A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"Come on, Hayley; we need to hurry."
Jackson glanced at the door to Klaus' study almost nervously before he looked to where his wife was knelt, buttoning up Hope's coat. He paced back and forth, glancing at Klaus' door every few moments, expecting the hybrid to burst out of it.
He hoped that his plan worked, he hoped that Klaus was in agony.
Hope stood happily, pulling up her hood when her mother told her to, all excited to see Mary. Klaus didn't want Hope going anywhere near the bayou without him or someone present but, thankfully, Mary had decided to make things easier by meeting them somewhere local.
"Hayl-"
Hayley smiled, shaking her head at Jackson."We're coming, we're coming."
"Why are you in a rush?"Hayley asked with a raised eyebrow as she picked up her daughter, propping her on her hip."It's right down the street, Jack."
Jackson forced a smile on his face, giving his wife an attentive nod.
It's going to be further than down the street. Jackson thought, anticipation building up in his chest. Once we're in that car we're never returning.
"Uh, yeah, but you know grams, she likes people to be on time."
Hayley smiled as she made her way along the compound balcony, much slower than Jackson wanted her to. He tried to keep his heart beat at a steady pace as well as composing himself; he knew that Hayley and even Hope could sense those things.
Jackson was already making his way to the compound exit, car keys dangling from his finger. Hayley had no clue they were going in the car but he was willing to hash that out later. "Come on, let's get outta-"
"What's wrong, baby girl?"
His wife reached the top of the staircase only to pause as Hope whined and Hayley's eyes widened.
Hope turned her head, reaching out to the front room where'd she left her beloved plush."Wolfy!"
The hybrid gave a shake of her head, disappointed that she'd forgotten it."Oh, I forgot Wolfy, didn't I? You know how much she loves mini Klaus."
As Hayley took a step, Jackson exploded, kicking over a chair. He ran a frustrated hand through his dark locks, making Hope narrow her eyes in shock.
"HAYLEY!"Jackson suddenly shouted, startling both Hope and her mother."Just forget the damn wolf, will you?"
Jackson instantly regretted upsetting the tribrid as Hope snuggled closer to her mother, little arms wrapping around Hayley's neck. Hayley's eyes flashed amber protectively as Hope uneasily squirmed in her arms, tears welling up in her bright blue eyes.
Hayley shifted, perturbed at his sudden outburst."Jack..."
"I'm sorry."Jackson inhaled a long breath and exhaled."Just come with me, all right?"
He took a step forward and Hope, considering him a threat to herself and her mother, reached out. The tribrid buried her face in her mother's neck, clenching her tiny fist.
Jackson winced, staggering back, clutching his head in his hands."Dammit!"
Hayley watched as Jackson struggled to remain on his feet, blood dripping from his nose. It felt like a thousand needles were stabbing him over and over and the more he fought, the more painful it became.
Jackson sent a pleading look to his wife."Hayley, please."
"No, no, honey, it's all right. It's just Jack being silly."Hayley hushed her daughter, rubbing her back soothingly as she shook her head."You can stop now."
Jackson continued to cry out in pain, eyes turning amber until Hope eased up.
She continued to fuss as her mother hugged her to her.
Hayley looked down at her husband, a defensive and disappointed expression on her face.
"Raise your voice or upset my daughter again and Hope's magic will be the least of your problems."
Hayley arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow, holding her daughter close to her."I love you, Jack, but I will not have Hope being upset. Do you understand me?"
Jackson gave an understanding nod, hands behind his back."I'm sorry. I would never make you or Hope upset, all right? I just-"
Jackson cut himself off as an infuriated snarl echoed throughout the compound, catching Hayley's attention. Hope, however, just kept her head on Hayley's shoulder, not threatened by the snarl.
Jackson looked up at where the snarling was coming from only to hear the sound of feet landing in front of him. The snarling got harsher, it filled with disgust and bitterness, catching Jackson's ears and the vexation built in his chest.
Jackson finally raised his eyes, and they met Klaus' gaze. The Original had his hands behind his back and wore a fake polite smile, it evident by the fury in his eyes that he was anything but pleased.
"Klaus-"
"You look surprised to see me."Klaus said, smile widening at Jackson's surprise."Did you not expect to see me standing?"
Jackson didn't say anything, but his face paled a little.
"Oh, one moment! I heard our littlest wolf was looking for this."Klaus turned and hand Hope her beloved Wolfy, smiling at her when she lit up.
He gazed at his daughter for a long moment before he turned back to Jackson, smile turning into a frown."I'm glad I bumped into you, mate, I was hoping to have a quick chat with you."
Jackson's jaw tightened, but he refused to show anything but defiance.
Klaus wasn't shouting or lashing out impulsively.
Instead, he was eerily calm, something that was rare and that made Klaus even more agitated.
"Klaus, you know what today is."Hayley sighed, not wanting to argue."We're only going down the street to meet M-"
Klaus held up his hand, cutting Hayley off.
"I know, and while i'm not pleased about it, I have no issue with that as long as it's close to home."Klaus casually said, eyes still on Jackson and he tilted his head."I just want to speak with your husband about a certain something, and i'm sorry to say that he might not make your little visit."
Hayley frowned, confused and Jackson shook his head, stepping aside.
"Jack, w-"
"Hayley, let's just go."
The wolf began to make his way over to Hope and Hayley, but Klaus' hand grabbed his shoulder, dragging the wolf back.
"You no longer have the right to be near them."Klaus sneered at the younger male, shoving him back so forcefully that Jackson stumbled."We're not finished."
"Daddy d...dr..dra-mat-ic!"Hope tittered, looking up at her mother, proud at managing to say the full word."Dramatic!"
"Very good, my littlest wolf, your mother and I are proud."Klaus turned his head for a moment, giving his daughter a loving smile before turning back to glaring at Jackson."Turn Hope away, little wolf; she will not see this."
"Klaus, he didn't do anything! You promised you'd be civil!"
"And I have kept my word, love, which is why you should know that I have the right to act this way."Klaus said, turning and looking at the mother of his child for a moment."Now, please, do as I say."
Hayley looked ready to jump in to defend her husband, but her daughter was in her arms, and she did what Klaus said. She turned to the side to prevent her daughter from seeing anything.
As soon as Hope was turned Klaus flashed forward, pinning Jackson to the wall, forearm pressed against the younger man's neck.
"Klaus, what the hell?"
Klaus smirked in satisfaction as Jackson gave a choked moan."Your dear husband has crossed me for the last time."
"What are you talking about?"
"He has been conspiring against me with this-"Klaus pulled out Papa Tunde's Blade, the sight of it making Hayley's eyes widen."He assumed—expected—that I had been stabbed with the pesky little thing and, considering his rush to get you out of here, he wanted to take you away from your family."
Hayley looked at her husband, giving him a once over. She really looked at him, her eyes flashing amber as she read him. For once, she let her wolf instincts take over, and the feelings hit her like a wave. She could feel the nervousness as her husband stared at her, the anger he felt toward Klaus then, finally, the guilt.
He was guilty.
"Jack, you..."Hayley shook her head, trailing off as Hope let out a whine, apparently feeling what Jackson and Hayley were both feeling."Why now? We're not fighting anymore. We're stable."
Everything had been good.
She and Klaus weren't the best of friends, but they were family. They had a daughter together and, because of that, they had to be on good terms. They were no longer fighting; they were civil with each other, and Klaus had stopped threatening to kill her husband which, for him, was progress.
They were dysfunctional and bickered to no end but there were making progress.
"Jackson, this is my family! This is Hope's family!"
"You cannot call him family!"Jackson spat angrily, attempting to shove Klaus away from him."What good has he done for you apart from giving you Hope? He left you to rot in the Bayou for months on end. This family has done nothing but drag you down and made you risk your life."
Hayley's eyes glassed over as Jackson shook with the anger he had built up.
She could see Klaus also shaking with excitement as he choked the younger male. The only reason Klaus hadn't torn Jackson limb from limb was because he wanted him to admit what he had done to Hayley.
"He is not family; i'm your family. Our pack is your family."Her husband hissed, glancing at Klaus with pure detest."I have done everything. I have protected your daughter, loved you both and followed you here. All I ask in return is that you do the same."
Hayley's lips parted in shock and no sound came out.
Klaus stepped to the side, blocking Jackson's view of Hayley.
"You know, if you had come at me yourself, I would've killed you with respect. But instead of opposing me like a man, he decided to use a winsome and loyal friend of the family."
Klaus heard a gasp come from Hayley as she connected the dots together.
"Lola?"Hayley whispered, the name making Hope perk up.
"Lolly!"
"Yes, Lola."Klaus nodded.
"Jack, you didn't..."Hayley mumbled, voice laced with pure disgust and disbelief."Why? You know how much Hope loves her. She's a friend of ours."
Klaus cleared his throat, voice lacking any emotion but his eyes told the truth, and he looked away."He and his partner in crime violated her mind and used her as a toy to get close to me so that she could drive the blade into me."
Jackson inhaled sharply as Klaus' fingers loosened around his throat so that he could speak again.
"You've violated minds,"Jackson said as he got his breath back, unfazed by the hybrid's words.
"Never with someone I care about."The hybrid tightened his fingers around Jackson's throat."You are going to suffer for going near her."
Klaus lost any control he'd have over his temper and he punched the younger male before he kneed Jackson in the ribs. Jackson doubled over, gasping for air and a slow grin worked it's way onto Klaus' face as he heard a satisfying crack.
"I let you into my home, I let you near my loved ones, and this is how you repay me?"Klaus growled as he punched Jackson again, grabbing his hand when the younger male attempted to hit him back."I thought dogs were loyal."
Jackson's amber eyes appeared and his wolf features came forward. Snarling at the Original, Jackson straightened, managing to throw a punch at Klaus but the hybrid evaded it.
Laughing, Klaus pinned Jackson back against the wall. He grabbed Jackson's face, forcing the wolf to look at him.
A dark look took over Klaus' eyes and his orbs were almost black with blind rage. The hybrid let his eyes trail over Jackson's wolf features in disgust before his gaze focused on Jackson's fangs.
"Kill me, if that'll make you feel better!"
When Klaus didn't move, Jackson growled angrily."Go on! Do it!"
"What I'm going to do to you, mate, will be a far worse fate than death."Klaus mumbled, fingers digging into Jackson's skin.
Jackson looked confused until Klaus pressed him firmer against the wall and his hands came up. Jackson watched worriedly as Klaus' eyes turned amber, how own wolf features coming forward and, when Klaus let out a growl, Jackson felt strong.
Klaus was an alpha of his own right and a powerful one at that.
"What truly hurts a wolf more than losing his only weapon?"
As Jackson pondered the riddle, Klaus moved quickly and Jackson, as if clockwork, fell to his knees. Hayley turned her head, hiding her face in Hope's shoulder, pleased that her daughter couldn't see what was happening.
"AH!"Jackson howled in pain, his eyes glassing over as he cupped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide with horror."No, no, no..."
Jackson's whole body shook as he pulled his hand away, a whimper leaving him as a pool of blood graced his palm.
"No."
Klaus knelt down in front of Jackson, patting his back in an almost friendly manner. The hybrid them fisted his fingers in Jackson's hair, pulling his head back. Jackson looked as Klaus' free hand raised and he could see his fangs in the middle of his palm.
"I take these because you do not need them, apparently. You're all bark, aren't you? You prefer to leave the biting to others."
The Original hybrid forced Jackson to look at him, feeling somewhat complacent."If I see you anywhere near her again I will feed your grandmother your heart."
Klaus' fingers curled into a first around the fangs as he kept them as an almost keepsake.
The rest was a blur, and the feeling of satisfaction grew each time he hit Jackson, the sound of Jackson's groans of pain and the sight of him bleeding seemed to make Klaus feel a little better. The hybrid heard the snapping of bones each time a punch landed on the wolf, and he wanted to make it last.
All the built up bitterness he had felt regarding Jackson giving over along with the audacity he'd had to go after Lola.
He wanted to incapacitate Klaus in order to take his daughter and, just like his last attempt, he'd failed. He wanted to tear apart his family and to crumble the progress Klaus, and Hayley had made.
He faintly heard Hayley shouting at him, but he fought through it.
"Klaus, stop, you're killing him!"
Klaus saw red as he continued to beat the younger male until he felt his heartbeat slow.
"Wolfy!"
It was only when he heard Hope shouting that he reluctantly stopped.
"Daddy, Wolfy fell!"
Klaus froze, blinking several times as Hope called for him and he snapped out of his daze.
"Daddy? Wolfy!"
The Original turned, hiding his bloody hand behind his back as he turned around. Hayley turned Hope to look at him, and his daughter smiled. She seemed oblivious to the bloody heap of Jackson on the ground who was fighting the urge to fall into darkness. He was a bloody mess, and that made Klaus feel a little better.
Klaus smiled at his daughter, making his way over to Hayley and Hope.
Hope was pointing at her plush longingly that lay on the ground.
"Wolfy, daddy."
"He's fine, love."Klaus said as he leant down and picked up Wolfy with his non-bloody hand, handing it to his daughter."See? He's fine."
Hope smiled at her father and held her plush close, head on Hayley's shoulder.
He looked at the mother of his child who looked to be fighting tears as she looked at her husband before Klaus.
"How is she?"
"She's out cold from exhaustion. Freya is working out how to break whatever compulsion-like spell the witch put on her. Then I aim to find out who helped him."
"What are you going to do if you find out?"
Hayley felt silly for asking the question, she knew the answer.
"I'm going to kill them."
"Klaus, I didn't know, okay?"Hayley whispered, holding tighter onto her daughter."I would not have let him do that to Lola. Hope loves her, and she loves Hope. I wouldn't ruin what we've built recently-"
Klaus leant to her level, hand on her shoulder and he gave her a small smile.
"I know. We're partners, Hayley, for our daughter. I know."
He straightened, looking upset as a tear ran down her cheek.
"I'll let him live. For you. He lives because of your pack."The Original hybrid said though he regretted the words as soon as they fell from his lips."Call it progress."
Klaus glanced back at Jackson before he turned back to Hayley, squeezing her shoulder."But if I ever see him around our daughter and our family again, I won't be so merciful."
Hayley said nothing but she nodded and Klaus gave her a fond look before he turned his attention to his daughter.
"Sweetheart, daddy's very proud of your new words."Klaus smiled, leaning down and kissing his daughter's cheek."You're doing very well."
Hope giggled happily, smiling up at her father who brushed his hand through her growing hair.
"Lolly!"Hope giggled, holding her father's hand close."Where's Lolly?"
Klaus' smile faded a little as a rush of sorrow for his daughter ran through him, he knew Hope could sense something was wrong.
"Lola's sleeping, love, but you can come see her later, all right?"Klaus gave his daughter a warm smile, pecking her forehead."I'm sure she'd be happy to see her best friend."
Hope blushed, pointing to herself.
Klaus chuckled, gently poking Hope's tummy and making her giggle."Yes, you, love. Who wouldn't adore you?"
The hybrid kissed his daughter's cheek, nodded at Hayley before he excused himself and made his way up the staircase to the second floor.
As Klaus disappeared up another staircase, Hayley finally turned to looked down at Jackson who was now awake. The male wolf wiped at his bloody face, one eye swollen shut and deep gashes on his skin. His healing was working but slowly due to how exhausted he was.
"Hayley."
Hayley squeezed her eyes shut then opened them as she demanded."Who helped you?"
Jackson looked away, shaking his head."That doesn't matter."
"It does!"Hayley spat, careful not to yell in front of Hope."Who helped you?!"
Jackson was silent long enough, looking reluctant to tell her because Kara was a short tempered witch.
"Kara Nguyen. She's a witch of the Ninth Ward Coven."Jackson finally said, gasping in pain as his human face came forward and spat out more blood."She helped me because Davina refused."
"Why?"
"She didn't want to hurt Kol's family even though she despises Klaus."
She shook her head as he reached out for her, breathing in and out to keep her temper at bay. She wouldn't show how hurt and upset she was in front of Hope.
"If there was one thing I loved about you the most, Jack, it was your loyalty and honesty."
Jackson spat out blood as he attempted to get on his knees."H-Hayley, please-"
"If you had succeeded in taking down Klaus, did you think Elijah, Freya and even Marcel would've just let us go? Did you forget what happened last time?"Hayley hissed, hugging her daughter to her protectively."We've come so far. Klaus and us. For the first time, everything's been stable! We've been a family, and you almost ruined it!"
"Why are you defending him after everything he did?"
"I am not defending him. This isn't about you or Klaus fighting for alpha male, this is about Hope. This is about her having a stable home without everyone fighting all the time."
His eyes widened as Hayley, after securing Hope in her arms, began to pull off her rings.
"I don't want to be around or look at you right now or probably ever again."Hayley's tears were gone as she tossed her ring at Jackson."You have to leave my home before I let Klaus finish what he started."
The ring landed near him, spinning around before it stopped and Jackson attempted to get to his feet.
"Hayley, please!"
The female hybrid ignored him as she spun around on her heels and began to make her way up the staircase.
"HAYLEY!"
Jackson watched her go, his good eye drifting to Hope who looked at him over her mother's shoulder.
As her mother carried her up the staircase, the tribrid gave him a small wave; Wolfy tucked against her chest.
Lola's Bedroom
"You took your time."
Freya looked over as Klaus shut the door behind him, raising her eyebrows at the blood on his face he was wiping off. He had changed his clothes, obviously, because from what she had heard, the fight had been brutal. The Original stepped further into the room, looking over Lola as the young human rested bedside Freya who was sat next to her.
Klaus gave a complacent smile as he reached out toward Lola's bedside table.
"The coward fought until he, inevitably, lost."
Freya's eyes widened as Klaus took his hand away, revealing a pair of wolf fangs on the bedside table and she knew who they belonged to. She looked to her brother as Klaus straightened, a gleam in his eye that could only be described as wicked yet concerned.
"Are those..."
"You will not be seeing him around anymore. He is no longer welcome."Klaus simply said, tone lifeless until he turned his head and looked down at Lola."How is she? Did it work?"
He looked at his sister who was in the middle of packing up the things she had used during her time getting answers from a sleeping Lola.
"It took some time, but I was able to break whatever mental and physical hold the witch had over her. The witch who performed it was powerful but as am I."
Freya gave a self-congratulatory smile to her brother, standing up from the edge of the bed."It was very exhausting for her, especially since she's human, so she needs rest."
Klaus nodded, looking grateful and relieved as he heard Lola's fatigue but still strong heartbeat.
"Thank you."Klaus whispered to his sister, receiving a small smile in return and he smiled, but it faded as he added."Elijah has been helping, but I suspect he isn't happy about it."
Freya gave a sorrowful nod before she walked around the bed and sat next to her younger brother. She took his hands in her own, patting it lovingly to which he just looked at her in almost confusion.
"I admit that I was wrong to question your intentions when you brought Lola into our home for Hope. Hayley doesn't seem to be threatened and, after being inside of her mind, I see that Lola doesn't have bad intentions."
Freya squeezed Klaus' hands before she stood, ready to resume with getting her things together."And Elijah is helping because i'm sure he has come to the same conclusion as I have."
Klaus raised a questioning eyebrow as he followed Freya's movements.
"What conclusion is that?"
"The conclusion that you are more than just fond of Lola."Freya simply said with a small smirk, it proving just how much like Klaus she was."And you allowing yourself to care for someone else is worth more than siblings arguing, Niklaus."
Klaus cleared his throat, looking away from his smiling sister who just continued to smile. The Original looked down at the human laying on the bed, it clear how mentally and physically exhausted she was.
"Yes, well, trust Elijah to still care about me finding some sort of solicitous connection while giving me the silent treatment."
Freya gave her brother a fond smile, somewhat surprised that he hadn't lashed out and denied about caring for Lola. It showed that he had, in fact, made some progress as well as the fact that he trusted Freya, despite their issues.
Freya and Klaus shared a warm look just as a quiet knock made them turn to the door. Freya looked at Klaus, sure that he already knew who was on the other side and he gave her a nod, silently telling her that it was someone familiar.
Klaus composed himself, clearing his throat as he called out."Come in, Hayley."
The door opened slowly until Hayley appeared, Hope toddling beside her, small hand in her mother's.
Hope beamed as her gaze landed on Lola and she rushed as fast as she could over to the large bed.
"Lolly!"
Hope attempted to climb up, small hands fighting with the sheets as she tried to climb them until, finally, Freya helped the child up.
"Be careful, baby girl, Lola is resting."
Hope just hummed in response as she clambered over to Lola, settling herself next to the human. She grabbed Lola's teddy and set it down next to her own before she curled up next to the human.
Klaus watched his daughter with a small smile before he turned to the female hybrid."Hayley-"
Hayley rolled her eyes, hand coming from behind her back to reveal a half filled bottle of whisky and three glasses."I know you said she needs rest but when have I ever listened to you?"
Hayley set down the three glasses in the table and unscrewed the cap."He's gone."
Klaus and Freya just nodded at the suddenly spoken words, clearly hearing the pain in Hayley's voice though she tried to hide it.
"The witch you're looking for is called Kara Nguyen."Hayley said as she poured the three of them a drink."She's a witch of the Ninth Ward Coven."
Klaus straightened, ready to get to his feet but Hayley pushed him back down.
"Don't be stupid."
Klaus gave her a look of protest, but Hayley remained stubborn.
Hayley placed a half full glass in Klaus' hand."I called Elijah; he's dealing with it, and she'll be waiting for you when Lola is better."
Klaus raised his eyebrows at Hayley, almost suspicious.
The mother of his child raised her eyebrows right back."She's a friend. She makes you more bearable."
"We'll have to think of what might happen when she wakes up."Klaus finally said what was on his mind, taking a sip of his drink."She might know that we're not as human as she thought."
Hayley gave a shrug as she passed Klaus, joining Freya at the edge of the bed."That's why we're here."
Hayley handed Freya her glass and clinked them together before she returned her gaze to a still knocked out Lola, smiling softly as Hope rested next to Lola.
The female hybrid then looked at the father of her daughter.
"We don't leave anyone behind."
Thanks for reading!
I hope I did all right. I really, desperately, wanted to kill Jackson but it is much more satisfying that Jackson wishes he was dead.
He's lost Hayley's love and respect and Klaus is going to be like a dark cloud over him for the rest of his life. I hope you understand and please don't hate on me.
I hope you liked it and, if you want more, please leave a review.
I also hope you all have a great Christmas!