I disclaim. I own nothing.

AN: Okay so I want to thank everyone who reviewed. They really helped and motivated me through this chapter.

Chapter 2

After the confrontation in the quad everyone was seeing less and less of Bonnie these days; or not at all in Elena's case. Physically she was in class, but to look at her was to know that she was miles away. If Matt knew anything, he knew he wasn't quite equipped to deal with this.

When Elena's parents died, it had been Bonnie that pulled the other girl out. He didn't know how she did it, or what it was she did exactly. But he knew Bonnie was there everyday. knew that even as Elena pushed everyone else away, it was Bonnie that she clung to. Even as Matt struggled with losing Elena, it was Bonnie who was there to do nothing more then sit and listen.

Unfortunately the shoe was on the other foot now and no one knew how to be Bonnie. Caroline tried, nothing short of an act of God was going to pull her away from her best friend. The problem, however, was the fact that Caroline had no idea where Bonnie was half the time.

"When Bonnie's ready she'll come find you?" On his break, Matt had found Caroline sitting alone at the Grille. She had greeted him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes and broke his heart a little.

"If this was one of us…"

Scooting his chair closer, Matt wrapped his arms around his girlfriend's shoulders and held her close. "I know. But she'll be okay. Everything will be okay." But if he'd learned anything recently, it was that things often time ended up being so very far from okay.

***&&&***

The library was empty, as was usual during lunch, and that was just fine by Matt. With his mom showing up again, and work, and Caroline, he wasn't finding a lot of spare time to study. Lunch was the only time he really had free, as Caroline despite whatever disagreements they were having still ate lunch with Elena and didn't have a problem with Matt being…elsewhere.

He'd gone immediately to a table in the far back corner; not many people wandered that deeply into the library. So the odds of him being disturbed were relatively low. It was also just a nice spot, the library was situated on the back of the school grounds so that all windows faced out towards a small wooded area. Even with the big scary ass crow currently perched on the window ledge, it was still the perfect place to study, catch a quick nap, or hide out from the rest of the school.

Which was why he wasn't terribly surprised to see Bonnie at the only other table in the area. He couldn't say the same for Tyler, before today Matt would have been surprised to learn his friend even knew the school had a library let alone how to find it. Walking pass them, he tapped his knuckle on the tabletop. Bonnie looked up from the book she was writing in to give him an absent wave, Tyler gave him a brief nod of greeting, and they both went back to what they were doing.

Curious he continued on to his table, choosing to sit so that he could face them. Bonnie's books were spread out, she seemed to be working from two different ones simultaneously. Tyler wasn't studying at all, but sketching in the thick black book he always seemed to carry around.

"Any particular reason, you're staring, Donovan."

No one was around save for them, but Matt figured Tyler would have tossed the words out regardless of proper library etiquette. "Just surprised to actually see you here. Intentionally."

"Just stumbled in here the other day. I had no idea we even had a library. Did you know there was one in town, too." He jerked a thumb in the direction of the girl besides him. "And she has a card for both.

Matt laughed, because that was actually more in line with the Tyler he knew. He may have been ignorant of the existence of a couple of libraries. But even as a child, Tyler was always aware of Bonnie. It was a running joke among the football team, Tyler's crush on Bonnie. No one pulled their punches when letting him know that Bonnie Bennett was way out of his league.

"The fact that you think you can get any girl you want is precisely the reason you'll never get Bonnie." This came from the Derrick Stevens, the junior defensive tackle who was having the most fun letting Tyler have it.

Tyler, who'd just slipped his T-shirt over his head, glared at the other boy. "What is it that you think you know, Stevens?"

"What I know is that you don't get girls like Bonnie Bennett. See, Lockwood, you're use to easy cheerleaders and slutty freshmen who are impressed by you. Bonnie's not like that, she's better then that."

"So you're saying Bonnie's too good for me."

Matt laughed, despite the fact that he felt kind of bad for his friend. "I think that's exactly what he's saying."

"Look, Ty." Senior and center, Mike Miller, who was often referred to as Big Mike due to the fact that he was massive, gave Tyler a sympathetic look. "The best thing you can do as far as Bonnie is concerned is look, admire, and deal with the fact that one day soon she's going to meet one of her crazy grandma's pretty rich boy college students and fall madly in love."

Tyler's features had darkened as he snatched up his bag and slammed his locker door shut. "Grams isn't crazy." Was his only retort as he marched out of the locker room.

A few days after that, they were back on the field. A few short yards away the cheerleaders were in the middle of their warm up stretches. Neither practice had really started yet, so Elena was on her feet and pulling Bonnie across the field with her and naturally Caroline wasn't too far behind.

"Hi." Elena grinned as she launched herself into Matt's arms, never doubting that he would catch her.

"Hi" Matt had leaned in to kiss Elena hello when their friends began to loudly voice their displeasure.

"Boo." This from Bonnie.

"I'm going to be sick." From Caroline.

"Seriously, dude." Tyler.

"You guys are just jealous." Elena scrunched her nose adorably at them, but didn't pull out of Matt's arms. "So, you guys want to catch a movie tonight."

"Not if the two of you are going to be like that all night." Caroline commented even as she flirted with an offensive linemen a few feet away. "But if you promise to behave, I'm in. Bon?"

"Sure." Bonnie turned to Tyler with a smile. "What about you?"

"Yeah, I guess." He gave a shrug, swinging his arms absently until Bonnie stopped him by touching her fingertips to the palm of his hand.

"What's with you, broody?"

Tyler smiled. "Nothing."

"Well, we should get back. Stacy 'cheer-bitch' Lawson just arrived." Elena rolled her eyes before pressing a quick kiss to Matt's lips and heading back across the field with Bonnie and Caroline.

The two boys stood in silence for a bit before Tyler spoke. "Do you really think Bonnie's too good for me?"

Matt grinned good-naturedly. "You want the truth."

Tyler shook his head. "I think I just got it."

Was that really just last year? It seemed so long ago. They seemed so young. Looking back, Matt wondered if he handled that situation differently if Tyler would have ever started messing around with Vickie. Could he have prevented at least that heartache for his sister? Before the melancholy could sink in and take a hold of him he shoved it back, deciding instead to focus on the books in front of him.

The problem was he couldn't keep from glancing over at Bonnie and Tyler. They were both absorbed in the notebooks opened in front of them, ear buds firmly secured in their ears. They hadn't spoken, hadn't so much as looked at one another since he sat down. If he didn't know better, he'd have thought they were completely unaware of one another. But then Bonnie's pen suddenly stopped in the middle of the page, she looked up, glancing around the library as if unsure of what it was she was suppose to be doing. Even from where he sat he could see the way her hands began to shake.

Matt had just started to push back his chair to go to her when Tyler, without looking up from whatever it was he was doing, eased his hand under the table to place it on Bonnie's knee. When she reached below the table, Matt was sure it was to push Tyler's hand away. But instead she slid her fingers between his and went back to studying.

There was a noise outside the window that had Matt jumping in his chair. That freaky crow was still there, repeatedly hitting the glass with it's beak. The glass actually cracked just as the bell rung and more relieved then he'd ever been to hear the bell Matt quickly gathered his books; Alfred Hitchcock had him weary of angry crows.

"Alright there, Donovan." Tyler called with a mocking grin.

A safe distance from the window, Matt tried to play it cool. "Yeah. What's up, guys."

"Nothing." Tyler leaned over, tugged the earbud out , and whispered something to Bonnie that had her looking from Matt to the window and back.

For the first time in days, Matt watched a small smile tug at Bonnie's lips. "You sure?"

"Oh, yeah." But the crow's angry 'caw' cut through the library, causing Matt to shuffle away quickly.

"Do you want us to walk with you?"

"Shut up." But when he turned his back on them, there was a smile on his lips. Because he knew Bonnie would be okay. Tyler was seeing to it.

Jeremy was use to not seeing Bonnie at school. Hell, he just barely saw Elena. But he saw them both at home. Bonnie, like Caroline, was always over. Something that had sucked when he was a kid and they were always hugging him and kissing him and ruffling his hair; had been infinitely more awesome when he got older. Though he hugging and kissing decreased, the hair ruffling, not so much.

Naturally he harbored crushes for both girls. Even when he fell for Vickie Donovan, his heart always gave a little flutter whenever Bonnie and Caroline smiled at him. Always made him walk a little straighter in the halls when ever they called out to him, soaking up the envy of all the other guys.

But Bonnie hadn't been around, at all, lately. And he knew for a fact that Elena hadn't spoken to her, as he overheard several conversations between his sister and her boyfriend about how Bonnie still refused to see her. It worried him, as Bonnie had been there a hundred percent for Elena after their parents died. He, as with the rest of the school, was very much aware of the argument that occurred between the two girls in the quad. And he couldn't stand the thought of his sister and Bonnie not being friends anymore.

So it was with very determined strides that he moved his body towards the Bennett residence. It wasn't a home he was very familiar with; as he'd only been there a hand full of times with Elena. Once by himself to leave Bonnie a picture he'd drawn of her for Valentine's Day when he was eleven. She hadn't said anything in front of Elena or his parents, as he'd been utterly horrified she would do. She simply waited until they were alone, to kiss him on the cheek and tell him she loved her gift and would keep it forever. And maybe then he went from having a crush on Bonnie to falling a little bit in love with her.

The house was empty when he got there, so he lowered himself to the porch steps and waited. Entertaining himself by pulling out his sketch pad. He'd just started on the crow that landed moments ago on the neighbor's roof when Bonnie's Prius slowed to a stop at the curb.

"Jeremy?" Her head was tilted slightly to the side as she approached him. "What are you doing here?"

"Came to see you." He could tell that she'd been crying. But from his own experience knew it was better not to mention it. "I've missed you."

The smile just barely formed and didn't reach her eyes at all, but as she stepped into the house she left the door open for him to follow. And he counted that as a victory.

"I've missed you, too, Jer." Placing a hand on his chest, she gave him a sad smile. "God, I can't believe I'm looking up at you now."

"I'm not even done growing yet." And that came out slightly more flirtatiously then he intended and had his cheeks burning. "So, I figured I could make you dinner and we could hang out."

She stared at him for a moment, as if she could read his intentions through his eyes. Whatever it was she saw had her relaxing. "You cook?"

"I'm a gourmet at things you can pour water over and pop in the microwave."

Bonnie laughed as she tossed her book bag and purse onto a bench along the hallway. "How are your skills at ordering?"

"Second to none."

"Then how about you order a pizza while I run up and take a shower." She made an absent motion with her hand. "Just make yourself at home."

And he did. He called the local pizza place, ordering a large with half fully loaded and the other half with just ham and onion. He called Jenna, let her know where he was and that he wouldn't be home for dinner. Finally dropping onto the couch in front of the large flat screen. He'd just settled on Attack of the Show when the front door opened.

The explanation that had been on his lips when he thought it was Mr. Bennett turned into an angry demand when he saw the older boy who stepped into the room.

"What the hell are you doing here, Tyler?"

"Could ask you the same thing, Gilbert." As if he'd done it a million times before, Tyler tossed his jacket over the banister.

"Ty?" Bonnie's voice carried down the stairs.

"Yeah." Tyler answered simply as he dropped onto the corner of the couch and made himself at home.

Jeremy was still standing there when Bonnie came down the stairs. She'd changed into a pair of Family Guy pajama pants and a plain grey tee. Any question he wanted to ask, was dismissed when Bonnie simply grabbed his hand and pulled him back down on the couch with her.

"So, what are we watching?" She asked gesturing to the TV as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Actually she and Tyler were acting so casual, that Jeremy had no choice but to follow their leads. Several times he'd notice Tyler open his mouth to no doubt say something assholish but Bonnie would tap her knee against his and he'd shut up.

As he spent the night watching them he remembered another time he'd seen them so comfortable together:

It was the night he'd gotten in to a fight with Tyler at the school. Jeremy had been restless and not terribly eager to go home to a house he knew was still empty. So he headed away from the school, no particular destination set. He didn't know how long he walked, but eventually found himself on the same block that Bonnie's grandmother lived. It was quiet, which was why he could so clearly hear the voices coming from the front of Sheila Bennett's house.

Bonnie was standing at the bottom of the stairs, her Grams was on the porch looking awfully formidable with her arms crossed over her chest, and there on the walk, collar of his wool jacket still popped in that ridiculous way Jeremy just could not stand was Tyler Lockwood.

"Don't forget I know where you live, Tyler Lockwood."

"Yes, ma'am." Tyler nodded respectfully as Bonnie made her way to him.

"Don't put on no act with me boy. You just make sure my grandbaby gets home safe."

Tyler kept his eyes on Bonnie even as he answered her grandmother. "I'll protect her with my life."

At the time, Jeremy rolled his eyes, and decided to double back and head home. Now, as he watched them together, he kind of regretted his decision of not following them. Or at least catching up and walking with them. But really in the time between that night and Grams' funeral there hadn't been any evidence of anything going on with the two of them. When obviously something happened.

The longer the night wore on, the sleepier Bonnie became, the closer she leaned to Tyler. Until finally she lay across the couch, her head resting in on Tyler's lap, while her feet were in Jeremy's.

When Tyler noticed this, he said nothing, simply reached out and pulled Bonnie's knees forward. A position she stayed in for only a few seconds before stretching out, prompting Tyler to curl her up again. This went on a few more times and Jeremy really wished Tyler would stop. Because each time Bonnie stretched out her feet would brush against his crotch causing his body to tense up in the most amazingdirtyawesomewrong sensation ever.

Heart pounding in his chest, hands clenching tightly to the arm of the couch, Jeremy tried everything he could to get his body under control. But the simple sound of Tyler's voice did what continuous thoughts of baseball and the drain in the boys locker room could not.

"Don't you think it's time for you to leave, Gilbert?" Tyler's eyes were still glued to the screen, but this time when he place his arm under Bonnie's knees he left it there to prevent her from stretching out again.

"Could say the same to you." Jeremy smirked, throwing Tyler's earlier words back in his face.

"I'm going to stay until her dad gets home" Finally Tyler turned to look at him. "She shouldn't be alone."

Realizing he couldn't argue with that and knowing if he stayed any later Jenna would be calling, Jeremy stood to leave.

"Lock the door behind you."

And just like that, the guy was a dick again. With a roll of his eyes Jeremy gathered his things and left, locking the door behind him. But he didn't leave just yet, instead standing on the porch where he could see inside where Tyler stretched out on the couch with Bonnie, tucking her small body against his.

"Do you really think leaving him alone with her is a good idea?"

Jeremy near jumped out of his skin when the voice came from just beside him. Heart hammering in his chest, he turned to stare wide-eyed at Damon Salvatore. "Dude. Really?"

"Sorry." Though nothing about him said he meant that in the slightest. "I thought you heard me come up. But like I was saying, do you really think it's a good idea to leave Bonnie alone and defenseless with a guy that just screams 'date rape'."

Jeremy frowned. Granted he didn't think much of Tyler Lockwood, but he wouldn't go that far. "I don't know, Bonnie trusts him." Which was very evident by the way she curled into him.

"That's because Bonnie doesn't know any better. But you do. So," Damon held Jeremy's gaze. "You're going to go back in there and not leave until the meathead does. For Bonnie."

Jeremy felt for moment as if a fog had drifted over his mind, like that feeling he got at the start of a bender, but with a shake of his head it was gone. And Damon was searching him with an angry glare before his eyes fell on the black rope around his neck held together with a silver cylinder clasp. "Elena." He felt the need to explain, fingers toying with the gift his sister had given him. "I'm gonna go. Bonnie will be okay. Her dad should be home soon." As he walked away he would have sword he heard a growl. But when he turned back around nothing was there. Not even Damon Salvatore.

It wasn't until the next day at school, when he overheard Caroline and Matt, that he learned that Bonnie's father wouldn't be back until the end of the following week.

And it was then Jeremy knew, Tyler had stolen another girl from him.