Please accept my humble apologies. I just want to thank you all for your patience and hope you still have some interest in my story. I truly appreciate you all so very much. Life has had me down, but not out for the count.

Going to fast forward a little bit as you'll notice as you read along.

Chapter 4

The darkness never scared her, but there was something in the way it felt surrounding Bonnie. She knew her eyes were open, but staring into nothing made her second guess herself. Her arms stretched before her trying to touch anything tangible then she smelled it. Blood assailed her senses and what Bonnie knew for sure that is wasn't just anyone's blood it was Damon's.

She jolted up in bed instantly looking for Damon at her side.

"Bonnie I'm here." She clung to him and Damon didn't let go. Whatever she needed from him she was going to get.

"You're in danger Damon." He couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"I know this is a serious moment, but danger and I go hand in hand."

"I, am, serious, Damon. I was in darkness and all I could feel and smell is your blood. Not mine, not Stefan's, not Elena's, not Caroline's only yours." Damon lifted her face in both his hands. He kissed her eyes shut. Nipped at her perfect nose then ravaged her lips till she was breathless.

"You know even before I became a vampire I was wasting my life because I knew my father couldn't stand me. One hundred and forty-five years I continued to waste as a vampire. Now, in this time, I have the balls to let not just someone into my world, but you witch. You, my beautiful siren give me reason to start over new. So believe there is no way in hell I am going to let Katherine, some mangy dog like Mason Lockwood or any other supernatural take away what I have longed for, for so long." Bonnie felt his conviction and although she still had questions about them she did believe Damon's words. In a sense they made her feel stronger, powerful even.

"I had convinced myself that I had to fight my feelings for you because of Grams mostly than I tried to use Elena as an excuse to be wrong. Those reason would fall short of their cause. I thought about you everyday and wanted to be with you all the time. Damon thank you for trusting me with your heart. Know that I will fight for you, for us with everything that I got." Damon's lips spread wide in one of his famous smirks and he leaned toward her willing supple lips.

"I will never get tired of kissing you."

"You better not Salvatore."

"It's too early to get up let's go back to sleep. In the morning we'll go to my house and I will show what I found." Bonnie arched an eyebrow waiting to hear more. He didn't give in, just pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Bonnie relented and placed her head on his cool chest and slept the rest of the night in his arms.

Same time in Las Vegas

They were a small group of young vampires beholden to The Originals. Allowed to go anywhere they pleased, but never truly free.

She had sacrificed her best friend and lover to breathe another day. Rose loved Vegas because the mere sounds of slot machines drowned out her guilt and gave her the fortitude to do what she needed to survive another day.

Elijah watched Rose the minute she arrived and headed away from him and the others. She would always go outside on the balcony and stare out onto this part of the world. He got to go to her as he always did and she wouldn't push him away.

"Klaus wants us in Mystic Falls." She didn't give him time to hold her as she turned to face him.

"Is it time than?" He took a deep breath that normally a vampire didn't need to, but it was the meaning of her words that had him coming to grips.

"It's the only way Rose." She smiled at him, her eyes going dark and the veins visible showing her excitement.

"You are better them him Elijah. You see us as your family not your slaves as He does. You promised us real freedom and we all support you." She reached out to him and her hands cupped his face. He embraced her as their lips fused in a frenzy.

"Without you Rose I wouldn't have the courage to do what needs to be done. Stay with me forever?" She wasn't surprised that he had asked her that because it wasn't the first time. Her answer was always the same, a nod yes and he accepted that without question. Elijah wasn't quick to see the mischief in her blackened eyes or the sly smile as he caressed her skin with his hot, wet kisses.

"I am what I am," Rose thought silently, "and Elijah should know better than to underestimate me." She pulled her head back and laughed giving Elijah full reign on her exposed neck which he willingly obliged.