Prologue

Bonnie had just been stabbed by one of the five and watched him cut Jeremy so he could feed Silas. She had thought that that would be the end of it and there would never be a cure for Elena until Elena herself appeared knocking out the hunter and saving Jeremy.

Relief engulfed Bonnie. Everything was going to be okay. Elena would feed her her blood so she could be healed and the cure was finally theirs for the taking. Everything was going to be fine. Yet when Elena bit Jeremy on the neck and force fed him to Silas, Bonnie realized that this was not her best friend. No. This was Katherine.

But how? How could Katherine have possibly known what they were looking for? How could she know that there was a cure? And if she knew, why would she want it?

Her thoughts were swept aside when she heard sickening snap and a heavy thud on the floor and realized that Jeremy had fallen unconscious while Katherine unceremoniously stepped over him and grabbed the small box that contained what they had gone through so much trouble to attain.

As Katherine made her leave, cure in hand, Bonnie laid on the cave floor slowly bleeding to death, her breathe coming in short laboured gasps, her mind reeling trying to process the events that just occurred before her eyes. In her clouded mind she tried to think of something, anything to do but it was useless. She didn't know where any of her friends were or if they were alive, and Silas was growing stronger by the second.

Yet amidst her muddled thoughts and her slowly fading conscience, Bonnie suddenly remembered a spell from Emily's Grimoire. She had debated using this spell in the past when her Grams died but in the end she had lacked the courage-and possibly even strength-to use it.

If Bonnie had not been slowly bleeding to death, if she could muster the strength to reassure herself that her friends were fine, and if she could have believed that Jeremy was still alive, she would have been weary to try such a spell.

As it stood, her options were limited and the lives of the people she cared about were at risk. And Jeremy-

Bonnie stifled a sob as it bubbled to her throat. Jeremy had been so glad to be here with her. He had been so relieved that he would have his sister back as a human. It was completely unfair. She couldn't let Jeremy's life end like this. It would be a waste. Katherine had taken the cure and he would have died for nothing. They had failed.

No. She could not, she would not let things end like this.

With newfound determination, Bonnie focused her thoughts, took two deep breathes, and tried to recall the spell. The spell wasn't overtly lengthy and it was simple enough. The spell itself wouldn't be a problem. But as her memories became clearer she realized that the problem would be the ingredients she needed to perform it.

The tears she had withheld earlier, now streamed effortlessly down her cheeks. She couldn't hope to go through with the spell without the essential ingredients. A bout of silent rage overtook her. Bonnie had never felt so powerless. She had always been the strong one, the one who saved the day. The saviour of Mystic Falls.

Even when things seemed impossible she found a way. Hadn't she done exactly that when she realized that Klaus had taken over Alaric's body? Hadn't she found a way with Damon?

Damon.

What would he say if he saw her in this state?

He'd probably disapprove of her wallowing, but he would ignore it and would desperately try to come up with something. But Jeremy. He wouldn't care about Jeremy…would he?

But she didn't need Damon, or anyone to help her. After all Shane had taught her Expression.

"With Expression you don't need spells or ingredients…"

But Bonnie hesitated, remembering her father's fearful gaze as she lost control in the interrogation room with Shane. Could he be right in thinking she no longer had control over Expression but rather it had control over her? Would it be too risky, to dangerous to try such a spell with Expression? Would she be strong enough even with the help of this newfound magic? And if she managed to perform the spell, what consequences would there be? Bonnie suppressed a shudder as she recalled the blood pouring out of April's wound when she had cast a protection spell on Shane after Kol had taken him.

Bonnie glanced slightly to her right were Jeremy's body laid still, cold, and quite possibly dead. No, most certainly dead.

Her attention was drawn to Silas as she heard his sharp intake of breathe, and she knew-risk or not-she had to do it. She had to use Expression.

Her resolve unwavering, Bonnie struggled slightly as she pulled herself into a sitting position, grasped Qetsiyah's necklace tightly in both hands, and began channeling her power.

Her lips parted of their own volition and her chanting began steadily, the tremor of her voice slowly decreasing as it became stronger, louder, confident. She could feel it, the change in the air, the magic seeping through her and around her. But she could also feel her control ebbing away. Terrified, she tried to stop, but found she couldn't.

Suddenly a bright light engulfed the small enclosure where Silas was rapidly awakening. And Bonnie's last thought was of something deep within her telling her the spell had gone terribly wrong before she gave in to despair and unconsciousness.

The cavern became dark once more and the shadows covered Jeremy's body and the tall form of Silas slowly rising from his resting place. And there, where Bonnie had been, was nothing but a pool of dark blood slowly seeping into the cracks of the cavern floor.


A/N: This is a collaborative effort between a friend and myself and is just for fun. Feel free to R&R.

Disclaimer: The Vampire Diaries belongs to L.J Smith and CW. This is a work of fiction and is in no way intended to violate the terms of copyright for The Vampire Diaries.