Chapter 5

"I don't think this is a good idea," Bonnie worried as Elena was holding a pair of shades out before her.

"Nonsense. Elijah and Kol agree that you need to practice being out among people so you can learn to control your bloodlust. I'll be right there with you," Elena encouraged. She was wearing a bright yellow sundress. Sandals and a pair of shades while Bonnie had chosen navy shorts and a white top with exposed shoulders and tone-on-tone applique. It really brought out the caramel tones of her skin.

"Fine," Bonnie sighed and took the shades.

"Elijah says the French Quarters are beautiful," Elena added.

"Are you sure the two of you don't want some alone time?" Bonnie prompted.

"No, we're getting you out so you can learn to be the best witchpire," Elena replied. She had been Bonnie's cheerleader for the last week and Bonnie smiled as she realized her friend just wanted the best for her.

"Okay let's go see the quarters."

Elijah had even decided to don what must be casual attire for him. He was sporting slacks and a dress shirt with the sleeves partially rolled up. Kol had on jeans and a blue dress shirt that did things for him Bonnie would rather not think about. The men had also donned shades. Sunlight was so much more intense as a vampire and Bonnie had quickly discovered that sunshades were practically necessary during the brightest parts of the day.

They walked from the Garden District across Canal Street and into the French Quarters. Soon they were greeted by jazz music and the smells emanating from a variety of restaurants. They wandered Royal street looking at art work, antiques and clothing before making their way towards Jackson Square where they stopped at Café du Monde for coffee and beignets.

"These things have mounds of powdered sugar," Bonnie noted when they arrived. Kol picked one up and blew the sugar in her direction. She quickly halted its approach and a moment later it blew against him. Elijah gave the barest hint of a smile.

"This coffee has an unusual flavor," Bonnie noted.

"Chickory," Elijah replied. "It's a local favorite."

"I thought there was something different," Elena agreed.

"When are you going to join the club?" Kol asked her. Elijah gave his brother a pointed look.

"If anyone turns me I want it to be Elijah and it will be a mutual decision."

They followed some good sounding music to a bar just off Bourbon street. Elena wanted to dance so she drug Bonnie with her. Kol followed them onto the dance floor to keep an eye on things while Elijah ordered a drink at the bar. After a couple dances Bonnie began to feel the call of a different beat. She was dancing with a tourist and she began shifting her posture for better access to his neck.

"That's quite close enough darling," Kol interrupted as he cut in. Bonnie looked murderous at his high-handed antics and stormed out of the bar.

"Stop trying to control me!" she growled.

"You were going to bite him," Kol observed. "In a very public place."

"I'm sure you've done worse."

"There's only one way such a public display ends; with all the witnesses dead," he reminded her. "If you're thirsty we can find you someone-" His sentence was cut short as she caught him by surprise and thrust him against the wall. Her fangs were out and she made for his neck. He thrust them to the opposite side of the alley pinning her against the wall.

"Careful Bunny, you might start something," he teased in a husky tone. Heedless of his taunt she closed the distance and sank her fangs into his neck. He released a deep moan of satisfaction. He could feel the urge rising within him to reciprocate. When she finished, she lifted her head and smiled at him.

"Back away from her," a voice nearby had them both looking. A woman and two men stood there.

"I don't think I will," Kol replied.

"Our business is with the woman," one of the men replied.

"Anything you have to say to her you can say to me."

The men came at him while the woman tried to get Bonnie to leave with her. There was quite the brawl going down in the alley. Kol got one of the men incapacitated and then grabbed Bonnie pulling her firmly away from the other woman who also began to fight. Bonnie landed a couple punches on her and was surprised to see her fall while Kol finished the other man off. He looked at her for a long moment.

"You have the amulet," he stated.