In the late afternoon, Bonnie had decided on staying in the living room. Stefan had advised against it and just to rest, but she had to move. The pain had subsided, and she was going crazy just sleeping in her bed. Restlessness had crept up on her and the need to even move her legs a little bit was freeing.

She paced around the living room every couple of minutes when it got too uncomfortable to sit on the couch. Stefan's eyes stayed on her every time she would get up. She was probably making him anxious that she may fall, but she had to move around.

When the doorbell rang, she had expected it may be a package or her mail but instead, Kol was standing on her porch. His usual devilish expression was replaced with a somber one.

"Here is the homework." He handed two sets of packets.

She couldn't hide her surprise. "Oh... Thank you."

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Just under the weather."

"If you need anything, just ask. I hope you feel better."

"Thanks again, Kol."

A small smile formed. "No worries."

"Have a nice night."

She gently closed the door. The look in his eyes... Had he been worried about her? He never seemed the serious type, but his expression right then was...

When Bonnie turned around, she nearly jolted when she realized Stefan was right behind her. He raised an eyebrow.

"A little warning next time!" She shoved the packets into his chest earning her a chuckle.

"You are usually so observant. Tsk tsk." He glanced between the packets. "This one is yours."

She took the packet but then noticed there was a note on the side of the first page. It had the names of all the Originals and their phone numbers. Underneath that was a neatly written note that said 'get better soon' with a smiley face next to it. She had a feeling it was Kol that wrote that last part. The little note made her smile.

"I'll make tea then we can start homework."

-X-

Tuesday came and she awoke irritable. Her head had a constant pressure applied to the temple despite not having any dreams that night. She groaned as she sat up. After a few minutes, Stefan walked into her room in pajamas.

She briefly gazed out her window to see a very light blue hue. The sun would rise soon. Despite having ample time to get dressed and relax before going to school, she doubted the pain would go away any time soon. Besides, her energy level was suspiciously low.

"I think I'm going to skip again."

"I'll stay with you."

"It'll be suspicious that we are skipping together again and what if it doesn't go away tomorrow?"

"I can always compel the office lady."

"But not the whole school."

He raised his eyebrow as if challenging her. She let out a faint laugh before shaking her head.

Stefan's phone buzzed. He grabbed it and looked at it. His expression became unreadable for a moment and Bonnie held her breath. Did something happen?

"Would you be opposed to Caroline stopping by during her lunch?"

What did she want? Bonnie hadn't personally talked to her in a while and had only seen her at the Mystic Grill when she had gone to retrieve Stefan. Elena ignoring her had hurt, but Caroline ignoring her stung in a different way. She had given Caroline the ring that allows her to walk out during the day and tried to be there to comfort her after her transition into a vampire even if it was hard on Bonnie. Dealing and helping Caroline overcome bloodlust and her new life was at best emotionally draining. She knew it was hard on Care which was why she was there for her.

When Grams had died, Care had been there for her. Yet, the death of her Grams began to mark the end of any good in any of her friendships. After that, the supernatural world began to consume her more and more. Her friends needed more help and also got caught up in those issues. Soon all Bonnie could be was a martyr or a fixer for them. Being a martyr was a lonely business.

Boundaries died and isolation expanded. Bonnie had forgotten about herself and everyone else had too.

"She wants to come over?"

"She texted if you were still sick, she had a leftover drink that Sheila had made a while back for her."

"It's worth a shot."

"I can stay and—"

"No, you go to school."

Stefan nodded. "I'll grab any homework you have for class."

"Can you do it for me?"

She jokingly fluttered her eyelashes making Stefan chuckle.

-X-

Bonnie had been pacing around her living room waiting for Caroline to stop by but not because she was restless this time. Anxiety had crept up on her and it didn't help Stefan was not there to distract her. She didn't know what she wanted to say to her. What was there to say?

Caroline rang her doorbell ten minutes past noon. Bonnie took a few shallow breaths before going to the door and opening it. For a moment, she froze.

"Hopefully, it hasn't expired." Caroline shoved her hand into her oversized tote bag.

"...It usually takes a few years until the spell lessens or expires. Witch medicine has a longer shelf life than human medicine."

Caroline gave her a mason jar filled to the brim in a dark liquid. Bonnie examined it for a moment before looking back at her.

She then asked, "I was wondering who told you I was sick?"

"Klaus told Tyler you weren't feeling well and to check up on your house more often. It feels crazy saying that... I hope you feel better."

Things had changed in a radical way and were still changing.

She nodded. "Thanks."

"And... you should watch out for Elena. I think she's going to do something dumb."

"I know."

Caroline started to walk back to her car.

The pain resurfaced. The hurt came forward. She was scrambling on how to shove them back down, but they shoved her back instead.

"It hurt a lot when you guys forgot about me. I felt abandoned. I thought of you and Elena as my family." She paused. "Even if you apologize and I forgive you, our relationship will never be like that again."

Bonnie let out a breath as she closed the door behind her. The emotions wavered as she brushed away a few wayward tears. Whatever pain or hurt she had just felt vanished, but the raw wound in her heart remained.

-X-

The drink hadn't helped to her disappointment. Wednesday hadn't worsened her condition, and it stayed the same as yesterday. She had an off-and-on headache which made it hard to concentrate.

She couldn't go see a human doctor. Human medicine wouldn't help at all. Seeing as her grandmother's general illness drink hadn't cured anything, something else was at play. The question was what.

Bonnie leaned back as Stefan sat on her bed. "Can you tell the office lady that I will be using an excused absence due to an illness? Wait, I don't have a doctor's note..."

"I can compel her."

"I guess that'll work."

"What if you don't feel better tomorrow or your condition gets worse?"

"I may have to see a witch that practices medicine."

It wasn't ideal as she knew none, but there weren't any other options that were viable. She couldn't exactly contact the Spirits for help or her ancestors. She needed outside help as she was not practiced in medicine or healing besides physical wounds. Even if she used some of the spells or potions within the grimoires she or the Originals had, her low energy may affect it and she could harm herself due to not being practiced in that field of magic.

"Klaus probably knows one."

"I can call him later."

He moved closer to her and bent his head down. His lips briefly pressed against her forehead.

"Call me if you need anything."

-X-

She had texted Klaus earlier if he knew any witches that practice medicine but hadn't heard anything back. She was getting nervous as a few hours had gone by and not a peep. Maybe he was busy? She needed the help a bit urgently... Her headache would come and go, but now she was experiencing nausea with it which meant her condition was getting progressively worse.

In any case, this would be a litmus test for how she will be treated by the Originals when she needed something. Words were nothing when it came to action. Yet, she wished it was something else she could have as a test. She didn't like being sick.

She stilled when she heard a knock at her door. She had nearly tripped on the stairs rushing down them. When she got to the door and opened it, she took a step back. Klaus's blonde hair was messy and his clothes could be confused for nightwear. Had he just woken up?

"I saw your message earlier. How bad is it?"

"I have a splitting headache for hours and sometimes I just feel sick or have no energy."

"No fever?"

"No. I even took a drink my Grams had made a while ago that helps with general sickness."

"How old was the drink?"

"Less than 3 years."

"Not old enough to expire. Lessened effects maybe?"

"Not likely since it was something my Grams made." Bonnie paused. "Do you know of any witches that could possibly help?"

"I know a few witches that are talented in medicine. Unfortunately, there is only one in America right now. She's in Ohio which is about an eight-hour drive from here."

"Not terrible."

"I would suggest a flight, but just in case anything happens with your magic... It would be safer to go by car."

"How do I contact her?"

"I already phoned her. She has been busy lately but can see you Friday or next week. However, Ohio's weather will be unpredictable and there may be bad snow."

She weighed her options. She could end up snowed in if it is really bad and she would have to be quick to get everything ready for her to go to Ohio on short notice. However, if she waited the symptoms could get worse. Worse symptoms could mean her magic may act up and end up hurting someone or screwing up her home.

"I'm willing to go this Friday."

"Well then, I'll arrange for a place we can stay when I get back home. Tell Stefan we leave Thursday night. I'll come to pick you both up with Kol. We'll all ride together."

Her eyes widened. "Thank you."

She felt a little shocked that he was doing all this, but she welcomed the help. It kept her worries to a minimum and she wouldn't have to scramble to find a place. Then Bonnie was struck with the realization that she would be on an eight-hour car ride to and then another eight-hour car ride back with Stefan, Klaus, and Kol. Could she handle that? They weren't enemies anymore, but it wasn't all water under the bridge and Bonnie wasn't sure about the new emotions she felt toward Kol and Klaus. Would Stefan handle it well? Plus, they would be staying in the same place for at least one night...

"Goodbye, my Eve."

She raised an eyebrow but remembered their last conversation. Eve and the Devil... her and Klaus. She watched him as he went to his car.

One could mistake Klaus Mikaelson for having a heart at that moment. When he had gotten into his car, he had looked back, and their eyes met. She could almost believe he had concern in his eyes. The messy hair and pajamas... Maybe he didn't just wake up, but had been too busy trying to help her to be able to groom himself? Maybe he had cared that much.

She knew the possibilities of getting involved with the Originals, but she didn't think anything would change this quickly. She thought it would be a large amount of time where it may be awkward but civil due to their history, but now Klaus was going to drive her to another state to get checked on. It felt surreal.

-X-

Thursday morning almost tricked her into thinking she was cured. There was no headache and her energy levels were normal. In fact, she tittered the line between fine and great. She got up with a fiery excitement and ready to conquer the day, but as soon as she was out of bed her knees caved in. She smacked against the hard wooden floor with all her weight. She groaned in agony when she fell on her side after her knees and arms had taken the brunt of the fall. Those parts of her now throbbing with pain.

Within a few seconds, she was pulled up from the floor and placed back on her bed by Stefan.

"What happened?"

"I guess I got too excited. I thought I was fine..." She wiped away her tears. "What if the Spirits are somehow punishing me?"

The sickness didn't make sense. She never got sick and only had headaches if she was straining herself using magic. She hadn't used magic in days!

"The thought had crossed my mind, but it seems unlikely. Can I see how injured you are?"

She let him roll up her sleeves and even his light touches made her wince. Her forearms and elbows were bruised. The color was a soft pinkish-red. Stefan then got off the bed and kneeled on the ground. He gently pulled up her pants legs. From her knee down was dark red. The pain still lingering.

"It'll take at least two weeks to heal unless you have any healing salves or are okay enough to do a spell?"

"Can you... give me your blood?"

He had only given her blood once and that was after Damon had attacked her. Since then, she had been very against receiving blood from a vampire. It was an intimate act between a vampire and a witch.

Stefan's eyes widened but he nodded. It must have been surprising to him that her stance had changed considering how staunch it had been. He raised his arm and bit into his wrist before putting his wrist near her lips. Close enough she could bend slightly to reach it, but not close enough that he was shoving it in her face. Even after she asked, he still gave her an option to back out.

Every day she was more convinced she had changed in ways she hadn't expected. The old her hadn't died in one fell swoop, but by a thousand cuts. It was not just her mindset that had shifted, but everything else.

As she drank from his wrist, she felt her pain slipping away.

"Better?"

She nodded. She watched as her bruises faded from her skin. The concern stayed in his eyes despite the bruising going away.

At that moment, she couldn't help but notice him. Stefan was beautiful in an innocent way like an angel even though he would protest that description. His soft green eyes. She raked her fingers into his hair. His eyes closed for a moment. Something hot bubbled in her stomach. An emotion that came much more often these days, but she often refused to admit what it was. Desire. She felt her cheeks heat up as she continued to run her fingers through his brown locks.

A mischievous part of Bonnie that she had not known until today surfaced. She hesitated for a second before pulling his hair slightly. Stefan's eyes snapped open, darker than they were before.

"Bonnie," her name was a warning on his lips.

But she didn't want to heed the warning. She felt in control. She pulled the hair near the back of his neck that time which was met with a feral growl.

She mused. "I thought you were the soft, romantic type."

"I don't recall saying that." He tilted his head. "If you wish to elicit that response, maybe don't pull my hair?"

She pulled again. Stefan looked at her with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

"You aren't doing that right. You need to mean it."

She pulled again. "So you are used to this position?"

"If you try it again, there will be consequences."

"You're ignoring my question."

The warning might as well have fallen on deaf ears. He was challenging her, both Stefan and the Ripper. She wanted to test him by yanking back harder but her hand froze. She blinked and then groaned as pain surged into her head once again.

The moment was ruined as the playfulness was seeped out of the room. Stefan's eyes changed back to concern as he got up. She tried to smile as Stefan helped her slide further onto the bed and put covers over her.

She couldn't keep her brave face on as the pain kept bashing itself into her skull. She rested her head on her pillow. Bonnie rarely felt defeated, but in that moment she did. Stefan sat down on the bed near her.

"Can you stay today?" her voice cracked.

"Of course."

She let the tears fall as she clutched Stefan's hand in hers. The pain had worn her down and had robbed her of joy.

-X-

She was standing on her driveway with Stefan right before eleven. Their bags were set right beside them. The chilly night breeze made her anxious. Would bad weather hit here too?

Her anxiety was getting to her. She wanted to be cured. She wanted to be free of pain. However, a cynical part of her reminded her there was a possibility she couldn't be. There was no guarantee in life after all. Life had never been an easy road for Bonnie.

The pain from early had gone away after two hours. She had dreaded another headache coming on with that intensity since then. Nothing had happened but the pain was staunchly in uncomfortable territory. What if it became unbearable next? She needed to be cured.

Klaus pulled up in a black BMW SUV. Stefan had taken their bags and put them in the back. She took a few calming breaths before entering the back passenger door. She sat in the back left seat and soon Stefan joined her on her right.

Klaus announced, "If you need me to stop to eat or anything, just tell me. We should be there around 7 in the morning."

"Are you feeling about the same?" Kol asked.

"It comes and goes. It has gotten worse though."

"She fell this morning."

She nearly groaned after Stefan's statement. She hadn't wanted to bring it up. Klaus and Kol turned to face her.

"How badly?" Klaus was the first to inquire.

"I just bruised my arms and legs, but don't worry they are healed up now." She tried to wave away their concern. "I'm fine, really."

When they turned back to face straight, she sent a glare Stefan's way before looking out the window. As the car pulled out of the driveway and headed out, the anxiety in her stomach simmered. She began to wonder if it was just her or her senses warning her of something. At that moment, she had no answer.

Soon Mystic Falls faded from her view, and they drove into a quiet night.