A/N: The entirety of this fic is unbeta'd. All mistakes are mine.
For RockerChick08. Merry Christmas!
3.
In an effort at keeping up appearances, I note that we've all decided to attend school the next morning. I do not approach them, as they are in the middle of a heated discussion with Caroline. Apparently, she's none too pleased about the business at Elena's house the previous night with the necklace and the séance. The girls seem to have their hands full placating the blonde and in an effort to not freak Bonnie out any more than she's already been, I decide to avoid any confrontation until later when Caroline is busy.
It's curious, though. I seem to be bumping into Bonnie at every turn this morning, even though we don't share many classes. I defer to her and try to give her space, but admittedly I feel drawn. Finally, at lunch, I see her sitting off alone at one of the more remotely located outdoor picnic tables, which is odd, because she's usually surrounded by a throng of people just wanting to be near her orbit. My legs carry me across the quad and I approach her table. Using a soft tone I'd reserve for a skittish animal, I greet her. "Hello, Bonnie."
She stiffens ever so slightly at the sound of my voice, but doesn't look up. "Hi, Stefan." She addresses me quietly.
"Are you having lunch with Elena?" I inquire.
"She should be along soon. She got held up for some committee thing." She still doesn't bother to look up at me. I can feel that her heart rate has shot up.
"Bonnie. I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for everything. Having to drag you into this. It's not something I would've wanted for you. And I'll completely understand if you don't want to have anything to do with me."
"I know. I'm not blaming you for anything." Still, she studies any and everything but me, which I find surprisingly annoying. Then, her statement filters into my sense of comprehension.
"You don't blame me?"
"No."
I looked at her in confusion. "Then, why won't you look at me?"
Bonnie continues to set those disconcerting green eyes elsewhere. "You saved my life, Stefan. Thank you," she says sincerely.
I don't know why, but suddenly I'm feeling annoyed at her avoidance of me. I don't know where it comes from, but I want her undivided attention. Now. I slowly lower myself into a crouch at her side and say softly. "Look at me when you say it, Bonnie."
Blowing out a slow breath, Bonnie turns to face me, bringing those amazing eyes of hers to meet mine. Heat suffuses her face. She frowns and says almost defiantly. "Thank you for saving my life, Stefan."
I draw in a breath as I'm hit with that electrical current that arcs between us. When our eyes meet, it's heady. I know she's feeling something, because she looks almost angry. I can hear the acceleration of her heartbeat. It's almost as though I can feel what she's feeling emotionally because she's broadcasting like a beacon. As I'm still processing this, she is the first to speak about this…whatever it is.
"Is this happening because you gave me your blood?" she lifts an elegantly shaped eyebrow.
Looking away from her to gather my own scattered thoughts, I answer. "No. At least it's never happened like this before." Realizing I might need to clarify what I know, I look back and there's that current again. I feel like I KNOW her, down to my marrow. "My blood is supposed to pass out of your system in 24 to 72 hours. There should be no lasting effects. But I've never felt anything, nor heard of this happening before."
Bonnie lifts her eyes to the sky. "Great. New stuff that not even you know about. That's just great. Why is it that I feel you? Why do I feel GOOD when I'm around you? Maybe it's because I'm a witch?" I can nearly feel her grasping hope that this is just a temporary thing and that own her link to the metaphysical world explains it away.
I slowly nod my head. "That could be it. Why don't we just give it a little time and see if it doesn't dissipate on its own." Our eyes meet again. I want touch her. Damn.
She tears her gaze away from mine. "Alright. I'll do my best to wait it out. If it's not gone by then. I'm calling in the big dogs."
I echo in askance. "Big dogs?"
"Grams."
"Of course. If anyone would know what this is, she may." My memories of Sheila Bennett are all fond, but if she knew what had happened to Bonnie last night, she might just decide to nail mine and Damon's hides to her trophy wall of 'Messed With a Bennett Witch and Didn't Live to Tell the Tale'. THAT was definitely not a witch to trifle with. In the interests of self-preservation, I ask a boon of Bonnie. "If there is a need to bring your grandmother into this, I would take it as a personal favor, if we could tell her together. I feel somewhat responsible for getting you into this situation."
"Done." Exhaling roughly, she scrubs her face in frustration and moans. "And WHY is it that I want to TOUCH you, for pity's sake? It's all too weird. I mean, you're beautiful and all but as soon as Elena laid claim, you kinda fell off my radar and into that 'family/brother' category."
I smile at her. I never put her into any such category. She's beautiful, she always will be to me. Although I am in love with Elena, after giving Bonnie my blood, she seems even more enticing to me. I hold out my hand. "Give me your hand."
Narrowing her eyes slightly, she slowly holds out a slender hand.
Our hands touch, then gently clasp and it feels so RIGHT.
Bonnie's eyes glaze a bit with a sheen of tears and I feel the frustration and exhaltation emanating from her. "This is just all wrong," her faces crumbles.
"It's alright," I soothe, lightly rubbing her cold fingers. "You'll be okay, we'll be okay."
I can't help but to draw her into my arms and pat her hair and back. God, she smells delightful. WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she melts within the shelter of my arms, taking the comfort, while I almost lecherously revel in the feel of her, the smell of her. Idly, I wonder what she tastes like: her tears, her mouth, the sweat of her, the liquid honey of her when she's aroused. I feel myself grow harder with each passing thought.
Suddenly, there are other arms which surround us both. Elena. My love and Bonnie's near-sister. No jealousy there, just comfort. I can almost feel the relief coming off of Elena that her lover and her friend are finally beginning to find common ground.
It's funny; I never bothered to feel guilty about what I was feeling for Bonnie. Nor, did it alter or dampen my ardor for Elena.
We three held together, entwined by our shared affection and regard for one another, well after the bells signaling that lunch was over had sounded.
Things get a little more heated next chapter...You want more?