A/N: I have to put out a disclaimer with this chapter because it gets a little…intense, a little gruesome…that's the best way to put it.

Disclaimer: These characters are the creative property of LJ Smith and The CW. No copyright infringement is intended.

Once upon a time there was a girl who grew up in a small town who had big dreams. These dreams consisted of either becoming a fashion designer living in luxurious cities such as Milan, Paris, Tokyo, or New York or becoming a doctor and making a medical discovery that would revolutionize the world, but then reality sat in and her dreams diminished.

Now she was faced with a dilemma, an internal struggle, a ceaseless nightmare with no probable outcome that could conceivably work in her favor. She had bitten the forbidden fruit of the supernatural, poisoned by its seductive lore, shrouded in endless sorrow.

Yet what stood before her were two princes both alike in darkness but filled with their own light. Each carried with them both condemning and redemptive qualities that made them perfect mates in an imperfect situation.

In her mind's eye Bonnie stood in a dark forest standing across from her immortal options with that forbidden fruit in her hand, and when she looked down to see what it was, she realized it was her heart. Was it every girl's wish to find herself in a love triangle, to be the benefactor of having caught the attention of men so alike they were twins but were not born of the same womb? Many would call her lucky, having the pick of the litter, but Bonnie felt nothing but trapped.

But this power that dwelled inside her, engorged like a wave, pulled them both infinitely closer to her. One she'd have to let go of while she other she gave herself fully to.

This would not be a fair fight.

The Bonnie Diaries…

"Watch your step," Tyler instructed as he led Bonnie down into the slave quarters of the old Lockwood property. Ooh, she hated being here for several reasons and felt she was doing a grave disservice to her ancestors by willfully going into this dungeon. Bonnie tried her best not to think of a million scenarios that the enslaved were treated too here. Yeah, Mystic Falls was a place that reveled in its "Founder's traditions" yet they liked to gloss over the fact this was also a town entrenched in slave ownership.

Tyler licked his lips. "How did you know…about my secret?"

Bonnie wasn't sure how much of her own secret she should expose. But there was one thing she knew for certain, she couldn't tell Tyler about the vampires.

"I know you've heard me in the past say that I'm psychic. Well when I touched you the night of the basketball game that ended in infamy, I saw something in you, Tyler. So I did a little research and I was able to put two and two together."

"So you've know what I am since the basketball game? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I wasn't sure back then, and you wouldn't have believed me if I told you."

Tyler took a deep breath and realized she was telling the truth. If Bonnie Bennett had pulled him to the side to tell him he would one day become a werewolf he would have asked what drugs she was on after laughing in her face and calling her some colorful names. After she left his house that night he stayed up all night reading the book she had given him.

Well, it certainly didn't make him feel any better. He learned that he would break every bone in his body during the full moon cycle before turning into a snarling creature that would kill whatever got in its way. He also learned that wolfsbane was toxic and if touched or ingested it would burn the living daylights out of him, but it may be useful in slowing down his lycanthropic transformation.

"You're right, Bonnie. I wouldn't have believed you," Tyler scrubbed a hand across his face. "Did you know there is a classification of werewolves?"

Bonnie shook her head.

Almost excitedly Tyler began to explain what he learned. "There are werewolves that are exactly that, they stay werewolves meaning they can never change back into human form again. And then there are lycans. Lycans can take the shape of humans but turn into wolves during the full moon cycle. And then there are shape shifters who can take the form of any animal, but sometimes take the form of a wolf."

"Oh, that's…um…interesting."

Tyler moved over to the chains giving them a sturdy tug. "These chains are pretty far embedded into the rock. I think if I anchor myself to them, it should help keep me from transitioning."

Bonnie looked around at the lovely décor. She cleared her throat. "I still think someone should be here to keep you company."

Tyler refuted her words with a vehement shake to his head. "I can't risk it, Bonnie. There's no proof that I'll be able to recognize anyone in my lycanthropic state."

"But Tyler, this isn't something you should do by yourself."

"I don't need a live audience, either," his tone changed and Bonnie figured it best to stop pushing the issue. She couldn't say she was particularly fond of Tyler but that didn't mean she wanted him to suffer. He approached her looming over her. Tonight she had been his "date" for this fundraiser thing his mom concocted at the last minute. Bonnie agreed to come only because Tyler said he wanted to talk to her and share something with her.

"Don't take my attitude the wrong way. I do appreciate everything you've done for me. Oh, and thanks for the wolfsbane."

Bonnie attempted to smile and was sure it came off as shaky. She didn't like being here underground and especially not with a werewolf. Tyler's emotional state was volatile and the wrong spoken word, or someone bumping his shoulder in a way he didn't approve could set him off earlier than expected.

"You're welcome. So you're really determined to do this by yourself?"

He shrugged. "I'd ask Mason to help me but he's left town and hasn't returned any of my calls or texts."

Bonnie did her best not to drop her eyes to stare at her shoes. She hated she had to keep such a large, crushing secret from Tyler, but that was one problem she rather not have at the moment.

"Besides," Tyler continued, "I figured all of this is payback for being a dick to people for no reason other than I could. I got away with so much because of who my dad was and it wasn't like he was the best person on the face of the planet either."

Okay, so in need of a subject changer, Bonnie thought idly. "Ty, just because you…weren't nice to a few people doesn't mean you deserve this as some type of punishment. You were born with this unfortunately, but it doesn't mean you have to be a monster."

Tyler sighed heavily and thrust his hands in his pockets. "I know that, Bonnie. But in the end aren't we all just rehabilitated monsters? There are people who are inherently good. You couldn't pay them to be evil. People like you."

Bonnie shook her head to refute the claim. "I have my bitchy days, trust me."

"Yeah, I know not to mess with you a certain week out of the month," he cracked his first genuine smile of the night.

Bonnie smacked his shoulder. "Ass."

"Just keeping it real.

"Well if I can't change your mind with my awesome negotiating skills, does this mean we can go now?"

He snorted and then showed them the way out. In silence they walked back to the front of the property where Tyler helped Bonnie into the town car that would take her home.

"Be safe," he told her.

"You, too," she smiled at him.

Tyler shut the door and watched as the car pulled away. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and wondered what the following day would bring.

Minutes later Bonnie entered her house, traipsed upstairs, and fell backwards on her bed. As usual she had too much on the brain. The situation with Tyler, notwithstanding, she had all these powers swimming under her skin, and in her blood. Damon had been persistent in wanting to tap a vein and she repeatedly told him no. Slipping her boots off, Bonnie began to undress, and once she changed into her night clothes, armed with a bowl of ice cream, she called Caroline. She spooned the dessert in her mouth and listened as Caroline raged over Bonnie's novel idea.

"You have officially lost your mind if you think for one second that I'm going to help Tyler Lockwood through his werewolness."

"Caroline, I don't think that's a word."

"Oh, poo. You do realize that he is my enemy at least according to folklore and if he bites me I might die."

"Yes," Bonnie said and took a sip of her iced water. "But one of the things I've always loved about you, Caroline is your big ridiculous heart. You're the girl who spent the money she saved for an angora sweater to buy a plane ticket for the kid she mentored so she could fly home to Louisiana for Christmas."

"You're point?"

"My point is that Tyler is going to need someone with him. Someone who can bring him down a peg or two, and someone who is eternally optimistic, and you my love fit those qualifications."

"But why can't you do it?" she whined. "I mean, you gave him that book. He would expect you to help."

Bonnie sighed and sat up in bed. "I would, but there's something else I have to take care of. Please, just think about it."

Caroline sucked her teeth on the other end already knowing she would cave, but she had something else in her arsenal "But what about the Katherine situation? I'm supposed to be lending my muscle or something. How do you expect me to be on the lockout for her and help Tyler?"

"Do you think I haven't worked all the variables out in my head? If Katherine is smart she wouldn't want to go anywhere near a person who's going to transform into a werewolf. The way I see it, your safest bet is being with Tyler."

"You're putting me in danger to keep me out of danger."

"Yep, that sounds about right," Bonnie replied cavalierly. "Care, you don't know the responsibility I feel is on my shoulders to keep everyone important to me safe."

Caroline sighed. "I can't believe I'm about to go along with this. Okay, fine. I'll talk to him, but the first time he's a jerk to me, I'm gone."

"Thank you, sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow."

"All right," Caroline sighed heavily into the phone. "Love you."

"I love you, too."

The following night…

There wasn't a clear cut definition for the term eye-sex but Bonnie was fairly sure she could create one. And she had the perfect target i.e. motivation for it-Damon Salvatore. She wouldn't call herself a seasoned professional when it came to this sort of thing. Bonnie could clearly remember the first time she engaged in the act. She had been at a party, holding up a wall when this gorgeous guy with honey colored eyes and deep mahogany skin strolled past her line of vision. Bonnie instantly locked gazes with the dark stranger, following his every move with a piercing stare that packed enough heat to melt the flesh off his bones. She didn't have a salacious thought or curiosity about the size of his package or how ripped he might be underneath his Polo shirt, but with her gaze alone, she let him know she was deeply appreciative of what she was seeing.

Bonnie was enjoying a late dinner with her small group of friends when Damon, dressed in his usual uniform: a skin hugging black T-shirt, dark jeans, and Durango boots sauntered by their table, his methane flame eyes targeting her like a heat-seeking missile. Bonnie held his gaze without a hint of challenge or defiance, tracking him like a sniper shooter, saying everything in her eyes that her mouth couldn't form the words to speak. She felt his gaze break through the impenetrable barrier that kept her feminine wiles locked away, imprisoned, and entombed lest everyone around became consciously aware of how devastatingly beautiful she truly was.

His gaze, she could translate into a thousand different meanings but they each shared the same chord: sex. He wanted to touch her in all the places where his eyes landed; wanted to taste her butter soft skin on his icy tongue, wanted to join their souls in that spiritual union that's only legalized through and by marriage.

She broke so many rules whenever she and Damon were in the same vicinity. But when Damon reserved that look of mischief and lust coiled together and pinned her with it, Bonnie felt arrested, tried, and convicted.

Bonnie didn't so much as blink. She kept her eyes plastered to his back as he exited the restaurant. Conversations around her flowed without interruption, and she covertly looked around to see if anyone was paying her any attention. The coast was clear and Bonnie rose from her seat, pushing the chair away from the table, and maneuvered her body through the tables without bumping into a single soul.

Once outside she didn't need to look right or left because Damon was front and center, perched on his car looking smug and delicious. She didn't give herself time to question the intelligence of her decision to follow him. Bonnie knew better than to tempt fate. There had always been something about the Damon she verbally sparred with, attempted to murder, and had saved more than she'd like to think about, that held her. His hooks were buried deep into the recesses of her subconscious and no matter what she tried to do, she just couldn't shake him.

And she no longer wanted to.

Her feet carried her over to him and he stood from the car to tower over her. In the past Bonnie had been intimidated by his closeness, his nearness, but now she lived for those moments where mere inches separated their clothing, their bodies. When she was in reaching distance, he cupped her cheek, ran the pad of his thumb across her warm skin, his blue eyes darkening to indigo.

"What do you want, Bonnie?" he asked point-blank.

Bonnie slipped her finger through a belt loop and tugged him just a little bit closer. "You."

That cocky grin broke across his fatally handsome face making her heart subsequently melt and beat faster. How had she been blind for so long? Hatred had a way of turning the most beautiful person into the ugliest monster born in the imagination. Nevertheless, she no longer hated Damon. She was beginning to need him like air, like water, like shelter.

Yet there was something else she needed more. His touch.

Right there their mouths fused together like pieces of steel. They fought for dominance, fought to get closer to the other, just plain fought until they tumbled backwards to the hood his car, Damon's back taking the brunt of the fall. His mouth ravished hers, biting, licking, sucking, and Bonnie felt dizzy and out of control. He was consuming her, bulldozing his way past all those brick walls she'd built up since the death of her Grams, since the murder of her innocent perception of life in Mystic Falls.

She shamelessly whimpered when Damon tunneled his fingers through her long, wavy chocolate locks. And with those hands they trailed down her back, contouring the moons of her ass before grabbing them.

A gasp escaped her kiss swollen mouth and Bonnie pulled away so she could watch his pupils dilate.

"You continue to fight me on this," Damon nipped her bottom lip, "and I'll make you regret it."

"I'm going down with this ship, Damon, and I have no regrets…"

Bonnie's eyes slowly opened and crashed into a pair of black as night orbs. She was fully prepared to scream one) because he scared her half to death and two) he might have picked up the last visages of her dream, which could end with her being a world of shit. Damon stopped her from uttering a single shrill sound by forcing his lips against hers.

Her eyes remained open the whole time Damon kissed her. Guilt about what she dreamed slammed into her that it nearly knocked Bonnie backwards out of bed but then she felt a warm body against her, and her horror intensified.

"Good morning," Damon whispered. "You're in Elena's room so I think its best you not scream. Wouldn't want the girl to wet the bed, would we?" he snickered.

Bonnie giggled and swallowed numbing fear back down her throat and relaxed against the bed, and snuggled up to Damon, but then realized she was caught in an Elena/Damon sandwich.

She jolted up. "Get out!" she screeched as quietly as she could. "Are you freaking crazy?"

That notorious grin was locked on his face making it damn near impossible to remain pissed at him. "If you can live out your fantasies of being all powerful why can't I by waking up in bed with two beautiful women?"

"Damon, I swear I'll kill you right now if you don't get lost," she ended with a tiny smile.

His nimble fingers tucked unruly strands of hair behind her ears. "You'd miss me too much if you did try to assassinate me."

Bonnie face palmed herself and made a move to climb out of Elena's bed who slept like the dead. For that she was grateful. Bonnie's dream continued to plague her, and when Damon made the comment about her missing him if he died, it did tighten her chest. What the hell was she doing? Bonnie didn't turn around to acknowledge the fact Damon was following her and the both of them entered the bathroom.

He locked both doors and stood against it, arms folded.

"I have to pee," she announced.

Damon hunched a shoulder. "I heard someone say that its love when you can carry a conversation with a person while they use the restroom."

Bonnie grimaced. There were certain things she didn't mind doing to prove she was close to Damon, however, urinating in front of him wasn't one of those things.

"Out, vampire," she huffed.

"If I haven't said this before you are the most beautiful thing, even when you're attempting to be stern with me." Damon bowed before her and disappeared.

After handling her business, Bonnie stepped out of the bathroom back into Elena's bedroom where she saw her friend making up her bed.

"Morning," Elena beamed as she pulled her long hair into a messy ponytail. "I feel like playing hookie today."

Bonnie crossed over to the bed and flounced on it. "You feel like playing hookie everyday."

"Did I hear Damon's voice or was I dreaming?"

Bonnie grabbed a hold of one of Elena's favorite stuffed animals and played with its ear. "No, you heard him."

A look of confusion marred Elena's face. "Either he really loves you or he's just a stalker. I thought you made it perfectly clear that you were spending the night with me and that you wouldn't be available," she grinned and slipped her socks off in preparation for her shower.

Bonnie shrugged, and felt that pang again when Elena mentioned Damon loving her. Jeeze her conscience was going to get a workout today. "I've learned a long time ago not to deny Damon anything. He's going to do what he wants regardless and I'll just be wasting my breath."

A knock sounded on the door. "Come in," Elena said.

The door slowly opened revealing the culprit.

"Good morning, Damon. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," Elena rolled her eyes.

Damon ignored her catty remark and approached Bonnie. "I don't mean to impose on your morning, but I find it nearly impossible to stay away from Bonnie."

Elena shook her head, ponytail swishing back and forth. "Yeah, she is irresistible. Are you two going to behave yourselves while I'm in the shower?"

The smile Damon flashed her way told Elena everything she needed to know.

"We'll be good," Bonnie promised.

Elena eyed them before stomping her way to the bathroom.

Damon studied her for a minute and realized Bonnie hadn't made eye contact with him. He sat down on the bed facing her. "You look like you have a lot on your mind."

"I do," she opened up to him. "When this is over can we go somewhere? Just the two of us?" There was a lot she would need to discuss with him and she didn't want to do it in Mystic Falls. Plus, there was something else she needed to tell him but she just wasn't ready. Not yet.

Interest and intrigue flashed in his eyes and he reached for Bonnie's hand. "Wherever you want to go just say the word and I'll make it happen."

She smiled and leaned over to kiss him. "Thank you, Damon."

Sometime later when Elena stepped out of the shower she could hear Bonnie and Damon whispering.

"Bon, just let me lick it."

Elena's eyes widened and she felt her cheeks coloring over.

"Damon, we've talked about this and my answer is the same, buddy, no."

"Don't be cruel, woman. You know you enjoy it just as much as I love it."

"We're not going there in my best friend's bedroom. So stop asking."

Elena slipped on her school clothes and came flying out of the bathroom. The scene before her didn't exactly match what she had expected to see. Bonnie was digging in her overnight bag pulling out her clothes, while Damon stood next to her running his fingers along her spine.

"Hey," Elena's voice made Bonnie jump but she didn't move away from Damon. She stared pointedly at her friend.

"I'm going to head downstairs to see if Jenna needs any help in the kitchen," Damon made himself scarce.

The moment he was gone, Elena walked over to Bonnie. "Was he seriously going to try to…go down?"

Bonnie grabbed Elena by the hand. "No!" she blushed profusely. "We would never do that in your room. Completely disrespectful. I cut my finger; it started bleeding, he wanted to lick the blood away. He's been obsessed with drinking my blood now that I'm powered up like the energizer bunny."

"Oh. Do you think you taste different?" Elena asked awkwardly.

Bonnie shrugged. Her blood probably had more kick to it but she figured that was all.

"Well I'm going to monitor his behavior around Jenna."

"Good luck," Bonnie teased.

The minute Bonnie was alone her phone buzzed on the night table. Stretching to retrieve it, Bonnie stared at the LCD screen before answering. "Hi. Yeah, I'm up. What's up?" Bonnie listened to the voice on the other end and quickly gathered her things for her shower.

"I'll see you soon," Bonnie concluded her conversation and got lost in the bathroom.

Damon had a bad feeling about today. Nothing was going to go as planned. Despite it being a beautiful sunny day, he heard a news report about dogs around town going berserk and attacking their owners. He had no idea what that was about and really wasn't interested in looking into it. Besides he had his own mind on his own problems, and that sense of foreboding only tripled when he walked into The Grill and smelled the familiar stench of wolf.

His lip curled back from his teeth as he headed over to his favorite stool and ordered three shots of Jack. Damon ignored the fact it wasn't happy hour. He texted Stefan for an update on Bonnie's status and waited for his brother to get back at him.

Damon flashed his eyes to the bartender when he sat his drinks down in front of him. The burn of the alcohol was familiar but didn't do enough damage to counter the burn of impatience that was roasting the center of his chest. His palms, for the first time in a long time were itchy and clammy. Damon just wanted this whole business with Katherine to be over and done with for good.

The sounds of two familiar voices caught and held his attention. Damon looked over his shoulder as Elena and Caroline entered the eatery. His brow furrowed and he wondered what they were doing here when he knew they should have been in school.

He must have been on Elena's radar because her eyes found him immediately. She told Caroline to find them a table as she made her way over to the surly looking vampire. Damon sighed heavily and turned back around to face the plethora of bottles stacked behind the bartender.

"Damon," Elena said in her most gentle voice.

"What are you and Suzanne Sommers doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?"

Elena tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Something she did when she was nervous. Damon's left eye squinted as he looked at her.

"School was mysteriously cancelled. A lot of kids are taking advantage of it and they're planning a party tonight in the woods."

"Of course they are," Damon muttered sardonically. "Have those little crackheads learned nothing?"

"You know how it is, Damon. When there's danger around people lose common sense like loose change. Have you seen Bonnie or talked to her? I've called her three times and she hasn't answered my calls. I mean, she spent the night with me…"

That got his full and definite attention. "And you're just now letting me know about that?" Damon reached into his back pocket for his wallet and slapped a twenty on the counter. He rose abruptly from the stool causing Elena to jump back.

"I'm sorry," she said feeling flustered about her faux pas, "but I figured she might be with you or with her boyfriend."

Upon hearing that Damon rolled his eyes fully prepared to hunt.

"Oh, I don't mean to intrude," a woman with blue eyes and dirty blond hair infiltrated their conversation. Damon sensed the wolf on her which instantly made his hackles rise. "Did you say his name is Damon because I'm looking for a Damon. Damon Salvatore to be exact."

Elena was fully prepared to answer the woman when Damon reached over and quickly pinched her to keep her mouth shut.

"Ow," Elena complained and rubbed the spot.

"Sorry, don't know the guy," Damon replied and quickly bustled to the exit, Elena fast on his heels.

"Damon!"

He zoomed back over to Elena, slapping his hand over her mouth and taking hold of her arm. Briskly they walked towards his parked car. Through clenched teeth he said, "Stop screaming my name, Elena! That chick back there is a werewolf."

The brunette's eyes widened before they trailed back to the entrance of the restaurant where the woman in question stood on the sidewalk eyeing them something akin to suspicion.

"How can you tell?" Elena asked as lowly as possible.

Damon fumbled for his keys. "I can smell it on her. Keep her off my trail while I go look for your little witchy friend."

Elena looked lost and overwhelmed. "What do you expect me to do? Have small talk with her?"

"Yeah, do what you do best and talk a hole in her head. But do not, and I mean not tell her I'm Damon. I mean it, Elena."

"I understand you, D…"

His eyes were furious and wild which squelched what Elena was about to say. She curtly nodded her head and stomped her way back to The Grill.

And so it begins, Damon thought as he collapsed behind the wheel and gunned his engine.

Bonnie entered the boardinghouse with one goal in mind. Retrieve. She had been too careless the other night, showing up unannounced all because she wanted to see Damon and thank him, but then forgot she left something vitally important behind. Something she knew she'd need in order to defeat Katherine.

She disliked thinking of her impending showdown with the bitch of all whores as some comic book event-glossy images come to life in the real world. But that's how she felt and figured it was the perfect analogy to use.

Bonnie took full advantage of the fact that neither Salvatore was here and quickly went into the library to retrieve her grimoire. She hugged the book to her chest and retraced her steps, but then stopped.

And there she was. Katherine.

The vampire in question with her best friend's face turned as if she were in a pageant showing her beaded evening gown in Bonnie's direction. Her blood red lips parted revealing perfectly white teeth just seconds before her incisors lengthened to fangs.

"You just made this too easy for me, Bonnie. Thank you."

Bonnie snorted because she heard the sincerity in Katherine's voice. Bonnie's stomach didn't cramp and her fight or flight mechanisms were operating at their normal levels. She was ready for this, knew she could do this. All she really had to do was survive. Sounded good in theory, but Bonnie didn't have the power of a hundred witches for nothing. The days of floating feathers and lighting candles were over.

"So how would you like to do this?" Katherine asked calmly, deadly calmly. "The easy way or the hard…"

Bonnie dropped her book at the same time she thrust out her hand which sent a pulse of energy spiraling into Katherine, punching her in the gut with enough force to slam her up against the wall. Bonnie didn't give her the chance to right herself before she thrust Katherine into the staircase railing where her body splintered the wood.

The wizened vampire groaned and cricked the broken vertebrae in her spine. She glared at Bonnie and was on her feet again, flying at her.

Bonnie stretched her arms out and then made the paintings and mirrors that lined the paneled walls crash into Katherine to divert her. It didn't slow her down much and unfortunately Bonnie found herself sprawled out on the floor, Katherine's hand clamped around her neck.

"I'm going to enjoy draining you dry," she hissed.

Broken glass sliced through Bonnie's skin. She ignored the sting of it as her fingers fumbled with finding a piece large enough to use as a shank. When she found one to her liking she wasted no time jamming it in Katherine's side.

An inhumane gurgle bubble from the demented vampire's lips but she didn't release her hold on Bonnie, who in turn punched Katherine with all her might. That finally got her off of her.

Bonnie took off running and made it to the front door when she was yanked backwards by the hair and thrown across the living room. She landed in one of the padded chairs, toppling it over prior to crashing on the floor. She bit down on her tongue hard, hard enough she tasted metallic blood. Slowly Bonnie got to her feet ignoring the internal pain of her body and looked around.

Katherine was nowhere to be found.

Anger, Bonnie told herself. She needed anger to fuel her because her adrenaline was working overtime and it wouldn't help her last as long. So Bonnie took an inventory of all the shitty things Katherine had done. She came between two brothers, one of them her immortal uncle. She repeated her actions again, the effects which would trickle through the decades pitting her best friend in the middle of an ongoing feud between another pair of vampire siblings, and then of course was the biggest offense. Katherine killed and turned her best friend into the one thing Bonnie had been programmed to hate and destroy if given the chance.

Unbridled rage took over and Bonnie saw nothing but red. But she had to be smart about her next move.

Soon her ears were bombarded with the sounds of Katherine's taunting laughter. And the next thing Bonnie found herself doing was throwing herself over the back of the couch or she would have been hit with a vase that came flying out of nowhere.

"I can understand why Damon wants to bend you over the nearest flat surface. You're a tough bitch, I'll give you that much, which really comes as no surprise. You're Emily's blood."

Bonnie looked over the edge of the couch and saw Katherine perched on the second floor railing, admiring her nails.

"But Damon will never love you and I'm sure if he had to choose between who's life he'd save something tells me it would be Elena every time. He sees me when he looks at her, and he loved me for nearly two hundred years," Katherine boasted. "That kind of love never dies overnight, Bons. Can I call you, Bons?" she grinned prettily.

In the art of war it was always best to let your adversary think they were capable of a quick and fast victory. That way they'd let their guard down which would subsequently make them vulnerable.

Bonnie stood up and recanted a spell. Blood in copious amounts began to pour from her nose. That was the trick, to make Katherine believe she was weak and possibly near death.

Katherine stared at her with glee before she sobered. "Flimsy," she chastised. "I thought I could play with you for a little while longer but c'est la vie, I guess I don't know my own strength," she shrugged.

Inwardly, Bonnie smiled. "I don't know, Kat...do you mind if I call you Kat…I think I still have a few rounds left in me," Bonnie flew, flew up to Katherine who hadn't been expecting that and tackled the hoe to the ground.

His mate was in trouble. That innate feeling slammed into him with the delicacy of a sledgehammer to his brain, and instantly got Damon into motion. Without question he jumped into his Ferrari, gunned the engine, speeding through town like a phantom. Damon reached out with his mind searching for Bonnie, calling her, shouting her name demanding she answer and tell him what the hell was going on. But instinct told him exactly what was going on. She was fighting for her life.

His phone started wailing like a hungry child and he distractedly answered it. "If this isn't Bonnie get off my phone."

"Bonnie's in trouble," his double alerted him.

Eyes the color of charcoal reached heavenward. "Tell me something I'm not vitally aware of."

"Where are you headed?"

"To the place where I feel her the most. The boardinghouse."

Their lines disconnected at the same time and Damon pressed his foot harder on the gas.

Bonnie never thought she'd experience what flying through a glass window would feel like. She knew it wouldn't feel amazing but mostly like having her skin exfoliated with needles.

She didn't go through it alone. She held on tightly to Katherine like she was a Koala bear as they went careening through glass thick enough to lacerate her skin and shred her clothes. She used Katherine as a pillow and toppled over her with her full weight which had been successful in jarring the vampire for a second, leaving Bonnie enough time to get to her feet and take off running towards the woods.

Katherine spat out a wad of blood as the world around her went on a tailspin. This bitch was proving harder to kill than nuclear powered roaches. It was slow moving getting to her feet but she accomplished this in possibly a matter of seconds that felt like hours. Katherine dazedly look around, didn't spot Bonnie anywhere yet when she turned the volume up in her ears she could hear the girl running at full speed towards the surrounding forest. Katherine's high heel boots shattered the remaining glass on the ground into microscopic bits and after taking two steps she threw herself across the expansive yard to close the gap that separated her from her prey.

Bonnie ran at a breakneck speed—for her—and didn't waste time by stopping to check to see if Katherine was following after her. Sooner than expected, Bonnie felt rushing wind behind her and she said nothing but a single word.

"Incendia!"

Fire erupted along the trees, spreading, licking up the ozone in the atmosphere to make itself grow. Katherine screamed, hopped out of the way to avoid being scolded but the heat of it alone licked across her icy skin making her taste her death with each step she continued to pursue the witch.

Bonnie? Bonnie where are you damnit?

Forest, Bonnie replied simply. She couldn't carry a conversation with Damon right now despite being relieved to finally hear him. She was almost at her destination when naturally nature decided to add its two cents. Her toe stubbed against a rock and she went crashing to the ground. Her head made contact with something sharp and she felt it inject into her skin. She groaned and cried and shakily got back to her feet.

The fires continued to burn and when Bonnie chanced looking over her shoulder, in slow motion she saw Katherine barreling down on her like a pit bull. Her eyes were full of malice and promise of a slow agonizing death for Bonnie, but Bonnie had made a deal with God this morning that she wasn't going to leave behind a good-looking corpse. She was off again.

"I'm tired of chasing you!" Katherine yelled into the air. She came to a sliding stop on the forest ground, not spotting the witch. The frustrated vampire gripped her long locks and pulled. No one and she did mean NO ONE had ever eluded her like this.

Tentatively Katherine stepped forward, sampling the air as she walked. A twig snapped to her right and she headed in that direction where she saw Bonnie leaning against a tree.

"Finally you've come to your senses."

Bonnie didn't utter a single word which only served to infuriate Katherine more. She remembered her fight with the Salvatore's and had to admit she enjoyed the commentary because Damon had been colorful, Stefan had been brooding but at least they kept her entertained. Bonnie was being a mute pain in the ass and she couldn't wait to pop her head off like a cork. But her death would only be more poignant if it could happen in front of a live, studio audience.

She flashed over to Bonnie, noticed she looked extremely lethargic. Smiling bitterly, Katherine bit into her wrist and shoved it into Bonnie's mouth who squirmed. She held her in a vice-like grip refusing to give an inch. Where was that fight now? She thought smugly.

Katherine grinned when she sensed she was being surrounded and she looked deep into the woods and easily picked out Stefan, and the two Damon's. Two humans were out there as well and yes of course her vampire child.

Katherine clamped the witch's hands behind her back as she held her tightly around the throat.

"Let her go, Katherine," Stefan demanded in that negotiating voice of his.

Shielding herself behind Bonnie she forced the girl forward. "I think I'm the only one in a position to give orders here, Stefan," Katherine hissed.

"You harm her and I will rip your intestines out and shove them down your throat," dark-eyes promised.

"So violent," Katherine's eyes widened dramatically. "Please," she dismissed him.

"Oh my God, Bonnie," Elena came to a stop, mouth open.

Caroline took one look at the picture and immediately vamped out. That must have been a signal because blue-eyes and Stefan did the same.

What to do, Katherine wondered. "I was fully planning to be merciful with this one," she shook Bonnie, "but I change my mind. She's had my blood."

Elena's eyes widened. "No, Katherine, please."

Blue-eyed Damon's chest began to rise and fall rapidly because he knew Katherine was vindictive enough to go through with this.

A chorus of "NO!" rang out when Katherine did the unfathomable and twisted Bonnie's neck.

Bonnie dropped to the ground and Katherine was off again.

Katherine would give them two dilemmas: chase after her or help Bonnie. She was probably half way to freedom when her rib exploded and she was thrown sideways.

When she landed and reached for her side and felt the burn of wood, she grimaced. Someone shot her with a wooden bullet.

Alaric, who was some distance away looked into the scope on his high powered rifled preparing to fire another shot.

This time he aimed for her leg.

Katherine let out a piercing scream and then before she could recover her head was bashed into a tree.

Elena fell to the ground next to Bonnie pushing her hair out of her face, seeing that dead vacant look in her jade eyes. Tears spilled from her eyes, mucus from her nose. She could hear the vampires snarling as they all chased after Katherine.

"Oh, my God, Bonnie," she lamented over her best friend wishing she had the strength to go after Katherine herself and rip the bitch apart, but Bonnie needed her.

Damon said a litany of curse words in Italian when he spun Katherine around, wild with fury. Blue-eyes and Stefan reached him with the newborn bringing up the rear. His teeth drew back revealing frighteningly long canine teeth which he promptly dug into Katherine neck and ripped out a huge chunk of skin, muscle, and fat.

"Urghh!" spilled from Katherine mouth along with blood and her arms were thrust apart, a Salvatore brother holding each one as if they were ready to nail her on a cross and then, a fist was thrust into her chest as cold fingers wrapped around her heart.

"Give the devil my regards when you see him, you whore," dark-eyes said and pulled that vulnerable muscle out of Katherine's chest.

Her surprised eyes lost all color before her lids shut-forever.

He stepped away and allowed the others to dismember her. Woodenly Damon returned to where Bonnie lay on the ground. His black-eyes were unblinking as he fell to his knees, hands shaking as he pulled Bonnie's lifeless body towards him, propping her up in his lap. He cupped the back of her head and rocked her gently as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"I'll take care of you," he vowed. "Just come back to me."

Damon stood to his feet and carried Bonnie bridal style to the house. Behind him a procession followed and once they reached the boardinghouse there was a flurry of activity.

Damon, with the blue-eyes operated on another sentient level because if he stopped and allowed his brain to process what just happened before his very eyes, he'd lose his shit.

"Put her in my room," he ordered and then headed down to the basement to get packets of blood. He swallowed the bile that flirted with the back of his tongue as he tried to get himself together. Bonnie would go through with the transition. She had to. That is, if Katherine had been telling the truth about feeding Bonnie her blood.

He closed his eyes at the same time he slammed the deep freezer shut. She wasn't dead, he constantly told himself. She would come back. As a vampire-yes, but she would be alive-sort of.

Damon gently laid Bonnie out on the bed and arranged her neck the best way he could. He tried to be as delicate with her as possible even while knowing in the end it wouldn't really matter. In this dimension becoming a vampire wasn't all that different from how he turned. He knew a person would have to die with vampire blood in their system and then finish the transformation by drinking from a willing or sometime's not so willing donor. But there was another way a human could become a vampire and that was constantly swapping blood with a vampire and having that vampire constantly feed from them.

Just thinking of what Katherine did to his angel made him want to kill her all over again. Damon got distracted by the dried blood coating his hand, the hand he had just plunged into Katherine's chest. He balled it into a tight fist and sneered.

Blue-eyed Damon entered his room and slapped the blood bags on the night table. He briefly flicked his eyes at his counterpart and the two of them nodded. They could put their differences aside because Bonnie would need both of them.

Elena and Caroline flanked Bonnie, each one holding her hand, silent tears rolling down their cheeks.

"Is she going to go through with it?" Caroline addressed the elephant in the room. Everyone was privy to Bonnie's views on vampirism and knew it would be next to impossible to convince her to transition. But they couldn't lose her and she couldn't be so selfish as to leave them so young, and so early in her unfinished life. They would have another fight on their hands.

"She has to," Elena said vehemently. "She can't leave us. We won't let her."

Stefan slipped a hand on Elena's shoulder before his eyes found his brother's only to find they were plastered to Bonnie's still frame.

This was going to be the most painful twenty-fours of their lives.

Vaguely Stefan heard the front door open and close. What now?

Chapter end.

A/N: There's a lot I want to say about this story in general at this point, so I'm going to make this brief. My job as a writer is to put out product and let you guys make decisions for yourselves on what's happening and why. I change my mind about this story all the time but that's just the beauty of imagination. Some might be frustrated with the lack of TV Bamon vs. Book Damon and Bonnie or feel she's becoming Elena. That's certainly not the intent of this story to turn Bonnie into the new Elena. She knows who it is she wants, but TV Damon can't stay away from her, and what he says and does impacts Bonnie because lets be real she's a hot blooded female, not a robot. I implore you to enjoy the ride. I've acknowledged I can't make everyone happy with this fic and it would be frustrating on my part to try. All I want to do is tell a story. Sorry for this mini-rant but I had to get that out. And if you're wondering why Bonnie didn't use more Power to defeat Katherine, there's an explanation for that as well. But lets focus on the facts: Katherine is dead, Bonnie may or may not turn into a vampire, and Jules is sniffing around. Stay tuned. Thanks for reading! Love you!