So I'm doing a new story! I have no idea where I'm going with this but I really wanted to try my hand at what I want for next season. Hope you guys like this first chapter. And to the people who have sent me personal messages I will be getting back to you soon. To everyone constantly supporting me and sending me positive reviews I am so grateful. Thank you! I appreciate all of you more than you could ever know.

Chapter 1

"So what do you want to do tonight? I'm thinking Chinese and a movie?"

Bonnie lifted an eyebrow at Caroline's comment but continued to unpack her massive suitcase. Moving into a new apartment off of campus with her best friend was the best choice they had made. It was still a week before classes but getting settled in early was something Caroline insisted on. The rest of the apartment including Caroline's room was officially unpacked and set up; the only thing left were Bonnie's clothes, shoes, and jewelry.

"Bonnie? Are you listening to me?" Caroline scooted to the end of Bonnie's bed and watched her friend hang up the countless dresses she had recently bought.

"Yep."

"So?"

"So…I think we need to discuss the elephant in the room." Bonnie abandoned her closet and sat beside Caroline on the bed. She placed her hand in Caroline's and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You have to talk to him eventually Caroline."

Caroline kept her eyes glued to the floor. "I know and I will."

"It's been three months. A week after we sealed Elena in the tomb we left. We packed up and we ran away to Europe and the entire time you ignored Stefan. I know that must have hurt him. It's time to stop running and deal with things Care."

"And you and Damon? When are you going to handle that?"

Bonnie huffed loudly and got up to continue hanging her clothes. "Damon and I are different."

"How exactly?"

Bonnie sighed and her shoulders dropped in defeat before turning to face Caroline. "I'm the reason he's in pain, Care, and I can't fix that. I can't give him Elena without dying and I think I deserve to live."

"Of course you do."

"The point is, is that as long as I am living he can't have what he wants. I knew that if I stuck around, every time he saw me it would be a reminder of what he lost. I separated from him…for him. And not once did he try and contact me when we were gone. He doesn't miss me Care. And that's ok….."

"Is it? Because it doesn't sound like it is."

"I mean I'm not going to lie…it hurts. We had become really close. He became my best friend." She gave Caroline a shy smile. "No offense Care."

"No offense taken. But if he was your best friend why aren't you talking to him? Does he even know you're back?"

"Does Stefan?"

"I asked you first."

"No he doesn't. Our friendship is over Caroline. I knew that when he chose me over Elena. There's a real possibility he regrets that decision. Either way this conversation isn't about me. It's about you and Stefan. You love him Care. Stop punishing yourself for the things that you did when your switch was off and live…a lot of people don't get to." Bonnie's face fell with the comment and Caroline's mirrored hers. They had lost so many including Elena and wasting time not living was slightly insulting.

"You're right. Bonnie Bennett, the all knowing. I'll call him first thing in the morning but for right now we are going to celebrate moving into our own place. So movie and Chinese?"

Bonnie laughed and added her last pair of shoes to the rack hanging on the inside of her closet door. "Yeah, ok."

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

It was weird being back. It was even weirder to go on like nothing had changed in her life. Bonnie Bennett was changed for good and acting like a normal college student was almost laughable. However, that had not stopped her from marching into her first morning class, ready and willing to learn. She was happy with her choice to change her major to psychology and with the extra work she was willing to do, it was still possible for her to graduate on time.

After getting out of her last class of the day at 6:15, she called Caroline so they could decide on dinner. She was immediately sent to voicemail but before she could question it, a text came through.

"Finally called Stefan and he asked me to stop by the boarding house. Just arrived. Will tell you all about it when I get home."

A small smile graced Bonnie's face as she read the text. She knew how long the conversations between Stefan and Caroline could be so she knew she would be long sleep by the time Caroline got home. She put her car in park and gathered her bags and books before walking into the building. She climbed the three flights and then let herself into her dark apartment. She closed it behind her and flipped the bolt but immediately tensed afterwards, turning slowly to search out the dark apartment. She kept the room pitch black and tried to feel out the intruder with her magic alone.

"How was your trip?"

Bonnie jumped and slapped her hand on her chest as she tried to calm her heart. She flipped on the light switch with her magic and there on her couch was none other than Damon Salvatore. He was dressed in all black, had windblown hair, and his face was cold and distant.

"Damon? You scared the hell out of me!"

"Sorry. I wasn't aware that I had to announce myself. So…how was your trip?"

She walked to her room to set down her things but answered him regardless. "It was fine. I had fun."

"Hmmm where did you go?"

She turned towards the doorway of her room where his body was now taking up space. "Everywhere…"

"But obviously nowhere with a working phone….." His eyebrow lifted and he crossed his arms.

"What?"

"I said you obviously went nowhere with a working phone because I haven't heard from you in three months. I had no idea if you were alive or dead, Bonnie!"

"You didn't contact me either Damon."

"You ran away Bonnie. You packed up and left. I came to see you and you weren't there. I needed somebody. Hell, let's be honest, I needed you! And you weren't there. And so I assumed you needed space. I assumed you would take a couple of weeks by yourself and then you would come back to me so I left you alone. But weeks turned into a month and then one month turned into two and then it had been an entire summer. I gave up on ever seeing you again and then Caroline called Stefan and let him know you two had been back for a week and I thought it was only right of me to let you explain yourself. So explain to me Bonnie, how you could abandon me like that."

"I didn't abandon you, Damon."

He walked into the room fully and closed the door behind him before leaning against it, effectively blocking her exit. "You left without an explanation and cut off communication…sounds like abandonment to me."

Bonnie slipped the leather coat from her arms and straightened out her loose fitting t-shirt before taking a seat on her bed. "That's not what happened. I knew you needed time and space so I gave it to you. I did it for you."

"You did this for me? You left me alone and hurting for me? Please explain that."

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

Stefan and Caroline entered the apartment and ground to a halt when they heard Bonnie and Damon going back and forth.

"We should probably leave and let them have a moment."

"Are you kidding me? No. We're going to go in my room and listen. This is going to be good."

"Caroline…" Stefan whispered as she dragged him into her bedroom, kept the lights off, and shut the door softly.

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

Damon and Bonnie didn't hear anything. She was searching for the right way to explain herself and he was trying his best not to overreact.

Bonnie stood and walked to him slowly, only keeping a few inches between them. She placed her hand on his chest, where his heart should beat. "You needed to have time without me being there…"

"Why?"

"You know why Damon."

He pulled her hand away from his chest and took a step back. "No I don' ?"

She huffed and pushed her hand through her thick hair. "I ruined your life Damon!"

His face became quizzical. "How?"

"You can't have Elena because of me. And no matter how sorry I am, I can't fix that. And I am sorry Damon."

He simply nodded. "The point is I didn't think you should have to lose the love of your life and have the reminder of why shoved in your face repeatedly so I left."

"I don't regret my decision, Bonnie."

"Don't you?"

He closed the space between them and took her hand, running his thumb across her knuckles. "No, I don't. Is that what you thought all this time?"

Bonnie's eyes filled with tears but did not fall. "I just assumed you hated me. I would understand if you did. I took away your happy ending."

"I don't hate you and I don't regret my decision. I had a choice to make. I could have walked out and let you die and had all I had ever wanted with Elena but the idea of never seeing you again, of never talking to you again was not something I was willing to go through. Also I figured it was time for someone to pick you, Bonnie Bennett. It was time for someone to save you. I weighed my options and I chose the most selfish one. I chose the one where I get a life with you and a life with her. I don't regret that. What I do regret is that I've had to go through the past three months without you. It was hard and I missed you more than I like to admit. So can we agree that I don't want to go through this without you and that you'll stick around from now on?"

The tears had finally made their way down her face and she let them happily. "Of course." He pulled her in for a hug and placed a soft kiss on her forehead as she hugged him as tightly as possible.

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

"Brother."

Stefan nodded at his brother in acknowledgement. "Brother."

Caroline plopped down beside Stefan on the overstuffed dark blue couch. "Has anyone ever told you guys how weird that brother thing is?"

Stefan's brow became quizzical. "Is it?"

"Just a little." Caroline said offhandedly as she grabbed her remote and turned on Netflix. She started skipping through the suggestions and then stopped immediately. "Oh my god, they have Roswell! Where's Bonnie?!"

Damon took a sip from his tumbler of whiskey and settled more into one of the matching overstuffed, flower print chairs. "She's in the shower."

"What?!" Caroline jumped up and sped into Bonnie's room to bang on the door. "Bonnie!"

"What?!"

"Roswell is on Netflix! Marathon?!"

"Oh my God, yes! Get the guys to order food!"

"Pizza?!"

"Perfect!"

Caroline came rushing back in the room and immediately stuck her hand out in front of Damon. Damon's face scrunched up at the action. "What?"

"Give me your card."

Damon pushed Caroline's hand out of his face. "Yeah I don't think so. Use Stefan's."

Caroline turned to Stefan with a hopeful look but he was already shaking his head no. "I didn't bring my wallet with me."

Before Caroline could make another comment Bonnie walked into the room wearing a simple white v-neck, black leggings, and fuzzy socks. Her hair had grown past her shoulders in the past three months and was thrown up in a messy, curly bun.

"What kind of pizza did you get? Cause I'm over your Hawaiian craze."

Caroline huffed and sat down beside Stefan again, keeping a safe distance between them. "I didn't get any. Stefan forgot his wallet and Damon is being stingy."

"That's ok. I'll just go grab my card. Be right back." As Bonnie passed the chair that Damon was sitting in he reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks.

"No need, Bon Bon. I'll foot the bill." He leaned up in his seat to reach the wallet in his back pocket, all the while still holding her hand and rubbing his thumb back and forth over her wrist. He passed her his debit card with the other hand.

Bonnie took it with a sweet smile on her face. "Thanks Damon."

"Anytime."

Bonnie moved away from, but his hand was slow to let go, lingering until the last second and then she picked up the phone and sat in the matching flower print seat to order.

Caroline's brow lifted at the exchange and looked to Stefan for an explanation but he merely shrugged his shoulders. Bonnie ordered like the act had been normal and Damon continued to drink as though his actions didn't bring up some questions.

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

Ding Dong. Caroline didn't budge. She was wrapped up in Roswell and to be honest so was Stefan and Damon.

Bonnie chuckled and got up. "Please, please don't get up. I'll get it."

She flipped the lock and opened the door to a young guy with blond hair, who was barely out of high school. His name tag read Jacob. Bonnie gave him a bright smile.

"Hi." His face turned red and he managed a strangled hi back. He passed her the receipt so she could sign. She placed it on the wall beside the open door and started filling out the tip portion. Jacob cleared his throat.

"So are you new to the building?"

"Mmmhmmm my roommate and I just moved in about a week ago."

"That's nice. You like it so far?"

"Yeah. It's a beautiful building, and everyone's so nice, and the best part is it's affordable." She handed him back the pen and piece of paper.

He chuckled under his breath. "All good things. Does your, umm, boyfriend like the building?"

Bonnie's eyes widened. It had been a long time since a guy had blatantly hit on her. She opened her mouth several times before deciding to answer, but before she could she felt a chest pressed against her back. She turned her head slightly and looked up at Damon whose face held a predatory look. "Her boyfriend loves the building though he would prefer it if she lived with him."

Damon kissed the side of her head and then reached around her to grab the pizzas before closing the door in the shocked boy's face.

Bonnie stared holes into his back before following him into the kitchen. Caroline lifted the remote slowly and turned the tv down low enough so that she and Stefan could hear. Stefan didn't even try and pretend like he wasn't eavesdropping. He scooted to the edge of the couch and turned his head to the side so he could hear but continue to watch the show.

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

"What the hell, Damon?!"

"What?" Damon flipped open the top on one of the boxes and grabbed a slice to start chewing on.

"Why did you do that?"

"What did I do?"

"You completely cockblocked me."

"Cockblocked? Is there something you're not telling me, Bon Bon."

"You know what I meant, Damon. That guy was hitting on me and you pretended to be my boyfriend to stop it. Why?"

"You're my friend. I want to protect you."

"From the pizza delivery guy?"

"I don't trust anybody. And I certainly don't trust them with you. I have three people I care about completely in this world: one is the living room, one is in a coffin, and one is standing right in front of me. You are a priority for me and I'm going to look out for you. And that means against sociopaths and pizza delivery boys. I'm sorry if that bothers you but I'm not going to stop. Ok?"

Bonnie huffed, grabbed the pizza boxes, and stomped back to the living room. "Fine!"

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

It was late. It was three in the morning but thankfully neither of the girls had early morning classes. Caroline and Stefan were under a blanket and close together. Damon was on his fifth glass of whiskey and Bonnie had her entire body curled up in her seat under a blanket.

Caroline finally broke the silence. "You guys never told us…what happened to your Mom?"

Damon barely spoke above a whisper, not wanting to miss any of the show. "Mommy Dearest is missing."

"Missing?" Bonnie asked.

"Yep. After everything happened she and Enzo up and left. We haven't heard or seen them in months."

Stefan's eyes stayed glued to the tv but he spoke up anyway. "Not that we've looked."

"Well let's just hope that's not a sign of bad things to come."

"Great, Care! Now bad things are going to happen."

Care slapped her hand over her mouth. "I take it back!"

Everyone else just shook their heads at her and continued to watch Roswell.

DBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB

"Care, Care, Caroline." Stefan nudged her awake.

"Hmmm, yeah?"

"You should go to bed."

"Ok. Come with me?"

Stefan just raised his eyebrow. "Not in a sexual way. You're just really comfy."

"Ummm, yeah ok." They both got up and made their way to her bedroom, while saying an offhanded goodnight to Bonnie and Damon before closing the door.

Damon raised an eyebrow at Bonnie in question but Bonnie merely shook her head no. "I'm not even going to touch that. But I am going to follow suit and go to bed."

"Ok. Goodnight Bon." Damon got up and started for the front door but stopped when Bonnie spoke.

"Damon we've been separated for awhile. I'm over it. Why don't you stay?"

"Yeah if you want. I'll take the couch."

"That's ok. We can share my bed. It's a queen."

"You sure?"

"Yep. But you have to at least keep your briefs on. I know you like sleeping nude."

"Yes ma'am."

Ten minutes later Bonnie slipped into the bed beside a half naked Damon. She flipped the light switch off with her magic. "Goodnight, Damon."

Damon was silent for a few seconds and so Bonnie turned her back to him and closed her eyes, then Damon spoke. "I'm happy your back, Bon."

Bonnie turned back to him and slipped her hand into his. "I'm happy I'm back to. I'm sorry for leaving."

"I get it. Just please don't do it again. I don't think I can make it without you and Elena."

"Speaking of Elena, how are you doing with her being gone?"

"Well it's not exactly my ideal choice but I'm dealing."

"Damon, you can be honest with me."

"I miss her, Bon. A lot. Every day I miss her more and more but having you back has made it a little easier. For the first time in three months I'm slightly happy and that's because of you. Don't leave me again Bonnie."

"I promise."

He smiled even though she couldn't see him. He pulled her into his side and she placed her cheek above his heart. "Night night, Bon Bon."

"Night, Damon." She breathed out a sigh of relieve and fell into a blissful sleep.