A/N: I want to dedicate this chapter to you, dear readers. You can rule the world, BAMON-lovers. Thank you for your reviews!

Chapter twelve

S for Savior, B for Bravery

Stefan loved the high places. The higher the better, he thought; it made him feel free of everything. But right now, as he was standing on the roof of his house, he felt anything but being free. He couldn't look down and see things clearly from a height. Obviously, it wasn't high enough. He couldn't escape this time.

His mind went back to his meeting with Raymond. When the whole theatre shook the older vampire had stepped back.

"Go, Stefan. I'm not going to stop you. And I guess I should apologize. If your girlfriend went back to you after being with your brother you must be better than him. By the way, where are they now? I'd love to meet Damon," a cruel smile curved his lips and he added, "So much for the epic love."

So much, indeed. But then again he got what he deserved. He wasn't human. He was a murderer. And he was a coward. Stefan closed his eyes, too tired to fight sad memories.

In Reykjavik he met a girl. It wasn't her lucky day — he was hunting. That girl was probably sixteen or younger. Beautiful, with her hair as bright as the sunshine. He saw her walking with her little sister and attacked them, not even bothering to compel his victims.

He didn't hide in the shadows and they both saw his face clearly. And that was when the older sister had surprised him. She pushed her sister behind her back and shouted at him. That had stopped him. He didn't understand Icelandic, of course, but he could have guessed.

"Don't touch her!" or "You are a murderer!"

He walked away without harming her or her sister. And he killed her two days later in the dark alleyway. That time he attacked her from behind.

Klaus was ecstatic. Stefan couldn't understand why Klaus had been so eager to see cruel, vicious creatures around himself. Along with that he couldn't understand why Klaus had wanted him.

Why not Damon?..

He finally had asked that question out loud. Klaus had looked at him strangely and said, stating the obvious, "Damon is weak. I wonder why nobody is able to see it. There's nothing amusing about weak people."

What did he mean, really...

Suddenly Stefan heard a noise behind him and snapped out of his memories. He sighed and said briskly, "Your timing is wrong. Leave."

Katherine slowly moved out of the shadows. Stefan turned around to see her pale and worried face.

"Stefan," she whispered. Unexpectedly, the sound of her beautiful voice made Stefan chuckle. "What happened?"

He watched her silently and she took a step toward him, "Is it Klaus? Is he still alive?"

"Yes, he's alive."

"What about Bennett?"

"What about Bonnie?"

"Wasn't she supposed to kill him?" Katherine asked eagerly. "And that warlock, did he..."

She stopped abruptly as Stefan's eyes narrowed.

"What do you know about him?"

Katherine looked like she had been caught off guard. He rolled his eyes, huffing, and shook his head.

"Stefan," she touched his face gently. "I wanted to protect you. That warlock, he is a soul breaker, it means..."

"Was."

He saw the confusion on her face and continued, "Was a soul breaker. He's dead."

Katherine froze.

"Klaus..."

"So you and Yuichi met," Stefan drawled. "Were you using him? As you always do?"

She stared at him, with her eyes dark and pleading.

"That doesn't matter..." Katherine said mildly.

Stefan felt better being angry at her.

"Other people never really mattered to you."

She wasn't going to deny it but her eyes were blazing as she said passionately, "I knew Klaus would come after you. I wanted to protect you."

"You are a liar," he said unkindly. "You wanted to protect yourself."

They both were silent for a minute and after that she said in a calm voice, "It's not too late. We can escape, you and me..."

"That's ridiculous."

He turned away from her to the edge of the rooftop and jumped down easily. When he landed he immediately saw her in front of him.

"Stefan, please..."

"Leave, Katherine."

"Be honest with yourself," she demanded. "Admit it, admit that our love was real. Tell me the truth."

He was laughing now. Katherine frowned and he looked at her. Both pity and amusement were in his eyes.

"You know, I'd love to but... Right now I don't know what the truth is."

She put her hand on his chest but Stefan didn't move. Yesterday he would jerk away from her as if she was poisonous. But it didn't matter now.

"I love you," whispered Katherine. "You have no idea how much I love you."

He leaned closer to her and felt her tremble at his touch.

"More than Damon?" he muttered. "More than Klaus?"

She made no sound. He lowered his gaze and saw her fingers had clenched into fists.

"He told me your sad story. The story of two brothers and the girl. One brother had loved her. The other one had had her... It's fascinating how history sometimes repeats itself."

She took no notice. Being disgusted by the mere thought of Klaus talking to Stefan about her, Katherine couldn't think logically. She couldn't see why Stefan was so bitter. Her hatred wiped out every other feeling. Just thinking of him, her mother's murderer, made her feel contaminated. He had destroyed her faith in love. But then Stefan had appeared and her heart was alive again.

"Okay," Stefan smiled and pushed her aside gently.

"I love you, Stefan," she whispered. "Don't deny us."

He raised his hand and touched her hair. He didn't feel guilty. Back in the past he couldn't love Elena without hating Katherine. But no matter how you put it, Katherine was his first love. And deep inside his heart he had compassion for her. Once upon a time there was a girl who believed in true love. She had her dreams. But then Klaus walked into her life.

Katherine froze. She finally saw he was broken. She could see it in his face.

Suddenly she remembered his words 'I kiss you and I know that I'm falling in love', she remembered his soft voice and his eyes filled with love — love for her, and the huge wave of regret swept through her. It would never ever repeat...

Stefan saw her worried face inches from his own. And her worry seemed genuine. God, now he could really mistake her for Elena.

But she wasn't Elena.

"There's no 'us', Katherine," he said calmly. "And guess what? Soon enough there will be no me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Leave," Stefan said. His hands dropped to his sides as he stepped back. "Go, run, survive, you are good at it. Good-bye, Katherine."

She didn't move. Her own promise that they would be together again came into her mind and disappeared. She was losing him. And she loved him but was too afraid to follow him.

"Where are you going?" she forced herself to ask.

Stefan turned his back to her and said calmly, "To talk to my brother. "

Pervert thoughts. At the worst time. Damon was standing across from the very angry witch but he couldn't concentrate on anything. He was too busy admiring her hot look.

But she was hot — in her tight jeans, with her eyes blazing, with her hands fisted on her hips. Even the way she stood was sexy. And she didn't even try... Perhaps, she wanted to look scary. Perhaps, he was a fool and he should be scared.

Bonnie gave him a cold stare and Damon returned the gaze, the usual mocking expression was back in his eyes. His remorseful mood was gone completely. Because, for God's sake, it wasn't his damn fault they had left without him!

Of course, Bonnie thought the opposite. Caroline's a vampire? Blame Damon. Yuichi's dead? Blame Damon. Judging little thing.

The witch frowned slightly as he was motionless and silent. He tried nothing and after a minute or so Bonnie turned away from him and headed to her car.

Sweet naive girl.

"I wouldn't count on your car tonight," he said loudly.

She didn't stop and he shrugged.

"Okay. Give it a try."

He watched her open the door and get in the car. A few minutes later he heard her cursing and grimaced. Really, you can't start the car if the engine is broken.

Angry like hell, Bonnie got out and slammed the door. Damon laughed.

"You broke my car?" she shouted furiously.

He slowly shook his head and smiled over at her.

"Correction, both your and Lucy's cars."

She looked at him incredulously. He wanted to kiss her right there and then. But she would probably kill him. Okay, patience is a virtue...

"Are you insane?" Bonnie yelled, throwing up her hands.

"What's the big deal?" he rolled his eyes. "Cool guys in modern vampire literature do it all the time."

Wordless now, Bonnie just stared at Damon. Sometimes he really was unbelievable. Stupid arrogant vampire! He thought his childish prank would stop her? She turned on her heel and walked down the road. But she hadn't took even ten steps when Damon appeared before her out of nowhere. He was clearly annoyed now.

"You're not going anywhere," he said in a warning voice.

Bonnie gritted her teeth.

"You indescribably stubborn, stupid witch," Damon spat out for more emphasis.

"So you think you can stop me," she glared at him.

His eyes flashed. Now angry were they both.

"Trust me, if I have to smack some sense into your head I'll do it."

"You won't even lay a finger on me!" she exclaimed quite arrogantly. "What can you do, I will burn..."

Damon cocked his head and drawled sarcastically, "Oh please, don't go all Dark Willow on me."

Bonnie took a step forward but Damon seized her by the shoulder.

"One death is enough for today," he said softly.

She jerked away from him and Damon grimaced.

"So what if I die?" said Bonnie, fuming. "I'm the reason Elena is in danger! That's what you should think about, right?"

For a brief second Damon's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Whoa, aren't we bitter..."

"I will burn you to ashes if you don't get out of my way," she threatened. "I won't be sorry. And I think your brother's girlfriend won't be either."

She wanted to make him angry. But Damon was uncharacteristically calm now. He was watching her like a wise adult would watch a rebellious teenager.

"It's dangerous," he said.

"Like you care."

"I'm not going to have this conversation with you. If you want me to reassure you, you are stupid. But you are not leaving. Not today. And not like this."

"Latest news, Damon? I'm stronger than you. You can't stop me." Her eyes darkened. "And this time I will kill him."

"Right now you look like someone who is prepared to die," he said toughly. "People don't win when they look like this. They throw their lives away for nothing."

"It won't be for nothing."

Damon looked away.

"He had made his own choice. He was a warlock, he understood..."

Again Bonnie felt like she was suffocating. Again she wanted to hit Damon.

"He was waiting for me," she whispered. "I was supposed to help..."

"He wasn't stupid. He knew he had put his life at risk."

"So he did," her voice rose again. "It won't be pointless..."

But she felt so weak, and all she wanted was to be alone and cry again. Damon knew it and she hated him.

"You will kill Klaus," he said. "But not today. There's too much pain in your heart. You need to calm down."

Bonnie huffed.

"Calm down?" she said, her voice ringing. "Why don't you get it? It will change nothing. I can't turn off my emotions!"

"I can't either," Damon said in a low voice. "That's why I'm here."

Nothing in the world would make her look at him right now. And the way his voice sounded she preferred to ignore. She needed to be angry.

"If I did everything right..."

"Please, enough self-pity."

"Yuichi would be alive," Bonnie muttered. "Jenna would be alive. Jeremy would be home. I'm a failure of a witch and a failure of a friend."

"Now, I'm done listening to that crap."

Before she could raise her head his fingers seized her neck and Bonnie gasped in surprise. She saw Damon's face, all dark and vampirish.

'What a bastard,' stormed into her head.

"Since when are you so whiny?" Damon snarled. "It's not you!"

"Let me go!" she said, grabbing his wrist. But she wasn't half as furious as he was.

"You'd better remember who you are before I remind you who I am."

He released her as suddenly as he seized her. Bonnie clutched her throat avoiding his gaze. She felt ashamed of herself and she couldn't believe Damon made her see sense.

"Stefan told that someone had died and for a second I thought it was you," Damon said gravely. "That second was terrible."

She felt the tears come to her eyes but said nothing.

"Guess my life would suck without you around."

"And you need me to get to Elena," she said in a shaky voice.

Damon stared at her. He stared wide-eyed. And then he burst into laughter. Bonnie flinched and shouted, "Stop laughing at me!"

"Are you serious?" he took a step toward her. "How would I do this? Do I need to say 'Hey, Bonnie, I'm a better man now, have sex with me and tell Elena how amazing I am'?"

"Sounds like you," she said acidly.

"Women's intuition, my ass."

"I hate you."

"You go right ahead and hate me all you want," he smiled as his fingers brushed her cheek. His touch was surprisingly soothing. Damon looked straight into her eyes and Bonnie frowned seeing his amusement. "My love is enough for both of us."

She didn't get a chance to retort. The push came out of nowhere. Bonnie didn't even realize she had been hit. She fell to the ground and Damon's arms were around her on the instant.

"What the..."

"Be still," he cut her off, looking around.

A gust of wind ruffled Bonnie's hair. Damon took her by the elbow and helped her to her feet. Bonnie narrowed her eyes but with the blue fog all around them she couldn't see the attacker.

"Goddammit," she whispered and closed her eyes. "Incendia!"

Damon gasped when they got surrounded by the magical flames.

"That's not smart!" he shouted at her. "A vampire, remember?"

"Right. That's my point exactly."

"Let me out of here," he demanded.

Bonnie didn't answer. She was looking straight ahead at the man who was standing behind the trembling flames. It was the vampire from the theatre, the one who wanted to talk to Stefan.

"You are Ryan," she said, frowning.

He moved closer to the fire.

"Try Raymond."

"Try dead meat," growled Damon.

"What do you want?" Bonnie asked suspiciously.

Raymond smiled.

"I could've ripped your heart out a minute ago. Do you understand it?"

Bonnie raised her eyebrow as Damon chuckled.

"Too bad you haven't. And by that I mean too bad for you."

The older vampire's gaze slid over Damon's face.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Do I care?" Damon asked in a dramatic manner.

"Yes, if you are smart enough. I have some interest in you, Damon Salvatore."

"Who doesn't?"

"Damon," Bonnie whispered. "He's with Klaus..."

Damon gave her a leering look.

"You'd be surprised but I've figured it out."

"Stefan is nothing like you," Raymond chuckled.

Damon's face hardened but Bonnie didn't notice and said, "You sound like you're Damon's ex-boyfriend."

Both vampires glared at her and Raymond growled, "If you're so cool, bitch, come here. Remove the flames."

"Did Klaus send you?" Bonnie asked calmly.

"No."

"What do you want then?"

"I want to get out of this town. So, I'm here to ask you a favor. Just die already."

She was about to burn him but sudden pain hit her head and Bonnie doubled up and fell to the ground. Damon frowned but Raymond's next words had cleared his confusion up.

"Thanks, Jeremy."

The fire was gone. Bonnie tried to raise her hand but her body was numb.

"Still think you can take me?" asked Raymond, looking at Damon.

Damon's eyes were burning and he smirked.

"You are dead."

"No, Damon, don't!" Bonnie shouted but it was too late. She saw the vampires collide with each other and for the first time she cursed Jeremy. She can't be useless now!

But her magic was gone. Her physical strength was gone. She couldn't even crawl. Bonnie closed her eyes, trying to rise again when she heard Damon gasp with pain. She opened her eyes in time to see him fall before her. There was a large wound in his chest.

Raymond's hands were covered in blood. He took a step closer and Bonnie raised her head.

"Don't touch him," she hissed.

Surprisingly, he stopped and sneered at her. Bonnie's heart was pounding. She didn't like to be on her knees with the enemy towering over her, she didn't like it at all. But she knew, if she moved Raymond's way to Damon would be open.

"I don't think you can stop me. You are powerless, am I right?"

Bonnie felt Damon's shoulder beneath her hand. She didn't look at him but she felt him tremble and she knew he was in pain.

Her gaze focused on Raymond's face. And in her hazy state she realized. She wasn't afraid of him.

Because he wouldn't dare to touch her now. Klaus wouldn't be pleased. Too easy. He wanted her to suffer.

As if he had read her mind Raymond sighed. Then he looked at Damon.

"Seriously, I can't understand why Stefan was willing to die for this piece of shit."

Bonnie's heart skipped a beat and she said furiously, "Someone like you would never understand Stefan. And Damon is worth dying for."

And she realized how bad that sounded. Bonnie chanced a glance at Damon and felt a mixture of guilt and relief. Damon was unconscious.

"I see you care about him."

"I don't..."

"I'll tell Jeremy you said hi."

Bonnie flinched and jerked her head up.

"Wait!.."

But the street was empty. Bonnie swallowed and turned her full attention to Damon.

He was terribly pale. He needed blood.

Bonnie felt her heart tighten. Her very nature was protesting furiously against giving her blood to a vampire. 'Remember Jeremy. Remember what you have done by saving him.' She had another option — leave Damon here and go get a blood bag, but was it safe? And she had no power to heal him. Bonnie looked down at his face and saw there was no time for hesitation.

She looked around for something sharp enough and saw a beer bottle. Bonnie winced at the thought but reached for the bottle, smashed it on the ground and sliced her wrist with the glass. Red drops fell on Damon's lips but he didn't react. Bonnie clenched her fist trying to bleed faster.

She saw his face changing. He didn't open his eyes but dark veins were showing beneath his skin. Bonnie felt his lips and his tongue on her skin and shifted uncomfortably. But when she moved her hand Damon's eyes flew open. He grasped her hand and his fangs sank into her skin. Bonnie gasped and Damon pulled her closer, she almost fell on top of him as he was greedily drinking her blood.

Bonnie's mind went blank. And then she felt it. His loneliness, his pain and the darkness inside him and rejection — she could feel everything. It was almost like she had touched his soul.

Is my love not enough?..

She came to her senses and tried to pull her hand away from his mouth.

"Damon!.. Damon, stop it! Stop it!"

The part of you that cares just goes away, all you have to do is flip the switch and snatch!

"No, please!" she shouted. "Damon, let me go!"

He wasn't someone she should care about. It was wrong. He was a vampire. She didn't want to feel for him.

Bonnie let out a shuddering breath and felt his grasp loosen. When she heard his voice it sounded distant.

"It was always cheap," he whispered. Bonnie didn't move and her eyes were closed. "My feelings were always cheap. Stefan always looked so sincere and I didn't and no one believed me..."

Her head was spinning. Damon turned slightly to look at her. He realized what had happened and smiled.

"The blood of the witch... The blood willingly given... You know, Bree was crazy for me but she never..."

He stopped, watching her, and rose heavily to his feet.

"Bonnie?"

The witch was on her knees, she was barely breathing. Damon felt the cold fear crawling under his skin. She looked like she was going to die.

"I'm gonna give you blood," he said harshly.

"No," she choked out.

"You are weak. Just drink some, it won't poison you."

"I don't want to."

"Fuck," Damon cursed, putting his arm around her shoulders. "You are stupid, why didn't you stop me?"

"I'm fine."

"You saved me," he found himself muttering. He didn't believe her.

"You saved me first," her voice was barely audible.

Damon nodded. His fingers were lost in her silky hair. He gently caressed her face, without realizing it. Bonnie opened her eyes and Damon looked down at her.

He felt her tense and said with a hint of annoyance, "Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"You know what."

Bonnie blinked.

"You are so full of yourself."

"Oh yes, I am."

She chuckled and grabbed his shoulders to steady herself. He helped her to her feet but didn't remove his hands from her waist once she had stood up.

"Let's get back..."

"Just be quiet, Bennett," he whispered against her ear. His lips brushed her cheek and Bonnie shuddered. "Tonight I'm the voice of reason, little witch."

He moved over and their gazes met. And in a heartbeat his fingers were in her hair and he was kissing her hungrily and Bonnie was kissing him back with equal intensity. They clutched onto each other for dear life.

Bonnie felt her heart beating rapidly. Damon pulled her closer and she broke the kiss, gasping for air but he didn't give her time to catch her breath, his lips were on hers again.

'He obviously doesn't remember I'm still human,' Bonnie rolled her eyes mentally.

Damon slowed the kiss, savoring every moment. Bonnie shifted slightly and turned her head away from him. She heard him whisper her name. And that was when her exhaustion caught up with her.

With a smile on his lips Damon nuzzled her face. But his smile had disappeared when he felt her grip loosen. He frowned and glanced at her face.

"No... no, don't you dare," he growled. "Seriously, Bonnie, now is not the time to faint..."

She wanted to smile. Her eyelids felt like they were glued shut. She didn't even fight to remain awake this time; the touch of Damon's strong hands lulled her to sleep immediately. Right before she fell asleep she heard his voice filled with grim determination, "Oh, you're so going to pay for this..."

TBC