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Chapter 15: What Happens In Vegas: Part IV
For a moment Hayley Marshall forgot where she was and who she was with. One eye popped open and she inhaled deeply. Elijah. His tumble of dark hair had fallen over one of his eyes. Fingers lifting from the bed, Hayley brushed the hair away. Elijah's eyes opened. They stared at each other for a moment that took Hayley's breath away.
"Hi," Hayley whispered.
"Good morning," Elijah replied. He took the hand she'd used to brush his hair aside. Pressing his lips to it, he watched Hayley, and Hayley felt her heart beat quicker in her chest. It felt impossible to feel about this man the way she did.
Their moment disappeared when a loud rapping on the door drew their attention. Elijah pushed himself to his feet. He crossed the floor, picking up a robe on his way. Hayley bit her lower lip. She felt that addition of a robe was a mark on the downside of the day. Grinning, she hid under the covers.
"Hay-ley!" Caroline's voice made Hayley groan inwardly. Noooo… "Hayley Jane Marshall!" Caroline's voice rose. "I know you're in here!"
"Caroline, I can assure you that Hayley is not here," Elijah's voice drew closer, along with Caroline's insistent tone. "I'm sure you can find her in her room."
Peeking around the corner of the bedspread, Hayley watched as Caroline whirled on her heel and began to poke Elijah with her index finger. "I can assure you, mister, that my best friend is in that bed. Now, go play with your little brother. I need girl talk." She waved Elijah away. "Shoo!"
"Caroline," Elijah stopped by the door. "Pants?"
Sighing heavily—like this was a great burden—Caroline tugged open various dresser drawers before she lit on a pair of jeans. "Don't worry. We'll make sure you have appropriate wear for the day. Later! Now. Go. Away!" Caroline threw the pants at Elijah. She marched over to the door to make sure he left.
"Ugh!" Hayley groaned, pushing the cover down. "Seriously, Caroline!"
"Hales, get some clothes on!" Caroline called back, picking up Hayley's clothes from the day before. She tossed them at Hayley. "We have a lot of stuff to do, and only a day to do it in. I've got to get back to my baby." She waved a clipboard. "Time's a ticking."
"Are you kidding me?" Hayley asked as she slid off the bed and began to dress.
"Nope!" Caroline seemed giddy. "Actually, we need to get to your room. Pronto! Get you ready for the day." She clapped her hands together.
Hayley sighed. She could only imagine what Caroline had in store for them, and it scared her as much as it excited her. Time to live it up while they could. And destroy the evidence before they were caught.
~0~
Hayley came out of her room, two hours later, and found Caroline typing away on her phone. "Ready?" Caroline asked, shouldering her bag.
"I guess. What are we doing?" Hayley asked.
"Shopping," Caroline replied dreamily. "Klaus is paying."
"Huh," Hayley shrugged. "Okay."
They went down the hall and entered an empty elevator. "Do I get to check out this list?"
"No…" Caroline shook her head, placing a protective hand over the list. "This is top secret."
"Okay." Hayley shrugged. "If you say so." She smiled when the doors opened. Elijah and Klaus were waiting for them. "Hi," she called to Elijah.
"Hello, again," Elijah greeted her. "Caroline, what is this all about?"
"You'll see." Caroline took hold of Klaus' arm. "Onward, my friends." She led the way to one of the casino's many shops. "Swimwear," she told them, gesturing around. "Hayley." She beckoned with an out-stretched hand.
Elijah raised a hand. "What shall we need swimwear for?"
"The party. Obviously!" Caroline shook her head.
Elijah looked to Hayley. Hayley's brows rose, but she did not reply with anything more than a shrug. Taking hold of Caroline's hand, they went to the opposite side of the store than their male counterparts. "Oh. Look at this," Caroline held up a red bikini that barely had anything to it. "Elijah will like-y."
"No!" Hayley shook her head. She took hold of a blue one-piece and held it in front of her.
Sighing, Caroline pursed her lips. "Well, I suppose that you're just not feeling the sin…"
Grumbling to herself, Hayley grabbed the hanger with the teeny red bikini and went into a changing room. She caught Caroline peeking over the door. "Care!"
"You look hot," Caroline told her, pointing her phone at Hayley. "Just one, little pic!"
"I will kill you!" Hayley shouted. Pushing the door open, she reached for the phone.
"I'm kidding," Caroline said, pocketing her phone. "I already took the pic."
"You're dead! The jury will agree that it was a mercy to the community," Hayley swore.
Caroline giggled. "I'll wear the granny suit," she proclaimed, holding onto Hayley's choice with a curled lip, showing her disdain.
Shaking her head, Hayley went back inside the changing room. "You should wear that pink halter-thing."
"Okay," Caroline replied.
Hayley might actually have to put out a want ad for a new BFF after today.
~0~
When the shopping was done, the couples headed out of the hotel. Caroline told Klaus where to drive and Elijah looked worried. "Caroline. I believe we're a bit old for this kind of thing."
"You only live once, brother. Let your hair down," Klaus retorted with a grin. Klaus pushed his sunglasses up his nose and they got out of the car. Caroline led the way to a party that Hayley had not seen the likes of…well, in forever, because she had too much to do in college.
Inhaling, Hayley plowed ahead. Elijah was right behind her. "Into the pool with you," Klaus said, tossing Care into the pool. People began to cheer as Klaus hopped in, too.
"I have no idea how to do this," Hayley told Elijah.
Elijah shrugged. "My college and high school years meant commitment to my further education."
"Get! In! The! Pool!" Klaus and Caroline demanded. Others joined their chant.
"I guess we're going in." Hayley took Elijah's hand, and they leapt in together.
"Oh, my God!" Hayley shouted, coming back up and laughing. She splashed Klaus, who let out a growl, and sent a wave of water her way.
"Who wants to play Chicken?" Caroline called out.
Hayley found herself on top of Elijah's shoulders. She and Caroline began to duel. The two friends' fingers were locked together, trying to knock the other off first while their spectators took bets on which one would tumble first.
At some point, Hayley realized that she had missed a lot when she went to college and decided to forego a lot of the antics. Elijah climbed out of the pool and took Hayley's hand. They began to slow dance to a rock-and-roll band that kids ten years Hayley's junior were in love with.
"Okay!" Caroline shouted.
Somehow Caroline had left the pool and slid into a pair of shorts and a tank top, without Hayley noting anything happening around her. "We've still got a lot to do, and not a lot of time to get it done in." Caroline had a hand on her hip and waited for Klaus to get done bouncing a ball to a group of teenagers. "He's an old man! It's time for his nap! Klaus, nap time!" Caroline called, slapping her knee, and made kissy faces at him.
Klaus let out a half-bellow/half-howl as he climbed out of the pool. He caught hold of Caroline by the waist, flipping her over his shoulder. "Old man, my arse!" he cried, carrying her away.
~0~
"What are you two doing?" Klaus called, glancing in the back of the car at Caroline and Hayley as they wiggled around.
"Dressing. You don't think we're going to the Arts District, like this, do you?" Caroline cried, sliding into a strappy dress as Hayley tugged a skirt on. "And I thought you were going to change your shirt!"
"Elijah, take the wheel," Klaus ordered his brother. The car veered for ten seconds before correcting.
"He drives worse than Hales," Caroline noted, giving Elijah a look.
Hayley grimaced. "Whatever."
Soon they arrived at their new destination. "Welcome to Vegas' Arts' District. Like New Orleans, you would be remiss to miss this," Caroline told them, stepping out of the car.
Linking arms with Caroline, Hayley stopped in front of a variety of paintings. "Hmm. This one reminds me of a certain artist," Hayley cocked her head in Klaus' direction. "Someone was pissed when they made their work."
"Ha-ha." Klaus walked over to join them. "It's derivative."
"Nice." Caroline nodded. "Like your work." She laughed as Klaus mock-scowled at her. "I'm kidding. Mostly."
They stopped in front of a painting of a family. "This is a nice one," Hayley said. "Although I preferred the dancers." They'd stood for a good ten minutes of silence in front of a painting of a couple dancing the tango. There was just something very sensual about the deep reds in the palate. Death. Blood. Lust. And the way that the couple looked away from each other, but their bodies were so aligned that it felt as if they were one being.
"Yes. The Tango Finale," Elijah said from behind Hayley. "That was a favorite of mine."
"What about the dancing baby hippo photo?" Caroline cried. "Fiona would love that one!"
"I'm going to go home broke," Klaus said, with a shake of his head.
Grinning, Caroline pressed her lips to his cheek. "But it'll be worth it." Klaus' smile told the tale.
~0~
"I'm starving," Hayley said as she noted the time.
"Good. Dinner is in five hours," Caroline told them.
"Five?" Hayley cried. "No! No way am I lasting five hours."
"Fine. Chinatown?" Caroline replied.
"Eggs rolls and egg drop soup," Hayley said.
"Rice and dumplings," Caroline said.
"Food," Klaus groaned.
~0~
They laid outside, by the pool of yet another party. This time there was shade from the sun, for those who needed a break from its rays. Music still pounded out around them and Hayley looked at Elijah. She hoped they would have other times like today. But it also scared her to commit to anything.
"Penny for your thoughts," Elijah said, turning his head to look at Hayley.
"I'm happy," Hayley told him.
Elijah smiled and held out a hand to take hers. "I am content as well."
"Good." Hayley closed her eyes. Maybe they could just stay in this moment and allow the world to pass them by for awhile.
~0~
Waking up, Hayley yawned, and noted that Elijah was reading a book. "Where are Caroline and Klaus?" Hayley asked him.
"My guess? They went back to the hotel." Elijah set his book down. "Good nap?"
"Very." Hayley sat up and rubbed at her eyes. "What time is it?"
"We have two hours before dinner." Elijah turned to face her. "What would you like to do in the meantime?"
"The party's still raging," Hayley said, getting up. "Race you!"
Elijah grinned, and she could feel him behind her as she dove into the pool, feeling like she was sixteen again.
~0~
"Welcome to Hell's Kitchen," a voice greeted them.
Hayley placed a hand to her mouth. She could not believe that Caroline had gotten them into Hell's freakin' Kitchen. "No way!" she cried. She loved this show. It was on her list of guilty pleasures and she never missed an episode. Now she would be in one of them. Oh, well, so much for things staying in Vegas.
Taking their seats in a booth, Hayley felt gleeful as she watched the contestants moving around their separate kitchens while Gordon's hair flopped around and he screamed. "Get your head out of your ass, you imbecile!"
Placing a hand on Elijah's arm, Hayley caught his attention. "This is great. Isn't it?"
"Who is that rude man?" Elijah inquired, picking up his glass of water, and taking a sip.
Hayley could only blink. "Are you telling me you've never seen an episode of Hell's Kitchen?" she asked, horrified. "It's like if Klaus were a professional chef, and was allowed to torture his own little group of chefs, once a week." All this was met with a blank look from Elijah. "No! This is not possible!" Hayley shook her head in dismay.
"May I take your orders?" a waitress asked them.
Hayley had been hoping this would be an episode where the contestants were forced to wait tables. With a sigh, she consulted her menu. "I'd like a risotto, with the lasagna, please." Closing her menu, she handed it over.
"How is the duck?" Elijah inquired.
"Still quacking," the girl replied with a laugh. The maître d' offered the waitress a withering look. "Just kidding. I'm sure Chef will kill it first," she added the last part as her boss went to talk to Gordon.
Hayley placed her chin on her hand and watched in awe as Gordon tossed a plate on the floor and screamed: "All of you, get it together! I would not serve this shit to my dog!"
"Isn't he wonderful?" Hayley asked, dreamily.
Elijah's brows rose. "You enjoy that?" he eyed Ramsay as Ramsay yelled at a contestant, who yelled back, waving a knife.
"Is this entirely safe?" Elijah inquired.
Caroline grinned. "No one's died in here. Yet."
Klaus also seemed to be enjoying himself. "If only we could get our food."
When Hayley's risotto arrived, she took a bite, and hummed happily. "It is to your liking?" the maître d' inquired.
"Yes. Thank you," Hayley replied, placing a hand over her mouth. She tried not to look at the camera pointed at her.
"How is the lamb, sir?" Now, Elijah was in the hot seat. Hayley caught sight of Ramsay glowering at Elijah while Elijah took his time. Maybe Ramsay would come yell at Elijah. That would make a fitting ending to one of the best days of Hayley's life.
"It's good," Elijah said with a quick nod. He tried to hide the undone portion beneath the cooked part.
"It's not done, sir!" the maître d' cried, trying to take the dish from Elijah.
"It's perfectly fine! I like it bleeding!" Elijah retorted, trying to hold onto the plate.
Now, Ramsay was coming as the maître d' freed the plate and ran away from them with his prize. Ramsay took the plate and cursed before stomping back to the kitchen. He tossed the lamb dish at the Red Kitchen. "It's raw!" he shouted at them. "Do you want the Board of Health here, you idiots! Get out! I'll finish the service myself! Blue Kitchen!"
"I'm hungry," Elijah groaned.
"Egg roll?" Caroline pulled out an egg roll, and handed it to Elijah.
Elijah had it halfway to his mouth when the maître d' appeared and swatted the item away. "No out-of-restaurant food!" he chastened Elijah with a good finger wag.
Elijah's shoulder slumped.
"We'll get you a Happy Meal on the way back to the hotel," Klaus told Elijah who glowered back.
~0~
At the end of the dinner service, Elijah seemed happier because they had replaced his lamb dish.
Hayley thought they were leaving; when Ramsay approached them with: "Niklaus Mikaelson!"
"Gordon," Klaus said, holding out a hand which Ramsay shook with a smile. "How is the family?"
"They're doing well. I'm glad you took me up on the invite." Ramsay looked at everyone else. "And this must be your family, yes?"
Klaus nodded. "My brother, Elijah. His friend, Hayley. And my…the mother of my little girl, Caroline."
"Mr. Ramsay…" Hayley let out a giggle. Okay. She was star-struck.
"You know him?" Caroline blurted out, her eyes on Klaus.
Klaus grinned. "Yes."
Ramsay jumped in. "Klaus took my family's Christmas portrait, last year, and I told him to stop by the Kitchen; if he was ever in Vegas."
"I have to make money somehow," Klaus said with a shrug.
Hayley felt happy. "Great. Klaus will be happy to take any kind of photo for you, as long as we can come back."
"Any kind?" Gordon's eyes lit up. Klaus offered Hayley a dark look.
~0~
Approaching one of the largest Ferris wheels she'd ever seen in her life; Hayley looked up, up, and up. "Holy shit!" she said.
"This is the High Roller," Caroline announced. "Everyone, time to go." She waved for the group to enter one of the little glass boxes.
"This is crazy," Hayley said as the wheel wound upward.
"Drink, miss?" a bartender asked her.
"Yes." Hayley nodded. She could not believe that they could see the entire Strip as they went up in the air. "This is insane," she swore, looking at the lights of the city. "Look at this view."
Elijah nuzzled the back of her neck. "I prefer the view from here."
Smiling, Hayley turned, and kissed Elijah. She could hear Klaus chuckling and tried not to imagine Caroline taking more pictures of them.
Turning back to look at the lights, Hayley leaned into Elijah's chest. She felt safe, five-hundred and fifty feet above the ground. As long as she was in Elijah's arms; Hayley felt like she could take on the entire world.
~0~
"Okay. There is just one more thing we need to do before our time here ends!" Caroline told them, consulting her list. "We have to take pics in front of the Bellagio Fountains in about…five minutes." She consulted her phone and then shoved it in her pocket with a quick nod. "Klaus, take my camera!"
Klaus took the camera and Caroline dragged Hayley in front of the fountains. "I want you to be my maid-of-honor!" Caroline whispered.
"You what?" Hayley said. She thought she misheard Caroline.
"I'm going to propose to Klaus. Not tomorrow. But one day. And I need a maid-of-honor." Caroline's eyes were shining.
"You're drunk!" Hayley shouted.
"I am. But I also know that I want to spend the rest of my life with Klaus," Caroline enthused.
"You're nuts!" Hayley replied.
"Be mine!" Caroline shouted.
"Yes!" Hayley shouted back as the fountains came on and sprayed them.
They began to laugh as people cheered. "We're getting married!" Caroline told them, pressing her cheek to Hayley's.
"They think you mean us," Hayley shouted.
"I know!" Caroline giggled.
"You're really nuts!" Hayley called out.
Caroline nodded. "Elijah! Come here!" She jumped on his back while Hayley swooned against his side. Elijah gave Klaus a goofy grin.
After another couple of minutes of goofing off, Klaus came to join them in a group pic. "We'll never forget this day," Hayley said.
~0~
Head pounding the next morning, Hayley sat up, and blinked at her feet which were on either side of Elijah's head. Apparently they partied hard, all night long. She leaned over because she thought she heard her phone under the bed.
"Hello?" Hayley mumbled into the phone.
"Hales?" Marcel's voice sounded panicked. "Hales, is that you?"
"Um-hum," Hayley said, scooting down the bed, and folded her legs under her. "What's up?"
"Something happened. Something bad." Marcel hesitated. "I need your help."
"Where are you?" Hayley asked, running a hand through her hair.
"I'm at my dad's. There're cops all over the place. I think they think I…" Marcel stopped talking, but Hayley knew what he meant.
"I'll be on the first flight out. Don't say anything," Hayley said.
Hayley hung up and turned to see Elijah. He had ahold of his own phone. His look was grim. "Back to work." His look told her everything she needed to know. They would be on opposite sides of a case, again, this time involving her other best friend, and a dead man. So much for being on the same side.
Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing.
Answer to guest review:
Anna: I hope you enjoyed the chap!
Peace,
-J