do." Damon stated before turning his head to me. "You don't care that enjoy the night life tonight?"

"Go ahead. I will just be hanging my hair out the window waiting for my knight in shining armor." I answered while taking a sarcastic jab at Klaus. "Get rid of the humans. I am going to my room to take a nap." I turned my back on Klaus, and dashed back up to my room.

The locking of my door was basically a stay out sign, a don't bother me. I had no interest in being pestered to drain a human or to talk about what was really going on. Didn't want Rebekah barging in like she owned the damn place…okay, she did, but I still needed my privacy away from all of them. I should just go home. Carry out my pregnancy there and just keep it from Klaus until eighteen years when my son or daughter want to meet their daddy. Oh god, I am going to end up on the wrong end of a hybrid meltdown. I really need a nap to get that thought out of my mind.

…

It was dark out when I opened my eyes. Didn't ear anyone moving around the house. Which meant Elijah was still trying to find a way to sever my tie to Sophie. Rebekah and Klaus were out, and Damon went to enjoy some New Orleans's nightlife. Alone and utterly bored. I just ended up rolling on to my side to find a black box next to me with a red note card on top. My left hand reached out for the card, as I sat up in my bed. My other hand reached out to turn on the bedside lamp to read the writing.

"We didn't get to properly meet. Come tonight. -M

P.S. Wear what is inside the box."

M for Marcel? My best guest. I placed the note to the side to open up the box. On top of red material laid a gold and black lace mask with two black silk ribbons to tie it together. Then the red material was just covering the beautiful dress underneath. The main dress was strapless black A-Line style gown, but on top was a high neckline sleeveless lace part that that went all the way down. Would take a while to get ready, but I was going to that party. I needed to get out of this house. Rolled right out of the bed and went right to take a shower. The party started at eight, but it was only eight thirty now. Could still be fashionably late. Just had to hurry up. After the shower, I went right to work on my make-up and hair.

Just drying my hair took longer than the make-up. Decided after blow drying my hair, to get my dress on. Got the dress on before I circled back to the bathroom to curl and style my hair. Took my bouncing curls, wrapped them neatly into a side bun, but the pinning of my hair to keep it in place was difficult. Once the pinning was finally done, I put on my mask. If I do say so myself, I look beautiful. Getting to the event wasn't that hard. Stole one of Klaus's private car with a driver, cards and got a driving company to come pick me up. Only problem, I needed some shoes since Marcel didn't include those. Thank who ever for Rebekah and her own shoe closet. Shoe closet?! I have one closet at home and it could fit multiple times in Rebekah's shoe closet. Running out of time, I grab just a pair of black pumps, gave me some height, but the dress still was brushing against the floor. Now, I was ready to have some fun tonight. Ready right on time as well; the car service had sent me a text to let me know they were there.

On my way out of the house, I left my phone behind since I didn't have anywhere to put it and this way I wouldn't be tempted to look at it while at the party. I closed the front door behind me before rushing out to the car to give the driver the address.

…

A compound in the center of the city? Never seen anything like it before, and I didn't understand why Klaus was working so hard to get it. I know he wanted more than his old home, but I don't understand why destroy a friendship or what was left of a friendship. There could have been easier ways to get what they each wanted.

The driver stopped on the curb in front of the compound. I insisted I could get out by myself even with this mask and heels on. I told him that he could go home, I would find another way back to Klaus's place.

"Elena Gilbert?" A blonde man asked from the front gate of the compound.

"That would be me. Can I help you with something?" I asked the man I knew was a vampire.

"Marcel asked me to escort you in. He wishes for you to wait for him upstairs." The vampire explained to me as he opened up a side door that lead to staircase. "Follow that up to the second floor. If you would just wait a few minutes, Marcel will meet you up there."

I nodded my head to the man's words before I entered the hideaway to go up the stairs. Went right to the second floor of the compound that looked down on the courtyard of the place. The courtyard was filled with humans and vampires. My eyes found Rebekah who was sulking at the bar. My eyes followed to what she was glaring at…well, who she was staring at. Klaus chatting up some blonde in an angel outfit. He wasn't just chatting her up. He was flirting with her; I recognized the look on his face. A pang of jealousy hit me, but I had no right to feel jealous. If the monster wants to play with some human girl, he had all the right to.

"Niklaus and the women he destroys." A familiar spoke from the side of me. My head turn to see the host of the party. "He is just flirting with her to get to me."

"Are you sure about that? Klaus flirts with anyone and sleeps with anyone as well." I quipped; out of the corner of my eye, I was still watching him down with the human.

"I agree with you about that, but you see, that girl is my date. Klaus knows that." Marcel said, as he was doing the same thing I was; watching them. "I am surprised you showed up. I was sure Klaus didn't have you locked up in a tower."

"He does, but someone left the door open." My eyes looked to the host. "Why invite me? To get under Klaus's skin?"

"No. I wanted to meet the first ever pregnant vampire." Marcel honestly answered. My eyes went wide hearing what he said. "Need to be careful on who you announce your pregnancy to. Witches will do anything to please me."

"Did they also mention they tethered me to one of their own, so Klaus would put a stop to you?" I asked him to throw him off. It worked, he had the same look on his face as I did when he revealed he knew I was with child. "They are good playing both sides."

"And yourself?"

"Excuse me?"

"You want out. I got a powerful witch on my side that can break that spell." He spoke "For a fee of course."

"What is the fee?"

"Tell Klaus. He will be of his game, and it will be the advantage I need."

"Tell Klaus, what?" Rebekah's English accent peeked out from behind Marcel's tall stature. Marcel stepped away to turn to face the female original. "Two dates to your party? Tacky, even for you Marcel." Rebekah commented while her blue eyes shot me daggers. "Now, tell Klaus what exactly?"

"We aren't together anymore, Rebekah. I don't have to answer to you. Neither does this lovely woman." Marcel snipped to the original without any fear of being killed on the spot for speaking to a Mikaelson like that. Marcel gave me a wink before he left me alone with the blonde predator. Rebekah gave me a look that she wished could kill, before following behind Marcel.

From my view on the landing, both of them were going downstairs to the angel and the devil in disguise. I wanted to leave, but I didn't want to hurt Klaus. Even after everything. After the sacrifice, after killing Jenna, taking Stefan, sleeping with Caroline, and everything else, I still didn't want to hurt him. And this was coming from the woman who once planned with the monster's older brother to kill their enemy. If I betrayed Klaus like that, I could never be forgiven, but this also meant keeping our child from him. Double edge sword. Either way I would be hurting Klaus in someway. Even if he didn't show weakness after revealing the news, he would if Marcel ever revealed that it was to betray him.

The night it sounded a lot better, before I got here. I leaned against the gate as I continued to watch the four of them. Klaus seemed to excuse himself from the rest of them to make a phone call. My hearing picked up my own voice, but my voice for my voicemail. Panic rushed into the strong hybrid's eyes. Maybe I should have brought my phone with me, at least then I could text him that I was okay and safe. Lost in should of, would of mind, I didn't even notice Klaus's eyes lock on to me. If Rebekah didn't know who I was, maybe Klaus didn't. Not taking any attentions, I turned my back and headed for the stairs only to run into a hard chest. One that belonged to the first hybrid.

"Are you Marcel's witch?" The huffing and puffing wolf asked me as his dark eyes looked down to me. My head just shook; if I spoke, he would know it was me. "I don't like liars." Ha, now that was rich coming from the king of deceit. "If you are not his witch then who are you to him?"

I paused for a moment; had to think of an answer to give him. Not a good time to be. Marcel only brought me here to be a pawn in Klaus's and his game. I've been in that same position one to many times. Damon and Stefan had done it even if they didn't know they were, and Elijah did the same when he wanted me to play bait and victim.

"The more you don't talk, the more I think you are a witch." Klaus said as he stepped forward to close the space in between us. He was trying to intimate me. I've seen the signs before. Death glare, check. Locked jaw, check. Clenched fists, double check. Lastly, no idea of the meaning of personal space, check. I wasn't afraid of him, I wasn't even scared. I was done being scared of him. I took a step back only for him to take a step forward. Every step I took back, he followed. Until I stepped back into another hard objects.

"Niklaus, why are you bothering my guest of honor?" Marcel's calm voice spoke from behind me. I stepped back so my back was to the wall; that way I could look at the battling duo. Oh, if Klaus could only see through my eyes, he would see the irony. Through my time with Elijah, I found out Marcel was basically a son to Klaus. The irony was so simple. Father vs. son. Tale as old as time. Klaus was only now in the father position.

"I was assuming this was your famous witch. Is she not?" Klaus asked casually, but the still locked jaw and clenched fists were still intact. Though his face looked calm, the hybrid was anything but calm.

"No. Matter of fact, you know who she is." With those words, I felt the ties of my mask become undone. The mask slowly slipped off my face and began to fall to the ground, but my hands were quick to catch the object. "If I were you, Elena, I would be insulted that he didn't recognize you."

"Thank god, you are not me." I mentioned under my breath. When my eyes looked over to Klaus, the anger in him only seem to grow. Red tiny in the face. Eyes that grew darker. I even saw some of the black veins under his eyes pop up for a second. "Klaus…"

"Elena, don't speak." Klaus put up his hand defensively. "I can not believe you are working for him."

"Working for him?!" I snapped his statement back at him. "Are you kidding me? I came here because I was bored at the house. All you let me do is mope around the estate or listen to your fucking plans. Let me get something through both of your thick skulls, I am not a pawn in your game to play with." My eyes that held so much fury zeroed in on Klaus. "I am not a toy and I am tired of being treated like one by you. You are too busy to even notice that you are acting like your father."

"Watch it, Elena." Klaus hissed out.

"No. You can't tell me how to act Klaus. Marcel made a life for himself here, and you are here to take it away because he built it from your ruins." Then my head turned to face the quiet son. "Marcel, this man took you in. Treat him with that respect, and don't turn into him." During my little lecture, I didn't even notice Rebekah sneak her way up the stairs until, my eyes saw a piece of her blonde hair. "Rebekah, will you please take me back to the house. I have some packing to do."

"Of course." Rebekah knew what it was like to be playing a pawn in Klaus's game. Just like her, I was getting tired of it.

…

Emptying out my drawers in the guest room into my suitcase was the fastest way to pack. I wanted to be gone as soon as Damon got back even if I had to drive back for us. I didn't care if I was tethered to Sophie. I didn't care about telling Klaus that I was pregnant. All I cared about was getting home as soon as possible. Back to my safe place. I hadn't even changed, I was running around in my dress. The Bobby pins had started to fall down from how fast I was moving around. My curls began to take their place behind my shoulders. I sat down next to my full suitcase to let out a huff. I was just tired. Tired from being pregnant; my energy had been growing lower since I had gotten pregnant. Tired of the games; my mind couldn't take anymore of these mental games. Tired of being used all the fucking time. Damon, Klaus, Elijah, Marcel, Sophie, Stefan, Esther…I could go on with the list of people who have used me for same sort of reason, and it was starting to get at me. I couldn't keep getting used, I didn't want t keep getting used.

"You look beautiful." I heard from the doorway. "I am assuming you didn't go out with make-up running down your face and your hair going three different ways." Just the sound of chuckle made me feel a little better even if Damon was being a tad bit of an ass. "Where did you sneak off to, Cinderella?" He asked me, as he sat down on the bed beside me.

"The masquerade party from hell." I said with a small laugh in my voice.

"If it helps I had a great time drinking." He smirked, as he nudged my shoulder. "You want to go home even with that witchy shit happening?"

"I just need to get away from these people." I told him. "I feel like I am losing myself the more time I spend with them. My humanity is the only thing keeping me sane. I need it more than anything right now."

"I will go pack up my stuff. You know. The leather jacket, jeans and shirt." He chuckled while getting up from the bed. "You can go wait down in the car. Leave your suit case; I'll bring it down for you." Damon said to me before disappearing from the room to gather up his three items. I got up from the bed, but I didn't even try to lift my suitcase. The only bag I lifted was my tote bag. I could at least carry that, though Damon might fight me on it.

While I was walking down the stairs, I heard Klaus shout something from the den. Usually those doors were open, but tonight they were closed. Two more voices became clearer as I was making my way to the front door. Rebekah and Elijah were both in there with Klaus. Arguing on some topic this time around. I was about to walk out the door when I picked up Rebekah use my name. I shouldn't. I really shouldn't listen in on them…but I really want to. I went with shouldn't. Whatever the three were arguing about was none of my business. I was trying to put some distance in between the Mikaelson siblings and I. Not increase it. I cared for each of them in a different way, and they occasionally do good things. I couldn't be a pawn in their games. I am not some kind of ball they can play monkey in the middle with. They aren't the only ones. With Marcel then with the witches. Just too much.

I left the front door and headed out to Damon's car. Knowing him it was probably unlock as it always was. Still surprises no one has ever tried to steal it, but that is probably because in Mystic Falls a lot of people of scared of the leather jacket wearing Salvatore. I tossed my tote in the backseat as I was sliding into the passenger side seat.

Damon wasn't too long inside. He came out a few minutes after I was sitting in the car. But he wasn't alone, the Mikaelson trio were right behind Damon. Fuck my life! I just wanted to go home and get some sleep in my bed.

Klaus was the only one to step up to the car. He bent down so he could look at my face. "What did Marcel tell you?" He asked. Are you fucking kidding me right now? What part of I am done with his games doesn't he understand?

"Nothing that involved you. He wanted me to hurt you, and get you upset. That is it." I told him as I refused to make any sort of eye contact with him.

"Tell me how he wanted you to hurt me." He demanded from me.

"Just stuff, Klaus." I brushed him off; I was trying to hint at him just leaving me alone. I was a girl ready to crack if he kept pushing at it.

"Rebekah heard Marcel say "Tell Klaus". What are you to tell me?" God, he was stubborn.

"Ever hear curiosity killed the cat." Damon interjected as he finally got into the car. "We are leaving."

I finally made eye contact with Klaus, and I let out a small sigh. "If I tell you he wins. Why would you want know after knowing he wanted to get to you? It won't give you leverage over him; matter of fact it won't give him leverage over you. You both are playing to hurt one another and the only people you are hurting are the people around you." My tone stayed calm. "I would try to figure out what is more important to you. But I think you already know what is more important to you." My head turned away from him and I looked towards Damon. "Take us home."

I know it has been a while but I have a lot of life changes recently. I really missed writing this story so I will get to work on more chapters, and I would love to hear if any of you have suggestions for the dreams. Of course, I would love to get some feedback. Again, I am sorry it has taken so long.