The Map of Moments

His jacket was neatly folded on the head of the chair he was sitting at as he gazed into the fire. She stood at the doorway unsure of how to begin the conversation she knew they needed to have. How would she tell him? How could she? No matter what had been going on with them lately, he was still someone she cared about deeply and there was no way this was going to be easy.

"She's asleep," she said. Elijah's head turned towards her as soon as he heard her voice, but he said nothing.

"It's so quiet, with Klaus and Rebekah gone." Again, nothing. As usual. Hayley took a deep breath and clasped her hands together.

"So, we didn't get to say our wishes. Can I tell you mine?" she asked. Elijah looked at her quizzically, but waited for her to continue. "It's a hope, actually... that you'll understand what I have to tell you."

"And what is it?" he asked, concern and fear flooding his words.

"My wolves. I think I figured out a way to release them from the witches," Hayley said. Elijah stood up abruptly and raised his eyebrows obviously surprised. "They could control their turning without the rings, and bring peace to our home so that Hope could return to us."

She looked into his dark, brown eyes and immediately wish she hadn't. His chest rose and fell at a pace faster than usual and fear was reflected in his eyes. He knew. He knew something wasn't right and it was going to hit him like a freight train when she revealed just what it was.

"But, there's a catch..." God, she didn't want to do this. His eyebrows pinned together and he poked at his cheek with his tongue obviously confused.

"I have to marry Jackson."

Silence filled the room. Elijah was shocked. His eyebrows shot up and his jaw dropped to the floor. She looked at those shocked eyes and wanted to vomit. He looked so hurt and so betrayed, and now he couldn't even look at her. He averted his gaze from her and stared at the ground as she babbled on.

"It's a, um, mystical ceremony, and-and an alpha bonding ritual..." she said stumbling on her words. Elijah dropped the hand pinching the bridge of his nose and turned towards the window. He gripped the head of the chair firmly, trying with all of his might not to snap it in half.

"Elijah... I know that you and I haven't been close recently, but... you have to know that this isn't about him. I don't love Jackson, but... at the same time, I couldn't marry him and still be involved with you."

He said and did nothing but look into the fire with a blocked expression on his face. He looked serious, angry, upset, betrayed, and every feeling in between she could think of. Should she let him be for now and talk about it later? He was so hard sometimes, but she knew this wasn't his fault. If she were in his position she'd probably be trying to kill him by now, but not the noble Elijah. No, he was taking this in his own way. Silently. As usual. Flustered, Hayley turned away.

"I don't know, I should just..."

Before she could even take a step, a hand grasped her arm and spun her around harshly. She was face to face with Elijah, who stared at her intensely before placing his hand on her lower back and pulling her towards him. His lips caught hers and he kissed her hard. Stunned, and feeling almost a little drunk, she barely had time to register what was happening before he pulled away.

"Marry him."

"What?" Hayley whispered. What did he mean? Was he just going to give up and not fight for her? Was she not worth it to him? Before she could decided whether she was crushed or pissed off, he brushed a piece of hair from her face and cupped her cheeks with his hands.

"Listen to me," he said gruffly. He took a breath and continued. "The only way that this city will be safe for Hope's return is if you have unified your people, and I have unified my own. Now, Davina will eventually lead her witches, and whatever that girl may be, she is no enemy to your child. Do what you need to bring your daughter home."

He dropped his hands from her face and let them hang at his sides, defeated and overwhelmed. Elijah stepped away from her slightly, knowing that it would just be easier to distance themselves now. He couldn't bear the thought of her with that other wolf, but it would make things simpler if they just cut ties now.

"This is my wish for you."

Hayley slowly reached up and caressed Elijah's face with her hand. She felt the stubble from his jaw on her hand and cherished the feeling. She looked into his eyes once more and found that they were blazing with fury and defeat, but with something else as well. The same something that she felt radiating throughout her body. This man was going to give up everything for her and Hope's happiness even if it meant it would break him. His eyes flickered down to the floor and back up at her. Fuck it.

She lunged at him as he did the same. Their lips met in passionate fury each trying to take control of the other. Feeling his hands move down her body, she jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist. He moved quickly and pressed her up against the bookcase. His lips left a trail of fire from her lips to her neck as he pressed up against her. Hayley quickly unknotted his tie and ripped open his shirt, exposing his bare chest. She splayed her hands over his pectoral muscles as he pulled off her cardigan and camisole. Their lips met again hungrily and Elijah moved them to the coffee table.

He laid Hayley down and held her head up as she threw it back off the table. He kissed her again and this time, did not break their contact. He kneeled on the ground as his chest and stomach covered hers. She again wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him closer to her. Hayley traced his bottom lip with her tongue granting her immediate access in exploration of his mouth. They kissed fiercely for a long period of time- how long, she couldn't say- before he broke the kiss sharply and moved his lips to her ear.

"No matter whose last name you bear, you are mine."