Bonnie breaths steadily as he takes her slow. Her hand grips the hair at the nape of his neck then tilts her head back as he kisses her neck. She briefly wonders why he kisses the left side of her neck longer than anything else but her mind is then clouded on how good this all feels. He knows how to take care of her, knows when to slow down and when to speed up and slow down again. He knows what to touch to relax her and what to whisper in her ear to get her wet.

His hips move just a little harder and faster when her leg wraps around his waist and he lets her name spill from his lips.

Finally, he thought. He doesn't have to fantasize anymore or make sure that he doesn't call out her name too loud or keep his eyes closed so he could picture that she was the one under him. He watches her face with her slightly parted lips and softly shut eyes. He asks her to open them and Bonnie forces her eyes open automatically meeting his.

"I've wanted you for so long." He states then kissed her gently once. "You have no idea how great you feel around me."

Her eyes shut that next second as she reached her climax and he stiffens at the sounds she makes. He's tempted to stay inside her, but moves next to her pulling her body against his. It's humid inside the cabin from their sex but mostly from the summer's night. They stick to each other like tape on a wall as he moves his hand to her back kissing her firstly on the cheek then on her lips.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No. Everything was perfect."

He smiles then kisses her again. "I want to runaway with you."

"Where will we go?"

"Paradise? Someplace far away from here."

"Start a family?"

He frowns at the thought. "Of course." He hasn't come clean to her about his secret or any of the girls for that matter and he's scared of the outcome. What if she no longer wants anything to do with him and is afraid and heartbroken that he didn't tell her sooner. He couldn't bare the thought of her hating him, he doesn't know what he'll do.

"Speaking of family… I need to leave soon."

"Why?" He narrows his eyes and moves his hand to her face.

"My father could still be alive and we promised that we meet back up in front of our old house and I- I would like to go see him."

"What's going to happen if he's alive?"

"I don't know, maybe we'll find a place to live."

"But you live here,"

"He's my family, Stefan. I haven't seen him in years and if he's still alive I would like for us to reconnect."

"But what about us, you said that you wanted a family with me."

"I can't mean it, Stefan. Would I like a family with you, of course, but we can't happen. We're hiding. Hiding from everyone else, we have to keep us a secret from the world."

"No we don't, I'll declare you as mine in front of anyone- everyone."

She smiles sadly and moves her hand to the side of his face. Before she speaks, she kisses him. "One of us will surely die if you do that and more than likely that will be me."

"I'll protect you."

"You cannot protect me from everyone. You're just a human, a single person, there is no way."

He looked in her eyes before closing his letting out a breath. "What if," he started with his eyes still closed, "I told you that I wasn't just a human."

"What do you mean, of course you are."

"Listen to me." He opened his eyes. "Remember last month when I told you that a witch made me my ring?" She nodded. "And you asked why and I said it was because I was special?"

"Yes,"

"I wasn't telling some sort of joke, I was being truthful." She narrowed her eyes waiting. "Bonnie, I. I'm a vampire."

She moved back on the bed, "What? Vampires, they aren't—"

"But they are. Linda, she turned me into one years ago. She's one as well."

She blinked several times. "I cannot believe this,"

"Please believe me, I don't want to scare you but I'll prove it to you."

"How would you do that?"

"By showing you my fangs."

She watched his eyes and now it's all coming clear as to why she sees darkness in them. He's a vampire, a blood sucking, killing creature and she just bedded him. She considered him as her first and he's nothing but a liar.

"Please don't be mad," he saw the anger in her eyes. "I wanted to tell you."

"But you didn't."

"But I wanted to." He tried again moving closer to her. "I was just waiting for the right time."

"So you have sex with me and figure that now's a perfect time?"

"It's not like that. We were talking about protection, I can protect you, I won't let anything happen to you because I am a vampire. I cannot be killed so I will do anything to keep you safe."

She sucks in a breath when his hand meets the side of her face. He's tempted to kiss her but knows that this isn't a good time.

"You won't hurt me?"

"I promise you that I won't. I promised you the first day we met, you have to believe me. I love you. I love you and I will not hurt you. Ever."

Tears filled her eyes, "You love me?"

"Of course I do. How can I not?"

She breathed out a smile and suddenly nothing else mattered. She kissed him and Stefan wrapped his arms around her kissing her back. "I'm not exactly sure what love is," she explains why she didn't say it to him back.

"That's alright. As long as you at least like me, that's fine."

She smiled. "Of course I like you. I more than just like you."

He smiled and kissed her. "We should get back before sunrise. If I could have it, I'd stay with you right here, all day."

"I would want the same."

He stares at her shaking his head then kisses her once only to connect their lips a second time then a third before he gets up. They smile and take each other's hand walking out of their cabin and over into the one that everyone shares. They take their time and Stefan steals a few kisses on her shoulders and neck bringing her to smile.

Like always, Bonnie walks inside first and sneaks her way back to her room. She's glad that there's never a boring day here because all the time the girls are still asleep.

Stefan breaths out after completing his walk around the property then stills. When he heard the noise again he turns and is faced with Linda.

"What are you doing out here?" He asks her.

"I could ask you the same thing. I could, but I already know the answer."

"You're spying on me now?" He asks turning his back to her again.

"You weren't in your room last night."

"I'm sorry to disappoint."

"I wasn't disappointed, just curious. So I tracked your scent and what do I know, you're with her."

"She has a name."

"Fine. You were with the n—"

"Don't you dare." He sped up to her moving his hand around her neck with her back pressed against the cabin before she could finish the word. "You may be older, but I am stronger. I will kill you."

"I just don't see what's so special about her." She struggles.

"That's because you don't know her." He lets go of her neck and walks away leaving her coughing.

"What happened to you?" She asks causing him to stop walking. "The Stefan I knew wouldn't catch feelings for any of these girls, he wouldn't think twice about it. What is it, is it that she's a challenge? A damsel in distress and you want to be the hero, is that it? It is isn't it." She says like she had an epiphany. "You want to be the hero that's why you started this… this charity, that is why we live like this."

"It may have started out that way, but it's not like that anymore. Believe it or not, I started this whole thing for you. I would dream and fantasize, even though I already had you, I would dream that you actually wanted me back. I thought that if I could be a hero then you'll see me for who I really am and not that ten year old boy."

"Then Bonnie came along,"

"No." He shook his head now facing her.

"Then what changed?"

"Nothing. That's the thing, nothing changed. Your view of me didn't change, the way you look at me didn't change, the way you acted around me didn't change so I finally gave up. Then I met that gorgeous face and I believe that God sent her to me as a gift for letting go and moving on, and I tell you she is the best gift I have ever gotten."

Linda watched his eyes knowing that he was telling the truth. She wanted to apologize for the possible pain and frustration that she caused him but she didn't. Instead, she turned and walked into the cabin leaving him standing there alone. He let out a breath relieved that he was finally able to get that off his chest to her. He didn't know how much of a weight it was on his shoulders until he let it all out and now he feels much lighter than before.

He smiles seeing Destiny make her way out and over to him. She goes for his lips but he dodges swiftly and kisses her head before going inside. Destiny narrows her eyes at his back but decides to shrug it off.

"Wake up," Bonnie heard in her ear then felt herself unwilling move.

"Hmm?"

"You must wake up, it's a new day." Rachel smiles.

Bonnie rubs her eyes not exactly sure when she went to sleep. She was practically up all night and now she's noticing just how tired she is. Not wanting anyone to get suspicious, she sits up from her bed and places her face in her hands before hopping off going into a semi crowded bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. Afterwards she heads outside and joins Destiny on the couch.

"It feels like I haven't seen you in forever." She says then kisses the top of her head.

"Why is that?" Bonnie wonders.

"I'm not exactly sure, but it is as if you sneak off somewhere."

"There will be no sneaking off for me. Not now at least."

Destiny turns more to her, "You're leaving?"

Bonnie looks around and when she doesn't see Stefan she leans in and continues. "I might have to. I told Stefan about how I got separated from my father and how we agreed to meet up in front of our old house next month. It's been years and I must know if he is still alive and well."

"What did Stefan say?"

"He didn't like the idea, but I have to go. I must."

Destiny lets out a breath then looks at her hands in her lap. She knows that Bonnie sneaking off is a horrible idea but if she had the chance to see if her mother was still alive then she would take that chance. Especially if they had made a plan to do so.

"Bonnie, I think you need to talk to him more. What if something happens to you?"

"But what if not?"

She saw the hope in her eyes then sighed. Destiny leaned in to hug her figuring that it was impossible to change her mind now so all she could do was give Bonnie her support.

"What's going on over here?"

The girls breakaway as they hear Stefan's voice. "Just catching up, is all."

"Bonnie, would you like to come with me into town?"

"Town?" He nods. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Why would it not be?"

She looks over at Destiny then at her hands. "It's just," Stefan reaches over lifting her chin so he could watch her eyes. "It's just that…not everyone is as nice as the people are here. Maybe Destiny could go with you?"

"I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know, but… I would just feel more comfortable if I didn't go. If that's okay." He frowned. "If you'll excuse me," Bonnie stands and heads back to the cabin.

Stefan watches her back until she's inside then sighs. "I just want to make her comfortable."

"She needs time. Especially doing something as big as going into town with you. You cannot blame her for being a little afraid."

He sighs again then gives her his eyes, "Would you like to join me then?"

"Of course."

He smiles then reached out his hand for her to take.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

Bonnie watches the fire crackle in front of her. She knew that she shouldn't stare but her mind was racing with thoughts.

First and most important was her plan. Her plan to meet her father again and how exactly everything was going to go. Next month when the girls go on their monthly exploration, she will tag along and maybe wander off a little depending on how daring the girls are. She has never heard of a town called Mystic Falls before so she wonders just how far away her home is from here. She needed a map and figured that maybe there is one in the library that she could get her hands on. If so, she could map out the quickest way and memorize it and pray on it so that when it is time to go, she will know the way by heart.

Leaving Stefan behind was a setback and she would find herself not wanting to go through with the plan at all, but her father was more important than a boy. Especially a boy who she could have no future with. He had to understand and she made plans to talk to him once more about it before she left but not too closely together because something tells her that he'll be on the lookout.

What if he does catch me trying to leave and gets angry and kills me? Bonnie wondered but then mentally shook her head because he promised that he would not hurt her and she chose to believe that as truth.

Another thing was earlier this morning with Stefan. He wanted to take her into town and she had refused. She knew that he was disappointed that she didn't agree to go, but she had to look out for herself. And Stefan too for that matter. What if someone said something or called her a name? She knew that Stefan would get angry and he would hurt or kill whoever it was on the spot. Then he would get arrested and sentenced to death and since he cannot die, he would be exposed as a vampire and get burned like a witch. Everyone would hate her and she would find herself burned too or hanged.

Maybe she was thinking too much about it, but that's how she operates.

"Bonnie, do you have a song to sing?"

"A song?" Monica nodded. "Oh, uh, I'm not much of a singer."

"Oh come on, Bonnie, let's hear what you got." Linda encouraged with a smile that Bonnie knew wasn't friendly.

The other girls started adding their encouragement and not wanting to make a ruckus, she agreed. "I heard this song in church," she explained then closed her eyes.


Stefan laid in his bed with his eyes closed in thought. He wondered if Bonnie didn't trust him enough for her to know that he would not let anything bad ever happen to her. He told her his secret and wondered why that him being a vampire still didn't change anything. She is scared and he knows, but she is his and he protects what is his.

Sighing he lets his senses take effect to see if he could find her voice then he quickly sits up when a soulful voice fills his ears.

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see the lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by…

He knows it's her and breaths out a smile listening to her some more before he decides to head outside so he could see her. He stayed in the shadows not wanting to make her suddenly nervous but when he noticed that her eyes were closed, he walked further up to the group.

Linda frowned at how great she sounded then turned when she saw movement and her eyes landed on Stefan. Of course he would show up now and watching how his eyes never left Bonnie's face she knew that he had fallen even more in love with her.

It hurt her when she overheard him say that he would want to runaway with Bonnie and go someplace far away from here. She's always thought that they would be together or at least on the same page but hearing that she realized that Stefan was in a completely different book than what she's turning through. But as was Bonnie.

She wanted to leave to see her father and if God have it that he's alive, she'll never see her again and she and Stefan could get back on the same book and page. She loves him and so what she was playing hard to get, she didn't want to spill her heart out. With all these girls around she thought that if she told him how she really felt he would laugh and want nothing to do with her. If she would've known that all he wanted was for her to state her feelings, she would've did it years ago and she wouldn't be stuck in this situation right now.

Linda jumped slightly hearing claps that first started with Stefan and the other girls followed. Bonnie felt a little embarrassed by all this attention and she had no idea that Stefan was there until she opened her eyes as she held the last note and met his eyes dead on.

"Beautiful, just beautiful."

She smiled at him then shyly turned her head away. Stefan shook his head but understood.

"Well after that performance I think that it's time we all say our prayers and head to bed."

The girls stood up and Lizzie extinguished the fire as everyone was heading inside.

"Bonnie," he called out gaining her eyes. "How about you sleep with me tonight."

"Okay,"

They smiled at each other before she turned walking inside.

"They're going to catch on, you know." Linda said behind him. "Not all are dumb, they will catch on to your favoritism of her."

"I do not care."

Linda puffed folding her arms under her breasts watching him walk inside.


Bonnie smiled at the feel of his kisses on her skin and smiles even more when he kisses her lips.

"Your smile is beautiful."

She opened he eyes locking with his. "You make me smile."

"I'm glad."

She smiles again causing him to shake his head and kiss her again. He moves to his side and pulls her in close to his body meeting their foreheads. He kisses her several more times then closes his eyes. Bonnie lets out a breath of love and closes her eyes as well.

Wait.

Love? …Love?

"I love you."

Stefan opens his eyes and moves back some so he could see her face better. "You what?" He heard her perfectly clear but wanted to hear it again.

"I love you. Stefan."

"I love you too, Bonnie."

She smiles and closes her eyes when he meets their lips in a passionate kiss. He pulls away and asks her to get under the covers and she does and he follows.

"'Love' should be a private thing." He tells her in her ear. "I don't want to risk anyone else seeing."

She nods.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

Stefan runs his hand down her hair lazily with his eyes halfway shut. Being with Bonnie made him feel relaxed and calm and…normal. Her head rested on his chest as she sleeps made him feel like a husband because he'll never forget the time he saw his parents lying like this together. He kisses the top of her head going back to last night. For the first time in his life he made love. He made love with a woman that he loves and she loves him back. He has to admit that their first time was out of deep lust and want on his part, but last night was completely different. Everything felt so much better and the only reason is love.

"Stefan,"

"Come back later."

"It's important, someone's here for Bonnie."

He abruptly sits up causing her to wake. She asks what's wrong but instead he tells Jasmine to help her hide while he deals with whoever's outside. She obeys immediately walking further in and starts answering Bonnie's questions as he walks out after slipping on some pants.

"What seems to be the problem here?"

Destiny stands blocking the doorway from a white man with a full beard. He has a hat on but took it off before speaking.

"You have a lot of girls here, I was wondering if you had one of mines."

"And who might that be?"

"The n…'s name is Bonnie."

He forced his face to stay calm. "I'm sorry but there is no 'Bonnie' here."

"Really?"

"That's right."

"Then why did I get a call saying that she was here?"

He looked down at Destiny who looked up at him with confusion and shock. "I have no idea." He returned his eyes back to the man. "Like you said, there's a lot of girls here maybe they just got confused."

He stepped a little closer looking over his shoulder. "You don't mind if I look around then do ya?"

"Be my guest," he steps to the side welcoming him and three other men in.

"Stefan" Destiny whispered

"I got it handled."

Jasmine freezes at the end of the hall then gives him a quick look before plopping herself on one of the couches. Stefan feels relieved but follows after the men just in case. He could smell her scent and they were heading right for her. He told the girls to stay behind just in case he had to snap their necks and followed the men down the hall.

"You got a messy bunch, huh." He states at the pile of clothes in one of the closets.

"You know how girls are."

He looks over at him. "What did you say your name was again, son?"

"I didn't."

They stare at one another before the man with the beard takes a knife out of his pocket and walks over to the clothes.

"What are you doing?"

"You see, son, I believe that the girl I'm looking for is right under these pile of clothes here."

"What makes you think that?"

"Look around. This is the only messy thing in this room, the "perfect" place to hide someone. It's easy and quick all you gotta do is pull things off the hangers and voila. It's hide-and-go-seek."

Stefan watches as he throws clothing left and right and he got himself prepared. He wasn't sure if he was sniffing out Bonnie or just her clothes but he'd figure he'd find out when the rest of them do. He held in a breath then released it when there was nothing but the wooden floor under the pile of clothes. The men look around more and decided to give up once they didn't find her.

Stefan walked them out and before they walked back into the woods, he looked them in the eyes, "You never come back here again. You forget about this place, forget about the call, forget about Bonnie."

He has to stop himself from using his vampire speed and once he's inside he gets Jasmine to show him where she is. Jasmine quickly leads him into the room where the pile of clothes were.

"She's down there. Some of us girls made this door to keep extra storage in."

"Thank you."

He tells her to leave and she does before he opens the door on the floor and slowly opens it. His heart breaks seeing her there curled up in a ball with tears shining her cheeks.

"Bon-" she gasps, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he apologizes.

She cries more and he lifts her from the hole and holds her tightly in his arms carrying her over to her bed. She buries her head in his chest as he sits her on his lap and he holds her even tighter feeling her shake.

He then knew that it wasn't about the men looking for her but about the hiding spot. It bought her back to that night or maybe even a completely different time that she didn't tell him about.

"You're safe, I got you." He kissed her head running his hand down her arm. "You'll never have to go back in there again, I swear. I love you."

She sniffed in calming down some but still clung to him as tightly as he clung to her. He closed his eyes and more than ever wanted to take her away with him and find a house to live in within the northern states where they could be at peace.

"Let's—"
"Bonnie?"

She looked up and over at the door seeing Destiny stand there. She smiled as best she could then got up from Stefan's lap and walked over to her hugging her.

"I'm so sorry,"

Bonnie hugged her tighter, "It isn't your fault."

But Destiny did see it to be her fault. She promised her that Stefan would take care of her owners once she made the decision to stay, but he must have forgotten. It wasn't completely her fault, but partial.

"Where's Linda?"

The girls pull away. "You think she had something to do with this?" Destiny catches on.

"I don't know, but I haven't seen her lately." He walks over to them and kisses the tops of their heads before walking out.

He planned to get Bonnie alone again tonight so for now he needs to find Linda. The first place he looks is where she is and he starts to fume. His face is close to the color of the fire that he sees.

"What the hell are you doing?!" He yells tackling her to the ground.

"Oh I'm sorry, is this place special to you?"

"You called him didn't you."

"I'm sorry but it had to be done. She needed to go."

"Why? Is she a threat to you?"

Now it was Linda who was fuming and switched their positions forcing him on his back. "Ha! A threat? A girl like that, a threat to me, no, but to you she is." He shakes his head in confusion. "You're spineless, weak when it comes to her. You'll give her anything she asks–"

"She hasn't asked me for anything, not a single thing."

"But she will. I know how women operate once she gets comfortable enough around you, she will ask. She will tell you to do things and you will do them. I'm doing this for you, Stefan. I love you."

He narrowed and widened his eyes all at the same not not knowing what to think. When he imagined her saying those words to him, he pictured them going into an immediate kiss and share an intimate moment in bed much like he experienced with Bonnie last night, but now that he's hearing it, it's nothing but words. They hold no meaning to him, no meaning to his heart but he could see that she was hurt. He could see that she was in pain so he didn't speak his mind.

"I love you too. I do, but you don't get to make decisions for me. Not anymore. I am my own man, I know what is best and right for me and right now that is Bonnie. I'm sorry, but it's her."

A tear ran down her face and in the next moment she was gone. Stefan closed his eyes sighing running his fingers through his hair then quickly stood remembering that there was a fire. He couldn't believe that she would burn the cabin, it could start a major forest fire and they'd have to leave immediately. He ran inside and took the sheets off the bed and started smacking the fire with it. He wanted to do it quickly but at the same time he didn't want to get himself burned.

He managed to put out the fire but he mind as well have let it burned down because it was basically destroyed. All his memories with Bonnie are ash or close to it. He let out a grunt then headed back to where everyone was. He wanted to find Bonnie to see if she was OK and that Linda didn't get to her.

"How's she doing?"

Rachel looked up at him, "She's fine. I told her to sleep."

He smiled and turned to go into his own room in need of a break.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

It took her some time but she found the library. The cabin was much bigger with much more rooms than she thought because she's only goes a certain distance to go the her room and Stefan's room was basically right across the hall.

She flipped through the maps quickly not really sure exactly what she was looking for but knew what the state of Virginia looked like so she figured she'd start from there. Bonnie breathed out a smile when she found the page and ran her finger over the state with her eyes squinted and flashlight close to the paper looking for Mystic Falls. Luckily it was located at the peak of the state so getting to Pennsylvania should not be too hard but she knew that it would be a long and difficult journey. Traveling mostly by night so she wouldn't be seen by anyone other than possible drunks. She wished that she had someone on her side, anyone so she wouldn't have to do this alone, but she's all she has got.

"What are you doing?"

She gasped and turned letting out a breath when her flashlight landed on Linda. Anyone but Stefan she was fine with. Including Linda.

"I'm just—"

"Looking for a way home? Stefan told me about that, how you plan to go see your father soon."

"He did?" She wasn't completely shocked but she figured that would be something that he would keep between them. Even though she personally told Destiny, it was still her personal business to tell to whomever she liked.

"Yeah," she said moving in closer sitting next to her, "we talk about everything. We're really close."

"So I hear." She didn't mean to be disrespectful, but she couldn't help it.

Linda smiled. "He won't tell you this, Bonnie, but he wants you to go. He wants you to see if your father is still alive. I could tell in his eyes, he has hope for you but at the same time he's hesitant and you can't blame him for that."

"I know I can't, but my father could be out there, I have to at least try."

Linda nodded. "Hey, what if I help you."

"You'll do that?"

"Of course. I never really got to be with my father. My parents split up because my mother was unable to bear children after me and my father demanded a son. You wouldn't believe the amount of miscarriages my mother had and that lead to nothing but arguments for my parents. I hated it and a part of me was glad when my father told me that he was leaving. If he hadn't done it, I'm sure that I would've been the one to leave."

Bonnie frowned as Linda looked down in thought. She had no idea about what she went through and she wants to ask how she met Stefan but decides that now isn't the time. Besides, she probably met him just as Destiny did and they decided to live their lives out there which made her wonder how they got turned into vampires. Shaking her head, Bonnie placed her hand on top of Linda's. "I'm sorry."

Linda looked over at her and suddenly got a glimpse of why Stefan was so drawn to her. She cared. With a sad story that she honestly didn't mean to tell, she could see how much Bonnie cared and it wasn't a hint of pity in those emerald eyes of her, just genuine care. It almost made her feel bad about her plan.

"Thank you." Bonnie nodded. "So," Linda said through a breath, "where did you live before here?"

Bonnie let out a breath of her own and began to tell her almost everything.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong and he could sense it. All of it. There he stood watching Linda and Bonnie engage in a conversation on one of the couches in the living room. He would listen in but he's too distracted thinking about what Linda has up her sleeve that it slips his mind for the moment. He assumed that she would be doing everything in her power to hate on Bonnie and make her feel less welcome, especially after yesterday where he chose Bonnie over her, but seeing them so close, so together it just didn't make any sense. No sense at all.

"We will talk more later." He heard Linda say before she got up.

They locked eyes and suddenly she grew a slight smile as she walked past him. Stefan turns and watches her back through narrowed eyes before turning his attention to Bonnie who was now no longer on the couch. He looked around confused but then went to look for her finding her in the kitchen alone. He smiles at her back before walking up to her hugging her from behind.

Bonnie's eyes softly shut as he moves his arms around her and his lips touch the skin on her neck peppering kisses there. "I missed you last night." He states then kisses her again.

"I figure I'd give us a little space and I could tell that you were tired yesterday just by looking at you."

"I was tired but I could've slept better if you were under my arm. Or if your head was rested on my chest."

She smiles and before she could respond, Stefan turns her and captures her lips. She moans softly as he pulls her body into his and she moves her arms around his neck to be even closer to him.

"Maybe we can sneak away tonight? Have some privacy."

He frowns and Bonnie narrows her eyes wondering what's wrong. "About that, Bonnie, I have something to tell you." She grew even more concerned. "Our cabin is basically ruined."

"I don't understand,"

"It was set on fire and I stopped it but I was a little late. The bed is ruined, our memories there. Gone. I'm sorry."

It was her turn to frown. "Who set it on fire?"

He wanted to tell her the truth but at the same time he wanted to wait. He still has to figure out what she's doing with Linda and he's afraid that if he tells her that she's the one who set the fire, that he would never find out. "I'm not exactly sure, but I'll find out. I'll have everything rebuilt for us, I promise."

She sighed. "It just sucks that it won't be the same. We had a lot of great memories, not tangible ones but still great all the same."

He kissed her lingering their lips then pulled her into a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too."

He pulled away to look at her face and sighed at her beauty. Her eyes were wide whenever she looked at him, her pupils dilated at the sight of him and he was so in love. So very much in love that it scared him. He met their lips then lifted her on the countertop so he could kiss her better.


Destiny sighed and touched her stomach realizing that she hadn't eaten breakfast yet. Not wanting to miss a meal, she headed straight to the kitchen but froze as soon as she stepped foot in it. Stefan and Bonnie were in a hug. His eyes were closed and at first she thought it was out of comfort because of yesterday, but then he spoke three words that she's never heard him say to anyone. Not even Linda.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

She quickly steps out of the kitchen when she sees Stefan pull away. Her heart is racing but sneaks a peak back in when she heard nothing but silence, but what she saw was more than just words. They way he looked at her and only her the way he carefully touched her face, the way he sighed looking at her beauty. She only sees the side of his face and yet she could tell that he is indeed in love. She has never seen him this way before and if she was honest with herself, she should have saw this coming.

Never had Stefan specifically asked for a girl or if he did so he never knew their full name like he did Bonnie's. He was watching her, spying possibly and with every moment that he spent with her whether she knew it or not, he was falling in love with her. She couldn't blame him but at the same time she is upset. She peaked back in watching them kiss with passion with Bonnie seated on the counter top. She sighed then turned to leave.

Stefan pulls away from her lips in a sigh bringing a smile to her face. "Are you going to tell me what you and Linda were discussing earlier?"

Bonnie looked away avoiding his eyes, "We were just… talking about our families."

"Your families?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Families." She turned back to him. "Have you ever heard her story?"

"I have."

"Awful, isn't it? You know I always thought that my life was the worst but the one thing that I am grateful for is that throughout it all, my parents still loved each other. If you ask around that's something that most people don't got." She watched him try to smile but he frowned looking away. "Oh, I'm sorry, Stefan, I didn't—"

"No, it's fine. My parents did love each other but I didn't get to see much of it."

"Because you were sold," she says lowly.

"Actually it's because my mother had died when I was six." Her eyes widened. "My father took it rough and as did my older brother."

"Older brother?"

"Yes. Damon is his name. He told me that when he got everything situated, he would come get me but I guess he didn't figure everything out in time. It was probably for the better anyway. I wouldn't have met you if he took me away."

She smiled looking in his eyes as her hand touched the side of his face then kissed him once. "You're very sweet."

"Only for you."

She chuckles bringing him to smile then he helps her off the counter and together they leave the kitchen.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

Destiny let out a breath, shook her body some before walking in. Stefan had his back turned when she moved her arms around him and pressed a kiss to his back. She was testing him. Testing him to see if everything she thought was correct and if it was, she'd have a little chat with Bonnie later.

Stefan closes his eyes trying to come up with some sort of excuse. Since he's been with Bonnie, everyone else didn't matter anymore, he didn't give them not even half of the attention he was giving the girls before unless Bonnie was with them.

Destiny turned him then stands on her toes meeting their lips. "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why aren't you kissing me back, why aren't you holding me like you used to? Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing's—" He let out a breath then grabbed her shoulders staring into her eyes, "Everything was going fine but suddenly you have a headache and you want to lay down in your room."

Destiny blinked then met her hand to her head. "My head hurts, I think I have a headache. I should go lay down."

"I'll check on you later."

She nods then he kisses her before she walked away. Stefan lets out a sigh running his hands down his face then finishes getting undressed to take his shower.

Bonnie walks into her room for a little nap and sees that she's not the only one feeling a little tired.

"Hi,"

Destiny smiled. "Hey,"

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just a little headache. It's too bad because I was with Stefan when suddenly my head started to throb."

"Oh," Bonnie turned her back to her. "That's too bad."

"While we're on the topic, what's going on between you and Stefan?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you two. In the kitchen this morning and he told you that he loves you. I know that you're new, but he doesn't and hasn't said that to anyone. I asked and came up with nothing, you're the only one."

"I can't really explain it. I didn't see it happening but we're in love."

"That isn't fair."

"I know it's not. I do, and I'm sorry, but you don't have to worry." She leaned in a little closer, "I'm leaving soon. Linda said she'll help me find my father and I believe her. I have to believe her, I can't do this all on my own. Stefan will hate me when he finds out so you won't have to worry. None of you do."

Destiny narrowed her eyes not liking what she just heard. Would she like Bonnie to be somewhat hated by Stefan? Sure, but she didn't want her to leave. They have become pretty close and if she leaves she feels as of she'll be alone again. Linda helping didn't sound flattering either it was either she was going to trick her or really help her find her father so that she could stay away from this place. There's no telling what she would do, but she was worried.


Stefan looked around for Linda. He hasn't seen her all day other than this morning so he looks and finds her and finds her in the library.

"Come on,"

She gasps at the sound of his voice then turns to see him standing behind her. "Where?"

"To bed. Come sleep with me."

She blinked a few times, "Really?"

"Yes. It's been awhile and you're my sister." He offers a smile making her smile back.

"Alright then. Only if you don't call me your sister again."

"Deal."

He stretched out his hand and she took it standing up. Linda tried to stop her heart from beating out of her chest like she was in high school and the cute boy asked her to the dance. She hated that Stefan made her feel that way but it's been a long time so she's not all that surprised by how she's reacting.

He leads her into his room and points to the bed wanting her to get settled as he lights some candles. Linda watched him as he does so and swallows hard when he turns to her and their eyes lock. Stefan walks over to her and crawls on the bed hovering above her. Her eyes are wide as he looks at her in a way that he hasn't before.

"You know," he starts in a low whisper, "all this time I wanted you to stop looking at me like I was that ten year old boy and you are now, but now I'm looking at you like I'm that ten year old boy again. Strange, isn't it?"

She doesn't respond. She couldn't.

"I see you. I watch you, I know you. I do love you, very deeply and I know that you love me. Our relationship is toxic but that doesn't stop us, huh? What are we doing?"

"Nothing so far."

He raises the corner of her mouth. "You always wanted to know why her, but I want to know why me. I remember it very clearly, you said that you wanted me for yourself. Why?"

"Looking in your eyes I could tell that you were meant for greatness. If we had not gotten caught that one night, you would have been a war hero or leader or something and I just wanted to be apart of that."

"If you actually treated me like I was your stepbrother, you would have been apart of it."

"Not like the way I wanted to. I wanted to feel your joy and your strength and your excitement on my lips, I wanted to feel your victory between my legs, I wanted to be apart of it. All of it because I cannot do it myself."

He looked into her eyes before he closed them meeting their lips.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

Linda woke up wrapped in his arms and smiled letting out a breath. If last night proved anything, he really did miss her and she hoped that things wouldn't go back to what they were before last night. Stefan being with Bonnie and only Bonnie, it's annoying and quite frankly disrespectful especially since they were together first. She was finally looking at him like he wanted her to and that could've been enough for him to realize that she's really in this.

Stefan grabbed her shoulder pulling her down so he could kiss her cheek then lips before he got up. She watched him pull some pants up his legs before walking out. She tried not to think much about how he didn't even greet her but then put it to rest when she realized that his kisses were the greeting.

Stefan scratched his head as he stepped outside. It was cold but it didn't bother him at a against his bare chest and torso. He let out a breath then walked up to one of the couches that were dragged outside and laid flatly on it. His hand folded behind his head with his eyes closed in thought.

He knew what was up, knew what was happening between Bonnie and Linda and he just couldn't believe that she'll (Bonnie) sneak this behind his back. Did she think that he was never going to find out, did she think that one day he wouldn't notice that she is missing and won't go searching for her? What was she thinking, the plan is insane. Brilliant, but still insane.

He got into her head last night, he had to make her vulnerable and he hates what he did, but it needed to be done.

They were going to travel together, Bonnie pretending to be Linda's handmaiden so it wouldn't raise any red flags and even if it did, Linda could take care of it since she is a vampire. It wouldn't take them long to get to Pennsylvania, a little less than a week then they could stop pretending. Bonnie would find her father and she would leave them there to stay for the rest of their lives. Linda had much faith that Bonnie's father would be alive because she didn't have a backup plan. What if Mr. Bennett wasn't alive, what will she do then? She wants Bonnie gone which is why she's helping, but if Bonnie doesn't find her father he's afraid that Linda will kill her or just leave her there alone with no family or money and way of life. He's sure that she's made a few good friends while she was there, but he can never be so sure. The outcome was what he was afraid of and it was what Bonnie should be afraid of too, but he knew that she wasn't. He's tempted to get inside her head, but figured that he talk to her first and if everything goes well he wouldn't have to.

TBC