Chapter 4
English Pop music mixed with Polish Pop blasted loudly through the club. Her skin vibrated with the music, and she wondered how it was affecting those who were human and frail. How was the music not breaking through their fragile skin and eating it all up? Rebekah smiled coquettishly at the man in the leather jacket who had been eyeing her for quite a bit.
"Elizabeth," Rebekah said turning to her, "you should hook up with that guy," she said nodding towards the Leather Jacket Man. Elizabeth snorted.
"Yeah, I should do a lot of things. Like, study, because my exams are in two weeks," Elizabeth had a pitiful expression on. Rebekah stuck out her tongue.
"Oh, don't sulk. It makes you look ugly," Rebekah said earning a swat in the arm by Elizabeth. "Also, what are you wearing? I thought we agreed that the dress code was slutty," Rebekah picked at Elizabeth's hoodie with a wrinkled nose, "not death."
"Well, I haven't had a chance to get around to doing my laundry. These were the only clothes I had left," Elizabeth said defensively, pulling her hoodie closer to her. She gulped down another shot of vodka. "And, I think it should be you who should be getting laid. When was the last time you got some after baby daddy bailed?"
Rebekah made a face. She had told everyone that the father had forsaken responsibility of the baby after leaving her. It helped with the sympathy portion and kept people from asking any questions.
But Elizabeth was right. Rebekah hadn't really been intimate with anyone for a long time. She didn't feel comfortable enough or secure enough for that...yet.
Rebekah nudged Elizabeth when she saw the guy was approaching them. "Look interesting, he's coming over here," Rebekah sent a warning glare at Elizabeth who only huffed in response but seemed to have acquiesced to play the part when she sported a forced smile on her face. "Oh, look how pretty you are, love," Rebekah said condescendingly.
"Hello, can I buy you ladies a drink?" the man asked.
Rebekah smirked at Elizabeth. "Sure," Rebekah said gesturing towards the empty bar stool next to her.
"I'd never have imagined myself like this," Caroline mused. Klaus looked at her as she sat with her elbow resting against the window, her palm cupping her cheek.
"Here?" Klaus asked turning his gaze towards the road, not wishing to look at her for fear of pairing her sad expression with her response which he thought would hurt him.
"Just here," Caroline shrugged. "With all this happening."
"Did you ever imagine your life turning out the way it has...?"
Klaus shook his head. "Hardly."
Klaus noticed Caroline was doing her half-smile thing where she was curious and surprised at his response. He knew a question as coming his way – or a dozen. "How so?"
"How is this century different from any other?" she asked, turning away from the window towards which she had aligned her entire body for the better part of the trip to face him.
"Well," Klaus said looking at the road, "it seems this century or rather just these past few years has been the most important ones. Quite a few things I had previously considered impossible for myself have been coming true more often than not."
Caroline didn't say anything at his response. She wondered if she was one of those things, if she wasn't. Both scenarios would do not good to her so she decided to shut up and stare at the road.
"Did you...imagine your life to turn out the way it did?"
Caroline let out a startled laugh. "Did I imagine waking up one day in the hospital to find I'm a vampire? No!"
"What did you want?" he asked, curiously. Caroline is reminded of another time when he had sat her down asked her of her hopes, dreams and everything you want in life.
"I wanted a – a family, four kids and a husband to love. A house with a white picket-fence," Caroline said with a soft smile on her face. "I was going to run for Mayor," she said closing her eyes and letting the cool breeze press against her face. "It was all going to be quite picturesque."
"C'est la vie," Klaus said. Caroline shrugged. "You've changed..." she remarked cocking her head to the side. "I couldn't put my finger on it before but now it's clear as day."
Klaus gazed at her curiously. "How so?"
"You ... seem tired," Caroline said biting her lip, "and it's not the tiredness of physical fatigue. It feels like...," she hesitated. She didn't know if she should say it.
Klaus looked at her expectantly prompting her with a "like what?" when she didn't respond.
"Well, it feels like...death."
Living with the werewolves was no party. Hayley moved into the cabin which she had previously resided in with Elijah when Klaus had bitten him. She felt a pang of hurt go through her body at the thought of Elijah and his rejection of her proposal to have a life together but she ignored it. There was no point in thinking about things that could not be changed.
The first plan in convincing the plan she could lead them was to make sure she had all of her pack members together – especially their former alpha. That would inspire trust, Hayley thought as she made her way to the swamp where Jackson was hiding.
He was sitting outside his trailer, looking like he had forgotten what a razor looked like considering his Santa Claus beard. Santa Klaus, Hayley suddenly realized and choked down the giggle that threatened to burst forth. She couldn't wait to tell Elijah of the nickname she had thought up for Klaus and tease the hell out of Klaus when he returned. She was hit with the sudden painful realization that it would not possible for things between them were strained. When Klaus would come to know of her departure he would sure as hell throw a New Orleans sized tantrum. She sighed audibly at the thought waking Jackson to her presence.
"Hey, Jackson," Hayley said tentatively as she approached him. He stunk and Hayley found herself drawing parallels between him and Elijah before she could stop herself. Even grieving Elijah would never allow himself to physically decay like Jackson had, she mused. Everybody grieved differently and Jackson's grieving threatened to burn through Hayley's nostrils.
"Don't you look like a party," she said sarcastically as she picked through the cans of beers he was surrounded with.
"Hey, Hayley," Jackson said in his gruff voice. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to bring you home," she said softly but firmly.
"Home? This is my home," Jackson said heaving himself up. His action shot a few beer cans in different directions.
"And what a splendid sight it makes," Hayley muttered. "Well, I meant your real home. With the pack."
"I can't go there. Not after I failed them –"
"You can't be a bum, Jackson," Hayley said annoyed, "you cannot give up."
"Now I could stand here and give you some long-ass inspirational speech which might boost your spirits for two seconds before you realize their futility or you could just realize that I'm your best shot right now at making things better in your life and follow me."
"I can't do it," Jackson said glaring at her. "I can't go back. I can't lead them."
"Well, it's a good thing then that I'm not asking you to."
Jackson's eyes snapped to hers' curiously, inquiringly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Hayley said walking up to him, making sure she had his full attention, "I am going to be the alpha."
Jackson looked dumbfounded. "You – you," he sputtered.
"Yes, me," Hayley said as she went into his trailer and looked for things which needed packing. She could find nothing among the garbage. She'd allow the man to pack for himself anyway; she was not his mother or maid.
"Now haul your ass up and follow me. If you can't lead your pack, then at least help me lead it," she said as she threw the door of his beaten truck open and waited for him to get in. Jackson sighed and moved at the pace of a turtle before he finally realized Hayley was not going to leave him at peace.
"If I'm going to take care of this pack, then that means you too," she said softly as he got into the truck without physically protest. She knew he was humouring her because of some ill-found affection he had in his heart owing to some marriage they both had been destined for. Hayley felt more like Klaus in that moment for manipulating him knowing her hold on him but she couldn't help it. There were things to be done and sentiments could wait.
"I'm sorry I said that, I shouldn't have," Caroline said as they reached the periphery of New Orleans. After her little comment Klaus had been silent the whole ride refusing to participate in any form of conversation. It made Caroline feel terrible. But now Klaus waved her off.
"It doesn't matter. I forget, sometimes, just how insightful you can be," he was smiling softly. "Well, Caroline I would invite you to my home but I see you have things to do and errands to run."
Klaus said as he pressed a kiss against Caroline's temple. Caroline blushed surprised at his gesture.
"Fare well, sweetheart. Call me if you need anything," Klaus said as he disappeared into the night. That was the most abrupt and endearing good bye Caroline had ever received. But seriously, so abrupt. Caroline smiled softly as her fingers grazed the skin where Klaus had kissed her.
Caroline drove down the road leading to Virginia for fifteen minutes before she decided it was safe enough to take a U-turn and start working on tracking down Marcellus. She had things to do after all. She was surprised by an abrupt phone call on her cell phone. It was...Stefan.
"Stefan?" she answered, surprised.
"Caroline, how are you?" Stefan's voice was surprisingly formal and cautious. Was he okay?
"I'm...good?" Caroline said hesitantly. "Are you okay? You sound kind of...off."
"Are you alone?" Stefan asked softly.
"Yes," Caroline said her eyebrows crinkling wondering what on earth was happening.
"Oh, good! I was just worried Klaus might be there. I timed your journey, including stops and I even added in an extra hour. How long has it been since he left?" Stefan asked.
"Wow, Stefan, you're really good at arithmetic," Caroline said, considerably impressed. "It's been almost twenty minutes."
"Well, someone had to be. Who would you have cheated off of tests in High School, otherwise?"
Caroline laughed. "Touché. So, why did you call?"
"Just checking in, seeing how things are proceeding,"
"What things?"
"Caroline," Stefan said with an exasperated sigh, "I know you're up to something dangerous or stupid. So I'm just making sure you don't get yourself killed. Whatever it is you're doing, you don't need to tell me. I don't deserve it," Stefan said.
You don't want to know, Caroline thought sadly. Scared of getting involved and uprooted from your new home, she realized.
"But don't be surprised if I call in now and then to check on you," Stefan said.
"O-kay," Caroline said hesitantly. It sounded bizarre but she was willing to accept it. Stefan was trying, however small and puny his contribution, he was trying to be more involved and Caroline was willing to accept it.
"Well, right now, I'm on my way to track someone down, I'll talk to you later, okay, Stefan?"
"Okay, bye, Caroline. I love you," he said softly. Caroline's heart lurched.
"I love you too, Stefan," Caroline hung up. As soon was Caroline reached the main part of the town she was bombarded with music and lights. Klaus was right – New Orleans was beautiful. It was orange and brown, with music flowing everywhere. It was electric and Caroline felt annoyed and sad that she couldn't stay to enjoy all this beauty. "You have things to do, Caroline. Buck up," she muttered to herself as she entered a bar and looked for an easy prey.
Introducing Jackson to the pack had been easier than getting the stench off his body. Even after bathing for an hour, the faint smell of alcohol and cigarettes stuck to his skin like glue. "Take this," Hayley said throwing him her perfume bottle.
"Trust me," she said raising his eyebrows at him daring him to challenge her.
The pack had taken her inclusion of Jackson into the pack as an act of goodwill. While some had considered getting Jackson back as their alpha instead of Hayley she had had a panic attack. But Jackson had stepped up and told them he was not up for it. Jackson was a good man but not really a leader and it was apparent to everyone in his admission.
"We're going to have to get you a new set of clothes too," Hayley muttered.
Jackson rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine," he groaned. "So, you're here permanently...?" he asked hesitantly. Hayley nodded. "Yes, I am."
She knew he wanted to ask about Elijah. She wasn't going to make it easy for him by giving him the answers before he inquired. Besides, it was fun to see him squirm uncomfortably. "So...what about Klaus and Elijah?" Jackson almost spit the last word.
Men, Hayley rolled her eyes, they were so dramatic.
"What about them?" she asked, innocently.
"I mean – how did they take you leaving? They were okay with you leaving?"
"Well, regardless of their feelings, I'm here, aren't I?" Hayley said, raising an eyebrow.
Jackson raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, great. I'm glad. This was always your destiny, Hayley. To lead your people. It was our destiny," Jackson said the last part softly.
"I don't know what was in my destiny and neither do I care for it. I know what I want and I'm going to get it," Hayley said firmly hoping he'd let the matter of their betrothal rest forever. She didn't want to think about it ever. She needed Jackson to be a trustworthy advisor. She didn't want to think of him as more than that. Neither did she want him to entertain any thoughts about him being anything more than his friend and Alpha.
"So, I'm going to go around and see how everybody's doing – find out what they want, so I can represent them at the council."
Jackson nodded. "I'll come with you," Jackson said getting up. As soon as they stepped out of the cabin a cry pierced through the sky making their blood cold.
Vampire in the Bayou, the cry said.
Caroline had managed to gather information about Marcellus from a sleazebag who couldn't wait to get his hands on her. But, Caroline smiled and giggled, and played her part until she got all the information she needed. Apparently, Marcellus, or Marcel as he called himself now, had been the vampire king of New Orleans until he was recently banished to the outskirts of the French Quarter after a bloody battle for power.
"Niklaus Mikaelson, that asshole of an Original Vampire, now has control over the city," the man slurred.
"Does he now?"
"Yeah, he – he," but before he could say more the man passed out conveniently. Well, Caroline's work had been done. She made her way to the outskirts of Quarter when she was surprised with a cry. Werewolf, her eyes widened with fear and her blood turned cold as she realized to the haunting realization. The cry sounded three miles away but was enough for her to haul her ass away from the swamp and run with all her might towards where she knew Marcel resided. When she was sure she was safe and at the right place she took a deep breath and composed herself before she made her way upstairs.
She knocked at the door hesitantly and was surprised when she was greeted by a coquettish smile from a man.
"Marcellus?" she asked, unsure.
"Yours truly," he flashed his teeth.
"Good, can I come in? I need to speak to you about something," Caroline said in a firm voice refusing to let Marcel know how freaked out she was. Marcel opened the door wider and Caroline stepped in doing a 360 degree check, taking note of all the exit and entry points.
"Please," Marcel said gesturing towards the chaise in the drawing room as he walked towards a small cabinet which held a decanter of liquor and some glasses. Caroline sat down on the chaise as she waited for him to pour himself a drink.
"Do you want some?" he asked. Caroline shook her head. Marcel seemed like a ...friendly person. He didn't pose any immediate threat and didn't come off as intimidating. For someone who was previously the King of New Orleans he didn't seem to be vain or arrogant and for someone who was now banished to a pathetic loft at the outskirts of the city he once ruled he didn't seem embittered or cruel. The decor seemed to reflect his personality – calm white walls and red chaise and brown chairs. It was friendly and inviting. He seemed...nice. It freaked Caroline out.
"So, what is this about?" Marcel asked as he got back to sit from across her.
"Well," Caroline said producing the letter from her pocket, "I'm actually here to deliver something from a witch called Agnes. Know her?"
Caroline asked. Marcel's eyes snapped to hers' and the friendly demeanour changed to something more dark and threatening.
"Yes," Marcel said as he leaned back and his eyes dissected Caroline. She could sense his curiosity about her.
"Well, she sent me with this letter for you," she extended the letter to him.
"What is it about?" Marcel asked eyeing the letter suspiciously, unwilling to touch it.
"It's –," Caroline hesitated. "It's nothing physically harming or anything. It's better if you read it."
She just needed him to touch the letter and open it which would allow the hex placed on the letter to vanish. Marcel scrutinized her face before finally, after one excruciatingly long minute, allowed his fingers to touch the envelope and open it.
His eyes never left hers and it seemed as if he was waiting for a bomb to go off. Who the hell was Agnes to him and what had she done to him for him to be so paranoid?
His eyes skimmed over the letter and suddenly his shoulders slumped as if the words in the letter had physically weighed him down.
"Thank you for this letter," Marcel folded it and put it on the table next to him. Caroline got up to leave.
"You're welcome. I'll be leaving now," Caroline said as she walked towards the door. Marcel nodded looking lost in thought. Caroline quietly let herself out.
Hayley didn't like Caroline Forbes for many reasons. She was the Little Miss Perfect who made Hayley feel self-conscious and really angry. She loathed the way the vampire had friends, a family, and despite all the crap that she'd been put through, she still emerged a winner. Hayley didn't think it fair – for one person to have it all and have it so good. But as Hayley saw Caroline emerge from Marcel's lair, she realized there might be yet another to not like Caroline Forbes.
She had followed the direction where Anna, the wolf who had alerted everyone to the vampire's presence, had pointed regarding the vampire's disappearance. To say that Hayley was more than surprised at being led to Marcel's lair and then to find Caroline Forbes exiting from there would be the understatement of the year. Whoever the vampire was, was still lurking, but Hayley couldn't help but confront Little Miss Mystic Falls regarding her presence in New Orleans.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Hayley asked. Klaus hadn't told Hayley that Caroline would be coming with him to New Orleans. She didn't even know that things between them had smoothed out. The last time that they spoke, she thought she and Klaus were done with. Thought to be fair, Klaus hadn't really told her anything, because they hadn't really spoken. At all. She was kind of avoiding his calls. But if Caroline was here, that meant Klaus was in town too. Hayley wondered when he'd returned and how come he hadn't stalked her down and created a scene yet.
Caroline's eyes widened as she took Hayley's presence in. The last time she'd seen or thought of Hayley was when she had betrayed Tyler and had gotten twelve hybrids killed. Caroline bared her fangs, angrily, wondering what possessed the traitorous bitch to show her face to Caroline.
"Easy," Hayley said, waving her off casually. She didn't seem scared – something Caroline wasn't prepared for. She had expected Hayley to be making a run for it. Werewolves weren't as strong when they weren't in their wolf form and they definitely weren't lethal. But all this seemed to not have any effect on Hayley for she seemed calmer and more confident than Caroline had ever seen her to be. She seemed... older. There was also something different about her but Caroline couldn't put her finger on it. "I won't bite," Hayley smirked. Caroline almost flinched with the way it was so similar to Klaus's smirk.
"What the hell are you doing here? Does Klaus know you're here?" Caroline said raising her chin and waiting for the wolf to cower but only smugness informed her face.
"Does he know you're here?" Hayley said nodding towards' Marcel's apartment building. The blonde looked startled making Hayley smirk victoriously. "I didn't think so. Let's tell him, shall we?"
"No, need for that, love," someone – Klaus, said from one of the balconies of the buildings they were surrounded with, blurring to stand in front of them.
"Klaus," Hayley said feeling a little relieved to see him, but also feeling wary considering she didn't know if he knew she'd left their home. His home. Ugh, just home.
"Hayley," he greeted her before turning to Caroline.
"Caroline," Klaus said coming up from behind her. "What are you doing here?"
Caroline felt her whole body freeze as she realized the predicament she had found herself in. The best thing she could do now was hope to distract Klaus. She thanked the heavens Hayley was here. Surely she could come up with a decent enough excuse to convince Klaus she was not doing anything treacherous while he took care of the traitorous wolf.
"Klaus – Hayley," Caroline urged gesturing towards the wolf. But Klaus only remained rooted to the spot with a regretful expression on her face. He gave her a look she couldn't fathom. It was sad and angry and – defeated. "What are you doing here? Why did you go to Marcel's?"
Caroline bit her lip. "Seems like little Miss Sunshine has more up her sleeves than we originally thought," Hayley said as she crossed her arms across her chest. Klaus's eyes snapped to hers' and he seemed to have realized something. Uh-oh, Hayley thought.
"Elijah told me of your decision for emancipation," Klaus said as he walked towards Hayley in a very threatening manner. Hayley, however, seemed unaffected. "Did he, now?" she asked casually, but there was a hint of bitterness to it.
"Klaus? What's happening?" Caroline asked, her eyebrows crinkling and eyes shimmering with distrust. Why wasn't Hayley running? Why was Klaus so calm about her presence? What on earth was going on here?
"I see you didn't tell her," Hayley sneered. Caroline's eyes widened.
"Are you two –," Caroline began flabbergasted, but Hayley interrupted her with "No, No, ew! No." But then her expression wavered. "Well," she exchanged a look with Klaus who looked like he wanted to murder someone, "it's complicated. But that can wait, what are you doing here? What is she doing here, Klaus?" Hayley asked with what Caroline called her 'Bitch-Face.'
Klaus shrugged and turned to Caroline, "Yes, what exactly are you doing here, darling? I thought you were on your way to Mystic Falls."
"I was," Caroline licked her lips nervously, "But things happened and...I had to change my course." She was such a terrible liar, she wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out. Klaus raised an eyebrow and took a threatening step toward her. "Which was what, exactly?" He enjoyed the fear emanating from her. It made him feel powerful and in control and lately Klaus felt out of control too often.
"Um," Caroline pursed her lips, "whatever it was, I'm done, safe to say. All I need to do now is grab some things and make my way back," she gave him her best diplomatic smile and thumbs up. Klaus's eyes shined with mirth and there was a small smirk on his face, but his gait remained threatening and predatory. Caroline cleared her throat. "Well, thank you for..." she searched for the right words, "all your help. And it was nice meeting you, Hayley," Caroline said with her fake smile which Hayley reciprocated, "but I should really get going."
"Back to Agnes?" Klaus asked. Caroline's face must've shown the frightened expression before she covered it up because when she said, "N- No, to Mystic Falls."
He didn't seem convinced, what with all her stuttering?
"Now, see, why do I not believe you when you say that?" he took a step towards her predatorily.
"Maybe...because you're a paranoid thousand year old Hybrid with trust issues?" she offered with a charming smile. Hayley snorted at her response and Klaus cracked a smile.
"Come now, love, don't be so difficult. Tell me what you were doing with Marcel," Klaus almost spat his name. Caroline clenched her palms into fists. "I can't, Klaus. I – can't," she said hoping he'd understand he seemed to have, with the way he clenched his jaw tightly. "Is it going to hurt me?"
Caroline bit her lip. "I can't answer that. Or anything. You know that," she said looking at him apologetically. He shook his head bitterly as he looked away angrily. All of them were surprised when a cry pierced through the sky.
"There's a vampire in the Bayou," Hayley said as she moved to run towards the Bayou when Klaus blocked her way.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To help them," Hayley said angrily as she shoved Klaus away and blurred into the darkness. Klaus glared after her before clamping down on Caroline's arm and dragging her behind Hayley.
"What are you doing?"
"A vampire mass murderer is running rampant," Klaus bit out angrily as they tried to listen to where Hayley was at. "And the safest place you can be right now is with me."
"Well, I've been safe from a mass murdering vampire before without your help," Caroline said pointedly. "In fact, if I remember correctly, the mass murderer was you."
Klaus ignored her rude remark as he whisked them to the place where Caroline assumed Klaus thought Hayley was at. They were too late for a werewolf lay with his head snapped on the ground.
There were other wolves there transforming into their human selves and Klaus made sure to keep Caroline behind him. He assessed the way the wolf was killed and felt his blood turn cold.
"The vampire got away," Hayley muttered. She could feel the tension growing between Klaus and the other wolves. She sighed.
"I think I might know who's done this," Klaus said, ignoring the glares of the wolves.
"Who?" Hayley demanded.
"Mikael," he said with his jaw clenched.
"What?" Caroline almost shrieked. Hayley looked at Klaus with a frown and pressed a hand to her forehead. Not fucking Mikael, she thought angrily.
"Why is he attacking wolves? Isn't he a vampire hunter?" Hayley gestured towards Caroline, who glowered at her suggestion. Klaus shrugged.
"I'm afraid I do not know the workings of my psychopathic father's mind," Klaus said with a sigh.
"Ironic," Hayley muttered and Klaus sent her a glare. Caroline suppressed a smile at Hayley's comment and was surprised to do so. Hayley did not just make a joke at Klaus's expense and he did not just take it with ease. Caroline was so freaked out at the weird relationship dynamics that were present between Hayley and Klaus. Hayley and Klaus were friends or something – and now Mikael was alive? What on earth was going on in New Orleans? This was a good time to break a tree, Caroline mused.
"What do we do now?" someone – Clarisse, from the pack, asked Hayley. Hayley pursed her lips.
"I guess Hayley will have to accompany Caroline and I to my humble abode so that we can confer with my brother to try and come up with a solution for this," Klaus smirked menacingly.
Hayley scoffed at his suggestion while Caroline's eyes widened in shock. "I – I need to go, Klaus. To Agnes," Caroline protested. Also, this place was freaking the hell out of her.
"I'm sure it can wait for a day, sweetheart. I'm not entirely sure we're done talking. And you," He turned to Hayley, "tell me if you've got a better plan in mind."
Among the glare of the wolves and the smug smirk of Klaus Hayley felt the need to present herself as confident and competent. She knew Klaus was her best shot at defeating Mikael and there would be no point in pretending otherwise.
"Humble abode it is," Hayley said angrily as she gestured him to lead the way.
"Now, darling, where did you say you parked your car?" Klaus turned towards Caroline who groaned and led them to outside of Marcel's place.
"Why were you at Marcel's?" Caroline asked curiously as they walked towards her car.
"I have informants all over town and when someone informed me that a pretty blonde vampire with blue eyes had been asking around for Marcel I knew I had to check it out," Klaus said simply as he opened the door to Caroline's car for her.
When they pulled outside Klaus's house which seemed something like out of a fairy tale considering how gloomy and dreadful it looked. To Caroline's surprise, Elijah greeted them at the door.
"I heard you come," his eyes were trained on Hayley. Hayley nodded at him and something passed between them which Caroline couldn't understand. It looked like something was going on between them. Something sexual. EW. WHAT ON EARTH WAS HAPPENING HERE? She had to tell Stefan about this.
"Stop smiling like its Christmas, you might scare Klaus's guest," Hayley muttered as she walked into the house as if she owned it. Klaus rolled his eyes while Caroline glowered at her. The smile on Elijah's face vanished as his eyes fell on Caroline.
"Miss Forbes, how do you do?" Elijah turned to her as if he had only just seen her. Yep, he was so far gone, Caroline thought.
"I'm fine, thank you," Caroline said politely.
"We're here to discuss the reappearance of your heavenly father, Mikael," Hayley explained to Elijah who seemed confused at the gathering.
"He has made an appearance from whichever circle of hell was hiding in. He killed a wolf."
Caroline noted how Elijah reached out to hold Hayley's hand at the last part. "I'm terribly sorry, Hayley," he said clutching onto her hand. Hayley smiled him softly. "I know."
"We have to find father so I can kill him," Klaus said holding a glass of scotch in his hand. "And that would require the assistance of a certain witch," Klaus smirked. Caroline felt they were all sharing some weird connection and everybody knew what Klaus was referring to except of course her. Oh, well.
"Okay, yeah," Hayley said, "good luck with that. Maybe if you hadn't killed her boyfriend or threatened her friend she would be much amicable to our propositions."
"Oh, let bygones be bygones, love," Klaus smiled in that creepy endearing way of his'.
She got up suddenly. "Well, folks, as nice as this has been, seeing as we're at an impasse, I'm afraid it's time for me to leave. Have a pack to get back to and everything. Do keep me informed, though."
"You're not going anywhere, love," Klaus said sharply as he blocked her way. Hayley frowned.
"I'm afraid that's not your decision to make," Hayley said walking towards the door.
"Elijah, tell the little wolf that if she so much as steps one foot out of the house then I will go and burn down her wolf friends myself," Klaus said menacingly.
Elijah sighed and looked at Hayley in an 'I knew this would happen' manner. Hayley clenched her jaw angrily. "Niklaus, Hayley is free to make her own decisions. You cannot force her into doing your bidding," Elijah said softly but firmly in a 'no-nonsense' way. Hayley looked surprised at Elijah's defense of her and sent him a grateful look. That's my boyfriend alright! She called out inside her head victoriously.
"Well, you heard the man," Hayley said as she moved to leave.
Klaus glowered at Elijah. "I will not be pushed around in my own house! You are staying here and THAT is final!" Klaus screamed. "How dare you try to leave me like a treacherous little –"
"I'm so tired of it being about you," Hayley screamed angrily. "It's about your paranoia, your feelings, and your problems. It's never about any of us! Never," she shoved him in the chest angrily.
"Why do you think Rebekah even left in the first place!?" Her eyes were shining with righteous indignation. "How dare you try to reduce this huge step in my life to a 'betrayal'!? How dare you try to control me – again? We're family, Klaus. We'll always be family. But you have to let me go. This is something that I have to do for myself. It's not about you and you have to understand this and get over it. Or I will never speak to you again," Hayley said.
Caroline couldn't understand how Klaus was letting Hayley speak to him this way. She had assumed he would've snapped a good ten minutes ago and pulled Hayley's heart from her chest. What the hell did Hayley mean they were family? Caroline could see the hurt on Klaus's face. He had his jaw clenched tightly and his palms curled into fists.
Klaus didn't stop Hayley as she stormed out of the house. He remained standing in the same place for a long time, as if rooted by all the grief and truth of Hayley's accusations. Caroline stood there awkwardly wondering what to do with herself. Elijah sighed loudly and made his way into the house. When Klaus looked at her, his eyes were burning with hatred, anger and so much pain, Caroline almost took a step back. Caroline had seen him at his most vulnerable and he was very, very angry about that.
Caroline licked her lips nervously wondering what to say. "So...New Orleans, pretty city, good music," she began with a nervous smile but Klaus blurred past her without sparing her another glance. Oh well, Caroline thought tiredly.
A housemaid approached Caroline moments later offering to show her to her rooms.
"Oh, I'm not going to be staying here," she said. "I'll just need to wash up before I leave in a few hours."
"Okay, come on, you're coming with me. You've had too much to drink to go home alone," Rebekah hailed a cab and eased Elizabeth into the back seat. They had partied hard and Rebekah hadn't taken into consideration that her human friend might not have the best alcohol retention capacity. It was only when her friend was spewing vomit everywhere that Rebekah decided that it was time to chuck her date and take care of her friend.
Rebekah met Martha at home, who, seeing Elizabeth's predicament, tutted and went into the kitchen to get pills for Elizabeth. Apparently, when one cannot stop puking even when one has emptied the contents in their stomach, it means one suffers from alcohol poisoning. In such a case you should take pills which would strengthen your liver. Oh well, thought Rebekah. That would be a tip useful to her never, she mused.
Meanwhile, Brownie kept excitedly running around her in circles, trying to get her attention.
"Not now, you little monster," Rebekah said tenderly as she petted the dog and went to tend to Elizabeth.
Martha and Rebekah helped Elizabeth to change out of her clothes and into Rebekah's spare pyjamas and put her to bed. After Martha left, Rebekah went to check in on Aesa and found her sleeping peacefully. She pressed a kiss against her cheek and went downstairs to lie in the sofa for some time. She wasn't quite sleepy yet. Brownie lay next to her on sofa, snuggling into her possessively as she petted the little pup.
Rebekah put in her old Sim card and switched on her phone. She had to get a new phone number and a new everything once she was on the run. She couldn't chance anyone coming upon her and finding her with Hope. Once in a while, though, Rebekah would put in her old SIM card to make sure she wasn't missing out on any emergencies. Mostly, she just checked it to see if there were messages from Matt. And to her surprise, or not, there were. He'd left so many voicemails.
1st message
Hey, it's been a long time. I was just...missing you. It's not that big of a deal, really. I just, I was just doing something the other day and I was reminded of our time in Spain. You know the amusement park we trashed; I was just thinking about it and laughing ... How are you? I haven't seen or heard from you in quite a while. I hope you're doing okay...um...well, okay then, I guess I should hang up before it gets anymore awkward, and weird, yeah?
He laughs nervously before hanging up. He had sent it eight months ago. She thought it had been a momentary lapse in judgement on his part. But the voicemails never stopped even though Rebekah never responded. They got more curious by the day and clenched around Rebekah's heart like an iron fist.
4th message
Bonnie and Damon have died...they've gone to the other side, actually. And mystic falls is spelled to restrict any magical being from entering. Which means no Caroline, no Elena. No Alaric. I'm with Jeremy who is on a downward spiral. It's quite sad and pathetic really. I wonder where you are and what you're doing. I hope you're okay and I hope you're happy.
10th message
I wonder what you'll think when you do switch on your phone and listen to all these messages.
11th
Jeremy stepped out for a while – probably to get drunk or something and I got a chance to clean the house. I can't tell you how good it felt to do that. Damn, I felt like Caroline, for god's sake. I guess I finally see what she means when she's talking about the pleasures of cleaning. But she does it when she is stressing out. I had to do it because I felt like I was in a live-in relationship with rodents. –snorts- anyway, I am so tired. I miss Caroline and Elena. I miss Bonnie. I think Jeremy misses her too. I've seen him leaving messages
The latest one says –
20th
I found a picture of us in my closet the other day. And I suddenly remembered what I had been trying to remember for a long time. The last time I felt happy and at ease was with you. Strange, right? I mean, you did try to kill Elena and me and I ... I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I don't know what these messages are. You're not even probably listening to them. I just...I don't know. I think I ...Uh, I have to go. Bye.
Rebekah clutched her cell phone tightly, frozen with the realization that perhaps, perhaps, Matt was going to say that which her body and soul had ached to hear from another all these years. Centuries, she'd waited, centuries, just to be wanted and loved and here was Matt the Human, Matt the Bus Boy. Matt who always pushed her to be better than she was; Matt who gave her his coat when she didn't feel cold, Matt who held her hand one night she had gotten drunk and cried about her life, oh what a life she had mourned that night. He had held her hand and been there for her despite everything she had done to him. He was a friend. He was a human. He was beautiful.
A sharp cry from upstairs jolted Rebekah from her thoughts. Aesa was crying and Rebekah blurred upstairs to help her. Brownie appeared no later, wagging his tail excitedly, wondering what was wrong.
"Shh, my love, I'm here now," Rebekah cooed to little Aesa, her tiny fingers closing around her hair, "what is it, my darling?"
"Oh, you've pooped your nappy, have you?" Rebekah snickered as she pressed her nose against Aesa's cheek. "I'll take care of you, my sweet darling," she murmured as she went to fetch a diaper.
As Rebekah started to change Aesa out of her diaper, the baby looked at her and grinned a silly goofy grin. Rebekah laughed. "You've got that despicable grin your father has," Rebekah tutted as she kissed Aesa's fingers.
"Ma-ma," the baby mumbled, against Rebekah's shoulder as Rebekah fastened the diaper around her belly. Rebekah pulled away from Aesa abruptly to look at her. "What?"
"Mama," Aesa said again, clearly and loudly this time. Rebekah couldn't help but crumple to the floor with Aesa in her arms. Brownie barked, startled at seeing his mistress cry.
Rebekah had never wanted Aesa to call her mom or any other variation of it because she knew she wouldn't be able to take it when it would be time to part. She knew Aesa was nearing the age where babies started mumbling words...but she didn't know what to teach her. Every baby's first words were supposed to be special and those words usually included Mama or Papa.
But Aesa's Mama and Papa were not with her at the moment and it was too heartbreaking for Rebekah to make Aesa call her Mama. It wasn't fair. Hayley was Aesa's mother. Rebekah was just a stand in. She didn't deserve this baby's love or recognition of her as her mother. Mama was too scary for Rebekah. Mama meant ownership and Rebekah was so scared. Rebekah wasn't her mama and she was dreading the day Hope realized she wasn't. She was mother to Aesa, not Hope.
It seemed like that's Martha had taught Aesa to call her Mama. What with all those times when Martha pointed to Rebekah and said 'Mama' a bazillion times, what did Rebekah expect but this?
"Is everything okay? I heard Aesa cry, and the dog barking" Elizabeth said standing at the door. She was greeted by a flustered crying Rebekah who sat on the floor with Aesa in her arms. "Hey, what happened?" Elizabeth asked concerned as she took the puppy in her arms, wondering if Rebekah had always had a puppy – she didn't seem much of a puppy person, and knelt next to Rebekah.
"Sh-she called me Mama," Rebekah said looking up at Elizabeth with tears on her face.
"She – she – she," Rebekah couldn't stop crying. "I – I was changing her diaper and she – she," Rebekah pressed the back of her palm to her mouth to stop her tears.
"Mama," Aesa mumbled again, tugging at Rebekah's hair.
"Oh, honey," Elizabeth said softly as she brushed Rebekah's hair gently. "Wait, let me get my phone," she said as she put the pup on the floor and rushed out.
But despite all her anxieties, having Aesa call her mother was so redeeming. Despite everything, every pain she'd ever been put through, to have someone look at her with so much innocence and love, Rebekah knew she had never known love or joy like this. She had been so – so, so convinced that she would never ever be loved, but here was this baby, with so much love for her to call her mother. She was the mother to her little baby. Rebekah clutched at Aesa and cried while Elizabeth took a video of the whole scene giggling through tears and Brownie barked the whole time excitedly.
"Aesa, call Rebekah Mama again," Elizabeth prompted and Aesa looked at the woman strangely before saying the word Mama over and over again.
Fifteen minutes later Aesa started yawning aggressively and Rebekah decided it was time for bed for everyone. Today had been a long day. But it had also been one of her best. Elizabeth, her human friend, surprisingly pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so happy for you, Beks," she said grinning. Rebekah was shocked at the sincerity of her words. She couldn't remember the last time someone apart from Elijah had said to her that they were happy for her. Matt, a voice reminded her.
"I'm sorry, is it okay if I call you Beks?" She asked hesitantly. Perhaps, she had read Rebekah's silence wrongly. Rebekah smirked.
"Of course, you can, Lizzie," she said, "Now, off to bed."
"Yes, Mom," Elizabeth gave a mock salute to Rebekah as she headed to the guest room.
Rebekah retired to her own room.
Brownie tried to get into her room but she remained firm, "No," she said, "go downstairs and sleep in your bed. Be a good boy, now. No sulking would do you no good," she said as she waited for Brownie to heed to her orders. The dog whined but made its way downstairs. Rebekah smiled, feeling extremely pleased to herself.
She lay on her bed feeling content and safe and so, so, happy. She listened to Matt's last message again and imagined speaking to him. But this time she was talking instead of him.
"Well, tell me about your day," he'd ask. She imagined him to be leaning against the armrest of his couch, with his eyes closed.
"Well, I've got a puppy," she imagined telling him. "I've got a daughter...Aesa. I have a family here...and friends. Well, one. I go out clubbing with the girls – well, actually, there's just one girl, Elizabeth. But we're...pals. We're really good friends. Tonight Aesa said her first words...she looked at me, and there was this goofy silly smile on her face and she pointed at me and she said, Mama."
Rebekah would sigh, "I never imagined teaching her that...I was so hesitant to teach her any words. A person's first words should be magical...and I had no magic to offer her. I couldn't teach her any words because motherhood and fatherhood had been robbed from her and I couldn't imagine robbing Hayley's right to being called Mama. But when Aesa said it...It felt like home. It felt like family. I have never before felt like I have belonged than I did tonight in that moment."
There were times when Rebekah listened to his messages and her heart would almost give in. This deep startling ache to be loved in the way she had always wanted to would clutch her heart and paralyzed her being. The thought that she could never have what she wanted would always plague her mind. But tonight was different. Tonight Rebekah realized she had everything she had ever wanted.
She had a family, the love of her life, friends,a puppy, for God's sake! She also had her own picket fence house. She had always imagined a boy coming and saving her from her misery, of redeeming her but here she was – redeeming herself, making a life for herself and her – her daughter. She had been her own hero without even realizing it.
And as much as she wanted to share her with Matt she knew it wasn't worth it.
She had learnt of requited unconditional love and of friendship tonight and she knew there was more to learn. There was always more to learn. And Rebekah couldn't wait to begin to learn and experience everything the world had to offer along with Aesa.
A/N- tell me what you thought, lovelies! How did you like the Mabekah angle? I adore Mabekah, personally. Also, tell me what you thought of Hayley's sass? And the whole interaction between Hayley and Klaus! Omg, tell me also what you thought about Aesa calling Rebekah mum. She's such a precious kid.
P.S. – I do not follow TO or TVD anymore. I feel like I might have a brain aneurysm so for with regards to health and intellectual concerns I have officially given up on the shows. I heard Liz Forbes died. It broke my heart. I hope they include a part where Klaus sends his condolences or something. Do tell me if something exciting has happened on either of the shows.
P.P.S – Expect updates every month. These chapters are sucking the life out of me and I have so much to do!