Author's Note:
Initially, the chapter didn't have to be this. There would be the meeting with the witches and the early dramas, but I started writing some of these scenes while thinking about how best to write the others, and then I found myself loving them. So, it's a filler, I know. But there's a lot to build to, and just like in the series, even though we didn't see it, there was a period of downtime where all they could do was wait. I'm getting my pieces in place. Though– and luckily–, in chapter five, which I consider the end of this 'preview', the story will start to pick up speed and get into the heart of TO. See you Nov 1, with Chapter 4.

Setting:
4x23 – before 5x01 TVD between 1x01 & 1x02 TO

Chapter 3:
Four Mikaelsons Reunited, Two More Missing

KolMikaelson was dead,and just like Finn, the others who remained had moved on with their lives. Kol wasn't surprised. He was used to being left behind; afterall,he had never been part of theAlways and Foreverthat had long united Klaus, Elijah,and Rebekah. However, once the veil had been lowered, seeing his sister tell him to leave just because he was making fun of her new human toy was still a bad feeling.

Not that he expected tears or hugs or anything, but...no, let's not lie. He expected it. He wanted it like he always had. A sense of belonging, something he hadn't felt in over a thousand years, since his younger brother had died and since the magic had been ripped from his body. Even so, Kolwouldn'tlet that weight on his chest slow him down. He had a goal and was going to achieve it; hecouldn't do it. Kol had probably never been entirely comfortable with being a vampire, although it had its positives. He missed being a witch, even after a thousand years. Once upon a time, he would have said he would give anything to be one again. Now, however, there was something more substantial. Kol couldn't stay dead. He couldn't go back behind the veil that separated him from the world again. It was driving him crazy, and it made being stabbed for centuries seem like a walk in the park. No, Kol would stay here, in the real world, even if he could never leave Mystic Falls again.

Rounding up the hybrids and dead witches was easy, as was inciting them to attack those who had caused their deaths, the little protectors of Mystic Falls. No, the hard part would be convincing Bonnie. He found her at the graduation, all dressed in a dramatic blood red and with a bright, confident look in her eyes that she hadn't had before.

A simple threat was enough to force her to follow him. He led her away from the crowd to a dilapidated cellar in the center of the school, which he knew to be the center of the Expression Triangle, and then motioned for her to enter.

"The Kol I knew was against unleashing hell on earth," the witch had begun, and Kol laughed because it was true, but in life, one evolves.

"I was, but I've been there. Now, I'd much rather be back on earth."

"I can understand that. My body could have been lying there at your feet, but an unlikely person wanted to ensure that I remained alive."

"Then give me a hand," Kol had tried to take a step forward with one hand raised towards the witch.

But his steps were interrupted when he collided with an invincible barrier. Anger enveloped him. "What have you done?"

He moved quickly, looking for a way out, but there was none. There was nowhere he could go.

"It will hold you until tonight when the veil is lifted once more," she had told him, and Kol had been prepared to haunt her for as long as she lived when the witch had said something he hadn't expected.

"You won't be dead for long anyway, it seems," she began. "Someone...someone wants you to know that they're working to bring you back to life."

"Who?" he asked curiously.

Bonnie just smiled. "The same one who made sure I didn't die. She also told me to inform you that you mean the world to your family, her and... to her daughter, your future niece."

Kol froze. "That's not possible."

"Her name is Hayley; she's in New Orleans, and from what I understand, she doesn't like to break promises. Goodbye, Kol."

By then, Bonnie was gone, but Kol hadn't tried to stop or call her back.

A niece, how was that possible?

The answer, however, came to him soon.

Even though he hadn't kept a close eye on his brothers, concentrating on following the witch Bennett, he had still heard something about Klaus and a wolf he had slept with who had been causing a bit of chaos. He hadn't investigated. He didn't care about the women hanging around his brothers' beds, but could this be what Bonnie was referring to? Had her brother somehow impregnated a wolf? And this Hayley...why would she be interested in bringing him back from the dead? He definitely wouldn't be an excellent example as an uncle—he hadn't been a good example as a brother, so imagine that. Yet, the thought of a niece made him happier than ever. He had constantly mocked his brothers, even though, perhaps for the first time, he understood the importance of their motto.

Always and Forever.

Yes, really. Blood was thicker than water, the family was more important than any revenge, and he...he found himself already loving that niece he knew nothing about except her existence.

"A niece," he whispered to the wind, a small smile on his face.

"Well, I see the word reached you."

Elijah's voice came from behind him, and Kol stiffened.

"What a pleasant surprise, brother. I take it it's not yours, right? Then again, we all know you can love only one face."

As he turned, he heard another familiar laugh. Next to his annoying, noble brother, Klaus appeared, dressed in a tuxedo like his older brother. "That was good, Kol. I'll give you that."

"Niklaus. I assume my future niece has you as a father. I feel a little sorry for her," he teased his brother, and from his angry look, he knew he had succeeded.

"Stop it. We're not here to argue."

Rebekah's footsteps caught up with them inside the cellar.

"Why, all my traitorous brothers are present. To what do I owe the honor?" Kol threw his arms wide open.

"Isn't it obvious, brother?" Klaus began. "We're here to take you back."

Hayleysighed as Kol finished telling how, thanks to five witches recruited by his brothers, he had managed to come back to life.

"I'm glad they made it, I really am. But now, can you tell me why you keep killing Klaus?"

Kol snorted and then threw another dart at Klaus's dead body, which hung on the wall with the mansion's set of silver knives and was used as a target. "Just because he brought me back to life doesn't mean I've given up on my vengeance on him," he exclaimed and walked over to his brother's body, taking a moment to check how long it was until his next awakening. "He practically handed me over to the Gilberts. He deserves a year or two of torment," he concluded, ripping out Klaus's heart for the fourth time.

Hayley looked away and put a hand over her mouth.

"What, my darling niece doesn't like blood? She'll have to get used to it. She'll be part of this family."

Hayley rolled her eyes. "I'd rather keep her from the macabre until she's a teenager, but I already know that's a losing battle. Anyway, how did you end up here once the witches brought you back to life?"

Kol sighed dramatically and went to sit on the couch next to Hayley. "I heard a certain werewolf was trying to bring me back to life. I wanted to let her know to stop her efforts."

"Should I expect to find Elijah and Rebekah's bodies somewhere around the house?"

"No, just Klaus," the vampire denied, resting an arm on the back of the couch that almost touched Hayley's back. "Rebekah had no intention of coming to this town. She's waiting to leave for infinity and beyond with her toy. And Elijah is extending his break. He's busy hiding Silas's body and having some witch strengthen Bonnie's spell. Although I can't promise there won't be any dead bodies in the house... I have a certain hunger that is impossible to satisfy," Kol raised his eyebrows and moved closer to her, winking. "Although you could help me satisfy another hunger."

Hayley blushed and then pulled back. "I'm pregnant with your niece, Kol. I don't think Klaus would be okay with that."

Kol didn't give in, and with the hand of the arm that was on the couch, he touched her shoulder and her long, loose hair. "Don't worry, darling. We Mikaelsons are used to sharing, although I'm not sure I'd give you back anymore."

Hayley found herself shivering. Despite the pregnancy, her wolf hormones were racing, and Kol's breath on her face and his warm eyes on hers were arousing her in a mode she didn't think possible. From Kol's dilated pupils, she knew it was the same for him, and he wasn't just kidding.

"If you're done flirting with my daughter's mother, I'd love to get off here. Thank you."

Klaus' pained voice interrupted their staring contest, and Hayley pulled away from Kol, blushing.

"You always know how to ruin my fun, Nikky," the younger Original complained.

Klaus snorted and pulled himself off the wall.

"Don't make me regret resurrecting you, Kol."

"And don't make me regret not continuing to kill you."

Klaus looked at him, annoyed, but didn't answer. He then went to the kitchen to get some blood bags from the blood refrigerator.

"Did you have a good trip, Hayley?" the hybrid asked, returning to the living room.

The girl smiled. "It was fine until I came back and found you dead. Davina's upstairs, by the way. I sent her to sleep after we realized it was only Kol who killed you and not some unexpected element."

"Just Kol? You hurt me, darling."

The vampire's flirtation was ignored.

"By the way, Elijah was looking for you."

Hayley nodded. "I'll call him back. If you'll excuse me," she said, taking Kol's arm off her shoulders. Then, she left the living room to find some peace elsewhere.

The call with Elijah was strange. The Original in the suit asked her a lot of information about Silas, some of which Hayley had to take a minute or two before answering.

"And are you sure he won't wake up?"

Hayley sighed. "As long as Bonnie is alive, of course. After that, the lack of blood should prevent him from waking up again, just like it did with Qetsiyah. The purpose of her spell was to trap him until he got the cure. That's all I know."

"Thank you, Hayley. I apologize again for my absence."

"Elijah," the she-wolf stopped him. "It's okay. I don't need to be controlled. I'm a big girl."

"I know that well."

Hayley could almost feel Elijah's lips lifting through his breathing into the microphone.

"But Hayley,"the vampire continued, "I give you my word: I'll be back as soon as possible."

"And I give you mine that I'll be here, safe and sound, trying to keep Klaus and Kol under control."

"Good luck."

Hayley smiled. "You too."

"And here I thought I had to compete with Klaus. Elijah has already sunk his claws in with promises and an honorable spirit," the younger Mikaelson man said, leaning against the door of the old study, one hand dramatically on his chest.

Hayley laughed at Kol's words. "Trust me, Kol, I've been with a Mikaelson. I'm not adding to my list. Plus, I don't hang out with brothers. Do I look like a doppelganger to you?"

"You're too pretty to be that, darling."

Hayley shook her head and patted Kol on the shoulder as she passed him. "Good night, Kol. Try not to destroy the house. I won't be woken up at dawn by some over-diligent maid again."

Hayley yawned as she climbed the stairs to the mansion. She was exhausted, even though she had done little other than a few walks around Houston and then driving.

She was a werewolf; she shouldn't have tired so easily, but then she thought it might have something to do with the pregnancy. Her cousin Eloise had said that she needed a long nap most of the time while she was pregnant, and Diane herself remembered seeing her fall asleep all the time, especially in the first few months. It was annoying, but Hayley would have preferred that from the morning sickness that never left her.

Once she reached the top floor, she walked past Klaus's door and found it ajar. Inside, the hybrid was changing, and Hayley perhaps looked a little too long for Klaus to notice her presence.

"Can I do something for you, Hayley?"

There were many things Klaus could do for her, according to her hormones, but none of which could see the light or be named. So, Hayley simply asked for something that had been bothering her for a couple of days.

"Do you have any idea why Elijah is taking care of Silas and not leaving him with the Salvatores?" he asked, opening the door.

Klaus turned to her, wearing only his boxers and his necklace. There was a smug grin on his face. "Good, good. Our diviner who doesn't know something."

Hayley rolled her eyes. "It's not my fault if I only know how things were supposed to be. So, will you answer me?"

Klaus placed the clothes he had removed on the chair in the room. "We decided to listen to Kol and assure that Silas never walks the earth again and that supernatural creatures remain on the Other Side."

Hayley grimaced, her mind feeling like it was going to explode. "It won't do much good. The veil has been lowered once, and the doppelgangers live. Soon, the travelers will show up, wanting to resurrect Markos and attempting to erase all magic and eradicate the supernatural."

"What?" Klaus' eyes widened.

"It's okay. They can't do it in the end. Not entirely, at least. Only Mystic Falls will be affected. Of course, without Silas and Bonnie's death, some events might be different."

"Hayley..." Klaus' voice was exasperated.

The pregnant girl sighed. "Look, we just have to make sure that neither Katherine nor Elena dies, as well as Stefan and his current doppelganger..."

"Is Stefan a doppelganger?"

Hayley nodded. "Yeah, of Silas, I thought I told you? Or maybe just Bonnie. Anyway, there have to be at least two doppelgangers alive because the spell only needs one of each gender to work. Still, all of that can be avoided if Silas's body isn't foundand–"

A yawn caught her, interrupting her, and she forgot what she was even talking about for a second. "What was I saying? Oh, right.If the Anchor's body–"

Hayley yawned again, and Klaus thought that any conversation could wait.

"Go to sleep, little wolf. You can finish telling me everything tomorrow."

Hayley nodded. She hadn't realized it, but she was dying from sleepiness.

So, she leaned toward Klaus and kissed his cheek, as she had done the first night at the villa. "Night, Nik."

Taking only a brief look at a sleeping Davina, she went to her room and fell into a deep sleep before even thinking about changing.

The following day, she woke up with her shoes off and the covers tucked up around her. She didn't know who had done it, but she was grateful.

She and Davina had a quick breakfast, and the witch wasn't surprised when, halfway through the meal, Hayley got up to run to the bathroom to vomit.

Once they were both ready, they left the house so that Davina could return to the Church.

However, it soon became apparent that things would not be simple.

Hayley stopped Davina before the two could climb the final flight of steps.

Noises were coming from the apartment: furniture was scraped, and then something made of glass was thrown. Davina heard the noise, too, and jumped. Hayley motioned for her to be quiet so she could hear better the two voices that had started talking.

"–gone alone! The witches took her! I want you to find her. I don't care who you kill!"

"Marcel–"

Hayley stiffened. "Marcel is here, but he hasn't to see me," she whispered to the witch.

"Then go and–"

The apartment door opened, and a vampire stepped out.

"Too late," Hayley said.

Thierry stopped in front of them, surprised to see Davina. "Marcel, she's here. With a we–"

The vampire couldn't finish his sentence. Davina had reached up and broken his neck, then grabbed Hayley's hand and squeezed it. The wolf could feel the magic coursing through her and wondered what she had done.

When Marcel left the apartment, it quickly became clear to him.

The man just looked at Davina and took her in his arms, ignoring her completely. "Davina! Where have you been? You know you can't get out."

When Marcel looked around, his eyes passed Hayley as if she wasn't even there.

The wolf herself could see a sort of translucency in her hands. She had seen that spell in the show before: Davina had made her wholly invisible and imperceptible to the senses.

The self-proclaimed King of New Orleans seemed to notice Thierry on the ground and looked between the witch and his confused friend. "What did you do?"

Davina was good at pretending. "I got scared. I'm sorry I left. I just wanted to get some air," she said, her gaze falling on Hayley. "Don't worry; I didn't use much magic. He'll be back to normal soon."

The she-wolf understood and silently went down the stairs. Davina could have taken care of her adoptive father.

So, the witch returned to her car and drove back to the Plantation. She knew she was still invisible by the wild looks people gave her vehicle, which apparently drove itself.

She laughed in amusement when a child dropped his ice cream when she stopped to let him cross the street.

She returned to the house with the spell still on her and was about to announce herself when she caught the voices of Kol and Klaus.

"And you believed her just like that? Did you trust her blindly? That's not like you, Klaus."

She quickly realized they were talking about her, so she remained at the door without closing it.

"Of course not, Kol. I have men watching her. But she is pregnant with my daughter, and her knowledge makes her extremely useful. She can help me take back this city."

Hayley could see the two Originals sitting on the couch, with a couple of women with blood-stained throats beside them.

"The Bennett witch said she was working to bring me back to life. I appreciate that. But she's hiding something. Precognition of her kind is not normal, supernatural pregnancy or not."

"I know. And we'll find out. But I don't think it's a threat."

"Not that you can fix things as usual, even if you would. You can't kill her."

"There are worse things than death, Kol. You should know that. But no, I couldn't do that to my daughter. I still want you to keep an eye on her in my absence since you've decided to stay here."

"You don't see me as obligated. What does Elijah think?"

"What do you think? She's cute, young, and has those big, innocent, fierce eyes."

Kol laughed. "I wasn't wrong. He's got a crush."

Hayley blushed at those words but then thought back to the whole conversation.

She hadn't expected Klaus to trust her so easily, and it didn't surprise her that he had her followed—she had noticed familiar faces following her in Houston and a vampire here in New Orleans that Davina hadn't recognized as one of Marcel's daywalkers.

But she felt reassured that he didn't mean to hurt her.

The werewolf focused back on the two Originals and didn't miss the grimace Klaus made.

"I hope he stays away from here long enough to get over it."

"Let's talk about New Orleans. Marcel gave his people vervain. He doesn't trust them. How will you proceed?"

Hayley felt Davina's magic starting to leave her, so she slammed the door before the two vampires could notice she was spying on them.

"Hey, I'm back."

"Little wolf, I was updating Kol on our plans for this city."

"I can imagine that."

"So, darling, what enemies have you seen with those pretty little eyes of yours that I can help out with?"

"Like I told Klaus and Elijah, nothing major before the end of summer. We just need to start moving our pieces and keep the witches in check," a thought crosses her mind. "Actually, there is something you can help us with. The witch I told your brothers about who is possessed, Sabine, is planning on ruining the harvest and resurrecting some old, not-so-friendly acquaintances. I was going to wait for Elijah to look it up in your mother's grimoire, but maybe you can help me find the spell that will keep her from jumping from one body to another and maybe help Davina learn it so she can be killed."

"If you're talking about a spell from our mother, there's no way Kol doesn't know it," Klaus commented. "He's studied it thoroughly."

Kol nodded. "I do. Consider me aboard. If the witch is good, it can be done before the end of this week. I've always loved killing naughty witches."

Hayley shook her head. "Not so fast. The witch who has it...is the one who cursed my pack. I need the countercurse first."

"Ah, right. The pack that abandoned you."

Hayley glared at her daughter's father. "They didn't abandon me. They were attacked, and I was rescued."

Hayley hadn't understood why Klaus was so angry with her pack. From the first time she'd told him and Elijah about the curse they were under and how he intended to help them as a natural-born Alpha, the hybrid had seemed annoyed.

"Anyway, can you get it out of her mouth? She's not going to be very cooperative..."

"Torture," Kol beamed. "You'll spoil me like that, darling."

The she-wolf laughed in amusement. There was something about Kol that was refreshing. "Believe me, there will be many you can torture in the near future, Kol."

"When can I meet Davina?"

"I'll give you her number."

"Speaking of the witch, did she return safely to her prison?" Klaus asked.

Hayley couldn't help but notice the slight frown on her face. "Yes, Marcel was there, but Davina managed to hide my presence."

"Hayley–", Klaus' voice scolded her.

"I'm fine, Klaus, okay? No one knows about me," she huffed.

Her irritation with the hybrid was growing, even if he was just being Klaus. Hayley could understand why so many in the series were annoyed with him, though...it was a reflex.

"You can't afford to—"

"I know," Hayley blurted out. "I don't want to attract attention. That was my plan, if I remember correctly. Before you start yelling at me, I'm going to go into the kitchen and get something to eat before your daughter decides her nausea break is over."

He quickly walked past the two Originals and noticed one of the women's fingers moving. "Oh, and Kol? Your girlfriend is still alive."

"Fiery," Kol commented.

Hayley didn't want to listen to the two brothers anymore. She closed the kitchen door behind her and then headed for the sink. She turned on the faucet and rinsed her face.

She shouldn't have gotten upset with Klaus; there was no reason to. But she hated being ordered around and restricted—both people she'd ever been to did that.

Hayley had always had to fend for herself, and freedom was essential to her. Diane was the other side of the coin: many people cared for her, but the freedom of a man was sentenced to death—at least as long as she stayed in her family home. The day she went to college was one of the most liberating days of her life. She hadn't lived until she was miles and miles away from her parents.

But then again, Klaus wasn't like hers. He was paranoid, sure, but even so, he'd given her more freedom than she thought she could obtain. He hadn't held her back just because it went against his bigoted ideals; he hadn't told her she'd end up in hell if she so much as set her eyes where she didn't want to.

Klaus only cared about his future daughter – and, by extension, her. The vampires who followed her didn't even bother her. She knew better than to draw attention to herself, nor did she want to.

Yet, she had acted with him as she had always wanted to act with hers. The anger of her curse exacerbated every negative emotion; every annoyance became irritation, every grudge became thirst for revenge, and every pain became despair.

Hayley had had years to learn to control them. Diane had only had a few weeks. There was no comparison. In some ways, she was a newly turned wolf and could use a good trainer, but the only wolf around was Klaus, and he wasn't the right fit.

Her thoughts went to Hayley's original pack. The activated werewolves were wolves at the moment, but others, like Eve, were still human and integrated enough into the pack to know, perhaps, how to help her.

Hayley decided to visit them as soon as possible. Once, Eve had visited her, but this time, it would be the other way around.

That thought calmed her down, and the girl began to prepare food. Old Hayley would be so happy to find out more about her origins.

As if he knew it was now safe to speak, Klaus entered the kitchen.

"You can't talk to me like that, love," she told him in a slightly gentler tone.

Hayley sighed and then turned to the hybrid. "And you can't tell me what to do. When you start following my rule, I'll follow yours."

"Hayley..."

"Klaus, I'm not a damsel in distress or someone who doesn't know what she's doing. I know that, okay? And I can protect myself. I don't need vampires following me. I don't need you breathing down my neck or locking me in here. I know you care about your daughter, even if, like right now, your jaw tightens every time I mention her."

Hayley paused as Klaus forced his face to relax and leaned closer, speaking softly. "I worry about her all the time, too. And I'm scared, too, just like you are. I didn't think I'd get pregnant, it wasn't on my mind. I had other goals in mind, but she..." Hayley slowly took Klaus's fist and brought it to her stomach. "She's here," she whispered. "And she'll always be here. She'll be born, she'll keep us awake at night," they both smiled a little. "And then she'll grow up and start looking at us as her heroes. She'll look at you like that, her beloved father. I've seen it. Like I've seen you, loving her more than anything in the world," Hayley managed to pry Klaus's fingers open. "And it's okay to love her. It's okay to want something. You can have that, Niklaus."

Klaus's gaze fell to the girl's stomach, and his hand moved slightly around the wolf's navel.

"If I allowed myself to love her, I would admit my weaknesses. And I can't if I want her to have more than I've ever had," the hybrid whispered so loudly that Hayley could only hear him thanks to their proximity and her acute hearing.

"Niklaus, love isn't a weakness if you only see it as such. It can be our greatest strength if we only allow ourselves to embrace it. What greater drive is there for getting this city than to ensure that it's a home where she can grow up safely? A home that will always protect, love, and support her, unlike the ones we grew up in. Or do you want her to feel rejected like us? To feel hated, unwanted?"

Klaus's hand stiffened, and his eyes looked at her angrily. "Never."

Hayley placed her hand on Klaus's. "Then love her and fight for her. You were the one who wanted to call her Hope precisely because she was your hope, your redemption, and your joy. Allow her to be that now. Allow her to guide you."

Klaus and Hayley stared at each other for long seconds.

"I had a terrible father."

"And I had a mother who clipped my wings."

"I don't know...I don't know how to do it."

"It will be a first for both of us. We can figure it out together."

"Together."

A burning smell reached their nostrils, distracting them from the moment.

Hayley quickly turned to the stove, where lunch was burning.

"This is not possible," the girl groaned as she turned off the gas and held the pan under running water to stop the smoke from spreading. "It was the only thing left here that I knew how to cook."

Klaus laughed.

"Hey! Don't laugh!" Hayley scowled at him, and the hybrid raised his hands. "I'm hungry, and I'm going to have to wait hours for the groceries to be delivered!" she complained, her stomach rumbling to support her.

"Then I think it's time I showed you that I don't think you're a damsel in distress. Grab your jacket, come on."

Hayley raised an eyebrow. "What are you up to?"

"I have to satisfy the hunger of...what did you say? The girl who was taking my hybrid sandwich to the oven. Come on, I'll take you out to lunch, love. You can have whatever you want," he replied as if it were obvious, starting to walk out of the kitchen.

The girl's eyes lit up. "Dessert too?" she asked, with an uncontrollable craving for chocolate since Elijah had ensured only healthy things were delivered to the mansion.

Klaus chuckled. "Dessert too."

"I'm ready, let's go, come on."

Hayley practically grabbed Klaus' hand and started dragging him outside.

"I see you've made peace," Kol commented.

Hayley winked at him before they left.

"So, where are we going?" the girl asked once they were in the hybrid's car, already looking forward to her meal.

"There's this artsy restaurant on the edge of the French Quarter. It's a vampire-free zone. From what I've been told, we won't attract any attention."

Hayley snorted. "A wolf and a hybrid walk into a restaurant...you can bet we'll do it."

They were silent for a while, and then the girl spoke again. "Niklaus? Thank you. And I also want to apologize for my outburst. I don't take back what I said, but...but I hate being controlled. I was for a long time and don't want to return to that."

"All is forgiven, love."

"I know. But I still wanted to tell you. We're going to raise a daughter together. We need to get to know each other and build enough trust to be a united front for her sake."

"We live under the same roof; there is enough trust."

"No, I'm serious. I want you to know me, so when I act in a way you don't like, you'll know I'm not doing it to spite you or get in your way but because I'm trying to do my best for our little girl. And that would make me feel better. I've seen your life...a little bit, at least, and I know things about you that maybe not even your brothers know. You only know me as the crazy wolf who sacrificed your hybrids just to get some information about her family. There's an imbalance that we need to fix."

"What did you have in mind?" Klaus parked the car in front of a bright restaurant.

Hayley bit her lip. She didn't think he would agree so quickly. "I'll tell you something about myself, and you do the same. It could be anything."

Klaus nodded. "We can do that. Now, shall we go? Your stomach is getting loud enough that I'm afraid the whole neighborhood might start hearing it."

Lunch was quiet. As promised, the two spent some time getting to know each other and sharing various anecdotes from the past.

Hayley found herself talking about Diane more than Hayley, but she was good at not pointing out the discrepancy. She was sure Klaus had done a background check on her, but Hayley had been under the radar enough that it wasn't out of the question to think she'd been in college for a while.

"I told you, I had no idea! We thought it was another frat house, so we filled it up with toilet paper and broke the sprinkler system. We were throwing eggs at the house, and I had just thrown one at the door when the man opened it. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was my anatomy teacher!"

Klaus laughed. "I bet you failed that test."

Hayley shifted slightly uncomfortably in her seat. "Not exactly...I knew someone on the faculty who interceded for me, explaining that it was just a freshman tradition and that the professor had just the wrong house on the wrong street. My grades were perfect, and Professor Langdon took pity on me. I had worked so hard to get into the faculty, and failing would have jeopardized my scholarship. The professor realized that becoming a doctor was truly my dream. As punishment, though, I had to sit in on his lectures the following semester."

"Is it still your dream? To become a doctor?"

Hayley stiffened and then sighed and shook her head. "I've wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, and having to give it up hurts. It always will, but Hope comes first. There's no life more important to save than hers."

Klaus looked at her thoughtfully. "I promise you can do this one day, Hayley Marshall. You have my word."

She smiled amusedly. "You make it sound like a threat," she joked, but then her smile softened. "Thanks."

By the time they got back to the Plantation, it was as if the wall between them was a little thinner, and over the week, the two of them began to chat rather than just review their plans. There was a sort of calm at the Plantation. Kol was busy teaching Davina the spell and visiting her late at night, and Elijah was still busy with Silas.

However, Hayley received a call from him every night. The Original wanted to ensure that she was fine and had correctly eaten and taken the vitamins that a compelled doctor had prescribed, which had been delivered two days after she returned from Houston.

The two, however, always found themselves talking about other things, and despite the distance, the trust growing between her and Elijah was no different from the one forming with Kol and Klaus.

She also heard Bonnie, and the witch continued complaining about an unwelcome guest staying with her.

"Hayley, I never thought this would happen, but I could actually kill her and feel no remorse. All she does is whine and cry and then whine some more."

The wolf sighed. "Look at it from her point of view. She's human after five hundred years. It'll take her some getting used to."

Hayley hadn't been surprised when Bonnie had informed her that Katherine had turned human anyway. It was only a matter of time before she and Elena would face off.

However, she had been surprised when Bonnie had told her that Elena had attacked Katherine this time, and not the other way around.

This was also one of the reasons why Elijah had left to bury Silas forever. Hayley had told Bonnie about the effects of the cure during their phone call before the full moon, and since Elijah was still in Mystic Falls, they had all been informed about it when they were still thinking about whether to give her to Silas or not. The Original felt he owed it to his ex-girlfriend, so he wanted to ensure she could have a normal human life since her vampire life would forever be denied.

Surprisingly, Bonnie told her that Klaus, still present in Mystic Falls, had released Katherine. The Hybrid stated that her new human state would be her punishment and that he would protect her in exchange for some blood donations. The ex-vampire immediately accepted.

"That's how we confirmed that vampire blood won't work on her anymore. Elijah offered to give her some, but she threw it up."

Hayley wrinkled her nose. "I feel a little sorry for her, you know? She's lived so long without ever really doing it. What I don't understand is why she's still with you."

"Believe me, I still wonder. But Katherine was still here to help me. After Elijah," Bonnie whispered the name as if to avoid being heard. "had left her, Katherine was about to pack her bags and leave. Instead, I held her. The Salvatores don't want anything to do with her, much less Elena or Caroline. I'm the only one who can take her in. Plus, I'm getting all the information I can about those travelers you told me about."

"It shouldn't happen again with Silas and Amara's bodies still missing."

"Yes, but I want to be cautious. Even though I could truly use a break."

Maybe it was because she was lonely these days and because, in over four hours of searching, she had failed to find Eve or any sign of the wolves, but the proposal slipped from her lips before she could think about it in detail. "Why don't you come here? New Orleans is quiet these days—well, as quiet as it can be. The Plantation has a pool, and if we could find a way to hide the fact that we're not human, we can roam the neighborhood freely, too."

"I...Jeremy just came back to life, and Elena is finally getting used to being a vampire. I don't know if I can leave them–"

"Bonnie Bennett, you've sacrificed enough these past two years. You don't even have to study for a scholarship since Elijah will pay for your college education. You have the right to unplug like everyone else and have some fun instead of watching the two happy couples you have as friends."

"You know I'm not coming alone? Katherine's stuck to me like glue."

She hadn't thought of that, but maybe it wouldn't have been a problem since Klaus had forgiven the doppelganger. "Bring her along. The house is big. She and Klaus can avoid each other. Please, Bonnie."

The witch thought for a moment longer. "Okay, we'll come only for a few days."

Hayley smiled. "I'll wait for you!"

"Hayley...," Bonnie called back before hanging up. "Thank you."

"Trust me, you're doing me a favor. This house is starting to feel too big for one person."

Once the call was over, Hayley felt full of energy. Bonnie had become her true friend in the last few weeks, and spending time with her would be nice. Plus, maybe Davina would have a little distraction, having another witch to talk to, especially an abused one like Bonnie, who could understand the frustration the younger one felt.

So, with a huge smile, she headed towards the soundproof art studio where Klaus had been painting since that morning.

"Knock-knock," Hayley noted as she opened the door to the room.

Klaus turned to her, still holding the paintbrush. "Little wolf, did something happen?" he asked with a raised eyebrow since Hayley tended not to disturb him while he painted.

Hayley gave him a shy smile. "It depends on how you take it."

Klaus looked at her in exasperation. "If it's another trip with the witch..."

"No, no. Nothing like that," she interrupted quickly. "Well, sort of. I invited Bonnie to come over for a few weeks," she said, then bit her lip.

Klaus shrugged slightly, appearing relaxed. "Okay. A Bennett witch in your pocket is always a good asset. I don't see what's wrong with," Klaus trailed off, and Hayley could tell by his darkening gaze that he'd gotten the unpleasant part. "NO," he said in a grave voice. "Katerina Petrova will not set foot in this house."

"But Klaus, she's human. She won't be able to do anything. And look at it this way: you'll be able to keep an eye on her and have blood for your hybrids when needed."

"I said no. That's it."

Hayley continued to torment him for the rest of the day, and soon Kol joined her just to spite him.

"Okay," Klaus blurted out after dinner. Katerina can come, but I don't want to see or hear her. Is that clear?"

Hayley lunged at him and hugged him, making Klaus stiffen. "Thank you, thank you. I promise, Katherine will never cross your path! You are amazing, the best in the world!"

Klaus relaxed and returned the wolf's grip. "Remember that when I do something to piss you off."

The ringtone for Elijah brought Hayley out of the room, who answered excitedly to the older Mikaelson.

Klaus watched her walk away with a hint of a smile.

"She has a way of getting under your skin, doesn't she?" Kol exclaimed.

Klaus looked at him smugly. "More in the ears."

But deep down, Niklaus agreed with his younger brother. Hayley Marshall was turning out to be different from his previous impression of her, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was starting to enjoy having her around. Even talking to her was refreshing and refreshing. Her laugh was musical as she listened to one of Klaus's many funny stories from his life, and he was impressed by her critical eye for his art. Unlike their conversation on the subject at the Mikaelson Manor, Hayley seemed to know more about it. Her eye for religious art was worthy of famous critics as if she had seen and studied many of them.

And she was petulant, that was for sure, and she often seemed a little ditzy and perhaps more childish than he had thought she was in their interactions before the pregnancy. But she was also strong, and intelligent, passionate in everything she did, and determined beyond belief. She had reminded Klaus of a Valkyrie while she faced the witches that day in the cemetery.

Just a few days ago, Klaus had only thought of her as the werewolf he had impregnated with a handy gift.

In that moment, Klaus could see a more friendly and lasting alliance between them, which had little to do with the bond that would unite them forever but more to do with the similar traits they shared.

His brother was right, after all. Hayley Marshall had a surprising way of getting under his skin. And he didn't mind.

What did bother him, however, was the soft, affectionate tone in which Elijah spoke to her daughter's mother. Hayley's laughter could be heard throughout the house, and Klaus found himself listening to the conversation without even realizing it.

"I can't believe you did that, Elijah!"

"How was I to know that leaving my car there for five minutes would result in a theft?"

"Because it's Encanto, the Bronx of Phoenix! Everyone knows better than to leave your car unattended in that area!" Hayley snapped. "The important thing was that you got Silas' body back."

She could hear her brother sigh. "Yes, and I have an appointment with the coven regent tomorrow morning."

There was a short pause.

"Do you think she'll agree to help you?", Hayley asked.

"Witches aren't very friendly with vampires, not even with us Originals. But my contact informs me that these seem to be more forthcoming."

"It'll be okay, you'll see, and then you can go home."

"How's my future niece?"

Hayley chuckled. "She enjoys telling me what I can and can't eat, like her uncle, even though I'd rather have you here doing that than her nausea. This morning, she decided I can't have peanut butter for the rest of my pregnancy."

"The medicine I had delivered for you didn't help?"

Hayley sighed. "They did a little bit, and thank you again. The tiredness is much better. Last night, I managed to watch an entire movie with Kol!"

"I'm glad."

Hayley yawned.

"Go to sleep, Elskan. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Night, Lijah."

The call ended, and Klaus stopped listening. Maybe Kol was right: perhaps Elijah had a crush on his little wolf, after all. And from the tone of his voice, Hayley wasn't indifferent to Elijah either.

He lost all the good humor that his day of painting had brought him.

Elijah would have been a better father than him. He already was. He had taken care of him for a thousand years, and even though Klaus was Rebekah and little Henrik's favorite, he was the one they turned to when they had a problem, almost more than Finn.

He wondered if Hayley would have preferred him to be the father, too. And then he felt anger at the thought of his daughter and the little wolf choosing his brother over him. No, it wasn't going to happen. Klaus wouldn't allow it. He would be Hope's father, showing Hayley that he was much more capable of being a father than Elijah.

Klaus quickly headed to his study and retrieved the bucket of sage green paint he had hastily bought when he went to replenish his supplies.

Then, he walked over to the room right in the middle of his and Hayley's and started sanding the walls.

For the first time, he let the attachment he already felt towards his daughter come out. Klaus spent the whole night tinting and painting the room for the little girl who would come into the world in eight months, whose eyes would always be able to see the love that her father felt for her every time she looked up at the starry sky he was painting for her.