A/N: As always, I do not own the characters. They belong to LJ Smith. This is just a story about one of my favorite couples, Bamon. I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments, likes and favorites for this story. Also, thank you for your patience. I am sorry it took so long to update. Hopefully, the next update will be within the month. I truly believe Bamon should have a happy ending and this story will conclude as such. I tried to keep it realistic, so please keep that in mind.

Chapter 16

I can do this. Bonnie repeated to herself as she drove towards Elena's house. Of course, I can. She and I have been best friends forever. We can discuss the guy I'm dating. We can have a civil conversation about Damon. I mean, she never even dated the guy!

Just calm down, Bonnie. She reminded herself. She was already starting to defend herself without hearing what Elena had to say. If she even had anything to say at all. Maybe she'll be okay with the whole thing. Yeah, I promised I would tell her if anything happened and now, I am. So, technically, I kept my promise. Besides, she dated Matt and Stefan and now she wants to claim Damon as hers too? How is that fair?

Again, calm down, Bonnie. She mentally chided herself. After all, I'm sure it will be no big deal.

Finally, arriving at Elena's house, Bonnie quickly parked and exited her car. Why am I so nervous? She quickly knocked before she lost her nerve. She was never one for confrontation. Well, at least, confrontation with Elena. Elena was like a sister to her and she didn't want to hurt her sister. Ever. Bonnie waited nervously for Elena to answer the door. And she waited and waited. Soon, it became obvious that she was waiting in vain. Elena was not at home. Well, I tried. Smiling to herself, she decided to drive over to the Salvatore mansion. Nothing like a certain Salvatore brother to brighten her day.

Bonnie made her way to the Salvatore mansion. She eased out of her car and up to the front door.

"Looking for me?" Damon flashed a smile as he held the door for her.

"Yes," she answered giving him a small peck on the cheek as she walked past him.

"That's it? That's all I get?" He jokingly demanded, feigning hurt.

"That's all you get until you close the door."

Damon quickly closed the door and confidently sauntered to Bonnie. "Now, about that something more?"

Bonnie didn't even hesitate. She rose up on her toes and kissed Damon for all she was worth. She didn't think she would ever get tired of this aspect of their relationship.

"Much better." He stated once Bonnie stepped away to catch her breath.

"I aim to please."

"Well, then, come back here so you could get some practice. Practice does make perfect."

"Are you saying that I need practice?"

"Are you implying that we shouldn't practice more? Because that's not a world I want to be in."

Will I ever get the last word with Damon? "You're right, of course. I've always been told to listen to my elders."

"Funny. You never listened before."

"You didn't have anything useful to say then."

"And now I do?"

"Now, I'm willing to compromise."

"I'll take it." And with that, Damon quickly made his way to Bonnie and wrapped her in his arms. Gently lowering his lips to her, he began with gentle nips that lead to an all-consuming kiss. Bonnie felt like the blood in her veins were rushing to her head. She wanted - no, needed to be closer to Damon. He was the only person in the room, the house, in the entire world that she could concentrate on.

"What is happening right now?" Elena's outraged voice barely pierced through Bonnie's hormone-induced bubble.

Separating not out of guilt, but of complete surprise, both Damon and Bonnie turned to look at Elena.

Stepping inside the Salvatore mansion, Elena never knew what to expect. But, she never expected to see Damon and Bonnie lip-locked like two horny teenagers who might not make it upstairs. "Again, I ask, what is happening right now?"

"Um…" Bonnie hedged, searching for the right words to explain to Elena how she felt and why she needed Elena to understand and accept her feelings.

Damon waited a moment, sensing that Bonnie was struggling to say the right thing. Elena was still glaring at the two of them like two kids who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar before their dinner. Finally, Damon just shrugged and answered. "We're practicing."

"Excuse me?" Elena wanted an explanation. That in no way explained anything. "Practicing what?"

"Kissing." Damon replied. "As my girl, she needs the practice."

Elena blinked rapidly as she tried to absorb this news. Bonnie and Damon? Damon and Bonnie? My best friend and my sort-of guy? "What? When? Why?"

"Where? And how?" Damon added for levity. But, all he got in return was death glares from both girls. I guess they have a lot to talk about.

"Elena. I wanted to tell you." Bonnie began.

"Really? Before or after I caught you two?" Elena quipped.

"I came to your house this morning so we could talk. But, you weren't there. I figured we could just talk later."

"And you didn't think to call me?"

Oh crap. She actually hadn't thought to call her. To be honest, she was dreading the confrontation and used her not being home as an excuse to delay the inevitable. She should have known it would have never worked. "I'm sorry I didn't talk to you before. But, you're here now. We should talk."

"So, now my feelings matter?"

Snorting, Damon tried to conceal his anger. True, he didn't think the news of his relationship with Bonnie would go over well, but Elena was acting like he had cheated on her. Last time he checked, she had made her choice. Well, lack of one. That meant he was free to see anyone he wanted. "I don't think…"

Bonnie could feel the anger rolling off Damon in waves and she quickly interrupted before he said something they would all regret. "Of course, you're feelings matter to me, Elena. You're my best friend. That's why you and I need to talk. Alone."

Elena was hurt and a little embarrassed that she came in acting like a jealous ex-girlfriend. She was thankful Bonnie had given her an out. "Yes, we should. Let's take a walk."

Bonnie turned to Damon and mouthed, 'everything will be fine.' She wanted to kiss him one more time for luck and strength, but she did not think Elena would appreciate the gesture.

Damon simply gave Bonnie an endearing smirk. "Enjoy your girl talk." He said with a wave and a smile.

Following Elena out the door, Bonnie took a deep breath. Am I really ready for this? Of course I am. I just hope I can keep calm and not lose my temper. Taking a path near the Salvatore mansion, Elena and Bonnie started their walk in awkward silence. Neither one of them wanted to start the conversation they needed to have.

Finally, Bonnie broke the ice. "So, what are you thinking?" Bonnie knew it was a vague question and Elena could answer any possible way, but she needed to know what Elena was thinking.

"So, you and Damon, huh?"

"It seems that way." No. Bonnie thought. I have to be honest. She has to know what it actually happening between Damon and I. "Actually, I mean, yes. There is something between us."

"I thought you couldn't stand him." Elena answered slowly.

"Most times, I still can't stand him. But then, there are other times when I feel as if I can't be without him."

Elena scoffed. "So, you're in love with him?"

"Doubtful." Elena added scornfully.

Patience, Bonnie reminded herself. I must have patience with Elena. This is coming as a shock to her. Yeah, but that does not mean she can be rude either. She argued with herself.

"I didn't say I was in love with him, Elena. It's hard to describe what I feel for him." Bonnie paused to consider the most accurate way to describe what she felt for Damon. "I know who Damon is. I am not thinking about him with the silver-lined illusions of an enamored school girl. I know he can be annoying and narcissistic and stubborn and vengeful. Plus, he is always doing the wrong things for the right reasons. But then again, there is a part of him that's caring and loyal and thoughtful. That's the part I got to know recently. That's the guy I like."

"But, you know that you can't just like one part?"

Smirking, Bonnie answered, "Yeah, I know. If only…"

"I just can't believe you didn't tell me. I even asked you if there was anything going on."

"I know." Bonnie answered, throwing her hands up to plead her innocence. "At the time, there wasn't."

"So, it just happened?"

"It's been happening, actually. I just didn't want to admit it to myself…or anyone, for that matter."

"I just really thought you would tell me. I just never expected to walk in and see you two kissing." Elena whispered, hurt by Bonnie's lack of disclosure.

Because you would have taken it so well. Bonnie thought to herself. "It wasn't supposed to happen. Not really. And not like it did. These feelings just kind of took me by surprise. I never expected to feel this way about Damon."

"I guess, I just thought that eventually Damon and I would have a chance."

"Chance at what?" Bonnie almost screeched, starting to feel her blood boil.

"Damon was in love with me." Elena said matter-of-factly. "I just thought I would have more time to sort out my feelings for him."

"You should have thought of that if that's what you wanted to do." Bonnie stated, feeling her temper rise. She was done trying to spare Elena's feelings. Besides, what about my feelings? I have apologized for her finding out the way she did. I apologized for not being upfront. But, I deserve happiness too…even if it is with Damon. At least, I was honest with her. Besides, I am not sorry for what has happened with Damon. And for right now, I am happy.

Taking a deep breath, Bonnie continued, "I know you were in a tough situation. Both of them loved you. And you loved both of them. But, had you chosen, one of them would have been hurt. By not choosing, both of them were hurt. And that's the truth. It sucks, but it's the truth."

"So, because Damon was hurt, he turned to you?"

Breathe Bonnie. Just breathe. "Maybe, at first. However, now, it is something. Something real. We want to figure out what it is."

"I don't get it." Before Bonnie could interject, Elena was quick to reassure her. "Hold on. I just don't think I can be okay with it…for right now. I'm just trying to be honest. I may not like it, but I will have to live with it. You are my friend. One of my best friends. You, Caroline and I are like sisters. I should be able to be happy for you. I am happy for you. You would be sympathetic if it was me. I should be able to do the same."

Giving Bonnie a hug, Elena added, "Besides, you've got a totally hot boyfriend. How can I not be happy for you?"

Chuckling, Bonnie returned Elena's embrace. I truly hope you're okay with this.

A/N: Again, I apologize for taking so long to update. Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter. I know there wasn't a lot of Bonnie and Damon, but Elena did have to find out. I hope their talk seemed appropriate. So, please read, enjoy and feel free to comment. Your comments inspire me to continue with the story. No pressure.