Title: The Gods of Virginia
Rating: M
Genre: AU/AH, Time Travel/Romance
Pairing(s): Bonnie/Stefan, Bonnie/Damon, Elijah/Katherine, Tyler/Caroline, Rebekah/OC, Matt/Katherine, etc.
Summary: When an accident sends Bonnie Bennett back to 1864, and circumstance forces her into becoming a "kept" woman, she is less than excited to find that Damon Salvatore will be the one for whom she will play placée, but it is the price she must pay to live amongst the gens de couleur, a society that holds the only ancestor she has with the power to send her home. However, Bonnie begins to interest Stefan Salvatore as well and to make matters worse Mystic Falls isn't ready to witness open concubinage between a white man and a black woman especially when that woman is suspected of witchcraft.
Warnings: Time Travel, Non-Canon, Racism, Sexual Content, Violence, Original Character etc.
Part Nine: The Photograph
When you leave something precious behind it becomes even more precious in its absence. Not having it almost makes you wish that you had never known what it was like to have in the first place. Perhaps it would be easier not knowing love, not knowing family, and not knowing what it was like to have people that would sacrifice the world just to see me happy. But not knowing isn't really an option either. No knowing would mean a different kind of pain. Which pain is worse? I don't really know. But I know that I will lose things that I have gained here that I may never get back. But I will never lose myself again and I think…that the people that I love here will be happy for that alone even if we never see each other again.
― From the Bonnie Bennett's letter to Caroline Forbes circa April, 1864
Mystic Falls, Virginia 1864
The kitchen was crowded at the moment. After dancing with Damon, Bonnie had joined Corrine in the kitchen. She was helping her bake as she had promised before she had gotten the news about being targeted by Giuseppe. Aimee was helping as well. The men were there, Raoul, Thomas, William, Damon, and Stefan. But they were of little help. Solomon at least was attempting to assist while the others were too busy conversing about politics and eating off of the ingredients.
Bonnie frowned as she watched Damon and Raoul grab for more strawberries from the bowl that Corrine had placed in the middle of the table that they were working on. "If you eat anymore then we won't have any left for the tarts," Bonnie said.
They both rolled their eyes at her and Aimee frowned. "I suggest you replace that fruit to the bowl gentlemen," Aimee glared.
Raoul raised an eyebrow at his wife. "Or you'll what?" he asked.
Bonnie bit back a grin as Aimee placed her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed. "Do you really want to test my patience Mr. Mercier?" She asked.
Raoul shrugged. "I have been doing so since before we married Mrs. Bennett-Mercier," he replied, "So I don't see why I should start acting any differently now."
Bonnie shook her head as Stefan came to stand next to her at the counter. "He never learns," Stefan sighed as they watched Raoul pointedly take a bite out of the strawberry in his hand.
"Well," Bonnie said as she continued to knead the dough in front of her, "Perhaps your brother will be a smarter man than his friend."
Damon gave Raoul a sideways glanced before he bit into his own strawberry. "He's not my friend," he said as he chewed.
Bonnie crossed her arms over her chest and looked from Aimee to Stefan and back again. "Obviously not," she said.
Stefan grinned. "I think that you should teach those two a lesson," he said, "I would if I were you."
Aimee nodded in agreement. She glanced at the open sack of flour on the table and a moment later some of the flour shot up and out of the sack into Raoul and Damon's face. Laughter immediately followed as the two attempted to shake the flour from their hair.
Raoul was the first to recover as he reached into the sack and grabbed a handful of flour and tossed it at Stefan. "That's for being a traitor you brat," he said.
Bonnie laughed at the picture Stefan made and was reward with Stefan shaking the flour out of his hair and into her face. "You're the one who told me to be indecent," he laughed as she voiced her objections.
As they all began to throw flour at each other Corrine began to lecture them about wastefulness and the lack of food in times of war and how they should be grateful for what they had and stop acting foolish. Aimee treated her with flour in her face as a reward.
Bonnie began to laugh so hard there were tears in her eyes and then the tears turned into sobs as she realized that they would likely never all be together like this once she was gone. This would be one of the last times she would know such laughter and such happiness. It would be the last time in a long time that she was completely surrounded by people that cared about her that she cared about in return.
It didn't take long for the others to notice. They reached out to her all wanting to give her some sort of comfort. For some reason that made it all worse. "I'm sorry," Bonnie said, in between sobs, "I just need to be alone for a while."
Bonnie left the kitchen and ran through the house and up to her room. She flung herself onto her bed ignoring the flour that covered her dress and her hair. She buried her face into her pillow and cried. She decided that she would get all of her tears out there and then. She wouldn't break down again. But she needed to at least once. She needed to allow herself to feel all the los and the pain that she was feeling at the thought of leaving everyone behind. Then she would get up and she would do as she promised and cherish the time she had left.
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 2011
Rebekah Mikaelson sat down on the couch in her brother's room. He was smiling, something that was rare for him these days since he had learned of their mother's plans to use her connection to the Bennett line to kill them all. He was painting as well, something that was even rarer.
She smoothed her hands down the green dress that she was wearing. "Your mood seems to have improved since the last time that we spoke brother," she commented, "should I ask why?"
Klaus looked at her as if he were seeing her for the first time. "You have been scarce since last we spoke," he said, "Have you managed to get any information about the stranger keeping company with the Salvatore brothers and the witch's family."
Rebekah examined her nails being careful to look disinterested as she thought about her last meeting with Thomas and the promise that she had made to him to stall Klaus and keep him informed. "Can't say that I have," she said, "Why do you ask?"
Klaus shook his head. "It doesn't matter," he said, "You've failed in this but I have formed a plan of my own. I figured out why they are keeping the witch under lock and key. The bond that mother shares to her line can be broken in death. It's clear to me now that they believe that I will kill the witch. Which I might have if not for the fact that a thought occurred to me. Mother is so adamant about killing me in particular because she knows that my existence destroys the balance of things. I thought she was speaking of my being a hybrid. But I don't have just wolf and vampire blood…my mother is a witch after all."
Rebekah frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Don't you see Rebekah?" Klaus asked, throwing his paint brush in the cup of water on his easel. He turned to her completely and his eyes seemed wild. "Three blood lines could mean the possibility of combining any combination of the species," he said, "I don't know why I didn't think of it before. But if I could make a creature that is part witch and part vampire. An abomination and a servant of nature. Perhaps it is impossible like they say but if it is I could always kill the witch if it doesn't work. Besides either way she will have died and the bond mother has to her line will have been broken."
Rebekah understood then and she sighed as she realized she would have to contact Thomas. "Why try it on the Bennett witch?" she said, "Why not some other witch? Any other witch?"
"They may have her hidden now but she won't be hidden forever," he said, "Besides we'll need to kill her either way so she'll be the perfect guinea pig. She's the strongest witch of the strongest line. What better test subject?"
Rebekah knew that if she tried to talk him out of it then he would get suspicious so she simply stood and said. "You're right, Nik. That's genius. But I doubt you'll be able to pull it off. The witch is in hiding and mother is up in arms. She's biding her time before she strikes. Trying to get us secure in our attachment to her again and thinking of when to approach the Bennetts for help. But she'll strike soon enough. Will you pull off your little plan in time?"
Klaus looked unbothered. "You underestimate me sister," he said.
Rebekah smirked as she excused herself from the room and went to contact Thomas. He underestimated her as well.
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 1864
John Gilbert kept his face impassive as he watched George Lockwood pace the length of the drawing room of the house that John had procured for Emmanuelle's use. They were not any closer to getting the Bennett girl revealed as a witch. They were supposed to be figuring out a way to set her up but Lockwood was distracted in the most unsettling of ways.
He looked like a caged animal as he paced back and forth. "This would not have been an issue had been placed with me," George said, "She would have been kept safe. I could have had her to myself. But she is with those boys. Those Salvatore. They have no idea how to handle a woman like that. But I'll show her what she missed once we trap her and Giuseppe makes good on his promise and brings her to me. I'll offer her a chance to run in exchange for her body. She'll be begging for it by the time I'm done."
John remained silent. He had heard rumors about the Lockwood. Myths about their family. He had always known the man was quick to anger. He knew that he had a temper and was confrontational. But there was something that was obsessive and disconcerting about the way that he talked about the Bennett girl. He seemed dangerous and animalistic as John looked at him and it made John think that the rumors about his family were true.
John took a deep breath and said a few placating words to the man before leading him through the house and out the front door. As he closed the door behind him he sighed. He was in too deep. He could not afford to defy George or Giuseppe not now. But the poor girl didn't deserve this fate, no matter what she was suspected of. However, he couldn't warn her. But there was someone else that could.
"Emmanuelle," he called out, "Come quick. There is much to discuss."
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 2011
The Salvatore brother's watched as Mila stood from the piano she beamed at them. "Hi," she said, "I guess Grandma Mary told you where to find me."
They both nodded in turn. "So you know who I am then?" Mila pressed. At their nods she smiled again, "Good. There's a lot less explaining to do then. It's good seeing you. Both of you. I'm glad you're here."
Mila sighed as the both stared at her with something akin to awe and apprehension. She shook her head before she walked forward and wrapped her arms around them both. "Just hug me and say hi," she whispered, "Then we'll go from there okay?"
They closed their eyes as they wrapped their arms around her. Mila wasn't surprised that she was the one that one to pull away first. She kissed each of their cheeks as she took a step back.
"You're really here," Damon said, "You're really real."
Mila nodded.
"You have Sheila's eyes," Stefan said.
"You always said that you and she were close once upon a time," Mila said, "I thought that you would notice."
She noted the tension in Damon's frame at her words and wondered what he was thinking. Sighing she reached a hand out and ran it down his arm in a comforting gesture.
"I know that you both have questions," she said, drawing their attention, "About me and about mom. But I can't tell you anything about the future. Mom even put a gag spell on me to make sure I didn't so you guys are going to just have to stew in whatever it is that you're concerned about including who my father is. Also you guys are going to have some groveling to do when mom gets back. You kind of treated her like crap before she left and that's something that you have to deal with when she gets back so I suggest you prepare yourselves."
They opened their mouths to speak but Mila held up her hands. "I'm not the one you guys need to apologize to," she said, "You've never treated me like crap so…but when you apologize to mom just make sure you make it good okay?"
"We will," Damon nodded. As she smiled at him she smiled in turn. He studied her a moment before he spoke. "I know that we can't ask about the future," he said, "But can we ask about you. I mean we know why you're here but we want to know what you're like."
Mila nodded.
"Well," she said, "Matt's upstairs in the attic and I kind of need to talk to you guys about helping mom but I can give you an abbreviated version of Mila 101 in the meantime. I like apple pie with ice cream and jumping off of high objects and levitating myself in the air so I can pretend I'm flying. Thanks to Stefan I have an affinity toward literature and grudge music. Which means I am teased mercilessly for my Bush ringtone."
She paused and both were reminded of Bonnie as she bit her bottom lip before she continued.
"Thanks to you… Damon I am prone to fits of spontaneous dancing, nicknaming, and I have problem with provoking people. I like playing the piano and anything with chocolate and I want to teach at Whitmore when I'm older like Sheila did. And the rest…well the rest you'll have to find out after I'm born."
"So we'll be there for you," Damon said, "After you're born I mean?"
"Of course," Mila confirmed, "I'm a Salvatore through and through. Mom would never keep me from you. She isn't like that. Besides for some reason or another she happens to love you both. I don't really get it myself." Mila shrugged looking heavenward. "But to each their own right?"
"Would that be the provoking thing that you were talking about?" Stefan grinned.
"Maybe," Mila smirked.
Mila looked in between the two and her face became serious.
"Listen," she said, "We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other throughout my entire lifespan so unfortunately this little moment of mush has to be cut short so we can get down to business. I have a plan about getting Klaus off our backs until after Aimee does the binding spell."
Damon frowned. "What kind of plan?" he asked, "I'm not sure that I want you involved in this."
Mila didn't look at all bothered by Damon's sudden protectiveness. She was used to it after all.
"That's the beauty of it," she said, "He won't even know it's me. Not that he would recognize me anyway. But I created this spell that allows me to take the form of other people. All we have to do is get the hair of one of his siblings. I'll take their form and then I can cast the same spell that Aimee did on you and the rest of the town when mom left the eighteen hundreds. I just have to get close enough to him to slip the elixir to him in a drink or something."
Damon shook his head. "If that spell was an option then Aimee would have done it already," he said.
"Not if she didn't think we could get close enough to him to do it," Mila argued, "It wasn't an issue back then because she dumped the elixir into the town's water supply but that won't work in this situation. We have to get close to Klaus. He's the target so he's the one that needs to drink the elixir. If we try what Aimee did with the water who knows if he'll ever consume it? That's why I have to take the form of an original and offer him a drink, perform the spell and then get out of dodge."
"Let's say this works," Stefan said, ignoring Damon as he opened his mouth to object, "How are we going to get hair off an original willingly."
"Rebekah has a soft spot for someone on our side," Mila said. They both raised an eyebrow at her. "No I'm not talking about either of you," she frowned, "You've burned those bridges thank goodness. Because if she still had a thing for either of you my future would be filled with more awkward moments then there already are. I'm talking about Thomas."
"Thomas?" They both asked at the same time.
"If you don't believe me call him yourself," Mila said, "We all know how he is. If he doesn't think that he can talk her into it he'll just call you crazy, say a bunch of French obscenities and then hang up the phone."
They both blinked at her a moment but in the end Stefan agreed and left the room so that he could make the call.
"I don't like this," Damon said as soon as his brother left the room, "I just met you. We're supposed to be protecting you not putting you in harm's way. We did it before with Bonnie…I don't want to make the same mistake with you or her again."
"Look it has to be me," Mila said, "The others are focusing on the unbinding spell. If I pull this off then Klaus will forget mom even exists until after the spell is done and then with the spell gone he'll have no reason to go after her and even if he does anyway the spell will be done so we can all focus on protecting her and not have anything else to worry about. If you want we can do it in a public place. You and Stefan can be there. But I need you to let me do this. I need you to trust me."
"It isn't about me not trusting you," Damon responded his tone on the verge of being agitated, "It's about me not wanting anything to happen to you." She was Bonnie's daughter and he would have loved her on that basis alone. But she was also his blood which made their ties even deeper. He didn't like the idea of putting her at risk even if it was for Bonnie's sake.
"Nothing bad is going to happen to me because you won't let it," she said seriously, "You've protected me my whole life. If you're there I'll be fine. Okay?"
Damon moved forward and wrapped her arms around her. He was afraid. He didn't want to lose her after just finding out she existed. But still he would trust her, trust that she was capable like her mother. Besides he knew that there was a chance that he wouldn't be able to stop her if he wanted to, especially if she was anything like him.
"Okay," he said, as she hugged him back, "I'll trust you and I'll keep you safe."
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 1864
Bonnie Bennett sighed as she looked down at the empty bottle of ink that sat atop her desk. She placed her pen down and frowned. She would have to finish her letter to Caroline later if she ever finished it at all. She had skipped dinner. She knew that she was worrying everyone but for now she needed her solitude.
She wasn't surprised that as soon as she thought the words that she heard a knock at her door. Still she called to whoever it was to enter. She smiled slightly as Corrine walked in. She was surprised the woman wasn't carrying a tray of food as Bonnie half expected her to try and coerce her to eat. She wasn't much up to eat after her break down earlier.
Bonnie's smile faltered slightly as she looked at the expression on Corrine's face. She looked troubled and yet determined. Bonnie stood from her seat behind her desk and eyed the other woman as she shut the door to her room. "Corrine," Bonnie said cautiously, "What is it? Is something wrong?"
"Emmanuelle heard something...something else that the others thought I should tell you," Corrine answered. She was eyeing Bonnie in the same motherly way that she did William but there was something else behind her look. There was fear. "She said that once they find proof that you are in fact a witch," Corrine muttered, "That George Lockwood requested that you be brought to him before Mr. Salvatore hands you over to the town."
Bonnie's stomach dropped. She tried to hide her own concern as she swallowed and cleared her throat. "Thank you for telling me but I can handle George Lockwood," she said, "I'm going to be careful with my power like I have been doing. I'm not afraid."
Corrine scowled. "You should be," she said, "I know that you are trying to make us believe that you are alright. That we don't need to worry. But this is not where you came from. What we want is for you to act and live with your eyes open. What we want is for you to be safe. You cannot be safe if you ignore what is right in front of you. I…was not always free. I told you that Williams's father was sold but I never told you the reason behind it…the family that first owned me hired a man. An overseer. His name was Brookes. He showed an…interest in me but he feared my husband. Paul…my husband's name was Paul. He was sweet and kind and he wouldn't hurt a fly but he was big man and protective and a threat. And so Brookes he had him sold and then he…came to me…every night…in front of William. He took me again and again and I could not fight him. It was like I died over and over and over. Then Aimee and Raoul came and I was free of him but by then…the damage had been done."
By the time Corrine stopped speaking she was trembling and silent tears streamed down Bonnie's face. "I'm sorry," Bonnie whispered because she didn't know what else to say. She didn't know what words would make a difference with such a bleak dark reality staring her in the face.
Corrine walked up to Bonnie and took her face in her hands. "Don't be sorry," Corrine said, "Be smart. Fear isn't weakness Bonnie it is instinct. It is a warning. Don't fear, fear. If you scared or you worried let it guide you. Because your life is at stake. Your body is at stake. You are at stake. So you be afraid. So afraid you don't go anywhere near that man. So afraid that you don't leave the house without one of us with you. So afraid that you keep your eyes open and look over your shoulder. Do you understand?"
At Bonnie's nod Corrine pulled the young witch into a hug. "I'm not telling you this to upset you," Corrine said, "I'm telling you this because I want you safe. When you first came here you looked older than most grown men in the eyes. I knew you had seen and been through too much. I have fed you. I have dressed you. I have fixed your hair and cooked your meals. I have watched the smile return to that pretty little face of your. I've watched you laugh and love. I love my William but I've always wanted a daughter and you little girl are the closest thing I've ever had to it. I'll be damned if I sit back and watch anyone take away your innocence after you just got some of it back."
Bonnie wrapped her arms around Corrine and hugged the woman to her. The woman had shown more concerned for her wellbeing than people she had known her whole life. She had revealed something deeply personal and damaging just so that Bonnie could understand the threat that she could possibly be facing. She was more of a mother to Bonnie in the weeks that she had spent in this time and this place than her own mother had been from the day Bonnie was born. "You are a remarkable woman, Corrine," Bonnie murmured, "William is blessed to have you for a mother and I…if I ever have children I would lucky if I turned to out to be even slightest bit close to the woman you are in the eyes of my children. Since my grams died I forgot what I was like to have a mom…thank you."
Bonnie smiled as Corrine kissed the top of her head. "Hush now," Corrine said, "Just promise me you will be careful."
"I promise," Bonnie assured. She wished that she wouldn't have to leave the woman behind but she knew that Corrine would want her to go. That everyone she loved in this time would. They would want to her to be safe and happy and healthy. They would want her to value her life and keep her smile. She couldn't stay but she made a silent vow as Corrine continued to hold her that she would do all those things when she made it back to her time no matter who stood in her way. She would use her life to honor these people who had reminded her what it was to be a real family and a true friend.
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 2011
Thomas Labelle blinked at the sight of Rebekah Mikaelson standing on the porch of Sheila Bennett's old home. He had just been told that he would need to seek the girl out via a phone call from Stefan Salvatore and yet there the girl was, saving him the trouble.
"Can I help you, cheri?" Thomas asked, raising a brow at her as she looked between him and where she had come frantically.
Rebekah gave him a once over before she spoke. "You told me to come to you if my brother's patience grew thin," she sighed, "So I'm here with a warning. But I don't think we should talk out here." She gestured toward the inside of the house and Thomas raised a brow at her.
"Do you really think I would invite you in?" Thomas asked, "I may have a habit of being kinder to you than I am to most vampires, ma belle, but I am not a dumb man. Say what you need to say because I have a favor to ask you."
Rebekah crossed her arms over her chest. "You want to ask me a favor and yet you can't even offer a girl a seat inside," she frowned, "A cup of tea perhaps." Thomas looked down at her his face impassive. "Fine," she sighed when she realized she wasn't going to be invited in and she was wasting time, "Look whatever plan you have to unbind the witch from my mother you have to move it up as quickly as possible. He doesn't just want to unbind the witch anymore or even want her dead."
Thomas frowned. This was what they had been expecting. "Go on," he nodded, his face revealing nothing.
"Nik has got it into his head that he wants to try and turn her," Rebekah said, "He thinks that since he has the blood of three species he might be able to do so and allow her to keep her powers. He's always been interested in her as an ally but with her ties to the Salvatore and her morals it was never an option. But now he thinks if he can find her and turn her things might go in his favor. Her friend Tyler was sired to him for a time after Nik made him into a hybrid and he thinks he could have the same effect on Bonnie. And turning her would have the same affect in unbinding her from mother as killing her would. If worse comes to worse and it doesn't work and then he'll kill her anyway. But he figures who better to try this on then the last witch of the most powerful line in existence."
Thomas digested the information before he spoke. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked, "I mean I know you and Bonnie aren't friends or even acquaintances. What do you care if she gets turned? Either way it gets you what you want and your mother will be unbound from the Bennett line."
"I'm telling you for three reasons," she said, "The first being that I told you I would keep Nik in line and I'm a woman of my word. The second being that I know what it's like to be under Nik's control and I wouldn't wish that on anyone even the witch. And lastly because…" Rebekah hesitated, but Thomas waited for her to continue. He didn't look like he was judging her one way or the other for her words. She wished that she could pinpoint what he was thinking. "I would give anything to be human again," she revealed, "and if I feel the way I feel about being turned I could only imagine what it would be like for someone like Bonnie. For any servant of nature."
Thomas shook his head and a moment later he was smiling. "You originals are much softer than I thought," he commented. Rebekah had half a mind to storm off but she hesitated as he took a step back in to the house. "Come in, Bex," he said, there is much to discuss.
As Thomas stepped out of the way, Rebekah walked over the threshold and into the house. She knew that this was no small gesture. That he was telling her without words that there was something akin to trust there between them. As he led her through the house and into the living room Rebekah looked around the home.
This was what real home looked like. Not the large manor that Nik had built that had plenty of things but no substance, no memories, no meaning. This house had pictures on the wall. Evidence of family and people living in the confines of the walls with belongings strewn about and the scent of food wafting from the kitchen and the sound of laughter coming from upstairs.
Rebekah was brought out of her revelry as Thomas led her into the living room and offered her a seat on the couch. "There's something I am going to chance telling you because I feel that it would mean something to you that it wouldn't mean to your siblings," he said, "And also I feel that it would make you more likely to do what I am about to ask you to do."
"I'm listening," Rebekah said, crossing her legs.
"When Bonnie returns she will return pregnant," he said, "Which means it isn't just her we are trying to protect but her unborn child."
Rebekah scowled. There was no way that the baby would survive if Bonnie were turned. She was indifferent toward the witch though she respected her if nothing else. She didn't know Bonnie but that didn't matter now that there was a child involved. An innocent life that didn't deserve to be roped up in any of this. She was a monster in many ways but there was no way that she would knowingly assist her brother in the slaughter of an unborn child. "What do you need me to do?"
Thomas grinned. "I was hoping you would say that," he said, "It would appear that you are not as hopeless as I initially thought. You actually have a heart."
"Yes," Rebekah nodded, "And I suggest you ask your favor before I reach into your chest and rip yours out."
"Threats when we were just starting to get along?" Thomas laughed, "Well I'm offended. Unless of course that's considered foreplay for vampires." Rebekah glared at him but he noted the slight blush that tinted her cheeks. "We'll talk about that later," he said, "All I need from you at the moment is a few strands of your hair and for you to call your brother and tell him to meet you at Mystic Grill."
"Done," Rebekah nodded.
"You're not going to ask me what I'm up to?" Thomas asked. He was sure that she had a much more suspicious nature than that.
Rebekah shook her head. "It's not like you can kill him on your own and I'm sure whatever plan you have is just going to incapacitate him long enough to keep the witch and her spawn safe so I'm trusting you," she shrugged.
"Have you ever thought about switching sides?" Thomas asked, throwing his arm over the back of the couch and around Rebekah's shoulders.
"No," Rebekah smirked, "But…let's see how the foreplay conversation goes and I might consider it."
"L'amour et aimer à nouveau," Thomas murmured to himself and shook his head as he thought of Bonnie.
"Love and love again?" Rebekah muttered, "What's with creole men and that saying. I'd thought I had escaped it when I left New Orleans."
The statement drew Thomas's attention. "You've been to New Orleans," he said, "Do tell."
Rebekah inclined her head in agreement. "Fine," she said, "But first I have phone call to make and a trap to set for my brother. In the meantime I suggest you fetch me a pair of scissors."
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 1864
Days after finding out that she was a target Bonnie gripped Damon's hand tightly as they walked into a small shop two towns over. Bonnie was nervous as she looked around the small enclosed studio space. Things had been quiet for the most part and instead of waiting for the inevitable Damon had wanted to do something for themselves.
Bonnie didn't like the idea of being out. She knew that Lockwood was biding his time. She knew what he wanted from her and she had a feeling she knew how far he would got to get it. He was a wolf after all and she suspected that there was something in those instincts that were motivating his actions. Either way she was in no way safe. She had a feeling that she would be discovered as a witch soon be it from the actions she took to protect herself from those that wanted to act against her or be it from the actions of George Lockwood and Giuseppe Salvatore. She felt a little better that at least she and Damon were in another town and she wasn't alone. But after this she wouldn't take a risks like this again.
She would never tell anyone else Corrine's story but she would heed the woman's warning. She had no choice but to, especially in this time. Still Bonnie tried to remain in good spirits and Damon lead her through the shop and toward the bespectacled heavy set man that had agreed to take Bonnie's picture on one of them together as well.
"It'll be the part of you that I keep with me," Damon had said, "A pretty face to keep with me when I go back to fight."
That was why she had agreed even knowing that in all likelihood Aimee would have to wipe any memory that Damon had of her before he went off to war. But Damon didn't know that and so Bonnie acted as if she didn't know it as well.
"This could take some time," Damon leaned down and whispered into Bonnie's ear, "The way that these exposures are taken, one has to sit still for a long time."
Bonnie couldn't help but tease him as she responded. "What?" she asked, "You don't think that I could stomach your company for that long?"
"I'm starting to reconsider wanting a pictorial evidence of your existence," he murmured back as they stopped in front of the photographer.
The man greeted Damon jovially and even gave Bonnie a smile. She was surprised by the reception as she had faced so much persecution from those outside of her inner circle that she had begun to expect it. The man explained that he would be taking the most challenging of the pictures last, the one of Damon and Bonnie together.
The man's name was Roger Ellington. He had apparently done work for Aimee before. He was the one who had taken the photograph that Bonnie had first found before taking her leap through time. He took them behind a curtain and showed them and array of possible poses.
Bonnie decided to take her first photograph standing. But after she had finished and realized just how long she would have to stay still for she had taken the remainder sitting down. All of them she took staring defiantly at the camera in same manner in which Aimee did. She was tired of apologizing to the world. Tired of apologizing for being a woman. Apologizing for being a witch. Apologizing for the color of her skin. Apologizing for her thoughts, feelings, and actions. She was tired of it all and so stared unapologetically into the camera lens, still and fierce and she showed it.
When the photographer had finished the last picture he smiled and murmured. "Beautiful and untamed. Just like Aimee."
Bonnie smiled at the sentiment and Damon smiled as well. The photographer asked if Damon wanted to stand beside her chair of sit next to her. Damon settled on one that he thought would be most comfortable for the both them and sat down in a chair next to her.
As the photographer told them to sit still Bonnie who had gotten used to it after her own photos had been captured had easily complied. But as the photographer began to take the exposure Damon grabbed her hand abruptly. Bonnie turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "I would like to be holding your hand if that's alright," he said.
Bonnie nodded, grinning slightly as she heard the photographer sigh. Even with his ties to Aimee they had had to bribe the man and she suspected the price had just jumped. They ruined two more pictures before they finally got one right. One with laughter and one with an impromptu kiss on the cheek.
"You're going to make the man quit the business if you keep this up," Bonnie had said when Damon had ruined the second. But she didn't mind. She wanted to remember him this way, reckless, careless, and human.
When it was over as Mr. Ellington disappeared to develop the exposures Bonnie walked around the shop and looked at some of the pictures that were framed and hanging on the walls. She jumped as suddenly Damon came up to stand behind her and place his hands on her shoulders.
"You got your picture," she said, "Are you happy?"
"I would be happier if you were happy," Damon frowned as he looked down at her, "I know that we have a lot to deal with…to worry over but we said we would enjoy the time we had remember?"
Bonnie nodded. "I know," she said, "But I feel unsettled. I'm so tired of being prosecuted for who and what I am. It's exhausting and yet…I don't want to leave here because this is where the only people who have ever accepted me for me are even if it's where I'm most in danger."
"We won't let anything happen to you," Damon said, "I can promise you that."
He couldn't, not really but Bonnie smiled just the same. When Mr. Ellington reappeared another man was with him. His assistant that he introduced as Mr. Duke. He was a tall and lanky man that looked nervous every time Damon or Bonnie looked at him.
"You can settle the payment with Mr. Duke," Ellington said, to Damon, "In the meantime the lady and I can look at a few frames."
As Damon went to settle the payment with the man's assistant Bonnie cornered the photographer. There was something she wanted to ask. She wasn't sure it would be the smartest thing but she wanted to keep every memory she could of this time close to her. "Excuse me sir," she said, smiling persuasively, "Those pictures that we ruined. What will you do with them?"
"Well," the man shrugged, "Most ruined exposures are disposed of miss."
Bonnie nodded. She had figured as much. "Would you mind very much if instead of destroying them…" she said, "Would you mind giving them to me?"
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 2011
Stefan Salvatore eyed the vial that was in Mila's hand. An odd sort of potion she had made with Rebekah hair. They were in the back parking lot of Mystic Grill. Klaus would be there soon to meet who he thought was Rebekah. Mila was making sure to perform the spell that would temporarily transform her into Rebekah until the last minute so that she could be sure it would last long enough for her to cast the spell that would make Klaus forget Bonnie's existence.
"Do you really have a Bush ringtone?" Stefan asked, more to fill the silence than anything else.
"Give me your phone," Mila said, holding out her hand. Stefan raised a brow at her but complied as he dug his phone out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. He watched as Mila dialed a number that he assumed was her own and hit send.
A moment later Stefan heard the "The Chemicals Between Us" and Mila pulled her own phone out and waved it in his face. "I sincerely apologize for my music tastes rubbing off on you," Stefan laughed as she silenced the ringtone.
Mila shrugged and smiled. "I don't mind it too much," she said.
"There something I want to give you," Stefan said as she handed him back his phone.
Mila watched as he dug something out of his pocket. She looked at the worn envelope that he held out to her. She smiled as took it from his hand already knowing what was inside. She pulled out the yellowed photograph and stared down at it just the same. She ran her hands reverently over her mother's face. "Mom said that when she first saw a photo of Aimee that she could tell she was force to be reckoned with just by the look in her eyes," she whispered, "She said she wanted to be like that. She wanted effect change and she wanted to project that kind of sure sense of self. She gets to do that now. Every photo that she has taken starting with this one shows it."
"Bonnie was always a force," Stefan replied, "A silent and brave force. That came and battled and sacrificed. The problem was before she went back she didn't have a sure sense of self. I think that we all can take a bit of responsibility for that. But she knew who she was when we thought that she ran and she passed that on to you. You know who you are. I can see that. I can feel that and I couldn't be more proud."
"You always did have a way with words," Mila said blinking back tears. She replaced the photograph into the envelope and slipped it into her jacket pocket. "Thank you for this," she said, "I know exactly who I want to share it with."
Stefan was about to ask but somehow he got the feeling that he already knew. "When Klaus gets here," he said instead, "I want you to be careful."
Mila rolled her eyes but she was smiling just the same. "I'm always careful, Sir Brood-a-Lot," she said, "So stop worrying. Besides you and…Damon have my back right."
"Sempre," Stefan nodded, speaking in Italian without thinking.
"Always is a long time," Mila said, eyeing him and shifting her weight from one foot to the other, "But I believe you."
"So did your mom," Stefan frowned, "Or at least she wanted to. But if you don't doubt it, that's something right?"
"She didn't doubt you Stefan," Mila sighed, "She knew you meant it when you said it. But...she wasn't sure that you still would once she got back. She didn't understand your connection. That always really is always. In this life, in the lives of past, and in death, and the next life."
Stefan looked down as he thought of what his mother had told him. "I would mean it even without that connection, Mila," he said, "All that that means is that a piece of my soul has always felt the same way. It doesn't change anything."
"I know that," she said, "But I'm not the one you need to tell that to."
Stefan moved to respond when he spotted Damon walking toward them. He eyed his brother over Mila's shoulder and he could tell from the hesitant and worried look that was on Damon's face that Klaus was arriving. "Show time," Stefan nodded to Mila.
Mila down the potion in the vial and whispered an incantation in creole. Stefan and Damon watched as Mila's slowly transformed into Rebekah right before their eyes. "That's highly disconcerting," Stefan frowned.
Damon shook his head. He didn't like the sight of Bonnie's daughter masquerading as Rebekah any more than Stefan did. "Let's just get this over with," he muttered.
Mila giggled as they entered the diner through the back door. "Seriously you two need to grow up," she said shaking her head. They both cringed as they had heard similar words from the real Rebekah on more than one occasion.
Mila walked over to the bar and Damon and Stefan took a seat at a booth toward the back. It wasn't just outwardly that Mila was mirroring Rebekah, she even had the girl's mannerisms down pact as Klaus entered and made a beeline for her. While neither Salvatore had believed that Rebekah would help them and thought that her acquiescence was some sort of trap. But Mila had been surprised by Rebekah agreeing to help at all which made them both wonder what that meant about the future.
Mila smiled winningly at Klaus as he sat down next to her and she offered him the tumbler full of bourbon that she had ordered for him.
"I'm hoping that this little meeting means that you've found some information about the witch's whereabouts," Klaus said as he took a sip from the glass that Mila had spiked without much prompting.
Mila shook her head as she eyed him. Perhaps after this incident the man would learn to hold his liquor. Though, considering his antics in her time she doubted it. "I did brother," Mila answered, "But she's not exactly somewhere that you can reach."
She watched as he polished off the glass and motioned the bartender for another. "Then where pray tell is she?" he asked.
He looked agitated but Mila was familiar with his intimidation tactics as well. She drummed her fingers against the counter and waited. Before the bartender even began to make his second drink Klaus was knocked out slumped face forward onto the bar.
Mila glanced around her before she muttered the spell that would wipe his memory. "As a villain you leave so much to be desired," she said. She kicked his barstool and watched as he jumped up. The only reason she hadn't left yet was because she needed to ensure that the spell had actually worked. "Nik do you want to know where the witch is or not?" She asked, as if there had never been a break in the conversation.
Klaus blinked at her looking clearly confused. "What witch?" he asked, "Are we speaking of mother?"
Mila smiled as she stood. "Of course we are," Mila said and then, "Excuse me I have to go to the little girl's room."
Mila stood and began to walk toward the back of the restaurant where she had come in before Klaus could respond. She motioned discreetly to Damon and Stefan and they stood and followed her. "Either you seriously overestimated him or severely underestimated me," she said as they made it out side and used her powers to resume her natural form, "I don't know which is worse."
"That's it," Stefan said, "It's done?"
At Mila's nod, Damon frowned. "But why didn't we notice anything," Damon said, "I mean from our vantage point it just looked like you two were talking and that's it."
"Well," Mila said, "I had to put a magical barrier around us so no one would notice what I was doing. Makes it easier. I doubt you two would have wanted to compel the whole place of the patrons."
Damon stopped walking and eyed her. He hadn't noticed her doing that either. He could feel her power but it almost seemed as if using it took absolutely nothing out of. "How powerful are you?" he asked.
Mila grinned. "I would tell you," she said, "But it would be more fun for me if you found out for yourselves after I'm born." Damon shared a look with his brother behind Mila's back before she continued. "I'm going to see my grandparents over at Sheila's," she said, "You guys have my number if you need anything."
Damon grabbed her arm to stop her. "We'll see you again before you leave right?" he asked.
"Of course you will," Mila smiled, "Where do you think I'll be staying while I'm here?" Damon smiled at the thought of her staying at the boardinghouse. "That is if that's okay with you," she said.
"It's more than okay," Damon said. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could as long as he could because even if she alluded otherwise he wasn't sure how long he would get to once Bonnie returned.
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 1864
The garden had become a refuge of sorts for Stefan and Bonnie in more ways than one. They sat there on the same blanket that they had been laying on only days before when Bonnie had discovered that she would have to leave sooner rather than later. It was night this time and Bonnie had just returned from getting photographed.
"Are you afraid of what's coming?" Stefan asked. He was afraid. He was uneasy. But it was easier to deal with if she was close. He hoped that he made it easier for her. Hoped that he could be her refuge and it wasn't just the garden.
"I am," Bonnie nodded, "But I trust myself. I trust the spirits. I trust everyone I care about to protect me. I wouldn't be here without reason. Whatever my fate is…whatever is coming for me I'm going to face it head on. I am not going to cower or runaway. I'm tired of running. Tired of defeat. I was so hollow when I came here. These days though…I feel more than I ever thought possible. I know I have to go home but before I do I'm going to live, whether I have to live a tragedy or a fairytale from one of your books."
"That's admirable," Stefan said, "And brave. But I'd expect nothing less from you."
Bonnie smiled softly before she changed the subject. "I've been wondering," Bonnie said quietly, "If my parents will be happy to see me when I return home. I miss them but things were...not in the best place between us when I left."
"They'll be happy to see you," Stefan said seriously, "Were it anyone else I would be doubtful but I'm sure they miss you. I miss you and you haven't even left yet."
Bonnie smiled as she looked up at the sky. "The last person to make me feel loved before I came here was my grandmother," she said, "I didn't think that anything could come close to that when she died but…this here with all of you comes close. I hope that wherever she is now that she feels loved too."
Stefan sighed as he looked up at the sky as well. "I've always had the same hope for my mother," he said, "I never knew her and so I don't miss her in the same way that Damon does. I was so young when she passed. But my father always said that she was in heaven. He always said that she was with the angels. But living in this world even the short time that I've been in it…it just seems like dark and ugly place. A godless place. It's hard to keep believing you know?"
Bonnie nodded as she thought about the darkness she had seen in this time and in her own time. But there was light too. There was joy and love and happiness. There had to be God in those things.
"I know what you're thinking," Stefan said, "That there is good in the world and that is proof enough of angels. Perhaps you're right. I had stop believing almost altogether before you came…especially when I thought about the possibility of Damon having to fight but then...you came. You and Aimee have helped so many people here. So many slaves with the night runs…not just Solomon. You've help me and Damon. You took care of me when I was sick. You gave us something to fight for. You've help Corrine. You are one of the kindest and most loving people I have ever known. Every time you smile I think to myself 'who else could have creative her but God? Only a being with such great could conceive someone so perfect as she even in her flaws'."
Bonnie looked down at the ground as she felt her heart rate speed up a little at the words. She thought about what Solomon had told about saying the things that she needed to say for her. She had told everyone around her how much cared about them. Everyone except Stefan, even if it had taken her being drunk to say the words to Damon. That was something else that she would have to consider Damon's feelings and Stefan's wish that they remain friends. Bonnie didn't know what she wanted either of them to be besides in her life and together taking care of one another as brothers. She wouldn't allow herself to examine her feelings too much but she knew what she wanted to say. She had things that she wanted to say to the Stefan of her time as well, things that she had wanted to say since before and after her grandmother died but she would tell this Stefan, this human Stefan who thought she could do no wrong because she felt comfortable in doing so even if he wouldn't fully understand her words.
"When I first saw you I was drawn to you in a way that I've never been drawn to anyone before," Bonnie said, speaking not of being introduced to him before the quadroon ball but of the first time she had seen him when had shown up at Mystic Falls High School, "There was something about you that made me want to know you. I thought you were…handsome but it wasn't just that it was…something that I saw in you that made me want to be close. But I thought it was just fluke because I wasn't the only one that saw it and because you didn't seem to see it in me."
She stopped as she thought about all the women who seen something in Stefan. About Elena. About Katherine. About Rebekah. For a long time she hadn't thought that she was any different and she brushed away any connection that she had thought she had felt to him. It had become easier after losing her grams. It had helped that she blamed him. That she hadn't understood why she had been willing to die saving him in that tomb that night even if Sheila hadn't intervened she would have. She still didn't understand it.
"But then you found me when I was crying and vulnerable," Bonnie smiled, "And you gave me your handkerchief and you quoted Dickens at me the night of the ball and I felt less crazy. I felt like I was right. Because I don't like people seeing me cry. I don't like that vulnerability. But I didn't mind it with you. I felt safe. You always make me feel safe. You have this light about you…this steadfastness, this strength, this stability that I need. My life has always been uprooted for reason or another but you…even when you're at your worse I can count on you to still be Stefan at the end of the day. I can count on that goodness I saw in you when we first met to be there under the surface."
Bonnie took a deep breath before she continued. She still couldn't look at him, but she knew she had to keep going. "I…," she sighed, "I don't ask you to read to me because I like books. I ask you because I love the sound of your voice. Because it makes me calm. That night that you disappeared and you got sick I was glad you came to me not just because I was worried but because I knew that it meant that you felt safe with me too. I've changed so much since I came here and every day I feel like a different person but I've never feared that you wouldn't accept me however it was that I've changed. I can't even say that about the people that are closest to me at home. You said once that you thought that we were mirrored in each other but I think it's more than that. You understand me in ways no one ever has. What I say and what I don't say. What I feel. What I think. Sometimes when I don't understand my own thoughts, my own feelings I look at you and everything just becomes clear."
"That's because you are always afraid to let yourself feel anything and to think about your own thoughts," Stefan whispered, as he stared at her, "You've changed but some of you stayed the same." Inwardly he was the picture of bliss and longing and agony. She probably didn't realize even a fraction of what it meant to him for her to say that things she was saying even with how well she knew him and she probably never would because he could never tell her. He would never allow himself to.
"You see," Bonnie laughed, wiping at the tears she hadn't realized were falling, "That's exactly what I mean." Stefan watched as Bonnie pulled an envelope of the pocket of the apron that she was wearing. "Anyway," she said, "I said all that to say that I see the God in you too Stefan. Every day I know you I see it more and more." She finally allowed herself to look him in the eyes as she placed the envelope in his hands. "I want you to have this," she said, "It's one of the photos Damon had made for me. I want you to keep it so that you can feel like a piece of your soul is staying here with you."
"Bonnie," Stefan whispered as he clutched the photo, "Thank you…for everything."
Bonnie leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. She stood a moment later and picked up the empty jar at her feet. "I've said what I needed to say," she grinned, as she composed herself, "So let's have some fun. What do you say we chase some fireflies?"
"See if we can catch a little magic tonight?" Stefan asked as he stood as well. As Bonnie nodded he wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head. "If that is what you wish," he said, "Then that is what we'll do."
:::
Mystic Falls, Virginia 2011
Rudy Hopkins opened the door to Sheila Bennett's home and looked at the stranger on the other side. The girl was around his daughter's age. Perhaps a year or two younger. Even though he had never seen her before she looked almost familiar to him. He recognized some of her features because he had seen them elsewhere. Sheila Bennett's eyes. His daughter's crooked mouth. Abby's build and frame.
"Can I help you?" Rudy asked as the girl smiled at him openly. There was something familiar about her smile as well. She had Bonnie's smile.
"My name is Mila," the girl said. Rudy watched as she pulled and an envelope out of the pocket of her jacket. She held it out to him. "And the woman that is in this photograph is my mother."
Rudy eyed the girl as he took the envelope from her hands. Her smiled didn't waver but he wasn't sure what to expect. Rudy opened the envelope and pulled out the faded photograph inside.
He knew what he had been told. That Bonnie was in another time. That she was gone and changing. But as he looked down at the photograph he was faced head-on with the reality of it. He looked down at the picture. Studied the face of his daughter she looked directly into the gaze of the camera almost defiantly. He didn't recognize her but he did. She was different and yet the same. He could tell that even from an image that had captured her in one moment.
"I know that this is weird for you," Mila said regaining his attention, "It's weird for me too…looking at a you that doesn't really know me. Being here from the future…which is where I came from by the way. But mom isn't here right now and you and gran…" She stopped herself as she thought about how weird it might before him to be referred to as a grandparent when he had just discovered she existed "You and Abby are the only piece of her that I have here at the moment so…if it's alright with you then I'd like to come inside."
Rudy smiled at her and opened up his arms. He still hadn't processed things and he wasn't sure about how he felt about Bonnie raising a child but he had spent enough time neglecting Bonnie, he didn't want to make the same mistake with her daughter. He smiled wider as Mila launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was looking for a piece of your mom to hold onto until she got back too," he said as he wrapped his arms around her, "So your timing is a little perfect."