Alexandria, Virginia 1860 - The DePreist Mansion

Grace smiled down at the young boy as he watched her very carefully place things into the pan. His eyes were wide and a slight smile was planted on his face. He didn't talk much. At all, really and she was starting to wonder of he was clinically mute. All she knew about him was that his name was Stefan and Miss DePreist got him from a drunk who tried to sell him for cash. Tried. She has been here long enough to know Miss DePreist and all her ways so she was trying her best to get the boy to speak. All of them were for that matter. He was young, didn't know any better and if he didn't start speaking up he'd find himself hit.

"This was my grandma's recipe." Grace told him. "She passed it down to my mother and my mother passed it down to me and since I more than likely I won't have any children, I'm going to pass it down to you, Stefan."

He looked up at her with his green eyes shining bringing a smile to her face. Kids like Stefan gave her hope that not all saw in color but saw within you. You wouldn't believe the names she has been called by young white children and all she could do was shake her head and go along with her day.

"Now after the chicken is a little cooked, you want to start on your shrimps. Here, put these in."

He looked up at her again with wider eyes and she took his verbal response and responded: Yes, you, now put then in. Stefan grabbed a handful and dropped them in backing away some when the pan started to sizzle.

"Don't worry, I won't let nothin' happen to ya." She placed her hand on his back rubbing it a few before taking the wooden spoon in her hand ready to stir everything around.

He watched her with undivided attention and once she looked down at him he quickly turned his eyes away. She chuckled.

"Have you ever seen a colored person like me before, Stefan?"

He nodded his head.

"Well let me tell you a secret that no one else is going to tell you. Look up here." She waited until he gave her his eyes. "This N word that people be using," she shook her head, "it's not nice. Very mean and rude if you ask me. Would you like to be called a mean word?" He shook his head quickly. "That wouldn't be nice now would it?" She shook her head along with him.

He watched her as she turned her attention back to the pan. He looked around a few before he looked back up at her. "What's your name?"

Grace stilled and sudden tears filled her eyes as she looked down at him. Stefan wondered if he just offended her but as she touched the side of his face and smiled, he started to think otherwise.

"My name is Grace. It's nice to meet you, Mr…"

He smiled knowing that she already knew his name but filled in the blank anyway. "Stefan,"

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Stefan. Something tells me we're going to be great friends."

He smiled then listened carefully as she told him the next step.

Since then on, Stefan's been down in the kitchen every afternoon while his mother is out shopping. Grace told him that she probably wouldn't like that they're hanging out so to only come down when she's gone. He couldn't understand why his mother would disapprove, but he listened and waited by the window every afternoon to see if her chariot would go out of the pathway or not.

Thanks to Grace he made friends with the other coloreds and he would have the best time with them. He wished that he was adopted into their family instead of the one he is in now. He felt more like himself when he was around them and it was strange but he didn't care to give it much thought.

For his birthday, Grace made him the best vanilla cake he's ever tasted and even learned how to spell and write out his name so she could sign it with that. He couldn't remember the last time he was this happy and it was all thanks to her. His true mother.

Present Day

Bonnie titled her head to the side watching him. She had woken up early and decided to sit outside and enjoy the crisp nature but instead she found herself watching the vampire. She couldn't be sure if he was asleep or not but by how he didn't move she just assumed that he was. She wondered what he was doing out here in the first place but figured he was doing as she wanted to but fell asleep. Not wanting to bother him, she quietly moved away.

"I'm not asleep, you know."

"You could've fool me." She smiled slightly walking back over to him. "What are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking. About Grace."

"'Grace' as in a woman or 'grace' as in the word."

"A woman. My mother, actually."

"Oh,"

"Well that's not entirely true, but I wish she was my mother. She treated me like her son so I just pretended. She was the most loving woman I truly got to know."

"Was this the woman your father sold you to?"

"No. She was the cook of the house, the first person that I talked to. I was really quiet after it all but she didn't care like the others did. She understood me and I just…talked. I was drawn to her. You remind me of her actually now that I think about it. Beautiful brown skin, beautiful face, although she was much older than you and I wasn't attracted to her as I am to you. The biggest heart, bright soul and spirit."

Bonnie frowned some when he sighed. "What happened to her?"

He grew quiet. He was already quiet but she felt everything was much quieter like everything around stopped breathing.

"I don't know. Funny, isn't it? A woman I consider as my mother and I don't know what happened to her."

"Well what happened to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You had to move away or something for you to not know."

He raised his eyebrows now understanding. "I… I was accused of rape. It wasn't true—at all, but I was. As I was being dragged out, I saw her face. She had no idea what was going on or what I was being accused of but I could tell that she knew that whatever it was, I had nothing to do with, I could see it in her eyes. I wanted to tell her that I loved her because I never had and I only realized as I was being dragged out about to die. The knife was on my throat and I was ready, but nothing. I opened my eyes and I see Linda killing everyone then she fed me her blood and snapped my neck."

"That's how you became a vampire."

He nodded. "It was strange and scary and when I woke up we were here. In this place, Mystic Falls, and I never seen my mother since."

Bonnie chewed on her lower lip. "Maybe you can visit her. She might not be dead and you could talk to her or visit her grave if she is. I'm sure she would like to see you either way." He sat up for the first time during this conversation and opened his eyes. "I could come with you if you want or Linda or whoever or you could just go by yourself. Either way, I think you should do it. It'll be good for you and your heart. No matter the outcome."

He looked into her eyes. He understands now. Why it's so important for her to see her father because she needs it. She's been alone for so long and now she has the chance to be with someone. "I want to help you."

"Help me?"

"Only if you help me first."

"Okay," she still didn't understand but figured he would explain.

"You want to see your father. See if he's still alive and I'll help you. I'll take you there myself, if you come with me to Alexandria."

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She couldn't turn him down. Even if you exclude the part where he would help her out, she would have still tagged along if he asked her to because she can understand. She knew how important this was and is and she was personally excited and anxious of the outcome.

They left rather quickly to her surprise but she figured that he'd want to leave now in case he talks himself out of it. They were being pulled along the road by horses in a chariot and this is her second time in one though this one is much more roomy.

"I have to tell you something. I'm not proud of myself, but I can't keep it from you."

Bonnie grew worried but already knew what he was going to say. "You slept with someone else."

His eyes closed as he sighed then opened back up looking at her. "I did. Linda, last night. I'm sorry, I… I was using— I didn't mean—" he sighed again then shook his head placing his hand on the side of her face glad that she didn't move away. "I love you. I love her too. I tell you that I love you over and over because I love you and I want us and I only told her only once, possibly twice because I do mean it, but I do not want to be with her. I only want you." He moved his other hand to the side of her face. "Do I still have you?"

She looked into his pleading eyes as he looked right back at her. She didn't like the concept of her being owned, she is supposed to be free, but understood what he meant by it. She leaned in to kiss him once lingering their lips together then softly pulled away. He met their foreheads when her hands moved to the sides of his face just as he is with her. "You still have me."

He smiled then lifted his chin to kiss her over. He pulled her close to his body then leaned back taking her down with him. Bonnie lifted her dress up so she could position her legs better and brought her right leg bent across his left. His hand moved down to her back to steady her then decided to move on his side to give her more room. Their noses touched putting smiles on their faces.

"I'm not sure how long of a trip this'll be." He spoke against her lips.

She smiled as he kissed her. "That's alright. We'll get there that is all that matters."

"I'm so lucky to have you. I do not know what I'll do without you."

She closed her eyes after he did and moved her hand in his hair and breathed out. "I love you."

"I love you."

Stefan looked out the window as Bonnie's head was rested on his chest. She woke up pretty early so he figured that her body was still tired. Occasionally he would kiss the top of her head and run his hand down her arm just because. He woke her as soon as they entered Alexandria and told her stories about different places and she enjoyed every one. When they reached the DePreist residence, he had to compel the guard to let them through.

"Should I stay behind?" Bonnie asked once they were stopped in front.

"No, I want you to come. I'll give you a signal, just stay here for now."

Bonnie nodded and watched as he stepped out and walked up to the door knocking on it. It felt like an eternity before it opened and she's assuming that his mother answered the door by how she could see the shocked expression on her face before she pulled him into a hug. She smiled at the scene then watched Stefan pull away and they started talking. About her, she assumes and she appreciates the fact that he was thoughtful enough to tell her about the color of her skin before they were introduced so she could be warned. Miss DePreist didn't look like an angry woman, but you could never be too sure with those things.

She stilled and sucked in a breath as Stefan turned and reached out his hand. She took that as the signal and as the door opened, she stepped out and stood there under their gazes. She suddenly wishes that Linda was the one to tag along because she's still not used to the attention. Bonnie carefully walks up to the two and Stefan wraps his arm around her waist as she stands beside him.

"Mother, this is Bonnie."

"It's nice to meet you, Bonnie."

"You too, ma'am."

"Miss DePreist is fine."

Bonnie nodded. "Miss DePreist."

"So can we come in, mother?"

She returned her attention back to her son. "Oh, right, of course. Come in."

Stefan kept his hand where it was as they were led into the kitchen. Their eyes grew wide for different reasons as they stepped inside, for Bonnie it was because she hasn't seen a kitchen so grand and for Stefan, it was simply because of the memories. They got seated at the table which was silent until Miss DePresit decided to speak.

"So, Stefan where is your sister? Last I seen her she was accusing you of—"

"She's around…Mother." He cut her off.

Bonnie tried to keep her face straight. He never told her that he had a sister and she was wondering what exactly did she accuse him of.

"Did you tell her you were visiting?"

"I didn't. We left fairly quickly after Bonnie gave me the idea."

Her attention turned to her son's… whatever she was ready to thank her for giving him the idea to visit again but she frowned. "What's that scar on the side of your face?"

Stefan closed his eyes feeling like the parent whose child just asked an inappropriate question.

"I was scratched."

"How? It seems as if—"

"Mother, please."

"What? I don't understand."

Bonnie let out a breath. "I was running away from a horrible place but I got caught and I tried to get away again but he pulled me down with his nails, scratching my face and then he…raped me."

"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that must feel."

"I try to forget about it but it's hard sometimes especially when I have this."

"Think of it as a battle scar. You survived." A voice said from behind.

"Mom?" Bonnie turned then covered her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry that just sounds like something my mother would say."

Stefan frowned but as he turned around his eyes filled with tears and he stood up hugging the woman tightly. Bonnie smiled then wiped away the tear that fell from her eye watching them. She had to be Grace.

Stefan held her tightly and let out a breath as she hugged him back. "You're alive."

She smiled. "Of course I am. I should be celebrating you. I thought–"

"I was saved." He pulled away from the hug to look in her eyes. "I had to leave but I'm back now, Bonnie convinced me to come back so I can see you." He whispered the latter half so his mother wouldn't overhear.

Grace looked over his shoulder and smiled when Bonnie did. "And who might Bonnie be?"

"She's…my love. I'm not really sure what to call it."

Grace smiled. "She's beautiful."

"Isn't she."

"Your last name isn't 'McCullough' by any chance is it?"

Bonnie stood and walked over to her, "It's my mother's maiden name. You knew my mother?"

"Not so much as I did your grandmother." Bonnie breathed out a smile. "Sheila, right?" She nodded. "Oh we were best friends. I'm the one that taught her how to be more of a positive person, I was tired of her complaining all the time."

Bonnie and Stefan laughed and he bought an arm around her like before. "That sounds like my father most days."

"How's he doing?"

"I'm not exactly sure, actually. My parents decided to see how much money they could make on their own so we split up. I was with my mom and my dad ran solo. I'm supposed to meet him soon."

"I hope he's alright."

"Thank you, so do I."

"Stefan, how about we let these two talk while we do some catching up?"

Stefan turned to her then sighed as he looked back at the two. "I'll catch up later."

Bonnie was surprised when he turned and kissed her before walking away.

"We'll be here." Grace said through a smile watching him leave. "Stefan's a good one, huh?"

"Only the best."

"Come on, let's have a seat."

Bonnie nodded then followed her to the table.

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Stefan watched his mother have a blank stare on her face. He just got finished telling her everything, he had to come clean and he was glad that it didn't give her a heart attack. He narrowed his eyes and watched as she stood up and walked over to the bookshelf in her room and stand by it.

"Mother?"

"Bonnie," she whispered but he heard her like she screamed it.

"What about her?"

"I didn't notice before, I was too distracted from her scar, but her face…so. Familiar."

He narrowed his eyes then stood up walking over to her. She was flipping through the pages in a book before she gasped then dropped it but Stefan caught it before it hit the ground. His eyes widened looking at the page before him. Qetsiyah was the name written in italics under a picture of Bonnie. He blinked a few times then looked up at his mother.

They were in the middle of a laugh when Stefan came down and grabbed Bonnie's head in his hands. She looked over at Grace before looking at him questionably.

"Stefan, what are you doing?"

"Your face. You have someone else's face."

"I don't understand. What do you mean I have—"

"Qetsiyah. You have her face."

"Who is Qetsiyah?"

"A very powerful witch." Grace answered before Stefan could. It was all their turn to look at her. "I've only heard stories, but from what I hear, you'll be amazed by the things she could do. I'm sure if you practice enough, you'll be just as powerful."

Stefan narrowed his eyes then looked back at his love. "What is she talking about?"

"I'm a witch, Stefan. I did a spell and everything. I'm a witch, just like you said."

"I was joking,"

"You still said it."

He let out a breath looking into her eyes then leaned in to kiss her. Bonnie kissed him back a few times before she pulled away. "What was that for?" She asked the question that everyone else wanted to know as well.

"I'm drawn to you, is all."

She smiles and places her hand on the side of his face and Stefan moved his hand to cover hers. Grace's heart melted happy that her boy found love because he deserved it and that's all that she ever wants the people she loves and cares about to find.

"So when is the wedding?" Grace playfully asked.

They laughed never taking their eyes off each other and Stefan kissed her again before standing taking her hand in his. "Come, I'll give you a tour." They left without another word.

"That's great, isn't it?" Grace spoke.

"It's just…great." Miss DePreist tried but turned to leave the kitchen to look for her alcohol stash.

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Stefan stared into her eyes as he played with her hand. It was smaller and thinner against his, gentler too and he moved it up to his lips to press a kiss on the back of it. Bonnie smiled.

"Tell me what's on your mind."

She shook her head, "It's nothing really, I just cannot get something out of my head." He urged her to tell him. "Your… stepmother, the real one, said that you had a sister. You never told me that and she said the the last she's seen her is when she accused you of something… Was that 'something' rape? You told me that you were accused of it earlier."

Stefan let out a breath then inhaled and exhaled again. Bonnie knew she was in for one hell of a story. "I was sold into this house because my stepmother wasn't able to have boys. My father heard this news and took it as an opportunity to—"

"Oh my g– your Linda's brother." She put the pieces together. Two days ago, Linda told her that her mother wasn't able to have children after her and now hearing Stefan say basically the same thing had her come to the conclusion.

"No. We'll technically I am, but I'm not. We're not blood at all we didn't look at each other as brother and sister."

"So you looked at each other as lovers?"

"I was young. I didn't know anyone, I didn't talk much but Linda, it was like she was brainwashing me as I grew older to believe that I was hers. I didn't know any better so that's how it turned out."

"She took advantage of you,"

"I wouldn't put it so harshly, but in a way, yes. I wanted it too and one day we were in bed and my mother walked in on us. We kept everything a secret so when she saw us she didn't know what to think. Linda started screaming that I was raping her and the rest is how I told you this morning."

"Oh. Wow, okay then."

"I know it's strange but I just… I don't know."

She looked in his eyes before looking away in thought. His eyes closed in defeat scared that he just ruined everything between them just as things were going the best they could go. He opened his eyes seeing her looking down. "Are you still—"

"I am, I just. It's a lot to take in. I would've never guessed but at the same time it makes perfect sense."

"But," he moved his hand to the side of her face, "it's over. Last night was a moment of weakness, that is all it was. I'm sorry. I love you. I love you so much."

"I love you too."

He leaned in and kissed her lingering. He pulled away rubbing their noses together making her smile then he kissed her again. "Do a spell for me." He ran his pointer finger down her lips.

Bonnie smiled then let out a breath through her nose closing her eyes. Stefan watched her then his eyes grew wide as she glowed. He sat up some realizing that she lit the candles in the room and looked down at her seeing her glowing eyes.

"That's amazing." He said leaning in meeting their lips. "What did you say?"

She bit down on her lower lip as he moved on top of her and lifted her head up to whisper in his ear. "Ex Spiritum In Tacullum, En Terrum Incendium, Phasmatos Salves A Distum."

"Oh, that is so. Sexy."

She giggled and he moved his head to capture her lips again this time in a rougher manner digging his hand in her hair. Bonnie kissed him just as roughly back moving her leg around his waist softly moaning as he pulled her closer into his body. "I want to make love to you. Right here, but I have to wait. After dinner, I'll take you slowly under the covers. You like that?"

"Of course."

He smiled against her lips then kissed her once before moving on his side. They stayed staring into each others eyes until there was a knock on his door with the person behind it saying that supper was ready. He took her hand in his and together they walked out and down the stairs straight into the kitchen. Stefan pulled out Bonnie's chair for her and she quietly thanked him as he sat down. Grace came in seconds later serving them their food.

"This looks delicious."

"I made it extra special just for you two."

"Mother won't be joining us?"

"She got a call then left shortly after that. I'm not really sure where she went."

"Would you like to sit with us then?"

"Oh, Stefan, I can't."

"Please, I haven't got to talk to you all day and we are leaving tomorrow."

She weighed her options in her head then with a sigh sat down bringing a smile to his face. She just shook her head and watched him take a bite of her mashed potatoes.

"So, how have you been?"

"I've been good. Living the best way I know how, making recipes here and there."

"If you want me to, I can publish a book of your recipes and give you all the profit."

"That's very kind of you, Stefan."

"Is that a 'yes'?"

"It's an 'I'll think about it'. I ain't got much time left in me anyway, it might be no use to doing such."

Stefan frowned. "Why not make a little cash before you go?"

"Good question." She nodded but still didn't give him an answer. "So how did you two meet anyhow?"

They looked over at each other talking to each other with their eyes causing Grace to smile.

"Well Stefan here got a girl to do the job for him." Bonnie smiled playfully at him.

"Don't act like I didn't try at first. You were just a stubborn thing, still is."

She rolled her eyes making them laugh some and Stefan reached over and ran his hand down her face.

"You two, there's something deep here. I can feel it in my bones, there's something deep."

"I feel it too." Stefan stated looking at his love bringing a smile to her face.

"I tell ya, it's nothing better than to see someone you love in love. It makes me a happy old woman."

"Speaking of love," Stefan turned to her, "Grace, you have been nothing but– I look at you as my mother. You are the first person that I felt comfortable enough to talk to and I think about you all the time and thinking back I don't know why I didn't tell you this, but. I love you. Thank you for everything, my life here wouldn't have been the same without you."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and stood when he did hugging him tightly. Bonnie smiled glad that everything turned out as perfectly as could be.

"I love you too." Grace said hugging him tighter.

They broke away hearing the door open and Grace quickly made her way to the back of the kitchen behind the door. Stefan frowned wishing that she could stay but the last thing he wants was for her to get in trouble. He looked over at Bonnie who rubbed his back and he leaned to kiss her pulling away just as his mother stepped in.

"I see you both started without me."

"We weren't sure how long you would be gone."

"No worries," she said through a sigh sitting down, "I ate already anyway."

Stefan nodded then stretched his arm around Bonnie's waist. Miss DePreist watched the two carefully. She didn't at first understand why her son would pick such a woman but then Grace showed up and it suddenly made all the sense in the world. She didn't necessarily disapprove, but she didn't completely approve either. It put her in a tough spot.

"So, Bonnie, where are you from originally?"

"Pennsylvania. I lived there all my my life until some years ago."

She nodded. "So. Where do you live now?"

"Together," Stefan answered, "in a cabin in a town called Mystic Falls."

"Cabin?"

"Yes."

"Well do you need money for someplace better or—"

"We have our privacy there, it's not a small cabin, it's fairly large and we like it there."

Bonnie looked over at him wondering why he was acting so rude. She thought that it was kind of her to offer them money for a better place and if she was used to Miss DePreist, she would've turned her down more respectfully.

Miss DePreist decided to give up after that and sat there in silence. Once supper was over, they headed upstairs and got ready for bed.

"Don't say it."

"What?"

"I know what you are thinking and you wouldn't be thinking that if you really knew her."

Bonnie sighed. "It's just that she's your mother, I don't see why—"

"She is not my mother. I may call her that out of respect and thanks, but she is not my mother. My true mother is dead. My- my mother is- is dead."

She frowned and walked up to him wrapping him in her arms as best she could. She ran her hand along his back as he hugged her tightly back letting tears fall from his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't know exactly how you feel, but I have an idea. You were young, you didn't have a chance to fully understand it. In my situation I had to understand and fairly quickly but I could find many things to think about so it wouldn't be my focus. I love you and I can help you, if you want me to."

She pulled away when he didn't respond but he just moved his head away causing her to narrow her eyes and grab his face in her hands. She was taken aback by his face now his face no longer looked like it always is. Black veins were under his eyes which were red. Her eyes widened and she slowly backed away making him shake his head walking up to her.

"Please don't be afraid, please."

"Why is your face like that?"

"I haven't had blood in days and being so close to your neck, I couldn't help myself."

"So you are hungry?"

"Precisely, yes."

"Real food doesn't full you?" He shook his head. Bonnie nodded then swallowed. "Well do you want to…drink my blood? I don't know how it'll work, maybe I'll get something to cut my—"

"No, I don't want to drink from you. If the situation was different as in I've been feeding every day then maybe I'll agree, but since it's not, I'll go find someone else."

She nodded and gasped when in the next moment he was gone. He didn't explain to her the powers of a vampire but so far she knew that they drink blood and apparently have super speed. She wondered what else he could do but before she let the thought consume her, Bonnie decided to get to bed.

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Stefan watched her sleep. They should be making their way home right now, but he didn't want to wake her. She always slept so peacefully even when he was sure that she would have had a nightmare about his vampire face. He wanted to get inside her head to see what she was thinking about, but he didn't. He loves and respects her too much to ever do such a thing to her unless he has no other option and her life is in danger in someway or somehow. He ran his hand down her hair gently causing her to stir some, but her eyes remained closed as she moved closer to him. Stefan lightly smiled and met their foreheads tempted to kiss her but he controls himself. Instead, he breaths out through his nose closing his eyes.

A vision fills the darkness behind his lids. He spots a little girl with curly hair standing in front of the window. He keeps his eyes closed as he furrows his eyebrows but waits along with her without making a sound. He hears her suddenly gasp then watched as she runs over to the door excitedly bouncing on the balls of her feet. He could only imagine that a smile was widely on her face then a knocks fill the room. The little girl giggles then asks who it is and the male voice behind the door replies, The only person in the world that loves you from beyond infinity. She giggles again then twists the knob opening the door. The sun from behind makes it hard to see the face of the man. He picks up the little girl which Stefan assumes is his daughter and holds her high above him gaining a laugh from her.

"Daddy loves you."

"I love you too, dad."

As the man stepped in, the vision cleared before he could catch his face. He opens in eyes to see Bonnie blinking hers waking up and he realizes that he just invaded her privacy. He was inside her dream, usually he gets into someone's head, but never their dreams which has him wondering why it's different with Bonnie. Everything is different with Bonnie, he's starting to realize.

He watches as a smile comes to her face making him smile right back at her and meet their lips. She kissed him back before pulling away turning on her back in a sigh.

"What's on your mind?"

"Just a dream that I had."

"What was it about?" He needed to know who was the man behind the door and who the little girl as well.

She thinks before she turns her head over at him. "I… I don't know."

He narrows his eyes, "What do you mean?"

She moves to her side again and starts to explain, "There was this girl, a little girl with curly hair looking out the window. At first I thought it was me, but I had a feeling that it wasn't and plus, if it was me, I would assume that I'd see it from her point of view, correct?"

"Yes, I guess so."

"But anyway, she's there staring out of the window then suddenly she gets excited and runs to the door and there's a knock and the little girl asks who it is and the father, I'm assuming, says something along the lines of: the person who loves you… from beyond infinity, I think it was. She giggles then answers the door but you can't see his face because of the sun and before I could see exactly who it was, I woke up."

"That's interesting."

"Yeah. I just wish I knew what it meant or who it was."

He watched her go into deep thought and he let her to see if she could fit the pieces together. He sat up once she did widening her eyes. His hands met her face, "What is it?" He caressed her cheek with his thumb.

"Qetsiyah. She's connecting to me somehow, maybe it was one of her memories."

"Why would she give you one of her memories?"

She shook her head, "I don't know. Maybe I have it wrong, but there's a warmness in my heart that says I don't. Where's that book in which you saw her in?"

He quickly got up and walked out of the room, down the hall into their library and grabbed the book from the shelf before making his way back. Bonnie sat up once he returned and joined her on the bed. She took the book in her hands and opened it right where she needed it to be. Stefan watched her eyes grow slightly bigger as she pulled the book up closer to her face. Qetsiyah was roughly a few years older than what Bonnie is now in the picture, but there's no doubt that their face is the same.

"Hello, Qetsiyah." Bonnie whispered.

Once again, she was proved wrong. She thought that the night she shared with Stefan would change everything, but when she finally decided to get out of his bed, she was informed that he left. With Bonnie. No one knew exactly where they went and right now that didn't matter, all that mattered was that now she realized that it will always be Bonnie. Bonnie took her place not only in his bed but in his heart as well and she could not figure out the slightest reason why. Sure, she's beautiful but so what? All the girls here are. Sure she cares, but so what? All the girls here care, especially when it comes to Stefan. She knew of many who would jump off a bridge if he said it'll make him feel better or make him giggle. So what was it?

And what was with last night? What was the whole purpose of sleeping with her? Was it that Bonnie wasn't good on bed? No. She remembers when he confessed to her that she feels great around him that one time she followed them. Was it that she was denying him sex? That could be a possibility, she noticed that Bonnie hasn't been in Stefan's bed since she sang for them a few days ago. Maybe he just came to her because he needed a quick lay, and the thought of that hurt her more than she thought it would. It made her reconsider her love for him and his for her. If he really, truly loved her, he wouldn't use her in such a way so now she's wondering if this "love" was all one big lie.

Grunting, Linda plopped herself down on the couch but the quickly sat up. "Destiny, may we speak for a moment?"

"Sure," Destiny walked up to her and sat beside her. "What's the problem?"

"Well, I know that you're close with Bonnie, so I was wondering if you know what's going on between her and Stefan."

The glimpse of anger that Linda spotted in Destiny's eyes had her raising a brow.

"She told me that they're in love. She said that we shouldn't worry because she's leaving soon to see her father and once she leaves, Stefan would be upset with her and he would back off a little."

Linda rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt that. I've known Stefan for years upon years and I know that once he notices that Bonnie's missing, he will go searching."

"So what do we do then?"

"Well up until this morning I was going to help her go to Pennsylvania and I know once she's there and sees her father that she wouldn't come back, but now I'm thinking that we need to get rid of her in a little more of a permanent way."

"You want to kill her?" Destiny whispers.

"It is the only way."

"But when Stefan finds out he'll—"

"He won't find out because we're clueless. Come with me to take Bonnie home, we'll let her live out her life with her father for a week…maybe two, then we'll burn down their house at night as they sleep."

"Okay but where she lives isn't just a few hours away, Stefan will notice that we're gone."

"I can make sure we get there and back before sunrise."

"And how will you do that?"

"Easy. I'm a vampire."

Destiny's eyes grew wide bringing a smile to Linda's face.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

"I wish I got to talk to Grace more." Bonnie said looking out the small window.

They've been on the road for roughly an hour. It's been a pretty quiet ride, comfortable quiet, but quiet. Their minds were filled with other things that they wanted to keep locked inside instead of out in the open.

Stefan wanted to stay but with Grace. He barely got the chance to have a decent conversation with her and she was the only reason that he decided to come back. He realizes that the reason he was so hard on his mother was because of that. He was upset that she couldn't see that he wanted to talk to her but instead she pulled him away from not only Grace but Bonnie as well. He couldn't have five minutes with the person he really wanted to be with and he hates that.

Bonnie couldn't shake the thought that Qetsiyah was communicating with her for some purpose. She wondered why now of all the years she has been alive. Maybe it was because that she discovered that she looked like her and that's all it took to break the boundary between them. Even if that was it, it still doesn't answer her question on why now. Especially with a memory of her childhood and not something more…helpful.

Grace seemed to know more than what she was able to get out and as that thought popped into her head, that was when she turned to Stefan and told him that she wished that she got to talk to her more.

"Yeah, well. Be lucky that you got as long as you did."

She looked over at him with narrowed eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" He stared out the window. "What's wrong is that the whole point of this damn trip was so that I could spend time with Grace, but I barely had five minutes total. So I don't want to hear about how you wish you had more time with her. She's my mother, not yours."

She frowned. "You're right. I'm sorry." She didn't like his attitude at all but at the same time she understood. She stared at his back before looking in the other direction.

Stefan sighed closing his eyes. He looked over at her but faced her back instead as she stared outside. "Bonnie, I—"

"It's okay." She interrupted.

"Hey," he reached over to turn her face as he moved in closer to her. "I'm sorry. I don't want to put my frustrations out on you. I am wrong for that." She looked into his eyes then nodded slightly. "I love you," he caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Really."

He frowned. "You're mad at me."

She shrugged, "I'll get over it."

He sighed then pulled her in close resting her head on his chest as he ran his hand gently down her arm. Stefan kissed the top of her head. "Can I know what I have done wrong?" He knew that she forgave him, but even then she still seemed mad at him.

"I just didn't like your attitude, but I get why you are upset. I'm not mad but I'm not happy either."

"Alright." He made a mental note to try and not talk to her so defensively anymore. "Thank you for telling me."

She nodded against his chest and they stayed that way until they were home and once they were, instead of going straight home, he took her on a little walk. He could tell that she was still upset with him and he wanted that to go away. He cannot stand the fact that she is angry at him so he hoped that a nice, calming walk and some chatter will do the trick and he figured that it did exactly that when he found himself kissing her against a tree.

He loves kissing Bonnie, her lips are full and soft and she is always gentle. She touches him as well, the others would only stick to one spot on his body, but once things get pretty heated with Bonnie, she touches him all over. Her small hands run up his strong arms, fingers race through his hair much like when they're having sex. She pulls him in closer and he does the exact same. His hand on her lower back pushing her in as his head turns to the side. He loves kissing her and the second they break away, he's always wanting more.

"So where did you run off to all day?"

Stefan looked over spotting Linda sitting on his bed. He let out a breath then turned his back to her again. "I went to go see Grace."

"Who?"

"Exactly. Jesus fucking Christ." He whispered the latter shaking his head.

"Am I supposed to know this woman?"

"You are supposed to, but I am not surprised that you do not remember. You're so self-absorbed."

"Why are you getting so angry? I'm sorry if I don't remember, I—"

"Just leave me alone. Get out and leave me alone."

Linda looked at him shockingly but decided to leave after that. She had no idea what his problem was and it has her guessing that maybe things with Bonnie didn't go too well. There was no way that he could be upset with her just because she forgot a face to the name, there had to be a deeper problem so she went to see how Bonnie was doing.

"So, Stefan told me that you went to see Grace with him."

Bonnie didn't have to turn around to know who it was. She didn't want to turn around, she doesn't think that she could stand looking at her face.

Linda has been nothing but a liar and Stefan has as well, but at least he told her and apologized for lying. She doesn't care what Stefan says, but Linda took advantage of him. From what Grace told her, Stefan was a very quiet child so he didn't know any better. She could not begin to understand why Linda would do such a thing to a little, innocent boy and brainwash him so much so that he truly believes that everything they were/ are doing is completely OK. It's horrible and disgusting and poor Stefan doesn't know any better.

"Yeah."

Linda leaned against the wall beside the beaded door. "So how was it?"

"It was good."

Yep. Something definitely happened between them on this trip to see Grace. Both were in bad moods and Bonnie has been nothing but respectful to her and now she's doing the bare minimum.

"Stefan says—"

"I'm a little tired, I think I'm going to take a nap." Bonnie got under the covers. She didn't want to hear her talk about Stefan at all. Just the thought of them talking period has her stomach turning in knots.

"Okay then."

Linda walked out with a smile on her face. When she bought up Stefan, suddenly she was "tired" and didn't want to talk anymore. Things were going better than she thought and she figured that maybe she didn't have to kill the black child anymore. The only reason she wanted her gone was so that everything could go back to the way it was and by how the two are acting, she suspects that things will happen like that on their own. She didn't need to have any blood on her her hands. Perfect.

ƔƔƔƔƔ

Bonnie looked up at the stars. She didn't know what time it was or how long she's been staring, but she needed to be here. Something told her that she needed to be here. Qetsiyah. For the last couple of days, she's been sending her more visions. She saw their faces now and the life she had with her parents. Bonnie found it astounding that she looked exactly like Qetsiyah did when she was her age and she wonders why on earth that is. What was the connection?

Bonnie sat up some pushing her head up closer to the sky. The stars started shifting and changing and in the stars was written Ignis devorabit vos.

"What are you saying?" She whispered. "What does that mean?"

She shielded her eyes with her forearm when the words burned brighter that it could nearly blind her. Bonnie brought her second arm to her face as the stars burned even brighter until she was consumed into the burning gas. She gasped sitting up then looked to her left seeing the concerned faces of Stefan and most of the others. Her heart was racing, almost beating out of her chest.

"Are you alright?" Stefan asked.

"What happened?" She was clueless, last she remembers is sitting outside and she has no idea how she was in her bed right now so maybe it was all a—

"You were having a nightmare of some sort." He interrupted her thoughts. "We were trying to wake you for about five minutes."

Her eyes grew wide. Five minutes? That long? "I'm sorry I woke everyone up." She looked past Stefan and at the faces of the girls.

"I'll go get you some tea." Rachel said then left quickly.

Bonnie sat up more on her bed resting her back against the wall and let out a breath closing her eyes running her fingers through her hair. She noticed that her hands were shaking slightly so she hid them by folding her arms. Stefan reached out his hand touching the side of her face gaining her attention.

"I'm fine," She saw saw the worry in his eyes. "I promise."

He frowned then looked over taking the tea from Rachel's hand thanking for for making it. "Come on," he took her hand pulling her to her feet. "Everyone go back to sleep, we have a big day tomorrow." He said walking her into his room.

Linda rolled her eyes. Everything was going perfect but now she guesses that she has to kill her. Too bad.

Stefan kissed her gently after she finished most of her tea and laid beside him. "What happened?"

"Qetsiyah was trying to tell me something but I didn't know what it was and it was like she got mad at me for not knowing."

"How so?"

"I was sitting outside just looking at the stars then they started moving and spelled out… Ignis devo…rabit vos, I think. I asked her what it meant but then the stars starting shining brighter and brighter until I was consumed in it."

"Well I know "ignis" means "fire" in Latin so it has to do something with fire."

"Fire?" He nodded. "…Will I be burned?"

"No, I'm sure it's not that. Even if it is, I'll protect you to make sure that doesn't happen."

"But what if you can't protect me from this one? She wouldn't have warned me if you could."

"Or she warned you so that I could. We wouldn't know this if she hadn't told you so maybe she wanted you to tell me so I could protect you."

She thought. "That makes sense." He nodded. "So I guess I have to be on the look-out. It's scary to think about, I can't trust anyone anymore."

"Besides me. I will never hurt you."

She stared deeply into his eyes finding relief in herself when she could tell that he wasn't lying. Bonnie kissed him and he kissed her back before holding her in his arms and they stayed like that throughout the night.

Destiny laughed and ran away as Stefan chased her around with the water hose. He would plan a fun activity for them every now and then just to keep them entertained. He tried his best to switch it up every time, but this one was a repeat simply because he noticed that the girls really enjoyed this one for some reason. It was the perfect weather for such a day and just in case there was a fire, he'd be quick to extinguish it.

All around the girls filled their buckets with water from the pipe attacking their friends whenever they pleased. Everyone was soaked, including himself but he didn't mind it.

Bonnie chose to go the dirtier route and have herself a little mud party with some other girls. The mud cooled her skin and she wasn't sure how many baths she would have to take before she gets it all off, but for right now that didn't matter. She gasped in shock as a bucket of water was dumped on her from behind and turned to see Sarah with a smile on her face.

"Oh, you are so dead!"

Sarah giggled and screamed as Bonnie wrapped her arms around her taking her down into the mud with her. They laughed splashing each other and soon the others joined in.

Bonnie stopped her attack on Sarah when she reached out her hands moving the hair from her face. Bonnie was going to thank her, but paused spotting a look in her eyes. Sarah's head drew closer to hers and she didn't know what to think when their lips met. She kept her eyes open and looked at Sarah with wide eyes as she pulled away with a smile on her face.

"I'll see you around." Sarah said then stood and walked away.

Bonnie watched her with her eyes then turned ahead looking down wondering what just happened. Why would she kiss her? Was that what they do around here? She's never seen any girl kiss another so what does that mean? She wanted to ask around but chose to ignore it for now and distract herself by joining the girls again.

Stefan watched her from afar then looked over at Sarah with narrowed eyes. He was wondering the same thing Bonnie was, why would she kiss her? Sure, Bonnie was everything; beautiful, kind, warmhearted, but another woman kissing another woman? Very strange. He was broken out of his thought and almost knocked off his feet when water forcefully hit his back and he turned to see Linda grin at him before she walked away. He chuckled then shook his head then squirted Crystal with the hose catching her by surprise.

Stefan slid his tongue in her mouth tasting her tongue and a little dirt but he didn't mind it. Everyone was out bathing in the watering hole but he pulled her to the side and snook her away. Bonnie smiled and kissed him back running her hands up the back of his biceps.

"I love it when you do that." He confessed in a groan then kissed her again. She smiled then wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in closer. "And that."

"So you love everything I do?"

"Precisely."

She chuckles and leans her head to one side looking at him. He narrows his eyes at her smiling some.

"What?"

"Nothing." She simply shrugs then slips from his arms and walks away.

Stefan watches her naked body slip into the water and he shakes his head following after her. He dips his hand under the water and grabs Bonnie's waist along with Destiny's and pulls them under. They scream not knowing what was going on but once they saw him, they started to laugh and resurface. He smiled and stood up kissing Destiny's head before he went under again doing the same to some others. Bonnie smiles over at him glad that he was now paying attention to the rest of them. She told him that he should and he told her that he wasn't because he didn't want to upset her. She loved that he cared about that and thanked him for it but told him that it wouldn't hurt her feelings if he had fun with the others. She knew that he enjoyed their company too and she didn't want to limit him to just herself because it could be only a matter of time before they get sick of each other so she figured that him venturing off would do their relationship good.

"So, Bonnie, Linda tells me how she's taking you to see your father."

"Yeah, but actually I need to talk to you about something. I was going to tell you but Stefan sort of interrupted."

"What is it?" She figured that they had more than enough time to discuss her leave.

"Do girls ever…" she leaned in and whispered, "kiss each other here?"

Destiny moved back and looked at her like she was insane. "No. Why?"

"I just… someone kissed me."

"Who?"

"I cannot say. I don't want her to feel bad or anything, I just wanted to know if that was normal."

"What did you do when she kissed you?"

"I didn't know what to do so I just let her. It was just lips on lips, nothing more, but I don't know."

Destiny frowned then quickly squatted letting everything below her collarbones be underwater.

"What are you doing?"

"If someone is kissing girls around here, I don't want her watching me. That's creepy. I should warn the others."

"Wait, don't. I don't want her to feel—"

"Like a freak? Well she is."

Bonnie narrowed her eyes seeing a different side of Destiny. A completely different side of her that she didn't particularly like. "Destiny, please don't."

"I'm sorry, Bonnie, but it is only right if I warn the others."

She frowned realizing that telling her was a big mistake. If she would have known that Destiny would go around telling everyone, then she would have kept it all to herself.

Her hand met her forehead watching Destiny form a group then suddenly hear the girls voice their disgust and sunk into the water just as Destiny had. The others scattered spreading the word and Bonnie sunk low watching Sarah's face as she was informed. It looked as if she would burst into tears and all Bonnie wanted to do was apologize over and over. She looked over and saw Stefan in a conversation with Linda so he wouldn't hear about it now which she preferred because she wanted to be the one to tell him.

Shortly after the news was spread everyone got out and ran into the cabin covering themselves along the way. Once Bonnie was inside she heard some girls ask their friends if they were the one who likes to kiss girls and they would quickly object causing the others to laugh.

Once she was dressed, she went to find Sarah but everyone was so freaked out and running around in the place that it was impossible for her to spot her.

"Why is everyone so chatty all of a sudden?" Stefan asked noticing the major change in the girls. Usually they would be drained and heading to bed but they were very energized and talkative making it hard to think.

"Someone in here likes to kiss girls."

Stefan stilled then looked around meeting Bonnie's guilty face before looking back at Lisa who told him the news. "And how do you know this?"

"Destiny told us."

"Only because Bonnie told me." She defended herself.

"I didn't tell you so you could tell everyone."

"Well unlike you, I actually want to warn my friends about these things so they can be safe."

"They have nothing to be afraid of, what—"

"That is enough." Stefan intervened before it got out of hand. "Bonnie, can we talk?"

"But I didn't—"

"Bonnie." His voice was firm. She looked over at Destiny before she made her way out of the cabin. "I don't want to hear any more of this." He told them before walking out as well.

Bonnie leaned against a tree wiping away her tears as he stepped in front of her. He frowned and moved his hand to the side of her face. "I feel so bad, Stefan. I didn't want her to tell anyone I was just seeing if that what they did here." She sniffed in. "I didn't want her to tell."

"I know."

"Then why are you talking to me when you should be talking to her?"

"So I can calm you down. I'll talk to her, I will but I wanted to make sure that you were OK first. I saw it. The whole thing, the kiss."

"You did?"

He nodded. "I think Sarah was just simply in the fun of the moment, that is all. I wouldn't think too much of it."

She nodded. "That's what I thought but I wasn't sure. I should have just kept it all to myself." She lets out a breath. "I should apologize to her."

He nods but before she leaves, he takes her arm in his hand and pulls her into his chest so he could kiss her passionately. "Now if she kissed you like that, then I would be worried."

She shook her head but kissed him again doing those things he loves so much before slipping away. Stefan waited a few minutes before walking inside to talk to Destiny. She was stubborn like he knew she would be but he got through to her. He would've had her apologize to Sarah as well but since she didn't know who kissed Bonnie, he decided to keep her anonymous.

A scream coming from inside had them both rushing in. Stefan pushed some girls gently aside making his way through until he stood paralyzed at the sight in front of him. Dressed in white Sarah hanged and Stefan quickly rushed to get her down.

"Linda!" He called out and it wasn't long before she stepped inside.

"Oh my g– What has happened?"

"She's still breathing, I need you to save her." He gave her a look and she quickly nodded lifting Sarah in her arms whisking her away. "No one follow." Stefan turned and instructed to the others.

Bonnie quickly got up from where she was on the floor and rushed into the bathroom emptying her stomach in the toilet. She was on her way to apologize when she found Sarah hanging there and the only thing that she could do was scream. Luckily, Stefan came in time or else it all would've been too much for her to handle. Rachel knelt beside her rubbing her back some after she flushed the toilet.

"This is all my fault." Bonnie said through a shaky voice.

Rachel frowned watching her back slowly up against the wall with shaking hands. She couldn't imagine ever seeing such a thing and she's glad that Stefan took her down before she had the chance to step inside the room.

"She'll be fine, Bonnie. I heard Stefan say that she was still breathing so you really didn't do anything wrong."

"She will be OK?"

Rachel nodded. "Stefan said,"

Bonnie let out a big breath bringing her face to her knees. "I can't stop shaking."

"I'll make you some tea."

Bonnie chuckled then thanked her as she left the room. It wasn't long until she returned and Bonnie thanked her again before taking a sip.

"The fire will devour you."

Bonnie looked up with narrowed eyes. "What?"

"The fire will devour you."

"Rach—"

"The fire will devour you!" Rachel screamed in her face. "The fire will devour you! The fire will devour you! The fire will devour you! The fire will devour you!"

"Bonnie!"

She gasped then looked up seeing Rachel look at her with sad eyes.

"What is happening to me?" She asked quietly.

"Maybe you should see a doctor or something. I'll get Stefan."

"No. I mean I'll be fine, I just need some tea." Bonnie smiled slightly and Rachel smiled back then handed her the small cup.

Rachel decided to stay by her through the rest of the day. Stefan was busy with Sarah and the others were shaken up, herself included, but she figured that she'd keep a close eye on Bonnie before she hangs herself next.

A/N: We will see more of Bonnie and Sarah next chapter. I hope you all are going to like the Qetsiyah storyline, tell me what you think she's up to and your thoughts are so far.