Have you had your hair cut?

The Villa was just as Stefan had described it, lavish and picturesque right down to the Roman styled courtyard and impeccable foundations.There was no accounting for taste, especially where Damon was concerned.

Elena exhaled slowly as the cab came to a stop and Stefan paid the fare.An unconscious tension evapourated from her shoulders as her husband led her up the pathway to the stained maplewood door and knocked.The entire journey here had been a merciless self torture for Elena who contemplated the whys and whats that had driven Bonnie to flee.At one point Elena had seriously considered killing Bonnie herself, but the idea had disappated as the concern and worry had wiped away any traces of anger she might have felt for her fiesty friend.

She inhaled sharply as the door opened to reveal a petite brunette woman in a maid uniform."Ciao, cume possono aiutar la I?"

Elena could only look at her dumbly, but Stefan answered the maid asthough she had spoken perfect English."Yes, we're here to see my brother."

The woman stepped back, urging them to come in before closing the door."Un momento signor, signorita.I will go tell Signor Salvatore you have arrived."She announced in a voice thick with the Italian accent.The brunette scuried off toward one of the many doors lining the hallway.And Elena turned her attentions to the finery decorating the hall.Mosaics, paintings, artefacts and plants all rested in elaborate places making the inside of the Villa match the outsides traditional but extravagant atmosphere.

The cool, sensuous voice took both of them by suprise."Little brother, so good to see you."He was dressed in black, jeans shirt and shoes, all dilineating his jet black hair, obsidian eyes and aura of danger.He was gorgeous, moreso than one of those Calvin Klein models on those infomercials she saw often enough, and for the first time in almost two years Elena had to remind herself of her marital status.

"Hello, big brother."Stefan replied, putting a little too much emphasis on the 'brother'.She saw Damon smirk at his siblings vehmence, and then those endless night eyes were turned on her.

"Ah, and the beautiful Elena.How fares married life?"His voice as soft as silk drifted over her, through her.

It took her two tries to actually get herself to speak and even then she could only summon one word in answer."Great!"She tried to sound like her calm confident self but it was real difficult when her legs felt like jello.

"Where's Bonnie?"Stefan said, jarring her back to planet earth and the reality of why exactly they were here.God Elena, pull yourself together.She commanded herself as waves of guilt swam up to drown her.

Damon grinned slightly, motioning to the stairway as he moved to scale it.Both she and Stefan followed him, like eager puppies expecting their next meal.

The second floor was decorated much like the rest of the Villa, all expensive and Italian objects and articles sprayed around the place.Damon led them to one of the many rooms the second floor possessed and opened the door.Elena guessed it had been telepathically locked from the outside since Damon had to stop and concentrate a moment before turning the handle.

Inside Bonnie was standing looking out of the balcony window, back to them.Elena almost sobbed with relief as she stumbled into the room, the brothers following her."Thank God,Bonnie!"She started, and then Bonnie turned and look at her, her face expressionless.

Finding her to be relatively fine and unaffected by their presence, the rage that had diminished in New York came flooding back to her."What the hell were you thinking?Going off alone and not even telling us!"She began."Do you know how worried Stefan, Meridith, Matt and I have been about you?"She continued, in a verbal tirade."You stupid jerk, you could have been killed.These Sect crazies wouldn't of hesitated you know!"

She expected Bonnies fiesty temper to rear it's ugly head or an apology or at least some facial expression that would indicate that she felt something about seeing her friends.But no, that wasn't Bonnies response."Have you had your hair cut?It looks real good on you.Sets off your face."

It sounded so much like the old Bonnie, the one she'd had slumber parties with, the one she'd toasted smores with during camping trips, the one who'd make her smile and tease her until she was smiling too.Not the one who'd arrived on their doorstep two months ago, quiet, haunted and suffering from horrendous nightmares that left her screaming, that Elena forgot about the current situation for a second."Thanks I -"She blinked several times, realising the absolute ridiculousness of what she was saying."What the hell is a matter with you Bonnie?You take off to get yourself killed and you're giving me girl talk!"Silence.She growled, furious."I have to get out of here before I kill her myself."She announced, practically throwing herself out the door and stomping downstairs.

Alone in the hallway, she fumed.