Klaus slumped onto the sofa in Elijah's office, relieved to finally have some time to himself now that he had put Sophia to bed. He pondered what to do with his evening. In New York, he would already be on his way out or at his favorite bar, getting drunk.
That is why his past relationship with Genevieve had been a failure, characterized by a lack of time spent together and when they did it was never outside the bedroom, except when their families insisted on it. Dwelling on it only fueled his anger, and he fought the urge to break something.
His gaze landed on a notebook, and Klaus couldn't resist the urge to sketch a new pair of eyes that had been scrutinizing him all day. His thoughts briefly drifted to going for a run, but that meant leaving Sophia alone, so it wasn't an option. Instead, he decided to stroll across the room to an easel. Klaus lifted a paintbrush and began adding strokes of color, which only seemed to fuel his frustration. Realizing what would help, he considered drinking but knew he'd likely finish the bottle. However, another frustrated sigh escaped him as he contemplated his options.
A piece of paper fell from his pocket picking it up as he debated whether to call Vicki for some fun to forget his problems, but he knew he wouldn't be able to leave Sophia alone. In the end, he threw the piece of paper in the trash and decided to pour himself a drink. Klaus had never been one to follow the rules, and having a drink at night wouldn't make him a bad uncle.
"Yes, I'm being a good girl," Sophie said into the phone as she spoke to her parents.
"We had pizza," the young girl added, casting a smile in her uncle's direction, "Because Uncle Nik isn't the best cook." She whispered into the phone while Klaus raised an eyebrow, taking a bite of his food.
"When will you be back?" Sophie asked with a hopeful tone.
Klaus could hear Katherine assuring her they would be back soon while Elijah requested a moment with him.
"Love you too," Sophie said, and she handed the phone to her uncle.
"Klaus."
"Well, hello to you too, Elijah. How's the trip going?"
"Niklaus you very well know it's not a trip. What's this I hear about Sophia being sick on Friday?" Elijah inquired, causing Klaus to roll his eyes.
"Did Caroline run and tell Mommy and Daddy?" Klaus asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"No. For your information, the school called," Klaus let out a sigh as he heard the tone of his brother's voice, not in the mood for another lecture. "She was feeling under the weather. I, for one, was not going to force her to go to school if she did not want to." He explained, conveniently leaving out that her "sickness" was due to not getting any sleep the night before.
"You're right. Niklaus, just don't give in to all her demands; you need to be stern."
"Like you do," Klaus retorted.
"Haha. Like Katherine is with her. Don't forget that Jeremy, Katherine's brother, is picking up Sophia for a baseball game and your meeting."
"Wait, Katherine's brother is my realtor," Klaus said, surprised.
"Small town," Elijah informed him.
"There goes my hope that some hot cougar might try and seduce me."
"You sound just like Kol."
"Well, forgive me for wanting to live a little," Klaus laughed into the phone.
"Well, that's a first since what happened with Genevieve."
"And just like that, you spoiled my mood. Why did I even date her?" He sincerely questioned.
"You were never truly dating, Niklaus. You and Genevieve were just convenient for each other, and our family approved of you both being together."
"Don't remind me. Mikael has been hounding me about it."
"Well, he has invested a lot of money into their company."
"Foolishly. I told him it was a bad idea," Klaus stated.
"But mother thought it was a brilliant idea."
"Enough about that disaster. Now when are you coming home?" Klaus asked.
"About that..."
"No! Bloody..."
"We just might stay a couple more days. The senator pushed the meeting back, and we're hoping to meet on Tuesday," Elijah told him.
"Fine, it's not like I have much choice," Klaus said as he ran a hand through his hair. "You will be back for the Christmas show, right?"
"Not like I missed it. So, what's this negativity with Miss Caroline?"
"Have you met the women she so…"
Elijah let out a laugh. "She's a good girl. Be nice to her, or Kathrine will have your balls, shit, maybe the whole town will."
"What's with everyone wanting to protect this girl?"
"Hey! It's a small town, everyone knows everyone," Elijah said as the doorbell rang. "Looks like I have a guest."
Klaus said goodbye before turning his attention to the visitor at the door.
Sophia had rushed out of the living room and towards the front door,
"No running Sophia," Klaus said as she turned to look at him before smirking and running faster to open the door. where she greeted her uncle, Jeremy.
"Sophi Monster," Jeremy said, lifting the girl off her feet and twirling her around.
"What are you wearing?" Jeremy asked when he saw her in a princess dress. "My Cinderella dress," Sophia said proudly.
"That's how you're going to the game?" He teased.
"But weren't we going to match?" He reminded her. "I thought that was the plan."
"Oops, I forgot," she admitted, placing her hand on her hips. "Be right back. Uncle Nik, entertain Uncle Jeremy," she demanded, rushing to her room.
"She gets that from my sister." extending his hand "I'm Jeremy," He said smiling.
"Klaus," intrudced himself they shook hands.
"Well, while Sophia gets ready, how about we discuss what you're looking for in a property? Are you hoping to stay in Mystic Falls or head into the city?" Jeremy went straight down to business.
Klaus contemplated the question as he heard Sophia making a racket upstairs in her room. "I'm thinking of staying in town, mate," he said.
"That sounds great, I do have a couple of properties I think you might be interested in." Pulling out a binder but not before Jeremy's phone went off
Both of them looked down at the ringing phone, and Caroline's name was flashing. "Sorry, do you mind?" Jeremy asked and then walked away.
"Hey, Care,"
Across the room, Klaus couldn't help but perk up at the sound of "Care" echoing from the phone. He watched, an enigmatic mask hiding his sudden interest.
"Slow down, Care," He soothed, "we have options. Even if he says no to selling..." Jermey's voice lowered, then picked back up, laced with both frustration and resolve. "No, I get it. It's been hectic. Look, at least I can rope some students into helping with the Winter Dance props. That'll take some pressure off."
A sudden crackle of energy announced Sophia's presence as she barreled down the stairs, a miniature storm in a Braves baseball cap. The hat sat slightly askew on her head, framing a determined grin that mirrored the tiny bat gripped in her tiny hand.
"What you up to, Uncle Nik?" she demanded, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jeremy, returning from somewhere unseen, chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Ready, Sophie Monster?" he asked, earning an enthusiastic nod in response.
Klaus arched an eyebrow, catching the crimson logo emblazoned on the cap. "That Braves hat," he began, a knowing glint in his eyes, "does your Uncle Kol have anything to do with it?" He couldn't resist a playful jab at his brother, remembering their shared, almost religious devotion to the Yankees.
Sophia's grin widened. "Yup, just like Uncle Kol," she declared, bouncing on her toes. "He says the Braves have way more fun."
Jeremy threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the room. The door swung open, and they all piled out, Jeremy's parting words barely audible over the slam: "Don't forget you can pick her up from Elena's. Enjoy your night off!"
Klaus stood alone, the door clicking shut behind him. His night off and unsure what to do, with his freedom for the knight.
His question was answered later that day when Rebekah demanded he go out with her and Stefan to the only bar in town.
"I'll go get the drinks," he said as he walked toward the bar to get away from the couple. To his surprise, he spotted a familiar blonde sitting at the bar with a friend.
"Well, hello, sweetheart," Klaus greeted.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Hello, Klaus," she said as her friend turned to look him over.
"Bonnie, this is Klaus Mikaelson. Bonnie, Klaus," Caroline introduced them.
"Nice to meet you," Bonnie said, extending her hand.
Klaus reciprocated with a grin, his British accent adding a charming touch as he replied, "Likewise."
"Where's Sophia?" Caroline inquired being suspicious.
"Jeremy has her," Bonnie beat him to the punch.
"See, love, I didn't leave her at home to fend for herself," Klaus smirked at Caroline, who rolled her eyes.
"Can I get you two another round?" Klaus asked them.
Caroline was about to protest, but Bonnie beat her to it. "Sure, thanks," Bonnie said, ignoring her glaring friend.
"I'll be right back, need to freshen up," Bonnie remarked, shooting her friend a sly eyebrow raise.
"So," Klaus said as Caroline took a breath and glanced his way, "You're a martini girl."
"I don't need you to buy me a drink."
"I never said I needed to; I simply offered," he replied casually.
"Why am I such a bother to you, sweetheart?" he prodded gently.
"Don't call me that," Caroline snapped back, her tone firm.
"Is everything okay here?" a voice came from behind them, causing Caroline to stiffen. Klaus turned around to find a young man he hadn't met.
"We're fine, mate."
"I wasn't asking you. Are you okay, Care?" He turned to look at Caroline.
"I'm fine, Tyler. Plus, we both know you're the last person I'd ask for help."
"Come on, Care," he said, "Can we talk?" He asked her as Caroline looked over at Klaus, who raised an eyebrow.
"Tyler," Matt said as he came over with Klaus's drinks.
"Is everything okay here?" he asked.
"We're fine; I just needed to talk with Caroline," Tyler responded. Matt looked at Caroline, who just shook her head.
Letting out a sigh, Matt turned toward Klaus, saying, "Well, here you go, Klaus. Can I get you anything else?"
"Just another round for the ladies," he said, smiling toward Caroline, who rolled her eyes.
"I'll get Caroline's drink," Tyler offered.
"Sorry, mate, but I already promised the ladies. Added it to my tab," Klaus winked at Caroline and carried his drink over to the pool table.
"Why so glum?" Klaus asked as he placed the drinks on the table.
"It's nothing," Stefan said, walking back to the pool table. Klaus raised an eyebrow at Rebekah, who merely shook her head.
"Do you mind if I join you guys?" Bonnie asked as she approached. "Caroline is a little preoccupied."
"Oh, we can tell," Rebekah began, while Stefan shook his head.
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