2

Not even an hour in her hometown, Bonnie's already starting to regret making this trip. She doesn't know how Caroline is going to react when she sees her after almost two years with little to no contact. At first, Bonnie didn't really care about what her friend had to say about her weird relationship with Klaus, but being away from Care just made her realized how much she loved her best friend. Besides, Klaus is moping about their situation, and that just made her want to leave. Klaus was annoying when he was in his normal state, and he was just unbearable now. Being in Mystic Falls is weird, but it's way better than staying home with Klaus giving her looks that make her uncomfortable and mad. Yeah, she knows he's not pleased with the recent events, but needs to stop acting like he's the only one affected by all of this.

Perhaps choosing the holidays to do this wasn't the best idea, since it probably meant everybody would be in town. She didn't keep much contact with her old life, but she knew a little about everyone, from the emails Caroline would send her. She knew Matt was in a somewhat relationship with Rebekah, Elena was attending Whitmore, but she was still in that never ending love triangle from hell. It pains her to say this, but Bonnie kind of understands it. Hell, she moved miles and miles to get away from everything and she ended pregnant with her former enemy's baby.

Sometimes, it's hard to break the cycle.

She's nervous, and can feel her heartbeat speed up now that she's standing on Caroline's porch, and she has no idea how her friend would react to her showing up after so much time. The thought of Caroline rejecting her right now would probably set her off, and it wouldn't be pretty.

Caroline comes out to answer the door wearing sweat pants with a hoodie, and a very annoyed look on her face. Bonnie's lips curl just a little when she realizes that Caroline was probably asleep, and she remembers how the girl got when someone would wake her up from her naps.

"Did I wake you up?" Bonnie asks, as she can't think of anything else to say. Caroline stands still, looking like she's trying to process the fact that Bonnie is standing right in front of her.

"B-bonnie! You're here!" Caroline says in a weak voice. Ever since Bonnie left, she dreamed about having her best friend by her side while they went to college, in the way everything was supposed to be. They should be going to frat parties and hooking up with hot guys, not being like this. "Am I hallucinating? I did drink half a bottle of Jameson yesterday..."

"You're a vampire and you don't get drunk that easily. No, it's me. I think it's been way too long, don't you think?" Bonnie says, and feels relief wash over her when Caroline pulls her in a tight hug.

"You're back, and now things can be the way they were meant to be in the first place. Sure, you have to hash things out with Elena, but then we'll be back on track. And maybe I'll have to compel a few people so you can get into Whitmore right now, but it'll be worth it, right?"

The words come out of Caroline's mouth so fast that Bonnie can barely keep up with her. All she gets is that Care thinks she's back for good and wants her to attend Whitmore with her and Elena. Damn, how is she going to explain to her that she has an entire life back in New Orleans?

"We should go inside, I'm freezing!" Bonnie suggests, rubbing her arms for good measure, even though it's a lie. Yeah, it's snowing and cold, but she can barely feel it anymore. She thinks it's because she's carrying a hybrid fetus and that's probably messing with her.

They get inside, Caroline pulling her by the hand, as if she would disappear at any minute. It's been way too long, but they end up sitting on the couch with spiced hot chocolate just like old times. However, there's some tension in the air, and Bonnie knows Caroline is hesitant to say anything.

"You can ask me things. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to tell you anything," Bonnie assures her with a smile, and Caroline relaxes in relief.

It's great to know she can have her friend back after almost two years, even though there's something different about Bonnie and she can't really put a finger on it. Maybe it's her hair that now rests on her shoulder way shorter than before, but there's a maturity now that didn't exist.

"You didn't have to leave, you know? Not like that," Caroline says, remembering that fateful day when Bonnie left, right after she came back to life. Her best friend only left a note saying she needed some time alone and she would contact her when she was ready. Caroline thought Bonnie would just stay with her cousin, clear her head and then they would go to college. Never, in her wildest dreams, did she think Bonnie would run to New Orleans with Klaus of all people.

"I didn't exactly think about it." Bonnie shrugs, and that surprises Caroline. "All I could think about was how I just died and everyone still could only care about Elena. And then I couldn't do it anymore."

Caroline pushes a strand of hair behind her ear, and feels ashamed to look at her in the eye. She isn't stupid or blind; she knew Damon and Stefan put Elena above everyone else, and that attitude already hurt Bonnie a lot. Now, she's ashamed that she didn't speak out against it. They used Bonnie for her abilities, and completely disregarded her feelings.

"But running away with Klaus?"

That's what confuses Caroline the most. Klaus has his moments when he's nice, she knows that. However, Bonnie is a person that has morals set on stone, and Klaus is a person that doesn't have morals, at all. He has no qualms about killing an innocent if it served his purpose.

"Klaus is an asshole, but at least he owns it." Bonnie starts to explain, even though she doesn't really expect Caroline to get it. There are times when she doesn't get it herself. Usually that happens after they have a fight about something incredibly stupid, and Bonnie is reminded of how much of a spoiled boy he really is. "He doesn't hide it behind fake morals, and that was surprisingly refreshing. He needed a witch, and I needed to get away. It was a win-win situation."

If this wasn't a semi serious situation, Bonnie would have laughed at the shocked expression Caroline's wearing right now. She can only imagine how Caro is going to look when she finally tells her about the pregnancy.

"Who are you and what did you do with Bonnie?"

"Care, I can't explain it, but something changed when I died. It was like something told me I couldn't stay here anymore, letting my life go to waste. I did everything for Elena, for Jeremy and nothing for me. Klaus gave me the opportunity to work on my powers."

Caroline is still silent, but Bonnie can't really explain it anymore. There isn't much left to say about it.

"But you were, like, living with him?"

"Yeah, but it's a big house and he's out doing whatever he does and I'm always studying on the campus library, so it works."

Bonnie hears Caroline gasp, and she realizes she said too much. Damn, she was supposed to wait until she came out and told her that she was already going to college and she had no plans to come back to Virginia.

"Campus? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I'm a freshman at Tulane, and..." Bonnie trails off, seeing Caroline's face take on this hurt expression. It makes her feel even worse, and she just wants to go home, eat something and take a nap. Damn, she misses Klaus.

"Did you even plan on coming back?" Caroline's voice breaks a little when she talks. "You have an entire life out there with Klaus," she says Klaus' name with so much disdain that makes Bonnie wonder if she still have feelings for him. Probably not, but one can never be sure. Klaus was never receptive when it came to discussing his weird relationship, and Bonnie just hopes she won't have to deal with this drama on top of everything else.

"I think we should talk some more tomorrow, maybe?" Bonnie suggests. She doesn't want to continue this conversation right now, but she doesn't want Caroline to hate her and ignore her for the rest of her time here. It's the holidays, her dad is not even in the continent, and she's staying in an empty house. "We could have some breakfast."

"Bonnie, I need some time to process this," Caroline says, and Bonnie feels her heart break just a little. Care was basically the only reason she came back, and it was looking like that was for nothing. "I thought you were away with Klaus being miserable, and that made me miserable. I didn't think you were there living it up."

"It's okay, I should get going anyway." She sets the cup of hot chocolate-turned-cold on the coffee table and gets up. Caroline murmurs goodbye when Bonnie walks out of the door.

"Didn't think you would make me wait for so long, love," Klaus says, coming out of the shadow where he's standing. He scares the crap out of her, and she almost drops everything.

"Shit, Klaus, you scared the living crap out of me!" Bonnie all but yells at him, without her mind computing that he's there, on her front porch. It takes a while for her process what's going on, but irritation overtakes her when she does.

Why is Klaus there using his smooth voice and charming smile on her when he would not even speak to her not even two days ago? Knowing him, he probably expects her to just sweep his temper tantrums under the rug and just go on like nothing happened. Well, it's not like she can do that, considering the fact that she's still knocked up. Besides, after acting like a huge ass to her, he needs to grovel some more before trying to play cute with her.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were done with Mystic Falls," Bonnie comments, and grabs her keys to open the door. She's tired and if he's going to start with his usual games, she's going to sleep.

"Not all the way. Besides, I had to make sure you would come back home. Can't have my little bird flying away, can I?"

Bonnie turns around to look at him, one eyebrow raised in surprise. Hearing those words coming out of his mouth now was just bizarre. Klaus only says nice things when he wants to get laid or when he was getting laid.

"I'm coming back in a few days. Now, can you please leave?"

She sounds tired, just as she looks, and that makes Klaus a little worried. As much as he doesn't like the situation, she is carrying his child and certain measures have to be taken so she can stay safe and sound.

"Now, is that the way to talk to the father of your child?" Klaus asks with a smirk, enjoying the shocked look on her face. He really loves surprising people, it's a true talent of his.

"Being around your bipolar self truly bothers me," Bonnie says with a sigh. Is life serious right now? She's trapped for at least eighteen years with this guy who can't even make up his mind on whether he hates her or not. "You told me I was, what I quote, a little bitch who was trying to trap you with a child you've never wanted."

"Well, I admit I chose the wrong words in that situation, but you have to understand me, love. This defies everything I've ever believed in, and the thought of children never crossed my mind."

There's an air of vulnerability in him, and Bonnie softens a little. Just a little, because Klaus is still an unstable son of a bitch, and she doesn't know if she can trust him yet. Small steps are better when it comes to this.

"Look, I appreciate you coming here to apologize," Bonnie starts, but then pauses for thought. Klaus is a shady guy who does shady things, and she never knows what he's up to. He could be here in Mystic Falls to deal with something about his hybrids, or whatever. "I guess. I had a long flight, and I need to eat and then sleep. There's been enough entertainment for tonight."

Klaus notices the way she unconsciously rubs her mid-section, and ignores the warm sensation that runs through his body. This is ridiculous; he can't start getting soft now. New Orleans isn't his yet, so he has much work to get done if he wants to take control of his city.

"If you come home with me, I could take care of you. Draw you a bath, and make sure you eat something other than this," Klaus pauses, and looks at the bag with her bacon cheeseburger in disgust. "Disgusting food. It's truly appalling; I don't know how you can eat that trash."

"Hey, I happen to love this trash! And no, thanks, I don't really feel like going to that mansion slash mausoleum you call home."

"I'll have you know that the mansion was renovated recently, so you can't call it a mausoleum. Besides, do you really want to be alone? You look a little troubled, so to speak."

It was true. She was still feeling the effects of her conversation with Caroline, and then running into Jeremy and Damon at the Grille. There was a nervous energy radiating off her skin.

"You're kinda right," Bonnie mumbles, annoyed that Klaus can read her so well after their time together. "Will Elijah be there?"

Klaus laughs at her question, and Bonnie just shrugs her shoulders. Elijah got a little better in her books after he supported her when they found out about the baby, but not that much. She still thinks he's a hypocritical bastard that hides behind his fake morality. Besides, he's way too excited about this baby.

"He was the one who convinced me to come, so I think he'll be there, yes. However, I don't think he'll bother you."

"Yeah, about that, can you ask him to lay off a little? It's creepy when he looks at me and I can see his eyes shining with fantasies of nurseries and little socks."

"Elijah is convinced this child can redeem the whole family." Klaus admits, and Bonnie wants to roll her eyes. In her humble opinion, that family needs at least a few more centuries to be redeemed. And also, loads of therapy. Klaus kept his siblings daggered in coffins, for God's sake.

"I think that's too big of a task for a baby. You need a few centuries to achieve complete redemption."

"If it doesn't, I'll just impregnate you again."

"Very funny," she says sarcastically, going through her purse to get the keys.

"Yeah, I thought so."