A/N: Thank you, everyone, for reading my story and loving Damon and Bonnie! :) Here comes the new chapter

Chapter eight

Candle burns at both ends

"Nice place. And you are still working. The end of the world and the dark nights don't scare you, huh? But you are right, who needs the sun when we still have electricity."

An old bartender looked at Yuichi skeptically and put down his towel.

"What can I get for you?"

'Southern hospitality. Talk to me, don't you see I'm sad?'

"Bourbon," he said timidly and tapped his fingers on the bar countertop.

"Make it two," a familiar voice sounded behind him.

Yuichi huffed as Damon sat down on the bar stool next to him.

"And here comes the reunion. Finally."

"Missed me?" Damon smirked.

"Yeah, right..."

They were the only customers at the dim bar. The bartender poured bourbon into the glasses and Yuichi at once reached for his drink.

"Where's your witch?" Damon asked in a rather unfriendly way.

"That Caroline girl stopped by Bonnie's place earlier. She told us there were attacks in the downtown. But Bonnie was sleeping, she really needed rest; so Lucy and I went with Caroline. She's cute, by the way."

"Hands off my progeny."

Yuichi's mouth dropped open.

"God... Is she?.. Well, sorry, daddy."

"Why does it sound so wrong?"

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Yuichi had a brooding look on his face and that was rather unusual. Not that Damon cared.

"I really needed a drink," Yuichi said, mostly to himself.

Damon asked lazily, "So, you're slacking off then?"

"Kinda. What about you? You look wasted already."

Damon sipped his drink and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Did you kill someone?" Yuichi said, trying to sound casual.

"No, but I'm close to it."

"Oh come on, hater of humanity. So I hit you with a spell. Well, twice... But it didn't kill you!"

"You ruined our friendship," Damon said and it was hard to tell if he was being sincere or not.

"Right..." Yuichi gave out a small laugh. "The only thing you wanted back then was me opening the tomb."

"Don't pout. And what is wrong with you witches? First you offer your services then act like everyone's using you."

"Here we go..."

Damon stopped him with a short hand wave.

"No, tell me the truth. Were you able to open the tomb?"

"No. It wasn't my spell. And even if I could I wouldn't do it anyway."

"I bet."

Yuichi suddenly got very serious.

"Look, I saw you were damaged. All that babbling about Stefan and Katherine... You weren't that cool, man. I couldn't understand you. You know I would die for Lucy but I would never die to prove her that I am worth something. As I see it, my friend, you would take such a chance. And when I realized it, I for the first time felt really sorry for you."

Damon wasn't impressed. He smirked and said acidly, "You better feel sorry for yourself. You are the one who can't get laid."

"Fuck you, Damon," Yuichi said with a chuckle.

"You wish."

"You are better now."

"Right now?" Damon remembered holding Bonnie in his arms. "Trust me, I'm really good."

"And you care about her."

"I guess. It's strange though."

"You mean it's strange for you to care?" Yuichi asked, not even trying to hide the sarcasm in his voice.

"She is different," Damon shrugged and added quietly, "Sometimes I really don't know how to act around her."

"Please. Don't tell me you didn't hit on her."

"You pitiful creature," Damon said smugly. "Come on, of course I did."

"And?"

"Wanna hear the horny details? Just like old times."

A look of disapproval crossed Yuichi's face.

"Wait, you slept with her?"

"Not yet."

"Well, she doesn't look like that kind of girl. Anyway, she needs to dump your brother first."

Damon choked on his drink.

"What?" he said breathlessly.

"If you really wanna be with Elena, she needs to break up with Stefan."

"Elena?"

"Yes, Elena," Yuichi was getting slightly impatient. "The love of your life, or at least she was several hours ago."

Damon closed his eyes slowly. This fucker...

But he had no one to blame but himself. Damon could tell now with all certainty that he was totally drunk. He almost let his new secret slip.

He could still taste her. He could feel her skin under his fingers. He didn't plan to kiss her, really, he just wanted to get back in her good graces. But he couldn't help it. And her reaction was quite funny.

But it wasn't funny now. It was dangerous. It was the thinnest ice. Because if he let himself to think about Bonnie in that way it would be definitely his goodbye to Elena. And he wasn't that shallow. He promised that he would love Elena forever. So, he was attracted to his little witch. No big deal. If he was honest with himself he'd admit it didn't even start yesterday. It just never was on the surface.

'What am I doing? She's not the one. It's supposed to be Elena.'

But perhaps, if Bonnie was okay with... No. Maybe Elena had forgotten about him and Caroline but that was Caroline. No matter how sweet Elena was she never took Caroline seriously. Bonnie wasn't the same.

'But who cares what Elena thinks?' a new voice asked in his head.

"You know, at first, I thought you liked Bonnie."

Damon clutched his glass a bit tighter and eyed Yuichi suspiciously.

"Are you fucking with me?"

"Well, you were so protective over her. And you always watch her. But Lucy told me Elena looks like Katherine, so you like her — "

"Screw you, I don't like her for her looks!" Damon said, annoyed.

"Sorry."

"Your Lucy is a total bitch, by the way."

"Shut up."

"Why do you even like her? I don't get it."

"Well, she's not a typical nice girl who cares for everyone and tries to help everyone... But if she loves someone, she will do anything for them. She is fiercely loyal. And she's beautiful. And kind — "

Damon scowled at him.

"You know what, you can stop talking right now."

"You asked."

"And I regret it."

Yuichi smiled standing up.

"I need to go back. She's probably looking for me... See you."

"Wait."

Damon put the glass down and turned to Yuichi.

"You tell your dream girl that I will do what I want to do. Tell her she has no right to mess around in other people's business."

"Can I get the whole story?"

"No."

Yuichi frowned.

"Did you two have a fight?"

"Just tell her that," Damon spat. "You know me well; I am bad, blah-blah-blah, I only care about my own desires. So she better — "

"I'll tell you what, Damon," Yuichi said in an undertone, leaning closer to him. "You keep your desires in secret. 'Cause one day someone may offer to make your dreams come true. But it could happen in a very ugly way. A simple example: Stefan dies painfully and Elena runs straight into your arms. I bet even you wouldn't be happy. And one more thing: Lucy doesn't make empty threats."

"Neither do I," Damon said warningly.

"There are nice people around you. I assume, you are nice enough yourself for them to like you. Why don't you just let it go and save everyone the suffering?"

"What are you talking about?" Damon asked heavily.

"I just got an idea that I was right about you and Bonnie. What else could make Lucy mad at you?"

Damon didn't answer.

"I'm going. It was nice to talk. Let's not do it again."

Yuichi walked out of the bar and Damon huffed. Lucy wanted to protect Bonnie. Yuichi wanted to protect Bonnie. What the hell were they thinking?

Damon knew Bonnie was one of the few people who could handle him. She didn't need protection from him. Deep inside he could admit it to himself. And she was stronger than most people he met.

And he missed being close to her. He missed it already.

Maybe it wasn't right. But his loyalty to Elena seemed so irrelevant now. In his almost blind love he forgot what it was like to have a merry life. Bonnie made him feel alive. She was funny, she didn't ignore him, she didn't look at him with pitying understanding eyes. She didn't make him feel guilty. He was really tired of chasing someone who was just grateful for his love.

Whether he was persuading himself or whether he was actually being honest in his drunken stupor, Damon didn't know. But he was sure of one thing. Lucy, Yuichi, Jeremy, Elena, Stefan or even the Klaus Almighty himself won't keep Bonnie away from him. But they can try...

'Ew. I need therapy.'

Bonnie couldn't understand what the hell had happened. It was like a thrill ride. Scary, not exciting. And she was almost calm after her conversation with Elena! But Damon... Ugh.

There was one thing she always hated about him. Damon Salvatore thought he was allowed to do anything he wanted. If he wanted to kill someone he did so. If he wanted to compel someone he did so. If he wanted to kiss someone he didn't even think twice.

And he chose the right moment. She was so confused she didn't even slap him. Not to mention she didn't set him on fire. But next time...

'Oh no,' Bonnie shook her head furiously. 'There will be no next time. Damon was drunk, he was crazy. Hopefully, he won't even remember.'

Like hell.

"Hey."

Bonnie shot up her head and saw Lucy watching her.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing."

"Have you found anything yet?"

Bonnie looked down at the Grimoire on her lap.

"Nope."

"Okay... And why are you so nervous?"

Bonnie made a high-pitched noise that was supposed to be a laugh.

"I am not."

Lucy made a face at her.

"Gosh. Everyone is acting so strange... Yuichi disappears every five minutes, you look like you've been struck by lightning..."

"Don't be silly."

'It's so much worse.'

"Is it about Jeremy?"

"Yes," Bonnie answered hastily. "It's about him."

"How long have you been dating?"

"Not long enough. And we were always too busy dealing with Klaus."

"I see."

"I need to help him," Bonnie mumbled, mentally scolding herself for thinking of Damon when Jeremy was in trouble.

"Hey, can you make more potion?" Caroline asked. She just walked into the room, holding the blood bag in her hand.

"Yes," Bonnie answered. "Are you okay?"

"I'm tired..." Caroline flopped into the chair and sighed. "This is a nightmare. Really. People are so scared... I hope, no one has recognized their dead acquaintances..."

"We have to finish it as soon as possible," Bonnie said heavily.

"We have to stop Jeremy," Caroline gave her friend a worried look. "How is it possible?.."

"I will find the way."

Lucy raised her head to look at her but said nothing.

"I've been thinking about how it had happened," Bonnie said in a whisper. "Witches have warned me... They told me everything came with a price... But I didn't think Jeremy would be the one to pay. I thought I would lose my magic or — "

"But you gave your magic to him," Lucy said evenly. "You were ready to replace him, a life for a life. It was a sacrifice... You performed the magic you never intended to use."

"So..." Caroline said slowly. "Will he be a witch forever?"

"No. Bonnie is his source. He doesn't have his own magic."

"But he can hurt himself now..." Bonnie began flipping through pages furiously.

"Bon," Caroline said in a low voice. "It's Klaus we are talking about..."

"I need something that belongs to Jeremy," Bonnie said closing the book. "Really, what was I thinking? The Grimoire is no help here. I need to find Jeremy and then — "

"That Elsa bitch," Lucy said suddenly. "I'm sure it was her sleep paralysis spell. Don't take her lightly."

"Don't worry. I'm ready to meet her."

"Okay, let's go to the boarding house," Caroline said, clapping her hands together.

"Wha— Why?" Bonnie asked tensely.

"Everyone is there."

'Everyone? Oh no...'

"You know what, you go," Bonnie said with an encouraging smile. "I'll stay here and make the potion. I'm afraid we'll need it..."

"Bonnie, I'll make the potion," Lucy smiled kindly. "Go and talk to your friends."

"I — "

"Bonnie," Caroline grasped her arms and looked into her eyes intently. "Don't worry. You won't face it alone. You have us. Let's go and don't be afraid of anything. And I'll drive."

Caroline had the same eyes burning with inspiration when she was convincing Bonnie to drink tequila for the first time. They were twelve then.

"Stop beating yourself up. It wasn't your fault and everyone knows it."

Right, her feeling guilty was the problem with going to the Salvatore house.

"Bonnie," Caroline pressed.

Okay, maybe that kiss was just a stupid dream. Maybe if she just ignored Damon everything would be nice and civil. One way or another she didn't have much choice...

"Okay," she muttered. "Let's go."

To Bonnie's great relief Damon wasn't home. Neither Elena nor Stefan knew where he was. Bonnie was glad to concentrate on saving Jeremy, not avoiding a crazy vampire.

Everyone in the room was gloomy. Tyler was really tired; apparently chasing zombies got the best of him. Elena was freakishly calm. And Stefan looked like he was ready to kill (that was actually scary).

"Can you break the connection between you and Jeremy?" he asked. "So he can't use your power?"

"I won't even try," Bonnie said.

"Why?"

"Klaus needs him, he wants to use his power. If Jeremy loses this power..."

"He will kill him," Stefan said grimly.

"It's possible. We need to find Jeremy, take him to a safe place. Then I'll deal with Klaus."

"No, you are not doing it. It's out of the question."

"Stefan — "

"He is too strong."

"You know we have to end this," Bonnie snapped. "Otherwise, he will end us."

"I know."

"He's terrorizing the whole town. I can stop him."

Stefan had a worried look on his face.

"Are you sure? I mean, your power... You gave it to Jeremy. I really don't understand how but —"

"Have a look at her family history," they heard Damon's cheerful voice. "You know Emily had enchanted some of Jonathan Gilbert toys. Lovely generous witches you Bennetts are."

Bonnie felt her heart leap. Damon entered the room, smiling as if Christmas was all around him.

"Hello, everyone..." he said, looking around. "You know, I like planning the battles too."

"Damon, it's not funny," Stefan said patiently.

"Yes," Damon sighed and sat down next to Bonnie who moved away immediately. "Go on. I'm listening."

"Bonnie was talking about killing Klaus — "

"Yeah, I heard that. But let's move off stupid subjects and — "

"Are you calling me stupid?" Bonnie snapped before she could stop herself.

Damon smiled at her.

"I'm calling you adorable."

"Damon, please — " Stefan began tiredly.

"If you wanna give her to a vampire give her to me. It'll be more fun."

Bonnie shifted but everyone was obviously waiting for her to react so she said impatiently, "Enough of your stupid jokes."

He leaned back against the sofa.

"Jokes, huh..."

"I hate to say it, but we have to face Klaus," Stefan said. "I'll go with you, Bonnie. We'll stop him together."

"Oh my god," Elena whispered, lowering her head.

"You are barking mad."

Bonnie knew she couldn't breathe freely until they get rid of Klaus. But she could understand both Elena's and Damon's feelings. She spoke, trying to choose her words carefully, "Stefan, you can help me if you take Jeremy home. But I have to deal with Klaus alone."

"I have my reasons to be there."

"You are better than that," she said hotly, "Just leave it to me. And you know, we still need to protect people from attacks. So stay — "

"Look at this," Damon drawled. "You have already decided for everyone."

"It's logical," Bonnie said crossly.

"It's fucking suicidal."

She shot him a murderous look but Damon just glared back at her.

"What?"

"Do you have any better ideas?" she asked acidly

"As a matter of fact, I do. Let's move to Alaska."

"Very funny!"

"Okay. Maybe, not Alaska. Let it be Hawaii."

"Why don't you go there right now," Tyler muttered.

"Caroline, teach your dog to behave. Or I will."

"You bas — "

"Damon, stop making everyone mad at you!" Stefan said.

"Stop being stupid then."

"We have no other choice!" Bonnie exclaimed angrily.

"You have no choice but to be stupid?" Damon smirked. "Well, that explains a lot..."

"We have no choice but to kill Klaus," she snapped. "It's for your sake too."

"Do I have to tell this to myself when I attend your funeral?"

Bonnie was furious. So now he was concerned. Please, he just wanted Elena to think he was being noble.

She looked at her best friend and asked, "Elena, you brought something of Jeremy's belongings, right?"

Elena stood up.

"Yes, I brought his t-shirt. It's in my purse."

"Good. I'll start right now..."

Bonnie rose to her feet but Damon grabbed her hand and pulled her back into her seat. His touch made her flinch and he felt it but was too annoyed to gloat. Bonnie took air into her lungs and said, "The conversation is over."

"Stefan is staying here," he said, his voice serious. "But I'm going with you."

"Damon — " Stefan began but Damon didn't take his eyes off Bonnie.

"It's logical," he repeated her words.

He was still holding her hand. Bonnie felt her skin warm under his fingers. Her anger was gone and she suddenly felt lightheaded. It was hard to breath. Damon's expression changed to one of surprise and then worry.

"Are you okay?"

It was when Caroline saw Bonnie shaking and rushed to her side.

"Bonnie!"

Bonnie heard her friend's voice but she could see clearly only Damon's face. Then everything went black.

"She has a nosebleed," Caroline gasped. "Why?"

"Bonnie!" Tyler reached for her but Damon growled, "Move aside! She needs air."

Bonnie's eyes were half-closed. She didn't respond to her name and it was hard to tell if she was still conscious. Damon took her carefully into his arms.

"What's happening?" Elena asked coming closer.

"I'll tell you what's happening," Damon said severely. "Your little brother wherever he is, is casting a spell."

"What are you hiding? Tell me now!"

Yuichi looked around in desperate hope to see Bonnie but apparently Lucy and him were alone in the Bennett's house.

"You are acting strange. What's wrong?"

"I'm going to kill Klaus," he answered, matter-of-factly.

"Huh?"

"Like I said. Look, where's Bonnie?" he sat down on the couch.

Lucy gave him a suspicious look but answered, "She's at Stefan's place. She fainted; I suppose, Jeremy casted another channeling spell. Now tell me what's wrong."

"He is not a warlock, he doesn't know how to use the energy," Yuichi said, ignoring the last bit. "So his work is messy. And he's compelled, I'm sure. He's draining Bonnie's powers without realizing that he's killing her. Lucy, she won't last long."

He had voiced her own worst fears.

"Can we break the link?" she asked without hope.

"Bonnie created it. She must be the one to break it."

"Any other options?"

"We kill Jeremy."

"Or?"

"Or we kill the compeller."

Lucy was furious.

"Going after Klaus is suicidal!"

"Why?" he said slowly. "You have me."

She sat on the couch next to him. Yuichi gave her a half-smile but she didn't smile back.

"What's wrong? You are not being serious, right?"

"I am serious," he answered, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers. Lucy felt his skin was hot as if he had a fever.

"Tell me, what's wrong," she said calmly. "Come on..."

"You are imagining things," he chuckled, closing his eyes.

She shook her head slowly.

"Am I? You hate fighting! And now you're willing to risk your life for strangers?"

"Love, I'm like Bryan Adams. And everything I do... I do it for you."

She smacked him but that didn't stop him from smiling.

"Trust me, you don't have to!"

He opened his eyes and gave her a weird look.

"You wanna leave this town?"

"I can't leave Bonnie."

"And I can't leave you."

He planted a kiss on the back of her hand and pulled her closer towards him but she stopped him by placing her fingers against his lips.

"I have a boyfriend," she reminded him.

His dark eyes twinkled.

"You're like a broken record sometimes. You've been repeating these words over and over for the last ten years. Of course, there were different boyfriends."

"Do you have a death wish?" she asked slowly, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement.

"When did you meet the last one?" he asked with fake concern. "Last week?"

She didn't say anything. Yuichi bent over to kiss her and this time she didn't turn her face away.

Bonnie bolted awake. She found herself lying on the unfamiliar bed. In the dark and unfamiliar room. Slightly disoriented, she moved in the bed, trying to push scratchy sheets and the blanket away.

After she climbed out of bed Bonnie saw she was still fully clothed. But her shoes were missing. Not pausing to look around or switch the light on she reached for the door knob and turned it, pushing the door open.

The corridor was dimly lit. Bonnie blinked and recognized the familiar interior of the Salvatore house.

"Thought I heard a noise."

Bonnie let go of the door knob and turned around to see Damon.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice groggy.

"Don't walk barefoot," Damon said.

She rubbed her eyes trying to focus.

"Where's everyone?"

"They left. Stefan and Elena are sleeping."

"I need to get back home..."

"Stay here," Damon said, stepping closer. "Elena called Lucy."

"Oh... What time is it?"

"It's two past midnight. You need rest, go back to sleep."

She felt weak but a mere thought of more sleeping somehow made her head spin.

"Damon, I'm hungry."

He looked at her amused but she was watching him with serious face.

"Okay... Just put your shoes on."

She found her shoes near the bed. Damon beckoned her and she followed him down to the kitchen.

"Your house is creepy," she said, not afraid to look tactless.

"A vampire's house, honey."

"I'm a witch. Still there's no bats nesting on my ceiling."

He smirked and waved at the kitchen counter and chairs facing it.

"Go sit over there."

"Okay."

"Isn't it unhealthy to eat late at night?" Damon said teasingly.

"Night, day... There's no difference now."

"I have to agree with you here. All this blue twilight is starting to get annoying."

"If a vampire misses the sun..." she said coyly as Damon checked the fridge.

"That's right."

He took out a grilled steak covered with plastic wrap and gave her a sideway glance.

"Um... Did Elena cook this?" Bonnie asked abruptly, pointing at the plate in his hand.

"Does it matter?" Damon smiled.

"No, not really."

"Good. Actually Stefan cooked today. But — no bunnies, I promise."

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I don't care, I'm hungry."

That was really nice and surprising to see a domestic Damon. Not domestic violent, just domestic.

"Sorry I woke you up," Bonnie said, not moving while Damon was setting the table.

"I didn't sleep. Here you go."

"Thanks," she took the fork, trying not to smile. It seemed though, that Damon could read her thoughts.

"I just heated some food," he said rolling his eyes. "I don't plant trees and sing with the birds."

She was grinning openly now.

"Damon, coming from you it's just the — "

"Just stop talking," he hissed and she chuckled but didn't say anything else.

Bonnie ate in silence. Damon who sat next to her was watching her every move. It was rather unnerving but Bonnie was trying to hide it.

"I want you to break the link," he said abruptly.

"I don't know how," she calmly answered, not taking her eyes off of the plate.

"Figure it out then."

"Not before Jeremy is safe."

"You are getting weaker."

"I'll manage somehow."

"He's not worth it."

Bonnie lifted her head slowly, "He is."

Damon's face darkened.

"Do you love him?"

"Do you love Elena?"

"Don't change the subject."

"Mind your own business."

He glared at her and Bonnie who was annoyed as well mentally called him a big baby.

"Stefan is agree with me," she said crossly.

"Stefan doesn't matter. Or you think his opinion is more important than mine?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"That's my line."

She sighed, exasperated.

"I just want to protect everyone."

"Everyone..." he paused and asked thoughtfully, "Including me?"

"Well, yes!"

Damon stared at her.

"So you care about me now?"

"Of course I care about you!"

She put her knife and fork down and looked at silent Damon who was being so unreasonable.

"Why does it bother you? Me sharing powers with Jeremy won't stop me from killing Klaus."

He got mad again.

"God, you're so fixated on it!"

"Isn't it what you want?"

"Are we having this conversation again?"

"No, I didn't mean it that — "

"Because I would like to skip all this talking and get straight to the final part."

Bonnie felt her face getting hot. She opened her mouth to speak and immediately closed it. Damon smirked at her behavior.

"You really wanted to pretend that it never happened?"

"What about you?" she asked carefully.

He smiled.

"Just because I don't walk around singing 'I kissed a witch and I liked it' doesn't mean I didn't kiss the witch. Doesn't mean I didn't like it."

Bonnie sprang to her feet.

"Night, Damon."

"Wait, I'll walk you back. And show you my room, just in case..."

"I'll find my way!"

"Don't worry, I can control my urges!" he said to her back.

She didn't even answer. Damon heard her go back to the guest room and close the door. Bonnie indeed was adorable. And so confused.

Several minutes later Damon was lying in his bed with hands behind his head. He was smiling to himself, remembering again and again Bonnie's voice filled with indignation, "Of course I care about you!"

TBC