Kimber looked at him for an endearing moment then answered.

"Yes, let's go camping," she smiled.

Klaus smiled ear to ear, "alright then, wonderful. I'll excuse you from school on Friday and we'll go for a long weekend."

Father/Daughter Bonding

It was six thirty on Friday morning. Klaus woke up before the household as he did every school day. He didn't have the cook come in until mid-morning as he preferred to fix breakfast for his family and make their school lunches.

He walked downstairs and into the kitchen. He heard someone moving about and the clinking of pots and pans. He pushed the kitchen door open and was truly surprised to see who it was already awake before him. He sleepily gave a huge ear to ear smile.

"Good morning my little firecracker, I honestly would never have expected to see you this early in the morning. Mmmm ever," he smirked.

Kimber looked over at him and blushed a little.

"I know normally yeah, I LOVE sleep; but, well, I kinda wanted to let you sleep in and make breakfast for everyone. Umm, I guess I forgot to leave the note on your pillow to say you could sleep in. Sorry," she sighed then called herself stupid quietly and shook her head at herself.

"Woah, sweetheart, first don't ever call yourself stupid. Second, it's perfectly fine, this way I can sit and read the paper which I truly enjoy doing."

"Honest? I didn't mess up?"

Klaus sped to her side and kissed her temple and gave her a gentle side hug.

"I promise, you are nowhere close to have messing up. I am very impressed. Plus, it smells absolutely divine, what are you making?"

"Oh umm just breakfast burrito's. You know scrambled eggs, onions, blood sausage, fried potatoes and bacon."

"Mmm, well, I certainly can't wait. Do you need any help?"

"No thanks, I have it under control."

"Okay then, maybe I'll just fix lunches for your siblings then."

"Already done," Kimber smiled proudly.

"Really? Did you make sure to put an extra protein bar in Tyler's?"

"Yep, and the foo foo drink that Teage likes to mix with her thermos of blood. Which I still say is soooo very gross to mix," said Kimber as she crinkled up her nose in disgust.

Klaus couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable face his daughter made.

"Alright, well, it looks like you have everything under control. Since the SUV is already packed for camping we will leave after everyone is off to school."

"K Nick," she answered with a huge smile.

ON THE ROAD

Three hours on the road and they pulled into a local gas station.

"Can I get a candy bar and pop?"

"I honestly can't believe you still like that junk," he smirked, "but okay, go inside to pick out what you want and I'll be right in to pay."

"Sweet! Thanks Nick."

Kimber got out of the car and started to walk a bit too quickly for any human speed.

"Firecracker! Slow down, think human," Klaus said too quietly for any human to hear but perfectly loud enough for Kimber.

She stopped at a halt and turned around and gave the "oops, sorry" look. Klaus simply rolled his eyes a bit playfully then nodded to her to continue. She went inside and found many other things to check out. Klaus stepped in a few minutes later. He spotted his youngest looking at handmade bracelets.

"Do you want one?" Klaus asked coming up behind her.

"Wh, ohh umm no, you are already giving me a lot. I'm cool with the pop and candy," she smiled gratefully.

"Give me your items and wait for me in the car. I'll be out shortly," he smiled.

She did just that and walked out to the car. Klaus grabbed the bracelet Kimber was eyeing and brought it to the cashier with the other items.

"What's the story with these bracelets?" Klaus asked the clerk.

"Oh, they are each handmade by a local artist, it's made up of hemp and some oils."

He smiled, "I'll take this one."

"Great choice," the clerk smiled.

Klaus paid for the items and gas and walked back to his black SUV. He got in on the driver's side and handed the bag to his daughter. Kimber immediately took out the soda and candy and noticed the bracelet. It was intertwined with tiger's eye beads and turquoise. She took it out with a big smile.

"Awww Nick, you really didn't have to. I mean, are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. I want you to have it so you can always remember this trip. You know something that is shared between just the two of us."

Kimber looked over at him and for once was speechless. She put it on her wrist right away.

"Thank you Nick, I really do love it."

"You're very welcome."

Meanwhile, back home in school

BAM! Stefan pushed Matt against a row of lockers. He was angry but was restrained enough to only use a partial amount of his vampire strength. Matt shoved him back then punched him right across the face.

"Back off ass hole," Matt yelled, "I was just talking to her!"

"You don't have to talk to Elena so closely! I warned you before!"

Teagon ran up close to Stefan.

"Stef, please stop, I think you need to feed. Come on, you don't want to get in trouble."

Stefan looked at her, "FUCK off! Just because you're dating my brother it doesn't mean you can tell me what to do!"

"But I wasn't tell…."

"I SAID FUCK OFF ALREADY!" Stefan yelled in her face.

Teagon felt a jab at her heart and ran off feeling hurt and embarrassed. Her brother Dilion had witnessed the entire thing.

"Why in the hell did you have to yell at her like that Ass Hole!" Dilion snapped.

"That's right!" Matt added, "She was only trying to help you! You really need to just go home! Go home and Chill out!"

"Fuck you! Fuck both of you!" Stefan yelled back to Matt and Dilion.

Suddenly it was two against one. Matt and Dilion were fighting with Stefan. During all of this Elena had called Damon for help. She was afraid of her boyfriend really hurting someone. She knew he was out of control and wasn't listening to anyone, not even her.

Alaric was just about to break up the fight when Damon got there.

"STEFAN SALVATORE! STOP THIS INSTANT!" Damon commanded.

Stefan stopped to look over at his brother as his fist was aiming right at Matt's face.

"Put Matt down now."

Stefan growled a low growl but obeyed. Damon looked at Alaric.

"I'll take him right home and deal with him properly, trust me."

"Alright, take him. I'll take the other two to the principal's office."

MATT

Kelly Donovan picked Matt up from school. She drove him home.

"I can't believe you got in a fight! I had to leave in the middle of my shift to get you. Now I'm going to have to stay later tonight or lose the pay. What in the hell were you thinking?"

"But mom, he started it," Matt said with a whimper as he knew he was now in huge trouble.

"Don't give me that crap little boy. You didn't have to try and finish it," Kelly answered as she pulled into their driveway.

She turned off the car. That had Matt's eyes grow wide.

"You're getting out? Ummm did you need something? I can get it for you," he asked nervously.

"Yes, I'm getting out. Yes, I need to do something before I go back to work."

"But, but you don't want to be even more late getting back to work."

"Don't worry about me little boy now let's go inside or I can simply punish you outside for the neighbors to watch."

Matt whimpered but followed his beautiful red headed mother inside the house. Once inside she put her keys down on the kitchen counter then grabbed a wooden spoon. She pulled out a kitchen chair and away from the table. She sat down.

"Mom please, I'm sorry."

"You are going to be. This is for fighting in school and causing me to have to leave my shift. Jeans down and over my lap, now."

"But mama please, please don't spank me. I promise I'll make it up somehow."

Kelly took his arm and turned him to the side and gave him ten good hard swats with the spoon over his jeans and on his upper thigh. Matt began to squirm instantly and tears began to form already. She stopped and he rubbed his thigh whimpering.

"Jeans down now and over my lap."

Matt obeyed this time without question. Once over his mother's lap she held him snug to her with one hand and with the other she pulled down his boxers and bared his crimson white, firm bottom. She started immediately using the wooden spoon on his sit spots and upper thighs. It didn't take long for him to start sobbing.

"I'm sorry mama! I'm sorry! He cried.

STEFAN

Stefan was over Damon's lap, squirming and kicking. Damon used a hair brush on Stefan's bare bottom.

"You (smack) do not (smack) go that long (smack) ever (smack smack) again (smack) without (smack) feeding! (smack) And (smack) you NEVER (smack) Ever (smack) will (smack) treat (smack) Teagon (Smack smack smack) like that again!

"I promise! I promise! I promise!" Stefan cried.

DILION

Dilion rested on the couch with his head propped by a thick fluffy pillow and an ice bag on his eye. Elijah brought over a blanket and handed the TV remote over to his nephew.

"So umm I'm not in trouble?"

"Well, you were just standing up for your sister. Plus, it's not like this is a normal habit of yours," Elijah answered with a sideways smile.

"Do you think dad will think that too?"

"I don't know; but, I'm fairly confident."

DDD

It was Saturday afternoon when Klaus found Kimber washing something at the lakeside.

"Hey firecracker, what are you doing?"

"Oh, I cut my arm against a rock and before it healed I got some blood on my bracelet. I'm just trying to wash it off."

"It looks like you got it all off. Are you ready for our hike?"

"Heck yeah!" Kimber answered as she stood up, "let's go."

DDD

Half way back from the long hike Kimber began to feel weak. Her speed slowed tremendously.

"Baby girl, are you feeling okay?" Klaus asked with great concern.

"Ohh pffftt yeah, I feel great," she lied.

"Alright then if you say so," he replied dubiously.

Kimber gave a weak smile and tried to take off walking. She only made a few more steps before she passed out. Klaus caught her before she hit the ground.

"Kimber! Kimber! Baby, wake up!"