Music

Doubt by THe Boxer Rebellion [Klaus/Hayley]

Unlike Me (A'cappella Version) by Kate Havnevik [Elijah/Hayley]

Speaking a Dead Language by Joy Williams [Hope's goodbye]

Who Will Love Me by Jerome Holloway [Memorial]

My Body is a Cage by Peter Gabriel [Marcel/Hayley]

Love More by Sharon Van Etten [Park ;) ]

Runaway by Yeah Yeah Yeahs [Klaus/Hayley/Elijah]

What He Wrote by Laura Marling [No Goodbyes]

Hayley returned to find an even quieter compound. She heard Hope's quiet yet quick heartbeat in her nursery and Andrea's not too far away. It comforted Hayley to know that they hadn't snuck her away before she could return.

"You're back." A husky voice spoke from above. Her eyes whipped upward to find Klaus leaning over the bannister with a glass of scotch in his hands. She gave him a warm smile; he could hardly return it.

In a blink, her vampire speed and agility brought her to jump right next to him. Just as quickly, she stole the glass from his hands and finished what was left of the drink. Klaus playfully glared at her.

"My errand didn't take as long as I expected." She explained as she handed back the glass. Then she shuffled in her pockets and fished out her car keys to give to him. "Thanks for the ride." But when she tried to give them to him, he shook his head.

"It's yours." He confirmed.

"Klaus-"

"I said take it." He retorted, leaving no room for argument. "Consider it a present for being the godmother to my child."

With the subject of Hope, a sorrow filled the air. Hayley watched Klaus' expression fade as silence settled between them. She leaned against the nearest bannister, facing him to watch his every expression.

"Has fatherhood already commenced heavy drinking?" She commented. It was 3am, yet not at all odd to find him drinking. However, his mood being thrown into the mixture was what she found concerning.

"Soon I will not really be a father…I thought I should get in as much drinking as I could while it lasts." Klaus muttered darkly.

Hayley immediately gripped his shoulder lightly. It got his attention, for her immediately looked into her eyes that held an ocean's storm. "You are not going to stop being a father, Nik…Even if she's not here. You are her father, no matter where she is." He stared into her gaze for a moment before nodding in understanding.

"She leaves tomorrow." He added woefully as his head now hung. "There is a memorial service tomorrow for the recently departed. Elijah is to take Andrea there, make their grievances public for our enemies to see. Then I will take Hope, and Rebekah will meet us in secret."

"Do-do you want me to go with you?" Hayley asked. No one would suspect anything if she were to miss the community's grieving. After all, she tried to overtake this town and kill anyone who stood in her way. Even the Originals were considered part of New Orleans's community more than her.

Klaus gave her an appreciated smirk, something rare to see on him. "Tempting…" He practically hummed. "But I won't steal you from my brother. He'll need you more than he'll lead on. At the end of the day, you're his girl and not mine."

Hayley's brow furrowed at that. She never liked when people viewed her relationships as also means of proprietorship. She belonged to no one. But the way Klaus said it now, it sounded more like he meant that Hayley took up all of Elijah's heart, while she only took up a small portion of his.

She nodded in understanding. Then her arms wrapped around him. She felt him relax in the arms of someone who truly cared about him. He let out a sigh as if he had been waiting for some form of physical comfort for quite some time.

"You know, I'm your girl too, Klaus." She whispered into his shoulder. Klaus pulled away and shrugged. She didn't have to explain it; he comprehended what she meant.

"He's asleep like the dead." Klaus changed the subject.

Hayley's eyebrows shot up. "You're kidding."

He shook his head. "At first, he paced around the compound, worrying about you, of course. Then I think all the exhaustion from the past few days finally hit him." He paused for a moment. "I don't think he really ever slept since the day you die. Now that you're back…" He lingered off.

She smiled sorrowfully at the thought. A restless Elijah was never a fun sight for her to see. A wave of guilt washed over her as she thought of her being the reason for it when she was gone. With that, she started toward her room. When she turned around to give Klaus another glance, she saw him walking the opposite direction. She realized it was toward Hope's nursery. She wondered if he planned on watching her sleep, holding on it every last second he had with her. To think that some truly misjudged his potential to be a good father seemed comical now.

Hayley closed the bedroom door behind her as quietly as possible and tiptoed across the room to the bed. To her astonishment, Klaus had been right. Elijah lay practically out cold. His chest was bare, with just the thin sheet covering him and resting halfway down his abs.

Hayley kicked off her shoes and crawls on top of the bed. With a soft smile, she lightly traced his jawline with her finger. "Elijah," She whispered.

A part of her wanted to let him rest. He looked so peaceful and it was so rare to watch him like this. Usually she was the one always sleeping. But a dark cloud now followed and Kol's words haunted her. She didn't have time with Elijah to lose.

Elijah slightly stirred. He really must be exhausted. Usually any noise would make him jump into some kind of defense, always ready for a deadly threat. Hayley kissed his shoulder, then his cheek, and then his neck, all while whispering his name.

"If only I could always be woken this way." He finally muttered in a sleepy voice that made her giggle. It was hard to picture him as the feared and almighty Elijah Mikaelson when he was in this state.

"I wouldn't want to spoil you." She teased as he rubbed his eyes to rid them of sleep.

"I did not expect you to return so soon." He defended as if it was a personal offense to her that he was not awake and waiting upon her return.

"Maybe I just missed you too much." She whispered as she cuddled up next to him. He adjusted so his arms wrapped securely around her when she rested her head on his chest.

"And how was the mysterious expedition?" He asked. His voice was still hoarse from sleep.

Hayley sighed and closed her eyes. But Elijah couldn't see the pain she tried to control. She couldn't talk about it yet. Because it would lead to her telling him she had to leave him. They just got each other back. It hurt too much to give him unexplained reasons for why they had to be ripped apart once again.

"We can talk about it in the morning." She finally answered. Before he could argue, she sealed her statement with a passionate kiss. It sparked a sudden provocation in both of them. Hayley practically yelped when she was whipped onto her back and Elijah was suddenly hovering over her. His eyes were filled with hunger, but not the kind that made human victims realize they would soon be dead.

"Sure you don't want to talk now?" Elijah purred. His hand was at the hem of her t-shirt, then caressing the skin at her waist.

She raised an eyebrow at his suggestion. "I'm sure."

Before a moment of silence could rest, Elijah had her shirt over her head. Sometimes, despite having been with him for years, Hayley still blushed when she was so bare in front of him. His hand snaked up her side so lightly that it tickled. She let out a laugh and her split second of being embarrassed vanished.

Yelling between Andrea and Klaus woke Hayley up. She squinted at the sun that seeped into the room. Her back was pressed against Elijah's chest and still his arms were around her in comfort. She could tell by the tenseness in his body that he was listening to the two as well.

"It was nice while it lasted…" She muttered sleepily.

"What?" Elijah sighed, showing that the arguing was just as bothersome to him as it was to her.

"Living in our little paradise for just a bit." Hayley turned so she was facing Elijah. He started unintentionally rubbing her shoulder and then slowly worked his hand to her cheek.

"Sometimes I wonder how he is capable of the terrible things he says to those he cares about." Elijah whispered as he continued to listen in on his brother.

"He's hurting." Hayley defended. "Hope's leaving today and it's easier for him to hurt the people around him than to feel his own hurt."

Elijah groaned.

"What?" She laughed.

"Sometimes you are far too forgiving of my brother."

Hayley smiled. "Oh, shut it." Then she leaned over him, her hair cascading over one shoulder. The morning light hit it perfectly, bringing out all of the red.

Elijah looked up at her as if she were an angel visiting earth just for him. "I don't think there are enough times that I can tell you how beautiful you are."

"Hmm…" She hummed as her cheeks blushed. "You do it quite often…to the point where I think you are trying to embarrass me." She kissed him then.

"And what was that for?" He asked.

"I don't need an excuse, Elijah. I'll kiss you whenever I want." Then she realized that wasn't really true. Soon she would be putting half the country between them. She wouldn't be able to kiss him whenever she wanted, she wouldn't even be able to be near him. The flash of sad realization must have flashed in her eyes for Elijah looked concerned.

"Tonight's going to be rough." Hayley spoke before he could ask the question she would have to lie in order to answer. "Klaus won't let me go with him. And I'm sure Andrea won't want me to accompany you and her when you go to the memorial tonight." She read in his eyes that he accepted her answer. The trick to lying to Elijah was answering with half-truths.

Elijah nodded in agreement. His face was serious now. Once again, they were pulled out of the little piece of heaven that they were sometimes able to create together.

"I love you, you know." Hayley told him in a whisper. "And if I were to do anything that made you think otherwise, know that it's always going to be because I believe it is what's best for us."

Elijah's brow furrowed at that. He slowly sat up, pushing Hayley back so she was forced to kneel across his waist. She instantly realized that she shouldn't have said such a thing. Now he was suspicious as ever.

He narrowed his gaze. "Hayley, where were you yesterday?" Now he was no longer her Elijah, but the Original that all supernatural feared. Before, he accepted that she couldn't tell him everything. Except now he was the fierce vampire that would get any information he sought, no matter what it took.

Hayley couldn't take his interrogative gaze and she looked to the side, breaking eye contact. But Elijah gentle turned her chin so she was forced to look at him. His look grew even sterner.

Suddenly Hayley couldn't help it any longer. She wanted to give up. Taking in a deep breath, she prepared to tell Elijah everything, including that Kol was very much alive. But when she started, the words got stuck in her throat. It physically hurt and her hands went to her throat from the sting.

"I-I can't tell you." She whispered.

Elijah put his hands on either side of her face, recognizing that she had been hurt. "What happened to you?" His voice was threatening. Not to her, but to whoever she had been with yesterday.

"I'm fine." She assured him, gripping his hands and bringing them down from her face to hold in her lap. "It's a spell…like compulsion."

"Who did this to you?"

She shook her head sadly. "That's what I can't tell you." Then as she thought of how exactly to explain the situation, her eyes welled with tears. "Elijah, I have to leave."

Without even asking why, he started shaking his head violently. Before the idea even settled, he was refusing it.

"You don't understand." Hayley practically wept, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "There is a war coming."

Elijah's expression darkened. "When have you ever run from a fight?" He challenged. "Hayley, has someone threatened you?" It was the only assumption that made sense to him. Running away was only something she did when her heart was in danger, when she was emotionally vulnerable.

"No, no, no." Hayley immediately clarified. She sounded nasally now from the hot tears that wouldn't stop. "No one has threatened me. The person that has sworn me to secrecy is trying to protect me…and our family."

"And I am just supposed to trust this mysterious guardian of yours?" Elijah argued.

"No…you're supposed to trust me." She corrected. "Because I trust them."

Elijah rubbed his face in utter frustration. "I do not understand."

"I know." Hayley cried. "I'm sorry that I can't tell you everything." Then she sighed, trying to pull herself together. "This…person…they told me that I won't be able to protect myself when this war starts. That it's not something any of us can prepare for. But that's not the point that made me listen." She paused, making sure that Elijah was listening carefully. "It was when they told me that I would put both you and Klaus in danger. Because you guys would be so worried and concerned about me that you would risk your own lives to insure my safety."

"Because you are the most important thing to me!" Elijah snapped. "I am in love with you and I will do anything assure I will not lose you again." His tone was slowing losing its anger and transforming into desperation. Gradually, her words were hitting a chord with him. He was beginning to understand what she was trying to say.

"Exactly." She murmured. "But that's what it feels like for me too, Elijah. Don't you see? If something were to happen to you because I couldn't protect myself…" She didn't even want to finish the thought.

Elijah suddenly snapped back into his cold, Original vampire, frontage. "They're right." His voice was cold now. "I would like to think that the safest place for you will always be by my side. But if this person truly believes, knows that you will be safer far away from here…then you must leave."

Then he wiped a silent tear from Hayley's cheek before it could slide down any further. His eyes softened. Seeing her cry always felt worse than a dagger to the heart. It was such a rarity for her that it felt like her pain progressed into his own body.

"When we first met, you compelled me to forget you to keep me safe. Now I have to leave in order to do the same for you." Hayley finally breathed.

Elijah didn't say anything. He just silently traced her face with his hand and brushed her hair behind her ear. Sometimes she just felt like a dream to him. So when she was taken from him, it felt like waking up into a cruel and dark world.

"Please, please, please…" Hayley rushed quietly. "Be safe and do what you have to do to make sure you and Klaus remain so."

He just nodded before enclosing her into a passionate kiss. Her cheeks and neck were damp from the tears that had finally stopped. But she kissed back just as heatedly. Elijah's hands gripped her waist so strongly and she practically straddled him. It was as if he thought she would leave right at that moment.

"We still have some time." Hayley separated their lips to whisper in his ear.

"Then lets make the most of it." Elijah answered with a new lustful craving. He spun her so now her back was on the bed and he was on top of her. They made love even more passionately than last night. Now Elijah was also aware of the clock that was ticking down to their parting.

Andrea rustled through the bag for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Okay…I think that's everything." She finally confirmed, mostly to herself. Then she placed a letter inside the bag.

Hayley leaned against a column, watching Klaus coddle Hope for what felt like the last time. Despite the wretchedness of the situation, she found a whisper of a smile still on her lips as she watched. Who knew seeing the original hybrid as a father would spark so much joy in her?

Elijah stood directly behind her, one of his hands resting on her lower back. It wasn't to comfort her, but to comfort himself. He needed to physically feel her presence while he still had her.

Then Klaus looked at him, messaging him through only a look that this was his time to say goodbye to his niece. Elijah stepped around Hayley and slowly made his way to Hope. Klaus gently transferred her to his brother's hands.

"This is not goodbye." Elijah whispered. "We will fight whatever war that will assure we can have you back safely." He kissed the top of her head.

Now both brothers looked at Hayley. She was never one for goodbyes. But when she looked down at Hope, the baby was smiling at her and even let out a small giggle. Hayley couldn't find it in her to smile back. But she still gently took Hope from Elijah and stared down into the baby's eyes.

"I hope we get you back soon." She said so quietly that even the supernatural around her had to focus to hear. "Because it would be a shame for you not to see for yourself what this family is willing to do to assure you live a happy and beautiful life."

When Klaus took Hope back, Hayley looked up to see that Andrea was staring at her like she was startled by her words.

"Then this is it." Klaus stated to the group. "You will go to the memorial while I skip town and meet Rebekah."

Elijah nodded while Andrea stepped forward for one last goodbye.

Then Klaus disappeared. Andrea let out a gasp at the separation from her child. But Elijah was immediately at her side, guiding her to the exit of the compound. He looked over his shoulder at Hayley. She mouthed 'I love you' and he replied back with the same.

Hayley could catch the crying before she saw it. With her supernatural hearing, everything sounded as if it were echoing and overlapping each other unnaturally. She had her hood up, putting a dark and mysterious gloom over her face. It wasn't as if it was necessary, but Hayley wanted to remain a shadow tonight.

She saw the memorial from a distance. Everyone was quietly and politely shuffling around her toward it as she stopped in the middle of the street. People had candles, others had flowers, but everyone had a look and aura of loss. No one noticed that Hayley was not one of them.

Then she caught a glimpse of a suit yards and yards away. Elijah, despite his handsomeness, did not have any other features that would make him stand out in a crowd like this. But somehow, Hayley always managed to find him instantly. He walked behind Andrea as she stepped forward to the memorial. For some reason, Hayley was able to separate her crying from the countless other tears surrounding them.

Hayley glanced around to see that no one was paying attention to her and there seemed to be an odd radius around her that people were avoiding. Then she jumped up onto a balcony that would provide her with a better view.

Andrea was kneeling down now, staring at something that must have been dedicated to Hope. Klaus and Elijah were right: it wasn't hard to mourn the child, despite her survival. After a few moments, Andrea slowly got up and turned to Elijah. He offered her his hand, which she instantly took. He guided her through the crowd.

Hayley's hands naturally tightened on the railing she leaned over. She noticed her body language that acted upon its own accord. There was no lying to herself; there was still a jealousy when seeing the two together. No matter how much she knew Elijah loved her, it still was a terrible feeling to know that someone else still held a small part of his heart. Seeing him hold her hand was just a reminder of that.

There was a sudden gust of next to her, announcing she was no longer alone on the balcony.

"How's Klaus holding up?" Marcel asked.

"Like you care…" Hayley muttered harshly, still allowing herself to casually watch Elijah and Andrea until they were out of sight.

"Hey," Marcel with a kindness he had never used with her. It caused Hayley to automatically flicker her eyes onto him. "Klaus and I have had our differences. And I'm still not letting this town go without a fight. I'm not giving up my revenge." He explained seriously. However, then his face softened. "But no one deserves what happened to Klaus and Andrea. I wouldn't wish it upon the devil himself."

Hayley narrowed her gaze, despite believing every word he said. Marcel had already been compelled to forget about saving Hope. "That's right…you have that whole protectiveness over kids thing." She sighed, making it sound completely ungallant.

Marcel tilted his head and glared.

"After all, you were the one to save Andrea when she was just a pup."

He stood up straighter now. "How did you know about that?"

Hayley smiled mischievously. "You forget that I once infiltrated this town, your supernatural society. And I didn't do a half-ass job of it."

Marcel shook his head in disbelief, but still appeared amused. "You are still a complete mystery." He sighed.

Hayley didn't respond. But she wanted to comment that she liked it that way.

"You still didn't answer my question about Klaus though." Marcel pushed.

Any mischievous fun now was sucked away at the reminder of everything that had happened. Hayley's face went darker and a mouth turned into a frown as she thought how to answer without betraying Klaus' emotional integrity that he refused to anyone outside his family.

"I've never seen him heartbroken before." Hayley exhaled finally. "I don't know how to help…because I have no idea what it's like to lose a child." Then a thought suddenly occurred to her that she had not had the time to conjure amongst everything that she'd been busy dealing with.

Her eyes ripped into Marcel's. "But I fear what will happen when anger replaces his heartache."

"But you'll be here to keep him in check." Marcel pointed out. He might not fully understand Hayley or what her place was within the Original family. But he could see the bond she shared with them. The first time Klaus had stopped him from killing her; Marcel had never seen the fear of losing someone in Klaus' eyes before. There was once a time when Marcel could cause that look.

"Actually I won't be." Hayley's back was to him as she answered.

"What?" Marcel instantly commented.

"I'm leaving."

"This isn't because of that petty affair between Andrea and Elijah, is it?" Marcel condescended. Hayley only glared at him. "Look, I saw you watching them before I so rudely interrupted your spying. I know jealousy when I see it."

"As if it's any of your business." Hayley finally growled. She decided to run with this, to over exaggerate her reaction so it would make more sense to outsiders when she left. It only took Marcel to spread the rumor and everyone would believe she left for every reason but the truth.

"Hmm…you're not the girl I thought you were then." Marcel practically snickered. She didn't understand why he wanted to get a rise out of her so badly.

Suddenly Hayley tackled him to wall, her forearm pressed hard against his throat. "You just said yourself: I'm a mystery. You don't know what kind of girl I am at all…that's why I drive you so fucking crazy." He just barely tried to push her back, but Hayley just slammed him harder onto the wall. "What the hell is your problem? Are you just trying to pick a fight, Marcel?"

Then a thought suddenly occurred to her. Still holding him, she glanced over her shoulder at the memorial that was still taking place behind her. All of Marcel's vampires died after the werewolves attacked the compound. She'd only heard of Josh surviving and it was because Davina saved him somehow. He was literally the only one that lived of Marcel's friends.

Then Hayley stepped back quickly. "No…you're looking for a death sentence." She muttered more to herself than him.

Marcel just looked at her when she waited for him to answer.

Hayley shrugged incredulously. "So what was the plan? Hurt me? Kill me so Elijah would rip out your heart? Or maybe Klaus would give you a lethal werewolf bite and watch you suffer?"

Marcel now looked embarrassed, not planning on Hayley figuring out his little suicide plan. Slowly, he shook his head. "No…no…I was hoping you'd do the deed."

For a moment, Hayley wanted to give him some sympathy. She wanted to tell him she knew what it felt like to want to give up, to end it all. But that wasn't what Marcel needed. But most importantly, she refused to let him see that side of her, the hidden kindness and empathy that her enemies could feed off of. After all, Marcel was still no ally of theirs.

So Hayley slowly stepped closer to him. Marcel briefly thought she was about to kiss him. But then she shoved her finger into his chest. "Suck it up." She finally snapped. "Because you're not acting like the boy I thought you were."

Marcel glared at both her throwing his line back at him and calling him a boy instead of a man.

Then Hayley jumped off the balcony with the grace of a feline and he lost her in the crowd of mourners.

Elijah was looking out onto the French Quarter when he felt Hayley wrap her arms around his waist. Then he felt her kiss his neck. He automatically smiled and turned to face her. She seemed to have a mischievous air surrounding her. But she almost looked incandescently happy.

"What are you up to?" He immediately chuckled.

But her only answer was to quickly kiss him.

"Remember when I said I wasn't really Hope's aunt, and you said that we could always change that?" Her voice was very quiet. It made her sound unsure of herself.

Elijah's brow furrowed, but his hands still remained securely on her waist. He only nodded, but stayed confused.

"Did you mean it?" She whispered.

Then he stepped back from her. "Hayley…are you asking if I meant it when I would marry you?"

She nodded almost embarrassingly.

Elijah shook his head and smirked at her incredulousness. Then he closed the gap between them again. His hand cupped her face and his thumb traced her cheekbone. "I would've asked you years ago." His words were confident and there was no hesitation in their delivery.

"But why didn't you?" She wasn't insulted or sensitive with the question, but genuinely concerned. After all their time together, he had never even popped the question. Yes, he had mentioned it like the example she gave. But it was always to get a reaction out of her, to push the comedic value.

"Because I already knew it wasn't something you wanted." He replied as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "Marriage isn't important to you. It doesn't hold any meaning."

"But it means something to you…" She strained.

Elijah laughed. "People tell me I'm old-fashioned… of course it does." He stared into her eyes for a moment. "But if it didn't mean anything to you, it wouldn't mean anything to me." His thumb moved slowly across her bottom lip now. "You loving me with all you can is all I have ever wanted… and for you, that doesn't require marriage."

Hayley gave him a warm smile before kissing him once more. Then, quickly breaking it, she grabbed his hand and started dragging him to the door. "Come on! I have to show you something." Elijah practically groaned, but he could never actually be annoyed with her.

After a little drive in the car that Klaus stole for her, they were at New Orleans' City Park. It was dark, but Elijah was able to make out their location with his vampire eyes. He couldn't remember the last time her had been there. But for some reason, he never remembered it being this dark.

"Hayley, what are we doing here?" He asked as he still studied his surroundings.

"Do you know where the bridge is?" She ignored his question. "The one that's arched and looks like it's out of a fairytale?"

He turned to look at her, even more confused now. "Yes."

"Go." She pushed him toward the car door. "I'll meet you there in a bit." Elijah opened his mouth to ask a dozen more questions. "Shh. Stop questioning me and just fucking do it, okay?"

He sighed and opened the car door. "One of these days I shall wash out that mouth of yours." He muttered under his breath as he got out. It caused Hayley to laugh.

As soon as he was out of sight, she jumped out of the car and popped the trunk.

Elijah didn't bother walking at a human pace to get to his assigned destination. His curiosity was killing him now and he was there within seconds. He would have been more shocked to find Davina waiting for him on the bridge if he wasn't so baffled and stunned by his new settings.

In the river the bridge crossed over, there were countless floating candles. In the trees hung dozens and dozens of paper lanterns with candles inside them to make them glow like miniature suns.

Elijah slowly walked to the bridge, too stunned to move quickly now.

Davina watched him with a satisfied smirk as he took a step at the time to the middle of the bridge. Yes, she disliked the Original family. But she only truly loathed Klaus. She told herself she'd get over her little feud at least tonight for Hayley.

"This is your doing?" Elijah asked in exasperation.

The young witch shook her head. "It was all her idea. I just helped." Then she looked around too. "Being a witch helped light all the candles in about 5 seconds instead of 5 hours." She giggled at herself then.

"Davina, what exactly is going on?" Elijah requested softly.

"She can tell you…" Davina answered looking over his shoulder.

Elijah whipped around to see Hayley slowly walking towards the bridge in a white dress. He was rendered speechless both from how beautiful she looked and realizing what this was all about. With his gaze locked on her in a trance, he slowly walked toward her, meeting her at the bottom of the bridge. Hayley stayed put, unsure of reaction. She couldn't quite read him, as he now looked her up and down.

Her dress was more of a crème than stark white, very simplistic but with a deep V. Her hair was twisted into a casual up-do that she threw up in a couple of minutes. Pieces of hair fell out of it, but the look came off as effortlessly beautiful. In her hands was a humble bouquet of only lavender and baby's breath. It was tied together with a little twine.

"I lucked out with the fact that you're always wearing a suit." She finally spoke through a shy smile. His quietness was starting to make her regret this surprise.

Elijah finally broke into a beaming smile.

"Are we eloping?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

Hayley just smiled back as his question. She grabbed his hand and led him back to Davina who was patiently waiting. Then she took in a deep breath. "Are you sure you want to do this?" It was the last chance for him to escape. She thrust her plan onto him and it was only fair to give him a chance to walk away.

"Having cold feet, are we?" Elijah joked. He wanted to say, I've never been surer in my life. But such romantic clichés would not sit well with her. It was some kind of miracle that this was happening at all. He didn't want to push it.

Hayley laughed at that. Then turned her attention to Davina. "We're ready."

"I did not realize you were an officiant, Davina." Elijah hummed.

Davina opened her mouth to answer, but Hayley beat her to it. "We can't exactly go to the courthouse, my paperwork got a little lost when I cut ties with my parents and then died from my link with Kol." Her smile faltered a bit when she said Kol's name, but she re-gripped her composure. "Besides, seeing as I am not religious…and we are both supernatural, I thought we should have a supernatural wedding." Then she nodded at Davina, cueing her to explain further.

"I found a very old spell…a linking spell." The young witch began.

Elijah instantly shifted at the word 'linking'. He was directly reminded of when Andrea was linked to Sophie Deveraux, all the pain one felt was thrust onto the other. He would never want that for Hayley, especially with a war coming soon.

Davina instantly recognized the apprehension and nervousness in his expression. "Not that kind of linking spell. It's a marriage spell. Black witches used to use it when they were slaves and could not officially get married."

Elijah's eyes were still dark. "What exactly does it entail?"

Hayley squeezed his hand in comfort. "Elijah, just trust us."

He had no choice but to relax from her touch.

Hayley nodded at Davina to continue.

"So what the spell requires is a verbal expression of love from both people-"

"Vows." Hayley translated through a smirk.

"…A sharing of blood from the left palm, and… a kiss." Davina continued and then waited for Elijah to make another manifestation of difference, but he waited patiently. "All you need is a witch- me…obviously. Then I just have to say the magic words and you two will be forever bonded."

Hayley studied Elijah, and then he met her steady scrutiny. "Okay?"

"Okay."

Davina stepped forward then with a knife in her hand. She offered it to Hayley. She took it and held out her hand for his own. Without hesitation, Elijah gently placed his hand on top of hers. She slid the blade quickly across his palm and gave him the knife to do the same to her.

"Clasp your hands together." Davina instructed. They did as they were told, blood dripping underneath their clutch. Davina hovered her hand over them and muttered words they did not understand. Elijah didn't think they'd be able to feel anything, but his hand suddenly felt as if it were asleep and their hands seemed to be glued together. Hayley softly gasped and smiled at the sensation.

"Now…the vows." Davina instructed. Hayley suddenly looked nervous. "Take your time." The witch added, seeing both of them tense.

"Shall I go first?" Elijah offered, hearing Hayley's heart quicken. Perhaps it was the nerves of someone else hearing them say the things they only said behind closed doors. But Hayley nodded at his offer.

He cleared his throat. "I have lived multiple lifetimes of darkness, sometimes just wandering through my immortality. Then one day I walked past a girl sitting in a coffee shop. A weight was lifted off my chest from just seeing you. It wasn't until I actually spoke to you that I felt as if there was something more than just living."

Hayley's eyes glazed over in tears. But she refused to break his gaze.

"I promise to love you through the end of time. You once said forever is a term that vampires should not use lightly, for we might actually have to keep it. I have never been more certain of a forever in my existence." Hayley smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. Elijah wiped it with the hand that was not clutched with hers.

Davina was taken aback from Elijah's words. Hayley had been right about the Original having a side to him that no one else knew. "H-Hayley?" She stuttered, uncomfortably.

"Son of a bitch," Hayley laughed to herself. "You didn't even know about this wedding, and you still have better vows. Damn you."

Davina giggled and Elijah smiled encouragingly.

Hayley then nodded, acknowledging it was her turn to go. She took in a deep breath, trying to dry her tears, if just for a moment. "I remembering telling you that I didn't believe in love before I met you. I meant it. Elijah… you've taught me more things about love in these few years with you than most people do through their entire lives. Immortality, vampirism…it's a terrifying thing and a path that I would not have chosen alone. But that path is something I look forward to, knowing it'll be with you." Hayley took a moment. "You have not only given me your undying love, but you've also given me a family. And I'll spend the rest of our life loving you for both."

Elijah wanted to kiss her right then. But he didn't want to potentially mess up this spell that he was unfamiliar with.

Davina suddenly felt a wave of guilt. Hayley had come to her for help, only giving her a few details on why the wedding needed to happen so soon. There was a danger, Hayley explained, one that she could not stay in New Orleans to fight. Now Davina was realizing her resurrection of Mikael was one of them. While she valued Hayley's unexpected friendship, her craving for revenge of Klaus was overpowering.

Then she realized that both Elijah and Hayley were waiting for her next step. Davina shook her head out of her internal thoughts. "Right…you may kiss the bride." She let out a little giggle at her accidental quoting of every wedding cliché.

Elijah didn't hesitate; pulling Hayley into him with the hand that gripped hers. His free hand went to cup her face gently.

Davina instantly started repeating the spell that she had memorized earlier that day. A wind erupted around Hayley and Elijah, but they continued kissing through it. The spell became stronger and the winds got rougher. It wasn't until they were surrounded by absolute silence that the couple pulled apart.

Davina smiled, having that familiar feeling when she knew a spell had gone right. The two were staring into each other's eyes, completely oblivious to the witch's presence. "Look at your ring fingers." She muttered, feeling uncomfortable for even slightly interrupting their moment. Their hands were separated now, with dried blood from the cuts that were now fully healed.

Both of them looked down to see that a band was around both of their wedding fingers. It was like a light was rooted underneath their skin. Hayley let out a gasp through her smile at the sight. Elijah slightly smirked at it. Then the rings slowly dyed down and their fingers returned to normal.

Davina smiled at their joy. "I added a little something too…"

Hayley's eyes flickered to her.

"Any time one of you traces that area, the other's finger will glow slightly." Davina finished. "I thought with you leaving and all…it would be a way to let the other know when they missed them." She shrugged, now wondering if it was a stupid idea.

But any uncertainty disappeared when Hayley enveloped Davina into a tight hug. "Thank you so much. I can never repay you." She whispered into the witch's ear.

When she pulled away, Davina looked at Elijah who simply nodded his thanks to her. He knew that she was not at all fond of him or his family, and that Davina did this for Hayley, not him.

Elijah offered his hand to Hayley and they started down the bridge.

Davina watched the couple move down the path, into the woods. Once they were gone, she waved her hand and all the candles that had lit their ceremony blew out. "Goodbye, Hayley." She whispered before leaving the bridge in the opposite direction.

Elijah looked down at Hayley as they walked through the trees. He had never seen such a beaming smile on her lips. She even let out a small laugh.

"What is it?"

Hayley laughed again. "I just…I never thought this would make me so happy."

He stopped walking then and faced her. "You do not regret it?"

"Never."

Then he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, spinning her in a circle. She yelped in surprised and then laughed uncontrollably. After a few moments, he slowly put her down. But her hands were still linked around his neck.

Elijah's smile vanished when the imminent future forced itself back into the front of his mind again. He was able to escape it for just a second. He was reminded that this would not last. She would leave him soon.

"I should go with you." He stated while looking at the ground.

Hayley's smile went away too as she realized what he was saying. She shook her head. "No…you can't."

"Why not?"

Hayley sighed, not knowing how to explain it to him. "Klaus needs you. Andrea will need you even more. The war that's coming, it's coming because we need to bring Hope back to her family. Your family needs you, Elijah." Then she squeezed her eyes shut as if she were in pain. "I wish we could just run away, that I could just take you with me. But I can't be selfish. And neither can you."

She expected him to argue with her. But he just nodded in silence, knowing she was absolutely right.

Then Hayley touched his chin, pulling to down to look at her. "Tonight was for me to show you that we will have our time. I'm not giving up on us or running away. I'm leaving because it's only thing I can do to keep us both safe."

"I understand." Elijah said before kissing her. Tonight, it just felt like he couldn't do it enough. Everything she did made him want to kiss her. "I never got the chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight."

Hayley gave him a shy smile. "Finding a wedding dress in secret and under pressure is way more stressful than I thought it would be."

Elijah simply chuckled. They walked hand in hand the rest of the way to the car.

There didn't seem to be a light on in the compound. Now that all the vampires had been evacuated, there was a coldness that lingered in the home. However, both Elijah and Hayley were too happy to acknowledge it.

Hayley practically skipped into the compound. Then a thought suddenly occurred to her. "Hey," She whispered. For some reason the darkness made her think it was necessary. But she still got Elijah's attention. It wasn't very hard; he couldn't keep his eyes off her. "We still haven't had our first dance as husband and wife." She said 'husband and wife' as if it was a hilarious joke. She seemed to be in shock still.

Just when Elijah was about to agree, the lights in the courtyard flickered on.

"Well, well, well…" Klaus said from above them. He was leaning over the railings with a bottle of bourbon that was half empty. "What lovely newlyweds you make." The last couple of words barely slurred enough to let Elijah know that his brother was drunk. Hayley, however, had not caught on just yet.

"Niklaus." Elijah said darkly.

The hybrid then jumped off the balcony and stood just a few feet away.

Hayley stepped a little closer into Elijah's side, oddly frightened of the person that stood in front of them. "Enjoying the whole bottle are you, Nik?" She pointed at the bourbon in his hands.

"Or the 5th…" Klaus responded with a devious smirk. Then he looked around the compound dramatically. "And where is Andrea?" When he caught the clueless looks from both of them he continued. "Ah, that's right…you were too busy getting hitched behind my back to care about anyone else."

Hayley stepped toward him now. "Nik…we weren't trying to go behind your back. I was just trying to surprise Elijah. I didn't mean to upset you."

Klaus got into her face. "You're leaving us…I get it."

Her eyes widened at his statement. How had he known? She was going to tell him soon. She knew he would not be anywhere near as accepting as Elijah. But she never wanted to find out from anyone other than herself.

"You think I'm a fool?" Klaus spat. "I knew the moment you returned from your secret little escapade." Hayley's breathing was getting heavier from her frustration.

"You're drunk, brother." Elijah warned. He knew Klaus was about to hurt Hayley, if only verbally. But he would not allow him to upset her, especially tonight.

But Klaus ignored his cautionary. His eyes still glared into Hayley, his face only mere inches from hers. "I just gave my daughter away. I am linked to the werewolf pack that controls this city. Every full moon I will be weaker than a pathetic human." As he continued to list things, his voice got angrier and louder. "And how do you help? You decide to run away, to leave us when you are most needed."

Elijah refused to stand idly by now. He somehow managed to get in between the two, despite how close Klaus was to Hayley. He pushed his brother away from her protectively. "That is enough, Niklaus." He stated sinisterly.

"You don't understand…" Hayley whispered. She couldn't manage to be any louder. She wasn't prepared to hear hostility tonight.

Klaus ignored her, taking on his brother as his opponent now. "And you… you're just going to let her go. You always were the brother without a backbone, Elijah." He was just trying to pick a fight now.

Elijah grabbed him roughly by the collar of his shirt. "Niklaus, you have very few people who love you, let alone tolerate you. Hayley is one of them. I know you are hurting. But if you say another cruel word to her, I will break your neck." He spoke in a hiss that Hayley could barely make out from the couple of feet away.

Klaus shoved his brother off of him. Then, just to spite him, he finished the rest of the bottle in front of them. He chucked it away, not even flinching when it shattered against the nearest wall.

Then he slowly made his way to Hayley again. Elijah was about to tackle him to the ground before he reached her if it that was what was necessary. But when he caught Hayley's gaze, she gave him a warning look to stay where he was. She would not allow a brotherly battle to break out, not tonight and not because of her.

Klaus stopped when he was only a foot away. He stared into her eyes.

"You look beautiful." His voice was so gentle that it was hard to believe such terrible words had just been spoken through the same person. Then he gently kissed her on the cheek. His mouth moved to her ear, "But I hate you for abandoning us." It came out like a snake's hiss. Hayley closed her eyes at his animosity. Next he was off, disappearing before his confrontation could even settle.

Hayley opened her eyes to see Elijah already walking toward her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly as if it would stop his brother's words from piercing her. She understood why Klaus had to be this way. He didn't know how to miss people, so he would hate her. It was easier for him to process.

Then Hayley remembered what she said to Marcel the other night. I fear what will happen when anger replaces his heartache.

"I'm okay." She finally murmured to Elijah, pulling out of his grasp.

Hayley watched the sun slowly rise until it bled through the sheer curtains. Elijah had his arms tightly wrapped around her waste, holding her back to his chest. She could feel a tighter hold than usual. It astounded her that he could even sleep. She stayed up the entire night. It must have been a mixture of Klaus' terrible words to her last night and knowing that this was her last night with Elijah. Knowing that, it felt silly to sleep it away.

However, she guessed Elijah saw it differently. Perhaps he knew this would be the last peaceful sleep until he saw her again. That must have been why he slept like a child without a care in the world.

But now he started stirring. Hayley remained motionless, still watching the sunrise higher and higher in the early morning. Then she felt a kiss on her outside shoulder. She closed her eyes and gave a sad smile, trying to remember the feeling so she could store it and remember it when she missed him.

"Perhaps I should make the travel with you. Then I will know you are safe and settled." Elijah thought aloud in a voice still filled with sleep.

Hayley slowly turned so she was facing him. Gently, her hand caressed his cheek. "We can't escape the inevitable. We have to say goodbye sooner or later."

He just nodded, already knowing she was right before he even voiced the suggestion.

Hayley leaned forward to kiss him. But it was stopped when the compound doors were thrown open. It sounded like one even got thrown off its hinges. Hayley jumped at the sound, completely surprised. Elijah immediately sat up and alert. He listened and then looked at Hayley realizing what the sound was.

Someone was transitioning from a wolf back to a human form. They could hear the bones breaking and mending themselves, human muscles replacing those of a wolf.

"Andrea." Hayley muttered, almost scared. Perhaps the girl was handling the loss of her child worse than she could ever have expected.

Elijah ran a hand roughly over his scruff. It was a gesture that only Hayley ever really caught.

"Still think it's a good idea to escort me back to Chicago?" Hayley breathily laughed. She was attempting to lighten the mood.

Elijah just watched her for a moment. The light from the sunrise hit her head just perfectly, lighting a soft halo on the top of her head. But Elijah saw the slight shadows under her eyes. He traced them lightly, acknowledging that he knew she hadn't slept last night.

"When are you leaving?" He asked seriously.

"Soon."

Elijah nodded.

"Don't go downstairs." He warned, getting out of bed. When he caught Hayley's confused expression, he continued. "Andrea is unstable."

"She wouldn't hurt me…" Hayley tried to defend, but Elijah shook his head in his infamous way that told her this was one of his arguments that she could never win.

Hayley started moving about the room, changing into clothes. Without looking in the mirror, she twisted her hair and wrapped a hair tie so she had a messy bun. Elijah paused with what he was doing to watch her. Hayley noticed.

"What?" She asked innocently.

Elijah walked toward her. As usual a shorter strand of hair always managed to fall across her face. "Do me a favor…" He started as he placed the strand behind her ear. She smirked at the all too familiar gesture. "Don't cut your hair." She always had it on the shorter side, but it had been all different lengths and styles the years they'd been together. It never really mattered to him. She was beautiful no matter what she did with it.

Hayley was surprised by his request. He'd never made a comment about his dislike or like toward her hair choices. So she just nodded, "I think I can manage that." She whispered softly.

Then she playfully rubbed his scruff. "Then maybe you can grow a beard in return." She giggled.

Elijah's eyes darkened roguishly. "Absolutely not."

Hayley laughed harder, already knowing he would say something like that.

"Maybe I should leave while we are laughing, then it won't seem so wretched…" She murmured through her remaining smile. But her words just made Elijah's instantly vanish.

"You still have to pack your bags…" He tried to find something to stop her. But he followed her gaze to the duffel that was all ready to go.

He sighed, "So this is goodbye?"

But Hayley shook her head. "No goodbyes."

Elijah took a moment before nodding in agreement. "Okay, then what can I give you?"

Hayley thought for a second. Then she kissed him passionately. Elijah held onto her lips for as long as he could. He was surprised to find her smiling instead of crying once they separated. "I'll see you soon." She said with a nod as if she was going out to get groceries and would be back in an hour or so.

Without hesitating in the slightest, she grabbed her duffel and rushed out the door. He was almost shocked at the way she was handling it. He wanted to follow her outside, walk her to the car and properly see her off. But they both know that no one could see them parting this way. It would only help if they maintained the image that they were breaking up. They knew that's what everyone would assume and they should encourage the speculation.

Hayley's eyes started flooding as soon as she left Elijah's bedroom. She knew he wouldn't follow. He knew better. Her feet seemed to be walking faster and faster, like they knew the moment they slowed down, they would take their chance to run back to him.

The car Klaus got her sat just outside the compound. She unlocked it and tossed her duffel onto the passenger's seat. But just before getting in, she held the car door open and she glanced up at the compound behind her. Through the highest window, Elijah looked down at her. His face would seem composed to a stranger. But Hayley could read the pain in it.

She jumped into the car and threw it into drive before she could have a moment of weakness. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as tears started trickling down her face. She could hardly see the road in front of her. Every few seconds, she would have to roughly wipe them away with the back of her hand.

She had only been driving for a half an hour when something caught her attention. Her ring finger was glowing. Elijah. She smiled through her tears as she looked at the glowing. Then she traced the ring so it would light up his.

THE END

And that is the end of "All is Lost, All is Dead". Thank you so, so much for reading this and any other fics I've written. You are amazing.

I would like to give a special shout to the tumblr readingisloving - I just happened to fall on your account. And I just about fucking flipped out when I saw that you featured my fics with some badass gifs! It made me so happy. I'm sorry I never saw it sooner. So thank you 3

People always ask me to do sequels for Silence Changes. Or more about Hayley and Elijah. Right now, I don't think that will be happening any time soon...if ever. I'm sorry if that upsets anyone. But I think my time in fanfiction may have come to an end. It was great for these past few years...but I think it's time for me to move on.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. It truly means so much to me.