A/N: thanks for the wonderful comments. You guys might be onto something about Caroline Lol. but lets see. Hope you like this chapter too. It is really long so be patient and enjoy the drama lol.
Synopsis: Klaus and Hayley adjust to their new life while Caroline is visiting them. Hayley decides to tell Klaus about her health condition when she is backed into the corner. Hayley starts to develop conflicting feelings for Klaus.
An hour later when Klaus entered the apartment withCaroline, it felt strange [different] and he realized that it was because of Hayley and Hope. The apartment was not empty anymore. He had a family now and that thought just made him feel warm. The feeling just intensified as he saw the table set for four. He smiled at Hayley and bend down to pick up Hope who was standing near Hayley. He said to Caroline while looking at Hope "Caroline you remember Hayley right?"
Hayley couldn't help but see the resentment in Caroline's eyes but she thought inwardly "calm down Hayley, this reaction was expected." but the calm she was trying to get felt slipping when Caroline said in a cold voice "dont be silly Nikky. How can I forget Ms Marshall?!"
He noticed how smile slipped from Hayley mouth. He turned to Caroline and said "Hayley".
Caroline asked innocently "what?"
Klaus said "Hayley not Ms Marshall. This is Hope. Our daughter".
He saw shock on her face.
Caroline felt her world was turning totally upside down but she quickly composed herself, giving Klaus and Hayley a great smile and said "I didnt know you had a daughter Ms… Hayley".
Hayley smiled and said "I try to keep my personal life and professional life seperate".
Caroline looked at Klaus talking to Hope and said in an undertone hat only Hayley could hear it "apparently not".
Hayley looked at her angrily following her gaze but Klaus said "You know the apartment. Why don't you freshen up. I will be back in a minute?" He put Hope on the floor and went to his room without noticing how Hayley flinched at his words.
Klaus entered the bathroom and stopped as he saw a couple of lipsticks, a new toothbrush and female perfumes on the counter top. He looked up as he sensed her and saw her reflection in the mirror.
She said "I thought she might find it weird seeing my stuff in the other bathroom".
From the way his shoulder's relaxed he realized how tense he had been ever since he had left the station.
She turned to leave but stopped and said "thanks for not asking me to move in with you".
He said "and thanks for doing this without my asking you to".
Dinner was rather a quiet affair. In spite of him trying to make small conversation. Klaus was feeling really awkward so much so that Hayley was starting to feel sorry for him and she wondered 'how hard it must be to give up on the love of his life for his responsibilities.' whereas Klaus was thinking 'how can he make Caroline understand it would never have worked out between them?'
He felt somewhat relieved as Hope occupied him with how she had spend the day. He noticed Caroline staring at Hope a couple of times and wondered 'is she making a connection between them?' but when he looked at Hope sitting next to Hayley, apart from the blues mixed with brown in her eyes and those dimples which she was not showing right now there was nothing similar between them. His gaze went to Hayley sitting next to her and he saw the resemblance between them; the dark brown wavy hair, the beautiful complexion, the full lips… his gaze got fixed on Hayley's lips and out of blue he felt his stomach muscles tightening taking him by surprise.
He turned toward Caroline and caught her staring at Hayley too. He cleared his throat and asked "where are you staying?"
Caroline said looking at him "not decided yet".
Klaus asked impulsively "why dont you stay here?"
As soon as the words were out of his mouth he noticed Hayley looking at him.
Hayley looked at him in shock whereas Caroline said hesitantly "are you sure? I think I shouldn't".
She looked at Hayley and said "Hayley might not like it".
Hayley fixed a smile on her face and said "no, it is fine. Hope can sleep in our room".
Caroline said "no, I will sleep on the couch".
Klaus said "no, you should take Hope's room" now realizing the blunder he had committed and chided himself 'idiot, why did he have to offer her to stay here?'
He looked at Hayley wondering 'what is she thinking' but she was busy with Hope.
Hayley said after a few moments "why dont you chat while I get Hope ready for bed. It's already pass her bedtime and let me get some things out of her room".
She took Hope to her room, took out her sleeping clothes from the walking closet along with some other necessary things for the next day thinking 'why would he do that? How can he expect her to be okay with having his ex in the same house in which his wife is living?' and then it hit her; all her own things were in Hope's room. She startled as she heard him say "I am sorry I didnt think it through Hayley"
She looked at his face and saw genuine apology so she said to him "it is okay but my stuff is in this room. If you keep her entertained for a while I can move my things from here".
Klas said feeling guilty for putting her in the spot "that was really stupid of me. I told you I will give you space and then I did this. The thing is that Caroline and I are… were very close. She is my first love. You need to understand. I cannot fall out of love overnight".
Hayley looked at him and to her surprise she felt a drop in her stomach at those words but she said with a smile "I know and I dont expect you to".
Klaus looked a there for a moment and then said "I will take her out for a while".
She nodded and left.
She heard him say to Caroline "I need to do some grocery shopping. Care to come?"
Caroline said excitedly "sure why not".
Hayley heard the door close as she changed Hope's clothes and said to her "honey, daddy friend is going to be staying in this room tonight so we will be sleeping in daddy's room for tonight".
Hope smiled and nodded as she pulled her arm into the shirt. Hayley looked around and then feeling very nervous she took off her hangers with her clothes on along with her personal stuff to his room. She felt weird as she hung her clothes in his walking closet and then she put her undergarment in her small traveling bag and put them in one corner of the walking closet. She then turned to Hope and laid her on his bed. She opened the book and read the story to Hope. After Hope had gone to sleep she sat there with her hand on her forehead. She looked around as she sat next to her and saw even though the room was small but it was very tastefully set. She moved her hand on the bed sheet ideally and felt her heart skip a beat as the thought crossed her mind that she will be spending the night with him for the first time in her life.
She lost track of time thinking about her situation. An hour later she heard them enter the apartment as she was sitting on his bed after putting Hope to sleep. She heard him say "I will put the milk and the eggs in the fridge. Why don't you go and settle own in the Hope's room. You know where things are right?"
He closed the fridge door thinking of his and Hayley first time sharing a bed. He turned around and bumped into her.
She asked him "Klaus I have been thinking and observing ever since I have walked into this apparent tonight and I know that you dont love her so why have you married her? I am trying to understand why we couldn't get married and may be some day I will understand it but I will never understand why have you married her? Isn't she the same woman who had an affair with your father?" She paused for just a second and then asked in shocked voice "Is her daughter his daughter too?"
He looked at her in confusion and then it hit her what she was saying and remembered his own suspicion and almost smirked at the irony of the coincidence. He suddenly felt the strong urge of sharing everything with her like he used to all his life but then he reminded himself of the cost and said "no Hope is not my father's daughter Caroline and I don't believe any more that Hayley was having an affair with my father either".
Hayley decided to get water for herself so she got up and left her room. As she entered the kitchen she stopped as she saw him and her standing close to each other. There was a sinking feeling in her stomach to her dismay. But before she could turn back he looked towards her and caught her looking at them.
Klaus stepped back and said "I think we should sleep. I have work in the morning. Will you be okay in that room?"
When she nodded he went to his room.
When he entered his room, she was pacing the room. As he closed the door Hayley said coldly "Klaus I know our marriage is weird but I don't appreciate you having an affair with anyone especially your ex. If I am not going to cheat on you then you will not do so too. I know you both still love each other and I honestly sympathize with both of you but you are not allowed to cheat on me".
Klaus looked at her and for some reason he found the situation very amusing and at last he nodded and said "I assure you Hayley, I will never cheat on my wedding vows".
He looked at Hope sleeping in the middle of the bed and smiled making Hayley follow his gaze. When she turned towards him, he had gone to change his clothes.
Hayley stood there feeling awkward and then she saw him walk out of bathroom in pajamas and went to lie on the bed.
She took out her night clothes and went to the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
She took a lot of time in the bathroom and by the time she came back he was already asleep.
She looked at him for a while and then after slight hesitation she got under the covers next to Hope.
She laid on the bed with her face turned towards Hope and couldn't help but look at his face which was turned towards Hope too. She felt really weird as she realized that this was the first time she was sharing a bed with a man - especially a man with whom she shared this wonderful child sleeping in between them. She wondered 'why did she feel jealous about him and Caroline in the kitchen'? and then she said to herself "why should she be jealous? He is her husband after all".
Hope stirred in her sleep and turned towards Klaus and to Hayley's amusement Hope hand landed on his shoulder. Before she could remove it, he opened his eyes.
He left something hit his shoulder causing him to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was Hope's face close to his face and not far behind her Hayley's with her eyes wide open. He asked her "cannot sleep?"
Hayley shook her head and said "I am sorry. She is not a sound sleeper. She fidgets a lot during the night" while taking off her hand from his shoulder.
Klaus said "it is okay but why are you awake?"
Hayley said "dont know why but I will few minutes".
Klaus nodded, closed his eye and soon had gone back to sleep.
Next morning when Hayley woke up the first thing she noticed was Hope snuggling close to Klaus and his arm around her small torso with fingers resting between Hope and her body. She suddenly felt nervous by the closeness of those fingers near her body so she sneaked out of the bed. She brushed her teeth, washed her face and brushed her hair followed by the typical groan at the broken strands of hair and the thought 'when should she tell him about her cancer? Does he not deserve to know about it?' but then she lost the nerves to take that step again.
When she came out both Klaus and Hope were awake and to her amusement she was sitting on his torso and telling him something. Klaus looked at her, smiled and said "good morning" and opted not to say anything about their sleeping arrangement thinking it might make her uncomfortable.
Hayley smiled and said "good morning".
She walked over to him and picked Hope up from his torso and asked "when do you have to leave?"
Klaus said "in thirty minutes. You tend to her and then I will get ready".
Hayley hurriedly washed Hope's face, brushed her teeth and came out. Hayley said to Hope "I am glad I took out a dress for you from your room last night."
Klaus walked into the walking closet, took his clothes out and then his gaze fell on the female clothes and even though he had female clothes in his closet before but somehow this felt different to him. And suddenly he wished that she does not move out of his room after Caroline goes back. But he knew that there were not there yet so crushed his wish and came out of the walking closet and saw her standing near Hope saying "mommy will we sleep here tonight again?"
Klaus smiled and closed the bathroom door behind him before he could hear her answer.
Hope asked her "mommy will we sleep here tonight again?"
Hayley groaned but said "if daddy's friend is still here tonight".
She wondered while changing her clothes 'should she tell Hope not to tell Caroline about their sleeping arrangement or not?' but then she thought 'why teach her lies at such a tender age!'
In the meanwhile Klaus stood under the shower thinking about the impact of Caroline living under the same roof as Hayley; the thought that had been haunting him since he had offered Caroline to stay with them. But then he told himself "it is only for a few days and Caroline is really sweet. Hayley knows the circumstances in which they got married so everything will be okay."
He realized while changing his clothes he had this nagging feeling that he couldn't shake off.
She turned around as the bathroom door open and Klaus came out. He walked to the other side to the bed, picked up his badge and said to her "I will be late. I have to go on a stake out today".
Hayley nodded and asked "breakfast?"
Klaus said "I just have coffee."
Klaus looked at her somber face and asked "are you okay?"
Hayley looked at him this time and said "yes I am".
She looked towards the door and asked in a lower volume "how long Caroline will be staying Klaus?"
Klaus heart skipped a beat but he said casually "I don't know. Why?"
Hayley said "just asking".
He paused for a second and asked after slight hesitation "will you be okay with Caroline?"
Hayley said with a smile "yes. Why do you ask?"
Klaus hesitated and said "Caroline is really nice but I understand that she is really upset right now and she does have a temper issue so that just makes me a bit anxious."
That made Hayley smile. She picked up Hope's nightdress and asked while folding it "anxious about us or her?"
Klaus said "you of course. She can look after herself but I am not sure about you".
Before she could stop herself the words were out "I think I can handle Caroline after what I have been through the past five years".
As soon as the words were out she realized her mistake, she looked towards him and saw him paling. She hastily said "I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that".
Klaus said now composing himself "no it is okay. One of these days I will like to know about the last five years of your life".
When she didn't say anything he said "okay I will be leaving".
He was pouring coffee for himself thinking of what she had said when he heard her say "Klaus I am sorry. I shouldn't have…" but he turned to her smiling. He said "Hayley forget it. I am off. Good bye Hope".
He kissed her and smiled when she hugged him back and said "good bye daddy".
Around 11 o clock, Caroline entered the kitchen dressed in a fawn coloured pat and white shirt and put coffee on to brew. Hayley looked at her beautifully made up face and wondered 'how can Klaus resist this face?'
Hayley looked at her moving around in the kitchen taking out things in a familiar way feeling really annoyed. She turned to Hayley and said "morning".
Hayley said "morning. I hope you had a comfortable night".
Caroline looked at her and said "yes I did. But I imagine yours must be ruined considering a newly married couple and a child between them".
Hayley was so taken back by those words that she didn't know what to say so she kept quiet. After a few minutes she asked "Caroline, I am going to the store nearby, do you want to come?"
Caroline said curtly "no, I have something to do."
She looked at Hope and said "your daughter is really pretty you know. You are very lucky that a person like Klaus has entered you life. He can provide for everything you ever dreamed for her".
Hayley looked at her and couldn't help but detect sarcasm in her tone. She thought of giving her a rebuttal but then said with a smile "yes, Klaus is really wonderful with Hope. I wouldn't have hoped for a better father then him".
Caroline smirked at her thinking 'is she really that naive not to get a sarcasm? and said to Hope "hey sweetie, thank you from sharing your room with me. Can I visit again?"
Hope looked at Hayley and then at Caroline and said shyly "yes, then I can sleep with mommy and daddy".
Hayley saw her flinch clearly this time and suddenly felt sorry for her.
She said to Caroline "I never got to tell you how sorry I am that things didnt work out between you and Klaus. You are his best friend and I know that he wants you to remain his friend so I hope that works out for you both."
Caroline walked to her and said harshly "you are mistaken Hayley. We are not friends. We are each others soulmate. Klaus and I will always love each other. I don't know why he married you but he will never develop those feelings for you that he has for me".
Hayley couldn't stop the furry she felt for Caroline this time so she said to her with a cold but calm voice while picking up the plates from the table and putting them in the sink "Seeing that we are married, I am willing to bet that that day is not far off but I am getting why he decided to not marry you".
Caroline smirked and said "I know Klaus married you so that he can justify the money his father left for you and save family name and to hide the truth about this child's parentage".
Hayley felt her heart sink and turned to her slowly thinking 'Klaus told her' but before she could say anything Caroline smiled and said "I will be off. I am going to be staying one more day if you dont mind".
Hayley looked at her unable to believe what she had said and then she couldn't help but say "you think you will stay in my house after talking to me like that".
Caroline said with a smile "Klaus's house, not yours and I just stated the facts. I didnt say anything that was not true but if it bothers you, then I apologize."
Hayley stared at her wondering if she was being sincere and from the look on her face she realized that she meant it so she smiled and nodded.
After she left, Hayley started cleaning the small apartment while recalling Caroline's words and thinking 'has Klaus told her about Hope? Does everyone apart from her know about the money Mikael had left for her? What else does she know about him and her? How close Klaus and Caroline really are?'
As the thought crossed her mind, she knew exactly how close they were when she told herself "they were engaged so they must have been sexually involved too".
Her heart sank when she realized it, but she told herself "don't be sentimental and stupid. Of course he was sexually active before you came into his life. It is not like he was a celibate". By the time she was done straightening up the apartment she realized that it had only taken her one hour. She took out her laptop and started looking for oncologists in the area where she lived and at last found a female doctor in Madison. She called her office and made an appointment for Saturday thinking 'Klaus can keep Hope while she is at the appointment' and then gave them Jim Ackles number so that he can send her medical files over.
After she was done with that, she picked up her bag, took Hope and walked to the grocery story near her house after searching through the internet.
She picked up the eggs and as she turned around to put it in the cart, someone said "hey Hayley, how are you?"
Hayley turned around to the voice and said "Alexis, how are you?"
Alexis said with a smile "good. Busy but good. You tell me how is the newly wed. Klaus joined the force so quickly. You should have kept him home for a few days at least".
Hayley smiled and said "same here. He had taken a lot of time off at his father's death so he couldn't take anymore".
Alexis said "o yeah that is right".
She then looked at Hope sitting in the cart and said "hey sweetie, remember me?"
When Hope shook her head she said with a smile "well dont worry. We will become good friends. My name is Alexis. I work with your daddy and I love your doll. What is her name?"
Hope who was already looking at her said shyly "Anna".
Alexis said "you know I love dolls too. When you come to my house I will show you my doll that my mommy gave me when I was your age".
Hope asked excitedly "what is her name?"
Alexis said with a laugh "Donna. Do you want to see her?"
Hope said "I do. mommy?"
Alexis looked at Hayley and said "she is just adorable. You should bring her over. I will tell Klaus to bring you over. Here have my number".
Hayley smiled and took out her cell and typed her phone number as she recited.
As she was storing her phone number Alexis asked "so you liking New Orleans?"
Hayley said "yes, it is getting a bit warm but otherwise good".
Alexis said picking up the carton of milk "I am having people over tonight so I thought of doing some last minute grocery".
Hayley wondered 'party on a weekday' but before she could comment on it Alexis continued saying as she put the milk carton in her cart "I got off early today and luckily my parents are visiting so decided to get Alex's, my fiancé's, parents in too so we can have a quiet dinner and chit chat".
Hayley said with a smile "oh that is great. When are you getting married?"
Alexis said "June 10th. You and Klaus have to come, you know that right".
Hayley said smilingly "Oh thanks. I will look forward to it. I have never been to a wedding".
Alexis smiled, looked at the wrist watch and then said "I better run. See you around. I will invite you to my apartment soon".
After she left, Hayley continued with her shopping now but couldn't help wonder 'don't partners go on stake outs together or something?'
She shook her head and looked at Hope who was smiling looking down at her doll.
After reaching home, she fixed dinner for Hope, fed her, played with her a bit, changed her and put her in his bed assuming that Caroline might come back today too. She changed her clothes wondering 'what was Klaus doing and where was Caroline'.
As the time went by her anger at Caroline started to built up at the carelessness from her for not telling her that she will be late or not come home at all. At last she warmed up a glass of milk for herself and then after changing her clothes she went to bed.
She tried to go to sleep but couldn't and then out of blue a thought came to her mind as an image of him and Caroline standing in the kitchen flashed through her mind 'Alexis is not with Klaus. Caroline is not home. Has Klaus just lied to her and they are together right now?' Then she reminded herself of what Klaus had told her about him not cheating on her and she said to herself "trust him" and then closed her eyes. Soon she went to sleep.
Klaus was driving home around mid night after the full moon feeling exhausted. He realized even though his transition this time was painless but it had tired him considering he had to go to bayou after his shift at the statin and as usual he was feeling really hungry. He rubbed at the back of his neck and thought about having a quick snack before going to sleep. He pressed his foot on the accelerator a bit when his cell rang. He connected the call through bluetooth and said "hello".
He frowned as he heard a slurry voice "hello Nikky".
Klaus asked hesitantly "Caroline".
She hiccuped "yes. I … " there was a clang making Klaus wonder what was that.
He said "hello!"
A few moment later someone said "hello".
Klaus asked "who is it?"
The same voice said "hello this lady is totally drunk here and is in no condition to even walk. I cannot let her drive in this condition. If you are a friend, come and pick her up".
Klaus rubbed his forehead and said "yes I am a friend. Where is she?"
The man said "Rousseau's in French Quarter".
Klaus groaned but said "okay I will be there in ten minutes".
He put the cell down and hit the steering wheel with his hand and wondered 'what to do? If someone sees him there and finds out about him' but he realized that he had to go and get her.
As he entered the bar, a man approached him and said "werewolves are not allowed in the Quarter".
Klaus said "I am here to pick up someone".
The man hissed "if Marcel finds out that a werewolf broke the ban, he will kill you".
Klaus snapped at him "the ban is on Crescent wolves not on all the wolves. Now step aside."
He walked to the bar and said "I got a call about someone drunk"
He looked around and spotted Caroline with her head on the table. He walked to her and shook her and realized that she was unconscious. The bartender looked at him and said "are you the one I talked on the phone?"
He nodded and then groaned as someone grabbed him from behind and threw him across the room. HE got up quickly, amazed at his own speed with which he had gotten up. He looked at the man, who was originally having an argument with him, with a smirk on his mouth. Klaus looked at Caroline with her head on the table and then at the man who had gotten his fangs out. Klaus lunged at him but his attacker dodged Klaus. Klaus spun around quickly and held his neck in his arms and hissed "you have a death wish or something".
He looked towards the bar entrance as he heard a voice "Klaus what is going on?"
He looked towards the door and said angrily "Marcel! tell your men to keep their anger in check".
He threw the man in his grasp towards Marcel and turned towards Caroline, scooped her up and said to the bartender "thank you".
He brushed past Marcel and carried her to his car, put her in the passenger seat and closed the door.
During the drive to his apartment he looked at Caroline and felt guilt seep into his heart knowing fully well why she was so drunk at this time of the night. He sighed and stared at the empty road and tried not to think about what if he had not gotten married to Hayley but then Hope's smile face just jumped into his mind making his heart feel light.
He looked at Caroline who head was resting against the seat rest as he stopped the car outside his apartment building.
He scooped her up and felt his heart skip a beat as her arms went around his neck. He looked at her closed eyes and started walking upstairs. As he unlocked the front door, he heard her say "Nik".
Klaus looked at her and saw her looking at him with teary eyes.
He carried her to Hope's room and lowered her on the bed and said "shh it is okay".
Caroline said in a teary voice "nothing is okay. I miss you. I don't think I can live without you".
Klaus didn't know what to say so he kept quiet. He stepped back but felt the tug as Caroline pulled him towards him and planted a kiss on his mouth.
Before he could do anything she had her already wrapped arm around her neck tightened around his neck. Klaus suddenly came out of trance. He broke the kiss and stepped back releasing her arms from around her neck.
He said sternly "Caroline no".
Caroline looked at him with tears in her eyes and it broke his heart as they slid down her cheek. She said with teary eyes "why Klaus? Just tell me why couldn't you give it a try at least. We could have worked it out. Why did you have to marry her?"
Klaus looked at her feeling guilty at how broken she was. He said "Caroline, please dont make it worse for yourself and for me. I want you to move on with your life. It will take some time but you will".
He looked at her as she stared at him quietly with tears streaming down her cheeks. He then stepped back and retrieved from her room.
As he entered his room, he stopped as he saw Hope and Hayley sleeping in his bed and smiled. All the fatigue he had been having after having a long day at the station and the full moon and then dealing with Caroline flew out of the window immediately replaced by the guilt at the kiss he had just shared with Caroline. He looked at Hayley sleeping peacefully with her hand on Hope's chest and the hair covering her face. He stood there looking at her remembering her telling him about not cheating on her and wondered how will she react if she finds out about the kiss but he also knew that he couldn't hide that kiss form her so he made up his mind to tell her about the kiss first thing in the morning. He felt somewhat calmed and went to change his clothes.
After changing his clothes, he came to lie on the bed and went through the coverup plan he and his captain had come up yesterday. He then thought about the implication of the vampire he had attacked in the French Quarter and wondered 'will he tell anyone about him or Marcel will be able to keep a lid on it?'
He turned towards Hayley and wondered 'when should he share this secret life of his with her and tell her that their daughter might share that gene of his?'
He looked at Hope and felt his heart squeeze at the thought of the pain she will have to go through during transformation if she triggers her gene.
He kept looking at her and smiled as she startled in her sleep. He put his hand on her chest and felt a jolt as he felt her rapid beating heart. He kept his hand there and didn't know when he went to sleep feeling that rapid heart beat.
Next morning when Hayley woke up the first thing she saw was Klaus's hand on Hope's chest. She looked at him and then sneak out of the bed. She washed her face, brushed her teeth and quietly left the room. She was making coffee in the kitchen unable to keep the image of his hand on Hope's chest out of her mind when she startled as she heard Caroline saying "good morning".
Hayley turned towards her and said "good morning. I waited for you last night. Are you okay?" looking at her swollen eyes.
Caroline walked to the coffee maker and poured coffee for her and said "yes, just a bad hangover".
She sipped the coffee as she sat on the chair. Hayley looked at her, all of a sudden feeling sorry for her. She went to sit opposite her when Caroline said "I was so drunk that I don't remember what happened last night. The last thing I remember is Klaus helping me in the bed. Oh god this hurts".
She put her hand on her forehead and put her head on the table.
It took all her will power not to react but her heart sank rapidly. Hayley slowly stood up knowing fully well what she was implying. She felt like screaming at her but turned away from her without saying anything. She put the coffee cup in the sink and said coldly "I am going to check on Hope and Klaus. Why don't you drink some more coffee. It will help you with your hangover."
As she started to move towards her room, Caroline said "Oh no I remember now. I cannot believe it …."
Hayley turned towards her questioningly and hoped that she does not finish her sentence but her luck was not with her as Caroline said with her hand on her mouth "I cannot believe that we kissed".
Hayley stared at her and then walked to her and said in a cold voice "well done Ms Forbes. It would have made more impact if Klaus had not told me about that kiss already".
She smiled at her confused expression and continued "it was the first thing he told me when he came to bed so you are a bit late in trying to create a conflict between us".
Hayley turned and went to her room. She closed the door and stood there with her back resting on the door and looking at Hope and Klaus still sleeping. She felt like waking him up and demanding an explanation but she told herself that she will not give both of them the satisfaction of seeing how much this was bothering her.
She went to the bathroom, threw water on the face and then left the room again without waking them up.
Klaus woke up and saw that Hayley was not in the room and Hope was still asleep. He took a quick shower and started getting ready for the station.
He glanced at sleeping Hope for a moment and then left the room.
He stopped as he saw Hayley sitting on the dinning table. He walked to her and said "I need to tell you something".
Hayley looked at him and asked "what?"
By the time Klaus was done telling her about the kiss, she felt a bit better for some reason. She nodded but didn't say anything.
Klaus asked "aren't you going to say anything?"
Hayley said in a calm voice "I think you know what I would have said and that is why you are telling me all this. If you know it then what is the point to saying it again?"
He nodded and said "I am sorry Hayley. It will never happen again".
She smiled but Klaus noticed that the smile did not reach her eyes and that just made him feel more guilty. He poured the coffee in the coffee cup and then said without looking at her "I will be late" and left for the station.
He went straight to his captain's office and said "Ben I need to tell you something".
After he told Ben about his exposure of being a wolf to a vampire in the French Quarter, Ben said "okay good. Thanks for keeping me in the loop. I will take care of it".
Klaus left Ben's office and went to his desk. He had just put his gun in his drawer when the captain came in and said "shooting a the Investment banking. Some stupid person has taken bank manager hostage and started shooting randomly".
There was a rustle and a couple of cops including him, Alexia and Joe got up and headed towards the door. As they headed towards the exit Alexis said "I met Hayley yesterday in QFC".
Klaus looked at her getting into his cop car and said putting the seat belt on "oh".
Alexis said "your daughter is really adorable. would love for you and your family to come over my place this weekend."
KLaus said pulling the car on the road and turning the siren's on "Elijah is visiting over the weekend. Next time?"
Alexis said "sure".
Klaus said after a few moments "did Captain tell you about the stake out I was at last night?"
Alexis said "no, where?"
Klaus said "oh nothing big. FBI needed someone to keep an eye on) on Gendera's family so the captain volunteered me because I'm familiar with that case and considering you were busy with your parents he decided to keep you out of this one."
Alexis said "interesting. Must be fun working with FBI. Hmm Gendera's family. I wonder what they have done this time to get FBI involved".
Klaus stopped the car with the screech outside the bank, looked at her and asked "ready". She nodded and got out of the car taking cover behind the car.
Hayley was putting on Hope's her sneakers and said "lets go Hope. It is so nice and sunny. It will be fun in the park".
As she got up and was leaving, She saw Caroline walking towards her and her heart sank as she suddenly had a very bad feeling.
Caroline smiled and said "going somewhere?"
Hope said excitedly "to the park".
Caroline said "what fun!"
She looked at Hayley, smirked and said "it seems you forgot something of yours in Hope's room when you shifted your things in Klaus's room".
Hayley felt a pit in her stomach and the annoyance at that smirk and looked at the lipstick she showed Hayley.
She took the lipstick and said "thank you. I had been looking for it. I must have left it there when I was staying there on my business trip to New Orleans two weeks ago".
She felt some satisfaction as the smile slipped from Caroline's face only to be replaced by furry. She said "you think you can fool me Ms Marshall…"but Hayley cut her off by saying sternly "Mrs Mikaelson if you want to stick with surnames".
Caroline continued in the same tone "you will never be Mrs Mikaelson. Just wait and see how I will take him away from you right from under your nose".
She turned and walked away leaving Hayley shaking with fury.
She startled when Hope shook her hand saying "mommy lets go".
Hayley looked at Hope's innocent face and nodded. She said in a loud voice "please make sure you either stay in the apartment or call me if you have to go somewhere".
When she didnt hear anything from Caroline, she wondered for a second what she should do but then left.
It was late afternoon when Hayley entered the apartment hurriedly carrying Hope in her arms. She put Hope on the floor and darted to her room and after slight deliberation she entered the already wide open bathroom.
Klaus looked at his wound and saw that it had completely healed. He looked up in the mirror and saw Hayley's reflection as she entered the bathroom. He noticed her eye shifted to Caroline who was standing next to him and he groaned.
Hayley stopped as she saw Caroline standing next to him with her hand on his arm. Her heart sank but she looked past her and noticed that he had his shirt unbuttoned to the bottom and was pulled back from his left shoulder exposing his bicep. Klaus looked at her face and hastily pulled back the shirt to cover the wound.
She asked "what happened?"
Klaus said "there was a shooting at a bank robbery and the bullet grazed me. But I am fine".
Hayley walked to him and pulled his shirt back from his shoulder to his surprise and said "there is no wound".
Klaus said "like I said It was a graze, barely touched me".
Caroline looked at Klaus and Hayley standing close to each other; with Hayley's eyes on his biceps and his eyes on her face. The intensity and the expression on his face just made her heart sink. She turned away from them without their noticing it and retreated from the bathroom.
Hayley asked still looking at his biceps "whose blood is that?"
Klaus said looking at her face reflecting worry "the person who shot me. I tackled him down. Who told you?"
Hayley said "Alexis called. She said that you probably wouldn't tell me so she wanted to tell me herself".
She looked up and caught him looking at her. She suddenly felt that they were standing too close so she stepped back and said "good you are okay. Hope needs her father to be alive if anything happens to … " She stopped as she realized what she was going to say.
Klaus felt his heart sink but he didn't say anything to her and just watched her leaving the bathroom. When he came into the kitchen she was fixing something up for dinner. He looked at her and saw her hands were visibly shaking. He asked her "are you okay?"
Hayley turned to him and didnt know how and why but she said in a loud voice "no, I am not freaking okay. You were shot and you are asking me if I am okay".
She paused and looked at her hand and realized that she was shaking. She looked over his shoulder as Hope entered the kitchen and said "mommy".
Hayley took a deep breath to calm herself down before turning her attention to Hope and then walked to her and knelt near her and asked "baby, what is it?"
Hope looked from her to Klaus and said "I am hungry".
Hayley picked her up and put her on the chair and turned toward the fridge when he said "Hayley!"
But she said "Klaus I want to be alone right now".
He stared at her and then turned and spotted Caroline standing in the living room. He wondered 'did he just see a smile on her face?' but then he shook his head because clearly there was no smile on her face.
Caroline walked to the kitchen and said "you will have to get used to it Hayley. Nik is a very good detective. He is protecting the world. You cannot freak out every time he is shot or has a near death accident".
Hayley looked towards her angrily and then looked at Klaus who was looking at her too. She said trying to keep her voice calm "thank you Caroline. I am so glad you are here for the moral support".
She couldn't help but look at Klaus and saw him looking at her with narrowed eyes.
She looked away and poured milk for Hope and then put the pasta, she had cooked before leaving for the park, in her plate and said "Hope honey, why dont you eat? Mommy will be back in a minute". She went to his room and sat on the bed and realized her hands were still shaking. She wondered 'is her plan backfiring? If anything happens to her if the treatment does not work out and something happens to Klaus on his job then what will happen to Hope.'
She startled as she heard the door close.
Klaus looked at her sitting on the bed. He rubbed the back of his neck and then walked to her. He sat on the bed at a little distance from her. He said after a few moments "I am sorry you got scared but Caroline is right. This is my job. I need you to be my strength but if you cannot be that then I will not be able to do my job well".
Hayley looked at her shaking hand but didn't say anything. He looked at her hands which were clearly shaking and itched to touch them and steady them but he couldn't find the courage to do so.
He said when she continued to keep quiet "Hayley I dont know how to comfort you. I have been unable to give my mother and… " he paused as he realized that he was going to say Caroline at the same time she looked at him. He continued "my mother comfort about my job but this is one thing you have to learn to live with me. I love my job and it gives me purpose in my life and I sleep better at night knowing that even though you didn't get the justice that you deserve, I am getting it for others."
When she continued to be quiet he asked "would you prefer if I dont bring my work home?"
She looked at him sharply and asked "what do you mean?"
Klaus said keeping his eyes on her face "I mean if something like this happens again, would you prefer that you never find out about it?"
Hayley said at once "no".
Klaus said with a sinking heart "okay then. I will keep my work life separate …" but she cut him off by saying "no, i mean dont do that. I want to know what happens at your job. I just got scared".
As soon the words were out of her mouth she blushed making Klaus smile making her knees go weak. He got up saying "good to see you are worried about me. I think we are making some progress in our relationship".
He stepped toward the door and said "when you are ready come, we will have dinner together".
After Hayley nodded he left the room closing the door behind him softly.
She sat there for a few more minutes and then went to the kitchen too only to make her heart melt as she saw him sitting on the small kitchenette with Hope and chatting with her while Caroline sat opposite to them looking at him.
Hayley walked to them and said "Hope honey if you are done, lets go to bed". She then looked at Caroline and Klaus and said "I will put her to bed, you guys can start the dinner".
Klaus said "no, lets eat together". He looked at Caroline and said "I will be back after putting Hope to bed" to Hayley's surprise.
Next morning when they both came out of their room, Caroline was waiting for them in the living room. Hayley looked at her and then at the bag near her and asked "are you going somewhere?"
Caroline said "yes, I need to go back".
Klaus felt a pit in his stomach but said "oh right".
Caroline said "yes I have already extended my visit at your house".
Klaus asked "when is your flight?"
Caroline said "12 pm".
Hayley was about to say something when Hope chipped in "mommy I want cereal".
Hayley said "come sweetie".
She looked at Caroline and said "I am putting coffee on. You should have breakfast before you leave".
Caroline looked from her to Klaus and then to her and said coldly "I will get what I want. You dont worry about me".
Klaus said "I will drop you at the airport Caroline before I go to the station".
Caroline said "I was hoping of that but I thought Hayley wouldn't like it considering what happened between us the other night".
Hayley smiled and said before Klaus could react "why would I not like it? You said yourself you were drunk".
She could feel his eyes on her but refused to look at him and said "now will you excuse me I have to go and give breakfast to my daughter".
As she left Klaus turned to Caroline and said "are you kidding me? You told her about our kiss. What is wrong with you?"
Caroline stepped towards him and said innocently "I didnt mean to hurt her feelings Klaus. It was my hangover talking. It just slipped out. I am sorry. If you want me to apologize to her I will".
She took a step towards kitchen but Klaus stopped her and said "no it is okay but please be careful with what you say."
She nodded with a sinking heart and then picked up her bag but Klaus said rather coldly "leave it there. I will get them but let me get my coffee and we will leave".
As he entered the kitchen, he saw her cooking something on the stove. He walked to her and asked while pouring the coffee for himself "so when I told you about that kiss you already knew?"
Hayley's hand halted in mid air as she was about to flip the egg. She looked at him without saying anything. He nodded with pursed lips, picked up his coffee and left after picking up Caroline's bag and left.
Later that night when he came home, he saw the table set for the dinner.
Hayley asked him "how was your day?"
Klaus said "good, just one case. How was yours?"
Hayley said "nothing much. We, Hope and I just relaxed and did absolutely nothing".
he said "I will be back after freshening up".
Hayley sat Hope on the chair and said "we need to go to sleep after the dinner okay?"
Klaus had just entered the living room when he heard Hope's adamant voice "but I want to play with daddy".
His heart jumped into his throat and he smiled when Hayley said "he has just come back from his work and is very tired so he might…."
She stopped talking as Klaus entered the kitchen. He said to Hope "we can play for a few minutes. What do you want to play?"
Hope smiled and said "doll".
Klaus laughed and said "well it has been years I have played with dolls".
At Hayley's confused look he said "well when you have one sister she asks you to play with her all the time and if you don't oblige her she would make your life a living hell".
Hayley laughed spontaneously taking him by surprise and be glad that he was sitting down otherwise he was sure his knees would have buckled.
He looked at her smiling face and then realized that she looked relaxed that made him wonder 'is it because of Caroline leaving?' but then he shook his head and deliberately stopped thinking about Caroline and focused on his current family.
He looked at Hope and said "so we will play for fifteen minutes after the dinner and then you do what mommy is asking you to do. Deal?"
When she nodded excitedly his heart melted for her.
He put a piece of chicken on his plate and said "Elijah will be coming over day after tomorrow".
When she didn't say anything he looked at her and caught her looking at him.
She asked "you want me to continue with our sleeping arrangements until he comes and during his stay too?"
When Klaus didn't say anything she nodded.
Klaus said "thanks".
The rest of the dinner was a pleasant affair with small conversation between all of them. After dinner Hayley said "why don't you two go and play while I clean up? Can you make sure she brushes her teeth before you get busy with playing"
Klaus nodded and picked up Hope from the chair in impulse and tickled her sending her in fits of laughter and took her to the living room.
When Hayley entered her room twenty minutes later, Hope was lying in the middle of the bed to her relief and Klaus was sitting on the bed with a book in his hand. She looked at Hope and seeing her asleep she asked "what happened? I thought you were going to play with her".
Klaus said "we started but then she started yawning and couldn't keep her eyes open so I put her on the bed and soon after she fell asleep. I guess I came home very late".
Hayley smiled and said "no, it is not that. She is just tired. I took her to a park in the evening".
Klaus said looking down at his book "oh. Well day after tomorrow is Saturday. We will be able to spend time together then and then Elijah will be here too so Hope can bond with her uncle too".
She hesitated and said "Klaus I need to go to the hospital Saturday morning. Will be back in a few hours".
Klaus looked at her wondering 'is it for the cancer checkup' but asked "why?"
Hayley picked up the bedcover, put it on the sofa and said "I have an appointment with an oncologist".
She turned towards the bathroom but then felt a strong pair of hands on her shoulders and he turned her towards him. She asked him "what?"