A/N: Hey y'all! I don't really have a good excuse, other than life gets busy and leaves me with little time to write. I tend to overextend myself in general, so it's not much different with writing. Anyway, I hope you're all doing well. Here's a new chapter for ya!

I DO NOT OWN TEEN WOLF, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Eleven:

Damon kept his distance. I hadn't heard from him in months. That alone was making me nervous. It's only a matter of time, until he strikes. And I didn't want to be caught off guard… not if I can help it.

"It's okay to let yourself breathe." Laura told me. Caroline looked over at us. I knew that she agreed. Don't they understand? Damon is still out there… He's just biding his time. I can't just relax.

"He's still out there, Laura. The last time I let myself breathe, he showed up and raped me." I hissed. No one else said anything. I took a deep breath and tried to still the anxiety that I could feel building.

I jumped, as I heard pounding on the front door. Dread filled me. I was terrified… What if it's him? Derek rubbed my shoulder, as he moved passed me to check the door. He opened it and there was some teenager delivering flowers. My anxiety didn't lessen. Derek signed for them and shut the door. His face was unreadable. They must be from Damon.

"They're from him, right?" I asked. He nodded and handed me the card that had been sent with them. I tore open the envelope, before I lost my nerve.

"Dearest Bonnie –

It would be a shame for your new friends to get hurt, especially Derek's cute sister, Laura. Just remember, BonBon, it's only a matter of time, before he gets tired of having damaged goods. Remember that I broke you. Come to me and spare your friends. You owe them that much. I'll be seeing you soon.

All my love,

Damon"

My hand trembled, as I finished reading it. How can they possibly expect me to relax now?

"I'm going to take a shower. I need some time to myself. I think it'll help my anxiety. Can you throw the flowers away? He only sent them to prove that he knows where I am and because he knows that I hate red roses. You can burn this." I handed Derek the card and excused myself. I didn't stick around to see their reactions or to hear what they had to say.

I knew that I had been in the shower too long, because my fingers started to prune. Still, I wasn't ready to get out yet. The scorching water was the only thing stopping me from not feeling anything. I didn't want to feel numb right now. I need to feel – pleasant or not – it's healthy… it's keeping me sane.

"Bonnie," Derek called to me from outside the shower. "None of what he said is true. Let him come. We'll face him together." He tried. I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say or what to think. I just want to sleep. I'm exhausted. I don't know how he always makes me feel so emotionally drained.

"I'm tired, Derek." I said, as I turned off the water. I opened the shower curtain and he handed me my towel.

"Let's lay down, then." He suggested. I nodded. He turned around, so I could have enough privacy to pull my clothes on. He left me a clean Henley of his to put on. I put it on and a clean pair of underwear.

"Okay," I agreed, once I was covered. I followed him to his bedroom and we laid down together. "I can't have you all getting hurt because of me, on my conscience. What kind of person would I be?" I sighed and tried not to cry. I'm so exhausted. All of this is just too much. I just want it to be done.

"And what kind of person would you be, if you went to him and basically signed your death warrant?" He countered.

"I don't know… Okay, Derek?" I gritted my teeth. "I know how it sounds… I know how all of it sounds. So, tell me what I'm supposed to do and how I'm supposed to be able to live with myself afterwards." I breathed.

"We let him come and him together. You aren't to blame for his actions. Leaving is easy. You're better than that – stronger than that. He's going to slip up, eventually. We have surveillance around the house. We're going to get him, Bonnie. He's going to be put away for the rest of his miserable life. Liz and Matt and I are working on something. We're close. Do you trust me?" He asked me. I nodded, against him.

"With my life… I love you."

"We all love you. Just give me until the end of the week. Okay?" He requested. I nodded, again. I couldn't tell him no. It can't be worse than going to meet Damon. I just pray that whatever he's planning works.