"Stripped"
Chapter 20: New Deals
Bella stretched out her arms before she found herself alone in her bedroom. A sense of disappointment flowed through her. She had missed waking up with Damon next to her, but obviously that was not happening today. A light rap on her door further woke her up.
"Bella, it's Elena," Elena said, "Can I come in?"
"Come on in," Bella said while sitting up.
"Hey," Elena said while coming in, "It's almost one in the afternoon."
"Really?" Bella asked shocked, "Wow I was really out. Where's Damon?"
"He went to get something to drink. He's back now and well," Elena said nervously, "We all want to talk to you."
Bella nodded, "Give me a few minutes to get a shower and get dressed."
Elena smiled before she walked out of the room and down the stairs.
"She okay?" Bonnie asked.
"She still looks exhausted, but she looks like her old self." Elena replied happily, "She just wanted to take a shower before she comes down."
"Are we really thinking about doing this?" Caroline asked with a huff.
"Bella thinks it is a good plan," Elena said calmly, "We need to trust her."
"Rebekah's a loose cannon," Tyler argued, "How can we trust her?"
"I don't know, but what other options do we have?" Elena countered, "We're running ragged; we can't keep playing defense. We need to move to the offensive and soon, otherwise another one of us is dead."
"I don't like it," Caroline mumbled.
"Believe me it wasn't my first plan either, but it's the best one we might have." Bella said while coming down with her hair still wet.
"What exactly is the plan?" Bonnie asked.
Bella sat down, "Well we get Rebekah, let her out and I talk to her."
"You," Damon said with narrowed eyes at her.
"Yes me," Bella said calmly, "You guys and Rebekah are like fire and gasoline…an explosion just waiting to happen. It might just be a better idea if she and I talk. I'll do it at the boarding house even, but we need her on our side."
"You think you can persuade her?" Caroline said in disbelief.
"Maybe," Bella replied.
"And if you can't?" Damon asked, "If she runs off telling Klaus, if she attacks you and you aren't quick enough?"
"Then you'll stop her because you'll be nearby," Bella replied. "I know it's not ideal, but this might be our only shot so what do you say?"
"What if we don't want the cure?" Caroline asked.
"Then I won't use it on you," Bella replied.
"Then why even look for it?" Tyler asked.
"Because someone will be taking it," Bella answered before she looked at Damon, "We can't kill Klaus without killing you, so we do the next best thing and turn him human."
"Seriously?" Elena asked.
"Look, the moment Klaus gets that cure we all know he will use it on you so he can make more hybrids. We need to cut him down a size, we get the cure, we turn him human, then turn him over to you Liz," Bella explained.
"We tie him to the murders and he's gone." Liz said, catching on.
"Do you think this could work?" Caroline asked.
"I think it's a good idea," Stefan said, backing Bella up. He looked to Damon who nodded, "What do you need from us?"
"I need a coffin," Bella said. "Klaus hasn't moved Rebekah I know that, but it won't be long before he does. I can't keep him waiting much longer and I would like to talk to Rebekah before I answer him."
"Then we do it today," Elena said, "You, Stefan, and Damon head back to Mystic Falls. If we all go, they'll know something is up. You three can get in and get out."
"Damon," Stefan asked.
"I'll go alone with Bella," Damon said, "We can handle it."
"Then you better hurry," Liz said while looking at her phone, "I've had a detail on Klaus and Kol for a while, they are at the Grill right now."
Bella and Damon grabbed their coats and quickly got into Matt's truck. Damon went as fast as the icy roads would permit him and they made it back to Mystic Falls in an hour.
"Liz says they aren't at the Grill anymore." Bella said as they pulled up to Klaus' house.
"Doesn't look like they're home," Damon commented before he opened the door, "Let's do this quick."
Bella nodded and got out with him. She used to unlock the front door and they found the coffin in the study.
"Once they see it gone they'll know something is up." Damon said while looking around.
"No necessarily," Bella said while thinking. "Get the coffin."
Damon did as she said and he wheeled it out of the room.
"Let what was taken not be known, allow the coffin to be cloned." Bella said and suddenly a coffin appeared; an exact replica of Rebekah's.
"Nice," Damon said impressed, "Is that an old spell?"
"No just made it up," Bella said while following him out and locking the door.
"You witches are a deadly bunch you know that," Damon commented as they got in the truck and he looked in the rear view mirror, "You're sure about this?"
"Yep," Bella said as they drove away.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Once they got to the boarding house, Damon got Bella blood and she pulled out the dagger.
"It won't be long," Bella said while sitting down, "You should go."
"I'll be nearby," Damon said before he disappeared.
Twenty minutes passed and finally Rebekah woke before she started looking around frantically.
"Where am I?" She asked while getting out of the coffin.
"At the boarding house," Bella said while standing up calmly, "They don't know you're here."
"Klaus," Rebekah said while on edge, "He…"
"I know," Bella interrupted, "I know what he wants."
"Why did you save me?" Rebekah asked.
"I wanted to make a deal with you," Bella answered, "I know about the cure."
"I won't give it to you," Rebekah said, "He'll use her for more hybrids."
"I know, will you just listen," Bella said calmly, "I know you won't kill him, he's your brother and I understand that. Instead I want to make a deal where he stays alive and can never hurt anyone again."
"How?" Rebekah asked.
"Give him the cure," Bella said simply. "We give him the cure then turn him over to Liz Forbes." Bella proposed as she stepped closer to Rebekah, "You want your brother to pay for what he's done, but what you don't want is for him to die and I understand that."
"Do you now?" Rebekah scoffed.
"It doesn't matter how much we hate someone, family is family, always." Bella replied, "If Klaus took the cure he would live the rest of his life human in jail. He could never hurt anyone and he would pay for his crimes."
Rebekah was silent in thought. Finally she spoke. "You wouldn't hurt him," She said although it sounded like a question.
"No," Bella said, "I think there has been enough bloodshed don't you?"
"What about my other brothers? Kol won't let you do that," Rebekah challenged.
"That's not what's bothering you," Bella said knowingly, "You're worried about what happens to you. You've never been on your own before have you?"
"Shut up," Rebekah said, becoming angry.
"You don't have to be scared," Bella replied not backing down, "It's not that scary."
"You don't know that, you have a family," Rebekah hissed. "I have no one."
"Because you make it like that," Bella said, "You did this to yourself."
"So what do you suggest?" Rebekah challenged.
"Maybe start trusting people." Bella suggested.
"Trust is earned," Rebekah countered.
"So let me earn it," Bella answered.
"What about your friends?" Rebekah asked, "I don't trust them."
"And they don't trust you. Neither side has given the other a reason to trust the other." Bella explained, "I'm laying my plan out in the open."
"And if I don't agree you put me in that coffin," Rebekah said before pointing to it.
"No," Bella replied calmly, "I let you go and you make your own decision. I won't threaten you like your brother."
"So what, are we to become friends?" Rebekah replied skeptically.
"Maybe," Bella said with a shrug.
"Can't you see the future?" Rebekah questioned.
"The future is never concrete Rebekah. I only see possibilities, nothing more." Bella replied, "So what do you say?"
"You have a deal," Rebekah said seriously, "But if you screw me over…"
"I won't," Bella replied, "My word is my bond."
"So what do we do now?" Rebekah asked.
"Do you want to stay at my house?" Bella asked.
Before Rebekah could answer, Damon stormed in.
"Hell no," Damon seethed.
"You really ought to put a leash on him," Rebekah commented.
"Damon," Bella said calmly, "It's my house and if I want Rebekah there as a guest then that is my decision."
"She can't be trusted." Damon argued.
"The same can be said about you," Rebekah countered and looked at Bella, "Did you know we slept together?"
Bella shrugged, "You won't get a rise out of me that easily Rebekah. Now both of you, please stop it. We need to work together not against each other." Bella said as she stepped between the two of them, "Damon why don't you head back to the lake house."
"What?" Damon asked appalled.
Bella threw up her hands, freezing Rebekah.
"Please don't start with me Damon," Bella said agitated.
"I'm not leaving you with her…alone." Damon said while pointing to Rebekah.
"I will be alright," Bella replied.
"How do you know?" Damon asked, "You said so yourself, you only see possibilities. How do you know you will be alright?"
"I don't, but I hope I will be. Damon please, I need to talk to her alone and away from prying ears. She needs to know she can trust me." Bella insisted.
Damon stood there, mumbling how he didn't like the idea.
"I'll make you a deal," Bella said, "You let me have this evening with her, just us, and if you decide to come back late tonight we could exchange our gifts."
"Will a bed be involved in this scenario?" Damon questioned.
"Probably." Bella replied.
"Anything happens," Damon warned.
"You're the first person I call." Bella replied.
Damon blurred away before Bella unfroze Rebekah.
"Where'd Damon go?" She asked confused.
"There's a lot you don't know, but let's go back to my house. Your brothers can't get in and I can protect us from prying ears." Bella replied.
"What am I going to do about clothes?" Rebekah asked.
"You can borrow some of mine for now." Bella answered, "Until we can get you some."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella and Rebekah drove back to Bella's house and headed up the front steps.
"Rebekah please come in," Bella said after opening the door. "It's not much, but it's home," she said as she hung up her coat.
"It's very cozy," Rebekah remarked. "How did you come by it?"
"It belonged to my grams." Bella answered.
"Where is she?" Rebekah asked while following Bella into the kitchen.
"She died a few years ago…heart attack." Bella replied sadly.
"You two were close I gather," Rebekah said before sitting down.
"She taught me all I know about magic," Bella said with a smile, "More importantly she raised me like I was her daughter. My mother wasn't around much so my grams was the only mother I really ever knew."
"What of your father, does he know about all of this?" Rebekah asked.
Bella shook her head, "No my dad is pretty much in the dark about the whole vampire, werewolf, and magic stuff. I think it is better that way. I worry about how he would react," Bella explained. "He doesn't exactly take care of himself as far as exercise and what he eats. He'd probably have a heart attack and he's the only blood family I have left."
"What about the others?" Rebekah asked.
"You're curious," Bella remarked.
"And you are open about what you know." Rebekah countered, "Aren't you afraid I'll run to my brother and spill all your secrets?"
"Should I be?" Bella asked, "I'm not going to threaten you Rebekah I already told you that. I know you're used to it with your father, mother, and Klaus, but I'm none of those people."
"So what about the others?" Rebekah asked, deciding to change the subject.
"I've grown up with most of them," Bella said, allowing her to change the subject. "Though before Stefan and Damon not all of us were that close. Tyler was a complete stereotypical douchebag jock. I mean growing up as kids he was alright then he hit puberty and along with that came the werewolf gene being activated."
"I remember Klaus when he was like that," Rebekah mused, "He and Elijah were in constant competition with one another over Tatia. I don't understand what is so appealing about the Petrova bloodline."
"Well for starters their blood can make hybrids." Bella pointed out.
"It's more than that, it seems that they have a panache for pitting brother against brother," Rebekah added, "Tatia with Klaus and Elijah, Katherine with Damon and Stefan, and the latest Elena with Damon and Stefan, but it's obvious that one has been resolved." Rebekah said before she leaned forward, "I'm curious though, how do you overlook Damon's transgressions, his past liaisons and his obvious once upon a time love for your best friend?"
"First off Damon is Damon and I accept him for who he is. We started off being friends, you know there was no romantic connection there but it grew. As for Elena and Damon it's weird at times and yeah my insecurities on the whole thing flare up but ultimately I trust in the fact that he won't hurt me." Bella explained.
"Trust can get you hurt," Rebekah countered.
"It can also build relationships and give you a family you never had," Bella replied.
"Are you offering me that?" Rebekah asked, "A family?"
"Maybe," Bella said, "But you have to want it Rebekah. You could have it, but you keep yourself from being happy."
"I have a family," Rebekah said haughtily.
"But there was a time you were once willing to leave them and start a new life." Bella mentioned.
"How do you know about that?" Rebekah asked shocked.
"I'm a witch remember," Bella replied, "Our powers vary from bloodline to bloodline. My powers are more extensive compared to those of your mother's, or Ayanna's."
"I loved him," Rebekah said quietly.
"I saw that," Bella said before joining her at the table. "Your brother saw that."
"He hated me for so long," Rebekah commented.
"Your brother feared losing you." Bella said, "He saw how happy you were and feared losing you so he exposed you to your lover. Your hunter never knew what you were until one night he caught you feeding thanks to Klaus. Then your mother's protégé convinced him that you could not be saved and you were a monster."
"Protégé?" Rebekah asked.
"There's more to the hunters' story than you know. Your mother has been trying to destroy you for centuries." Bella answered, "He did love you though."
"Who?" Rebekah asked.
"The hunter," Bella said, "The way he looked at you. Had he known the truth, you would have never been daggered. You would have taken the cure and lived the life you were deprived of."
"Well we can't change the past," Rebekah said sadly.
"No, but we can change our future," Bella said before she got up.
"So what now?" Rebekah asked.
"Well first I show you your room. You get cleaned up and put on something comfy. I'm going to start a fire and watch a movie with a glass of wine and you are welcomed to join me." Bella said before heading for the stairs.
Rebekah followed her upstairs. She grabbed a few clothing selections from Bella before she disappeared to the bathroom.
Bella quickly changed into her sweatpants and a spaghetti strap shirt. She walked back down the stairs before she popped open a bottle of wine, grabbed two glasses, and headed for the living room. She grabbed a DVD of Gabriel Iglesias, put it in the player, and then settled down in the snuggle chair. It didn't take too long for Rebekah to join her.
"A little presumptuous don't you think… getting out two glasses," Rebekah commented while settling on the couch, "I'm not that easy."
"I'm sure Damon might disagree with that statement," Bella said nonchalantly.
Rebekah chuckled, "I underestimate you too much I think."
"Most people do," Bella replied.
"What are you watching?" Rebekah asked.
"Stand-up comedian," Bella answered while pouring Rebekah a glass, "He's really funny."
"Never heard of him," Rebekah said.
Bella pushed play and within ten minutes both of them were laughing so hard they were crying. By the time the DVD finished, both of them were struggling to breathe and their stomachs were hurting.
"Do you have another one?" Rebekah asked after finally being able to speak.
"No, but we could go rent one tomorrow," Bella said while shutting off the T.V.
"Really?" Rebekah asked shocked.
"What?" Bella asked while cleaning up.
"You really aren't going to kick me out," Rebekah said in awe, "I mean you didn't even give me any rules or regulations about being invited into your home. You know you are quite the strange witch."
"I've been told that a few times," Bella said, "But it's called trust Rebekah. You and I are starting with a clean slate."
"What about me killing Elena?" Rebekah asked while waiting to be thrown into a wall.
Bella sighed, "I admit in the beginning I was pissed…beyond pissed actually. I had some pretty grim plans for you."
"What changed?" Rebekah asked.
"That night in the club," Bella replied, "I saw you and you were pushing me for a fight, kind of like you are now and that's when it hit me. You want to be punished so that your anger towards us can be justified and on some level your own conscience is pushing for your punishment due to your actions. I also realized that you punish yourself on some level, nothing I could do could compare to what you do to yourself."
"I do not punish myself," Rebekah said indignantly.
"Yes you do," Bella replied, "And the way you do it is preventing you from having even one miniscule moment of happiness. The moment you feel happy you sabotage your own happiness to punish yourself and to reinforce your own irrational thoughts and beliefs."
"Has anyone ever told you, you should go into the field of psychology? You would have gotten along with Freud," Rebekah commented.
"Yes I have been told that and no I don't think so," Bella said before shutting off the lights, "In all of Freud's pictures he has this little look in his eye that gives me the feeling he had a superiority complex."
"Don't we all though," Rebekah said while following Bella up the stairs.
They each reached their rooms that were across from one another.
"Bella," Rebekah said before shutting her door, "Thank you."
"Rebekah," Bella said, causing Rebekah to pause, "I have one request."
"I knew there was a catch," Rebekah sighed. "It was all too good to be true."
"No it's not like you think," Bella assured her, "I have an issue with blood," Bella said carefully, "I tend to get really sick at the sight and smell of it."
"You're a witch though, I saw you spill your blood," Rebekah countered.
"I don't spill my blood unless I absolutely have to. The only way I can really stand blood is when I'm really, really drunk." Bella explained, "I respect that you feed from humans but here in this house, do you think you might be able to not do it here?"
"You can really smell it?" Rebekah asked.
"Rust and salt," Bella replied as she felt her stomach churn at the thought.
"It smells different to vampires," Rebekah said and she saw Bella turn pale a bit, "I'm sorry. I won't feed here but could I keep a few blood bags just in case?"
"Yeah," Bella said, "The fridge in the laundry room I don't use, so you could put it in there if you like."
"Alright," Rebekah said, "I can abide by that. Goodnight Isabella."
"Goodnight Rebekah," Bella replied before she closed her door.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"She what?!" Elena asked in shock, "What the hell is she thinking?"
"She's not thinking," Caroline huffed, "She's making decisions on her own again."
"No she's not," Jeremy said, standing up for Bella, "She's trying to get someone on our side who can actually help us. You have to admit, none of us like Rebekah and she doesn't like us."
"But to invite that psycho bitch into her house?" Caroline asked, "I'm heading over there and demanding an explanation."
Caroline headed for the door but Damon grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"No you're not," Damon said before taking a drink of his whiskey, "She's fine and she's right."
"How can you be on her side?" Caroline growled.
"I don't like it any more than you do but I've learned not to argue with Bella on certain issues and this is one of those issues." Damon said before letting Caroline go.
"What's she expecting to get out of this?" Bonnie asked.
"I don't know." Damon said, "Whatever it is, it's important and we have to trust her."
Damon sat down his drink before he put on his jacket.
"Where are you going?" Stefan asked.
"Back to Bella's," Damon called out as he walked out the door.
"Damon," Elena called out, following him.
"What?" Damon asked, sighing dramatically.
"Have you told Bella about you and Rebekah?" Elena asked nervously.
"Rebekah has already mentioned it," Damon said.
"How did Bella react?" Elena asked.
"She didn't even bat an eyelash," Damon said before furrowing his brows.
Elena smiled, "That's a good thing."
"I will never understand you women." Damon mumbled, "Why is that a good thing?"
"It means you two are starting with a clean slate Damon. Don't take that for granted." Elena said before she headed back into the house.
Damon snuck into the house before he started up the stairs.
"Coming in from a booty call with little Elena?" Rebekah asked while leaning against the doorway.
"I really thought you had better remarks than that but obviously you're blonde is coming out," Damon replied, "Now if you'll excuse me."
"She's too good for you," Rebekah said, causing Damon to freeze, "You know it too. So why her? Why not stick with Elena?"
"Because," Damon said while turning her around, "Unlike Elena she accepts me for who I am, what I've done and doesn't demand I change for her." Damon stated before he walked over to Rebekah and got in her face, "If you hurt her I won't kill you right off the bad…that would be too easy. You remember what you did to me a few months ago?" Rebekah nodded, "It wasn't very inventive, kind of tiring if you ask me. But if you so much as hurt her feelings you will see a side of me you don't want to see Rebekah. My vengeful side rivals yours or your brother's no matter how many years you have under your belt, I can out torture you do you understand me?"
"Well then the same goes for you too," Rebekah said, not backing down, "You discard her like you do all the other girls, myself included, what I did to you will seem like child's play."
"Why do you care about her?" Damon questioned, "You barely know her."
"I don't need years to know who Bella is," Rebekah replied, "She protects those she loves, she won't back down from a fight and if you ever wanted anyone on your side, it's her. I respect her for that."
The creaking of Bella's door caused both of them to step away from one another.
"Damon," Bella said with a yawn before she looked between the two of them, "Are you being nice?"
"When am I not nice?" Damon asked as he walked over to Bella.
"Try 99.9 percent of the time," Rebekah replied, "I'm sorry I woke you up."
"You didn't I was already awake," Bella said tensely.
"Nightmares?" Damon asked softly, becoming concerned instantly.
Bella nodded, "I thought they were gone."
"What do you mean?" Rebekah asked.
"PTSD," Bella replied, "From the pastor's attack."
"Do you need anything?" Rebekah asked with a hint of concern showing in her eyes.
"I can take care of her," Damon said while wrapping his arm around Bella's waist.
"If I can help please let me know," Rebekah said, ignoring him, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Thank you Rebekah and good night," Bella said before she walked into her room with Damon.
"Are you alright?" Damon asked after taking his coat off.
"Better now that you are here," Bella said with a smile, "Thank you."
"For what?" Damon asked.
"For doing as I asked." Bella replied.
"Well the others aren't too happy about this whole her staying here and neither am I, but if there's one thing I've learned it's to trust you." Damon said and sat down on the bed, "Now I seem to recall that we were going to exchange gifts when I returned."
Bella smiled and shook her head, "Close your eyes."
Damon did as she asked and he could hear her shuffling around in her closet.
"What's taking so long?" Damon asked teasingly, "Didn't you get me a gift?"
"Of course I did," Bella replied before she returned to him, "Okay open them."
Damon opened them and saw Bella holding a huge book.
"What's this?" He asked.
"Open it," Bella said after handing it to him.
Damon opened up the cover and on the first page was a picture of himself, Stefan, and his mother. He stopped breathing; he couldn't believe the picture, it had been taken so long ago that Damon had forgotten about it along with his mother's face.
"You always talked about how much you wish you could remember what she looked like and your grandparents. I went to the old town records and found what I could," Bella said nervously, "I know it's not much, but…"
"It's more than enough," Damon said, interrupting her, but his eyes never left the picture.
"There's more," Bella said as she placed her hand on the book.
"Reveal," she said.
Suddenly the sound of Damon's mother's voice was heard as she sang the song she used to sing to him.
"I might have delved into your memories one night to find that," Bella admitted, "I know how much you hate it, but I figured it was worth your wrath."
"Thank you," Damon said, his voice filled with emotion, "I can't believe you did this."
"You like it?" Bella asked nervously.
"I love it," Damon said while admiring the picture.
The moment he touched it, it started to move.
"What the hell?" Damon asked shocked.
"I imprinted the pictures with your memories. When you touch the picture it will re-enact certain things. All the pictures do that."
"There's more?" Damon asked, finally looking at her.
Bella smiled, "The entire book is filled with them." She said before she sat down next to him, "You aren't mad at me for prying into your memories?"
"No," Damon said while smiling, "I can't believe you did this for me." He said as he flipped through the book, "You know this is some Harry Potter shit," he commented.
"Where do you think Rowling got her ideas?" Bella asked with a smirk, "One of her best friends is an actual witch."
"Seriously?" Damon asked shocked.
Bella nodded.
"Well one thing's for sure," Damon said as he shut the book, "You're cooler than Harry Potter. I mean he needs a wand to do magic, you have more freedom."
Bella laughed, "I'm glad you like it."
"I don't like it," Damon said staring intently at her, "I love it. You never stop surprising me Isabella Swan."
"You've lived for over 145 years Damon, I thought you've seen everything," Bella teased.
"Now it's your turn," Damon replied, "Close them."
Bella did as she was told.
"Open your hands," Damon said.
Bella felt a box being placed in them.
"Open them," Damon commanded.
Bella did and saw the box. She began opening it and froze upon seeing its contents. Within the little box was a silver locket with the Celtic knot engraved in it. Bella gingerly took it out of the box;
"Where did you get this?" Bella asked shocked, "Do you know what this is?"
"I know exactly what it is," Damon said in a matter of fact manner, "Do you know the pain I had to go through to get it? That witch your grams gave it to happens to be the daughter of a witch I knew in the 40's in New Orleans. She did not want to give it to me until I proved it was for you."
"Damon thank you," Bella said as she hugged him tightly, "You have no idea what this means to me."
"So you like it," Damon said with a laugh, "I couldn't tell."
"Don't be an ass," Bella said after pulling away and nudging him.
Damon smiled and took his hand to stroke her cheek.
"You're so beautiful," Damon commented.
"Damon I'm in pajamas, no makeup, and my hair is in a messy bun; I'm not beautiful." Bella replied.
"I've never seen a more beautiful sight," Damon countered as he leaned in.
His lips softly touched hers. He moved slowly while trying to gage her reaction. Bella smiled as he kissed her and moved closer, applying more pressure to the kiss. Damon wrapped his arms around her, effectively pulling her onto his lap and her legs instinctively spread to straddle him. His hands roamed the edge of her shirt, playing with the small bit of skin exposed, instantly revealing how soft to the touch it was. Bella's hands threaded into Damon's hair, gripping it gently, but with force she pulled him closer to her.
Damon's lips moved to Bella's neck, nipping at the skin there. Damon's fangs started to descend but he didn't notice, he was so caught up in his passion. Damon's fang scraped the side of Bella's neck just enough to draw blood. The moment her blood touched his tongue it unlocked something inside of him. He stood up still holding Bella and laid her down forcefully on the bed, his hands gripping at her shirt and beginning to rip it.
"Damon," Bella said after pulling away from his lips and trying to push him away, "Damon stop."
Damon didn't; something in him had changed and Bella could sense it. He continued his assault on her except now his fangs were attempting to further break the skin.
"Damon stop," Bella said before she used on him, throwing him against the wall.
The moment he hit the wall, he came to his senses and the two of them just sat there staring at one another.
"Bella," Damon finally said, "I don't know what happened." He said before running his hands over his face.
"We just got a little carried away," Bella said as she touched her neck, "It was an accident."
"I didn't mean to draw blood," Damon said while avoiding her eyes.
"Damon it's alright," Bella said before standing up, "I guess my blood is just that good."
"Are you okay?" Damon asked.
"I'm fine," Bella said before walking over to him, "Maybe we just need to be more careful."
"I'm sorry," Damon said, "I didn't mean to force you."
"No," Bella said quickly, "I wanted that up until…you tasted my blood. Damon I know you're used to girls just giving in, but I'm…"
"Bella it's not that," Damon said with a sigh, "I respect you, it's just when I tasted your blood something took over. I don't want to pressure you into anything. Whatever you're comfortable with…sex isn't everything."
Bella smiled, "Never thought I would hear the great lady killer Damon Salvatore say that."
"There's a first for everything," Damon said before he stroked her cheek, "You need some sleep."
Damon and Bella climbed into bed and he slowly stroked her hair until she fell asleep. Damon didn't sleep though, his mind was still tangled in what had transpired earlier. Finally he resolved that he needed to talk to someone in the morning.
.*.*.*.*.*.
A Few Days Ago:
"You're positive it was her," Carlisle said calmly.
"It was her scent," Edward said earnestly.
"We tried tracking it, but it ended in the parking lot." Jasper said, "She must have driven away."
"Why was she there in the first place anyways?" Rosalie asked annoyed, "I thought you handled it Edward."
"Shut up," Edward growled.
"I can't see her either," Alice said worried, "I see Charlie, but she's not there."
"Perhaps we should call him," Esme suggested.
"Because ten to one he would kick our asses to the curb," Emmett replied, "Why would she run?"
"We could call Sam," Carlisle said, "Find out if she is alright."
"No wolves," Edward snapped, "I don't want her near them."
"Edward," Carlisle said calmly.
"No," Edward interrupted, "We find her and we don't involve the stinking wolves."
"Oh here we go again," Rosalie sighed dramatically, "Save Bella brigade here we come."
"If you don't want to come you don't have to," Edward seethed, "I wouldn't want it to interrupt your stare at yourself in the mirror time."
"Children that's enough," Esme said getting upset, "Rosalie if something has happened to Bella because of us we need to know."
"Whatever," Rosalie mumbled.
"So here's the big question," Emmett said, "How do we find her?"
A/N: Hey everyone! Happy New Year! I hope all you are having a wonderful year so far and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Big, huge, grateful thank you to everyone that voted in the Burning Diamond Awards! You guys are so amazing in your support for me and the stories I write. Congratulations as well to all the authors that won as well and the stories. They were all amazing and I was so happy to be able to even be considered in that league with those other authors. As far as my stories here is the run down;
1st Place:
Best Romance: Twisted
Best Supporting Character: Twisted (Elijah)
Best Bella: The Devil You Know
Best Stefan: Buried Secrets 2: Blood
Best Family Dynamic: STRIPPED
Best Plot Twist: The Devil You Know
2nd Place:
Best Drama: STRIPPED
Best Kiss: The Devil You Know
Best Friendship: The Devil You Know
Best Bella: Twisted
Best Family Dynamic: Twisted
Best Series: The Devil You Know + Never Let Me Go
Best Dynamic: The Devil You Know + Never Let Me Go
3rd Place:
Best Drama: Never Let Me Go
Best Kiss: STRIPPED
Best Damon: Twisted
Again thank you to everyone that voted. Thank you M.M. Kaur for hosting and Dark~Supernatural~Angel for making the banners and avies. And again Congratulations to all the authors! If you want the lovely M.M. Kaur interviewed me so some hints as to what's coming in some of the stories are in the interview so go check it out. Go to crossoverawards . blogspot . com.
Thank you to my wonderful beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel for all her hard work on this story as well as all my others.
Thank you my wonderful readers without you this would not be possible and I appreciate you all so much! Chapter 21 is already written so for every review you will get a teaser! Review and I'll see you all soon!