18 | HAM AND CHEESE

“Oh, no, sweetheart. I know that face, it’s your ‘I’m about to bat my eyelashes at Khalia to convince her to do something she shouldn’t’ look. And based on this morning’s festivities downstairs, you want me to stop the wolf hunt. My answer is: no.” The Mikaelson girl stated sternly the second Hayley entered her room.

“Please, Khalia.” The werewolf begged.

“No, I’m not betraying Klaus like that. I told you this before.” The stern look in Khalia’s eyes told Hayley that she wasn’t going to get her way. The Marshall girl huffed. Then she smiled as an idea popped into her head. The werewolf spun around, but before she exited the room, the brunette vampire stopped her.

“Don’t do anything stupid, Hayley. You know Klaus’ temper is worse than mine.” The Original warned, eyeing the pregnant girl. “On occasion." She added after a second.

The werewolf turned in the doorway, turning back with a gentle smile, “I won’t.”

It wasn’t long after that when Klaus called for his oldest sister presence in the courtyard. Her face soured when she saw Marcel sitting across her Hybrid brother. Marcel gave her a smile but it dropped when her turned down lips straightened into a firm line and her face turned to a glare. She tends to hold a grudge. Sue me, she thought bitterly, I’m a Mikaelson.

“So, why have we gathered here?” She asked with raised eyebrows, sitting down at the table.

“The humans have called a meeting. They're not exactly thrilled with the new status quo.” Marcel informed the two. The brunette vampire rolled her eyes as she propped her feet up on the table.

“How fascinating. Oh, look, I’m shaking in my boots.” Khalia remarked sarcastically, moving her legs up and down and giving the young vampire a fake smile. Klaus snorted an amused chuckle.

“How unfortunate for them.” The Hybrid commented, clearly agreeing with his sisters’ words.

“Look, it's your show now. But, you wanna know how I built what I built? Politics. A little diplomacy goes a long way, especially with the human faction.” The dark skinned vampire told the sibling duo, mostly Klaus though.

“Duly noted.” Klaus told him, looking at a newspaper piece that Khalia couldn’t see and didn’t care enough to look up and see what it was. “I haven't thought about this night in ages. 1919, the opera house, just before it burned. This was the end of an era. Now, in the interest of new beginnings, I feel that there are some things I should probably confess to you. But...” Khalia rolled her eyes as she realized what the photo was. He grabs a glass of alcohol and the female quickly sped to get a bottle of vodka and back to the table, her feet resting in the table once again.

“Where to begin?” Klaus asked and his sister smirked as she took a large drink of her bottle, knowing that this was going to be an interesting conversation. Klaus takes a large drink of bourbon before he begins his confession. “Thierry was never disloyal to you. I set him up in an attempt to locate my brother. He's your friend, and consequently, he can return to the compound at your discretion. Cami's part, you just learned. And then, there's young Joshua. I've been compelling him from the beginning, although I suspect you already knew that, as he was the one who led me into your trap.”

Marcel shrugs guiltily. “I may have fed the kid some misinformation.”

Khalia’s eyes narrowed and she gave her Hybrid brother a pointed look. “I told you something was off, but no, you didn’t want to listen. Kept going on and on about how Josh couldn’t possibly lie to you.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “I will have to talk to him about that sometime.” Marcel felt fear bloom in his chest for his youngest vampire.

Klaus rolled his eyes at his sisters’ antics but otherwise didn’t respond to her. “And then there's Davina. She's a powerful weapon. At this point, I'd like to keep her close at hand. I think we should have her move in to the compound here with us.”

“She can't leave the attic. I already tried to move her once.” The younger vampire told the two old ones.

“Yes, about that...” The blonde trailed off and the female Original smirked. Elijah told her about his little deal with the witch girl. At the thought of her ever suited brother, she scowled. “Turns out, your little witch is quite the actress. She made a deal with Elijah while he was in captivity, tricked you into letting her stay put in exchange for some spells from our mother's grimoire.”

Klaus’ sireling nods bitterly, clearly not happy about this. “Good to know. Is that all?”

“I do believe it is.” The Hybrid nodded stiffly.

“Seriously?” Khalia asked disappointedly, taking a long drink of her vodka. Klaus’ nodded with another roll of his eyes. “I was expecting something more… I don’t know, juicy?” She shrugged.

The dark skinned vampire sighs, “I appreciate the honesty.”

“Well, it’s more than I would have giving you.” The female remarked honestly. “Betrayers don’t get anything.”

“Says the drunk.” Marcel huffed. Klaus watched with slightly wide eyes as a firm glare sat on Khalia’s face, her eyes snapping to Marcel’s.

“Well,” She said, flicking her tongue over her teeth while getting up from the table with narrowed eyes. Her eyes was still locked on Marcel’s. “At least I’m a drunk for a valid reason. Can you say the same for you betraying me and Klaus?”

“You defended him.”

“So, defending ones’ family is suddenly a reason for betrayal.” She scoffed, finally breaking eye contact. “Huh, must have missed the memo on that one.” She spun around and sped out of Compound and to the bar slash restaurant called Rousseau’s.

Plopping down on a chair, she told the barman to keep it coming. Or rather, she compelled him to after he refused because she looked too young to be legal. Khalia almost laughed in his face. If only he knew. She was well past drink number twenty when her phone rang. She was very tempted to ignore it, but knowing that only her family and Hayley has her number, she knows it had to be one of them. And it was most likely important if they made a phone call.

“Get your arse to St. Anne’s.” Was all her blonde brother said before hanging up. The Mikaelson raised her eyebrows and took the phone from her ear and glared at it as if it was Klaus. She slapped two hundred dollar bills on the bar and sped off to the church, muttering unsavory things about her blonde brother.

At the church, Klaus and Marcel was waiting for her outside. The Hybrid smiled when he saw her but it vanished when she grabbed him by his ear. “Do not order me again. I’m not a dog. That’s your job.” Marcel wisely hid his laughter, but did nothing about the smug expression on his face. Luckily Klaus was too busy glaring at Khalia to notice.

The trio enter the church and Khalia was enveloped in the smell of human blood. It didn’t do anything to her. She was one hundred percent in control of her bloodlust. The female Original didn’t kill people because she was out of control, she did it because she wanted to. Needed to. The Mikaelson girl quickly put on a dangerous smirk as she watched the human faction group.

“Klaus, Khalia, Marcel, thank you for coming. We are aware of the change in leadership in your community, and we thought it was time to make the appropriate introductions.” Kiernan told the three dangerous vampires.

“We wanna make sure you understand how things work around here.” The Mayor tells Klaus. His eyes flickered over to the female Mikaelson and he started longer than was strictly necessary. She glared and he quickly moved his gaze back to the Hybrid.

“Is that so?” Klaus questions him amusedly and the Mayor nods confidently. Khalia hid a smile.

Kiernan anxiously intervened before Klaus or his Demon sister decided that the human faction was no longer needed. “What the Mayor means is that we just want some insurance that this new development isn’t going to endanger our city or its inhabitants.”

The Sheriff decided that this was the perfect time to put his five cents in. “Look, you freaks do your thing and we’ll look the other way.” Klaus shot Marcel an incredulous look as Khalia clenched her fists, trying to calm herself down. She may not get out of control around blood, but she can loose control in other aspects. Especially that terribly short fuse of hers. “As long as our pockets stay full, we won’t have a problem.”

Klaus took ahold of his sister’s arm just as she went to lunge at the man. Kiernan saw this and tried to make amends, becoming anxious and fearing a violent confrontation. “More importantly, there are rules. No feeding on the locals. There was over two hundred dead bodies drained over-night.” He gave a pointed look to Khalia. “Don’t bring any unwanted attention to the city. History has proven that we can co-exist peacefully. However if you cross the line...”

“You answer to us.” The Sheriff interrupted the priest. The female Original eyebrows shot to the roof while Marcel gave a glance heavenwards. Khalia Mikaelson does not do authority and she does not respond well to orders, not even from her own family. Instead of lunging forward like he expected, the brunette immortal laughed loudly with her blonde brother. This was much worse.

“Okay... I'm sorry, let me get this straight- I'm to play supplicant to this pompous ass and his ridiculous group of petty thieves?” The Hybrid sighs dramatically, shakes his head and walks towards the Sheriff and Mayor. “Here are my terms: You will take whatever scraps I see fit to leave you, and you will be grateful. If that doesn't suit you, I may decide you've outlived your usefulness.”

“Nik?” Khalia called out excitedly, and the man turned to his sister with raised eyebrows. “Do I get to kill them then?” He chuckles lowly and nods, walking back to his sister. She squealed in excitement. They lock arms and The Sheriff looks angry as Klaus and Khalia walks down the aisle to take his leave. Marcel follows, annoyed at Klaus' lack of diplomacy and for the brunette Mikaelson encouraging him.

***

Khalia was back at the Compound. She was in the cellar looking for something to drink while Marcel and Klaus was talking about the meeting they attended just minutes before. When she didn’t find anymore Vodka and she didn’t want Bourbon, she sped upstairs and into the kitchen. A blood bag would have to do then. Her eyebrows rose in surprise when she saw Hayley digging through the cupboards.

“Looking for something, sweetheart?” The immortal questioned, leaning against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed over her chest as she watched in amusement as Hayley jumped. The female werewolf spun around, eyes wide and her heart beating wildly.

“You scared the crap out of me.” The pregnant girl said, placing a hand on her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

“I’m pretty sure that is physically impossible.” The vampire teased, a playful glint in her eyes. She pushed herself of the counter and walked to the refrigerator. Khalia opened the door and took a blood bag. Hayley rolled her eyes at the girl’s words but there was a silly smile tugging at her mouth. “So, why were you rummaging through the cupboards anyways?” The Mikaelson girl asked.

“I was looking for the bread to make me ham and cheese sandwiches. Ever since you’ve made them for me when I nearly lost the baby, I have been craving it none stop. I finally want to try and make it, but I can’t find the bread.” The werewolf explained softly while the vampire emptied her blood bag. Khalia walked to the cupboard above the kettle, and took out the bread. She then made her way back to the refrigerator and took out the ham, cheese and the butter.

“Why didn’t you come to me and ask me to make them for you in the first place?” The Mikaelson girl questioned in confusion as she started to make the sandwiches.

“You’re not exactly the easiest person to talk to and I never know in what mood you are in.” The werewolf answered carefully, not wanting to shut the vampire down by saying the wrong thing. Khalia froze. She knew she can be a bitch, even when she doesn’t mean to. She doesn’t try to be with the pregnant girl. Even if she does push away anything she feels for her. That’s when it hit her. When she pushes the feelings away, she also pushes Hayley away by being rude, cold, distant and just plainly ignoring her. Guilt filled Khalia as she realized that while she was trying to protect herself from getting hurt, she was hurting Hayley more than the werewolf wanted to admit.

Hayley walked next to Khalia and tried to hoist herself up on the counter so she could sit next to the vampire while she made the food. Khalia smiled at the struggling girl before taking Hayley by the hips and picking her up – fires erupted in them at the skin-to-skin contact – before setting her down gently on the counter.

“Thank you.” The pregnant girl said with flushed cheeks.

“Anytime, sweetheart.” Khalia said and Hayley swooned. That accent and the way the vampire called her ‘sweetheart’ was going to be the death of her. The Mikaelson girl went back to making the sandwiches, by now knowing that the fire in her veins comes after touching Hayley, no matter how small or quick the touch may be.

“I am sorry, Hayley.” The vampire started quietly and Hayley watched her with wide-eyes. “I did not realize that I was hurting you while trying to….while trying to grieve and heal.” Okay, so that was a lie. What is the other option? Telling Hayley that she is being a bitch because she is pushing her feelings for her away? No, ways. It would only give the werewolf false hope. And if there is one feeling in this world that is worse than pain and grief, it is false hope. “If there is ever anything you need, something that does not involve me going against my idiot brothers, come ask me and I will help you. But I can not help you if you don’t talk to me.”

“Even if it is for something as stupid as a ham and cheese sandwich?” The werewolf asked shyly, looking down at her lap. Khalia put one hand over Hayley’s, pleasant warmth filling them both, and gave her a gentle smile, one that had the pregnant girl’s heart jumping with joy.

“Even then.” Khalia spoke softly, squeezing her hand. She took her hand back and stacked the completed sandwiches on a plate and handed it to Hayley. “Eat your sandwiches, sweetheart.” She turned around to leave.

“Where are you going?” The werewolf asked, not quite wanting to be away from the werewolf.

“To find my brother.” The vampire answered, looking over her shoulder.

“Can I come too?”

“Sure.” She nodded and waited for Hayley to catch up to her. She never did. Khalia turned around and saw Hayley giving her a look and then a pointed on to her stomach. With a fond roll of her eyes, the vampire walked back to the werewolf and lifted her off the counter. Both of them knew she didn’t really need help getting of, she could have slid of. Neither of them commented on it either. The duo walked to the bar room, where Khalia heard her brother’s voice but she didn’t concentrate on the conversation. She kept her eye on the werewolf that was munching happily on the sandwiches she made for her.

They were half way to their destination when suddenly, an explosion is heard from outside. The floor of the Compound shakes and Khalia catches the werewolf before she could fall to the floor, keeping a protective hand around her waist. The plate of sandwiches shattered to the floor. She listened with her vampire hearing and just in time she pulled Hayley in front of her, then spun around as large amounts of automatic gunfire pierces through the walls and windows of the compound and bullets hit Khalia’s back. She took them all without moving as she held onto Hayley protectively.

Upstairs daywalkers are hurt by the gunfire, and many of the nightwalkers go up in flames when they're hit by the sunlight. Someone screams. Marcel hurries to save one of the burning vampires from exposure, but both himself and Klaus are hit by machine gun shots. Marcel collapses and falls onto the floor in pain as Klaus covers him with his body, clearly furious. Downstairs, Khalia is equally as enraged.

“Are you okay?” Khalia asked as soon as the gun fire stopped. She rubbed her hands up and down Hayley’s arms, checking for wounds and hoping to calm the werewolf down. High blood pressure isn’t good for pregnant woman. How does Khalia know this? She read a pregnancy book about two weeks ago, wanting to know something because she was clueless when it came to babies and pregnancies. Though she would never admit it if someone asks her.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Hayley assured her, horror filling her eyes as she saw blood dripping down the Mikaelson girl’s arms. “You’re clearly not.” Khalia ignored the stinging pain in her back. It didn’t take much as her worry for Hayley outweighed the bullets in her back. It was starting to heal anyways.

“I’m fine, I need to find my brother.” She turned around and Hayley gasped as tears filled her eyes. Khalia’s back is full of blood and her shirt was full of holes. Bullets fell out of her back as the wounds healed. The vampire took all of that for her. Without thinking, without doubt and without hesitation she pulled Hayley in front of her and protected her. How can you call someone that does that, heartless? Or a monster? Or a demon?

“What the fuck just happened?” Khalia demanded to know the second she entered the ruined bar room.  The room is now empty and the furniture's disarranged. The burned skeleton of a nightwalker lays near them. The female vampire eyes it quickly before looking at the two men in front of her.

“What happened to you?” Marcel asked first, snapping out of his horror stricken state. Klaus still watched his sister, frozen in horror.

“Lets just say it was either me, or Hayley and the baby. And that’s really not even something to think about.” The vampire answered dismissively. “Now, what the fuck happened? I don’t want to ask again.” She told the two vampires in front of her and Klaus finally snapped out of his stupor.

“Our good friend, the Sherriff, decided to send us a message.” The Hybrid told his sister, watching as a murderous expression took her face over. He knew then that no one in the human faction was going to be alive by sunset. Khalia’s blood was burning, and not in the way it did when she in Hayley touched. It was boiling. In the away when you are angry, when your skin gets warm and blood rushes in your ears and you can’t see anything because the anger blinds you, only to have your annoyance prickled because you can’t see and your anger increases.

When her finally spoke, her words was an inhuman growl and barely understandable. “They’re dead.”

***

Okay, so sorry for the long wait. I probably should have told you that it was exam time and that's why I didn't really update much.

Onto further news, I still don't know what to do about season 5, I will decide when the season ends, until then I will continue to write season one.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

-Mixie