"Why can't we just stay? Why must we go to this stupid dance?" Kol whined nuzzling his head in his mates neck covering her skin with light kisses. She moans leaning back into him. "I want you all to myself" He whispers running his hands up and down her sides.

"I promised Caroline I would go." Claire whisper. "Besides, this dress it beautiful, I want to wear it." She mutters looking into the full length mirror.

"When you completed the bond with my brothers, they got more time with you than a couple of hours." Kol complained. Claire smirked and turned in his arms.

"Let's go to the dance for just a few hours then we'll come back and I'm all yours tonight and tomorrow." He grins deviously. "How's that sound?"

"Perfect" He mutters going to kiss her but she bends back. He gives her an innocent smile.

"No kisses" She muttered. He pouts. She taps his pouting lip before slipping out of his arms. She knew if she kissed him they'd never make it to the dance.

"Elskan, Sarah is here to watch Madelyn." Claire smiles and kisses Elijah's cheek before leaving the room. She glides down the stairs and smiles at Sarah.

"Wow, you live here now?" Sarah asked looking around the mansion. "With the Mikaelson's?" She raises an eyebrow at Claire.

"It's complicated. Thank you for coming." Claire said giving Sarah a tight hug. Sarah smiles hugging Claire back.

"You look amazing" Sarah tells her. "Very flapper girly."

"Why thank you" Claire spins around, the tassels on the dress flaring out. Sarah smiles watching her twirl. She noticed a difference in her compared to when she first met Claire. She seemed genuinely happy. She seemed lighter, more carefree, more her age. She didn't seem like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders anymore. While Sarah didn't know what to think about her living with the Mikaelson's, it wasn't her place to question it. How bad could they be if they made her so happy? "Now, we're only going to be gone a few hours and-"

"Stay out as long as you like. I'll handle Madelyn, you have fun and go be a teenager." Claire smiles.

"Ok, the kitchen is that way and around the corner. TV is in that room. Bathroom is to the left of the kitchen. Madelyn's room is up the stairs, down the hall, third door on the right." Claire explains quickly. "I'll have my phone on me should you need to reach me for whatever reason."

"I'm sure I can handle her." Sarah assures her.

"Of course you can" Claire grins. "You're a pro." Sarah looks up the steps. Sensing someone coming down, Claire turns. She smiles at Finn. Him and Madelyn seem to be getting along very well as he's holding her without her throwing a fit.

Finn looked extremely handsome. He is dressed in a deep grey suit and a Homburg hat. Very fitting for tonight's 20's dance.

"You must be Sarah, Finn Mikaelson. I've heard plenty of good things about you." Finn introduces himself. Sarah smiles feeling slightly flustered. Claire grins amusingly. The babysitter reaches out and takes Madelyn from Finn.

"Nice to meet you." Sarah mutters resting Madelyn on her hip. "I'm going to go get dinner started" She muttered awkwardly.

"Looks like someone has a crush." Claire mutters playfully. Finn grips Claire by the waist, yanking her into his embrace.

"I only have eyes for you." He whispers reassuringly. She smiles caressing his cheeks gently.

"I know, I trust you." She whispers. He grins kissing her forehead.

"We should get going, the party has already started" Henrik said jogging down the steps. He's in a white suit with black stripes and a Fedora. He poses on the steps. Claire nods in approval.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you lived in the 20's." She said trading Finn's embrace for Henrik's.

"I guess you could say I did, in a way." He shrugs. "And as always, absolutely breath taking my darling Angel." He grins cheekily. Claire smiles giving his lips a quick peck.

"He gets a kiss but I don't?" Kol complains flashing down the steps. He didn't wear a full suit like his siblings. He simply wore dress pants and a vest, still just as sexy as the others.

"Yes because unlike you Henrik has some control." Claire said looking at him.

"Don't overestimate my control, gorgeous" Henrik whispers in her ear, nibbling at her lightly. She grins shivering into him. Kol growls and practically rips her away from Henrik and into his arms. The bond is still freshly made and Kol felt more possessive over her than the others at the moment.

"Relax" She whispers in his ear. She runs her hand through his hair gently. "Remember, I'm all yours tonight" She reminds him.

"I don't know if I can last that long" Kol whispers gripping her tightly.

"Tough, you're gonna have to" Claire smirks. "It'll be worth it, I promise." She kisses his nose. He pouts wanting her to kiss him elsewhere.

"Now we really should go before they start ripping apart their clothes." Klaus says joining them in his all white suit. Claire spares him a harsh glare still very upset with him. He frowns slightly.

"The car is ready." Elijah said reentering the house. "Are you all ready?" He asks. He grins at Claire who smiles back at him. "Absolutely beautiful." She grins and kisses his cheek.

"Lets get going." She said and the six of them left. Elijah climbs into the drivers seat with Klaus beside him. Henrik, Finn and Kol climb into the back with Claire laying on top of their laps. Not the most legal thing in the world but she knew she is just as safe.

When they make it to the high school, Elijah assists Claire in climbing out of the car. She hooks one arm around his and her other arm around Kol's. The two Mikaelson brothers escort her inside with the remaining three walking behind her.

Claire has been seen around town with all of them but it's always been separate. Now she's being seen with all of them at once and the gossipers are having a field day. Claire wondered what they were whispering amongst themselves. They probably thought she was the Mikaelson groupie.

"Well, look who decided to show up." Klaus announces. It only takes Claire a moment before she realizes who he's talking about. Tyler's at the dance with Caroline. Claire turns to him.

"Go talk to him, see what happens." Claire glared. Klaus presses his lips together giving her a hard stare. She tilts her head silently challenging him. He growls. Kol growls in return pulling Claire back into his chest. He stands tall just waiting for an excuse to attack his brother. They may be on the way to mending their relationship but it is still very rocky.

"Alright, everyone just relax." Elijah steps in. "Klaus, leave the boy alone. Claire, this is a dance. Smile, be happy." He cups her chin. She smiles at him. Her smiles turns to Klaus and goes from innocent to smug. "Kol... Behave." Kol rolls his eyes.

"I'll leave wolf boy alone if I get the first dance." Klaus bargains.

"You'll leave Tyler alone because I told you too. Tyler is mine to deal with. He's Caroline's boyfriend and as long as they are together none of you are to approach him, talk to him, harm him in any physical or verbal way nor are any of you to threaten him." She said making eye contact with each of them at some point. "Am I clear?"

"Of course, Elskan" Elijah nods having heard this speech before. Henrik and Finn nod rather reluctantly.

"Agree or you're not touching me tonight." Claire whispers to Kol.

"You have my word" Kol answers instantly. Claire spares him a quick kiss before looking at Klaus, raising her eyebrows. Klaus clenches his jaw. He should be used to this. Claire isn't someone he could ever control. Ever time he tries, she shows him his attempts are futile. She's extremely hardheaded and once she has her mind set on anything it's her way or the highway. Even after being with her for these last few months, he's struggling to understand that he's not in charge anymore.

"Fine" Klaus gives in. Claire smiles relaxing immensely. Klaus knew how important this is to her but only because the mutt is with Caroline and Claire would never do anything to harm her twin sister.

"Don't get me wrong, Klaus" Claire started as she walked over to him. "I want him dead just as much as any of you." She mutters grabbing his face. "But as long as he's with Caroline and as long as Caroline loves him, there's nothing we can do."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart" He sighs. She smiles and kisses him.

"You made me very happy" She whispers. He grins calming down instantly. "But Finn gets first dance." Finn instantly perks up.

"What?" Kol whined. Claire grins turning to Finn. He smirks smugly and holds his hand out to her. She takes it and he leads her onto the dance floor.

"Thank you for the dance" He whispers in her ear holding her close. She smiles as they sway to the slow song.

"You don't have to thank me" She whispers back. "I love being with you" She mutters kissing his neck lightly. He grins his grip on her tightening. "Do you miss being human?" She asked resting her head on his shoulder. His chin rests on top of her head as he thinks of an answer.

"I used too" He mutters. "I used to hate what we are... I don't think I'll ever like being what I am but I don't hate it. Not anymore."

"Why?" She asks quietly.

"Because if I wasn't this... creature, I would have never lived long enough to be with you. Not only did it help me survive this long but now I'm strong enough to protect you from anything. I could do without the blood drinking but I can make due now that blood bags are a thing." He answers her. She smiles lifting her head making him lift his.

"I'm glad you don't hate it anymore" She says cupping his cheek. "I've seen you in my dreams before. You always looked so... sad." She mutters.

"I didn't have you." He said kissing her forehead. "You make everything better." She blushes and kisses his lips. He grins deepening the kiss. "With you, I'm truly happy." He whispers.

"I shouldn't be your sole source of happiness" She whispers to him. "There's so many things to be happy for, you just have to figure that out." He doesn't say anything, simply gazes into her eyes.

"As much as I would love to spend all night with you, I fear my brothers are starting to get quite antsy to dance with you." Finn mutters.

"They'll get over it" She teases. He grins and twirls her around before pulling her into his arms. She giggles as the dance begins to pick up a little bit. Eventually, he twirls her into Elijah's arms. They dance before she is passed to Henrik, then Kol and finally Klaus.

"Still upset with me, love?" Klaus asks.

"You've behaved pretty well tonight." Claire smiles. "I don't want to come off as a controlling bitch, Klaus but Tyler is making Caroline happy and I don't want you taking that away from her."

"I won't" He promises her. "But the moment they break up-"

"He's ours" Claire stresses. He grins and kisses her. She smiles into the kiss.

"You would've loved the 1920's, Claire. The girls were reckless, sexy, fun. They literally used to dance until they dropped."

"You better not let me fall, Klaus Mikaelson" Claire warned grinning widely.

"I wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart." He smirks back.

"Mind if I cut in?" They turned their head and noticed Asher.

"No, of course not" Claire asked before Klaus could. Klaus gave her a look and she returned it. He sighed and handed her off to her brother. "You look very handsome."

"Thank you, you look very pretty" Asher tells her.

"Is Archie and Penny here too?" She asked looking around.

"Archie is probably spiking the punch bowl and Penny is with one of your mates." Claire looks at Elijah and smiles. She knew Elijah was just making Penelope's night. It was no secret Penelope had a crush on Elijah though her sister would never admit it seeing as Elijah is Claire's mate. However, Elijah is a good man is very kind. "I wanted to ask if Rebekah was at the mansion when you left"

"No, she wasn't. I thought she was with you." Claire said frowning her eyebrows. Asher sighs and shakes his head.

"I saw her a little bit yesterday but something felt... off." He muttered. "I couldn't figure it out. "She begged me to come to this and here I am but she's nowhere to be found."

"Lets call her" Claire said. The two siblings slipped out of the dance. Noticing Claire moving towards the exit, her mates gather and follow her. "Kol, can you hand me my phone?" She asks knowing it is in his pocket.

"Sure, darling" He hands it to her. She calls Rebekah. It goes to voicemail. She looks at Asher and shakes her head.

"Hey Bekah, just wondering where you're at. You did an amazing job with the dance but you're not here to enjoy it. Call me back, we're getting a little worried." Claire hangs up and Asher tries her for the hundredth time.

"What is this?" Klaus mutters seeing a line of salt. His brothers inspect it as well.

"You're mother is back." Stefan speaks up. Finn instantly grabs Claire and pulls her into him. Klaus growls in annoyance.

"Asher, find Archie and get Penny home." Claire tells her sternly.

"I'm not leaving without figuring out what happened to Rebekah." Asher replied just as sternly.

"Fine, but that doesn't mean Archie and Penny have to be here." Claire said. Asher sighed and nodded. He wonders back into the dance while the other go into one of the abandoned classrooms. Claire stays between Finn and Kol. Klaus and Elijah walk ahead of her with Henrik behind her.

Damon, Stefan, Jeremy, Bonnie and a guy Claire didn't recognize were also in the room. However, from the looks of it the guy and Bonnie seemed to be very close as the guy is never more than a few feet from Bonnie.

"She does this all the time, right?" He asks nervously.

"What's taking so long? All boundary spells have a loop hole." Klaus snapped. Henrik steps forward and gives Bonnie a hand. Claire wanted to help as well but since the moment Stefan told them their mother has returned, none of the brothers allowed her out of their small protective circle and she knew that wasn't going to change until Esther is dead.

"People are walking right out of the dance, past the barrier" Matt said entering the room with Asher and Archie. Claire raises an eyebrow at them.

"Penny got home safe." Asher muttered to Claire.

"And Caroline is still having a good time with Tyler" Archie said. While Claire is happy Caroline is alright, the fact that she's with Tyler still irked her.

"So? What's the hold up?" Asher asked rubbing his hands together.

"Bonnie's having a hard time figuring out how to break the boundary spell" Claire told them.

"Oh, so little miss Bennett witch isn't all that after all is she?" Archie asked smirking. The guy beside Bonnie gives Archie a glace but it only boosted Archie's ego.

"Mom always said that Bennett witches are over rated" Asher mumbled not so quietly.

"Matt and I can leave, we can stop Esther ourselves." Jeremy spoke up. "We just gotta find out where she is."

"It's suicide Jeremy." Stefan told him.

"Suicide would be disappointing me!" Klaus snapped choking the boy who Bonnie seemed to like. "Now work your magic, witch, or I'll start killing people you fancy"

"Let him go!" Bonnie snapped with absolute fury burning in her eyes.

"Not until you get us out of here" Klaus snipped.

"Ah, don't be stupid, Klaus. Bonnie doesn't give a damn about us. The only reason she's helping us right now is to help make it up to Claire. You start killing the people she cares bout, she'll tell us all to go to hell." Stefan said. Claire frowns her eyebrows and looks at Bonnie.

Bonnie hesitantly looks back at her. Bonnie gives her a small smile as Klaus lets the boy go just as shocked.

"Why are you trying to make it up to me?" Claire asked walking forward. Her mates tense and walk with her.

"Let's just say I know what I did against you and your mates was wrong." Bonnie told her. "I couldn't imagine someone doing to me what I tried and did do to you." Bonnie said before giving the boy beside her a loving smile. Suddenly it made sense.

Bonnie finally understood what it meant to have a soulmate because he's standing right beside her. She finally understood what she did was wrong. She couldn't imagine someone keeping her soulmate away from her like she did to Elijah and Claire. She couldn't imagine someone trying to kill him like she did to Klaus. Worst of all, Bonnie was still Claire's best friend when she did it. Claire and all her actions suddenly made perfect sense to Bonnie. Bonnie knew she should be thanking her lucky stars that she's even alive and she knew the only reason she is is because Claire spared her. Claire spared her even after all she did.

Bonnie wanted to make it up to Claire. She wanted to get back in her good graces. She misses her best friend more than she thought was possible. The guilt she feels is eating her alive. She hardly sleeps. She wants to be Claire and Caroline's friend again. She wants their trust because she doesn't trust the Salvatore's. If she ever did, it's even less now that they killed and forced her mother to turn into a vampire. If she could get back into Claire's good graces she knew she wouldn't only be regaining her best friend but she and her mate would be safer than if she continued to help the Salvatore's.

She knew by doing this, she could possibly lose Elena. After Caroline left their group, Elena and her had become even closer. However, Elena can't control the Salvatore's. The two of them were very unpredictable, especially when it came to Elena's safety. Bonnie felt fine with it when it was only her but it's not only her anymore. She has her mate to think about and her mate is only human. He's only known about the supernatural world for a few weeks. She needs to protect him and being around the Salvatore's only meant trouble.

"We can do a location spell, we just need a map." Asher said.

"I know where one is." Claire speaks up. Klaus turns to her and sighs.

"Lead the way, love." Klaus says reluctantly. Claire nods and walks out of the room. Bonnie, Asher and Archie follow her with Bonnie's soulmate gripping her hand. Kol practically walks on top of Claire in over protectiveness. Finn walks close to her as well on the other side. Henrik follows behind her. Elijah and Klaus hang back with the others for a few moments.

"In here" Claire said. The door is locked but Finn manages to get them inside. "There's your map" She nods to the one hanging on the wall. Bonnie walks over and grabs it, her soulmate never more than two steps away. "Hi, I'm Claire Forbes." Claire goes to introduce herself but Kol stops her from getting too close.

"He can here you from here, darling" Kol smiles giving her a look saying she wasn't getting anywhere near him nor the Bennett witch. Claire simply nods and smiles at the boy.

"Jamie" He nods back to her giving her a small smile.

"We might want to hurry this up" Archie mutters to Asher. "Mom's starting to get pissed" He shows his twin the texts from their mother.

"Tell her we'll be home soon." Asher mutters back. Archie texts their mother back.

"Here. Jeremy made a little Gilbert blood donation for your locator spell." Damon said walking inside. Bonnie takes it.

"I have to do this with you two lurking over me?" Bonnie asks.

"You're still mad at me for what happened to Abby. Let me apologize. I'm sorry Elijah forced us to turn your mother into a vampire to save Elena's life. Didn't exactly have a choice." Damon snarks.

"There's always a choice. Whenever you make one, someone else suffers" Bonnie snipped.

"Hey, Damon" Claire speaks up.

"Yes, Shortcake?" He asks smirking at her. Kol growls holding Claire possessively.

"Are you someone's soulmate? Someone in this room?" She asks. He frowns his eyebrows and slowly shakes his head. "Are you some kind of witch or something?" She asks.

"What are you getting at?" He asks her.

"Well, if you're not a witch and you're not a soulmate and seeing as there isn't a single person in this room that likes you, why don't you go wait in the hall." Damon gives her a look. She gives him a wave.

"Listen to her mate or I'll be all too happy to force you." Klaus smirks loving his mate a little more. Damon rolls his eyes but can see a losing battle when shown, most of the time. He turns and leaves. Bonnie gives her a grateful look but Claire simply lays her head on Kol's chest. He kisses the top of her head.

"We'll be out of here in no time, darling." He whispers.

"Ester is fighting me." Bonnie told Klaus. Asher stepped forward and helped Bonnie with the spell but it still didn't work.

"Esther couldn't possibly have this much power. Unless she's channeling something." Klaus mutters.

"A hotspot?" Bonnie suggests. It comes to Klaus.

"Get the humans ready. I know where she is." They leave the room and go down to the gym where they find Damon, Stefan, Caroline and Tyler.

"There you are." Caroline said walking up to her sister. Claire smiles and hugs her tightly. "I knew you were somewhere, I just couldn't find you. I was getting nervous."

"I'm fine" Claire promises. "I need to talk to you and Tyler" She grumbles. Caroline pulls away and looks at her but nods. The sisters walk over to Tyler.

"Hi" Tyler said gently and stands up. Claire clenches her jaw.

"As long as you make Caroline happy, as long as Caroline loves you, as long as you two are together, you're safe." Claire said to Tyler. "We know you're not sired. We know you're risking your life to be with Caroline. I talked to Klaus and I made it clear to him and to everyone that you're off limits as long as you're with Caroline and she loves you."

"Claire, are you serious?" Caroline whispers. Claire smiles at her.

"I just want you happy." Claire tells her. Her gaze hardens as she looks at Tyler. "The moment she doesn't love you, the moment you two break up, you're mine Lockwood and I will make the pain of you turning every full moon look like a walk in the fucking park." Claire growls.

"Thank you" Caroline pulls her into a tight hug. Claire groans softly but hugs her back nonetheless. Claire glares at Tyler one last time before walking away from them. Kol instantly pulls her into his arms. She snuggles into his chest.

"Where's Klaus and Elijah?" Claire asks.

"Outside with Stefan" Finn informs her.

"Truth be told I'd rather be around the Salvatore's then watch my sister and Tyler get all cozy" She mutters. Kol leads her outside following by Finn. Henrik is still up with Asher, Archie and Bonnie trying to break the boundary spell.

"You say that like I'm supposed to have happy memories about it." Stefan says to Klaus.

"Well, there were moments. Real friendship. Brotherhood." Klaus tells him. Sensing his mate near, he turns to her. He smiles and gravitates closer to her with Elijah.

"Well, he already has a brother. Not to be, you know, territorial or anything." Damon smirks.

"Oh no, of course, the Salvatore's and their unshakeable bond." Klaus smirks. "I wonder what'll happen when Elena finally makes her choice. Will we see you shake just a bit?" He grins.

"It's done" Bonnie said coming outside with Archie, Asher, Jamie and Henrik. Henrik walks closer to Claire. "Esther's not fighting us anymore. The boundary spell is broken." Klaus steps closer to it and hesitantly outstretches his arm. He grins when he sees the boundary spell is indeed gone.

"Shall we go, love?" Klaus asks. Asher and Archie leave knowing they needed to get home. Though Asher planned on getting Rebekah first.

"Thank you, Bonnie. For everything." Stefan says.

"I didn't do it for you." Bonnie snipped. He sighs and disappears with Damon. Claire moves away from her mates and over to Bonnie. Bonnie grips Jamie's hand slightly tighter.

"Thank you" Claire said sincerely. Bonnie smiles and nods.

"Look, I know you're not going to forgive me right away, if ever. If I were you, I doubt I'd be able to forgive me." Bonnie said. Claire presses her lips together. "But I want to be friends again. I want to make it up to you, I want to regain your trust. If you ever need anything please ask. I am so sorry for what I did with Elijah and tried to do to Klaus. I won't do anything like that again."

"Thank you for apologizing." Claire said. "I'm glad you found your mate. There's nothing else like it in the world. Now if you will excuse me, I promised my own mate a night of just us." Kol instantly appears behind her. He kisses her neck.

"Ready to leave, darling?" He whispers. She smiles at Bonnie.

"I'll see you around." Kol scoops her in his arms and dashes away.

Once they get home, Kol has Claire in his room in a blink of an eye. Finn and Elijah go to relieve Sarah of her duties and to check on Madelyn. Henrik goes to his room. Klaus leads Asher into the basement where Rebekah's body is. Asher pulls the dagger from her chest while Klaus goes to his mothers dead body.

"Your trap failed, mother. I live, my brothers and sister live, my mate lives and we will all go on living. Let your beloved spirits try to preserve you again, I dare you to come after me" He growls. "I will build an army so big, no one will ever touch us. Our survival will haunt you through eternity. You will never destroy us." He growls angrily.