Hello all, I hope you are all well. Sorry it took a minute but I was trying to get more than one chapter done. I hope you enjoy this and I hope the timeline makes sense. In my head it does, but I work nights and sleep during the day so maybe my flow of time is off compared to normal people..lol Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews, they encourage me to keep going especially when it seems that this story isn't as warmly received as I hoped it would be, but oh well, for those of you that are enjoying and reviewing, thank you so very much and I have a treat for you...dun, dun...dunnnn...
Please stay safe and continue to be good people.
Chapter 10
New Orleans - Mikaelson Residence - Early Friday Morning
Elijah had been on the phone making arrangements for Klaus since he told him that he was leaving to go to Mystic Falls. Elijah was a man of action and nothing stopped or stayed him when he was commissioned to a task and therefore when he spoke the world moved according to his dictate and expectation no matter the time, day or difficulty.
Within the short time he had available to him, he not only had a car and driver waiting at the airstrip, but he had a house purchased and being cleaned, stocked, staffed and furnished, waiting for his brother to occupy it.
He was sending Theresa and her husband to Mystic Falls. Not only to instruct and train the staff, that would be waiting for her, in all things Mikaelson and the expectations placed on them, but to assist Klaus and keep Elijah abreast of any developments that he should know about. She was their most trusted and valued employee, considered part of their family in many ways. Theresa would look after Klaus and Bonnie, which they would need.
Elijah and Rebekah would travel there only if they were needed,which they hoped would not be the case, but he had a feeling that Bonnie would change everything. Mystic Falls was a backwater town of close-minded idiots with illusions of historical and pedigree superiority, which was far from the truth.
...
Mystic Falls - Mikaelson Residence - Saturday
As soon as Klaus stepped off his private plane a black SUV was waiting for him to take him to the house that Elijah acquired for him while he was en route. The air was cool, crisp but the day was clear and pleasant.
The thirty minute trip from the airfield to the small five-bedroom, five bath, tudor style manor on the outskirts of Mystic Falls allowed Klaus to think and he thought about Bonnie. He couldn't wait to see her, to smell her, to experience her. He knew he would be in for a treat, however he would have to assess the damage she created and do a bit of damage control.
The first call he made was to a 'friend' that had law enforcement and media connections. He had to get the details on Bonnie's little activities and swiftly clean up her mess if necessary.
The manor was ablaze with activity and he smiled as he walked in, realizing that Elijah, indeed had been very busy and was a master of delegation. He could smell the cleaning chemicals and fresh paint and when he walked into the study it was already furnished and the bar was stocked.
After pouring himself a glass of bourbon he pulled out his phone, placed it on his newly acquired desk and sat down at said desk, waiting with anticipation for a swift return call. Klaus' 'friend' or reliable informant and more aptly, nuisance should be calling him very soon with the information that he requested.
In the early afternoon light that filtered into the study from a large picture window Klaus sat at his desk like a king dispensing orders to his faithful and eager followers, yet his mind was on Bonnie. The ring of his cell phone interrupted his thoughts.
"It took you long enough. He quipped annoyed at having to wait on the timetable of others.
"Rome wasn't built in a day and gathering sensitive information takes time and finesse," the voice answered with slight humor, unmoved by Klaus' agitation.
"Cut the shit and get on with it." He grimaced.
"Tsk tsk...what poor manners and from one as old as you," the voice retorted with a chuckle.
Klaus wasn't amused, "Please," he stressed, then proceeded, "Now that we are done with civilities and pleasantries, will you get on with it Mason before I decide I really don't like you or need you around.
Mason sobered for a moment, then chuckled more heartily, "Your subtle threats are cute…" Klaus signed deeply and Mason knew he was pushing his luck so he got serious and continued. "I found out that two towns away a body was found and let's just say it wasn't pretty. Body parts and shit all over the place...gives me the heebeegeebees," he shivered for affect, "Pools of blood, organs missing...a real horror shit show.."
Klaus signed with impatience, already knowing what happened due to his vision. "By the gods, Mason, how can you be such a chicken shit? Whatever...don't answer that. What do the police have? What are they saying they think happened?"
"Wild coyote attack….wrong place at the wrong time. And I'm not chicken, just don't like all the blood and gore. And it is about refinement, one doesn't have to make a mess when one is eating." Mason said with an air of upper class snobbery which made Klaus chuckle heartily, showcasing his dimples.
"First kills are rarely 'neat' and stop making excuses, you are chicken shit. The only vampire I know that gets sick at the sight of excessive blood and is scared of cemeteries, the dead and strangely bunnies ," Klaus laughed.
"Fuck you, Klaus. You do know that the probability of shit going sideways is higher when you factor in the dead, their resting places or where their spirits are still roaming. Cemeteries are notorious for mayhem. And bunny rabbits may disguise themselves as sweet and innocuous but they are evil, from the deepest depths of hell." Mason hated the plush, furry dark agents of Hades, himself. "And my aversion to blood is a throwback from my human days, which I really don't know why I am explaining all this to you," he huffed.
Klaus continued to laugh at the man on the other end of the line for his unfounded and ridiculous bullshit. "Alright, alright..is there anything else I need to know?"
"As of right now...no, but you might want to find this creature fast and put a leash on it if you want this to go away and not arouse any...shall we say...um...any unwanted inquiries."
Klaus nodded his head, unconsciously agreeing with Mason's train of thought. "Thank you, Mason, I will have a little gift waiting for you when you get home." Klaus ended the conversation and promptly hung up.
Mystic Falls - Saturday Evening
Bonnie woke up in her bookstore now knowing that she was something different, something more, something fierce, she had many questions and she would get those answers, she realized she needed to speak with her grandmother.
She realized that she had slept over fourteen hours. It was now Saturday at dusk and Bonnie found herself hungry. Perhaps a hamburger and a stiff drink at the Grille would satisfy her. Although she figured she might find something else on the menu if cow proved to be less appetizing.
She left her books where they were, grabbed her keys and phone, turned off the lights and locked up. As she drove to her house thoughts bombarded her mind. She was different, but hadn't she always been? It was now that she could feel herself evolving, embracing her true nature.
She didn't understand it all and she didn't have all the answers yet, but things seemed to fall into place for her. And she found that she wanted this change, she liked the power and the freedom. And she liked the carnage, the blood and the darkness she had always feared now she welcomed and it clung to her like a warm and comforting blanket.
A thrill coursed through her body, her senses heightened to laserpoint precision and her skin tingled with power, strength and the thought of doing whatever she pleased even if that meant giving in to her baser lusts and cravings.
She no longer was, nor wanted to be, good old Bonnie, meek and mild Bonnie, take-the-high-road Bonnie, eat shit and smile Bonnie, her thoughts screamed at her! No! No, not anymore…. now she would be wild and free Bonnie...sexy Bonnie...dangerous Bonnie...vengeful Bonnie... and she would satisfy her appetites...every last one of them.
Once home, she showered then rummaged through her closets to find the tightest skinny jeans she could find that hung low, hugging her hips and showed off her round ass ,which she paired with a low cut white ruffled-sleeve peasant blouse that she tucked in. She finished the outfit, which she silently thanked Caroline for, with a black leather belt, black leather thigh-high boots and black leather peacoat.
Looking in her full length mirror she again thanked Care for her fashion sense and high school cheerleading and gymnastics which kept her twenty-seven year old body still looking like she regularly exercised.
She let her curls, which looked longer, thicker and darker, hang loose, seductively wild and free, reaching midway down her back. She applied makeup, accentuating her eyes with a smokey charcoal look with heavy black eyeliner, her viridian cat-like eyes shimmered bright like emeralds refracting light. She finished the look with red matte lipstick called 'Femme Fatale' and with a very light spray of her favorite perfume she headed out to the Grille.
…
The Grille - Saturday Night
Bonnie's hips swayed seductively from side to side as she gracefully sauntered into the Grille unaware of the effect she was having on the patrons and wait staff that encountered her.
The rhythm of her movements, curve of her hips, bounce of her long curls and the swing of her arms created a silent intoxicatingly melodic symphony of desire around her, which caused people to momentarily stop talking and let their eyes follow her.
Some stared and questioned if that was little Bonnie Bennett, others watched in shock, mouth open, stupefied and curious as to the change in the shy, soft-spoken, picked-on Bennett girl. The woman before them now walked with a straight back, head held high and an air of confidence and a hint of something else.
As she made her way to the bar, passing tables, she walked straight past Elena and Damon not noticing them, but they did notice her, especially Damon and Elena wasn't happy about it.
"Close your mouth Damon before a fly chokes you," she said with an eye roll.
"What," he shrugged, "She looks hot...I mean not hot...nice...you are hot baby. But, you know, for her, she cleans up pretty well." He said attempting to downplay his roaming eye.
"Fuck you Damon. New clothes don't change anything and she is still the same old Bonnie. I bet she was hoping Jeremy would be here. Of course she is trying to get him back." Elena retorted, assuming Bonnie was trying to make a play for her brother. She wasn't going to have any of that.
...
Bonnie sat at the end of the bar at the corner, needing a drink. "Matt I need a double shot of your best bourbon," she politely demanded.
"Woah...girlfriend are you sure about that?" He questioned as he eyed her, thinking to himself that she didn't look like 'plain Jane' Bonnie Bennet any more but a total badass and her makeup, clothes and boots were on point.
"Matt," she warned. "I don't question your taste in men. And when you come into the "Twisted Spine" I don't question your motives when you ask for books on love spells and potions so please just pour the drink." Bonnie said a bit annoyed but with a smile on her face to lessen the harshness of her tone.
Yeah...she definitely ain't little Bonnie B., he mused to himself, with a smirk. "Damn meee-owww and that was not necessary. And that was only one time and that shit didn't work...much," he chuckled and winked at her before moving to fix her drink. Bonnie chuckled also, shaking her head.
...
Matt Donovan was one of the few people that she would count as a friend. She met him through Care. Much like herself he was an outcast and rejected and made fun of by the vast populous of Mystic Falls due to his sexual preference and family's seemingly low class status.
He busted through the closet door at the age of nine with fearless determination and unfaltering confidence. Everyone knew he was gay well before then, especially when his costume for halloween, at age seven, was Farrah Fawcett, during her 'Charlie's Angels" hayday, wing flipped hair, short tight red shorts and all.
His mother was a single parent working any job she could get to support her kids after her husband ran off with Joan Dean, Mount Olive Baptist church's music coordinator.
People either pitied her, laughed at her or looked down on her, but Nancy Donovan always held her head up high, being a great mother, a proud woman and good person. She loved her kids and supported them and was always proud of them.
Vicki, Matt's older sister not only worked to help with household bills but she helped with raising Mall and put herself through school to become a nurse at MFRC. And this was all despite town gossip, brief run in with drugs and a very short stint of being a wild child.
Now, she was married to the head cardiologist at the hospital and has two daughters. She Bought a house for her mother and set up a trust fund for Matt that he can access any time he wants, but he still hasn't touched it. He said it was a break-in-case-of-emergency stash and he would wait until he really needed it.
The one thing about Vicki that Bonnie always admired was she was never apologetic or ashamed of who she was or her upbringing or her mother and brother. Any time she came across people that wanted to judge or belittle her or act phoney with her she called them out and gave them hell.
...
Elena sat fuming as she tried to enjoy her food and conversation. She couldn't keep her eyes from darting over to see Bonnie Drinking her drink, talking and laughing with that gay bastard, Matt, like she didn't have a care in the world.
The more Damon tried to engage her in conversation the more she only saw his lips moving but heard nothing other than "She looks hot." She felt disrespected and insulted. Clearly Bonnie saw them and purposely walked by not talking to her, trying to make a point.
Of course she would walk by shaking her ass or twerking it or whatever they do, trying to entice her man. Wasn't it bad enough that Stefan wanted her...what the fuck was that all about, Elena shouted in her head as thoughts produced action.
Elena put her fork down and scooted her chair back preparing to get up. "Elena where do you think you are going?" Damon questioned, although he knew the answer.
"I'm going to talk to her. She just walked by as if she didn't see us..all high and mighty." She retorted annoyed.
"Really? Elena, she didn't see us and that is not the reason you want to go over there. Leave it alone. She is not important."
"Damon, you weren't saying she wasn't important when you called her hot. And it is the principle of the matter." Envy fueled her anger. "If I didn't know any better I would say that you wanted to fuck her," Elena mocked with a snide chuckle.
"Look at her putting on a show, I know she saw us. I should call Jer and have him and Anna come by then we would see how quickly she comes down off that high horse. And let's not forget how she left Jeremy stranded in New Orleans and fucked up his truck," She huffed.
Damon rolled his eyes, thinking that it was a really good thing that she couldn't read his thoughts, because those tight jeans had him feeling some kind of way, plus he was thinking that Elena was showing a bit more of her crazy than usual.
"Really babe, first off, you are the only woman that turns me on," he lied, "And second, your brother is no saint and has enough enemies to start a football team…"
"And your point is?" She interrupted snarkily. She hated when anyone said anything derogatory about Jeremy.
"My point is that any one of them probably did it. You can't honestly tell me that you think Bonnie keyed his car," Damon laughed at the absurdity of Bonnie Bennett doing anything that would tarnish her halo.
"Whatever," she hissed as she threw her napkin down on the table and stood up, "I have things to say to her and you can sit here if you want. It won't take me long anyway. Order our dessert."
"Elena, you are acting crazy. For fuck sake, Elena, calm down and fucking sit down." He ordered her, now becoming annoyed with her antics and the way she was talking to him, like he was her 'do' boy.
"Don't tell me what to do, Damon. You think I'm acting crazy well, I'll show you crazy. But I think it's pretty messed up that my boyfriend won't take my side," she replied hoping to manipulate him through guilt.
He raked his hand through his hair, tired of her bullshit, " It's not about taking sides, Elena. There's no love lost between Bonnie and myself but I think you are making a big deal out of nothing with someone that is supposed to be your friend. But do whatever the fuck makes you happy."
Her eyes narrowed, she pressed her lips together and gave him the nastiest soul piercing look she had, "I'll remind you of that when you want your dick sucked."
Damon grabbed her hand but she yanked free as she started walking away, giving him her best scowl. He just shook his head and looked for the waiter, wanting another drink, he was sure he was going to need it.
…