Disclaimer: all characters are owned by LJ Smith/The CW network.
"The one who wishes to harness the power of the phoenix stone must be prepared to shoulder the consequences which will arise. For every life that is brought back, one must be taken in order to restore balance to nature."
'Damon,' Bonnie protested, 'I can't translate this.'
She was eating, sleeping and breathing the mastery of the phoenix stone, head buried in a grimoire found in Oscar's possession. Damon was lounging on Caroline's sofa next to her, watching a Mets game on the television.
'Squint harder, Judgy.'
'It wouldn't hurt to help me out, best friend," she replied, the last two words emphasised with scorn. 'Since when are you into baseball?'
He flashed a lazy smile at the witch. 'Since I realised the only person who can work out this mumbo-jumbo is you.'
'I need a drink. I'd ask you to bust out a bottle of Salvatore vintage but your house is still infested with heretics.'
'Ouch. Bonnie Bennett bites. And here I thought I was the vampire.'
She grinned, throwing the book into her shoulder bag and heading for the door. 'You comin'?'
'To the Grill? No thanks.'
'Damon Salvatore saying no to alcohol? Who are you?'
'Very funny. But if you really wanna know, Alaric's been having terrible mood swings all day.'
'And?'
"And,' he repeated, 'He's gonna be there drinking his sorrows away wondering why you're not looking for ways to resurrect his dead wifey. Have you seen angry Alaric?'
'It's a good job I'll have a vampire to keep him in check then. Emphasis on vampire.'
Damon narrowed his eyes, not one to turn down a battle of wits. "It's a good job you're a witch so you can keep him in check yourself. Emphasis on witch.'
'Touché,' groaned Bonnie in defeat. 'Come on, just one drink. You know I can't face Alaric's puppy dog eyes alone.'
'Fine." But before Bonnie had a chance to be smug, he added, 'Drinks are on you.'