Two and a half weeks had passed with no sign of Klaus. They found it odd not to have a run in with him, since Mystic Falls was rather small. Damon suspected that Klaus was gone, at least for now, leaving his hybrid minions to stalk Elena. Given Klaus' propensity for diabolical schemes, having a hybrid tail Elena on a daily basis made Damon very uneasy. He had a motto he liked to live by, 'always keep your eyes on your enemy.' Damon wouldn't be satisfied until he found out just what he was up to.

Within days, he had his answer from none other than the Original bitch herself, Rebekah. It wasn't hard to find her. These days, she spent just about as much time at the Grille as Damon had before he hooked up with Elena. Bex's main obsession had been Matt, but with him away at college, she trolled the Grille for a new play thing to stalk. All he had to do was sit at the bar. Eventually when her next victim fled, she'd plop herself down for a shot. That's when he'd make his move. In the past, it had been easy to manipulate her with his sexual charms. But that was definitely out of the question now for multiple reasons. Instead, he'd have to use his good old fashioned harassment skills.

Fortunately, Klaus had treated Bex with less than brotherly love, ever since the night Rebekah caused Matt's truck carrying Elena to run off of the Wickery Bridge. After a few drinks, it didn't take much coaxing to get her to spill Klaus' whereabouts. Klaus was off looking into another werewolf pack he'd heard about, to Rebekah's annoyance. He planned on bringing them back to Mystic Falls to spawn some more hybrids for his army. Bex had no idea how long he planned on being gone nor did she care. Once again, his army was more important than his family. She'd had enough of him and his stupid hybrids.

Damon thought his timing couldn't have been better. Klaus' departure meant Elena's pregnancy had more time to progress before they had to resort to their cover story. Since the hybrids followed at a distance, failing miserably at being inconspicuous, all Elena had to do was continue with her normal routine like nothing had changed, and avoid Rebekah as long as possible. Bex would be tricky. Still, they were pretty sure they could pull that one off, since Elena spent the majority of her time between college, studying, and Damon. She just needed to limit how often she frequented the Grille.

Klaus' absence also afforded Elena some breathing room to make preparations for her move to the boarding house. Damon had spent every night, since they found out, at the Gilbert house looking out for her safety. The plan was to have Elena moved before Klaus' return, whenever that might be. Elena desperately wanted to keep Jeremy out of this. This fight was her and Damon's, not his. Once she was with Damon, she hoped that Klaus wouldn't bother with Jeremy. Damon knew how to handle himself even against an Original. He'd survived against Klaus before. She was sure he could keep her and the baby safe. Elena had to keep telling herself that, or she'd never make it through this with her sanity.

Late in the afternoon, Bonnie and Elena found themselves with some spare time, when the professor for their last class didn't show. She and Bonnie decided to swing by the Grille to grab a quick bite to eat before heading home. She'd promised Damon she wouldn't go to the Grille, unless he was there to protect her, but she figured she would be just as safe with Bonnie by her side. If anything happened, Bonnie could always use her witchy migraine torture. She rationalized, Besides the plan was to continue with my normal routine. What could be more normal than a bite at the Grille?

The waitress had just seated them and taken their order, when Bonnie noticed someone watching them. "Looks like you have a female tail this time. No wonder I didn't notice her earlier."

Elena stiffed with irritation but didn't bother to look. "Ugh! They're driving me crazy. I can't go anywhere without eyes watching me. Klaus knows I'm in college. I'm not going to disappear while he's gone."

Bonnie joked. "He's probably worried Damon will try to turn you before he can bring back more werewolves."

Elena snickered. "Yeah, knowing him you're probably right. Heaven forbid, I can't make a blood donation." Elena took a sip of the hot chocolate the waitress had brought her. The nausea was starting to subside, but her stomach was still unstable at times. For some reason, the warm beverage seemed to sooth it, so she made sure to drink some before she attempted to eat anything solid. She gave Bonnie a strained look. "I know the hybrids are less of a problem than the original nightmare himself, but it's still unnerving. I'm mean, I'm starting to show a little, which worries me, because I have no idea what they're telling Klaus. What's going to happen when he shows up again?"

Looking over at the hybrid, Bonnie said, "I know, but try not to worry too much. I doubt they know anything. He doesn't exactly choose the brightest of the bunch." This caused a slight smile to spread across Elena's face, as she raised her mug for another sip.

Bonnie asked, "So, are you ready for the move this weekend? I'm sure Damon can't wait to be back in that enormous bed of his."

Elena smiled weakly, looking into her mug. "Yeah, I'm sure he can't."

Bonnie studied her friend's face with concern, trying to gauge Elena's mood. With her hormones all over the place, Bonnie never knew when Elena might burst into tears. The middle of the Grille was definitely not the place for that, especially with a hybrid watching her every move. She asked, "Elena, what's wrong? Are you having second thoughts about moving in with Damon?"

Elena shook her head and tried to explain. "No, Damon isn't the problem. He's right that the move is the best thing for us. It's just, I feel guilty about abandoning Jeremy. He's only 17. I don't feel comfortable leaving him all alone in that big house to care for his self. That's not what my parents would've wanted."

Bonnie said, "I'm sure he'll be fine. You'll still be around to take care of him." A mischievous smile crossed Bonnie's face. "Besides, who says he'll be all alone? The privacy will be nice."

Elena raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Well, ok then. I guess I've been a third wheel. Let me just say for the record, I do not want to know the details." This prompted a series of giggles just like they'd done when they were 12 years old.

Just then, Bonnie's eyes grew wide, at the sight of someone over Elena's shoulder. Confused and afraid to look for herself, Elena asked, "Bonnie, what's wrong? Please don't tell me Rebekah is here, or worse yet, Klaus."

Suddenly, Bonnie's face lit up when Caroline bounced in front of Elena. "Surprise!"

Caroline's voice startled Elena, causing her to jump in her seat. "Oh, my God, Caroline! You scared me. What are you doing in town? Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

Caroline answered in her usual bubbly manner. "I wanted it to be a surprise. Did it work?" Both of her friends nodded their agreement. "I'm just here for the weekend. My dad's boyfriend had some belongings of his that he came across, when he was cleaning the attic, and thought I might want to look through them. He's bringing them by my mom's this weekend."

Bonnie asked, "Where's Tyler?"

"He stayed behind. He has this paper due on Monday, which of course he hasn't even started. So, it's just us girls." She looked at Elena and did a shooing motion with her hands. "Scoot over so I can sit next to you."

Elena slid over in the booth, a little nervous about Caroline sitting so close to her. As she scooted, she picked up her hoodie and placed it over her lap, attempting to hide the bulge in her stomach. Caroline had no idea about the pregnancy. And Elena had hoped to hide it from her for as long as possible. It's not that she didn't trust Caroline. It's just that she wasn't quite sure she was ready to deal with Caroline's reaction. Plus, she knew Caroline would immediately start planning a huge baby shower. Not really the thing to do when you're trying to keep a low profile. On the other hand, telling Caroline would be a good way to test out their story before they used it on Klaus.

Caroline gushed. "Oh guys, I'm so excited. I haven't seen you in so long. Elena, you are absolutely glowing. Are you using different make-up?"

Elena stammered, "Uh...um..."

Fortunately, Caroline moved on to Bonnie before Elena had a chance to respond. "So, how are you and Jeremy?"

"We're doing fine. It's a little tough finding time together because our school schedules are so different. But we're getting along great."

Caroline was very happy to hear. "Awesome!" Turning to Elena she said, "I'm afraid to ask, but how are you and…" She stopped herself, suddenly looking around confused. "What's that noise? Do you guys hear that?"

Elena looked at Bonnie, widening her eyes. There was a quiver noticeable in her voice when she said, "Noise? I don't hear anything. Do you Bonnie?" Bonnie immediately shook her head 'no.'

Caroline waved her hands in front of her like she was shooing the thought away. "Oh, whatever. Anyway is Damon still stalking you?"

Elena rolled her eyes. "He's not stalking me Caroline. We're dating, and you know I'm still with him. I just talked to you like 3 days ago."

"Well, a girl can hope can't she?"

Bonnie said, "Caroline!"

"What? I'm just saying. You should've stayed with Stefan."

Elena just shook her head. It was always the same argument with her. She'd been pro-Stefan ever since he helped her transition. Elena thought, Of course you were hoping I'd broken up with Damon. He wasn't exactly on her list of favorite people in Mystic Falls. Yes, he had used her to his advantage when he first arrived, but he'd changed so much since then. He had saved all of them more than once including Caroline. In fact, he almost died from Tyler's werewolf bite because of it. Caroline could always seem to rationalize the bad things Stefan did but never Damon.

She was bouncing in her seat with excitement. "Ok girls, so what's the plan for this weekend? Bar hopping? Good old fashioned slumber party?"

Elena said, "I can't Caroline. I already have plans with Damon this weekend."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Ugh! So cancel them. You can see him anytime. I'm only here for 2 days."

Elena exhaled. "I...can't, really."

Caroline pouted. "Well, why not?"

She hesitated, "Because…I'm…moving…in…with him. We're taking my stuff over this weekend."

Caroline's voice reached an octave Elena had never heard before. "Are you serious?! You can't move in with Damon!" She stammered, "That's just...that's just…Oh. My. God. I can't even believe this. You've been with him for like what 4 months? And you're already moving in with him?"

Elena tried to explain. "You don't understand."

Exasperated, Caroline said, "Uh no, I don't. Explain it to me because I can't fathom why you'd move in with Damon Salvatore. What, did he suck you in with the hot sex?"

Elena gave her a dirty look. "It's not about the sex,. But, yes, it is pretty hot."

Caroline crossed her arms stubbornly and gave her a look of irritation. "Really? Then what's it about?" Elena opened her mouth to speak, but the words just wouldn't come out. Caroline took a deep breath before continuing with her rant. "Elena, as your friend, it is my job to stop you from making mistakes. And this is a HUGE mistake."

Bonnie jumped in. "Caroline, it's her life. If she and Damon are happy and want to move in together, that's up to them."

Caroline looked at Bonnie in shock. "Uh, since when are you a fan of Damon's?"

"I'm not, but Elena is our friend. And I just think we should support her."

Elena said, "Thank you Bonnie."

Caroline's mouth was agape in exasperation. She looked back and forth between the two of them. "I can't believe this happening. How can you…," she lost her train of thought again at the faint sound. "There's that noise again."

Elena gave Bonnie a panicked look. Here we go.

Caroline moved around in her seat, looking all over the bar. "Where is that coming from?" She listened closely then leaned into Elena. "It's coming from you." She looked even more puzzled, when she saw the knowing look exchanged between her two friends. "Ok, spill. What is going on?"

It's now or never. Elena slowly removed her hoodie from her lap, revealing the small pooch underneath.

Caroline followed her actions then looked up at Elena in confusion. She looked over to Bonnie, who just raised her eyebrows at her unspoken question. "Are you…pregnant?" Elena bit her lip slowly nodding 'yes.' Caroline just looked at her dumbstruck. For the first time, she was speechless.

Nervously, Elena chided her, "Wow! Caroline Forbes, speechless. That's a first." Bonnie chuckled.

Suddenly, Caroline found her voice again, and loudly, as a matter of fact. "You're pregnant!" Her friends both 'shhhed' her.

Elena said, "Not so loud. I don't want Klaus finding out just yet."

"Oh my God, Elena! Wait, I'm confused. Why are you moving in with Damon, if you cheated on him and got pregnant?"

Elena gave Bonnie a serious look. Because it's his baby, she thought to herself. What she said was, "First of all, I didn't cheat on Damon."

"Um, obviously you did, otherwise you wouldn't be pregnant."

"Not exactly." More like not at all.

"Wait, you can't sort of cheat on someone and get pregnant. It doesn't work that way Elena, unless you have a really fucked up definition of what constitutes cheating."

Ok, time to put on the dramatic act. "Caroline, I was drugged, and then assaulted at a party. That's how I got pregnant." Actually I got pregnant by a dead guy, whose sperm was magically brought back to life by a witch. Yeah, that's more believable.

Caroline took in a quick breath with the shock. She raised her hand to cover her mouth. "Oh Elena, that's awful. Are you ok? I mean, I know you're not ok, but did he hurt you?"

Not unless you count mind blowing sex as being hurt. "No, I don't really remember it. He slipped something in my drink. All I really remember is waking up with my clothes torn. Then a few months later, I found out I was pregnant."

"That's awful! Do you know who did it? I'm sure Damon must have lost his mind."

Well, that part is true. "He did. Of course, when he found him, he killed him."

Caroline let out a breath. "For once, I actually agree with him. That bastard deserved it after what he did to you." Bonnie knew what really happened, but she gave a sad look, as if she too were saddened by what happened.

Caroline gave Elena a solemn look. "So, what are you going to do?"

Confused, Elena replied, "What do you mean? I'm going to have it."

Carefully, Caroline said, "You're not going to keep it are you?"

Of course, I'm going to keep it! It's Damon's baby. "Why wouldn't I keep it? It's my baby."

"Well, because it would be a constant reminder of what happened to you. I think that would be hard."

If you only knew the half of it. "Caroline, I know it sounds strange to want to keep it, but it might be my only chance to have a child of my own. It's not the baby's fault this all happened. Damon agreed to raise it with me."

Caroline blinked at Elena like a deer caught in headlights. "You're going to let Damon be the baby's father? I love you Elena, but are you out of your mind?"

Elena's hormones were causing her anger to rise the more Caroline ran Damon into the ground. She'd had just about enough. "Just stop, Caroline. Stop trying to get me to hate Damon because it's not going to work. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It's my life."

Caroline said, "But…"

Bonnie piped up, giving her a firm look. "Drop it, Caroline." Caroline gave her a tight smile and everyone relaxed.

Elena pleaded, "Please don't tell anyone about this. I'd like to keep it from Klaus as long as possible. The last thing I need is for him to cause us problems."

"Don't worry about me. I won't say anything. But I'm planning your baby shower."

Elena started laughing as her cell phone rang. Damon's name popped up on the caller ID. She answered, "Hey."

Damon responded with his typical sarcasm. "It's shift change with the Elena protection program. I'm at your house. Where are you?"

"I stopped by the Grille to grab a bite to eat. You're always worried about me eating, right?" She could hear in his voice that her attempt to lessen his anger didn't work.

"Elena..."

"I know, I know, but I'm with Bonnie and Caroline. I'm ok really."

"Caroline? What's she doing there?"

"She's in town for the weekend. I just finished telling Caroline everything."

Damon's voice was dripping with irritation. "What do you mean everything?"

Elena looked out of the corner of her eye at Caroline, knowing full well she could hear their conversation. "I told her about what happened at the party."

"Oh! So what did she have to say?"

"I'll tell you about it later. I'm leaving soon."

"Be careful. Make sure they walk you out."

"I will. I promise."

On the way home, Elena heard the pinging sound of her gas gauge, indicating her tank was on empty. She could probably make it home, but she'd have to get gas at some point. And now was as good a time as any. She pulled up to the pump, slid her card through the reader, and began pumping. She had been engrossed with the TV monitor at the pump so, when she turned to place the pump handle back in it's holder, she was startled to see Rebekah standing next to her.

Rebekah gave her a fake smile of pleasantry. "Hello, Elena."

Elena was panicked at first, but she managed to swallow her fear. "What do you want Rebekah? Are you following me?"

"I don't want anything. I'm just here getting gas like you."

Elena grabbed the sides of the hoodie she had on and wrapped them closer around her, crossing her arms in front of her. She started to open the door of her SUV to get in, when Rebekah said, "You know I would think Damon would be pumping your gas with you in your delicate condition. He's so over protective."

Elena turned sharply. "Whhaat? I don't know what you're talking about."

Rebekah laughed. "Come on, really? Don't worry. I'm sure Nik will be thrilled to hear his doppleganger bitch is about to continue the bloodline. Personally, I'm rather annoyed. It's just another excuse for everyone to fawn all over you. Pathetic really."

Elena gave her a dirty look, backing her way into the truck. She started the engine and drove away, keeping an eye on Rebekah in her rearview mirror. This is not good. Damon is going to be pissed.