Chapter 7:

Their plans to be in New Orleans by nightfall got drastically mislaid when Bonnie discovered that her cousin Lucy was in Florida. If it had just been a family reunion Kol would have told her no way but Bonnie assured him that Lucy was also a powerful Bennett witch and may know the answer to their dilemma.

With that Stefan turned the car and they made their way to Ft. Walton Beach Florida where Lucy had rented a house for a couple of weeks. As soon as Lucy opened the door she smiled brightly at Bonnie and gave her a tight hug. She became tense a moment later as she looked at Kol.

"Lucy, I'd like for you to meet Kol Mikaelson, Kol, my cousin Lucy," Bonnie made the introductions. Kol held out his hand.

"I know what you are," Lucy glared.

"That makes two of us," Kol smiled, "But I'm only here because Bonnie said you could help us." He took his hand back.

"I don't own this house," Lucy said as she and Bonnie walked over the threshold but apparently it wasn't a problem because the two vampires and Jeremy entered without resistance.

"You're traveling with vampires?" Lucy looked to Bonnie as she put on tea while Kol found the page in the grimoire.

"He's not one of the bad guys Lucy, neither of them are," Bonnie said gently though she knew both vampires could hear her.

"They're vampires"

"Kol was born to a witch – a witch who just didn't want to lose her children," Bonnie reminded her.

"I knew that name was familiar! You're traveling with an original! Bonnie!" Lucy fussed.

"His family, Elena and Caroline need our help," Bonnie said. Lucy sighed.

"I am doing this for you, you hear me, you," Lucy said. Bonnie nodded. Soon they were all sitting around the table drinking tea as Lucy studied the book. This went on for hours, Stefan and Jeremy went out and played in the surf and then they ordered pizza for dinner. Bonnie noticed that Kol started looking a little caged and she took him outside. They walked along the beach in the moonlight.

"Are you okay?" Bonnie asked gently.

"I'm fine. Are you okay?"

"I'm great. It's good to see Lucy again. She seems to be on the right track with the book. I know she's going to find the answer. You're hungry aren't you?"

"No"

"Kol don't lie to me. We don't do that remember?"

"Yes we're out of blood. We should have been in New Orleans by now."

Bonnie stepped into his embrace and Kol wrapped his arms around her as she kissed him. Then she leaned up and whispered against his ear, "take what you need Kol." She leaned to make her neck more accessible. Kol hesitated for a moment but then bit her relishing in the sweetness of her blood as he drew it in and listened carefully to the sound of her heart.

Meanwhile Stefan joined Lucy where she was taking a break on the back deck of the beach house. They watched as Kol and Bonnie walked along the beach with his arm around her. Then they stopped and were kissing under the moonlight.

"I don't believe he would hurt her," Stefan broke the silence.

"I did some research while you were eating. He's the most lethal and possibly psychotic of the originals," Lucy said with a tinge of anger to her voice.

"Yes and we've known him for almost two years," Stefan said, "during that time he has never once hurt Bonnie and has in fact saved her on numerous occasions."

"Are they together?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, though I didn't know that until we started traveling," Stefan said. Kol finished feeding from Bonnie and made sure she got her nightly dose of his blood before they returned inside. As the night wore on everyone fell asleep except Lucy and Kol.

"This is it," Lucy whispered as she found the answer. "It's nature magic, the power of minor creation. It's very powerful good magic and would require strong blood to perform." She looked to Kol, "your kind of blood." She closed the book and motioned for him to join her out on the deck.

"I'm not the kind of person that likes to beat around the bush," Lucy began as they listened to the waves lap against the sand.

"In that respect we are alike," Kol said.

"Witches and vampires are supposed to be enemies."

"It doesn't always work like that"

"Bonnie seems to trust you a great deal," Lucy said. She had been observing them since they arrived and had learned a great many things.

"And I trust her."

"Do you love her?" Lucy asked and the question hung in the air for a long moment.

"Yes, I am in love with her," Kol finally replied gently. "It took me a thousand years and a feisty aneurysm giving Bennett witch but I am in love."

"You're dangerous for her. Just being around you is dangerous," Lucy worried.

"Bonnie is very capable and very powerful," Kol began, "but I would protect her with my life if it came to it." Kol watched with absolute surprise as Lucy reached over and laid her hand on his leg giving it a pat.

"Just keep her safe please," Lucy smiled at him.

"I promise I will try my hardest," Kol said sincerely.

The next morning Lucy explained to the group that it was nature magic. She told Bonnie and Kol of the spell she had found so that they could tell the baby's origins. Then everyone had packed up to be on the road. Lucy shook Kol's hand with a smile and wished him the best of luck. Finally she hugged Bonnie and whispered against her ear.

"You're in love with him aren't you?" Bonnie stared at her with wide-doe eyes. Finally she nodded slightly.

"Take care and if you need anything and I mean anything call me," Lucy said. They loaded into the car and made good time on their way to New Orleans.

VVVV

"Niklaus now is not the time to go on the offensive," Elijah said as they all returned to the mansion that night. "Marcellus is playing on your need for power and you are playing right into his hand. You have a son or a daughter that we have to protect – another Mikaelson. There are so few of us these days. I have already lost one brother; I will not lose another!"

"There's quite a bit about that which simply isn't true," Kol said from his position, sprawled over the arm of the couch lazily with a drink in one hand, "hello brothers, sister." He greeted them with a grin as they stood frozen in their shock.

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