"Stripped"

Chapter 14: Haunting Memories

"Regretting this decision yet?" Damon asked as he helped Bella out of the car.

"A little," Bella admitted and Damon raised an eyebrow, "Okay maybe a lot, but I can't back out now."

Bella and Damon had just pulled up to Mystic Falls High and every student, teacher and parent there had frozen. They all just stared at Bella like she was a side show freak.

"Why don't you all take a picture it will last longer," Caroline's voice said, cutting through the silence as she came up to Bella, "Idiots," she mumbled, "Don't worry girl, I got your back."

Bella smiled and let some of the tension from her body out. Go figure it would be Caroline who would open her mouth to the people around them.

Everyone was still staring and Caroline quickly spun around.

"She is not some animal in a zoo so everyone had better start moving their butts or else!" Caroline snapped.

People quickly dispersed and Caroline smiled.

"See it does help to be queen bee," she said happily.

"More like Queen Bitch," Damon mumbled.

"I heard that," Caroline said while glaring.

"Okay back away from one another you two," Bella said while stepping in between them.

"Yeah Damon, go off on your daily drinking habit. We've got her covered." Caroline added.

"Watch it Barbie doll," Damon said, "Queen bees can be replaced very quickly."

"Whatever," Caroline said while rolling her eyes before looking at Bella, "You ready?"

"Sure," Bella said before she looked at Damon, "I'll see you later."

"I'll be around," Damon replied before the girls walked away.

Tyler came up to the girls and took Bella's back pack.

"No heavy lifting according to Dr. Fell," He said while slinging her backpack over his other shoulder, "Shall we ladies?"

.*.*.*.*.*.

Damon stuck around the school the entire day watching Bella as she went through her day. Lots of people whispered about Bella as she walked through the halls. Some were shocked that she was still alive; others were so uppity claiming that she probably wasn't even attacked. It took all his control not to go in there and rip their throats out. When Bella was out of his sights for even a few minutes, he would text Stefan asking where she was or who she was with.

By the time 3pm rolled around, he was tapping his foot impatiently as he leaned against his car. The only time he eased up was when he saw Bella coming out with everyone flanking her and giving onlookers the evil eye, warning them not to mess with her.

"How was the first day?" Damon asked.

"Like you don't already know," Bella replied after rolling her eyes.

"I swear I was ready to bite some heads off," Elena said quietly. "If you had heard what some of them were saying."

"Hey I was right there with you," Bonnie agreed.

"Bells, was a trooper though," Matt said while handing Damon her backpack.

"She smiled sweetly and thanked everyone," Jeremy added, "I was about to suffocate from her sweetness."

"Kill them with kindness," Bella said with a shrug, "So what are we going to do?"

"Bella," Kol's voice said as he approached, "You are looking well."

"Back off," Damon growled.

"Oh how sweet," Rebekah said while joining her brother, "Scared of a little competition?"

"You're supposed to be gone," Bella said as she grabbed onto Damon's arm, "That was our deal."

"Deals change," Kol replied, "My family and I have become quite attached to this little town and its occupants."

"Oh please," Rebekah said with a roll of her eyes before she looked at Bella, "Klaus and Kol are infatuated with you, you little witch."

"Be infatuated at a distance and get the hell out of my town," Bella replied tensely as she straightened up.

She didn't wince as she straightened up even though her abdomen was strained and it felt as though the muscles were trying to tear themselves apart. She wouldn't let them believe she was weak…never.

"Kol," Klaus called out as he approached the group, "Why are you bothering them?"

"Just checking up on Bella," Kol replied coolly.

"Ah yes," Klaus said while smiling at Bella, "I'm so glad you're better Isabella; perhaps we can have dinner some time?"

"No chance in hell," Damon said before he pushed Klaus backwards, "Come near her and I'll kill you."

"You don't have any more stakes," Klaus reminded as he straightened Damon's collar, "She looks quite delectable."

Before Damon had a chance to move, Tyler and Stefan had grabbed him knowing what he was going to do.

"Keep him on a leash," Klaus said before he looked at Bella, "I'll be seeing you around."

Bella stepped forward as she glared up at Klaus, "No you won't." Bella said; her tone of voice was dangerous, "If you come near me or them I will destroy you. You're going back on your deal Klaus so now all bets are off. You saw the magic I used; it's not something one plays around with. You want to go a round with me Klaus fine because I have no problem using dark magic and believe me, I will enjoy using it on you."

Klaus took a step back; a flash of fear showed in Klaus' eyes.

"You think your mom was a badass witch, that she had some link to dark magic? What I did with bringing your body back was a mere party trick." Bella continued, "So go on Klaus test me; push my buttons. I promise you what comes at you will not be anything you are prepared for." She turned to Rebekah, "And don't think I've forgotten what you did Becky; you're payback is coming. Now Klaus, take your brother and sister and get the hell away from here."

Klaus, Kol and Rebekah walked away, looking over their shoulders as they did.

"Bella," Caroline said approvingly, "The badass witch is back in town."

"Originals beware, you're in for a scare." Matt added smiling.

"You shouldn't mess with them," Elena said quietly.

"They mess with me first by hurting you guys," Bella said while still glaring in the retreating Originals' direction.

Damon shook off Tyler and Stefan before he put a hand on Bella's shoulder.

"Come on, let's get you home," He said quietly.

"No," Bella said, "I'm done being stuck inside."

"Bella," Elena said gently, "You exhausted yourself today and don't say you didn't; we all saw you."

"She's right," Jeremy agreed.

"I appreciate you guys looking out for me, but I'm not made of glass." Bella said angrily, "So stop acting like I'm about to shatter because I'm not!"

"Bella it's not that," Matt said, intervening, "It's just…you're still recovering."

"Come on," Damon said as he grabbed her wrist.

"No," Bella said as she shook off his grip before she started walking.

Elena quickly caught up to her, "What is going on?"

"I have been stuck in the hospital, a bed, or at home ever since I got here and I'm tired of it." Bella said, "I'm tired of everyone hovering over me."

"Does that include Damon?" Elena asked.

Bella sighed, "Not now."

"You need to talk about it," Elena said, "I did."

"What?" Bella asked.

"I talked to him while you were bringing Klaus back." Elena explained. "Bella you were there for me, let me be there for you."

"There's nothing to talk about," Bella said firmly. "Absolutely nothing."

"Elena," Damon said which caused them both to turn around and look at him. His face was twisted in hurt and a twinge of anger, "Stefan's ready to get going."

"Um," Elena said nervously, knowing Damon had heard them.

"Go ahead," Bella said while looking away from Damon. She couldn't stop the guilt that was washing over her.

"I'll call you later," Elena said before she walked back towards the group.

"Let's go," Damon said; his voice was filled with mixed emotions yet one was evident…anger.

Bella walked towards him, refusing to meet his gaze, before they got into his car. Damon turned it on and sped out of the parking lot, shifting with force. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his jaw clenched tight and his whole posture tense. The tension in his body seemed to overflow, encompassing the air around them as they drove and when Damon slightly turned his head toward her, Bella quickly dropped her gaze. Damon's hands tightened on the steering wheel, causing his knuckles to become white.

He narrowed his eyes at Bella before he made a quick decision. He made a quick a hard right turn, causing the tires to squeal and Bella to topple towards him.

"Damon what are you doing?" Bella asked surprised as she sat up.

She then quickly moved away once she saw how close she was to him.

"Somewhere," Damon replied through gritted teeth, "You aren't the only one that's been cooped up in a house for three weeks."

"Where are we going?" Bella asked nervously.

Damon didn't respond instead he sped up and kept staring straight forward. Bella sighed as she settled back in her seat. She closed her eyes and allowed her exhaustion to take over her.

Damon listened as Bella's slow even breathing alerted him that she had fallen asleep. He slowly allowed most of the tension in his body leave him, as he settled back for the drive. When he heard Bella say there was absolutely nothing to talk about it cut him deep and then it made him angry. Granted he didn't have any real ground to be angry after the hell he had put her through, but after these few weeks he thought things had gotten better and obviously he was wrong.

Maybe it was the town; Mystic Falls had a way of sucking people in and draining the life out of them…literally.

Damon stole a quick at Bella and his features softened a bit. She was beautiful when she slept and Damon had the opportunity to watch her every night. Bella was still having nightmares of Reverend Young and the only time she slept peacefully was when Damon was lying with her. Each night they settled into bed together and Bella would lay her head on Damon's chest as he stroked her hair while she fell asleep. Though he would watch her for a little bit, his senses were always alert and whenever he heard a twig snap or any movement, he was right at the window. Once he was satisfied that it was just an animal, he would return to the bed and move around so that Bella was where she had first laid down. He felt complete when she was laying on him; like the pieces of his soul he kept hidden came to the surface and he was content.

.*.*.*.*.*.

Damon pulled into Richmond at about 6 o'clock and the moment the car stopped, Bella seemed to feel it as she woke up.

"Where are we?" Bella asked while looking around in a confused manner.

"Richmond," Damon said, "I needed to go look for some stuff."

"Like what?" Bella asked.

"It's December Bella; Christmas is right around the corner." Damon said with a huff.

Bella got out of the car and breathed in the cold Virginia air, "Damon Salvatore buying Christmas gifts; never thought I'd see the day."

"I bought you one," Damon reminded her.

.*.*.*.*.*.

Two Christmases Ago:

"Remind me how you convinced me to come here and shop with you?" Damon asked bored.

"You wanted to hang out; I told you I had to finish my Christmas shopping." Bella said while nudging him.

Bella browsed the jewelry cases as she looked for the perfect setting for her grandmother's lose pearl. She picked out a simple white gold ring. As she moved towards the register, a glint of something caught her eye and she moved towards the case.

"What is it?" Damon asked while looking at the case.

"That necklace," Bella said; she was entranced by its beauty.

Damon took a closer look and he didn't see the significance of it. It was a simple diamond snowflake necklace with topaz stones in it as well.

"What's so special about it?" Damon asked bored.

"Snowflakes represent uniqueness. No two are ever alike. It shows the strength of individuality and that every single one is beautiful," Bella looked at Damon, "Just like people."

"Some people aren't beautiful," Damon countered.

"But they are unique," Bella replied before she went up to the register to pay for her grandmother's ring setting.

.*.*.*.

Two Weeks Later:

"That was delicious Grams," Bella said as they washed the dishes from dinner, "Best Christmas dinner you've ever made."

"Thank you," Grams said with a smile before it faltered, "Someone's coming to talk to you."

"You should give him a chance," Bella said while drying the last dish.

"When he shows me he deserves a chance I will," Grams replied while putting away the dish towel, "Go on, but don't go too far."

Bella walked over to the coatrack and put on her coat as the knock came at the door.

"Hey," Bella said while opening the door and smiling at Damon, "Merry Christmas."

"Hey," Damon said smirking, "Can you come out and play?"

"She can come out for a few minutes, but not all night," Grams said as she walked into the living room, "I'm sorry Mr. Salvatore, but my granddaughter cannot go out tonight."

"Grams," Bella said as her eyes widened.

"I'm old Bella not naïve," Grams replied as she sat down on the couch.

Bella stepped outside in the cold, pulling her jacket closer together as she shut the door.

"I'm sorry," Bella said while walking over to the railing. She wiped off the snow before she sat down, "What brings you out tonight?"

"Well I was going to see if you could come out but obviously that's out of the question." Damon said as he joined her.

"Are you spending time with your family?" Bella asked.

"I told you I don't do holidays…especially Christmas." Damon replied, "Do you two always spend Christmas together, just the two of you?"

"Normally my dad comes up but this year he couldn't. Some new family moved into the town he's Sheriff of and he wants to make them feel welcomed. Apparently most of the town isn't doing that." Bella explained.

"Maybe there's something strange about them," Damon teased. "Maybe they are vampires."

"Whatever," Bella said with a smiled before she looked up towards the sky, "Blue moon."

"Please don't go all Glee on me and start singing that song," Damon said dramatically.

"Glee is a good show, maybe you could learn something." Bella teased. "Besides I wasn't referring to the song," Bella said as she pointed up.

Damon was shocked, "Wow," He said.

"A blue moon is a very rare thing," Bella commented.

"Hence the saying 'once in a blue moon'?" Damon guessed.

"Be serious," Bella said, "Blue moons symbolize many things, the most important being awakening, clarity, purification, and transition."

"What's this full moon about?" Damon asked.

"For different people it's different things," Bella replied.

"For me?" Damon asked.

"Awakening," Bella said, "Something is coming to the surface wanting to break out and give you the insight you search for."

"And you?" Damon questioned.

"Transition," Bella said with a look of confusion on her face, "Change is coming."

"Is that a good thing?" Damon asked.

"I don't know," Bella replied.

A light tap on the window signaled to them that Grams wanted her to come in.

"I gotta go," Bella said as she stood up.

"Maybe I can steal you away another night," Damon said as he looked out into the night, "It's snowing…appropriate."

"Wait," Bella said before she rushed into the house. She returned moments later with a big box in her hands, "Merry Christmas."

Damon opened it and saw a brand new leather jacket,

"You're old one was kind of weathered," Bella explained.

"Thank you," Damon said sincerely as he shook off his old one to replace it with his new one.

It fit perfectly.

"Keep that one," Damon said while motioning towards the jacket Bella held.

Damon walked over to Bella and gave her a light kiss on the cheek before he whispered, "Merry Christmas." He then pressed a tiny box into her hand.

Quickly Damon blurred away and Bella was left standing on the porch in confusion. She opened the box and gasped. Inside the box sat the delicate snowflake necklace she had seen at the jewelry store. She smiled.

"Merry Christmas Damon," Bella said before she walked into the house.

.*.*.*.*.*.

Present Day:

"Do you still have them the jacket and necklace?" Damon asked and Bella silently nodded while looking away from him. Damon walked over to her and lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him, "Why did you want that necklace?" Damon asked. "There were six other ones yet you couldn't take your eyes off that one…why?"

"The topaz stones reminded me of the color of your eyes," Bella answered honestly.

Damon smiled and brushed back some of her hair. He placed his hand in hers before they started walking down the street as the snow started to fall.

.*.*.*.*.*.

They arrived back at Bella's house late and Bella was in a lot of pain.

"Over do it?" Damon asked as he helped her up the front steps.

"That obvious?" Bella replied dryly.

"You should be more careful," Klaus' voice said as he came out from the shadows.

Bella and Damon turned around quickly. They immediately saw Klaus standing under the tree.

Klaus walked towards them, "Never know who could be watching."

"What do want?" Damon asked; he was tense and ready for anything.

"To warn you," Klaus said looking directly at Bella, "You gave me back my body. I at least owe you something."

"You disappearing from this town would suffice," Bella replied.

"That's not happening," Klaus said smirking, "But perhaps this will ease your displeasure; the wonderful Reverend Young was spotted over here earlier today."

"How do you know?" Bella asked. "Wait let me guess; you were just taking a stroll or passing by."

Klaus smirked, "Even in your weakened state you have spunk, that's admirable and very attractive."

"Get lost," Damon growled.

"I came to offer a truce," Klaus said while stepping up onto the porch.

"What kind of truce?" Bella asked tensing.

"Reverend Young could prove to be problematic for all of us," Klaus said, "I say we combine forces and stop him. We have age and knowledge on our side, you have power."

"Not interested," Damon said before he got in Klaus' face, "Now leave."

"He's bringing in other hunters," Klaus said while moving to the side to look at Bella. "More skilled ones."

"Damon," Bella said, placing her hand on his shoulder before he could move, "Let him talk, please."

Damon glanced quickly at Bella but he did as she asked.

"You do have him on a tight leash," Klaus smirked; he was amused.

"I don't have him on any leash," Bella replied, "He does as he wants and right now all he's doing is respecting what I want which is a lot more than I can say about you; you went back on your word."

"Touché my dear," Klaus replied, "The hunters he is calling in are not to mess with."

Bella tried to listen, but Klaus' voice started to fade, and she swayed a bit. Damon quickly grabbed her before he picked her up, cradling her in his arms.

"We'll talk tomorrow," Damon said.

"How about I hold her while you open the door?" Klaus suggested.

"Get lost," Damon said.

Klaus pulled a stake out of his jacket while Damon's back was turned. Bella was extremely lightheaded, but she was lucid enough to see the stake. She quickly flung out her hand and Klaus went flying into the street.

Damon quickly put Bella down on the stairs inside before he blurred to Klaus. They threw a few punches as Bella struggled to stand up. She finally made it to the door when she saw that Klaus had Damon pinned against the tree. It took everything she had but she focused on Klaus and he quickly dropped to the ground in pain. Damon quickly kicked him in the side, causing him to fly across the street.

"Damon," Bella said before she passed out.

Damon immediately blurred once he heard his name. He caught her in his arms before she hit the ground. Klaus appeared at the front door as he brushed the grass off his clothing.

"Kol wasn't lying," He mused, "She does pack a punch." Klaus looked at Damon, "We'll be talking soon. Make sure she's more awake by then."

Klaus disappeared and Damon carried Bella up the stairs. He was able to get Bella to wake up long enough to change out of her school clothes before they climbed into bed.

"Damon," Bella said groggily.

"What?" Damon asked while settling in next to her.

"We're in trouble," Bella said, "I can feel it…like I did after that Christmas."

"Shhh," Damon said while pulling her closer to him, "It's going to be fine."

"You remember," Bella continued rambling, "That feeling is nagging at me." She said before the exhaustion took over her.

Damon sat there stroking her hair as he thought back to the day Bella's life changed;

Two Years ago shortly after Christmas:

"Hello earth to Bella," Caroline said snapping her fingers in Bella's face, "Where are you? Have you heard anything I said?"

Bella shook her head, "Sorry Caroline just not feeling good." she explained.

Bella quickly got up and put on her coat, "I'm gonna go home I just don't feel well."

"But we have to figure out our outfits for the Lockwood party," Caroline pouted.

"Text me," Bella said and headed for the door.

She ran right into Damon,

"Hey where's the fire," Damon asked teasing as he caught Bella.

"Sorry," Bella said and moved past him.

"Hey," Damon called running to catch up with her. He caught her arm, "Bella what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Bella said then shook her head, "I don't know just something doesn't feel right."

"Come on let's go have a drink," Damon said, "We can talk."

"No," Bella said, "Look Damon I just want to get home okay. Rain check though."

Bella ran to her car and Damon watched her drive off. He shrugged and walked into The Grill. Two hours later his phone started ringing and he smiled seeing it was Bella.

"Reconsider my offer?" Damon asked smirking.

"Damon," Bella said; he could hear the pain in her voice.

Damon tensed, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Grams we were talking and then she just collapsed," Bella said crying, "I'm at the hospital."

"I'm on my way," Damon said and hung up.

He arrived at the hospital ten minutes later and immediately found Bella sitting in the waiting room her head bowed.

"Bella," Damon said and walked over, "What happened?"

"I went home to talk to her about this feeling I had. We were doing dishes and then I got this pain in my chest. I heard a dish break and when I turned around Grams was down on the floor." Bella said crying, "I don't know what's going on. They won't tell me anything."

Damon wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair, "It's going to go okay. Your Grams is a tough old bat."

For three hours they sat there finally Damon left to go get Bella some coffee. As he headed back he saw Marie Swan standing in the hallway.

He sighed relieved, "Ms. Swan I'm glad to see you're better."

"She's going to need you," Marie said ignoring him, "You have to help her. She's going to depend on you."

"What are you talking about?" Damon asked confused. "Let me get Bella."

"No," Marie said sternly, "You listen to me, I've never liked you, I've never liked my granddaughter hanging out with you, but obviously she sees something redeemable in you. She's helped you now you need to help her."

Damon looked at her like she was crazy, "I'm gonna get Bella." He said and walked around her.

He turned the corner and saw Bella slump to the ground as the doctor's words left his mouth;

"We did everything we could, but she's gone Bella."

"She's going to need you," Marie said and disappeared.

Damon dropped both cups of coffee, ran over to Bella, and held her as she cried.

Present:

He slowly stroked Bella's hair and sighed. He hoped that for once her feeling was wrong, but he knew better.

A/N: Hey guys hope you enjoyed the chapter! As promised I am updating today and everything is on track for the next updates. In case you forgot here they are;

Dec 15: Chapter 15

Dec 19: Chapter 16

Dec 22: Chapter 17

Dec 24/25: Chapter 18

Thank you to my wonderful beta the lovely miss Dark~Supernatural~Angel she is an amazing person and such a big help. Shout out of the lovely people of Bambi's Beloveds.

Review my dears there will be a teaser for 15 if you review!

Bye see you Saturday!