*All character/TVD rights go to narrow-minded people (Julie Plec & Co.) and the lovely L.J. Smith; except Stella she's all mine. Yep, all me for real (drake voice lol)*

A/N: Mistakes are mine, charge it to my head not my heart.

"On the Precipice of Gravity"

Stefan released the disoriented girl his mind in disarray as she stumbled her way back to the club door. What had just happened? What did this mean? He wondered rolling the blood between his fingers before sticking the digits into his mouth. He turned to the dumpsters to find Damon long gone as expected.

Damon scuttled down the dim side road hating he parked so far. His eyes scanned the silhouette of his car in the distance; slowing down his pace he keeled over in unexpected tiredness. Noticing the storefront window he grimaced at his appearance, mainly at his unhinged jaw. He looked like some druggie who'd been sucking a crack pipe for the past twenty years. He placed his hand over his chin wrenching it to the left.

"Dammit!" he growled at the sickening crackling sound it made.

Panic overtook his body in frightening waves he glanced at the bruise that hadn't yet healed. Jogging the rest of the way to the Camaro he pulled out his cell dialing the now familiar number. The line picked up after the fourth ring.

"Damon? Do you know what time it is?"

"It's getting worse."

Meandering through the garden Bonnie hummed a tune that Grams used to sing to her as a child while Stella staggered in front of her. Even in the fall month the air was unusually warm again, the cool of the wind giving their forms some sense of relief.

"No baby not too far away from Mommy." she called noting how far Stella had gotten.

She didn't want her wandering around the woods no matter what time of day. Putting some pep in her step she ambled after her daughter, but the closer she got the farther her baby seemed to get away.

"Stella Francesca Salvatore." she called sternly. Her warning fell on deaf ears as the toddler continued to stretch the distance.

Terrified Bonnie started to run only to lose her altogether. "Stella! Stella!" she cried looking around aimlessly into the woods.

Sweat began to pebble at her hairline, her palms began to itch the more the anxiety took over. Where had she gone? How could she lose her in such a short amount of time. The sky went dusky as her eyes watered with tears.

"Stella! Stella!"

"Bonnie!" he bellowed causing her body to grow rigid.

Hitting an about face she exhaled when her vision came in contact with a confused Damon who held their daughter tightly in his arms. "Bonnie?"

She exhaled running towards them relief rushing through her veins. He had found her, their daughter was okay. He immediately wrapped her in his arms pressing her close. "What's the matter I heard you screaming."

"I thought I lost her." she choked on a sob. "She just kept running." she spoke kissing her baby's cheek. "I-I was so scared I lost her."

"It's okay she's right here." he cooed using his free hand to rub her back.

Raising her head she gasped at the sight of her lover backing away with horror filled eyes.

"What now little witch." his dry, cracked lips smirked. His skin was rusty and gray, his bright blue eyes muted and cloudy with a substance she could only equate with phlegm.

His smirk widened into a stomach churning grin at her alertness. Black slim oozing out of the corners of his mouth and the orifices of his teeth. Reaching out he caught her by the arm, his touch searing her skin.

It was then she realized their daughter disappeared again. "Let go of me!" she shrieked her eyes searching for Stella and anyone who can help her.

Damon's eyebrow creased. "What?" he asked in genuine confusion his dead eyes set on her squiring form. "We both know you like it rough." he quipped sticking his black tongue at her.

She tried to take another step back, but the grip he had on her arm was too strong. Dread infiltrated her shock when his head began to decline ripping away from him taking his arms with her.

"Where the hell is my baby!" she screamed to a dismembering Damon who still held that disgusting smile.

Every step he took another body part fell to the ground. His skin was melting off revealing another layer beneath. Burnt sienna coating was peeping through sullied alabaster and that was when she realized he was morphing into something else.

Someone else.

The person coming together right before her eyes. "She's come to collect Bonnie." he kept saying as blood tears cascaded from his onyx eyes. "She's come to collect!" Marcel's voice boomed.

::::

"Bonnie!" Damon hollered shaking his fiancée again.

He'd just gotten in the door when Bonnie's faint cries accelerated his slow beating heart. Damon lunged for the stairs his heavy boots slowing him down while he stomped up the steps two at a time. His mind racing as he got closer to his room fearing the worse. Chucking open their bedroom door he was greeted with a scene of her fighting furiously in her sleep. Her body drenched in sweat, her cheeks the color of the reddest apples.

Now he stared at her hating how helpless he was at the moment. When witches had their "witchy dreams" they couldn't escape them until the vision was over. Alas, all he could do was restrain her hands so she wouldn't hurt him or herself. Feeling completely worthless as she continued to yell, kick, and cry unable to get out of her nightmare.

She managed to snatch a hand from his grip, clipping him in the jaw. "Bonnie!" he yelled again sucking air into his lungs. The hit hurt more than it should, but Bonnie always threw a mean punch.

With or without magic.

"Bonnie!"

This time her eyes popped open in haunting despair skimming the room frantically. The backdrop of the forest washed out of her emerald eyes revealing a dark room and a concerned—slightly perturbed Damon. She yelped in fear writhing to get away from him, but he only held her tighter. Drawing her from the bed to his arms gently.

"It's okay." he whispered into her ear, rocking their bodies. "It was just a dream, baby everything's okay."

He held her for another five minutes until her labored breathing reverted back to normal and her heart rate slowed. "I'm fine, you're fine, Stella is fine. Just relax." he sighed. "Breathe."

Gaining her composure Bonnie withdrew from the embrace so she could see his face. Air passed her lips at the verification he looked normal. That he wasn't melting like the wicked witch of the west. Settling back into his lap she rested her head on his shoulder, her breaths matching his.

She'd been having these weird dreams for a couple months now, but none that intense. Strangely enough the dream wasn't what scared her most, it was the fact that her powers were slowly returning that shook her to the core.

Damon resumed tracing his finger soothingly over her bare thigh. "Are you gonna tell me what that was about?" His chin sat lightly atop her chestnut hair.

The terror in her hazel eyes replayed in his mind. It had been a while since he'd witnessed her so shaken with fear. And as usual it stirred up the uninvited emotion in him as well. Bonnie wasn't the type to freak out or show any outward trepidation, so on the blue moon she did it worried him. Planting his pale hued eyes on her he waited for the white lie to tumble from her succulent lips.

"I-I can't remember." she stammered not wanting to meet his eyes.

And here it is Damon thought derisively. "Judgy." he warned forcing her to look at him.

"Are you gonna tell me why you're fully clothed?" she flipped keeping to his glacial eyes.

By the grace of God he managed not to shift or falter. "No turning tables." he said glibly still piercing her gaze for answers.

Sighing she ran a hand through her loose, damp hair. The clammy feeling covering her skin making her itch. She hated sweating and wanted nothing more than a shower. She sighed again when she felt Damon's eyes still on her. "I don't know, I just have this feeling that something is going on." she released deciding to keep the details down to a minimum.

It was no doubt that Marcel's words from earlier were the catalyst for the dream, but that was just one conversation she didn't particularly feel like sharing at the moment. Or even thinking about. In fact, if she had it her way she wouldn't share it at all. Besides, it was Damon's part in her dream that scared her. Were he and Marcel connected in someway? She knew her powers were trying to tell her something, but she couldn't decipher the message.

She really should have watched the Da Vinci Code when Caroline and Elena did back in middle school. But Bonnie being Bonnie wasn't interested in sneaking into theaters. She made a mental note to watch it later. Her, Caroline and Stefan could make a night of it.

"I think we should take a family trip." Damon broke into her reverie like a burglar.

Forgetting her inner musing she stared back at him arching an eyebrow. "What?"

Cupping a hand to her face a coy smile played on his lips. "I've been thinking it for a while and after tonight I believe it's very necessary. You're stressed. You've been working, going to school, being a mother. Don't you think its time for you to have a break? I mean since you wont quit that damn job."

Damon smirked at the rolling of her eyes. He'd been begging her to quit since he returned saying nowhere in either letter did he tell her to work. He had a fund set up for both Bonnie and Stella that would last them ten lifetimes. His face when she told him she worked because she wanted to earn her keep was priceless. He looked at her like she had three heads an argument ensued afterwards with him of course caving. Bonnie knew what to do to get him to shut up. He got hard just thinking about it.

"What about Stella?"

He snorted giving her a droll look. "I think my sperm and your egg made her family, little bird." he informed.

"Damon!" she curled her nose at his uncouthness. "I'm saying she hasn't been feeling too well, and I don't know about taking her out on the road."

"She's a Bennett." he refuted. "More importantly she's a Salvatore which means she'll be fine. Come on we can leave first thing in the morning." at her shaking head he frowned.

It was too much to do in the upcoming days with her finals grades coming in, Thanksgiving, and their impending nuptials. She smiled at that glancing at her ring as a reminder flashed in her brain.

"Caroline planned for us to go dress shopping in the morning."

Now it was his turn to roll his eyes. "Blondie will live if you cancel."

"But I won't." she countered folding her arms.

He killed the excuse instantly. "You're an immortal witch, next excuse."

She groaned frowning her bowed lips. "That isn't set in stone."

His vision zeroed right to her pout. "Yet." he finished wanting nothing more than to kiss her.

"What about Stefan." she ignored his eye roll and subsequent grimace.

"Stefan's a grown ass man, been that way since before you were even a figment in your parents imagination; I think he can survive without us for a few days."

"How long is a few?" the witch shrieked eyes wide.

Ignoring her question he gave a noncommittal shrug. "You're worried about the wrong thing mi amour."

"Thanksgiving is 4 days a way we can't just leave him here and Caroline is expecting us." she tacked on.

Bonnie had twisted in his lap so they were now face to face. His eyes downcast momentarily before meeting her beseeching green ones. "I've been back about four months now and I understand that you guys were," he cleared the imaginary frog from his throat "…in your own little way a—" he felt himself tripping over his tongue. He didn't want to say, he really didn't want to. "family." he bit out between clenched teeth. "But I want to go somewhere, just the 3 of us, you, me, and our daughter."

The way he said 'our' wasn't lost on her and the eye contact they had maintained was gone. Her hands were balling and un-balling as she squeezed an invisible stress ball. On one of her flexes his hand found its way into hers.

"I know its selfish, but I just want some time with the three of us." he hedged holding up three fingers.

"Okay." she relented.

The rebuttal on his tongue fizzled like pop rocks. "Okay?" he wasn't used to convincing her this fast.

"Yes, after dress shopping we can go anywhere you want."

His eyes refused to blink. "You're serious?" This couldn't be real.

She slid up wrapping her arms around his neck. When her lips grazed his she smiled. "I'd follow you to the ends of the Earth."

His crystal eyes sparkled before closing as she finally drew his bottom lip into her mouth. "Just have us home by Thanksgiving." she grinned before smothering his lips with hers.

"Bonnie." he moaned, his throat tightening while her fingers left a trail up his shirt.

"Please." she whispered tossing his shirt to the ground. She immediately began drawing figure eights on his areola.

"Fine." he growled pinning her to the bed.

She giggled at the feral look in his eyes while he licked his lips. Her dark curtain of hair coloring the pillow, her bare thighs open and ready to be devoured.

"Thank you." she gasped at the sudden invasion bestowed on her.

"Don't thank me yet." he smirked.

Bonnie left a few hours after daybreak toting their daughter along with her, leaving Damon to his own devices. Here he stood pacing the length of their bedroom phone stuck to ear, having a heated discussion with the person on the other end of the phone.

"Look I promised my daughter a road trip, so either you meet me in Atlanta, or." Damon let out a devious laugh. "You meet me in Atlanta." he growled clutching the sleek piece of technology.

He heard the puff of air on the other end and knew the person was none to pleased with his demand. "And what makes you think I'll drop everything and meet you in the 'dirty South'. We agreed you were coming to meet me. Not the other way around Damon."

Halting his two step he scrubbed a hand down his face exasperatedly. Times like this he really missed his true wingman Alaric. As it stood the patriarch of the group hadn't reached out to him at all in the four months he's been back. Under the circumstances, Damon could get why he would want to stay away. The man did get possessed and turned into a psycho vampire hunter, by Esther's bitch ass, but still.

He assumed their friendship would sustain. He'd apparently assumed wrong.

"Damon?"

"Look there's something special in Atlanta if you can't meet me there then I'll get to you when I get back." he sighed.

He could almost see the person shaking their head is disdain. "If the treatments aren't working D—"

"Then it still won't be working in a week I gotta go." he hung up quickly hearing Stefan shuffling around.

He didn't need his brother sticking his nose in anymore of his business. He already knew too much and if he had to Damon would get rid of him. If Bonnie caught wind of any of this it could ruin everything. It could ruin them.

Like clockwork when he opened his bedroom door and stepped into the hall Stefan was turning down the long hall. Plastering on his cocky façade he gave his brother a wink that Stefan grimaced at. The younger Salvatore eyeing him in apprehension and when they passed each other like to cars on opposite sides of the highway he spoke.

"You wouldn't happen to know where Bonnie is?" he asked casually.

Damon turned to face his annoying kin. "Of course I know where she is."

"Seems that's a one way street." Stefan mumbled.

Damon heard the quip but smirked anyway. "Is there something you need with my fiancée?"

The tick in Stefan's jaw made his heart flutter appreciatively.

In his mind Stefan was battling with the information he gathered last night and whether or not he wanted to disclose it. He talked briefly with Alaric about his findings who said that Damon, being the demented creature he is, was probably fucking with him. But in the pit of his stomach Stefan knew something wasn't right. Seeing that made him think of the times he'd witnessed Damon feeding or drinking a blood bag period.

He'd seen him do neither.

Glaring back at his brother he quickly thought of a lie, well half truth. Pointing to a picture of a infant Stella maybe around 6 months sitting on Santa's lap he shrugged. It's getting around that time again. He watched his brother's methane eyes bounce to the picture softening momentarily before retaining its icy demeanor.

"Where was Bonnie in this picture?" Damon questioned noting Stefan's appearance.

Stefan swallowed thickly. Maybe that wasn't the right picture to draw attention to, a second later his phone vibrated. Saved by the bell.

"I gotta take this." he murmured spinning on his heel.

Damon stared at the portrait a minute longer then resumed his quest down the stairs. He had a doppelganger turned vampire to drop in on. He was ready for some answers. Planting one foot on the stair he turned back in the direction where Stefan previously was.

"If you plan on telling Bonnie about the other night, I strongly advise against it."

He could hear his brother's footfalls stop. He had his attention, good.

"I would really hate to tell Bonnie about your nasty fall on a stake." Damon rattled on.

From his end of the hall Stefan ended the call compressing the phone against his side. "And what makes you so sure I'll go down that easy?" he questioned back not even bothering to turn around. "I'm stronger now than you remember."

"I share a soul with a witch, an immortal witch, you do the math." the older Salvatore sung cockily.

Stefan could feel Damon's grin wafting through his psyche. The fucking bastard. The elder Salvatore smiled hearing the stomps of his brother. That was easier then he imagined.

Stella tensed her hands on the wheel as she reached an abrupt stop. A divot formed between her eyes as her small UGG covered foot pounded the peddle again. Grasping the fact that her voyage was over she peeped her head out from under the hood of the car stroller staring at her Aunt Care and mother.

Bonnie was holding a chocolate chip cookie in her hand; and every time she would bend to give the treat to her Caroline would say something else blocking their transaction.

Her peculiar eyes pinned them both with a dissatisfied look that neither noticed. Giving up she leaned back into the stroller she posted her hands back on the plastic wheel, blowing the obsidian curl that fell into her eye. Grown ups.

"Come on Bonnie can we please just peek in the Michael Kors store? All I need is two minutes tops." she promised but Bonnie could see the gleam of a lie in her powder blue eyes.

Her best friend was like a crack addict when it came to anything the designer wielded. The two minute promise would turn into two hours with a quickness. Caroline was hanging onto her arm with that pleading puppy dog look she hated. They'd barely been in the mall a hour and already they were drifting off course.

"Two minutes." she relented holding her index and middle in the blonde's face. The Grinch like smile painted on her face let her know she'd made a lapse in judgment. She was such an enabler.

Stella's face lit back up at the passing scenery happy to be back in motion. She smiled at the woman with the penetrating electric eyes. Waving her small hand at the friendly face as they turned into the store.

Surprise marred her face when she opened the door to find her ex paramour leaning against the doorframe; she gasped as only mere inches separated their faces. If they breathed she could feel the air fan her slightly parted lips.

"Are you gonna invite me in or what?" he deadpanned not moving to stand straight.

Elena could feel the blood rushing to her pale cheeks though they didn't take up a ruddy color. Stepping aside she welcomed him into the room where he got comfortable at the small table.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon." she admitted easing a hand through her pin straight locks.

Hunching a shoulder he sipped the blood she'd previously been enjoying. "Desperate times, desperate measures." he hummed ignoring his gag reflex.

His eyes took in the scenery of the quaint room zeroing in on the fact that their were two beds in the suite instead of one. His eyes darting back to hers in curiosity.

Her whiskey eyes rose to him gleaming innocence. "What?"

"You're not here alone?" he questioned feigning nonchalance, but he was really expecting her answer.

She whipped her head to Bev's bed and shrugged. "No I'm not." she shrugged pushing her bangs from her round face.

Sitting down the cup he gave her an insolent smile. He would admit her curt answer was cute, and once upon a time he'd poke her for answers. But that was then and this was now. Now he could give a damn who she was busting it open for; besides he came her for one thing.

"You, my dear are going to give me Alaric's number."

Elena's jaw slacked before she folded her arms. Was this what she was reduced to in the lives of the Salvatore brothers? Their own personal yellow pages. How far she had fallen she humored. "And if I refuse?"

"You won't." he smirked and she frowned.

He was right she didn't.

Two hours to the minute was when Bonnie finally managed to drag Caroline out of the Michael Kors store. The pair had made it to Vera Wang where Bonnie was in process of trying on her third dress. She gave a small twirl in the floor length mirror disenchanted. "I don't like it." she huffed picking at the ruffled cream bodice.

Caroline's mouth unhinged in incredulity. The dress was absolutely stunning on her! The dress itself reminding her of Belle's from Beauty and the Beast. The off the shoulder sleeves, the long hitched body, the eggshell hue making her skin glow. Her baby blues shifting the package in her arms her baby blues shot to Stella. "Can you believe her?" she asked the two year old who merely giggled at her Auntie's wide eyes.

Bonnie clasped a hand over her mouth holding back her own chuckle. Stella's laugh was just too infectious. At the seriousness of Caroline's eyes she quieted her giggles.

"Bonnie this dress is beautiful." she assured her eyes glittering in admiration. "I wish your parents could see this." she awed then snapped her orbs to a confused Bonnie.

All forms of glee drained from Bonnie's olive spheres as well as her color. "Yeah me too." she smiled tremulously eyes back on the mirror. She didn't really like to talk about Abby and Rudy especially Abby.

After everything went down with veil and she realized she wouldn't be able to get back her witchery she fled unable to handle the fact that her last bit of hope was dashed. She didn't have to say it out loud, but Bonnie knew her mother blamed her for her continued vampire state. Bonnie blamed herself as well.

"Uh oh." Stella sung covering her eyes, burying her face in Caroline's shoulder.

Caroline's eyes drifted shut while pearly white teeth pinched her bottom lip. "Did I really say that out loud." she groaned face palming herself with her free hand. "I'm sorry, Bon."

"It's alright I'm fine."

Caroline knew she was lying with skipped beats of her heart, but she didn't push the subject. Instead she changed it. "How has life been with the two dads?"

Verdant eyes widened. "The jokes have to stop." she humored back in the dressing room. She was shimming out of the one of a kind design as Caroline continued.

"I'm just saying does it still feel awkward or have you guys feel into some new routine?" she asked lowering Stella to the ground to get her vibrating phone.

Bonnie threw the dress haphazardly onto the seat clumping out of the room. Back in her regular clothes she shrugged. "Everything is going as expected I guess. I haven't told Stefan about the trip yet." Before Caroline could get in another word she continued. "Before you ask no I don't know why I'm procrastinating and yes I made Damon promise to have us back for your Thanksgiving shindig." she smiled at the shocked look on her best friend's face.

"God, am I that predictable?" she huffed stuffing her phone into her pocket. Her eyes searched for Stella just as Bonnie's did. "I just sat her done for a second." she said immediately opening her senses to catch the smell of baby's breath and lilac.

Bonnie was tearing down the aisle's like a madwoman trying her hardest not to freak out. Her dream from the night before shadowing her. "Stella?" she shouted garnering the attention of other customers.

"Stella?" she could faintly hear Caroline calling from another area of the store.

Walking to a group of shoppers she grabbed them with shaky hands. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but have you guys seen a two year old about this high with a yellow sweater? She has big beautiful eyes, dark curls, about my complexion?" they gave her sad nods and she moved on to the next group.

She could hear some older parents saying "This is why teens shouldn't have children." snidely behind her but she was too worried to care.

Ten minutes in she seen Caroline heading for the exit and ran to catch up with her. Seeing a small child with a yellow sweater and blue jeans coming into view she bolted, pushing past Caroline and to the woman.

"Thank God." she exhaled nearly snatching Stella out of the woman's arms.

"Bonnie?"

The girl in question looked up to see familiar gem eyes. "Bev." she breathed pulling her new friend into a hug. "Thank you so much for catching her."

Beverly grinned pinching Stella lightly on the cheek. "Not a problem. I seen her trudging towards the exit and something told me to get her. I was just about to take her to the security booth when I heard someone asking me to stop." her eyes found an unusually quiet Caroline.

"Thank you again." Bonnie spoke snuggling her nose against a giggling Stella. The two year old was too into finishing her lollipop. "She's got this walking thing down to a science and thinks its funny to run."

"Looking at her now I can clearly see she's the little cutie you were showing me the other day." she smiled.

"A busy little cutie." Bonnie corrected. Looking at Caroline she shook her head. "Caroline this Beverly the girl I told you about earlier, and Bev this is my bestie Caroline." she introduced.

"Nice to finally meet you Care? Do you mind if I call you Care?" the girl peeped tossing her hand in Caroline's direction.

Caroline eyed the woman suspiciously there was just something off about her. "Not at all Bev." she said cheekily accepting the proffered limb.

Bonnie narrowed her eyes at her friend. "We were planning to head to the food court, do you want to join us?" she said heading towards the line of restaurants with the blonde close behind.

Pondering the request she nodded. "I'm supposed to be waiting on my roommate she was supposed to be here an hour ago, I guess this trip wouldn't be a total waste if I had lunch with you guys." she said sweetly falling into step.

Laughter filled the air as Elena listened to Damon tell another silly story about Stella and Bonnie. It was so bizarre witnessing Damon in "daddy-mode." She'd never seen him so indescribably happy his eyes glowing with love. Seeing him that way nearly erased the small ache building in her heart. The ache wishing she could feel and have the same.

After ending the call with Alaric the hostility was still blowing heavily in the air. They talked tersely about her decision to give Jeremy the cure and what led to her decision. She didn't want anyone else dying to keep her alive; as a vampire she would be able to protect and defend herself. He still didn't like her reasoning and told her as such and after a few choice words they agreed to disagree. Elena wanted to know how he came back and he fed her the same story he'd told Stefan and Bonnie. He just woke up naked in the woods behind the manor, it's all he could remember.

"I know Stefan is probably none to pleased in having to share his golden girl." Elena snorted good naturedly. At the dissolve in his smile she chastised herself.

Damon recovered his devil without a care persona. "My brother is slowly remembering his place." he smirked leaning further into the couch cushion. "I don't blame his hesitance in giving up his pseudo daddy spot, my daughter is one helluva girl."

Elena nodded pulling on her sleeve debating whether it was wise to rectify her words. "I was talking about Bonnie." she edged out cautiously.

He went ramrod straight at her comment his teeth clinching in sync with his fist. "What do you mean by that?"

Her eyes blinked several times as her throat worked to clear itself. "I-I don't know—I didn't mean—"

"You were never a good liar Elena and that trait is only heightened in death." he was on the edge of his seat now. His knees brushing hers and her tongue felt too heavy in her mouth. She would choke on it, that she was sure of.

His baby blues were still too much to handle. The ardent residing in them making his gaze appear darker. She had no way to get herself out of this situation and no matter how at odds she were with Stefan she still loved him. If she said her truth she was sure Damon would kill him.

"They just became close in your absence." she sighed brushing back her fallen bang. "You know how that goes, how a vulnerable heart can grow attached to its new anchor." she looked pointedly at him.

She didn't have to say the words for him to understand where she was going with the conversation. He remembered very well how their dynamic changed when Klaus had stolen Stefan for the summer; forcing him to drink human blood and unleash the Ripper. The difference there was that Elena had reluctant feelings stirring within her for him. Bonnie didn't have any feelings for his brother and vice versa; right?

"I'm hardly the person to get subjective info from." she laughed sadly. "I mean I' the one who let my jealousy and insecurity ruin my relationship with Stefan it had nothing to do with the feelings I thought he had for her." she rambled on.

Damon's knuckles were white now and just when he moved to pry more information out of the doppelganger the door opened causing him to step back. The atmosphere changed completely once Bev came in carrying a couple shopping bags. "I reckon this is what had you stand me up at the mall."

Dark eyes bulged. "Oh my God Bev I'm so sorry." she apologized lifting from her seat.

"It's fine." Bev shooed eyeing Damon. "Hello again Damon." Her dazzling smile and all around good nature managed to turn his mood, just a bit.

"Bev." he smirked rising to his feet as well. "I better get going." Beverly was still staring at him like he was a bag of money and Elena was tempted to ask the girl if she needed a bib.

"Damon, wait." she rasped as they reached the hall. He turned giving her his full attention and she felt her tongue go weighty again. "I'm supposed to head to Buffalo to spend Thanksgiving with Aunt Jenna and Jeremy but—"

"You were hoping to get an invitation to stay here." Damon finished sticking his hands in his leather jacket.

She felt the burn of a blush that never came. "I know it was a stupid thing to wish for, I don't imagine to be all made up with everyone in 4 days, but its in my nature to try."

Damon nodded not really knowing what to say. He wasn't going to invite her home so he could get his balls burned off by a pissed off Bonnie. Her not having magic didn't mean a thing. He knew about the lighter the little witch kept in her end table. It was bad enough he hadn't bothered to mention the doppelganger was here, inviting her to a Thanksgiving dinner they may or may not be apart of was suicide.

He turned to make his exit but she caught his arm. "I've already been here too long Elena."

"I know but I just have to ask." her eyes pleading.

They were a breath away from each other as she released her grip. Her doe eyes locked into his misty blues. Feeling self conscious she focused her gaze on the closed doors of the Inn, dragging her tongue across suddenly dry lips. Damon watched her in utter curiosity.

"I've asked this question to myself a million times before I realized I wasn't the one who could answer it." she met his stare once more taking a deep breath. "Do you think if Bonnie never saved you from that werewolf bite by binding your souls; do you think you'd still feel for her like you do?"

There she said it. Said the one thing that had been driving her crazy for the past 3 years. And it felt so good to get it off her chest. Was it wrong for her to feel that Bonnie and Damon only got together because of the witchy ju ju Bonnie did maybe? But was it out of the question? No.

Damon stared at her for one long second that felt like an hour before that smirk found his lips again. "Do you think you'd feel for me what you do without the effects of the sire-bond?" he asked flippantly.

Elena's eyes widened in shock while her mouth opened and closed like a starving goldfish. When he turned around to leave this time she had no choice but to let him go.

Bonnie sat in the great room, Stella laying quietly across her lap waiting for Damon. The television was low her eyes on her sleeping daughter as her fingers filtered through hair thick as molasses and a color darker than midnight itself. A color that was patented by Damon Francesco Salvatore.

Continuing her massage through her daughter's mane she realized how much of Stella was Damon. Most people would compliment Bonnie on how much she was a carbon copy of her; if they seen her with Damon she was sure they'd eat their words. Her eyes when she was born were arctic blue, her curls she noticed touching them now, how they were same pattern and texture as Damon's.

A small smile tickled her lips at the thought. People would be surprised that after a hot shower Damon became a Curly Sue, but she loved it. The first time she seen his thick locks in its natural state was when she barged into his bathroom one day for his help. His wild eyes were bulging in mortification as he stood butt naked with a hair dryer in his hand frozen in place. Her cheeks were flaming and he had the nerve to look bashful. Forcing her eyes away from his nakedness she snickered at his Shirley Temple curls. Okay they weren't that curly but it was amusing nonetheless.

His blue eyes burned her as he greeted her with some snarky comment about knocking and privacy, but all she could do was fight the urge to run her hands through them while he held the blow dryer. Her feet start moving of their own volition and her fingers were doing just that. His gaze followed her movement and to both their shock his eyes closed minutely while her fingers explored him. They were so soft and silky a feel she only got after tons of mousse. As he leaned into her caress the spell finally broke and they jerked apart. Anyone could have came in and they wouldn't have a clue how to explain this.

"I should go." she spoke finally able to find her voice.

Clearing his throat he wholeheartedly agreed ignoring the emptiness her fingers left. "That may be wise."

Giving him a curt nod she stalked off towards the door then paused a smirk playing on her lips. "What products do you use?"

She giggled at the memory despite herself remembering the picture she made him take with her after they showered together for the first time. God she loved that man even when she was pissed beyond measure at him. It seemed like when it came to him her emotions volleyed between being pissed at him and loving him beyond feasible reasoning.

While she was pregnant she had bounced between being furious at him for dying and grateful that he left her with such a precious remembrance. Which was why Stella looked like him so much. Right down to that damn smirk she flashed when she got her way. Feeling a dip in the couch her eyes roamed to see Stefan.

"I was just musing on the fact that even though she came out of me, she's the spitting image of Damon."

Stefan smiled noting the obvious similarities from the hair to the keen nose and ears. But that was just surface things, sometimes you had to look deeper. It was the little things that made a difference.

"Where is my wonderful brother anyway?" Stefan asked tying his finger around his own curl.

Bonnie bit her lip. "I don't know I tried to call him, but his phone went straight to voicemail."

"Hmph." Stefan buzzed in faux surprise, he knew exactly where Damon was. Changing the course of his thoughts he continued. "She looks like you too." he claimed.

Bonnie snorted. "Other than her creamy beige exterior that I only get in the winter months I don't see it." she joked.

He looked at her with that intent stare that only Stefan could do and reflected. "When she's confused about what to do she nibbles her lips." he started his arm over the back of the sofa maneuvering himself to face her. "When she sees something she doesn't like she crinkles her nose just like you." he smiled.

Bonnie swallowed, hard. The wonder in his eyes making the air charged with a feeling she couldn't name.

"Freckles." she heard him chuckle garnering back her attention.

The alarm on her face made his smile stretch and she looked away in a fluster. Only Damon had mentioned her freckles counting all 30+ of them one night after they made love. She had always tried to hide the deformity with a little foundation feeling embarrassed, but he encouraged her to embrace them. Brusquely saying he'd die before she stopped trying to be ordinary.

"She has your freckles." Stefan continued.

Something passed his features before he said the next thing and she felt the urge to move back, but was glued to her spot. "I've only known one person who could light up a room with her smile, now I know two." he said huskily looking at the crooked pout that Stella matched. Lips he'd been dreaming about since…

He was leaning in at the drop of a hat and she cleared her throat scooting up and off the couch putting her daughter over her shoulder. His face fell in embarrassment. "I better lay her down." she stated walking towards the door.

Stefan's head nodded but he knew she was moving to distance herself from him and the tension he'd mistakenly put in the air. "Bonnie I'm so—"

She raised her free hand signaling him to shut up. "It's fine but.." her eyes went heavenward as she struggled to find the right words. "This can't happen Stefan, I know that there are these feelings.." she wrestled out the words.

"So you admit that I'm not in this alone." he interrupted getting to his feet as well. "That there is something here." he motioned the air between them.

"But this has to stop." she whispered harshly as if he'd never interjected. "You know better than anyone I'm not that girl." she said with finality.

The words ringing in his ear like the bell in town square. That girl meaning that damsel. That girl meaning that indecisive. That girl meaning Elena.

As much as he wanted to debate the topic, throw at her what could have been he couldn't deny the fact that she was right. There would be no second guessing or confused feelings from Bonnie. She knew what she wanted and sadly it wasn't him. He watched her retreating form feeling like complete and utter shit for even letting himself put her in discomfort. Especially with Stella in the room laying innocently between them. Grabbing the ends of his hair he growled throwing a pillow. Snatching his jacket he headed for the door, for some much needed air.

::::

Her nerves were frazzled as she began searching around the room for anything she might have forgotten to pack. Her hands were still shaking from the encounter with Stefan. Why would he do this to her, to them. She needed a nice cold glass of water, and maybe a valium she mused reaching for the doorknob just as the door swung open revealing a self-effacing Damon. He gave her a tremulous smile that she softly returned.

"You're late." she voiced as he dropped his leather jacket onto the lambskin chair in their room.

"Sorry I got sidetracked." he said distractedly tossing his shirt off. "I'm gonna go take a quick shower then we can get on the road."

Bonnie caught his arm before he could move any further and he closed his eyes trying to block out the doubt Elena put in his head. "Are you okay? What happened? Where did you go?" she asked in concern her warm palms now on his cheeks.

Rolling his eyes Damon planted a smile on his lips. His eyes glowing in exuberance he didn't really feel. "I'm fine mom."

She cringed at his words dropping her hands. "Sorry I'm doing it again." she winced. "Mommy mode is off."

Pulling her into him he kissed her lips hissing when his fang elongated pricking them. She moaned into the union her arms wrapping around his neck to tangle in his hair. Their tongues moved in harmony until Damon ended it. "I'm fine, okay. You finish packing and I'll take the bags down when I get out capisce?"

"Capisce." She nodded still in a daze wanting nothing more than to jump in the shower with him.

With the close of the door she was zipping suitcases and tidying up the mess she made. Hauling the two large duffels to the bedroom door she grabbed her jacket and Damon's when something fell out of his pocket. Picking up the fallen business card she seen Alaric's name scribbled on the back a small smile on her face.

So Damon met up with Alaric today, she thought flipping the card over. Her visage immediately went hard reading the name 'Georgetown University' printed across the white sheet. Her fingers dropped the card in attempt to dull the humming going on within them. He wouldn't her inner monologue began as she paced the floor. There was no way he drove to Washington D.C. to see Elena. No way.

On the other side of the door a large calloused hand cleared away fog from the coated mirror. His hair curved in deep waves as it lay across his forehead. Using that same hand he shoved the hair out of his face in frustration. No way.

There was no way Stefan and Bonnie blurred any lines during his vacation from the land of the living. She wouldn't do that, especially after the vow he made her take when things stopped being about sex to him. Nope, he wouldn't believe it. He refused to; so Elena could take the fucking seeds she'd planted and shove them up her ass. Content with that thought he swaggered to the door with a lot more pep in his step which deflated the moment he stepped into the room to see once packed clothes scattered across the floor with a ticking Bonnie seated in one of the chairs holding something between her fingers.

"Sabrina?" he said carefully noting the red rimming her fiery orbs.

"Where were you today Damon?" the calmness of the query raising red flags with him.

"Bonnie—"

She rose from the seat so quickly it had him questioning which one of them was the vampire. She threw the card as hard as she could into his face. "Answer the fucking question, Damon." the shrillness in her voice couldn't disguise the crack it held.

His jaw set now recognizing what she held in the palm of her hand. "Lets just cut the bullshit, you obviously know where I was." he clipped holding on to the knot of his towel.

"I wanna hear you say it." she bit out angrily.

Lowering his head so they could be at eye level he squinted his icicle hued spheres. "Fine." he growled never leaving their stare down. "I was with Elena all morning, but like I said before you knew that." he smiled sardonically.

Bonnie's eyes glistened in unshed tears hearing the confirmation she'd ask for. She almost wished the jackass would have lied. Her legs were moving back on their own volition her head shaking to and fro in disbelief. "Did you sleep with her?"

Damon gave her wild eyes his mouth slightly agape at the allegation. "Are you fucking serious right now, Bonnie? Does my love mean that little to you?"

"Of course it doesn't!" she shouted the tears falling freely from her eyes. "Which is why I had to ask, which is why I'm still waiting on an answer."

Damon stared at her furiously fighting for the last nerve she was tap dancing on. He took two steps forward in an attempt to close the distance, but Bonnie mirrored the opposite. If she wanted after all these years to hang his past over his head then she'd get the answer she so desperately wanted to believe. "Yes." he said simply shrugging his shoulders. "I fucked her."

Bonnie blanched at his crudeness moving back as he moved forward. "I bent her doppelganger ass over the first surface I seen and pounded her pussy into oblivion until I was the only Salvatore imbedded in her fickle mind." he said bitterly smiling at the appalled expression on Bonnie's face. "Does that answer your damn question?"

Her back hit the dresser allowing him to box her in, his towel circling his feet. Damon knew he was wrong, could feel the burning of Bonnie's tears as she fought to hold back the treacherous waters. Crimson had painted her slender neck and cheeks, but his level of pissivity wouldn't allow him to backtrack.

Even though he expected the slap she delivered to his unblemished face the impact it had never ceased to amaze him. He allowed her two punches and another slap before he grabbed her wrists pulling her flush against him. The heat of her skin setting him on fire for that moment on, every breath she exhaled he inhaled.

"You're such an ass." she hissed trying to break free. "A dirty, rotten, lying sonofabitch." she groaned as he tightened her wrist. If she wasn't so prissy she'd spit in his face right now.

"Am I lying?" he harshed yoking her a bit. "Or am I being the person you always thought I was, Judgy. That person who's beneath you."

She sucked her jaw wrenching her eyes from the piercing force of his crystal orbs refusing to hold his gaze any longer. Damon's eyes had a way of making you feel guilty even if he was the one in the wrong, and she forbid that feeling from coming. Instead her lips pressed into a firm line; her eyes still fixed in a hard glare at the wall.

Realizing she wasn't going to dignify his response with an answer he relented his seize on her wrists. Moving to the dresser she stood against, pulling the drawer open only blinking when the door slammed.

TBC..

Okay so this chapter ended up being kind of filler because I didn't get a chance to add in everything I wanted because the length was getting to was that Bev up to at the mall? Was Bonnie wrong to jump to conclusions giving Delena's past? Why the heck did Damon lie? And that darn Stefan its not always good to wear your heart on your sleeves. Next chapter will pick up from the moment Bonnie slams the door. We have the Bamon road trip, Stelena with maybe Forwood. And even while they're at odds Damon manages to put a smile on Bonnie's face. Reviews are love and thanks for reading xoxo