The Mystic Grill was rowdy for a Thursday night. Her eyes gleamed over the crowd to see Caroline, Matt, and Tyler in a booth. She found Stefan leaning against the wall near the pool table, but his eyes were set somewhere else. She followed his gaze to find Klaus and Kol drinking at the bar. Just her luck, right?

She strolled past Caroline's booth and went straight to Stefan. It felt weird looking at him after not seeing him since the coffin failure. Everyone else seemed normal but not him. His clothes had been thrown on which was strange for someone who was always presentable. The Ripper often carried a mischievous look in his eyes, but tonight his eyes were dull and blank.

"Here to rescue me?"

"I'm here to collect a debt."

"A debt?"

"Your life," she stated. "You owe me that much. Leave now, Stefan."

He deadpanned. "And if I don't?"

She took a breath before closing her eyes and then opening them. His emerald, green eyes widened. The cold façade he had been maintaining broke. She turned away. Stefan looked concerned... saddened even. No, she reminded herself, the Ripper can't feel emotions.

"Why are you here?"

She could've slammed the door in Damon's face and told Elena to fuck off. She would have been less of a hypocrite if she had. Yet, Stefan seemed to bring out her contradictory nature. Maybe due to their odd bond. When he felt suffocated, she felt suffocated. When he needed help, she helped. It had worked both ways until Elena's life overshadowed hers.

When she had read about Stefan in Grams' grimoire, it felt odd. The words reminded her of the Stefan she had met and yet not. The Stefan in Grams' stories seemed more heroic, kind, and gentle. He had been a great supporter and friend to her which is why she even let him near Bonnie at the beginning. Toward the end of her life, even Grams seemed confused and conflicted about who Stefan was. He had been the exceptional vampire but facing him now... The exceptionalness may have died on the way to Mystic Falls.

"I told you," she repeated. "I came to collect a debt. I've done so much for you. The least you can do is leave when I say so. Listen to me. This is a suicide mission."

"What type of suicide mission? I may be of some help," a low, husky voice interrupted.

She didn't need to turn to know who it was. A presence that had cursed her since his arrival. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Stefan's body tense. She had to make Stefan leave before they do something stupid like expose humans to the supernatural because of a fight.

"Plan on playing any more stupid games, old friend? I'm growing tired of your tricks."

"Klaus." She smirked as he stilled when their eyes met. "I wouldn't test your luck tonight with me around, especially with how I am now as you can see. Let's go, Stefan."

She felt a few sets of eyes on her as she grabbed Stefan's hand and dragged him out of the restaurant. She headed toward her car which was at the tail end of the parking lot. When they were far enough away, she let go of his hand and kept walking. Thankfully. there were a few streetlights to light the parking area, so she could see where she was stepping.

"What even was your plan? Make them angry?"

"You've been using dark magic."

She crossed her arms. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Why?"

She halted and turned around. "Because you failed me. Because everyone failed me. I needed to be stronger—"

"Bonnie—"

"No, you shut up right now. Listen to me... I know you tried but that was not enough. My Grams and so many others are still dead!" Bonnie felt the tears threatening to spill. "I believed you when you said you were my friend and that you were the good guy. Show me you're the fucking good guy! Show me you're my friend! What the hell would my grandmother think of you behaving like this? Leave the Originals alone. Don't let my sacrifices go in vain because you're desperate for revenge."

Anger welcomed itself inside and took hold of her. Sadness had been a resident in her thoughts, but now it had been evicted for a much crueler, hotter emotion. Sorrow was a heavy burden while fury was suffocation.

You owe me your life. You owe me your friendship. You owe me your loyalty.

Stefan had been a puppet for both Klaus and Elena. She knew what it felt like to be abandoned and used. She had become different like he had since the supernatural crawled into the town. But she had been the better friend between the two of them in the end.

If she reached out a hand, would he take it? If he did, what would it lead to? Would Grams be happy about her helping Stefan or want him thrown out the same as her other friends? Would he make up for what he did? No... Bonnie wanted... What did she want?

I want Stefan, whole and free.

Her head throbbed as heat bubbled in her stomach. What the hell? She then heaved as her fingertips and chest felt like needles were being extracted from them. Darkness flooded her vision and it looked as if she was drowning in a dark, navy blue sea.

Where am I?

She saw Stefan's figure bound by chains near a rocky wall. Is this his mind or ..? It didn't matter. She went to him and ripped the chains from his body. The chains vanished into black smoke one by one. Once all had disappeared, she expected Stefan to open his eyes but he remained motionless.

She glanced around to see a few yards away on the opposite side another Stefan. She groaned as she swam against the current and went to him. She repeated the steps but still nothing.

Thankfully, she could breathe in where the hell she was. She pondered a few options but ultimately decided to drag Stefan's body to the other Stefan. Once she had reached the other side, both Stefans' eyes flew open. One a pair of green eyes and the other pair black. Black smoke engulfed both for a moment. What was even happening?

When the smoke vanished, all that was left was one Stefan. One green eye and one black eye. He gazed at her before grabbing her hand. She winced as heat dug itself into her skin. She snatched her hand away when the warmth turned to scorching hot. When she did, she noticed a thin rope tied to her wrist leading to Stefan who also had it tied to his wrist. What the—

"Bonnie!"

Elena's screech made her snap out of wherever she was. She was back in the parking lot staring at Stefan who was knocked out on the ground. She winced but didn't see any damage. She then saw Damon approach to pick him up, but she could see him twitch a little as he moved closer to her.

Her hands balled into fists. Was she losing control? No. It was a mistake. Whatever the hell that mistake was. She let out a breath as Caroline, Tyler, and Matt moved closer to Elena. Their eyes held fear and worry but also disappointment. She nearly shook her head.

Fine... make me your villain.

"There I fixed the problem. Now leave me the fuck alone."

-X-

He hadn't keen on spending the night at the local bar with Rebekah and Kol, but it seemed like it had been a good choice to endure after all. Klaus watched through the window as he saw the Bennett witch leave in her car. If it hadn't been for the humans being unbearably noisy, he would have been able to hear the group's conversation. He was lucky enough to see a fascinating display of her magic. Black smoke had engulfed her for a few moments and no one in her group dared to approach. Stefan had been consumed by the smoke but only for a few seconds.

He should be anxious. The Bennett witch was powerful and not any dark magic user could conjure that much dark magic as if it was nothing. He had experience in that type of magic and witches. Even on the dark side, she was an anomaly.

Under other circumstances, she was a thorn in his side and a formidable enemy. This circumstance may be fruitful, however. Based on their interaction, she was cutting ties. It would be no better chance than now to reintroduce himself to her. If he could nudge himself into her life, he could change the tides. He could mentor her and guide her further away from them. He had all the information she could need and considering the treatment of dark witches, she would need him.

He could make her not his enemy. A feat in itself. If he plays his cards right, he would have on his side a witch with no equal and who would dare to defy him then? Now, he would have to plan how he would accomplish this. He couldn't afford to make a mistake when the stakes were this high.

Kol came from the bar and settled down at the booth beside him. Kol handed him his Bourbon while he drank wine. After tonight's events, he needed a few drinks.

"I didn't realize she was feisty. She hardly talks at school. Maybe—"

He interrupted his brother, "the Bennett witch is mine."

"Since when? She hates you."

"Considering her new circumstance, she may be more amicable to me."

Kol chuckled. "I think you forget who collects dark witches."

"Last I checked," he said as he sipped on Bourbon, "it was a tie."

"A Bennett witch to break the tie? May the better Mikaelson man win."

Klaus grinned at his antics. He should have expected his brother to be adamant about claiming her as well. Yet, he still was taken aback by it. Maybe he believed she would be a bit too much for him, but Klaus was not lucky in that regard. He didn't want to share another witch with him considering how possessive he was and how jealous Kol could be.

"I wouldn't be so cocky."

"Like I said she hates you. You two have history. She tolerates me while at school. She'd rather have you skewered over a campfire as you put it the other day."

"Hate can easily lead to lust."

"I don't reckon she is up to hate fucking based on how she talked to you."

"Hate fucking?" Rebekah rolled her eyes. "I go to the bathroom for a few minutes, and this is what you two are talking about?"

He would have to recruit his sister's help. She would take his side and considering the current predicament, the witch would be out of female friends. Rebekah may be antagonistic and high maintenance, but she does try to be a good friend to the few who can tolerate her. If she becomes the witch's friend, he will have a better in. He may have to recruit Elijah's help. Since his older brother was guilty of his betrayal to Bonnie, he could use that against him.

"You missed the Bennett witch's grand entrance. She uses dark magic now."

"And you two aren't even a little fearful of this?" Her eyes darkened. " I mean a Bennett witch is using dark magic."

Klaus grinned. "Well, that's where the hate fucking comes in."

"Both of you are pigs." She shook her head. "There is no chance. There had never been a chance for us to get a Bennett witch. Finn never got Ayana and our mother was merely a student to her. Elijah never had any luck despite his civility. The chances of either of you recruiting let alone sleeping with a Bennett witch is in hell. Also, are you two forgetting she is literally a threat to us?"

"A bit harsh, dear sister," Kol mocked.

While she was a threat, she had the potential to be their greatest ally. Klaus knew he was all in. Would he end with a high card and lose it all or would he end with a Royal Flush and win it all? It was the bet of the Millennium.

"A regular Bennett witch sure but now the odds are in our favor. I overheard a little bit of their squabble out there and it seems things are tense between her and everyone else. She's lonely. She needs friends who understand her type of magic and can support her as she learns. Who better than us?"

She sighed, "so I am being roped into this. Some things never change."