Three weeks later
A/N - Trigger warning - there's a scene that alludes to abortion, I've demarcated that particular paragraph, so you can skip it if you like. It won't bring any changes to the story.
She could hear a clock ticking loudly, a soft breeze flowing through the room as she winced in discomfort. She was taken back to her childhood when she would wait for her dad to be done with work, the air thick with the strong scent of sterile instruments and hospital disinfectants.
"How are you feeling?" The doctor she had found, one who could fulfil all her criteria - out of town and taking on teenage pregnancies, was a woman in her thirties. She seemed competent, polite, and efficient, the beginning of frown lines on her face just slightly visible.
"I'm alright, it's just a weird sensation." She said pointing to the wand that was between her legs.
"It can be, unfortunately, we couldn't see anything on the abdominal sonogram, so we need to shift to a vaginal one. I'm almost certain you'll need only one more of this." Elena couldn't help the groan that escaped her, and Dr. Vivian looked on with a look of knowing amusement. "So tell me a little about yourself."
"I feel like I told you everything in that history you took," almost, she thought privately.
"Well, how about a little bit of a personal one?"
"Can it get more personal than this?" She asked pointing to the screen that was showing her insides in black and white and various shades of grey.
"How come you're alone?" Elena sighed heavily, one arm coming to support the back of her head.
"I haven't really…..told anyone." She said with a sigh, wishing that she could've found at least one moment, but this was the first time she had been able to get away from home ever since everything that had happened.
"Worried about how everyone will react?" Sympathy bled into the woman's voice, and Elena winced a little.
"There was actually a death in the family, so it didn't seem like the right time." She fiddled with her fingers, a half truth slipping out. The last few weeks had been hard, not having Ric around was hard, and she could never quite look Jenna in the eye. Not for long enough to tell her the truth anyway.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." This time it was pity in her voice. "What about the father?"
Elena almost winced as images flashed through her mind, the sacrifice, the way he had killed the werewolf and the vampire, when he killed Tyler, the blood on his face when he had killed that one hybrid, the way he'd stopped Alaric.plicated. So I didn't really want to tell him till I was sure."
"Well, we know for sure now." Elena looked to the screen where the doctor was pointing her index at a greyish-black blur. "That's the gestational sac."
"Oh. Is that…the baby?" She asked as she came up on her elbows to get a better look at the grainy image. It was suddenly all so real, Esther had been right, she was pregnant. She was having a baby, she thought, the weight of it really pressing on her, but-
She blinked back tears as she realised what this could be, a chance at having a family, her family. After all the people she had lost, this was the first time that someone new would come into her life, and not just anyone, but a part of hers, and a part of Klaus.
"Yes, still in the early stages, around six to seven weeks, I'd say."
"Oh," Elena could feel the reality settling around her. She could feel herself being observed, even as her own eyes were fixed on the screen.
"Do you want a picture?"
"Yes," she could think of many reasons to not take a picture with her, both Damon and Caroline were nosey, and she couldn't risk Jenna or Jeremy seeing it accidentally. But she wanted it with her, for a reason she couldn't quite explain.
"Alright, I'll make a copy for you and then we can talk." Elena nodded, and felt herself relaxing once the wand was removed. She grabbed some tissues and moved to stand, wanting to change out of the hospital gown.
She walked to the main office after she had changed into her white tee and black jeans, a classic she had opted when she realised she was running late.
The other woman was waiting for her with a few envelopes and brochures on her desk, and Elena held back a sigh. She knew what this was, or at least she thought she did, and she wasn't prepared for it.
"So, Elena, would you like to discuss your options?" The doctor asked, and to her credit, she didn't sound judgemental.
"Not really, I…." Did she even have options? At least the child inside her resembled a human, she didn't know what she would have done if it had shown fangs on the ultrasound, probably would've had to convince someone to compel her doctor. It was a ridiculous thought, but three nights ago she was sure she had a dream like that. She also knew that she couldn't hide it forever, and she had a vague idea that once everyone found out, that would be it. There would be no going back, and this doctor would be the only person who wouldn't judge her.
"That's alright, would you like some of these pamphlets? They can help you decide what you want to do, unless you've already decided."
"I guess I'll take them." She was almost sure she knew what she wanted to do, but part of her wondered if it might help to think about it again. That was the part that didn't know how to break the news to everyone, especially him.
Would he even want a child?
"Good, this is your present blood work, some parameters are quite low," frequent blood donations would do that, she thought, "so I've given you a prescription for some pre-natal natal vitamins, and then, during the second trimester, we can switch them." Elena nodded, trying not to think too much about the future, even if it was very real and near now. "I've also given some recommendations regarding your diet, it will be better if you try to follow it."
"Alright, thanks a lot."
"Of course, I've given my number too, so if you have any issues or queries you can text me. If you feel as if your having any problems however, stomach ache, spotting or bleeding, just call me and either come here or go to your nearest emergency room."
"Alright, thanks." Elena walked out of the cabin, and came face to face with several pregnant women, all at different stages of their pregnancy. She swallowed as she saw them all, a strange type of uncertainty descending over her. They all looked older than her, at ages far more appropriate for having kids than she was at, with partners and husbands, and she was willing to bet that none of them were having a baby that was part vampire, part werewolf, and hopefully part human.
She was screwed.
She walked out of the building she had been in and turned on her phone. She had decided it would be best to have it turned off during her first….pre-natal check up, and didn't want Damon or Stefan to call and interrupt. Jenna wouldn't call, she rarely did these days, having thrown herself into her thesis. Although she wouldn't admit it, Elena knew that having Alaric desiccated, alive but not quite so had taken a toll on her. It had taken a toll on Jeremy as well, who had taken up his job at the Grill again, working with Matt.
She sighed when she saw a multitude of missed calls, voice mails and texts. Insead of listening to any of those, she called back Damon instead.
"Where are you?" His tone was snappy, and Elena was used to it these days, he was dealing with everything that had happened with Ric.
"Out."
"What do you mean out?"
"I came out for running some errands, what's wrong?"
"It's the council, Ric left them a letter listing all the vampires in town. They took Caroline, Stefan, Rebecca and even Tyler."
"What?" She said as stopped in her tracks.
"Yup, pretty sure they're planning to kill them. Thanks to Carol, we know, and at this rate, the only one who might survive is the original blondie, and you know she isn't going to help anyone. Well, maybe Stefan."
"Okay, so what's your plan?" She looked out on the street, her car parked across the road, and waited for the signal to turn green before she crossed.
"What's my plan? I don't have one. The only help I've got are Donovan and your little brother, so….when are you getting here?"
"I'll be there in an hour okay? Do we know where they are?"
"Liz and Carol are trying to find out."
"Okay, good, so you have some help, anyway, I'll be there."
"Aren't you listening, Liz and Carol have been completely frozen out, they are of no help whatsoever. I need you here Elena."
"Alright, Damon I'll come as soon as I can, please just keep me updated." She said with a sigh as she walked to the SUV she had parked at the end of the street, keys out, her pamphlets and envelops safe within her bag, and opened her door. She needed to get back as soon as possible, she couldn't lose anyone else, and she was getting worried about everyone. Even Damon who she knew would act without thinking and go to rescue them.
"Hello love,"
"What the hell?" She gasped as she looked at the man in her passenger seat.
"Now, what's a lovely girl like you doing sneaking out of town?"
"Kol, what are you doing in my car?" She asked as she climbed into the drivers seat, seeing that of course, he had broken the lock on the passenger. She didn't even want to ask.
"I'm just keeping an eye on you darling."
"Are you telling me that Klaus asked you to keep an eye on me?" She asked dryly, knowing that he would likely want Kol as far from her as possible.
While part of her understood why Klaus had to leave with Alaric's body, and it still hurt to think about it, part of her wanted him back there, with her.
"Well, I generally don't take advice from Nik. But I'm sure you know that, you are rather close to my brother, aren't you?" There was a dangerous glint in his eyes that reminded Elena of how he had spurred her on during the ball, and she leaned over to place her bag in the back seat.
"I'm not going to let you feed on me this time."
"But you would let Nik, wouldn't you? Even Elijah, I'm sure." She fastened her seat belt, giving a Kol a look, and sighing.
"I don't think Klaus has since the sacrifice, and yes, because I know Elijah would only ask in a dire situation." She backed out of the parking lot slowly, pulling the car onto the street, her foot on the accelerator pressing down almost recklessly.
"Well, what is this about darling? Why are we in such a hurry?"
"The council has kidnapped all my friends, and your sister, and are planning to kill them anytime now, so we're in a hurry. Since you're here, make yourself useful and if we're pulled over, compel the cops to let us go."
"Careful darling, that almost sounded like an order."
"Why? Do you like being ordered around?" She wasn't sure where the recklessness was coming from, but being around Kol generally made her reactions a little…unusual.
"Well, well, look who's being bold."
"I'm tired of your family."
"No, you aren't, especially not of my brothers. I know you must be sleeping with Nik," she pressed harder on the accelerator as they got on to an empty street, "but what about Elijah?"
"Is that what you think? That I'm sleeping with Klaus?" She tried to keep her heartbeat leveled as she said the words, after all it Kol who had first pointed out how she had seemed interested in Klaus.
"Yes, in all the time I've spent with my brother, I don't ever ever remember him being so concerned about saving a human life. Or that of someone trying to kill him."
"He was only worried about me because of my blood."
"He could've drained you dry, and he already has more than a dozen hybrids. And yet, he didn't kill you."
"Why would he want to kill me? Tha plan was to stop Alaric." She kept her eyes focused on the road, even as felt Kol's fixed on hers.
"And all he had to do to stop Alaric, was kill you." Her heart stopped beating for a moment, and then started picking up pace again, faster than before, and she knew she couldn't lie anymore, and he must have picked up on the change.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't act coy, you had to have known. I know the magic that my mother uses very well, and the spirits wouldn't have allowed her to make another indestructible being, she had to have made a loophole. And it's you, because you were the only one there that night. She linked his life to you, didn't she? That's why, even when you were there during the fight, he didn't use you as a bargaining chip, or try to kill you."
"Alright, you're right." She said knowing she couldn't hide it from him anymore.
"And if I told Nik now, would he try to kill you? I think not."
"I think at this point, he's just tired of killing me."
"If I told Rebekah however…."
"I'd be dead by the evening."
"You're smart, it's something you share with your ancestors."
"Is this why you're here? To make a deal?"
"You should know by now that I'm not like my brother, darling."
"Are you telling me that Klaus asked you to keep an eye on me?" She asked dryly, knowing that he would likely want Kol as far from her as possible.
While part of her understood why Klaus had to leave with Alaric's body, and it still hurt to think about it, part of her wanted him back there, with her.
"Well, I generally don't take advice from Nik. But I'm sure you know that, you are rather close to my brother, aren't you?" There was a dangerous glint in his eyes that reminded Elena of how he had spurred her on during the ball, and she leaned over to place her bag in the back seat.
"I'm not going to let you feed on me this time."
"But you would let Nik, wouldn't you? Even Elijah, I'm sure." She fastened her seat belt, giving a Kol a look, and sighing.
"I don't think Klaus has since the sacrifice, and yes, because I know Elijah would only ask in a dire situation." She backed out of the parking lot slowly, pulling the car onto the street, her foot on the accelerator pressing down almost recklessly.
"Well, what is this about darling? Why are we in such a hurry?"
"The council has kidnapped all my friends, and your sister, and are planning to kill them anytime now, so we're in a hurry. Since you're here, make yourself useful and if we're pulled over, compel the cops to let us go."
"Careful darling, that almost sounded like an order."
"Why? Do you like being ordered around?" She wasn't sure where the recklessness was coming from, but being around Kol generally made her reactions a little…unusual.
"Well, well, look who's being bold."
"I'm tired of your family."
"No, you aren't, especially not of my brothers. I know you must be sleeping with Nik," she pressed harder on the accelerator as they got on to an empty street, "but what about Elijah?"
"Is that what you think? That I'm sleeping with Klaus?" She tried to keep her heartbeat leveled as she said the words, after all it Kol who had first pointed out how she had seemed interested in Klaus.
"Yes, in all the time I've spent with my brother, I don't ever ever remember him being so concerned about saving a human life. Or that of someone trying to kill him."
"He was only worried about me because of my blood."
"He could've drained you dry, and he already has more than a dozen hybrids. And yet, he didn't kill you."
"Why would he want to kill me? Tha plan was to stop Alaric." She kept her eyes focused on the road, even as felt Kol's fixed on hers.
"And all he had to do to stop Alaric, was kill you." Her heart stopped beating for a moment, and then started picking up pace again, faster than before, and she knew she couldn't lie anymore, and he must have picked up on the change.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't act coy, you had to have known. I know the magic that my mother uses very well, and the spirits wouldn't have allowed her to make another indestructible being, she had to have made a loophole. And it's you, because you were the only one there that night. She linked his life to you, didn't she? That's why, even when you were there during the fight, he didn't use you as a bargaining chip, or try to kill you."
"Alright, you're right." She said knowing she couldn't hide it from him anymore.
"And if I told Nik now, would he try to kill you? I think not."
"I think at this point, he's just tired of killing me."
"If I told Rebekah however…."
"I'd be dead by the evening."
"You're smart, it's something you share with your ancestors."
"Is this why you're here? To make a deal?"
"You should know by now that I'm not like my brother, darling."
"Then why are you telling me this. If you didn't want to make a deal, then why not just tell Rebekah?"
"It's not the right time yet, you see. But I won't be making any deals with you."
"So if I tell Klaus, or Elijah, you still won't tell Rebekah?"
"Which one of them would you tell? Because like I told you, I've never seen Nik panic like that for anyone, and the fear in Elijah's voice when he couldn't make it in time to save you….I wonder who you prefer."
"Maybe it isn't either of them. Maybe it's Finn I want." She said dryly, giving Kol an unimpressed look.
"You're funny. But if you had to, tell me which of my brothers would you tell? Who would you trust to protect you." She knew the answer well, didn't even have to think about it.
"Well, in Katherine's words, why not both?"
"That's not an answer darling, and you know it." Elena didn't care, as long as Kol didn't somehow see her pregnancy reports, she was ready to say anything to distract him.
"Why?"
"I know you're saying it just to deflect from telling me who you prefer, but you should know, Nik isn't good at sharing. Not you and definitely not with Elijah."
"Will you be of use and help me rescue my friends?" She asked ignoring what Kol had said. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing to choose. All she had were complicated feelings for one person, and his hold on her was so strong, it was as if she had forgotten everyone else.
"Why?"
"You realise they have Rebekah too, don't you?"
"Rebekah can take care of herself, well mostly. Actually, you know what, I'll help that way I'll be able to tell her truth about your little connection with Alaric immediately after."
"You really do enjoy creating chaos, don't you?" Kol just smirked in response
