A/N: thanks for the wonderful reviews. I am glad you are enjoying the story. This chapter has gone super long. There is nothing much going on but elaborated scenes LOL. I hope you enjoy it.
Synopsis: Hayley goes to New Orleans with Klaus to help with the case. She finds out some things from her past and Klaus's background.
Firmly convinced about his plan Elijah said "Hayley this case is really important. We need to win it. I need to win this".
Hayley said "Mr. Mikaelson, I …" She couldn't help but look at Klaus who was looking at her with a weird expression.
She wondered 'why is Elijah doing this to her? Putting her in the spot knowing well what happened between her and Klaus. But what can she do? He has just increased her salary, has been so nice to her and she needs this job. The increase in pay will help her a lot".
She was lost in her thoughts when Elijah leaned back and said "I can give you another incentive Hayley. You will get a big bonus if we win this case".
Her heart sank and she said "that is very tempting but…"
She stopped talking as she sensed Klaus shift in his spot. Before she could continue she heard him say "if I didnt know better Ms Marshall, it seems like you dont want to come with me".
Hayley could help but suspect that he was being sarcastic. She looked at him with annoyance missing the confused look Elijah gave him too immediately followed by his very cold chide "Niklaus, this is not time to make jokes. Hayley, Niklaus will need you in New Orleans".
Klaus couldn't help but smile at the irony of what Elijah had just said to Hayley. But he waited anxiously for her reply.
When at last she nodded even though he could see her reluctance in that nod he couldn't help but feel relieved and at the same time he realized that he had been holding his breath for the past few seconds. The first thought that crossed his mind was 'good, he will be able to talk about their situation'.
Hayley asked "when are we…." when the door opened and they all turned around to see Caroline enter Elijah's office.
Klaus instinctively looked at Hayley but her face didnt reveal anything except for a genuine smile that someone has when they meet a neutral person. She said "good morning Ms. Forbes".
Caroline smiled and said "Ms Marshall right?"
When Hayley nodded she said "how are you Ms Marshall? I almost didn't recognize you. You seem to have lost a lot of weight".
She turned to Elijah and said "Elijah you shouldn't be making her work so much".
Klaus gaze darted to Hayley and he realized Caroline was right. Hayley had lost a lot of weight but it was not a matter of curiosity for him any more as he remembered the reason for that. He suddenly felt uncomfortable but Hayley just smiled and said "I am fine. How about you?"
Caroline walked to Klaus and linked her arms in his and said "I am fabulous. Just preparing for the wedding. It is on 25th June. You have to come being Klaus and Elijah's secretary".
Elijah felt a wave of annoyance at those words.
Hayley felt as if the ground slipped from under her foot. She asked still smiling "25th June?!" at the same time noticing Klaus's eyes on her.
Klaus felt Caroline lean in and kiss him and said "have you come back from home?"
Caroline said "yes, she is fine. Rebekah was with her. She seemed really tense up about something and didn't seem herself".
Hayley turned to Elijah and said "Mr. Mikaelson, is there anything else that i can help you with?"
Caroline chipped in "if you don't mind, can i get a coffee".
Hayley looked at her with surprise whereas Klaus said in an undertone "Caroline".
Caroline smiled and said "what? she is a secretary. what is the harm? Did you mind it Hayley?"
Hayley's eyes went to Klaus involuntarily and she said "no, I will get it for you". She turned to leave and but then stopped and looked at Klaus and added sarcastically "Mr Mikaelson ?"
Klaus couldn't help but feel the sarcasm in her voice. He said "no, I am fine".
Later that night while lying on her bed after throwing up a lot, thinking about her future, frustrated at her health condition, all of a sudden not being able to stay with Hope all the time. She stared at Hope playing with her doll and thought 'may be that will be a good break for both of them. She will be able to spend time with Hope at last' .
She got up and went to her and sat on the ground with her. Hope looked at Hayley and said "mommy, better".
Hayley smiled and said "yes, mommy is feeling better sweetie".
She asked her brushing her hair out of her eyes "do you want to go on a plane ride".
Hope got up excitedly saying "yes".
She hugged Hayley tightly and kissed her on her cheek. Hayley kissed her back and felt calm wash over her as she felt her tiny warm arms around her neck. She said "lt's go, it is time to sleep".
She did her sleeping routine and then put her to her bed. After reaching her room she picked up her cell and wondered 'where will she get his number?' and then remembered that he had called her once.
She put the cell down and decided to call him the first thing in the morning.
Next morning it was Saturday, even though the office was closed still Elijah and Klaus were discussing Stensons case in the office. While listing to Elijah Klaus was thinking 'where to start and what should he tell him. Should he start from werewolf part or the rape part or … '
His thought were interrupted by the tone of the cell. He picked it up and straightened in the set as he saw her name on the caller ID.
Hayley looked up as she saw Klaus enter the coffee shop. She said as he took the seat across her "Mr Mikaelson I am willing to go with you under some conditions".
when Klaus continued to look at her questioningly she continued "number one we will never discuss about our past. And you will never tell any one about what relationship you have with Hope and that includes Hope and our friends. You have already told your family about Hope. I am surprised why would your brother send us together knowing what happened between us but I need this job." She paused for a moment and then continued "I would appreciate that if this information stay with you and tell your family to keep it to them."
Klaus opened his mouth to say something when she continued "number two I will not let her out of my sight even for a second. She will stay with me at all times. Even during the meetings with our clients".
She paused for a second and then said "thirdly, I will not stay with you during our stay".
When he continued to stay quiet, she started to feel nervous and said "if these are acceptable to you then I will go with you otherwise you can handle that case alone".
Klaus stared at her face which was looking very tired and he could see circles under her eyes. At last he nodded. Hayley started to get up when he said "we need to talk. Please sit".
Hayley said "Mr. Mikaelson. I don't think it is a good idea".
She got up and left. Klaus remained seated thinking about how to reach out to her and make her talk to him. He thought 'may be they will be able to talk in New Orleans'.
Before she knew it she was on the plane to New Orleans with him. She was sitting in the first class for the first time after a very long time. Klaus was sitting across the aisle from her seat whereas Hope was seated between them. Even though she was not really sure about why and what she was doing she couldn't help but smile at Hope's excitement at sitting on the plane. Klaus had not talked to her since they left for the airport. She kept on giving him curious glances and that sweet smile which just melted his heart and he felt like holding her but he thought that Hayley might not like it. He knew he had to ease into this new relationship with Hope. After being in the air for an hour during which he saw her entertaining Hope by different small toys to keep her busy, she finally settled with reading a book for her.
Klaus looked at her reading a book to Hope and couldn't help but admire that small view. He noticed she closed her eyes for a moment. He took off his seat belt and walked to her and said "Ms Marshall can I read to her?"
Hayley looked up at him and said "no, it is okay" but she suddenly felt dizzy and a nausea hit her and she ducked her head in between her legs and the words were out "yes" but someone handed her the paper bag. She took it from him and breath into it. She was breathing into the bag when she heard Hope say "mommy!" but before she could reply someone handed her a glass of sprite. She looked up and saw him standing there with what looked like worry like expression to her. She took it from his hand and said "motion sickness".
Klaus looked at her pale completion and admired her will to hide the facts from him. He said to Hope "I can read this book for you".
He took the book from Hayley.
The rest of the journey was smooth for him and Hope but he could see that Hayley was not well as she rested her head on the head rest. He felt helpless at not being able to help her. He saw her go to the bathroom twice and he knew she was throwing up.
At last they reached New Orleans. He looked at her and smiled as he saw that Hope had gone to sleep.
Hayley unbuckled herself and then she unbuckled Hope and started to carry her but he said "I can…"
She said firmly "it is fine I can pick her up".
Klaus said "yes you can but considering you can fall on ground at any time. I don't think it is a good idea for you to carry her in such a condition".
Hayley said "Mr Mikaelson… " but Klaus cut her off by saying softly "Ms Marshall please don't make a scene".
Hayley looked around and realized that he was right. People were starting to look at them. She stepped aside realizing he was also right about her not feeling well too.
He lifted Hope up and suddenly felt really wired as her warm body touched his torso. He wondered 'he had carried kids during his job so why was this feeling so different?'
After leaving the airport, he walked her to his car he had left parked in the airport parking lot. Hayley was surprised to see that it was a jeep and realized that she never associated him with a jeep. He put Hope in her carseat in the back seat. As she started to settle down with Hope in the back seat he said "if i was willing to listen to your demands or i am willing to meet your demands".
Hayley said "you are in no position to ask for anything Mr. Mikaelson".
Klaus took a deep breath and said calmly "I already know that but I would appreciate if you would give me the courtesy of sitting in the front seat and not act as if I am your driver".
Hayley stared at him and then nodded thinking 'why make a mountain out of molehill'.
She sat in the front seat of the car after buckling Hope in the back seat and the first vibe she got was that it was a very masculine car. She buckled herself.
As he pulled out the car, he said, the fist word all day to her "I have to stop at the bank for something. Do you want to wait or come in".
Hayley said "does not matter".
She then looked at Hope in the back seat and saw that she was awake. Hope said "mommy bathroom".
Hayley looked at Klaus and said "I need to take her to the bathroom".
Klaus said "come in then".
He was waiting for her to come out of the bathroom and smiled as he heard her say "mommy, did you see that big white bird? it was so shinny".
They were walking towards the door when he saw it, the man with a big jacket entering the bank. Klaus groaned and the slightly shifted and came in front of Hope. Hayley looked at him in confusion and then after following his gaze she saw him looking at the person in the jacket. He touched her shoulder and slightly pushed her in one direction behind a counter.
He said "shh" to her. Hayley snuggled Hope close to her and stared at her. He peeked up and said "dont even think about coming out until I come for you".
Klaus jumped over the counter landing soundlessly on his feet and sneaked behind the person standing holding the gun facing the manager. He grabbed him from behind and twisted his arm to his back and snatched the gun from him. He pushed him on the ground and put his knee on his back pinning him to the ground.
He turned around as he heard someone say "thank you sir, we got it from here".
He looked at the officer addressing him. He got up and stood aside and saw the officer putting putting cuffs on the man's wrist.
The man they had just apprehended started shouting "he broke my arm. He broke my arm be careful. I will sue this department".
The officer Ignored him and said "someone pressed the silent alarm".
Klaus looked at the man as he shouted it again "he broke my arm".
He looked at his arm and wondered 'could it be that his newly found werewolf strength caused him to fracture the man's arm' but the officer said to him "shut up".
He turned to Klaus sand said "thank you sir".
Klaus nodded and headed towards the door.
Hayley looked at Hope and wondered 'what was happening?
She looked over the counter and saw him walking towards the door. She saw him talking to someone in police uniform. As she saw the police officer checked something he handed him over and smiled and then shook his hand.
Klaus walked back to the bank and went straight to her and asked "are you okay?"
He was suddenly thrown a few steps back as Hope ran to him and hugged him taking both of them by surprise.
On the ride to her hotel she looked at him and asked "so police in New Orleans know Mikealson".
Klaus looked at her and said while changing the lanes "they know me because of my job".
Hayley couldn't help but ask "so, Mikaelson's law firm is well known in New orleans' police department too?"
Klaus looked at her again and wondered 'does she not know?' but said "No. I only work at my father's firm when I have some time off from my full time job here in New Orleans".
She hesitated just for a moment and then asked "what is it that you do?"
Klaus changed the lanes while looking at the side mirrors and said without looking at her "I am a detective".
He felt her eyes on him and smiled and asked "why so surprised Ms Marshall".
Hayley asked after feeling flustered for a second from his smile "but aren't you a lawyer?"
When he didnt say anything she was left to wonder 'why would he be a detective when his father owns a law company?!'
He said after a few silent minutes "I have booked a room in Sheraton for you. I have a meeting with Stensons's wife day after tomorrow and I want to get over the details of the case before we do that. It is Sunday tomorrow. Where do you want to meet?"
Hayley thought 'some public place will be good'. She said "I dont know this hotel. Is there a good coffee shop?"
Klaus said "sure, I will pick you up at 12 in the afternoon tomorrow. My apartment is twenty minutes from your place".
Hayley nodded. Klaus stopped the car in front of the hotel and got out. He took out her bag whereas she got Hope out. She was about to take the car seat out when he said "you can leave it there. I will be your ride while you are in New Orleans".
Hayley looked at him for a moment and then left the car seat there. She followed him in and and ten minutes later they entered her room he had booked for her.
Hope ran in the room and tried to get on the big bed. Hayley instinctively said "Hope no shoes on the bed".
Klaus walked in and put them near the door and said "I think you will find everything here you need for yourself and for Hope".
Hayley looked around the big room which was as big as her small apartment. She said "yes, thank you".
She walked to the bed and picked Hope up and put her on the ground.
Klaus looked at Hope for a few seconds and then said with a smile "see you at 12 tomorrow". He turned and left her.
Hayley settled her things in the room while she watched Hope happily bouncing in the room. Seeing her giggling and chattering non stop was making her really content and she managed to push her nervousness at the prospect of meeting him the next day.
While Hayley was nervous Klaus was having a very restless night too in the anticipation of next day. He was feeling excited, nervous, worried and flustered all at the same time about seeing both of them. When he couldn't sleep for a long time he picked up his cell and called Caroline. After talking to her for a few minutes he started to feel better but then she started to talk about their wedding and future so he started to get frustrated and get bored. At last he told her that he wanted to sleep but even after putting the cell down he was still not able sleep till near dawn.
Next morning after getting up she changed her clothes and Hope's, she was wondering what to do about the breakfast. She picked up the phone on the table and called the front desk and asked "do you have a breakfast service available?"
the lady said "yes madam which room are you talking from?"
Hayley said "306".
The lady said "we can send the breakfast to your room right now. It has already been arranged".
Hayley wondered who did that and then it hit her, it must be him.
She looked at Hope and decided to have breakfast in the room.
After breakfast she put her some cartoons on for her and opened her file to brush up on the case before her meeting with Klaus.
Next morning when he woke up it was already 11 am so he hurriedly dressed up and left for her hotel feeling excited at the prospect of seeing Hope and at the same time nervous at the prospect of seeing Hayley. Klaus got out of the elevator and headed towards her room determined to talk to her about them and Hope after their case discussion.
He knocked at her room and waited patiently for her to open it.
Hayley looked around as she heard the knock and groaned as she saw that Hope had gone to sleep. She opened the door wondering what will she say to him.
Klaus smiled and said "ready?"
Hayley looked back toward Hope. Klaus followed her gaze and saw that Hope was sleeping. He said "we can always discuss the case in here".
Hayley head spun towards him and she suddenly felt awkward at the prospect of spending time with him alone in her room but then she realized that she didnt have any options so she said "sure" and stepped aside.
Klaus said with a smile "let me get my files".
He turned and left again.
Ten minute later he came back during which Hayley calmed her nerves and told herself to act normal to not make matters worse for herself and Hope. She put the duvet on Hope and turned around as she heard the knock on her door.
As Klaus entered the room, the first thing he noticed was her bare feet which was not what he was used to seeing her like.
For the next two hours they discussed the case. She brought him up to date about the case and he gave her notes.
He ordered lunch after an hour and they ate while discussing the case.
He said "so Julie Stenson is the owner of the steels mill alone. She is the sole beneficiary from that after her husband dies but he is still alive… " he was interrupted when his cell rang.
He picked up the cell and smiled.
Hayley was listening to him intently when she saw the smile on his face. He said "excuse me".
She nodded and got up to get up to check on Hope and wondered 'must be Caroline'. But when she heard him say "Alexis, what is going on?" she said to herself "so a playboy always remains a playboy".
After some time he said "some time this week. I have a few to handle first and then i will be back to work".
He laughed taking her by surprise and said "yes I need to meet him. It has been a while".
He then said "I have to go. Why don't we meet at Tullly. Bring Alex along".
After he put the cell down Hayley asked him "how did you become detective?" taking him and her by surprise.
Klaus picked up the file and while scanning it he said "I went to Harvard law when I was 22. Same year when I … " he stopped talking for a second and then continued "I started to remember every thing the very next day. The only thing I couldn't remember was your face and even though it bothered me, I didnt take any action to deal with it. I was so immature. In my second year of law I was still have nightmares about what I did to you. By that time I had matured somewhat perhaps because of what I was studying or for some other reason and I had realized that I couldn't do anything about what happened to you but I could help others. I took extra course over summer and finished my degree earlier then I was supposed to. After that I enrolled in the academy as soon as I finished law. And to my surprise I loved it. Two years in service I became eligible for detective exam which was a piece of cake and viola, here I am a detective".
Hayley looked at him wondering 'so he did all this because of the guilt he was feeling for what he did!' but asked "why New Orleans?"
Klaus said flipping through the papers in the file "because of Elijah. We have a company here so it made sense to be here and New Orleans is a very busy city".
Hayley was about to say something when she saw Hope sit up on the bed. She said "Hope is up. Let me settle her down and then we can make that plea agreement".
HE nodded and saw her take Hope to the bathroom and close the door behind her.
He put his head on the back of the sofa and closed his eyes and didnt realize when he dozed off.
Hayley came out of the bathroom after washing Hope's face. She looked towards him and groaned as she saw him sleeping on the sofa. She sighed and then walked to him and said "Mr Mikaelson".
Klaus heard her voice and opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was Hope standing near Hayley.
Hayley said "Mr Mikaelson this is highly unprofessional. Please refrain from doing that in future".
Klaus stared at her and started to feel angry at her but didnt say anything. He looked at Hope and said "hello Hope".
Hope smiled shyly and said "Klaus".
Klaus suddenly felt worse and realized it was because of her calling him by his name and not dad.
He abruptly got up and said "I have to go".
Hayley looked at him confusion and said "but the plea agreement".
Klaus said "you can make that. Can you not? But if you cannot for some reason then we can do it in the morning before the meeting".
Hayley couldn't help but notice that he was staring at Hope with weird expression. He looked up and their eyes met- hers confusion and his aggrieved. He looked away and left the room.
Klaus left the hotel feeling confused about what had happened. He spend the next hour pacing in his room thinking about her and Hope and wondered 'if it was bothering him that he called her by his name then how would he feel if someone else comes in her life eventually and take his place as Hope's father".
He left his apartment to meet Alexis and Alex. Meeting them helped lift his mood and by the time he came back he was feeling relaxed and his mind was fresh. He went to sleep with the last thought about Hayley and Hope.
Next morning when he woke up it was raining really hard. He got up changed his clothes and left the apartment. He called her from her cell and told her to meet him in the lobby.
After Hayley and Hope settle down in his car he drove towards the office. They had a meeting with Julie Stensons. Klaus proposed the plea agreement that she had prepared and after discussing with her for an hour and changing a few things they agreed on common ground.
During the meeting Hope was sitting in his office playing with a few toys that she had brought with her and a secretary was keeping an eye on her.
After their meeting ended Klaus looked out of the window and saw the rain storming down the window and the wind picking up. He said to her "lets go. I want you and Hope in your hotel room before the storms picks up".
Hayley said "the case is wrapped, when are Hope and I going back?"
Klaus said "After you and I talk about our situation".
Hayley said "Mr. Mikaelson we talked about it didn't we. I realize that you want to make up for what happened but you cannot. I have worked very hard to forget about it and I have succeeded somewhat so please don't stir the hornets nest. I realize that we cannot avoid each other seeing your connection with Hope and I work for your brother but I don't want to talk about it".
Klaus sighed and led her to his jeep. As there were driving towards the hotel Hayley and he noticed the heavy wind making the tall trees swing like they were nothing. There was water collected at different place. He stopped the jeep as they saw the road blocked because of the water gathered during the rain.
He said "the road is flooded. There is no other way to go to the hotel".
He looked around and then added "I think the weather is getting really nasty. You and Hope should be safe at my place until this calms down".
Hayley abruptly said "no!"
Klaus looked at her and said "then tell me Ms Marshall what should we do".
Hayley looked around desperately and then turned toward Hope who had fallen asleep and then at Klaus feeling apprehensive. She caught him looking at her. She said after thinking "okay".
When she entered his apartment thirty minutes later she looked around and saw tasteful masculine touch. He led her to a room, put Hope on the bed and said "you can freshen up in here and feel at home until the storm settles down and the roads are cleared".
After freshening himself during which he felt weird having Hayley and Hope in his house he went to he living room. He realized it was the mixture of apprehension and excitement. Having Hope under the same roof was something he had been craving for the past few days and now he had her. He wished he could keep her with him as he turned on the Tv and flipped through the channels ideally and stopped at animal documentary channel. He was watching it absentmindedly still thinking of how to resolve the issue between Hayley and him when he sensed someone looking at him. He looked around and saw Hope standing near the sofa. He hesitated and then gestured her to come over. A grin broke on her face and she walked to him and sat on the sofa next to him. Klaus looked at the animal documentary he was watching and flipped the channels until he found a cartoon. He felt her shift near him and he smiled. He felt weird as she relaxed down further and after some deliberation put his arm around her shoulder and brought her close to him.
Hayley got out of the bathroom and gasped as she saw the empty bed. She dashed outside and stopped when she saw her snuggled against Klaus. with his arm around her and her thumb in her mouth and legs bend.
Klaus was looking at the screen but his mind was somewhere else. He had realized in the past ten minutes of feeling the warmth from her body and the giggles that escaped her mouth on the cartoon she was watching, he knew that he would never be able to let her go but he knew that that was near to impossible to have her with him all the time. There was his and Hayley's current situation to deal with first. She was still angry at him and he knew in his heart that she and a right to be. She would never let him be her father and then there is Caroline. How will she react when she will find out. They are getting married in June. He suddenly looked up and saw her standing there. He said "we are watching sponge bob. It has been a while since I have watched them. this is fun".
Hayley calmed her nerves down and said "yes, watching cartoons can really be fun activity".
She walked to Hope and said "Hope honey, you cannot leave your room without telling mommy".
She held her hand and pulled her up but she snuggled against him and said a bit loudly "I want to see"
Her eyes met Klaus's and she suddenly felt him too close to him. She stepped back and said "okay but next time you have to tell mommy before leaving any place. Bedroom, car, hotel, shop anyplace".
Hayley sat down on the single sofa next to the one they were sitting on and started looking at the TV but she wondered 'what is she going to do?'
She looked up as she saw a loud howling voice from the room. Klaus said "wind".
Hayley asked "do you have storms often?"
Klaus said "once in a while" without looking at her.
Hayley looked at both of them and then said "it is getting late, I want to go to our hotel".
Klaus said "not until the weather calms down a bit. You are not leaving in this condition".
Hayley looked at him for a while and then went to the room.
Hayley looked out and wondered 'when will the storm end and she will be able to leave his apartment'
She was lost in her thought when Hope ran in and said "look mommy".
Hayley took the … from her hand and said "sweetie where did you get it from? It is very expensive".
Hope said "Klaus gave it to me. He said I have it".
Hayley said "he said you can have it but that does not mean that you can take anything from him. He is a stranger honey".
Klaus felt his heart clutch in his heart as he heard her say that. But then he smiled as he heard Hope say adamantly "but he is my friend mommy".
Hayley sighed and said "hmm. He is okay because mommy knows him but you cannot be friends with any stranger. Alright honey?"
Klaus waited for her to say anything but when she didn't Klaus assumed that she must have nodes because he heard Hayley say after a few seconds "okay good. Now tell me what is it?"
He heard her say "it is a shinny star mommy".
Klaus knocked at her door a few hours later. When she opened he said "the weather forecast says that it will end in the morning. You are stuck here. I know you dont have any stuff. If you need anything for yourself and Hope tell me I will get them".
Hayley said "no, I dont. thank you".
Klaus looked at her for a moment and then said "I have to go out for a few minutes, will be back soon. Will you be okay?"
Before she could stop herself the words were out "the weather is really bad".
Klaus said with a smile "I know. I am used to this. This is my life".
He turned and left.
Hayley stood there looking at him leaving the apartment and then closed the door.
She didnt know when she fell asleep next to Hope.
Later that night when he came home, he laid on his bed and thought about Hayley and Hope sleeping under his roof. He was feeling really weird and wondered if he could have that in his life but then he told himself that he cannot think like that. He is engaged to Caroline. He took out his cell and started to call her but then he remembered their last conversation and he thought 'she will start with the wedding preparations again. Not in a mood'.
He turned to his side and closed his eyes and suddenly remembered Hope's warm body against his when they were watching cartoons. He didnt know that he was smiling when he went to sleep.
Next morning when she woke up she felt disoriented and then realized where she was. She sat up at once and cursed herself for sleeping so comfortably in the house of the person who had raped her. She got out of bed and saw that it was 8 in the morning and saw Hope still sleeping. She went to the bathroom and after freshening herself up she opened the door and came out.
She followed the sound and saw him making something in the kitchen.
Klaus sensed her even before turing back and said "I brought you a few things last night".
She looked at his back and said rather angrily said "I told you I dont need anything".
He turned and looked at her without saying anything. Hayley felt nervous for some reason and realized that she was being unnecessary angry at him. She picked up the brown bag on the counter and looked inside. She couldn't help but smile to see tooth brushes inside.
She went back to her room and was brushing her teeth when she suddenly remember something. She groaned said to herself "oh no. It is first already".
She walked out and looked at Hope rubbing her eyes sitting on the bed. she absentmindedly changed her and came out. She took her to the kitchen and saw him still standing there drinking his coffee.
He looked at hope and smile at her and said "good morning".
Hope said "good morning". She looked at Hayley and said "mommy milk".
Hayley instinctively looked at Klaus who pointed towards the fridge. She felt weird opening his fridge and taking out his food. When she turned towards him with a the milk carton in her hand, he said "the office is closed today because of the storm and the main road to your hotel is blocked because of flooded water so we cannot go anywhere but I still have to go to station in a few hours. I will be back soon".
Hayley said taking the glass he was offering and pouring milk in it "I thought you were on leave".
Klaus said "yes I was taking some personal time. But now I have to notify my boss that I am back and I will start working in a few days".
She nodded and looked around for the bread. She spotted it behind him. Klaus stepped aside as he saw her gaze went to the bread. He said "Ms Marshall, now that we are stranded in the house, I want to talk about Hope. I want to be part of Hope's life. How can we manage that?"
Hayley took the bread out and said "you can meet her whenever you want after talking to me and promise that you will not tell anyone except from whom you have already told about your relationship with her."
Klaus said with sinking heart "thanks but I should tell you that no one knows her relationship with me."
"you mean your family does not ..." she turned towards him and asked in confusion but was unable to finish her sentence.
When he shook his head, keeping his eyes on her face, she suddenly recalled her outburst in the hospital and slap she had given him causing her to turn red. Not knowing what to say, she walked to Hope and gave her the bread as she drank her milk. Hope said "jam".
Hayley said "honey I don't think Mr Mikaelson has …." but she stopped talking as he handed her the jam bottle.
She put the jam on the bread and sat next to her as she ate her food happily. Thinking that she should be eating something with her condition Klaus asked "what do you want to eat?"
Hayley looked at him and said "I am fine thank you".
Klaus stared at her without saying anything for a moment and then put two bread in the toaster and got a glass out of cupboard and the milk carton and put them on the small table. He took the bread out of the toaster and put it on the plate, placed the plate in front of her and walked out of the kitchen.
When he came back after half an hour, the dishes were washed and there was still one bread piece on a plate. He sighed and poured himself a cup of coffee and went back to the living room. He smiled as he saw Hope standing near a sofa. He gestured her to come sit with him on the soft. Hope excitedly went to him and settled down next to him. She suddenly relaxed and nestled into his arms which automatically went around her shoulder.
She was pacing in her room thinking about the loan dead line she was about to miss. She sat on the bed and held her head in her hands and then decided to talk to Sam to extend the date. She picked up the cell and dialed his number.
As the call connected she said "hey Sam how are you?"
Sam said "Hayley, how is it going?"
Hayley said "good. listen i wanted to say if I could get an extension on the loan".
there was quiet for a few seconds and then she heard him say "but your loan had been paid off".
Hayley asked "by whom?"
Sam said "some Niklaus Mikalesons".
Hayley felt all the air sucked out of her and then suddenly she got extremely angry. She controlled her anger and said "okay thank you Sam. Have a nice day".
She put the cell down and walked out of his room.
Klaus was watching Tv with Hope when she marched in and said angrily "how dare you? I don't need your pity" startling Hope.
Klaus felt her tiny body jump next to him and his heart skipped a beat. He stood up and said "what happened Hayley?"
Hayley shouted "Ms Marshall and how could you pay my debt".
Klaus didn't say anything for a moment and then said calmly but in a firm voice "considering the circumstances we both are in I think I will stick with Hayley and as for paying your debt. It was your money and I paid that debt from your money".
Hayley looked at him lost for words, said with annoyance "are you crazy? I don't have that kind of money. Do you think if I had that kind of money I would have taken loan from the company".
Klaus looked at her for a moment and then at Hope and said "first of all you are scaring Hope and secondly…" He paused for a second and then continued "my father left you one million dollars in his will Hayley".
Hayley thought that she didnt hear it right so she asked "what?"
Klaus said calmly "he left you one million dollar in his will".
She asked in confusion "what? why?"
He didn't know what to say so he kept quiet. Hayley was looking at him waiting for his answer but when he didn't say anything she started to have a sinking feeling in her stomach and she knew.
Klaus saw realization dawn on her and her hands went to her mouth and heard her say "Oh my God you think that I… he is old enough to be my father. Oh God".
The wave of nausea that she had been controlling since morning swept over her and she doubled over and took deep breaths and then stood up and saw him looking at her. She said "do you think too that I had an affair with your father? Is that the reason you suspect I got the job?"
When he didnt say anything she turned and went to her room.
She sat on the bed thinking of what she had found out. She looked back at the time she spend with Mikael and wondered 'did others think that too? What gave them this impression?'
She suddenly remembered Rebekah's reaction in the hospital and she realized that it was not about them finding out about Klaus and her but because they all knew and that led her to think about the anxiety attack Mrs. Lockwood had and she groaned and said to herself "so it all happened because of her".
She stood up and walked out and said "Mr. Mikaelson I want to go back tomorrow".
Klaus stared at her lost for words but she had already turned and gone back.
Klaus walked to the room and said through the closed door "I am going out for a few hours. Don't leave the house".
He got into his car and drove in the horrendous weather condition. He saw a lot of cars stuck in the flooded road and even got out to help out a family stuck in the flooded road. After helping them he went to the station. He went to his captain's office after greeting his colleges, the ones in the station.
He said to his captain "Ben I am going to join the force day after tomorrow. But I don't want to see injustice to human faction or innocents. I cannot just sit and let the werewolves and vampires do what they are doing".
Ben said "Klaus you have to pick your battles. We have to make up with vampire faction to maintain peace in New Orleans. Things are under control right now. We cannot afoot to start a fight with vampires and werewolves and witches. You have to see the bigger picture. Do you want to kill a few vampires or save the whole human faction of French Quarter and New Orleans in general. There is no way to neutralize the vampires but if we put our hand in the beehive those bees will sting every single human in New Orleans. It took me a a long time to see the bigger picture but I think you will do better then me. You just follow law and solve cases. You dont have to close your eyes to every thing. Find justice but keep your eye on the bigger picture".
Klaus listened to him carefully and then asked "and how are you going to cover my being a …" He paused for a second and then said after looking around "you know".
Ben leaned back on his chair and said "well we obviously cannot tell them or let them find out your secret. Under no circumstances Alexis is to know who you are. I will make sure your secret remains a secret. It is good to have you back. I know it is complicated under the circumstances but you have made the right decision. You can help maintain law by being in a position to do so".
Klaus nodded and left not fully satisfied but decided to give it a try.
He then drove to a coffee shop and after two hours of thinking about his actions and his options he drove back.
Hayley was lost in her thoughts angrily thinking of what Klaus had done. She said to herself "how dare he pay her loan? How could Mikael leave her so much money and how could he think that she was having an affair with him".
She looked at Hope who said "mommy milk".
Hayley sighed, cursed the storm, went to the kitchen and poured milk for her in a cup and gave it to her.
She then took her to the room and laid her on the bed for her afternoon nap. After Hope went to sleep out of blue Hayley realized that he had been gone for four hours. She suddenly felt worried as she looked outside the window. As the feeling hit her she got a surprise and chided herself to stop worrying about him. He can take care of himself, she told herself. She startled as she heard the front door open and then close.
Klaus walked to her room, knocked at it and said "Hayley I need to talk to you about something".
Hayley looked up and said angrily "I dont want to talk about our past".
Klaus said "I know. I want to talk to you about our future".
Hayley said "what future? The only thing between us our daughter. We dont have a future".
Klaus said "can you come out in the living room? You are disturbing Hope".
Hayley looked at Hope and realized he was right. She was stirring in her sleep. She nodded and walked out to the living room.
Klaus said calmly "I want Hope in my life and I have realized that I cannot disclose her true parentage without revealing how she came to be so I have a proposal".
Hayley looked at him as if he has lost his mind. She said starting to feel a bit annoyed "I told you you can see her whenever you want to".
Klaus said calmly telling himself that he was expecting that "I dont want to see her whenever I want to. I want her in my life. Hope needs her father. You know she does. A child needs her both parents. I want to provide for everything that I never did. If I had known that I had a daughter I…" He suddenly got up and angrily threw the across the room startling Hayley. He ran his fingers through his hair and said without turning towards her "I will never understand why he didnt tell me".
Hayley gulped the sudden tears that she didnt know had come to her throat and said "I dont know what you mean but Mr. Mikealsons what you want will never happen. I will never tell Hope that you are her father. If you try to take us to court I will make sure you dont get to see her. If you apply for joint custody then chances are that you will not get custody of her considering that you raped me even if you got away with it. But after that I will make sure you will never see her again".
Klaus took one step closer to her and said looking straight into her eyes "no, I will never take you and her to court. I think you and I should get married".