A/N: Sorry guys! I've been working crazy hours and school. Excuses, excuses.. I know. I had most of this chapter written out and accidentally erased everything, so basically I just gave up for a while. But because I lost all my work, it gave me a chance to think about the direction of this story, and I am glad I did. But none the less, here it is finally. Sorry for the wait. Thank you to those who are still interested in the story.

A lot goes on in this chapter. I mean A LOT, so you have been warned. I really hope you guys enjoy.

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

Chapter 12: Autumn is Coming

August 20

Five months, nearly five months since Bonnie has had any contact with Damon and she was relatively going strong. Her photography class ended some time ago. Final grades were posted though she barely acted surprised to see she had received an F. Katherine had missed the last three weeks of class (according to someone, they heard she became ill). But Bonnie didn't scoff when the students decided to all sign a card in her honor, when it came time for her to sign the teen scribbled something not even remotely close to her name and passed it on. No one had known the truth of their oh' so beloved teacher. However, Bonnie wouldn't dare to succumb to something so low as gossiping about professors. No matter how scandalous some of them had been. Cough, Mr. Shane. (Who's class she barely passed with a C-)

Though not everything was in the gutter—Caroline had spoken to her manager and helped her get a temporary job at another restaurant. This meant she wouldn't fall behind in rent and risk being kicked out or worse, end up calling her dad for help. Ironic how calling someone else for help seemed like the lesser option. But she had her reasons.

The house had come together for Trevor's birthday, but afterwards, Caroline and Tyler kept to themselves, Elena rarely came home and Trevor was just Trevor. Jeremy, Kol and everyone else still got together periodically. Well everyone besides Matt who purposely stayed away from parties and hangouts.

Bonnie, overall was doing okay in the sense that life hadn't completely kicked her ass. Although she often wondered what Damon was up too and almost slipped a few times to call him. But she always caught herself and pressed end before it would ring. Sometimes after the first. A part of her didn't even understand why she would be the one to call first-if at all. All of this time he did not once call or visit over the span of five months and that kind of made her upset. It irritated her because she was beginning to think that he completely forgot about her.(Not that it would be a major problem) Or maybe over those months, Bonnie had started to forgive him... and subconsciously missed their contact.

And here she was now, sitting on the floor of Caroline's closet.

"I still can't believe we're moving out." Caroline exclaimed as she folded up her cheerleading outfit.

To Beverly Hills no less.

Decisions about the house in Santa Monica have yet to be made. Although Tyler and Caroline have agreed to pay until the lease was up in December. Going from five people to three meant the rent was going to be augmented; something Bonnie was dreading since she found out.

"Well, it's a lot to take in but you'll be fine." Bonnie remarked, still currently folding up over a dozen pairs of jeans.

"Yeah well, I'll be especially happy when he's out." Caroline placed a hand on her slightly swollen belly. "You know I can't even fit into those pants I bought last month."

The caramel skinned woman grinned in happiness. "Have you and Tyler thought of any names?"

"Hmm, I was thinking Alexander or Christian... Tyler said I could choose it.. since I'm y'know- the one who has to go through everything."

It was and had been official for six months now. Caroline was pregnant and expecting her first child with Tyler in late December. Mostly everyone was excited, even Matt who promised Bonnie he would be at the baby shower.

"Bonnie?"

"Huh?"

"What ever happened to that hot guy you were talking too? Stefan's brother."

"Damon?"

Caroline nodded.

Bonnie ceased her folding and stared blankly at the blonde. This was one of the first times in months that she had actually said his name out loud. She twisted her face in revulsion, suddenly feeling nauseous as a memory of that night attacked her mind.

The way he touched her. The way he spoke to her.

"Should I unbutton my pants then?"

"Stop, Damon!"

Stalking forward as Damon made quick to grab Bonnie, roughly slinging her over the back of the lounge chair. Clasping onto the back of her lustrous curls—tugged her skirmish body close to his. Nudging her forward as he used his free hand to hike the dress up over her hips. Her pleas not meaning anything but an invitation for more. He'd pulled on the fabric so hard that the string holding the black lace panties together snapped. Bonnie struggles to get free from Damon's grasp and her embarrassing position.

"Let me go!"

But he couldn't; he could never let her go.

"Don't."

"Shut up!"

"Please."

It still disgusted her to even think that he could be capable of such a thing. Then again, he was batshit crazy. And he supposedly couldn't be held accountable for anything that may or may not happen. But that was a bunch of bullshit and she knew it. "Uhm, we just have other things going on and haven't really had a chance to talk to each other." Perhaps she hadn't fully forgiven him yet.

"Oh. You should call him then. Invite him to the shower..."

"I don't think so Care."

"But why? I thought you liked him."

"No, we were just friends and I really don't wanna' talk about it anymore so please just drop it." Bonnie chose not to involve Caroline on the incident and put a cap on it right away.

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay."

The girls continued to fold and neatly pack them into the cardboard box, marked 'Caroline's Clothes'.

"Do you think Elena will come?"

Bonnie lifted her eyes to find a bright pair of near grey orbs staring at her in curiosity. But honestly she had no clue. "I'm not sure. You should call her, though." She replied sarcastically.

"Are you kidding me? I'm the last person she probably wants calling her...it- I just worry about her. Rarely coming home, and last week I heard her talking on the phone about bringing some stuff to some guy named Craig's house." The blonde ran a hand through her wavy locks and sighed.

There was no doubt that tension still littered through Caroline's and Elena's rotting friendship. At least what was left of it. However, Elena's relationships with everyone seemed to be decaying as of late.

Last week, she nearly flipped out on Tyler for going in her room when she wasn't there to get his borrowed world lit' book that he desperately needed for an upcoming exam. Apparently her room was a shrine and only she was allowed in it.

"I could try talking to her but I seriously doubt I can get anywhere with her. We'll just have to let her come around when she wants otherwise things will never improve." Bonnie placed the last item of clothing in the box, grabbed the tape and began applying it over the slit.

"I hope it's soon."

Days Later

Saturday, September 7

Bonnie arrived to Caroline's new home one hour after the festivities had begun. Unfortunately, Elena hadn't been home to receive the invitation although she left it on her bed. She knew everyone else would be in attendance, including Matt. It had been such a while since she had seen him.

After finding a place to park she made her way to the front door—rung the bell to be greeted by Tyler.

"Hey Ty."

"Bon. Well don't you look ravishing" Tyler side eyed the woman conspicuously.

The two hugged briefly and she then followed him inside. Bonnie immediately seen a few familiar faces— Rebekah, Vicky, Kol, Jeremy and few more people whom she had seen at school. She hears 'Baby Love' by Diana Ross and can't help but smile. Tyler tells Bonnie something about Caroline being upstairs; refusing to come down because she feels to fat in the dress Carol got her.

"I'll talk to her." The teen answers solemnly.

"Thank you because she's really being a diva." He failed to mention how she hadn't even come downstairs yet.

Bonnie says hello to some of the attendants before she makes her way up the grand staircase to locate her best friend.

Wrapping around a long hall puts her in a rut as she has forgotten which room Care and Ty sleep in. If her memory serves her correct then it would be the last door on the right. She pushed opened the door, the lamp was on and the light from the bathroom was on. This was definitely their room, the layout was the exact same since she last visited.

Sighing in exasperation, she closed the door behind her and moved over to the restroom—knocking ever so gently.

"Hey, it's me. What's going on? Are you feeling okay."

There's a few more moments of silence.

'Not again' Bonnie says to herself.

Knocking again, she responds. "Care, open up please."

There is some rustling on the other end before the door finally opens up and the sight she beholds has her knees weak.

Eyes met, breaths were drawn long and hard.

"Bonnie."

Damon.

And just like that. The two had already submerged themselves deep in abysmal contact with only one word.

It was the first time of them seeing each other in months. And it almost felt like their first time meeting all over again with Bonnie completely trapped in a daze due to his eyes. The way he looked at her with captivity sprinkled through the irises.

He watched her for a long moment; studying her in a way that complicated the situation. In those months a lot of things about the teen had changed. Her medium length tresses were now long locks of deep brown; nearly black; that reached below her breasts. Her eyes seemed lighter now. But she no longer looked chaste. He could see that she was ripe.

Damon saw a woman.

The Salvatore went to hug the teen but Bonnie subtly pushed herself against the wall across the bathroom door to avoid his advance. He could see that she was uncomfortable in his presence and he instantly felt moronic for thinking that he could touch her.

"I'm sorry." He lowered his eyes to her slightly trembling hands and then back to her face. "I just haven't seen you in so long."

Bonnie angled her head at him. Something seemed different, peculiar as he didn't appear to be himself. Although appearance wise he looked the exact same—clean shaven, dark hair parted to the side, eyebrows ruggedly manicured. He was calm, docile, relaxed and modestly in control.

Demure.

"It's okay."

"But is it really?" He asked, taking a calculating step closer to her. And when he spots her hesitation-Damon smiles. "Still the same ol' little Bennett."

Bonnie thought of leaving in that very instant. But for some unexplainable reason her legs refused to move.

"Ti sono mancata, gattina?(Did you miss me, kitten?)"He only asks in Italian because he really doesn't want to hear the response. He probably wouldn't like it. "I have."

Nothing in his voice says he is joking. If anything, the seriousness almost frightens her.

The teen glanced at the door which seemed to be sheltered by Damon's frame.

"You're free to go whenever." Said the Salvatore as he shifted to the side, allowing her plenty of room to break free if need be.

With those words, she walked passed him but stopped before opening the door. Bonnie coils her heart-shaped mouth into a half-smile. "Nice seeing you, Damon."

Damon calls after her but she's already gone and he's unsure if her comment pisses him off or tickles his curiosity. He touches his index finger to his lips as she she's physically been there. A sweet yet spicy varnish.

But he knows he wouldn't be getting the pleasure of touching his lips to her in the near time if not ever.

And so he stands there trying to decipher what hell had just happened.

...

Bonnie with the help of one of the house attendants was able to locate Caroline. Who she might say looked astonishing in the dress that had her in a frenzy. The teen said all that she could to get Caroline downstairs. It took nearly thirty minutes but she had given the blonde enough confidence to leave the confinements of her room.

Walking down the steps, Bonnie asked. "Did you guys move rooms?"

"Oh yeah, Carol said it would be better because the room we have now has a sub room where we can put the nursery." Caroline answered.

Bonnie nodded. She didn't comment on the fact that her and Tyler were planning to stay after the arrival of the baby. Because Caroline was so adamant about not living with Tyler's parents especially with the debut of baby Christian/Alexander. Though it seemed liked Carol was doing all she could to keep them around. It was none of her business really. Unless Caroline chose to make it.

"Why is Damon here?" Bonnie asked almost with an edge to her voice.

Caroline fed into Bonnie's' words. "Carol invited the Salvatore's... did you forget their all like really tight-knit. But only he could make it."

Odd. Bonnie wanted to say.

Especially considering the Lockwood's and Salvatore's helped each other make millions.

But Bonnie wasn't sure she liked the idea that her best friends family was also in cahoots with the family of the man who almost raped her.

Once downstairs Carol had went to steal Caroline away to introduce her to some of their family, leaving Bonnie to her own regard.

She spotted a familiar group of faces; Kol, Jeremy, Rebekah, Vicky, Trevor and surprisingly Matt.

The teen exchanged words of introductions with the posse. Somewhere in the conversation her eyes wander over to where she saw Damon exchanging words with Klaus and another young woman. Pretty she might add. Bonnie rolled her eyes at the idea of him being there. But the rational part of her had to shake some sense into herself. She was being bratty. This wasn't about her—this was about Caroline, Tyler and their growing family.

About an Hour Later

Bonnie had done her very best to avoid you know who the entire night; and she was doing quite well until someone chose to crash the party.

While helping Tyler's aunt Christina in the kitchen, Bonnie overheard a bit of fussing from what sounded like outside. She excused herself, only curious in what was going on because it didn't sound at all pleasant.

Pulling open one of the French patio doors, the young woman stepped out to where she saw a small entourage that consisted of Vicky, Rebekah, Kol, Jeremy, Matt and shockingly enough Elena accompanied by a red-haired girl.

"So why did you even bother coming, Elena?" Rebekah asked in annoyance.

Bonnie, short as usual, had to nearly squeeze her way in between Jeremy and Kol. For a brief moment, Elena's brown eyes met Bonnie's' before she rolled them.

"I got an invitation too. All I said was that Caroline hit the jack pot by getting knocked up." She shrugged, as if she gave no fucks.

The caramel skinned teen couldn't honestly believe what she was hearing. Not only that but, the nerve of her to backlash Caroline when she wasn't even around to defend herself. No one knew the circumstances of how she became pregnant if there were any. And it certainly was no one's business.

But something happened. Bonnie snapped.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Elena?"

Everyone within the circle moved their eyes to Bonnie.

"Seriously, for the last six months you've been acting like you have a stick up your ass. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks so." She didn't bother looking at the crowd for any supporters, instead she continued. "If you're not here to be happy for Care then it would be in your best interest to leave."

Elena snarled for a moment but then relaxed her face. "Or what. You aren't gonna' do shit so just go back and crawl up Caroline's pink ass. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that." She added.

"Don't test me Elena. I am so sick of your shit." Bonnie threatened.

And by that point Elena and her side chick began going in on the group. Vicky of course promised to beat someone's ass and Jeremy and Kol tried to calm the girls down.

A few attendants from the party had stepped out onto the patio to see what all the commotion was on about. They included, Christina, Klaus, Tyler, Caroline and unfortunately for Bonnie-Damon.

Kol who stepped in front of Bonnie was intended to receive a slap to the face, but move back and unfortunately left Bonnie's face wide open. The sound of Elena hand coming into contact to Bonnie's face nearly silenced the group. And it was an initial shock to Bonnie for she had never had a hand laid upon her this way. But that was all it took, the teen lashed out. Using all her strength to push the brunette back- knocking her into Matt. By this point, Tyler had already went to grab Bonnie and pulled her back away from the crowd.

When Carol arrived on the scene, she brought with her several guards who went to escort the complaints of the premises. That lot made up of Elena and her sidekick, Vicky, Rebekah, Kol and Jeremy. Bonnie was taken back into the house by Tyler and Caroline. Her face still throbbed but she was reassured that there was no scar.

Instantaneously, Klaus and Damon re-entered the house.

Bonnie saw that his cyan eyes were firmly placed on hers. And if it wasn't for her anger she might have acknowledged him further but she simply turned her sight back to Caroline.

"What the hell happened out there?" Caroline and Ty both asked simultaneously.

She dismissed it. "Nothing... somebody just had to let Elena know that its anatomically impossible to shove her head any further up her ass." Bonnie voiced.

...

Later that Evening

"I gotta go, Care. They need me to cover the midnight shift and I really need the extra hours." Bonnie explained.

Caroline pouted but then reminded herself of her friends' current financial situation. Not only that, but she could clearly tell that the teen was in no mood for games and cake. Especially after the whole Elena fiasco. "It's ok Bonnie... We'll jus finish up here, I'm gonna' eat some cake and then I am going to bed." The blonde wrapped her arms around her, tightly securing a hug.

"Sounds good. I want you to stay as relaxed as possible." Green eyes shifted over to the right where she could see Damon chatting with Mr. Lockwood only to look away once his eyes met hers. "Anyway, I'll see you later."

"Alright, be safe."

And with that, the young woman said her goodbyes, retrieved her jacket and left the Lockwood mansion.

...

Bonnie arrives at The Cantina with five minutes to spare. She changed her outfit in the car, although with limited amounts of space. Upon entering she is greeted by the fully packed bar and restaurant.

This should be a pleasant night she thinks.

Minutes later after clocking in, she heads out into the establishment that is buzzing with chatters, clanks of beer bottles hitting the glass of the bar and utensils being clanked against plates. Gazing over to the rear of the restaurant-her favorite part-she sees Sandra attending to a customer who's hidden quite well behind the booth. However she does catch a glimpse of the top of his head. Whatever the two are conversing about, Sandra smiles and searches the area until she finds Bonnie.

Sandra signals to the man to give her a second before she finds her way over to the teen.

"There you are. This guy is asking for you to serve him." The bubbly woman grins mischievously and winks. "He's hot girl."

She watches her co-worker walk off to attend to a couple just entering the restaurant leaving her in a stupor.

Bonnie for the life of her couldn't figure out who could have asked for her. Not that it was uncommon; she just felt it was a bit odd.

Shaking off her rumination without further regard, Bonnie headed over to the table.

Her stomach perched within her abdomen and suddenly she wanted to crawl into a black hole.

Damon glanced up with a slightly discomforting look on his face. He was still adorned in his crisp black suit, hair slightly rumpled. Cyan orbs intently concentrating on her own jade hues.

It was like first time they saw each other.

Only she didn't look away. Instead she kept her eyes on his the entire twenty or so seconds until Damon broke eye contact.

She frowned only a little and he took notice. "Did you follow me here?" Bonnie asked in disbelief, although something told her it wasn't far-fetched.

The Salvatore chewed his bottom lip, "Sit down with me."

"Damon...I can't" Bonnie refused.

"I want you to sit down." He said lowly. "Or, maybe I could talk to your supervisor..." Damon trailed off. Not bothering to mention what he would say.

"Fine," Bonnie sat on the opposite side of the booth. At least from this spot it would be a bit more difficult to spot her. She took a deep breath, "So, answer me... You followed me? Or is it by chance that you left the same time I did and coincidently chose to come here?" Bonnie asked as matter-of-factly.

He wasn't too particularly fond of the attitude she was giving him. But he would overlook that.

"I followed you," Damon responded nonchalantly. "I wanted to make sure you got to where you were going safely." He finished.

Bonnie rubbed at her bare arms; the sudden chill had her feeling almost paralyzed and Damon's' piercing gaze wasn't warming her up much either. "Well, a simple text would have sufficed... or even a phone call." She left out the 'not following someone to their destination uninvited' part.

"I wanted to talk to you also. You left so fast earlier."

"Yeah well I said everything I needed to say." She folded her arms, tightened that heart-shaped mouth of hers and lowered her lids slowly over her eyes.

"Well I didn't" Damon stated.

It would appear that he was very much calm and in control of the situation. Meanwhile Bonnie had to force herself to hardened up to save face.

"That night I-" He started only to be cut of by the teen.

"I don't wanna' talk about that night."

He disregarded her words. Because they needed to discuss the matter.

"That night I almost raped you," He paused, giving her a look that dared she interrupt him again. "My mind wasn't in the right place. I've been dealing with things. Things that I'm still trying to deal with." Damon continued on, not bothering to stop even with the cramped expression on her face. "Katherine aborting our child being one of them...I couldn't even see it into this world...And it's really fucked up. It fucked me up, seriously." He stared up at the ceiling, "I had it all planned out. My world was going to revolve around that baby. I was scared at first and then-" He returned his eyes to her, his sentences were barely methodical.

"I wanted it. I wanted it so badly. That unconditional love. Bonnie." He chuckled. "But Katherine didn't. And it was her choice ultimately." Damon's' features darkened considerably. "I tried to accept it but it still hurt like hell. Then to top it off, she left like nothing had ever happened. Didn't return any of my phone calls, texts or emails. I can't even describe to you how I was feeling. And so I decided to stop giving a shit. I mean why should I? There was nothing to look forward to but the unintentional disappointment of my father, my absent mother and detached younger brother."

Bonnie lowered her eyes to the table unable to look at him not matter how confident she was feeling at the start. She was on the verge of tears because she could relate to at least two of those things.. A disappointed father and absent mother.

Damon opened his mouth to demand she look at him but decided against it. Instead he said, "And I forced myself to keep my mouth shut about everything even though I was hurting inside. Even though I was desperate for the love of my family. I didn't want them to think I was weak."

The bronzed skinned woman gently placed her warm hand on top of his much cooler hand.

"And when it finally did come out it pissed me off. It pissed me off because I should have said it long ago...I let her have that power over me the entire time Bonnie" Damon snatched his hand from hers. He certainly did not deserve too be touching her. "You were just trying to be a good friend and I couldn't understand why. And that pissed me off too. I thought I wanted to hurt you. I thought I could hurt you.. "

There was a pregnant pause.

"Why?" She uttered. "Why did you stop?" Bonnie truthfully wanted to know.

Was it because he knew he wouldn't get away with it? Or perhaps she wasn't slutty enough for his liking?

A part of her just needed that closure.

"Because... I knew that if I wanted to continue to be a part of your life I had too." Damon stared ahead blankly, staring through Bonnie like he found the answer hidden somewhere deep within him and it terrified him. "Even if I was going to be that shitty part." He gritted. "I couldn't. No matter how much my body wanted too, I just couldn't hurt you."

The first tear rolled down the softness of her cheek—soon after followed a stream of salty beads. It felt like she had swallowed a stone and it was just now hitting the bottom of her stomach. Bonnie closed her eyes, reopening them as he wet lashes stuck together.

Damon's' face however was unreadable; something in between guilt, sadness and anger.

She shook her head, brought herself to her feet and began to slump away.

"Bonnie can we-" He sealed off his lips. There was no chance of getting her to come back, that he was sure of.

Damon rushed a hand through his scalp, stood up from the table, fished into his pocket and tossed a twenty-dollar bill on the surface.

He then left.

Two Weeks Later.

It had been two weeks approx. since Bonnie had spoken to Damon at the restaurant, or since he'd talked to her. He called her a few times all to which she simply ignored them. She wasn't purposely rejecting him, Bonnie just wasn't sure if she liked some of the things he had told her. Of course he was honest—the one thing all women craved from the opposite sex.

None the less, Bonnie was a little anxious about the whole thing.

Bonnie went home that night, void of any emotions except exhaust and through everything that happened earlier she just wanted to sleep. However, sleep did not come easy. She tossed and turned, crying herself to slumber. If even for a moment the tears would stop long enough for her to doze off.

Bonnie also prayed for the first time in years. But why would they be answered now?

The next morning she woke up to a loud montage of noises. After rubbing majority of the sleep from her eyes and flipping the covers back, Bonnie went over to the door, opening it just enough to catch some random guy carrying a rather large box down the hall.

Was she still dreaming?

Stepping out further into the hallway, Trevor came into view from ascending the stairs.

"What's going on?" Bonnie asked, curious without question.

"Elena's moving out." Trevor responded blankly.

"What? She can't do that we're still on the lease."

Yeah I know..." It was honestly to early in the morning for Trevor to deal with it now.

"Is she still here?"

"No she just left... she said she was only taking the important stuff."

Bonnie shook her head, feeling even more balked than when she woke up. To avoid doing or saying anything that she might regret later—she simply retreated back to her room; slamming the door hard enough to warn Trevor away.

...

Else where

Katherine sat in the Doctor's office, patiently waiting to hear the results of her tests. After the events of the Garden Party, the woman had begun to feel ill. Initially thinking that it was from the shock of her secret being exposed. Or perhaps it was the fact that Katherine had just recently learned that there was a chance that her extremely pregnant friend could be carrying Damon's' child. It made her sick to her stomach upon first realizing it. Then she went ahead and quit her job at the University. But she also kept her mouth shut about it. Even through all the pain, especially trying to keep Conor out of the loop she still sustained.

If he wasn't smart enough to add up the dates with the progress of her pregnancy then she wouldn't.

Katherine only saw Damon once after the party and that was at Nonno Giorgio's funeral. But she was too afraid to say anything to him. A part of her hated Damon though. Through all the love she felt for him, the woman also loathe him for everything he put her through. Even before they got together Damon was still a lot to handle. And she knew if Bonnie decided to be further pursued by him then surely there was a chance that she'd get eaten alive. That settled her thoughts, just knowing somewhere down the line that Damon would screw everything up.

"Okay, Ms. Pierce the results just came in this morning."

Katherine swallowed back roughly, keeping her sight firmly placed on the older Asian male.

"Cancer, breast cancer and it's spreading rapidly."

Several Hours Later

Damon flipped through countless of papers littering his desk and still he couldn't find what he was looking for. Tapping continually on the end of his pen as placed the opposite end at the apex of his lips. Suddenly his overzealous, Brazilian bombshell of a secretary struted through the door with enough perfume on to start a collection.

"Someone is here o see you Mr. Salvatore." She ran a slender hand through her perfectly curled brunette locks. "The name is Bennett... should I have her wait out in the lobby?"

He could hardly believe her words. "No." Damon said just a little to quickly. "Send her in, Enessa." The blue-eyed man leaned back into his chair.

Enessa returned shortly with the petite woman at her side.

The moment Bonnie entered the office, she could immediately see that Damon was expecting her because there he sat—eyes on her faithfully. Hands were calmly placed in front him. Behind him through the large floor to ceiling windows was the amazing view of Downtown L.A and the beautiful setting sun.

It was completely silent, the only currents sounds were clicks of the ticking clock and the brief ringing echoing from down the hall.

Enessa cleared her throat. "I'll just hold all of your calls." With that the sassy Brazilian left without another word.

"I'm surprised to see you here." Damon said after the door was firmly shut.

"Me too... but I thought we should talk, again." Bonnie paused. "This isn't a bad time is it?" She asked, seeing that his deck was basically overturned with papers.

Damon scribbled down something on a piece of paper as if he were ignoring Bonnie's' presence entirely. He watched her through his peripherals. She wore a pair of jeans, an off the shoulder bronzed colored long-sleeved shirt that meshed well with her skin tone, a pair of beige boots and her long tresses hung loosely over her shoulders. And he suddenly found himself no longer busy but distracted by her intrusion. Although it was a very pleasant distraction.

"No, Bonnie." Damon answered finally lifting his gaze to hers. "Now, what was it that you wanted to talk about?"

Bonnie swallowed back all hesitation and lowered her eyes to focus on his jaw line. "About what you said to me last night."

The Salvatore dropped his gaze, once more pretending to scribble something onto the paper. And this took Bonnie by surprise because she was almost certain that Damon would want to touch bases again but he didn't bulge. So she continued as follows:

"You said you wanted to continue to be in my life. No matter if you were that shitty part and for a while you were. I thought I would never want to talk to you or see you again but I was wrong. I started to feel weird." Bonnie paused to regain her thoughts, "It took months to finally realize that I wanted to continue being in your life... I wanted to hate myself for it because even after you almost hurt me I still wanted things to go back to normal. I was glad to see you at Caroline's shower. And... when you told me about losing the baby with Katherine it showed me that you still believed in our friendship. And how we have things in common; with you feeling like a disappointment to your dad, and feeling like your mom abandoned you." Again she took a deep breath before continue, "I feel like I can talk about anything with you and you won't judge me... And I like that..." Bonnie stopped, allowing herself to watch Damon and gauge his reaction to her words.

He was silent for a while, not quite sure of the purpose of her words. Until he looked up again seeing that there was a sense of need in her wanton eyes. "Okay Bonnie. "

"Don't 'okay Bonnie' me" She snapped.

And so did he, "What am I supposed to say?"

"I don't know." She admitted.

Damon snorted, "Do you even know what is that you want from me?." He let his eyes linger down to her mouth.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Emily lied upon the hospital bed with cold jelly smeared over her belly.

"It's a.." The petite blonde Caucasian woman , no older than forty, paused to create a dramatic effect. "Boy!" She announced.

Conor smiled happily as he felt his wife clench her hand in his.

It was definitely a joyous day for the two.

"Okay Mrs. Jordan, everything looks great.. so I'll see you here in a couple of weeks for a follow-up and then we can start talking labor."

"Sounds good."

The rest of the gel was wiped off and Emily was able to pull her shirt back over her stomach. She glanced over to Conor, seeing that he had already put a copy of the 3D ultrasound in his wallet. But behind the facades of smiles that she plastered over her face hid shame. It pained her to the core that there was the chance Conor might not be the father. She had meant to tell him that night she left the Salvatore manor but couldn't bring herself to it.

However if it did turn out that Damon did father her unborn child then there would be hell to pay.

"I love you." Conor placed a kiss on the top of her forehead.

"...There's something I need to tell you."

Beard Papa's

Bonnie swirled her tongue upon the slowly melting ice cream cone. Damon glanced over just in time to catch her mid-lick and couldn't help the impending throb he felt within his trousers as the white creamy substance smudged along her upper lip. And at the moment did she slowly licked her lips clean, choosing then to glare at the Salvatore.

She smiled at his troubled stare before diving right back into her ice cream cone. Damon cautiously eyed the teen since he thought she knew exactly what she was doing and the effect it had on him. But after a few more seconds, he settled with her just innocently eating her ice cream—however 'little' Damon was thinking the lather because Damon was starting to experience lustful tinges of pain. To distract himself, he took a rather large lump from his own cone.

He then brought his cerulean sight down to the beach. It was a rather gloomy day. The grey skies brooded behind the thick lush clouds that held the sun captive to a cobalt undertone. And that meant not as many people were lingering the sands of the beach.

"Hey, Come mere'. I wanna' show you something." Damon abruptly stood up from the small rounded table.

The left the small shop and crossed the distance over to the beach.

"What are we doing, Damon?" Bonnie asked, still half eating her cone while following after him.

"Just come on."

Bonnie had eventually stop following him after another mile or so. And just as she was about to express her disdain of walking the coast of California he shot out.

"Here."

Green eyes took in their surroundings. They had walked far enough away from civilization because the young woman hadn't seen anything like the entire time she has lived there. In fact, Bonnie was unaware that a California beach could look so serene.

The crushing waves merged against the large boulders, cemented deep within the sand. Winds took strands of her hair flying along sky.

Wherever he had led her, felt like a little slice of nirvana.

"This is where I come when I really need to clear my thoughts." Damon stated, his voice slightly echoing through Bonnie's ears.

The teen grinned at his own musings because he had already been sitting, legs crossed over one another as he watched the tides rise and fall. Bonnie joined his side, sitting in a similar way; Indian style.

It was calming. Just the silence alone.

Usually there would have been an awkward feel to two people sitting in utter quietness but it was the complete opposite. Damon was enjoying her silence and she his. Nothing else seemed important.

Emerald hues traveled down to where she saw Damon's finger tracing letters into the sand until suddenly they began to crawl upon her bare leg and Bonnie was unsure how to take it. Should she swat his hand away? Or let him? But what was she letting him do exactly? She couldn't be sure that if there were any intentions behind the little movements or not. Though she finally looked up at him to find that he was already staring. Damon offered her a brief smile before losing it to the wind. He retracted his hand all together as he leaned back against the pelted grains. There were no words spoken even when she once again followed suit and rested beside him.

Damon turned his head in Bonnie's' direction while he tried to think of something nonchalant to say. Only he couldn't and she sensed it.

"What?" Bonnie questioned.

" Perché non posso averti?(Why can't I have you?)"

Bonnie cut her eyes at him. She was sure he wouldn't have told her what he really said so she didn't bother asking.

Hours Later

Bonnie awoke to find that she was still deeply rested on the sand covered by Damon's suit jacket. Leaning up slightly, she could tell much time had went by because the sun had long sin receded. Turning over brought her eyes to Damon. He was laying back, arms behind his head and legs stretched outwards.

She already knew he was more than likely awake. And just as she was about to nudge his side her phone began to ring.

Damon's eyes flew open and he couldn't help but hardened his face since the sudden noise disturbed his deep concentration.

"Hey Care what's going on?"

Bonnie was responded by silence then an immediate onslaught of muffled cries. And this instantly alarmed the teen for the worse.

"Hello" She continued. "Care your scaring me, what's going on?" Bonnie demanded.

There was a bit of trampling on the other end before Tyler's came in, "Bonnie... we're at the hospital."

Her heart nearly sank, "Oh my God, Tyler please tell me Caroline and the baby are okay."

"Their fine, but.." He was stalling. "One of Elena's new roommates called and said she overdosed. She's in ICU and the doctors aren't telling us anything."

Bonnie lost all the air in her lungs, and the guilt rushed in. "I'm on my way."

The call ended.

Damon shot her questioning look, "Is Caroline and the baby okay?" He asked genuinely.

:"Its Elena. She overdosed and treating her in ICU."

The Salvatore reached down into his pockets for his keys considering he had driven them out there. "Well, come on." He started walking for a moment but stopped after sensing Bonnie wasn't following. "What is it?"

There was hesitation written all over face. "You don't have to come with me." She admitted.

"Do you really want to waste more time by me driving you back to the office?"

"No." Bonnie practically whispered the word.

"Exactly, so let's go."

Saint John's Health Center

They arrived at the hospital after what seemed like hours of driving. Bonnie checked in at the front desk and was told Elena was kept in the ICU ward in room 21E. Damon led Bonnie in the elevators as he hit the fifth floor button.

Once the doors were shut, he carefully studied her. She stood on the opposite side of the small space, arms tightly wrapped across her chest, and jade hues firmly placed on the elevator monitor to let them know which floor they were approaching. He released a heavy breath, still unsure of what to say to help ease her worry. But he found nothing worthwhile.

The elevator dinged and soon as the doors were open Bonnie was already halfway down the hall with Damon hot on her heels.

Wrapping around two or so halls, Bonnie saw something that shook her to the core. Standing out in the hall were Caroline, Tyler, Jeremy, Matt and Rebekah. The group was standing near a tall African-American woman who said something to cause Caroline to erupt into tears and curl into Tyler's arms. Everyone else shook their heads and Rebekah took off running in the teens direction.

"Bekah what-?" Bonnie closed her mouth. Slowly she approached the group just as the doctor took off. Tyler was the first to notice her and the shaking of his head told her everything she needed to know. A pillar of pain originated from the stock of her guts, leaving her almost breathless and at that moment if Damon hadn't clenched her arm she might have fallen. Again Bonnie shook her head not wanting to believe anything she was hearing. The first tear rolled down the softness of her cheek—soon after followed a stream of salty beads. It felt like she had swallowed a stone and it was just now hitting the bottom of her stomach. Bonnie closed her eyes, reopening them as her wet lashes stuck together.

"She didn't make it, Bon..." Tyler announced, a couple of tears staining his cheeks as well.

Caroline leaned up from her spot against Tyler's chest and immediately went for the next body she could find. The blonde hugged Bonnie so tight that she feared her belly might pop at any given moment. After pulling away, Jeremy was next to comfort the bronzed beauty.

She wraps her arms around him and felt so comforted it soothes her aching heart for the time being.

Damon stuffs his hands in his pocket, grateful that Jeremy is doing a better job at comforting Bonnie than he is. It makes him feel a little useless. Which isn't a good feeling. If Damon were anything less than a man, then he might have actually been jealous of her own friend.

...

Hours Later

After hours of mourning, Matt and Jeremy agreed to take Rebekah home only leaving Tyler, Caroline, Bonnie and Damon left.

Bonnie stood on the outside of the same room Elena died in. The room was empty but it still lingered in a cold trepidation. Damon was sitting off to side as he watched her from afar. Caroline was exhausted and Tyler took notice. He decided he let his pregnant girlfriend sulk long enough and that it was time to get her home. Whispering something in her ear got her up and into gear.

"Will you look after her tonight?"

Damon glanced over to find a very pregnant Caroline standing only inches away from him.

She put all of her efforts into smiling, only she didn't have much in her to begin with so it most likely came out crappy. "I don't think she should be alone."

He glanced at Bonnie again-watching as she hugged Tyler one last time as they said their goodbyes.

"Yeah, I will Caroline." Damon too offered her a smile that came out a lot better than he thought it would.

"Thanks... And just let her know I'll call Elena's parents in the morning. I'm sure there would be nothing worse than waking them up in the middle of the night to tell them their only child passed away."

He nodded and again watched Bonnie be taken up by Caroline.

After the two girls shared a few more intimate words, Tyler and Caroline disappeared down the hall.

Bonnie remained at the door, merely staring in from the inside. She didn't know how to explain it but something deep within her had her paralyzed until suddenly she felt a presence fall in behind her.

"Bonnie."

She ha almost forgot he was still there.

"I think we should go now.." He stated calmly.

"Go where..." She asked, voice remotely lost in the air. "Home? That's not home anymore Damon." Bonnie finished while turning around to face him.

Damon bagged his lips together. "Look, Bonnie I don't know what to say to ease your pain. But you will get through this."

"I should have been there.. I knew about her problem with drugs and I didn't say anything." Bonnie couldn't fight the tears. "Elena could still be alive."

She broke down again and Damon quickly brought her to his arms. "You cannot blame yourself for this Bonnie... Elena was an adult, which meant nobody but herself was responsible for her. Beating yourself up wouldn't make her happy I'm sure. I don't wanna' hear you talk like that."

"I didn't even get to apologize after what happened at Caroline's shower... that was the last memory we had of each other."

Damon tightened his arms around Bonnie as he rested his chin on the top of her head. "I know, I know." He whispered softly to her. "But everything happens for a reason..."

The Salvatore Manor

Bonnie was reluctant to re-enter his bedroom again. She lowered her eyes to the floor as she finally took two steps inside. And the first thing to attack her mind was the vivid images of what almost occurred the last time she had been there.

On the floor by the white chair were the once intact black lace panties. And then both she and Damon appeared, he stalking towards her in one instant and the next he had her bent over the chair. It was like watching a movie from a dramatized scene. She continued to watch 'them' interact. Bonnie couldn't explain why she was seeing it from this point of view. Or even weirder, right around the point Damon did stop in reality, as she continued to watch the imaginary scenario, he didn't.

She imagined what it might have been like if he hadn't regain control over himself. Illusionary Damon reached down between both his and Bonnie's' struggling body to align himself to the lips of her pussy.

The teen however, shut her eyes at the moment he join himself with her. She covered the space of her mouth with her slender hand as if she were ready to hurl. By this point Damon had already come back into the room with a towel and had been watching for a few moments. He could see she had been staring at the couch majority of the time because she had yet acknowledged his presence. The same thing occurred to Damon only he was seeing it through the eyes of the monster.

The Salvatore cleared his throat sonorously hoping to snap Bonnie out of whatever daze she was in.

Nearly jumping out of her skin after she realized she was no longer alone, Bonnie opened her eyes to find Damon standing by the edge of the bed.

"I'm, gonna' get some air." Bonnie said, before heading over to the French doors to escape out onto the balcony.

Damon said nothing-only stood there deathlike.

He made a mental note to get rid of that lounge chair as soon as possible.

...

It almost seemed like hours had passed since Bonnie had been leaning onto the rail pondering her thoughts. Although it had only been half an hour at most, the teen still felt she had calmed herself down enough to join Damon again. But luckily for her he was nowhere to be found when she went back inside. She picked up the folded white shirt, towel in her grasp and disappeared behind the doors of the bathroom.

The shower did nothing but wash away the lingering smell of saltwater and sand. She didn't feel relaxed or at all at peace but least she was clean. Well into thirty minutes of the shower Bonnie was already letting the tears exudate. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop but it wasn't long after did she cut the shower off.

Bonnie didn't want to alarm Damon anymore than he probably already was. Shivering and cold, she sunk down to the pit of the shower and cried quietly into her palms.

...

When she came back into the room with the oversized T-shirt nearly dangling from her frame, fresh bronzed skin radiating something Damon couldn't put a finger on and dripping wet hair that fell over her face in shambles; he was beguiled. But upon further inspection on her face he could easily tell she had been crying. To be expected after she had been left alone for so long.

He roused from the bed, still clad in his dress pants and white button up shirt with several buttons undone. Damon approached her cautiously and eyed the skin underneath her eyes. In one shift movement he had brought both hands up to her face, using the pad of his thumb gently began to massage tiny circles under them.

"My mamma would do this to me and Stefan when we were younger after we cried... So we wouldn't wake up with puffy eyes." He continued to knead the soft skin tenderly until he noticed his thumbs becoming wet.

She was beginning to cry again. In a silent and motionless way.

Damon stared into her eyes but saw nothing except an empty sea of green.

Damon urged her into the bed. "Lay down." He watched her intently as he gently nudged her to her back.

Carefully he lowered himself down to the level between her legs. Bonnie tried to protest but was instantly hushed by the Salvatore.

"I wanna' make you feel better Bonnie."

Her voice was faint. "No, Damon." She pulled him up by the torso.

As she did this he fell in between her legs and there she could feel his erection began to ignite the hotspot.

"I won't hurt you." He whispered into her ear. "Trust me." Again he watched her, and when he saw that she had relaxed once more he moved down again and proceeded to lift her toned legs up over his shoulder blades.

He took in the scent and it went straight to his cock, head first (no pun intended). Damon couldn't express his love for pussy enough but to have it presented to him in the manner it was; virgin pussy at that; damn near drove him to insanity. And all he knew was that he had to get a mouthful of her or else he might have seriously lost it because staring just wasn't enough.

Damon leaned in closer, taking another whiff as he moved his cyan orbs up to find Bonnie staring down at him in fascination.

'She was perfect' he thought.

The last thing she saw before he drove forward was the quirk of lips forming into perverse smirk.

The first swirl of his tongue had her clenching handfuls of his dark mane and crying out noises that made Damon desperately wish he could satisfy her with another organ of his... the second took her to a place of pure ecstasy.

And finally the pain went away...