Chapter 17:

Elijah returned back to the house and saw Klaus and Rebekah glaring at one another.

"What's wrong?" He asked nervously.

"He ate my CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES!" She cried angrily.

"Niklaus honestly?" Elijah frowned. "She's pregnant Klaus! She feels really awful and if chocolate truffles make her feel better you don't eat them all!" Elijah pulled Rebekah to him and rubbed her back in what he hoped was a soothing motion.

"Do you still want chocolate truffles or would you like me to get something else?" he asked gently.

"I just want something sweet and chocolate and yummy." She groaned. Stefan smiled at her and said, "I'll be back."

He was gone before anyone could say anything.

Meanwhile Elena had returned inside the compound to Bonnie and Caroline.

"So how did it go?" Bonnie asked Elena. She was glad Elena was back but she was really starting to miss being with Kol even if he was just up on the roof. She wanted to be with him as often as she possibly could.

"It was wonderful." She said as she undid her hair and stripped her shoes off. She was about to undo her dress but decided to keep it on.

Caroline smirked at her. "So basically him pinning you to the wall and making you moan was 'wonderful'?" She asked.

Elena had a bit of pink on her cheeks and she nodded.

"Oh he must be in cold showers now." Bonnie teased.

"I hope so." Elena got out with a slight breathless purring voice. "I really hope that he's in the coldest shower of his life and I'll make sure that he'll need another one tonight."

"What's tonight?" Caroline asked. Elena smiled.

"I thought that tonight there was going to be a party here?" Did she get the dates wrong for the masquerade that Marcel wanted to put on?

Caroline groaned. "Oh-that party." She nodded. "All the Originals plus Jeremy, Davina, Stefan and Bonnie are invited."

"I don't have anything to wear to a masquerade!" Bonnie exclaimed. It took four hours of Kol following them around the Quarters and a small fortune before that problem was solved. Kol and Bonnie had returned to the mansion to get ready. Kol slipped into his tux and joined his brothers downstairs. Stefan joined them a few minutes later.

"Rebekah's nervous," he confided. She appeared a moment later in a black sleeveless silk gown. It had a narrow silver belt at the waist and then the skirt was very full and alternated in large stripes of sheer black chiffon and solid black silk. Her mask was black feathers in a butterfly shape with diamonds around the eye holes which made her eyes look even more stunning.

"Sweetheart you look beautiful," Stefan reassured her when she entered.

A couple of minutes later they had walked into the hallway and finally Bonnie descended the stairs. Kol nearly lost it. She had on a beautiful white gown. It was one shouldered and showcased her curves until her waist and the skirt was full and composed of delicate vertical ruffles. Her mask was small and delicate and composed completely of diamonds. Elijah smiled at her and Kol couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Down Kol," Klaus teased under his breath.

"Darling you are breath-taking," Kol said and he pulled her into his arms for a deep kiss. "Please remember you're mine."

"Always," Bonnie smiled gently.

"Forever," Kol whispered back and it shocked her. Did he realize what he had implied?

As they walked out the front Bonnie gasped because there was a vintage Rolls Royce waiting to take them to the party. Kol helped her settle inside and then held her close as Stefan held Rebekah. As they reached the compound the men helped the women out and walked possessively with them in through the archway.

The second Elijah caught sight of Elena-he nearly lost it. Her dress was strapless and reminded him of something the Greek Goddesses would wear but in a soft powdery blue color and her hair was done in curls. Her mask was the same color blue but on the sides of it were roses done in white.

Elijah had a feeling that he would fall more in love with her that he thought would be impossible. He let out a territorial growl as he saw some young vampire boy take her hand.

There was no way that little boy was going to have her. His strides were quick and powerful as he made sure to stand behind her.

"I believe that you owe me a dance." He practically growled in her ear. His eyes were as black as night as he watched her shiver. Pulling her into his arms, he began to dance with her.

"That was almost bordering on rude," Elena said almost under her breath.

"Frankly Elena I don't give a damn," Elijah said as he spun them around. "Either there's something between us or there isn't Elena. I will not be toyed with." Meanwhile Kol and Bonnie were dancing tenderly nearby.

"Kol please don't leave me alone tonight. This is a sea of vampires..." Bonnie worried.

"Nothing could get me away from you tonight my little witch," Kol said before his lips descended on hers.

Marcel smirked at Rebekah as he twirled her around. His black suit blended perfectly into the decor and she had to roll her eyes at his dramatics.

"I hear that you're on your way to motherhood." He teased. "I remember a time that you told me that you couldn't see yourself in that position but now..." his smirk widened. "I'm just gonna say it-congrats."

"Thank you." Her voice was slightly colder as she saw his eyes move from her to the blonde dressed in a red dress that was made to mimic Cinderella's blue one and her mask was the same as Elena's except in blood red. "What is so special about her?" Her voice was still cold but there was a whiny twinge to it.

"You mean-why everyone chooses her over you?" He asked and at her nod, he smirked at her again.

"She's full of life and you're not." He wasn't going to beat around the bush when it came to Rebekah. "You lost your humanity a long time ago-don't deny it-but Caroline still has hers, even with all the horror in the world, she still has it."

Klaus twirled Caroline around and she ignored whatever she felt for him. He knew that he had his work cut out for him but this was just insane.

Elijah had Elena pressed up quite close to him and she glared at him.

"I will not be toyed with either Mikaelson." She hissed. He growled and flashed her away, back to her room and pinned her to the wall, their lips working in earnest while their fingers were undoing what the other had on. Her eyes shut once his lips moved from hers and down her neck, his hips pressing into hers, making her moan his name.

Elijah's bowtie and jacket were off and Elena's gown was on the floor. His mouth was hot and heavy on hers. Their hands were all over each other. As his finger slipped inside her she gasped and it broke through Elijah's fog. This was Elena...she deserved to be made love to; to be cherished. It should not be rushed in the heat of the moment. He pulled back from her a moment and ran a hand through his hair. He could see the disappointment flood her eyes and knew what she was thinking.

"No, Elena," he said tenderly as he cupped her cheek. "I just don't want to rush this with you. You're too important for that. You mean too much." He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. Then his lips reclaimed her and he tenderly scooped her into his arms and settled her onto the bed. He placed tender, reverent kisses on her body and as his lips took one rose-hued nipple into his mouth his fingers slipped into her again.

The look on her face gripped his heart. His lips captured hers again and his tongue mimicked what his fingers were doing as her body wound tighter and tighter.

"Elijah...Elijah I'm going to..."

"I know Lovely just let it go. I've got you," he said tenderly. A moment later he smiled as she came for him. In a flash he removed the last of his clothing and smiled at her apprehension as he approached her. He entered her carefully and took his time waiting for her to start the pace. As the pleasure drove them both on Elijah held her tenderly. Never had it felt like this in all of his thousand plus years on this earth.

"Elijah, Elijah!" She cried out his name as her climax slammed into her. As his climaxed slammed into him he bit her and they rode out the storm together. As they came back down to earth he withdrew from her both places and rolled onto his back curling her against him. He hoped with everything he had in him that she would not regret this.

"Where's Elijah?" Klaus asked Kol as he and Caroline danced close to Kol and Bonnie.

"Either having the best moment or the worst moment of his life," Kol sighed, "he left with Elena - in a hurry."

"She fell for him again." Caroline murmured as she caught Bonnie's eye. They both knew that it would happen sooner rather than later. "It's the best moment of their lives."

"How would you know?" Klaus said in a near demanding voice. She raised an eyebrow.

"Because Elena Sommers is my sister." Her voice was nearly haughty sounding. "Do you have a problem with that you Hybrid ass?"

"No I have a problem with you ignoring your feelings for me," Klaus said boldly. "You can deny them all you want to Caroline; we've been down that road before. I made a mistake, a horrible one in the grief over my brother. I am apologizing but your refusal to acknowledge any feelings for me just tells me that deep down you still care for me Caroline and I am here to tell you that I love you Caroline. I'm in love with you and even if I never have New Orleans again I don't give a crap but I want you Caroline."

Kol missed a step and Bonnie fell into him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized in obvious shock. He quickly twirled Bonnie away from Klaus and Caroline. He hoped this didn't turn into an incident.

Meanwhile Rebekah was dancing ever-so-slowly with Stefan her head laid on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" he asked tenderly. She offered him a small smile.

"I think I may be getting used to it."

"We're going to do this - together," Stefan vowed.

"Do you think I've lost my humanity?" she worried.

"I still see glimpses Bekah but I think you could work on it," Stefan said honestly. "The flame

hasn't gone out entirely but I think it's flickered a little."

"How can you believe that the flame hasn't gone when he says that it's not there anymore?" Rebekah asked Stefan.

"He doesn't know you the way I do." He told her with a twirl.

"I really wish I could believe you Klaus Mikaelson," Caroline harrumphed. "But I can't. I don't ever think that I'll ever believe a word that you say to me ever again." Pulling from his arms, she found herself in Marcel's and he twirled her around.

"Spoke to Klaus?" He asked in amusement. She smiled at him playfully.

Bonnie and Kol smiled as they kissed once more.

Klaus sauntered over to the bar and ordered a glass of the best scotch. How dare she throw his feelings back into his face? After he had apologized to her nonetheless! He downed the first glass and ordered another. He nursed the second one as he watched her laughing and dancing in Marcel's arms. She came alive in his arms - almost the way she used to in his.

"Believe me when I tell you that I am beyond happy for Elijah and Elena but I don't necessarily believe this was the best time for them to do that," Kol whispered to Bonnie. "Klaus and Caroline look like they might go up in flames and I don't mean the same way that Elijah and Elena did. I don't want to be responsible for that. If there's trouble Elena will blame Elijah and I."

"I'm right here with you," Bonnie smiled tenderly to him.

"You're so beautiful tonight darling and I love you."

"Say it again," Bonnie pleaded.

"I love you Bonnie Bennett. I'm in love with you."

"I love you Kol, always."

Elena was curled into Elijah's arms, her chin on his chest and she was looking up at him as he looked down at her.

"Are we going to keep this secret or should we tell everyone?" she asked him and he leaned down to kiss her again.

"We'll tell everyone." She smiled and pushed her body further into his as his fingers trailed up and down her spine.

This was his version of heaven and with that thought in mind, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Should we be going?" Rebekah asked as her feet were getting sore. Stefan looked around and caught Kol's eye.

"I believe we should and don't worry about Elijah-he's staying here with Elena." Rebekah looked green until the host of the party appeared beside them.

"Leaving so soon?" He asked and at Rebekah's glare, he rolled his eyes but couldn't say anything else as Kol appeared with a very drunk Klaus and Bonnie.

"Yes and I must tell you not to be surprised when you see Elijah and Elena tomorrow at any time." He gave him a cheeky grin and left with the others.

Marcel let out a low groan.

The smell of the alcohol on Klaus' breath was Rebekah's undoing and she didn't even make it in the front door before she was ill right there on the driveway. Stefan held her hair out of the way while Kol rubbed her back.

"When she's finished bring her in and get her on her bed," Bonnie said gently. As soon as Rebekah stopped being ill Stefan swept her up into his arms and carefully carried her at a human pace upstairs so as to not upset her further. When Kol and Stefan got her upstairs and onto the bed Bonnie was waiting with a couple of cold cloths and a trashcan. Kol realized she was pretty good at this when Rebekah's color began to return.

"Kol there's some Ginger Ale in the refrigerator could you please bring a glass?" Bonnie asked. As soon as he had gone Bonnie closed the door.

"Okay let's get you in your pajamas," she smiled at Rebekah.

"I am so embarrassed," Rebekah groaned.

"Don't be, you're pregnant. I totally understand." Stefan tenderly helped her carefully undress while Bonnie brought her night things. By the time Kol came back with the ginger ale Rebekah was settled in bed propped up against pillows in her pajamas.

"Thank you Kol," she smiled softly as he handed her the glass. Kol beamed at Bonnie feeling really accomplished. They left the bedroom and returned to his suite.

"See Kol, you can do this in Elijah's absence. I'm so proud of you," Bonnie raised up and kissed him deeply.

He nodded but was still uneasy about it. "Do you think that Elijah's coming home tomorrow or will he just end up staying there?" He asked.

Bonnie shrugged. "I don't know." She whispered.

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