Major spoilers for Cradle to the grave.
Title: Grief and promises
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Hayley/Elijah
summary: Elijah's thoughts as he and Klaus search the graveyard before he's reunited with Hayley.
Reality cold and harsh washed over Elijah like an unrelenting wave. The image of Hayley's lifeless body echoed through his mind and Elijah knew it'd be one to haunt him for the rest of his days.
'I let her in...I don't let people in.'
The words tore at Elijah's soul as the truth penetrated his heart. Too late. Too late to save his love; too late for their chance at happiness. Fate and betrayal once again reminding the Originals who was boss. As Elijah searched the graveyard for the one thing that would keep him sane, the one thing that would at least partially reassemble their shattered family he felt the weight of failure. Sworn protection to Hayley and her child and failed on both counts. Elijah had lost one but would not; could not lose the other. If he did he'd lose himself; his niece needed him; Elijah would not fail her again.
'You can tell your niece how much you cared for her mother.'
Elijah didn't know if he was strong enough to watch Hayley's daughter grow up without her. Didn't know if he was strong enough to endure the could have's and what if's. His heart was already so tortured with grief that the single purpose of rescue was the only thing Elijah was clinging too. The only thing keeping him sane; keeping him focused.
All Elijah wanted to do was go back in time. Back to the kiss he'd shared with Hayley outside the nursery. So much had seemed possible then. He should've known better that time and fate wait for no one. Especially immortals who unbalance the grand scheme of things. That day Elijah had been in a spiral; a tumble not knowing how to handle these feelings he'd had for Hayley. They were so powerful; nothing like it in years and they'd only scratched the surface. Elijah had known then if he'd allowed himself to fall completely there was no way out; no turning back. It was only now that Elijah realized he had fallen in love with Hayley long before that kiss.
The burden of being immortal was always loneliness. Elijah had been fortunate to have his siblings to endure the centuries. Once in awhile he'd thought he'd found love. Sometimes he had. As enjoyable as mixing with mortals was it was always difficult to part. It was for the best that with compulsion they wouldn't remember him but Elijah would always have that memory.
The thought of Hayley being a memory was too painful for Elijah to consider. She was too much a part of him. The irony of her being in his life for such a short time was not lost on Elijah. He could still feel Hayley's lips on his could still feel the heat of that kiss. The heat and the promise of what could be. Elijah had always thought the term heartache to be just a phrase. Now he fully understood the pain behind the meaning. It was physical when love was lost. Especially one that had barely begun.
With renewed focus and determination Elijah picked up his pace as they searched the graveyard. He would find his niece. They would save her it was the least he could do for Hayley. She had given the Mikealson family a gift. Elijah vowed that gift would be treasured, loved and protected. Elijah knew those three simple things were all Hayley had wanted for her daughter. No matter what happened Elijah would make sure his beloved's wish came true.
end