A/N: Thank you for your reviews and for welcoming me back. Here is the second chapter, only slightly altered. Hope you enjoy!


a little drop of poison

When Tyler had returned to the mansion looking like a wounded pup and reeking of magic, Klaus had wanted answers.

"Well? Is it done?"

Tyler had shifted his head miserably. "I bit her."

"Then why do you smell like you've stumbled upon a witches' den?"

Tyler had growled. "I could've killed Caroline! Why would you do this?"

"Could have? You mean you didn't?"

"Bonnie got in the way in time. But I – I had to bite her. I had to bite someone. Because of you!"

"The witch. You bit her."

At first, he'd considered logistics. If Tyler had really done it, Bonnie Bennett would be dead in the next twenty-four hours. Yes, she'd hold out longer than a vampire, but eventually she would succumb.

Then he considered his own feelings on the matter. If the witch should die, how would it affect him?

He had outlived so many foes, sometimes he even stopped to grieve for them. It was always a shame to lose a good adversary.

But this was different.

Instead of sadness, he felt oddly restless and angry.

He had never had many worthy opponents in his life. In a thousand years, he could still count them on his fingers. One of them had been Bonnie Bennett, a living, breathing teenage witch. He had always thought a day would come when they would face each other again. He'd been comforted by the knowledge that she would be there, ready to fight him when the time came.

She would not disappoint. She would not die until he killed her.

And now Tyler had undone this.

He could not stay his hand, he punished him. He seized Tyler by the neck and threw him across the drawing room, scratching the antique parquet. He held him down until he begged to be forgiven. The only thing that prevented Klaus from continuing his punishment was the need to reach Bonnie and cure her.

He had found her looking more fragile than he liked, but in possession of the same white fire in her eyes that would make even the strongest hesitate.

He had never realized until now that she was an important element in his life, not only because she was a useful witch, but because she was a true opposite. He needed this kind of righteous enemy to keep him in check. As long as she survived, he was free to be as despicable and cruel as he wanted. She would always be there to keep the balance.

For the first time in many years, Klaus was stirred by the need to protect what was good, so that he could be bad.

He almost felt sorry that, in drinking his blood, Bonnie would be bound to him in a way she might hate.

Almost.

But afterwards, he was not sorry at all.


Bonnie rubbed her eyes several times to make sure she wasn't seeing things. But the manila folder on the table and the note attached to it were still frustratingly real. She paced the kitchen with wide steps, turning the matter over in her head. She could not see why he would do this for her.

What game was he playing? What was he hoping to gain from it? And why now?

It was clear to her, at least, that last night's apparition had not been a hoax. He had eventually disappeared from her bedroom, but it had taken some effort on her part to clear her thoughts. The blood she had drunk had forged a connection between them that made it possible for him to reach her, reach into her mind.

How else would he have known that she had dreamed about her mother and the coffins again?

She walked back to the table and looked over the note.

Bonnie,

To prove how profusely apologetic I am for the inconvenience I've caused you, I have taken it upon myself to ease your mind of a difficult task. You will find enclosed in the folder your mother's personal file, her new address and a number by which to contact her.

Best of wishes,

Klaus

A picture of Abby Bennett stuck out of the folder. The woman who smiled back was practically a stranger, yet instantly recognizable.

The Original was actually reuniting her with her mother.

Damn him.

It didn't make sense. He was sabotaging himself. Bonnie wanted to track Abby down to ask for her help, not her affection. She had long ago gotten used to a motherless life. What she needed was another witch to assist her in opening the last coffin. Stefan had told her that defeating Klaus hinged upon that coffin. Why would the hybrid put himself in danger like this? Didn't he know that two Bennett witches were bad news?

He has something to gain from it. Always, she thought miserably.

Nevertheless, the note still unnerved her. She could see that he had sat down and written it for her in old ink. His handwriting was the kind you saw in calligraphy classes. Even the paper smelled ancient. She had wanted to burn it, but found herself unable to dispose of it.

Bonnie bit her lip. Even if Klaus had set a trap for her, she still wanted to find Abby. But she needed someone to go with her as backup.

Her options were few.

If she called Elena, her friend would surely tell her it was not safe. She'd claim Klaus was trying to hurt her and she shouldn't give him what he wanted, whatever that was. After the events in the woods, Caroline and Matt would be equally vocal about her staying put. Stefan and Damon were still busy keeping the coffins secret and she wasn't sure she could trust them. That left Tyler, who had bitten her, and Jeremy, whose memories had been wiped and was miles away.

I guess I have to do this by myself.

But when she stepped out into her driveway, backpack slung over one shoulder, a tall young man was waiting for her at her car. His grey eyes scanned her with detachment and a hooded smile teased his lips.

"Bonnie Bennett. Name's Tony. Klaus sent me to look after you. We're going to see your mother, yes?"

He was one of his hybrids.

Bonnie wanted to laugh. How did he expect her to spend several hours with a creature that could kill her with a single bite? Not only that, but he was also a spy for Klaus.

The hybrid interrupted her before she had time to voice her disapproval.

"If I don't help you, Klaus has ordered me to rip my own heart out."

Bonnie grimaced. There it is.

Leave it to him to turn every gesture of kindness into an act of cruelty.

He must've known that she wouldn't let – what was his name? – Tony kill himself, even if he was a spy.

Well, if this is a trap, it can't be worse than what's happened to me already, she thought grimly and got in the car with Klaus' hybrid.

Tony drove in silence as Bonnie read and reread her mother's file. Catching up with an absent parent's life was depressing work. It said there that her mother had remade her life in a new town with a new family. She had adopted a boy, Jamie. She had a job. A house of her own. And she never gave a thought to her daughter back in Mystic Falls. But never mind that.

Bonnie set down the folder and looked at the scenery unfolding outside her window. Without looking at her companion, she asked,

"So what else did Klaus tell you to do? Did he tell you to find the location of the coffins? Because you're not getting that out of me."

The man kept quiet as he made a turn in the road and Bonnie thought he hadn't heard her, but at length he spoke.

"No. He doesn't want that. Just told me to protect you. Keep you safe. Your mom too."

Bonnie wasn't fooled, but she reasoned that the Original could have killed her mother easily and removed her as a threat, if he'd needed to. The fact that he hadn't done it suggested bigger plans. Maybe Stefan had it all wrong. Maybe he wasn't that scared of the last coffin.

"Let me guess. If you don't, you die."

"Pretty much," he confirmed.

Bonnie sighed, resting her head against the seat. "Don't you find that unfair? That he asks you to put your life on the line?"

The man scratched his stubble indifferently. "It's a show of good faith. He just trusts me not to fail. That's all."

"That's a nice way of looking at it. But don't you wish you were free of his hold?"

"No. He spared me the pain of turning every full moon. I'll always be grateful."

Bonnie knew he was being sincere. He really believed everything he said. Tyler must have been in the same helpless position. She wished she could help them somehow. It saddened her, how much genuine power Klaus had over them. She was one of the few people he couldn't control.

Oh, can't he? What about the blood?

She shook her head to get rid of that ugly reminder.

"Does he ask you to run errands like this a lot?" she asked instead.

"I'm his right hand man," he nodded.

Bonnie chewed on her lip. "You can't tell me why he's doing all of this, can you?"

The man turned his head towards her and gave her a cursory glance. The hooded smile returned.

"Afraid not."

"I thought so," she mumbled in disappointment. "Thanks anyway."

"Well…I can tell you one of the reasons."

Bonnie perked up, raising her head eagerly. "Yes?"

He coughed awkwardly, one hand on the steering wheel, the other rubbing his neck.

"He's trying to make a good impression."


To say that having tea with her mom, her half-son and a hybrid was awkward was the understatement of the year.

"Does he have to loom over us like that?" Abby questioned, narrowing her eyes.

Bonnie cleared her throat.

"Tony, could you give us some privacy?"

The hybrid huffed but stepped out of the living room. Not out of earshot though. Bonnie knew she had to be careful with her words so as not to reveal the coffins' location. But the way things were going, she wasn't sure she needed the precautions. Abby Bennett hadn't been very helpful so far.

"Tony?" her mother echoed. "You know him?"

"Not exactly."

"But you know what he is, don't you?" she said, her eyes flitting to the dark figure in the hallway.

Bonnie waved him off. "We're not here to talk about him."

"Please tell me you're not hanging around Klaus."

Bonnie's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"Hybrids can only mean Klaus. I already dealt with his father once and almost lost everything. Don't make my mistakes."

"I'm sorry, but you're not in a position to judge or advise me. I just want to know what you can do to help me. That's all," Bonnie spoke coolly.

"I'm only trying to protect you when I say this –"

"A little bit late for that," Bonnie cut her off.

Jamie coughed awkwardly. "Maybe I should brew a new pot…tea's getting cold." He got up and went after the hybrid.

Abby lowered her head and pursed her lips. "You're right, Bonnie. I should probably just stay quiet… I feel awful I wasn't there for you. I should have protected you every step of the way. Instead I ran."

Bonnie's grip on her mug was bit too tight. She didn't like where the conversation was going.

"It's – it's okay. Grams did the job very well. Now, about your powers."

If Abby was disappointed at her daughter's abrupt change of subject, she didn't show it.

"It's like I said. I lost all my powers desiccating Mikael. They never came back. I don't want the same thing happening to you."

"But have you tried –"

"Rerouting my channels? Yes, the spirits won't answer."

Bonnie tapped the mug with her fingers restlessly. "You mean you can't help me at all?"

"I wish there was a way –"

She groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Great."

"I know you were counting on me. I'm sorry."

Bonnie looked down at her fingers. "I guess I'll have to open it by myself." Again and again and again.

Abby shook her head. "Please don't, Bonnie. It could destroy you."

Bonnie shrugged. "I'm strong. I've always been strong, if you haven't noticed."

"I know that, but someone like Klaus Mikaelson can put you in an early grave. Stay far away from him and his kind."

"This is my last chance to defeat him," Bonnie whispered, looking over her shoulder warily.

Abby smiled bitterly. "You know I thought the same thing when I faced Mikael. I thought I had a chance."

"I do."

"Maybe. But if you want to win, you'll have to go about it a different way."

Bonnie scrunched her forehead in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean magic isn't enough. Magic alone won't defeat him."

"What will?"

Abby pressed her lips into a thin line and looked down into her mug. Her silence was maddening.

Bonnie cast a mute charm over the room.

"You can talk now –"

Abby looked up stiffly. "Whatever is in that coffin won't stop him. He's a monster. And the only way you defeat a monster is by becoming a monster yourself."

Bonnie frowned. "I don't understand."

"I was close with Mikael. I almost became…" her mother trailed off, her voice shaking. "I left you, didn't I? That's the price."

Bonnie looked away. No. That's not an excuse for leaving. Her mother was just saving face.

"I will find another way," Bonnie said, trying to convince not only her mother, but herself too. I won't become like you. I won't become like him either.

They remained silent for a long time, until the hybrid walked back into the room.

"Had a nice chat? Good. We have to go now."

Bonnie turned in her chair. "Go?"

"Back to Mystic Falls. We're taking your mom with."

Abby looked at the hybrid. "I told my daughter I can't help her. That should be good news to you and your master."

Tony scratched the back of his head. "I don't know about that. But orders are orders."

Bonnie swore under her breath. "You didn't tell me about these orders."

"Yeah. Sorry about that," he shrugged. He didn't sound very sorry.

"I'm not going," Abby declared stubbornly. "He can come here if he wants a quarrel."

"Thought you'd say that."

Before either of them could stop him, the hybrid had Jamie by the scruff of his neck and was threatening to snap it.

"Tony, don't!" Bonnie cried out.

"Tell her to come along peacefully then."

Bonnie looked over at her mother. Abby's face was so pale she looked like a ghost. She clenched and unclenched her fists. "I'll do anything, just don't hurt him."

Bonnie swallowed down the irrational pang of jealousy. "What does Klaus want with her?"

"He'll tell you himself, I'm guessing. Remember, my life's on the line."

Bonnie heaved a sigh. She didn't know how she felt about bringing her mom back to Mystic Falls. Part of her wanted to run, like Abby.

"I'll go," her mother said softly.


The ride back into town was loaded with tension and unspoken words. Bonnie found it impossible to say anything to her mom that wouldn't sound fake and cold. And Abby was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice her daughter's disquiet. Tony alone was humming to a tune on the radio, oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

Bonnie grew more and more irritated. She turned to the driver.

"You know, if all Klaus wanted from the start was to bring my mother to Mystic Falls, why didn't he just do that? Why the lies and the note and the charade? Why even bring me along?"

Tony blew air through his mouth and chuckled.

"I told you. He wants to make a good impression. He wants you to appreciate him."

Bonnie caught Abby staring at her meaningfully in the mirror. Her mom looked surprised. Not the pleasant kind of surprised.

"It's not like that. He's just trying to manipulate me," Bonnie muttered embarrassed.

Abby remained stoically silent, but she exuded disapproval through every pore.

When the car finally stopped it was night time and they were parked in front of Klaus' Family Mansion. The doors opened wide and Tony ushered them inside the sweeping hallway where none other than the Original himself was waiting with two glasses of wine.

"Ah, Bonnie. You received my note," he greeted her, his eyes lighting up.

Bonnie raised an eyebrow. "How could I miss it?"

He walked up to her and slipped one glass between her fingers. "Refreshments?"

Bonnie stared down at the glass. Who knew what he'd put in it. "You know I'm not legally an adult, right?"

"I won't tell," he winked.

Bonnie accepted the glass reluctantly.

Klaus turned to Abby. "You brought your mother along. How lovely."

Abby glared at him. "No, you brought me here. What kind of trick is this?"

"Let's retire to the drawing room and discuss, shall we?" he said, placing a hand on Bonnie's lower back. It was a very light touch but she felt a sharp tingling sensation where Klaus' fingers were nesting. She wanted to pull away, but Tony had grabbed her mother's arm and was leading her towards the drawing room. Several other hybrids were watching them behind parted doors.

She gripped her glass and let him guide her into the room. She made sure, however, not to make eye contact or lean into him too much by accident.

"I hope you managed to rest well last night," he murmured close to her ear. Bonnie pulled her head away.

The bastard. Of course he knew about the blood connection.

She breathed out and smiled a saccharine smile.

"Thank you, I did."

He narrowed his eyes at her and his jaw clicked, but a devious smirk played on his lips.

"Good."