Title: The Summoning
Rating: M
Summary: Bonnie Bennett is called to the time of The Originals to insure that they remain human but things don't go as planned...
Pairing(s): Bonnie/Klaus, Bonnie/Elijah (one-sided), Emily/Elijah (one-sided), Elijah/Lucy, Damon/Emily, Stefan/Rebekah, Caroline/Tyler, Matt/Katherine, Jamie/Elena, Finn/Abby, Jeremy/Kol, etc.
Chapter Nine: Home
Emily Bennett eyed the house in front of her with some trepidation. While Stefan's reception of her was surprisingly civil if not a little warm this was her family, the only family that she had left.
"Don't look like that Emily," Klaus said stepping up just behind her, "You are far scarier than at least half the inhabitants of that house." He could feel Bonnie's power call to him from the other side of Sheila Bennett's door and didn't want to rush Emily as he knew what it was like to want the acceptance of the only family that one has but at the same time he knew that he could stay away from Bonnie much longer.
"Go ahead and go to her Niklaus," Emily said smiling up at him, "I can feel her as well. She needs you more than I do. I'll just be a few minutes."
"Very well," Klaus said, "But I promise you have nothing to worry about." Klaus nodded though he still took her luggage along with him as he walked toward the house and up the steps.
Stefan walked up behind her placing a hand on her shoulder. "They have forgiven me for far worse than what you've done," Stefan said softly, "And I'm not family."
"You've changed since I last saw you," Emily said, "You're not as pure but you seem freer for it."
"Purity," Stefan said, "Doesn't always earn you absolute forgiveness. Being impure doesn't necessarily earn you damnation either."
"You are smarter as well," Emily said solemnly, "That comes with experience. I am not looking for their forgiveness only their acceptance. I did what needed to be done and I cannot apologize for that."
"Even though Bonnie was hurt because of it," Stefan asked raising a brow at her.
"Damon is the one who attacked her even though it was me that he was angry with," Emily said, "But I will give her one if she wishes it."
"Why?" Stefan asked wondering why she would bother if she didn't feel like she owed her one.
"Because I know what it feels like to not get one when it's deserved," Emily said, "Besides Bonnie and I…we are alike in many ways. I believe if anyone can understand my action it would be her."
"If you're right about that she won't ask you to apologize so there's nothing for you to worry about," Stefan said. He was already sure that Bonnie wouldn't hold it against Emily. She may have done some judging of other's in her time but being with Klaus had changed her. And even without Klaus she understood what it was to make a choice that may have been seemed wrong to others but was for the greater good. Emily's hesitance in dealing with Bonnie surprised him; it wasn't really her that Emily had to worry about. "What about Damon?" Stefan asked.
"What about Damon?" Emily said. They had been friends once. She had loved him. They had betrayed each other. And now they were nothing. It was something that she had come to force herself to see on the ride over. Even though she had loved him she had save Katherine and even then he had not completely kept his promise to her so in her anger breaking hers had been easy at the time though thanks to Niklaus she had known that she would break it when it was made.
"I know you loved him once," Stefan said his tone leading. Not that he could judge her on matters of the heart. Though he still cared for Elena and would likely still do anything to protect her, his feelings for her had changed. He couldn't say that he didn't love her but he could say that he wasn't in love with her. Then there was the matter of Rebekah. The more time he spent with her the more right it felt. There was no judgment, no expectations, no pressure to be anything other than what he was and yet he couldn't bring himself to take it beyond the casual flirty comment or suggestive glance.
"It was a fatal choice when I made it," Emily said, "And there are things that you don't know. There are things that you would never understand, things that he would never try to understand."
"Try me," Stefan said trying to keep his tone neutral and his face passive. He had always expected there was something that he wasn't aware of. Emily had kept things from them before so he wasn't surprised.
Emily sighed leaning against Stefan's car. "I told you that Katherine compelled you," Emily said, "That was the truth. And though I wasn't fond of her methods it was love that made her do so." Emily paused before looking at Stefan her expression betraying the war going on inside of her. "Damon's interest in her was what I lied to you about, though it was more a lie of omission. His interest in Katherine was never as genuine as I led you to believe."
"What was it?" Stefan asked, "A spell? Why would she bother if she could have just compel him?"
Emily shook her head. "It wasn't a spell at least not in the way that you think," Emily said. She reached up and tucked as stray strand of hair behind her ear before she continued. "Witches are creatures of balance we cannot manipulate emotions. We cannot create love nor destroy it." She glanced at Stefan to make sure he was paying attention and found that he was seemed to be all ears. "Do remember when I told you that I was indebted to Katherine because she saved my life?" Emily asked.
"I remember," Stefan said, "The night I transitioned." Stefan leaned against the car with an encouraging nod their shoulders touching.
"Well the night that she saved me it was the night I first encountered George Lockwood," Emily said remembering, "It was in his wolf form of course. When he first trigged the curse his murders started in the town that I resided before Katherine had me move with her to Mystic Falls. She didn't know who or rather what she was saving me from but she saved me just the same. When she found out what I was, what I was capable of it didn't take her long to collect on the debt."
"So that's how you ended up with her," Stefan said, "But what does this has to do with Damon's feelings for her."
"I'm not sure how even to this day or why for that matter but George found me after the attack," Emily said, "He wanted to apologize. I in position had no choice but to accept. He took an…interest in me. Came by when Katherine wasn't around which was more often than I was comfortable with but as he knew what I was and could easily threatened to use it against I did my best not to provoke him."
Stefan still wasn't sure what this had to do with Damon but he decided not to interrupt. He was sure that eventually she would get to the point.
"There was a night I went to town in search of Katherine," Emily continued, "I had hoped that I might convince to move somewhere outside of George's reach. I never found her but I did happen to run into Damon."
This got Stefan's attention. As far as he had known Emily had met them both through Katherine. Damon had never said anything different.
"He was so drunk that he probably doesn't remember," Emily laughed, "But I knew right away what he was to me. My magic called to him and for days after the encounter as small as it was I could think of nothing else. I knew that eventually if I ever saw him again he would feel the pull too. That is how karmic relationships work. Something that is meant to be and something that is out of your control."
"Like Klaus and Bonnie?" Stefan asked remembering what Klaus had told him. It was so evident in the way they were with each other. Even as enemies there was something volatile there. Though Klaus had done well covering up his other feeling toward Bonnie it hadn't been hard for Stefan to pick up on Klaus being impressed by her, almost proud at times, and there had been an undercurrent of desire there which Stefan had attributed to his desire for her power but now knew that Klaus had desired much more.
"Exactly like that," Emily sighed, "I wrote about him; about our connection. It was stupid but I had to get it out of some way and I didn't trust Katherine with the information. George found my grimoire on one of his visits and that was when the problems started. He knew of your family and in his jealousy threatened Damon's life. Though even in death the connection still exists. He wanted me to sever the connection but there was no way to do so. I felt trapped and I didn't know what to do. I just knew that I couldn't Damon die. I asked my ancestors for answers and they showed me the face of a man. Niklaus. In my desperation I called him to me, Summoned him."
"And he came," Stefan stated knowing that there was no way he hadn't, "Because you were Bonnie's family." He wondered what Katherine would say if she knew that he had known where she was long before she had thought. That she had been running all of those years from something that had always been there just around the corner.
"Ye," Emily nodded, "And because my ancestor Ayanna had advised him that I would make a good ally. She had seen as much and so he came. He didn't offer me his protection in the beginning, not until I was to be burned actually. In the beginning he sought to gain my trust, my friendship. So when I asked him to help me he told me that I would find answers on the night of the solar eclipse and I did. That is how my association with Niklaus began."
"What answers did you find on the night of the eclipse?" Stefan asked wanting to know how Emily's relationship to Damon was at all tied to Damon's feelings for Katherine.
"There was no way to sever the connection," Emily said slowly, "But there was a way to transfer it. My own could not be changed but there was a spell that would cause to project any feelings that he might have had to me onto someone else. Niklaus understood the relationship because it was the same as the one that he and Bonnie shared." Emily stopped talking biting her lip and taking a deep breath before continuing her take. "He understood the toll that it would take on me to watch him giving those feelings that were mine to someone else. He even offered to kill George but I didn't want his blood on my hands and I knew his death would be no small thing. He was still human and it was the only way that I knew to protect him so I made up my mind to do it. To complete the spell I needed a woman to fill my space in Damon's soul….at the time Katherine was the only one that I had direct access to." Emily waited for the information to sink in but even as it did Stefan said nothing. "I need her cooperation and Niklaus advised against it I approached her. I didn't tell her about George, only that given the times I thought it would be too dangerous for Damon were he to feel anything for me. She agreed rather quickly for a friend she had said but I knew she would want something eventually. I performed the spell and told George that I had discovered a way to sever the connection. This appeased him and he continued to come in secret though his visits stopped when…."
"Go on," Stefan said reaching out and taking her hand, "I'm listening."
"Katherine decided that we should move," Emily said, "To Mystic Falls, which is how we ended up rather deliberately on Katherine's part at the home of Giuseppe Salvatore. She wanted to meet this Damon and couldn't resist the thought of him fawning of her and so there we were. Then there was you and her games began. George didn't want to risk his standing in the community by showing up the doorstep of one of the founding family's homes to me so I was finally rid of him though the costs seemed greater than the burden at times even with Damon's life at stake."
"Couldn't you have reversed the spell?" Stefan asked choosing not to go into her part in Katherine's actions.
"Just because George couldn't have me didn't mean he would want me with anyone else. Besides that I doubt that Giuseppe would have liked a son who he was already disappointed in following me in the manner in which he did Katherine. As I would have returned his feelings it would have actually been worse. Even without those factors the spell was meant to be done Stefan," Emily said, "Damon's…love for Katherine was his primary motivation for many years. It set many things into motion from you two being turned to Bonnie going back which I realized later was the reason that Niklaus told me of the eclipse in the first place."
"So he manipulated you," Stefan said not at all surprised, "Then why offer him your friendship even now?"
"He did it for Bonnie," Emily said simply, "My feelings for your brother allow me to understand that. And besides that he gave me a way to cheat death so that even if I cannot have Damon I can live as long as he lives and that is a gift that I could never repay him for."
"Why don't you lift the spell now?" Stefan asked.
"I already have," Emily said with a small smirk, "Which is probably why his affections were able to transfer so quickly to Elena after the Katherine's rejection and for that I can apologize to you."
"No need," Stefan said shaking his head, "You know with Elena he's just looking to replace something that he lost. Something that he thought was with Katherine, it makes sense that he would look for in again in someone with her face and without her attitude."
Emily laughed. "I suppose so," she said.
"But if you lifted the spell," Stefan said something dawning on him, "Then there's nothing blocking your connection. When Damon sees you…"
"He'll feel my connection him," Emily finished on a nod and that scared her more than anything else.
Stefan was about to answer her when Rebekah's car pulled up in front of Sheila's house. Caroline and Sheila got out first neither of them noticing he and Emily as Stefan upon arrival had parked across the street. He was about to tell Emily that they may as well go over as Sheila was home when he saw Rebekah get out of the car and Matt Donovan follow behind her. They were walking rather close together, so close in fact their sides were touching. When Rebekah laughed at something that Matt whispered in her ear Stefan growled.
"Seems like I'm not the only one with a complicated love life," Emily commented. She laughed as Stefan grabbed her arm and pulled her across the street any concern for Emily forgotten in the face of what he wouldn't admit (even to himself) jealousy.
:::
Bonnie sat on the couch next to Jamie. He had been quiet since Lucy and Elijah had left. Elijah had said that he had wanted to see the place where his mother's body was hidden but Bonnie sensed that there was another reason that motivated him altogether. She hadn't said anything. In truth she was relieved that they had gone. Whatever it was that was between them Bonnie could feel it and it was becoming kind of irritating. Then again so was Jamie's silence.
"Is something wrong?" Bonnie asked finally not able to take it any longer.
"Nothing really it's just," Jamie hesitated, "I feel kind of useless. I mean you and Lucy have these powers and these roles to play in all of this but…me...I'm just human. I don't know anything about a lot of what's going on around me. Mom is missing and you're in danger and there's nothing I can do about it."
"First you don't have to worry about me because believe me I have more than enough people willing to protect me at the moment. Probably more than I am comfortable with," Bonnie said. She really didn't understand how Elena could do it. Though she was grateful her instinct to protect everyone was also kicking and she was so close to taking everyone else out of the equation and going after Mikael herself. "Second just because I am powerful doesn't mean I've never felt powerless. We're all pretty much sitting ducks until Mikael makes his move. Until then all we can really knew is pray that Abby…mom is safe and hope that we can talk Grams into making her famous apple pie when she gets back."
Jamie nodded feeling a little better about the whole thing. "Didn't they leave to get cheesecake though?" Jamie asked.
"Yes," Bonnie nodded, "But that is mine and if everyone else has pie they won't try and steal it."
Jamie laughed shaking his head. Even though she had never spent time with their mother she reminded him a lot of her; from reassuring him to her apparent obsession with cheesecake. He was just about to tell her as much when the front door opened.
Bonnie could feel Klaus even before the door opened. It was taking more than a little restraint for her not to jump off the couch and run to him as he entered coming into the living room calling, "Honey I'm home." Klaus stopped just inside the living room and eyed Bonnie and Jamie curiously which surprised her because she thought there would be more anger there as he didn't exactly know who Jamie was and they were sitting a little close. "So you've met your brother then," Klaus said as he walked over to where she sat and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"You knew?" Bonnie asked accusingly turning to glare at him even as he sat down on her other side.
"It's something that concerns you," Klaus shrugged, "Of course I knew." Bonnie continued to glare at him. "Don't give me that look, love," Klaus said his tone placating, "Sheila wanted to be the one to tell you. Besides you've had enough to deal with."
"Yes I've had so much to deal with," Bonnie said smiling sweetly, "You being the worst of it all." Jamie raised a brow. This was obviously Klaus, or at least he hoped it was considering his arm was around his sister and if he wasn't he was sure the real Klaus whom Lucy said was rather lethal wouldn't be happy. But if it was Klaus he wasn't sure why Bonnie was insulting him.
"You know just what to say to make me smile," Klaus said doing just that.
"I'm you enjoy being a burden to me," Bonnie said crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. She was more annoyed that everyone seemed to know more herself about than she did than she was at him.
"Oh but I do," Klaus said nuzzling her neck causing Bonnie to let out a rather embarrassing giggle.
Jamie stood feeling uncomfortable. "I'll just leave you two alone," Jamie said.
"No need," Klaus said standing and pulling Bonnie with him, "We'll just disappear upstairs. Nice to meet you though, mate."
"Right," Jamie said choosing not to mention the fact that they hadn't really been properly introduced. Not that the guy would have heard him as he was even looking at Bonnie the entire time that he had been addressing Jamie.
Bonnie had begun to let herself be pulled out of the room before she thought better of it and stopped. She turned to Jamie her eyes apologetic. "You'll be alright won't you?" Bonnie asked still concerned as to whether her words from before had helped him.
"I'll be fine," Jamie said as he sat back down on the couch. He was feeling better though even if he hadn't been he would've faked it just to get out the uncomfortable situation he was in. He didn't want to see some guy grope his sister even if they did just meet. "You two go ahead," Jamie said.
"I like your brother already," Klaus said continuing to tug Bonnie out of the room. He was already offering them more privacy than anyone else even bothered. Bonnie was about to object again when the front door opened again this time Sheila and Caroline entered. "See now Sheila is here so he'll be just fine."
Bonnie only had time to give her Grams a quick wave before Klaus picked her up and sped upstairs. Caroline watched shaking her head; she was smart enough not to interrupt them however. "Where do you want these Ms. Sheila?" Caroline asked gesturing toward the bags in her hands. Sheila didn't answer as she was staring at Jamie. Caroline followed her line of vision her eyes stopping on Jamie and then moving back to Sheila. She assumed from the look on Sheila's face that he was Bonnie's brother. "I'll just be in the kitchen," Caroline said tough she doubted the woman heard her. She backed out of the room smiling leaving the two alone.
"Hi," Jamie said hesitantly not sure what he should say to her; how he should refer to her. He was sure from her eyes that she knew who he was but he wasn't sure how he would be greeted.
"Don't 'hi' me child," Sheila said opening her arms, "Come here." Jamie walked into his grandmother's arms and despite his mother's absence he felt as if he was being welcomed home.
:::
Lucy Bennett was trying to focus on giving directions to Elijah as he drove but she couldn't focus on anything outside of him and what her powers were doing. Now that they were in closed quarters with no one else around there was nothing or no one else she could blame the feeling on.
"Take the next exit," Lucy said trying to keep her voice even. She was choosing to ignore it. They had more important things to worry about namely Mikael and getting Abby back.
"Lucy," Elijah said evenly as he drove, "May I call you Lucy?" He asked as an afterthought.
"Sure," Lucy said with a shrug, "Why not?" It wasn't as if it would make any particular difference she was feeling weird enough already.
"Lucy," Elijah said beginning again as he took the exit that he indicated, "I was wondering if you knew anything about karmic relationships."
"Not in particular," Lucy said sounding bored as she shifted in her seat, "Just what Sheila told me about Bonnie but that was the abbreviated version I'm guessing."
"Something like that," Elijah said smiling, "Maybe you should talk to Bonnie about them. I think that conversation will be enlightening for you."
"Sure," Lucy said not particularly interested but needing some sort of distraction, "I guess. So…being connected to Bonnie. What's that like?" She clenched her hand into fists trying hard to keep her hands at her sides.
"It is," Elijah paused, "Hard to explain. She is extremely important to all of us and I love her very much."
"You do," Lucy nodded suddenly feeling disappointed; "I can see that."
"We all do," Elijah continued, "I was even at one time arrogant enough to think that there was no one that loved her more than I did but I was wrong. My brother Niklaus…he loves her more than I think is describable and he has from the moment he saw her though he couldn't place what it was in the beginning. It was just an instinct to protect and a feeling of being drawn in."
Lucy chose to ignore how much he had said that he loved Bonnie in favor of focusing on Klaus' feelings. "From the first time that he saw her," Lucy said, "Is that even possible?"
"I was skeptical for time myself but it is," Elijah said with a nod, "Rebekah and I felt as similar draw when we met."
"I wonder what that would feel like," Lucy said considering, "I mean that kind of draw, that kind of love." She wasn't sure why she was expressing her thoughts out loud. It was just hard to keep anything to herself with him even this early in their acquaintance.
"I find that if you open yourself up to the idea it may happen sooner than you think," Elijah said.
"I never said that I was closed to it," Lucy said becoming slightly defensive because as much as she wanted it she was closed to it. She was closed to any connection, to caring about to anyone other than herself and in recent years her family.
"You never had to say that you were closed to it as you put it," Elijah said, "Everything else about you says it more than even your words could." His tone wasn't judgmental the way that she might have expected given the statement but rather understanding. "I hope I have not overstepped. My intention wasn't to offend but rather to show some understanding."
"I know," Lucy said reaching out and covering the hand that wasn't on the steering wheel with her own feeling a spark as they touched. She kept the sarcastic comment that was on the tip of tongue because she knew that when it came to people like her finding understanding was a rare thing.
:::
Bonnie only spared a moment to worry about Jamie's reunion with her Grams, the thought lasting up until Klaus closed the door to their room. He placed her down on her the floor and she smiled up at him as he leaned against the door looking down at her.
"You needed me earlier," Klaus stated wrapping his arms around her, "I was here."
"You're here now," Bonnie said softly, "I was just overwhelmed and you ground me that's all. How did things go with Emily?"
Klaus began to walk forward his arms still around and she laughed as she walked backward not being given much choice but to do so. "Things went fine," Klaus said, "She is still dealing with past issues but I am sure Stefan will keep her company until she's ready to come inside. The White Oak Stake is in a safe place, somewhere Mikael can't reach. Hiding it is what took so long."
"That's the weapon you'll us against Mikael?" Bonnie asked. Klaus nodded. "Well why you were gone you missed my cousin Lucy's return. She came with Jamie."
"And I'm sure she's just lovely," Klaus said switching their positions and falling onto the bed pulling Bonnie on top of him, "And I'd love to meet her but some other time."
"Stop trying to distract me," Bonnie laughed placing her hands on his chest, "I wouldn't mention it if it wasn't important."
"Very well," Klaus whispered his fingers playing in her hair, "Go on. I'm listening."
"She confirmed what we already thought," Bonnie said carefully, "Mikael has my mother."
Klaus' fingers paused one of his hands moving from her hair to rub up and down her back the other continuing to twist her dark hair around her fingers. "Then we will get her back," Klaus said.
Bonnie kissed his lips softly. "I know," she said, "I trust that you won't stop until we do." She traced his lips with her finger her touch slow and deliberate before she continued. "Lucy came because she knew that he would be after her next because while my mother was sealing Mikael into that tomb she was hiding Esther's body."
Klaus' eyes had closed as she touched him but they snapped open at her words. "Mother's body," he said confused, "But we buried her."
"I know," Bonnie said her fingers running through his hair to keep him calm, "He came back for it. Kept it like some shrine Lucy said, she also said it was preserved through magic. My guess is he eventually wanted to find a way to bring her back."
"After everything why would he want that?" Klaus asked not really expecting her to know the answer.
Bonnie shrugged. "Maybe he because her," Bonnie said, "Or maybe even in death he wants to have some sort of control over her."
"The second choice is the more likely one," Klaus said his tone slightly bitter.
"Lucy and Elijah left," Bonnie said, "She hasn't been near the body since hiding it and they wanted to make sure it's still there."
"Elijah just wants to see mother for himself," Klaus said his lips turning up slightly. He almost couldn't believe it but it would only make sense if his mother came back somehow given his luck as far as everything outside of Bonnie was concerned.
"Should I have told him to wait?" Bonnie asked, "She was your mother too. Did you want to see her?"
Klaus shook his head. "She stopped being my mother before she died," Klaus said, "I'd much rather be with you."
"I'm glad," Bonnie said, "I missed you. Not just today but…" Bonnie shook her head not wanting to sound selfish given all that everyone was doing for her.
"But?" Klaus asked cupping the side of her face, "You can speak freely. You never have to hide from me. I'm sure no matter what you have to say your tongue has done worse damage before."
"That sound dirty," Bonnie laughed. Klaus raised a brow at her trying to suppress his own amusement. "Okay," Bonnie sighed giving in, "As grateful as I am for everyone's support it's just that someone is always here. And I love them all I really do but sometimes I wish that I could go back to when it was just you and me and Elijah and Rebekah and our cave but then I remember there was no running water and no electricity and no Coco Puffs so I just wish that we could be alone more instead."
Klaus chuckled. "I know what you mean," Klaus said, "If Mikael hadn't ruined my progress we would be in home so big that we probably could go days without seeing anyone even if everyone decided to come and live with us."
"What?" Bonnie asked confused, "What kind of progress are you talking about?" She wasn't sure what kind of progress Mikael could have ruined that would have anything to do with their living arrangements. She did know that if one more person moved into her Grams house that she would probably scream.
"I may or may not be having renovations done on a mansion that may or may not be able to fit us all Rebekah, Elijah, Emily, Stefan, Finn and Kol when I wake them. Even Sheila if she wishes," Klaus said his tone nonchalant.
Bonnie kissed him again this time her lips lingering. "Why are you so perfect?" She whispered against his lips.
"I do have to draw the line if you want any of your friends to move in however," Klaus continued, "Also they will be limited to three visits a week a piece unless you want them all dead within the year."
"Come on," Bonnie pouted, "They aren't that bad." Klaus only blinked at her. "Okay fine but how about Damon gets a free pass only because of Stefan will probably be staying with Rebekah even if he won't even admit out loud that he like her-"
"And Emily will probably want his company as she will be staying with us," Klaus added knowing that he wouldn't let Emily stay alone.
"You talk about my friends but at least they don't possess people," Bonnie said feeling vindicated.
"You're friends with Elena," Klaus said as if the fact trumped all, "Which means if you continue to be considering her predisposition to getting into life or death situations we will likely be dead within the year anyway."
Bonnie could only give a small smile at this as Elena still hadn't called and she didn't want to think about anyone dying at the moment. "Speaking of which Elena can have four visits and Matt gets a free pass and so does Caroline as long as she stays away from Rebekah."
"That goes without saying," Klaus said rolling his eyes just thinking about all of the bickering the two could get up to on a daily basis if given unlimited access to each other.
"When am I going to get to see this place?" Bonnie asked glad to have something to feel excited about.
"Soon," Klaus smiled, "Today if you want." Though he had had it cleaned since the massacre of his Hybrids there hadn't been much work done on it since Bonnie's return.
"Later," Bonnie said not wanting to move. She was surprised no one had bothered them yet and she was just waiting for someone to knock or call out ruining the moment.
"Do you remember that day in the rain?" Klaus said, "When you were so set on avoiding me and I pulled you into the cave?" Bonnie nodded. "And I carved your name into the wall. And we lying just like this and you said I looked like a rat."
"I lied," Bonnie smiled, "You did look like a rat but you were a handsome one." Klaus chuckled and his laughter made her smile wider.
"Be that as it may I think that I will finish and I suggest that you do not interrupt or you will miss a rare and very romantic moment," Klaus said.
Bonnie bit back a laugh before she nodded. "We wouldn't want that," Bonnie said, "I won't say a word."
"That is also a rare thing not to be missed," Klaus said with a smirk. Bonnie slapped him playfully in the chest. "As I was saying," Klaus said sighing happily as her hands returned to his hair, "Then you ran from me but I didn't mind. I knew then that we never really be apart, that I would have you whether you liked it or not. And it doesn't matter whether we have five minutes alone or ten hours because in the end it will always be you and me no matter what happens in between."
"I love you," Bonnie whispered.
"And I will never tire of hearing you say it," Klaus said smugly. He closed his eyes but they snapped open again when Bonnie tugged at his hair.
"You're not going to say it back?" Bonnie hissed.
"I thought you knew already," Klaus said his tone teasing. He tried not to laugh as Bonnie rolled her eyes.
"That's not the point," Bonnie said, "Even if I do know it already you always have to say it back."
"Always?" Klaus asked his tone doubtful, "Isn't that a bit excessive?"
"Waiting a thousand years for me isn't excessive," Bonnie said shaking her head, "But saying I love you is?"
"Well," Klaus said seeming to consider this, "When you put it that way I suppose I could say it back."
"Well?" Bonnie said glaring at him her tone expectant.
"I Niklaus Mikaelson," Klaus said his voice completely serious, "Love you Bonnie Bennett and will continue to do for the entirety of my existence."
Bonnie blushed looking away. "You didn't have to say all that," Bonnie said suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"Yes," Klaus said looking at her his eyes revealing everything that he felt about her, "I did."
Bonnie kissed him again knowing that whether they were in their cave, on at her Grams getting interrupted every other minute, or in an unfinished mansion that Klaus had waited one thousand years to live in with her they would always be home as long as they were together.
:::
Stefan Salvatore watched as Matt and Rebekah laughed a flirted as they peeled apples for Sheila's famous apple pie. Emily's worries about acceptance seemed to be for naught. Emily was sitting at the kitchen table chatting with Sheila like old friends which it almost seemed they were as they knew so much of each other as Sheila worked on making the pie crust at the kitchen counter. Jamie sat next to her seemingly fascinated from the moment he had learned that she was his fourth great grandmother and yet looked so young.
But Stefan wasn't worried about their touching little reunion in that moment as he stood there in the door way seemingly unnoticed by the couple sitting giggling like school girls sitting at the table.
"You know," Caroline said low enough that only he could hear as she walked across the kitchen to stand beside him, "No matter how hard you stare Matt isn't going to burst into flames. I guess if you really want to see him go that way you can always ask Emily or Ms. Sheila but I doubt they'll agree. And I'm pretty sure that if you interrupt Bonnie with that request you'll be the one that gets set on fire."
"Do you really think that everything that comes out of your mouth is amusing or do you just talk to hear yourself speak?" Stefan asked irritated.
"Both," Caroline shrugged unbothered by his tone and amused by his jealousy.
"That," Stefan said gesturing toward Matt and Rebekah, "Doesn't bother you?"
"Why should it?" Caroline shrugged, "Matt and I are friends. Tyler and I may not be in the best place right now but I still love him. Besides while she isn't my favorite person and never will me Matt could do a lot worse than Rebekah."
Stefan scowled. "He won't be doing anything with Rebekah if I have anything to say about it," Stefan said.
"Well you don't," Caroline said candidly, "You may like her and she may love you but you're not together. You still have crap to sort out with Elena and if Rebekah asked you probably couldn't even admit that you have feelings for her. I may not like her but she deserves better than that and unless you can give it to her then I suggest that you keep your mouth shut about who she sees and what she does."
There was a knock at the front door and Caroline wondered who even bothered to knock anymore. Jamie had said that Lucy was with Elijah so Caroline knew at the very least whether or not Lucy felt comfortable Elijah would just walk in.
Caroline left Stefan to his brooding and walked over to the front door. Caroline looked out of the peep hole not wanting to risk anything considering who was after them. When she saw who was on the other side she almost didn't want to open the door but she knew that if she didn't Bonnie would be angry at her. She opened the door and stared the Gilberts down not bothering to hide her distaste.
"We're here to see Bonnie," Elena said firmly. Jeremy stood silently next to Elena and as she glared at him Caroline began to understand the urge Damon had to snap his neck.
"I didn't think you knew still existed," Caroline commented as she stepped away from the door letting them inside.
"I deserve that," Elena said passively, "We both do." Caroline said nothing as she walked back into the kitchen and they both followed her assuming she was leading them to Bonnie.
Everyone in the kitchen stilled as Caroline walked in with the Gilberts behind her. Rebekah glared clenching the knife she had been using to peel and cut apples in her hands. Caroline looked at her with some respect it seemed that there was finally something that they agreed on.
"Grams," Elena said the shock clear in her voice. As she hadn't bothered to call or come by no one had bothered to contact her so neither she nor Jeremy knew how or why Sheila Bennett was standing in her kitchen calmly making apple pie.
Sheila smiled at her as she floured her rolling pin. "Hello Elena," Sheila said neutrally as he rolled out the pie crust. She was glad to see her again but she wasn't too pleased with how her avoidance had hurt her granddaughter.
"You remember Emily don't you Elena?" Caroline said her voice hard. Elena's eyes turned to Emily her shock continuing to grow.
"How…?" Elena asked her expression flabbergasted.
"And this," Caroline said ignoring her shock, "Is Bonnie's brother Jamie." Jamie smiled uncertainly. He didn't know who this girl or the boy was but no one seemed to be happy to see either of him even Matt who Jeremy was starting to think was either really polite and gentlemanly or just really oblivious because he still hadn't noticed that Stefan was glaring at him. But they couldn't have been enemies or they would have let them in in the first place so assumed they were friends.
"Brother?" Elena asked. She had missed so much all because she had decided that she couldn't handle it. Bonnie had put up with Stefan and Damon for her sake for so long but because she couldn't deal with Klaus she was not only in the dark about so much but she had missed so much in Bonnie's life.
"Well you miss a lot when you decide to abandon your friend," Rebekah said playing with the knife in her hand in a lethally suggestive manor, "And to think you always talked about we could never love or care for anything outside of ourselves. I wonder who seems uncaring now."
"None of that Rebekah," Sheila said sternly. To Elena's surprise Rebekah nodded respectfully and gave Sheila a smile before going back to cutting apples as Matt his approval before starting to peel. "Come on in and sit down," Sheila said waving them into the kitchen.
Elena took the seat next to Jamie as his was the only genuinely friendly face in the room. "Where's Bonnie?" Elena asked hesitantly.
"Upstairs," Stefan said. Elena moved to stand up but stopped when Stefan shook his head. "She's with Klaus," he said.
"So what," Jeremy said from where he stood in the doorway speaking for the first time, "Is that supposed to scare us? We came to see her and he's not going to keep us from doing that."
"Niklaus would not keep my granddaughter from seeing anyone that she wanted to see," Sheila said her voice losing its friendliness, "He unlike some people knows how to treat my granddaughter with respect. What Stefan was trying to say is that they need some time alone. You see when you love someone that's what you do, time with them and not look company elsewhere but you wouldn't know anything about that now would you."
Jeremy frowned.
"I didn't think so," Sheila said, "Now you can either come in here and help us with the pies or you can go brood in the living room or you can leave. You take your pick but you are not going to see Bonnie until she comes walking down those stairs."
"If she knew I was here she wouldn't be up there with Klaus right now she would be down here," Jeremy said confidently. Though he still had lingering feelings for Bonnie he would give her up but only if she asked him and if he had to he had some hope that she could still help him find his own happiness. But as far as he was concerned no matter the type of relationship had with Klaus there was no way Bonnie would pick a monster over him.
There was silence in the kitchen until Caroline and Rebekah both broke out in simultaneous laughter. Sheila and Matt shook their heads at the two as Sheila went back to rolling her dough. Jeremy huffed and walked out of the room.
"I guess he chose to sulk in the living room," Caroline shrugged as her laughter subsided.
"What's so funny?" Elena said not understanding what was so amusing about what Jeremy had said. Bonnie had loved him once. But obviously what Klaus said was true…
"Klaus is Bonnie other half," Caroline said, "That isn't something that can't be broken. They're going to be together forever and if you want to be a friend to Bonnie that's something you have to accept."
Elena nodded resignedly. She glanced at Stefan and found that the pain that she had once felt when looking at him had eased some though it hadn't completely gone away. In her time apart from everyone she had found that she had come to accept that he was lost to her and it was obvious to her now that what she had noticed before was true, he had feelings for Rebekah.
"Rebekah," Stefan said almost as if he had read Elena's mind, "Can I talk to you alone for a minute?"
Rebekah looked surprised but nodded. She slid the knife across the table to Jamie and stood. She winked at Matt who had been helping her with her plan to get Stefan's attention the entire day and he smiled at her only just hiding his amusement. Stefan glared as he lead Rebekah out of the kitchen.
Matt moved the bowl of apples in between he and Jamie who picked up one and started to peel. Elena looked to where Stefan and Rebekah had disappeared a moment before shaking her head and looking back at the table.
"So," Jamie said clearing his throat, "Elena. That's a pretty name." Elena turned to him and smiled as Jamie sliced off a piece of apple and popped it into his mouth.
:::
Jeremy Gilbert stood just in the doorway of Bonnie's room. Instead of taking Sheila's suggestion he had decided to go find Bonnie on his own. He had only ever been inside a few times but he still immediately noticed the changes. But his attention was soon drawn to the bed where Klaus and Bonnie were kissing and touching in ways that he and Bonnie never had.
Jeremy's anger and shock increased as words of love spilled from Bonnie's lips as Klaus kissed down her neck. Jeremy cleared his throat. Bonnie jumped looking toward the door her eyes widening when she saw him. She pushed at Klaus' chest but he continued seemingly unconcerned as his mouth opened over Bonnie's pulse point and he sucked unabashedly. Bonnie's eyes closed and for a horrible few moments Jeremy thought that she was going to let Klaus continue when finally she spoke.
"Klaus," Bonnie said her tone breathy in a way that Jeremy had never heard before. It made his gut clench.
"Mmmm," was all Klaus managed as he made his way back up to Bonnie's lips. She must have realized she would have to use more force to get him away from her because she pushed his chest again harder this time. "What's wrong?" Klaus asked sitting up. Bonnie pointed to where Jeremy stood in the doorway. Klaus looked at him as if he had just now noticed her was there which he had. Despite his super hearing Klaus had been more focused on Bonnie's words of adoration and sounds of approval than Jeremy. "Son of a bitch," he muttered falling back onto the bed.
"Don't let me interrupt," Jeremy said angrily.
"It's little late for that isn't it?" Klaus said his tone even more angry than Jeremy. He wanted nothing more than to kill the little shit and the interruption had nothing to do with it.
"Jeremy," Bonnie said getting his attention, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you but you're obviously busy," Jeremy said turning to leave.
"Wait," Bonnie said standing smoothing her shirt and running her hands through her hair, "Look I'm sorry you had to see this but I'm sure Klaus told you before I got that we were together."
"Yeah I knew," Jeremy said shortly, "I just didn't think I would get a front row seat."
"Maybe if you had knocked then-" Bonnie began.
"You never made me knock before," Jeremy said suggestively. Klaus growled sitting up Bonnie's presence the only thing keeping him from snapping Jeremy's neck.
"And you never cheated on me before Anna either," Bonnie said, "But obviously things change."
"Is that what this is?" Jeremy asked, "Some sort of pay back for Anna? I thought that you were smarter than that Bonnie."
"If you wanted to come out and see if I was okay Jeremy then you've done that," Bonnie sighed, "I'm fine. You can go now."
Jeremy decided to bring in his back up plan to getting Bonnie back. "I didn't come here for just that," Jeremy said, "I wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead," Bonnie shrugged.
Jeremy glanced over at Klaus before he spoke. "I want you to be happy and obviously you are," Jeremy said attempting to play on her guilt, "There was a time you wanted the same for me."
"I still want that," Bonnie said her voice softening.
"They're away that you can help me get it," Jeremy said hesitantly, "I wanted to know if you could maybe bring Anna back to life."
There was a heavy silence and it took everything in Klaus not to attack.
"What?" Bonnie asked. He couldn't be serious. Who even knew the condition or the whereabouts of Anna's body and it had been through her appeal to ancestors she was no longer in contact with that she was able to bring Jeremy back in the first place.
"Apparently," Klaus said cynically, "Bringing him back from the dead wasn't enough, love." If Bonnie's anger wasn't coming almost as quickly as Klaus' she may have noticed his intent. "But I don't think you should extend yourself my dear. No I have a solution to the problem that is much less straining for you Bonnie and Jeremy he can still be joined with his lady love." Within seconds Klaus shot across the room and tackled Jeremy to the ground his hands wrapping around his throat. "Being reunited in death is just as romantic as being reunited in life. I am sure that Annabelle will be delighted to see you. Now less get rid of this pesky little ring shall we?"
"Klaus," Bonnie said the warning in her voice clear. Klaus squeezed Jeremy's throat until he gagged and then suddenly released him his knee digging into Jeremy's chest painfully as he stood.
Jeremy stood coughing. "You're choosing that over me," Jeremy said his voice dry and scratchy.
"Leave," Bonnie said glaring at him.
"Have fun with your psychopath," Jeremy said as he walked out of the room slamming the door behind him.
Bonnie sat down on the bed suddenly feeling very tired. Klaus sat down next to her his anger replaced by concern. "Are you alright?" Klaus asked.
"I will be," Bonnie said her head falling onto his shoulder. She still couldn't believe Jeremy would ask her that after everything. He hadn't even come by or called to make sure she had made it back now he wanted her to bring back Anna.
"I'm not apologizing," Klaus said wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"I wasn't going to ask you to," Bonnie said seriously wrapping her arms around his middle.
"I would have if you asked," Klaus said placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"I know," Bonnie laughed, "Because I have wrapped around my little finger." Slowly Jeremy left her mind and her anger disappeared soon after.
"That you do Miss Bennett," Klaus said his anger subsiding, "That you do."
:::
Jeremy came storming downstairs but the laughter coming from the kitchen took the wind out of his sails. He didn't need Elena seeing that he was upset. If she realized that he was angry he would have to tell her why and if she found out what he had asked of Bonnie she would give him shit he was sure.
"Hey Elena," he said calmly interrupting the giggling fit that she was having over the guy who had been introduced as Bonnie's brother attempting to juggle apples, "I'm going to head out."
"You're not going to wait for Bonnie?" Elena asked surprised.
"Nah if she wants to spend time with a crazy Hybrid she can," Jeremy said, "I'll come back later."
"I can call you when she comes down if you want," Elena offered.
"Don't bother," Jeremy said shaking his head, "I'll see her eventually. I'll see you guys later." Matt and Elena waved and Caroline shook her head as he went having heard the exchange from upstairs. If Klaus hadn't already attacked him then she would have.
Jeremy anger and frustration returned as he shut the front door behind him. Damon Salvatore walked up the steps of Sheila Bennett's house just as Jeremy Gilbert stormed out. Damon ignored him figuring that a.) his emo phase had returned or b.) Bonnie had rejected him and Klaus had kicked his ass. Either way Damon found that he could care less. He had been dodging calls from Katherine all day and he was glad with Stefan had called saying something about needing to talk to him and giving him a reason to leave the house.
Damon didn't bother knocking and simply opened the front door. He ran into Matt who was on his way out. "Hey Donovan your friend Tickle Me Emo just stormed out of here," Damon commented, "Did I miss something?"
Matt shrugged. "I guess he's upset he didn't get to see Bonnie," Matt said, "I got a shift at The Grille make sure they don't eat all the pie I don't think three will be enough."
"They're pie," Damon grinned.
Matt nodded. "See you later man," Matt said, "And try not to piss Bonnie's family off."
Damon shrugged figuring Matt was talking about the wayward relatives that Stefan had mentioned to him over the phone. "It's what I do best," Damon said.
Matt shook his head as he walked out. He had tried to warn him but he doubted that Damon could ever behave to save his life. Well as far as Matt knew Emily Bennett was no one to mess with but he guessed that Damon would learn that soon enough.
Damon smelled the pie as soon as he was close to the kitchen. "Sheila you magnificent woman…," he trailed as he felt something odd. A sort of pull he was overwhelmed by feelings that he hadn't in years and they were stronger than they had ever been. What the hell, he thought as he froze in the door way.
"Hello Damon," a familiar voice said and Damon's attention snapped into focus.
"Emily," Damon whispered. His confusion grew as she touched him and there was a tingling sensation. He wanted to run but he couldn't because even if he felt angry, bewildered, and confused he couldn't walk away from her; not when she was there and alive and in front of him. Not when just looking into her eyes seemed to erase every doubt, insecurity, or bit of emptiness that he had ever felt. He didn't understand but Emily was back and somehow something had changed and he was sure as hell going to find out what it was.
:::
Rebekah sat on the edge of the bed in Sheila's guest room her arms and her legs crossed. Stefan stood in front of her silent and grave. She waited not willing to give him the satisfaction of being the first to speak.
"Do you want to tell me what's going on?" Stefan asked his voice hard.
"First I thought that you said you wanted to talk," Rebekah said, "And second I have no idea what you mean."
"I am talking," Stefan said, "I'm asking you a question. And if you need some clarification I am referring to you and Matt."
Rebekah blinked at him. "What about me and Matt?" Rebekah asked deciding to play dumb. Really she was having too much fun with this.
Stefan just stared at her. She had to have known what he was talking about. They had been all over each other and he was pretty sure that it had been deliberate and if it hadn't well Matt would have to answer to him for that later.
"Look I really want some pie because Bonnie won't let us have any cheesecake and I just heard Damon come in down stairs so unless you're going to make me a pie then I suggest you get on with whatever it is you're trying to say."
"Do you have feelings for Matt?" Stefan asked outright.
"If I did would you care?" Rebekah countered. Stefan moved to speak and Rebekah knew it was to demand that she answer his question. "It's a valid question Stefan. I'm not Nik and we don't have some cosmic connection. I can't be expected to wait for you forever. Matt is nice, sweet, gentlemanly, and chivalrous. I mean ever Caroline approves of the match and you know how much the wench hates me."
Sighing Stefan pulled Rebekah to her feet and she let out a sound of surprise. Before she could he grabbed the sides of her face and pulled her to him forcefully kissing her lips. After a moment he pulled back panting. "I would care," Stefan said as if it hurt to do so.
"And why would you care if I had feelings for Matt?" Rebekah asked smugly.
Stefan gritted his teeth. He had only just begun to let himself feel again and already he was regretting it. "Because I want to be with you," Stefan said finally.
Rebekah smiled winningly at him. She felt vindicated and a part of her want to jump for joy but she retrained herself as she walked around him to the door.
"Wait," Stefan said grabbing her arm, "Where are you going?"
"To get some pie," Rebekah said as if speaking to a child, "With all these people here I'm not taking any chances."
"I tell you I wanted to be with you and you're going to get pie," Stefan said dumbfounded, "I don't get it. Isn't this what you wanted?"
"Of course it is Stefan," Rebekah said sincerely as she turned back to him, "At least partially."
"What else is there?" Stefan asked frustrated and hoping that after all of this she wasn't playing some kind of game with him.
Rebekah took a deep breath before she spoke. "When you can say what you just said to me to Elena," Rebekah said, "Then we can talk."
Stefan sighed as he watched her leave. No games just as valid request that Stefan could no longer avoid.
:::
Katherine Pierce had been calling Damon all day and all day she had gotten no answer. She had promised Emily that she would talk to him before her arrival. Not that she owed Emily anything in her mind but the woman had promised that if she settled things between her and Damon that the debt that she owed Emily for convincing her George Lockwood to help her escape during the vampire hunt so long ago would be paid. It was Katherine's own fault for promising Emily that she would do anything if she insured her survival and with a whispered spell the witch had made it incapable for her to break her word.
Someone else may have thought it to be karma. She had taken full advantage to Emily's help and assistance in her schemes after saving her life all those years ago and now she was the one with the debt to pay. She had thought that Emily's death had freed her but Emily wasn't dead, something that with Katherine's luck she should have known from the beginning. She had never seen the witch burn and now she wished she had stayed to make sure that she had.
When she had finally given up on calling Damon, Katherine had tried Emily instead. Emily had told her to keep trying as if tracking Damon down was easy, and then when she did she would actually have to make him listen to her which was even harder.
So Katherine had decided to track Emily down inside which was why she had pulled up in front of Sheila Bennett's house. She took moment to wonder why there were so many cars in front of it before getting out of the one she had gained through compulsion.
Just as she made her way toward the steps the door open. Matt Donovan stepped out his narrowing as he saw her.
"Hey Matt," Katherine said smiling doing her best Elena impersonation. Matt rolled his eyes at her.
"Katherine," he said nodding neutrally. While he didn't want to make any assumptions as to why she was there he didn't trust her either.
"I'm guessing Elena is already inside," Katherine said as she stopped in front of him. Matt nodded. "Well if you'd excuse me," Katherine said going to move around him but Matt held up his hand.
"Not so fast," Matt said, "First tell me what you're doing here and then I'll consider letting you inside."
"I have other ways of making you move," Katherine said almost laughing as he tried to threaten her.
"You could try to hurt me be but," Matt said, "I don't think you want to piss of the three witches, three vampires, and two Originals in there who seem to think I'm a nice guy so I doubt you'll do it."
"I'm impressed," Katherine said with a smirk, "But I don't have time for this."
"Tell me why you'll here and I'll let you pass," Matt said not backing down. He wasn't about to leave for work with Katherine around. Even though he knew the people inside could more than handle her he didn't want them bothered if it wasn't necessary. They had enough to deal with.
"It's a long story," Katherine said impatiently.
Matt pulled out his phone and called his job. Katherine raised a brow as Matt called off work, ended the call, and then leaned against the front door. "I've got plenty of time," Matt said smiling.
Katherine smirked. The kid was better than she thought.
:::
Bonnie sat up on the bed as a knock came. Klaus sighed from where his head was pillowed on her stomach. He had just gotten her to stop thinking about the Jeremy fiasco. He had heard the Gilbert boy make his excuses before leaving so he had hoped that they would be left alone.
"Should we answer it?" Bonnie asked while lying back down.
"Not if you don't want to," Klaus said not bothering to move from his position. The knock came again. "Well?" Klaus asked.
"I don't feel like getting up but I smell pie," Bonnie sad pouting. She didn't really want to deal with anyone but Klaus after seeing Jeremy. They day had been long and she just wanted to eat some pie and go to sleep.
"Come in," Klaus called resolving not to move either.
Rebekah walked into the room two plates with pie in hand. "I saved you both a slice of pie even though you two didn't were up here sucking face and laying about instead of helping us make it."
"Bring it here," Klaus said moving only far enough to sit up.
"So lazy," Rebekah laughed though she brought to him anyway.
"Thank you, brat," Bonnie said sitting up. Rebekah nodded handing them both a plate before turning and living.
"See she can tell when she's served her purpose," Klaus said, "Unlike some people."
"Let's not talk about some people," Bonnie said before putting a bite of pie onto the fork in her hand and holding it out to him. Klaus took the bite into his mouth before returning the gesture. If Bonnie found it odd that she was feeding pie to homicidal Hybrid she didn't sow so Klaus chose not to dwell on how very normal and couple like the moment was.
"I was thinking," Klaus said carefully, "With Emily and Sheila both here and my father quiet now would be a good time to work on your powers."
Bonnie nodded as she chewed and then swallowed. "I think you're right," Bonnie said, "We have to be prepared if Mikael comes at us with something unexpected and its time that I learned how to use the power I have. Lucy could probably help to."
"We need to work on your other abilities as well," Klaus said seriously.
"Well I'm sure that Elijah, Rebekah, Caroline, and Stefan can help with that," Bonnie shrugged.
"I will help you and if we need their assistance I might ask them for it," Klaus said leaving no room for argument.
"But if you help me then you'll go easy on me," Bonnie said shaking her head. Then she thought about them trying to kill each other and suddenly Klaus helping her face a threat seemed perfectly reasonable.
"Go easy on you?" Klaus laughed, "Come on now, love, you know me better than that." Bonnie rolled her eyes but nodded conceding that it was the truth. "But if I do happen to hurt you I promise to kiss it all better."
Bonnie grinned forgetting about the pie she had been craving just moment ago. "I'll definitely hold you to that."