She couldn't believe she was here. Araya knew Elijah would find out somehow, but she was still here. Klaus had offered her a scotch and she needed one. She had to go back to work tomorrow, Caroline and Elena hated her, and worst of all, Elijah was mad and hurt. Add that all up and it equaled scotch time, maybe some vodka.

The door of Alaric's apartment opened and Klaus appeared.

"Ara—"

"Why do you call me that?"

"It suits you, love." He smirked and stood aside so Ara could come in. She tossed her bags by the door and walked over to the bar, ignoring the pain in her lungs as she breathed.

"I believe you offered me a drink earlier. Scotch on the rocks, please."

She stared at the counter, trying not to think about how she felt like she was betraying everyone she cared about, but it wasn't just their life he was ruining. If she wanted to hang out with the man that was going to kill her, it was her choice.

A drink appeared in front of her and she smiled at Klaus. "Thanks." She took a sip and set it back on the counter. "Please quit calling me Ara."

"It was your name once upon a time."

"No, it wasn't. I've always been Araya Hiddleston."

"I won't fight with you on this one, Araya. Not right now." Klaus sat next to her. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"Technically it isn't yours; it's Aaric's." She sighed. "And if you must know, Elijah doesn't support my drinking."

"And that's it?"

"Nope. In fact, that isn't even why I'm here. Well, it is because he locks up his liquor in this really nice antique cabinet."

"Eugh! Elijah and his antiques!"

"It is sort of annoying . . . Don't get me wrong; I love my antiques and vintage junk, but if I want to put my feet on the coffee table, I will dammit."

"Elijah loves you more than he'll ever love his stupid little antiques."

"Yeah, I think the problem is how much I love him."

"As much as I hate him for betraying me, he is my brother and that would entail my bragging about him. He's a great catch. A bit too old looking for you, but if you don't care about that . . . Eugh. The suits! Why can't he ever where something casual?"

"You're not bragging, you're dragging."

"I don't like my brother."

"I can tell."

"Oh, come on! It was hilarious!"

"It was not hilarious. Mhmmm . . . I think I'll forgive you if you model every piece of lingerie that was sent to me."

"Maybe if you were stuck on the other side of the threshold." She smirked, and then realized her mistake. "And, you know, if I wasn't with Elijah."

"You weren't the type to cheat when you lived in Chicago and I don't believe you're the type to cheat now." Klaus saw the shock and question on her face. "If that is what caused the panicky look on your face anyway." He smiled and turned forward. "You better get ready, love. We've got a party to go to in thirty minutes."

"We?"

"Jenna invited me because I'm the new chap in town who doesn't know anyone."

Araya internally groaned. An evening of tension had been created by an unaware or compelled Jenna. Why couldn't we have told her not to invite strangers to her home? I should call her and tell her not to invite him in. She grabbed her bag and briskly strode to the door. "I'm going to get ready there."

"I hope you'll come back, doll."

Araya was aware of her mistake in coming here. Elijah would be pissed for reasons other than everyone else. They couldn't find out, and if they did she would make up an excuse for being there.

"I'm not coming back here ever again."

"Why?"

"I'm betraying Elijah and I'm betraying my friends by being civil and not wanting to kill you."

"The friends who hate you because of your girl's day with Katerina?"

"They're mad because I played right into your hands, just like I've been doing for the past hour and a half."

"And Tyler?"

"Tyler doesn't hate me. He's upset and I plan on fixing that tonight."

"Going to marry him and give him babies?" Klaus asked condescendingly.

"No because I'll be dead a night from now and he'll be locked up on the old Lockwood grounds." She turned from the door. "Why did you come to town so early? Everything you need was already here. Why did you have to come here and bother us daily? You're tearing our lives apart and you don't even care. We're all falling and you're the one cutting the ropes. Why did you come here?"

"Came to get reacquainted with a couple old friends. Bye, Raya."

Okay, sort of short, but that's it! I hope you liked it!