Title: When the Ends Justifies the Means

Author: Jessica

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries

Subject: Bonnie Bennett

Timeline: Takes place after the events of 3x15.

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Bonnie Bennett makes a deal with the devil to ensure that no one is in the position to hurt her again.

:::

chapter one: let's make a deal

"I trusted you..."

It wasn't an accusation on Bonnie Bennett's part, but a statement of fact as she stared absently into the blazing fire, feeling his presence behind her in the old, abandoned, witch house.

"You've always asked me to trust you; to put my faith in you—to believe in you," she breathed, eyes trained on the flames. "And I always have because…Well, you're Stefan. You're the 'good brother'. You're the one who cares about people and tries to do the right thing even though you are what you are."

Slowly, Bonnie rose to her feet. Absently patting the dust from the legs of her black jeans, she approached him. "But I let myself forget that part, didn't I?"

It was a rhetorical question of course.

"In the end, you are what you are." The smirk she flashed was mirthless. "And believing any differently was my mistake on my part—a mistake that I won't make again."

Believe it or not, the irony of this situation was not entirely lost on her. She'd actually thought that they were friends. Even with Damon—though they weren't the best of buddies—there seemed to be a mutual understanding between them. It was a functioning partnership for the greater good if she had to label it. But as it turns out, even she was expendable on Elena's behalf. And that was okay because she'd die for her a thousand times over if meant keeping her safe. Elena was her best friend and she loved her.

But Abby…?

The Salvatores had no right to forfeit her life in exchange for Elena's. Given the circumstances, Bonnie understood that they could have easily killed and turned her to sever Esther's link to her ancestral line and magic. And sometimes she wondered if because they didn't, in some twisted way that meant that they actually gave a damn about her. But really, what kind of logic was that? They kept her alive just to kill and turn her mother?

The mother who she'd just found. She'd begged to stay, all the while knowing that no good could come from being mixed up in any of this. Deep down, a small part of her believed that she was just as much to blame for Abby's turning as Stefan and Damon.

Bonnie stopped just a few feet in front Stefan. Her gaze was intense and unwavering as she stared at him. So much so, that he was unable to hold it for long. After a few uncomfortable seconds, he looked away, shameful.

"You know, Caroline mentioned once that as a human you cared deeply for people—how they felt. If they were hurting, you felt their pain, and you felt guilt if you were the one who caused it," she recalled. "And that feeling—those emotions—only intensified when you became a vampire?"

Arms folded across his chest, he nodded somberly.

"Then choke on it Stefan."

There was such conviction in her voice as she spoke, so calm and a matter of fact.

"Choke on all the pain and the hurt that you and your brother have caused because I will never forgive you for this," she swore, shaking her head. Silent tears flowed freely down her face. "There's no absolution for you here. So just do me this favor—because you owe that much—just leave me alone."

Taking in what she said, Stefan let a deep, defeated sigh.

Bonnie was right.

Every time that he'd asked for her help, she'd always been there. Whenever he begged or pleaded with her, she'd always said yes. At first, he knew it was all about keeping Elena safe. But over time, they become friends within their own right. She trusted him to help make things right. Anytime something went wrong, she'd help with her magic and he'd try to fix it. It's what he did and he used to be good at it.

But he knew he couldn't fix this.

He couldn't make it better for her no matter how much he wanted to. So if she wanted him gone now, he would respect her wishes. As she'd mentioned, he owed her that much, and so much more.

"I know what Damon and I did was unforgiveable," Stefan said, tethering at the threshold. "You have every right to hate us, but I want you to know, Bonnie, that I am sorry. Truly sorry." He took a deep breath. "Given the circumstances and what was at stake, I did what I had to do at the time. I'm just sorry that it was at you and your mother's expense."

With those lingering words, he turned to leave.

As Bonnie watched his retreating form, she let out what could only be described as a sigh of relief. She felt like she was all bravado and little bark because what could she really do to make him and Damon pay?

So far, her threats had been empty. She was a witch; she had all this power flowing through her veins, yet because of her lack of tutelage, a lot of her spells had the same effect as a magician performing pallor tricks. Even Esther had the ability to tap into the true potential of the Bennett line while she, an actual Bennett witch, remained clueless as to how to stop her.

Bonnie wasn't stupid.

She knew that she couldn't do this all on her own, despite stating the contrary. Truth be told, when the witches brought her dreams of her mother, she'd hoped to not only find a way to rid this town of Klaus, but to learn more about her magic. Abby had taken down Mikael after all. Even if she didn't have any active powers, there was still much that Bonnie could learn from her. There was knowledge there. And this much was still true, but given everything that was going on, how could Bonnie ask for her help in expanding her powers?

Abby was a vampire now which meant that there was a whole new set of rules for her to learn. Now wasn't the time to try to dig deeper into her witch side when it no longer defined her. Abby was no longer a servant of nature, but the abomination that the spirits despised.

Bonnie knew that.

But the fact still remained that she needed help. It was the elephant in the room…sitting on her. Every time some Big Bad breezed into town, threatening the lives of one of her friends, or when the Salvatores took it upon themselves to decide who lived and who died.

It didn't take Bonnie long to realize that she needed someone who had experience in dealing with witches. She had the power to bring them all to their knees, but she needed someone to recognize her full potential.

Someone who'd been around for a while.

Someone who knew the importance of power.

Someone who'd be willing to make a deal.

:::

Klaus faintly heard the sounds of wailings and screams as he sat by the fire in his study, nursing a glass of brandy. As he downed the last of the amber liquor, Klaus looked toward the parlor entrance in time to see the young witch saunter into the room, hybrids cowering at her feet as she used whatever spell in her arsenal to incapacitate them.

Gutsy little thing, he thought before pouring himself another drink.

He wasn't worried about Bonnie's intrusion. He knew exactly what was happening between her and her gang of friends. There was a state of discord within the ranks so any plans to move against him at the moment were a non-issue.

No, she was here for another reason entirely and given the fact that she chose to strong arm her way through his army of hybrids just to have an audience with him did peak his interest.

"Bonnie!" he greeted cheerfully, motioning her inside. "Of what do I owe the pleasure, love?"

Admittedly, he never expected to hear the words that passed her luscious, cupid bow lips.

"I need your help."