Whispers in the Dark

A/N: Very short fluffy one shot because I wanted Elijah to show Hayley that he'd let her in.

Hayley lifted her daughter slowly from the crib, smiling as Elijah instinctively bent to cradle her head. They stood side by side smiling at each other. Elijah kissed her gently on the lips, before leaning down to kiss Hope on the forehead. It was a perfect moment. Suddenly, the door to the nursery opened and Genevieve walked in. Hayley watched, puzzled, as the witch moved towards them, her eyes widening as Genevieve drew a dagger. Suddenly there was blood everywhere as Genevieve slashed her knife across Elijah's throat. He fell to the ground in front of Hayley's horrified eyes. She turned to face Genevieve, trying to shield Hope in her arms. It was to no avail as the witch brought her dagger down into Hope's chest. Hayley screamed and screamed. She couldn't seem to stop. Hope lay lifeless in her arms, Elijah as dead at her feet.

Hayley suddenly jerked awake, sweating and panting. She got up out of bed, untangling the sheets from around her legs. Thunder rolled outside and the rain lashed down. Hayley moved to the window and closed the shutters. She room was shrouded in darkness, but she did not turn on the light. She drew in a shaky breath and ran her hand down her face. The nightmares were getting worse and she hadn't had a decent night's sleep since Hope had gone. Sighing she turned back towards her bed and gasped in surprise as she saw Elijah standing there in the gloom. He could not yet have gone to bed as he was still dressed in a shirt and trousers, even though a glance at the clock revealed the time to be past midnight.

"I heard you. Are you having nightmares? Are you alright?

The concern in his voice was her undoing. Unthinkingly she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tight. After a moment's pause Elijah returned the hug, bringing one had up to the middle of her back, the other cupping her head and she laid it on his shoulder. For a while they stood still, Hayley just breathing comfort in, the feel of Elijah's arms around her bringing her a moment's peace. Elijah drew back, cradling her face in his hands.

"She will be alright," he said reassuringly. "Niklaus may be many things, but you can trust that he will protect Hope with his life until Rebekah can take her to safety."

"But she was dead," Hayley's voice shook with tears. "I held her in my arms but I couldn't protect her. You were dead too. I watched as that witch slit your throat. Genevieve had killed you both and there was nothing I could do about it. I had lost everything and I wanted to die. It's crazy. I know these dreams aren't true but, Elijah, they feel so real. They play over and over in my mind and I can't shut them out."

Elijah drew his thumbs over Hayley's wet cheeks. "I am sorry that you are suffering in this way. I wish that I had been able to spare you this heartache. But Genevieve is dead and Hope is safe. Niklaus will return soon and he will be able to set your mind at rest on that score. As for me?" he smiled self-deprecatingly "I am an Original and cannot be killed so you do not have to worry on my account. I am here and I will not leave you that I promise. Come. You should try to sleep. I will sit in the chair. You are protected here and there is no need to be afraid."

Hayley smiled wateringly and let Elijah lead her over to the bed. She despised her current weakness. She was a hybrid and supposed to be one of the strongest creatures on earth yet here she was paralysed by nightmares and irrational fears. She climbed onto the bed and let Elijah rearrange the covers over her. He moved towards the chair in the corner of the room and she suddenly felt abandoned.

"Elijah? Will you stay?"

"I told you I would. Sleep." He smiled. "I'll be right here."

"No. I meant stay here with me." Hayley gestured to the bed and gave a weak smile. "I promise not to bite!"

"Of course." Elijah came over to the bed and lay down beside Hayley. He paused as if unsure how to proceed before gathering her to him. She lay curled up into his side with her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you Elijah," murmured Hayley. "For everything. I know I'm not holding it together very well but I'd be so much worse without you here."

His lips ghosted over her forehead. "I think you are doing remarkably well. Fear can best even the most self-controlled of us, a fact to which I can attest. Once you have more control of your vampire emotions you will find that you are more easily able rationalize your fears."

Hayley puzzled over his reply. "Since when has fear ever bested you? You're the most rational person I know!"

Elijah's breath hitched. He seemed to gather her closer and one hand that had been laid on her arm tightened around her and fisted into her hair.

"After Hope had been born, when I thought I…..we…. had lost you. Then. Then I was beset with fears. For your child, for Niklaus….for me." Elijah paused. "You are…..in my heart Hayley, and when I believed you dead it felt as if my heart had been ripped from my chest, so you see I too can be afraid."

"Elijah – I …"

"Shhh. You don't need to say anything. Just sleep now. Tomorrow, we can…talk." Elijah tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "You are safe. Hope is safe. I assure you of that. And if the nightmares return? I am here."

Hayley sighed and felt her eyelids flutter closed. She slept, then, peacefully, dreamlessly. Left awake, Elijah looked down at her. "I am here, my heart, and I love you."