Jackson Kenner

Derek listened to him with furrowed eyebrows, letting out a small sigh as he pondered over his question in the end. “Look, I’m going to be bluntly honest over here. Your pack and my pack, we don’t get along all that well. We clearly have very distinct codes of conduct which work well for neither of us. Sure, my pack may not be as strong individually when compared to yours but we are more than you can see when we are together. I’m not saying no for an alliance, I do need to need to hear what my people have to say about it. But I will consider.” He concluded with a small nod.

“I completely understand and appreciate your comments,” Jackson’s tone was strictly professional. If Jackson had a choice he would never speak with Derek, but with the chaotic events which have happened in New Orleans recently Jackson wanted one thing, and one thing only; the safety of the wolves. “You knew where to find me when you make up your mind. You are welcome in the Bayou at all times, as long as you cause no issues, we will cause you none,” he shrugged.

Taking in all of his words - his professions of love - made her all the more weak in her resolve. She loved him, god did she love Jack, but right now she didn’t deserve him. And he definitely deserved better than her. She didn’t utter a word, she simply followed where he led.

Jackson’s fingers laced with Hayley’s, his arm over her shoulder, he pulled her closer - after all, he did not know if he would ever be this close to her again. “Hayley Marshal, you are perfect, yes you may be a hybrid now and the vampire urges may be strong, but I am here to help you. You aren’t like the other Hybrid’s he has created... They are like marble statues, cold, bitter with no choice or say in their actions - only obedience,” with his free hand he caressed her cheek and smiled gently. “They are cold, loyal, and have no choice - but you... You can overcome that, you can break the bond you have with Klaus, you can control the hunger, you can be the better person. You know how I know that?” He paused, gently placing his lips on her forehead before leaning back again. “Because I trust you, I have faith in you and you are not alone.”

“Well, I’m here to stay. Promise.” Taking a seat beside Jackson brought back memories that lingered at the edge of her mind, allowing some of the discomfort Cora felt to melt away. Yet, she knew the few moments of joy that their reunion brought would be quickly banished. It was clear, looking upon Jackson’s face that the past few months brought him as much hurt and as much pain as it had brought her and Hayley. Cora wished there was a way for her to bring an end to it all, but for now all she could do was wait patiently for him to speak, so she did.

Jackson sat besides his best friend and cried, “I have fucked up Hayley. I don't think Hayley will every forgive me for that. I don't even forgive me!” He looked up at the night sky, the moon’s connection to Jackson was overwhelming. He just sat there and thought about everything: how did his life become so messed up? Oh that was right, when Niklaus Mikaelson walked into it. Jackson sighed and looked down at his hands, his face wet with tears and his palms bloody from where his claws had been digging into them. 

“Come on pal… I don’t hate wolves just because they’re wolves…” Ok, he was partly lying there… they were the on the other side, not to be trusted, and so on, and so on. He had lectured Caroline for siding with Tyler, and he would have gladly let the boy die if blondie wouldn’t have used those damned bambi eyes on him. “I know what your kind can do to mine. From experience. That’s what usually makes me put as much distance between you and me as possible.” He shrugged. “But I guess that whole politic game doesn’t matter anymore if there are bigger fish to fry.” He knew what happened between Jackson and Hayley and who was responsible for that, after all. “And yes, that sounded way too serious if we’re just trying to get drunk here.” He grabbed the bottle again, acting on his words. A normal life? I don’t think I’ll ever get back to that. I’ve kind of forgotten how that looks like.”

“Normal is over-rated anyway,” Jackson scratched his head awkwardly and smiled at Damon. “Who wants normal when you have this life? I mean, always being on guard, being compelled to kill your girlfriend and turning into a wolf at every full moon is completely better than being normal,” he laughed. 

She hugged him back. In part of her heart and part of her life that was so far from the girl she was now, she embraced the moment, and soaked up the comfort it offered her. Jackson had been her friend, long before her Alpha, and her boyfriend long before an enemy. She couldn’t talk of what their future had in store for them as lovers, she could only wrap herself tighter around his frame. Her hand in a fist as it raised to the back of his neck, holding on for dear life as he cried for her - for them. “Jack I - I don’t hate you, I don’t think I ever truly could. I hate what happened, and how we fell apart. I hate what Klaus did, I hate what Elijah’s done… I hate everything else in this world, but I don’t hate you.” She hated him that day she saw him in a minuscule dose but it was overridden by her pain. “I love you too, but I can’t - I can’t talk about a future for us until this all over. Until I get this sire bond shit figured out and I find myself again. I find that girl I used to be…” The one pre-blood all over the floor, she thought. 

“I would rather have an uncertain future with you then anyone else,” he smiled shyly, taking hold of her hand and moving towards the couch. Their connecting skin sending shivers down Jackson’s spine as they sat besides each other. “I will always be here, waiting for you - when you are ready, find your way back to me,” he smiled kindly, wanting the love of his life to know that he would not pressure or manipulate her into doing anything she didn't want to. “I am a big boy Hayles, I can take care of myself - I just want you to be happy, and whether I am in your future or not, If you are happy I am.”

“I hope we do work it out, I love her,” he commented before looking at his pack, his thoughts on Hayley. “I would like to thank you for walking into my life today, you have been therapeutic and I am glad to call you my friend Freya. Please do not be a stranger,” he grinned at the blonde. 

She couldn’t run fast enough - vampire speed or wolf - nothing felt fast enough. She had to get to Jackson, and she needed his clarity to heal her from the inside out. Her head was a mess. Everything with Elijah, the run in with Katherine, the attack on Cami, figuring out how to break her sire bond while remaining under Klaus’ eye and trust, and the worst… attacking Jackson and left with the nightmares that plagued her during fit-filled rest. He hadn’t deserved the full brunt of her emotional bitch switch, but he had received the full hit. He was guilty of leaving, and of not standing by her side, but she couldn’t do this alone… not while she was trying to juggle everything on top of keeping her wolves together. 

The moment he laid eyes upon the brunette Jackson’s heart skipped a beat and he was afraid that the vampire half of Hayley would have heard. Her words hit him hard, she hated him. He knew that was the truth, but hearing it said aloud made it seem hundred times more real. “Hayley...” He stuttered, lost for words. His guilt for leaving consumed him, he was only just getting back on his feet - he just got his pack back. “Please come in,” he invited her into his home, realising that hybrid Hayley had never been to the place where they both used to call home. The moment she was over the threshold he pulled her into his embrace.

“Hey, I’m here, am I not? I haven’t run, I’m just… wary. you can hardly blame me for that. I don’t think I’ll get a second chance to be cured, after all. Most definitely not now.”  The first time Klaus had a motivation for it… getting his paws on Stefan. Now he didn’t have any leverage on the hybrid. He was probably glad to watch him die… “Nope…” He grabbed the bottle, taking another swallow before putting it down again and stare into the fire. “When did everything get so complicated? Why can’t we just sit here, enjoy a drink, chat, go home and live a normal life? I’m getting kind of sick of it, you know? The moment you think everything works out, it explodes again.”

Jackson furrowed his brows. “Thats how life is. It’s all politics. If you are a wolf you must hate vampires. If you are a vampire you must hate wolves. If you are a witch you must hate everyone,” Jackson shrugged. “blah blah blah- who gives a shit anyway? I figured we only have one chance to live this life, even if you are immortal, you still only have one life, one chance to do the things you need to do. Don't let the judgment and actions of others define whom you are,” he looked at Damon. “Wow, that sounded way to serious. I like you idea - lets just drink and then go back to the world and live a normal life,” he laughed. 

Jackson smiled at her kind words, “I guess you are right - I did this,” he made a motion where he pointed at himself before signalling towards his pack. “This is home, and this is my family,” he spoke, like a proud Father would speak about their daughter winner her first Ballet contest, like when his son scored the first goal at a football game - this was Jackson Kenner’s family and he vowed to always protect them, forever and always, as long as he was alive, he would serve to do right by them. “So, this is my family. I hope you find yours,” he smiled.

Derek was actually surprised to know that Jackson would actually bother to come all the way to meet him. And he knew it wasn’t just for a simple greeting as the two hardly ever got along. However, at his words, Derek merely raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, considering it for a moment before taking a step forward. “I’m listening. This better be good.”

“Well, in your absence things have gotten pretty bad around here for the wolves,” Jackson stepped over the threshold and invited himself inside of Derek’s home. Jackson leaned against the wall and shrugged. “Klaus has been turning wolves into hybrids, killing not just my pack, but wolves loyal to you too.  I figured, and as much as it pains me, why not join me in putting our heads and leadership together to bring Klaus down?” Jackson figured it would be a long shot, but he had nothing left to loose and as much as he hated Derek, he needed to put his packs best interest in mind. “So, what do you say?”

Derek was actually surprised to know that Jackson would actually bother to come all the way to meet him. And he knew it wasn’t just for a simple greeting as the two hardly ever got along. However, at his words, Derek merely raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, considering it for a moment before taking a step forward. “I’m listening. This better be good.”

“Well, in your absence things have gotten pretty bad around here for the wolves,” Jackson stepped over the threshold and invited himself inside of Derek’s home. Jackson leaned against the wall and shrugged. “Klaus has been turning wolves into hybrids, killing not just my pack, but wolves loyal to you too.  I figured, and as much as it pains me, why not join me in putting our heads and leadership together to bring Klaus down?” Jackson figured it would be a long shot, but he had nothing left to loose and as much as he hated Derek, he needed to put his packs best interest in mind. “So, what do you say?”

The alpha opened the door and they left, leaving behind the place where he felt safe and alive. They did not talk much on the way back to the camp, but Jackson was grateful for that, it gave him time to think about his wrong-doings and how he would rectify them. They walked down the path back to the lake and Jackson turned to Freya, “we will have to swim here sometime,” he grinned before walking again. It was not long before they were back in camp, but the camp was not like how they left it. Rather then being deserted and quiet, it was now full of life. “So, this is my life!” He grinned, referring to the families before him. The laughter and the conversation filling the air, making Jackson feel at home. “This is just a few of the pack, most will be in the camp a short walk away down there,” Jackson pointed down a path to the left of them. 

“I am kind to you because you are kind to me. Thats the thing about being nice, in turn it will be reciprocated,” he grinned, standing up from the couch and extending his hand to help Freya rise from her seat. “It will be my pleasure to show you my pack,” he smiled with excitement. “I am afraid it’s a walk back to the camp though?”