"Stripped"
Chapter 13: Recovery
"Are you sure that's all you want?" Charlie asked while hovering over Bella.
"Yes," Bella said hoarsely.
Charlie left the room which left Bella with Carol, Liz and Meredith. Bella had woken up three hours ago and with the tube from the ventilator now gone, she was able to sit up properly.
"Did Jeremy give Bonnie what I showed him?" Bella asked.
"Yes," Carol said, "The council have all drunk the concoction and there have been no incidences. Reverend Young has been in the wind as well."
"How long?" Bella asked.
"Two almost three weeks," Liz said.
Bella nodded, "Any problems with the Mikelsons?"
"None," Carol replied.
"Other than them trying to come and visit you." Liz added.
"He has to leave," Bella said.
"Who?" Liz asked.
"My dad," Bella said, "I want Caroline to compel him to leave."
"Bella I don't think that's a good idea," Meredith said, "You need someone with you at all times."
"He can't be here," Bella replied, "It's too dangerous. I want to be released."
"No," Meredith replied sternly.
"Meredith right now we are weak," Bella argued, "The Mikelsons, Reverend Young; we have to make them believe we are as strong as before. Plus I'm not safe here; at least at my house I can be safe from the Mikelsons."
"If I let you out it's on one condition," Meredith replied.
"What?" Bella asked.
"Damon stays with you and you let him help you. He is the only one who can be with you at all times." Meredith said.
"She's right," Liz said, "Plus it would make your Dad feel better; he probably wouldn't resist the compulsion as much."
Bella shook her head, "No," she said.
"Then you're stuck here," Meredith said while crossing her arms.
Bella laid back and looked at the ceiling, "Fine," she said.
"I'll draw up the papers," Meredith said.
"I'll call Caroline," Liz added while walking out.
Carol grabbed Bella's hand, "You scared us."
"Come on, it takes a lot more than a couple stab wounds to stop me," Bella said while trying to lighten the mood.
"Bella," Carol said seriously, "You died a few times…why do you think you were on a ventilator?"
"I'm okay Carol, really," Bella said.
"Here you go," Charlie said as he walked in with some water for Bella.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Three hours later they had gotten Bella up and walking with help.
"When can I leave?" Bella asked Meredith.
"Tomorrow morning," Meredith replied, "Your dad is already packing."
"Has Caroline told the others?" Bella asked Liz.
"No she figured you didn't want to be overwhelmed." Liz answered, "Damon's on his way up; he's taking the night shift. Bella I really don't think you should do this."
"I have to," Bella replied.
Charlie came in after Bella got back and he said his goodbyes; thankfully Tyler and Caroline drove him to the airport. Bella quickly fell asleep once she was in bed; she was so exhausted from everything and for the first time she dreamed, but it wasn't a pleasant one.
Flashes of Reverend Young's face twisted into an evil smirk. Bella felt him holding her down as he attacked her with the knife over and over.
"Bella," Damon's voice said yet it sounded like it was coming from far away. "Bella wake up."
"No," Bella said while struggling against his hold, "Let me go."
"Bella," Damon said as he shook her. Bella opened her eyes, "Hey it's okay, you're okay."
"He was here," Bella said panicking looking around.
"Shhhhhh," Damon said while getting in bed with her and pulling her close to him, "No he wasn't, you were just dreaming."
"I saw him," Bella insisted.
"You're safe Bella," Damon said softly as he stroked her hair. "I promise you that you're safe."
A wave of exhaustion rolled over Bella and again her eyelids felt heavy.
"You're an ass," she said sleepily.
"I know," Damon said while still stroking her hair, "I know, just sleep Bella."
Bella's eyes closed and she let the darkness take her…this time, thankfully, that's all there was.
.*.*.*.*.*.
By the next morning Bella was dressed and ready to leave. Meredith gave Damon strict instructions on her care.
"Make sure you change the dressing, she's not to do any heavy lifting or strenuous activities, she is never to be alone, make sure she eats and gets enough sleep. Also a little and I mean only a little bit of vampire blood, like a drop or two, to help speed the process. It won't cause any suspicion and it will help her get her strength back." Meredith said.
"I'm right here," Bella grumbled while sitting in the wheelchair.
Although last night in Damon's arms was the first time she had felt safe since everything happened, she was still angry with him.
"Then actually listen for once," Meredith said, "I'll come by after my shifts end or on my lunch break to check on her."
"I'll take good care of her." Damon promised.
"Oh joy," Bella said sarcastically, "My dream has come true…I'm being taking care of by someone I don't trust."
"Bella," Meredith warned.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah I know; behave or I'm right back in here." Bella said while rolling her eyes.
Damon wheeled Bella out the door and immediately the town's news crew was waiting for her.
"Bella, how are you doing?" Someone yelled out to her.
"Is it true that Reverend Young attacked you and if so, why did he do it?" Another person yelled.
Damon quickly got Bella into the car and they drove off. Once they were close to Bella's house, she finally spoke.
"Someone's watching," Bella said, "When we get to my house, I'm walking in."
"No you're not," Damon said seriously.
"Yes I am," Bella replied, "Or do you not want to be invited in."
"How about you go back to the hospital?" Damon suggested.
"How about I throw you into a tree," Bella snapped back.
They were quiet after that and when they pulled up, everyone in the neighborhood was outside.
"Looks like you can't throw me into that tree now," Damon said while smirking.
He took Bella's hand and helped her out of the car before he wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her walk. Bella looked at him in shock.
"What?" He asked with a shrug. "Have a little faith in me."
"Sorry, that went out the window a few weeks ago." Bella replied. Once they got to the door Bella reluctantly said, "Damon, please come in."
Damon opened the door and he helped Bella inside. Bella froze at the doorway when she saw the blood still on the floor.
"It washes away," Damon said before he softly picked her up, "It all washes away."
"Not everything," Bella said absentmindedly as her eyes still stayed trained on the blood stained area.
Damon quickly blurred her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed.
"Do you want anything?" Damon asked.
"You gone," Bella replied.
"Bells," Damon said.
"No," Bella said angrily, "You don't get to call me that; I don't want you here Damon. You hurt me in the worst way. You had no right to take my memory away and I don't give a damn what your fucked up reasoning was. The only reason I am even tolerating this is because I couldn't stand being in that hospital for one more second."
Damon moved away and towards the door, "I'll be downstairs if you need anything."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Damon walked out onto the front porch and sat down on the swing.
"How is she?" Elena's voice asked, invading his mind.
"Angry," Damon replied, "Didn't think she would have this much spunk after what happened."
"I've learned never to underestimate Bella." Elena said while coming to sit down with him. "Everyone's coming over tonight. I think it would do her good and maybe ease the tension between the two of you."
"She's not going to forgive me that easily." Damon sighed.
"Give her time," Elena reassured him. "You've got plenty of that."
"But she doesn't," Damon said, "She looks bad."
"She was stabbed Damon. She practically died a few times, of course she looks bad." Elena replied. "But she'll get better. All wounds heal; the emotional ones just take longer."
"Hey," Jeremy said while walking up the front steps with Stefan. "We pretty much rented the entire movie store out."
"Caroline also informed us that it's a sleepover tonight." Stefan said while shaking his head.
"Great," Damon said, "A house full of loud teenagers."
Suddenly Damon heard someone right inside, on the other side of the door, before he smelled the cleaning solution. He got up and opened the door and he found Bella on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor as she attempted to get rid of the blood.
"What are you doing?" Elena asked shocked.
"Cleaning," Bella replied while not looking up.
"Bella stop it," Damon said while coming in and pulling her up gently but she struggled.
Bella winced and Damon pulled up her shirt.
"You're bleeding," Damon said.
"So," Bella replied.
"We need to change that dressing." Damon said, ignoring her.
"I'm gonna finish cleaning," Bella said stubbornly before she started to kneel back down.
"That's it," Damon said before he pulled Bella back up, forcing her to look at him, "Listen up I don't care that you're angry with me, I deserve it, but if you think for one second I'm going to let you hurt yourself you're wrong. I will take you back to the hospital Bella, don't think for a moment I won't. Now you can stop being a stubborn witch and let us help you for once or you can go back to the hospital, what's it going to be?"
"Bella," Elena pleaded.
Bella moved away from Damon, "Fine," she said through gritted teeth.
"Elena you and Stefan clean up the blood, Jeremy help me change her dressing." Damon said as he picked Bella up, "The supplies are in the kitchen."
He gently sat Bella on the bed.
"You're gonna have to take your shirt off." Damon said and Bella glared at him, "Please there's nothing I haven't seen and if there is, I'll throw a dollar at it. Arms up."
Bella winced as she lifted her arms and Damon pulled her shirt off. He gently removed the bandage and grimaced.
"You pulled some of the stitches," He said, "Jeremy."
"Here," Jeremy said before he smiled.
"What's so funny?" Bella asked.
"Didn't know you had that kind of body," Jeremy replied, "Really Bella, all those years and you never wore a bikini; why?"
"To keep horny teenage boys at bay," Bella retorted. "Jerk."
"Virgin," Jeremy replied.
"This is gonna sting," Damon said as he started to clean Bella's wound.
She slightly pulled away and started biting down on her lip to keep from screaming.
"You get stabbed and don't scream but a little alcohol hurts you," Jeremy said while shaking his head.
"Sorry I was a little in shock at the knife slicing through me like butter," Bella snapped, "It didn't exactly have time to registrar what was going on and by the time I did, I was too weak."
Jeremy's face softened, "I'm sorry Bells."
Bella sighed, "No I'm the one who should apologize, I'm just being…"
"A witch," Bonnie said while coming in. "I can take over Damon."
"No," Damon replied as he started to stitch Bella up.
"Damon," Bonnie argued.
"One more word and I'm throwing you out of here," Damon said as he worked.
"IF you weren't stitching her up right now I'd use my powers on you." Bonnie hissed.
"Witchy migraine oh I'm so scared," Damon said while rolling his eyes.
"Don't do that," Bella said mimicking him, "It makes you less attractive."
"So you think I'm attractive," Damon said with a smirk.
"I did." Bella said as the pain showed in her eyes.
"All cleaned up," Stefan said as he appeared in the doorway, "How are things going in here?"
"Done," Damon said as he redressed her wound.
Bonnie handed her a different shirt and helped her put it on.
"Why don't you get some sleep and we'll wake you when dinner's ready," Jeremy suggested.
Bella nodded her head and gingerly situated herself onto the bed.
"Do you want some tea?" Bonnie asked.
"Alcohol," Bella replied.
"Can't have that with the meds," Stefan said apologetically.
"Water," Bella said while laying down.
They left her alone in the room and headed for the kitchen. Everyone was there but Tyler was sitting outside. Damon turned back around.
"Bella," Damon said softly, "You need to invite Tyler in."
"Come in Tyler," Bella said in barely a whisper.
When Damon had returned Tyler was inside, helping with the cooking.
"She's exhausted," Elena said sadly.
"It's going to take a while for her to get her strength back but she'll be okay," Stefan reassured her.
"Was she really cleaning up the blood when you got here?" Caroline asked.
"She's stubborn," Damon said while getting a glass of water.
He took it back up the stairs and saw that Bella was passed out. He left it on the table and quietly shut the door.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Are there any leads on Reverend Young?" Matt asked.
"We haven't found any," Tyler replied. "He's hiding pretty good."
"If I were him I would be gone," Caroline said.
"He's here," Jeremy said, "I can feel it."
Ding…dong.
Damon went to open the door only to find Kol standing there with flowers.
"What do you want?" Damon asked while crossing his arms.
"I heard that Bella was finally awake and at home," Kol said with a smile, "I came to give my get well wishes."
"They're not needed," Bonnie said while coming to stand next to Damon.
"I'd much rather speak with Isabella." Kol said, "Or is she not as well as she seems?"
"Goodbye Kol," Damon said before she slammed the door shut.
"They're listening to us," Bonnie said.
"So what do we do?" Caroline asked.
"I think I know," Elena said before she pointed to the candle, "Bella she lit that when I was here and then she said 'none shall hear none shall see within this house we are free' then she lit the sage."
"Worth a shot," Bonnie said and walked over to the table, kneeling in front of it.
Stefan stepped outside and waited while Bonnie performed the spell.
"Anything?" Elena asked once Stefan returned.
"Nothing," Stefan said happily after shutting the door.
"Well now we know how that spell works," Bonnie said, "Why is it so simple for her?"
They went back to the kitchen and started cooking while Damon walked back up the stairs to watch over Bella.
"He's really worried," Matt said.
"She doesn't seem too happy with him though," Caroline said, "She barely looks at him. Do you know what's up Elena?"
Elena shrugged, "Whatever it is; it's between the two of them."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Damon stared at Bella's sleeping form when a light knock on the door alerted him to Elena's presence.
"I don't think she's going to be eating," Damon said quietly.
"I figured," Elena said while coming in. "You okay?"
"She won't talk to me," Damon said, "I messed up."
"Yeah," Elena agreed, "But you'll figure out a way to fix it."
"How do you fix compelling someone to forget something like that?" Damon countered.
"You work to prove yourself." Elena said, "You have to start back and build that friendship you had. That's what your trust was built on and it's what needs to be fixed first."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Everyone ate dinner that night before they moved the furniture around in the living room so that everyone could spread out and get some sleep. Damon was sleeping in a chair in Bella's room until he heard her start to talk in her sleep.
"No," Bella said.
Damon listened as her heart rate picked up.
"Bella," he said while walking over to her. "Bella."
"Stop," Bella said as she started to thrash.
"Bella," Damon said while grabbing her which stilled her movements. "It's okay, stop."
Bella sat up and grasped onto Damon before she started to cry.
"It's okay," Damon said before brushing her hair with his hand. "You're safe."
"He won't leave," Bella said while crying, "Every time I close my eyes I see him. I know it's a dream but I can't escape it."
"Will you let me try something?" Damon asked quietly.
Bella moved away and wiped the tears away, "Like what?"
"I need you to trust me," Damon said seriously but Bella shook her head, "Please."
Bella finally relented and Damon crawled over next to her, pulling her towards him as he sat up against the headboard. Gently he started stroking her hair as he gently whispered reassuring words to her. It wasn't long before Bella drifted back to a dreamless sleep.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella didn't wake up until five the next evening and when she did, she felt rested for the first time since she had returned to Mystic Falls. She looked on her side table and there was hot tea waiting for her; she eagerly drank it and when she was finished, Damon appeared.
"You look rested," He said while leaning in the doorway.
"Thank you," Bella said, "For staying with me last night."
"Where else would I be?" Damon asked. "Do you want to clean up?"
"Yes please," Bella replied.
Damon helped Bella to the bathroom before he left her alone. She gingerly removed all her clothing and stepped into the shower, allowing the hot water to wash over her as it slowly removed the hospital smell that still lingered on her. She put on yoga pants and a spaghetti strap top before she pulled her wet hair up in a bun. Damon was waiting for her and he helped her down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Hungry?" Damon asked. "Meredith should be here soon to check your wounds."
"Soup," Bella said, "That sounds good."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Twenty minutes later Meredith was with Bella in the living room inspecting her wounds.
"You pulled some stitches I see," Meredith said disapprovingly.
"Won't happen again," Bella said.
"Damon?" Meredith said as if asking his opinion.
"It won't," Damon assured.
"Have you been giving her the blood?" Meredith asked.
"She just had some in her tea." Damon replied.
"Only a few drops," Meredith said, "Anything else going on?"
"Nightmares," Bella said quietly.
"Some post-traumatic stress is normal Bella." Meredith said gently, "I could give you some sleeping pills."
"NO," Bella said firmly before she looked at Damon, "I think I'll be okay."
"Well just take it easy," Meredith said before getting up. "I need to head home before my next shift and get some sleep." She walked over to Damon, "Take care of her."
"I will," Damon replied before he watched Meredith leave. "Soup's ready. You stay there I'll get it." He told Bella before he went to retrieve her meal.
.*.*.*.*.*.
The rest of the night Damon and Bella were quiet, not saying a word. Finally Bella couldn't take it anymore.
"Why?" she asked, "Why did you do it?"
"Because I was afraid of hurting you," Damon replied knowing exactly what she was talking about, "I was so hung up on Elena and when I kissed you I was worried that you'd feel something and that it would change everything."
"It wouldn't have," Bella said quietly, "Even if I did have feelings for you, I knew you cared about Elena."
"I still didn't want to hurt you," Damon said, "I shouldn't have and I'm so sorry Bella."
"I don't know if I can forgive you," Bella replied.
"Understandable but I'm not going anywhere Bella," Damon said as he kneeled down in front of her, "I want to fix this…I need to fix it."
Bella just nodded, "You aren't going to leave though are you?" she asked scared, "I can't sleep unless…unless you're there next to me."
"I have no intentions of leaving," Damon said, "I promise you."
.*.*.*.*.*.
The next few days were still tense between the two of them but it was bearable. As the days progressed, Bella was getting stronger. She was still on restrictions as far as activities and school went but she was getting better. Damon never left her side and in two weeks she was finally able to stand up for more than an hour.
"When can I go back to school?" Bella asked as Meredith checked her over.
"Bella, we've talked about this, I don't think it's a good idea." Meredith replied.
"I'm tired of being stuck in this house," Bella said, "I need to get back to normal."
"Damon?" Meredith asked, "You've been here with her, what do you think?"
"As long as she's with someone…supernatural, I think it will be okay. Besides I'll make sure I'm close by." Damon replied.
Bella's eyes shot to Damon's and she gave him a small smile of appreciation.
"Let's look at how you're healing then I'll decide." Meredith said as she lifted Bella's shirt before she removed the bandages, "Looks good. Only keeping to the two drops of blood right?"
"Yes," Bella replied.
"Still no heavy lifting, no being alone, still get plenty of rest and just be careful," Meredith said unhappily.
"Thank you Meredith," Bella said before she hugged the doctor, "I'm gonna go call Elena."
Bella disappeared up the stairs and Meredith started to pack up.
"I still don't like it," Meredith said, "I'd feel better if you were with her at all times."
"Why do you trust me with her?" Damon asked, "You never have trusted me with anyone else."
"She's the only one you don't want to hurt." Meredith replied.
"Any sign of Pastor Young?" Damon asked.
"Liz has looked everywhere and they have even done house to house searches; it's turned up nothing." Meredith said, "I'll be happy when they find him then we can go back to things being normal."
"Is she really okay Meredith?" Damon asked.
"Her color has come back, no more circles under her eyes, and she's actually eating now so yes she's getting better but she's still vulnerable." Meredith answered, "Not even three months here and I've seen her more than I see my own parents. Watch out for her."
Damon nodded before he let Meredith out.
"Well Elena isn't happy," Bella said while coming back down the stairs; it was still difficult for her to go up and down them. "She thinks I'm rushing."
"Don't worry about her, just worry about yourself." Damon replied.
"Why are you backing me on this?" Bella asked as she sat down.
Damon sighed, "Because it's what you want and I trust that you can handle it."
"Damon, don't do it because you want forgiveness," Bella said.
Damon went over and sat next to her, "Partly I am doing that but also because I know you Bella. I know you can handle it."
"How do you do that?" Bella asked and Damon looked at her confused, "Make me forget about being angry at you even for a minute."
"My charm," Damon said with his trademark smirk.
Bella swatted him on the arm before she stood up too quickly, causing her to sway. Damon quickly steadied her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Easy there," He whispered into her ear before he helped her to the kitchen.
A/N: Hey everyone! Did you enjoy it? Don't worry more D/B is to come. Some good news people my wonderful beta designed an updating schedule for me on this story so here it is (mark your calendars)
Dec 12: Chapter 14
Dec 15: Chapter 15
Dec 19: Chapter 16
Dec 22: Chapter 17
Dec 24/25: Chapter 18
After this though I won't be updating until I have a few chapter written, but that shouldn't be a problem seeing that after this next week I'm free from school for a month!
Thank you to my wonderful, amazing beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel for all the amazing and hard work she does.
Now since I am going to be updating more frequently certain chapters won't have teasers sent out, but I will let you know which ones they are. The teaser for the next chapter will be sent out probably tomorrow so make sure you review today! Enjoy my dears see you in a few days!