A/N: This is where I got stuck last time. I'm still working out the storyline, so hopefully this will hold you over for a few weeks, while I get my head straight.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries, just Winnie.

Klaus sat alone at the bar nursing a scotch as his thoughts ping ponged between Bonnie and the prophecy, sometimes the line was so blurred he thought they were the same thing. Weren't they? She was his destiny and he was determined to make his intentions known, but what if she…Klaus shook his head to dispel the negative thought that threatened to take over.

"Christ," Klaus murmured as he took another sip and looked around the bar and spotted Damon Salvatore sulking at the other end of the bar. He continued his perusal of the bar with an unimpressed glare. This town was his first home, but he missed the magic and lore of New Orleans, but he had to be patient. He would soon return to his rightful place as King of New Orleans with hopes of having her to rule by his side. Klaus looked up as his sister walked into the bar flirting shamelessly with the Donovan boy as they chose a booth in the back. Huffing in annoyance, Klaus turned his attention back to the bar as he signaled for the bartender for another drink. The bartender ambled over with a bottle of scotch and refilled the empty tumbler. "Leave the bottle," Klaus demanded.

"Sure," the bartender mumbled as he set the bottle down near Klaus' now full glass as he made his way to the opposite end of the bar where Damon was demanding his attention.

Klaus was taking a sip from his now full glass when he felt Rebekah slide onto the barstool next to him. He hoped to ignore her as she abandoned him to flirt with the human boy leaving him to himself. Knowing Rebekah she wouldn't leave him alone until he acknowledged her presence. Klaus finally turned his attention on Rebekah who sat studying him with a frown.

"What?" he sighed.

"You've been in a mood all day. What is it?" she commanded. "I thought once it was confirmed that the Bennett witch was your mate you would be in better spirits."

"Who says I'm not."

"Oh Nik," she faked a pout. "Don't start self-sabotaging now. She's a teenage girl it shouldn't be that hard, just tell her she's pretty and buy her flowers or something."

Klaus gave her a look.

Rebekah nodded in agreement, "you're right. She's not any teenage girl she is descended from one of the most powerful bloodlines that have ever walked this earth…"Rebekah contemplated. "Maybe a bracelet? Diamonds are a girl's best friend right?"

"I'm not speaking about this with you. Shouldn't you be getting back to your boytoy?" he asked. Downing his drink in one go, Klaus moved to refill his glass when his attention was drawn to the door of the bar opening and in floated Bonnie followed by Caroline and an unknown girl all laughing to themselves.

Rebekah softened after she saw Klaus still his movements while he fought the urge to openly stare at the witch in question. "Klaus, I just think that you deserve to be happy. After the centuries we have spent running and killing and waiting, it's finally time for you to be happy. Stop denying yourself something just because you don't think you deserve it. You do." Rebekah said with a smile as she got up and made her way back to the booth that she shared with Matt.

Klaus stilled as Rebekah's words washed over him. Klaus glanced towards his sister who laughed at something Matt said to her before focusing his attention the trio who just entered the bar and walked towards the other side of the bar towards the pool tables. From the looks of it the witch and the blonde vampire were well acquainted with the third girl and by the smell of her blood he took her to be a witch. Powerful. Familiar. Before he was able to observe the unknown girl more closely he heard the door chime once more and in walked the doppelgänger and the other Salvatore. Klaus glanced up and noted the tense form of Damon as he stared at Elena and Stefan with open irritation as she spotted him and refused to meet his gaze. He had heard from Rebekah that the Gilbert girl chose Stefan over his brother, again. I'm due for a laugh, Klaus thought with a grin as he settled back into his seat at the bar.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Okay!" Caroline exclaimed as she ended a call. "Tyler will be here any minute. Now all we have to do is find for Elena and Matt," Caroline said with a wink. "I know they're around here somewhere."

Bonnie eyed the pool tables before turning back to Winnie, "We may be able to hustle Matt and Tyler later."

"I don't think it's hustling if they know we would kick their ass." Winnie declared. Looking around she caught sight of a sandy blond man drinking alone at one corner of the bar who tipped his glass at her in recognition. Based on Bonnie's description that must be Klaus. Hmm, he's cute. Winnie smirked as she caught him giving her cousin an appreciative glance. Returning her attention to the other side of the bar she caught sight of a familiar girl with long brown hair at the bar with a guy while another man with very dark hair stared at them with disdain. Awkward. Turning her attention back to the brunette again she watched as the girl chose that moment to turn around and caught Winnie staring at her.

"Winnie?!" Elena screamed as recognition flooded her face. With that Elena excused herself and flew over to the girls.

Winnie winced at the sound emanating from the brunette before she rose to meet her and burst out laughing at Bonnie and Caroline who both stared at Elena in disbelief. "Elena!" Winnie laughed as Elena flew at her with wide arms. "I missed you!" Winnie said as she embraced her friend.

"I missed you it's been too long. I'm so happy to see you! And now I'm crying." Elena cried tightening her hold on Winnie.

"Oh Elena." Winnie said as she gave the others a look with tears in her eyes. Bonnie and Caroline engulfed the two as they all let their emotions at their reunion engulf them. It had been too long since they were back together and with Winnie being gone for so long a piece always felt like it was missing. The girls all had their role: Bonnie the bold one, Caroline the bubbly one, Elena the compassionate one, and Winnie the goofy one. Through it all they still had each other.

The girls broke apart and laughed at the tears streaking down the others faces. Winnie took off her glasses and began cleaning them when she heard someone approach them.

"Are you guys okay?" asked the guy who was with Elena at the bar earlier.

"We're fine, just a little emotional." Elena responded. "Stefan this is Winnie, one of my best friends."

"Nice to meet you, Winnie," Stefan said with a smile as he held out his hand.

"Hi," Winnie responded taking his hand.

"What's happening over here?" Matt asked cautiously joining the group. "Elena shrieked so loud you would've thought she saw a mouse."

Rolling her eyes, Winnie turned to greet him, "That's because she did. Hey Matty Blue, did you miss me?" she asked with a wide-toothed grin.

"Winnie?" He asked face breaking out into a smile as he hugged her. "Wow! It's so good to see you. How are you? When did you get back?"

Before Winnie could answer in walked Tyler making a beeline to the group once he spotted Caroline. "Hey Care!" He said greeting her with a kiss before he turned his attention the rest. "Sup guys, what's going on?"

Looking around at everyone Tyler noticed everyone grinning wide. "You guys must be really happy to see me." He chuckled. "For real what's going on?" Tyler asked looking around again before he finally noticed a familiar face smirking up at him.

"Hey Winnie, Long time no see. Wow, you look hot," Tyler smirked.

"Wow, you're still gross."

"Just for you." He winked before strutting forward and pulling Winnie into a fierce hug. "It's good to have you back, Winnie." Pulling back slightly and sniffing the air. "Damn girl. You smell good."

Winnie was taken aback at the admission as she looked to Bonnie who just rolled her eyes. Turning back to Tyler, "Uh… Thanks I guess."

Caroline gasped in embarrassment before hitting Tyler on his shoulder. "Ignore him. You know how he is."

"Ow! It's not a bad smell. I'm a little more sensitive to scents now, I mean you know, hybrid and you being a witch you have a special scent." Tyler responded.

"A special aroma? You make me sound like dessert, but" Winnie said then wrinkled her nose. "Unfortunately, I can't say the same about you though. You smell like wet dog." Winnie grinned as the vampires eavesdropping in the bar snorted in laughter. "But lucky for you I like dogs."

"That makes one of us," Rebekah announced joining the group as she side-eyed Matt who gave her an apologetic look, ignoring her boyfriend for the moment Rebekah turned towards the others. "After that horrible high-pitched screaming coming from Elena I'm not sure my eardrums can take the sound of the screeching coming from this end of the bar."

"Well they may be more screeching especially once the drinking starts and you're more than welcome to join us…" Winnie grinned holding out her hand expectantly.

Rebekah took the girl's hand in hers while eyeing her curiously. "Rebekah Mikaleson. And you are?"

"I'm Winnie Bennett, wayward cousin-sister of the dear Bonnie Bennett." She stated.

"Bennett. I should've known, the family resemblance is uncanny." She asked eyeing Winnie curiously.

"Really?" Winnie and Bonnie mimicked. Winnie eyed Bonnie before shrugging and returning her attention to Rebekah. "Meh, I can do worse."

"Excuse you," Bonnie sputtered.

"Anyways are you staying?" Winnie asked

Rebekah eyed the girl before her before nodding slightly. "I'm sure I can stay and chat for a bit."

"Great!" Winnie said brightly. "If you have any questions or want to hear any embarrassing stories feel free to ask, I'm here all night."

The group groaned as Rebekah perked up. "The more embarrassing the better," as she waved over a waitress to take their order.

Winnie laughed as she begins to recount a story about Matt in the 4th grade when he decided that he was going to educate his friends about the birds and the bees with an actual bird and a honeybee.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Her cousin, of course. Klaus thought as he listened to the loud and raucous laughter before his attention returned to the door of the bar as Elijah strolled in and sat down next to him. Before he had a chance to greet him, Elijah's attention went to the group in the back and stilled as his eyes landed on Winnie. Interesting.

Elijah snapped out of his reverie before straightening his tie and returned his attention to Klaus. "I thought I would find you here."

"You've found me. I guess my game is over." Klaus joked taking a drink and turning his attention to his brother who was sneaking glances at the teens in the back before something clicked.

"It's her, isn't it."

Elijah snapped his eyes to Klaus before giving him a tiny nod and turning back towards the young woman in question. "That's her."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"I think Rebecca likes you." Bonnie whispered to Winnie as the group broke off in teams to play pool.

"Everyone does," She whispered back. "Now that they are preoccupied are you going to introduce me to…" nodding her head towards Klaus.

"Fine," Bonnie acquiesced.

As the two made their way across bar and saw another figure in a suit had joined Klaus for a drink at the bar. He looks familiar, Winnie thought.

"Hi Klaus," Bonnie said coolly

"Bonnie," Klaus responded and turning to watch her with a smirk. "Are you talking to me in front of your friends?" he stage-whispered.

Bonnie rolled her eyes playfully. "I wanted to introduce you to my cousin, Winnie. She just got back in town and she hasn't stopped hounding me about dropping in during our lessons."

Klaus nodded at Winnie in greeting, "Of course. I could use another protégé but with two powerful witches I may need a little help. Thankfully my brother, Elijah, here knows a thing or two."

Winnie turned her attention to Klaus's companion. She recognized him from the diner back in Tennessee. He is even more handsome up close. "Hi, I've seen you before! At a dinner in Tennessee right?" she asked "I'm Winnie."

"Yes. You asked for my newspaper to finish the crossword puzzle."

"Nerd," Bonnie coughed.

Winnie rolled her eyes as she smiled at him brightly and sticking her hand out "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," he replied taking her hand and while maintaining eye contact he brought her hand up to his lips where he pressed a gentle kiss.

Winnie felt her cheeks heat up and let out a soft sigh before giving him a shy smile. They both let go as Winnie turned her attention back to Klaus and Bonnie who watched them both curiously.

"It seems he approves and will be more than happy to help," Klaus responded with a smirk.

"Well that's settled!" Bonnie said as she watched the looks Elijah sent to a clearly flustered Winnie.

"I can't wait to get started. It was really nice meeting you both," Winnie announced. "We have to get back to our friends." In a bold attempt to impress Elijah, Winnie tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave him a dazzling smile.

"That was slick," Bonnie whispered.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Winnie responded as she tugged Bonnie along.

Caroline grabbed the girls hauling them closer. "Were you just making eyes at Elijah Mikaelson?" She whispered with a glint in her eyes.

"She was," Bonnie teased as she nudged Winnie.

Caroline rounded on Bonnie, "and you! Don't think I didn't notice you and Klaus making googly eyes at one another."

Bonnie rolled her eyes as Winnie snorted.

"And you used my hair toss move!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Oh look, Elena's calling me. Gotta go!"

"She's so annoying! But I'm so glad she's back," Caroline beamed as she watched Winnie loop her arm through Elena's. "It hasn't been the same."

Bonnie nodded in agreement as she looped her arm through Caroline's and dragged her along to join the group.

Together at last.