Previously on ATCL: "I simply fell in love many times over the past millennia, and had my heart broken almost as equally. One learns."

"What time are we leaving again?" Katherine asked, eyes closed as Rebekah's stylist applied her makeup. The three ladies were getting ready for Marcel's party in Rebekah's personal sitting room, makeup and hair products covering almost every surface in the room.

Caroline looked down at her phone, getting the final touches done on her hair. It was swept up in a mass of curls upon her head, a pair of black combs holding it all together. "We have… Shit! We only have thirty minutes before we need to leave, and Rebekah's hair isn't even done!" She hopped up out of the chair once the stylist gave her leave a few seconds later.

"Makeup is already on though, and my hair is the last of the prep work to be done. We'll have just enough time to get out of here." Rebekah took the seat that the other blonde had vacated, and started giving directions on how she wanted her hair done.

"Forbes! Stop pacing before you make my eye twitch!" Katherine admired herself in the hand mirror.

Caroline took a deep breath. "Right. Okay. I'm going to pull out our dresses and shoes and lay them all out. Oh, and maybe the jewelry too…" She chattered mindlessly to herself as she went to the closet.

"There's nothing to be nervous about, you know!" Rebekah shouted after her. Thankfully the stylists had all been compelled to forget anything they heard or saw whilst at the Mikaelson manor, so the ladies did not need to worry about keeping secrets.

"Sure." One could almost feel Caroline's indignant glare even when she was in the closet. "Because, you know, I'm only going to my first major event in the vampire world, and the host is only Klaus's enemy, and with all my luck Tyler will probably be there, and I'll be arriving with your family, and just there are going to be a lot of old vampires at the party tonight, and I'm a bit nervous, okay? Give me a break."

Katherine and Rebekah exchanged a look. "You'll be fine, Forbes." Katherine rolled her eyes. "You're showing up to a party hosted by a vampire that's less than a third my age with the most powerful family on the planet. You've got about as much social grace as one can acquire in your shoebox of a hometown—"

Rebekah jumped in as the young girl left the closet holding everyone's shoes and dresses before laying them out on the couch. "And concerning your ex… Well, he wouldn't dare cause a scene at one of Marcel's parties. Besides, you're Caroline Forbes, and you're too good for him. Who gives a damn what he thinks?"

"I know. That all makes sense. But still… Normally I'm the one in charge of these things. And right now, I'm going in uncharted territory, and I guess I feel a bit…young, you know? I'm a baby compared to everyone there. Naïve. Childish. I don't want to embarrass myself, and I don't want to embarrass your family." She shrugged, going a bit red. "So…yeah."

Katherine stood up from her chair, walked over, and grabbed Caroline's dress off of the couch. "Caroline." She grabbed the girl's chin and forced her to take her eyes off of the floor. "Put your damn dress on before you talk yourself into a nervous wreck. If you appear to have it all together, then they will believe it. You can fall apart inside all you want, but like you said yesterday at breakfast, this is a political game that we're currently playing. You cannot afford to show that group of pretentious vampires who bow down to one who is no more than a child that you are scared." Katherine handed Caroline the elegant dress. "Suck it up, and go show them that a baby vampire like you can take on the world." Caroline nodded and laid the dress back down before taking off her clothes. Katherine started on the undressing process as well, but she wasn't as far along as Caroline was when a knock sounded at the door. The latter shrieked in surprise.

"Bekah, how much longer will it be?" Of course it was Klaus at the door. "It's been four hours and Elijah and I have begun to wonder whether or not you three have strangled each other to death yet."

"Klaus, if you so much as turn that doorknob, I will never speak to you again!" Caroline's voice rose in pitch as she scrambled into her dress.

"It seems that she doesn't want you to see her half naked, Nik! Is that black lace, Caroline?" Rebekah teased, her brother's indignant growl from beyond the door simply fueling her amusement.

"Just shut your mouth and help me do up these damn buttons, Rebekah!" Unbeknownst to the man on the other side of the door, Caroline was reaching behind her back, failing to fasten the row of tiny buttons up the back of her dress.

"I chose a zipper for a reason." Katherine lounged upon a chair, perfectly ready to go. To the door she shouted, "Give us ten minutes, and we'll be down!"

"That's all I wanted to know!" Klaus's muffled voice said back, and Rebekah and Caroline could hear the Hybrid leaving his sister's wing of the manor.

The latter turned to the former. "You suck." The ancient woman just winked before shedding her clothes and putting on her own dress.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Exactly nine minutes later, Klaus and Elijah were waiting in the foyer for the women to appear. Klaus was clad in all black, while Elijah wore the normal black and white. Both dressed to the nines, the younger brother slightly adjusted his tie in the mirror while the elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Soon the trademark sound of high heels appeared above them, through the halls, and on the stairs. The women appeared on the landing all at once, a swirl of fabric and perfume. Rebekah descended first, her lovely hair swept to the side in an intricate braid.

"Well, brothers, how do I look?" She twirled for them, smiling brightly.

"Beautiful as always, Rebekah." Elijah said.

"You clean up decently, Bekah." Klaus tossed a wink at his favorite sibling.

"Well I think she looks absolutely fabulous." Caroline smiled, coming down the stairs, her slight train grasped in one hand, and Katherine right behind.

It was not audible, but Caroline certainly took Klaus's breath away. To the man, she was a living contradiction. She was a woman of light; a lady that exuded sunshine. When she smiled, he could feel his cold, dead heart melt. But yet, in that dark dress, Niklaus saw this amazing girl as something more than just a figure of the light. She was of the dark as well. She embodied the night, and all that came with it. It was as if his eyes had been opened.

Klaus had always known that Caroline Forbes was meant to be more than what everyone seemed to plan for her. She was more than her tiny hometown; that he had known since the first time he had saved her life. She now appeared to him as a deadly woman. A smile was worn on that gorgeous face of hers, but the way she carried herself, the way she walked: she epitomized regality. He had been worried about her—though Klaus would never admit it—and the way that she would accept the blackness that teemed in New Orleans. He had feared that her visit here would cause him to lose her forever. But now, Klaus knew that the elegant and graceful Caroline Forbes could take care of herself. And when he took this city as his own, it was his fondest wish that she would stand beside him as Queen, for that was the place that he knew in his heart that she was born for.

"As do you, sweetheart." He couldn't resist laying on the charm.

"Mmm, maybe so." She rebuffed, a challenging look upon her face.

"I do not lie, sweetheart. I can assure you of that." Klaus arched an eyebrow, a smile upon his lips as he offered his arm to both Caroline and his sister.

"Good." Was all she said as they started towards the door.

As the other three headed towards the door, Elijah offered his arm to a strangely-silent Katherine. The brunette was cold and rigid, her hair swept into a french twist, showing off her daring dress.

"Katerina," He said as she took his arm "you are beautiful."

"Thank you, Elijah." Katherine had not thought this would be painful, but as she had descended the staircase, the man she loved waiting at the bottom, she could not help but hurt. It was the first time they had spoken since the previous evening when she left in a fit of anger, and things were tense. Of course, it did not help that she had always had a weakness for Elijah in formal wear, and she just wanted to jump him. This was setting up to be an uncomfortable evening.

-0-0-0-0-0-

They had only been at the party for forty-five minutes, and Caroline was near overwhelmed. She definitely wasn't in Mystic Falls anymore. This was not a family ball, like the Mikaelsons had held. No, this was a grand event that screamed taste and culture. It was enough to scare anyone.

The party-goers had arrived fashionably late, and as the soiree was being held in the main courtyard, Klaus had specifically steered the group towards the front door, "so as to make a grand entrance, of course". Caroline simply retorted with a snide remark on his ego, which was rewarded with a snicker from Rebekah.

They did make the required grand entrance, appearing at the top of the staircase down into the courtyard, garnering attention from all. A handsome dark-skinned man that Caroline found to be Marcel had noticed them, and he strode over as Rebekah led the rest of the group down the stairs; Klaus and Caroline taking the rear, a vision in their inky attire. The latter was thankful that she did not spot Tyler in the crowd, for that would have not been a pleasant start to the evening. Introductions had been made, the story that Caroline was simply a friend of Rebekah's had been fed, and as Katherine had apparently met this false king before, no further conversation was needed.

The Mikaelson party soon split up, Rebekah and Caroline going off in one direction while Katherine, Klaus, and Elijah had left in another. Rounds amongst the attendants of the party had to be made, and Caroline found it to be…informative. She quickly became a scholar of body language, which was necessary to discern whether or not an acquaintance should be continued or not. Some of the vampires the young lady had met were very friendly, and could be useful contacts to have. Others just gave her the creeps, and those were the ones that she quickly left behind.
She was soon dumped at the bar however, as Rebekah's eye had lingered on a hot guy, and the other blonde had been whisked out onto the dance floor. Currently she seemed to be spreading her affections among three or four highly attractive men, and appeared to be having the time of her life. Caroline had shrugged off being ditched, and took the time alone to take a breather. Klaus had joined her a few minutes later, taking a seat.

"Enjoying yourself, sweetheart?" He poised casually.

"I am." She paused for a second, deciding upon her answer. "It's been an experience, but I've had fun so far!" The pair chatted for a bit making small talk and bantering, but when the band struck up a slow song Klaus stood and offered his hand to the lovely lady.

"Care for a dance, Caroline?" Klaus raised an eyebrow. "After all, it is becoming our thing."

She took his hand as she swept her dress to the side. "I thought champagne was our thing." Caroline slid off the stool before letting her dress drape normally. "Though, I suppose we could have more than one." The look of sheer delight that came over the man's face almost melted Caroline's heart, but she managed to contain herself as the Original Hybrid led her out onto the dance floor.

She had only danced with him twice before: once at his family's ball, and again at the decade dance. He was a beautiful dancer, that much was true, and it was always enjoyable dancing with Klaus. But for some reason, the motivation behind Caroline's acceptance of dances from this man was much more than his prowess on the floor. No, it was because she felt utterly and completely safe when entwined in his arms. It did not make sense to her young brain. Klaus did bad things. That should make him a terrible person, right? But yet, she had never once been truly terrified around him. There was something about his eyes, or his voice, or maybe his body language that simply called out to her. Caroline was aware that he had feelings for her. He had not exactly tried to be subtle about that fact, what with the drawings, jewelry, and pretty dresses. But even more than his amazing taste in gifts were the slivers of his humanity that shined through. It was a beautiful humanity. Klaus was supposed to be this heartless, cruel, evil man. And he was. He was sadistic and practically sociopathic, yes. But at the same time, Caroline knew that he was someone who felt things deeply, no matter how much of a front he put up. He had a heart, and while not many appeared to make the list of those whom he cared about, Klaus protected those that he loved with all that he had. He may be a dark soul, but he also had a heart of gold, and it was enough to make her feel safe around him. Now if she could only publically come to terms with that.

"Oh, look who's here." Klaus muttered, focused behind Caroline.

"What? Who's here?" She asked, spinning around. When she saw her disapproving ex-boyfriend standing about fifteen feet away, Caroline blanched. "Shit." She turned back around. Klaus had stepped slightly away, and appeared as if he was about to exit the floor. "What are you doing? We're going to be on this dance floor for quite a bit more time now because I do not want to have the awkward post-breakup talk here!" Her tone rose about three octaves as she scrambled for his hands to resume their previous position, stepping closer to him than she previously had been.

"So you're keeping me captive? Miss Forbes, you are daring." Klaus laughed, very satisfied at the indignant noises the Lockwood boy was making.

Caroline shot him a glare, huffing. "You are insufferable."

Across the dance floor, Elijah and Katherine had taken to the floor in a tango. It was an intimate dance, and one that the couple had partnered together for before. Both halves dearly loved to dance, after all, and were quite skilled on the floor; they had whiled away many hours' together, trying different steps. It seemed as if everything they did reminded both of happier days. Then again, all of their memories as a couple were from a better time.

"What are you thinking of?" Elijah asked, for clearly Katherine's thoughts had seeped into her expressions.

"Merely a time that I was happy." By the look on his face, it was clear that he had received her meaning.

"I was thinking of a time like that, as well." He nodded slightly. She recognized that glint in his dark eyes. Oh, this was to be fun. She missed their games.

"Really? And what time was that?" A coy look settled on Katherine face, and she smirked, hoping he was thinking of the memories that she was.

Elijah licked his lower lip, causing a shiver to run down her spine. "There was a salsa club involved…"

Katherine took a step closer, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Was it the club itself, or more so the alley behind?"

He countered by pulling away a bit, a vicious grin present. "Most certainly the club."

She fell into a pout, shoulders sagging at his teasing. "You ruin all my fun." At his laugh, she rolled her eyes. "No, you do. All of it."

Elijah spun her out and then back again, ending with her back to his chest. "Is that so?" He whispered gruffly in her ear. "Because I seem to remember us having a lot of fun, Katerina." They continued to sway. "On the couch. My desk. The bed, of course. The floor. And that little alley you seemed to like so much." He continued on, tattooing sweet nothings across her mind in her childhood dialect.

Katherine felt as if fire was running through her veins, and her breath caught in her throat. He was playing dirty, damn it. He knew how she melted when he spoke her language. "Your words are inappropriate, Mr. Mikaelson." She gasped, in the best authoritative tone she could muster. "This is a formal dance, after all."

"You will find that I am nothing but appropriate, Miss Petrova." He twisted her yet again, and this time Katherine was trapped against Elijah's chest, their hands between them, faces mere inches from each other. "And when have you ever been one to follow the rules?"

"Ah, but I seem to recall you as positively insatiable. Ergo, not appropriate. Am I correct?" She lowered her lids slowly, and reopened them, taking in the beauty of the man before her. "You should know by now that I follow the rules when it suits me. Quite unlike you, with your strict morality."

Elijah smirked, swaying them gently on the floor. "If I was insatiable, you matched me every time, dear Katerina." He twirled a lock of hair that had been left out of her tight twist around his finger. "Maybe I have come to realize that living with such dedication to what I believe is right has caused me to lose what I hold most dear."

Katherine felt a light blush come over her, but she quickly shoved the feeling down. An overt reaction to his words would simply make it hurt all the more in the end. "Whatever you do, don't lose the suits. I like them." She winked, half-teasing.

"I know." He simply replied. After that, both could feel that the moment for talking had ceased. Katherine stepped closer and rested her head on his shoulder as they danced, and a comfortable silence fell over the once-lovers.

-0-0-0-0-0-

It was sometime later, and the night was growing old. The little party had all switched around on the dance floor throughout the evening; Caroline had even had a dance with the infamous Marcel, and she had been ever so delighted to meet his date, Cami. Yes, the very same Cami. She had shown up in some ghastly, purple, sparkle-covered confection that made Caroline's eyes burn, though naturally the latter had simply commented on the unique style, gave a smile, and moved along. Galas were not for making enemies, after all.

Caroline and Katherine had also swapped dance partners for a bit, and both had what appeared to be a nice time.

Well, the blonde had a nice time, at least. She had attempted to apologize to Elijah for her harsh words the previous evening, but he had simply brushed it away, stating that she had been right in her statement. After that the pair had moved on to other topics, such as Klaus and Rebekah. The latter had been flitting around the dance floor with a various number of partners all evening, flirting up a storm. At first Caroline had assumed that Rebekah was trying to rebound from someone, but when she asked the girl's brother, he had no idea of who it might be. They then had briefly touched upon Klaus, for Elijah wanted to know of the status of the relationship between his brother and his current dance partner, but Caroline had refused to give any comment other than "We're friends". Needless to say, they did not speak any further on that topic.

Katherine, on the other hand, was stuck dancing with Klaus. Although the Hybrid may not be out for her head anymore, it was hard to avoid their past when in conversation. They were both snide people by nature, and the biting remarks surfaced no more than two minutes into their dance. After a few idle threats and more than a few mental daggers thrown, Katherine and Klaus agreed to ignore their past for the sake of harmony. Two certain names did not need to be dropped, as both knew the real reasons they were calling a ceasefire.

Eventually Rebekah came over and snatched Klaus up for a dance or three, and Elijah moved in to take Katherine around to meet a few associates of his. This left Caroline alone. She wandered around the courtyard for a bit—she even had been asked to dance by a few vampires that she had met earlier—but ultimately she was avoiding one certain person. Not that that would last long.

The game ended when Caroline stepped out for a bit of air, and a certain hybrid found her there.

"Tyler." The lady said, her back to him, arms crossed. His step was heavy and known to her ears; she had been aware he was coming her way. "I would say that I didn't know you would be here, but that would be a lie."

"Care." She turned around at his voice, taking in his appearance. He was as handsome as ever, even if he did not wear the suit as well as another hybrid. "You were the last person I was expecting to see here. I thought you were at Whitmore."

"Clearly I'm not." She shrugged, wrapping her arms around her body. "I've been in the city for a few days."

"With Klaus." Tyler cocked his head to the side. The judgment was practically rolling off of him in waves.

"Yes… I mean no… Oh, it's complicated." Caroline looked down, twisting her fingers.

"It can't be that complicated, Caroline. You're either here with Klaus or you're not!" Tyler's voice rose slightly.

"I'm here with Katherine, alright! Yes, we're staying with the Mikaelsons, but I'm not here to be with Klaus." Her hands flew up as she spoke, gesturing angrily. "Besides, you don't have any right to care about whether or not I'm here with Klaus, anyways!"

"We're still friends, Care! Besides, I'm in love with you…" He trailed off.

"No." She shook her head. "No. We are not going there. You lost any chance between us when you left me. It was your choice, not mine." Caroline was firm, attempting to keep her voice level.

Tyler rolled his eyes. "I shouldn't have had to make a choice!" His voice rose. "You should have just waited until I finished this mess with Klaus, and then we could have been happy!"

"Seriously?" Caroline gave up on keeping calm. "I shouldn't have had to wait for you any longer! I waited, and waited, and waited Tyler! I put up with everything. It wasn't even just this summer!" She started pacing. "Tyler, I just… I deserve better than waiting eternally for someone."

"Yeah, and by better you mean Klaus?" He gave a bitter laugh. "I really thought you were better than that. But nope! You just ran straight to him, didn't you?" Tyler took a step closer to Caroline. "Bet he was all eager to take you to bed for some rebound sex. Hell, you were probably fucking him back home, too."

In a blink, Caroline's hand was up and flying across his cheek. "I always remained faithful to you, no matter what. I may be many things, but I don't cheat." She stood her ground, glaring into his eyes. "We can't say the same about you, though, now can we?" Tyler started, eyes wide. "Yeah, your 'just a friend' Hayley graciously announced to the entire world that you two actually did hook up in the Appalachians, so don't even try denying it." Silence was rampant after that statement.

"He killed my mom, Care. He killed my pack. Not to mention Elena, or Jules, or Jenna, or even the thousands of other people he's killed! He's a monster, and you're here shacking up with him!" Tyler said.

Caroline put her fingers to her temples, as if to concentrate. "Why, Tyler? Why does it always come back to Klaus?" She looked up. "Why is it so wrong to be friends with him? I mean, we're all monsters. We've all killed."

"He ruined my life." Tyler growled. "That's why it's wrong. Because he's a psychopath, and you're wrong for even socializing with him."

She wrapped her arms around herself and turned away, face turned towards the faint moonlight. "Klaus isn't as monstrous as everyone makes him out to be, you know."

"I can't believe this." Her ex-boyfriend scoffed.

"He's not!" Caroline whirled back around, eyes on fire.

"He kills people for fun, Caroline. He's insane."

"No, he paints for fun!" She blurted out. Both were unaware that the current conversation topic was making his way to where they were, blending into the shadows. "And he's a damn good artist, too. The best I've ever seen." Caroline sighed. "I mean, sure, he's entirely paranoid and has control and anger management issues that you only read about, and sure, that stupid smirk of his that he does when he's trying to piss me off makes me want to smack him, but he's not a psychotic monster."

"I think you're going crazy. Being around that family has messed with your head." Tyler rubbed the back of his neck.

Now it was Caroline's turn to scoff. "Please. I'm perfectly sane."

"So you're just a traitor then? Because that's so much better."

"Tyler. I'm not betraying anyone!"

"It sure seems like it from here! You're siding with the enemy!" He rolled his eyes. "How can you even stand to be around him?"

All the reasons for being around Klaus flew through her head. Because he defends those he loves. Because he makes me feel like I'm home. Because he's deathly loyal. Because I watched him cry over his brother, even when he didn't appear to like Kol very much. Because no matter how annoyed by her he is, he listens when his sister talks. Because he's got Katherine living in his house. Because he actually cares for this kid of his. Because his stupid accent and his stupid dimples do things to me. Because he's the first man who ever put me first. Because he's got a humanity underneath that layer of sociopathic creature. Because I really like him, and I have for a very long time but was too afraid to say it. Because I still am.

"Because he's who he is, and I'm who I am. And we're friends." was Caroline's answer.

"That's a shitty answer, Care."

"On the contrary, I think it is quite the accurate one." Klaus finally emerged from he had been standing. Both of the young supernaturals had remained unaware of him, thankfully; between the noises from the quickly escalating party and their own raised voices, he had been inaudible.

Caroline didn't even need to turn around to identify the voice. "Klaus." She smiled softly for a moment before whisking around to face the intruder.

"You went missing from the party, love. I thought we had all agreed to stay within eyesight of each other." Klaus said.

She rolled her eyes. "No, Elijah suggested we do that. I never actually agreed to the terms and conditions. Maybe next time you should make me sign an agreement." Caroline smiled cheekily.

"Don't test me." Klaus warned. "You might actually find a contract waiting for you at the breakfast table one morning."

"And they call me neurotic." She cocked her head to the side as if remembering fond memories. Ignoring Tyler—who was gazing at the pair with disgust—Caroline walked over to Klaus. "Well, are we going to get back inside?"

"Lead the way, sweetheart." Klaus gestured. As they walked back towards the party, he couldn't help one question. "So, you say I'm the best artist you've ever seen?" He laughed at her subsequent embarrassment.

"You were eavesdropping?" Caroline shrieked indignantly. She smacked his arm lightly. "Ass!"

"Always have been, love."

Tyler looked on, jealousy flooding his very being. Walking away from the party, he headed to the nearest club, where he proceeded to spend the rest of the evening binging on booze and tourists. In the morning he would head to Marcel, and a devious plan would be hatched.

-0-0-0-0-0-

It had been many hours of drinking, dancing, and alliance-forming. When the five supernatural beings stumbled back into the manor, it was very late, and the ladies were ready to continue the party on even longer. Truth be told, the men of the party weren't tired either—being a thousand-year old creature means that you have fantastic stamina—but they were excluded from the after-party. Caroline had almost been drawn to the dark side when Klaus flashed a perfectly dimpled smile at her, but Rebekah had staunchly defended her girl's night ("And by that I mean: any boys we don't pay for are not allowed!" She had said, causing Caroline to blush and Katherine to laugh), and that was the end of that.

After changing into the prettiest nightdresses they owned and grabbing the copious amounts of chocolate stored in Caroline's room, they all made their way to the lounge. Apparently it boasted the comfiest couches, which is why the room was picked. Rebekah had preselected the evening's collection of booze, and the array was laid out on a side table. Above the fireplace a television was centered, and Caroline's phone was already hooked up to the stereo. The kitchen was merely next door if anymore goodies were needed, and all-in-all, it was the perfect setup for a girl's night.

The ladies had started off the evening fairly tame. They popped in Mean Girls, and basically spent the first couple of hours laughing and indulging. After that, Caroline had taken it upon herself to educate Rebekah on the music icons she had missed, and they basically danced their way through ninety year's worth of music. All three were blissfully drunk—for it seemed that a few dozen cocktails consisting of a hell of a lot of alcohol could get even the oldest vampire smashed—and enjoying themselves. It was, however, when Katherine passed out that the blondes' real fun began.

"I…hate Katerinnna." Rebekah smiled, plopping down on the floor.

"Nah." Caroline joined her. "I think you secretly," and it seemed to be very secret, for she whispered the word "like her. As a person."

"But I cannnnn't." The former whined. "She's a Petrovaaa."

Caroline laid her head on Rebekah's shoulder. "You know what I think we should do?" She slurred.

"I dunno. What should we do? Because Kathherine is sleepy and boring." Rebekah huffed. "And I still don't like her."

"I think." The younger blonde paused for a very long moment as she took a drink before passing the bottle to her companion. "That we should get Petrova and your brrrother together. They would be a pretty couple."

Rebekah took a moment to think, her mind hazy with liquor. "Maybe… 'Lijah would get the stick out of his ass if they got back together."

Caroline sat up and clapped her hands, swaying. "Yay!" She giggled. "We're Team… Kalijah!"

"What the hell is Kalijah?" Rebekah arched an eyebrow, her haze starting to fade away.

"Couple names!" Caroline squealed. "It's a thing you missed. Katherine and Elijah are Kalijah!" She stood up suddenly, almost falling back down. "Where's a paper and pen? We should plot ways to get them together!"

Rebekah just gave her a look. "Give me the damn bottle." She made a reach for the object, needing to grasp a few times before actually managing to grab it. "I need to be drunker if we're going to do this."

-0-0-0-0-0-

The next morning, Caroline awoke on the floor of the lounge. Rebekah's head was resting on her stomach, the other girl nestled up against her like a teddy bear. She shoved her off as she sat up, causing the latter to wake and shriek. Katherine—who Caroline noticed was on one of the couches, head lolling over the side—groaned as she woke to Rebekah's screech. Ignoring her grumpy friends, Caroline looked around the room and surveyed the damage. Other than a few out-of-place cushions and pillows, multiple empty boxes of chocolate, and more than a few empty bottles of varying alcohol types, it actually was fairly clean. Not bad at all.

"Is it even possible for me to have a headache?" Rebekah whined, brushing her short nightdress down from where it had bunched up around her upper thighs. Not that it was that much longer afterwards.

"I don't know about you, but I definitely have one." Katherine ran a hand through her hair. "I need medicine of some type." She looked over at the open window and winced, covering her eyes. "Someone make it darker before I die. Faster than I already am."

"I'll go get blood." Caroline stood, feeling the pounding behind her temples. Note to self: never just pour some of every type of booze in the house into one glass. Drinking a few dozen of those could apparently give even Rebekah a hangover.

"Blood." The oldest woman cried. "I really need blood. That will fix this."

Katherine pouted. "What I wouldn't give for the ability to cure this headache instantaneously."

Caroline ignored them yet again and went into the kitchen, running her fingers through her messy curls and straightening her nightgown as she went. It really couldn't even count as a gown… The dress was really more of a slip with lace and a cute ribbon belt. Not to mention that it was really short. And unfortunately for her, the last person she wanted to see in that moment was in the kitchen. Yes, book in hand and feet propped upon the table, a mug of coffee resting within reach, sat Klaus.

His reaction was really quite funny. The book fell upon his lap, completely forgotten as she walked into the room. Klaus's eyes grew wide before darkening and taking upon a primal glint. She attempted to brush his gaze off, fighting the blush from overtaking her body. God, it was as if she was stripped bare when he was in the room. The things this man did to her should be illegal.

"You look ravishing, sweetheart." He commented, his eyes never leaving her as she bustled around the kitchen.

"And your flirting is too obvious." She sniped. "You should learn some better pick-up lines."

"No need if they are all true." Klaus retorted, making her fight off the growing redness again.

"Sometimes honesty is not always the best policy, you know."

"I know."

"Good." Caroline grabbed the now-warm blood and took a sip out of it, her headache lessening by the second.

"You certainly know how to throw a party." He commented idly.

"I know." She threw his words back at him. By now her momentary hangover was gone, and she felt back up to normal speed. "I should get this to your sister before she kills Katherine." Caroline held up a huge coffee mug full of blood.

"Then by all means, take a seat." He laughed, gesturing to a chair.

She glared. "Haha. Very funny. And not going to happen." The blonde turned and walked to the door, only to be stopped by Klaus flashing in the doorway. He was mere inches from her face, and Caroline could feel his breath as they stood together. Vaguely she felt the blood from the mug running through her fingers—most likely having sloshed over when she came to the sudden stop—but she couldn't even bring herself to care. Klaus was mesmerizing.

"The things you do to me…" He muttered, his thumb tracing along her cheekbone, staring into her eyes. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon." She gasped as his fingers made contact with her collarbone, gliding to the delicate straps of her nightie.

"That is a lie." Caroline breathed, snapping her gaze from his rosy lips to his eyes.

"On the contrary, mon amour," Fire fled through her veins as she heard his words "it is one of the few things I have said that will never be a lie." Giving her one last heated look, Klaus flashed out of the room, leaving Caroline almost panting in his wake.

"Damn him." She swore, grabbing a napkin to clean up the dripped blood before heading back to the lounge.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Not fifteen minutes later, the three ladies of the house were gathered around the kitchen table. They had clearly visited a mirror at some point, for hair had been tamed and makeup smudges were corrected. Katherine had added a long, silky robe over her borderline-indecent sleepwear, though kept it open. The vampires of the group just stayed in their tiny dresses, not feeling the morning chill. The lone human was still nursing a headache, but had managed to dig up some painkillers to alleviate the tension slightly.

"I feel like my skull has split apart and something died inside." Katherine whined. She rubbed her temples. "God, I miss being able to get rid of these things."

"I'm hungry." Hayley flounced into the kitchen, looking at the three females at the table expectantly. "Someone make me food. I'm eating for two, you know." Rebekah and Caroline noticed Elijah coming into the room from another direction—the door was hidden by the side of the refrigerator, directly behind Katherine and out of Hayley's line of vision—but when Caroline went to say something, the other vampire stopped her. She wanted her brother to actually see Hayley when she wasn't simpering.

Katherine just crossed her arms on the table and laid her head down on them. "Oh my god, just go away. I can't deal with you right now."

"You're just laying there." The werewolf pointed out. "You can make me breakfast."

"Do I look like the maid to you?" Katherine sat up and ran a hand through her hair, shoving her messy curls back. "Yes, I'm just laying here. That's because I have a headache, and the painkillers won't fucking work. And your voice certainly isn't helping matters. Maybe you could kindly shut up while you make your own food?" She glared at the other brunette in the room.

"I told you that cocktail was vampire-only. I'm surprised you didn't pass out from one of those alone." Caroline commented. "There was like what… Fifty types of liquor in that thing?" She turned to Rebekah.

"Forty." Rebekah said. "I think. I stopped counting when the labels started blurring."

"You were the one who suggested we take a drink out of each bottle before mixing them all!" Caroline laughed.

"Touché, Caroline. Touché."

"I don't like to be told 'no'." Katherine jumped in the diverging conversation, resuming her former position of rubbing her temples. "That's why I drank the infernal thing. Because you told me not to." Whatever Hayley had muttered under her breath that was enough to make the vampires in the room exchange looks, and therefore enough for Katherine to pursue this bunny trail. "What was that?" Her voice was indignant, as this was clearly not good.

Hayley feigned ignorance. "Hmm?" At the 'you're not bullshitting me, cupcake' look the former vampire gave her, she rolled her eyes. "I just said that with that outfit you're wearing, it's pretty obvious you don't like being told 'no'."

Caroline coughed at Katherine's expression, and Rebekah glanced over at her brother, who appeared to be restraining himself from attempting to glance at Katherine's attire.

"Excuse me?" Katherine stood, her black robe flowing behind. It accented her black and red floral babydoll perfectly, and even as unkempt as she was, she possessed a deadly grace. "I'll have you know that this is La Perla, and highly tasteful. It's certainly more expensive than anything you would ever get your hands on." She sauntered towards the other girl. "It's not like I get told 'no', anyways. Unlike you, I'm classy. That's an irresistible trait in a woman."

"You're practically known around the world as the vampire whore." Hayley retorted. "And when you die, that will be all that anyone will remember you by." She placed a hand on her stomach. "Unlike me." Katherine's eyes flickered from the baby bump to the werewolf's face and back again before bursting into laughter, her hand raising up to cover her mouth as her retort flew out of her head. "What is so funny!"

"You think," She giggled "that just because you slept with the Almighty Klaus, that you're suddenly important? I hate to break it to you honey, but a lot of other women have been there, done that. Having sex with an Original doesn't make you… Sprout fairy wings and put a tiara on your over-inflated head." Katherine laughed.

"You would know, wouldn't you?" Hayley smirked.

The former made a face. "I'm sorry, but if you're insinuating that Klaus and I had a thing, then you're drastically wrong. I wouldn't touch that man with a ten-foot pole." Katherine appeared to be going slightly green at the mere thought. Caroline, on the other hand, was growing uncomfortable with the discussion of Klaus's sexual history while she was in the room. The man's siblings just sat through it, looking bored.

"No." Hayley said. "I meant you and Elijah." At this the aforementioned man almost stepped into the room, but a glare from his sister backed him away. Rebekah wanted to see where this would go, and his presence would cease the bitch-fest. "You mentioned that you two had a fling the other day."

Katherine blinked, as if she did not quite hear the words coming out of her opponent's mouth. Then again, she could just be hearing her wrong. The possibility of her going deaf was very real. "Are you attempting to put yourself on the same level as me?" She placed a hand on her hip. "What I had with Elijah was more than just a fling, wolfie. It was something that was five hundred and twenty years in the making. If you even dare to compare your quick fuck with my relationship, then you will see my wrath." She whirled around to go retake her seat, noticing Elijah in the doorway as she did. Katherine simply raised her eyebrows and gave him a sassy look before the werewolf opened her mouth once more, and caused her to go to battle once more. One did have to give the girl props for determination.

"You're just a pathetic human. You can't hurt me." Hayley guffawed, crossing her arms. "I'm not afraid of you."

Her trademark smirk took hold on her face. "I may be human, and I may be dying. That much is true." She turned to look back at the werewolf. "But I haven't changed from the person that you were taking orders from a few months ago." Hayley huffed as Katherine went on. "I made myself who I am today, and I will never regret a moment of it. It is why I succeeded in surviving the rage of the most powerful creature on the planet. I don't back down. I don't give up." She tossed her curls over her shoulder, in awe at the sheer gall this weak girl possessed. "I'm still Katherine Pierce, and if you have two brain cells to rub together in that pretty little head of yours, then you will tremble at my feet." Not even bothering to allow the werewolf to formulate a rebuttal, Katherine sashayed in Elijah's direction and scrutinized his appearance. Adjusting his tie by a fraction of an inch before running her hands down the front of his jacket, she whispered "Perfect" in his ear before walking past.

She didn't get very far, however, as his hand shot out and grabbed her arm, twisting her to him, his gaze raking her scantily-clad figure. "You will not be getting away from me again, Katerina." Elijah said.

"In that case, I suppose you'll just have to catch me, milord." Katherine detached his hand from her wrist with her other hand, before giving him a smoldering look and walking away.

As soon as she was out of his eyesight, Elijah turned around to face the three women left in the room. Ignoring the questioning looks coming from the young ones in the room and the knowing one from his sister, he simply walked over, plucked the glass of blood from Rebekah's hand, and tossed it back. Katerina was one hell of a woman.

"Elijah? What was that?" Hayley asked, but she received no answer from the man in the suit.

"Don't bother." Rebekah said. "You just saw my brother and Katherine in all of their glory. I've often wondered at her ability to hold his attention for so long, but she is a Petrova, after all." She shook her head, sharing a grin with Caroline, before the latter stood and exited, mentioning something about a phone call.

"I am still in the room, Rebekah." Elijah looked up from his own glass of blood.

"Really? I wasn't aware." She gave him a sickly sweet smile. "Besides, I only speak the truth. You've been in love with that infernal woman for half your existence."

Elijah only gave her a slight nod and smirk in response, effectively ending the conversation.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Caroline paced the Mikaelson porch, her finger hovering over the 'Call' button. Breathe in. Breathe out. She's your friend. Nothing can go wrong. Right?

Throwing caution to the wind, she pressed the button and waited for the other line to pick up. Pacing some more, she checked as the phone rang, going on for what seemed to be minutes. Finally, it picked up. Taking a breath, she answered the yell of 'CAROLINE!'.

"Bon? Yes, it's Care. Listen... Yes, I'm alive. Look, I have a huge favor to ask of you..."

AN: When I said it was a big chapter, I wasn't kidding. Honestly, I hadn't meant for it to get this large. It was supposed to be a nice little chapter where Klaroline danced, and Kalijah danced, and Tyler and Caroline got to have a screaming match. It would suffice to say that things changed.

Anyways, things got really heated in this chapter also. Like... I don't even know where those three scenes came from. The Kalijah scene that I mentioned in the AN of last week's update was the scene where they are dancing together, so I knew that scene was present, but these other two just kind of spontaneously happened out of nowhere. I hope I satisfied everyone's desire for Klaus's reaction to the slutty pajamas... Many of you were asking for it.

I hope you liked everything though! If you can't tell, Bonnie will be making her debut next chapter, and a certain Original brother might just make an appearance as well... *winkwink*It's going to be a fantastic chapter.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

-Abi

P.S. If anyone wants the links to Rebekah, Caroline, and Katherine's gowns, just shoot me a PM and I'll gladly send them to you! They're really quite pretty.