Chapter 52: Matter to Address

Hayley stood in the middle of her bedroom and surveyed it. Was this really home? She had considered staying in the bayou tonight, the wolves would need her support but Eve had reassured her that it was alright. Eve seemed to understand how Hayley was torn between the two sides. How she worried for both the wolves and the Mikaelsons, she wondered come full moon what her pack would have to say. Despite their loyalties so far she knew the reintroduction of The Crescents to New Orleans would cause a stir. All things like this always did.

On another note, Klaus and Elijah seemed to be working well together; she had heard the clamour of vampires and The Mikaelson's regal tone. They were taking back The Quarter and it seemed everything was slowly slotting into place but as usually Hayley was hardly sure.

As she considered these things, Hayley sighed. It had been an awfully long day and she almost felt more grumpy and tense because of it. She closed her eyes with her hands on her back to softy stretch when suddenly she felt strong arms wrap around her and a soft gasp escaped her mouth.

Hayley whined gently as she felt his warmth around her, his breath, so soft and warm at the crook of her neck. Elijah hadn't spoken a word; he just breathed her in at the crook of her neck and held her firmly against him, wanting to feel her tension subside. Hayley felt it lift slightly and sighed in response. And then his hands slid over her arms and his touch trailed along to her fingers which he picked up and bought to kiss lips to kiss gently. Hayley turned around in his protective grasp and kissed him almost needily her fingers sliding into his recently washed hair. He smelled of his special soap, the one she used now too.

Elijah more than obliged. He kissed her back in time, stroking her cheek, cupping it's side and then holding her chin before cradling her head as they slowly stumbled until she was against the bedroom wall. Hayley lay against it and looked up at him recalling the second time he had ever kissed her. It had been in her bedroom. They had been hiding from Klaus. Rebekah had saved the day but now Rebekah was gone. So much was changing and so quickly at that.

Elijah tipped up her chin and kissed her gently and then suddenly lifted her effortlessly off the ground. Hayley although a little startled did not speak. He carried her to her bed and pulled open the duvet before placing her upon the calming sheets and then swiftly he joined her. As expected Hayley immediately curled up into him and Elijah kisses the top of her head. She breathed softly and rhythmically and Elijah's found peace in her every heart beat.

"You should sleep." He then whispered gently while stroking a lock of her hair.

"I don't want to." Hayley whined back although clearly tired and Elijah occupied himself by curling pieces of her hair around her ear.

Jeez, you two, always so PG 13

Hayley clutched the pillow underneath her and groaned as she heard Celeste's voice.

"What is it?" Elijah's asked noticing her jerk in movement and Hayley frowned only clutching the pillow tighter.

"Hayley..." Elijah's spoke again and this time Hayley sat up, propping the cushion upon her lap.

"It's your crazy ass psycho lover, that's what." she exclaimed clearly irritated.

The mind meld. Elijah recalled and sighed softly.

"I assure you it won't be for long Hayley." He spoke with reassurance and concern.

"But mind my asking..." he then continued.

"But what is it exactly that she has been saying." Elijah's asked curiously.

Hayley pursed her lips and looked away briefly; as much as she was irritated she was also stubborn and wasn't going to go about admitting her strong feelings of jealously over a relationship that occurred centuries ago.

Elijah smiled softly. Although he did not let on, he knew from the recent slight blushes of her cheeks and her even greener eyes that jealousy was partly something to do with it.

Hayley finally turned to look at him and just about managed to catch his smile.

She scowled and pursed her lips.

"You think this is funny!" she exclaimed, kicking away the bed sheets and heading for the door. Before she could even reach it however Elijah stood blocking her way. He pulled her to him and kissed her firmly on the lips before she could say a word.

"She's just trying to irritate you Hayley and clearly it's working." He spoke gently and nuzzled her nose softly with his.

Hayley calmed but still looked at him sadly.

"But it's not fair; she whined and walked around him, slipping back into the bed."

Elijah followed her and pulled her into his lap before kissing the top of her head.

"I know." He replied.

Yet Hayley disagreed. She caught his hand and began tracing it's lines as she sighed.

"But you don't." She pouted.

"Then tell me." he replied calmly before continuing to skilfully spread her fingers and interlock them with his own. He squeezed against her palm with the perfect amount of pressure.

Hayley whined and rolled onto her side to find a more comfortable position but still clutched Elijah's hand. Her baby bump often meant a lot of tossing and turning but Elijah never complained, not for one second. Instead he watched her lovingly and waited for a reply.

Hayley hummed demurely to herself recalling the several memories of Elijah that Celeste has shovelled her way. The intimacy of their meetings, the sounds of their sighs and sweet nights and she winced with woe and want.

"Hayley." Elijah spoke softly as if coaxing her to speak as his thumb brushed her hand.

Hayley blinked softly with flushed cheeks, jealously and need.

Elijah saw this look in her eye as she sliced the distance between them and pressed her lips to his. He grasped her protectively and held the nape of her neck as she kept kissing him with some sort of troubled frustration. Elijah soothed her heated skin

"Hayley." he spoke reassuringly, stroking her with gentle caresses.

A small sob escaped Hayley's mouth and Elijah clutched her to him concerned. He hugged her and she squirmed against him, curling into a ball.

Hayley mind swam as several emotions washed over her; the pregnancy, the mind meld, all that was going on, the wolves, Rebekah, Klaus. Her head panged and she tightened into her little ball around her bump even more so. It wasn't like her to let everything get to her this way but somehow she felt her feelings were not under her control. What hurt her more was that Celeste could hear her despair and frustration and she hated this invasion of her privacy.

Elijah watched her and found himself biting down on her jaw as anger seeped into his blood. He held her protectively as he stared into the distance.

It's time I dealt with Celeste.