The Waltz:

Beth wasn't alone for more than a few seconds when Kol was right beside her once again. "Are you ready, love?" He asked her, surprisingly cheerful, seeing as he was upset for wanting to speak to Elijah alone. Beth was suspicious, and hesitated. "Oh, come one, I know you saved my brother a dance, but I get the first one."

She scoffed. "Eavesdropping is rude, you know."

"Well, then I sincerely apologize." He told her with a small grin on his face, making her shake her head, but smile. He led them into the ball room, where the other couples were, and they were right behind Damon and Elena. Beth took a deep breath, hoping that she didn't make an idiot out of herself on the floor. They were all lined up in to two lines. "Don't worry, love. I won't let you fall." He whispered into her ear.

"Thank you, Kol." He nodded at her and she gave him a small smile, as the music started and they took a few steps forward. They turned to face their opposite couple, which turned out to be Caroline and Klaus. Caroline gave her a nervous smile that she returned as they passed each other, while Klaus winked at her and threw his brother a smug look.

Kol's grip on her waist tightened slightly, but loosened as he saw Beth looking down at her feet, nervously. "You're doing spectacular, darling." He smiled down at her, making her blush as he spun her around. His eyes connected with hers, as they twirled to the music. She noticed him looking nervously over at Klaus, as though he was worried. She didn't want him to be jealous of Klaus. Spending time with Kol, she knew that she liked him, probably more than she should.

Before she knew what she was doing she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Kol was shocked to say the least, but kissed her back with fervor. Kissing Kol was different, but in a good way. It felt as though he waited forever for this kiss and he wanted to make it last. Beth felt herself smile into the kiss, as she pulled back. She blushed looking down, realizing she did that in front of everyone, but hardly anyone noticed. Only Klaus, Caroline and Damon really were shocked. Kol grinned seeing the looks on their faces. Before he could comment, he held her out with his hands and spun her under his arm into the arms of his brother. She was surprised to see him, but continued dancing. "Hello, love." Klaus smiled at her. "That was quite a show you just displayed."

"It wasn't a show for you." She told him shortly.

"If that's true, why do it now?"

"That's none of your business."

A mischievous grin appeared on his face as he spun her around. "There's no need to be jealous, love." He assured her. She looked at him in confusion and then he nodded over to where Caroline was dancing with Matt. She scoffed and rolled her eyes at the hybrid. He was so full of himself. "It's okay to admit, since I'm here with the lovely Caroline."

"And I'm here with Kol." She reminded him patiently. "Who I want to be here with." Klaus had to admit it stung a bit to hear that, but he didn't let it show. He let it go though. The last thing he wanted to talk about was his brother.

"If you say so, sweetheart. You do look absolutely ravishing in that dress, though." He complimented her. Beth rolled her eyes, but couldn't help, but smile that made Klaus smirk.

"Flattery will get you know where."

Klaus leaned in close to her. "It's not just flattery, it's the truth." He told her seriously. He grinned again when he saw her blushing again and continued to enjoy the rest of their dance.

xxxxx

After the waltz was over, Beth walked over to the side to take a breather as the other couples danced. However, her break was over far too soon because as soon as Caroline saw her, she dragged her off to talk. "Did you see Klaus and Damon's faces?" She asked excitedly. "No, of course, you didn't. You were too busy sucking face with Elijah Junior!"

"I wasn't sucking face. It was just a kiss." Beth defended her actions.

"Yeah in front of half the town! Not that anyone really noticed, just a few people." She assured her. That was very out of character for Beth, who usually wanted to stay away from all the attention, but that was definitely out there. "But Klaus looked pissed, Beth. And Damon was more shocked than anything else." Beth looked over at her, hopeful that she wouldn't take it as bad as them. "Listen, I'm in no position to judge. As long as you're happy and he doesn't hurt you, I'm happy for you."

Beth smiled at her friend, a ton of relief overcame her as she hugged her. "Thank you, Caroline. It's nice to know someone's taking this well." She told her as she pulled back and looked over at Klaus.

"Yeah, needless to say that Klaus was a little upset." She said with a small laugh. Beth looked over at Kol who was speaking with his sister, looking very mischievous.

"Yeah, do you think that the reason Kol's so angry is more than just being mad at Klaus for daggering him or trying to flirt with me?" Beth asked her, curious to what Caroline thought. She had a weird feeling. It felt like the dislike they had for each other was more than just about jealousy about a girl. It felt like it went deeper.

"Well, they are brothers. You know how those triangles form." She smirked looking over at Damon. Beth laughed and nodded in agreement, but she couldn't help but feel as thought there was still something there, but didn't have time to contemplate what it could be when Matt walked over towards the girls.

"Hey, Matt." Beth smiled at him. He was stunned by how Caroline and Beth both looked. They were both wearing beautiful dresses, but for some reason he still couldn't get over how Beth looked.

"Wow, you guys both look great." He complimented his friends who returned the compliment. She looked over and saw Kol looking a bit irritated at Matt. She excused herself from her friends to go over and find him, but she lost him in the crowd.

She felt herself being pulled over to the side, by a pair of familiar hands. She looked up and saw Kol smirking at her. "Not that I'm complaining, darling, but what was that for?" He asked, talking about the kiss on the dance floor. He knew his Elizabeth better than anyone, she wasn't one to make a scene like that.

Beth blushed again, and glanced over at Klaus, who was still looking angry and shocked. It served him right. She knew that he must have saw them. "No, specific reason." Kol chuckled at her blush and wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked away from the main room.

"I'll have you know that I've been waiting for that kiss for over a century." Kol said with a grin and his eyes twinkled, but he was happy. He didn't kiss her first, she kissed him and she liked it. He could tell.

"Would you have waited longer?"

"I would have waited a million years." He told her truthfully.

"Damn, I was hoping for a billion." She teased him with a smile. He chuckled down at her as he brushed a lose strand of hair behind her ear/

"That kiss was amazing." He leaned in close to her so that his hot breath sent shivers down her spine."I would have waited an infinite about of years to feel your lips on mine again." Beth blushed a deep red, which made Kol smile. He gently took her hand and led her away from the guests. He ended up taking her into the living room, where there was a piano. "Do you still play?" He asked her curiously.

She looked up at him in surprise as they walked over to it. "Oh, yeah, whenever I have the chance. I don't really have one right now, though." She told him absentmindedly as they sat down at the bench. Kol couldn't help but smile at her, as her eyes wandered the keys. It was a new piano and he could tell she loved it, by the way her eyes lit up at the sight of it, it made him smile to see her happy.

"Well, play something, darling. You always did have magic fingers." He winked at her making her smile. She hesitated before playing a song familiar to him. Her fingers lightly danced across the keys."Beautiful, as always." He said staring at her as she played. "Mozart, he was always your favorite."

"Yeah, his music, just always seemed to speak to me the most." She told him truthfully. "Do you play?" She asked him curiously. He grinned before lean closer to her and playing alongside her. His fingers moved with ease as he played along with her. He did it so easily she would have thought, he'd have wrote it himself. "Wow, you're amazing."

"That's not the only thing I'm amazing at." He chuckled as she turned red. "Only because I had such an amazing teacher. You made me learn how to play the piano. You actually threatened to move your things over to the other side of the house." He smirked at the memory, making her laugh. She was always stubborn when she wanted something.

"Yeah, that sounds like me," She agreed with a smile as they finished the song. He glanced over at her. Her eyes flickered to his lips as she remembered the tingling feeling that he gave her when they kissed. She never experienced that before and his lips were just there, tempting her. He leaned in first and crashed his lips on hers. She was surprised at first, but she didn't pull back.

Kol deepened the kiss and pressed his hand on her lower back, pulling her closer to him. He could never get enough of her sweet kisses. The day he had seen her, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her like this and he finally had his chance. Beth kissed him back, letting herself melt into his kiss. She sighed as he started kiss down her neck, they heard footsteps coming towards them, making her jump away from him. Caroline and Klaus walked into the room. Kol was glaring daggers at his brother. "Oh, hi, Caroline, Klaus." She nodded at them, as she stood up.

"Just wondering where my brother took off with you, sweetheart. He likes to eat the guests before dessert." He said with a sly grin, making Kol scowl at him.

"Well, Kol's been the perfect gentleman, actually. I hope that you've been the same to Caroline." She retorted. Kol smirked at her. She wasn't going to fall for Klaus' charms so easily and for that he was thankful. He didn't want another brother butting in on his chance with her, not when he just got her back.

Caroline actually felt bad for Klaus. She could tell that he liked Beth, but she liked Kol. Even if she hated everything that he did, she couldn't help but feel bad for him. "Yeah, he has been. He was showing me the horses outside, a minute ago actually." Klaus glanced at her with a hint of surprise, but smiled.

"That was nice of you, brother." Kol said with a fake smile. The hostility between them was obvious between their dates. Caroline gave Beth a confused look, who just gave a small shake of her head.

"I was actually hoping to steal Elizabeth away from you for a minute. I mentioned I would show her a painting that she was interested in." Klaus said with complete politeness in his voice.

"Maybe another time, brother. Elizabeth and I actually were just going to go get a drink." He said sternly. He didn't want to suffocate her, but the last thing he wanted was her alone with his brother. She gently touched his hand and nodded.

"Well, that's okay, because Caroline and I were about to, as well." Klaus said with a smile as he gestured for the ladies to go ahead of him and his brothers. "The toast should be starting soon anyways and Rebekah was looking for you."

"Right, well I should go see her." He said suddenly. Beth was surprised, by how eager he was to go. He needed to see his sister and he knew that she would be safe with Caroline there with her. "I'll see you in just a moment, darling." He kissed Beth's cheek before leaving her with Caroline and Klaus. Klaus walked ahead of the girls and Caroline smirked at her.

"Darling, huh? Sounds like someone is very taken with you." Caroline teased her with a nudge. Klaus tried to ignore them, as he didn't want to hear about how Elizabeth and Kol were getting along a lot more than he thought. Beth laughed with her, but actually smiled. She hoped that was true. She honestly did really like Kol. "And by your hickey, it seems like so are you."

Beth blushed at that and tried to get her hair to hid her neck. She didn't know that Kol actually left a mark on her neck. Knowing him, it was probably on purpose. "It's hardly noticeable, Beth. Just to vampires." She assured her and smirked. Suddenly, she heard crystal ringing as they reached the foyer. Her eyes turned to the staircases where Esther was.

"What did I miss, love?" She turned and saw Kol right next to her. Klaus and Caroline, must have left when they saw him coming towards her. He looked seeming frustrated, but gave her a small smirk. She shrugged.

"Nothing really. Your mother was just about to start the toast."

He nodded, silently turning to his mother. "Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass." Kol turned and handed Beth a glass as he took one himself. "It provides me with no greater joy to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening. Cheers!" She raised her glass. Kol clinked his glass with Beth's, before they took a sip with the rest of the guests.

"Everything okay?" She asked him worried.

He nodded. "Of course, love. I was just trying to find Rebekah and she was no where to be found." He told her with a smile. He was wondering why Rebekah backed out and decided to take Matt back inside. It wasn't like her to just give up on the plan like that.

"I heard you guys talking earlier about something about breaking your mom's rules. What are you guys planning?" She asked him. He gave her a small grin, that made her nervous. Kol and Rebekah together just spelled out dangerous. "Should I be worried?"

"Of course not." He said assured, but the worry on her face was apparent. She didn't believe him. "Just a little practical joke that Rebekah had planned. You worry too much, darling."

"That's El, for you." They both turned to see Damon coming towards them, looking a bit irritated at something. "She worried about the most trivial things. I need to talk to you." He told her seriously. If Damon was serious, it couldn't have been a good thing. She sighed and nodded.

"I'll be right back." She told Kol and he nodded and let her leave. Damon led her off to the side where no one could interrupt them. She could see that he was getting antsy. "What's the matter, Day? Did something happen. You seem a little restless."

"I'm fine. I just needed to know if you've seen Elena. She kind of ditched me and I have no idea where she went." He said firmly. Beth scoffed and rolled her eyes. She should have known that he would be worried about Elena. It always had something to do with her. If it didn't, then you knew that something was wrong with Damon. "So?"

"Yeah she was with Elijah at the toast. I'm sure she's fine, Damon. She and Elijah seemed to be just talking." She sighed out. Damon ignored her words of comfort. Beth shook her head, annoyed. "Listen, she's in there somewhere. You better go find her, I'm sure she accidentally tripped and needs her guard dog."

She went to talk off but he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back confused. "What up with you, Miss snarky?" He asked her. She seemed to be getting more upset with him lately and he didn't understand why. He's the one who should be upset, since she was the one spending time and going on dates with Original's.

"Nothing, Damon. Absolutely nothing. Why don't you go find Elena and let go of my arm?" She asked him firmly. His grip wasn't that tight, but she hated when he just pulled her around like that.

"I'd let go of her, if I were you, mate." They turned to see Klaus walking towards them, looking angry. As soon as he heard Elizabeth and Damon arguing, he was afraid that she would need his help. He didn't trust him not to lose his temper when he was with her.

"Klaus..."

"No, it's fine. I was just leaving, anyways." Damon snapped at them before walking off. Beth rolled her eyes as he left them.

"Are you okay?" She nodded in reply. "Good, well, since my brother can't be found right now, why don't we go see those paintings I was telling you about?" He suggested. Beth nodded in agreement. She was just glad he wasn't asking her about Damon. Then she realized something.

I don't remember you telling me about any painting, Klaus." She asked him, curiously about what he said about earlier. He grinned, mischievously at her, making her roll her eyes. He led them into a room with paintings all around the wall. There was a huge one in front of a table filled with carefully drawn sketches.

"Wow." She said as she looked at the sketches on the table. There were many of women and some of houses. All were beautifully done. Klaus looked on at her with interest as she went through them. "Did you...Did you do all of these?" She asked him.

"Yeah. I did. These are just a few, though. I actually have one of my landscapes hanging in the Hermitage." He told her. Beth looked at him incredulously to see if he was kidding, but he wasn't. If anyone could get their paintings in one of the oldest museum in the world, it'd be Klaus. As she looked through his art with curiosity, he decided to ask her a question.

"So has Kol try charming you out of your pants, love?" He asked. Beth looked at him in disbelief that he would ask her that. She could tell that it was mostly jealousy, why she didn't know. "Just a simple question."

"No, of course not. Kol's been the perfect date." She defended him.

"I'm sure that he is. Kol is just using your past with him to get into your pants." He told her warningly. "I'm just trying to warn you about that. Kol's quiet the sweet talker."

"He wouldn't do that."

Klaus was frustrated. Even now she trusted his brother, even if she barely knew him. She should trust him enough to believe him. "How do you know, Elizabeth? You've only known him a day."

"Because I feel like I've known him forever. And I can tell that he wouldn't do that to me." She said confidently. She may not have known Kol for a while, but she can tell that he wouldn't do that to her. She liked him and she hoped he like her too.

"People can surprise you." He said vaguely. There seemed to be a double meaning behind his words as he stared at Beth. Beth shook off his words about Kol, though. She wasn't going to let what Klaus say about his brother mess with her thoughts on him. "I care about you, Elizabeth. I just don't want you to do this without knowing what you're getting in to."

"Well, I know that he wouldn't do that. And besides I'm not that easy either."

Klaus chuckled at her. Easy was the last thing that Elizabeth was. "I know you aren't, that's what I like about you." He gave her a sincere smile, that made her blush. It wasn't often that Klaus showed the sweet, kind side to anyone. She understood why, though. He didn't want to be vulnerable.

"Really? And here I thought you liked me for my wit and charm." She teased her with a smile.

"Your charm is another story completely, love."

"I'm sure it is and what exactly is my charm, Klaus ?" She asked with a smile.

"You like to give people, me especially, these eyes. Your eyes could get you the world if you wanted them to, and you wouldn't even have to compel anyone to do it." He told her with a small smile, making her blush as his compliment.

"The world? I don't think even I could get that, by just my eyes." She said with a sheepish smile. He chuckled and shook his head. She didn't' realize how persuasive she was/to him without even trying. Saying no to her was very unlikely.

"Your eyes are mesmerizing, Elizabeth." He told her pushing her hair back so he could see her eyes better. Her green eyes looked up to meet his blue ones. "They always have been."

Elizabeth looked down and cleared her throat as she went back to looking at the sketches. She didn't want to seem like she was flirting with him and then give him the wrong idea."Well, I know who to use them on now, if I ever need anything." Klaus chuckled at that.

"That's for sure, sweetheart."

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." She smiled over at him, which he returned. "Did that just work on you? Or did it work on Kol, as well?" She asked him curiously, but that just seemed to have just made him angry.

Klaus grit his teeth. "Everything you did worked on Kol." That was exactly the problem. He hated how in love Elizabeth was in with Kol. Kol wasn't good enough for her. They both knew that. And now it seemed like history was repeating itself, yet again. Beth sighed. She could tell that he and Kol had some bad blood between them.

"And why does that bug you so much?"

Klaus turned to look over at her seriously. "Because he never deserved you." His answer surprised her. She never thought that he would say that, especially about his own brother and her. She knew for a fact that, that was definitely not true.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because you were too good for him." He told her with a simple shrug of his shoulders. Beth scoffed that that. She definitely was not too good for Kol or anyone. "You're too good for anyone in this town, Elizabeth. Trust me on that."

Beth gave him a sweet smile. "You're my friend, Klaus. You're bias." She told him, making him chuckle/ He had no idea how wrong she was. He knew better than anyone that Elizabeth deserved someone much better than anyone in this town.

"Have I ever lied to you before?" He asked her.

She thought about that. "Not that I remember." She smiled at him, making him roll his eyes at her. "But, you're not going to come out and say that you're just like any other girl around this town.

"Of course not, because it wouldn't be true." He claimed.

"Sure, Klaus." She scoffed in disbelief.

"I'm not lying to you, Elizabeth. Ask anyone. Face it, sweetheart, you're not normal." He grinned at her, which made her roll her eyes at him. If anyone said differently they would have been lying. Elizabeth was so much more than just normal. She was different. She was extraordinary in every way. That was something that he liked about her.

"Way to make a girl feel good, Klaus."

"I meant that in a good way." He assured her. He stopped and gave her a small smile. "Being normal is overrated, or haven't you hear?"

She let out a small chuckle. "I have heard, but sometimes normal seems like it would be better than whatever the hell that I am."

"Trust me, you're better off being no normal, love. You'd hate it." He smirked at her. He leaned in towards her. "Far too boring for you."

"You don't think I can do boring?" She asked with a smile leaning in.

"No, love, I don't think you could." He laughed out. She laughed too. He knew Elizabeth, very well and he knew that she couldn't ever be boring. She was too adventurous and daring to have just a normal life. That just wasn't like her.

"If you say so."

Klaus smiled and then looked into her eyes seriously. "I say so." He told her. Beth eyes flickered to his, as he stared at her. She took a step back, from him, remembering why the came.

"We should probably get back now. Kol's probably waiting for me."

Klaus cleared his throat and took a step away from her too. "You're right. My brother is never the patient one." He told her about Kol. Beth laughed at that. "Must take after his older brother in that way." She smirked at him as she walked towards the door. Klaus looked over at her, seemingly offended and then followed her out of his art gallery.