"No, I'm afraid I'm not Tommy."

I startled when I heard a strange voice, my heart started to pound faster. This British man had managed to surprise me completely and that didn't happen very often, I had a pretty good hearing. It was true that losing a sense made the rest of them stronger, at least so I felt.

"Forgive me, miss," he continued after a brief silence. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, no, that's alright," I managed to say, I felt foolish for getting so startled, surely there were other people on the deck as well. "I just didn't hear your footsteps."

He was quiet for few seconds; I could feel him staring at me. I had got used to people doing that and usually I didn't care.

"Again, I apologize," he stated, he sounded a bit strange, confused maybe. I had got used to that as well; some people just didn't know how to act with me. Sometimes I had wanted to snap that I didn't have any contagious disease and my blindness didn't affect my intelligence in any way.

"Well it's a beautiful night," he said. Apparently he wanted to at least try talking to me instead of just excusing himself and running away.

"I will have to take your word for it," I replied, he must have noticed that I was blind. "I'm Viola," I continued and held out my hand.

He was quiet again and I sensed tension coming from him. For a moment I thought that he didn't want to touch me, some people didn't, but just before I lowered my hand, he took it. His hand felt a little cold, he had probably been outside for a while.

"Klaus," he muttered. Instead of shaking my hand, he simply held it for a moment before letting go.

"That's not a very usual name for an Englishman," I stated, I had a bad habit of blurting things out before considering were they appropriate.

"It's a short for Niklaus," he replied, I couldn't really interpret his tone.

"Oh. Most people would have probably shortened it Nick."

"Well, I'm not like most people."

"That's not a bad thing," I assured. "It wouldn't be very interesting if everyone would be alike."

"Yes, I suppose that's true," he replied.

The chilly wind made me to shiver and wrap my arms around me; I hoped that Tommy would be here soon so we could go back to the cabin. I didn't think that I could get there by myself, no matter how much I would have wanted to. It was often humiliating to be so dependent on other people, but there was a difference between pride and stupidity.

"Here," Klaus said, I startled again when he suddenly stepped right in front of me and wrapped something around me. It took me a second to realize that it was his jacket.

"Thank you," I said when he took a step back. His jacket smelled very good, I had to inhale its scent few times.

"You are welcome, miss Viola."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Just Viola, we're not one of those First Class grouches."

A brief silence followed my words; I could tell that I had said something wrong.

"Actually… I'm traveling on the First Class," he stated rigidly.

This was awkward. I tensed and wrapped my arms around me; I felt nervous and took an instinctive step back. I couldn't help it.

"Oh…"

"Yes, I'm… a valet," he added.

That made me to immediately relax, he was one of us.

"Oh!"

"I know, not a very glamorous position…"

"No, no, it's an honest way to make a living, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. My mama was a maid."

"Really?"

"Yes. So, you are traveling with your employer?" I asked.

"Yes, his name is… Elijah Mikaelson."

"Oh. What is he like?"

Again, probably not an appropriate question. I felt Klaus leaning towards me.

"Between you and me?" he asked, sounding very mysterious.

I nodded.

"He's a real snob. You know, old money."

"Yes, I know the type," I muttered tensely. "I hope he at least treats you properly."

"Well… He has his moments, but I feel more comfortable right here."

"I can believe that," I huffed. "You must be sick of all the rich snobs."

"You have no idea." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Listen, would you like to take a seat? There's a bench on two o'clock, there's no wind there."

I appreciated him remembering that I couldn't see the bench; I wanted to continue our conversation. Why wouldn't I do that while waiting for Tommy?

"Sure."

"Great. May I…"

He stepped next to me and softly touched my arm. I allowed him to lead me to the bench, although I could have found it by myself, at least eventually.

"Thank you," I said when he helped me to take a seat. The bench was wood; I touched it briefly with my fingertips. He sat down next to me, keeping a polite distance between us. Clearly he had manners, just like a valet needed to have. I remembered that some of the elder servants who mama had worked with had been very stiff, I had been afraid of some of them when I had been a child.

"Are you traveling with your family?" Klaus asked.

I nodded.

"Yes, with my papa and my cousins."

Tommy and Billy weren't really my cousins, but papa had thought that it was better to say that they were, since we were staying in the same cabin.

"So, have you been in America before?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "I currently live there."

"Oh, in New York?"

"No, in New Orleans."

I bit my bottom lip and admitted to him that I had no idea where New Orleans was, I didn't really know much about America.

"I can show you if I may," he offered and asked me to give him my hand. I was curious, so I held my hand out, letting him to place it on his.

"Here is America," he said a draw a map on the back of my hand with his cool finger. "Here is New York. And here is New Orleans."

"Oh. You have a long journey ahead of you then."

"Yes, but it's much faster these days."

"Do you have family there?" I asked.

"Yes, a brother and a sister. How about you? I am guessing that this is your first trip to America?"

I smiled.

"What makes you think that? I don't seem like an experienced traveler?"

He chuckled.

"My apologies, it's not polite to make assumptions."

"No, you are right; this is my first trip to America. Or to anywhere."

"Really?"

I nodded and sighed.

"Yes, I have lived in London my whole life and I somehow thought that I would die there as well. My mama is buried there and I really didn't want to leave her and the home where we lived."

A silence followed my words, I couldn't believe I had said that to someone who I had just met, I really should think before speaking. I must have made him uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry…"

"No, no, there's no need," he said, but he did sound uncomfortable. "I'm sorry about your mother."

"Thank you."

We were both quiet for a while; I wrapped his jacket tighter around me.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" he suddenly asked.

"I would love one," I replied, thinking that he was joking. "And some biscuits too, I'm sure the First Class kitchen will be eager to serve us…"

"Do you use cream or sugar?"

Was he serious?

"I use honey, but…"

"Wait here, I will be right back," he said, I heard him standing up.

"What, wait, you really don't have to…" I started, but he was already walking away. I was a little confused, for a moment I suspected that he had only needed an excuse to leave; I really knew how to make people uncomfortable. To my surprise he returned after few minutes.

"Here you are a cup of tea with honey and some biscuits."

I was stunned.

"What? How did you…"

"What can I say, I'm a good valet," he replied and sat down next to me. "The cup is right in front of you, be careful, it's hot."

My fingers touched his when I reached for the cup; I smiled when I smelled the tea. It tasted absolutely divine, it warmed me up immediately.

"You sir are an angel," I sighed after taking the first sip. "Thank you so much."

"Any time. A biscuit?"

I laughed; I couldn't believe he had actually brought me biscuits.

"Yes, please."

"The plate is in front of your left hand."

I hold the cup in my right hand and picked up a biscuit, it tasted delicious.

"Hmm… How did you get these?" I sighed.

"Well, it wasn't easy, I had to knock out few stewards and tackle an old lady."

I laughed.

"Perhaps you're not an angel after all."

"No, I'm not," he muttered, his tone was tense.

Great, I had offended him. Me and my big mouth…

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

"No, you didn't say anything wrong," he interrupted me. "Or anything untrue. I'm far from an angel."

I wasn't sure what to say, he sounded gloomy. After a brief hesitation, I placed the cup on the bench between us and reached for his hands. I could sense his confusion, but he didn't say anything, he simply allowed me to take his hands between mine. The tea had made my hands warm and his were still cold, so I started to rub them. Lord knew this was far from an appropriate behavior, but I wanted to do at least this one small thing for him.

"None of us is an angel," I said quietly. "We'll just have to settle being humans with all our faults."

He didn't say anything, but I felt him staring at me. I continued rubbing his hands until I felt them warming up.

"There, at least your hands are warm now."

He cleared his throat.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

We were both quiet for a moment, but the silence didn't feel uncomfortable. I was starting to be very tired, I couldn't help but yawn. Where was Tommy?

"It's getting late, may I escort you to your cabin?" he asked.

"Thank you, but I have to wait for my cousin…"

"I'm sorry, I just remembered something," Klaus interrupted me and stood up. "I will be right back."

"Sure…"

I really hoped that nothing had happened to Tommy, he had been away for a while.

"Viola!"

I stood up when I heard his voice, he was running towards me.

"I'm so sorry; I played cards with some lads and lost the track of time."

"That's alright, I had company."

"What?"

"Good evening," Klaus' voice said. "You must be Viola's cousin, I'm Klaus."

An ominous silence followed his words, I was afraid that Tommy would misunderstand the whole thing and tell papa. I hadn't even considered that option until now.

"Tommy, it's not…"

"It's nice to meet you," Tommy said. "I'm Tommy. Thank you for keeping Viola company."

"No problem. Would you excuse us for a second?"

I gasped, what was Klaus doing? Tommy didn't take orders from anyone…

"Sure," Tommy said. "I'll just… wait over there."

I was stunned, what was wrong with Tommy? Maybe he had smoked something else than just cigarettes, I knew he and Billy did that sometimes.

"I won't keep you for long, I'm sure you want to get to bed," Klaus said and moved in front of me.

"This might sound bold, but tomorrow is my day off and I was wondering… Would you like to take a walk on the deck with me? Your cousin is also welcome of course."

I was surprised, but not unpleasantly. Definitely not.

"I would like that," I replied smiling.

"Great. I'll meet you here after breakfast?"

"Yes. Good night, Klaus."

"Good night."

I was still smiling when Tommy and I headed to our cabin; I had really enjoyed my evening. Who would have thought that there even were men like Klaus, so kind and thoughtful? I wished all men could have been more like him.