PART III - Pregnant Pause

Chapter 21: Acquaintance

It surprised Elena when Bonnie allowed Elijah to come back to Mystic Falls out of the blue, but Elena was completely taken aback to see Bonnie suddenly spending hours in the day with Evangeline. Although Elena wasn't one to purposefully eavesdrop, she found herself getting frustrated at the secrecy exuded by the two of them. Evangeline appeared weakened after her stay with Klaus. She moved more slowly and carefully, and although the cold weather had barely set in she never removed her coat. These factors along with numerous others didn't sit well with Elena. Something was definitely going on, and she was determined to find out exactly what it was.

Evangeline peered out the window at Bonnie's house and smiled softly at Elijah through the screen. Bonnie had no intention of ever inviting Elijah inside, but he was content to sit on the porch while he waited for Evangeline. Several grimoirs lined the floor, and Bonnie poured through them with dwindling hopes. It had been several days of the same thing over and over, but she couldn't find anything remotely similar to Evangeline's circumstances.

Bonnie shook her head. "I've tried to find anything that could possibly explain what's happening with you, but there's nothing in any of these grimoirs that even come close. I didn't see enough of the child in my vision to know if there's any possible danger to you." She sighed in dissatisfaction and rose to walk toward the front door. "It's risky, but you really should see a doctor soon to make sure there aren't any complications."

Evangeline followed Bonnie onto the porch and sat beside Elijah as Bonnie approached him. "I don't know enough about pregnancy to know if everything's going normally. Evangeline needs to see a doctor."

Elijah gazed pensively toward the street. "There is one person who may be able to help if she's willing. She doesn't specialize in this particular field, but her expertise will be useful and much simpler than compelling a room full medical staff if something isn't quite… normal."

Bonnie's eyes narrowed. "What doctor in Mystic Falls would ever tolerate working with a vampire?" Then her eyes dawned with comprehension. She knew the answer before Elijah had time to reply. "Wait, you mean Dr. Fell?"

Elijah nodded. "She's had trouble finding work since the Founder's Council discovered her affinity for using vampire blood. It shouldn't be difficult to persuade her to offer her services."

"Who's Dr. Fell?" Evangeline chimed in. She still didn't know most of the people in town.

Elijah stood and offered Evangeline his hand. "Come. I'll take you to her."

Several minutes later Elijah and Evangeline stood in front of a pale green apartment door. Elijah tapped the door firmly and stood back. The door opened, and a woman with a crossbow aimed it directly at Elijah's chest. He remained as calm as ever, and when Evangeline started to move in front of Elijah reflexively he motioned firmly for her to stay in place. The woman held the crossbow unflinchingly. Then she surveyed Evangeline's frightened expression and lowered the weapon slightly.

Elijah broke the tense silence. "Meredith Fell, I'm Elijah Mikaelson."

"I know who you are," she cut him off. "What do you want?"

Evangeline shyly interrupted the brewing animosity. "I need your help."

Something about sincerity of her request caused Meredith to lower the crossbow completely. "What kind of help?" she pressed in a somewhat softer tone.

Elijah stepped forward. "This is Evangeline Flemming. She's expecting a child and requires a doctor with your specific… skill set."

Meredith shook her head. "You mean giving out vampire blood? Why can't you just give her some of yours?"

"You misunderstand. Evangeline is pregnant… with my child."

Meredith inhaled in disbelief. "That's not possible. The human body isn't capable of processing the DNA of a vampire."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. Clearly this woman had done her share of genetic research. "Evangeline possesses a supernatural ability that has allowed her to process it as you say."

Meredith bit her lip. "Even if I could find out how it happened I'm no obstetrician, and I don't have access to any equipment…"

"I can supply any medical equipment or supplies you need, as well as monetary compensation for your help." Elijah stared at her indistinguishably.

After several moments of silence Meredith sighed. "If I agree to this, then we need to find a secure location, probably out of town, and we can't keep talking about this here." She peeked out the door and scanned the hallway. Her voice fell to a whisper. "Meet me one o'clock on the east side of the square."

Elijah nodded as Meredith briskly closed the door.

A couple of hours later Elijah, Evangeline and Bonnie sat on a bench in suspicious silence. Elena peered at them secretively from the corner of a nearby building.

Caroline crouched beside her stealthily. "This is ridiculous, you know," she whispered excitedly. "I feel like some kind of super spy."

Elena shushed her urgently and continued to listen for anything that would lend a clue to what was going on. A nondescript SUV parked beside the bench, and Elena furrowed her brows in frustration. "Come, on. We need to get closer."

Before they could get much nearer the SUV pulled away to reveal an empty park bench. Caroline squealed, "They're in the car. Quick."

Elena sighed with disappointment. "We can't. There's too many people out that might see us run."

Caroline pouted. "Some spies we turned out to be."