I actually got some vacation time, wohoo! I didn't think that would happen because the clothing store I manage has been seriously understaffed, but I still got to take my vacation (bless the new assistant manager). Anyway, so my updates might be a bit out of whack for a few days, but don't worry it's not a hiatus, I'll just be jetlagged from travelling to Ohio.

Enjoy!

Bonnie was happy she had driven herself to school this morning because that meant she could drive herself home before the school day ended to get away from Kol and Kai, who were acting more psycho than usual. That or they finally just decided to let her see how crazy they really were. Since they murdered a boy and his whole family because he asked her out, she was thinking that was crazier than she could handle.

Kol at least, claimed to mean her no harm. Kai well he just plain freaked her out. Kol she expected evil from, but not him. Not from a warlock.

Either way, she was determined to try a truth spell.

Bonnie was currently looking through her family Grimoire. She found a spell that made everyone tell her the truth for twenty-four hours, but it said the results could be weird when used on supernaturals. Of course, her ancestor hadn't bothered to specify what they meant by weird.

Sighing, she called her Grams.

"What's wrong, child?"

Bonnie explained what she was trying to do.

"Hm-hm, and what exactly will Kol do if he finds out you cast this spell?" Sheila questioned and her voice was shrewd.

"Since it was his idea, I don't think he'll mind."

"And Kai? If it backfires and he learns it could put you in a tricky spot with the Geminis."

"I thought that was why Kol was here," Bonnie said hesitantly.
"That and he can't seem to be persuaded to return to Mystic Falls. Are you prepared to deal with the potential fallout?"

"I think so. I don't know Grams, some weird stuff is going on here. I feel like I need inside of their minds."

"You just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into first, child. Think long and hard about it."

"I will."

Bonnie happened to glance out the window, she wasn't aware of what drew her gaze, but she saw Kol's red car pulling into the driveway. It made her want to swear, not that she was about to with her Grams on the line.

"And otherwise how are you doing?"

"Still feeling abandoned since you asked, even if you did come to visit."

"Don't take that tone with me. I drove your car up."

"Very true and I totally appreciate it. Dad's the one that like never calls after all," she rolled her eyes.

"You know how he is," Sheila said with a derisive snort.

"I should go. Kol's here," Bonnie grimaced. "I don't really want to see him, but if I don't he might demolish the house from the outside."

"Vampires," the disdain she felt was audible.

"Love you, Grams."

"You too. Take care, hon."

Bonnie grabbed the Grimoire and went downstairs when she threw the front door open, she saw Kol had made himself at home. He was stretched out on the porch swing, looking totally at ease.

"Gross, what the hell do you want now?"

"I'm curious about that truth spell. That and geometry is dull and since all the Geminis are hiding out behind the bleacher again –"

"Okay, I get it. You talk almost as much as Kai, did you know that?"

"Correct me if I am wrong, little witch, but only yesterday you were telling me how I talked less than him and what a positive attribute that was."

"Just because you talk less than Kai, doesn't mean you don't still talk too much."
"Words hurt, love."
"You don't have feelings."

"Bring that Grimoire over here and let's find out," he smirked and waved his fingers. The move was both lazy and arrogant.

"Dream on," she sat down across from him on the railing. She flipped the book open to the right incantation. "Are you sure you want me to do this? If anyone finds out and gets pissed at me, I am so totally sending them your way. Not to mention all your lies up until now will be for nothing."

"I don't lie. Perhaps I do not divulge ever single morsel of information, but I do not lie," he replied looking almost offended. He definitely looked irritated.

"Omissions totally count as lying," she retorted.

"Aren't you the moral little witch."

"And manipulation, tricks seduction, totally underhanded and every bit as bad as flat out lying to someone."

"Like I said," Kol chuckled.

"Alright, here goes nothing," she muttered. She stumbled her way through the Latin. By the time, it was over, the only indication that it had actually worked was how the hair at the nape of her neck stood up and the heavy electric feel of the air, almost like they were expecting a thunderstorm.

"Your Latin could use some work, but by all means, ask away, love."

"Is Kai really a sociopath?"

"Why did I know your first question would be about him?" Kol groaned. "However, to answer your question, yes, he is."

"How does he know?"

"How the bloody hell should I know and why should I care how he knows? He simply does. And that is about as much interest as I hold in regards to his mental state."

"Am I in danger, like from you?"

"No," and he actually rolled his eyes at the question. "Don't you have anything more imaginative to ask me?"

"Like?"

"What's my favorite sex position? For the record it is –"

"No! Nope! Hell no!" she held her hand up. "I so don't want to know."

"Fine, but since we are going to be playing twenty questions come sit with me."

"I guess," Bonnie kicked his feet away, settling down on the opposite side of him. "Satisfied?"

"Almost."

Kol disappeared in a flash. He returned in the blink of an eye with a bottle of wine.

"So is there a way for me to summon us glasses or am I going to have to get up?" she asked feeling considerably better knowing she was not in danger. The ease with which Kol killed made her sick, but it didn't surprise her and there was nothing she could do about it other than try to curb his homicidal tendencies.

"There is," he confirmed.

"Why aren't you telling? Aren't you like under a truth spell?" Bonnie asked.

"I have to tell you the truth, but I don't have to answer. I'm not human after all."

"And we found the unexpected twist. C'mon, if you know tell me."

Kol gave her the Latin pronunciation and she mimicked him, holding out her hand. Two wine glasses from the kitchen materialized in her hands, she squealed in delight. She passed them to Kol, who filled them. It was red wine, one so full-bodied it looked like blood.

"A witch learning magic from a vampire. That is what I call ironic," she said unable to keep the smile from her face at her success.

"I'll drink to that. You've a lot of raw power; otherwise all these little spells would give you more trouble on the first try."

"I guess, I don't know. I have to have limits, right?"

"All witches do. Though the ones with the most potential, the most power, they learn the basics quickly. I imagine the bigger, more complex spells will give you more trouble. They certainly did me."

"Were you all your siblings witches?"

"Yes, we all had some skill with magic though I daresay; Rebekah and I had the most potential."

"Was it sad to turn?"

"Do not poke and prod at my emotions. You'll find I can be quite indifferent."

"That doesn't surprise me. I'm surprised you feel anything at all," she remarked.

"Vampires feel things in a heightened sense, I'm partial to rage, lust, bloodlust –"

"Basically, you're a dick," she said looking at him in exasperation. "Do you feel empathy?"

"It's rare, but it has on occasion happened over the years."

"Have you ever been in love?"

"Have you?" he countered.

"No, your turn."

"No, quite frankly I hardly see the point."

"Still, a thousand years is a long time never to have never fallen in love."

"I suppose it is though I daresay Rebekah has fallen in love enough time for all of us. Every other time she lays eyes on a man she's in love."
"She just keeps falling in and out of love? Sounds lonely."

Suddenly, and unexpectedly Bonnie felt a stab of compassion for Kol's sister. What must it be like to spend eternity falling in and out of love?

"It's not quite that simple. Nik kills her lovers, she mourns, falls for someone new and that's how it goes. You would think by now she would have learned to control her emotions."

"I'm beginning to see why you all want him dead," she said softly.

"He's a tyrannical wanker."

That made Bonnie laugh.

Kol grabbed her ankle and pulled her onto his lap. She let him wrap his arms around her, leaning against his chest.

"You're impossible."

"I wager you don't mind. I'm safer than Kai."

"That isn't exactly a ringing endorsement," she countered, snorting with laughter.

"Well that's not entirely true. I'm more likely to commit random murder. For a sociopath with a violent temper, his self-control really is amazing however; I am safer for you to be around."

"Why? Because you lust after me?" Bonnie questioned she arched her neck, running a teasing finger down her pulse line.

"Ah-ah, little witch I am done answering your questions."

"Fine," she pretended to pout.

Kol pulled her to him. His hand cupped the back of her neck, bringing their lips together. The kiss was pure need and wet. She let him kiss her, not really giving conscious thought to why and refusing to acknowledge the sparks that shot through her or how his kiss made her core throb until she was dripping wet.

When the kiss ended, they were both breathing hard. Kol wore a smug smirk and when he winked at her, a blush crept up her neck because she knew that meant he could smell her arousal. She felt his hardness against the back of her thigh where she was sitting in his lap and felt relieved that he was affected by her too.

Bonnie knew she shouldn't kiss him that he was a sick deranged vampire, but after an honest conversation she was starting to suspect there might be more to him. Maybe Kol hadn't always been this way. She wanted to ask him what he had been like as a warlock, but she doubted he would tell her.

Kol pecked her once more on the lips.

"Let's go to that silly bonfire of yours."

"Why?" Bonnie asked having a sip of wine to distract herself from how close his lips were, how close they were sitting. It always let her ignore the predatory look he was sending her.

"Because it's a date. One with people, no need for you to spend the evening afraid and jumpy."

"I guess. I don't know, I kind of feel like I should stay in."

"Everyone is going. Do you want to be the only girl that missed out? Especially when you could have a hot date," he cocked a challenging eyebrow.

"On one condition, I get to drive. And no more killing anyone. Period."

"If you like."

Kol kissed her again, making her head spin.

He left before the others got back from school.

Bonnie vowed to stay as far away from Kai as she could. The last thing she needed was him finding out she cast a truth spell because she asked him to pass the salt or something stupid. Somehow, she thought he would be furious.

XXX

Before cheerleading practice, Bonnie was sitting on the bleachers with Kol and Jo. Kai was down on the football field, talking to one of the boys from his class.

Kol had left her alone for the most part today, to the point that she thought she might finally get some peace until he joined her and Jo.

"Are you looking forward to our date on Saturday?" Kol asked her with a broad grin.

Jo sitting behind him, made gagging faces at Bonnie, who did her best to suppress her smile in case Kol thought it was because she was excited. She suspected he saw any way, so she fixed him with a glower.

"No, the very thought is making me queasy."

"You are a terrible liar, little witch."

"This from the guy, who lies by omission," she scoffed.

"You've no idea how effective that is. Works far better than any fully-fledged lie."

"Good for you," she patted his knee and putting effort into making it patronizing.

"Kai's about to punch a football player," Kol said tilting his head to the side, a clear sign he was eavesdropping on someone.

"Why?"

Kol rose to his feet. "Not sure however, I'll help."

Bonnie was about to protest when she saw it was too late. He was already gone.

"I hate it when he does that!" she complained.

"Vampires," Jo rolled her eyes. "Between him and Kai, I'm not sure who is more trouble."

"I cast a truth spell yesterday to wrangle some answers out of Kol and apparently it depends on how they feel about you."

"And now I am worried about Kai," Jo said in an undertone, blue eyes fixing on her brother down on the football field.

Bonnie followed her gaze and nearly groaned at what she saw. Kai and another boy Bonnie didn't know, were right in each other's faces. Behind him, Kol was lurking, how he managed to look like he was lurking even with his back to her, she had no idea, but he was managing it just fine.

On the other side, flanking the other boy were four of his friends. They probably thought they had the upper hand, and it made them challenge Kai further than they should. She knew they would be sorry. Fear for the safety of the other boys hit her.

"Come on, Kol just walk away. They aren't worth it," she said in an undertone knowing he would hear.

Kol looked over his shoulder at her; he flashed a confident smile and shook his head.

"You know you can take them, it's not like you have anything to prove."

Again, he shook his head.

"For me?" she tried and ended up grimacing just from saying it.

Now he gave her a look that was indicating he was considering it and then he looked at Kai.

"We should go stop that," Jo said seeing the conversation she was having with Kol.

"Yeah, we should," Bonnie echoed.

She got to her feet and was on her way down to the field with Jo hot on her heels. When she reached the boys Jo hung back and Bonnie tried to get level with Kai, but Kol reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back to him. He shook his head, eyes not leaving Kai and the other boy.

"I wouldn't get in the middle of that if I were you, love."

"Well I'm not you," Bonnie hissed and snatched her arm free. She strode up to Kai and touched his arm, just a quick gesture to get his attention before pulling it back. His eyes flickered briefly to her before flickering back to the other man. "Kai, we should go home."

"Correct me, if I am wrong, Bunny but I believe you still have cheerleader practice."

"Fine, I do, but whatever this is about, it's not worth it. Now let's go."

Kai snorted.

The other guy had now noticed Bonnie for real. He smirked and there was something gleeful about that smile.

"And there she is now. Come to rescue your boyfriend or is the other one your boyfriend?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but neither one happens to be my boyfriend." She glared at him then she turned to Kai. "That's what this is about?"

"Personally, I think he is just jealous," Kai said slowly with a feral smile that was more a baring of teeth. "I mean, everyone knows he's a virgin with a micro-penis."

"Oh my God," Bonnie groaned knowing there was no stopping whatever would happen next after a remark like that.

"Better that than a fag with some ditzy chick as a beard."

Bonnie took a step back when she saw the anger in Kai's face. His jaw ticked and his hand clenched, and unclenched.

"Wow, a comment like that is not only juvenile, it's lame. Gay jokes, really? That's all you've got? Your dick is so teeny-tiny, you assume I'm as insecure in my masculinity as you are? Well I've got news for you –"

Bonnie stared at Kai in amazement. It wasn't that she assumed he was a homophobe, in fact she hadn't given it a thought, but she hadn't exactly expected to see him shutting homophobia down either.

Kai never got to finish his insult though. The other boy's fist flew through the air and hit him squarely in the jaw, Kai's head turned to the side in a painful twist. He turned back to glare at him, rubbing his jaw. The smile was gone, but there was a deadly look in his eyes that made a shiver run down Bonnie's spine.

"Ah, Jason I was so hoping you would do that."

Kai tackled Jason. Bonnie rushed to stand back along with Jo so they didn't get caught up in the fight when she saw his friends going for Kol. Kol smirked and rushed forward as well. He punched the one, knocking the wind from him and tackling the second friend.

The whole thing happened in such a rush that Bonnie and Jo stood on the sidelines in shock. Finally, when Kai sat up and took a swing at Jason, who was simply lying lifelessly on the ground, she found her voice.

"STOP IT!" she yelled.

Kai and Kol both unsurprisingly ignored her.

Bonnie whispered motus, knocking Kol back. Then she ran forward and grabbed Kai's arm pulling on him. In the heat of the moment, she forgot all about her fear of touching him.

"Let go, Bunny," he hissed pushing on her.

"No! Stop it!"

Their eyes connected and she saw fury in them. There was also something else in them, something she couldn't read like he was struggling with something. Bonnie had no idea what he would have done because at the moment, the coach came running, whistle blowing furiously and waving his arms. He was an adult, and yet Bonnie thought he appeared more afraid than either her or Jo.

Jo was still on the sidelines, eyes cold and unflinching, the shock gone from her face. In that moment she looked so much like Kai and her father, Bonnie wondered if she hadn't been mistaken all along.

Jo was more like Kai than Bonnie gave her credit for.

The boys broke apart. They circled each other, rubbing sore jaws and glaring at each other. It was only a show however, on the part of the human boys. Bonnie recognized it from Matt and Tyler as nothing more than macho posturing. They wanted to look tough. Kai and Kol on the other hand, were something different. They weren't putting on a show. The looks they were sending the boys were nothing short of murderous.

"Enough!" the couch shouted. "Everyone to the principal's office! Now!"

Jason wiped the blood from his nose and spat on the field. "I think that asshole broke my nose!"

"Did I stutter? Principal's office! All of you! NOW!" the couch shouted blowing his whistle again.

Bonnie and Jo exchanged a look and followed the boys to the principal's office when he pointed and blew his whistled angrily at them as well.

XXX

Kai slouched down in the chair in the principal's office. He folded his hands in his laps and blinked up at the principal, smiling innocently. Next to him, Kol was staring indifferently up at the ceiling. He could feel the tension coming off Bonnie and Jo in waves. Jason and his squad of winged monkeys, he could not care less what happened to them.

"Does anyone care to offer an explanation for the state of you?" the principal demanded.

He was an older greying man named Smith, Principal Smith. It all felt terribly cliché to Kai. He pointed to the bloody mess he and Kol had made of Jason and his friend.

No one answered him.

The principal heaved a heavy sigh. "You three, go to the nurses' office before you die in my office, that would be…messy."

Kai raised a brow at this statement. He might not care about the state they were in other than a satisfaction at having helped put them there, but he was certain a principal one who by all accounts should be able to feel empathy was supposed to show some at the state they were in.

Maybe there was something interesting about him after all. The other boys shuffled off and Principal Smith curled his lip in disgust before turning to the rest of them once they were gone.

"Well do you care to explain why three other boys are bleeding and the two of appear to be perfectly fine?"

"Not particularly," Kol replied with a lazy indifference that had Principal Smith glowering at him.

"We know how to keep our guard up," Kai said with a smirk.

"That is not a sufficient explanation as I am confident you are well aware. What about the two of you? I hear you witnessed everything." This was aimed at Bonnie and Jo, who exchanged uncertain glances.

"Jason started it. Kai and Kol were just defending themselves," Bonnie said after one last uneasy look at his sister.

"The state of Jason and his friends would beg to differ," the Principal, countered.

Jo shot Kai a furious look that him biting down on his lip to keep from laughing. He knew why she was angry with him. He had messed up.

His father would receive a phone call from the school and it would only confirm Joshua's notion that he was an abomination. It wasn't worth Kai getting worked up over, Joshua was already miserable with him and he would take things out on Kai whether or not they were his fault anyway. Not to mention their little outings twice a week that inevitably ended in violence.

But for Jo this would be a big deal. Suddenly, Joshua would be angry with her for even being present, for not stopping it, for associating with her abomination of a brother. Occurrences like these were the only time she experienced what it was like to be Kai. And she did not like it, blaming Kai whenever it happened.

"Enough of this, you are boring me," Kol chuckled. He used his vampire speed to flash ahead and grabbed the throat of the Principal. Raising him up and showing him up against the wall behind the man, elicited cries of protest from the girls, but nothing more. "You will forget this happened. The only thing you remember is Jason and his mates are wankers who tried to attack us and got what they deserved."

"And he won't make any phone calls to our parents," Jo said speaking up.

Kai chuckled.

Ah, his poor naïve sissy.

The coach would have already phoned their dad, it was too late to stop the rage of Joshua. However, at least Kol could keep her squeaky-clean record that way or at the very least keep too much blood from Kai's.

"Yes, of course. You won't be phoning anyone's parents. Fortunate in my case, as mine are long dead," he chuckled at this.

Kai smirked. Lucky bastard, if only Joshua's life were not tied to his own.

Clever really, in annoying way.

XXX

Bonnie got a ride home from Kol. Kai and Jo left, arguing and since she didn't want to get in the middle of whatever they were fighting about, she asked him to take her home. Kol being Kol obviously did not complain. He actually handed her the keys to his Ferrari, which meant she sped the whole way home and was back at the Parker house long before any of the Parker kids. It also meant she was locked out and if the owner of the house was not a coven leader, she might have used magic to get through the front door. She didn't trust Joshua not to have some serious magical booby traps in place.

Since she couldn't she sat on the porch steps with Kol. Neither of them said anything, they just stared at the sky. In the distance, the trees rustled pleasantly the shifting light falling on the foliage and it was beautiful, peaceful even. Something Bonnie found the Parker home was rarely.

"Autumn is in the air," Kol said breaking the silence.

"Feels like summer to me," Bonnie said turning her face up toward the sun.

"For now." She could hear the smirk in his voice. "I can smell it in the air."

"If you are going to start talking about all of the gross things vampires can smell, you can leave."

Kol chuckled. "It's not all bad. I can smell your perfume, sage and vanilla mixed with lilac. The scent of your blood mingling with it and your magic, just underneath your skin."

"Gross," she repeated rolling her eyes.

Just then, Kai's car came driving up the road sparing her having to think of a way to make Kol leave. He would either go home now or become Kai's problem.

Bonnie stood and waited for them to park. Once they did, she went to help Jo get the twins out of the backseat. She ignored the way Kol stared after her.

She helped Jo get all of the kids inside and ready either for naptime in the case of the twins or for a snack after school before homework like with the younger kids. Throughout all of this Kai was absent, but she knew he had come inside instead of staying out with Kol. She knew this because she heard him come inside and go upstairs.

After what had happened today, she wanted to talk to him. Kol didn't know for sure what had started the argument because he hadn't been paying attention, but Kai did. Bonnie wanted to find out, make sure he was alright and to see to it that Jason and his friends didn't turn up dead on account of it.

Realizing she had no idea where to find him, she turned to Jo, who was bent over Annie trying to help her with longhand divination. Jo threw her hands up.

"Just use a calculator, Annie."

"I can't!" the little girl cried. "It's cheating. Her lower lip wobbled before she broke into a loud sob. "I miss mommy!"

She pushed the chair aside and ran up the stairs.

"Annie!" Jo called running after her.

Bonnie sighed and felt an acute sense of guilt. There was nothing she could do to help Annie or Jo or really any of them with the pain they carried. She could barely even help with the daily stuff because the real problem was that all of this was Joshua's fault. Jo shouldn't be forced to act like their mother, she was only seventeen. As always, this thought made her angry.

"You look furious," Kyle commented frowning at her.

"I am, but at your dad. Where is he?"

"Who knows."

"Fine, whatever. Where's Kai's room?" Bonnie sighed exasperated.

"Kai's room?" Kyle said practically quaking. "We aren't allowed up there."

"Well that's where he went and I need to talk to him," Bonnie said putting her hands on her hips and giving him a stern look.

"Third floor. His room is in the attic, you have to pull the trapdoor down."

"Thank you. Will you watch the kids until Jo or I get back?" she asked him, softening.

Poor Kyle, he too was suffering because his family was insane.

"Yeah, sure no problem. Katie never needs homework help, right?" he asked.

"That's because I'm smarter than you are," Katie said sticking her tongue out at him.

"Nice, real nice," Kyle muttered. "Anyway, the rugrats are always out like lights after preschool anyway. And Joey is easy-peasy."

"Great, thanks."

Bonnie found her way to the third floor. She had never actually been up this far before. Jo's room was on the second floor and so was the room Annie and Katie shared, the twins they were there as well. Joey and Kyle shared the other room on the second floor. Down on the first floor, off the kitchen was the master bedroom and bathroom that was Joshua's. Until Kyle told her otherwise, Bonnie had assumed Kai was forced to share a room like the rest of his siblings.

Except it made sense, isolate the abomination, the one kid that might be dangerous. With one touch, Kai could kill a witch or a warlock. Yet Bonnie couldn't help wondering if Kai would have been dangerous if he hadn't been treated like he was dangerous since he came into his powers. Not to mention whatever else Joshua probably did to him. Could someone be broken so bad they became a sociopath?

Her train of thought was cut short because she came to end of the hallway. There was a trapdoor in the ceiling and when she looked around, there was nothing to pull it down with. Groaning and knowing there was little chance Kai would actually help her if he did hear her, she thought about her options.

She used the Latin word for pull, aiming at the trapdoor and hoped it would work. She felt something surge out of her, and something in the air around her shifted. The trapdoor opened and the stairs came crashing down hitting the floor in a loud bang that shook the whole house. She heard the sound of Luke's howl broke through the silence of the house. She sent a silent apology to Jo for the disruption.

She walked up the steps, bracing herself for whatever mood Kai would be in once she asked him about what happened today.

The room at the top of the steps was bigger than any of the other bedrooms, even though it wasn't technically a bedroom.

Guess there were some advantages to being the family outcast.

The roof was slanted down to the right side opposite of the wall where the bed was. At the far end of the room there was a window with a window seat. The window wasn't very big and there was no curtains or any rugs on the floor. There was just the bed, a stereo and a dresser. And a myriad of grunge band posters on the wall, none of which were familiar to Bonnie.

Kai stretched out on the bed, feet crossed at the ankles and hands behind his bed where he sat against the wall. Next to him was an open bag of pork rinds, next to that again was an open grimoire.

"Hey Bunny, what brings you here?" he asked with a playful smile that made him look like a happy little boy.

"Hey, I just wanted to chat. Mind if I come in?" she asked suddenly nervous for a reason she wasn't sure of. Maybe it was because she was about to go into the room of a siphoning sociopath, who had murdered classmates of theirs.

Yeah, that was probably it, she thought to herself trying not to laugh at the stupidity of her thought.

"Of course, make yourself at home." He patted a spot on the bed next him.

Hesitantly, but with her chin raised and trying to keep her posture relaxed so she didn't look afraid or tense she walked over. Kai was as good at reading body language as Kol and he did it without the added advantage of vampire senses.

She sat down on the bed next to him on the bed, sitting down with her legs crossed. She gave him a concerned look. It was fake. Kai could take care of himself and any concern she felt for him was from whatever Joshua might put him through.

"What happened at school today?"

"Well I am so happy you asked," he said tilting his head to the side and grinning at her. "I had math class, and lunch was boring. Do they really think that the slop they serves passes as chili? I should make chili this weekend. You haven't had my chili yet Bonster, but trust me it will blow your mind."

"You know that isn't what I mean. What happened with Jason?"

"Just remember you asked," he said in that exaggerated playful way he had. "Jason wanted to know if you were single cause he thought you were and I quote bangable. I told him that you were, but if he tried to bang you, he might live just long enough to regret it."

"I see, and ew, he's not my type."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Bunny, not that it happens often, but I thought Kol explained the whole choice of psychos thing to you?"

"Oh yeah, I'm thinking about jumping off the roof rather than pick one of you creeps," she told him with a roll of her eyes. "But I'm not interested in Jason either. So you and Kol let him and idiot friends live, okay?"

"I guess," Kai turned his lips down pouting and she had to give it to him he did look a lot like a puppy dog when he did that.

"Promise me," Bonnie said fully aware Kai might lie. But what Kai didn't know was that she had extracted the same promise from Kol on the porch earlier today. Something that increased their odds of survival.

"Fine," he grinned. "If you give me a kiss." He pointed to his lips.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "No."

"Bunny," he tilted his chin down, pretending to pout.

"Kai."

"Suit yourself. They might or might not live."

"Kill them and I'll never kiss you again," she answered with a winning smile.

"Touché," he said smile replaced with an expression that was almost impressed. "Anything else?"

"We could use your help downstairs, you know. The twins are napping, but Annie and Katie are kicking up a fuss, Kai."

"Uh-huh," Kai said rolling his eyes at her now. "Admit it you're hiding."

"I am not!"

"I heard the crying you don't want to be down there anymore than I do."

Lazily, he tossed a grimoire at her. She could feel the magic tingle from the old volume. The cover was cracked and well-worn leather. Her fingers itched to touch it; she gave in and started to turn the pages.

"See this is a lot more fun than taking care of the brats," Kai said and she didn't need to look at him to know he was gloating.

She didn't answer as she flipped through the grimoire. It was filled with spell after spell. Each one was more interesting than the last. There were money spells, spells to tell a person's future, and a truth spell that was similar to the one in her own family grimoire. There were some distinct differences like the Gemini coven used a lot more animal sacrifices, bones and that their spells came with a lot fewer warning labels.

Her eyes fell on a linking spell. That was interesting. It was apparently to link two people together so that if the one person was hurt then so was the other person. She had glimpsed it in her own book, but until she knew it was a spell her family shared with the Geminis she hadn't been interested.

Kai turned on the stereo, blasting that punk rock music he liked so much. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and saw a book on dimension hopping was on his lap. He was dressed in that grunge look he seemed to favor. Dark blue plaid shirt, faded The Clash T-shirt, black jeans, metal key-chain hanging from the side and leather bracelet around his wrist. He was wearing a few silver rings. On a less masculine boy, it might have looked silly, but on Kai the rings were hot.

"You're staring, it's creepy," he sing-sang, but he sounded pleased.

"Just wondering how far you're going to take this whole punk rock thing."

Bonnie stretched and rolled onto her back, after pushing the grimoire aside. Kai was sitting with his back to the wall, legs stretched out and tapped her stomach with his foot.

"See this is much better than hanging out with the rugrats."

"I can't help them. They need their dad," Bonnie said not bothering to keep the exasperation from her voice. "And turn that shit down."

"Make me," Kai said holding the clicker up, turning the volume up.

Bonnie sat up and reached for it. She knew it was a trap, but she didn't care because the blaring music was starting to grate on her nerves. She reached for the remote control and when she did, Kai grabbed her by the waist and pulled. She fell against his chest, while his arms encircled her.

Bonnie not sure how exactly she had come to straddle him, pushed him back, horrified at the sudden proximity. She could feel his warmth through their clothes, the hardness of his body and smell his aftershave. Their eyes met and his pupils dilated to the point that the blue was nearly gone. He pressed his hand to the back of her neck, bringing her lips crashing to his. She gasped and shoved him off her.

"GET OFF!"

Bonnie whacked his chest, well aware she was probably irritating Kai more than was safe.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" she sputtered. "What's wrong is that you are complete psycho! Who beat someone up today just because you can't walk away! You've murdered people! That's what's wrong!"

"So?" he raised a brow. "You've made out with Kol."

"Yeah, well Kol isn't getting anywhere near me again! Same as you!"

"You have a date with him on Saturday," Kai said eyes narrowing.

Bonnie shoved on him again and got off his lap.

"I have a date with him on Saturday because I want to drive his car," Bonnie said flopping down on her back once more. "And because he promised not to kill anyone else if I went out with him." Deciding to change the subject, she latched on the first topic that came to mind. "So why doesn't your dad cast a money spell and buy a house with enough bedrooms for everyone?"

"Not sure, but I suspect it's because he can't pull them off. They're tricky," Kai replied flashing a smile. "Or maybe he just doesn't care."

"Maybe," Bonnie echoed regretting having asked.

"Wanna try it?"

"No, the last thing I need is you siphoning my magic again."

"Ouch, flat out rejected. That's cold, which is ironic for a girl named Bunny."

Instead of answering, Bonnie kicked him. Kai caught her foot and tickled the bottom of it. She twisted and turned, howling with laughter. He pulled her up next to him, and propped the book back up. She slid over a little, sitting up next to him and reading the book over his shoulder.

"Why the fascination with alternate dimensions?" she asked curious in spite of her better judgement.

"Cause they're cool, don't you think?"

Bonnie put her head on his shoulder, finding herself engrossed in the text without meaning to. It was all about how the Geminis had travelled between dimensions using something called an ascendant, but that it took a lot of power to pull it off.

"I guess," she said slowly after several more seconds of skimming the page. "To be honest, I never thought it was possible."

"Whole new wooooorld –"

Before Kai could turn this into a sing-along event, Bonnie grabbed the pillow behind her and hit him in the face with it. He sputtered and tossed it aside. She laughed at the offended look on his face and even he had to chuckle.

"Wouldn't have taken you for an Aladdin fan or a Disney fan at all."

"Me?" he pointed to himself. "I am well versed in all of the classics."

"Yeah, right," she snorted.

She had the sudden mental image of Kai and Jo in each their pink and blue footie pajamas lying on their stomachs on the living room rug. Pillows in front of them, popcorn bowl next to them and staring with big eyes, peering up at the TV in excitement and grinning. Somehow even with the childish grin Kai was flashing now, she still couldn't picture it. Especially not him singing along to Aladdin, unless it was to be annoying.

The longer they stared into each other's eyes the more it felt like she was being pulled into them. Something in the air between them shifted.

BANG!

Bonnie and Kai jumped, attention turning to where the attic trapdoor had fallen down. Heavy footsteps like those from a man could be heard before Joshua Parker's salt and pepper hair became visible. He wore a scowl that had Bonnie's stomach twisting into knots for Kai's sake. Joshua froze in place when he saw her. His features arranging into a slightly less angry mask.

"I was not aware you were up here, Bonnie," he cleared his throat.

"Yeah, but here I am," she replied awkwardly.

"We don't generally allow visitors up here," Joshua continued not sounding mad precisely, but like he wasn't pleased either.

"She's a guest, dad," Kai ventured and managing a casual laugh.

"Right, yes of course," Joshua answered with a tight smile. "Anyway, tonight is time for our –" Again he cleared his throat. "Lesson."

Something about the way he said that gave her a bad feeling. Without conscious thought, she reached out and took Kai's hand in hers.

"But Kai was supposed to help me with some spells. It's a lesson from my Grams and Jo is so busy with the kids and I don't think I can do it on my own," Bonnie said gripping Kai's hand and mentally willing him not to call her lie.

"Yeah, cause I'm such an awesome protégé," Kai added with a jaunty smile yet there was something mocking in his voice.

"I am not certain you are aware that Kai is a rather abnormal warlock and I do not think that is a good idea."

"So what if he's a siphoner? I don't care."

"Yes, well you haven't been a witch long enough to know anything about the matter," Joshua said eyes stormy. His eyes landed on their interlocked hands and his lip curled back in disgust. "And in the future, you may want to refrain from touching him. It rarely ends well."

Bonnie winced almost imperceptibly. There was an air of something violent surrounding the older man.

"It's cool, Bunny, we'll do it another night," Kai said giving her hand a squeeze.

Joshua's eyes followed that movement, lingering on their locked hands. Kai jumped off the bed as if nothing had ever happened.

Thank you so much to everyone who has read, faved, followed and reviewed this fic! Seriously, you keep by bonkai and Kennett shipping self writing! Let me know what you thought of this chapter, what was your favorite part? And who do you like better kol or kai for bonnie? What do you think is going on with kai and his dad? I'm fireismyelement97 on tumblr if you want to be kept in the loop about updates and new fics or if you want to request a Kennett/bonkai drabble!

Izzy

Guest: Thank you for reviewing! There is more bonkai in this chapter so I hope that helps. I am leaning toward a bonkai ending, but the plot took an unexpected twist later on, so I'm not sure that will happen? *hides*

Guest: Thank you so, so much for reading and reviewing! Bless you for shipping Kennett (they're my OTP as you can probably guess). Since Bonnie can forgive Damon, Caroline and Stefan for various stupid shit, I guess she can forgive these two psychos as well. At least she can when I write her, lol. Still, hope you liked this chapter as well!