<><><>

Bonnie looked down at the unconscious Ana with a look of discontempt. "And you're sure she's asleep? She may have chains but, I mean, let's be real - she's five hundred, I'm sure she could break them if she really tried. And, well, she'd probably find a way to make me not do the spell."

With a sigh, Damon replied "Yes, okay! She's asleep! Now can you do the damn spell? We only have a few minutes."

Stefan shook his head in the background, walking over to the door and saying "I don't agree with any of this. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go help Elena pick her outfit."

"Good job brother, keep her distracted." Damon commented, walking over and closing the door behind Stefan.

Once the door was shut, Bonnie checked all the candles were lit in the living room before strolling over and beginning her chant. It started quietly, more like a murmur, but as time went on she got louder and more passionate.

It was then that Damon noticed Ana beginning to stir and it dawned on him. The concentration of vervain wasn't high enough for her.

Amidst Bonnie's incessant chanting and the dimly lit room, Ana's eyes fluttered open and she realised that, once again, she was the pawn of a witch. Except this time, it was someone who she trusted, someone who'd previously helped her. And she was not happy.

"BONNIE BENNETT!" She exclaimed in a shrill voice, pulling against the chains like a rabid animal and frantically scanning the room. Bonnie's power was quickly taking ahold of her body and mind and Ana was not going to let herself be messed with once more. As her dark hair loomed over her eyes, she screamed "LET... ME... GO!"

Bonnie looked to Damon with wide eyes, begging him to do something.

Like hell he was walking into that storm.

Ana writhed against the spell, twitching in her seat. Her eyes were closed in concentration, but now Bonnie had the power of hundreds of witches it was virtually impossible to overcome her strength.

"I... hate you... all..." Ana breathed before succumbing to the darkness and falling limp in her seat.

He couldn't help it. Damon had to turn away from the scene. After Bonnie's chanting had stopped he turned his head back around, a deep feeling of guilt weighing on him like a physical boulder chained to him. It was the worst feeling ever - worse than the many, many times he'd awoken from having no humanity. This felt like a bottomless pit of pain that no even bourbon could fix.

"It's done." Bonnie whispered, putting her hands down and sucking in a deep breath. "I... I think I need to go. Make sure you're here when she wakes - you might need to fill in some of the gaps that I couldn't with magic."

Damon could only nod, starring past Bonnie at the limp figure of Ana and wondering what the hell have I done?

<><><>

Life was good. Life was incredible. Ana Petrova couldn't remember the last time she truly felt at peace like this.

Damon Salvatore watched with horror as Ana woke - for once, with a smile. She seemed worriless, turning to Damon with bright eyes before saying "Damon, what's going on? I... weren't you just watching the view with me?"

"Uh... yes, yeah. I, um, I carried you in because you wanted me to - remember?" Damon explained, scanning Ana's face with nervous, sapphire eyes.

With a soft hum, Ana exclaimed "Yes! That's it! Well, what are we doing sat around? Don't we have a 60s dance to attend?"

"Yeah, yeah." Damon muttered. "Before we go, um... remind me who Klaus is?"

"Who? I'm sorry, Dame, I'm not sure who you're talking about." Ana frowned deeply, putting a hand to her head as if thinking about the name caused her pain.

The sight was so unfamiliar to Damon that he couldn't help gaping at Ana, quickly composing himself when he realised she was staring at his weird expression. "Uh, sorry. I-- You look beautiful, is all."

"Thanks, weirdo. Now, when are we leaving again? I really can't wait to show off my 60s knowledge." Ana smirked, back to her normal self again. It was almost like Bonnie's spell had caused a block in Ana's mind, something that definitely concerned Damon - no matter how relieved he felt knowing Klaus couldn't get near Ana.

Realising Ana's eyes were on him as he thought, Damon blurted out "Uh, I think we leave in a few minutes. Let... let me just go get the rest of them. You wait here, okay?"

"Okay? Jeez, you're acting so strange. Take a chill pill." Ana muttered, looking at her nails.

Damon just nodded, wandering off with a frown.

<><><>

The 60s dance was bustling with students of every background, with Elena's scooby gang hanging near the centre, keeping their eyes peeled for Klaus. Ana, completely unaware of their mission, was simply enjoying the feeling of nostalgia from the bright lights to the synthesized music.

Before the dance, Elena had attempted to pull Ana to one side and talk to her about Klaus - maybe she could watch out for him as well - but was extremely baffled when she got a confused glance and no answer. Because of this, Elena had decided to keep an extra eye on the youngest Petrova tonight - something that wouldn't exactly help anyway, because Elena was already needing to protect herself from Klaus.

Waving off Stefan and Elena, Damon turned to Ana and asked "How are you enjoying the music? I personally think this music is biased - where's Led Zeppelin and Boston?"

"Boston is the 70s, Damon." Ana corrected him, smiling smugly. "Plus, I think you're not giving the DJ enough credit - I'd forgotten half the songs they've played tonight. Not that I actually heard them until I got out of you-know-where. God, I did so much when I got out."

"Me too - a lot of bourbon, blood, parties... y'know, the usual." Damon shrugged, turning his head away and quickly deciding he didn't want to rub salt in the wound. Forcing a smile and facing the youngest Petrova once more, Damon said "Hope you don't mind, but I should probably check where Kla- I mean... Alaric is. He's going to stick out like a sore thumb without his costume. Jesus."

Ana nodded. "You go do that. I'm- I think I'm going to stay here 'n enjoy the party. See you in a bit."

Squeezing Ana's shoulder, Damon continued into the crowd, his eyes narrow as he looked for "Alaric".

<><><>

Narrowing his eyes across the hall, a smile found it's way onto Klaus' face when he spotted Ana swaying to the music by herself. The slow music. It was now or never, he knew it. Finally the opportunity had presented itself and Klaus would refuse to let it go to waste.

Finally, he could hold his Ana once more.

He sauntered along the dance floor, stopping right in front of Ana and smiling - widely. "You look absolutely ravishing, Ana."

"Thanks... I guess?" Ana replied, shifting an uncomfortable eyebrow at Klaus.

Then it occurred to him that he was in the same, shabby, human body. .

"Uh, right." Klaus muttered to himself, quickly regaining composure and turning to Ana with more of a forced smile, offering his hand. "May I have this dance?"

As if the Gods were smiling down on them, the track slowed to a classic by Frank Sinatra.

Ana sent a coy smile to Klaus. After peering around and noticing that Damon was nowhere around, she ran her soft hand along Klaus' and added "It would be my honour. I just hope a hunter like you knows how to keep up with me."

"Oh, just you wait." Klaus smiled, the first genuine smile he'd felt in centuries.

He swayed from side to side with Ana's arms clinging to his shoulders. As much as he hated this new body, he would always appreciate the feel of her soft hair against his cheek. The smooth voice of Frank Sinatra felt like a lullaby in the background, setting the mood for what Klaus had planned next.

Slowly, his slithered his hand to Ana's and intertwined it with hers. The makeshift ring of twine around his finger brushed against her skin - a ring that was centuries old, a ring that had made its way from 1490s England to Mystic Falls now.

A slip of twine that Ana had slid onto his finger all those years ago.

Klaus adored his genius plan - it wasn't often he was certain a plan would work as well as this one. He imagined her face light up as she recognised the touch. He pictured how her eyebrows would knit in realisation, her cute lips pursed. He could feel the soft touch of her lips against his...

So you can expect his surprise when, instead, Ana pulled away and shouted over the music "I, uh, think I should go. I... I need some air."

Nodding, Klaus watched her walk off with an exasperated gaze. Perhaps she was just overwhelmed - that would be understandable. After all, she hadn't seen him since that day with Elijah. She probably just needed some space. Klaus continued to ponder to himself while Ana strolled out of the hall with a hand to her head.

<><><>

Outside the school hall, Ana stood. The night was cold - though the breeze offered the vampire a familiar comfort. Especially when things seemed so uncertain. Alaric kept bothering her, Damon was acting very strange and, to top it off, Ana's throat was burning so much that it felt like someone had lit a match and shoved it down her mouth. Nothing could be worse than this.

Elena watched her friend from afar as she, too, left the bustling hall. She could feel something was up by the way Ana stared at the school kids like they were all just blood bags. And she had a bad feeling that Damon was involved in this.

"Hey, Ana. Need some air too? It's pretty busy in there." Elena strolled over with a warm smile, stopping next to Ana.

However, her arched brows only made Ana more uncomfortable, as she stepped away slightly. "Yeah, I'm good. Just getting away from the dance. I don't feel too good at the minute. How about you? Get overwhelmed?"

Completely ignoring Ana's questions, Elena said "You don't feel good? Is it the hunger? Maybe we should get you outta here. Unless you're still waiting to see Klaus, of course. I honestly wouldn't blame you - despite everything Damon says."

"Um, I'm sorry... Klaus?" Ana furrowed her brows at Elena, putting a hand to her head as a splitting pain surged through it. "! Damn headaches! I swear to God..."

Elena took a cautious step back at the sight of charcoal veins creeping from under Ana's eyes, whispering "Ana... your eyes."

"Right, right. I'm sorry. I- I need to get out of here." Ana stuttered, almost stumbling off the path as she stared around with frantic eyes. Turning to Elena with a ravenous gaze, Ana said "Don't tell Damon about this, okay? I don't need him worrying about me. I... I'm fine. Honestly."

Nodding, Elena watched Ana run off with furrowed brows. Something was clearly wrong and Elena had a niggling feeling that it wasn't related to Ana's hex. This was something related to him. To Klaus.

<><><>

Pushing past branches and leaves, Ana found herself running through the woods with nothing but her Audrey Hepburn dress on, the black dress riding up her thighs as she ran. She didn't understand why she was doing it, she just had a feeling that she needed to. Like if she didn't get out of there she would've killed half the students around her. Trust me, that would not be a pretty sight.

There was a clearing just a few steps away, fortunately. Somewhere where Ana could gather her thoughts and get her hunger under control. Except for an unexpected guest resting against a tree there, the soil beneath him loose.

"Okay, what the hell is your problem with me Alaric? You're basically stalking me, I swear." Ana snapped, her eyes flaring. She had hit her temper now and all of those bottled up feelings she could feel burning in her throat.

"So Greta was right. You don't remember me, do you?" Klaus' voice cracked ever so slightly as he turned his head to Ana.

Ana furrowed her brows, taking a harsh step forward, towards the light. "Of course I do. You- you're Alaric. Damon's drinking buddy and a good vampire hunter. Why wouldn't I know you? I mean... God! I feel like you're treating me so differently and I don't know why! !"

Looking away from Ana as she began vamping out, Klaus whispered "What about this place, hmm? Do you know what this exact spot is?"

"Um... a forest?" Arching an eyebrow, Ana glanced around the scenery, searching for an answer.

Klaus scoffed under his breath, shaking his head. "I mean, this is indeed a forest, but this exact spot? This, Ana Petrova, is where I buried you alive. This is where I encased your pale body with soil and told you my vows. Yet... yet you were alive the whole time. That's the worst part, Ana. I you alive. I- I can't fathom how you felt waking up alone. But... but you're not alone anymore, love. Please. Please, I'm begging you. Remember me. Your Niklaus. . I've lost everyone, I can't lose you too."

Ana blinked, shaking her head. Her shallow, dark eyes stared back into Klaus' as she whispered "I'm sorry. I- I don't know a Klaus. I don't! I swear it! Let me get Damon or... or Stefan. They can help. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I-"

"!" Klaus yelled, frowning when he noticed Ana flinch back. "...I'm sorry. I just- I don't need Damon, or Stefan, or Elena. I need you. My fiance, the woman I am supposed to spend the rest of my life with. Why can't you understand that? "

"Klaus, take a breath. You know this isn't her fault. It's theirs." A voice from the shadows carried through the woods and Greta emerged with one of her witch cloaks concealing her petite figure.

Klaus nodded slowly, his eyes darkening as he hissed "You're right, it is fault, and every single one of them is going to pay. Greta, we're going back to the dance. I need you to fix Ana's hex somewhere private, whilst I deal with the little witch who would've created this... block in my Fiance's mind. Bonnie Bennett has a lot to answer for, and she will. ."

<><><>

Ana squirmed in Greta's grasp as she dragged the girl back into the dance, towards the bathroom.

"Hey! Let go of me! I... Why can't I leave? I have vampire strength, this should be easy!" Ana complained, a grimace on her face as she struggled to get away.

"The hex has weakened you. Don't worry Ana, I'm here to help you, if you'll let me." Greta explained, pushing open the bathroom door and pulling Ana inside. With a calculated gaze, she added "I'm sorry for what my father has done to you, but I swear I only have good intentions."

Nodding, moreso to herself, Ana replied "Fine, you can fix this damn hex. While you're at it, would you mind 'magicing' away my headache too? It's so strong."

"I'm afraid I can't remove your mind block - only the witch who put it there can. Don't worry, Klaus will take care of the Bennett witch for you." Greta smiled reassuringly, before turning and dropping her bag onto the counter, candles and books dropping out.

Greta exhaled and began arranging candles with a frantic pace. "Okay. So, I'm going to repeat the exact spell my father enchanted and it should break your blood thirst. All you have to do is stand still. ?"

Ana nodded, firmly rooting herself to the ground and waiting for Greta to complete the spell. Normally she wouldn't be so trusting but... Ana felt like she'd heard someone called Greta mentioned before.

As soon as Greta opened her mouth and began uttering the spell Ana felt a weight lift and immediately the burning in her throat eased, though it was still there ever slightly. Once the spell was fully complete, Ana exhaled and whispered "Thank you, Greta. I suppose I owe you one."

"Just... befriend Klaus Mikaelson. He's not as bad as everyone makes out, y'know?" Greta half-smiled. However, her smile was immediately wiped from her face when the familiar, heavy footsteps of Damon Salvatore entered the bathroom.

"Um, I don't know if you saw the sign, but this is a girls bathroom." Greta snapped, staring up to Damon with knitted brows. Ana watched like a deer in headlights, not understanding the tension in the room.

Damon sent a look to Ana, his eyes softening, before he turned to Greta and hissed "What are you doing with her? Is it Klaus? She's ."

" has a name." Greta defended, eyes narrowed. "Or have you forgotten, perhaps the Bennett witch cursed you too? And for the record, I was simply fixing the hex that my father so kindly placed. She can drink blood now, you can thank me later."

Greta smiled at Ana one last time before pushing past Damon, leaving the bathroom swiftly. Now left alone with his 'girlfriend', Damon chuckled nervously. "She's a fiery one, isn't she? Anyway, now you can drink maybe we can go find some oblivious students to have a drink from. I can make an exception, seeing as you haven't fed for weeks."

"Uh... who's Bonnie Bennett? That Klaus guy seemed pretty mad at her." Ana shrugged, thinking back to earlier as she leaned against the bathroom worktop. "Said something about a block... so did Greta actually. Hey, it's something to do with my headache, right? I could really do with some aspirin right now. Too bad I'm a vampire."

"Goddammit." Damon frowned deeply and turned to Ana with wide eyes, completely ignoring her complaints about the headache and, instead, focusing on Bonnie in danger. "Okay, give me a sec to go and get the little witch out of trouble, then I'll be right back. Just... stay here!"

Shouting the last part of his sentence, Damon shot out the bathroom like a bullet to go find Bonnie.

Meanwhile, Ana stared at the mirror to her right, raising a hand to the glass as she studied herself. Everything seemed normal. Dark, slightly messy hair, a petite figure, pursed lips. It was her that ruined the portrait. Shallow, glassy eyes that looked devoid of emotion. Eyes that flickered with hints of recognition, eyes that were being repressed of their usual fiery sparkle.

Eyes that once recalled the memories Ana Petrova had lost.

<><><>

Thank you all so much for reading this story! I think I'm still in shock that so many people have read it - when I first wrote it it was just a crappy drabble that I kept in my drafts. I never imagined it would become so successful!

This book is now officially finished, but I've already begun drafting up Part Two, hence the lack of updates recently. I wanted to make the ending as perfect as I could, seeing as Klaus would be revealing himself.

And for those of you digging the love triangle, don't fear, at the start of the next book I will include a snippet of Klaus' reaction to Damon dating Ana ;)

For now, Happy New Year and thank you for reading this!

MikaelsonMonday x