WARNING: I am not a scientist and am just making things up in this chap.

Hello, my lovely readers. Changes are abounding around this hospital. On with the show…

Chapter 21: Regeneration

Bonnie

"It's just another day in the lab, Bennett. Get ahold of yourself," Bonnie Bennett whispered to herself. Finding that she'd stopped in front of a window to check her lipstick; Bonnie rolled her eyes. She hadn't put this much effort into presenting herself in…well, ever. She'd been too worried about her career. Even in high school she would stand in front of her class for a presentation bare faced and trying speak up with her paper in front of her face.

Today, Bonnie felt a new pair of hose making her legs itch and wondering if the hundredth plus dress she'd slid into this morning were inappropriate for work. Rolling her eyes, Bonnie shook her curls and strode down the hall.

"Looking good, Doctor Bennett," Oliver, one of the interns told her with a grin. His eyes went over her body and Bonnie felt herself flushing in response.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Bonnie demanded in a hiss. "Or do you want me to make an impromptu appointment with HR where you can hear why sexually harassing your boss is a fire-able offence?" Placing her hands on her hips, Bonnie threw in a glare for good measure. Oliver sucked in a breath and took off in another direction. "That's what I thought," she muttered with a chuckle.

Moving further down the hallway, Bonnie stopped outside the lab door and took a breath before she turned the handle. Stepping inside the lab, she caught sight of Philip Walters. He stood tall over a table and she tried to calm her beating heart. No. She did not get all dressed up for this man. This god-like man. Calm down, Bonnie, she warned herself silently. Other people would kill to be able to work with Walters. Stop acting like a teenager with a stupid crush.

They'd only been working together for a couple of weeks, but every time they were together, Bonnie found her knees going a little bit weak and her heart rate going up a little bit. "Dr. Walters," Bonnie called, moving toward the table he stood at.

"Dr. Bennett," Dr. Walters looked up. His eyes began to twinkle and he offered a grin that probably made most of the people who worked with him swoon. However, Bonnie was made of steel. And granite. Or marble. Something hard and unyielding. He was not a solvent. He could not break down her molecular structure.

"Are you ready?" Philip asked. He moved closer and Bonnie blinked at him.

"For what?" Bonnie asked. She could slap herself for the breathy way that her voice came out just then. Stupid, stupid girl!

Philip didn't seem to notice. "To check on how our little babies are working out?" He went over to a set of petri dishes. Picking them up, he brought them over to the table and then grabbed some plastic gloves. He offered a pair to Bonnie. He knew her size. Why was she such a dork?

Opening one of the petri dishes with the experimental cells, Philip took a sample and placed it on a slide and then placed it under the microscope. "Oh, look at that!" Taking a step back, he coaxed Bonnie toward the microscope with a little wave of his fingers.

Moving forward, Bonnie peered into the lens and gaped at the result. "Oh, my God!" She cried. Her hand went to her mouth before she promptly dropped it. "Phil! We did it!" She turned and threw her arms around his neck.

After a moment, Bonnie realized what she'd just done. "I'm so, so sorry. That was not professional. At all." She backed up and ran into the table. It shook and Phil's arms went around to steady the microscope, his hands settling to either side of Bonnie. "Heat of the moment. Completely understandable."

Bonnie felt herself blushing. "Uh. Yeah. So, what do we do now?" She waited for him to move his hands before she took several large steps away from her boss. Time to calm the hell down.

Phil peered back through the microscope. "Now, we wait. Make sure that it's not too early. We wouldn't want to write an article about how we just cured a type of cancer and then find out we were wrong." He chuckled as Bonnie gulped. "Believe me, people who have gone down that road are the horror stories that we have all learned from. Don't worry, Bonnie. I would never let you go down that road."

Bonnie edged closer. "Can I look at them again?"

"Sure." Philip moved back so that Bonnie could look at the miracle of the would-be cancerous cells. Like an invading army, they seemed intent on surrounding a group of healthy cells. However, these cells they were encroaching upon had been introduced to a new antibody which kept the healthy cells from being eaten up by their violent counterparts. This meant that if a cancer were caught within a certain time period, there would be a possibility of introducing the antibody into a patient's body and preventing healthy cells from becoming cancerous. Yes. They would still need surgery to remove the already cancerous cells but it would mean quite a lot in preventing new cancers from forming.

Phil leaned against the table. "One patient. Just one. One person. In the entire world who has cells which stopped producing cancer. And this little petri dish with its antibody cells might save a whole lot of people." He shook his head. "Now, just figuring how to grow these little guys." He turned back to look at the cells in wonder.

"If anyone can make that happen; it's you." Bonnie felt a little bit mortified when they words left her lips.

"Oh, I think we both know mine is not the only note-worthy brain in this lab, Bonnie. Give yourself credit. If I can't figure this mystery out; I expect you will. Hell, you might even beat me to the punch. Then it will be a paper written by Drs. Bonnie Bennett and Philip Walters." He looked at her under his eyelashes and Bonnie felt a surprised laugh come out.

"Nope. I know you'll figure it out first," Bonnie retorted.

Philip shook his head. "Care to wager?" he inquired.

"What do I get if I win?" Bonnie asked.

Philip looked amused. "Whatever is your heart's desire, ma'am."

"And what do you get if you win?" Bonnie added, her eyes going to the petri dish with the antibodies and healthy cells. They needed to take a look at those, just to figure out how those cells were getting along. She almost didn't hear his answer.

"What do I get?" Philip replied. "Well, we'll have to work out the details later." Bonnie's eyes strayed to Philip's and she thought she saw a wicked smile on his face but she decided she was imagining things before she went back to pondering the antibodies.

Davina

"Pay attention, Claire!" Klaus Mikaelson snapped. He sent her a dark look as he worked through repairing a ten-month preemie's bowel. It looked painful. And Klaus' patience was wearing thin as Davina tried to stay awake. She'd been up for the last forty-eight hours either at work, watching other people perform tiny miracles or at home, watching over her mother who had the same lack of patience as her boss.

"If you want to take a nap; go to the on-call rooms," Klaus said. He glanced at Caroline. "Move the light, please." Caroline glanced at Davina before moving the light.

Davina hated this. She should be in here, actually learning something but instead she was worrying about her mother. What kinds of medications was she taking? How advanced was the disease? How much more time did they really have? Why did Hayley think it was okay to keep Davina in the dark?

When the procedure was through, Klaus turned to Caroline. "Close up for me. Claire. Hallway. Now."

Oh, no! Davina felt her throat close as Klaus led her to the hallway. This is where he was going to tell her that he would be recommending to his father that she left program.

Once they were in the hallway, Klaus pulled his scrub cap down and his mask off. His arms folded over his chest and he leaned against the closest wall, leaning over Davina. "I do now know what happened back there, but I want to know if you actually intend to take my work seriously! There are tiny babies whose parents have a right to know that every-thing and every-one in my OR desires for their off-spring to live!" His eyes searched hers. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," Davina muttered.

"I'm sorry. I can't hear you," Klaus growled out.

Davina lifted her eyes to meet his. "I am sorry, Dr. Mikaelson. It won't happen again."

"You'd better believe it won't," Klaus retorted. He stalked down the hallway.

Davina collapsed against the wall behind her and sunk to the floor. Hot tears were building behind her eyelids. She was going to lose her freakin' job over her lack of focus.

At the sound of the OR doors flapping open, Davina tried to collect herself until she saw it was just Caroline coming out. Looking away, Davina tried not to look at Klaus' wife, hoping she would go away. Then a hand came down on her shoulder and Davina knew that Caroline was still there.

"Klaus used to ride me, too," Caroline said. She slumped down on the floor beside Davina. "I took it just as hard. Probably harder. I used to go home and eat cartons of ice cream. Just ask Josh." She chuckled. "Being an intern is hard. It's supposed to be."

"This hard?" Davina replied.

Caroline glanced at Davina. "Not this hard. You've got something terrible going on in your personal life. So, you have to try to split yourself in two. Become intern Davina. And daughter Davina. It's not fair. Not right. You should be able to take time off, to take care of your mom. But if you want to be a doctor, they're not going to save your place in line. The medical profession is unforgiving. I barely had time to pull my shit together before I hopped right back into work."

"What happened to you?" Davina asked, sniffling.

Caroline blew out a breath. "I got pregnant. Got skewered by a STOP sign in a freak accident. Lost the baby. Lost my mind. Spent some time in a mental facility putting the pieces back together. This during my intern year."

"Really? That's horrible." Davina played out all the things Caroline said in her own mind and wondered if she had the strength to withstand all of that tragedy. It gave her new respect for Caroline. She also felt bad for taking Caroline's room although Davina didn't know why Care left at the time.

"It was. But you learn that there is so much that life can throw at you that you can survive. Especially if you have people who love you," Caroline said, smiling.

"Yeah. I have Hales. And Josh," Davina said with an answering smile.

"And Kol," Caroline said. Then her eyes rounded. "Oops."

"Kol doesn't love me. He's just a good friend," Davina replied with a laugh.

"Yeeessss." Caroline pushed herself to her feet. "You know, I kind of have something I need to do. Like my husband. Newlywed. Lots of sex. Bye." Turning Caroline practically ran from Davina's side.

"That was weird," Davina muttered to herself.

Phone vibrating in her pocket, Davina noted that she had a text from Kol. Darling, Lunch? Kol, it read.

Grinning, Davina typed back: Yes. She could use a distraction. Maybe Kol would help her focus. Or maybe she could try to figure out what Caroline meant by Kol was in love with Davina.

Elijah

Setting a table for two, Elijah checked the clock. He knew that Hayley would be assisting Marcel in a triple-bypass. Her cheerful smile had warmed his heart during lunch that day. However, he also felt nervous. This would be their first official night in since he'd told her about his impending divorce. This dinner could make or break their relationship.

Elijah's hand moved to his pocket. The box pressed into his thigh. Perhaps he should wait. But he had wanted to ask her a week before Aurora reappeared. All his plans had been blown to bits.

Eyes flicking back to the clock, Elijah inhaled and went to check on the sauce. He dipped the wooden spoon inside the pot and took a sip. Just a little more salt.

Just as Elijah poured the salt in; he heard his phone ring. Elijah moved further along the counter. He picked up his phone and glanced at the screen.

Be there soon, Hayley, it read.

Elijah grinned and typed back: Dinner is almost ready. He set the phone down and grabbed an oven glove to remove the bread. It came out steaming and a nice brown color. Good. It looked like everything would be going well.

Removing a colander from one of the cabinets, Elijah went over to remove the boiling pasta from the stove top. He began to hum under his breath as he poured the water and pasta out. Little tasks helped his mind clear from the long days of blood and trying to fight off death's hand.

Soon the meal sat on the table and Elijah found himself sitting in a chair. His phone sat in front of him. Hayley should have arrived ten minutes ago. Sighing, Elijah tried to think of how to talk to her about his past. It hurt quite a bit.

Then the doorbell rang. Getting to his feet, Elijah made his way to the door. Hayley stood with a smile on her face. "You changed your clothes?" Elijah couldn't help but remark on her change. She'd come to work in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T. Now, she wore a simple burgundy frock. Her hair had been set into curls that hung around her face.

"Caroline made me. She said it was a 'Big night.' She can be so weird sometimes," Hayley rolled her eyes and Elijah let out a cough. Caroline.

Elijah popped open the box and looked at the sparkling ring inside. He had been trying to work out what to say when the door banged open and a pair of kissing people came falling inside. The girl's top went flying. She was busily working on her partner's pants when said partner let out a shout. "ELIJAH! BROTHER!"

"Niklaus? Caroline?" Elijah tried to shove the ring back into his pocket before they could see it. But it was too late. The damage was already done. "It's not what it looks like!" Elijah cried out, moving to shove the ring into his pocket.

Caroline sprang forward faster than Elijah had ever seen the girl move. Her hand shot out and she grabbed the ring from his hand. "Klaus, why is it bigger than mine?" She placed her engagement ring close to the one in the box, her eyes darting back and forth in a comical manner which left Elijah laughing.

"What's so funny?" Caroline demanded, shooting Elijah a quick look before waving the ring at Klaus. "What is the meaning of this? Elijah's proposing to Hayley with this! And you bought me this!" She waved her hand in his face. "You are so upgrading, mister!"

Klaus shook his head at a still laughing Elijah. "You are not helping, Elijah." Klaus rolled his eyes. "Love, this isn't for Hayley. This is for you. Elijah's keeping it for me."

Elijah stopped laughing. If Klaus took his ring, what was he supposed to do?

"Really?" Caroline rolled her eyes. "Fine. Put it on my finger." She took off her own ring, wiggling her fingers and sent her husband an expectant look. "I'm waiting."

Klaus looked at Elijah. Taking the new ring out, he tried to put it on Caroline's finger. "Blasted hell. I guess I'll have to take it back to the jeweler's to get it re-sized," he told her with a look of dismay that did not fool Elijah.

Caroline glanced from Klaus to Elijah. "You had better make her happy. Klaus, you are in so much trouble," Caroline said. She gave the new ring one more, mournful glance before she handed it back to Elijah.

Now, Elijah looked at Hayley and he felt so many emotions as she went to take a seat at the table. Hurrying over, Elijah pulled her chair out and took a seat across from her. "How was the surgery?"

"Marcel's a genius. Bekah's pissed because she didn't get my spot. The usual." Hayley took a piece of bread. "How do you have the energy to cook?"

"It helps me think," Elijah replied.

"Good. Because I love this," Hayley said, covering her mouth as she chewed. "You have no idea how nice it is to get off work and come home to this." She stopped talking and her eyes widened. "Home? I just said 'Home.' Man, I need a long nap." She let out a laugh and rolled her eyes.

"What if this were your home?" Elijah asked.

Hayley's brows went up. "Excuse me?"

Elijah got up and made his way over to her. Kneeling down, Elijah watched Hayley's eyes go wide. "I am asking you: Would you like this to be your home?"

"Well, I do like it here…" Hayley's eyes went to Elijah's hand as he reached out and took her free hand, holding it in his own and looking into her eyes. "Hayley Jane Marshall. There are many things I need to tell you. Things that tore my first marriage apart. A lifetime's worth of pain. However, I am looking forward to the future. To love. To a new life. To you. By my side. For the rest of our lives."

Free hand going into his pocket, Elijah removed the ring that sat nestled deep in his pocket. He smiled up at Hayley as she sat in silence, her eyes wider than he'd ever seen them before. If Elijah were honest, Hayley's lack of speech and her look of deer-caught-in-the-headlights caught him off guard. He'd been hoping for a smile or a nervous giggle. A tiny sign that she was responding in the manner a woman who was deeply in love responded when the man she was in love with was proposing.

"Elijah," Hayley uttered. Her head shook. Not a nod. A vigorous shake of her curls. "Elijah, I am so sorry." Her feet had begun to move and now she was standing. Her hand slid out of his. "Elijah, I do love you. I do… But I can't…"

"Hayley?" Elijah watched in horror as Hayley continued to shake her head. She made her way toward the door. Her hair flying about her face. Tears were beginning to run down her cheeks. "Hayley, where are you going?" Elijah tried to move. His feet would not move in the up and down motion that would help him.

"I'm sorry." Hayley turned and opened the door.

Standing beside the kitchen table. Food still steaming in dishes laid out with care. An empty chair before him. A ring still in the box. Heat smashed to bits on the floor. Elijah sat down on his floor. He did not want to be standing anymore. He wasn't sure he would ever remember how to again.

Tune in later this week for the final chapter of this fic.

Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing.

Peace,

-J