MYSTIC FALLS HOSPITAL
[It's nighttime. Matt is standing in a hallway and Elena walks up to him.]
Matt: How's Mr Saltzman?
Elena: Resigned to spending the night in observation, so long as I promise to change the lock on the house.
[Someone is looking at them through a room window as they walk towards the exit.]
Elena: So I talked to Bonnie earlier. She and her mom are fine. Have you talked to Caroline?
Matt: Yeah, she's holding it together, considering how close she and her dad used to be. Any word on who's behind these attacks?
Elena: No, Sheriff Forbes said there are no real suspects at all.
[They're now walking outside the hospital in the parking lot.]
Elena: How are you dealing with everything? I mean, you keep getting dragged into all of this.
Matt: Honestly...I'm kind of lucky, the only thing that I have to worry about for tomorrow is showing up for my shift at the Grill.
Elena: Thank you, for everything today. Really.
Matt: Get home safe.
Elena: Thanks.
[She sighs and walks to her car. Matt gets into his car and reverses out. Elena waves to him from inside her car as he's driving away. She starts her car, starts reversing, and hits something. She stops driving immediately.]
Elena: What?
[She gets out of her car and checks her bumper. There's nothing there. Suddenly, Rebekah and Ash appear.]
Rebekah: Drive much?
Elena: Rebekah.
Ash: Hello there
[Rebekah grabs Elena and pushes her against her car.]
Elena: Wh-who are you?
Ash: My name is Ash Mikaelson. Original vampire, it's a pleasure.
Rebekah: Surprised? You drove a dagger through my back, Elena. It hurt.
[Rebekah tries to bite Elena and Elena screams. Suddenly Elijah rushes over, and holds Rebekah against a car by her throat.]
Rebekah: Elijah.
Elijah: Leave.
Ash: Why must you ruin our fun?
[He releases his grip. Rebekah steps forward.]
Elijah: Are you challenging me
Rebekah: You're pathetic. Both of you. Come on sister let's go.
[Rebekah disappears.]
Elijah: Well...I believe we have a little catching up to do.
GILBERT RESIDENCE
[The next morning, Elena, Stefan, and Damon are in the kitchen.]
Elena: It was their mother Esther who was sealed in that coffin.
Stefan: As in the Original Witch?
Damon: What? How is she even alive? Thought her hybrid freak show of a son ripped her heart out a thousand years ago.
Elena: I don't know. I'm guessing she has a couple of connections in the witching community. Elijah said that she wants to live in peace with her family, including Klaus.
Stefan: She was supposed to be the weapon to help us kill Klaus.
Elena: Well, not anymore...at least not according to Elijah.
Stefan: That coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds.
Damon: Anyone else feeling a little used right now?
Elena: Also, that woman, Klaus' wife introduced herself to me. I don't think she likes me very much [chuckles]
Stefan: Elena, stay away from her. From what I remember from the 1920s, she's powerful.
Elena: Look, Elijah promised me that his family wouldn't hurt any of us.
[The doorbell rings.]
Elena: I believe him.
[Elena goes and opens the door. No one is there, but on the doormat is an envelope with an ornately handwritten "Elena Gilbert" on the front. She picks it up, closes the door, and turns around. Damon and Stefan are in the lobby near her.]
Damon: What is it?
[She opens the envelope and removes a card.]
Elena: It's an invitation. "Please join the Mikaelson Family, this evening at seven o'clock. For dancing, cocktails and celebration."
Stefan: Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?
Elena: The Original Family.
Damon: It's not bad enough they're moving into town, now they want a housewarming gift?
[She turns the card over and sees there's writing on the back.]
Elena: Wait, there's a note on the back. "Elena, I think it's time that we finally meet, Esther."
KLAUS' MANSION
[Music is playing. Rebekah and Ash are having their nails polished by an assistant. Kol is standing before a full-length mirror wearing a black evening suit while a tailor adjusts it. Finn and Elijah are also standing in the room preparing for the ball.]
Kol: Ash? Tell me how handsome I am.
Ash: Ah Kol, you know I can't be compelled.
[Finn grins. The door opens and Klaus walks in and up to Rebekah and Ash.]
Klaus: You went after Elena? What is wrong with you?!
Rebekah: Here we go.
Klaus: Do you want another dagger in your heart? [Ash glares at Klaus]
Kol: Again with the dagger threats? Don't you have any other tricks?
Klaus: Oh, go back to staring at yourself.
Kol: And who are you, my father?
Klaus: No, Kol, but you're in my house.
Kol: Then perhaps we should go outside.
Ash: Here we go.
[Klaus and Kol stare at each other. Esther walks in.]
Esther: Enough! Niklaus. Come.
[Klaus goes into another room with his mother.]
Klaus: Rebekah wasn't even out of her box a day before she tried to ruin my life. What happened to peace, acceptance, and family? Ash won't even speak to me since she was released.
Esther: You put daggers in their hearts. Do you want them to go down on their knees and kiss your feet for reuniting them? And you should try and talk to Ash, I'm sure she will forgive you.
Klaus: So it's a crime to want our family to be as we were?
Esther: You need to give it time, Niklaus. I've had a thousand years on the other side to be angry and to heal. I'm here to make sure this family does the same.
Klaus: I just don't understand. I killed you, and still, you forgive me.
Esther: It's been my dream for a thousand years that this family could be as one. Forgiveness is not a chore. It's a gift. Now, go formally invite Ash to the ball, she is to be your date.
Klaus: [sighs] Don't be ridiculous. You're lucky I'm even going.
Esther: Well, I wish you would reconsider. I'm sure she would forgive you faster if you would just make it look like you are trying.
ONE OF THE BEDROOMS IN KLAUS' MANSION
[Ash is seen sitting on her bed writing in what seems to be her journal. Klaus appears at the door and knocks three times]
Klaus: You know you could always stay in my room if you'd like.
Ash: I wasn't sure if I should. I didn't want you to dagger me for snoring too loud.
[Klaus chuckles and rolls his eyes]
Klaus: We both know you don't snore
Ash: Yeah well you haven't spoken to me in 90 years. I could've changed. I saw my coffin. Signed by Leonardo Da Vinci. When did he die? 1519?
Klaus: Look, love-
Ash: You had my coffin on standby? Really?
Klaus: You wouldn't have left with me. I saw the look in your eyes that night. You were so protective of Rebekah. When you saw her get daggered you had made your decision. If I hadn't daggered you then you would've left me.
[Ash stood up and walked towards Klaus]
Ash: I wouldn't have left you, I loved you. I love you.
Klaus: You love me?
Ash: Yes you idiot
[Klaus grabs Ash's waist and pulls her into a kiss. At first, the kiss is soft and loving but soon it becomes hard and demanding. This is their first kiss in almost 100 years, it's obvious they missed each other.]
Rebekah: [Only voice] Calm down love birds, we have vampire hearing you know.
[Klaus groans but stops kissing Ash, they pull away]
Ash: [whispers] I forgive you.
Klaus: Thank you love. I promise I will never hurt you again.
FORBES RESIDENCE
[Caroline's phone beeps twice. She picks it up and listens. It's a voicemail from Tyler.]
Tyler: Caroline, it's Tyler. I know I should have called sooner, I just kinda freaked out and left. But I heard about your dad and I'm sorry. I'm sorry Caroline. I'm out doing what he said. I'm gonna fix myself and come home to you. I love you.
[Someone knocks on the door. Caroline opens it and finds a box with a ribbon around it on her doorstep. She brings it inside and looks at the envelope on it with her name handwritten on it. She opens it and sees the same invitation card to Klaus' ball that Elena received. She turns it over and sees that Ash has written "I hope we can be friends Fondly, Ash." on the back.]
Caroline: [Scoffs] What?
[Caroline opens the box and sees a beautiful blue dress. She places the lid back on the box.]
MYSTIC GRILL
[Elena is with Caroline.]
Elena: It's all so weird. The Originals are throwing a ball. Like an actual ball.
Caroline: It's some twisted Cinderella fetish is what it is. And why does the Evil Witch want an audience with you?
Elena: I have no idea. There's only one way to find out.
Caroline: I thought you told Damon and Stefan that you weren't going.
Elena: I did, which is all the more reason why I need a drama-free bodyguard.
Caroline: Well, I think a Salvatore would look a lot better in a tux. And by that I mean Stefan.
Elena: Uhh, I can't deal with either of the Salvatores right now. Whatever Stefan is feeling, he is channelling it all against Klaus. And Damon...it's just not a good idea.
Caroline: Why, cause you two made out? Bonnie spilled the beans.
Elena: I was gonna tell you. Just, after everything happened with your dad....
Caroline: Elena, when you and Matt kissed for the first time freshman year, you called me the second it happened. And now I don't hear about this til now, and from somebody else.
Elena: I'm sorry. It's just I, I don't even know how I feel about it yet. All I do know is that it just used to be so much easier.
[Rebekah and Ash walk up.]
Rebekah: Careful Caroline. It's all well and good until she stabs you in the back.
Ash: God I hate Petrova doppelgangers.
Elena: What are you doing here? I know your mom's rules. No hurting the locals.
Ash: Get over yourself, Elena. It's not all about you. [She turns to Caroline and smirks] I hope you can make it to the ball, I'd love to have you there.
[Rebekah and Ash walk away]
Caroline: Oh my god. Do you think she's going to kill me?
[Rebekah walks over to Matt and gives him an invitation envelope to the ball. Ash rolls her eyes]
Caroline: She's inviting him to the ball. Why is she inviting him?
Elena: Probably to get this reaction from us.
Caroline: [Scoffs] What time is this stupid dance?
KLAUS' MANSION
[Caroline enters in her dress. Klaus notices her from across the room]
Klaus: Isn't that your dress love? [He questions Ash, who is standing next to him, smirking]
Ash: Yes, It suits her quite well don't you think?
Klaus: Ash I already told you, I have no feelings for her.
Ash: I know but that doesn't mean I can't befriend her. We could bond over us both being manipulated by you.
[Klaus rolls his eyes. Ash walks away. Meanwhile, at the drinks bar, Finn walks up to Elena.]
Finn: Elena Gilbert, I presume? I'm Finn Mikaelson. You're here to see my mother.
Elena: Is she here?
Finn: Her request did not include your friends.
Elena: They're protecting me. You may not know but your mother's already tried to kill me once.
Finn: If you want to see my mother, you'll need to be alone.
[Elijah makes an announcement.]
Elijah: Uh, if everyone could gather, please.
Finn: Excuse me.
[All the Originals are standing on the staircase, including Ash, as Elijah addresses the company. Esther walks down the staircase from upstairs.]
Elijah: Welcome, thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance.
[Damon and Stefan notice Esther.]
Damon: Do you see who I see?
Stefan: Oh, yeah.
Elijah: Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom.
[Ash walks up to Caroline]
Ash: Hello love.
Caroline: God you sound exactly like him. Are you going to kill me?
Ash: Of course not. I just want to make a friend.
Caroline: Make a friend?
Ash: Yes
Caroline: Why me?
Ash: Well I find you much more bearable than that doppelganger. Ellina is it?
Caroline: Elena.
Ash: Exactly, so boring. So Miss Caroline would you like to dance?
Caroline: You and me? I thought-
Ash: That only men can dance with women? Come on it's the 21st century, I'm sure we can dance together. I'll lead.
[Ash sticks her hand out and they both make their way to the dance floor.]
Ash: You know, you're quite the dancer.
Caroline: Well, I've had training. I happen to be Miss Mystic Falls.
Ash: Miss Mystic Falls? Humans are weird.
[Caroline shakes her head and laughs]
Caroline: You're not as bad as I thought.
[Elena and Damon are still dancing. Damon twirls her around and she's suddenly in Stefan's arms. They dance together.]
Elena: Hmm. He dances, and I didn't even have to beg.
Stefan: Well Mayor Lockwood dragged me out here. Couldn't exactly say no.
[They both look like they don't want to show how overjoyed they both are to be in each other's arms once again after Stefan left with Klaus. Meanwhile, Caroline and Matt are dancing together.]
Caroline: What are you doing? Why are you here with the She-Devil?
Matt: What was I supposed to say, no? And why the hell were you dancing with Ash?
Caroline: She's actually quite nice, she's nothing like him.
Matt: Of course she's like him, she's married to him.
[Stefan and Elena leave together. Meanwhile, Rebekah and Damon are dancing. Rebekah is staring at Caroline as she dances.]
Damon: Stop staring. It's creepy.
Rebekah: Of course she looks beautiful. Ash gave her everything she's wearing.
Damon: Well, you're no dog yourself.
Rebekah: Was that supposed to be a compliment?
Damon: Heh. You tried to kill Elena last night. You don't get compliments.
Rebekah: Caveman.
Damon: Where is Elena?
[Outside, Elena and Stefan are walking onto the lawn alone.]
[In the foyer Kol, Ash and Rebekah are talking.]
Kol: Where's your date?
Rebekah: Flirting with his ex.
Kol: You've changed, Bekah. You know, settling for mortals is the first sign of weakness.
Ash: Yeah, and why would you pick that mortal anyway. I don't like him.
Rebekah: I'm not settling. I brought him here to kill him. He's Elena's friend. If he dies she suffers. But I've already been scolded once so I was hoping you'd help your baby sister out.
Kol: And spit right in the face of mother's rules? [He smiles.] I'm in.
Ash: Eeek. Me too. It's been too long since I killed someone.
[In the Foyer, Ash and Kol are walking with Rebekah.]
Kol: I'm itching to kill something. What are we waiting for?
Ash: Yes where is this human?
Rebekah: The mayor cornered me. Give me fifteen minutes to lure Matt outside.
Kol: Outside? What's wrong with right here on the stairs? Make a spectacle of it.
Rebekah: You sound like an idiot, Kol. Mother would kill you if you ruined her party. See you outside.
[In Esther's study, she's lighting some candles.]
Esther: I understand Rebekah shared the story of my family. How I upset the balance of nature by turning my children and Ash into vampires.
Elena: She said you did it to protect them from the werewolves.
Esther: It's true. But in no time at all, they began to feed on human blood. They ravaged the town with no remorse. Eventually, Niklaus turned against me.
Elena: How are you gonna kill him? He's immortal.
Esther: It will take time, magic, and your assistance.
Elena: What do I have to do with it?
Esther: My children believe I'm holding this ball to celebrate our reunion. But in truth, I've gathered them together to perform a ritual. The first step requires blood from the doppelgänger. Only a drop. Its essence will be in the champagne toast later this evening. Will you do it or shall I?
[Esther is holding a long thin knife in her hands. Elena looks taken aback, but after a moment's consideration, she removes her glove and gives her finger to Esther to prick. Esther pricks it and squeezes the blood into a glass chalice that's filled with liquid.]
Esther: Elijah and Ash are more suspicious than the others, so they may need more persuasion. But they must all drink at the toast in order to be linked as one.
Elena: What do you mean "linked as one"?
Esther: You said yourself Klaus can't be killed. But tonight's spell links all my children together, so that if one goes, they all go.
Elena: What?
Esther: I love my family, Elena, but they are an abomination. I betrayed nature when I created them. It's my duty to kill them.
[In the Foyer, Kol is walking with Rebekah.]
[Rebekah and Matt are walking outside through the cars parked on the lawn.]
Matt: So...What are we doing out here?
Rebekah: Just taking a break from the polite chit-chat.
Matt: It's freezing. Let me get my coat.
[Matt walks over to his car and opens the door.]
Rebekah: This is your car?
[Matt picks up his jacket from the car set.]
Matt: Yep. [He closes the car door.] If I could compel myself a Maserati, I would. But I can't.
[He puts his jacket over Rebekah's shoulders.]
Rebekah: Oh! I'm a vampire. We don't...Thanks. [She looks around briefly.] Let's go back inside. I got all the fresh air I need.
[Kol standing in the background watching coldly.]
Kol: She hasn't learnt.
Ash: Let her be, she won't learn if we don't let her make mistakes.
[Crystal rings. Esther addresses the guests from the staircase. She has a glass of red-tinged champagne in her hand.]
Esther: Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass. It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening. Cheers!
Everyone: Cheers!
[Everyone drinks from their glasses, including all the Original vampires.]
Elijah: Cheers.
[Elena and Elijah clink their glasses together.]
Ash: Cheers
[Klaus and Ash clink their glasses together]
[Later Klaus and Ash are alone in a room filled with paintings on the walls.]
Ash: So what did you want to show me?
Klaus: You remember my passion, don't you?
Ash: Oh Nik they're beautiful, wow um is that me? [She points to a painting]
Klaus: [Chuckles] Yeah, I made lots of you. [Smirks] You are my muse.
[Ash chuckles and playfully rolls her eyes]
Klaus: Yeah, um...actually one of my landscapes is hanging at the Hermitage, not that anyone would notice. I should take you there.
Ash: I'd love to, we've been to plenty of places but have never really had the time to sightsee. With Mikael gone, we can.
Klaus: I'll take you. Wherever you want Rome. Paris. Tokyo?
Ash: I never got a chance to see but I'm happy that you unlocked your wolf. It was wrong of Esther to lock it up.
Klaus: Thank you. I just wish you were there for my first transformation.
Ash: How did you kill Mikael anyway?
Klaus: Well actually it was Stefan that helped me kill Mikael.
Ash: Stefan really?
Klaus: Yes I was shocked too.
[Meanwhile, under the stairs, Kol walks up to Rebekah.]
Kol: There you are. I was waiting outside for you. Where's Matt?
Rebekah: About that, I, uh...I changed my mind. I don't want to ruin Mother's night.
Kol: Don't tell me you like this boy. What did he do? Did he give you five seconds of his attention? [Sighs] Don't be so predictable Rebekah.
Rebekah: You don't have to be rude about it. Just leave him be, okay?
[Rebekah walks away.]
Kol: As you wish, sister.
[Meanwhile, Matt is walking past the balcony when he hears his name whispered at him from the balcony. Matt stops and walks onto the balcony. No one is there. Matt turns and is just about to leave when Kol appears behind him.]
Kol: Good evening. You're Rebekah's friend. We haven't met.
Matt: Matt Donovan.
[They shake hands.]
Kol: Kol Mikaelson.
[Kol starts squeezing Matt's hand tightly. Suddenly an audible cracking sound is heard.]
Matt: Aah!
[Matt falls to the floor. Damon is behind him.]
Damon: Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Matt: Aah!
Damon: Easy on the hand. Guy's a quarterback.
[Damon rushes at Kol and pushes him off the balcony and jumps after him. Damon then beats up Kol and snaps his neck. Stefan comes running out of a door.]
Stefan: Damon! Are you crazy?
[The rest of the Mikaelsons and Elena come out from the opened door and see what happened.]
Ash: Kol!
Damon: Maybe a little. [Looking at Elena.] Far be it from me to cause a problem.
[Damon turns his back and walks away. Ash attempts to chase after him but is stopped by Elijah]
[Esther is in her study. Elijah is with her.]
Esther: No violence, that was all I asked. Rebekah and Kol disgraced our family tonight.
Elijah: It won't happen again, mother. I'll deal with them.
Esther: Thank you, Elijah. I wish the others were more like you.
[Elijah leaves. Finn comes in and shuts the doors.]
Finn: Are we all right to speak freely?
Esther: Yes, the sage still burns.
[Esther writes her children's names on a piece of paper in Runic handwriting.]
Finn: You aren't having second thoughts, are you?
Esther: Of course not, it's just Elijah. He's so moral. And Ash, she would do anything for this family.
Finn: You're doing the right thing, Mother.
Esther: You understand what this means, don't you? This spell I'm casting tonight will bind you all together as one.
Finn: I understand. When it is time, I will be ready to die.
Esther: Then we must complete the link.
[Esther cuts Finn's hand and blood spills onto the paper. She starts to recite a spell.]
Esther: [chanting] Phasmatos inta grum vin callus...Amalon callagius accodam...Cosom naben dox...Callagius amalon...Gaeda callagius ceremum...Phamato descendium vinum...Phasmatos inta grum vin callus...Cosom naben dox.
[The blood spreads across the scroll, connecting the names together like the branches of a tree.]
Esther: The link is complete. You are one.
[The paper begins to burn.]