Once again, thank you for your support, your reviews and your encouragement on Twitter. I appreciate it and I appreciate you trusting me and the process with this plot. I don't usually do long notes, but I felt like after the last chapter and some reviews it is warranted…so here goes…
I realize this fic has some basis in reality, meaning that Bamon have a 'real' profession and that profession comes with rules. Professional Responsibility was a lovely class, enjoyed it very much; however, when writing fiction—sometimes certain events and plots happen to keep the story moving along or to even have a story. My Bonnie Bennett in this fic is not perfect, neither is Damon (both are far from it). They do things they shouldn't do, say things they shouldn't say and are attracted to those they shouldn't be. However, that's what keeps a fic going and what makes it fiction.
So I ask you to trust me with this process, I am a Bonnie fan, a Bamon fan and a Damon fan (when he's treating Bonnie right). I would never betray these characters and I hope that you believe me. Thank you again for your support and continued interest in reading. It is appreciated and if you're still with me and this fic…I deeply appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.
Present Day
By the time Damon finished showering and changed into clean clothes, he found Bonnie asleep on his love seat. Her iPad was lying on her chest and she looked as if she had been sleep the entire time. Damon stopped for a few moments to admire her. She was beautiful and the fact that she wasn't looking at him with disappointed eyes made her even more beautiful. He picked up one of the blankets on the floor and covered her up as he sat down on the couch. He rubbed his hands over her face and breathed deeply. As much as he wished that he could get some sleep, there was no way he could. No matter how many times he closed his eyes, all he could see were Olivia's unseeing ones. He could remember dinner, the wine, the kiss and then it all went blank. There was nothing but a black hole, but he knew he didn't kill Olivia. There was no way that he could or would do anything like that.
The relationship with Olivia had recently taken a turn, but it was mostly born out of them receiving hard blows to their love life. They found comfort in each other's arms and both agreed that it wasn't serious. Olivia was a good person. She was trusting and she didn't deserve the heartbreak that she endured from Tyler Lockwood or to be murdered so horribly.
Damon eyes drifted over to Bonnie. When he made that call earlier, he knew that he was taking a gamble in calling her, but she had come. Despite the obvious change in her relationship with that detective, there was still something lingering between them. Whenever he allowed himself to think of his actions, how he destroyed what they were building together, he wanted to rip his hair out. He was a dumbass. He didn't trust her and because of that distrust, he was angry and hurt and lashed out—they both did and things went so wrong.
Bonnie Bennett could be everything that he had wanted in life and everything he didn't know he actually needed. He still wanted her and if he could avoid jail, he would let her know that. Damon reached over and picked up his tablet off of the table turning it on and was immediately assaulted with news stories of Olivia's death and his subsequent arrest. He threw the tablet down in disgust, this wasn't going away and he had a feeling the war had just begin.
Four and a Half Months Before
Damon picked up the large stack of papers that his assistant had just dropped off on his desk. The forensic accountant's report of Tyler's finances was finally here and he needed to review them with a fine tooth comb. He believed Bonnie when she said that Tyler provided all of his finances to the court; however, Damon didn't believe Tyler. Bonnie was a smart enough attorney to not ask Tyler Lockwood any questions that could possibly lead to lying to the court, but Damon felt like he was hiding something…or a lot (money-wise).
"Damon, I RSVPd to your father's assistant regarding the Annual Amelia Salvatore Ball," Rosa, his secretary stated from the doorway.
"Oh yes, the ball that my father throws every year to save face with his investors and clients…thank you for reminding me Rosa."
"It's in hour of your grandmother."
"I am aware," Damon mumbled looking through the papers.
"And should I make arrangements for a date?"
"No date this year."
"No date? That's almost unheard of for you," Rosa gasped.
"Yeah, well first time for everything," he shrugged.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
After a rough day of hearings, Bonnie trudged towards her office, but immediately stopped when she noticed a familiar brown balding head sitting in one of her client chairs. "Bonnie," Jenna appeared by her side.
"What is he doing here?" Bonnie whispered.
"He wasn't on your calendar, he just stopped in. I don't know," Danielle whispered back.
"Which means that he's come to let me know what the deal is with the Lockwood divorce…just hold all of my calls until he leaves," Bonnie sighed as she opened the glass door and walked into her office, "Alan…hi!"
Alan Fant stood up and matched Bonnie's smile. Alan was one of the named partners of the firm and he concentrated mostly on corporate contracting and trademarks. He never ventured into the slums of Domestic Relations. Years had passed since he actually checked up on Bonnie since he and Rudy worked to get her hired at the firm. They'd seen each other occasionally at events, but a one on one was almost unheard of.
"Bonnie, it's been a long time…haven't seen you since the Christmas party," he watched as she placed everything down on her office couch.
"Yes…the Christmas Party…but its nice to see you," she stood in the middle of the floor unsure of what to do.
"Bonnie…relax, I'm here for a good reason…take a seat at your desk," Alan gestured towards her desk.
"Oh right…right…" she fumbled heading over and taking a seat.
Alan watched her with a twinkle in his eyes and smiled, "So I guess you're wondering why I'm here."
"Yes, you don't usually come down here to the circus."
Alan chuckled, "Yes, that is true. However, never downplay what you all do down here."
Bonnie nodded.
"And with that said, I'm here because I wanted to meet with you personally to speak about one of your cases."
"The Lockwood case," Bonnie nodded.
Alan smiled, "I guess I don't have to tell you how important this case is to the firm…and your career."
That last part sent a direct punch to Bonnie's stomach, "Yes, I know…I know Tyler Lockwood is important to our business here and as an attorney here, any case that can help the firm can definitely assist with elevating my career," she answered trying to sound as confident as possible continuing, "and I can assure you that I am doing my absolute best to make sure that we get a favorable result."
"I have no doubt in my mind that you are," Alan stated leaning forward, "but Bonnie, I've known you since you were a little girl and Rudy is one of my closest friends, so I have to be honest with you…everything regarding your future at this firm is riding on the outcome of this divorce case. The partners are nervous, but I have assured them that you are the best that we have in the Domestic Relations Unit."
"I am…I've always been."
"Exactly, but I also know that you are going against a smart and brilliant litigator with a sympathetic client. Tyler Lockwood may be rich, but he is definitely not a desirable respondent."
Bonnie nodded.
"But you will find a way…I am confident of that," Alan stood up from his seat straightening his suit jacket.
"Yes, I will," Bonnie stood up from her desk.
"Good," Alan grinned as he turned and walked out of the office with Jenna coming in immediately after him.
Bonnie plopped down in her chair and covered her eyes, "This is going to be a disaster."
"Well I have some good news for you, the forensic account finished with his report and here it is," Jenna beamed handing Bonnie a thick binder.
"Oh yay…light reading."
"Here's hoping there's nothing in there that Tyler hasn't told you," Jenna frowned.
"Hmm…get Fred up here, I want him to do a check of every single line of in this report," Bonnie flipped through the pages, "Damon got a copy of this and I don't want him to get anything over on me."
"Will do," Jenna nodded heading out of the office.
Bonnie's cell phone began to buzz on her desk and immediately she knew who it was, she found herself smiling. She wasn't sure when it happened, but Damon's presence and voice didn't repulse her anymore. They were pretty friendly after running into each other at a couple of events. He was indeed as smart and a funny as she originally thought. Then there was the undeniable truth that she still wanted to jump his bones every time he touched her or put those blues on her. She had done a good job of resisting him, but it wasn't easy.
"Yes Damon," she answered.
"So did you get your homework?"
"I did."
"I have to say that on first glance, your guy seems to be truthful in his filings," Damon stated.
"Uh, huh…there's no doubt that he is."
"Don't get too excited, I plan to review these very carefully…but I think if this is true, you should start thinking about a fair and equitable settlement for my client," Damon stated.
Bonnie's heart leapt into her throat, "Does that mean that you could possibly be ready to stop all of these shenanigans and actually accept a settlement that is offered."
"If everything checks out, I will speak to my client."
"Then you should start speaking to Olivia then," Bonnie stated ending the call. She stared at the phone for a few moments and then did a little shimmy in her chair, "yes…yes…yes!" she whispered excitedly.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
"So Stefan invited me to some kind of gala that his father hosts every year," Elena sipped her wine while her and Bonnie dined at one of their favorite restaurants later that evening.
"Sounds like you and Stefan are progressing nicely, meeting the parents," Bonnie gave Elena a wink.
"Well we are. I like him a lot Bonnie, I know it's only been a couple of weeks but he is someone that I instantly clicked with. I haven't felt this way since high school!" Elena gushed.
"I'm happy for you, god knows Caroline is waiting for one of us to get married…"
"I didn't say we were getting married, but you never know," Elena shrugged, "anywho, the gala is supposed to be a really big deal and Stefan will be really busy with it until the night of…"
Bonnie raised an eyebrow slowly as Elena continued, "And he said that I could bring someone to hang out with while he was busy with the gala stuff."
"So you and Caroline will be heading to New York for this gala?"
Elena shifted in her seat, "Well I asked her, but she and Matt are taking the girls to visit his mother in California…soo…"
"Nope…no way," Bonnie shook her head.
"Bonnie come on, I'm meeting Stefan's parents and I'm a nervous wreck. This is the first time and I need one of my friends around to keep me calm. Please Bonnie."
"And let me guess, Damon will be attendance."
"Bonnie, I thought you two were getting along."
"Yes, we're cordial and colleagues…but I don't want to go to his father's gala either."
"Well think of it as Stefan's father's gala."
"Same thing Elena and I am so close to settling this divorce case and I don't want anything to go wrong."
"But since you're so close, you can relax now. Come on Bonnie, please…I will do anything you ask," Elena pleaded, "and I will keep Damon away from you and you away from him," Elena smirked.
"Me away from him, pfft," Bonnie scoffed.
"He's hot Bonnie and you're not immune, I know that for a fact."
"Fine…fine…you keep him away from me and I will go, how long are we staying there?"
"Just until Monday."
"You owe me."
"Oh I know," Elena clinked her wine glass with Bonnie's.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Later that week, Bonnie was in the middle of wrapping up paperwork, when her office phone interrupted her thoughts, "Hi Fred, what do you have for me?" she asked while emailing a motion to be filed to Jenna. She had an hour to get to the train station to meet Elena.
"Well…the report looks good and matches for the most part what your client declared to the courts..." Fred began.
"For the most part?"
"Yes, there's something that I found that I think was a little weird…it's one of the non-profit agencies that Mr. Lockwood claimed that he has a recurring donation to, it…I don't know, I have to do some more research before I give you an answer."
"Fred, do you think Tyler is hiding something?" Bonnie gripped the phone feeling as if the room was starting to spin.
"You know I won't answer that until I have a definite answer, give me a couple of weeks and I will have an answer for you."
"Ok…but let me know as soon as possible," Bonnie pleaded while her mouth suddenly went dry.
"Will do," Fred ended the call.
Bonnie sighed rubbing her eyes, "Jenna…" she called from her desk.
"Yes…what's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"Get Tyler Lockwood on the phone, I need to talk to him," Bonnie breathed out turning around to face the skyline of Mystic Falls. Fred's words left her unsettled. She was so close to sealing the deal with this case and being free of this stressful situation. If Tyler was lying to her in any way, she would not only lose the case but also lose her chance of being partner.
"Bonnie, I have Mr. Lockwood on the phone for you," Jenna came back on the line.
"Thank you, I appreciate," Bonnie sat back down at her desk, "Tyler…"
"Is something wrong? Your assistant said that this was an emergency."
"We received the forensic accountant's report a couple of days ago…"
"Uh, huh and…"
"And I have one of our investigators looking through it, but I just want to ask you a question…"
"What is it Bonnie?" Tyler asked tiredly.
"Did you provide the court with all of the information regarding your finances, there's nothing hidden and nothing that will come up later to hurt your case…right?" Bonnie picked up the receiver and gripped it.
"Bonnie, why would I hide anything?"
"Because you have a lot to lose."
"Look, I gave you all you need. Just do your job and get this divorce over with and make sure I'm not paying her a dime," Tyler stated ending the call.
Bonnie stared at the phone receiver, that phone call with Tyler did nothing to assuage her suspicions—in fact, it increased them.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Damon stopped his Camaro along the long driveway in front of the Salvatore mansion in Cove Neck, New York. Whenever he stepped foot on the Salvatore property, he felt a cold chill come over him. His distaste for childhood home was indescribable, but his mother insisted he attend the gala. It was the 25th year and it was a special one. The last thing he wanted to do was spend the weekend with Giuseppe 'Joe' Salvatore, but alas here he was.
"It's too late to run," Stefan announced from the doorway.
"Thanks Brother because you know I was contemplating doing exactly that," Damon closed his driver side door and walked towards the back of the car, flipping open the truck removing his bag.
"He's in a good mood actually," Stefan walked over.
"That's because he doesn't know I'm here."
"This will be a good weekend, I promise," Stefan wrapped his arm around Damon's shoulder, "and Elena's coming…I'm introducing her to our parents."
Damon stopped walking, "Seriously, its only been a couple of weeks."
"Yeah, well…why waste time?" Stefan grinned heading towards the front door and then stopping to turn around, "oh and one more thing, I think I forgot to mention it. Elena's bringing Bonnie."
Damon raised an eyebrow, "And somehow this weekend won't be as terrible as I previously thought," he whispered following Stefan into the house.
As soon as he stepped over the threshold, Damon felt a sense of dread. He hated this house. It screamed of oppression. He stopped for a few moments to gaze at the family portrait hanging perfect on the wall. It was commissioned when he and Stefan were teenagers. The smiles frozen on their faces portrayed a family that was close, wholesome and happy—it was the furthest from the truth.
"Father's in the study," Stefan turned around.
"Lovely," Damon plastered a fake smile on his face as Stefan opened the French doors to Giuseppe's study.
"Stefan, you were supposed to be back 10 minutes ago with the copy of the…" Giuseppe barked out until he looked up and saw his two sons standing side by side, "oh…you're here."
"Hello Father, I know that you were counting the minutes until I arrived to assist with the gala," Damon smiled widely knowing that his father was less than happy to see him.
"Yeah…well…I thought you were sitting this year out, isn't that what you said last year after that grand tantrum that you threw right before the event?"
"Well Stefan thought that I should attend, you know because it's the 25th year and all."
Giuseppe looked over at Stefan, "Stefan, you are always the peacemaker."
"I hope you two can get along for the sake of the gala," Stefan smiled tightly.
"I plan to be the perfect son…well not as perfect as you Stefan…"
"Damon…"
"Well, I mean everyone can't be the perfect architect, heir to the kingdom like you…I just decided to become a fighter for justice."
Giuseppe scoffed, "You represent rich people in their various legal entanglements."
"You mean rich people like you?" Damon countered.
"Ok…can you two stop it. I have a very important person coming to visit me this weekend and I would prefer that you two and your bickering doesn't scare her away," Stefan looked from Damon to Giuseppe.
"Fine, I will play nice," Damon bore holes into Giuseppe.
"Son, I will support you," Giuseppe smiled at Stefan as Damon's eyes narrowed into slits.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
The train rocked the passengers back and forth as Bonnie and Elena made their way to Cove Neck. They found themselves in one of the bar cars passing the time away. Throughout the entire ride, Bonnie tried to focus on what Elena was saying, but her mind was preoccupied with Fred's phone call earlier and thoughts that she was making a mistake by traveling to New York this weekend. Something about being in Damon's territory made her uneasy.
"So I just want to set one ground rule, there will be no talk of the Lockwood divorce," Elena informed her friend.
"I don't want to talk about it, but you are bringing me to the home of the enemy."
"You and Damon are far from enemies," Elena laughed, "you are two people fighting an obvious attraction because you have a 'professional responsibility' to keep it platonic, right?"
Bonnie rolled her eyes, "Stick to being a surgeon, you're no therapist."
Elena smiled throwing a napkin across the bar, "I'm right, anyone who spends two seconds around you two can tell. I was at Mayor Forbes' party and the way you two danced, the way you looked at each other? That was more than just a friendly dance. Sometimes Bon people just have chemistry…whether its angry or loving energy is not exactly an exact science."
Bonnie trailed her finger around the rim of her iced tea, "Ok, while I think Damon can be funny and smart…there are so many reasons why I can't allow myself to see him as anything more than the lawyer on the other side," she began, "every time we are around each other, I feel something…it's weird, you know. He's attractive…I know what he has to offer, but I know if I gave in…I would risk so much."
"You have more will power than most of us, Bonnie," Elena shook her head.
"I know…I'm a mess," she whined, placing her head on Elena's shoulder, "but it's nice, you know. I like the flirting…the innocent flirting, especially when there is something underneath it all."
"I told you."
"But becoming partner is what I have my sights on."
"So this case is still tied to that?"
"Yup and one of the partners came to visit me and made it clear that this will make or break my career, so it's a lot of pressure."
"Bon, you will be fine. You're a good attorney and everyone knows it, your firm gave you this case because they think you can win. Even Damon knows that you're good at what you do, that's why you two have this crazy game going on. Stop worrying," Elena took her hand.
"Thank you."
"And now with that, we are going to have a great weekend."
"Make sure Damon doesn't piss me off and it will be perfect."
"Ok, fine…I promise to keep you and Damon apart all weekend," Elena held out her hand.
"Good," Bonnie clasped her hand in Elena's.
Present Day
"Thanks for coming so quickly," Damon opened the door as Stefan walked through.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," Stefan hugged him, "I can't believe this," Stefan shook his head moving into the living room followed by Damon.
Bonnie was folding the blanket turning to greet Stefan, "Stefan, I'm glad that you could come…family support is important right now," Bonnie allowed a small smile to appear, "and I really need to go, change clothes, do some research…" she drifted off looking from Stefan and then to Damon allowing her eyes to linger. He matched her gaze. It was as if she had more to say, but it didn't come out.
"Well Bonnie, thank you for coming last night," Damon moved closer to her, "and staying, I promise you that I won't hold anything back." The way his eyes focused on hers was intimate and it appeared that he was promising much more than to be honest about what occurred with Olivia. Bonnie was the first to break the gaze, "I have to go," she stated quietly brushing past him, nodding at Stefan and leaving the condo.
Stefan turned to Damon, "What the hell is going on?"
"Well…where do you want me to start…the part where I wake up in a pool of someone else's blood or the part when I'm put in handcuffs and arrested for killing them or the part where I have to call someone who I was heavily involved with and have feelings for, but who also hates my guts to defend me and she shows up with the ex-fiancée who she reconnected with and also wants to put me in jail…which one do you want me to talk about first, Stefan?" Damon asked.
Stefan looked at his brother. His brother who was usually impeccably put together, who now looked like he hadn't slept all night and shook his head, this was a nightmare. "I don't know…" Stefan began but was interrupted from a rapid knock on the door.
"Great…who could that be?" Damon sighed turning around walking towards the door and opening it.
"You bastard!" Luke roared as his fist collided with Damon's jaw sending him crashing to the floor. Stefan rushed to the foyer as Luke grabbed Damon up from the floor and pushed him into the wall, "I will kill you for what you did to my cousin!"
"I didn't do anything to her!" Damon yelled as he pushed Luke off of him sending him into the wall knocking down the pictures of city skylines, "come on, you know me…why would I ever kill someone!"
"You were found with her! You had her blood all over you, they told me all about it when I went to the police station", Luke stated coming towards Damon again, but was stopped by Stefan, "You need to go," Stefan interrupted.
"Your brother killed my cousin and you stand here defending him, I should have known you would stand by him."
"I believe my brother," Stefan stood between Luke and Damon.
"And you should believe me too. I am your friend…" Damon pleaded.
"You were and I won't stop until you are rotting in jail," Luke pointed before walking out of the condo.
Damon wiped his bloody mouth.
"Damon…" Stefan reached out for him, but Damon moved away and marched towards the bathroom slamming the door behind him.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Bonnie trudged off of the elevator feeling like the walking dead. She was exhausted and her mind hadn't stopped racing since the moment she walked into the police station. The few hours of sleep that she got at Damon's did absolutely nothing for her. There were so many theories, so many questions and little answers. She just wanted a shower and to get in her bed (after changing the sheets). She'd been so caught up in what happened with Damon that she hadn't thought about what happened before he called her the previous night.
She turned the corner heading towards her apartment and that's when she spotted him, standing outside. She made the loudest sigh ever in history as she continued walking towards her door, "Can you ever just call?" she snapped with more than venom that she intended when she reached him opening her apartment door and stepping inside.
"How could you rush to him after what happened between us last night?" Kol immediately began.
Bonnie took a deep breath standing in the middle of her living room staring up at the ceiling and counting…had those cracks always been there? She wondered.
"Bonnie?" Kol called her name.
"I could go to him because he asked me to and because frankly, I feel something for him that I never felt for you or anyone," she turned to face him. It was time to honest with him, with herself, "and if you came here expecting to hear something else, I'm sorry."
Kol looked at her with wide eyes. She was tired, irritable and her filter was non-existent, "I don't know what to say," she went on, "I shouldn't have went out with you last night, I shouldn't have reminisced with you and I should have stopped the kissing and the sex that came after, but I didn't," she threw up her arms, "I'm human and I made a very human mistake."
Kol shook his head, "I don't believe you."
"You don't believe that I think last night was a mistake? Kol, I left the bed to go to Damon because he called…no matter how much I said I hated him, he asked for my help and I went…what does that tell you? You slept with Anna and apparently, you had no lingering feelings after doing that—guess it can happen."
"Bonnie, he's charged with murder of someone he was involved with. Doesn't that give you some pause? Doesn't that make you think that you should run the hell away from him?" Kol moved closer to her with concerned eyes, "last night was amazing for me, I missed you so much and I don't want last night to be the conclusion."
"Last night was a mistake. I don't believe Damon did what he is accused of and I know that it looks bad, but I don't believe it."
"Because of your feelings for him," Kol stated through clenched teeth.
"Not just because of my feelings, but because of my experience as an attorney…"
"You were wrong about Tyler Lockwood, so your attorney skills may not be as sharp as they used to," Kol remarked spitefully.
Bonnie took that hit and nodded, swallowing hard, "Ok...well…Kol, all I have to say is that last night I was wrong. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made the choices that I did and I understand your anger."
Kol shook his head, "He is going down Bonnie and you shouldn't let him take you down with him."
"It's my choice to make," Bonnie stood anchored to her spot.
"So it is," Kol nodded turning around walking towards the front door, taking one last look at Bonnie before slamming the door.
Bonnie stood in the middle of her apartment before slowly taking a seat on the floor. She placed her face in her hands for a few moments breathing deeply. Kol was right, it looked horrible for Damon and with no other explanation but 'I don't remember', it would be a rough road. Kol was also right that she trusted Tyler too and what happened there was the biggest mistake of her legal career and she went against everything she believed in. However, she believed Damon. There was no way she could accept or believe that he would kill anyone, let alone Olivia. Maybe it was her feelings coloring her opinion, but there was no way that she would just walk away from him…at least not now.
Four and a Half Months Before
"Damon, I am so happy that you came," Lily Salvatore beamed as she walked into the kitchen greeting her eldest son.
"Hello Mother," Damon smiled standing up and embracing her. His mother was truly the only reason why he decided to attend this gala and spend this weekend in Cove Neck. Although, she allowed his father to run the house with an iron fist—he still loved her and celebrated her.
"How are you? Haven't heard from you much since you moved to Virginia, is that move temporary?"
"Temporary for maybe a year or so," Damon shrugged, "I'm working on a high profile divorce case and after that's done, who knows."
Lily's jade eyes shone proudly, "I am so proud of you, you have carved out your own path and that takes courage."
"Will you share that thought with your husband?" Damon remarked wryly.
Lily nodded, "Your father just had grand dreams of running his company with both of his sons and I think he still has dreams that one day, you will actually come around and joining the business."
"I don't sketch and I don't draw…so I doubt that's happening and Father made it clear long ago Mother that he has no intention on ever hiring me as an attorney to represent the company in any way, shape or form," Damon shrugged, "and I'm fine with that."
"Ooook…so I have another question," Lily smiled moving closer to Damon.
By the way his mother's eyes twinkled, he already knew what she was thinking, "Ahh…I bet I can guess what this is about."
"Well Damon, no one is getting any younger. Have you met anyone special lately, someone that will attend the gala tomorrow perhaps?" she prodded.
"Mother, I've dated…there's no one that I am seriously dating."
"No one…Son, you are handsome and smart and you can't find anyone?"
Damon chuckled, "I'm picky."
Lily laughed, "Damon, I'm your mother. I know that you are very popular with the women and you take full advantage of that. However, I was thinking that now that you are older and more…settled…that you may be looking for more. Maybe getting married, starting a family…"
"Mother…I'm involved with a high profile case right now and I can only devote my time to that."
"Ok, so tell me who you've dated since you arrived in that city…umm…Mystic Falls right?"
A vision of Bonnie sitting across from him at a table flowed through his mind, "One person."
"Only one…ok…so what happened?" Lily asked greedily.
"She's the opposing attorney on my case. We got along great…" Damon trailed off as he remembered Bonnie moaning as he kissed between her thighs, "but because of said case, we can't go any further."
"You dated the attorney you're going up against…how did that happen?"
"Mother, its best you not know…so anyway…I've been out and about around town, but there's no one that has really interested me and I'm fine with that."
Lily sighed, "Ok."
"And don't worry, Stefan is bringing his new girlfriend…at the rate they're going, they will be married by next year and popping out Salvatore heirs in no time," Damon winked.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
"Well Stefan has great taste, I will say that," Bonnie walked into the living room of the suite where she and Elena were staying, "I am impressed and I guess the suite with a shared living room, but separate bedrooms is so you two can have some alone time without freaking me out."
Elena blushed, "Stop!"
Bonnie's shrug was followed by a knock on the door, "Gee, I wonder who that could be?" Bonnie sung.
Elena stuck out her tongue as she headed to the door and opened it to reveal Stefan on the other side with a bouquet of flowers, "Oh how sweet," Bonnie teased as Elena and Stefan embraced.
"Bonnie, it's nice to see you and I'm happy that you decided to come. I promise you that you will not be sorry that you did."
"Oh I'm sure, your brother will be in attendance—so I'm guaranteed to have an outstanding time," she remarked sarcastically while picking up her bag, "and to give you two some time, I'm going out. I found a boutique that I wanted to visit to find something to wear. Everyone is supposed to wear red and black, right?"
"Correct."
"Ok, I am off and I will see you a little later."
"Ok, but we have dinner reservations at a Mediterranean restaurant in town, it has some of the best food within 100 miles," Stefan called after her.
"Will your brother be in attendance?" Bonnie turned to face him.
"Yes, it's one of his favorite restaurants," Stefan grinned.
Bonnie focused on Elena, "Great," she smiled tightly before walking out of the suite.
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"I love this dress!" Bonnie exclaimed as she lifted a Grecian styled black dress from a rack holding it up against her body and looking in the mirror. As much as she complained about coming to New York with Elena, it was nice to get away. In addition, her research into this annual gala showed that it was pretty popular and a good time. The only downside was that she would have to spend time with Damon.
She had come to the conclusion awhile ago that she didn't exactly dislike him anymore, she felt the opposite actually. She could feel the pull to want to know him better, but with the divorce case looming she had to ignore that pull.
"That's a beautiful dress," a woman stated beside her.
"Isn't it?" Bonnie turned to the woman with green eyes and red hair, "I'm looking for something to wear to a gala here in town."
"The annual Salvatore Gala?" the woman asked.
"Yes, have you heard of it…well…then again, I guess everyone in town has heard of it."
The woman smiled, "I'm Lily Salvatore, it's actually my husband's gala."
Bonnie blinked. Lily Salvatore…she looked different than the few photos she'd seen her in with Damon, Stefan and their father, "Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't know…"
"It's ok, I look quite different when I'm just out and about…are you new to town?"
"No, actually I'm here with a friend…a friend of Stefan's. I'm from Mystic Falls, Virginia."
"Mystic Falls, Virginia…you must know my other son too, Damon."
"Yes, I know him."
Lily peered closer, "And you don't really like him?"
Bonnie's eyes widened, "Oh no…no…no…Damon is…he's fine, I just…we know each other because we're engaged in a court case. We're on opposite sides and well you know…" she trailed off hoping that the floor would just swallow her whole.
"Damon has not made the best impression," Lily supplied.
You feel so good Bonnie, he whispered in her ear.
"Oh no, that's not it. He…well…you know battling attorneys and all, we both want to win so it can cause some issues."
"Uh, huh," Lily smirked, "well I hope you two can put on some smiles at the gala."
"Oh definitely, I'm looking forward to it."
"And that dress is perfect for it," Lily winked.
"Thank you…I guess this is the one then," Bonnie grinned.
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Later that evening, Damon and Stefan walked into Anatollos for dinner and were immediately greeted by the owner, Georgios, the short raven haired owner beamed, "Damon…Stefan…so happy to see you again!" he held out his arms giving them hearty hugs on the back, "I figured you would be in town for the gala…so you have a reservation for four? Does that mean you have some ladies that will be joining you?"
"Yes, we do. Some guests from out of town," Stefan answered.
"Oooh…out of town guests, so I have to bring out the good wine tonight eh?" Georgios raised both of his eyebrows with a grin.
"Definitely," Stefan agreed as the door opened causing the brothers and Georgios to turn and see the two women joining them for dinner enter.
Stefan smiled at Elena as their eyes met and Damon looked at Bonnie standing with Elena. He wasn't sure, but this was really the first time he'd seen her dressed down…she had on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a blazer. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail showing off her neck, that very kissable neck that he had had caressed and kissed weeks before. She was beautiful without even trying, "Bonnie," he greeted her as they moved closer.
"Damon."
"Well I have a perfect table for you two couples," Georgios beamed.
"They are a couple, we are not," Bonnie pointed between her and Damon.
Georgios looked between Damon and Bonnie, "Ok," he stated as if he wasn't truly of that belief.
"He doesn't believe me, does he?" Bonnie asked.
Damon chuckled, "Not at all."
"He's going to act like we're a couple, all night…isn't he?" she mumbled.
"Yup," Damon answered.
"Great," she pouted sitting down as Damon pulled out her chair.
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Following dinner, Anatollos turned into a place where couples could slow dance and listen to music. Stefan and Elena took advantage of the music while slow dancing, while Damon and Bonnie sat at a table watching them sipping on their respective alcoholic beverages. "They are sickening," Damon squinted.
"They like each other a lot," Bonnie stared at them, "but yes, they are…but that's only because we're alone."
"Who says I'm alone?" Damon raised an eyebrow looking at her.
"Oh you found another victim?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," he leaned closer to her.
"No," she recoiled.
"But to answer your question, no I'm not dating anyone currently."
"I didn't ask."
"But you wanted to know," he winked at her.
"It's amazing that ego can fit in a room."
"Wait until you meet me father," he chuckled sipping his bourbon.
"Can't wait, by the way…I met your mother today," Bonnie turned to him with a smile.
"Oh really? She didn't mention it."
Bonnie shrugged, "Met her in a boutique downtown."
"Hmm interesting."
"What's so interesting about it?"
"The fact that she didn't mention it to me means that she's probably up to something," he replied thoughtfully.
"What?"
"Oh nothing," he smiled, "nothing to worry your pretty little head about, you would never fall for any of my mother's tricks."
"Tricks?"
"She wants me to get married and start making babies, you would never agree to any of that with me," Damon teased looking over at her.
"Damn right," Bonnie stated meeting his gaze.
So much to unpack…
The present…a peek at what happened between Bonnie and Damon. Mistakes were made on both of their parts, but what exactly happened? Luke's in town and he's out for Damon's blood. Kol is trying to get Bonnie to drop the case, is he right?
The past…Damon and Giuseppe are at each other's throats and this is just the beginning. Bonnie and Damon are slowly becoming friends and Lily's interest has been piqued.
Please if you liked/loved this chapter...let me know. I appreciate your support.