A/n: Hello, amazing readers! I hope you all had great holidays. (I know I did;)

Thank you again and again for your lovely reviews, aprilf00l, stefanswifey01, mrs mathis, DamonBonnie Salvatore, NYOFACE, ShyButterflyKiss, niafadra, EllaChocolate, randomlittleme, Dramionelover01, Reighn Venhem 33704!

DamonBonnie Salvatore, you are so right. And I can't say I like Damon's attitude towards Stefan either. But I just don't see a remorseful Damon. He just won't admit to his 'baby brother' he was wrong. Damon could be 1000 years old but I think he has a temper of a teenager.

Chapter fourteen

Calling for the dawn

"Hey, look at this."

Bonnie sat down beside Lucy and took a quick look at the page of the Grimoire her cousin was showing.

"The Barrier," she shrugged. "I can do it."

"This one?" Bonnie saw Lucy's fingers curl slightly. "The vampire specific?"

"Uh-huh. Why?.."

Her cousin leaned back against the couch, a grim expression on her face.

"Let's trap the bastard and send him to hell."

That was a good idea, Bonnie thought. They need to prevent him from escaping. Being trapped inside the barrier, Klaus wouldn't be able to run and everything would be over within minutes.

"You think you can master this?" she asked calmly.

"You want me to do it?" Lucy was surprised.

"Sure," Bonnie answered firmly. "You can hold him back and I..."

"Really, Bonnie," Lucy interrupted, evidently impatient. "Why don't you let me fight him?"

Bonnie looked up, taken aback, and saw her cousin's tensed face.

"Lucy, I think..." she began cautiously.

"You don't need to face Klaus," Lucy said blankly. "He's weak now, after..."

Her voice died away. Bonnie's gaze returned to the Grimoire. She felt terribly helpless. Lucy acted absolutely normal before, almost as if nothing had happened. She drank coffee, sat on the couch with her back straight. And her face was completely calm. Apparently, Lucy didn't intend to let the grief consume her until Klaus was gone. Earlier Bonnie had spoken with a concerned look, "Lucy, are you..." but Lucy had immediately interrupted, "If you want to ask me how I feel think again."

And Bonnie had decided not to force her cousin to talk.

But now she was really worried about Lucy's behavior.

"We don't know for sure..." she managed.

"He did it," Lucy said, her eyes glued to the page. "I know he did."

"Listen to me. I understand your reasons but we need to think rationally. It's not Klaus only. Think of Elsa. And that Raymond vampire."

"Right," Lucy said, a thoughtful look on her face. "I suppose at the theatre Yuichi had dispelled Elsa's incantation... This time she may be a trouble."

Bonnie was a bit surprised. Until now she hadn't realized that Elsa's spell had vanished with someone's help. She hadn't really given much thought to that. So, it was Yuichi...

"He was so strong," she whispered mostly to herself.

Then she saw Lucy smile but it was a mere ghost of her old smile. Suddenly her heart swelled with anger. Right now, more than anything Bonnie wanted to find Klaus and strangle him with her bare hands. She really grew on her cousin and seeing her like that was saddening.

"Are you sure you can take him?" Lucy asked mildly.

"Yes," Bonnie answered immediately.

Lucy was silent for some time and then she rose to her feet.

"I need to change."

Her nice Burberry travel bag was in the living room. Bonnie remained sitting on the couch while her cousin was picking clothes. Lucy was indeed a stylish person. It would be great to go shopping with her, Bonnie thought.

"Look, why don't you hang out more with our cousins?" she asked suddenly. "I mean, we have a big family."

"My parents aren't really close with relatives," responded Lucy. "And I suppose very few of our cousins would approve of a witch who uses her powers."

"They don't even know about this stuff," Bonnie said, amused.

Lucy chuckled.

"Really? You think so?"

Bonnie frowned. She couldn't be so sure. With such a strong bloodline Lucy and Bonnie couldn't be the only Bennett witches with their powers awoken.

Curiouser and curiouser.

"Hm, I don't even remember packing this," Lucy spoke and Bonnie looked up. She saw a red tunic dress in her cousin's hands.

"This one is really nice!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"Oh," Lucy smiled at her. "Why don't you try it on? It'll work for you."

"Nice, girls time," Bonnie smirked, standing up and coming closer to Lucy.

The fabric of the dress was nice to touch and the color was gorgeous.

"Is it expensive?" Bonnie asked curiously.

"Yes," Lucy smirked. "If you like it, take it. It's my gift."

"Thanks," Bonnie grinned. "You're now officially my favorite cousin."

"You are easy to please," amused Lucy said, folding a pair of jeans and putting them back in the bag.

Bonnie smiled again and went upstairs to her room. Once she was alone the smile left her face. It was amazing how good Lucy was holding herself together. She barely looked at Bonnie and her voice was always quiet but she was calm and poised. She was indeed a strong person.

Bonnie took off her clothes and put the dress on, loving the touch of silk on her skin. Then she looked into the mirror with a faint smile. It was so nice to try a lovely dress on and pretend everything was normal.

She turned her head slightly and the next moment she couldn't breathe. She saw her reflection in the mirror sink into darkness. The world was swirling around Bonnie, she couldn't feel the floor beneath her feet. She gasped, stumbling back and the feeling had gone away.

Covering her face with her hands she stood in the middle of the room trying to calm herself. But her heart was filled with fear. She felt like she was turning to a ghost. Like she could disappear any moment.

Her powers were not stable. She was getting weaker. Soon enough she wouldn't be able to use her birth given power let alone the powers of her ancestors. And she could die... She could really die, helpless, vulnerable and weak.

Her fingers slid down her face.

Again she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were huge with terror. Luckily, Lucy didn't see it. She wouldn't let her fight Klaus. And extra luckily, Damon wasn't here.

Damon.

Bonnie let out a long breath and closed her eyes.

"Hey, Bon, it's your phone!" Lucy called up the stairs. Bonnie lightly slapped both of her cheeks to make herself sober and went downstairs.

"I told you!" Lucy exclaimed, watching her. "It looks great on you."

"Thanks," Bonnie smiled weakly. She took her cell-phone, hiding her face from Lucy, and saw a text message from Damon.

Come to the boarding house

Bonnie frowned and texted back: Why? U OK?

After a minute Damon replied: I will be. Come now. I fixed your car

"It's Damon," Bonnie said to Lucy. "He wants to see me."

"Are you ready to be official?" Lucy asked nonchalantly.

"What?" Bonnie blinked, clutching her cell-phone tightly.

"Come on..." Lucy rolled her eyes. "I was woken up when he dropped me on the couch. A bit rudely, I must say. And later I saw him leave."

"Um..."

"I'm blaming it on stress," Lucy said, sitting down on the couch.

Bonnie chuckled nervously.

"I know you don't like him..."

"I don't. But you're smart and you won't let him hurt you. So..." Lucy let out an impatient breath. "But seriously. Do you like him? Katherine told he was kinda... clingy."

Bonnie laughed.

"Damon is anything but..." she stopped when she got another text message:

Are you on your way?

"I probably need to go see him," she said doubtfully. "It's so weird."

Lucy shrugged.

"Dating vampires is supposed to be weird."

"But we're not dating."

"Yet."

Bonnie shook her head slowly and then asked, "You wanna come with me?"

"Are you kidding me?" Lucy made a horrified face. "No, allow me to stay here. I'll learn the spell. Paint my nails. Watch nail polish dry."

"Lucy," Bonnie said kindly. "Everything seems so terrible... But I'm really grateful you're here for me."

Lucy smiled.

"Hey, don't thank your family."

The front door was open. Bonnie came inside and went straight to the living room. There Damon was. Gorgeous as ever, he sat on the couch, holding a glass of bourbon in his hand. Watching him from under her lashes, Bonnie neared the table and stopped there.

"So, I'm here... What's the matter?" she asked composedly.

Damon smiled and his eyes sparkled.

"Nice dress," he said, amused.

She put her purse on the table, without looking at him.

"You thought that was a date?" Damon asked. "I can light candles."

"It's okay, I guess you suck at romantic stuff," Bonnie answered with a gracious smile. She gave a quick look around. "Where's Stefan? And Elena?"

"We're alone," answered Damon and beckoned her. "Come here. Sit with me."

Bonnie gave him a closer look. He definitely was in a strange mood. He looked concerned, amused, annoyed and hopeful at the same time.

And... somehow desperate.

Did he have a fight with Stefan? Was Elena okay?

"Damon, where did Stefan go?" Bonnie asked casually.

He threw back his head.

"Why do you care?" he drawled.

"I don't know," she said, coming closer to him. "You look..." Upset? "Confused. Are you okay?"

"Finally," Damon smirked. "You talk about me."

"You know, I came here because of you," she reminded him mildly. "So..."

"So?" he echoed.

"Why did you call me?"

"Why do you think?"

"Damon, you went to talk to Stefan," she said sharply. He straightened on the couch and looked at her. "Now you're alone at home and you look moody."

"I beg to differ. I look gorgeous. And Stefan is so... Stefan!" he clicked his tongue. "He's stubborn."

"Stefan is stubborn?"

"He's like a child," Damon said impatiently. "He doesn't understand. You must never worship someone you love. Otherwise the first disappointment can kill the love away."

Bonnie felt her heart tighten but her face was still calm. Damon noticed her solemn expression and scoffed, "Don't listen to me, I'm drunk."

"So you had a talk about Elena," Bonnie forced a smile.

"Bonnie..." Damon whispered, closing his eyes.

"It must have been difficult for both of you."

"Not for me."

Bonnie realized she was nodding her head and stopped.

"What about Stef..."

"Stefan is going to be okay!" Damon snapped. "Let's stay on me!"

She smiled.

"But you said you're fine."

"Fine," he scoffed. "Forget it."

He clutched his drink tighter. Bonnie watched his frowning face wondering why he got mad. He definitely needed some anger management.

"You are clueless sometimes," he said grudgingly.

Bonnie let out a sigh and approached him.

"Give me that," she made an attempt to snatch the glass from his hand but Damon caught her wrist.

"No."

"Damon, you're drunk," Bonnie said insistently.

He smiled at her, still holding her hand.

"Just… sit with me..."

She looked at him and then to her own surprise sat down on the couch.

"You think..." she said quietly. "You think I should be here right now?"

"Why?" he said, his tone serious. "Do you have any doubts?"

Bonnie lowered her head, averting her eyes from him. What exactly did he expect from her? So, once again he and Stefan had a fight because of Elena. Did Damon want some comfort?

"Are you really okay?" she asked softly. "You don't look okay."

"I can't deny I'm sad... a little," he answered slowly. "And I'm relieved... beyond words."

"Cool," she almost whispered.

Damon frowned and turned his head to look at her, but Bonnie didn't notice that. She suddenly found herself close to tears, no matter how stupid that sounded. Damon was sad. What about her feelings? She was fed up with that love triangle. With all this great and epic love. Right now she had no might to be all compassionate. The spell was undermining her strength. She was falling for a man who loved her best friend. Not to mention, she could still see the auditorium in flames and Yuichi's dead face.

It wouldn't be selfish if she just walked away right now.

And she was almost on her feet when Damon took her elbow. Taken aback, Bonnie turned her head towards him. She saw a flash of understanding in his eyes right before he pulled her closer and kissed her. Bonnie almost choked by surprise. His mouth left hers as he grabbed her up in a koala-like grasp.

Bonnie blinked.

"Damon."

"Mm?"

"You are choking me."

She felt him frown.

"I don't want to choke you."

"Well, thank you."

"I don't want to let you go," he said in barely a whisper. "And I won't. You need to understand. Something... is over. But I'm okay with it. I talked to Stefan and he went to Elena and all I wanted is to see you."

She felt his grip loosen. Damon took her face in his hands and their gazes met. His thumb brushed her cheekbone lightly and she smiled. She didn't feel vulnerable anymore.

Suddenly Damon's whole body tensed. Bonnie saw him frown and then he turned his head towards the door, pulling her closer at the same time.

"What's wrong?" she asked, with a concerned look.

"Someone's here," he answered, still frowning. "You know, some zombie guest."

Bonnie sighed, rising to her feet.

"Okay. Where do you keep potions?"

"Hell if I know..." he answered, standing up.

"Damon," Bonnie rolled her eyes.

"Can I just rip him apart?" he suggested.

"Oh, I love your violent nature," Bonnie said mockingly.

Damon's head jerked toward her and he stared at her.

"What?" Bonnie asked, confused.

"Nothing," he answered, still watching her.

She decided to ignore his mysterious look.

"Lucky for you, I have one bottle in my purse."

"Hurry up then," Damon was looking above her head. "He's coming here."

Bonnie went over to the table and took her purse. When she turned around with the vial in her hand she saw the intruder. A middle-aged man, dressed in the old-fashioned way stood in the doorway. Bonnie was surprised to see someone dressed like this but she realized that wasn't actually weird. The necromancy spell was strong enough to bring back someone who died two years ago as well as someone who died two centuries ago.

"I have it," Bonnie said, coming closer to Damon. She gave him a quick glance and froze. Damon was speechless. He looked like someone slapped him really hard.

"Damon?"

She frowned and touched his elbow.

"What is wrong with you?" Bonnie was looking worriedly from Damon to the intruder. "Damon… who's this man?"

At first, she thought Damon hadn't heard her. His eyes were glued to the man in front of him. But then his lips slightly parted and he said, "My father."

Bonnie stood frozen. She didn't know what to do. The vial was still in her hand; the glass was getting warm from her touch. But she couldn't bring herself to use the potion on Damon's dad. She couldn't imagine what Damon felt right now, seeing his father after all these years.

A crazy thought stormed through her mind: maybe, she should leave them alone, let them talk... But she looked at Damon's face again and saw in his eyes anything but happiness or joy of an unexpected meeting. No, all over his face was written shock that was slowly turning into utter and unmistakable disgust. Bonnie was so absorbed with her worry about Damon that the first words from his father literally made her jump.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Damon's eyes narrowed.

"Hello, father."

"You have lost the right to call me that," Giuseppe said sternly. "Now, I want to hear your explanation."

"And I have no desire to explain anything to you," Damon said through gritted teeth. His eyes were blazing with anger.

"You were summoned," Bonnie said loudly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Salvatore."

Damon's father turned to her.

"And you..."

"Emily Bennett's descendant," Bonnie said quickly. "I..."

"I see," he didn't wait for her to finish talking and looked at his son again. "So after everything you have done you couldn't even let me rest in peace."

Damon scoffed.

"You think I summoned you?" he made a step toward Giuseppe. "Really, father. The last thing I would want to see is your face."

"Damon," Bonnie whispered, stunned. But he didn't deign to look at her.

"Stay out of this," he said sharply.

"She is a witch, unless I am mistaken," said Salvatore senior. "You have fallen so low... A disgrace to my family."

Damon shrugged.

"Your family no longer exists."

Giuseppe's face hardened.

"I knew it was your influence," he said angrily. "You have poisoned your brother's mind. I should have realized before that some traitorous deserter is beyond redemption."

"I wonder if you can be more pompous," Damon said acidly. "Why don't you quote Holy Scripture and compare me to Satan?"

His father frowned deeply.

"Stefan was nothing like you," he said seriously. "But you have ruined his life, you and your vampire bitch. You are a scoundrel."

"I guess it's all the result of bad upbringing," Damon responded.

"Maybe, you are right," Salvatore senior shook his head. "Maybe, it is partly my fault. My first son... And every time I look at you I feel only..."

"Disappointment," Damon said. Bonnie saw his throat work. "I have a good memory, so don't trouble yourself with reminding."

His eyes were turning black as he moved towards his father. Bonnie frowned and opened the vial soundlessly.

"Well, Stef killed you once," Damon said lightly. "Looks like now the pleasure is all mine."

Neither Damon nor his father were looking at Bonnie now. With a swift movement she threw the potion at Giuseppe Salvatore. She saw the flash of white light and Damon's father was gone.

Damon turned to her and she saw the fury in his eyes. She couldn't tell now if he was still angry with his father or with her.

"Leave," he said heavily.

"I didn't know..."

"Now you do," his eyes were still black with bloodlust. "Go away."

"Damon, I know you are upset..."

He chuckled darkly.

"My father hated me when he was alive. My father hates me in his afterlife. I'm neither surprised nor upset. And you..."

His eyes narrowed and Bonnie unconsciously stepped back.

"You may actually see his point..."

"Damon, that's not true," she said hotly.

"Please, Bonnie..." his face was the face of the monster. Bonnie took another step back. "My father has dedicated his life to destroying the vampires. He hated them. Like you do."

She stopped moving. Emotions disappeared from her face but her eyes were shining like emeralds. Damon took no notice and continued, "Have I ever told you? I didn't want to free Katherine only. I wanted to free all the vampires in the tomb. I wanted my father to lose at the end. I wanted this stinking town to pay!"

"Well, you had succeeded," she said mildly. "And my Grams was the first to pay."

Damon froze. He noticed her cold stare and the realization hit him. His face went back to normal and Bonnie saw the return of consciousness in his eyes.

"Your Dad is dead," she said in a flat voice. "You need to let him go. I'm sorry, Damon."

He was silent but his eyes were searching hers. Bonnie took her purse.

"Bonnie..." Damon managed. "Don't hate me. I didn't mean it."

"I'm sorry," she repeated, heading towards the door.

He was in front of her in the second. His fingers clutched her shoulders and she saw his eyes, filled with desperation.

"You know that I'm sorry about your grandmother, I never meant that I wanted you to pay..."

"Right..." she said unenthusiastically. "You need to calm down..."

"No, listen to me!" he snapped. "I didn't want to compare you to my father! He cared about no one, he's nothing like you!"

Bonnie looked up at him. She knew the pain of rejection. Her mother had disappeared one day and she never came back. She never called. She didn't send birthday cards. And deep in her heart Bonnie wondered, maybe she wasn't a good daughter, good enough for her mom to stay with her? But that was a bitter thought.

She remembered when she stopped thinking like this. Something Grams had told her once was a huge help, "Sometimes you may think that people leave you behind. But maybe they just walk another path. You can't blame either them or yourself."

Bonnie put her hand on Damon's wrist and his grip on her shoulders loosened a bit.

"Maybe," she said slowly. "You and your father didn't have enough time to understand each other. But I think... I know you did things that would make him proud."

The tension left his body and he smiled at her.

"You really think so?" he asked, teasingly. "Maybe you're telling me this 'cause you have finally realized I'm the sexiest man in your life?"

She huffed, feeling relieved, and said in mock indignation, "Damon, I won't let my new attraction to you color my judgment."

He kissed her. Bonnie closed her eyes, her heart was pounding and she couldn't believe she had made him feel better after such a terrible encounter with his father. She couldn't deny it — Damon was still Damon. A murderer, a dangerous vampire… more dangerous than usual right now because he was vulnerable and hurt… But she could see a human in him.

When the kiss finished Damon said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "I'm... amused."

"Why?" she asked.

"Trying to seduce my worst critic," he responded. "Not an easy task, I guess."

She smirked.

"Oh really..."

"You are still Bonnie. Judging little witch. With your attitude," he smiled and touched her face. "Beautiful..."

Bonnie smiled back but Damon's face grew serious, "I want you to be like this forever."

She frowned in confusion, "Don't tell me you want me to become a vampire."

"I didn't think about that. At least, now."

"Oh."

"I just want you always to look at me like this," he said and his lips touched her cheek gently. Bonnie put her hand on his shoulder. His eyes were mere inches from hers when he whispered, "I need you. Forever."

She flinched and stepped back but Damon's arms were around her.

"Don't. I won't hurt you. I swear."

He kissed her forehead and Bonnie shut her eyes. The touch of his hands and lips was soothing. Damon held her tight and Bonnie heard him whisper: "I need you... I never expected someone like you in my life. But I need you, so please, don't deny me."

She felt hazy. His words made her face flush, and some hidden feeling that she was holding back until now took over her.

"I won't," she answered quietly.

His mouth covered hers and Bonnie kissed him back passionately. Damon lifted her up and her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.

"As much as I like this dress," Damon said, breaking the kiss. "I know something that would look even better on you."

She smiled, curving her hands around his neck.

"What?"

"Me."

Bonnie laughed, "Shocking."

It was like something snapped inside him. Jeremy clutched his head, paling drastically. Elsa was beside him right away.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know," Jeremy whispered. "I feel... weak. I don't know."

She frowned and put her hand on his shoulder. A few minutes later she straightened up and walked away without another look at him. Raymond, who was in the room as well, looked at her in surprise.

"What happened?"

Elsa was furious, her blue eyes were shining with anger.

"The link is broken," she said through gritted teeth. "The spell is over."

She turned to Jeremy and said viciously, "He's useless now. Drain him if you want."

Bonnie was half-lying on Damon's chest with his arms wrapped around her. He was stroking her sides lazily and kissing her head, lightly, as if she was sleeping. Everything seemed surreal: the light of the bedside lamp, dark shadows on the walls, Damon's king-sized bed... And the way he held her. Bonnie closed her eyes and groaned, "You are so going to hell."

Damon chuckled, burying his nose in her hair.

"I'm dragging you with me."

He saw her smile but soon enough a peaceful expression settled on her face. Damon realized she was fast asleep. No big surprise, she certainly was tired. He shifted to make her more comfortable and Bonnie moved in her sleep and put her head on his chest. Damon watched her, his face serious.

"I love you," he said in an undertone.

The rays of the morning sun made her soft smooth skin and her hair glow. Damon smiled, tracing his fingers across her bare shoulder. And then his hand froze.

Damon jerked his head up and saw out of the only window in his room that the sun was indeed rising.

The spell was over.

Jeremy couldn't use Bonnie's powers anymore. So Bonnie wouldn't be weak. And now Damon could protect her no matter what. And of course now he could have the witch all to himself.

Damon smirked and kissed Bonnie's temple.

"Screw you, Jeremy."

TBC