Ric's issues with Klaus were his own, and he was pretty good -or trying to be- not to project them all over Elijah. That meant not jumping to villify Klaus, even when the person being wronged was Elijah. He took a drink, and stayed quiet for a few moments so he could be sure that what was coming out of his mouth was what he wanted to.

"And you need some time to be ready to hear the answers.... Let me know when you do talk to him?"