Title: When the End Justifies the Means
Author: Jessica
Fandom: The Vampire Diaires
Pairing: Bonnie Bennett & Klaus Mikaelson
Timeline: Takes place after the events of 3x15.
Rating: M for mature content.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Bonnie Bennett makes a deal with the devil to ensure that no one is in a position to hurt her again.

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chapter three: trust issues

"Could I ask you something?"

Bonnie had just finished going over some basic knowledge of healing herbs planted in Abby's garden when her current arrangement with Klaus and her less than pleasant feelings regarding Mystic Falls was brought to the forefront once again. She brushed the moist soil from her hands, standing to her feet.

What Bonnie was about to ask was something she thought she'd never want to know. In the past, she'd believed that there was no excuse for what her mother had done; leaving both her and her father behind to fend for themselves. But in the last few days, the idea of just walking away from Mystic Falls and never looking back had been on her mind almost as much as increasing her powers.

But how does one do that?

"How do you just walk away from a life?" she asked with a shrug. "From friendships—people that you love? People that, in some way, you feel are your responsibility to keep safe?"

Abby was silent for a moment, her gaze thoughtful before looking down in shame. "You have to be selfish," she sadly admitted. "You have to be incredibly selfish, and you have to be willing to live with your decision to leave them behind."

Could I do it? The young witch asked herself. Could I put Mystic Falls in my rear view and just disappear?

Bonnie's thoughts must have been clearly written on her face because try as she may to mask them under Abby's inquisitive stare, it was already too late. Her mother had gotten a glimpse of where her head was truly at. Abby took a step towards her.

"Listen, Bonnie I know that I don't know very well. I have a lot of catching up to do," she admitted. "But I do know one thing—you're not like me. I can see how much Mystic Falls has cost you and yet you stay. You're strong and brave. You're resilient. You're just like your Grams. You fight and you keep fighting. Not because it's easier, but because it's the right thing to do," she argued, searching Bonnie's green eyes. "You're one of the good ones, Bonnie. Hold on to that, okay?"

Bonnie offered her a sad smile before looking down dejectedly.

What Abby had said about her was beautiful. It made her feel proud that someone who really didn't know her that well could think so highly of her in the short time they'd known each other. But sadly, it wasn't how Bonnie felt about herself at all.

Brave?

Most of the time, she was absolutely terrified.

Resilient?

What choice did she have when her greatest allies were the likes of Stefan and Damon Salvatore who would rather flip a coin to determine her fate than try to work with her to reach a resolution?

Bonnie felt her emotions getting the better of her as unleashed tears started to well up in her eyes. Sighing heavily, she turned away from Abby, staring out into the open wilderness that surrounded her house. Looking at nothing in particular, yet taking in the peace and calmness of such a place. For a witch, Bonnie understood why she'd chosen it as her home.

"So does it all fall on me then?" she asked fleetingly, turning back to face her mother. "Am I always supposed to do the right thing? Fight for what's right while everyone else gets to bend the rules the way they see fit?" The tears flowed freely now. "It's exhausting; caring all the time. Trying to be so much for so many people and half of the time it's like it's all for nothing. Sometimes it feels like I'm holding my breath underwater and I'm just waiting for someone to tell me it's okay to come up for air."

"Oh, Bonnie…" Abby reached out to her, arms spread.

"I'm eighteen years old—I'm just a girl." Bonnie's shoulders rose as she shook her head, at a lost. "Why does no one get that?"

And in an instant Bonnie found herself wrapped in Abby's embrace. It wasn't at all what she'd expected of their morning together, but the comfort her mother provided made her glad that they were getting a second chance to know each other.

Trekking her ankle boots through the turf grass of the school lawn, Bonnie dug through her purse in search of her keys. Actually making it to classes was becoming a secondary affair given all the chaos that flocked to the town. And when Abby was turned, Bonnie found herself taking a few days off. The school officials never knew the real reason why, but most of her teachers understood her plight. Obviously, she couldn't explain what was really going on, but her excuse for taking a few days off was valid enough for them. I mean, who wouldn't need a few days to get themselves together after the mother who abandoned them sixteen years ago suddenly came back into their life?

Today, Bonnie stayed behind after school to collect all the assignments she needed to make up work for and now all she wanted to do was head home—to her actual home. She'd been spending so much time with Abby and Jamie lately that their house kind of felt like home too. The plan was to go visit them tomorrow after school though.

Passing the basketball courts, Bonnie headed for the parking lot toward her car. However, at the sight of someone trailing behind her, she quickly stopped dead in her tracks. Readjusting the scrap of the knapsack on her shoulder, Bonnie sighed before slowly turning to face him.

"You're stalking me now?"

Stefan smiled, shaking head. "Just mustering up the courage to say hello," he said. "You were pretty no holds barred last time we spoke so… I thought I'd tread lightly this time."

Bonnie anxiously shifted on her feet. "What do you want, Stefan?"

It was a valid question. There wasn't any need for small talk between them. She'd said everything that she needed to say to him that night in the witches' house. She didn't know what more they had to talk about.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing," he said. "Elena mentioned that she hasn't talked to you in a couple of days."

"Yeah, well, I'm fine," Bonnie nodded. "With Abby still adjusting to the change, I needed a break from all the usual chaos. I planned on touching base with her once things settled down a bit."

And even after everything, Bonnie couldn't stop herself from asking: "Is she okay?"

"She's fine," he said. "Just worried about you…"

"Well," the young witch shrugged. "Tell her I'm okay… Is everything else okay?"

She knew she should have just left well enough alone. Nothing was ever okay with them. This was exactly what Klaus was talking about before and she hated the fact that she didn't even wait until Stefan made his true intentions known. But obviously something was wrong. And she'd rather just know about it now than turn a blind eye only to find out later that someone died, or someone needed to die in order to save someone else, namely Elena.

Stefan sighed deeply, hands tucked into the front pocket of his jeans. He pivoted nervously on balls of his feet. "There's a new hunter in town." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, white terry cloth smudged with dried blood.

With little thought, Bonnie reached out for it. She frowned, looking down at the small object between her fingers. "Are those—?"

"Wooden bullets?" the vampire supplied. "Yeah."

"Whose blood is this?" she asked, grimacing.

"Tyler's. The hunter shot him."

Bonnie looked up in horror. "Is he okay?" She hadn't seen him in school today, but that wasn't unusual given all their lives. She wasn't the only who needed to play catch up due to a few absences.

"He's fine, Bonnie. Don't worry. I fished those out myself. He's okay"

Taking in a calming breath, Bonnie returned her gaze back to the bullet. She'd never seen anything like this before. She examined it closely. "What are these markings?"

Stefan shook his head at a loss. "I was hoping you could tell me?"

"I've never seen anything like this, Stefan," the witch admitted. "But there might be something in one of my grimores. Do you mind if I take this?"

"No, please," he nodded, urging her on. "Anything you can do."

Bonnie stuffed the bullet into her jacket pocket.

Wasn't that the problem?

Bonnie was always so willing to do what she could to help, but it never ended well for her. Here Stefan was, pretending to be all regretful and concerned about her well being, but really he just needed something from her. He was often labeled as the "good brother," but truthfully, Stefan was just as manipulative as Damon, if not more so. With Damon, you get what you see. With Stefan there were all these empty promises of trust and real friendship. That's what she had to remind herself whenever he flashed those soulful, green eyes at her. She couldn't stay anger forever, but that didn't mean that she had to forget. She could be a servant of nature without sacrificing herself for them at every turn.

"I'll see what I can find and get back to you."

Gripping her keys, she finally made her way to the student parking lot with Stefan in tow. In light of the coin flip, he seemed more determined than ever to get back into her good graces despite her claims of never forgiving him. Right now, he was playing the chivalry card by escorting her back to her car. Yet once again, she found herself stopping in her tracks.

"Are you kidding me? Bonnie exclaimed, beyond annoyed now.

All she wanted to do was go home, but people kept popping up. Parked beside her Toyota Prius was a black, Ford SUV and perched against the hood was one of Klaus' insufferable hybrids. Before she could even blink, Stefan was already in front of her acting as a human shield.

Bonnie sighed, gripping the bridge of her nose. Of course Klaus would pull something like this. Why was she was even surprised given his display at Abby's that morning he brought over the grimore? But she'd been adamant about not wanting the others to find out about their involvement until she was ready and here he was undermining her yet again.

"Ms. Bennett," the hybrid addressed her formally before moving over to the passenger side of the car. He opened the passenger door. "Klaus would like to see you this evening. He's asked me to escort you back to the mansion."

"She not going anywhere with you," Stefan stated, eyes narrowed. Bonnie could see the red veins dancing just underneath his skin while the hybrid's canines extended and his eyes flashed a golden yellow. He moved toward them.

"Stop!"

Bonnie quickly placed herself in between them, hands stretched out. She was prepared to use her powers if necessary to diffuse the situation. Seeing the hybrid stand down in obedience, she turned to face Stefan who looked utterly confused.

"Bonnie, what are you doing?"

"Stefan, just leave it alone," she begged. "It's none of your business."

"The hell it's not," he argued, dropping down to her eye level. "You're taking summons from Klaus now?"

"It's not your concern!" Bonnie replied heatedly and it took another hand raise to get her hybrid escort to calm down. She could only assume that Klaus had given him orders to keep her safe as well. Though she didn't view Stefan as a threat—even after everything— the hybrid sure did. Bonnie's shoulders slumped as she took in a deep breath. "Look, I'll let you know if I found out anything about the bullet. Tell Elena I'll talk to her soon."

And turning her back on him, Bonnie walked over to the waiting hybrid who, with a hand on the small of her back, ushered her over to the open door. She spared one glance back at the vampire she'd once called a friend before climbing inside the SUV. Looking through the tinted windows as they drove away, Bonnie watched as Stefan stood planted in his spot. His eyes trailed the Expedition as they exited the parking lot, heading toward Klaus's mansion.

"You know, I'm starting to think you don't understand how this whole phone thing works," Bonnie said holding up the cellphone Klaus had given her. Sauntering in, she found him in the dimly lit parlor standing behind his desk by the mosaic fire place.

He smiled up at her before bringing his gaze back down to what looked to be an old piece of parchment paper spread out; a stroll of some kind. This wouldn't do. She needed his undivided attention.

"You just couldn't resist could you?" Bonnie argued. "Did I really need henchman hybrid # 3 lurking around the school parking lot for me?"

Klaus grinned, standing up straight.

"Didn't like my surprise, did you? I thought it would be interesting to see how your friends would react to seeing you go willing with one of my hybrids."

Bonnie's lips pressed into a thin line and she rolled her eyes. "You know it's only been about a week and you're already breaking the conditions of our agreement." She folded her arms in front of her. "You're trying to use me against my friends."

"Come again, love?" he frowned. "Correct me if I'm wrong but you told me that I was forbidden to use you to harm the Salvatores," he stated. "I took this to mean that I was restricted from asking you to wield magic against them."

"In the literal sense—yes," she agreed. "But you know what you're doing. You're using this arrangement to rub it in their faces. That's using me to hurt them."

"That's gloating, love; there's a difference," he argued. "And so what if I am?" He was unapologetic. "They didn't appreciate what they had in you. I don't intend on making the same mistake. You're mine and sooner or later every one of your so-called friends will know it."

"Yeah, because I belong to you now," she said dryly.

Klaus held up his hands, shaking his head in amusement. "Well excuse me for just reiterating your little speech when you came bursting through those doors begging for my help."

"I did not beg you," Bonnie argued. "I…propositioned you…"

That didn't sound any better.

"That as well," Klaus laughed and Bonnie glared at him though it didn't hold much fire. He could be so infuriating, but getting upset wasn't going to help her much. It seemed to amuse him; getting a rise out of her.

"Anyway…" Bonnie wanted to change the subject and it wasn't long before her eyes fell back onto the piece of parchment lying on his desk. "You didn't summon me over here just to make fun of me. What's going on?"

"I wanted you to see something." He motioned her to come. "Take a look at this."

Walking around the desk, it didn't take Bonnie long to understand what she was looking at. "It's Esther's linking spell."

"One and the same," Klaus breathed. He towered just over Bonnie's right shoulder. The witch could feel his breath against her hair and when she turned her head to look up at him, he flashed her that annoying, though devilishly handsome smile. With a sigh, her eyes feel back onto the parchment. She really should have factored in Klaus's inability to provide personal space as one of the cons of them working together.

"Okay, that's one piece of the puzzle," Bonnie shrugged. "I knew it was a linking spell, but this narrows it down. It still doesn't help if I don't have enough power to do it though. How's the search going, or whatever it is that you're doing to get me what I asked for?"

"Slower than I anticipated," he admitted with some annoyance. "As it turns out, I'm not as popular as either of us thought I was. And your 'do no harm' clause in our agreement limits my means of persuasion, love. Are you sure you can't make an exception? It'll get you what you want much quicker."

Bonnie turned to face him, sitting on the on the edge of the desk as he towered over her.

"No," she said. "That's not what I want. You agreed that you wouldn't harm any innocents. I don't want you to strong arm someone to come here to help me. You've lived for over a 1,000 years. I know the fact that you're a narcissistic, egoistical, murderous vampire with irredeemable qualities hinders you, but I'm asking you to think outside the box for once."

Klaus' eyes narrowed, but otherwise he seemed unfazed by her insults.

"Haven't you ever heard the expression of catching more files with honey?" Bonnie asked. "You don't always have to coerce and threaten people to get them to do things for you. From my experience, most people have a c.r.e.a.m. mentally anyway. Just play on that."

"I beg your pardon?" He didn't understand.

"C.R.E.A.M.," Bonnie repeated. "It means: Cash rules everything around me. It's sad, but it's the world we live in. And I think it'd be easier than threatening to murder someone's entire family if they don't do what you say."

"So you're telling me to use monetary means to get you your tutor?"

Bonnie looked around the room, taking in the lavish furniture and expensive paintings on the walls. "It's not as if you're hard up for cash," she smirked before standing up straight. He at least backed up a little this time to give her some room to move. "Now call your henchman in here to take me back to my car. I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I have homework to do."

"If you're hungry, I could make you something," he offered out the blue.

Bonnie scrunched up her nose; her brows knitted together. She didn't mean to respond so severely, but she hadn't expected that. "I don't think so."

Klaus sighed, rolling his eyes. "You know, we're going to be spending a lot time together, Bonnie. I know your initial plan was to interact with me only when necessary, but if we're going to be working together, you're gonna have to learn to trust me." He was in towering over her again, filling what little space he'd granted her before.

"Well, that's not gonna happen anytime soon. Especially if you keep pulling stunts like today and at Abby's place. If I can't trust you to follow a simple arrangement, how could I ever put my trust in you? You can't get something without giving something in return?"

"Are we working on a barter system now?" he smiled.

"No," Bonnie shrugged. "But if you give me what I asked for, I'll be more inclined to return the favor."

Klaus smirk fell as he reached out to her. Slowly, he brushed a lock of brown hair from over her eyes. His fingers running softly down the curve of her cheek, resting under her chin to guide her green gaze up to his.

"Promise?" he whispered.

Caught in the trance of his sultry baby blues, it took Bonnie a minute to break from his spell, but she did all the same. The witch swatted away his hand, taking a few steps around the desk. "Stop that!"

He was trying to bait her yet again.

Klaus liked seeing her flustered and on edge, especially if he was the one getting such a reaction out of her. He found that it was a good way to combat her inclination to keep him as arm's length. That's not what he wanted. If his plan was going to work, Bonnie Bennett had to be his in more ways than one.

"Come on then," Klaus walked from around the desk and took a few steps toward the parlor entrance. "Let's get you home." He motioned her to take the lead and as they walked out together, Bonnie felt his hand resting on the small of her back, guiding her into the foyer.

"Ethan, will take you back to your car at the high school. Or if you like, I could have it sent to your home and have Ethan drive you there from here."

"Just get me back to my car," Bonnie said. "I can find my own way home, thanks."

One of the hybrids walked through the front door and Bonnie could see the black SUV parked just beyond the entrance steps. She could only assume that he was Ethan. It was the same guy who'd picked her up from the high school, but she hadn't bothered to get his name before.

"Ethan, please make sure Ms. Bennett gets back to her car safely," Klaus instructed. "Make sure to follow her home to make sure she gets there okay."

"I don't want him following me!" Bonnie exclaimed. "Klaus, I don't need your bodyguards. I don't want them!"

"Sorry, love, but it's non-negotiable." He moved closer. "You're mine now, and I like to protect what's mine," he claimed, giving her forearm a gentle squeeze.

Bonnie's eyes were wide as she shook her head.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered allowing Klaus to guide her to the car. Her hand rested in his as he helped her climb inside the vehicle.

He stood there, holding her door open while Ethan climbed into the driver's seat. The engine was idle. "It doesn't mean what you think it means, you know? You're under the impression that I'm using it to imply that I own you now. That's not it at all, Bonnie. It just means that you're mine to keep safe, to protect. In a way, it's like you're a part of me now. If someone tries to hurt you, it's an attack on me."

Bonnie didn't know what to say to that either.

What does anyone say to something like that? It was definitely not an aspect of their agreement that she was prepared for.

With Bonnie—she was duty bound to keep him safe. It was her idea to enter the arrangement with Klaus in order to gain a greater understanding of her full potential as a witch. She'd agreed to go after anyone (excluding her friends) who tried to do him harm, and in return he was extending the same courtesy to her, though he didn't have to. She never made their agreement contingent upon him looking out for her well being, but he seemed to want to.

She rested her purse on her lap, clearing her throat. She still didn't like the hybrid situation but it wasn't something she wanted to fight about right now given his explanation of things. However, Bonnie also wasn't a fool. There had to be more to this than he was letting on. Despite their arrangement now, in the past, he didn't seem to care for her much. Granted, she'd tried to kill him a few times, so why would he?

But this felt like too much.

"Good night, Klaus," Bonnie mustered. Though the young witch had her doubts about him—rightly so—there was no need not to be civil given that he was making sure she got home safely.

Klaus smiled, "Good night, Bonnie. Sleep well." Closing the door, he stepped back. Silently watching as Ethan drove off with his witch.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Klaus had returned to the parlor to store away the parchment that illustrated Esther's handy work when Rebekah walked in. "Whatever do you mean, little sister?"

"Indulging yourself in the witch?"Rebekah clarified. "You're laying it on too thick, Nik. Bonnie's not an idiot."

"Oh, I know the work I have ahead of me in order to win Bonnie Bennett over," Klaus said, turning the lock on his safe until it clicked. "I don't expect this to be easy, Rebekah. Anything worth having never is. Besides," he smiled, staring at his sister who sat on top of his desk. "A wise person once told me that in order to catch more flies, I need to use honey."

End Notes: So that's that. Sorry for the delay. I'm gonna really try to do better with updating you guys, just bear with me please. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed. I love you guys. Thank you and if you have any constructive criticism it is appreciated and welcomed.

I really like the foundation that I have going into this. The first three chapters are always the hardest because you're setting up the story. And I already have scenes written for certain parts so excited about what's coming for these two. I will warn you, that you'll be seeing Stefan a good bit in this story. Just because it really hurt me, his part in Abby's turning. He didn't even do the deed, but I expected more from him. Damon is Damon so you know what's up, but Stefan? You just expect more, so he's got a lot of groveling to do.

Next chapter: Klaus has a surprise for Bonnie. Bonnie looks into symbols on bullets much to Klaus's chagrin. Stefan wants to understand what's going on between Bonnie and Klaus.