!Content Warning! If you have a high sensitivity to dealing with characters of a volatile nature, and harsh depictions of sensitive subject matter, please be warned this story is one of mature content and adult themes such as abuse and language. Subject matter will get heavier as the chapter's progress. Also I do not own these characters.

Forbidden fruit. A strong desire or craving for something all the more because it is not allowed.

Master. A man in a position of power of people working for him, typically servants/slaves.

Slave. A person who is legal property to another and forced into obedience.

Control. Power to influence behavior. Authoritative Mastery

Defiance. Being openly resistant to obedience.

Husband. Married significant of his wife. Master of household, life partner.

Wife. Married significant of her husband. Better half, life partner.

Marriage. Institution of being united in matrimony. Intimate Union of two entities.

Freedom. Power to act, think, feel, and speak unhindered.

Chapter 10 – Ripe, Red Apple

Rated M

A/N sorry for the postponement. I was going to post a longer chapter, but, as I kept re-reading, I thought I cut it off in a good spot. So I will save the rest for the next chapter. Keep in mind, this is Bonnie without Damon. She still feels loyally tethered to her husband, but she is confused, and finding herself. Also, a little more of Caroline/Stefan/Jesse's story. Bonnie has no idea when her husband will return at this point. This is 2 months od Damon's absence. She is now starting to go through some changes.

*This chapter was a bit challenging, so I hope you like it.

*Happy Reading.

Day 68 – Just over two months ago, her husband left. She hasn't received a letter at all. He only communicates with Kol Mikaelson, and because she slept alone, she started having nightmares. His words replayed, over and over in her head. She was both held together and tormented by them.

My Sweet Birdie,

A Business opportunity has arisen. I have no words on how long I will be away. I will return when things are legitimized.

With Sincerest Love, Your husband.

Most days Bonnie went on with her day. She acted unaffected by Damon's leaving. Part of her felt as if it was because she always thought he would just show up, other parts of her were in a dark place realizing she was alone for who knows how long. The market place was still surviving thanks to her Marcellus, and Stefan. She and Stefan steered clear of one another. Both, in fear that Damon would turn a corner and go crazy. Bonnie's life became lonely. For two months she lived her life in a routinely fashion. Damon would be proud, if he cared. She was unsure if he still cared. Alone and unarmed she just grew more and more bitter towards the man she loved. The person who she loved more than anything, was gone. Sixty-eight days and counting.

Bonnie enjoyed few things while Damon was away. She enjoyed her two servants, which became her family, Mrs. Brown and Miss. Sue. She enjoyed taking trips to visit Emily and her growing belly. She still never spoke a word to Jeremy. He in fact stayed at a safe distance from Bonnie, he could not face her the same way after all was said and done. She enjoyed her students. Through it all Bonnie was finding great solace in learning about herself.

She lay in her bedroom, staring at the spoils around her. The vanity made of marble, the closet filled with dresses, and hats, and the worst of it all. The large bed which grew colder and lonelier by the night. She hated her bedroom. As she lay there looking at all of the things that didn't matter she heard a knock at her door.

"Mrs. Bonnie? Will we be traveling to the market place today? You 'spose to be teachin' class today, when do you want me to have Langston draw carriage?" Mrs. Brown asked from outside of her door. Bonnie lay in bed longer than normal today. She was normally an early riser and today she just looked at her life as it played out.

She never let her students down. She showed up for every class, living her life as if he wasn't gone. She thought a minute, and decided to break the rules today. "No Mrs. Brown. We gone are taking a break today. You and Ms. Sue have the day off. I am going for a swim."

"Swim? Mrs. Bonnie, the lake?"

"Yes. My husband taught me how to swim when I was a young girl. I can teach you if you 'd like?"

"No. Heavens no. I am too old. Maybe ten years ago." Mrs. Brown watches Bonnie as she puts on a large robe and not much else. "Mrs. Bonnie, what you gone swim in?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Chile, you ain't got no clothes on under that."

"Relax Mama Brown. Nobody is out there. The small lake is always empty. I am hot, and I want to do something to put a smile on my face. I am tired of doing what is expected of me. Please. Just let me do this without guilt."

Mrs. Brown looked a Bonnie un-encouragingly. She even rolled her eyes. Bonnie batted her lashes and turned her head to the side. Looking at Mrs. Brown like a mother figure, and as if she was begging for a piece of hard candy.

"You gone get yourself sick chile."

Bonnie jumped up and hugged the woman and ran down the stairs. In many ways, Bonnie was still a child that needed looking after, but in the world of a slave, sixteen was full womanhood. Old enough to bare children, marry, and work. Even though she was not a slave any longer, she was raised as such. No matter how sheltered.

Bonnie had been avoiding Lily in many ways. Finding out about Marcellus, and how sheltered she had been raised to be, she just closed herself off for a while. Bonnie loved Lily with all of her heart. Lily was Bonnie's mother. This is how Bonnie saw it. Right now, she was coming into her own, and she needed some space from Lily so she could grow up.

That is exactly what Damon's absence was doing to Bonnie. Forcing her to grow up.

Bonnie burst out through the garden and ran into sun passed her beautiful red apple tree, until the shade and the sun split the space on the grass. The second she felt the warmth on her skin she tossed off her cover up and ran her nude body through the open space and dove into the water. The cold water to the contrast of the hot heat felt like freedom. Bonnie swam around and kicked her feet.

Walking was freedom, running was freedom, but swimming was like flying. Swimming was freeing. Bonnie's body moved around the lake and she floated into salvation. Her body felt like it belonged to her and she was flying in the water. Her problems disappeared, her pain disappeared, her mind was unchained for once and she lay on her back and floated with her eyes closed and the sun on her face.

Up until she bumped into a hard body.

Bonnie wiggled out of fear and he caught her mouth before she screamed.

"Shhhh."

He grabbed her and held her near him, but not too closely to scare her.

"Please don't scream. Okay. I will not hurt you. Promise not to scream?"

Bonnie nods her head. She turns to see a young man, her age in front of her. He was very handsome and his smile mimicked an innocence she never sees around Mystic Falls. His face was charming and his smile was filled with trouble, yet, it was beautiful she thought. "Who are you?"

"Me? Nobody really. I am a run away. I guess you could call me."

"Runaway what? You are white. What are you running from?" She looked at him suspiciously.

"I belong to no one. I am an orphan. They think I practice witch craft. So I have been living out here for years. Maybe four. It was very isolated until they started rebuilding that house. It had been abandoned for so long, I lived in it, before I met the minister. Then they came and started rebuilding, almost a year ago. So I spend a lot of time in the woods. Matter of fact, I go on that land every morning and steal a ripe red apple off of that delicious apple tree. Best apples I done tasted."

Bonnie turned to look at her home and her favorite apple tree, which he pointed to.

"That's trespassing."

"Well, I look at is as feeding the hungry. Besides I think I'm the only one who eats them anyhow."

"You're not. I use those for apple pie."

"I'd love to taste your pie... Sometime."

Bonnie cleared her throat, and changed the subject at his suggestive smile. It really went over her head anyways. She was just becoming nervous that the more he spoke the closer he got. He was suspiciously, smooth, as he trekked through the water without so much as a paddle.

"So, someone called you a Witch, really? Why should I believe that foolishness?"

"I don't practice witchery. They think I worship the devil though."

"Why would they think that?"

"Because they think I killed my parents." He said without a twitch in his face. Stoic and serious.

Bonnie eyes widened just then and she started to swim backwards. Away from the boy. She became suddenly afraid, but she moved with caution. "Why would they think that?" She asked him as her teeth began to chatter. Suddenly the water was far too cold for her liking.

"I was the only survivor in my family home when it burned down. I escaped unscathed, and my family didn't. I tried saving them but it was too late. They think I killed my family. Now I am out here all alone, trying to survive."

"That is unfortunate to hear." Bonnie says still swimming backwards. "I should probably get back now."

Bonnie turns and swims back towards the manor. Her body couldn't move fast enough.

"Wait. Come back. I don't even know your name. Who are you? A runaway like me?"

Bonnie stops peddling and turns back to the young man. "What makes you think I am a runaway?"

"Well I ain't never seen no slave out here swimming freely. Not no pretty little thang like you, all alone."

"I am not a slave. I am a free woman."

"Does this free woman have a name?"

"I do. But you are a strange boy, that I do not know."

"My name is Malakai Parker. Now we are no longer strangers. He swims closer to her and she attempts to slowly move out of his line of direction. She can tell he is a much better swimmer than her though, so she dare not try and swim away from him.

"Malakai Parker? I've heard about you. You helped some of my students escape the tirade of the rebels. What is that? You putting your out there for redemption?"

"Maybe. I mean. I did not kill my family. Imagine how I feel being all alone. On top of that the world thinks I am the devil himself. My helping those people is out of the kindness of my morality, but giving them my name is to prove I am not some evil murderer."

"I am sorry. Your life sounds terribly sad and lonely. I thought my life was painful. I have quickly become humbled in recent months." Bonnie floats in her space for a little while just paddling her feet and starting at the boy.

"I see you bathe here too?"

"No. I am swimming. I came out here to feel the freedom of my body in the water."

"I never thought about it that way." He looks at her and notices her naked state. "Why are you naked?"

"I don't know. I suppose I didn't think there would be anyone else out here."

"I am out here every day. I bathe here. That is why I am naked. You on the other hand, are fearless. I like that." He flashes her his smile again. Bonnie is a young, with no clear concept on how to feel about this young man. She mobilizes herself so he can't focus on her nudity.

"….(Birdie)….."

Bonnie is distracted by the loud scream of a man calling her name from behind her. She doesn't bother to look to the face, because she recognizes his voice. She immediately becomes fearful. "You should go, hurry. Please do not let them see you. Okay. I must go." She swims away in a hurry fearful for herself and Malakai.

"When can I see you again?"

"You can't. Please. Go. They will hurt you."

Malakai ignores her words. "Tomorrow. Meet me here tomorrow around sunset. Please. I'll be here waiting." She turns briefly to him and sees him flash that smile. Bonnie peddles faster to the shoreline. Malakai, hides near a long log in the water.

She avoids the boy behind her and swims until Stefan runs to the wooden divider filled with shrubs and pulls her naked body out of the water.

"Birdie. Have you lost your got damned mind? Swimming without your got damned clothes on. In the middle of daylight?"

"No one ever comes out here Stefan. I just wanted to swim."

He picks her up out of the water. "Mrs. Brown, what the hell were you thinking letting Birdie out there like this?"

"She don't listen to me Mr. Salvatore. She run out there after I told her it wasn't wise."

Stefan picks her up cradles in his arms, shielding as much of her body from the open land as he could, just in case stragglers or rebels were in the woods. He runs her up to her bedroom where he leaves her. "Get your clothes on. Lily has requested to see you. You have been avoiding her and…" He is silenced as she stands there naked. His eyes try hard not to notice his brother's wife, but she is full figured and beautiful. For some reason, she is completely unashamed of herself. He leaves the room.

"Get dressed and let's go."

"This is no longer my room. My room is down the hallway."

"What?" He acts stunned. "You know what? Explain to me later. Right now you need to get dressed." She stares at him. "Post haste Birdie!"

She runs to her other room and proceeds to get dressed. As Stefan waits, he bites his nails feeling nervous around her.

~oOoOo~

"Stefan, why are you here to acquire me? I have been very busy. My reasoning for not visiting you all has nothing to do with Damon's absence."

"Well, my dear birdie, it sure doesn't feel that way. Did you forget that we are all your family too? It is far easier for you to visit, than for all of us to visit you. Sarah and all of the other servants miss you as well. You suppose we get fifteen people in a carriage to see you?"

"Stefan, you know as well as I that I have been busy. Damon is gone and I am doing everything by myself. If not for Kol at the distillery I would have no help around the manor tending to the land. He comes once a week to tend to the land with me. He and Celeste."

"If you needed a helping hand, why didn't you tell me all of those times I asked you at the market place?"

"Because. I knew you were busy with your new Miss. I couldn't disturb you from that." She says with slight disdain and looks out the carriage window.

"Do I detect some jealousy Birdie?" He asks with a hint of smile.

"What a sinful thing to say. I am a married woman."

"As I am reminded every day of my pathetic, forced upon engagement."

"That is a terrible thing to say about the woman you are to marry."

"She and I are marrying under duress. Which is fine by me. Everyone should be so thoughtful in love and lovelessness." He laughs.

"Marriage is not a joke Stefan. You meander along and think the institution of love is a game. A thoughtless proposal to appease an agenda? You are not different from your brother."

"Birdie, what is the matter? Why are you so upset? Of all people, I thought you would be happy for me. Jumping for joy that I will no longer vie for your attentions, and try and come between you and my brother." His anger penetrates her tear ducts.

"Of course I am happy for you Stefan. Jeune Salvatore! Why wouldn't I be? I am happy for you and anyone who is able to marry without restrictions, and love freely. I should pray you and your forced engagement become a lifelong marriage to a woman you may actually grow to love."

"Caroline? No. She is in love with Jesse. I am helping her to be happy without the prejudiced surrounding her love. She will abide by every law, and she will not have his babies. No one will know about them."

"And you Stefan? What about you? What do you get out of it?"

"Whatever I want."

"At the cost of what? Secrecy?"

"Who cares. It will be what I want, and not what the world wants for me. That is all I can ask for in the world we live in Birdie. Please do not be angry at me for my brother's absence. I did not, nor would I ever abandon you."

"So you believe he abandoned me, also?"

"Not necessarily Birdie. I don't think he should have left you, but I do not think he left with just cause. I truly believe he wants you to see what you want, without the influence of his behaviors. You and I both know how imperious Damon can be." Stefan moves to Bonnie and sits with her to wipe her tears. "Please do not cry my birdie. Think of the beautiful opportunity at your disposal. You have a life with a certain level of freedom, and if you are smart about the way you do things, you can possibly get away with as much as you wanted to. So long as you don't become thoughtless."

She looked up to his face, trying to put meaning into those powerful words.

"Think about it. Damon gave you the greatest gift, a man in his position could give a woman in your position. Even though you were once his slave, and are now his wife, he has given you temporary freedom. Now it is up to you what you experience and learn from it. But understand, and make NO mistake about it, this is unheard of. For anyone. The circumstances are preposterously advantaged in your favor."

He wipes at her tears once more. "We are speaking of Damon Giuseppe Salvatore. One controlling, bastard."

They both laugh.

"So is this why you do not sleep in your bedroom anymore?"

"That is not my bedroom Stefan. That is the bedroom of a blissfully married pair. I'm am neither blissful, nor a pair. My nights are lonely, my heart is broken, my mind is clustered, and my soul is lost."

"I am sorry to hear that. I could say a million things to make you feel better, I could do a million things to make you feel better, but all of it would involve me forgetting Damon is my brother and that you are his wife."

Bonnie tries not to cry, of her loneliness. "Stefan, perhaps, in another lifetime, we were bound to one another. In some way, whether it was kinship, friendship, or courtship, somehow I feel connected to you, beyond what we are now. Part of me wishes I could remember. Thank you for being you." She smiles at him and hugs him, trying to calm down.

"There is the smile I love to see." He holds her. "Now pepper down, we are on the shorter end of the journey now, and you know Lily will have a fit if she thinks you are hurt or upset."

"Stefan, how did you become so wise?"

"When I became a man who had to grow up and stop living in his older brother's shadow."

~xOxOxOx~

"Where is Jesse?" Caroline walked in asking one of the women slaves, Anita in the house.

"He was in talks with your momma and daddy. Possibly being sold to the Manor, in Haven point. They ain't got no man of the house right now, and the women need all of the help they can get. And, his momma work there too."

"What? How long has he known of this information?"

"Just today ma'am."

Liz walks into the room and smiles at her daughter. "Delightful seeing you home. You spend so much time with Stefan we rarely ever get time with you." She kisses her daughter's cheek.

"Momma, what is this tid bit of information I hear ya'll are selling that big, black buck out there? I thought we needed all of the help we could get out there on the farm. He is our best farm hand momma." Her face tries to show indifference, but the depth of her sadness fills her sockets as she tries to bite back tears.

"He is, but we are acquiring new properties this weekend at the auction. So your daddy, done decided to send him where his momma is. We making good money on him too. Niggers like him are hard to come by. But we got word this shipment will be a selling the lot of them big black bucks. What is your concern about the matter?"

"I just thought he wanted to stay close to his daddy is all. Being as though his daddy's health complications."

"Caroline, don't concern yourself with such business minded issues. Be a lady and do what you do best. Look pretty, batting those eyelashes, and smile like you are courting for yourself a husband."

"Momma, I have Stefan for that. And I am more than just a pretty face."

"Then worry about Stefan, not that slave out there. He surely isn't your concern."

Liz walks out of the room.

"Anita. When you see Jesse, tell him I said to meet me in the barn two hours after sunset."

"Yea Miss Caroline. And Miss Caroline, would you like me to put a wool blanket out there for you when I head to the servant quarters after supper?"

"Not the wool ones my mother will kill me. Take a leather one out and don't forget to pad it with hay. Right up top Anita."

"Okay, Miss Caroline."

"And Anita. Remember, discreet. Quietly and don't let anyone see you. Not even the other workers."

"Surely Miss Caroline."

Caroline grew angry and wanted to see Jesse before night fall. There was a chance he would be gone by sun up and she couldn't let him leave without discussing a plan and figuring out exactly what they were doing with themselves.

Sure she was privileged.

What was privilege, without love?

Nothing, accept meaningless spoils.

ooOoOOoOoo

Bonnie finishes up at supper with the Salvatores. They decide to have some discussions with her. Lily missed Bonnie and wished she would move back to the boarding house in Damon's absence. Giuseppe decided he needed to have a discussion of serious proportions with Bonnie. The nature of Bonnie and Giuseppe relationship was somewhat estranged. As Lily mostly dealt with Bonnie, Giuseppe was mainly the disciplinary.

"Bonnie, how is the manor holding up?"

"Just fine Monsieur Salvatore." She never looked him directly in his eyes, she always looked somewhere else, he was an intimidating man.

"Seems as though you and your two servants have your workload full. No help to tend to the land I hear."

"We work things out fine. Monsieur Mikaelson and his servant come once a week to help me tend to things. He sees to it, I am well equipped for emergencies, and he has also acquired two horses for us at the permission of Damon."

"You know how to ride a horse?"

"Not at all Sir. I suppose he will teach me."

"Kol Mikaelson is spending a little bit too much time with a married wo man, wouldn't you think?"

"We are never alone sir. I assure you of that." Bonnie's nervousness peaks as she takes a hard swallow.

"Hmm. Yes. Okay. Well either way, Stefan and I have spoken some days ago, and I have decided to acquire a big buck for over there. He will be to you tomorrow."

"What? Damon has made it clear in the past he did not want any men slaves on the property."

"Damon is not here, and Damon has been neglectful now hasn't he?" He says with a cynical nature.

Bonnie says nothing.

Uncomfortable and awkward silence ensue. Lily looks to Bonnie who she can see feels out of place. "Bonnie, dear. Your braid has grown beautifully. Your hair looks so full and pretty."

"Thank you. Mrs. Sue has been helping me to maintain my wild hair. It has gotten out of control." She smiles. Lily looks on and smiles in a way to show support, but there is pain behind her absence in Bonnie's life.

"I am happy you have someone to help you. Bonnie. I really am." Lily's face fills with tears and she excuses herself from the table.

Bonnie gets up to run after her.

"Little Bonnie, please have a seat. Lily will be fine. Stefan tend to your mother. I need a moment alone with Bonnie."

"Certainly father." Stefan grabs Bonnie's hand softly before disappearing.

"It's quite strange. Wouldn't you think?" Giuseppe says looking at Bonnie.

"Excuse me Monsieur. What do you mean?"

"You have this bewitching way about you girl. You are eloquent, educated, well-spoken, a damn good business-minded woman, and more beautiful than the prettiest and rarest rose. Any room you walk into, you captivate the attention of many. This is why we had to keep you to ourselves for so long. Do you realize how many offer I had to sell you. How many men, have offered top dollar to acquire you?"

Bonnie's fears triple. "I am unaware of such things Monsieur Salvatore."

He bites his lip and grunts, "Ooh, and that beautiful French tongue of yours. They think you are French, many of them. American men love the French woman. Especially one of such an exotic nature." His face grows serious and he penetrates her soul with his passive yet abrasive tone. Bonnie swallows the fear and straightens her body from the slack she was sitting with.

"Monsieur-"

"Shhh. We never told you these things, because, Damon has always had this notion that he would never sell you or let you go. Lily looks at you as her daughter, and well, Stefan has loved you since you sprouted. I know these things. I may be absent often because of my work, but it has helped me to observe my family all the more." He smiles murkily. "You my girl, are truly bewitching. I myself have had to keep from peering at you in an inappropriate light."

"Maybe I should be going." Bonnie attempts to stand.

"Sit. I am not finished."

Reluctantly, she follows his order.

"Damon, was set to marry a young woman. A white woman. It was arranged. He had no idea about it. Before all of this happened. He was set to marry a woman, who's privilege and status would have helped to build his name in the business world. Her father being a Governor, his political gain would increase with the union of my son and his own daughter."

She sits and listens to Giuseppe and feels a tightening in her stomach. She grips her stomach and holds in her anger. She bites her tongue and listens to him speak.

"Non-the-less he loves you. So Lily begged me not to tell him. At some point he had to know. This arrangement was made before Damon finished school."

"What is it, you are telling me?"

"I am telling you, that nothing is guaranteed right now."

"Is my husband, going to marry another woman?"

"Right now, I don't have an answer. But, I wanted to be decent and tell you, because despite our rocky history, little Bonnie, you have found yourself a space in my heart, in my family. We live in a complicated world, sometimes, we must make decisions for our own survival, or successes. Please understand that we are your family. No matter what. I would never have sold you."

Bonnie was becoming upset. Knowing that the Law would never recognize her marriage to Damon, she knew there was a possibility he could be forced into an arrangement against his will. Then she became uneasy, because she worried if Damon would actually agree to it. Her nerves were shaken. She needed to leave.

"Monsieur. It is getting dark. I really should head back to the Manor. Thank you for summoning me. I really have missed you all." Her voice was filled with little emotion and much apathy. She took to the front of the home. Giuseppe had been honest with Bonnie about so much. She did not quite know how to receive him. She slowly walked towards the entrance and Stefan and Lily took to her. Lily to see her off, and Stefan to ride back to the Manor with her. It was late.

"Bonnie, please don't become estranged. Visit me more, I miss you my girl." Lily said.

"I will." Bonnie noticed Lily had coughed a few times tonight. She was worried about the cough, because it sounded beyond a congestion. She had many thought to process so she didn't bother asking. For now, she would process the information she was given. Then she would talk to Stefan about lily the next time he saw her at the marketplace. Bonnie hugged Lily. She squeezes her tight and kissed her cheek. Smiling one last time.

"Birdie, I am coming back to the manor with you tonight. It is late and I will just come home tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

"Certainly Stefan." He escorts her out and helps her to the carriage. They ride back quietly.

~xXx~

Caroline sits and waits in the barn. Her body fights the urge to withdraw. She begins feeling her fears come to life as she realizes Jesse will be gone soon. She made every decision based on her love for Jesse. She had never known a greater love, and because of that she was willing to marry another man, just so that she could solidify her loyalty to him.

A quiet set of footsteps crunch over hay as the barn door slowly opens. In the darkness, she knows it is him because no one is as statuesque on the property. The man is built like the Greek Mythological Gods. Sculpted and towering her. He enters the doors slowly and she sits in the darkness at the top of the large building. He closes the door slowly behind him. Once he ascends the wooden ladder her eyes sparkle and give him the light he looked forward to.

"Carol?"

"Yes. It is me J.B." She smiles and cracks a little inside. It's been two days. You have been very busy."

"I have. Sorry. I missed your face." He speaks quietly as he approaches her when he finishes climbing the wooden ladder, and quickly moves towards her. He starts kissing her neck. Softly and sensually. His full lips put her under the spell that is their love. She doesn't stop him as he kisses her. She tries to talk herself through his kisses.

"Jesse, what is this about you leaving? When is your last day here?"

"Now. Right now is the only moment that counts for us. I'm gone at sun up."

"How are we gonna do this JB?" She asks with pain in her voice. "You are gonna be far away and we will never see each other." His kisses continue softly and slowly. His large hands move to her head, and his fingers creep through her golden curls. Lightly gripping her scalp and laying her body down. "Tonight counts. Make it count, until I find you again. I need to feel you. Please. Undress me. Take me into your arms."

"Carol. We should be careful. Someone may hear us. The property is not all entirely gone to sleep."

Caroline's small hands grip the back of his neck after he slides the top of her dress down her shoulders. Jesse's mouth makes a way to her breasts, taking her nipples into his mouth. Softly and gently. Her small moans escape her mouth, and ignite his excitement. He grunts. "Shh." He says. Covering her mouth. "Quiet Carol. You tryna get me killed?"

"Sorry JB." Caroline breaks down and cries quietly. "Why? Why would anybody kill you? You are beautiful, and loving, and a good man." Her tears are just and her heart is hurting, and she cries endlessly as he holds her. "Why can't I love you?" She wraps her arms around his broad back, pulling him into her and holding him in pain.

"It's just the world Carol. We can't change it. Everybody can't be beautiful and smart like you. You are light in the dark times. The most loving person I know. We can just love each other right now."

Her head collapses to his chest and she lets out her tears, and as they soak his skin, he softly cries too. Jesse lifts Caroline's face and kisses her again. He lets his large hands rummage her body and feel her, all of her. Her beautiful soft body. She speaks softly. "If tonight is all we have, make me yours one last time."

After removing his pants, Jesses pulls Caroline's body to him. He puts her legs on either side of him and lifts her dress to her waist. Ripping at her garments underneath, he positions himself one last time at her entrance. Slowly, creeping forward, he pushes into her gently. "Mmmm." She bites her lips to muffle her cries. She pulls him all the way to her and grips him to control her pain for the time being. Her hands squeeze him, and then she allows her fingers to gently caress the skin of his back in a loving way. He thrusts slowly, and deeply. To accommodate his size Caroline relaxes every muscle in her body. He fills her with every inch and she takes it painfully, and quietly, and eats up all of what it means to her. All of the forbidden fruits of their love, swallowed by her rapture. Her feelings for him are stronger than any pain, and she will stop at nothing to keep him.

Days had gone by since Bonnie had seen Malakai. When Stefan rode back to the Manor at Haven Point with Bonnie, he stayed there for a couple of days. The very next day he was to acquire Jesse as a part of a deal from Giuseppe and Caroline's father. It took a few days longer than he thought it would. Caroline had no idea Stefan talked Giuseppe into making that deal. He secretly did it for her. Once Jesse arrived, he had a heart felt reunion with his mother.

"Mama?" He ran and hugged her. Sweeping her into his arms.

"My boy. Oh lawd. My boy." She squeezed him as the tears flowed down her cheeks.

Bonnie smiled. She didn't know right away about Jesse. Stefan filled her in on the details the couple of days he was at the manor. Once she understood his agenda, she pleaded with him to be smart, but he was still under the impression that Damon was long gone and he was going to formulate his plan better with Jesse being away from the Forbes compound. He had to plan a wedding and Caroline, would feel safer when she realizes where Jesse is. He had not spoken to her yet about it. Jesse understood right away when he saw Stefan.

"You did this for me, little Bonnie? You bought my boy?"

"It was Stefan's idea. But after he told me, I knew we had to do it."

"Thank you sweet girl." Mrs. Brown tears flood her sockets and she hugs Jesses again.

"You all can have the afternoon off. I don't need anything else today." Bonnie looks to them and they walk to the inside of the manor. Bonnie felt immense joy for Stefan's kindness. She may not have agreed entirely to Stefan and Caroline's arrangement, but in her own mind she allowed herself to accept it. She knew that not accepting it, would make her as terrible as the rest of the world that didn't accept she and Damon. The silver lining in it all. Mrs. Brown got Jesse, Jesse was out of harm's way at the Forbes compound. Stefan had a new friend in Caroline, and Bonnie was beginning to feel a different purpose in her life. She couldn't change everything or everyone, but she could do little things for the people she loved.

She begins walking to her new bedroom and Stefan follows her so he can say good bye.

Teaching slaves how to read wasn't going to happen. It would have caused too much of a stir in town, as Damon said. Though she had her own servants to help and teach and she still had the immigrants. Bonnie was making small differences in the lives of those around her. She was becoming a woman with her own purpose. "Thank you Stefan."

"No, thank you Birdie. This is going to mean a lot to Caroline, which means a lot to me."

"I am working on purchasing Emily. I would like to acquire her, so I can take care of her and the baby."

"Birdie, have you thought about Emily and what she wants."

"No. But she can't possibly want to stay there. Isobel is a horrible woman, and there is no way she will accept Emily and Jeremy. Jeremy is not allowed to marry her. He will do what his father did."

"What did his father do?" Stefan asked.

"Never mind." Bonnie remembered that Mrs. Brown asked her not to ever mention to anyone, including the Salvatores that Mr. Gilbert was Jesse's real father, and that Isobel sold her when she was pregnant so she didn't have to deal with John's bastard, have black son. "Just know, that I am working on getting my sister. She is my only blood and so is that baby. I will be damned they get sold into the market and separated from me. I just need for that despicable husband of mine to come home and help me."

"Has Damon approved of this?"

"No. But as you said, I have the opportunity to do something's here Stefan. I have an opportunity to make my own decisions without his influence. So if you know anything about purchasing slaves. Please help me get Emily. Please. She needs me. Stefan. I am all she has."

"I'll see what I can do Bridie. Okay. I will have to talk to Giuseppe-"

"NO!" She nearly jumped out of her skin. "Without Giuseppe, please. Can we do this without him?" Bonnie was still shaken by her conversation with Giuseppe about Damon's possible arranged marriage.

"Why Birdie, he is my father, and the only man I know besides Damon who understands how this whole market works."

"No. I am asking Stefan. Please. You and I, working together."

Stefan looks at Bonnie suspiciously. She had been acting strange about Giuseppe since the night she went to the boarding house. "Fine. Birdie. But I should go back to the boarding house tonight. I haven't seen Sarah in a couple of days and I need to let Caroline know where and how Jesse is."

"Of course." She looks to him as if she is going to miss him. "Thank you Stefan."

Stefan closes their space once again. Completely inappropriately, his body hovers hers in the corner of the hallway. Everyone was downstairs and she was alone. Defenseless. Although she never feared Stefan, who was always gentle with her. She was for the first time without her husband, her other half, her voice of reason when it came to Stefan. Damon was nowhere in proximity to scare either Bonnie or Stefan. Stefan had moved his chess pieces very strategically with Bonnie. She could tell he had a look of lust in his eyes.

"You are welcome Birdie. I'm here if you need anything. Okay. Don't forget about the market place classes. They are cancelled for the week. So it is up to you if you come to the market place, if not Marcellus and I will deal with all of the other business matters."

"Surely." She tried moving past him and he held her in the corner. His face came to her neck and he lightly brisked her neck with his nose. She exhaled.

"I missed your smell."

She loses her sense for a second then pushes gently passed him. "Okay, Stefan. You should get going. It is nearing sunset and I still have some other matters to tend to."

"Yes. Okay. I will be back in a few days to check on things. Have a good night Birdie." He says kissing her on her cheek.

She felt something different that time. She ignored it, and let him leave. Stefan was trouble for Bonnie. She knew it. But he was like family to her, and she wasn't going to erase him from her life. She just had to learn to be stronger than the sinful feelings she felt for him.

~oXoXo~

One week ago Bonnie met a young man in the lake. Bathing while she swam. She was afraid of seeing him again, yet part of her wanted to explore a friendship. She snuck out again to the lake. It was sunset, and even though it had been a week, she hoped he would be back out there. She knew, he might not be. He would think she purposely ignored his request, and that he would not return. She took a chance. Again, she went out to the greenery shrubed wood, and jumped in the cool water. Today, it wasn't as hot as before, because it was later in the day. She was alone. He wasn't out there. So she knew it was her own fault. For not coming the following day. The sun was almost fully set and the darkness was winning. She swam to the edge of the lake and got ready to get out.

She heard a splash. She turned. "I thought you were gone." She looked to him. He flashed that smile. Part of her felt weird inside. She had looked forward to that smile for a week. She didn't realize it until she saw it again.

"Did you miss me?"

"Uhh, no. I just thought maybe it would be nice to have someone to swim with." She turned her head away from him and attempted to get out.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes. It is night fall and I must go back now."

"Please don't. I had a hard time getting back today. It took me longer than I thought it would. I have come here every day at sunset to see you."

"It isn't decent of me to be out here, at this time of night. I swam around for a while, and you didn't come."

"So, you… were looking for me?" His smile reignited her interest.

"I mean, not entirely. I wanted to swim, and I thought maybe, you were here to swim with. You weren't so now I have to go." Bonnie moves to get out of the water.

"You have on clothes today?" he laughed.

"Yes. I couldn't allow someone to see my body again."

"Someone or me?"

"Malakai. I am a marri- I am a decent woman. I don't even know why I am here. I should really go."

"No, please. I am alone most of my day. Ever since I saw you, I have waited to talk to you again."

He swam closer to her. She relaxes her body into the water again. "You are very charming in your own way. I suppose I can stay for only a little while. So where do you sleep at night?"

"I sleep in the negro church."

"Really? I don't think you are allowed to do that."

"Actually, I am. The minister leaves me a cot inside with blankets. I saved his daughter from a rebel attack one day. He is a free man. He offered me shelter at his home, which is very small and over-crowded. So I declined, but every night I go there for and eat supper with them. Then I come to the lake, then I go to the church."

"Your day is certainly adventurous. I admire that." She smiles.

"You should come along on one of my adventures sometime. Just you and me. I know you are a free woman, but, I guarantee you would love going out with me on my adventure."

"It doesn't sound safe nor smart."

"Maybe not, but you will be with me. I will protect you." His body moved even closer to hers.

"I-uh I should really-"

He interrupts her with a kiss. His lips rush hers with a tenderness. Her instinct was to pull away but she didn't. She lingered in the water, holding onto the wooden, shrub filled log. His lips pressed into hers harder and his hand made its way on top of hers which was gripping the shrub filled log. He clamped his and on top of hers and gripped her hands in his own. His kiss forced her mouth open and she accepted him. Their tongues danced.

He pulled away from her soft lips, and looked into her eyes. He was breathing just as heavily as she was. He spoke seriously as he licked his lips, "Good God, almighty, you taste like one of them ripe, red apples off that tree, only sweeter. How'd a nobody like me, get so lucky?"

Bonnie exhaled and felt a pulsating pull of gravity towards him. He pulled her in again and relished in her flavor. Her goodness. Her sweet, delicate, taste.

His body felt sinful against hers. The mixture of the cold water and their body heat was powerful. Bonnie had never known another man's invasive kiss, other than her husband.

It was nothing like her husband's kiss. Damon's kisses were over powering, and controlling. Malakai was tender, gentle and welcoming. He welcomed her into his mouth and pushed his body into hers. Damon's kisses were passionate and intense. She loved her husband's kisses. Malakai's kiss, however was soft and melodic to her desires. He also felt good to her. Or was it because what had transpired with Stefan that made her feel like she needed to see Malakai? His body continued to pin itself against hers in the water. Neither were naked today, but both were ignited in the heat of the moment. Bonnie's emotions were confusing her. She remembered her husband and she pushed him away. "Uh Ma-m-Malakai... I have to go."

She cupped her lips and held them for a few seconds, wishing she didn't have to feel such immense guilt.

"Uh, please I am sorry. Don't leave. I won't kiss you again. If I made you uncomfortable I am sorry."

"No, I can't I must leave. Please. Don't come back okay. If I get caught, or you get caught, we will both be in trouble. Please. Go, Malakai. Leave at once." Bonnie jumps out of the water and throws her coverall on and runs back towards the manor. She runs through the garden past the well, and all the way to the doorway of the porch. Before she enters the house she catches her breath. Her erratic breathing kept catching in her throat, and she was getting very excited in a dramatic way. Tears fell. She committed a sin. She violated her marriage and she was ashamed. Her shame was brought by how much she wanted it and enjoyed it. Who is that young man? Malakai Parker. Some strange man, wanted for murder. She did a terrible thing and she cried on the porch. She was being thoughtless. Stefan told her to think about what she was doing. He told her to be wise. She wasn't being wise. Once she realized what she had done, she went into the Manor. She took her guilt to bed, and prayed to forget it all in the morning. Maybe it was a terrible nightmare, and when she wakes up, Damon will be there.

Day 75 – Two and a half months after Damon had been gone. Bonnie's dreams changed, and newer words penetrated her mind. One day ago, Malakai Parker kissed her. One day ago, her nightmares stopped. She felt different today. She looked at the apple tree outside, as she remembered his words.

"Good God, almighty, you taste like one of them ripe, red apples off that tree, only sweeter. How'd a nobody like me, get so lucky?"

Bonnie went outside and grabbed an apple. She bit it, as it reminded her of Malakai. Somehow, it tasted differently today. Today it tasted like a troublesome smile, from the friendly face, with the inviting mouth, her lips last traced.

She smiled, without guilt, as she ate her sin-filled apple.

A/N I was nervous about the developments, and introducing Kai. There was so much more than Kai that happened in this chapter, but he was definitely a big part. Bonnie has to have some life altering changes, before Damon returns. Which may include a little rebelling. She is finding herself. These changes are helping her to grow. She will do both good and bad things. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Any Hopes for next chapter?