So it took me a really long time to update...i hardly got any feedback from the last two chapter so that was kind of a downer and I lost my motivation. Plus, finals have started so I've been really busy. Anyways...here it is.
How quickly Hayley fled took Elijah back. She was fast, faster than any other vampire he had ever seen. But he was still able to find her tracks and scent. And somehow, he knew where to go to locate her. Perhaps it was the magic that linked them together. That was how it felt when he found her at the lake, practically dead. Elijah knew he would always be able to find her no matter what.
A few minutes later, he ended up in the town square of Mystic Falls. Since it was the middle of the night, the town was practically deserted. Everyone was in the safety of their homes, most likely asleep. Elijah glanced around, trying to see her. He could sense that she was close. Then something made him look up instead of around. At the end of the street, Hayley was sitting on the edge of one of the roofs, staring up at the sky and across the town. Elijah took in a deep breath before making his way toward the building.
In seconds, he was at the other end of the roof, slowly walking toward her. She let her head hang as soon as she heard him. Despite her running away, Elijah knew that Hayley wanted to talk about it. And he also knew that she wouldn't do it with anyone but him. He carefully sat next to her. While her feet dangled over the edge, Elijah's back was facing the other way as he turned his head and stared at her patiently.
"I'm an idiot." Hayley said quietly, looking at her feet.
"Niklaus is the most manipulative and conniving people in this world. Even the most skeptical and cautious become victim to his methods." Elijah defended instantly.
"After everything he did to your family…and meanwhile, I was his friend." Hayley finally looked at him. "I loved him as a friend, Elijah!" She said it with such disgust. All that time of Elijah being desiccated because of him and she had been friends with the enemy. She felt as if she had betrayed Elijah.
"Hayley, you didn't know." He reassured her.
But she shook her head. "But I do now." She whispered, looking back at her feet. Elijah narrowed his eyes, not quite sure what she was meant. "And I still…" Hayley stopped herself as her voice started to shake. "I still look at him as my friend. Even knowing who he really is, I can't stop looking at him like I did before."
Elijah was silent. He hadn't expected her to say anything like that. Jealousy: this new feeling that he had never experienced before her. He didn't know how to handle it. But Elijah was able to see that it was the reason he wanted her to hate his brother so badly. Even picturing Niklaus and her becoming mere friends made his blood boil. At first, he didn't believe his younger brother was capable of such things. But he remembered how Niklaus looked at Hayley. And Elijah became even angrier when he could read the honest love and affectionate he saw in his brother's eyes when he looked at her earlier. Elijah wanted to convince himself it was all a ruse, but he couldn't.
"I can't forgive him." Hayley added, looking out over the town now. Except what she really wanted to say was that she couldn't forgive him…yet. "But I can't hate him like you want me to." She said in shame. Elijah's jaw tightened a little. Hayley took a deep breath in and he could hear the trembling in it, the sound that could be heard right before someone breaks down and cries. She finally leaned into him. Elijah instantly put his arms around her and gently kissed the top of her head.
"I just want to go home." Hayley whispered. They both knew she meant the hotel. Except Elijah couldn't help but think she was referring to the home in Chicago. The place where it had just been the two of them, before any of his family interposed. She didn't want to think about Klaus anymore. Her vampire senses allowed her to push it to the back of her mind for now.
Hayley slowly swung her legs back from hanging off the roof. She walked a few steps away from the edge and then paused when she realized Elijah was still sitting. She turned and tilted her head when she was unable to read his expression as he stared at her. "What?" She asked with a nervous grin.
Elijah shook his head as he looked down at the gravel that covered the roof's entire surface. "With all that has happened today, it wasn't until now that I seemed to realize I have the rest of my immortality to spend with you." He said quietly. For once, he had hope for their future. There was no smile on Hayley's lips, but he could see it in her eyes perfectly. He stood up as she slowly walked back toward him.
Hayley gently grabbed his hands. "After everything we've been through, I think it's the least we deserve." She muttered to him in her husky voice. But she quickly backed away. Her features suddenly became mischievous. "I'll race you." She challenged.
"Is that so?" He countered.
"I loved running when I was human. But this…is amazing." Hayley explained. Then, before he could give her an answer, she flashed away. Elijah smiled and shook is head half a second before going after her. They raced through the woods and shadows of Mystic Falls. Elijah had to admit, he wasn't sure if he would even be able to catch up to her. In only a few minutes, they were back at the fancy hotel. Hayley finally slowed to a walk, but gasped when Elijah pinned her against the side of the hotel. He was gentle, but quick. He would never hurt her. It mostly just caught her off guard.
Hayley glanced down to see that Elijah's hands were firmly around her waist. But she had already felt them there. She didn't know whether it was because she was a new vampire or because she finally fed on a human, but every touch she felt was magnified. Her senses almost couldn't handle it. But Elijah seemed to already know this. Ever so slowly, he pulled her back off the wall so she was closer to him.
But Hayley pulled away just a little, only to envelope his lips in a passionate kiss. Before Elijah really had time to respond, she disappeared. He smiled at her teasing and knew she had made her way back to their room. Conveniently, none of his siblings were lingering in the room. They were probably off feeding or tormenting Klaus more.
All the lights were off when Elijah opened the door. Hayley was silently watching him from the window. The moonlight coming in behind caused her entire body to become a silhouette. In the blink of an eye, he was standing barely an inch away from her. She didn't jump at his speed. Without saying a word, Hayley slowly gripped the collar of Elijah's suit jacket. And with no objection from him, she slid it off his shoulders and dropped it onto the floor. She then reached for his tie, but he gently grabbed her hand before she could loosen it. Instead, he stared deep into her eyes. He didn't understand how she could be so beautiful. None of it made sense. He didn't deserve her. What justified fate's reasoning for bringing them together?
"Elijah?" Hayley whispered, bringing him back to the present. His eyes flashed. He would never get used to her saying his name in such a way. But he didn't respond to her unasked question. Ever so slowly, he leaned in again. His gaze flickered to hers just before their lips touched again. She immediately reciprocated, practically melting against him. His hands swiftly slid off her leather jacket. He took over without losing his noble repute. Hayley seemed to realize this and relaxed now that he was in control.
They were in their bedroom now. As they continued to kiss, Hayley felt Elijah's hands sneak under her shirt. His hands felt warm against her back. She couldn't stand it anymore. She pulled away from his lips to take off her t-shirt. The second it hit the floor Elijah placed kisses across her pale and smooth skin. Hayley felt his lips on her bare shoulder, her collarbone, and then her neck. A whisper of a laugh escaped out of her from his kisses being so light, they tickled. Then her smile slowly faded as she looked into his eyes. Her hand was against his cheek as her thumb traced his cheekbone.
"I love you, Elijah." She whispered. It was the first time she had said it to him on her own. There was almost surprise in her voice, as if she was just now realizing it. Hayley remembered the last time they spoke before he was daggered by Klaus. Elijah had tried to tell her he loved her, somehow sensing he was truly in danger. But she had cut him off, not wanting to hear it, before he could actually say he loved her. She hadn't wanted to accept his love. Not yet.
The back of his hand grazed down the side of her arm. "I love you, Hayley." He said it so differently than she had. It was firm and self-assured… like he had known it all of his existence. After all, Elijah had been waiting for Hayley her entire life. And even before he met her, he knew that he loved her. There had never been a question in the matter for him. He'd only been waiting for her to love him back.
Elijah woke up right before sunrise to Hayley sleep talking. She was having a nightmare. Although her naked body slept on his chest, she kept holding onto him tighter and tighter. Elijah was about to wake her up, tell her that it was all just a dream. It bothered him, hearing such discomfort and fear in her voice. But then he recognized a name she muttered. Stefan. She kept saying his name, telling him that she didn't care if she died. Elijah immediately knew what it meant. Before everything had been unfolded, he believed Klaus was the one that took Hayley and was responsible for her dying. But he soon realized that it wasn't his brothers doing. Elijah had been so preoccupied with just Hayley's presence that he hadn't put more thought into it. But now Elijah knew. It was Stefan. His jaw tightened in anger at the understanding.
Elijah took a deep breath as he looked down at Hayley again. Maybe their relationship took a different course than he ever wanted, but they still got to the same place. He couldn't hate himself for everything that happened to her. All that he wanted was this: her safely asleep in his arms. Ever so carefully, he moved off the bed and made sure his movements didn't wake her. He walked to the window, looking outside. Then he turned to face the bed and was amazed at what he saw.
When Klaus had daggered him, visions desperately broke into his mind. Hayley asleep on a bed, clearly unclothed with her back the only skin exposed. Elijah was stunned to see the vision before him once again. Only this time, it wasn't a vision; it was real. He smiled a little to himself. Then he wondered if that original vision, the one that showed her beauty to him first would come true before his eyes as well. But before he could wonder about it anymore. He heard someone putting a key into the suite.
Immediately, Elijah was in the entrance of the suite to confront anyone that entered. His face immediately turned into a threatening glare when he recognized Niklaus standing in the doorway with his hand still on the handle. His brother only smirked at him, showing no fear or negative reaction.
"How indecent of you brother…what a scandal you've become." Klaus mocked his brother, as he looked him up and down. Elijah was wearing no shirt and flannel pajama pants. It was one of the very few times Klaus had seen his brother out of a suit.
"Leave before I rip out your throat." Elijah said so calmly that it was unsettling.
"Good luck with that." Klaus' smirk instantly turned into a scowl at hearing such a threat aimed at him. "I'm not here to see you." He said almost in a growl.
"After everything you have done, what a type of fool would you be to think I would let you anywhere near her." Elijah quickly snapped at his brother. But his tone was still emotionless and cool.
Klaus stepped forward, getting into this brother's face like they always did when they fought. "While you were gallivanting across the country trying to kill me, I was the one with her. While you were searching for your pathetic and wasted revenge, I was the one giving her what she needed." Then he took a step back and tilted his head. "Are you really mad at our friendship…or are you mad at yourself for never being there?"
And that was all it took. That was all that needed to be said to push Elijah's renowned patience over a dark and terrifying edge. He grabbed Klaus' leather jacket by the collar and held his little brother at his will. "I could have stayed with her if you had never tried to destroy our family. I stayed away to protect her from you."
"Well, it was a waste of time now, wasn't it?" Klaus rumbled.
"Leave her be. If you care about her as much as you claim, you will do what she wishes." Elijah said once again. He thought it was about to go to physical blows. But, by some miracle, Klaus actually listened to what his brother had to say. The hybrid stood firmly in his place, fighting inner chaos. He wanted to speak with Hayley. But what good would that do if she never wanted to speak with him again? His fists clenched just before he stormed out of the hotel room. Elijah instantly let his body relax at the sight.
The second he was sure that Klaus was gone; Elijah quietly went back into the bedroom to change. He needed to do something. And it was best that he did it while Hayley was still sleeping.
A few minutes later, he was dressed in one of his suits. After he finished straightening his tie, his eyes wandered to Hayley's sleeping body. For a split second, he almost decided to just stay with her. She had such a hold on him. Elijah slowly walked toward the bed. He softly placed a kiss on her cheek before disappearing out of the suite.
Damon hadn't been able to sleep. Instead, he drank in the den of the boarding house. As usual, a fire was blazing. He stared at the flames and rubbed his face in exhaustion. Trying to kill Klaus was something that seemed almost impossible now. He couldn't sleep while he was hoping Klaus' siblings would just finish him instead.
Damon suddenly felt someone else in the room. They knew he sensed them, but had yet to say anything. Casually, Damon finished the rest of the alcohol in his glass and then slammed it on the table next to him.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Damon asked Elijah without turning around.
"You must have realized I would visit eventually."
Damon finally turned. "Yes. But I'm still unaware on what terms." He said it with his signature smirk. But Elijah could see right through it.
"I came to repay a debt." Elijah said calmly.
This seemed to catch the younger vampire off guard. "What?"
Elijah stepped further into the room. "You saved Hayley's life. There was absolutely no validation for you doing so. Therefore, I am in debt to you." He paused for a moment. "I know it was your brother who killed her."
Damon calmly watched him with narrowed eyes. He remained silent.
"I had every intention of coming here and ripping Stefan's heart out. But I found you before him. I am already aware that you will ask me to spare his life in return for you saving hers." Elijah imagined he would regret his decision. He immediately saw the older Salvatore relax after he understood that his brother would be spared. "Consider the favor returned." He stated formerly, turning toward the door.
"Did she tell you it was Stefan?" Damon asked emotionlessly.
Elijah stopped in his tracks and turned to face him again. "No. On the contrary, I believe she was keeping it from me." He put his hands in his pockets. "I expect she knew what I would do once I found out."
"Protecting the one who killed her." Damon sang as he shook his head and sneered at the ridiculousness. It sounded like something Elena would do.
"Or protecting the one who saved her." Elijah offered confidently. His statement appeared to catch Damon off guard. His smirk wiped right off his lips. But Elijah disappeared before any more words could be exchanged.
"Or…we could take the girl and bring her to Klaus. I'm sure he would enjoy that more than killing you. Think about how fun it would be! Klaus could raise her just like a puppy! She would be quite a pet." The voice was eerie and echoed in Hayley's mind as she dreamed. Images of Elijah ripping out the vampire's heart flashed, following the echoing threat. Then there was the sound of a child crying. It took a moment for Hayley to realize it was her. "Hayley…I would never hurt you."
Hayley shot up in bed, breathing heavily. Immediately, she understood that it wasn't just a nightmare. It had been a memory. Elijah said he compelled her to forget that memory. Then why had she remembered it? Hayley ran her hand through her hair and looked around the room. Elijah was nowhere to be found.
Loneliness suddenly washed over her. She hugged as if she was cold even though no such thing happened to vampires. Hayley listened to see if anyone else was in the hotel. But it was completely empty. Then, for some reason, her thoughts went to Klaus. She was unwilling to believe that everything she said about Klaus was a lie. She wanted to talk to him. She wanted to know if everything that she once believed was really a lie. She wanted to talk to him. But she couldn't let Elijah know that. She didn't think she could handle his hurt if he did. So Hayley put on the act, to protect Klaus from Elijah and to protect Elijah from himself. Before Hayley could have second thoughts, she got out of bed and got dressed.
Klaus sat by the fireplace, drawing in his sketchbook. His siblings had left him alone hours ago. But he hadn't been able to sleep through the night. That was why he decided to try and speak with Hayley. He didn't leave to respect his brother's wishes. He had left because he was starting to believe that Hayley truly hated him and would never forgive him. The sun was just beginning to rise as he heard someone walk into the mansion. His bloody hybrids were starting to become useless. They were supposed to be patrolling the mansion.
Then he smelled her as soon as she stood in the doorway. Klaus' head whipped around to look at her and practically jumped out of his chair to stand. The golden light of the sunrise ignited one side of her face, leaving the other half in shadow. Her blonde hair looks completely red from the dawn. She tried to remain emotionless as she looked at him. But Klaus was able to read how torn and betrayed she felt in her eyes.
"I had a dream…I guess it was a nightmare." Hayley said softly, remaining in the doorway. "I was just a kid. Elijah and I were walking in the woods by my house. You sent two of your little slaves to send Elijah a message. One of them threatened to take me and give me to you…as a pet. Elijah ended up ripping out his heart. He told me years later that he compelled me to forget all of it…he said he couldn't bare the thought of that haunting me for the rest of my life." Then Hayley cleared her throat before she could sound emotional talking about all of it. While she had been glancing everywhere around the room beside him, Klaus stared at her eyes the entire time. A few moments of silence passed. He was too worried about saying anything that would ruin this chance for him to finally speak with her.
"When one becomes a vampire, all compulsion is lost." Klaus informed her. "That is why you remembered it."
Finally, she looked him in the eyes. It broke his heart to see that there were tears covering them. "I want you to tell me the truth. You at least owe me that much." She practically choked out. All Klaus could do was nod. "Was your intention always to trick me…to use and then kill me? Running into me at art store…at the café…was it all part of your big plan?" She accused him, getting more and more emotional as she went on.
"No." Klaus immediately answered. "I knew of your existence and of you and Elijah. And I…I just needed to meet you for some reason. But I never planned on harming you in any way." Hayley shook her head. She didn't want to believe any of it, but she knew him well enough to see he was telling the truth.
"You and I both know that you would never have accepted me as your friend had you known the truth." Klaus pointed out.
"Because we shouldn't be friends!" Hayley hurt him by immediately responding. "You took Elijah away from me. And you saw first hand what it did to me! You killed Luke! And I'm guessing you're also the reason he turned into a werewolf." She saw the surprise in his eyes when she brought up Luke. But there wasn't any guilt. "What kind of friend does that?" She asked him. Hayley didn't think she could stand here and explain why she was so hurt anymore. She turned to leave and found him standing right in front of her already.
"I'm sorry." Klaus surprised both of them by saying it. "I will do whatever it takes to get your forgiveness." He opened his mouth to say more but closed it before any words could form. He wasn't good at showing his emotions. Neither of them was. But Klaus had never felt so vulnerable and he knew if he wanted to keep his one friend, he couldn't hide all of it anymore.
"Being the most powerful creature in the world…I recognize when people become my companions only out of fear or desire for power. You were completely unknowing to my true identity. You weren't scared of me and you never realized how dangerous I was capable of being." Klaus took a step closer. "You saw me for who I really am…who I had been when I was human."
He could read the impact that his words had on Hayley. She was holding her breath, never expecting him to be so open with her. "Elijah never wants me to even speak to you again." She whispered almost pathetically. She was running out of reasons for hating him. "I love him, Nik."
"Last time I checked, you didn't do things people wanted you to." Klaus said, trying to suppress his impish smirk. Then it went away as he thought of something else. No one had told Hayley the other part of the prophecy, the part that involved the rest of their family. She knew Elijah and her were meant to be, but she wasn't aware how tied her life was to the original vampires. "Hayley…what if I told you that it wasn't just you and Elijah destined to be together…that the prophecy is more than just that?"
Hayley glanced at the floor right before meeting his intense gaze. "A part of me thinks I knew that all along." She whispered with a sad smile. Then she looked out the window to see that the sun was rising fast. Wherever Elijah had gone, he would probably be back soon. She didn't want him to ask her where she had been. Klaus followed her gaze out the window and somehow put together that she hadn't told his brother she was coming to see him.
"I have to go." Hayley told Klaus softly. She slowly backed away from him. But she stopped after a few steps, glanced at the door, and then back at him. Before she could change her mind, she slowly wrapped her arms around Klaus. He knew he didn't deserve any of it. He didn't deserve her forgiveness or her friendship. But that didn't stop him from embracing the comfort. His hands grasped tightly around her tiny back and his eyes closed at the feeling of being held by someone who truly loved him. And even if she refused to admit it, she did love him. Not like she loved Elijah, but loved him she did.
Just a warning: I'm not going to have Ester or her diabolical plan in this story. I already did it before. And I know it would bore me.
PLEASSEEEE I'm begging you, REVIEW! I'm stressed and it would make my day...NO! MY LIFE!