Warning: There is a bit of physical and emotional violence towards the beginning of the chapter.

South of France
Present Day

When Klaus left the room, Bonnie was left to her thoughts. Anxiety filled her heart as she pondered her next course of action. With every hour of each passing day, Elijah suffered the agony of a werewolf bite and while it couldn't kill him, it had the potential to leave lasting effects. Bonnie was in a dilemma. Klaus's anger was now stable and only a fool would do something that would set him on edge again. Still, she needed to figure out how to rescue Elijah from the prison he was in. The two of them knew there would be consequences for their deceit, however, neither one of them was ready for the repercussions.

"I'm so sorry, Elijah," Bonnie whispered as she clutched his Armani blazer. She needed to feel close to him, even if for a moment. Through the years, Elijah became the source of her peace. He always knew what to say to calm her nerves. The fact that he was facing torment on her behalf made her restless.

Bonnie's tears stained the blazer she held close to her chest and for a moment, she allowed herself to mourn Elijah. Knowing that Klaus could walk in at any moment did not deter her. She allowed herself to release the emotions she had bottled that day. She wanted to warn Tyler and rescue Elijah but, in the predicament she was currently in, she couldn't do either. She felt utterly hopeless.

"Mom?" The sound of Nicky's voice made her inhale sharply as she sat up straight. Instantly, she was on high alert. She cleared her throat and called out over her shoulder, trying to keep the tears from her voice.

"Yeah, Baby?" She closed her eyes at the slight tremble in her voice. Nicky took a step into the room and moved to sit next to his mother. Bonnie placed Elijah's blazer on the opposite side of the bench, out of Nicky's sight.

"Why are you crying?" Nicky looked troubled. His mother never cried. Bonnie offered a small smile and reached out to gently caress the side of his face.

"I'm just overwhelmed right now, that's all." Bonnie was never one to lie to her children; sugarcoat, maybe.

"Is it because of dad being back?" Bonnie thought about his question and nodded slightly. "I can ask him to leave if you want," Bonnie smiled wide at his offer.

"I appreciate your concern," she grinned while leaning in to give him an Eskimo kiss. "Your father has waited a long time to meet you and your sister, so we won't ask him to leave, okay?" Nicky gave her another look of concern before nodding. His arms wrapped around her waist and he gave her a squeeze that was tighter than a normal ten-year-old should be capable of. Bonnie's heart warmed and instantly—if only for a moment, she felt better.

"It's a full moon," she pointed out. "Are you guys thinking about shifting?"

"Lina doesn't want to. She says she doesn't want us to see her turn. I think she's just scared," Nicky teased. Bonnie giggled.

"Oooor, maybe she doesn't want to get naked in front of her father and her 'little' brother," Bonnie countered. If she knew her daughter, that was probably it. The girl was just as much of a prude as Bonnie had been at that age.

"Gross! I didn't think of that," Nicky frowned, earning a laugh from Bonnie. "I changed my mind! She can shift by herself!" Nicky shivered in disgust before standing to his feet, running out of the room at human speed. Bonnie shook her head and stood as well. She placed Elijah's blazer back on its hanger and shoved it to the back of her closet. Her skin prickled as every hair on her body stood at attention and before she could question her reaction, she heard his voice.

"Do you love him?" Klaus's voice rattled her chest. Bonnie closed her eyes and exhaled before turning to face him. Her heart pounded in fear; fear she knew he could sense.

"Nik, I've had enough arguments for one day, not now," she tried to assert. When Klaus didn't move, she rolled her eyes heavenward and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, Nik, I love him. We've grown closer over the years, it was bound to happen." She was careful with how she chose her words. The anxiety from earlier came flooding back and at that moment she was a ball of nerves. Klaus diminished the space between them, trapping her between his body and the closet door.

"Let me rephrase it, then," he said, lifting her chin so that they were eye to eye. "Are you in love with him?" Bonnie wondered if Klaus loved to torture himself by asking questions he already knew the answer to.

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "We never explored it." She didn't want to get into the details of what all has happened between her and Elijah. It would only piss him off more. Her heart thudded rapidly while she waited on bated breath for Klaus's next move. Truthfully, she wanted to be left alone to her thoughts, but Klaus was all-consuming. It was never over until he decided it was.

Klaus glared at Bonnie for a moment longer before slowly backing away from her. He watched as relief washed over her features. It was hard to believe anything she said. He could hardly believe the situation they were currently in. He planned to simply find her, kill her, and finally put everything to rest. This predicament they were in was completely out of his element.

Klaus turned his back to her, trying to gain control of the anger that began to resurface. Killing her was off the table—yes—but, he wanted her to suffer; to inflict the same amount of pain as she had. It wasn't enough to threaten those she loved; she expected as much. He needed to turn her world upside down.

Klaus was out of the room and down the hall when a sinister thought came to mind. In a flash, he appeared before her once again. She was drained from the day they'd had and wanted it all to end but Klaus wasn't satisfied. He was a predator and the vampire in him needed to be sated. Impulsively, he tore into his wrists and forced it to Bonnie's mouth. Her muffled screams traveled up to his elbows as she struggled to break free of him. His free hand pinched her nose, forcing her to inhale through her mouth. Immediately, she began choking as his blood entered her throat. She used her magic to push him away from her as she fell against the bed. The realization of what he planned to do paralyzed her with fear. She held her arms out as Klaus took a step towards her. Bonnie gurgled on his blood as she slowly inched away from him on the bed. Her magic surged to protect her but fear wouldn't allow her to act.

"Please." The tears she cried threatened to tug at his heartstrings. Still, he stared down at her, emotionless. "Please don't do this, Klaus. I'm begging you!" There it was. The remorse he'd been lacking from her. The sorrow in her voice vindicated him and he finally felt as if he was in control of the situation. He had her exactly where he wanted.

He took another step towards her and watched as Bonnie broke down in tears. In truth, he wasn't sure if this is how he wanted to punish her. Her magic was who she was and without it, Klaus wasn't sure what he'd be stuck with. Still, knowing that he could end it all for her was satisfying. He was sick of her having control over him.

"Why shouldn't I?" It was a simple question that Bonnie didn't have an answer for. She simply closed her eyes and prayed silently to a God that had abandoned her at an early age. She was always a fighter when it came to facing her fears but this time, she was frozen with pure terror. When she failed to answer, Klaus closed the distance between them and grabbed her arms, pulling her against his chest. "ANSWER ME!"

Bonnie yelped in fear, refusing to look at him. Her heart raced as she struggled to come to grips with what was about to happen to her. Fear caused her thoughts to race into one infinite run-on sentence. She was prepared to die for her transgressions but she couldn't say she anticipated this. Looking back on it, she wasn't sure why this moment never crossed her mind. Being turned was a fear she thought she overcame. Now, she felt as if she was hopelessly staring into the barrel of a gun. Of all the things she could imagine him doing to her, this, by far, was the worst.

Even before she found out she was a witch, in hindsight, Bonnie always knew she was different. She felt different. Her magic was always buried just beneath the surface. Abby had described being turned as a hollowness she couldn't get rid of. Bonnie did not want that. She would rather die first.

Except, she had two reasons not to.

The gravity of her current predicament slammed into her, head-on and dread washed over her from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes.

This could not be happening.

"I don't know." It was the truth. She didn't have a reason for why he should spare her. No answer felt good enough. Klaus gripped the back of her neck violently, pushing her down on the bed. Bonnie toppled over, gripping the sheets so that she wouldn't fall to the floor. Her crippling fear wouldn't allow her to get angry. Instead of retaliating, Bonnie recoiled away from him. Her trust in him was completely shattered and she wondered if this is how he felt towards her.

It was.

-X-

South of France
Ten Years Ago

Elijah didn't know much about Bonnie. The young woman was elusive. Upon her arrival in New Orleans, Elijah couldn't conceive why on earth Miss Bennett would ever willingly seek their comfort. Coming home to find her and his brother in the throes of passion was certainly an eyebrow-raiser. Elijah kept his distance and allowed them their privacy.

Miss Bennett made it known during her short stay that she wasn't his biggest fan. His threats towards her and Elena led the Salvatores to make the ghastly decision to turn her mother into a vampire. To make matters worse, his only apology was to Elena of all people. He was not without blame and Bonnie made it abundantly clear.

Their conversations were limited, but Bonnie was at least cordial during her time in New Orleans. He didn't remember much about her except that she loved Paris and wanted to visit one day.

It baffled Elijah how that one small detail about her led him to find her several months after she left the city. He made it his personal mission to find Miss Bennett and bring her back to his grieving brother. He drafted several scenarios he could run into when he found her, however, he never expected to find a heavily pregnant Bennett Witch waiting tables at a small family-owned restaurant just outside of the city.

Her skin glistens with sweat as she moves about the small dining area. Her swollen ankles supported her and her massive belly. Elijah wonders if Bonnie ran to hide her infidelity against his brother. The thought made him furious. Elijah quietly sits at a table just out of Bonnie's view, watching as he waited for her to notice him.

It didn't take long.

Bonnie grows stiff, unsure of Elijah's intentions. She glances around quickly for any signs of Niklaus. Her heart beats wildly and Baby A stirs in protest. Bonnie places a hand on her belly and exhales slowly, praying that the hyperactive child calms down.

The store owner comes over in concern when he notices Bonnie's uneasy countenance and immediately, she takes the chance to play the pregnancy card. It was the first time since she began working that she shirked on her responsibilities, but she promises to make it up later with extra hours.

Once excused, Bonnie gathers her things and immediately leaves the restaurant, Elijah in tow. Her heart rate increases when he appears in front of her. Her eyes sting with tears, her heart cripples with fear.

"He doesn't know," she blurts out. Elijah perks a brow.

"Come again?" He asks, removing his hands from his pockets. Bonnie trembles as she grips her jacket and purse for security. Her magic coils beneath the surface, ready to strike if he tries anything, however, given her current state, she isn't sure how an attack would pan out.

"Klaus, he doesn't know. I left as soon as I found out. Please don't tell him. He'll kill me for keeping them from him," she pleads. Elijah is floored.

"Them?" It's the only word he can focus on. Bonnie closes her eyes when she realizes her slip-up.

"Yes," she confirms. "Twins." Elijah listens closely. Without the distraction of the restaurant patrons, he can now hear three hearts beating in unison. The air in his lungs diminishes and his hardened glare softens immediately.

"Are they…?" He cannot bring himself to ask. Bonnie's gaze hardens.

"You will not insult me that way, Elijah," she hissed. "Of course they're his!"

"It's a valid question, Miss Bennett. I assure you, I meant no harm by it. You've been gone for months and now I find you with a swollen belly," Elijah pauses, trying to sort his thoughts. "My brother's been with several women throughout the centuries and none of them have come away carrying his seed," he explains. "How am I to know what to think?" Bonnie relaxes slightly as she realizes how this comes across to Elijah. Still, she is on edge. She never expected to be discovered so quickly and by Elijah, no less.

Unable to stop himself, Elijah reaches out with a tentative hand and holds her belly. Bonnie flinches slightly and watches him with keen interest as he stares in awe. "I'm not sure how it happened. I thought I was crazy," Bonnie begins to explain, recalling the night she discovered she was pregnant. "I was terrified." She shook as she recalled the feelings she felt. She didn't know what was happening at first but quickly suspected that, despite the insurmountable odds, she might be pregnant. She thought she was utterly crazy but three positive pregnancy tests and a trip to a clinic confirmed her suspicions.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Was all Elijah wanted to know. Though he couldn't say for certain how Klaus would react to the news, learning that he could potentially be gaining an heir—heirs—to his 'throne' may delight him.

"You all didn't have the best examples in terms of parenting," Bonnie said without judgment in her tone. "And Nik…" She pauses as she thinks of her forgotten lover. The ache in her is chest ever-present. "I didn't know what he'd do to me if he didn't believe me so, I ran."

"You are more than capable of taking care of yourself, Miss Bennett," Elijah pointed out fervently. So far, all he heard was minuscule excuses to keep a member—members—from their family away from them. His eyes hardened slightly as he regarded her with more suspicion.

"Yes, I am," she agrees, "but I am carrying two lives inside of me that are linked to Klaus. I don't know how the sire lines work when it comes to 'miracle pregnancies'. All I know is that if Klaus dies, so do they. If he attacked me and I had to kill him…" Her voice cracks with tears and she looks away. Her green eyes shimmer as she contemplates her emotions. Elijah's hard features soften with understanding.

"I couldn't allow him to kill me," she continued with a stronger voice, "and I couldn't kill him so, I did the only thing I could think of in the heat of the moment, I ran." Her eyes met his. "It wasn't the best decision, it was the only decision. At least until I can figure out what to do next." She rationalized that if she had the children before facing Klaus, they'd stand a better chance at surviving, even if she didn't. Klaus is volatile. She would not leave her children's fate in the hands of 'hope'.

Elijah studies Bonnie for a long, silent moment. Their gazes lock, each anticipating the other's move. As he sifts through her words, looking for a lie, Elijah ponders what to do next. He felt as though he was at a crossroads and the demon before him, though beautiful, was threatening him with his own fate.

To tell Klaus or to pretend this meeting in a small tavern outside of Paris never happened?

"What do you plan to do next?" Elijah wanted to know all the information before he made his decision.

"I don't know," Bonnie answers truthfully. "Right now I just want to give birth safely." As her pregnancy progressed, it became harder for Bonnie to carry out day to day tasks. She was already advised by the French physician she frequented to go on bed rest but financially, it wasn't possible.

In hindsight, Elijah's arrival was divine intervention.

"I can protect you against him," Elijah offered. "Come with me and I will handle my brother for you." Bonnie goes still at his request.

"Elijah…"

"You cannot ask me to keep this from him," he asserts. Bonnie closes her eyes. Tears stain her face as she prays silently to no one.

"I'm simply asking you to pretend you never saw me. At least until I give birth." Elijah was not having it.

"He deserves to know."

"My children deserve a fighting chance! Elijah…" Bonnie huffed. Her patience was wearing thin. "If I have to run forever, that's what I'll do. I'm not going back to him, not now, not anytime soon." Defiance settles in her jaw and the two of them stare each other off. Elijah knew better than most that there is no arguing with a Bennett once they've made up their minds. The threat of her taking his nieces, nephews, or both, crippled him. Life on the run was no way to live.

Elijah grimaces at the similarities between Klaus and their father as he imagines Bonnie on the run with children too small to understand what was happening. Stability was something that eluded him and his siblings for thousands of years. He didn't want the next generation to suffer the same fate.

It was this thought, this understanding, that motivated him for the next ten years.

"Then allow me to assist you with their care."

-X-

It was only when Elijah arrived at Bonnie's 'cavern' did he realize the 'deplorable' (his words), conditions she lived in. Bonnie was prideful and had worked hard to create a little cove to call home for herself and her children. But it was just that, a little cove. Her flat adorned a simple divider that separated the living room from the bedroom and while it was decorated beautifully, it was no condition for a mother of two. Elijah wondered what Bonnie's end goal was.

"You cannot raise children here," he said with a bit of scorn in his voice. The Mikaelsons were used to opulence.

"It'll do," Bonnie counters in a flat tone. Elijah has insulted her enough for a lifetime without uttering one rude word. His tone and looks of disgust were enough. "As long as they're healthy…" Elijah closes his eyes at her nonchalance, his jaw ticks with frustration.

"Miss Bennett, you are going to be a mother to children, not cattle," Elijah admonishes. Bonnie squints her eyes in warning. Elijah continues unscathed. "Do not presume to tell me that your plan is to drag them across the continent with no thought to it. Life on the run is not ideal for anyone." Bonnie was used to Elijah's constant resolve. This was the only time he has ever spoken to her in such a strict tone.

His words repeated on a loop in her mind and Bonnie suddenly understands why he is so put-off by her decision to live on the run. The Mikaelson siblings spent the better half of their thousand-year existence on the run from their father. A father who tried hard to vanquish them.

Bonnie's eyes soften. History had a nasty habit of repeating itself.

"What am I supposed to do, Elijah?" Frustration plagues her. "I'm doing the best that I can with the cards I've been dealt. Do you think I want to drag them from pillar to post? I want stability but right now I can't provide that," Bonnie's eyes stung with tears as she confessed her shortcomings. She was barely out of her teens and suddenly had to think about not just her life but two others. The stress was weighing on her.

Elijah watches as the young girl struggles to keep herself from unraveling before him. He mistook her nonchalance as indifference when it was not. It was a defense mechanism. He knew all about those.

"I can help you," Elijah insists. "If you'll have me." During his brief time in Mystic Falls, while plotting against his brother, Elijah noticed one small thing about Bonnie. She was used to being alone. She was used to doing everything alone. Why he assumed this time would be any different, he'd never know. The girl was an island and he noticed it on more than one occasion. Once, in particular, was when he caught her studying Emily Bennett's grimoire alone while the rest of her friends attended some stupid social event. Even when she attended said events, she was usually fighting for their lives.

Always alone.

-X-

After major convincing, Bonnie allowed Elijah to at least find more suitable living arrangements for her and the children. She was wary of him, to say the least, but she had his word, at least for now, that her secret was his secret. Elijah would work on persuading her to return to New Orleans later.

Except later never came.

Each time he tried, Bonnie shot him down with yet another 'valid' excuse and over the years, Elijah began to wonder if Miss Bennett had charmed him in some way. He was sure she had bewitched him. Each time he tried to coax her out of hiding, she would plead her case and each time he gave in.

He was always a sucker for a pretty face.

And so, while his brother rampaged over the loss of his mate, Elijah kept her tucked away, waiting for the right moment that would never come.

A/N: Alrighty, there you have it. Right now, Klonnie is in the process of ripping the bandages off so they will have several volatile, high-charged, emotional scenes lol. This story is angst-ridden as hell lol but they will get there eventually. This chapter sheds light on Elijah's motivation as well as Klaus's. Just to make things a bit clear, Klaus was being impulsive when he threatened to turn Bonnie. It was a control tactic. True to Klaus's nature, when he feels like his control is slipping away, he lashes out to gain the upper hand in situations. Right now he's mad as shit at Bonnie lol, rightfully so. He can't kill her and they both know it and her lack of remorse and her composure only served to send his ass over the edge so he had to ruffle her feathers the only way he knew how and hell it worked. He couldn't have her out here thinking he got to the top of the food chain being a pushover. He's Klaus motherfucking Mikaelson lol. Fret not, these two live to push each other's buttons so it's far from over. This is getting long, I apologize. Thank you so much for your kind reviews and your interest in this story. I planned for this to be a one-shot but my muses took over and here I am. If you're reading NCITW, It'll be a while before I add to that one but I am working on it. So if you see this story getting frequent updates, don't smite me. I have about three more chapters of this written already, I'm just editing and adding layers. Blah. Thank you for your time!