A/N: First, let me say I'm terribly sorry for so many mistakes last chapter. I wanted to hurry and get it out that I didn't really proofread the way I should have so please forgive me for that. As far as Damon's father getting better, he didn't have anything major like cancer just a heart attack and that can be very life threatening as well. For any other questions, you'll just have to wait and see. Again another long chapter but expect Bamon! Thanks for reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 5: A Time and A Place

Katherine pounced on the soft cream sofa as she placed the stack of portfolios on her lap. She picked up her tall wine glass and swirled the crimson colored liquid around the glass. After a few gulps of the wine, she proceeded to go through the photos.

The first was from Hayley, and to say she was expecting more than just older woman standing in front of a stove was an understatement. But because this was their first assignment she decided to be lenient and give her a C- for effort. A few photos later, Katherine had realize that not the entire class was on the same level of professionalism.

"Let's see...who's next. Bonnie Bennett" Katherine had just finished the rest of drink now pulling out the photo. It took her a moment to process who she was staring at. "Damon?... no, no, no" Katherine flipped it over and sure enough there was his name, credited by hers truly. Something went off in her head. Anger, jealousy and then more anger. The photograph was amazing, it embodied everything a portrait should. But it was Damon, most importantly her Damon. Angrily she threw the wine glass at the wall and watched it shatter into tiny pieces of chips. Katherine sneered and harshly scribbled down the grade on top of the photo already feeling much better.

...

The Next Day

Bonnie smiled at Hayley after she finished telling her about some horrible date she went on last night. "And he really expected me to catch the bus home."

Katherine came into the room shutting the door hard, gaining everyone's attention in the process. The first thing her eyes landed on was Bonnie. Oh how she wanted to shove her assignment down her throat. Instead she went over to her desk and began to talk about some famous photographers of the earlier times.

After lecture, towards the end of class the graded assignments were passed out. "Some of you did a great job, very creative. And others still have a lot to learn. Such as hue, value, center of the subject, background and even form." Katherine tossed Bonnie's assignment on her desk, and had she not grabbed it in time the photo would have slid off onto the floor. "But that's what I'm here for."

Hayley squealed in excitement after seeing the green colored A. "Look, A for me. What'd you get Bonnie?"

She glanced down at the red colored F plastered just above Damon's eyebrow. A look of confusion came over her face. "I don't understand, this is a really good photo."

"Yeah, it is..." Hayley commented.

"So, I hope everyone is content with their grade. You get what yo-" Katherine folded up her arms after seeing Bonnie raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Bennett? Question?"

"I think there was a mistake with my grade." She said, not caring if all the attention was on her.

Katherine stepped closer and tilted her head. "And what's that?"

"I just don't think I deserved an F."

"So, now you're telling me how I should grade my students. Bonnie, the assignment was about creativity, not just taking photos of something 'pretty'. You'll learn very quickly that you get the grade you earn in my class."

Bonnie being her stubborn self just didn't understand how Hayley received an A and she an F. "Well would you mind telling me why I received the grade I did. Surely my photo isn't that bad is it?" She kept her tone respectful, yet Katherine didn't see it that way and never would.

"Right. Since Ms. Bennett is so persistent on talking about getting the grade she earned...that gives me an idea for your next assignment. Originally I was thinking wildlife... but how about a five-page paper on earning. People seem to think that things should just get handed to them. Well I want five pages on why people need to earn them." Katherine twirled a piece of hair between her fingers. Like hell she was going to read them, Katherine just wanted everyone on Bonnie's back for being such a little pest. Who did she think she was, and why did she think it was okay to challenge the teacher? "You are all dismissed."

The entire class groaned and Hayley rolled her eyes at Katherine. Bonnie frowned because she honestly did not want to get anyone else in trouble because she was concerned about her own assignment. Turning to Hayley, Bonnie tried her best to smile. "I'm really, really sorry. I had no idea she was going to do that."

Hayley shook her head as she gathered her belongings together. "It's fine Bonnie, oh and don't forget six p.m"

She nodded, also getting her things ready and when she turned around a blonde haired girl decided to make a smart comment. "Some people need to learn to just accept the grade they get."

Bonnie waited until everyone was gone to approach Katherine. "Mrs. Pierce I apologize. I didn't mean any disrespect."

"It's Ms." Katherine continued, "I don't like being question by students in front of the class. Not only is it rude but it's disrespectful especially after I've explained it to you once before. Now the reason you received an F is because I wanted a portrait. Portraits are simple and portray the person. All I saw was some guy, he could have at least smiled...Sometimes when you don't know your subject it shows in your photo"

"Well, I actually do know the subject..." Emerald eyes found themselves on the floor after realizing that's what ruined her photo.

For reason that were obvious, it made Katherine angry when she heard Bonnie exclaim to actually know him. But she definitely had to get down to the bottom of whatever was going on. "Who is he anyway?"

"Uh... just a friend of mine." Bonnie furrowed her brows because she was unsure why that mattered in the first place. "Does that have something to do with it?"

"The creativity just wasn't there. I'm sure you'll get it next time." Katherine didn't want to seem to suspicious by inquiring too many questions of her subject.

"I understand. And is there anyway that you can add a few pages to my assignment so everyone else doesn't have to suffer for my mistake?"

She shook her head. "Sorry Bonnie, let this be a lesson to you in the future. Sometimes it's best to just" Katherine made sure to slow each part of her next statement. "leave some things alone."

"Right. Well thank you for your time." Bonnie bit her bottom lip and feigned a smile before quietly leaving.

...

Hours Later.

Katherine rung the doorbell as she held the flowers and balloons in her hands. A few seconds later Lucy answered the door, shocked to say the least.

"Katherine... Come in."

...

Meanwhile.

"What are we doing?" Bonnie asked as her and Hayley stood outside of professor Shane's lecture class.

"Relax, I've got the key." She said, while unlocking the door.

"How did you get that?" This not what she expected when Hayley told her to meet her outside of the library.

"It's okay Bonnie. Trust me." After getting the door opened she stepped in and waved Bonnie to follow.

Reluctantly, Bonnie took a few steps into the slightly darkened class. Hayley closed it behind them and walked over to his desk. "Hayley, I can't do this. We could get expelled. I thought you meant we'd study not steal."

"Who said anything about stealing Bonnie." The brunette smiled as she sat down in his chair.

Just as Bonnie was about to respond with something witty, a voice stopped her.

"Yeah, who said anything about stealing." The voice said, agreeing with Hayley.

Bonnie turned around and nearly pissed her pants when saw none other than professor Shane standing near the door. He closed it after him, a slow grin found its way on his lips. For the life of her, she was rendered speechless. All those years in highschool of hard work was about to get flushed down the drain.

Hayley smiled as well before strolling over to the calm looking professor. She gave him a kiss on the lips and looked at Bonnie. Shane whispered something in Hayley's ear while rubbing his hand on her abdomen.

"You said you'd do anything to pass the class right?"

Bonnie slowly came to realization of what was going on. Now she understood why Hayley had the grade she did, because to be completely honest she didn't seem to be the brainy type. She was sleeping with the professor, maybe Hayley really did need to write that five-page paper on earning things.

"Come on Bonnie, you want that A or not?" Hayley bit her bottom lip and grinned when his hand slipped down into her skirt.

...

Damon entered his household, instantly hearing the joyous sounds laughter mixed with his father's voice. He cautiously followed the voices until he reached the living room. On the sofa was Lucy sitting next to a laughing Katherine and his father sat on his favorite chair no one else dared to sit on.

Katherine was the first to notice him. "Damon."

Everyone looked at the entrance. Giuseppe quickly motioned for his son to come over and join them. Not wanting to anger his father, Damon had no choice but take a seat on the opposite sofa. Lucy took notice of him not taking that opportunity to sit next to Katherine and raised a brow.

"Son, you did not tell me Katherine was back in town." Giuseppe nor Lucy knew the full story behind their break-up. All they knew was that she got accepted into Yale and to avoid the long distance problems they ended it on good terms. Leaving them to think Katherine was the sweet innocent girl they met over three years ago.

"Oh, well don't blame Damon. I've only been here a few weeks." Katherine quickly came to his defense.

Though Damon was not feeling the same happiness that everyone else was, specifically after Katherine disobeyed him. "What are you doing here, Katherine?" He asked, not caring about the angst tone laced through his words.

Giuseppe chimed in, clearly displeased with his son's attitude. "Katherine, the sweet young woman that she is came by with sincerity."

Damon scoffed.

"And flowers for you father." Lucy added as one of the servants came in and notified the family that dinner was ready. "Well, shall we."

Damon was waiting for Katherine to excuse herself and when she didn't he knew either Lucy or his father invited the bitch to dinner. Just what he needed.

...

Dinner progressed easily for the most part. Every now and again Giuseppe would acquire a question of Katherine's engagements at the moment. And she would respectfully answer them while stealing glances of the youngest Salvatore. Damon on the other hand kept quiet, he kept his eyes remote and successfully evaded contact.

Katherine didn't like the fact that Damon hadn't looked at her since dinner started. But she knew his weakness, common among men. The respect of his father.

"So Damon, we haven't had time to catch up lately. How have you been keeping yourself occupied?" She asked, smiling sweetly because surely he would be forced to answer.

Ding Dong!

'Saved by the bell'

Damon quickly stood up and stared at Lucy assiduously. "I'll get it." He said just a bit to harshly. But hell, being away from Katherine even for two seconds was like a little slice of heaven. It could have been the devil himself at the door and he'd still hug him for getting him out of saying anything to her. But when Damon opened the door, surely he didn't expect to see her.

"Bonnie." He said worriedly, taking notification of the scared look on her face. Standing there in a short tribal dress was the beautiful bronzed woman who had him in conflict all last night.

"I'm sorry for just popping up. I- I just needed someone to talk to." Bonnie rubbed her hands together as she stood there hoping that he would have time for her, again.

He sighed deeply and looked back into the house. A part of him was concerned about Bonnie, yet another was pleased that she came to him on her own accord. "Alright, come inside."

Quietly he led Bonnie up the steps to his room where he would leave her until he could get out of dinner. When she sat on his bed shortly after Damon told her he was in the middle of dinner. "So just stay here, give me ten minutes."

"Okay." Bonnie kept her eyes on the floor, feeling even worse for interrupting his dinner. The sound of the door closing indicated that Damon left the room. When she looked over to the french doors a ghost of a small played n her lips - because that's where it started. And then the bed - where it ended before it actually started. Caroline and Elena wouldn't believe half the stuff Bonnie had gotten into while they were in Long Beach though luckily they were coming back tomorrow.

...

"Damon, chi รจ?" Giuseppe asked, watching his son step into the dining room.

"Salesman..." Damon placed a hand on his stomach and attempted to weasel his way out of the rest of dinner. "Papa, please forgive me but I am not feeling well."

Both Katherine and Lucy glanced up at Damon with similar questionable expressions on their faces.

"Well you should rest." His father responded. If there was one thing he understood, it was how horrible feeling under the weather was. "You are excused from the rest of dinner."

Damon nodded, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

Katherine frowned, her whole reasoning for coming over was to see Damon. Although bringing Giuseppe flowers and balloons also went to her advantage. If she could stay in both his and Lucy's good graces, winning Damon back would be that much better.

...

When Damon returned to his room, he found Bonnie laying on her side facing away from him who appeared to be sleeping. Quietly closing the door to avoid disrupting her, Damon enjoyed the moment that he could comfortably stare without seeming creepy.

"I'm sorry for ruining your evening."

For a split second his blue eyes widened in surprise because he had been so quiet. He wondered how long she noticed him and if it made him seem weird. Bonnie turned over, watching as Damon coursed a hand through his jet-black mane after locking the door..

"It's alright Bonnie" He smirked and stepped closer. "In fact, I should be thanking you for getting me out of it."

"That bad?"

"Oh you have no idea." He answered mischievously.

Bonnie lifted herself onto her arm just as Damon plopped down on the bed next to her. He rested on his back and placed his hands behind his head. Staring up at the ceiling he decided to find out why she came by.

"You looked worried earlier, what's going on?"

She lowered her eyes and shifted until she was in the same position as he. It took her a few seconds to open her mouth but when she did, Bonnie settled on telling him the truth.

"And?" He asked after hearing the story of how she got dragged into some unpleasant threesome.

"And what?" Bonnie questioned, not fully understanding what he wanted her to say.

"Well did you sleep with professor Shady Pants and his teacher's pet?" He asked peculiarly, finally turning his head to meet her gaze.

"No, no of course not. I would never do something like that." She started defensively. "I left as soon as I realized what was going on..."

"And came here."

"Yeah, I just didn't want to go home." Bonnie sighed. Being home alone was the last place she wanted to be, school not included and tonight of all nights she was off from work.

"Well you're welcome anytime." Damon stated cooly.

"Thanks Damon."

"Oh and speaking of professors and what not, what did you get on your photo? Oh wait let me guess... A++" He asked confidently.

"Cocky much?"

"Very much..." The corners of his mouth curled up to show just what he meant. "Now, about that A."

Bonnie bit her bottom lip, "No, actually I got an F." She did her best to not get angry but when she remembered the five-page paper it was no use. "And I don't know why, I- we did a really good job on it. But apparently it wasn't as creative as taking a picture of your mom in a kitchen." Bonnie added bitterly.

Damon planned on asking more about this evil professor who was probably a feminist. Easily he could have taken one of those mirror pictures and still came out looking like some suave Italian model.

Just outside of the room Lucy lead Katherine up the steps to let her say goodbye before she left. Lucy waited a few steps behind while Katherine went ahead to open the door but found it locked.

Knock Knock Knock.

Damon sat up in his bed as well as looking over to the doors at the sound of three irritating taps. He figured it to be Lucy wondering how he was feeling so when he approached the door, Damon barely opened it and peeped his head out.

"Damon."

Instantly his relaxed mood altered into something more troubled. "Katherine, I see you still don't understand..." Just as he was about to convey - in vain - the notion of how displease he was to see her a subtle movement from the right caught his attention. With the inquisitive woman standing just a few steps away paired with the latent one behind him, Damon couldn't properly express the improper commentary. "I'm not feeling well." He said sternly. Desperately he wished to veraciously become ill thus compelling him to regurgitate all over her sandaled covered feet.

"I know. I just wanted to say goodbye before I left..." Katherine smiled lovingly whilst digging into the leather patent purse and pulled out a piece of paper. "Here, when you're ready to talk."

Damon stared at the piece of paper as if it were a nauseating hissing cockroach. Yet not wanting to cause a scene prompted him to practically rip it from her cold equally dead hands. "Look, little witch. If I have to repeat myself again I'm not going to be so calm and collective about it." His malicious tone was kept to a lulling volume mattering to only Katherine's ears. "Now go crawl back under the rock you came from and stay away."

Katherine's bottom lip pouted, making those big doe eyes appear even more innocent. "You're still angry, I get that. But I want this to work... Look me in the eye right now and tell me you don't still love me, Damon." She responded in the selfsame tone as he. "Tell me and I'll leave."

His jaw clenched tightly because the question had him in circles. Of course he hated what she did, but never asked himself if he still loved her.

"Bye Katherine." Damon trundled his baby blues with the smug smirk as he shut the door in her face.

...

Katherine left the Salvatore household feeling absolutely elated. She always knew Damon to be truthful and the fact that he didn't just outright say he didn't love her anymore was a good sign. The stupid grin cursing her face curled downward once she saw an unfamiliar silver Prius parked nearby. It sure wasn't there when she arrived also from where she was standing the car was empty. But something alarmed her, someone did ring the door bell and quickly after Damon oddly exclaimed to not be feeling well.

Sneakily she stalked the car, trying her best to see inside. Way to clean for a salesman, and a man would never be seen driving one of these. Though the pink binder in the passenger seat confirmed her suspicions of it belonging to a women - but where was the woman? Katherine glared back to the mansion. "You asshole." She spat. There was no doubt Damon was definitely hiding a woman in there. A saucy smirk lengthened across her lips, "Fine, we'll play it your way." She reached into her purse and pulled out a small sharp object.

...

After shutting the door he saw that Bonnie was sitting on the lounge chair. Considering she didn't say or acknowledge anything, he figured she didn't hear the words he and Katherine exchanged.

Bonnie remained quiet as he came back into the immediate area.

"October 31, 1998"

"What?"

"My birthday, you wanted to get to know me right?"

She nodded and crossed her legs indian style, "So you were born on Halloween and you're a Scorpio."Bonnie smile was tremulous when she added up the odds.

"What?" The quizzical expression on his face alerted her that he wasn't that big on astrology.

"I mean you know what they say about them." She said plainly.

No he didn't know, but the little smile she had on her face had him wondering. "Like what exactly?"

Bonnie paused when she saw that he was seriously wanting to know. Ever since she was a young girl, astrology was always something she believed in and even did her best to read her horoscope weekly. Aside from her own, Libra, Scorpio was probably her favorite so in hand she knew everything there was to know about them.

"They say Scorpio's shouldn't be taken lightly... it isn't wise to cross one because they can be very vengeful. Cause they resemble the scorpion itself they would rather kill than be killed easily. Even when they lose their tail, they just grow a new one." Bonnie rested her head on the palms of her hands. "Manipulation isn't above them, as long as it helps get what ever it is that they want."

She continued, "Scorpios are intense...passionate, filled with desire. Yet they can be so secretive and especially suspicious...possevive and jealous" Bonnie's eyes went downcast because she thought the next part of her words were very abashing on her part. "And out of all the signs they are the most sexual. Mundane sex will never be enough, which is why they have a lot of it, but when it's meaningful it's like a religious sacrifice...that's the only way they can ever be truly satisfied."

Damon sat on the bed while rubbing at his chin pondering over her words. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, everything she said seemed absolutely spot on. Of course he would rather kill than be killed - but that one is a given. He was never shy about manipulating something into his favor. Being secretive and suspicious of others also matched his current attitude especially after Katherine. And being a full-blooded Italian man didn't help with his possessive and jealousy issues. Hearing her talk about sex really hit home though. He loved it but it never really quenched his thirst the way it should. Not since Katherine anyway. It helped cure up his empty feeling for a few hours or maybe even the whole night which helped him sleep better, but after that it was back to nothingness. Katherine really did a number on him, and he actually didn't know whether he still loved her not.

"You think you got me all figured out, huh Bonnie?"

She looked at the vacant state on his features who almost looked lost in a dimension of confusion. "Maybe, but I got the feeling their still a lot I have to learn about you."

"Touche" If only their was a decanter of bourbon nearby.

There was a pregnant conversation between the two that seemed to go on for almost an hour and a half. Damon and Bonnie talked about themselves, each taking a turn explaining bits of their life. Where they grew up - Bonnie in Virginia and Damon originally from California. Where they went to school - Bonnie attended Mystic Falls elementary/high School and the went on to UCLA and Damon attended all private schools. Their talk even led into first cars. But when they talked about jobs, Damon was essentially quiet where Bonnie quickly learned he never worked and with the money his family had he didn't need to. For some reason Bonnie got quiet when Damon started hashing about his family's business - Salvatore Inc. specializing in manufactures, banking, financing, leasing to customers via a worldwide dealer network earning billions of dollars. Normally she would have asked a thousand questions by now but oddly no words had left her lips.

By the time Damon finished nearly ten or so minutes had went by with neither of the two saying anything. Though oddly it wasn't awkward, they both seemed to be in their own little worlds but it worked.

Damon slowly opened his vivid hues and found Bonnie asleep on the chair coming to realize why she was so quiet beforehand - she was sleepy. Again he just watched her from across the room thinking she would say something like earlier but in turn never did. Sluggishly he lifted himself up on his elbows, cocking his head to the side.

"Bonnie?" No response. Damon crept off the bed smoothly treading steps towards the sleepy beauty. He studied how tranquil she looked and before he could stop it, a hand shot down to gently stroked the side of her face. Knowingly, Damon guided his hand down further to the hem of her dress - he just needed to touch her. The way she was perched against the armrest made it easier for him to get a profitable look at Bonnie's cleavage. But he willed himself to stop, because not only was it inappropriate, technically it could be seen as sexual assault.

Damon knew she would get a crook in her neck if she continued to sleep that way. So for that reason he carefully picked her up bridal style and softly laid her down on his bed. Bonnie moaned unconsciously after the brief disturbance but settled against the sheets in slumber.

...

Hours Later

Groggily Bonnie opened her eyes to find a darkened room. Definitely to big to be hers, the sheets way to soft and the salient heat coming from behind her was just a bit to warm. She shifted so she could turn her head back freely and even in the darkness Damon still seemed to glow against his ivory stained sheets. His breathing was rigid, deep shallow breaths but they were continuously.

There was no telling how long she slept or how late it was, but one thing was certain - she needed to leave pronto. Slowly she crept out the bed, quietly placing her feet one at a time onto the hardwood floor. Bonnie froze and waited to hear his breathing, and only resume when she did. Now out of the bed she tiptoed her away around the bed because the door was to his side.

Much like he, Bonnie watched him soundly. The way his bare chest risen rhythmically or the way his messy raven hair pelted across the pillow. Coming back to reality she was just about to grab her bag and leave but a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

"Bathroom is that way." His voice indicated that he had been up for a while because it was clear as a bell. With his other hand he pointed in an opposite direction towards the bathroom door.

Bonnie looked at her wrist where the throbbing started. Maybe he wasn't aware of how strong his grip was but she winced slightly. "I.. I don't need to use the restroom." She admitted.

"Then where are you going, Bonnie?" He deadpanned, a bit upset that she was actually trying to leave after he lended a helping hand earlier or maybe he was just upset that she wanted to leave him, period.

She was almost afraid to answer because he seemed upset. "Home, I should get home."

"It's two thirty, just wait until morning." Damon insisted.

Between his unrelenting grip and assertive tone, she felt it would be best to just wait a few more hours before she left.

Damon was beginning to get impatient and emerged from the pillow with a handful of Bonnie.

"Lay down Bonnie." He said calmly. "C'mon, I'm not gonna 'eat' you." Or maybe he would.

"Okay..." She sighed quietly and again looked to her painful wrist. "Could you... let go."

Not realizing he still held her captive, Damon quickly released her from his firm grip and leaned back onto the bed. Bonnie waited a few seconds before she semi reluctantly returned back to her original spot on the bed.

Damon kept his eyes trained on Bonnie, with the thought of tomorrow... the dreaded family day at the country club with all the other rich pompous arrogant jerks Beverly's Hills had to offer.. Perfect