Author's Note:
Here is the first chapter of the latest installment of my Vampire Diaries series entitled The Hunted! It is a sequel to my story I Feel Your Pain. That story received such a positive reception that I had to keep going! I posted a note at the end of I Feel Your Pain so readers will know this story is up.
For new readers, you'll probably want to read I Feel Your Pain first. Otherwise, certain things in this story just won't make sense to you. I am afraid I am not a skilled enough writer to make this story stand on its own.
Alright everyone – strap in! You are at the beginning of a story that you will hopefully find romantic, suspenseful, action-packed and entertaining!
As always read, review and of course enjoy!
Chapter 1
"Oh man!" Jeremy exclaimed. He turned his head away from the gruesome scene on the television. "Did you see that, Bonnie?" he animatedly asked.
He was referencing a scene in the new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie they were watching together. Originally they planned to go bowling, but when he came to pick her up she asked if he'd mind staying in. She was tired and didn't feel like going out. He hadn't minded at all. His only goal was to spend time with her. He didn't care if they did that publicly bowling or privately at her house.
She suggested they order a pizza and watch a movie. Jeremy agreed. He didn't care what they did as long as they did it together. Bonnie took care of ordering the food and while Jeremy selected a film. He wasn't surprised to find A Nightmare on Elm Street as part of their Blue Ray collection. For some strange reason Dr. Bennett, Bonnie's father, had a thing for horror movies – the gorier the better.
The two chit chatted about nothing while waiting for the pizza to arrive. Once it did, they ate, dimmed the lights, settled on the living room sofa with a blanket, and started the movie. Jeremy specifically picked a horror movie because he knew it would provide the most cuddle opportunities with Bonnie. She did not have her father's penchant for horror movies.
He wasn't disappointed. Bonnie spent the first part of the movie with her head in his shoulder avoiding the TV screen. The two stayed snuggled close to each other until Jeremy told her a scary part was over and Bonnie turned to the screen just in time to see Freddy decapitate an unsuspecting blond in her kitchen.
Bonnie screamed and jumped up from the couch in terror. Jeremy, laughing, stood as well and attempted to console her. She was having none of it. She took the blanket and moved to the opposite end of the sofa away from Jeremy. He knew she wasn't too mad, however. Once he sat back down, she draped her legs across his lap and he absently rubbed them.
Forty minutes had past since then. Jeremy looked over at Bonnie, curious about why she didn't respond to him. He called her name again and realized she was fast asleep.
'She must have been really tired to fall asleep during this movie.' Jeremy thought. 'I'll let her sleep. I'll finish the movie and then head home.' he decided.
He patted her knee gently and then returned his focus to the movie.
XOXOXOXOXO
Bonnie was back in the Wilson Height's Forrest. She looked around and wondered how she got here. She turned to her right and saw the metal platform and shuddered. It was there that Oliver so nearly drained all of her life from her in his megalomaniacal attempt to steal her powers. It was on that platform that using her awesome abilities, Oliver transformed both Tyler and his father into werewolves and then using Bonnie's powers lifted the werewolf curse off of the Lockwood male and directly on to Tyler. It was here that Tyler lost his humanity and became a wolf full time. It was here that Richard Lockwood lost his life as lupine Tyler savagely mauled him to save Bonnie's life. So much had happened here, so many bad things, that Bonnie couldn't stand the sight of this place.
Bonnie shuddered again. Instantly she knew she wasn't alone. She hadn't seen anyone, but she felt a presence.
"Hello?" tentatively she called out. "Is there anyone here?"
"It's your fault!" a voice cried creepily from the forest. Bonnie looked in the direction the sound was coming from and could see "You let him kill me."
She screamed as Mayor Richard Lockwood materialized on the platform and began to lurch toward her from the platform. His left leg was broken and bent in the wrong direction. His abdomen was ripped open and his intestines hung out.
"My son killed me because of you!" The mayor called with his ragged voice. "You killed me!"
"No!" Bonnie objected shaking her head. "Oliver did this."
"With your power!" Richard declared. "You were supposed to stop him! You were supposed to save me!"
"I tried!" Bonnie said with tears in her eyes. "I did my best! He almost killed me!"
"But he did kill me!" Richard said. "You saved yourself instead of saving me or my son!"
"I knew you killed Tyler!" Carol Lockwood said, materializing next to her dead husband. "You bitch!"
"I didn't kill Tyler!" Bonnie asserted. "He's not dead!"
"No, but he's a wolf!" Richard said.
"You destroyed his life!" Carol yelled. She slapped Bonnie harshly across the face. Bonnie stumbled backwards in shock and anger.
"Murderer!" Richard cried.
"Destroyer!" Carol screamed.
Bonnie started to back away from the two. She heard a strange noise behind her and spun on her heels to see what it was. She gasped at loud at what she saw.
Wolf Tyler emerged from the forest. He growled, baring his fangs which dripped with blood.
"Everything he does, every person he kills is on your head!" Carol declared angrily, suddenly appearing right behind Bonnie to speak directly in her ear.
"I didn't want this for you!" Bonnie said with tears falling down her face.
"You think he cares now?" Carol asked. "He's an animal, a wild beast. He is beyond human reasoning."
"All he knows is the hunger." Richard said. "The desire to kill."
"You want to kill her, don't you baby?" Carol asked Tyler as if she was speaking to a child. She backed away from Bonnie. "Don't us stand in your way. Kill, Tyler, KILL!" she yelled.
With a roar, wolf Tyler lunged forward, his gapping jaws salivating at the prospect of devouring Bonnie.
Bonnie screamed and cowered away just as his mouth closed around her.
XOXOXOXOXO
Bonnie fell from the couch to the floor screaming. Jeremy, surprised by her actions, jumped to his feet to be at her side on the floor.
"Bonnie!" he cried urgently. He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her so she was facing him. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Bonnie opened her eyes and looked at Jeremy as if he were a vision. She blinked several times as if to clear her vision.
"Jeremy?" she asked tentatively.
"Yeah." Jeremy confirmed cradling her in his arms. "It's me. I'm here and everything is OK."
"Oh thank God!" Bonnie said with a sigh of relief. She reached up and pulled Jeremy into a tight embrace. "It was just a dream!"
"More if a nightmare I'd say." Jeremy said. He moved her to couch. "What were you dreaming about?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Bonnie said honestly. "Just," she paused and sighed. "Just hold me."
"I have you." Jeremy assured her tightening his arms around her. He held her for a few moments until she relaxed in his arms. "That must have been some nightmare."
"It was." Bonnie confirmed. She shuddered thinking about the dream and Jeremy felt it.
"I know you said you don't want to talk about it, but it might help to get it off chest. You don't have to bottle it all up."
Bonnie pulled away from him. "Jeremy, please don't push me on this. I am not ready to talk about it."
"Hey, calm down." Jeremy said soothingly. He rubbed her arms sympathetically. "You know when you are ready, I'll be here."
Bonnie smiled at him. He was so sincere and she loved him so much. She leaned in and kissed him briefly on the lips. "Thank you. That really does make me feel better."
A girl screamed on the TV getting both of their attention. Bonnie turned away from the screen having no desire to watch the girl get hacked to death.
"Maybe we could change the movie." Bonnie suggested.
"Yeah, I am no longer in a horror movie mood." Jeremy confirmed. He grabbed the remote and stopped the blue ray.
"Did you want to watch another movie?" Bonnie asked.
"Why? So you can fall asleep again?" Jeremy teased her.
Bonnie smiled. "I'll make you a deal – I'm going to the bathroom. Why don't you choose a comedy from that case? When I get back, we'll sit down and watch it together and I promise I'll stay awake."
"Deal." Jeremy agreed.
"Seal it with a kiss?" Bonnie asked.
Jeremy leaned in planted one right on her lips. The kiss was brief, but sweet. Bonnie stood to walk to the restroom.
"Hurry back." Jeremy said swatting her playfully on the butt. "I miss you when you're gone."
"I'll just be a minute." Bonnie replied.
She hurried into the bathroom and shut the door. She didn't actually have to use it. She just wanted to splash some cold water on her face and try to clear her mind from that nightmare. Thinking about that only made her feel guilty. Tyler was gone and she was to blame. Sure, Oliver bore most of the responsibility for what happened to Tyler, but Bonnie wasn't blameless. It was her power that did this to Tyler. Mrs. Lockwood blamed and, if he were alive, she was certain Mr. Lockwood would blame her as well. She had to make things right for Tyler and for herself.
"Hey, what do you think about an action movie?" she heard Jeremy call from the living room.
"Comedy Jeremy!" Bonnie yelled back.
Oh Jeremy. She loved that man. As much as she loved him, however, Tyler wasn't something she could talk about with him. Somehow, she didn't think he would understand her desire to go make things right for her ex-boyfriend.
She pushed thoughts all thoughts of this out her mind. She turned the water on and slashed the cold liquid on her face. It was refreshing. She grabbed a hand towel and began to blot her face dry.
"Ouch!" Bonnie said as she patted the right side of her face. It was tender. She took to the towel down and looked at herself in the mirror. There was a slight redding to her face.
"What the hell?" Bonnie wondered aloud. How had she hurt her face? Then she remembered. Carol Lockwood had slapped her in her dream. "Is this possible?" Bonnie asked. "Can what happens in my dreams become real when I am awake?"
Bonnie reached in her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She had to call someone with more arcane knowledge than her. She dialed Tim's number.
Meanwhile, Jeremy was loaded the blue ray player with a fresh movie. He's chosen The Holiday. Not exactly a comedy, but he knew it was one of Bonnie's favorite movies. He heard front door opening and turned to see Bonnie's father, Dr. Tom Bennett entering the house. He dressed in scrubs as he was coming home from work at the hospital.
"Jeremy! My man!" Dr. Bennett said shutting door behind him. "What going on?"
"How are you doing, Dr. Bennett?" Jeremy asked. He greeted the doctor and they shook hands.
"I'm good, son. I take it you are here with Bonnie?"
"Yes sir." Jeremy confirmed. "She taking a bathroom break while we are in between movies."
"A movie night? That sounds fun. What'd you guys watch so far?"
"We started off with A Nightmare on Elm Street and now we are going to watch The Holiday. You are welcome to join us." Jeremy offered.
"Yeah right." Dr. Bennett said with a sarcastic chuckle. "Bonnie still hasn't stopped ridding me about when I joined you guys for dinner two weeks ago. But thanks for the offer."
Jeremy chuckled. "You are welcomed to join us anytime."
"So you say," Dr. Bennett said. "But I think my daughter has other thoughts. Besides, you already watched the movie I would want to see. I can't believe you got Bonnie to watch a Freddy Kruger movie."
"Well, she slept through most of it." Jeremy admitted.
"She slept?" Tom asked surprised. "I'm glad. She's been having nightmares every since we were all kidnapped."
Kidnapped. Jeremy knew that was the story Damon made up to cover the supernatural events that took place in the woods weeks ago. Damon convinced everyone that Dr. Bennett, Bonnie, Jeremy, Tyler and Mayor Lockwood were kidnapped by a radical racist group that didn't like the fact Tyler and Bonnie were dating. It was a stretch in Jeremy's mind, but the press seemed to buy it. They liked the sensationalist twist to the story. Mayor of a Small Town Killed by White Supremacist – that's what the headlines read. It even made the national news. The survivors of their horrific night had to endure days of pressure from the press to talk about what happened.
"She has?" Jeremy asked brining his thoughts back today and Bonnie. He was surprised that Bonnie hadn't told him she was having nightmares.
"Yeah, pretty bad ones too." Dr. Bennett confirmed.
"She actually had another one tonight. It was pretty crazy." Jeremy said concerned.
"And let me guess, she wouldn't talk about it."
"Not a word." Jeremy confirmed.
Dr. Bennett became pensive. "I've been trying to let her work though this, but if the dreams keep up I am going to force her to talk to someone. It's not healthy to keep everything bottled in."
"Maybe I'll try talking to her about it again." Jeremy suggested.
"I would appreciate if you would." Dr. Bennett said. "You two are so close and I'd like to think she'd be more comfortable talking to someone she knows."
They heard the bathroom door open and Bonnie soon joined them in the living room.
"Hi Dad." Bonnie said plopping down on the couch next to Jeremy. "When'd you get home?"
"A few minutes ago. Jeremy tells me you are going to watch the Holiday. Again." he added with humor.
"Not my fault!" Bonnie said holding up her hands. "I told him he could choose the movie and he chose this."
"That's because he is a smart young man. He knows pleasing you will make his life easier in the long run." Dr. Bennett said.
"I knew I liked you for a reason." Bonnie playfully said to Jeremy and he just chuckled.
"Well, I am going to leave you two to it." Dr. Bennett said standing. He walked over to Bonnie and kissed on the top of her head. "I am going to bed. Good night." He turned to Jeremy and shook his hand again. "You, me and Alaric, we gotta get that fishing day scheduled."
"I was thinking July, the peak of Sailfish season."
"Sounds good. We can take my boat. You'll coordinate a date with Alaric?"
"Yeah, Dr. Bennett I'll get it scheduled."
"Good man." Dr. Bennett said with smile. "You two have a good night."
"Night Daddy." Bonnie said. She watched her dad leave the room and then turned to Jeremy. He was using the remote to start the movie. He felt her staring and turned to face her.
"What?" He asked.
"I really like that you get along so well with my father." Bonnie said with a smile.
"Dr. Bennett is a cool dude." Jeremy said with a shrug.
"It's very sweet that you want to go fishing with him."
"I enjoying fishing and you guys have an awesome boat." Jeremy explained.
"As a matter of fact, it's kind of sexy that you get along so well with my father." Bonnie said with a coy smile.
"Really?" Jeremy asked, his interest piqued.
"Un-huh." Bonnie confirmed leaning back on the sofa and pulling Jeremy towards her. "It really turns me on."
"In that case, have I ever told you I think your father is the greatest guy ever?" Jeremy joked and Bonnie laughed. He kissed her deeply and she responded passionately to his touch. He broke the kiss after a few moments.
"We'd better stop." He said breathlessly. "We can't take this any further with you dad here."
"I know." Bonnie agreed. She scooted up on the couch and fixed her clothes. "Let's watch the movie." Bonnie said. Jeremy pulled away and distanced himself from Bonnie. "What are you doing?" Bonnie asked confused.
"Putting some space between us. I can't be that close to you and not touch you." Jeremy answered. Bonnie tossed a pillow at him.
"Wimp." She said jokingly.
"Temptress." Jeremy said tossing the pillow back. She put it under her back and turned to watch the TV. He took her legs and laid them across his lap. "Ready?" he asked.
"Ready." She confirmed. He hit play to start the show.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"So what do you think?" Bonnie asked Tim. She paced for floor in Gram's living room.
She invited Tim over to get his thoughts on the nightmare she'd been having. With each day, the dreams became more and move vivid. When the physical repercussions of Carol slap manifested outside of the dream, Bonnie's anxiety went into overdrive. How was that possible? She needed answers and Tim was her best bet.
"You know what I think because you are thinking it too." Tim answered with his marked southern accent. His shoulder length hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He was dressed casually in tee shirt, jeans and flip flops. "These aren't dreams you are having, but visions."
"Yeah, but what do they mean?" Bonnie asked sitting the air on one of the chairs.
Tim was thoughtful for a second. "At first, I thought it was your guilt about what happened to Tyler tapping into your powers causing bad dreams."
"It can do that?" Bonnie asked surprised.
Tim smiled. Because of how powerful she was, he sometimes forgot that Bonnie was still very much a novice in the art of witchcraft. Unlike him, she didn't grow up surrounded by magic and practicing to master its subtleties.
"Bonnie remember, your will is how you control your powers. You feel guilty about what happened to Tyler, right?"
"Yeah." Bonnie confirmed. "I did turn him into a wolf."
"There's more to that story and you know it." Tim said. "But anyway, you feel guilty and you think you deserved to be punished. So your will allows your guilty feelings to tap into your powers causing your bad dreams."
"So that's what you think is going on?" Bonnie asked.
"No." Tim said shaking his head. "That's what I thought was going on at first. That slap changes everything. That sounds like an attack."
"From who?" Bonnie asked. "Carol Lockwood?"
"I doubt it." Tim answered. "My guess is another witch."
"But I don't know any other witches." Bonnie objected. She ran both her hands through her hair, clearly stressed out.
"Doesn't mean they don't know you." Tim said. He stood and walked to Bonnie's side and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Look, don't worry. You come to the right guy. We'll do a spell of protection around you. With your powers and my skill, it will be unbreakable. Everything will be fine."
Bonnie sighed relieved. She believed Tim. "Thank you."
Tim walked over to coffee table and grabbed two candles. "Let's do the spell right now." He handed her one of the candles. "Would you do the honors?" With but a thought Bonnie used her powers and the candles flared. "Perfect." Tim said. "Now close your eyes and concentrate. I am going to cast the spell, but I'll channel your powers to strengthen it."
Tim and Bonnie held the candles in one hand and each other's hand in the other. Tim whispered the arcane words and the candles burned brighter for that moment. Bonnie could feel her witch abilities firing off. It was a warm sensation she was becoming used to.
"All done." Tim announced opening his eyes. Bonnie did the same. The candles were completely melted. Only puddles of liquid wax remained in the candle holders. "Well, how do you feel?" Tim asked.
"Better. Stronger." Bonnie answered honestly. "You know it's strange. That was the first time I cast a spell and I don't feel the least bit tired or anything."
"It's the energy in this house. It is perfect for casting spells. Your grams had to work hard to get the energy just right in here. This is the way working magic should be."
"Thank you for your help, Tim." Bonnie hugged him. "As usual, you are miracle worker."
"You know you don't have to thank me." Tim said. "With my father going nuts and all you are like the only family I have left."
"You consider me family?" Bonnie asked surprised. "I'm touched."
"Well if you think about it, your mother is the only mother I've ever known. She raised me. In my book, that makes you my kid sister." Tim said putting his arm around Bonnie.
"I've never had any siblings but I can't think of anyone I'd rather have for a big brother." Bonnie said.
"Then it's official – we're family!" Tim declared with a big smile.
"Yea!" Bonnie said with a laugh. "I see another birthday gift in my future!"
"Now I see why you opened me with open arms!" Tim joked. "You are something special, Bonnie Bennett."
"As are you, Tim Steward!"
"Well, I gotta go now. I have an appointment with the manager at the Mystic Falls Inn. If I am going to be staying there long term I want a better rate."
"You're staying at a hotel?" Bonnie asked surprised.
"Yeah. Me and my dad had a pretty sweet apartment on the 3rd level of Club Oz, but I haven't been back there for weeks. Not since I found out dear old dad wasn't who I thought he was."
"Isn't that expensive?" Bonnie asked.
"Don't worry; I can afford it." Tim said quickly. "Say what you will about my father, but he left me very well off. I can afford to stay there indefinitely. I try not to think about what he probably did to get the money though."
"I'm glad you have someplace, but a hotel isn't a home."
"Let me stop you right there, Bonnie. Don't think I am coming to stay with you and your dad. That'd be great for a day or two, but it's not a long term solution."
"I agree." Bonnie said. "But what about staying here? It's completely furnished and you love the energy."
"Are you serious?" Tim asked as he looked around.
"Absolutely. My dad and I have been talking about what to do with the place. My grams left it to me, but since I'm 17 he's has a say in what I do as my legal guardian. He knows I won't sell it, but he doesn't want to keep paying to support two houses. Grams left me quite a bit of money in her will, but Dad don't want me using it to pay for this house. We talked about renting the house out, but I wasn't too keen on the idea. But if you rent it that changes everything!"
"Well, I am touched that you think enough of me to let me live here."
"I can't think of a better person." Bonnie said excitedly.
"This will be the perfect place for you to learn and practice your magic. And you know you'd always be welcome here."
"You say that now, but just wait until you get a girlfriend. Then you'll get tired of me just popping over." Bonnie joked.
Tim laughed. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that!"
"So you are interested?" Bonnie questioned.
"Most definitely!"
"Perfect! I'll talk to my dad. I am sure he will want to meet you and have to sign a lease and everything."
"Of course." Tim said. "Today has been a good day. I got a baby sister and a place to live!"
XOXOXOXOXO
"Why is nothing happening!" Carol Lockwood asked angrily. She stood up and walked away from the table they were all sitting at with Oliver Steward and Pearl. She flipped the lights on in the room, causing both the vampire and witch to cover their eyes at the sudden change.
"This is a delicate business." Oliver explained. "You must be patient."
"I've been patient." Carol yelled. "For over three weeks you and this vampire have been hid away here in the west wing of my house. I've provided you everything you could possibly ask for. I even allowed this vile creature to compel and feed off of my staff!" Carol said pointing at Pearl.
"In exchange, you promised me the return of my son and revenge on Bonnie Bennett. So far you've yet to deliver! I say we just confront her openly. All of these sneak attacks are beneath me."
Oliver grimaced as he fought to maintain his temper. His initial encounter with Bonnie left him very weakened. When she ripped his stolen powers from him, he almost died. Slowly he was rebuilding his strength. True, he would never be as strong as he once was, but Oliver was still a powerful witch in his own right and each day he got stronger.
"Carol we've been over this." Oliver said. "Bonnie is a much more powerful witch then I. I can't attack her directly. However, I've horned my skills over 10 lifetimes. She can't match that. Our attack must be crafty to take her down."
"If you want your son back, you'll listen to Oliver." Pearl added from the table. She still had gapping wound in her side from where Tyler bit her. It would not heal. It was only by Oliver's witchcraft that she wasn't dead.
"Don't talk to me vampire!" Carol ordered. "I still don't know why we need you."
"I've explained this. Bonnie has aligned herself with the Salvatore brothers. Together, they are formidable foes. We need allies as well."
"But she's sick!" Carol objected. "She is of no help to us."
"Once Pearl is whole again, she will be more than a match for the Salvatores." Oliver said. "And the key to getting her healthy lies in finding your son."
"And to find my son we need Bonnie." Carol finished Oliver's thought. They'd had this conversation many times before. Carol just wanted action now, especially after last night. Oliver used his magic to put Carol in Bonnie's nightmare. The pleasure she felt from slapping that little witch was indescribable. She needed that again.
"We've planted enough seeds in Bonnie's subconscious that she will have no choice but to go search for Tyler." Oliver said.
"Are you sure?" Carol questioned.
"Yes. It wasn't hard actually. She wants to help him. She already felt awful about what happened to him."
"About what you did to him!" Carol interrupted.
"It was your husband's idea." Oliver lied.
"The bastard! I am glad he is dead."
"Anyway, I guarantee she will go find him and reverse the spell. And then we can have our revenge."
"Fine, I get the big picture. But what about now? How come we can't enter her mind again?"
"She's cast a spell of protection." Oliver said. "It's creating a barrier around her mind."
"Can't you break it?" Carol asked annoyed.
"No, it's too strong."
"Wonderful!" Carol answered sarcastically.
"There is no need to be upset. I told you this would happen. That just means now it is time to entered phase two of the plan…"
XOXOXOXOXO
"How do I look?" Elena asked Bonnie.
The two were in Elena's kitchen cooking. Well, Bonnie was cooking and Elena was watching. Elena asked Bonnie to help her prepare a special meal for Stefan. It was their 1 year anniversary and they were planning to celebrate. Bonnie was only too happy to help. Since finding love herself, Bonnie found her position toward Stefan had changed a great deal. He made Elena happy and that was good enough for her.
Soon after she arrived, Bonnie instructed Elena to leave the cooking to her and for Elena to go get dressed for dinner.
"No!" Elena protested. "I asked for your help with dinner. I don't expect you to cook it for me. It's enough that you helped me plan the menu."
"I don't mind." Bonnie insisted. "Besides, I want to do it alone for a couple of reasons: 1) I don't want to show you all my secrets and 2) I think I owe you for my first date with Jeremy."
"Whatever do you mean?" Elena asked, trying to play dumb.
"Oh come off it, Elena." Bonnie said taking the food Elena bought out of the refrigerator. "I know it was you who helped Jeremy prepare that ultra romantic picnic on the beach for our first date."
"I don't have a clue what you are talking about." Elena said with a knowing smile.
"You can stop it, Elena." Bonnie said wagging a finger at her. "He told me everything."
"That squealer!" Elena exclaimed. "He was supposed to keep it a secret and take all of the credit for it!"
"Don't be mad. I can be very persuasive." Bonnie said. "It was the perfect evening for the two of us and if I can help you and Stefan have the perfect evening you better believe I will."
"I have to admit I am little nervous about tonight." Elena told her.
"What?" Bonnie asked surprised. "Why? It's dinner with Stefan. You've don't that like a thousand times."
"I know, but it's our anniversary. I want it to be special."
"Well you don't have to worry about the food. You are in Chef Bonnie's hands and I will make sure everything is just right."
"Thank you so much for all of your help, Bonnie." Elena said. She walked over and hugged her.
"You thank me by going up stairs, taking a long hot shower to relax and get ready for your date tonight. Leave the rest to me." Bonnie ordered.
Elena complied with the orders and left the kitchen. She returned 1 ½ later looking spectacular. She pulled her hair back in an elegant twist. She wore a gorgeous red dress that accentuated her petite figure. Bonnie let out a playful cat call.
"Hot Momma coming thought!" Bonnie said. Elena laughed.
"So you think he'll like the dress?"
"Unless he blind he will." Bonnie said.
"Wow! It smells absolutely wonderful in here." Elena stated taking a seat on the stool at the counter. "Do you need any help?"
"Nope. I have everything under control." Bonnie said as a yawn escaped her lips.
"You even set the table!" Elena said looking into the dining room. "It's beautiful. You went all out."
"Well, I had a little help." Bonnie admitted.
"From who?" Elena asked surprised. No one else was in the house.
"I used my magic to set the table. It's the witch's way of multitasking."
"Well it looks phenomenal. Thank you."
"Happy to help." Bonnie said as she yawned again.
"Stop it!" Elena commanded Bonnie.
"Stop what?" Bonnie asked stirring the pot on the stove.
"Yawing." Elena elaborated. "You've been yawing all day. Is Jeremy doing that good of a job keeping you up at night?"
"I wish!" Bonnie said without thinking. She turned to face Elena with an abashed look on her face. "Sorry!" she apologized. "Was that awkward for you?"
"It's only awkward because you keep apologizing every time you say something about him." Elena said. "Like I told both you and Jeremy, I am OK with you guys dating. As a matter of fact, I'm happy about because I can't remember a time when I seen you both so happy."
"I know and I believe that you are happy for us." Bonnie said. "But it's one thing to be happy about us dating. It's another thing for me to make sexual innuendos about your brother."
"It comes with the territory when your best friend dates your brother. Don't worry; I can handle it." Elena said. "Not that I want specific details or anything, but you don't have to walk on eggshells whenever he comes up."
"Gotcha." Bonnie said.
"So if my brother isn't the reason you can barely keep your eyes open-"
"Elena!" Bonnie exclaimed at her friend's brazen comment.
"Then why are you so tired?" Elena finished her statement with a smile. She enjoyed teasing Bonnie about Jeremy. It clearly made her uncomfortable and it was funny to see.
"I've been having these weird dreams lately." Bonnie said grateful to change the subject. "It's making it hard to sleep."
"What are they about?" Elena asked.
"This is that, nothing important." Bonnie lied. She didn't want to talk about it with Elena.
The door bell rang and Bonnie almost sighed in relief.
"That must be Stefan!" Elena exclaimed. She jumped up from her chair and rushed to the door. She opened it and Stefan as indeed on the other side.
"Hi." She said letting him in.
Stefan smiled and kissed her briefly. He came through the door with his hands behind his back. He brought them in front to reveal a bouquet of flowers and box of candies.
"Rose and chocolate." Elena said surprised. "How traditional. Thank you Stefan."
"You said you wanted as normal of a night as possible so I decided go with the tried and true gift."
"It's perfect!" Elena said. She kissed him. "Let me put these in some water." Elena said in reference to the flowers.
"Is that Bonnie's car I see in the drive way?" Stefan asked following Elena into the kitchen. "Oh hi Bonnie." Stefan said upon seeing her. "I didn't know you were going to be joining us tonight."
"I'm not, Silly." Bonnie said smiling. "I was just helping Elena with dinner. You can pretend like I'm not even here because as soon as Jeremy gets home we'll leave and you two can have the house all to yourselves."
"I didn't mean it like that, Bonnie." Stefan said. "It's always a pleasure seeing you."
"I know, but that doesn't mean you want me crashing your anniversary dinner. You give me those," Bonnie taking the flowers from Elena. "And you two go sit down at the table. I already set the appetizer out. It's Camembert with Truffle Cream. You can eat it with either bread or fruit. Now go."
The two left the kitchen and went to the dining room. Bonnie found a vase to put the flowers in. She filled it with water. She set that to the side and fixed the plates for the main course. Once that was done, she grabbed the flowers and took them to the dining room. She set it on the side of the table to provide nice ambiance.
"Bonnie – this is amazing." Stefan said eating the food.
"Don't tell me." Bonnie said. "Tell Elena. She did-"
"Absolutely none of the work." Elena said finishing her statement. "You did all of this and it wonderful! Thank you."
"Happy to help. Join me in the kitchen for a second, Elena." Bonnie said walking out of the room. Elena got up and followed.
"Ok, when you are ready for dinner all you have to do is grab these two plates." Bonnie said showing her. "You have here filet mignon with mushroom-wine sauce, mashed potatoes and garlic-thyme roasted asparagus. Oh no!" Bonnie said looking at Elena with terror on her face.
"What?" Elena asked concerned.
"Garlic! I forgot. Stefan's a vampire!"
"Don't worry about that." Elena said with a chuckle. "Vampires' aversion to garlic is an urban legend. Stefan loves the stuff."
"Thank God!" Bonnie said. She pointed to a bottle of red wine. "Drink this with dinner. I used it to make the wine sauce for the stakes so it will compliment the food perfectly." She walked Elena to the stove and opened a covered skillet. "This is dessert. It's bananas foster. You'll want flambé it,"
"Um flambé?" Elena interrupted.
"Set it on fire." Bonnie explained. "Do that right before you serve it. Let the flames die down and then put it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Be careful." Bonnie instructed. "Garlic and vampires may be a legend but I know for a fact they don't like fire."
Elena smiled. "Thank you so much for all of your help." She hugged Bonnie again.
"I am glad to help!" Bonnie said with smile. "I am going to go upstairs and wait for the Jeremy in his room. Call me if you need anything.
Bonnie left the kitchen and went up to Jeremy's room. She sat at his desk and used her phone to log onto Facebook. She leaned on the desk as she read the post from her friends. Absently she knocked a book off of the desk. She reached down to get it and couldn't believe her eyes. It was a book of poetry. But not just any book, it was her favorite. She had discovered it at Grams' house.
She looked at the book. It wasn't hers as it was brand new. The one from Grams' house was older than her. This one looked liked it had only been opened once or twice. She was so engrossed in examine the book she didn't hear Jeremy enter the room.
"I would have gotten a job sooner if I'd known I'd get to come home to you in my bedroom every day." Jeremy said. Today was his first day as a mechanic apprentice at Lou's Auto Shop. He was in his coverall that read his name. His hands were filthy and he had oil smudges on his face.
Bonnie put the book on the desk and stood. She walked over to Jeremy and hugged him. "Hi! How was your first day of work?"
"Exhausting." Jeremy said. He walked to his desk and sat down. He bent down to until his work shoes. "I spent most of the day changing the oil on every car that came in. And then when I thought I was done, the boss asked for my help changing out the engine on this car. I think he was testing to me to see if I knew what I was doing."
"How do you think you did?" Bonnie asked.
Jeremy shrugged. "Pretty good, I guess. It was hard work, but I just kept thinking about making $13.50 an hour. By the end of summer I should have enough saved to get my own car so I won't have to borrow Elena's like I did today." He reached out and grabbed Bonnie's hand and pulled her towards him. He sat her down on his lap. "It's a nice surprise coming home and finding you in my bedroom, though."
Bonnie smiled, leaned in and kissed him. She broke the kissed when he yawned.
"Is my working man tired?" she asked playfully.
"You don't know the half if it. I must have changed the oil on 100 cars today." Jeremy exaggerated.
"You smell like it." Bonnie said crinkling her nose. She giggled at her own joke as Jeremy blushed a little.
"You don't like my cologne? It's called Working Man Sweat." Jeremy joked.
"It definitely a masculine scent." Bonnie said. She stood. "Why don't you shower and then we'll get out of here?"
"I have a better idea." Jeremy said standing. He took her hands in his. "Why don't you join me in the shower and then we can both chill here? Jenna and Alaric are away for the weekend so you won't even have to worry about that."
"I know Jenna is away but Elena and Stefan are down stair." Bonnie said. "It's their one year anniversary and I promised her I'd get you out of the house so they could have it all to themselves."
Jeremy frowned. "What about us?"
"Well, my dad thinks I am staying the night here. We could go to Grams and that way we'd be all alone too." Jeremy smiled and leaned forward to kiss here. Bonnie stuck her arm out and pushed against his chest. "You have to shower first." Bonnie said with a playful smile.
Jeremy rolled his eyes good-humoredly and left the room. He returned about 15 minutes later fresh from the shower wearing nothing but a towel. Bonnie lay across his bed reading the book of poetry.
"Is this better for you, princess? I am Zest-fully clean." He walked to his dresser and got a pair of boxers.
Bonnie got up and walked by him. "Mmmm." She said smelling him. "This is much better."
Jeremy smiled and took her in his arms. "Are you sure we have to leave? If we stay in my room we won't be in Elena's way."
"But if we go to Grams' we won't be confined to one room." Bonnie countered. "Quick, get dressed. We can be there in 15 minutes."
"Fine." he conceded. He dressed in a pair of jeans and button down shirt. The two left the Gilbert residence and went to Grams' house.
Bonnie opened the door and made the obvious announcement. "We're here."
"Thank God." Jeremy said. "I don't think I can wait any longer."
His hands cupped the back of her neck and gently he pulled her close. He took his time as his lips gently touched hers. Their contact of her mouth on his lips changed everything. This wasn't a teasing little kiss. It was hot, openmouthed, tongue stroking, and son of a bitch, it was nearing enough to finish him right there.
A shiver of longing went through Bonnie. She wrapped her arms around his neck and quickly became the aggressor. She felt his hands splayed wide across her back. How he'd gotten underneath her shirt was beyond her comprehension at the moment. She pulled him down to the floor.
Jeremy was an amazing kisser. He could give lessons. He took his time, savoring what he was doing, as he expertly explored her mouth with his tongue.
Jeremy grabbed her hands and wouldn't let her stroke him. He kissed her again, long and hard and then tried to speak.
"Bonnie are we going to do this right here?"
He wasn't sure if she heard him. She was nibbling on his earlobe, driving him nuts. Then she shifted on top of him and his jeans suddenly felt two sizes too small. It was damn painful. He grabbed hold of her hips to keep her from wiggling again. His voice was ragged when he said, "If we are going to move, now's the time."
"Yes, of course."
She didn't resist when he moved her off of his lap. She stood next to him and looked away as she tried to catch her breath. Kissing anyone else had never caused such a reaction.
He threaded his fingers through her hair. He was throbbing with his need to touch her. To feel her naked body underneath him… taste her liquid heat… to hear her moans of please… to…
"Come on!" he said urgently. He led the way to her room at Grams' house. Once there, his mouth settled on hers, his tongue slowly penetrated and then began to stroke hers until she trembled in his arms. He couldn't get enough of her. Slowly, he eased her shirt up.
The second he touched the sides of her breasts and felt her shiver he knew he was lost. He tore his mouth away from hers, kissed her neck and then moved lower.
He stepped back, lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. His mouth left hers long enough to pull her shirt over her head.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered.
She nibbled his ear as she tugged his shirt off. The contact of her breast against his chest made her shiver again. She helped him out of his jeans.
Cradling her in his arms, he followed her down onto the bed. His hands caressed every inch of his body. She was just as passionate, as giving and as frantic to please him. She rubbed up against him, cuddled him between her thighs. He loved the feel of her soft body pressed so intimately against his own.
He left her long enough to get protection and when he was ready, he drew her into his arms and kissed her again, a hot searing kiss that made her ache to have him inside her. Her response stunned him. She became a wild woman in his arms and the sexy sounds she made drove him crazy.
Her legs moved restlessly against his. "Don't make me wait much longer…please," she whispered.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her wonderfully feminine scent as he thrust deep. He growled with such low intense please he thought he would die from it. The please she gave him intensified as the both stopped thinking and got out of the way of their feelings. They became mindless to the world, as if only the two of them existed. For that period of time, there were not thoughts, no problems, no fears, and no insecurities.
Jeremy collapsed on top of her and lifted up on one elbow. He could hear her ragged breathing as she took deep breaths trying to calm her racing heart. He looked her in the eyes and laughed.
"Damn you're beautiful."
She smiled as he ran his thumb across her lips.
"Can you feel my heart? It's still trying to jump out of my chest."
"I think sharing a soul with you have made our physical encounters that much more intense." Jeremy surmised.
"I think sharing a soul has other effects as well." Bonnie said.
"Like what?"
Bonnie reached into the nightstand and pulled out her poetry book. She handed it to him. "Does this look familiar?" She asked.
"Yeah. It looks like the book I just bought. Were you reading it?" he asked putting it on the bed beside him.
"Yes. I hope you don't mind. I found it on your desk."
"I don't mind at all."
"Do you like poetry?" Bonnie asked curious.
"Not really." Jeremy answered. "I was at the store the other day and this book was on display. I am not sure way I bought it. It just felt right at the time."
"It's strange because this is my favorite book of poetry."
"Huh." Jeremy said playing in her hair. "What a coincidence."
"I don't think it is." Bonnie said. "The other day when Elena and I were in the grocery store waiting in line to check out, I picked up a magazine to read while we waited. Do you know what magazine it was? Popular Mechanics." Bonnie said without giving him time to guess.
"You're kidding." Jeremy said in disbelief.
"No, I'm not. At first, I thought I grabbed it because of the hot guy on the cover, but then there was this article about new ether fuel that I found really interesting."
"I read that article too." Jeremy said "That was pretty good."
"Sure, but I don't give a crap about cars." Bonnie said.
"And I don't read poems." Jeremy confirmed. "So you think this one of the side effects of us sharing a soul. That we are starting to take on each other's likes?"
"Exactly." Bonnie said.
"You becoming a gear head." Jeremy mused. "There are worse things that could happen."
"Like what, you writing poems for a living?"
Jeremy frowned at the thought. "That would be awful."
"No worse than me coming home with car oil and dirt under my fingernails." Bonnie said.
"On the flip side, it's another way that we are getting closer."
"We are going to be as close as two people could possibly be." Bonnie agreed.
"Then why is it so hard for you to talk to me about your bad dreams?" he asked.
"What?" Bonnie questioned thrown by the change in subject.
"Your nightmares. Why did I have to find out from your father that you have been having nightmares since that night in the forest?"
"I don't like to talk about them." Bonnie said turning her back to Jeremy. He reached out and turned her back to him.
"Bonnie, we share a soul. There is nothing you can't tell me. Your dad is concerned. I am too. He really wants you to talk to someone about this. I hope you know you can come to me with anything."
There was such sincerity in his tone of voice and love in his eyes. How could she not tell him? Bonnie smiled weakly before speaking.
"I don't think you are going to like what you hear."
"Try me." Jeremy encouraged her.
Bonnie relented and told him everything. She told him about the visions and how guilty she felt about what happened to Tyler. She told him how the slap happened in the dream but that she felt it afterwards. She explained her consulting with Tim and his belief that she was under attack. She told him about the protection spell as well. Jeremy was silent while she spoke. Finally, after absorbing it all, he asked a question.
"So you were able to talk to Tim about this, but not me?"
"Please don't be offended by that, Jeremy or jealous. My feelings for Tim are brother/sister type feelings. That made it easier for me to talk to him about Tyler than you. I don't want you to think that because I feel guilty about Tyler that I love you any less."
I don't think that at all Bonnie." Jeremy said. "It's totally understandable that you feel guilty about Tyler. It wasn't your fault, but I can see how you feel that way."
"Thank you for understanding." Bonnie said relieved.
"I hope you see now that you were worried for nothing. You really can tell me anything."
"Good. Because there is one more thing I want to tell you." Bonnie said looking him in the eyes.
"Let me guess." Jeremy said. "You want to search for Tyler."
"I want to search for Tyler." Bonnie confirmed.
"Then we will search for Tyler." Jeremy said. "Together."
End Chapter
So what did you think? My goal was to set the stage for the story with a solid intro that was interesting.
My fiancé told me that the love scene in the last chapter of I Feel Your Pain was pretty weak. (Sometimes I think he beleives I am trying to write softcore porn.) :) It's hard to write love scenes without being too graphic. I want them to be tasteful, but still steamy. Anyway, I tried to kick the love scene up a notch. Let me know what your thughts are about it.
In the next chapter, a search party is formed and new enemies are introduced. Damon also enters the scene and who knows what kind of trouble he is bringing with him!
I hoped you enjoyed chapter one! Please read and review!