I may have to extend it to 41-42 chapters seeing as I hadn't planned on including this and was just going to jump forward.
If there was ever an award for the Most Annoying Person on the Planet Bonnie rather thought they were forced to retire it on account of Kol's centuries-long wining spree. She had thought - naively it turned out - that once he was returned to the living his days of haunting her every step would end. Day in and day out Kol was there, lingering like a foul odour permeated into an old couch. How, she wondered, does someone live a thousand years and have nothing to occupy their time except to bother her?
Her only reprieve was when she was with Caroline, but as her best friend was often in the company of Klaus, Silas, or both – two individuals she enjoyed less than Kol - she rarely had one. Each and every day she opened her eyes to find his face in close proximity, turned out the hyper git didn't require much in the way of sleep and no matter how many times she moved rooms or which spells she employed he always found her before morning came. Still, every night when she went to bed she sent a silent prayer that the next morning would start differently.
"Good morning Bon-Bon, what are our plans on this delectable day?" he asked the moment her eyes fluttered open.
"God I hate you," she muttered rolling away to the other side of the bed and burying her face the pillow.
"You wound me precious," his gleeful voice was like an invading army, ruining any hope of peace.
She groaned as her body was shifted when he jumped onto the bed in the space she had just vacated. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Because you'd miss me, darling," he cooed in her ear.
"Let's test that theory," she replied.
"Let's not, and say we did," he didn't understand how rejection was supposed to work.
"What do you want?" she turned herself to face him and found herself uncomfortably close. He looked much too good for so early in the morning.
"What are you offering?" he was practically leering.
"There is something seriously wrong with you," Bonnie said as she sat up to increase the space between them.
"It must be soooo tiring," he said sprawled on her bed, hands behind his head.
She knew she shouldn't ask, knew if would only encourage him, knew that was the last thing she should do, even so, "What must be tiring?"
"Denying your innermost desires," he purred.
Only a vampire could have gotten off the bed quicker than she did, of course a vampire wouldn't have ended up on their arse on the floor – something that happened way too often in his presence for her liking. His gloating face appeared above her, "Want me to kiss it better?"
"Yes Kol, kiss my arse," she responded drily.
"I thought you'd never ask," he purred and jumped off the bed to land beside her.
Before he could help her up, and attempt God knows what after, Bonnie was on her feet and retreating to the fortress of her bathroom in order to regroup. What was it that made him so difficult to deal with? Why was every encounter with him a battle? Why did she continuously take the bait?
When she finally got herself together and exited the bathroom she expected him to be waiting for her, like he had been every other day since their arrival, but she found herself in an empty room. There was a brief moment, fleeting, hardly worth the effort of remembering really, in which she was disappointed by his absence.
His appearance at the room's threshold a few seconds later alleviated it and a mere second after he opened his mouth she resolved that it really should be forgotten. It never happened.
"So fire of my loins as we are running low on the ingredients you enjoy wasting on spells to locate Qetsiyah, why don't you and I run amuck in NOLA today - replenish supplies and what not?" his smile was so wide he should have had a wide load sign affixed to his back.
"Why not just send someone?" Bonnie wasn't averse to an outing per se, but a suggestion of Kol's needed to be carefully considered. There was always an ulterior motive, besides if she acquiesced too quickly he might convince himself she enjoyed spending time with him. Then he'd be even more unbearable.
"You're not suggesting that we use Klaus' slave labor are you pet?" he sounded genuinely shocked, his smile wiped from his face though his eyes were shining and the corners of his lips looked desperate to turn up into his signature smirk. "What would 'She of the Chore Rotation Chart' think?" and then he had the gall to tutt at her.
"Like you care," she huffed and exited her bedroom.
"And my delectable chocolate truffle how do you think our witchy brothers and sisters would fare against those nasty Hybrid Neanderthals?" he followed her up the hall.
"So now you care about Hybrids and other witches?" she stopped hand on hip, dripping incredulity.
"Of course not, but when you ask the carbonated blonde sex kitten to convince my lest handsome brother that she routinely shags - despite infinitely better options," he spread his arms wide and indicated his person, as though there was any doubt to whom he referred, "to grant his exalted blessing, you can feel free to imply that I do," his smirk finally broke back through.
"I'm still not understanding why we need to go in the first place," as though she believed he might actually believe the Hybrids weren't capable and she didn't actually want to go. A little time off the property was very attractive, especially as she hadn't ever been to New Orleans before and Klaus and Silas seemed on a mission to make everyone uncomfortable.
"I'm bored," he whined.
"And going on a supply run will be entertaining how?" she tried very hard to sound disinterested.
"Not so much the supply run as what we get up to in between – take in the sights, raise a little hell, Jello wrestling," he smiled brightly.
Bonnie bit her lip to stop herself from smiling back. Kol might be the bane of her existence, but she was fairly sure he would be a fun tour guide or at the very least an interesting one. Of course Jello wrestling was not an option, well her Jello wrestling was not an option, if Kol should feel inclined to strip down to his underwear and wrestle someone tall dark and handsome she wouldn't be objecting.
"Come on Bonnie, I promise it will be fun," he did his best puppy dog eyes and she found herself nodding in acquiesce. Bonnie was shortly crushed by his hug, as his breath expelled warming her neck she felt a strange tingling sensation that prompted her to disengage herself from his embrace in a hurry.
"No touching," she would have liked to have sounded less breathless and flustered more biting and indifferent, but it wasn't like it meant anything. Sure Kol was good looking, and she was warm blooded and sex deprived, but he was still the most annoying person she had ever met.
Plus which, she was sort-of kind-of maybe with Jeremy and she had no intention of doing a Caroline and lowering her standards so far as to sleep with an Original – or former Original as the case may be.
Sometimes she wondered if she was the only one among her circle of friends that had standards, after all Stefan, Matt, and Damon – if she was feeling so kind as to include him in that number – had slept with Rebekah. She was also fairly certain that if Elena hadn't been playing musical beds with the Salvatores the brunette might have taken Elijah for a test run.
And then there was Caroline who had sunk to an all-time low and was in an actual relationship with the worst of the worst, and to top it off she was now apparently best buds with the oldest terror to walk the earth. The girl was certifiable, but she was still Bonnie's best friend. A best friend that always stood beside her, that would do anything for her, forgive her for what should have been unforgivable. Caroline was her person.
Bonnie in turn was determined to always be there for Caroline, but she wasn't on board with the whole Klaroline affair (Silas' portmanteau). Bonnie was ever hopeful that her best friend would come to her senses and realize that she was certifiably crazy for falling for the evil one. Of course she wasn't vocal about her disapproval…too often. She had no intention of alienating Caroline and leaving the blonde for Klaus to do what he will, but her acting skills were not so refined to disguise her feelings.
As though her reproachful thoughts brought Caroline forth, Bonnie saw her best friend step out a room down the hall and with a big smile the blonde walked towards her.
"Hey Care, I was just looking for you," she said with a responding smile.
"What's up?" everything about Caroline advertised her happiness. Bonnie almost felt guilty for hoping Klaroline would quickly be consigned to the pages of history.
"We're running low on supplies," she eased her way into it.
"Oh, well, I think Pavan and Rex are going on a run this morning I'm sure they wouldn't mind picking up anything you want," a touch of unease had entered Caroline's voice and Bonnie knew why. Caroline hadn't been overly fond of the Hybrid's slave-like status prior to her ill-fated NOLA excursion, but she was less so now. After the return the Hybrids seemed to take any request from the blonde as though it was an order from their Sire. Klaus wasn't bothered, but it made Caroline uncomfortable. Hence the Chore Rotation Chart.
"Witches might not be overly inclined to meet a shopping list presented by Hybrids Care," she said softly.
Caroline sighed. "You want me to ask Klaus if you can go?"
"And Kol," she advised.
"Kol wants to go on a supply run?" Caroline didn't sound convinced.
"He just wants to get out," Bonnie told her.
"Fine," though the blonde didn't sound pleased. "Come on then," she motioned for Bonnie to follow and strode through the house as though homing in on a signal only she could detect. Soon enough they were soon in Klaus' presence.
"Caroline love, how may I be of assistance?"
Bonnie didn't miss the double meaning, she did swallow back a groan and a touch of bile if she wasn't mistaken.
"Bonnie and Kol need to go get more supplies for their spells," Caroline didn't beat around the bush.
Klaus' gaze left Caroline's for a moment and meet Bonnie's. "No," he said and then turned as though that was the end of the matter.
"Pavan and Rex are going out, so they could take them wherever they need to go," Caroline continued as though he hadn't spoken, but a touch of irritation colored her voice.
"Caroline," Klaus practically growled her name.
"You can't lock everyone up," Caroline snapped back and Bonnie was left in no doubt that the two were no longer discussing their planned supply run, but rather revisiting an argument.
It surprised Bonnie that even in the depths of an argument Caroline still seemed to glow with inner happiness and Klaus, whist most assuredly tossing dark looks as though afraid they would soon go out of fashion, seemed to emanate a calmness incongruent with all she knew of him. It was about this time that Bonnie realized Kol had followed them into the room. He looked positively thrilled, she wondered if he never believed his brother might be amendable. If this was the kind of entertainment he had in mind. She wouldn't put it past him.
"Need I remind you sweetheart of what happened the last time someone left this house without my permission?" the words rumbled out as though accompanying an earthquake.
"I promised not to leave again," Caroline voice sounded small, but petulant.
"I'll go with them," Silas announced upon sauntering into the room.
Caroline smiled brightly at the new arrival as though he was the answer to all their problems, Bonnie again reflected upon the madness that had taken over her friend.
"Of course you will," Klaus bit out the words, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Is it Christmas?" Kol whispered in her ear. Bonnie was only too aware of the fact that Kol was enjoying himself, he seemed to thrive in chaos.
"Bonnie and Kol will be perfectly safe in my company, after all should we run into the toxic bitch she'll be entirely too focused on hacking me into little pieces to bother with them," Silas smiled brightly as though he looked forward to his dismemberment.
Klaus seemed to find it appealing as well. "You've convinced me love, they can go," he said with an evil grin.
"No one is going to get hacked," Caroline sounded decidedly annoyed. "If Qetsiyah does show up Silas, you are not to take her on on your own, you will wait for help which I am quite certain will be dispatched immediately," she said with a pointed look at Klaus.
"Of course my love," Klaus' grin wasn't exactly convincing.
"And Bonnie," Caroline said turning her full attention to her, complete with a wagging finger. "At the first sign of trouble you will ditch them and run as fast as you can."
She couldn't help but smile. "Okay Care."
"Promise me," the blonde demanded.
"I promise," she said.
Caroline smiled then headed to the door. "Oh, and Silas," she turned back and shot the man a look full of meaning, "you do not have my permission." Bonnie had no idea what that meant but Silas nodded, somewhat begrudgingly.
"Now that that's settled, get out,"Klaus growled at them.
"And for a moment there you were almost my favorite brother," Kol cheerfully announced before flouncing out the door. "Hey Silas buddy don't look so glum, Bekah told me Klaus has the cure," Kol shot a now simmering Klaus an evil smirk. "Come hither sugar plum, Jello wrestling awaits us!" he yelled whilst making a hasty retreat.
Bonnie swallowed back her groan and followed Kol out.
Rebekah hadn't exactly been keen on hanging out at the mansion. Aside from her brothers the only other residents she didn't routinely feel like ripping the hearts out of were Stefan and Caroline. The latter of the two's time was occupied predominately by her brother, but also by Silas, Bonnie, Stefan, and oddly enough Katherine. There wasn't much opportunity for Rebekah to spend time with the other blonde Stefan seemingly intent on avoiding his double wasn't often within the mansion's walls, but when he was he tended to spend his time with Caroline. She would have liked to join them, to forge closer bonds with the two, but it always seemed as though they were in the middle of some private moment and she just couldn't find it within herself to interrupt. She knew it was pathetic, that she a thousand year old Original vampire had all the social skills of a agoraphobic lobster, but she couldn't help it.
Rather like she couldn't help eavesdropping on Nik's conversation with Silas. She'd arrived just in time to hear Caroline, whom she had been looking for leaving, but the moment Kol opened his big fat mouth the other blonde was very much forgotten. Rebekah had ducked into the adjoining room as Kol had bounded out into the hall, suddenly anxious that they might realize she was listening. At first she had thought that Silas left with Kol and Bonnie, but after a minute or two of silence Silas spoke.
"When Caroline is safe you are going to give me that cure," his voice was very low and had she not been in the next room she would not have heard him.
"Don't worry mate, the second you kill the witch I'll happily toss it down your throat," Nik's voice was equally low, and menacing.
"So desperate to eliminate the competition?" Silas sounded amused, almost on the verge of laughter.
"You are not competition," Nik obviously seething. "She is mine."
"And provided I get the cure, she always will be," Silas responded and then she heard him leave. As a loud crashing noise began in the room Nik now occupied alone Rebekah made her escape unnoticed.
Rebekah headed to the front door, but she'd have liked to go into the room Nik was destroying and ask him if he was sincere when he told Silas he would give him the cure. She'd have liked to have done that, but she didn't see the point. Nik had never made any secret of his disdain for her dreams of a human existence, much like Elijah in that regard. Neither could ever comprehend the appeal, neither had seriously considered taking the cure and they never would. Kol had been killed before they obtained the cure that first time so she had been spared his ridicule.
Nik would give the cure to Silas she was sure of it. He saw Silas as a threat, to Nik's cherished title of the most powerful creature on earth and to his relationship with Caroline. Rebekah knew her brother, she knew that he wouldn't have spared her a single thought, knew that he would think only of how it would benefit him. He was now as he always was, a selfish bastard.
Still a lot had changed since that first cure hunt, and a lot had remained the same. She wasn't sure now if she would take it, she wasn't certain if it would make her happy, if she ever could be. She wondered how Kol felt now that he was human - a warlock but human. She wondered if he rejoiced at reconnecting with nature, feeling the life force of everything around him. Rebekah missed that, she had thought that perhaps if she had that back she might just be able to function fully again. Might just be able to redeem herself and be worthy of being loved, then again it might not.
Regardless, there was not one cure, but two and if Nik was going to give the one he held to Silas then Marcel's was still up for grabs. When the time came she might not take it, but she wanted the option. Sure Katherine was dying, but it was a slow process natural aging. It was also a process Rebekah could extend, she was born a witch and the cure would return her to that state.
As she exited the door and began the short journey to her car which was parked out front one of the Hybrid patrols was arriving. "Miss Rebekah!" one of them, she thought his name was Darrel or maybe Darren, yelled out to her. She stopped and waited for him with an upturned brow and a down-turned mouth.
"We may have found that woman you were looking for," he announced with a large smile, clearly very much pleased with himself.
For the last few days she had had the Hybrid patrols on the look out for Camille in addition to Marcel and Qetsiyah, something told her that the back stabbing arse would stick close to the blonde. And even if he didn't, she still wasn't quite over the poisoning incident and was eager to spend some quality time with the bartender from hell. "Show me," she demanded and headed to their SUV.
"Show us," Nik announced his rather unwelcome arrival. Talk about crappy timing.
"I'm quite capable, you don't need to come," she sneered.
"I never said you weren't little sister, but I am coming," he was clearly still in a bad mood.
"Fine," she hissed and got into the back seat, leaving the front passenger for his Majesty. She couldn't stop the selfish bastard from coming, but that blonde bitch was hers.