Hello, my lovely readers. This chapter has happy and not-so-happy moments, leading us toward the middle of our tale. On with the show…
Chapter 7: No Rest
Hayley
Beeper going off, Hayley stood at the end of the hall, wondering how the hell this happened. She felt trapped. This could not be happening. Not to one of them. Not again. Not when they'd worked so hard to heal. Her legs gave under her, tears filling her eyes. A pair of arms wrapped around her. She buried her face into Elijah's chest, inhaling his scent and clinging to him as fear took hold.
~0~
Sundays. Sundays were supposed to be a time of rest, but someone did not get the message. Hayley tugged a pair of gloves on. She felt adrenaline pumping through her veins as a gurney was wheeled through the ER doors. Blood sprayed anyone close to the victim. Survivor?
"Okay, people, let's move!" Aurora shouted, her eyes focused on the person who would live or die, depending on who was on the winning side today.
Hayley watched Aurora stand aside while the woman on the gurney's shirt was cut off her chest. For a moment, Hayley imagined that she was lying on the gurney, exposed to the burning lights, the doctors' and nurses' prying eyes. Would she feel vulnerable? Weak? Terrified?
"Take her hand," Aurora shouted and it took another moment for Hayley to understand that Aurora was ordering her. "Take her hand, Marshall, make sure she knows where she is and that she is alright." Aurora's blue eyes flicked from Hayley to the patient.
"I don't think she can hear me," Hayley replied.
"You know? Do you?" Aurora retorted, taking a scalpel and making an incision along the woman's side. More blood poured out, over the woman's pale skin. "Take her bloody hand before I shove this tube into her!" Again, Aurora's eyes were on Hayley. And, again, Hayley imagined herself as the patient, lying on the gurney. Alone and afraid.
Taking the woman's hand, Hayley squeezed it. "Hi. I'm Hayley." She waited for the woman's eyes to open in response, but they did not. She showed no signs of being aware of anything. The only sign that she lived was the steady rate of her heartbeat and the spike of brain waves on the monitor. "So, my boss is about to place a chest tube inside you and that's going to hurt. A lot. You should brace yourself. Try to imagine some place, a happy place. Somewhere warm? Maybe. Like Hawaii. I hear it's nice there. I've never been. Too much work. Trying to get through med school." Hayley watched Aurora place the chest tube near the incision.
"Did you go to college? I would love to know what you majored in. You look like you could be an artist. Are you an artist?" Hayley continued, eyes on Aurora.
"On three," Aurora said quietly. "One. Two. Three." Her hands moved the tube forward, and Hayley closed her eyes, still imagining the pain.
"And if you are an artist, I hope you fight to stay with us, because I'd like to see your work," Hayley said, and she felt the fingers clasped in her own give a squeeze. Just that trace of pressure on Hayley's skin and bones, pushing them together, and then releasing.
"She squeezed my hand," Hayley told Aurora.
Aurora nodded. "Good. Alright. Let's get her upstairs. Marshall, you're free to go to lunch."
Hayley nodded. "Okay." She ripped off her gloves and left the ER. She made a mental note to check up on the patient.
On her way up the stairs, Hayley nearly ran into Lucien, who had his arms full of charts. "Why does everyone in the Mikaelson family hate me?" he asked her.
"What did you do?" Hayley asked him, leaning against the wall.
"Nothing," Lucien told her.
Hayley shook her head.
"I might have stood Rebekah up for a date," Lucien replied. "Klaus paged me, and requested I be on his service. Now, I have the entire family placing me on duties that no other intern has to perform."
"Maybe that's how they show they do like you," Hayley replied with a grin.
Lucien shook his head. "I do not believe you, Hayley," he called as she moved past him. "How is Davina?"
"Davina…" Hayley did not know what to say. Davina had been avoiding her for days now. It felt like years. She knew that Davina was staying at Josh, Aiden and Caroline's new place. Other than that, she had no clue what her sister was up to.
"She's fine," Hayley replied quickly. "I have to go."
"She didn't seem fine when we talked last night," Lucien told her.
"Last night?" Hayley paused and walked back down the steps to stand over Lucien. "Where were you, last night?"
"My place," Lucien told her, adjusting the charts. "These are getting a bit heavy."
"Why would she be at your place?" Hayley asked him.
"I had all of the interns there. We were having a bit of a party. I would have invited you, but you seemed to be caught up in your drama with your mother…" Lucien's beeper went off. "And there is Sage. What did I ever do to you people?" he demanded, moving to leave.
"Did Davina go home, last night?" Hayley called to Lucien. "To Josh's."
Lucien shook his head. "No. She said she was going back to a friend's place, to stay at his flat."
"Oh." Hayley nodded. Davina was not a kid. Hayley did not have a right to know everything she did, or who she did it with. "Okay. Thanks."
"Not a problem," Lucien called, waving and heading down the stairs.
Hayley forced herself to walk all the way up the stairs and to the cafeteria. Entering it, she looked around. None of her friends were there. Nor were her fellow interns. However, Elijah sat at a table, by himself, reading a book.
Sighing, Hayley walked over to the line, grabbed a yogurt, a banana and a raisin bagel. She looked around the room again. It felt like high school—the way everyone sat with their little cliques. Rolling her eyes, Hayley marched over to Elijah's table. "Is this seat taken?" she asked him, indicating the seat across from him with a nod of her head.
Elijah looked up from his book. "No," he said. His brows rose, lips pursing as he placed a finger in his book and set it down. "How are you?"
"Great," Hayley replied, tearing the lid off her yogurt with a vicious rip.
"I can see that," Elijah said. "Do you need a spoon?"
"Oh, yeah," Hayley sighed, realizing she'd forgotten to get one.
Elijah picked up a spoon, from an empty yogurt container, to his left and held it out to her. "If you don't mind my germs," he said with a smile. Smirking, Hayley took the spoon and dug into her yogurt. "You didn't answer my question," Elijah pointed out.
"I know," Hayley replied, placing yogurt in her mouth and sucking the spoon clean.
"Right." Elijah nodded. He sat back in his seat. "Have you seen Davina?"
"No." Hayley sat up.
"She's been a bit… dazed over the last couple of days. And yesterday, she came back in: drunk," Elijah informed Hayley.
"Oh," Hayley replied.
"I think that perhaps you should have a talk with her," Elijah suggested.
"I will…when she starts talking to me again," Hayley said. Standing up, she gathered her things. "Thanks for the spoon," she said, and turned away from Elijah before he could reply. She hurried out of the cafeteria, noting the stares from other doctors and nurses, the whispered words and giggles. Just like high school.
Caroline
"We need to settle on a color scheme for the kitchen," Caroline said, consulting a magazine. "What do you think of a nice, light yellow, like sunshine? Or blue. Or—" Caroline stopped talking when Josh placed his fingers over her lips.
"Care, honey, we love you, but…" Josh looked to Aiden.
Aiden held up his hands. "Do not try to drag me into this. She's your friend."
Feeling hurt by Aiden's words, Caroline closed her magazine and tried to keep her thoughts from forming expressions on her face. Poker face, she told herself. "What's up?" she inquired lightly.
"Caroline," Josh began, his mouth working for a smile, but failing, his lips falling downward. "You need to find a place of your own."
"But you said I could stay as long as I need to," Caroline argued, feeling panicky. She hadn't been on her own since she left the…the hospital, at home. Being alone felt like the most terrifying thing in the world. Curling her legs up to her chest, she leaned into the solid brick wall behind her.
"Yeah. I did. But Aiden and I," Josh reached backward, finding Aiden's hand, his eyes focused on Caroline. "We're still at the beginning of our relationship. And we need some privacy."
"And sleep," Aiden added.
"Sleep?" Caroline thought about how many times she'd knocked on their door, and begged Josh to come watch a movie, or have a cup of coffee—at two in the morning—or to give each other pedicures. Anything to avoid going to sleep. "Yeah. You're right. You guys need your sleep. So, I can work on that. I'll just watch movies in my room—with headphones on. You'll see. I can be a better roommate. Just don't make me leave."
"Caroline," Josh began when she grabbed his shoulders.
"Josh! I cannot be alone! Please! Don't make me!" Caroline cried.
Aiden glanced from Josh to Caroline and she felt his eyes lingering on her as he got to his feet. "My break is over. I'll see you at home," he told Josh, walking away.
Josh looked after Aiden and Caroline wished he would talk to her—reassure her that it would be okay—that he'd thought it through and she could stay. When Josh looked back at her; Caroline felt like he'd slapped her. His happy-go-lucky personality had dimmed and he looked at her like she was a clingy ex. "Look, Care, I love having you around, but we need some space."
"I know," Caroline said, letting go of him, feeling tears pricking the backs of her lids. "I know. I am not being fair. But I just can't be alone."
"Maybe you could find a place with…Davina," Josh said. "She can't stay with Hayley anymore and their mom. She'll need a roommate, too."
Letting out a bitter laugh, Caroline rolled her eyes. "Sure. I want to live with the girl who stole my room, and my friends, while I was gone…"
"Care, that's not really fair," Josh replied. "She didn't know about you and she did not steal your friends. We were waiting for you to get better."
Nodding, Caroline forced a smile. "I know. I'm just jealous. I had to work for everyone's friendship. Except with you. With you it was like fate. Like we were meant to meet and to be best friends."
Josh grinned, wrapping an arm around her. "And I will still be your best friend—when you move—into your own place." Patting her on the back, Josh added. "I'll even help you find one."
"Okay," Caroline mumbled.
Josh's beeper went off and he got to his feet. "Duty calls. I'll see you later." Kissing her forehead, he hurried down the darkened tunnel.
Once Josh was gone, Caroline laid down on the empty gurney and stared at ceiling. "Hello, love," Klaus' voice sounded through the corridor. Rolling her head to the side; Caroline glanced up at him.
"Hi, Klaus," she said, rubbing her eyelids.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Joshua," Klaus said, holding out a cup of coffee to her.
Sitting up, Caroline took the coffee and did not protest when Klaus sat down beside her. "Yeah?" she said, playing with the tab on the lid.
"I have a suggestion," Klaus said.
"Uh-huh," Caroline replied, pulling the lid off and blowing on the steaming contents.
"I think you should move in with me," Klaus said.
Caroline became still. Staring at the coffee, she had no idea what to say. "Klaus…" she began.
"You do not have to agree today," Klaus said, placing his hand on her thigh. "But I would like you to know that I do not intend on giving up on you. On us." He leaned closer. "I love you, Caroline Elizabeth Forbes. And I intend on marrying you."
Inhaling sharply, Caroline felt the coffee slip from her grasp, falling to the floor. "What?"
Klaus smiled at her, tucking a curl behind her ear and kissing her cheek. "I have an intern to torture, but I hope that you will agree to have dinner with me, tonight, or perhaps tomorrow." Standing up, Klaus straightened his lab coat and started to leave the area when Caroline grabbed his hand.
"Klaus," she cried.
Turning back to face her, Klaus looked so vulnerable that Caroline had to blink to make sure that it was really him standing in front of her. "I have a day off…two days from now. Maybe we could go out—for a cup of coffee—and talk…about the future."
"I would enjoy that very much," Klaus said, a smile on his face that made her heart hammer away in her chest.
"Okay," Caroline said.
"Okay," Klaus replied, his smile widening. "But if I am to work, I will need the use of my hand."
"Oh, right, sorry," Caroline said, ducking her head and laughing. Letting go of his hand, she sat back and watched him walk down the hallway.
Tugging on her lower lip, Caroline hopped off the gurney. "Klaus!" she called.
"Yes?" Klaus said, turning on his heel and Caroline enjoyed the look of shock on his face when she ran toward him and flung her arms and legs around him, kissing him passionately.
Pulling back, Caroline looked Klaus in the eyes. "Or we can skip the coffee and go stay in a hotel for a weekend."
"Or we can do that," Klaus said, cupping her face and kissing her back.
Caroline forgot all the pain they had suffered, if only for a moment, while she indulged in the familiarity of Klaus' lips and his hands which had moved from her face to her behind, pressing her closer to him. "I love you," she mumbled against his lips. "I really love you."
Davina
Closing and reopening her eyes for what felt like the four billionth time, Davina replayed the moment in which she meet her mother. Would anything have been different if she hadn't collapsed into bed and startled the woman? Would she have been kinder? Hayley avoided talking about their mom. Was she always like this? Would Davina never be able to form a real bond with this woman?
Rolling onto her side, Davina tried to go back to sleep. She pressed her face into Kol's hard chest and felt his arms tighten around her. She did not remember Kol arriving at Vincent's, or when he climbed under the covers, pulling her close, she just wished he'd never let her go.
~0~
Upon waking, Davina felt her head begin to pound from her late night activities. There had been a keg. Lucien. He'd be imitating Klaus, stalking around his living room and making Davina and Oliver laugh. Vincent simply sat in a chair, sipping from his one beer of the night, and watching the whole thing unfold.
After staying one night at Kol's, Davina decided it would be best for her to stay somewhere else. And since all of her new friends were connected to Hayley—she had to find another place to stay. So, she'd asked Vincent.
~0~
Lock clicking open, Vincent's head had popped out from his doorway. He looked like he hadn't slept well. Davina suspected all of the new interns looked that way. "Hey? Davina, what are you doing here?"
"Um… Well, my mom showed up. And things… I can't stay there. And I thought about all the places I could stay…like with Oliver or Lucien. Neither seemed like a good option, so I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I stayed here—for like a couple of days, or a week. A month, maybe."
Vincent looked dismayed, but opened the door, waving her inside. Davina's eyes tracked over the spotless apartment. It was small but nice. "You're in luck. My last roommate was accepted to a new program in Seattle."
"Great," Davina replied with a smile. "I promise, I will help clean and cook and not bother you. You won't even know I'm here."
~0~
Davina felt a prick of guilt for the promises she had made. They were made in earnest. I will clean. I will help cook meals. I will not bother Vincent. Of course, partying with Lucien and Oliver might come into the realm of being bothering; especially when Vincent had to carry her out of Lucien's.
Sitting up, Davina walked out of the spare bedroom and into the living room. Vincent was gone. She had the place to herself. Opening the fridge, she looked around for something to eat. Nothing looked all that appealing.
"Would you like to go out?" Kol inquired and Davina turned to find him right behind her.
"Sure," Davina replied.
"Are you feeling alright, darling?" Kol asked her, placing a hand on her forehead. "Still a bit hung over?"
Davina nodded. "I'm going to take some Advil." She walked into the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet. Pulling out a bottle of Advil, she placed two in her hand and popped them into her mouth before pouring water into her cupped palm and drinking from it. This reminded her of her high school days. She and Monique would go out, drink, dance, 'til midnight and flirt with as many boys as they could. Sometimes Monique did more than flirt. Davina feared STDs and unwanted pregnancy too much. She wanted to be a doctor more than she wanted anything in the entire world and either of those things could ruin her dreams.
Of course, Kol Mikaelson might create some unwanted complications to her life, too. She really liked him. If she were honest with herself, she more than liked her boss. She could hear him in the living room, pacing and waiting for her. She had no idea how he knew that she was living with Vincent now. Or why he'd shown up last night. Was he keeping tabs on her? That could be cute or creepy.
Opening the bathroom door, Davina stepped into the living room. "We could go to Rousseau's."
"Alright," Kol said. He looked concerned.
Avoiding Kol's look, Davina grabbed her purse and opened the front door. They walked down the stairs slowly. Someone needed to repair them. Interns struggling with massive debt did not get to live in luxury.
The sunlight made Davina blink, rapidly, holding up a hand and grimacing. Kol stepped around her and opened the door to his car. "There should be a pair of Rebekah's sunglasses in the glove compartment," he informed her.
"Thanks," Davina muttered, popping the glove compartment open and removing the shades. She slipped them on and relaxed into the cool interior of his seat cushions.
Kol moved behind the wheel and slid the keys into the ignition. "Vincent called me," he told her.
"Oh," Davina said, her eyes moving to his.
"I asked him to keep me abreast of how you were—since you met your mother. It's been the talk of the hospital," Kol's weary tone made Davina tense up.
"Yeah. Can we not talk?" Davina sat forward, turning on the radio.
The rest of the ride was quiet. Blissfully quiet. The quiet lasted until they arrived at Rousseau's.
"Hey," Jackson Kenner called to them, stepping out the front doors.
"Hey," Davina replied with a forced smile. She was not in the mood to talk to any of Hayley's friends today.
"How are you feeling?" Jack asked.
"Fine," Davina said. "We're going inside. Bye."
Stepping past him, Davina entered the bar with Kol. They sat down at a table and Davina stared out the window. "Davina, I need to tell you something about your mother," Kol began when Davina interrupted him.
"I don't want to talk about her."
"Davina," Kol began.
"Hi, I'm Cami, what can I get you two today?" the waitress asked them, smiling down at them and Davina wanted to smile back.
"A moment, love," Kol said to the waitress, offering her his best smile before returning to Davina. "I am the reason your mother came here, Davina. I thought you would want to meet her –"
"You what?" Davina shouted, getting to her feet. "Why didn't you tell me you brought her here? I could have thought of what to say, how to behave, made Hayley tell me what to expect. You had no right to do this!" She started to walk away, when Kol got up, blocking her exit.
"Davina, I wanted it to be a surprise. I thought this would be a happy reunion," Kol cried.
"You were wrong!" Davina ground out. "Now, get out of my way!" Darting around him, she heard him calling after her, all the way to the front door. If they had come in at another time—sometime later or sooner than lunch—he might have caught her; instead the on-coming press on bodies allowed her safe passage while he lagged behind.
Breathing deeply, Davina moved across the street, past Jack, who stood on the safety of the sidewalk. She would find a nice closet to hide in, until her shift started. She did not hear, or see the car, because all she could see was the hospital and all she could hear were the shouts of people greeting each other near Rousseau's.
"DAVINA!" Kol shouted.
Davina' head turned, she saw the car, and felt a pair of hands pushing her out of the way. Hitting the hard concrete of the sidewalk, Davina rolled a couple of times before she lifted her head. She let out a scream of shock and fear. A body in the street. The car reversing and speeding away. Blood coloring the street red.
TBC…
Any ideas about who got hit or whether they will make it?
Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing.
Answers to guest reviews:
Sensira: I want to thank you for bringing that up—Davina turning out to be Hayley's sister was part of a request—your question leads the story to a new, huge plot twist. Grey's is full of twisty moments, and this will be a real head-spinner.
TrishBontempo: Thank you the reviews. I think you will be happy with how the story plays out, but you will have to be patient while the plots unfolds.
Peace,
Jessica
