Season one episode twenty-two of Prison Break ends. Hayley turns her gaze from Elijah's laptop that is resting on her knee to Elijah who she is leaning her back against and waits for his reaction before she resumes the show. He had been struggling to focus again last night and he had looked incredibly bored, so Hayley had logged into her Netflix account on his laptop and since then they have been binge watching it. Prison Break has always been one of her favourite shows and she really wants him to like it as well. But his blank expression is giving nothing away as he finally meets her gaze.
"Well?" Hayley asks, wanting to hear his opinion.
Elijah looks at the laptop screen again for a few seconds in thought before meeting her gaze once again.
"It's a well thought out series", he replies.
"That's it?" Hayley asks, confused. "That's all you have to say about one of the greatest shows to ever be made?"
Elijah smirks at her and affectionately runs his thumb over her hip where his hand has been resting since Hayley had insisted that he had to finish watching Prison Break with her. He loves how passionate she can be about the things she loves.
"What do you want me to say?" He asks, still smirking.
"I want you to tell me who your favourite character is and who you hate the most, and I want you to talk about the plot with me and what you think will happen in season two". Hayley tells him. It has been years since she has spoke to anyone about the show and she really does enjoy being able to talk about all of the ins and outs of it.
Elijah smiles down at her as she continues to look up at him, waiting for his reply. He leans forwards into the short distance between them and plants a lingering kiss on her temple as he pulls her body closer to his with the hand resting on her hip. He rests his lips against her head and Hayley closes her eyes, feeling safe and content in Elijah's arms.
"I like Michael". Elijah says before pulling his lips away from her head. "He is a good man and he loves his family very much, and would do anything for them. I don't like Bagwell for obvious reasons".
"No one likes T-bag", Hayley comments.
She turns to look at the screen again and rubs the back of her head against Elijah's torso. He brings his right hand up to her hair and he starts to run his fingers through it, loving how soft and silky it feels. Hayley lets out a content sigh and looks at the clock in the bottom of the screen. Just past dinner time.
Hayley moves the laptop from her knee, placing it on the empty side of the bed. She then turns onto her stomach and wraps her arms around Elijah's neck, pulling her face closer to his and making sure not to touch any of his wounds. Elijah puts one hand on the small of her back and the other remains tangled in her hair. Hayley brings his lips to hers and kisses him tenderly. When she breaks the kiss, he pulls her lips back to his for another slow, intimate kiss.
Smiling, Hayley pulls back just enough to look into Elijah's dreamy, brown eyes. He gives her a small smile in return and she suddenly rolls away from him, holding in the moan she wants to let out from moving her sore leg too quickly. She stands up from the bed carefully so she doesn't cause any further injury to her leg and then she turns to look at him.
"I'm gonna get something to eat. Want anything?" She asks him.
Elijah shakes his head in response.
"I'll be right back". Hayley says and makes her way to the door. "Don't start season two without me".
"Wouldn't dream of it". Elijah says as she is walking out of the room.
Hayley makes her way across the landing and down the stairs. She is still going at an annoyingly slow pace, but she is gradually getting back to her old self. She knows that she is going to have scars littering her body for the rest of her life from what Klaus did to her and she will probably never where a bikini in public again because of that. But at least she is alive and loved by those that matter the most to her, regardless of her damaged body.
Just as she reaches the bottom of the stairs, the front door swings open and Rebekah walks in. She looks sad and when she sees Hayley stood at the bottom of the stairs she looks even sadder. Marcel walks in behind her carrying something in a large white sheet. With the shape and size of what he is carrying, it doesn't take many guesses at all for Hayley to know what's under the sheet.
"The police called while we were out. They said that they thought it was the right thing to do to release his body to us. We went and got him right away." Rebekah explains in a gentle tone.
Hayley nods, still looking at the white sheet.
"We can bury him in the backyard", Marcel says. "Right by the flower patch that he used to go sit in".
Hayley nods again, not able to form any words to say right now as she feels a lump in her throat. She has been avoiding thinking about Jack for this exact reason. She knew that as soon as she did she would breakdown and knowing how Elijah must be feeling after killing his own brother, she had wanted to be there for him. Ready to support him when it all finally became too much for him to handle. So, she has been pushing her own pain away but now, she can feel it all coming back ten times stronger.
Rebekah and Marcel share a look, none of them quite sure what to say. They know how much Jack meant to Hayley and they know that this will be very hard on her. Rebekah walks to Hayley and pulls her into a hug, wrapping her arms around the brunette's neck. Hayley slowly lifts her arms to Rebekah's waist and hugs her back, hiding her face in the Rebekah's shoulder as the tears start to fall.
Elijah appears at the top of the stairs and looks down to see Rebekah and Hayley hugging while Marcel stands by the door. He instantly knows that Jack is under the sheet Marcel is holding from how Rebekah is holding Hayley and he makes his way downstairs as quickly as he can with his injuries. He knew that this would come eventually and he intends to be there for her in any way that he can.
Rebekah looks at Elijah from over Hayley's shoulder as he reaches the bottom of the stairs and gives him a small nod. She then untangles herself from Hayley, her hand remaining on the brunette's shoulder as she looks into Hayley's sad, tear-filled eyes.
"We'll take him outside", Rebekah says.
Once again, Hayley just nods her head. Rebekah leads the way into the kitchen to get to the back door and Marcel follows. Elijah then puts his hand on Hayley's shoulder and she instantly turns around and throws her arms around his neck. He wraps his arms around her waist and rubs up and down her back with one hand as she cries quietly into his shoulder. She clings to him tightly, hoping that she isn't hurting him and also hoping that some of his strength might rub off on her because she needs it right now.
Jack was more than just a dog, he was her friend and he was her family. He defended her and he was always there for her when she needed a cuddle, or when she was feeling lonely. And she is about to bury him.
Hayley sniffles and shuts her eyes to try and stop the tears from falling, but it doesn't work. They slip through her closed eyelids and fall onto Elijah's shoulder and neck anyway. Elijah holds her tighter and closes his own eyes. He hates seeing her upset and right now he can't find it in his heart to be even the slightest bit ashamed about what he did to his brothers. Because Jack would still be here if it wasn't for them and Hayley would still have her friend by her side.
"This is all my fault". Hayley sobs quietly against his shoulder.
Elijah shakes his head and pulls away from her just enough to look at her face. Tears continue to run down her face and it makes her feel weak and pathetic, and she doesn't want to look weak and pathetic in front of him. So, she looks down at the floor as she holds on to handfuls of his plain black top. He puts his hand under her chin and tilts her head up gently, making her meet his gaze and looks into her glassy, heartbroken eyes.
"None of this was you. This was them". Elijah says, avoiding using any of the culprits names purposely. "They did this. So please don't blame yourself".
Hayley swallows and shakes her head as her gaze drops to the floor again. "But it is my fault. If I had of just stayed married to him then none of this would have happened".
"No". Elijah says firmly and Hayley looks up a him again. "Living in an abusive marriage is no way to live. You had no choice but to leave. The actions he chose to take after your departure were cruel and vile, and you are not to blame for that".
She stares up at him, tears running down her face and her mouth slightly open like she wants to say something. But she doesn't. She just leans forwards and rests her head on his chest as she wraps her arms around his waist.
Elijah knows that she doesn't fully believe him, but he will repeat what he has just told her every day for the rest of his life if he has to. He doesn't want her to feel guilty, or blame herself for actions that were out of her control. He has spent his entire life doing the same for a variety of things and it does absolutely nothing positive for your state of mind.
After a few minutes, Hayley pulls away from him and wipes her eyes. It's a pointless thing to do because as soon as she wipes them more tears appear, ready to fall, but she does it anyway. She then takes one of Elijah's hands in hers and looks up at him to find him already looking down at her. She can see the concern and the love he feels for her shining out of his eyes and she is glad that he is with her for this.
Hayley slowly makes her way into the kitchen, Elijah following her and allowing her to guide him. They walk through the kitchen and to the back door in the far right corner, which Rebekah and Marcel have left open for them. They then step outside onto the concrete flags and Hayley stops when she sees Rebekah stood and Marcel kneeling on the grass by Jack's favourite flowerbed, his body in that white sheet besides them. Elijah squeezes her hand and she puts her head down as they make their way up the concrete path that splits the grass right down the middle.
Rebekah turns and watches Elijah and Hayley make their way up the path. She can see how damp Hayley's face is and she has no doubt that it will stay that way for the rest of the day. But they will all be right by her side to try and help her get through this.
Elijah and Hayley step onto the grass and take the finally few steps to stand beside Rebekah. Hayley looks down at the hole that Marcel has dug in the flowerbed. Right in between the African Lilys and the Azalea. That was his favourite place to lie down. And he always drove Rebekah mad when he would come back inside smelling of soil and a heady, vanilla-ish flowery kind of smell. He had more baths when they were at Rebekah's house than he would have had over three years back at the apartment.
Hayley lets go of Elijah's hand and takes the final few steps to Marcel. She drops to her knees next to him and looks down at the white sheet covering her fluffy friend. Marcel reaches out and puts his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently and reassuringly.
"You want a hand?" Marcel asks.
Hayley sniffles and shakes her head. "No. I should do it".
Marcel nods his head in acknowledgement and looks down at the white sheet. He has always been a dog-person and had always liked having Jack around. He would have bought a puppy and trained it himself if they hadn't of been trying for a baby. 'Dogs come after babies' his mother has always told him and for some reason that has stuck with him.
Marcel removes his hand from Hayley's shoulder and stands up. He then walks over to Rebekah and comes to stand on the opposite side of her to Elijah. She instantly wraps both of her arms around one of Marcel's and leans her head on his shoulder as they watch Hayley.
The white sheet is spotless. Hayley finds that weird considering the blood that was pouring out of him and staining his beautiful fur coat. Slowly, she grabs the edge of the sheet and pulls it back even slower, scared of what she might uncover. His face emerges from under the sheet and to her surprise it looks fine. His face and head are clean, his eyes closed as if he were sleeping. Whoever checked his body for evidence must have cleaned him up before sending him back home. Which Hayley is extremely grateful for; she doesn't think she would be able to take seeing him all bloody again.
Hayley decides not to move the sheet any lower in case the rest of him is not as clean and she brings her other hand up to his head. She puts her hand on his head in between his ears and strokes him there, being extra careful despite it not mattering anymore. She then runs her hand around to the side of his neck and lowers her head to his, resting it there as she closes her eyes. His fur is still just as soft and fluffy as it ever was, but there is no longer any warmth coming from him.
"Such a good boy, Jack". Hayley says to him, her voice just above a whisper as tears escape her closed eyes. There is so much more that she wants to say, but she doesn't think she can without breaking.
Pulling her head away from Jack's, Hayley takes one last look at his beautiful face. She runs her hand over his ear before covering his head over with the sheet again. She then puts her hand on where she assumes his stomach is and closes her eyes again for a few seconds as she composes herself. She has been through countless beatings and countless betrayals and not even all of that put together could compare to the pain of putting her friend to rest. She doesn't even think that giving birth will hurt as much as this is hurting her right now.
Hayley then moves her arms to wrap underneath Jack's body, careful not to drop him. She lifts him and is shocked that he feels like he has lost weight. She lowers his body into the hole and gently lays him down there. She then puts her hand onto him again and clenches her other hand tightly as more tears fall.
"I'll never forget you, buddy". Hayley says through her tears.
Rebekah feels tears of her own start to fall as Hayley removes her hand from the sheet one last time and stands up. She has dirt on her leggings but she doesn't care. She turns around and slowly makes her way back to Elijah's side, her gaze remaining pointed down at the ground. She reaches him and he wraps his arms around her straight away, ready to be the column of support that she needs.
Marcel rubs Rebekah's arm comfortingly before he walks back to the hole and picks up his shovel. Hayley turns her head slightly to watch as he starts to fill in the hole. Rebekah moves closer to them and folds her arms, hugging herself as she struggles to stop her own tears from continuing to fall freely. She would often call Jack a pain in the ass, or a little troublemaker, or a little shit, but she never meant any of that. What she did mean was when she called him a handsome boy, or a little cutie. And she thinks that it is silly, but she really hopes that he knows that wherever he is now.
Marcel shovels the last bit of soil back into the hole in the flowerbed and turns to look at everyone else. Rebekah is still trying to fight off her tears and still failing, Hayley is sobbing silently against Elijah's chest and Elijah is holding her with a sad, distance look in his eyes. Marcel clears his throat and looks down at where he just buried Jack. He doesn't want to be cliche, or sappy but he feels like he should say something.
"He was cheeky, he was mischievous and he was determined to get dirt on Rebekah's couch at least once a day". Marcel says and Rebekah chuckles sadly. Hayley also allows a small smile to appear on her face. "But he was also kind and loyal... and he was the best dog that I've ever known. He was taken from us too soon... but we were lucky enough to have him in our lives. And it is important that we never forget that".
Rebekah nods in agreement as more tears fall from her eyes. Marcel looks at his fiance and she gives him a small smile, letting him know that he has done well. Hayley clings to Elijah harder and he holds her tighter against him as she sniffles and sobs.
"Thank you, Marcel". Hayley says quietly. "What you said was... it means a lot".
Marcel nods his head. "Anytime. You know I've got your back".
Hayley then buries her head in Elijah's chest as more tears start to fall. He rubs up and down her back soothingly with one hand and brings the other to the back of her head.
"I don't know about everyone else, but I'm going to go and get that fancy bottle of bourbon and I'm going to drink to Jack". Rebekah announces, finally able to stop crying.
"That sounds like an excellent idea, sister", Elijah says.
"Of course it is. I only come up with good ideas". Rebekah says, trying to cheer herself up and possibly cheer everyone else up with humour.
Marcel smirks at her, but she gets nothing from Hayley. Not that she was expecting anything after what she has just had to do.
"I'll get the chairs", Marcel says.
Rebekah makes her way back towards the house to get that expensive bottle of bourbon and Marcel drops the shovel on the grass before making his way towards the shed at the top left side of the garden. He opens the shed and grabs the two folded chairs from by the door. He then makes his way back over to Elijah and Hayley and Elijah takes his hand from Hayley's back to take one of the chairs from Marcel. He unfolds the chair and then takes the other one from Elijah to unfold that one too. Once they are both set up, Marcel makes his way to the shed to find the other chairs.
Elijah kisses Hayley's forehead and moves her to one of the chairs. She sits down in it and instantly wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. Elijah grabs the other chair and moves it closer to hers before he sits down. He puts the back of his hand on the arm of her chair and holds his hand open for her to hold. She accepts the invitation and takes hold of his hand, looking at him with her big, sad eyes.
"It will get better, I promise". Elijah tells her.
Hayley doesn't reply. She reaches across to his face with her free hand and cups his cheek. She strokes his sore cheek gently with her thumb for a few seconds before she pulls her hand back to her. He understands what she is trying to tell him. She is grateful for his words and she appreciates them, but she can't believe in them right now. That's okay with Elijah because he intends to make everything better for her as soon as he can leave the house again.
"Found it". Rebekah shouts as she comes back outside, holding a bottle of bourbon above her head and four glasses in her other hand.
Marcel makes his way over from the shed with the other two folded chairs and comes to stand next to Elijah. Marcel leans one of the chairs against Elijah's chair while he unfolds the other for Rebekah to sit next to her brother. He then takes the other chair and unfolds that one before taking a seat himself. Rebekah holds the four glasses out to Marcel and he takes one from her. She then holds them out to Elijah who takes two, one for him and one for Hayley, despite her being pregnant.
Rebekah pulls the cork from the bottle and pours some into Hayley's glass first. She then pours some into Elijah's glass before moving to pour some into Marcel's glass. Elijah hands Hayley her glass, figuring that even if she can't drink the contents of the glass she can at least toast to Jack. Rebekah pours herself some of the bourbon last before she then puts the cork back into the bottle and holds the bottle out to Elijah.
"Before you ask". Rebekah says, knowing that Elijah will want to read the label.
Elijah smiles at his little sister and takes the bottle from her. He reads the label and raises an eyebrow slightly. Michter's bourbon, ten years old. This one definitely isn't just a random bottle picked up from a Walmart.
"It looks expensive", Elijah comments.
"It is". Marcel says. "My boss got it for me as a promotion gift like two years ago. We've been keeping it for something special".
"Does he have a collection?", Elijah asks.
"Right, enough whiskey talk". Rebekah says before Marcel can reply to Elijah.
Rebekah raises her glass into the air and looks down at the new grave in their backyard. Everyone else also looks down at where Jack is now resting and they also raise their glasses. Rebekah then clears her throat and swallows back the lump in her throat.
"To Jack, a loyal friend and the most handsome dog I have ever seen". Rebekah says before downing her bourbon.
Elijah and Marcel down their drinks as well and Elijah nods his head in approval of the taste. Hayley then hands her glass to Elijah and he downs hers as well. She would love to try the bourbon, but she wants to keep her baby more. Typical Rebekah to give her a drink regardless of her current condition. 'One won't hurt the baby' she can imagine her saying. Elijah then uncorks the bottle and pours another for everyone, except Hayley.
"It was Klaus who rescued Jack from the shelters". Hayley says, her voice a bit rough from crying. "Jack was a Christmas gift for some kid who wanted a Poodle. The kid didn't like him so the parents chucked him out. A woman who lived across the street saw them chuck him out and the next day she went looking for him. She found him hiding in a knocked over bin and she took him to the local shelter. Klaus rescued him a week later".
"Never would have thought Klaus would be capable of that kind of kindness". Marcel says, taking a sip from his topped up glass.
"He kept telling me he was going to get a guard dog and I kept calling him stupid for wanting one. We didn't need one and to be honest I didn't want one. But as soon as he brought Jack home that changed". Hayley tells them.
"Well, only someone who was a complete sociopath could have resisted his adorable little face", Rebekah says.
"I think he would have ended up back on the streets if I hadn't have been there", Hayley admits. "After about two weeks, Klaus got bored of him and left everything to me. I fed him, I walked him, I played with him, I did it all. And then he wounder why he sided with me".
"Huskies are incredibly loyal dogs despite their reputation suggesting otherwise", Elijah says.
Hayley sighs and brings one of her legs up to her chest. She then leans her chin on her knee.
"He won't even get to meet the baby he was protecting". Hayley says, a tear running down her cheek.
Elijah squeezes her hand in his and turns to look at her.
"As long as his memory lives on then so does he", Elijah says.
Hayley turns her head and meets his gaze. She can see the love shining out of his eyes again and it gives her hope for a better future where she doesn't have to push down her sadness at least once a day. She gives him a small smile and squeezes his hand in return. She then turns and looks at where Jack's grave is again. She really wishes that she could have some of that bourbon.