"And in the middle of all my chaos, there was you." - Paullina Simons

14. Crying Wolf:

There was another event occurring in Mystic Falls. Another useless event that the council had decided to introduce for some reason. Thea was currently watching as her bonded got dressed, huddled beneath their blankets still. Looking around, she sighed softly, before asking, "Can you drop me off back to my place? I need to change and my reserve of sweaters I keep here had officially run dry."

"Why don't you just bring the rest of them?" He questioned nonchalantly, giving her his back. The blood-witch smiled at his attempt at casualness, feeling how nervous he actually was. Tilting her head to side, she smiled softly, "Are you asking me to move in, Damon Salvatore?"

The man shrugged, "You practically live here already, it would just make everything easier."

"Look at me." She requested, waiting until he turned around, beckoning him forward with a finger. Grabbing onto the lapels of his shirt, she began buttoning it up slowly, whispering, "You sure? I don't want to encroach on your space."

"I'm sure. I like having you in my space." He murmured in reply. Thea nodded slowly, before raising her head and saying, "okay."

"Wait, that's it? No song or dance required, you're just going to move in?"

She giggled softly, "You already said it, I practically live her anyway, this would just make it official." Wrapping her arms around his waist, he laid her chin against his chest, staring up at him as she said, "I like waking up to you every morning Ace. We are sleeping my place though, I have a feeling it's going to become increasingly handy to have a place where no other vampires than you, your brother and Care have been invited in."

"Deal." He murmured, before lowering his face to hers, pressing their lips together in a loving kiss. Pulling away, he threw one of his long-sleeved Henley's in her direction, chuckling when it landed on her face, "Get dressed Angel. As much as I enjoy the sight of you in nothing, Rick's coming, and I doubt he wants to see all of that."

"Fine." She grumbled, pulling it over her body. Standing up, she headed in his direction, leaning her head onto his shoulder as she added, "Vacation soon, please? I'm exhausted."

His hand dug into her hair, "Next weekend. You, me and whatever isolated house we can find, promise."

"Okay."

—

They'd congregated downstairs, waiting for Rick to arrive. As she held a cup of coffee in her hand, Thea reached into her pocket and pulled out her pack of cigarettes, interrupting Damon before he could begin admonishing her, "I need one. I'm stressed and keep almost dying, I think you can handle it. Plus, I'm literally ingesting your b blood on the daily, any damage my lungs may incur gets remedied immediately."

He sighed, before gesturing for her to hand him one. Complying, she raised her brow watching him inhale deeply, "And here I thought you were against smoking." She mumbled jokingly.

"I'm a vampire, Angel. It's not like its going to kill me."

"Whatever Ace. But you can't complain when I do it either, seeing as it won't kill me."

Before he could retort, the doorbell rang, and he headed in its direction, opening it with a jubilant, "Come on in Rick."

The girl raised her head, and waved a greeting at her teacher and friend, "Morning Rick. We've got coffee in the kitchen, if you'd like to refuel before giving us whatever news you've got."

The man nodded, smiling at her, complying with the request. When he came back, he laid a package wrapped in an old cloth on the table, before gesturing to it and explaining, "So, John Gilbert gave me this to kill Elijah." He unrolled it, revealing a dagger and bottle of ashes, as he continued, "Said you have to dip the dagger in the remains of an old white ash tree that dates back to the Originals, if there's any truth in that."

Thea tensed, saying, "Since when did killing Elijah become a viable option, and why wasn't I informed?"

The man looked at her pityingly, "Stefan and Elena figured you'd be too biased, but you know it's a possible good plan, Thea."

"Killing my uncle is a good plan?" She exclaimed. Damon's arm came to wrap around her shoulder, pulling her into his side, as he stated, "No. Not happening." He continued before Alaric could interrupt, "First of all, we're not killing Thea's family, it's not like she's got plenty of it left to begin with. Second of all, John Gilbert's a weasel, and I don't trust a single thing that comes out of his mouth, let alone something that can supposedly kill an original. Thirdly, Elijah is over a thousand years old, what makes you think any of us could possibly overpower him? He could rip all of your hearts out before you finished blinking." Rubbing his bonded's shoulder softly, he finished, "And finally, he's Thea's uncle. Why is killing him even an option at this point, when none of you would even consider killing John Gilbert or Isobel because they're related to Elena, even though they've proven to be nothing but nuisances. Why are we prioritising one over the other, when Thea is the one who's been through more tragedies and lost more people than the human girl."

"We're not prioritising anyone over anyone, but even you've got to admit that Thea can handle more than Elena. Losing anymore of her family would break her, especially since her parents only died recently."

"Did she see them?" Questioned the witch softly. When the two men looked back at her, she continued in a sad voice, "Did she witness their death in any way? No?" At Rick's lack of response, she stood up, walking slowly in his direction, "I had to hide in a closet with Andromeda when the Pura-Sanguinis broke into our home. We could hear our parents screaming for their lives, could feel the burn of the deadly magic flowing through our veins. I didn't get the luxury of waking up and just knowing my parents had died, I had to listen to it happen. And I wasn't 16 like Elena, I was 13. Can you imagine what that does to a child, Rick? Having to hear that, but knowing that you had to stay strong, because your sister needed you, only to walk into your shared apartment two years later, and find your sister, your only family, your protector, dead on the kitchen floor because of an aneurysm. Having to overlook that, because you knew they were still in your home, and you didn't have the luxury of mourning when you still had to fight for your life." Inhaling a shaking breath, she stared at her teacher, watching as his eyes grew damp under the weight of her tragedies, "I lost everyone Rick. And you're right, I can handle more than Elena, but how is that fair? How is it fair that I have to keep losing people, keep getting hurt, just to keep her from feeling it? Do you guys think I don't have a breaking point? That I'm some psychopath who cannot feel empathy or pain or loss? Because I do, I do and it breaks me apart, everyday. I still have nightmares Rick, and I've been saddled with a lifetime of PTSD that has fundamentally changed the way I exist, and who I am. I can't…" she shuddered, feeling familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind, getting pulled into a hard chest. Closing her eyes, Thea inhaled sharply, before continuing, "I don't want to lose anymore people. I can't lose anymore family. Figure something else out, because no one is going to kill Elijah, or they'll have to go through me. And I'm vicious when I need to be."

"Okay," he murmured softly. Walking up to her, he placed a steady hand on her shoulder, "Okay, we'll find another solution. You won't have to lose anyone else, I promise. And I know you've been feeling us that your instincts are never wrong, so if you've got a good feeling about Elijah, I'll trust you. I'll let Stefan know the plan's off."

She didn't reply, simply nodded at him, before turning and pushing her face into her bonded's chest, feeling his arms tighten their hold on her, the reassurance and love flowing through their bond flooding her in waves.

Thea wasn't joking, she truly didn't think she could handle anymore loss. Losing Andromeda had already pushed her into a near-suicidal state, she didn't know what anymore would do to her. And she was scared, and angry and frustrated and hurt. Because everyone seemed to forget that she was still 18. Just a kid who's had so many tragedies happen to her, and instead of wanting to protect her from anymore pain, everyone seemed to just ignore it, and put all of their efforts into keeping Elena safe. Why wasn't she as important to her friends? Hadn't she proven her love and loyalty to them, time and time again? Why was her well-being continually discounted in favour of everyone else's?

It's gonna be okay Angel. Damon's voice whispered across her head, We're not going to let anything happen to Elijah, I promise.

But why does no one care about me? Why is it always Elena, Elena, Elena? No one seems to give a shit that I hurt too, and they're always willing to pile more onto me to ensure her comfort. It's not fair, Ace. It's just not fair.

I know. But I won't let anything happen. Trust me, okay? You and your wellbeing are my top priority, I won't let you fall of the edge again.

He looked down at her, before smiling softly, hand reaching up to wipe a tear away, before he asked with a smile, "Your uncle seems to be the esteemed guest of honour at the historical Society tea party today. Think it's about time your introduced us?"

She giggled wetly, nodding her head. Looking back at Rick, she asked with a small smile, "You gonna be there? I'm sure Jenna got roped into helping somehow. Carol is like a dog with bone whenever one of these events happen."

"Yeah," he chuckled, "We were supposed to go to her family's lake house, but somehow, we both got roped into doing it."

"Alright," she murmured, looking back up at her bonded and inhaling, "hope you're ready to apologise for staking him, because I'm thinking he's not going to be happy about it."

—

They'd made it to the party. Thea had had to change again, forcing Damon to drop her off at her house, so she could put on some more appropriate attire, and pack a large bulk of her clothes to move into, their room, she supposed, back at the boarding house.

She could feel eyes on her as they walked into the house, and turning to her bonded, asked in a joking tone, "Do I have something on my face? Why is everyone staring at me?"

The blue-eyed man rolled his eyes, replying, "Because you look stunning and it still takes them all by surprise." His hand wrapped possessively around her waist, pulling her into him, as he growled, "However, I am five minutes away from tearing eyeballs, since you're mine and all."

Thea giggled lightly, laying a small peck to his cheek, "Calm down Ace. You're the only one who gets to see what's underneath."

"Except I didn't, now did I?" He questioned mockingly, pouting.

Leaning closer to his ear, she whispered enticingly, "You'll get to tonight. Provided I can get through the day without almost dying again."

"You will. I'll fucking make sure of it," he mumbled, before pulling her towards carol Lockwood, who was busy talking with a familiar, brown-eyed man.

"God, he just had to be hanging out with the shark, didn't he?" Mumbled the witch under hr breath. She could see a small smile twitch on her uncle's lips, and added, "And since you're being stalker-y and listening, figure out a way to let Carol know that you're my uncle, without having me do it. I do not have the energy go through her inquisition."

As they got closer, the man stood up, heading in their direction and wrapping his arms around Thea, giving her a hug. Turning back, he explained to the surprised woman, "i believe I forgot to mention, but Thea here is actually my niece. I decided to surprise her with my visit."

She nodded, before gesturing to Damon and saying, "Elijah, I want you to meet Damon Salvatore. His family is one of Mystic Falls' founding families."

The two men exchanged glances, before Thea interjected, "please, no pissing contests. You're both strong Alpha males, just shake hands respectfully before I bust out the rulers."

They complied, while her uncle turned to her with a grin, "must we have a conversation about decorum? I highly doubt you would have faired well in New York's elite society with a tongue like that."

She chuckled, "I stopped caring about decorum the minute I realised it was just another weapon rich people use to undermine others. I'd rather just say it like it is. Mom always said that true high-breeding was character, rather than language."

He nodded, before turning to Damon and raising his brow, "Now I believe we have to talk, so perhaps we could adjourn to a more private location? Away from prying ears?"

The couple nodded, before they all made their way to the study, closing the door behind them. Damon turned to the man and said, "I believe we haven't been properly introduced, and since you're my bonded's uncle, I should rectify that."

"Indeed." He nodded solemnly, before rising his hand, "I would say pleasure to make your acquaintance, but you did attempt to murder me on our first meeting."

"Well your cronies had kidnapped my bonded. I will do anything to keep her safe. I'm sure you can understand."

"I can." He raised his hand, and the two shook them amicably, before Elijah looked at his niece fondly, "You weren't lying when you said your safety was a chief concern here."

"See? Told you, you won't have to worry about anything hurting me as long as he's here. He takes it more seriously than a helicopter parent."

"And yet, Jonas tells me you endured a minor brain oedema yesterday." He raised his brow.

Her bonded chuckled at her loud groan, and he looked at her as well, "You got an answer for that one, Angel?"

"So you two go from not liking each other, to now ganging up against me? I see how it is." She mumbled good-naturedly, before looking at her uncle with a smirk, "I keep my family safe, and Caroline's a member of that. Plus, nothing irks me more than people underestimating my strength. Did I push it a bit far yesterday? Yeah, but I still saved the day so.."

Elijah smiled, shaking his head softly, "You may have your mother's colouring, but it seems you've inherited your father's propensity for danger, as well as his looks."

She smiled softly, before sobering up. Looking at her uncle, she said, "Be careful please. There's been talk floating around about taking you out of the picture. Damon and I will do out best to keep it from happening, but just be more vigilant."

"We've both made our positions very clear," began her bonded, before straightening his shoulders and towering over Elijah, "I'm trusting the fact that you want her safe as much as I do, and respecting her wishes by ensuring you stay safe, because I don't want her to hurt anymore. But if you betray us, betray her, I'll kill you myself."

The original smiled, walking leisurely in their direction, before coming to a stop right n front of Damon. Raising his brow, he said, "Normally, I would kill you for challenging me, but seeing as its done in the name of keeping my darling niece safe, I will applaud it instead. Don't worry, she will come to no harm, I give you my word. Just keep her out of trouble and happy, and leave the rest to me. As for the potential threats headed my way, warn your brother and the doppelgänger that should they break their word, I will take her away and keep her safe myself."

Thea tilted her head curiously, wondering, "What was her deal anyway? I know she said she'd comply with your request, in exchange for you keeping a list of people she chose safe, but who were those people?"

"Your bonded and his brother, chiefly. As well as the witch and the young vampire. Her brother, and a couple more stragglers." Raising his brow at her, he continued, "Your name however, was not mentioned once."

She could hear Damon growling behind her, his protective instincts screaming at this piece of news neither of them had known. Thea simple sighed, and shrugging, told her uncle, "I figured as much. She'd got a bit of a crush on Damon, and whether she realises it or not, a part of her thinks that if I'm out of the equation, she'd be able to land him. Are you open to making one with me though?"

"I'm listening," he responded curiously.

"I will also comply with your request of remaining safe and happy, but no harm is to come to Stefan, Caroline, Bonnie or Alaric, unless they are directly threatening you, in which case, just don't kill them please. I know you won't harm Elena because you need her, and I couldn't care about Matt, Jeremy or the others any less. And I have a feeling you won't harm any innocent humans to achieve your goals."

He chuckled softly, stepping closer and placing a fatherly kiss on her forehead, "I had never planned to harm any of them, I know you consider them part of your family, and I will not take whatever little you have left of it away. There are no deals to be made here, little one. You just stay safe, and I shall see you again soon." With that he shook Damon's hand again, before walking out of the room, coming the door behind his retreating figure.

The witch turned to her bonded, raising her brows jovially, "See? That wasn't so bad. He's actually really nice."

Damon sighed, smiling at her, "Does that mean I got your family'd approval? Because I've never done that before." He whispered, placing both of his hands on her hips, pulling her into him. Thea giggled, nodding her head, "yeah, I guess it is. Another first for you, I take it, Mr. Salvatore?"

"The best kind, Ms. Montgomery." He replied. Straightening up, he said, "You do know Stefan isn't going to let this whole 'kill Elijah' plan go, right?"

"I know," she sighed, "Guess we'll just have to keep our eye on him. I just… Why? Why do they insist on doing this?"

"He wants to keep Elena safe. I get it," shrugged the blue-eyed man, explaining at her incredulous look, "I wouldn't care who my decisions hurt, so long as they ensured your safety."

"But this is different." The complained, "This isn't a decision he gets to make on his own. It involved me too, and I can't lose anymore people I care about Damon. I will break."

"You won't. I told you I won't let that happen, and now your uncle knows to watch his back."

—

They'd gone back to the boarding house after that sordid affair. Currently, Thea was emptying out space in the closet for her things, before she felt her bonded's head land on her shoulder, as he chuckled, "How many leather jackets does one person need, Angel?"

The girl shrugged her shoulders good-naturedly, throwing him a loving glance, "I told you I had a lot of clothes. Shopping was always something Meda and I liked doing together. Besides, they're all different. Short, long, black, brow, studs or not studs. You know, essentials."

"Of course, how could I forget that 12 leather jackets are all necessary for your survival." He mocked.

"Hey, you're the one who wanted me to move my things in here, deal with it Ace." She joked, raising her brows at him in challenge. The blue-eyed vampire's eyes softened in reply, a beaming smile coming over his face as he replied, "And I would throw out all of my stuff for yours if it ensured it."

Thea smiled at him, laying a gentle kiss to his lips, "No need, I'm pretty much done. Just gotta move my stuff into the bathroom and then we're good to go." Gesturing to the last bag, she asked, "Do you have anyplace safe for these though? They're the most inclusive grimoires I have, figured they could come in handy at some point or another."

Damon nodded, grabbing the bag and placing it in a large drawer, locking it and handing hr the small key. Th girl grabbed it and hid in the pocket of her least worn jacket. An extremely old black leather one, that had once belonged to her grandfather.

Looking back at him, she giggled, shaking her head, "This is so domestic, I'm getting a bit of whiplash."

"Why? You never thought you'd be taking this step with any of your past boyfriends?"

"Ace," she said, smiling bashfully, "You do know you're my first actual relationship right? I didn't do commitment before this."

His brows raised in surprise, as he tilted his head slightly. Thea shrugged her shoulders, before wrapping her arms around his neck loosely, "Never had a boyfriend before, so the idea of moving in with someone never really occurred to me. I was all one-night stands and casual sex, so you don't really think of next steps when you leave them high and dry the next morning."

"So I'm your first boyfriend?" He questioned softly, a smug smile growing on his face.

The girl rolls her eyes, "yes, Ace. You're my first boyfriend. You're actually the first person I've had any feelings for apart from lust. So congrats."

His forehead leant against hers, before his brushed their lips together, whispering, "I'm honoured baby, really."

Kissing him, she joked, "maybe try looking less smug the next time you say that, might sell it a bit better."

—

Rick had joined them in the parlour a couple of hours later. He was currently discussing the contents of Thea's latest essay. Well, he'd say discussing, she'd argued that he disputing it instead.

"There is no proof to state that the vikings were settles into the US." He argued.

The girl shook her head slowly, "For fuck's sake Rick. There are caves containing runes in Elder Futhrak, which originates with the Scandinavian vikings. There are also numerous texts from them detailing their travels through the west. Plus, some recent skeletal carbon dating efforts have shown positive proof that the vikings were amongst the first settles here."

"Yes, but all biographical evidence points to the spaniards being the first."

"You really think Christopher fucking Columbus of all people discovered anything? The man was a crack-head, and an idiot."

"Alright, children. Settle down, you're both correct." Intervened Damon, handing both of them crystal glasses of amber liquid. Thea took a sip, chuckling into her drink when she heard him mumbled, "I feel like I'm baby-sitting the inverses's most annoying toddlers."

He took a seat beside her on the couch, as Rick asked, "So today was a total bust?"

"Nah. We agreed that keeping Thea safe was our priority, since no one else seems to care about that."

The teacher groaned lowly, stating, "I told you I care. We all care."

"Yeah? Then why didn't Elena include her in the list of protected people she gave Elijah?" Questioned the vampire in a feigned curious tone. Thea could feel how tense he actually was, as he waited to see if Rick had been aware of this previously. She was also curious, but less inclined to want to know. She didn't want to know that her teacher, a person she considered a friend and mentor, would willingly let her be in danger.

Rick however, stared at the two incredulously, "Are you serious?"

"So you didn't know?"

"No! Of course not! Stefan told me she'\d included all of us." Looking at the young girl, who'd gone suspiciously quiet, he pleaded, "Thea, you've gotta believe me, I promise you I didn't know. I would never have let that fly. And I'm pretty sure Stefan doesn't know either."

The witch shrugged helplessly, "I don't know what to believe anymore Rick. It just seems like every time I begin trusting someone, they turn around and show me why I can't. But for the record, I was sure you didn't know. Stefan…I don't know. I think even if he did, if he thought my being in danger would benefit Elena's safety somehow, he'd be alright with it. He would make excuses and try to explain it away, but it's true nonetheless. Very little matters to him as much as she does."

The man nodded slowly, before sighing, and running his hand tiredly over his face. "What's up with you though? You look like you've been through the wringer." She questioned worryingly.

"I'll be alright," he mumbled, "just hate lying to Jenna. Actually, I hate the lies in general."

She smiled at him pityingly, watching as his phone lit up with a message. He looked down at it, before standing up with a groan, "I got to go. I got to pick Jenna up. Don't worry. I'll, uh, show myself out."

Her bonded nodded, before drawing her softly into his lap. Placing his head in the crook of her neck, he closed his eyes and mumbled, "Good luck."

Thea closed her eyes as well, relaxing in Damon's hold, before a loud crashing noise made them fly open. Getting up, the two ran into the hallway, coming to stop when they saw Alaric clutching a knife that had been plunged into his gut. He fell to the floor with a pain-filled groan, before a figure landed on Damon, fighting. As the witch was about to join in, a blow crashed against her skull, incapacitating her.

She could hear Damon scream in sudden pain, as she dropped to the ground. There was blood in her eyes, and she realised that they'd injured her head, again. Suddenly, a burning sensation crawled through her veins, and she let out a pained hiss, as the wolf who'd attacked them stated, "Whew! Damn, you're strong. It took the whole syringe. And it looks like your girlfriend is down for the count as well."

Two more made their entrance, and she felt hands grabbing onto her shoulders roughly, dragging across the floor to hr bonded. She was dropped in front of him, and he looked at her with eyes filled with equal amounts pain and worry. Thea closed hers, focusing what little attention she still had on sending reassurance across their bond. She'd be alright, for now at least.

A voice said, "Grab that one. He's dead." Before a familiar woman walked it, and stated mockingly, "Hi, Damon, witch. Nice to see you again."

—

They'd strapped her bonded onto a chair, with a spiked collar around his neck. Subsequently, they'd discovered that any wounds inflicted on either of them, would manifest on the other. But they'd clearly deemed her the bigger threat, so she'd been pumped of some kind of sedative, and tied tightly to a chair. She couldn't move an inch. Her hands were tied behind her back, her torso had ropes wound around it, and her neck had been immobilised by the wounds on it. She was bleeding, and tired and incredibly lethargic.

Thea was completely helpless.

One of the wolves was taunting her bonded, as he held onto the chains that tightened the collar, "I saw this movie once, some torture porn flick. Anyway, they had this collar device that was really cool, so I just modified it some with some wooden nails, and when I pull…"

As the spikes dug into Damon's neck, he grunted in pain, before his eyes flashed worryingly at his bonded. Thea simply gritted her teeth at the sensation, refusing to show them it hurt in any way. The minute her powers restored, she'd show them exactly why you should never make a blood-witch bleed. She would rip their hearts out and feed them to them, or better yet, she'd force them to rip each other's hearts out and eat them. Perhaps if they cannibalised each other, they'd learn to keep away.

Maybe she could keep Jules alive, force her to kill the rest of her pack and eat them. Yeah, she'd do that. Hopefully the trauma would put her in a psychiatrist unit for the remainder of her days.

Speaking of Jules, the female wolf, mocked, "So I hear you have the moonstone." As she walked into the room, followed by two of her cronies.

Damon chuckled at that statement, "Oh, if you only knew the irony of this moment right now. Let me tell you how this is gonna go. You're gonna torture me, I don't talk, someone loses a heart. Last time, it was your boy Mason."

The woman stepped closer to him, leaning down as she whispered, "This time, it'll be your girlfriend."

Damon froze in fear, and she chuckled, as the two men dragged Thea in his field of vision. She looked pathetic, she knew that, but she swallowed the embarrassment, before saying in a clear tone, "Go for it. The day I develop a fear of story dogs, is the day I carve my own heart out. So give it your best shot sweetheart, I guarantee neither off us will fold."

Focusing on her bonded, she sent one message through, I'll be alright. I will heal, just focus on getting us out.

They hadn't been joking, when they said they'd try their best. She'd been stabbed, shot and bled more times than she could count. Currently, she was staring mockingly at Jules, as the woman waved a shotgun in front of her, "You know what the great thing about buckshot is?"

Thea rolled her eyes, hiding her wince as she spoke in a mocking tone, "let me guess, it scatters through the body, inflicting maximum damage." At the woman's surprised look, she laughed, "honey, you're not the only one who knows anything about guns. A simple google search could've told you that."

Jules nodded, before raising the gun directly to her. Forehead, and asking, "Where's the moonstone?"

The girl looked directly into the barrel. She could hear Damon struggling against his bindings, hear his screaming her name. Truthfully, she knew she'd heal from it, but it would hurt. It would hurt a lot, and the damage would take days to completely heal. She'd take it, to keep her bonded and everyone else safe, but she wasn't exactly. Excited at the prospect of having to fish out the pieces of the buckshot out of her brain.

Looking up at Jules, she smiled and said, "Up your ass. Might want to go looking in there."

The werewolf growled, and steadied her hand. Thea shut her eyes, awaiting the unearthly pain she knew she'd feel, when the voice she least expected piped up casually, "You looking for this?"

Her eyes popped open, and she found her uncle leaning against the doorway, twirling the milky rock in his hand. He headed in their direction, before placing the stone on the table, and gesturing towards jovially, said, "Go ahead. Take it."

Thea closed her eyes in relief, finally allowing the tension to leave her body, and lowering her walls. She could hear Damon grunting under the waves of pain she released, but she couldn't help it. Everything hurt. Her chest, her neck, her head. Every single part of hr body hurt to an almost incomprehensible degree. She could hear Elijah fighting, could hear the sounds of screaming, before everything went deathly quiet.

Footsteps came closer to her, before her uncle whispered menacingly, "What about you, sweetheart, hmm? You want to take a shot? Yes? No? Yes? Where's the girl?"

The werewolf who'd initially hurt her spoke, his voice unrecognisable from all the fear her was feeling, "I don't know."

"Well, then. It doesn't really matter." A hard drop, before hands were pulling her bindings away, gently raising her head. "Are you alright, little one?"

"Damon. Get Damon out, please uncle E." She mumbled in pain. He didn't verbally agree, but the sounds of chains breaking flooded her ears, before familiar arms pulled her up, and her head was laid into his neck. "Drink baby." He whispered softly.

The witch nodded, mumbling the spell and drawing on whatever reserves of power she still had. The taste of him flooded her mouth, before she slowly felt her body regain its normal functions. Raising her head, she looked at her uncle's relieved face. Moving off of her bonded clumsily, she threw herself around him, feeling his hold her tenderly, as she mumbled, "Thank you.'

"I told you no harm would come to you on my watch. Seems I was a little late this time, little one. I'm sorry." He replied softly.

The girl giggled, shaking her head as she stumbled away, feeling Damon's arms catch her. "We would be fishing buckshot from my brain if you hadn't intervened when you did. Thank you."

He nodded regal, depositing a small kiss on her forehead, before he looked at her bonded and stated, "Elena must die in the sacrifice, but there is a way to bring her back. I believe your other witch is about to call and inform you of this, I simply wanted you to know."

Damon nodded resolutely, before asking, "And Thea? Does she also have to die?"

"No. I will intercept her before any harm can be done. She will remain alive. Though should hope you'll consider changing her at some point, especially if you keep getting into these situations."

The blood-witch chuckled, looking at her uncle, "Butt out of my love-life uncle E. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

"Very well. And do call me next time you find yourself in a suspicious situation Althea, else I may be forced to place a permanent locator spell on you."

—

She was laying in their bathtub, waiting for her bonded to finish updating Alaric and cleaning the downstairs area. Thea closed her eyes tightly, hands reaching up to rub at her neck, the muscles tense and tender under her fingers.

"Scootch over," he whispered, before sliding into his spot behind her once she complied.

His arms wrapped around her waist, and he said, "You scared me today. I thought you were going to die."

"I know," she mumbled in reply. "They gave me a full syringe of morphine, so I couldn't even use my powers. And the minute that buckshot was aimed at my head, I didn't know what would happen."

"But you still goaded her Thea. You still challenged her."

"I know I would have healed. I just also knew it would be painful, and involve you having to physically fish it out of my head." She sighed, leaning her head back against him. He was quiet, before asking slowly, "How do you feel about turning?"

"I don't know Damon. I'm scared." She mumbled.

"Why?"

"Because I'd lose my powers. And I don't know who I am without them. I don't want to b defenceless." Turning her head slightly, she looked into his eyes before confessing, "but I have been thinking about it more lately."

"You have?" He questioned, caressing the skin of her stomach slightly, "Why?"

"Because I can't seem to go a single day without almost dying, and I don't want to leave you. I know it's the best option, and I want to spend eternity with you, I'm just scared."

"It does't have to be today baby," he murmured, tightening his hold on her. "I just needed to know that you'd consider it. We have time to think it through and figure all of the details out."

She nodded, growing quiet. He was right, they had time, but how much of it? At the end of the day, she knew logically, that she would never be powerless. Even as a vampire, the likelihood of her keeping her emerging Chaos Magic was high, since it wasn't a magic that manifested due to nature. In fact, there were plenty of unknowns at play here, but the most important question was, was she willing to risk her potential future with her bonded, to keep her magic? Magic that had already placed her in dragger her entire life?

The answer was fairly straightforward, and placing a small kiss on his shoulder, she whispered, "once we get this whole Klaus/sacrifice thing over with, I want you to change me."