Hayley's POV:

His laugh echoes around the serenity -- the only sound lulling besides the crashing waves beneath us.

I don't know why we're here, but it feels right.

I peek down below, observing the wild waves hitting against the elevated cliff we're standed on. And the sky; cloudless and still, a grey and dusk colour settling amongst the twilight.

"Do you remember, the time when Elijah tried claiming he baked your birthday cake?" He chuckles lightly, staring out into the endless ocean, I listen, and scan his features - catching his full lips quirk into a grin, causing a quiet intake of breath from me in return.

"I have never seen his face drain of such colour the moment Rebekah announced that she had baked the cake herself, he was so embarrassed." Klaus adds, his contagious chuckle booms for one moment, and begins to fade the next.

"I remember," I nearly whisper, my lips spreading a smile.

I gather that he's happy, genuinely enduring this moment. And it causes me to wonder how he would be once he really does return. Awake and starving, angry, fury burning within his irises the moment he seeks revenge on Kol and Davina.

Klaus could be murderous when it comes to protecting his family, hard to tame, but in spite of everything; there's his heart, the capability, that dwells with pain yet compassion, and, if you're lucky enough: forgiveness.

I hear a sharp intake of breath next to me, pulling me from my thoughts. My eyes fixate on him.

His gaze is still held by the ocean - that almost resembles the intense colour of his eyes, and he's staring out as if he were to capture the entire scenery on canvas, he always loved to paint.

For a moment I think that he catches me watching him, because he averts his gaze onto me.

His eyes lock onto my own, and my lips part, all I could think about is how much I want to kiss him. Here and now.

The thought overwhelms me, an electric feeling coursing through my veins as I step towards him, his eyes watching me warily.

My eyes settle on his full lips, that I haven't kissed in what seems to be forever. I swallow, flickering my eyes onto his own pair, only to find his gaze targeted at my lips as well.

"Klaus," I whisper, barely audible, now standing close - from his masculinity, his bold scent, his touch, all just a foot away.

"We're not giving up." I add, leaning in, my eyes lingering on the lips that have captured me in a reckless serenity before.

I can now feel his own lightly pressing against my lips, and a sudden urge builds up - for a deep, passionate kiss.

But instead, very suddenly, and before we could take it any further, my body jolts.

And that's when my eyes jolt open.

A sharp intake of breath sets from my lips just when I wake, and my gaze lands on a smiling, seemingly relaxed Jackson.

"Happy New Years, Hayley."

He greets, and realization hits me like a ton of bricks: it's New Year's Day, and I wake up to Jackson standing in my doorway with some huge greeting smile, looking like a lunatic, I didn't kiss Klaus, and I'm still somewhat uncontrollable at this point with the whole blood lust thing, and I gather that is it, this is reality.

"Thanks a lot, Jackson." I grumble, pulling the covers off of me and hopping out of bed, passing the tall framed figure that I lightly push out of my way.

I peek at him over my shoulder once I'm out into the hall, his face drained with confusion, his brows furrowed as he watches me.

I shrug, "Sorry, you were in my way."

I walk off, hearing him follow far behind me.

"Did I wake you? Or do anything to make you hate me so much?" He questions as I make my way down the stairs.

"Nope," I answer, finally entering in the kitchen just around the corner.

And the satisfying aroma kicks in: coffee.

My feet kick ahead of me, and I spot the coffee pot ready to serve.

Pouring the dark liquid into a glass, I make my way to the kitchen table afterwards, taking a seat.

Before I could take my first sip, Jackson walks in, his eyes already spotting my own.

"How did you sleep?" He asks, seemingly hesitant of taking a seat at the table I'm seated at, he stands underneath the archway instead, his broad shoulder leaned against the arch, arms crossed.

He seems to be one of the people you would call an 'early bird'. When I saw him just moments ago he seemed like he had been awake for hours, and clean as if he showered, dressed casually as well. As for I, woke up in the noon, probably looking dreadful and barely alive.

Looking at him now, he still seems so... wide awake.

How do those people do it?

I wonder, clearing my throat and pulling myself out of my inner thoughts. "Good," I respond, taking sips of my coffee. "How about you, from the looks I take it you've been up for hours,"

His lips lightly curve into a smile, "I guess you could say I slept better before. I couldn't stop thinking about..." he trails off, and my brows raise.

"The way things are," he pauses, and before he could finish I already know what he's referring to. "I remember what Elijah had told me - you stealing blood bags, this blood lust you have going on," he sighs, "And I couldn't sleep not knowing that you were OK, and you know, not sinking your teeth into something."

"So you checked on me?"

He seems hesitant for something, an uncharacteristic look plastering on his face, "A couple of times,"

He answers and I nod in understanding. So he's worried, I'm gathering. And he shouldn't be. I mean, I wish they're weren't a reason for him to be, anyway.

I bite the inside of my cheek, thinking about what Jack said just moments ago.

"I don't hate you, by the way. I just can't find myself to accept you as someone I can grow attached to or consider you as a friend, because you won't be here forever, and I've lost people close to me before... and I don't like that feeling. So... I don't see a point." I shrug, and pretend to be careless.

I glance up at him as he's still standed in the archway, a pained expression barely suppressed on his face, and when I see it a sickening regret grows within my veins.

He seems to want to say something, and for a moment his lips part, but they close instantly. Not long after, he smiles, and it almost seems forced.

"I get it," he says quietly, before straightening and clearing his throat. "Listen, it's New Years, and we've got to have fun. What do you say about dinner? Inside, of course."

Part of me believes him on his idea of fun, but the bigger part of me knows that this is just a suggestion he has in order for me to be calm and kicked back, consoled and tamed - for me not to go blood crazy, and find anything to sink my teeth into.

After all, I have been going a little psycho.

But I can see that he's trying, and I'll give him that.

"OK," I nod in agreement, finishing my warm mug of delightful satisfaction.

--

Hours later, after I've showered and gained the energy to prepare for the holiday, I'm outside with Jackson, who seems to be utterly fulfilled with the outdoors surrounding us.

I suggested we take a walk, and this walk that I craved has lasted half an hour. Which the weather's great, so I don't bother returning inside any time soon. But I'm not tired, or hungry or aggressive, instead I feel at peace. Maybe that's what the outside does to people, calms you and makes you want to drop everything and breathe in the soothing air.

I peek at the sunset beaming through the tall trees that linger just acres away from the Mikaelson home. The night stars are beginning to appear, and I examine the sky with admiration, noting that I feel at ease and comfortably OK with everything that surrounds me:

Jackson keeping watch, the baby healthy and OK, Elijah and Rebekah on the search for Kol and Davina. And I wish I were with them, to help, and to fight for Klaus. But their orders - me having to stay and be safe - show that they trust Jackson, and that is what soothes me, because I know that everything will be alright, now that he's practically babysitting me.

"You know, I never intended on becoming this way," I say quietly, Jackson's tall figure trailing behind me.

"Pregnant?" He asks rather in surprise, I laugh and roll my eyes.

"No, Jackson. Losing control and," he interjects before I finish, "Hayley, don't say this. Of course I know none of this was your intention, there's no reason to blame yourself or,"

"But there is, because this is my fault! And there's no denying that, Jack." I interrupt, his figure finally catching up and now walking into step next to me.

"Fine, you're right. It's your fault." He jokes and I nudge his arm. He throws his head back in a chuckle.

There's a sudden booming sound that makes me jump slightly, and Jackson's broad shoulder tense, that is, before we look up to see the variety of colours bursting above us.

"Fireworks," I breathe, relief and amusement washing over me.

I glance at him, amusement beaming within his dark irises, "Did that scare you?"

"I should be asking you the same thing, tough guy. I saw you tense," I glance at him pointedly and he bites the inside of his cheek, "Fireworks don't scare me." He responds seemingly confident.

"Really," I suppress my laugh.

He scans the sky above, the dark clouds appearing every 'boom' and colourful explosion.

He averts his gaze and finds my eyes, "Ready to head back?"

I nod, placing my hand on my growing stomach, with Jackson leading the way, I follow behind him.

--

Minutes later, we arrive, entering in the comforting home I've grown use to.

I make my way upstairs, and to the room I've been staying in. My eyes find my cell on the nightstand, and I check to see if there's any messages from Rebekah or Elijah.

My breath hitches in my throat when I see there's a missed call. Immediately checking the voicemail that arrived just twenty minutes ago, Rebekah's voice sounds on the other line as I listen alarmed and nervous.

Hello, love. I see that you haven't picked up, which has me concerned... be sure to return my call, Hayley. But I called to inform you on something. Marcel gave us an insight on Davina's possible whereabouts, and Elijah and I are on the way to her apartment now. I thought you should know, and it's because I trust you that I'm telling you this, don't try and find where we are because it's too dangerous. For you, and the baby, Hayley. Stay at home.
We'll be back in the morning, with Niklaus.

Her voice is settled with determination, but something lingers behind it... hesitation? Worry?

There's a beep on the other line to show that the voicemail has ended, I stand frozen. I try and cough up my catched breath, but I can't. I can't function my steady breathes for one moment, and I swallow deeply, warily the next.

I slowly put down the phone, squeezing it harshly before I release it from my grip.

---