Thanks as always for the reviews and story alerts. Hope you guys enjoy the end of this ficlet. There will be more to come :)

Title: missing
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Klaus/Hayley
timeline: future au

Rebekah fought the urge to pace Emily's room; it would serve no purpose. Plus she'd risk waking Emily. Even with compulsion the child had been known to wake after only a short time; must be her mother's stubbornness. Her brothers had left barely twenty minutes before time enough for them to get into trouble. When Klaus had left he'd taken Rebekah aside and she'd been shocked at the change she sensed in was angry, yes, but also determined. Determined to keep his family together. At one time that had meant Originals which Rebekah knew it still did. But there was something else something she thought she'd never see in her brother again. What Elijah had always hoped to achieve. The Klaus she and Elijah had known as children had grown up with. The brother they thought was lost to his demons was emerging.

Standing Rebekah moved to Emily's bed and pulled the blanket up around the child's shoulders. She couldn't shake the fear that if Hayley was lost today it wouldn't be the only casualty. The Mikaelsons' hadn't always been one big happy family. They never would be. Fate seemed to dislike people who cheated the life clock. However if Klaus was able to escape a few of his demons and get closer to the brother Rebekah loved their family may have a fighting chance.

They reached the state park northeast of New Orleans and quickly found the wolves's camp. Klaus wanted nothing more than to get this done and over with. He wanted Hayley home and his family back together. Klaus was growing angrier by the moment that these insignificant people had threatened his family. He was going to make an example out of them to ensure it didn't happen again. Elijah stopped so quickly that Klaus had to do some fancy evasive maneuvers to avoid toppling his brother. He looked around his sibling and saw what had gotten Elijah's direct attention. Klaus's anger quickly turned into rage. Hayley was tied to a large tree her head hung limply dropping to her chest. Blood seeped through a bandage at her right side. The ropes she was tied with were heavy with wolfsbane. There was also a complicated looking contraption containing two knives and a piece of long twine. The twine was attached to the limb above Hayley and also to the knives. One knife which Klaus had no doubt was also dipped in wolfsbane was pressed against Hayley's heart; the other at the left side of her neck.

"Admiring my handiwork, Klaus?"Hayley's kidnapper stated with a smile as he stepped into the clearing. "That idea took a couple days to implement. Have to get the rigging just right."

Klaus started to take several steps forward but Elijah's right arm halted him pressing against his chest.

"Let her go."Elijah ordered his voice dangerously quiet and full of venom.

"And spoil my fun?"The younger man replied.

"You are a dead man either way."Klaus spat. "Prolonging it is your choice."

"Quite full of yourself today, aren't you?"The werewolf asked as the others closed ranks behind him. "You haven't even asked how my little trap works. You try to free her and she dies. No matter how quick you are you can't be fast enough for both knives."

"That is why you are going to free her."Elijah ordered.

"Compulsion won't work on me either, mates."The youth replied. "I've been fortifying myself with vervain."

"Quite the mastermind."Klaus commented sarcastically as he broke free of Elijah's protective grasp."I am going to ask this once and only once: let the lady go."

"My name is Peter by the way and Hayley and I had quite a few conversations."Hayley's captor stated. "She didn't believe she meant enough to you to have you bargain for her life."

Klaus knew from Hayley's heartbeat that she was conscious. He chose his words carefully. "Hayley is family."

The werewolf shook his head. "That won't do, Klaus. I took Hayley because I knew she was a weakness to you and not just because she's the mother of your child."

"As one of the oldest vampires I can not say Hayley is the love of my life since I have enjoyed several lifetimes."Klaus began feeling Elijah's gaze on him. "Make no mistake, Peter, she is very important to me and I do care for her."

"There, was that so hard?"The red haired werewolf stated gleefully as he pulled a small shooting star out of his left pocket and flung it at Hayley.

Klaus had anticipated the move and intercepted the oriental weapon before it could strike the twine holding Hayley captive. The other werewolves came to their leaders aid and Elijah made quick work of three of the four breaking their necks and tossing them aside. One of the remaining ran leaving just Peter and a young blond man. Elijah advanced on the young werewolf while Klaus held Peter in a choke hold.

"No one threatens my family."Klaus stated angrily

"You Originals always think you have the upper hand."Peter replied in a strained voice.

Klaus glanced over at Hayley to find the werewolf he thought had run off had double backed and was now standing by Hayley one hand on the twine that activated the trap. He heard Elijah snap the neck of the werewolf he'd been attacking and move closer.

"How much of a gambler are you, Klaus?"The red haired leader asked. "Do you think your brother can reach your mate before Nicholas carries out his orders?"

Klaus was a gambler and decided to put faith in his brother; his family. He could feel Elijah tense behind him ready to move.

"You just lost big."Klaus stated as he slammed Peter against the ground then yanked him back up."You took something that is mine that I do not allow or tolerate."

Out of the corner of his eye Klaus saw Elijah overpower Nicholas and kill the werwolf. Klaus took great satisfaction snapping Peter's neck and tossing him aside. He would've liked to cause the kidnapper more pain but Hayley was his primary concern. Her breathing had grown more shallow and her heartbeat irregular. Elijah quickly freed the young woman and carried her back to Klaus. The hybrid lightly caressed Hayley's left cheek not liking how pale her skin was or how warm it was.

"Take care of the mess."Klaus ordered as he took Hayley into his arms. "I'll take her home."

Klaus didn't slow down once he reached home. He barely paused long enough to open the front door and kick it shut behind him. Rebekah met him in Hayley's room having sensed his arrival.

"How is she?"Rebekah asked as Klaus placed the werewolf on her bed.

"Improving the farther I got her away from the wolfsbane."Klaus reported relieved. "Still need to treat her wounds and clean away as much of the wolfsbane as possible."

"What about the wolfsbane in her system?"Rebekah asked.

"The wolf part of her should take care of that. It'll just take longer for her to heal."Klaus stated.

"Elijah?"Rebekah inquired as she moved towards the door.

"Taking care of the bodies. The werewolves are now a few less in number."Klaus replied.

"Good."Rebekah commented. "I'l get the first aid kit."

After his sister left Klaus placed a kiss on Hayley's lips before he straightened and stood. "Rest, little wolf. You're safe now."

The following day Elijah stopped to check on Hayley and found Klaus leaning against the left wall of the bedroom. His brother was standing a few feet from the door his arms folded across his chest.

"How is she?"Elijah asked quietly as he entered.

"Improving and her fever's gone."Klaus stated. "It'll just take time her body took quite a beating from the wolfsbane."

"She's a fighter."Elijah commented admirably.

"Yes."Klaus acknowledged. "She is."

"There is something I've been wanting to discuss with you."Elijah began. "I know you were reluctant in the past to be more involved in Emily's life but I have noticed changes in you brother."

Klaus chuckled. "Are you saying I'm going soft, Elijah?"

Elijah grinned. "I doubt that'll ever happen. I think you're finally allowing yourself to accept them as your family."

"Yes I let my guard down and look what happened."Klaus commented gruffly.

"There will always be enemies, Niklaus and we will handle them."Elijah advised as he stepped towards the door. "Be cautious how you continue with Hayley. She deserves some happiness and peace."

Klaus nodded in acknowledgement and Elijah left.

It was two days before Hayley felt strong enough to go downstairs. To her surprise she found Klaus in the library with Emily on his lap. The hybrid was holding a children's book. Both looked up as Hayley entered.

"Nice to see you're feeling better, little wolf."Klaus commented.

Hayley nodded as she scooped Emily up and hugged her daughter tightly.

"Thank you."Hayley stated after a long moment as she met Klaus's gaze.

"I'm just sorry you had to endure that."Klaus replied.

"I knew the risks when I decided to go through with the pregnancy."Hayley said quietly as she tucked a stray brown hair behind Emily's left ear."It's all worth it to have Emily safe and happy."

Klaus stood and set the book aside. "I promise I will do everything in my power to keep both of you safe."

Hayley nodded and suddenly wasn't able to resist the urge to lean into Klaus and rest her head on his chest. After a moment Klaus enveloped mother and child in a hug.

"What do you say, little wolf?"Klaus asked quietly. "Would you like to continue reading to our daughter?"

"Would love to."Hayley replied as Emily giggled.

They settled on the sofa with Emily back on her father's lap. Hayley began to read as she did she watched Klaus. There was definitely something different about the hybrid as he looked at her and Emily. He seemed more relaxed almost content. Hayley knew his demons would always be there it was part of who Klaus was. You took the good with the bad. Right now the good was definitely winning and she'd take the good moments whenever she could. When the story was finished and Emily asleep against Klaus's stomach Hayley smiled at the image before her.

"Klaus."Hayley began.

"Hmmm?"They hybrid asked.

"I heard what you said to my captor."Hayley continued awkwardly. "About us not being an epic love story."

"Hayley…"Klaus started.

"Let me finish."Hayley instructed. "I just….I agree with you. I like what we have; not sure where it's going but I like it."

Klaus smirked as he leaned in and kissed Hayley. "As do I, little wolf."

Hayley shook her head in amazement and snuggled down against Klaus watching her daughter sleep. It'd been a long rocky road for she and Klaus to get to this point. Whatever was to come wasn't going to be easy but it was going to be worth fighting for. Family always was.

end