As Damon came to, memories of his last moments of consciousness played in his mind like a Technicolor film.

The overpowering scents of sex, blood and magic flooded his nose as he burst inside of the room. His human visage fell away as it catapulted him into full-blown blood lust.

Klaus sat sprawled in a large armchair. His hands threaded in the hair of the woman on her knees before him. Her rounded bottom was flushed a deep red, her pretty pussy swollen and dripping.

Klaus suddenly trained his gaze on the interlopers, shifting from human to hybrid in an instant with an enraged snarl. The woman turned, familiar green eyes wide with shock and fear.

"Nik, don't!"

A second later, his world went dark.

So Damon was surprised to find himself slumped back in the study they had left Kol in just moments earlier. His t-shirt was sporting a gaping tear and was still damp with blood.

"Oh BonBon, you got some 'splainin to do," he groaned weakly as he tried to sit up.

"Ow!" Damon cried as the blood bag smacked him on the forehead. He pried an eye open to find her. She was across the room, next to the couch that Caroline was laid out on.

She was dressed now, he noticed with some regret. And there wasn't the slightest hint of her sweet smell in the air.

"If that mouth of yours is working, you've got enough energy to heal yourself" Bonnie muttered, not even bothering to turn to address him. Her focus was entirely on Caroline.

"Ugh, what the hell?" the pretty blonde moaned as she tried to get up. Bonnie gently helped ease her into a sitting position.

"Easy Care, you're still a little weak." Bonnie warned, brushing some loose strands behind her friend's ear.

"Why does my chest feel like it's been ripped open?" Caroline whined as she brushed her hand across her chest. Her eyes widened as she stared down at her blood stained fingers.

"Oh my god!" she muttered as everything came rushing back to her. "OH MY GOD!" she shrieked as she shoved Bonnie away from her.

In her shock, she used her full strength as she shoved the little witch. Only Klaus kept Bonnie from flying across the room. He angrily stared down at his former flame.

"Tread carefully Caroline." He warned her softly, his barely concealed anger dropping his voice an octave.

"What the hell Bonnie?" Caroline sputtered indignantly, as she ignored him completely.

"Care, I know it's a bit of a shock," Bonnie started diplomatically, wincing at her friend's glare.

"A bit?" Caroline echoed caustically as she glared at the couple. "You had his dick in your mouth, Bon. Shock doesn't even begin to cover what this is." Anger and betrayal radiated from her in suffocating waves, turning the pit of Bonnie's stomach into knots.

"We've been looking for you for weeks now-"

"She's been here with me for months." Klaus countered, his electric blue eyes blazed with indignation. "Pray tell, what's happened to manufacture this sudden concern for her well-being?"

That deflated Caroline a bit, but not much. She turned her ire back on her best friend.

"How could you?" She asked in as cold a tone as Bonnie had ever heard her speak.

Bonnie blew out a slow breath as she looked her friend in the eye. " I know I should have told you what was happening but.."

"It'd be too embarrassing to admit you're spreading your legs for baby Mikael. Got it," Damon interrupted smugly, his lips twisted in a cruel smile. "Oh Judgy, how far you've fallen." He chided, gasping as he felt the tips of Klaus's claws digging into his chest.

"It would give me great pleasure to crush this useless lump in your chest. Again." He warned, scrapping his claws against the dormant organ.

"My bad." Damon wheezed, too scared to move, in case Klaus's claws dug any deeper. He dropped to his knees once Klaus's hand cleared his chest cavity.

Bonnie could only shake her head in exasperation. If this kept up, Klaus probably would kill both of them. Intentionally this time.

"Could you give us a minute?" She asked him softly. A bright smile lifted the frown off his face.

"Of course my light. We'll be in the sitting room when you're ready." He grabbed Damon by the neck and left the room.

"My light?" Bonnie turned back to a stone-faced Caroline, not entirely sure of where to start.

"I'm sorry you had to find out like this" Bonnie began, sighing heavily as she rubbed her forehead.

"But not sorry about sleeping with him right?" Caroline asked, an eyebrow raised and a bitter smile marring her pretty features.

"No, not at all." Bonnie replied honestly. "I know what you walked in on, but Nik and I-"

"Oh, so now he's Nik? And you're his light." Caroline said bitingly. "These little nicknames help you forget who he is? Who you are? So you can just screw him and forget about everything? And everyone else?" Caroline asked her bluntly, her anger swelling with each question.

Bonnie felt her own temper begin to rise. She reminded herself what Caroline walked in on and that her friend was also just recovering from her heart being nearly crushed. Literally.

Still, Caroline's anger seemed a bit hypocritical. A troubling thought immediately begin to form.

"As far as I was aware, he meant nothing to you. Was I wrong about that Care?" Bonnie's face revealed nothing, but there was something in her voice a bit…unsettling. Caroline checked the blistering retort on the tip of her tongue.

"No," She carefully replied after a long moment. "Whatever we were is long gone." She confessed with a heavy sigh. "But Bonnie, you and Klaus? Seriously!"

"Yes. Us," Bonnie confirmed with a huge smile. "We can save the how for later though. Let's get you some more blood and then you can tell me why you're really here."

A short while later, Caroline and Damon described the gang's latest misfortune. Klaus could listen to their troubles without concern; after all, they were lowbrow beings of little consequence. In fact, their only importance in the world were the feelings of kinship and loyalty they continued to inspire in his little one.

So he tuned out their endless droning and frequent use of the doppelganger's name and considered matters of actual significance.

As nausea suddenly washed over him like a tidal wave, his blue gaze snapped in the direction of his mate. Outwardly, she appeared calm, but the bile that rushed up his throat told a different story.

By the time he had her in his arms, the house began to splinter and crack as the ground beneath it trembled angrily. Lightning viciously crackled amid the torrent of rain that now marred the day that seconds earlier had been sunny and cloudless.

Bonnie felt trapped, desperate to escape the panic closing in against her on all sides. She had been free. Finally. And now to have to go back. She couldn't, couldn't…

The sudden rush of calm was dizzying, blessed relief. The tightness in her chest holding her breath hostage loosened. Warmth replaced the cold that had formed a sickening pit in her stomach.

She burrowed deeper into Nik's embrace, letting his large palm sweeping down her back chase away the rest of her terror.

"Nik, I-"

"Be at peace, my sweeting." He commanded tenderly. Moments later, only the sound of her even breathing could be heard throughout their bedroom.

The sky was streaked the brilliant oranges and red hues from the setting sun when Bonnie woke hours later. Klaus wasn't with her, but Bonnie felt his presence keenly. His overwhelming need to protect her and the need to eliminate what he felt was clearly a threat.

"Did you send them away?" Bonnie asked. Klaus turned from staring at the sunset to observe his mate.

From his view on the balcony, she looked so fragile in that moment. Her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Those fey green eyes wide and wary as she nervously bit her plump bottom lip.

"Is that what you hoped I would do?" He asked curiously as he entered the bedroom. He worked hard to contain his smile when Bonnie huffed and looked away. He sat next to her and gently turned her head back towards him.

"I cannot deny it took quite the effort to restrain my autocratic tendencies," Klaus replied saucily, dimples on display as a full grin brightened his features.

"But to be free or beholden to the curse of your line ever remains your choice my little one," he continued soberly as he brushed his lips against hers

Bonnie sighed as the full weight of his words and the world settled on her shoulders. She kissed him softly before resting her head on his shoulder.

"It should be easier," she complained forlornly, Klaus nodded sympathetically as he wrapped her in his arms.

"I want to help them because I want to, not because I'm compelled to." Frustration laced every syllable.

"The curse is broken now love," Klaus gently reminded her.

"Is it?" Bonnie challenged him. "It doesn't feel broken. It feels like it always does. Like I don't have any choice because it's too important," she continued resentfully.

Bonnie suddenly found herself beneath Klaus. His gaze was tender as he traced her cheek and then her jawline.

"Only you are important, my sweeting" he said countered softly. "Their troubles are as great or insignificant as you deem them to be."

Her gaze bore into his for a long moment before she crushed her lips to his in a kiss borne out of pure frustration. Teeth and tongues clashed and soon her desperation gave way to desire.

Bonnie rained kisses and bites along Klaus's jaw and neck once she freed his mouth. Her fingers tunneled through his curls as she pulled her mate closer.

"I love you Nik," she murmured against his collarbone before biting down harshly. His feral growl had her core dripping in delight.

"As I love you my sweeting," Klaus ground out as her nails scored his scalp. The mouthwatering scent of her arousal had his fangs elongating in anticipation.

Bonnie's tiny hands tore at their clothing, eager to feel him against her with nothing between them. She groaned in relief when her stiff, dark nipples finally brushed against his bare chest. Her legs wrapped around his hips and she rubbed her soaked cunt against his heavy erection.

Klaus's control was threadbare; everything in him was demanding to fuck Bonnie senseless. He had no doubt that would happen, but there was something more pressing to be attended to first.

He reversed his position so that he laid beneath her, his hands clutched her hips as she stared down at him with surprise in her stunning green eyes.

"Take what you need my light," he said silkily as he squeezed gently before releasing his grip. She caught his hands as they fell away and directed them to cup her breasts.

"You're indulging me now?" she asked playfully. His smile turned downright wolfish as he squeezed her breasts.

"Always."