Bonnie was shaking as she walked towards the Mikaelson cellar, just like everyone in this town Klaus had kept the original quarters, sometimes she hated the constant reminder that this was once a typical South town although she knew the exact reason everyone had kept the dungeon-like places, they existed to keep bad things in or in some cases out.

Which was another pleasant reminder that every family in this town had a monstrous secret to hide, she looked through the small gate on the door and saw her mother standing against the wall, she had her arms around herself trying to shield from the cold and Bonnie went back to the thought that that particular monster was the one who gave her life.

Bonnie unlocked the door nervous and stepped inside, Abby looked at her with nothing but despise which made her ever more certain of what she was about to do.

"Did you come to say goodbye?" Abby asked expecting one of the others to follow Bonnie inside.

Bonnie tried to keep her eyes on Abby. "That would have been a lot more than you ever did for me."

"I had my reasons to leave Bonnie." she simply said, relaxing when she realized that Bonnie was alone in her quest for answers.

"Yes I know, to protect me or whatever... I really don't know anymore." she replied shrugging.

"I left because I loved you." Abby quietly said.

Bonnie widened her eyes and softly shook her head. "You really are messed up." Abby faced her with such lack of emotion that Bonnie wondered if she had been turned human at all.

"I left to protect you and your friend Elena. I left to trap Mikael inside of that tomb so that you would have a chance of a normal life Bonnie. I left so I could give you a human life, without all the everlasting consequences that come from being a witch."

"Is this the part where I sympathize with your reasons? Because I'm having a really hard time accepting that you not only walked out on me the first time, you also chose to run away the second time around without even speaking to me. I deserved at least that, you were supposed to be there for me, I wanted you to be... a mother." She dropped her voice.

"I was one in my own way and I was justified in all that I did." Abby showed a hint of emotion for the first time.

"You teamed up with Esther and you killed Caroline." Bonnie said astonished at the seemingly cool tone of her mother.

"She made her own bed when she chose Klaus." Abby said shutting down her emotions again.

"Would you have killed me as well? If I had chosen one of them?" Bonnie asked still hopping to connect to her estranged parent somehow.

Tiny hints of emotion crossed her face now. "Haven't you already?"

"You are so set on destroying the only family I ever had." Bonnie deflected.

Abby shook her head fiercely. "They are evil. They represent the origin of evil itself and you sided with them."

Bonnie cleaned a few tears and added. "I didn't have anyone, Matt and Caroline didn't have anyone, no one was watching our back and you know what? This evil family comes to town and welcomes us into their home, as part of their lives. They kept us safe and stood up for us when no one else did, we found a family with them and I will always side with them. No matter what or who turns out to be an enemy, they will always have my support."

Abby harshly felt every ounce of sorrow that Bonnie was throwing at her. "You are a witch and you are supposed to fight evil, not defend it. We have an obligation to keep balance because we are the last line of defense and you can't choose sides, let alone help the dark forces that our sisters died fighting against."

Bonnie simply shook her head. "Who are you or they to tell me which side is the good one, why is my good any different from yours? Are you a better person than any of them? You walked out on your family and abandoned your child and that in my book makes you a villain."

"You are going to realize one day what a huge mistake you have done and then it will be too late Bonnie... I won't be able to help you then."

Bonnie hesitated the tiniest. "I don't need your help..."

"What have you done Bonnie?" Abby whispered.

Bonnie smiled. "I brought Caroline back."

Abby recoiled in her place not expecting it. "Do you know what you just did?"

Bonnie nodded. "And I would do it all over again, she didn't deserve to die. I didn't deserve to lose my best friend and to have my mother take her away from me."

"Are you aware of the consequences Bonnie?" Abby asked her assertive.

Bonnie answered the same way. "Yes."

Abby faced the floor concealing her disappointment and concern. "I expected more from you."

"I didn't have anyone to teach me better." she spat out mad.

"What will happen to your precious family when you die? It will all have been in vain." Abby told her bitterly.

Bonnie chuckled. "Not even when you are faced with my imminent death you can pretend to care about me? At all?" Bonnie asked feeling like she was still fishing for sympathy.

Abby opened her mouth and finally showed all those emotions that she had hidden behind her tough expression. "I lost that right when I left you."

Bonnie ran her hands through her long hair. "Yes you did." she nodded.

Abby looked at Bonnie not really knowing what to do or say. "What happens now?" she asked after a brief silence.

"Nothing." Bonnie stepped aside. "You can go for now."

The words stunned Abby. "I... am free to leave?"

"Yes, no one is going to harm you for now but I recommend that you leave Mystic Falls as fast as you possibly can and that you don't look back. Don't come back either."

"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?"

Bonnie smiled at her mother. "Because I am better than you." she left the underground room without looking back.

She was able to make it to the garden before she broke down, she cried feeling like she was carrying the weight of the world again, she sat in one of the benches there and played with her sleeve as the tears dried into sniffles.

Elijah sat next to her quietly. "Are you all right?" he inquired softly.

Bonnie chuckled. "I'm great Elijah, my mother just became the President of The Sucky Mother Club."

Elijah smiled. "My mother would still be the reigning queen if I hadn't killed her."

Bonnie smiled at him. "Are you ok?"

Elijah's smile was bigger. "You truly are one remarkable woman Bonnie Bennett."

"You just killed your mother, I can only try to imagine how you feel right now."

"I feel like it was necessary."

The simplicity in his words shook her a bit but they held so much truth in them that she would never be able to look at him differently for doing so.

He looked away from her still with his smile and prepared to leave but she stopped him by placing her hand on his arm, she didn't want to be alone.

Elijah nodded understanding and leaned back on the bench keeping her company. "She will come back, you know? To finish what she started." he said looking at the flowers before them.

"I know but I'm not alone anymore."

Elijah looked at her wisely. "No, you are not."


Rebekah closed her dress happy with the way that the red looked on her skin, she ran her fingers through her long straight blonde hair and wondered if she should put on some more makeup, she really loved how her cheeks were now this pale pink tone and she didn't want to overdo it.

"You look absolutely beautiful Rebekah."

The words made her smile and she turned to face her brother. "You are just saying that because you are biased Nik."

Klaus smiled leaning against the threshold of her room. "I have never lied to you, I wouldn't start now."

"Now it's a good time to start, I can't tell anymore if you are lying." she shrugged.

Klaus smiled wider. "You truly look mesmerizing."

Rebekah pulled her shoulders together and smiled. "Thank you."

"And I'm sure that you are still able to tell if I'm lying." he cocked his eyebrow.

Rebekah laughed and turned around to her full-sized mirror, after another glance at her look she looked at Klaus through the mirror. "I'm telling Matt tonight."

"He's in for a treat." Klaus smirked.

"I know…" Rebekah said and dropped her eyes to the floor, feeling even more insecure about it now.

It didn't go unnoticed to her brother that unfolded his arms and neared her. "Rebekah, he will understand."

"It sounded like such an amazing idea in my head when I asked Bonnie to bring me back as a human instead of a vampire… but now…" she shook her head softly.

Klaus stopped behind her and looked at her reflection. "Why the sudden doubt?"

She licked her bottom lip apprehensively. "I'm not like you any longer." she whispered.

Klaus' soft chuckle made her look up and he gently turned her to him. "You are my sister Rebekah. Human, vampire or something else, you will remain my sister, that is all you are to me. Forever and always."

She smiled. "You still love me? Even now that I'm just... mortal?" she asked with her eyes sparkling in hope.

"You will still bring me to the brink of madness I'm sure, maybe more now that I'll have to protect you twice as hard." he chuckled.

She rolled her eyes as a response.

"It's what you wanted and I understand why you wanted it…"

"Even if I'm not like the rest now?"

Klaus leaned over and kissed her forehead softly. "I'll love you all the same until the day you do leave me." he whispered.

Rebekah fought tears, she hugged him and rested her cheek against his chest. "I know that it's hard for you to accept the fact that you'll have to let me go eventually one day but being human is all I ever wanted Nik." she pulled back to look at him. "I love Matt and he didn't want to be turned, this way I can really be with him." Klaus smiled but she saw the sadness in his features.

He reached for the pocket of his coat removing her necklace. "I think that this belongs to you."

She felt his humanity at her reach, it brought her tears forward because she knew how hard it was for him, she turned so that he could place the necklace on her and smiled. "You're not alone either Nik, everyone in this house would gladly step in for you now."

"In the end we all got what we wanted." he added smiling before walking away.

Rebekah smiled through her silent tears, they really did.


Kol opened the front door and smiled at Matt, he moved so that the human could come inside, when Matt held out his hand to him he smiled widely and took his hand under a firm strong hold, Matt gulped down but was thankful that he didn't seem set on breaking his hand this time.

Klaus joined the two men and chuckled with the awkward scene. "Rebekah will be with us in a minute."

Matt smiled and tried to retrieve his hand but Kol strongly kept him in place.

"Now Kol, play nice." Klaus asked.

Kol winked at Matt. "Just wanted to tell you that you better watch over Bekah now."

Matt frowned. "Of course… but what are you talking about?"

Kol went serious. "Break her heart mate and I will break every single bone in your body."

Matt was confused. "Like I would ever…"

Kol smiled his playful smile and released Matt's hand, he left the house without another word.

Matt looked at Klaus now. "What was that all about?"

"Merely a brother being protective, now and then Kol surprises everyone." he looked at Rebekah as she came down the staircase. "But we all feel the same way." he added solemnly.

Matt opened his mouth briefly, he was lost for words, everyone seemed weird tonight, even the man now leaving him alone with Rebekah, he turned and faced his girlfriend with a smile. "You look hot..." he said with a smile.

Rebekah stopped in front of him with a smile, she touched his chest and leaned over to kiss him as she usually did but this time she felt her heart race loudly, she would still need a lot of time to get used to the sensation of her heart beating.

He stroked her cheek as they ended the kiss but he noticed the tiniest change in her. "You look… different."

She couldn't stop her heart from going on a silly ride by itself. "Matt… when Bonnie brought Caroline back… she gave her my immortality as a vampire and she brought me back as a human." she whispered the last word.

Matt seemed to take a step back unwillingly.

There was only panic taking over her, she wanted to reach out and take his hand but she was scared of his next reaction.

"You gave up on being a vampire for Caroline?" he asked flabbergasted.

"Not just for her Matt…" she explained softly.

"You did this for me as well? But you were immortal and invincible, and now you can... die…" he said slowly.

Rebekah rolled her eyes. "I don't care about that, I never did. I've lived so many centuries without really living and as it is I barely began living now but I only feel alive when I'm with you. And that's all I ever wanted, to have a full life as long as I spend it with you."

Matt shook his head, all this was overwhelming, too much even but he had to deal with this new twist now, reacting he smiled and took a step forward to cradle her face while crushing his lips against hers. "I love you Beks." He murmured against the lips he kissed again until he felt her relax.

Rebekah laughed, how she loved this new side of her life, she could actually fully feel Matt's muscled body, feel the hardness of his chest or fully enjoy the sweetness of his smell, all this felt a lot better than she could ever hoped for.

Still when he suddenly pushed her away she was stunned and blinked confused.

He had a huge smile imprinted on his face. "Rebekah Mikaelson, will you be my date to Prom?"

She gulped down suppressing the huge exciting squeal that wanted to come out. "Of course I will."

He kissed her deeply as a response.

Rebekah felt dizzy, not sure if it was due to the way he tasted or the fact that this was going to be her first Prom and that she was going as a human on top of it all. "But considering my luck I'll probably end up in the hospital before I reach the parking lot of your school, it's ludicrous the amount of times I've missed these theme high-school dances of yours."

Matt laughed before kissing her pouty lips. "I will make sure everything goes smoothly and your brothers will be around as well."

She narrowed her blue eyes at him teasingly. "You are absolutely elated with the chance to play the protective, strong boyfriend from now on, aren't you?"

Matt laced his arm around her waist. "You are my girl Beks, it's my duty to do so."

Rebekah smiled hugely, oh this was going to be fun.


Klaus gravely looked down on the body inside of the coffin, Esther had drained the life out of Finn completely, the dagger in his heart only helped Bonnie perform the spell to keep Stefan's life dormant.

It didn't have to come to this, as much as he hated the reasons why Finn was so set on destroying them and even with everything that he had done, he still loved his brother the same way, as he loved his entire family.

It should have never come to this. "Goodbye brother." he whispered closing the coffin, lingering his hands on top of it for a bit before leaving the room silently.


Bonnie slowly opened the door of her bedroom, when she turned the lights on she jumped because Kol was sitting on a chair waiting for her, she winced and touched her chest steadying her skipping heart. "Jesus Kol, you scared me."

He didn't say anything, he just sat there rubbing his index finger against his thumb silently.

"What do you want? I'm tired Kol, it's been a really long and draining day."

He still said nothing so she just moved to the bathroom were she changed, she didn't care about privacy and boundaries anymore, she was tired and she needed her bed.

She dragged her feet back to her bed when he made her stop by flashing in front of her, she sighed loudly this time. "What are you doing in my room?"

Kol cupped her face with both hands.

She became aware of the way she enjoyed his touch just a little too much, for quite some time now.

"Why did you let her go?" he asked her in a satin low voice.

Bonnie blinked struggling to focus. "I had to. It wouldn't be me if I didn't."

"So you just allowed the biggest threat on our life to walk out the door, she is probably looking for new allies as we speak so that was incredibly brainless of you."

"Haven't you heard? Us humans... we tend to do stupid things." she whispered with a look down to his lips.

Kol's breath came out in harsh pants and he inched over to her, just enough to listen to her heart thumping a sweet enchanting melody, he enjoyed how there was a warmth reaching his palms and he stroked her cheeks with a smile. "This is a mistake." He looked deep into those evil eyes of hers as he pulled back from the scorching temptation.

"I know." she agreed softly with a smile.

Kol regained his natural cockiness as he started to walk away. "I hope that you said your goodbyes earlier because I will kill your mother the next time I see her." he said before he closed the door of her bedroom.

Bonnie dragged her exhausted body to bed and slowly covered with a warm sheet, she stared at the ceiling thinking that that was the least of her problems right now.


Caroline woke up unsure of where she was, she even touched her chest as a quick reaction to it but soon enough she relaxed knowing now that she was home, she was in their bed but she grimaced because she was alone.

She sat up to look for him feeling a lump in her throat when she found him sitting by the window, he had his back on her and he was staring outside into a really dark night, silently she left their bed and when she reached him she touched his bare back, tracing it slowly as she sat behind him, snuggling closely to him and to his heat.

Klaus silently took her hand when she glided it across his chest and sighed when she laced her other arm around him, enjoying how she locked him inside of her sweet embrace.

"What's wrong?"

She softly asked in that sweet low voice so familiar to him now, it still felt somewhat surreal that she was here whispering against his skin and leaving sinful kisses on his cheek.

"I couldn't sleep." he simply said.

Caroline smiled, she gently rubbed her cheek against his and left another kiss closely to the corner of her lips. "I'm not going anywhere, so you don't have to stay awake and do a night watch." she kept her voice low.

Klaus chuckled, he was beyond transparent when it came to Caroline, he silently hated that she could always read right through him and that he was blushing through his awkward vulnerable smile now.

Caroline now rested her chin on his shoulder and her long hair fell across his chest.

He closed his eyes enduring a torture that was only his bear. "I lost you..." he breathed out.

She melted further against him. "I lost you too. And it was horrible to know that I wouldn't see you again." She tightened her arms around him.

Klaus moved his head so that he could kiss her forehead. "Don't leave me again Caroline."

She met his lips to have a bit of that warmth as well, she was far from considering it and for the rest of the night she stayed like that, glued to his back and with her fingers entwined with his, without a word and just waiting for dawn knowing that it was a blessing that they could share a sunrise together.


Soundtrack:

Afterglow – INXS