Disclaimer: All characters and some story situations are the property of the cw. May contain spoilers.
Characters: Bonnie B. & Tyler Lockwood
it begins ...
Chapter 1: Tyler's POV
"We are gathered here today, to say goodbye to Mayor Richard Lockwood. Beloved husband, devoted father, respected officiant and trusted friend."
We're sitting here on this lawn in the damp, frigid air, and for WHAT ? It went on and on. The preacher going on and on; in that grating monotone voice of his. I could rip my hair out ! And then his. Along with his eyes, arms and then his tongue, for spouting such untruths about my father. I mean... ok. Don't get me wrong, maybe at one time my dad had been the epitome of parental and marital excellence... sometime before I was born, that is. I don't even think I can recall a time when he had actually been kind to me.
Someone else gets up to speak now. A woman. "Richard was a great man ...", she too is speaking as though my dad were an angel, and not the beast-like man who raised me.
I scrub my hands down my face. Maybe I'm trying, in vain, to wipe off some of the crap that's shooting out of people's mouths ! I don't know. I glance over at my mom. Her eyes are puffy and red rimmed from all the crying she's been doing- since we got here. I have to applaud her. At least she's keeping up appearances. I for one could care less.
Man, I feel like hitting something ! All this- the stares, the crying, the false condolances ... It's Too much ! I feel my anger rising. What the hell was wrong with me. "I gotta get out of here." I feel myself stand; and then movement. No one tries to stop me, not even my mom. I think she expected it. I get to the edge of the woods and stop. I feel eyes on me. So, I turn. Seeing the same faces, listening to a man speaking at the podium, I apparently go unnoticed- as usual. But, I know someone or something is watching me. So, I turn and keep walking. I walk until I don't feel those eyes on me. Until I can't hear anything, but my own breathing. Til I find myself deep in the woods. Alone. As always.
Chapter 2: Bonnie's POV
I don't know why I even came here. Too many memories and emotions crushing me. Images of Grams flooding my mind. I see her as she walks up the stairs for the last time. Her telling me that she was ok... but, I knew. In my heart, I knew. I came upstairs to check on her- bring her tea... seeing her lying there so peaceful; then not being able to wake her... I wanted to fix it - I needed to fix it ! I couldn't fix it. I feel like screaming ! My head is pounding. I rub at my temples, and a hand gently touches my shoulder " Bonnie ? You ok ?" Elena asks. I look up seeing her and Stefan's worried faces. I look around. I spot Tyler just as he's running a hand down his face. He looks so tired. He and his father never got along (Not like Grams and I). So much animosity between those two. My heart breaks for him. " Bonnie ?"... Elena again. I slowly turn to her; suddenly my eye catches movement. Far off into the trees, just over Matt's shoulder, out of sight - Damon. Upon seeing him, so much hurt and hate courses thru me, that it scalds my throat. Looking back to Elena, I answer her honestly "No. Elena. I'm not. I have to get out of here." I get up and head in the opposite direction.
I spy for Tyler. He's gone. I can't say that I blame him. I head for the solitude of the woods to calm myself (my powers being tied to my emotions and all), I thought it for the best. That's when I feel it. I'm being watched. I feel the presence of two beings. One's essence icy the other hotter than fire. Neither one good. I need to move- fast. I walk as fast I can. The farther away I get from all the death and sadness, and the feeling of being dissected, the better I am. I breathe a little easier. Wait... What is that ?... Crying. The sound is so pained, that I long to cover my ears. But, I move towards the sound, as if being pulled.
I follow it until a figure comes into view. A man, kneeling amidst fallen and broken tree limbs. His head is hung low and his hands... there scarred and bloody. I approach him slowly. Upon hearing me he raises his head. It's Tyler ! I run over to him. He just stares at me as if in a trance. " Tyler ...? Hey ..." I say as I fall beside him on the ground. He blinks, eyes coming into focus. There's so much pain in their depths, that I am at a loss for anything to say. And I realize, that I don't need any. I reach out with both arms and hug him. He tenses, at first and then relaxes, clinging to me. I think he found some semblance of peace, there in my arms that afternoon.
No coddling, no stories, no falsities. Just peace of mind. But, no peace lasts for long... for there in the deepest part of the forest- I felt it. The eyes on me.
Chapter 3
After I saw that Tyler was going to be ok, I decided to head for home. throughout our entire exchange, I hadn't forgotten those eyes were on me. When I had gotten far enough away, I yelled " YOU CAN COME OUT NOW !
"Is it time for my counseling session, Dr. Benett ? I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of supplying my own kleenex. I'm pretty sure Toto cleaned out your entire stock." Damon said, sarcasm dripping off every word. "What do you want Damon ?" " A tan. he says sniffling, and wiping his eyes with a tissue, "But no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get that naturally golden glow." He whinnes and pretends to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye; and then there's that damn smirk. I can't stand it ! " Your an Ass !" I say. Not trying to hide my disgust. "Ya, well, ... What can ya do ?" he shrugs. " Leave me alone, ok. I'm not in the mood for you, or your bitchy attitude ! Why are you following me anyway ?" "Well, excuuuse me. Why are you so untrusting of me, Bonnie ?..." Furrowing my brow in irritation, I take a few deep breaths. He can't get under your skin, if you don't let him.
"Hey now, take it easy there Bellatrix. I see that look in your eyes. You know, since we're in a wooded area and all, I'd suggest you keep the flames to a minimum. If you really must know, Dearest Bonnie, I'm actually here to protect you from yourself; and from your jockstrap boyfriend with the puppy-dog-eyes." says Damon, leaning back against a tree. "Tyler ? He's never done anything to you, that would warrant your stalking him." He takes a few steps towards me, and I move away. "Poor guilless Bonnie. I'd tip my hat to you, but alas, I'm not wearing one. Your neivete rivals that of Caroline, but we both know that she's a "Special" case." he said, smiling. Shaking my head, at his utter lack of decorum, "I'm leaving." I tell him , and start walking away at top speed. The need to get some distance from him is palpable. I think I'd gotten about 15 feet, before I felt a gust of air, and then two strong hands grab my shoulders from behind. Damon pulls me backward, flush against his body. His voice at my ear "That guy is not someone you want to get too comfortable with. That night; Founder's Day, in the basement of that building, I saw his father get his neck snapped ! Then 2 minutes later, get up, dust himself off and try to escape." " The night they rounded up all the vampires. Well,... maybe he was-" " He was Not a vampire. I know this for a fact; he was something much worse. I did a little sniffing around, and Lockwood's seemingly, squeeky clean family ancestry, is about as filthy as it gets. You need to be extremely careful." I was fast growing tired of this conversation, " Why should I believe you ?... I said, feigning skepticism. Even though my heart rate had picked up speed. " You attacked me. You lie for your own personal gain. You kill Indiscriminately-" " I told you. You helped save my life, and that I owed you one. I meant what I said... and like you always say, 'I'm helping Elena.', right ?"
He moves, so we are now face to face. His shock blue eyes to my green ones "I know you here the truth in my words. Think about it: the violent mood swings, his parents always wanting him home at night- especially after he has one of his fits... like they're afraid he might seriously hurt someone- or that someone might find out something they don't want them to. He was in the drivers seat the night of the accident, and while Caroline was hospitalized for internal injuries... he came out of it without a scratch. I'm telling you, do some research. I believe your Grams' grimoire is a great place to start." He flashes to a spot 20 feet away. " Just ... stay alert. I don't think he knows what he is, and might not know how to control it. Oh and- side note; I'm not the only one watching."
And with that, he was gone.
The next day I got out Grams' grimoire and did the research that Damon was so persistant that do. The only thing that I found [with some of the clues given to me by Damon], was a chapter on Werewolves. By the end of the day, I decided that I had to figure out a way to help Tyler. If he was indeed a Werewolf, and his parents had kept him in the dark about it (which was completely selfish, and sooo totally something they would do !), then I needed to tell him. Together we could make this right. If there was even a way to do that. If the information I read was correct, it says the the transformation usually happens when the said werewolf comes of age. Did it mean 18 or 21?, How long would the transformation take ? I had no way of knowing. Tyler was 17, and if my memory serves me, he was going to turn 18 in a week. Then we didn't have alot of time. What was I going to do ? I would Not let him turn into a killer, like a certain vampire I know.
That Tuesday, I ran into Tyler at school. He looked like he might be coming down with something. " Hey... your not looking too hot." "Yeah, It's probably nuthin'... Listen, Bonnie... um... I just wanted to Thank you for, being there..." he said. Was it just me, or did he seem a bit embarrassed, or dare I say it... shy. Wow Tyler Lockwood, shy ! This was a moment of epic proportion. "No problem. We're friends. right. I would do the same for Elena. Caroline, Matt ..." I said nodding. Why do I feel like the biggest jerk right now? Maybe it's because he looks like he got hit in the stomach. "Yeah. Right. I know." he said. I feel like hidding under a rock or something. There's an awkward moment of complete silence, then "You wanna walk to English class ? ..." "Sure." I said. Wondering if it was normal to feel so completely unafraid of a guy who might be a potential werewolf. "I need to get there before everyone else; get the paperwork I missed. Still need the classwork though." he said. "You know, I have the notes ... If you want them..." "Yeah. Saves me some of the trouble of asking somebody I don't like." he gave me the strangest look when he'd said that, almost as if ... nah. I dismissed the thought. We entered the class and Tyler went to retrieve his assignments, while I took my seat and prepared the notes for him to copy. We talked a bit between his writing and my explaining the work. He talked a little more about how was feeling lately, and how his mom and some of his other friends had been treating him. I talked a little about Grams and my dad. The more we discussed the more I started to see a difference in him. I really liked the person that Tyler was. Strong willed and loyal, if a tad arrogant and pompus to say the least. As the class filed in, He took his seat at the back of the room, I realized that I still hadn't talked to him about the wolf thing. I couldn't yet bring myself to do it. He's been through so much, that I couldn't take giving him something else to add to his growing list of regrets. But it had to be done. I just didn't know when the right time would be. I see that he is giving me a small smile. I smiled back.
The next couple of days passed with a casual, 'Hello" or 'See you later.' in the halls, in classes or during football and cheerleading practices. Pretty soon, I swear I could feel him nearby, or watching me. I swear the force of his stares alone made my whole body feel as if it was bathed in the heat of the sun. I would glance around and, sure as hell, my eye's locked with Tyler's. I'm so glad that most times, I have a chair beneath me. Like that day in calculus. "Psssst." I throw an inquiring look at Caroline, who mouths " You ok? " I nod, but she notices the heat in my cheeks. " Your face is flushed..." I just roll my eyes at her and turn back to the professor.
That friday I decided to tell Tyler about what I'd learned of him and his family. I ran into him in the school parking lot. " Hey Bonnie !" "Hey." Was it me, or did he look even worse today ? "Caroline and Matt are planning a party for my birthday next weekend, at the MYSTIC GRILL. You coming ?" " Yeah, absolutely... Tyler listen, I have to t-" "Here's the info..." he began, and as he handed me the paper, he stumbled and when I grabbed his arm to steady him- Oh My God !
His skin felt as if it were on fire ! I felt as if I'd been shocked. My knees buckled and arms go around me. A barage of visions asail me, so fast, I couldn't even process them all ! I hear screaming, howling, bones snapping. I see blood ! I feel intense pain- not mine- I realize. There's an intense anger; hate... Why is it so freaking Hot, all of a sudden ! My skin feels like its melting ! Now, shallow breathing; a full moon, flames... then, heat ... bodies intertwining- Is that me ! Reddish-gold eyes ...
"Bonnie ?" I hear my name and open my eyes. When did I close them ? "Are you alright ? Your sweating ?" I wipe at my forehead "Huh ?.." I look up at Tyler. I swear his pupils have gotten larger, and is that yellow in his irises ? "Your eyes ..." I breathe. He blinks and it's gone. We just stare at each other; for seconds or minutes- I'm not counting. He looks down at my chest; it's like he can either see or hear my heart beating. It's deafening to my own ears ! His brown eyes slide back up to my face. Did he see everything I just saw !
"I'll see you next week." he says and let's me go. I watch him as he walk to his car. As I do I catch a glimpse of black hair, bright blue eyes and pale skin. My eyes dart to that direction, and Damon is nowhere to be seen.
