Title: Lettered

Rating: M

Genre: AU/AH/Time-travel

Pairing(s): Bonnie/Klaus, Bonnie/Elijah, Klaus/Katherine (One-sided), Katherine/Elijah, Bonnie/Trevor (One-sided), Trevor/Katherine (One-sided), Matt/Elena, Damon/Lucy, Jeremy/Caroline, Stefan/Emily, Tyler/Rebekah, Kol/OC, etc.

Summary: Bonnie Bennett travels back in time once she convinces herself that she and her friends could've had a normal life if Katherine had been sacrificed when Klaus had planned. What she doesn't expect is for Klaus to be taken in by the mystery of her arrival and her behavior so much so that he is willing to seduce her in order to learn her secrets even if he has to use Elijah to do it. Loosely based on Cyrano de Bergerac. Klonnie/Bonlijah.

Warnings: Character Death, Violence, Time-travel, etc.

Chapter Four: Muddled

Elijah Mikaelson knocked on the door to Bonnie's chambers. While he was prepared to stop writing letters for his brother, he was not yet prepared to tell her the truth. For now, he would settle on spending time with her.

After a moment the door opened and Bonnie stood before him, behind it. He had hoped to be greeted with a smile, but Bonnie's face was unreadable as she bowed lowly to him.

"You know that isn't necessary," Elijah said, as she stood upright, "Not with me."

Bonnie cleared her throat and clasped her hands together. She had been about to get ready to leave with Mirela and Trevor, but it would seem she would have to wait a little longer.

Her mind whirled, and she thought that it would be simpler if she invited him in. If she spent time with him now, it was less likely that he would return later and realize that she was gone.

"Would you like to come in?" Bonnie asked, softly.

At his nod Bonnie stepped to the side and allowed him to enter. As she closed the door behind him, Elijah glanced around her room, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

"What brings you here?" Bonnie asked.

Elijah smiled, as she turned to him. "I simply wanted to see you that's all," he said. He regretted the words when Bonnie looked at him oddly.

Elijah watched as Bonnie walked across the room, realizing belatedly that she was wearing her night dress. He was about excuse himself and apologize for intruding on her, when he noticed that she was retrieving the book that he had given her.

"Will you read to me?" Bonnie asked holding out the book to him. As their bond would be broken soon this would probably be the last time that she would be comfortable enough to allow herself to be alone with him like this. Even if she was uncomfortable with the connection and wanted out of it, a part of her would miss it.

Elijah eyed her, swallowing as he took the book from her hands. "Of course," he said.

Bonnie sat down in front of her bed and patted the space next to her. After a moment of hesitation Elijah sat down beside her. She noted the difference in mannerism between him and Klaus. While Klaus had invaded her space without thought, Elijah seemed reluctant to do so even with his blood being in her system.

"Where did you leave off?" Elijah asked as he settled down in his place next to her. He opened the book and began to flip through the pages.

Bonnie reached over, her hands brushing against his as she stopped him. She leaned over and flipped the pages, her scent hitting him and her hair soft touching his face. "There," she said, as she stopped on the right page.

Bonnie looked up and realized that their faces were much closer than she had intended. Quickly, she scooted away from him and fold her arms over her chest as she sat back against the bed.

Hoping that it would cut the tension, Elijah began to read. His voice was low and steady, but on the inside, there was turmoil. Still he read the love story that was unfolding on the page.

Bonnie listened to Elijah's voice, finding it soothing and welcoming much to her dismay. She thought that the best course of action would be to fake sleep. That was the only way that she would be able to get him out of the room before she was supposed to meet Mirela and the only way no one would come and call on her after he left.

She closed her eyes and allowed her head to lull to the side. She attempted to focus on her breathing, so that it would even out, immolating sleep. However, she was momentarily distracted as her head settled on Elijah's shoulder.

Trying to refocus Bonnie breathed in and out slowly. Elijah continued to read and Bonnie knew the moment that he realized that she had fallen asleep, or that he thought that she had fallen asleep because his voice stopped and she heard the book close.

She expected him to leave immediately, but instead he stayed where he was. She forced herself to remain still, and not to peek an eye open to see what it was that he was playing at. She thought that perhaps that she had been found out. However, she found that she didn't have anything to worry about.

"One would think," Elijah whispered, as Bonnie felt his hand cupping the side of her face, "That I would be brave and tell you how I feel now that you are asleep and unable to hear. Unable to reject me. But it would seem that I am still the coward."

A moment later he shifted away from her and Bonnie was sure that he was going to leave. Instead she found herself being lifted in his arms, the movement almost startling her enough to give herself away.

He carried her to her bed, placing her gently upon it and pulling the covers over her. "If I were not a coward," Elijah said, "Perhaps I would tell you that I have never met anyone like you and I don't suppose that I ever will again. That I hope that there will never be a time in which I don't know you. That you entrance me in ways that you could never possibly understand or believe. And that I can hear your heart beating right now, and that it is racing much too fast for someone who is meant to be asleep. But I am not a brave man and so I will simply leave you with this." He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead, then her cheek, and finally her shoulder. Even knowing that she had been found out, Bonnie refused to open her eyes. "Goodnight, Miss Bennett," Elijah whispered.

Bonnie waited until she heard him leave and heard the door shut behind him to open her eyes. She sat up in bed, breaths coming fast and heart racing faster. He had known that she was awake, known that he could be heard and yet he had said those things to her. It had to be the blood, it just had to be.

A knock on her door startled her from her thoughts. "Who's there?" Bonnie whispered.

A moment later the door creaked open a fraction and Trevor's face appeared in the opening. "Bonnie," he murmured, "Get dressed. It's time."

Pushing her thoughts of Elijah aside, Bonnie threw back her covers and got out of bed. Once his blood was out of her system, she hoped that things would be clearer.

:::

Bonnie Bennett wrapped her arms around Trevor's waist as she road on the back of his horse toward the encampment where the gypsies dwelled. Mirela road in front of them on a horse of her own. Night had come long ago and they had snuck away from the manor under the cover of cloaks.

Trevor's hand reached down to cover hers that were locked around her waist, his thumb stroking the back of her palm. "It will all be well after tonight, Bonnie," he promised, "Your free will shall be returned and you will be able to focus on what you are here for."

Bonnie had been hesitant about inviting Trevor to come along on their journey to seek the assistance of Mirela's people, but now she was glad for his presence. She was afraid. Afraid of what would happen if it didn't work and what would happen if it did. "Thank you for putting yourself at risk," she said, "I know that if they were to find out that you helped me sneak away from the manor, neither Klaus nor Elijah would be happy, no matter the reason."

"I do not mind," Trevor told her, "There is no limit of what I would do for you."

Bonnie wondered if he would still feel the same way if he knew the truth about her being out of place and out of time. If he knew about how she was drawn in by Klaus, or her growing feelings for Elijah. "You are a good friend," she said, "Where I'm from good friends…true friends are in short supply. At least for me."

Trevor responded only by turning slightly and placing a kiss on Bonnie's forehead. He wanted much more than her friendship but she didn't not need another man pursuing her. She needed someone neutral, someone without pressure or confusion. Someone that would care for her without expecting anything in return, and he was determined to be that person.

"We have almost arrived, Bonnie," Mirela called back to them, "My people they are close."

Bonnie looked at Mirela over Trevor's shoulder. "What are they like?" Bonnie asked, "Your people? You serve me at the manor and I don't want them to feel as if you have to serve me in your own land."

Mirela smiled as she removed the hood of her cloak from her head. "We are good people who take pride in our culture and our traditions," she said, "We love our families and we take on the friends of our loved one's as our own. We respect magic and those with power. You will not be considered a burden. You are my friend and you will be treated well. You needn't worry."

Bonnie nodded. "Thank you," she said, "And I will repay you, Mirela."

Mirela grinned and turned back toward her. "You needn't worry about that either, Bonnie," she said.

:::

Klaus stood outside of Bonnie's chambers his hands poised to knock. He was in the mood to watch her read. It was becoming harder and harder for him to pursue Katerina. His attention was elsewhere and the fact was becoming more and more evident by the day.

It wasn't just the interest in Bonnie that was beginning to bother him. It was the fact that he was allowing it to overshadow his own interest, his own aims. He was allowing it to get in the way of his plans and not just in the seduction of Katerina. He had yet to even ask Bonnie to perform a spell. He had brought her in to further his plans along and just the opposite was occurring,

There was one solution, he would have to accelerate his plans for the sacrifice. He would have to get rid of Katerina so that he could be free to pursue Bonnie. He was tired of juggling both when he only desired one.

He knocked on Bonnie's door and received no answer. Frowning, he used his heighted hearing to see if he could pick up the sound of her breathing or her heartbeat on the other side of the door.

After a moment he realized that there was nothing. Opening the door, he walked inside and found that the room was dark and empty. He was sure of it then, that he was too late, and that she had gone, had run.

But that couldn't be. She had left too many things behind. At least he hoped that she left enough things behind that mattered that meant that wherever she was that she would be coming back.

Making a snap decision Klaus closed the door behind him and walked over to sit down on her bed and waited. Waited and hoped that she would actually return.

:::

Cato Ayers was a six foot and two inch tall, man of one and twenty. He was of a thin and muscular build and he had long dark hair that he had pulled into a pony tail with a leather hair tie. His features were sharp but handsome. His light brown eyes gave Bonnie a once over as she stood in front of him and the small caravan that made up of Mirela's family and people. He seemed to tower over her and Bonnie found herself intimidated as he bent down until he was eye level with her.

"You must be Miss Bennett," he said, his voice surprisingly deep and soft.

Bonnie nodded. "You can all me, Bonnie," she said quietly clearing her throat, "You are Mirela's…?"

"Cousin," he said, "And you may call me Cato. Most everyone does." Bonnie nodded again as he circled her. "You're very small," he said, "And your voice is tiny, like the cooing of a dove. No one would ever believe you are as powerful as Mirela claims by just looking at you."

Bonnie opened her mouth to speak but closed it as Mirela walked up and pinched Cato hard on his arm, making him wince. "Leave her be, Cato," she chastised, "She's nervous enough as it is."

Cato laughed and Bonnie suddenly didn't find him to be so intimidating anymore as his eyes were alight with humor. "You needn't be afraid, little dove," Cato said, "The Roma never bite unless we are asked."

Bonnie couldn't help but laugh a little as Trevor moved to stand behind her. She felt the tension that had begun to ease return a little as Trevor placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mirela tells us that you can help Bonnie with a certain problem," Trevor said, "That you are skilled in the art of cleansing."

Cato nodded. "That is where my mother comes in," he said, eyeing Trevor knowingly, "The cleansing will not take long. Afterward some of our people would like to get acquainted with your mistress here. It isn't often that we have a Bennett witch among us."

"You know of my name?" Bonnie asked, raising a brow in surprise.

Cato nodded. "There are not many that belong to the supernatural and paranormal community that do not know the Bennett name, little dove," he said. He held out his arm in offering and seemed pleased as Bonnie took it. "So, tell me," he said, as they began to walk toward a blue and purple painted wagon with large wheels and outward sloped sides, "How did you come to be in need of our assistance?"

Bonnie trusted Mirela and so she decided to trust Cato as well. As Bonnie began to tell Cato of cutting herself and taking Elijah's offered blood, Trevor and Mirela followed slightly behind. "What manner of man is your cousin?" Trevor leaned down to whisper into Mirela's ear.

Mirela smirked as she took Trevor's arm. "A kind man of good humor who works well with his hands," she said vaguely, "He does odd jobs but music is his true passion."

"That is not what I meant," Trevor frowned.

"I am aware of that, Trevor," Mirela grinned, "I suppose you meant to ask whether or not he is a man that would be a threat to your pursuit of Bonnie. That is, were you man enough to pursue her, which at the moment only the Lord Niklaus seems to be, even if his methods leave much to be desired when thinking on the art of courtship."

Trevor rolled his eyes. "Mirela," he said, "Please, would you give me an answer to my question."

"He is a handsome man with a good sense of humor and a bewitching nature," she said, "He likes beautiful women with a kind nature. As a child he had a pet dove that he found with a broken wing in the forest. He preened and doted on it hand and foot, until one day he left its cage open and it flew away. It broke his heart. He likes to care for things that are smaller than him you see, it's always been in his nature. "

Trevor watched as Cato helped Bonnie up the steps of the vardo and opened the door for her. "One night will not do any harm," Trevor commented.

"Were it to be one night then you would probably be right," Mirela laughed, "However, it would seemed, that Rebekah has invited Cato and a few others to play music at the gathering that she is planning so Cato will be seeing his little dove again."

"What would you have me do Mirela?" Trevor asked, turning serious.

Mirela shrugged. "It matters to me not what you do," she said, "I simply will tell you what I told Lord Elijah. A man's regrets are not the fault of anyone but himself and nothing breeds that regret quicker than inaction."

:::

Rebekah Mikaelson frowned as her brother paced in front of her. It was unlike him. Elijah was normally so put together and composed. Even at the worst of times he was logical and calculated. This person that stood before her didn't seem like her brother at all.

"This is about the servant girl, isn't it?" Rebekah asked, eyeing him as he walked pass where she was seated on the edge of his bed once more, "Bonnie?"

Elijah nodded, not bothering to hide the truth from her. "There's something that I want to tell her," he said, "Something that I should tell her. Something that she should know. But I know that if I do tell her then she'll likely shut me out or leave."

Rebekah sighed, at the very least Elijah was willing to talk about his feelings unlike Niklaus. The problem was while Elijah was good at talking about his feelings, he wasn't go good at acting on them. Nik had the opposite problem.

"I'm assuming this is regarding your feelings for her," Rebekah said, not bothering to beat around the bush.

Again, Elijah decided to be honest and nodded. "Yes," he said, "But there is another matter. A matter which I was not going to address but the more that I think about it, the more that I feel as if I have to." He sighed, finally stopping his pacing. "I have been helping Niklaus deceive her almost since her arrival," he revealed, "It has not harmed her in the physical sense but I am afraid that once she discovers the truth, that it will do some emotional damage."

Rebekah crossed her arms over her chest. "The damage was already done when you decided that you would deceive her in the first place," she said, "and really the fact that both you and Nik insist on feigning interest in Katerina, though its painfully obvious your interest lies elsewhere should have scared the girl off by now but it has not. I do not see what could be all that much worse than another woman being involved in this. I think that you and Nik should be honest with yourselves and with everyone involved. State who you want clearly and pursue them accordingly. Enough of the games and intrigue. If you need to use Katerina for the sacrifice then so be it, lock her in the basement until you're ready and be done with it."

"It isn't that simple," Elijah frowned.

"What exactly is making it that complicated?" Rebekah shot back, "You won't take my advice about Katerina then fine. But I do suggest that you start being as honest with this Bonnie as possible. She doesn't seem the type to do well with deception and in any case both of you are better than these games you like to play and lies you like to tell. Neither you nor Nik need these intrigues to woo women. I've never understood why either of you have thought otherwise."

Elijah blinked at her. He knew that she was right. That it would be best to be honest with Bonnie, even at the risk of losing her.

"If there is nothing else," Rebekah said, "You can leave. I need to get as much rest as possible. The feast is tomorrow. I will have to be at my best if I am going to make sure the gathering is perfect."

Elijah had stopped listening. He would tell Bonnie about the letters, he just needed to go for a walk and prepare himself with all of the possible consequences.

:::

Bonnie looked at the gathered crowd around her as they chanted the incantation that would cleanse of Stefan and Elijah's blood. Even with the reassuring smile that Trevor was giving her Bonnie was afraid.

The gypsies language and magical rituals were unfamiliar to her and she wasn't sure how effective that the magic that they performed was, or if it would work on a witch of her caliber.

The chants grew louder as the logs before Bonnie caught fire causing her to take a step backward.

Cato separated from the crowd and walked toward her with a silver chalice in his hands. He held it out to her, offering it to Bonnie with his face carefully composed. Bonnie took the cup and looked at the blue liquid inside. A potion, Mirela had explained, that would help to flush the blood from her system.

Bonnie hesitated a moment, before she drank the contents of the cup. As she swallowed, the chanting began anew and suddenly Bonnie began to feel as if she were choking. She began to cough loudly, the cup falling from her hands and onto the ground.

Bending forward Bonnie opened her mouth and blood spewed forth, causing her stomach to churn. The copper taste of it filled her mouth as it streamed out. When it was finally over, tears were in the corner of her eyes as she stood upright.

The flames died out, the chanted stopped, and Mirela stepped forward. "It's done," Mirela said, simply.

Trevor walked up to Bonnie, reaching out his hand to her. Bonnie took it her mind racing. "Let's get you cleaned up," Trevor said, "How do you feel?"

"Free," Bonnie answered honestly.

Any stray thought good or bad that she had had about Stefan since her arrival seemed to vanish. It was as if she didn't care about him at all one way or another, something that relieved her. The problem was that thoughts of Elijah were still there, coming to her at a much more manageable and less obsessive rate, but still there just the same. Now her thoughts of Elijah were on the same level of her thoughts of Klaus, which should have relieved her. But she would have been more relieved if she could stop thinking about them both altogether.

:::

Elijah had spent the night prowling, hunting. Trying to clear his mind and decide what it was that he would do. He was surprised when, as he walked to his room, he ran into Bonnie sneaking through the halls in a hooded cloak.

She startled when she noticed him and Elijah could immediately sense something different. The bond that he had with her seemed less in magnitude. He was still drawn to her, still wanted her, but it felt more like it had when she first arrived, prior to when his blood was in her system.

"You have obviously been off of our grounds," Elijah said, "And considering the fact that I no longer feel as connected to you, I suppose I do not need to ask where. Mirela has always been resourceful and willing to help her own."

Bonnie swallowed, as she removed her hood and looked up at him. "I know that you didn't mind our connection but I did. And you weren't the only vampire whose blood I had been exposed to. I needed my freedom. I hope you can understand that."

She was frustrated. Even though she knew that the spell had worked, that she had been cleansed of him. Still she felt connected, and to her horror, attracted to him. The cleansing had changed things and yet it hadn't.

Elijah nodded. "I can," he said, "But I would like to talk to you in private if I may." In all honesty he was relieved that she had taken the step to cleanse herself of his blood. That way, if there were any residual feelings for him, she would have nothing that she could blame them on.

Bonnie hesitated. She was tired and just wanted to go to bed. "Can't you say what you have to say here?" Bonnie asked.

Elijah shook his head. "If I could," Elijah said, "I would not have asked."

Sighing Bonnie nodded. "Alright," she said, "We can go to the library." Bonnie walked around him and headed in the direction of the room, forcing him to follow.

Bonnie made it to the room first and walked in side. Elijah walked in after her, closing the door behind him.

"While I understand it was a delicate situation," Elijah said, "I wouldn't make it a habit of leaving this late at night. It isn't safe."

"I wasn't alone," Bonnie shrugged, "Mirela and Trevor were with me. Now what is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Elijah hesitated, causing Bonnie to raise an eyebrow at him. It was now or never. "It is about the letters," Elijah said after a moment.

Bonnie frowned. "What letters?" Bonnie asked, deciding to play dumb. Elijah gave her a look and Bonnie sighed. "Fine," she said, "What about the letters?"

Elijah studied her a moment, wondering how exactly he should broach the topic. How he should tell her that she had been deceived all this time. "Those letters," he said, slowly, unable to look her in the eyes as he spoke, "The ones that you thought were from Niklaus, they were written by someone else."

"What?" Bonnie asked, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "What do you mean they were written by…," she began, but trailed as she thought about the letters. Thought about the words. Bonnie shook her head as it came to her. Bonnie laughed a humorless laugh as she eyed Elijah. "You wrote them didn't you?"

"I did," Elijah admitted, "At first I did it as a favor to him. I told him that you enjoyed written word and you were dismissive of his advances so he had hoped that he could reach you through a manner which you preferred. But he isn't the best with expressing his feelings on paper. I on the other hand have never had a problem with doing so."

Bonnie wanted to be angry with him, but she was too busy berating herself. She should have known. She should have known. It had been right in front of her all the time. "So, this was done to what end?" Bonnie asked, "You both wanted to get me into Klaus' bed? Is this a regular thing to you two? You helping your brother get women?"

"No," Elijah said, "It was never…we have never done anything of this nature. At first, I did it out of love and loyalty to Niklaus but then I began to enjoy exchanging letters with you. As we read your letters his feelings for you grew into something less about the games and the want or your body and your power and more about you. Which would not have been a problem for me if my own feelings for you had not changed as well. I realized that I could not keep assisting him, could not keep lying to you, could not keep ignoring the feelings that I have for you."

Bonnie ignored his declaration in favor of asking another question. "Was anything that you said in those letters…did you mean any of it?" Bonnie asked.

"Those letters were a combination of things," Elijah sighed, "My own assessment of myself, my own assessment, of Niklaus and what I have observed of his feelings for you and what I know to be my own feelings for you, about you. The first letter is the only letter that was not entirely written from a place of true feeling, true want, and true desire."

Bonnie crossed her arms over her chest. "Is there a reason I should actually believe you?" she asked, "Or am I just supposed to take your words at face value after you just admitted to lying to me?"

"I know that you are upset now," Elijah said, "I understand that. I expected it. But I can tell even by looking at you that a part of you already suspected this to be true."

"Is that supposed to free you of any sort of responsibility?" Bonnie asked.

"No," Elijah said, seriously, "Whether or not you suspected the truth does not negate the fact that Niklaus and I lied to you. Just as knowing that we lied to you does not negate the fact that you have come to care for me."

Bonnie wanted to deny it. She wanted to tell him that she didn't give a damn about him or his brother. That the only thing that mattered to her was getting the job done that she had come there for and going home. But she could not. "Why are you telling me all of this now?"

"Because I want everything out in the open," Elijah said, "I want a fresh start. A second chance with you. There is something between us. Something that has nothing to do with those letters or my blood. Something that is not going to go away just because you want to ignore it or run from it."

Elijah walked forward and took Bonnie's face in his hands. "When I said those words to you tonight while you feigned sleep I meant them," he said, "And I heard your heart hammer and your breath hitch and knew then that I affected you just as much as you do me. Can you deny that?"

Bonnie said nothing and Elijah took that as an opening. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Bonnie's, gently at first, but then becoming more insistent as she began to respond.

Bonnie allowed herself to be kissed only for a moment before pushing him away. "You are right," Bonnie whispered, "I have come to care for you. To know you. Which is why I am not entirely surprised that what I thought to be true is a lie. And I've also…come to care for your brother in spite of myself and this whole thing is just messy and unpredictable and the last thing I wanted to happen."

"What you feel for Niklaus does not matter to me," Elijah said, "As long as there is something left for me. As long as I still have a chance."

"You're not listening to me," Bonnie sighed, "I don't want this. Any of this."

"You do," Elijah said, "You may not be sure what it is that you want from him or me but you do want something. I will be waiting when you are ready to admit that you do."

With those last words, Elijah kissed Bonnie on the cheek before he walked around her and out of the library.

Bonnie closed her eyes and touched her lips as the door shut behind him. This was not what she had come back for. She told herself that she should walk away from this. Detach herself and press Klaus to do the sacrifice, so that she could go home, before things got any worse. However, it was becoming more and more clear to her that it was much too late for that.

:::

Klaus sat up in Bonnie's bed as the door to her chamber opened. He had fallen asleep while he had been waiting for her to return, and the hour was so late that he was surprised she had. He was sure she had run and would never come back, but there she was walking through the door and shutting it behind her.

She had taken off her cloak and shoes before she realized that he was there. She looked at him with wide eyes as he climbed out of her bed and walked around to stand before her. "What are you doing here?" She demanded.

Klaus didn't even bother to remind her to use the honorific. They were beyond that now and she rarely used it when they were alone anymore.

"I was waiting for you," Klaus said, "I wanted to watch you read. Where have you been?"

Bonnie rolled her eyes at him. She didn't need this. She wanted to go to sleep and forget that he and Elijah even existed. "I was having an interesting conversation with Elijah," Bonnie said, deciding to get the confrontation over with, "He told me the truth about the letters. About how you had him write them because you weren't up to the challenge of getting me into bed yourself."

Klaus looked taken aback for a moment, but he recovered quickly. "Is that what he said?" He asked, one eyebrow raised.

"No," Bonnie said, "I'm paraphrasing. He was much more generous. Not that it matters much. Whatever the case it still makes you both liars."

"You do not seem to be very angry," Klaus commented, as he crossed his arms, "Or surprised for that matter."

"That's because I'm not," Bonnie said, "I never trusted you. Not fully. I expect this kind of thing from you. I should have known better than to…" She trailed looking away from him.

Klaus knew that she would find out about the letters eventually. Had been prepared for it. And he was unwilling to back down. "You should have known better than to what?" he asked, "Soften towards me? Are you really expecting me to believe that those letters are the only thing that caused you to do so?"

Bonnie began to chew on her bottom lip, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "What else would it be?" Bonnie asked, "You bother me. I told you that. I would never have looked at you if not for those letters."

"I would have believed that to be true once," Klaus said, noting her nervousness, "Thought that it was a fact myself. But I have been thinking about it and I realized that the tension, the desire, was there on both sides from the time we first met. You like to guard yourself but your defenses are not as impenetrable as you like to let yourself believe. And you, even knowing the truth, do not find me as repulsive as you like to let yourself believe."

"So, you want me," Bonnie said, "You're attracted to me. That's it. Why go through all this for that? Why the letters? Why sit here and try to make me admit feelings that I supposedly have for you that are clearly a figment of your imagination? There are other women you could have if you wanted. Lady Katerina for example."

"I am no longer in pursuit of her," Klaus said, "I will force her into the sacrifice if necessary. Compel her to comply. There isn't really a need for the seduction now that I have admitted to myself that my interest lies elsewhere. And this isn't just about your body or your power. It was at first but I wouldn't bother if it were now. I would simply cut my losses."

"Then what is this about?" Bonnie asked, "What do you want?"

"You," was the answer, "All of you. Every last part. Whatever you are willing to give me and whatever you are trying to hide from me. Especially what you're trying to hide from me."

"I don't care," Bonnie shrugged.

"Then why," Klaus said, moving forward, "Did you ask me?" He leaned down, bringing his face close to hers. "You wanted to know the answer," he said, "Because you care. And because you also want me."

Bonnie wasn't sure who initiated the kiss. It happened so fast and became heated so quickly, she didn't realize what she was doing until she felt his tongue swipe across her lower lip. Bonnie pushed him away, harder than necessary, as a shock ran through her.

She didn't know what the hell she was doing. What the hell was wrong with her? First Elijah, now Klaus? "I need you to leave," Bonnie said, stiffly. He stood there hesitating and Bonnie wanted to set something on fire, or cry, or throw herself off the roof of the manor. "Please," Bonnie begged, "Go."

Nodding, Klaus kissed her forehead, before he disappeared. Bonnie made sure to lock her chamber door behind him.

:::

The fact of the matter was, the revelation about the letters wasn't that much of a surprise to Bonnie. It actually made sense. The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. The words had always sounded more like Elijah, and even when describing Klaus, it had felt like too honest an account for it to be Klaus speaking of himself.

The lies didn't surprise her either. This was Klaus and Elijah after all, and this incident was tame in comparison to some of the things that the Originals were responsible for. She was annoyed that she had been tricked, and had been made vulnerable. However, unfortunately a part of her was flattered that Klaus would go to such lengths to pursue her, even if his motives were sketchy at best. Just like a part of her was impressed that Elijah had actually managed to be honest with her before things got too far.

The feelings that she had begun to develop toward both had not ebbed and she was stuck in some stalemate of mixed and chaotic emotions causing her to want to go home more than ever.

This was not who she was. She didn't go around falling for vampires and kissing brothers. That was Elena's job. Her job at the moment was to make sure Katherine died or was sacrificed. That was it.

Still her mind kept telling her that it didn't matter how far things went with either Klaus or Elijah since she would be leaving anyway. That she could be reckless and selfish for once. That Klaus and Elijah could be the one's hurt and played with as opposed to the other way around as per usual. But she didn't want to hurt them or play with him. She didn't like games. And she didn't like the feelings that had surfaced toward both.

Bonnie sat at the table in her room, picking at her breakfast and staring at the wall. "Now that I know the truth," Bonnie said, turning to Mirela as the girl poured water into Bonnie's goblet, "What am I supposed to do?"

She wasn't angry at Mirela for hiding what she knew. It wasn't Mirela's truth to tell and Bonnie knew the risk it would be to Mirela if she crossed the Mikaelsons, even if the siblings did care for her.

"I can't tell you that Bonnie," Mirela said, seriously, "All I can say is that you should be honest with yourself about your feelings and honest with them. Show them the courtesy they failed to show you. Prove to them and yourself who is the better person in all of this. It will keep you sane and clear headed, with the bonus of making them feel even more guilty for lying to you."

Smiling Bonnie stood and grabbed a piece of paper, pen, and a jar of ink before sitting down again. She hoped that getting her feelings all out and in the open on paper would help as nothing else seemed to. "Thank you, Mirela," she said, as she began to write.

Elijah,

I am not sure why I am writing this letter. In part I suppose it is because I could never say the things that I am about to say to you in person and in part because I am afraid that were I to see you I would do something stupid like kiss you or something smart like kill you. Either way the outcome would likely not bode well for me.

In retrospect, I think that I always knew the truth about the letters. I always knew that the words sounded more like you than like Klaus, even if you were being honest about it a mixture of your thoughts and his thoughts on paper.

I understand why the first letter was written. I don't like it, but I get your aim. What baffles me is the letters after. It doesn't make sense to me that you could feel the way that you claim to feel about me and yet aid your brother in his own pursuit of me. Do you love him that much? Or perhaps do you think of yourself so little?

There was a time when I could never see myself caring for any one of your kind. And not too long ago, because of who you are and what you are, I thought myself immune to not just you but Klaus as well. I will be honest and say that I was wrong on both counts, and that I hate myself, and you, and Klaus for it.

You have no idea how infuriating it is to hear words that you have always wanted to hear someone say coming from the last person you ever wanted to hear say them. To be moved by something that was partially a lie. To be taken in by someone that you know is and will likely never be worth any of things that you are feeling. I wish I could shut you out. I wish that it was the blood. I wish that I had never come here. But I can't go back now.

I won't lie to you the way that you lied to me. I'm better than that, but you know that don't you? I'll be honest and say that my feelings at this point are so jumbled that I barely know what they are. But I do know that I am drawn to you, but at the same time I am drawn to Klaus. Even knowing what I know I can't turn it off.

I don't care about sparing your feelings because of what you are and what you did, and because I have come to believe after hiding so much of myself to protect others, that telling the truth is better than omitting things or lying when it comes for relationships or matters of the heart.

I am willing to open myself up to you if you are willing to keep everything out in the open from now on. But I will tell you that just because I am opening myself to you, doesn't mean that I am closing myself off to Klaus. I want to let my feelings play out naturally and see where they lead me. Ideally they will lead me away from both of you but with my luck it will be the opposite.

Still I don't see the point in saying that I feel something for you and nothing for him when that isn't the case. My feelings could grow or disappear but I am determined to stop ignoring that they exist altogether.

I know that this is not what you want to hear and to be honest I don't care. Unlike you and your brother I don't like to play games. I am placing all of my cards on the table and you do with them what you will. Whatever happens though, I have decided not to hold the incident with the letters over either of your heads. I am telling you through written means since that is your preferred means of communication and I will be telling Klaus my choice in person.

I am clearing the slate so that you both may start over, fresh, in your pursuit of me. If you choose to do so that is. The only warning that I have is that my days in the company of you and your siblings are numbered. I will not be here forever. I do not belong here and so even if by chance I do something idiotic like fall in love with one or both of you I will be unable to stay. So, I will make a suggestion if I may. Stop being a coward and use your time wisely. There are only so many chances I am willing to give. If you choose to end your pursuit of me instead then I understand, just know that your words, your letters meant something to me. Real or not real your words were something that I needed to hear from someone.

Bonnie

Bonnie folded the letter and handed it to Mirela and watched as the girl disappeared from her room to search for Elijah. The letter was meant to scare Elijah away. While it was the truth, probably the most honest Bonnie had been about her feeling since her arrival. But she also knew that Elijah and Klaus would never agree to her terms. So, in this way, she was able to air out her feelings without having to actually deal with them.

:::

Bonnie walked up to Klaus and silently sat down next to him, both leaning against the garden wall.

"Miss Bennett," Klaus said, giving her a sideways glance. He was doing his best not to look smug, as she was the one that had sought him out and not the other way around.

Bonnie rolled her eyes at him. "My lord," she greeted all the same. They were quiet a moment until Bonnie next spoke. "I have a proposition for you," she said.

Klaus looked intrigued as he scooted slightly closer to her. "Go on," he said.

"I am willing to admit that I have some sort of unwanted feelings for you," she said, "But I also have unwanted feelings for Elijah. I want to be honest about that, and I'm sure you realized that before now anyway." Bonnie glanced over at Klaus, noting the frown on his face. It was a good sign that he would hear her proposal and dismiss it. Then Elijah would dismiss it. Then this would all be over and Bonnie could pretend that it had never happened and actually start to focus on Katherine. "Since I know about the letters now, I am willing to call all things equal," Bonnie said, "Start fresh. I want to see where my feelings for you could go if they will go anywhere. My only condition is that you allow me to do the same in regards to Elijah."

Klaus didn't particularly like the idea of Bonnie being involved with his brother. But they would be on equal footing. She seemed to want things out in the open and so he would likely know the minute that changed, if it changed. And he had a chance with her, and if he had a chance that meant in his mind that he was already the victor. Now that she was open to his advances and he would no longer have to balance her and Katerina, things would be much easier. "I agree to your terms," he said.

Bonnie blinked at him. "What?" She asked. It was obviously not the answer that she had been expecting.

"And I am amiable to your conditions as well," Elijah said, as he walked toward them. Neither of them had noticed him but once Bonnie did, her eyes widened even more. He waved Bonnie's letter in the air as he stopped in front of him. "I am not pleased with it," he said, "But I also do not believe it logical for you to ignore your feelings, be it the ones you have for me or the ones you have for Niklaus. That will not make them disappear or resolve them in any way. I believe the best way to handle the situation is the way that you proposed."

"I couldn't have said it better myself brother," Klaus said standing. He turned to and held out his hand.

Bonnie glanced at Elijah before taking it and allowing Klaus to help her to her feet. Bonnie frowned as she looked between them.

"I suppose we're all in agreement then," Elijah said, his eyes on Bonnie.

Bonnie wanted to run or back out but she had been the one to make the terms in hopes that they would run. She could not tell if they were being serious or attempting to call her bluff. Either way she was in no way prepared to have both of them pursuing her at once with the unspoken promise that she could not fight it the way that she had been. "Yes," she said, even so, not knowing what else to do, "We're all in agreement."

"Then we shall see you at the feast," Klaus said. He took one of her hands and Elijah took the other and Bonnie watched as they both kissed the back of her palms.

As they dropped her hands and walked away, Bonnie cursed herself as she wondered what the hell she had just signed herself up for.