A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Really, I can't thank you enough! You are the best:)

Jacal Ste. Worme, yeah, you're right about Yuichi:). He wanted to be like Damon because Damon is popular with women. So Yuichi was copycatting Damon but it never helped him with Lucy. And unlike Damon Yuichi is a scaredy-cat and he's always too afraid to offend someone. So he can't be as sexy and arrogant and charming as Damon is.

LaKessy, I don't really know how Yuichi would look like, sorry:) A handsome man who looks great in the leather jacket? (Damon's influence all the way). But I gave him the name of my favorite Tsuchiya Yuichi (a.k.a. Tuti), that's for sure.

Thank you again, everyone! And don't be mad at Lucy, please. :)

Chapter seven

The brightest blaze, an unexpected spark

When you love someone you are blind. When you hate someone you are blind. Damon once loved Katherine, once hated her and he was blind, and he did stupid things. Right now he didn't care about her at all. She was his past, not the present. Unluckily, his bad reputation that had started with Katherine's help didn't die. And, obviously, Lucy Bennett was a proof of that.

"I just wonder," Damon said, looking at Lucy unkindly. "One minute Bonnie and I are okay. Then you come on the scene, you talk to her and Bonnie suddenly hates me. Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like a typical negative PR campaign."

"I don't want you near her."

Damon scowled. Good, no denial, cut to the chase.

"And who are you to decide? Bonnie is a big girl, she knows better who to play with."

There was no even a trace of a smile on her face.

"You disgust me," she said seriously. "And I can protect my family from someone like you."

He took a slow step towards her and said warningly, "You better watch it."

"I think I can allow myself not to be afraid of an immature vampire who couldn't overcome daddy issues after about a century."

Well, this was new. Damon frowned tilting his head back.

"What's your problem, exactly? Have I ever brought you any harm?"

"I just want you to know that if you are looking for a sacrificial lamb you will not find one in our family."

"What the fuck does it mean?" Damon snarled.

Lucy's face hardened.

"You have to find another way to protect Elena. Or maybe find someone who looks like her. It seems that you are good with a replacement."

"I don't like Elena for her looks."

"I know, you love her for her kindness and strength, cause she's the only kind and strong person ever existed," Lucy said sarcastically. "And of course she is the only person worth saving."

Damon froze. Something was really wrong with Lucy's attitude.

"What did you tell her?" he forced himself to ask.

"I didn't lie to her."

"What did you tell her?" he roared.

"I. Don't. Want. You. Near. Her."

"You bitch — "

"She's not your toy and not your tool!" Lucy shouted. It was rather surprising to see her like this. "You've said you'd always choose Elena, fine. But why is it so surprising that someone will always choose Bonnie? She's my family. And I'm not letting some Katherine's fuck-toy treat her like she's nothing!"

Okay, the bitch is dead. But before that...

"What are you talking about?" Damon said, eyeing her with distrust. "I never treated her this way."

"You wanted her dead."

"I never — "

"You wanted her to kill Klaus no matter what!"

Damon didn't move. Damn, why now? No one remembered that, why did she bring it up?

"How did you know?" he asked calmly.

"Oh, I saw it in your own memory."

"And... you told her?"

"Better. I showed her everything. Yeah, including that lame eulogy joke. It wasn't a secret, right?"

Damon was speechless. For the first time ever his anger couldn't bring him into action.

"Oh, I understand," Lucy raised her hands in a mock surrender. "You didn't think that Elena or Stefan or Alaric would tell her. Because they wouldn't want to hurt her, would they?"

"You are such a bitch..."

"Whatever."

"She hates me because of you," he muttered, staring at her.

"No, Damon. She hates you because of you."

"Maybe, you should have shown her the present, not the past."

"It was your choice."

"But it was you who hurt her!"

"It's done," she snapped. "You think I didn't know where it was leading? Your so-called friendship? I know how you treat witches. I've heard about Bree. And Bonnie, she's so giving, so selfless... She would do everything to protect you from the pain. Even if it would burn her from the inside out. Because she would care about you. And you don't deserve it."

Lucy was a terrible parody of a fairy godmother now. But the next moment she fixed her hair and said in a polite tone of voice, "I'm going. No need to escort me."

Damon didn't listen. He didn't even move. The only thing he knew for sure by now was that he had no right at all to be mad at Bonnie for her tears for Jeremy. At least, Jeremy wasn't such a screw-up like Damon was.

"Hey, you better now?"

Bonnie smiled at Elena.

"Yeah... Thank you for everything."

They were on Bonnie's bed. Elena made Bonnie drink some bourbon that Stefan brought and witch felt dizzy now. The girls barely spoke but it was a surprisingly comfortable silence.

"I still can't believe it," Elena whispered.

"Me neither."

"You think, he's being compelled?"

"I'm sure. He's not himself. God, it's all my fault."

Elena slapped her hand lightly.

"You saved his life. Don't you dare blame yourself."

"Elena, I promise, I will bring him home," Bonnie said in a shaky voice.

"We'll do it together," Elena smiled.

"And this time I'm killing Klaus," Bonnie whispered angrily.

"No, no, no; it can kill you."

"I don't care."

"I do," Elena clutched her forehead. "Both your and Jeremy's lives are equally valuable to me."

Bonnie looked up at her before she could stop herself. And Elena saw the pain in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing."

"No," Elena pressed. "Tell me."

Bonnie closed her eyes tightly and whispered slowly, "It's just... Damon wanted me to... you know, to defeat Klaus no matter what, right?"

Elena frowned but then a realization hit her.

"Bonnie..."

"Forget it."

"I would have never allowed it!"

Bonnie chuckled.

"Yes, you are the only person who can stop him."

"As if," Elena huffed. "Damon is Damon. He listens to no one."

There was a brief pause and then Elena said calmly, "I told him that we had no future."

"Was he surprised?" Bonnie asked carefully. "I mean, you've told that before..."

"Well, that time... it was after I've kissed him."

Whoa...

Bonnie took a quick swallow of bourbon to hide her surprise and choked.

"Oh... Okay."

"I know what you think."

Bonnie shook her head.

"Elena, I will never judge you."

"Maybe you should."

Bonnie blinked and asked doubtfully, "You have feelings for Damon?"

Elena sighed.

"I don't love him. But there was a moment when I thought that it would be easier for me to be with Damon, not Stefan."

"In what universe Damon is less difficult than Stefan?" Bonnie asked reasonably. Stefan was an ideal boyfriend and Damon was a demon.

"I love Stefan, so I have to choose," Elena smiled sadly.

"Sorry, I think you lost me."

"If I was with Damon and he offered me to turn into a vampire I would refuse without any doubt. Even if it meant me losing him. I can't say the same about Stefan. I don't know what I will answer him."

Bonnie watched her intently.

"Elena... You don't want to turn, right?"

"I don't."

"Stefan will never make you — "

"You are right. But I love him so much and I can't bear the thought of leaving him. I know what it's like to lose him..."

Bonnie squeaked and covered her ears with her hands.

"Stop it now! I'm upset enough as it is."

Elena laughed.

"But you'll make me a ring if — "

"Hush!"

"And it should be silver, keep it in your mind!"

"No!"

Elena was still laughing and Bonnie smiled back.

"Thank you."

Her friend nodded.

"I love you, Bonnie. And everything will be okay, promise."

"I love you too."

Someone knocked at the door.

"Come in," Bonnie said loudly.

The door opened a crack and Bonnie saw her cousin.

"Hey," Lucy said. "Elena, do you mind if I take over from here?"

"Nope."

She stood up and smiled at Bonnie.

"Stefan will take me to the boarding house. You have a rest."

"Okay."

Elena left the room and Lucy came closer to Bonnie's bed.

"Look, I'm sorry I've snapped at you," Lucy said calmly. "I'm really sorry. But you've made a grave mistake."

"Yes," Bonnie admitted, not taking her eyes of her.

"Don't worry, I'll help you."

"Thank you."

"Damn all vampires."

Bonnie lowered her head and then said quietly, "You told me that Katherine saved your life."

"She did... What a lovely bitch she was. You hate her and it clouds your judgment but there's something incredibly magnetic about her. She is like a pure fire sometimes. She fascinated me. Elena lacks that, I must admit. But you don't."

"Ex... Excuse me?"

"In some way you remind me of Katherine."

Bonnie jumped on her bed.

"You didn't just compare me to this bitch!"

"Sorry," Lucy laughed. "I take it all back. You should get some sleep."

Still frowning Bonnie watched Lucy leave her room. When the door closed she put an empty glass on a bedside-table and yawned. Her phone buzzed; Bonnie took it and saw a message from Caroline.

'Elena told me. I'll be at your place after we deal with these annoying zombies! Don't u worry, we'll kick Klaus's ass. Luv u.'

Bonnie chuckled. Caroline was so optimistic...

But Bonnie felt so much better now. She felt loved.

Lucy went into the living room and saw Yuichi sitting on a sofa and levitating a tiny origami bird.

"Where have you been?"

He smiled.

"Just walking."

"You were supposed to find Bonnie."

"Yeah... Is she okay?"

"She's better."

"Can I wish her goodnight?"

"No."

"You are jealous."

"Keep dreaming."

Lucy turned around but Yuichi's voice stopped her, "Hey, love."

"What?"

"You really care about her, right?"

"Of course."

"But you barely know her."

"It doesn't matter."

"I see..." he said thoughtfully. "I see."

"What's this all about?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing..."

'We went to help your friends. Zombies are attacking people now. Call me when you wake up. L.'

"Geez."

Bonnie folded a note that Lucy left her and went to the fridge to get some milk. She hated that there was no sun in the sky and she couldn't tell day from night. And now she was a sleepyhead.

After having a cup of delicious coffee Bonnie went to take a shower. She still felt like she was recovering from long sickness. But she was ready to fight.

'I can find Jeremy,' she thought, standing under the hot water. 'I just need something that belongs to him. And when I find him I'll find Klaus.'

She was still preoccupied with her vengeful thoughts when she came back into her dark room wearing her favorite bath gown. Klaus is so dead...

Someone turned on the bedside lamp. Bonnie gave a gasp of surprise and quickly turned around.

"Damon!"

He was half lying on her bed, with his legs stretched out. Bonnie's jaw dropped.

"Are you crazy?" she shouted. "You scared me! What are you even doing here?"

He rolled his eyes.

"What does it look like? I'm waiting for you."

"Get out of my house," she said through clenched teeth.

He chuckled.

"Will you look at this. A feisty little witch..."

Bonnie looked at him suspiciously.

"Are you drunk?"

He gave her a charming smile.

"Nope. Will you drink with me?"

"No!"

"Right, I forgot. You can't drink. Caroline can. Elena can."

She narrowed her eyes.

"So go ask them."

"No."

"Get out."

"I'm good here," he drawled.

"Damon, I'm warning you — "

"Here's the thing, Bonnie, I'm not leaving. But if you want to torture me, by all means go ahead."

She took a deep breath trying to calm down.

"What do you want?"

"I think we should start over."

"What's that, your catchphrase?" she snapped.

"Well, I fuck up often enough, so it could be."

"I don't want you here. I'm done with you."

"You're done with me..." he mocked. "No, I think you haven't even started."

"Go away."

"Come on, let's talk! I'll start. Being the second choice sucks, right?"

Suddenly a vase behind him broke into pieces. Bonnie stepped back trying to catch her breath and Damon scowled.

"I'll take that as a yes. Would it help if I told you that I understand your feelings? No? Fuck, I knew that this line is a total bullshit..."

Bonnie was ready to give him an aneurism any moment. But she didn't want to show that he was able to provoke her.

"Go home and sober up."

"No, Elena and Stefan are home, mourning over Jeremy."

Damon smiled, looking directly into her eyes. It took all Bonnie's strength to remain calm.

"He will be okay," she said through gritted teeth.

"He is okay now, I guess. He's a newborn Harry Potter and I'm pretty sure that he's fucking a hot blonde now."

"Klaus led him into the trap!"

"Of course... Jeremy always was so easy to manipulate. He is so eager to prove that he worth something…"

And Bonnie couldn't take it anymore.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

Damon said nothing but his eyes were blazing. And suddenly Bonnie realized that he was dying to have a fight with her. And though it wasn't the best timing she just couldn't help but let him have it his way.

"Why are you so spiteful? You are the last person who can judge anyone! And we talk about Jeremy! He is one of us!"

"What us?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Do I? Personally, I don't give a damn about your boyfriend."

"He's Elena's — "

"I don't give a damn about Elena either," he said coldly.

Bonnie froze. It was almost like something had punched her. It wasn't good if Damon had stopped caring about someone who he claimed to be his humanity.

"You — "

"You know, I've never thought that you were so insecure. I mean you were always so strong..."

She backed towards the door without realizing it.

"Go away."

He shook his head, smiling.

"Nope."

"Do you want me to hurt you?" she asked heavily.

"Why not? I've hurt you, right?"

Bonnie sighed, annoyed.

"That's it, I'm calling Stefan."

"Why?"

"I want him to come here and pick your unconscious body," she said irritably.

The next second Damon was in front of her. Bonnie flinched but didn't step back.

"Go ahead," Damon said. "You can give me your best shot."

"What's gotten into you?" she asked angrily. "Masochistic much?"

His eyes were burning. And he was so hammered...

"Do you remember how many times you set me on fire? Do I hate you for that?"

"Don't you?"

"I don't. I hate your attitude and I hate you hating me, but I don't hate you."

"I don't hate you," she said suddenly. "You wanted to protect Elena. That was the right thing to do. You chose her over me but it wasn't really a hard choice for you, right? The only thing I don't understand is why you came to me with all this fake friendship."

"It wasn't fake!" he spat angrily.

She was looking straight into his eyes.

"I will kill Klaus. And if I survive this I don't want you in my life anymore."

"Like it or not, but I am the part of your life."

"Says who?"

He put his hands in her still wet from a shower hair. Bonnie shifted uncomfortably but Damon bent closer and whispered in her ear, "I was ready to let you die for Elena. Yes. The same way I was ready to let Elena die to get Katherine back. That's who I am, Bonnie. You never had any illusions. You told me that I could never fool you. Why are you hurt? You never liked me. I couldn't have even betrayed you because you have never trusted me to begin with. "

"Let me go..."

He was way too close. Bonnie held her breath but her heart was pounding.

"Your bitch cousin had made me think once again why I liked Elena. I don't know, Bonnie. At first, I wanted her because I wanted Stefan back in my life. And if you ever tell him this I will kill you, I swear. I wanted her because she treated me like I was human. I want to be human and that's my worst secret... But right now, more than anything I want you to see a human in me. Because I regret my words about you and this feeling has nothing to do with a vampire in me."

"Damon..."

She was at a loss for words. He was like a total stranger now and still he was like a...

Damon straightened up slowly and looked into her eyes. Bonnie sighed and opened her mouth to say 'It's okay, let's forget it' but she never got the chance. Before she could even blink Damon took her face in his hands and kissed her.

Bonnie froze. That was uncalled for.

'He's mental!'

She tried to break free but Damon held her tightly. Suddenly desperate, she put her hand on his chest to shove him away and his right arm slipped around her waist as he pulled her closer. His kiss deepened and Bonnie stopped struggling. She has been kissed before but not like this. This kiss was possessive. It was hungry. It was 100% Damon-ish.

And suddenly he let her go.

"Wait," he whispered covering his face with one hand.

"Wait?" she repeated indignantly. "What do you mean, wait? I didn't do anything! And you, are you out of your mind?"

He dropped his hand and Bonnie saw his face slowly losing its vampire features. She gasped.

"Damon!"

"Sorry, you are magnetic," there was no trace of regret in his voice.

"Go away!"

"It's okay," he said teasingly. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

"I want you to leave!"

"Denial already?"

Bonnie looked away.

"Just go. Please."

He shrugged.

"Fine..."

She heard the door open and close. When Bonnie lifted her head again she was alone in her room.

She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

TBC

A/N: I'll explain the whole Jeremy/Elsa/Raymond/Klaus thing soon :)