I don't own anything.
A/N: Thank you all for the interest in the story, first off I want to thank my reviewers from last week; David Fishwick, mrs mathis, SPEEDIE22, Lula6791,babyshan211, Pretty Lil Vampire, NaeNae1495 and LunaSolTierra. I hope everyone enjoys this new chapter and please remember to Review.
Baby S
Chapter Two
"Do you think they found anything?" Elena asked later on that night as she and Bonnie sat in the boarding house living room. Bonnie watched as Elena twiddled her thumbs nervously as she tried to figure out what to say, but before she could answer the front door swung open and in strolled Damon, Caroline and Alaric. Bonnie didn't even have to ask if they found Stefan or a lead. She could just tell they hadn't by the looks on their faces. Elena, however didn't, she jumped up from the sofa as soon as she heard the door open. "Damon, did you find anything?" she asked hopefully but that soon fell away as she took in the look on Damon's face. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked at him in muted horror. Then Bonnie saw it again twin looks of guilt that wash both of their faces before Damon turned away from her. Elena looked back at Bonnie before asking the question on her mind. "Don't tell me it was the wrong warehouse."
"Oh it was right warehouse? We found a dead body there-some girl." Damon replied as he brushed by her and strolled deeper into the house while Alaric and Caroline followed behind him. "We didn't find anything else-it seems that Klaus really did escape with Stefan." he muttered as he rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. "Dammit!" he yelled as he punched a hole in a nearby wall. Bonnie watched silently as he walked out of the room.
"We looked everywhere for a lead, there just wasn't one." Caroline offered sadly as she took her eyes off Damon's retreating form. Looking from Bonnie to Elena and then back again. "But that doesn't mean we won't keep trying right Bonnie." Nodding her head, Bonnie wrapped her arm around Elena's shoulder and pulled her close.
"Of course we'll keep looking." Alaric stood of the side watching the girls comforting Elena, he slowly walked after Damon and found him sitting in his room at the foot of his bed. Stepping fully into the room, he moved to the open chair by the window and sat down. Damon took a gulp of his whiskey and looked over at Alaric.
"I was trying to be alone, Ric."
"I know you were but I didn't think you needed to be alone right now." he said as he leaned forward and placed his elbows on his thighs. They remained quiet for a few more minutes and then Alaric spoke up. "We're gonna find Stefan, Damon. That I promise you." Rubbing a hand over his face, Damon shook his head.
"He did this for me, Ric. Gave himself over to that monster so he could make sure I'd lived-like I deserved his sacrifice or something. He was giving himself up while I was here stabbing him in the back." Alaric's eyebrows rose at that statement.
"What do you mean you stabbed him in the back?" Damon looked over at him and took another gulp of whiskey.
"Never mind-don't worry about it." he mumbled as set his bottle back down. He could hear the girls downstairs trying to comfort a crying Elena. Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply.
"We're gonna find him, Damon." He didn't reply to that, he just picked his bottle back up and started drinking. He had absolutely no reason to doubt that they would eventually find his brother, the thing he was worried about now was in what condition would Stefan be found in. There was absolutely no way that Klaus would allow Stefan to continue on his animal blood diet. So would they be eventually running into a bloodlust Stefan. Who knew, but he was sure he wanted to take back that kiss he had shared with Elena. He didn't want to lose his brother. Sighing, Alaric pushed himself up from the seat and looked at Damon for a moment before saying. "Maybe we can go out to the spot where Klaus performed that moonstone ritual and see if we can find some shreds of his clothing."
"What?"
"He started changing there right, and a werewolf change is completely wild so some of his clothing had to get tore off before Bonnie and you arrived." Damon for the first time perked up a bit at that.
"Yeah you're right and if we find some of his clothing we can get Bonnie to do another locator spell." Damon said as he looked at Alaric who was nodding his head in complete agreement with what Damon had just said.
"Yeah man-we'll go out tomorrow and see what we can find." he said as he looked at Damon a second longer.
"Alright first thing in the morning-like daybreak." Damon suggested, Alaric nodded his head and opened the bedroom door. He looked inside one more time and then headed out of the room leaving Damon by himself.
Samil looked down at the young man currently tied down to the chair in front of him. He continued to look the man over while playing with the hair that rested on the bottom of his chin. "So this is the only guy, you could find that sort of fits into the model I gave you." he asked Sovann without taking his eyes off the man in front of him. Sovann nodded and placed his hands behind his back as Samil circled the young twenty year old man. Once he was standing behind the boy, he yanked his head and peered into his frightened eyes. "What did he he do?" His question startled Sovann who looked up at him shocked.
"Excuse me?" Samil released an impatient sigh and gave Sovann a pointed look.
"You heard me, Sovann. What did he do to be granted such a prestigious honor like this one," he lifted his gaze and looked Sovann did in the eyes. "I'm curious."
"He's a murderer," he replied with a ghost of a smile. This was truly the only thing he enjoyed, introducing these lowlifes to Samil, so the man could use them as he saw fit. "Meaning he killed about three women and five men. Failed robberies mostly all completely random so no one has really found him yet. Although I don't think anyone is looking since most cases have been cold cased, so in conclusion, he has spent his lift being nothing more than a complete waste." At his words, Samil laughed and looked back down at the terrified man, who was looking up at him.
"A complete waste you say, well then I guess it's time I insert some meaning into his life what do you think?"
"I think you're right. It's about time he found some meaning." The man started wiggling in the chair trying to escape as he listened to the men talking over his head. Samil watched him silently, enjoying the fact that the man continued to struggle, it amused him.
"You've chosen well, besides I think once I clean him up. His face will seduce that lovely Bennett right out of her soul." he mumbled as he reached down and grabbed hold of the man's face. His hands squeezed the cheeks and then he roughly tilted back the head until the neck was exposed. Mumbling a quick word, he trailed one hand down to the bottom of his chin so he could continue to keep the boy's neck exposed. Holding out a hand, he waited till his dagger was placed in his hand by Sovann. He stared down into the man's terrified eyes and smiled. "Don't worry from now on I'll take good care of you." With that said, he slashed the man's neck and stood back so none of the blood would get on him. Sovann rushed forward with a cup and pressed it underneath the cut directly beneath the blood flow. He waited until the cup filled and took it away before it overflowed. "Give it here." Samil said holding out his hand while tapping his foot on the ground impatiently. Sovann nodded and handed over the cup, Samil took it and tossed the entire cup of blood down. Once he was finished, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and then grunted in agony as he hunched over. Sovann stepped back and watched as the man's body Samil was currently inhabiting collapsed to it's knees. He could hear Samil struggling to change, after centuries of being the man's servant, he knew each change was just as painful as the last. It didn't matter how many times he did it. The transition was always hard. He watched as the jaw on Samil's current body broke and then dropped down and a large thick black snake with four legs and dark red eyes slithered out of the body and made it's over to the chair where the new body rested. No matter how many times he had seen Samil's true form, he always found him frightening. Mainly because, he knew that form could never be killed. He remembered when Samil had first changed in front of him. The snake had slithered over to him and wrapped itself around his legs then used it length so that it was looking him in the face. Once there it told him quite plainly that there was absolutely no way that he could kill him and that he'd be working for him for quite some time.
Pulling himself out of those memories, he watched as the black snake made it's way to the man's lifeless body and forced itself into the man's mouth. The scene was truly horrible, he watched as the last bit of the snake disappeared and then waited. The man's neck slowly fixed itself as the head lowered and he was met by the usual cold eyes that he had come to know. "It seems the transition went fine. So how do I look?" he asked the question, he always asked after a transition.
"You look fine sir."
"Good," he mumbled as he easily broke out of the ropes currently holding him to the chair. Dusting himself off, he looked over at Sovann. "You know what to do with that body," he waited for Sovann to nod before continuing. "Did you get the store together?" he asked as he looked down at himself before looking back at Sovann. "Well did you?"
"Got it together last night after finding the owner. It was pretty easy to get us the store did some quick maneuvering and everything. If you don't mind me asking, why do we need the shop again?"
"For cover, Sovann. I just can't show up in town with no cover, it'll be to suspicious. Besides at the herb shop I can sell some lizard's tongue or newt's eye," when Sovann just looked at him, he rolled his eyes. "It was a joke, but really the shop will eventually be a place she'll come too just to see me. Besides I plan to bump into her again," he lifted a finger and looked at himself for a moment. "I just have to make sure that my aura is that of a warlock-I can't have her feeling whatever aura it is that I actually put out." Sovann rocked back on his heels as he thought about what aura Samil basically gave out. It was probably one full of death and destruction and nothing else. The only things Samil had been up to since he began walking this earth.
"By the way you got that store quicker than I expected."
"Compelling people makes everything easier." Sovann said with a small smile , Samil returned it with a shake of his head as he looked down at himself again and frowned. "What is it?" Sovann asked as he noticed the look on his master's face.
"Nothing other than these god awful clothes," he said as he flicked a finger over the ratty t-shirt he was currently wearing. "I mean really did he own anything respectable." Sovann shook his head and smirked.
"Believe me when I say this was the best he could offer."
Bonnie had been worried about Jeremy ever since he stormed out of the manor last night, walking up the Gilbert household. She knocked on the door and stepped back, a moment later the door swung open and Jeremy rolled his eyes at her presence. "What are you doing here?" he asked bluntly as he looked at her.
"I wanted to talk to you, Jer. What was going on with you yesterday?" Jeremy rubbed a hand over his face and shot her look for a moment just as Bonnie continued. "And what did you mean when you told me you knew." He licked his lips and shook his head for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. Standing back, he opened the door wider so she could easily slip inside. Once she was over the threshold, he slammed the door close. Completely oblivious to Bonnie's jump, moving past her he headed towards the living room. "Jeremy what did you mean by-."
"I know you had a part in Anna's death," he stated cutting off her words. Bonnie's mouth dropped open in shock as she looked at him. "That's what I meant last night when I told you I knew about what you did." he mumbled as he rubbed a hand through his hair.
"What? How did you-."
"Find out," he asked with a small smile that looked incredibly painful at the moment. "Anna told me. You see when you brought me back she visited me that night and told me everything. So I've just been here thinking things over. Trying to figure things out about how I wanna move forward and-."
"You blame me?" Jeremy fixed her with a look for a moment before shaking his head, he didn't truly blame her but he knew if she had just done what had been asked of her Anna would have never died.
"Not really, John killed Anna but if you had done what you promised she would have never found herself down there like that." he stated coolly, "Do you know I tried to kill myself the night she died so I could be with her?"
"Jeremy?"
"I need time Bonnie and then maybe later we can try to figure out what's gonna happen with us." he whispered as he looked at her. She sighed then and nodded her head as she looked at him. "Just give me some time alright."
"Fine." Bonnie said as she remembered Emily's warning that their would be consequences for bringing him back. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the Gilbert household. She barely listened as he closed the door behind her. They were already having a strain on their relationship because of what she had done the night Jenna died and now this. Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose and rested her hand on the roof of her car. Nothing seemed to be going right, Stefan was gone-kidnapped by Klaus for reasons she was sure were anything but good and now Jeremy was partially blaming her for Anna's death. Opening her car door, she climbed inside and slammed the door shut. Resting her head on the steering wheel, she closed her eyes and tried even out her breathing. Once she was calm, she lifted her back up and looked at the Gilbert resident one last time before starting her car and driving off. She'd stop at the Grille for a quick breakfast and some alone time.
As she walked inside the Grille fifteen minutes later, she saw that the restaurant was pretty filled up. Looking around, she released a sigh as she saw there was a seat available besides a young white man in a black business suit. Walking over, she pulled herself up on the stool and released a deep sigh. The man turned and gave her a look before smiling. "Rough morning?" he asked his tone friendly. Bonnie looked at him and sent him a small embarrassed smile since she was sure he had heard her loud sigh.
"Yeah, I guess you can say that." she replied softly. He turned then and propped his head up on the elbow that was now resting on the counter in front of him.
"Now what is a beautiful lady like you doing having a rough morning?" Bonnie rolled her eyes at that and shook her head.
"Believe me I've had plenty of rough mornings." she then blushed as she realized how he could take that statement. The man for the most part just chuckled as his bluish-gray eyes sparkled, grinning he leaned back from her.
"Oh really?"
"And now it's just gotten worst." Bonnie whispered shyly as she looked at him as she realized how her statement could have been taken. He waved off her words and shook his head as he leaned back in his chair.
"Don't worry about it, besides I got what you meant. My mind's not that dirty."
"But it's dirty." Bonnie replied as she looked at him, he shrugged his shoulders and winked at her while picking up a steaming cup of coffee. She watched as he took a quick sip and acted like the liquid didn't burn. If she had done something like that she would have burned her tongue right off but he acted like he wasn't bothered at all. Finally he set the mug back down and cleared his throat. Lifting a hand he pointed to the side of his head.
"My mind's only dirty when I want it to be." he stated, at that Bonnie just smiled and nodded her head. "So are you from here?"
"Yes why do you ask?"
"Just trying to see if anyone's like me and my buddy Sovann here," he said jerking his thumb over his shoulder and pointing at the man on his left. "We're new in town." Bonnie tensed up at his words, usually when someone was new in Mystic Falls they were of the supernatural variety never human.
"Oh really."
"Yeah, we're opening a herb shop over near King street. Right on the corner," he stated proudly as he looked at her. "It's gonna be nice, although Sovann says we should probably wait until we get our first customers before making a statement like that." he said whispering the last part to her as if it was a secret.
"I'm sure it'll be nice." Bonnie said sweetly, the man beside had a way of easily putting her at ease.
"Why thank you and just for those kinds words, I'll give you a-."
"You can't just give away products." The man, Bonnie assumed was Sovann grunted out. Her talkative buddy just smiled and shook his head.
"Oh yes I can cause I'm part-owner," he said while winking at Bonnie. "Now like I was saying, you come to the store and I'll give you one item free." Bonnie smiled at that as he picked up his coffee again and took another sip just as the bar waitress came over and gave Bonnie a menu. Once she was gone he spoke again. "Now you have to promise me that you'll stop by."
"I'll see if I can but right now I'm really busy." she said thinking about Stefan and his current situation. The man just nodded his head then and looked down at his watch, hoping off the stool, he slapped Sovann's back. "We really need head on out of here, the store's about to open in five minutes," he said with a small smile. "But still it was nice meeting you-." he paused as he got stuck at her name.
"Bonnie. . .Bonnie Bennett."
"Well Bonnie it was nice meeting you," he said as he straightened his suit before extending his hand. "Samil Atkins at your service Ms. Bennett." Bonnie smiled at that and placed her hand in his immediately she could tell what he was. She watched as his eyes widened in shock and she knew then that he was a witch or warlock as well. He pulled back his hand and licked his lips. "It was nice meeting you and don't forget my offer." he said as he turned and walked out of the Grille with his friend following right behind him. As Bonnie watched him go, all she could think about was how she had just meet another warlock. Her mind instantly drifted to Martins, Samil didn't seem like them. Luca approached her because he had a motive while Samil just smiled and walked away not even acknowledging that he knew she was witch or vice versa. It was strange and she would make sure to tell the others about it just in case this Samil Atkins turned out to be trouble. Samil and Sovann walked outside the Grille, glancing over at his master Sovann cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pocket. "That went much differently then I imagined." Samil squinted at the sunshine and looked over at Sovann.
"I can't start off to quickly. What we need right now is a slow burn, I want to be her friend." he said as they started walking down the street. "I think that's what needs to happen next, me and the lovely Bennett witch being friends."
"And that will help move your plan along, how?"
"By showing her that out of all friends. I can be relied upon, which won't be to hard since her human boyfriend just broke up with her. She's vulnerable and that is how I'll slither my way inside her heart." he said with a chuckle.
Bonnie was still inside the Grille thinking over her encounter with Samil, when someone settled down in the seat he had just vacated. "You know I didn't except you to be here chatting up potential suitors while dating Elena's brother. Heck I'm not even gonna mention the fact that you're doing all of this and my brother's missing as well."
"I'm not doing anything Damon. I came in here and he talked to me," she replied as she looked over at the lone Salvatore still left in town. "But since we're calling each out out do you mind telling me why every time you and Elena look at one another you both get this awful look of guilt on your faces." Damon narrowed his eyes at her but didn't say anything else which allowed Bonnie to turn back around and look over the menu in front of her. "Now are we gonna continue to play this game or are you gonna tell me why you're here."
"We think we found something that could help us track Klaus down and we need your help." Bonnie nodded her head and continued looking over the menu.
"Buy me meal number two with orange juice and we can get on our way." Damon's mouth dropped open and he glared at her.
"You can't be serious, we need-."
"You came over here accusing me of something that I didn't do which pisses me off so just do it and we can be on our way." he mumbled something underneath his breath and reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. After compelling the waitress to push their order to the top, they walked out of the Grille. "Here I bought you breakfast but I'm not gonna carry it for you."
"And here I thought you were a true southern gentleman." With the look Damon sent her way, she bit her lip to keep from laughing. She watched as he walked over to his car and pulled open the passenger door.
"I drove here."
"I'll drive you back, now get in." he said as he leaned his body against the door, Bonnie was immediately reminded of the time he had approached her for the necklace and the way he told her he didn't want to hurt her. However, later on that night he proved that statement false when he tried to rip her throat out. In fact if it hadn't been for Stefan she would have died. With that thought in mind, she calmly climbed into the car. Damon hurried around and got inside, a moment later they off heading towards the manor.
"Okay so do you mind telling me what it is you think you found that could help us track down my brother."
"Alright so what is it?" Bonnie asked as lifted her cup of orange to her mouth and latched on to the straw.
"It's a piece of clothing, we think that maybe it's Klaus' clothing since it was in the same place that he had been standing in when he had started to change. We were thinking you could track him down by that."
"I'm not so sure that's gonna work." Bonnie said softly as she looked over at him, Damon sighed and leaned back in his seat while continuing to drive. He looked over at Bonnie once and just shook his head.
"You know I'm not known for being positive," he paused at Bonnie's scoff. "But I certainly don't need you to bring me down alright. I have to believe that my brother will be alright and you telling me shit might not work isn't helping me at all alright."
"I'm sorry." Bonnie stated as she looked over at him again, thinking that this is the first time that he evoked something different other than hatred, annoyance and indifference. Reaching out, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "We're gonna find Stefan. He's my friend and I want him back just as much as you do. Besides whose gonna keep us from each other's throat?" Damon smirked at that and simply shrugged his shoulders as they pulled into the Salvatore manor. "If you don't mind me asking, how's Elena."
"The same." he stated stiffly as he climbed out of the car and walked around her side. Opening the door, he waited till she was fully out before closing it again. "She's really latched on to this so try to keep the negativity down in there alright."
"I will." she replied as she followed behind him. They entered the manor and Bonnie was immediately bum-rushed by Elena.
"Damon and Alaric think they found some of Klaus' clothing out at the site where he performed the sacrifice. You'll be able to find them won't you?" she asked her voice filled with hope, Bonnie exchanged a look with Damon and then looked back at Elena.
"I think so," she stated softly as she looked back at Damon. "Where's this piece of clothing you found?" Damon grunted out something and pointed at the table. It seemed he had went ahead and set out everything she would need to perform the spell. "Where's Alaric and Caroline?"
"Ric went back to his place to get a few things we'd need once we get a location from and Caroline went to tell her mother that she coming with us." he stated, Bonnie nodded her head as she thought about her friend. Thankfully, Elizabeth Forbes was handling the idea of vampires, witches and werewolves quite well. She was positive though that Sheriff Forbes would come for any of them if someone turned up dead. Rubbing her hands together, Bonnie looked at the table and then over at Elena.
"Alright let's get this started."