Was so close to missing my update deadline, but I DIDN'T! I'm not happy with this chapter though, I literally just spewed it out a few minutes ago. It's probably horrible, but here goes nothing.

I hear it before I see it, the loud thumping of music accompanied by the echo of voices. I recognise the song as a vague Christmas carol that's been warped and jumbled into something that makes my ears ring and my eyes bug out. It sounds like a massacre.

But when Klaus and I turn the corner we aren't met with blood and death, the town hall has been transformed into a winter wonderland. There's enough fake snow on the floor and glittering giant snowflakes hanging from the roof to put actual winter to shame. It's mighty tacky, just like something out of a movie, but no one seems to mind.

I don't even really mind.

Elena wasn't kidding when she said my dress was more than what most girls would be wearing. Somehow seeing so many people covered with so little makes me more confident in my gauzy covering. I, at least, have both my breasts and buttocks covered.

"I really wasn't missing out on too much," I say under my breath and Klaus squeezes my elbow gently.

"It's vulgar in the start," he begins; I turn to watch his face, his eyes scanning over the mass of moving bodies curiously. "But as it gets later men give women their jackets and wrap them in their arms. The music is passable at best, but no one's paying attention because the lights lower and it feels like being wrapped up in a cocoon while you're dancing."

I stare at him. Most of that went right over my head; I was never a hopeless romantic, even when I was with Sam. His words make sense, but I can't picture it in my head. A smile drags at my lips, "You're actually pretty romantic."

Klaus scoffs and rolls his eyes, "Not necessarily, but I did live through an era of Shakespeare."

A chuckle trickles up my throat and I end up shaking my head, "Does that mean I can coerce you into reciting poetry for me?"

"Not a chance in Hell," he supplies immediately, but he flashes me a quick smirk. "Is that your secret, Clearwater? Are you a diehard poetry fan?"

"No," I answer honestly, eyeing him curiously, although I'd certainly develop an interest in sonnets and such if he wanted to narrate some for me. "There was a time when I enjoyed listening to Quileute ballads around the fire though, they could count as poetry."

Klaus seems to take this in seriously and his fingers tighten around my elbow for a split second before releasing it. "Quiletute? That's your tribe,"

I blink owlishly; a moment later my mouth forms a small 'o'. "I never did tell you that, did I? I didn't trust you back then,"

"Do you now?"

"Yes," no question about it. I know of Klaus' less than innocent deeds, I know he could track down my family and slaughter them, but I also know that he wouldn't do that. The vampire may be big on grudges and settling scores, but behind all his rough edges and snarling teeth there's someone scared to trust. I'll do it for him until he can manage it himself.

"You shouldn't,"

"Why not? Are you going to go find my brother and hurt him?"

He's silent for a moment, but the beating music fills the gap. Lights flicker and Klaus' face turns from pale to blue to shadowed contours. "Probably not, but I may be tempted to get my hands on that Sam of yours."

"Firstly, he isn't mine," I'm not sure whether to be worried or proud of this man. And I wonder why I'm falling in love with him. "But it's probably best to just leave him be,"

"Why?"

I look at him extraordinarily, "For now, let's just leave it at him being my ex and my former Alpha,"

He starts to speak, but doesn't get a word out before we're ambushed by Kol and, oddly enough, Elena.

"Nice dress,"

"I see you didn't smudge the lipgloss,"

They look at eachother, Elena seemingly in disgust and Kol wearing a wide smirk. I look from one to the other, trying to decide whose comment deserves my attention. Finally, pursing my lips, I look to Kol. "Thank you, although a friend picked it out." I look over his suit, unlike Klaus his is more casual, and although he looks handsome, he's nothing close to Klaus. I am not biased! "You clean up well,"

Kol grins before reaching for my hand, he places a kiss on the back while my face twists in amusement. Today's full of new things. "Thank you, my dear,"

Klaus huffs and when I look at him he rolls his eyes, "Well stated, Clearwater,"

I flush, but don't say anything. It'd be embarrassing as all get out to admit to Klaus in front of these people that indeed he look better than 'not too bad' and much better than Kol's 'clean up well'. Maybe I'll corner him later with a real compliment.

Elena raises her brows and drags my hand away from Kol's grip, tugging at my wrist. "Come, Caroline's at the snowflake sticker table."

"What?" I squeak, looking back at Klaus over my shoulder, but his face has changed at the mention of the blonde vampire and he's turned to scan the crowd once more. I grit my teeth and my eyes fall on Kol before I turn to Elena. "What's a snowflake sticker table?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," She huffs and tugs me toward the mass of grinding bodies. I follow grudgingly, it's not like Klaus will fulfil his romantic prophetic notions if he's consumed with all things Caroline. No matter how much I wish he'd wrap me in his jacket and arms, it won't be happeneing.

"Leah," Kol catches up to us, only stopping me for a moment while Elena glares daggers. He has that smirk back in place as if he knows something I don't. "I'll be claiming that dance tonight,"

I blink owlishly before nodding, I'd almost forgotten about that deal. "All right,"

"Good," he murmurs before turning and disappearing among the people.

Elena yanks on my hand, making me stumble in the heels before I can catch up to her steps. "I'm surprised anything I helped you with is still in place." The sly glance over her shoulder speaks volumes despite her serene tone.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Although I've got a pretty good idea, I'll not give her the satisfaction of a quick response.

She shrugs a slim shoulder, the sparkly blue of her dress shirt twinkling in the lights. "I think you know exactly what it means, but you don't need to say anything." I eye her wearily but she doesn't spare me a glance as we close in on what is, indeed, a snowflake sticker table where Caroline stands placing one of said snowflakes into the curls of a young girl's hair. "I can only do so much to help you though; if you want Klaus to smudge that lip-gloss you've got to put some effort into it."

My face explodes with heat.

"Elena, Leah, hi!" Caroline calls, waving a hand absolutely covered in silver glitter from the various stickers, hairpieces and cheap jewellery sporting shimmering snowflakes. Her strappy dress is just as sparkly as the accessories and I take a moment to wonder whether she dressed to match the snowflake theme or whether the glitter's made itself home on what may have previously been a less twinkly colour. "Do you want some?" she asks, excitedly gesturing to the décor.

I cringe, "No, I think I'll pass,"

"She means 'yes'," Elena chuckles drily, pushing me closer to Caroline with more strength than I've given her credit for before.

"I really didn't," I protest weakly as the blonde attacks me with glitter and snowflakes.

When she's done, Elena produces a hand mirror from thin air and waves it in my face. I loath to admit that the sparkly bits actually look nice with the white dress and my contrasting darker hair and skin.

Caroline grins brightly, watching me with eager fondness, waiting for my response.

I widen my eyes purposefully, I can't bring myself to hate Caroline no matter how she infatuates Klaus. She's a nice kid. "It looks good,"

Her smile grows larger and brighter, she claps glitter covered hands excitedly. "Great, now get out there and flaunt yourself!"

Snorting I shake my head, but even Elena is smiling at Caroline's eagerness. "Do I have to do that though?" I cast a nervous eye at the grinding bodies, Elena pats my arm reassuringly.

"You can try it if you want, but all you really have to do is move a bit."

"I think I'd rather wait for the slower music."

"Oh, come on!" Caroline cries, grabbing both Elena's and my arms, she half-drags us further into the crowd until limbs not belonging to the three of us brush up against me. "Just move!"

Over heads and lifted arms, I catch a glimpse of Klaus and Kol standing together. They're looking in our direction. With my stomach erupting into butterflies of maybe, just maybe, I follow Caroline's lead and begin to move.