Tyler looked his sister over. "Hey, I didn't know you were coming up from NOLA this soon," Tyler said embracing her.
Hayley looked pass Tyler at the computer as she spoke, "Carol wanted help with dad's party, and I volunteered. What are you doing with Mason's computer?"
"Just trying to check in on the drop off for someone. Did you want to go through the albums I have for the slide show? I have a few of us," Tyler said leading Hayley out of the room.
Tyler went into the tall China closet draw and retrieved three photo albums. On the cover of one was a picture of Tyler, Hayley, and his mom at the beach.
Hayley smirked as he handed her the books. "Wow I can't believe how little we are," she laughed.
Tyler was about to respond when his phone rang.
"Thank God Tyler please say it's you," Katherine begged on the other line.
"Kat-ch up with you in a second. Just hold on." Tyler turned to Hayley. "Do you need help finding anything else?" he asked Hayley.
Hayley was already searching through the album. "I'm good," she said not looking up from her book.
"Grab me if you need me," Tyler said as he left the room. He quickly found Stefan and Kol waiting outside the door. Tyler rushed them to the parlor he locked the sliding doors and put Kat on speaker.
"Katherine are you there?" Tyler asked.
Stefan's eyes lit up with hope. "Yes, Bonnie's with me. Some psychopath name Kai is after us by now." She assured him.
The three men exchanged a look. "Do you have any idea where you are?" Kol asked.
They heard Katherine talking to someone. They heard random numbers being rattled off. "An address would do Sheldon," Katherine added. "20 miles north or Whittier creek in Alaska."
"We're coming to get you two. Give us a few hours and try to find a way to defend yourselves. Kai doesn't give up," Kol added.
"Whatever you do, do not let your guard down make sure he doesn't back you into a corner," Stefan said.
"I love you Stef."
"I love you too. I'm coming to get you," he promised.
Hayley heard what they were saying and that didn't sit well with her. It was the five-year anniversary of her father's murder and his killer wasn't going to get a happy ending. There was only one person that could help her right this wrong. She needed to get to him as soon as possible.
Rebecca drove like a bat out of hell to Damon's place in Whitmore. She, Caroline, and Freya were charge with the task of getting the home ready for their return.
"I got a text from Tyler they know where the girls are, and they are on their way to get them," Caroline exclaimed. Her heart was finally at rest knowing that her friends were coming home.
"It almost feels like we can rest easy," Freya said.
"I wouldn't. It's only a matter of time before we have to face the music. Hopefully we can spare Nick and Elijah."
"Nick will but the nail in his own coffin and there is no way Elijah won't be able to get off in a court of law if he defends himself." Freya added.
"Wow," Rebekah said as the massive house came in view.
"That is not a cozy colonial in the woods," Freya laughed at Damon's words.
Caroline laughed. "Damon was always a go big or go home type of guy."
Tyler had the last bag loaded in the car. Kol called for the Michaelson's plane. Stefan had Damon on the phone informing him of their progress.
It would be long before they would be on the plane on their way home. There was nowhere Tyler rather be in this moment, other than by Caroline's side. He was glad that he'd finally get the opportunity to right this horrendous wrong.
Stefan was determined more than ever to get Katherine and Bonnie home safe. Kai was Jo's twin brother and though they both went the medical route in school Kai's choice of medical examiner made him more than equipped with lethal means. Kai wasn't a patient guy and he was trigger happy. There had to be a plan for the girls or they'd be dead by now. Pissed off enough Kai would forgo orders and kill both girls with his bare hands.
Kol for his part wondered why it took everything coming this far for them to look for a way out. He already arranged a place for he and his sister's in NOLA with a college friend named Camille. "The plane will be ready he will be ready for takeoff in five minutes. We need to leave with in 15 to make it ahead of a storm headed that way."
"Why do I feel like that's going to cause a major problem," Stefan groaned.
"If it does we'll work our way through it let's go get them," Tyler said.
Bonnie didn't feel well. She was grateful to Penny for getting her a change of clothes and the warm show she was taking. The second the soap touch her abdomen it burned. She looked down and saw blood flowing in the stream of water down the drain. Bonnie took in a breath. That walk did her in and she popped one of her stitches. She needed to figure out her next move. She needed to be able to fight back if Kai showed and to leave when Stefan and Tyler came.
Bonnie cautiously continued her shower and made sure to dry her skin as much as possible. She investigated her abdomen in the long body mirror. In the middle of her stomach was a finger width hole. It was no longer bleeding and showed no signs of infection. She looked through the bathroom and found a huge first aid kit.
There was nothing in the first aid kit to close her wound with. She didn't want to alarm anyone, so she grabbed a bunch of surgical gaze and wrapped medical tape around her waist. She looked at herself to insure no one would be able to tell she wrapped her waist. Once she was satisfied with her appearance the lights went out.
She walked out to the hall and she heard Sheldon and Howard yelling about the proper installation of aback up generator. And it wasn't long before the lights were on again.
She ran into Penny in the hallway, "Hey Bonnie, have you seen Leonard. I can't find him anywhere?"
"I just came out the bathroom, sorry," Bonnie said.
Soon a shrill scream pierced their ears. Katherine appeared in the hall. "What happened?"
"I think that was Howard so probably a bug." Katherine and Bonnie followed Penny down to the boys' work area. Before them was Lenard in his swivel chair with Raj, Sheldon, and Howard around him. "Leonard I was looking for"-
"Penny no," Sheldon said reaching for her hand, but it was too late and she turned the chair and Leonard's head slumped over. There was blood pooled at his abandoned. A butcher knife perturbed out of his chest.
Bonnie grabbed on to Katherine knowing that they had not escaped danger. Somewhere Kai was lurking. If they stayed any longer more people would die. "We need to go."
"Where Bonnie? Town is 20 miles away and we'd never make it there by foot."
"We can't let Kai hurt them."
Katherine looked at Penny and her friends and tried to formulate a plan. She went to the kitchen and grabbed every sharp object she could find, every lighter, all the air freshener, and Penny's hairspray. She walked back in the room a dropped off all she collected. "Bonnie get blankets and food. I'll get the flashlights and the first aid kit."
Once the girls collected what they needed they turned to the group in mourning. Bonnie looked sadly over at Kat. Katherine spoke gently, "I know this is scary and shocking, but we need to protect ourselves."
"I knew from the minute Penny invaded our fortress of solitude nothing good would come of this. Then you two came running for something and everyone welcomed you without a question, but you know who had a question. It was me. Where did you come from and what exactly are you running from?" Sheldon demanded.
"I'm from Mystic Falls Virginia. I was kidnapped and sold to my husband's father. My husband was also kidnapped, and we were having a baby and he wanted to run away. His father didn't like that idea for obvious reasons and he had us kidnapped by a sociopath named Kai. He did this to Leonard. And if we don't find a way to keep each other safe we're all dead."
The three men eyed each other. "I am so sorry for what you been through. But we aren't exactly WWE champions," Howard said.
"You are better. You're 3 of the smartest men on this planet in one room. And you have me and Bonnie, masters of survival. Her dad is one of the best detectives in the world. There is no way we won't be helped, and Leonard won't get justice."
Bonnie smiled at Katherine and kneeled to hug Penny. "I promise you all will get home safe. I know it means nothing now, but we're so sorry your kindness came at this price." Penny leaned into Bonnie's embrace and cried. Howard locked down their fortress of solitude and they patiently waited for help or war.
Hayley walked into Giuseppe's office in the boarding House. He was in the middle of a heated conversation with Teresa and their focus was now on her. "You Ned to do something quick. Stefan and Tyler are going after Bonnie and Katherine. She can't just walk free and my dad…" her words trailed off as she started to cry.
Giuseppe looked accusatory at Teresa. "I was just saying the same thing to Teresa."
Teresa swallowed and looked at Hayley with gentle eyes. "Hayley, nothing is ever going to bring Richard back. I know it hurts that you didn't get a chance to have a good relationship. I get it, but Bonnie had nothing to do with that. She didn't pull the trigger. Killing her will fix nothing. I will hurt more people you love then hurting the one person you want to feel your pain."
Hayley wrapped her arms around Teresa unable to let go of her hate but knowing how much Bonnie and Katherine meant to Tyler and Mason. She couldn't let them feel this pain three-fold. She was going to have to let go of her anger, but she didn't know how or where to start.
"Teresa leave us," Giuseppe said.
Instantly Teresa knew no good was going to come from Giuseppe and Hayley being alone. She was in a vulnerable state. If Giuseppe was good at one thing it was preying on the week and vulnerable. That was only second to his ability to manipulate people's insecurities. Mostly Damon's insecurities. Teresa always wondered why Damon stayed. She was sure once Caroline and Stefan were of age Damon would have been on the first thing smoking. But that was the way of this world. It breaks you down until there is no semblance of who you were. She looked Hayley in the eye and said. "Your dad was a kind man. He'd never want you to hurt or hurt others in his name."
Damon sat in a private room. They managed to get an old bassinet for Ian which he loved. The baby boy was stretched out sleeping peacefully. Damon was surprised when Abby walked into the room and wrapped her arms around him. He was not yet charged with anything, he was solely named as a person of interest in the reopening of the case. At the moment, the acting sheriff was out on a murder suicide, but he sent the head child and youth worker in his place.
"I'm sorry for everything you've been through," Abby said.
"I should be saying that to you," Damon said with tears in his eyes. "It was always my intention to bring her home to you."
"You are too young to have suffered so much at the hands of these monsters," Sheila said as she sat at the table.
Soon Damon phone rang. "Stefan do you have a location?" Damon had been waiting for this call for wait felt like agonizing days.
"Katherine was able to call Tyler she found a cabin not too far away from where Kai was keeping them."
"Is Bonnie ok… Was she with Kat?" Damon asked cautiously.
"Bonnie's okay. They're both okay, just waiting to get home. They are 20 miles from Whittier Creek. We're going to get the jet ready."
"Stefan could you come to Mystic Falls instead. I have a contact in the area and know with the confirmation we can move in," Rudy informed him. Sheila and Abby looked over at Rudy. He cautioned their gaze. He knew he had to tell Damon about his sister and he knew Damon would need support for that moment.
"Sure, we can be there in 6 hours. Are Caroline and the girls in yet?"
Damon answered, "Yeah they are getting the house in order Care is supposed to stopping by soon."
"Great. I love you and I- know you don't believe any of this is my fault, but I'm sorry," Stefan said. "To all of you."
"I love you too Stef, but Giuseppe is a monster. HE! Did this. All of it."
Stefan simply nodded. "See you soon brother."
Damon smirked. "See you soon."
Rudy shook his head. "You kids don't have to bear the weight of what these people made you do. They poisoned you with this illusion of family. And the amount of guilt and remorse you all feel. It shows just how strong humanity is."
"Giuseppe isn't much of a father, but I always wanted to feel like his son. Be his son. Yet, he knew how to tell you everything wrong you did. I didn't want that to be all Caroline and Stefan knew. I love them, and I did thing's I'm not proud of to make sure they never had to lose that piece of innocence it steals from you."
Someone knocked on the door post. Damon looked up to see a tall brunette with soultry green eyes peering through her thick bifocals. "Mr. Salvatore," Stephanie Keller-Donovan asked as she entered the room.
"I'm Damon Salvatore," Damon said.
Stephanie came in and made herself comfortable. She sat her brief case down and reviewed her file on Ian. "Since you have no charges at the moment and are recorded as a person of interest we need to establish a residence, pediatrician, and safety plan."
The moment Stephanie appeared at the door Sheila was seething. Her eyes neared with each syllable Stephanie spoke until she was unable to keep her piece. "That's a crook of shit. The boy came here from Georgia. What if he doesn't have a premediate residence established?" Sheila questioned.
Stephanie's eyes darkened, and she took a slow breath. "If mister Salvatore could answer my questions without interruption I'm sure we can find an agreeable solution."
"Look he is safe, the baby is safe, and they have a stable place to be."
"Is Bonnie safe?" Stephanie asked. "And though his role in her captivity is not in question. People like him deserve to be in one place."
Rudy stepped in and took Sheila out of the room before war ensued. "Jaime take Sheila to pick up Caroline."
Jamie looked over his seething grandmother. His eyes pleaded with his fathers. "Now would be preferred, Jaime."
Stefan wanted more than anything to find a way to make things right. The only solutions were messy and involved murder. To say he was that mad was an understatement. However, Giuseppe had ruined all their lives. For what reason? He stood to gain everything possible with Bonnie under his thumb, but that wasn't good enough. Nothing was ever good enough for him. Stefan was never good enough for him.
Tyler's voice soon punctured his thoughts. "You okay Stefan?"
"I just know Giuseppe will never get what he deserved no matter how many years he rots in jail. He ruined everything for us. And if they don't get to Katherine and Bonnie in time I don't know what I'll do?"
"Bonnie's dad is the best detective on the east coast. His team is like Criminal Minds meets SVU. There is no need for you to worry," Kol said as he drove 90 all the way to Mystic Falls.
"I just know nothing in life is easy or free."
"I'm willing to pay for my part in this," Tyler said.
"Ty," Kol and Stefan said at the same time.
Tyler growled. "The moment I knew who Bonnie was. What Mason had planned. I could have stopped it. So many times, I could have done something more. Kol you walked away and never looked back. I-my dad… he never wanted this for me. I never wanted this for me and I just…" Tyler's thought trailed off and they rode the rest of the way in silence.
Stephanie was a tall brunette that look as if she could be Katherine's sister. He knew her name sound familiar, but he couldn't place where he had heard it. "Were you friends with Bonnie?" he asked as Rudy returned to the room.
Abby snorted out a humorless laugh. And Stephanie looked uneasy. "Bonnie was a great student and cheer captain. We had the same friends but-no. We were never friends." She eyed Abby and Rudy. "When Bonnie disappeared, it hurt a lot of people. People I really care about."
"Look, my sister is getting everything together at our place in Whitmore. We use a family doctor who is driving my brother here as we speak. Is there anything else you need?" Damon asked, sensing the tension growing.
Stephanie lowered her glasses and looked over Damon. "Do you have proof or is this another lie? Like Bonnie being alive."
Abby held back her piece long enough and before Rudy could inform Stephanie she was crossing the line Abby spoke, "Oh, don't go and act remorseful it took you no time to sink your hooks into poor Matthew. I get you guys are adults but, you hurt my daughter in a lot of ways and this young man has done nothing but love her. And your accusations when there have been no charges drawn up, is uncalled for."
Stephanie looked over the three before her. And started to talk when Matt walked through the door. "Rudy," he said shaking his hand. "Ms. Hopkins," he said and gave her a tight hug. Damon saw it bothered Stephanie that Matt was still so close with Bonnie's parents. "You must be Damon."