CHAPTER 16

I realize the Chicago stuff in TVD actually takes place after the NOLA 1920's plot, but I decided to veer from canon because why not? Plec does it on the reg.

Magic ravaged Bonnie. She chanted in time with Celestia and watched as the chaos of the battle on the deck below unfolded. Winds howled and whipped through the air mercilessly. They churned the sea and waves crashed against the ship.

The winds howled and picked up strength until they were a raging hurricane. Bonnie raised her voice, shouting so loudly that her voice was starting to grow hoarse. She could feel herself weakening and fell to her knees. Celestia clung to her and blood was dripping from the medium's nose.

For a few seconds the storm engulfed everything and Bonnie was scared she was going to fly away. But she remained where she was. When it lifted the skies were blue and Klaus was gone with all of his men.

Bonnie released Celestia's hand.

"Where did they go?"

Celestia smirked. "Far away from here. Klaus was dumped in the middle of the ocean."

"Good," Bonnie grinned. "I hope he drowns."

"BONNIE!"

She looked up just in time to see Kol come to a stop in front of her. Then his arms were around her and he was hugging her tightly. She buried her face in his chest and inhaled his familiar smell.

"I'm alright. Just a little tired."

Bonnie moved away and she saw Kol was eyeing Celestia distrustfully.

"I remember you, you were one of Klaus's most loyal witches."

"And I remember you. You're the happy homicidal maniac, who loves witches," Celestia said and eyed him coldly. "It appears you have your hooks in my descendant."

"It's not like that," Kol growled. "But if you don't stop talking, I will break my rule about not harming witches and kill you."

"I'd love to see you try."

"Kol!" Bonnie snapped. "Don't you dare. She's my ancestor!"

"Which you probably shouldn't have told her," Rebekah remarked.

"Don't bother lying to me," Celestia said. "The spirits already told me everything."

"Oh my God, could everyone just behave for like two seconds instead of bickering like children?" Bonnie said.

Henrik laughed. "Now you sound like Elijah."

"Oh my God, I think that might be the cruelest thing anyone has ever said to me," Bonnie muttered.

"Fine by me," Kol said. "Truce?"

"Truce," Celestia agreed. "I just need to be let off somewhere close and I will disappear before Niklaus has the chance to come looking for me."

"Will you be alright?" Bonnie asked.

Celestia had saved them, but she would hate it if saving them cost Celestia her life. There had been enough deaths and casualties of war back home. Just because the Salvatores and even Elena were fine with it, didn't mean Bonnie was.

"I'll be fine. I'm a powerful witch. I could hide from dear old Klaus for centuries if I needed to."

"Good," Bonnie said exhaling.

"Well the day is still young what do you say we board some honest sailors?" Kol asked turning to Henrik. "A spot of good old-fashioned plundering before we arrive."

"No," Bonnie said flatly.

"No fun," Rebekah sulked.

"Well if this is going to be another dull day, I need a drink," Henrik said in a way that was so much like Kol it made Bonnie smile.

But at least now they had enough supplies to see them through.

"Vampires," Celestia muttered.

XXX

Bonnie stared at the island. They were still a long way off, but her heart still skipped a beat at the sight of solid land and civilization. Celestia came up next to her and she grinned.

"Exciting isn't it?"

"It is. I needed to get off this ship."

"Seasick or sick of the people?"

"Bekah and I might kill each other if we don't have some space soon," Bonnie said in an undertone.

Celestia laughed. "Well we'll make port in a matter of hours."

"Are you sure you want to part ways here? It's an island and what if Klaus escapes?"

"It will take him at least a month to make his way here and by then I will be long gone cloaked in so much magic none of his witches could track me. Not in a thousand years."

"Don't be too sure about that. A thousand years isn't as long as you might think."

Bonnie was learning that more and more with each portal they went through.

XXX

Bonnie hated the island immediately. What she had hated even more was that there wasn't time to liberate any of the slaves. But as they crept past the grounds of the large plantation, Bonnie muttered a curse. One that ensured the owners would come to a gruesome end.

"Don't fret too much," Rebekah said flashing a wicked smile. "Once you and Kol are safely through the portal Henrik and I can come back to do what you want to."

Bonnie glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. "How did you know?"

"Because I was thinking the same thing. Well that and I can oftentimes tell what someone is thinking."

"It's uncanny," Henrik remarked.

"It's supernatural," Kol corrected.

"Good," was all Bonnie said.

She looked around the jungle. It was beautiful. It was filled with bright colors greens, browns, red in every shade. There were nuances she didn't even have a name for. It was breathtaking. She could have done without the humid heat though. Already she was covered in a layer of sweat. Her hair was plastered to her forehead.

"We're almost there," Kol said glancing at her.

"Liar."

Kol snorted. "Correct. We are at least half a day away."

Henrik passed her a canteen of water. Gratefully, she drank several mouthfuls before putting the lid back on. The water had been lukewarm, but it had slaked the worst of her thirst.

The rest of the walk was excruciating. By the time they reached the other side of the island dusk was upon them. Cicadas chirped in the background and Bonnie smiled at the familiar sound.

There was a steep mountain with a waterfall running down into a pool of water. The area was entirely secluded, hidden by all of the greenery. The air was ripe with the fragrance of tropical flowers. She sighed and took a moment just to enjoy the beauty of nature. She allowed herself to feel the dirt beneath her feet. The soil was familiar and she could feel the spirit of nature. Once again, she felt connected and in tune with her true nature.

Kol and Henrik gathered some dry wood for a fire. One Bonnie tried to start with her magic before Kol vetoed the suggestion. And she understood, she would be casting a powerful spell in a matter of hours. No need to use her powers on anything else before then.

Rebekah made tea and Bonnie sat down, enjoying a fresh drink of water. Unlike the vampires, she was exhausted from the walk. It had been a lot of miles to cover in a matter of hours. And Bonnie couldn't wait to get home so she could drive again. Kol had offered to give her a piggy-back ride, but Bonnie had refused. One thing she had learned from hanging out with vampires in the past was that it was never a good idea to let them see too much weakness.

"Anyone fancy a swim?" Rebekah asked once they had eaten.

Bonnie looked wistfully at the waterfall. "I'd love to, but there isn't enough time. I need to begin the ritual in a few minutes."

"What did I tell you, witches always get a raw deal," Kol said with a teasing smile in her direction.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. She stood up and followed her intuition until she was in the exact spot where the magical nexus pooled the strongest. There must have been at least some powerful spells cast in this area over the years for this sort of power to have built up. She wondered, who those witches were and why they had been casting in this place.

"I will see you both on the other side," she said to Henrik and Rebekah.

Rebekah actually returned her smile. That must mean they were becoming friends again.

"We'll be waiting. You take care of my idiot brother for me."

"I always do."

Henrik surprised her by hugging her. "See you in a few years, witchy."

Bonnie patted his cheek. "Stay out of trouble, alright?"

"I'll try, but you know me."

Bonnie laughed and then kneeled in front of tree. Behind her, she heard Kol saying goodbye to his siblings. She closed her eyes and began the spell to open the portal. When Kol kneeled next to her. She took his hand and channeled his essence.

It was much the same as bloodsharing him. The magic that sustained his immortality rushed into her. It was a heady mix of power. It was as ancient as the earth itself and she gasped. It was bliss and she had to fight through the haze to complete the spell.

It felt like minutes before a blue vortex opened out seemingly out of nothing. Still holding Kol's hand, she stepped into it.

XXX

Bonnie woke up and for once she didn't feel exhausted. But what she didn't like was the sound of voices. She heard chatter and fear in the voices. A lot of fear. Immediately, she shot up and saw Kol was already on his feet. His eyes scanned the area looking for trouble. Sometimes, the vampire constitution was infuriating.

Bonnie groaned when she saw that they had landed in the middle of a city. There were people everywhere and she saw the city was filthy. The clothes were ragged and it looked like something out of Charles Dickens novel. Or at least those movies based on his books that Elena forced them to watch. With another groan she realized they were back in England. Probably sometime in the late 1700's or early 1800's.

"Oh my God, I hate England," Bonnie muttered.

The last time they had been in England it had been filthy, impoverished and depressing. There was too much fog and the food was so bland it may as well have been inedible. She only ever ate when she grew so hungry she couldn't take it anymore. Then they had almost been killed by werewolves and they had left Henrik behind. There was absolutely no part of that she wanted to repeat.

"Tell me about it," Kol agreed. "However, we'd best clear out of here."

Now that she was less disoriented, she heard what the whispers were about.

"Witch."

"Magic."

"Devils."

Before Bonnie had the chance to fully wrap her mind around what was happening Kol picked her up and ran away. He didn't stop until they reached a tavern on the outskirts of town. He compelled the owner to forget they were there and got them a room.

"How are you feeling?"

Bonnie sat down on a chair and exhaled.

"Better. Channeling you was a good idea."

"Happy to help, but does it seem to that we are travelling shorter distances in time?"

"Yes," Bonnie said glancing out the window. "It doesn't matter though we will still get home."

XXX

It had taken five more trips through time, but Bonnie and Kol had finally landed in the 1920's. She loved the fashion and the music. More than anything, she loved New Orleans. The city was vibrant and colorful. The Mikaelsons rarely frequented the French Quarter, which made it all too easy to avoid the Mikaelsons' past selves.

The only family member they associated with was Henrik. He ran his own Speak-Easy and a local witch had put a glamor on him. One that altered his appearance so much so that even if Klaus looked straight at him, he wouldn't know him.

Bonnie was having a sidecar, a cocktail the bartender had recommended. It was perfect. Kol was smoking with Henrik and drinking like a fish.

"Where is Klaus? And Rebekah?"

"Bekah is in a coffin," Henrik said. "I'm not certain why."

"It's because she wouldn't leave Chicago with Klaus. She chose Stefan," Bonnie said thinking back to what Elena had told her about the Original family. "And Kol?"

"Still in a coffin," Kol said. "It's dear old Nik's favorite place for me."

"Ugh, he's such an ass. Poor Finn," Bonnie sighed. "He's been stuck there for about eight hundred years now."

"I am tempted to free him, but Kol was insistent about the timeline remaining undisturbed."

In spite of the grim subject matter, she tapped her foot in time with the lively music. The New Orleans jazz music reminded her of the kind of music her Grams would love.

"Yes," Kol growled and downed his scotch. He waved his hand for a refill. "It is volatile magic. If we disrupt things too much, I imagine the results will be much the same as waking Silas."

"Waking who?" Bonnie asked only halfway listening to their conversation. Her eyes were drawn to the dancefloor. The club was packet yet everyone was still dancing, their bodies pressed close together and their feet keeping time with the beat.

"It's an old witch's tale, never mind that tosh," Henrik said with a bright smile.

"How are you handling the bloodlust on your own?" Kol asked.

Bonnie noticed he was studying her neck. She ignored the shiver of anticipation that went down her spine. He hadn't fed in a day or two and she knew they would bloodshare when they returned home tonight.

"It's under control. I only feed from animals -"

Kol groaned. "Bloody hell. I'd really hoped you wouldn't turn into one of those Mary Sue vampires."

"Says the guy, who's only fed from one girl in months," Henrik smirked and winked at Bonnie, she rolled her eyes. "I also choose willing victims, but I have turned over a new leaf."

"Good," was all Bonnie said.

Her policy on killing vampires, who murdered was still the same. If Caroline ever became what Stefan or Damon was she wouldn't hesitate to kill her either. As for Damon and Stefan they were toast if they crossed her when she returned to Mystic Falls.

"You must be looking forward to going home," Henrik said.

Bonnie nodded. But the truth was, she wasn't so sure anymore. Abby had turned because of Elena. Everyone was always willing to protect her yet to Bonnie it felt as if she was always the one to pay the price, never Elena. Her time away from Mystic Falls was making her see things in a new light. Bonnie still wasn't sure whether that was good or bad.

"I am," Bonnie said forcing a smile.

She glanced at Kol out of the corner of her eye, but he was watching the band. Her relationship with Kol would become infinitely more complicated once she was back home. That was another issue she wasn't ready to deal with.

"I never did ask, do you have any family?"

"Not anymore," Bonnie confessed. "I recently reconnected with my mom, but she got turned. I think she skipped town after that. Now it's just me and my dad again."

"I'm sorry," Henrik said with genuine feeling. "For what it's worth you'll always be a part of my family."

"Who wouldn't want in our trainwreck of a family?" Kol asked with a teasing smile.

"Thank you, Henrik," Bonnie said with an exasperated glance at Kol. "I need another drink. I'll be right back."

Bonnie made her way through the crowd with a fair share of pushing and shoving. The Speak-Easy was way too small a crowd this size. She guessed since they were illegal they didn't worry about fires or fire safety. No one to check that sort of thing when your business was on the down low.

Finally, Bonnie was at the bar and she had just placed her order when the sight of a familiar face made her blood run cold. Damon Salvatore smirked and racked his eyes along her figure. She was so shocked to see someone from present day Mystic Falls she froze.

"Well hello, aren't you a regular Daisy Buchanan, doll face," Damon trademark leer and smarmy smile snapped her out of it.

"Oh my God, go away."

"Don't think I will."

Bonnie was about to reach for her drink when an arm wrapped around her waist. Before she could as much as blink, she was in a deserted hallway. She looked around disoriented. Damon must have grabbed her and vampire run with her.

The only question now was, where was here?

"What do you want?" Bonnie snapped forgetting for a time being this version of Damon didn't know her.

"A drink," Damon said and made one of his crazy eye expressions at her.

"You never change, do you?"

Damon's brow wrinkled in confusion. "What?"

Bonnie rolled her eyes and shoved her way past him. Before she had made it more than a few feet, he'd slammed her against the wall. The air left her lungs. Furious, she raised her hand and gave him an aneurism. She kept going until Damon was on his knees, clutching his head and crying out in pain. The sight made her smile and she lowered her hand.

"I should kill you for what you just tried, but consider this a warning. Lay off innocent girls or the next time we meet, I won't be so merciful."

Bonnie was about to walk away again when he once more slammed her against the wall. He flashed fangs and she gasped. His arm was across her chest, cutting off her oxygen. His free hand was travelling between her legs. His fingers pawed her panties, trying to shove them aside and she was too stunned to move.

Then she snapped out of it. This creep wasn't going to do to her what he did to Caroline. And when she got back to Mystic Falls, he was a dead man walking. Elena be damned. But she would love to look Elena in the eyes and tell her exactly what Damon had tried to do.

But first, she needed to save herself.

"I- Incendia," Bonnie snarled. Damon screamed as he caught fire. She waved her hand and roared at the top of her lungs. "MOTUS!"

Damon hit the wall with a dull thud. He vampire raced down the corridor trying to put out the flames. He screamed profanities directed at her as he went.

"Witch bitch!"

Bonnie rolled her eyes and watched in amusement. There was a tingle at the nape of her neck and she turned around to see Kol was standing next to her. He was watching Damon's attempts to douse the fire with a smirk. His dark eyes danced with amusement.

"Well done, darling," Kol said and winked at her.

Bonnie shrugged. "He was asking for it."

Kol looked more closely at her. His eyes fell on the tear at the hem of her dress and she saw now her garter was torn. It hung loosely off to the side.

"What did he do?"

"Nothing. I stopped him."

"He tried to -" Kol growled.

His fangs appeared. He stalked toward Damon, who was lying in a charred heap on the floor. He was twitching, but Bonnie knew he would be fine in a minute. She caught Kol's arm.

"Don't. The timeline, remember?"

"The timeline?" Kol stared at her and in his astonishment, his fangs retracted. "I stopped caring about the time line when he tried to rape you!"

"And I'm going to kill him for it," Bonnie said with a disgusted look at Damon. "But not today. Who knows what that would do?"

There was a part of Bonnie that was tempted to let Kol go through with it. Without Damon there was a good chance her Grams would still be alive. But who knew what else that would mess up? And they had made a plan. They would only disrupt events if their lives were in danger. Otherwise, they would do their utmost to leave things unchanged. All of these time travel what ifs were giving her a headache and she rubbed her temples.

"May I have the honors once we return to Mystic Falls?" Kol suggested with a wicked smile.

"I think this is one of those things I have to do for myself."

"Say the word and he is a dead man. Hell, I'll take him out now if you would prefer it?" Kol asked with a hopeful note in his voice."

"Kol," Bonnie said looking at him in exasperation.

"Fine, I'll clean up this mess then shall I? It wouldn't do for Damon to recognize you when he returns to Mystic Falls."

Damon, who had finally healed tried to run away. He didn't get as a much a foot before Kol caught him by the scruff his neck. He grabbed Damon and slammed him against the wall. Bonnie had to admit there was something exceedingly gratifying about seeing Damon manhandled the same way he had done her moments ago.

Kol shifted his grip and tightened his arm around Damon's neck. He grimaced and choked. Choking a vampire wouldn't hurt them, it couldn't even knock them unconscious, but it certainly looked painful. Kol caught his eye and Damon went limp, the effects of compulsion taking effect.

"You will not remember anything about this evening or us. Not until I tell you to," Kol said with an evil smirk. "Now you are going to go home. Understood?"

"Understood."

Kol dropped him to the ground. He kicked Damon once for good measure and laughed.

"Oh, I am going to enjoy watching you kill him."

Bonnie was shocked. It was a threat and she had heard Kol make many, but none like this. He spoke the words like they were a lover's caress and a shiver ran down her spine when she realized Kol thought of it as some kind of weird vampire foreplay.

"Who says you're going to watch?"

"Aren't I?" Kol raised eyebrows and sent her a heated smile. "How could you deny me such a pleasurable sight?"

"Vampires," Bonnie muttered.

Henrik, who had remained relatively quiet until then laughed. He had realized what was going on and taken a step back. Bonnie appreciated that he didn't like to meddle.

"Your dress," Henrik said growing serious. He shrugged out of his jacket and passed it to her.

"Well this place is a drag. What shall we do next, darling?"

"Thanks," Bonnie said wrapping herself up in his suit coat. She glanced down at her torn dress. The worst was the destroyed garter. "I need to change. I can't go anywhere looking like this."

"Why don't we go back to the house and you can change there?" Kol suggested.

Bonnie nodded in agreement.

"Then we can go visit a friend of mine. He throws the most decadent and illegal parties. Truly they're the bees knees."

"The bees knees?" Bonnie said, giggling. "That's something my Grams would say."

Henrik shrugged and grinned. "Well I'm older than I look."

XXX

Henrik as it turned out hadn't been exaggerating about the party at his friend's house. There were people everywhere and there was a live band. The booze flowed freely. Bonnie found herself captivated by the unique sound of 1920's New Orleans jazz.

"Who's party did you say this was again?" Bonnie tucked her arm through Kol's and glanced at Henrik.

"I didn't say, but it's for a friend of mine. Velma's her name and she's hosting it in honor of her friend Louis Armstrong."

Bonnie stopped in her tracks and Kol came to a halt with her. Henrik glanced back.

"Do you mean the Louis Armstrong? Jazz musician? The same man, who revolutionized jazz with his smooth playing and unique style?"

Henrik wrinkled his brow. "Do you know him?"

"Everyone knows him. He's a legend."

"He is?" Kol said with an uncertain glance at her.

Bonnie nodded vigorously. "My Grams loved him. I grew up listening to old records of his music."

"Blast, I miss everything good whenever Nik stuffs me in that bleeding coffin."

Bonnie kissed his cheek and spoke without thinking about the potential repercussions to her words. "When we get home, I'll find the records and we'll have a real listening party."

"Fantastic," Kol said with a wicked smile.

"Can I come? I greatly enjoy his music," Henrik said.

"Why wait?" Louis Armstrong said appearing with a smile. It was strange, but Bonnie hadn't pictured a man, who wrote such somber music to appear to happy. His New Orleans accent was captivating and she felt as if she could listen to him speak all night. "I could play a little something. As a thank you to Vilma for throwing this delightful party."

Even his voice was silky smooth and Bonnie had to tamp down on a sigh. The last thing she needed was to deal with a jealous Kol.

"Oh, please," Bonnie said with a dreamy expression. "I would love nothing more."

Kol glanced at her and she knew he was jealous. She squeezed his hand and figured it was good for him. The times she had experienced Kol jealous in the past, he had been a nightmare, but for some reason there was something comical about it now.

"How can I say no to a request like that?" Louis winked at her and vanished into the crowd.

Kol, Henrik and her wandered further into the manor. There was a grand foyer that reminded her of the Mikaelson mansion in Mystic Falls. Kol got them all drinks and they settled in to watch the crowd. Henrik quickly disappeared when he saw a young woman he knew. Bonnie grinned when she saw him flirt and swing her onto the dancefloor.

"He is definitely your brother," Bonnie commented.

"Makes me proud," Kol agreed with a smirk.

The jazz music was incredible and Bonnie had to admire the live band.

"I wish my Grams was here to see this," the words were out of her mouth before she could think to stop them.

"Was she a jazz lover?"

"Yes, she taught me everything about the classics, even enrolled me in singing classes."

"You have a lovely voice," Kol said and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"When have you heard me sing?"

"Vampire hearing."

Bonnie laughed and shook her head in exasperation. "I should have known."

"You never talk about her."

"My Grams? I do."

"The occasional remark or passing comment and I know she helped raise you however, not much more. That hardly seems fair as you know my entire family and all of our dirty laundry. Tell me about her."

"I just did."

Kol gave her a pleading look. "Come now."

"What do you want to know?"

"What was she like?"

Bonnie had to think about that. How was she supposed to summarize the only mother she had ever known?

"She was one of a kind. She drank a lot. You would have liked that about her," Bonnie said thinking about how when Sheila first told her about their family, she'd had a glass of scotch in her hand for every meeting.

"I'm certain I would have."

"And she was smart. She taught Occult studies at the local university and -" she groaned in frustration. "I'm not explaining this right. She was so strong, you know? She didn't live by anyone's rules and she didn't care what anyone thought of her. And she hated injustice, but she wouldn't get mad. She always knew just what to do about it. After she passed, I found all of these photos of her, she was a freedom rider and she marched for civil rights. I had no idea."

"She sounds like an amazing woman."

"She was," Bonnie agreed with an unhappy smile.

She looked back onto the dancefloor. She didn't want to talk about her Grams anymore. If Sheila saw her now, she would shake her head and tell her to stay away from vampires and their troubles.

"Care to dance, beautiful?" Kol asked.

"I would love to."

Kol put his arm around her waist and led her on to the dancefloor. She grinned when he spun her around and into his arms. His movement was easy and rhythmic, she could scarcely keep up with him, but she found as she went it was easier with an experienced partner. More so, Bonnie had always been a good dancer. The sort, who could watch a few moves and them imitate them, which was coming in handy now as she had never danced the Charleston before.

The song changed and Bonnie heard a familiar voice. She glanced over at the stage and nearly swooned when she saw Louis Armstrong was the one at the microphone. She grinned from to ear and Kol dipped her. She giggled and smiled up at him. Kol flashed a wicked smile and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

The new song was slower and Kol drew her into his arms. It was intimate embrace and her arms went around his neck. He hugged her close and she put her head on his chest. She breathed in his familiar scent. This was exactly what she needed after everything with Damon today. When got back to present day, she was going to set him on fire.

But soon those thoughts drifted away as she lost herself in Kol's arms. She opened her eyes and she could Louis Armstrong on stage. His presence was electric. She had never seen anyone perform with such passion or soul before. Sheila would truly love this and Bonnie had to fight back tears at the thought, Sheila was gone too soon. As if sensing where her thoughts were, Kol's arms tightened around her.

"I love you, little witch," he murmured in a low voice.

"I love you too."

XXX

Kol watched Bonnie's face as she chatted animatedly with Louis Armstrong. He was jealous he supposed. Although not for the reasons Bonnie thought. Kol was after a millennia adept at reading both rooms and people to the point where others often found it unsettling.

Just as now, Bonnie believed he was jealous of Louis because she might run away with him. Kol was aware that would not happen. Bonnie wasn't the sort to run away with a man on a whim however, he did feel a twinge of jealousy because Bonnie was gazing at Louis with admiration. It was not a look he was accustomed to seeing on women. Desire and many other looks, but rarely admiration. From Bonnie it was even rarer. He knew she loved him however, he was painfully aware he had done little in the past thousand years to admire. Unless his multiple attempts to murder Nik counted.

"That was incredible," Bonnie gushed.

Kol tensed and downed his drink. Perhaps he should do something worthwhile with his time when they returned home. Something that might make Bonnie gaze at him with a fraction of the adoration Louis was currently receiving. The only question was what? The only thing Kol was good at was drinking, murdering and bedding women. He doubted very much that would impress Bonnie. Unless of course, he could use his impressive knowledge of magic somehow?

Kol had been so lost in his thoughts he didn't realize both Bonnie and Louis were looking at him.

"Yes?"

"I'm going to dance with Louis, alright?" Bonnie said with a bright smile. He knew she wasn't asking, not really. Bonnie wasn't one for waiting on a man's say-so to do anything.

"Certainly. Have fun."

Kol kissed her briefly on the cheek and watched as she disappeared onto the dancefloor. The dances of the 1920's were a blast and Kol found himself wondering what kind of dancing the teenagers did where Bonnie was from. She certainly knew how to do the Charleston though he noted. Perhaps it was the same in present day?

No, he had overheard women at their family's ball discussing what a nice change of pace it was to waltz. Whatever the modern teens danced to it was likely nothing like this. He had heard the music at the Mystic Falls Grill and he must say it had gone downhill. Rebekah was right, it had sounded like a cable-car crash.

"Having fun?" Henrik said sauntering up next to him. "Bonnie looks as if she is."

"Don't start. I'm not Nik. Bonnie can do as she likes," Kol said with a cautioning look at Henrik.

Henrik simply smirked. "I'm just saying I would be jealous. She clearly like this Louis fellah."

"She grew up listening to his music with her Grams."

"Even worse."

Kol shot him a murderous look. "Since when do you get jealous? I thought you were simply a many woman man."

"I may have met a special girl," Henrik said. "Honestly, after all these centuries I didn't believe it was possible."

"Oh?" Kol raised brows. Immediately he was concerned for Henrik. If this girl was mortal things could easily become complicated. "Does she know what you are?"

Henrik nodded.

"Pray tell what is she?"

"Just a normal girl," Henrik replied. "We met at a Speak-Easy a few months back."

"Sounds as if things are progressing. Are you going to turn her?"

That was Kol's true concern. Perhaps it was love or more likely this girl was simply using Henrik to turn. He had seen that plenty of times before. In a thousand years the only time he had seen someone turn for love was Sage. Everyone else simply wanted what they had. More often than not, he had granted such a wish from a beautiful woman. So long as she did not attempt to play him.

"We are talking about it."

"She doesn't want to turn?"

"Yes, I'm the reluctant party. I've never turned anyone and I'm afraid I will kill her."

"Let me guess, she is willing to take that risk so long as she may be with you forever?"

"How did you know?" Henrik blurted.

Kol's suspicions appeared to be founded.

"I'll turn her for you," Kol said and he knew precisely what he needed to do.

"Would you?"

"Yes."

"Thank you," Henrik's smile was bright. He looked just as he had done as a small child. Kol vowed to do what he could to protect Henrik from his own feelings. Kol was caught off guard when Henrik pulled him into a hug.

Kol had two choices, he could simply compel the girl to love Henrik or he could compel her to tell the truth. Then he would kill her, show the world what happened when they tried to con his brother.

Kol's hackles rose. He thought he heard an all too familiar voice coming from the entryway. He looked toward Bonnie and she was looking back at him with fear in her eyes. He knew that look her psychic Bennett genes had given her a head's up something bad was about to go down.

He heard Bonnie warn Louis.

"Something bad is about to happen. Go out the backway."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

Then Bonnie was rushing toward him and Henrik. She spared one last glance at Louis and Kol saw he was leaving, he had grabbed Wilma on his way out.

Kol put his arm around her and scouted around for any signs of trouble. It was mere seconds before he found it. His father had walked in.

"I got this," Bonnie said with a feral smile.

Kol wanted to stop her, but she was already casting. He saw something shift in the air around Bonnie. It was nearly invisible and if he had not been a former warlock as well as an Original he never would have seen it. Henrik appeared oblivious. His attention was focused entirely on the foyer.

Mikael.

He stood in the entrance to the ballroom. His cold eyes swept the room and it was seconds before his eyes landed on them. The second he saw their group his eyes narrowed. Fortunately, Henrik was still glamored. Otherwise, Kol had little doubt in his mind they would have just done irreparable damage to the time line.

If Nik thought Kol was running around outside of his coffin then that was one thing. Nik would simply assume someone was fucking with him. That could be contained. Henrik rising from the dead was an entirely different matter.

Mikael moved toward them. He slammed up against something invisible. He roared and slammed a fist against it.

Kol glanced at Bonnie and smirked.

"Impressive barrier spell, trapping an Original and all. How long will it hold?"

"Not sure so we better move fast."

Henrik was staring at Mikael with his mouth open and his eyes were wide. Sympathy struck Kol. He put his hand on Henrik's shoulder.

"Time to go, little brother."

"Bekah told me however, I didn't believe - I mean - I know I've seen it before, but -"

"Let's go," Bonnie said softly. "We can talk later. Once we're all safe."

Bonnie was powerful and practical. Kol was impressed and more than a little turned on.

XXX

Bonnie stared out of the train window. They had rushed onto the first one that went even remotely in the same direction as Virginia. Their plan to use the portal in New Orleans was destroyed now. But Bonnie suspected with the help of the full moon and if she channeled the entire Bennett line along with Kol they could easily use the permanent nexus in Mystic Falls. At least she hoped so. Theoretically it was possible however, practically it might be a different matter.

"What happened to father?" Henrik asked in a quiet voice. One that was so small and forlorn Bonnie's heart broke for him.

"I don't know. I'm sorry."

"It's much the same as what happened to us," Kol said with a grim expression. "Vampirism heightens the personality and father was never exactly kind."

"Suppose he was not," Henrik agreed and resumed staring out the window.

Bonnie went back to doing the same.

"It's late," Kol said abruptly. "I don't know about the two of you however, I am going to bed."

"Me too."

Bonnie wasn't tired exactly, but she hoped the comfort of Kol's touch and the intimacy of bloodsharing would help lull her to sleep.

"You two go. I'm going to find someone to eat."

"Henrik -" Bonnie hissed.

"What do you suggest I do starve?"

"Where's your girlfriend?" Kol asked.

Bonnie shot him an angry and mortified look.

"Are you helping?" she demanded. "What happened to your animal diet?"

Kol shrugged and winked at her. His grin was rueful.

"She's asleep," Henrik replied. "And where am I going to find a deer on a train?"

They had swung by to pick up Henrik's on the way out of New Orleans. She hadn't talked that much, but she had told Kol and Bonnie her name was Giselle then they ran away.

"Fine. Whatever. I'm going to bed and just keep the vampire bullshit to a minimum."

Bonnie shot Henrik a threatening look and walked away. The whole evening felt like too much. So much had happened yet nothing really at all. They had escaped with their lives and that was all that really mattered.

Somehow, she made it to their compartment on shaky legs. She fell down on the bed and was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Sometime later Bonnie woke because the mattress sunk under the weight of another person. Arms wrapped around her and she sighed.

"Kol," she murmured.

"You smell delicious," he whispered. His lips grazed her throat and she shivered. "Are you tired?"

"Not anymore."

He nipped playfully at her throat and she giggled. She ran her fingers along his face and she felt the veins protrude from underneath his eyes. This time when his teeth grazed her neck, she felt fangs. A thrill of excitement went through her.

This time, he bit her for real. As always there was a slice of pain, which was quickly washed away by pleasure. Heat poured through her and she relaxed into it. She pressed herself closer and felt Kol's presence. It was more than just physical, it was a psychic bond.

Warmth blossomed in her chest and she drifted away on a hazy cloud. Colors danced behind her eyes and she was lost in pure bliss.

Kol withdrew and she mewled. She tried to reach for him to bring him back to her, but she found she was too weak. He pressed his wrist to her lips and she moaned at the taste. With his blood came a burst of power. She could feel the ancient magics that sustained Kol.

Slowly, she came back to herself. Kol stroked her cheek and murmured how much he loved her.

Bonnie still felt too hot as she curled into Kol's side. Her lips pressed against his neck and her leg went around his waist. She felt his hardness pressing against her, which made her blush. She had always known bloodsharing turned him on, but now that they had moved past kissing it felt different somehow. Like just the thought of it was enough to turn her on. She tried to recall if it had been like this with any of her other boyfriends, but she didn't think so.

"What do you think of Giselle?" Bonnie asked. "She seems too normal to be mixed up with vampires. Wait is she compelled or doesn't know?"

"No to both. According to Henrik she knows everything."

"And she is cool with everything?"

"As far as I can tell yes. Apparently, she wishes to turn."

"What?" Bonnie sat up. "Why?"

"Because she wants to be with Henrik forever."

"Now that I can understand," Bonnie said with a smile. She ran her fingers through his and kissed his forehead. "And what does Henrik want?"

"Who cares? Kiss me again," he said in a rough voice and tapped his lips with his finger.

"Not until you tell me what Henrik wants."

"He wants the same thing."

"I hope it works out for them."

Once more that heavy feeling was in her chest. She knew things wouldn't end well for her and Kol. That it was better they end things when they returned home, but she didn't want them to. All she wanted was to be with Kol, which may have made her act rashly. Or maybe not, after all this night had been months in the making.

Bonnie kissed him and Kol deepened it. She moved so that she was straddling him and ran her fingers through his hair. She could feel his hardness and she rocked into him. He moaned in her mouth and his hands went to her thighs, gripping her closer.

Kol's fingers slipped underneath her dress and she moaned as he ran his finger teasingly along her slit. She blushed, realizing he would feel how damp she was. He pushed his fingers inside of her and curled them.

"Kol," she breathed.

She moved her hips in time with his hand and heat pooled low in her stomach. His free hand roamed her figure. He cupped her breast, pushing aside the fabric, he ran his tongue teasingly along her nipple. Her breath caught in her throat at the almost violent pleasure that shot through her. He picked up the pace of his hand and her eyes fell shut.

As if to torture her, he blew on her damp nipple and she whimpered, rocking herself further into him. He curled his fingers and she shattered. She came with a scream.

Bonnie collapsed on Kol's chest. She pressed herself closer, sighing in content. She could have almost drifted to sleep right then and there, but that wouldn't be fair to Kol after all.

Slyly, she slipped her hand inside of his pants. She stroked his hard length. He moaned and she grinned.

Bonnie sat up and lowered her mouth to his cock. Her tongue circled his tip and she grew damp when she heard the noises he made. She took all of him in and kept going until he came.

Kol drew her to him and kissed her gently on the lips. She touched her forehead to his and closed her eyes.

A big thank you to everyone, who has read, faved and reviewed Timeless. Your support means the world to me. I know my updates have been a little sporadic, but I'm trying to get caught up after last semester was crazy as most of you know so don't worry, I'm still writing, I'm just a little behind. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter and omg, I love torturing Damon's character because he's the worst, lol. Guess who they meet next chapter? I'm fireismyelement97 on tumblr if you want to stay in the loop about updates etc.

- Izzy

Guest: You asked for an update and here it is 22 hours later. i was planning to wait until Tuesday, but since you asked. Hope you liked it.

Guest: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I love that you are picking up on the hints I am putting in about the challenges Bonnie and Kol still face because he is a vampire. Don't worry though, I have it all planned out.

Guest: Thank you! I am happy to hear you like my other kennett fics too! I am sorry, but I didn't have chapter 16 ready yet, but I am working on all of them except Queen of the Quarter, which is on a bit of a hiatus because I've hit a wall with my plans for editing.

Guest: Thanks! I am so happy to hear you think this fic is just getting better and better. I hope you like this chapter just as much as the last update!