Title: Paint it Black

Rating: M

Genre: AU/All Human

Pairing(s): Bonnie/Klaus, Klaus/Abby, Tyler/Jeremy, Damon/Emily, Matt/Caroline, Bonnie/Katherine (One-sided), Bonnie/Luka (One-sided), Stefan/Greta, Kol/Vicki, Katherine/Lucy, Marcel/Rebekah, Elijah/Celeste, Esther/Mikael, etc.

Summary: After the death of her grandmother Bonnie Bennett starts on a downward spiral and is sent to live with her mother Abby Bennett-Mikaelson. When Bonnie witnesses firsthand the life of luxury her mother has been leading, she's hell-bent on making Abby's new life miserable and taking everything that her mother holds dear, starting with her new husband Niklaus Mikaelson.

Warning(s): Sexual Content, Explicit Sexual Content, Infidelity, Extramarital Affairs, Drug Use, Character Death, Age Disparity, Daddy Kink, Attention Kink, Praise, Kink, etc.

Author's Note: This is an idea I came up with after receiving an ask on Tumblr. I don't know how well I am executing it so far but we shall see as it goes along.

Three || Fangs

"She shouldn't be allowed to walk around. She might hurt someone."

― Janet Fitch, Paint it Black

Mystic Falls, Virginia

July, 2015

Bonnie put out the joint and turned towards Rebekah as the girl walked further out onto the rooftop lounge her eyes knowing as she glanced between Bonnie and her brother. "Your wife is looking for you," she told Klaus. Bonnie winced.

She didn't need the reminder. She was his, he had said. And he's Abby's, her mind answered.

The space that Klaus had placed in between them at the sound of footsteps disappeared again, as he moved closer to Bonnie once he saw it had been his sister. Bonnie's own suspicions grew as she felt Klaus wrapped his arms around her from behind.

He was comfortable. Too comfortable. Especially, for someone who had been so hellbent on resisting her. Bonnie thought about Rebekah's veiled statements from before as Klaus rested his chin on her shoulder and Rebekah watched the movement unfazed. She thought about Celeste's warnings. It was clear now to Bonnie, that Rebekah had sniffed out Klaus's interest in her all along. That she had been expecting this moment. Had been trying to steer Bonnie toward it. She wasn't surprised. Klaus clearly wasn't either.

What Bonnie wondered, was if Klaus had put Rebekah up to her behavior or if she had been acting in her brother's interest of her own accord. If hatred for Abby was her sole motivator, or if she saw something in Bonnie that made her believe that she would be a better fit at Klaus's side. If Klaus had discussed Bonnie with Rebekah behind Bonnie's back or if he'd simply guessed at Rebekah's motives and actions after Bonnie had told him what the girl had said about Bonnie being his type. If her meddling was something he was used to, something he expected. No matter how comfortable and trusting of his sister that Klaus, Bonnie didn't think she would be comfortable around either until she figured out the answers.

They liked to play with people, she'd been told. Maybe this, maybe she and Abby were a part of the game. Whatever the case, Bonnie would do what she needed to stay ahead of it.

"Any particular reason?" Klaus asked. "Abby seemed to be preoccupied with Jonas last I left her. I figured I would be the last thing on her mind."

"You left your phone downstairs at the table," Rebekah said, "It kept going off. Call after call, after call, as your darling bride put it."

"Your point?" Klaus's tone was casual in his drunkenness.

Bonnie figured he might've been more careful otherwise. Or perhaps not, Rebekah was the one he counted on being in his corner no matter what, after all. The sibling he was closest too. His confidant. For all Bonnie knew, this was all by design. They were game players, the whole lot of them. No matter how interested in Klaus she was, Bonnie couldn't forget that.

"As adamant as you were about us accepting Abby from the beginning you seem to be a bit unconcerned at the moment," Rebekah smirked, "Could be the alcohol... or something else causing a change in your priorities, I suppose." Rebekah looked between them and Bonnie stayed quiet, calm. The girl was looking for a reaction and Bonnie would be damned if she gave her one. "Not that Abby was particularly concerned about where you were until those pesky calls from a New Orleans number kept coming in. Isn't Hayley still there?"

Bonnie felt Klaus stiffen behind her. It would seem, that Rebekah had gotten the reaction that she wanted, just not from Bonnie. "Why the fuck is she calling me?" Klaus snapped.

Rebekah shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. Though, we can both approximate without much effort the reason I'm sure. Abby has a few guesses of her own in fact. Let's just say, you're lucky that I am the one that found you."

Klaus sighed, and let out a string of curses.

Bonnie didn't know who the hell Hayley was, but his reaction was telling. And if there was any truth about what Rebekah said of Abby's reaction, that was telling as well.

Klaus huffed out a breath. His hands found her hips and Bonnie complied as he turned her to face him. She kept her expression blank, her mask firmly in place. "I have to take care of this," he said. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. He whispered into her ear as he pulled away. "We're not done here. No more games."

She wanted to believe his words. Wanted to find hope in the fact that he was being so openly affectionate with her in front of someone he trusted. That he was making his intentions known. But she couldn't. There was no security in any of this, she realized. Not yet.

Bonnie raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?" She murmured lowly, for only him to hear.

"I promise," Klaus whispered. People had made promises and broken then before. He would have hard sell. "Daddy, just needs for you to trust me."

He knew what he was asking. They were too alike for him not know the weight of it. She didn't like this. She had questions. She was vulnerable, in a position to get hurt. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. "Okay." She conceded.

He put two fingers beneath her chin, tilted her head up to look at him more fully. "Okay?" He pressed.

Bonnie knew the answer he was looking for. "Yes, Daddy." She said, her voice sounding surer than she felt. Bonnie gave a stiff nod to punctuate the point, even knowing that, whether or not they were over depended on Rebekah's answer to the questions she would ask as soon as Klaus was out of earshot. She saw the look on his face and knew that his attention was now divided. He looked troubled. Uncertain. Raw. Whoever this Hayley bitch was, and whatever had happened between them, it was clear it still had some sort of effect on him.

"Good girl." He said. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before stepping away from her. His hands and his eyes were slow to leave her.

Bonnie watched as Klaus left the rooftop, closing the door behind him. She licked her lips, tasted the smoke and bourbon that Klaus had drank on her tongue. She turned back towards Rebekah.

"You two seem to be getting closer and closer by the day," Rebekah said, amusement clear in her tone, "I wish that I could say that I'm surprised."

Bonnie decided to stop playing dumb where the blonde was concerned. She doubted she would maintain any respect if she did. "With all of the seeds that you've been planting, if you said that you were surprised, I wouldn't believe it."

"And I almost thought that you didn't notice," Rebekah laughed, "Marcel said you were smarter than you let on."

Bonnie shrugged. "Celeste said that you were more cunning than you let on," she said, "Implying that I'm Klaus's type. Asking me questions about my type. What exactly is in this for you and how much do you already know?"

"If you're worried about me opening my mouth and blowing your cover, don't be," Rebekah's tone was somewhere between serious and placating, "Not that the two of you are very subtle to someone who is paying attention. I figured if Nik hadn't made a move already, he would soon. I also figured you'd be open to it, despite your protests. They were weak at best. We were feeling each other out, you and me. I respect you even more for playing your cards close. I couldn't tell at first if you were bait Abby planted or if you were genuinely interested in him. I was protecting Nik's interest. It didn't take long to see that your interest in him is very genuine. You two barely take your eyes off each other when you're in close proximity. And when you're not. Mutual fascination, you called it?"

Bonnie wasn't worried about Rebekah telling anyone if the girl knew that Bonnie's interest in her brother was genuine. Klaus hadn't looked like he was either. She might've if she had mistaken her for a plant by way of Abby. But it would only hurt Klaus if Rebekah told anyone, now that she knew the interest was mutual. Bonnie doubted very much that this would be the first secret Rebekah had kept for her brother. She doubted even more that it would be her last.

"I'm not working with Abby," Bonnie said, all the same, "Abby isn't smart enough to plant anyone in Klaus's path, nor would she risk having competition for his affections. But she's also not dumb enough to believe I would align myself with her for any reason. I'd sooner see her laid up in a ditch somewhere. Which would make her even stupider to trust me enough to purposefully put me in her husband's path and risk losing all she's gained. Like I said, she's dumb but not that dumb."

Rebekah laughed. "I really do like you," she said, "I agree, your mother isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. While she's a duplicitous bitch, she's not cunning enough to use you to her full advantage or manipulative enough to get you to agree to help her even with your obvious disdain for her. She's cocky though, without having reason to be. It'll be her downfall, I'm sure. If you don't get in her way, then Hayley will. If I had to choose myself between the three of you, however, I'd say I'm firmly team Bonnie."

Bonnie wasn't sure that she believed that, but it was a start at the very least. "Who's Hayley?" Bonnie asked, finally.

Rebekah rolled her eyes. "No one you need to worry your pretty little head over," she frowned, "A nuisance more so than competition. If I'm being honest, right now you don't have any real competition. Nik knows what he wants the moment he sees it, and I know how to read him. You had him the moment you stepped up to that podium the day of the funeral. While Abby may be bothersome now, neither she nor Hayley will be of any note in the long run. Though, if Hayley's calling, I wouldn't put it past her to pop up in town. She's just some bitch who had Nik all twisted in knots right before Abby got her claws into him. That's why he was so vulnerable. He thought that what he had with Hayley was something that it wasn't. She was good at making him believe it for a time. She was only different than the others that he simply got bored with or couldn't tame in the sense that she was the one to leave him, and not the other way around. He would've tossed her aside eventually once he accepted her true nature, but she managed to have more of a hold on him than the ones he just liked the play with-"

Bonnie swallowed. "You mean the ones like me?" Bonnie felt threatened for the first time since her plan to get Klaus started. If the girl had left Klaus, that meant that she had been the one to end it. It meant that she possibly still had an opening, no matter what Rebekah said. Bonnie shook her head. "You rich people, and your playthings. I should've known. Is this fun for you, too? Does the fact that he's fucking my mother make it even more high stakes with me or something? Do you all have some sort of bet about how long I'll take to give in? How long it'll be before he tosses me aside after I do?"

Rebekah frowned and moved to touch Bonnie's arm. "Don't be daft," she said, "We like you. I like you. Genuinely. Not just because I detest your mother and her toxic relationship with my brother. You'd be good for him. You'd be good for one another. I believe that. I've been watching you. You already are. He's not ashamed with you. He's bold. It scares him, I think. But he deserves to be with someone who doesn't make him feel like he must hide who he is or run from it. I'd venture to guess that Nik is half in love with you already. He wouldn't risk getting physical with you at all for anything less than that. Especially not in front of me, this early. Not unless he was serious. You're not like the other girls. You're damn sure not like, Hayley. She may have had his head when they were together but after she left all she had was his hatred. He'd never got back to her now. She left a deep wound behind. You know about wounds more than anyone, so you should understand."

"I do. So, I know that no one can hurt you that deeply unless you really cared about them in the first place," Bonnie said. True connections had been in short supply in her life, but she knew that much of it. "Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead. Save myself from getting hurt later."

She was scared, because she knew in that moment that Klaus had the ability to hurt her. And that meant that she truly cared about him. But apparently Hayley was the one who had the ability to hurt Klaus, whoever the fuck she was. She was back in the picture now and Bonnie wasn't sure she wanted to deal with another woman vying for his attention. She had enough to deal with trying to seduce Klaus behind Abby's back. Her main goal was to make her mother suffer. Klaus was becoming more of a distraction to that than a tool that could help her to accomplish it. She wanted him, yes. But she was tired to being left behind by everyone she cared about and if that was even a slight possibility, she told herself that she would have to walk away.

"If you can get hurt that means you care about him as well," Rebekah said, "You practically said it yourself. Why give up now? Do you really think you can turn back now? That he'll let you walk away now that you're starting to cross the line?"

"He had no trouble walking away just now," Bonnie muttered, "And after we..." She frowned and shook her head. "I have to go."

She began to walk around Rebekah and the girl caught her wrist. "If you want him, if you truly want him, then I hope you find that you change your mind, Bonnie," she said, "But if you don't, then walk away. I'd rather you do that than hurt him down the road. I'd have to kill you if you did purposefully. But...if I'm right, and I think I am, then if you walk away now, Nik won't be the only one hurt. Think about it."

Bonnie wasn't sure she wanted to get sucked in deeper than she already was. She shook out of Rebekah's hold and made a beeline for the door to the stairs. Rebekah had likely gotten the reaction she wanted out of Bonnie too. She walked through the door and slammed it behind her.

As soon as Bonnie left the rooftop, she found Katherine still on the bottom floor in the speakeasy lounge. She grabbed Katherine's hand and dragged her behind the bar and into the "Employees Only" backroom. The other girl sat down on the old leather sofa that Damon had had since college. She watched Bonnie pace back and forth as she told Katherine what happened.

Kathrine look unbothered as she picked at one of the band stickers stuck to the arm of the couch. "I don't know what you're so worked up about," Katherine said, "So, some bitch he used to fuck called him a few times. Who cares? If you remember, you used to fuck Luka and he's here. No one gives a shit about that. Also, half the town wants to fuck you, myself included and you don't see Klaus freaking out. I thought you'd be more concerned about his sister catching you."

Bonnie frowned. "No one cares about me being around Luka because I'm the one that ended things. We both know if I wanted to still be with Luka, I could snap my fingers and it'd happen just like that. It's not the same with Hayley. She's the one that left Klaus. If this Hayley girl is calling, it's for a reason. Rebekah thinks she might pop up in town."

"I kind of hope she does," Katherine said, and as Bonnie moved to object, Katherine continued, "Just hear me out. You've wanted to know about his history and maybe here's a chance to. Klaus isn't threatened by other people's attention on you so why should you be. I mean you have men and women falling all over you all the time. Tonight, Klaus saw it firsthand. If anything, it led to Klaus making a move. It's a good thing. Even if you're not that jealous, you can play it up if she shows up. He'll probably get off on it. This kind of makes things more fun, because let's face it, Abby is not really competition at all. Now things will be interesting."

Bonnie sighed, plopping down on the sofa next to Katherine. "You didn't see his face when Rebekah told him," Bonnie frowned, "You didn't hear what she said about their relationship. I felt like...all of my progress went out the window. And I just...I've been so careful. I've been playing my hand close where Klaus is concerned. I've been making sure not to make moves unless we're alone. But I practically threw myself at him more than once even still and he resisted. Then I put the ball in his court and he finally made a move. He kissed me and I felt like we were getting somewhere. But then, the minute Rebekah mentioned someone else he walked off and I just got so...fucking insecure that I laid all my cards out on the table in front of her."

"She was probably trying to get a rise out of you. Gage your feelings for her brother. Admittedly it might cause problems later." Katherine shrugged. "But I am pretty sure you're blowing this way out of proportion. I mean, if he wanted to be with this Hayley chick, then he would be. His sister said it herself, he goes after what he wants. If he wanted her, when she left, he would've chased. He wouldn't have been so easy for Abby to get her claws into if he had been serous about what's her name. You said that Rebekah said that, after Hayley tossed him aside, she's didn't mean any more to him than one of those bitches he got bored with and threw away. Doesn't matter what their connection was before. He'd have to be batshit crazy to pick her back up with you as an option."

Bonnie wanted to believe Katherine's words, but she was beginning to feel her not so old insecurities surface. She and Klaus had kissed, yes. But this girl had a history with him, she knew what made him tick. She was likely beautiful. Klaus had a type after all. Young. Pretty. Malleable. She had probably gone places with Klaus that Bonnie hadn't gone yet. "What happens when he gets bored with me?"

Katherine took her hand and squeezed it. "He won't," she said, "You're you. You're like the manic sexy pixy dream girl of everyone's darkest fantasies. And if he does...then I will happily step in, and be your shoulder to cry on, and your face to sit on."

Bonnie laughed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

Katherine studied her a moment, her eyes searching. "This isn't just about the plan for you anymore, is it?" Katherine said, seriously. "This isn't about revenge or Abby. You want him, don't you?"

Bonnie hesitated, only because she knew how Katherine felt about her. Despite Katherine's cold exterior, and despite the jokes, her interest in Bonnie was genuine. Bonnie didn't want to hurt her. Katherine had helped her through a lot. But she didn't want to lie to her either. "I do."

"Well shit," Katherine said, half-joking, "There goes my chance." She sighed, and then turned her body towards Bonnie. "I'm going to help you get him," she said, "Because if anyone deserves to get whatever the fuck they want, no matter who they have to shit on and screw over in the process to get it, it's you. But I'm telling you, he'd have to be batshit crazy not to want you." She cleared her throat. "Here's what you do. Use this Hayley bitch's trying to make contact to your advantage. Rebekah already mentioned it to Abby and I'm willing to bet it's to your benefit. The bitch pops up then all the better. If Abby is worried about him fucking Hayley, she won't be worried about you fucking him. You'll be off her radar in that respect. Klaus's sister knows he wants you. She also hates Abby and she likes you. She told you what you need to know. She's likely waiting to see what you are going to do with the information. They like to play with people, right?"

Bonnie nodded. "So, she's probably trying to see if I can play the game. See what I can do with a little competition. See if I'm serious about her brother or not." Rebekah was just getting to know her. Of course, she'd want to get a read on her. None of them trusted Abby and Abby had been proven to be flaky and manipulative in the past. This was likely some kind of test to see if Bonnie was all in.

She knew how her mother would react to a threat. Play the victim. Maybe try to appease Klaus into paying attention to her again, so that she could keep him in line, if she could tear her eyes away from Jonas long enough to do so. Bonnie had to be smarter. She wasn't playing to take advantage of Klaus while she could, the way Abby was. She just wanted him, plain and simple. When it came to Klaus, she was playing for keeps.

Katherine smiled. "Exactly. And don't get so caught up on seeking Klaus' approval, you have it already. It's the other family members you have to worry about. Even if Klaus doesn't get bored with you, you have to make sure his family doesn't see you as disposable or once you get rid of Abby, you'll be in the same boat she's in. You need to bring it home that you're the better option. That you're not just more preferable to Abby personality wise, but you'll be more useful to them. That you have more value. It won't be hard. The only selling point Abby has right now is her connections in town and they're nothing compared to your connections. She has no job and next to no friends and no marketable talents or skills. You on the other hand, have a lot more to offer. Use it."

"I have that taken care of," Bonnie said, "I suggested to Esther that we plan a dinner with the Council family members soon, to get their approval for Mikael's renovation project and their help planning a fundraiser. I'll make sure to use the information I know to get on her good side and Mikael's already impressed with me. Kol is easy. Rebekah wants my friendship so she's not a hard sale. I think I can handle Elijah but, Finn is a bit hard to read. Abby mentioned inviting Isobel to the dinner. I'm guessing to have a friend there and get her insight, because she's also used to manipulating men. If Isobel is helping her, she might not be that easy to underestimate."

Katherine laughed. "Oh, don't worry about my Mommy Dearest," she said, "Isobel and I are two sides of the same coin, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. But I'm better than she is, and I know how to sway her. She's opportunistic, so she'll be on your side as soon as she realizes it's the clear winning side and she has more to gain. Besides that, since my doe eyed little twin hates her, I'm the only daughter who talks to her. She likes being on my good side too. I can probably even use her to get information on whatever plot Abby is cooking up. There's something else you're going to need to do though."

Bonnie knew the answer before Katherine even suggested it. "When you said use Hayley to my advantage you meant with Klaus, too, right?"

Katherine smirked. "My baby," she said, pinching Bonnie's cheek, "All grown up and scheming all by herself."

Bonnie rolled her eyes but grinned. "So, what? I make sure it's not a secret the idea of her showing up here bothers me. See how he reacts. If he's more interested in me than her, see how far I can get him to go to appease me where she's concerned?"

"Exactly," Katherine said, "I mean, eventually you're going to need him to agree throw Abby out on her ass. If you want him, she needs to be out of the picture and with any luck she'll suffer first. You're going to need to make sure that a) he and his family are not above doing anything underhanded. Which I honestly don't think we have to worry about. And b) he's willing to go to bat for you. That he's willing to do anything. That you're not just going to be in the same position as Abby when the next bitch comes along who shows him interest and calls him, 'Daddy'. Let's say Hayley shows up or makes contact again. If he's willing to get rid of or break contact with Hayley, who he seems to have a much longer and more established history with than Abby, to placate you and you're not even fucking yet, it's not going to be a stretch when Abby is next. Especially after you give him some pussy."

"Do you have to be so vulgar about everything?" Bonnie asked. In her mind Bonnie thought that it wouldn't just mean that he'd be willing to get rid of Abby, but that Bonnie would have power over him. More power than Abby or Hayley or any other girl who batted her eyes in his direction. It would mean feeling secure. She needed that.

"Yes," Katherine nodded, "Of course, I do. And you love it, so shut the hell up."

Bonnie gave Katherine a playful shove, even as her mind continued to mull everything over. Trust Katherine to put things into perspective and make her feel better.

Bonnie wasn't sure how far Klaus would be willing to go for her. Not yet. Things were too new. They were still, even with the intensity of their attraction to one another, in many ways, strangers. She just knew that she wanted to be, absolutely sure that she didn't have anything to worry about before she gave herself to him completely.

It was one thing to know that he had had a history with younger women in theory, it was another to have one show up and pursue him. She needed to make sure that Klaus was also in it for keeps where Bonnie was concerned. If that meant placing a target on this Hayley's back if she decided to pop up in Mystic Falls, then so be it.

:::

When her sister-in-law interrupted her conversation with Jonas to tell her that Klaus had left his phone with her and he kept getting calls, Abby had been beyond annoyed. However, when she saw that the calls were from her husband's ex-lover, Hayley Marshall, that he'd left way down in Louisiana, Abby knew that the interruption had been intentional.

It was no secret that Rebekah didn't like her. She was also, so unbelievably attached to and protective of Klaus, that Abby had to isolate him from her at the start of her relationship with Klaus to even get her hooks in him. In all likelihood, Rebekah was the reason that Hayley knew where they were in the first place. Still Abby had taken the bait because Hayley's presence made her worry. Not just regarding Klaus, but also regarding the perception of her marriage from the outside.

The whole point of her returning was for her to look like a good wife and mother. She couldn't do that if her daughter hated her and her husband had a wandering eye. She hadn't taken Klaus eyeing Bonnie all that seriously as she doubted, he would act on or Bonnie would be interested if he did. Besides that, if the improbable occurred and Klaus decided to go after her daughter, Abby would be the one smelling like roses when or if the town found out. She'd look like the mother that had offered her daughter a better life and only received betrayal in return. She could play the victim and cash in on the adultery clause in her prenup. Even if the worst occurred, which it wouldn't, Abby could spin it in her favor.

However, with Hayley, there was potential for things to take a turn. Especially if Abby continued to sniff around Jonas. She was sure that Hayley was a threat. Not only did Hayley have a past with Klaus, but she was more befitting of her husband's tastes. She was one of the exes that Klaus had told her about. She had been the one to leave Klaus, not the other way around. To Abby that was a red flag. It meant that there was a chance that Klaus was still vulnerable to her. Abby couldn't have that. She needed to be able to keep him reigned in and wrapped around her finger while she got what she needed and what she wanted. She couldn't lose face this early in the game.

And so, she cornered Klaus as soon as he made his way back to the lower level of the bar. She wanted to go home, and have the confrontation she knew was coming there, but Klaus insisted on finding his sister and her boyfriend first.

They sat at the bar and Abby became even more irritated as Klaus ordered another drink from Emily. "I want to know why she's calling you, Klaus," she said, "If you insist on having this conversation here then I want answers."

"I told you already, I don't know. I don't even know how she got my fucking number. I changed it after she left." He rolled his eyes as Emily placed glass full of bourbon in front of him. "I'm not the one insisting on having this conversation here," he said, "In fact, I recall saying that I'm not sober enough for it. That we should wait. It's you that is determined to embarrass yourself."

"Excuse me?" Abby frowned. He was never that flippant with her, not even when he was drunk. If she showed the slightest form of displeasure, he rushed to appease her.

That was the only good thing about his whole 'Daddy' dominant kink obsession, it made him devoted to a fault, a natural caregiver of sorts. If he was a bit obsessive about it, it was all the better. He had never gotten as bad with her as she'd heard his siblings say that he had been with others, however. She wasn't sure anymore if that was a good thing, as her hold on him was faltering.

Klaus took a sip of his drink. "You heard me," he said, "If you're so determined to have this conversation here and you want to talk about exes...then perhaps Jonas is worth mentioning seeing as you've been all over him tonight. You were practically in his fucking lap while I was sitting at the same table."

So, he had noticed. Abby's mouth pinched into a thin line as she glanced around her and saw Emily and Damon's eyes on them. "You're turning this around on me? You're the one who disappeared for a half hour and suddenly you're getting phone calls from that tramp Hayley-" Abby spat.

"I'm sorry," Klaus laughed, "Does my pointing out your hypocrisy interfere with you playing the victim? Perhaps, I disappeared because I thought that you and Jonas wanted some alone time. Would you have rather me cause a scene like you're so hellbent on doing right now, or go and get some air while your finish 'catching up' with your dear old beau," he put air quotes around "catching up" and Abby frowned as she heard someone snicker nearby, "Never mind, that fact that this is your daughter's place of business. As if you haven't taken enough from her already, now you insist on making a scene here of all places. You're doing a bang-up job at reconnecting with her. Really, I applaud you. I dub you mother of the fucking year."

"Klaus," Abby hissed, her tone warning. He was making her lose face and she couldn't let continue.

"You know what," Klaus sighed, downing the rest of his glass, "Since this is less of a conversation and more a collection of veiled and outright bullshit accusations against me while you take no accountability for your actions, I'm going to save you the trouble and me the headache since my buzz is apparently permanently gone between you and Hayley, and give you what you really want." He dug out his wallet, pulled out his credit card and, put it on the bar top. "There you are," he grinned, as he slid it over to her, "Happy now?"

Abby blinked. "Wow," Abby shook her head, "Seriously?" She wasn't sure how to recover from that now that they had an audience. Other patrons had joined in or Emily and Damon gawking at them. He had never been so blatant about money being the only means to appease her. It was something that remained unspoken so long as she gave in to his base desires. She was losing control and fast. All because that bitch Hayley had resurfaced. "Listen," she said, her tone softening, "We've both been drinking. We're saying things we don't mean"

Klaus leaned forward so that only she could hear him. "It's too late to save face now. You're very predictable, you know. I'm bored with this conversation. You know what happens to things that bore me, Abigail?" he whispered, before pulling back, his eyes narrowed. Abby did know, she knew all too well. It was the reason she was so keen to give in to his appetites in the bedroom.

The night that they met was the same night he'd thrown one of his toys away. Camille her name had been. She was blonde and plucky, kind and caring. But she'd also been judgmental and impulsive at times in a way that made Klaus irritable. Abby had come upon them arguing at the bar where Camille worked. When the blonde had stormed off, Abby had taken it as her opening. Going to sit down beside him.

"Trouble in paradise?" She'd asked.

Klaus had looked her up and down and grinned. She'd known she had him even before he spoke. "Something like that," he'd said, "She was all for getting spanked but now she's gone back to school. Studying psychology. Trying to psychoanalyze me. Disturbed by my urges. Boring as shit. I hate being bored." He'd looked at Abby as if he were undressing her with his eyes back then. "You look like you could be more interesting."

Abby had shrugged, noted the expensive custom watch on his wrist and thought of him as an easy target. "I don't know about all that," she'd said, "But I do like to get spanked." She'd been working overtime to keep his interest ever since.

She'd managed it for a while. Wrapped him around her finger. Slowly but surely manipulated her way into gaining control. However, she knew all too well that as hard as it was to gain, that control could very easily slip through her fingers. Her husband was rich yes, but also volatile. Had to take the bad with the good, as her mother always said. She'd gotten too comfortable. Things had been going too well as of late. She'd forgotten to stay on her guard.

Now, Abby placed a hand on Klaus's shoulder. "Klaus," Abby frowned, her tone placating, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just love you so much. I don't want to lose you. You know that. Let's talk about this...we could..."

Klaus cut her off easily. "Find your own way home."

He stood and a moment later Marcel was there helping him off the bar stool and Elijah was swiping his credit card off the bar top as if they had been watching the exchange the entire time and waiting for some sort of cue.

"You understand if I take his card back given the circumstances," Elijah said, his voice and demeanor ever polite, "Enjoy the rest of the evening. Give our regards to your high school sweetheart."

As they left Abby stared at her hands. She looked like the bad guy now. If Klaus had noticed her attentions towards Jonas, who knew who else had. And even if Klaus' behavior was questionable, now it looked like an understandable response to her own. He was right, it was too late to save face.

Her first thought was to ask Jonas for a ride home, but that would make the situation look worse, make her look worse. If she was going to pursue Jonas, she had to be more careful. Sighing, she took out her cell phone and called the one person she knew would come and get her. Isobel Flemming.

:::

Rebekah Mikaelson sighed as she looked at her elder brother laid out on the couch in his studio. Marcel was sitting in a chair across from him. Rebekah stood just out of Klaus' line of sight. There were some things she knew that would be easier for Marcel to address with him. He was too protective of her to bare certain aspects of himself outright. But once Marcel got him talking, that and his drunken state would keep up the dialogue whether Rebekah showed herself or not.

"Things were so perfect and then they went to shit," Klaus sighed.

Rebekah rolled her eyes. Marcel cleared his throat. Of course, he said what she was thinking. "I hate to break it to you, man...but things with you and Abigail were never perfect."

Klaus huffed and barked out a laugh. "Not with fucking, Abby. I'm not that delusional or that drunk."

Marcel raised an eyebrow and glanced at Rebekah over his shoulder. "Then with who? And please for the love of God don't be talking about Hayley."

"Fuck Hayley," Klaus spat, "She's still ruining my life three fucking years later." He ran a hand over his face. "I mean...with Bonnie."

Rebekah felt vindicated as Marcel smirked. While her brother's interest in Bonnie had been rather obvious to them all, she wasn't sure that he would act on it so soon, if at all. She was also unsure as to whether it was reciprocated, until she'd caught them together.

"So, something happened between you two?" Marcel asked.

Klaus stared. "You don't sound surprised."

This time Marcel rolled his eyes. "I'm not." He leaned back in his chair. "I know how you operate. So does your family. We were more surprised when you brought Abby home, but you know that. Bonnie on the other hand, is more your type. Besides that, she seems to get off on your attention if the way you two stare each other down every five seconds is any indication."

"You don't need to worry yourself about what Bonnie gets off on," Klaus frowned.

"You know what I mean," Marcel huffed, "Also, it's very telling that you're getting possessive already. What happened?"

Klaus stared up at the ceiling. "I kissed her," he said, "She let me kiss her and it was...perfect. She's perfect."

Rebekah walked forward before Marcel could reply. "Then admit what we all know," she said, as she situated herself in Marcel's lap, "You've been panting after her like a dog in heat since she got here. When you weren't avoiding her to hide what we all know. You know we all want you to be happy. No one more than me and Marcel. If you want her, we'll help you. But you have to admit it."

Rebekah had given Bonnie hints of Nik's interest and laid the groundwork for him, for a reason. She knew her brother and she was tired of sitting around and letting Abby take advantage of him. If there was a chance that he could find what he was looking for then she would do everything in her power to make sure he got it, even if it was with his wife's daughter.

"It doesn't matter now," Klaus said, "Hayley could pop up any moment and I just handed Abby her ass in front of an audience. I'm not looking too great as a relationship prospect now."

Rebekah frowned. "Oh please, Bonnie hates Abby. She'll probably be amused when she finds out what you did at the bar. Besides, with eyes on her Abby is going to work overtime to et back in your favor. She'll be too busy worrying about Hayley and keeping up appearances to gve you and Bonnie a second thought. It's the perfect time to strike. As for Hayley..." She'd told Bonnie that Klaus had a type. She doubted the girl would be judgmental when it came to something like that. Not unless... "When I told you that she called, did you feel anything?"

Klaus looked at her, his expression deadpan. "You mean, besides contempt and the urge to kill? No."

Rebekah smiled. She was relieved Hayley didn't have any pull over him any longer. She hadn't thought the girl would, but her brother had the habit of choosing the wrong women. Hayley had served her purpose; she'd pissed Abby off. And like Rebekah had hoped, with Bonnie in the picture, the girl's effect on Klaus was nonexistent. "I don't regret calling her then," she said.

That got his attention. Klaus sat up and glared. "You what?!"

Rebekah stared at him, unbothered. "I was trying to prove a point," she said, "The first being that Abby wasn't what you wanted. I called her before I met Bonnie, hoping hearing from her would unhinge something in your brain. Get you out of Abby's orbit. Not that I want you going back to Hayley. Ever. But...I wanted you to realize that it was never your desires that you should have been ashamed of. You just must be carefulof who you express them with. Hayley was the wrong person and so is Abby. But Bonnie...she's different, isn't she?"

A nod. "She's not afraid of me," Klaus said, "She doesn't judge me. She embraces it. She could need me. I'd be good to her. I could take care of her. She has so much potential."

Rebekah could read between the lines. She could hear what Klaus had left unsaid. As much shame as his desires brought Klaus, it wasn't really anything to be all that embarrassed about. What most people didn't realize about men like Klaus was, it wasn't just about the discipline or the control when it came to dominating. What Klaus enjoyed most was the idea of being everything to someone. Protector. Confidant. Anchor. Companion. Guide. Lover. To be that essential. That needed. He craved it more than anything because he had been discarded by so many people his whole life.

Bonnie needed all those things. She was neglected and vulnerable. But she was strong and like Klaus said, she had potential. More importantly, she wouldn't just take from Klaus the way that women did in the past. She was a giver, and she was loyal. They hadn't known her long, but she had been the one to care for her ailing grandmother after all. And she had taken on the task of making sure Klaus was eating when he spent hours or days in the studio. She was appreciative of the things he did for her. Already receptive towards his affections and attentions in ways that others hadn't been. It was something that Klaus deserved after everything they had been through.

"Which brings me to the second reason that I encouraged Hayley to call, even after getting to know Bonnie," she said, "If Abby is worried about you and Hayley, she won't be looking at you and Bonnie."

Nik's eyes narrowed. "So, that was the plan. Not a bad one. I wish you had told me. I could've warned Bonnie."

"You've barely just admitted to being interested in her," Rebekah sighed, "You probably would have told me to stay out of it. I won't. Besides I wanted to see how she reacted. There was no point in pushing this if she didn't want you. It was a test of sorts. She passed. She's jealous. I talked to her tonight. I've noticed her interest in you for a while now, but I wasn't sure how serious she was. I've been making remarks, comments. She hadn't taken the bait before, but after tonight. Bonnie...she was vulnerable. She doesn't want to be a game to you. To any of us. But especially to you. I don't think you want her to be either. Like I said, if you want Bonnie, we'll help you. All you have to do is say the word. I talked it over with Elijah. He agrees. Kol won't need convincing, though he'll be annoyed he can't fuck her now that you're after her. As if he had a chance. Elijah will handle Finn if he becomes a problem."

"So, you've been talking about me behind my back," Klaus said. He had done his own share of the same and so she doubted he was all that offended about it. "And your thoughts, Marcel?"

"If it's what you want, if she's what you want then we're with you," he said, "It's not as if you haven't done the same for all of us in the past. And if things go pear-shaped, we'll take care of it. We always do."

Rebekah thought back to the times Klaus had come through for them all. The times he had been the monster they couldn't be in order to protect the family. Mikael called him weak, but he was the strongest of them in a lot of ways. He took care of them all and had hardly gotten acknowledged for it. He'd been the one to protect his birth father from Mikael's wrath and was the one who even now covered up their mother's visits to him.

Marcel's birth father had been abusive and a drunk. When he had come to find him, years after they had taken him in, with threats and demands for money, he had been taken care of in quick succession, disappeared without a trace. None of them had asked questions, but they all knew the truth.

When Elijah had met Celeste, she had been a thief, a survivalist. She'd stolen identities from more than one woman in more than one state. She was notorious by the time she'd reached New Orleans. A woman of many faces. She and Klaus hadn't been fond of each other but when Elijah had declared that he loved her, the detective that had been after her at the time had been taken care of as well. She'd become an asset to them in the long run, a master manipulator. But that hadn't been the reason Nik had done it. It had been for Elijah.

That was the real reason they had all tolerated Abby's presence. Despite his flaws, and there were many, when it came down to getting his hands dirty for the sake of the family, Nik was the one they all came to. Even Mikael wasn't above taking advantage of the fact, often using Nik's constant search for approval against him.

She and Elijah had found happiness because of it. Rebekah wanted that for Nik as well and the more she got to know the girl the more she was sure that Bonnie was the answer. The only point of doubt she had was that she wasn't sure how cutthroat Bonnie could be, how thick her skin was. If she could handle not just Nik and his desires but their family and their secrets. Hayley was a test of sorts.

"So, what do you say, Nik?" Rebekah asked.

"I want her," Klaus said finally, "But after tonight, I don't know if she still wants me."

Rebekah smiled. "Trust me. You have nothing to worry about, brother," she said.

:::

Bonnie had gotten up early to go for a run alone the next morning to relieve some tension from the night before. Most of the Mikaelsons were still in bed and would likely be hungover upon waking. Bonnie had grown used to the late nights and so it didn't really bother her. What did bother her was the fact that she hadn't seen Klaus since the rooftop.

Bonnie was in the home gymnasium that doubled as her studio until the one Klaus was having built for her was completed, finishing the last of her stretches, when the last person she had expected to find her, did.

Finn Mikaelson had been an enigma from the moment that Bonnie had arrived. Even Mikael, in all of his entitlement, ego, bravado, and controlling ways was easier to get a read on. As Finn walked into the gym wearing sweats and an exercise tank Bonnie stared dumbly at him as he stopped in front of her.

"If you will allow it," he said, as Bonnie's arms dropped to her sides from where she had been stretching them over her head, "I believe that I can be of some assistance."

It was probably the most he had said to her. Bonnie remembered Katherine's words. She had to get everyone on her side. While Abby not coming home after the bar, and the scene she made the night before was doing wonders in terms of making Bonnie look good, she would still have to put in the work on her own as well. "Sure," she said aloud.

Finn nodded. "Very well," he said, before instructing, "Lie down. Flat on your back."

Bonnie raised an eyebrow at him but did as she was told. She laid down on one of the matts and watched apprehensively as Finn hovered over her.

"You're very good at following orders," he grinned, "Very amiable, even with your rebellious spirit. I'm sure Klaus enjoys that about you."

Bonnie tensed. "Excuse me?" She didn't bother to hide the nastiness in her tone.

"There, there," Finn said, patting her right leg before lifting it up, "No need to get upset. I'm not like my siblings. I don't like games. I prefer being straightforward. I like to be direct about things. Be it the fact that, you've managed to impress my family in a very short period of time, where it has been months of us dealing with your mother only for us to still find her very lacking in appeal. Or the fact that you've been the topic of many recent family discussions. Or the fact that my brother wants to fuck you."

Bonnie's eyes widened. "I..."

"Don't look so surprised, darling," he said, "Surely you've seen the way he looks at you. He doesn't have much self-restraint. From what I've heard, he even made a move already. You can talk openly with me. Feel safe in doing so."

Bonnie stared up at him uncertainly as he bent down far enough to rest her leg on his shoulder. "Okay...," she said.

"You're very intriguing, Miss Bennett," Finn as he stretched her right leg and used his left hand to bear down on the other, "But you're aware of that. Given the stunt you pulled with my father and the way that you've managed to wrap Niklaus around your little finger so quickly, you know how to use it to your advantage."

Bonnie was on edge. "I don't know what-"

"Let's not play dumb," Finn said, stretching Bonnie's leg almost painfully, "We're too smart for that, you and me. I am rather fond of you in all honesty. You have a lot going for you. Don't ruin it by trying to make a fool of me, my dear."

Bonnie nodded and Finn let her leg down with surprising gentleness and moved to the other. "Alright," she murmured.

Finn smiled. "Very good then," he said, "I would call you a good girl, but we wouldn't want to upset Niklaus too much, now would we."

Bonnie flinched. Apparently, she wasn't being as subtle as she thought where Klaus was concerned or rather what was more likely the case, his siblings knew him well enough to sniff out his interest in her even before she made her own move. She expected this from Rebekah, but Finn? She supposed the entire family knew all too well about Niklaus' tastes. It made her wonder even more about Hayley and their tolerance of Abby.

"You haven't said more than two words to me since I moved in here," Bonnie said, "Where the hell did this come from?"

"When I first heard that you were moving in, I thought you were plant of some sort on Abby's part," he continued, "Rebekah was of much the same mind. We are all aware of Niklaus' preferences and I figured Abby wasn't above using her daughter as bait. Get Klaus to commit adultery. Take advantage of the adultery clause in their prenuptial agreement. Walk away with a small fortune for her and her daughter and be on her merry way. So, I watched you."

"Abby isn't that smart," Bonnie said, as Finn lifted her left leg, "And I'm not that willing to work with her in any way. Money be damned. Not that she would want to share anything she could manage to scheme from Klaus with me."

"I'm well aware of that, now," Finn smiled, "I was giving her too much credit and you not enough. She wouldn't take you into enough consideration to include you in anything. She couldn't stand having Klaus' attention on you or anyone else outside of her, even if it benefited her, because she's that narcissistic. And she's far too selfish to do anything that would benefit you. And you despise her as much if not more than we have come to."

"Got it in one," Bonnie laughed. "She's not liable to consider me as an ally in any sense of the word. A threat, perhaps. But not to her current standing with Klaus. To her bid for attention and to get into the town's good graces, sure. She's an idiot. She thinks she can win me over and make herself look good in the process. A smarter woman who had a husband like Klaus, wouldn't let me near him. Especially, given that she abandoned me and screwed my grandmother over even before her death."

"It's a good thing we're not dealing with a smarter woman," Finn said, stretching her left leg up and over his shoulder "Even without our distaste for Abby, you look far better on paper Your mother is a flighty bohemian who barely finished high school and didn't go to college. She has no marketable skills and no loyalty to anyone but herself, proven plainly by the fact that she abandoned her family to travel the world without thought for the wellbeing of you or your grandmother. Never mind her ex-husband. She has survived by jumping into men's beds to get into their pockets. She would betray Niklaus or anyone in this family in second if the mood suited her or she found it even remotely beneficial to do so."

Bonnie didn't argue because he had read her mother well and she knew he couldn't have been the only one of them to do so. While he was quiet and loyal, Finn had gone from a passivist in Bonnie's mind to a watch dog. Observant and ever on guard, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"You, on the other hand," Bonnie swallowed as he continued, wondering what his assessment of her would be, "are a student, with just enough of a rebellious streak to be interesting. But have managed to keep your grades up even amid the chaos Abby left in her wake and with your most recent tragedy in both college and previously high school. You have more than one marketable talent in the arts, both of which could be used to our advantage at a later date in terms of grants, funding, networking at performances and in companion to Niklaus' own talents if and when he chooses to open a gallery in town. You've spent the better part of your teenage and young adult years caring for your ill grandmother, which means you're both loyal and nurturing. You have amicable, if not close-knit relationships will all the key players in this town. The founding families, parents and their heirs alike. Council members as well. You'd be an asset, as opposed to a blemish. With the right grooming, of course. Even looking at you right now, I can see that you're willing to play the deadly game of chess that we rich must play to stay in power. To survive. You'd be good at, in many ways you already are. With my help you'd be better."

He was far more observant than anyone gave him credit for, Bonnie would give him that. But he was also, like most rich men, a bit pompous and full of himself.

"Abby thinks that she can play the game and she's already married to Klaus. Why not help her?" Bonnie asked.

She wanted to make sure that his disdain for Abby was real before she played into his hands for her own means. It sounded real enough, but Bonnie was no fool. No lamb like Celeste thought. She was dealing with master manipulators here. A pack of wolves in a den, not pups in a kennel. She couldn't take anyone's words at face value until her place within the fold was cemented. Not even Klaus's, and she trusted him. Wanted him. So, Finn who was quiet in his cunning would be questioned more than most.

"Abigail would have many believe a lot of things about herself that aren't true. I know that and you know that," he said, as he continued to help Bonnie through her stretches, "Right now she's nothing more than Klaus's act of rebellion. He married her because he knew we'd hate her. Our mother and Mikael specifically. She was never meant to be a permanent fixture. He's bored with her. Has been for some time. Now she's simply a hanger on. A stain on the Mikaelson name. Like red wine on a white Persian rug. Noticeable. She makes us look less competent as a collective. She needs to be usurped. Thrown out and replaced. The quickest way to do that would be to place another queen in play for her seat. One more befitting to the king at her side. One that is more to his tastes. Do you understand?"

Bonnie raised a brow. For someone who hadn't talked to her before this, he had a lot to say. He could've been baiting her. Trying to get her to show her hand. For all she knew if she admitted that she was trying to do just that or even agreed with him too quickly, he'd go to his parents and then both she and Abby would be out on their asses.

So, Bonnie played her cards close and feigned surprise. "So, you want me to steal my mother's husband?" Bonnie asked.

"I wouldn't have bothered to suggest it if I didn't believe that you were already up to the task. Whether its revenge you want or if you're genuinely interested in Niklaus. A little of both perhaps," Finn shrugged, "The two of you have barely taken your eyes off each other since your arrival. I'll have to teach you the art of subtility. In any case, Niklaus wants you and you want him. If I thought you felt otherwise, I'd offer myself up as an alternative. It would get you in the family as a stronger ally at the least. And as I said before, I am rather fond of you."

They'd finished stretching by then and Bonnie stared up at him in confusion. "You don't even know me," Bonnie said, "You sure as hell don't know what I want or if I care what you or your brother want. And as for fondness... You and your siblings talk a lot about boredom. I'm willing to bet you all fancy yourselves fond of any person who doesn't put you to sleep within the first five minutes of meeting them."

Finn laughed. "You could be right," he admitted, "I know enough of you to know that you know what loss is. What grief is. And yet you still know how to live and have fun. You have passion for dance. For music. You're willing to take risks. But they are calculated. Like the move you made with Mikael. You show enough of yourself to keep people interested, but not enough to make yourself vulnerable. You live by your own rules, but you also can give up control when it suits you. Let someone else lead, while you follow. It's the lack of stability, I think that brings that bit of submission out in you. Your life has been chaos and you're drawn to even the slightest semblance of order. That's what Niklaus sees as well. What he wants to prey upon. But he's mistaken if he believes that you are even close to the prey you allow yourself to appear to be. Am I close?"

"What the fuck?" Bonnie frowned, sitting up. She didn't like someone seeing right through her when she couldn't get a read on them. "You are observant, I'll give you that. But also, kind of creepy."

"I'm a lawyer," he said, "I have to be. Observant, that is. I have to know what makes people tick. When and how they lie. I have dig for what they try to hide so I can use it to manipulate them toward the outcome I desire. I've never lost a case. It works in this family as well. My parents and siblings believe me obedient, lackluster, and weak. But they're often blind to what goes on behind the façade. All but Niklaus. He and I are two sides of the same coin. We'll never get along because of it. That darkness that you're picking up on in me, is something he possesses as well, tenfold. He's learned to use as a lure for the opposite sex. I haven't quite managed that myself just yet. I've learned to do what he can't in terms of manipulating Mikael and Esther at least, he resents me for it."

"Do you resent him?" Bonnie asked.

"At times," Finn shrugged, "At times I pity him, however. Though, I'd say I pitied us all on his wedding day."

Bonnie laughed. "You gave me that whole spiel about her being blight on your family's existence. But this sounds more personal than that. Why do you hate Abby? I mean, Rebekah is understandable. She's close to Klaus and my mother not being her first pick makes sense. Elijah as well, though he doesn't seem to care one way or other for her. He's indifferent. Same with Kol. I guess. Esther dislikes her but I doubt she likes anyone. Same with Mikael. But you, what reason do you have to dislike her aside from the obvious?"

Finn frowned. "As I said, she makes us look less of a unit," he said, "We have an image to uphold. Also, while I haven't uncovered all her motives yet, I believe she will lead to ruin for Klaus and embarrassment for us all if allowed to continue to flourish. To put it plainly, she's a nuisance. I operate on a quid pro quo basis. Tit for tat. She has nothing to offer, only something to gain from our association with her and so she has to go."

"You weren't lying about being straight forward," Bonnie said.

"No, I was not."

Still Bonnie had gotten the information that she needed. If Finn saw something to gain in their association with Bonnie, he'd be an ally.

He wasn't that bad on the eyes and he was way more interesting than Bonnie had originally thought. He saw her as an investment, a way to elevate his family and that was surprising. She might have taken him up on his latter offer if she wasn't already gone for Klaus. Still she wasn't above using his attraction to her to her advantage at later date.

He must have taken her silence for reluctance, because in the next moment he said, "Perhaps I was wrong, about you already having your own plans. Or maybe, you need a bit more convincing to rid this family of your wayward mother. There's someone here to see you that might do a better job than me."

He stood and Bonnie allowed him to help her to her feet. He walked out of the gym and Bonnie followed. For a moment she thought that he was taking her to Klaus but instead he led her to a small office on the far side of the mansion.

Pearl Zhu was sitting at a desk as they walked inside. She looked relieved when she saw Bonnie. "You're a hard person to track down, Miss Bennett," she said.

Bonnie sat down across from her and listened as the woman told her about her grandmother's will. About the stipulation that Abby try to connect with Bonnie. About her own trust fund that she had access to that Abby neglected to inform her about in hopes of using the Mikaelson money to force Bonnie's hand when it came to staying with her so that Abby could gain her own inheritance.

"I'm not sure what motives she has in not telling you," Pearl said, "But I wanted to make sure I did my job as Sheila's lawyer and let you know that Sheila did fully intend to leave you very well taken care of. Technically, I am not supposed to give out this much information regarding Abby's own qualifications to receive her inheritance, but as they involve you, I wanted you to know. She's also seems to be making a case to prove you incompetent, so that she can gain power of attorney over your trust as well. She mentioned your acts of rebellion, recreational drug use and drinking as points in her favor. I made sure to let her know that any court would see these things as natural coming of age occurrences for a young adult such as yourself as you don't partake in excess and it hasn't disrupted your daily functioning. Even with those things you've managed to stay in school, excel academically, which I believe you will continue to do upon your return after your leave of absence. You also were responsible enough to take leave to care for Sheila in her last days. All those things point to a very competent and capable young woman. I wouldn't be worried about that if I were you. Just the fact that she mentioned it, gave me pause."

"Thank you," Bonnie said, trying to keep her cool, "I appreciate you keeping me informed."

Bonnie wasn't sure about Abby's motives either. Abby had access to Klaus and his money, so why go to so much trouble for the money that Sheila had left behind? Perhaps she saw the writing on the wall. Maybe she wanted to use it as a safety net in the case that her marriage with Klaus fell through. All Bonnie knew was that Abby deserved nothing. She would have to do everything in her power to discredit her mother's attempts to connect with her and Abby as a whole, so she wouldn't see a dime.

Bonnie turned to Finn. "You were right about before," she said, speaking in veiled terms in front of Pearl, "I've been working on that project that you were talking about. Now that I've got this information, I'm even more prepared to do whatever it takes to complete it. Rebekah has already offered to help. Can I trust that I'll have your assistance as well?"

Finn smiled. "I am completely and utterly at your disposal, Miss Bennett."

:::

Even with the conversation from the previous night, the last person that Klaus was expecting to see when his sister and mother dragged him to breakfast at Mystic Grill the next morning was Hayley Marshall. She was supposed to be in New Orleans. More important than that, she was supposed to be in his past.

Bonnie had arrived ahead of them and was eating with Sheriff Forbes and her bubbly little twit of a daughter, Caroline, when they arrived. But Bonnie's eyes narrowed as she watched Hayley walk over to him, and greet him, his mother, and sister as if no time had passed. He hadn't even gotten to talk to Bonnie about the happenings of the night before and already it seemed like his progress was about to fly out the window.

Rebekah had told him about their conversation. About Bonnie's fears. Her vulnerability. His first instinct was to reassure her. But he couldn't do that. They were in public and Abby would be meeting them any moment now in any case. What he could do, was get rid of Hayley.

Hayley was smiling at him the way she always had, sweet with a hint of mischief. She was wearing a dress that was tight enough to make her look like she was trying too hard. Her hair tumbling down over her shoulders. It was much like when he first saw her. But time had passed. It had diminished her appeal greatly. Not because she had aged or anything so shallow. She was still rather young. He just knew her for what she was now, where he hadn't before. The way he was beginning to know Abby. Where he had once looked at her and seen promise and potential, he now looked into the hazel eyes of his former lover and saw only a nuisance.

He and Bonnie had things to discuss, now that they were finally done dancing around each other. That kiss was only the beginning and she needed to know that. But as he glanced at her as Hayley reached out and touched his arm, he could already see Bonnie shutting down. His sweet girl's eyes were losing their light, and he had to remedy that.

Klaus turned back to Hayley and chose his words carefully as he spoke. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"I came all this way, and that's the welcome I get?" Hayley said, her hand squeezing his bicep.

He took a step back, let her hand fall. Before he could respond Rebekah spoke first, loud enough for those watching to hear. "Of course, we're happy to see an old friend," his sister said, "You should come eat with us. Nik's wife will be here soon. I'm sure she'd love to meet you."

"I'd be happy to," Hayley said. Klaus fought the urge to roll his eyes.

Abby would not in fact love to meet Hayley. They all knew that. But from the outside, as no one else knew who she was, it looked innocent. It would allow him to escape any wrongdoing once the town knew the truth. And Abby, if she reacted to Hayley's presence when she arrived, all the better. Like Rebekah had said the night before, if she was looking at Hayley, she wouldn't be worried about the goings on between him and her daughter.

He glanced over at Bonnie as he thought of her. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she got up and excused herself from the table that she was at with the Forbes girl and headed towards the bathrooms.

He frowned. "You all find a table," he said, "if you'd excuse me for just a moment." He didn't wait for an answer before he followed Bonnie's path towards the bathrooms.

He stopped in front of the sets of doors leading to the men's and women's restrooms and glanced around to make sure he wasn't being watched before slipping into the women's bathroom.

He wasn't surprised to find Bonnie standing at the sink. She met his eyes in the bathroom mirror and raised one eyebrow. "Are you lost?" She asked.

Klaus sighed. It was the reception he had expected with Hayley officially back in town. "Are we alone?"

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "A little late to ask but, yes."

Without hesitation he walked to stand behind her. Placed his hands on her hips. Even if she wasn't exactly giving him a warm welcome, he wanted to be close to her. He wanted a bit of that moment back that they had stolen together on the rooftop the night before. "You look breathtaking."

"Thank you." She smiled softly, but her face was blank again a moment later. "Is that Hayley?" She said.

Klaus frowned. He had wanted a chance to talk to her himself about Hayley before this. About his past. All she knew about Hayley now, was hearsay from his siblings. He had wanted a chance to get ahead of it. To tell Bonnie their history on his terms when the time was right. But thanks to his sister machinations and Hayley popping up out of nowhere, he had lost that chance. They hadn't even gotten started yet and already Klaus had baggage coming to the table. "It is."

"So, what, she came all the way down here from New Orleans because you weren't answering your phone?" There was an edge to her voice, a sarcasm. There was something else underneath. Jealousy. Klaus couldn't help but being vindicated by it. He'd been feeling it enough because of her, the night before.

"I don't know why she's here," Klaus said honestly. Rebekah might've made contact, but Hayley obviously had her own motives. Hayley did what she wanted when she wanted. He could likely guess some of her motives, but he didn't really give a damn.

Bonnie huffed, glaring at him in the mirror. "Don't you?"

Klaus let his arms wrap around her completely, pulling her into his chest. "You're angry. Let Daddy make it better."

Bonnie shook her head, not willing to give in to him in that moment. She looked serious as she spoke. "I'm irritated," Bonnie corrected, "But it's been that kind of morning."

Klaus frowned. "What do you mean?"

He wanted to go back to the night before. When they had been drunk. High. When she had been soft and pliant against him, her lips on his. Now she was closed off and he was beginning to get irritated as well. Not with her but the situation. With his ex and his current headache, that were so determined to close the door that they'd finally given in and opened. Even if the interference was mostly unintentional.

"My grandmother's lawyer came to see me this morning," Bonnie sighed, "Told me about her will. Said to be careful because Abby is...acting suspicious. That she only asked me to come live with you because my Grams stipulated it in her will, for Abby to get the money that she left her. She didn't leave Abby much money, but...I guess it doesn't take much for Abby."

Abby didn't need money. Not when she had him. Klaus knew there was likely something else at stake. He silently vowed to find out what it was. His mother had warned him when he'd brought her home that Abby seemed layered and that's what attracted men to her. That she was layered in fact, but the trick of it was, those layers were paper thin. Like placing a glossy new cover over a worn book with yellowed and tattered pages on the inside. Very easy to peel back. And once one did, the picture on the other side of it, was bland, unappealing, not worth looking at. He was beginning to understand what she'd meant.

Bonnie eyed him, studied his face in the mirror. "You're not jumping to her defense." Bonnie said.

Klaus shrugged. "It doesn't shock me, so, can't see the point in trying to defend something I don't doubt to be true." He turned Bonnie around until she was facing him. "What else did the lawyer say?"

Bonnie looked down and away. "Grams might not have left Abby a lot, but she left me more than enough to take care of myself. There's a trust she's been saving since I was a baby. Valuable antiques and artifacts she had stored at the college. Most of which I plan on selling to Celeste. Among other things. I thought I just got the house but aside from the small amount she set aside for Abby, and some money and belongings that went to Emily and my cousin Lucy upstate, Grams pretty much left me everything she has of value on top of the trust. Which means...I don't need to stay with you anymore."

Klaus scowled. No. She was right there in his grasp. There was no way in hell he was letting her go now. "You're not going anywhere." He said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Stay. Keep your money. Save it. Hold Mikael to his promise. Let him pay for your schooling. He has the money to spare. Be with me. Stay with me."

"And what?" Bonnie spat. "Be your mistress? You're married to my fucking mother. Or did you forget?"

He reached out and grabbed the back of her neck, his grip tight, unyielding. "Watch your tone, little girl."

Bonnie stared back at him, her gaze challenging. "Or what?" Klaus squeezed. A warning. Still she didn't back down. He'd been right about her. She was fierce. She could handle him. She had potential. "Am I wrong? This thing between us. Whatever it is. It's not going anywhere. It was bad enough when I had to compete with Abby for your attention and now this other bitch comes out of nowhere and I...my whole life I've been made to feel like I'm not enough. I not going through that again. Especially not with you."

Klaus' grip softened. God, but they were so alike he and her. "I wouldn't do that to you. I'd never make you feel like that. I've been made to feel that way, the same as you. You're the last person I'd ever put in that position." He reached with his other hand to touch her face, traced his fingers along her cheek. "You're not just enough. Your more than enough. You don't have to compete with anyone for my attention. You have it. As far as where we'll go...we'll go wherever you want us to. Abby won't be an issue. I'll make sure of it. You just need to stay with, Daddy. Do you understand? Daddy promised to take care of you. I just need you to trust me. I keep my promises. That means my sweet girl gets whatever she wants."

Bonnie shivered, but still she resisted. He was likely playing into her hands, but he didn't really give a damn. He meant every word. He wanted her to know it. To feel it. The more he learned about Abby the less she became anything more than an obstacle for him to get what he wanted. He wanted Bonnie. He needed Bonnie.

"You know the right things to say," Bonnie said, "But you've said them before, haven't you? To other girls? They're words. You want me to stay with you now, but what happens when you get bored with me. When your attention is taken elsewhere. Then where do I end up?"

There was something frantic surfacing inside of him at the thought of her leaving. "I'd never get bored with you," he said, his hands framing her face, "I need you. From the moment I saw you I needed you. Do you know how much it would hurt, Daddy, if you left me? Do you know how crazy it would make me?"

Her hands fisted in his shirt. Perhaps she was playing him a little, but she also needed the assurance. "Tell me...," she begged, "Tell me how much it would hurt. Tell me what you would do to make me stay."

Klaus had enough insecurities of his own to know what she wasn't saying. She needed to feel secure. Given what was at stake for them both, it made sense. She had an out, and she was prepared to take it. He had to stop her, by any means necessary. "I'll prove it to you. I'll show you."

Klaus grabbed her by the throat again and kissed her. Hard and rough. He took her bottom lip between his teeth, ran his tongue over it. Released it in time to swallow her moan as Bonnie opened her mouth to him. She gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin, sure to leave marks even with his shirt in the way. He sucked on her tongue, pulling her closer even as she responded by pushing him away at the sound of footsteps.

The bathroom door open and they stepped apart. When he turned toward the door, Klaus wasn't surprised to see Hayley. They had been getting sloppy, caught both times they were too caught up in each other to be careful, and now the devil had appeared. He wished he had more self-control where Bonnie was concerned.

Bonnie tensed beside him. She said nothing, but her expression spoke volumes.

"This looks cozy." Hayley said, her eyes shifting between them.

His eyes narrowed. "Last I heard you were married," Klaus said, "And in New Orleans."

Hayley frowned. "That's over," she said, and then, "I heard you were married, too. Imagine my surprise when I found out she was older." She glanced in Bonnie's direction. "I'm assuming this isn't her. Too young. More your taste, though."

Klaus took a protective step in front of Bonnie, hiding her partially from view. He knew his sweet girl could handle herself just fine, but the move, the need to safeguard, was instinctive. "What the hell are you doing here?" He said, his tone sharp.

Hayley didn't flinch. She was used to the tone. Had heard it many times before. Bonnie didn't flinch either, though. She stood her ground as Hayley eyed her again.

"You aren't going to introduce me?" Hayley asked, smirking.

Bonnie stepped around him before he could respond. "I'm Bonnie," she said, "And the old bitch that you're so shocked to hear that he's married to, is my mother."

Klaus winced as Hayley laughed. "I knew you had a Lolita complex. But type casting yourself as Humbert, Humbert is a little much even for you, Nik."

Again, Bonnie responded before he could open his mouth to retaliate. Klaus watched as she approached Hayley, standing close and invading her space. Toe to toe. "I know who you are and we both clearly know his type, so let's not mince words. I'm assuming from your comments and your behavior that you're attempting intimidation of some sort. You've got the wrong audience," Bonnie said, "He said you were married, right? And since you made the trek all the way from Louisiana, I'm guessing that didn't end well for you, huh? So, you thought, you'd come here, bat your eyelashes and talk your way back into his bed. Even when you found out he was married, didn't matter because his wife is older, right? And you know what he likes, what he really likes. So, what, you thought you could either manipulate him back into a relationship with you and then bleed him dry, or get him to fuck you at the very least, then blackmail him because of the whole wife thing, and then bleed him dry? Am I close? Did I do good?" The last Bonnie asked with a look of mock innocence.

Klaus stared. He was impressed. This was a side of Bonnie he hadn't seen. Even with Mikael she had been mocking but calm. But this...her tone was lethal, territorial. Bonnie was right, of course. She didn't know Hayley and yet she had read her so easily. He kept underestimating her, it would seem. His precious girl wasn't so sweet after all, even if she was sweet to him.

"Too tight dress," Bonnie continued, "Pouty expression. Three-year-old Louis Vuitton shoes, that were probably gift a from Klaus, seeing as I'd doubt, you'd be standing here if your new more than likely ex-husband could afford them. I've seen girls like you a dime a dozen come in and out of this town. You can play like you walk big. Talk big. But all you really are, is a desperate, pathetic parasite looking to take advantage of anything and anyone to survive." She gestured towards Klaus. "He isn't your mark anymore. Hell, I'm not one to judge so I'll even point you in the direction of a new one. But he, is spoken for."

God, she was spectacular. She made him so proud. Even hungover and sleep deprived he felt like he could take her, there on the bathroom counter while Hayley watched. Pin her down. Make her beg. Whisper endless words for praise in her ears. She had claimed him. Right there in front of that bitch that had been ashamed of him. That had gone along with him when it came to spending his money but had called him perverse when it came time to give him what he needed. Had mocked him and thought it a game. Had left him when he was of no more use to her.

"I have to wonder," Hayley said, "Are you protecting your interest or your mother's?"

Perhaps Bonnie had given too much away. It was too soon. Too new with them Though, given what Hayley had witnessed even before Bonnie had spoken, there wasn't much use in hiding.

Still, if Abby found out before things even progressed, they'd be over before they started. And Hayley, she was just vindictive enough to blow his life to pieces if she didn't get what she wanted, and Bonnie had been right about what she likely wanted.

"Does it really matter?" Bonnie laughed, her confidence not leaving her, "Either way, you're not going to get whatever it is you came here for. And either way, I am not the one who has anything to worry about."

"You think that you know what you're getting yourself into, but you don't," Hayley said, her face suddenly serious, "I've been down this road with him before. With his family. You don't know the lengths they're willing to go to-"

Klaus stepped forward then, cutting off Hayley's warning before she could finish it. He wouldn't have her scaring Bonnie away from him. As adamant as he was about fighting his feelings for Bonnie before, he was just as adamant to keep her by his side in that moment. "Be careful of your next words, Hayley."

"It's been a while since you called me by my name," Hayley said. "What? No, princess?"

His hands clenched into fists. He was coming down from the high he was on. From Bonnies' presence. He could've killed Hayley. Drowned her in the nearest toilet with no remorse. He'd wanted to tell Bonnie about his past on his terms and there Hayley was slapping him in the face with it.

"Oh, sweetie," Bonnie smirked, "How cute?" She reached out a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind Hayley's ear, her tone almost placating, but more than a little condescending when she spoke. "Was that a warning? You think I don't know about him? Oh, princess, I'm his little girl, now. Of course, I know. No one knows Daddy better than me. I'm the newest addition to the family and they happen to be very fond of me. And you...you're really starting to piss me off. You're killing my vibe. And Daddy hates it when I'm upset." There was a deliberate pause that made the threat clear, before she continued. "But...I have an omelet waiting and I'm really not worried about you. So, go ahead and shoot your shot, boo. Embarrass yourself. And when you're done, go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under."

Klaus was surprised at how confident Bonnie was in his family's backing. How comfortable she was making a veiled threat, and how much faith she had that Klaus would carry it out if necessary. The thought didn't bother her clearly, of him harming Hayley for her sake. If anything, she seemed to get off on it. Perhaps he was wrong to think she'd be scared of his true nature. Of his past.

Hayley spoke, interrupting his thoughts. "That's going to be hard to do considering I'm enrolled at Whitmore now," Hayley replied, looking at him over Bonnie's shoulder, "I heard you were teaching there. I thought it would be kind of hot seeing you as a professor."

Klaus thought for sure that Bonnie would finally show some sign of an upset over the words. But she merely looked more amused. "Oh, you really came to play, huh? This'll be fun." She turned to Klaus. "Take care of this, please."

"Of course, love." He nodded. He wanted to reassure her, both physically and with words. But Hayley already knew too much, and he was sure another patron could walk into the bathroom at any moment. So, reluctantly, he let her go.

As soon as the door closed behind Bonnie, he turned back to Hayley. "Give me one good reason not to kill you right now."

"Don't be so dramatic," Hayley said, "You won't do anything. Not in public at least. And if she was so important, you would've gone after her."

"She asked me to take care of you, and that's exactly why I'm still standing here," he said, "Nothing more."

"I'd be happy to let you take care of me again, the way you really want to." She took a step closer to him. "She may think she knows you, but you and I know that not many women can handle the places you can go when you get...close. You're not there yet with her are you."

"If I recall correctly," Klaus said, "You couldn't handle it. You called my particular brand of devotion, disturbing. And yet, here you are."

"I was young then," Hayley said, giving him the puppy dog look he had once been weak for, but now looked pathetic, "I didn't know what I had. I want to come back home. I've learned my lesson, Da-"

His hand shot out to grab her by the wrist before she got the word out. His grip was painful, hard enough to bruise. A threat, a warning. "Don't call me that. Don't even fucking think it. You lost that right a long time ago. Like I said, if I didn't go after her, it was because she asked me to take care of this, of you. And what my little girl wants, she gets. You don't get to disrespect my sweet girl by letting that moniker fall from your tongue. Not when it's directed at me. She's the only one that gets to call me Daddy. She's perfect. You're nothing."

Hayley's eyes widened. She wiggled out of his grip. "Holy shit," Hayley shook her head, "You're really gone for her, huh? I thought she was all talk, but she has you twisted." A pause and then. "Has she let you fuck her yet? No... I don't think so. You're not secure enough in it. Too riled up. Not cocky. No bragging like you do when you're comfortable. You're terrified. I can see it. She doesn't know. You haven't pinned her down yet. Spanked her. Choked her. Degraded her to the point where she hated looking in the mirror."

Klaus sighed. "It was never about degradation," he spat, "You just weren't built for it. It was never what you wanted. You just never fully understood me. The nature of my desires. You thought it was some depraved and perverted little game. It was never that. I could've taken care of you. Built you up. Made you something. But you...we never worked. We wouldn't work, now. But you know that. What Bonnie said, was true wasn't it? You need money. You're here to get what you can out of me, in any way you can."

Hayley didn't answer, but that was an answer in of itself. "You think she'll understand? Better than me? Better than all the others? Is that it?"

"She already does. She understands me better than anyone ever has," Klaus said, honestly, "She was right. I have never wanted anyone the way I want her. She has nothing to worry about. Especially not from the likes of you. But if you upset her again, if you come near her or make her feel threatened in any way by your presence ever again, you on the other hand will need to worry. Do you understand, Hayley?"

She grimaced. "I understand."

Even as he walked around her, he knew that she wouldn't give up so easily. But if it meant proving to Bonnie that he as serious, then he wouldn't give Hayley a choice in the matter. Besides that, he could show Bonnie what she was dealing with at the same time. Hayley had been right about one thing, Bonnie needed to know the lengths he'd go to in order make sure that she stayed with him.

:::

Abby woke up on Isobel Flemming's couch with a hangover and a bad taste in her mouth. Isobel looked as immaculate and well put together as ever in a midnight blue dress and black heels, as she sat in a chair across from Abby and eyed her speculatively.

Abby sighed as she sat up. "I need to get home," she said, "Staying out all night probably makes things look worse after all those Jonas accusations."

Isobel shook her head. "You were always too wrapped up in Jonas for your own good," Isobel said, "Never let a man keep you from getting what you want. Even if you love him. That's the motto, right?"

Abby scowled. "That's how you lost Alaric," she said.

Isobel rolled her eyes. "I never lost Alaric," she said, "We may not be together, but I still have my hold on him. He still loves me. The problem with Jonas is that you've always loved him more than he ever loved you and there's a blind spot there that always gets you in trouble."

Abby tensed. Isobel was right, of course. But Joans had loved her once. Once he discovered what they had created together, their son, he'd love her again. Klaus be damned. No one could know about Jamie yet though, so she had to keep her plan intact. Still she couldn't help but make a dig at Isobel for her remark. "If Alaric still loves you so much then why was he ogling my daughter last night?" Abby shot back.

To her surprise, Isobel laughed. "Your daughter is...," Isobel paused, "A subject of fascination to many men and women in this town and has been from the moment she hit puberty. Kind. Caring. Talented. Sexy. Mysterious. With just enough of a wild streak to keep things interesting."

Abby frowned. She didn't want to hear about Bonnie in those terms from Isobel of all people. There was respect there, she could hear in her voice. Isobel didn't respect anyone, but apparently, she respected Bonnie. "I remember when we were girls like that."

"We were never girls like that, Abigail," Isobel said, "We tried to be. We manipulated many men into believing that we are but...we're not caring and damn sure aren't kind. Sexy, yes, but the mystery is another one of our tricks. Talented, well...depends on what you consider a talent. She doesn't feed off the attention the way we do, doesn't crave it. Probably because she doesn't have to try so hard to get it. Let's face it, we had daughters that surpassed us. It's our curse, I think, to watch them live out the fantasies that we created for ourselves in our heads but never quite reached. We abandoned them, so of course we are bred for suffering."

Abby shook her head. "You may be suffering but I'm doing just fine. I have my fantasy," she said, "Klaus and I may have had a disagreement last night but... I still have him in my pocket and his money in my wallet."

"For now," Isobel said, "But you'll have to be careful now that someone more his type might be coming to town."

Abby sighed as she thought of Hayley. She was beautiful. Dark hair, hazel eyes, slim frame, and the kind of face that stopped traffic. She wasn't like Camille. She hadn't bored Klaus, simply blindsided him when she'd left him. He could still be vulnerable to her. "I'll handle it."

"Maybe start by calling your husband." Isobel handed Abby her phone and she noticed five missed called. Three from Esther and two from Rebekah. None from Klaus.

Shit, she thought, she was supposed to meet them for breakfast. She'd planned on using it to get the upper hand on the fundraiser situation and prove herself useful. So much for that.

Isobel crossed her legs. "You can't handle this without help," she said, "I'd like to meet this new husband of yours. See where his mind is at. See where his interest lies. You seem to be of the mind that everything will turn out how you want it to because you want it to. But you and I both know that's not how the world works. What that really means is that you're desperate, which is a bad thing. It makes you weak. Vulnerable."

Abby frowned. "I'm fine." She was about to say more when her phone vibrated. She was surprised to see it was a text from Bonnie. Her frown deepened as she opened it and read it. "Hayley is in town. Bonnie just gave me the heads up. And if she's bothering to do that, it means it's definitely a problem."

Isobel raised a brow. "You're probably right. If you don't want to lose control, you need to put Jonas on the backburner. You need to get your shit together."

Abby sighed. She couldn't agree more. "Don't worry. I've got this." Abby was sure Isobel didn't believe that any more than she did.

:::

Esther Mikaelson's mother had always told her to play her cards close. That anyone who had to bare their teeth at every given threat was weak. That they did so out of fear. That they were prey masking around as wolves. That a real beast didn't need to gnash their teeth to inspire fear in a potential threat. They needed only to smile and show their fangs. A subtle threat was always better. An underhanded maneuver. It could draw attention, so long as it didn't cause the wrong attention. Attention that inspired guilt.

Abigail had never been subtle. So, Esther wasn't all that surprised when she started gnashing her teeth as soon as she walked into Mystic Grill and saw Hayley Marshall sitting at the breakfast table with her, Klaus and Rebekah. Though, she supposed it was now brunch as Abigail was over an hour late. It wasn't long before a confrontation broke out. The whole thing was rather tedious. As much of a disaster as Abby claimed her own daughter to be, Abby clearly was and had been even before the day that she met Esther's son. The woman was a complete and utter mess.

Niklaus was troubled enough as it was. Because of Esther's own indiscretions he already felt as if he didn't belong. That, coupled with his parental issues, made him an easy mark. But Esther could tell her son wasn't foolish. Or rather, foolish in the ways Abby had assumed. He was smiling now, but Abby didn't realize that Niklaus had fangs. His interest in the woman was waning and so Esther would simply bide her time until the woman was disposed of. She'd go the way of the others. The stunt she was pulling at the moment causing her to sink further.

Abby was managing to make even Hayley look classy, which was a feat within itself.

"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear the first time," Abby said, from her seat next to Klaus and across from Hayley, "You need to leave."

Hayley for her part remained calm, if a little amused. "I haven't finished my breakfast yet and we were having such a good time catching up."

Esther didn't like Hayley any more than Abby but at the very least the girl knew how to carry herself in a public place.

"I'll just get you a container to pack up the rest," Abby said as she stood, "Hell, I'll even throw in a fresh cup of coffee. What are you drinking?"

Esther rolled her eyes. "Is all of this necessary, Abigail? Hayley is an old friend joining us for breakfast. One you couldn't bother to be on time for. Are you really going to embarrass yourself further by forcing her to leave?" Esther deliberately spoke loud enough for the inhabitants of the restaurant to hear, to ensure that Abby indeed did embarrass herself further.

Esther watched as her daughter-in-law paraded over the counter, and of course Niklaus followed his wife, his tone ever placating as he whispered in her ear. But it was a show, of that Esther was sure. Because he hadn't even brought up the fact that Abby hadn't come home the night before. Which meant one thing, he was beginning to not care whether or not she came home.

Klaus put in the coffee ordered with a murmured word to the boy behind the counter. Esther couldn't hear what he'd said but she knew that her son knew what Hayley liked well enough. Klaus turned his back, to the counter as Abby continued to talk to the boy and paid for the drink and Hayley's breakfast, likely with her son's credit card. Esther huffed.

As they waited for Hayley's food to be boxed up and her coffee made Esther followed Klaus' line of vision. Abby was turning to talk to him now, but he didn't respond, his eyes were on Abby's daughter. Esther raised a brow as Klaus nodded at Bonnie, a small motion undetectable by someone not paying attention.

The order was up and Abby poked Klaus in the side regaining his attention, though her daughter-in-law didn't seem to pick up that she had lost it.

When they came back the table Abby made a show of giving Hayley her carry out container and coffee. Hayley made a show of drinking it. "Just as fresh as you sa-" Hayley began but started to cough a moment later.

Esther shared a look with her daughter Rebekah, who suddenly looked less bored as Hayley's hand came up and clutched her throat. Niklaus knelt by the girl's chair and began to dig through her purse. His face was concerned as the other patrons stood in alarm. But the words Esther heard him hiss under his breath weren't words of concern. "You've been warned. Next time there won't be a warning." Hayley nodded frantically and Klaus smiled.

Esther huffed out a relieved sigh as Niklaus took out the EpiPen in the girl's purse. She remembered absently the girl had a nut allergy. Her eyes landed on the coffee cup. It was Niklaus's work to be sure, but everyone had seen Abby hand the girl the cup.

She thought a moment as Niklaus used the EpiPen and shouted that someone call for help that he'd pulled the stunt for Abigail's benefit. But it couldn't have been, not when it made the twit look guilty in the process. Besides, Niklaus wouldn't risk possible murder for a woman who no longer held his interest. Hayley could've died.

But why else would he do this, she thought, as she eyed her son. Then she saw he was looking over at another table as some doctor Fall or Fell, or other left her breakfast and rushed over to assist.

She followed his line of sight and her eyes landed once again on Abigail's daughter. Bonnie was wearing a facsimile expression of concern even as she nodded in Niklaus' direction. Bonnie turned to her companions, Sheriff Forbes and her daughter, Caroline, Esther thought the girl's name was, and said loud enough that those nearby could hear. "Looks like that Hayley girl had some kind of allergic reaction or something. Must've been the coffee. My mom handed her the cup, you don't think she would... I mean how would she know right?"

"I heard they had an argument about that same girl at Damon's bar last night. I ran into Damon this morning and he mentioned the girl's name more than once. Abby made this whole big scene yesterday while you were in the employee lounge. Now this. Ugh." The Sheriff's daughter scowled as she spoke. "I know she's your mom Bonnie, but that whole scene looked kind of suspicious."

"I don't know," Bonnie said, biting her lip, "She's my mother, but she's been gone most of my life, you know. I don't really know her that well. I'd never accuse her of anything like that. But it does kind of look bad. Still, how would she know what the girl's allergic to? It had to be an accident. In any case, Klaus got there just in time. It looks like he saved her life."

The Sheriff nodded in agreement. "It would seem so. I doubt Abby will like that, even if it was an accident." Sheriff Forbes turned back to Bonnie and frowned. "I wasn't sure what to think about Klaus when I found out he'd married Abby. I do know her well, and I had my reservations about you staying with them when she moved back as you well know. You're like a daughter to me and Abby has always thought about herself before anyone else. But Klaus, at least, seems to be a good guy. From the scene Abby made, he and that girl clearly have a history. But he's not letting the past cloud his intentions or keeping him from helping someone in need. He didn't hesitate. I hate to say this Bonnie but if it were up to your mother... well...I'm not sure she wouldn't have."

Bonnie didn't comment. Let the silence speak for itself. Esther's eyes widened marginally.

Caroline was the first to speak, her eyes on Liz Forbes. "Mom, you don't know the half of it. He's been so good to Bonnie since Ms. Sheila died." The Forbes girl said.

Bonnie nodded. "He's been really supportive. One of the main reasons I've decided to finally go back to school. His dad is even fronting my tuition. He's family has taken me in as their own. I don't know what I would've done otherwise. With Grams gone I've been floundering. But since I've been with the Mikaelsons I finally feel like I have sense of direction again," Bonnie said, sounding for all the worlds sincere, and making their family look good in the process.

"So, he accepts her daughter from another relationship and probably treats Abby like a queen and this is her response. He's way too good for her," Caroline chimed in. "This Hayley chick is way younger too, and Rebekah, that's Klaus' sister, right?" At Bonnie's nod the girl continued, "She said the girl was an old friend. Abby's probably freaking out over nothing. Your mom seems way too high strung to fit in with his family. I wonder how he ended up with Abby. They don't really seem like a good match."

"She was always a maneater," Sheriff Forbes commented, "Even in high school. Her and Rudy didn't fit either, but she found a way to pull the wool over his eyes before she blindsided him by leaving."

"My dad still loves her, I think. It's kind of sad. I couldn't imagine playing with anyone's feelings like that," Bonnie said, "but I mean she's older now right. Maybe she's changed."

"For his sake I hope so," Sheriff Forbes said, reaching out to touch Bonnie's hand, "For yours too."

Bonnie looked down and away. When she looked up again her eyes landed on Esther. When she noticed Esther watching, she didn't look away. She smiled.

Between the stunt Bonnie had pulled with Mikael and her being more in line with Klaus's preferences, Esther's children had been whispering about Bonnie fitting in with the family far better. Esther had placed Bonnie in the same box with Abby until that moment, all flash and no substance. All talk and no action.

But as she looked at the girl Esther's eyes narrowed. This girl wasn't like her mother at all. This girl, this Bonnie, she had fangs.

End Notes: Jeez this chapter is long as hell. Lmao. Okay so definitely campus shenanigans as promised next chapter. Already started in the drafts. I just want to update a couple more stories beforehand. Review, review, review! Thanks for reading!