A/N: Um, hello. I've been lurking on this site for some time. I decided to join because I really wanted to write. I'm not very talented, but I like to think up stories. I especially love Klaus and Bonnie, so I thought I might share :) I know this has been done so many times, but I wanted to try it out myself. Since this is AU, many events from the episode are changed. I won't be following the canon too closely. Please don't be too hard if you don't like it. Hope you do, though!

The Contract

~v~

Chapter 1: Trapped

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Bonnie swept back Caroline's hair and caressed her forehead.

"It's okay, you're gonna be okay."

"No, Bonnie...the bite is fatal."

Bonnie shook her head. "Let me try another spell. Just let me try."

Caroline grimaced. "Please, no. It hurts. You already did all you could. I just – could you please find Tyler and tell him to come to me? I'm not mad anymore."

Bonnie frowned.

"But he bit you."

"At Klaus' orders."

"Still!"

"Bonnie, please."

The witch sighed. Her best friend was more forgiving than her. But unlike Caroline, Bonnie was not about to give up. She wouldn't just get Tyler. She'd talk to Klaus.

His house was more guarded than a prison. Hybrids patrolled up and down, in the courtyard, out on the street. It would have been intimidating, but Bonnie braced herself and walked up the alley path leading to the front door. The men and women shot her suspicious looks, but did nothing. Klaus was their master and he was the one who gave the orders. Bonnie pitied them. Tyler was one of them; brainwashed and helpless. Still, she had expected more from him. She had expected him to fight back when it came to Caroline.

Bonnie was about to knock when the door opened wide and a hybrid pushed past her.

A young woman appeared in the hallway.

"And you are?"

"Bonnie Bennett. Tell Klaus I want to talk to him."

"Our sire doesn't just talk to anyone."

"Look, he'll know who I am."

"I don't know who you are, so why should he?"

"My friend is dying as we speak. I need to talk to him."

"No, what you need is to get out," the hybrid spat carelessly.

Bonnie was getting tired of this pointless conversation. She didn't want to hurt her, so instead she lifted up the flower vase behind her and crashed it into one of the walls.

The woman's eyes turned yellow. She bared her teeth.

"Next time, it'll be you," Bonnie warned.

"Now, Tanya, is this any way to treat a guest?"

Bonnie whirled around. There he was, the insufferable bastard. Klaus was leaning against the door frame, watching them amused.

"She was the one who started it," Tanya argued.

"No matter. I am ending it. Miss Bennett, care to join me in my study?"

Miss Bennett? Study? What a pompous ass. But Bonnie followed him, knowing full well that Tanya was glaring daggers behind her back.

"I know why you are here and the answer is no," Klaus said as he sat down behind his desk.

Bonnie raised an eyebrow.

"So, you invited me into your...office and you won't even hear me out?"

Klaus smirked. "That's right. Nothing personal. It's just that Tyler needs to be punished."

"By having his girlfriend killed?"

"No. By facing the consequences of his actions."

Bonnie huffed. "They weren't his actions. You made him do it."

"No, I only wanted him to obey me. He showed willfulness, so I made sure he wouldn't do it again."

Bonnie felt herself growing angrier by the minute. At this rate, she'd explode and attack him, which was probably a bad idea seeing as she needed him to give Caroline his blood.

"So, you want your hybrids to be braindead peons? Is that it? Because that's not power, that's just cruelty."

Klaus smiled. "I believe we have a different definition of power. Cruelty is sometimes necessary to ensure success."

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that. I don't know how you can sleep at night," Bonnie retorted. She was trying to appeal to his sense of shame, but she suspected he didn't have one.

His eyes flashed momentarily. He surveyed her critically, as if she were another piece of furniture in his study. She could see he found her lacking.

"As fascinating as this moral lesson might be, I will need to cut our meeting short. I have business to attend to."

"Bending more innocents to your submission?"

Klaus chuckled. "Is this your way of asking for my help?"

Bonnie was caught off-guard. She stammered a little.

"I-I thought even you would have a conscience."

"You thought wrong."

Bonnie sighed. So, plan B then.

"Okay. Look, Caroline is dying. I love her, I'd do just about anything for her. What will it take for you to give her your blood?"

Klaus got up from his chair and walked up to her. He shook his finger at the witch.

"You know, Bonnie, in the art of war, one must never give away one's weakness. You just did."

Bonnie rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I'm a human being. I'm not a monster like you. If that makes me weak in your eyes, I don't care. What do you want in exchange for your blood?"

Klaus put one finger to his chin pensively.

"Well, a bargain is far more enticing than a scolding."

Bonnie narrowed her eyes.

"You get one favor. Only one."

"You're the one who needs me, not the other way around," Klaus pointed out.

Bonnie folded her arms.

"One favor."

The hybrid appraised her with something akin to curiosity.

"What makes you think I'll comply?"

Bonnie kept a straight face. She knew that if she showed any sign of hesitation, he'd pounce on it.

"After all, you tried to kill me. Repeatedly. You and your merry band turned my own brother against me. Wasn't that cruel?" he mocked.

"You know you deserved that."

"Did I?"

Bonnie knew he was just wasting time. Caroline might be taking her last breath.

"Are you going to take the deal or not?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"I'm...considering it. But I would require a very big favor indeed."

"I can't help you get back the coffins. Even if I wanted to, the witches' spirits guarding them would simply render me powerless."

Klaus raised an eyebrow.

"Who said anything about coffins?"

Bonnie tensed. If he didn't want his family, then...what?

"Okay, then what do you want?"

Klaus circled her like a lion stalking its prey.

"Stefan thinks he is going to win this little battle of wits, doesn't he? Sometimes, I admit I feel outnumbered. But not if I snatch one of his ...peons."

Bonnie didn't miss the malice in his voice. Or the irony.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, Miss Bennett. If I am to let Caroline live, I must take something away."

Bonnie bristled, as Klaus drew closer. He smirked. "I think you realize by now what I mean."

The witch felt sick to her stomach. She avoided his predatory gaze. He must be out of his mind.

"No, I don't," she lied. "And I don't want to find out."

Klaus took one step back.

"Very well. You have a choice to make. Either you agree to serve as my witch, or you let your dear friend perish. Either way, you have ten minutes to decide. After that, the offer expires, and the lovely Caroline dies anyway."

With that, he stormed out of his study, leaving her in complete shock and dismay.

Bonnie looked at her phone screen, counting down the minutes. She was tempted to call Elena, or Matt. Not that they'd know what to do, but she needed to hear a friendly voice. And she needed someone to tell her not to take this insane deal. Because she was tempted to.

What choice did she have?

Maybe she could fight Klaus and take the blood from him by force, but she was currently in his house which was filled with strong and impulsive hybrids. She no longer had the power of one hundred witches. She couldn't think of a way to trick him out of his blood. And she couldn't risk Caroline's life on tricks.

What if she called Stefan and Damon? A witch and two vampires might be able to take down more hybrids.

She rang Stefan. He was not answering. She tried Damon next. It went straight to voicemail.

Where the hell are they?

"Damon, when you get this, find Stefan and come get me at Klaus' house. I need backup."

"Asking the Salvatores for help right now would be pointless."

Bonnie closed her eyes.

"Stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Sneaking up on me."

Klaus stepped into the room with his hands in his pockets.

"I came to tell you your time is almost up."

"I know that. Wait, why would calling the Salvatores be pointless?"

Klaus smirked. "Well, I'd imagine that after what poor Elena's been through tonight, Stefan is off somewhere trying to drown his guilt. And Damon is most likely playing the white knight to the battered doppelganger."

Bonnie's mind was reeling.

"Elena? What happened to her?"

"Oh, you don't know? While you were busy with your friend, Caroline, your other friend was at Stefan's behest. He threatened to kill her and turn her. He even fed her his blood. You can imagine my displeasure."

Bonnie shook her head.

"No! Stefan wouldn't do that!"

"Ah, yes, because he will do anything else, but not hurt the girl he loves. Revenge, however, is stronger than love."

"Oh God, is she -"

"No. We reached an agreement. But, unlike our present deal, that one went rather sour for me. In order to save your precious Elena, I had to give up something of my own."

"And...what's that?"

Klaus sighed. "What do you think?"

Realization dawned on her. "The hybrids."

"After tonight, they will be gone from Mystic Falls," Klaus announced soberly.

Bonnie narrowed her eyes.

"Why...would you give me this information?"

"To show you that I can be honest, Bonnie. And that I will keep my word. I will save Caroline."

"I haven't accepted yet."

"And I have lost too much for one night. I will take something in return; if not you, then your dying friend. You'll agree it's only fair."

Bonnie sat down in one of the armchairs and put her head in her hands. Losing Caroline was not an option. But neither was giving herself away like this. If the hybrids were leaving town, maybe she could take him down, maybe she could find someone to help her...

Klaus looked at his watch. "And your ten minutes are up. My offer expires in ten, nine, eight, seven..."

She had to think of something quick. Bonnie gripped her phone. There was no one. She only had herself. And she was running out of time.

"...six, five, four, three, two -"

"Okay! Okay, I'll do it."

Bonnie quaked at the sound of her own words. She had said it.

Klaus clasped his hands in satisfaction. "Splendid. I knew you'd make the right choice."

The right choice, she thought bitterly. The right choice for who?

Maybe it wouldn't be final. He couldn't force her to do his bidding. After Caroline was saved, she could go back on her word, she could fight him, if it came to that.

"Now, shall we sign a contract in binding magic?"

Bonnie looked up in surprise.

"I know my ways around witches. I have done business with them for centuries. I'm not counting on your word."

Bonnie gulped. A contract in binding magic could not be broken. Not even by powerful witches. And he knew that. She was doomed. She should have known not to strike a bargain with an Original. Now it was too late.

"I see you are reluctant. I, too, am reluctant to give my blood."

"If I do this, Caroline lives?"

"Well, if you hurry up, she will," he replied with a mocking smile.

Bonnie closed her eyes. There was no way out of this.

"Okay. Do you have a dagger?"

"Caroline. Caroline, wake up. It's me."

The blond vampire's eyelids fluttered open. Bonnie exhaled in relief. She was still alive.

Caroline rubbed her eyes tiredly and tried to rise from her bed, but she found she was too weak.

"Bonnie...?"

"Lie down, it's gonna be okay. Look, I brought Tyler with me, like you asked. He's in the kitchen, waiting to see you."

"Thanks, Bon. Tell him to come in, I'm not afraid of him."

"There's...someone else who has to see you first. Someone who will help," Bonnie said, caressing her friend's pale face.

Caroline frowned and then her mouth opened in horror.

"W-What is he doing here?"

Like a shadow from another world, the hybrid appeared behind Bonnie.

"He's here to make you better. His blood will save you, Care."

"No, Bonnie, get him away from me! Please!"

"He won't hurt you. I'm here."

"No, he's gotten to you too! Tyler! Tyler, help!"

Bonnie tried to calm her friend, but no coaxing would do. She kept shouting for Tyler.

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Is she always so dramatic?"

"She's delirious. Because of the bite," Bonnie replied angrily.

She glared at Klaus. "Well?"

"I will need to pin her down."

Caroline became hysterical. Both Bonnie and Klaus had to restrain her to the bed. The hybrid bit into his wrist.

"Get away from me!"

"Caroline, you have to drink," Bonnie pleaded. She held her friend's mouth open while Klaus held his wrist to her lips.

Caroline first struggled and gagged, but at length she swallowed the blood with tears in her eyes. After a while, her temper subsided and she fell into a torpor. Bonnie set her down gently on the bed. The bite from her neck was gone. Her beautiful skin was intact once again. Bonnie bent down and kissed her forehead.

When she turned around, Bonnie found Klaus watching her. He was annoyed by the display of affection.

"Are you ready to go?" he called coldly.

"Wait."

Bonnie disappeared into the house and came back with Tyler at her side. Although every inch of him craved to attack Klaus and tear him to pieces, his hybrid instincts forbid him to do so. He could not help it. He only gave Klaus a withering glare. Then he bent down and, squeezing Caroline's hand, he waited for her to open her eyes again.

"Thank you, Bonnie," he said, giving her a smile. He would be damned if he thanked Klaus.

Bonnie smiled back, although there was apprehension in her eyes. It was done. They had saved Caroline. But only she knew what awaited her.

She did not want Klaus to beckon her again. She walked out of the room in silence. She knew the hybrid was on her footsteps.

Back at his manor, Klaus was sending off his hybrids.

"I will require you to move into this house, of course."

Bonnie had had the worst night of her life, and now all she wanted was to go home, sleep and forget everything. But no, she had signed a binding contract. And that meant she had to actually pay heed to his words.

"Is that necessary? I can do my job from my own home, thank you very much."

"All the same, I'd feel better knowing you are around," he mocked, smiling a sweet smile.

They were standing in the manor's large hallway, watching the hybrids go one by one.

"I won't betray you...if that's what you're concerned about. The contract prevents that."

"Yes, I know. But others will betray you. When they find out - because they will - that you are under my command, they will try to harm you."

Bonnie grimaced.

"I'm not under your command. I still have my own will. I can protect myself. And not everyone is like you, Klaus."

"Oh. You think your loyal friends will spare you just like you spared Caroline?"

"What are you getting at?"

"I'm only saying...if you become a threat to them, they will take you out. The Salvatores in particular."

"Just because they're vampires doesn't mean -"

"No, of course not, but they both love the same doppelganger and that leads them to make questionable choices."

Bonnie huffed.

"I'm not moving into this place. I'm not going to follow you around just because we're..." she winced, "working together. I have my own life. I'm not going to stop everything for you. That is not part of the contract."

"If you are to be my witch -"

"You might think I'm your witch, but that doesn't mean I'm your servant."

"You know very well you must stay by my side," Klaus insisted.

"No."

He shrugged. "Fine. Suit yourself. Go. But you would never get to meet your mother."

Bonnie felt like a dagger had been planted into her heart and then twisted, for good measure.

"What did you say?"

"Your mother. The one who abandoned you when you were a child? I thought you'd like to see her."

Bonnie was crestfallen.

"How...?"

Klaus chuckled. He placed one arm on her shoulder.

"You should know by now, I know everything."

Bonnie yanked her arm away.

"That's not possible."

"Oh, it very much is. I tracked her down weeks ago."

Bonnie stared at him dumbfounded.

"Why...?"

"Think, Bonnie."

And she did. It didn't take her long to figure it out.

"You...this was your plan? This was your plan all along?"

Klaus' smile widened.

"And what plan is that, Bonnie?"

She scowled. "No! You tricked me!"

Klaus put a hand over his chest.

"My goodness, that is quite slanderous. I did not trick you into anything, Miss Bennett. You agreed to this."

"You looked into my past, found out about my mother, tracked her down...you told Tyler to bite Caroline knowing I would come to you for help."

Suddenly the room was spinning. Bonnie held onto the banister for support.

"One can't help being predictable, Bonnie. And you, out of all your friends, are the most predictable. Did you really think you'd escape my radar?"

Bonnie shot him a look that would have sent him to an early grave.

"You almost killed Caroline just so you could trap me."

"Au contraire, you've trapped yourself."

"Is this a game to you?!"

"Almost everything is."

"You asshole, you evil bastard-"

"Clever evil bastard, though, wouldn't you agree?"

Bonnie was about to raise her hand and send him into the next wall, but her magic was suddenly cut up short.

The contract. She couldn't harm him and he couldn't harm her.

Klaus smirked.

"Problem?"

Bonnie gritted her teeth. "Yes. You're my problem."

"One of the servants will show you the way to your room. Do you like pastels?"

"Go to hell," she spat.

"Your belongings will be fetched for you. As for your neglectful father, he will not notice your absence. I will make sure of that."

"If you hurt him -"

"Just a simple compelling charm. That is all. Now, wouldn't you like to see your new bedroom?"

She had told him to go to hell, but Bonnie had the feeling she was the one who had fallen into the depths of the underworld.