2. A Word of Caution

"What the hell is going on in this house?"

Elijah eyed his younger sister over the top of the local newspaper, the Times-Picayune, he was perusing. He was sitting in the salon, enjoying the quiet morning. He appreciated the early sun here, the way the birds were particularly active in the garden and how this part of the mansion was serene. In this house though, quiet did not last long. Rebekah's sudden appearance was testament to that.

"I have many powers Rebekah, but I am not clairvoyant. You will have to be a little more specific."

She stepped into the room and deliberately closed the door behind her. He frowned at her and lowered the newspaper, intrigued.

"Niklaus?"

"Are you sure you aren't clairvoyant big brother?"

"It does not take much to know that most roads lead to the errant sheep in our flock. What is the matter?"

Elijah went back to reading. He was not in the mood to deal with Niklaus's tantrums. Still frustrated by his misguided attempt to secure Marcel's trust, he was a long way from forgetting his latest banishment to a coffin – all at the hands of his impudent younger brother.

"He's being his usual narcissistic self. But actually," she leaned against the closed door. "This is about you. You and the wolf girl."

Elijah's frown was back, finally folding the newspaper and laying it on the table in front of him. "Her name," he pointed a reproachful look in her direction, "is Hayley. And she is not a girl." He stood and walked to the window, looking out over the gardens. "She is a woman, mother to our niece or nephew."

"Exactly." Rebekah rolled her eyes. "Bloody hell. When you say it like that, it's even more disturbing; this miracle, hybrid, baby bun." She pointed a finger at him. "And don't dodge my question."

Elijah grinned in her direction. Her tone was slightly indignant. Sometimes, he forgot that Rebekah was no longer a little girl. He half expected her statement to be followed up with the angry stomp of her feet.

"I wasn't aware that you had asked one."

He checked his cufflinks before pushing his hands into his trouser pockets. His jacket lay neatly over the back of a nearby chair.

"You are being deliberately obtuse, brother. And if these past centuries have taught me anything, it's that you never play dumb." Her eyes narrowed. "Oh my god. You have feelings for the girl."

Elijah rubbed the back of his neck in agitation. Rebekah was right. He did have feelings for the girl. It was a circumstance he was not too happy about himself.

"She…" he thought for a moment, turning to look at his sister. "She is lonely and without a place where she belongs."

"So you feel the need to grant her home and hearth? Don't lie to me Elijah. You and I have always been honest with each other."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am fond of her. That is the truth," he confessed eventually. "But I have no plans on taking action. So you may rest assured. Keeping her safe is my only priority."

Rebekah moved from the door and came to stand beside him. All brashness left her and for a moment, he saw the Rebekah he always knew was inside, somewhere, but rarely made an appearance anymore.

"A word of caution then, Elijah. You have worked for centuries to try and get Niklaus to be a part of this family. And while you know my stance on this matter, a romance with this wolf-" his brow darkened and she conceded, "with Hayley, is not wise. You know I would say to hell with Nik and take happiness where you can get it. But this baby means something; even I am forced to admit that. This is a complication you need to avoid."

"I am well aware of this." Even if I wish it were different.

"Besides, Nik will probably dagger us all and hold her captive until she births the child in silence."

Elijah cracked a smile. "In silence?"

"You know our dear, dear brother. Strange things give him pleasure. Who knows where he gets his kicks from these days. No one thought it possible for him to get romantically involved with a werewolf. And now we're in care of a hybrid miracle."

"It was not romantic."

"So you are quick to point out." Rebekah's brows rose in displeasure. Then it clicked and her eyes softened. "Dammit Elijah."

"Thank you… for your concern." He placed a placating hand on his sister's shoulder. "But I am aware of my duty."

Rebekah seemed to be lost in thoughts of her own for a moment. "Perhaps that is the problem," she said. "You always mind your duty. When will you get the opportunity to get what you want?"

Elijah frowned. "You now make an argument in the opposite direction."

"Not an argument. Just stating the facts. We will spend our lives in the service of Niklaus's damned soul. When is it our turn Elijah? Our turn to be happy?"

On the inside, he sighed heavily, feeling the always present weight of familial obligation. He had spent so much of his life in the service of his family. And still, centuries later, they had moved no closer to being a unified force.

"Hopefully, before it's too late."

Rebekah just shook her head. "You are hopeless."

"It is my duty to serve this family. I hope you will come to understand that someday."

Rebekah did an uncharacteristic thing and leaned in to place a soft kiss to his cheek. "It's good to have you back." She hesitated a moment. "For what it's worth," she said cautiously, "the girl, she missed you." Elijah was pleased, even though he knew he shouldn't be. "Niklaus noticed it too."

"He doesn't care for her," said Elijah. Of this, he was sure.

"No, he doesn't. But the fact that you do will be enough for him to do something stupid. Niklaus wants control. When he doesn't have that, you know we are all at risk."

They shared one final look before she left him. Elijah reached for his jacket and shrugged into it. Hayley often invaded his thoughts. A persistent, beautiful, brave little wolf. His lips curved slightly. There was something about her that called to something within him. Perhaps it was that she needed him as much as he wanted to be needed. In that way, he and Niklaus were not so different.

But it was impossible. She was off limits – for now - he allowed himself that thought, that private hope.

The door opened again and Rebekah poked her head back in.

"By the way, I came looking for you because Nik was acting more wankerous than usual. He just went into the study. She is in there alone. By the sound of things, you might want to swoop in and do that rescuing thing you do so well."

His exasperated look was replaced by anger. He moved towards the study. "Niklaus!"

a/n: For those who are a little confused, Ch 2&3 have been stopped. As per reader feedback it reads better this way. I agree.

I like the idea that Rebekah knows how Elijah feels, wishes, like him, that things could be different, but they both know it's kind of impossible.

Thanks for reading x