C.5: Disturbing Behavior

Once again: everyone is absolutely amazing! I want to thank everyone for their amazing reviews to my story. They're my inspiration to carry on and write!

These chapters focus on how Klaus and Nik develop a father/daughter relationship over the three months Elijah is gone. There will be a chapter for each month, and we see how they interact and see how Klaus learns to (finally) love his daughter. Also, for those of you who have been requesting a flashback for a Klaus/Nik moment, your wish has been granted.

Everyone enjoy and please, click that awesome little review button!

~Month 1~

She hates coming out of her room.

Nik has stayed hoarded inside her bedroom for the entire month Elijah has been gone. She comes out only when called, and Klaus is the one who usually beckons her out of her fortress, picking fights in one way or another. Other times, Hayley knocks at her door and begs her to come out so Nik will eat something. Then, on the rare nights that she has nightmares about faceless figures kidnapping her and seeing Elijah's body dropped before her, she pads down to Hayley's room where she sleeps the rest of the night because she's too afraid to go back to her own room.

She's just tired of feeling alone- tired of feeling worthless and inferior.

God, she just misses Elijah.

Nik's eyes drift towards the clock on the wall. The hour drifts closer to noon and Nik still hasn't left the safety of her room. Hayley came knocking for her to eat breakfast this morning, but Nik pretended to be sleep and didn't begin to move until Hayley gave up and went back downstairs.

Nik knows that Hayley must be lonely, but she can't bring herself to leave. She doesn't want to be where Klaus is unless she absolutely must.

The teenager leans back deeply against the wall behind her. She has taken up residence in the window seat, looking out over lands of the plantation. She watches as the leaves on the trees move with the summer breeze and dark clouds creep across the blue sky, the promise of rain coming later tonight for the scorching city of New Orleans.

Then, Nik finds herself startled by her door being thrown open and she looks over with wide eyes to see Klaus standing in her doorway. The Original smiles his ever-twisted smile, leaning against Nik's doorway as he inspects Nik's room.

"Ahhh...I can see why you like staying holed up in here," Klaus says, taking in the white Christmas lights strung up around her room and the piles of books everywhere. "It's quite cozy."

Nik frowns, crossing her arms. "What do you want?"

"That's no way to talk to your father," Klaus tuts as he enters the room. Nik watches as Klaus grabs the chair Nik carried in from the study, dragging it over to sit in front of the teenager. "Besides, your presence is missed. It didn't go unnoticed that Hayley tried to get you out of here, and she obviously failed. Social interaction does well for developing minds, and some time with your dear old dad will serve as excellent mental stimulation."

Nik rolls her eyes. "For what reason? Whenever we're together, we argue until you banish me back to my room."

"To simply spend time together, Nikol," Klaus states, grinning widely.

"Poppycock," Nik grits, refusing to look back at Klaus.

At this, Klaus stands and Nik begins to think that he'll go away. Instead, he grabs her shoes and rummages through her wardrobe and throws them towards her. "I refuse to play this game. You have fifteen minutes to make yourself presentable and you will meet me downstairs. If not, I'll drag you through the Quarter in your bed clothes kicking and screaming."

Nik looks down at the clothes the threw her way- black leggings and a red top with the shoulders open. She grins darkly, looking at Klaus. "What a cute outfit. Perhaps you should be a fashion designer instead of a full-time, deadbeat dad."

Klaus growls. "Fifteen minutes." Then, he slams the door and the pictures on the wall shake and some of her glass figures fall over on a shelf.

Huffing, Nik stands up and begins to dress. She slides into her black Converse and walks to her bathroom where she begins brushing out her hair, grumbling under her breath as she fashions her blond locks into a braid.

Then, the brooding teenager leaves her room after grabbing a thin jacket in case of rain. On her way to the stairs, she's met with a concerned looking Hayley who gazes down at her.

"Nik? Where are you going?" Hayley stops her from going off the first step, her hand gripping Nik's shoulder gently.

"It seems Father wants to spend 'quality time' together," Nik answers flatly. "Father" rolls off her tongue unnaturally and Nik hates it. In actuality, Nik has plenty of other names to call Klaus. She only addresses him by the familiarity because he demanded it and it kept them from fighting more than they already do. "He said he wants to go the the Quarter today."

Hayley frowns deeply. Nik knows that Hayley's relationship with Klaus is as horrid as her own, though they don't quarrel as much. "He's taking you to the Quarter? That's the last pace you need to go." Hayley speaks of the incident with the witches last month. Nik knows that Hayley hates for her to go anywhere near the Quarter- they're both a little scared to go back.

"I'll be fine," Nik says, smiling gently. "I'll let you know I'm home the moment I'm through the door."

"You better," Hayley replies, playfully yanking Nik's braid before going back to her room.

Nik saunters downstairs, her eyes finding Klaus who lounges in the front room. He's sitting on a loveseat, nursing a glass of what Nik thinks is scotch.

Klaus looks over to Nik, the corners of his mouth turning up. "You are right on time, Nikol. Let me put my glass away and we will be going."

Nik only nods, watching as her father disappears into the kitchen to put his glass in the sink. She waits silently until the man returns, only moving when Klaus puts his hand on her back to usher her out the door.

"Today, daughter mine, I will teach you what it means to be my heir," Klaus boasts, leading Nik out to his car.

Nik lifts an eyebrow at her father. "Are we to bathe the streets in blood, Father?"

Klaus grins, opening Nik's door for her. "If that is what it takes, little one." Nik ducks inside the car, sitting back in the seat as Klaus shuts the door. She has her seatbelt on before Klaus is in the car, the man letting the engine roar to life.

Nik gives Klaus an uneasy look. "Please don't drive fast. I'm afraid I'll become sick."

Klaus makes a sound. "You won't have the time to become ill, because the moment you look like you will be, I'll throw you from the vehicle. This is a custom car, I'll have you know."

"Stop your harping and drive," Nik huffs.

Then, as if to make Nik angry, Klaus floors the gas and speeds out of the driveway with a dark smile.

…

"Is it wise that you have brought me to the Quarter?"

Nik stands next to Klaus, overlooking the bustling French Quarter. She only remembers the area of the Quarter Elijah took her to and not much else. She remembers how busy the Quarter was then, but Nik fears she will easily be lost amongst the crowd now. She also is afraid she may be found by the Quarter's witches.

Klaus gives a shake of his head. "It isn't wise at all, little one. However, not a soul will dare to challenge you with me close by."

"Your ego is showing, Father," Nik says in a sing-song voice. She earns a dark look from Klaus and she can only smile, watching as Klaus' dark expression falls and he gives her the tiniest smile back.

"Enough with the chatter. We have some sightseeing to do," Klaus counters, making a "Let's Go" gesture with his hand. As they begin walking, Nik feels his hand grip her shoulder. "I pray that you would pay attention to me during this little excursion."

Nik nods. "But of course."

During their walk, Nik finds herself listening to Klaus talk of the times he ruled over the Quarter. The entire Mikaelson family lived here once upon a time. During the mess of it, she recalls the name Marcel once more. She thought little of it during the month without Elijah, but she can't help but to think of the man's name.

Nik gulps back her nervousness, looking to Klaus. "Father?"

"Yes, Nik?"

"When Elijah came to the cemetery, he mentioned a man here in the Quarter. He called him Marcel," Nik says, looking up at Klaus.

She really wishes she hadn't.

Klaus stops them in the middle of their walk. His hand grips her wrist with bruising force, his eyes boring into hers with a fury Nik has never seen. "Don't you ever mention that name aloud again. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," Nik stammers, pulling her arm and Klaus lets go. Nik stumbles a little, wrist held to her chest and she massages her hurt wrist as she stares up at Klaus with nervous eyes.

Klaus only shakes his head, gesturing for her to follow him. "Come on, now." Then, she obediently follows the man all while rubbing the ache out of her wrist.

Their walk is brief and Klaus stops in front of a large building. Nik can't help but to smile- the building is very colorful with several balconies on the outside. Streamers are strewn across them in Mardi Gras colors despite the holiday being long over.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" Klaus asks, smiling fondly.

"It's gorgeous," Nik answers softly. "This is where our family lived?" Nik studies her father's face, noting that the man goes through a series of emotions- sadness, anger, want, happiness.

Klaus gives a slight nod. "This is where our family was happy. I was happy. It's called the Abattoir."

Nik falls silent a moment, looking down to the ground. Then, she peeks shyly at Klaus. "He lives here, doesn't he?" Is this why Klaus became angry with her for saying Marcel's name? Because he resides here in the Quarter, having taken everything her father worked for?

"That is a story for later; but yes, he does," Klaus murmurs. Then, his blue eyes are ablaze like Nik has never seen. "Someday soon, we will have the Abattoir as our own again. The Mikaelsons shall have power back in the Quarter."

"Is this where you give your monologue as 'The Rightful King of New Orleans?'"

Klaus smiles wryly. "I'll save that speech for another day. Now, I do believe our little adventure is over. We should be going home."

Nik nods in compliance, not arguing that she wishes to stay out. As bad as she hated to come with Klaus, she has enjoyed her time in the Quarter. She has even enjoyed her time with her father.

I suppose there is a first for everything, Nik thinks.

On their way back through the Quarter, Nik takes care to look around. She takes in the shops and restaurants around her, mentally making a note to somehow get Klaus to bring her out here.

A snowball has a better chance in hell than I have of getting Klaus to bring me out here again.

Nik finds herself looking into the window of one of the stops, one of the dresses catching her eye. The dress would be a little over knee length on Nik- it's sleeveless and black with subtle accents of pink roses across the fabric.

Then, she feels a strong hand grip her shoulder and Nik jumps, turning around to see her father looking at her with a glare.

"What on earth do you think you're doing?" Klaus asks hatefully. "I thought someone grabbed you and ran off."

Nik releases a shuddering breath. "I-I'm sorry. I was just looking and my mind slipped. It was an accident, Father."

Klaus looks from Nik and to the shop window. His eyes take in the dress and he looks back to Nik, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You have an eye for fashion like your aunt."

"It's a beautiful dress," Nik says, looking up to the dress again.

"The dress is beautiful," Klaus agrees softly. "Perhaps we can come to the Quarter again soon to see if they still have the dress."

"Really?" Nik asks hopefully, smiling widely at Klaus.

Klaus chuckles. "Really. Now come on, silly girl."

…

"So he wasn't a total dick?"

Nik looks up from her spot on Hayley's bed. The teenager sauntered up to Hayley's room as promised after her French Quarter excursion️ and has told the werewolf girl everything that happened.

Nik shrugs. "He was okay. He treated me like his child for the first time today...and it was surreal. Granted, he got fed up at times but he wasn't a total jerk."

"I assume that hand-shaped bruise on your wrist was a result of Klaus' short temper?" Hayley asks indifferently, gesturing to Nik's blue and purple wrist. "Nothing slips by me, kid."

"He could have ripped me to shreds. Some bruises are a triumph compared to whatever torture he could have conjured up," Nik dismisses. She'd heal within the next two days- nothing Nik was truly worried about.

Hayley rolls her eyes. "Mmmhmm. Whatever you say, Nik." Then, Hayley stands up and walks over to Nik. Nik feels the older girl hook her arms under Nik's, pulling her from the bed and she unceremoniously dumps her into the floor. "C'mon, you get to help me make dinner."

Nik groans, rolling to her stomach on the carpeted floor. "I don't wanna. I just wanna sleep."

"Listen, your uncle will kill me if I don't keep you alive somehow. Klaus doesn't care if you starve- I do," Hayley says, playfully prodding Nik with her foot. "And you can't sleep the rest of your life away. It's not healthy."

Nik raises an eyebrow. "Do tell why, All Mystical Werewolf Guru Lady."

"You're depressed, Nik," Hayley points out. "You stay in your room. You don't eat and you sleep all day. You won't talk to anyone. You're hurting yourself, squirt."

Nik opens her mouth to argue, but closes it upon the realization that Hayley has read her like a book. She's depressed. Depressed because Elijah's gone and she's stuck here with Klaus as a paternal figure and the mother of her sibling as a kind of guide, although Hayley isn't bad to have as company.

"And what do we do about it?" Nik asks.

"We just get you through it," Hayley answers softly. Then, she smiles and extends her hand to Nik. "Let's go make dinner. You can chop the onions because they make me cry."

Nik laughs and takes Hayley's hand, rising to her feet to follow Hayley down the stairs.

…

~Klaus~

The hour is late when Klaus stumbles through the door.

The Hybrid pinches the bridge of his nose as he kicks the door shut behind him as quietly as possible. He would hate the startle both the girls awake- assuming that both of them are actually asleep. The girls were very much night owls and they were up and about the house when Klaus came home more times than he could count.

Klaus throws his keys on an end table near one of the couches in the sitting room, releasing a long sigh of exasperation. He definitely had enough of Marcellus for one night and, if he were being honest, has had enough of the man for all eternity. His pride, though, would not allow for Marcel to take away his beloved city and home. He wouldn't dare keep Klaus' title as king.

Klaus doesn't see himself giving up the city he worked so hard to build.

Ignoring the urge to drink himself senseless, Klaus eases up the staircase with a certain mission in mind. He clutches a small bag held in his hand, searching for Nik's room in the darkness. Once he finds Nik's door on the far left, he carefully peeks inside to ensure the girl is asleep. Several nights upon coming home, he has found Nik in Hayley's bed due to nightmares or she was up reading until exhaustion had the better of her.

Tonight, thankfully, she's in her own bed.

Easing inside, he walks across the hardwood floor and kneels down at Nik's bedside. The blond child breathes in and out deeply, sleeping soundly for what is the first time in a month. The first time since he daggered Elijah.

Daggering Elijah had been no easy task for him. His brother always backed him in any given situation, but he couldn't conquer Marcel with Elijah standing in the way. He couldn't win Nik's affections with Elijah a footstep away.

He loved his daughter, even if his techniques were unorthodox.

Now, he looks at his child. He has never truly sat down and given much thought to how Nik looks. She's blond with curly hair and wide blue eyes, the most violent shade of blue Klaus had ever seen. She's pale with a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and has his angular features. Nik is Klaus made over.

Klaus remembers not a time that he was this close to Nik, except years ago when she was still very small. Nik had been very ill, and Elijah begged him to sit with her until he went to town to grab things he needed for Nik's care.

Klaus dares to say that's the day he fell in love with his daughter.

…

~Arkansas, 2004~

"Brother, please stay with her just a few moments."

Klaus stares at his elder brother in disdain, his eyes watching the body of the scrawny five-year-old attached to him. Nik shivers despite the thick blanket Elijah wrapped her in and she releases series of shuddering coughs that have kept Klaus up for two nights without end.

He has no desire to be coughed and sneezed on by a sickly child.

"Unfortunately, Elijah, that goes against my plans," Klaus says, watching as a dark look crosses Elijah's face.

"You have no plans," Elijah snaps, adjusting Nik in his arms. Klaus can see that his brother is exhausted and worn down, and he doesn't feel any sympathy for him. "It will not kill you to hold your daughter for thirty minutes while I locate the nearest drug store. I have ran out of fever reducer and cough syrup and she's getting worse while you stand there, you pig-headed man, and refuse to watch her."

Klaus glares and the Hybrid crosses his arms. He may look like a toddler throwing a tantrum, but he will not watch that sorry excuse of a girl Elijah has brought home.

His resolve is broken, though, once Elijah comes marching towards him and plops Nik in his arms. Klaus' arms wrap around the trembling child instinctively, feeling the little girl shake harder because she's in his arms.

"Allow me to correct you: you will hold her until I return. All you must do is simply sit down and keep her wrapped in her blanket. She also enjoys being rocked," Elijah says quickly, holding no room for argument. Then, he smiles down at Nik who looks up at him as though he's insane for leaving her with Klaus. "I won't be long, princess. Behave for your father and all will be well."

Nik nods. "'Kay, 'Lijah."

"That's my girl," Elijah praises, grabbing his jacket and speeding out the door before Klaus has the chance to oppose his wishes.

Klaus stands still a moment, not sure whether he is angry or shocked. The only thing that draws him from his thoughts is Nik who releases a long, shuddering cough from her place in Klaus' arms.

The Hybrid huffs, adjusting Nik in his arms so she isn't held awkwardly. "Okay, girl. Stop spreading your germs and stay still."

"I'm sorry," Nik croaks, her voice scratchy from all of the coughing. Klaus can hear her lungs working to clear herself of congestion and her nose is stuffy.

Klaus feels Nik lay her head in the crook of his Nik, too tired to care about consequence. Her hands desperately clutch his shirt as though his mere presence might cure her.

Sighing, Klaus starts for the stairs with Nik wrapped tightly in his arms. "Let's do something to make us both a little less miserable, Nikol." He climbs the stairs and finds his own personal bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He settles Nik on his hip, going to the shower where he turns on the hot water, letting the hot water run into the tub.

He has no idea what to give her to make her feel better, but he can at least keep that horrid cough at bay with the steam from the shower.

"You're not gonna try to drown me, are you?" Nik slurs tiredly, her warm breath tickling Klaus' neck.

Klaus almost laughs as he settles in the floor at the base of the shower. He sets Nik in his lap, quickly stripping her blanket away despite the girl's protest. "I've done a lot of things, Nik, but I wouldn't stoop as low as to kill a child."

Nik hugs herself impossibly closer to Klaus, her body shaking. Klaus settles his arm around her back, hugging her close; his free hand cradles the back of her head. "You will be plenty warm in a second. Just worry about breathing, little one."

Ten minutes pass and the bathroom is filled with steam. It has fogged the mirrors and has given heat to the room, making Nik's shaking stop as she finally rests comfortably against Klaus' chest. Her coughing and wheezing hasn't stopped, but it is enough to give the exhausted Hybrids a much needed break.

Klaus looks down to his exhausted daughter. The tiny five-year-old is dozing, her fever-flushed cheek pressed against his chest. The Original can't help but to think she looks a great deal like him with her blond hair and all. He has yet to see her temper, but he suspects that she's like him in that area, too.

Their only difference seems to be is that Klaus is cruel, and his daughter is kind. He knows that she doesn't deserve his hatred and his anger- she has had enough of that in her short life. Maybe he can protect her from it. He can shield himself with indifference and he can distance himself. He'll protect her from all of the pain and evil it comes with being his daughter.

For now, though, he'll hold her and love her- even if it's just a little while.

…

Klaus smiles fondly at the sleeping teenager a final time, reaching towards her to stroke her blond hair. He bends over the slumbering girl, pressing a kiss on her forehead before rising to his feet.

He treds quietly to the end of Nik's bed where there is a wooden chest. He places the bag he had carried up with him on the chest- Klaus couldn't resist going back to buy that dress for Nik no matter how many times he tried to talk himself out of it. He also brought her a few more things to wear with the outfit- earrings and a charm bracelet.

Klaus knew she deserved the gifts after his behavior with her.

He edges out of the room, looking back at Nik a final time before leaving. "Goodnight, little one."

Then, if he heard a slurred, "Goodnight, Dad," following after his words, he'd never know