Crimson Fate

by MaNiQ1

Destiny has a funny way of intertwining with Fate. They were ALWAYS off limits to each other... AH

21. Sledgehammer

Crimson Fate (R-M)

Chapter 21 - Sledgehammer (Rihanna)

OMG! I didn't realize this chapter was 17,000 til just now. The original chapter was 9,000. Plz understand why this update took so long! Thanks for your patience. My life's a bit hectic right now. Plz enjoy this INTENSE update! Y'all are amazing thanks for ALL of your support!

[Warning: *Triggers*] New Years Eve Pt 1

---

"Sheesh. He's so, intense."

"It was a fucking accident Care. How could he be so angry as to avoid me?" After deserting Damon by a pure and simple exhaustion of a mistake, Bonnie tried to figure out how to respond to his text messages. Enlisting her best friend for help. She'd written multiple texts to send to him but never clicked send.

When she saw his missed calls and texts, she realized he was angry. But, before she could focus on it, a text message came through from her newest client. Craig Thompson.

CT : I need you here tomorrow

BB : Excuse me? Didn't you get your money

CT : Agreement?

She sighed heavily, annoyed.

CT : I need a cleaning. I have some last minutes guests coming at night for New Years Eve

BB: I'm booked up. It's a holiday. I thought our business was done with me.

CT : This is disappointing. I'm sure your mother doesn't need me to continue with this lawsuit. Or to notify the authorities about how she allows her daughter to parade around half naked.

BB : You made an agreement.

CT : And I have cameras everywhere showing your stupid boyfriend threatening me. I won't hesitate to call the authorities on him. Have him locked up.

BB : I can't. I'm sorry.

CT : You will or say good bye to mommy and boy toy. Be here tomorrow. Ready to work at our usual time.

BB : NYE? Don't be a prick

CT : You're either hear, or else

BB : Ok

CT : And come alone

"That bastard. Now I have to change my hospital volunteer time to the morning, and work a gig tomorrow afternoon/evening. This guys is unbelievable." Damon's prior threat was too good to be true.

"What? Who?"

"A newer client."

"Don't let him force you."

"Listen, its complicated. I kind of owe him." The truth was she was afraid for Damon and Abby.

"Wow, what a dick? Want me too go with you?"

"No. I can handle it. I'll do an hour or two tops. He said he's having guest." Bonnie desperately wanted Caroline to go with her but she had to go alone. So, she figured she'd take some sort of defense mechanism with her just in case.

"Okay. Well let me know if you change your mind."

...

Bonnie was given a specific list of instructions on what to wear. A red skirt. Black garter. Black platforms. White bra. With black suspenders. A Santa hat. He wanted her to look like a sexy elf. Although Christmas passed a week ago.

But she wore jeans and a t-shirt. She wasn't about to come alone dressed like his kink or fetish. She wasn't stupid. When she arrived, she was surprised to see two people there. Him dressed in all red suit, with a black shirt and a Santa hat. and the same woman from the prior incident. "Uh, I can't work with a non-client present."

"How many times do I have to tell you, our contract is different?"

"Listen, I'm not working with an observer. Either she's out or I am." She said defensively.

He gave her a wicked grin. "Okay. Dear, please leave until I call your phone for you to come back." The woman obeyed politely obeyed eying Bonnie peculiarly.

"Yes, sir."

When the woman left, Bonnie received an ill-intended stare down. "You aren't dressed. You need time to get dressed or what?"

"No. I couldn't get that outfit in time. Sorry. And I'm cleaning right? Actually cleaning before your party tonight?" She wanted this time to be over with.

"The message I sent you had specific instructions as to what I wanted you wearing."

"And I couldn't get it."

"Okay." He smiled calmly. "I actually have an outfit you can wear."

"Craig this has gone far enough."

He grabbed his phone and held it up dialing a number. When he placed it on speaker she heard it ringing confused. "Damon Salvatore and Abigail Bennett is it?"

His threats were now in affect. "Belmont Police department, how may I direct your call?"

"Uhh." Bonnie thought quick. "Fine. I'll change."

"Good girl." He whispered covering up the phone receiver. "Sorry my mistake I must've dialed a two instead of a three. Wrong number." He hung up and walked towards a room. "Follow me." At this point Bonnie clutches her pocket knife to make sure it was still there. She had no idea how to use a knife but she's learn today if need be.

"This?" After opening a drawer and handing her a little girl's dress Bonnie looked at him twice.

"Yes."

"I can't possibly fit that."

"Try. You'd be surprised."

Bonnie stood quietly waiting for him to leave the room so she could change but he stood there, waiting. "I need about five or ten minutes."

"I'll wait. I think with this change in contract, and dealing with your threatening boyfriend, I deserve a bit of a break. Don't you?"

"No! I don't. Get the fuck out. I'm serious."

That's when Craig grabbed his phone again. "Okay. Okay." She didn't want the cops being called on Damon, or Abby. She slowly started to undress. Feeling shame as it masked her. In all the jobs she'd ever done topless, she was fortunate enough to not feel like a client was bullying her or forcing her. They all remained professional with her.

But this time Bonnie was in over her head and she realized it. She knew that she went too far by reaching out to help Craig to keep him off her mom's back. Now he was threatening her mother and Damon. She was desperate to keep them both out of trouble.

Desperate enough to be standing in her bra and panties as she stripped to change clothes for a man with a perversion. One who got off on having his way and being in control with someone who truly was helpless. Not in a role playing sense. The more he threatened Bonnie the more turned on he was.

He tossed the small dress to Bonnie and watched her shake as she put it on, all the while smiling. "Good girl. Santa's Clause likes when you listen." As Bonnie stepped into the dress, Craig put his hand inside of his pants and rubbed himself. Bonnie turned her head fighting every ounce to cry. He watched her, with the smile of an internet predator type of vibe. When she finished slipping both arms into it, he walked up to her. "Let me help you zip it up."

His hands slowly rubbed the skin of her back with the back of his fingers before he sniffed her hair. Then slowly, he zipped the dress up. Bonnie held incredibly still wanting the night to end quickly.

Craig waited until her entire skin was goose-bumped in disgust before he stopped. "This way." He walked out guiding her.

Once she walked out, he sat on a barstool and drank a dark red wine. He instructed her to clean the kitchen and the dining area, he was "supposedly" celebrating in later.

Bonnie worked for an hour straight. He didn't say a word, and it made her nervous. She walked on eggshells, and held her breath several times, when she thought he was moving closer. He watched as she stare on in fear. She could tell he was feeding off of it, and exciting himself over it. "Okay, I'm done. I gotta get going."

Again, he said nothing. He picked up his phone, sent a message and put it down. He stood up, and insultingly examined her work, by rubbing his finger over every wiped surface. Luckily she wasn't topless today, and this weird request, quite frankly had her more nervous than her topless ones.

"Don't you have guest coming over."

"They're already here."

"Where?"

"There... and there. He pointed to cameras. "And there."

"What the fuck is this?"

"Just a little show. People pay me a lot of money to see aspects of my life."

"This I sick. You have me on camera? This is illegal. You know how old I am. You can go to prison for this."

"It's all silent. They can't hear a thing." Bonnie quickly covered her face to conceal her identity. "Besides. It's all foreign. My clientele is all foreign currency. You just made me four hundred thousand. Every twenty minutes you're earning me a hundred thousand. They must like their berries black."

"This is so sick. You're disgusting. I'm going to throw up. I have to go."

"Here, come to the office, I'll pay you, your tip. I'm close to five hundred thousand dollars... online." Bonnie looked down at his phone and a link to some account that was controlled by this website.

"I don't need a tip. We are even."

"I need to pay you. It's a part of the show."

"Sure." Bonnie just wanted to make everything cordial so she could leave. Nervously she walked to his office, and when he walked to his desk he pulled out money. Bonnie reached for the money so she could leave the office, but he held it tighter.

"What will you do for it?"

"I just worked. Literally, cleaned. I just want to get back home."

"Well come... I'll tell you what. You sit on Santa's lap and tell me, what you want for Christmas and I'll be sure to put a smile on your face."

"You know what? Forget it. I don't need the money." She still had her dignity. Fuck that cash. She though as she backed out of the room, when she was met with the body of a woman. "Whoa, I don't know what kind of freaky shit his is, but I'm not into it. I need to go." The woman locked the door, and smiled.

"I like her. She looks pure." This woman from the other incident, now that she had a closer look, resembled Rose, Bonnie thought. But with blonde hair. It was unsettling. And Craig, was a tall man, with intimidating, but geeky features.

"Yeah? She is a hot piece of ass right?" He reached for her hair to touch and she smacked his hand, garnering a sadistic laugh. "Spicy little señorita aren't you?"

"Don't fucking touch me. Get the fuck away me, I swear to God. I'll will kill you." And suddenly Bonnie reached for her pocket knife, which was in her jeans. Rookie mistake, after he made her change.

"Shut up, or I'll make this worse on you and your mother."

"You think you'll get away with this?"

"Trust me I covered my bases. The cameras leading up to my condo are on a loop for twenty-four hours. Perks of knowing the systems tech. Now, I'm not asking for much. Okay. Plus, I'll give you a good tip. I just need you to do me a favor."

"I'm not fucking you."

"No worries little girl. Just come over and sit on Santa's lap." He said, with a freakish grin.

"No."

"Okay, we can make this hard. But, I wouldn't recommend it. That boyfriend of yours can go away for a very very long time."

"He paid you. But if you want more money- I can get it." She thought remembering the emergancy money Damon had given her.

"No. I want you to come sit on my lap. And I want you to tell Santa what you want for Christmas."

Bonnie stood there dumb struck. Craig made sure to make her life difficult. He wasn't in the business of fair play. He threatened her mother, her, and Damon.

She treaded lightly and walked over to him. He watched her carefully and patted his lap. She hesitated, and waited until he cleared his throat. She sat down, barely tipping his knee. "Come on scoot back."

"Nah, I'm good."

"Naughty little girl. You know what we do to naughty little girls?"

"No."

"Then scoot back, on Santa's lap." He insisted, and she wasn't trying to feel his erection. So she again, declined.

"I said no." She looked at Craig's girlfriend, to see if she was okay with this, and she was no better. She in fact looked like she'd been drugged in some way, and as much as Bonnie wanted to feel sorry for her, the sick woman was getting off on Bonnie's harassment.

"Oh no, defiant little girls get punishments. Don't they Rosalie?" Then it struck Bonnie, the uncanny coincidence in names of Rose and Rosalie. The way they behaved liked robots and did as they were told. Bonnie's life was running on a parallel right now.

He then moved her body back and forced her in the depths of his lap. "Ahh, Yes. There little one. Like that."

Like the sick individual he was he forced her body to rub against his pants while he moved his hands towards her inner thighs. Bonnie hit her lip and squeezed her fingers into the palm of her hand. "Stop!" She yelled. Her nerves had her shaken, but he remained calm in order to get into her head.

"Get up." He said softly. "It's okay, I promise." She stood up, confused. "Bend over on the desk." He got a very serious look on his face. Bonnie took a hard swallow, and turned slowly, before bending over the desk. She rolled her eyes, then closed them. He stood up behind her, tortured her with his neglect of time. He touched her skin, rubbing his hand over her body. He even used his long fingers to reach between her thighs from the front, and squeeze between her legs, with a rough, and non-manicured hand. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying he didn't touch her insides, or try to put his fingers inside of her. When his fingers got to the top of her panties she smacked his hand. And he yanked her back by her hair. "Play nice little girl."

But while she prayed for one thing stop happening, another perversion was manifesting. She felt his dick getting hard on her ass as he ran his hands all over her body. She felt the most disgusting feeling, when he pressed himself against her holding her by her hair. Bonnie tried hard to swallowed her anger. As her fingers clenched his desk top. But he violated her in a way she'd never been violated.

Her lip sustained sharp pains from biting down so hard. This man, who wanted nothing more than for her to give him a reason to hurt her mother and Damon, and get them in trouble. She continued to swallow every bit of anger inside of her, and after minutes of violating her, he decided that he'd unzip his pants and grab his manhood from behind her and jack off like a sick, sick bastard. "Don't move. Stay just like that. Call me Mr. Clause and tell me you've been naughty."

Bonnie could've easily argued but she needed to lesson the moment and get out before he tried to really hurt her. "Mr. Clause, I've been..." her mouth couldn't do it. Her eyes tightened shut and she caught herself as she almost vomited hearing his hand rub the shaft of his uncircumcised penis behind her. "Fuck this." Bonnie threw up on his desk. But it didn't bother him, as he heard her gagging he worked until completion.

When he was finished, he stood behind her, and stood her body up, whispering into her ear. "Thank you. I'll see you again after the New Year. Our little secret."

He handed her an envelope and she didn't have to be told to leave, because she ran out of that condo, before he could say anything to her. She got to her car, faster than she'd ever ran to her car. She didn't even bother getting dressed. She still had the stupid costume on, but tossed her jacket over it. She sped off, and headed home, before going to Caroline's. Her mother's mortgage was due the next day, and she went to leave the money at the house. He tipped her $80 bucks. He was cheap as hell. But she managed to put it with her two other tips from Mr. Castle this week to have a total of near four hundred in cash on her to add to the money jar at home. Everything went into one envelope and Bonnie left as fast as her car would drive her.

...

Once Bonnie got home, she jumped out of her car heading towards the inside, when she bumped into her new neighbor. He was standing knocking at her door, realizing no one was home. Until she bumped into him, dropping her envelope. She looked completely suspicious, when he happened to see her outfit, under her opened jacket.

"Hello Bonnie."

"Shit. Hi."

"I was bringing this pie for your family."

"Pie?"

"Remember... I told you we we're going to bake a pie?" He reminded her, finding it hard to believe she'd had amnesia about it, when it was clearly not that long ago.

"Wow. Okay, well-"

"I mean, we'd brought a pie two other times, and no ones ever home it seems. So, you never get to meet my wife. I've seen you come and go plenty, but, seems I made you uncomfortable the last we spoke." He said sincerely.

"Yeah, uh... you kind of came off creepy."

"See." He laughed. "Being a cop, I get that often. And being a cop, I have to take measures to really set model behavior. Community is big for me." He smiled, softly as he laughed. "Anyway, I figured, I'd try one more time to bring this pie, then I'd leave you guys alone for good."

"Yeah. Totally. Thanks, detective. " She said under her breath, sniffing her stuffiness away. That's when. He noticed she had been crying.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just, came from work, and have to hurry up and go, so..." she wiped her face. But, as the word left her lips, he noticed her outfit, and had to question the type of job she did. Then he looked at the object she'd dropped as they bumped into each other.

"Sure okay, well let me help you pick up your..." he paused when he saw fifties dollar bills spread on the ground, "... you're money. Damn." He whispered.

"Uh, thanks. I appreciate it." She bent down, grabbed her money and quickly stood up. Detective Parker stood up slowly observing her little play dress and trench type jacket.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Perfectly fine. I gotta go. My friends waiting for me." She rushed into her house saying bye, trying to keep him from being too suspicious. "Thanks again for the pie."

"Yeah, its blueberry. It brings Good luck for the New Year, I guess. Silly ole superstitions." He smiled.

"Thanks. I'm sure it'll be delicious." Bonnie opened her door quickly, and walked into her house shutting the door behind her. She'd walked into the kitchen and sat the pie on the counter, then grabbed the dark colored cookie jar, which was where she left her mother money. She counted out six, fifty-dollar bills and four twenties. Part of which was that dirty tip money from Craig. The money she didn't want to touch. She dropped it into the jar, then grabbed more cash out of her inner jacket pocket. It was a mixture of bills, ranging from ones to fifties and it totaled. Another few hundred dollars. It was added to whatever else was in the jar. She then left a note on the fridge.

Mortgage due, please don't forget to pay. It's all there!

Bonnie

She then ran out of her house locking the door, and forgetting what she was wearing. She almost flew down the stairs when she saw him again.

"Goodnight Bonnie. Happy New Year!"

"Thanks, you too. Please tell your wife thanks again." Though he baked the pie, she just assumed based on the stereotype.

"Sure."

"Happy New Year, Mr. Parker." She was in her car and driving off, quickly. But obviously, safely enough to not make him look at her suspiciously, being a cop and all.

She drove as fast as her feet would take her. She prayed she didn't get pulled over for speeding on New Year's Eve. Eight at night, Bonnie beeped for Caroline. Her plan was to play it off. She was taking Caroline to the clubs party as promised.

"Care, bring me out some clothes please."

"Come in and get dressed."

"I don't feel like turning the car off." But really she didn't want to be seen by Liz Forbes.

"Bon, come on. I'm finishing up my make up."

"Hurry Care. I'm half an hour late, you should've been ready." Bonnie sat in the car and put on make up, to conceal her puffy face from the crying, which had made her eyes a little swollen. She had her hair, straightened today and she pulled it in front of her shoulders to cover her face. After adding foundation, she put blush on, and sunglasses. She got out of the car, and walked towards the house. Caroline, in such a hurry opened the door and ran back up stairs.

Bonnie kept uncomfortably reliving every moment, of her assault. The fact that it caught her off-guard. The fact that it was so quick, she wasn't sure if she should even be angry. The fact that, she'd never been touched in such a way, it made her feel so small. The fact that her body no longer felt like her own, but like it belonged to the feelings of devastation manifesting over the past couple of hours.

Why?

She tried to always have her shit together, and to be the mature one. But Craig Thompson made her feel like a molecule of a person. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel it, with every step she took entering Caroline's house. She still feels the cold wood pressed against her hands, and the feel of his hand on her skin. The disgusting feeling of sitting on his lap, and having his girlfriend watch as he objectified her.

He truly made her feel like a child.

"So, I was thinking you wear this?" Caroline pulled out a black dress, that was small and tight, knocking Bonnie out of her pounding thoughts.

"No. You forget my brother will be there, ready to hang me."

"Oh yeah. Well, don't you pretty much want Sal to eat his heart out?"

"I don't care how Damon feels." Usually when she said it, she didn't mean it, but today she did. Today she didn't care how he felt about her. All she could care about was, looking back, she wished she would've picked up a heavy object and smashed it over Craig's head, the she would've kicked the girlfriends ass. They weren't big, bad or tough. They were regular people, who somehow overpowered her by catching her off-guard. How could she not have retaliated? A neighborhood girl, was tougher than that.

That's what everyone thinks, until the terror presents itself at your doorstep.

Why could she still feel the rigid nails of his finger tips they scratched her skin, sexualizing her in a way she hadn't imagined a person could do to her and why was his fingernails were not trimmed neatly. She swore she felt like she'd been cut on the inside. But really when he pulled her hair, his fingernail scratched her face and she was just now seeing in as she peeped in the mirror.

But then, It could've been worse, she thought. He could've raped her. He could've, taken everything she saved for a man she loved, and robbed her of it. Still, this felt like a violation of her entire confident self. That beautifully strong part of her was violated. She felt it right away. The strong inner Bonnie felt like a little girl sitting in a corner somewhere crying alone.

...

"Okay, here. Try this." Caroline handed her some shorts and a t-shirt with a picture of Jimi Hendrix on it. "You left this here last time you stayed the night it's washed and you love retro shit."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks. It's classic, by the way." She said sullenly. Caroline noticed her blank temperament.

"Hey, what's wrong? Take your glasses off."

"No. No. I'm tired is all. I didn't feel like putting eye liner on, so I'm wearing glasses to cover the bags on my eyes."

"You've over worked yourself today. I should get you some pick me up."

"I have some. I can um, well, I mean... we can do it in the car. Or later."

"Okay. Want water or anything?"

"No. Let's head out okay. I need to drive before I get sleepy."

Caroline noted Bonnie's strange behavior, but tried to give her space. Bonnie slid on the white purple and black t-shirt, and the shorts. She also went back to the old Bonnie, and put on some knee socks that had Sally on them from The Nightmare before Christmas, and some vintage Nike Vandals. Lime Green, Purple, and Black. A pair she'd left at Caroline's house. She was matching her socks and shoes. Her shorts were the only thing that didn't quite go, because they were acid washed.

She wanted to go back to feeling like a teenage Bonnie. Not feeling sexy. Sexy was the opposite of how she felt, after Craig did what he did. She wanted to wear something she'd wear as her twelve year old self, because that the last time she felt like boys didn't stare at her body all day. The last time her brother could look at her without feeling disgusted that boys found her attractive. The last time she remembered her life before her period started and she was a happy go lucky girl.

Twelve.

A magical number she could never go back to.

"You have great legs Bonnie." She smiled while tying the shirt Bonnie had on at the stomach, which was Bonnie thing."

"Don't do that."

"Whoa, Bon... what's wrong? You always tie your shirts."

Bonnie snapped out of it. "Sorry. I didn't mean to." Bonnie took off the Jimi Hendrix shirt, the shorts and the shoes. "Just give me a some pants."

"No way. Show your legs. Stop focusing on covering up for your brother. You aren't acting yourself. Talk to me. What can I do?"

But Bonnie couldn't open up Instead of getting too personal, Bonnie just let Caroline dress her.

"Sorry. I'm just exhausted, and it's making me grouchy. You know what, you can dress me okay? I'm sorry for being difficult."

"What? Yay!" Her excited friend clapped then quickly grabbed a black halter-dress she already picked out for Bonnie earlier. "Here, put this on. I mean, it's a little short, and it's cute. But, it's black so you won't exactly stand out in the crowd of people that wears so much black." Bonnie slowly put the dress on and took her bra off as it was backless. She ironed it out with her hand, and tried to close the top, but it kept popping open. "Here, these ankle-strapped platforms are perfect." Bonnie looked at the shoes.

"Okay, I'll put them on when I get there, okay? I hate driving in those. I can barely walk in them.

"Want me to do your makeup?"

Bonnie backed away. "No, I'll fix it in the car if I have to. Okay. Let's just go."

"Okay. How do I look?"

"Drop dead gorgeous. Blue is a good color on you Care." Bonnie smiled for the first time in days.

...

On the way there, Caroline put some music on, that she knew would cheer her best friend up. Some of her favorite music, nineties R&B and Caroline sang along, until she coaxed Bonnie into singing too. For a few minutes, Bonnie had forgotten what just took place hours ago. She sang TLC Diggin on You and Creep as they drove the drive to the MC's party.

But, Bonnie's cord was stricken when they sang "Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the river and the lakes that your used to. I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all. But I think you're movin' too fast."

Every word, every lyric was too personal. Once The rap verse came in Bonnie felt she needed to take in all the words while they hit too close to home. She turned the radio off. Unable to allow the music to preach to her right now.

She parked when she arrived and fixed her foundation, adding heavy eyeliner. When she got out, that's when Caroline noticed her eyes.

"Oh gosh, Bon, what happened?"

"Oh..." she hesitated. "I tried doing eyeliner on my way to work tonight, and snagged the inside of my eye. It's been red ever since. I was hoping I concealed it well enough. Didn't want it to look like I was crying."

Caroline laughed. "No sweetie, looks like bad allergies. And the scratch?"

"Accident."

"Here, let's add some red lipstick. Then you can keep your sunglasses on. Where's you're makeup?"

"Trunk of my car." Caroline walked to the back of the car, and popped it open. She grabbed two colors, then proceeded to line Bonnie's lips with a plum, the put red in the middle. Before mixing it together, with a clear gloss.

"Blot your lips." She made the blot motion with her lips, and it was done. "You look smoking hot."

"I don't feel that way, but...it's probably because I'm tired." Bonnie looked in the mirror. "Shit, I never wear this much make up unless I'm at work."

"No one will be sober enough to notice."

"Hopefully. Come on. I'm sure we could both use a drink." As the two walked across the street into the large wear house sized building. They noticed two floors of people drinking and dancing. Caroline looked like a blonde bombshell with an outfit Bonnie helped her pick out days ago. Skin tight grey-blue blue dress, with nude colored platforms. The dress was strapless, and Bonnie knew Caroline wanted to forget about Tyler tonight. And she deserved it, after what she walked in on. Bonnie couldn't even fault her as they walked through the crowd of drunken people.

"You know who I thought was smoking hot?"

"Who?"

"The club brother... Jesse."

"He's married Caroline, to Teresa. Who's not one to be messed with. Traditional Latina woman."

"Of course he is. And I bet she's gorgeous. Hell. Well, I'm just here to have fun anyway."

"Yeah, and I want you to have a blast. So, don't get too crazy but let go. You deserve it. I may have a couple drinks tonight but I'll cut myself off around 10:30," Bonnie said. "Enjoy yourself. I'll be your DD."

They were immediately spotted by Stefan. "What the fuck? Both of you should cover up."

"Excuse me? No. I'm here to party and have fun like you." Caroline said.

He smiled at Caroline, like he'd never seen her before. "Listen, sweetheart, I'm not complaining. As a matter-of-fact I'm really not complaining, from where I'm standing." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Bonnie could tell he was already drunk, because he was hitting on Caroline.

"Sorry. You have a girlfriend, don't you? Where is she?"

"Oh, well, we decided to amicably spend the holiday separately. It's been a stressful few months." He noted.

"Oh. I see. Or is this another break?"

"Jokes On me I guess." Bonnie stood, staring at the awkward exchange. Caroline and Stefan flirting, was weird to her. She cleared her throat, when they started to eye fuck, and she spoke up.

"So, yeah... drinks?"

"Oh, oh... yeah." Stefan snapped out of it, forcing a giggle from Caroline. "Come on," He lead them to one of the bars, and told them, "its safest down here. If you go up stairs, you'll see Cel getting wasted, and I'm sure you don't need him to see your outfit."

Bonnie wasn't sure if she should be thankful or insulted. "Whatever, just give me a jack and coke, please."

"Your brother sees you drinking that, he's-"

"The fuck Stefan. I'm having a hard day, can you get me a fucking drink, or what?" Both Caroline and Stefan stare in shock, she was just not acting herself, and the two of them were trying not to make it worse by babying her.

"Sorry, B. I'll get you both some drinks... wait right here, the bartender looks swamped. He walked to the back of the bar... proceeding to make them drinks, when the girls heard a group of people chanting.

"Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink." They turned to look over their shoulders, and Bonnie saw Damon in a drinking contest with Vincent. Bonnie turned around and stopped watching.

"Two cosmos." Stefan shouted.

"I asked for Jack and coke."

"But this is prettier." Caroline took he effort and smiled, seeing as he was trying to make Bonnie laugh. It didn't work, but she drank it anyways.

"I hate vodka. So, thank you, but I'll take a jack and coke." She said, finishing off the drink, and the cherry. Caroline drank a little, and looked at Bonnie.

"Hey, I thought we were gonna give ourselves a picker upper? We never did. And you seem a little annoyed."

"Sure... uh, let's go to the bathroom." She grabbed Caroline by the arm, and they headed away from the bar.

"Whoa, hey. You asked for a jack and coke. Where you going?"

"Come with." Caroline told him signaling with her shoulder. "You don't mind right Bon?"

"I definitely mind."

"What?"

"He won't say shit."

"Care!"

"Listen, what are you two rambling about?"

"I know he's not gonna like this side of me. I don't need any shit tonight." Bonnie headed towards a bathroom and Caroline waited for Stefan and they followed behind.

"He's cool. Right Rip? You can handle Bonnie being a big girl tonight?"

Stefan's eyes caught Caroline's as she called him by his club name. He never saw her pay such close attention to him enough to know his nickname. It kind of turned him on. "Yeah B. I'm cool what is it?"

They walked in, to a one person bathroom, and stuffed themselves in there. "I need you to keep your mouth shut about this Stefan, or I swear we're done."

"About, what?" He asked as she pulled it out of her small clutch. "Oh shit, B... you're not about to-"

"No, I'M not. WE are."

"Fuck!" He watched her and Caroline, like he'd never seen anything like it before. His best friend focused for a couple minutes then set up a few lines for the three of them. He first saw her take one straight. He'd heard Elena mention it, and still deep down even when he was angry he couldn't picture it. Not his best friend. Not the good girl. The tomboy. Bonnie's head dropped back and she inhaled a deep breath of air through her mouth to calm her down.

And like a ritual, Caroline took it from her and took her turn. Stefan watched realizing they'd done this before. Bonnie looked up and Stefan was staring at then both. "See. I don't want you getting all fucking weird about this."

"What? Nah. Nah. Pft. I'm good." He assured And wasn't so sure. "It's New Years Eve after all."

The two girls stare at him waiting wondering why suddenly the crazy biker was a little boy. "Well? You said you were good?"

"Oh yeah." He bent down and covered one nostril and sniffed hard with the next and rolled up twenty dollar bill. Then he held his head. "Oh shit. SHIT!" He blinked several times. "This fucking stuff is legit."

"Yeah. It always is. Wait, Stefan, have you ever done it before?"

He could easily lie and say yes, but the truth was he hadn't, and his enhancement made him honest about it. "Never."

"Okay. Well, we are only doing a line then. Because I can't take a chance."

"I'm good B. It's New Years. I can do more."

"No you can't."

"B. I think he's good for two lines. As long as we don't get over board with drinking."

"B. Come on. You're my best friend. I introduce you to everything. This is you, for once, introducing me. I trust myself with you."

"Fine. One more each, and that's it." Before they realized it they were going in factory order. "Well, So now you see it. Me and Caroline partake occasionally. And your girlfriend did anytime she got the chance. She actually begged for it from time to time."

"Elena isn't who she pretended so well to be, I guess." He said. "How long B?"

"A couple months. Once in a while."

Stefan was feeling bold and unstoppable. He was on top of the world. Bonnie and Caroline could both see a change in him.

"Fuck. This shit is money. Do you guys fuck on this stuff?"

"Umm. No." Bonnie turned her face up. Her high was coming gradually. She was still figuring containing it with her awareness of Marcel, Vince and Damon's presence. It almost scared her from letting completely loose.

"Remember, Bonnie is a virgin."

"Oh shut up Caroline."

"What it's okay. You're waiting for the right guy."

"B... if you ever want to just get it over with, with someone who cares about you... I'm your guy. We can do it once, and you can get it over with."

Her shock preceded her when she stare at him. Seeing how he was serious, she couldn't believe it.

"You're an idiot." She laughed.

"It makes total sense to me." Caroline admitted, while Bonnie jerked her neck at the idea.

"No it doesn't. You're high hit you quick didn't it. Incase you forgot...? I have a situation..." Bonnie said in mention of Damon. But Caroline was just living in the moment. Partying in a setting she'd never partied in before and trying to let this new year bring her new adventures.

"I mean, you're BF's so it should be solid enough to not make it weird. And you won't lose it to an asshole."

"Uh, first- he's a huge asshole."

"Yeah. But it's because I love you. There's a difference." Bonnie looked in the mirror fixing her hair not watching Caroline and Stefan. They were speaking out of their ass and she wasn't here for it.

"Sure. Okay. You guys crack me up." When she looked up Stefan was behind her in the mirror. His face was lit behind a candle light at this point. A scented candle she figured one of the guy's girlfriends or wives lit it since the light in the bathroom was so dim. And the look on his face was serious. "You good Stef?" She whispered.

"Fuck Yeah."

All of his boldness was channeled into this moment. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her right against the front of him from her backside. He had a look in his eyes she'd never seen before. And slowly his head dropped to her neck and she felt his lips against her skin. Her brain told her to stop him, but her brain also withheld the motion form her mouth and hands since part of her high decided at this very inconsiderate moment to trick her brain. She glanced over at Caroline who's jaw dropped in shock but her eyes gleamed like the Fourth of July.

"Just go with it." Stefan said in her ear. Bonnie stiffened up and dropped the lip gloss in her hand to the counter top. The old painted in dark rusty colored bathroom wasn't where she was going to lose her virginity. And to her best friend of all people. This was some twisted imagination the drugs spun in her head as a hallucination.

And she felt his mouth stop kissing and start tasting. "Damn." Bonnie's eyes shut after such a long eye contact with Caroline who was down for the show. Her neck rolled into his until their eyes met. Bonnie was out of it. She allowed herself to be taken into a kiss by him while he turned her body around slowly.

They were going at it, kissing like no ones business. Stefan grabbed just under Bonnie's dress and lifted her to the counter top.

"You two are hot."

Both continued kissing until Bonnie opened her eyes and realized who she was kissing and she couldn't and wouldn't dare complicate her friendship or do this to Damon. "No! What the fuck are we doing? I can't. We can't. I'm sorry. I can't do this."

Stefan stare stunned. He realized he'd kissed his best friend, and the moment got ahead of them both. "B, sorry, the- I didn't mean to-"

"Mistake." She whispered.

She abruptly pulled back and signaled for Caroline to move towards them with her finger. Caroline questioned it putting her hand on her chest. "Yes." Bonnie nodded unable to look Stefan in the eye. She slowly moved towards them and Bonnie grabbed her by the hand. Stefan pulled up and looked at Bonnie then whispered something in her ear quietly. Bonnie took it in but didn't let it stop the situation. Once Stefan kissed Caroline, Bonnie hoped down from the counter and leaned on the bathroom door trying to catch her breath. Her high hit her quick. One minute she felt guilty the next, she didn't know what to feel. She turned and leaned her back against the bathroom door, and watched Caroline and Stefan. Then shit her eyes praying it wasn't real.

What the fuck is happening she asked herself as the sound outside was muffle and the visual before her was blurry. She missed Damon. She needed Damon. And she couldn't have him. But she wouldn't replace him with Stefan. It was wrong. It was out of the question. She loved both men too much to ever. And she saw Stefan more as a brother type. Bonnie closed her eyes and imagined, life happened all at once. Craig assaulting her, Damon all over Rose and Stefan kissing her.

After a few minutes with the blissful drug, it took it all away. A numbness over came her. She closed her eyes and took it all in.

Every moment.

Then, blended it in a processor. Tomorrow is a new day. Tonight... she needed to forget the pain. It's New Years Eve.

Fuck Craig. Fuck Damon. Fuck Marcel!

But fuck Damon most of all for making her miss him the way she did, and having to see him with Rose.

...

"Mutha fucka I'm in." Vin shouted excited on the phone in the clubs office.

"Yeah. I should have the logistics soon. But it looks like we will be doing business."

"Alright Mr. Danzig."

"Call me Cade, you know we go back."

"Well give me a few weeks to lay this shit on the club. The club's current President is going to retire. So, I gotta make a few moves until he leaves, and then we can fuck with it. Just know, if my VP ain't on board it'll take some work."

"You need me to talk to him. I can be very convincing."

"Nah. He doesn't take to well to new people and new shit. I'll figure it out."

"Good good. I plan to be hearing from you very soon."

"And tell our girl we appreciate her putting in the word for us."

"Will do. Happy New Year Vincent."

"Happy New Years to y'all too."

...

"Have you seen my sister? She was supposed to be here."

"What?"

"B. I'm trying to look for her but I'm fucking lit bruh. I don't want to be gone when she gets here. Because the level of my litness is approaching inferno."

"Litness?" Damon wrinkled his forehead in confusion. "You're making up fuckin words."

Marcel started dancing in place. Two stepping and feeling everything at the moment in the music.

"So B is really coming? After everything?"

"What do you mean everything?"

"Never mind. I just, didn't think she'd still come to a club event."

"Yeah bruh. I heard she was here already. And I need you to help me keep an eye on her."

"What? No."

"I mean have a good time. But if you see her getting out of pocket. Fix that shit dawg. I'm for real I trust you. Lite her ass up, and remind of her of where she is."

"I'm not about to-"

"I just mean talk to her bruh. That's it. Don't let her perform up in here. Please Sal? She listens to you."

"I got you."

Damon wiped the bottom half of his face unrestfully with his other arm around Rose imagining if Bonnie had already walked in and seen them together. He was still angry at her for standing him up on Christmas Eve. And turning her phone off to avoid his calls. He wanted to give her the gift he got her, as a symbol of their future. But in his mind, she let him know what she felt about him that night.

"Above all, I want you to know I'm trying. I want her to have fun tonight. I just don't want her to get out of control. But I'm working on myself. I promise."

"Quit talking out your ass. I doubt B is coming. She doesn't seem to like this club shit."

"Nah she's coming. Rip told me when he spoke to her earlier she was still bringing Caroline."

"Marcel, your kid sister don't belong in this hell hole with these scum." Rose said. "She's a fucking kid."

Damon looked at Rose wanting her two cents to stay in her mouth. "Which is why her being here makes sense. Can you keep an eye on her?"

"I doubt you need me looking after her. You're just saying that because you've had a lot to drink Cel, bro."

"I know. She might get away with murder tonight. As far as I know there's one way to bring the new year in. Totally fucked up or passed out from being so fucked up. I'm already one of the two." He laughed holding a half empty bottle of Ciroq in his hand. "And you haven't seen her or Caroline?"

"Nah. I haven't seen her. I'm sure she's fine. She's a good girl." Damon said. And it pained him to say it because he was angry at her. But it was true. She was a good girl in his eyes. And because of that he never stood a chance because he was not, a good guy.

"Well I should go find Vince."

"Alright bro."

"Bonnie the good girl." Rose laughed. "She's too good to be here she doesn't even know the first thing about this life." She whispered to Damon. "And just so you know, since I see how you look at her... you should know- She's too good for you too."

"I know that. She is too good for me."

"Please don't tell me, you are flattered by her, and her adolescent crush."

"Why are you so focused on her?"

"Because she seems focused on you."

In a worse case scenario, Bonnie would show up, and they would stare at each other and feel nothing. But if they went off the last meeting, he didn't want to say bye to her, and she stood him up. So, if he saw her tonight, he'd be strong. He'd let her know she didn't break him.

Damon stood there thinking too long and hard before Rose interrupted his day dream.

"Shit. I've gotta pee. Can you take me to the bathroom?"

...

The three of them were in the bathroom for near half an hour when a short line had formed outside of it with a couple drunken girls needing to use the bathroom.

"What the fuck is going on there?" Rose asked.

"We have to pee and some asshole has been in there forever."

"Vicky who went in there?"

"I don't know I didn't see. Can I use the bathroom in your bunker Sal? Please?"

"Fuck no!" Rose said.

"Bathroom? To pee! I didn't ask to fuck him Rose!"

"And I said Fuck no. You will not use his bunker bathroom, bitch!"

"Ya know... I hate a drunk Rose. She sure is a thorny bitch!"

"Come on April, let's go find Vin. I'm sure he'll let us use his."

"Come on, I'll just use yours Sal." Rose pulled him towards the back of the clubhouse, but Damon wouldn't budge at this point. He was agitated.

Damon stood for a few minutes looking over the other five people in line. "Vick, come back!" He yelled out, "I'll get them out for you," because Vicky was next in line.

"Sal. Maybe they're fucking. You remember those days. Let them be."

"No one should be fuckin for half hour here, Rose. Club brothers know better than to fuck in this bathroom." He looked down and saw the light go on.

Before they could relay what was happening outside realizing there was commotion over them, they heard a banging on the door.

"Aye. It's been forever. Who the fuck is in here?" He yelled.

Bonnie stood on the other side of the small room away from Stefan and Caroline giving them their space. She didn't even know what they were doing at this point, because she heard giggling while she was playing on her phone. Until hearing what sounded like death at the door. When she heard Damon's voice, she felt the hair on her arm raise and she froze. Damon pounded like he was going to break the door down, and she knew those lethal weapon fists were more than capable. "Ay!"

"Fuck!" Bonnie said fearing the worst.

"Just wait a fuckin minute." Stefan yelled.

"I'm gonna break the door down." The voice said.

"Fuck, that sounds like Sal. How the fuck can we get out of here, without looking suspicious?" Bonnie, wiped her face keeping her glasses on. She grabbed each Caroline and Stefan checking their face. Then she fixed her dress and adjusted Stefan and Caroline's clothes. That voice had a way of sobering her up, just as much as Marcel.

"Just walk out. Act cool." Stefan said.

"Fuck. Okay."

"Bon, you good?"

"Yeah. Here, reapply the lip stick."

"I didn't bring the one you had on it's in the car."

"It's cool I have the one I bought for James in my purse."

"Open... The fucking door!" The thunderous sound came from outside.

Both girls quickly reapplied lipstick and fixed each other's hair. Stefan fixed his hair and opened the door, and walked out as both Caroline and Bonnie followed him. Both taller bodies tried to conceal the smaller one, with the little black dress on, hoping Marcel wasn't nearby. But as they walked trying to avoid confrontation, Damon's eyes narrowed on the middle body out of the bathroom, and what she had on. Or how much she didn't.

It was clear Stefan and Caroline were attempting to conceal her but it didn't work. He was tense, and she avoided eye contact, until he stopped her.

"What are you doing here? This place, is fuckin off limits to you!" He grabbed her arm.

"You know, I-"

"What the fuck? Get your hand off of her."

"Or what Stefan?" Both Damon and Bonnie forgot that Stefan had no clue about them in a drunken moment. "I can touch her when the fuck I want to. And she needs to take her little ass home." He poked her shoulder, and Stefan stood between the two of them.

"Isn't there a curfew for kids?" Rose teased at Bonnie's expense. But the group still couldn't get over Damon holding Bonnie's arm.

"You fuckin touch her again, and I will lay you out mutha fucker!"

"Me?" Damon held his chest with his hand. "You forgot who the fuck you're talking to? I will hit you once and it'll be a black out bitch." Both men were face to face as Damon stare down Stefan like he'd break his face and Stefan glanced at Damon, then Bonnie, and back at his brother like he wouldn't go down easily.

"Fuck you Sal."

"What'd you call me?" His eyes darted directly into her like a bullseye. "You don't call me that."

"I'll call you whatever the fuck I want. Don't threaten him!"

Damon kept looking at Bonnie feeling oh so challenged. This side of her, the side that was too bold to control but to naive to understand the mistakes she was making.

"Or what?"

"You know what? You don't scare me. You may walk around here throwing your weight around the club. Fucking machismo, beating your chest like an ape... but-"

"But what!" He pushed his way through Stefan, Caroline and Rose and stood directly above her in her face. Rose couldn't believe the audacity of Bonnie to stand up to Damon, and she placed her hand protectively on Damon's chest, feeling uncomfortable about the exchange. More so, because she didn't like how close they were to each other or how much Damon allowed Bonnie to get away with.

"She's a baby Sal. Let it go, before she starts crying."

"Fuck you bitch." Caroline said.

"Whoa, who the fuck?" Rose walked up to Caroline defensively. And naturally, Vicky forgot about she and Rose's argument just minutes ago, standing behind Rose. "Bitch you're out of your jurisdiction here. Rip, where do you find your hoes?"

"Bitch I'm not Elena! Don't fuck with my friend." And as it stood it was Damon, Rose, and Vicky, against Stefan, Bonnie and Caroline. "And as for hoes, I see a couple viable ones in front me. What's your specialty, eating ass or sucking dick?"

"How cute. Little blonde slut trying to come to our territory and-"

"Territory?" Bonnie interrupted, with a neck snap and a mixture of sarcasm and confusion. "Bitch you wish you could claim something here. You can't claim a man. Let alone territory." Bonnie boldly snapped back. "But- maybe, if you keep washing Sal's clothes, he might even call you his maid. Because bitch he ain't gonna claim you! Even if you eat his ass."

Damon could feel Bonnie's rage and he chuckled at her, snidely. Bonnie wasn't afraid of a challenge. He'd give her that. But he wanted her to back down, and he wanted her to back down now. She looked up at him, burning with fury on her insides. She believed it was anger but it was just the chemical reaction of the coke hitting her blood stream, and her brain was operating at a magnified rates, compared to an hour ago.

Damon grit his teeth and let his jaws clench to an underbite watching her get ready to catch her second wind. He sucked his teeth, making her skin goosebump again. Then he pushed her glasses to the top of her head in the dimly lit hallway.

"How fucking cute. You're a spicy little virgin. Rip, take the girls home they don't belong here."

Stefan wasn't having it. "No, don't be a bitch Sal. And the girls are here with me. The club is cool with it. You're the ONLY one who had issue with it at the meeting. So, just deal with it. Go, and finish taking shots of Rose's fake tits." Bonnie gulped hearing that, and tried to keep her mouth shut about it all. Damon taking shots on Rose's chest wasn't how she wanted to end her night or start it. She was two drinks in and her high was catching her slowly. The words stunned her into silence. Rose, again, possessively grabbed Damon, making Bonnie uncomfortable and ready to leave.

These jealous possessive feelings were something she wasn't used to and she would never let him see he got the best of her. But somehow, Rose kept pressing Bonnie's buttons.

"Isn't the play place at McDonalds?" She laughed.

Bonnie looked towards Damon who hunched his shoulders. "B... why you got all that make up on anyway? Who you trying to impress?"

Stefan grabbed Bonnie and Caroline by the hand to avoid the conflict with his soon to be Vice President and also landlord. He couldn't be his brother here. He had to let Damon be his superior. But Rose wasn't off limits to him. So, he changed targets since she decided to take low blows at the girls.

"Ay- Rose, speaking of makeup, where's your lipstick?" Stefan laughed. She felt around her lips and bought she had some on until Bonnie answered him.

"Probably Sal's dick? I heard she needed some cash." Damon couldn't believe Bonnie was spilling tea. She had to have been really drunk, he thought. He looked down and noticed Stefan holding Bonnie's hand. He was also holding Caroline's but Damon didn't notice or care.

"What?"

"Isn't that How it works. Suck his dick, get your gas tank filled."

"First of all bitch, I ain't small time. Second I'm not a fucking trick. And third, if I was tricking, I wouldn't fuck for chump change. But what I will do, is offer you some pointers." She stepped in Bonnie's face. "When you finally do start fucking, loosen up. Don't be so damn tense. Nothing worse for a man then fucking a cardboard. And if he makes you cum, you might crack a fucking smile once in a while."

"Number one, bitch don't test my gangsta or my flexibility. And number two, that's all it takes. A good fuck to make someone smile? Is that how it works Savage?" Bonnie asked and looked at Damon seriously.

"Why you asking him? He ain't got an issue with how I fuck him." Bonnie pushed Rose to the side and gave him a deeper look. And kept her questioned directed at him along with her eyes.

"That's how it works then? You fuck her so much she's happy?" He was confused by Bonnie's question and refused to fall into a trap, so he didn't answer. "If that's the case, why are you always so fucking angry? She must be an awful lay. That or you're fucking her and she's not who you really wanna to be fucking. So, is she doing her job? Because you're tense as fuck all the time."

"Bitch." Rose grabbed for Bonnie before Damon stopped her. "Don't you ever-"

"Nah... I'm willing to bet those pussy walls are so beat down, poor guy has to fake an orgasm just so he can get off of you."

"Wow. Pussy jokes from a Virgin."

"Wow. Virgin jokes from a hoe." Bonnie said getting into her face. "I may not be out here fucking everybody, but bitch, don't try me. I'll still fuck you up."

At that point Stefan got in front of Bonnie and started moving her body backwards. "Nah B. Let's go. Don't waste your time."

"Fuck her." Rose said. "Does she wanna go? I'll fucking go." She yelled trying to get to Bonnie.

"Jump bitch." Bonnie tried pushing though Stefan but he wrapped his arms around her to carry her away.

"B! Let's go." Stefan yelled. "Fuck her."

Damon yanked Rose back by her arm, and stopped them with some choice words of his own.

"Wait a minute!" They stopped, trend, and looked. "You two... fuckin?" He narrowed his eyes at Bonnie who looked at Stefan and back at Damon in shock that he'd insinuate it. How dare he accuse her, she thought. Caroline knew how that would impact her best friend. Knowing Bonnie wasn't sure about seeing him tonight after she mistakingly fell asleep before visiting him. "Little virgin Bonnie, does give it up the pussy after all." Dauntingly, he whispered the words to her. "Good to know."

Stefan stopped and walked back to his brother and whispered. "Whatever this shit is, that has you so fucked right now, you and your bitch are out of line. She hasn't done shit to you. Eat shit Sal." Damon turned to Bonnie who felt his words in her soul. How dare he, speak against her in Rose's defense? He didn't say another word. Bonnie wanted to spit on him, but Stefan grabbed both girls hands attempting to lead them out to the dance floor. "Come on, B. It's been a while."

Bonnie and Damon stare at one another unforgivingly for a few seconds. It was cold and angry. Until Rose yelled.

"One day... he won't be there to protect you." Rose shouted.

"You can get these hands bitch. I wish you fuckin would. I'm a Bennett bitch! Bennett's don't ever back down!" Stefan pulled Bonnie under his arm to calm her down as she headed away from them. "I could've beat her ass, Stef. Why'd you stop me?" She asked as her pulse quickened.

"Because, it's New Years Eve. She wasn't worth it and neither was he. Fuck was his whole deal back there?"

"You guys good? That was intense. I'm convinced if everyone here wasn't so tore up, that whole confrontation might've gone bad for the club." Caroline admitted. She didn't hear Bonnie speak so she turned to her. "B... babe. Don't let it get to you." She referred to Damon. "What straight trash. She ain't worth your anger. Neither is he."

Bonnie looked in Caroline's direction but avoided eye contact. She was emotional right now. Coming off of Craig's attack and Damon's avoidance the past week and Rose's actions, she was trying to not let the drugs make her focus on her anger. Because one thing it could do is magnify her emotions if she let it.

"Let's dance." Stefan pulled her towards the dance floor

"No. I can't okay. I'm still trying to process my blow. They ruined my high. I feel it sobering me up. Why don't you dance with Caroline?" He made a face in disappointment.

"Seriously. We can all dance."

"I actually need some air."

"I'll go with-"

"No. I'll be back. We can dance next song?"

"Okay."

He grabbed the beautiful blonde, and walked towards the dance floor. They seemed to hit it off well for two people who grew up in different places. Though, Caroline was never one of those girls who feared the neighborhood hangouts. She got along with everyone, but really didn't hang out with Stefan much. Bonnie watched as her two friends, laugh and dance, and she was happy for both of them after relinquishing their routine relationship of passing each other without speaking. Plus, they'd both just dealt with being cheated on, it seemed perfect they'd find each other tonight on New Year's Eve for some random fun.

But she couldn't handle the two of them taking the relationship to a level other than a one night of fun thing. Because, Stefan and Caroline were her friends, and if they got together and ended horribly as he and Elena, she wouldn't have the heart to choose or deal with the drama. She was too loyal to them both to handle that.

...

It's was a little after nine at night, and so far was panning out in a way she was able to relax a little more. After a heated confrontation with Damon and his groupie, Bonnie stood outside for a bit just replaying her life in recent months and how much she was vastly changing as a person.

"Baby girl, why you out here?" Gino said walking from inside.

"It's hot in there." He caught her wiping a tear from her eyes, underneath the glasses.

"You need a friend?"

"Hmhmm." The sound came out like a pathetic giggle. "That obvious?"

"Yeah."

"Let me guess, you saw that?"

"Yeah. Don't let nobody push you outside."

Gino didn't initiate conversations often, and when he did he meant to make sure he gave his attention to people who he was protective of.

"It's okay. I think they deserve each other. I didn't quite think I realized who he was- Well, I take that back. I always knew who he was. I guess, I allowed myself to forget."

"He's not a bad guy."

"No. He's not. But he lets this life, dictate his ego sometimes. And both of us have really big egos, so... it's a recipe for disaster." When Bonnie felt the breeze on her body she crossed her arms.

"You want me to grab you a jacket?"

"No. The breeze feels good actually. I thought I'd come here tonight, let loose and forget about my fucked up life." Her hands wiped more tears from under her shades. "The truth is, this neighborhood life won't ever escape me. I did good for a while. Avoiding it. This club, the drama, guys, etcetera, but, somehow..." her breath got caught in her throat and she couldn't speak.

Gino walked from behind her and sat on a table that was outside. Leaning forward on his knees with his elbows.

"This life ain't easy. It never will be. But, easy, isn't always worth it. If it's easy to get, it's easy to lose."

James was easy.

Her first thought.

But her second thought.

Not Damon.

He wasn't easy. He was never easy.

"Why does he deal with her? She's his puppy. She does whatever he says, like a mindless robot. She's not even good enough for him. But-"

"And who is, baby girl?" He looked towards her. But, she couldn't answer his question. "Rose is problematic. She's tough as nails, but she's weak when it comes to him. To the point that, she makes countless mistakes out of spite and jealousy."

"What do you mean?"

"She's greedy. That's all I can say."

"Yeah. I get it. You ain't a snitch. I respect that. Damn, my high is wearing off. My buzz is almost extinct."

"This shit isn't for you."

"What? These men can drink and get high and-"

"Listen." He paused looking her in the eyes. "Trying to keep up, isn't for you. You are your own person. You're a lot like Laz in that way."

"My Papi. How, how was he?" She asked. "I mean, as a King. My mom doesn't talk much about him."

"Headstrong. Made moves for the club, that he thought was a sure bet. Sometimes without the club's consent. He always managed to make good decisions. But they were reckless. Big Sal, was more cautious." Damon and Stefan's father. "He was fresh out of the army, wanted some unity and a little recklessness for him and his buddies. He and Laz started this club. As well as Lockwood and some other guys. Acclimating to life after the army wasn't as hard for Big Sal. So the club started leisurely for him. He owned a bike shop and made decent money. Then there was Laz. He didn't acclimate the same." Gino spoke calmly.

"Why?"

"The difference. A black, Latino man. And a white man. Society didn't exactly treat them the same. The club became Laz's main source of income. So, that's when it expanded to other shit. Outside of the bikes. Protection, and black market shit. Then... white."

"Cocaine. My Papi brought cocaine to the club."

"I shouldn't get into this with you. But... Yeah. You deserve to know a little. He brought it in. And it worked a while. Money was good. And then Laz was THE MAN! Everyone in the neighborhood knew him. Wanted to be him. Including-"

"Damon."

"Yeah. Damon looked up to Laz more than his own pops. In turn damaging his and his father relationship. Young ass D was always a fighter. G took him to boxing lessons and started him fighting young. To the point where he was trying to wage a gap between Damon and Laz. Damon was so good at it, it made Big Sal get him into amateur and pro shit. And he won fights. Golden gloves, all that shit. Undefeated. Him and D were finally good. Then... D got in the ring one day, he was losing. One thing Big Sal never taught D, was how to lose. And he couldn't handle it, and he took an illegal shot, really hurting the other kid. His anger got the best of him. When they left and got home, G beat the shit out of Sal. Punishment for losing, By disqualification. Sal was a kid."

"You were around all this?"

"Sort of. I used to spar with Sal at the gym we went to. I was older. But, when I realized I wouldn't go pro. I went underground. Laz figured me out pretty quick. I saw all this shit go down. The ups and downs of D and Big Sal. Laz seen me fight a few times. Kept it under wraps. Until the fall out when G whooped Sal's ass."

"Damn."

"Yeah. And one day your pops suggested D try underground shit. G wasn't for it. But Sal didn't care. At this point he loved fighting too much to stop. And he was rebellious against his father. Being banned for a year from pro fighting, he took his chances. Went underground and never went back. He tried cage fighting a few times but, his game was all standup. I trained him."

"Oh okay. And this is where you and him become close?"

"Yeah. Because shortly after Laz was killed Sal shut everyone out. Except me. We did the fights until he was good enough to go extreme. I was D's eyes out there. It was life and death sometimes. So my eyes and knowledge was the difference between him winning and losing. At that point, the club wanted in on it. They knew they could make money off him. He fought for about three years on the club's name. Made the club hundreds of thousands of dollars. To the point where he wasn't even seeing his winnings. Sal's body became a human punching bag for the spectator sport. And he wasn't getting his winnings. The club was. So, I made him stop. It was fucked up. The club made money off of him."

"His father!"

"Yeah. It was a sure thing. And then they were able to give up white when your pops died. Because that was all Laz. For G, it was a good out when Laz died. Eventually, I membered in. The money they lost from white, Sal was getting in his fights. I came in around same time as Vin. Vin, has been around forever. He grew up with your mom. But, he was a prospect for a while. He really paid his way. But, Laz, didn't think he had had what it took. Always gave him a hard time, because he didn't trust him. Your pops, was very selective. He didn't trust many and he only let few in. Sound familiar?"

"Yeah, Damon all the way."

"Laz And G were tight, until Sal started to grow up. The two men didn't see eye to eye on shit anymore. And, when Vin membered in, he was older than Sal, and he kind of took a leadership role with the younger guys, while Sal was busy, Enforcing. Sal, did whatever G needed, in the background, while Vin was like, the face of shit. Vin was cool at first... doing shit the way G wanted. G took him under his arm. And Sal remained in the shadow of the club. Doing all the "dirty" work, while Vin helped make deals and keep his hands clean.

"Wow. And is this what my Papi taught him. To stay in the shadows, or..."

"Nah. Laz told Sal he should be running the club one day. And that if he didn't he needed to leave the club if he wasn't getting respect."

"Does Damon want that, to run the club?"

"I don't know. He never acts like he wants to run this club. And I think, it has a lot to do with your pops death."

"He and my papi were very close."

"Yeah. And he's been looking out for you and Cel since."

"Because he owes him."

"No. Because he looked at Laz like a father. Laz taught him everything. How to shoot, how to handle himself. How to stay low low key but keep making moves. How to always have a plan, and not tell everyone else'. He prepared him for ever being betrayed. He prepared him for losing and getting back on his feet. That's why he never loses it under pressure. You'll never see him revert back to that boy in the ring who couldn't handle losing and took that cheap shot. Nah, he's always two steps ahead. When we don't even realize it. And Laz taught him that he could only trust a handful of people his entire life. Damon swore to Laz and gave his word he'd take care of you guys if anything every happened to him. Laz knew he could do it. He only trusted Sal."

"Wows why does it sound like my Papi knew he was going to die or something?"

"I don't know. It's all really fucked up to me. And I stay here for D. I'm loyal to him because we've been eye to eye since day one. Sal, is more about loyalty than anyone I know. So, Rose... she came in, willing to make moves. Always did whatever he asked. No questions asked. Rose does what he says. He likes that about her."

"No wonder he keeps her around."

"Whatever you call it. Rose was there one day. And she's been there since."

"Oh." Bonnie forgot about her pain for a few minutes talking with Gino while she sobered up. "Well I'm sorry if it sounds disloyal to the club, but I can't be his "Rose." Okay. That's what my momma was for my Papi. Did whatever he said, let him call all the shots. Had this way of allowing him all the control. It left her in a place for years, that she couldn't even pull it together for us. Which is why Cello is the way he is. Feeling like he HAS to look it for me. My mom is better now. But for years, she was the Rose. I can't be that."

"But, baby girl get one thing straight. Abby was loyal because she loved Laz. He was all she had. Rose is here for Rose. Sal knows that. And it makes it easy for him to deal with her because there's no love there."

"I guess. And he expects that from me? Some compliant behavior?"

"I don't know what he expects from you honestly. But you are you, through and through. And if he can't get his shit together enough to see that, so you and him can work shit out, then you can't live for him. He's a smart guy. He ain't stupid. But he has to figure it out on his own."

"Yet... together he and I don't work. We butt heads. I'm not compliant Gino. Compliance, and me? Pft. I have to be who I need for me. Because no one else is going to be for me what I need. So far I've been let down by everyone but myself.

"You're tough as shit baby girl. Seventeen and basically doing everything right for seventeen years. And now..."

"I know. I'm no angel."

"Nah. Believe it or not... You're a survivor. Like him."

"Then why can't he see that too? Why can't he see that I have to be protective of myself? At all times when it comes to this fucking club?"

"My point is, he ain't perfect. But he's loyal. He's not a King for the shit that comes with it. He's a King because it's all he knows. Me? I had a life before this. He never did. He's an asshole by nature. But he cares about you, more than you know more than even he knows himself. You scare him. You intimidate him, and it makes him think outside of this club, which isn't easy for him." Gino grinned. "But, it doesn't mean you have to be like Rose in order to get through to him."

"What do you mean?"

"Go in there, find your friend. Have fun. Don't let him get the best of you. He's a knuckle head. He'll come to his senses."

"And if he doesn't?"

"You have to live your life baby girl."

"Thanks." Bonnie leaned over and hugged Gino. All six-foot three and two hundred and sixty pound man. He had at least 80-90 pounds on Damon any day.

"Maybe I'm not cut out for this life. Being with someone like Damon."

"Kidding?" He cleated his throat. "You're as real as your father and head strong as your brother. You're a fucking Bennett. If you wanted this life you could take it and make what you wanted of it. At the end of the day you have more reason to be here than Rose. Your blood is Crimson baby girl. Don't ever forget that."

"Damn, who'd ever thought you could talk so much."

"Don't tell anyone. They won't believe you." After he winked at her he walked her back inside. He told her. "Try and have fun."

"I will."

...

As she headed in the clubhouse, semi-sober, the first body to spot her could've drastically changed her mood. He approached her cautiously and reached out his hands.

"Hey, wanna dance?"

"Cello?" She hesitated with her dress on, hoping her brother, didn't give her shit about it. But again, like Christmas morning he looked vulnerable, sans his cut. He must've took it to his bunker. At this point he was just in a wife beater and some black jeans and white tennis shoes. "Wow, Cello, is that you?"

"I mean, you have another big brother around here?"

"No. Just... thought you were enjoying yourself upstairs?"

"I saw you, and immediately came down." He tried two-stepping with her, but she was still trying to find her way tonight. The club wasn't her favorite scene. But she wanted to be able to get through it. She was on a good high until she saw Damon and Rose, drinking and having a good time. "Come on. You love this song." Marcel grabbed her and pulled her through the make shift dance floor. The club played a mixture of music, but tonight was a lot of oldies and old school. "Come on baby sis. Square Biz, Tina Marie. I know you know how we do." He grabbed her by the hand, smiling and started to dance with her. This moment reminded her of their father and mother when they danced in the kitchen.

"I'm talking square biz to you, baby. Square, Sqaure Biz... I'm talking Love-" he sang and smiled, giving her a piece of her brother she hadn't had in a while. He was happy and dancing and it made her forget quickly what a monster he was just weeks ago. Especially since, Craig was the new monster in her life now and she and Marcel spent a quiet Christmas together watching old family videos and making pancakes. Of the many monsters, in the world, Bonnie refused to be a victim of them because she was a victim of her own mind.

Damon and Rose walked out of the bathroom, and saw Marcel spinning his sister around. He surprisingly hadn't tripped on her little dress. Marcel must've been so far gone already.

Damon couldn't help but to notice how little Bonnie had on. He had to train himself to peel his eyes away from her when Rose and the club brothers were around.

The dance floor was dimmed with some lower lights. The club went all out. All the members had on their cuts tonight. Though, some opted for button ups instead of t-shirts.

Just as Marcel and Bonnie were having a good time, Damon knew he had to take his eyes off of her. He knew she and Marcel deserved some quality time. And as long as they weren't fighting each other, he was all for it.

"Rose, let's do some shots. I wanna be so far gone during the countdown. I don't want to fucking remember shit."

"Okay. Come on, let's go the bar." The two of them were trying to enjoy each other after the last fight they had. Still, she'd stolen some of his money and he hadn't figured it out yet because they were technically in euphoric bliss tonight, like everyone else.

...

Suddenly after a couple of dances, DJ slowed it down, and the lighting darkened. Always and Forever played over the building. Marcel grabbed his sister and held her in his arms. They swayed back and fourth, and she put her head on his shoulder. She listened as he spoke to her. "Sorry I'm not around much, B. I don't mean to be so distant sometimes. But, its harder to be around you and momma, and realize I can't be daddy, ya know?"

"You weren't meant to be him."

"I wasn't meant to be, but when he died I had no choice. You have no idea what's it's like for a black man with no father, having to protect his mom and sister. Y'all are all I have. ALL I have in blood family. I just can't risk losing y'all."

"I guess, it's gotta be hard. I don't know. I-" she stopped herself from talking. "Never mind. I guess I'm not the consummate little sister either. I could make things easier sometimes I guess. I know I'm difficult." They continued to sway until her face was facing Damon again. It didn't matter how much she tried to be somewhere he wasn't, she wanted to apologize for not being there the night he invited her. She wanted him to know she fell asleep trying to find the perfect outfit to wear for him. But her anger towards his behavior tonight took precedence. She was afraid to talk to him, because of how complicated things between them were. Sometimes she thought she had more time, but truth is, she had no time. She was learning to accept that.

"Maybe we can start over this New Year." her brother suggested. She couldn't tell if it was him or the liquor talking. So, she didn't answer. She just swayed. He'd broken her heart already, more than once. She just let him speak while she remained quiet.

The next moment she saw Damon smile happily, and take a shot with Rose, she realized she was doing the right thing by leaving well enough alone. The song changed to Purple Rain, and she looked up at her brother, as Stefan asked to step in. "May I?"

"Sure. I guess I should have another drink, since this slow music has me all sentimental and shit." Marcel was so drunk and happy, not once did he mention her short dress or her make up. He kissed her cheek. "In case I don't see you at the countdown, Happy New Year Baby sis." He rarely called her sis. He walked away, and she prayed, he could be that man all the time. But, she knew, it wouldn't be long before Marcel snapped again.

Stefan pulled her close to his body and wrapped his arms around her. Loving how she smelled, and how she held him. She made him feel important, when he didn't feel it for himself. And sometimes, as her best guy friend, he took his liberties to another level to make her smile.

"Stefan get your hands off my ass." She laughed.

"Sorry. I'm lit as shit." He laughed.

"Well don't get your ass lit on fire."

"Really B? I'm your best friend. I'm just checking that you're still doing your squats."

"And, what's your conclusion?"

"May I?" He asks permission.

"Sure. A few seconds." He placed his hands on her ass, gently, and squeezed. Somehow he garnered his older brother's attention, who had no idea how to take Stefan and Bonnie's friendship status. Stefan grabbed comfortably for a bit and Damon wanted to fuck his little brother up for touching her hat way. Until he saw Bonnie move his hands to her waist. "Okay, your conclusion, perve?"

"Well, I can't say your doing squats for sure, but you're definitely doing something." When they both laughed Damon just turned his head away. He could strangle his brother and Bonnie for making him question himself. "Damn B, your ass is on point."

"Oh I know it is." She laughed.

"Remember what happened an hour ago in the bathroom?"

"Yeah." She spoke nervously.

"We kind of took it to another level by kissing."

"I know."

They both paused thinking about it.

"I never thought I'd ever kiss you." He whispered into her ear.

"Same." She was too embarrassed to say a lot about it. Bonnie's love for Stefan ran deep but she wouldn't dare complicate her life with this mistake. And now that her brain was sobering up after a talk with Gino, Bonnie was thinking more clearly about it.

"Well, not since that one time, freshman year that we never told anyone about. Including Lexi."

"Swore it never happened. Remember?" She reminded him.

"Yeah. Sorry. And about an hour ago... ?"

"Shh. We don't have to talk about it."

"Yeah but, something felt different."

"Stef. Please. We really can't complicate shit okay. Shit is very complicated." She looked him in the eye sincerely, needing this moment to pass. She rested her head back on his shoulder.

"You're right. But, I want you to know I meant what I said in the bathroom. Because nothing would ever change, you being my best friend." He pulled up and looked at her. "I mean it."

Her doe eyes acknowledged his words and she nodded. He leaned down and kissed her cheek then pulled her closer.

"So, tell me... you're feeling Caroline tonight, aren't you?"

"What! Pft!"

"Stop, I saw how you looked at her when we walked in. Be honest."

"I mean, yeah she's hot as shit, but- you know I was with her friend. She's with Tyler, whom I know."

"And you've both been cheated on, so, there's nothing wrong with just having some fun. I'd love for my two best friends to actually become friends. You have a common bond." She laughed.

"No shit, Ty... cheated on Caroline? What a fuckin clown."

"As I said, it's probably a good way for you two to bond and become friends. And you don't have to worry about her taking your place with me, because there's enough space for both of you in my life. She's a good person." Bonnie said.

"Can you take these sunglasses off?" He pulled them off, too drunk to notice she'd been crying earlier. But at this point beyond the drinks and the highs, she looked normal to him, except the scratch.

"How'd you get this scratch?"

"Accident."

"Wow. It looks deep." He said forcing her to turn away.

"I look like shit, didn't have a lot of time to do too much makeup." She laughed.

"You don't really need it. You never did." Stefan was getting too close right now. She couldn't handle it, because taking her glasses off reminded her of Craig.

"Why don't you go find Care?"

"She's by the bar talking to Frankie and Maia."

"Come on, let's go get her. I need to have a drink. I sobered up quick." They walk to the bar towards Caroline so Bonnie could get another drink because she'd practically sobered up. But it wasn't long before they noticed her disgust. "What's wrong babe?"

"Nothing. Let's go to the second floor." She said pulling Bonnie away, but before she succeeded, she saw Damon and Rose all over each other. Suddenly the reality of the moment hit her. She couldn't escape what happened hours ago. Rose reminded her of the mindless woman that assaulted her with Craig, and how she seemed more into Damon than he was into her. The way he didn't care about the casualness of his sexual nature in a public place.

"I'm gonna go."

"Bon, No... come on. Don't let this-"

"It's not him I swear okay. I told you I had a long day, and so much on my mind. I need to rest. But I'm not asking you to leave."

"I came with you. I'll leave with you."

"What, no. Do you want to leave? Honestly?"

"No. But I will for you."

"You having fun? Enjoying tonight?"

"Yeah. I mean after Tyler. And years of routines with the Lockwoods... this is so fucking fun."

"Okay then. You and Stefan seem to be getting along, and I want you to have fun. He'll look out for you and won't let anyone fuck with you."

"I don't know it feels weird, I mean Stefan and Elena, me and Tyler... seems a little cheesy, don't ya think?"

"No. Seems like everything happens for a reason. Besides I'm not telling you to hook up with him. Heavens no. I'm saying, you should enjoy this night. He will make sure you have fun. It's just one night. I want you to stay if it's what you want. I totally would if I wasn't tired. You trust Stefan?"

"I mean, I guess. He's been fun tonight. And easy going."

"He wouldn't take advantage of you I promise. He knows I'd kick his ass. He'll make sure you have a good time. Plus, ask him about his wounds. He gets a kick out of showing those." Bonnie laughed.

"I just hate the idea of you being alone."

"I'll be asleep." She kissed her cheek. "Besides, they say whatever your doing to bring in during the new year, is how you'll spend your year. So, enjoy yourself." Her soft grin was somber but Caroline felt it in Bonnie that she wanted to be alone.

"And you?"

"I do need to focus on resting more this year. Anyways, enough. I'm leaving. Have fun." She smiled. "STEF!" She called out. "Take Caroline upstairs, and show her how to play pool. Then show her your battle wounds." She laughed.

"B you can't leave you're fuckin wasted."

"I was until your brother ruined my high. I've been sober for over half an hour."

"No. Don't fucking leave. I'll drive you."

"Stefan, I'm fine I promise. And you are drunk, you can't drive."

"No. I'm gonna get Cel if you leave."

"I can take her." Bonnie turned and saw Gino standing sober and bored watching everyone party. He was a lifesaver. And Stefan and Damon trusted him more than anyone else in the club.

"See. I'm good. Gino will take me." She smiled awkwardly. "Please. Go and have fun. You two will get along. I know it. You're both a lot alike. Come Monday I better hear how you guys are friends."

Caroline hesitated, and turned to Stefan, who was was comforting, "Come on, I don't bite. Well, I do, but only if you ask."

"Well, I won't be asking Romeo."

"If you say so." When they turned around, Bonnie had already disappeared. Caroline told Stefan to wait for her by the bar. She grabbed Damon, while he remained stuck on Rose.

"What Blondie?" He asked impatiently while she barged between him and Rose making Rose react.

"I'm so sick of-"

"Stop." He held his hand up shutting Rose down without a thought.

"You know, I was totally team Sal. I had been rooting for you to make a break through and destroy the reputation you had and love my best friend the way she deserves. But you didn't make it easy tonight."

"What? Don't start with me-"

"I'm not, I'm finishing. I was just going to tell you, she's gone. So, you can quit acting like you're so into your bitch. If your goal was to make her leave, by being a dick, you succeeded." She left it at that, and walked away to find Stefan.

Damon stood feeling like shit. He never liked or wanted to hurt Bonnie. He couldn't handle her just leaving him hanging and his ego got the best of him. He got reckless tonight with his actions and allowed Rose more rope to continue to hang himself with.

...

Bonnie walked to her car. She insisted Gino let her drive because she was fine. But he wouldn't let her drive alone. So he trailed her on his bike when she and left. She was only a couple miles away, but she drove around crying for a while. And he followed her. Even when she told him not to. She couldn't stop replaying the events in her head. She was feeling the effects from crying, as the memories pounded into her brain like a throbbing headache.

She thought she was such a tough girl, and in a matter of moments, someone like Craig had ripped it away from her. She pulled into her driveway, and looked in her driver mirror. Both her eyes were red and puffy. She wiped the lipstick off her mouth. Most of the reason she left the party was because she was uncomfortable concealing her face with makeup, knowing she needed to rest and clean her face and ice it.

"Ten. Not so bad for a New Year's Eve." She said to herself. She still had a little bit of a high, so her face, looked even worse to her. She got out of the car, and headed towards her house, to take a shower, but was stopped by Damon sitting quietly on her porch. Bonnie tossed her hands up and sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"What were you doing in your car for so long?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Why did you stand me up?"

"I didn't." She said sliding her sunglasses down to cover her eyes again.

"Bullshit. I called, and I waited. For hours. You fucked me up in the head turning your phone off."

"I was exhausted. I fell asleep and my phone died."

"Classic." He laughed sarcastically.

"It's the truth. Why would I lie?"

"You sure it wasn't James. Huh? You sure you didn't just realize you could do way better than me?"

She was stunned he'd even think that. As much as she'd given to him this far. Her time. Her trust. Her word. Half of her freedom.

"So, that's what this is? Your ego...Why would you even...? I mean what gives you the audacity when you've been fucking Rose? Me? No, you! Fuck you. You're so selfish. You get angry with me for what you fabricate in your mind, when you're the one throwing your extracurricular in my face..."

"I give up a lot for you."

"You're the only one? I'm sorry last I checked I have to be escorted to and from places by you. You know when I'm home, when I wake up and go to bed. You're with me when I'm not at school or with Caroline. Where are you when I'm not around?" He couldn't answer. "Exactly. I'm not demanding as much from you as your demanding from me. My job. My time... I give you everything for you to toss it back in my face when you don't get your way. It's unfair and I won't let you do it."

"I waited." He said breathlessly. "I waited. For you! I don't wait for anyone. Ever. But for you, I waited."

"Did you hear anything I said? I was exhausted. And- Damnit, normally we could go word for word, but not today okay. I'm exhausted, and I need to take a shower. You wanna throw a fit go ahead. But I got shit to do. I have a job, and volunteering, and school, I'm sick of having to prove myself to you."

"Why do you have those sunglasses on? You stoned out of your mind?"

"No." She maneuvered her keys to the lock to open her door. Damon didn't believe her. He stood up and stare at her for a while. She was exhausted, and trying her hardest not to fight with him, so she could escape this close examination of her face.

"I've seen you drunk and high before." He said reaching for her sunglasses.

"It's not that. Knock it off, let me go shower. So, I can sleep. I have to work tomorrow."

"No you don't." Damon wrestled with her for a second, but it wasn't long before he snatched her glasses off. Something didn't look right.

"Baby... look at me." He tried turning her face towards his but she avoided it. He pulled out his cell phone and lit it on her face. He didn't have to say much, his facial expressions spoke volumes. She turned her face again. "You been crying. What's wrong?"

"I need to go inside." She said quietly.

"Talk to me. What's wrong? Was it because of me?"

"Was it because of you? What do you think? You push your way into my brain and make everything about you. On purpose. You know how to get to me, and you do it. You do it so fucking well. I'm not like you. I don't try to hurt you. I just try to survive. And your ego can't handle it."

"I didn't try to hurt you." He explained.

"The one thing that annoys me most, is me being seventeen, and your thinking its a pass for me being stupid." She yelled at him. "Men are so fucking stupid. I have feelings. Imagine me throwing James in your face right in front of you. Imagine I kiss him, and laugh and look at him the way you looked at her. I couldn't hurt you like that. Your head is so thick." Damon stood back from her, and couldn't imagine how he and Rose made her feel, when he felt like she didn't take him seriously.

"I didn't try to. I didn't think you cared."

"I don't care anymore. I get it. She's loyal. You need a woman to be like a puppy. Loyal and doting on its master. I'm not that woman. Never will be."

Bonnie turned away to work on her door. Damon felt stupid but, he couldn't change what had happened.

"You're wrong. Me and Rose... it's not what you think."

"I don't care. About you, her, none of it. Tonight solidified your non-existence to me." As passionate as all of Bonnie's arguments were tonight, Damon felt an entire shift in her. She wasn't looking him in the eye and her body kept shifting away from him. When she gave him her back he couldn't take it.

"Is that all? You seem bothered by something else tonight." He grabbed both of her arms from behind to keep her from operating the key in the door. "Talk to me. Tell me what else is bothering you."

"Stop asking me. Let me go. I haven't seen you in a week and you have ignored my texts and calls. So just let me be."

"No." He spoke softly. His body was gentle with hers, and she didn't want to face the situation or his judgement, about how she was wrong, and how she made a mistake, which eventually lead to her being assaulted. "Tell me, what's wrong. Your body is shaking." Slowly he turned her body towards his.

"It's not a big deal." He then saw her eyes more closely and the scratch on her face.

"What happened?"

"Stop. Go away. I'm fine." She pushed him again, but couldn't get her door open by the time he pulled her body away, snatching her keys. She couldn't look at him and he just grabbed her in his arms and hugged her. He wasn't letting go of her, and she knew it. "I fucked up. I fucked up."

"How? Talk to me?"

"I went back." She cried.

"Went back where?"

"Craig... messaged me, said he had footage of you. Told me if I didn't want you getting arrested, I'd better come back and do my shift today."

"What? You went there again? Without protection? Baby... why?"

"Because, he told me come alone, or, he'd have you and my momma arrested."

"No. No... Baby girl, don't say that."

"It's fine, you were right. I'm stupid. I'm a stupid fucking teenager, who thinks she's knows everything, and I don't."

"I never called you stupid. You're not stupid. What did he do?" Bonnie's eyes pooled with tears, and she tried to fight the feeling, but when her lips shook uncontrollably, he could see her feeling fearful, and his blood started to boil. "Did he try anything? Did he... touch you?"

"I don't know how to explain what he did. It was fucking weird. I'm not even sure how it made me feel. All I know is I'm an idiot for going there alone. But I was afraid he'd get you arrested. I couldn't let you go to prison for me."

"What happened, baby, tell me."

"First you should know, I'm done with it, okay. I'm not going back. I promise."

"Talk to me. Tell me what happened?"

She hesitated and wiped the space under her nose and above her lip. "I don't know. The whole think was kind of sick and twisted. It was like some disgusting fantasy. And the worst part, he knows I'm seventeen. Apparently he did some research on me and my mom. So, he used that to his advantage. Threatened my mom."

Damon was growing impatient as she spoke, because it forced him to worry more about what happened to her. "What did he do?"

"So, I didn't go topless. I swear. I went in jeans and a shirt. Because I couldn't handle him trying something. But... he forced me to change in some other clothes while he watched me."

"What?" His Blood already rushed to his fist.

"And... then he instructed me to... I don't want to talk about it."

"You have to. Okay. I need to know, or I can't help you."

"He made me sit on his lap. And act like he was Santa Claus. Told me to-" she couldn't get detailed. "he rubbed himself against me, he touched me. And he let that woman watch as he violated me."

"Touched you- like how? What woman?"

"His hands, between my legs then he pulled my hair when I tried to stop him. And it was the same woman from the incident."

"Wait, what the fuck?" Damon's lips tightened, and the pupils of his eyes grew almost the size of his iris' as she spoke. "Why?"

"I don't know, because he's psycho. He has a kink fetish, he made me call him Mr. Clause and he called me little girl. And he tried to- he... I don't want to talk about it."

"No, talk to me... tell me what he did. Did he rape you?"

"No, I didn't let it get that far. He... he... made me bend over on his desk, and let his fingers touch me all over. and then I don't know, somehow I got out of there, but I did. Right after he- jacked off and-"

"The fuck?"

"There's Nothing we can do. He had the whole thing on some live stream. He made five-hundred thousand dollars letting people watch him humiliate me. Dressed as a little girl."

"Go to my apartment!" He said, jogging quickly down the steps.

"Papi... please don't. I won't go back. EVER! I promise."

"No. Fuck that."

"Please come back here!" She screamed. He stopped and walked towards her. "He'll have you arrested. He has footage of you too. He's... sneaky."

"I'll be back." He held her cheek. "I promise."

"I just- I should've known better. Don't go there. He's threatened me and my momma. He said he'd let the authorities know about my job, if I didn't keep you away from him. He knows my age, and will get both me and my momma in trouble. I just want to forget about it. It's my fault!" He stopped in his tracks. "I'm sorry."

"He threatened you, your mother, and me too? After he and I had an agreement. And he told you he has me on camera?" Damon laughed like it was a sick joke. "Okay."

"Yes. So, if you go there, it'll be worse. And he told me, no one would believe me, because he had the systems tech, loop the surveillance for twenty four hours. So no one will know I was there. So, just stay out of it before you get locked up."

He wiped his mouth, and looked at her. "Get to my place, right now! Don't make me tell you again! Here." He gave her his key.

"Listen to me-"

"No. Gino. Take her now! And stay with her til I get there." He demanded, then walked down the street to his bike. Before she could get her mind wrapped around it, she got on the back of Gino's bike. She was nervous for Damon, not wanting any trouble for him or her mother.

...

She got to his place, and felt like falling apart, while she was alone. Gino sat outside of Damon's apartment. While Bonnie sat on the floor of his shower, and cried. And she felt bad for crying because it could've been much worse. She felt selfish, after being constantly warned. She was blaming herself, emotionally.

She knows he could've done much worse. Many people have been hurt much worse. She tried to stop herself from crying but she couldn't. She continued to cry like a baby. Because something, very delicate was taken from her that day. Her self-awareness, and trust in herself. She cried, more than anything, feeling disappointed in herself.

And, she just knew, if she would've listened to everyone it wouldn't have happened. She felt like it was her fault, and no one could convince her otherwise.

---

So damn much this chapter I can't even make an authors note. It was very intense and so much between Bonnie and Damon got real. Any predictions? Because it took me too long to edit to do an accurate recap. But I will post the main characters of this chapter.

Bonnie (went through a range of emotions and analytics)

Damon (let out some insecurities but truths)

Stefan (took his liberties in every way. Testing boundaries with everyone)

Caroline

Gino (with an earful about Laz and Big Sal's history- along with Damon's fight past)

Rose

Craig & Rosalie

Marcel

Detective Parker (tid bit)

Vin

Introduction of Mr. Danzig