A/N: Hope you all enjoy part four!

Guest: I'm so glad you're enjoying it! :) You're not wrong about Derek... Stay tuned! :)

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

Things were rocky between us, after Lydia and Stiles left town. Peter did his best to act as the buffer between us, so it wouldn't be insanely awkward. Eventually, we went back to doing things, just the two of us. Things have just started really feeling like they used to. We don't really have any sleepovers, anymore. When we do, they're always fully clothed and we don't share blankets. Derek spoons when he sleeps and I cuddle. We've both toned it down – a lot.

When things finally felt like they were almost back to our normal, Derek told me that he had started seeing someone. I had a feeling that he had been. He's been happier lately. I assured him that I was happy for him, because I was.

I asked him when I was going to meet the lucky lady and he clammed up. There's always some excuse, but I try not to push it too hard.

"D, when am I gonna meet her?" I pressed him, over the phone. He sighed. I can just picture him rubbing the bridge of his nose and looking annoyed at me.

"Bonnie…" he sighed.

"No, Derek, you guys have been seeing each other for like a month and I still haven't met her. Is there a reason that you don't want me to meet her?" I asked him. He hesitated and dread filled my stomach. "Okay. I get it. I'm gonna go. I'll talk to you later." I huffed. My thumb hovered over the button to disconnect the call, when I heard him say something.

"It's not you, okay? Braeden is just… She wasn't happy when she found out that I had a female as my closest friend. She was even less thrilled, when she found out that we were neighbors and how close we've gotten over the years. She just assumed that every time we were hanging out, that I was cheating on her. She doesn't like me seeing you." He explained. I was floored. I got it. Don't get me wrong. I got it, but I never expected him to actually blow me off because of it. I've only seen him twice, since they got together and one of those times, was him telling me that he was with her.

"Okay." I breathed. I didn't know what else to say that wouldn't start a fight.

"That's all you're going to say? Look, I know that it's shitty and I…"

"Don't Derek, okay? You made your choice. Go keep your girl happy. I'll see you, when I see you. I'm sorry that I tried." I snapped.

"Bon, it's not like that." He argued.

"Then how is it? Because from where I'm standing, it looks exactly like that. You won't even let me meet her. We were never together like that. She can't stand me and we've never even met before. It sounds pretty cut and dry to me. I'm sure that Peter wouldn't mind taking over watching trashy TV with me." I sighed. I'm pushing it. I know I am. I'm well on my way to making a bad situation worse and I don't want that. I need to stop. "I'm gonna drop this. I'm not going to make you chose. And I'm not going to go out of my way to meet her anymore. I just… I want you to be happy, Derek. If she makes you happy, then I'll see you, when I see you and I really hope that it works out for you guys."

"Don't do this." He pleaded with me.

"I'm not trying doing anything…" I sighed, trying to get myself in check. Why is this so hard? I can't be that girl. I refuse to make him chose between me and Braeden. That's not fair to him. I can't do that to him. I'd hate myself for it and he deserves better than that. "I'm just… I'm making it easier for you, D. I'm just taking myself out of the equation and fixing a problem for you. I'm gonna go. I have some errands to run." I hung up the phone and stared at it, before grabbing my purse and heading out the door. Derek was outside of his apartment, waiting for me.

"Bonnie, you're my best friend." He said, like it solved the problem. I nodded.

"I know and I just want you to be happy. She makes you happy, so I'm gonna back off. I'm not going to mess up your relationship, D." I told him, before trying to walk away. He caught my arm.

"I don't want this." He bit out.

"What don't you want?"

"I don't want to chose."

"Then don't. I'm not making you." I reminded him. He looked pained. "I need some air. I'm gonna go." I gestured behind me. His eyes widened and he stiffened. I turned around and followed his gaze. A woman was walking over to us. I'm guessing it's her. Judging by his reaction, she must be the infamous Braeden. I've only seen a picture of her once, off of his phone.

"Hey Derek," she greeted him, coolly. He nodded to her, like he was trying to figure out if she would go ape shit, once she realized who I was. Her attention turned to me and she looked me over and scowled, before plastering a fake smile on her face. "You must be Bonnie." She said couldn't mask the disgust that contorted her features, when she said my name. Wow. He really wasn't kidding.

"That's me." I said, brightly. I beamed at her. I knew that my smile was equally fake, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of intimidating me. Derek looked uncomfortable, to say the lease. "It's great to finally meet you. Derek has told me such great things about you." I told her, warmly. I reached over and pulled her into a hug. She froze against me, but I just hugged her tighter. I saw Derek's body shaking with laughter out of the corner of my eye.

"It's nice to meet you… too…" She struggled to get out. I pulled away from her, but kept my hands on her shoulders.

"You're so pretty! The picture on Derek's phone, just doesn't do you justice. Isn't she pretty, D? I've been bugging him about meeting you. He always has some excuse, though." I kept smiling at her and she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Work keeps me busy." She replied, lamely. I nodded, knowingly.

"I understand. Well, you're here now, so I can get to know all about you." I hugged her again and I locked eyes with Derek. He struggling to get his amusement under control. He looked like he was dying. "Do you like cookies and reality TV?" I asked her. "That's a stupid question. Who doesn't." I kept talking, as I let go of her. She stepped closer to Derek and put an arm around his middle.

"Did someone say cookies and reality TV?" Peter asked, from behind me. I turned around and gave him a genuine smile. He returned it easily and sauntered over to me. He kissed my temple and hugged me to his side. "How are you doing, kitten?" He asked me. I shrugged.

"I'm pretty well. I finally met Derek's lady." I told him, in an almost sing-song voice. He nodded and looked at the pair of them.

"Lucky you. I've been trying all month." He sighed, like he was disappointed that Derek hadn't wanted him to meet her, either. "What do you say we all go to dinner? It's about time. I need to see if you're good enough for my nephew." Peter finished icily. He regarded Braeden, even colder than she had me. She looked instantly taken aback. Derek tensed. "Come, let's go. Kitten, you can ride with me. Derek, you and your girlfriend can meet us at the restaurant. You know the one." Peter didn't give them a chance to refuse, before he was leading me to the elevator. His disdain for Braeden wasn't lost on me either.

"You don't like her, either?" I asked him, as soon as the elevator doors closed. He shook his head and sighed.

"They have a history. They saw each other briefly in Beacon Hills, before he found out that she was also seeing half of the male population there. I love my nephew, but sometimes I often wonder if he was dropped on his head, as a child." He shook his head. I bit my lip and just watched him as he continued. "He's an idiot if he thinks that she's changed and he won't get his heart broken." He sighed. If he hates Braeden this much for cheating on Derek, then what does he think about me, since I'm determined to keep D in the friendzone? "You're nothing like her, kitten. Stop thinking that." He scolded me, like he could literally hear my thoughts.

"That's not creepy, at all." I retorted. He smirked and stared at me, fondly.

"You don't risk your friendship with him, because you love him. She wants to be the only thing in his life, because she's possessive and selfish. The two of you couldn't be more different." He argued. I didn't say anything back to him. Am I that transparent? "Let's go make her miserable through dinner." His voice was positively gleeful, as we walked out to his car.

"You're enjoying this too much."

"So will you, kitten. So will you." He promised. What have we gotten ourselves into? Yeah, I don't like the girl, but I don't want Derek to be miserable, because of it, either.

Things were definitely awkward. Awkward and frosty. Braeden tried to sit across from me, but Peter had insisted that she sit across from him. I was sitting next to Peter and across from Derek. Derek sat dutifully next to his girlfriend.

Braeden kept glaring at me. If glares could injure people, I'm pretty sure that I would have been impaled by a thousand daggers, already. Derek looks miserable, but he's been trying to overcompensate, because of his lady love.

"I'm so glad that we're all finally able to meet." Braeden lied through her teeth, smoothly. Peter smirked and took a sip of his drink.

"Are you? I was under the impression that you had zero interest in meeting two of the most important people in Derek's life… Curious." He mused. Derek glared at him and I forced a cough to cover up my giggling.

"No, I've just been busy with work." She lied again.

"What is it that you do?" Peter asked her. She shifted in her seat.

"I'm a US Marshall." She fibbed. Peter raised his eyebrows.

"I'm not keen on liars, sweetheart. Derek can tell you that." Peter's eyes twinkled. If you hadn't heard him, you would never have known that he just insulted her.

"She used to be a Marshall." Derek defended her. I just sat by Peter, quietly.

"But that is no longer her profession, is it?" Peter asked. Derek frowned, like he didn't know what her current job was, either.

"So, what do you do?" I asked her, lightly, trying to defuse the situation.

"I'm a bounty hunter." She replied. "I normally keep it to myself, though. As a woman in that profession, not many people take me seriously." She explained. I nodded. Her answer sounds legitimate, but there's something off about her tone. She's not telling the whole story. She's holding something back. I wonder if Derek knows what it is.

"Do you enjoy it?" I asked her, harmless enough. She gave me a grateful smile, for taking Peter's heat off of her. It's the first genuine one I've seen from her.

"I do. It's a rush and I love it." She replied. I nodded.

"I think that's awesome." I told her, before taking a long drink of my wine. Peter watched me and smirked.

"Isn't it wonderful, Derek? The two most important women in your life getting along?" Peter asked, smiling. I kicked Peter under the table, because I knew he was smiling at their discomfort, not out of joy for Derek. Peter didn't seem the least bit deterred.

"It's great." Derek agreed, as he looked at Braeden. Aaaand she's back to fuming. Well, tonight has just turned out to be grand.

"Your meals should be out shortly. Can I bring you anything else?" Our waiter asked. I nodded, enthusiastically.

"Can I get more wine? Can you just bring the bottle?" I asked him. He hesitated, before nodding back.

"Don't worry, kitten. I'll help you drink it." Peter promised me.

"Thanks, daddy." I mused with a half-smile. Braeden and Derek both choked on their drinks. Derek recovered first and rubbed her back and offered her his napkin. She took it and left the table.

"Really Peter? Is this necessary?" Derek rounded on Peter, the second that his girlfriend was out of earshot.

"Am I the only one who isn't keen on forgetting the fact that the two of you have already dated and she cheated on you?" Peter asked him, in a dangerously low whisper.

"She's a different person now. We've both changed. Give her a chance." Derek made his case.

"I don't like her." Peter replied, dismissively. The waiter dropped off the wine, without a word. I think Peter and Derek intimidate him.

"You never like anyone I date." Derek countered, before downing his drink.

"That's not true." Peter corrected him, as he looked over at me. I polished off my glass of wine, before pouring myself another. Peter motioned to his glass and I filled his, too.

"Peter, please," Derek asked him, again.

"I'll play nice, but don't mistake my niceties as approval. It's only a matter of time, before that woman fucks you over. Mark my words." Peter agreed. Derek sighed, but nodded.

"I'll take what I can get." Derek accepted what Peter was willing to offer, before looking over at me. I held up my hands in surrender.

"What did I do?" I asked him. Derek smirked and just shook his head.

"Did you have to hug her like that?" He asked me.

"Did you want me to slap her?" I countered.

"No, that's not it. I just…" His voice trailed off, as Braeden came back to the table. She was wearing the same tight smile that she had shown me, earlier.

"How long do you think it'll be until the food comes? I'm starving." She announced.

"Speak of the devil," Peter mused, as our waiter walked up with our food.

Things seemed forced after dinner that night. Braeden would say hello in the hallways, when I saw her, but that's it. She still wasn't okay with Derek spending time with me.

That doesn't mean that I stopped trying. I tried to make plans for the three of us, but she wouldn't have it. I invited her out to girls' night, but she never went. After the first couple of months, I gave up.

I was buzzing out of my skin with nervousness. Tonight was the party at the Lockwood estate. They kept pushing it back, because of all of the founding family events they hosted. It's been almost a year since the party at Klaus' house, about five since Derek and I definitively decided to be just friends, and three since I finally met Braeden.

For whatever reason, he agreed to come with me to the party tonight. Part of me thinks it's because he's afraid that Kol might show up and try to start something again. But mostly, I think it's because Braeden is out of town and it's the only time we can see each other, since he not-so-secretly despises me. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for the company.

I've been on two dates since I told him I just wanted to be friends. I wasn't particularly interested in either. I had only accepted, because I was looking for a distraction. Neither of them could hold my interest, so I didn't agree to any second dates. I don't know about Derek. We don't talk about our romantic lives, too often. It makes things easier that way.

"Bonnie, you came!" Matt exclaimed, as he opened the door to the Lockwood residence. I beamed at him and threw myself into a hug. He squeeze me back with ease and I immediately felt better. Hugging Matt is like coming home and having your favorite childhood memories resurface.

"Of course, I did! It's so good to see you! I've missed you, Matty!" I let my childhood nickname for him slip through. He didn't seem to mind and grinned.

"I've miss you, too, Bon. It's been too long." He smiled at me, before letting me go. He nodded to Derek and gave him a bro hug. "It's good to see you, man. How've you been?" He asked him, with a genuine welcoming way that only Matt could. Derek offered him a rare smile.

"Work's been keeping me busy, but I've been well. How about you? Any chance you're looking for work? The company I've been working with is short on guys." Derek started an easy conversation with him. Matt's face immediately brightened.

"Actually, yeah, I have. That'd be great. I've been running The Grill, but I'm trying to save up and that would just be great." Matt beamed.

"I'm glad to hear it. Give me your number and we can set something up this week and hammer out the details." Derek offered.

"Yeah, sure thing." Matt smiled again. I watched the two of them and smiled softly to myself. I love this. My two favorite guys getting along. It's a great feeling.

"Bonnie!" Caroline squealed and tackled me with a hug. Derek reached out to steady me, before I tumbled backwards. "You're here!"

"I told you that I would be." I laughed.

"Thank God! Save me. Elena just walked in." Care cringed. I sighed. "Damon's here, too, but they both came alone." She gossiped. I shrugged. "Come on. Let's go get a drink. I need one." She steered me away from the guys.

"Where's Klaus?" I asked her. She shrugged.

"He had to talk to Tyler about something. He's around here, somewhere. Don't worry. Kol didn't come. Everyone made it clear that he wasn't invited." She told me.

"Thank you."

"That's what best friends are for." She smiled, accepting my gratitude. I laughed and we both took a glass of champagne from one of the waiters, as we made our way to the bar. Caroline ordered shots for us and I heard a familiar voice fill my ears.

"Well, well, if it isn't Barbie and Judgy," Damon mused as he walked up to us and ordered a bourbon, neat.

"You'd think that by now, you'd remember our names." Caroline's voice dripped with mock civility.

"That would require me to care." He shrugged and drank half of his liquor in one gulp.

"You can't even handle one night with Elena without drinking?" I asked him, snickering, as I tossed back my shot. Caroline snorted, before following suit. She ordered another round and Damon glared at us both.

"Elena's not my problem, not anymore." He told us, under his breath.

"Don't care." I replied, taking my last shot. He watched me with more interest, now. Caroline took hers and we started to walk away from him.

"Can't spare five minutes for an old friend?" He asked, making us stop in our tracks.

"We were never friends, Damon." Caroline reminded him. He shrugged.

"Technicalities," he sighed.

"What do you want?" She asked him.

"She see you out of that dress." He smirked and she looked at him in disgust. "Alright, fine, you got me. I didn't know that Elena was coming. I only came, because my dear, little brother asked me to. Are they back together?" Damon asked. It was my turn to shrug.

"Not that I've heard." Caroline told him. He nodded.

"Great. Thanks. You've been so helpful." He ordered another drink and walked off.

"That wasn't as painful, as I expected." I breathed.

"True, but we still haven't spoken to Elena. What did she say when she left town? That no one understood their love and she didn't care if we all rotted in hell? I think it was somewhere along those lines." I could tell that Caroline was getting upset, just thinking about the hurtful things our former best friend said to us. I can hold a grudge, but it's nothing like what Caroline's capable of.

"Did someone say my name?" Elena asked.

"Speak of the devil," Caroline sighed with distaste. Elena didn't look bothered by her reaction.

"Go to hell. We have nothing to say to you." I told her, not wanting to waste any more time on her. Elena recoiled and had the nerve to look offended.

"It's been a long time. Can't we just leave everything in the past?" Elena tried. We both gaped at her. Caroline looked like she was almost tempted about considering it.

"Or you could go fuck yourself?" I suggested. "I like that idea more." I added. Tyler spewed his drink all over himself and onto the floor. Everyone else looked shocked that something like that came out of my mouth.

"Come on, Bonnie. We can talk about this." Elena tried, again. I shook my head.

"I forgave you a long time ago, Elena, but I'm not stupid. And I'm not wasting anymore of my time on you. You were never a good friend and I'm not looking to invite any toxic into my life. Bye." I ordered a double shot of tequila and walked off with it. I couldn't hear what Caroline was saying to her, but I'm sure it's along the similar lines.

I looked around the party for Derek and saw him chatting with Stefan, Matt and Lexi. His eyes found mine and I shot him a smile and a very subtle thumbs up. He smiled at me, before turning his attention back to them.

I downed my drink. I held it for about five seconds, before some server offered to take it off of my hands and replaced it with a glass of champagne. I accepted it, graciously, before running face first into someone. The booze sloshed forward and miraculously hit the floor and not my feet. Arms reached out to steady me and I was face to face with none other than Jeremy Gilbert. I sighed. I was really hoping that I wouldn't run into him tonight.

We dated and never rekindled our failed romance, much to his dismay. Call me crazy, but I wasn't overly fond of being cheated on. That was something that he never seemed to grasp. Not only that, but we lacked passion. I just didn't feel that immense spark with him. It's something that I crave in every relationship that I've ever had and I don't want to settle for anything less. Why should I? Life's too short.

"Bonnie, hey," he gazed at me and a small smile played on his lips.

"Hey," I greeted him back, with much less enthusiasm.

"Tyler said that you were coming. I was hoping that I'd run into you tonight." He told me. I knew that he was about to give me the whole, 'You're the one who got away' spiel. I didn't want to hear it, but I don't I'll be able to get out of it.

"Oh, yeah?" I asked him, playing dumb. He nodded and looked at me, more intently.

"I miss you. I miss us. We could have had something really great together, Bonnie. I know it. You wanna give it another chance?" He asked me. And there it was. I shook my head.

"We don't work together, Jere. I'm sorry, but that ship has sailed and crashed. We're good as friends, anything more than that and it's just a train wreck. I just don't see you as anything else, anymore. I'm sorry." I excused myself and bolted for the first empty room I came across.

I looked around and realized that I was in an office of some sort. I walked over to the desk and sank down on the chair. I feel exhausted and I just got here. I'm ready to leave, but I promised Caroline I'd come tonight and what kind of friend would I be if I bailed? Especially, after the last party she forced me to come to…

I placed my empty champagne glass on the desk and spotted a crystal bottle full of expensive looking scotch. Well, I don't mind if I do. I poured a generous amount into my glass, before taking a few sips.

"You know, you're really not supposed to be in here." A voice said from the other side of the room. I jumped and spilled my beverage of choice all over me and the desk. My head whipped up, as I tried to pinpoint the cause of the voice. My eyes landed on Mason Lockwood. He grinned at me and tried to help me mop up the mess with a few stray papers. "Don't worry about it. I'll get someone to clean it up." He promised me.

"It's creepy – you know. You shouldn't go around scaring women, like that." I told him, indignantly. He laughed and I felt his eyes wash over me. The years have kind to him – very kind. I'd forgotten just how attractive Tyler's uncle really was. His blue eyes are mesmerizing.

"I'm sorry. If I had known it was you, I would have been much nicer about it." He promised. I didn't miss the way that his eyes lingered on my now wet chest.

"How nice?"

"Very nice, I've always had a soft spot for a beautiful woman." He flirted with me with a smile.

"Soft enough to let me borrow some clothes to change into?" I asked him, hopefully. He nodded.

"As long as you don't mind my clothes. Carol would kill me, if I let anyone into her room." He offered.

"I don't mind." I assured him, definitely not batting my eyelashes in a seductive manner and I definitely didn't just twirl a finger through my hair. Nope. Not at all.

"I'll lead the way." He offered me his arm and I followed him to the back of the house. It's quiet back here. He shut and locked the door behind us, so we wouldn't be disturbed. He started leafing through his clothes and I took a second to appreciate how much alike his wardrobe was to Derek's. He handed me a blue-gray Henley questioningly and I nodded. "I'll be right back." He excused himself and I realized just how soaked my dress was.

I glanced over at the open bathroom door and I wondered if he'd mind if I rinsed off really quick. I mulled it over for about two seconds, before throwing up my hair and jumping into the shower. I cleaned myself with record speed. As I toweled off, I noticed him lounging on the bed holding something that looked suspiciously like women's leggings.

"Sorry." I apologized. "I felt gross." I told him, hoping that it would explain everything. He shrugged and didn't look bothered by my use of his shower. I wrapped the towel around my body tighter, and realized that my clothes, apart from his Henley were missing.

"I put them in the washer. I figured you'd want your clothes cleaned." He smiled. I gave him one back. How thoughtful.

"Thank you." I said, walking over to him. He handed me a pair of leggings and a tank top.

"They're Vicki's. She keeps clothes here. I asked her and she didn't mind loaning you a few things." He explained.

"She's the best." I mused. "So are you." I added, before slipping the leggings on, underneath the towel. I turned around from him, before pulling on the tank top and letting the towel drop to the floor. I put on the Henley and went to go hang the towel up to dry.

"Before I made you spill your drink all over yourself, you didn't look like you were having very much fun." He broke the ice. I shrugged and sat down next to him.

"I wasn't. Elena's here and she left on horrible terms. She thinks we should all just forgive and forget. Jeremy gave me the, 'We should get back together' speech and I'm just ready to get drunk. Ha, does that sound horrible?" I asked him, feeling like I could breathe and speak freely for the first time that night. He shook his head.

"Not at all. Maybe we can help each other?" He suggested.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked him. He piqued my curiosity.

"I was bored out of my mind and you just want a break from everything. Why don't we forget about everyone else and get drunk together?" He offered. "We'll go upstairs and have our own party. I know you're secretly dying to kick my ass at Just Dance."

"I think that's the best thing that I've heard all night." I agreed. I put my socks and boots back on and he looked at me expectantly.

"Let's go get supplies and hide out in the basement." He suggested. I nodded and grinned at him.

"Sounds perfect." I told him, before following him out of his room. We made our way back into the party. I felt massively underdressed. Mason must have sensed my uneasiness, because slipped his hand around my waist and smiled down at me, reassuringly.

"There you are. We were wondering where you had gone off to." Tyler said, as he walked up to us.

"Not all of us are big party fans." Mason told him. Tyler laughed.

"I'm gonna grab another drink. Do you want anything?" Tyler offered. We both shook our heads.

"No, thanks, man." Mason declined. Tyler nodded and left. Derek and Caroline walked over in his place.

"Very nice," Caroline whispered, motioning to Mason. Mason smirked, I blushed and Derek laughed.

"Can I borrow you for a minute?" Derek asked me. I nodded.

"Yeah, I totally need to talk to you, about the thing." Caroline announced, lamely. Mason just smirked and went with her excuse.

"I'll get provisions. Meet me downstairs, when you're done." Mason offered.

"I will." I assured him. He smiled and kissed my cheek, before letting Caroline steer him away. "What's up, Derek?" I asked him, softly. He pulled me into a hug and I relaxed into it. "It's nice to actually hang out with you, again." I sighed.

"Tell me about it. I was just hoping we could talk. Things with Braeden… they're really rocky. She always seems like she's hiding something. She takes phone calls in the middle of the night. She's so secretive. I don't know what to think. I hate it, Bon."

"Then break it off with her, Der." I told him. He sighed.

"It's not that simple." He argued. I ended the hug and started to pull away. I gave him a sad smile and kissed his cheek.

"I can't tell you how to handle this, D. If she doesn't make you happy, then maybe it's not worth it. I just want you to be happy."

"I know and I love that about you. I know you don't see it, because you're never around her, but a lot of the time, her personality, the things she does, they remind me of you." He admitted. I opened my mouth and closed it. I don't know what to say. "I don't know. Sometimes, it feels right with her. You know? Other times… it just feels like there's something missing."

"You don't have to decide what to do tonight, Derek. Sleep on it. Okay? If she hurts you, then I'll kick her ass. I promise." I gave him my word.

"You and Lydia both." He grinned. I nodded gave him another quick hug. "What happened to your clothes?" He asked me. I blushed.

"I spilled scotch all over them, so Mason lent me a shirt and I'm borrowing the rest from Vicki." I explain. "I know; I know. I'm too clumsy to function. I didn't think anyone could rival my lack of coordination, until I met Stiles."

"You two would be the worst figure skating team in the history of the world." He agreed. I scoffed and punched him in the arm. "So, you and Mason, huh? Is he a good guy?" He asked me. I shrugged.

"Honestly, I don't know him that well. I had a crush on him growing up. I didn't see him much, except when he would come into town to visit Tyler and his family. He's always been nice to me and a good influence on Tyler. He's not hurting in the looks department, either."

"As long as he treats you right," Derek told me. I nodded. "You know that I'm not afraid to kick someone's ass for you." He reminded me.

"I know that."

"Good. Go have fun." He ushered me to go find Mason.

"Do you still need to talk?" I asked him. He shook his head.

"If I need to talk later, I'll come find you." He promised. I nodded and went to go find my date for the evening.

"Oh, my God," I cackled and clutched my sides. Mason was getting down with his bad self to Poker Face. I lasted a whole ten seconds, before I lost my shit. I haven't seen anything this funny in my life. The song finally ended and I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. Mason gave me a shit-eating grin. He looks so proud of himself. "I can't breathe. I'm laughing that hard." I gasped. He quirked an eyebrow and moved over to me.

"Maybe I can help with that." He offered. My breath caught and my giggle fest stopped. He leaned closer to me and cupped my cheek. "If you want?" He left it up to me. I nodded.

"As long as you're available to help," I agreed.

"I'm otherwise unattached." He breathed, before touching his lips to mine. I groaned and relaxed into it. His arms went around me and he made it clear that he knew what he was doing. It didn't take long, until I was melting into the kiss. His grip on me tightened and his tongue slipped into my mouth. I didn't even try to fight for dominance; I just let him take it. It was nice, not being in control.

I strained to keep up with him. I was already on my tiptoes and he wasn't showing any signs of slowing down. He must've noticed, because he picked me up and we ended up on the couch. His hands roamed my sides and I could feel his body heat through my clothes.

Something crashed and we broke apart. Someone was trying to get into the basement, but we locked the door. We both looked at each other and laughed.

"So much for setting the mood," he joked. I nodded and raked a hand through my hair. He looked me over and I bit my lip. He leaned in again and I turned my face, at the last minute.

"Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. I mean, this is nice. Don't get me wrong… but I don't want to move that fast. We barely know each other. I'm not that kind of girl." I told him. He kissed me, once, before pulling away.

"I would never dream of pressuring you. You're better than that. Why don't we go upstairs for a while? I'm getting a little stir crazy down here and I bet you'd look amazing on the dance floor."

"A man who's good with his words." I mused. He grinned and helped me to my feet.

"I do alright." He shrugged. I rolled my eyes and noticed that I felt lighter on my feet than I should. Courtesy of the scotch Mason brought down here.

"Now, you're just being modest." I teased. "I'll race ya upstairs." I ran past him, but I didn't get far. He grabbed me from behind and lifted me into the air.

"How about we tie, we grab a drink and then you show me how it's done on the dance floor?" His voice was low and his lips pressed against my ear. I shivered against him.

"Y-yeah, that sounds good." I murmured. I felt him smile against my neck, before repositioning me, so he was carrying me bridal style. I giggled. "I can walk. You know." I reminded him.

"Where's the fun in that?" He countered. He carried me all the way over to the open bar, before sitting me down on one of the barstools. It's amazing the lengths that the Lockwoods go to for their parties. It's hard to believe that people actually live here. It's completely transformed.

"What can I get you?" The bartender asked. Mason's eyes flickered over to me, like he was waiting for my go ahead. I shrugged and looked at the bartender.

"Surprise me." I said, instead. The bartender grinned and got busy mixing our drinks. It wasn't long before he was placing drinks in front of us. "What is it?" I asked him, gazing at the orange drink.

"A Sloe Comfortable Screw," he replied, with a smirk. The way he was checking me out, wasn't lost on me. I shifted under his gaze and turned my attention to Mason.

"Good lookin' out, man. What do you say, Bonnie? You wanna 'screw' then get down on the dance floor?" Mason asked me, with a wink. I laughed and we clinked our glasses together, before downing them. Thank God he didn't add ice.

"Yes, to the drink and I'm down to dance." I winked at him, before getting up and putting his hand in mine. Derek nodded at us and walked over.

"Hey man, you're more than welcome to crash here, if you wanna drink." Mason told him. Derek gave him an appreciative half-smile.

"You sure? I promised Bon I would DD." He explained.

"D, it's cool. I promise. There's more than enough space. Relax. Let loose. You deserve it. Take advantage of your time away, while you have it." I promised him. He cracked a smile. I glanced back at the bartender. "Can we get three more of those?" I asked him. He smirked and obliged. I handed out the drinks, once they were made and we all slammed them… well, as much as we could.

"Thanks. I needed that." Derek smiled. I nodded and hit his shoulder, playfully. Almost on cue, Matt and Lexi walked over. His arm was around her and I raised an eyebrow. Go Matt!

"Needed what?" Matt asked, nonchalantly. Derek gestured to his drink.

"Oh, I'm game." Lexi chirped. "Leave him to us, Bonnie. He's in good hands. We'll make sure he enjoys himself tonight." She gave me her word. I laughed.

"I don't doubt that." I laughed. Derek held his arms open for a hug. I let go of Mason's hand to hug him. He gave me a gentle squeeze, before squeezing tighter and letting me go.

"You go have fun." Derek told me. "You worry too much." He added, pointedly. I scoffed and put a hand to my chest.

"It's my duty as your best friend, but you don't have to tell me twice. Bye." I sang as I led Mason away. He didn't waste any time. He faced me and put his hands on my hips. I moved my body to the music and moved closer to him. It was seconds, before we were dirty dancing with each other. The house hummed with vibrations from the music.

Drake and Rihanna's voices filled the house. I put my hands in my hair and closed my eyes and just went with it. I moved my hips shamelessly against his hips and he kept up seamlessly. The man has moves.

"Do you have any idea how sexy you look like this?" He whispered in my ear. My eyes fluttered open and I gazed up at him. Oh, yeah, I was definitely feeling those drinks now. I bit my lip and let my eyes slide down his clothed body.

"I'm not the only one." I breathed. He moved a hand to the small of my back and pulled me even closer. His lips found mine and I gave into the temptation, before moving my face away. I'm not looking to give everyone a show. His mouth latched onto my neck and I moaned when I felt him sucking against my skin.

Jeremih's voice filled my ears and it definitely didn't help matters any. If anything, it made things hotter. I turned my body and faced away from him, while I danced. It didn't stop him from kissing on my neck. I squirmed against him, until he stopped. The songs blurred together and after a while, we retired to the bar. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him and based off of the way he's been looking at me, it's mutual.

"Another round?" The bartender asked.

"Two," I replied. He looked surprised for half a second, before recovering from the initial shock. "Mason," I breathed, still trying to get my breathing under control. "After these, we should talk. Just talk or tonight's going to end up…"

"Yeah," he nodded. He knew what I meant. "Probably a good idea," he lied. He sounded like it was the last thing he wanted, but honestly, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to jump his bones, right now.

We cleared our drinks in nearly record timing, before he helped me up. I staggered a bit, before correcting my footing. His arm went securely around my waist and I gave him an appreciative smile.

"Thank you." I whispered. He nodded with a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

"It's my pleasure." He returned, smoothly.

I was laying on Mason's lap and laughing hysterically. We've been trading stories and apparently Tyler thought he could use Nair to get rid of the hair around his man business and it ended catastrophically.

"I'm serious. I'll never forget the look on his face. I felt so bad, because he was obviously in pain, but damn, if it wasn't one the funniest things I've ever seen." He laughed. I wiped tears away from my eyes and struggled to catch breath.

"This is nice." I sighed. He nodded.

"Yeah, it really is. I wasn't… This isn't how I was expecting tonight to go." He admitted.

"What were you expecting?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"To be bored out of my mind or to be breaking up fights, one of the two." He answered, before taking a swig from the bottle.

"Forever the optimist," I teased. He laughed.

"I guess you could say that."

"So… Are you staying in town for a while?" I asked him. I'm really enjoying myself and I don't want to get hooked on someone who will only be around for the weekend. I don't need any more heartbreak in my life, but really, does anyone?

"Actually, I just moved back. Carol offered to let me stay here. There's more than enough room for three people and it's one less bill that I have to pay."

"Why the move?" I asked him, before stealing the bottle and taking a drink of my own.

"Work, actually," he admitted. "I opened a brew house and it really took off. I expanded a year ago and added a restaurant onto it. I'm going to open another location here."

"That's great." I smiled. He nodded and played with my hair.

"I'll take you, once it's up and running." He offered.

"I'd like that."

"After tonight… I want to keep seeing you. You were always pretty growing up, but you were so young. Now that you're older and damn, if you didn't get more beautiful…" he paused to look at me. I blushed, furiously. He smirked. "It's been a while since I've felt this comfortable with anyone. I don't want to let that go."

"I don't, either."

"Good." He took the bottle and set it down on the floor. He swooped down and locked his lips with mine. I reached up and grabbed onto his shirt, trying not to get too lost his embrace.

The day after the party, Derek broke things off with Braeden. Matt and Lexi looked even cozier. I got the distinct impression that Stefan and Rebekah were… something more than just bickering friends.

Mason and I kept seeing each other. We didn't rush things, but the chemistry between us was intense. I just assumed that a lot of it was the alcohol talking, but it was just as powerful, while I was sober.

Derek seemed to slip into some kind of a funk. Peter and Mason planned a guys' night for him. Peter told him that if he didn't get out of the house, that he was going to christen his apartment with Stiles, the next time he was in town. That got him up and running. Stefan, Matt, Tyler and Klaus joined them on their guys' night and the girls stayed at my place.

"So, what do you think they're doing?" Lexi asked me, through a mouthful of cookie dough. I shrugged. "I bet Stefan is helping him brood." She laughed. Caroline snickered and Rebekah choked on her drink.

"A bit of warning next time would be nice, thanks." Rebekah said, once she was finished spewing her daiquiri all over herself.

"I just hope it works. I've never seen him like this before." I frowned.

"Bon, I'm sure it'll work. If nothing else, they can use the persuasion of strippers." Caroline assured me, offhandedly. I blanched and glared at her.

"Why would anyone of us want to picture our guys with strippers?" Vicki asked her, before I could. It took her a second, but she realized what she had said.

"Yeah… I didn't think that one through." She admitted.

"You think?" Beks asked her. Caroline made a face at her and Lexi got up.

"Time for refills, ladies!" She announced, before dispensing more strawberry daiquiri into our glasses. Rebekah sighed and got up to go clean herself up.

"You and Mason are so cute together." Caroline gushed. I smiled and not to be too embarrassed about the attention. "No, you really are. I still can't believe that you and Derek never… you know." Subtlety is definitely not her forte.

"It wasn't like that." I tried not to lie. "We're close, but we're just friends, best friends." I added. Everyone seemed to buy it. "He's a good guy. I don't get why he was with Braeden, though. She was such a bitch." I didn't bother to hide my disdain. Now that she's gone, what's the point?

"She really was. I ran into her a few years ago and I never saw her smile. She was chasing someone who jumped bail for one of my cases and I thought she was trying to burn holes through me, with her eyes." Lexi shuddered. I nodded, knowingly.

"She's good at that."

"At least she's gone." Rebekah mused, as she sat back down in her seat.

"Good riddance," Vicki raised her glass and we all followed suit.

Derek and I were sprawled on Peter's couch. It's been almost a year since he broke up with Braeden and things are back to normal. It's nice. He seems happy, again. Mason and I are still together and going strong. His brewery has become even more of a success her in Virginia, than he ever imagined.

"Tell me, nephew, what has you in such a good mood." Peter pried. Derek didn't say anything. He tensed, just barely, and I knew that something was up. I knew that I wasn't going to like whatever he was going to say. "Kitten, is he deaf?" Peter asked me. I shrugged.

"I don't know, daddy." I replied, as innocently as I could. Derek cringed. He hates when I call him that. Peter keeps it down around Mason, but he doesn't seem to mind… too much.

"Derek," Peter pressed, again.

"I'm seeing someone." Derek sighed. He pulled away from me and I glared at him.

"It's her, again. Isn't it? You're seeing Braeden, again. She was horrible to you, D! She cheated on you, or have you forgotten?!" I exclaimed, exasperatedly. I found out later that Derek went by her place after the party and found her hooking up with someone else.

"It's complicated. Okay? You wouldn't understand. You don't have to like it, just accept it and let it go." He huffed.

"Let it go, my ass. Calm down, Elsa!" I snapped. Peter looked furious and amused at the same time.

"Bonnie, it's not your call." Derek reminded me.

"Fine, but when she cheats on you, again, because she will, I'm going to say, 'I told you so,' and then I'm kicking her ass." I spat, before leaving the room. Peter said something quietly to Derek, before following me.

"He's more damaged than he lets on." Peter told me, quietly. I just shrugged and reclined on his bed.

"I don't care. He deserves so much better than her. He deserves a fucking princess, because he's the best person that I know. I could kill her, for what she's done to him. It drives me crazy, that he keeps taking her back. I just… He deserves to be loved. It breaks my fucking heart, Peter. I can't stand it." I whimpered. I felt my throat go dry and tighten and my eyes sting. I'm not going to cry, damn it.

"I know he does, kitten. I know he does." He laid down next to me and wrapped an arm around me. "If she does break his heart again and you do kill her, I promise to help you burn the body and hide the ashes, where no one will ever find them." His promise was oddly comforting, once you got past the creep factor. The fact that he means it is the unnerving part.

"Thanks, daddy."

"Anything for you, sweetheart."

"Please, Bonnie, for me?" Derek pleaded with me, giving me his best puppy eyes impersonation. I gritted my teeth and growled at him. He took a step back.

"No." I refused.

"Please? It's been four months, since we've gotten back together. She's changed. She's not the same person, that she used to be." Derek argued. I shook my head and folded my arms across my chest.

"And pigs can fly," I rolled my eyes.

"It was her idea." He tried, again. I just shook my head, again.

"I seriously doubt that." I wasn't budging on this. No way. Not going to happen. Nuh uh. I'd rather shave my head. Nope. Not this girl. Not today. There's no fucking way. Nope!

"Bonnie, please, I need this. I can't deal with the two of you hating each other." Derek used that card. Oh, that's low.

"Then dump her and date someone who isn't a complete bitch!" I snapped.

"It's just one night. I'm just asking for one double date." Derek begged. I shook my head, defiantly. "Mason already agreed to go, if you agreed." He revealed. I looked over and glared at my boyfriend. He held up his hands and tried to look innocent.

"Oh, lovers' quarrels, there's nothing more entertaining; is there?" Peter asked, clearly amused. Mason eyed him, like he didn't know what to say to that.

"No, Derek." I repeated myself.

"As my best friend, please?" He asked, using the words that he knew I couldn't say no to.

"I hate you." I sighed.

"No, you don't. If you hated me, you wouldn't care about how she was in the past." Derek corrected me.

"Was, is, same thing," I huffed.

"Be ready in an hour." He told me, before grabbing Peter's arm and dragging him out of my apartment.

"Why am I never invited to these things? I'm fun! I can behave!" Peter protested. "Tell him, kitten!" He yelled, dramatically. He looked over at me, for help. I shrugged.

"I'm sorry. I don't think he'll listen to me on this. I'm all for you going." I told him.

"Someone appreciates me." Peter sighed. "If only Derek loved me, as much you love daddy." Peter winked and shut the door behind them.

"Your friends are definitely something." Mason mused. I laughed and nodded. "Look, if you really don't want to go, I'm sure we can find a way out of it." He tried. I shook my head.

"I'll never live this down, if I bail. It'll give her another reason to be extra frosty towards me. I'm gonna need a drink, if I'm going to be forced to be nice to her." I whined. I cringed at how pathetic I sounded.

"If you're really nice, I'll run you a bubble bath and give you a massage, after dinner." Mason offered.

"Really?" I asked him, suddenly trying to find ways that I could be civil to the backstabbing harlot. He nodded. "What kind of massage?" I asked him, curiously. He smirked.

"Full body," he replied. I gulped.

"Y-yeah, I can do that. I can totally behave for that." I stammered. His smirk broadened.

"I'll even make sure you have wine." He promised.

"Stop teasing me. I have to get ready." I hurried into the bathroom and started stripping.

"Would you like some company?" He asked me.

"I thought you'd never ask."

"It's great that you could make it." Braeden told me, through the fake smile she plastered on her face. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Mason put his arm around me and rubbed my shoulder. I couldn't tell if he was doing it to be reassuring or to remind me to be nice. Knowing him, it's probably a mix of both.

"Yeah," I said, awkwardly. Derek gave me the look. "We wouldn't miss this for the world." I lied, just as awkwardly. Braeden's eyes fell on Mason and I immediately tensed. Oh, hell no. She can at least pretend like she's not a cheater. I mean, really?

"I'm Braeden. I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before." Braeden smiled at him and offered him her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, too." He told her, nodding. Her hand hovered awkwardly, before he shot me a quick look and shook her hand, quickly. She batted her eyelashes at him and Derek cleared his throat. Her flirting wasn't lost on any of us. Mason kissed me and that put an end to that.

"We should order." Derek announced. Mason and I nodded in agreement. Braeden just looked at me, like she was confused about something.

"Yeah, let's," Braeden agreed. Our server came by the table and her body language automatically changed. Did Derek seriously think that she had changed? Can he not see this? This is pathetic. She flirted with him shamelessly. I took a deep breath and fumed.

"Can we have a minute and a new waiter?" Derek growled. The guy jumped, actually jumped, before nodding and hurrying away.

"You have a lot of fucking nerve." I snapped at her. She looked shocked at my outburst. I paused, before continuing. "You don't deserve him. Why he puts up with all of your bullshit and whoring around is beyond me." I continued. She scoffed.

"What the hell do you know? You don't know anything about me or our relationship! He obviously doesn't mind, because he keeps putting up with it. What's the matter? Are you butthurt because all of his attention no longer revolves around you? Please. Like I don't know what kind of relationship the two of you really have. I'm sure that he fucks you, every time you're both home alone, every chance he gets. Please. The moment he told me about his neighbor, I knew what kind of girl you were. You're nothing but an easy whore." By the time she finished, I saw red. I moved my hand to slap her and didn't even feel the sting, until I heard the smack. "Did I hit a nerve? You'll never be more than a cockslut. He doesn't give a fuck about you!" She continued. I moved to hit her again, but Mason grabbed me and Derek dragged Braeden away from the table.

"How about you watch your fucking mouth?!" Mason snapped at her.

"Is that the best you've got? Come on. You know I could show you a good time." She kept going.

"Get your ass into the car!" Derek yelled at her. She stopped fighting him and realized what she had done.

"Derek, baby, I didn't mean it. I swear. I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry." She pleaded with him. His face was a grim mask that gave nothing away.

"Save it. I'm taking you home and we're done." He told her. She walked out of the restaurant. "Are you okay?" He asked me. I nodded. "I'm sorry. She had no right to talk to you that way. Mason, we'll have to do something later… that's not this." Derek sighed. Mason nodded.

"Hey, if you want to come get drunk with us after you drop her home, you're more than welcome." He offered. Derek nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'll do that." Derek agreed.

"What just happened?" I asked Mason. He shrugged.

"You wanna eat here or order pizza?" He asked me. I laughed, no longer angry.

"You know me so well. Let's order pizza, that way I don't have to wear pants."

"Pizza it is."

Derek didn't end up coming over that night. He just sent a text saying that something came up. Mason gave me the bath and massage he promised and then we had pizza without pants on.

Other than worrying about Derek, it wasn't a bad way to spend the night.

A/N: Review?

Lots of love,
Anneryn