Damon stalked a young girl, late teens maybe early twenties by the looks of it. She didn't notice the predator's eyes on her – but then again in a town like this where everything is jammed against everyone, who would? He planned how he would wait until she got home; he imagined how he would hypnotise her to let him in. How he would ensure the door was locked before enticing her up to her room... as he let his mind run through the different possibilities he felt his canines sharpen and lengthen. Yes. She would make a good snack.

So he followed her. Aware of her every emotion, alert for anything that might give him away. She crossed the road and a few moments later so did he, cutting in just behind her once again. Now he was able to look closely at what she was wearing. It was obvious that she had just come from a club or party of some sort. Her tight silky dress shimmered golden in the dim glow of the streetlights. She turned unexpectedly into a dark alley then and the predator behind her smiled in anticipation knowing he had won himself an easy meal.

He let his canines extend once more as he almost flew in after her, his feet making no sound on the litter strewn concrete beneath him. His eyes burned into her back, now her dress drew attention to her, the shimmering material almost white in the darkness. Closing the distance, Damon slid a practiced hand over her mouth as he leaned forward and ripped into her throat. He braced himself against the wall with his free arm as hers pattered uselessly into his chest, her struggles weakening by the second as he drunk down her sweet, warm life. Damon released her. Her lifeless form sliding gracelessly from his arms.

He cast an eye over her body before slashing her throat with his nails to hide the bite mark before painstakingly licking his lips and wiping his mouth to clear the blood. Of course there was nothing there – he was too well practised for that. Finally satisfied, he casually stepped over the body on the ground and continued on his way. As he merged once more with everyday life on the street he felt it. Pure power lingered in the air. He had felt the same power before and he knew exactly here it came from but whereas before it had only been a small candle flame it now burnt with the intensity of a small volcano and left an invisible trail of molten rock as the source passed. Setting off once again, he followed the trail.

******

Bonnie pulled her cloak closer to her as she rushed home from work. She was no longer the shy and quiet physic she once had been. Not at all. She had grown in the last five years - where she had once would have blushed at the thought of a tight pair of jeans, she now strode confidently forward, rendering co-workers and strangers alike speechless just by being there. She knew part of this had come from mastering the use of her extensive abilities, spirits no longer controlled her – she controlled them now. She controlled the spirits – She was able to direct the raw energy within her now. Able to make it do what she longer was she the slave to her powers. No. Now she was master of them and this gave her confidence.

She had moved to New York after Elena's revival and all the awkward questions that had led to and started to study at the a university there, however after completing a Law degree in half the time it normally took, she moved away from law and found herself moving towards law enforcement. This had surprised her as much as her family when she told them but she had found that being able to control her budding powers and nurture them so they grew stronger had led to fast promotions and she now led her very own forensics team investigating everything from robberies to murders. Not that there were many of them to begin with.

The hairs on the back of her neck picked up and she shivered – not from the cold, although it was plenty cold tonight. She trusted her extra sense beyond her own eyesight and right now it was telling her she was being watched. Followed. She also had a nagging feeling she knew that presence even if she couldn't see where it came from. She glanced around before purposely heading towards an unlit alleyway. She could almost feel her stalker grin and for the first time in a very long time, she was scared. Not of the people around her, they wouldn't have been able to get close to her if she had really wanted to stop them.

No. She was scared of him.

"Don't you know it's dangerous at night?" a cold voice rang out. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, but that was impossible it had to come from somewhere she reasoned with herself

"Is it really Cara?"

She spun on her heel determined to find him. Determined I Will not be at his mercy She thought as she slammed a lid on her fear. She still panicked though. She had been actively blocking her thoughts, how could anyone penetrate them... unless they were even stronger then she was now.

"Clever girl – you always were the clever one weren't you?" came the voice again. This time she could pinpoint it. She turned. Slowly.

Standing behind her, almost cloaked in darkness was Damon, Stephan's brother Damon. Damon who had tried to seduce her. She tried to ignore the part of her mind whispering to her that she had wanted it.

"But you did, Cara." Damon said his voice silky smooth yet somehow not easing any of her fears. She was only now realising how stupid her decision to confront him in the privacy of an unlit and more often than not, avoided alley.

*****

Bonnie was scared. He could smell it on her and it made him smile. He wasn't going to hurt her – well not unless she attacked him first but it was still fun to toy with her. Who knows he might even be able to win a free sip – not that he was too hungry after that snack. Not that that meant it was going to be his only snack tonight.

'You've grown stronger" It wasn't a question. She nodded quickly in reply. "Not strong enough, however" he said, forcing his canines to lengthen as he advanced on her slowly. He watched as she trembled like a leaf and backed herself against the wall. The fear in the air jumped tantalisingly as he placed his hands either side of her head. "You really thought you were strong enough to confront me?" He asked, his voice dangerously low and smoother than ever – yet still somehow not comforting.

"N-n-n not really" Bonnie stuttered trying not to meet his dark gaze. He leaned in slowly, lowering his head towards her. Something changed in her then. Determination entered her eyes as for the first time she met his gaze dead on. Wide and fearful eyes met his cool, calculating ones as she raised her head. Part of him noted that had he been aiming for her neck her new position would have given the perfect opportunity. He wasn't though.

"Bite me if you are going to or leave me alone" Bonnie stressed the last word, her voice only trembling a little as she raised her head still further and her eyes resigned. This was better than Damon had hoped for but he had other plans for the fiery woman in front of him. He did lean down and he felt her whimper as his mouth touched her pulse point. His fangs extended as he smelt her blood so close to the surface. Grazing them across her skin he listened to her small gasp as he trailed fanged kisses up her neck and then retracting his fangs, he kissed her gently on her lips.

Damon almost jumped back at Bonnie's reaction. Instead of tensing as he thought she would she leaned into his body moving her arms up and wrapping them around his neck. Pulling back he smirked as Bonnie protested quietly at the loss of contact.

"You do like it Cara," he said. "Call me." He finished as he walked away. Bonnie knew it wasn't 'call me if you want to talk' or even a 'hey I want to get to know you' call me. It was a 'If you want me call me.' Anytime anywhere.

*****

Bonnie watched as Damon walked away from her leaving her confused. She reached up and felt her neck confirming that Damon really had walked away leaving her unscathed. Bonnie then thought of the kiss they had shared and she felt herself mentally reprimanding herself for thinking that she had come out unscathed. Of course she knew she was lying to herself to think she hadn't enjoyed it. Twice now he had kissed her. The first time he had been posing as a college student and now. Both times she had felt... something.

Shaking the feeling off she took a few trembling steps towards the mouth of the alley. Finally making it home, Bonnie slowly went through the motions she did everyday when she came home. Locking the door and hanging up her keys and cloak, turning on lights and running a bath. As she submerged herself into the hot soapy water she felt the familiar sense of relaxation wash over her. Her muscles relaxed and she closed her eyes.

Sighing quietly she let herself drift simply enjoying the relaxing waters as the enveloped her. She was so relaxed she fell asleep and let her mind drift. It flicked past most things – a disagreement between two people at work, a new person at the workplace. Then it lingered on more recent events. Confronting Damon in that alley, what that could have led to. What it did lead to.

Even in a semi-conscious state Bonnie couldn't forget or even disguise what she had felt as Damon had cornered her, had effectively pinned her against that wall. Yes she had been scared. Truthfully she had been scared silly but at the same time she had also been... aroused. She snapped out of her comfortable dreaming with a start. Where did that thought come from? She wondered. Was she attracted to Damon? Is that why she had offered him her blood? Is that why she had enjoyed those kisses? Bonnie shook her head and pulled the plug realising for the first time that the water was cold.

That night she tossed and turned. The same questions kept running through her head. Was she attracted to him? She couldn't be, could she? She wouldn't have let him feed from her, would she? She also kept running through her answers. Yes, she was attracted to him and, yes she would let him feed off her. This brought her to more questions – did she trust him then, to let him feed off her. Her answer there was a very definite no. No she didn't trust him. She knew what he was like. She couldn't trust him. About halfway through the night she gave up on sleep.

She couldn't believe she was actually considering this, but she closed her eyes and focused on expanding her mind. She felt the liquid power sail through the streets and alley ways of New York until she found one spot of power greater than her own. Damon she called with her mind.

*****

He had found another girl. This one was in her early twenties and had walked right into his trap. He was just planning how to lure her home, how to entice her enough to want to go home with him despite only having just met only just met and despite her brain warning her against it. It was true he could have used Power on her to convince her, but it was so much more fun when they were willing. Then in his mind he heard it. Simply and quietly – Damon -. She had called. All thoughts of the girl forgotten, he didn't even bother making an excuse before he took off running. While a willing girl would be fun, Bonnie would be much more fun.

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