Disclaimer: Still own nothing involving TVD. Just my overactive imagination :)
A/N: This chapter title was inspired by Kelly Clarkson's "Already Gone."
"Are you sure about this? Luke and Liv are not on board at all, so how are we going to get any magical power to continue with the plan?" Elena's voice rose, clear with anxiety over the unexpected turn in their plan. She really thought the siblings would immediately agree with getting rid of their murderous older brother. But, doubts began to settle into her mind, making her reconsider the whole plan. "Damon?" She called his name when he never answered.
Sighing deeply as he scanned a large book he found in his library, Damon finally gave into her questions once he had enough. "Elena, of course I'm sure about it. We don't need Luke and Liv." He stopped scanning to look into her eyes, "The worst case scenario is that we have to wait a little longer until Bonnie wakes up and realizes what huge mistake she is making. Kai will mess up sooner or later."
Frowning, Elena stepped closer to Damon. "If he doesn't?"
Damon's eyes widened as an intense scowl dominated his face, "Seriously? He will. If Bonnie doesn't come to terms with the fact that she is hanging out with Mr. Psycho then we will find a witch or warlock powerful enough to put Kai back in his prison world." He couldn't contain the rage that had slowly been building up during his rant, which resulted in a stack of books flying off the table. He and Elena remained frozen in their stances, staring at one another and too distracted to notice the once strewn pile of books levitating in the air until each one neatly fell back onto the table in an orderly pile.
Just outside of the library door stood Bonnie and Kai, who had been intently watching the pair's conversation. Bonnie, stunned by her fury just stayed still while she listened, but Kai both enraged and amused decided to distract himself by using magic, which he did by discreetly cleaning up the mess of books with a confident grin plastered on his face. When Bonnie caught onto what he was doing, she turned her attention to him, briefly, to throw a disapproving glance his way, but she ended up just rolling her eyes at him before stepping into the room and making her presence known to the vampire couple.
"So let me get this straight," Bonnie said. "You are going to search for another witch to figure out a spell that will obliterate Kai forever, even if you all know that I am trying to figure him out, maybe give him another chance, or whatever—you still think it's just best that you all take matters into your own hands and get rid of him for good despite what I want?" She tapped her chin and raised her eyes to the ceiling in a thoughtful pose, and once she took a moment to mull over everything, she fell into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. "Of course," she stated through her laughs, "Whatever it takes to serve your selfish reasons no matter who gets hurt—usually that's me by the way." Her laughs continued until tears began to replace them, causing her to stop and swallow thickly. After regaining her composure, she addressed a stupefied Damon and Elena, "I'm going to let you all do whatever. Okay? I don't even care anymore." She glanced around the room, meeting their careful gazes, and began to back out of the room slowly. As she passed Kai, she grabbed his hand, her eyes still locked on Damon and Elena, and pulled him along with her. "In the meantime, I'll be hanging out with the only warlock left in my vicinity, and we'll just wait until you all decide it's time for him to die." She crouched down to pick up a shopping bag filled with two gifts she bought for them, against her better judgment, and dropped it in the room before departing without a second glance.
Finally having the willpower to take his eyes off of Bonnie, Kai looked around the room with a large grin spreading across his face. "Later bitches!" He announced, laughing at the priceless expression on Damon's face, which only transformed into pain when he hit the invisible barrier created by Kai to prevent any of anyone from following Bonnie and him as they exited the mansion.
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Once Bonnie and Kai were a comfortable distance from everyone, he stopped Bonnie by tugging on her hand and pulling her against him.
The action caught Bonnie off guard, and she could only stare at Kai with wide eyes, and allow him to pull her into an embrace.
"Why did you defend me?" He voiced the question with desperation and a hint of vulnerability.
Bonnie stood silent, contemplating the answer to the question all the while being distracted by the look of pure distress on Kai's face; he looked so young and helpless.
"Well...I…" Bonnie stuttered. She shook her head, eyes shutting momentarily as she gathered her thoughts. "They are always doing this. Someone—either Stefan, Elena, or Damon—makes a decision or forms an opinion and then suddenly there is no other option. It's law." She sighed heavily, thinking about her role in all of it. "I mean I went along with it many times. Sometimes I was in the driver's seat of it all, like finding the cure for Elena and then sacrificing my life for Jeremy's." She ignored the confused look Kai gave her and continued, "But there were a lot of people who were casualties of Stefan and Damon's quest to get what they want—like my grandmother." She paused, overwhelmed by her grief. "I don't want to fall into the same pattern with them—in fact, I'm tired." Any self-restraint she possessed disappeared in that moment, and all Bonnie could do was silently allow a few stray tears to fall from her eyes.
Kai squeezed her hips, pulling her even closer to him. His eyes held pure adoration for her. "Thank you for sticking up for me. You were kind of a bad ass over there." His heart burst at the realization that Bonnie really did keep her word and defended him. No one has ever done anything like that for him, and the feelings completely blindsided him.
"Kind of?" Bonnie joked. She surprised Kai by placing her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around his back in a close embrace. "If they try anything, they'll have to go through me first." She closed her eyes, "I promise."
"Keep this up Bennett, and I may not be able to resist kissing you again," he whispered.
Bonnie's heart raced and butterflies filled her stomach. Averting her gaze and releasing her arms, she took a step back and mumbled nervously, "Let's get out of here before they follow us." She didn't miss the obvious look of disappointment on Kai's face; instead, she chose to ignore it in order to focus on the larger problem at hand—how would she keep him safe?
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The car ride to Bonnie's home was silent as neither Bonnie or Kai knew what to say to the other. After shutting the car off and glancing at Kai, Bonnie reluctantly exited the car to start taking her luggage. Kai joined her, albeit slowly, and helped her bring the luggage and souvenirs to her front porch. Every once in a while, Bonnie would sneak a peek at Kai only to feel a painful tug in her chest when she saw Kai's glum expression. Once they finished piling everything in front of her door, Bonnie took out her keys and looked at him as she unlocked the door. "Do you want to come in for some tea? I have some boxes of Girl Scout cookies I bought before we left. You haven't lived until you tried a Samoa," she tried to bring a smile on his face, but all she received was a small shrug of his shoulders.
His eyes roamed her face before he answered, "I probably should be getting back to the hotel. I have to pay for another week."
"Can you just..." Bonnie slightly faltered momentarily as the words left her, "talk to me? Please?" She pleaded one final time before gesturing to the porch swing, sitting down, and waiting for him to join her. She could tell he wanted nothing more than to bolt, but to her complete relief, he fought against the urge and slowly approached the swing, sighing heavily as he sat down a careful distance away from her. When nothing was said for several minutes, Bonnie took the initiative to start the conversation, even if the unsettling look—a cross between agony and loss-that covered Kai's face served as a major distraction for her and threatened to erase any presence of mind she had left after the exhausting day.
"You had a feeling that this might happen. You even said it the night Klaus made the offer. How going back to Mystic Falls wasn't that appealing, since my friends could try to retaliate. You knew it was a possibility..." She focused on his downturned face, only being able to look at his profile since he refused to make eye contact. "Why are you so sad?" She whispered the question, almost afraid of reveling her own fear about the prospect of him hurting. She's letting herself fall for him incredibly fast, like a train with faulty breaks that can't stop, and soon it could all crash. But she couldn't control it. "I meant what I said. I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
Kai resisted laughing at the question—not because he thought it was a ridiculous, but because he of all people had someone who cared enough to ask if he was sad. He couldn't remember the last time someone seemed concerned for his well-being. Perhaps, his twin sister years ago before he lost his mind, but he couldn't even salvage one tangible memory as a reference point. "That's a loaded question," he mumbled while rubbing one hand over his face. "I've been lost in my own self hatred for as long as I can remember. I don't really know what it feels like to be otherwise." He sighed heavily, immediately regretting admitting so many deep thoughts about himself to Bonnie. She has proven that she cares, but there is a very large part of him—the self- sabotaging part—that doesn't want to believe that a real relationship with her is really possible. He returned from his prison world with one goal in mind—get his revenge—and if he did just that then he would be able to self-destruct with a content mind. It was simple for him.
"Are we on the Oprah show or what?" He scoffed, shifting his eyes around uncomfortably like he was looking for an escape. "You don't want to know what's really going on in my mind. It's a scary place," he smiled softly at her, but the smile didn't last long before he was scowling once again.
"What are you talking about? I do want to know what you're feeling. All of this is a lot to process for the both of us. I didn't plan on making it my mission to defend you or frankly even to care about what happened to you, but I do now." She took a deep breath, mentally encouraging herself to take a leap and put herself out there, which she did by grabbing his hand snugly. The simple sign of affection initiated by her spoke volumes about her feelings for him. They existed and were unsettlingly real. "I like you. I won't try to deny it any longer, but it doesn't change one important thing—you. I'm not naive. Our history is screwed up. You tortured me mentally and physically for weeks, abandoned me, and I had no problem killing you when I returned. In fact I daydreamed about it."
A grin appeared on his face, which unsettled her, but his own twisted self couldn't help but like the sound of Bonnie fantasizing up different ways to hurt him. "Bon Bon. I'm flattered."
Rolling her eyes, Bonnie snapped. "Will you stop? I'm laying my heart on the line here for you. I'll get to the point—I can tell that you are trying to figure out how to shut Damon and Elena's plan down completely, which knowing you, will involve killing. If you try anything like that I will have no choice." She paused, her throat dry.
"No choice?" He repeated icily. He narrowed his eyes at her, instantly understanding what she's implying, and this time, he is sick of it. "You saying you'll kill me, Bon? You'll choose your lame friends over me?" He didn't mean to sound so insulted by the idea, but his voice trembled with the words. He knew it was dangerous to even fathom Bonnie choosing him over her friends, because he didn't want to think about the alternative—her abandoning him—which was very likely to happen at any time.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Bonnie stood up quickly, dropping her grip on his hand simultaneously, and moved to lean against the banister of the porch. She settled her gaze on him before she spoke up again. "What do you think?" Her voice cracked, her heart raced, and every limb in her body shook. It seemed like the conversation replayed itself over and over again like a broken record—Bonnie admits to not being able to fully trust him, Kai gets insulted, Bonnie then slowly struggles to accept him but showcases her doubts, Kai gets insulted all over again—repeat. The one factor that added to this insistent broken record like issue between them was in fact her feelings for him. She had a crush, a connection, and an unexplainable pull towards him. It made no sense, but it felt incredibly real to her. "Look Kai, I can't going over this again with you. I already admitted that I care about your well being, but I also care about my friends even after everything." She releases a small laugh that carries no amusement whatsoever, instead it sounds empty. "It's a more of a curse than a blessing, but I can't change who I am."
Kai tilts his head to the side, processing her words. He has never met someone so righteous, ethical, or pure in his life. She fascinates him. "I like who you are," he confesses timidly. "It's so unlike me. I'm evil, no good, but I own it. I can't change who I am," he repeats her words with a slightly acidic tone in his words, but he remains smiling softly at her. Bonnie wasn't fooled by it though, since she perceived the sadness behind his eyes right away.
"I don't agree," she argues gently. "You helped me in a time of need. If it weren't for you that creep would've tried to rape me, and I would be in deep trouble with Marcel for frying the loser alive with my magic." She smirked when Kai grinned at the mental image, but she continued to address him seriously, "You defended me, Kai. I will always be grateful for that. You aren't 'no good.' I kinda think you're alright."
Kai's eyes glistened with tears that threatened to travel down his face, but he managed to ward them off. "You do?" He never heard himself sound so apprehensive, but her resolve to give him a chance and believe the best in him never failed to stun him. He began to actually feel the strange, but comforting sensation of his heart throbbing with force like it finally found a reason to feel something other than emptiness.
Without breaking eye contact, Bonnie walked over to the swing, gently sat down, and caught his chin her hand. She led his face towards her own and leaned in to place a chaste kiss on his frowning lips. Kai immediately reacted by deepening the kiss and grabbing her waist, pulling her up until she sat on his lap, flushed against him in an intimate embrace. When she felt his tongue glide over her closed mouth, gently prodding it open, she allowed his tongue to mingle with hers, temporarily returning the deepened kiss before grabbing the side of his cheek as support when she pulled away.
"That will never get old," Kai whispered, a small grin briefly gracing his face as he nuzzled his nose against her cheek.
Her heart raced. "It doesn't have to get old, especially if you continue to live a normal existence here in Mystic Falls…no maiming, plotting, or killing. The kissing can occur regularly," she blushed when he looked at her with raised eyebrows and small smile in place.
"Bonnie Bennett, are you suggesting that we should be kissing buddies?"
"What?" Bonnie scrunched her nose, "That sounds casual, and I am not that type of girl. I meant exclusively. Think you're up for the challenge, Parker?" Her smile lit up her entire face, effectively causing Kai's heart to skip. He had to clutch his chest at the strange sensation.
"You mean dating? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g?"
Bonnie punched his arm as a massive smile graced her face, "Stop being an idiot. Are you in or what? This means being on your best behavior for me." She watched him, wistful hope adorning her face.
Blinking furiously, Kai grabbed both sides of her face. "Are you asking me to be your boyfriend with the promise that I will cease being up to anything shady? Bon Bon. What fun would that be?" He smiled at her, fully showing off his dimples, and almost charming her to the point of distraction; however, Bonnie recognized the hidden meaning in his words when she saw the uncertainty in his eyes. She knew he wouldn't be able to just turn off the side of his personality that lived for power, but she selfishly wanted him to try anyway.
She slid off his lap and cradled one of his wrists that still framed her face. "It's the only condition." Her lip quivered when he released his hold on her to slouch over and settle his gaze on the ground. Awareness of the reality of their relationship slowly crept into their minds—Bonnie's decent character severely clashed with Kai's corrupt one. One would have to make a severe sacrifice in order for it to work, but who would be the one?
The sound of approaching footsteps broke both trances. Damon stood before them, clearly upset by the two of them together, but he remained silent, only glancing disapprovingly from one to the other.
Bonnie met Damon's gaze with tears, her mouth dropping in shock. "Damon, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see you. Only you." He grunted, while glaring at Kai.
"Aw how sweet," exclaimed Kai as stood up, "Damon wanted to see you, Bon Bon. I feel all fuzzy inside right now."
Bonnie rolled her eyes at Kai's obviously fake enthusiasm. "Both of you just stop, okay? I don't want to deal with any more drama tonight." She stood up as Damon advanced.
"Who says anything about drama? I want to see you, and all Kai needs to do right now is disappear before I rip him limb from limb." Damon shrugs his shoulders, "Simple."
Kai's smile grows despite Damon's threat, "Oh Damon. You have a lot of nerve. I mean I could be burning both you and your pathetic girlfriend right now as payback for your little plan in killing me, so I wouldn't push me if I were you."
Damon's eyes practically popped out of their sockets as he gritted his teeth, ready to grab Kai at any moment. "I could end you. You have no idea what I am capable of doing. Consider yourself lucky that Bonnie is standing right over there."
Kai turned back to glance at her, his eyes softening momentarily as he did so. "I do," he stated simply. Raising his hands in surrender, Kai faced Bonnie. "See? I'm not doing anything. I'm on my best behavior…for you. My answer is yes." He winks at her before turning around and passing a confused Damon without a second glance, grabbing his duffel bag in the process and disappearing down the street. On the outside, Kai seemed truly collected by taking the high road and allowing Bonnie to speak to Damon alone without any arguments, but he was merely putting on an act by suppressing his wrath as he traveled back to his hotel room. He allowed his weakness for Bonnie to delay him in executing any damage at the moment, but he couldn't allow anyone to get away with plotting behind his back, and he wouldn't.
When Kai walked away, Bonnie wanted to call after him, but she ultimately decided it would be best to speak to Damon first. Still, the lingering concern over Kai's state of mind and their own relationship wouldn't leave her even when Damon began to berate her.
"What the hell was that?" He spat the words in disgust, "Yes to what?"
Bonnie narrowed her eyes, "None of your business. You do have a lot of nerve," she exclaimed.
Damon quickly retorted, "And I thought you had better judgment. It's why I call you judgy. I mean you despised me for so long."
"Until I didn't," she finished. "We were friends, right?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
"I just wasn't sure. You made yourself clear that I was just Elena's annoying best friend who wasn't worth your time anymore."
Regret consumed him, "Bonnie, I was angry and being stupid. I didn't mean it. You know that. How many times have I said or done stupid things to you? More than I can count, but we moved past it. We are friends."
"So you of all people should understand the art of the second chance. I'm giving Kai one."
Damon grimaced, "I guess you are more damaged from your experience in '94 than I thought."
The word damaged didn't sit well with her. She suffered too much for the sake of those she cared about to allow anyone to label her. "I've been damaged the minute you landed in Mystic Falls. Where is my grandmother? My father? My best friends are members of the undead. We have witnessed more death than should be humanly possible. You don't get to talk to me about damage."
"And your new friend has caused enough death to his own family no less. So yeah, I'd say you're seriously damaged to be okay with that."
His words struck a cord with her, a feeling of nausea overwhelming her. "I don't condone what Kai did all those years ago. All I know was that he was there for me in a time I needed it. When someone I trusted laid his hands on me and when one of my best friends didn't care to ask if I was alright before expecting me to do one more favor that involved putting my life in jeopardy."
"You are making a huge mistake."
"I already did by considering you a friend."
Before she could blink, Damon appeared in front of her, leaning dangerously close and trapping her against the door. "Do you really mean that?" He tried to pose the question threateningly, but his sadness overshadowed any anger he possessed. Bonnie couldn't muster a convincing 'yes' to the question, instead, she remained silent as tears fell down her face, inadvertently revealing how much she cares about him despite everything. Damon managed to wipe one tear away before she retreated from his touch, snapping her head away from him in the process. She never met his eyes again, only hearing him sigh in defeat before stepping away from her and leaving after throwing one more look of longing her way. Once she finally looked up, she was alone. Wiping a few tears away, she quickly turned around to resume her task of bringing everything into her house, and once the door was locked securely behind her, she fell limply to the floor as a new batch of tears gushed from her eyes. Soon, her entire body practically convulsed as her cries increased in strength, leaving her with no choice but to allow the sobs to fill the empty house. Desperate for a distraction, she reached out to her purse, fumbling around until her shaking fingers were secured around her cell phone. Opening a new message, she began typing:
Are you okay? –Bonnie
She dropped the phone on her lap, sniffling lightly when the screen flashed with a new message. Her heart fluttered with relief when she saw the response.
Yeah. I went straight to the hotel and went to bed.-Kai
Did my text wake you? -Bonnie
No, I was awake anyway. I know I bailed suddenly, but I left early to avoid doing something that would make you upset.-Kai
I appreciate you doing that for me. It means a lot Kai, honestly. -Bonnie
So, we are okay? Your offer still stands? -Kai
I thought you already accepted it? -Bonnie
Oh, I did. Just making sure ;) Night, Bon Bon. Xx -Kai
Night Kai xx -Bonnie
Bonnie's erratic breathing slowly subsided once she dropped her phone. On the other side of town, Kai placed released his own phone on the table he occupied. He took a deep breath before turning the page of the large grimoire he had been studying carefully. He was prepared to study spells all night, while his better half attempted to fall asleep in spite of her uncertainties…
A/N: I didn't want you all to wait any longer, so I tried to finish this quickly! The last two episodes have been awesome and frustrating at the same time. Why am I still watching this show?! Blah. I hope everyone likes this new addition! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who left reviews and are supporting the story. You all are awesome! Happy reading!