A week later

" I have the next verse" I stated as I barged into Nik's office where he was meeting with a gorgeous guy.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in a meeting, Jim said to go on up"

"That's fine, Marcel and I were just finishing up. Marcel this is Sophia Salvatore. Sophia this is Marcel, one of my closest friends and business partner"

"Nice to meet you" I said as Marcel grinned at me "I've heard nothing but great things about you Sophia"

"Really,clearly not from Nik, since he thinks I am way too rambunctious and nosy for my own good"

"She has the memory of an elephant, I swear" Nik stated exasperatedly before offering me a crooked grin. I blushed as Marcel laughed out loud and then said "any relation to Dora Salvatore?"

" she's my older sister. Do you know her?"

"We had dinner at her restaurant last night. The food was awesome and the entertainment was great"

"It's an awesome place to take someone special"

Marcel smiled at me and replied "oh I wasn't with someone special. We had a business dinner there"

"Well I'll let you two finish up. Nik I'll go to the piano room. It was nice meeting you Marcel"

"You as well Sophia. I'm sure we'll see more of each other in the future" I smiled at him once more before walking out not before hearing Marcel chuckle "she is adorable, your fascination makes more sense now"

"Shut up" I heard Nik growl before Marcel laughed again. I frowned slightly. Did Nik view me as some pet. Adorable was for puppies, kittens and five year olds. I mean he was older than dirt, I guess I could be looked at as a five year old. It was apparent that whatever my parents were afraid of wasn't the case with Nik. He did not seem at all romantically interested in me.

I sat at the piano as I started playing the haunting tune once more

If you should sink I don't want to swim

If you lock the door, I'll beg to come in

If you should I sing, I wont make a sound

If you should fly, I'll curse the ground

Later that night Damon was cleaning the kitchen up from dinner. He smiled thinking of about how he was lucky to be given a second chance to have a partner that loved him for him and three wonderful, talented children that loved him. He was always worried that he would be as horrible as a father as his own father was, and by some miracle he wasn't. He could see it in the way his children interacted with him on a daily basis that they loved and respected his thoughts and opinions. He smiled when Bonnie walked in and wrapped her arms around him.

"What would my beautiful wife want so badly that she would come into the kitchen right after dessert"

Bonnie laughed as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek before answering "I just wanted to thank you for dinner"

"You don't have to thank me, I love cooking for you" Damon replied smiling brightly as he gave her a hug before kissing the top of her head. The couple remained like that until they heard the doorbell ring.

"Are you expecting anyone?"

"Not this late"

Damon went to answer the door to see Stefan and Caroline standing there.

"surprise" Caroline said squealing as Bonnie ran past Damon and gave her a hug. Damon and Stefan looked on with amusement as the two women continued hugging and talking at the same time.

"we wanted to surprise you for your anniversary" Stefan finally said as he hugged Bonnie and then Damon.

"where are the kids?"

"Davie is working a night shift, Dora is still at her restaurant and Sophia is..." Damon stopped to look at Bonnie before asking "where is Sophia?"

"she's at a friend working on a project for our anniversary"

"which friend? Do I know them?"

"you do..." Bonnie stated as she moved towards the library and began pouring a glass of bourbon.

Damon's ice blue eyes became big as he said "Do you mean to tell me Bonnie Bennet Salvatore that our daughter is over at Klaus's mansion without a proper chaperone?"

Bonnie smiled sheepishly as she gave him the glass of bourbon and then kissed him on the cheek "yes"

"So what's the story? Beks told me that she is...may be your soul mate"

"That's what was foretold before she was even born however, I don't know. Half the time I don't even know what to say or how to act, and she is so...innocent, and happy and a freakin Bennett slash Salvatore. Her parents knew me at my worst...her aunt I had a tryst with, her uncle I compelled...it's just a mess"

"And yet you continue to live here where she is, she has access to your home, you have people guarding her every move for her safety and you haven't dated anyone else for the past three years...maybe you should speak to her parents and ask their permission to court her...then you can decision from there."

Nik sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair, "I'm not sure I want to court her or kill her half the time...she expects a lot, I mean her father is someone that loves obsessively, can you imagine what's she witnessed growing up? Before she was born, Damon was obsessively attentive to Bonnie and Davie and Dora...then she was born and it became even worse. She has never heard the word no..."

"So why are you still here?" Marcel patiently asked his best friend

"Because I can't leave...I feel restless when she is not around and increasingly anxious and uncertain when she is"

"You do realize at some point she will start dating and most likely leave. Didn't you say she just graduated? I imagine no matter how attentive Damon and Bonnie are, they are her parents and she probably wants to be on her own."

'' you have a point however I'm not sure"

"What exactly are you not sure about?"

"About everything...and her...it may be in my best interest to just have a clean break and move back to New Orleans"

"And potentially miss out on a chance at love and a future with someone who will want to be with you without any strings attached"

"There may be strings attached… Love always has some strings attached"

"You really are negative about relationships. What strings could she possibly want? Her parents have more than enough money, she Is educated, she's a hybrid….I don't see her benefiting anything from you, other than an equal partner. Well the best advice I can give you, if you wanted advice, is not to do anything too rash"

Nik laughed ruefully "I think it's too late for that"

A week later, Klaus found himself at the Salvatore house. He rang the bell praying Bonnie would answer, of course moments later Damon greeted him.

"I was wondering when you would show up" Damon stated as he looked over at Klaus.

"I wasn't sure if I would even be invited"

"Well you did save us years ago"

"Is it ok for me to come in?"

"Sophia isn't here"

"I came to speak to you and Bonnie"

"Bonnie isn't here either"

"Oh, I guess I could come back another time"

Damon sighed before stepping aside and saying "come in"

Klaus walked in and then stopped short realizing he didn't know what Damon's intent was.

"So killed anyone lately?" Damon asked as he started towards the den motioning Klaus to following him

"have you?" Klaus replied before taking a deep breath and saying "I know you hate me and I know you hate feeling indebted to me before Sophia was born. I admit I haven't been a nice person….however I haven't killed anyone that didn't deserve it…and I certainly have not done anything inappropriate towards your daughter"

"I didn't think you did. Sophia knows how to take care of herself, besides you wouldn't be standing here if you did hurt her. So what did you want to discuss with Bonnie and myself?"

Klaus sighed again as Damon looked over at the original. He had never seen him this disheveled and lost…it reminded Damon of when he thought he was going to die without Bonnie knowing how he had fallen in love with her.

"I'm kind of at a lost here….I don't know what the boundaries are…. Or if I even want to pursue something with your daughter, who by the way, has impossible standards and expectations regarding relationships"

"Well she deserves the best because she is the best" Damon replied as Klaus laughed a bit bitterly. No wonder Sophia felt as though she could have and get whatever she desired and wanted. Her parents had indulged that.

"Maybe this was a mistake" Klaus finally said as he stood to get up as a voice said "no you should stay and tell us what your intentions are towards our daughter" Klaus turned to see Bonnie walk in as Damon stood and greeted her with a kiss before taking her hand and pulling her on his lap.

"Hi Bonnie, how are you?"

"I'm fine thanks….it seems as though you don't know what to make of Sophia"

"You agree this is all kind of crazy….I'm centuries older than her"

"No need to remind us of that fact, we are quite aware of that" Bonnie wryly replied as she continued "not to mention your little fling with Caroline, who is Sophia's aunt"

"I definitely do not want to be around when you have that conversation" Damon stated as Bonnie elbowed him in the chest.

"Hon, that hurt...I was just being honest"

"We talked about your tact and how you need to work on that" Bonnie replied before turning her attention to Klaus. "Maybe you can stay for dinner. That may be helpful"

"With Caroline and Stefan here as well? That's a disaster waiting to happen"

"Sooner or later Klaus will have to face it"

"Anyone home? We are back" a voice called out. Klaus stood up in a panic as he recognized Caroline's voice and heard Sophia's tell tale fluttering heartbeat.

"No time like the present" Damon gleefully stated smiling as he helped Bonnie up and they began walking out the den.

"Wait…maybe I should…."

"Nik, what are you doing here?"

Klaus saw Damon mouth 'Nik' to Bonnie as she held back a smirk.

"I was in the neighborhood and just figured I would stop in for a visit."

"That's nice, you remember my Aunt Caroline?"

"Oh he remembers her alright" Damon stated as everyone looked over at him.

"Yes Caroline and I have known each other for years. How have you been Caroline?"

"Great, thanks. Bonnie I found the perfect outfit for you. Let's go try it on"

"I'm going to start dinner" Damon stated as both women walked out.

"Were my parents rude?" I asked Nik as we walked into the family room.

"They were how any parents would be"

I groaned slightly embarrassed as I thought how my dad most likely was sarcastic and asking possibly inappropriate questions. I also was confused at the cryptic way Nik and Aunt Caroline interacted….

"so were you and my Aunt a thing or something?" I finally asked as Nik dropped the book he was examining before asking "why would you ask that?"

"It was really tense a few minutes ago…and I can usually read moods of people around me. Your mood was definitely awkward and uncomfortable"

"Your aunt and I…weren't exactly a couple; however we were intimate together"

I schooled my features into what I hope was neutral before replying "was that before her marriage to my Uncle or after?"

"It was before….I would never do that with someone who was with someone else"

I glanced over at him with a raised eyebrow and he had the grace to look embarrassed before mumbling "I figured it was better for you to hear it from me than someone else"

"Well thank you for telling me"

Nik sighed and walked over to me saying " I was thinking I may go back to New Orleans for a couple of days to check on some projects…..and to get some distance"

I glanced up at him frowning "distance from me?"

"From everything…..I'm not sure what I want or what you want….or what we are even doing"

"Wouldn't it be smarter to ask me what I want?"

"Do you know what you want?" Nik countered stepping even closer to me

"I know I want you both on the opposite sides of the room" my dad drawled as he walked in and I took a step back from Nik blushing.

"Dinners ready" my dad finally said his ice blue eyes zeroing in on Nik as he stepped aside motioning for me to leave first.

"What did you make for dinner?" I asked my dad taking his arm as we walked out Nik trailing behind us.

"Mom's favorite" I smiled as I walked a little faster to the dining room. My dad made an awesome lasagna loaded with fresh vegetables from my mom's garden.

Dinner was slightly awkward as my aunt Caro love looked every way but at Nik, while my dad and uncle Stefan merely glared at him. My mother was too busy scolding Davie about not eating or sleeping to see what was going on. I finally stated "could I maybe go with Nik to New Orleans?"

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look over at me as Nik sat up straighter and stated "Damon I didn't even ask.."

"Of course you didn't" my mother interjected soothingly as she glanced over at me, slightly smirking. She knew exactly what I was trying to do. It was something my mother told me my father would do, countless times to those around him.

My father glared at Nik and then looked over at me before replying "absolutely not…"

"But dad…" I began as he interjected, his ice blue eyes coldly staring at me "that is out of the question"

I glanced over at Davie and pouted slightly as he rolled his eyes and then said "well…dad, Dora stated that she was thinking of going to New Orleans to look at something and I told her that it would make sense for me to go as well….Soph can tag along with us"

"You can all stay at my house if that's ok with your parents" Nik finally stated as he was careful not to look over at me.

"How long do you think you will be there?" My mother finally asked as my dad looked over at her in horror.

"Not too long…I have my MCATs test in two weeks so maybe a week? Besides Dora can't stay that long away from the restaurant and Sophia has to decide which graduate school she will be attending"

"I'm staying here to attend graduate school….I just sent in my stuff today"

"You are?" My dad asked smiling at me, his anger at me apparently gone as he realized I would be right here with them

"Yes…however I was thinking that maybe I could…"

Aunt Caro interrupted me saying "so much good news at once Soph is probably too much for your father to hear" I smiled at her as I realized my family was trying to save me from the wrath of my dad. I guess sometimes it helped being the youngest.

My father sighed, running his hands through his black hair, before finally staring at me "well if your siblings are going, I guess you can too."

I jumped up with a squeal and ran over to hug him as I said "thank you daddy, you are the best father ever"

My dad smirked at me before replying "I know" and then turned to Nik "Klaus, I expect not a hair on her head to be harmed"

"You have my word" Nik replied seriously as he looked my father in his eyes before fidgeting a bit.

"So when are we leaving?" I finally asked as Davie shrugged "in two days?"

Nik chimed in stating "I'm actually leaving tonight however I will leave my plane and you guys can take it in two days"

"That's really nice of you…we can afford to send our children to New Orleans though" Damon stated as Bonnie gave him a look before turning to Nik "that would be great, thanks Klaus"

Nik nodded as he said " I will send a car here to take you to the airport. What time would you like to leave Sophia?"

Everyone turned to look at me as I glanced over at Nik, he looked at me calmly before taking a sip of wine.

"10 would be great. That should give Dora time to pack. Is that time ok with you Davie?"

"Sure..that time works for me. Thanks Nik" my brother said smiling before happily resuming his dinner. I smiled….I owed him big time for what he just did.

Once dessert was served, I stood up to start clearing the dishes. I was taken aback to see Nik stand up as well as he also started grabbing the dishes and followed me into the kitchen.

We stood side by side as he washed and I dried before he said "it would be nice for you to give me a heads up before throwing me to the wolves"

"Sorry… You told me you were leaving and I have always wanted to go to New Orleans…."

"I'm not sure what you are expecting…I'm not always a nice person and I probably won't have much time…."

"I really don't need you to be at my beck and call to enjoy the city. Plus I'm not expecting anything from you….other than you deciding what you want from me"

"I don't know…which is why I was leaving. I need some perspective and with you there I probably won't get that"

"You're the one that invited us to your home, we could have stayed in a hotel"

"There's no way I would allow you to stay in a hotel where you can't be properly protected"

"Look I already have a father and his name is Damon Salvatore"

"I am perfectly aware of that…you have also led a very sheltered life here. There are people that are bad and would kill to get their hands on you…you are a hybrid….you have a mother that is the most powerful witch alive….your father has enemies….when you were born I promised your great grandmother that I would protect you. That's what I'm doing, so please stop being a spoiled, naïve…"

" I think it's time for you to leave" I interjected hotly as I glared up into Nik's face. He looked startled and then nodded, his blood red lips in a straight line as he stepped away from me and walked into the dining room where everyone was pretending that they didn't hear our conversation.

"Thank you for the lovely dinner. There will be a car here promptly at 10. Good night"

My mother stood up as she stated "I'll walk you out" Nik nodded as he held his arm out for my mother to take and they walked out.

Uncle Stefan looked over at my dad and said "and you were worried"

They all laughed as I huffed and walked out of the room.

Bonnie smiled at Klaus who seemed bewildered at what had just happened. "I apologize for Sophia's behavior, she is her father at times"

Klaus grinned ruefully "she actually reminded me of you..full of vigor and disdain. I'm out of my element here."

"Generally most people are when it comes to relationships"

Klaus looked away before meeting Bonnie's eyes "I truly don't know what I want"

"I think you know what you want and you're just afraid that you don't deserve it."

"I don't deserve a lot…"

"Everyone deserves a second chance, including you. I want you to truly think about that….and if you decide that Sophia isn't what you want, then I want you to tell her that before she returns home. That means no kissing, holding hands , nothing."

"And if I decide she is?"

"Then you return here and ask to court her, the proper way"

"So either way, don't touch your daughter"

"Exactly, I knew you were a smart man"

Klaus laughed before replying "at times I can be. Good night Bonnie"