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Chapter 3

Bonnie's eyes flew open and despite the fact that the room was completely dark she could still see. The heat in her throat was unrelenting and demanding her attention. She sat up in bed and was contemplating what to do next when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Hungry?" Kol whispered and she smiled a little as his voice was tinged with sleep.

"Is that what that feeling is?"

"A warm burning like whisky?" he asked and he had sat up next to her now. It finally dawned on her that she was in bed with original vampire Kol Mikaelson. This had been a crazy ninety-something hours. She nodded and got out of bed. He was beside her in a second and his hand slipped into hers. He led her quietly out of his suite and downstairs. They entered the kitchen and she opened the fridge.

"Nope, Elijah and Klaus are connoisseurs," Kol said and he opened a door. They walked into a room full of climate controlled glass-fronted cabinets with what looked like an entire blood bank stashed inside. There were all different types and they were kept at different temperatures.

"Wow," Bonnie gasped.

"We call it The Red Room," Kol smirked. He opened a door and then pulled out a drawer lifting out a bag. He handed it to her and then opened another drawer.

"Why do I get this one?"

"Some blood seems to be more complex than others. It's best to start with something simple and then work your way around until you find a favorite or two." he opened the bag for her and she frowned before finally closing her eyes and taking a sip. It was good and more importantly it made her throat start to feel better.

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The next morning Kol bolted awake as he instantly noticed Bonnie's absence beside him. Having her sleep next to him last night had been a rare pleasure. Of course even though it had been just to make sure that he could help her through any kind of issues with her new life it had still been nice. She hadn't even objected as he wrapped one arm around her waist.

Now however, he was quite alone. A quick listen told him she was not in the en suite bathroom and he dressed in a hurry. What if she had gone out and already done something horrible and he had failed her? He concentrated on his hearing and picked up her human-sounding heartbeat.

He found her outside sitting on the grass with her fingers dug into the earth. He settled quietly next to her feeling her anxiety and her pain but not knowing what to say.

"I can't feel them anymore. I can't feel it anymore," She broke the silence with a quivering voice. "It's a beautiful day out here and I feel nothing!"

"I'm sorry Bonnie though I'm told most people go through their whole life like this," Kol tried.

"I can't feel the other witches – my ancestors!" Kol closed his eyes a moment as he felt a new wave of anguish wash over him. Did Ayana have any idea how difficult this was going to be for him – reliving those memories and feeling her pain and loss?

"I'm sorry love. I know how great your sacrifice is – what you've given up for me and my family – for a species you hate," Kol said gently. Bonnie finally looked as him and he saw the tears threatening to fall.

"That's right, you do know don't you? Your mother is a witch so you were born with it. They took it away from you too. Kol I am so sorry that happened to you." She apologized to him for something that happened a thousand years ago. No one in all that time had ever truly understood his anger. Sure all of his siblings had experienced anger at their condition at one time or another but none of the rest of them had been as in touch with their witch side as he was.

She meant to lean over against his shoulder but instead fell over into his lap and promptly got the giggles.

"You are the clumsiest vampire I have ever seen," he teased in a whisper.

"I'm practicing being human," she teased back. She looked at her watch before springing up from her spot. "I've got to hurry or I'm going to be late for school and unlike you it's important that I graduate in a few weeks." She raced off towards the house.

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So many people and every single one of them smells amazing Bonnie thought as she passed three classmates. She was trying hard to fight off the temptation but she couldn't. One more complication on a Monday morning was all she needed.

She felt the blood lust rising until she took in a few deep breaths and stopped walking. Pulling open her purse, she searched for that Ziploc baggie that she placed in there filled with grapes and peanuts. Popping the grapes and peanuts into her mouth, she felt like they were addictive.

This is what you meant she thought as she popped another peanut into her mouth. Before she would never have them on hand but since she decided to go to school, she wanted something to sate her needs that looked believable. The grapes were logical but the peanuts were a surprise.

Elena who smelled delicious-probably because of her doppelganger blood- walked over to Bonnie and raised an eyebrow at Bonnie as she saw her pop a peanut into her mouth.

"Dad thought I would like this brand." Bonnie lied to her as she popped another one and offered Elena one. Elena shook her head.

"I'm allergic to nuts of any kind." Bonnie must have groaned as Elena hugged her. "It's okay-just because I'm allergic to nuts doesn't mean anything!" She offered her a smile. Bonnie still thought she was an idiot for forgetting that her best friend was allergic to nuts. She had always put it off but now, she truly felt horrible.

"I am sorry!" Bonnie told her with wide eyes. "I just-I just forgot!" Again, Elena brushed it off with a smile.

"It's fine Bon. Believe me, its fine." Her eyes were playful. "Caroline also forgot back when she first transitioned and offered me a bag of peanuts as well." Bonnie stiffened. Elena didn't seem to notice anything was wrong with her.

"Of course, she had a lot on her mind since Katherine had strolled her way back to town." Elena finished but the last part sounded truly sad. Bonnie, on the outside looked like she was sad but on the inside, she was near tears. She remembered how much they had all gone through – especially Elena and Stefan when Katherine had showed up.

She knew that Elena had a crush on Elijah-she had, after all, admitted it to her and Caroline a few days after the sacrifice. Bonnie was also rooting for 'Elejah' as Caroline called it one day when they all played a game of 'truth or dare' and Elena had to confess to both of them about her crush. Caroline was in agreement with her. Bonnie hoped Elena's crush on Elijah would not bring her such heartbreak as her love for Stefan had.

The bell rang and as Elena pulled Bonnie into Alaric's class, Bonnie tempted fate once again and tried to resist the new urge to sink her fangs into everyone's neck.

It was going to be a very long day.

After only ten minutes in her history class, a knock on the door revealed Caroline who was helping in the attendance office.

"I was told to give this to Bonnie by her cousin Will." She said as she handed Bonnie the note that read:

Go to the parking lot-Kol

Bonnie began packing her things and smiled at Alaric. "He says that it's a good family emergency."

Alaric nodded and knew that Elena would give Bonnie the homework that she missed. Running at human speed, she made it to Kol's car. Sliding inside, she put her seatbelt on and he drove her away from the school.

"Okay cousin Will – what gives? I thought you were taking classes?" she asked. He snorted.

"I am-I just have a different schedule than yours but it seems like I may end up changing it to suit yours." He gave her a cheeky grin and she rolled her eyes at him. She wasn't sure about how long they were driving until he stopped near The Falls and leaned over her to get a plastic grocery bag out of the glove box.

"Come on darling," he cajoled as he got out of the car. "Come for a walk with me and here-some refreshment." He threw her a blood bag that was in the plastic bag he was holding onto. She opened it and drank down greedily without messing up her clothes.

"I hope that you don't mind me pulling you out of History-I felt your bloodlust and it was driving me crazy." He chuckled. "Since I decided to skip today and stay home, I began bothering Nik who told me to 'control myself' as I began drinking half the blood that we have stockpiled in the Red Room."

"I understand why it's called the red room now." she teased. He nodded.

"The Red Room-it's our family's little inside joke – or one of them anyhow," Kol smirked.

They made it back for second period and as she was about to go in by herself, Kol smirked and followed her.

"You don't need to." She hissed lowly and he chuckled.

"I very well do-remember earlier?" She blanched at the reminder. "So you see, darling, I have to follow you around as well as change my schedule."

By the time second period-which was gym-was over ("Thank God! Did you know those basketballs are nearly flat!" Kol complained), he led her over to his car and they drove off the school property.

"Now where are we going?" she groaned, thinking that they were going to the woods again.

"We are going to practice hitting baseballs."

She was so doomed.

"You need to keep your eye on the ball!" Kol encouraged. She glared at him. So far, she's the one that's been getting hit by the balls. He was growing slightly frustrated with her and decided to help her out with them.

"Just relax your body…keep your eye on the ball…" he said softly as he moved her and as soon as the bat collided with the ball, it went flying. Dropping the bat, she was jumping up and down and she turned to hug him.

"Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!" she squealed at the top of her lungs. He chuckled at her enthusiasm.

"It's no problem darling." He said with a kiss to her cheek.

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Liz was holding up a couple clothing choices at the mall that afternoon for Caroline to decide if they were good enough for her Policeman's raffle. Caroline, on the other hand, was staring at them intently and trying to imagine her mother wearing them.

"Caroline sweetie?" Liz asked, pushing the two choices to her daughter who ended up shaking her head.

"Totally not your style! You need something sweet, like…that" she whispered to her softly as she held up a blue short sleeved shirt that was paired with some nice jeans. Liz looked at the two shirts she was holding and nodded. Her daughter was right. Liz noticed Caroline was looking at a strapless black dress with hardly any back to it, Liz grabbed it and smiled at her. Normally, Liz would worry-and she still does-but as her daughter is stronger than normal, Liz tries to take it all in stride. Even if her baby is a blood drinking creature, Caroline will always be her baby.

Liz would have killed Bill when she found him torturing their baby but she knew that it would have broken Caroline's heart but God help her she had wanted to.

"Let me buy you this-as another birthday present from me, okay?" Caroline looked at her and smiled, actually hugging her in public.

"Mommy…you don't need to." Caroline said as she felt guilt. Liz shook her head.

"All mothers do this-buy their children clothes even if that child has money." Caroline laughed.

"All the good ones anyways," She teased as her mother always told her that 'the good moms always buy whatever it is that their child truly deserves'. Liz hugged her back and they pushed the cart around to look for more clothes for their slowly growing closets.

Out of the whole week, this Monday afternoon was her favorite as she spent it with her daughter.

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