Author's babble: Hello all :). Thank you for the continuing reviews and favouriting/story alerts and the like. You're all lovely, lovely supporters of my imagination.

Enjoy!

CHAP 32:

The next morning brought with it a few challenges. I could only take stock in the fact that I was refreshed after a night's sleep and mentally prepared to at least cope with whatever Klaus had in store. The first challenge was what I was to wear. While the shoes from the other night were a personal nuisance for me, seeming to draw images of Klaus and I into my mind. The dress was just barbaric. Especially since I was going to accompany him to a meeting of some sort. Where there would be others.

"Please. Klaus." Closing the distance between us, I pressed myself against him and joined our mouths. Tracing his lower lip with my tongue before he parted his lips and I slid my tongue inside. An enthusiastic Mmm gave me hope that I could persuade him to let me wear something else. Only after I 'd thoroughly explored his mouth with my tongue, did I back off and look at him earnestly. "Please, don't make me wear this." I went in and we shared another kiss before I continued to plead with him not to make me wear what little I was expected to.

"While I'm thoroughly enjoying your persuasions." He claimed my mouth with his and possessively probed it, making me whimper as we broke apart again. "I want you in that dress." He locked our lips again before telling me to stop stalling.

"It's not a dress! It'll hardly cover me and it's see-through."

"I know." Klaus stroked the underside of my left breast through my nightdress. Slapping his hand away I stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest, setting him with a glare. "Elena. If you don't wear what I've asked, you can go out naked."

"Why? Why would you threaten me with the possibility of going out naked? I know what your groupies are like now. Do you want them to try and jump me? Again."

"I'll be there love. They won't lay a hand on you. Their eyes however." He trailed off and picked up the dress I'd dropped onto the bed. "I want them to envy me Elena. You're stunning and you're mine. So I want to show you off."

"You flatter me." I shot sarcastically at him.

"Come on. We have yet to go over a few things. You're wasting time." Klaus reached out with his arm to hand me the dress. Growling when I didn't take it he tore the nightdress from my body, then my knickers. "Out." He pushed me toward the door. "You've wasted enough time. You'll go as you are." Opening the door he took hold of my upper right arm and went to propel me out.
"No. Klaus please!" I grabbed his waist and hugged tightly. His hand released my arm and I clung to him while sliding to my knees. "I'll wear it." I said in a whisper. Klaus fingers delved into my hair as they ran along my scalp to the base of my skull. Travelling forward to my jaw he tilted my head up and my eyes met his. "That's more like it." He stated smugly.

Five minutes later I was as dressed as I was going to be. The dress was made from a soft see-through material. As suspected when I first looked at the fall of black material in my outstretched arms. The section that covered my breasts easily showed the lacy black bra I wore beneath. And while it made my bra a subtle part of the ensemble due to an embroidered pattern from the bottom of it down to my waist. My bra was still very obvious. Especially since today's one was very low cut and the neck line of the dress was the same. So much so that they just covered my nipples and presented my breasts like almighty globes ready to rise up off my chest. In a way it was quite nice really. The embroidery was lovely and quite detailed. I could only fault where my bra straps showed through the part see-through, part embroidered strips that went over my shoulders. It just would have been tidier if the thin straps weren't visible through the soft mesh.

I supposed I could handle the top of it. I had worn very low cut tops before. But there hadn't been the risk of slipping a nipple out for public display. I'd also wanted to show off my figure. Unlike now. The lower part of the dress was what really grated me though. The hem was higher in the front than the back and it was slit up both sides to the waist and bordered by black lace. From the side slits, the back of the dress tapered off into what I likened to tuxedo tails. They weren't as long, ending just above the hang of my bum cheeks. I took comfort in the embroidery and other embellishments which made it less see-through. It also gave the tails a little weight so I could only hope that stopped them riding up as I moved. The front however, showed everything. There was nothing to cover the junction of my thighs. Because the hem hung in a softly angled 'V'. the tip of which finished in line with my hips. My scant but covering lacy underwear were clearly visible. All too revealing. And I had no say in the matter. At least it's something. I shrugged then slouched, turning to Klaus to be met with hungry eyes that travelled all over my body.

"Very nice." He complimented. "Though you need to do something with your hair. And stand up properly. I won't have you with me looking like Frankenstein's assistant. That hardly conveys the image of sex that I'm after." I sighed and stood tall, frowning at him.

"What do you suggest?" I asked while running my fingers through the object in question.

"I'm no hairstylist Elena. Something that exposes your neck will do nicely." He smirked.

"I'll need something to put it up with."

"One step ahead of you." Klaus' removed a hand from his pocket and extended it to me with some bobby pins, slide combs and a few hair bands. When I picked them off his hand, he closed it around my fingers tightly. "As always." He finished. Rolling my eyes I snatched my fingers from his hold and began doing my hair. Uncaring as I was and only doing a simple up do. I didn't even feel the need for a mirror.

After another five minutes I'd sorted my hair into a loose, messy up-do. Exposing the sides of my neck but still hanging loosely half way down the back.

"Happy now?" Klaus looked me over while closing the distance between us. I took a step back but caught the look in Klaus' eyes and stood my ground. Once he stood in front of me his hand found my shoulder then ran his fingertips down my arm making me shiver. I turned my head away from him. His eyes were unsettling me with their perusal of my appearance.

"Yes. You'll do nicely sweetheart. But. If I may-." He trailed off and I turned my head back to see his hand coming toward my face. It looked like it was moving faster than it was due to the movement of my head and I cringed. Ducking my head to the side and shielding my face with my hands. After a moment Klaus gently lowered my hands and fingered a section of hair loose to fall down the side of my face. Watching him timidly my gaze was trapped by his as he looked at me affectionately. "Perfect."

Klaus then gave me a pair of earrings and I was ready. In a manner of speaking. I was then treated to instructions as to how I was to behave crossed with a pep-talk.

"Now. You are to stay by my side. Maintaining a confident and interested air. My business isn't to appear boring to you. You are part of my cause after all. You will not interrupt. If you're spoken to you may speak in return. You may also make comments if they are respectful to me and warranted. Like I've mentioned, you are to have a mind of your own. I don't want you to appear beat down-."

"Despite the fact that I am." Klaus' features hardened.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing."

"We will be travelling to this meeting, you and I." He fixed me with a look that said the following request was non-negotiable. "There will be no escape attempts."

"Of course not. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"On the contrary. Now show me how you move."

"What?"

"You are a prize Elena. A prize to be envious of. There are those among both the vampires and werewolves that would rather I didn't break the curse upon me. Those that know it's real role anyway. Not to mention those who are under the impression that they'll be free of the confines of their species. Their resistance is almost at a point of non-existence now. And your presence is a symbol of their defeat. Put simply. They want you. I've got you. So I'm going to rub their noses in the fact. Matching your presence with displaying how intimate we are with each other and further displaying you physically, is an extremely nice touch. It it also personally appealing. You've no idea the length of time I've longed to allow someone to stand by my side. But of course I was pre-occupied with my own needs to allow myself some luxury. Love was also a weakness I couldn't afford. It seemed like a meaningless dream to even contemplate the thought being a possibility. And yet I now have someone. However this someone, needs to flaunt themselves. Have enough sexy bravado to believably have the position. Now walk for me so I can assess and instruct." Yuck.

"Someone? If you're not picky I'm sure Jonas could do something to make Sarah look like me and you'd be set. Since it seems you really just want to exhibit sex on legs."

"I don't want Sarah. You are far more appealing to me. Yes. Sarah's body provided me with an outlet. But you are more than a means to an end or a physical conquest to me." Klaus stepped over to sit on the lounge. "With every moment of compliance you give me, I feel a little less lonely in this word sweetheart." I couldn't help but stare at him open mouthed. Did he think that just because I had relented to his actions that it meant something? That it was because I was attracted to him? Not to mention was he welcoming any attraction I might have to him, because his would be returned? He couldn't possibly have a heart. If he did it was just as twisted as the rest of him. Though he had shown himself to be capable of genuine affection it was deluded. He doesn't even know me.

"How can you possibly feel anything other than accomplishment toward me?" I asked disbelievingly. "Just so we're clear. You know my compliance doesn't mean anything right?"

"Yet." Came his sure response.

"Ever. I'm just trying to do what I can for my family and lessen the pain you like to cause me. It has nothing to do with liking you in any way."

"Are you going to start moving or do I have to make you?" Klaus asked impatiently.

"Fine." I walked across the room before turning sharply and placed my hands on my hips impatiently. "Come on Mr Deportment. Instruct." My manner only made him chuckle.

"You're sorely mistaken if you expect what I ask for to be lady-like and proper." He reached a hand into his leather jacket and took out a mobile. I wondered where this was going. Was he going to threaten a phone call to Mystic Falls? His thumb flew across the buttons as he presumably keyed in a text. "You need to loosen up your hips. Sway them fluidly and think of your pelvis as swivelling while you walk. Go on. Again." I was told. So I walked across the room putting a little more sway in my hips but keeping them stiff so I wouldn't seem so obliging to him. "Do it again. And actually try this time."

"I am trying! It's kind of difficult to present an image of sex when you don't want to feel sexy!"

"If you continue to be worked up about this you're going to make things difficult for yourself. I want others to see sex when they look at you Elena. Not the wanna-be movement of a drag queen. I know what your body's capable of. Let it do what it does so sensually. Think of sex with me and the heights of pleasure I've brought you to-."

"That doesn't make this any easier." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Here." He stood up off the lounge. His gaze darkened when I paid him no attention. "Come here." I did. Slowly he turned me around and pressed his front against my back. Resting his hands on my hip bones he gently held his his own against my bum and started to slowly move. Forcing me to swing my hips to the left and right.

"Stop. Stop, stop!" I burst out. Thankfully he did but still kept hold of my hips. "I'll move like you want. Without your assistance."

"You mean to say you're actually going to make an effort for me?" Came his drawl at my left ear before his lips met my neck while his left hand snaked down off my hip to cup my mound.

"Yes." I hissed through my clenched teeth.
"Prove it." He spoke slowly in challenge and released me. From the first step I took forward away from him I swung my hips fluidly from side to side exaggerating the rise and fall of each side of my pelvis and I worked my knees to show off my legs as I moved effortlessly and with the grace of a cat. "Yes." He breathed. "That's the spirit." Turning back to face him and dropping a hip to place a hand in the curve of my waist above. I stood positioned to show my curves off deliciously.

"Happy?"

"Well, I was. But then I saw your face. It hardly looks pleased to be in your garment and in close proximity to me."

"Shame that." Fell from my lips without me even thinking. Klaus' face flashed in front of mine so close that our lips brushed. My breathing instantly shallowed and I tensed.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that shall I? I certainly didn't hear you think it. That curious mind trick you seem to possess must get quite a bit of use I'm not yet privy to." A hand came up to my face to finger the hair he'd loosened earlier. "As for your face. Organise it into a sultry expression that suggests something of sexual satisfaction, yet never abating desire. Or I will force you into that state by arousing you so painfully that you'll be begging me to send your senses into oblivion like last night. Only, your begging with fall on deaf ears because only then will I attend my meeting with you in tow. Smelling of arousal and having to torturously wait for me to feed your roaring fire." He paused and inhaled deeply. "And you know I will. Or rather that I can. Even if your mind isn't roaring with whatever your thinking in this moment, I can smell the trickling of your arousal just from my words."

Exhaling hotly in disgust I stepped back and slapped him hard across the face. Relieved when his head gave to the meek force I'd mustered. Laboriously turning his head back to face me I knew I was in for it. So I forced myself to think of the previous night and how amazing I'd felt so that I regarded him with eyes darkened with lust, matched it with a seductive smirk and braced myself. Klaus' eyes were darkened in a different far more violent manner but I met them confidently. Slipping my tongue out from between my lips I moistened them sexily and quirked my right eyebrow at him.

"Beautiful." He smirked before stepping around me to grab a black garment I'd seen him throw onto the bed earlier. "Allow me." He murmured from behind and I realised it was a coat and he was offering me the use of it. Moving my arms back I let Klaus guide it up my arms to my shoulders. The coat finished just above my knees and made me feel a whole lot better. "It seems you're ready, so we'll be off in a few minutes."

"Where are we going anyway?" Klaus moved around in front of me as I drew the coat shut and took over fastening the buttons for me. Really? I'm not incapable of fastening a few buttons.

"Don't mistake our little road trip to mean I have enough faith in you that you'll not use information of your whereabouts to attempt some plan of escape."

"Don't you trust me?" I asked innocently and secured my facial features to be teasingly playful.

"I don't trust anyone." Klaus spoke with finality before stepping back to look at me having secured the coat.

"Not even someone who's in a warped stale-mate? Perhaps because if she even thinks about doing anything that hasn't been allowed to her, she risks her only remaining family to be murdered?"

"Nope." He said smiling at me.

"You could give me some credit you know. I'm not about to do anything to jeopardise their lives." He simply shrugged.

"Old habits die hard. Now. Go and let Jonas know we're leaving. We have to leave before he can do a little job I've asked of him. Once you're done, come find me and we'll be off."

Hoping I'd found the right door I knocked and waited. There was some shuffling inside the room before the door opened to reveal the warlock.

"Elena."

"Jonas."

"I should have know it would have be you. Any one else just barges in making orders."

"I know the feeling." I consoled. "Klaus wanted me to let you know we're leaving. Something about you doing a job for him?"

"Ah. Now your presence becomes consistent with all the others." He chuckled and I smiled. "Did you want to step in for a moment?" Looking both ways up the hallway I shrugged and walked through the space Jonas provided when he opened the door wider.

"Just for a moment."

"I hope last night was more pleasant than the one before." I froze sensing judgement. Only it wasn't Jonas judging. It was me, and I could be harsh.

"Um." I started tentatively. "Well. I-." Wasn't so disgusted, found it a more pleasant evening? God. Was there any way to say something positive about last night that wasn't going to hint at my enjoyment? I broke off not liking the way anything sounded in my head, no matter the way I conveyed it. Getting flustered I re-negged. "You know. I can't bring myself to say anything positive about last night. But I can manage to tell you that it was far less traumatic. It might be best to leave that particular subject alone though. If you don't mind."

"Of course. I'll push past my attempt at small talk and get to the point. I thought you might like to know for certain that Klaus hasn't done anything to your family."

"How do you know? Did you got to Mystic Falls and check?" I asked hurriedly anticipation roaring within me. Instead of instantly feeling relived I wanted to be absolutely sure, now that I had the chance to know that Klaus was indeed keeping to his word.

"Not exactly."

"What does that mean?"

"I went with magic. I was actually trying to contact the informant. With my magic I can transport objects. In this case I wrote a message on a piece of paper and made it appear to whom I wanted it to. They then wrote a response and I transported it back to me, with some difficulty." He held up a scrap of paper with writing on it. I took it from him and looked closely. The cursive handwriting looked familiar. And no wonder. It was Elijah's handwriting. Just the sight of it made my heart flutter.

"Jonas." I whispered excitedly.

"Elena." His tone warned and I looked at him directly. He placed his finger in a silencing motion perpendicular to his lips. Understanding I nodded. Turning the paper over to see if there was anything else communicated apart form what I'd read. Elijah asking about me and the news that Jeremy and Jenna were apparently safe. "Is this all you talked about?" I indicated the scrap of writing before handing it back to him.

"No." He answered carefully. "But this is all I can allow you to know." Frowning at him my happiness of having some news of Elijah and well as my family abated slightly. Why was information being kept from me?

"Why-?" Maybe whatever else they talked about wasn't relevant to me. But then how could it not be? There has to be a reason. If they're communicating, then perhaps they're forming a plan of sorts. "No. Never mind. It's none of my business. Well. It may be, since I'm a part of this mess. But I don't need to know everything." Jonas just smiled at me.

"It's more a fact that it would take quite a bit of explanation for you to understand."

"Fair enough. I'm just glad to know Klaus has kept his word."

"He knew you would." I couldn't help the blush that crept onto my cheeks at the tone Jonas had used.

"Sometimes he knows too much for his own good." I snickered. Even as the thought of making more effort for Klaus came to mind. "Does Greta have any make-up by chance? Some lipstick for instance that she wouldn't mind if I used?"

"She has some over in that box on the table. Along with other make-up" He invited me to look through. "And she wont mind. If it has anything to do with Klaus, she has no resistance whatsoever. Use what you need." He spoke sadly and we fell into silence while I picked out a lipstick. Daubing the end of the stick with a tissue before applying it with the use of a small mirror in the box. I defined my lips with a subtle yet deep rose. Then re-daubing where the stick of colour had contacted with my lips I capped it and placed it back. Spotting some eye-liner pencils I did another pre-cleanse to a dark brown, before using it to add emphasis to my lash line. Once satisfied I cleansed the tip of the pencil again and replaced it. Greta had some eye shadows in compacts as well. They were all very subtle. From greys to deep blues. It made sense since they'd all match her dark skin. Deciding on a shimmering gold one I used my pinkie finger to smear some of the powder across each of my eyelids. It was very subtle, in fact barely noticeable aside from the glimmering flecks of gold that caught the light. Once happy with the coverage I put the compact back.

Sighing I turned back to Jonas to find him reading from one of the many books in the room.

"Thank you Jonas. I'd better be getting back to Klaus."

"Not a problem." Looking up from the book he gave me a sympathetic look. "I don't suppose wishing you luck is appropriate?" Laughing I shook my head.

"Perhaps not. But I understand the sentiment." He nodded and turned a page. "Why are there so many books in here? Does Klaus supply reading material or something? Only, I was browsing through a book in Klaus' room last night which was quite old. But some of these are much older." I stated appreciatively. "Old things always catch my curiosity. Their age gives them a sense of character."

"Ah. That's why Elijah's so appealing to someone with your limited life experience." I blushed.

"It's probably part of it. He's seen so much because of his age. If I wasn't so interested in history and favoured the eras that have come before now, I don't think we'd compliment each other as surprisingly well as we do."

"These," he gestured to the books around the room. "Are all grimoires. Which are books in which witches and warlocks record spells. Some are family grimoires, other's personal. It really depends on how communal the knowledge is. While spells take up most of what's recorded inside there are also rules and warnings. With the possession of magic, comes great responsibility. It has always been the right of my kind to keep the balance of nature even. Which can be difficult when one possesses the ability to return someone from death, or even inhibit death for instance. The use of magic should always involve restraint. But that isn't always how events play out. Your existence. Being what you are. Would not exist if a witch had shown restraint centuries ago. A great imbalance occurred when Klaus and the rest of his family became vampires. Resulting in the existence of a recurring doppleganger. So that the spell which cheated death and fed off life, might someday be reversed and restore the unjust displacement of the balance." A family of vampires? A witch made them vampires? I suppose they had to come from somewhere. It'd be the whole chicken and egg scenario. How would the first vampire exist if not bitten by another?

"Wow." Was all I could say while being baffled by Jonas' words.

"Don't mistake your existence as being just for that purpose. You would always be Elena Gilbert of the same family and still exactly who you are. You just mightn't have had the appearance you do. And you wouldn't be caught up in all this."

"Oh don't worry. I wasn't having an I don't know who I am any more moment." Came my cheery response as I moved toward the door. "But I now have more questions than I can even attempt to ask right now. Assuming you'd know the answers to them. Klaus will come looking for me if I stay any longer."

"Come back when you're able if you'd like. I might be able to answer you questions. I usually keep to myself in here while Greta's mingling with the vampires. The company would be nice." Turning back to him once at the door I thanked him, before stepping out to find Klaus.

I went to the bathroom to check my face in a larger mirror and work my little trick on the eye shadow I'd put on. Even though it was a subtle shade and my effort was probably redundant I'd gotten into the habit of creating a definite line where my eye shadow finished north of my lashes. That line would sweep out from my inner eye and taper off into a point at the edge of my eyebrow. It looked far better. Especially in darker shades, than how I saw many people do their eye shadow as some circular smear. Happy with the rest of my face I moistened the tissue I'd brought with me from Jonas' and Greta's room and moistened it beneath the tap. Picking my spot on my left eye, at a medium height on my eyelid. I wiped from the inside to the outer with the tissue with some pressure from my index finger alone. Rewarded with a distinct difference between eye shadow and natural eye lid I repeated the process on my right. Then moving the tissue from slightly above the tip of my my cheek bone upwards to the corner of my eye I slid it directly to the very tip of my eyebrow. Left with the point I was after, I switched eyes and repeated the finishing touch before stepping out of the bathroom feeling optimistic. I'd made extra effort. My family was okay. Elijah had asked after me. I had some new and interesting information from Jonas. Which he'd offered to discuss with me. It was time to go find Klaus.

Leaving the bathroom I began walking toward the main room. Thinking I would attempt efficiency and willingness. I spoke to Klaus with my mind.

"Have told Jonas. Where are you?"

"In the main hall."

"Is that the big room?"

"Yes. It's the big room."

"I'll be there in a moment."

"Should I be sceptical of how obliging you seem?"

"Why would you need to ask me if I have anything up my sleeve? You are the almighty bluff caller after all." I heard him chuckle. I didn't know he could laugh in my head.

"There are quite a few things you don't yet know I can do in your head. One of them allows you to be inside of my head actually. Ever wondered what it might be like to, actually, fuck yourself?" I really hoped he wasn't referring to us switching between minds during sex. "Not quite. But I can show you the amazing view you provide me." Leaving him without an answer I continued toward my destination.

There were only a few vampires sat around on chairs compared to last night. Greta was there as well, talking with the only female vampire other than Sarah. Jack was talking to a male vampire I didn't yet know the name of, who had Sarah sat on his lap. Klaus was a few metres away from the cluster talking with Arty who he appeared to send away as I strode closer. Remembering to be sexy. Relieved that no-one had noticed me yet. Or pretended they hadn't, all I had to focus on was getting to Klaus and we would presumably be leaving. Klaus turned to look at me as I took stock of my relief and directed a seemingly genuine, loving smile at me. I'd go so far as to say he was a little impressed or shocked. But settled on describing him as pleasantly surprised. Well, my effort has made him happy. Lets hope I can keep him that way.

"Don't you look a treat." He complimented, apparently attracting the attention of the others in the room who wolf whistled. Getting to work I smiled appreciatively at him. Which I found difficult to do at that moment, when I realised that the front of the coat I wore bared all the way up to my crotch with each step I took. I hadn't realised until then that the skirts of the coat parted to much. Sure the buttons stopped around near my belly button. But I'd just been so relieved to be covered I hadn't taken much notice.

"Thank you." Then glanced at the others shyly and smiled.

"If you like the too poor to buy pants look." Sarah spoke up snidely to which I raised my eyebrows. It wasn't like I was personally insulted by her words. I hadn't chosen what I was wearing.

"Which you do." Countered Jack. I couldn't help but laugh with the rest.

"On myself. Not everyone can pull it off." She gestured to me. "As you can see." At that I felt I needed to act my part. It wouldn't seem free-willed of me to just shrug it off. Glancing at Klaus I walked sensually over toward Sarah so I could whisper to her loudly. It was all theatrics though. No matter how I said it, everyone except perhaps Greta would hear me.

"Is that because you need to balance the look with a head ballooned in arrogance? I'm not sure I'd want to pull off the look if I'd have to compensate for the size of my head, by going around with it stuck up my arse like you do with yours." A few small snickers broke out amongst the group, but it was Klaus who laughed joyously and clapped his hands in applause.

"That's my girl!" He called out proudly to which I turned and kept the sexiness going as I walked back to him with a cheeky expression on my face.

"Klaus. Are you going to let her speak to me that way?"

"Did I not just?" Sarah huffed. "Don't get your knickers in such a twist Sarah. Enjoy having someone who doesn't simply ignore or put up with you while it lasts." Klaus held a hand to my back and guided me to the door. "Don't wait up kids."