Title: Light of All Lights

Pairing(s): Bonnie/Finn, Abby/Elijah, Lucy/Kol, Stefan/Elena, Caroline/Tyler, Rebekah/Damon, ect.

Trope/Prompt: Age Difference/Fish Out of Water

Summary: Finn Mikaelson wakes up to a world he doesn't recognize and a family he doesn't trust. He is all too happy to go along with his mother's plans, even knowing they will lead to his own demise, until he meets Bonnie Bennett and finds hope to live and love again. (Set During 3x14)

Warnings: Language, Sexual Content, Explicit Sexual Content, ect.

Part Two || Consummate

"A mysterious, ineffable charm had already bound them. An inherent magic is the only thing that could transform love at first sight into such a hungry passion."

― Emmanuel Bodin

Bonnie Bennett had noticed him even before he approached her. Her eyes were in fact drawn to him almost immediately after passing over her friends upon entering the room. They had passed over Elena and Damon, Matt and Caroline, before flitting over Rebekah and then landing on the man and stopping. Once she saw him, she couldn't seem to look elsewhere so she didn't noticed all the people, all the men whose eyes were on her.

He was tall with dark hair and strong features. His hazel eyes were intense and then hungry as they met hers suddenly and Bonnie was captivated. He was older, clearly, but that was part of the appeal. There was a maturity and grace about him that, not the long and gangly limbs of the boys her age and younger. None of the surface arrogance but an air of confidence that had been bred and born over time. He seemed strong and sure as he began to move forward and Bonnie realized with a start that he was coming towards her. But that wasn't right, she thought, someone like that wouldn't be interested in her.

She glance to her left and then right and then realized that he must have been heading towards Abby or Lucy. Bonnie felt disappointment at that. It was crazy but she wanted this man's attention. She wanted to be in his space. To trace her fingers along his strong jawline and feel his large hands on her body. There was such an overpowering feeling of desire that Bonnie wasn't sure what to do with it or herself.

Lucy squeezed her arm, drawing her attention and Bonnie glanced at her cousin. "Watch it, cuz," she hissed under her breath and gestured toward the talisman around Bonnie's neck.

Bonnie looked down and frowned slightly when she noted that it was glowing, though not very brightly. One wouldn't notice unless they were paying attention and those who knew what Bonnie was would be paying attention.

Bonnie took a deep breath and tried to settle herself. Her nerves were bad enough already. When she looked up again he was in front of her and Bonnie wondered if he could hear her heart pounding. Finn, his name was Finn. Such a simple name for someone who was having such an instantaneous effect on her. When he introduced himself as Klaus' brother Bonnie knew that he likely could and she also knew that he was extremely off limits. Even so, she didn't object when he kissed her hand. He was gentle, so gentle. In a world of violence gentleness was unappreciated but Bonnie nearly melted under the touch.

As he lifted his head and stood upright Bonnie let her hand linger in his a moment, unable to pull herself away from the touch.

"If I may say so," Finn murmured, leaning down close to her, "You look stunning."

Bonnie was taken aback by the complement. "I….it's the dress," she said, dismissively, running her free hand down the surface.

"I picked out that dress myself," he revealed, "It didn't have quite the same effect on the hanger and so I will politely disagree with you Miss Bennett."

Bonnie opened and closed her mouth. "You picked out…," Bonnie didn't think she could be any more attracted to him and yet, here she was completely gone. He managed to know her tastes so well without even knowing her. "Thank you…it's lovely."

"Not as lovely as its wearer but I'm pleased that you think so," Finn said.

Bonnie blushed and shook her head. "What did you spend your time in the coffin thinking up pickup lines or something?" Bonnie's mouth snapped shut as she realize her error and lack tact.

Finn grinned, however, and nodded. "Well that and thinking of ways to kill Niklaus," he whispered, "I may have been detained but my priorities were well in order."

Bonnie giggled. "If that's really the case then I like you already," Bonnie said. Again she felt embarrassed by her words but Finn seemed pleased with her revelation.

"I have a sort of immediate fondness for you myself," he smiled, "In fact it seems to be growing by moment."

Abby cleared her throat next to Bonnie and Finn dropped her hand finally. Bonnie came back to herself and introduced her mother and then her cousin. Finn greeted them politely before offering Bonnie his arm. "May I?" Nodding Bonnie looped her arm through his.

Bonnie wasn't at all surprised that both Abby and Lucy stayed close as promised at first. Then Abby was approached by Carol Lockwood and Lucy got wrapped into the conversation. Finn kept moving and though their eyes stayed on Bonnie, Finn managed to lead her across the room and towards the champagne.

"I hope that my complements did not offend you," he said as he handed her a glass, "I can assure you that they were sincerely meant."

Bonnie shook her head as she took the glass. "No," she said, "I'm just not used to him."

"You really are quite exquisite, Idun personified," at Bonnie's look of confusion he explained, "She was the Norse goddess of spring and rejuvenation. The wife of the god of poetry Bragi. She was the keeper of the magic apples of immortality that the gods ate to maintain their youthful appearance. There's a myth in which she was kidnapped. In her absence the gods felt the feelings of old age for the first time. It wasn't until she returned to them that their youth was restored and they were once again able to feel the warm winds of spring."

Bonnie stared. It was so different than the way that people normally spoke to her. He was so open and unguarded. There was no condescension or pacification. There was no duplicity or veiled attempts to bring the conversation back around to himself. She had just reminded him of a myth, a goddess, he had wanted to share with her and it was simple and yet there was something so deep about the moment all at once.

"I apologize," he said, into her silence, for the first time looking away, "My references are a bit dated."

"It's not that," Bonnie said shaking her head, "I liked hearing about the myth. It's beautiful. I'm flattered by the comparison. I'm just not used to being approached in this way, to people talking to me like…I'm interesting or important enough to really talk to." Besides that, most of her conversations as of late had been about goodbyes or being abandon or about how they could manage to kill Klaus. They were about plotting or using her powers or losing someone or Bonnie was isolated it seemed.

Bonnie was startled as Finn took her hand. "You should never doubt that you are," he said, "Not with me."

Bonnie took a sip from her glass and swallowed. "You seem…different than the others," she said, "How long were you…?" She trailed, it felt like it was rude to ask.

Finn's expression darkened a moment before it cleared. "Nine hundred years," he answered. Bonnie's own expression darkened and she opened her mouth to ask how Klaus could do something like that or why. Finn answered before she could speak. "I opposed Niklaus one too many times it would seem. When one is a threat, they must be dealt with. But you are familiar with his ways already I hear," again Bonnie nodded, "I was not able to embrace what we became, like the others were. I hated it, I still do. I didn't want to live a life of violence and amorality and so I was stripped of any choice of living my life at all for quite some time."

Bonnie squeezed his hand in a gesture of comfort as her hate for Klaus grew. Of course he would lock away any opposition to him. Anyone who wanted to live morally and fight their nature. But this man was still Klaus' brother. Still a vampire and yet… "You have time now," Bonnie said softly, "time to start over and live a life you choose. Even if you hate what you are that doesn't mean that you can't still salvage what remains of your existence. That you can turn it into something good. Something worth embracing. Something worth living."

Finn's expression turned dejected and resigned. "Not as such," he said.

Bonnie frowned. "I don't understand," she said, lowly so that only he could hear, noting that there were ears in the room all around, "You're awake now and I know it's a different time but you still have a second chance."

"Are you always this optimistic?" he asked, "This full of light?"

Bonnie shook her head. "No," she said, "But with everything that's happened to me…everything that I've lost and everything I've fought not to lose…I have to believe there's hope. It gives me something to hold on to. There's still hope for you Finn. Don't focus on the time you've lost. You're immortal, blessing or curse, that means you have so much time left. Your second chance can start now."

He stared at her for what seemed like the longest time. There was an expression of awe on his face that Bonnie had never seen directed at her before but she wanted to keep there. When he finally spoke his words floored her.

"Before laying eyes on you I don't believe I desired one." Bonnie didn't know what to say to that and so she didn't respond. Their conversation was interrupted as his siblings moved toward the large staircase at the center of the room. "My mother wishes to meet you alone and then she will ask your friend Miss Gilbert to join you. I'll escort you when its time. Perhaps…we could share a dance before then."

Bonnie smiled and nodded. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it once more before saying, "If you would excuse me a moment," and heading toward the staircase to join his family.

Bonnie watched as who had to be the Original witch descended the staircase as Finn ascended it. As Elijah began his speech, Elena made a beeline toward her and Bonnie downed the rest of her champagne as she saw the look on her friend's face.

"Bonnie I'm glad you're here," Elena said, "You look…really beautiful." Bonnie smiled and returned the compliment even as she knew what was coming yet. "Was that Finn you were speaking with? Did he mention meeting with Esther?"

Bonnie sighed. "Yes, he mentioned briefly." Bonnie responded her eyes straying and landing on Finn. "He said she wanted to see me alone and then you would join us. I still don't know what this is about."

Elena nodded and then, "What did you mean briefly? What else were you talking about? What could you possibly have to say to an Original besides maybe a death threat?"

From the amusement in Elena's tone Bonnie could tell that she was joking and were this a different Original Elena might have been right. "He just complemented my dress that's all," Bonnie said, deliberately downplaying the interaction.

Elena's eyes narrowed. "Bonnie Bennett are you blushing?" she whispered.

Bonnie rolled her eyes and attempted to change the subject. "Anyway," she said, "Mom and Lucy are here for backup in case anything goes pear-shaped."

"I noticed," Elena commented, "You three made quite the entrance. One that Finn obviously noticed."

Bonnie glared. She didn't know what the teasing bothered her so much. It wasn't because she was embarrassed of being attracted to Finn it was the fact that Elena seemed to find the whole idea of Finn being attracted to her so amusing. "And what if he did?" Bonnie asked.

"It'd be kind of weird," Elena shrugged, "With the whole age difference."

"You mean like the one hundred and fifty year age difference between you and Stefan," Bonnie responded, "I mean you didn't seem to think it was weird when Elijah started to show interest in you. You didn't seem to think it was all that weird when Klaus showed interest in Caroline, except besides it being Klaus, age wasn't an issue then though. Now because it's me it's a factor or is it just weird that someone would be interested in me at all. I mean, besides your brother whose interest in me apparently wasn't strong enough for him to not cheat on me with a ghost."

"Bonnie I didn't mean it like that," Elena said quickly.

Bonnie sighed. "That's just the thing, Elena, you never do." Annoyed Bonnie walked away and was immediately grabbed by Lucy.

Bonnie was relieved to see her cousin but she was still irritated by the implications of Elena's words. "So," Lucy said, "I managed to keep Abby occupied with the mayor and that means you owe me details."

Bonnie fought the urge to smile, but Elena's words still left a bad taste in her mouth. "I'm assuming you want to know about this meeting with Esther like a Elena did."

Lucy rolled her eyes. "I want to know but that can wait," Lucy said, "he wasn't looking at you like he wanted to talk about his mother. He was looking at you like he wanted to take you to bed. So spill."

"Lucy," Bonnie hissed, her town warning. Lucy shrugged as everyone around them was still paying attention to Elijah speaking. Bonnie considered Lucy's words and then, "You don't think its weird."

"Oh please," Lucy said, "I was friends with Katherine and I've been with vampires before. It's not that deep."

"Even with the age thing?" Bonnie asked.

Lucy blinked. "Like I said I've been with vampires before," she said, "besides if your best friend can date someone who is over one hundred and fifty years old and no one said anything do you really think they're going to throw a stone at a glass house with this situation. And if they do who cares."

Bonnie looped her arm through Lucy's. "Did I mention I'm glad you're here?" Bonnie grinned.

"Several times now," Lucy laughed.

As people moved to find partners for the first waltz, Bonnie lost Lucy as she was approached by who introduced himself as Klaus' other brother Kol. He'd turned to Lucy and asked, "And who are you besides gorgeous?"

"Unimpressed," Lucy replied deadpan, "But I am bored enough to entertain your failed efforts to woo me if you keep piling on the complements."

"That I can do," he promised before asking Lucy to dance.

Bonnie was left alone for a moment. As Damon made his way over, likely to grill her or warn her to look after Elena during their meeting with Esther under the pretense of dancing, Bonnie wished that she could sink into the floor until she felt a presence behind her.

Bonnie turned and was pleased to see Finn. He held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" he asked, "Unless you've changed your mind."

Bonnie shook her head. "No." She said and then frowned as he took a step away. "I mean no I haven't changed my mind. I'd love to dance with you."

Like the other girls Bonnie had been trained in all of the dances but had never participated in any of the pageants or any of the parades. A part of her just didn't want to participate in anything that glorified the days of slavery but another part had felt like she couldn't compete with Elena and Caroline.

However, as she danced with Finn, she felt as if she didn't have to compete with them or anyone else for his attention. His eyes stayed fixed on her, taken in her every movement. "You truly are breathtaking," he said as they moved.

"You should stop saying things like that to me," Bonnie replied immediately.

"Why?" he asked, pulling her body into his as they danced in circles. His hand was low on her back and Bonnie had the faintest wish that they were alone in the moment.

"Because I might actually start to believe you." She whispered.

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

In all honesty Bonnie wasn't sure. She was more used to complements that centered on how powerful she was or how good of a friend. She wasn't someone that was beautiful or breathtaking and she was fine with that or she had grown to be. But as he looked at her and said the words she felt that she was beautiful, she was breathtaking, it was simply that it was he, this man and monster that hated what he was, was the only person to ever truly see it.

"What are you thinking of?" Finn asked.

Bonnie looked down and up again. "Hope," she said, it was a truth and lie all at once. She hoped that what she thought he was feeling was real. She hoped that she wasn't making a mistake in trusting him. She hoped that he would never stop looking at her the way that he did or saying the words he said or touching her with the gentle touch that he had.

"I wish I had met you long ago, Bonnie Bennett," he said, and his looked resigned once more and Bonnie wished that she knew why. "But even if we had ions of time I don't feel as if it would ever be enough."

Bonnie opened her mouth to reply but once she did, they were made to switch partners and she ended up having to dance with Damon anyway. Bonnie sighed annoyed.

"You clean up nice," Damon said as he wrapped an arm around her waist, "I'm not the only one that noticed obviously."

Bonnie frowned. "If you're talking about Finn, which I'm sure Elena said something to you about when you were dancing just now-"

Damon gave her look. "Elena didn't have to tell me," he said, "I'm not blind and Finn isn't the only one that noticed you either."

"Huh?" Bonnie asked, genuinely confused.

Damon laughed outright then. "Little witch," he said, "Always so oblivious. Listen…I can't really judge you about anything so I won't. Just…promise you'll be careful?"

Bonnie searched Damon's face for any sign that he was being insincere and was surprised when she found none. "I'll be careful. You know I can handle myself."

Damon nodded. "But you're so use to handling it yourself you won't come to anyone else if you need to. So like I said, be careful."

"Fine." Bonnie agreed. When he almost immediately went to talking about her upcoming meeting with Esther Bonnie was almost relieved. His showing her concern was just odd.

When Bonnie switched again her partner ended up being Klaus and Bonnie regretted dancing altogether.

"You look enchanting tonight, Miss Bennett if I do say so myself," was the first thing she said and Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Ah…," he said, "So you find my brother's attentions more pleasing then?"

"And more sincere," Bonnie commented and then frowned because she had inadvertently revealed her interest in Finn to someone who could use it against them both later.

"You believe me insincere?" Klaus adopted an expression of mock offense as he pulled Bonnie closer to him.

Bonnie blinked at him straight-faced. "Is that a trick question?"

He laughed and Bonnie had the urge to be petty and step on his toes. "Maybe in some things but saying you look exquisite isn't one of them," he said, "I don't always agree with my brother's tastes but with you…I can definitely see the appeal."

"What, did Caroline reject you so you decided to go down the line of Elena's friends or something?"

Klaus shook his head. "She's more susceptible than she appears," he said, "Likes the attention even if she denies it. You underestimate the power of your own allure. I wouldn't bother chasing you myself because I know you're far too smart to condemn yourself to the likes of me. But you….you're brave, loyal, powerful, and you have a light about you that's very hard to miss. To creatures like use who have spent hundreds of years shrouded in darkness that like is magnetic. We all feel the pull none more than my brother I suppose."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bonnie asked.

"Ever since we've become what we were the rest of us have spent years and years giving into the darkness," he said, "All of us but Finn. I've always resented him for that. Before I left him to rot in the coffin Finn spent years trying to keep the light left in inside of us lit and chasing the light in others. You, Bonnie Bennett are like a beacon. I'm not at all surprised that he desires you."

Bonnie couldn't believe the man that had made her life hell for months was talking about her in such glowing terms. It didn't make any sense. "Why are you telling me this?"

At this point they had stopped dancing and Bonnie realized that she had been danced away from the crowd and off into a corner. She might have been scared had she not noticed both Abby and Elijah's eyes on her from where they were still dancing together, like both trying to gauge if he would have to reign Klaus in.

"Because I…Finn and I have had our differences but I've taken from him more than anyone has deserved to lose. I know more than anyone what it means to be alone and I left him that way for nine hundred years. This time I want him to get what he wants. If I can give back at least a fraction of what he's lost then my debt to him won't be a large," he sighed, "You are as unfortunately moral as he is and you hate what we are just as much as he does. I know that if he pursues you there's a chance you'll run and you won't give even if you feel something. If you don't then ignore me and maybe I will try my own hand but if you do…give my dear big brother a chance. I'll never admit this to him out loud but…of all of us…he's probably the only one deserving of someone like you."

With those words Klaus walked away and Bonnie wasn't sure how to react to what was said. It was strange, that she understood Klaus in that moment more than she had in the whole time she'd fought against him but that wasn't what Bonnie was focused on. Whatever she had thought Finn might be feeling towards her was real. Both Klaus and Damon had picked up on it. That meant that it was more than alright for Bonnie to hope and even though she knew she would have to let go of so much doubt and fear and so many of her own hang-ups to do anything about what she was feeling, she allowed herself to do so.

:::

Finn had abandon his new dancing partner when he saw Niklaus lead Bonnie into an alcove. He followed almost immediately and once he made it to through sea of people to get to Bonnie he was surprised to see his brother walking away calmly.

Finn's eyes landed on Bonnie and as he walked up to her, he took her hands not caring how it looked to anyone else. "Are you alright? Did he upset you?"

Bonnie smiled reassuringly and Finn was once again taken aback by her beauty. He was apprehensive about taking her to meet his mother, about the things it would reveal. Once she knew the fate he had chosen he wondered how she would react. He wasn't even sure that that was still the fate he wanted. As much as he was willingly to sacrifice himself before he was now unsure because living meant more time in Bonnie's presence for however long he could have it.

"I'm fine," Bonnie promised, "it was actually kind of helpful talking to him oddly enough."

Finn's expression must have displayed his feelings regarding the idea of Niklaus being helpful to anyone because Bonnie laughed and he gave her a rare smile because he loved the sound of it.

"I'm just glad he didn't do anything to make an ass out of himself," he leaned down to whisper in her direction, "He's rather good at that."

"Oh, I'm aware," Bonnie nodded.

When he offered his arm to her she took it and Finn regretted that their time together would once again be cut short. "My mother wishes to see you now," he said.

Bonnie's grip on his arm tightened. "I'm assuming you know what this is about," she said, her tone leading.

"I do," Finn admitted. He considered the possibility that she was simply entertaining his attentions in an effort to gain information but even if that were the case Finn wouldn't fault her for it.

"Do the others?" Bonnie asked.

By others he knew she meant this siblings. Finn shook his head. "They do not," he said and gave her very meaningfully look before gesturing around the room. Being what they were made it easy for any vampire in the room to overhear them.

Bonnie nodded and then. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything," Finn said immediately, knowing that there was likely nothing that she could ask that he would deny her of.

"Was there anything that made you happy before?" Bonnie asked.

Finn opened his mouth to say his something but stopped himself and then rethought his response, having almost revealed the existence of his other sister. "When I was young I liked to climb trees," he said, "I've always liked nature. Flowers. Looking at the stars. Those are all things that time cannot touch. That for the most part go unchanged. I liked poetry. Though in my time it was mostly done in verse and ballad and about maidens falling in love. There was a woman I loved very deeply for a time. Little things have made happy throughout my existence I suppose. Different things at different times."

Finn hadn't really thought about what made him in a very long time. As he walked Bonnie towards the room where he mother waited, he wondered if he could remember what it felt like to be happy. If it was something as simple as this, talking to a beautiful woman as they walked side by side.

"Different things at different times," Bonnie said allowed, and then, "So you could find it again given time."

Finn paused in his steps and looked down at her. "I suppose so," he said. He had been so determined to end his existence the thought hadn't crossed his mind and even now if he hadn't met her he wasn't sure he would be able to see it as a possibility. "What makes you happy, Bonnie Bennett?"

Bonnie frowned and she looked away. "I used to be able to answer that," she said, "Before all of this, it was my friends and spending time with my grams. Now I don't know. Everything has been a mess lately. My grams is gone but now I have what's left of my family here so I kind of just hope they stick around. My friends and I…we've been through a lot. I had a boy that I loved but he….I don't know. I don't remember the last time I was. I can think of a few things. Music. I like music. I used to sing with my grams all the time. I stopped when she died. I like nature. I like working in the garden with my mom because it's the only thing we've been able to bond over after she came back from being gone for so long. I like the feel of my powers. Not when I'm fighting someone or protecting someone, although I like that they can help do that. I mean…I like how they feel in quiet moments where there's just this buzz and tingling under the surface and I wish I could do more with them that was just learning to explore them and seeing what I can do. I wish I could do a lot of things. I wish I had more things that made me happy."

Finn placed his free hand over where hers gripped his arm. "Perhaps wishing is no longer enough and action is needed."

"And perhaps you shouldn't write off your entire existence until you try to salvage it. A lot of those things that made you happy before still exist in this time," she replied.

Finn didn't bother arguing. "It seems we both have a lot learn and experience," he said.

"Maybe we could help each other," Bonnie said as they started walking again.

"There's nothing that would please me more," he answered, and it was the truth. He just wasn't sure if that was something that was at all imaginable.

When they reached the study his mother inhabited, Finn paused and the door and knocked in warning. "Come in," his mother called and he opened it.

As they walked inside his mother's eyes settled to where his hand was still over Bonnie's on his arm and she raised a brow at him.

Finn paid her no mind and looked down at Bonnie. "You needn't fear," he assured her, "You'll be alright on your own."

Bonnie nodded and allowed him to kiss the back of her hand.

He turned to his mother. Her eyes were assessing their interaction but he knew that she wouldn't comment. "I'll send the Gilbert girl up to you and few moments time."

Esther nodded and smiled at Bonnie as Finn slowly let her hand fall from his grip. He turned to leave but Bonnie caught his arm. "Come find me later?"

"I'll do you one better," he said, squeezing her hand. "I'll come fetch you myself when you're done."

They shared a small smile and then his mother said. "That will be all Finn."

Finn nodded stiffly as he left the room. When he shut the door behind him, he wondered if Bonnie would want to see him when he came back for her once all was revealed.

:::

When Finn closed the door Bonnie turned to Esther and the woman looked at her almost affectionately. "The last of the Bennett line," she said, "Finally we meet and I'm sure you must have a million questions."

Bonnie nodded. "I have a few." She said, it was an understatement but they both knew that already.

"I have answers," Esther said kindly, "Come and sit with me. All will be revealed in due time."

Bonnie came to sit next to Esther and listened as the woman spoke of how she was still alive. Of Bonnie's ancestor Ayana preserving her Bonnie or channeling the Bennett line. Bonnie frowned, she'd lost contact with the witches she was channeling on the other side for disrupting the balance by bringing Jeremy back from the dead. Esther had created the vampire species to immortalize her own children, why would they give her access to their powers unless….

"You found a way to fix things," Bonnie said, "to restore the balance."

Esther nodded. "There is a way to undo the evil that I created," she revealed.

Bonnie remembered the woman's attempts to stop Klaus from the other side and she knew that no one in her line would give her access to their powers unless she'd finally found a way to stop him. "I'm listening."

"I know Rebekah shared my story with your friend Elena," Esther said, "About how I upset the balance by turning my children into vampires to protect them from the werewolves that killed my son, Henrik. It's true. But in no time they began to feed on human blood. They ravaged the town with no remorse and I realized I created monsters much worse than the once I had tried to protect them against. Ayana tried to warn me. I should have listened."

Bonnie stayed silent as Esther continued. "It'll take time and magic but I can end this all here. My children believe I'm holding this ball to celebrate our reunion. But in truth I've gathered them together to perform a ritual. The first step requires blood from the doppelgänger. Only a drop. Its essence will be in the champagne toast later on this evening. That's why I'm in need of Miss Gilbert."

"What kind of ritual?" Bonnie asked.

"I'm casting tonight will bind them all together as one. What happens to one will happen to all. That is where you and your family come in. I will need to draw power from you to move forward with the next step. I draw from the entirety of the Bennett bloodline, living and dead. The connection affords me great power, although it is somewhat difficult to maintain, which is why I require you, and what's left of the living Bennetts, the bloodline made manifest. As the witch who cast the spell that made them vampires, I can also reverse it. I will need your power to complete the process. When they become human again, they can be killed. As they are linked as one, my brave Finn will be the sacrifice. With his death will come theirs."

Bonnie felt as if her world were crashing down around her. She could finally kill Klaus but at the expense of someone else. The saddest part of it all was, Finn wasn't hers to lose.

:::

Finn had sent the Gilbert girl in and then waited outside the door. He was pacing and trying his best not to listen in. When finally it opened the Gilbert girl and his mother exited first. When she saw him Esther touched his face and smiled sadly, "Go talk to her," she said, "She's very distraught. The sage is still spelled and you may speak freely."

Finn nodded and walked in and shut the door behind him. Bonnie was passing back and forth and looked on the verge of tears. She stopped abruptly at the sound of him entering the room.

"I watched her take Elena's blood and I couldn't do anything about it." She said and then, "I don't even know you. I don't know why I'm so upset. I should be happy. Klaus will be dead and that's what I've wanted for so long but after everything you lost already for you to sacrifice yourself it just seems like a waste. Now that you have time to live and find happiness it's like you're volunteering yourself to lose it all over again. I get it…believe me I get it. I've been a similar position before but I had hoped that you could get your second chance."

"I didn't have any for myself," Finn admitted, "Not until tonight. Not until you. When I agreed to this I saw it as a gift. Freeing me and the world from the monsters that we are. That freedom was where my hope lied and it just a few hours it seems that's changed."

"So the things you said," Bonnie sighed, "They weren't just some ploy to make sure that I was agreeable and went along with all of this."

Finn shook his head quickly. "No," he said, "It wasn't like that. From the moment Rebekah told me what kind of person you are I admired you. Then I saw you…from the moment I beheld you irrevocably lost. There's no lie Bonnie, this plan was conceived before I knew anything about you and now…all I want to do is stay so that I can learn more."

"You can't say that kind of stuff to me when you signed your own death certificate. You can't make me feel like this and then…." She let a tear fall then and Finn rushed to wipe it. "I wish it was a lie," she said, "It would make this a lot easier."

"I know." He replied sadly.

"But you're going to go through with it," Bonnie said shaking her head, "Because you know what's at stake if you don't."

He looked into her eyes and sighed. "This is something I have to do. Knowing that you and the people you care about would be free of my brother makes that even more apparent. Knowing you in my last moments I believe is a gift the spirits have given me in gratitude."

"Well I can only see it as my curse," Bonnie frowned, "Because I'm losing someone else and that's all I seem to be able to do anymore. I know it's selfish and stupid because you're the one sacrificing yourself and I hardly even know but I feel like we could be…."

Finn reached out and framed her face with his hands. "Be what, Bonnie?"

Bonnie opened her mouth to speak but there was a knock on the door and a moment later the doppelganger walked in and interrupted them. Finn let his hands fall to his sides as Elena spoke. "It's time for the toast. Esther needs you down stairs."

Finn nodded stiffly and looked down at Bonnie. "I'll find you later. I promise." Her expression was closed but she nodded and Finn stepped away from her.

He walked towards the door without looking back. He knew that were he to look back, he wouldn't be able to leave her.

:::

Bonnie didn't go down for the toast. She sent a text to her mother and Lucy asking them to meet her upstairs. She left Esther's study because she could look at the preparations for the spell without feeling sick and she waited for them at the top of the staircase. She figured that it would be safe enough to talk as everyone else was downstairs toasting to what would be the death of the first man to make her feel wanted and special and alive since her relationship with Jeremy had ended.

Bonnie led them to another empty room and told them Esther's plan. "No wonder she pulled out all of the stops," Abby grumbled, "She's basically been siphoning our powers from the other side for decades. I'm wondering how much of my own weakness is because of the spell that sealed Mikael in the tomb and how much is because of her."

Bonnie hadn't really thought about it that way. But she supposed that it was possible that Abby could regain her powers once Esther stopped channeling their line. Bonnie wondered if possibly her nose bleeds had been a result of that as well as she'd never knew another witch that suffered from them. Still the thought came as quickly as it went. It wouldn't matter after tomorrow anyway.

"Anyway," Abby said, "At least Klaus will finally be gone and once it's over Esther can stop channeling us and we'll be free of all of the Originals for good."

Bonnie nodded but said nothing.

"Why don't you look happy about all of this?" Abby asked.

"Because Finn has to die for it to happen and anyone with eyes can see that their totally smitten with each other," Lucy said giving Bonnie a sympathetic look that Bonnie didn't want to focus on. The last thing she needed at the moment was pity from anyone.

Abby studied her and Bonnie squirmed under the scrutiny. She doubted the woman would approve of the match and thought she didn't want to care a part of her did. Abby was still her mother and Bonnie was afraid that that little girl that had long ago been left behind would always seek out her mother's approval.

Abby reached out and took Bonnie's hand. "Listen," she said, "I'm not going to judge you for anything you do. You've been taking care of yourself for longer than I ever did and so it'd be late for me to start mothering now. Besides that, you'll be eighteen soon so it's kind of a moot point. But that being said, I will say be careful. Also…I know what it's like to live a life of regrets Bonnie. I don't want you having them stock piled on when you get my age like me. You've gone through so much already, lost so much. Lucy is right, anyone with eyes could pick up on whatever it is that is going on with you to. You don't have much time to explore it, so why not do that while you have the chance. I don't want you to regret it if you don't."

Bonnie felt like it was something like having her mother's blessing and even if she didn't quite need it, she was happy that she had it.

They left the room to return to the ball in time for violence to break out and for them to witness Damon go off the rails. When Bonnie looked at Matt and his crushed hand she realized that all of it was just proving Finn's point. Rebekah and Kol had gone after Matt just because Rebekah wanted to hurt Elena and all of that violence, that cycle would just keep going.

As Lucy and Abby promised to get Matt home safely and help him heal his hand, the ball ended abruptly and the townspeople began to filter out of the mansion. Bonnie stayed.

Bonnie walked right up to Elijah and asked him politely where Finn's room was. He'd looked almost startled before something like a smile passed over his face. "I'd be happy to escort you, Miss Bennett."

Bonnie thanked him but she doubted her tone sounded sincere. Elijah didn't seem to mind much.

"You met with my mother tonight," Elijah said, "Do you mind me asking what it was that you two discussed?"

Bonnie shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. "She simply wanted to express her gratitude," she said, "My ancestor, Ayana preserved her body and she's been channeling power from me and my line to keep herself alive all of this time and give her power on the other side. She believes she owes a debt. I tend to agree."

Elijah laughed. "You're very blunt Miss Bennett," he said.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't be," Bonnie asked, raising an eyebrow as she was guided down the halls.

"Then I shall be blunt with you," Elijah said, "Finn has had a miserable existence. He hates what we are. We never asked for it but he has condemned us for embracing what he has rejected and it has put a strain on our relationship and left us divided and fragmented. However, in spite of this I had hoped…he would find something in our existence to make it worth the curse. I thought he had once but it was a physical passion and he cursed himself because it led to him creating what he hated without intending to. Then shortly after he was daggered and we abandon him in more ways than one. I have never given up hope that he would find his way someday and I saw tonight when he danced with you…I saw him light up in a way I have never seen him in all of his days, even as a human. I hope the chance to hold on to it now that he's found something…someone that's worth the curse."

Bonnie shook her head. She knew what Elena thought of Elijah and in that moment she could see it, but at the same time Elijah had abandon Finn the same way everyone else had and so she wasn't sure how much of his words were sincere. Still she said, "You seem to care about Finn more than he believes. Not just you. All of you. Even Klaus spoke to me on his behalf tonight. It's funny that you can speak so highly of him to me but not to him. Maybe you should."

As Elijah left Bonnie in Finn's room she wondered if it would have made a difference in their fates if they had.

:::

Finn allowed his mother to link him to his siblings. After the violence of the night seemed to confirm what needed to be done. When he went to find Bonnie afterwards Elijah directed him to his room.

There was so much that he wanted to say to her but when he as he opened the door and walked inside, and saw her standing there by the window his voice left him. The moonlight was peaking in through the curtains and it made the light from within seem to glow on her skin and Finn walked up to her without much preamble and kissed her, hard.

Bonnie responded immediately and kissed him back. There was a mess of hands and lips and tongue before Finn found the strength the slow them down. There were no words when they disrobed. Only eyes taking in skin with hungry gazes. When Finn helped her unzip her dress he kissed down her back as her skin was exposed and Bonnie shuddered under his touch.

Once they were both naked he laid Bonnie down on his bed that he had once thought too soft but in that moment seemed perfect. She was beautiful. Gorgeous. Ethereal as she looked up at him and all of his suffering seemed to be worth it in that moment.

Finn wanted to take this time. He had had enough time robbed from him and he didn't want to be rushed, not in this. He looked at Bonnie as she laid naked on the bed before. Drunk her in. All of the curves of her body. Her breast. Her hardened nipples. Her face. Her eyes so full of longing and wanting and sadness.

He climbed on the bed with her and she reached out to him. For a while he let her touch. Let her explore. Let her run her fingers down his chest. Over his arms, down his back. Lower and then back up again. He stopped her with a kiss on the lips. Need to signal to her that he wanted to give her the attention she deserved as his tongue swept into her mouth and slid against hers.

When he pulled away he began to kiss down her neck, over her shoulders. Her breast, her nipples, and down the valley in between them. He kissed her bar skin and licked and explored with teeth and tongue until Bonnie was a shivering mess beneath him.

She whimpered as he spread her legs, kissed the insides of her thighs. Finn stroked the back of his hand over the short dark hair covering her sex, then over her lips before delving inside. He watched her as she raised her hips to match movements, closed her eyes to whisper his name.

If he were really to die tomorrow he thanked the spirits that this would be his last sight as he parted the lips with his tongue and felt the warmth and wetness of her on his lips. She didn't last long and he was sorry for it even as he lapped her sweetness up with his tongue.

As he watched her come down from the high he thought, this would be the woman he ever touched, the last that would ever touch him in more ways than one.

Finn moved up her body kissed her again and with a since of urgency that Bonnie mirrored as she reached in between their bodies and wrapped her hand around. She stroked him as she took his bottom lip between her teeth and it had been too long since he had wanted someone this much. His hands were everywhere as she continued to stroke him. Cupping her breast, pinching her nipples, moving around to cup her ass and move their bodies closer.

He took her breast into his mouth. Panted against her skin as her pace increased, said her name like a pray before running his tongue. When he heard himself groan he grabbed her wrist. He didn't want to spend himself in her hands. He needed to be inside of her.

She begged when he said as much. "Please, Finn," and hearing the words made an eternity without contact from anyone or anything all the more worth it.

Finn flipped their positions until she was astride him. He wanted her this way. His warrior woman. His goddess spring. His enchantress.

Bonnie positioned herself over him as he plunged deep inside of her. She molded so perfectly around his wide girth, her walls gripping him as he began to thrust upward in a slow, hard rhythm

Bonnie moaned wantonly as he pounded inside her, and brought her hips down to meet him thrust for thrust. Her eyes were closed but he needed to see her. "Look at me, Bonnie," he whispered.

Bonnie's eyes snapped open as she parted her legs wider and braced her hands on his chest. He rolled his hips upward as she ground hers down. His hands found her hips clutching tightly as he pumped inside of her. As Bonnie looked down at him her eyes full of awe, Finn knew that he couldn't leave her.

The room was full of her scent, sweet and floral. He could scent her sweat, warm and salty. The smell of her sex, thick and heady. He could hear her blood pumping in her vein. She was surrounding him. The sound of her voice moaning his name. He couldn't give this up. Not in favor of death. Or an eternity of nothing when he had this girl full of light that wanted him, that possessed him.

When she peaked a second time Finn began to thrust faster. Bonnie kept moving her hips even as she screamed and trembled through her orgasm. "That's it sweetling," he murmured, his words ending on a groan. .

His own release came soon after and Bonnie collapsed onto his chest as he moaned through it. He moved inside her as he came, sliding his hands over her back and up into her hand flowers falling from the strands as he pulled her up to kiss him.

"I don't want you do die," she whispered as they pulled back.

"Then I'll live," Finn promised, his voice hoarse, pulling her down and pressing their foreheads together, "If it's with you I want to live. I'll find a way."

End Notes: Next part coming eventually! Ha! Hopefully the smut wasn't a mess. I changed shifts at work and so I don't have much time to write! I'll go back and make edit late. Don't hate me! Please review! Love you guys!