Klaus felt defeat. His anger was towards his fate that constantly let him down. He awoke his sister from her daggered sleep he put her in the first place. Even that came to a dead end.

He peered at his companion throughout the summer, suddenly realising that perhaps the man he believed would be his best friend ── like before was no longer there. Stefan Salvatore was not the carefree and dangerous man he had once met almost a century ago.

With the failure of his hybrids he resorted to the last efforts. A witch he knew in Chicago. Rebekah held the answers he required but she lost it. Feeling like a failure, he turned away from his sister and sidekick. He took in a few long deep breaths and said,

"Let's go. We'll buy you new clothes tomorrow morning and then visit the witch." both followed the original hybrid closely behind. While Stefan avoided talking with his heart being heavy of secrets. On the other hand, Rebekah was stunned seeing the vastly different world from the one she remembered.

Klaus kept walking, lost in his thought when he suddenly felt burning eyes staring at him. He stopped mid step and looked around the quiet street of Chicago. A sense of comfort spread across his body when he noticed a silhouette ── all he needed to know exactly who hid well from the world.

He turned to the two of them. "Show Rebekah to her room. I'll be back." he sped away from them leaving only confusion hanging between the two.

Navigating through the shadowed path of the opposite street Klaus ended up in front of a large building ── a boutique. Above the entry dome the massive sign of a very familiar brand. He looked around him carefully before he marched indoors.

Renaissance was the perfect nestled corner that brought the old charm to the modern world. The bricked walls and antique decor matched beautifully with the modern outfits on display.

He immediately navigated his way through the store ignoring the protests of the employee who approached him just as he walked in. Beyond the high schoolers rows, he found her sitting comfortably on the pearl white couch with her legs stretched ahead. She was nursing a glass of champagne in one hand.

"Here." he extended her other hand showing him the glass he had poured for him. Instead of reaching for the glass he went for the bottle and pressed it to his lips immediately.

"Geez. Calm down, will ya?" she told him. "Hey beautiful. Can you order two extra large extra cheeze pepperoni pizza from the Pizzeria down street?" she requested the employee who stood a few row away, her eyes settled on both of them.

"Two pizzas for both of you?" clearly the employee didn't expect her to be one with a strong appetite.

"Are you dumb? One for us and one for you lot." Klaus snapped angrily. "Get going now." The employee scurried away.

"Come here, love." said Marilyn patting the space right next to her. Klaus didn't waste another second and sat down. He relaxed next to her and rested his head on her shoulder.

"I am sorry about what happened with the Hybrids." he stayed silent. "Don't worry. This Gloria is someone who is willing to help you, you'll have your answer soon."

"I know. It is not just the failing hybrids that's worrying me. It's also the fact that Stefan might be hiding something from me."

Marilyn looked at Klaus quickly, "you want me to call Katherine?"

"Would she help even now?"

Marilyn Ran an affectionate hand through Klaus's hair before she started to gently massage his scalp. "She has no choice but to, love."

Klaus hummed at the way her fingers worked magically immediately sending a feeling of relaxation through him.

"And tell me, how is your work?"

"Nik..." she began, "I should be there with you. Not here hiding in the furthest corner of my boutique watching you from afar like a groupie." she confessed.

Klaus sat up immediately. "You are not a groupie, although I can see why you would be a fan. You've always enjoyed this body." he threw a wink at her. "And work is who you are. Renaissance is who you are. This is who and what you are."

"Nik, I vowed to be there for you. I promised I would not leave you."

"And you haven't. Marilyn, work ── Renaissance is your life, your child. And everything occuring in my life currently is hectic and dangerous."

"Again, I promised."

"And I promised you and your very dangerous, very intimidating father that I would keep you from harms way. Right now there is more harm than solutions." Marilyn opened her mouth to argue but Klaus silenced her words.

"I'm almost done with the rebrand. I'll probably visit mum and dad after."

"Good."

Marilyn's brows furrowed strongly, "what do you mean good?"

Klaus looked at her blankly. She rolled her eyes at him, "you are the first of your kind to keep me out of your life."

Klaus took Marilyn's hands in his, "love, this work is who you are, that you built by yourself and I don't want to take it away."

"Bitch please."

"Alright fine. You would have hated how we travelled, found werewolves, interrogated and where we stayed. You would have been cranky and irritating and I didn't want to face that."

Marilyn blinked her eyes a couple of times, "fair point. Thank you."

Both cuddled closer following the short conversation. "I woke up Rebekah."

"About damn time, Nik. Where is she?"

"Back at the hotel. She needs new clothes."

"Well, get her here. I want to meet her."

"Soon. I want her to be accustomed to the new world first before she is confronted with you." Klaus told her. Obviously, even Marilyn guessed it as much that dumping suddenly something as heavy as her news on Rebekah was a bad idea, especially since she had just woken up.

"At least get her here in the morning. She needs an entire wardrobe." said Marilyn.

The morning came and Klaus led Rebekah and Stefan into the boutique. A woman in her mid-twenties, looking only slightly older than Klaus clad in a stripped suit pant, similar looking vest and a satin peach blouse was standing near the door waiting for them.

"Welcome, Rebekah. My name is Grace We were expecting you." Rebekah glanced back at her brother, confusion evident in her eyes and her face. "Please...follow me." said the lady. Hesitantly but still slightly curious, Rebekah followed Grace through the several aisles further into the store. The smell of roses and the sound of music welcomed her in. As she walked into the back of the store, Rebekah took in the sights of different colours and designs of dresses and skirts hanging on the racks. She was surrounded by a multitude of beautiful things, but she did not find herself to be impressed. Her attention was drawn to the furthest end of the store where she saw a large table covered in a white cloth and cushioned chairs around it. 

"Please, Klaus and...you take a seat. Rebekah if you could follow me, I'll show you some of our popular collections to choose from."

"How do you know who I am?" Rebekah asked. 

Grace glanced at Klaus, a silent plea of help in her eyes. He nodded his head and Grace took her queue. "Klaus arrived last night explaining that you require new clothes." 

Rebekah, clearly unconvinced with the response, looked Grace in her eyes. "May I just say that compulsion won't work on me." Grace quickly informed Rebekah. "I am just doing my job, please."

"Rebekah stop being difficult and just follow dear Grace." said Klaus. Rebekah snapped her head up at her brother's words, 

"Difficult me? That's quite rich coming from you." Rebekah disappeared behind the curtains in order to try out the outfits already prepped for her to try. 

The buzz of his phone vibrated his pocket, Klaus pulled it out and looked at it. It was a text message. Reading the contents he sighed and sent a reply back. "I've got to go." he announced. "Grace!" he abruptly shouted. Grace appeared from behind the curtains, "I have to go and meet. Please do me a favor." he said discreetly tilting his head to Stefan. 

Grace nodded her head and headed back to the lane of changing rooms hidden behind the curtains to attend to Rebekah.

"Where are you going?" asked Stefan standing up on his feet. He suspiciously eyed Klaus and his changed behaviour.

"None of your concerns. Stay here." Klaus said in a dark and threatening tone. He stormed out of the store leaving questions hanging over Stefan. Outside, Klaus smirked with relief and set off for the warehouse nearby. 

Inside the large warehouse, in the loneliest corner, he found Marilyn sitting on top of one of the coffins while someone sat on a dirty, torn up sofa nearby. He smiled devilishly and said, "Look what we have here."

"Klaus." acknowledged the woman.

"Katherine Pierce." 

Marilyn extended her left arm, a sign for Klaus to walk over to her. "Elijah is a handsome man, I have to admit. You Mikaelson siblings have some really good genes."

"If you are done fawning over my brother, lets get to the work at hand." he turned to Katherine, "you have news I believe."

Katherine looked visibly stumped. It was as if she was seeing her death already before even speaking anything. "Look..."

"No. Truth." admonished Marilyn sending a deadly glare at Katherine. "Just because I showed you even an ounce of trust doesn't mean I'm going to still do that." She growled before she continued, "I know what you did in Mystic Falls. Something you deliberately chose to hide from me."

Klaus quickly turned his attention to Marilyn. "She turned Caroline into a vampire." 

"I did that because Klaus needed a vampire for the ritual." Katherine defended her actions rather haphazardly. She had an indifferent look on her face as she stared at the two of them. 

"Was I not explicitly clear when we first met?" asked Klaus. "I have everything I would need for the ritual except the moonstone and the doppelganger. Isn't that what I said? Now, what is the news that you have?"

"Elena. She is still alive." both, Klaus and Marilyn looked astonished at the news. It was surprising, but at the same time not unexpected. 

"How long have you known about this?" asked Klaus.

"Obviously since you left Mystic Falls. You let me go to Damon, remember?" Katherine said in a manner that was soft and yet slightly aggressive. She noted it as if it was Klaus's fault that he didn't confirm with her. Klaus stepped away from Marilyn and approached Katherine with a slow prowl. She bent backward in her seat, cowering down in an attempt to escape his icy gaze. 

"Need I remind you that I still have your life in my hands? That you live only at the behest of my mercy and not because you are a free person?" he concurred to which Katherine frantically shook her head. 

"I...uh, I ju---just thought that since the ritual was complete and you were in fact the hybrid you didn't need to know." she nervously admitted. Klaus snapped her neck instantly and turned to Marilyn.

"That is what this Stefan guy was hiding from you all this time? And you didn't figure it out? I am sorry but has the great Niklaus Mikaelson lost his touch?" 

Klaus didn't respond to her. He was far too mad to do so. 

The Mystic Falls grill was hosting not all but only a few on the particular Saturday morning. One booth was occupied by the infamous Salvatore brothers, Elena Gilbert the latest doppelganger, and her best friend Caroline Forbes.

They were engrossed into their own world, discussing the entire Mikaelson family and the return of their mother. Someone whom they woke up believing it would aid them in ridding the town of Klaus.

"We tried and failed. Let's just distract ourselves." Damon suggested as he took a swig of his bourbon.

Caroline straightened her back, "yeah, um...I don't think that is possible." she used her eyes to gesture toward the door that just belled due to being opened. All of the Mikaelson siblings entered the Mystic Grill one after another. 

"What are they doing here?" asked Elena in a hushed voice.

"Nothing that concerns you." said Rebekah, with a tight smile.

All siblings walked passed the gang and toward the Pool table at the back of the room. Elijah approached the bar and placed an order for drinks for his siblings.  While the siblings enjoyed a round of pool with Elijah showing them the rules of the game and how to play, Klaus sat by himself staring at his siblings with a pensive look. He was far too deep and invested in his thoughts to even notice the chit chat of his siblings or that the gang in Mystic Falls who considered him their enemy staring at all of them and speaking to each other.

Slightly more than a month had passed since the day in Chicago. As much as he wished, he knew he couldn't do anything. Marilyn had to visit her parents. She always did around this time of the year. This was actually the longest time apart for them since they first met. 

It never began with "Once upon a time..." neither did it have a beginning saying "A long time ago...". It didn't have a last dance where they were the centre of attention. Their eyes didn't meet for sparks to fly and the meeting certainly did not end at the break of dawn. There were no eye witnesses to their story but the sterling silver and a lavender shaped pendant dangling around her neck and the large diamond she adored the most. They believed their story began one night with a hysterical conversation of passing judgements. But, as a matter of fact, neither wanted to put the credit upon the questionable music of that night club in LA.

She was an epiphany for him. He was an adventure she had never yet seen. After that day, at the charity event both felt like they could have another conversation. Something that could be about anything. Days later when their paths crossed once again they acted upon it. They fell into that conversation with ease, the soft feathery touch of mistaken identity.

She was like a Vixen: sharp tongue, kind heart and truth in veins. He was like a charming from a fairytale: handsome, full of stories and a way with words. The story of her and him unlike any every read or heard, inexperienced but beautiful...a story they wrote.

Klaus recalled the night in Chicago and the morning after when he said a goodbye temporarily. He knew it might be another month before he could see her again. Nobody could ever understand how much he hated that. The distance was killing him more than he thought it would. Despite being excited about the summer, he still had an empty feeling...that for Marilyn.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Elijah pulling Klaus out of his thoughts, but before he could answer he diverted his attention instinctively to the sound of the bell ringing that was hung over the door of the Grill.

He smiled inwardly, a ghostly curl of happiness appearing on his lips as well upon seeing the woman who entered. He watched her every move. He watched as she walked further inside the room. He was quick to notice the other set of eyes that found her. No, it was not his siblings but the doppelganger and Caroline. 

"Marilyn?" said Caroline. Temporarily Marilyn had an affectionate smile and look glaze over her before she successfully masked it and smiled nonetheless.

"Yes?" 

Caroline beamed brightly, as did Elena. "Oh my gosh! I am such a huge fan of you." said Caroline.

Elena fawned at Marilyn, "Me too. Your 2008 summer-fall collection is my favourite."

"Thank you so much ladies, I appreciate it." Marilyn quickly took in Caroline's outfit and nodded in approval. "You have some taste in fashion."

Caroline smoothed her embroidered top and giggled. "Thank you, I took some of your fashion tips from Serendipitious." 

"Obviously, love."

"What brings you into Mystic Falls?" asked Elena.

"I am looking for someone actually. Last I heard he was here."

"Well, who is he? Maybe we have seen him around." asked the tall raven haired man, namely Damon Salvatore.

Marilyn clicked her tongue considering his words. Discreetly she looked past Caroline over to the pool table where an ongoing game had suddenly paused when Klaus and Elijah began to stare at her. "Oh yeas, of course!" she clapped her hands together. "The Doppelganger and the Ripper of Monterrey must know where I can find him." she clearly took them all by astonishment. All four of them nervously looked at one another.

Their silence was a clue enough for her to continue to speak, "Um...let's see, he is about yay high," she gestured about an inch over her head, "blue eyes, curly brown hair and can be categorized as a perfect, one-of-a-kind bloodsucking doggie."

"Woo hoo, that must have stung." hollered someone from by the pool table. Marilyn oursued her lips to interrupted her laughter. She knew it had to be Kol Mikaelson, the youngest and the most mischievous one.

"Urgh, must you?" Klaus yelled loudly, clearly agitated by the use of that particular nickname. Marilyn smugly smiled at him. She stepped away from Elena's booth and stood her ground in such a way that both the occupied sections of the Grill could see her.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" she asked him sarcastically. 

"I am not a dog, love."

"Then why do you growl and woof like one?" every single one present in the Grill was anticipating an angered reaction from Klaus. 

Klaus held back on a grin. He stepped down the tall podium type structure built that elevated that particular section of the Grill. Seeing this, Marilyn did not waste another second and ran toward him. In three quick steps she was by his side. Klaus wrapped his arms around her waist and scooped her in air. He twirled her once before he set her down on the ground. 

Marilyn wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He brought her impossibly close to him, his arms still tightly wrapped around her waist. 

Everyone in the Grill watched this interaction with their jaws dropped open. No one could actually fathom the scene unfolding right before their eyes. Even though Elijah had an inkling having already met the woman, he had been left hanging abruptly and without proper response. 

"Is that really happening?" asked Elena after leaning over the table to whisper to Caroline. Caroline could only nod, unable to take her eyes off of the giddy couple who slowly pulled away from the passionate kiss. 

"I missed you." she admitted to Klaus.

"And, I you." the sound of a throat being cleared burst the small bubble around them. Both pulled away but not far. Klaus still had his hand draped around her waist as did she. She smiled at Rebekah.

"Oh my Rebekah, you look beautiful. I should give Grace a raise for the magic she did with you alone." Marilyn smiled.

"You own Renaissance?" asked Rebekah bewildered. 

"Yes I do. I hope you like the choices."

"I love them."

"So..." she began and walked closer to them, "what are you two?" it was evident in her tone itself that she was envious of them two.

Both looked at one another, a mirroring smile quickly appearing on their faces. All held their breaths, although unknowingly, waiting for their response. 

Klaus faced his siblings, aware of the ears and eyes of the other brothers and the two high schoolers. "Meet Marilyn Vaughn." he said with a proud undertone. Rebekah and Kol, in unison dropped their glasses of scotch on the floor shattering them to pieces, following the next words of Klaus.

"My fiance."