Wild at Heart

Hayley crouched down and began shoving clothes in the laundry basket. She wanted to get her things and get out of here as quick as possible. She didn't want to deal with all the things screaming her husband's name. She didn't want to see his boots by the door. She didn't even want to see his toothbrush by the sink. She just wanted to get out.

As she finished piling the last pieces of clothing into the basket, she froze. The last piece of clothing on the floor was Jackson's flannel. Hayley picked it up delicately and stood up shakily. She brought the shirt to her nose and inhaled the familiar scent that she had smelled every night before she went to sleep. It was the scent she knew from a mile away. It was a scent she would never smell again.

Tears fell down her cheeks as she retreated backwards to the kitchen. Hayley collapsed against the count and slid down the cabinets until she was sitting on the ground. She cried harder than she had ever cried in her entire life. Sobs racked her body and the flow of tears didn't stop. She didn't want them to. All she wanted to do was sit here and cry until she passed out.

Hayley was heartbroken. How could a man that decent, that kind, that loving get sucked into this mess? How had she let him? Hayley hiccupped as the tears still fell down her cheeks, but finally turned to realize one solemn-looking Elijah Mikaelson was standing at the bottom of the steps leading to the kitchen. Hayley blinked slowly to try and clear her vision, but to no avail.

"I don't know what to say," Elijah said softly.

"Elijah, I've spent the last 24 hours being so angry at Tristan… at your family… at you..." Hayley said slowly. She saw Elijah look down in what she thought might be a mixture of guilt and regret.

"At Jackson, even, for always being so brave. But then I realize that I'm not angry. I'm not mad. I'm just guilty," Hayley finally admitted. She looked back at him before the tears welled up in her eyes again. She buried her head in her hands and let the silent sobs come and overwhelm her. She was vaguely aware of his quiet footsteps coming over to her, but picked her head up when she heard him join her on the floor. Hayley looked up towards the stove trying not to make eye contact with him knowing it would only cause her to cry more.

"I wanted to blame you, blame anyone... but the truth is that my husband died because he loved me... And loving any of us is a death sentence, isn't it?" Hayley said morbidly. Elijah shook his head slightly at this and shut his eyes for a moment. Hayley wiped her puffy eyes on her sleeve and blinked rapidly.

"Hayley… you are not to blame. If anyone is to blame, it's-"

"Don't," Hayley said. "It's not your fault, Elijah. I don't blame you anymore."

The two sat in silence for a while, simply looking at various items around the kitchen and apartment, each of them trying not to make eye contact. Hayley's eye caught the wine cork that she had hung on the handle of the liquor cabinet and managed to smile.

"See that cork hanging up there?" Hayley asked as the pointed to the cabinet. Elijah turned and looked up at it before returning his gaze to her.

"The first night we moved in here, we had a nice dinner planned and Jack had bought a nice bottle of red wine for the occasion. Of course, we ended up not being able to find a wine opener, so he tried to show me some trick about putting the bottle in a shoe and banging it against a wall," Hayley said with a grin. Her eyes found Elijah's and she smiled even wider. "The whole bottle shattered."

Elijah grinned and Hayley found herself laughing at the memory. It was one of those moment with him that didn't revolve around witches or werewolves or vampires or hybrids… it was just normal.

Her laughs gradually stopped and she found herself with tears in her eyes again. Eventually the silent tears turned to crying and the crying turned to uncontrollable sobbing. Hayley wrapped her arms around her knees and gave herself to the sadness that engulfed her. A warm presence appeared immediately at her side and encircled her. She allowed Elijah to hold her like a child, crying on the ground. She cried until her eyes could no longer produce tears and her throat was raw. Even then, she allowed him to hold her and stroke her hair.

She didn't know how long had passed or how long she sat there clinging to Elijah, but soon enough, she peeled herself away from him and leaned her head back against the cabinets.

"Hayley, we should get you back to-"

"He knew I didn't love him like he loved me," Hayley blurted out. She turned to gauge Elijah's reaction and was surprised when his eyes shone with tears.

"He knew and he still… he didn't care. He died for me and now… now I'm alone again."

A tear fell down Hayley's cheek as she closed her eyes once more. She felt a warm hand squeeze hers and she opened her eyes to find Elijah's hand atop her own.

"You will never be alone."