This TVD universe only acknowledges season 1 & the TSC universe only acknowledges the books.
Enthusiasm, Curbed
"Perfect. Just perfect," Bonnie Bennett scowled at her car as the engine sputtered to a shuddering stop on the side of the road. She dropped her head to the steering wheel. There were only a handful of hours of light left in the day and she did not want to be around when darkness fell. She, of all people, knew too well what the darkness held.
"Better call AAA," she muttered and began digging for her cell phone.
Bonnie left Mystic Falls after graduation, vowing to put the small town behind her. She worked her butt off for a semester at UPenn and then applied abroad, vanishing to Amsterdam. She found a peaceful coven of witches there, who helped calm the energy in her. She now led a mostly normal life. Well, far more normal than her high school years.
She didn't speak much with any of her friends, save for Caroline. After everything, she couldn't stand to watch Elena make destructive choices in the name of her love for Stefan, no matter how wonderful he was. And staying in Mystic Falls just left her to be a part of Damon's games. At one point in time, she thought he might actually care for her. But she knew better now.
Bonnie sighed wearily. This is why she hated being alone so close to Mystic Falls. Tomorrow would be the seven-year anniversary of her grandmother's death. She wanted to place some flowers at her grave – a little phlox for harmony, some rosemary for remembrance plus white heather for protection – and then get back to the University of Virginia campus, where she worked as a TA for the history department while studying for graduate degree.
Alaric would be proud, she thought suddenly. Angry at the unbidden thought, Bonnie threw herself out of the car to wait for the repairman.
Nick Armstrong turned off the Interstate, eyes alter for the young co-ed whose car broke down. He was hardly in the mode to deal with a bratty, sorority girl who forgot to fill her tank with gas. It was the full moon tonight and he wanted to make it back to New Salem in time for the Circle.
Ever since the craziness with John Black died down, the Circle had done it's best to return to a regular routine. But the pull of the real world was strong. Nick found a good paying mechanic's job a few hours outside of New Salem, right around the time Cassie and Adam announced their engagement. It seemed as good a time as any to take a break from the small town life. There wouldn't be much time for witchy activities, with the wedding planning and all, so he figured a few months away from home base would do him some good.
He always made it back on nights of the full moon though.
He found the leggy co-ed leaning against her door, an irritated look on her face. Years of practice around his cousin Deborah and her best friend Faye kept his own face indifferent.
"What happened?" he asked simply.
She shrugged and pointed at the hood, "It started smoking and then it died."
He resisted from scowling at her attitude and popped open the hood. After a few minutes of tinkering, he let out a long sigh.
"It looks like you have a busted alternator."
"Fix it, I don't care how much it costs," she all but snapped.
He settled her with a steely look that left no room for questions, "It's a special order part. I need to tow your car in and-"
"-what?" she hissed, "And how am I supposed to get home?"
She inwardly winced to referring to Mystic Falls as her home, not that the sullen mechanic would care.
"AAA will provide you with a temporary car," he ground out.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
Bonnie huffed, "Fine. Let's get this over with."
Nick brought the truck around and began hitching her car. She stomped around to the front door of the truck, her arms full of flowers and herbs. He climbed in after her. His eyebrows rose at the selection cradled in her lap.
"That's an interesting assortment. Pick them for a friend?"
"Something like that," Bonnie said dismissively.
Nick tried not to roll his eyes. Probably just a New Age freak.
"You should add some scullcap, it helps with relaxation," he offered while suppressing a smirk.
Bonnie rolled her eyes, her self-restraint far shorter than his, "I'll keep that in mind."
But she was really thinking that he was probably just some New Age freak.