Hey everyone! Thanks for the amazing reviews. I have been having a blast writing this story and I hope you all are enjoying reading it. As it is my NaNo project, you can expect some quick updates as I have been working on this a lot, and it seems to write itself! Once again, love to my fellow Damon fans, but to follow the play he's going to be a bad guy, at least for a little while longer.

The formal invitation came the next day, delivered by hand by a bike messenger. "They are really going all out for this, aren't they?" Caroline asked as she opened the black envelope. She pulled out the invitation, which was cream with silver accents, the font a black script.

The Gilbert Trust

Along with Mikaelson and Salvatore Consulting

Would like to invite you to a Charity Ball

Saturday, November 9th, 2012

Proceeds will benefit the

American Young Mothers Foundation

On the back side of the invitation was the note about it being a masked ball, and that the fundraising would be that the Mikaelson and Salvatore Consulting Firm would give a hundred dollars for each time someone correctly identified any of the heirs to the two companies. "Did you know about this? Anytime someone figures out it's you you have to give money…"

Elena shrugged, "Yeah, John told me about it yesterday. Either way the company is going to give five thousand to the foundation, guessing who I am is a bonus. Which is why we have to go and find the best costumes. I don't want it to be too easy to find me, after all."

There weren't many things that Caroline liked more than dressing up for parties that had free alcohol. It mixed a few of her favorite things into one location: costumes, gorgeous men in tuxes and alcohol. Overall, there wasn't a whole lot to complain about. "Since it's your fundraiser, you are paying for my dress. I do not have the money for a eighteenth century ball gown," she told her friend.

"Already taken care of. Well, I didn't buy your dress but I am having that costumer that we used for Halloween last year bring over the masks and a few of her best pieces later today, once you're back from class."

"Did I tell you today how much I love being best friends with an heiress?" Caroline said with a smile.

"Not today, but I think you may have mentioned it once or twice in the past," Elena chuckled as she looked up from her laptop. "Now I have a paper to write so stop distracting me. Mina will be over at three with the dresses."

Caroline rolled her eyes and threw her bag over her shoulder, heading out the door and to campus. Being friends with Elena often meant going to events like these, with silly themes and sometimes even sillier charities and causes. One memorable night in New York included going to a function to maintain trees along a particular path in Central Park. This one seemed interesting, with the added element of the mask. Masks were beautiful, and they allowed the wearer to hold their identity a secret, which was intriguing to Caroline. She spent her lectures that day going through Internet pages of masks and dresses, wondering what the event was going to be like.

Returning to the apartment Caroline found Elena and Bonnie, pouring over a large selection of beautiful dresses, from ball gowns to mermaid style, from reds to purples to blacks. Elena pulled out a green dress and held it up to her body showing it to Caroline. "What do you think of this one?" she asked as Caroline set her bag down on the floor and headed over to the rack of dresses.

Caroline shrugged. "It's nice but it's not perfect. We need to get you the perfect dress, one that people would never guess Elena Gilbert would wear."

Combing through the dresses herself Caroline started to pull a couple different gowns, laying them on the couch. She had to admit having a personal shopper and costumer was just too much for a small town girl like Caroline, but she wasn't going to complain. She saw a sleek black dress with a plunging neckline that would almost reach the hips. A huge grin took over her face as she pulled it from the rack. "This one," she said handing the dress to Elena.

Bonnie's eyes went wide when she saw the dress. "There is no way Elena would wear anything like that!"

Elena bit her lip as she looked over the dress. It was definitely a lot more revealing than what she would normally wear, but she had to admit that it was gorgeous. The dress was simple, a plunging neckline and open back was all it needed to make a statement. It was flowing from the waist to the hem. Grabbing the dress she ran into her bedroom to try it on, leaving Bonnie and Caroline alone.

"Who's the new guy?" Bonnie asked Caroline as she lounged on the couch.

"Stefan?"

"So he has a name… Elena wasn't telling me anything. She kept telling me that she was still getting over Matt, but I could see it in her eyes. Who is he?"

"He's one of the consultants. Actually he is one of the Salvatores in the Mikaelson and Salvatore. Handsome, too handsome really. I haven't really talked to him though, only met him the once."

Before Bonnie could ask anymore questions Elena walked into the room wearing the new dress. Both of the girls' eyes went wide and were speechless. The dress showed off Elena's small frame, the cut of the dress showing just enough of her breast to be tempting.

"I take it you guys like it?" Elena said with a laugh.

Caroline nodded. "You have to wear that. No one will ever guess it's you, plus you look amazing. The men won't be able to take their eyes off of you."

"Agreed. And because it's black you can wear any mask you want really," Bonnie noted. "Now we have to find something for Caroline, since I know that I am wearing that silver one there." Bonnie pointed at a silver mermaid dress that would show off her curves.

Caroline started to go through the rack of dresses again, this time looking for herself and not for her friends. She pulled out a couple different options, slinging them over her arm as she continued to search. She narrowed it down to three possible choices. A royal blue ball gown, a red halter dress and a green tight number. Caroline started stripping down in the living room and pulled on the green dress and ran over to the mirror to check herself out. She liked it but it didn't seem to fit the event for her.

"Caroline, when are you ever going to start dating?" Bonnie asked as Caroline changed out of the green dress and into the red one.

"When I meet one that's worth my time and effort," she said with a tilt of the head. Frankly, it was the truth. Caroline wasn't going to waste her time with someone that wasn't her equal. The men her age were shallow, stupid and obnoxious, that or too nervous to even talk to a girl.

"What would that even look like?" Elena added. She had always been concerned with Caroline's inability to give love a real chance. She worried that it was just going to separate them in the end, whenever Elena decided to get married. Caroline would think marriage was a sham, especially after her parents' marriage fell apart.

Caroline thought about the question for a moment. "Give me a second, and zip me up?"

As she looked herself over in the mirror she thought about what she would look for in a real man. In a man that would make her reconsider her judgment that love was best left in fantasy. The dress was hot, and definitely a better choice than the first but she had to try on the ball gown. Wiggling out of the dress she started her answer.

"He would have to be intelligent, obviously. I cannot stand the idea of being with someone that I couldn't have a proper conversation with. But he couldn't take life too seriously either, that would just bore me…" Caroline started her way into the ball gown and thought about it some more. "He couldn't be super quiet but he couldn't be a conversation hog either, I would go crazy. And he would have to enjoy real culture, like art and plays and things not just sports and action movies."

Zipping up the side of the ball gown Elena's face lit up. "You have to wear this one," she said, as she looked her friend over.

Caroline walked over to the mirror and stared at herself. Even with her messy hair and no makeup she felt and looked like a princess. "Yeah I think this is the one," Caroline told her friends.

"That man you described seems too perfect to actually exist," Bonnie quipped.

Caroline shrugged. "I want nothing less than perfection than. I don't plan on giving my heart away to just anyone."

Approaching the art gallery, Elena tugged on the black dress once again.

"Stop fidgeting, you look amazing," Caroline snapped at her. As the car pulled up Caroline raised her blue and silver mask to her face and tied the ribbon behind her curls. Elena had her mask on already, having used adhesive to keep it on her face without a tie or having to hold it all night. The two girls stepped out of the car and headed into the gallery, handing their invitations to the host.

The room was full of beautiful people in gorgeous clothes and elaborate masks. Caroline took a moment to soak it all in before bee lining her way straight to the bar.

"Gin and Tonic, please," she said to the bartender as she reached the bar.

"What is a beautiful woman like you doing standing here all alone?" a voice asked from behind her. Turning around she saw a man in a white tux with a red pocket square that matched his dark red devilish mask.

Caroline smirked; this night was going to be better than she originally thought. She hadn't considered the fact that she would be able to take on any identity she wanted, hiding her true self behind the mask. "Waiting for someone to ask me to dance," she answered.

Klaus had spotted the blonde the moment that she had walked into the room. In a deep blue ball gown she looked as if she had been picked out of the 18th century. He followed her across the room, heading to the bar but waiting for her to order before making his move. Elijah convinced him to fake an American accent for the evening, saying that the point was for it to be difficult to spot them in the crowd. Klaus loved the idea, knowing that it would give him a chance to be anonymous which would get him feel for the room and the people that the company held closest.

"I'll have the same," Klaus said to the bartender. He looked over at the masked woman and grabbed one of her curls, spinning it in his hand. "May I have a dance after we finish our drinks?"

"You may," Caroline said with a sweet smile.

Elena spotted her aunt quickly and hurried over to her. "Jenna!" she said in a loud whisper.

Jenna spun around quickly, taking a moment to try and figure out who was behind the mask and the sexy dress. "Elena?"

"Look who just helped give a hundred dollars to charity… Yeah, it's me. You look great," Elena told her aunt.

Jenna shook her head in disbelief. She had known Elena since the day she was born, and for a year had even acted as guardian for the girl after her parents died. One thing she knew Elena didn't do was dresses that scandalous. "How did you end up in that dress? Wait… let me guess, Caroline."

"Yeah, Caroline picked it out. We figured it would be more difficult to spot me if I wore something a little different than my usual taste," Elena explained as she grabbed a glass of champagne off a waiter. "Is it too much?"

"No, it's a great dress, I was just shocked," Jenna told her as she sipped her own glass of wine. She thought about the conversation that she had overheard in the elevator. Alaric had told her not to say anything about it to Elena, and that it wasn't any of her business to get involved in her niece's life but Jenna couldn't help herself. "Elena, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Yeah?"

"A few days ago, in the elevator at work I overheard a conversation," Jenna started. Elena nodded, noting that she was listening so that Jenna could continue. "I overheard Mr. Mikaelson telling another man about his plans to romance you. And I know your love life isn't any of my business but I just would like to say…"

"Mr. Mikaelson? Like Elijah Mikaelson?"

Jenna nodded. "I would you to just remember that he is quite a bit older than you, and he probably has different ideas and goals in life than you do. That's all I wanted to say about it."

Elena was in shock; she had barely spoken to Elijah since she first met him at dinner. She reaffirmed her aunt, telling her that she had no plan of going out with the business owner before wandering through the dance floor. She was on her way to the bar when she felt a hand grab her arm. "Elena…" the voice said in her ear.

Elena spun around and found herself in Stefan's arms. Her smiled widened as she recognized his features, even under mask. "You just gave a hundred dollars to charity, Mr. Salvatore. Oh wait, there's another hundred."

"I hope for two hundred dollars I at least get to have this dance with you," Stefan told her as he positioned a hand on the small of her back. Elena put her hand on his shoulder and nodded and the two started to sway along to the music.

Caroline spent most of the night quiet, keeping her usual disposition of asking questions aside for the evening. Tonight was about knowing as little as possible, about telling as little as possible. She answered the man's questions but she was no closer in determining his identity or his relationship with either of the hosts.

"What do you think of these guys, the consulting firm?" the masked man asked.

"As a firm or as people?" she asked in return as she spun around his hand.

"As people," Klaus answered. This was his fourth dance with the mysterious blonde woman, who from what he knew was some kind of socialite friend of the heiress. "Have you met any of them?"

"Unfortunately I have," Caroline replied. She grimaced as she thought about the tense conversations and the banter she had any time she was near Klaus Mikaelson. There was something about the man that just annoyed her to the core, and she just couldn't figure out what it is. "I mean, Elijah has been nothing but gracious and kind. It's his brother…"

"His brother?" Klaus asked. Whoever this mysterious girl was, she had met him before and did not like him. It wasn't like Klaus to make a bad impression on a beautiful woman. At least he expected that she was beautiful.

"Klaus," Caroline explained. "I met him one night at a bar. He was one of those charmers, the kind of guy that just lay out all the compliments and tricks just to get a woman in bed. Rather immature, I think."

Now Klaus was angry. He did not take to being called immature and shallow easily. He tried to figure out who she might be, going through all the women that he had met in the week that he had been in the city. Unfortunately he had offended a few blondes in his short stay, and he couldn't narrow down who this beauty was. "Sounds like an asshole to me," Klaus told her with his best American accent. As her eyes flickered up to his he recognized her instantly. Caroline Forbes. "Is there any reason that you might have to see him again?"

"Possibly. My best friend has fallen for someone close to him, so I am sure our paths will cross again. I don't want to talk about that though, tell me about that painting over there, the one you said you knew."

After a couple dances Stefan went for a drink, only to find his brother sitting at the bar. "Damon, are you not enjoying your evening?"

"I'm at a bar in a room full of beautiful anonymous women, of course I am enjoying myself. I saw you dancing with that sexy little thing. Let me guess, that was Miss Gilbert?"

"It was," Stefan before turning to the bar and ordering his drink. Elena was dancing again, this time with Elijah, who had recognized her out of the crowd.

Damon finished his drink and placed it on the bar. He was still embarrassed at the scene that Elena had pulled at the office, and the sight of her in his brother's arms made his blood boil. "Looks as though she's rather comfortable in multiple men's arms."

"I don't think I understand what you are trying to say, Damon."

Elena laughed at something amusing that Elijah had said, throwing her head back with a smile. "Just that she is a girl that likes to keep her options open. Why only seek one billionaire when you can have two?" he said motioning towards Elijah.

Stefan took his drink and watched as Elena spun in his boss's arms. There was nothing keeping Elijah from taking the girl himself, even though Stefan had told Elijah what he was planning to do. Stefan hadn't asked her out yet, not properly, so Elijah had every right…

"I am just saying, the guy has a fun side," Elijah told Elena as they danced. After watching Elena and Stefan dance together he could see how attracted they were to each other and was glad that he had helped give Stefan the okay to ask her out. During their dances Elijah was talking up his friend and employee, trying to ensure that the young woman saw Stefan in the best light.

"I just don't see him doing something like that, that's all!" Elena exclaimed after hearing a college story from Stefan's days in the fraternity. The more she heard about Stefan the more she liked him, and knew that she was falling for him, whether she was ready or not. Elena had spotted Caroline a few times through the evening, always with a man in a white tux and she could only hope that her friend was finding love as well.

As the night carried on, Klaus did his best to remain on his best behavior. He knew that she hadn't discovered his secret and he was enjoying her company. She had seemed so brash and loud before, but tonight she was soft, cultured. He had been taken by surprise. As the night came to a close he found himself walking towards the door with her when he felt her hand slip into his. He followed her out the door and into the alley on the side of the building. "What are you doing?"

"I want to see who you are!" Caroline said happily, a little tipsy. She grabbed at his mask, but Klaus quickly grabbed her hand and without thinking moved in. He placed his lips on hers and felt her return the kiss with hunger. She licked his bottom lip, and without thinking he opened his mouth, allowing his tongue to explore her. As they parted he quickly turned away.

"That would ruin the whole point of a masked ball, sweetheart," he said as he walked away, leaving Caroline speechless, one hand on her lips.

It's not in the play but I thought a kiss was needed there! Hope you guys enjoyed the masked ball, please leave reviews and comments, anything helps and motivates me to keep writing! Find me on Tumblr riverssongs.