Title: Lapse
Rating: M
Genre: AU/AH
Pairing(s): Bonnie/Klaus, Kol/Lucy, Elijah/Abby, Stefan/Meredith, Bonnie/Damon (One-sided), Caroline/Tyler, Matt/Katherine, Marcel/Rebekah, mentions of past Bonnie/Jeremy etc.
Summary: "Taking advantage of the situation will be easy," Klaus said, "We can turn her into anything we want. The real beauty of it all is as long we keep her happy; meaning fed, fucked, acknowledged, and oblivious to anything involving Elena Gilbert, all the things that she was deprived of while in the company of the Salvatore, even if she begins to remember she won't think of asking any questions." An accident leaves Bonnie with no memories and the Originals use the fact to turn her into someone that no one is prepared to handle, least of all them. Guilt pushes the Salvatore to help Bonnie get her memories back; but along the way their motivations change. Whose side will Bonnie be on when she remembers, the Originals, the Salvatore, or her own? Post 3x18.
Warnings: Non-Canon, Dark!Bonnie, Character Death, Violence, Graphic Torture, Dark Magic, etc.
PART THREE: DESIROUS
"Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies."
~Elizabeth Bowen
It had only been a few days, but since that first kiss, the only time that Klaus felt comfortable touching Bonnie was while she slept. That was when he allowed himself to hold her and to run his fingers through her hair. It was too dangerous a thing to be done while she was awake, and looking at him with those eyes that were too round and too innocent from lack of knowledge and experience.
He was becoming lost in her very quickly. It was very near to weakness what he was beginning to feel for her and it was an emotion very close to fear that was keeping him away from her and therefore driving a wedge in his plans.
If he was to do what needed to be done he would have to remain close, and attentive, and manipulative. The only problem with those things that he found was that in remaining close and attentive he was becoming more and more enthralled with the witch.
It would be a tolerable thing were it just her power but it was everything. Her voice, her scent, her eyes, and her face. Every little tick that had been there before that he had forced himself not to notice, as well as the new ones that were born of her lack of memory and the forming of her new personality.
She was developing into a new person and yet she was the same. She held herself differently already. She was still vulnerable and yet there was a building confidence there, a surety in her being that drew him in as well.
He tried to tell himself that it was simply interest that was birthed from the change in her and it would come as easily as it went. But for him when it came to women it always started with a spark of interest and when it lingered and grew into something else then there would always be trouble soon after.
He could not let it linger. Let it fester. Let it grow. They were using her. Manipulating her. Lying to her. And eventually they would have to kill her. Nothing more could come of this than what already had.
However, no matter how many times he tried to talk himself down and make his muddled and sadistic mind see beyond what he wanted and desired it was to no avail. He could not pursue her without the urge to own her, not just until she remembered and they disposed of her, but after she remembered and she despised them. As impossible as he knew it to be he wanted to keep her.
Even as he wrapped his arms around her sleeping form, he knew that he would have to let her go even before he actually had her.
:::
Bonnie sat down on the desk top in Elijah's study, her feet bare and her legs dangling over the sides. She was looking over a spell as Elijah sat down directly in front of her in the chair behind the desk his own attention preoccupied with a list of witches that Klaus knew in the area that could be a potential list of allies if they played their cards right.
"It's weird," Bonnie said, "That I can read and pronounce all these words. That I know what they mean, but I don't even remember learning them." Bonnie frowned when Elijah didn't respond. She had already noticed that at times he became so consumed in a task that he was oblivious to the goings on around him. "Was it that natural to me before?" Bonnie asked.
Sighing when he still didn't respond Bonnie reached out her leg and hooked their ankles together in an effort to get his attention. When he stilled she gently slid her foot up his leg a short distance and then back down. Elijah's head shot up so quickly it almost startled Bonnie. Her frown deepened as she tried and failed to interpret the look that he was giving her.
Elijah eyed her a moment trying to figure out if her actions were intentional but it was clear that she didn't understand what she was doing outside of attempting to get his attention. Because she was so ignorant and unaware her actions were very rarely deliberate in nature unless she was told to do something or did something after she found out what the gesture or action meant.
"You shouldn't do that," Elijah said simply. Usually when he said that she would stop what she was doing and ask him what other course of action she should take. She had already coined each one of his siblings and him with a role. She sought passion, attention, and affection from Niklaus. Friendship and social cues from Kol and Rebekah. And for some reason she came to Elijah for guidance in her behavior and whenever she had questions about her former self.
"Why not?" Bonnie asked curiously, "I just wanted to get your attention. Did I do something bad?"
"Not exactly," Elijah sighed, "Though if you want my attention in the future I suggest you try something less provocative."
Bonnie didn't understand. "Provocative in what way?" Bonnie asked. Elijah didn't answer and Bonnie pouted. "Elijah," Bonnie pressed. When he ignored she slid her foot up his leg again higher this time.
Elijah caught her foot as it reached his knee. He gave her a look but realized that she was observing him with almost a clinical detachment. She was trying to get the answer to her question by watching his reaction since he hadn't told her on his own what her actions meant or were inspiring.
He cleared his throat. "You are fairly attractive-" Elijah began attempting to explain and downplay things at the same time.
"What does that have to do with-" Bonnie began interrupting him, but stopped at the sound of a throat clearing behind them.
Bonnie turned to find Klaus standing in the doorway, as Elijah dropped her foot. She smiled at him but her smile faltered as Klaus looked at her with what appeared to be scorn. She was taken aback as he had never looked at her that way before.
"If you're done playing footsie with my brother," Klaus said, his voice one the verge of anger, "There is a spell I would like you to try."
Bonnie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What's footsie?" Bonnie asked.
Elijah looked at Klaus with amusement as his brother realized that Bonnie had been unaware of her own behavior. "Nothing," Elijah said, shaking his head, "You needn't worry yourself."
Bonnie shrugged as she hopped off the desk and walked over to Klaus. "So," she asked wrapping her arms around his neck, "What's this spell?"
Klaus glanced from her to Elijah before he reached up and unwrapped Bonnie's arms from around his neck. Now was as good a time to distant himself from her as any. She was allowing herself to get close to Elijah so obviously her openness with Klaus was not as special and large of a feat as he had made it out to be in his mind.
"I am sure that Elijah would be happy to go over the spell with you, love," Klaus said.
"Why can't I go over it with you?" Bonnie asked. He had gone from not being able to keep his hands off of her to not wanting to touch her and she didn't understand it.
"I have other plans," Klaus said.
Bonnie frowned as Sage appeared seemingly out of nowhere and placed a hand on Klaus' shoulder. "We're going hunting," Sage told Bonnie, giving her a wink that made Bonnie want to test the spell that Elijah had taught her that instantly dried a vampire out.
Bonnie felt a twinge of anger another emotion that she didn't understand as Klaus followed Sage from the room and didn't look back.
:::
Sage knew that her days were numbered. While she wanted to avenge Finn she knew that she would have to prove herself useful, but she had yet to do so. She wasn't sure what she could do to further their plans and so she tried to ingratiate herself to Klaus and Elijah in other ways. However, in doing so she had gained the witch's animosity.
It was bad enough that Klaus had been ignoring the witch but he had been doing so in favor of Sage and the women that he fed from. The witch was getting stronger fast and she picked up on all of the spells that she was taught rather quickly.
It had only been a few days and the witch had already become a fixture in the lives of the originals and had gained enough experience to kill Sage if she so wanted and Sage already knew that the others would do nothing to protect her. Not that she expected them to, there was mutual hate and animosity from all sides.
Perhaps the smart thing to do would be to cut her loses. Still there was a chance that since Klaus was ignoring the witch in favor of her for the moment, she could stick things out a little longer which would give her time to prove herself useful. She owed it to Finn to try.
:::
The next day Bonnie Bennett watched with a frown marring her soft features as Klaus fed from a dark headed woman that he had brought home from a bar he and Elijah had gone to. Bonnie had not been invited along as it was still too dangerous for her to leave the house according to Klaus, even though days had gone by without their supposed enemies coming for them.
Bonnie watched them, her anger rising as Klaus' hands moved over the woman's body in an unnecessarily sensual manner as he drained the life out of her. Bonnie looked away, unable to watch anymore as she walked out of the room. She didn't notice as Kol walked close behind her.
He followed her until she walked into the library. She had been spending a lot of time in the library with Elijah and Klaus the last few days going over spells and things of that manner. It had become her refuge.
Bonnie moved to slam the door behind her but Kol's hand shot out to stop the door before it closed. Bonne rolled her eyes, but stepped aside in order for him to step inside. She closed the door behind him and watched as he walked deeper into the library.
"What do you want?" Bonnie asked, pouting up at him slightly.
Kol smirked, before gesturing to his ears and then around them. "My brother has the habit of eavesdropping at the best of times," he said, "With the two of us alone together…"
Bonnie nodded, closing her eyes. Kol watched as she held out her hands and he felt the after effects of her powers running through her body. "Omnis caro taceat," Bonnie whispered. She opened her eyes a moment later and looked at Kol. "No one can hear us now," she said, "So…why did you follow me in here?"
Kol tilted his head to the side as he considered her. "You seemed upset back there," Kol said, "Nik told you what we were. That we need blood to survive. Does it really bother you that much to see him kill? To watch him feed?"
He didn't know the witch well before, he had not interacted with her. However, he had heard that she had had a very clear and concise moral code. If it was creeping back into her consciousness now that would be a problem for more reasons than one and it would make it harder for them to not only corrupt her, but to keep her true memories at bay. Up until this point she had been susceptible, soaking up everything that they had told her like a sponge. But her face as she watched Klaus feed made him doubt that they had made as much progress as they had thought they had made.
"It wasn't about the feeding," Bonnie sighed, "I can't really comment on him killing someone when I have been basically torturing people that he's compelled the last few days." She had been using people as test subjects for her spells before they fed from them. She supposed she should have felt bad about it but she didn't. She was curious about her powers, how they worked, how certain spells worked, what effects they had. The only way that she could learn was to use them and so she did and she had watched in fascination as she caused people pain or manipulated their thoughts, or brought them pleasure, or brought them to their knees. Her power was as addicting as the things that she could do with it.
"So if it's not about the killing," Kol asked, deciding to take her words at face value as this Bonnie that was blank, had no reason or even thoughts of lying to them, "Then what is it about?"
Bonnie looked away, running her hands over her black jeans. She tossed her hair over her shoulder as she looked back at him. "I didn't like the way that he was touching her," Bonnie spat, after a moment, "It wasn't necessary. I've seen you kill. I've seen Elijah kill. I've seen Rebekah kill. None of you ever bother with getting that personal with your victims. And Klaus…." Bonnie faltered, looking down in embarrassment.
"What?" Kol pressed, giving Bonnie his full attention.
"He hasn't touched me since we kissed that one time," Bonnie said, "In fact it's like he is going out of his way not to. I know…that you all said that there was something before, but we never acted on it right? So I'm starting to think that there was a reason that we never did. Maybe the accident and almost losing me made him want to try…but obviously he regrets it. I mean why else would he pay more attention to someone he plans on killing than someone that he claims to care about?"
Kol blinked at her. He understood how to seduce women but in all of the years of his existence he could never fully comprehend the way that a woman's mind worked. He knew however, why his brother had gone from wanting to take advantage of the witch to being afraid to be near her outside of dealing with building up her magic.
Niklaus had always been a strange creature. He was also reluctant to hand out his affections toward others. But in spite of that he was hungry to escape his constant loneliness. He was a mess full of contradictions and that did not bode well for Niklaus when it came to having relationships.
His brother would deny it but the witch had Niklaus completely enthralled and they all knew it. She had had his attention before but that was different. Now she had the things that had drawn him to her before, the beauty and the power, but she also lacked the things had kept him away from her before, her resentment and hatred of him, the ties that kept her bound to the doppelganger and her friends. She was able to see him with new eyes now but the problem was that it was temporary. It would only last up until the witch's memory returned. Ordinarily Klaus might have been fine with getting what he could out of the witch while he could get it but that was no longer the case as he was beginning to actually feel something for her and that was what was keeping him away.
"So," Kol said, keeping his thoughts about his brother's behavior to himself, "You're saying you're jealous of Nik's murder victims."
Bonnie pinched the bridge of her nose and suddenly felt extremely ridiculous. "When you put it that way," she frowned, "It sounds stupid."
"It isn't stupid," a female voice said from behind them, "Nik is the stupid one for making you feel that way."
Kol and Bonnie turned to see Rebekah stand up from a high-backed armchair that had hidden her from view when they first walked into the room. Kol raised a brow, surprised that he, at least, hadn't noticed his sister.
"It doesn't matter," Bonnie shrugged, accepting Rebekah's presence with ease, "He obviously doesn't want me in that way. So we'll just be friends."
Rebekah stood to her feet and crossed her arms beneath her chest. "It isn't that he doesn't want you," Rebekah said, "He does. It's just that like I said he's an idiot. He's afraid that if he takes your relationship somewhere that you can't come back from, that he'll lose you. He's lost a lot of people." Rebekah ignored the look that Kol was giving her, it wasn't as if she was lying, at least not entirely. She couldn't very well tell the witch that he was afraid of losing her because she had no memory of him and when she regained it that she was likely to kill him.
"Well whatever the case he wants to end whatever it was before it began and so I guess I don't really have a choice but to let him."
Rebekah frowned. "I like you Bonnie," she said, surprised to find that it was the truth, "And I've always in the back of my mind thought that someone like you would be good for, Nik. So I want to ask you…do you want to let whatever is going on with you and my brother go?"
Bonnie looked in between Kol and Rebekah as she chewed on her bottom lip. She wasn't sure about them. She liked them, for the most part but she was still unclear what her relationship was with them or whether or not that she could trust them
It was different with Klaus. For some reason she felt a connection with him right off. She liked him and felt safe with him. Even in those times when his eyes became predatory as they looked at her she felt safe. Then there was the physical attraction to him and his fascination with her. There was a number of things that drew her to him which was why his lack of attention toward her was upsetting her so much.
"No," Bonnie said, "I don't want it to be over. But what am I supposed to do. Nearly everything and everyone is new to me. I don't even know if I was good at this before."
Kol blinked at her. "And by 'this' you mean?" He asked.
"Men," Bonnie said, "Romance….relationships. I'm not even used to my own emotions. I've never been jealous before…not that I can remember." Sighing and throwing her hands up Bonnie walked across the room and sat down in the chair that Rebekah had vacated. "I'm not Klaus," Bonnie said, "He just walks around so sure of himself and the minute that he stops paying attention to me I just turn into this person who's insecure and weak-"
"You're not weak," Rebekah said, her voice surprisingly vehement, "You're strong and you're beautiful and if you want anyone's attention then you more than deserve it. You let other people make you forget that before. This memory loss gives you a fresh start so to speak so I want you to remember exactly what you are worth and that is a lot." She had read that vulnerability in the witch before and she had never understood it. With all of that power and beauty and intelligence it made no sense that Bonnie had insisted on shrinking into herself. Rebekah would not let that happen again, especially when it would hinder what they were aiming for. They needed her confident and strong and if her brother could get his own head out of his ass long enough to realize that what he was doing was making the opposite of that occur she might feel bad about what she was about suggest.
Rebekah saw herself in Bonnie in a way so it would be easy for her to take the girl's side in this at least. Besides, she and Kol were bored out of their minds and it seemed like in spite of Nik's desire to keep the witch locked up, they could all use a night out and some fun.
Rebekah followed Bonnie and knelt down in front of her chair. "You weren't very experienced before as far as we know so don't feel too bad," she commented, "Besides that's what you have us for. Not only do we know a thing or two about seduction but we know a lot about Niklaus. Which means that we know that if you want his attention then you have to ignore him."
Bonnie's eyes narrowed. "That seems a little counterproductive," she said.
Kol shook his head. "It'll work," he said, "If you try and push yourself on him he'll simply push you away. You want to ignore him but ignore him in a way that will get his attention.
Bonnie frowned. "How exactly am I supposed to do that?" Bonnie asked, "Somehow I don't think you mean that I should stop talking to him completely. I mean…he's been helping me with my powers and if these people are really coming after us then I can't risk not being prepared."
Rebekah shook her head. "That isn't exactly what I meant," she said, "What do you say about going out on the town tonight?"
Bonnie frowned. "But Klaus said it would be safer for me if I stay here in the house," she said, slowly.
"Which means he'll come after us and then you'll have his attention," Rebekah shrugged, "You will be with me and Kol so you will be perfectly safe. We won't let anything happen to you."
Bonnie looked skeptical as she looked between Rebekah and Kol. "Well we won't let anything happen to you that you don't want to happen," Kol amended, "We're not as strict as Niklaus you see."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," Bonnie sighed, "But…I am kind of tired of being stuck in the house." The fact that Klaus was ignoring her made things worse. She was bored and there was so much that she didn't remember and so much that she was curious about in terms of the outside world.
"So," Rebekah said, "How do you feel about night clubs?"
Bonnie made a noncommittal noise in the back of her throat. "I don't really know," she said, as she had no memory of ever going to one, "But I am sure that by the end of night we're going to find out."
:::
Damon Salvatore stiffened as he felt the iron cuffs clamp around his wrist, the vervain that had been shoved in between the iron and his skin searing his flesh. His blue eyes snapped open, his dark hair falling into his face as he looked down at the open glass bottles that he was being forced to stand on. He wobbled, his bare feet in pain, as the bottles dug into his heels. The exhaustion was getting the better of him though he couldn't say how long he had been there.
He was nude, the chill of the air causing the hairs on his body to stand on end. His hands; that had been chained behind his back, were numb. A werewolf circled around him on the ground, prepared to strike the moment he lost his footing and stepped off the bottles. He had been bitten before, and he knew that it would mean death. But death seemed almost preferable to the state that he was in.
Damon lifted his head, his ears perking up at the sound of footsteps walking across the tiled floor. He wasn't sure who he thought his captor would be but as his eyes met the green eyes of the devil that held him he felt his stomach clench just a little.
"Don't look like that Damon," she whispered, her voice as smooth as silk, "I just want to have some fun."
"Why are you doing this Bonnie?" He asked, though he did not expect to receive an answer.
"Because I can," Bonnie said simply shrugging her shoulders. She was dressed in an oversized, white button down shirt, her hair wild and her eyes seemingly full of life and yet the look she gave him promised death.
"Do you think that this will change anything?" Damon asked, "That torturing me will make you feel better. I know I haven't been the best person to you but this….this isn't who you are Bonnie." He watched with a frown as the wolf that was circling him became docile and timid as it turned toward Bonnie. The wolf walked up to her slowly, rubbing itself around her legs that Damon noticed were bare.
Bonnie reached down and stroked the wolf's fur and smiled up at Damon. "Then who am I, Damon?" she asked, "Tell me."
Damon searched his mind to find the right words but nothing came to him. He realized then that he had no idea who Bonnie was outside of her powers. There were vague images of who she had been flashing through his head. A selfless martyr, a moral friend, a teenage girl. But the martyrdom and morals had come after she had been pushed into a corner by the supernatural world hadn't it? What had she been like before? Who had she been before the supernatural? And now that their world had ripped her apart what the hell had she turned into?
"You don't have an answer do you?" Bonnie asked. When Damon remained silent Bonnie laughed without humor. "I will tell you who I am Damon," she said, "I am whoever the hell I want to be. And right now I want to be the bitch that's torturing you and so that's who I am. That's what happens when you free yourself from people who want to control you. You are able to make your choices about who and what you are in whatever way that you see fit. I took that freedom back from you and now you have lost your freedom to me. Because when you are here, in this place, under my control, you're mine."
"Is that what this is about?" Damon asked, "Control?"
Bonnie smirked. "It could be," she said, "Or I could just want to see you squirm. The thing I love about this whole situation is that I can make you unsure about yourself in a way that no one ever has. All that cockiness and bravado is gone and now look at you. You are powerless, naked, and vulnerable and no one is coming to help you. You're weak, and that is the way you have always been next to me. You are a child. A whimpering little boy and now you have to feel it. I let you use me for too long and now the tables are turned and I can do whatever I want with all of you."
Damon swallowed trying not to let his fatigue and discomfort show as he raised a brow in question. "What do you mean all of us?" He asked.
Bonnie looked down at the wolf. "Well there's you," she said, "And the others." She knelt down on her knees in front of the wolf and took its face in her hands. "I have lots of pets now," she said, "But this one is my favorite. Aren't you baby?" The wolf responding by turning its neck and licking Bonnie's hand. "Change back," she ordered, her eyes still on the wolf.
Damon watched as the wolf slowly began to take its human shape. Its body contorted, its bones cracked, and its head thrown back in an anguished howl. His eyes widened as he took in exactly who was on his knees before Bonnie. "Klaus?" he said. But the hybrid ignored him, his eyes on Bonnie.
"He's surprisingly obedient," Bonnie said, running her fingers through the hybrid's hair, "Almost as if he's been waiting his whole existence for a master." Damon noticed the collar on Klaus' neck for the first time as Bonnie tugged at the tag daggling from it. "So powerful and yet he yields to me," she said, her tone, almost awestruck, "He understands something that you never could. He understands that there is much more to be gained in giving me what I want and encouraging me to embrace my powers than in taking advantage of me and trying to keep me from knowing exactly what I am capable of."
It took Damon a moment to realize what she was saying. Having a novice witch without confidence that didn't have experience but was willing to do anything for the people she cared about could be useful only to a point. The point where her inexperience would cause her to fail no matter how powerful she was. Or the point when she would become tired of being isolated and used.
But in contrast, a witch that was respected and encouraged to use her powers, to learn her craft, to gain the experience that she lacked, and that was given the loyalty and care that she gave would likely not have a breaking point. That witch would have more power at her disposal and more reason to remain exactly where you needed her, at your side, and on your side.
But it was too late for that lesson. Much too late, Damon realized as he looked down at this witch that was Bonnie but not Bonnie. She was someone stronger and more in control and yet she was something deadly and unpredictable at the same time.
Damon watched the disturbing sight of Bonnie ordering Klaus to kiss her. The hybrid did so easily, and Damon found himself looking away as the hybrid's tongue entered the witch's mouth.
"Good boy," Bonnie said, as they pulled apart, causing Damon to look at the couple again. She watched with amusement as he attempted to hold himself upright, as he struggled to keep his balance on the bottles.
She turned back to Klaus and traced his jawline with her fingertips. "Now," she said, "Attack."
Damon lost his balance as he struggled against the cuffs on his wrists. There was nothing he could do as Klaus came toward him eyes glowing yellow and his fangs beginning to descend.
Damon Salvatore sat up in bed, panting and covered in sweat. It was his third nightmare in five days and there was still no sign of Bonnie. It was as if the witch had disappeared off the face of the earth without leaving a single trace of herself behind.
It was time to let the others know that Bonnie was missing. Missing. That was the word they were using because no matter how bad things got Damon refused to accept the possibility of Bonnie actually being dead.
He looked toward his bedroom door as it opened and his brother walked in. Stefan took at his state and frowned. "More nightmares?" He asked.
Damon hadn't been particularly open about his dreams or the slightly arousing nature of them. He only told him that the dreams involved Bonnie and at times Klaus. The most frustrating part of it was the fact that though Damon was sure that there was a chance that the dreams were some sort of warning, they told him nothing. There was no hint as to Bonnie's whereabouts, there was only the Bonnie that was not Bonnie that was powerful, sexy, and terrifying.
"We have to find her," Damon said, "And those dreams whatever they are aren't telling us anything." Sighing, he ran and hand through his hair. "We don't have any choice but to tell the others," he said, "Maybe one of them will know how to get in touch with Bonnie's deadbeat mom and she can help us find her daughter."
Stefan raised a brow at Damon as his brother got out of bed. "And why exactly would she?" Stefan asked, "We turned her into a vampire remember? If anything she'll try and kill us before she goes after Bonnie on her own."
"Well," Damon said, eyeing Stefan, "Do you have any better ideas, brother?"
Stefan shook his head. "Not exactly," he said, "But once we tell the others if we put our brains together then we can come up with something. I mean Klaus still had a soft spot for me and Caroline when they left. And Rebekah was still vulnerable to both you and me so maybe we can use that if we can find out how to get ahold of them somehow."
Damon nodded, even though he knew that they were basically grasping at straws. "There's something we haven't considered," Damon said, his mind going to his dreams.
"What's that?" Stefan asked as Damon pulled on a pair of pants.
"What if whenever we find Bonnie," he said, "And we will find Bonnie….what if she doesn't want to come back?"
Stefan frowned, at how serious his tone was and the fact that he had actually used Bonnie's name. "Why wouldn't she want to come back?" he asked, "She isn't like the other witches that Klaus targeted. I know she's probably hurt and vulnerable considering the state her car was in and the fact that she hasn't tried to contact anyone but she's strong. She's strong and she hates Klaus. If anyone can resist his pull then Bonnie can."
Damon opened his mouth to tell Stefan about the dreams and reveal the information that he had withheld but closed it a moment later. "I hope you're right brother," he said instead, "I hope you're right."
:::
Bonnie Bennett spun in front of the full length mirror in Rebekah's room. She was a wearing a black and gray allover lace dress with an open back and half sleeves. The dress hugged her curves just so and she was aware of Kol's appreciative gaze as he stood behind her and looked her up and down.
"How do I look?" Bonnie asked, as she turned to face Kol, though she already saw the answer in his eyes.
"Delicious," Kol said as he knelt known in front of her on one knee. Kol smirked as Bonnie looked down at him in question. He gestured toward the black metal plated peep-toe pumps that she was wearing. "Allow me," he offered eyeing the thick unbuckled straps around her ankles. He was surprised when she lifted her foot and placed it on his knee, but decided to enjoy the view of her legs that her actions gave him.
Rebekah rolled her eyes as Kol buckled one of Bonnie's shoes and then the other, before she ran a hand down her own red dress. "You do realize that her aim is to get our brother's attention," she commented, "Meaning your antics aren't working and she's likely laughing at you on the inside."
Bonnie glanced at Rebekah as she sat her foot down and turned to the mirror and began to tease her hair with her fingers. "Oh I don't know," she said, "Right now Kol might have a better chance with me than Klaus. I mean he's not the one ignoring me." Rebekah shot her a lethal glance and Bonnie laughed. "I'm kidding," Bonnie said, "But if Kol wants to keep waiting on me hand and foot I'm not going to stop him. What's the point of looking this good if you can't use it to get people to do what you want? Between my body and my power it's no wonder I have original vampires at my beck and call."
Rebekah didn't know whether to be amused or worried about Bonnie's sudden change in attitude. "Look who's getting cocky," Kol laughed.
Bonnie shrugged. "If Klaus wanted me before then it was for a reason," Bonnie said, "He obviously found something desirable enough to pursue me so I've been trying to figure out what it was these last few days. Then after talking to you guys I realized I have plenty of things going for me and I don't need to be intimidated by anyone, least of all some plain faced compelled human girls that Klaus brings home to bleed dry. It isn't a matter of whether or not I deserve Klaus' attention. If I'm right and you guys are right then I can get attention from anyone I want to get attention from. The question of the matter is whether or not Klaus will realize he needs to be paying attention to me before I find that attention elsewhere."
"And what if you do find that attention elsewhere tonight?" Kol asked.
"Then I'll happily enjoy the fact," Bonnie said, "But once your brother decides to get off his ass I'll give him another chance. Only because I want him, and he will still have to work for it of course."
Rebekah was surer than ever of two things, that the witch was in fact good for her brother and that even under the circumstances she liked Bonnie, she liked this Bonnie a lot. She frowned at the thought that once the girl's memory returned, this Bonnie would no longer exist.
:::
Elijah Mikaelson scanned the aged yellow page of the book that had once belonged to Greta Martin. It was a spell book that she had acquired through some long dead witch that was passed down through her line. The book like many other of the Martin's heirlooms had been left behind after Greta had been killed.
While there was a manner of interesting spells that could be found within the pages of the book, there was one in particular that caught Elijah's attention. It had to do with untapped magic.
It was well known even outside of the witches that the spirits had the ability to police the powers of the witches among the living and the dead. There were those among the witches that held power great enough to destroy the balance completely, and those were the witches that the spirits caused to suffer the most for if they ever realized their power then they could bring about all types of hell on earth.
A sign of those witches outside of suffering were physical consequences occurring when they performed magic. It was that that told Elijah that Bonnie was indeed that powerful, and the spirits had sought to control her, even more so once her loyalty went from her own kind to the Salvatore.
He supposed that the spirits had loosened the reins on Bonnie because she was no longer tied to the vampires due to her lack of memory but he knew that it would not be long before they tried their hand at controlling the young witch again now that his brother had gotten ahold of her.
The spell within the book would have to be performed before the sprits came for Bonnie once more. The spell would not only release the hold that they had on her completely but it would give Bonnie full and complete access to her own power. Whatever power the spirits were keeping at bay would come to the service and be at her disposal.
The spell required three things outside of the incantation. The first being an amulet made of the gemstone amethyst. The second thing being blood moon candles that were made from the ashes of werewolves and the blood of witches. The last thing being a female sacrifice. The female could be supernatural or mortal, but the more powerful the being the greater chance at success the spell had.
Being in New Orleans with many shops and apothecaries that catered to witches and their needs meant that they could easily obtain the amethyst and candles. As for the sacrifice, it would seem that Sage would be of some use to them after all.
Tricking Sage into being a part of the spell would be a delicate matter but not an impossible one. They were lying to Bonnie already and so lying to Sage would not be a problem and were it not for the information that she had provided them already and the chance that they could use her against the Salvatore, the vampire would have been dead a long time ago.
Elijah had not risked speaking of the spell aloud. He had simply pointed it out to Klaus who had gave a silent nod before going off to search for Bonnie.
His brother had neglected the witch as of late and so Elijah was glad that he was able to give him an excuse to pursue her once more.
It was painfully obvious how much that he wanted the witch but Klaus was a masochist at the best of times and so he had spent the last few days torturing himself giving excuse after excuse as to why he should stay away from her and keeping his distance from the witch whenever possible.
However, they all knew that Klaus' actions were counterproductive. If he neglected the witch then the outcome would likely be similar to when she was neglected by her so called friends. It had been Klaus' idea to keep the witch "fed, fucked, acknowledged, and oblivious," and so far he had only managed two out of the four.
While it didn't particularly concern Elijah as to whether or not the witch got fucked, he knew that she at the very least needed to be acknowledged if their plan had even the smallest chance of working.
Elijah looked up as the door to his study was thrown open and Niklaus entered looking none too pleased. "What seems to be the problem brother?" Elijah asked
Klaus scowled at him as he walked into the room more fully and stood in front of the dark oak desk. "Bonnie is gone," he said, his voice portraying a false sense of calm, "And Kol and Rebekah are missing as well."
Elijah nodded. "Yes," he said, "I overheard something about a night club earlier. Rebekah seemed excited to get out of the house."
Klaus' eyes narrowed. "You knew about this," he asked, "And you didn't stop it?"
Elijah closed the book in front of him. "You would have known too if you had been paying attention to the witch instead of brooding. You've been neglecting her, and outside of myself and Sage who else does she have to talk to but Kol and Rebekah, both of whom have a short attention span. They've been bored for days, so does it truly surprise you that they have decided to show the witch a good time. You should only hope that Kol didn't take showing her a good time to a physical level."
Klaus responded by slamming his fist down on the desk. Elijah blinked up at him, the movement not even causing him to flinch. "Where are they?" Klaus demanded.
Elijah shrugged. "Some new club on Bourbon Street," Elijah said, "Though if you want to find them before the witch finds someone else who is willing to keep her 'fed, fucked, acknowledged, and oblivious' as you so eloquently put it I suggest you hurry. The dress that Miss Bennett was wearing didn't really leave much to the imagination."
"Do you think that this is funny?" Klaus asked, "You realize that if we lose her then we lose everything?"
Elijah shrugged. "I told you not to neglect her," he said, simply, "She is still open to my guidance and Kol and Rebekah's friendship. I am sure we could get her to help us still on those grounds alone until she remembers. The only one in danger of losing her is you and the only person that you have to blame for that is yourself."
Instead of answering Klaus turned and stormed out of the room. Elijah sighed as he watched his brother go. The witch had power over him already. It would not be as simple as killing her once she remembered. Klaus would hesitate and that would likely mean their death. The only other option would be to find a way to garner her favor in a way that would keep her loyal to them even after her memory returned. There was only one emotion strong enough to pull off such a feat.
The witch would have to fall in love with Niklaus, which was a something that was next to impossible. But at the very least he and his siblings had put Klaus in a position that would force him to continue to act in a way that would be most profitable to them and for now that was all that he could ask for.
:::
Caroline Forbes and Elena Gilbert sat on the couch in the living room of the Salvatore boarding house, watching the Salvatore brothers expectantly. Neither of the girls knew what the impromptu meeting was about.
Neither girl had heard much from the brothers since Damon had been rescued from captivity at the hands of Rebekah. Their plan to stake the originals with the white oak they had found had fallen into nothing as after the death of their brother Finn the other originals had soon disappeared. Both girls were relieved by the fact, even though they didn't think that the ancient vampires would stay away for long. For the moment there was peace and neither had to look over their shoulders.
Caroline for her part hoped that Klaus' absence would finally allow Tyler to break free from the sire bond. And Elena, in spite of her growing feelings for Damon, hoped that the sudden disappearance of the originals would mean that she could finally get Stefan back without any interference. However, it seemed that though the originals were gone that didn't mean that their problems were over.
Caroline had grown tired of the ongoing silence and was the first to speak. "What is this about?" Caroline asked, "Why exactly are we here?"
Stefan and Damon shared a look with one another before Stefan spoke. "Have either of you heard from Bonnie the last few days?" Stefan asked.
Both girls shook their heads but it was Elena who spoke. "Not since the night when she called me to come and rescue Damon," Elena said, "Why? Do you need something? A spell or something? Because I can call her. I'm sure she could be here soon."
Damon made a sound of disgust in the back of his throat. He didn't know what he had expected. But somehow, even after realizing that he and Stefan had had no problems with using the witch, he had expected more out of Caroline and Elena. Bonnie was their friend after all, they had grown up together. If Bonnie was anything to anyone it should have been them, but it seemed that when it boiled down to it, she was just a witch that everyone thought was at their disposal.
It was no wonder that Klaus had managed to run off with Bonnie if that was indeed what had happened. It had been five days and neither of Bonnie's friends found it strange that they had not heard from her, especially given the fact that the last time that Elena had spoken to her it had been after Klaus had virtually held the witch hostage all day.
"This isn't about a fucking spell," Damon spat, becoming annoyed at the way that he and everyone around Bonnie had failed her, "Call her."
Elena blinked at him, looking stricken by his harsh tone but she pulled out her cell phone anyway. She called Bonnie's number and waited. It rang a few times but there was no answer. "She didn't answer," Elena said, "She's probably with her mom or something. I'm sure she'll call back later."
Stefan shook his head solemnly. "She's not and she won't," he said.
Caroline raised an eyebrow at him. His tone seemed so sure and final that it gave her pause. "What do you mean?" she asked, "How would you know?"
Damon frowned before cutting to the chase. "Five days ago Stefan and I found Bonnie's car on the road leading away from Mikaelson Manor." He swallowed as he recalled the scene. "It was completely totaled," Damon said, "There was blood and glass everywhere."
"What?" Both Caroline and Elena exclaimed at the same time.
"Calm down," Stefan said, holding up his hands in an effort to quiet the situation.
"What do you mean calm down?" Caroline demanded, "Where's Bonnie? Is she…please tell me that she isn't…"
"She's not," Damon said with conviction, "So don't say it. Don't even think it. There wasn't….there wasn't a body. She was gone. There wasn't any trace of her at all besides the blood but it was dried and some of it was faded so I think it might have gotten washed away in the storm the night before. We searched in the woods around the area to see if maybe she wandered off and tried to find help but there was nothing….for miles. It's like she just vanished."
Both Caroline and Elena were surprised by the lost look on Damon's face. Still Elena wasn't too surprised for she knew that Damon didn't hate Bonnie as much as he claimed he did.
"But she didn't vanish," Caroline said, "You guys think that you know what happen to her don't you?"
Stefan nodded slowly. "She was close to the manor when we found her like Damon said," he told them, "And Klaus fled after Finn died so he likely knows that we have the means to kill them. Outside of the stakes, Bonnie is our biggest weapon and Klaus has a habit of collecting witches."
"So," Elena said, adding things together in her head, "You think that Klaus found her before you did and took her." While Bonnie being with Klaus wasn't good it was preferable to her being dead. "Do you know where they could be?" Elena asked, "I mean you were with Klaus for a while so you must know where his haunts are."
"Some of them," Stefan said, "But who knows how many he has. And if he has her then he'll likely take her somewhere that I don't know about."
"Maybe," Caroline shrugged, "But it would be a start right? I mean if you know where his haunts are then you probably know what connections that he has in those cities and maybe those connections know of other haunts that you wouldn't."
Stefan nodded. "That makes sense," he said, "I'll map out all of the haunts I know about and then cut them in half. Damon and I will take one half and you two will take the others. Whatever happens, we'll find her."
:::
The night club was a mass of sweaty bodies and noise. There were too many people, too many voices, and too many scents. Klaus had the mind to start snapping necks and ripping out hearts if he didn't soon spot Bonnie.
The lights were low, which wasn't so much of a problem due to his heightened sight. It was the sea of bodies that bothered him and the fact that Bonnie was among them possibly not alone.
He stilled in his search for Bonnie as he felt a hand grab onto his arm. He turned to face his sister, frowning as he smelled the alcohol on her breath. "Where is she?" He demanded immediately.
Rebekah rolled her eyes. "She's over in that corner dancing with some guy," she said, gesturing toward the opposite end of the room, "Kol and I have been keeping an eye one her all night. She's fine. She's having fun."
"It isn't safe for her to be out," Klaus said, "There was a reason that I wanted to keep her in that house."
Rebekah sighed. "I'm sure there was," she said, "But last time I checked the Salvatore brothers didn't know where we were and like I said, as long as we are keeping watch over her she's fine. Besides if you had been paying more attention to her, then she wouldn't have wanted to leave anyway or at the very least she would have made sure that you knew and were with us."
Rebekah didn't get a chance to finish her speech before Klaus was heading in the direction of where he could now spot Bonnie. He was in no mood for a lecture.
The closer he got to her the more that he could see her and her dance partner who had his hands all over her. He shoved his way through the crowd of people and once he reached Bonnie it was only the fact that he didn't wish to compel a night club full of drunk idiots that kept him from killing the man that he pried away from Bonnie and tossed across the room.
Bonnie blinked at him as she watched the man that she had been dancing with fall to the ground, taking a few people with him.
"What exactly did you not understand about me telling you not to leave the house?" Klaus asked, as he walked forward, backing Bonnie into the closest wall, "It isn't safe for you out here."
"Its not like I left on my own," Bonnie said, "I'm with Kol and Rebekah. We just wanted to have a little fun. They weren't going to let anything happen to me."
"That isn't the point," Klaus said.
"What is?" Bonnie asked, she leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. "You said you would show me the city but instead you ignored me and so I found other means in which to see it."
Klaus eyed the dress that she was wearing and doubted very much that her intentions had been to simply see the city. She had wanted his attention and now she had it, though in reality she had never truly lost it. It was difficult to marry her actions now with the way that she had been before. She hadn't been known to dress this revealing or act out in this type of manner and he suspected that it was Rebekah's influence that was morphing Bonnie so quickly into someone that likely got some sick sort of pleasure over the fact that Klaus had been to nearly every night club on Bourbon Street searching for her.
"You've seen enough," Klaus said, leaning close to keep from having to shout over the music, "We are going home."
Bonnie shook her head. "I'm having fun," she said, "I want to stay. I'm not going to leave just because you decided to pay attention to me long enough to police my behavior."
Klaus decided to use a different tactic. She was most open to him when he was open with her. When there was some ounce of truth in what he was saying. He couldn't leave her there, to allow her to fall prey to another worthless man who didn't know how to keep his hands to himself or any number of witches and vampires that Klaus knew still dwelled within the city's underbelly.
"I didn't mean to ignore you on purpose," he whispered, into her ear, "I was adjusting myself to the change in our relationship. Whatever we felt for each other before, things never got physical. And now that you don't remember anything I felt as if I was taking advantage."
Bonnie glanced around at the other club goers as she thought about his words, before looking up at Klaus again. "What exactly are you taking advantage of?" she asked, "It's not like anything else has happened since you kissed me. You've gone out of your way not to touch me and whatever this is we haven't exactly put a name on it. You keep talking about before and I don't remember before. Just tell me what you want now because I don't really know what that is."
It was a simple answer. Besides survival and his family in one piece, there was only one thing that he wanted in that moment. "You," he answered.
The silence drew out as they looked at each other. Klaus leaned toward her his hand moving to the back of her head. He gently pulled her forward and was met with little resistance. He kissed her hard, his tongue immediately delving into her mouth. Bonnie kissed him back, one had grabbing onto his shirt, fingers clutching and pulling him close as he pressed her up against the wall of the club.
His hand found her hair, tugging it to tilt her head back and give him better access to her mouth. Bonnie's free hand journeyed downward, her fingers running across the inseam of his jeans and Klaus had to choke back a groan. He couldn't think. Couldn't move. This was wrong and he was taking advantage of her current state. She didn't realize what she was doing, could never fully know until she remembered. Yet, he didn't stop her as her hand moved up his thigh. He didn't care about anything besides the fact that Bonnie, this Bonnie wanted him. Wanted him enough to play games to get his attention. Wanted him enough to make a very public spectacle out of the fact.
He pulled back from the kiss allowing them both to breathe. His lips moved downward toward her neck. Bonnie moaned as he licked her skin and he knew that he would miss this once she came back to herself. Her hand rubbed insistently against his groin, and he sucked hard on her neck in response.
"People are watching us," Bonnie said, as he pulled back enough to look down at her, but still her hand remained in motion.
"Your point?" He responded, with a smirk. This wasn't the place for this nor the time but he kissed her again anyway, his grip on her hair loosening so that he could run his fingers through it.
His other hand moved down her body of its own accord, past her waist, her thigh, over her knee where her lacey dress ended and then it began to move upward. Klaus' hand found its way underneath the skirt of her dress and slowly, teasingly ran up the inside of her thigh. Bonnie moaned again and even in the midst of all the people around them he couldn't control himself anymore.
Her movements stilled as a pain shot through her head, causing her to go stiff in his arms. Bonnie pushed him away abruptly as a sudden image flashed in her head. Klaus standing over her, looming and threatening. He was angry. She was scared, afraid of him. The image was gone just as quickly but Bonnie couldn't help but think that it was a memory of some sort.
"Bonnie?" Klaus asked, worriedly, "What is it? What's wrong?"
Bonnie shook her head and stepped away from him. "Nothing," she said, "It's just really crowded in here. I didn't want people to see…can we go?"
Nodding Klaus held out his hand toward her. Bonnie looked down at it, and hesitated. He frowned but decided not to press as eventually she took it.
:::
Bonnie sat down cross legged on the bed that she had basically stolen from Klaus and tugged at the hem of the shirt that she had taken from him as well when she had changed out of her dress. She wanted to ask about what she remembered or what she had thought was a memory, but she wasn't sure how to go about it or what it even meant.
She watched as Klaus sat down on the edge of the bed, close to her. "Is something wrong?" Klaus asked, able to read the tension that had not leaked out of her since they left the night club.
"Can I ask you something?" Bonnie whispered, looking down at her hands.
Klaus nodded. There was something in her voice that gave him pause and caused concern to surface. Things had just gotten back on track, he had come to terms with what he wanted and he had picked up his pursuit of her once again, even if things were a little different. He didn't need anything to jeopardize things again so soon. "What is it, love?" He asked.
"When we were….friends?" Bonnie frowned, the word seeming off, and so she amended it, "When we knew each other before my accident, was there ever a time that we didn't get along? That we were angry with one another?"
Klaus looked stricken for a moment before he schooled his features. "Everyone gets angry sometimes," Klaus said, "I mean you were on the verge of being angry with me recently. And sometimes with my temperament I can be a hard man to live with. We're both stubborn and yes there were times when…we clashed. But relationships, the important ones require work. I've lived a long time and I've learned from dealing with my family…and with you that…even the darkest moments, the most bitter of resentment, and the deepest hatred can turn into something…"
Bonnie scooted closer to him and waited expectantly. "Something what?"
"Good," Klaus whispered, "Wanted, needed, worthwhile, and unexpectedly beautiful. There may have been anger between us before but there was also a grudging respect, tension, attraction, intimidation, awe….things weren't always good but there was something new there each time I encountered you." Klaus reached out and took her hand, his thoughts though disjointed, were honest. "When you live as long as I have things, people…blur together and become more and more of the same. But I was never bored with you. You kept me on my toes. I liked that. You do that for me now too….it's different but the same."
"I understand," Bonnie sighed, "Or at least I think I do." She tried to think of something, anything that tied her to her life before and came up fruitless. "I wish I could remember what you remember," she said, "That I could know what you know. That I could read you as easily as you can read me. Things would be a lot simpler that way."
She was wrong of course. Remembering would only make things more tangled and convoluted. Things between them were rapidly heading toward the point of no return and now Klaus was more determined than ever not to go backward even with the potential consequences that likely laid ahead.
"Everything will come back in time," Klaus said, his eyes meeting hers, "You shouldn't push yourself." He searched for any sign that she might continue to press him with questions. He sighed in relief when she smiled at him. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers gently. "Okay?"
"Okay," Bonnie nodded. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close, hoping that once the rest of her memories returned they didn't cause her so much confusion and doubt.
:::
Bonnie sat down on Elijah's desktop this time eyeing Klaus as he sat behind the desk. Elijah had gone to the apothecary to obtain the blood moon candles and the amethyst for the spell that would give Bonnie full access to her powers.
Her bare feet hung over the side, the dress that she was wearing affording Klaus a nice view of her legs. She said the spell that would shroud the room in silence in case Sage was around to hear their conversation.
"Elijah said that this spell needed a female sacrifice," Bonnie said, "And that you want to use Sage."
Klaus nodded as Bonnie ran her foot a third of the way up his leg and then back down again. "That's true," he said, "Does that bother you?"
Bonnie shook her head. "I don't really like Sage," Bonnie said, "She bothers me."
Klaus smirked as he thought of a time when he was the one that bothered her. "Any particular reason?" he asked, as Bonnie slid her foot up his leg again, higher this time and then back down again.
"I don't like the way that she looks at you," Bonnie answered, "She said she loved Finn but sometimes she seems interested in moving on…so to speak."
"Even if we weren't planning on killing her," Klaus said, as he silently marveled over the fact that he was rather calmly discussing murder with Bonnie Bennett of all people, "You would have nothing to worry about. Sage and I have only shared one emotion and that is mutual loathing. She's been trying to make herself useful and failing. At least this way she can actually be of help to us. You don't need to worry about any other woman, least of all Sage. I only want you. I told you that." Klaus caught her foot as it slid up his leg and over his thigh. "And since you have my attention," he said, his hand moving up her leg, "Your antics aren't really necessary."
Bonnie bit her bottom lip and looked away, seeming almost shy. It was a stark contrast to the confidence she was wearing as of late. "I wasn't trying to get your attention," Bonnie said, her hair falling into her face as she looked back at him, "Rebekah explained what footsie is to me. I was…trying to flirt."
Klaus smiled as he tugged at Bonnie's ankle until she hopped off of the desk. "If that's the case," he said, pulling her into his lap, "By all means continue."
Bonnie's hands framed his face as she leaned in to kiss him. Her tongue swept into his mouth and he was just about to close his eyes when he saw movement in the doorway and a flash of red hair. Sage, and given the swiftness of her departure she had likely arrived before Bonnie had said the silencing spell, and had heard their plans.
Klaus gently pushed Bonnie from his lap and ignored the frown on her face as he sped after Sage, catching the vampire just as she reached the bottom of the spiral staircase and was heading for the front door. In one swift motion he snapped her neck and watched as she fell to the floor.
Bonnie who had run after him came rushing up behind him a few moments later. She knew that the vampire wasn't dead, as the others had explained to her what it took to kill them. "She knows," Bonnie said, "Now what?"
"We chain her up and do the spell as soon as possible," Klaus said, "We're not missing this opportunity."
Bonnie nodded, as she walked up to him and took his hand. "Don't worry," she said, "Soon I'll have my power and after that everything will fall into place."
Klaus nodded in turn, before he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it. When he let it go he moved to pick Sage's body up so that he could chain her up in the basement.