Empathy [Ben Hargreeves]

Episode Nine. Part I.

"Changes"

Eloise and Klaus trailed behind the others as they rushed into the house with an unconscious and severely injured Allison. Each step that Elle took was carefully calculated so that she wouldn't end up on her face.

"She's suffered a severe laceration to her larynx," Mom diagnosed after examining Allison once she had been set down on the medical bed. "One of you will need to give blood."

"I will," all four of Allison's brothers said together.

"I'm doing it," Luther insisted.

"I'm afraid that's not possible, dear boy," Pogo interjected. "Your blood is more compatible with mine." Luther looked aghast.

"Hey, don't sweat it." Klaus bounced forward. "I- I got this, big guy." He slapped his arm. "I love needles."

"Master Klaus." Everyone paused to look at Pogo expectantly. "Your blood is... How should I say this? Too polluted."

Elle flipped her wrist up. The silver scars were illuminated by the bright medical lights.

Diego didn't even wait for Pogo to disagree before he did so himself: "Your blood is staying where it belongs." He pushed her arm down to her side with a warning look that made her pout. He made her feel like an angsty teenager again.

"You're being ridiculous. I can help."

"No. I'm not, and no, you won't," Diego said firmly to Elle. "We're not discussing it." He stepped forward and shoved past Luther's broad frame. "I'll do it." He rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt.

Mom flicked the blood-drawing syringe in preparation. As soon as Diego caught sight of the needle, he let out a whimper and passed out on the floor.

"Stick him," Pogo told Mom without missing a beat.

☆☆☆

"Elle, darling, come in, come in." Klaus waved her into his bedroom but didn't wait to close the door behind her before returning to his swivel chair by the mirrored vanity. "Have a seat. I want to share something you."

Eloise eyed Klaus with his aura colored brown by his nervousness as she sat herself cross-legged on the mattress. "What - Are you pregnant?" she tried to joke so that he'd lose the serious look on his face, but her own words caused her to wince internally because the topic of potential little ones was actually not funny to her.

"No, we're not pregnant."

Eloise choked on her spit at the insinuation in his casual rebuttal, and she cleared her throat several times before she could speak again. "Alright. Uh, what is it? What happened?"