Three's a Crowd: A Bamonenzo Story
Kayer713
Chapter Eight
A heretic.
Ever since Valerie had broken the news Bonnie hadn't been sure how to respond. On the one hand she was elated to still have her magic. It had been such a part of her for so long that it grieved her to imagine an eternity without it. But realizing that she was now the thing that only months ago she and her friends hated, well that would take some getting used to.
Not too long after their discovery Matt arrived. He kept his distance from Damon and Valerie but seemed apologetic toward Stefan at least. It was a start. Jeremy led him out to his truck and the two compared weapons. Despite their initial fervor it was decided that killing the mystery vampire would come first. Unlike Mary-Louise he had nothing keeping him here. Which meant he'd be on the move and out of their grasp before long. Tracking him was easy as he didn't have a daylight ring. His movements were limited to the night. That meant that during the day he'd be holed up somewhere. It wouldn't take long to find him.
Matt and Jeremy wanted to go at him without their help. They insisted that they had it under control. Bonnie was against it but with her still becoming acclimated with her change it was decided that she should stay back. The battle could draw blood and they weren't sure how she would react if Matt or Jeremy got cut. She was still a new turn after all. Of course Damon opted to stay with her. Stefan being Stefan went to help. And Valerie being Valerie went with him.
Before their departure Jeremy made a quick call to Tyler to inquire about Elena. Had she woken upon Bonnie's death? The smile that lit his face told the story. She would be on the first plane from New York. The news was bittersweet.
Bonnie loved her best friend. She'd do anything for her and had done so often enough but at the same time she didn't want to lose Damon. Would he go back to her? Would he forget his promise at the roadside?
"Bonnie, you will never be my second choice, do you understand?"
She'd understood. But at the time the circumstances had been a bit different. For one thing, Damon hadn't really had a choice. Elena had been in a coma. She and Bonnie would never even be around at the same time. But now?
Worst case scenario Damon reneged and went back to her. Forgot the tears that they'd shed and the kiss that they'd shared. It would hurt, God it would hurt but Elena would live the rest of her life happy. But if Damon didn't go back? If instead he stuck to his word and loved Bonnie? That too would be problematic because while she would become the happiest heretic alive, she'd be making her best friend miserable. It was a lose/lose situation.
"I'd ask you what you're thinking but I think I already know," Damon said quietly from behind her.
Bonnie took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"I don't want to hurt, Damon," she confessed.
"I don't want you to hurt either," was his reply.
Bonnie turned to him.
"And I don't want her to hurt."
"Nor do I."
At least they were in agreement. Bonnie took a seat on the couch. When Damon didn't sit down as well she looked up at him. He was watching her with troubled eyes.
"I can't lose you again, Bonnie."
He didn't try to hide the emotion in his voice. She didn't try to hide the pain in her heart. She didn't want to lose him either but now that Kai's spell had been fulfilled, did either of them really have a choice?
It didn't take long to track the mystery vampire. Stefan found that during his time away Jeremy had become a pretty skilled hunter. His tracking ability was impressive. And maybe just a little unsettling. After all Stefan was still a vampire. Even still Elena's little brother had come a long way. Disposing of the vamp—a 1933 turn by the name of Jakob—wasn't much of a challenge. Against a bar full of drunken patrons he was tough but against two hunters, a vampire and a heretic he was toast.
After the kill Jeremy opted to stay with Matt. Though he was civil toward Stefan it was obvious that there was a tension there. Because of Damon & Bonnie or because of Valerie's presence after what he'd heard from Matt about the heretics. Most likely both. Stefan considered this and gave him his space. The two called Tyler and headed off to Matt's place. That left Stefan and Valerie alone.
"So the great mystery is solved," she told him as they walked back to his car. "What now? I'm assuming you want to give Damon and Bonnie their privacy."
She was assuming right. They'd have a lot to talk about now that Elena was coming back. He didn't envy their plight. It was obvious that Damon was in love. He'd seen his brother in love before and this was it. The way Damon had held her, the way that he'd cried, the way that he'd refused to give up trying to save her no matter what. Even the looks he gave her when he didn't think anyone was watching. Stefan knew.
But he also knew what Damon had with Elena. And he of all people should know that it was possible to be in love with more than one person. He'd been on the recipient side of that twice already. Neither had ended up very well for him. But this was different. This wasn't Katherine or Elena trying to choose between two brothers. This was Damon needing to choose between two friends. Friends who were like sisters. Regardless of his decision, one of them would be hurt. Stefan knew what that was like, having lost Elena to Damon. He would be there for whoever needed a shoulder.
"I think it would be best to let them talk it out," he agreed.
They reached the car and he opened her door. Valerie smiled at his gesture.
"Always the gentleman."
Her eyes met his and again he felt something that he shouldn't. Remembering his conversation with Bonnie earlier, Stefan took a step back.
"I'm thinking I'll go to Whitmore and see Caroline," he said.
He saw her smile fade slightly.
"Oh of course. You have a lot to fill her in on. I'll go out, grab a drink or something. If you can drop me off."
He didn't want to be rude.
"Sure, not a problem."
She ended up getting out at a small hangout called "Blue Monkey." They shared one last look before he pulled off.
Once out of the car Valerie pulled herself together and headed inside. This night had turned out to be a letdown for all witches involved. Stefan would be with Caroline. And Bonnie might lose Damon. She took a seat at the bar and motioned for the bartender.
"Well aren't you a long way from Salvatore Manor."
She didn't have to turn around to know Enzo's voice. She glanced over to the left to find him finishing off a scotch.
"Can't a girl get a drink without being judged?" she asked before ordering.
Enzo shrugged, already in his liquor.
"If you're looking for judgement, look somewhere else. I'm just here for a little fun."
He glanced around the room, spotted something he liked and his veins blackened briefly. Oh he was going to eat good tonight.
"Still down about Bonnie?"
He didn't answer but his jaw tightened.
"If she wants Damon then she can have him," he murmured begrudgingly.
Valerie saw right through it.
"Well just so you know she may not have him for long."
Enzo raised a curious eyebrow.
"Yea?"
Hope dared to peek through. The bartender brought Valerie a drink and she thanked him.
"After our little stint at the Grill Bonnie and Damon had a run-in with Mary-Louise," she informed Enzo.
"To make a long story short Bonnie ended up dying with Nora's blood inside her."
Enzo's eyes widened.
"No, you mean she's a vampire now?"
He was half raised from his seat. As if he were going to run over to the Salvatore's to see for himself. Valerie gestured for him to sit.
"No, no she's not a vampire. At least not just a vampire."
Enzo waited for her to continue. Valerie leaned in closer.
"We don't know how this happened. I guess because a heretic's never turned a non-siphoning witch before but she's like us now. A heretic."
That almost knocked Enzo off of his chair.
"The bloody hell you mean she's a heretic?" he exclaimed more shocked than anything.
She wasn't sure if he rated it a good or a bad thing. Only that it was unbelievable to him.
"How is that even possible?"
Valerie shrugged, equally puzzled.
"Like I said, this is the first time any of us has turned a non-siphoning witch. I don't know if it mingled with her DNA or what. It's all magic I reckon."
Enzo shook his head.
"So how is she taking it?" he wanted to know.
"So far she's been doing well but I'd attribute that to Damon being with her. She took her first drink of blood like a pro. But it's not the being a heretic that's an issue. Did you forget Kai's spell? Bonnie died, Enzo. That means that Elena is awake. And if Elena's awake—"
Enzo put two-and-two together.
"Maybe Damon will go back to Elena and Bonnie will sacrifice being with Damon to make her friend happy."
Valerie nodded as he motioned for another drink. When Enzo didn't smile at the revelation, she quirked an eyebrow.
"You don't sound too happy about that," she noted.
He downed his drink in one gulp.
"It figures I'd fall for the girl that would rather love somebody who's already taken," he griped.
"And of course it's Damon who takes her. You know the last time I loved a woman, her name was Maggie, Damon killed her. And don't get me started on his role in Lily's death."
Valerie winced at the pain of the memory. She'd been there as well.
"You know just for once I'd like to meet someone who has and wants nothing to do with Damon Salvatore," Enzo went on.
"I mean in this whole bloody world is there one woman that fits that description?"
When he slammed his glass back down on the bar it shattered. A few patrons turned to see the commotion but when they found no action went back to their business. Valerie watched him, understanding too well the pain of loss. Though he hadn't dated Bonnie long enough for it to be love he'd cared for her in a way that undoubtedly could have become that. When she'd first met Stefan she'd cared for him as well. But for her love had come quickly.
Enzo deserved love. Bonnie would agree. Before she could talk herself out of it, Valerie reached over to touch his shoulder. The spell came out.
"Diligo volo reperio tu."
Love will find you.
He looked at her, yanked away defensively.
"What did you just do to me?"
Valerie slid her glass away, gave him an empathizing look. He had no idea how to interpret the spell. Enzo started to rise in an intimidation attempt but something in her eyes discouraged it. He had to know that she was not an enemy.
"You're welcome."
She rose from the bar then and made her way to the dance floor leaving him to stare after her in confusion.
That night Bonnie slept in Damon's arms. Neither Stefan nor Valerie returned so they had the house to themselves. Though he wanted to touch her, to explore her in ways Jeremy and Enzo couldn't imagine, Damon kept his hands to himself. Instead he just held her, cherishing the closeness of her body against his. He loved her. Beyond all else. No one would separate them ever again.
The next morning Stefan brought Caroline, Matt brought Jeremy, and Valerie arrived with a stand-offish Enzo. Alaric was still in Dallas setting up his new home. Still new to the vamp world, Bonnie sipped continuously on a blood bag to curb her thirst. She had yet to create a daylight ring.
"I can't believe you're a heretic now," Caroline was going on.
Apparently Stefan hadn't mentioned what else was new with Bonnie.
"I mean you'll be immortal with me and Stefan. Literally BFFs!"
She hugged her and Bonnie quietly hugged her back. Damon noticed that she was still troubled. He would ease her tension soon enough.
"Elena's going to die when she finds out. I'm dying! I thought I'd never see the both of you in the same room again."
No one had. Especially not him. As if she sensed his eyes on her, Bonnie glanced his way. Their eyes met.
"What are you—" Caroline began.
Bonnie looked away. As he looked away as well Damon could hear Caroline's hushed tone.
"Do we need to talk, Bon?"
"Talk? About what? I-I'm fine."
He heard them moving farther away.
"About what Enzo said yesterday. You and Damon? You two have been giving each other these weird looks all morning."
Curious as to Bonnie's response, Damon paused where he stood.
"Interesting conversation, huh?"
Stefan put an arm around Damon's shoulder, leading him out toward the back and away from their houseguests. Damon glanced back at Bonnie and Caroline who were still engrossed in conversation.
"What are you doing?" he asked his younger brother, irritated by the intrusion.
Stefan continued to move them forward.
"We need to talk."
They stopped at the back door. There Damon shrugged him off.
"Talk about what?" he asked, but he had a feeling that he knew.
Stefan folded his arms under his chest in that annoying holier-than-thou way he liked to do.
"What are you going to do about this situation with Elena and Bonnie?"
Damon had a quick comeback.
"What are you going to do about this Valerie and Caroline situation?"
Stefan blinked then caught himself.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yea I bet you don't. Look just keep your stones in your own glass house okay. I have everything under control."
Stefan rolled his eyes.
"Yea, you just professed your love for Bonnie last night and now Elena's coming back this morning. You're in love with the both of them Damon. Just like Katherine, just like Elena you have to choose."
Didn't he think he knew that? His brother could really be self-righteous sometimes.
"Tell you what," Damon remarked, "I'll let you know who I choose when you let me know who you choose between Valerie and Caroline."
Stefan shook his head.
"Caroline is my girlfriend there is no choice to make. She is the choice."
But while he yet spoke Damon recalled the chemistry he'd seen between his brother and the heretic. One never forgot their first love. Valerie was Stefan's.
And Katherine was mine.
It dawned on him then. Katherine Pierce. The woman who'd broken his heart, caused his death and ultimately the suffering that he and his brother had endured following. It made so much sense now. Just looking at Stefan deny what was still there. All of this time Damon had been chasing Katherine Pierce. A better Katherine Pierce. A Katherine who would love him over Stefan. That Katherine was Elena.
Did he truly love Elena? For herself or for her literally being the "good" replica of the woman he'd loved for over a century? When he looked at her he saw the dream of a young man back from the war—everything that Katherine should have been to him. Everything the human him had lived and died for.
But when he looked at Bonnie he saw no one else but Bonnie.
"Damon?"
Stefan touched his shoulder.
"Are you even listening to me?"
What was Stefan going on about? It didn't really matter. What mattered was that Damon had finally figured something out. And that something was going to help him with his dilemma.
Bonnie bit her lip, trying her best to field Caroline's questions.
"Nothing's going on it's just…" if breaking the news of dating Enzo was hard then telling her that she was in love with Damon would be damn near impossible.
Bonnie tried to think of an answer, a way to sate Caroline's thirst for detail without causing a reaction. She had never been a fan of Damon. Add to the fact that Damon was still Elena's boyfriend and this could be disastrous. It wasn't a matter of 'what if' she disapproved. She would DEFINITELY disapprove.
"Besides, anybody is better than Damon. Even Enzo."
Her friend had literally made the remark less than twenty-four hours ago. But the question now was, with Elena being back would it cause a rift?
"Do we have to talk about this now?" she avoided the subject, "I mean with Elena's homecoming—"
But Caroline wasn't one to be deterred. She liked to know things, the woman was a freaking bloodhound.
"Bonnie Bennett if you don't tell me right now I swear I'll never talk to you again. Now for the last time what is going on with you and Damon?"
She felt her anxiety turned up to a hundred. These vampire emotions were no joke. Suddenly it all came to a head, what Damon would do, what Caroline would think, what Elena would say. Her face tingled at the loss of control. Bonnie dropped her now empty blood bag without even noticing.
"You really want to know? You just have to know? Fine I'm in love with him okay? Enzo was right. I'm in love with Damon Salvatore!"
Caroline's jaw dropped. She took a step back, as if the words had shoved her away. An incredible thirst hit Bonnie then and she felt her fangs drop. Too much emotion. It was all too much.
She vaguely heard chatter around her but her focus was on her best friend who was staring at her with a look of both utter disbelief and yes that was disapproval.
"Damon?" Caroline repeated, "Seriously?!"
She felt her judgment, much like years ago when she and Caroline had judged Elena. But now she was on the receiving end…with elevated vampire emotions…and it hurt.
"Look you of all people know that I wasn't always his biggest fan either but it kind of just happened."
Caroline was shaking her head.
"What do you mean it just happened? This is Damon we're talking about. DAMON."
She said his name like a foul word. Again her judgment stung.
Bonnie blinked. The room swam around her. In her peripheral there was movement. Bonnie caught the scent of a very human Matt across the way. She closed her eyes, tried to calm herself. Tried to fight the watering in her mouth as she could hear his heart beating steadily. She had to get out of there. Away from Caroline, away from Matt, away from everyone so that she could get this thing under control.
"I need a drink."
She hurried off then toward the cellar. Stefan's supply of blood bags were coming in handy. Behind her she wasn't sure if Caroline would follow but she couldn't think of that right now. As she left the room Bonnie saw both Matt and Jeremy's eyes on her. Matt watched her with uncertainty, Jeremy with a hint of disapproval. Just as Caroline did, he hated Damon too.
Downstairs Bonnie found the bags and grabbed a couple. So this would be her life now. Drinking from blood bags for all eternity. Never changing, watching the world as it did. Reinventing herself every so often to throw off suspicion. At least she would do so with her friends by her side.
Well, Stefan anyway. Caroline wasn't too happy at the moment. But hey she came around before, right? Still what Bonnie had just felt in the room with Matt and Jeremy, well that wasn't something she could get used to. The thirst had been so real. She have to find her focus; keep her thirst in check. She was a Bennett. She could do this.
"I recommend you heat those up. Cold blood is the worst."
Caroline.
Bonnie turned to her.
"Look I know you hate Damon but can you please wait until I steady myself before you lay into me again," she requested.
Caroline sighed, reached over and touched her arm.
"You know I love you," she admitted. "You're my best friend. I guess because of that I instantly go into protective mode instead of understanding mode."
Bonnie nodded.
"Preaching to the choir," she reminded her, "we've been down this road before, remember?"
With Elena.
"Only it's different because you're feelings aren't influenced by a sire bond," Caroline noted, "Which makes this even worse because they're actually real."
Bonnie looked at her.
"I just don't want to see you hurt. You know how Damon is. He's egotistical, selfish, impulsive I could go on. He loved Elena and still killed her brother. And when he thought she dumped him he had Enzo kill him again. What's he going to do when you two have a fight?"
What indeed. But she already knew all of this about Damon.
"I'll force him to talk it out like an adult," Bonnie answered, "and if he still wants to be an ass I'll use my magic on him."
She shifted the bags in her hand.
"Care, I get it, Damon isn't exactly a gentleman. And I get that as my friend you want to see me with someone as caring and sweet as Stefan but I love him and no amount of Damon-hate is going to make that love go away. You don't know anything about him that I don't already know. And given that I spent months trapped alone with him I may know more than you do. But I still love him, warts and all. You're just going to have to accept that."
Caroline didn't object. Instead she released another sigh. When she didn't say anything for a while Bonnie took that as their cue to head upstairs.
"Come on, let's warm these up."
"Bonnie wait."
She turned around. Caroline tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Since he means that much to you I can accept you and Damon."
That mean more to her than her friend could ever know.
"But for the record I was so rooting for Enzo."
Bonnie raised an eyebrow.
"Were you now?"
Caroline gave her a mischievous smile.
"Sure. Every woman needs a Mr. Hotstuff in her life. And especially in her bed."
Bonnie shook her head, but the giggle poured out of her nonetheless.
"I don't know what to do with you."
"Don't tell me you haven't thought about it. As amazing as you said he was. Come on between us girls, are you going to miss it?"
Bonnie reached for the door and began to open it.
"Geez Care, it was more than just sex. I really did like him."
She turned to Caroline just as she pushed the door open.
"Truth be told, if I weren't in love with Damon then I would have given Enzo a shot."
Caroline's eyes popped as Bonnie finished her sentence, and in that instant she knew that something was horribly wrong. She turned, followed her friend's gaze. And nearly fell down the stairs herself. Standing right on the other side of the door amongst the group of their friends was the last person she was ready to admit her feelings for Damon to.
Elena.