This chapter follows the plot of Danger Liaisons (Loosely), which is an extremely Klaroline-centric chapter, and I can't have that. Therefore, things will be changed, just as a warning.

The dress in the link is very similar to Evangeline's gown but imagine it without the bow and the diamonds in a ribbon wrapping around her body, as described further in the chapter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When it was time for the ball, the once nearly silent mansion became filled with thousands of voices. I recognized a few but many sounded like nothing but a mass of strangers, mingling in what I was being forced to call home.

After my talk with Esther, I had no desire to join the party—though my excitement had been quite minute from the start. I knew my brothers would attend because Esther made sure Elena would. The doppelganger was convinced she was going to be able to solve everything once she spoke with the Original Witch, so even if my brothers forbid her from attending, she'd burst through the doors with a brand new dress anyway. She and I were alike in that way, sadly.

Elijah had insisted that I attend and even offered to stay by my side the entire time so when Esther spilled the beans about Klaus and I, he could protect me from my brothers if I needed it. I knew I wouldn't actually need physical protection and he did as well. Elijah was my best friend, the person I could always confide in and partially responsible for my sanity. He was somewhat of an emotional anchor of mine; therefore, he would be there for me if my brothers decided to tear me down through words and judgment instead of physical attacks.

Right after Elijah had given me his gracious offer, I had to stop myself from crying. I couldn't help but to feel like I had been given the wrong Mikaelson as a prophesized mate. Sure Klaus and I had a connection through being hybrid bastard children who were misunderstood but putting two extremely damaged people together like the two of us seemed like a huge mistake. We both had terrible tempers and stubborn attitudes that made us clash constantly whereas Elijah and I clicked together almost perfectly the day we met. He balanced me out with his noble ways whenever I almost went off the deep end and I got him to remember that it is okay to live even if you have been undead for a thousand years. So, why wasn't he my mate? Sure he wasn't a shapeshifter but did that really mean anything?

Once I was in the confinement of Klaus's bedroom, I decided that Elijah and I were too perfect together. And that I could possibly corrupt him with my demons, but I couldn't corrupt Klaus. Klaus was the definition of corrupt.

Maybe he and I were meant to fix each other somehow. Who really knew anyway?

I was so consumed in my thoughts that I almost missed the large gift box on the best. It was a shimmery deep red color with black ribbon and a pure white card was sitting on top of the bow with my name sprawled in the middle. Of course, I picked it up and knew it was from none other than Klaus, his handwriting was impeccable and easily recognizable.

Taking a deep breath, I read:

Dear Angel, you have taught me that there are many things I have yet to learn. Please accept this dress in condolences of the harsh words I spoke to you and save me a dance, love. We have much to discuss.

~Nik

The spiteful side of me felt like his words fell flat, he barely apologized and he expected me to fall into his arms because he bought me a dress?

Yet, the side of me that was actually his mate took the fact that he admitted he was still learning to heart and pieced together that it meant he did not really know how to be a proper mate. He needed someone to guide him and be there for him as he not only succeeded but also dealt with failed attempts along the way.

I knew that that person would have to be me.

With another deep breath, I set the small card aside and got the willpower to take the top off of the box, squeezing my eyes shut. I was partially afraid of what over-the-top piece of clothing would be waiting for me knowing Klaus and his desire to get under my skin.

Upon opening my eyes, I barely stifled the gasp that passed my lips at what I saw.

The gown was black and smooth. It was strapless and elegant adorned with a diagonal band of diamonds that went from the top of the left bust down the middle of the right and around the back of the dress, wrapping around like a ribbon then coming back to the front down the waist to hip diagonally. Then, the diamonds seemed to explode onto the dress fading down to about the knee before it was nothing but black silk. It was absolutely gorgeous and I was not surprised that Klaus could afford it or had found it tasteful, though I was surprised that he had purchased it for me.

As peculiar as it was, the truth was that though I was his mate, I was not his significant other. Him buying me such an amazing dress had me taken aback but I did not decline his offer, seeing as he claimed that he was willing to learn so I supposed I could stop being stubborn. At least for that one night.

Getting the dress on was a bit of a task and I ended up having Rebekah help me get everything zipped up before I allowed myself to see how it looked in the mirror.

As I expected, it looked astonishing. The dress fit me perfectly, hugging my frame until the diamonds ended before it flowed out to my feet and even past them. It wasn't so tight that I couldn't breathe or so loose that I felt uncomfortable wearing it braless, it was just unmistakably perfect.

Even Rebekah was taken aback at the beauty of the dress.

"My brother never ceases to surprise me" The blonde Mikaelson said with a sigh of amusement as I slid on a pair of nude heels and clasped the diamond necklace he bought me as well around my neck. It matched beautifully, so beautifully that I was seeing it as more than a coincidence.

"He's..." I paused, at a lost for words as I toyed with my necklace, "...trying"

Rebekah chuckled a bit before she stood up from the bed after obviously reading the little note her brother left for me.

"Well I can say he's never done something like this before for any woman or referred to himself as Nik" She said with a kind smile as she put a hand on my shoulder, "And I just might like having you around as much as he does, so...would you like an extra hand on your hair?"

Breaking out into a smile at her kindness, I nodded, "That'd be great, then I can help you get ready and we'll look stunning together"

"Perfect" The female Original said smiling through her accent as she went to fetch a robe to put over my dress.

*_*

Just as Rebekah and I finished putting my hair in soft spirals, Elijah—true to his word—appeared at the door to accompany me downstairs and Rebekah went off to meet Matt. I couldn't lie and say I wasn't surprised when she told me he was her date, because I definitely was. I just hoped that Rebekah didn't have some hidden agenda going on about it, though, knowing her, she most likely did.

"You look absolutely extravagant" Elijah said with a charming smile, kissing my hand with a formal bow that I couldn't help but to blush at.

Chuckling, I gave his cheek a small peck, wishing I could make him blush, "Thanks 'Lijah, you look dashing as usual"

The older vampire chortled at my flattery before eyeing my dress for each detail, "My brother aimed to please...did he?"

With a sigh and a slight shrug, I answered, "I'm not sure yet...Nik is well aware that I can't be bought so he sure as hell better not believe that him buying me some ten thousand dollar dress isn't going to put the past to rest"

Elijah opened his mouth to play devil's advocate—his favorite role—but I stopped him with a small raise of the hand, "And before you advocate for him because he's your brother, I know he's trying and I'm going to give him a chance, we've all lived on this Earth too long for grudges. I'm just informing you that he's not going to get on my good side that easily"

The Mikaelson grinned at me with admiration in his eyes, "Sometimes I forget that you are a fully capable woman, Dear Evangeline. I don't know why I even doubted your wisdom"

"Me either" I teased, before we both laughed and I hooked my arm through his, preparing to leave the room with him.

Abruptly, it was then that I remembered that my best female friend was returning to the states and coming to Mystic Falls. I immediately contemplated telling Elijah as we left the confinement of Niklaus's bedroom but something inside me made me halt. Though Elijah and Anastasia had got on well in the past and he would appreciate knowing she was returning, I remembered who resided in the house along with us. I wasn't so sure that Esther would like the arrival of another powerful witch in the town and since she was not in Ana's good graces, I didn't doubt that the feeling was mutual.

Deciding to give my best friend the element of surprise, I decided to refrain from telling Elijah, at least while we were in earshot of his mother.

There was no sign of Elena when Elijah and I reached the main entrance where the guests were filing in. I was still completely wary of the thought of the stubborn doppelganger showing up but I couldn't deny that I was a bit relieved to know that Esther was dropping the 'mate' bomb saving Klaus or myself from having to do it.

I had initially planned on running as far away from my brothers as possible once she announced the little fact but I decided I was too old to be running from my brother's in fear of disapproval. I was a big girl, I could take on the worst of Stefan's glares and dodge Damon's low blows if I really tried.

It was just hard because they were my family, my only family and I couldn't imagine them hating me because of Klaus and the asinine prophecy I somehow ended up being apart of, but, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Maybe they would eventually sympathize with me for having the most demented of the Mikaelson men—aside from their father—as a mate. That was less than likely but I could dream, after all.

Anyway, there were beautiful white lights lining the railing of the staircases that contrasted beautifully with the low lighting of the mansion. The waiters were already clamoring around in suit and tie with glasses of champagne upon their circular metallic trays and the guests were dressed beautifully. Long gowns of every color were everywhere and the crisp smell of hot hair appliances drifted through the air into my nostrils with each woman who passed me by.

"I have to admit, it looks beautiful" I told Elijah, as we looked through the crowds of people for familiar faces, I did so warily whilst he wore a smug smile on his features.

He nodded in agreement, as he paused, obviously spotting someone he knew. Following his gaze, I unwillingly held my breath as I saw his younger brother speaking to Mayor Lockwood with his signature smile on his face. I nearly rolled my eyes at the blatantly swooning woman but allowed Elijah to lead me over to them anyway. Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid his brother no more than I could avoid my own because, unknown to me at the time, both of my brothers arrived on either side of Elena.

The blonde hybrid that I called my mate sensed our presence; his smile grew wider once he laid eyes on me. He briefly eyed my white gloved hand clutching Elijah's bicep through his suit jacket for dear life but it seemed to slip past him as he laid his eyes on the dress I wore.

His lightning blue irises followed every curve of my figure shown through the dress up to the glittering necklace hanging on my chest just above the neck of the gown.

Mayor Lockwood was all but forgotten as he took my hand in his similar to the way that Elijah had done just twenty or so minutes before.

"You looking breathtaking" He breathed, bringing my hand to his lips slowly, his gaze never leaving my own.

An intense emotion washed over me with the eye contact, heating me up from my toes to my scalp as I grinned at the hybrid man. He looked gorgeous as usual adorned with the pure white bowtie and expensive tuxedo and finished it off with a devilish smile. The formal hugged his physique perfectly accentuating his muscles enough of give him an air of masculinity and wealth. His usually unruly curly hair was a bit cleaner and his scruff looked oddly more tasteful as he stared down at me, still a couple inches taller than me while I wore heels. I could not lie, Niklaus in a suit was a sight for sore eyes and probably my favorite look of his.

Aside from that damned black v-neck he wore.

"You made sure of that" I said, ignoring the empty feeling that filled my gut as he drew his hand away but it didn't last long as he slipped his hand to the small of my back, guiding me away from his brother and the mayor.

I sent Elijah a reassuring smile over my shoulder, ensuring him that if I saw my brother's I'd be okay with Niklaus.

He smiled arrogantly for just a few seconds before he tut at me before leaning down closer to my ear, "Now Dear Angel, all I simply did was provide the dress. You, love, made it the most ravishing gown in the entire place"

Refraining from disturbing the red lipstick on my bottom lip by biting it, I sucked in a breath, forcing myself not to be taken by his flattery and the soft brushing of his lips against my skin. He was being typical Niklaus, trying to seduce me in to submission but I would not allow it, especially with the events that were inevitably going to unfold during the formal event we were in the middle of.

Just as I went to speak to him about what we were going to do about his mother trying to force us to marry—yes, I was still traumatized at the thought—I saw Kol and Finn walking up the staircase with Elijah in tow, all heading towards their mother. Rebekah passed us by, giving her brother a 'come on' type of look before Klaus slipped his hand in mine (In front of everyone might I add) and halfway dragged me up the steps with the rest of his family.

As I stood with the Mikaelsons, it felt as though all eyes were on me. Like everyone in the crowd knew I was not a Mikaelson and I stuck out like a sore thumb—not even because of my darker skin color, just because of the way I carried myself. I didn't have the Mikaelson arrogance of being alive longer than everyone in the room and having the wealth of a billionaire under my belt, though my brother's and I sat quite comfortably. Speaking of my siblings, I nearly wanted to sneak behind Klaus as I exchanged gazes with my brothers who had obviously seen my hand in that of the hybrid's and were ready to blow a fuse.

Elijah began to speak, throwing me a fleeting gaze of reassurance, "Um, if everyone could gather" The man paused as he waited for everyone's attention to turn to us, though it did not take long and I found myself squeezing Niklaus's hand, surprised when he squeezed back. His jaw was clenched as he held the gaze of Stefan and I nudged him, making him turn his stormy blue eyes away from my brother to the haphazard forest of green within my own, wordlessly telling him not to provoke either one of them.

"Welcome to our home and thank you for joining us" I slightly shuddered when I realized the Mikaelson included me in his grouping claim and it was Niklaus's turn to calm me down.

The content look in his eyes put me at ease as his brother continued speaking, "You know, whenever my mother—"Cue Esther to reveal herself in a beautiful gown—"brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance...tonight's pick is a century old waltz, so if all of you could find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom"

Nik and I broke eye contact as Elijah swiftly left the staircase, heading to the ballroom as the rest of us were compelled to follow his footsteps. Esther looked at the two of us adoringly as Nik kept my hand in his, leading me towards the vast room that I barely even recognized as a part of the mansion. I paid no attention as the Original witch walked in the opposite direction of us but instead took note of Damon stopping Elena as she obviously went to follow her. I presumed Esther had wanted to speak to Elena about the ritual in her lonesome, which I wasn't surprised to assume. The Witch had a knack for getting people alone.

Plenty of couples who knew the waltz were gathered around the room and I saw many familiar faces. Rebekah was with Matt Donovan, Damon with Elena, Stefan with the blonde vampire—Caroline Forbes, and so on, even Kol had snagged himself a partner though I had no idea who the woman was. Nik gladly joined the back row with me in tow, allowing me to get into the proper standing as the sound began to play.

Give me love, like her

Niklaus and I were walking side by side in sync with everyone else, ignoring the gazes on us and the blatant stares from others joining the dance. The Original turned his head to look at me with an appreciative smile.

"You really do you beautiful, Dear Angel"

Cause lately I've been waking up alone

We turned ninety degrees and I gave him a discreet smile and thanked him with my eyes before we walked forward towards none other than my brother and Caroline. The amount of betrayal Caroline looked at me with made my heart lurch but it was the mask that my little brother wore over his own emotions that made my heart drop. Thankfully, we walked past them towards the other side of the floor.

Paint splattered teardrops on my shirt

Nik and I were side by side once again, I felt his gaze on me. With a swift spin, my hands were on his shoulders and my worries were washing away with his gaze. He didn't look devilish or calculating, he looked utterly concerned, wondering what was going through my head.

Told you I'd let them go

We turned and turned, I felt my heart picking up as I held his gaze. His blue eyes turned to oceans as I felt my body melting against his with each dance step. He parted his beautiful pink lips and I knew what he would say before it slipped from his voice box.

And that I'll fight my corner, maybe tonight I'll call ya

After my blood, turns to alcohol

"What did you think...about what I wrote?" His voice lowered an octave as he brought his lips closer to my ear, something I was too used to him doing.

Instead of shivering, I looked back into his eyes, where I felt an odd sense of security, "I think that I'll believe you're willing to learn when you prove it to me"

No, I just want to hold ya

Give a little time to me, we'll burn this out

We'll play hide and seek to turn this around

All I want is the taste that your lips allow

My, my, my, my, oh give me love

My, my, my, my oh give me love

My, my, my, my oh give me love

My, my, my, my oh give me love

His lips briefly turned up into a small smile, as if he expected such a spitfire response but it slipped away from his lips, "I am deeply sorry for what I said, Dear Angel"

"I know Nik" I said with a sad sigh as I readjusted my hand in his, "And I've forgiven you, for that"