Disclaimer: This story is a creative exercise using characters from The Vampire Diaries.

A Lonely Pair

xxx

"I'm sure you can let go without worrying that I'll disappear. I was able to see Grams without touching her before."

"I believe we've tested that theory earlier, darling. Come now, it's unattractive to sulk."

"Says the murderous vampire," Bonnie mutters under her breath.

Kol looks away, hiding a smile. She's a funny little thing. A sharp tongue too, though she's not nearly as bold with it as he would've liked.

"And where is your Grams? I could use some witchy guidance on how to get back to the realm of the living."

She scoffs. "Like I would tell you."

"I find it difficult to believe that we're not after the same thing here. Your death is proof it's possible to go back. We both want that, so the faster we can find your Grams, the faster we can be rid of each other and be on our merrily separate ways."

"She won't help us. She was against me using the spell that brought Jeremy back, and tried to stop me before it was too late. I've learned my lesson. I've made peace with being here."

He glances at her from the corner of his eyes, observing the stubborn line of her clenched jaw and the anxious furrow of her brows. "You don't know where she is, do you? You can't even see her." She doesn't respond. "No powers, no friends, no grandmother, and no way out. You're possibly the most useless hostage I've ever held."

"If I'm so terrible, then it won't be much of a loss to you if I just disappeared," she practically snarls.

"Darling, you could never be that useless to me," he croons reassuringly. "Tell me, where was the last place you saw your Grams? Perhaps we can retrace your steps."

She worries her lip, struggling with whether to tell him or not, before relenting. "We were leaving the cave after I lifted the Veil. I told her that I wanted to see my friends again, and she said it wasn't a good idea. I told her I'd look for her afterwards, but she didn't seem so sure that I would."

"Well, did you?"

She glares at him. "You found me before I had the chance."

Kol raises his free hand in a placating gesture, a bashful grin spreading across his face. "Apologies. By all means, look for her. I'd hate to get in the way of a family reunion."

"I don't know how, okay?" Bonnie shouts, her frustration and stress boiling over. "She's the one who always finds me. And I didn't have to touch her to see her before either, so this," she jerks their joined hands up, "is completely unnecessary, and I'd really appreciate it if you never touch me again!"

He blinks, slightly taken aback by her outburst, before smiling. "Do you feel better now that you've aired out your worries, darling?"

"Don't patronize me."

"Oh, but you make it so easy, little witch." He pauses, and looks closely at her with an air of consideration. "Maybe that's it."

"Excuse me?"

"You're not a witch anymore, are you? You're dead, obviously, and unfortunately I am too, but I'm still in possession of my supernatural gifts whereas you are no better than an average, boring human. Perhaps you were able to see your Grams without touching her because you still had your magic, and when you lost your powers, you lost that ability too."

"But how did I lose it? And why? Grams still had her magic when I saw her, and I've drawn on my ancestors' powers for spells. It doesn't make sense that I suddenly lose all of my abilities because I died."

"Excellent questions, darling. We'll have to find dear old Grams to answer them. Where is this cave, exactly?"

She hesitates, but figures she's got nothing to lose. "It's underground, at the center of the Expression Triangle."

"Ah, the infamous Expression Triangle. This should be fun."

"If we find her, you are not to lay a single finger on her. Understood?"

"You are in no position to be giving orders. Nonetheless, I will be on my best behavior to impress your Grams."

Bonnie rolls her eyes. "Unlikely. She hates vampires as much as I do."

"What would Elena and Caroline say if they heard that?"

"You know what? When we find Grams and she fixes whatever happened to my powers, you're going to wish you got away from me when you had the chance."

"Are you threatening me?" he asks, amused.

Bonnie steps closer to him, staring him down. "You think I can't take you down? I've crippled Klaus before, had him rolling on the ground in agony. Don't underestimate me."

"Wouldn't dream of it, darling. My guard is up." Kol winks.

She glares at him one last time, no doubt trying to set him ablaze with the fury in her eyes, before turning around. "It's this way," she says, pulling him along.

The smile slips from his face as he follows her. They walk in silence as she does her best to ignore him. Kol takes the time to look at her properly. She's pretty, beautiful even, despite the frown on her face. A natural-born looker. He shakes his head absently. He was serious when he said his guard was up. She fooled him once, with the truth no less. Had she lied, he would have seen through it right away. But by using her real feelings, her regrets and desires, she drew him into a trap. He won't be making the same mistake twice.

It's the honest ones you have to watch out for, he thinks, sneaking another peek at her profile.

He sighs regretfully. It's such a shame that when they do leave this wretched place and return to the living realm, he's going to send her right back here.