AUTHOR'S NOTE: Glad everyone enjoyed that last bit! :-D I make no promises on couples not happening any certain way though ;-) Some are set for me for the story, others maaaaay deviate a little. I was actually stunned how many of you said you had stopped watching the show around the same time. Here I was worried I was going to get pounced on for not "keeping loyal to the show by watching it" XD I love you guys! I read the "recap" of a recent episode online... L. M. A. O. I'm soooo glad I'm not still watching it. Also... After reading back a bit, my writing style feels slightly rusty compared to before. Hopefully I'm getting back into the swing of it. :-) On with the story!

03-26-2015 As was recently pointed out to me I went back and edited Chapter 15 to reflect the fact that Finn is the oldest Mikaelson sibling as far as TVD is concerned. I know Freya is brought in during The Originals as being the eldest of them, but seeing as I don't particularly like or care for that whole story twist I may or may not have her being mentioned living in this.

DISCLAIMER: No I don't own Elijah, Elena, or anything to do with that which is The Vampire Diaries series. This is just my version of it. ;-)

Bound By Blood

~Previously in Bound By Blood~

Taking a steadying breath, he lightly tapped on the door. When it opened, the person on the other side of the door was stunned.

"Kol?"

Biting his lip, he tilted his head in greeting. "Hello, Bonnie."

Chapter 16 - Just Breathe

Following Klaus out of Kol's room since he clearly wasn't returning any time soon, Rebekah was reminded of their other problem as they met Finn in the office downstairs. The image of the calendar was laying on the desk that was littered with dozens of other prints containing similar markings. She had discovered the drawings in the cave wall when she'd gone back a few days later hoping to find Elijah. Their main concern wasn't the calendar, but the image that had been below it. A tree. A rather dangerous tree as far as their family was concerned.

"Found anything?" She asked, coming to stand beside Finn as she picked up one of the many books piled on the edge of the desk. "Please tell me these bloody books were worth putting up with that scheming prat."

"Actually," Finn announced, sounding quite pleased. "They were very worth it." Flashing a rare grin at his little sister, he felt some relief. "We found where the remaining white oak was distributed and destroyed it."

"With my help," Sage interjected as she stepped down into the room. "Remember a week or so back when the bridge construction mysteriously caught fire?"

Rebekah scowled in annoyance. "Yes, and your point would be?" That was the same night Damon had tried to get her drunk for information. Sage had been there to intervene luckily... As well as find out what he'd been planning while Rebekah feigned sleeping upstairs. For being over 160 years old, Damon really hadn't learned very much about their kind. They knew Stefan and him were after the white oak tree. They just didn't know how the Salvatore's had come to find out about its existence. Rebekah had grabbed the Salvatore business ledgers and left as soon as she heard Damon go charging out after the redhead.

"I burned it," Sage smugly chirped, jolting Rebekah back to the present. "Damon caught up too late to stop me."

Blinking in stunned silence, Rebekah had the insane urge to actually hug the woman rather than wanting to pull her hair out. "That's brilliant!" She gasped, hope of a normal future for her family starting to return. Looking at Nik, it was obvious he was fit to bursting at the news that they were free.

Growing serious, Sage gripped Finn's shoulder and shook her head at their preemptive joy. "Don't start planning any sort of life of freedom just yet. We have a problem."

Frowning at the way Sage had unknowingly flexed her fingers on his shoulder, Finn was concerned at her fearful expression. This wasn't like her after 900 years. "What's wrong? Were you not able to locate the sign?"

Sage nodded, but she glared at the desk. "I found it... Sort of. Or rather I found who took it."

"Darling, you're speaking in riddles again," Finn sighed, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Growling at the jest, Sage slammed her fist on the desk causing Klaus and Rebekah to jump. "Stefan and Damon Salvatore stole the sign from the Lockwood's estate."

"What's the big deal about some stupid sign?" Rebekah snapped, frustrated with the ridiculous conversation. "The bridge supplies were destroyed. We're free!"

"The big deal, sister, is that we also found out the reconstructed sign was the final piece of the white oak tree," Finn explained as Rebekah and Klaus stared in horror.

Sinking into the chair behind her, Rebekah was shocked. "I see." Looking at her brothers before her, even with Elijah missing, she was almost grateful Kol was absent for that news.

Realizing her mouth was hanging open, Bonnie snapped it shut as she stared at the man in front of her. "Kol, what are you doing here?"

Clearing his throat, he shifted his feet, feeling nervous for one of the very few times in his life. "I realize this is a bit of an overstep of boundaries and you have every right to say no, but-"

Eyes widening at the unusually timid behavior from him, and growing more uncomfortable as she witnessed it, Bonnie cut him off. "Spit it out, Kol. What's going on? Is Elena alright?"

Pulling his emotions back in slightly, Kol shook himself. Keep it together. "Elena's fine, Bonnie. Or well... As fine as can be expected given the circumstances. Forgive me, I didn't mean to worry you." There's plenty of time for that later...

Pretending she hadn't heard what he'd clearly meant to only say to himself, she nodded slowly as she stepped out on the porch, closing the door behind her. "Alright..." Taking in his disheveled appearance as she motioned for him to sit on the porch swing, she was concerned. Something was clearly bothering him. "Then what's wrong?"

"I need your help." Kol hung his head as he sat down, running his hands through his hair in frustration, before they fell to his sides. "Elijah's been gone for too long, Bonnie. My siblings and I have looked everywhere we could think of, only to come out empty handed. We need to bring him back home." Taking a risk, he gently grasped her left hand in both of his, feeling her jump. Eyes pleading with hers, he had to make her understand. "I'm not one to beg, by any means ever, but I am asking you now. Please, Bonnie, will you help us find my brother?"

Tilting her head in confusion, Bonnie felt his hands barely shaking where they held hers. Kol was afraid... Yet it wasn't for himself. "What's the urgency?" When she saw him open his mouth to deny it, she tugged on his hand. "Don't tell me it's nothing, Kol. I want Elena happy as much as anyone does, but there's something you're not telling me. Why does Elijah being gone matter so much?"

Fingers flexing around her smaller hand, he bit his lip. "It matters because Elena is bonded to him, Bonnie."

Pulling her hand back to cross her arms over her chest, she stood her ground. "So? Last I heard, so were you and Rebekah after you both gave Elena blood but you're not any worse for wear." Much, she added silently. "Why is Elijah's bond any different?"

Fighting the memories, Kol shoved them back as he focused on what he had to do now. Protect the ones that are living. "It's different because, unlike Rebekah and myself, Elijah didn't give Elena his blood, Bonnie. Yet he has just as strong a connection as we do with her. If not even more so."

Shocked, Bonnie sank onto the swing next to him. "What? But, how? That's not possible!" When he jerked slightly at that comment, she narrowed her eyes at him. "It's not possible, Kol. Nature doesn't allow it. There isn't any other way for it to happen." As his eyes only grew darker with sadness, she paused. "...Is there?"

Smiling and bitterly nodding his head, Kol looked at her. She was still so innocent. So young. Just like Elena. Still so much learn. "You may not know this, Bonnie, but before we were vampires, my siblings and I were all witches and warlocks. It's true there are rules that must be obeyed, but... There is one other way. It's not forbidden, but it is rarely spoken of. The bond can appear the same. The same connection, the same feelings, but it is in actuality very different. They don't see it yet. Elena's so young, she has so much left to know in the world, she doesn't know what's happened. Elijah..." Trailing off briefly, he sighed as he rubbed his face. "My brother chooses to believe it's not as serious as it is. He thinks he's protecting her, by staying away, but in reality it is the worst possible thing he could do to her."

"So when you said Elena was fine, you really meant she's the complete opposite." Kol wouldn't look at her as he stiffly nodded his head. Growling in frustration, Bonnie jerked on his arm. "What will happen to her if Elijah doesn't come back, Kol?" When he remained silent, she took a different approach. Tell me. Please. I can't help you if I don't know all the facts.

Eyes snapping to Bonnie's in shock that she'd willingly conversed telepathically, he momentarily forgot what she said until she squeezed his arm again. "Tell me."

Feeling his eyes burning at the memories resurfacing again, Kol swallowed thickly. "If we're unable to find Elijah... Elena will be as she is now... At first."

"And later on?" Bonnie pressed for him to continue.

Taking a shaky breath as the last image of a memory hit him full force, he grasped Bonnie's hand tightly. "She'll die, Bonnie. In more pain than anyone can possibly imagine."

"Anyone except for you," she noted quietly, feeling him trembling. "You've seen this before, haven't you?"

"Yes..." Kol whispered, eyes closing in exhaustion, haunted by events long past, but to him felt brand new. I can't let it happen again.

Watching the man before her struggling to keep a brave face, Bonnie was reminded of a certain event a few weeks before. Kneeling in front of him, she gently wiped away the wet streak on his face. His hand snapped around her wrist instantly, the same time as his eyes opened to see her in front of him. Making a split second decision, Bonnie leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.

Going rigid, Kol tensed as the small girl, woman, embraced him. "Bonnie, what are you-"

"I meant what I said in that hallway, Kol," she softly whispered in his ear. "I'm here if you ever need to talk." Pulling back slightly, she smiled weakly as she took in his abnormally pale face and confused expression. "You let me be vulnerable once and you didn't judge me for it." Hugging him again, she rubbed his back. You don't always have to be the strong one. Not around me. I'm here.

Gritting his teeth, Kol hesitated before her quiet assurances got to him and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Burying his head in her hair on her shoulder, he huffed as he momentarily just allowed himself to breathe. To think... To feel. Gasping for breath against the tightness in his chest, he was dimly aware of Bonnie stroking his hair and shoulders. I can't...

Bonnie leaned her head against his hair. "Just breathe, Kol. It's alright." Just breathe. You don't have to talk about it. Just breathe.

Shoulders sagging in relief, Kol let his eyes slip closed as he simply focused on that one little task. Not necessary for vampires to live, but something far too many of their kind took for granted. Elijah had pointed it out to him before. As his mind wandered, Kol remembered what Elijah had said. If they stopped breathing for the sake of it, that made them one more tiny bit less human. None of them wanted to be considered monsters. All the change was supposed to do was protect them from the werewolves. Not make them worse than the creatures they'd feared as mortals. His brother had taught him so much. He couldn't let Elijah down. Not now.

Inhaling deeply, Kol was aware of the distinct citrus smell that tickled his nose, and smiled when he realized it was Bonnie. Her scent was one of the most relaxing he had ever experienced. Resting his forehead on her shoulder, he chuckled to himself. This witch is full of surprises. Hearing her humph in surprise, he squeezed her briefly. "It's a compliment, Bonnie."

"It better not be anything else," she grumbled, trying to sound offended, but only able to feel relieved that he was teasing her again. This was the Kol she was used to dealing with. Feeling his head coming up, she let her right hand slide to his shoulder as her left brushed his bangs back when his tired eyes met hers. "Better?"

Nodding, Kol held her left hand in his and brought his lips to the back of it in gratitude, smirking when he felt her pulse jump. "Truly. Thank you, Bonnie."

Clearing her throat, she blushed slightly as she pulled away fidgeting. "Your welcome." Wrapping her sweater around her more tightly as the wind picked up, she pursed her lips. "So... What is it you need me to do?"