A/N: Sorry for the late chapter post, lovelies. I've been busy with uni and had writers block. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm taking a bit of a different direction to add some drama and obstacles in klena's relationship.

Music in Chapter:

SEVDALIZA – Amandine Insensible

A.B- Marijuana

She fails him every time…

A small tea light candle flickered on a table Klaus was seated at. The smoke hazed bar was dimly lit, filled with an intimate crowd of people who appreciated soul music. The Hybrid was alone, as he sipped back a scotch on rocks and watched the seductive songstress perform on stage. A sad piano melody echoed all around the room as a rhythmic drum beat accompanied in the background. Nearly four weeks had passed since he last saw Elena's face, and Klaus was no longer in Mystic Falls. Making the brash decision of moving to New Orleans had been the best option to avoid running into the doppelganger, so he had no regrets. But breaking up with Caroline had been difficult; she was utterly heartbroken.

"I wish I could cry…" sang the brunette as she cast her eyes on the handsome man who was sitting across from her in the darkness.

Klaus noticed her gaze and gave her a subtle smirk before he finished his drink. He was about to order another when Marcelle finally arrived, and he wasn't alone.

"I'm so sorry for running late," he said. "Got held up in traffic."

Klaus immediately stood up when he noticed the beautiful caramel haired girl next to Marcelle. "This must be Davina." He charmingly smiled.

"Yes," Marcelle replied. "Davina Claire is the most powerful harvest witch of the French quarter."

He felt a tightening ache in his chest when he noticed the way she blushed after he kissed her hand.

Elena always blushed around me, he thought, trying his best to force her out of his head.

"Please," Klaus said. "Sit down." He pulled out a chair for Davina and summoned a waiter.

The three of them began to talk as Marcelle got Klaus up to speed on how he had been governing the city in place of him. Now that Klaus had returned, Marcelle was more than willing to step down from the throne and allow the rightful king to take his seat. They were family, after all, and Marcelle had great respect for Klaus.

"… So as you can see," Marcelle paused. "That's why we need Davina's help."

Klaus cast his eyes on the young witch and stole a moment to appreciate her soft, feminine features. She truly was beautiful in an innocent way.

"I've been keeping her in the attic above Father Kieran O' Connell's church for her own protection."

"Surely you could have found a better place for her, Marcelle."

"It's the only place the witches can't find her."

Davina finally decided to speak. "Marcelle does everything he can to make sure I'm comfortable." She smiled appreciatively at her friend and regarded Klaus. His gaze was intimidating to her.

"Tell me," said Klaus. "How old are you, Davina Claire?"

"I just turned sixteen."

"A beautiful young flower shouldn't be wasting away in a musty old attic." He regarded Marcelle. "You should move her into the mansion."

"It's not safe for her, Klaus—not until we stop the witches from going through with the ritual."

The Hybrid carefully studied Davina's face. Her green eyes looked so haunted by pain and abandonment. He was about to ask Marcelle a question when his phone rang.

"I need to take this," said Marcelle, standing up. "I'll be right back."

Klaus ordered another glass of wine for himself and offered a glass to Davina, which she politely declined.

"I'm too young to drink," she shyly murmured.

"Ah. Of course." He chuckled. "Forgive me, I've been breaking the rules for the past nine hundred years…"

She tried to suppress her smile but failed.

"You're too young to carry the burden of having as much power as you do," he added.

Davina frowned. "I want to help Marcelle and my people. I want to stop all this violence. Though, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want a normal life. I won't even get to go to prom this year."

Klaus was quiet for a moment as he continued to gaze at her. "That's a shame, sweetheart"—he sipped his champagne—"Truly."

"Marcelle's told me a lot about you."

"Has he now?" he asked, looking intrigued. "What sort of awful tales has he shared with you? Tell me the good, bad, and the ugly, and I'll tell you how accurate the story is."

Davina giggled. "He admires you so much. He's never said anything bad about you."

"He should have. I'm a terrible monster."

"We all have monsters we battle inside."

"My monsters don't like to stay inside, love." Klaus smirked wickedly as dark spider veins spread around his eyes.

Davina's heart was suddenly racing; he could hear it.

"Are you trying to frighten me?" she asked.

"Is it working?"

Davina was about to answer him when Marcelle returned to the table.

"Sorry about that," he said. "But I have to get going."

"So soon?" said Klaus.

"There's been an incident involving one of my vampires."

"Anything I can do to help?" Klaus stood up.

"I can handle it. Thanks, though. Would you mind taking Davina home?"

"Not at all. She's in good hands." He glanced at her and flashed a smile.

"I'll meet you back at the mansion later."

"Marcelle," Davina called out. "Please be careful." She hugged her friend before he left the lounge.

~oOo~

The city was vibrant during the night life. It seemed like forever since Davina got to walk downtown and enjoy the musical atmosphere that permeated through New Orleans. Klaus had decided to show her a good time before escorting her back to the safety of her attic.

"I love soft jazz music," Davina said, twirling around on the street. Her white skirt floated around her in a swift motion before she stopped and looked at Klaus. "Do you play any instruments?"

"Piano," he replied, catching up to her.

"I've always wanted to learn how to play the piano. Maybe you can teach me someday?"

"It would be my pleasure."

She smiled and felt so happy to be out in the open air. They passed a street merchant who was selling red roses. The old woman stopped Klaus and asked him if he would like to buy his lady love a rose.

"Oh—he's not my—"

"I'd love to." Klaus gave the woman a fifty dollar bill and told her to keep the change before he handed Davina the rose.

She blushed. "You didn't have to do that."

"I know." He grinned. "Fortunately for you, tonight just happens to be one of those rare moments where I've managed to keep my monster in check."

Davina was completely charmed as she walked beside him. Every now and then she smelled the rose, intoxicated by its fragrant scent.

As they approached a fountain, they noticed a crowd of people that had circled around some musicians who were performing. A mocha skinned man with a black fedora grabbed his microphone stand and began to sing.

I'm drifting on a memory…

Wishing you were here with me…

Davina wandered away from the path they were walking on and gravitated towards the music. Some people were slow dancing to the hypnotic melodies, while others listened to the musical magic that had mesmerized the crowd.

Klaus finally appeared next to Davina. "I've seen so many live performances in my lifetime," he said.

"They're amazing!" She beamed. "This song is so romantic."

"Have you ever danced with anyone?" he asked.

"Never."

He suddenly stepped in front of her and held out his hand. "Would you do me the honor?"

"Are you serious?"

"I'm a skilled dancer, trust me."

"I trust you, I just…" She blushed. "Well, I've never danced and—"

Klaus took her hand before she could finish her sentence and led her to a clearing. Davina's body began to heat up as soon as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in close. They started dancing in that slow, side-step movement while the music accompanied their rhythm. Everything just felt so perfect to Davina. Somewhere in the middle of the song, she rested her head on the Hybrid's chest and closed her eyes.

I never want this night to end, she thought, allowing herself to acknowledge the fact that she was developing a very serious crush on the Original. Unlike Klaus who was usually very cynical about life, she was a hopeless optimist. She'd never had her heart broken because she had never been in love.

Klaus was all too familiar with heartbreak and the complexities of human emotion. Even while he danced under the stars with the ravishing Davina Claire, Elena was all he could think about. He was missing her; he had passionately loved her. But he knew they were over, and he no choice but to move on.

When the song finally ended, so had the magic. As much as Davina wanted to stay longer, she knew they had to head back.

~oOo~

The walk back to the church hadn't taken too long. Klaus had escorted the young Harvest witch all the way upstairs to her hidden room in the attic, just as he'd promised Marcelle.

"So, this is where you've been living the past six months?" he asked.

Davina whispered an incantation as all the candles in the room lit up, creating a dim romantic glow in the space.

"It's not so bad," she said, hovering by the window. "You can come in."

Klaus stepped inside and looked around. The first thing he noticed were her drawings; they were exquisite.

"Thank you for tonight," said Davina, fidgeting with her hands.

"I'm not sure how I feel about leaving you all alone up here."

"I'm safe. You don't have to worry."

Though a part of her liked that he did worry.

"I'll give you my number," Klaus said. "Do not hesitate to call when and if you need me."

Davina giggled.

"What's so funny?"

She shook her head, laughing.

Klaus looked more confused than ever.

"I don't have a phone. It's safer that way, but in any case I don't need a phone to contact you. All I have to do is channel your thoughts… like this…" She closed her eyes, and suddenly Klaus was able to hear her in his mind.

Can you hear me?

"Yes," he said out loud.

Great.

"How are you able to do that?"

"I have powers, remember?" She giggled some more.

"Extraordinary powers."

A short moment of silence seemed to pass between them before Klaus suggested that he should go.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" Davina asked with a twinkle of hope in her eyes.

He paused at the doorway and smiled at her. "Perhaps. Thank you for the lovely evening, Davina Claire. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

She watched him leave, and as soon as he was gone she threw her weight down on her bed and released a long sigh.

So handsome, she thought to herself. He's irresistibly handsome.