So sorry for the time it took to put this up. I'm actually writing an essay for a class so yeah. LOL. Hope you guys like this chapter.

Music

State of Our Affairs - Mt. Desolation

Dirty Paws - Of Monsters & Men

Take A Bow - Greg Laswell (Elijah & Hayley talk)

The next morning was oddly warmer than a usual brisk spring day. Birds outside the window woke Elijah. Summer was tiptoeing closer. He didn't have to look at Hayley to know she was sleeping. Her heart thumped against his side and her chest rose and fell in a steady pattern. He made a promise to himself last night that he would spend the day with her. No matter what Kol said, he didn't want to make it a pattern to leave Hayley alone with him. Even she knew that his younger brother's behavior was completely unpredictable.

Elijah heard Rebekah's high heels clicking about the mansion. She'd been here every day since Hayley's arrival. But she left the house early and came back late. He felt like she was avoiding meeting Hayley. He had no idea where she went off to the fast couple of days. And frankly, he didn't really care. But he did notice that she wasn't leaving the house today, she'd missed her usual time of departure.

Elijah couldn't go back to sleep now. The nature outside had woken up. To a human, it was white noise. But to vampires, the smallest sounds could seem like they were in the room. He carefully separated himself from Hayley to get dressed for the day. As he was in the walk-in closet, he could hear her slowly waking up. It seemed she always sensed when he was no longer there. Elijah was neatly putting on his tie as she leaned against the doorframe, watching.

He glanced at her. She was only wearing a tank top and her underwear. Her short hair was still messy from sleeping on it. In public, she was always put together. Even with all of Hayley's stylish outfits and clothes, he preferred her the most like this. It was comfortable and intimate. No one else got to see her this way but him. He slowly walked over and kindly kissed her. "Good morning."

Hayley smiled at him. "Morning." Her voice was still raspy from just waking up. "Are you going somewhere?" She thought she hid any disappointment that could possibly sneak in, but Elijah caught it anyway.

"I thought we could take a walk. It's a lovely day. Would you care to join me?" He asked her. Her face immediately lit up at his question. She quickly nodded her head and left the closet. He could hear the water running in the bathroom and her getting ready in the bathroom. Elijah went downstairs to wait for her, getting out of her way of changing and what not. He ran into Rebekah when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"And where have you been hiding?" Elijah asked her.

"Nowhere of importance. Why, sad I didn't welcome you home?" She said.

"Simply curious. I was starting to believe you were evading me."

Right as she was about to reply with a feisty retort, Hayley interrupted their conversation by bounding down the stairs. The camera Elijah bought her was in her hands. Looking down at it, she was playing with the some dials. When she finally looked up, her eyes widened a little at Rebekah.

"Hi! You must be Rebekah. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Hayley." She was her usual charming self, an outgoing smile on her face. Elijah looked from her to Rebekah, watching his sister's reaction.

She crossed her arms and slightly lifted her chin. Although Hayley was a good amount taller than her, she was a vampire and therefore saw her as no threat…physically at least. "Pleasure." Rebekah replied coldly. Her lips pursed. She was sizing Hayley up. It was only because Hayley was a girl that she felt it necessary.

"Rebekah." Elijah warned his sister severely. He knew what she was doing and wasn't about to allow her to disregard and belittle Hayley when she, in return, had only been polite. Her eyes immediately glared at her brother. Rebekah may also be an original vampire and strong. But Elijah was still her older brother and they both knew he could easily take her. And in the scenario where Hayley was possibly being threatened, it would only make his sister's chances lower.

Hayley looked between the two siblings, immediately understanding what was going on. She could feel Elijah's body tensing next to hers. Without even thinking about it, her hand softly grabbed his. Rebekah's eyes shot down to look at the movement, but Hayley didn't notice.

"Come on, Elijah. Let's go, the lighting is really good right now." She said softly to him. He finally broke his glare with his sister and regarded Hayley's comment. He only nodded and led her toward the door, her hand still in his. Hayley looked over her shoulder at Rebekah.

"It was nice meeting you, Rebekah." Hayley said genuinely. She wasn't senseless; she knew that Elijah's sister didn't like her. But she wasn't going to give up that easily. And she definitely wasn't going to let her think she was intimidated.

Elijah led their walk to the woods that surrounded the mansion. The beginning of their stroll was shared in silence. He was still annoyed with his sister and too lost in his anger to speak.

"I apologize for my sisters rudeness." He said to Hayley.

She smiled a little. "It's okay. I was kind of expecting that. She doesn't like humans to begin with, plus I'm a girl…the odds weren't exactly in my favor."

Hayley let go of his hand, causing him to stop walking. She quickly lifted her camera and took a picture him. In return, he teasingly frowned at her; which made her giggle. "You look so mad. I had to document it. Stop worrying about Rebekah."

Elijah closed the distance between them. "Trust me when I say this is hardly mad." He said as he looked down at her.

Hayley raised her eyebrows. "Oh, I'm so scared." She mocked him. Hayley laughed a little before sticking out her tongue at him. Before Elijah could prove his point like he always did, she took off into the forest. Hayley hadn't gone running in awhile and it felt good to move her legs. Her body soaked in the sudden wave of adrenaline. Elijah only let her get about 50 yards before he was in front of her.

Hayley immediately stopped, looking up at him with a grin. She sighed. "It's not fair. If you were human, I'd actually have a chance." Quickly placing the camera over her eye, she took another picture of him. He shook his head at her. Suddenly, Hayley's face changed. She was zoning out, thinking about something. Elijah immediately noticed the change. Instead of talking about what was on her mine, she started walking again, stopping ever so often to take a picture.

"Something is troubling you." Elijah stated simply.

"Would you ever change me?" Hayley spoke so quickly. It was the only way she was able to speak of it aloud. She didn't need to say vampire for him to know what she was talking about. Her face was cautious as she watched him.

"No." Elijah said sternly. His jaw locked and his lips tightened. He always expected this subject would come up at some point. But no matter when it arose, he would never be prepared for it.

"Don't act like you haven't thought about it before." Hayley argued. "Do you really plan to let me live a human life and then watch me slowly die? Every day I get closer." She added.

"I don't wish for you to have this. Human life is more precious than you'll ever understand. I would never take that away from you." Elijah said calmly.

"But what about what I want? It's my life." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Look, I'm not asking for you to change me into a vampire right now…not for awhile. Just don't act like it's never going to be a possibility."

Elijah only watched her. His hands were in his pockets.

"Are you mad?" Hayley muttered. He shook his head. She walked closer to him. The distance between them bothered her. It represented how different their opinions on the subject were. "I didn't mean to upset you." Her arms wrapped around his waist as she leaned into him. She lifted her chin and kissed him softly on the lips. Elijah finally gave in, kissing her back and moving his hands from his pockets to her lower back.

Elijah didn't want to think about her as a vampire. She had a point that he would never be able to stand back and slowly watch her die. What other way could they live happily other than her joining him in immortality? But he saw vampires as monsters and turning Hayley into one hurt to think about. She would have the constant cravings for fresh blood of the innocent. Elijah wouldn't be able to handle her guilt that would all fell on him for turning her into what she'd become. But a part of him believed that no matter what happened to her, she could never become the monster him and his family were. Caroline Forbes suddenly came to mind. Even if she wanted to, Elijah knew that she could never be evil. If she could do it, there was more than a chance for Hayley. She was stronger than all of the humans in Mystic Falls. Even Elena, with all she'd been through, seemed weak in comparison.

He put a smile to reassure Hayley that he wasn't upset. This was the first time they were able to truly be alone since they had arrived. He wasn't going to ruin it by talking about the possibilities of the future. Hayley's arm linked with his as she smiled and started talking about lighter subjects in order to get his mind off the topic. Elijah watched her talk about common things and told himself he would never be able to survive if she died. Hayley brought light into his life. Without her, every thing would be meaningless.

I know a lot of you were excited about Rebekah's reaction to Hayley. I know it was really brief. But don't worry, there will be more interaction to come.

Review your thoughts pleaseeeeee.