Title: Unfinished

Rating: M

Genre: AU/Supernatural/Romance

Pairing(s): Bonnie/Klaus, Stefan/Rebekah, Bonnie/Stefan (minor), Klaus/Stefan (minor), Bonnie/Rebekah (minor), Caroline/Tyler, Matt/Katherine, Rudy/Gloria, Abby/Elijah, etc.

Summary: Bonnie uncovers memories of a previous life that she spent with Klaus, Stefan, and Rebekah….

Warnings: Violence, Sexual Content, Racial Tension (Slurs, Racially Motivated Crimes and the Like), Character Death, Bad use of 1920's slang, ect.

Part Five: If You Forget Me

Katherine Pierce was at her wits end. She was tired of being cooped up in some dirty old tomb with some ancient vampire hunter that could kill Klaus but apparently couldn't consume blood. She needed a drink and maybe some good music to make the situation at all tolerable. However, she was sure that in the end it would be worth it. They would be rid of Klaus and she could finally stop running, from him at least.

She picked up the rat the she had been trying to entice Mikael with and wiggled it over his head by the tail. Still nothing. "Perhaps you'd like some music with dinner?" Katherine asked not bothering to keep the acid from her voice. No response. "Any requests?" Not even a blink. "It's not really my cup of tea but I'm thinking that you sir, are a jazz man?" Mikael's eyes snapped open and there was a certain softness there that surprised her. "I knew it," she said with a snap of her fingers.

Katherine pulled out her cell phone and sifted through the music that she had stored there. She figured she may as well have a little fun since they would obviously be there for a while. "Oh I think you'll like this one," she said, "Perfect dinner music."

Louis Armstrong's, "Sweet Georgia Brown" began to play and Katherine frowned slightly as she saw a small smile played on the corner of Mikael's lips.

Mikael had heard rumors that Niklaus was grooming a witch to protect him. One who was sensitive to his charms and unaware of her own powers. It was hopeless Mikael knew, nothing could protect Niklaus from him, still Mikael was curious about what the boy found to be so special about the witch in question.

Niklaus had always had an obsession with witches. Mikael had always thought that it stemmed from his issues with his mother. Still the boy had never been foolish enough to think that any of the witches that readily provided their services could provide him with any degree of protection.

Mikael walked into the club that he had heard Niklaus frequented. Apparently the boy's witch was a dancer there. Bonnie her name was. The club was closed but Mikael didn't have any problem getting access to the joint. Niklaus and his ripper friend were outside around the back discussing something with the club's owner. His witch had stayed behind cleaning up after the club's guest.

Mikael felt her power before he saw her. It reminded him of the first time he had sensed Esther. When he had still had respect for her and her power. She had been a challenge then. He had thought her strong, but eventually she had bent to his will, her only act of rebellion an affair with a wolf but even that she had repented for. He had loved her in his way but she wasn't his match, she was his instrument and he played her well.

In the end it had been Ayanna who had offered Mikael a challenge. Ayanna who he could not break. Ayanna who refused to back down and give him what he wanted time and time again. He had respected her for that, in a way that he could never respect his wife no matter how much he had loved her.

Mikael's thoughts stunted to a stop as the witch came into view. He saw her bare feet first, the red painted toes peeking out from beneath the table that she stood in front of. She was leaning over a record player, a few strands of dark hair falling out from her up do and into her face. Mikael watched as she put on a record, Louis Armstrong's, "Sweet Georgia Brown".

As the music began to play the witch took down her hair, shaking out the dark curls. She stretched her arms over her head and the red dress she was wearing road up slightly as she did so. She began to dance around the empty club, her hips moving in a way that Mikael could only describe as provocative. The lyrics to the song fell from her lips as her voice rose to join Lois, though hers was more preferable to the rusty sounds of the trumpeter. Her voice was smooth and held a seductive lilt that seemed to be designed to draw in whoever listened to it.

Mikael walked into the room more fully and watched the girl with candid eyes. He had discovered that she was some kin to Ayanna so the amount of power she had wasn't a surprise to him. He was surprised however, by the untamed nature with which she carried herself. She wasn't showing any restraint, he knew that it was either because she was under Niklaus' influence or because she had no idea that she was being watched.

As the witch belted another verse Mikael cleared his throat. He smirked as the witch froze. Her head whipped around and she watched him warily. Her guard was up in seconds, it was a nice little trick.

"The club's closed," Bonnie said her green eyes darkening with suspicion.

"I'm well aware of that fact Miss Bennett," Mikael said noting the widening of the witch's eyes at the use of her name, "But I've come to find that I can only see you in such rare form after the club's hours are over."

The witch blushed prettily and Mikael knew that he had peeked her interest. "I don't recall seeing you in the club during regular hours," Bonnie said her suspicion seeming to return, "So how would you know what form I'm usually in?"

Mikael adjusted the sleeves of his tux. "If I'm not mistaken your attention is usually elsewhere," he said hinting at her relationship with the boy, "So how would you know that I've never been in the club during regular hours?" It was true that he hadn't, he had spies for that, those willing to do his dirty work for him.

Bonnie sighed placing her hands on her hips. "Alright well," she said, "We've established that you've been here before without me noticing. Would you like to tell me what you're doing here now?" With his accent, his regal appearance, and his intimidating attitude Bonnie couldn't understand how she could have missed him even if she was usually preoccupied by Nik, Stefan, Rebekah, or all three.

"Well," Mikael said with a smile, "I'm obviously a fan Miss Bennett. I know that you have others that preoccupy your time but you interest me and well I was hoping that perhaps I could be on the receiving end of your attention"

Bonnie frowned. No one had really shown any interest in her before Stefan had saved her from Wilkes. But it seemed that now that she was considered Nik's girl everyone was intrigued about what she had to offer. She figured this one would lose interest as quickly as the others did once she told Nik and he scared him away. "I can't very well give you my attention if I don't know your name Mister…," Bonnie trailed her tone leading. If she had a name then she could tell Nik who to look out for.

Mikael wasn't planning on giving the girl his real name, he knew she would likely tell Niklaus about their encounter and he didn't want to make his presence known just yet. He had come with the intention of finding out information about the witch and he still intended to do that. If she was a threat he would try to win her over and if he couldn't then he would dispose of her. It was that simple, but whatever happened Mikael was sure that the witch would make the journey along the way rather interesting. "You Miss Bennett," he said, "May call me Mr. Hunter and I can assure you that I always catch my prey."

Mikael watched as the witch blushed again. He eyed her closely as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She looked to be warring with herself over whether to attack him or be flattered by his attentions. "Well Mr. Hunter," Bonnie said, "I've already been caught so you're wasting your time."

Mikael raised a brow at that. So the boy had caught her had he? Well Mikael would take her away from him one way or another. "We'll just have to wait and see," he said, "Now won't we. Goodnight Miss Bennett. I'll see you again soon."
Bonnie watched him leave a chill running down her spine as he disappeared. She wondered how long it would take before he came back, because he would come back, that she was sure of.

"Why the smile?" Katherine asked. She leaned over Mikael's form and smirked. "Did you have a Sweet Georgia Brown?"

Katherine's brows furrowed as Mikael's smile turned into a smirk. "More like a Sweet Virginia Bonnie," he said. Katherine thought back to Baby Gilbert's conversation, (which she still suspected was one sided), with his corpse. So he does want to go after the witch, Katherine thought. Before the thought was completed Mikael grabbed her by her hair and pulled her forward his fangs sinking into her neck.

:::

Bonnie Bennett sat on her couch next to Matt Donovan, their hands clasped tightly together as he stared at the opposite wall. They hadn't really spoken since he had gotten there. The only reason that he was there was because Bonnie didn't want him to have to go home to an empty house with little to no food in the fridge and a stack of bills on the table when he had just said goodbye to his sister for a second time.

"You shouldn't blame yourself for this," Bonnie said softly as she rested her head on Matt's shoulder.

Matt sighed. "I don't really know who else to blame," he said, "I tried to be there for Vicki and look after her while she was alive and I couldn't do that. Now even dead, I failed her."

Bonnie squeezed his hand and used her other hand to grab his chin and forced him to look at her. "Listen to me," she said her tone firm but gentle, "You didn't fail her in life and you haven't failed her in death. You were her brother and you loved her. You would do anything for her even now, tonight was proof of that. Take it from someone who knows what it's like to lose the only family that matters, to feel alone in a world that only seems to be able to take from you. If you let the guilt and the anger and the sadness consume you, then it will be that much harder to get your life back again, believe me, I've been there and I've done that. But you have to let it go. Vicki may have been a lot of things but I know she would've wanted you to be happy, if you hold onto this then you never will be."

She hadn't completely let go of her Grams but she was starting to, and she would keep trying to move on, and slowly she would be able to get back to the girl that she once was. After she had lost her Grams she had lost everything. Her will to be happy. Her easy smile. The friendships that she had. Her trust in others. She had even lost the will to care about herself, about her own wellbeing. She had gotten to the point of putting others before herself, of giving and expecting nothing in return, of feeling like she deserved nothing in return, because she would rather die than lose anyone else. Except she had lost someone else, she had lost herself. She was a shadow of the person she once was and she still hadn't completely recovered. She wouldn't wish her fate on anyone least of all Matt.

She was getting better though and as much as she hated to admit it, it was Klaus' behavior that had slapped her in the face and woke her up. If someone like Klaus cared if she lived or died, a monster w that spared no concern for the lives of others, then why the hell shouldn't she. The fact that Klaus seemed to place more value in her life then she did, no matter what his reasoning, was a rude awakening for Bonnie. She was once again beginning to believe that she mattered, that her life was as important as anyone else's. Though, it would be a nice fact for someone else to acknowledge, frankly Bonnie didn't give a damn whether she ever heard anyone else say it or whether anyone else knew it or not, as long as she knew that she mattered, as long as she placed value on her own life then that was what was important. She wasn't being selfish, she still cared about her friends, she was simply rebuilding herself, redeveloping her self-esteem. She was learning to love herself again, even if she was no longer the same person. The fact that she had Klaus to thank for that, even if his action had been inadvertent, made Bonnie sad that she hadn't been able to see these things for herself before and grateful for having them shown to her even if Klaus was the one to do it.

"So you have everything figured out," Matt said, "But are you happy now?" It was easy for Bonnie to say all of these things with her loss not being fresh and even her enemies falling at her feet to save her life. Matt had enough trouble seeing past the grief. Happiness just seemed so far away at the moment.

Bonnie shook her head. "No I'm not," she answered honestly, "Not entirely. I mean I've recently lost my best friend, dumped my boyfriend, and discovered a hybrid sociopath seems to care more about my life than I do so…no I can't say that I'm happy. But I can see things more clearly now than before. I can see myself and my choices in a way that I never have before and because of that I can take the first steps to getting to know myself better and letting go of my past. When I know myself and I can know what makes me happy then I can work on that. I'm getting there and if you want we can help each other through all of this. Maybe get there together."

Matt nodded and let himself be pulled into a hug. "I'd like that," he said. He pulled back from her and gave her a small smile. "Bonnie," he said gently, "Do you remember yesterday when you said that I could get past all of this? You said that I could go off somewhere and live a normal life." Bonnie nodded, her concern growing with the change of topic. "You were wrong," he said, talking fast before she could object, "I've seen too much of this life to just ignore it, to be able to move on and live normally as if the supernatural doesn't exist. But even if I could manage it I wouldn't want to. Vicki is gone for good now and my mom is never coming back. You guys are all I have left, and no matter where I go I won't find friends like you. We may not have been the best friends to each other lately but the things we've been through, the things we've seen, our childhood together, it'll always connect us. I won't lose any of you to all of this bullshit, you were my friends since I was too little to know what the word friendship really meant and you're going to be my friends until I'm old and grey and senile. If that means that I have to deal with the supernatural for the rest of my life then so be it."

Bonnie smiled despite the tears stinging her eyes and the she hugged Matt all over again. "I don't want to lose you either," she said, "So I guess I'll be protecting you for the rest of my life then." She didn't want a life filled with the supernatural for Matt either but ultimately it was his choice.

"That's just the thing Bonnie," Matt said seriously as he held her, "You don't have to. It's my choice and I'll deal with the consequences. I don't want you risking your life for me. I know you want to keep everyone safe, I get that, but I'm tired of you playing Wonder Woman for everyone at your own expense. I know that it may not seem like it all the time but you're one of the best friends I've got. I meant it when I said that I didn't want to lose you. I already talked to Care and I want you to agree. Instead of you working overtime to protect everyone else, we all work overtime to protect each other. You got that, Bon?"

Bonnie nodded, though as he was still holding her he didn't see it, or the silent tears streaming down her cheeks. "Okay," she promised, "Thank you, Matt." She had been waiting for someone to say those words, to free her from the responsibility. She knew now that she should have freed herself. She should have been the one to remind everyone that her life was just as important as everyone else's.

"For what?" Matt asked, as he finally let her go. There was still so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to thank her for. As he pulled back he realized that she was crying. He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face.

"For seeing what I do," Bonnie clarified, "For acknowledging it. But most of all thank you for saying that I don't have to do it."

Matt smiled, but inside he hated himself for not seeing all of this sooner. It had taken Klaus seeing Bonnie as human, as something fragile that could be broken for him to see her that way again. "Thank you for saving my life," Matt said, "For being here for me now, for being there for me when no one else was, and for the times that you were there without me even realizing it."

Bonnie hugged him for what seemed like the millionth time. "You have to stop," she said, "You're going to make me cry again."

Matt laughed a little. "We wouldn't want that," he said. Bonnie pulled away from him. As their eyes met there was more emotion in his than she had ever seen. "You might be an old woman and you might be really bad at history and you might have terrible taste in music, but I love you, Bon," he said.

Bonnie giggled, but her heart warmed. "You might be a silly romantic," she said, "You might have terrible taste in music and you might be a dumb jock, but I love you too, Matt."

Matt took her hands in his and took a deep breath. He was about tackle a sensitive subject. "Can I ask you something?" He said after a moment of silence. Bonnie nodded as she wiped away the remainder of her tears. "Did you ever figure out why Klaus saved your life?" he said, "When I saw that it was up to Klaus to save you...I just knew he would let you die but he didn't. Why?"

Bonnie shrugged. Even after talking to Klaus she still didn't fully understand. There were a lot of things that she didn't understand lately. "I got a chance to ask him before he left," she said, "All he said was that he saved me because I needed to be saved." The words made her smile slightly.

"That's it?" Matt asked his confusion evident. There had to be more to it than that. "Do you believe him?"
Bonnie sighed. "A part of me does," she said, "I mean I couldn't think of another reason that would make any more sense. But a part of me just has more questions and a part of me is just grateful and doesn't care why he did it." She didn't know what she expected but she didn't expect Matt to look so understanding.

Matt studied her a moment and then he decided to tell her what he knew, what Vicki had revealed to him before she had disappeared. "I asked Vicki about it before she...," Matt trailed before shaking his head and refocusing, "I was so shocked by the way Klaus acted and I thought there had to be a reason. She told me some things that I didn't believe at first but now I don't know."

Bonnie frowned as she considered him. "What is it Matt?" Bonnie asked, "You can tell me anything."

Still Matt hesitated not knowing how Bonnie would react to his words. "Vicki," Matt stated, "She said that the reason that Klaus wanted to reverse the curse and unleash his wolf side wasn't just because he wanted to create his army, not entirely."

Bonnie's face scrounged up in confusion. "Why else would he do it?" Bonnie asked, "Other than the power and the army to protect him and his family what else is there?"

"You, Bon," Matt said, "She said that the witch on the other side told her that Klaus did it for you."

Bonnie shook her head. That wasn't right. So many things about that statement didn't make sense that she didn't know where to start. She chose to go with the easiest way to debunk the statement. "But the night of the sacrifice he thought that I was dead," Bonnie said, "Why would he perform the sacrifice for me when as far as he knew he had killed me?"

"I asked her the same thing," Matt said, "I didn't get it either but he knew that you were alive Bon, at least that's what Vicki said. He knew that if he went after Elena, you would try and protect her so he needed to make sure you would be out of the way to protect you. He wanted you to live so he made sure that you had access to a spell that would keep you alive. You and Damon played right into his hands. You faked your death and when the time came he was ready for your attack. I mean had you even seen or heard of that spell before Klaus showed up?"

"Well no," Bonnie admitted, "But it wasn't like I was looking for it before then still…" Bonnie thought back to when she had found the spell. "The book that it was in," she said, "I had never seen if before, I thought that maybe I had bypassed it but now that I think about it popped up almost as soon as Klaus did. But why would he…"

"Why did he want you alive?" Matt asked, "Why did he up his plans so he could go through the sacrifice without you stopping him? Why did he make the sacrifice in your name in the first place? I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine. But I could understand why he kept this from you; obviously he doesn't want you to know his motives."

Bonnie went over all of her encounters with Klaus in her head as few as there were and things started to come to her attention. "That's just the thing Matt," Bonnie said, "He spared my life more that once even after admitting I was a threat. If Vicki is telling the truth then I'm the reason behind all of this, the sacrifice, everything. He saved my life, and he gave me this amulet." She fingered the eye around her neck. "It's so valuable Matt," she said, "Nothing can kill me as long as I wear it. He gave it to me instead of keeping it for himself because he wanted me to be safe while he was gone. I am the motive, or at least it seems like it, what I don't understand is why."

Matt shrugged. He couldn't put the pieces together. It was unnerving to think that Klaus was doing more to keep Bonnie alive than anyone in their group, including Bonnie ever had.

"But if he wants me alive then he's being smart about it," Bonnie said, "I mean I would have died trying to kill him, he must have known I wouldn't get there in time to stop him, and he must have known that Elijah would punk out after finding out his family was safe. If he did do any of this for me then he definitely wouldn't have told anyone. It would have only made me feel guilty and if Damon had found out he probably would have killed me to take away one of Klaus' reasons in hopes that it would stop him from going after Elena. Hell, I probably would have thrown myself off the nearest building in hopes that Klaus would spare Elena if I died." She had been willing to die for Elena and that had been no secret, still she winced at the thought of her being so self-sacrificing, especially since she and Elena were now barely speaking.

Matt didn't bother refuting her claims because they were likely true. "Look," he said, having regret bringing up Vicki's words, "We're obviously not going to figure all of this out tonight. In all likelihood you'll have to ask Klaus. I probably shouldn't have even brought it up. We've covered enough heavy stuff for right now so how about we just kill the serious talk. Can we please just order a pizza and pretend to be normal for an hour and a half while we watch horrible television?"

Bonnie nodded. "Sure," she said. Inside her head was still swimming. Rebekah had told her she was of some importance to Klaus, she hadn't believed her before but the more she learned the more she doubted what she had known before was the truth. Bonnie didn't know what to believe but she knew that she wasn't going to get any answers until Klaus returned.

:::

Klaus Mikaelson spun the silver pocket watch Bonnie had gifted him with, around in his hand a small smile on his lips. He now had six successful hybrids, seven including Tyler Lockwood. He was that much closer to his goal. He didn't need an army, not really, just enough to keep the people that he loved safe. Just enough to assist him in his fight. He wouldn't have bothered making hybrids at all if not for the threat of Mikael being present.

His other reason for wanting to perform the sacrifice, the one that had come after his need to protect his family, Bonnie, and Stefan; from Mikael stood out clear in his mind.

Nik kept looking at her oddly and Bonnie was beginning to get annoyed. He wasn't saying anything, he simply stared at her. It was more than a little unnerving.

She was lying across his bed, on her stomach, looking over her sheet music and wearing nothing but his shirt. Normally the sight of her with so little clothing on would cause both his hands and his eyes to be on her but it seemed like his mind was elsewhere even as he looked at her.

He sat on the edge of his bed his eyes never leaving her form. Even as he tugged off his tie, kicked off his shoes, and unbuttoned his crisp white shirt he looked at her, obviously not paying attention to what he was doing.

Bonnie huffed, making the noise of exasperation that Nik was familiar with. She couldn't take it any longer. "What is it?" Bonnie asked, looking up at him.

Nik looked away then. He knew that she wouldn't want to have the conversation that would occur after he revealed his thoughts to her. But he had no choice but to be honest with her. "What will happen to us when you grow old?" Nik asked, "Or when you die?"

Bonnie immediately stiffened and set her music aside. She knew they weren't forever she didn't need him to remind her of it. "We've already discussed this, Niklaus," she said hollowly.

Nik glared at her, refusing to back down. "So then it's been decided that in one form or another you will leave us?"

Bonnie hated when he said it like that, like she was walking away, like it was something that she wanted. But death was natural, unavoidable, unless she became what they were and she couldn't do that if it meant leaving her life as a witch behind, betraying her own. "It's not like I want to leave you, Nik," Bonnie sighed pinching the bridge of her nose.

Nik's eyes narrowed as he looked down at her. "You have a choice, Bonnie," he said.

Bonnie nodded. "And I'm choosing to slow down my aging for as much as I can and for as long as possible," she said, "I know what you want me to do and as much as you mean to me I can't do it. If I became what you are then I would be betraying what I am. My powers aren't just something I can do, they're a part of me, they're who I am. I can't let go of them and everything they stand for, to become something that some part of me will always hate."

Nik winced at the word hate. She crawled up behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle, still he stayed stiff as a board. She ran her hands up and down his chest and kissed his neck until she felt his body relax. They were silent for a moment and then she heard him take a deep breath. "What if you could be both?" Nik asked softly, "If there was something in between?"

"We both know that isn't possible," Bonnie whispered.

Nik removed her arms from around him and stood. He turned to face her. She knelt on his bed looking up at him expectantly as he took her face in his hands. "But what if it was possible," Nik pressed, "Would you do it?"

Bonnie bit her lip, unable to mange looking away from his too blue eyes. "If it meant keeping that part of myself and being with you forever then yes, I would. If I could have it both ways then I wouldn't want for anything," she answered.

Nik kissed her then, and there was such desperation there that it scared her. As he pulled back he looked at her as if he wanted to tell her all his secrets but wasn't sure if he could. "You can be both," he said finally, "If I can find a way to perform the sacrifice that will give me access to my wolf then my blood will be the answer. The reason so many want me dead is because I can destroy the balance in more ways than one. I am the first hybrid and so my blood makes it possible for more than one species to exist in one body. If I am the one that turns you then you could be both."

Bonnie stilled. She had never let herself consider a real future at his side, she had never thought that he wanted it. It was obvious the way that he was looking at her that he wanted her with him, always with him. There was so much hope in his eyes, hope that could vanish in seconds if she backed out of her words. "Are you serious?" She asked.

"I wouldn't joke," he said seriously, "Not about this." He studied Bonnie's face trying to see any sign of what she was thinking. "Now that you know that it's possible," he said carefully, "Can you still say that you would do it?"

Bonnie nodded. "Yes," Bonnie said, "I meant what I said. If I can be both and I can be with you then I would do it."

"Then I will do whatever it takes to make it happen," Nik said. No matter what he had to sacrifice, what he had to do, who he had to betray or even kill, he would make sure that Bonnie remained at his side.

Klaus broke from his memories, gripping Bonnie's grandfather's watch in hands tightly as he stared out his room window and into the night. He would turn Bonnie now if he could, but he would never do it when she had no memory of telling him that that was what she wanted. He would wait for her memory to return and in the meantime he would protect her in any way that he could.

Klaus' thoughts were interrupted as his cell phone rang. He knew that it would have to be his sister, Bonnie, Stefan, or Gloria; none of whom would contact him unless it was an emergency. Klaus dug the phone out of his pocket. His sister's name flashed across the screen. Knowing it was likely important, Klaus answered. "What is it?" He asked.

"Stefan is in trouble," Rebekah said quickly, "Bonnie is in danger and you need to get your hybrid ass back here and help me deal with this."

Before Klaus could answer or ask any questions the line went dead. It didn't matter that she didn't give him any details. All that he needed to know was that Bonnie and Stefan were in trouble and that was enough for him to put his plans on hold and return to Mystic Falls.

:::

Bonnie frowned as she sat down next to Nik on the couch in his living room. He looked over as she pulled a letter out of the pocket of her robe and examined it her face void of emotion.

"What is that?" Nik asked, "And why is it making you look as if the world has just ended."

Bonnie folded the letter and then tossed it onto the coffee table in front of them. "A letter from my Grams," she said, "One of my friends from Mystic Falls is getting married."

Nik's brow furrowed in confusion. "Isn't that a good thing?" Nik asked, "Unless of course you're not invited to the wedding."

"Of course I'm invited," she sighed, "But being invited just made me think about who I could bring as a date you know. Then I thought of you but that really wouldn't go over well and neither would Stefan or Rebekah. Then I thought about how I would have to hide this part of my life from everyone back at home. Then I thought about why I would even consider all of you as date options and not just one of you. Then I thought about how weird my relationship is with all of you and about what people would think if they ever found out what went on in this house. Then-"

"You thought about how you over think everything and how you should stop sooner rather than later," Nik said cutting her off.

"I'm serious Nik," Bonnie said sprawling out on the couch and laying her head in his lap, she smiled when his hand immediately found her hair, "I mean think about it. I know it's you and me, and then there's Stefan and Rebekah, you know together. And that would be okay, if it was just that. There would be people that said things about you and me but I could deal with a few racist clowns here and there. But we….all this…." Bonnie trailed not knowing how to put it. Nik looked down at her patiently his fingers carding through her hair as he waited for her to finish her thoughts. Bonnie looked up at the ceiling and thought that maybe giving examples of what she meant would make her seem clearer. "Like last night you and me…well you know…and then we fell asleep and then this morning Stefan decides to climb into bed with us and neither of us even batted an eyelash."

"Rebekah left early in the morning to hunt down some author or book or something," Nik shrugged, "You can't blame him for not wanting to sleep in her bed by himself, you know how much he likes to cuddle."

Bonnie looked up at him as if he had two heads. "He was naked, Nik," she pointed out.

"Because he sleeps more comfortably in the nude," Klaus said, "Again completely reasonable." He could tell from the look on her face that she was close to making some sound of disgust that would likely make his ears bleed.

"We were naked, Nik." Bonnie pressed now wondering how he could not see what was wrong with the picture. Although really she hadn't thought of it as wrong until her Grams had written her and unknowingly thrown societies concept of a normal romantic relationship in her face.

Nik smirked. "That's because we were…well you know…the night before, sweetheart," he said his tone teasing. He wasn't even bothering to hide his amusement.

"So it wouldn't bother you if I told you that last week while I was slow dancing with Rebekah she kissed me?" Bonnie asked.

"Well I think that I could let it go if you promise not to hold it against me that Stefan has a growing fascination with my hands," he said, "He keeps making these suggestive comments. Wants me to use them in the strangest ways and put them in the strangest places." He laughed when Bonnie unconsciously licked her lips.

It was his laughter that brought Bonnie back to the point that she was trying to make. "This isn't normal," she said, "We have no boundaries when it comes to each other and it's only going to get worse. We'll just get more and more consumed with each other and no one will understand and then it will get to the point where we're so isolated that it really will just be the four of us."

"That wouldn't be such a bad thing," Nik said unbothered. He had been the black sheep of his family. What he was put him in a league all of his own. He was used to being isolated and alone. If the world were to end the next day leaving only the four of them in it he wouldn't mind one bit. He would mourn his family but other than that there were no others that he valued.

"I know that for you and Rebekah it wouldn't be," she said, "But Stefan and I are different. It's not that you're not enough for us it's just that it's a lot easier for us than for you two to tie ourselves to other people. We give of ourselves more freely. Don't get me wrong I understand you being guarded but you've gotten to the point where you don't need to be around anyone else in this world, that you consider yourself above everyone else. I'm not there yet and I don't know if I ever will be. As much as I hate to admit it, I care what people think about me, and that includes, what we're doing."

"Bonnie," Nik sighed, "There will always be people who will judge you. There are things in this life that you'll do or make apart of yours that others won't understand. Whether it's the choices you make or the people you choose to allow in your life, no one will be in agreement with everything you do. What you need to worry about is not your own actions but finding people that will love and accept you whether they agree with them or not."

"Who's going to give me that other than Grams, Gloria, and you birds?" Bonnie asked.

Nik shrugged. "No one in this lifetime," he said. They were all that she needed and he hoped she would soon realize that.

"Then maybe I will have better luck in the next," Bonnie said only half joking.

Bonnie smiled as she bit into another slice of pizza. She was sitting on her couch next to Matt and Caroline and Tyler, who Matt had agreed to call after some convincing on Bonnie's part were sitting on the floor at their feet. They were watching a rerun of Shark Tank in which some guy was trying to get the investors to invest in energy drink infused single packaged waffles, eating cheap pizza, and consuming more Mountain Dew than was probably necessary. The whole thing was so normal that Bonnie could have cried of happiness.

"Who the hell would eat a waffle infused with an energy drink?" Tyler asked shaking his head at the television, "That's sounds gross. If you want food and excessive energy then why not just drink a Redbull with breakfast?"

Caroline frowned at him. "The point is for people to have both food and an energy boost when they don't have time to have a full blown meal," she said.

"The idea still sucks," Matt said swiping the pizza crust off of Bonnie's plate, "If you have time to buy a waffle then you have time to buy a pack of mini muffins and a Monster. Besides from the looks on their faces the waffles taste like shit so..."

Bonnie shook her head. No, this was definitely not one of their most profound conversations but she was just glad they weren't talking about anything related to death, or the supernatural, or sacrificing one for the good of all. "I don't know. It could work if they fix the taste aspect," she said, "Or maybe they should just try to make it tasteless so it doesn't make the waffle batter all dry and funky."

"Why waffles anyway?" Tyler asked, "Why not muffins or doughnuts?"

"Yes," Caroline agreed, "Doughnuts. I love doughnuts." They all laughed and then the blonde looked at all of them one by one. "I missed you, guys," Caroline whispered. They all knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Me too," Bonnie nodded. Matt and Tyler nodded in agreement. She felt the urge to cry but she restrained herself. "So how about you guys sleep over?" Bonnie asked. The sad thing was that even with everything that had happened Bonnie didn't know whether or not they would take her up on the offer.

"Sure," Matt said with a shrug, "So long as we're not having waffles for breakfast." Bonnie gave him a playful nudge.

Caroline chanced a glance at Tyler and he nodded. "We're in too," she said. Caroline was glad that they were all finally spending time together, though she was disappointed that when she had called Elena the girl had refused to be a part of it because apparently she wasn't ready. Still, at the moment she couldn't remember why she had been so threatened by Rebekah or worried about losing any of them.

Bonnie was about to suggest that they watch a movie when she felt her phone vibrate. She pulled it out of her pocket and frowned when she saw it was a text from Stefan telling her to come outside. Bonnie frowned at the message, she had figured that Stefan would be somewhere off with Rebekah as she had told him that she had wanted to spend time with Matt and the others. He had seemed okay with it.

"Who is it?" Tyler asked wiggling his eyebrows obnoxiously, "Is it your boyfriend? You know the one with fangs and a predisposition for blood and mayhem?"

Matt blinked in confusion. "So are we talking about Stefan or Klaus here?" Matt asked. Bonnie would have hit him had it not been for her embarrassment and the good natured grin that he had on his face.

"If you hadn't said boyfriend then I would've guessed Rebekah," Caroline said with just hint of bitterness in her tone.

Tyler looked in between Caroline and Matt and then at Bonnie. "I thought you were dealing with unresolved feelings for Stefan," he said, "When did Klaus and Rebekah come in the picture? And before you answer that answer me this, if you and Rebekah ever go at it can I watch?"

Bonnie was about to give Tyler an aneurism but Caroline beat her to the punch by bending back Tyler's hand until they all heard a bone snap. Tyler hissed in pain snatching his hand away from Caroline. "I'll take that as a no," Tyler grunted snapping his hand back into place.

Bonnie rolled her eyes at their antics and stood. "Stefan's outside," she said.

Matt sighed. "I guess that's our cue to leave," he said. It looked like this was going to turn into the situation with Elena all over again. Salvatore men could trump any friendship it seemed.

Bonnie shook her head. "No we still have to watch bad movies," she said, "If anything he'll be the one leaving. He knows I was with you guys tonight and he said he was hanging out with Rebekah so if he's here it's probably important or he wouldn't have interrupted."

"But you like him right?" Matt asked curious now at her behavior. It was obvious to him even with the whole developing Klaus thing that Bonnie still had some sort of feelings toward Stefan.

Bonnie looked decidedly embarrassed. She would rather not admit to having feelings for Stefan before she talked to him about it and definitely not while he was outside and had super hearing and was likely able to hear that confession. "Yeah," she said trying and failing to seem nonchalant, "I guess."

"Then it's okay if you want to spend time with him Bonnie," Caroline said glad that she had finally made the admission out loud even if it only worried her, at least she was dealing with her feelings instead of trying to hide them, "Besides doesn't it bother you that he's hanging out with Rebekah?"
Bonnie shook her head. "Not really," she said, "They just kind of fit you know. And it doesn't mean Stefan doesn't care about me it's not like he's acting any different toward me."

Caroline frowned. "So he dumped Elena so he could play around with both you and Rebekah?" She asked her anger rising at what Stefan had become.

Bonnie sighed. "No of course not," she said, "I would try to explain but like Nik always says there are things in this life that you'll do or make apart of yours that others won't understand. I am thinking that this is one of them. Just know that he loves us both okay?" Before she could get an answer her doorbell rang. "I have to get that," Bonnie said before hurrying away not liking the position she was being put in.

They watched her go and even with their varying expressions they all looked worried. "Did she just call Klaus, Nik?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah," Matt said, "There's definitely something going on there." Caroline frowned and looked more worried than ever but Tyler's expression was more neutral. "It's weird and I don't like it but I didn't like Elena and Stefan or Damon for that matter but I stood by her. I'm not the biggest fan of you two but I'm here. And Damon may call Bonnie judgmental but she never judged Elena for her actions with the Salvatore men despite her reservations and she's never chosen a guy over us so none of us should assume that she would now. Whether Bonnie decides to hook up with Klaus, or Stefan, or Rebekah, or all three, or she decides to become a nun and give herself to the church I don't care. It doesn't matter who she chooses to be with she's still Bonnie. I mean if I ever decided to be with someone that none of you agreed with I'd want our friendship to mean more than who I chose to sleep with."

"We got it Matt," Tyler said, "No more being deep for one night. All this serious talk is making my head hurt."

"Wait a minute," Caroline said before Matt made the comment he had on the tip of his tongue about the validity of a hybrid getting a headache, "That whole speech wasn't some roundabout way of telling us that you're about to run off with Katherine is it?"

Matt blinked at her. It took him a moment to figure out that she was joking. "Are you high?" He asked. But as Caroline and Tyler burst into laughter he had to admit that if Katherine wasn't a psychopath then he might consider it. She was hot, and not because she looked like Elena, actually the last thing he wanted was another Elena considering how abruptly they had ended and how fruitless his pining had been. But Katherine could manage to be appealing in spite of her resemblance to Elena, or rather Elena's resemblance to her. She was more exciting and at the very least she owned her actions rather than making it seem like being fickle, manipulative, and in denial weren't her fault like some Petrova women that Matt knew. But why the hell was he giving this that much thought? How long had it been since anyone had seen her anyway? Would it even matter if anyone had? "Why did you have to put that thought in my head?" Matt muttered, "Now I can't get it out."

Bonnie heard them and laughed to herself. She was touched by their words about whoever she chose and she wanted to comment on the idea of Matt and Katherine but chose to ignore it as she walked toward the front door. When she opened the door she found Stefan standing on the other side. She smiled at him but there was something off in the way that he was smiling back, something different in the way he was looking at her.

Frowning Bonnie stepped out on to her porch and shut the door behind her. Stefan took a step back to make room for her. "What's going on?" Bonnie asked, "Is something wrong? Where's Rebekah?" She had been referring to Klaus' sister as Blondie as of late and she was surprised when Stefan didn't comment on the use of the girl's real name.

"I just wanted to see you," he said placing his hands on her hips. Wilkes smirked on the inside, relishing in the way that Bonnie seemed to ease into his touch and the way that Salvatore continued the failed fight against him. "Is that a crime?" He asked smoothly pulling Bonnie into his chest.

"But I thought that you were spending time with Rebekah," Bonnie said frowning even as she allowed herself to be pulled forward, "Besides you know what happened with Matt tonight and we're all actually in a good place right now in spite of that so I kind of need you to go. I'll call you tomorrow."

Stefan's eyes turned lethal and Bonnie attempted to get herself out of his grasp even though she was shocked. Something was definitely wrong. She knew that Stefan would never hurt her but the way that he was looking at her gave her pause. "Unbelievable," he said, "Even Salvatore you blow off. What you too good for him now too? Did I pick the wrong body? I knew I should have gone for Niklaus, it's just too bad he left town." Bonnie's face contorted in confusion. He smirked before his hands moved from her hips and in a flash they were wrapped around her neck. He slammed Bonnie into the side of her house so hard that she felt blood tickle down her head soon after. With the eye around her neck he couldn't kill her but he didn't want her dead. He had something far worse than death in mind. "I know you don't remember your old buddy Wilkes but I remember you and now I'm about to give you a night that you'll never forget."

Bonnie's mind shot to the night she and Damon had went to retrieve Stefan from Chicago. To Stefan's wall of victims, the name David Wilkes coming to the forefront of her mind. She snapped out of her thoughts as he pressed his lips to hers in a hard bruising fashion. As many times as she had thought about kissing Stefan recently she had never thought that the act would cause her to want to vomit. But this wasn't Stefan. Her superhero was somewhere buried under this filth.

Wilkes pulled back and laughed. "I never thought you would let me get that far," he said, "You're getting soft. Or maybe you just can't bear to hurt me while I'm in your precious Stefan's body. Isn't that right, green eyes?"

It was the nickname that finally broke Bonnie's shock and confusion about why the man, whoever he was, was using Stefan to come after her in the first place. She concentrated and moments later he was letting go of her throat and clutching his head. He stumbled back as the door opened behind Bonnie, but before Bonnie could do any more damage a figure popped up behind him and swiftly snapped his neck. As Stefan's body fell onto her porch in a lump she saw Rebekah standing behind him. She looked back to see Matt, Caroline, and Tyler all crowded in her doorway but before any of them could move toward Bonnie, Rebekah shot across the porch at inhuman speed and wrapped her arms around Bonnie.

Bonnie stood frozen. "It's okay, love," Rebekah said soothingly, "Everything is okay now. I'm sorry I took so long I came as soon as I could." Bonnie could barely process her words. But it was clear that whatever was going on Rebekah knew about it. But if she knew what was happening with Stefan then why wasn't she trying to save him instead of helping Bonnie. "We're going to get you out of here," Rebekah said.

"What about Stefan?" Bonnie asked. She knew that Rebekah didn't want to leave him there anymore than she did. In fact she suspected that for Rebekah it was harder. "He's possessed; someone is inside of him. Someone he killed before. We can't just leave him here."

Rebekah pulled back from her and smiled at her slightly. "He'll be fine," she said, "We'll find Gloria and she'll handle it but in the meantime we have to go. I need to make sure that you're safe."

Maybe it was the fact that Bonnie wasn't used to anyone putting her first or maybe it was the fact that she had heard Elena's voice say things like, "What about Stefan?" or "We have to save Stefan," so many times, but for whatever reason she didn't understand. "But you love him," she said.

"Of course I so, doll," Rebekah sighed, "But you're my friend and that means something as well." Rebekah had no idea why what she had said had provoked her but for some reason Bonnie looked as if she were about to cry. "Besides he cares about you too," Rebekah continued patiently, "He would want me to protect you. Now we have to get you out of here before Wilkes wakes up."

Bonnie nodded trying not to harp on Rebekah's actions. She took Rebekah's hand and let herself be led off of the porch.

"Where are you taking her?" Caroline asked finally getting over the shock over what she had witnessed long enough to object.

"Somewhere safe," Rebekah said not bothering to hide her agitation at the blonde. Now was not the time for whatever rivalry that had recently birthed between them. "Tyler," she said turning to him, "You and Matt tie Stefan up and lock him in the basement. Don't hurt him. He's been possessed he isn't in control of his actions. I am going to get Bonnie somewhere safe and then come back with help."

Tyler nodded. "Whatever you say," he said wincing slightly when Caroline glared at him, "Not now Care," he said, "This is serious."

Rebekah was grateful that at least someone was understanding the gravity of the situation. She turned to leave but stopped at the sound of Matt's voice. "Rebekah," he said. She turned to him and waited impatiently for him to have his say. He looked at her with a surprising amount of understanding that caused her to pause in her agitation, however. "Just," he said, "Take care of, Bon, okay?"

Rebekah nodded. She led Bonnie away thinking that perhaps all of Bonnie's friends weren't useless after all.

:::

Abby Bennett stared out into the night from her post at her bedroom window. Her day had gone much the same as if always did. She had woken up, showered, and had her customary bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. She had gone to work, editing articles for the local newspaper, skipping lunch to meet another deadline. She had returned home to work in her garden. Then at half past five she had gone to the neighborhood record store to purchase another jazz record to add to the collection she had started upon arriving from Mystic Falls, it had been Ella Fitzgerald that that had caught her eye that day. Then she had had dinner at the local diner, and then it had been back home again to work on rebuilding her powers.

In truth it hadn't been the small pink house that had attracted Abby to the town, or the prospect of a normal life, it had been the music store. After she had left home she had simply driven and driven some more with no real thought about where she was going or where she would end up. But she couldn't allow herself to stop anywhere close to Mystic Falls or she would have easily turned right back around.

When her car had finally stopped it had been in front of the record store, The Blue Sax. It had been dark and raining but Abby could clearly make out the poster of Louis Armstrong in the window. She had pulled the car over, turned it off, and taken the keys out of the ignition. She had gotten out of her car ignoring the rain and walked inside of the record store heading directly toward the jazz section. She skimmed through the records without thinking, stopping only when she had come to the recording of her daughter's favorite song. She had purchased the record that night and the house the next day. She had gone to the record store every day since. She didn't always make a purchase but it was the one time during the day that she allowed herself to think about her daughter.

She thought about her Bonnie even now as she stared out of her window and into the night sky. She thought about the night that she had left home. It had been the last time that she had seen Bonnie.

Abby had done it. She had imprisoned Mikael once and for all and her daughter was no longer a target. Bonnie had always spoken of Klaus or Rebekah or Stefan or even a witch named Gloria rather fondly but Mikael, he was the creature in her daughter's nightmares. He was the one that had killed her the first time around.

Out of all of the people that Bonnie had mentioned from her previous life it had been Mikael that had finally come for her even though it had been the others that her daughter had been waiting for.

Three days was all that it had taken to shatter their world. For Abby to realize that everything that her mother had said was true that this was not Bonnie's first life in the world but her second. That in the first one her daughter had been mixed up with original vampires, so much so that she had been coveted by not just two of the children but by the father as well, though for very different reasons. It seemed that while both Bonnie and Sheila had claimed that the original siblings had loved Bonnie for who and what she was, the father, Mikael had wanted Bonnie for what she could become or rather what he could make her.

When Mikael had come for her daughter he had had the nerve to explain to Abby why he was going to take her and why she was going to allow it to happen. Mikael had seen in Bonnie all of the power, strength, loyalty, and the true potential for darkness that hadn't been present in his late wife. He had killed his wife for her unfaithfulness and the first time around he had killed Bonnie in order to get to Klaus, though had she not had the will to resist him he would have spared her life.

But Mikael had seen her rebirth as an opportunity. He could get Bonnie from a young age and mold her into his own picture of perfection. She may have still had her memories but he could use those against her. It was because of him that Klaus had yet to come for her and as long as he could keep him away then he could claim that Klaus was staying away because he didn't want her, he never loved her. He had never told the witch that he loved her out loud, how long would it take for her to begin to believe him. By the time he was done she would come with him willingly.

Mikael had thought with a well placed threat that Abby would hand her daughter over and that he could go forward with his plans. But Abby had plans of her own. It hadn't taken her long to do some research, to find a place, and plant a trap. By day four of Mikael's threats and torments he was no longer a factor.

Abby walked into her kitchen and sat down at the table next to her mother. "It's done," she said, "Mikael's been entombed, and Bonnie is safe. It's over."

Sheila looked at her. "What happens if someone decides to release him?" Sheila asked, "We'll be back to square one. Killing him is the only answer. Bonnie says that he won't stop until he's dead."

"Bonnie is a child," Abby said with a grimace, "She is also my child and seeing as we can't find a way to kill Mikael then my solution is the only solution."

Sheila sighed as she placed her hand over Abby's. "I know this is hard for you to accept," she said reasonably, "But you know about the supernatural and you also knew the risk of having a child with supernatural abilities, that something like this was a possibility. You also know that while Bonnie has a child's body she does not have a child's mind and she also has more experience dealing with Mikael than either of us do."

"I don't want her involved," Abby said. She didn't, she wanted Bonnie safe and warm in her bed.

"Bonnie was involved not just from the moment she was born in this time but from her lifetime in the last as well," Sheila said, "You can ignore it or fight it but if Mikael ever gets out of the tomb he will come for her or he will come for Klaus and if either happens Bonnie won't allow it."

Abby was about to protest when they heard footsteps coming from behind them. They turned to find Bonnie walking into the kitchen dressed in her pajamas and her childish features marred with a frown. "It's the truth," Bonnie said, "He won't stop coming which is why I plan to let him out and give myself over to him."

Abby shook her head standing from her seat. "You should go to bed, Bonnie," she said choosing to ignore her daughter's words.

"Don't give me that condescending bullshit, Abby," Bonnie said reaching the end of her patience. Locking Mikael away would do nothing. He would find a way out. He always found a way to get what he wanted, except in terms of her.

"Watch your mouth, Bonnie," Sheila said, though to Abby's ears her tone wasn't nearly as chastising enough.

"Sorry, Grams," Bonnie muttered just the same. She turned her attention back to Abby, however. "But I am serious here," she said, "He made me a bargain before. He told me that he would spare Nik and the others if I agreed to go with him, learn from him and become a hunter. Live at his side as a companion. I told him I would never leave Nik and that I would sooner die then stay at his side and that was why he killed me."

Abby bit her lip and closed her eyes. "I don't want to hear this Bonnie," she said.

"You have to," Bonnie pressed, "He wants either me at his side or the others dead or likely both. He won't stop. But at least if I give myself over to him there will be someone on the inside. I would be able to protect all of you and if there is a way to stop him then I will be able to find it."

Sheila sighed as Abby's mouth pinched into a thin line. "I don't agree with this," she said, "But you need to talk to your daughter and I need to sleep so I will see you two later. The problem is solved for the moment. I suggest the two of you have a real discussion about your options from here on out."

Abby watched her mother leave and then she turned to her daughter. "She's right," Abby said, "You want to make adult decisions so we should have an adult discussion." She stood and walked over to the kitchen cabinets and took two mugs down.

"What are you doing?" Bonnie asked as she sat down at the table in the seat that her grandmother had abandon.

"Making tea," Abby muttered as she put on water to boil. She knew what she would do before she even opened her cabinet and began to search through her herbs for the betel nut.

Bonnie fiddled with her fingers wishing that she was old enough to smoke. "Look I know this is a lot to handle but the way I see it there are too many people that I love in danger and we're never going to be able to kill Mikael if we aren't able to figure out how he can be killed, what better way to do that then to have someone on the inside."
It didn't; matter what Bonnie said. There was no way that she would let her only child sacrifice herself to a mad man. She had imprisoned Mikael for Bonnie's sake and now she would take away her motivation to give herself to him. Bonnie may hate her for it later but she would be safe. "You know you talk a lot about how much Klaus and the others love you. How much you love them. But there are people in this life that love you too Bonnie. Me, your father, your friends, and your Grams"

"I know that," Bonnie sighed, "That's why I have to do this. This isn't just about my past life but this one too. Do you honestly think that he wouldn't be willing to use any of you against me? I'm trying to protect the people I care about and that includes all of you."

Abby slipped the betel nut into the bottom of Bonnie's mug just as the kettle on the stove whistled. She stuck a tea bag into each mug and then filled them with the boiling water. "And what if your plan doesn't work? What if he kills us all anyway?"

"I won't let that happen," Bonnie said as she watched Abby put sugar into their tea, "I know how his mind works. He's smart and calculating but his thoughts are singular. He rarely thinks beyond the moment at hand. The only way that he would go after any of you after I give myself over to him would be if I provoke him or if one of you came after me. As long as you stay put until I figure out how Mikael can be killed and you let Nik know what's going on when he comes for me then he'll let me do what I have to do."

Abby fought the urge to roll her eyes as she sat the mug in front of her daughter. Nik wasn't coming. No one was coming. Even if Mikael had put a million obstacles in his way if Klaus had really wanted to he would have come for her daughter by now. If he really loved her then he would be there helping Abby protect her. But he wasn't, there was just Abby. And Abby had a choice to make. But she had one more question to ask before Bonnie's tea cooled enough for her to drink it. "And if it's a trap and he kills you all over again?" She asked.

Bonnie closed her eyes and looked to be in a great deal of pain. Perhaps she was remembering or perhaps she was thinking about what was so come. Abby didn't know. But when Bonnie opened her eyes her gaze was resolute. "Then that's a chance I'm willing to take," Bonnie said firmly.

Even knowing what she knew about Bonnie's state of mind and memories all Abby saw in front of her was a six year old little girl, her child, willing to sign her own death certificate. She couldn't let Bonnie sacrifice herself. She couldn't lose her. She watched silently as Bonnie drank her tea. She didn't say a word until Bonnie's cup was nearly empty. "I'm not willing to take that chance, Bonnie," she said, "The people in your past life may have loved you enough to bring you back but I love you enough to make sure that you don't suffer the same fate this time around. If he killed you once then he will kill you again. You are my daughter and I won't lose you."

"That isn't your choice to make," Bonnie said as she set down her mug, "I know that you don't understand. But I know what it's like to die. I know what is on the other side. The loneliness. The longing. I know all about the in between. I lived there for so long with nothing and no one to keep me company. I am willing to chance dying again, to feel that loneliness again for all of you. Because I love you. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't love you, mom."

Abby had to choke back the tears that threatened to fall."You called me, mom," she whispered, "You never call me mom."

Bonnie smiled weakly. She was telling the truth, despite her problems with her mother in this life and the last, she did love her. But she had to do this, even if it meant her death, if she could just save one of the people that she cared about. Bonnie's thoughts were cut short as she began to feel dizzy. "What did you do?" She asked her eyes full of accusation as she looked at Abby.

The only words that left Abby's mouth were the incantation that finished the spell that would strip Bonnie of any and all memories of her past life. Bonnie's father came home from work in time to see his daughter slumped face first on their kitchen table and Abby sobbing as she stood next to the counter.

Rudy looked from his daughter to his wife and then back again. "What did you do Abby?" Rudy asked as he eyed her with contempt.

"I'm sorry," Abby said through her tears, "I just…I had to make her forget. I couldn't…I didn't have a choice, Rudy."

"Don't Rudy me," he said as he moved toward the table and scooped Bonnie into her arms, "She told Sheila how we were before. I know I travel a lot and I can't help that but I wanted to do better by her this time. We promised we would do better. But you couldn't take it. You, a witch, the definition of abnormal, couldn't stand having your daughter be a little different."

"It wasn't like that," Abby said her voice pleading, "Let me explain"

"If it wasn't like that then fix it," Rudy demanded, "She isn't her without those memories. She's incomplete. You can't do that to her. You have to fix this."

"I can't," Abby sighed, "My magic hasn't been what it used to be. I used the last of it for that spell. My powers they're depleted." She was telling the truth, to an extent. Rudy didn't know about Mikael, it was Abby's way of protecting him as well. But entombing Mikael had taken almost all of Abby's powers and that last spell had been the last of it.

"Then we'll get Sheila…" Rudy trailed when Abby shook her head. He let out a bitter humorless laugh. "Only you can break it right," he said. He pulled Bonnie close to her and kissed the top of her head. He had tried to do what was best for her. He had tried to give her as normal life as possible but not only had he failed her but he had lost her. It had to be the witchcraft. That had to be what had done it. Abby had promised never to use her powers against Bonnie, she had broken that promise but he would keep the one he had made to her. He had told her what he would do if she had ever used her powers against Bonnie. "I want you out by morning," Rudy said.

Abby stiffened wiping her tears. "I'm not leaving our daughter," Abby said firmly. She hadn't done so much to protect her only to abandon her.

"I told you what would happen if you ever used your powers against my daughter, Abby," Rudy said attempting to keep his voice steady, "You've done enough damage. I don't care why you did it. She wasn't our daughter when you made the decision of strip those memories from her. If you had just come to me first. I'm tired to being in the dark. I'm tired of you making all of the choices. I never wanted this life for her, not the memories or the witchcraft but I accepted it because I love her and I love you. But you are obviously too caught up making decisions for everyone else to love us and trust us enough to make our own choices. You used against our daughter and I told you I would not stand for that and I won't. I'm done Abby. We're done."

Abby watched him leave the room with their daughter. Their daughter that would likely hate her if she knew what she had done. Her first thought was to call her mother but once Sheila found out what she had done…she was alone in this. Rudy wouldn't forgive her and he had money and means enough to take Bonnie away legally if he had to. Abby didn't have a choice. She would go. She would go not because she didn't want to fight but because she felt that she didn't deserve a chance to. Because as betrayed as Rudy felt, as much as Bonnie would hate her if she ever found out, Abby knew that no one would hate herself more than she because her choice had led to her losing her daughter, but Bonnie was alive so Abby had no regrets.

Abby crossed her room and stood in front of her phone. She stared at it wondering if today would be the day that she would call and see how Bonnie was doing. But if she talked to Bonnie then she would have to tell her why she left. She would have to tell her that she no longer had her powers and that the spell she had placed could not be lifted. She would have to put her daughter in danger all over again. She couldn't do any of that. She reached her hand out but pulled it back quickly. She walked across the room toward her record player and put on her new record instead.

:::

The next day it seemed that the ghosts were out full force. Bonnie was once again put in the position of saving everyone but unlike other times she actually had support. Caroline and Gloria stayed beside her as she searched for a solution. As she and Gloria waded through grimoires in order to find a solution with Gloria teaching her things along the way Bonnie was reminded of her Grams.

She had even talked to Gloria about being attacked by the possessed Stefan. She had told her things about her feelings for not just Stefan but Klaus as well and the woman had just looked on with kindness and understanding. It wasn't until Bonnie had told her about how flabbergasted she was at the thought of Rebekah choosing to leave Stefan in favor of protecting her the woman looked upset.

"You're not used to people taking care of you are you?" Gloria asked as she eyed Bonnie from her place beside her on her Grams' sofa.

Bonnie shook her head. "Or choosing me over their boyfriends," she said, "Or risking everything to save my life. Or a million of others things that no one seemed to be capable of until recently. I mean I had that had with Grams, but then she died. I got a taste of it with Jeremy but even he had his limits when it came to protecting me and I think that now it was more of us both not wanting to be alone and mourning our loses. I loved him but it wasn't…there wasn't everything that I expected to happen when you fall in love. You know passion, fireworks, all of that. I know that sounds ridiculous but it turns out he wasn't all in anyway."

Gloria nodded. "What about your friends?" Gloria asked.

"It was sort of us against the world when we were kids but then the Salvatore brothers showed up and all that kind of changed," Bonnie sighed, "We're better now…I mean we realized that we want to be there for each other. So we're all good again…well except Elena but I kind of get where she's coming from. She did love Stefan, but sometimes I think she's more upset about losing him than me and I kind of get bitter. I mean I thought we were like sisters. I would've died for her, I did and now she won't even talk to me."

"She'll come around," Gloria said, "And if she doesn't then she wasn't really your friend in the first place." Bonnie nodded. Gloria studied her a moment before she brought up a topic that she wasn't sure that Bonnie would want to discuss. "I know that you don't have your grandmother anymore but what about your parents."

Bonnie didn't know why it was so easy to talk to Gloria but it was. Not many people bothered asking about her parents anymore. Bonnie wondered if anyone even remembered that she had them. "My dad is out of town a lot," Bonnie said, "But I'm kind of glad you know. With everything that's been happening it makes me feel better that he's away and safe from all of this crap."

"And your mom?" Gloria pressed gently. She knew that she should be dealing with the problem at hand but the problem of Bonnie's memory loss was still prevalent in her mind.

"She left when I was little," Bonnie said with a shrug, "I don't really remember her." Bonnie thought that perhaps she would miss her if she could remember what there was to miss.

"Have you ever thought about finding her?" Gloria asked. She didn't want to press but Bonnie didn't seem to be closed off to the subject.

"Sometimes," Bonnie answered honestly, "But I don't know what I would say to her or if she would even want to see me. I wonder sometimes though if she knows that Grams is gone or if she ever gets the letters that dad sometimes writes her on her birthday or if she ever thinks about me."

Gloria saw the underlying sadness in Bonnie's eyes and decided to save the subject for another time. "Well you don't have to decide right now," Gloria said, "Besides we have other things to focus on at the moment."

"Like the ghost running around town one of which is in possession of Stefan's body," Bonnie said slightly amused. That was another thing she liked about Gloria, she knew when not to push.

:::

There were lots of things that Matt Donovan would rather be doing, none of which included following his newly hybrid former turned present once again, best friend, Tyler Lockwood down some creepy tunnel beneath his house that they were being led through by his dead uncle. And okay, Matt liked Mason as much as the next guy, because let's face it despite his faults the guy had been pretty bad ass when he was alive, however, Matt was getting a little tired of the whole ghost thing.

They had been keeping watch over a possessed Stefan all night, and while that had been just a barrel of laughs, keeping that asshole Wilkes in line had taken a lot out of him. All he wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep until he had to start his shift the next day. But Tyler was hell bent on finding out whatever information that Mason was so determined to give them.

"Are you sure that your uncle isn't leading us to our deaths so that we can join him in the in between?" Matt asked only half joking.

Tyler rolled his eyes. "Dude if he was going to kill anyone it would Damon," Tyler said speaking slowly as if to a child.

"True but he did torture him before he found us," Matt said pointing his flashlight in Tyler's direction, "Besides why would he want to kill Damon. Then he would have to deal with him in the in between. Could you imagine having to deal with him whining for eternity about not being able to drink?"

Tyler laughed. "Or about how unfair it is that Stefan get's to be alive when he isn't," he said, "Yeah Mason would probably end up killing him again."

Mason rolled his eyes as he looked at his nephew. "You idiots do realize that I can hear you, right?" He asked. He could barely make out Tyler's sheepish expression in the dark. "Dumb asses," he muttered affectionately. He continued to lead them through the underneath of the Lockwood property. "And for your information I was lucky enough not to be stuck in the in between," he said, "I'm just here because your little witch opened the portal between the land of the living and the land of the dead."

"I know you're not her biggest fan," Matt said, "But Bonnie is more than just a witch."

"He didn't mean anything by it," Tyler said. He knew it was becoming a touchy subject for Matt so he didn't comment further. "So Mason," he said changing the subject, "If you didn't go to the in between then where did you end up."

Mason smirked though he knew Tyler couldn't see him with his back turned. "It's actually not that bad," he said, "I would go into detail but I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise."

Tyler rolled his eyes. He reached out and placed a hand on Mason's shoulder, causing his uncle to stop and turn to him. "What I mean is," Tyler said slowly, "I mean…you're okay right?" He didn't really know what else to say that wouldn't make him sound like a mushy jackass.

"Yeah, Ty," Mason said smiling at him, "I'm okay and I'll stay okay especially as long as you don't join me anytime soon."

"You don't have to worry about that," Tyler said, "We're all looking out for each other now. Right, Matty?"

"Right," he said a little sadly as he thought about his sister, "And don't call me that."

"I hope you guys are serious," Mason said before Tyler could respond, "You're going to need each other for what's coming next. This Mikael guy is serious business."

"How serious?" Tyler asked, really considering the Mikael situation for the first time since hearing the name.

"Serious enough to piss off the living and the dead," Mason answered, "Not to mention the reincarnated."

Tyler blinked and looked back at Matt who shrugged. "What do you mean reincarnated?" Tyler asked.

Mason was about to answer when they finally came to the right place. "You want to know about the Originals then this is where you're going to find out," he said.

"Did you just forget to mention the fact that we had creepy Viking caves under our property when you were alive?" Tyler asked.

Mason shrugged. "Some things you don't find out until after you die," he said, "If you don't believe me then you should probably ask Bonnie."

:::

Gloria watched sadly as Bonnie said goodbye to her grandmother for a second time. At least this time their goodbye had been a proper one. She wondered not for the first time how much her girl would have to lose before she was able to just be happy.

Bonnie fell to her knees clutching Rebekah's necklace as her Grams disappeared. She had thought that the day couldn't get any worse, but it had gotten much worse. She had had to face Jeremy in order to get the necklace and she had gotten the brunt of Elena's outrage over Stefan's possession. She had been thinking about her mother on and off all day, and now she had had to say goodbye to the only mother figure that she had ever had, again. All that Bonnie wanted was for someone to wrap their arms around her and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

Gloria moved forward to offer Bonnie some form of comfort but she stopped when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to face Klaus. She was wondering how long it would take him to return. She nodded at him and then she left him alone with Bonnie. While she had promised Sheila that she would take care of Bonnie, she knew that in this instance it was Klaus that would have the greatest effect, whether she remembered their time together or not.

Klaus knelt down beside Bonnie and she turned to him her expression somewhere in between confusion and shock. "You must be here for this," Bonnie said holding out Rebekah's necklace.

Klaus shook his head. "I'm here for you," he whispered as he reached out and wiped the tears that were streaming down her face, "Only you." Bonnie allowed him to pull her into his arms and wrap himself around her. "Shhh," he said soothingly, "Everything will be alright. I'm here now. I'll protect you."

Bonnie clung to him, the sobs wracking through her body. She had never thought that she would be happy to see Klaus but her relief at having him near was palpable. "You came back for me," Bonnie whispered.

"Of course," he said placing a kiss atop her head, "I only regret that it took me so long."

Bonnie smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder. "Actually," she said, "Your timing is a little perfect." She had been so close to breaking and now she was so calm. Her Grams had claimed that she was stronger than all of the things that were happening around her but she hadn't really believed it until she found herself in Klaus' arms.

"Glad to hear it," Klaus said. He had wanted to be back much sooner but he had had a few setbacks that had taken longer to take care of than he had expected. But he had taken care of enough to be able to stay by her side for some time.

"You'll be leaving again soon though," Bonnie said. She hated how needy her voice sounded. But she couldn't help herself. As much as she hated it, for some reason she seemed to need him.

"Not for a while yet actually," Klaus said, "My business has been taken care of." Bonnie nodded. Klaus stood and then helped Bonnie to her feet. "Let's get you home," he said.

Bonnie didn't want to go home unless he was with her but she wasn't going to say so out loud. Him being there was enough.

"Or if you prefer," Klaus said as he took her hand in his, "You could always return with me to Stefan's if you like."

"Sure," Bonnie said trying to hide her relief, "I think I left something there anyway." They both knew that she hadn't forgotten anything but neither of them felt the need to expose her lie.

:::

Damon Salvatore had had a shitty day. He had been tortured by Mason Lockwood. Had had to calm his brother's ex-girlfriend down after finding out that said brother had been possessed. Then he had come home to find Klaus having invaded his kitchen.

Damon watched as Klaus fumbled around his kitchen making tea of all things. Damon was about to make a snide remark but Klaus hurried out of the kitchen before he could manage to speak, he didn't even seem to realize that Damon was there.

Frowning Damon followed Klaus' path to the living room, but he stood just outside of the doorway as not to be seen. It didn't matter however, because all of Klaus' attention was focused on Bonnie as he sat down next to her on the couch. The witch was dressed in a pair of Stefan's sweatpants and an oversized shirt that Damon knew belonged to Klaus. She smiled up at Klaus as she took the offered cup of tea.

Damon was bothered by the sight of them together for a number of reasons. One being that Bonnie could barely stomach his presence and yet she seemed all too happy in Klaus' company. He watched with confusion and disdain as Bonnie rested her head on the hybrid's shoulder.

"Are you sure that you don't want to talk about what happen?" Klaus asked, almost seeming genuinely concerned but Damon knew better.

Bonnie shook her head. "Can you just read to me until Stefan and Rebekah get back?" She asked.

Damon almost laughed. He would have had he not been trying to keep attention off of himself. Like Klaus would agree to read to her. Unless he was reading from a spell book in order to teach her some spell that would benefit him in some way.

As if to prove Damon wrong, even though the hybrid couldn't have possibly heard his thoughts, Klaus picked up a book that was sitting on the coffee table. Damon recognized the worn auburn cover. It was a book of love poems that Stefan had gotten from who knew where. This had to be some sort of joke.

Klaus began to flip through the pages and Bonnie watched her eyes skimming the contents. Her hand reached out to stop him about halfway through the book. "This one," she said, "I love Pablo Neruda."

Klaus frowned a moment and Damon was sure that he was about to refuse her but after a while he nodded. "If You Forget Me," Klaus read aloud, "By Pablo Neruda." Damon blinked, any respect he had once had for Klaus as a villain going out of the window. But Bonnie seemed to be listening closely as he continued to read.

"I want you to know one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine."

Bonnie looked to have melted by the time that it was over. "That was beautiful," she said, "Romantic. I wish that I could be loved like that." Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment at the admission and Damon could understand why. He couldn't believe the way she was acting. He had thought she of all people would be immune to Klaus' charms.

"This," Klaus said shaking the book, "Is bullshit. You deserve better." Both Bonnie and Damon frowned. Damon wondered how the hell he was going to recover from that one. "I understand the sentiment of course," Klaus said, "Love is tied to memory. If you love someone enough anything can bring them to mind. A taste, a smell, a sight, a touch; anything can provoke a memory. That I agree with."

"Then what is it that you find fault with," Bonnie asked not bothering to hide her curiosity as she sipped her tea.

"'If little by little you stop loving me, I shall stop loving you little by little'," Klaus quoted, "'If suddenly you forget me, do not look for me, for I shall already have forgotten you.' That isn't how love works Bonnie, no matter how much we may wish it to. In reality it doesn't matter whether the other person remembers, you can love someone that has already forgotten you for decades, centuries even. Whether they remember doesn't matter, that's why love can go unrequited. As long as you remember the love will always plague you. That is how I see you being loved, steadfastly, a love that keeps going long after you've forgotten about it, a fire repeated even if you don't return it. Even if they pray every day for you to remember, without even having a God to believe in, and even if they hope to fuel your love with theirs, still that love never stops, never ceases."

Damon sighed as Bonnie blushed and looked away. "Well I've never experienced it," she said, "And obviously you've never forgotten anyone." She was studying Klaus closely. "So I'd say that someone has forgotten you." Klaus looked to be in pain, but still he nodded. "And you still love her," Bonnie pressed. Again he nodded in response. Bonnie looked to be particularly interested as she sat down her tea. "Who was she?" She asked.

Klaus gave her a pointed look though Bonnie didn't seem to be reading it well but Damon saw the meaning quite clearly. "Would it be rude of me to ask that we speak of something else?" Klaus said.

Bonnie frowned and then looked almost apologetic much to Damon's disgust. "Sorry," she said, "It's none of my business." They were quiet for a while and then Bonnie spoke again. "Can I ask you something?" Klaus nodded as if he didn't trust himself to speak. "Well," Bonnie said, "When Matt was in touch with his sister she told him some things. She said that…Do you remember the night that we fought when you were possessing Alaric's body?" Another nod. "He said that you knew that I wasn't dead that night. Did you?"

"Of course I did," Klaus said, "I felt your power. I knew that it would take much more to take you down."
"And the spell that I used…," Bonnie said her tone leading.

"I provided it," Klaus said without much preamble, "I wanted you alive and out of the way and so I did what I needed to do to make that happen."
Bonnie looked as surprised as Damon felt. "That doesn't make any sense," she said, "Why would you want me alive and why pretend that you thought I was dead?"

"If your friends had known my motivation and my actions they would have wasted no time in using you against me which would have put you in danger," he said, "And as you said I wanted you alive. As for my reasons, there are many. The main one being that I thought you too valuable to be taken from the world."

Bonnie frowned seeming to draw into herself. "Because of my power?" She hedged.

Klaus shook his head. "Because of your fearlessness and your loyalty," he said, "Because of who you are Bonnie. With or without your power I would find value in that. I saw the way you were with others, the things you were willing to do for the sake of the people you care about. I couldn't have you die without knowing what it would feel like being on the receiving end of that. Selfish I know."

Damon balked. There was no way that Klaus could have known that he were there. He would have never bared himself so obviously had he known they had an audience. "I don't understand you," Bonnie said as if she were voicing Damon's thoughts, "I don't understand how you can say things like that and be completely serious. I don't understand the way you look at me. I don't understand any of this. It doesn't make sense to me that you basically told me that you were in love with someone else and yet you sit here singing my praises as if you think nothing of it."

But Bonnie was wrong. Klaus wasn't in love with someone else. He couldn't have been. There was no way. He had all but told her that she had been the one that had forgotten him. He must have come to Mystic Falls at some point before, before Bonnie had come into her powers and she just didn't remember. That was the only thing that made sense to Damon as he thought about not just Klaus' words and actions but the things that Jeremy had said as well.

Damon's thoughts were cut short as his brother and Rebekah returned to the Boarding House. They didn't seem to notice him even as they passed him. They went right into the living room. Klaus and Bonnie's conversation was cut short as Bonnie leapt up from her seat and rushed to hug Stefan who began to apologize to her for attacking her while he had been out of control of his own body but couldn't spare enough time to let his brother know that he was okay. Damon watched as the four of them hugged each other in turn and then piled onto the couch so close to each other that they seemed to be one person.

Damon watched them a little while longer before leaving them there. There was something going on that he had missed. He would have to seek out Jeremy and perhaps even Matt. Bonnie may have been blind to Klaus' attention but Damon knew of love well enough to know it when he saw it and Klaus hated showing vulnerability even more than Damon did. He had thought that Mikael was the best way to get to Klaus but it seemed that he was wrong.