C.6: Paternal Instinct

I am so sorry for the late update! I recently just started working and, so far, work has been kicking my butt.

However, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter! Klaus finally starts to be a good parent and we are introduced to a certain vampire.

I can only hope everyone enjoys and feedback is always appreciated!

Read and Review!

~Month 2~

Nik pulls a blanket over an exhausted Hayley.

"I can't thank you enough for this, Nik," Hope groans, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Misery shines in her eyes and Nik can tell the beginning of this pregnancy is going to be a rocky one. The poor woman had a horrible case of morning sickness, which lasted all day and into the night sometimes. Nik hopes that Hayley will get over the sickness soon because it's driving her to exhaustion and making her weak.

Nik gives the werewolf a small smile. "It's no problem. Try to sleep a bit if you can and I'll bring you something to eat later if you can stomach it."

"Thanks," Hayley mumbles. "You're awesome, kid."

Nik chuckles, choosing not to say anything and she leaves the room to allow Hayley to sleep. That leaves her by herself, wandering the house silently. She has no particular desire to read and she doesn't want to go back to her room, so she walks about until she hears her father's heartbeat drumming from one of the rooms upstairs.

In the last month, Nik's relationship with Klaus has improved greatly. They have stopped arguing, but has not stopped them from disagreeing with one another at all. Klaus has been kind and gentle with her, lifting her dark mood a little. Klaus, though, could never take Elijah's place in her heart. She loves her father dearly, but wishes Elijah were present.

The teenager finds herself following Klaus' heartbeat. It leads her down the hall and she finds herself standing in front of a door leading to a room she has never ventured before. So, she knocks softly and listens for activity in the room.

"Father? May I come in?"

Then, she hears something rustle and the door is opened by Klaus who looks down at her curiously. "But of course, little one. I was going to come find you anyway." She's ushered inside and Nik looks around the room, smelling paint and the scent of paper. The room's floor is covered in a plastic tarp to protect it from paint and there are canvases lined up everywhere.

Nik looks up to Klaus. "So you come in here to paint?"

Klaus smiles softly. "When time permits, yes." He looks as stress free as Nik has ever seen him. His shirt is splattered with paint and his blue eyes twinkle. "Tell me, little one- do you draw?"

Nik almost laughs at the question. Do you draw? The girl's past attempts at drawing are horrific. She has long since given up the fine art of drawing and has opted out to write and play piano like her uncle.

"I can't draw a straight line, Father," Nik says, looking at the elaborate paintings around her. She certainly hasn't inherited Klaus' ability to draw and paint.

"Seems that we will have to remedy that," Klaus states. Nik watches as Klaus walks around the room, grabbing a spare easel and he searches for a canvas. She watches as Klaus sets the easel up next to his own work, motioning Nik to join him while he continues to search for a canvas. "You may not be able to draw, but anyone can paint. You have seen styles such as abstract and contemporary. An imbecile could paint."

Nik raises an eyebrow. "Are you calling me an imbecile?"

"No, you silly girl," Klaus admonishes playfully. "You may behave like one at times, but you are not an imbecile. Now, it seems I have no spare canvases at the moment. Would you care to accompany me to the Quarter? I have to pick up a few things, anyhow."

"So late in the evening?" Nik asks, worried that they might not get back before dark. Klaus has warned her several times of the dangers of being out after dark- being nabbed by witches and rouge vampires lurking in the Quarter.

Klaus chuckles. "We won't be but a moment. Go put your shoes on and meet me downstairs, little one."

Nik obeys silently, going to slip into her Converse before going downstairs to wait on Klaus. The silent teen waits a few moments more before her father saunters down the stairs, shrugging into his leather jacket before he snatches the keys off the table.

"Come on, Nik. It is just a quick run to the Quarter and back," Klaus reassures, leading Nik out the door despite her obvious discomfort.

Nik gives her father a look. "I have no argument in this matter, do I?"

Klaus smirks darkly. "No. No, you don't."

…

Nik follows Klaus to a small shop in the heart of the Quarter.

The shop is cozy and homey, which Nik enjoys. The shelves are stocked with every kind of art supply imaginable- paints, canvases, stencils, brushes, and other decorations one would need for crafting. Though the store is tiny, the items are made of the finest quality and she knows that Klaus will not paint on or with just anything.

"Come with me. I need to find our canvases," Klaus beckons softly, and Nik obeys. She closely follows her father, watching as he weaves in and out of the isles to find their needed items. The easily snatches up a few canvases for the two of them and he grabs brushes. Then, he makes a beeline for the paint where Nik watches Klaus debate over shades of blue for a painting.

Nik rolls her eyes at the spectacle. Her father, a cold-hearted and uncaring murderer, is doing something as mundane as contemplating over paint. "Father, does the shade of blue matter?"

Klaus looks up at her like she just ripped his heart out. "Of course it matters. In my painting, I am recreating a night sky. If you mix paints to obtain a color, it may become too dark or it may appear brown. You, little one, have no heart when it comes to this particular activity."

Nik struggles to hide her smile and she covers her laughter with coughs. Klaus only glares and it makes Nik erupt into a fit of giggles.

"That is why I am here to better you," Klaus says, nudging Nik playfully. "Now, let's get out of here. Perhaps we can stop by the small sweets shop around the corner before going home."

Then, just like an excited toddler, Nik follows. Her time with Klaus have been less chaotic and she has actually had fun with her father these last few weeks.

She can only hope things continue to go this well.

Once their items have been paid for, Nik walks behind Klaus with two of the lightest bags from the arts and crafts store. Nik protested, of course, but Klaus dismissed her. He said something about being a "gentleman" and Nik would have laughed hadn't it been for them in the crowd.

Activity in the Quarter is lively despite it being late evening. Nik struggles to keep close to her father, silently cursing him for bringing them to the Quarter. No doubt half of these people are flocking to pubs and bars all across the Quarter for a night on the town.

Once she's through the masses, Nik scans around for her father. The man seems to be nowhere in sight and she doesn't have a clue as to where he might have been going or where this sweets shop was he spoke of.

"Father, where are you?" Nik calls, her voice squealing as she clutches their shopping bags, blue eyes scanning the several people walking down the sidewalks. "Father?"

Then, she feels a cloth over her mouth and something burning her flesh. She's pulled backwards and into the dark, and she fights like her life depends on it because it does. She bites, kicks, scratches, and goes as far as to use her magic to escape. "Father!"

Then, just before she can escape, there's pain in her face and her world spins.

Her last coherent thought is "Father" as darkness washes over her.

…

Nik awakes to a throbbing jaw and her body burns.

Nik's eyes peel open, taking in the space around her. Her battered body has been thrown carelessly on the concrete, making her cramp and ache. Around her are crates and bags; the air smells damp and musky.

I've had it up to here with these impromptu kidnappings, Nik thinks as she sits up. Her bleary eyes take in everything around her and she believes she's being held somewhere akin to a basement. Everything is dark save for a dimly lit bulb shining overhead in the dank room and Nik frowns.

The teen takes a shuddering breath in, immediately regretting action. The air seems to burn her lungs further and she begins to choke, coughing as something sputters in the back of her throat. Then, she watching as dark liquid splatters to the floor and she knows it's blood.

What's wrong with me?

Nik staggers to her feet, breathing shallowly through her nose. She feels her clothes stick to her body, although she's unsure whether or not it is water or sweat. Maybe both. She's freezing and feels like she'll start shaking and her teeth will chatter.

As she gains her bearings, she hears the fluttering of heartbeats and the hushed whispers of voices coming from above her. Dust falls from the floor above as they walk closer, sprinkling down upon Nik.

She scrambles to hide, nestling herself in the midst of several crates and other items hidden in the basement. Nik knows that they'll find her, but this might buy her some time. Then, her moment of relief is over as a door is wrenched open and the footsteps thunder down the stairs.

"I swear if you idiots done anything to that kid…"

Nik holds her hand over her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut as though it might hide her away. She listens as three heartbeats fill the room, hammering wildly in her ears.

There's an exasperated huff from one of the men. "She was right there when we put her down here. Do you think she's more powerful than your witch let on?"

"Whatever that kid is, she scared your witch to death. She said she's a abomination, which is why we wanted to take care of the job already."

Then, Nik hears a growl. "No one is doing anything without my say-so. Now find the kid and let's get this ball rolling."

The footsteps sound all around the room and Nik curls herself smaller, thinking of fight or flight. It shakes her to core as they edge closer to her, and Nik hears them come dangerously close.

Then, like a dark shadow looming over her, Nik feels someone lurking behind her. She hears a small, "Boo," and hands seize her up and Nik begins to struggle. Her fangs come out and her eyes are ablaze. Her hands warm and glow, the man that had grabbed her screaming and she hears burning skin.

"I thought you said you gave her more vervain?"

"I gave her enough to down half the compound!" hisses the vampire she burnt. He dropped her in the floor, howling in pain and Nik scrambles to her feet. She lunges for what what she thinks is a broom or mop handle, breaking it over her knee as she speeds about the room.

Nik releases a hacking cough and blood drips down her chin. She stands tall, though, and grips her makeshift stake. "I've had enough of these kidnapping shenanigans! In the last two months, I got holed up by a group of witches and I sure as hell won't let a group of vampires keep me in their lair!"

In the dim light, Nik can make out a dark skinned vampire. His hair is shaved short and he's thin and tall. His eyes are dark- almost black in the light. "Easy, kid- I just wanna talk."

"Yeah? Well, I don't. I wanna go home," Nik says as harshly as she can, but she realizes she sounds like a child with the demand. "Next one of you who grabs me is either getting their face burned off or I'm giving them a one-way ticket to the pits of Hell by way of the stake. Your choice, gentlemen."

Then, just like that, she's disarmed and shoved roughly to the floor. She feels someone come behind her, seizing her by her shirt collar and she's forced to look up to the man. She watches as he kneels down before her, grasping her chin in his hand. "They messed you up bad, sweetheart. Your face has definitely seen better days." Then, he frowns. "You're burning up. Looks like they gave you quite a bit of vervain."

Nik shakes her head. Her voice emerges a breathless whisper. "I just wanna go home. I didn't do anything."

"You're not in any trouble. A friend of mine just had bad thoughts about you and I decided I wanted to check it out," replies the man. Then, he gives a small smile. "You remind me of your aunt, I'll have you know."

Nik's eyes cut to the man's. "You...you know my aunt? Rebekah?"

"I have for a long time, kid," he replies. "And I know your dad- the dick kind of raised me."

Nik gulps back her fear, staring up into the eyes of the man her father raised. Marcellus. The boy her uncle often referred to in his journals and the boy who gave her father love and hope. The King of New Orleans.

Marcel chuckles softly, examining Nik. "You look just like your dad. You're kind of scary like him when you're pissed off, too."

"Is that a bad thing?" Nik croaks, struggling to keep from coughing so she won't vomit blood.

"Nah," Marcel dismisses. Then, he drops her head and leans back on his heels, his brow furrowed. "You don't seem like much of a threat. Elijah must have taught you manners, or you'd be a raging lunatic like your father."

"I have morals. They just disappear when I'm threatened needlessly by a man and his vampire cohort," Nik sniffles, her body shaking. She's not sure whether she's scared or cold. Maybe both.

Marcel grins. "You definitely sound like him. Tell you what, kid- you and I will go upstairs a bit. We can get you cleaned up and we are gonna chat." The vampire extends his hand, offering to help Nik up. She accepts his help, staggering to her feet.

Marcel silently leads her across the room, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. He bends down slightly, looking into Nik's eyes. "Before we go any further, I have to do something. First: tell me your name, sweetie."

"My name's Nik," Nik stammers, shuddering when Marcel grabs her shoulders and squeezes softly.

"Well, Nik- I want you to close your eyes for me and sing. Cover your ears if you think it'll help," Marcel commands gently. He gives her cheek a soft tap and he nods. "Close your eyes and sing something nice. Focus on that and nothing else."

Nik listens hesitantly. She lets her eyes drift closed, thinking of a song that's easy and simple. Before she can stop herself, You Are My Sunshine rolls off her tongue- it was something Elijah crooned to her after a bad dream when she was little or something just to entertain her.

Then, there's screaming.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine." Nik almost screams when screeches rip through the air, the sounds of bones snapping and breaking.

"You make me happy when skies are grey." Blood splatters on the floor and on the walls. A body hits the concrete floor, knocking over crates and boxes.

"You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." Nik hears the breaking of wood and after, there's the sound of something sharp tearing through flesh and muscle.

Nik covers her ears and rocks on her heels️, eyes still squeezed shut. Her breathing comes in panicked, wheezing gasps and she feels tears burn in her eyes. I want to go home, Nik thinks. I want my dad.

She only opens her eyes when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She looks up to see a blood covered Marcel looking down at her, nodding to the stairs. "Let's go upstairs."

Nik sniffles to keep herself from crying. "Y-You killed them."

"They didn't listen, anyways. I can't have them beating up kids, can I?" Marcel asks, raising an eyebrow. "C'mon, squirt. Let's get you cleaned up and we're going to talk a little."

Nik watches as Marcel mounts the stairs and the shaking teenager follows behind him, sniffling to keep from bursting into tears.

…

Nik finds herself sitting in a rather large study.

One of Marcel's vampires, a woman named Kate, led her to what must be his study after Nik washed her pallid face of blood. She was asked to take Nik there and keep her comfortable, which bewildered Nik. The enemy wasn't supposed to be nice and compassionate, but Nik isn't complaining.

It sure beats being held in a tomb.

Nik shakily sips at a glass of water, the cold drink soothing her burning throat. While she cleaned herself in the bathroom, she coughed up so much blood it scared her. Nik never knew the effects of vervain, but she has discovered it has made her feverish and weak and sick.

A few moments later, the door opens and Nik's wide eyes snap towards the figure entering. Marcel steps in, wearing a fresh set of clothes free of the blood he soaked himself in earlier.

"I'm sorry I can't get you any clothes," Marcel apologizes, closing the door behind him. "You're literally the tiniest kid I've ever seen and we don't have anything your size. How old are you- eleven?"

Nik shakes her head. "I'm thirteen. I've always been little." Her voice trembles, raw from the force of coughing so harshly.

"Thirteen- that's a big number," Marcel says, coming to sit down across from Nik in a leather armchair. He leans forwards eagerly, clasping his hands. "So, how did you wind up down here with just Klaus for company?"

Nik gives Marcel a look, but chooses to answer the man anyways. "Elijah came down here to clean up Klaus' mess. Father stuck a dagger in his chest two months ago, leaving me with him."

"It must suck with just Klaus around. He's not a very chipper man," Marcel comments, his eyes careful. Calculating.

"Father is nice enough. We've got along better than we ever have before," Nik offers, wringing her hands under Marcel's gaze. He's searching her for any lies and any signs of dishonesty.

Marcel only nods. Then, a look of curiosity crossed his face and he gestures to Nik. "You know, I'm awfully interested in that little display that took place in the basement. It's not everyday you see a baby vampire with glowing hands. Tell me how you can do that."

Nik almost bursts into laughter at that. "You're being serious? I don't even know how I can do that. I'm not supposed to exist. I'm one of nature's loopholes. A freak show."

"I'm just curious, Nik," Marcel says gently. He even smiles a little and chuckles. "I wish I could have done that. It was pretty cool."

Nik falls silent, leaning back in the chair. She reaches up to rub her throbbing jaw, looking desperately to Marcel. "I just wanna go home. My dad is probably freaking out and I don't know what will happen…"

"You're gonna go home, Nik. I'm gonna call Klaus and you'll be all safe and sound. However, I want you to promise me something," says Marcel.

"What?"

"You're a special kid. You have all these powers- unlike anything I've ever seen," Marcel praises gently, but Nik can see there's something else. "I run a tight ship here in the Quarter, and I can't have people running around doing whatever. I need you to promise me that you'll never use magic in my Quarter. You're hardly a threat, but there are rules I need you to follow. And I don't want to see you in the Quarter after dark. It's dangerous with my goons running around."

Nik nods a little. She's more than happy to agree with the man's terms- just as long as she gets to go home.

Then, Marcel smiles. "Besides, you're a kid- you're family, seeing as Klaus has had a hand in raising us." He rises to his feet and reaches over to Nik, ruffling her blond curls. "Stay right here. I'm going to call Klaus and I'll take you down to him."

"Thank you," Nik rasps, slouching against the chair in relief. She watches as Marcel leaves the room, giving Nik a blessed moment of silence.

The time that passes seems like an eternity to Nik, but according to the grandfather clock in Marcel's study, only fifteen minutes have passed since he went to call Klaus. The hour edges closer to ten and Nik absently wonders how long she was unconscious when she was nabbed by Marcel's henchmen.

Another ten minutes pass before Marcel comes back. She can see annoyance all over the man's features and she doesn't have to guess Klaus ticked him off.

"Your dad is here," Marcel says, beckoning Nik to follow him. "He's outside waiting." Then, Nik rises to her feet, following Marcel down the winding stairs leading to the front door. She tries to ignore the shivers racing down her spine and finds her way out the door where she spies Klaus.

Whatever resolve Nik had built up against Klaus breaks immediately. The trembling teenager races towards her father, throwing her arms around him. There's a flood of relief when she feels Klaus wrap his arms tightly around her, holding her close to him.

"Daddy." The name leaves Nik's lips like a prayer. She clings tightly to Klaus, feeling him work his fingers through her hair.

Nik feels Klaus drop a kiss on her head. "Are you okay, Nikol?"

"Yeah." Her voice trembles and she's on the verge of tears. She hides her face in Klaus' shoulder, trying to take a few steady breaths to calm herself.

Klaus gently hushes her. "You're safe. Step back and let me look at you." Nik takes a few teetering steps back, letting Klaus cradle her face. His blue hues sweep over her and she watches as his features morph into something evil.

"What did you do to her?" Klaus roars at Marcel. "How dare you lay a hand on my child?"

Marcel rolls his eyes. "For an old man, you have quite the pipes. However, I didn't do anything to Nik. My men got a little too rough with her."

Klaus growls. "Bring them to me. I'll rip them apart."

"Already took care of the job. Paul and Aaron were almost useless, so it wasn't a total loss," Marcel shrugged, crossing his arms.

Nik looks up to her father and he looks down at her after a moment. She feels him lay his hand on her head, frowning at her heated skin. "You're burning up, little one. Did they give you something?"

"Vervain," Nik mumbles, dropping Klaus' gaze when his expression darkens even more.

Klaus rubs her back softly and points to the car parked at the curb. "I want you to sit in the car a moment while I speak to Marcel." Nik can tell that Klaus is barely controlling his temper, but he's trying not to throw a tantrum in her presence. "I will be with you shortly."

Nik nods and Klaus gives her a comforting smile. She sets off for the vehicle, ignoring the chill the night air seems to give her. Once she reaches Klaus' car, she eases herself into the passenger's seat and closes the door. She allows her head to rest on the window, her eyes drifting closed.

Nothing- not even Klaus' screaming- is going to keep her awake.

…

Nik wakes when a blast of cold air hits her skin.

Her eyes snap open, her body already trembling at the rush of air. However, she feels warm arms envelop her and she's lifted up, cradled against a strong chest.

"Easy, little one." Klaus' voice reaches her ears and it does little to ease her nerves. Nik curls close to Klaus, her wiry arms encircling his neck. Klaus holds her just as tightly, keeping her cradled close. "I've got you, Nik."

Nik releases a shuddering cough, trying to turn her head away from Klaus in case she coughs up blood like she had before. Klaus rubs her heaving back as he walks to the house, shushing her gently.

"I'm cold," Nik whispers, her teeth chattering. She can feel blood coating her lips from her coughing and she wipes it away with her shirt sleeve.

"You're running a fever, love," Klaus coaxes, carrying the shivering teen up the steps leading to the porch. "All of that vervain has made you ill."

Klaus sets her on her feet once they are at the front door. One arm still encircles Nik's waist while his free hand digs around for the key. Once the front door is unlocked and opened, Nik is scooped back up and is carried back inside the house, hanging onto her father like a lifeline.

As if on cue, Nik hears Hayley's footsteps sounding on the stairs. She doesn't pick her head up to look at the woman, feeling too exhausted to do anything.

"Klaus? Is Nik okay?" Hayley asks.

"She's been a little roughed up," Klaus answers gently.

At that, Nik feels her lips turn into a twisted smile and she chuckles weakly. "I love your definition of 'roughed up.'"

Klaus gives her a playful tap on her bottom. "Hush, you." Nik feels Klaus' body rumble softly with laughter and she grins. Then, he falls silent and Nik feels him bring her close. "I'm going to take good care of you, little one. I won't let anything bad happen to you ever again."

Nik hugs Klaus tightly. "I know, Dad."

"Listen- as much as I'm happy about Nik being okay, I want to know what the hell happened." Hayley gives the two Mikaelsons a look and Nik can feel Hayley's glare burning into her back.

Klaus makes a sound. "That can be addressed later. For now, go get some clothes for Nik- something warm, preferably."

Hayley glares. "Fine. I expect the full story later, though."

"Whatever your heart desires. Now get those clothes. I'll take her to my bathroom and get her cleaned up," Klaus says, adjusting his hold on Nik. "She smells like a barn."

Nik coughs a little, sputtering her words out. "Bite me."

Klaus moves towards the stairs, laughing softly. "Watch yourself, little one. I'll drown you."

Nik snickers weakly, letting herself relax as Klaus whisks her away to be cleaned and dressed.

For the first time in a long time, she feels safe with her father.