Chapter 9

No one downstairs seemed to have even noticed that Bonnie was missing. They were all still discussing this afternoon's activities and Elena's well-being. He made his way upstairs and heard the universal sound that made his gut clench; muffled tears. He was surprised to find her on his bed clutching his comforter to her face. Silently he closed the door and then unsure of what to do he stood there.

"I famously hated all of you," her voice was barely a whisper but he heard her just fine. "I have hated vampires since I found out what I was…"

"That's a witch's nature darling. You're supposed to dislike vampires – unless of course you change teams. Quite a few witches do that; they scream bloody murder about us until someone changes their mind," Kol replied calmly daring to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Elena could have died today saving your sister," Bonnie barely got the words out. "all she had to say for herself was that Rebekah didn't deserve to die; none of you do." Bonnie was quiet for a long moment and just as Kol was about to speak she added in a small voice, "and now for the first time maybe I agree with her. I…"

"You're having feelings that scare you to death," Kol supplied. "You have been so set on being a witch that now the thought of letting anything else in scares you but there's something there that you can't deny. Am I right?" She sat up on the bed and he looked at her with the tearstains down her cheeks. She dared to lock gazes with him and he let her see what was really there. She saw his desire, his fear, his hunger for her. She saw all of that and more in his eyes. At first she wanted to look away but when she denied the desire the first time then she seemed to be unable to leave his gaze.

"Bonnie I want you to open that door," Kol said gently. "I think you could find what you really want there; but I warn you that if you do Bonnie I will not let you go back." She gasped. He laid his hand atop hers on the bed. Then he leaned in slowly giving her time to move if she wished. She didn't and his lips met hers. His lips felt so good upon hers. After a moment his tongue passed against her lip and her lips parted. His tongue slipped inside and Bonnie moaned as the pleasure-filled sensations flooded her body. His hand moved around to the small of her back and he brought her body against his. She moaned at the contact and he growled at her response. She wanted him; of that he was certain.

Finally when he knew that she needed to breathe his mouth lifted from hers and he pulled back just a little. Her breath was coming in short gasps as she looked at him. He noticed she even trembled a little.

"That feeling right now; I know that you want it Bonnie. Stop thinking always of what others expect you to do and try thinking of what is best for you," Kol said. He pulled back from her.

"I'm very glad you've decided that you don't hate me darling," he said in a gentle tone and then he left the room.

"Okay is there any chance that we're getting played here?" Bonnie asked as Elena, Stefan and Caroline were huddled with her in the guest bedroom. The others frowned at her.

"I mean they're originals. They could pull off something like this is they wanted to," Bonnie continued.

"I don't think they're faking this," Elena frowned. Stefan shook his head.

"I mean they can be manipulative but I don't think they're faking this," he whispered. They were all huddled together with music on to mask their conversation.

"Okay, earlier Kol called me little witch," Bonnie said.

"Well you are a witch," Stefan pointed out, "we can smell the magic in your blood. It's not really that big of a stretch to little witch."

"Elijah called me lovely," Elena smiled.

"My point exactly," Bonnie said. "Why didn't he call you love or sweetheart or baby."

"Oh god not that!" Elena cringed and then dissolved into giggles.

"I saw the way he was looking at you earlier," Bonnie said, "with so much feeling. I mean it would be very convenient for their cause if they suddenly got a free pass for their previous behavior…I mean you want to hate him but then suddenly you can't because he's not the same person…"

"I heard that," Caroline said.

"What?"

"You said he…what did Kol do?"

"Nothing; I meant them – all of them."

"You are the worst liar," Caroline grinned and Stefan nodded. "Two vampires here and your heart just tried to do the long jump a couple of times. What did Kol do to you?"

"He…" Bonnie stopped as she flashed back to the way Kol had kissed her. Subconsciously her fingers went to her swollen lips.

"He kissed you," Caroline grinned. "Bon he's had a thing for you since he laid eyes on you. He may not remember you but if his feelings are sincere it wouldn't take him long to realize them over and over again."

Everyone fell asleep before Bonnie and she stared up at the ceiling for a long time. Finally she turned her gaze to the French doors and almost screamed; only throwing a hand over her mouth stopped her. Kol and Elijah were watching them through the French doors from the balcony. Elijah was gone by the time she looked at the doors again but Kol was still standing there with a single finger to his lips and looking wicked as sin in the moonlight. She watched him for a moment and then she felt a peace stealing over her and she was able to drift off to sleep.

The next morning as Bonnie bounced down to the kitchen wonderful smells greeted her. She grinned when she discovered Stefan was making pancakes. She offered him a quick kiss on the cheek before a pair of arms wrapped around her and a voice whispered against her ear.

"Did you sleep well darling?" The feel of his arms wrapped around her should have felt confining or terrifying but she welcomed them. It felt tender and she hadn't felt cherished in a long time.

"I did," she replied with a smile before she moved to the refrigerator and got out some orange juice.

"Miss Bennett," Elijah greeted as he breezed into the kitchen. He could barely make eye contact with her and Bonnie couldn't help but laugh lightly. Elena entered the kitchen and grabbed a seat next to Bonnie. A moment later Elijah brought her coffee with a smile and Bonnie grinned. Maybe this was just the chance Elena needed to finally move on from her unhealthy tug-of-war with the Salvatore brothers.

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