A/N: Thank you for your lovely reviews, you are very kind! I'll keep working hard

Chapter two

Come out, come out, whoever you are…

Bonnie was lying on the ground. She felt terribly weak almost as if someone was still draining her power. But her mind was clearing and she could at least think rationally now. What in the world was that, it seemed like a…

"Well, hello again."

Caught by surprise, Bonnie jerked her head and saw Damon. He was standing two steps from her, holding hands in his pockets. Seeing Damon in all his dashing beauty while she looked less than presentable (she looked like a complete mess, to be honest) was mildly humiliating.

"So… I finally found you," Damon said slowly, "What are you doing?"

He was staring at her, as if she had gone mental. Bonnie's lips thinned and she stood up slowly.

"Nothing," she replied, turning away from him. "I just fell."

"If you say so," Damon reached out and brushed the grass out of her hair. "I feel responsible now, but who knew that you couldn't drink scotch? Really, I must stop corrupting you…"

"I'm not drunk!" she cried indignantly.

Damon raised his hands in mock defeat.

"Relax, little witch, I'm not judging."

Bonnie glared at him as he smirked.

"Fine, I give up…"

"What are you doing here?" she asked, still frowning.

Surprisingly, his face lit up.

"I heard you were looking for me," he said smugly.

Oh, there's a happy attention lover…

"It's true, I was looking for you," she admitted calmly, "Give me my ring back, now."

"Say please."

"Spare me, Damon, I'm not in the mood."

"It's fine. I gave up hope to be beside you when you're in the mood."

Bonnie knew for sure that their bickering could last forever. And she didn't like the idea of spending the rest of the night with Damon at all. Actually, she was still shaken by what happened earlier. And she definitely needed rest.

Bonnie suppressed a sigh and suddenly caught Damon's eye. Once again there was something weird about the way Damon watched her, like she was the most amusing and interesting thing in the world. Or maybe she was being paranoid.

"Let me escort you home," he offered mildly, "And call Elena, will you?"

"Why don't you —"

"Just do it."

Bonnie reached for her phone and dialed Elena's number as Damon stepped back into the shadow of a nearest tree. The thought of Elena didn't make him happy right now. Ironically enough, teasing Bonnie, his frenemy, put him at ease, while each reminder of his supposedly life's love was really frustrating.

He glanced at Bonnie who was chatting on her phone and once again wondered why she and Jeremy broke up. To Jeremy Bonnie wasn't even the best he could do, she was beyond his highest expectations. Coming from Damon these words mean something. After all, he considered all the women second best comparing to Elena.

"Let's go," Bonnie said and Damon realized that she had already finished talking to her BFF, "Elena says 'thanks'."

"What about you? I mean, I'm here for you and all…"

"Thank you, Damon. But then again it's all your fault."

"Yeah, whatever…"

She smiled and followed him. Truth be told, Bonnie was really grateful.


It wasn't the first time Caroline and Tyler sneaked out of the party. Their romance was in full bloom and they really needed a little privacy.

Things were very good for them. Tyler was happy, Caroline was happy, almost everyone cheered for them. Well, not Damon; he scowled every time he saw them and acted like he witnessed a terrible crossbreed, no less.

One day he even told Caroline, "Don't think that becoming a wolf has made Tyler turn to the monogamy. The only thing he got would be… fleas."

He paused for a moment and then added solemnly, "And I'm telling you that only 'cause I care about you. You're my blood after all. Some people can say that I'm like your father…"

Caroline was furious, she was ready to stab him and probably even sent him to his "mother Katherine", but then Stefan entered the room and Damon left immediately.

Damon wasn't the only one who was upset.

It took Matt three weeks to come to his senses. He wanted Caroline back, she quickly realized that and it was the worst time for Tyler. But after short time everything was good again. Because Caroline has already made her choice. And her choice was Tyler. Matt was noble enough to step back without holding a grudge.

Anyway, right now Caroline was with Tyler in the small dark room and she felt like the happiest girl in the world. The greatest thing about him was that he always kissed like there was no tomorrow.

"I saw Stefan and Elena left," Caroline said between kisses.

"Maybe they wanted some private time like we did…"

"And Damon and Bonnie never came back."

"I bet, they're arguing as always …"

Caroline chuckled. First she imagined Stefan and Elena all lovey-dovey, then pictured Damon and Bonnie rolling eyes at each other. Both images were lovely. But then Tyler pulled her closer and she forgot about the whole world.

In a minute or so she started feeling weird. She didn't pay much attention, but the feeling was increasing. Caroline stopped kissing her boyfriend and crinkled her nose.

"I smell something strange."

Tyler frowned.

"I do too…"

They heard a noise behind them — it was the creaking door. Tyler released Caroline's hand and stepped forward.

"Who's there?"

The door opened wider and on the floor at the doorway appeared a long shadow. Suddenly Caroline gasped; Tyler followed her gaze and froze, paling drastically.

At the doorway was standing Richard Lockwood in flesh and blood.

Tyler rushed forward but Caroline grabbed his arm.

"Don't!"

"Dad!" he exclaimed not paying attention to her.

Richard didn't move; he was looking around, not showing any emotion at all. He looked exactly the same as he did at Founder's Day. Even his suit was new.

Tyler stiffened; he didn't believe his own eyes. And seeing her boyfriend almost petrified wasn't something Caroline Forbes would like. So, she didn't think long, she vamped out and pinned Richard to the wall.

"What are you and what do you want?"

He was silent for a moment and then replied softly, "Here's my home…"

"WHAT ARE YOU?"

"Caroline, stop it!" Tyler shouted, grabbing her shoulders.

"Hello, son," Richard said evenly.

Caroline released him, but she still looked angry. Tyler watched his father in pure disbelief.

"But, Dad… How is it possible? You were…"

"Dead? Yes. But someone called me."

"What do you mean?"

"Someone called me and I had no choice but to obey."

He slowly turned his head and looked at Caroline.

"She is a vampire… I guess you are not in the Council then. But then again I'm not back here to scold you…"

Sadness flickered in Richard's eyes. Neither Tyler nor Caroline could bear that sight.

"Leave this town, Tyler," Richard whispered, "Take your mother and go."


"Daddy dearest is away again?"

"Yes."

"Do I have a chance to get into your lovely house?"

"What for?"

"Want me to voice some really great ideas?"

"Please, don't bother…"

"Come on, I'm very creative. I know the best ways to deal with boredom."

"I bet you do."

"Oh please, try me."

"Damon, can we walk in silence?"

"No, we can't. And don't act like you hate me."

"Well, I do!"

"Really?"

"Can you blame me? I swear, sometimes I find that the easiest way to meditate is imagining you burning in flames."

"You imagine me when you meditate? That's interesting."

Either Damon was still half-drunk or he was just in the mood but he was really talkative. That's why Bonnie was more than happy to see her sweet home again. She stopped at the door and smiled at Damon brightly.

"Well… thank you, Damon. And no coffee invitation for you."

"Maybe, a good-night kiss on the porch?"

"Another time."

"When will be another time?"

"Never."

He smiled and shook his head.

"We'll see about that… Well, here's your ring. Night, witch…"

Damon almost turned to leave but Bonnie grabbed his hand. He was a bit surprised but then grinned.

"Ok, now we're talking…"

"Be quiet!"

"Your wish is my command, ma'am…"

She looked at him angrily.

"I'm not joking, Damon! I felt something really bad getting closer!"

"Something bad?" he smirked looking at her suggestively and Bonnie was dying to smack him. Damon tilted his head to the side and made a step towards her, "Perhaps, it's me getting closer to you."

"Worth than a vampire," she said sourly.

"A werewolf?" he offered immediately.

Bonnie watched the dawn fog across the road; then the determination reflected on her face and she said, "I'm going to go check…"

"You never watched horror movies, I guess."

"I'm a witch!" she exclaimed impatiently.

"And now all your neighbors are aware of that."

She didn't answer; a strange sight caught her attention. The pearl white mist that covered the ground was slowly changing its color to blue. Now even Damon was confused.

"Is it a spell?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I don't know," Bonnie answered, as they neared the spot, "The last witch we met was Greta. But you snapped her neck like a true hero you are."

"Can't believe you judge me for getting rid of that bitch."

"Actually I don't judge you. I hate ignorant fools who don't give a damn about their own family."

"Ok, I still have a strong feeling that you judge me."

She chuckled.

"Maybe… You could have been a bit nicer to Stefan, don't you think? I mean, he went so far for you…"

Damon rolled his eyes.

"Stefan team..."

"I'm not Stefan team," Bonnie said, sharply, "I don't support the vampires."

"That's lovely to hear," a familiar voice said.

Bonnie flinched.

"You… heard?"

Damon was startled too. The blue fog cleared and a woman stepped forward. That was Sheila Bennett.

"Oh my God," Bonnie whispered, wide-eyed.

"Hello, dear."

"Who the hell are you?" Damon spat, vamping out. Bonnie couldn't help but notice that he was really furious.

"Damon —"

His hand clawed her shoulder.

"Don't go near her," he whispered, not taking his eyes off Sheila.

Bonnie sensed something really dark too. But at the same time she was strangely calm. Her grandmother seemed alive and perfectly fine. And the feeling of her presence was familiar.

"I can tell that you don't like my scent, Damon Salvatore. But not as much as I don't like your hands around my granddaughter."

Damon was ready to growl. He looked down at Bonnie but she just shrugged.

"She's right. Let me go."

"Are you kidding me? She is dead!"

"So are you!" Bonnie and Sheila said in unison.

"Witch, this is wrong! And don't make me become the voice of reason!"

Bonnie smiled.

"Damon, it's ok. Let me go."

He did so but without much enthusiasm. Bonnie didn't hesitate; she rushed to embrace Grams. Sheila smiled at her affectionately and then looked up at Damon. His face was normal again.

"Since when Bonnie's safety is your top priority?"

"Since never," he said acidly, "She may do whatever she wants to do. I can care less."

Bonnie paid no attention to sulking vampire.

"Grams, what's going on?" she said, eagerly, "How come you are alive?"

"I'm not alive, my child. My peace was disturbed by some really bad magic. I'm afraid that very soon the whole town will be in danger."

"You don't tell me… someone summoned you?"

"Yes," Sheila answered while Damon said in an undertone, "Great."

"We have to hurry. You kept the Grimoire?"

"Of course, I did! But who are we going to stop?"

"Firstly, you need the spell against the rising dead. Then…"

"Excuse me!" Damon wasn't pleased to be ignored, "I think you should give us more information. You can start with the reason why we should trust you."

Sheila was slightly surprised but she said politely, "Thank you, but we don't need a vampire's help."

"Well, you can't speak for Bonnie."

Damon looked slightly offended, so Bonnie decided to cut in, "Look, Grams, things have changed… And Damon… Well, he means no harm to me anymore…"

Damon wasn't a bit satisfied. Bonnie's voice didn't sound sure; it was like she doubted her own words.

Sheila cleared her throat, not missing vampire's glare at her granddaughter.

"He's still a vampire, isn't he?"

"And you are still bitchy, aren't you?"

"Damon, that's enough!"

"Let's go, Bonnie," Sheila said and went to the house.

Damon grabbed Bonnie's hand and said pointedly, "Invite me in. I'm serious."

"We are wasting time, Bonnie! If Damon Salvatore is so attached to you, invite him in."

Bonnie shook her head looking judgingly at Damon, what in Damon's opinion was absolutely unfair and even stupid.

"What's gotten into you?" she whispered.

"I'm worried about you!" he whispered back through gritted teeth, "And given the circumstances, it's not strange."

"Don't be so dramatic!"

"Hello! Corpses are walking around; it's the perfect time for some drama!"

Bonnie felt a momentary urge to laugh, but she suppressed it. After all, Damon was talking about her Grams. Then again, he looked genuinely worried.

"Uh-huh," she sighed and quickly pulled her hand free of his grasp. "Whatever. Damon, please, come in."

He gave her a half-smile.

"Took you long enough. And — invitation accepted."

TBC