Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. They belong to L.J. Smith/The CW

Summary: The longer they stay away from Mystic Falls the more they wish they could leave it behind forever.

A/N: Okay guys. I have a poll posted in my profile about this story that I need you to vote in, please! (It's at the very top) It deals with possible future plot lines AND future Bonnie/Damon fics by yours truly. Also if you feel that you need to say more than yes, no etc with the poll please PM me. I honestly want your opinions on this. I know it's my fic and I can do what I want-and will-but I feel like you guys have been some of the most amazing reviewers ever. WLB wouldn't be as fun to work on if it weren't for the reactions from outstanding Bamon fans, so I'd like your (and appreciate) input! In other news thank you for all of the previous reviews of course. I hope you enjoy this bit! Oh the poll will remain open until August 20th.

Don't Go Home Yet

There were rumbles in the starry night sky and lightning off in the distance but Bonnie hadn't heard anything on the television about a storm. Still these things could pop up at any moment but she wasn't worried. She was sure the hotel had a generator or something; at least they should for what they dared to charge people a night. Though it would be romantic to light a few candles and watch the rain after they got back from the club. Romantic for her anyway since Damon didn't seem to have a romantic bone in his body. Or was it considered romantic when a man would rip out the heart of a hybrid for you?

Sitting outside on a low stone bench in her white baby doll dress, she dug the high heel of her matching shoes into the ground and sunk into the semi quiet of the area. She was early for the get together with Andrew and Spencer but only by a few minutes. Prince Damon was still upstairs cooing over his reflection in the mirror, trying to get his hair just right. It was amazing at times how vain he could be. It made her wonder just how many women—and men—over the years had told him he was gorgeous or beautiful? The number was most likely staggering.

And he's with me. One of the most gorgeous men ever wants me! Is this how it feels to be a Disney Princess?

Anyway though she was looking forward to doing a little dancing and then catching a late dinner with their new friends. Now that she knew Spencer wasn't going to set anyone on fire she could admit that she liked her. She was smart and funny, and she was doing something that Bonnie hoped to do one day. Mainly run away with a cute boy and not worry about all of the bad things going on in the world. Granted she didn't want to be in her forties while doing it but it wasn't the most horrible thing that could happen. It was just—she sort of got the feeling that Spencer was hiding from the matter at hand which was basically the future. If she wasn't turned she would die one day and leave Andrew behind. But if she was turned she would be giving up her family and ever having a truly normal life.

Bonnie didn't envy her decision and she was not looking forward to making it herself one day.

However it would only be logical to become a vampire after spending years and years with someone. Andrew and Spencer were already in a common law marriage and they obviously loved each other. She should just adopt some kids, raise them and hope by the time they're eighteen she still looked as hot as she did now.

Tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear, Bonnie smiled at the elderly couple in matching golf outfits and checked her silver watch. Out of the blue she wondered if she would ever see her mother again or if she even wanted to. What would they say to each other? Did they have anything to say to each other after the way things ended? At this point she kinda just wanted to yell at her and pop the blood vessels in her brain to perhaps gain a bit of closure.

It was weird because before Damon breezed into her life she'd been mostly happy. She focused on other things besides how boring her life was in comparison to her friends; like cheerleading or her Grams odd ravings. She'd never realized how utterly alone she'd been before Damon was there to annoy her and keep her company. He brought mayhem but he also brought a bit of comfort. Had Emily known all along how much she would end up needing Damon? Is that why she linked them together in the first place?

Man that seems like forever ago.

I can't picture going through what I have been through without Damon behind me. There is no way I could have dealt with Klaus being a jerk or my mom without his support.

"Bonnie."

Jerking out of her thoughts, she looked up and smiled at Andrew who looked quite dapper in his black suit. "Vampire stealth. You'd be surprised how often I actually forget about that."

He chuckled and sat down beside her. "I am sorry if I startled you."

She shrugged. "It's cool. So, Spencer taking a while to get ready too?"

He smirked a little. "Yes. Don't tell her that I told you this but she's worried that she won't look as good compared to you. Considering you are younger and everything."

She blushed but was happy for the compliment. "I'm sure she is going to look beautiful. I bet we are the hottest chicks in the club tonight."

Andrew hummed and looked up at the starry sky. "I think meeting you has been good for her. I haven't seen her this animated in a long time. In a way I think she was just going through the motions. Or maybe wishing she could just go through the motions."

Bonnie tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

He wet his lips. "Spencer often tries hard to pretend that we are a normal couple. That I am a normal young man. She doesn't like to see me feed or use my compulsion. I mean she is quite aware of how we are allowed to stay in such extravagant places but I know deep down it bothers her." Pause. "And then here you are with Damon…and you're the opposite of that. You don't mind what he does, do you?"

Well… "I used to. There was a time when I thought it was all bullshit to be honest. Messing with peoples' minds and treating them like happy meals?" She sighed and saw Caroline's face. "But in a way it's all part of his survival and Damon isn't the murdering bastard he was when we first met. He only drinks from blood bags or me, and he doesn't compel people just to be a dick. It's like we have a set of silent rules; he can't kill or hurt for fun."

Andrew nodded, listening intently. "And what are his silent rules for you?"

She thought on that for a moment. Damon didn't really try to bar her from doing anything except for flirting with other guys. "I'm not allowed to put myself into needless danger. He doesn't like it when I'm hurt."

"But you do it anyway I'm guessing." He smiled softly. "For him."

"Yeah." She chewed on the inside of her cheek. "There are people in my life that I can keep safe so I do. A part from my father, Damon is the most important person to me now. Which still strikes me as weird because we didn't exactly get off on the right foot when we first met. He tried to kill me."

"Spencer mentioned that but I thought she was joking." He whistled in disbelief. "So hate turned to love?"

Bonnie couldn't help but grin; that was sort of an apt description of their situation. "Kinda. One of my ancestors linked us together so that Damon couldn't hurt me again, and so that he would have to protect me. We started sharing dreams and things got really heated between us. Then danger kept popping up and we kept saving each other." A beat. "We both tried to not fall for each other but it was kinda written in the stars."

Andrew played with the gold ring on his finger. "It's a little hard for me to think of Damon as lovesick. His reputation is slightly notorious in the vampire community. I met him once a long time ago and he was—well he didn't strike me as a nice guy."

I don't think he strikes anyone as a nice guy. "He has his moments. You know you don't need to give me the 'Damon is a killer' speech because I've heard it a dozen times before. Everyone thinks he is wrong for me and once upon a time I did too. But not anymore. I love Damon so much that sometimes it scares me because the thought of anything happening to him makes me feel cold inside." She touched her chest and pressed down against her heart, a swell of heat burning against her palm. "I would do anything for him; I learn that more and more every day."

The other vampire lowered his voice. "How did you come to that decision? I love Spencer with all my heart but—but I don't know if I could kill for her. We've never been in that situation."

Bonnie patted his hand. "Trust me if it were between her or some asshole trying to hurt her, you would. Maybe not a human but totally if it were something supernatural."

He still appeared conflicted. "I am not sure that I have that killer instinct. I've never liked that aspect of being a vampire—of having to take someone else's life to survive. I suppose it is because I was turned against my will. I've always tried very hard to retain parts of my humanity and killing is so animalistic."

He is a lot like Stefan in that regard. Except I don't think he goes crazy if he has too much human blood. "Damon enjoys it I think. It makes him feel strong and invincible. But I still think if Spencer were in trouble you'd be there for her."

Andrew ran his fingers through his pale hair. "I have to admit that I envy you and Damon. You just—you're so in sync with each other. Spencer and I have been together for years but we still have no clue what we are going to do on the immortality issue. Damon said…well he said if you were dying he'd just turn you whether you wanted him to or not. It's foolish and horrible but I can't help but find him to be a little brave."

"I don't know if I would call him brave." She teased. "He's selfish to be honest but I think in that situation he would have to make the choice. I wouldn't be able to. Besides all of the danger and near death stuff has made Damon and I stronger, yeah, but couples go at their own pace. I wish there was nothing but smooth sailing in our past. I don't like the scars we've been left with."

"It's so hard for people like us. Humans and vampires. Our love never tends to work out." He said sadly. "Humans die and vampires don't, generally. I could make Spencer like me but she would miss out on so many wonderful human things. I know she wants a family. At one time so did I. Not to mention she would have to watch others that she loves grow old and die."

"Andrew you know there are a lot of spells out there. I'm sure she could find one to make everyone happy." She shrugged; she didn't like his glass half empty outlook. "Spells for kids and longer human lives. For everlasting youth. With magic anything is possible."

He turned his eyes towards the hotel. "Except turning a vampire human."

She blinked at him. True she'd never heard of a spell with that sort of power but there were still hundreds of Martin grimoires that she hadn't read through yet. At this point she wouldn't rule out turning someone into a frog for real. "You never know. Maybe one day you'll get your wish. If I ever find something like that I'll make sure to text it to Spencer."

Andrew laughed lightly. "Thank you." Just as he was checking his watch, Damon and Spencer rounded the corner bickering like old friends; Damon in a dark suit with a white shirt and Spencer in a slinky red dress. "Ah. Here they are."

"Sorry!" Spencer wobbled in her high heels. "My hair kept doing this weird thing and it took a bit to finally get it like I wanted." She flowed into Andrew's arms when he stood and hugged him. "You two look amazing sitting out here together though. I almost have a mind to be jealous."

Bonnie waved a hand. "Oh please you look gorgeous. Red is definitely your color."

She preened a little. "I think we'll be able to keep up with you and Damon at least."

Damon snorted and took Bonnie's hand. "We'll see about that."


Leaning over the sturdy railing on the second level at the club, Damon Salvatore smirked and watched as his lovely girlfriend dance with Andrew. She looked amazing under the bright flashing neon lights and so happy; the smile on her face so genuine. Being away from Mystic Falls suited her and he really hated the thought of taking her back there eventually. There was nothing waiting in that damned town but death and assholes. Why in the hell did they continue to live there?

Anyway there was something different about Bonnie, something dark and enticing. He hadn't said anything—and wouldn't—but he got the feeling she was still riding the high of the spell that helped them take down Klaus. Bringing Jeremy back to life and all must have been a total rush. He could relate to the whole playing God thing. Now not only could she take out vampires but humans as well…if it ever came to that.

He was waffling between being worried about her dependence on the magic and wanting to worship at her bad ass altar. Really with all the fuckers out there that wanted them dead, it made sense for her to be powered up. That was after all the main reason he could never eat rabbits and squirrels like Stefan. He liked being super strong and super fast and super cool.

Besides it's just a bit of magic. Sure it turned Alaric into a serial killing maniac but he had also died a bunch of dies. Bonnie's never died. And it's not like she's setting things on fire for the hell of it. Not anymore anyway.

Fuck that was awesome.

We had great sex that night.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Spencer ascend the stairs with a shot glass in each hand. She weaved through the crowd of hipsters and handed him his with a big grin. "Bottoms up!"

He took it and knocked it back effortlessly, hissing as the cool liquid burned his throat. "That hit the spot."

She giggled. "Ugh I haven't drunk like this in a long time! I'm scared what I'm gonna be like in the morning."

He shrugged. "Nah you'll be fine. Besides you only live once, right? The key is just to do it for a really long time."

She laughed and copied his pose, gazing down at the floor. "Bonnie's awesome. When I first saw her I had no idea she was a teenager. She seems older."

"They grow up fast in Mystic Falls." He murmured. "Grow up fast or die quick."

Spencer tucked strands of silky blonde hair behind her ear. "That sucks. It's weird but I get the distinct feeling she's seen more in her few years than I've seen in my entire life."

Damon arched a brow. "Why Spencer, you wouldn't be jealous would you?"

Her cheeks flushed pink. "Not really. Don't get me wrong I don't wanna be running for my life but, I'm so boring! Okay so yeah I'm dating a vampire but that's the only intense thing I've got going on. I've never had to use my powers for much of anything that wasn't like, doing the dishes or making the flowers in my mom's garden grow." She pressed her full lips into a pout. "I can't even remember the last spell I did."

The grass always seems greener on the other side. "Yeah but you also don't have to remember seeing your friends die or what it feels like to have a fire poker driven through your chest. Let me tell you…it's not fun. And as fabulous as Bonnie and I look most of the time we're held up in my house. Or her house. Or my car."

"I don't know." She exhaled, twirling her empty shot glass between her fingers. "I enjoy my life and before meeting you two I was content but now I can't stop thinking about what I'm missing. I mean where is the passion?"

"I think you're just drunk."

"Ha! Or having some type of mid-life crisis."

"That too. 'Cause trust me sweetie, you don't need someone trying to rip out your heart to bring on the passion. Either it's there or it's not."

"Maybe it's cause I'm older now. I used to be a little wilder. I wonder does Andrew prefer me when I was younger?"

"If he wanted a younger model he'd trade in."

Spencer smiled softly. "True." Licking her lips, she edged closer to him. "You know Bonnie is on her way to becoming a very powerful witch. I can feel her energy even now and it's throbbing."

He grinned. "I know. I can feel her too. It's intoxicating."

She nodded. "It's consuming. I just—just don't let her get in too deep too fast okay? It happens and witches have been known to do some serious damage without meaning to. The magic takes control and that's never a good thing. The witch craves more and more power and they don't care how they get it."

Damon squinted at her. "If Bonnie wakes up one day and decides sinking Australia is a good idea, I'm gonna cheer her on. As long as she's not hurting herself or my brother we're good."

"Damon, it's not a joke. I think one of the reasons that you like her so much is because underneath it all she's a very sweet girl. You wouldn't want that to go away." She bumped his shoulder with her own. "Dark magic would slash away at any goodness that she has until it's completely gone. Do you wanna see her doing horrible things?"

Honestly? I'm conflicted. "I'll get back to you on that."

"You're terrible!" She said teasingly. "You're not fooling me one bit."

Damon smirked and continued to watch Bonnie and Andrew dance. They were close together and his hands were on her hips, both of them swaying to the pendulum-like bass that thudded from the large speakers. While a twinge of jealously skittered along his skin he knew that it was harmless. That there was no reason for him to storm down and attempt to throw Andrew into the bar. I think I remember hearing he's older than me. That would cause issues if he wanted to fight back. And anyway there were identical twins practically devouring Andrew with their eyes that looked like trouble.

One in gold and the other in silver.

This should be interesting.

Seconds passed and then Silver decided to make her move, slithering up onto Andrew's left and flashing a bright smile. She whispered something into his ear and he—ever the stick in the mud—artfully declined. He had total artfully declining face as far as Damon was concerned. When her feminine wiles didn't lure him away, she turned her attention to Bonnie.

"Should we go down there?" Spencer inquired. "Those skanks look kinda evil. They might throw a drink on Bonnie or something."

"Bonnie can handle herself." A light bulb went off over his head. "But you want more insanity in your life? C'mon." He grabbed her hand and tugged, pulling her down the metal steps and into the thick of the crowd.

They made their way through gyrating bodies and drunken people having loud conversations to where their partners stood; Bonnie looking five seconds away from doing something bad. The moment she spotted him however she lost interest in the twins, shoving each of them out of her way to get to him.

"Did you come to stop me from kicking their asses?" She asked smiling.

"No. I brought Spencer to help you." Damon slipped his arms around her waist.

"Sounds like fun." Bonnie turned her attention to Spencer. "You should teach them a lesson so that they know to never mess with someone else's man again."

Spencer looked between her and the skanks that were currently trying to make an Andrew sandwich. "What should I do?"

"You're a sexy witch. Do whatever you want." She leaned back against Damon's chest. "Andrew is your guy and they should respect that."

Biting her bottom lip, Spencer was obviously torn between being a little wicked simply because she could and just physically removing Andrew from the situation. Damon wasn't surprised that she decided to be a little evil though when he thought back to their earlier conversation. Welcome to the dark side. We've got cookies.

She glared at both girls and slowly muttered something under her breath. Silver and Goldie seized up like they were struck by lightning before yelping and wiggling like they had ants in their pants. They began to scratch at any part of their bodies that they could reach, arms and legs and shoulders. Tiny red dots broke out across their skin and quickly turned into a rather painful looking rash. Goldie noticed hers first and she shrieked, making a beeline for the bathroom like her life depended on it. A minute later her sister followed, shouting that they needed to get to a hospital.

"Bravo!" Damon laughed. "That was good."

Andrew blinked. "Spencer? Did you—what did you do to them?"

"It's just poison ivy." She shrugged but couldn't hide her smile. "You are my hot boyfriend and if anyone is going to dry hump your brains out it is going to be me. Now…" She put her hands on his shoulders. "Dance with me."

Bonnie giggled and turned to face Damon. "We're a bad influence I think."

He winked at her. "We're perfection." His bright blue eyes searched her pretty face. "You know if you wanted to take over the world I'd help you."

"Oh really?" She kissed his chin. "What if I wanted to take over the universe?"

"That too." He mused and dipped her dramatically. "King of the universe has a nice ring to it."

Bonnie chuckled. "You're insane but I love you anyway." She rested her cheek to his chest when he righted her. "I'm having the best time with you. I wish we didn't ever have to go home."

He ran his fingers through her hair. "Yeah that would be nice. Why do we have to go back again?"

Her voice was soft when she replied, "My dad is there and your brother is there. And all of our friends are there. Alaric is still on the loose, and so are the leftover Originals. And let's face it; it's only a matter of time before Elena needs saving again."

All true things. Eh. "We could just say fuck them ya know?"

She looked up at her with her big green eyes and if it were possible he fell a little more for her. "We could. But that's not who we are. Sometimes I think I could be like that. Sometimes I wanna be like that but I'm not there yet. Losing Grams and my mom walking out on me again has pushed me more into that kinda mind set. It's like I can't depend on anyone but you."

And once upon a time that would have scared the shit outta me. Okay who am I kidding, it still does. "I'll try not to let you down."

He sort of hated it when Bonnie got deep because usually it was sad and depressing. Her lamenting all of the ways things could go wrong or how much he'd disappointed her. It was scary to think they were so entwined that she wouldn't be okay without him. Even scarier because he felt the same way about her.

I think there is a term for this.

Bonnie gave him a squeeze. "You won't. You haven't so far."

Let's hope it stays that way.


The sky opened up after dinner and in a vacant park, Spencer and Bonnie made raindrops twirl like mini cyclones. They opened themselves up to nature; growing flowers where there were none and whispering quietly to the trees until their leaves shook and their branches stretched high. By the time the foursome finally made it back to their hotel they were soaked but happy, and Bonnie actually felt a part of something that wasn't mired in death or destruction.

She stripped out of her pretty dress and slipped into a fluffy robe once they were in the privacy of their room, crawling up onto the bed to watch Damon undress. He was wet with strands of black hair sticking to his forehead. He peeled off his white shirt, his skin glistening in the soft light of the room. This is real happiness I think. Or at least a part of it.

"I had fun tonight." She said combing her fingers through her wet hair. "We should totally keep in touch with Spencer and Andrew after we leave here."

He nodded. "Yeah they're actually okay. Old Andy could stand to loosen up though."

"He's got a lot on his mind." She replied, her eyes following his pants when they dropped to the floor. Sometimes she thought Damon was allergic to underwear. "But I think meeting us might have helped them. It's helped me. I mean knowing that we could be together for years and then when I get a little older you won't freak out makes me feel good."

He snorted and padded naked over to the bed. "You're gorgeous now and it's obvious you are only going to get more gorgeous with time. Why would I leave you?"

"Why do people do anything?" She sighed. "We can make plans for the future and they could all be blown to hell tomorrow. Frankly, I'm scared what will happen when we go home. Not about us but about everything else."

Propping up the pillows, he rested back to them and nudged her side with his foot. "We've beat shit before and we'll keep doing it. That's what we do. Long as you don't doubt us we'll be okay."

Bonnie rolled onto her stomach and smiled. "I don't and I haven't for a long time. We're solid." Pause. "So where to when we leave here?"

Damon grabbed his phone off the table. "Anywhere you wanna go, princess. We've got a full tank of gas and no need for money."

We could hit Miami or New York. Hell we could go all the way to Las Vegas and gamble. I bet Damon would love that; he'd be right at home playing poker or something. I guess we could do the same in Atlantic City. "Do you like to gamble? We could go to Vegas or Atlantic City."

He paused mid text. "Vegas has strippers and shows."

She smirked. "Shows sound nice, I don't know about the strippers. Not sure I could watch some girl give you a lap dance."

"Really? I could watch some hot girl give you a lap dance all night." He wiggled his brows at her.

That doesn't surprise me. "We'll see I suppose. But it might be fun. We might win some money and then I could pay for my own college stuff. I don't know. Just not ready to go back to Mystic Falls yet."

Damon finished with his phone and placed it back on the table. He slipped down the bed until he was face to face with her. "Me either. We'll try Vegas and see how that goes. With any luck we won't get caught up with some gangsters and I won't have to be all dashing and heroic saving you."

She laughed and kissed him softly. "Yeah maybe I'll have to be all dashing and heroic saving you." A beat. "Is it weird if I say I don't mind that kinda trouble? Like some asshole hits on me and you scare him away? Or some girl tries to get in your pants and I shut her down? Which reminds me I have to remember that poison ivy spell. But it's fun, ya know?" Her delicate fingers smoothed across his chest. "I like the look on their faces when they realize you're with me. Especially vampire girls though I think they'd be shocked either way since I'm human."

"Newbies." He inched closer and nuzzled her throat. "Any sane vampire would immediately get why I'm with you. Hell they'd probably be more surprised to find out that you're actually with me considering how fucked up I am. Witches are a hot commodity in the supernatural world. So far Andrew is the only guy I know that has one willingly besides myself." He placed light kisses on her skin. "Katherine wanted one and fuck, Klaus felt he needed three to get the job done. But it was mine that came out on top. I'm awesome."

Bonnie laughed again. "Congratulations on all your success."

"Thank you." Rising up onto his elbow, he caressed her cheek. "I couldn't have done it without you."

His words made her feel all toasty inside. "I do what I can."

~Fin~