Nic always said family was the most important thing in this world, even when you can't rely on them, and they betrayed and disappointed you. He told me love was a weakness, and that it left a person open and vulnerable to the cruel world, and to never let yourself succumb to it, but his actions always proved him wrong, because even though he said he loved nothing and no one but himself, I knew he loved me. His words always were disproven by the way he treated me. I was for some reason the exception to all of his rules. From a young age I learned how to read Nik better than anyone else, every glance, small gesture, double edged words, I could decipher him like a coded message.

I also knew how to get my way when he was around. He would never admit it but I had him wrapped around my fingers. He said I was, and I quote, "A bloody manipulating devil child with a face that rivaled angels in sweetness." I of course never took offense because I knew that was his way of saying I was too damn innocent and cute to say no too.

But of course anyone who knows him, or of him, would say I am crazy. That I need to get my head checkered or to start wearing and consuming a heavy dose of vervain. But that's because they don't know him like I do, and that they don't know our story, my story, because without Niklaus I wouldn't have a story, because without Niklaus Mikealson I would be dead or worse alone.

****Lake Michigan 1996****

The cabin by the lake was secluded from the others and was designed for the owner and his family to have as much privacy as he desired, and did he need it. The man that resided there was once a kind and respectable man, everyone had loved him and his wife, but after her death months early he became distant and a mean drunk, unable to function without a bottle in his hand. He hated the world and everything in it, and simply couldn't wait for the moon to come out so that he could rip out some throats without being caught. There was a creak behind him and he stiffened before glaring over his shoulder. A soft "daddy" came from behind the door frame and he felt resentment seep into his bones. Of course he had one thing holding him back. "What do you want?" He growled angrily taking a swig of his rum.

A little girl stood in the doorway her eyes a innocent and bright emerald green color and blonde hair that was pulled into two little pigtails. "I-" She paused for a second and swallowed sensing that he was very angry tonight. "I was hoping you could get me some water pwease?" She asked softly looking down at her feet. The man grew more and more irritated as he stared at the child that shared his wifes face and hair. The only thing that was his was the color of her eyes and it sparked a raging fury everytime he looked at them.

"What have I told you about bothering me?" He asked turning to her as the moon rose higher and shone behind him. It would be so easy to just be rid of her tonight. Send her out into the woods, releasing all his tension and anger. "You know I want nothing to do with you." He said feeling his temper rising. "If I didn't have you, she would still be here with me!" He spat throwing his bottle at the wall allowing it to shatter. His daughter winced and whimpered in fear as she stepped back. She should have stayed in her room or climbed on the counter to get a glass for herself.

"D-daddy?" She cried gently looking at his bloodshot and angry eyes as he stormed over to her and grabbed her arm with an iron grip. He then began to drag her outside having made up his mind. He would free himself of the little bitch and would have the pleasure of her blood on his hands. "W-where are we going?" She asked as the wind picked up and gave her the chills.

"I am finally getting rid of all my problems," The man stated pushing the little girl to the ground. Her cries of pain gave him a sick sense of satisfaction when he heard it. She looked up at him with fearful tear filled eyes. He knelt down in front of the child looking her in the eyes as felt the draw of the moon, "I will give you this one chance to get away alive, run." He hissed.

The child could feel the danger in the air even if she didn't understand it, she stumbled up onto her feet and ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. Her knees and hands were scratched up and bloody, but she could only feel the fear in her veins and hear the pounding of her heart in her ears as she ran. That is until she heard the pain filled screams of her father behind her, then the sound of a hungry and excited howl.

The little girl didn't know where she was going but she knew something was chasing her and she cried wondering what her daddy had meant about getting rid of his problems. He hadn't been the same since her mommy went away. He was mean and didn't hold her and tell her stories anymore. There was a panting behind her and a growl before suddenly a creature that resembled a dog stood in front of her. She stopped and fell on her butt dirtying her little white night gown as she scooted away. Tears poured from her eyes as she stared at the glowing yellow eyes of the animal. Some part of her knew this creature, but the other part only knew she was in danger. "No, no, no," She whimpered as it approached her with gleaming fangs.

The beast saw it's prey and was ready. Ready to free itself of everything that bound his human life. Destroying this child would make everything better. As he crouched down and pounced at her he was suddenly thrown away and slammed into a tree. The beast could feel one of it's ribs crunch as he stood up and looked around for what had attacked him. Then he smelled the foul stench that could only mean one thing. Vampire. He growled annoyed that his kill was taken from him, but also that this stupid creature thought to challenge him at his strongest.

A man with short blonde hair and blue eyes stood between the wolf and the little girl, a smirk playing across his lips as he stared at the creature amused. Yet when he glanced behind him and stared at the little girl bruised and bloodied up he felt an ancient rage awaken in him. She seemed too innocent and small to be victim to the abuse he had witnessed over the past week. "It would seem that you are a truly disgusting animal mate." He said in a cocky british accent. The wolf only growled and prepared to attack him again. The man could only feel a sense of pleasure at the thought of the creature attacking him. He crouched in front of the child who was wide-eyed behind him. "You are just lucky I don't want you dead yet." He said as the beast lunged at him and he threw him aside like a rag doll.

The little girl was in shock for a lack of better words and as the blonde man threw the animal aside she couldn't help but feel hopeful. Especially when the beast ran off no longer believing it could make the kill he desired, and that was when her rescuer turned to her and looked at the child in amusement. "Well dolly, why don't we get you home." He said amused by the idea holding out his hand to her. She didn't even hesitate before placing her small one in his big and rough hands. The stranger felt a sense of shock course through him and a need to keep the little thing safe. He then scooped her up into his arms and rushing off to the lake house. "Now sweetheart, can I come in?" He asked charmingly.

She nodded allowing her little pigtails to shake, "Y-yes, come in." She said quietly as he carried her inside. He knew the wolf wouldn't be back till morning, and he placed her on the counter. "Thank you." The child said softly looking at her scratched up knees.

The man smiled at her with a genuine kindness. "You're welcome love, I'm Niklaus." He said holding out his hand to her. "What's your name?"

She smiled gently at him. "Moira." The little girl said shaking his hand.

"Well Moira," Niklaus said charmingly, "How about I stay with you till your dad comes back."

At the mention of her father Moira became very quiet and worried. "He wont be happy."

"Don't worry love I have a way with people." He promised, "But let's get you all cleaned up little one, you are a bloody mess." He said chuckling to himself. He didn't know what it was about this little girl, but he was going to find out. This sense of possessiveness was almost overwhelming him, but it didn't matter Niklaus had her in his grasps, now he only needed to deal with daddy dearest.