I apologize for this length of updating this story, but I hope the contents of this chapter will make up for it!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS ALOT TO ME! :)

Please remember to review at the end! :)

Bonnie moaned, and slowly opened her eyes. She sighed, catching the glimpse of someone sitting next to her. She blinked a few times to get into focus. She frowned, and let out a low groan. "Oh, damn." She muttered, shaking her head on the pillow.

Kol smirked, and placed his left hand on her forehead. "Now, is that any way to talk to someone who sits by your bed until you wake up?" He asked, smiling, lightly.

She groaned, but couldn't resist leaning into his hand as it trailed down her cheek. "How long was I out?" She asked, her voice slightly going down into slight grog.

He smiled, and pushed her brown hair from her face. "A few hours, it was the worst one yet." He replied, frowning as her eyes closed.

"It was stronger this time." She whispered, lifted her left hand to touch her brow.

He sighed, and closed his eyes. "Bonnie,"

"You should go, Kol." She interrupted, moving to sit up, but the room began to spin around her.

"I'm not leaving, Bonnie, not until you're well." He stated, firmly, his tone telling her that she needn't argue, but she dismissed it.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Kol." She replied, strongly. "I've done it half my life." She added, with a groan.

Kol clenched his teeth, and swallowed hard. "I'm sorry." He whispered, causing her to lift her gaze to his.

"It's the past, Kol." She stated, shaking her head, before avoiding his eyes. "I don't cling to the past, not anymore." She added, placing her hands on her head, and ran her fingers through her hair.

Kol leaned back in his chair, and watched her, carefully. "I'll make you some tea." He whispered, after a moment, standing up from his chair.

Bonnie reached forward, and grasped his hand with her right hand. "Why did you stay?" She asked, lifting her eyes to his. "Why do you always stay?" She asked, shaking her head.

Kol angled his body to gaze down in her eyes. With a quiet sigh, he caressed her face, and bent down. With careful precision, he caressed her lips with his, and pulled back. "Can't you see?" He asked, in a low whisper, before walking away from her, and out the door.

She let out a breathy sigh, and slowly raised her right hand to her lips. "Sometimes, I wish I didn't." She whispered, closing her eyes, and bowed her head.

Wishing the gods would ease her pain: the pain of loving the man who ruined her life.

~XXX~

Stefan's eyes clenched together as his head turned side to side in his sleep. It was the same dream as before, but stronger and more intense.

He groaned, and tightened his hold on the woman lying beside him.

"Stefan!"

"Rebekah!" Stefan shouted, as the fires around them burned hotter and higher than ever. "Rebekah!" He shouted, trying to reach for her.

"Stefan, please, don't give up! I need you!" She shouted, fear and love shining in her eyes.

He shook his head, and reached his hand outward towards the flames. "I can't reach you!" He shouted, tears burning his eyes like kerosene.

She bit her bottom lip, and reached, her fingers touching the flames. "Please! Don't give up!" She shouted, tears streaking her ash covered face.

Stefan reached forward, and just as he touched her, the figure transformed into a man who looked exactly like him, except without the scars, and his green eyes held a coldness that made the fire around them seem cold.

"Silas," Stefan whispered, stepping back.

Silas smirked, and leaned forward. "Did you really think you could have her to yourself?" He asked, quirking a brow.

"Stay away from her!" Stefan shouted, causing Silas to laugh.

"You fool!" Silas shouted, flinging Stefan back into the flames. "She's already mine! You have given her to me!"

"NO!" Stefan shouted, sitting up in the bed, his chest moving up and down, and sweat dripping down his skin, from his wet hair.

"Stefan?"

He gasped, and quickly turned to find Rebekah sitting up beside him with her blonde hair, slightly mushed from sleeping beside him. They hadn't made love that night, but for some reason it was a comfort to know they were there in each other's arms.

He closed his mouth, and quickly stood up from the bed, ignoring the pain in his leg as he stood. He moved towards the other end of the bedroom, and placed his hands on the rock wall.

"Stefan," Rebekah called, curling her legs beside her. "What's wrong?" She asked, watching his back stiffen.

"Leave," He stated, pain filling his voice.

She shook her head, and slid out of the bed. "What are you talking about?" She asked, moving towards him.

He sighed, and memory of the dream played through his mind. "I was a fool to think that this was going to work." He whispered, pushing away from the wall, but didn't turn around, instead he through his head back.

She shook her head, her mouth hanging open slightly. "Stefan, what do you mean?" She asked, stepping back.

He sighed, and slowly turned around to face her. "Silas is getting stronger, and the stronger he gets, Rebekah, the worse it's going to be. I…I can't have you in danger." He stated, his earlier fear leaking into his words.

She shook her head, and glared at him. "I thought we were over this." She stated, shaking her head once again. "I'm not leaving you! I never will!" She shouted, her eyes flashing with anger.

"You have to, Rebekah." He stated, shaking his head. "Silas wants you. He wants you to be his, and he…" He bit his lip, and turned away.

She narrowed her eyes, and tilted her head to the side. "He what?" She asked, staring at him.

He swallowed, and thought for a split second he could keep this away from her, but he couldn't. "He said that I would give you to him." He answered, after a moment.

She shook her head, and slowly stepped towards him. "Stefan, he was trying to get inside your head, like he did with me." She remarked, with emotion. "I know you would whatever it takes to protect me, and I would protect you." She added, with her blonde hair flying as she shook her head.

He swallowed, and closed his eyes. "Go home, Rebekah." He whispered, backing away from her, and headed out the bedroom, towards the forge.

She shook her head, and fought back the tears which threatened to erupt from her eyes. Shaking her head, and surviving on the last bit of courage within her, she followed him to the forge.

Grasping his right arm, she turned him around, and glared into his eyes. "Damn you!" She began, her voice cracking. "Why won't you let me in?!" Rebekah shouted, hurt filling her eyes.

Stefan groaned and turned away, getting out of her grasp. "Why don't you go back to your cozy palace, Rebekah?" He asked, lowly.

She shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving here, until you give me a straight answer!" She shouted, stomping over to him.

He shook his head. "It's not safe for you here, Rebekah." He nearly shouted, though his teeth were clenched together.

She scoffed. "As if I cared about my safety," She stated, harshly.

He whirled around, as well as he could and glared at her. "Why are you so stubborn?!" He shouted, watching her face soften.

"Because, I can't lose you, Stefan," She whispered, tears filling her eyes. "I love you." She added, watching shock filling his face. She smiled and let out a small laugh as she reached up to touch his disfigured face. "I love you, Stefan." She whispered, again, searching his eyes.

Stefan closed his eyes, and shook his head. "You can't love me." He whispered, taking her hand in his right.

"Why not?" She asked in a hurtful whisper. "Because you're scarred?" She asked, and got her answer from the look on his face. "Stefan, you are the most handsome man I know, and it's not because of your scars." She whispered, shaking her head. "I love you because you see me, and I see you. I see you as a kind, caring man who cares for his brother and makes such beautiful things." She whispered, tears falling down her face.

"Rebekah," He began, swallowing hard. "Silas is coming after me, and he will try to get to the one person I love more than anything in this world, so please leave, and be safe." He whispered, trying to step away from her.

She stood in shock, and her heart began to pound in her chest. "You love me?" She asked, lowly.

He sighed. "For centuries." He answered, with his back to her.

Rebekah smiled, and ran towards him. She stopped in front of him, and smiled brightly as she stared into his eyes. Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and planted her lips on his. "Then prove it, let me stay." She whispered against his lips as they panted and exchanged breathes.

He pulled back only enough to see the love pouring out of her eyes and a smile on her lips. He smiled in return, and held her close with his right arm as they disappeared from the armory to his bedroom.

She smirked and looked around them. "Trying to tell me something?" She asked, coyly.

Stefan smiled and kissed her once more. She giggled and felt him wave his right hand, causing her small nightgown to fall to the floor. She pulled back, and lifted her brow at him. "Not fair." She whispered, glancing down at his silk pants before waving her hand, making them fall to the floor. She inhaled sharply at the physique of his body, and lifted her gaze to his.

She smiled softly, letting him know that she approved of him, whole heartedly, even though the scars covered almost the entire left side of his body. She traced his scars with her right hand, and smiled as she lifted her eyes to his. "You're beautiful." She whispered, smiling.

All the years of hiding his disfigurement, all the years of thinking he was ugly and a beast, all of it was wiped away by those two words. Slamming his lips on hers, he took possession of her mouth while he pushed her backwards towards his satin covered bed.

Rebekah smiled as she pulled back, and sat down on the bed, scooting back to lie fully on the bed. She smiled as Stefan moved to stretch out beside her. She caressed his smooth cheek with her left hand, and brought his mouth down hers.

They lay on the bed for minutes, just kissing, fighting for dominance, and realizing they were equal. Stefan's mouth moved down Rebekah's body, pausing to suckle her breasts, causing her to moan and arch her back in pleasure. He moved lower, and sucked on her stomach, driving his tongue into her bellybutton. She moaned and arched her neck backward with each movement his lips made on her body.

"Oh, Stefan." She moaned, as he moved to the apex of her thighs, and began to make a meal of her thighs.

She tensed her body as the pleasure began to ring through, and screamed his name as stars exploded behind her closed eyes, just from his lips on her silken body.

Stefan smiled, and ran his tongue over her, until he was back to her lips. She moaned, and couldn't stop her body from shivering from the pleasure he had elicited from her as no other man had before.

She smiled into his lips, and moved her silken legs over his hair covered legs, causing him to moan. She pushed him over, and straddled his hips, placing her hands on his chest.

She sat up, and stared down into his eyes, and leaned into his right hand as he stroked her face tenderly.

Leaning down, she kissed his lips, and began to move down his body, pausing to suck on his nipples, and kiss his scars. She smiled as he moaned and arched his neck backwards.

She moved lower until she made it to his member, and began to plant kisses and sucked lightly, taking him as far as she could inside her mouth. She moved her tongue over him, and stroked the outside of his thighs as he continued to moan and arch off the bed.

"Rebekah!" He shouted, as his pleasure came tenfold.

She smiled and licked her way back up to him, until she got to his lips, just as he did to her. Threading his right hand through her blonde hair, Stefan kissed her, and rolled her over gently, yet quickly.

He had to have her now. Lifting his head, he felt her wetness against his cock, and moaned as he realized she was still ready for him. He pushed his hips downward, and groaned as he felt the tightness of her surrounding him. Rebekah moaned in pleasure, and wanted all of him. She wanted the pleasure that only he could give, the sweet satisfying pleasure that could only come from the man who loved her.

As Stefan began to move inside of her, she felt such desire surrounding her, she never imagined that it would be this wonderful.

"Oh, Stefan." She moaned, as she arched against him. "Please…harder…oh…by…the…gods…harder!" She shouted, her words striking a chord within her lover.

Stefan moaned, and kissed her lips hard. Sweat formed on his forehead, and all of his weight went on his right arm. His left, though bent, moved over her body, causing her to shiver.

Rebekah's arms moved over his bare muscled back, and she let out a cry when he moved a certain way, that sent spasms of pleasure shuddering through her. The silk sheets stuck to her body, and cold her hot, sweaty flesh from behind, but she couldn't care. She had the man she loved inside her, loving her with a roughness that paled in comparison to other lovers, and rocked her until she could only see him: Her true love.

He couldn't hold back anymore. Speeding up his thrusts, he rocked her with slight roughness, but she didn't care. She wanted it. She needed it. Arching her back, she wrapped her legs around him, and moved with him.

She felt him hit the high, and she followed only a second later, feeling him spill his seed deep within her womb, pleasure ringing through her body at the feel of it all.

He continued to move through the long orgasm, and she felt as if she might die. She felt her eyes close, and let her voice scream out in inclination.

They cried endearments and their names as they hit yet another orgasm, until Stefan collapsed to the right of her.

He groaned as he fell on his damaged arm, but to him it was worth it.

He panted, and gazed at her, watching her chest heave in the aftermath of the pleasure he had given her.

Rebekah turned her head, and smiled brightly. "If anyone ever calls you incompetent in the bedroom, I will personally kill them." She stated, firmly.

Stefan let out a chuckle, and moved to get off his arm. "It was that good, huh?" He asked, lightly.

Rebekah smiled, and narrowed her eyes as she moved, slowly to his left, and moved his damaged arm to wrap around her carefully. "It was the best, Stefan." She whispered, kissing his lips lightly.

Stefan smiled against her lips, and caressed her face with his right hand. "I love you." He whispered, tenderly.

Tears filled her eyes, and she smiled. "I love you." She whispered, kissing him once more. "Don't leave me, Stefan." She whispered, lifting her gaze to his.

He sighed, and moved her blonde hair from her face. "I can't promise that, Rebekah." He whispered, shaking his head against the pillow.

Rebekah bit her lip, and nodded. "Well, then, promise me that you will be careful, even though I'm going to be right by your side." She whispered, stroking his bare chest.

He closed his eyes, and sighed roughly. He felt fingers touch his lips, and he opened his eyes to find her glaring at him with determination shining out of her eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere, Stefan." She stated, moving to sit up, her breasts, still swollen from his touches and fondling, stuck out with her back straight. She lifted her right leg, and straddled him, groaning as his already harden cock touched her bottom lips. "We made a vow tonight that we would stand beside each other, no matter what, and that's exactly what we are going to do, no matter what you say or how scared you may be." She stated, her voice strong and unwavering.

He sighed, and reached up to caress her face with his right hand, and pushed a strand of blonde hair from her face. "Fine," He whispered, holding her eyes. "Make me a promise though," He began, watching her open her mouth, but he covered it with his hand. "Promise me that you will never stop loving me, and fight me if I ever tell you to leave again." He added after a moment, knowing that no matter what he did, she would never leave.

Tears filled her eyes, and she smiled behind his fingers. Opening her mouth, she nibbled at the tips of his fingers, and slowly nodded. "That I will promise, my love." She whispered, leaning forward to touch his lips with hers, as her blonde hair draped over their faces.

Stefan smiled against her lips, and wrapped his right arm around her waist. In his mind, he realized she was right. He couldn't do this alone, and even though Silas had told him that he would give Rebekah to him, he knew, he would never do that.

For Rebekah Mikaelson was a strong willed woman, and who was he to tell her what to do, for if he couldn't tame her stubbornness, then how could he lose her to Silas.

With that thought in mind, he rolled them over, and made love to the woman he would never let go of one more time, and cried out in the darkness that she would never leave his heart, his soul, or his side as long as he drew breathe.

~XXX~

Somewhere in the darkness of the Underworld, a creature cried out in agony. For love had weakened him, but only temporarily.

Please be kind! :)

Next Chapter: Rebekah and Stefan bask in the afterglow of their love. The Bennetts find something is wrong. Klaus and Caroline become trapped with nowhere to go.

If you haven't guess, the storm is coming, and it's coming fast! Are ya'll ready? (Sorry, I'm Southern! lol)

Until Next Time...