Two weeks had passed since Klaus and Hayley first started their late night hunts.
Hayley fed on random humans for another 3 hours after she and Klaus finished off that couple on the riverbanks. Klaus waited the entire time. For a minute he got concerned that she had went off the deep end and decided to take off, but then he saw her deep brown waves coming towards him and that concern disappeared, of course she wouldn't take off, she needed him and he needed her. After that night Hayley came to him again, and again, and again, and before they knew it they were out almost every night blowing off steam and feasting on warm blood.
Hayley's emotional state appeared to get better as the days went by. Klaus managed to squeeze in lessons on how to control her emotions every time they went out which helped Hayley immensely. She noticed a change after the first week had passed. She no longer felt like she was going to loose it every hour and she found that gradually she cried less and less. By the time the middle of the second week rolled around she wasn't even crying herself to sleep anymore. Klaus knew she was getting better when he went to her room after a rough night for him. Unlike most nights he was the one seeking her out to let out some steam. He expected to see her ducked off in the nursery like he used to find her but instead he found her snuggled up with Hope's blanket watching television peacefully. He hadn't seen her that relaxed since before Hope's birth. That sight alone made him feel better and he completely forgot about how he was feeling at that moment.
Even Elijah noticed a change in Hayley's behavior. He commented that Hayley appeared to be in better spirits more than once to Klaus. Klaus usually kept the exchanges brief. He didn't want to talk about Hayley that much with his brother, especially not now. Despite not objecting to their romance or whatever it was they had it still made him uncomfortable, especially since he and Hayley had been getting a lot closer these last few weeks. They did more than just kill when they snuck off at night. They actually talked to each other candidly. They talked about Hope, the city, their likes and dislikes, and even their pasts a little. They didn't have long heart to hearts with tears included but they actually listened to each other and talked without apprehension or filter. It was refreshing for both of them and some nights they would get so caught up in conversation they would forget what they had snuck out the house to do in the first place. Their time spent together did a lot for Klaus's fragile psyche and he felt an intense urge to protect that at all costs. For some reason he couldn't quite explain, it felt sacred to him and he couldn't handle having it tarnished by Elijah. That meant he needed to avoid thinking about her and Elijah at all costs. Which meant conversations with Elijah about Hayley were off limits for him.
Elijah noticed Klaus's reluctance to talk about Hayley even briefly; his abrasiveness when it came to her took him off guard considering Klaus showed no objection to him catering to Hayley since Hope's departure.
Hayley also avoided Elijah most of the time. He didn't know about her late night sneak outs with Klaus and she wanted to keep it that way. She was afraid that being around him too much would cause her to get angry like she usually did around him and if she got angry there was no telling what would slip out of her mouth. She felt so distant from Elijah and the more time she spent with Klaus the more she felt the fragile grip Elijah had on her heart loosen. Of course she didn't want him to know because she knew he wouldn't approve so that was also another reason she avoided him. She wasn't completely oblivious to the dynamics of her relationships and how complicated they were. She was involved romantically with the father of her child's brother. It was already messy and adding the intense and strong bond she felt to Klaus right now just made things even messier.
It was easier to avoid Elijah that it was to string him along and fake the connection to him that she once felt. If she was being completely honest with herself she didn't feel the same thing for Elijah that he felt for her, she never has, but even what she did feel was fading and it was fading fast and every night she spent out with Klaus made that fact more obvious to her. Hayley hoped just like Elijah did that once she got herself under control, once she actually started coping she would find her way back to him and where they were before the tragic events surrounding Hope's birth, but that's not what happened at all. In fact, getting control over her emotions was having the opposite affect on her; it made her feel even farther away from him that she was before.
Even with her complicated feelings for Elijah, Hayley still felt that she was finally starting to get on the right track, like maybe just maybe she was beginning to find the resolve to pull her self out of the gutter long enough to start the fight to get her daughter back. That is until this morning when she once again woke up with the incredible urge to go to Hope that she couldn't control. She hadn't felt this way since the first night she went to Klaus and it's return sent her into e frenzy.
She started to feel the urge a little last night, the dull ache in her heart for her daughter, the desire to leave new Orleans to go to her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but she felt Hope needed her. She tried to ignore it but she couldn't so she sought out the only person who knew how to make her feel better. They went out last night and fed for almost 5 hours straight. It worked since Hayley wore herself out and fell asleep in the car on the way home. Klaus had carried her back to her room and watched her sleep peacefully for another 2 hours before retreating. He figured that she was fine, and so did Hayley until she woke at 6am screaming at the top of her lungs for Hope.
Klaus was down in his art studio painting when he heard her wails pierce his ears. As soon as he heard her he raced to her room, only to find Elijah had gotten there first.
"Hayley calm down please, I beg you." Elijah pleaded.
"NO!" She screamed at him. "SHE NEEDS ME, SOMETHING IS WRONG!"
Klaus stood in the doorframe stunned by her outburst. He thought for sure she was getting better, but clearly she wasn't which made him feel completely useless again.
"Hayley I'm sure nothing is wrong with Hope, everything is fine Rebekah is taking care of her, she would let us know if something is wrong." Elijah tried to reason with her.
"SHE'S NOT HER MOTHER I AM! SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING! SHE'S MY BABY I KNOW!" Hayley frantically grabbed her head and began to cry.
Elijah took a few steps closer to Hayley and tried to touch her but she swatted his hand away. "Don't touch me…. just get out of my way so I can find her."
"Hayley, If you try to find her someone might see you, they might find her, is that what you wish to bring upon her? Your enemies finding her and stealing her away from you for good? You have to stop this."
Klaus finally decided to speak up. "Oh big brother, you were always one for words. Do you honestly think that's what she needs to hear right now?"
"Well what do you suggest them Klaus, look at her" her said pointing to Hayley who was now pacing back and forth whispering I'm coming sweetheart over and over.
Klaus wished Elijah wasn't in the room. He'd seen Hayley like this, more than once actually, he knew how to handle her, but something about Elijah's presence made him feel like he didn't know anything at all. "Why don't we just listen to her, you know use these" He motioned to his ears. "Instead of just spouting off orders and suggestions to her. She's not going to listen to either of us"
"Klaus listen to her, what she's talking about is insane."
"Maybe to you it is but not to her." Klaus responded.
"Brother we don't have time for this we have to do something before she takes off and we can't stop her."
They stood silently and observed her to see what her next move would be. She had stopped pacing and was not staring at the nursery. Suddenly Hayley took off towards the window. Elijah sped and intercepted her before she could open it and leave.
"GET OFF OF ME ELIJAH!" She yelled fighting against his grip.
"Hayley no! I will not let you leave this house to go after Hope. This is madness!"
She pushed herself loose from his grip and tried to speed out the door of her room only this time Klaus stopped her. He placed his arm across the door to block her exit. Hayley tried to push his arm out the way but he was too strong for her to overcome.
"Move Klaus!" She shouted, pounding him on the chest and arms. "Get out of my way!"
"NO!" he shouted at her in return.
"She needs me Klaus our daughter needs me! I feel her something is wrong! I have to get to her!" She tried to get past the threshold of her room again but she still couldn't get past Klaus's arm. She kicked and fought to get past him. "Get away from the fucking door right now Klaus or I will kill you!"
"See there is just one little problem with that love" he replied in between fighting her off. "I can't be killed."
"I fucking hate you!" She screamed as she slapped him before storming away from him. Klaus absorbed her slap without even moving.
"Are you really going to just let her fight you like this Klaus. Is that how you suggest we handle her? Just let her go off the rails until she wears herself out and hopefully quits?"
"IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS HOW I CHOOSE TO HANDLE HER!" He yelled. Now he was the one frustrated with Elijah. His anger at not being able to help Hayley and having Elijah questioning his competency spilled over. He sped to Hayley and grabbed her firmly by both arms shaking her.
"Hayley stop this right now!" He yelled.
Hayley gasped and was suddenly unable to say anything. Her fit of rage stopped and she just stared at him. Her desperate eyes made Klaus regret yelling at her. There was so much pain behind them, and helplessness and it saddened him greatly. He loosened his grip on her arms and looked back at her with pleading eyes.
"Hayley, please, I know you want to get to her but you can't, you can't sweetheart." His voice was so tender as he rubbed her shoulders to comfort her. Hayley took in his words but didn't say anything. Suddenly she curled her face up and began to sob.
"But she needs me Klaus, she needs me I can feel it, I know it."
"Of course she needs you, you're her mother Hayley, every child needs their mother, but you can't go to her, not right now." He said looking into her eyes.
Hayley lowered her head onto Klaus chest and continued sobbing. He wrapped his arms around her. "Shhhh…shhhh. It's alright Hayley, just relax."
Elijah looked on in silence. He had never seen Hayley like this before. He'd seen her cry, but he had never seen her this broken and uncontrollable and the only time he had ever seen Klaus this tender and comforting was with Rebekah. He was relieved that Hayley was finally calming down but there was a sinking feeling in his stomach as he watched Klaus comfort Hayley. He felt almost territorial, like he wanted to intervene but he knew better than to risk angering Hayley again, still It didn't make it hurt any less.
Hayley's sobs got louder and louder as Klaus held her. "I have to get to her, I have to get to her she needs me." She repeated, as her legs gave out from under her and she collapsed onto the ground. Klaus went down with her. She put her head on his shoulder and continued to cry. Klaus gently stroked her hair contemplating what to do next.
"Maybe we should take her to lie down Klaus, she might find more comfort in her bed." Elijah suggested.
"No that won't do anything, she'll just cry throughout the night, she won't sleep."
"You speak as if you've done this before Niklaus."
Silence filled the space between the two brothers. Klaus didn't have to respond, Elijah could tell by just how in tune with Hayley Klaus was that he'd done this before, probably more than once. Klaus could feel his brother's eyes on his back as he continued to cradle a sobbing Hayley in his arms.
"Hayley look at me…" He said finally pulling her up from his shoulder. He extended his wrist towards her. "Here…drink." The veins in Hayley's eyes appeared and she bit down into Klaus's wrist hard, drinking up his blood as if he was one of the strangers she preyed on at night.
"Klaus what is the reasoning behind this! How is this going to help her?" Elijah questioned incredulously. Klaus making Hayley feed at that moment made no sense to him and blood sharing was not something he condoned unless the circumstances were dire. The vision of Hayley blood sharing with Klaus angered him. "And after she's done? When she starts sobbing and acting out again what then?"
"I'm going to compell her." Klaus said emotionless. He didn't want to do it again but it was the only way. He couldn't let her stay like this all night and he knew she would. He couldn't stay with her tonight, not with Elijah lurking so compelling her was the only option. Hayley had finally released his wrist and was now whimpering on his shoulder.
"Absolutely not!" Elijah shouted. "You have no right Klaus, you can't mess with her mind in that manner. First you force her to blood share now you're trying to compell her, enough of this Klaus."
"There is nothing else to do Elijah! Look at her. It's what she would want anyway."
"And who gives you the authority to determine what Hayley would want? I will not let you compell her!" Elijah was now almost right in front of Klaus. He was on the verge of tearing Hayley away from Klaus's shoulder to keep him from compelling her.
"What give me the authority? She's the mother of MY child Elijah, not yours, not anyone else's, but mine!" Klaus shouted. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He needed to tend to Hayley, not have a pointless argument with Elijah over who had more right to make decisions for her when she's unable to do so herself. He needed to rein his emotions in before he lost it as well. He spoke up again, this time with less anger behind his voice. "A better question, my dear brother, is how do you know what she would want? This might come as a bit of a shock to you Elijah but someone other than yourself just might know a little bit about Hayley. Now step back before I make you step back."
"Klaus you can't—"
"Look at me Hayley….you will not think of Hope today, you will not cry, you will not act out. You will sleep and you will sleep peacefully. You will remember everything but you will feel nothing but peace while you sleep. Now rest."
Hayley immediately collapsed onto Klaus, causing Elijah to storm out of the room in frustration. He picked Hayley up bridal style and carried her to her bed. Gently he laid her down, tucking her hair behind her ears and whipping the residual tears from her cheeks. His heart was heavy and his mind was exhausted. Dejectedly he leaned down and placed one tender kiss on her forehead before retreating.
Hayley stayed asleep until 8 o'clock in the evening. She didn't stir, not even a little, the entire time. Elijah went in a few times to check on her, hoping she would be awake. He didn't speak to Klaus at all, still upset that he compelled Hayley and confused by their behavior last night. After checking on Hayley for the 4th time he left the compound. He just needed to get away and Klaus was relieved, he had no desire to deal with Elijah after the events earlier in the day.
When Hayley awoke she remembered everything. She remembered feeling Hope needed her, she remembered arguing with Elijah, she remembered trying to escape out of the window to get to Hope. She also remembered slapping and fighting Klaus. She remembered Klaus gently brushing her hair as she cried on his shoulder, she remembered him trying to comfort her and letting her feed off of him. She even remembered him looking into her eyes to compell her. She remembered how angry Elijah was at Klaus throughout the entire thing, but then she remembered Klaus putting his foot down determined to do whatever it took to make her feel better, even if it angered Elijah and maybe even her.
After spending a few minutes gathering her thoughts she got up and made her way to the one person she wanted to see.
"Klaus…." She said, head bowed, eyes low, and almost whispering.
"Good evening love. I assume you rested well."
"I did…."
"To what do I owe the pleasure…"
Hayley nervously played with her hands and shifted her weighted back and forth from her heels to her toes. "Klaus why did you make me remember everything? You could have compelled me to forget I was even upset to begin with, to forget any of that happened but you didn't"
"What does it matter to you love?"
"I just need to know."
Klaus shut the book that he was reading and turned to finally make eye contact with her. "Perhaps I selfishly wanted to you come gravelling at my feet with praise for helping relieve your suffering. You couldn't do that if you didn't remember suffering in the first place." He replied with a grin.
Klaus was deflecting, attempting to hide behind sinister motives in order to not betray his real motives. Hayley knew him well enough to know what he was doing.
"Right because I'm known to gravel at anyone's feet, let alone yours" She responded with a roll of her eyes. "Come on Klaus just tell me…I want to know."
"Well perhaps I didn't want to anger Elijah, he was quite against the whole thing you know."
Hayley knew that was a lie as well but she no longer had the patience for his deflection of his real reasoning.
"Okay, I'll leave you to whatever you were doing then. Good night Klaus….and thank you." She said as she turned to leave his room.
There was something about the way her voice went soft when she said thank you that moved him enough t "I did it because that was the only way I could look you in the eyes in that condition and do it." Hayley stopped in her tracks and listened. She didn't turn back around to face him.
"Hayley you were hurting, I had tried everything and failed. I understood your pain but I couldn't let you stay that way and I couldn't stay with you so it was the only way. I didn't however do it lightly. I felt it would have been wrong to rob you of your feelings and memories even if they hurt you because it's what keeps you alive…so I made you remember, remember the outbursts, the pain, the fighting, the tears…because without it every ounce of fire in you ceases to exist. I've already caused you so much harm Hayley; I couldn't inflict more damage upon you. Also who am I to rob a mother of her own grief, even if it's tearing her apart at the seams."
Hayley stood in silence biting her lip. Her eyes began to water as she processed his words. She was almost amazed by how well he seemed to know her and what she would need and want. She couldn't turn around to face him yet, but she also couldn't manage to move her feet to leave either.
"I hope my actions have not offended you Hayley, that was not my intention, I only sought to end your pain and to give you rest."
Hayley remained silent. She wanted an answer but she wasn't expecting the one she got and she definitely wasn't expecting the wave of emotions that were coming over her. She tucked her hair behind her ears and nervously tapped her thumbs before turning around to face him.
AN: So things are getting a little tense between Klaus,Hayley and Elijah. Also I wonder why Hayley is going to say to Klaus next, she sure is finding herself in his quarters a lot often these days haha. Next chapter should be up shortly since I want it done before I head out the country for vacation for a week. Expect that later tonight hopefully. Also review you guys! I really appreciate every review I get, writing fanfiction is still very new to me so it gives me motivation to keep writing and it also helps me when I can sense that the audience is connecting with my writing. Even if there is something you don't like about the chapter or my writing let me know! I don't get offended easily and I like feedback on what I can do better! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
okay bye lol